Multi-Camera Time Synchronization via Master Clock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capturing video of sporting events with multiple cameras is challenging due to the lack of synchronization with timing systems, making it difficult to assemble continuous and precise multi-camera videos, as cameras are often restricted to designated areas and lack synchronization with the event's timing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising time-synchronized cameras and a logging device connected to an electronic timing system, where each camera captures video with timestamps that can be synchronized with a master clock, allowing precise timing of video frames and enabling the logging of start signals and race data for accurate video assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent cameras are used to capture different views of the sporting event, then the coverage and variety of video angles are improved, but the difficulty of assembling continuous and synchronized multi-camera videos increases due to lack of time synchronization with the timing system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing system with the camera systems by establishing a master clock that all cameras and the logging device synchronize to. This integration combines previously independent systems into a unified time-synchronized network, allowing seamless video assembly from multiple cameras without manual timecode alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The logging device acts as an intermediary between the timing system and the camera systems. It receives timing signals, generates synchronized timecodes, and distributes them to all cameras, facilitating coordinated operation without requiring direct communication between each camera and the timing system.
2Ease of operation
If cameras are placed in designated spectator areas to capture event footage, then the ease of operation for spectators is maintained, but the ability to capture close and varied views of participants is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables both spectators and professional operators to use the same camera equipment effectively. By providing automated time-synchronization and video assembly capabilities, the system makes professional-grade multi-camera operation accessible to spectators while maintaining the ability to capture precise, coordinated footage from various locations.
3Device complexity
If cameras operate independently without time synchronization, then the device complexity and setup requirements are reduced, but the measurement precision of event timing relative to video frames deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary time synchronization setup before the sporting event begins. The master clock is established and all cameras are pre-synchronized to this clock, ensuring that timing precision is already in place when the event starts, eliminating the need for complex post-event timecode alignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A video capturing system for a sporting event includes a master clock; a plurality of cameras; and a logging device. The plurality of cameras are arranged to capture different views of participants of the sporting event. Each of the plurality of cameras is configured to capture video of participants of the sporting event. Each of the plurality of cameras includes a clock for tracking time. A logging device includes a processor, a memory, and a clock. The clock of the logging device is time-synchronized with the clocks of the plurality of cameras and the master clock. The logging device is electronically communicable with the plurality of cameras to at least time synchronize the clocks of the plurality of cameras and the master clock.