Video Frame Synchronization via Timestamp Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
In video production, multiple cameras capturing the same event often introduce varying latencies due to different communication media and compression techniques, leading to unaligned video feeds that appear unprofessional in the final production.
Innovation Solution
The system inserts timestamps based on a precision time source into each video frame, allowing for synchronization at a remote location by computing time differences and using buffering techniques to align frames, ensuring that all video feeds are correctly timed and aligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple video feeds are transmitted through different communication media and compression techniques, then the video production can be distributed remotely, but varying latencies are introduced between feeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by inserting precise timestamps into each video frame at the source, and pre-calculating expected arrival times based on known transmission path characteristics. This allows the receiving system to proactively buffer and reorder frames before final assembly, rather than reacting to latency issues after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
A timestamp-based time reference system acts as an intermediary between multiple video feeds with different latencies. Each feed is tagged with precise timing information, and a synchronization mechanism uses these timestamps as a common reference frame to align feeds from different communication paths, effectively mediating the timing discrepancies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video feeds are not synchronized properly, then transmission through multiple paths is maintained, but the resulting production appears unprofessional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical synchronization methods with an automated electronic timestamp-based system. Instead of physically adjusting and manually aligning video feeds, the system uses electronically inserted timestamps and automated buffering logic to achieve precise synchronization, substituting mechanical adjustment with digital time-referencing.
Solution Approach 2:
Each video feed autonomously carries its own timestamp information embedded within the data stream. The synchronization system automatically extracts these timestamps, compares them against expected arrival times, and self-adjusts buffering without external intervention, allowing the system to self-synchronize multiple feeds independently.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual synchronization is used to align video feeds, then precision can be achieved, but time and labor are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system embeds self-descriptive timestamp data within each video frame that automatically identifies its timing and sequencing information. This allows the synchronization system to automatically process and align feeds without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-synchronizing and eliminating the time and labor associated with manual alignment while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer program products to perform an operation comprising receiving a first video frame specifying a first timestamp from a first video source, receiving a second video frame specifying a second timestamp from a second video source, wherein the first and second timestamps are based on a remote time source, determining, based on a local time source, that the first timestamp is later in time than the second timestamp, and storing the first video frame in a buffer for alignment with a third video frame from the second video source.