Multi-camera Video Synchronization via Visual Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing videos from multiple cameras require a special device for modulated light illumination, which increases costs and may fail to maintain synchronization over time, leading to temporal shifts between video frames.
Innovation Solution
A time synchronization information computation device and method that detects visual events in videos from multiple cameras, analyzing these events to generate synchronization information without the need for a special illumination device, using visual event detection and integration mechanisms to synchronize camera times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an intensity-modulated illumination device is used to synchronize camera shooting timings, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flash synchronization signal as an intermediary element that mediates between the flash device and the camera. The flash device emits a synchronization signal that the camera detects to align its shooting timing, eliminating the need for complex intensity-modulated illumination devices while maintaining synchronization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified flash synchronization mechanism that copies the essential function of timing alignment without requiring the complex intensity modulation capabilities. The flash device generates a synchronization signal that replicates the timing reference function, allowing camera synchronization through signal detection rather than complex light modulation
2Reliability
If an intensity-modulated illumination device is periodically illuminated to maintain synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic flash synchronization signals to maintain synchronization reliability. The flash device emits synchronization signals at appropriate intervals during operation, ensuring that camera timing remains aligned without requiring continuous illumination, thus balancing reliability with energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the flash device's own synchronization signal to maintain timing alignment between cameras. The flash synchronization mechanism serves the dual purpose of its primary function (providing flash illumination) and the synchronization function, eliminating the need for separate continuous illumination devices and reducing overall energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of video acquisition units 100-1 to 100 N acquire videos. A plurality of visual event detection units 101-1 to 101-N provided corresponding to the plurality of video acquisition units analyze the videos acquired by the plurality of video acquisition units 100-1 to 100-N to detect visual events, and generate visual event detection information including time information on when the visual events occur. A visual event integration means 102 integrates the visual event detection information generated by the plurality of visual event detection units 101-1 to 101-N and generates time synchronization information which is used to synchronize the times of the videos acquired by the plurality of video acquisition units 100-1 to 100-N.