Volumetric Frame Capture Controller Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing data representative of real-world scenes using multiple capture devices are inefficient due to significant processing requirements for organizing, sorting, and synchronizing data, and struggle to scale with increased system demands such as higher quality or larger scenes.
Innovation Solution
A volumetric frame capture system that includes controllers to manage and synchronize 3D sub-frames from multiple capture devices, aligning and processing them to form volumetric frames, thereby reducing unnecessary processing and enhancing scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple capture devices simultaneously capture data representative of the same real-world scene and provide it to a central processing server, then comprehensive scene coverage from multiple vantage points is achieved, but significant processing resources are required for organizing, sorting, ordering, and synchronizing the incoming data
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the complex task of data collection and processing into segments by assigning each capture device a unique identifier and having dedicated processing servers handle data from specific devices or device groups. This segmentation reduces the central processing burden and organizes data flow systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having capture devices embed timing information and device identifiers in metadata at the point of capture, and by pre-establishing synchronization protocols. This preliminary organization of data reduces the processing complexity required later when combining data from multiple devices.
2Power
If powerful computing resources are allocated to perform data organizing, sorting, ordering, and synchronizing operations, then data processing capability is improved, but it becomes difficult or impractical to scale such resources upward when system requirements change
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic scalability by allowing processing servers to be added or removed based on workload requirements. Each processing server can independently handle data from multiple capture devices, and the system can dynamically assign new devices to existing servers or create new servers as needed, making resource allocation flexible and adaptable to changing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Processing servers are designed with multi-functionality to handle various operations including organizing, sorting, ordering, and synchronizing data from different capture devices. This universal design allows the same server infrastructure to adapt to different system configurations and requirements without requiring specialized hardware for each function.
3Productivity
If conventional capture techniques are used, then current system requirements are met, but the system cannot easily scale to capture larger real-world scenes, use a larger number of capture devices, or achieve higher capture quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds the dimension of scalability by implementing a hierarchical architecture where capture devices, processing servers, and storage systems can be independently scaled. This allows the system to expand from small configurations to large-scale deployments across multiple facilities without redesigning the core architecture, enabling capture of larger scenes and higher quality data as needs evolve.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary volumetric frame capture controller (“controller”) transmits first and second commands to first and second three-dimensional (“3D”) capture devices disposed, respectively, at first and second positions with respect to a real-world scene. The first and second commands are to capture, respectively, first and second 3D sub-frames representative of the real-world scene from first and second vantage points associated with the first and second positions. Based on the first and second commands, the controller receives the first and second 3D sub-frames and, in response, determines that a first timestamp associated with a capture of the first 3D sub-frame is less than a predefined time threshold from a second timestamp associated with a capture of the second 3D sub-frame. In response to this determination, the controller provides the first and second 3D sub-frames for use in forming a volumetric frame of the real-world scene. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.