US 11,457,146 B1Granted

Synchronizing a multi-camera system

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorPoh-Keong Ng

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Abstract

Techniques for synchronizing acquisition of image data by cameras in a multi-camera system using a waveform associated with an AC power supply for the cameras. Each camera in the multi-camera system may receive power from the AC power supply provided using an AC voltage signal. Further, each camera may be configured to identify predefined voltages on a waveform of the AC voltage signal. By detecting the predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal, the cameras may be synchronized according to a frequency of the AC voltage signal. The cameras may be configured to synchronize acquisition of image data from respective imaging sensors based on the frequency of the AC voltage signal. In this way, the cameras of the multi-camera system may be synchronized using an AC power signal delivered through wires that are used to deliver power to the multiple cameras.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a power supply configured to supply alternating current (AC) power via an AC voltage signal;
a first camera module comprising:
a first imaging sensor configured to generate first image data;
and
one or more first processors comprising one or more first computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more first processors to perform first operations comprising:
identifying a predefined voltage on a waveform of the AC voltage signal;
based at least in part on identifying the predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal, causing a first readout of a first portion of the first image data from the first imaging sensor;
and
storing the first portion of the first image data at the first camera module;
and
a second camera module comprising:
a second imaging sensor configured to generate second image data;
and
one or more second processors comprising one or more second computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more second processors to perform second operations comprising:
identifying the predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal;
based at least in part on identifying the predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal, causing a second readout of a second portion of the second image data from the second imaging sensor;
and
storing the second portion of the second image data at the second camera module.

15 more elements

A method comprising:

monitoring, at a first computing device, a waveform of an alternating current (AC) voltage signal provided by an AC power supply that supplies AC power to the first computing device;
monitoring, at a second computing device, the waveform of the AC voltage signal provided by the AC power supply, wherein the AC power supply supplies AC power to the second computing device;
identifying, at the first computing device, a predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal;
identifying, at the second computing device, the predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal;
based at least in part on the identifying the predefined voltage at the first computing device, obtaining first image data from a first imaging sensor associated with the first computing device;
and
based at least in part on the identifying the predefined voltage at the second computing device, obtaining second image data from a second imaging sensor associated with the second computing device.

4 more elements

A system comprising:

a first device comprising:
a first imaging sensor;
one or more first processors;
and
one or more first computer-readable media storing first computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more first processors, cause the first device to perform first operations comprising:
monitoring a waveform associated with an alternating current (AC) voltage signal provided by a power supply, wherein the AC power supply supplies power to the first device;
identifying a predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal;
based at least in part on identifying the predefined voltage, obtaining first image data from the first imaging sensor, at least a portion of the first image data being generated by the first imaging sensor at a particular time;
and
a second device comprising:
a second imaging sensor;
one or more second processors;
and
one or more second computer-readable media storing second computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more second processors, cause the second device to perform second operations comprising:
monitoring the waveform associated with the AC voltage signal provided by the power supply, wherein the power supply supplies power to the second device;
identifying the predefined voltage on the waveform of the AC voltage signal;
and
based at least in part on identifying the predefined voltage, obtaining second image data from the second imaging sensor, at least a portion of the second image data being generated by the second imaging sensor at the particular time.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.