# US 2018/0027167 A1 · Synchronization system and method thereof

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- Number: US 2018/0027167 A1
- Document ID: US20180027167A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/259,483
- Filed: 2016-09-08
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-21
- Assignees: Xiaoyi Technology Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Xiaoyi Technology Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Chao HE; Qing HAO; Changjiang WEI
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180027167A1

## CPC

- H04N 23/66: Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
- H04N 13/243: using three or more two-dimensional [2D] image sensors
- H04N 13/296: Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
- H04N 23/661: Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
- H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
- H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

Methods and apparatus for synchronizing a plurality of devices are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the synchronizing methods may include receiving a signal for initiating an operation. The methods may also include prioritizing a processing power for the operation. The methods may further include starting the operation at a calculated amount of time after receiving the signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A synchronizing method of a first device, comprising:
receiving a signal for initiating an operation;
prioritizing a processing power for the operation; and
starting the operation at a calculated amount of time after receiving the signal.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the first device receives the signal via a wired connection.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the operation is a first operation; and
prioritizing the processing power comprises:
in response to receiving the signal, determining whether the first device is currently performing a second operation; and
if the first device is currently performing the second operation, ceasing performance of the second operation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further comprising:
after the first operation is started, resuming the second operation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the operation comprises encoding image frames at a predetermined rate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein:
the signal is a first signal;
the calculated amount of time is a first amount of time; and
the method further comprises:
before the first signal is received, receiving a second signal;
in response to the second signal, resetting an image sensor of the first device; and
control the image sensor to start capturing the image frames at a second amount of time after the second signal is received.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
calculating the second amount of time based on a time duration required to reset the image sensor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein:
the operation is performed by a second device that includes an image sensor;
the method is used to synchronize the operation in the first device and in the second device; and
the second amount of time is longer than the time durations required by the first and second devices to reset the respective image sensors.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein resetting the image sensor comprises:
preventing the image sensor from capturing image frames during the second amount of time.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein:
after the capturing is started, controlling the image sensor to capture the image frames at the predetermined rate.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein:
the operation is performed by a second device that includes an image sensor;
the method is used to synchronize the operation in the first device and in the second device;
the image sensor of the first device generates two successive image frames at points in time of t1 and t2;
the image sensor of the second device generates two successive image frames at points in time of t1′ and t2′; and
calculating the first amount of time such that the first device starts encoding the image frames at point in time of T, wherein t1<T<t2 and t1′<T<t2′.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
before the second signal is received, receiving a third signal; and
in response to the third signal, activating the first device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein:
the operation is performed by a second device;
the method is used to synchronize the operation in the first device and in the second device; and
the first and second devices maintain the predetermined rate according to a frequency of a crystal oscillator.

### Claim 14

A first device, comprising:
a memory storing instructions; and
a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
receive a signal for initiating an operation;
prioritize a processing power for the operation; and
start the operation at a calculated amount of time after receiving the signal.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The first device of claim 14, wherein:
the operation is a first operation; and
the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
in response to receiving the signal, determine whether the first device is currently performing a second operation; and
if the first device is currently performing the second operation, cease performance of the second operation.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The first device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
after the first operation is started, resume the second operation.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The first device of claim 14, wherein the operation comprises encoding image frames at a predetermined rate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The first device of claim 17, further comprising:
an image sensor;
wherein:
the signal is a first signal;
the calculated amount of time is a first amount of time; and
the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
before the first signal is received, receive a second signal;
in response to the second signal, reset the image sensor; and
control the image sensor to start capturing the image frames at a second amount of time after the second signal is received.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The first device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
calculate the second amount of time based on a time duration required to reset the image sensor.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The first device of claim 19, wherein:
the operation is performed by a second device that includes an image sensor; and
the second amount of time is longer than the time durations required by the first and second devices to reset the respective image sensors.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The first device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
prevent the image sensor from capturing image frames during the second amount of time.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The first device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
after the capturing is started, control the image sensor to capture the image frames at the predetermined rate.

### Claim 23 (depends on 18)

The first device of claim 18, wherein:
the operation is performed by a second device that includes an image sensor;
the image sensor of the first device generates two successive image frames at points in time of t1 and t2;
the image sensor of the second device generates two successive image frames at points in time of t1′ and t2′; and
the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
calculate the first amount of time such that the first device starts encoding the image frames at point in time of T, wherein t1<T<t2 and t1′<T<t2′.

### Claim 24

A synchronization system, comprising:
a signal generator; and
a plurality of devices communicatively connected to the signal generator;
wherein:
the signal generator is configured to, in response to a user input, send a signal to the devices; and
the devices are configured to:
receive the signal;
prioritize a processing power for the operation; and
start the operation at a calculated amount of time after receiving the signal.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, where the devices are connected to the signal generator via wired connections.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, wherein:
the system further comprises a crystal oscillator communicatively connected to the plurality of devices; and
wherein the devices are further configured to:
perform the operation according to a frequency of the crystal oscillator.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The system of claim 24, wherein:
the devices comprise crystal oscillators having a specified frequency tolerance; and
differences among actual frequency tolerances of the crystal oscillators are less than a predetermined threshold.