US 9,883,230 B1Granted

Self-organized time-synchronization network

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorPaul Berenberg

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Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for creating a self-organized time-synchronization network, enabling accurate synchronization. For example, multiple devices may wirelessly broadcast and receive beacon signals and self-organize into an ad hoc network. The wireless ad hoc network may be optimized as individual devices choose new connections to reduce a number of hops to a source device. Individual devices may include a counter that may increment continuously for timing purposes, and counters may be synchronized between connected devices. For example, a local device may adjust contents of a local counter on the local device based on a drift between the local counter and a remote counter on a remote device. Thus, counters between connected devices may be synchronized, beginning at the source device and propagating through the ad hoc network. Based on the synchronization, the devices may offer additional functionality and/or more sophisticated applications.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method for synchronizing wireless devices into a network using oscillator circuitry of the devices, the method performed by a first image capture device, and the method comprising:

operating a first counter on the first image capture device, the operating based on electrical signals received from first oscillator circuitry of the first image capture device, the first counter configured to store a natural number corresponding to a number of electrical signals received by the first counter;
receiving a first beacon signal including a first value from a second image capture device, the first value corresponding to output data of a second counter on the second image capture device associated with a first time, the second counter configured to store a natural number and incrementing based on electrical signals received from second oscillator circuitry of the second image capture device;
determining a second value corresponding to output data of the first counter associated with the first time;
determining a first difference between the first value and the second value;
receiving a second beacon signal including a third value from the second image capture device, the third value corresponding to output data of the second counter associated with a second time;
determining a fourth value corresponding to output data of the first counter associated with the second time;
determining a second difference between the third value and the fourth value;
determining a drift by subtracting the first difference from the second difference;
determining a fifth value using the fourth value and the drift, such that a third difference between the second value and the fifth value is equal to a fourth difference between the first value and the third value, wherein an absolute value of a fifth difference between the fifth value and the third value is greater than zero;
storing the fifth value to the first counter;
synchronizing a timing of a process running on the first device using the first counter.

8 more elements

A computer-implemented method, comprising, by a first device:

storing, by the first device, a first identification associated with a second device;
determining a first value associated with the first device and with a first time;
receiving a first beacon signal from a second device;
determining, based at least in part on the first beacon signal, a second value associated with the second device;
determining the second value is associated with the first time;
receiving a number of signals from first oscillator circuitry of the first device between the first time and a second time;
determining a third value associated with the first device and with the second time, the determining based at least in part on the first value and the received number of signals;
receiving a second beacon signal from the second device;
determining, based at least in part on the second beacon signal, a fourth value associated with the second device;
determining the fourth value is associated with the second time;
determining a duration between the first time and the second time;
determining a drift using the first value, the second value, the third value and the fourth value, the drift representing a variation between a first difference between the first value and the third value and a second difference between the second value and the fourth value;
generating a fifth value using the third value and the drift, such that a third difference between the first value and the fifth value is equal to the second difference, wherein an absolute value of a fourth difference between the fifth value and the fourth value is greater than zero;
and
synchronizing a timing of a process running on the first device with the fifth value.

12 more elements

A system, comprising:

a device including at least one processor;
a memory device including instructions operable to be executed by the at least one processor to configure the device to perform:
storing, by the first device, a first identification associated with a second device;
determining a first value associated with the first device and with a first time;
receiving a first beacon signal from a second device;
determining, based at least in part on the first beacon signal, a second value associated with the second device;
determining the second value is associated with the first time;
receiving a number of signals from first oscillator circuitry of the first device between the first time and a second time;
determining a third value associated with the first device and with the second time, the determining based at least in part on the first value and the received number of signals;
receiving a second beacon signal from the second device;
determining, based at least in part on the second beacon signal, a fourth value associated with the second device;
determining the fourth value is associated with the second time;
determining a duration between the first time and the second time;
determining a drift using the first value, the second value, the third value and the fourth value, the drift representing a variation between a first difference between the first value and the third value and a second difference between the second value and the fourth value;
generating a fifth value using the third value and the drift, such that a third difference between the first value and the fifth value is equal to the second difference, wherein an absolute value of a fourth difference between the fifth value and the fourth value is greater than zero;
and
synchronizing a timing of a process running on the first device with the fifth value.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/863,557Filed 24 Sep 2015
Granted: 30 Jan 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H04N 21/43076
Synchronising the rendering of multiple content streams or additional data on devices, e.g. synchronisation of audio on a mobile phone with the…:…
H04N 21/4223
Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]: cameras
H04W 56/001
Synchronisation arrangements: synchronization between nodes
H04W 56/0045
Compensating for timing error of reception due to propagation delay: compensating for timing error by altering transmission time

Family

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