The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 31, 1998
David McCutchen, Portland, OR (US);
Immersive Media Company, Portland, OR (US);
Abstract
A special synchronization frame generator is used for creating simultaneous easily visible synchronization markers as part of a multi-channel image generating system. It does not rely upon any external objects or markers being simultaneously present in the field of view of several cameras in a multi-camera system, or upon a separate synchonization signal being recorded simultaneously along with the image information, or upon any post-processing of the recorded image to add synchronization markings common to the various channels of the system. The generation of synchronization frames can be applied to either multichannel video or film systems. In a video system, a single genlock generator is used to create a common time base for the several channels of the system, such as multiple video cameras, and a single synchronization frame generator, when triggered by a relay controlled by an operator, is used to substitute a fixed signal level simultaneously in a given frame for all channels in the system, thereby replacing any image information present. A simple detection circuit can be used to detect these unique synchronization frames during playback of any recording made from the system. Added frames before or after the synchronization frame can be used to carry identifying information related to a particular track. This synchronization frame generator is particularly suitable for compound camera systems used for panoramic imaging.