Methods and apparatus for synchronizing multiple lens shutters using GPS pulse per second signaling

• US 10,084,966 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2016
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Red Hen Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Red Hen Systems LLC
• Inventors: Burgess, Ken Lloyd
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSSELMAN, JOEL W
• Application Number:
  US15/386,605
• Publication Number:
  US 20180176441A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 3482113, 348296
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/271 wherein the generated image signals comprise depth maps or disparity maps
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/296 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for synchronizing the operation of a first shutter of a first camera with the operation of a second shutter of a second camera without a physical tether between the first and second cameras. The method includes: receiving a global positioning system (GPS) pulse-per-second (PPS) signal at the first and second cameras; and in response to a unique timing pulse in the PPS signal, simultaneously actuating the first and second shutters.

Claims

1. A camera comprising:

a lens;

a recording plane;

a shutter configured to selectively pass photons from the lens to the recording plane;

a global positioning system (GPS) chip configured to receive a periodic timing pulse from an external source; and

a processor configured to actuate the shutter in response to the timing pulse;

wherein the periodic timing pulse comprises a regular repeating series of timing signals each having a duration of about 100 milliseconds; and

wherein each timing signal comprises a rising edge having a duration in the range of one nanosecond to one picosecond.

2. The camera of claim 1, wherein the GPS chip comprises a pulse per second (PPS) pin at which the periodic timing pulse appears.

3. The camera of claim 2, wherein the external source comprises a plurality of GPS satellites.

4. The camera of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to actuate the shutter responsive to a rising edge of the timing pulse.

5. The camera of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to:

execute a sequence of instructions including a shutter actuation instruction; and

go to the shutter actuation instruction immediately upon detecting the timing pulse.

6. The camera of claim 1, wherein the recording plane comprises a photosensitive medium.

7. The camera of claim 6, wherein the photosensitive medium comprises one of:

i) film; and

ii) an array of digital pixels.

8. The camera of claim 1, wherein the recording plane is configured to capture a still photographic image.

9. The camera of claim 1, wherein the recording plane is configured to capture a series of video frames.

10. A method of controlling the actuation of a camera shutter, the method comprising:

equipping the camera with a timing module configured to receive a periodic timing signal from a source external to the camera;

detecting a leading edge of a unique pulse of the timing signal; and

in response to detecting the leading edge actuating the shutter;

wherein;

the duration of each timing pulse is about 100 milliseconds; and

the duration of the leading edge is in the range of one nanosecond to one picosecond.

11. The camera of claim 10, wherein the GPS chip further comprises a data pin configured to present GPS coordinate data in the range of 100 to 500 milliseconds following each periodic timing pulse.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the timing module comprises a global positioning signal (GPS) receiver including a timing output pin; and

the periodic timing signal comprises a pulse-per-second (PPS) signal presented at the timing output pin.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein actuating the shutter comprises exposing a photosensitive medium.

14. A method of synchronizing the operation of a first shutter of a first camera with the operation of a second shutter of a second camera without a physical tether between the first and second cameras, comprising the steps of:

receiving a first signal from a remote global positioning system (GPS);

generating, in response to the first signal, a pulse-per-second (PPS) signal at the first and second cameras; and

in response to a unique timing pulse embodied within the PPS signal, simultaneously actuating the first and second shutters.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

prior to the receipt of the unique timing pulse, receiving, at the first and second cameras, an instruction to actuate a respective shutter when the unique timing pulse is subsequently received.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein simultaneously actuating comprises executing respective actuation instructions at both cameras in response to detecting the rising edge of the unique timing pulse.