SYNCHRONIZATION OF MULTI-TIME BASE DATA SOURCES
First Claim
1. A method for causing data from a plurality of data sources to have a common time base, comprising the following computer executable acts:
- receiving a first plurality of trigger timestamps from a trigger component, wherein the trigger component generates the first plurality trigger timestamps using a first time base, wherein the trigger component causes a first data source to capture data, and wherein the trigger component generates a trigger timestamp each time the trigger component causes the first data source to capture data;
assigning a first plurality of system timestamps to the plurality of trigger timestamps, wherein the system timestamps are generated using a second time base that is independent of the first time base, and wherein each trigger timestamp in the plurality of trigger timestamps is assigned a system timestamp;
receiving a first plurality of data packets from a second data source, wherein the second data source is configured to capture data independent of the trigger component;
assigning a second plurality of system timestamps to the first plurality of data packets, wherein each data packet in the first plurality of data packets is assigned a system timestamp;
comparing the first plurality of trigger timestamps with the first plurality of system timestamps;
determining a correlation between the first time base and the second time base based at least in part upon the comparison; and
assigning a plurality of timestamps that conform to the first time base to the first plurality of data packets based at least in part upon the determined correlation between the first time base and the second time base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described herein that cause data from asynchronous data sources to be provided with a timestamp that corresponds to a common time base. A trigger board can be used to control synchronized data sources, and can generate timestamps when data is collected by the synchronized data sources. Unsynchronized data sources can generate data independent of the trigger board. System timestamps are generated each time data from the synchronized data source and the unsynchronized data source is received. Values of the system timestamp can be modified, and can be replaced by timestamps that correspond to the time base used by the trigger board.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for causing data from a plurality of data sources to have a common time base, comprising the following computer executable acts:
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receiving a first plurality of trigger timestamps from a trigger component, wherein the trigger component generates the first plurality trigger timestamps using a first time base, wherein the trigger component causes a first data source to capture data, and wherein the trigger component generates a trigger timestamp each time the trigger component causes the first data source to capture data; assigning a first plurality of system timestamps to the plurality of trigger timestamps, wherein the system timestamps are generated using a second time base that is independent of the first time base, and wherein each trigger timestamp in the plurality of trigger timestamps is assigned a system timestamp; receiving a first plurality of data packets from a second data source, wherein the second data source is configured to capture data independent of the trigger component; assigning a second plurality of system timestamps to the first plurality of data packets, wherein each data packet in the first plurality of data packets is assigned a system timestamp; comparing the first plurality of trigger timestamps with the first plurality of system timestamps; determining a correlation between the first time base and the second time base based at least in part upon the comparison; and assigning a plurality of timestamps that conform to the first time base to the first plurality of data packets based at least in part upon the determined correlation between the first time base and the second time base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system that facilitates corresponding synchronized and unsynchronized data to a common time base, comprising:
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a synchronized data source that generates a first data packet in response to receipt of a trigger signal; a trigger component that transmits the trigger signal to the synchronized data source and generates a trigger timestamp using a first time base when the trigger signal is transmitted to the synchronized data source; an unsynchronized data source that generates a second data packet independent of the trigger component; a system timestamp generator component that; a) receives the trigger timestamp from the trigger component and assigns a first system timestamp to the trigger timestamp; and b) receives the second data packet from the unsynchronized data source and assigns a second system timestamp to the second data packet; and a synchronizer component that; a) compares the trigger timestamp with the first system timestamp; and b) assigns a timestamp to the second data packet that conforms to the first time base based at least in part upon the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the following acts:
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receiving a first data packet from a first data source, wherein the first data source is a digital camera; receiving a trigger timestamp that corresponds to the first data packet from an external trigger board, wherein the trigger timestamp corresponds to a first time base, and wherein the trigger board transmits the timestamp in response to causing the first data source to capture the first data packet; assigning a first system timestamp to the first data packet, wherein the first system timestamp corresponds to a second time base that is independent of the first time base; correlating the first data packet and the first system timestamp with the trigger timestamp; receiving a second data packet from a second data source, wherein the second data source transmits the second data packet independent of the trigger board, wherein the second data source is one of a velocity sensor, a distance measurement unit, or an inertial navigation system; assigning a second system timestamp to the second data packet, wherein the second system timestamp corresponds to the second time base; performing a comparison between the first system timestamp with the trigger timestamp to determine a correlation between the first time base and the second time base; and changing a value of the second system timestamp to correspond to the first time base based at least in part upon the comparison.
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Specification