Apple patents system to sync multiple video recordings into one timeline
Apple has been granted a patent for a system that allows multiple devices to record video simultaneously while staying perfectly in sync. It uses a reference clock and synchronization signals to ensure all recordings have matching timestamps, which are then combined into a single shared timeline.
In the filing’s own words
A system for collaborative video recording is described. The system may include a reference clock configured to track a reference time. The system may provide, to a plurality of recording devices, a synchronization code for a collaborative video recording session. The system may identify the plurality of recording devices as participants in the collaborative video recording session. The collaborative video recording session may include broadcasting one or more synchronization signals to synchronize the plurality of recording devices to the reference time tracked by the reference clock. The collaborative video recording session may include receiving a plurality of videos from the plurality of recording devices, wherein the plurality of videos comprise timestamps based on synchronization to the reference time. The collaborative video recording session may include generating a shared timeline for the plurality of videos, wherein the shared timeline synchronizes the timestamps between the plurality of videos.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A system, comprising: a reference clock configured to track a reference time; one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed on or across the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement a collaborative video system to: generate a synchronization code for a collaborative video recording session to display; identify a plurality of recording devices as participants to synchronize with subsequent synchronization signals for the collaborative video recording session according to respective communications received from the plurality of computing responses that individually opt-in the plurality of recording devices using information identifying the collaborative video recording session captured from the synchronization code; coordinate execution of the collaborative video recording session, comprising: broadcast one or more synchronization signals to synchronize the plurality of recording devices to the reference time tracked by the reference clock; receive a plurality of videos from the plurality of recording devices, wherein the plurality of videos comprise timestamps based on synchronization to the reference time; and generate a shared timeline for the plurality of videos, wherein the shared timeline synchronizes the timestamps between the plurality of videos.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Collaborative video recording
- Patent number
- US12739341B2
- Application number
- 18468552
- Filed
- Sep 15, 2023
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 6
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 5/77 Electricity & electronicsG11B 27/34 Physics & computingH04N 5/06 Electricity & electronicsH04N 5/91 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Cameras & imaging
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.