Abstract: A system and apparatus for obtaining clock synchronization of networked devices and related method are provided. Embodiments include a computer-implemented system, including a primary device having a first high accuracy timestamping assist (HATA) unit attached to a first physical layer; a first time stamping unit; a first clock control; a first medium access control layer connected to the first time stamping unit and the first physical layer via a medium independent interface. A secondary device includes a second HATA unit attached to a second physical layer; a second timestamping unit; a second clock control. The first and second HATA units are configured to detect a departure time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof of a first alignment marker over transmitter serializer and receiver deserializer interfaces of a data transmission between the primary device and the secondary device.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for obtaining clock synchronization of networked devices and related method are provided. Embodiments include a computer-implemented system, including a primary device having a first high accuracy timestamping assist (HATA) unit attached to a first physical layer; a first time stamping unit; a first clock control; a first medium access control layer connected to the first time stamping unit and the first physical layer via a medium independent interface. A secondary device includes a second HATA unit attached to a second physical layer; a second timestamping unit; a second clock control. The first and second HATA units are configured to detect a departure time, an arrival time, or a combination thereof of a first alignment marker over transmitter serializer and receiver deserializer interfaces of a data transmission between the primary device and the secondary device.

Abstract: In methods, systems, and devices, master and slave node timestamp synchronization units identify a node start frame delimiter of a time protocol message on transmission medium by matching patterns in the time protocol message to known start frame delimiter patterns. Master and slave node processors of such timestamp synchronization units capture a corresponding node clock time at which the node start frame delimiter is identified by referring to a corresponding node clock signal while each is identifying the node start frame delimiter. The master and slave node processors perform compensation of the node clock time by making adjustments to the node clock time for known time latency. The master and slave node timestamp synchronization units then output the node clock time as timestamps to corresponding timestamp units.

Abstract: In methods, systems, and devices, master and slave node timestamp synchronization units identify a node start frame delimiter of a time protocol message on transmission medium by matching patterns in the time protocol message to known start frame delimiter patterns. Master and slave node processors of such timestamp synchronization units capture a corresponding node clock time at which the node start frame delimiter is identified by referring to a corresponding node clock signal while each is identifying the node start frame delimiter. The master and slave node processors perform compensation of the node clock time by making adjustments to the node clock time for known time latency. The master and slave node timestamp synchronization units then output the node clock time as timestamps to corresponding timestamp units.

Abstract: A method, system and program product in accordance with the preferred embodiments use motion vector data to track an object being monitored by a video camera. Motion vector data are used to calculate pan, tilt and/or zoom adjustment data. For example, motion vector data may be provided to a motion tracking processor at a macroblock level by an MPEG compression processor. Alternatively, motion vector data may be provided to a motion tracking processor at a pixel level by a pre-processor. The pan, tilt and/or zoom adjustment data is sent to the camera. For example, the pan, tilt and/or zoom adjustment data may be sent to a PTZ adjustment mechanism of the camera. Because the preferred embodiments use a closed loop system, tracking the object is made easier and does not require a skilled operator.

Abstract: A method, system and program product in accordance with the preferred embodiments use motion vector data to track an object moving between areas being monitored by a plurality of video cameras. Motion vector data are used to predict whether an object in a first field of view covered by a first camera system will enter a second field of view covered by a second camera system. If the prediction is that the object will enter the second field of view, tracking data are provided to the second camera system. The tracking data may include pan, tilt and/or zoom adjustment data, which may be provided to a PTZ adjustment mechanism of the second camera system, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, the tracking data may include pan/tilt motion vector data, zoom factor data and/or shrinkage/expansion data, which are provided to a motion tracking processor of the second camera system.