Camera Adapter Packet Forwarding for Daisy Chain Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a daisy chain communication system where cameras capture images from multiple directions, if an upstream apparatus fails to generate image data, it prevents the transmission of image packets from downstream apparatuses, leading to a breakdown in the image processing and degradation of virtual viewpoint content quality.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus is designed with a reception unit, generation unit, transmission unit, and control unit that allows the transmission of image packets even when an upstream apparatus cannot generate data, by deleting predetermined information from the received packet and generating a new packet with this information, and transmitting a communication packet including at least this information if the second image packet cannot be generated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a daisy chain connection is used for camera adapters to transmit image data, then the system can efficiently transmit image packets from multiple cameras, but if an upstream apparatus fails to generate image data, then image packets from downstream apparatuses cannot be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image packet transmission process into two independent parts: receiving image packets from downstream apparatuses and generating image packets from local cameras. This segmentation allows the transmission function to continue independently even when the local camera fails, preventing the failure from propagating downstream.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera adapter acts as an intermediary that can forward image packets from downstream apparatuses even when it cannot generate its own image data. The adapter uses received image packets as intermediaries to maintain transmission flow, ensuring that failures at one apparatus do not block downstream transmissions.
2Device complexity
If camera adapters are connected in a daisy chain to transmit image packets sequentially, then the system structure is simple, but a failure at any point stops all subsequent transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the camera adapter by enabling it to switch between generating image packets from local cameras and forwarding received image packets from downstream apparatuses. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to failures and maintain transmission continuity without changing the physical daisy chain structure.
3Reliability
If an upstream apparatus fails to generate image data, then the failure propagates to stop transmissions from downstream apparatuses, but implementing a failure propagation mechanism increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The camera adapter performs self-service by automatically detecting when it cannot generate image data and switching to forwarding mode using received image packets. This self-service mechanism contains failures locally without requiring complex external failure handling systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a first image packet, a generation unit configured to generate a second image packet, a transmission unit configured to, in a case where predetermined information is included in the first image packet, transmit the first image packet from which the predetermined information is deleted and the second image packet including the predetermined information, and a control unit configured to, in a case where the second image packet cannot be generated, cause the transmission unit to transmit a communication packet including at least the predetermined information.