Camera Content Sync via Central Node
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accessing and sharing vast amounts of photo and video data stored on cameras and camcorders, particularly when devices are damaged, lost, or when trying to transfer content between devices without manual uploading through intermediary devices like computers.
Innovation Solution
A camera and camcorder synchronization system that automatically synchronizes image and video data with a central node, using a user content synchronization module to identify changes, generate update commands, and communicate via internet connections, allowing for wireless or wired updates and thumbnail representations to manage storage and sharing efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual uploading through intermediary devices like computers is used to transfer content between devices, then data can be transferred between devices, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that automatically synchronizes content between multiple devices. Instead of manually transferring files through a computer, the server mediates the data exchange by receiving content from one device and automatically distributing it to other devices in the network, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing transfer time
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system enables devices to automatically upload and share content with each other through the central server without requiring user intervention. The devices perform self-service by autonomously detecting new content, initiating uploads, and receiving updates from the server, thereby eliminating the time-consuming manual upload process
2Reliability
If all photo and video data is stored on the camera or camcorder, then data is readily accessible on the device, but the risk of data loss increases if the device is damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage system into multiple independent locations: local storage on the camera/camcorder and remote storage on a central server. By dividing the storage function across these separate entities, the system ensures that data loss at one location (e.g., device damage) does not result in complete data loss, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of photo and video data and stores them on a central server in addition to the original device. This redundancy through copying ensures that even if the original device is damaged or lost, the data can be recovered from the server copy, enhancing data security while maintaining a relatively simple storage architecture
3Reliability
If a central server stores all user content, then data is protected from device loss, but the complexity of the synchronization system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central server is designed to perform multiple functions: storing user content, managing synchronization across devices, handling uploads and downloads, and providing data recovery. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system achieves reliable data backup without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that automatically manages the complexity of synchronization between devices. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization protocols between multiple devices, the server mediates all data exchange, automatically detecting changes, uploading content, and distributing updates, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable data backup
Data Source
AI summary
A camera and another device synchronization system, apparatus, signaling, processor-readable medium, and method are provided. As part of a system or as an apparatus, the camera may include a user content synchronization module for automatically synchronizing image data stored as camera records by the camera with central records stored for the user by a central node remote from the camera, the camera records and the central records comprising at least one of photo images or video files, such that changed central record and camera records are update using the most recent records from the other source.