Content-Aware Media Card Wireless Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital media devices, such as cameras and audio/video recorders, rely on tethered connections to transfer data from media cards to computers or printers, which is inconvenient and requires firmware modifications, especially for non-wireless network capable devices.
Innovation Solution
A content-aware digital media storage device with wireless communication capabilities that allows ad-hoc network establishment between media cards for data exchange and upload to a computer resource, eliminating the need for specialized firmware on the host device and enabling wireless connectivity without altering existing host device firmware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless network capability is integrated into the host device (camera), then wireless data transfer is enabled, but device cost increases and compatibility with legacy devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless network capability is extracted from the host device and relocated to the media card. The media card now contains the wireless transceiver and associated firmware, allowing it to independently establish wireless connections and transfer data without requiring the host device to have wireless capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by enabling wireless transfer while keeping the host device simple and compatible with legacy designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The media card acts as an intermediary device between the host device and the wireless network. It receives data from the host through the standard interface and independently manages wireless communication protocols, connection establishment, and data transmission. This mediator approach allows legacy host devices to benefit from wireless capability without requiring firmware modifications or increased complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware modifications are made to enable wireless connectivity, then wireless functionality is achieved, but compatibility with existing firmware is lost and deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless connectivity firmware is extracted from the host device firmware and embedded in the media card's own firmware. This allows the media card to implement wireless functionality independently without requiring any changes to the host device's existing firmware. The media card contains all necessary wireless protocol implementations and can operate with any host device that supports the standard media card interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The media card is designed with universal compatibility, containing firmware that can interface with multiple different host device types without requiring host-specific modifications. The wireless functionality is implemented in a way that works across different camera models and manufacturers, eliminating the need for device-specific firmware updates and simplifying deployment.
3Reliability
If tethered connections are used for data transfer, then reliable data transmission is ensured, but user convenience is reduced and transfer speed is limited by physical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical tethered connection system is replaced with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. The media card contains a wireless transceiver that communicates with wireless access points or other media cards using radio frequency signals. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cables while maintaining data transfer reliability through protocol-level error correction and retransmission mechanisms implemented in the media card's firmware.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, comprising: at a computer host, receiving information indicative of an encounter between two wireless transceivers, said information having been obtained by scans, by a first one of said wireless transceivers, for transmissions indicative of a second one of said wireless transceivers; associating the information with user profile information that specifies social network contacts of a user associated with a first one of the wireless transceivers; and informing the user of any matches with the social network contacts determined to be associated with the second one of the wireless network transceivers.