Control Server Dynamic Time Allocation for Multi-Camera Image Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication systems face challenges in transmitting image data efficiently across multiple imaging devices with varying focal lengths, leading to potential data loss due to differing data amounts, which can exceed communication limitations.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a control server that adjusts the time length and throughput for image data transmission based on camera focal lengths and other imaging conditions, using methods like time-division multiplex, bandwidth multiplex, and token passing to optimize data transmission and prevent loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image data is transmitted from multiple imaging apparatuses with different focal lengths, then the virtual viewpoint image quality is improved, but the data amount increases causing transmission time to exceed predetermined duration and resulting in data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data transmission completenessVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control server dynamically adjusts the time length allocated for image data transmission from each imaging apparatus based on their individual imaging conditions (focal length, object region size). This dynamic allocation ensures that apparatuses capturing larger object regions are given more transmission time, preventing data loss while maintaining efficient use of communication bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different transmission time lengths to different imaging apparatuses according to their specific imaging conditions. Each apparatus receives a customized time allocation based on its focal length and the size of the object region it captures, rather than using a uniform time allocation for all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If transmission time length is increased for apparatuses with larger object regions, then data loss is prevented, but communication efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission completenessVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the transmission time length parameter based on imaging conditions (focal length, object region size). By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system ensures that each imaging apparatus has sufficient time to transmit its data without excessive delays, balancing reliability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission time length is dynamically determined for each imaging apparatus based on its specific conditions. This dynamic approach prevents both data loss (by allocating sufficient time) and excessive delays (by not over-allocating time to apparatuses that need less).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If uniform transmission timing is used for all imaging apparatuses, then system simplicity is maintained, but image data loss occurs due to varying data amounts from different focal lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission control complexityVSAvoidimage data transmission completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control server implements local quality control by determining transmission time lengths specific to each imaging apparatus based on its imaging conditions. This approach maintains system simplicity while preventing data loss, as the control server automatically adjusts timing parameters without requiring complex coordination between devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from imaging conditions (focal length, object region size) to automatically adjust transmission time lengths. This feedback mechanism allows the control server to optimize transmission timing based on actual device characteristics, preventing data loss without manual intervention or complex device coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3926949B1Control apparatus, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 CANON KK
  • EP3926949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control server includes an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating an imaging condition of a plurality of imaging apparatuses, a communication parameter determination unit configured to determine a time length during which each of a plurality of pieces of image data based on image capturing by the plurality of imaging apparatuses is communicable, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a control unit configured to perform control so that communication of the plurality of pieces of image data is performed in accordance with the time length determined by the determination unit.