Dual Communication Device Thumbnail Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image transmission systems for devices like digital cameras, which use power-consuming communication units like wireless LAN for both shooting and transmission, quickly drain batteries, necessitating frequent battery replacements and compromising the immediacy of image utilization.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with dual communication units, one with lower power consumption (near field communication) for transmitting reduced images and another with faster communication speed (wireless LAN) for transmitting full images, allowing separate and efficient image transmission while minimizing battery drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a single communication unit (wireless LAN) is used for both shooting and image transmission, then communication speed is improved, but power consumption increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication function into two separate communication units: a first communication unit (wireless LAN) for high-speed image transmission, and a second communication unit (near field communication) for low-power thumbnail transmission and control. This segmentation allows the system to use the appropriate communication method for each function, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different communication qualities to different transmission needs: full-resolution images use high-speed wireless LAN, while thumbnails and control signals use low-power near field communication. This local quality differentiation ensures that power consumption is optimized for each specific communication task rather than using a single high-power mode for all operations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If image transmission is delayed until shooting is complete, then power consumption is reduced, but immediacy of image utilization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary transmission of thumbnail images via the low-power near field communication unit during or immediately after shooting. This allows the external device to receive and preview images immediately without waiting for complete transfer, while the full-resolution images are transmitted later via wireless LAN when power consumption can be better managed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If thumbnails are transmitted via low-power communication, then power consumption is reduced, but communication speed is slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits only essential thumbnail data via the low-power near field communication unit rather than complete high-resolution images. This partial transmission provides sufficient information for preview and selection purposes while consuming minimal power, with the understanding that full images will be transmitted separately when needed and when power resources permit.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a recording unit that records an image and a reduced image corresponding to the image, a first communication unit, a second communication unit with a faster communication speed, a setting unit that sets an external device connected via the first communication unit or the second communication unit, and a control unit that performs control such that the reduced image is transmitted, via the first communication unit, to the external device set as the device connected via the first communication unit and the image is transmitted, via the second communication unit, to the external device set as the device connected via the second communication unit in a case where an instruction for transmitting the image has been received from the external device set as the external device connected via the first communication unit.