Dual Storage Media Controller for Simultaneous Video Recording and Network Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image capture devices with network capabilities face challenges in simultaneously recording and transmitting video data over a network, as they require high-capacity storage media for simultaneous read/write operations, leading to increased costs or inability to write data while transmitting if such media are not available.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a controller to manage video data writing between two storage media, allowing simultaneous recording and transmission by switching the target storage medium during network operations, even if the media lack simultaneous read/write capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the storage medium has high simultaneous read/write capabilities to enable writing video data while transmitting from the same medium, then the device can perform simultaneous recording and transmission, but the cost of the storage medium and peripheral hardware rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous read/write capabilityVSAvoidcost of storage medium and hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into two separate storage media (first storage medium and second storage medium) connected through a buffer memory. This segmentation allows the system to perform simultaneous read and write operations by directing read operations to one storage medium while write operations occur on the other, eliminating the need for expensive simultaneous read/write capable storage media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the storage medium lacks simultaneous read/write capabilities to reduce costs, then the cost of storage medium and hardware is reduced, but the device cannot write data while transmitting video from the storage medium at the same time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost of storage medium and hardwareVSAvoidsimultaneous read/write capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a buffer memory as an intermediary component between the first and second storage media. This buffer memory temporarily holds video data during transfer operations, enabling the system to coordinate read and write operations across different storage media and achieve simultaneous read/write functionality without requiring the storage media themselves to support simultaneous operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single storage medium is used for both reading and writing operations, then the device structure is simplified, but the storage medium must have high simultaneous read/write capabilities which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage medium structureVSAvoidcost of storage medium and hardware

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage system into two separate storage media instead of using a single storage medium. This segmentation, combined with the buffer memory, allows the system to achieve simultaneous read/write operations while using standard, lower-cost storage media that do not require expensive simultaneous read/write capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If video data is transmitted from the same storage medium it is being written to, then the device can perform simultaneous operations, but expensive high-capability storage media are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous read/write capabilityVSAvoidstorage medium capability requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage and transmission paths by using two separate storage media. Video data is written to the second storage medium while simultaneously being read from the first storage medium for transmission. This segmentation eliminates the requirement for single storage media to support simultaneous read/write operations, thereby reducing the capability requirements and cost of the storage media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer memory acts as an intermediary that facilitates the simultaneous write and read operations across different storage media. It temporarily stores video data during the transfer process, enabling the system to coordinate operations between the first and second storage media without requiring the storage media themselves to support simultaneous operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9055204B2Image capture device with network capability and computer program

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An image capture device as an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image capturing section configured to generate video data by performing an image capturing session; a first interface that is connectable to a first storage medium; a second interface that is connectable to a second storage medium; a network interface configured to transmit and receive data by connecting itself to a network; and a controller configured to control writing the video data on the first and second storage media so that if the image capturing section's image capturing session overlaps with transmission of the video data from the first storage medium over the network via the network interface, the video data that has been generated as a result of the image capturing session is written on the second storage medium.