Image Capturing Apparatus with Detachable Arithmetic Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing systems require transferring videos from monitoring cameras to high-performance devices for processing, limiting the convenience of performing image analysis tasks like object detection and tracking on the camera itself, especially with the advancement of mobile arithmetic apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a detachable device that can execute image analysis processing, featuring a mounting part for attaching/detaching the device and an output unit that sends commands to the device for processing, allowing for the execution of image analysis tasks locally on the camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image processing is performed by transferring videos to high-performance devices, then processing capability is sufficient, but system complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides image processing tasks into two segments: preliminary processing (object detection, region extraction) is performed locally on the monitoring camera, while detailed analysis (attribute estimation, counting) is performed on the detached arithmetic apparatus. This segmentation eliminates the need to transfer entire video streams, reducing transfer time and bandwidth requirements while maintaining processing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the arithmetic apparatus from the camera body, making it a detachable device. This allows the camera to perform basic processing independently while enabling optional connection to external high-performance computing resources when needed, thus reducing routine transfer time while preserving access to advanced processing capabilities.
2Loss of time
If image processing is performed on the camera side, then loss of time is reduced, but processing capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Processing tasks are segmented by complexity: the camera's built-in arithmetic apparatus handles real-time preliminary processing (object detection, region extraction) that requires low latency, while more computationally intensive tasks (detailed attribute estimation, complex pattern recognition) are offloaded to the detachable high-performance arithmetic apparatus, ensuring both speed and capability requirements are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable arithmetic apparatus serves multiple functions: it can be connected when advanced processing capability is needed, and detached when the camera operates independently. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt processing capability to actual needs, maintaining high performance when required while enabling fast local processing during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If detachable device is used for processing, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable arithmetic apparatus is designed to comply with universal standards (USB connection, standard communication protocols), allowing it to interface with the camera without requiring proprietary or complex custom interfaces. This standardization simplifies the mounting system despite the added functionality, as the connection methods are well-established and widely supported.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a command transmission mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the camera and the detachable arithmetic apparatus. This mediator handles the complexity of coordination and communication, managing command sequences and data flow automatically, thereby shielding the user from the underlying system complexity while enabling convenient local processing.
4Reliability
If multiple commands are transmitted to detachable device, then processing completeness improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera performs preliminary processing (object detection, region extraction) and prepares processing targets locally before transmitting commands to the detachable arithmetic apparatus. This preliminary action ensures that when multiple commands are transmitted, the data is already pre-processed and ready for immediate detailed analysis, minimizing idle time and ensuring processing completeness without significant time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping processing stages: while the detachable apparatus executes one command, the camera is already preparing the next processing target or transmitting subsequent commands. This continuous pipeline approach ensures complete processing of multiple commands with minimal gaps, maintaining both completeness and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus that includes a mounting part capable of attaching/detaching a device capable of holding at least an image captured by the image capturing apparatus and capable of communicating with the mounted device in accordance with a predetermined standard is provided. The apparatus outputs to a device, if the device having a function of executing image analysis processing for image data captured by the image capturing apparatus is mounted in the mounting part, a command complying with the predetermined standard and configured to cause the device to execute the image analysis processing. The apparatus outputs at least two commands associated with each other and configured to cause the device to execute the image analysis processing, wherein each of the at least two commands includes data representing that the at least two commands are associated with each other.