Image Conversion for License-Free Streaming Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Client terminals without the necessary license cannot reproduce images, and existing systems require server processes to convert images for specific terminal specifications, increasing server load.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that converts images requiring license information into a format not requiring such information, allowing streaming reproduction on client terminals, reducing server load by distributing a thumbnail image and a converted image with lower data volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the server converts images to formats not requiring license information, then client terminals without licenses can reproduce images, but the server load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage reproduction capabilityVSAvoidserver load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs image format conversion in advance during the upload process, before the client needs to reproduce the image. By converting images to license-free formats proactively, the system ensures clients can reproduce images without needing to request conversion later, thereby reducing server load during actual reproduction operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The server creates a copy of the uploaded image in a license-free format while retaining the original licensed format. This copying approach allows the server to provide both formats without requiring full conversion of all images, reducing the overall conversion burden while ensuring compatibility for clients without licenses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If the server waits for complete image acquisition before enabling reproduction, then license verification can be performed, but the client terminal cannot reproduce images during acquisition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelicense verificationVSAvoidreproduction delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server converts images to license-free formats in advance during upload, before the client completes acquisition. This preliminary conversion ensures that when the client starts reproducing the image during acquisition, the converted format is already available, eliminating the need to wait for complete acquisition and license verification before reproduction begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The converted image format acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between acquisition and reproduction. By providing a license-free converted version during the acquisition process, the system allows reproduction to proceed concurrently with acquisition, while the original licensed format remains available for post-acquisition verification and high-quality reproduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2843941B1Information processing device and method, program, and information processing system
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2843941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843941B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus, including a storage section which stores a first image, which is an image of a format requiring license information in reproduction, to which reproduction is performed by a reproduction apparatus after being acquired, a conversion section which converts the first image into a second image of a format not requiring license information in reproduction, which is an image with content the same as content of the first image, and a distribution section which distributes the second image to the reproduction apparatus to be reproduced, during acquisition of the first image.