Image Distribution System Using Heartbeat Communications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for displaying images are costly and require significant user interaction to maintain variety and quality, as they often involve purchasing and updating low-quality reproductions or originals, and existing electronic solutions are time-consuming to manage.
Innovation Solution
A distribution system that includes an image server connected to client systems via the Internet, which periodically updates high-quality image packages to display devices with minimal user interaction, using heartbeat communications for real-time image delivery and security measures like encryption and digital signing, and physical media for offline clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-quality paintings are purchased and displayed, then image quality is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes high-quality digital copies of images through a network system to multiple client displays, eliminating the need to purchase and maintain physical originals. The server stores master image files that are transmitted as digital copies to various displays, providing high-quality reproduction at minimal cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of purchasing, transporting, and installing physical paintings with an electronic distribution system. Images are transmitted digitally over a network, substituting physical handling with electronic data transmission, thereby reducing costs while maintaining quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the location of paintings is changed to provide variety, then image variety is improved, but time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic image display system where the server can remotely change images on client displays without physical intervention. The system transitions from static physical paintings to dynamically changeable digital images that can be updated instantly through network communication, allowing frequent variety changes with minimal effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows automatic image distribution and updating through the server-client architecture. The server autonomously manages image storage, packaging, and transmission to multiple clients, eliminating the need for manual intervention at each display location when changing images.
3Quantity of substance
If electronic image displays are implemented, then cost is reduced, but user interaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic heartbeat communications between clients and server, where the system self-manages image retrieval and updating without user intervention. The client system autonomously checks for new images and downloads them when available, eliminating the need for users to manually search, purchase, and configure images.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-packages images with all necessary display information and transmits them proactively to clients. Images are prepared in advance with metadata including display parameters, eliminating the need for user configuration and reducing interaction time to minimal automatic operations.
4Speed
If images are distributed electronically, then distribution speed is improved, but security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements digital signing of image packages by the server before transmission. This preliminary security measure authenticates the source and integrity of images before they are distributed, preventing unauthorized modification or injection of malicious content during rapid electronic distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as a secure intermediary between the image source and client displays. It packages, signs, and authenticates images before transmission, providing a trusted middle layer that ensures security while enabling fast electronic distribution through the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for distributing images for display by client systems. A distribution system includes an image server system that is connected to image client systems via a communications link, such as the Internet. The image server system is responsible for providing image packages to the image client systems and for collecting information from the image client systems. Each image client system periodically sends a heartbeat communication to the image server system. Upon receiving a heartbeat communication, the image server system determines the state of the image client system that sent the heartbeat communication and responds appropriately. The response may include instructions for the image client system to retrieve new images, to retrieve software updates, to send usage data, and so on.