Image Processing Apparatus Reducing Server Communication Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image processing systems require frequent communication between user terminals and servers to adjust image processing levels, leading to increased traffic and processing time, as users must iteratively adjust settings to achieve desired image outcomes.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with a user interface for adjusting image processing levels, which processes image data received from an external apparatus, allowing for on-device adjustment and display of processed images, thereby reducing the need for repeated server communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the server performs image processing and the user adjusts the application amount by communicating with the server, then the user can achieve desired image outcomes, but communication traffic increases and processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing level adjustmentVSAvoidcommunication traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device receives multiple versions of processed image data from the server with different application amounts of image processing in advance. When the user needs to adjust the processing level, the terminal device can immediately process and display the appropriate version without requiring additional communication with the server, thus reducing communication traffic while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects and processes appropriate image data versions based on user input at the terminal device. The terminal device determines which pre-received image data version corresponds to the user's desired processing level and processes that specific version locally, enabling flexible adjustment without increasing communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the server performs image processing and the user adjusts the application amount by communicating with the server, then the user can achieve desired image outcomes, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing level adjustmentVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system skips the communication step between terminal device and server when adjusting image processing levels. Instead of communicating the adjusted level to the server and waiting for re-processing, the terminal device directly processes the appropriate pre-received image data version, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining user control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Loss of energy

If the terminal device processes image data with multiple processing levels, then communication traffic is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication trafficVSAvoidimage processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing system segments the processing into multiple pre-defined levels, with the server performing different processing levels and the terminal device selecting from these segmented versions. This segmentation allows the terminal device to handle processing level adjustment without requiring complex real-time processing capabilities, as the heavy processing work has already been segmented and distributed by the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that performs the complex image processing work and provides multiple processed versions to the terminal device. The terminal device then serves as an intermediary selector that chooses the appropriate version based on user input, rather than performing the complex processing itself. This distribution of intermediary roles reduces the processing burden on the terminal device while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11775157B2Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and control method for processing a second image with adjusting level of a first image

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus transmits first image data to an external apparatus, receives from the external apparatus second image data generated by the external apparatus performing first image processing on the first image data, and processes the received second image data at a level corresponding to a level of the first image processing adjusted through a user interface.