Image Processing Apparatus Location Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face challenges in accurately acquiring location information during imaging, especially when GPS signals are unavailable, leading to incorrect location data and hindering real-time imaging history tracking.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes a processor to determine if a position determining unit detects a location, prompting the user to input location information via a user interface if detection fails, and associates this user-provided information with captured image data, using GPS or user inputs like voice or character entries to add location information to images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location information is acquired using GPS or position determining units, then measurement precision of location information is improved, but reliability deteriorates when GPS signals are unavailable (indoors, underground, or in areas with signal blockage)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that stores map data and location information. When the imaging apparatus cannot acquire location information through GPS or position determining units, it sends image data to the server, which then determines location information by analyzing the image data against stored map data. This intermediary system ensures continuous location information availability regardless of GPS signal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-stores map data and location information in its database before the imaging apparatus needs it. This preliminary preparation allows the server to quickly and accurately determine location information by analyzing image data without requiring real-time GPS signals, thus ensuring reliability when GPS is unavailable.
2Reliability
If location information is acquired in advance and stored in memory, then reliability is improved for continuous imaging, but measurement precision deteriorates because the stored information may not reflect the actual imaging location
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors whether location information has been acquired through GPS or position determining units. When image data is sent to the server, the server provides feedback by determining accurate location information based on the image data and comparing it with the pre-stored map data. This feedback mechanism ensures that the most accurate location information is used for each image while maintaining continuous availability.
3Reliability
If additional location information processing is performed in the image management server, then reliability and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex location determination function from the imaging apparatus and places it in a separate server. The imaging apparatus only needs to send image data when GPS/position determining units fail, while the server handles the complex task of analyzing image data against stored map data to determine location information. This extraction reduces the complexity of the imaging apparatus while maintaining high reliability and accuracy through server-side processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus that acquires captured image data; determines whether a position determining unit of the information processing apparatus detects a location of the information processing apparatus; controls a user interface to prompt a user to enter information when it is determined that a location of the information processing apparatus has not been detected; and receives location information that is extracted based on a user input received at the user interface in response to the prompt.