Image Processing Apparatus Thumbnail Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses, such as digital cameras and smartphones, face challenges in utilizing advanced image processing functions due to hardware limitations, leading to inefficiencies and increased communication costs when transmitting large RAW data files for processing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that transmits reduced image data to an external apparatus for evaluation processing, determining whether to apply image processing, and then transmitting the original data for processing, allowing for efficient use of external processing capabilities while minimizing data transmission costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all RAW data is transmitted to external apparatus for processing, then advanced image processing functions can be utilized, but communication costs increase and data transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting a thumbnail (reduced image data) before the full RAW data to enable pre-evaluation of processing necessity. The external apparatus performs evaluation processing on the thumbnail first, and only if evaluation passes does it request the full RAW data for actual processing. This preliminary step avoids unnecessary transmission of large RAW data files when processing is not needed, thereby reducing communication costs while maintaining access to advanced processing functions when required.
2Loss of energy
If reduced image data is transmitted for evaluation, then communication costs are reduced, but processing time for evaluation is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only a portion (thumbnail) of the full image data for evaluation purposes. The thumbnail contains sufficient information to determine whether full RAW data processing is necessary, but uses minimal data transmission. This partial transmission approach significantly reduces communication costs compared to transmitting all RAW data, while the added evaluation time is negligible compared to the time saved by avoiding unnecessary full data transmission.
3Productivity
If evaluation processing is performed on reduced image data, then data transmission is optimized, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image data into two parts: a thumbnail (reduced image data) for evaluation and the full RAW data for processing. This segmentation allows the system to perform evaluation on a small subset of data first, determine processing necessity, and only then proceed with full data transmission if needed. The workflow is segmented into distinct phases (evaluation phase and processing phase), which optimizes data transmission efficiency by avoiding unnecessary full data transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the disclosure, an information processing apparatus comprising a communication circuit and a control circuit is provided. The control circuit transmits reduced image data of captured image data, to a first external apparatus through the communication circuit; receives, from the first external apparatus, a result of evaluation processing applied to the reduced image data; on the basis of the result of the evaluation processing, determines whether to apply image processing to the captured image data corresponding to the reduced image data, by a second external apparatus; transmits the captured image data that is determined to be applied the image processing, to the second external apparatus through the communication circuit; and receives, from the second external apparatus, a result of the image processing applied to the captured image data.