Image Sharing System Update Notification Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users in remote locations face burdensome processes when trying to access and manage shared digital image data, as they need to frequently check the status of uploaded image data on a server device, leading to increased server access and user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

An image sharing system comprising a camera, a server device, and a client terminal, where the camera extracts shooting information, determines categories, generates update information files, and transmits them to the server, allowing the client terminal to automatically acquire and download identified image data, thereby informing users of updates and simplifying the image retrieval process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users access the server device frequently to check image data status, then users can obtain updated image data, but user burden and server access load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data update statusVSAvoiduser burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an update notification system that acts as an intermediary between the server and client terminals. The server sends update notifications to client terminals when image data is uploaded, eliminating the need for users to repeatedly access the server to check for updates. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable update information delivery while reducing user burden and server access load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively sending update notifications to client terminals before users need to check for updates. The server prepares and transmits notification information in advance, allowing users to be informed of updates without having to initiate frequent server accesses. This preliminary notification approach maintains data reliability while reducing operational burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If users access the server device multiple times to download different image data, then users can obtain desired images, but server access frequency and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data retrievalVSAvoidaccess time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending update notifications that include information about newly uploaded image data. Users receive advance notice of available images, allowing them to plan and consolidate their downloads. This eliminates the need for multiple separate access trips to check what is available, reducing total access time while maintaining the ability to retrieve diverse image data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the server provides update notification information to client terminals about newly uploaded images. This feedback loop allows users to be informed of available content without actively querying the server repeatedly, reducing access time while maintaining adaptability in image retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the system provides detailed update information to users, then users can identify desired images quickly, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage identification speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential and relevant information from the complete image data set and includes it in update notifications. Instead of providing all possible metadata and details, the system selectively extracts key information such as image titles, upload timestamps, and category identifiers. This extraction approach enables users to quickly identify desired images while avoiding the complexity of processing and transmitting comprehensive data sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by providing a subset of information that is sufficient for users to identify and select desired images, without providing complete detailed information about all uploaded content. The update notifications include just enough information (partial action) for users to make informed decisions, reducing information processing complexity while maintaining productivity in image identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8665337B2Image sharing system, image managing server, and control method and program thereof
Publication Date: 2014.03.04 CANON KK
  • US8665337B2 patent drawing
  • US8665337B2 patent drawing
  • US8665337B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image processing apparatus determines categories for classifying image data based on shooting information of the image data, generates an update information file for each category, and uploads the update information file along with the image data to an image managing server. A client terminal registers, in advance, the address of a desired update information file, and periodically checks the update information file in the image managing server. If the update information file indicates that new image data has been added to the image managing server, the image data is downloaded in accordance with the file path described in the update information file.