Imaging Apparatus Communication Controller for Image Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems face challenges in reducing communication load during image data transmission, especially in restricted wireless communication environments, where efficient data transfer is necessary to minimize traffic and user stress.

Innovation Solution

The imaging apparatus and system employ a communication controller to manage data transmission by generating and processing image data, allowing for reduced image sizes and compression, and using different communication methods like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC to optimize data transfer between the imaging apparatus and external terminals, ensuring efficient sharing of images between terminals without excessive data transfer through the first terminal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image data is transmitted from imaging apparatus to external apparatus, then image sharing function is achieved, but communication load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage sharing functionVSAvoidcommunication load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary image data for sharing purposes from the captured image. The imaging apparatus determines which portions of the image need to be transmitted based on sharing conditions, and only transmits those specific portions rather than the entire image, thereby reducing communication load while maintaining the image sharing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the captured image data into multiple portions based on sharing conditions. The imaging apparatus divides the image into relevant and irrelevant portions, selectively transmits only the relevant portions to external apparatus, and reconstructs the complete image at the destination. This segmentation approach significantly reduces the quantity of data transmitted over the communication channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If entire captured image is transmitted to first terminal, then complete image data is available, but communication traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete image dataVSAvoidcommunication traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transmitting only the specific portions of image data that are actually needed for the sharing function. Instead of transmitting the entire image uniformly, the system identifies and transmits only the locally relevant portions (such as specific regions or frames) that satisfy the sharing conditions, thereby reducing overall communication traffic while preserving necessary image information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary processing of the captured image data before transmission. The imaging apparatus pre-determines which image portions are necessary for sharing based on sharing conditions, and only those portions are transmitted to the first terminal. This preliminary selection action prevents unnecessary data from being transmitted, reducing communication traffic while ensuring complete necessary image data is available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If image data is transmitted through first terminal to second terminal, then image sharing between terminals is achieved, but first terminal communication burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage sharing between terminalsVSAvoidfirst terminal communication burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the imaging apparatus as an intermediary that directly handles the image data transmission between terminals. The imaging apparatus determines which image portions need to be shared and transmits them directly to the first terminal without requiring the first terminal to process or forward the entire captured image. This intermediary approach reduces the communication burden on the first terminal while still enabling image sharing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary image data for sharing from the captured image at the imaging apparatus, before it reaches the first terminal. By taking out only the relevant portions that satisfy sharing conditions, the system minimizes the data that needs to be transmitted through the first terminal, thereby reducing its communication burden while maintaining the image sharing function between terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10021253B2Imaging apparatus, imaging system, control method for imaging apparatus, and recording medium storing control program used for controlling imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 OM DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, a storage, a communication unit, an image processor and a communication controller. The imaging unit generates first image data. The communication unit performs data communications between a first external apparatus and a second external apparatus. The image processor generates second image data based on the first image data. The communication controller controls communications via the communication unit. The communications includes transmission of the second image data to the first external apparatus in response to a first request. The communications includes transmission of image data related to the first image data to the second external apparatus in accordance with a second request.