Imaging Apparatus Position Metadata Recording with GPS Signal Loss Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatuses face issues with acquiring accurate position information when GPS signals are not received promptly after power restoration, leading to erroneous or missing position data in recorded images.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a signal receiver unit to acquire position information using GPS signals, with a processing unit that temporarily stores image data and adds metadata with position information once acquired, and records the data even if position information is not available within a preset time, ensuring accurate metadata addition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the imaging apparatus waits to record image data until position information is acquired via GPS, then position information accuracy is improved, but the recording time is delayed and image data may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition information accuracyVSAvoidrecording delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs preliminary actions by continuously acquiring position information before the shooting moment and storing it in advance. The position information acquisition unit operates in advance to prepare position data, so when the shutter is pressed, the position information is already ready or nearly ready, eliminating the need to wait during the actual recording moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing of position information acquisition based on the shooting moment. The position information acquisition unit can operate continuously or intermittently, and the control unit selects the most appropriate position information based on timing, allowing the system to adapt between waiting for GPS (for accuracy) and using available position data (for speed).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the imaging apparatus continuously receives GPS signals to ensure position information availability, then position information availability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition information availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous GPS signal reception, the apparatus employs periodic action by acquiring position information at specific intervals or at predetermined times before shooting. The position information acquisition unit operates periodically rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate position information availability for recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial action by acquiring position information only when necessary or in advance of the shooting moment, rather than maintaining constant GPS reception. This partial acquisition approach reduces energy consumption while still ensuring position information is available when needed for recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the apparatus records image data without position information when GPS signal acquisition fails, then recording speed is improved, but data completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording speedVSAvoidposition information completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus prepares position information in advance as a cushion before the actual shooting and recording moment. By continuously or periodically acquiring position information before the shooting moment, the system builds up a reserve of position data that can be used if GPS signal acquisition fails at the moment of recording, thus preventing data loss without delaying recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the timing and selection of position information. It coordinates between the position information acquisition unit and the image recording unit, selecting appropriate position information based on timing and availability, and ensuring smooth transition between having position information and not having it without interrupting the recording process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10321038B2Imaging apparatus and image recording method having modes to store position information for image data

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 MAXELL LTD

AI summary

An imaging apparatus 1 includes: a GPS receiver unit 115 for acquiring GPS signals; a position information acquisition unit 1022 for acquiring position information corresponding to a position where the image data acquired from the GPS signals received by the GPS receiver unit 115 is acquired; a recording medium 106 for storing the image data and metadata; and an image recording unit 1024 for recording, in the recording medium 106, the image data stored in the RAM 103 and the metadata. If the GPS signals cannot be acquired, the position information acquisition unit 1022 performs a position information acquisition processing for acquiring position information within a preset time. When the position information acquisition unit 1022 acquires the position information, the image recording unit 1024 records, in the recording medium 106, the image data stored in the RAM 103 and the metadata to which the acquired position information is added.