Imaging Apparatus Automatic Data Transmission Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging apparatuses face issues with unintended data transmission when switching communication partners, leading to image data being transmitted to a new device instead of the intended one, especially when a transmission reservation is made for a previous partner.

Innovation Solution

The imaging apparatus includes a communication unit, operation unit, imaging unit, recording unit, and control unit that manage identification information for external devices, ensuring that captured image data is only transmitted to the most recently connected device and updating the transmission list when the connected device changes, thereby preventing unintended data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the imaging apparatus maintains transmission reservation for image data, then the data can be transmitted automatically to the external apparatus, but the image data may be transmitted to the wrong communication partner when switching devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic transmissionVSAvoidtransmission accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system records the identification information of the external apparatus at the time of connection establishment before any transmission reservation is made. This preliminary recording ensures that when transmission is triggered later, the system can verify which apparatus was the intended recipient at the time of connection, preventing accidental transmission to the wrong device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors connection status changes and compares the currently connected apparatus identification with the recorded identification. When a mismatch is detected, the system automatically manages the transmission target to prevent unintended transmission, providing real-time feedback control over the transmission process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the imaging apparatus switches communication partners, then the user can select different external apparatuses, but transmission reservations made for the previous partner may be executed for the new partner

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication partner switchingVSAvoidtransmission target information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system records the identification information of the external apparatus at the time of connection establishment before any transmission reservation is made. This preliminary recording ensures that when transmission is triggered later, the system can verify which apparatus was the intended recipient at the time of connection, preventing accidental transmission to the wrong device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors connection status changes and compares the currently connected apparatus identification with the recorded identification. When a mismatch is detected, the system automatically manages the transmission target to prevent unintended transmission, providing real-time feedback control over the transmission process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the imaging apparatus transmits image data automatically, then the user convenience is improved, but power consumption increases due to continuous communication operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous communication monitoring, the system uses periodic action by triggering transmission only at specific moments - when connection is established and when power supply state transitions occur. This allows automatic transmission functionality while minimizing power consumption by keeping communication operations dormant between these periodic checkpoints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages transmission based on pre-recorded identification information and power supply state transitions without requiring continuous user intervention or active communication processes. The transmission function serves itself by utilizing existing connection records and power state changes to trigger appropriate actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11330231B2Imaging apparatus, control method thereof, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 CANON KK

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes a communication unit, an operation unit, and an imaging unit to capture an image as imaging data, and a recording unit. Where connection is established with an external apparatus, identification information about the external apparatus is recorded. Where the image is captured in a state where the identification information about the external apparatus is recorded, the recording unit records, as a transmission target, the imaging data captured by the imaging unit. Where an operation to transition from a first state to a second state having power consumption lower than that of the first state is accepted, the imaging data transmission target is transmitted to a first external apparatus connected most recent by the communication unit. Where connection is established with a second external apparatus based on an accepted user operation, the imaging data recorded as the transmission target is managed as a non-transmission target.