Mobile Communication Device Image Transmission During Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication devices face challenges in easily and simply notifying another party of the device's location or surroundings, particularly for inexperienced users, due to limitations in GPS functionality and user interface complexity.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device equipped with an imaging unit, communication unit, and control unit that allows for image capture and transmission during phone calls, with optional augmented reality processing to add location and orientation information, enabling the device to automatically transmit images of its surroundings to another party.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS function is used to specify location, then location information can be obtained, but the range to be specified is limited and inexperienced operators have difficulty using it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an imaging unit (camera) to capture visual copies of the surrounding environment and transmits these images to the other party. This replaces the abstract GPS coordinates with concrete visual representations of the location, making it easier for inexperienced users to understand and communicate their position without needing to interpret numerical coordinates or navigate complex GPS interfaces.
2Loss of information
If image information is transmitted in real-time during communication, then the other party can understand the surroundings, but communication bandwidth and data transmission load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit operates periodically or at specific intervals during communication rather than continuously transmitting data. The control unit determines appropriate timing for image capture and transmission based on communication status, which reduces overall data transmission load and energy consumption while still providing sufficient visual information about the surroundings at key moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential visual information needed to convey location and surroundings - specifically captured images - rather than transmitting continuous video streams or all available sensor data. This selective extraction of necessary information reduces communication bandwidth requirements while maintaining the core function of conveying spatial context.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a mobile communication device includes: an operating unit for receiving an operation; an imaging unit for taking an image; a communication unit for communicating with another communication device; and a control unit configured to start taking an image by the imaging unit upon starting communication with a set first communication device through the communication unit, and transmit the image to the first communication device through the communication unit.