Automatic Mobile File Naming via Location and Time Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices lack an efficient method for automatically naming photographs and videos, resulting in users having to manually rename files to provide identifying information, which is time-consuming and frustrating due to default filenames that do not include relevant details such as location or capture time.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that automatically generates filenames for mobile devices by determining current geographical location, time, and date, and comparing this data with personal information manager and geographical location databases to include relevant information such as calendar entries, contacts, or geofences in the filename.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual renaming is required for photographs and videos, then users can provide identifying information, but the process is time-consuming and frustrating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentifying informationVSAvoidtime for manual renaming
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining geographical location, time, and date before the user needs to rename the file. It compares this pre-fetched data with calendar entries, contacts, and geofences to generate a meaningful filename in advance, eliminating the need for manual renaming while preserving identifying information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically generating filenames without requiring user intervention. It uses the device's own resources (location services, databases, and processing capabilities) to create descriptive filenames that include relevant information about the media content, location, and time, freeing the user from the tedious manual renaming task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If default filenames are used, then file storage is simple, but relevant details such as location and capture time are not included

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile storage simplicityVSAvoidlocation and time information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data gathering and processing before filename generation. It pre-determines geographical location, time, and date information, and compares it with stored data in calendars, contacts, and geofence databases to construct informative filenames that preserve location and time details while maintaining ease of file storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary processing steps that bridge the gap between simple file storage and information-rich filenames. It uses intermediary databases (calendar, contacts, geofences) as mediators to enrich the basic filename with relevant contextual information, allowing both simplicity and information completeness to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic filename generation is implemented, then file organization efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile organization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single automatic filename generation mechanism that handles multiple scenarios (different types of media, various locations, different times). It universally compares location and time data against multiple data sources (calendar, contacts, geofences) to generate appropriate filenames, improving productivity across all media types without requiring separate complex systems for each case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary comparisons and data gathering operations before filename generation is needed. By pre-determining location, time, and date information and comparing it with stored references in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during actual filename generation, thereby improving file organization efficiency while keeping the added complexity manageable through efficient preliminary processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2453367B1Automatic file naming on a mobile device
Publication Date: 2014.02.12 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2453367B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2453367B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2453367B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system and method of automatically naming files on a mobile device can include determining at least one of a current geographical location data of a mobile device, a current time data, and a current date data. The current geographical location data, the current time data, and the current date data can be made can be compared to at least one of a personal information manager database and a geographical location database. A filename can be automatically generated based on the comparison, and the filename can be applied to camera data received on the mobile device. The automatically generated filename can include information relevant to the content of the camera data, thereby enhancing the efficiency and ease of identifying and organizing camera data stored on a memory of the mobile device.