Modular Camera Module Remote Imaging via Wireless Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable communication devices face challenges in reducing weight and thickness while maintaining functionality, as manufacturers struggle to produce numerous configurations, leading to a need for modular solutions that allow users to customize their devices with specific features like camera or wireless speaker functions.
Innovation Solution
A modular approach where a primary device can be physically or wirelessly connected to secondary modules, enabling customization and extending functionality, such as remote imaging capabilities by using the primary device's display and touch screen as a viewfinder for the secondary device's imager, with image and audio data synchronization to maintain seamless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If device manufacturers produce multiple configurations to meet user customization needs, then user customization capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a base unit and separate functional modules (camera module, wireless speaker module, etc.). Users can attach only the modules they need, transforming a single complex device into multiple simple modular configurations. This resolves the contradiction by enabling customization without increasing base device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base device is designed with universal attachment capabilities that work with multiple different module types. A single base unit can serve multiple functions by attaching different modules, eliminating the need for manufacturers to produce multiple specialized device versions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all functional modules are integrated into a single device, then functionality is improved, but device weight and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
Functional modules are separated from the base device and placed in detachable units. Users carry only the base device plus selected modules, reducing overall weight compared to carrying a single device with all functions integrated. The modular structure allows weight optimization based on actual usage needs.
3Ease of operation
If wireless connection is used for remote imaging, then device portability is improved, but connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between wireless and wired connections based on operational needs. During remote imaging, the system uses wireless connection for portability, but can transition to wired connection if higher reliability is required, adapting the connection type to the situation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of remote imaging allows a camera module in a modular portable electronic device environment to be removed from a base module without halting an image capture session being displayed on a display of the base module. In an embodiment, image data may be captured by both the camera module and the base module. A hardwired connection connects the devices when the camera module is docked on the base module, while a wireless connection maintains the connection between the devices when the camera module is undocked from the base module during an image capture session.