Multi-Card Data Recording and Integration Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Digital cameras face inefficiencies in data transfer and management when using multiple memory cards, as existing techniques do not effectively integrate data from multiple recording media, leading to increased data transfer times and difficulty in managing distributed data.

Innovation Solution

A data recording apparatus and digital camera system that includes multiple recording media, data generating means, and data transfer means to integrate data from multiple cards into one medium, with a judging mechanism to ensure proper combinations of cards for efficient data allocation and transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is recorded in a distributed manner across multiple recording media, then data transfer time is reduced and recording efficiency is improved, but data management complexity increases and data integration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides recording data into multiple segments and distributes them across multiple recording media simultaneously, allowing parallel recording operations that reduce overall data transfer time while maintaining organized segment identification for later integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the distribution of data segments across multiple recording media, tracking which segments are stored where and coordinating the integration process, thereby reducing management complexity for the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If multiple recording media are used simultaneously, then recording speed is enhanced through parallel operations, but the difficulty of detecting and managing data locations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording speedVSAvoiddata location tracking difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements a feedback mechanism that continuously tracks and records the location of each data segment across multiple recording media, providing real-time information about data positions and enabling efficient retrieval and integration operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If data is integrated from multiple recording media into one medium, then data management is simplified, but additional data transfer time is required during integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata management easeVSAvoidintegration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary organization and indexing of data segments during the initial distributed recording phase, preparing metadata and location information in advance that facilitates faster integration operations when data needs to be consolidated into a single recording medium

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7477296B2Data recording apparatus and digital camera
Publication Date: 2009.01.13 OM DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORP
  • US7477296B2 patent drawing
  • US7477296B2 patent drawing
  • US7477296B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A data recording apparatus comprises a plurality of recording media, data generating means for generating recording data, recording means for, whenever the recording data is generated from the data generating means, allocating and recording the recording data in the plurality of recording media, and data transfer means for integrating, into one recording medium, the plurality of recording data recorded in a distributed manner in the plurality of recording media, when the data generating means and the recording means are not in operation.