Portable Device Memory Management via Image Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices, such as camera phones, face memory management challenges due to limited local storage, where valuable images and videos are at risk of loss when memory fills up, and existing tools are inconvenient for managing memory and backing up data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transferring and re-sizing image files from a portable device to another device, allowing permanent conversion of files to free up memory while preserving originals, with automatic or user-initiated options for deletion and re-sizing based on file classifications and prioritization rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If image files are permanently converted to smaller size to free up memory, then memory space is increased, but image quality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image management into two distinct formats: original high-quality images stored in a database, and converted lower-quality images stored in memory. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both high image quality (in the database) and adequate memory space (through converted versions), resolving the contradiction between preserving quality and freeing memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates converted copies of original images at reduced quality levels. These copies are stored in memory while the originals remain in the database. This copying approach enables memory space expansion without permanently degrading the master image files, as the high-quality originals can be restored if needed.
2Quantity of substance
If original image files are deleted to free up memory, then memory space is increased, but data safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates converted copies of original images and stores them in memory. The original high-quality files are preserved in the database, ensuring data safety. This copying mechanism allows memory space to be freed while maintaining reliable backups of the original data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where converted image versions are discarded from memory after successful transfer to the database, but the originals can be recovered from the database if needed. This approach frees memory space while maintaining data safety through the database backup system.
3Quantity of substance
If all image files are transferred to another device, then memory space is freed, but transfer time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the quality parameter of images during conversion to smaller size. This parameter change reduces the data volume of each image file, thereby reducing the total transfer time required to move images to another device or database, while still maintaining adequate viewing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels to different storage locations: high-quality originals are stored in the database, while lower-quality converted versions are used in memory. This local quality differentiation reduces transfer time for memory operations while preserving high quality where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device including a memory having a first image file; a system for transferring a copy of the first image file to a second device; and a system for permanently converting the first image file to a different second image file. The system for permanently converting is based, at least partially, upon the copy of the first image file being transferred to the second device by the system for transferring. The second image file cannot be converted back to the first image file by the portable electronic device.