Automatic Portrait Image Registration in Videophone Directory

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable terminal devices require manual registration of portrait images, making the process burdensome and reducing the utilization of the display function for personal information and images in telephone directories.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that automatically registers portrait images during videophone calls by capturing and associating them with the corresponding telephone numbers in the directory, using a communication unit, memory, portrait image registration determination unit, and automatic registration unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual registration of portrait images is implemented, then portrait images can be registered in the telephone directory, but the registration operation becomes very burdensome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportrait image registrationVSAvoidregistration operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically capturing portrait images during videophone calls and storing them in advance. When a call occurs, the system proactively captures the calling party's image and registers it in the telephone directory before the user needs to view or use the information, eliminating the need for manual registration at the moment of need.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically performing the portrait image registration process without requiring user intervention. The control unit autonomously captures images during calls, processes them, and registers them in the telephone directory, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user operation for each registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual registration operation is required for each user, then portrait images can be registered accurately, but the display function is not utilized due to burdensome operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportrait image registration accuracyVSAvoidregistration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical manual operation system with an automated image capture and registration system. Instead of requiring users to manually input and upload portrait images for each contact, the control unit automatically captures images during videophone calls and registers them, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated electronic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves continuity of useful action by continuously capturing portrait images during videophone calls and immediately registering them in the telephone directory. This continuous automated process ensures that portrait images are consistently updated and maintained without interruption or manual intervention, maximizing the utilization of the display function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If automatic registration during videophone calls is implemented, then registration operation is reduced, but additional communication functionality is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportrait image registrationVSAvoidcommunication unit requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by utilizing the videophone call function, which already exists in the portable device, for the additional purpose of automatic portrait image registration. The communication unit that handles voice calls is extended to also capture and process video images, allowing one component to serve multiple functions and reducing the need for separate dedicated registration hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the portrait image registration function with the existing videophone call functionality. By combining these functions, the system uses the same communication channel and processing resources for both voice communication and portrait image capture, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving automatic registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8228361B2Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and portable terminal device

Publication Date: 2012.07.24 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An information processing device includes a communication unit conducting a videophone call, a memory storing a telephone directory which registers at least each individual telephone number and which is capable of registering a portrait image associated with each individual telephone number, a portrait image registration determination unit determining whether or not a portrait image of a calling party is registered in the telephone directory by referring to the telephone directory based on the telephone number of the calling party when sending and receiving data according to the videophone call, a portrait image capturing unit capturing a portrait image received from the calling party as a calling party portrait image if the portrait image registration determination unit determines that the portrait image of the calling party is not registered in the telephone directory, and a portrait image automatic registration unit registering automatically the portrait image captured in the portrait image capturing unit as the calling party portrait image in the memory.