Automatic Reference Data Association via Time and Shared Identifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices often lack the capability to automatically associate reference data, such as location information, with primary process data captured by separate devices, leading to loss or non-recognition of reference data when sharing primary process data over networks.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically associates reference data with primary process data using a shared identifier and shared time, enabling seamless integration and storage of location information with captured data, even when collected by separate devices, through a network-enabled architecture involving client devices, servers, and reference data communication devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate primary process data recording devices are used to capture high-resolution data, then data quality is improved, but the ability to automatically associate reference data is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidreference data association
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives both primary process data from separate recording devices and reference data from mobile devices. The server performs the association function that the separate recording devices lack, using shared identifiers (device IDs, user IDs) and time synchronization to link the data sets together, thereby preserving reference data association while maintaining high data quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server provides a universal association service that works with multiple types of primary process data (images, video, audio) from various separate recording devices. By implementing a general-purpose data association system that handles different data types and sources through common identification and time-synchronization mechanisms, the solution enables automatic reference data association across diverse devices without requiring each device to have specialized association capabilities

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

2Reliability

If manual association of reference data with primary process data is performed on client devices, then data can be associated, but user intervention is required and reference data is lost during network sharing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata associationVSAvoiduser intervention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic self-service data association through time synchronization and shared identifiers. The mobile device and separate recording device independently provide their own identification information and time stamps, and the server automatically performs the association without requiring user selection or manual matching, thereby eliminating the need for user intervention while maintaining reliable data association

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synchronizing time between devices and pre-establishing shared identifiers before data capture and sharing occurs. This preliminary setup of time synchronization and identification frameworks enables automatic association to happen seamlessly during the data sharing process, eliminating the need for subsequent manual user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If reference data is transferred separately to client computing devices, then data can be stored, but reference data is not recognized by shared servers during network sharing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storageVSAvoidreference data recognition
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the storage and processing of primary process data and reference data at the server level. Instead of keeping them separate as in traditional client-based systems, the server receives both data types, associates them through shared identifiers and time synchronization, and stores them together in an integrated manner, ensuring the server recognizes and can process the reference data alongside the primary process data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8171237B2Automatic association of reference data with primary process data based on time and shared identifier
Publication Date: 2012.05.01 R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
  • US8171237B2 patent drawing
  • US8171237B2 patent drawing
  • US8171237B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and system for automatically associating primary process data with reference data. The primary process data may include image, video, audio, text, search data, and the like. The reference data may include location, temperature, pressure, and the like. A primary process data processor device, such as a digital camera, is used to acquire the primary process data with time information, but without any reference data. A reference data collector device, such as a cellular telephone, is used to acquire the reference data with time information. The primary process data and the reference data are uploaded to a server and each are associated with a shared identifier, such as a user ID. Of the content and reference data associated with the shared ID, the server determines which primary process data and reference data were acquired near the same time, and automatically associates the reference data with the primary process data.