Relay Apparatus Network Image Data Location Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication apparatuses require dedicated servers for storing uploaded image data, which is costly and inefficient, and do not effectively utilize network-based electronic-file storing services for downloading image data.
Innovation Solution
A relay apparatus and communication apparatus system that connects through a network to a server storing image data, allowing for the acquisition and transmission of location information and data size identification to download appropriate image data from a network-based electronic-file storing service, reducing data processing load and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated servers are used for storing uploaded image data, then image data storage capability is provided, but operational costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The relay apparatus acts as an intermediary between the communication apparatus and the electronic-file storing service. Instead of requiring the communication apparatus to directly access or host image data, the relay apparatus mediates the interaction by acquiring location information from the server and transmitting it to the communication apparatus, which then downloads the appropriate image data. This eliminates the need for dedicated servers while maintaining storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing electronic-file storing services (such as Picasa Web Album or Flickr) that provide universal image storage and access capabilities across multiple devices and platforms. The relay apparatus enables the communication apparatus to leverage these universal services without requiring proprietary dedicated servers, thereby reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining reliable image data storage.
2Device complexity
If image data is downloaded from electronic-file storing services, then operational costs are reduced, but the communication apparatus must handle location information acquisition and data size selection
Solution Approach 1:
The data acquisition process is segmented into distinct functional steps: (1) the relay apparatus receives a request for location information, (2) the relay apparatus acquires the location information from the server, (3) the relay apparatus transmits the location information to the communication apparatus, and (4) the communication apparatus downloads the image data using the received location information. This segmentation distributes complexity appropriately while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay apparatus serves as an intermediary that handles the complex tasks of location information acquisition and transmission, while the communication apparatus focuses on receiving this information and downloading the appropriate image data. This division of labor simplifies the overall operation by allowing each component to perform its specific function without managing the entire complex process.
3Productivity
If location information is transmitted through the relay apparatus, then appropriate image data can be selected for display, but additional communication steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The relay apparatus performs preliminary action by acquiring and preparing the location information before transmitting it to the communication apparatus. This preliminary acquisition of location information from the server enables the communication apparatus to directly access the appropriate image data without requiring additional complex queries or processing steps, thereby improving selection efficiency while minimizing the time penalty of the extra communication step.
Data Source
AI summary
A relay apparatus to be connected through a network to a server apparatus configured to store image data and a communication apparatus configured to acquire the image data from the server and output an image based on the acquired image data, the relay apparatus includes: a first receiving unit configured to receive a request for acquiring location information from the communication apparatus; an acquiring unit configured to acquire the location information for acquiring the image data from the server apparatus upon receipt of the request; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the acquired location information to the communication apparatus.