Multidirectional Communication System for Space Interconnection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems primarily handle unidirectional communication, leading to inefficient energy and bandwidth usage, as they do not effectively create a sense of interconnected spaces between users.

Innovation Solution

A multidirectional communication system that shares space information between users based on sensing data, allowing control of communication parameters like frame rate and image resolution to optimize energy and bandwidth usage, creating a seamless connection between spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If unidirectional communication is used in TV broadcasting systems, then energy is saved at receiving terminals, but bandwidth efficiency is poor and users cannot feel interconnected across spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidinterconnectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters (frame rate, image resolution) based on real-time sensing information about user states. The control section modifies transmission characteristics according to whether users are actively watching or idle, enabling bidirectional awareness while optimizing energy and bandwidth usage in multidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensing information about user states is fed back to the control section, which uses this feedback to adjust communication parameters. This closed-loop control enables the system to adapt to changing user needs and optimize resource allocation in real-time during multidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If space information is continuously transmitted between users, then users feel interconnected across spaces, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesense of connectionVSAvoidbandwidth usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters (frame rate, image resolution) based on real-time sensing information about user states. The control section modifies transmission characteristics according to whether users are actively watching or idle, enabling bidirectional awareness while optimizing energy and bandwidth usage in multidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes communication parameters such as frame rate and image resolution based on user states and communication conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains the sense of connection between spaces while significantly reducing bandwidth consumption during idle or low-priority periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If communication parameters are fixed, then system operation is simple, but energy and bandwidth cannot be optimized based on user states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication parameters (frame rate, image resolution) based on real-time sensing information about user states. The control section modifies transmission characteristics according to whether users are actively watching or idle, enabling bidirectional awareness while optimizing energy and bandwidth usage in multidirectional communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts communication parameters based on sensing information without requiring manual user input. The control section autonomously determines optimal transmission characteristics by processing sensing data about user states, achieving energy efficiency while maintaining simplicity for the end user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11418565B2Space information sharing apparatus, space information sharing method, and program

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

There is provided a space information sharing apparatus, a space information sharing method, and a program adapted to let users feel as if their spaces are interconnected in a multidirectional communication system while saving bandwidth. A control section is provided to control communication of space information indicative of appearances of a space of a first user to an apparatus of a second user on the basis of first sensing information representative of the state of the first user and second sensing information representative of the state of the second user. This technology is applied advantageously to multidirectional communication systems.