Communication Terminal Layered Image Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems struggle to manage and share dynamic stroke data among communication terminals during videoconferences, as some terminals are unable to handle frequent changes in drawing images effectively.
Innovation Solution
A communication terminal that stores and transmits updated image layers reflecting user inputs, allowing multiple terminals to display synchronized images by generating and sharing updated image data, including stroke data, through a communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stroke data is shared dynamically among communication terminals, then real-time collaboration capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to frequent data changes and synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple image layers (background layer, stroke layer, annotation layer) and manages changes at the layer level. This segmentation allows selective updates of only the modified layers rather than transmitting the entire image, reducing data transmission volume and processing complexity while maintaining real-time collaboration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic image layer management where layers can be added, modified, or removed based on user operations. The system dynamically adjusts the image structure in response to user inputs (e.g., adding annotation layers when text is detected), enabling flexible real-time collaboration without requiring predetermined fixed structures.
2Productivity
If all communication terminals must process stroke data locally, then data processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases for terminals lacking processing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication management server as an intermediary that performs complex stroke data processing and image layer management. Terminals without processing capability can still participate by simply displaying received image layers, while the server handles the computational tasks. This mediator approach enables heterogeneous terminal environments without increasing individual terminal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal image layer format that can be displayed by any communication terminal regardless of its processing capability. The standardized layer structure (background, stroke, annotation layers) serves multiple functions: it can be processed locally by capable terminals or rendered remotely by the server, making the system adaptable to diverse terminal capabilities without requiring each terminal to have full processing functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complete image data is transmitted to all terminals, then display consistency is improved, but data transmission volume and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete image into multiple independent layers and transmits only the modified layers to communication terminals. When a user makes changes (e.g., adding strokes or annotations), only the affected stroke layer or annotation layer is transmitted rather than the entire image. This maintains display consistency across all terminals while significantly reducing data transmission volume, especially during incremental updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes the image layer structure (background layer, stroke layer, annotation layer) before actual editing begins. This preliminary organization of image data into manageable layers enables efficient incremental updates where only specific layers need to be transmitted and processed, rather than handling the complete image data throughout the entire collaboration session.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication terminal displays an image having a plurality of image layers, being shared with a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal. In response to a user input for changing appearance of a first image layer of the image, the communication terminal stores information reflecting the change caused by the user input to the first image layer in a memory, and generates an updated image having the first image layer that reflects the change caused by the user input. The communication terminal transmits the information reflecting the change to the first image layer to the first communication terminal to cause the first communication terminal to generate and display the updated image. The communication terminal transmits the updated image having the first image layer that reflects the change to the second communication terminal to cause the second communication terminal to store the updated image.