Time-Shift Image Retrieval via Temporal Metadata Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cameras cannot capture or provide images of past or future times, and there is no system or method to obtain such images on demand.
Innovation Solution
A time-shift image distribution system and method that includes an image server and a time-shift image requesting apparatus connected via a communication network, allowing users to request and obtain images from a specific past or future time by searching an image database using meta information associated with imaging times and subject identification information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If digital cameras are used to capture images, then present images can be recorded and saved, but images of past or future times cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing and storing images in advance (future images) and making them available for later retrieval. Users can request images from future time points, and the system has already captured and stored these images in the database, enabling instant retrieval without actual future waiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of images at different time points and stores them in the database. Instead of capturing a single present moment, multiple copies of images from different times (past, present, future) are maintained, allowing users to retrieve any desired time point's image copy.
2Loss of information
If an image database stores large amounts of image data with meta information, then search capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments image data management by separating image storage from metadata storage, and further separating the search function into a dedicated search engine. The metadata is divided into specific fields (time, location, camera angle, subject), allowing targeted searching without processing the entire database, thus reducing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The search engine acts as an intermediary between the user's search request and the image database. It processes search queries using meta information, filters relevant results, and retrieves only necessary image data, reducing the direct complexity between the database and user interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users can request images from any time point, then time flexibility is improved, but communication network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by retrieving and transmitting only the specific image data requested by users, rather than transferring entire databases or unnecessary data. The search function filters results to return only matching images from the requested time points, reducing network load while maintaining full time-shift functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A time-shift image distribution system includes an image server and a time-shift image requesting apparatus. The image server includes a first communication unit configured to carry out communications with the time-shift image requesting apparatus, an image database configured to store image data of captured images in association with meta information for image data of a captured image matching search-condition information, and an image providing unit configured to provide the image data of the captured image detected by the searching unit to the time-shift image requesting apparatus. The time-shift image requesting apparatus includes a second communication unit configured to carry out communications with the image server, and a unit configured to send a search request including information representing an imaging time and information for identifying a subject image as search-condition information to the image server via the second communication unit.