Wireless Intermediary for GPS-Enabled Image Tagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching positional information to images, such as using GPS-equipped cameras or NFC, are cumbersome and inconvenient, especially when multiple people want to record and share location data without each having a GPS-enabled device.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device with a wired interface for receiving image data, a wireless interface for transmitting positional information, and a control unit that extracts and transmits this information, allowing for seamless sharing of location data between devices without the need for GPS on all cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a GPS module is installed in a digital camera to attach positional information to photographs, then positional information can be directly acquired and attached to images, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication device as an intermediary that receives image data from a camera, extracts positional information, and transmits it to another device. This mediator handles the GPS functionality separately, allowing the camera itself to remain simple while still achieving positional information attachment through wireless communication.
2Reliability
If a GPS logger and personal computer are used to attach positional information to photographs after shooting, then positional information can be attached, but the post-processing burden and user inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic positional information attachment through wireless communication between devices. The camera captures images, the wireless communication device automatically extracts and transmits positional information, eliminating the need for manual post-processing on a personal computer and making the operation convenient for users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NFC communication is used to inquire about and receive positional information from nearby terminals, then positional information can be obtained without GPS in the camera, but the communication complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NFC communication and positional information extraction functions into a separate wireless communication device. The camera only needs to transmit image data through its existing interface, while the specialized wireless device handles the complex NFC communication, inquiry, and extraction processes, reducing the burden on the camera system.
4Reliability
If wireless transmission of positional information is performed with high signal output, then transmission reliability and range improve, but energy consumption and potential interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the signal output level of the wireless communication interface based on transmission needs. The control unit suppresses the signal output level when transmitting positional information, optimizing the balance between transmission reliability and energy consumption by using only the necessary signal strength rather than maximum power continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device, a memory device, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication method, and a program recordable medium are possible to attach positional information to image data without changing a hardware configuration of a device such as a digital camera capable of outputting image data. A memory I/F unit receives the image data to which positional information is attached from another device. A memory unit stores the image data input to the memory I/F unit. A storage data analyzing unit extracts the positional information from the image data when image data is stored in the memory unit. A system control unit causes the extracted positional information to be wirelessly transmitted from an RF unit to another wireless communication device.