JP2004509524A - Transfer of acquired data over wireless data links - Google Patents

Abstract

The acquired data is stored in the storage element. The data acquired indicates a record of at least one observed phenomenon. For example, the acquired data represents a still image or a video sequence. The acquired data is read from a storage element and transmitted over a wireless data link in response to a determination that a predetermined relationship exists.

Description

[0001]
Background of the Invention
1. Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of data transfer. More particularly, the invention relates to transferring acquired data from a remote device over a wireless data link.
[0002]
2. Description of related technology
Devices for data acquisition include cameras, audio recorders, data recorders, and video cameras. Such devices typically use an analog storage medium such as film, paper, or tape to hold the acquired data. The acquired data represents information about still or moving images, recorded audio, or records of other observed events such as seismic activity and weather conditions.
[0003]
One problem that arises with the use of such devices is the limited capacity of the storage medium. Thus, if the user wishes to record memories of a trip, vacation, party, graduation, etc., multiple photosensitive films (eg, for a still camera), multiple magnetic films (eg, for a video camera). You need to get the tape and carry it. Otherwise, the user runs the risk of running out of storage capacity. In many cases, it is not possible to know in advance exactly how much storage space is required to record a particular event. Further, once the media containing the acquired data (eg, film or tape) is removed from the device to replace the new media, the media (and the data retained thereby) is lost irretrievably. Or will be spoiled.
[0004]
In many cases, data acquisition devices are currently available that use digital media to hold the acquired data. For example, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera. The image sensor is, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The image sensor includes support circuitry for signal conditioning (eg, automatic exposure control, anti-blooming control, black and white level balance, etc.). The signal is used for encoding including applying a compression method such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group, ISO / IEC standard IS10918-1, -2, -3, ITU-T T.81, 83, 84). Transferred to processor. The digitization of the image signal, which is performed before encoding, is performed by a sensor, a processor, or a digitizing circuit interposed therebetween.
[0005]
In addition to these processing tasks, the processor performs storage management tasks related to storing image signals in storage elements. For low to medium capacity applications (e.g., still photos for consumer applications), the storage element is a flash RAM device with a memory stick (Sony, Tokyo, Japan), (e.g., smart media electrical, physical format and logical). Format Specification (as defined in the web online version of the SSFDC Forum, published May 19, 1999, SSFDC Forum, Japan) or Smart Flash, or Compact Flash (CF + and Compact Flash Specification, Revision 1.4, Compact Flash Association) , Palo Alto, CA) specifications. For high capacity applications (such as still photos for professional applications), a small Winchester hard drive (developed by IBM Corporation, White Plains, NY) is used instead.
[0006]
The data port supports a serial link conforming to the RS-232 or Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol. This port carries data from the storage to an external personal computer for observation, storage, copying, etc. As described below, the data port receives control information from an application running on an external personal computer to change camera parameters, such as compression ratios, and erase storage elements.
[0007]
A user of the camera communicates with the camera via a user interface that provides control information to the processor. For example, a user interface generally includes a shutter release for acquiring information received by an image sensor. In some cameras, the user enters sensors or processing parameters to change the operation of the camera. For example, the user may change the compression ratio (to maximize image storage at the expense of image quality, or to maximize image quality at the expense of image storage), Inspect the acquired image, adjust the photoflash operation and other exposure values. Often, these parameters include software applications where the user interface generally runs on a personal computer and communicates with the camera via a data port.
[0008]
Just as analog data acquisition devices are limited by the capacity of analog storage media, digital data acquisition devices are also limited by the capacity of storage elements. If the existing media is full, then if the extra media is available or a suitably configured personal computer is not available to offload the stored data, the user will Must be used or the device must be discontinued until the data can be offloaded. Even if the media or such a computer is available, the user must stop recording data until a cumbersome task such as changing media or downloading data is completed. As with analog storage media, once the digital storage element is removed from the camera, the media and the data it holds are lost or corrupted.
[0009]
wrap up
In an apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, the control logic is configured and arranged to receive the acquired data. The acquired data substantially includes any stream of digital data desired to be recorded. The storage element is configured and arranged to store the acquired data. The transmitter is configured and located to transmit the acquired data over the wireless data link. The transmitter may further include a predetermined relationship (eg, smaller, equal, and / or more) between the storage threshold and a value at least partially related to an amount of acquired data stored in the storage element. Is configured and arranged to initiate such a transmission at least in response to a determination that a large is present.
[0010]
Detailed description
As shown in FIG. 2, an apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes control logic 110 for receiving acquired data. The control logic block 110 includes one or more microprocessors, a microcontroller, and other arrays of logic elements such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or on such array or arrays. Includes one or more processors to execute. In applications where the acquired data originates from an image sensor and an image processor as described above, the control logic block 110 and the image processor may use the same array or array of logic elements (eg, executing at different times and / or in different contexts). It is implemented as a process that runs on the (plural).
[0011]
Here, the acquired data is not limited to image data. For example, the acquired data includes digital audio data. Further, the acquired data comprises any other stream of data. For example, it includes data generated by a set of test equipment (eg, a spectrum analyzer, a seismograph, etc.) that records information related to at least one observed phenomenon. Such phenomena may relate to natural conditions (eg, one or more weather conditions such as temperature, humidity or cloud density) or artificial (such as channel fading for wireless communication). In summary, the acquired data may be stored in at least temporary storage in storage element 120 (eg, a signal having one or more voltage levels and timing values consistent with characteristics of storage element 120) that is desired to be recorded. It comprises any stream of digital data with suitable characteristics.
[0012]
In applications where the acquired data undergoes one or more processing operations (such as digitization, encoding and / or compression) before the acquired data is received by the control logic block 110, the control logic 110 and the data processor Alternatively, the data processor (s) may be implemented (e.g., as a process running on the same array or array (s) of logic elements executing at different times and / or in different contexts; between the sensor and the processor (s)). A buffer is located between one or more processing stages and the control logic block 110 does not receive the acquired data directly from the sensors, converters, or processors that provide it, but from the buffers. Desired to receive There.
[0013]
The control logic block 110 controls the storage of the acquired data in the storage element 120. For example, the control logic block 110 may buffer the acquired data as needed to match characteristics (such as data rate and / or bus width) of the acquired data signal or parallelize (e.g., from a serial data stream) Reconstructed into a data stream). The control logic block 110 formats the obtained data into files, packets or other types of data structures suitable for storage in the storage element 120 and / or convenient for subsequent retrieval. For example, the control logic block 110 may store the acquired data in a directory structure readable by an operating system such as MS-DOS (Microsoft, Redmond, Wash.), EPOC (Symbian, London, United Kingdom), and / or Linux. To store it as a file. On the other hand, the control logic block 110 stores the acquired data as a fixed or variable packet suitable for transmission according to a predetermined communication protocol such as the Internet Protocol (IP). In another example, the control logic block 110 may add or stamp a time stamp or other information on the obtained data and / or encrypt or encode or label the obtained data prior to storage.
[0014]
The storage element 120 is a nonvolatile random access memory (RAM) device. In an exemplary implementation, storage element 120 is a flash RAM device that meets specifications such as compact flash, smart media, or a memory stick. Other non-volatile RAM options for storage element 120 include magnetoresistive, magnetic, magnetic tunnel junction or ferroelectric RAM. On the other hand, the storage element 120 is a small Winchester (for example, a hard disk) drive. The storage element 120 may further be a volatile RAM such as a semiconductor device such as a dynamic or static RAM. In summary, storage element 120 is any storage element that allows random access and meets any size, speed, and power consumption limits applicable to a particular implementation.
[0015]
In other embodiments, the storage element 120 is a RAM portion of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card or other "smart card" with additional storage and / or processing functions. In this case, all or some of the less important components of the control logic block 110 are incorporated into the smart card. Such an arrangement saves space on the portable device and / or reduces manufacturing costs by combining support for multiple functions (eg, user identification and / or authentication, telephone service configuration) into a single card interface. Further, such an interface provides a convenient mechanism for software and / or firmware upgrades.
[0016]
In an apparatus for transmitting acquired data over a cellular telephone link as described below, such an arrangement may include one or more telephone numbers (such as access codes or passwords) associated with the data transfer. The phone service support function of the smart card can be leveraged to allow it to be stored on the card (along with parameters). To simplify the program operation, the information stored on the smart card is organized according to a file directory structure.
[0017]
An additional function provided by the control logic block 110 is the protection of "pending data" (captured data that has been stored in the storage element 120 but not yet transmitted). For example, the control logic block 110 prevents data from being written to an area of the storage element 120 that contains pending data. Such protection is implemented by a mutual exclusion (ie, “mutex”) mechanism, such as a semaphore or a flag associated with each part of the storage element 120. In another example, such functionality is implemented, at least in part, in storage element 120.
[0018]
In an exemplary implementation, the mutex flag is set (or "locked") when the acquired data is stored in a corresponding portion of storage element 120. The mutex flag is reset (or "opened" or "cleared") when data is transmitted serially (or when data is retrieved for transmission). When the mutex flag is set, data is not stored in a part of the storage element 120.
[0019]
FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a suitable mutex mechanism using a flowchart of a portion of the method according to one embodiment of the present invention. At task P110, a block of acquired data is received (eg, from a sensor or transducer or processor or buffer). (The size of the block of data is used via the architecture or format of the storage element 120, the capacity of the intermediate storage stage, one or more parameters of the compression algorithm or other data processing tasks and / or wireless data links. Selected according to factors such as the structure of the transmission protocol.) In task P120, an address is obtained for the location in storage element 120 where the block is stored. This address accesses a pointer, table, or similar storage management structure that points to a particular location in the storage element 120 (eg, the initial location, or the location following the location where the acquired data was most recently stored). Earned by In task P130, the state of the mutex flag corresponding to the selected storage element is checked. If the flag is open (ie, there is no untransferred data at that location), the acquired block of data is stored in task P140. If the flag is locked, the store operation is aborted (or canceled). In the example of FIG. 3, the task P130 repeats until the mutex flag is unlocked (interruption of the task P140). In task P180, the mutex flag is set, thereby protecting pending data.
[0020]
Task P140 or P180 includes updating a pointer or a table associated with task P120. Further, tasks P140 and P180 are modified from the example of FIG. 3 to provide adequate protection for pending data. For example, task P140 is restricted in occurrence only by permission (authorized by control logic block 110 and / or storage element 120). In such a case, it is desirable to set the mutex flag before the data is stored and to give permission to overwrite the mutex flag.
[0021]
One suitable structure for the storage element 120 is a circular cue or "ring buffer." The mutex mechanism described above is included in such an implementation. In an exemplary embodiment, at least two pointers to the queue are maintained. 1) a "storage pointer" indicating the next storage location available to store the acquired data and 2) a "transmission pointer" indicating the next storage location with pending data.
[0022]
The control logic block 110 arbitrates for the dual memory bus to allow data to be stored in and retrieved from the storage element 120 at the same time. In this manner, data for transmission by transmitter 130 is retrieved using one memory bus (by control logic block 110 and / or transmitter 130), and control logic block 110 is transmitted via another memory bus. Data is stored in the storage element 120. In other embodiments, storage element 120 has two or more ports, such that control logic block 110 and / or transmitter 130 retrieves data directly from storage element 120 via one port, Control logic block 110 stores data via other ports. Such a structure is used to allow the retrieval task and the storage task to proceed substantially independently of each other.
[0023]
Transmitter 130 receives information from storage element 130 and transmits it over a wireless data link. Datalinks are private and dedicated datalinks, such as satellite uplink or downlink channels. In another implementation, the data link is part of a commercial communication network, such as a cellular telephone network. In a further implementation, the data link is a wireless link in a wireless LAN or a wireless or infrared link that conforms to the Bluetooth protocol (specification version 1.0 available at www.bluetooth.com) or other protocols. In an exemplary application of such an implementation, the acquired data is transmitted over a data link to a nearby personal computer.
[0024]
One or more events are selected from a number of events to initiate a task of retrieving the acquired data from storage element 120 and transmitting it over a wireless data link.
[0025]
In one implementation, this task may be performed depending on the level of use of storage element 120, for example, the amount of pending data stored on storage element 120 (or the storage currently available to store pending data). Triggered when the amount of storage in element 120 reaches a predetermined threshold, or "watermark". The watermark is defined by a data unit (for example, 10 megabytes, 400 blocks, etc.) or a percentage of the total capacity of the storage element 120 (for example, 75%). On the other hand, information retrieval and transmission are triggered when the device is idle for a predetermined period of time (no data has been acquired) and ongoing data is currently stored in storage element 120. On the one hand, information retrieval and transmission occurs at least in part according to a schedule (eg, during off-peak usage periods of commercial data links). On the other hand, the task of retrieving and transmitting information is to determine that the current quality of the data link or a predetermined threshold is met or exceeded and that the currently pending data is stored in the storage element 120. Initiated in response.
[0026]
In addition to the tasks described above, control logic block 110 performs the task of retrieving the acquired data from storage element 120 and transmitting it to transmitter 130 for transmission over a wireless data link. Control logic block 110, on the other hand, participates in this task in a more restricted manner (eg, by arbitrating the dual memory bus to enable transmitter 130 to access storage element 120). Alternatively, the transmitter 130 performs the task of retrieving data obtained from the storage element 120 without direct intervention from the control logic block 110 (eg, in a dual port storage system as described above).
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the obtained block of data is retrieved and the address of the storage location is obtained in tasks P110 and P120, respectively. In task P150, the usage level of storage element 120 is checked. If the usage level is determined to be high (e.g., the amount of pending data meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold, i.e., a watermark), then in task P160, the transmitting task is currently executing. A decision is made as to whether or not. If such a task has not been executed, a transmission task is started in task P170. Following this operation or if the usage level is determined to be low, a block of data is stored in tasks P130 and P140 and the mutex flag is set in task P180 according to the state of the corresponding mutex flag.
[0028]
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the transmission task started in task P170, for example. In task P210, the address of a storage location containing pending data to be transmitted is obtained. This address is obtained by accessing a pointer, table, or similar storage management structure in storage element 120 that points to a particular location (the initial location, for example, the location following the location where the pending data was most recently retrieved). Is done. At task P220, pending data is retrieved from the selected storage location and the data is transmitted at task P230. In some implementations, the retrieved data is labeled, time stamped, and / or encrypted or encoded prior to transmission. For example, a digital signature is attached to each image or video frame to check for authenticity and / or time of acquisition.
[0029]
In task P240, the mutex flag corresponding to the selected storage location is cleared. In the exemplary application, task P240 is deferred until a successful transmission at task P230 is confirmed. Task P230 or P240 involves updating the pointer or table accessed in task P210.
[0030]
In task P250, the usage level of the storage element 120 is checked. If the usage level is determined to be high (e.g., the amount of pending data meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold or watermark), task P200 is repeated. It is desirable to incorporate hysteresis coefficients by using different watermarks in tasks P150 and P250. For example, the repetition of the task P200 is continuously executed until there is no data pending in the storage element 120.
[0031]
Depending at least in part on the rate of acquired data received by control logic block 110, the speed of the wireless data link used by transmitter 130, and / or the speed of control logic block 110 and storage element 120, An implementation of the device 100 can be used to acquire and transmit a continuous stream of data whose size exceeds the capacity of the storage element 120.
[0032]
FIG. 6 shows an implementation of the device 200 according to a variant of the invention. In addition to one or more conventional user interface tasks described above, the user interface 140 allows a user to initiate acquisition and / or transmission of information, enter or change acquisition and / or processing parameters, Schedule tasks (e.g., acquire images) to be performed at a time, select from different modes of operation, and / or one or more watermarks or other usage levels associated with storage element 120. Allows you to enter or change thresholds. The user interface 140 informs the user about events such as a determination that a usage level threshold has been reached at the storage element 120, a transmission operation by the transmitter 130, a state of the wireless data link. In addition to the functions of the control logic block 110 described above, the control logic block 112 includes a function of distributing and / or applying control information received from the user interface 140.
[0033]
In implementations that include a smart card interface, the user interface 140 obtains information from the card. Support for a removable smart card allows each of a plurality of users to easily personalize the device 200. For example, the smart card provides information defining a preferred configuration for the user interface 140. In addition, smart cards provide information that identifies or authenticates a user's identity. Such information is used to label and / or encrypt data obtained prior to storage in storage element 120 and / or prior to transmission by transmitter 130. (GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) TS 11.11 [SIM-ME interface specification], version 03.16.00, July 1994, European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Sofia Antipolis, Cedex, France) Support for at least some of the existing smart card interfaces (such as some of the SIM card interfaces defined in Part 6 [Physical properties of SIM]) contributes to ease of use and commercial value.
[0034]
FIG. 7 shows an apparatus 200a according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes a dual memory bus. In this example, transmitter 130 receives pending data from one area of storage element 120, and control logic block 112 stores the acquired area in another area. The control logic block 112 arbitrates the memory bus to prevent simultaneous read and write accesses to the same storage location. Protection of pending data is implemented within the arbitration task (eg, by storing pointers replacing transmission pointers).
[0035]
FIG. 8 shows an implementation of an apparatus 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this device, the sensor 150 may include a sensor 150 as described above and / or a microphone for generating an audio signal and / or an acquired data signal for representing one or more observed phenomena. And other types of converters. The signal processor 160 performs signal conditioning, compression, and / or other encoding functions on the acquired data signal. If the sensor 150 provides an analog signal, the signal processing device 160 includes digitizing circuits and / or tasks. The control logic block 112 and the signal processing unit 160 are implemented as processes running on the same array or arrays of logic elements (eg, running at different times and / or in different contexts).
[0036]
In one implementation, the signal processing device 160 includes GIF (Graphics Interchange Format, versions 87a and 89a, CompuServe Inc. Columbus, Ohio), JPEG, PNG (Portable Network Graphics Specification, version 1.0 (as RFC2083). Publishing) and 1.2, PNG Development Group, copyright 1999 Glen Lander Spearson) or standard video formats such as AVI (Audio Video Interleave), MPEG formats (MPEG-1, ISO-111722-2, MPEG-2, ISO-). 13818-2, MPEG-4, ISO / IEC-14496) or H.264. 261, H263 or H.261. It outputs a digital signal having a standard still image format, such as a video conference standard, such as H.324. In other implementations, the signal processor 160 may include WAV (implementation of pulse code modulation coding, Microsoft, Redmond, WA), MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3, ISO-11172-3 or MPEG-3 Layer 3). Alternatively, information in a standard audio format such as MPEG-2 audio (ISO-13818-3) is output. In a further implementation, the signal processing device 160 (including one or more separate signal processing units or blocks) outputs video and audio information. In another implementation, the information output by the signal processing device 160 is formatted according to a protocol for transmission by the transmitter 130. FIG. 9 illustrates an apparatus 300a according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes a dual memory bus as described above.
[0037]
FIG. 10 shows that the converter 170 transmits information to an external storage location via a wireless data link and receives information associated with the data link. In such an implementation, the task of receiving and transmitting information is initiated when there is a determination (by the control logic block 112 or the converter 170) that the quality of the data link is at least equal to a predetermined threshold. . The display of information such as link status or quality, call setup status, and / or transmission operation is displayed to the user via the user interface 140, and the user inputs or changes a predetermined threshold via the user interface 140. I do. When the transceiver 170 transmits over a commercial network such as a cellular telephone network, for example, the task of retrieving and transmitting information is initiated during off-peak hours when costs are reduced. In such an implementation, the user interface 140 allows the user to transmit and receive, for example, by entering one or more telephone numbers to establish a wireless data link and selecting a minimum receivable data rate for the data link. To control or change the operation of the vessel 170.
[0038]
FIG. 11 illustrates an implementation of an apparatus 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this device, modem 172 receives data from storage element 120 and encodes it for transmission over a wireless link. In the exemplary embodiment, modem 172 is a wireless modem integrated circuit, such as one of the MSM series of integrated circuits manufactured by Calcom Inc. (San Diego, Calif.). The operations performed by modem 172 include the application of one or more covering codes (eg, Walsh codes or pseudo-noise codes) and / or error detection or correction codes. An intermediate frequency / radio frequency (IF / RF) subsystem 174 modulates a signal received from the modem 172 for transmission via an antenna (not shown) on one or more RF carriers. Via the reverse link, the modem 172 provides information related to data link quality.
[0039]
FIG. 12 shows an apparatus 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image sensor 152 is a CCD or CMOS sensor as described above. Similarly, image processor 162 performs the tasks as described above and outputs a conditioned, encoded, and / or compressed digital signal. The signal output by image processor 162 may correspond to a discrete digital still image and / or a digital video sequence acquired at a predetermined frame rate (eg, 30 frames per second). Control logic block 112 and image processor 162 are implemented as processes running on the same array or arrays of logic elements (eg, running at different times and / or in different contexts).
[0040]
In one implementation of device 500, a user initiates acquisition of a digital video sequence via user interface 140. In response to initiating a user action and / or acquisition operation, device 500 establishes a wireless data link via modem 172 and IF / RF subsystem 174. Data transmission is initiated when a wireless data link becomes available. In such an implementation, the data link remains established until the acquisition operation is aborted (eg, by the user) and has sufficient capacity to buffer the data acquired during the initial establishment of the data link. provide
In a further implementation of apparatus 500, the data link remains established for a predetermined period of time after the acquisition is stopped, for example, if the user immediately initiates another acquisition session. In an exemplary application, the data link is the IS-2000 standard (Telecommunications Industry Association, Arlington, Virginia), and this hysteresis property is controlled retention (as described in the intermediate access control standard IS2000-3). Performed using state. Here, the call control channel remains active after the data reception channel is disconnected. The degree of hysteresis (eg, the length of time that the data link remains established without carrying data) is changed via the user interface 140.
[0041]
FIG. 13 shows an application of the device 600 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In response to the above events, control logic block 114 retrieves data from storage element 120, contacts transmitter 630 to establish a wireless data link, and forwards the data to transmitter 630 for transmission. In exemplary applications, the transmitting device 630 may be RS-232-C (Electronic Industries Association, Arlington, VA) or PCMCIA (Release 1.0, 2.0, 2.01, or 2.1 or a PC Card standard). (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, San Jose, Calif.). In another exemplary application, the transmitting device 630 is coupled to the device 600 via an electrical or optical data link that conforms to a standard as described above or, for example, a standard for which the cellular telephone manufacturer has industrial property.
[0042]
FIG. 14 shows an application of the device 610 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In combination with a digital camera capable of stand-alone operation, the device 610 provides a data transfer function as discussed herein via an electrical or optical data link between the control logic block 116 and the data port of the digital camera. In particular, the control logic block 116 receives the notification of the transmission triggering event and retrieves data from the storage element of the digital camera. Control logic block 116, on the other hand, causes the digital camera processor to retrieve and transfer data from the storage elements. In a related implementation, device 610 replaces some or all of the functions of a digital camera user interface. For example, control logic block 116 initiates data acquisition by a digital camera. Due to the architecture of the storage element of the digital camera, the acquired images are transmitted by a last-in-first-out (LILO) procedure, rather than by a first-in-first-out (FIFO) procedure implemented by the circular cues described herein. You. FIG. 15 illustrates an application of a device 620 according to a further embodiment of the present invention having an interface (eg, as described above) with both a stand-alone digital camera and a transmitting device 630.
[0043]
FIG. 16 illustrates a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this system, device 100 transmits data via a wireless data link to storage device 800, including a hard disk drive or other high-capacity storage device. In one implementation, device 500 transmits information to cellular telephone network 700, as shown in FIG. Cellular telephone network 700 transfers the received data to storage device 810. In an exemplary embodiment, storage 810 connects to network 700 at the base station controller (BSC) or mobile service controller (MSC) level. The storage device 810 includes one or more file servers for managing and storing data received from several or many different devices.
[0044]
FIG. 18 shows an implementation of a system according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this system, a user using personal computer 900 accesses storage device 810 to receive stored data via public switched telephone network (PSTN) 750. In other implementations, the data is transmitted over a cable network, an integrated digital service network (ISDN) connection, a digital service loop (DSL) connection such as ADSL (asynchronous DSL), an SDSL (synchronous DSL) or IDSL (ISDN DSL) connection, or It is transmitted between the storage device 810 and the PC 900 via another local or wide area network system. On the other hand, communication between the storage device 810 and the personal computer 900 is performed via the Internet (for example, by a browser operating as a software application on the personal computer 900). In a further implementation, the data stored on the storage device 810 stores the data on a medium such as a recordable or rewritable compact disc (CDR or CD-RW disc, respectively) or a digital versatile disc (DVD) and sends it to the user. Sent to the user by delivery.
[0045]
FIG. 19 shows an example of a protocol method for executing the operation of the system shown in FIG. The FTP link is established by one end of the stack running on modem 172 in device 500 and the other end of the stack running on internal network functions (IWF) in storage device 810. The reliable protocol link between the device 500 and the cellular telephone network 700 supports an FTP link. One suitable reliable protocol is the IS-707.2 standard (named: Data Service Option for Wideband Spread Spectrum Systems: Radio Link Protocol, Publication Date: February 1998), and IS-707. A. 2 standards (name: Data Service Option for Spread Spectrum Systems: Radio Link Protocol, Publication Date: March 1999). In other implementations, the transport protocol link is carried by a different data link protocol that provides reliability, for example, by allowing retransmission of lost packets.
[0046]
In applications where the acquired data represents a continuous sequence of events over time (e.g., audio or video applications), it is desirable to allow for sporadic loss of packets to avoid storage element saturation. It is desirable to change the compression ratio (lossiness) of the signal compression according to the quality or reliability of the data link, since the format with a lower compression degree is robust against dropped packets.
[0047]
In an exemplary implementation, the data link is supported by a wireless channel according to one of the IS-95 standards or the CDMA-2000 standard (Telecommunications Industry Association, Arlington, VA). On the other hand, the radio link is supported by HDR (high data rate) as shown in FIG. In the case where the data link is a cellular telephone channel supporting several sub-channels, a device including apparatus 500 may provide multiple simultaneous services (eg, voice communication capabilities) over different sub-channels of the same channel. It is possible.
[0048]
An FTP link is further supported between the cellular telephone network 700 and the storage device 810 via a medium such as a T1 line. The physical layers that support the FTP stack are Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Ethernet (CSMA / CD), or other physical layer protocols. Between the storage device 810 and the personal computer 900, an IP (Internet Protocol) stack (or an FTP or SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) stack as shown in FIG. 19) is used for the above-mentioned media (PSTN, ISDN, etc.). Work on. If personal computer 900 is connected directly or indirectly to storage device 810 via a semi-permanent connection (eg, as supported by a cable or DSL modem), device 500 extends to personal computer 900. It is possible to establish an existing FTP link.
[0049]
In a related embodiment, an electrical or optical data link may be replaced by a wireless data link. In such an implementation, the control logic block is connected to a standard telephone jack via a wireless modem. It would be desirable to have such a feature when an acceptable quality wireless link could not be established (eg, when the user is in an enclosed or shielded location such as a room inside a building).
[0050]
The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments are possible, and the general principles presented herein apply to other embodiments as well. For example, the invention may be implemented as a hardware circuit, as a circuit configuration incorporated within an application specific integrated circuit, as a firmware program loaded into a non-volatile storage device, loaded from a data storage medium as machine readable code or A part or the whole is implemented as a software program loaded in the data recording medium. Such code is a command executable by an array of logic elements such as a microprocessor or other digital signal processing unit. That is, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and should be given the widest scope of rights that conform to the principles and novel features disclosed in any form.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
It is a block diagram of a digital camera.
FIG. 2
1 is a block diagram of an apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3
4 is a flowchart of a part of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
5 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5
It is a flowchart of a transmission task.
FIG. 6
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus 200a according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus 300a according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus 350 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one possible application of device 600 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one possible application of device 610 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one possible application of device 620 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
19 is a block diagram of an example of a set of protocol layers for the system according to FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ... device, 110 ... control logic, 120 ... storage element, 130 ... transmitter.

Claims (21)

A device,
A control logic block configured and arranged to receive the acquired data;
A storage element configured and arranged to store the obtained data;
A transmitter configured and arranged to transmit the obtained data over a wireless data link;
With
The transmitter is further responsive, at least in response to a determination, that a predetermined relationship exists between a storage threshold and a value at least partially related to an amount of acquired data stored in the storage element, An apparatus configured and arranged to initiate transmission of the acquired data over the wireless data link. A device,
A control logic block configured and arranged to store the acquired data;
A storage element configured and arranged to store the obtained data;
A transmitter configured and arranged to transmit the obtained data over a wireless data link;
With
The transmitter further comprises transmitting the acquired data over a wireless data link,
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between a storage threshold and a value at least partially related to an amount of acquired data stored in the storage element;
Determining that the device is idle for a predetermined time interval;
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between the current time and at least one scheduled time;
Apparatus configured and arranged to start in response to at least one of a determination that a predetermined relationship exists between a quality threshold and at least a quality related value of the wireless data link. . 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the storage element is a nonvolatile random access memory device. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control logic block is configured and arranged to address the storage element at least partially as a circular queue. The device of claim 2, wherein the storage element is located on a smart card. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the storage element is further configured and arranged to store the acquired data as files in a directory structure readable by an operating system. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a user interface configured and arranged to provide control information to the control logic block. The apparatus further comprises a sensor configured and arranged to generate an acquired data signal representative of at least one observed phenomenon, wherein the acquired data is at least partially added to the acquired data signal. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device is based on a target. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said sensor comprises an image sensor, said image sensor comprising at least one of a charge coupled device and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensor. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a signal processor configured and arranged to receive the acquired data signal and generate the acquired data. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless data link is at least partially carried by at least one of a radio frequency carrier and a light beam. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless data link comprises at least a portion of at least one cellular telephone channel. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the acquired data comprises a series of video images, and storage of the plurality of video images is completed before the wireless data link is established. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transmitter is further configured and arranged to transfer the obtained data over the wireless data link using at least one file transfer protocol. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transmitter is further configured and arranged to transfer the obtained data over the wireless data link using at least one reliable data link protocol. The system comprises a device, wherein the device comprises:
A control logic block configured and arranged to receive the acquired data;
A storage element configured and arranged to store the obtained data;
A transmitting device configured and arranged to receive the acquired data and transmit the acquired data over a wireless data link;
With
The control logic block further reads the obtained data from the storage element and generates a signal based at least in part on the obtained data,
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between a storage threshold and a value at least partially related to an amount of acquired data stored in the storage element;
Determining that the device is idle for a predetermined time interval;
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between the current time and at least one scheduled time;
A system for providing to the transmitting device in response to at least one of a determination that a predetermined relationship exists between a quality threshold and at least a value related to the quality of the wireless data link. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said transmitting device comprises a cellular telephone. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said transmitting device comprises a wireless modem. The system comprises a device, wherein the device comprises:
A control logic block configured and arranged to receive the acquired data;
A storage element configured and arranged to store the obtained data;
A transmitter configured and arranged to transmit the obtained data over a wireless data link;
A storage device,
Wherein the storage device is configured and arranged to receive the obtained data after transmission over the wireless data link;
The transmitter further comprises: transmitting the acquired data link over the wireless data link.
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between a storage threshold and a value at least partially related to an amount of acquired data stored in the storage element;
Determining that the device is idle for a predetermined time interval;
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between the current time and at least one scheduled time;
Determining that a predetermined relationship exists between a quality threshold and at least a quality related value of the wireless data link;
A system configured and arranged to start in response to at least one of the following. The system of claim 19, wherein the wireless data link comprises a cellular telephone channel. The method,
Receiving the acquired data,
Storing the obtained data in a storage element;
Transmitting the obtained data over a wireless data link;
Transmitting the acquired data over a wireless data link may include a predetermined threshold value between a storage threshold and a value at least partially related to an amount of acquired data stored in the storage element. A method initiated at least in response to a determination that a relationship exists.

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