Image transmission apparatus, image transmission method, and recording medium

An image transmission method, comprising:

• a first step in which at least one processor wirelessly transmits frame images output from an imaging device to an image reception apparatus through wireless communication equipment, the frame image output from the imaging device in a first imaging cycle among imaging cycles being defined as a first frame image, the frame image output from the imaging device in a second imaging cycle following the first imaging cycle being defined as a second frame image, the frame image output from the imaging device in a third imaging cycle following the second imaging cycle being defined as a third frame image, the frame image output from the imaging device in a fourth imaging cycle following the third imaging cycle being defined as a fourth frame image, transmission start times of the frame images being synchronized with start times of the imaging cycles;
• a second step in which the processor determines whether a current time is a transmission start time of the first frame image in the first imaging cycle and starts transmission of the first frame image upon determining that the current time is the transmission start time;
• a third step in which the processor determines whether the wireless communication equipment is able to complete transmission of the first frame image within a transmission period corresponding to the first imaging cycle and controls the wireless communication equipment to continue transmission of the first frame image in a transmission period of the second frame image output from the imaging device in the second imaging cycle upon determining that the wireless communication equipment is not able to complete transmission of the first frame image;
• a fourth step in which the processor determines whether the current time is a transmission start time of the third frame image in the third imaging cycle and starts transmission of the second frame image or the third frame image upon determining that the current time is the transmission start time of the third frame image;
• and
• a fifth step in which the processor determines whether the current time is a transmission start time of the fourth frame image in the fourth imaging cycle and starts transmission of the fourth frame image upon determining that the current time is the transmission start time of the fourth frame image,
• wherein the image reception apparatus is configured to wirelessly receive the frame images and output the frame images to a monitor in each display cycle.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute:

• a first step in which the computer wirelessly transmits frame images output from an imaging device to an image reception apparatus through wireless communication equipment, the frame image output from the imaging device in a first imaging cycle among imaging cycles being defined as a first frame image, the frame image output from the imaging device in a second imaging cycle following the first imaging cycle being defined as a second frame image, the frame image output from the imaging device in a third imaging cycle following the second imaging cycle being defined as a third frame image, the frame image output from the imaging device in a fourth imaging cycle following the third imaging cycle being defined as a fourth frame image, transmission start times of the frame images being synchronized with start times of the imaging cycles;
• a second step in which the computer determines whether a current time is a transmission start time of the first frame image in the first imaging cycle and starts transmission of the first frame image upon determining that the current time is the transmission start time;
• a third step in which the computer determines whether the wireless communication equipment is able to complete transmission of the first frame image within a transmission period corresponding to the first imaging cycle and controls the wireless communication equipment to continue transmission of the first frame image in a transmission period of the second frame image output from the imaging device in the second imaging cycle upon determining that the wireless communication equipment is not able to complete transmission of the first frame image;
• a fourth step in which the computer determines whether the current time is a transmission start time of the third frame image in the third imaging cycle and starts transmission of the second frame image or the third frame image upon determining that the current time is the transmission start time of the third frame image;
• and
• a fifth step in which the computer determines whether the current time is a transmission start time of the fourth frame image in the fourth imaging cycle and starts transmission of the fourth frame image upon determining that the current time is the transmission start time of the fourth frame image,
• wherein the image reception apparatus is configured to wirelessly receive the frame images and output the frame images to a monitor in each display cycle.