Application-Based Virtual Albums for Faster Picture Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inefficiencies in selecting pictures from large system albums, leading to time-consuming searches when uploading or editing images in applications, as existing systems lack intuitive methods to filter and prioritize relevant pictures across different applications.

Innovation Solution

A picture selection method that displays a target album interface with thumbnails or sets of pictures carrying identifier information based on interaction scenarios from multiple applications, prioritizing pictures processed by the current application and allowing cross-application access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If users search for pictures in the system album, then they can access all stored pictures, but it is time-consuming to search for the required picture from thousands or tens of thousands of pictures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture selection timeVSAvoidpicture search convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large system album into multiple virtual albums based on application sources. Each virtual album contains pictures uploaded or generated by a specific application, allowing users to navigate to relevant pictures without searching through the entire system album. This segmentation reduces the search space and significantly decreases picture selection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces virtual albums as an intermediary layer between the user and the system album. These virtual albums act as mediators that organize and present pictures from different applications in a structured manner, enabling users to access relevant pictures efficiently without directly searching the overwhelming system album.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system album stores all pictures, then complete picture access is available, but the complexity of managing and searching through massive pictures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepicture access coverageVSAvoidalbum management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system album is segmented into multiple virtual albums organized by application sources. Each virtual album manages a specific subset of pictures, reducing the complexity of managing and navigating through all pictures. Users can access complete picture coverage by selecting from different virtual albums without being overwhelmed by a single large collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to picture organization by introducing application-based virtual albums as an additional layer over the traditional system album structure. This dimensional change enables users to access pictures through application context rather than only through chronological or alphabetical sorting, simplifying the management and search process while maintaining comprehensive access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pictures from multiple applications are displayed together, then cross-application picture access is enabled, but the difficulty of identifying relevant pictures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-application accessVSAvoidrelevant picture identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Pictures from multiple applications are segmented into separate virtual albums, each clearly labeled with its source application. This segmentation enables cross-application access while maintaining clear visual distinction between different application sources, making it easy for users to identify and select relevant pictures from the appropriate virtual album.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each virtual album is given distinct local quality characteristics through application-specific labeling and organization. This allows users to quickly identify the source application of pictures in each virtual album, making it straightforward to detect and select relevant pictures based on the current application context without confusion from mixed sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4044013B1Picture selecting method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4044013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4044013B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4044013B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A picture selection method and an electronic device are disclosed, and relate to the terminal field, to reduce time for a user to select a picture in an application, and improve user experience. The method is as follows: displaying a first interface in an interaction scenario of a first application, where the first interface includes a picture selection button; and displaying a target album interface in response to a first operation performed by a user to trigger the picture selection button, where the target album interface includes thumbnails of at least two pictures that carry different identifier information or at least two picture sets that carry different identifier information; and the identifier information is generated based on interaction scenarios of at least two applications, and the identifier information includes at least one of an application name of an application, time of an interaction scenario, or a quantity of times in an interaction scenario.