Augmented Paper Photo Album With Real-Time Printed Image Animation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile devices cannot animate real-time real images framed through their cameras, limiting the animation capabilities to virtual images only, particularly for paper photos printed from previously captured videos.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mobile device with a camera and screen to frame a real image, generate a transparent virtual layer, and superimpose a video layer on it, allowing real-time animation of printed images by associating the first frame of the video with the printed image and scrolling subsequent frames for animation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video recording and subsequent processing are used to animate images, then animation capability is achieved, but real-time animation of printed images is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage animation capabilityVSAvoidreal-time operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing video footage and extracting key frames in advance. These pre-processed frames are stored and associated with the original video, enabling real-time animation playback without requiring video recording at the moment of viewing printed images.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of printed image frames from video footage. These copied frames are then overlaid on the original printed images during augmented reality display, enabling animation without modifying the physical printed image itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers are superimposed for animation, then animation quality is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanimation functionalityVSAvoidsoftware architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The animation system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the base printed image layer, the overlaid video frame layer, and the augmented reality interface layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be processed and managed independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining animation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If video frames are overlaid on printed images, then real-time animation is achieved, but processing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time displayVSAvoidprocessor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of processing and displaying the entire video continuously, the system uses partial action by selectively overlaying only the necessary video frames onto the printed image. This reduces processing requirements while maintaining the animation effect, as only specific frames need to be rendered in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3869778B1Augmented paper photo album
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 TOMA FRANCESCA
  • EP3869778B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869778B1 patent drawingFigure 1_BIS
  • EP3869778B1 patent drawingFigure 1A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for animating an image printed and framed in real time with a mobile device equipped having a camera, the method comprises the following steps: - Provision of a mobile device (10) provided with a lens and a video screen (20) to show in real time images (IMM_1) which are framed through said lens; - Making of a video recording through said mobile device and storage of said video file in the memory of said mobile device; - Extrapolation and generation from said video file of a frame (frame_0), the frame generated is associated by the software application with said video from which it is taken; - Printing of said frame; - Real-time framing of said print (IMM_1) through said lens of said mobile device and subsequent processing in such a way as to create a transparent virtual layer (Lay_virt) which is superimposed on and fastened to the framed real image; - Identification of the video associated with said frame from which the said printing is taken and creation of a video layer (Lay_vid) which is superimposed on said transparent virtual layer; - The said video layer (Lay_vid) activates a sequence of frames (frame_0, frame_1, frame_n) that comprise it and which are scrolled in succession, being superimposed one by one on said virtual layer (Lay_virt) in such a way as to generate animation of the real print (IMM_1).