Digital Camera Printer Frame Layout Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital cameras with printers fail to effectively print images with intended photographic compositions, as they simply arrange contracted images on a single medium without allowing users to adjust or combine images according to their desired layout.

Innovation Solution

A digital camera with a printer that displays a frame layout on a display unit, allowing users to select and arrange images within frames by cutting, zooming, and moving them, ensuring the desired composition is achieved before printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If images are simply arranged and printed on one medium, then the printing process is fast and simple, but the photographic composition intended by the user cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting process simplicityVSAvoidphotographic composition flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The printable area is divided into multiple frames, allowing users to select and arrange different images in each frame. This segmentation enables flexible photographic compositions while maintaining a unified printing process, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of images within frames through zooming and moving operations. Users can interactively modify the arrangement and composition of images before printing, providing flexibility without complicating the overall printing workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple images are displayed in frames for selection, then the photographic composition can be customized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidframe layout selection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit serves multiple functions: it shows the frame layout, displays individual images for selection, and presents adjustment options. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the printable area divided into frames, allowing virtual manipulation and selection of images. This digital representation enables complex arrangements without requiring physical complexity in the printing mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If images are displayed and adjusted in frames, then the desired photographic composition can be generated, but the operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition customizationVSAvoidimage selection and adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The frame layout and image options are prepared in advance before the user needs to make selections. The system pre-divides the printable area into frames and pre-loads available images, allowing users to quickly select and adjust without time-consuming setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit provides real-time feedback showing how image selections and adjustments will appear in the final composition. This immediate visual feedback allows users to make quick, informed decisions about image arrangement, reducing trial-and-error time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If frame settings are not clearly distinguished, then the interface is simpler, but the operability and visibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidframe setting visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit uses different visual characteristics (such as color, brightness, or highlighting) to distinguish between frames with completed settings and those that are incomplete. This visual differentiation improves visibility and operability without significantly complicating the interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3336766B1Printer, digital camera with printer, and printing method
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3336766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3336766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3336766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided a printer, a digital camera with a printer, and a printing method which are capable of simply printing an image having photographic composition intended by a user. A frame layout is displayed on a monitor. Based on an operation of an operation unit, images stored in an internal memory are displayed in frames, and images to be arranged in the frames are selected. In this case, portions of the images corresponding to the frames are cut out, and the images are displayed in the frames. Based on an operation of the operation unit, the images to be arranged in the frames are adjusted by zooming and/or moving the images to be arranged in the frames within the frames. After setting of images for all the frames is completed, an image displayed on the monitor is printed according to a print instruction.