Chat Interface Image Verification via Nested Thumbnail Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in entering a character string in response to a message that includes an image, as they struggle to verify the contents of the original image without it being displayed properly in chat systems.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that displays a message and includes an association unit to associate a first message with an image, allowing the original image to be displayed alongside the message, enabling users to enter a character string while viewing the original image, thereby facilitating the association of messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the original image is not displayed in the chat system, then the message display is simple and clean, but the user cannot verify the contents of the original image when entering a character string

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser ability to verify original image contentsVSAvoidmessage display structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing a thumbnail image within the message display area, and when selected, expanding it to show the full original image. The thumbnail acts as a container that can be expanded to reveal the complete image, allowing users to verify contents without leaving the chat interface. This nested structure resolves the contradiction by providing image verification capability while maintaining a relatively simple display framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional chat interface to a three-dimensional viewing experience by enabling the image to be displayed in an expanded state that can be viewed from multiple angles or in full screen. This dimensional change allows users to thoroughly verify image contents while the original message structure remains intact in the background, resolving the contradiction between verification capability and display simplicity.

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

2Reliability

If the original image is displayed when entering a character string, then the user can easily verify contents and enter text, but the display layout becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of character string entryVSAvoiddisplay layout structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays a thumbnail image preliminarily within the message area before the user needs to verify contents. This preliminary display provides a preview that allows users to quickly assess whether full verification is needed. The thumbnail serves as a preparatory step that reduces the need for full image display, thereby maintaining layout simplicity while ensuring entry accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic display layout where the image size and position adjust based on user interaction. The thumbnail can be expanded to full size when the user taps or selects it, and the character string input area dynamically adjusts its position and size to accommodate the expanded image. This dynamic behavior ensures reliable character entry when the image is visible while maintaining a simple layout when the image is in thumbnail form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the image is displayed in full size, then the user can clearly see the original contents, but the chat interface layout is disrupted and other messages may not be visible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage content visibilityVSAvoidchat interface layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the full-size image display from the main chat flow by implementing an overlay or popup mechanism. When the user selects the thumbnail, the full image is extracted and displayed in a separate layer that does not permanently alter the chat layout. This allows clear image viewing while preserving the original message structure and visibility of other messages in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (such as a modal dialog or overlay layer) that mediates between the thumbnail and the full-size image display. This intermediary allows the full image to be displayed without directly disrupting the chat layout, as it acts as a temporary intermediate layer that can be dismissed to return to the original layout. This resolves the contradiction by providing clear image visibility while maintaining chat interface integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11334706B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium
Publication Date: 2022.05.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • US11334706B2 patent drawing
  • US11334706B2 patent drawing
  • US11334706B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a display that displays a message, and an association unit that associates a first message including an image with a second message that includes a character string that is entered in a state that an original image of the image is displayed via the image on the display.