Cross-Device Image Layout Editing via Selective Candidate Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems face challenges in seamlessly restarting layout editing across different terminal devices, particularly when switching from a device with an image group to one without it, and in reducing the waiting time for image group transmission to a server.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that utilize a server-connected first terminal device and a second terminal device to create and store layouts, candidate images, and additional images, allowing seamless editing continuation and reduced waiting times by transmitting only candidate images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image group is transmitted from the first terminal device to the server, then the second terminal device can access the image group for editing, but the user waiting time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-device editing capabilityVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary image data (images currently used in the layout and their metadata) from the complete image group and transmits them to the server. This selective transmission approach enables cross-device editing capability while significantly reducing the data transmission volume and user waiting time, directly resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of time

If only images currently used in the layout are transmitted to the server, then transmission time is reduced, but the user cannot add new images from the original image group

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission timeVSAvoidimage selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by transmitting not only the images currently used in the layout but also metadata about the entire image group (including image identifiers, filenames, and basic information) to the server before editing begins. This preliminary data transmission enables the second terminal device to display and select from all available images in the original image group, maintaining image selection flexibility while keeping the actual image data transmission minimal and fast.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12266038B2Image processing apparatus automatically creating layout of combination image from image group, image processing method, program, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

There are provided an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium capable of seamlessly restarting editing of a layout even in a case where a device is changed from a terminal device of a user having an image group to a terminal device of the user not having the image group.In the image processing apparatus, the image processing method, the program, and the recording medium, a combination image of which a layout is created is displayed on a first terminal device, candidate images available for the combination image in a case where editing of the layout is restarted on a second terminal device are selected from an image group based on a predetermined reference while the layout is being edited on the first terminal device, the candidate images being some images other than use images being in use for the combination image, and the use images, the candidate images, and an additional image which is newly added to the combination image from the image group other than the use images by editing the layout on the first terminal device, which are transmitted from the first terminal device and received by a server are stored in the server.