Cross-Platform Image Editor Using Low-Res Previews for High-Res Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image editing experiences for users are unsatisfactory due to high costs, steep learning curves, and disjointed processes, particularly on mobile devices where editing high-resolution images is either unavailable or too frustrating.

Innovation Solution

A cross-platform image editor integrated with software applications that allows users to edit high-resolution images seamlessly on various devices, with tools and parameters accessible through a user-friendly interface, enabling modifications to be applied to both low and high-resolution images without human intervention, and supporting integration into multiple software environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If powerful image editing software applications are used, then image editing capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage editing capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a low-resolution copy of the image for editing operations, allowing users to work with simplified data that requires less processing power and storage, thereby reducing the need for expensive high-performance editing software while maintaining editing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs temporary low-resolution image representations that can be freely manipulated without concern for preserving the original high-resolution image quality, enabling cost-effective editing operations on resource-constrained mobile devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If sophisticated image editing tools are provided, then image editing functionality is improved, but learning curve increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage editing functionalityVSAvoidlearning curve

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The editing process is segmented into simple, discrete steps with predefined tools and parameters, breaking down complex image manipulation tasks into manageable operations that are easier to learn and execute on mobile devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system presents editing operations as parameter adjustments (e.g., brightness, contrast, saturation) rather than complex manual manipulations, allowing users to achieve sophisticated editing results through simple parameter modifications with minimal learning required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If image editing is performed on high-resolution images, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary editing operations on a low-resolution version of the image first, establishing the editing parameters and transformations before applying them to the full-resolution image, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining final image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The editing process maintains continuity by seamlessly transitioning from low-resolution preview and parameter adjustment to high-resolution final output, eliminating the need for separate processing stages and reducing total time required to produce the edited high-resolution image

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple software applications are used for image editing, then editing flexibility is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveediting flexibilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple image editing functions and tools into a single integrated mobile application interface, combining what would traditionally require separate desktop applications into one unified system that provides comparable editing flexibility without the complexity of managing multiple applications and file transfers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile image editing application is designed with universal functionality that can perform various editing tasks (cropping, filtering, adjustment, enhancement) within a single application environment, eliminating the need to switch between specialized applications while maintaining editing versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10061491B2System and method for producing edited images using embedded plug-in

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 ADOBE INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a cross-platform image editor configured with image editing tools and that is integrated with a software application and operable on a user computing device. A low-res version of a high-res image stored in an image library is displayed, and a user selection of at least one image editing tool and at least one associated parameter is received. The low-res version is modified accordingly. Without human user intervention the high resolution image is processed by executing at least one instruction respectively associated with each of the at least one selected image editing tools using the at least one parameter. The modified high resolution image is output.