Digital Camera Preview Layout for Multi-Image Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital cameras do not effectively allow users to recognize the position of captured images within a set and consider composition based on these positions, especially when multiple images are recorded in one frame, as in the case of half-screen capture mode.

Innovation Solution

A digital camera with an imaging element, image recording unit, and display unit that displays preview images and indicates their disposition positions, allowing users to easily recognize and consider composition based on image placement within a set.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple images are recorded in one frame (half-screen capture mode), then the quantity of images per frame increases, but the user cannot easily recognize the disposition position of each image in the set

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of images per frameVSAvoiddisposition position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses different colors or visual indicators to represent different disposition positions of images within a frame. By color-coding or visually distinguishing the position markers, users can easily identify where each image in the set is disposed, solving the information loss problem while maintaining multiple images per frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system (such as position markers, icons, or annotated overlays) that mediates between the multiple images and the user's perception. This intermediary layer provides disposition position information without requiring the user to manually analyze each image's location, thus preserving the quantity of images while providing position awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the camera displays only the number of captured frames, then the display is simple, but the user cannot determine the position where the next image will be disposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay simplicityVSAvoiddisposition position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frame into multiple regions or uses separate visual elements to indicate the disposition position for each image. By dividing the frame visually into distinct zones with markers, the system provides position information without creating a complex overall display structure, maintaining simplicity while adding useful information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent displays disposition position information in advance before the actual image capture or recording process. By pre-showing where images will be disposed in the frame, the user can plan composition and understand the layout before images are captured, providing useful information without adding complexity to the capture operation itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the camera operates as a film camera with half-screen capture mode, then multiple images can be recorded in one frame, but the user cannot check composition and disposition position simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehalf-screen capture capabilityVSAvoidcomposition checking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the frame layout that shows both the images and their disposition positions simultaneously. This copy can be displayed on a screen or in the viewfinder, allowing users to check composition and position information at the same time without changing the actual capture process, thus maintaining versatility while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds another dimension of information display by overlaying disposition position markers on top of the image frames or by arranging images in a multi-dimensional layout that shows position relationships. This additional dimensional layer provides composition guidance without interfering with the half-screen capture functionality, making the system both versatile and easy to operate.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4589940A1Digital camera
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4589940A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4589940A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4589940A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

DIGITAL CAMERA Provided is a digital camera (10) that, in a case where a plurality of images are treated as one set, enables a user to easily recognize a position where a captured image is disposed in the one set of the images and to consider composition on the basis of the position where the image is disposed. A digital camera (10) includes an imaging element (21) that images an object, a card I/F (41) and a memory card (42) that record an image acquired by the imaging element (21), a display (22) that displays a preview image which has not yet been recorded in the memory card (42), and a controller (31). The controller (31) displays the preview image on the display (22) and notifies a user of information related to a disposition position (65) of the preview image (61, 62) in a case where the preview image (61, 62) is treated as one of a plurality of images that are recorded and included in one set.