Hierarchical Image Data Management for Content Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of image content structures and large data sizes in modern image processing technologies lead to a tradeoff between information quantity and accessibility, making it burdensome for content producers to maintain and update content efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that utilizes hierarchical image data structures and frame parameters to efficiently manage and switch image content, allowing for high-definition image rendering and seamless navigation through content links and forward feeding operations, facilitated by a control section with multicore CPU and GPU capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If hierarchical image data structures are used to increase information quantity, then image quality and detail are improved, but data size and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddata structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image data is divided into multiple hierarchical levels (LOD0, LOD1, LOD2, etc.), where each level represents a different degree of detail. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex image data by organizing it into manageable chunks that can be selectively processed and displayed based on requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to image data organization, transforming flat image data into a multi-level structure. This dimensional change enables efficient navigation and processing by adding a depth parameter (hierarchy level) to the traditional two-dimensional image space.

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

2Loss of information

If detailed image data is processed to maintain high quality, then image quality is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects which hierarchical level of image data to process and display based on current requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adjust processing intensity in real-time, using higher detail levels only when necessary and lower detail levels for routine operations, thereby reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of image detail level by introducing hierarchical levels (LOD0-LOD3). This parameter change enables the system to control processing complexity by selecting appropriate detail levels, balancing image quality against processing time and computational resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If frame parameters are used to control display area switching, then navigation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Frame parameters act as an intermediary mechanism between user input and image data selection. These parameters serve as a controlled interface that translates navigation requests into specific hierarchical level selections, simplifying the control process while maintaining navigation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame parameters system is designed to be universal, handling multiple navigation operations (zooming, panning, level switching) through a unified parameter set. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for different navigation tasks, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2857945B1Information processing device and information processing method
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP2857945B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857945B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2857945B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an information processing apparatus, a map view 350 is displayed. On the map view 350, an image which includes a thumbnail image of an image to be incorporated in a content and identification information added to the thumbnail image is applied as a processing section. Thumbnail images of images which are determined as a link source and a link destination by a link setting for image switching when a display area satisfies a link condition are connected to each other by a line 328. Further, an order of images between which an image is to be successively switched by an image forward feeding operation is defined by an array of thumbnail images in a sequence setting column 342. Further, the images are coupled using a dotted line 352a or the like so as to represent a preceding-succeeding relationship thereof. A thumbnail image of an image or a line is operated to update a link setting file and a sequence setting file.