Digital Image Cropping With Reserve Data Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
When cropping digital images, existing methods fail to effectively preserve image data for subsequent re-cropping to different aspect ratios, leading to unsatisfactory results such as cut-off portions or blank spaces, especially when converting between common print formats like 3:2 and 5:4.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves cropping a digital image and storing reserve portions adjacent to the cropped area, allowing for the creation of a standard format image file that includes the original image data not visible during standard display but recoverable for re-cropping to different aspect ratios, using the JPEG format to store these reserves within the image file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the original image is cropped to a specific aspect ratio and saved, then the image fits the desired print format, but the image data is lost and cannot be re-cropped to different aspect ratios without cutting off portions or creating blank spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing reserve portions of the original image data before final cropping is performed. The image file structure includes hidden reserve areas that contain original image data adjacent to the visible cropped image. When re-cropping to different aspect ratios is needed, these pre-stored reserves are appended to the image file, allowing the cropping operation to be performed again without permanently losing original image data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all original image data is kept for future re-cropping, then adaptability to different aspect ratios is maintained, but the file size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively storing only the necessary reserve portions of the original image data, rather than keeping all original data. The reserve areas are positioned adjacent to the visible cropped image and contain only the additional image data needed for potential re-cropping operations. This extracted approach to storing reserves reduces the quantity of stored data compared to keeping the complete original image, thereby reducing file size while maintaining adaptability.
3Loss of information
If crop information is stored in metadata, then the original image data is preserved, but standard image viewing software ignores the metadata and displays the uncropped original image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the cropped image data with the reserve portions into a single integrated image file structure. Rather than storing crop information separately in metadata that can be ignored by standard software, the reserve areas are merged directly into the image file as valid image data. This integrated approach ensures that standard image viewing software will display the cropped image correctly while still having access to the reserve data for future re-cropping operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cropping a digital image and preserving a reserve for subsequent use includes cropping the digital image to produce a first cropped digital image, the first cropped digital image having a first size and a first aspect ratio; determining, based on the location of the cropping, at least one reserve portion of the image adjacent to at least one edge of the first cropped digital image; and storing, in an image file, the first cropped digital image and the reserve(s).