Digital Image Deletion Direction Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image viewing and editing systems confuse users by immediately replacing deleted images with the previous one, leading to disorientation and uncertainty about the deletion process, especially when traversing through a series of images.

Innovation Solution

A method that maintains a data structure indicating the direction of image traversal, allowing users to scroll through and delete images while presenting either the subsequent or prior image based on this direction, providing a visual indication of deletion through animation or partial image overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the system presents the previous image after deletion, then the deletion process is simple to implement, but user orientation and understanding are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of deletion implementationVSAvoiduser orientation and deletion confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying a portion of the deleted image alongside the subsequent image, confirming to the user that deletion occurred and showing what was deleted. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity while preventing loss of user orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary visual representation (partial image display) between the deleted image and the subsequent image, serving as a mediator that confirms deletion while maintaining user context. This intermediary element bridges the gap between simple deletion and user orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the deleted image immediately disappears, then the system response is fast, but user confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeletion response speedVSAvoiduser understanding of deletion

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely removing the image immediately, the system retains a partial visual representation of the deleted image while transitioning to the subsequent image. This partial action maintains fast response while improving user understanding of the deletion process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the system maintains traversal direction memory, then user expectations are met, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser expectation alignmentVSAvoiddata structure for direction tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by tracking traversal direction in advance through a data structure, so that when deletion occurs, the correct subsequent image can be immediately presented without complex real-time calculations. This preliminary tracking reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7545428B2System and method for managing digital images

Publication Date: 2009.06.09 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method of processing a plurality of digital images arranged in a preset order in a digital imaging device in response to user input includes determining a user scrolling direction in response to user scrolling inputs, at least partially deleting a displayed image in response to a user image deletion input, and based upon the determined scrolling direction, displaying at least a portion of the next image in the scrolling direction after the deleted image unless the deleted image was the first or last image in the preset order.