Image Layout System Using Low-Capacity Thumbnails for Output Device Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating image albums are cumbersome, as users lack skills to layout images effectively, require high-quality images to be sent to servers, increasing transmission time and costs, and involve lengthy input of image IDs, especially when considering the output device's capabilities and characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A layout information generating apparatus that receives low-capacity images, acquires output device characteristics, selects appropriate images based on these characteristics, and generates layout information for optimal printing or display, allowing the output device to automatically arrange images according to the transmitted layout information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If users send high-quality images to the server for album creation, then the image quality in the album is improved, but the transmission time and communication costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing workflow into two stages: local preprocessing (converting high-quality images to low-capacity thumbnails) and server-side processing (layout generation). This segmentation allows high-quality images to be processed locally before transmission, reducing the transmission burden while maintaining image quality for the final album.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by converting high-quality images to low-capacity thumbnails before transmission to the server. This preliminary processing reduces the data volume that needs to be transmitted and stored, while the original high-quality images are preserved and only transmitted when needed for final album generation.
2Manufacturing precision
If users send all high-quality images to the server, then the image quality is maintained, but the communication traffic and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments image data into two forms: low-capacity thumbnails for routine operations (layout generation, preview) and full-quality images for final output. This segmentation reduces communication traffic by using thumbnails for most operations while preserving image quality for the final album.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates low-capacity thumbnail copies of high-quality images for server-side processing. These thumbnails serve as sufficient representations for layout generation and preview, eliminating the need to transmit and process full-sized high-quality images during intermediate steps, thus reducing communication traffic.
3Measurement precision
If users manually input image identification numbers one by one, then precise image selection is achieved, but the time and work required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically selecting and laying out images based on their metadata (dates, locations, themes) without requiring manual user input. The server autonomously processes the image selection and layout generation, freeing users from tedious manual operations while maintaining precise image selection through intelligent algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection criteria from manual user specification to automatic parameter-based selection using image metadata such as capture dates, locations, and themes. This parameter-based approach enables the system to automatically determine which images to include and how to arrange them, eliminating manual input while achieving precise selection.
4Ease of operation
If users create albums without considering output device characteristics, then the creation process is simplified, but the output quality may not be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the server) that handles the complexity of device-specific optimization. Users interact with a simplified interface while the server acts as an intermediary that automatically adapts the album layout and image selection to match the characteristics of the target output device, whether it's a printer, display, or other output medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A layout information generating apparatus is provided, for automatically selecting an original image appropriate to be laid out in a template based on information on an output device. The layout information generating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a low-capacity image receiving section for receiving a low-capacity image obtained by reducing the capacity of an original image from an orderer apparatus; an output characteristic information acquiring section for acquiring output characteristic information indicative of the output characteristic of an output device for outputting an image created by an image creating apparatus; an image selecting section for selecting a low-capacity image to be laid out among the low-capacity images based on the output characteristic information; a layout information generating section for generating layout information of the low-capacity image; and a layout information transmitting section for transmitting the layout information to the output device and causing the output device to lay out an original image provided from an orderer and output the same.