Image Editing Master Control Rigging for Characteristic-Based Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image editing applications, the overlapping effects of multiple controls lead to frustration as adjusting one control often requires adjusting another and then readjusting the first control to compensate, with existing master controls being of limited use as they apply the same values to all images regardless of the image's characteristics.

Innovation Solution

An image editing application that analyzes the image and rigs multiple controls to a master control using relationships based on the image's characteristics, calculating statistics such as gray value percentiles to determine unique relationships between the master control and individual image editing controls, allowing for automatic adjustment of the master control value based on image characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple image editing controls are provided with overlapping effects, then comprehensive image adjustment capability is improved, but operation complexity and user frustration increase due to the need for repeated adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcontrol adjustment process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image editing controls into two categories: a master control that provides global adjustment and individual controls for specific adjustments. The master control is segmented from the individual controls but maintains coordinated relationship through rigged connections, allowing comprehensive adjustment capability while simplifying operation through hierarchical control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple individual controls into a single master control that can simultaneously affect multiple image editing parameters. By rigging individual controls to the master control, the system combines their effects into a unified control mechanism, reducing the need for repeated manual adjustments while maintaining comprehensive adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a master control is provided with fixed relationships to individual controls, then control simplification is improved, but adaptability to different image characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaster control functionalityVSAvoidimage-specific adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the relationships between the master control and individual controls dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the rigged connections based on image characteristics analysis, allowing the master control to adapt its influence on individual controls according to the specific image being edited. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining control simplification while achieving image-specific customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the control relationships based on image characteristics. By analyzing image properties and adjusting the rigged connections accordingly, the system modifies how the master control affects individual controls for different images. This parameter change enables the master control to remain simple to operate while adapting to diverse image characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of multiple controls is required, then precision control is improved, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage editing precisionVSAvoidediting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by automatically analyzing image characteristics and pre-configuring the rigged connections between the master control and individual controls before the user begins editing. This preliminary setup establishes optimal relationships based on the specific image, allowing the user to achieve precise control with minimal manual adjustment while significantly reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the effects of master control adjustments on individual controls and automatically compensating for overlapping effects. The system provides real-time feedback on how adjustments propagate through the control hierarchy, enabling precise image editing while maintaining high productivity through automated compensation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3457361B1Controlling multiple photographic adjustments with a single control
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 APPLE INC
  • EP3457361B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3457361B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3457361B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for controlling multiple image editing controls using one master control. The system identifies various characteristics of an image being edited. The system generates, for each of multiple image editing controls, a relationship between the master control and the image editing control. The relationship is based on at least one of the identified characteristics of the image being edited. The relationship is different for different images when the different images have different characteristics, such as different average color component values at a particular percentile of pixels in the images.