Image Processing Device Using Pointer Move Locus for Area Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of portable devices with cameras face difficulties in easily designating desired image areas for capture and processing without touch panels or position designating devices, leading to inefficient image handling and memory waste due to unnecessary data storage.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with a memory system that stores image data and move locus information, using a pointer to designate areas on the screen, allowing users to easily select and save desired image areas without additional interface devices by moving the device while capturing images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch panel or position designating device is equipped to enable area designation, then area designation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device itself serves as the position designating device. The imaging unit captures images that display the current field of view, and the selection unit receives operations to designate areas based on these displayed images, eliminating the need for separate touch panels or position designating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device performs multiple functions: it acts as both the imaging device for capturing images and the position designating device for selecting areas. The display unit shows the captured images, and the selection unit processes user operations to designate areas, making the device multi-functional without adding separate components.
2Reliability
If the entire imaged area is saved to ensure complete capture, then image completeness is improved, but memory usage increases due to unnecessary data storage
Solution Approach 1:
The selection unit extracts only the designated area from the entire imaged area. When the storage unit saves image data, it stores only the extracted designated area rather than the complete imaged area, reducing memory usage while preserving the necessary information.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection unit performs preliminary area designation before storage. The user designates the area of interest while viewing the displayed image, and this designated area is then extracted and saved, preventing unnecessary data storage from the beginning.
3Extent of automation
If layout analysis is performed to automatically designate character areas, then automation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect area extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The display unit displays the captured image and the selected area, providing visual feedback to the user. This allows the user to verify the accuracy of the designated area and make adjustments if necessary, ensuring precise area selection while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display unit acts as an intermediary between the automatic layout analysis and the final area designation. It visually presents the analyzed areas to the user, who can then confirm or adjust the selection, combining automated analysis with human verification for improved accuracy.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple imaging operations are performed to capture areas exceeding screen size, then complete area capture is improved, but productivity decreases due to repeated operations
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device allows dynamic panning across the subject. The imaging unit captures a series of images as the device is moved, and the synthesis unit combines these images to create a composite view of the entire area of interest, allowing coverage of areas larger than the screen size in a continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The synthesis unit merges multiple captured images into a single composite image that displays the entire area of interest. This combining process allows the user to designate areas spanning multiple original images without performing separate imaging operations for each area.
Data Source
AI summary
A cellular phone body 10 includes a memory 12, a CPU 18, a camera 15, and a display 17. The CPU 18 displays on the display 17 a pointer P in a manner to overlap an image of an photographic subject photographed by the camera 15, and judges whether or not to save in an image data saving area 12f of the memory 12 the image of the photographic subject imaged by the camera 15 and buffered in a first buffer 12c of the memory 12, based on information of a move locus of the pointer P moving on the image of the photographic subject along a movement of the cellular phone body at a time of imaging the photographic subject with the camera 15.