Image Processing Apparatus Time Correction for Photo Book Chronology
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In photo book creation, images from different imaging devices with varying clock settings or locations can be misordered due to discrepancies between recorded and actual imaging times, disrupting chronological order and complicating automatic layout functions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that corrects imaging times based on image analysis, GPS information, and similarity determination to ensure images are arranged in actual chronological order, using units for image storage, analysis, time correction, and display control to identify and adjust imaging times for accurate ordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If images from multiple imaging apparatuses with different clock settings are mixed, then the quantity of images that can be stored is increased, but the imaging time ordering becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference imaging apparatus with a correct clock setting as an intermediary to synchronize time information across multiple imaging apparatuses. By using the reference apparatus's time data, the system can accurately order images from various sources without requiring each apparatus to have perfectly synchronized clocks, thus resolving the contradiction between storing diverse images and maintaining accurate chronological order.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter representation by introducing offset values that adjust the recorded imaging times to account for clock discrepancies. Instead of relying solely on the raw time stamps from different apparatuses, the system modifies the time parameter using synchronization data from the reference apparatus, enabling accurate ordering despite varying clock settings across multiple devices.
2Ease of operation
If automatic layout function is used to organize images, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of chronological grouping is reduced when time settings are incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The reference imaging apparatus serves as a mediator that provides reliable time reference data for the automatic layout function. By using the reference apparatus's correct time information, the system can accurately group images by event and location even when other apparatuses have incorrect clock settings, thus maintaining high reliability in chronological grouping while preserving the ease of automatic layout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that compare time information from multiple apparatuses against the reference apparatus and automatically adjust the timing data. This feedback loop ensures that the automatic layout function receives corrected time information, maintaining accurate chronological grouping without requiring manual intervention to fix time settings.
3Speed
If images are arranged by supplementary information time, then the speed of image ordering is improved, but the imaging time accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary time synchronization by establishing the reference imaging apparatus's correct time information before processing the image collection. This preliminary action creates a reliable time baseline that enables both fast ordering (using the pre-synchronized reference data) and high accuracy (by correcting offsets from the reference), thus resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an image storage unit that stores a plurality images having supplementary information respectively, an image analysis unit that performs an image analysis of each image stored in the image storage unit; and a time correction unit that corrects an imaging time that is included in the supplementary information of the image in such a manner that the plurality of images are arranged in an actual imaging time of the images in a case where the plurality of images are arranged in an order of the imaging time among the supplementary information, based on at least one of a result of the image analysis by the image analysis unit and a GPS information that is included in the supplementary information of the images.