Image Processing Time Preview for Interactive Setting Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users are often unaware of the change in image processing time when image processing settings are altered, leading to unexpected waiting times during processing.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that estimates and displays the processing time for both the current and candidate settings, allowing users to see the impact of setting changes on processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image processing setting is changed to a new setting, then the image processing capability is improved or adjusted, but the processing time changes unexpectedly causing user waiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing setting flexibilityVSAvoidunexpected waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary estimation of processing time for each candidate setting before the user makes a selection. This allows users to see the estimated end time for each setting option in advance, enabling informed decision-making about which setting to choose based on their time constraints and processing needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users by displaying the estimated end time for each candidate setting when settings are selected or changed. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand the time impact of each setting change before committing to it, preventing unexpected waiting periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple candidate settings are provided for selection, then the adaptability of image processing is improved, but the complexity of the setting selection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecandidate settings availabilityVSAvoidsetting selection interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary element - the estimated end time display - between the candidate settings and the user decision-making process. This intermediary provides a clear, time-based metric that simplifies the comparison of different settings, making the selection process more intuitive despite the availability of multiple options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the processing time estimation is displayed for each setting, then the user awareness of processing time is improved, but the information display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing time information awarenessVSAvoiddisplay interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by displaying processing time information specifically at the point where settings are selected or changed. Rather than overwhelming the user with comprehensive time information for all possible settings simultaneously, the estimation is provided locally at the moment of setting selection, making the information relevant and manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12610014B2Image processing apparatus with predictive time display and interactive configuration

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: estimate, for image information to undergo image processing, a first time in performing the image processing on the image information in accordance with a current setting for the image processing; and present, to a user, the first time, a candidate setting changeable from the current setting, and a second time in performing the image processing on the image information in accordance with the candidate setting.