Image Retrieval Apparatus Using Precomputed Group Lists

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems for consumer devices like camcorders and digital cameras face inefficiencies in retrieving video sections featuring specific individuals, as they require users to manually search through numerous groups and individuals, making it laborious to select desired groups and sections.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that detects and analyzes video frames to identify individuals, groups them, and stores this information for efficient retrieval, allowing users to select desired groups by designating individual information, which narrows down the search results and excludes irrelevant information, facilitating the selection of specific video sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually search through all groups and individuals to find a desired group, then complete retrieval is achieved, but user labor and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval completenessVSAvoiduser search time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores retrieval information (individual lists, group lists, and their relationships) before user queries are made. When a user designates an individual, the system instantly retrieves pre-computed group information containing that individual, eliminating the need for users to manually search through all groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary retrieval information structure that bridges individuals and groups. Instead of direct user-to-group searching, the system uses pre-computed retrieval information as an intermediary layer, storing which individuals belong to which groups in advance, thus speeding up the retrieval process while maintaining completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If users designate all persons in a desired group to specify the group, then accurate group identification is achieved, but the operation becomes laborious especially with large numbers of groups and persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroup identification accuracyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to designate only a single individual or a partial set of individuals to retrieve groups, rather than requiring all group members to be designated. The pre-computed retrieval information enables accurate group identification even when only one individual is designated, reducing user effort while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-computes and stores retrieval information showing which groups contain which individuals. This preliminary preparation allows the system to accurately identify groups based on minimal user input (even a single individual designation), eliminating the need for users to manually specify all group members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system stores and displays all individual information for selection, then complete group specification is possible, but the interface becomes complex and overwhelming for users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information display into multiple organized lists: an individual list, a group list, and a retrieved group information list. This segmentation allows users to navigate through organized categories rather than facing a single overwhelming list of all individuals and groups, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining retrieval flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a new dimension to the interface by creating a third list (retrieved group information) that dynamically updates based on selections from the first two lists. This multi-dimensional organization allows users to drill down from individuals to groups to specific retrieved information, managing complexity through hierarchical navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8285008B2Image processing apparatus, method and program for facilitating retrieval of an individual group using a list of groups, a list of selected group members and a list of members of the groups excluding the selected group members

Publication Date: 2012.10.09 CANON KK

AI summary

The image processing apparatus displays a list of individual information from which individual information selected by the individual information selecting unit and individual information lapped over the individual information included in the retrieved individual groups are excluded from individual information included in individual groups retrieved by the individual group retrieval unit, and the individual group retrieval unit narrows down individual groups to be retrieved by adding on individual information designated from the individual information displayed in the list.