Information Processing Apparatus Image Selection Storage Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing systems require unnecessary duplication of image files when re-editing a photo album, as all images are copied back to the storage unit even if only a few are used, wasting storage capacity and time.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that selects and lays out candidate images for a layout while deleting unused images from the storage unit, allowing only the necessary images to be retained for re-editing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all image files are copied to the storage unit for album creation, then the album can be created with all available images, but storage capacity is wasted and re-editing requires unnecessary data copying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-editing efficiencyVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary image files (those selected for layout and potential re-editing) from the complete set of obtained images and stores them in the storage unit. This selective extraction eliminates unnecessary data copying while ensuring that all images needed for album creation and future re-editing are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all obtained images are retained in storage, then re-editing can access all images, but storage space is consumed by unused images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-editing flexibilityVSAvoidstored data volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary selection of images that will be needed for album creation and potential re-editing before storing them. By identifying and storing only the necessary images in advance, the system maintains re-editing flexibility while minimizing stored data volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If image files are copied to storage unit for each album creation, then the album can be created from external storage, but time is wasted on repeated copying operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealbum creation speedVSAvoiddata copying time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the image selection and storage operation once during the initial album creation process. This preliminary action ensures that when re-editing is needed, the selected images are already available in the storage unit, eliminating the need for repeated copying operations and significantly reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10341508B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 CANON KK

AI summary

An image file temporarily copied to a storage unit from an outside in order to create an album is deleted from the storage unit after the album is ordered. Therefore, the image file needs to be copied again from the outside in order to re-edit the album that has been created once, degrading user operability and requiring many apparatus resources. In order to solve this, according to an example of the present invention, in an information processing apparatus which lays out a plurality of images, images are obtained, the obtained images are stored in the storage unit, and the obtained images are selected and laid out. At this time, information on the selected images is left, and images other than these are deleted from the storage unit.