Digital Image Stack Management for Selective Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital cameras and devices struggle with managing and presenting multiple captured digital images, as users often accumulate large collections without efficient organization, leading to difficulty in viewing selective images in a logical order.
Innovation Solution
A digital device automatically groups images into stacks based on criteria such as power-on session, date, and user interaction history, with a 'mascot image' displayed initially, allowing users to scroll through groups and optionally view all images within a selected group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If images are stored in sequential order in digital storage media, then the storage structure is simple, but the user must view all images in sequential order which is time-consuming and inconvenient when trying to find specific images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sequential image sequence into multiple groups based on captured time periods (e.g., day, week, month). Each group contains images captured within a specific time window, allowing users to jump directly to relevant time periods rather than reviewing all images sequentially. This segmentation enables selective viewing of image groups based on when they were captured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a time-based organizational dimension to the traditional sequential storage structure. Instead of a single linear sequence, images are organized in a multi-dimensional structure where the primary dimension is capture time and secondary dimensions include groupings by day/week/month. This allows users to navigate through time periods to find images of interest without reviewing unrelated images.
2Ease of operation
If users manually organize and edit images using conventional software, then images can be arranged in any desired order, but the process is very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary organization of images into time-based groups automatically at the time of capture or during initial storage, without requiring user intervention. The system pre-segments images into manageable groups based on capture time, so when users want to view images, the organizational structure is already in place. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual sorting and arrangement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service image organization by automatically grouping images based on metadata (capture time) without requiring user input or manual arrangement. The camera or storage system itself manages the image organization, freeing users from the time-consuming task of manually sorting and arranging images while still providing structured access.
3Quantity of substance
If a large number of digital images are accumulated in digital storage devices, then the quantity of stored images increases, but it becomes difficult to conveniently view selective images or images in a desired order
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large collections of images into smaller, time-based groups (e.g., images captured on the same day, week, or month). This segmentation transforms an overwhelming single collection into manageable chunks organized by time period, making it easy for users to locate and view specific images by navigating to the relevant time group rather than searching through all images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time-based organizational dimension to manage large image collections. Instead of a flat, undifferentiated storage structure, images are organized in a hierarchical time-based structure that allows users to drill down from broader time periods (month) to specific periods (day) to individual images, making large collections navigable and selective viewing convenient.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital device automatically arranges digital images for display in a stack-based arrangement, wherein images are grouped in multiple stacks according to at least one grouping criterion, and the user can scroll over groups of images. Preferably, the digital device automatically selects a mascot image from each group as the top of the corresponding stack. When the images are displayed using a digital display apparatus, the user can scroll through the mascot images only, without reviewing the other images in each stack. When the user finds a mascot image of interest, he may optionally scroll down the images in the stack. Preferably, images are grouped according to power-on session, and mascots are chosen based on user interaction history.