Image Trimming Position Control for MFP Thumbnails

Solution Overview

Problem

Image processing apparatuses, such as MFPs, face challenges in displaying and identifying trimmed images, as central trimming can result in images lacking characteristic parts, making it difficult for users to determine the original image corresponding to the trimmed image, especially when displaying multiple images as thumbnails.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus determines a trimming position based on format information and image aspect ratio to generate trimmed images that include characteristic parts, allowing users to easily identify the original image, by using a controller to obtain format information and determine the trimming position for image data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If central areas are trimmed from all original images to fit the limited display area, then the number of displayed images increases, but the trimmed image may not include characteristic parts of the original image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of displayed imagesVSAvoidcharacteristic parts of original image

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining different trimming positions based on the format information of each image. For document images, the trimming position is set to preserve the title area (upper portion), while for photograph images, the central area is trimmed. This localized adjustment ensures that characteristic parts are preserved according to the specific type of each image, resolving the contradiction between displaying multiple images and maintaining image identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If a fixed trimming position is used for all images, then the processing speed increases, but the trimmed image may not include characteristic parts for different image types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing speedVSAvoiduser ability to determine original image

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the trimming position parameter based on the format information (image type) of each image. The controller automatically adjusts the trimming position parameter according to whether the image is a document or photograph, ensuring that characteristic parts are preserved without requiring manual user input. This automated parameter adjustment maintains processing speed while improving user ability to identify original images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the display area is used to show more thumbnails, then the user can select from more images, but the trimmed images become less recognizable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage selection efficiencyVSAvoidimage identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining different trimming positions based on the format information of each image. For document images, the trimming position is set to preserve the title area (upper portion), while for photograph images, the central area is trimmed. This localized adjustment ensures that characteristic parts are preserved according to the specific type of each image, resolving the contradiction between displaying multiple images and maintaining image identification capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11303771B2Image processing apparatus with direct print function, control method therefor, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus which enables a user to easily make a determination as to a trimmed image. The image processing apparatus generates a trimmed image based on image data by trimming a part of an image and displays the generated trimmed image. The image processing apparatus has at least one controller. The controller obtains format information on the image data, and based on at least the obtained format information, determines a trimming position for generating the trimmed image based on the image data.