Imaging Device Auto-Generated Photo Collage via Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photographers face difficulties in generating a desired photo collage, as they need to conceive a scenario and determine the configuration of photographs, which is challenging, especially for those not accustomed to creating photo collages, and existing imaging devices do not support the generation of photo collages for arbitrary subjects.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device that combines multiple image data to generate image collage data, featuring an image analysis unit, image collage processing unit, display unit, and storage unit, which analyzes live-view images to generate scenario data and arrange images accordingly, supporting the easy creation of image collages for arbitrary subjects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a photographer manually conceives a scenario and determines the configuration of photographs for a photo collage, then the photo collage can express the photographer's feelings or imagination, but the process becomes complex and difficult, especially for those not accustomed to creating photo collages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of creating photo collageVSAvoidcomplexity of scenario planning and image arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device automatically analyzes the captured images to extract subjects, actions, and temporal relationships, then autonomously generates scenario data and determines the arrangement of images without requiring manual intervention from the user. The system serves itself by performing the complex analysis and composition tasks that would otherwise require expert knowledge and time-consuming manual planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of image arrangement by analyzing temporal information, subject identification, and action recognition from the captured images. Based on these analyzed parameters, the system automatically determines optimal layout configurations and scenario narratives, transforming static images into a dynamic storytelling sequence without manual parameter adjustment by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing imaging devices are used for photo collage creation, then basic image capture functions are available, but automatic generation of photo collages for arbitrary subjects is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to create photo collage for arbitrary subjectsVSAvoidautomatic analysis and arrangement of images
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of scenario planning and image arrangement with automated information processing systems. The imaging device uses computer vision algorithms, image analysis units, and automated composition engines to substitute the manual mechanical operations of selecting, arranging, and narrating images, thereby achieving both high adaptability to arbitrary subjects and full automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device integrates multiple functions including image capture, automatic subject recognition, action analysis, temporal relationship extraction, scenario generation, and image arrangement into a single system. This multi-functional integration enables the device to handle arbitrary subjects universally while maintaining complete automation from capture to final collage composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2975835B1Imaging device, image processing method, image processing program, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2975835B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2975835B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2975835B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An imaging device 1 includes an imaging unit 2 that images a subject so as to obtain first image data, an image processing unit 4 that performs image processing on the first image data so as to obtain second image data, a first storage unit 3 in which image data including one or both of the first image data and the second image data is stored, an image analysis unit 5 that analyzes a feature of the image data stored in the first storage unit 3, a scenario generation unit 6 that generates scenario data on the basis of an analysis result of the image analysis unit 5, and an image collage processing unit 7 that combines the plural pieces of image data stored in the first storage unit 3 on the basis of the scenario data so as to generate the image collage data.