Imaging Apparatus Thumbnail Connectivity Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses fail to intuitively indicate whether moving image data captured at different time points can be connected, making it difficult for users to judge the connectivity of thumbnails displayed.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with a thumbnail generation unit that generates resized image data and combines it with a template indicating connectability, and a display controller that displays these thumbnails on a display unit, distinguishing between ordinary and short movie modes, allowing users to intuitively recognize connectable data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a same display form is used for all moving image thumbnails, then the display system is simple and consistent, but it becomes difficult for users to judge whether the moving image data are connectable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display form of thumbnails based on their connectability status. Connectable thumbnails are displayed with a specific visual format (e.g., showing multiple frames or a connecting indicator), while non-connectable thumbnails use a different format. This allows users to intuitively judge connectivity without complicating the entire display system, as only specific thumbnail types receive specialized treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual appearance changes (including color, brightness, or graphical overlays) to indicate connectability. For example, connectable thumbnails may display with a different color border, background shade, or graphical icon compared to non-connectable ones. This provides immediate visual cues to users about connectivity status without requiring complex interface changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pieces of moving image data are captured with a shooting time-point interval, then the ability to create connected videos is improved, but it becomes difficult to identify which data can be connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing and pre-displaying connectivity information in the thumbnail view before the user actually performs any connection operation. The system analyzes the captured moving image data, determines connectability based on metadata or content analysis, and displays this information immediately in the thumbnail interface. This allows users to identify connectable data beforehand, making the subsequent connection process straightforward and reducing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual element (such as a connecting icon, border, or graphical indicator) that mediates between the raw moving image data and the user's understanding of connectivity. This intermediary visual cue in the thumbnail clearly indicates which data pieces can be connected, bridging the gap between the technical capability to connect and the user's ability to identify connectable data.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging unit configured to continuously image a subject and generate moving image data of the subject; a display unit configured to display a moving image corresponding to the moving image data; a shooting controller configured to control the imaging unit to continuously image the subject in a moving image mode capable of connecting different pieces of the moving image data having different shooting time-points; a thumbnail generation unit configured to generate resized image data by performing resize processing of reducing a size of image data of at least one frame constituting the moving image data, and generate a thumbnail by combining a resized image corresponding to the resized image data with a template having a display area displaying information indicating that a different piece of the moving image data may be connected; and a display controller configured to display the thumbnail.