Non-destructive Digital Image Editing via Change Data Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital image management applications face limitations in storage capacity and resource efficiency due to the need to store both original and edited images, leading to increased storage requirements and potential accessibility issues with images stored on different devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing non-destructive digital image editing techniques that generate lower quality preview data for display, allowing changes to be stored as change data rather than modifying the original or preview images, along with automatic renaming and precise location tracking of digital images, enabling efficient storage and management of digital images across various storage devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If edit operations create new digital images, then editing capability is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the edit operation into two separate components: the original digital image remains unchanged and stored in its initial location, while only the edit operation parameters (change data) are stored in the database. This segmentation allows the system to maintain full editing capability while dramatically reducing storage requirements, as the change data occupies minimal space compared to creating complete duplicate images.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating actual copies of edited images, the system creates a virtual copy through data representation. The database stores change data that, when applied to the original image, reproduces the edited version. This virtual copying mechanism provides the functionality of having multiple image versions without the storage overhead of physical duplicates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of edited images are stored, then editing flexibility is improved, but storage capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not storing the edited image results directly. Instead, it stores the instructions (change data) for how to transform the original image. This inversion allows unlimited editing flexibility since any number of edit operations can be stored as lightweight parameter sets, while the actual image data remains unchanged and occupies minimal additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of storage from storing complete image files to storing edit operation parameters. Each edit operation is represented by a set of parameters (change data) that describe the transformation applied to the original image. This parameter-based approach enables high editing flexibility with minimal storage impact, as parameters occupy negligible space compared to full image files.
3Productivity
If original images are modified during editing, then editing efficiency is improved, but image integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating a copy of the original image data before any editing operations are applied. The database stores change data that references this preserved original version. This preliminary preservation ensures that even as multiple edit operations are performed and stored, the original image integrity remains intact and can be restored or used as a base for further edits at any time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the database storing change data) between the original image and the edited versions. This intermediary layer allows editing operations to be performed and stored without directly modifying the original image file. The change data acts as a mediator that preserves image integrity while enabling efficient editing workflows, as edits can be applied virtually without touching the original data.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for managing a library of digital images and information about any editing operations performed on those digital images are provided. A managed library of digital images and a referenced library of digital images may be maintained. Digital images may be moved from the managed library of digital images to the referenced library of digital images, and vice-versa. A preview digital image data may also be generated from master digital image data. Rather than performing image operations directly on the master digital image data, change data that identifies one or more operations to perform to a digital picture represented by either the preview digital image data or the master digital image data may be stored, thereby allowing operations to be performed on the preview digital image data when the master digital image data is not accessible. Digital image may be automatically renamed based on rules for doing so.