Omnidirectional Image Viewing Areas for Flexible Resizing and Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image display systems for wide view and omnidirectional images lack user-friendly interfaces that allow independent movement and resizing of viewing areas, leading to reduced visibility and limited user operations.

Innovation Solution

An image display system that includes an imaging device with dual imaging elements and an information processing apparatus capable of generating and managing omnidirectional images, allowing flexible operations such as moving and resizing of viewing areas through a user interface that supports independent operations on multiple viewing areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wide view image is displayed in a single viewing area, then the field of view is complete, but the visibility is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the omnidirectional image into multiple partial images, each displayed in a separate viewing area. This segmentation allows the complete field of view to be distributed across multiple regions, with each region maintaining adequate visibility while collectively providing full 360-degree coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If an image is fixed in several viewing areas, then consistency is maintained, but operations of moving and resizing cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage consistencyVSAvoidmoving and resizing operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system where images in viewing areas can be moved and resized through user operations. The system dynamically updates the image display based on user input, allowing flexible adjustment while maintaining proper synchronization across multiple viewing areas through the area control unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If moving and resizing operations are performed on viewing areas, then operational flexibility is improved, but independent operation of each viewing area becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal operation interface where a single user operation can affect multiple viewing areas simultaneously. The area control unit processes operations universally across all viewing areas, allowing users to perform moving and resizing actions that are applied consistently to the omnidirectional image display without requiring separate controls for each area.

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

4Illumination intensity

If partial images are displayed in multiple viewing areas, then visibility is improved, but user interface for appropriate operations is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiduser interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service interface where the system automatically detects user operations on partial images and performs appropriate adjustments. The area control unit monitors user interactions and automatically executes moving and resizing operations, eliminating the need for complex manual controls while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3736679B1Image display system, information processing apparatus, image display method, image display program, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3736679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3736679B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3736679B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

An image display system includes an image acquisition unit which acquires an image, an area setting unit which sets a plurality of viewing areas to which the image is to be assigned according to a direction of the image, an image assignment unit which assigns the image to each of the plurality of viewing areas, an operation determination unit which discriminates an operation in a first viewing area among the plurality of viewing areas each having the image assigned thereto, and a display control unit which displays the image in the first viewing area and the image in a second viewing area other than the first viewing area among the plurality of viewing areas concurrently based on a result of the discrimination by the operation determination unit.