Photo Book Layout System for Collaborative Data Division
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photo book layout creation systems face challenges when multiple users collaborate, including the difficulty in selecting images to share, inability to divide or combine layout data, and inefficiencies in user image prioritization and selection.
Innovation Solution
A layout creation system that allows users to divide joint order data and combine separate order data, with features like user image prioritization and association, enabling efficient collaboration and data management among users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If images are automatically selected for sharing, then the selection operation is simplified, but images that users do not wish to disclose may be shared
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image selection process into two distinct phases: automatic pre-selection by the system based on relevance algorithms, and subsequent manual confirmation by the user. This segmentation allows the system to handle the bulk of selection work automatically while giving users precise control over privacy-sensitive decisions, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and privacy reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary confirmation mechanism between automatic image selection and final sharing. The system acts as an intermediary that presents pre-selected images to users for review and approval, mediating between automated efficiency and user-controlled privacy protection. This intermediary step ensures users can catch and correct any privacy violations before they occur
2Productivity
If one piece of joint order data is maintained for collaboration, then real-time collaboration is enabled, but the ability to divide data for individual users or groups is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data structure that can transition between unified and divided states. The joint order data maintains a single unified structure during active collaboration phases to enable real-time teamwork, but can be dynamically divided into separate user-specific or group-specific portions when collaboration concludes or when individual customization is needed. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between collaboration efficiency and data division versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data management system that serves multiple functions: it operates as a unified collaborative workspace during joint creation phases, and simultaneously provides the capability to split and distribute data to individual users or specific groups afterward. This multi-functionality allows the same system structure to support both real-time collaboration and individual customization needs without compromise
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate order data is created by individual users, then user-specific customization is enabled, but the ability to combine data into a unified photo book is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a merging mechanism that allows separately created user-specific order data to be combined into a unified photo book structure. Users can maintain their own customized order data with full adaptability for their specific needs, while the system provides functionality to merge multiple such separate data sets into a cohesive final product. This merging capability resolves the contradiction between user-specific customization and unified photo book creation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent operates at multiple dimensional levels: individual user dimension for creating customized order data, and collective dimension for combining these into a unified photo book. The system allows users to work independently at the individual dimension with full customization freedom, then transitions to the collective dimension where automated or semi-automated combining processes merge the separate data sets into a coherent whole, effectively resolving the contradiction between customization and unification
4Adaptability or versatility
If a list of all user images is displayed for selection, then complete image options are provided, but the selection process becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by automatically pre-selecting candidate images that are most relevant to the photo book context before presenting them to users. The system analyzes image metadata, content, and relevance to the photo book theme in advance, preparing a curated shortlist of recommended images. This preliminary processing significantly reduces the time users need to spend on selection while still providing access to complete image options when needed, resolving the contradiction between selection completeness and time efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A layout creation system is for jointly creating order data that determines a layout of a photo book by two or more users of two or more clients connected to a server via a network, and the system retains one piece of joint order data jointly created by the two or more users; receives an instruction to divide the joint order data as input by a relevant user; creates divided order data having the same layout as the joint order data in accordance with the instruction to divide the joint order data; and associates the divided order data with sharing users sharing the divided order data.