Photographing System Using Reference Image Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing photographing systems face challenges in accurately identifying and re-photographing specific portions of broad subjects, especially when the instruction giver and the photographer are different, leading to inefficiencies and poor image quality.

Innovation Solution

A photographing system comprising a photographed-portion setting apparatus and a digital camera that facilitates pinpoint accurate photographing of specific portions by generating and communicating necessary information, such as location and reference images, to guide the photographer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If panoramic composite image is used for inspection, then broad area coverage is achieved, but photographing omission and low image quality occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographing coverage areaVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the broad photographing area into multiple smaller regions and processes them separately. By segmenting the overall inspection area, the system can capture high-quality images of each segment without omission, then composite them into a complete panoramic view, thus maintaining both broad coverage and high image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If re-photographing is performed to improve image quality, then image quality improves, but considerable effort and time are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidre-photographing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback mechanism that analyzes the panoramic composite image to identify regions with photographing omission or low quality. The system automatically generates and transmits guidance information to the photographing device, enabling precise re-photographing only of problematic areas without manual intervention, thus reducing time and effort while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If support information is transmitted to photographing person, then re-photographing guidance is provided, but communication efficiency decreases when instruction giver and photographer are different

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvere-photographing guidanceVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the panoramic composite image and transmits it along with automated guidance information to the photographing device. This visual copy serves as universal communication that eliminates language barriers and miscommunication between different persons, ensuring accurate understanding of re-photographing requirements while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If sophisticated measuring means is used to accurately measure photographing position and direction, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographing position measurementVSAvoidmeasuring means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sophisticated mechanical measuring means with an image-based approach. By analyzing the panoramic composite image and comparing it with reference data, the system determines photographing position and direction information without requiring complex mechanical sensors or measurement devices on the photographing equipment, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3923065B1Photographing system, photographing spot setting device, photographing device, and photographing method
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3923065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3923065B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3923065B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided a photographing system, a photographed-portion setting apparatus, a photographing apparatus, and a photographing method for facilitating photographing of a specific portion of a photographed subject. A photographed-portion setting apparatus (10) acquires and displays on a display (15) an image of a photographed subject. A user specifies a photographed portion on a screen of the display (15). The photographed-portion setting apparatus (10) generates information indicating the location of the specified photographed portion. The photographed-portion setting apparatus (10) cuts an image including a surrounding area of the photographed portion from the image of the photographed subject to generate a reference image. A digital camera (100) acquires the information indicating the location of the photographed portion and the reference image. The digital camera (100) provides a guide for photographing the photographed portion on the basis of the acquired information indicating the location of the photographed portion. The digital camera (100) detects in real time, the reference image from a captured image and provides a guide for photographing the photographed portion on the basis of the result of detection.