Printing Device Thumbnail Selection for Motion Images

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices that handle motion image files only display a single thumbnail image, making it difficult for users to select the desired image for printing as they cannot visualize the actual printed images, leading to inefficiencies in finding the correct image.

Innovation Solution

A printing device that extracts multiple frame images from a motion image file, lays them out on a single page, and displays these as thumbnail images in a selection screen, allowing users to select and print the desired output image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If only a single thumbnail image is displayed from a motion image file, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user cannot visualize the actual printed images leading to inefficient image selection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage selection efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The motion image file is segmented into multiple frame images, and a plurality of these frame images are extracted and displayed as separate thumbnail images on the selection screen. This allows users to see multiple actual printed images from the motion image file simultaneously, enabling efficient selection without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary extraction and layout of multiple frame images from the motion image file before the user makes a selection. By preparing and displaying multiple thumbnail images in advance, the system enables users to visualize actual printed images and make informed decisions without requiring additional processing after selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If multiple frame images are extracted and laid out on a single page, then users can visualize actual printed images for better selection, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage content visibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of displaying the entire motion image file or requiring users to view the original video, the system creates simplified copy representations (thumbnail images) of multiple frame images. These thumbnail copies preserve the essential visual content information while requiring minimal processing resources to generate and display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8891109B2Printing device capable of displaying thumbnail image of image file

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus comprising an retrieving unit configured to retrieve a first image file representing a motion image and a second image file representing a still image, a display image file generating unit configured to generate, from the first image file, a first single display image file comprising a plurality of frame images extracted from the first image file; a display control unit configured to display the first single display image file and a second single display image file adjacent to each other, the second single display image file comprising the still image represented by the second image file; a selection accepting unit configured to accept a selection of one from among the first single display image file and the second single display image; and a printing data generation unit configured to generate print data to be used for printing based upon the selection.