Screenshot Capture with Application Session Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screenshot capture technologies do not effectively associate captured images with metadata that can recreate the session state of applications, making it difficult for users to restore or share specific application states, such as navigation routes or purchase confirmations.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating user equipment that detects screenshot requests, obtains application-specific metadata to define the session state of contributing applications, and selectively captures and stores this metadata with the screenshot, allowing for recreation of the application state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional screenshot capture is used, then the screenshot image is captured, but the session state of the application cannot be recreated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the screenshot capture system into two distinct components: the screenshot image data and the application-specific metadata. This segmentation allows the metadata (containing session state information) to be captured and stored separately from the visual screenshot, enabling reconstruction of the application state without complicating the core screenshot capture mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces application-specific metadata as an intermediary element that bridges the screenshot image and the application session state. This metadata acts as a mediator containing identifiers and parameters that enable the reconstruction of the application state, solving the information loss problem without requiring direct access to the application's internal state.
2Reliability
If application-specific metadata is captured and stored with the screenshot, then the session state can be recreated, but the data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential session state information needed for recreation into the application-specific metadata, separating it from the complete application state. This extraction approach captures only the critical identifiers and parameters required to reconstruct the screenshot context, minimizing storage requirements while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the application session state into a standardized metadata format with specific parameters (such as application identifiers, screen coordinates, and timing information). This parameterization allows the session state to be represented in a compact, structured form that is efficient for storage while preserving the essential information needed for accurate recreation.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a UE detects a request to capture a screenshot of image data being output on a display screen, obtains application-specific metadata that is configured to facilitate recreation of characteristics of a session state of an application that is contributing at least a portion of the image data being output on the display screen when the request is detected. The UE selectively captures the screenshot of the image data being output on the display screen in response to the request, and stores the obtained application-specific metadata. The same or different UE may obtain some or all of the application-specific metadata (and optionally the screenshot, if captured), and recreates some or all of the characteristics using the same or different application.