Standby Screen for Image Layout Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Photo album creation software with automatic layout functions experiences long standby times during image analysis, leading to monotonous user interfaces as users wait for processing to complete, especially when dealing with large numbers of images.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with an acquisition unit, layout processing unit, and standby processing unit that displays a predetermined number of images on a standby screen while layout processing is executed, using image grouping and dynamic tile arrangements to maintain user engagement by simulating the layout process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If picture analysis processing is performed for layout, then layout quality is improved, but user waiting time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout qualityVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standby screen as an intermediary display between the user and the layout processing system. This standby screen shows sample images and template pictures during the analysis processing period, mediating the user's waiting experience without interfering with the background layout analysis process. The intermediary display maintains user engagement while the actual layout processing continues uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If sample images and template pictures are displayed during standby period, then user engagement is improved, but screen monotony increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidscreen monotony

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic display characteristics in the standby screen by randomly selecting and displaying different sample images and template pictures during the processing period. This dynamic variation prevents the screen from becoming static and monotonous, maintaining user engagement through visual diversity while the layout analysis process continues in the background.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The standby screen employs periodic updates by displaying different sample images and template pictures at intervals during the processing period. This periodic variation in display content prevents user boredom by continuously refreshing the visual presentation, while the underlying layout analysis processing proceeds systematically through the image set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10878606B2Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus configured to lay out at least some of a plurality of images includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire data on the plurality of images, a layout processing unit configured to execute processing for layout based on the data on the plurality of images which is acquired by the acquisition unit, and a standby processing unit configured to execute processing for displaying a standby screen while the processing for layout is executed by the layout processing unit, wherein the standby processing unit displays in the standby screen a predetermined number of images among the plurality of images acquired by the acquisition unit.