Thumbnail Generation for 360-Degree Image Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in navigating and finding specific captured image data from long-term captures by 360-degree full spherical cameras, as the curved nature of the panoramic images makes it challenging to identify relevant information.
Innovation Solution
An image management apparatus that generates thumbnail images from captured images, associates them with related attributes, and allows for filtering and display control on communication terminals, enabling users to easily identify and view specific images based on attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the camera constantly captures images for a long time period, then the quantity of captured images increases, but the user has difficulty in finding out captured-image data on which the user focuses attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large dataset of captured images by generating thumbnail images and organizing them with identification information and attributes. This segmentation allows users to navigate through categorized thumbnails rather than overwhelming full-resolution images, making it easier to locate specific data of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thumbnail images as an intermediary between the user and the full captured images. These thumbnails serve as a filtering mechanism, allowing users to quickly scan and identify relevant images before viewing the complete data, thus solving the problem of finding specific images in large datasets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 360-degree full spherical panoramic images are displayed, then the user can view the surrounding environment, but the image looks curved and is not suitable for viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a predetermined area from the full spherical panoramic image to create a planar thumbnail. This extraction removes the curved distortion inherent in 360-degree images while preserving the essential visual information, making the thumbnails suitable for standard display devices and easier for users to view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the three-dimensional spherical panoramic image into a two-dimensional planar thumbnail representation. This dimensionality change eliminates the curved distortion of spherical images while maintaining the spatial relationships, making the images more suitable for conventional display screens.
3Ease of operation
If thumbnail images are generated and displayed with attributes, then the user can easily identify specific images, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies (thumbnails) of the original captured images. These thumbnail copies contain the essential visual information and are accompanied by identification data and attributes, providing an easier-to-navigate interface without requiring changes to the original image capture system.
Data Source
AI summary
An image management apparatus includes a memory, circuitry and a transmitter. The circuitry is configured to: generate a thumbnail image from each of captured images; store, in the memory, for each of the thumbnail images, thumbnail identification information for identifying the thumbnail image in association with related information relating to the captured image, the related information indicating one or more attributes of the captured image; transmit one or more thumbnail images of the thumbnail images stored in the memory to a communication terminal; and receive, from the communication terminal, a change request that requests to change a display of the screen to include a specific one or more thumbnail images each being associated with a specific attribute of the related information. The transmitter transmits the specific thumbnail images each identified by specific thumbnail identification information associated with the specific attribute of the related information.