Time-Series Thumbnail Generation for Moving Image Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices struggle to effectively display and navigate through large amounts of moving image data, as users find it difficult to determine the content of scenes based on thumbnail images, leading to inefficient playback and memory capacity issues with index image generation.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that generates and displays time-series thumbnail images of moving image data at predetermined intervals, allowing users to start playback from any designated thumbnail image, without recording the thumbnails on the medium, thereby conserving memory and improving user navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If index images are generated and recorded on the recording medium, then image search capability is improved, but memory capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the thumbnail image display function from the recording medium and implements it in the memory unit. Instead of recording index images on the recording medium, the system generates and stores thumbnail images in the memory unit, allowing users to search and select scenes without consuming recording medium capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the memory unit as an intermediary between the recording medium and the display unit. The memory unit temporarily stores thumbnail images generated from the recording medium, serving as a buffer that enables image search functionality without requiring permanent storage on the recording medium.
2Device complexity
If only head images are displayed as thumbnails, then device complexity is reduced, but user ability to learn content is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating and storing multiple thumbnail images at predetermined time intervals before playback. This allows users to preview content at various points in the scene in advance, making informed decisions about which scenes to watch without having to fast-forward through entire scenes.
3Device complexity
If scenes are played from the beginning when selected, then device complexity is reduced, but user time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of playing from scene beginning with an information-based approach. By displaying multiple thumbnails at predetermined time intervals, the system provides users with information about content at different points in the scene, enabling direct access to interesting portions without manual fast-forwarding.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for processing an image includes an input unit for inputting user operation information, a recording medium for recording moving image data, a data processor for retrieving data recorded on the recording medium and generating display data in response to an input to the input unit, and a display unit for displaying the display data. The data processor generates a contracted image of an image selected at predetermined time intervals from a scene as a moving image recording unit recorded on the recording medium and displays on the display unit a list of generated contracted images arranged in a time-series order.