US7668399B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for laying out images and program therefor
Assignee: Fujifilm Corp
•
Filing: 2006-03-08
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Granted: 2010-02-23
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Expires: 2026-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule. An instruction to edit the layout image is received from a user, and the layout image is edited. Based on a result of editing according to the instruction, user preference information representing preference of the user is generated. The user preference information is fed back in subsequent layout image generation.
Inventors
- 👤 Tetsuya Sawano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
An image layout apparatus comprising: layout image generation means for carrying out layout image generation wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing means for editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; preference information generation means for generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; feedback means for feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; parameter calculation means for calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the preference information generation means generates the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and weight calculation means for calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feedback means feeds back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
An image layout apparatus comprising: layout image generation means for carrying out layout image generation wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing means for editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; preference information generation means for generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; feedback means for feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; parameter calculation means for calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the preference information generation means generates the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and weight calculation means for calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feedback means feeds back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the parameters comprise a parameter identifying a subject in each of the images, a parameter for lightness thereof, a parameter for contrast thereof, and a parameter for sharpness thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the feedback means feeds back the user preference information into judgment as to whether a frame is added in advance to an image to be laid out, in a case where the instruction to edit is an instruction to add a frame to a specific one of the images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the feedback means feeds back the user preference information into a number of images to be laid out in the background area, in a case where the instruction to edit includes an instruction to change the number of images to be laid out in the background area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein for each of the images, the weight calculation means, calculates the weight based on a multiplication of respective parameters of identifying a subject, lightness, contrast, and sharpness, found by the parameter calculation means, by a corresponding one of said predetermined weight coefficients, and adding a result of the multiplication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when the user edits the layout image, the preference information generation means compares parameters of an enlarged image and a deleted image, and infers characteristics in image quality which weigh with the user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the preference information generation means generates a text file describing preferences of the user as the user preference information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the feedback means instructs the weight calculation means to change weight coefficients for calculating the weight according to the user preference information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The image layout apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein for each of the images, the weight calculation means calculates the weight based on a multiplication of respective parameters of image lightness at a time of image acquisition, sharpness of focus, and a degree of camera shake, found by the parameter calculation means, by a corresponding one of said predetermined weight coefficients, and adding a result of the multiplication.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
219 words
An image layout method, comprising: carrying out layout image generation on a computer, wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; and feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the generating user preference information includes generating the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feeding back includes feeding back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
219 words
An image layout method, comprising: carrying out layout image generation on a computer, wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; and feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the generating user preference information includes generating the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feeding back includes feeding back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The image layout method according to claim 10 , wherein in said calculating the weight of each of the images, for each of the images, the weight is calculated based on a multiplication of respective parameters of identifying a subject, lightness, contrast, and sharpness, by a corresponding one of said predetermined weight coefficients, and adding a result of the multiplication.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The image layout method according to claim 10 , wherein, when the user edits the layout image, the feeding back includes comparing parameters of an enlarged image and a deleted image, and inferring characteristics in image quality which weigh with the user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image layout method according to claim 10 , wherein the feeding back comprises generating a text file describing preferences of the user as the user preference information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image layout method according to claim 10 , wherein the feeding back includes instructing to change weight coefficients for calculating the weight according to the user preference information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The image layout method according to claim 10 , wherein in said calculating the weight of each of the images, the weight is calculated based on a multiplication of respective parameters of image lightness at a time of image acquisition, sharpness of focus, and a degree of camera shake, by a corresponding one of said predetermined weight coefficients, and adding a result of the multiplication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
227 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program to execute an image layout method, comprising: carrying out layout image generation wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; and feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the generating user preference information includes generating the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feeding back includes feeding back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
227 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program to execute an image layout method, comprising: carrying out layout image generation wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; and feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the generating user preference information includes generating the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feeding back includes feeding back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16 , wherein in said calculating the weight of each of the images, for each of the images, the weight is calculated based on a multiplication of respective parameters of identifying a subject, lightness, contrast, and sharpness, by a corresponding one of said predetermined weight coefficients, and adding a result of the multiplication.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16 , wherein, when the user edits the layout image, the feeding back includes comparing parameters of an enlarged image and a deleted image, and inferring characteristics in image quality which weigh with the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16 , wherein the feeding back comprises: generating a text file describing preferences of the user as the user preference information, and instructing to change weight coefficients for calculating the weight according to the user preference information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16 , wherein in said calculating the weight of each of the images, the weight is calculated based on a multiplication of respective parameters of image lightness at a time of image acquisition, sharpness of focus, and a degree of camera shake, by a corresponding one of said predetermined weight coefficients, and adding a result of the multiplication.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2017-02-22 | 2017-08-24 | 2018-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2021-02-22 | 2021-08-24 | 2022-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |