Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-15
2001-11-27
Amsbury, Wayne (Department: 3722)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C358S408000, C702S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324545
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automated creation of personalized picture albums, using digitally acquired or digitized pictures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past, image acquisition was dominated by film based systems, such as cameras. Lately, however, cheap, digital image acquisition systems, such as digital filmless cameras and scanners have become widespread for personal use. There have also become available various ways of generating high-quality digital images, including, generation of images by computer and scanning of film images at central locations, such as photo development laboratories.
Once digital images are available, it is easy to send the images, using computer communication techniques, to service providers which create customized products using the images, for example, printing the images on T-shirts.
In many cases, it is desirable to obtain a hard copy (paper) of an image. There are currently two principle ways, for an individual, to obtain such images at low cost. A first way is to print the images using a color printer. Generally, however, the quality obtainable from a low-cost color printer is significantly lower than that of photographic images. A second way is to send the digital representation, via computer communications, to a central site. At the central site the images are printed on photographic paper and then sent back to the individual, by mail.
When an individual amasses a large number of photographic prints, he usually organizes them in a picture album. Such an album typically contains pages of stiff paper or cardboard, to which the pictures are attached by various means. In some albums, the pictures are laminated unto the paper pages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to provide a method of automatically generating a photograph album, utilizing digital techniques.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, digital techniques are used in the process of generating photograph albums. Preferably, the use of such digital techniques enhances the quality of the resulting album. Alternatively or additionally, these techniques are used to automate tasks which are tedious for a human. Such tasks include arranging images on pages and grouping together images of similar subjects.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a personalized photograph album is generated as follows:
(a) a customer acquires digital images;
(b) the customer transmits the images to a service provider;
(c) the service provider arranges the images into an album format;
(d) the service provider prints out the images and assembles the album; and
(e) the album is mailed to the customer.
One aspect of some preferred embodiments of the present invention relates to a method of automatically arranging the images on the pages of the album. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the images are arranged based on image content, image weight and symmetry between images, using color and/or intensity considerations, order and time between the acquisition of the images, grouping together of similar images, for example based on color profile or correlation and/or based on text labels which are attached to at least some of the images. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, such text labels need only be specified for the first images in a sequence of images, since, the rest of the sequence can be determined from the relative time of image acquisition. Preferably, the text annotations are created by recording a sound bite with each image and applying a speech recognition algorithm to decipher the contents of the annotation. A speech recording mechanism is preferably included as part of a digital camera used to acquire images and/or in a video camera.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the images are arranged to minimize the number of pages and/or amount of wasted space in the album. This type of arrangement is especially important when the images are not all the same size.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the customer can select what type of arrangement to use. Further, the user can preferably select values for various parameters of these automatic arrangement methods. In addition, the customer can preferably select the format of the album, including, the number of pages, the shape of the pages and the location of punched holes in the pages. In addition, the customer can preferably select a theme for the album. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the automatic arrangement includes automatic scaling of individual images. Alternatively or additionally, automatic arrangement includes automatic filtering of the images so that the resulting album does not include all the supplied images. Preferably, such automatic filtering includes filtering based on image quality, on the number of allowed images in a particular album, on the amount of available space, on the existence of doubles of particular images and/or user supplied criteria for grading of the images.
Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is related to customization of photographic albums. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a customer defines and/or selects a theme for a photographic album. The automatic arrangement and/or formatting instructions are preferably carried out in view of the selected theme. Optionally, a customer creates several different albums, from a single set of images, using different themes. Such themes may include, a background pattern, possibly for each page, a general layout of the album, including image enlargements, in addition to arrangement, grouping and filtering instructions.
Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a particular physical structure of an album. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, rather than generate individual images and attach them to album pages, a plurality of images are printed on a single sheet of photographic paper and that sheet is used as a page in the album. Preferably, two-sided photographic paper is used, with images printed on either side. Alternatively, two individual sheets are glued back-to-back, preferably with a stiffener between them to form a two-sided page. In a preferred embodiment of the invention printed images do not reach the edge of the photographic sheet, so that the sheets can be bound together. Preferably, the individual pages are laminated. Alternatively, the images are printed directly on a laminate. Alternatively, the customer prints the album at home using a color printer, utilizing the automatic arrangement and/or album generation features described herein, which are preferably provided by a service provider. Optionally, automatic arrangement and formatting of the images is also performed on the customer's computer.
Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to adding text, graphics and/or computer generated images to the album. Preferably, such additional information is also printed on the photographic paper, at the same time as the images. Additionally, such text is preferably automatically arranged with the images.
Yet another aspect of some aspects of the present invention relates to automatic generation of a panoramic image from a plurality of supplied overlapping images. Preferably, the customer marks the images that are overlapping and the service provider automatically correlates them and generates a panoramic image. Alternatively, the service provider automatically detects the overlapping images. Such a panoramic image may be a one or two dimensional mosaic. Alternatively or additionally, the service provider automatically correlates images of the same object acquired a short time apart. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the service provider marks, on the images, any differences between the images. Preferably such marking is achieved using a graphic overlay, such as a rectangular indication or an arrow. The order of such images is preferably determined by a time/date stamp thereof, which is a com
Amsbury Wayne
ColorDesk Ltd.
Jaffer David H.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
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