Image Processing Apparatus for Automated Album Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for creating photo books or albums with automatic layouts do not fully satisfy user demands, as they lack efficient image selection and placement methods that consider image quality and user preferences.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a setting unit for album conditions, a specifying unit for image selection based on pixel information, and a placement unit for arranging images on a template, which analyzes and scores images for suitability and placement according to user-defined criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic layout techniques are used to create photo books, then productivity is improved, but the quality and user satisfaction of the created album deteriorates due to lack of efficient image selection and placement methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealbum creation efficiencyVSAvoidimage selection and placement quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual image selection and placement operations with an automated information processing system that uses pixel information analysis, template matching, and computational algorithms to automatically select and position images according to user-defined conditions, thereby maintaining high productivity while improving placement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of image selection by analyzing pixel information and matching images against multiple templates with different characteristics, allowing automatic adjustment of selection criteria based on user conditions while maintaining efficient automated operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If manual image selection and placement is used, then image quality and user preferences are satisfied, but productivity and time consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage selection and placement qualityVSAvoidalbum creation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus performs self-service by automatically analyzing pixel information, selecting appropriate images, and placing them on templates without requiring continuous manual intervention, thus maintaining high placement quality while significantly reducing the time required compared to fully manual processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining multiple templates with different characteristics and pre-establishing selection criteria based on user conditions, allowing rapid automatic image placement without time-consuming manual evaluation during the creation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10708446B2Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 CANON KK

AI summary

Based on pixel information of a target image selected from a plurality of images, an information processing apparatus specifies whether the target image is to be used for an album, and sets a template based on a condition for creating the album. The information processing apparatus places on the set template the target image to be used for the album according to the specifying.