Abstract: A device for automatically creating a photo album is disclosed. A face detection unit detects faces from an inputted image, an inclination determining unit determines an inclination of the inputted image based on inclinations of the faces, a temporary trimming reference area determining unit determines a trimming reference area containing one or more of the faces, a temporary trimming reference point determining unit determines a trimming reference point in the trimming reference area, an image rotating unit rotates the inputted image depending on the inclination of the inputted image, a trimming unit sets in the inputted image a layout frame of an image insertion area of a photo album template such that the layout reference point is positioned on the trimming reference point and the trimming reference area is contained within the layout frame and carries out trimming, and a template composition unit combines the trimmed area with the template.

Abstract: An image evaluating device includes an information acquiring unit that acquires history information of a user communication terminal having a camera function, an image storage unit that stores images at least a part of which is captured by the use of the camera function of the user communication terminal, and an image evaluating unit that calculates evaluation values of the respective images stored in the image storage unit based on the history information acquired by the information acquiring unit.

Abstract: An image publishing device includes an image storage that stores images owned by a user, an image analyzer that performs image analyses on each of the images stored in the image storage, and a publishing/non-publishing decision unit that makes a publishing/non-publishing decision on each of the images based on results of the image analyses made on each of the images.

Abstract: A graphic arrangement deciding method includes the steps of: acquiring, by an information processing apparatus, photographed region information corresponding to information which identifies a photographed region and unphotographed region information corresponding to information which identifies an unphotographed region, from a wide-angle image; setting, by the information processing apparatus, order of priority of a partial region which is located at a desired position and has a desired size within the photographed region identified by the photographed region information, on the basis of an attribute of the partial region; and deciding, by the information processing apparatus, arrangement of one or a plurality of graphics associated with the wide-angle image, on the basis of the unphotographed region information and the order of priority of the partial region. Thus, a more attractive photo book is created with the use of an unphotographed part of an image having an uneven boundary region.

Abstract: An image editing method comprises: a step of acquiring identification information on each of a plurality of operation instruction units for instructing editing of an image, a step of automatically selecting one or more images for editing from a group of images to classify the one or more images into a group of usable images based on the identification information, a step of determining a right to edit reaching contents of processing which each operation instruction unit is authorized to perform against each image in the group of usable images, and a step of performing editing processing on an image to be edited in the group of usable images based upon the determined right to edit according to an editing instruction supplied from each operation instruction unit.

Abstract: The image processing device divides images into groups, generates image analysis information of the images, extracts a predetermined number of images from each group based on the image analysis information and arranges the images extracted from each group on a corresponding page of a photo book. The image display section displays an image editing area for displaying images arranged on a page to be edited and a candidate image display area for displaying candidate images included in a group corresponding to the page to be edited and being usable for editing the image, and the image editing section uses the candidate images displayed in the candidate image display area to edit the image layout on the page to be edited based on the user's instruction.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquirer for acquiring an image, a depth of field calculator for calculating an estimate representing a depth of field of an image based on collateral information of the image, an image divider for dividing the image into evaluation regions, and a blur evaluator for detecting a blur in each of the evaluation regions divided by the image divider, performing blur evaluation for calculating evaluation values for evaluating degrees of an out-of-focus blur or a camera/subject movement-caused blur, and calculating an evaluation value of the image from the evaluation values of the evaluation regions based on the estimated depth of field.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a display for displaying an image layouted in accordance with arrangement information, an editing unit for editing the displayed image, a storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of arrangement information, an arrangement information selecting unit for selecting the arrangement information used for layouting the image after editing in accordance with the arrangement information of the displayed image and editing information, and an image layouting unit for layouting the image in accordance with the selected arrangement information. With such a configuration, an image having no sense of discomfort after editing can be displayed upon editing such as adding or deleting of an image on a page or double pages displayed in a photo book or the like.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquiring section for acquiring images; a mount number setting section for setting a mount number for mounts; an image dividing section for dividing the acquired images into a predetermined number of groups based on accessory information of the images, with the number of groups being equal to the mount number; and an image arranging section for arranging images included in each group after division on each corresponding mount. The image dividing section divides the images into the groups so that the number of images included in each group is not more than the upper limit number of images capable of being arranged on the corresponding mount.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus and method combine images to form one combined image by using an image formed by clipping, from images including the same person, parts of a face and a body of the person and combining the parts. The apparatus and method select, from images stored in advance, images to be combined in image combination frames of a template for the combined image, the template being stored in advance and including the image combination frames for which image editing conditions are defined, edit the selected images according to each of the image editing conditions for each of the image combination frames of the template and arrange the edited images in the image combination frames of the template and combining the arranged images.

Abstract: A 3D image displaying apparatus includes a 3D image displaying device for displaying a plurality of 2D images sharing at least part of shot subjects with one another so as to display a 3D image in which at least a portion of the 2D images is perceived by a viewer as a stereo image with a specified depth and a display controlling device for making a depth of the 3D image vary so as to provide a plurality of 3D images with different depths, and causing the 3D images with different depths to be displayed in list form on the 3D image displaying device. A 3D image displaying method displays the 2D images and carries out the control. A 3D image displaying program causes a computer to perform the steps of the method. A computer readable storage medium stores the program.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is adapted to shoot a subject at two or more different viewpoints to obtain a right viewpoint image and a left viewpoint image, or multi-viewpoint images, with parallax that are to be merged together into a 3D image. The apparatus includes a monitor for displaying the image to be taken upon shooting; an input device for inputting an indispensable output area which an user wants to be included in the 3D image outputted; and a control unit for causing the indispensable output area and an area out of mergence, which is unable to be included in the 3D image in accordance with the amount of parallax between the right viewpoint image and the left viewpoint image, or between the multi-viewpoint images, to be merged together into the 3D image, to be indicated in the image to be taken.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes a monitor for displaying an image based on a right viewpoint image and left viewpoint image, or multi-viewpoint images, with the displayed image being used by a user for specifying an indispensable output area which the user wants to be included in a 3D image synthesized by merging the right viewpoint image and left viewpoint image, or multi-viewpoint images, together, and outputted; an input device for inputting information on the indispensable output area as specified by the user referring to the image as displayed on the monitor; a control unit for causing the indispensable output area to be indicated in the image as displayed on the monitor; and an output device for outputting the right viewpoint image and left viewpoint image, or multi-viewpoint images, and information on the indispensable output area.

Abstract: This invention enables an intention of a photographer to be reflected with greater accuracy in image processing based on actions performed by the photographer when taking an image. Based on user information acquired by a user information acquisition section, supplementary information such as whether a composition flag is on or off and assignment of an image classification is recorded with an image. Based on the supplementary information, various types of image processing such as setting an image trimming range, imparting an effect, and arranging an image on a mount are performed.

Abstract: The image layout device configured to enable users to lay out images includes a layout data storing unit configured to store layout data sets that specify image arrangement regions for laying out the images, a layout selecting unit configured to automatically select the layout data set from the layout data storing unit based on a number of the users, an image storing unit configured to store images, one or more position instructing unit configured to select an image to be arranged based on the selected layout data set from stored images, and provide an instruction regarding an arrangement location with respect to the layout data set for the selected image and a layout processing unit configured to determine whether or not an instruction from the instructing unit is executable and, if it is executable, arrange the selected image in accordance with the selected layout data set.

Abstract: A device for automatically creating a photo album is disclosed. A face detection unit detects faces from an inputted image, an inclination determining unit determines an inclination of the inputted image based on inclinations of the faces, a temporary trimming reference area determining unit determines a trimming reference area containing one or more of the faces, a temporary trimming reference point determining unit determines a trimming reference point in the trimming reference area, an image rotating unit rotates the inputted image depending on the inclination of the inputted image, a trimming unit sets in the inputted image a layout frame of an image insertion area of a photo album template such that the layout reference point is positioned on the trimming reference point and the trimming reference area is contained within the layout frame and carries out trimming, and a template composition unit combines the trimmed area with the template.

Abstract: When editing a three-dimensional image whose size differs when outputted from its size at the time of editing, the image producer may not be able to set an appropriate pop-out amount or a backward depth when editing. A pop-out amount range applicable to the size of a three-dimensional image as printed is displayed based on the size of the three-dimensional image as printed, and a pop-out amount range applicable to the size of a three-dimensional image as displayed is displayed based on the size of the three-dimensional image as displayed. Therefore, a three-dimensional image can be edited by noting the range of the pop-out amount applicable to the three-dimensional image as printed.

Abstract: Even when the size of a three-dimensional image is changed, the pop-out amount is automatically adjusted to one intended by the user. The pop-out amount is adjusted based on a conversion characteristic defining a relationship between the size and the pop-out amount of a three-dimensional image as the size of the three-dimensional image is changed, and therefore the pop-out amount of the three-dimensional image can be automatically adjusted to a given pop-out amount preferred by the user or intended by the user.

Abstract: It is so arranged that margins will not be produced in an image compositing area. Specifically, a user sets an amount of parallax. A stereoscopic image is displayed in an image compositing area and the stereoscopic image is adjusted to as to take on the set amount of parallax. It is determined whether margins will be produced within the image compositing area owing to the adjustment of amount of parallax. If margins will be produced, the stereoscopic image is enlarged in size to such an extent that margins will not be produced.

Abstract: It is arranged so that stereoscopic images will not overlap one another. A stereoscopic image to be pasted in a free-layout electronic album is selected. The amount of parallax of the stereoscopic image to be pasted in this electronic album is set. When this is done, the selected stereoscopic image is enlarged or reduced in size so as to take on the set amount of parallax. Automatic layout for pasting enlarged or reduced stereoscopic images on each page of the electronic album in such a manner that these stereoscopic images will not overlap one another is carried out. The result of the layout is displayed.