Abstract: A required number of images for creating an album are compensated using existing still images, and an album with a fine appearance is created by effectively using a small number of available still images (still images in stock). A value N, which is obtained by subtracting the total number of selected images from the total number of images that a template of a photo album requires (the total number of combination frames), is determined as the minimum number of shortfall images that are required for compensating the shortage of images. An image (original image for creation) appropriate for the original, from which images for compensating the shortage of images are created, is selected from among selected images. New images are created by applying a predetermined image processing to the selected original image for creation, until the minimum number N of shortfall images is satisfied.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an image processing apparatus, comprising: a monitor which displays various information; an input device with which a user performs an input operation; an identification device which identifies the user who has performed the input operation with the input device; an image reading device which reads images; an image selection device which, according to the input operation with the input device, selects an image which is a predetermined processing target, from the images read by the image reading device, the image selection device identifying a plurality of users who have performed input operations for selecting images, by the identification device, and selecting the image which is the processing target, for each of the users who have performed the input operations for selecting the images; and a processing device which executes a process with the image selected by the image selection device as the processing target.

Abstract: A size of a region to be allocated to an image layout date is bigger than a size of a region to be allocated to a date other than the image layout date (image-not-layout date). An image to be allocated to the image layout date is enlarged so that a size of the image matches a size of an allocation region allocated to the image layout date, and the enlarged images is laid. Characters indicating the dates are arranged to regions allocated to previous dates, the image layout date, and following dates. Accordingly, a calendar with an attractive appearance can be generated by altering the layout of the dates and information to be output, even if a user has taken photographs on not so many days in the unit such as a month or a week.

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: An editing condition input screen of an image editing program is provided with a selecting button for selecting a basic scenario of a photo movie and a still image to be a material and is also provided with each button for performing priority designation for the image desired to be displayed by priority among the selected image and for performing key image designation. Further, a notable person designation button for performing notable person designation is provided. The image editing program, on the basis of such inputted editing conditions, evaluates and narrows down the material to produce the photo movie. By inputting the editing conditions, time assigned for a selected image within the photo movie becomes long and the selected image is repeatedly displayed, therefore the photo movie obtains a plot and a quality of the photo movie can be improved.

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: Recognition of the contents of data, such as still images obtained by digital cameras, is facilitated. A plurality of images obtained by a digital camera are read out from a memory card. A classifying section classifies the plurality of images into groups, each of which corresponds to a date. A representative data selecting section selects a predetermined number of pieces of representative data from each of the groups. A display control section arranges thumbnail images of the predetermined number of pieces of representative data, arranged in date regions, which are classified by date, on a monitor.

Abstract: When a slide show in which a plurality of still images is reproduced and displayed in sequence is executed, the number of subjects captured in each still image is determined. Display time of each still image is calculated based on the determined number of the subjects. The number of the subjects is determined from the number of faces detected in the still image. The faces smaller in size than a predetermined value are eliminated from the number of the subjects. The display time is obtained by multiplying the number of the subjects by a predetermined coefficient. When the number of the subjects is larger than a criterion subject number M, the coefficient is set small. Accordingly, it is prevented that the display time is set unduly long.

Abstract: A photo movie is created based on scene configuration information, which includes scene definition information to determine a type of special effects, the number of still images, and playback time for each scene. The playback time is summed up to figure total playback time of the photo movie. If an intended total playback time is specified by a user, the playback time and scene configuration are changed in each scene so that the total playback time of the photo movie corresponds with the intended total playback time. In another embodiment, a moving speed of a cropping frame for cutting out a portion of a still image is derived from a moving path of the cropping frame and a total playback time of a photo movie. The size of the cropping frame is changed if the calculated moving speed is out of an allowable speed range.

Abstract: When a zoom effect or a panning effect is selected for an editing condition of a photo movie, a cutout area for cutting out a still image is set. When a face image of a person is detected in the cutout area designated by a user, the cutout area is automatically adjusted so as to have an optimal margin around the face image based on a position and size of the face image. When the face image is not detected in the cutout area, a position and size of the cutout area is adjusted manually.

Abstract: In a photo movie producing apparatus, a scenario producing section includes a parameter normalizing circuit which normalizes a parameter in a scenario into a format based on a predetermined pixel number not dependent on a pixel number of still images to be inputted in an image editor and an edited image. The image editor handles the still images and the edited image within a virtual pixel space by using the normalized parameter. In a preferred embodiment, each still image is normalized to a pixel number in accordance with an output format of a photo movie, before the image editing.

Abstract: A photo movie is produced by giving special effects, such as electronic zooming and panning, to plural still images used as material. The photo movie is produced on the basis of a scenario file in which editing conditions are described in time order. When creating the scenario file, candidate flags are recorded in the scenario file in association with specific frames for which a print order is expected to be placed. When the print order is placed, the corresponding specific frames are searched in the photo movie according to the candidate flags. Searching time is reduced compared to the case where the photo movie is played back from the beginning.

Abstract: Still images which are materials of a photo movie are displayed on a monitor. One still image is selected by observing the monitor. A frame including the selected still image is extracted from the photo movie. The extracted frame or a scene including the extracted frame is displayed on the monitor. When the frame displayed on the monitor is designated, the frame is printed by a printer.

Abstract: An image editing apparatus reads a selected still image, analyzes an image content, and determines an editing condition. By analyzing the image content, a main subject is determined (concerning whether the main subject is a person or scenery) and a framing (a relative position of the main subjects and the like) is determined. According to the result of analysis, a type of special effect such as zooming or panning and the editing condition such as a zoom point are determined. Further, the image editing apparatus produces a scenario on the basis of the determined editing condition and produces a photo movie. Because the editing condition is determined according to the image content, the photo movie obtains a plot and the quality of the photo movie can be improved. Further, because the image content analysis is automatically performed, operation such as designating the editing condition does not become complicated.

Abstract: An editing condition input screen of an image editing program is provided with a selecting button for selecting a basic scenario of a photo movie and a still image to be a material and is also provided with each button for performing priority designation for the image desired to be displayed by priority among the selected image and for performing key image designation. Further, a notable person designation button for performing notable person designation is provided. The image editing program, on the basis of such inputted editing conditions, evaluates and narrows down the material to produce the photo movie. By inputting the editing conditions, time assigned for a selected image within the photo movie becomes long and the selected image is repeatedly displayed, therefore the photo movie obtains a plot and a quality of the photo movie can be improved.

Abstract: A print system is provided with an order receiving device, a frame reproducing device and a printing device. The order receiving device acquires a time stamp of a frame to be printed during producing a photo movie. The frame reproducing device reproduces the frame to be printed by re-editing a still image in higher quality then when producing the frame based on a scenario after specifying the scenario corresponding to the time stamp. The printing device prints the reproduced frame of high quality. In the order receiving device, a photo movie is produced and displayed on a monitor for access of a client to designate the frame to be printed by using an operation section.