Abstract: A method and system for automatically creating an image product based on media assets stored in a database. A number of stored digital media files are analyzed to determine their semantic relationship to an event and are classified according to requirements and semantic rules for generating an image product. Rule sets are applied to assets for finding one or more assets that can be include in a story product. The assets, which best meet the requirements and rules of the image product are included.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a user subject interest is based at least upon an analysis of a user's collection of digital image records and is implemented at least in part by a data processing system. The method receives a defined user subject interest, receives a set of content requirements associated with the defined user-subject-interest, and identifies a set of digital image records from the collection of digital image records each having image characteristics in accord with the content requirements. A subject-interest trait associated with the defined user-subject-interest is evaluated based at least upon an analysis of the set of digital image records or characteristics thereof. The subject-interest trait is associated with the defined user-subject-interest in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a user subject interest is based at least upon an analysis of a user's collection of digital image records and is implemented at least in part by a data processing system. The method receives a defined user subject interest, receives a set of content requirements associated with the defined user-subject-interest, and identifies a set of digital image records from the collection of digital image records each having image characteristics in accord with the content requirements. A subject-interest trait associated with the defined user-subject-interest is evaluated based at least upon an analysis of the set of digital image records or characteristics thereof. The subject-interest trait is associated with the defined user-subject-interest in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: An improved method for cropping a main subject from a digital image is disclosed. A skin color map and face map are independently computed and then blended to produce a revised map. A region map is computed by segmenting the digital image into a plurality of regions. A main subject importance map is calculated from the revised map and the region map. The digital image is cropped based on the main subject map.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating user profiles based at least upon an analysis of image content from digital image records are provided. The image content analysis is performed to identify trends that are used to identify user subject interests. The user subject interests may be incorporated into a user profile that is stored in a processor-accessible memory system.

Abstract: In a method and system for mapping a digital image having a plurality of pixels, a skin color map of the digital image is computed. The skin color map has a plurality of skin color values. Each of the skin color values is associated with a respective set of one or more of the pixels. Each of the skin color values indicates a likelihood that the respective pixel set is skin. A face map of the digital image is generated. The face map is divided into one or more face zones and a background exclusive of the face zones. Each of the face zones is a group of the pixels. Each of the face zones indicates a greater likelihood than the background that the respective group of pixels is a face. In the skin color map, the respective skin color values associated with the pixels of the face zones are increased to provide a revised map, which is used in controlling a procedure producing an output.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a user subject interest is based at least upon an analysis of a user's collection of digital image records and is implemented at least in part by a data processing system. The method receives a defined user subject interest, receives a set of content requirements associated with the defined user-subject-interest, and identifies a set of digital image records from the collection of digital image records each having image characteristics in accord with the content requirements. A subject-interest trait associated with the defined user-subject-interest is evaluated based at least upon an analysis of the set of digital image records or characteristics thereof. The subject-interest trait is associated with the defined user-subject-interest in a processor-accessible memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating user profiles based at least upon an analysis of image content from digital image records are provided. The image content analysis is performed to identify trends that are used to identify user subject interests. The user subject interests may be incorporated into a user profile that is stored in a processor-accessible memory system.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically creating an image product based on assets stored in a user database. A number of stored digital media files are analyzed to determine their semantic relationship to an event and are classified according to requirements and semantic rules for generating the image product. These requirements and rules refine the association between the assets and the event for which the image product is generated. The assets which best meet the requirements and rules of the image product are ranked and the highest ranking ones are included in the image product.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically creating an image product based on media assets stored in a database. A number of stored digital media files are analyzed to determine their semantic relationship to an event and are classified according to requirements and semantic rules for generating an image product. Rule sets are applied to assets for finding one or more assets that can be include in a story product. The assets, which best meet the requirements and rules of the image product are included.

Abstract: In a method and system for mapping a digital image having a plurality of pixels, a skin color map of the digital image is computed. The skin color map has a plurality of skin color values. Each of the skin color values is associated with a respective set of one or more of the pixels. Each of the skin color values indicates a likelihood that the respective pixel set is skin. A face map of the digital image is generated. The face map is divided into one or more face zones and a background exclusive of the face zones. Each of the face zones is a group of the pixels. Each of the face zones indicates a greater likelihood than the background that the respective group of pixels is a face. In the skin color map, the respective skin color values associated with the pixels of the face zones are increased to provide a revised map, which is used in controlling a procedure producing an output.

Abstract: In a machine-controlled imaging method and system, an original digital image is displayed. During the displaying, a user input is accepted designating machine-controlled cropping of the original digital image. The machine-controlled cropping of the original digital image is performed without further user intervention. In that cropping, a subject portion and a background portion of the digital image are found. A retention area of the digital image is set. The retention area is fully inclusive of the subject portion and minimally inclusive of the background portion. When the retention area is larger than a preset percentage of the original digital image, the retention area is reset to a default crop. The digital image is reduced to the retention area as set or reset, respectively.