System and method for automatic layout of images in digital albums

Abstract

A system and method for automatic creation of digital image albums. A Page Creator Module utilizes a genetic engine and a layout evaluation module. The genetic engine evolves a group of images to a plurality of album pages, based on certain layout criteria. The evaluation module calculates layout criteria and compares them with user preferences. When an acceptable image/page layout has been generated, the image/page assignments are transferred to an Image Placement Module. The Image Placement Module utilizes a second genetic engine, which evolves various criteria to generate page layouts genetic structures. These structures define the location, scale, and rotation of images placed on a given page. A layout evaluation module calculates and compares these layouts with certain other preferences and page requirements. When a suitable layout has been generated, a final album output is generated, which may be displayed, printed, or otherwise transferred for subsequent utilization.

1 . An automated album layout method responsive to a set of inputs containing digital images, graphics, and other 2-dimensional objects, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving pluralities of user album preferences and album preference importance values, said user album preferences indicating parameter values including at least one of balance, emphasis, chronology, and unity, each said album preference importance value indicating a weighting of a corresponding one of said user album preferences relative to the other said user album preferences,    generating a fitness function based upon said user album preferences and said album preference importance values;    evaluating a grouping of the image objects for distribution into a number of album pages using a genetic algorithm, according to said fitness function;    assigning each said image object to a page based on said evaluating;    displaying said page for user viewing, and    refining the distribution based on further user action.    
   
   
       2 . An automated layout and presentation method responsive to a set of inputs containing digital images, graphics, and other two-dimensional objects, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving pluralities of user page preferences and page preference importance values, said user page preferences indicating parameter values including at least one of white space, overlap, rotation, spatial balance, rotational balance, border symmetry, and emphasis, each said page preference importance value indicating a weighting of a corresponding one of said user page preferences relative to the other said user page preferences,    generating a fitness function based upon said user page preferences and said page preference importance values;    evaluating the ‘x’ and ‘y’ position coordinates, scale, and rotation of each of the input images objects within a page using a genetic algorithm, according to said fitness function;    creating a page layout based on said evaluating;    displaying said page layout for user viewing;    refining said page layout based on further user action, and    formatting the page layout printing.    
   
   
       3 . A system for assigning a plurality of images to album pages, comprising: 
 means for receiving a plurality of different user album preferences and a plurality of album preference importance values, each said album preference importance value indicating a weighting of a corresponding one of said user album preferences relative to the other said user album preferences,    means for specifying an initial set of page assignments of said images to a genetic population;    a genetic engine operable to evolve said genetic population to produce a present set of image page assignments;    a page evaluation module operable to generate an album fitness function using said user album preferences and album preference importance values and to test said present set of image page assignments according to said album fitness function to determine an album score, and    means for outputting said present set of image page assignments if said album score meets an album threshold value.    
   
   
       4 . A system for arranging a plurality of images on an album page, comprising: 
 means for receiving a plurality of different user page preferences and a plurality of page preference importance values, each said page preference importance value indicating a weighting of a corresponding one of said user page preferences relative to the other said user page preferences,    means for specifying an initial set of image placement parameters of the images to a genetic population;    a genetic engine operable to evolve said genetic population to produce a present set of image placement parameters;    a layout evaluation module operable to generate a page fitness function using said user page preferences and page preference importance values and to test said present set of image placement parameters with a said page fitness function to determine a page score; and    a means for outputting said present set of image placement parameters if said page score meets a page threshold value.    
   
   
       5 . A method of assigning a plurality of images to album pages, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a plurality of different user album preferences and a plurality of album preference importance values, each said album preference importance value indicating a weighting of a corresponding one of said user album preferences relative to the other said user album preferences,    specifying an initial set of page assignments of the images to a genetic population;    evolving said genetic population to produce a present set of image page assignments;    generating an album fitness function using said user album preferences and album preference importance values;    testing said present set of image page assignments according to said album fitness function to determine an album score, and    outputting said present set of image page assignments if said album score meets an album threshold value.    
   
   
       6 . A method of arranging a plurality of images on an album page, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a plurality of different user page preferences and a plurality of page preference importance values, each said page preference importance value indicating a weighting of a corresponding one of said user page preferences relative to the other said user page preferences,    specifying an initial set of image placement parameters of the images to a genetic population;    evolving said genetic population to produce a present set of image placement parameters;    generating a page fitness function based upon said user page preferences and said page preference importance values;    testing said present set of image placement parameters with said page fitness function to determine a page score; and    outputting said image placement parameters if said page score meets a page threshold value.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of: 
 repeating said evolving and testing steps if said album score fails to meet said album threshold value.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of evolving said genetic population includes the application of a genetic mutation function.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of evolving said genetic population includes the application of a genetic crossover function.