System and Method for Generating Photo Collages and Photo Album Pages

Abstract

A system and method that enables a user to efficiently manage graphical information is disclosed. In one embodiment, tools are provided that enable a user to creatively assemble, chronicle and modify photo album pages having a variety of graphical elements.

1 . A method for generating a photo album page, comprising the following computer implemented steps:
 displaying a subset of layout configurations from a library of layout configurations, each layout configuration in said library defining a total number of photos to be included on said photo album page, aspect ratios for each of said total number of photos, and a position of each of said total number of photos on said photo album page, said subset of layout configurations having in common the same total number of photos, the same first number of photos having a portrait orientation and the same second number of photos having a landscape orientation;   receiving a selection of a layout configuration from said displayed selectable subset of layout configurations; and   receiving an identification of a group of photos that are assigned to said selected layout configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a background from a library of backgrounds. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said assigning comprises assigning a background image to said photo album page. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said assigning comprises assigning one of a solid color, blended color, textured, patterned, thematic or mosaic background to said photo album page. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting a layout configuration that includes placeholders for photo images. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said layout configuration further defines sizes and positions of text entries. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving an identification comprises receiving a sequential identification of a group of photos. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically adjusting dimensions of a frame border and a photo relative to each other. 
   
   
       9 . A photo album page generating method, comprising the following computer implemented steps:
 receiving a user specification of a total number of photos to be displayed on a photo album page;   receiving a user specification of a first number of said total number of photos having a landscape orientation and a second number of said total number of photos having a portrait orientation; and   displaying, in a graphical user interface, a plurality of thumbnail images representative of a subset of a total library of layout configurations that contain said user specified total number of photos, said user specified first number of said total number of photos having a landscape orientation and said user specified second number of said total number of photos having a portrait orientation, wherein said displayed thumbnail images are individually selectable by a user to apply a pre-defined photo layout configuration onto a photo album page.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a layout configuration specifies a placement of photos onto said photo album page. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a thumbnail image shows a relative placement of photos and an aspect ratio of said photos. 
   
   
       12 . A method of selecting a layout configuration of a photo album page, comprising the following computer implemented steps:
 receiving, from a user, a specification of a portrait or landscape orientation criteria that is usable to generate a structured hierarchy of layout configurations from a library of layout configurations;   identifying a subset of said library of layout configurations using said portrait or landscape orientation criteria, said subset of said library of layout configurations including a plurality of layout configurations, each of said plurality of layout configurations defining a set of photos that have aspect ratios that match said portrait or landscape orientation criteria; and   displaying, in a graphical user interface, a plurality of thumbnail images representative of a subset of said library of layout configurations, wherein said displayed plurality of thumbnail images are individually selectable by said user to apply a pre-defined photo layout configuration onto a photo album page.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said specification is a portrait orientation criteria. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said specification is a landscape orientation criteria. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising receiving a total number of photos, wherein said identifying comprises identifying a subset of said library layout configurations that also match said total number of photos.