AUTOMATED MULTIPLE IMAGE PRODUCT METHOD
A computer implemented method for receiving a selection of first and second dates to define a date range and receiving a selection of a theme. A plurality of digital images is accessed that includes digital images captured within the date range. The digital images are segmented into distinct events depicted in the digital images. Distinct events that correspond to the theme are identified. Digital images from different distinct events are incorporated into a multi-image product which is then printed or fabricated.
1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a selection of first and second dates to define a date range, and receiving a selection of a theme;
accessing a plurality of digital images that includes digital images captured within the date range;
segmenting the digital images into distinct events depicted in the digital images, each distinct event including one or more of the digital images;
identifying the distinct events that correspond to the theme;
selecting at least one digital image from each of at least two different distinct events that correspond to the theme;
incorporating the selected images into a multi-image product, wherein the multi-image product comprises multiple digital openings for incorporating digital images therein; and
communicating the multi-image product.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising printing the multi-image product.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting first and second dates that are one year apart.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting first and second dates that correspond to a calendar year, a school year, or to the beginning and end of activities related to a group.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of segmenting the digital images into distinct events separated by a preselected duration of time.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of segmenting the digital images into distinct events that span the date range.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of selecting a theme that corresponds to events of one of the following: an individual's life, a sports team, a group of people, a club, a musical group, a theater group, a political group, an organization, or a social group.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of removing duplicate images from the selected digital images.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of calculating a quality value associated with at least some of the digital images and using the quality value to select digital images for the multi-image product.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of using a face recognition algorithm to identify digital images corresponding to the theme.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further including the step of detecting a season as a distinct event.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further including the step of automatically analyzing pixels of the one or more digital images to determine which one of a plurality of seasons is depicted by each of the one or more digital images.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of automatically analyzing the pixels includes the step of providing an association set that includes items selected from the group consisting of objects, colors, textures, and shapes, wherein each of said objects, colors, textures, or shapes has one of the plurality of seasons associated therewith.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of automatically analyzing the pixels further includes the step of finding in each of the one or more digital images an item from the association set and assigning each of the one or more digital images to a season associated with the found item.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of automatically analyzing the pixels further includes the step of providing a weighted value to each found item.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the weighted value indicates a likelihood that each found item matches the item in the association set.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the weighted value indicates a prevalence of each found item in its associated season.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multi-image product includes a number of digital image openings and wherein a number of selected digital images is equal to the number of image openings.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multi-image product includes a variable number of digital image openings and wherein a number of selected digital images determines a number of the digital image openings.
20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital images include metadata and the method further includes the step of using the metadata to segment the digital images or to select the digital images.