Granted Patent B2

US 8,976,198 · App. 12/909,452 · Granted Mar 10, 2015

Inventors: Kevin R. Borders (Silver Spring, MD); Joseph M. Golden (Ann Arbor, MI)

Assignee: Collage.com, LLC

G06T11/60

Abstract

Claims (74)

1. A computer-implemented method of creating a shape collage, the method comprising:

receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired non-rectangular shape having a shape area and a shape outline;

receiving image data which represents a plurality of images; and

processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain a shape collage of the images at least partially covering the shape area of the at least one desired shape, wherein the step of processing includes the steps of creating a covering based on the shape specification signal, the covering including a plurality of shape primitives, each of the shape primitives having a position which is specified so that it automatically covers a portion of the shape area according to a chosen covering option without the need for human input or intervention, the chosen covering option being one of:

(1) completely covering the shape area and minimizing area covered outside the shape outline;

(2) partially covering the shape area and area outside the shape outline; and

(3) maximizing coverage of the shape area without covering any area outside of the shape outline; and

placing at least one image over the shape primitives to at least partially fill each of the shape primitives.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of placing includes the step of adding at least one image that spans multiple shape primitives.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of shape primitives at least partially cover the at least one shape and wherein the shape primitives are rectangular shape primitives.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the images in the shape collage are non-overlapping.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein borders between adjacent images in the shape collage are substantially the same.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the area of the at least one desired shape is fully covered with the images.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of processing includes the step of cropping any images that are positioned outside the at least one desired shape to achieve a more visually defined outline of the at least one desired shape.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the images are photographic images.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the shape specification signal specifies a plurality of desired shapes.

10. A computer-implemented method of creating a shape collage, the method comprising:

receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired non-rectangular shape having a shape area and a shape outline;

receiving image data which represents a plurality of images;

initially processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain an initial shape collage of the images at least partially covering the area of the at least one desired shape wherein the step of initially processing includes the steps of creating a covering based on the shape specification signal, the covering including a plurality of shape primitives, each of the shape primitives having a position which is specified so that it automatically covers a portion of the shape area according to a chosen covering option without the need for human input or intervention, the chosen covering option being one of:

(1) completely covering the shape area and minimizing area covered outside the shape outline;

(2) partially covering the shape area and area outside the shape outline; and

(3) maximizing coverage of the shape area without covering any area outside of the shape outline; and

placing at least one image over the shape primitives to at least partially fill each of the shape primitives;

receiving a command signal to either locate a user-specified image essentially or approximately at a desired location in the initial shape collage or resize the user-specified image from an initial size in the initial collage to a desired size; and

finally processing the command signal and the initial shape collage to create a finished shape collage having either the user-specified image essentially or approximately at the desired location or the user-specified image with the desired size to increase visual appeal of the finished shape collage to the user wherein the step of finally processing includes the step of adjusting size or position of at least one image other than the user's specified image such that images in the finished shape collage are substantially non-overlapping or the borders between images in the finished shape collage are substantially the same.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the command signal locates the user-identified image essentially or approximately at the desired location, wherein the user-specified image has an initial location in the initial shape collage and wherein the step of finally processing relocates the user-specified image from the initial location in the initial shape collage.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the command signal resizes the user-specified image from the initial size in the initial collage to the desired size and wherein the step of finally processing includes the step of processing the command signal and the user-specified image to create the finished shape collage having the user-specified image with the desired size to increase visual appeal of the finished shape collage to the user.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the step of initially processing includes the steps of at least partially covering the at least one desired shape with at least one shape primitive and placing at least one image over the at least one shape primitive to at least partially fill the at least one shape primitive.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the step of placing includes the step of adding at least one image that spans multiple shape primitives.

15. The method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein a plurality of shape primitives at least partially cover the at least one shape and wherein the shape primitives are rectangular shape primitives.

16. A system for creating a shape collage, the system comprising:

means for receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired non-rectangular shape having a shape area and a shape outline;

means for receiving image data which represents a plurality of images; and

a processor for processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain a shape collage of the images at least partially covering the area of the at least one desired shape, wherein the processor creates a covering based on the shape specification signal, the covering including a plurality of shape primitives, each of the shape primitives having a position which is specified so that it automatically covers a portion of the shape area according to a chosen covering option without the need for human input or intervention, the chosen covering option being one of:

(1) completely covering the shape area and minimizing area covered outside the shape outline;

(2) partially covering the shape area and area outside the shape outline; and

(3) maximizing coverage of the shape area without covering any area outside of the shape outline; and

wherein the processor places at least one image over the shape primitives to at least partially fill each of the shape primitives.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the processor adds at least one image that spans multiple shape primitives.

18. The system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein a plurality of shape primitives at least partially cover the at least one shape and wherein the shape primitives are rectangular shape primitives.

19. A system for creating a shape collage, the system comprising:

means for receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired non-rectangular shape having a shape area and a shape outline;

means for receiving image data which represents a plurality of images;

a processor for processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain an initial shape collage of the images at least partially covering the area of the at least one desired shape wherein the processor creates a covering based on the shape specification signal, the covering including a plurality of shape primitives, each of the shape primitives having a position which is specified so that it automatically covers a portion of the shape area according to a chosen covering option without the need for human input or intervention, the chosen covering option being one of:

(1) completely covering the shape area and minimizing area covered outside the shape outline;

(2) partially covering the shape area and area outside the shape outline; and

(3) maximizing coverage of the shape area without covering any area outside of the shape outline; and

wherein the processor places at least one image over the shape primitives to at least partially fill each of the shape primitives; and

means for receiving a command signal to either locate a user-specified image essentially or approximately at a desired location in the initial shape collage or resize the user-specified image from an initial size in the initial collage to a desired size; the processor finally processing the command signal and the initial shape collage to create a finished shape collage having either the user-specified image essentially or approximately at the desired location or the user-specified image with the desired size to increase visual appeal of the finished shape collage to the user, the processor adjusting size or position of at least one image other than the user-specified image such that images in the finished shape collage are substantially non-overlapping or the borders between images in the finished shape collage are substantially the same.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the command signal locates the user-identified image essentially or approximately at the desired location, wherein the user-specified image has an initial location in the initial shape collage and wherein the processor relocates the user-specified image from the initial location to the desired location in the initial shape collage.

21. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the command signal resizes the user-specified image from the initial size in the initial collage to the desired size and wherein the processor processes the command signal and the user-specified image to create the finished shape collage having the user-specified image with the desired size to increase visual appeal of the finished shape collage to the user.

22. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium that stores a set of instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps comprising:

receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired non-rectangular shape having a shape area and a shape outline;

receiving image data which represents a plurality of images; and

processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain a shape collage of the images at least partially covering the shape area of the at least one desired shape, wherein the step of processing includes the steps of creating a covering based on the shape specification signal, the covering including a plurality of shape primitives, each of the shape primitives having a position which is specified so that it automatically covers a portion of the shape area according to a chosen covering option without the need for human input or intervention, the chosen covering option being one of:

(1) completely covering the shape area and minimizing area covered outside the shape outline;

(2) partially covering the shape area and area outside the shape outline; and

(3) maximizing coverage of the shape area without covering any area outside of the shape outline; and

placing at least one image over the shape primitives to at least partially fill each of the shape primitives.

23. The medium as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the step of placing includes the step of adding at least one image that spans multiple shape primitives.

24. The medium as claimed in claim 22 , wherein a plurality of shape primitives at least partially cover the at least one shape and wherein the shape primitives are rectangular shape primitives.

25. A computer-readable non-transitory storage medium that stores a set of instructions including instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps comprising:

receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired non-rectangular shape having a shape area and a shape outline;

receiving image data which represents a plurality of images;

initially processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain an initial shape collage of the images at least partially covering the area of the at least one desired shape wherein the step of initially processing includes the steps of creating a covering based on the shape specification signal, the covering including a plurality of shape primitives, each of the shape primitives having a position which is specified so that it automatically covers a portion of the shape area according to a chosen covering option without the need for human input or intervention, the chosen covering option being one of:

(1) completely covering the shape area and minimizing area covered outside the shape outline;

(2) partially covering the shape area and area outside the shape outline; and

(3) maximizing coverage of the shape area without covering any area outside of the shape outline; and

placing at least one image over the shape primitives to at least partially fill each of the shape primitives;

receiving a command signal to either locate a user-specified image essentially or approximately at a desired location in the initial shape collage or resize the user-specified image from an initial size in the initial collage to a desired size; and

finally processing the command signal and the initial shape collage to create a finished shape collage having either the user-specified image essentially or approximately at the desired location or the user-specified image with the desired size to increase visual appeal of the finished shape collage to the user wherein the step of finally processing includes the step of adjusting size or position of at least one image other than the user-specified image such that images in the finished shape collage are substantially non-overlapping or the borders between images in the finished shape collage are substantially the same.

26. The medium as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the one or more processors receives the command signal to locate the user-identified image essentially or approximately at the desired location, wherein the user-specified image has an initial location in the initial shape collage and wherein the step of finally processing relocates the user-specified image from the initial location in the initial shape collage.

27. The medium as claimed in claim 25 wherein the one or more processors receives the command signal to resize the user-specified image from an initial size in the initial collage to a desired size and wherein the step of finally processing includes the step of processing the command signal and the user-specified image to create the finished shape collage having the user-specified image with the desired.

Assignments (8)

Continuity (2)