A method for generating a digital image collage is provided. The method includes displaying a collage template on a user interface, wherein the collage template includes populating a plurality of randomly configured apertures with digital images; assigning a weight to each of the apertures based on an area of the apertures; and selecting a new digital image to add in the layout. In response to the user input command, comparing the weights assigned to the respective apertures in the layout to identify an aperture having the greatest weight among the apertures; randomly dividing the aperture having the greatest weight into two new apertures to change the layout to a different arrangement; and populating the two new apertures and the remaining undivided apertures among the plurality of apertures in the layout with the new selected digital image and the previously selected digital images, thereby generating the digital image collage.

Systems and methods of co-editing a design for a printed product is disclosed. According to certain aspects, a server may store tool state variable(s) corresponding to editing tool(s) included in a printed product editor in a database; receive, from a first electronic device executing a first instantiation of the printed product editor, a request for a collaborative communication session with a second electronic device executing a second instantiation of the printed product editor; generate the collaborative communication session between the two devices in response to the request, the collaborative communication session including a state of editing tool(s) of the first instantiation of the printed product editor; update the tool state variable(s) corresponding to the state of editing tool(s) of the first instantiation in the database; and synchronize a state of editing tool(s) of the second instantiation in response to the updating.

A system and method for generating a digital image collage is provided. The method comprises displaying a user interface comprising a collage template including a layout, and a catalog segment; displaying a plurality of digital images in the catalog segment; generating a first aperture in the layout to establish a first arrangement, and populating the first aperture with the first selected digital image; changing the layout from the first arrangement to a second arrangement, wherein the second arrangement comprises randomly dividing the first aperture into a second aperture and a third aperture, populating the second aperture with the first selected digital image, and populating the third aperture with the second selected digital image thereby generating the digital image collage.

A method for providing a custom print product comprises displaying a video that includes an exhibited physical product; comparing feature or attribute data associated with the exhibited product with a feature or attribute associated with the available product; displaying a digital overlay in the video and in association with the displayed exhibited product if the displayed exhibited product corresponds to the available product; allowing for the selection of the digital overlay and then a digital image, wherein the selected digital image is not representative of the displayed exhibited physical product, and wherein the selected digital image is configured to be disposed on a selected physical product representative of the displayed exhibited physical product associated with the selected digital overlay to provide the customized print product.

An image processing apparatus includes a selector and an instructor. The selector selects an image. The instructor provides an instruction if an aspect ratio of the selected image exceeds a maximum ratio of a range of predetermined aspect ratios. The instruction is an instruction to remove an end portion of the selected image in a width direction so that the aspect ratio of the selected image will be contained within the range of the predetermined aspect ratios. The instructor also provides an instruction if the aspect ratio of the selected image is smaller than a minimum ratio of the range of the predetermined aspect ratios. The instruction is an instruction to add a margin to an end portion of the selected image in the width direction so that the aspect ratio of the selected image will be contained within the range of the predetermined aspect ratios.

An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program for relatively easily creating an album similar to an example album are provided. A page (74) of an example album is displayed in a page display region (70), and one example image (80) among images pasted on the page (74) is displayed in an example image display region (80). An image (I1) similar to the example image (80) is displayed in a selected image region (90). In a case where a decision button (91) is clicked, the image (I1) is pasted at a position at which the example image is pasted. Similarly, an album is created by finding images similar to example images (Ir101 to Ir104) and the like pasted in an image pasting region. The album similar to the example album is created.

Both a transmission priority of order data and a reception priority of product data can be controlled based on a usage status of a bandwidth of a network.

In an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention, product data is created based on order data received via a network. A transfer priority of current data over preceding data is determined based on a determination condition of transfer priorities, and control is performed such that the preceding data and the current data are transferred according to the transfer priorities. The transfer priorities are changed such that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transfer of the current data is started in a case where the transfer priority of the preceding data is lower than the transfer priority of the current data and the usage status of the bandwidth of the network due to the transfer of the preceding data is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

An image processing apparatus includes a selector and an instructor. The selector selects an image. The instructor provides an instruction if an aspect ratio of the selected image exceeds a maximum ratio of a range of predetermined aspect ratios. The instruction is an instruction to remove an end portion of the selected image in a width direction so that the aspect ratio of the selected image will be contained within the range of the predetermined aspect ratios. The instructor also provides an instruction if the aspect ratio of the selected image is smaller than a minimum ratio of the range of the predetermined aspect ratios. The instruction is an instruction to add a margin to an end portion of the selected image in the width direction so that the aspect ratio of the selected image will be contained within the range of the predetermined aspect ratios.

Described herein is a multi-user retail photo kiosk system that includes multiple touch screen and Graphic User Interface (GUI) controlled consumer photo editing, photo print and product selection, and photo order placement terminals and multiple photo printers. The user photo kiosk terminals can receive images. Billing and payment is accomplished using barcoded receipts provided at the user terminal for payments for purchased photo products. A printer array incorporating various printers capable of producing prints or various sizes and formats can be configured as a horizontal counter or as a vertical tower and includes means to alert the user that their photo print order is complete. In addition, the system automatically notifies operators if equipment service, maintenance, media refilling, and/or post printing finishing procedures are required.

A method for ordering a print product comprises displaying a video that includes an exhibited physical product; comparing a feature or attribute associated with the exhibited product with a feature or attribute associated with the available product; displaying a digital overlay in the video and in association with the displayed exhibited product if the displayed exhibited product corresponds to the digital representation of the available product; allowing for the selection of the digital overlay and then a digital image; establishing a print order including an identification of the displayed exhibited product associated with the selected digital overlay and the selected digital image; and allowing for the fulfillment of the print order to produce a print product using a printing device, wherein the print product includes the selected digital image disposed on a selected physical product representative of the displayed exhibited product associated with the selected digital overlay.