A photographic image extraction apparatus according to the invention is applied to a smartphone. The smartphone includes an image capture unit that captures images of a plurality of photographs, a photographic image extraction unit that analyzes a plurality of photographic images that are the captured images of the plurality of photographs and extracts, from the plurality of photographic images, one or more photographic images having a high likelihood of containing an image of a specific person, and an extraction result display unit that displays a result of extraction by the photographic image extraction unit.

A system for distributing data that represents and can be converted into a physical object such as a printed photograph or three-dimensional 3D printed object provides a variety of user controls to direct the flow of data and restrict the use of consumable supplies.

An information processing apparatus includes a download unit to download, in accordance with an instruction of a user, a print target image from a server accessible by a third party using an SNS (Social Networking Service) via a network, different from the user. A processor obtains subjective evaluation information of the third party for the print target image included in a tag added to the print target image downloaded by the download unit, evaluates the print target image, based on the subjective evaluation information of the third party, and performs image processing for the downloaded print target image in accordance with a result of the evaluation. An output unit outputs image data that has undergone the image processing of the processor.

Methods and systems of creating and ordering a photobook via a display of a space constrained mobile device are disclosed. A photobook is produced by dragging and dropping of photos, pages, or spreads, thus creating user-desired pairing arrangements of photos, pages, or spreads. In one embodiment, a method comprises selecting photos via a touch interface of a mobile device, creating a page-preview of a photobook at the touch interface, providing book customization options by using dragging and dropping features, and creating a book-preview of said photobook after said book customization options have been performed, thereby displaying a virtual manifestation of a printable and deliverable book. The invention reduces friction points to purchase, and increases user satisfaction with the photobook creation and customization process.

The method and system allow a user to launch a client application on an web-enabled device and subsequently to navigate to an image source screen within the client application. After receiving an image source selection from the user, the client application retrieves images from the selected image source. The client application displays the retrieved images available for printing to a user, and in response to receiving a selection of an image, the client application transmits the image to a proprietary server. Moreover, upon receiving print order information, the client application additionally executes a location awareness application that determines a current location of the web-enabled device and subsequently, determines a proximal retail store to the current location of the web-enabled device. Thereafter, the remote printing system creates and transmits a print order that includes the selected image to the retail store for pickup.

A method of processing a photograph comprises capturing or downloading the photograph onto a mobile electronic device with text messaging capabilities. The photograph is then transmitted in a text message to a remote server which is able to identify the mobile electronic device, and to match the mobile electronic device with information stored in a database relating to the mobile electronic device. The photograph is transmitted to a printer for printing the photograph on a physical medium. The photograph on the physical medium is then transported to a destination point address contained in the information stored in the database.

The method and system allow a user to launch a client application on an web-enabled device and subsequently to navigate to an image source screen within the client application. After receiving an image source selection from the user, the client application retrieves images from the selected image source. The client application displays the retrieved images available for printing to a user, and in response to receiving a selection of an image, the client application transmits the image to a proprietary server. Moreover, upon receiving print order information, the client application additionally executes a location awareness application that determines a current location of the web-enabled device and subsequently, determines a proximal retail store to the current location of the web-enabled device. Thereafter, the remote printing system creates and transmits a print order that includes the selected image to the retail store for pickup.

A method for generating a digital image collage is provided. The method includes accessing digital images stored in a memory; selecting first, second and third digital images; generating a first aperture in a collage template layout, and populating the first aperture with the first digital image; randomly dividing the first aperture into second and third apertures, populating the second and third apertures with the first and second digital images, respectively; randomly dividing the second aperture into fourth and fifth apertures, populating the third aperture with one of the three digital images, populating the fourth aperture with another of the three digital images, populating the fifth aperture with the remaining digital image, identifying one of the three digital images as a target digital image; and changing the size of the respective aperture associated with the target digital image so that the respective aperture includes a greatest aperture area.

A system and method for generating a digital image collage includes generating a first aperture in a collage template to establish a first arrangement; randomly dividing the first aperture into second and third apertures to provide a second arrangement; determining and comparing a weight for each of the second and third apertures, wherein the weight of the second aperture is greater; randomly dividing the second aperture into fourth and fifth apertures to provide a third arrangement; determining the weight for each of the fourth aperture and the fifth aperture; designating a digital image as a first target digital image; automatically populating the first target digital image in one of the third, fourth, or fifth aperture, wherein the first target digital image is populated in the aperture that has the greatest weight; and populating other digital images in the other respective apertures thereby generating the digital image collage.