Systems and methods for producing digital content

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US007191398B2

(12) United States Patent

Nitta et al.

(io) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,191,398 B2 Mar. 13, 2007

(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING DIGITAL CONTENT

(75) Inventors: Takashi Nitta, Chino (JP); Hirotaka Ohashi, Chino (JP)

(73) Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 873 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 10/107,579

(22) Filed: Mar. 28, 2002

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2002/0165937 Al Nov. 7, 2002

(30) Foreign Application Priority Data

Mar. 29, 2001 (JP) 2001-097543

(51) Int. CI.

G06G17/00 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 715/517; 715/503; 715/504;

715/520

(58) Field of Classification Search 715/517

See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,969,093 A * 11/1990 Barker et al 718/102

5,323,312 A * 6/1994 Saito et al 715/513

5,347,632 A * 9/1994 Filepp et al 709/202

5,379,373 A * 1/1995 Hayashi et al 715/513

5,381,523 A * 1/1995 Hayashi 715/513

5,600,771 A * 2/1997 Hayashi et al 715/517

5,758,257 A * 5/1998 Herz et al 725/116

5,835,916 A * 11/1998 Inaki et al 715/509

5,860,073 A * 1/1999 Ferrel et al 715/522

The present invention provides a digital content production system which appropriately arranges information in a blank region present in a layout area in an easy-to-read layout without destroying layout consistency. The present invention can include a content delivery terminal that lays out a digital content by selecting the digital contents in a content registration data base based on user information, and by arranging a variety of pieces of information forming the selected digital contents into a predetermined frame in a layout area. When a blank region is present in the layout area after information forming the digital contents is arranged in the layout area, one of the information arrangement processes for arranging information into the blank region through respective different methods is searched for and retrieved based on the size of the blank region, and the information is arranged into the blank region by using the retrieved information arrangement process.

12 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets