Patent ID: 7668399

Claim:
An image layout apparatus comprising: layout image generation means for carrying out layout image generation wherein a layout image is generated by laying out images in a background area according to a predetermined rule; editing means for editing the layout image by receiving an instruction to edit the layout image from a user; preference information generation means for generating user preference information representing preference of the user, based on a result of editing according to the instruction to edit; feedback means for feeding back user preference information into the layout image generation carried out at a subsequent time; parameter calculation means for calculating parameters representing characteristics in quality of each of the images, wherein the preference information generation means generates the user preference information based on the parameters of the images in an edited image in addition to the result of editing; and weight calculation means for calculating a weight of each of the images as a sum of the parameters weighted by predetermined weight coefficients, wherein the feedback means feeds back the user preference information into the weight coefficients, in a case where the predetermined rule is to lay out the images in the background area in such a manner that a size of each of the images becomes larger as the weight thereof becomes higher, and wherein the instruction to edit includes an instruction to delete, reduce, or enlarge a specific one of the images.