Patent Document ID: 8300064
Application ID: 12411112
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. An image forming apparatus for forming a combined image by combining a predetermined number of first images, comprising: an image storing unit that stores a plurality of images; a template storing unit that stores a template for the combined image, said template including a predetermined number of image combination frames, and designated information designating a specific part of a subject being each of said predetermined number of first images to be arranged and combined in each of said predetermined number of image combination frames according to a position and a size of each of said predetermined number of image combination frames being set in each of said predetermined number of image combination frames of said template as each of image editing conditions; an image selecting unit that automatically extracts a plurality of candidate images satisfying predetermined conditions for forming said combined image from said plurality of images stored in said image storing unit, and thereafter automatically selects a predetermined number of second images to be combined respectively in the predetermined number of image combination frames of said template read out from said template storing unit out of said plurality of candidate images extracted, each of said predetermined number of second images satisfying said designated information set in each of said predetermined number of image combination frames of said template and said predetermined number of second images being same in number as said predetermined number of first images; an image editing unit that edits each of said predetermined number of second images selected by said image selecting unit according to each of said image editing conditions set for each of said predetermined number of image combination frames of said template to form said predetermined number of first images to be combined respectively in the predetermined number of image combination frames of said template; and an image combining unit that arranges each of said predetermined number of first images formed by said image editing unit in each of said predetermined number of image combination frames of said template and combines said predetermined number of first images to form said combined image.