Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided in which all WB coefficient values are calculated rather than only WB coefficient values of a default light source, then a result thereof is associated with intermediate raw data and stored. Further still, when a user gives instruction for a change in a light source setting when carrying out WB readjustments on a personal computer (407) or the like, WB coefficient values corresponding to the selected light source are read in from among all the WB coefficient values that have been associated with the intermediate raw data and applied to the intermediate raw data.

Abstract: The invention displays an image that conforms to an editing parameter set by the user and, depending upon the editing parameter requested, shortens the time required for the image to be displayed, thereby enhancing usability. To achieve this, the invention has a processing parameter input unit for inputting an editing-related parameter such as sharpness. If an image data file to be edited is read in from an image file storage unit, photographic condition information within the file is analyzed and the information obtained by analysis is compared with a parameter that has been set. If the two agree, then a display is presented based upon processed image data within the image file. If the two do not agree, then unprocessed image data within the same file is subjected to image processing in accordance with the set parameter and the processed image is displayed.

Abstract: An image synthesization method, whereby a plurality of images, each of which has a partially overlapping image area, are synthesized to create a single synthetic image, comprises a determination step of inputting a plurality of image data sets that correspond to the plurality of images that are input, and of determining whether or not an image in the partially overlapping image area of each of images that are indicated by the plurality of image data sets includes mainly characters an image processing step of performing, for the plurality of image data sets that are input, image processing in consonance with a result of a determination performed at the determination step and an image synthesization step of synthesizing images that are indicated by the resultant plurality of image data, for which the image processing has been performed at the image processing step. With this arrangement, a plurality of images can be easily and effectively synthesized.

Abstract: The invention displays an image that conforms to an editing parameter set by the user and, depending upon the editing parameter requested, shortens the time required for the image to be displayed, thereby enhancing usability. To achieve this, the invention has a processing parameter input unit for inputting an editing-related parameter such as sharpness. If an image data file to be edited is read in from an image file storage unit, photographic condition information within the file is analyzed and the information obtained by analysis is compared with a parameter that has been set. If the two agree, then a display is presented based upon processed image data within the image file. If the two do not agree, then unprocessed image data within the same file is subjected to image processing in accordance with the set parameter and the processed image is displayed.

Abstract: In a system, in order to allow transfer of information relating to image data and the like to a desired directory in a directory structure in a host information processing apparatus, without performing an operation at the host information processing apparatus, in a first apparatus, a directory-information management unit acquires and manages directory information of a storage unit managed by a filing system of a second apparatus, and a display unit displays the directory information managed by the directory-information management unit. The user assigns a directory to which the image data and the like are to be transferred in the storage unit of the second apparatus, using an assignment unit.

Abstract: In a system, in order to allow transfer of information relating to image data and the like to a desired directory in a directory structure in a host information processing apparatus, without performing an operation at the host information processing a directory-information management unit acquires and manages directory information of a storage unit in a first apparatus managed by a filing system of a second apparatus, and a display unit displays the directory information managed by the directory-information management unit. The user assigns a directory to which the image data and the like are to be transferred in the storage unit of the second apparatus, using an assignment unit.

Abstract: A visualized image visually indicating the content of change in an image in a case that an image processing parameter is used is generated based on the set image processing parameter. The image processing parameter is associated with the generated visualized image and stored as e.g. one image file into a memory.

Abstract: An image synthesization method, whereby a plurality of images, each of which has a partially overlapping image area, are synthesized to create a single synthetic image, comprises a determination step of inputting a plurality of image data sets that correspond to the plurality of images that are input, and of determining whether or not an image in the partially overlapping image area of each of images that are indicated by the plurality of image data sets includes mainly characters an image processing step of performing, for the plurality of image data sets that are input, image processing in consonance with a result of a determination performed at the determination step and an image synthesization step of synthesizing images that are indicated by the resultant plurality of image data, for which the image processing has been performed at the image processing step. With this arrangement, a plurality of images can be easily and effectively synthesized.

Abstract: An image synthesization method, whereby a plurality of images, each of which has a partially overlapping image area, are synthesized to create a single synthetic image, comprises a determination step of inputting a plurality of image data sets that correspond to the plurality of images that are input, and of determining whether or not an image in the partially overlapping image area of each of images that are indicated by the plurality of image data sets includes mainly characters an image processing step of performing, for the plurality of image data sets that are input, image processing in consonance with a result of a determination performed at the determination step and an image synthesization step of synthesizing images that are indicated by the resultant plurality of image data, for which the image processing has been performed at the image processing step. With this arrangement, a plurality of images can be easily and effectively synthesized.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and accurate process for extracting an object from an image, which is used to impose a great load for an operator. According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus comprises an object extracting unit, for performing a predetermined process for image data for a position or an area that is designated and for extracting a specific object from an image, an outline part deciding unit, for selecting and authenticating an arbitrary segment of an outline obtained by the extracting unit, and an outline synthesis unit, for linking and synthesizing together the outline segments that are authenticated. Since a closed curve is formed by synthesizing the outline segments obtained by repeating the above process, and the outline of the object is thus determined, the outline segment that is extracted from the image and matches the correct outline of the object is sequentially selected and authenticated.

Abstract: A control system comprises a plurality of peripheral devices represented as objects, and a controller connectable to the plurality of peripheral devices via a common communication line for unitarily controlling the plurality of peripheral devices. The controller is arranged to be connected to an arbitrary number of peripheral devices selected from among the plurality of peripheral devices, read control information stored in the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line into a predetermined memory area of the controller in a predetermined format so that the controller can control the arbitrary number of peripheral devices. The controller is also arranged to issue a command and transmit the command to each of the arbitrary number of peripheral devices via the communication line.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a network device connected to a network. The control device comprises a communication interface adapted to receive description information of the network device from the network device via the network, and a controller adapted to automatically generate an object for the network device using the description information after the description information is received from the network device. The object is adapted to generate a control panel for controlling the network device.

Abstract: A user photographs an image including an object to be extracted, uses an instruction selection unit or the like to designate an extraction range, and an object extraction circuit performs extraction. The image data of an extracted object area is compressed/encoded, and stored together with photographing conditions into a storage unit. Subsequently, a background image is photographed or inputted. While the background image is displayed, the previously extracted object image is read from the storage unit. To suppress a difference in gradation and hue between the background image and the object image, the gradation and hue of the object image are adjusted, mixing and smoothing with the background image are performed in the vicinity of an object outline, and the object image is overwritten, synthesized, and displayed on the background image. The position and size of the object image are adjusted according to a user's instruction. Synthesized image data is recorded in a recording medium.

Abstract: Provided herein is an image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting image data, which is obtained by digitalizing an image signal that has been converted from light from an object to an electric signal by an image sensor, and performing no compression or lossless compression; image processing parameter input means for inputting a parameter to be employed in image processing on the image data executed by a user; image processing means for performing luminance-related processing or chrominance-related processing on the image data in accordance with the image processing parameter inputted by the image processing parameter input means; and storage means for storing an intermediate result for each of the luminance-related processing and the chrominance-related processing. By virtue of storing the intermediate results, this invention contributes to not only high-speed RAW image data development processing, but also a reduced image processing load and increased processing speed.

Abstract: An electroconductive low thermal expansion ceramic sintered body is disclosed which containing a ?-eucryptite phase in a quantity of not less than 75 vol. % and not more than 99 vol. % and having an absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient of not more than 1.0×10?7/K at a temperature of 0° C. to 50° C., a volumetric specific resistance of not more than 1.0×107 ?·cm, and a specific rigidity of not less than 40 GPa/g/cm3.

Abstract: The invention displays an image that conforms to an editing parameter set by the user and, depending upon the editing parameter requested, shortens the time required for the image to be displayed, thereby enhancing usability. To achieve this, the invention has a processing parameter input unit for inputting an editing-related parameter such as sharpness. If an image data file to be edited is read in from an image file storage unit, photographic condition information within the file is analyzed and the information obtained by analysis is compared with a parameter that has been set. If the two agree, then a display is presented based upon processed image data within the image file. If the two do not agree, then unprocessed image data within the same file is subjected to image processing in accordance with the set parameter and the processed image is displayed.

Abstract: In a print system which has a digital still camera, computer, and printer, it is difficult for a user who is not accustomed to the computer to operate the computer. A direct printer is expensive since the printer itself requires a controller, a digital signal processor for image processes, a module for communicating with the image inputting apparatus, and the like. To combat this problem, an image inputting apparatus transmits a print execution instruction and an image to be printed to an information processing apparatus upon inputting a print request of a sensed image or an image stored in a memory. Upon receiving the print execution instruction and the image to be printed, the information processing apparatus issues a print request of the received image to a connected printer apparatus, and transmits the received image.

Abstract: A graphic representing possible values of attribute data for multimedia data to be stored is displayed and a desired position on the graphic is designated to store the multimedia data and the attribute data. Thus, the registration of the multimedia information is facilitated and the databases is effectively utilized. Multimedia data and attribute data of the multimedia data are stored in a memory and status of the attribute data is displayed in a graphic form, and a desired position on the graphic is designated and the multimedia data is read from the memory in accordance with the designation. Thus, the retrieval of the multimedia data is facilitated and the database is effectively utilized.