Abstract: The image searching method extracts or recognizes specific information for an image that exists in the image and/or accompanies it, allows either the specific information itself or related information thereof to be appendant to image data for the image, stores the image data as well as either information appendant to the image data as accessory information in a database, designates at least a portion of the accessory information as a searching condition, searches through the database under the designated searching condition, determines a degree of agreement with the accessory information appendant to a selected image data and reads an image having the degree of agreement not lower than a predetermined value. The image processing method utilizes the image searching method. These methods are capable of efficient image detection or search using as a key specific information such as the shape of subjects.

Abstract: Method and device for extracting a specified image subject including an extracting condition of an extracting algorithm of a subsequent stage so as to be adapted to an extraction result by the extracting algorithm of a precedent stage, when specified image subject extracting algorithms are successively implemented. At the time of performing the specified image subject extracting algorithms in each stage by parallel processing, the method and device manage extraction states of each step and qualify extraction processing conditions in the subsequent stage in accordance with the extraction states in the precedent stages. The method and device perform a vote in an N-dimensional space of image characteristic quantity for each extraction area by the specified image subject extracting algorithm and then perform weighting of degree of certainty as the specified image subject based on an aggregation value of the vote within a section area for aggregation in the N-dimensional space.

Abstract: The image processing system identifies a subject person corresponding to accompanying information based on consistency between the accompanying information and subject information and carries out image composition associating the accompanying information with a position of the subject person in a corresponding photographed image. The ordering system includes a first information apparatus having an image displaying unit and a second information apparatus capable of transmitting order data at optional timing desired by a customer to the first information apparatus with respect to an image displayed on the image displaying unit. The first information apparatus adds predetermined data relating to the displayed image corresponding to the optional timing to the order data to prepare goods order data and transmits the goods order data to a third information apparatus in a predetermined destination of transmission.

Abstract: The image processing system identifies a subject person corresponding to accompanying information based on consistency between the accompanying information and subject information and carries out image composition associating the accompanying information with a position of the subject person in a corresponding photographed image. The ordering system includes a first information apparatus having an image displaying unit and a second information apparatus capable of transmitting order data at optional timing desired by a customer to the first information apparatus with respect to an image displayed on the image displaying unit. The first information apparatus adds predetermined data relating to the displayed image corresponding to the optional timing to the order data to prepare goods order data and transmits the goods order data to a third information apparatus in a predetermined destination of transmission.

Abstract: An image of a picture frame photographed on a photo film is displayed on a screen of an image input device, or is printed out as a hard copy. A graphic image is written by a user in the image of the picture frame, and graphic data of the graphic image is detected from the image of the picture frame having the graphic image written therein. The graphic data is associated with the picture frame, and is transferred from the user to a photofinisher through electronic transmission, or is recorded on a data recording medium which is forwarded to the photofinisher along with the photo film. A synthetic print containing the picture frame and the graphic image is made from the picture frame and the graphic data.

Abstract: In a sightseeing location, theme park or the like, a cameraman takes a picture with any customer as a subject. Photographic image data is stored, together with a photographing date/time and location, to an HDD of an order processing apparatus. A position information service center periodically transmits a position of a cellular phone carried by each customer to the order processing apparatus. The transmitted information, together with a date/time, is stored in the HDD as each customer's movement history. In case an image order is requested by a customer through an order receiving terminal or the like, the order processing apparatus collates a movement history of the corresponding customer with each photographing date/time and location of the photographic image data, and extracts only images having that customer as a subject to be list-displayed on a display.

Abstract: The image display apparatus includes an image data acquiring section for acquiring image data, an image display section having a plurality of substantially sheet-like image display mediums bundled and integrated for displaying images by using the obtained image data, an image display mode setting device for setting an image display mode in displaying an image on an image display screen of each of the plurality of image display mediums and an image display adjusting section for adjusting a display image according to the set image display. The image display method bundles and integrates a plurality of substantially sheet-like image display mediums for displaying images by using image data and sets an image display mode indicative of a display mode of an image on each of the image display mediums. The apparatus and method make it possible to comfortably appreciate the digital images with ease.

Abstract: The image display method displays image information to be viewed by a person on display screens of a plurality of display apparatuses, is capable of setting a mode of display as a registrable mode which includes combination of at least two selectable items selected from the group consisting of presence or absence of need for tracking display, presence or absence of need for continued display, presence or absence of need for identification of the person, and setting of a stop condition and controls the display of the image information on the display screens of the plurality of display apparatuses in accordance with the setting of the registrable mode.

Abstract: The image processing system identifies a subject person corresponding to accompanying information based on consistency between the accompanying information and subject information and carries out image composition associating the accompanying information with a position of the subject person in a corresponding photographed image. The ordering system includes a first information apparatus having an image displaying unit and a second information apparatus capable of transmitting order data at optional timing desired by a customer to the first information apparatus with respect to an image displayed on the image displaying unit. The first information apparatus adds predetermined data relating to the displayed image corresponding to the optional timing to the order data to prepare goods order data and transmits the goods order data to a third information apparatus in a predetermined destination of transmission.

Abstract: An image of a picture frame photographed on a photo film is displayed on a screen of an image input device, or is printed out as a hard copy. A graphic image is written by a user in the image of the picture frame, and graphic data of the graphic image is detected from the image of the picture frame having the graphic image written therein. The graphic data is associated with the picture frame, and is transferred from the user to a photofinisher through electronic transmission, or is recorded on a data recording medium which is forwarded to the photofinisher along with the photo film. A synthetic print containing the picture frame and the graphic image is made from the picture frame and the graphic data.

Abstract: The image display apparatus includes an mage data acquiring section for acquiring image data, an image display section having a plurality of substantially sheet-like image display mediums bundled and integrated for displaying images by using the obtained image data, an image display mode setting device for setting an image display mode in displaying an image on an image display screen of each of the plurality of image display mediums and an image display adjusting section for adjusting a display image according to the set image display. The image display method bundles and integrates a plurality of substantially sheet-like image display mediums for displaying images by using image data and sets an image display mode indicative of a display mode of an image on each of the image display mediums.

Abstract: The message recording unit and method identify an article or specify a predetermined position in a content recording medium, input related information corresponding to the article or the predetermined position and record as message information the article and the related information or position information indicating the predetermined position and the related information or an access destination of the related information in correspondence to each other into a storage. The message reproducing unit and method identify the article or reference the content recording medium, search the storage for the message information corresponding to the article or the predetermined position, and read and output the detected message information. The message recording/reproducing method includes the message recording method and the message reproducing method.

Abstract: The registering method and apparatus read out contents associated with a modification pattern modifying a transmission image to be displayed on a second image display unit of a second communication device when a first communication device including a first image display unit of a first person in communication is communicating with the second communication device of a second person in communication through a relay center, copy the modification pattern from the contents, and register the modification pattern in such a manner that the first person in communication or the first communication device is capable of using the modification pattern. The reproducing method and apparatus reproduce the registered modification pattern.

Abstract: The digital camera includes an image pickup unit, an image storing unit, an image display unit, a reference image designating unit with which one or more of at least partial areas of an image to be referenced for image compositing are designated as a reference image area and an image compositing unit which produces a composite image such that a reference image within the reference image area is displayed as superposed on an image being presently photographed. The image processing method attaches first identification information to one or more of at least partial areas of the specified image and designated area information upon photographing, attaches second identification information to an image in an shooting frame to be composited with the reference image and prepares image data for a composite image obtained by compositing the image with the reference image based on the first and second identification information as well as the designated area information.

Abstract: In a fine photo mode, a camera photographs a series of frames from the same scene upon one depression of a release button, and records data of correlation between the frames of the same scene in association with the series of frames. When a printer reads the correlation data, the printer composes a high definition image from image data of the series of frames, and make a print of the high definition image. A literal photo mode may be selected for a scene containing a literal image. The camera records data representative of the literal photo mode in association with the frame taken in the literal photo mode, so the printer processes image data to improve sharpness and resolution of the literal image of the frame, and makes a hard copy of the literal image from the processed image data.

Abstract: The image reproducing method and apparatus capture photographing information in association with the photographed image, obtain supplementary information relating to at least one of the captured photographing information and add the obtained supplementary information to a visible image reproducing the photographing image on a photographic print or a display screen. The image processing method and apparatus determine similarity between respective photographing frame and subject the image data of a plurality of similar frames to similar image processing so that the qualities of the image reproduced from the plurality of the similar frames are made identical. As a result, when user sees the visible image reproduced on the photographic print or the display screen, the user can review the time of photographing. The function of the photographic print or the displayed image is enhanced.

Abstract: The image processing method and apparatus capture image data of a photographing scene in which a subject is photographed with a camera, as well as, capture camera information acquired or input in the camera when the subject is photographed, further optionally obtain related information related to the photographing scene, assume the photographing scene by at least one of the camera information and the related information or by a combination with the digital image data and at least one of these information and subject preset image processing depending on the assumed photographing scene. The image processing method and apparatus are capable of obtaining a high quality image such as a high image quality print by assuming a photographing scene and executing optimal gradation control, restoration processing and image quality improvement depending on the assumed photographing scene.

Abstract: The image processing method applies image processing to an inputted image data. The method registers predetermined image processing conditions for each specific person in advance, extracts a person in the inputted image data, identifies the extracted person to find if the extracted person is the specific person and selects image processing conditions corresponding to the identified specific person to perform the image processing based on the selected image processing conditions. Amusement aspect in photography and image representation can be enhanced, and even inexperienced or unskilled persons in personal computer or image processing software can correct images.

Abstract: Each crest-shape distribution region is sectioned in accordance with a value of a color obtained from extracted elements such as hue, saturation and lightness. A characteristic amount at each of a plurality of positions of an image including a designated eye is calculated, on the basis of values of obtained characteristic amounts, an image of a pupil portion is extracted, and red-eye correction processing is carried out.

Abstract: The image processing method applies image processing to an inputted image data. The method registers predetermined image processing conditions for each specific person in advance, extracts a person in the inputted image data, identifies the extracted person to find if the extracted person is the specific person and selects image processing conditions corresponding to the identified specific person to perform the image processing based on the selected image processing conditions. Amusement aspect in photography and image representation can be enhanced, and even inexperienced or unskilled persons in personal computer or image processing software can correct images.