Abstract: To provide an image processing apparatus in which even in case of a laterally-wide or vertically-long image, the user can easily and certainly recognize the image by its thumbnail display, there is disclosed an image processing apparatus constructed in such a manner that when a reduced image (thumbnail image) is generated from a plurality of images by image management list display software, an aspect ratio of a target image is examined, and when it is determined that the aspect ratio is larger than a predetermined value and the target image is sufficiently laterally wide or vertically long, the thumbnail image is not generated merely by reducing the whole target image but, as a thumbnail image, it is fixed so as to become a thumbnail image of a predetermined aspect ratio, and a thumbnail image of only a mid section excluding end sections of the target image is generated.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image combining apparatus for generating a single image by combining a plurality of sensed images. When the panoramic image sensing mode is set, the image sensing angle is detected, and is stored together with a plurality of sensed image obtained in the panoramic image sensing mode. Upon combining the plurality of sensed images, a combining method is adaptively selected on the basis of the angle information.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image extraction method for extracting, from a subject image that records both the background and the object to be extracted, image data of the object using a mask. An initial mask used for extracting the subject region is generated on the basis of difference data between the subject image and the background image that records the background alone, the region of the initial mask is grown on the basis of the similarity between the features of a first region and its neighboring second region in the subject image corresponding to the initial mask, and the image data of the object is extracted from the first image on the basis of the grown mask region.

Abstract: An image synthesizing method for synthesizing a plurality of images partially overlapping with each other, having the steps of inputting a plurality of image data each corresponding to a plurality of images, extracting a matching point of duplicate areas of desired two images partially overlapping with each other among a plurality of images of the plurality of input image data, and sequentially detecting a position relationship between two images in accordance with the extracted matching point, detecting the position relationships of all images in accordance with the position relationship between two images sequentially detected by the position relationship detecting step, and synthesizing the images of the plurality of input image data in accordance with the position relationships of all images detected by the all image position relationship detecting step to form a synthesized image.

Abstract: There is provided an image combining apparatus comprising an image input unit for entering photographed images, an image memory for temporarily storing the entered images, a corresponding point extracting unit for extracting the corresponding point information between the images stored in the image memory, a photographing method discriminating unit for discriminating the photographing method at the photographing operation based on the extracted corresponding point information, a combination process unit for appropriately combining the images according to the discriminated photographing method, and a combined image memory for storing the combined image. The corresponding point extraction unit extracts the corresponding points between two images, and the photographing method discrimination unit discriminates whether the translational photographing method or the panning photographing method is used. The combination process unit executes combination of the images, based on the discriminated photographing method.

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: There is disclosed an image extraction method for extracting, from a subject image that records both the background and the object to be extracted, image data of the object using a mask. An initial mask used for extracting the subject region is generated on the basis of difference data between the subject image and the background image that records the background alone, the region of the initial mask is grown on the basis of the similarity between the features of a first region and its neighboring second region in the subject image corresponding to the initial mask, and the image data of the object is extracted from the first image on the basis of the grown mask region.

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: In order to simplify the user's operation when receiving images from an image input device, when reception of images stored in a digital camera have been selected by the user from a dialog displayed on a display, the user is directed to select the type of images to be received, by displaying a dialog for selecting the type of images. Furthermore, by displaying a dialog for directing the user to select how the received images are to be processed, the user is directed to select contents of subsequent processing.

Abstract: There is provided an image combining apparatus comprising an image input unit for entering photographed images, an image memory for temporarily storing the entered images, a corresponding point extracting unit for extracting the corresponding point information between the images stored in the image memory, a photographing method discriminating unit for discriminating the photographing method at the photographing operation based on the extracted corresponding point information, a combination process unit for appropriately combining the images according to the discriminated photographing method, and a combined image memory for storing the combined image. The corresponding point extraction unit extracts the corresponding points between two images, and the photographing method discrimination unit discriminates whether the translational photographing method or the panning photographing method is used. The combination process unit executes combination of the images, based on the discriminated photographing method.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image combining apparatus for generating a single image by combining a plurality of sensed images. When the panoramic image sensing mode is set, the image sensing angle is detected, and is stored together with a plurality of sensed image obtained in the panoramic image sensing mode. Upon combining the plurality of sensed images, a combining method is adaptively selected on the basis of the angle information.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image synthesis apparatus and an image synthesis method. According to the present invention, an image synthesis apparatus, for synthesizing a plurality of images to generate a synthesis image, selects for an image synthesis unit two or more images from among a plurality of images, and stores image information for the selected images, employs the stored image information to generate coordinate transformation parameters that are used to set a positional relationship for the selected images before these images are synthesized to obtain a single image, changes the generated coordinate transformation parameters by using as a reference a position location for an arbitrary image selected from among the plurality of images, provides the resultant coordinate transformation parameters as image synthesis information, and synthesizes the images in accordance with the image synthesis information.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image combining apparatus for generating a single image by combining a plurality of sensed images. When the panoramic image sensing mode is set, the image sensing angle is detected, and is stored together with a plurality of sensed image obtained in the panoramic image sensing mode. Upon combining the plurality of sensed images, a combining method is adaptively selected on the basis of the angle information.

Abstract: It is difficult to appropriately select only a favorite image in a list display screen of small images such as a thumb nail image. There is disclosed an image processing apparatus comprising: an indicator for indicating a reduced image to be subjected to a specific image processing among displayed reduced images; a second display controller for displaying an image in a size larger than the size of the reduced image indicated by the indicator; and an executor for executing the specific image processing on the stored image after the second display controller displays the image in the size larger than the size of the reduced image.

Abstract: The present invention provides display that permits a user to grasp time more intuitively. Data associated with respective dates is retrieved and displayed, each set of data being displayed in a display screen that is displayed smaller than that for preceding data in the series (in any temporal direction). Each set of data is displayed inside the preceding set with a smaller display area. Also, a display area may be divided into an area where icons representing data items belonging to one level are displayed, and an area where child levels are displayed. As hierarchical depth increases, the data icons are made smaller and simpler. The hierarchical structure of a file system or database can be displayed as a Venn diagram. Data items belonging to child levels are displayed as reduced images instead of being hidden. A cutout form and image are registered mutually and independently.

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.

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. Multimedia data and attribute data of the multimedia data are stored in a memory, status of the attribute data is displayed in a graphic form, a desired position on the graphic is designated, and the multimedia data is read form the memory in accordance with the designation.

Abstract: To provide an image processing apparatus in which even in case of a laterally-wide or vertically-long image, the user can easily and certainly recognize the image by its thumbnail display, there is disclosed an image processing apparatus constructed in such a manner that when a reduced image (thumbnail image) is generated from a plurality of images by image management list display software, an aspect ratio of a target image is examined, and when it is determined that the aspect ratio is larger than a predetermined value and the target image is sufficiently laterally wide or vertically long, the thumbnail image is not generated merely by reducing the whole target image but, as a thumbnail image, it is fixed so as to become a thumbnail image of a predetermined aspect ratio, and a thumbnail image of only a mid section excluding end sections of the target image is generated.

Abstract: An image synthesizing system comprising a digital camera and a personal computer. When a first image is picked up by the camera, the personal computer takes the image sensed by the camera and a reduced image of the picked-up image. While the camera is moving, the camera sequentially sends reduced images to the personal computer, and the personal computer inputs the reduced images. The personal computer determines whether an image which is currently sensed by the camera is suitable for being synthesized into a panoramic image or not on the basis of an overlapping area between the first reduced image and a current reduced image, and a determined result is notified to a user.