Abstract: A CPU divides image data into a plurality of areas (pixel data groups), analyzes the data in image data area units, and determines the color value and dispersion value of the image data areas. When the determined color value is within a flesh toned color area and the dispersion value is at or below a reference dispersion value, the CPU determines the target image data area to be a flesh area. The CPU carries out a smoothing process on the image data area determined to be a flesh area.

Abstract: The technique of the invention accurately detects a pixel defect in an image taken by an imaging device, such as a digital still camera. The image processing flow of the invention maps luminance data to respective pixels of a specified pixel array and computes a difference between the luminance data of each target pixel and an average value of the luminance data of four adjoining pixels on the top, bottom, left, and right of the target pixel. The presence or the absence of any pixel defect is detected according to the computed difference. The luminance data of an identified defective pixel detected as the pixel defect is corrected with the luminance data of adjoining pixels on the top, bottom, left, and right of the identified defective pixel.

Abstract: A CPU 411 divides image data GD into a plurality of areas (pixel data groups), analyzes the data in image data area units, and determines the color value and dispersion value of the image data areas. When the determined color value is within a flesh toned color area and the dispersion value is at or below a reference dispersion value, the CPU 411 determines the target image data area to be a flesh area. The CPU 411 carries out a smoothing process on the image data area determined to be a flesh area.

Abstract: A CPU 231 calculates modified brightness correction amount tCurve_Y with consideration of exposure correction amount (or exposure value) EV if photography information PI (or Exif IFD) is included in image data GF. Specifically, the modified brightness correction amount tCurve_Y is calculated by dividing original brightness correction amount tCurve_Yorg by 2|EV|. Therefore, it decreases in geometrical progression as the exposure correction amount increases. The CPU 231 applies the obtained modified brightness correction amount tCurve_Y to a tone curve to adjust image quality including brightness. More specifically, it uses the modified brightness correction amount tCurve_Y to modify the characteristics of the tone curve, and then uses the modified tone curve to adjust the image quality of the image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus executes color balance correction of an image composed of multiple pixels. The image processing apparatus comprises a representative value calculation unit and a correction processor. The representative value calculation unit calculates, based on signal values of the pixels included in a skin tone area that includes pixels indicating human skin within the image, a representative value representing hue and chroma of the pixels included in the skin tone area. The correction processor executes color balance correction of the image using execution correction amount set based on normal correction amount obtained by multiplying a difference between the representative value and an ideal value designated as a value representing ideal hue and chroma of human skin by a reduction coefficient. The value of the reduction coefficient is set such that the value of the reduction coefficient can vary in response to the representative value.

Abstract: At least either of image data and image generation record information is analyzed to determine an image quality parameter relating to image quality, and an output target decision regarding selection of image data as an output target is performed on the basis of the image quality parameter.

Abstract: Either image data or image generation record information is analyzed to determine an image quality parameter relating to image quality, and an output target decision regarding selection of image data as an output target is performed on the basis of the image quality parameter.

Abstract: An image quality adjuster adjusts luminance values of image data sing the image data generated by an image generating device, and image generation record information associated with the image data containing at least light emission information for a supplemental light source flash at the time of generation of the image data. Specifically, a decision is made based on the light emission information for the supplemental light source as to whether to execute an image quality adjustment process; and if a decision to do so, the image data is adjusted so as to reduce the maximum luminance value, which is the largest possible luminance value the image data may have.

Abstract: A method of processing an image includes processing the image, if a shooting mode is portrait and a face size in the image is larger than a prescribed size. In one instance, the processing includes performing flesh color adjustment processing of the image. In another instance, the processing includes performing tone value adjustment processing of the image. An image processing device includes an image processor that processes an image, if a shooting mode is portrait and a face size in the image is larger than a prescribed size. A printer includes an image processor that processes an image, if a shooting mode is portrait and a face size in the image is larger than a prescribed size, and a print unit that prints the processed image.

Abstract: Picture quality adjustment processing is executed using picture quality adjustment parameter value sets corresponding to a plurality of output modes. First and second image processing modules can execute the same picture quality adjustment, and they can utilize picture quality adjustment parameters in common. If picture quality adjustment is executed by the first image processing module, picture quality adjustment by the second image processing module is prohibited.

Abstract: Picture quality adjustment processing is executed using picture quality adjustment parameter value sets corresponding to a plurality of output modes. First and second image processing modules can execute same picture quality adjustment, and they can utilize picture quality adjustment parameters in common. If picture quality adjustment is executed by the first image processing module, picture quality adjustment by the second image processing module is prohibited.

Abstract: There is provided an output device for outputting an image using image data generated by an image generating device, and image generation record information that is associated with the image data and that includes at least information relating to shooting conditions at the time of generation of the image data, comprising an image quality adjuster that, in the event that the image generation record information contains light source information relating to color shift of a light source at the time of generation of the image data, is able to execute the white balance adjustment process of the image data on the basis of the color of the light source obtained using the light source information; and an image output unit for outputting an image according to the image quality-adjusted image data.

Abstract: A CPU 200 acquires image data of a photographed image, determines a specific subject area containing a specific subject in the photographed image, and calculates a specific subject characteristic value for representing a characteristic of image data corresponding to the determined specific subject area.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a size setting unit and a deformation processing unit. The size setting unit sets the size of a specific subject in the width direction and in the depth direction in a target image generated through imaging. The deformation processing unit deforms an image within an area, which includes an image of the specific subject in the target image, to a deformation degree corresponding to the set size.

Abstract: An image processing method includes acquiring first information that indicates a size of an image of a specific subject in a target image relative to a size of the target image, acquiring second information that indicates a size of the specific subject, acquiring third information with which an angle of view of the target image can be determined, and estimating a subject distance, which is a distance from an image pickup apparatus that has generated the target image to the specific subject on the basis of the first information, the second information and the third information.

Abstract: A CPU 200 acquires image data of a photographed image, determines a specific subject area containing a specific subject in the photographed image, and calculates a specific subject characteristic value for representing a characteristic of image data corresponding to the determined specific subject area. CPU200 calculates a correction value for color balance correction using the calculated specific subject characteristic value and a preset characteristic target value, and executes the color balance correction on the image data using the calculated correction value.

Abstract: Color balance correction value is calculated based on an average pixel value of specific color pixels if an average hue of high luminance pixels is not within a predetermined range in the vicinity of a specific chromatic color (for example, skin color). This calculation may additionally use a specific color pixel ratio as well as the average pixel value of the specific color pixels. On the other hand, if the average hue of high luminance pixels is within the predetermined range in the vicinity of a specific chromatic color (for example, skin color), the color balance correction value is calculated using the average pixel value of the plurality of high luminance pixels, without using the average pixel value of the specific color pixels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, includes: a transforming area setter, operable to set at least a part of an area of a target image as a transforming area; a transforming area divider, operable to arrange a plurality of dividing points in the transforming area and to divide the transforming area into a plurality of small areas by using a line connecting the dividing points; and a transforming processor, operable to move a position of at least one of the dividing points to transform at least one of the small areas, thereby transforming an image in the transforming area.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a deformation processing unit that deforms at least a portion of an area on a target image, which is generated by photographing, based on a distance between a photographic device and a subject of the target image. A deformation amount adjustment unit uses a distance parameter that correlates with the distance between the photographic device and the subject of the target image when photographing to thereby adjust a degree of deformation to increase as a distance indicated by the distance parameter becomes shorter.

Abstract: When an acquired image file GF includes image processing control information GI, a CPU executes image quality adjustment of image data GD in an image processing mode GM specified by the image processing control information GI. When the acquired image file GF does not include the image processing control information GI, on the other hand, the CPU retrieves Exif information and in the case of successful retrieval of the Exif information, selects the image processing mode GM based on the Exif information and executes image quality adjustment of the image data GD in the selected image processing mode GM. In the case where a selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, the selected shooting mode is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM. In the case where no selected shooting mode is described in the Exif information, on the other hand, another shooting condition is used for the selection of the image processing mode GM.