Abstract: When the CPU 411 detects image process control data in the acqureed image file, a color conversion process is executed on the image data using the image process control data. When the CPU 411 cannot detect the image process control data, CPU 411 determines if the image file includes an ICC profile. When an ICC profile is detected, a color conversion process is executed on the image data using the ICC profile. When the CPU 411 cannot detect the image process control data or ICC profile, CPU 411 determines if the image file includes shooting information. When shooting information is detected, a color conversion process is executed on the image data using the shooting information.

Abstract: Image processing control information GI/shooting information SI associated with the obtained image data GD is obtained by an image processing control information GI/shooting information SI obtaining module M2. The obtained image processing control information GI/shooting information SI is modified in accordance with the image output apparatus by an image processing control information GI/shooting information SI modification module M3 using modification information obtained by a modification information obtaining module M4. Correction amounts determined using the results of analysis by a correction amount determining module are changed to reflect the modified image processing control information GI/shooting information SI by a correction amount changing module M8. Image processing of the image data GD is executed by an image processing module M5 using the changed correction amounts.

Abstract: The image output device performs image processing using image data produced by an image producing device, and image production record information which includes at least information relating to the shooting conditions at the time of production of the image data, and which is associated with the image data. This output device outputs the image following processing. The image output device comprises an image quality adjuster and an output unit. The image quality adjuster determines a size parameter value that relates to the size of the subject in the image based on either the image data or the image production record information, or both, and performs color balance adjustment processing of the image data based on the size parameter value.

Abstract: A brightness conversion equation for producing monotone image data from color image data is adjusted based on color distribution information relating to color bias of the color image data, or operating mode information associated with the color image data. The adjusted brightness conversion equation is used to convert pixel values of the color image data into pixel values representing pixel brightness in monotone image data.

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: A technology for correcting deterioration in image quality due to the optical system without additional information other than that contained in an image data file is provided. The image data file GF includes image data GD generated by a digital camera and picture-taking condition information obtained during generation of the image data GD. The picture-taking condition information contains optical system setting information indicating the setting parameters of the optical system of the digital camera at the time of generation of the image data GD. The image processing apparatus that processes the image data GD in accordance with the contents of the image data file GF includes an image adjustment unit that adjusts the image quality of the image data GD based on this optical system setting information.

Abstract: Provided is color printing technology capable of accommodating variation(s) in printer color space(s). User(s) may place test pattern printout(s) 336 and test pattern master sheet(s) 337 next to each other on platen(s) of image scanner(s) 338, and may cause image scanner(s) 338 to scan such printout(s) 336 and master sheet(s) 337 in a single image scanning run. Captured image data output from image scanner(s) 338 may be acquired by print server machine(s) 2 and may be uploaded to center server machine(s) 8.

Abstract: In case where photo information PI (Exif IFD) is included in image data GF, a CPU calculates a modified contrast correction amount tCurve_cont and a modified brightness value correction amount tCurve_Y, in consideration of an exposure correction amount (a light exposure) EV. The CPU applies the obtained modified contrast correction amount tCurve_cont and the modified brightness value correction amount tCurve_Y to a tone curve, and executes an adjustment of image quality including contrast and brightness value. In other words, the CPU modifies characteristics of the tone curve by using the modified contrast correction amount tCurve_cont and the modified brightness value correction amount tCurve_Y, and adjusts the image quality of the image data by applying the modified tone curve to the image data GD.

Abstract: A first image processing device executes brightness value adjustment of image data generated by an image generator, using at least either of: image generation record information that is associated with the image data and that includes at least flash information for a supplementary light source at the time of generation of the image data, and the size of an area of linked pixels having brightness above a first predetermined brightness value in the image data is larger than a predetermined threshold value. A second image processing device, when a judgment that the size of an area of linked pixels having brightness above a first predetermined brightness value in image data generated by an image generator is larger than a predetermined threshold value is realized, executes image quality adjustment processing to adjust the image data such that variation in brightness value is minimized in the highest value range within an entire possible range for brightness value represented by the image data.

Abstract: The image processing device processes an image file that include image data generated by a flash-enabled image generating device. The image file includes flash use information that indicates whether or not the flash unit emitted light and return information that indicates whether or not, when light was emitted from the flash, such light was reflected back to the image generating device. Where the flash use information indicates that the flash unit emitted light and the return information indicates that the emitted light was not reflected back to the image generating device, the image data is corrected to a first brightness value that is brighter than the value used when the return information indicates that the emitted light was returned to the image generating device.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is an image file selection method of selecting multiple image files available for composing a panoramic image from a plurality of image files including image data and image attribute information which includes positional information representing a geographical position at a time of photographing. The method includes the steps of: (a) reading out the positional information from each of the plurality of image files; and (b) selecting multiple image files photographed at geographical positions within a predetermined distance as the multiple image files available for composing the panoramic image based on the positional information.

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.