Abstract: The red eye compensation method and the image processing apparatus are used to read out image data for outputting or corresponding original image data from among previously stored image data, subject the image data to red eye compensation and regenerates the image data for outputting. In the image processing method, a verification screen is used to designate a red eye frame and display a result of red eye compensation for confirmation. The other red eye compensation method, the other image processing method, a printing method and a printer are used to judge whether there is a possibility that image quality deterioration such as red eye occurs based on photographing information prior to compensating for specified deterioration in image quality such as red eye.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including an image processing unit for executing image processing based on image data of an image; a region extracting unit for extracting a main subject region corresponding to a main subject in said image for the image processing; and an image display unit for displaying the image in enlargement with the main subject region disposed at a center of image. There is also provided an image processing method for executing image processing based on image data of an image, comprising steps of: extracting a main subject region corresponding to a main subject in the image for the image processing; and displaying the image in enlargement with the main subject region disposed at a center of image The apparatus and the method as above allow the correction of a red-eye color, the trimming processing, and the freckle and wrinkle removing processing, all based on image data, to be easily confirmed and inspected in a short time.

Abstract: The data retrieval method causes image processing information used to perform an image processing operation on an image and data for retrieval used for specifying the image to correspond to each other so as to register them in advance in a database as image processing-related data, with the image processing-related data being registered every time one of a plurality of image processing operations is performed on the image, performs retrieval within the database using the data for retrieval when reprocessing is to be performed on the image and specifies as candidate data for performing reprocessing on the image, image processing-related data registered most lately among image processing-related data that concern a plurality of image processing operations performed on the image and have been registered in the database.

Abstract: The red eye detecting and correcting method detects red eye that occurred in an image during photographing and correcting the thus detected red eye to a specified color of pupil. Parameters employed in red eye detection and correction are altered in accordance with at least one of conditions as follows: type of the image, a camera model with which the image was recorded, a processing space for image data on the image, image processing steps to which the image is to be subjected before red eye detection and correction, format of the image, and scan condition.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing section that performs a predetermined image processing on the image; a first performance information acquiring section that acquires a first performance information including information regarding a time for which the image processing section performs the predetermined image processing on the image; a second performance information acquiring section that acquires a second performance information including information regarding a time for which any image processing apparatus other than the image processing apparatus performs the predetermined image processing on the image; a performance comparison section that compares the first performance information acquired by the first performance information acquiring section with the second performance information acquired by the second performance information acquiring section; a processing apparatus selecting section that selects which of the image processing section of the image processing apparatus or the o

Abstract: A certification photograph creation system includes a certification photograph taking apparatus, an image input apparatus to input a photographed image, an image processing apparatus and a printer to output an image that has been subjected to the image processing as a certification photograph. The certification photograph taking apparatus includes an input device to input an identification code that indicates a use of a print and optionally a print size. The image taking apparatus, the image processing apparatus and the certification photograph creation system are capable of simplifying the processes of taking and/or creating the certification photograph.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image retouching method including the steps of: detecting a local defect in an original image and distinguishing the type of the defect on the basis of image data representing the original image; displaying the defect detected at the detecting step with a mark corresponding to the type of the defect and receiving a correction to an inaccuracy in the detection of the defect displayed; and retouching the image data representing the original image according to the type of the defect of which any detection inaccuracy is corrected.

Abstract: The digital image shooting device is composed of an image forming lens, an image sensor element, a data processing unit for processing an output signal from the image sensor element into digital image data, an image memory for storing the digital image data; and a lens characteristic correction unit for performing a process of correcting a deterioration of an image quality derived from the image forming lens upon the digital image data by using a lens characteristic of the image forming lens and a position of a frame image photographed. The digital image shooting device is capable of obtaining the image quality which is high enough for the utilization even by using the comparatively low-price lens which does not exhibit a high performance.

Abstract: The image processing method and apparatus perform image processing on acquired image data. The method and apparatus detect a face from an image represented by the acquired image data and/or executing scene identification of the image, modify processing conditions for special processing to be performed in accordance with results of face detection and/or the scene identification, perform automatically predetermined common image processing on the image data and perform the special processing on the image data based on the modified processing conditions for the special processing. The special processing is different from the predetermined common image processing and image processing to be executed in accordance with designation from an external. The image processing program executes the above image processing method on a computer.

Abstract: A card reader loads thumbnail image data from a memory card. Plural thumbnail images are arranged in a matrix, and displayed as an index image on an image selection screen. The thumbnail image to be printed is selected on the image selection screen. The card reader loads principal image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image and its accompanying information from the memory card. An image processor applies various image processing, such as gradation correction, over the principal image data. A principal image is printed on a front surface of a photographic paper and the index image is printed on a rear surface of the same.

Abstract: An order processing apparatus is combined with a photographic printer, and processes an order of printing according to image data. Size reduced images are produced according to the image data. The size reduced images are displayed in a predetermined arrangement. A search query is entered. Retrieval information of the image data recorded in a storage medium is referred to according to the search query. Image data are selectively retrieved according to the search query among the image data. A size reduced image is displayed in association with the retrieved image data. Image data for use in printing is designated according to the displayed size reduced image. Furthermore, scene information of an image is entered. The image data are analyzed according to the scene information, so image data associated with a scene of the scene information are selectively retrieved.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes a detection device which detects an improper image portion of image information, a correction device which corrects the improper image portion, a display device which displays an image whose improper image portion has been corrected by the correction device and an instruction device which instructs to re-correct the improper image portion using the image displayed on the display device.

Abstract: The image retrieving method causes image processing information concerning image processing performed on an image to be output as a processed image and data for retrieval for the image to correspond to each other and registers them in the database in advance for each of images in an order corresponding to that of arrangement of frames of a film, and further registers the data for retrieval even for unprocessed images in the database in the order. The method, upon reprocessing, reads from the film a plurality of images including an image to be reprocessed, calculates data for retrieval for the plurality of images thus input, and retrieves the image processing information for the image to be reprocessed from the database using the data for retrieval for the image to be reprocessed and for an image in at least one of frames adjacent to the image to be reprocessed on the film.

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: In a print production system, when urgent finishing, in which print production is performed preferentially, is selected with a print order receiver having an urgent finishing selection function, information showing that the urgent finishing has been selected is given to order information and is outputted to an image forming apparatus together with the order information and the image forming apparatus outputs prints so that it is possible to identify that the prints correspond to the urgent finishing. A print order receiver includes a device, which computes a reception time for a placed print order from the contents of the print order, a print order status, and a printer status, and displays the reception time on a display. With an image forming apparatus and method, prints and a print pack are produced so that a print of a selected image is placed on the top of the print pack.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming method for outputting photographic prints. The image forming method includes the steps of: generating product images by performing a first image processing and a second image processing on all of images in one lot that are optically photographed; selecting at least one target image from among the images in the one lot; and outputting the product images and an unprocessed image obtained by performing only the first image processing on the target image. When images have been outputted by carrying out high-grade image processing, it becomes possible to make a customer who has ordered the images notice and recognize that the images have been outputted by carrying out the high-grade image processing.

Abstract: A method of forming an image by performing image processing on each of optically photographed images that belong to one group is provided. The method comprises the steps of: performing the first image processing and then the second image processing on a specific image out of all the images in one group to create a processed image; storing, in a given memory, at least one image including the specific image out of all the images in one group as an unprocessed image on which at least the second image processing has not been performed; and reading the specific image stored as the unprocessed image in the memory to output, along with the processed image, a half-processed specific image which is obtained by performing the first image processing but not the second image processing on the specific image. Specifically, the half-processed specific image is stored in the memory as an unprocessed image.

Abstract: A printer, including: an acquisition unit acquiring image data; a display device displaying a finish prediction image of the image data; an adjustment part adjusting the finish prediction image; an image processing part that generates image data for output by executing image processing in which adjustment by said adjustment part is reflected on the image data; a back print information edit-and-output part that generates first back print information containing information of adjustment by said adjustment part and second back print information corresponding to image processing by said image processing part, and edits the first and second back print information to output it as back print recording information; an image forming unit that reproduces a visible image on a recording medium according to the image data for output; and a back printer performing back printing corresponding to the back print recording information on a back surface of the recording medium.

Abstract: The method sets a region to be subjected to red eye correction for red eye designation when a red eye in an image that has been produced in shooting is corrected into an eye having a pupil of a specified color. This setting method automatically extracts only the red eye from a first region including the red eye which has preliminarily been designated by an operator or automatically and sets a second region to be subjected to red eye correction for correcting a color of the pupil into the specified color of the pupil. If only the red eye can not automatically be extracted, the setting method sets the second region by designating only the red eye by the operator manually. The red eye correcting method converts the second region thus set by the above setting method into the eye having the pupil of said specified color to correct the red eye.

Abstract: In a system for providing a service to members of a group, a more complex form of the group can be flexibly and appropriately dealt with, and the service that is more convenient for the group can be provided. A group management database stores a group property, thereby a quantity of prints printed by a laboratory and information provided by a terminal can be determined based on the group property and the number of the members, for example. Furthermore, the group can be changed. In addition, security of image search can be set for the group by using the terminal. One of the members in charge of payment is registered for the group so that the member can collectively pay for the group.