Abstract: An image processing system for properly correcting brightness of a subject area and a background area of a captured image. The image processing system includes an image capturing apparatus, including: an image capturing instruction unit for generating a first instruction signal and a second instruction signal for instructing a capturing of the subject; and an image pick-up unit for capturing a first image of the subject in response to the first instruction signal, and a second image of the subject in response to the second instruction signal. The image processing system also includes an image processing apparatus, including: a backlight status detector for detecting backlight status based on the first image and the second image; and a correction unit for correcting the second image when the backlight status detector detects the backlight status.

Abstract: CCD-RAW data obtained by sensing the image of a subject is applied to a first noise reduction circuit via a offset correction circuit, a gain correction circuit, a linear matrix circuit and a gamma correction circuit. Uncorrelated noise is removed from the CCD-RAW data in the first noise reduction circuit. The CCD-RAW data is subjected to synchronization (color interpolation) in the synchronization processing circuit, and luminance data Y and color difference data C is generated by an RGB-YC conversion circuit. The generated luminance data Y and generated color difference data C is subjected to noise reduction processing on a per-frequency-component basis in the second noise reduction circuit. Suitable noise reduction processing conforming to the state of image data before and after synchronization processing is executed.

Abstract: Noise reduction processing in accordance with frequency band is executed. To accomplish this, a image data dividing circuit divides image data into image data having frequencies in a low-frequency region, image data having frequencies in a low- to intermediate frequency region and image data having frequencies in a low- to high-frequency region. These items of image data thus divided on a frequency-band basis are input to respective ones of noise reduction circuits that have been set to respective ones of parameters suited to noise reduction of image data having frequencies in the low-, low- to intermediate and low- to high-frequency regions, respectively. The items of image data that have thus undergone noise reduction processing conforming to frequency band are input to an image data combining circuit. The latter combines the image data so as to obtain image data representing one frame of an image.

Abstract: Image data can be corrected in the same manner as by retouching work using a photograph finishing system in a laboratory. Sub-image data generating means generates sub-image data representing density information or the like of an original image from main image data representing the original image. The sub-image data are displayed on a monitor as a sub-image, and an operator carries out correction using input means while viewing the sub-image. In this manner, corrected sub-image data are obtained by retouching means. Correction means corrects the main image data based on the corrected sub-image data, and processed image data are obtained. The processed image data are reproduced as a printed image by a printer.

Abstract: A CCD including primary photosensitive pixels that have a narrower dynamic range and secondary photosensitive pixels that have a wider dynamic range is used to obtain first image information from the primary photosensitive pixels and second image information from the secondary photosensitive pixels at one exposure, then the first image information and the second image information are stored as two separate files having names associated with each other. A user can select through a predetermined user interface whether or not the second image information should be stored and a dynamic range for the second image information. The dynamic range information for the second image information is stored in the file of the first image information and/or the header of the file of the second image information.

Abstract: Providing a digital camera capable of transmitting information on the compression of dynamic range to a printer while it is being transparent to the user whether the image data has been recorded in a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: An image combined high sensitivity image and low sensitivity image is provided with well-adjusted white balance and broad dynamic range. The image is obtained by multiplying the combined data by total gain that depends on scene. A white balance is adjusted with gain value calculated from of high output image data. Lv value representing luminance is calculated and compared with a threshold to decide whether or not the high sensitivity image and the low sensitivity image should be combined. First gamma correction unit performs gamma-correction for the image signal derived from the high sensitivity signal with first gamma character, second gamma correction unit performs gamma-correction for the image signal derived from the low sensitivity signal with second gamma character that is different from the first gamma character, and addition unit combines the image signal from the first gamma correction unit and the image signal from the second gamma correction unit.

Abstract: A received light quantity detection device where high-sensitivity pixels and low-sensitivity pixels are formed is used for photometry. It is possible to perform measurement over the low range (for example, 0[EV] through 8[EV]with a single occasion of photometry. In the case that both the high-sensitivity pixels and the low-sensitivity pixels are saturated, it is possible to perform further measurement over the high range (for example, 8[EV] through 16[EV]) by narrowing the aperture or increasing the electronic shutter speed for retried photometry with a retried photometry. This reduces the time required to calculate a correct exposure value on image pickup apparatus such as a camera.

Abstract: When carrying out an image processing on given digital image data, an image confirmation system having functions of setting a condition of image processing which is to be carried out on the given digital image data according to a desired finish, displaying a visible image on the basis the digital image data processed according to the set image processing condition so that whether the processed digital image data actually produces a picture of the desired finish can be confirmed through the visible image displayed, and obtaining desired image processing condition information representing the image processing condition which has been confirmed to be suitable for producing a picture of the desired finish is used to take in the digital image data and the desired image processing condition information. Image processing is carried out on the digital image data according to the image processing condition represented by the desired image processing condition information.

Abstract: When carrying out an image processing on given digital image data, an image confirmation system having functions of setting a condition of image processing which is to be carried out on the given digital image data according to a desired finish, displaying a visible image on the basis the digital image data processed according to the set image processing condition so that whether the processed digital image data actually produces a picture of the desired finish can be confirmed through the visible image displayed, and obtaining desired image processing condition information representing the image processing condition which has been confirmed to be suitable for producing a picture of the desired finish is used to take in the digital image data and the desired image processing condition information. Image processing is carried out on the digital image data according to the image processing condition represented by the desired image processing condition information.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a subject; has: an image pick-up unit for acquiring the image; and a noise reduction unit which removes a frequency component of a color difference signal of the image corresponding to a frequency component of a luminance signal based on the frequency component of the luminance signal of the image.

Abstract: An image processing system for properly correcting brightness of a subject area and a background area of a captured image. The image processing system includes an image capturing apparatus, including: an image capturing instruction unit for generating a first instruction signal and a second instruction signal for instructing a capturing of the subject; and an image pick-up unit for capturing a first image of the subject in response to the first instruction signal, and a second image of the subject in response to the second instruction signal. The image processing system also includes an image processing apparatus, including: a backlight status detector for detecting backlight status based on the first image and the second image; and a correction unit for correcting the second image when the backlight status detector detects the backlight status.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for acquiring images having high dynamic range. The image capturing apparatus includes CCD consisting of a first photo detector for detecting light from central area of a subject, a second photo detector for detecting light from marginal area of the subject, a photometry sensor for measuring brightness of the central and the marginal areas of the subject, and a sensitivity control unit for controlling sensitivity of the first photo detector based on the brightness of the central area measured by the photometry sensor and controlling sensitivity of the second photo detector based on the brightness of the marginal area measured by the photometry sensor.

Abstract: An image processing system which appropriately performs image processing on an image picturized by an image pick-up apparatus. The image processing system includes an image pick-up apparatus and an image processing apparatus. The image pick-up apparatus includes an image pick-up unit which picturizes an image of a subject, an image processing unit which performs image processing, a storing unit which stores processing level of the image processing in association with the image, the image processing being performed by the image processing unit, and an output unit which outputs the image and the processing level in association with the image, to the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: Tristimulus values of each of pixels in an image, which is represented by an image signal, are transformed into chromaticity values, and mean values of the chromaticity values having been calculated with respect to the pixels in the image are calculated. The mean values of the chromaticity values are transformed into physiological primary colors. The thus obtained physiological primary colors are regarded as the white of a photographing illuminant, under which a photographing operation was carried out. The chromaticity values are transformed such that the thus obtained physiological primary colors may coincide with the physiological primary colors of a reference photographing illuminant. The chromaticity values, which have been obtained from the transformation, are then transformed into RGB color signals. The thus obtained RGB color signals are subjected to image processing and then used for reproducing a visible image.

Abstract: A preview image output system compares image data and a preview file list that records data such as the date and time when thumbnail images representative of image files are displayed for preview. A determination is made, based on the comparison, which of the images have not been output for preview, and image data representative of the images that is determined not to have been output for preview is read out, and thumbnail images of the images represented by the image data that is determined not to have been output for preview are first displayed for preview.

Abstract: When a print of a picture image is ordered by generating print ordering information comprising electronic data in a predetermined standard to be processed by a predetermined photo finishing system, the print ordering information is generated by considering the content of the services that a service provider or a laboratory where the order is placed can provide so that the service will be provided with certainty. Picture image data obtained by reading a developed film are recorded in a recording medium together with printing service information regarding printing services. In print ordering information generation processing on the image data, the printing service information and the image data recorded in the recording medium are displayed on an order screen and print ordering information for requesting a printing service regarding the image data is generated by using the displayed printing service information.

Abstract: When a picture image recorded by a digital camera is reproduced, a high quality picture image is immediately reproduced without repetitive test prints for enhancing a picture quality or repetitive minor adjustments based on a confirmation via a monitor. Recording is carried out by a digital camera having a function of adding recording information representing a recording condition (a recording information adding unit) to digital image data obtained by the recording. A set-up processing unit in an image reproducing apparatus carries out image processing on the image data obtained by the recording for enhancing a picture quality using the recording information added to the image data, and the image reproducing apparatus reproduces the image data in the form of a print or a display on a monitor.

Abstract: Physiological primary colors, which correspond to tristimulus values of each of picture elements of an image on a hard copy, are obtained. A parameter, which represents the degree of incomplete chromatic adaptation, is determined in accordance with a correlated color temperature of a white point of a CRT display device, on which the image is to be displayed. Temporary tristimulus values, which are to be reproduced on the CRT display device, are derived in accordance with the parameter. From the temporary tristimulus values, perception values relating to lightness, color vividness and hue, such as metric lightness, metric chroma, and a metric hue angle in the LAB-color space are calculated by taking the white point of the CRT display device as a viewing illuminance. The tristimulus values of the image are then transformed into the tristimulus values on the display device, and a soft copy image is formed on the display device in accordance with the transformed tristimulus values.

Abstract: A weighing-packaging-pricing apparatus has a roll supporting device to rotatably support a film roll, a film transporting device to pull a stretch film from this film roll and to transport a stretched film sheet to a packaging station, a weighting device for weighing and measuring the dimensions of an object on a tray to be packed while it travels to a lifter which lifts the object to the packaging station and pushes it against the stretched film sheet, and a folding device for folding edge sections of the film sheet to form a package. The film transporting device clamps side edge sections of the film pulled out of the film roll and adjusts the clamping positions automatically according to the position of the film roll.