Abstract: Albums are generated by efficiently classifying images recorded on a high capacity memory card. Image datasets, having location data representing photography locations thereof attached thereto, are transmitted from a personal computer to an album generation support server. The album generation support server calculates distances between the photography locations of the image datasets and a predetermined reference position, such as the user's home, based on the location data. In cases that the distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the image dataset is assumed to have been photographed during a trip, and is classified as an image for a vacation album. In cases that the distance does not exceed the threshold value, the image dataset is assumed to have been photographed in the vicinity of the user's home, and classified as an image for a theme album, the theme being an event that occurs in the vicinity of the user's home.

Abstract: Correlation between images and photography locations thereof is facilitated when generating an album of images photographed during a trip. Map data sets are stored in a storage means of an album generation support server. A user accesses the album generation support server from a personal computer to request album generation. Screens for transmitting image data sets and for prompting input of data that specifies a travel route are displayed at the personal computer. The user inputs data regarding a departure point, a departure time, a final destination, etc., and transmits the image data sets to the album generation support server. An album generation server generates travel route data representing the user's travel route based on the input data, estimates locations along the travel route where the image data sets were photographed based on time data attached thereto, and generates album data by correlating the image data sets with a map.

Abstract: Using a picture image printing system, both types of pictures recorded by a camera using a film and a digital camera are effectively printed. The printing system comprises a film scanner for inputting a picture recorded on a film, and a card reader for inputting a picture recorded by a digital camera. By switching between the scanner and card reader upon necessity, digital image data is obtained. An image processing apparatus performs pixel number conversion on the digital image data by keeping an aspect ratio of the image constant, so that the picture image data is printed in a width almost the same as a width of rolled paper. The digital image data whose pixel number has been converted are subsequently printed on the rolled paper by a printer.

Abstract: This improved image processing method comprises the steps of selecting a low-pass filter having a mask size corresponding to the pixel density of an image to be reproduced from a plurality of types of low-pass filters; creating unsharp image signals representing an unsharp image of the photographic image from digital image signals using the selected low-pass filter; obtaining difference signals by carrying out subtraction between signals relating to pixels which correspond to the digital image signals and the unsharp image signals; and obtaining processed image signals for reproducing visible signals by subjecting the difference signals to predetermined image processing.

Abstract: In a digital photographic image printing system, method, and recording medium, photographic print ordering information is stored as a storage file having a hierarchically structured format, and which is exchanged as an order file in a digital format. Any change in the content or operation of the system can be dealt with more flexibly by use of the hierarchically structured storage file, without requiring extensive changes to the underlying variety of application programs that may use the order information in the hierarchically structured order file. The structured storage file includes-an orderer stream describing customer information, and an order storage that describes the content of an order.

Abstract: Pictures recorded by a digital camera can be stored and utilized by a method convenient and appropriate for the situation. The system comprises variety of means for transferring picture image data recorded by a variety of digital cameras to an image server installed in a DPE or the like and a variety of accessing means for enabling the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed.

Abstract: A plurality of picture image data obtained from a film in one film handling operation by a film scanner with the automatic film feeding function are output as prints by a digital printer and also as files in a recording medium by a file outputting device. In the system for providing the above two kinds of output services, the numbers of film scanners, file outputting devices, and digital printers are determined so that the processing performance of each kind of apparatus in a unit time times the number of each kind of apparatus is almost the same, to make each kind of apparatus comprising the system demonstrate its full performance.

Abstract: When picture image data recorded by a digital camera are transferred from a memory of the digital camera to another medium, filing is carried out in a short time and easily by determining a file name with no complete overlap with another file name, which is easy to understand, and easy to search for later. A file name including recording property information included in an image file and image file identifying information for identifying the image file is automatically determined, and copying (transfer) of the file to another medium is carried out using the determined file name as the file name in the medium.

Abstract: When order processing for printing image data is carried out by recording the image data and an order file in an order processing recording medium, history of orders is managed by the recording medium so that the content of past orders can be confirmed or new ordering information can be generated by using the past order content, for example. A flag showing whether or not an order file describing the content of an order, such as the quantity and the size, should be processed in a laboratory (whether the file is valid or invalid) is recorded in the recording medium together with the order file. By judging this flag by using an image handling apparatus of an image processing system, only valid order files are processed.

Abstract: In a digital output service of photographs, smooth operation of an additional recording service is aimed at by letting a user or an operator of a service provider easily understand the number of photographs addable to a storage medium. The free space size of a storage medium is detected each time new or additional recording therein is completed, and information regarding the free space size is indicated to a customer by being recorded on a recording medium corresponding to the storage medium, such as index print for the storage medium. On this occasion, the free space size is indicated as the number of films or exposures such as “6 25-exposure films” (6 (25 Exp)) or “160 exposures” (160) so that a user who is not familiar with expressions in bytes can readily understand it.

Abstract: Image data sets are filed efficiently in an image storing server. An image generation apparatus reads images from a film, and image data sets representing the images are sent to and registered with the image storing server. The image data sets are stored in a folder generated for each user. The user accesses the image storing server from a communication terminal and carries out filing on the image data sets in the folder, such as sorting according to the date and time of photography. In this manner, the image data sets can be stored in the image storing server in a well-organized manner.

Abstract: Using a picture image printing system, both types of pictures recorded by a camera using a film and a digital camera are effectively printed. The printing system comprises a film scanner for inputting a picture recorded on a film, and a card reader for inputting a picture recorded by a digital camera. By switching these upon necessity, digital image data are obtained. An image processing apparatus carries out a pixel number conversion on the digital image data keeping an aspect ratio of the image constant so that the picture image data are printed in a width almost the same as a width of rolled paper. The digital image data whose pixel number has been converted are printed in the form of a print on the rolled paper by a printer.

Abstract: The image storing apparatus stores an image uploaded from a customer via a network on a large-capacity medium by associating it with customer information indicating the customer, image attribute information or image selection information so as to manage the image of the customer. And if capacity, quantity, a recording period or a current date of the images of a certain customer exceeds a predetermined threshold, one image or a plurality of images of the customer are moved to another medium so as to secure storage capacity of the above described large-capacity medium.

Abstract: When an order for printing image data is placed via a network, time necessary for reception of prints can be shortened and a DPE store can attract a user. The DPE store provides to the user a CD-R having viewer software and access information for accessing an order reception server of the store. The access information is input to a user terminal upon installation of the viewer software by the user. For placing the order, the user terminal accesses the order reception server 21 by using the viewer software, and information such as a charge per print and the time of delivery is transferred to the user terminal. The user confirms the information and transfers order information and the image data sets to the order reception server. The DPE store generates the prints based on the information and the data.

Abstract: A plurality of picture image data obtained from a film in one film handling operation by a film scanner with the automatic film feeding function are output as prints by a digital printer and also as files in a recording medium by a file outputting device. In the system for providing the above two kinds of output services, the numbers of film scanners, file outputting devices, and digital printers are determined so that the processing performance of each kind of apparatus in a unit time times the number of each kind of apparatus is almost the same, to make each kind of apparatus comprising the system demonstrate its full performance.

Abstract: This improved image processing method comprises the steps of selecting a low-pass filter having a mask size corresponding to the pixel density of an image to be reproduced from a plurality of types of low-pass filters; creating unsharp image signals representing an unsharp image of the photographic image from digital image signals using the selected low-pass filter; obtaining difference signals by carrying out subtraction between signals relating to pixels which correspond to the digital image signals and the unsharp image signals; and obtaining processed image signals for reproducing visible signals by subjecting the difference signals to predetermined image processing.

Abstract: Pictures recorded by a digital camera can be stored and utilized by a method convenient and appropriate for the situation. The system comprises variety of means for transferring picture image data recorded by a variety of digital cameras to an image server installed in a DPE or the like and a variety of accessing means for enabling the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed.

Abstract: A plurality of picture image data obtained from a film in one film handling operation by a film scanner with the automatic film feeding function are output as prints by a digital printer and also as files in a recording medium by a file outputting device. In the system for providing the above two kinds of output services, the numbers of film scanners, file outputting devices, and digital printers are determined so that the processing performance of each kind of apparatus in a unit time times the number of each kind of apparatus is almost the same, to make each kind of apparatus comprising the system demonstrate its full performance.

Abstract: By providing a network photograph service, prompt service can be provided to a customer without losing the advantages of easier understanding of where to access when placing an order and easier collective data management. A service center receiving an order of a printing service, and a minilab or a special laboratory spread across a plurality of places, are able to communicate through a network. A center server in the service center selects and assigns which photo-finishing laboratory will print the ordered picture, in response to order information transferred from a customer via the network. Thus, the printing processing can be carried out by a photo-finishing laboratory specified by the customer, instead of at the center server.

Abstract: Pictures recorded by a digital camera can be stored and utilized by a method convenient and appropriate for the situation. The system includes a variety of devices for transferring picture image data recorded by a variety of digital cameras to an image server installed in a DPE or the like. It further includes a variety of accessing devices for enabling the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed. As such, a user of a digital camera can transfer images, via this system while the user is away from home, thereby enabling continual use of the digital camera.