Abstract: Method and device for extracting a specified image subject including an extracting condition of an extracting algorithm of a subsequent stage so as to be adapted to an extraction result by the extracting algorithm of a precedent stage, when specified image subject extracting algorithms are successively implemented. At the time of performing the specified image subject extracting algorithms in each stage by parallel processing, the method and device manage extraction states of each step and qualify extraction processing conditions in the subsequent stage in accordance with the extraction states in the precedent stages. The method and device perform a vote in an N-dimensional space of image characteristic quantity for each extraction area by the specified image subject extracting algorithm and then perform weighting of degree of certainty as the specified image subject based on an aggregation value of the vote within a section area for aggregation in the N-dimensional space.

Abstract: Method and device for extracting a specified image subject including an extracting condition of an extracting algorithm of a subsequent stage so as to be adapted to an extraction result by the extracting algorithm of a precedent stage, when specified image subject extracting algorithms are successively implemented. At the time of performing the specified image subject extracting algorithms in each stage by parallel processing, the method and device manage extraction states of each step and qualify extraction processing conditions in the subsequent stage in accordance with the extraction states in the precedent stages. The method and device perform a vote in an N-dimensional space of image characteristic quantity for each extraction area by the specified image subject extracting algorithm and then perform weighting of degree of certainty as the specified image subject based on an aggregation value of the vote within a section area for aggregation in the N-dimensional space.

Abstract: The image photographing/reproducing system includes an photographing apparatus for photographing an image, first communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from second communication unit at a communication point installed in a predetermined region, information recording unit for recording at least one information of photographed frame information or photographed time information and first identification information of an image recording medium, and second identification information of the communication point, at least one information being transmitted and received between the first and second communication units and an image reproducing apparatus including photographed image acquiring unit, information acquiring unit for acquiring at least one information, data acquiring unit for determining a photographed place based on the second identification information and acquiring a predetermined image or document as composite data, image reproducing unit for reproducing the photographed imag

Abstract: The image photographing/reproducing system includes an photographing apparatus for photographing an image, first communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from second communication unit at a communication point installed in a predetermined region, information recording unit for recording at least one information of photographed frame information or photographed time information and first identification information of an image recording medium, and second identification information of the communication point, at least one information being transmitted and received between the first and second communication units and an image reproducing apparatus including photographed image acquiring unit, information acquiring unit for acquiring at least one information, data acquiring unit for determining a photographed place based on the second identification information and acquiring a predetermined image or document as composite data, image reproducing unit for reproducing the photographed imag

Abstract: An image of a picture frame photographed on a photo film is displayed on a screen of an image input device, or is printed out as a hard copy. A graphic image is written by a user in the image of the picture frame, and graphic data of the graphic image is detected from the image of the picture frame having the graphic image written therein. The graphic data is associated with the picture frame, and is transferred from the user to a photofinisher through electronic transmission, or is recorded on a data recording medium which is forwarded to the photofinisher along with the photo film. A synthetic print containing the picture frame and the graphic image is made from the picture frame and the graphic data.

Abstract: In a fine photo mode, a camera photographs a series of frames from the same scene upon one depression of a release button, and records data of correlation between the frames of the same scene in association with the series of frames. When a printer reads the correlation data, the printer composes a high definition image from image data of the series of frames, and make a print of the high definition image. A literal photo mode may be selected for a scene containing a literal image. The camera records data representative of the literal photo mode in association with the frame taken in the literal photo mode, so the printer processes image data to improve sharpness and resolution of the literal image of the frame, and makes a hard copy of the literal image from the processed image data.

Abstract: In a printing system, a developed photo filmstrip is put in a film scanner to pick up image data from all picture frames photographed on the filmstrip. An index image of the picture frames is displayed based on the image data, so a user selects picture frames to print with reference to the index image while designating a print size to each picture frame. The image data of each designated picture frame is compressed at a rate that is decided according to the print size. The higher compression rate is used for the smaller the print size. The compressed image data and print order data are transferred to a work station of a photofinisher. The photofinisher reproduces the original image data from the compressed image data, and makes prints based on the image data and print order data.

Abstract: A content reference method is provided. In this method, identification information of container medium and contents data corresponding to the contents of the container medium are stored in storage means in association with each other. The container medium is identifiable by an external appearance. The identification information of the container medium is obtained from photographic image data obtained by photographing the target container medium. When identification information of a target container medium obtained by photographing the container medium is inputted, the storage means is searched and the identification information coinciding with the inputted identification information is detected. Then, the contents data stored in association with the detected identification information is read, and contents of the target container medium are reproduced/displayed based on the read contents data.

Abstract: The image display method extracts a person in a photographed image, detects a first characteristic of the extracted person and switches an image displayed on an image display medium in accordance with the detected first characteristic of the extracted person. It is preferable that the method estimates a second characteristic of the extracted person, for example, a characteristic of this person as a customer from the first characteristic, and switches an image displayed on the image display medium in accordance with the estimated second characteristic as the customer. The method may also switch the displayed content based on the voice of the person, the identified person and the position of the person relative to the image display apparatus.

Abstract: Using an image processing program, a personal computer identifies objects photographed in individual images, on the basis of additional data appended to image data of those images. The image data and the additional data are obtained and written on a memory by a digital camera, and transferred to the personal computer. When the user selects a part to correct in an image, plural levels of categories are displayed on a monitor in accordance with the object corresponding to the selected part. The user selects a category from among the displayed categories, and designates contents and parameters of image correction. Then, any parts of the image which correspond to those objects included in the selected category are automatically corrected in the designated manner. If necessary, also those parts of other relating images which correspond to the objects included in the selected category are automatically corrected in the designated manner.

Abstract: A device control system includes plural devices arranged in a predetermined space, a position detection unit for detecting an arrangement position of each device, a control unit for remotely controlling the plural devices, being carried by a user, and detecting a direction and a position of itself at the time of remote control and a management apparatus that grasps the arrangement position of each device and identifies one device to be remotely controlled based on the arrangement position and the direction and the position. A device control method detects the arrangement position, the position and the direction, identifies one device to be remotely controlled and remotely controls the one device. A program implements the device control method.

Abstract: A game device includes a photographing unit, which photographs a user when the user uses a game provided by the game device, and a printer. A commemorative image is generated at a timing (e.g., each time a stage in the game is cleared or when the game is terminated) set on a setting screen, by making a composite of an image representing either user achievements or a game screen with an image of the user photographed by the photographing unit. The commemorative image is then displayed on a LCD of the game device. The commemorative image can be printed by the printer to make a commemorative image card when the user instructs the printer to print.

Abstract: The image processing method applies image processing to an inputted image data. The method registers predetermined image processing conditions for each specific person in advance, extracts a person in the inputted image data, identifies the extracted person to find if the extracted person is the specific person and selects image processing conditions corresponding to the identified specific person to perform the image processing based on the selected image processing conditions. Amusement aspect in photography and image representation can be enhanced, and even inexperienced or unskilled persons in personal computer or image processing software can correct images.

Abstract: The information collection system and method detect a customer and an article selected by the customer from among multiple articles, acquire, in a management unit, first identification information on the customer and second identification information on the article, relate the second identification information to the first identification information, collect customer information on the customer and article information on the article from a database based on the first and second identification information and output the article information in a predetermined form in relation to the customer information.

Abstract: A digital still camera is provided with a data communication section which transfers image data of a picture frame photographed by the digital still camera to a printing equipment through a radio telephony channel each time the picture frame is photographed. The data communication section sends ID data consisting of a user ID number and a frame ID number and print order data as along with the image data. In the printing equipment, the received image data and ID data is stored as database in a memory. Based on the image data read from the database, a printer makes hard copies in conditions designated by the print order data. The hard copies are delivered to a place appointed by the print order data.

Abstract: The image searching method extracts or recognizes specific information for an image that exists in the image and/or accompanies it, allows either the specific information itself or related information thereof to be appendant to image data for the image, stores the image data as well as either information appendant to the image data as accessory information in a database, designates at least a portion of the accessory information as a searching condition, searches through the database under the designated searching condition, determines a degree of agreement with the accessory information appendant to a selected image data and reads an image having the degree of agreement not lower than a predetermined value. The image processing method utilizes the image searching method. These methods are capable of efficient image detection or search using as a key specific information such as the shape of subjects.

Abstract: The image searching method extracts or recognizes specific information for an image that exists in the image and/or accompanies it, allows either the specific information itself or related information thereof to be appendant to image data for the image, stores the image data as well as either information appendant to the image data as accessory information in a database, designates at least a portion of the accessory information as a searching condition, searches through the database under the designated searching condition, determines a degree of agreement with the accessory information appendant to a selected image data and reads an image having the degree of agreement not lower than a predetermined value. The image processing method utilizes the image searching method. These methods are capable of efficient image detection or search using as a key specific information such as the shape of subjects.

Abstract: In a printing system, a developed photo filmstrip is put in a film scanner to pick up image data from all picture frames photographed on the filmstrip. An index image of the picture frames is displayed based on the image data, so a user selects picture frames to print with reference to the index image while designating a print size to each picture frame. The image data of each designated picture frame is compressed at a rate that is decided according to the print size. The higher compression rate is used for the smaller the print size. The compressed image data and print order data are transferred to a work station of a photofinisher. The photofinisher reproduces the original image data from the compressed image data, and makes prints based on the image data and print order data.

Abstract: The message recording unit and method identify an article or specify a predetermined position in a content recording medium, input related information corresponding to the article or the predetermined position and record as message information the article and the related information or position information indicating the predetermined position and the related information or an access destination of the related information in correspondence to each other into a storage. The message reproducing unit and method identify the article or reference the content recording medium, search the storage for the message information corresponding to the article or the predetermined position, and read and output the detected message information. The message recording/reproducing method includes the message recording method and the message reproducing method.

Abstract: Images in a plurality of related images are processed such that a specific region of the image in the first frame is designated and a specific image in the specific region is modified while at the same time the information about the image characteristic quantity of the specific region and what was modified about the specific image are both stored. In the processing of the images in the second and subsequent frames, a similar region that is similar in the image characteristic quantity to the initial specific image is extracted and subjected to the same image modification as has been performed on the specific region of said first frame. Therefore, highly amusing images that have been finished to satisfy the customer's request and other needs can be obtained by simple and efficient operations; as a result, prints of high quality that reproduce such images can be produced in high yield.