Abstract: Raw image data obtained by shooting is thinned at a thinning rate, which is determined in accordance with a shooting scene, to produce simple raw image data. The thinning rate is determined such that necessary information for proper checking is maintained and unnecessary information for checking is thinned. Image correction is performed for the simple raw image data with predetermined processing parameters, and this data is converted into a simple display image to be shown on a monitor. An operator observes the simple display image to change the processing parameters. Whenever the processing parameters are changed, the image correction is performed for the simple raw image data with the changed processing parameters to update the simple display image. For the raw image data, image correction is performed with the finally determined processing parameters.

Abstract: The image processor is connected to an image output apparatus or an image input apparatus, and has an image processing unit which performs predetermined image processing on image data using photographing information, a preprocessing unit which performs preprocessing on the image data, and a determination unit which determines whether the image output apparatus and the image input apparatus include the image processing unit or not. When the image output apparatus and the image input apparatus do not include the image processing unit, the determination unit determines that the image processor performs the preprocessing and the image processing. The image processing system has two image processors equipped with an image input function and an image output function, respectively.

Abstract: When image data obtained by an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera are sent via a wireless communication system, power consumption by a wireless communication apparatus installed in the imaging apparatus is reduced as much as possible. First communication means receives base station information from a base station in a mobile phone communication network, and judgment means judges whether or not a coverage area of the wireless communication equipment exists in a coverage area of the base station, based on the base station information. If a result of the judgment is affirmative, second communication means that carries out data communication is activated, and the image data obtained by photography are sent to the wireless communication equipment.

Abstract: An image management system for managing image data obtained by the visitors to a theme park or similar facilities with their own imaging devices in the same manner as the image data obtained by the cameras installed in the facility. The subject user is photographed by the photographing system installed in the theme park to obtain first image data. At the same time, the user ID is obtained from the wireless tag carried by the subject user, which is related to the first image data and stored in the image storage server with the first image data. A second image data obtained by the subject user with a digital camera are also stored in the image storage server with the user ID being related to the second image data. The first and second image data are sorted and stored by each of the user IDs.

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: The image recording apparatus forms an image on each of at least two kinds of printing media of different widths by ejecting ink droplets thereon. The apparatus includes an ink ejection unit that ejects ink toward a front surface of a printing medium, a pair of ink receivers that receive the ink ejected outside both side edges of the printing medium in a width direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the printing medium and a first shield plate that is arranged outside a first edge of the printing medium in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing medium, and moves in parallel to the front surface of the printing medium and in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the printing medium in accordance with a position of an edge of each of the at least two kinds of printing media of the different widths.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for automating receipt of orders for additional printing of a photographic print, including order information relating to desired image processing. In a print order receiving machine, when a photographic print is inserted, an image of the photographic print is read and displayed on a monitor (steps 150, 152). When order conditions are inputted, an image which is processed on the basis of the order conditions is displayed on the monitor (steps 154 through 158). Further, when input of the order conditions is completed, the order conditions and order information based on the order conditions are set. The set order information is printed onto a photographic print as an invisible two-dimensional bar code. Copying processing of the photographic print is carried out on the basis of the order information which is read from the photographic print.

Abstract: The image recording apparatus includes an image allocating section allocating the plural images with respect to each recording medium, an image recording section recording the plural images on each recording medium, a cutting section cutting the one recording medium on which the plural images are recorded into the plural prints, a arranging section unifying the plural prints in a single line, a sort transporting section accumulating the plural prints, a discharge control section acquiring at least status information of the arranging section, and controls operations of the cutting section, the arranging section, and the sort transporting section, and an entire control section performing adjustment of allocating operations, or controls the operation of the arranging section, based upon at least one of an appointed delivery date of the plural prints and the status information.

Abstract: There is provided a printing system which allows efficient printing at a low cost. In a printing system, unprocessed order information is arranged so as to be sequentially processed from order information which can be processed by a printer without changing paper during an unattended operation, and order information which can be processed by paper set in the printer is preferentially printed. As a result, unprocessed image information is processed in an unmanned state at the maximum. Further, before switched to an unattended operation, a paper size in which the greatest number of prints are to be prepared is selected and the selected result is notified to an operator to instruct him or her to set the paper indicated by the result in the printer, thereby allowing order information to be processed by an unattended operation at the maximum.

Abstract: A photographic pack includes photographic prints in one order, an order information print for the one order having index images recorded on a first side and at least a fee recorded on a second side, and a bag having at least a transparent area, and for accommodating a stack formed by superposing the order information print and the photographic prints. A non-image recording side of a first print of the photographic prints in the stack faces outward, the second side of the order information print faces outward and the rest of the photographic prints are sandwiched between the first print and the order information print. A print system includes an order receiver for receiving the one order of a customer, a fee calculator for calculating a fee, a printer for preparing the photographic prints and the order information print, and a packer for preparing the photographic pack.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for automating receipt of orders for additional printing of a photographic print, including order information relating to desired image processing. In a print order receiving machine, when a photographic print is inserted, an image of the photographic print is read and displayed on a monitor (steps 150, 152). When order conditions are inputted, an image which is processed on the basis of the order conditions is displayed on the monitor (steps 154 through 158). Further, when input of the order conditions is completed, the order conditions and order information based on the order conditions are set. The set order information is printed onto a photographic print as an invisible two-dimensional bar code. Copying processing of the photographic print is carried out on the basis of the order information which is read from the photographic print.

Abstract: When a slide show in which a plurality of still images is reproduced and displayed in sequence is executed, the number of subjects captured in each still image is determined. Display time of each still image is calculated based on the determined number of the subjects. The number of the subjects is determined from the number of faces detected in the still image. The faces smaller in size than a predetermined value are eliminated from the number of the subjects. The display time is obtained by multiplying the number of the subjects by a predetermined coefficient. When the number of the subjects is larger than a criterion subject number M, the coefficient is set small. Accordingly, it is prevented that the display time is set unduly long.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image photographing system, which permits a user to easily photograph images and place, orders for printing. A digital still camera is rented to the user with a prepaid card affixed thereto, the prepaid card serving to write the number of times into the digital still camera, and an image saving area dedicated to the user is opened on an image server connected to the Internet. After the user photographs images with the digital still camera, image data for images, which the user selects, is saved in the image data saving area via a portable apparatus, and the saved images can also be browsed therewith. When the user places an order for printing one of the saved images, the corresponding image data is sent to a print finishing dealer, and a photographic print is created.

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 photo movie is ordered by placing a memory card storing frame images into an order accepting device, and an operation screen appears on a touch panel display of the order accepting device. The operation screen includes a scenario selection screen and a frame assignment screen. The frame assignment screen displays the frame images read from the memory card and scene configuration information. The scene configuration information shows configuration of plural scenes of the photo movie, and each frame image is assigned to one of the scenes in the frame assignment screen. The order accepting device stores the assignment destination, as frame classification information, in the data file of each frame image. An image editing device creates the photo movie based on the frame classification information.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for automating receipt of orders for additional printing of a photographic print, including order information relating to desired image processing. In a print order receiving machine, when a photographic print is inserted, an image of the photographic print is read and displayed on a monitor (steps 150, 152). When order conditions are inputted, an image which is processed on the basis of the order conditions is displayed on the monitor (steps 154 through 158). Further, when input of the order conditions is completed, the order conditions and order information based on the order conditions are set. The set order information is printed onto a photographic print as an invisible two-dimensional bar code. Copying processing of the photographic print is carried out on the basis of the order information which is read from the photographic print.

Abstract: A photo movie creating apparatus stores a photo movie creating program. When the photo movie creating program is started, a position detecting section and an image editing section are generated in the CPU. The position detecting section detects a distance L1 from the center to the edge of a cropping frame for cropping a target subject out of a still image, and a distance L2 from the center of the target subject to the edge of the still image on this cropping frame's edge side. The image editing section compares the distance L1 with the distance L2, then controls at least one of the size and the position of the cropping frame so as the cropping frame not to protrude outside the still image where no image data exists.

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 photo movie is created based on scene configuration information, which includes scene definition information to determine a type of special effects, the number of still images, and playback time for each scene. The playback time is summed up to figure total playback time of the photo movie. If an intended total playback time is specified by a user, the playback time and scene configuration are changed in each scene so that the total playback time of the photo movie corresponds with the intended total playback time. In another embodiment, a moving speed of a cropping frame for cutting out a portion of a still image is derived from a moving path of the cropping frame and a total playback time of a photo movie. The size of the cropping frame is changed if the calculated moving speed is out of an allowable speed range.

Abstract: When a zoom effect or a panning effect is selected for an editing condition of a photo movie, a cutout area for cutting out a still image is set. When a face image of a person is detected in the cutout area designated by a user, the cutout area is automatically adjusted so as to have an optimal margin around the face image based on a position and size of the face image. When the face image is not detected in the cutout area, a position and size of the cutout area is adjusted manually.