Abstract: Photographic information J0 is read by photographic information acquiring means 12 from image data S10 to which the photographic information J0 containing a photographing location and photographing time has been added to and, based on the photographic information J0, a first image processing condition G1 is set by first image processing condition setting means 13. On the other hand, based on the image data S10, a second image processing condition G2 is set by second image processing condition setting means 14. A final image processing condition GF0 is set by a final image processing condition setting means 15, based on the image processing conditions G1, G2. Then, image processing is carried out for the image data S10 based on the final image processing condition GF0 to obtain processed image data S11.

Abstract: A reverse-aging image representing a skin part of a person in reverse aging is generated from an image of the skin part of the person at a predetermined age. Wrinkle component extraction means of an image generation unit extracts wrinkle components in frequency bands of a face image of the person obtained at the time of authentication of the person. Reverse-aging image generation means obtains the reverse-aging image by subtraction from the face image an adjustment component obtained by multiplication of a sum of the wrinkle components by an adjustment coefficient determined by pixel values of the face image, a reverse-aging period from the current age to the age at the time of registration, an age group in the reverse-aging period, and face parts.

Abstract: An image of a region in which a blur tends to clearly appear is extracted from a digital photograph image as a blur checking regional image. Then, the extracted blur checking regional image is displayed in a size appropriate for the resolution of a display device.

Abstract: Appropriate deblurring is carried out on a partially blurry image. Edge detection means detects edges in 8 directions in a reduced image, and block division means divides the reduced image into 16 blocks. Analysis means analyzes images in the blocks based on edge characteristic quantities thereof, and judges whether each of the block images is a blurry image. The analysis means obtains a width of blur, a degree of shake, and a direction of blur in each of the blurry block images as blur information, and parameter setting means sets parameters for correction based on the blur information. The parameter setting means also sets a correction strength in such a manner that the strength becomes larger as the width of blur becomes larger, according to the width of blur in the blur information.

Abstract: A blur checking region is determined by selecting a region in which a blur tends to clearly appear in a digital photograph image as the blur checking region. Then, an image of a region corresponding to the blur checking region is obtained as a checking image in a corrected image obtained by performing blur correction processing on the digital photograph image. Then, the obtained checking image is displayed in a size appropriate for the resolution of a display device.

Abstract: Saturation to white and fading of subjects' faces are prevented when performing density correction on digital images. An average signal value, obtained from a photographic image, is compared against a predetermined reference value, to judge whether correction is to be administered to brighten or darken the photographic image. A corrected image constituted by corrected signal values, which are obtained by correcting the pixel signal values of the photographic image with a predetermined correction amount, is generated only in cases that it is judged that correction to brighten the photographic image is to be administered. At this time, if the brightness represented by signal values of pixels of the photographic image are greater than or equal to a predetermined brightness, the correction amount is gradually reduced as the signal values become brighter.

Abstract: Edges are efficiently extracted from digital photographic images. A reduction rate determining means determines reduction rates for images, such that larger images are assigned higher reduction intensities. A reduction executing means reduces an image, employing the reduction rate determined by the reduction rate determining means, to obtain a reduced image. An edge detecting means extracts edges in eight directions from the reduced image. Coordinate positions of the edges in each directions are obtained, and output to an edge profile generating means.

Abstract: Image enhancement processing can be carried out efficiently on image data obtained by a digital camera while a difference between models of digital cameras can be suppressed. Digital cameras are classified into groups of predetermined level ranges regarding characteristics of color, tone, sharpness and noise. Image processing conditions are also set for the respective groups in accordance with the level ranges thereof. When image enhancement processing is carried out on image data obtained by a the digital camera, the groups the digital camera belongs to are found for the respective types of characteristic, and the image processing conditions therefor are used for the enhancement processing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of efficiently performing the noise suppression, sharpness correction, and enlargement processes. A suppressing and correcting means performs the noise suppression and sharpness correction processes on color and gradation processed image data to obtain suppressed and corrected image data. An enlarging means performs the enlarging process on the suppressed and corrected image data to obtain the intended image data.

Abstract: An original image signal, which represents an original image and are composed of original image signal components representing a plurality of sampling points, that are arrayed at predetermined intervals and in a lattice-like form, is obtained. A judgment is made as to whether an interpolation point belongs to an image edge portion, at which the change in the original image signal is sharp, or belongs to a flat portion, at which the change in the original image signal is unsharp. Interpolating operation processes, one of which is to be employed for the interpolation point, is changed over to each other in accordance with the results of the judgment.

Abstract: An image processing method includes a step for inputting the type of digital camera used for obtaining an original image signal to be processed, a step for preparing a non-sharp mask signal of the original image signal, a step for reading a contrast table and a density dependent table corresponding to the type of digital camera from a hard disk device, a step for carrying out sharpness enhancement processing based on the contrast table, the density dependent table, the non-sharp mask signal and the original image signal so that the maximum value of responses of the spatial frequency characteristics of an image signal on which the sharpness enhancement processing has been effected is a value in the region of 1.5 to 3.0 times the spatial frequency characteristics of the original image signal. Accordingly, spatial frequency enhancement processing can be carried out under preferred processing conditions on the original image signal obtained by the digital still camera.

Abstract: Image processes that reflect the intentions of a photographer are administered on image data obtained by a portable terminal apparatus such as a cellular telephone with built in camera. Image processes are administered on image data obtained by the cellular telephone with built in camera by an image processing means to obtain processed image data. The processed image data is displayed on an LCD monitor, and corrections that further reflect the user's intentions are performed by an image correcting means according to user commands from an input means to obtain corrected processed image data. The corrected processed image data and the image data are displayed on the LCD monitor in a divided display manner.

Abstract: A predetermined image processing is carried out on image data taken in through one of a plurality of kinds of input devices and the processed image data is output through one of a plurality of kinds of output devices. First image processing is carried out on the image data to transform structure of image on the assumption that the image data is output through a supposed output device, and first processed image data is obtained on the basis of which an image having structure conforming to the supposed output device can be reproduced. Second image processing is carried out on the first processed image data to compensate for difference in output properties between the supposed output device and the output device which actually outputs the image data and second processed image data is obtained as a final image data to be output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging method and apparatus that provide facility to verify focus condition of images obtained without missing the chance of snapping a shot. A series of image data sets are obtained by an imaging means through a consecutive imaging method or the like, and stored in a storage means. The plurality of image data sets is displayed sequentially on an LCD monitor, and a region of a predetermined range extracted. The image data set corresponding to the extracted region of the predetermined range is enlarged in an enlarging means to obtain an enlarged image data set. A display control means sequentially displays the enlarged image data sets on the LCD monitor. In this fashion, the defocused levels of the images, that is, whether or not the images are in focus, can be verified in an unhurried manner after the image data sets are obtained.

Abstract: Photographic information J0 is read by photographic information acquiring means 12 from image data S10 to which the photographic information J0 containing a photographing location and photographing time has been added to and, based on the photographic information J0, a first image processing condition G1 is set by first image processing condition setting means 13. On the other hand, based on the image data S10, a second image processing condition G2 is set by second image processing condition setting means 14. A final image processing condition GF0 is set by a final image processing condition setting means 15, based on the image processing conditions G1, G2. Then, image processing is carried out for the image data S10 based on the final image processing condition GF0 to obtain processed image data S11.

Abstract: An original image signal, which represents an original image and are composed of original image signal components representing a plurality of sampling points, that are arrayed at predetermined intervals and in a lattice-like form, is obtained. A judgment is made as to whether an interpolation point belongs to an image edge portion, at which the change in the original image signal is sharp, or belongs to a flat portion, at which the change in the original image signal is unsharp. Interpolating operation processes, one of which is to be employed for the interpolation point, is changed over to each other in accordance with the results of the judgment.

Abstract: An original image signal, which represents an original image and are composed of original image signal components representing a plurality of sampling points, that are arrayed at predetermined intervals and in a lattice-like form, is obtained. A judgment is made as to whether an interpolation point belongs to an image edge portion, at which the change in the original image signal is sharp, or belongs to a flat portion, at which the change in the original image signal is unsharp. Interpolating operation processes, one of which is to be employed for the interpolation point, is changed over to each other in accordance with the results of the judgment.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus comprises: section for converting the original image signals into conversion image signals which represent an amount corresponding to luminance of a subject, intensity of incident light, or reproducing luminance; section for creating soft-focus processing conversion image signals by subjecting the conversion image signals to preset smoothing processing; and section for inversely converting the soft-focus processing conversion image signals into the digital soft-focusing image signals.

Abstract: In an image size enlarging and reducing method for obtaining a composed image of a desired size by combining at least two different images with each other, different image size enlarging or reducing processes are set for the images subjected to the image composition and in accordance with levels of sharpness required of the images. Before the image composition, the size of at least one image, which is among the images subjected to the image composition, is enlarged or reduced with an image size enlarging or reducing process, which corresponds to the image, such that the size of the image may become equal to the desired size.

Abstract: An original image signal, which represents an original image and is made up of a series of original image signal components Yij, is obtained. Corresponding interpolation coefficients Bij and Cij, which are set for each of the original image signal components Yij, in two different interpolating functions f and g, represented by Formulas (1) and (2), for obtaining two interpolation images having different levels of sharpness are linearly combined with each other by using Formula (3). A new interpolation coefficient Aij is thereby obtained. An interpolating operation is carried out on the original image signal components Yij with an interpolating function h, which has the new interpolation coefficient Aij and is represented by Formula (4). An interpolation image signal is thereby obtained, which is made up of a series of image signal components occurring at intervals different from those of the original image signal components Yij,f=.SIGMA.Bij.multidot.Yij (1)g=.SIGMA.Cij.multidot.Yij (2)Aij=(1-.alpha.)Bij+.