Image processing system via network

• US 20020122194A1
• Filed: 02/08/2002
• Published: 09/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 138 East LCD Advancements Limited (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Nakami, Yoshihiro, Kuwata, Naoki, Fukasawa, Kenji, Nishio, Satoru, Nakajima, Yasumasa
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.9
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00129 with a display device, e.g. CRT or LCD monitor with a television apparatus H04N1/00283; arrangements for control of display devices G09G
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00167 Processing or editing H04N1/00196 - H04N1/00201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/46 Colour picture communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/603 controlled by characteristics of the picture signal generator or the picture reproducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6097 depending on the characteristics of the output medium, e.g. glossy paper, matt paper, transparency or fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0037 Topological details of the connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3204 : of data relating to a user, sender, addressee, machine or electronic recording medium H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3252 : Image capture parameters, e.g. resolution, illumination conditions, orientation of the image capture device H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3257 : relating to the original, the input device or the input process, e.g. scanner profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/326 : relating to the rendering or output medium, device or process, e.g. monitor, paper or printer profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3281 : Encryption; Ciphering

Abstract

The technique of the present invention ensures output of an image subjected to image processing, which does not depend upon the output environment but reflects the color reproduction characteristics of a shooting device and the intention of a photographer in shooting. The process generates an image file that includes picture data generated by a digital still camera, as well as control data and output specification information attached thereto. The control data controls the details of image processing according to the color reproduction characteristics of the camera and the intention of the photographer in shooting. The output specification information specifies, for example, the address of a printing device used as an output resource, the type of printing paper used for printing, and the number of copies. The image file is transmitted to an image processing system on a network. The image processing system carries out image processing of the picture data based on the control data, generates an output file, and transmits the output file to an specified output device via the network. Even in the environment that can not perform image processing based on the control data, the arrangement of the invention ensures output of the image that has been subjected to such image processing.

Claims

1. An image processing system that carries out image processing on picture data,

said image processing system being connected with a printing device and a shooting device via a network,

said image processing system comprising:

a receiver module that receives input of the picture data generated in said shooting device and image processing control data associated with the picture data via the network;

an image processing module that causes the picture data to be subjected to image processing based on the image processing control data and conversion into a data format that allows supply to said printing device, and thereby generates print data; and

a transmission module that transmits the print data to said printing device via the network and causes said printing device to print a processed image.

2. An image processing system that carries out image processing on picture data,

an image input module that receives input of the picture data and image processing control data associated with the picture data;

an image processing module that causes the picture data to be subjected to image processing based on the image processing control data, and thereby generates image output data; and

a transmission module that transmits the image output data to an image output device connecting with said image processing system via a network and causes said output device to output a processed image.

3. An image processing system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said image processing module further carries out conversion of the picture data into a data format that allows supply to said image output device.

4. An image processing system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said image processing module changes over details of the conversion corresponding to a type of said image output device.

5. An image processing system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the picture data is associated with output specification information that specifies output style from said image output device, and

said transmission module controls the output style from said image output device based on the output specification information.

6. An image processing system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the picture data is defined in a YCbCr color space, and

the image processing includes color space conversion of the YCbCr color space into an RGB color space.

7. An image processing system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the color space conversion includes conversion into a predetermined RGB space that has a wider range of color reproduction than an sRGB color space.

8. An image output method that utilizes an image processing system connecting with an imgae output device via a network to output an image based on picture data, said image output method comprising:

inputting the picture data and image processing control data associated with the picture data;

causing the picture data to be subjected to image processing based on the image processing control data, and thereby generating image output data; and

transmitting the image output data to said image output device and causing said image output device to output a processed image.

9. A computer program that causes an image processing system to output an image to an image output device connecting with said image processing system via a network, said computer program attaining the functions of:

inputting picture data and image processing control data used for image processing of the picture data;

causing the picture data to be subjected to image processing based on the image processing control data, and thereby generating image output data; and

transmitting the image output data to said image output device and causing said image output device to output a processed image.