Image Processing System and Method, and Terminal and Server Used for the Same

• US 20070255456A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Funayama, Chisato
• Granted Patent: US 7,929,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/266
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• 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 2201/3277 The additional information being stored in the same storage device as the image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/76 by influencing the image signals

Abstract

An imaging unit (1) images an imaging object and acquires image data. On the other hand, imaging information which is information at the time of imaging is acquired by an imaging information acquisition unit (2). A storage unit (3) contains image correction information for correcting the acquired image. An imaging information analysis unit (4) analyzes the imaging object and the imaging condition from the imaging information given from the imaging information acquisition unit (2) and reads out image correction information appropriate for the acquired image from the storage unit (3). An image processing unit (5) subjects the image data on the imaging object obtained by the imaging unit (1) to a correction process according to the image correction information obtained by the image correction information acquisition unit (4).

Claims

1. An image processing system comprising:

storage means having image correction information for correcting image data stored;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information analysis means for analyzing the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means, thereby to obtain image correction information of the image data from the storage means; and

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the image data obtained in the imaging means.

6. The image processing system according to one of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the imaging information obtainment means is means for obtaining information of an imaging position.

7. The image processing system according to one of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein the imaging information obtainment means is means for obtaining information of an imaging date.

8. The image processing system according to one of claim 1 to claim 7, wherein the imaging information obtainment means is means for obtaining information of weather at the time of imaging.

9. The image processing system according to one of claim 1 to claim 8, wherein the imaging information obtainment means is means for obtaining information of an imaging angle.

10. The image processing system according to one of claim 1 to claim 9, wherein the image correction information is image information of the imaging object and color expression information satisfactory for this image;

and the image processing means is configured to employ the image information of the imaging object at the time of the correction process, thereby to identify the imaging object, being a target, and to employ the satisfactory color expression information, thereby to correct the image of the imaging object, being a target.

2. An image processing system comprising:

storage means having image correction information for correcting image data stored;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information analysis means for analyzing the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and for obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the storage means; and

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the image data obtained in the imaging means.

3. An image processing system comprising:

storage means having image correction information, being correction information for correcting a photo image, and an imaging object or an imaging condition, for which this image correction information is applied, stored correspondingly;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information analysis means for analyzing the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and for obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the storage means; and

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the image data obtained in the imaging means.

4. An image processing system comprising:

an image correction information database having image correction information, being correction information for correcting a photo image, and an imaging object or an imaging condition, for which this image correction information is applied, stored correspondingly;

an imaging information database having imaging information and an imaging object or an imaging condition stored correspondingly;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information analysis means for retrieving an imaging object or an imaging condition that corresponds to the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means from the imaging information database, and for obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the image correction information database; and

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the image data obtained in the imaging means.

5. An image processing system comprising:

storage means having image correction information for correcting image data stored;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

imaging information analysis means for analyzing the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means, thereby to obtain image correction information of the image data from the storage means; and

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the image data obtained in the imaging means.

11. An image processing method is characterized in obtaining imaging information at the time of imaging, analyzing this imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, retrieving image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the accumulated image correction information, and correction-processing the photo image based upon this image correction information.

17. The image processing method according to one of claim 11 to claim 16, wherein the image correction information is image information of a body, being a target, and color expression information satisfactory for this image;

and the image information of the body is employed at the time of the correction to identify the body, being a target, and the satisfactory color expression information is employed to correct the image of the body, being a target.

12. An image processing method is characterized in obtaining imaging information at the time of imaging, analyzing this imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, retrieving image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the image correction information accumulated responding to the imaging object or the imaging condition, and correction-processing the photo image based upon this image correction information.

13. An image processing method is characterized in pre-accumulating information of a location and an image correction, searching the accumulated information based upon the imaging position, thereby to extract information of an image correction that corresponds hereto, and employing the information of the image correction, thereby to correction-process the photo image.

14. An image processing method is characterized in pre-accumulating information of a location, a date, and an image correction, searching the accumulated information based upon the imaging position and the imaging date, thereby to extract information of an image correction that corresponds hereto, and employing the information of the image correction, thereby to correction-process the photo image.

15. An image processing method is characterized in pre-accumulating information of a location, a date, weather and an image correction, searching the accumulated information based upon the imaging position, the imaging date and the weather at the time of imaging, thereby to extract information of an image correction that corresponds hereto, and employing the information of the image correction, thereby to correction-process the photo image.

16. An image processing method is characterized in pre-accumulating information of a location, a date, weather, an angle, and an image correction, searching the accumulated information based upon the imaging position, the imaging date, the weather at the time of imaging, and the imaging angle, thereby to extract information of an image correction that corresponds hereto, and employing the information of the image correction, thereby to correction-process the photo image.

18. An image processing system comprising:

a mobile terminal including;

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

image processing means for, based upon image correction information for correcting the transmitted image data, correction-processing the image data; and

means for transmitting the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means;

and

a server including;

storage means having image correction information for correcting image data stored;

imaging information analysis means for receiving imaging information from the mobile terminal, analyzing the received imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the storage means; and

transmission means for transmitting the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means to the mobile terminal.

19. An image processing system comprising:

a mobile terminal including;

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information; and

means for transmitting the image data obtained in the imaging means and the imaging information obtained in the imaging information obtainment means;

and

a server including;

storage means having image correction information for correcting the image data stored;

imaging information analysis means for receiving imaging information from the mobile terminal, analyzing the received imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the storage means;

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the received image data; and

transmission means for transmitting the image data correction-processed in the image processing means to the mobile terminal.

20. A mobile terminal for transmitting photo image data to an external image processing server, and causing it to perform an image process, comprising:

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

means for transmitting the image data of the imaging object and the imaging information by causing them to correspond with each other; and

storage means into which the image-processed image data transmitted from the image processing server is contained.

21. A mobile terminal for image-processing photo image data, comprising:

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

means for transmitting the imaging information;

means for receiving image correction information of the photo image data that corresponds to the imaging object information; and

image processing means for, based upon the obtained image correction information, correction-processing the image data.

22. A mobile terminal comprising:

imaging means for, by imaging an imaging object, obtaining image data of the imaging object;

imaging information obtainment means for obtaining imaging information;

imaging object information obtainment means for obtaining imaging object information of the imaging object; and

containing means for containing the image data of the imaging object and the obtained imaging information into detachable storage means.

23. A server for transmitting image correction information for correcting photo image data to a terminal comprising:

storage means having the image correction information for correcting the image data stored;

imaging information analysis means for receiving imaging information that is transmitted from the terminal, analyzing the received imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the storage means; and

transmission means for transmitting the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means to the terminal.

24. A server for, after correction-processing photo image data that is transmitted from a terminal, transmitting it to the terminal, comprising:

storage means having image correction information for correcting the image data stored;

imaging information analysis means for receiving imaging information that is transmitted from the terminal, analyzing the received imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from the storage means;

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the received image data; and

transmission means for transmitting the image data correction-processed in the image processing means to the terminal.

25. A program of an information processing unit for transmitting image correction information for correcting photo image data to a terminal, is characterized in causing the information processing unit to function as:

imaging information analysis means for receiving imaging information that is transmitted from the terminal, analyzing the received imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from storage means having the image correction information for correcting the image data stored; and

transmission means for transmitting the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means to the terminal.

26. A program of an information processing unit for, after correction-processing photo image data that is transmitted from a terminal, transmitting it to the terminal, is characterized in causing the information processing unit to function as:

imaging information analysis means for receiving imaging information that is transmitted from the terminal, analyzing the received imaging information, thereby to get an imaging object or an imaging condition, and obtaining image correction information that corresponds to this imaging object or imaging condition from storage means having the image correction information for correcting the image data stored;

image processing means for, based upon the image correction information obtained in the imaging information analysis means, correction-processing the received image data; and

transmission means for transmitting the image data correction-processed in the image processing means to the terminal.