Image quality correction method, image data processing device, data storing/reproducing method, data batch-processing system, data processing method, and data processing system

• US 7,586,631 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2001
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Omori, Shiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins; Twyler L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zheng; Jacky X
• Application Number:
  US10/149,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20030059123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,896 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/518, 382/254, 382/167, 382/274, 709/201, 709/232
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/00 Image enhancement or restoration
• 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 1/00177 from a user terminal, e.g. personal computer
• 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 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• 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

Abstract

An object of the invention is to process image data the quality by simply uploading the image data prepared by the user himself himself to a server of a provider without using a particular hardware equipped with an image quality correction function, without the need of purchasing and using a software for correcting the image quality, and without caring about anything. In a system including personal computers 2a, 2b, 2c, - - - of the clients and a server 1 of a provider, when image data are uploaded to the server 1 of the provider from the personal computers 2a, 2b, 2c, - - - of the clients, the quality image of the image data is corrected by the server 1.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing image data that are uploaded to a server of a provider from a personal computer of a client, comprising:

image data acquisition means for acquiring image data and corresponding auxiliary data into the server;

wherein the image data was captured by an imaging apparatus and transferred to the personal computer and the auxiliary data comprises imaging conditions information corresponding to the imaging apparatus;

first storage means for storing the acquired image data and corresponding auxiliary data;

image quality correction means for correcting an image quality of the acquired image data stored in the first storage means based on the imaging conditions information corresponding to the imaging apparatus;

wherein the correcting process includes at least one of a color correction and a contrast correction on the image data;

second storage means for storing the corrected image data using an identifier; and

management means for managing the correcting process performed by the image quality correction means, wherein the management means manages the correcting process on the acquired image data stored in the first storage means (i) at predetermined intervals, or (ii) when the acquired image data are newly acquired by the acquisition means;

wherein the management means includes deciding means for deciding whether the image quality of the acquired image data stored in the first storage means has been previously corrected; and

third storage means for storing the acquired image data stored in the first storage means, wherein the acquired image data stored in the first storage means is stored in the third storage means if the decision by the deciding means is that the acquired image data stored in the first storage means has not been previously corrected.

2. The apparatus for processing image data according to claim 1, further comprising charging means for charging a fee to the client.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acquired image data stored in the first storage means is stored in the third storage means if the decision by the deciding means is that the acquired image data stored in the first storage means has not been previously corrected by the management means.