JP2002199151A - Image processing according to models of image input/ output devices - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique which efficiently performs image processing and effectively uses hardware resources and improves the image quality at the time of using an image input/output device connected to a network to input and output image data. SOLUTION: When original image data inputted from plural image input devices connected to the network is subjected to image processing, picture processing dependent upon the image input devices is performed at the time of input of original image data, and that independent of the image input devices is performed at the time of a light load of an image processor. When inputted original image data is subjected to image processing to generate data to be supplied to plural image output devices connected to the network, processing independently of the image output devices is performed at the time of a light load of the image processor, and image processing dependent upon the image output devices is performed at the time of request for image output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image processing performed according to the type of an image input / output device connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique of downloading image data uploaded from an image input device to a server using the Internet or another network and outputting the image by an image output device has become widespread. The input of image data is performed from a digital camera, a scanner, or the like. The output of the image data is performed in a manner such as display on a display device, printing on a printer, and the like. In recent years, a mobile phone or a mobile mail terminal that can access the Internet may be used as an image input device or an image display device. In addition, image data taken by a digital camera provided in a mobile mail terminal can be attached to an e-mail and sent,
Uploading to the server is also being done.

In general, digital image data is often subjected to various types of image processing from input to image output. As the image processing, for example,
Examples include halftone processing for reducing the number of gradations of each pixel, color conversion processing for converting the color system of the original image data to the color system of the output device, and correction processing for contrast and gradation of image data. In some cases, the image input device, the server, and the image output device each have an image processing function. In this case, each of them independently performs such image processing. The server may perform such image processing collectively.

[0004]

The server receives image data from various image input devices, and outputs the processed image data to various image output devices. But,
In this case, the characteristics may differ depending on the image input device or the image output device, so that the image processing for improving the image quality may not be appropriately performed. To solve this problem, the server determines the model of the image input / output device,
Although it is possible to perform image processing depending on the model, another problem is that if requests for image input / output occur in bursts, the server will be overloaded and cannot be processed efficiently. It can happen.

[0005] Even when performing image processing depending on the model, the image processing actually performed by the server includes image processing depending on the model of the image input / output device and image processing independent of the model. . Some of these processes do not necessarily need to be performed continuously when inputting image data or requesting image output. However, the timing at which these processes are performed has not been considered. For this reason, input and output of image data and image processing may not be performed efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has been made to improve the efficiency of image processing when inputting / outputting image data using an image input / output device connected to a network, and to provide a hardware resource. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for effectively utilizing the image and improving the image quality.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects In order to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs the following constitution. A first image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on original image data input from a plurality of image input apparatuses connected to a network, and includes input apparatus information of the image input apparatus. An input device information acquiring unit for acquiring the original image data, an input device information dependent image processing unit for performing image processing dependent on the input device information on the original image data, and the input device information dependent A storage unit for storing the image data subjected to the image processing, and a predetermined timing set independently of the input of the original image data, the image data stored in the storage unit being dependent on the input device information. And a non-dependent image processing unit that performs image processing.

[0008] There are various types of devices in the image input device, and they have characteristics relating to device-specific image input. Also,
The characteristics also differ depending on the operation state of the device. In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, first, the characteristics of the image input device are specified by acquiring input device information that affects the image quality, such as the device and the operation state of the image input device, and the image input device performs input when the original image data is input. Performs image processing depending on the characteristics of the device.
Here, “perform image processing when inputting original image data” means performing image processing triggered by input of original image data. Therefore, the image processing may be performed while inputting the original image data, the image processing may be performed during a series of data exchange accompanying the input of the original image data, or the series of data exchange may be performed according to the data input. Image processing may be performed immediately after the completion of. The image processing here includes, for example, processing according to the image input device, such as color balance correction, image size change, and noise removal. The image processing apparatus temporarily stores the image data after performing these processes in the storage unit. Then, at a predetermined timing set irrespective of the input of the original image data, an image process common to all devices independent of the image input device is performed. The processing here includes, for example, color correction of skin color, sky color, and tree color, addition of sharpness, and the like.

In the image processing independent of the image input device,
Rather than performing common image processing on all image data subjected to image processing depending on the image input device, necessary image processing may be appropriately performed. Therefore, unnecessary image processing need not be performed, and the image processing to be performed may be changed depending on the type of image, for example, a so-called natural image or animation image.

As described above, by performing the image processing depending on the characteristics of the image input apparatus and the image processing not depending on the timing at different timings, the image processing that does not need to be performed immediately is selected and performed at an appropriate timing. So you can
It is possible to improve the efficiency of image processing. Further, since the image processing corresponding to the image input device is selected and performed, the image quality can be improved.

In the first image processing apparatus of the present invention,
The “predetermined timing” may be a predetermined time or a predetermined time after the input of the original image data, and further includes a load monitoring unit that monitors a load of the image processing apparatus, Is preferably when the load is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

With this configuration, when the load on the image processing apparatus is light, the image processing independent of the characteristics of the image input apparatus can be performed in a distributed manner, and the processing is efficiently performed by effectively utilizing the hardware resources. It can be carried out.

[0013] In the first image processing device of the present invention, the plurality of image input devices include a plurality of types of image input devices, and the input device information is a type of the image input device. It can be.

The "type" of the image input device means the classification of the image input device, such as a digital camera, a scanner, or a personal computer as an image generating device. By specifying the type of the image input device, appropriate image processing according to the type can be performed. As a result, image quality can be improved.

Further, the input device information may be a model name of the image input device.

The "model name" of the image input device means the name of each model in the type of each image processing device. For example, a liquid crystal display panel of a mobile phone may have different display characteristics depending on the model. In such a case, by specifying the model name, appropriate image processing according to the model can be performed. As a result, image quality can be improved.

[0017] The input device information may be an operation state of the image input device.

The "operation state" of the image input apparatus means, for example, photographing conditions of a digital camera, image capturing conditions of a scanner, and various settings. By specifying these, appropriate image processing can be performed. As a result, image quality can be improved.

A second image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs image processing on input original image data and generates data to be supplied to a plurality of image output apparatuses connected to a network. An output characteristic information acquisition unit for acquiring output characteristic information relating to an output characteristic of the image output device; and at a predetermined timing set independently of an image output request, the output characteristic information with respect to the original image data. A non-dependent image processing unit for performing image processing independent of
A storage unit for storing the image data on which the independent image processing has been performed, and an output characteristic information dependent upon performing image processing dependent on the output characteristic information on the image data stored in the storage unit when an image output is requested And an image processing unit.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, first, at a predetermined timing set irrespective of an image output request, the input original image data is shared by all devices independent of the output characteristics of the image output apparatus. Perform image processing. The processing here includes, for example, color balance correction, image size change, noise removal of original image data, color correction of skin color, sky color, and tree color, addition of sharpness, and the like. In image processing independent of the image output device, common image processing is not performed on all input original image data, but necessary image processing may be appropriately performed. Therefore, unnecessary image processing need not be performed, and the image processing to be performed may be changed depending on the type of image, for example, a so-called natural image or animation image.

The image processing apparatus stores the image data subjected to these processes in a storage unit. Then, at the time of a request for image output, output characteristic information on output characteristics of the image output device is obtained, and image processing is performed on the image data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the output characteristics of the image output device.
The processing here includes, for example, halftone processing for reducing the number of gradations of each pixel to a representable number of gradations, and color conversion processing for converting the color system of image data to the color system of the image output device. And a process for correcting the contrast and gradation of image data. Regarding a request for image output to the image processing apparatus, the request destination and the output destination may or may not match.

As described above, by performing the image processing depending on the output characteristics of the image output device and the image processing not depending on the different timings, the image processing which does not need to be performed immediately is selected and performed at an appropriate timing. Therefore, it is possible to increase the efficiency of image processing when outputting image data. In addition, since image processing according to the output characteristics of the image output device is selected and performed, the image quality can be improved.

In the second image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a load monitoring unit that monitors a load of the image processing apparatus, wherein the predetermined timing is when the load is equal to or less than a predetermined value. It is preferable that

By doing so, the image processing can be distributed when the load on the image processing apparatus is light, so that the processing can be performed efficiently using hardware resources effectively.

In the second image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of image output devices include a plurality of types of image output devices, and the output characteristic information is a type of the image output device. It can be.

The “type” of the image output device is a printing device,
It means the classification of an image output device such as an image display device.
For example, when outputting to a printing device, the image data
A process for converting from a GB system to a CMY system is performed. By specifying the type of the image output device, it is possible to perform appropriate image processing according to the type.

Further, the output characteristic information may be a model name of the image output device.

For example, when the image output device is a liquid crystal display device, an image may be expressed with different brightness depending on the driving method, even if the same image data is used. Also, in a printing apparatus, necessary image processing is different because the color (component) of ink used, the type of ink (dye ink or pigment ink), and the number of inks used are different depending on the model. According to the present invention, the image output characteristics can be specified by the model name of the image display device, and appropriate image processing can be performed in accordance with the characteristics, so that the image quality can be improved.

Further, the output characteristic information may be an operation state of the image output device.

The "operation state" of the image output apparatus includes, for example, setting of display contrast, temperature and humidity of a use environment, and the like. When the image output device is a liquid crystal display device, the transmission characteristics of the liquid crystal change depending on the temperature. When the image output device is an ink jet printer, the ejection characteristics of the ink change depending on the temperature and humidity. By specifying the operation state of such an image output device, appropriate image processing can be performed. As a result, image quality can be improved.

The present invention can be configured as an invention of an image processing method in addition to the configuration as the image processing apparatus described above. Also, computer programs for realizing these,
And a recording medium on which the program is recorded, a data signal including the program and embodied in a carrier wave, and the like. In each embodiment, the various additional elements described above can be applied.

When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, the present invention may be configured as an entire program for driving an image processing apparatus, or only a portion that performs the functions of the present invention may be configured. It may be configured. Examples of the recording medium include a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punched card, a printed matter on which a code such as a bar code is printed, an internal storage device of a computer (a memory such as a RAM or a ROM). )
Also, various computer-readable media such as an external storage device can be used.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in the following order based on examples. A. System configuration: B. Image processing: Second embodiment D. Image processing of second embodiment: Modification:

A. System configuration: FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image display system including an image processing device according to an embodiment. A server 100 is connected to the Internet INT. This server 100
Functions as the image processing apparatus of the present invention. Server 10
0, the mobile phones 10A, 10A as image input devices or image output devices via the Internet INT.
B and 10C and personal computers 30A and 30B in which application programs for creating and processing images are installed. Mobile phone 10
A and 10B have color liquid crystal panels capable of displaying 256 colors. The mobile phone 10B is equipped with a digital camera. The mobile phone 10C is provided with a monochrome liquid crystal panel capable of displaying monochrome 4 gradations. Mobile phone 1
Mobile mail terminals 20A and 20C each equipped with a digital camera are connected to 0A and 10C, respectively. The mobile mail terminals 20A and 20C have a color liquid crystal panel capable of displaying about 65,000 colors.

The server 100 is connected to the inkjet printers 40A and 40A via the Internet INT.
B is also connected as an image output device. The ink jet printer 40A is a printer that performs printing using four color inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The inkjet printer 40B is a printer that performs printing using six colors of ink of cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, and black. The light cyan ink and the light magenta ink are inks having a lower density than the cyan ink and the magenta ink.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of the server 100. The server 100 includes an original image data input unit 110, an input device information acquisition unit 120, an image processing parameter storage unit 130, and an input device information dependent image processing unit 1
40, a first image data storage unit 150, an independent image processing unit 160, a second image data storage unit 170, an image data output unit 180, and a load monitoring unit 190. These functional blocks are built in the server 100 as software. In the present embodiment, a case where all functional blocks are prepared in a single server 100 is illustrated, but a plurality of servers may perform distributed processing.

The original image data input unit 110 stores image data obtained by a digital camera or scanner (not shown) or image data created and processed using an application program installed in a personal computer. The data is input in various file formats such as JPEG and TIFF via the Internet INT or a local area network (not shown).

The input device information obtaining section 120 obtains information for specifying characteristics of the image input device when inputting the original image data from the image input device. For example, an operating state such as a model name of the image input device, a photographing condition with a digital camera, and an image capturing condition with a scanner is acquired. Note that this information may be obtained from the image input device or may be obtained from information added to the file format of the image data.

In the image processing parameter storage unit 130, a plurality of various parameters used for image processing performed in accordance with the input device information acquired by the input device information acquisition unit 120 are stored in advance. These parameters include a look-up table used for color balance correction.

The input device information dependent image processing unit 140 selects an optimal parameter from the image processing parameter storage unit 130 according to the input device information, and performs image processing depending on the input device information. In this image processing, for example, correction of color balance, change of image size, removal of noise from image data, and the like are performed as necessary. Note that these processes are well-known technologies, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The first image data storage unit 150 temporarily stores the image data processed by the input device information dependent image processing unit 140.

The load monitoring unit 190 constantly monitors the load of the server 100. The independent image processing unit 160
Image processing is performed on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 150 without depending on the input device information at a timing when the load of the server 100 measured by the load monitoring unit 190 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In this image processing, for example, color correction such as skin color, sky color, and tree color, and addition of sharpness are performed.

The second image data storage section 170 stores the image data processed by the independent image processing section 160. The image data output unit 180 outputs the second
The image data stored in the image data storage is transmitted to the image output device.

B. Image processing: In this embodiment, it is assumed that data of an image captured by a digital camera provided in the mobile mail terminal 20A is input. The input image data is processed for color balance correction, image size change, noise removal of original image data, color correction of skin color, sky color and trees color, and addition of sharpness. After being given,
Server 1 as data to be downloaded to the image output device
00. These image processing
It is executed in two timings according to the flowchart shown below.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the image data input processing. First, data of an image captured by a digital camera provided in the mobile mail terminal 20A is stored in the mobile phone 1.
0A to communicate with the original image data input unit 1
10 (step S100). Then, the input device information acquisition unit 120 acquires the model name of the mobile mail terminal 20A and the photographing conditions of the digital camera as the input device information (step S110). Thereby, the server 10
0 specifies the characteristics of the image input device and the input image. Note that the order of step S100 and step S110 may be reversed.

A parameter for performing optimal image processing according to the obtained input device information is selected from the image processing parameter storage unit 130 (step S120), and color balance correction and image processing are performed as image processing depending on the input device information. Then, the image size is changed and the noise of the original image data is removed (step S130). Then, the image data on which the input device information dependent image processing has been completed is stored in the first image data storage unit 15.
0 (step S140).

Next, it is determined whether the load of the server 100 measured by the load monitoring unit 190 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S150). In this embodiment, the operating rate of the CPU of the server 100 is monitored as the load of the server 100.
If the load is equal to or less than the predetermined value, color correction such as skin color, sky color, and tree color and the addition of sharpness are performed as independent image processing (step S160). If the load is not less than the predetermined value, it waits until the load becomes less than the predetermined value. In the present embodiment, the operating rate of the CPU is used as the load of the server 100, but the traffic amount of data communication may be used.
Further, the “predetermined value” serving as a criterion for determining whether or not to perform the independent image processing can be arbitrarily set so as not to adversely affect the data communication and the input device information dependent image processing.

The image data for which the independent image processing has been completed is stored in the second image data storage section 170 (step S18).
0), the image data input process ends. This image data is output from the image data output unit 180 in response to an image output request.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by performing the image processing depending on the characteristics of the image input apparatus and the image processing not depending on the timing at different timings, the image processing which does not need to be performed immediately can be appropriately performed. Since the timing can be selected, the efficiency of image processing can be improved. In addition, since image processing according to the characteristics of the image input device is selected and performed, image quality can be improved. Also,
Since the image processing independent of the characteristics of the image input device is performed when the load on the server is light, the hardware resources can be effectively used.

C. Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of an image processing device (server 100A) as a second embodiment of the present invention. The server 100A includes an original image data input unit 110A and an original image data storage unit 120A.
, Independent image processing unit 130A, and image data storage unit 1
40A, an output characteristic information acquisition unit 150A, an image processing parameter storage unit 160A, an output characteristic information dependent image processing unit 170A, an image data output unit 180A, and a load monitoring unit 190A. These function blocks
Similar to the first embodiment, the server 100A is constructed by software. In the second embodiment, a case where all the functional blocks are prepared in a single server 100A is exemplified. However, distributed processing may be performed by a plurality of servers.

As in the case of the original image data input unit 110 of the first embodiment, the original image data is input to the original image data input unit 110A via the Internet or a local area network. The original image data storage unit 120A
The input original image data is temporarily stored.

The load monitoring unit 190A constantly monitors the load on the server 100A. Independent image processing unit 130A
The server 100A in which the load monitoring unit 190A measures image processing independent of the output characteristics of the image output device on the image data stored in the original image data storage unit 120A.
Is performed at a timing when the load of the predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In this image processing, for example, color balance correction, image size change,
Noise removal of image data, color correction of skin color, sky color, tree color, etc., addition of sharpness, etc. are performed as necessary.

The image data storage section 140A temporarily stores the image data processed by the independent image processing section 130A.

The output characteristic information acquiring section 150A acquires output characteristic information relating to the output characteristic of the image output device to be output in synchronization with the request for image output. For example, it acquires the model name of the image output device, output settings, and usage environment data.

The image processing parameter storage section 160A stores
A plurality of various parameters used for image processing performed according to the output characteristic information acquired by the output characteristic information acquisition unit 150A are stored in advance. As this parameter, for example, a dither matrix used for halftone processing,
There are a look-up table used for gradation correction, a color conversion table for converting a color system of image data from an RGB system to a CMYK system, and the like.

The output characteristic information dependent image processing section 170A
Image processing parameter storage unit 160 according to output characteristic information
An optimal parameter is selected from A, and image processing depending on the output device is performed. In this image processing, image quality such as resolution conversion, halftone processing by a dither method or error diffusion method, gradation correction according to the display characteristics of an image output device, and color conversion processing for converting a color system is improved. Various processes are performed as necessary. In addition to these processes, file format conversion is also performed so that the image can be output to each image output device. Note that these processes are well-known technologies, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

The image data output section 180A transmits the image data on which the output characteristic information dependent image processing has been completed to the image output device.

D. Image processing of the second embodiment: In the present embodiment, an image captured by a digital camera provided in the mobile mail terminal 20A is displayed on a color liquid crystal panel of the mobile phone 10B. Data of an image captured by a digital camera is input to the server 100A, and is output after noise removal, image size change, gradation value correction, and halftone processing by a dither method are performed. And These image processes are executed at two timings in accordance with the flowchart shown below.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the image data input processing. First, data of an image captured by a digital camera provided in the mobile mail terminal 20A is stored in the mobile phone 1.
0A, the input is input to the original image data input unit 110A of the server 100A (step S20).
0). This original image data is stored in the original image data storage unit 120A.
(Step S210A).

Then, it is determined whether the load of the server 100A measured by the load monitoring unit 190A is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S220). Also in the second embodiment, the first
As in the embodiment, the load of the server 1
The operating rate of the CPU of 00A is monitored. If the load is equal to or less than the predetermined value, noise removal of image data and change of image size are performed as independent image processing (step S23).
0). If the load is not less than the predetermined value, it waits until the load becomes less than the predetermined value. The “predetermined value” can be set arbitrarily. The image data for which the independent image processing has been completed is stored in the image data storage unit 140A (step S240), and the image data input processing ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the image data output process. When the server 100A receives the image output request from the mobile phone 10B (step S250), the model name of the mobile phone 10B and the output setting (display contrast adjustment value, back Data such as ON / OFF of the light) and the use environment (temperature, brightness) are acquired from the mobile phone 10B (step S260).

A lookup table for tone correction and a dither matrix for halftone processing are selected from the image processing parameter storage section 160A as parameters for performing optimal image processing according to the acquired output characteristic information. (Step S270). Then, as output characteristic information dependent image processing, gradation value correction and halftone processing by the dither method are performed (step S280). Then, the image data is transmitted from the image data output unit 180A to the image output device (step S290).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the image processing which does not depend on the output characteristics of the image output device and the image processing which depends on it are performed at different timings, so that the image processing which does not need to be performed immediately can be appropriately performed. Since it is possible to select a proper timing, the efficiency of image processing can be improved. In addition, since image processing according to the output characteristics of the image output device is selected and performed, the image quality can be improved.
Further, when the load on the server is light, image processing independent of the output characteristics of the image output device is performed, so that hardware resources can be effectively used.

Since the image processing apparatuses of the first and second embodiments described above include processing by a computer, they take an embodiment as a recording medium on which a program for realizing this processing is recorded. You can also. As such a recording medium, a flexible disk or C
Computers such as D-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, ROM cartridges, punched cards, printed matter on which codes such as bar codes are printed, internal storage devices (memory such as RAM and ROM) and external storage devices of computers Various readable media are available.

E. Modifications: The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. It is. For example, the following modifications are possible.

E1. Modification Example 1 In the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus that performs the image processing dependent on the image input device and the image processing independent of the image processing at different timings has been described. In the second embodiment, the image processing apparatus that performs the image processing independent of the image output apparatus and the image processing dependent at different timings has been described. The image processing apparatus of the modified example has the features of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. That is, when inputting image data, image processing dependent on the image input device is performed, and upon image output request, image processing dependent on the image output device is performed. The non-dependent image processing (image processing not depending on the image input device) in the first embodiment corresponds to a mode in which image processing depending on the image output device is applied. at the same time,
The non-dependent image processing (image processing not depending on the image output device) in the second embodiment corresponds to a mode in which image processing depending on the image input device is applied.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of an image processing apparatus (server 100B) as a modification. The server 100B includes an original image data input unit 110B, an input device information acquisition unit 120B, an image processing parameter storage unit 130B, an input device information dependent image processing unit 140B,
Image data storage section 150B and output characteristic information acquisition section 16
0B, an output characteristic information dependent image processing section 170B, an image data output section 180B, and a load monitoring section 190B.

The function of each part is the same as that of the first and second embodiments. The image processing parameter storage unit 13
OB stores a plurality of parameters for performing image processing depending on the characteristics of the image input device and the image output device. The input device information dependent image processing unit 140B and the output characteristic information dependent image processing unit 170B perform appropriate image processing using the parameters selected from the image processing parameter storage unit 130B. The processing at the time of inputting the image data is the same as Steps S100 to S140 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The processing at the time of image output is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. According to such a modification, appropriate image processing can be performed according to both the image input device and the image output device.

E2. Modified Example 2: In the second embodiment, in the independent image processing, image processing common to all models of image output devices including an image display device and a printing device is performed. For each image display device,
Common image processing may be performed for each printing apparatus.

E3. Modified Example 3 In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which an image captured by a digital camera provided in the mobile mail terminal 20A is output to the color liquid crystal panel of the mobile phone 10B, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it output to another image output device. For example, the information may be output to the mobile mail terminal 20C, may be output to the personal computers 30A and 30B, or may be output to the inkjet printers 40A and 40B. Further, another device may be used as the image input device. Independent image processing includes, in addition to the above-described removal of image data noise and change in image size, image data input in an index color by RG.
B, for example, a process of converting the image data into 8-bit image data. The output characteristic information-dependent image processing includes resolution conversion, halftone processing using a dither method, an error diffusion method, or the like, correction of a gradation value according to the output characteristics of an image output device, and changing the color system from an RGB system to a CMYK system. Various processes for improving the image quality, such as a color conversion process for converting into a system, may be mentioned. In addition to the communication of RGB or CMY data, the communication may be performed using a Y signal (luminance signal) and a C signal (color difference signal).

E4. Modification 4: In the above embodiment, the image processing is performed by the request from the mobile phone 10B for displaying the image. However, the image processing may be requested to be output to another image output device. For example, the image processing apparatus may be requested to output an image from the mobile phone 10B to the inkjet printer 40B.

E5. Modification 5: In the above embodiment, the independent image processing is performed when the load on the server is light, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be performed at a predetermined time. In addition, when the load on the server is light, independent image processing including a plurality of processes is performed at one time.
Each process may be performed separately when the load on the server is light.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image display system including an image processing device as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of a server 100.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an image data input process.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing functional blocks of an image processing apparatus (server 100A) as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an image data input process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image data output process.

FIG. 7 illustrates an image processing apparatus (server 100) according to a modification.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the function block of B).

[Explanation of symbols]

 10A, 10B, 10C Mobile phone 20A, 20C Mobile mail terminal 30A, 30B Personal computer 40A, 40B Inkjet printer 100, 100A, 100B Server 110, 110A, 110B Original image data input unit 120, 120B Input Device information storage unit 120A ... Original image data storage unit 130, 130B ... Image processing parameter storage unit 130A ... Independent image processing unit 140, 140B ... Input device information dependent image processing unit 140A, 150B ... Image data storage unit 150 ... First Image data storage units 150A, 160B ... output characteristic information acquisition unit 160 ... independent image processing unit 160A ... image processing parameter storage unit 170 ... second image data storage units 170A, 170B ... output characteristic information dependent image processing units 180, 180A, 180B Image data output unit 190,190A, 190B ... load monitoring unit

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Claims (14)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus for performing image processing on original image data input from a plurality of image input apparatuses connected to a network, wherein input apparatus information for acquiring input apparatus information of the image input apparatus An acquisition unit, an input device information-dependent image processing unit that performs image processing dependent on the input device information on the original image data when the original image data is input, and the input device information-dependent image processing is performed. A storage unit for storing image data, and performing image processing independent of the input device information on the image data stored in the storage unit at a predetermined timing set independently of the input of the original image data. An image processing device comprising: a dependent image processing unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a load monitoring unit that monitors a load of the image processing apparatus, wherein the predetermined timing is when the load is equal to or less than a predetermined value. An image processing device. 3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image input devices include a plurality of types of image input devices, and the input device information is a type of the image input device. ,
Image processing device. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device information is a model name of the image input device. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device information is an operation state of the image input device. 6. An image processing apparatus for performing image processing on input original image data and generating data to be supplied to a plurality of image output apparatuses connected to a network, the image processing apparatus comprising: An output characteristic information acquisition unit for acquiring output characteristic information relating to an output characteristic; and a non-independent processing for performing image processing independent of the output characteristic information on the original image data at a predetermined timing set independently of an image output request. An image processing unit, a storage unit for storing the image data on which the independent image processing has been performed, and performing an image processing dependent on the output characteristic information on the image data stored in the storage unit when an image output is requested. And an output characteristic information dependent image processing unit to be applied. 7. The image processing device according to claim 6, further comprising a load monitoring unit that monitors a load of the image processing device, wherein the predetermined timing is when the load is equal to or less than a predetermined value. An image processing device. 8. The image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of image output devices include a plurality of types of image output devices, and the output characteristic information is a type of the image output device. ,
Image processing device. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the output characteristic information is a model name of the image output apparatus. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the output characteristic information is an operation state of the image output apparatus. 11. An image processing method for performing image processing on original image data input from a plurality of image input devices connected to a network, wherein (a) acquiring input device information of the image input device. And (b) performing image processing dependent on the input device information on the original image data when the original image data is input; and (c) performing image processing dependent on the input device information. (D) at a predetermined timing set independently of the input of the original image data, without depending on the input device information with respect to the image data stored in the step (c). Performing an image processing; and an image processing method comprising: 12. An image processing method for performing image processing on input original image data and generating data to be supplied to a plurality of image output devices connected to a network, comprising: Subjecting the original image data to image processing independent of information on the output characteristics of the image output device at a predetermined timing set independently of the request; and (b) information on the output characteristics of the image output device. Storing image data that has been subjected to image processing independent of the above, (c) obtaining output characteristic information relating to output characteristics of the image output device, and (d) performing the step (b) upon requesting image output. Performing image processing dependent on the output characteristic information on the image data stored in step (a). 13. A recording medium in which a computer program for performing image processing on original image data input from a plurality of image input devices connected to a network is recorded in a computer-readable manner. A function of acquiring input device information of a device; a function of performing image processing dependent on the input device information on the original image data; and a function of performing image processing dependent on the input device information. A computer for causing the computer to realize a function of performing image processing independent of the input device information, and a function of controlling image processing dependent on the input device information and a timing of image processing independent of the input device information. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. 14. A computer program for performing image processing on input original image data and generating data to be supplied to a plurality of image output devices connected to a network, in a computer-readable manner. A recording medium, a function of acquiring output characteristic information relating to an output characteristic of the image output device; a function of performing image processing on the original image data independent of the output characteristic information; A function of performing image processing dependent on the output characteristic information on image data on which image processing is not performed, and controlling timings of image processing independent of the output characteristic information and image processing dependent on the output characteristic information Computer readable recording a computer program for causing the computer to implement the functions Recording medium.