JP2001197230A - Method and system for editing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load on data transfer in a system in which a client performs an editing instruction of an image, a server edits the image based on the editing instruction and image data, etc., obtained as a result are transferred to the client. SOLUTION: When a user 1 instructs a laboratory 2 to start editing, the laboratory 2 transfers template data T to a personal computer 10. The computer 10 inquires an editing object of the laboratory 2, and the laboratory 2 transfers editing information representing the editing object to the computer 10. The user 1 receives it, performs an editing instruction and transfers editing instruction information H representing editing results to the laboratory 2. The laboratory 2 edits the data T and image data SO based on the information H, obtains intermediately processed image data M, generates low capacity data ML obtained by reducing the data quantity of the data M and transfers the data ML to the computer 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image editing system for editing an image in a server based on an instruction for editing an image in a client, and an image editing method and an image editing method for causing a computer to execute the image editing method. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various digital photo services related to photographs, such as digitizing photograph images taken by a user and storing them in an image server, recording them on a CD-R and providing them to the user, and responding to an order for reprinting photographs. A digital photo service system that performs the operation is known. As one form of such a system, a network photo service system that stores (registers) a user's digital image in a service provider's system and receives a print order or the like via a network such as the Internet has been proposed.

In such a network photo service system, when providing a digital photo service to a user, a scanner, printer,
A server computer having a large capacity disk
An "image server" is installed to store the pictures taken by the user as image data in the image server, and allow the user to access the image server via a network. It has been considered to provide various services such as attaching a photo image to an e-mail and downloading image data. In such a service, in the lab, together with image data representing a user image, low-resolution image data representing a reduced image of the user image, template data, and editing software for issuing various editing instructions to the image data are stored. I have. Then, the user uses the We
b Access the lab image server using application software such as a browser, download the low-resolution image data and editing software or template data, edit the image using the editing software, and edit the editing result as editing instruction information Transfer to lab. Here, the editing software is the same as the software that performs the editing processing in the laboratory, and the user can perform the same editing as the processing performed in the laboratory using the editing software. At the lab, based on the editing instruction information transferred from the user, the image data is subjected to processing such as additional printing, creation of a postcard with a photo, creation of an album, combination of images, and trimming, and the processing has been completed. It is possible to take measures such as obtaining the image data, transferring the processed image data to the user, and notifying the user of the completion of the processing by e-mail.

[0004]

However, unlike the low-resolution data for editing, the processed image data has the same resolution as the original image data. Therefore, it takes a long time to transfer this to the user. It costs. On the other hand, the user issues only the editing instruction without downloading the editing software to the user's personal computer by the applicant,
There has been proposed an image editing system in which the editing result is sequentially transferred from the image server to the user. In such a system, the intermediate processed image data processed up to the intermediate stage for each editing instruction is provided to the user. Since the data is transferred, if the capacity of the data to be transferred is large, it takes a long time to transfer, and as a result, the editing process cannot be performed efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image editing method and system capable of efficiently transferring processed image data, and a computer storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image editing method. It is an object of the present invention to provide a readable recording medium.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image editing method, comprising: a client having an editing instruction device for issuing an editing instruction to image data; a client connected to the client via a network; An image editing apparatus comprising: an editing processing device that performs editing processing of the image data based on an editing instruction by the user to obtain processed image data; and an image server that transfers predetermined image data related to the image data to the client. An image editing method performed in a system, wherein low-capacity data having a smaller data amount than the predetermined image data is generated, and the low-capacity data is transferred to the client.

[0007] The "editing process" is an image process that can be performed on image data. More specifically, in addition to a red-eye process, a sharpness enhancing process, a color conversion process, a trimming process, a scaling process, And a process of forming a wave pattern on an image. When the image data is template data or composite data of the user image data and the template data, in addition to the above-described image processing, a process of inserting an image or a character such as a user image or clip art into the template is included. .

"Low-capacity data" is used to reduce the amount of predetermined image data transferred from the image server to the client, and includes data representing a low-resolution image obtained by reducing the predetermined image data and a compression ratio. , Or data with a reduced number of colors.

In the image editing method according to the present invention, the predetermined image data is any one of image data before performing the editing process, image data that has been edited up to an intermediate stage, and the processed image data. You may.

[0010] The "image data that has been edited up to the intermediate stage" is image data generated when an editing process for combining a template and a user image is performed as described below. First, the image server transfers template data and composite data to the client, and based on this, the client inquires the image server of the contents of image processing for the image data and the editing target such as the position of the area where the image or character is inserted. In response to the inquiry about the editing target, the server transfers the editing information (contents of the image processing, the position of the image or character insertion area) representing the editing target to the client. The client generates, based on the editing information, editing instruction information indicating the content of the processing to be performed on the inquired editing target, and sends the generated editing instruction information to the image server. The image server edits the image data based on the editing instruction information. Give instructions. At this time, even if there are a plurality of edit targets, the client inquires about the edit targets for each edit target, so that the data obtained by ending the edit process for one edit target is all data. Are not processed.
In the present invention, the data that has not been processed for all of the editing targets is referred to as “image data that has been edited to an intermediate stage”.

In the image editing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined image data is transferred to the client following the low-capacity data.

Further, in the image editing method according to the present invention, it is preferable that a data amount of the low-capacity data is changed according to a load state of the network.

"Change according to the network load condition" means that the larger the load on the network, the smaller the amount of low-capacity data. Specifically, by increasing the compression ratio, lowering the resolution, or further reducing the number of colors, the amount of low-capacity data can be reduced.

It is preferable that the low-capacity data is composed of a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise and the data is transferred to the client in order from the data having the smaller data amount.

In this case, it is preferable that the transfer of the low-capacity data is stopped in response to an instruction from the client, and the transfer of the low-capacity data is restarted in response to an instruction from the client.

An image editing system according to the present invention includes a client having an editing instruction device for issuing an editing instruction to image data, connected to the client via a network, and based on the editing instruction from the editing instruction device. An image processing system, comprising: an image processing apparatus that performs editing processing of the image data to obtain processed image data; and an image server that transfers predetermined image data related to the image data to the client. Has means for generating low-capacity data having a smaller data amount than the predetermined image data, and transfers the low-capacity data to the client.

In the image editing system according to the present invention, the predetermined image data may be any of image data before the editing process, image data edited up to an intermediate stage, and the processed image data. Preferably, there is.

Further, in the image editing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the image server further includes means for transferring the predetermined image data to the client, following the low-capacity data.

Further, in the image editing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the image server further includes means for changing a data amount of the low-capacity data according to a load state of the network.

Further, the means for generating the low-capacity data is means for generating the low-capacity data so as to include a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise. Is preferably transferred to

In this case, it is preferable that the image server further comprises means for stopping the transfer of the low-capacity data in response to an instruction from the client, and further, in response to the instruction from the client, It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises means for resuming data transfer.

The program for causing a computer to execute the image editing method according to the present invention may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0023]

According to the present invention, when predetermined image data is generated in the editing processing device of the image server, low-capacity data having a smaller data amount than the predetermined image data is generated, and the low-capacity data is transmitted to the client. Is forwarded to
For this reason, compared with the case of transferring predetermined image data,
Transfer time can be reduced.

In the case where the predetermined image data is image data that has been edited up to an intermediate stage with respect to the image data, it is necessary to transfer the data in each processing stage to the client. Since the data to be transferred is low-capacity data, the transfer time can be shortened, whereby the editing process can be performed efficiently.

Further, by reducing the amount of low-capacity data in accordance with the load status of the network, low-capacity data having a smaller data capacity is transferred when the load on the network is large, so that it is efficient. Data transfer can be performed.

Further, if the low-capacity data is composed of a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise, and the data is transferred in order from the small data amount, the data is displayed to the client in order from the low-capacity data. Becomes

At this time, if the transfer of the low-capacity data is stopped in response to an instruction from the client, the transfer of the low-capacity data can be performed when the contents of the low-capacity data to be transferred are known without waiting for the transfer of all data. , The client can immediately start the next process.

After the transfer of the low-capacity data is stopped, the transfer of the low-capacity data is resumed in response to an instruction from the client, whereby the transfer of the low-capacity data to a desired stage can be received.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image editing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the image editing system shown in FIG. 1, a user 1 and a laboratory 2 are connected via a network 3, and data and prints are exchanged between the user 1 and the laboratory 2.

The user 1 has a personal computer 10 as a client including the editing instruction device, and can exchange data with the lab 2 via the network 3. Further, although software for generating the editing instruction information H is installed in the personal computer 10 as described later, this software is simpler than software for performing editing processing in the editing processing means 7 described later. The processing is performed.

The lab 2 is a system for executing print output as an image server. The lab 2 reads an image from a film brought in by a user 1 to obtain high-resolution image data S0, and stores the read image data S0. A database 5, input / output means 6 for receiving the editing instruction information H from the personal computer 10 and transferring various data to the personal computer 10, and editing the image data S 0 based on the editing instruction information H to process the processed image. Editing processing means 7 for obtaining data S1, output means 8 for printing out processed image data S1, and low-capacity data M
L data generating means 9 for generating L. The database 5 includes template data T (hereinafter, the template is sometimes referred to as T) representing a template for creating a postcard or the like in combination with the image of the user, and data representing a clip art to be inserted into the template T. Have been kept.

The low-capacity data generating means 9 reduces the template data T, the processed image data S1, and the intermediate processed image data M described later, and generates image data representing these low-resolution images as low-capacity data ML. Things. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the low-capacity data ML is generated stepwise from low-resolution to high-resolution, for example, low-capacity data ML having four levels of resolution.
For example, when the image represented by the high-resolution image data S0 is 2000 × 2000 pixels, the low-capacity data ML is 1000 × 1000, 500 × 500, 250
It represents an image with four resolutions of × 250 and 125 × 125.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment. It is assumed that the image of the user has already been read by the reading means 4 and stored in the database 5.
Further, in the present embodiment, a process of obtaining a processed image by inserting a user image in the area A1 of the template T, a clip art in the area A2, and a character in the area A3 of the template T shown in FIG. It is assumed that a plurality of template data T and thumbnail images representing clip art data stored in the database 5 and thumbnail images of user images have already been transferred to the personal computer 10. First, the user 1 transfers an instruction to start editing a user image to the laboratory 2 using the personal computer 10 (step S1). Here, the database 5 is stored in the personal computer 10 in advance.
The user 1 selects the desired template from the thumbnail images and sends a command to start editing to the lab 2, thereby instructing the lab 2 to start editing. Is performed.

When the laboratory 2 receives the editing start instruction, the image editing means 7 reads the template data T representing the template T from the database 5 (step S2),
This is input to the low-capacity data generating means 9, where the low-capacity data ML of the template data T is generated (step S3). The low-capacity data ML is transferred to the personal computer 10 of the user 1 through the input / output means 6 in order from the low-resolution data (step S4). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that a sample image, sample clip art, and sample characters are inserted in the regions A1 to A3 of the template T, respectively. When the personal computer 10 receives the transfer of the low-capacity data ML of the template data T, it displays them sequentially from the low-resolution side (step S5). And
The user 1 confirms the displayed template, and inquires of the lab 2 about one to be edited, affirmation is given in step S6. On the other hand, when there is no inquiry, step S6 is denied, and the process returns to step S4 to continuously transfer the low-capacity data ML. The inquiry about the editing target is made by clicking a desired area of the template T displayed on the personal computer 10. First, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the area A1 has been clicked.

Upon receiving the inquiry about the object to be edited, the lab 2 stops the transfer of the low-capacity data ML even if the transfer of the data of all resolutions has not been completed (step S7), and determines whether or not an instruction to restart the transfer has been given. (Step S
8). If step S8 is affirmed, step S4
And the low-capacity data ML is continuously transferred. If step S8 is denied, the editing processing means 7 transfers the editing information corresponding to the editing target for which the inquiry has been made to the personal computer 10 (step S9). Here, coordinate values representing the range of the area A1 (for example, coordinate values of the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the area A1) are transferred as editing information. User 1
Receives the transfer of the editing information, starts editing the area A1 (step S10). Here, upon receiving the transfer of the editing information, handles 10A and 10B for deforming the area A1 are displayed in the area A1 of the template T as shown in FIG. The user 1 can enlarge, reduce and rotate the area A1 by operating the handles 10A and 10B. It is preferable to preserve the aspect ratio when enlarging and reducing. In the present embodiment, the area A1 is inclined as shown in FIG. On the other hand, since the thumbnail image of the user image has already been transferred to the personal computer 10, the user 1
Is selected, the file name is input to the personal computer 10, and the editing is completed by pressing the return key or the like.

When the editing is completed, the editing instruction information H is generated (step S11) and transferred to the laboratory 2 (step S12). Here, the editing instruction information H includes information indicating the position of the area A1 after the change and the file name of the user image to be inserted. In the present embodiment, since the area A1 is rotated, the editing instruction information H includes the coordinate values of the four corners of the changed area A1 as information indicating the position of the area A1.

When the laboratory 2 receives the transfer of the editing instruction information H, the editing processing means 7 performs an editing process for deforming the area A1 of the template T and inserting the user image specified in the area A1 based on the transfer. (Step S13) to generate intermediate processed image data M0 (Step S14). Note that M0 and M1 and M2, which will be described later, are used as the codes of the intermediate processed image data, but they are represented by M in FIG. Then, the low-capacity data generating means 9 generates low-capacity data ML of the intermediately processed image data M0 (step S).
15) The data is transferred to the personal computer 10 in order from the low resolution (step S16). Thereby, the intermediately processed image M0 in which the user image is inserted into the deformed area A1 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the personal computer 10 of the user 1 in order from the low resolution side (step S17). Then, the user 1 checks the displayed intermediately processed image M0, and inquires of the lab 2 about one of the other editing targets, step S1.
8 is affirmed.

When the laboratory 2 receives the inquiry about the object to be edited, the transfer of the low-capacity data ML is stopped even if the transfer of the data of all resolutions has not been completed (step S19), and whether or not an instruction to restart the transfer has been given. (Step S2
0). If step S20 is affirmed, step S20
Returning to 16, the low-volume data ML is continuously transferred.
If step S20 is denied, the process returns to step S9, where the editing processing means 7 transfers the editing information corresponding to the editing object for which the inquiry has been made to the personal computer 10, and thereafter repeats the processing from step S9 to step S18.

If step S18 is denied, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all editing targets (step S21). In the present embodiment, since the processing has not been completed for the areas A2 and A3, the step S21 is denied, and the process returns to the step S16 to repeat the processing from the step S16 to the step S18. When there is only one edit target (for example, when only the area A1 is deformed and other image processing is not included),
Since the step S18 is denied and the step S21 is also denied, the transfer processing of the intermediately processed image data is performed only once from the inquiry of the editing target.

Here, if an inquiry about the object to be edited is made with respect to the area A2, step S18 is affirmed, and if step S20 is denied, coordinate values indicating the range of the area A2 are used as editing information as in the case of the area A1. 10
Is forwarded to The user 1 transfers the transformation result of the area A2 and the file name of the clip art to be inserted into the area A2 to the laboratory 2 as the editing instruction information H. The editing processing means 7 of the lab 2 performs an editing process of inserting a clip art designated by the user into the deformed area A2 to obtain the intermediately processed image data M1, generate low-capacity data ML thereof, and perform low-resolution From the side data to the personal computer 10.
As a result, the personal computer 10 has the area A as shown in FIG.
The intermediate processed image M1 in which the clip art designated by the user is inserted into the image 2 is displayed in order from the lower resolution side.

Further, when an inquiry about the object to be edited is made with respect to the area A3, step S18 is affirmed, and if step S20 is denied, the coordinate values indicating the range of the area A3 are used as the editing information as in the case of the area A1.
Is forwarded to The user 1 specifies the transformation result of the area A3, the character string to be inserted into the area A3, the font type, the size, and the character decoration (shaded, bordered), and transfers the specified result to the laboratory 2 as the editing instruction information H. The editing processing means 7 of the lab 2 performs an editing process of inserting a character specified by the user into the deformed area A3 to obtain intermediate processed image data M2, generates low-capacity data of the data, and transfers it to the personal computer 10. . Thereby, the intermediately processed image M2 in which the character designated by the user is inserted in the area A3 is displayed on the personal computer 10 in order from the lower resolution side as shown in FIG.

When the editing process is completed for all the editing objects, step S21 is affirmed, and when an instruction is given that the displayed image is now OK, step S22 is affirmed and the intermediate processing is completed in the laboratory 2. The image data M2 is set as the processed image data S1, and the processed image data S1 is printed (step S2).
3), end the process. On the other hand, if step S22 is denied, the process returns to step S1 to redo the editing process, and the processes from step S1 to step S22 are repeated. If it is desired to modify the displayed intermediately processed image after step S17, the process may return to step S6 and repeat the processes from step S6 to step S17.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the low-capacity data ML of the template data T and the intermediate-processed image data M is generated, and the low-capacity data ML is used by the user 1.
The transfer time can be reduced as compared with the case where the template data T or the intermediate processed image data M itself is transferred.

Also, since the low-capacity data ML is composed of a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise, and the data is transferred in order from the data having the smaller amount, the data is displayed on the personal computer 10 in order from the data having the smaller capacity. Will be done. At this time, the user 1 observes the images sequentially displayed from the low resolution side, and if the content can be confirmed even at the low resolution, the user 1 stops the transfer of the low capacity data ML and starts the next processing. Therefore, editing work can be performed efficiently.

Further, since the transfer can be resumed after the transfer of the low-capacity data ML is stopped, the transfer of the low-capacity data ML to a desired stage can be received. Therefore, although the transfer of the low-capacity data ML has been stopped, the user's mind has changed and the low-capacity data ML has been completely transferred.
It is possible to cope with a case where it is desired to receive the transfer.

In the above-described embodiment, only the template data T and the low-capacity data ML of the intermediately processed image data M are transferred to the personal computer 10.
Alternatively, the transfer of the intermediate processed image data M may be performed. As a result, a higher quality image is reproduced on the personal computer 10 of the user 1.

In the above embodiment, the low-capacity data ML is low-resolution data obtained by reducing the template data T and the intermediately processed image data M. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Or the data in which the number of colors is reduced stepwise may be used as the low-capacity data ML.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the low-capacity data ML is obtained by changing the data amount in a stepwise manner. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single low-capacity data ML may be used.

In the above embodiment, the load status of the network 3 is detected before the generation of the low-capacity data ML.
The data amount of the low-capacity data ML may be changed according to the load situation. That is, when the load on the network 3 is large, the data transfer time can be made appropriate by reducing the capacity of the low-capacity data ML.

In the above embodiment, the case where the software for generating the editing instruction information H has already been installed in the personal computer 10 of the user 1 has been described.
May be downloaded to the personal computer 10 of the user 1. In this case, the software is J
An ava applet can be used. That is, the lab 2 is a Web server, and when the user 1 performs editing, the html of the lab 2 is
1 access the file. Here, Lab 2
, A Java applet as software for generating the editing instruction information H is registered, and this Java applet is specified in the html file. It is assumed that the Web browser has a built-in Java virtual machine. Then, when the user 1 accesses the lab 2 with the Web browser and downloads the html file, the Java applet described in the html file is downloaded from the lab 2 and the editing instruction information H can be generated based on the Java applet.

Also, a distributed object calling function such as RMI and CORBA is described in a Java applet, and a method of an object (here, a program for issuing an editing instruction) existing on the Java virtual machine in the lab 2 is called. Is also good. Further, as software for generating the editing instruction information H, Java is used.
The program is not limited to the applet, and a program for performing an editing instruction created in a language other than the Java applet (for example, C language, C ++ language) may be read.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the regions A1 to A3 of the template T are to be edited and a user image, clip art, and characters are inserted into these regions A1 to A3. In addition to insertion, various types of image processing such as sharpness enhancement processing, color conversion processing, and red-eye processing may be targeted for editing. In this case, for example, in response to an inquiry about the area A1 to be edited, in addition to the information indicating the range of the area A1, a list of image processing that can be processed in the laboratory 2 is transferred to the personal computer 10 as editing information. The user 1 designates image processing contents to be applied to the user image and parameters thereof based on the list of image processing, and transfers them to the laboratory 2 as editing instruction information H. Thereby, in the laboratory 2, the image processing specified by the editing instruction information H can be performed on the user image. In the image processing, a wave pattern is added to a part of the template T, a white border is added to the area A1,
Processing for reflecting the user image inserted in the area A1 to another area on the template T or the like may be included.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which an editing process for synthesizing a template and a user image is performed. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where image processing is performed only on the image data S0. it can. That is, when the user 1 performs an image process such as a sharpness process on the user image and transmits an editing start instruction to the laboratory 2, the laboratory 2 transmits image data S0 representing the user image to the personal computer 10 of the user 1. . When the user 1 receives the transfer of the image data S0, the user 1 inquires of the lab 2 about an edit target, and the lab 2 transfers a list of image processing that can be performed on the image data S0 to the personal computer 10 as edit information. The user 1 determines the image processing to be performed on the image data S0 and its parameters by referring to the list, and transfers the parameters to the laboratory 2 as the editing instruction information H. The lab 2 performs image processing on the image data S0 based on the editing instruction information H, obtains processed image data S1, generates low-capacity data of the data, and transfers it to the personal computer 10.

In the above embodiment, the template T with the sample image inserted is transferred to the user 1 as edit data. Data synthesized with data may be transferred as edit data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of an image editing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a template used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a template into which a sample image or the like is inserted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an editing state of an area A1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an editing state of an area A1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which editing is completed for an area A1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where editing is completed for an area A2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state where editing is completed for an area A3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 user 2 lab 3 network 4 reading means 5 database 6 input / output means 7 editing processing means 8 output means 9 low-volume data generating means 10 personal computer

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A client having an editing instruction device for issuing an editing instruction to image data, connected to the client via a network, and editing the image data based on the editing instruction from the editing instruction device. An image editing method performed in an image editing system having an editing processing device that obtains processed image data by performing processing, and an image server that transfers predetermined image data related to the image data to the client. An image editing method comprising: generating low-capacity data having a smaller data amount than predetermined image data; and transferring the low-capacity data to the client. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image data is any one of image data before the editing processing, image data that has been edited up to an intermediate stage, and the processed image data. The image editing method described. 3. The image editing method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image data is transferred to the client subsequent to the low-capacity data. 4. The image editing method according to claim 1, wherein a data amount of the low-capacity data is changed according to a load state of the network. 5. The data according to claim 1, wherein the low-capacity data comprises a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise, and the data is transferred to the client in order from the data having the smaller data amount. The image editing method according to claim 1. 6. The image editing method according to claim 5, wherein the transfer of the low-capacity data is stopped in response to an instruction from the client. 7. The image editing method according to claim 6, wherein the transfer of the low-capacity data is restarted in response to an instruction from the client. 8. A client having an editing instruction device for issuing an editing instruction to image data, connected to the client via a network, and editing the image data based on the editing instruction from the editing instruction device. An image editing system, comprising: an image processing system having an editing processing device that obtains processed image data by performing processing, and an image server that transfers predetermined image data related to the image data to the client. An image editing system, comprising: means for generating low-capacity data having a smaller data amount, and transferring the low-capacity data to the client. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined image data is one of image data before the editing processing, image data edited to an intermediate stage, and the processed image data. Image editing system as described. 10. The image server according to claim 8, wherein said image server further comprises means for transferring said predetermined image data to said client subsequent to said low-capacity data.
Or the image editing system according to 9. 11. The image server according to claim 8, further comprising means for changing a data amount of the low-capacity data in accordance with a load condition of the network.
11. The image editing system according to any one of items 1 to 10. 12. The means for generating the low-capacity data is a means for generating the low-capacity data so as to be composed of a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise. 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the data is transferred to
The image editing system described in the item. 13. The image editing system according to claim 12, wherein said image server further comprises means for stopping transfer of said low-capacity data in response to an instruction from said client. 14. The image editing system according to claim 13, wherein said image server further comprises means for restarting transfer of said low-capacity data in response to an instruction from said client. 15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the image editing method according to claim 1, wherein the program has a low capacity having a smaller data amount than the predetermined image data. A computer-readable recording medium, comprising: a step of generating data; and a step of transferring the low-capacity data to the client. 16. The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined image data is one of image data before the editing processing, image data that has been edited up to an intermediate stage, and the processed image data. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1. 17. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, further comprising a step of transferring the predetermined image data to the client following the low-capacity data. 18. The computer-readable recording according to claim 15, further comprising a step of changing a data amount of the low-capacity data in accordance with a load state of the network. Medium. 19. The low-capacity data is composed of a plurality of data in which the data amount is reduced stepwise, and the procedure of transferring the low-capacity data is a procedure of transferring the data with the smaller data amount to the client in order. The computer-readable recording medium according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein: 20. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 19, further comprising a step of stopping transfer of said low-capacity data in response to an instruction from said client. 21. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 20, further comprising a step of restarting the transfer of the low-capacity data in response to an instruction from the client.