JP2005250716A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system for notifying a user of the presence/absence of image edition. <P>SOLUTION: A computer device 102 is provided with an image editing function for editing an image according to an editing operation, and for adding information of the editing operation to an image file, and configured to transfer the edited image file to a server device 103. The server device 103 discloses the edited image and the information of the editing operation, and limits service provision to the user according to the editing operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system for publishing an edited image.

  Conventionally, there is a system that provides various services to a service user using an image file transferred to a server device by an image provider.

  In such a service, the image provider transfers an image file existing in his computer apparatus to a designated server apparatus connected to the network. The server device provides the service user with a list of image files recorded in the storage device of the server device that are open to the service user. The server device also provides a service user with a list of services that can be used for the image at the same time as the image list.

  The service user selects an image desired to be used from the provided image list, and in addition, selects a type of service desired to be used from the service list. The server device provides the selected image to the service user with the selected service.

  Here, in the image list provided to the service user, in addition to a name that uniquely represents the image file such as a file name, thumbnail images obtained by reducing the image, date and time of creation of the file, name of the created device, and comments May be displayed.

  As the types of services displayed in the service list, for example, in addition to a simple image file transfer service, a service for transmitting the location (URL) of an image file or the image file itself to an acquaintance by e-mail, and a print laboratory are used. Then, a service for printing an image on paper or other media and mailing it is common.

  In such a system, the image provider may edit the image before transferring the image to the server device. Editing is done for a variety of reasons. For example, when the image file format that can be transferred to the server device is limited to a specific format such as the JPEG format, it is necessary to convert the image file to the format and then transfer it.

  Also, if the part of the image that you want to publish is a part, for example, if you want to publish only the part of a specific person in the group photo, generate an image that includes only the part that you want to publish by trimming operation Is transferred to the server device.

Furthermore, in the case of an image that is not intended for printing, for example, an image that is disclosed only on the World Wide Web (WWW), still image data having a resolution that is too high to be displayed on the screen of the computer device is not necessary. In such a case, in order to shorten the communication time, the image is re-compressed by changing the size and / or compression rate in advance, and then transferred to the server apparatus.
JP 2003-78677 A

  In a system in which an image on a computer device is transferred to a server device and provided to the server user, the server user has no means of knowing whether or not the provided image has been edited and the editing content. If the editing content is not known, for example, the service user may use an inappropriate service such as using a print service for a low-quality image for WWW publication.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system that eliminates such inconveniences.

  In order to solve the above problem, the image processing system according to the present invention edits an image in accordance with an editing operation, and adds the information of the editing operation to the image data indicating the edited image and transmits the image editing And the edited image data transmitted from the image editing device and the editing information are received and stored via a transmission path, and the edited image corresponding to the received image data is edited. And an image publishing device that is disclosed together with operation information.

  According to the present invention, the service user can know whether the published image has been edited. For example, the image editing device is a computer device, and the image disclosure device is a server device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the present embodiment.

  A computer device 102, a server device 103, and other computer devices 104 are connected to the Internet 101. A disk device 105 is connected to the server device 103.

  The server device 103 has a Web server function, receives an image file from an arbitrary computer device connected to the Internet 101, records the image file on the disk device 105, and then receives an arbitrary computer device connected to the Internet 101 and a mobile phone. An image file can be disclosed by accessing the server 103.

  By connecting the digital camera 106 to the computer apparatus 102 and transferring the image to the server apparatus 103, the image captured by the digital camera 106 can be disclosed to all computer apparatuses connected to the Internet 101.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the file format of the image file used in this embodiment. The image file includes an image header 201 and subsequent image data 202.

  The image header 201 includes an image file format identifier 203, header size 204, shooting date and time 205, width 206, height 207, compression rate 208, creator name 209, image mode 210, flash setting 211, white balance 212, and the like. Is recorded. The compression rate 208 is an integer value from 0 to 65535. When an image is generated by the image generation apparatus, a value from 0 to 255 is recorded.

  In the image data 202, following the size 213 of the entire image data, data indicating the value of each pixel of the image is compressed and recorded in a predetermined format.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an edit screen before the image is transferred to the server apparatus 103 on the computer apparatus 102.

  The preview 301 displays an image to be edited. A trimming frame 302 for trimming an image is displayed in the preview 301, and the size and position of the frame 302 can be freely changed within the range of the image by an operation. When the trimming frame 302 is changed, the coordinate values displayed in the trimming range display 309 are changed according to the trimming frame 302. When the rotation button 303 and the rotation button 304 are clicked, the image can be rotated 90 degrees to the left and 90 degrees to the right, respectively. The preview 301 displays the original size 305 and the current size 306 of the image.

  The resizing operation can be performed by inputting the size ratio of the recompressed image to the original image in the edit box 307 as a value from 1% to 100% and clicking the execution button 308.

  The trimming operation can be performed by clicking the execution button 310 after changing the trimming frame 302.

  When a rotation, resize or trimming operation is performed, the preview 301 and the current size 306 are changed accordingly.

  A drop-down list box 311 can change the effect to be added to the image. For example, the effect is selected from smoothing, edge enhancement, oil painting style, and no effect. The effect selected here is immediately reflected in the preview 301.

  In the drop-down list box 312, the file format of the transferred image can be changed. For example, the file format is selected from JPEG, bitmap, TIFF, GIF, and the like.

  In the drop-down list box 313, the compression rate of the transferred image can be changed. For example, “high image quality”, “normal”, and “high compression ratio” can be selected. The drop-down list box 313 is invalid when the file format selected in the drop-down list box 312 is not a lossy compression file format.

  When the button 314 is clicked, all editing operations performed on this screen can be canceled and restored.

  When the button 315 is clicked, the editing operation performed on this screen is applied to the original image, and then the image is transferred to the server apparatus 103.

  FIG. 4 shows an internal configuration of the computer apparatus 102 when an image is transferred to the server apparatus 103.

  The computer device 102 includes a processing device 401, a storage device 402, and a memory 410. An original image 403 exists as a file in the storage device 402. The original image 403 includes an original image header 404 and original image data 405. The temporary image 406 is obtained by copying the original image 403 to the memory 410 and changing it, and includes a temporary image header 407, a temporary image addition header 408, and temporary image data 409.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of image generation processing in the computer apparatus 102 when the button 315 is clicked.

  First, in step 501, it is determined whether or not the file format specified in the drop-down list box 312 matches the original image. If they match, the process proceeds to step 502. Proceed to 503.

  In step 502, the identifier of the original image header 404 is output as it is at the beginning of the temporary image header 407, and the process proceeds to step 504.

  In step 503, the identifier corresponding to the file format specified in the drop-down list box 312 is output at the beginning of the temporary image header 407, and at the same time, the identifier of the original image header 404 is output as it is at the beginning of the temporary image addition header 408. To do.

  In step 504, the header size of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is.

  In step 505, the current date and time are added to the temporary image header 407, and at the same time, the shooting date and time of the original image header 404 is directly added to the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 506, if the rotation angle on the screen of FIG. 3 is other than 0, the rotation angle is added to the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 507, if the image is trimmed on the screen of FIG. 3, the start point and end point of the trimming area are added to the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 508, it is determined whether or not the width of the image obtained as a result of the rotation, resizing, or trimming operation on the screen of FIG. 3 matches the original image. If not, go to Step 510.

  In step 509, the image width of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is, and the process proceeds to step 511.

  In step 510, the width of the image obtained as a result of the rotation, resizing or trimming operation on the screen of FIG. 3 is added to the temporary image header 407, and at the same time, the width of the original image is added to the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 511, it is determined whether or not the height of the image obtained as a result of the rotation, resizing or trimming operation on the screen of FIG. 3 matches the original image. If not, the process proceeds to step 513.

  In step 512, the image height of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is, and the process proceeds to step 514.

  In step 513, the height of the image obtained as a result of the rotation, resizing or trimming operation on the screen of FIG. 3 is added to the temporary image header 407, and at the same time, the width of the original image is added to the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 514, it is determined whether the image quality specified in the drop-down list box 313 matches the original image. If they match, the process proceeds to step 515, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step 516.

  In step 515, the image quality of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is, and the process proceeds to step 517.

  In step 516, the image quality specified in the drop-down list box 313 is added to the temporary image header 407, and at the same time, the image quality of the original image is added to the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 517, the creator name of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is.

  In step 518, the image mode of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is.

  In step 519, the flash setting of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is.

  In step 520, the white balance setting of the original image header 404 is added to the temporary image header 407 as it is.

  In step 521, it is determined whether any effect is designated in the drop-down list box 311. If the effect is designated, the process proceeds to step 522. If not designated, the process proceeds to step 523.

  In step 522, the effect specified in the drop-down list box 311 is added to the temporary image header 407.

  In step 523, the size of the temporary image addition header 408 is calculated and written at the head of the temporary image addition header 408.

  In step 524, the original image data 405 is copied to the memory 410, and the operation on the screen of FIG.

  Finally, in step 525, the entire temporary image 406 is transferred to the server apparatus 103 as a public image.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen when the service user browses an image published on the server device 103. The screen includes a public image information area 601 for displaying information on a public image and an original image information area 602 for displaying information on the original image. Although the original image information area 602 is not initially displayed, the original image information area 602 can be switched between display and non-display by clicking a button 603.

  In the public image information area 601, a public preview 604 and a public property 605 of a public image are displayed.

  In the original image information area 602, an original preview 606 and an original property 607 of the original image are displayed.

  In the original preview 606, a frame having the same size as the size of the original image is displayed, and the image published in the frame is displayed by being applied to the original position. As a result, it is possible to know which area of the original image is created by trimming the published image.

  The original property 607 displays information that is different from the information of the published image among the information of the original image.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the file format of the image file published on the server apparatus 103. The public image file includes a public image header 701, a public image addition header 702, and public image data 703.

  Public image property information is recorded in the public image header 702, and information indicating a difference between the original image and the public image is recorded in the public image addition header 702.

  FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing in the server apparatus 103 when displaying image information to a service user.

  First, in step 801, it is determined whether or not the display of the file format, creation date, image quality, creator name, image mode, flash setting, and white balance setting properties is complete. If completed, the process proceeds to step 805, and if information to be displayed still remains, the process proceeds to step 802.

  In step 802, the property is read from the public image header 702 and displayed on the public property 605.

  In step 803, it is determined whether or not the property exists in the public image addition header 703. If it exists, the process returns to step 804, and if it does not exist, the process returns to step 801.

  In step 804, the file format acquired from the public image addition header 703 is displayed in the original property 607, and the process returns to step 801.

  In step 805, it is checked whether or not the start point of the trimming area is recorded in the public image addition header 703. If it is recorded, the process proceeds to step 806, and if it is not recorded, the process proceeds to step 808.

  In step 806, the image is displayed at an appropriate position within the frame of the original preview 606 from the original image size, trimming region, and rotation angle values in the public image addition header 703.

  In step 807, the trimming area is read from the public image addition header 703 and displayed on the original property 607.

  In step 808, the resizing ratio is calculated from the image size in the public image header 702, the image size in the public image addition header 703, the trimming area, and the rotation angle, and displayed on the original property 607.

  In step 809, the size of the public image is read from the public image header 702 and displayed on the public property 605.

  In step 810, the rotation angle is read from the public image addition header 703, and when the rotation angle is other than 0, it is displayed in the original property 607.

  In this embodiment, only the information that has been changed by the editing operation is copied as the public image addition header. However, for simplification of processing, there is a method in which the original image header is copied and used as it is in the public image addition header. is there.

  In addition, when it is not necessary to display the detailed information of the original image to the service user and only to inform that it has been changed from the original image, the detailed properties of the original image are recorded in the public image addition header. Alternatively, for example, a method of expressing only the fact that it has been changed by changing the most significant bit of specific data included in the public image header is also conceivable. Also in these cases, it is possible to know whether or not the published image has been changed from the original image.

  In the present embodiment, the server device only changes the display content for the service user in accordance with the content of the public image header. By using this information, for example, the compression operation is performed by specifying a low image quality. It is obvious that it is possible to perform processing such as not providing a print service for an image that has been subjected to printing.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an image service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the file format of an image file. 6 is an example of an editing screen before the image is transferred to the server apparatus 103 in the computer apparatus 102. This is an internal configuration of the computer apparatus 102 when transferring an image to the server apparatus 103. 4 is a flowchart of processing when an image is transferred to a server device in the computer device. It is an example of a screen when a service user browses an image published on a server. It is an example of the file format of the image file made public by the server apparatus 103. It is a flowchart of the process in the server apparatus 103 at the time of displaying the information of an image to a service user.

Explanation of symbols

101: Internet 102: Computer device 103: Server device 104: Computer device 105: Disk device 106: Digital camera 401: Processing device 402: Storage device 403: Original image 404: Original image header 405: Original image data 406: Temporary image 407 : Temporary image header 408: Temporary image addition header 409: Temporary image data 410: Memory

Claims (19)

An image editing apparatus that edits an image in accordance with an editing operation, and transmits the editing operation information added to image data indicating the edited image;
The edited image data and the editing information transmitted from the image editing device are received and stored via a transmission path, and the edited image corresponding to the received image data is stored as information on the editing operation. An image processing system, comprising:   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation information indicates whether or not editing is performed.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image publishing apparatus displays information on the editing operation.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image publishing apparatus prohibits a specific service according to a specific editing operation.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image publishing apparatus permits a specific service according to a specific editing operation.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation includes a trimming operation from an original image.   7. The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the information of the editing operation with respect to the trimming operation includes information on the size of the original image and information on the coordinates of the trimmed area.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation includes a resizing operation from an original image.   9. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein the information of the editing operation with respect to the resizing operation includes size information of the original image.   The image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the editing operation includes a compression operation by changing an image quality from an original image.   The image processing system according to claim 10, wherein the editing operation information with respect to the compression operation includes compression rate information.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation includes a rotation operation.   The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein the information of the editing operation with respect to the rotation operation includes information of a rotation angle from the original image.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation includes a filter processing operation.   The image processing system according to claim 14, wherein the information of the editing operation with respect to the filter operation includes information on a type of filter processing.   16. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation includes a composition operation of a plurality of original images.   The image processing system according to claim 16, wherein the information of the editing operation with respect to the compositing operation includes file name information of a plurality of original images.   18. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the editing operation includes an image file format conversion operation.   19. The image processing system according to claim 18, wherein the information of the editing operation with respect to the image file format conversion operation includes image file format information of the original image.

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