JP2006074643A - Digital image distribution apparatus and digital image distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital image distribution apparatus capable of distributing an image with an image quality suitable to the needs of a user, by selection of a file format and a data volume etc. taking a utilization form into consideration, in order to attain reduction in a distribution time, optimization in a distributed image quality, and minimization in the capacity of an image data storage device. <P>SOLUTION: A digital image distribution apparatus 100 distributes a digital image, and includes a scanner 10 and an image display means 20. Further, the digital image distribution apparatus 100 comprises an image processing means 40 for generating a sample image data with a distribution digital image quality, a display portion 21 and a printing portion 22 for outputting a sample image based on the sample image data, wherein a plurality of sample images and various data for each image are displayed on one image sample collection 110, and a user can select an image quality to be distributed among them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital image distribution apparatus and a digital image distribution method, and more particularly to a digital image distribution apparatus and a digital image distribution method that include an input / output device and digitize an image for distribution.

  There is an apparatus that distributes a digital image to another apparatus using an image processing device connected to a network. In such an apparatus, it is necessary to determine the image quality of the image to be transmitted. For this reason, there are some devices that read characteristics of input devices and output devices designated by a user from a database and perform image processing based on them. In this case, when the input device and the output device cannot be specified, or when the related characteristic does not exist in the database even if it can be specified, proper processing cannot be performed.

  As a technology developed to cope with the case where the characteristics of the input device are unknown, for example, an input-output processing system processes a specific color sample, and the result and data about the color sample calculated in advance are processed. Are used to calculate the characteristics of the input-output processing system. In such a processing system, as described above, a specific color sample and a calibration process using the color sample are necessary. Moreover, in a state where unspecified devices are mixed on the network, the calibration becomes very difficult.

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Considering the image quality at the time of image distribution, there are those that set the distribution system by letting the user select information on the client side at the client terminal, but this is when the user's usage is undecided Is difficult to apply.

  In addition, in the image distribution apparatus, obtaining the image distribution destination address information from the image can be obtained by analyzing the specific image, but the user cannot determine the image quality.

  Related technologies include the following. In Patent Document 1, when an operator of an image communication apparatus sets and transmits an image quality of a document, a sample image is generated, and the generated sample image is generated using a set desired encoding parameter. Encoding, decoding the encoded sample image, selecting whether or not to execute a sample image encoding / decoding operation that outputs the decoded sample image, and performing the sample image encoding / decoding There is described what confirms a sample of an image for executing the sample image coding / decoding operation when the operation is selected. However, since a plurality of processing examples are shown based on a sample image given in advance, the user cannot make a determination based on the original used by the user.

In Patent Document 2, in the image forming apparatus, the sample image editing unit includes a plurality of processed images obtained by performing different image processing on the input image input from the document reading unit based on the sample image editing instruction. The image data for forming a sample image including any one or more processed images is configured and output to the image forming unit, and the image forming unit prints out the sample image based on the image data. Has been.
JP 2002-218252 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-169102

  There is a fixed relationship between the volume of image data and the image quality. Generally, a high-quality image has a large data volume. In order to distribute and handle large-capacity images, a high-performance network and processing device are required, and in general applications, it is required to keep the image capacity small. At the time of image distribution by a network scanner or the like, the image quality of the distribution image is expressed by some numerical value or index, and the user is made to select the image based on the numerical value or index to balance the image data capacity and image quality. In the case of image distribution over a network, the image quality when using the image again depends not only on the image digitizing device but also on the file format, image compression format, image quality, image output device, etc. Sometimes it was difficult to determine an appropriate image quality. These problems are basically that the user cannot confirm the image quality of the digital distribution image.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and by selecting a file format, data capacity, etc. in consideration of the usage format, it is possible to deliver an image with an image quality that meets the user's needs. Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital image distribution apparatus and a digital image distribution method capable of reducing distribution time, optimizing distribution image quality, and minimizing the capacity of an image data storage apparatus.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital image distribution device that includes an image input / output device and distributes a digital image, based on sample image data generation means for generating sample image data with distribution digital image quality, and the sample image data And a sample image display device that includes sample output image means for outputting a sample image and that performs at least one of image output and print output.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to the first aspect, the sample image display device outputs a plurality of sample images of candidate image quality.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the sample image display device prints out a plurality of examples of candidate image qualities on a single sheet.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the sample image display device displays a reduced or enlarged image of the input image as a sample.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the sample image display device displays a trimmed image of the input image.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution apparatus according to the first to fifth aspects, the sample image display device detects a region of interest in the input image and displays the region of interest as a sample.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to the sixth aspect, the sample image display device determines a region of interest representing a feature of each image operation algorithm as a candidate.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the sample image display device determines a distribution image quality based on a determination as to whether or not to print out the distribution digital image. It is characterized by that.

The invention of claim 9 is the digital image distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sample image display device is one of the information relating to an image including the following a to f in an image of each sample image quality. Alternatively, the combination is shown together with the corresponding image.
I. Image file capacity b. Image resolution c. Image compression and image manipulation algorithm d. Information indicating whether the color is monochrome or monochrome. To communication cost. Time used for delivery

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image delivery system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the sample image display device selects a region of interest from a plurality of input images.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the sample image display device includes a plurality of input images based on a determination relating to distribution image quality based on a single input image. Is distributed by manipulating digital images.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital image distribution apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising sender registration means for registering information relating to the determined image quality as information relating to the sender or the transmitting device. Features.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, a receiver registration unit is provided for registering information on the determined image quality as information on the receiver or the receiving device. Features.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, a display is provided, and a sample image is displayed on the display.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution device according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the sample image display device has a predetermined image profile that is image reproduction characteristic information of the distribution device and the display device. On the basis of this, an input image is distributed by operating a digital image.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital image distribution method including an image input / output device and distributing a digital image, generating sample image data with distribution digital image quality, and outputting the sample image based on the sample image data And a digital image distribution method for outputting at least one of print output.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the digital image delivery method according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of candidate sample images having image quality are output.

  The invention of claim 18 is the digital image distribution method of claim 16 or 17, characterized in that a plurality of examples of candidate image qualities are printed out on a single sheet.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to eighteenth aspects, a reduced or enlarged image of an input image is displayed as a sample.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects, a trimmed image of the input image is displayed.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to twentieth aspects, the attention area in the input image is detected and the attention area is displayed as a sample.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution apparatus according to the twenty-first aspect, a region of interest representing a feature of each image operation algorithm is determined as a candidate.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-second aspects, the distribution image quality is determined based on a determination as to whether or not the distribution digital image is printed out.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-second aspects, an image corresponding to any one or a combination of information relating to an image including the following a to f for each sample image quality image: It is characterized by showing together.
I. Image file capacity b. Image resolution c. Image compression and image manipulation algorithm d. Information indicating whether the color is monochrome or monochrome. To communication cost. Time used for delivery

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-fourth aspects, a region of interest is selected from a plurality of input images.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-fourth aspects, a plurality of input images are distributed by manipulating digital images based on a determination relating to distribution image quality based on a single input image. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-sixth aspects, further comprising sender registration means for registering information relating to the determined image quality as information relating to the sender or the transmitting device. Features.

  According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution apparatus according to any one of the sixteenth to twenty-seventh aspects, information regarding the determined image quality is registered as information regarding a receiver or a receiving device.

  A twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention is the digital image distribution apparatus according to the sixteenth to twenty-eighth aspects, further comprising a display, wherein a sample image is displayed on the display.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the digital image distribution method according to any one of the sixteenth to thirty-ninth aspects, an input image is digitally converted based on an image profile that is predetermined image reproduction characteristic information of a distribution device and a display device. It is characterized by image manipulation and distribution.

  According to the present invention, when digitizing and distributing an image, by checking a sample image, it is possible to select a file format, a data capacity, etc. in consideration of the usage format, with an image quality that meets the needs of the user. Image distribution is possible. As a result, it is possible to shorten the distribution time, optimize the distribution image quality, minimize the capacity of the image data storage device, and the like.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the following,

  Embodiments of a digital image distribution apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of a digital image distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the digital image distribution apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a digital image according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the digital image distribution apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the digital image distribution apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the digital image distribution apparatus according to the embodiment.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital image distribution apparatus 100 displays a scanner 10 that is an image input unit that converts an image printed on paper or the like into digital data, and digital image data from the scanner 10. With respect to the image display means 20 and the image data displayed by the means, a compression method and an image capacity are determined by an appropriate method, and a user interface 30 for instructing the image processing apparatus, and a user from the user interface 30 An image processing means 40 for performing an image operation based on an instruction and an image distribution means 50 for distributing the output of the image processing means through a network are provided.

  In this example, the image input means is the scanner 10, but this does not limit the actual implementation, and other image input devices such as a digital camera can be used.

  The image display means 20 is provided with a display display unit 21 for displaying an image on a liquid crystal display device or the like, and a printing unit 22 for performing printing (hard print) on a paper surface. These may be provided with both, or may be either one.

  In this example, it is assumed that the image processing means 40 is implemented as software on a computer. However, the image processing means 40 may be implemented by hardware or other software means. It is.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for functionally explaining the operation of the digital image distribution apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. In this example, the digital image distribution apparatus 100 includes a digital image generation process (S1), a digital image data display process (S2), an image operation parameter determination process (S3), an image operation process (S4), and an image distribution process (S5). Are performed sequentially.

  In the digital image data generation process (S1), the scanner 10 acquires a digital image. Here, it is desirable to use an uncompressed image format in order to facilitate later processing. If image compression is used due to mounting restrictions, etc., it is advantageous to use lossless compression. In the case of irreversible compression, even if the user desires distribution at the highest resolution, the image quality of the irreversible compression becomes a restriction on the distribution image quality.

  Further, in the digital data generation stage (S1), it is also possible to perform input image calibration considering the characteristics of the scanner 10. In that case, for example, calibration reflecting color space information such as sRGB is desirable.

  In the digital image data display process (S2), the image processing means 40 performs the process. Here, the digital image data is presented to the user with a plurality of predetermined resolutions and a plurality of image compression processes to select which image resolution and image compression method is actually used. These image displays are called image samples.

  Further, in this example, as a display method of the digital image data, it can be displayed on the display display unit 21 and can be printed by the printing unit 22 to output a so-called hard print. The user determines the image quality based on this display.

  Here, there is generally a large difference between the image quality displayed on a liquid crystal display or CRT display and the image quality of hard print. This is because the former is additive color mixing, while the latter is subtractive color mixing, and the color reproduction range (gamut) is greatly different. Therefore, whether the user uses the distribution image for display or hard printing is a factor for determining the image quality of the distribution image.

However, when the application using the distribution image is not fixed, both the display image quality and the hard print image quality are important, and means for comparing the image quality in both forms is required.
In the present invention, the image display device can have both display means and display means for hard print output, so that image quality comparison between both forms is possible.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of a plurality of image sample collections 110. In the present invention, such an image sample collection 110 can be shown by both display display and hard print, and an optimum image quality can be selected by comparing both. In this example, the image sample collection 110 includes 12 rows (No. 1 to 3) (resolution A, resolution B, resolution C) and 4 columns (compression method A, compression method B, compression method C, compression method D). A sample image of No. 12) is displayed.

  In this example, each sample image displays the resolution and other capacity of the compression method. In FIG. 3, the display of compression method A (No. 1, No. 5, No. 9) is a monochrome display, but is actually a color display. Further, the data amount decreases in the order of compression method B (gray scale), compression method C (black and white binary), and compression method D, and the resolution decreases in the order of resolution A, resolution B, and resolution C. In addition to the above information, information indicating whether it is color or monochrome, communication cost, time used for distribution, and other desired information can be added to the image sample.

  In this example, in the digital image data display process (S2), in order to make it easier to grasp the influence of noise specific to a specific image compression method, the specific image area of the input document and the area where the influence appears greatly are enlarged. An image (hereinafter referred to as a trimmed image) can be displayed as a sample image. Further, when the sample image to be displayed is large, it can be reduced and displayed.

  For example, in the case of jpeg compression, the above object can be achieved by trimming a region including a relatively large number of edges where mosquito noise becomes significant. Similarly, for block noise generated by the block compression method, a method of displaying the block in a size that can be easily seen is effective.

Next, processing of the digital image distribution apparatus according to the embodiment will be described in detail. In this example, the image input means is a scanner, the image display means is a display of a multi-function peripheral (MFP), the user interface is a control panel of the MFP, the image processing means is hardware of the MFP, and image communication is performed. It is assumed that each means is implemented as MFP hardware.
The user performs a task of digitizing an image printed on paper (hereinafter referred to as an input document) and distributing it as an image to a predetermined address.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the user digitizes the input document using the scanner function of the MFP (S11). At this time, a flat head scanner is used. The user instructs the MFP to use the distribution image optimization function according to the present invention at the time of scanning. The function may be enabled as a default setting of the MFP. Scan resolution, color space setting, and the like are performed at the highest resolution and highest fidelity of the MFP. The digital data of the input document is stored in a storage device inside the MFP, for example, a memory or HDD (S12). If necessary, input image composition processing is performed (S13).

  Next, in this example, the accumulated image is scanned and acquired, and a plurality of image samples that are candidates for the distribution image are generated. At this time, a parameter for the image sample is set (S14), the resolution, the image compression method, etc. of each of the plurality of image samples are set according to the parameter, and an image sample is generated (S15). This parameter is variable by the user.

  In this example, when an image sample is generated, a specific algorithm as shown below is used to check whether noise specific to a specific image compression method is generated (S16), and an enlarged image is generated if necessary. (S17). When the frequency of occurrence of noise is high, image samples are regenerated so that display suitable for the image compression method is possible. In the following, an algorithm limited to jpeg compression is shown, but this does not limit the present invention.

(Algorithm 1)
1. 1. Create an edge map for the input image The edge map is scanned, an edge larger than a predetermined threshold value THe is marked, and in order to examine the density of the mark pixel, voting is performed on a grid set for the input image.
3. In the lattice image, the number of votes obtained for each lattice is counted, and the number of lattices where the number of votes exceeds a predetermined threshold THv1 is counted, and this is defined as Cthv1.
4). When Cthv1 is larger than a predetermined threshold THtotal1, since there are many edges having a specific edge strength in the image, it is determined that the probability of occurrence of mosquito noise is high by the jpeg image. Except for the above cases, it is determined that the occurrence probability of mosquito noise is low.

(Algorithm 2)
1. An edge map and an edge direction map are created for the input image.
2. The edge map is scanned, an edge smaller than a predetermined threshold value THe is marked, and in order to check the density of the mark pixel, voting is performed on a grid set for the input image.
3. In the lattice image, the number of votes obtained for each lattice is counted, and the number of lattices where the number of votes exceeds a predetermined threshold THv2 is counted, which is defined as Cthv2. At the same time, the edge direction map corresponding to the lattice that meets this condition is scanned, and the variance in the edge direction in the lattice is calculated and this is set as Vvar.
4). The number of grids in which Cthv2 is greater than a predetermined threshold THtotal2 and Vvar is smaller than a predetermined threshold THv is counted, and this is defined as Cthv3.
5. When Cthv3 is larger than a predetermined threshold THtotal3, it is determined that there is a high possibility that block noise will occur due to jpeg compression because there are many smooth regions in the input image. Except for the above cases, it is determined that the occurrence probability of block noise is low.

  A plurality of sample images generated by the above process and the estimated image capacity are displayed together on the screen, and numbers are assigned to the samples so that the user can easily select them (see FIG. 3).

  The sample image list can be displayed on the MFP display (S18), and can be printed on the paper using the MFP printer unit (S19). In this case, the user can determine the image quality of the distribution image by comprehensively evaluating the image quality of the screen display and the printout.

  The user selects an appropriate number from the sample image list (S20), and the digital image distribution apparatus transmits an image obtained by processing the input document image in accordance with the user instruction to an address designated by the user, and the function is terminated ( S21).

  Next, another operation example of the digital image distribution apparatus according to the embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. In this example, for a plurality of input originals, the image quality is collectively set and distributed. In the present embodiment, as in the above example, the image input means is a scanner, the image display means is a display of a multi-function peripheral (MFP), the user interface is a control panel of the MFP, and the image processing means is an MFP. Assume that the image communication means is implemented as hardware of the MFP.

The user performs a task of digitizing a plurality of input originals and distributing them as images to predetermined addresses.

  The user digitizes the input document using the scanner function of the MFP. At this time, an automatic document feeder (ADF) is used. The user instructs the MFP to use the distribution image optimization function according to the present invention at the time of scanning. The function may be enabled as a default setting of the MFP. Scan resolution, color space setting, and the like are performed at the highest resolution and highest fidelity of the MFP. It is assumed that the digital data of the scanned input document (S31) is stored in a storage device inside the MFP, for example, a memory or HDD (S32). The input image is calibrated as necessary (S33).

  In the present embodiment, the delivery image quality is set using an appropriate part of the digitized input documents, and all input documents are processed and transmitted in the same manner. At this time, there are a case where the user specifies the part of the original and a case where the system according to the present invention automatically specifies the original.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the automatic sample document designation algorithm in this embodiment. In this example, first, the number of input sheets is checked (S51), and it is confirmed that the number of sample originals is less than a predetermined number (THinput) (S52). If there are more sample originals than the predetermined number, a predetermined number of input originals are randomly designated and targeted (S53).

  Next, an edge map and an edge direction map are created from each input document (S54). Also, the number of pixels of the edge whose edge strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (THel) and whose edge strength is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (THel2) is calculated and marked for each input document (S55). Then, the marked pixels are counted for each grid, and this is set as Cth1, and Cth1 is calculated for each pixel. Further, an image having the maximum Cth1 is selected from the previous input images, and this is designated as a designated sample document.

  Image samples are selected from a plurality of input originals by these methods. Using the designated image sample, the user is made to select the image quality of the distribution image as in the first embodiment. This part is the same as the above embodiment (S37 to S44),

  In this way, in this example, the image quality setting set based on the specified image sample is applied to all input images and transmitted.

In the present invention, it is possible to provide sender registration means for registering information relating to the determined image quality as information relating to the sender or the transmission device. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a receiver registration means for registering information on the determined image quality as information on the receiver or the receiving device.
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is possible to create an image profile that is predetermined image reproduction characteristic information of the distribution device and the display device, and to distribute the input image by performing digital image processing based on the image profile. .

It is a block diagram which shows the basic structure of the digital image delivery apparatus based on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of the digital image delivery apparatus based on an Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the sample image which the digital image delivery apparatus based on an Example outputs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the action | operation of the digital image delivery apparatus based on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the action | operation of the digital image delivery apparatus based on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the action | operation of the digital image delivery apparatus based on an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Scanner 20 Image display means 21 Display display part 22 Printing part 30 User interface 40 Image processing means 50 Image distribution means 100 Digital image distribution apparatus 110 Image sample collection

Claims (30)

In a digital image distribution device that includes an image input / output device and distributes digital images,
Sample image display for providing at least one of image output and print output, comprising sample image data generating means for generating sample image data with distributed digital image quality, and sample output image means for outputting a sample image based on the sample image data A digital image distribution apparatus comprising the apparatus. The digital image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device outputs a plurality of candidate sample images of image quality. 3. The digital image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device prints out a plurality of examples of candidate image qualities on a sheet of paper. 4. The digital image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device displays a reduced or enlarged image of the input image as a sample. 5. The digital image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device displays a trimmed image of the input image. 6. The digital image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device detects a region of interest in the input image and displays the region of interest as a sample. 7. The digital image distribution device according to claim 6, wherein the sample image display device determines a region of interest representing a feature of each image operation algorithm as a candidate. 8. The digital image distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device determines a distribution image quality based on a determination as to whether or not to print out the distribution digital image. 9. The sample image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each sample image quality image indicates any one or a combination of information on the image including the following a to f together with a corresponding image. Digital image distribution system.
I. Image file capacity b. Image resolution c. Image compression and image manipulation algorithm d. Information indicating whether the color is monochrome or monochrome. To communication cost. Time used for delivery 10. The digital image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device selects a region of interest from a plurality of input images. 10. The sample image display device according to claim 1, wherein the sample image display device distributes a plurality of input images by digital image manipulation based on a determination relating to distribution image quality based on a single input image. Digital image distribution device. 12. The digital image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising sender registration means for registering information relating to the determined image quality as information relating to a sender or a transmission device. 13. The digital image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising receiver registration means for registering information on the determined image quality as information on a receiver or a receiving device. 14. The digital image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein a sample image is displayed on the display. 2. The sample image display device according to claim 1, wherein the input image is distributed by digital image manipulation based on a predetermined distribution device and an image profile which is image reproduction characteristic information of the display device. The digital image distribution device according to any one of 13. In a digital image distribution method comprising an image input / output device and distributing a digital image,
A digital image distribution method, comprising: generating sample image data with distribution digital image quality, and outputting the sample image as at least one of image output and print output based on the sample image data. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of candidate image quality sample images are output. 18. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of examples of candidate image qualities are printed out on one sheet. 19. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a reduced or enlarged image of the input image is displayed as a sample. 20. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a trimmed image of the input image is displayed. 21. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a region of interest in the input image is detected and the region of interest is displayed as a sample. The digital image distribution apparatus according to claim 21, wherein a region of interest representing a feature of each image manipulation algorithm is determined as a candidate. 23. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein the distribution image quality is determined based on a determination as to whether or not the distribution digital image is printed out. The digital image distribution method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein each sample image quality image is displayed with any one or combination of information on the image including the following (i) to (v) together with a corresponding image.
I. Image file capacity b. Image resolution c. Image compression and image manipulation algorithm d. Information indicating whether the color is monochrome or monochrome. To communication cost. Time used for delivery 25. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a region of interest is selected from a plurality of input images. 25. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of input images are distributed by manipulating digital images based on a determination relating to distribution image quality based on a single input image. 27. The digital image distribution method according to claim 16, wherein information on the determined image quality is registered as information on a sender or a transmission device. 28. The digital image distribution apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the information on the determined image quality is registered as information on a receiver or a receiving device. 29. The digital image distribution apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a display, wherein a sample image is displayed on the display. 30. The digital image according to any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein the input image is distributed by digital image processing based on a predetermined image profile which is image reproduction characteristic information of a distribution device and a display device. Delivery method.