JP2015154244A - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing system capable of performing image correction corresponding to needs and a taste of a user.SOLUTION: An image processing system 1000 is a system in which an image processing apparatus 100 and a server 200 are communicably connected to each other through a network 201. The server 200 stores recommended correction information which is obtained on the basis of correction information accumulated in the server 200, and incidental information of the image to be a correction object of the correction information so as to be transmitted. The image processing apparatus 100 receives from the server 200 the recommended correction information corresponding to the incidental information of the correction object image, and corrects the image on the basis of the received recommended correction information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing system, and an image processing method.

  There is known a technique for obtaining a desired image by performing various correction processes on an image acquired (captured) by an image acquisition device such as a digital camera. For example, a technique for automatically correcting brightness and contrast according to a subject and an image, and a technique for automatically correcting color balance according to a light source are known. Patent Document 1 discloses means for learning user preferences (correlation between device operation data, input / output image data, device internal information, and the like), and means for automatically selecting device control parameters based on learning results. Is described. According to this image processing apparatus, user satisfaction can be improved.

JP-A-3-248672

  However, the above-described technique has a problem that it cannot be dealt with in detail due to diversified and changing user needs and preferences. Specifically, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 is mainly intended for facsimiles, it is possible to deal with unexpected factors such as image quality differences (image quality differences) due to differences in image input / output devices and image recording media. There was a problem that it was difficult to respond.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following application examples or forms.

  Application Example 1 An image processing apparatus according to this application example corrects the image based on a reception unit that receives recommended correction information for correcting an image and the recommended correction information corresponding to the supplementary information of the image. And the recommended correction information is information obtained from the accumulated correction information based on the supplementary information of the image to be corrected.

  According to this application example, the image processing apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives recommended correction information for correcting an image; and an image correcting unit that corrects an image based on recommended correction information corresponding to auxiliary information of the image. I have. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform more appropriate correction by obtaining recommended correction information as correction information corresponding to an image to be corrected while various corrections are performed (that is, while there are various correction information). Can do.

  Application Example 2 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on a correlation between accumulated correction information and the incidental information.

  According to this application example, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on the correlation between the accumulated correction information and the incidental information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. That is, since the recommended correction information is obtained as correction information correlated with the auxiliary information related to image formation, when correcting the correction target image, the recommended correction information is obtained as correction information correlated with the auxiliary information of the image. be able to.

  Application Example 3 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information and the incidental information within a predetermined period.

  According to this application example, the correlation is a correlation obtained based on correction information within a predetermined period and incidental information of an image that is a correction target of the correction information. For example, when this correlation changes with time, it is possible to obtain recommended correction information as more appropriate (for example, along the latest trend) correction information by setting the correlation as information within a predetermined period. it can.

  Application Example 4 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the image processing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits the correction information for correcting the image and the incidental information.

  As in this application example, the image processing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits the correction information for correcting the image and the supplementary information of the image, so that, for example, the correction information and the supplementary information transmitted by each user can be ( It can be received (eg via a network) and aggregated (eg to a server etc.).

  Application Example 5 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, a display unit that selectively displays the image, the corrected image corrected based on the recommended correction information, and the operation image for obtaining the correction information. It is characterized by providing.

  According to this application example, the image processing apparatus includes a display unit that selectively displays an image, a corrected image corrected based on the recommended correction information, and an operation image for obtaining correction information. Therefore, for example, it is possible to check the correction effect and compare images before and after correction.

  Application Example 6 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of an operator who operates.

  According to this application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of an operator who operates the image processing apparatus. In this case, by including these pieces of attribute information as supplementary information, recommended correction information associated with similar supplementary information of the correction target image can be obtained as more effective correction information.

  Application Example 7 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of an image acquisition apparatus that acquires the image.

  According to this application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of an image acquisition device that acquires an image. The attribute information of the image acquisition device that acquires the image (for example, information on the type, product number, shooting conditions, etc. of the digital camera) may affect the type of image to be acquired, the details of the correction, and the tendency of the correction. is assumed. In this case, by including these pieces of attribute information as supplementary information, recommended correction information associated with similar supplementary information of the correction target image can be obtained as more effective correction information.

  Application Example 8 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of an image recording medium on which the corrected image is recorded.

  According to this application example, the incidental information includes the attribute information of the image recording medium that records the corrected image. The attribute information of the image recording medium that records the corrected image (for example, information on the material and type of the recording medium (printer paper, etc.) and its product number) is the type of image to be acquired, the details of the correction, and the tendency of the correction level. It is assumed that there is an impact on In this case, by including these pieces of attribute information as supplementary information, recommended correction information associated with similar supplementary information of the correction target image can be obtained as more effective correction information.

  Application Example 9 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of an image recording apparatus that records the corrected image.

  According to this application example, the incidental information includes the attribute information of the image recording apparatus that records the corrected image. The attribute information of the image recording apparatus that records the corrected image (for example, information such as the printer printing method, product number, and ink used) has an effect on the type of image to be acquired, the details of the correction, and the tendency of the correction. Is assumed. In this case, by including these pieces of attribute information as supplementary information, recommended correction information associated with similar supplementary information of the correction target image can be obtained as more effective correction information.

  Application Example 10 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the incidental information includes attribute information of the image.

  According to this application example, the incidental information includes image attribute information. It is assumed that image attribute information (for example, the type of subject, shooting conditions, specific correction intention for the image, etc.) affects the correction content and the tendency of the correction level. In this case, by including these pieces of attribute information as supplementary information, recommended correction information associated with similar supplementary information of the correction target image can be obtained as more effective correction information.

  Application Example 11 In the image processing apparatus according to the application example, the image processing apparatus includes a recording unit that records the corrected image, and the incidental information includes attribute information of the recording unit.

  According to this application example, the image processing apparatus includes the recording unit that records the corrected image corrected based on the recommended correction information. Therefore, the image processing apparatus records (prints) a desired image that has been appropriately corrected. can do. In other words, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can perform image correction simply and appropriately.

  Application Example 12 An image processing system according to this application example is a system in which an image processing apparatus and a server are communicably connected via a network, and the server includes correction information stored in the server, The recommended correction information obtained based on the auxiliary information of the image to be corrected by the correction information is stored so as to be transmitted, and the image processing apparatus receives the recommended correction information corresponding to the auxiliary information from the server. The image is corrected based on the received recommended correction information.

According to this application example, the image processing system is a system in which an image processing apparatus and a server are connected to be communicable via a network. The server stores the correction information accumulated on the server and the recommended correction information obtained based on the supplementary information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information in a transmittable manner. The image processing apparatus receives recommended correction information corresponding to the supplementary information of the image to be corrected from the server, and corrects the image based on the received recommended correction information.
Therefore, according to the image processing system of this application example, it is possible to obtain recommended correction information as correction information corresponding to an image to be corrected while various corrections are performed (that is, there are various correction information). Thus, more appropriate correction can be easily performed.

  Application Example 13 In the image processing system according to the application example, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on a correlation between the accumulated correction information and the incidental information.

  According to this application example, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on the correlation between the accumulated correction information and the incidental information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. That is, since the recommended correction information is obtained as correction information correlated with the auxiliary information related to image formation, when correcting the correction target image, the recommended correction information is obtained as correction information correlated with the auxiliary information of the image. be able to.

  Application Example 14 In the image processing system according to the application example, the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information and the incidental information within a predetermined period.

  According to this application example, the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information within a predetermined period and the accompanying information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. For example, when this correlation changes with time, it is possible to obtain recommended correction information as more appropriate (for example, along the latest trend) correction information by setting the correlation as information within a predetermined period. it can.

  Application Example 15 In the image processing system according to the application example described above, the image processing apparatus transmits correction information obtained by correcting the image and the incidental information to the server, and the server receives the correction information received. And storing the incidental information.

  According to this application example, the image processing apparatus transmits the correction information obtained by correcting the image and the supplementary information of the image to the server, and the server stores the received correction information and supplementary information. As a result, each user's correction information and incidental information can be received via a network or the like and collected on a server.

  Application Example 16 In the image processing system according to the application example, the image processing device transmits the supplementary information to the server, and the server corresponds to the recommendation information corresponding to the supplementary information received from the image processing device. Correction information is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.

  According to this application example, the image processing apparatus transmits image supplementary information to the server, and the server transmits recommended correction information corresponding to the supplementary information received from the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. That is, according to the image processing system of this application example, it is possible to obtain recommended correction information as correction information corresponding to an image to be corrected while various corrections are performed (that is, there are various correction information). it can.

  Application Example 17 The image processing method according to this application example corrects the image based on recommended correction information obtained based on supplementary information of the image to be corrected among the accumulated correction information. It is characterized by.

According to this application example, the image processing method uses the accumulated correction information and the supplementary correction information obtained based on the supplementary information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. The image is corrected based on the corresponding recommended correction information.
Therefore, according to the image processing method of the application example, while various corrections are performed (that is, there are various correction information), the image correction is performed based on the recommended correction information corresponding to the correction target image. Therefore, more appropriate correction can be performed.

  Application Example 18 In the image processing method according to the application example, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on a correlation between the accumulated correction information and the incidental information.

  According to this application example, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on the correlation between the accumulated correction information and the incidental information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. That is, the recommended correction information is correction information correlated with the incidental information related to image formation. Therefore, when correcting the correction target image, the image correction is performed based on the recommended correction information correlated with the incidental information of the image. It can be performed.

  Application Example 19 In the image processing method according to the application example, the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information and the incidental information within a predetermined period.

  According to this application example, the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information within a predetermined period and the accompanying information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. For example, when this correlation changes with time, the correlation is set as information within a predetermined period, so that the image can be corrected based on more appropriate (for example, along the latest trend) recommended correction information. It can be carried out.

  Application Example 20 In the image processing method according to the application example, the auxiliary information includes attribute information of an operator who operates the device that performs the correction, attribute information of an image acquisition device that acquires the image, and correction. It includes at least one of attribute information of an image recording medium that records a corrected image, attribute information of an image recording apparatus that records the corrected image, and attribute information of the image.

  According to this application example, the incidental information is attribute information of an operator who operates the apparatus that performs correction and / or attribute information of an image acquisition apparatus that acquires an image and / or an image recording medium that records the corrected image. Attribute information and / or attribute information of an image recording apparatus that records a corrected image and / or attribute information of an image. It is assumed that these pieces of attribute information have an influence on the type of image to be acquired, the content of the correction, and the tendency of the correction level. Therefore, in this case, by including these attribute information as supplementary information, the recommended correction information associated with the similar supplementary information of the image to be corrected becomes more effective correction information, and as a result, more suitable for the image. Correction can be performed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment. Conceptual diagram showing the flow of image correction processing FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following is one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In the following drawings, the scale may be different from the actual scale for easy understanding.

(Embodiment 1)
<Image processing system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system 1000 according to the first embodiment.
The image processing system 1000 is a system in which the image processing apparatus 100 and the server 200 are communicably connected via a network 201. The server 200 provides an information service in response to a request from the image processing apparatus 100.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes an inkjet color printer 300 (hereinafter referred to as a printer 300) as a “recording unit” that records an image on a recording medium, a personal computer 400 (hereinafter referred to as a PC 400), a display unit 401, and an input unit 402. The storage unit 403 and the like. Note that the image processing apparatus 100 does not necessarily include a “recording unit” (printer 300), and an inkjet color printer 301 is connected as an “image recording apparatus” capable of recording a desired image as necessary. It may be configured.

  The server 200 is a so-called cloud computing network server that provides information services related to image processing to the image processing apparatus 100 connected via the network 201, and includes an image processing database 202. More specifically, the information service performed by the server 200 is image processing (correcting an original image to obtain a desired image) for a user (operator) who uses (operates) the image processing apparatus 100 to obtain the desired image. Service for providing recommended correction information and the like so that the processing can be performed easily.

<Processed image>
An image (original image) to be processed by the image processing apparatus 100 is acquired by the image acquisition apparatus 500 and taken into the PC 400 via the input unit 402. The image acquisition device 500 is, for example, a digital camera or a scanner. Therefore, the original image is given by, for example, general RGB digital image information.
The original image may be an image acquired not only from these image acquisition devices 500 but also from the network 201 connected to the PC 400, various storage media, a personal computer, a portable communication terminal, and the like.

  The target of the original image varies depending on the purpose of use, and the obtained original image may require various corrections depending on the purpose of use. For example, when more faithful color reproduction is required for the subject, it is necessary to perform color correction to eliminate as much as possible the differences in color reproducibility of the image acquisition device 500 and the printer 300 and the influence of the recording medium. . Moreover, when utilizing as an expression means, it is necessary to correct | amend according to the intention of an expresser (user). Other correction needs include correction of white balance due to differences in light sources, correction of brightness and contrast due to differences in shooting conditions, correction of sharpness, and correction according to user preferences.

As described above, the digitized image data has a merit that it can be easily and freely corrected, but conversely, the user is required to have a technique for obtaining a desired image. In the image processing apparatus, the image processing system, and the image processing method described in the present embodiment, the accumulated correction information and the recommended correction information obtained based on the incidental information of the original image that is the correction target of the correction information are displayed. An object of the present invention is to provide a correction means that can easily obtain a desired image or an image closer to the desired image.
Here, the supplementary information is information related to image formation. For example, the type of image acquisition device (camera, etc.), the attribute of the user who acquired the image (gender, age, residential area, etc.), and the image are recorded. The type of medium to be used. Further, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on the correction information stored (for example, in a server) and the incidental information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. Can be received (eg, via a network, etc.).

<Image processing device>
The PC 400 included in the image processing apparatus 100 has an image processing function and a recording control function, and a desired image (original image) input from the outside via the input unit 402 or the network 201 is recorded on a recording medium by the printer 300 ( Print). The PC 400 controls the display unit 401, the input unit 402, the storage unit 403, the printer 300, and the entire image processing apparatus 100.

The image processing function is a function that corrects image information and converts the image information into ink discharge control information for driving and controlling the printer 300.
The recording control function is a function for controlling the drive of the printer 300 based on ink discharge control information and the like, and performs ink discharge control, movement / conveyance control of the recording medium, processing of information transmitted from the printer 300, and the like. The printer 300 may have a part or all of the recording control function. When the printer 300 has a recording control function, the PC 400 may send necessary recording information (such as an image) to the printer 300.

  The display unit 401 is information display means (display) as a human interface. Under the control of the PC 400, the display unit 401 corrects correction based on the screen logged into the server 200, information input from the input unit 402, the original image, and recommended correction information, in addition to the operation screen of the PC 400. An image and an operation image for obtaining correction information are displayed in a selectable manner.

The input unit 402 is information input means. Specifically, for example, a keyboard as a human interface, an image acquisition device 500, a port to which other information input devices such as an external storage medium (SD memory card, USB memory, etc.) are connected.
The storage unit 403 is a rewritable storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory card, and stores software (program) for operating the PC 400, image information, correction information (including recommended correction information), incidental information, and the like. be able to.

Further, the image processing apparatus 100 includes, as functions of the PC 400, a transmission unit 404 that transmits correction information for correcting an original image and auxiliary information of the original image, and a reception unit that receives recommended correction information for correcting the original image. 405 includes an image correction unit 406 that corrects the original image based on the recommended correction information corresponding to the incidental information of the original image.
In correcting the original image, the user corrects the original image by further finely adjusting the correction contents as necessary based on the recommended correction information received by the receiving unit 405. The correction information when the original image is corrected can be reused by performing registration processing in the storage unit 403 or the like. At this time, the correction information obtained by correcting the original image and the accompanying information of the original image are transmitted from the transmission unit 404 to the server 200 with the confirmation of the user.

  Note that since information transmitted from the image processing apparatus 100 to the server 200 (such as supplementary information of the original image) may include personal information, a filter or the like that can set whether or not transmission is possible is provided in advance for each target information. It is preferable to set whether transmission is possible.

<Image processing>
As an image processing function, a function of processing information (for example, general RGB digital image information) input from the outside from an external source, or an ink ejection control for driving and controlling the printer 300 with the information of the original image It includes functions for converting to information (functions such as color conversion processing, halftone processing, and interlace processing). The image processing function includes image correction processing by the image correction unit 406. The correction process is a process performed to obtain a desired image with respect to the original image, and is performed based on the recommended correction information.

  The color conversion process is a process of converting RGB color data into CMYK color data. The CMYK system is a color mode composed of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Halftone processing and interlace processing are processing (binarization processing, array processing, etc.) that replaces CMYK-based image information with dot information that actually ejects ink from individual nozzles of the ink ejection unit of the printer 300. is there. The stage for performing the correction process may be any of correction at the stage of RGB data, correction at the stage of CMYK data, and the like.

The image processing function includes the function of the image correction unit 406 and is configured by image processing application software (hereinafter referred to as an image processing program) on which the PC 400 operates.
The image processing program includes a correction information interface (I / F) that imports recommended correction information into an image processing sequence. By importing recommended correction information, correction processing corresponding to recommended correction conditions can be added to normal image processing.

  For example, one of the following modes can be selected as a method of taking correction information into image processing by an image processing program. A selection operation (hereinafter, mode setting) screen is displayed on the display unit 401, and the selection operation is performed by an input from the input unit 402.

Automatic correction mode: This is a mode in which image correction is automatically performed by selecting and registering recommended correction information and enabling the automatic correction mode in the image processing program. In this case, a screen for setting correction parameters and the like is not displayed.
Recommended correction mode: In the image processing program, the automatic correction mode is set to be invalid, and recommended correction information is selected and corrected. In this case, the correction parameter according to the recommended correction information is displayed on the screen for setting the correction parameter and the like so as to be changeable. By changing the displayed correction parameters, the user's favorite image correction can be performed.
Manual correction mode: In the image processing program, the automatic correction mode is set to invalid, and correction is performed without selecting recommended correction information. In this case, image correction desired by the user can be performed by setting correction parameters on a screen for setting correction parameters.

<Correction information>
The correction information is information indicating that the original image is corrected in order to obtain a desired image, or the added content and the amount and degree thereof. Therefore, specifically, the correction information corrects, for example, a set of correction commands in the image processing program, difference information of pixel data (such as RGB data) between the original image and the corrected image, and pixel data of the original image. It is given as a conversion table (function).

<Supplementary information>
The incidental information is information related to image formation, and is information that is assumed to have an effect on the type of image to be acquired, the content of the correction, and the degree of correction. The incidental information includes the attribute information of the operator, the attribute information of the image acquisition device that acquired the original image, the attribute information of the image recording medium that records the image, the attribute information of the image recording device that records the image, and the acquired original image Attribute information etc. are included.
The supplementary information must include all of these information (operator attribute information, image acquisition device attribute information, image recording medium attribute information, image recording device attribute information, and original image attribute information). It doesn't have to be.

  The operator attribute information is, for example, personal information such as the gender, age, and residential area of the operator. In addition to these, for example, information such as a tendency of a favorite image correction, a tendency of a favorite color, a hobby, a genre of interest, an occupation, a blood type, and the like can be given. The attribute information of the operator can be obtained by a questionnaire or the like when registering the user of the image processing system 1000. It is assumed that the attribute information of the operator has an influence on the type of image acquired by the operator, the content of the correction, and the tendency of the correction level.

  The attribute information of the image acquisition device that acquires the original image includes, for example, the type and product number of the digital camera, and the firmware version number. , Information such as lens type and product number, shooting conditions (shutter speed, aperture, image sensor setting sensitivity, etc.).

  The attribute information of the image recording medium on which the image is recorded is, for example, information such as the material and type of the recording medium, its product number, and size. The material of the recording medium is, for example, paper, synthetic paper, resin, fabric, wood, metal, etc., and each type (for example, in the case of paper, plain paper, photographic paper, glossy paper, high-quality paper, cast) Information on paper, art paper, coated paper, etc.) is also useful.

  The supplementary information includes attribute information of the image recording device and the recording unit. The attribute information of the image recording apparatus and the recording unit for recording an image includes, for example, a printer printing method, product number, and firmware version number. , Information on the type of ink used, product number, and the like. It is assumed that the attribute information of the image recording apparatus and the recording unit has an influence on the type of image to be acquired, the content of the correction, and the tendency of the correction. In that case, by including these pieces of attribute information as supplementary information, recommended correction information associated with similar supplementary information of the original image to be corrected can be obtained as more effective correction information.

  The acquired attribute information of the original image includes, for example, the name and type of the subject (landscape, person, still life, snap, character, etc.), shooting conditions (shutter speed, aperture, image sensor setting sensitivity, etc.), and specific information about the original image. Information such as general correction intention (for example, required correction specifications such as increasing, decreasing, etc. of contrast, brightness, saturation, etc.).

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of image correction processing.
An image processing database, recommended correction information, and an image correction method will be described with reference to FIG.

<Image processing database>
The image processing database 202 is a database provided in the server 200, and includes correction information sent from a plurality of image processing apparatuses 100 (a plurality of users) connected to the network 201 and original images that are correction targets of the correction information. Accompanying information is accumulated. Further, these pieces of information accumulated as a database are grouped (linked) by various cut points. For example, the correction information in the grouping category common to the original image can be referred to by grouping the correction information according to specific auxiliary information attached to the original image to be corrected. The recommended correction information is derived from the correction information in this common grouping category.

Examples of extracting and referring to correction information correlated with the incidental information of the original image include extraction based on user preference and the type of subject. For example, a group of tendencies of correction for a human image taken by a digital camera A by a woman of a certain age, or a group of tendencies of correction for an image taken by a digital camera B of a tourist spot regardless of gender It is envisaged to extract.
In addition to user preferences, correction for the color reproduction tendency of digital cameras and printers can be obtained as a correction tendency based on the specifications of each device. Therefore, in this case, grouping for each hardware (for each type or product number of the image processing apparatus or image recording apparatus) is assumed.

<Recommended correction information>
As described above, the recommended correction information is information obtained based on the correction information accumulated in the image processing database 202 and the incidental information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. It is obtained by selecting correction information suitable for the original image to be corrected from correction information grouped (linked) according to the tendency. More specifically, for example, recommended correction information is given as a statistical mode value of correction information included in a group that matches attribute information included in incidental information included in the original image to be corrected. Further, for example, correction information associated with supplementary information that is closest to the supplementary information that the original image has from among the groups that are associated with the supplementary information that the original image to be corrected may have may be the recommended correction information. Alternatively, a method may be used in which an average value is calculated and derived as recommended correction information in a group associated with the auxiliary information included in the original image to be corrected.
Note that the recommended correction information may be a method in which a plurality of candidates are selected and provided to the user, instead of being given as one of the statistical mode value and the closest correction information. In this case, the user can compare and select image corrections based on a plurality of suggested correction information.

<Image correction method>
The image correction method will be described along a specific procedure.
First, as a preparation stage of the image processing system 1000, a dummy image processing database is constructed before correction information and incidental information from a plurality of users are stored in the server 200, that is, before the image processing database 202 is constructed. Keep it. Specifically, assumed incidental information and recommended correction information corresponding thereto are prepared. Assumed supplementary information includes user (operator) attribute information, image acquisition device attribute information, image recording medium attribute information, image recording device attribute information, original image attribute information, and the like. Recommended correction information corresponding to each level (linked to each incidental information) is prepared.

The user logs in to the server 200 by starting up the image processing apparatus 100 and referring to the network address of the server 200.
Next, under the user's operation, the image processing apparatus 100 (PC 400) transmits to the server 200 incidental information of the original image to be subjected to image processing (correction) and specific correction intention information. The incidental information to be transmitted includes at least one of user (operator) attribute information, image acquisition apparatus attribute information, image recording medium attribute information, image recording apparatus attribute information, and original image attribute information.

  The method of selecting incidental information to be transmitted is not particularly limited, but a method that requires less input such as a method that can be selected on a menu screen displayed by the server 200, a method that is automatically selected, and a method that inputs common information only for the first time. Is desirable. For example, the personal information of the user is only registered, and the attribute information of the image acquisition device, the attribute information of the image recording medium, the attribute information of the image recording device, etc. are displayed on the menu screen displayed by the server 200 on the part number and type It is desirable that the selection be made only at the first time and at the time of change. In addition, the image acquisition device automatically recognizes the subject type (landscape, person, still life, snap, text, etc.) and shooting conditions (shutter speed, aperture, image sensor setting sensitivity, etc.) in the attribute information of the original image. A method in which is automatically entered is desirable.

  The server 200 receives the incidental information of the original image and specific correction intention information, and extracts recommended correction information suitable for the received information. In the server 200, when there are many targets of the corresponding recommended correction information and it cannot be narrowed down, it is preferable to take a method such as displaying a selection / extraction menu or the like to make the user narrow down.

  If the correlation between the correction information accumulated in the image processing database 202 (or prepared in advance in the preparation stage) and the incidental information of the original image tends to change with time, the server 200 correlates A period selection menu or the like is displayed so that the user narrows down the corresponding period so as to be information within a predetermined period. As an example in which the correlation has a tendency to change with time, there is, for example, a user's preference for color influenced by a fashion trend. Further, for example, a change in correction tendency due to a change in functions and performance of a digital camera or a printer is also assumed.

  The server 200 selects, extracts or calculates recommended correction information as correction information appropriate for the original image to be corrected by the user, and provides it to the user. That is, the server 200 transmits recommended correction information to the image processing apparatus 100 via the network 201 in response to a user request.

  The image processing apparatus 100 receives the recommended correction information by the receiving unit 405 and performs image correction by the image correcting unit 406. Specifically, the recommended correction information is reflected in the image processing program, and image correction is performed in the automatic correction mode or the recommended correction mode described above.

  The correction information when the original image is corrected by performing fine adjustment based on the recommended correction information can be reused by performing registration processing in the storage unit 403. Further, the correction information obtained by correcting the original image and the incidental information of the original image are transmitted from the transmission unit 404 to the server 200 with the confirmation of the user.

  The server 200 stores the transmitted correction information and incidental information in the image processing database 202. As correction information and incidental information accumulated in the image processing database 202 are enriched, more appropriate recommended correction information can be provided.

Previously, correction processing was performed on individual devices based on learning data of user operation results, so problems did not work at the beginning of operations, and results that user operations did not necessarily satisfy the user's wishes It wasn't. Therefore, depending on the learning result, there is a problem that the user may not obtain a satisfactory result.
However, as described above, according to the image processing apparatus, the image processing system, and the image processing method according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The image processing system 1000 is a system in which the image processing apparatus 100 and the server 200 are communicably connected via a network 201. The server 200 stores the correction information stored in the server 200 and the recommended correction information obtained based on the supplementary information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information in a transmittable manner. The image processing apparatus 100 also includes a receiving unit 405 that receives recommended correction information for correcting the original image, an image correcting unit 406 that corrects the original image based on recommended correction information corresponding to the incidental information of the original image, and It has. The image processing apparatus 100 transmits the incidental information of the original image to the server 200, and the server 200 transmits the recommended correction information corresponding to the incidental information received from the image processing apparatus 100 to the image processing apparatus 100. The image processing apparatus 100 can receive this recommended correction information via the network 201. Therefore, the user can perform more appropriate correction by obtaining recommended correction information as correction information corresponding to the original image to be corrected while various corrections are performed (that is, while there are various correction information). It can be performed simply.

  The recommended correction information is information obtained based on the correlation between the accumulated correction information and the supplementary information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information. That is, since the recommended correction information is obtained as correction information correlated with the incidental information related to image formation, when correcting the original image to be corrected, the recommended correction information is corrected as correlation information with the incidental information of the original image. Can be obtained. As a result, correction more suitable for the original image can be performed.

  When the correlation changes with time, the recommended correction information can be obtained as more appropriate correction information (for example, along the latest trend) by setting the correlation as information within a predetermined period. .

In addition, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a transmission unit 404 that transmits correction information for correcting an original image and incidental information of the original image, so that correction information and incidental information transmitted by each user can be transmitted to the network 201. Via the server 200.
By connecting the image processing apparatus 100 (transmission unit 404) of each user to the server 200 via the network 201, the server 200 collects a plurality of correction information and incidental information. By correlating a plurality of correction information for a specific image and the incidental information of the image, the correlation between them can be statistically derived.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 401 that selectively displays an original image, a corrected image corrected based on recommended correction information, and an operation image for obtaining correction information. Therefore, for example, it is possible to check the correction effect and compare images before and after correction. In addition, for example, when the recommended correction information is obtained and the image can be automatically corrected, the operation image for obtaining the correction information is set not to be displayed. However, the simple image processing apparatus 100 can be provided.

  The supplementary information includes attribute information of an operator who operates the image processing apparatus 100 and / or attribute information of the image acquisition apparatus 500 that acquires an original image and / or attribute information of an image recording medium that records a corrected image and / or. It includes the attribute information of the printer 300 that records the corrected image and / or the attribute information of the original image. It is assumed that these pieces of attribute information have an influence on the type of image to be acquired, the content of the correction, and the tendency of the correction level. Therefore, in this case, by including these attribute information as supplementary information, the recommended correction information associated with the similar supplementary information of the original image to be corrected becomes more effective correction information. It is possible to make corrections suitable for

  Further, since the image processing apparatus 100 includes the printer 300 that records the corrected image corrected based on the recommended correction information, it is possible to record (print) a desired image that has been properly corrected. . In other words, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that can perform image correction simply and appropriately. Further, by including the attribute information of the printer 300 as supplementary information, the recommended correction information associated with the similar supplementary information of the original image to be corrected can be obtained as more effective correction information.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, an image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. In the description, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the portable communication terminal 101 as the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.
The second embodiment is characterized in that an image processing apparatus is provided by incorporating a function equivalent to the image processing function described in the first embodiment into a portable communication terminal having an image acquisition function. The image processing system 1000 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the portable communication terminal 101 is connected to the network 201 as an image processing apparatus in addition to the image processing apparatus 100.

The portable communication terminal 101 (hereinafter referred to as the portable 101) is a portable communication terminal having a mail communication function, a call function, a connection function to the Internet, an image acquisition function, and the like.
The mobile phone 101 includes a control unit 450, a display unit 451, an input unit 452, a storage unit 453, an optical lens 457, an image sensor 458, a communication unit 459, and the like.
An image (original image) to be processed by the mobile phone 101 is acquired (captured) by the optical lens 457 and the image sensor 458 and is taken into the storage unit 453.

  The control unit 450 included in the mobile phone 101 has an image processing function for a captured image (original image). In addition, the control unit 450 controls the display unit 451, the input unit 452, the storage unit 453, the optical lens 457, the image sensor 458, the communication unit 459, and the entire mobile device 101.

  The display unit 451 is information display means (display) as a human interface. Based on the control of the control unit 450, the display unit 451 is based on a screen logged into the server 200, information input from the input unit 452, a captured original image, and recommended correction information, in addition to the communication function operation screen. The corrected image and the operation image for obtaining the correction information are displayed in a selectable manner.

The input unit 452 is information input means. Specifically, for example, a touch panel (adjacent to the display unit 451) as a human interface, an operation key, or the like is connected.
The storage unit 453 is a rewritable storage medium such as a memory card, and can store software (program) for operating the control unit 450, image information, correction information (including recommended correction information), supplementary information, and the like.

  The communication unit 459 has a mail communication function as a portable communication terminal, a telephone call function, and a connection function to the Internet under the control of the control unit 450.

In addition, the mobile unit 101 includes a communication unit 459 that includes a transmission unit that transmits correction information for correcting the original image and auxiliary information of the original image, and a reception unit that receives recommended correction information for correcting the original image. Yes. Further, the portable device 101 includes an image correction unit 456 that corrects the original image based on recommended correction information corresponding to the incidental information of the original image as a function of the control unit 450.
In correcting the original image, the user further corrects the correction content as necessary based on the recommended correction information received by the communication unit 459 to correct the original image. The correction information when the original image is corrected can be reused by performing registration processing in the storage unit 453 or the like. At this time, the correction information obtained by correcting the original image and the accompanying information of the original image are transmitted from the communication unit 459 to the server 200 with the confirmation of the user.

The image processing function includes the function of the image correction unit 456 and is configured by an image processing program in which the control unit 450 operates.
The image processing program includes a correction information interface (I / F) that imports recommended correction information into an image processing sequence. By importing recommended correction information, correction processing corresponding to recommended correction conditions can be added to normal image processing.

  Also in the mobile device 101 configured as described above, by performing the same image processing (including image correction) as in the first embodiment, the recommended correction information is obtained as the correction information corresponding to the original image to be corrected. Can easily perform a more appropriate correction.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification will be described below. Here, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(Modification)
The image processing function may be a configuration that the server 200 has. In that case, the server 200 has an image processing program, and the image processing apparatus 100 or the portable device 101 transmits the original image and the supplementary information of the original image to the server 200 to instruct correction and recording (printing). Can do. Furthermore, recording can be performed using a printer connected to the server 200 or a printer available on the network.
According to the configuration of this modification, the image processing apparatus 100 and the mobile phone 101 do not need to have a function that puts a load on processing like the image processing function, and can function as a terminal for inputting necessary information and giving instructions. That's fine.
Alternatively, the original image may be stored in the server 200 or a location where the server 200 can read the image, and the image processing apparatus 100 or the portable device 101 may designate the original image to be recorded and perform image processing. In this case, accompanying information of the original image can be stored together with the original image in the server 200 or a location where the server 200 can read the information, but personal information such as user attributes is stored in the image processing apparatus during image processing. It is also possible to transmit from 100 or the mobile phone 101.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image processing apparatus, 101 ... Portable communication terminal (mobile), 200 ... Server, 201 ... Network, 202 ... Image processing database, 300 ... Printer, 301 ... Inkjet color printer, 400 ... PC, 401, 451 ... Display , 402, 452 ... input unit, 403,453 ... storage unit, 404 ... transmission unit, 405 ... reception unit, 406,456 ... image correction unit, 450 ... control unit, 457 ... optical lens, 458 ... imaging element, 459 ... Communication unit, 500 ... Image acquisition device, 1000 ... Image processing system.

Claims (20)

A receiver for receiving recommended correction information for correcting an image;
An image correction unit that corrects the image based on the recommended correction information corresponding to the auxiliary information of the image,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recommended correction information is information obtained from accumulated correction information based on supplementary information of the image to be corrected.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recommended correction information is information obtained based on a correlation between accumulated correction information and the incidental information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information and the incidental information within a predetermined period.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits correction information obtained by correcting the image and the incidental information. 5.   5. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit that selectively displays the image, a corrected image corrected based on the recommended correction information, and an operation image for obtaining the correction information. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incidental information includes attribute information of an operator who operates.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incidental information includes attribute information of an image acquisition apparatus that acquires the image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary information includes attribute information of an image recording medium on which the corrected image is recorded.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary information includes attribute information of an image recording apparatus that records the corrected image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incidental information includes attribute information of the image.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording unit that records the corrected image, wherein the incidental information includes attribute information of the recording unit. A system in which an image processing apparatus and a server are communicably connected via a network,
The server stores the correction information stored in the server and the recommended correction information obtained based on the supplementary information of the image that is the correction target of the correction information so as to be transmitted,
The image processing system receives the recommended correction information corresponding to the supplementary information from the server, and corrects the image based on the received recommended correction information.   The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein the recommended correction information is information obtained based on a correlation between accumulated correction information and the incidental information.   The image processing system according to claim 13, wherein the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information and the incidental information within a predetermined period. The image processing apparatus transmits correction information obtained by correcting the image and the incidental information to the server,
The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein the server stores the received correction information and the incidental information. The image processing device transmits the incidental information to the server,
The image according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the server transmits the recommended correction information corresponding to the incidental information received from the image processing device to the image processing device. Processing system.   An image processing method, comprising: correcting the image based on recommended correction information obtained based on supplementary information of an image to be corrected among the accumulated correction information.   The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the recommended correction information is information obtained based on a correlation between accumulated correction information and the incidental information.   The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein the correlation is a correlation obtained based on the correction information and the incidental information within a predetermined period.   The auxiliary information includes attribute information of an operator who operates the device that performs the correction, attribute information of an image acquisition device that acquires the image, attribute information of an image recording medium that records the corrected image, and the corrected image 20. The image processing method according to claim 17, comprising at least one of attribute information of an image recording apparatus that records the image and attribute information of the image.

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