Apparatus, method, signal and computer program product configured to provide output image adjustment of an image file

Claim 2

1 . An image data generating apparatus comprising: an image data generating mechanism configured to generate image data; an output process control information obtaining mechanism configured to obtain output process control information obtained by combining a characteristic of said image data generating apparatus with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and an image file assembly mechanism configured to generate a process control data containing the output process control information.

Claim 3

2 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the image file assembly mechanism is configured to include said process control data in an image file that contains said image data.

Claim 4

3 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 2 , wherein: said output file being an Exlf file.

Claim 5

4 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 3 , wherein: the process control data being an Makernote portion of the Exlf file.

Claim 6

5 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the output process control information containing information for controlling image processing of the image data at the predetermined output apparatus.

Claim 7

6 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 5 , wherein: the output process control information includes gamma correction information.

Claim 8

7 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 6 , wherein: said process control data further comprising additional information that is correlated to said image data, said additional information including at least one of color space information, contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, brightness correction information, and highlight color information.

Claim 9

8 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: an output process control information generating mechanism configured to create the output process control information.

Claim 10

9 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a storage mechanism that is configured to hold therein the output process control information, wherein said output process control information obtaining mechanism being configured to obtain said output process control information from said storage mechanism.

Claim 11

10 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a data transfer mechanism configured to transmit the image data and the process control data.

Claim 12

11 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the image data generating apparatus being at least one of a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and a scanning device.

Claim 13

12 . An image data generating apparatus comprising: an image data generating mechanism configured to generate image data of a subject; a first image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; a second image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; and an image file assembly mechanism configured to generate an image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information.

Claim 14

12 . An image data generating apparatus comprising: an image data generating mechanism configured to generate image data of a subject; a first image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; a second image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; and an image file assembly mechanism configured to generate an image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information.

Claim 15

13 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein: said image file assembly mechanism configured to include the image data, the first information and the second information in said image file.

Claim 16

14 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein: the first information includes at least one of gamma correction information, color space information, and negative image data value information.

Claim 17

15 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of an image correction characteristic associated with generating a print data from an image data.

Claim 18

16 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 15 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, stored color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, saturation information, and brightness correction information.

Claim 19

17 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 12 , wherein: the image data generating apparatus being at least one of a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and a scanning device.

Claim 20

18 . An image data generating apparatus, comprising: means for generating image data; means for obtaining output process control information and combining the operating characteristic of said means for generating image data with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and means for generating a process control data containing the output process control information.

Claim 21

18 . An image data generating apparatus, comprising: means for generating image data; means for obtaining output process control information and combining the operating characteristic of said means for generating image data with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and means for generating a process control data containing the output process control information.

Claim 22

19 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 18 , wherein: said means for generating image data, means for obtaining output control information, and means for generating a process control data each being a computer program product having computer readable instructions.

Claim 23

20 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 19 , wherein: the means for generating image data including means for including said process control data in an image file that also contains said image data.

Claim 24

21 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 18 , wherein: the output process control information includes gamma correction information.

Claim 25

22 . An image data generating apparatus comprising: means for generating image data of a subject; means for obtaining first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; means for obtaining second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; and means for generating an image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information.

Claim 26

22 . An image data generating apparatus comprising: means for generating image data of a subject; means for obtaining first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; means for obtaining second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; and means for generating an image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information.

Claim 27

23 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 22 , wherein: said means for generating an image file includes means for including the image data, the first information and the second information in said image file.

Claim 28

24 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 22 , wherein: the first information includes at least one of gamma correction formation, color space information, and negative image data value information.

Claim 29

25 . The image data generating apparatus of claim 22 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, stored color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, saturation information, and brightness correction information.

Claim 30

26 . A method for generating an image data, comprising steps of: generating image data; obtaining output process control information and combining an operating characteristic of an image capturing apparatus with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and generating a process control data containing the output process control information.

Claim 31

26 . A method for generating an image data, comprising steps of: generating image data; obtaining output process control information and combining an operating characteristic of an image capturing apparatus with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and generating a process control data containing the output process control information.

Claim 32

27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein: said steps of generating image data, obtaining output process control information, and generating a process control data being computer-implemented process steps.

Claim 33

28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising a step of: including said process control data in an image file that also contains said image data.

Claim 34

29 . The method of claim 26 , wherein: the output process control information includes gamma correction information.

Claim 35

30 . A method for generating an image data, comprising steps of: generating image data of a subject; obtaining first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; obtaining second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; and generating an image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information.

Claim 36

30 . A method for generating an image data, comprising steps of: generating image data of a subject; obtaining first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; obtaining second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; and generating an image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information.

Claim 37

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein: said generating an image file step includes including the image data, the first information and the second information in said image file.

Claim 38

32 . The method of claim 30 , wherein: the first information includes at least one of gamma correction information, color space information, and negative image data value information.

Claim 39

33 . The method of claim 30 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, stored color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, saturation information, and brightness correction information.

Claim 40

34 . A propagated data signal for conveying image data and image processing control data that corresponds with a combined use of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, said propagated data signal comprising: an image data containing digital image data of a subject captured from the image data generating apparatus; and a process control data, said process control data including a first data segment containing first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said digital image data, and a second data segment containing second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said digital image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus.

Claim 41

34 . A propagated data signal for conveying image data and image processing control data that corresponds with a combined use of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, said propagated data signal comprising: an image data containing digital image data of a subject captured from the image data generating apparatus; and a process control data, said process control data including a first data segment containing first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said digital image data, and a second data segment containing second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said digital image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus.

Claim 42

35 . The propagated data signal of claim 34 , wherein: the first information includes at least one of gamma correction information, color space information, and negative image data value information.

Claim 43

36 . The propagated data signal of claim 34 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, stored color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, saturation information, and brightness correction information.

Claim 44

37 . The propagated data signal of claim 34 , wherein: said image data and said process control data being included as part of an Exlf file that is embodied in said propagated data signal.

Claim 45

38 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data, comprising: a processor; and a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image data and a process control data associated with the image data, wherein the process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining an operating characteristic of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; a data provide mechanism configured to provide the image data and the process control data to the processor; and wherein said processor being configured to perform image processing on said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 46

38 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data, comprising: a processor; and a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image data and a process control data associated with the image data, wherein the process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining an operating characteristic of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; a data provide mechanism configured to provide the image data and the process control data to the processor; and wherein said processor being configured to perform image processing on said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 47

39 . The image processing apparatus of claim 38 , wherein: if the process control data is not retrieved, the data provide mechanism provides the image data and a predetermined process control data to the processor, and wherein the predetermined process control data is configured to general purpose image processing.

Claim 48

40 . The image processing apparatus of claim 38 , wherein: said processor being hosted in a computer.

Claim 49

41 . The image processing apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the predetermined output apparatus being a printer.

Claim 50

42 . The image processing apparatus of claim 38 , wherein: the image file includes said process control data and said image data in a single file.

Claim 51

43 . The image processing apparatus of claim 42 , wherein: the process control data being stored an Makernote portion of the Exlf file, and the data retrieve mechanism retrieves the Makernote portion to obtain the process control data.

Claim 52

44 . The image processing apparatus of claim 42 , wherein: the output process control information containing information for controlling image processing of the image data at the predetermined output apparatus.

Claim 53

45 . The image processing apparatus of claim 44 , wherein: the output process control information includes gamma correction information.

Claim 54

46 . The image processing apparatus of claim 45 , wherein: said process control data further comprising additional information that is correlated to said image data, said additional information including at least one of color space information, contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, brightness correction information, and highlight color information.

Claim 55

47 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data of a subject, said image data retrieved from an image file, comprising: a processor; a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image file and provide the image file to the processor, said image file including first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; wherein said processor being configured to implement a first reproduction mechanism configured to perform image processing on said image data with said first information to faithfully reproduce a color of the subject, and a second reproduction mechanism configured to perform a reproduction process specified for said image data based on said second information; and an image data output mechanism configured to output the image data after said image data has been processed by said first reproduction mechanism and said second reproduction mechanism.

Claim 56

47 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data of a subject, said image data retrieved from an image file, comprising: a processor; a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image file and provide the image file to the processor, said image file including first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus; wherein said processor being configured to implement a first reproduction mechanism configured to perform image processing on said image data with said first information to faithfully reproduce a color of the subject, and a second reproduction mechanism configured to perform a reproduction process specified for said image data based on said second information; and an image data output mechanism configured to output the image data after said image data has been processed by said first reproduction mechanism and said second reproduction mechanism.

Claim 57

48 . The image processing apparatus of claim 47 , wherein: the first information includes at least one of gamma correction information, color space information, and negative image data value information.

Claim 58

49 . The image processing apparatus of claim 47 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of an image correction characteristic associated with generating a print data from an image data.

Claim 59

50 . The image processing apparatus of claim 49 , wherein: the second information includes at least one of contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, stored color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, saturation information, and brightness correction information.

Claim 60

51 . The image processing apparatus of claim 47 , wherein: said image processing apparatus includes a printer.

Claim 61

52 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data retrieved from an image file, comprising: a processor; and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including the image data, and a process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining operating characteristics of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, wherein said processor including means for processing said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 62

52 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data retrieved from an image file, comprising: a processor; and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including the image data, and a process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining operating characteristics of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, wherein said processor including means for processing said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 63

53 . The image Processing apparatus of claim 52 , wherein: the image file includes said process control data and said image data in a single file.

Claim 64

54 . The image processing apparatus of claim 53 , wherein: the output process control information includes gamma correction information.

Claim 65

55 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data of a subject, said image data retrieved from an image file, comprising: a processor; and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, wherein said processor being configured to implement means for performing image processing on said image data with said first information to faithfully reproduce a color of the subject, and means for performing a reproduction process specified for said image data based on said second information; and means for outputting the image data after said image data has been processed by said means for performing image processing and said means for performing a reproduction process.

Claim 66

55 . An image processing apparatus configured to perform image processing on image data of a subject, said image data retrieved from an image file, comprising: a processor; and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, wherein said processor being configured to implement means for performing image processing on said image data with said first information to faithfully reproduce a color of the subject, and means for performing a reproduction process specified for said image data based on said second information; and means for outputting the image data after said image data has been processed by said means for performing image processing and said means for performing a reproduction process.

Claim 67

56 . The image processing apparatus of claim 55 , wherein: the first information includes at least one of gamma correction information, color space information, and negative image data value information.

Claim 68

57 . A method for processing image data, comprising steps of: retrieving said image data and a control data from an external source; providing the image data and the control data to the processor, wherein the process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining operating characteristics of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and processing said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 69

57 . A method for processing image data, comprising steps of: retrieving said image data and a control data from an external source; providing the image data and the control data to the processor, wherein the process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining operating characteristics of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and processing said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 70

58 . The method of claim 57 , wherein: said process control data and said image data being included in a single file.

Claim 71

59 . The method of claim 57 , wherein: the processing step includes processing of the image data at the predetermined output apparatus.

Claim 72

60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein: the output process control information includes gamma correction information.

Claim 73

61 . A propagated data signal for conveying image data and image processing control data that corresponds with a combination of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, said propagated signal comprising: an image segment containing the image data to be image processed; an image processing control segment containing the image processing control data for controlling the output apparatus to perform image processing on said image data using the image data and the image processing control data, and wherein the image processing control data includes output process control information, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data.

Claim 74

61 . A propagated data signal for conveying image data and image processing control data that corresponds with a combination of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, said propagated signal comprising: an image segment containing the image data to be image processed; an image processing control segment containing the image processing control data for controlling the output apparatus to perform image processing on said image data using the image data and the image processing control data, and wherein the image processing control data includes output process control information, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data.

Claim 75

62 . A computer program product, comprising: a computer storage medium; and a computer program code stored in the computer storage medium for implementing an image processing on the computer, the computer program code having a first computer code configured to retrieve image data and process control data associated with the image data, wherein the process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining an operating characteristic of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, a second computer code configured to perform image processing on the image data using the image data and the output process control information, if the process control data is retrieved.

Claim 76

62 . A computer program product, comprising: a computer storage medium; and a computer program code stored in the computer storage medium for implementing an image processing on the computer, the computer program code having a first computer code configured to retrieve image data and process control data associated with the image data, wherein the process control data containing output process control information obtained by combining an operating characteristic of an image data generating apparatus and a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, a second computer code configured to perform image processing on the image data using the image data and the output process control information, if the process control data is retrieved.

Claim 77

63 . A computer program product of claim 62 , further comprising: a third computer code configured to per form image data processing on the image data using a predetermined process control data, if the process control data is not retrieved, and wherein the predetermined process control data is configured to general purpose image processing.

Claim 78

64 . An image data processing system, comprising: an image data generating device configured to generate image data; an output process control information obtaining mechanism configured obtain output process control information obtained by combining the characteristic of said image data generating device with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output device, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; an image file assembly mechanism configured to generate an image file that includes the image data and the process control data which contains the output process control information; a processor; and a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image file and provide the image file to the processor, wherein said processor being configured to perform image processing on said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 79

64 . An image data processing system, comprising: an image data generating device configured to generate image data; an output process control information obtaining mechanism configured obtain output process control information obtained by combining the characteristic of said image data generating device with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output device, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; an image file assembly mechanism configured to generate an image file that includes the image data and the process control data which contains the output process control information; a processor; and a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image file and provide the image file to the processor, wherein said processor being configured to perform image processing on said image data using the image data and the output process control information.

Claim 80

65 . The system of claim 64 , further comprising: a personal computer that contains said processor and said data retrieval mechanism.

Claim 81

66 . An image data processing system, comprising: an image data generating apparatus, including an image data generating mechanism configured to generate image data of a subject and store said image data in an image file, a first image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, a second image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, said image file including said first information and said second information; and an image processing apparatus, including a processor, a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image file and provide the image file to the processor, wherein said processor being configured to implement a first reproduction mechanism configured to perform image processing on said image data with said first information to faithfully reproduce a color of the subject, and a second reproduction mechanism configured to perform a reproduction process specified for said image data based on said second information, and an image data output mechanism configured to output the image data after said image data has been processed by said first reproduction mechanism and said second reproduction mechanism.

Claim 82

66 . An image data processing system, comprising: an image data generating apparatus, including an image data generating mechanism configured to generate image data of a subject and store said image data in an image file, a first image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, a second image obtaining mechanism configured to obtain second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, said image file including said first information and said second information; and an image processing apparatus, including a processor, a data retrieval mechanism configured to retrieve said image file and provide the image file to the processor, wherein said processor being configured to implement a first reproduction mechanism configured to perform image processing on said image data with said first information to faithfully reproduce a color of the subject, and a second reproduction mechanism configured to perform a reproduction process specified for said image data based on said second information, and an image data output mechanism configured to output the image data after said image data has been processed by said first reproduction mechanism and said second reproduction mechanism.

Claim 83

67 . An image data processing system, comprising: means for generating image data; means for obtaining output process control information and combining the operating characteristic of said means for generating image data with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; means for generating an image file with a process control data containing the output process control information; a processor; and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including the image data, and the process control data, wherein said processor including means for processing said image data using the output process control information.

Claim 84

67 . An image data processing system, comprising: means for generating image data; means for obtaining output process control information and combining the operating characteristic of said means for generating image data with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; means for generating an image file with a process control data containing the output process control information; a processor; and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including the image data, and the process control data, wherein said processor including means for processing said image data using the output process control information.

Claim 85

68 . An image data processing system, comprising: means for generating an image file, including, means for generating image data of a subject, means for obtaining first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, means for obtaining second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, and means for generating the image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information; and an image processing apparatus including, a processor, and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including the image data, the first information and the second information, wherein said processor including means for processing said image data using the first information and the second information.

Claim 86

68 . An image data processing system, comprising: means for generating an image file, including, means for generating image data of a subject, means for obtaining first information for faithfully reproducing a color of the subject, the first information including reproduction characteristics of a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data, means for obtaining second information for specifying an image quality adjustment process to be performed on said image data by said predetermined output apparatus, the second information including reproduction characteristics of the predetermined output apparatus, and means for generating the image file containing the image data and at least one of the first information and the second information; and an image processing apparatus including, a processor, and means for retrieved said image file and providing the image file to the processor, said image file including the image data, the first information and the second information, wherein said processor including means for processing said image data using the first information and the second information.