Image processing method, image processing apparatus and image recording apparatus

Claim 2

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image.

Claim 3

The image processing method claim 1 , wherein the respective information further includes information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 4

The image processing method of claim 1 , further comprising: obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; and determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function.

Claim 5

The image processing method of claim 1 , wherein information about the flashlight includes information of return of the flashlight.

Claim 6

The image processing method claim 1 , wherein when detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, the detecting is conducted based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position.

Claim 7

The image processing method of claim 1 , wherein the content of image processing includes at least one of contrast correction processing, color balance correction processing, hue correction processing, chroma correction processing, lightness correction processing, and sharpness enhancement processing.

Claim 8

The image processing method of claim 6 , wherein the content of image processing includes color balance correction processing, whose correction condition being determined based on at least one of information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing.

Claim 9

The image processing method according to claim 7 , wherein information about the environment light and information about the flashlight include information about light characteristics.

Claim 10

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and determining a content of the image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image.

Claim 11

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and determining a content of the image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image.

Claim 12

The image processing method of claim 9 , wherein estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image is conducted, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 13

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; estimating a mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and, at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value; and determining a content of the image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of photographed images.

Claim 14

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; estimating a mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and, at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value; and determining a content of the image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of photographed images.

Claim 15

The image processing method of claim 11 , wherein estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed images is conducted, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 16

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; and determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function.

Claim 17

An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; and determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function.

Claim 18

The image processing method according to claim 13 , further comprising: estimating whether or not the white balance adjustment function operated automatically in the course of photographing; and determining the content of image processing based on the results of the estimating.

Claim 19

The image processing method of claim 14 , wherein when the white balance adjustment function is estimated to have operated automatically in the course of photographing, the content of the image processing is determined based on information used in determining an adjustment condition for the white balance adjustment function.

Claim 20

The image processing method of claim 15 , wherein the information used in determining the adjustment condition for the white balance adjustment function comprises information about light for photographing.

Claim 21

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: a detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information including information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 22

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: a detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information including information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 23

The image processing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the respective information further includes information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 24

The image processing apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising: an information obtaining section for obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images, wherein the image processing section determines the content of image processing further based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function.

Claim 25

The image processing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein information about the flashlight includes information of return of the flashlight.

Claim 26

The image processing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the area detecting section detects an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position.

Claim 27

The image processing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the content of image processing includes at least one of contrast correction processing, color balance correction processing, hue correction processing, chroma correction processing, lightness correction processing, and sharpness enhancement processing.

Claim 28

The image processing apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the content of image processing includes color balance correction processing, whose correction condition being determined based on at least one of information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing.

Claim 29

The image processing apparatus of claim 23 , wherein information about the environment light and information about the flashlight include information about light characteristics.

Claim 30

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; an area detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the coursed of photographing; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 31

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; an area detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the coursed of photographing; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 32

The image processing apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 33

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: an mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a mixed ratio estimating section for estimating a mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and, at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing an area detecting section for detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 34

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: an mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a mixed ratio estimating section for estimating a mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and, at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing an area detecting section for detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 35

The image processing apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 36

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: an information obtaining section for obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 37

An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image for generating image signals for output, comprising: an information obtaining section for obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; and an image processing section for determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image.

Claim 38

The image processing apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the image processing section makes an estimation whether or not the white balance adjustment function operated automatically in the course of photographing, and determines the content of image processing based on the results of the estimation.

Claim 39

The image processing apparatus of claim 30 , wherein when the white balance adjustment function is estimated to have operated automatically in the course of photographing, the content of the image processing is determined based on information used in determining an adjustment condition for the white balance adjustment function.

Claim 40

The image processing apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the information used in determining the adjustment condition for the white balance adjustment function comprises information about light for photographing.

Claim 41

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information including information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 42

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on respective information including information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and at least one of information including information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 43

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the respective information further includes information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 44

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , further comprising: an information obtaining section for obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images, wherein the image processing section determines the content of image processing further based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function.

Claim 45

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein information about the flashlight includes information of return of the flashlight.

Claim 46

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the area detecting section detects an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position.

Claim 47

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the content of image processing includes at least one of contrast correction processing, color balance correction processing, hue correction processing, chroma correction processing, lightness correction processing, and sharpness enhancement processing.

Claim 48

The image recording apparatus of claim 38 , wherein the content of image processing includes color balance correction processing, whose correction condition being determined based on at least one of information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing.

Claim 49

The image recording apparatus of claim 39 , wherein information about the environment light and information about the flashlight include information about light characteristics.

Claim 50

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a print medium to output.

Claim 51

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a silver halide type photographic paper to output.

Claim 52

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a print medium through an ink-jet method to output.

Claim 53

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a print medium through an electrophotographic method to output.

Claim 54

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a print medium through a sublimation method.

Claim 55

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a print medium through a thermal recording method.

Claim 56

The image recording apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the recording section records the image signals on a recording medium as digital data.

Claim 57

The image recording apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the recording medium is at least one of CD-R, CD-RW, MD, memory card, IC card, flexible disk and magneto-optical disk.

Claim 58

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; an area detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the coursed of photographing; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 59

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; an area detecting section for detecting an area in the photographed image where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the coursed of photographing; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 60

The image recording apparatus of claim 49 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 61

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: an mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a mixed ratio estimating section for estimating a mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and, at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing an area detecting section for detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 62

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: an mixed area estimating section for estimating whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a mixed ratio estimating section for estimating a mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light both in the course of photographing based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and, at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing, information about ISO speed and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing an area detecting section for detecting an area where the mixed ratio of flashlight to environment light in the course of photographing is greater than a prescribed value; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing in accordance with a ratio of the area detected to the total area of the photographed image to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 63

The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the photographed image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about a subject distance in the course of photographing.

Claim 64

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: an information obtaining section for obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 65

An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating a photographed image inputted by an image inputting means for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: an information obtaining section for obtaining information about a white balance adjustment function of a photographing apparatus used to get the photographed images; an image processing section for determining a content of image processing based on the obtained information about a white balance adjustment function to conduct an image processing on the image signals indicating a photographed image, and for generating image signals for output; and a recording section for recording the image signals for output onto a recording medium.

Claim 66

The image recording apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the image processing section makes an estimation whether or not the white balance adjustment function operated automatically in the course of photographing, and determines the content of image processing based on the results of the estimation.

Claim 67

The image recording apparatus of claim 54 , wherein when the white balance adjustment function is estimated to have operated automatically in the course of photographing, the content of the image processing is determined based on information used in determining an adjustment condition for the white balance adjustment function.

Claim 68

The image recording apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the information used in determining the adjustment condition for the white balance adjustment function comprises information about light for photographing.