US6801296B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processing method, image processing apparatus and image recording apparatus
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
•
Filing: 2003-02-14
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Granted: 2004-10-05
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Expires: 2023-02-14
Abstract
Abstract An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output. The image processing method has a determining process to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals 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 and information about ISO speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Chizuko Ikeda
- 👤 Tsukasa Ito
- 👤 Hiroaki Takano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:12
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 104
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a determining process to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, one information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a determining process to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, one information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The image processing method of claim 1 , wherein in the determining process, the content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals is determined further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
An image processing method conducting an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed, and on a result of estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
An image processing method conducting an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing, and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed, and on a result of estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing method of claim 3 , wherein in the mixed area estimating process, whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image is estimated, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 process to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated in the mixed ratio estimating process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 process to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated in the mixed ratio estimating process.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing method of claim 5 , wherein in the mixed area estimating process, whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image is estimated, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
169 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 process to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; a detecting process to detect an area where the mixed ratio estimated in the mixed ratio estimating process is not less than a prescribed value; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the detection in the detecting process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 process to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; a detecting process to detect an area where the mixed ratio estimated in the mixed ratio estimating process is not less than a prescribed value; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the detection in the detecting process.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing method of claim 7 , wherein in the mixed area estimating process, whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image is estimated further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image processing method of claim 5 , wherein in the mixed ratio estimating process, the mixed ratio of the flashlight to environment light is estimated further based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flash light in the course of photographing and information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image processing method of claim 9 , wherein in the mixed ratio estimating process, the mixed ratio of the flashlight to environment light is estimated further based on information of return of flashlight included in information about flashlight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The image processing method of claim 7 , wherein in the detecting process, an area where the mixed ratio has a value that is not less than a prescribed value is detected, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a position of a subject.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image processing method of claim 7 , wherein in the determining process, the content of the image processing is determined in accordance with hue information of the area detected in the detecting process.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing method of claim 7 , further comprising a judging process to judge whether or not a flesh color is included in an area detected in the detecting process, wherein in the determining process, the content of image processing is determined in accordance with a result of judgment in the judging process.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a determining process that determines a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals, 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 a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a determining process that determines a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals, 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 a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The image processing method of claim 14 , wherein in the determining process, the content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals is determined, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position, and on a result of the estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position, and on a result of the estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing method of claim 16 , wherein in the mixed area estimating process, whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image is estimated further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a detecting process to detect an area including a principal subject irradiated by flashlight, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on a detecting result of the detecting process.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image processing method to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating process to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a detecting process to detect an area including a principal subject irradiated by flashlight, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position; and a determining process to determine a content of the image processing based on a detecting result of the detecting process.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing method of claim 18 , wherein in the mixed area estimating process, whether an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image or not is estimated, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The image processing method of claim 18 , wherein in the determining process the content of the image processing is determined further based on information about a photographing scene.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image processing method of claim 14 , wherein in the determining process, the content of the image processing is determined, further in accordance with hue information of an area where a principal subject irradiated by flashlight is included.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The image processing method of claim 14 , further comprising: a judging process that judges whether or not a flesh color is contained in an area where a principal subject irradiated by the flashlight is included, wherein the content of the image processing is determined based on a result of judgment in the judging process.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processing method of claim 1 , wherein the image processing comprises at least one processing out of contrast correction, color balance correction, hue correction, chroma correction, lightness correction, elimination of granulated noise and enhancement of sharpness.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processing method of claim 1 , further comprising, an adjusting process to adjust a degree of at least one processing out of contrast correction, color balance correction, hue correction, chroma correction, lightness correction, elimination of granulated noise and enhancement of sharpness.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processing method of claim 1 , further comprising, a correction process that conducts color correction so that a flesh color area represents a prescribed flesh color when the flesh color area is included in the image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a determining section to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a determining section to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the determining section determines the content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed, and on a result of estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed, and on a result of estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
159 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated by the mixed ratio estimating section.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
159 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated by the mixed ratio estimating section.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
160 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated in the mixed ratio estimating process.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
160 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated in the mixed ratio estimating process.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the mixed ratio estimating section estimated a mixed ratio of the flashlight to environment light, further based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the mixed ratio estimating section estimates a mixed ratio of the flashlight to environment light, further based on information of return of flashlight included in information about flashlight.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the detecting section detects an area where the mixed ratio is not less than a prescribed value, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the determining section determines the content of image processing in accordance with hue information of an area detected by the detecting section.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
53 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 32 , further comprising a judging section to judge whether or not a flesh color is included in the area detected by the detecting section , wherein the determining section determines the content of image processing in accordance with a result of judgment in the judging section.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising a determining section that determines a contents of the image processing to be conducted on the image signals, 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 a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
81 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising a determining section that determines a contents of the image processing to be conducted on the image signals, 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 a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing to be conducted on the image signals, further based on information about a subject distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position, and on the results of the estimation conducted by the mixed area estimating section.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
118 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position, and on the results of the estimation conducted by the mixed area estimating section.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
50 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about a subject distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a detecting section to detect an area including a principal subject irradiated by flashlight, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the results of the detection by the detecting section.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
133 words
An image processing apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a detecting section to detect an area including a principal subject irradiated by flashlight, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the results of the detection by the detecting section.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image or not, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing, further based on information about a photographing scene.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing, further in accordance with hue information of an area where a principal subject irradiated by flashlight is included.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 39 , further comprising: a judging section to judge whether or not a flesh color is contained in an area where a principal subject irradiated by the flashlight is included, wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing based on a result of judgment by the judging section.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the image processing comprises at least one processing out of contrast correction, color balance correction, hue correction, chroma correction, lightness correction, elimination of granulated noise and enhancement of sharpness.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising, an adjusting section to adjust a degree of at least one processing out of contrast correction, color balance correction, hue correction, chroma correction, lightness correction, elimination of granulated noise and enhancement of sharpness.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processing apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising, a correction section to conduct color correction so that a flesh color area represents a prescribed flesh color when the flesh color area is included in the image.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signal for output, comprising: a determining section to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
86 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signal for output, comprising: a determining section to determine a content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing, information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
42 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the determining section determines the content of image processing to be conducted on the image signals, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed, and on a result of estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
128 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed, and on a result of estimation in the mixed area estimating process.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated by the mixed ratio estimating section.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on the mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing estimated by the mixed ratio estimating section.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
178 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; and a detecting section to detect an area where the mixed ratio estimated by the mixed ratio estimating section is not less than a prescribed value; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the detection by the detecting section.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
178 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the 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 to estimate a mixed ratio of flashlight in the course of photographing to environment light in the course of photographing, based on at least one of information about zoom magnification in the course of photographing and information about ISO speed; and a detecting section to detect an area where the mixed ratio estimated by the mixed ratio estimating section is not less than a prescribed value; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the detection by the detecting section.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 57 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the mixed ratio estimating section estimated a mixed ratio of the environment light and flashlight, further based on information about environment light in the course of photographing, information about flashlight in the course of photographing and information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the mixed ratio estimating section estimates a mixed ratio of the flashlight to environment light, further based on information of return of flashlight included in information about flashlight.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 57 , wherein the detecting section detects an area where the mixed ratio is not less than a prescribed value, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 57 , wherein the determining section determines the content of image processing in accordance with hue information of an area detected by the detecting section.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 57 , further comprising a judging section to judge whether or not a flesh color is included in the area detected by the detecting section, wherein the determining section determines the content of image processing in accordance with a result of judgment in the judging section.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a determining section to determine a contents of the image processing to be conducted on the image signals, 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 a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
89 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating images obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus for generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a determining section to determine a contents of the image processing to be conducted on the image signals, 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 a subject area and information about a subject position.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing to be conducted on the image signals, further based on information about a subject distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position, and on the results of the estimation conducted by the mixed area estimating section.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
127 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position, and on the results of the estimation conducted by the mixed area estimating section.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
50 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 66 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of environment light and flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about a subject distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
141 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a detecting section to detect an area including a principal subject irradiated by flashlight, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the results of the detection by the detecting section.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
141 words
An image recording apparatus to conduct an image processing on image signals indicating an image obtained through photographing by a photographing apparatus and generating image signals for output, and to record the image signals for output, comprising: a mixed area estimating section to estimate whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, based on information about environment light in the course of photographing and information about flashlight in the course of photographing; a detecting section to detect an area including a principal subject irradiated by flashlight, based on at least one of information about a subject area and information about a subject position; and a determining section to determine a content of the image processing based on a result of the results of the detection by the detecting section.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
52 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 68 , wherein the mixed area estimating section estimates whether or not an area irradiated by both of an environment light and a flashlight is present in the image, further based on information about an object distance from the photographing apparatus in the course of photographing.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 68 , wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing, further based on information about a photographing scene.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 64 , wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing, further in accordance with hue information of an area where a principal subject irradiated by flashlight is included.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
57 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 64 , further comprising: a judging section to judge whether or not a flesh color is contained in an area where a principal subject irradiated by the flashlight is included, wherein the determining section determines the content of the image processing based on a result of judgment by the judging section.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the image processing comprises at least one processing out of contrast correction, color balance correction, hue correction, chroma correction, lightness correction, elimination of granulated noise and enhancement of sharpness.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising, an adjusting section to adjust a degree of at least one processing out of contrast correction, color balance correction, hue correction, chroma correction, lightness correction, elimination of granulated noise and enhancement of sharpness.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising, a correction section to conduct color correction so that a flesh color area represents a prescribed flesh color when the flesh color area is included in the image.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
40 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a printing medium for outputting.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section records the image signals for output on a silver halide type photographic paper for outputting.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a printing medium with an inkjet printing method for outputting.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a printing medium with an electrophotographic printing method for outputting.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a printing medium with a sublimation printing method for outputting.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section prints the image signals for output on a printing medium with a thermal printing method for outputting.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
41 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 51 , further comprising a recording section to records the image signals for output on a recording medium, wherein the recording section records the image signals for output on a recording medium as digital data.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
33 words
The image recording apparatus of claim 82 , wherein the recording medium is at least one of CD-R, CD-RW, MD, a memory card, an IC card, a flexible disk and a magneto-optical disk.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-05 | 2008-04-05 | 2008-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-05 | 2012-04-05 | 2012-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-10-05 | 2016-04-05 | 2016-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |