Method and apparatus for reproducing image from data obtained by digital camera and digital camera used thereof

Abstract

When a picture image recorded by a digital camera is reproduced, a high quality picture image is immediately reproduced without repetitive test prints for enhancing a picture quality or repetitive minor adjustments based on a confirmation via a monitor. Recording is carried out by a digital camera having a function of adding recording information representing a recording condition (a recording information adding unit) to digital image data obtained by the recording. A set-up processing unit in an image reproducing apparatus carries out image processing on the image data obtained by the recording for enhancing a picture quality using the recording information added to the image data, and the image reproducing apparatus reproduces the image data in the form of a print or a display on a monitor.

1. An image reproducing method comprising:
 obtaining digital image data recorded by a digital image recording device;  
 obtaining recording information representing a recording condition specific to the digital image recording device;  
 storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file together in an image server;  
 carrying out image processing of the image file for enhancing a picture quality of the digital image data having been stored in the storage medium by using the stored recording information to determine an optimal image processing condition; and  
 reproducing the digital image data on which the image processing has been carried out based on the optimal image processing condition.  
 
     
     
       2. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , before the carrying out image processing step, further comprising:
 adding the optimal image processing condition to the digital image data and the recording information for storage as the image file, wherein  
 the carrying out step carries out the image processing of the image file stored in the storage medium for enhancing the picture quality of the digital image data based on the stored optimal image processing condition added to the image file.  
 
     
     
       3. An image reproducing apparatus comprising:
 image serving means for storing digital image data, having been recorded by a digital recording device, and recording information together as an image file in an image server, wherein recording information represents a recording condition specific to the digital image recording device;  
 image processing means for carrying out an image processing of the image file for enhancing a picture quality of the digital image data using the stored recording information to determine an optimal image processing condition; and  
 reproducing means for reproducing the digital image data processed by the image processing means based on the optimal image processing condition.  
 
     
     
       4. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 2  or  5 , comprising recording information adding means for adding the recording information to the digital image data. 
     
     
       5. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding the optimal image processing condition to the digital image data and the recording information for storage as the image file, wherein  
 the image processing means carries out the image processing of the image file stored in the storage medium for enhancing the picture quality of the digital image data based on the stored optimal image processing condition added to the image file.  
 
     
     
       6. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding a content of AE processing the recording information.  
 
     
     
       7. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding a designation indicating a direction to halt additional correction to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       8. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding a trimming designation function indicator to the recording information for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed.  
 
     
     
       9. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding at least one of a focusing length and a focusing position to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       10. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding at least one of a lighting condition obtained from a color sensor or exposure meter, a flash occurrence condition, and an outdoor weather indicator to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       11. The image reproducing method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding a title of the digital image data to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       12. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding a content of AE processing the recording information.  
 
     
     
       13. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding a designation indicating a direction to halt additional correction to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       14. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding a trimmings designation function indicator to the recording information for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed.  
 
     
     
       15. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding at least one of a focusing length and a focusing position to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       16. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding at least one of a lighting condition obtained from a color sensor or exposure meter, a flash occurrence condition, and an outdoor weather indicator to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       17. The image reproducing apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for adding a title of the digital image data to the recording information.  
 
     
     
       18. An image reproducing apparatus system comprising:
 an image pick up unit that records digital image data;  
 a processing unit that provides automatic exposure processing to the digital image data; and  
 a recording information adding unit that adds recording information including a ratio of an input light amount versus an output voltage of the digital camera to the digital image data and stores the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file in an image server;  
   image serving means for storing digital image data and the recording information together as an image file in an image server;    
   image processing means for carrying out an image processing of the image file for enhancing a picture quality of the digital image data using the stored recording information to determine an optimal image processing condition; and    
   reproducing means for reproducing the digital image data processed by the image processing means based on the optimal image processing condition.    
 
     
     
       19. The image reproducing apparatus system of  claim 18  further comprising:
 image serving means for storing digital image data and the recording information together as an image file in an image server;    image processing means for carrying out an image processing of the image file for enhancing a picture quality of the digital image data using the stored recording information to determine an optimal image processing condition; and    reproducing means for reproducing the digital image data processed by the image processing means based on the optimal image processing condition.    
     
     
       20. A method for processing image data, comprising:
   receiving digital image data recorded by a digital image recording device wherein recording information, which is used to enhance picture quality, is added to the digital image data; storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file; processing the digital image data of the stored image file using the recording information to enhance picture quality; determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information; processing the digital image data of the image file using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data.      
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the image is reproduced using at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 20 , wherein processing employs a look- up table.    
     
     
       26. A method for recording image data, comprising:
   receiving digital image data recorded by a digital image recording device wherein recording information, which is used to enhance picture quality, is added to the digital image data; storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file to facilitate reproduction of the image from the stored digital image data including the recording information to enable processing with the recording information to enhance picture quality;        determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information;        processing the digital image data of the image file using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and        reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data.      
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 27 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 26 , wherein the image is reproduced using at least one of a monitor and a printer. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 26 , wherein reproduction of the image includes processing the digital image data and the recording information while employing a look- up table.    
     
     
       32. A method for processing image data, comprising:
   receiving digital image data representing an image recorded by a digital image recording device;        adding recording information, which is used to enhance picture quality, to the digital image data to form an image file;        processing the digital image data using the recording information;        determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information;        processing the digital image data of the image file using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and        reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data using the at least one optimal image processing condition.      
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 32 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a color condition, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 33 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 32 , wherein the image is reproduced using at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 32 , wherein processing employs a look- up table.    
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 32 , wherein the processing obtains the digital image data and recording information from the image file.  
     
     
       39. A method for reproducing images, comprising:
   receiving digital image data representing an image recorded by a digital image recording device wherein recording information, which is used to enhance picture quality, is added to the digital image data;        storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file in memory; processing the digital image data utilizing the recording information to enhance picture quality; reproducing the processed digital image data;        determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information; processing the digital image data of the image file using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data using the at least one optimal image processing condition.      
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 39 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a color condition, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 40 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 40 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 39 , wherein the image is reproduced using at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 39 , wherein the memory is at least one of random access memory, a secondary storage device and an image server.  
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 39 , wherein processing employs a look- up table.    
     
     
       46. An apparatus for processing image data, comprising:
   a receiver receiving digital image data recorded by a digital image recording device and further providing recording information related to the digital image data and usable to enhance picture quality;        a storage module storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file;        a processor, operatively connected to the storage module, for processing the digital image data of the stored image file using the recording information to enhance picture quality;        a determining module determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information;        said processor processing the digital image data of the stored image file using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and        a reproducer reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data.      
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       49. The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the reproducer uses at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       51. The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the processor employs a look- up table.    
     
     
       52. An apparatus for recording image data, comprising:
   a receiver receiving digital image data recorded by a digital image recording device relating recording information to the digital image data and usable to enhance picture quality;        a storage module storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file to facilitate reproduction of the image from the stored digital image data using the recording information to enhance picture quality;        a determining module for determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information;        a processor processing the digital image data of the stored image file using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and        a reproducer reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data.      
     
     
       53. The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       54. The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       55. The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       56. The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the reproducer uses at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       57. The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising a reproducer reproducing the image including processing the digital image data and the recording information, the reproducer including a look- up table.    
     
     
       58. An apparatus for processing image data, comprising:
   a receiver receiving digital image data representing an image recorded by a digital image recording device;        an adder adding to the digital image data, recording information, which is used to enhance picture quality, to form an image file;        a processor processing the digital image data using the recording information;        a determining module for determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information;        said processor processing the digital image data using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and        a reproducer reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data using the at least one optimal image processing condition.      
     
     
       59. The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a color condition, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       60. The apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       61. The apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       62. The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the reproducer uses at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       63. The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the processor employs a look- up table.    
     
     
       64. The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the processor obtains the digital image data and recording information from the image file.  
     
     
       65. An apparatus for reproducing images, comprising:
   a receiver receiving digital image data representing an image recorded by a digital image recording device relating recording information to the digital image data and used to enhance picture quality;        a storage module storing the digital image data and the recording information together as an image file in memory;        a processor operatively connected to the storage module processing the digital image data utilizing the recording information to enhance picture quality;        a reproducer reproducing the processed digital image data;        a determining module determining at least one optimal image processing condition to be included in the recording information;        said processor processing the digital image data using the at least one optimal image processing condition; and        a reproducer reproducing the digital image using the processed digital image data using the at least one optimal image processing condition.      
     
     
       66. The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the recording information includes at least one of a content of AE processing, a designation for no correction wherein no correction to the digital image data will be made using the recording information during processing, mode setting information wherein additional processing will occur based on the mode setting information, a trimming designation for designating an area of the digital image data to be trimmed, a color condition, a focusing length, a focusing position, a lighting condition, a flash occurrence condition, descriptive text information, and an outdoor weather indicator.  
     
     
       67. The apparatus of  claim 66 , wherein the lighting condition may be obtained from at least one of a color sensor and exposure meter.  
     
     
       68. The apparatus of  claim 66 , wherein mode setting information may include at least one of a portrait designation, a sun set designation, a snow designation, a scenery designation, and a monochrome designation.  
     
     
       69. The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the reproducer uses at least one of a monitor and a printer.  
     
     
       70. The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the memory is at least one of random access memory, a secondary storage device and an image server.  
     
     
       71. The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the processor employs a look- up table.