Method, apparatus and recording medium for image processing

Abstract

The color and tone of an image of an object are changed to a color and tone desired by a user. Image data including an image of an object is input to image processing means and displayed on a monitor. The user observes the image displayed on the monitor and selects an area including an image of an object having the desired color and tone, and an area including the image of an object whose color and tone are to be changed to the desired color and tone. The image processing means extracts color pixels from each respective specified area and generates cumulative histograms of the color pixels as characteristic quantitative data representing the color and tone. Based on the cumulative histograms, the color-tone of the area including the image of the latter object is changed, and processed image data whose color and tone have been changed is obtained.

1 . An image processing method, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving specification of a first area having a desired color-tone in a displayed image;    receiving specification of a second area in the image or in another image; and    changing a color-tone of a desired area including the second area into the color-tone of the first area,    wherein the color-tone of the second area is changed gradually at a boundary of the second area.    
   
   
       2 . An image processing apparatus, comprising: 
 display means for image display;    area specification means for specifying a first area having a desired color-tone in an image displayed on the display means and a second area in the image or in another image; and    conversion means for converting a color-tone of a desired area including the second area into the color-tone of the first area,    wherein the color-tone of the second area is changed gradually at a boundary of the second area.    
   
   
       3 . A computer-readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to execute the procedures of: 
 receiving specification of a first area having a desired color-tone in a displayed image;    receiving specification of a second area in the image or in another image; and    changing a color-tone of a desired area including the second area into the color-tone of the first area,    wherein the color-tone of the second area is changed gradually at a boundary of the second area.