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

Abstract

An apparatus, method, signal and computer program product is provided to generate an image file that can correctly reproduce image data at a predetermined output device. The image file includes an image data storage area that stores image data, and a control information storage area stores output control information. The image data is stored in JPEG format for example, and output control information is stored in TIFF format. The output device control information is information set so as to be able to obtain an optimal image output results according to a paired-combination of the input device and output device, taking into consideration their respective image processing characteristics.

1 . An image data generating apparatus comprising:
 an image data generating mechanism configured to generate image data;   an output process control information obtaining mechanism configured to obtain output process control information obtained by combining a characteristic of said image data generating apparatus with image processing characteristics associated with a predetermined output apparatus, which is configured to provide a visual presentation of an image from said image data; and   an image file assembly mechanism configured to generate a process control data containing the output process control information.   
   
   
       2 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the image file assembly mechanism is configured to include said process control data in an image file that contains said image data.   
   
   
       3 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said output file being an Exif file.   
   
   
       4 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the process control data being an Makernote portion of the Exif file.   
   
   
       5 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the output process control information containing information for controlling image processing of the image data at the predetermined output apparatus.   
   
   
       6 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the output process control information includes gamma correction information.   
   
   
       7 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said process control data further comprising additional information that is correlated to said image data, said additional information including at least one of color space information, contrast information, color balance information, sharpness information, color correction information, shadow point information, highlight point information, brightness correction information, and highlight color information.   
   
   
       8 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an output process control information generating mechanism configured to create the output process control information.   
   
   
       9 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage mechanism that is configured to hold therein the output process control information, wherein   said output process control information obtaining mechanism being configured to obtain said output process control information from said storage mechanism.   
   
   
       10 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a data transfer mechanism configured to transmit the image data and the process control data.   
   
   
       11 . The image data generating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the image data generating apparatus being at least one of a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and a scanning device.