JP7739770B2 - Server device, image output system, image output method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server device, an image output system, an image output method, and a program.

In recent years, with the spread of digital devices, visual information has begun to be distributed via computers (networks), and color reproducibility has become increasingly important. Specific services that use visual information include remote medical treatment (online medical consultations), online cosmetic counseling, digital art museums, e-commerce, and other online services.

In particular, there has been a recent increase in demand for online services that use systems that allow observers to remotely view images of the subject being observed online. For example, in remote medical care, a patient takes an image of an affected area (an example of an image of a subject) at a location remote from the medical institution, and a doctor (an example of an observer) performs medical treatment based on the image displayed on a terminal at the medical institution.

Each user of this online service can use any device, such as an imaging device to capture images or an output device to display or print images. As a technology for processing images acquired from any device, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses technology for uniformly processing or using a large number of medical images acquired from various medical equipment at medical facilities.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-306018

However, the technology in Patent Document 1 does not perform color matching to adjust the colors of the image between the devices used. The colors of the output image differ depending on the characteristics of the device used. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to share the same colors between different devices by performing color matching according to the device being used.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a server device, an image output system, an image output method, and a program that are capable of performing color matching according to the type of device used.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a server device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image acquisition unit that acquires an image to be output by an output device, a device characteristic information acquisition unit that acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image, an image conversion unit that converts the image based on the characteristic information of the imaging device and the characteristic information of the output device, and a shooting environment information acquisition unit that acquires shooting environment information that indicates a light source used when photographing the output target , and the image conversion unit converts the image based on the shooting environment information, the characteristic information of the imaging device, and the characteristic information of the output device .
An image output system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a server device according to one aspect of the present invention, a registrant terminal that transmits the image to the server device, an administrator terminal that transmits characteristic information of the imaging device to the server device, and an observer terminal that transmits characteristic information of the output device to the server device.

An image output method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires an image to be output by an output device; a device characteristic information acquisition step in which a device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image; an image conversion step in which an image conversion unit converts the image based on the characteristic information of the imaging device and the characteristic information of the output device; and a shooting environment information acquisition step in which a shooting environment information acquisition unit acquires shooting environment information indicating a light source used when photographing the object to be output. In the image conversion step, the image conversion unit converts the image based on the shooting environment information, the characteristic information of the imaging device, and the characteristic information of the output device .

A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as an image acquisition means for acquiring an image to be output by an output device, a device characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information of the imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of the output device that outputs the image, an image conversion means for converting the image based on the characteristic information of the imaging device and the characteristic information of the output device, and a shooting environment information acquisition means for acquiring shooting environment information that indicates the light source used when photographing the output target, and the image conversion means converts the image based on the shooting environment information, the characteristic information of the imaging device, and the characteristic information of the output device .

This invention allows color matching to be performed according to the type of device being used.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image output system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a registrant terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a device manufacturer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an administrator terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an observer terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of user information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of image information according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of imaging device characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of output device characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of user characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of conversion information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of registering device characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering user information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering user characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering image information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of image display according to an embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an image generation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of registering device characteristic information according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering user information according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of image display according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

<1. Configuration of image output system>
The configuration of an image output system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image output system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image output system 1 includes a registrant terminal 10, a device manufacturer terminal 20, an administrator terminal 30, an observer terminal 40, and a server device 50.
The registrant terminal 10, the device manufacturer terminal 20, the administrator terminal 30, the observer terminal 40, and the server device 50 are connected to each other via a network NW.

(1) Registrant terminal 10
The registrant terminal 10 is a terminal used by a registrant RU. The registrant RU is a user who registers an image in the image output system 1. The registrant terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like.
The registrant terminal 10 is connected to the server device 50 via the network NW. The registrant RU accesses the server device 50 from the registrant terminal 10 and registers his/her own user information and image. The user information of the registrant RU includes, for example, the registrant RU's user ID and imaging device information indicating the imaging device used by the registrant RU to capture the image. The imaging device information is, for example, identification information that uniquely identifies the imaging device. The imaging environment information is, for example, light source information indicating the light source of the environment in which the registrant RU captured the image. The image is, for example, an image of an object captured by the imaging device. The imaging device may be a camera built into the registrant terminal 10 or a camera independent of the registrant terminal 10.

(2) Device manufacturer terminal 20
The device manufacturer terminal 20 is a terminal used by a person in charge DU of a device manufacturer. The person in charge DU is a user who registers device characteristic information in the image output system 1. The device manufacturer terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like.
The device manufacturer terminal 20 is connected to the server device 50 via the network NW. The person in charge DU transmits device characteristic information from the device manufacturer terminal 20 to the administrator terminal 30. The device is, for example, an imaging device or an output device. Specific examples of the output device include a display device such as a monitor, a printing device such as a printer, and a projection device such as a projector. The device characteristic information is information in which a device value and a measurement value are paired.
Suppose a device manufacturer registers characteristic information of its own device in the image output system 1, and its own device is registered as a device capable of color matching in the image output system 1. In this case, the device manufacturer can receive authentication from the image output system 1 that its own device is a device capable of color matching in the image output system 1.

(3) Administrator terminal 30
The administrator terminal 30 is a terminal used by an administrator AU. The administrator AU is a user who manages the image output system 1. The administrator terminal 30 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like.
The administrator terminal 30 is connected to the server device 50 via the network NW. The administrator AU creates conversion information based on the device characteristic information that the administrator terminal 30 receives from the server device 50. The conversion information is information necessary for converting between device values and spectral characteristics. The administrator AU registers the device characteristic information and conversion information from the administrator terminal 30 to the server device 50.

(4) Observer terminal 40
The observer terminal 40 is a terminal used by an observer OU. The observer OU is a user who observes an image registered in the image output system 1. The observer terminal 40 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like.
The observer terminal 40 is connected to the server device 50 via the network NW. The observer OU accesses the server device 50 from the observer terminal 40 and registers his/her own user information. The user information of the observer OU includes, for example, the user ID of the observer OU, output device information indicating the output device used by the observer OU to output an image, and output environment information indicating the environment in which the output device is used. The output device information is, for example, identification information that uniquely identifies the output device. The output environment information is, for example, light source information indicating the light source of the environment in which the observer OU observes an image.
The observer terminal 40 displays an image that has been converted from an image registered in the image output system 1 by the registrant RU so as to be suitable for display on the observer terminal 40 .

(5) Server device 50
The server device 50 is a device that controls the overall operation of the image output system 1. The server device 50 is, for example, a PC. The server device 50 generates an image suitable for display on the observer terminal 40 from an image registered by the registrant terminal 10. For example, the server device 50 converts the image registered by the registrant RU into an image suitable for display on the observer terminal 40 based on information registered by the registrant RU, the person in charge DU, the administrator AU, and the observer OU. Specifically, the server device 50 converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device, characteristic information of the output device, shooting environment information, output environment information, and characteristic information of the user.
The user characteristic information is information indicating user characteristics that indicate how each user sees color.

<2. Functional configuration of registrant terminal>
The functional configuration of the registrant terminal 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the registrant terminal 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the registrant terminal 10 includes a communication unit 11 , an input unit 12 , a storage unit 13 , a control unit 14 , an output unit 15 , and an imaging unit 16 .

(1) Communication unit 11
The communication unit 11 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 11 transmits user information and an image of the registrant RU to the server device 50.

(2) Input unit 12
The input unit 12 has a function of accepting input from the registrant RU. The input unit 12 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input device may be a device that is pre-installed as hardware in the registrant terminal 10, or may be a device that is externally connected to the registrant terminal 10.

(3) Storage unit 13
The storage unit 13 has a function of storing various types of information. The storage unit 13 is configured by a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access read/write memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or any combination of these storage media.

(4) Control unit 14
The control unit 14 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the registrant terminal 10. The control unit 14 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the registrant terminal 10 to execute a program.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 14 includes a registrant information registration unit 141, an image registration unit 142, a shooting environment information registration unit 143, and an output processing unit 144.

(4-1) Registrant Information Registration Unit 141
The registrant information registration unit 141 has a function of registering the user information of the registrant RU in the server device 50. For example, the registrant information registration unit 141 transmits the user information input via the input unit 12 from the communication unit 11 to the server device 50 and registers the user information in the server device 50.

(4-2) Image registration unit 142
The image registration unit 142 has a function of registering an image in the server device 50. For example, the image registration unit 142 transmits an image captured by the imaging unit 16 from the communication unit 11 to the server device 50 and registers the image in the server device 50.

(4-3) Shooting environment information registration unit 143
The imaging environment information registration unit 143 has a function of registering imaging environment information when a registrant RU captures an image in the server device 50. For example, the imaging environment information registration unit 143 transmits light source information when an object is captured by the imaging unit 16 from the communication unit 11 to the server device 50 and registers the information in the server device 50.

(4-4) Output Processing Unit 144
The output processing unit 144 has a function of outputting various information to the output unit 15. For example, the output processing unit 144 outputs to the output unit 15 a registration screen for registrant information, a registration screen for image, a registration screen for shooting environment information, information received from the server device 50, and the like.

(5) Output unit 15
The output unit 15 has a function of outputting various information. The output unit 15 is realized, for example, by a display device such as a display. The display device may be a device that is pre-installed as hardware in the registrant terminal 10, or may be a device that is externally connected to the registrant terminal 10. The output unit 15 outputs, in response to input from the output processing unit 144, for example, a registration screen for registrant information, a registration screen for image, a registration screen for shooting environment information, information received from the server device 50, etc.

(6) Imaging unit 16
The imaging unit 16 is a camera. The imaging unit 16 is, for example, a camera built into the registrant terminal 10.
The function of the imaging unit 16 may be realized by a camera independent of the registrant terminal 10. For example, it may be a digital camera, a web camera, a video camera, etc. When the function of the imaging unit 16 is a camera independent of the registrant terminal 10, the registrant RU outputs the image captured by the camera to the registrant terminal 10 using wired communication, wireless communication, a storage medium, etc.
The number of cameras is not limited to one, but may be multiple.

<3. Functional configuration of device manufacturer terminal>
The functional configuration of the device manufacturer terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the device manufacturer terminal 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the device manufacturer terminal 20 includes a communication unit 21 , an input unit 22 , a storage unit 23 , a control unit 24 , and an output unit 25 .

(1) Communication unit 21
The communication unit 21 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 21 transmits device characteristic information to the administrator terminal 30 or the server device 50.

(2) Input unit 22
The input unit 22 has a function of accepting input from the person in charge DU. The input unit 22 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input device may be a device that is pre-installed as hardware in the device manufacturer terminal 20, or may be a device that is externally connected to the device manufacturer terminal 20.

(3) Storage section 23
The storage unit 23 has a function of storing various types of information and is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, an EEPROM, a RAM, a ROM, or any combination of these storage media.

(4) Control unit 24
The control unit 24 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the device manufacturer terminal 20. The control unit 24 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the device manufacturer terminal 20 to execute a program.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 24 includes a device characteristic information registration unit 241 and an output processing unit 242.

(4-1) Device characteristic information registration unit 241
The device characteristic information registration unit 241 has a function of allowing the person in charge DU to register characteristic environment information of devices that are products of their own company in the server device 50. The device characteristic information registration unit 241 registers the device characteristic information input via the input unit 22 in the server device 50.

(4-2) Output Processing Unit 242
The output processing unit 242 has a function of outputting various information to the output unit 25. For example, the output processing unit 242 outputs a registration screen for device characteristic information, information received from the server device 50, and the like to the output unit 25. The information received from the server device 50 is, for example, authentication information indicating whether the device that has registered the device characteristic information has been authenticated as a device capable of color matching.

(5) Output unit 25
The output unit 25 has a function of outputting various types of information. The output unit 25 is realized, for example, by a display device such as a display. The display device may be a device that is pre-installed as hardware in the device manufacturer terminal 20, or may be a device that is externally connected to the device manufacturer terminal 20. The output unit 25 outputs, in response to input from the output processing unit 242, for example, a registration screen for device characteristic information, information received from the server device 50, etc.

<4. Functional configuration of administrator terminal>
The functional configuration of the administrator terminal 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the administrator terminal 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the administrator terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, an input unit 32, a storage unit 33, a control unit 34, and an output unit 35.

(1) Communication unit 31
The communication unit 31 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 31 receives device characteristic information from the server device 50. The communication unit 31 also transmits the device characteristic information and conversion information to the server device 50.

(2) Input unit 32
The input unit 32 has a function of accepting input from the administrator AU. The input unit 32 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input device may be a device that is pre-installed as hardware in the administrator terminal 30, or may be a device that is externally connected to the administrator terminal 30.

(3) Storage section 33
The storage unit 33 has a function of storing various types of information and is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, an EEPROM, a RAM, a ROM, or any combination of these storage media.

(4) Control unit 34
The control unit 34 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the administrator terminal 30. The control unit 34 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the administrator terminal 30 to execute a program.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 34 includes a conversion information registration unit 341 and an output processing unit 342.

(4-1) Conversion Information Registration Unit 341
The conversion information registration unit 341 has a function of registering conversion information created by the administrator AU in the server device 50. The conversion information registration unit 341 transmits the conversion information input via the input unit 32 from the communication unit 31 to the server device 50 and registers it in the server device 50. When transmitting the conversion information, the conversion information registration unit 341 also transmits characteristic information of the device used to create the conversion information to the server device 50 and registers it in the server device 50.

(4-2) Output processing unit 342
The output processing unit 342 has a function of outputting various information to the output unit 35. For example, the output processing unit 342 causes the output unit 35 to output a registration screen for conversion information, information received from the server device 50, and the like.

(5) Output unit 35
The output unit 35 has a function of outputting various types of information. The output unit 35 is realized by, for example, a display device such as a display. The display device may be a device that is pre-installed as hardware in the administrator terminal 30, or may be a device that is externally connected to the administrator terminal 30. The output unit 35 outputs, in response to an input from the output processing unit 342, for example, conversion information, device characteristic information, information received from the server device 50, etc.

<5. Functional configuration of the observer terminal>
The functional configuration of the observer terminal 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the observer terminal 40 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 5, the observer terminal 40 includes a communication unit 41 , an input unit 42 , a storage unit 43 , a control unit 44 , and an output unit 45 .

(1) Communication unit 41
The communication unit 41 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 41 transmits to the server device 50 user information of the observer OU, user characteristic information of the observer OU, information indicating a device selected by the observer OU, information indicating an environment selected by the observer OU, and information indicating an image selected by the observer OU.

(2) Input unit 42
The input unit 42 has a function of accepting input from the observer OU. The input unit 42 is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The input device may be a device that is provided in advance as hardware in the observer terminal 40, or may be a device that is externally connected to the observer terminal 40.

(3) Storage section 43
The storage unit 43 has a function of storing various types of information and is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, an EEPROM, a RAM, a ROM, or any combination of these storage media.

(4) Control unit 44
The control unit 44 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the observer terminal 40. The control unit 44 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the observer terminal 40 to execute a program.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 44 includes an observer information registration unit 441, an observer characteristic information registration unit 442, a device selection unit 443, an environment selection unit 444, an image selection unit 445, and an output processing unit 446.

(4-1) Observer Information Registration Unit 441
The observer information registration unit 441 has a function of registering the user information of the observer OU in the server device 50. For example, the observer information registration unit 441 transmits the user information input via the input unit 42 from the communication unit 41 to the server device 50 and registers the user information in the server device 50.

(4-2) Viewer characteristic information registration unit 442
The observer characteristic information registration unit 442 has a function of registering the user characteristic information of the observer OU in the server device 50. For example, the observer characteristic information registration unit 442 transmits information for determining the user characteristic input via the input unit 42 from the communication unit 41 to the server device 50 and registers the information in the server device 50.

(4-3) Device selection unit 443
The device selection unit 443 has a function for the observer OU to select an output device to be used for outputting an image. The observer OU selects the output device to be used, for example, from an output device selection screen (list of output devices) displayed on the output unit 45. The device selection unit 443 transmits information indicating the output device selected by the user from the communication unit 41 to the server device 50 and registers it in the server device 50.

(4-4) Environment selection section 444
The environment selection unit 444 has a function for selecting output environment information in which the observer OU uses the output device. The observer OU selects a light source to use, for example, from a light source selection screen (list of light sources) displayed on the output unit 45. The environment selection unit 444 transmits information indicating the light source selected by the user from the communication unit 41 to the server device 50 and registers it in the server device 50.

(4-5) Image selection unit 445
The image selection unit 445 has a function for selecting an image to be observed by the observer OU. The observer OU selects an image to be observed, for example, from an image selection screen (list of images) displayed on the output unit 45. The image selection unit 445 transmits information indicating the image selected by the user from the communication unit 41 to the server device 50.

(4-6) Output processing unit 446
The output processing unit 446 has a function of outputting various types of information to the output unit 45. For example, the output processing unit 446 outputs to the output unit 15 a registration screen for observer information, a registration screen for observer characteristic information, a device selection screen, an environment selection screen, an image selection screen, information received from the server device 50, and the like.

(5) Output unit 45
The output unit 45 has a function of outputting various types of information. The output unit 45 is realized by, for example, a display device such as a display. The display device may be a device that the observer terminal 40 is provided with in advance as hardware, or may be a device that is externally connected to the observer terminal 40. The output unit 45 outputs, in response to input from the output processing unit 446, for example, an observer information registration screen, an observer characteristic information registration screen, a device selection screen, an environment selection screen, an image selection screen, information received from the server device 50, etc.

6. Functional configuration of server device
The functional configuration of the server device 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device 50 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 6 , the server device 50 includes a communication unit 51 , a storage unit 52 , and a control unit 53 .

(1) Communication unit 51
The communication unit 51 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. For example, the communication unit 51 receives user information, images, and shooting environment information of the registrant RU from the registrant terminal 10. The communication unit 51 also receives device characteristic information and conversion information from the administrator terminal 30. The communication unit 51 also receives user information of the observer OU, user characteristic information of the observer OU, information indicating the device selected by the observer OU, information indicating the environment selected by the observer OU, and information indicating the image selected by the observer OU from the observer terminal 40. The communication unit 51 also transmits a notification to the device manufacturer terminal 20 that the device has been authenticated. The communication unit 51 also transmits information for determining the user characteristics of the observer OU and the converted image to the observer terminal 40.

(2) Storage section 52
The storage unit 52 has a function of storing various types of information and is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, an EEPROM, a RAM, a ROM, or any combination of these storage media.

As shown in FIG. 6, the storage unit 52 includes a user information storage unit 521, an image information storage unit 522, an imaging device characteristic information storage unit 523, an output device characteristic information storage unit 524, a user characteristic information storage unit 525, and a conversion information storage unit 526.

(2-1) User information storage unit 521
The user information storage unit 521 has a function of storing user information.
The data structure of the user information will now be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the user information according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the user information is information in which a user ID, which is identification information of a user, a device ID, which is identification information of a device used by the user, and environmental information are associated with each other.
When the user information is information about a registrant RU, the user ID is the ID of the registrant RU, the device ID is the ID of the imaging device, and the environment information (image capturing environment information) is not required.
When the user information is information about an observer OU, the user ID is the ID of the observer OU, the device ID is the ID of the output device, and the environment information (output environment information) is information indicating the light source when observing an output object by the output device and the light source when observing a photographed object. However, when the output device is a display device such as a display or a projection device such as a projector, the light source when observing the output object does not need to be set.

(2-2) Image information storage unit 522
The image information storage unit 522 has a function of storing image information.
The data structure of image information will now be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of image information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Figure 8, the image information is information that associates a user ID, which is identification information of the user, an image, an imaging device ID, which is identification information of the imaging device that captured the image, and shooting environment information that indicates the light source when the object was photographed.

(2-3) Image capture device characteristic information storage unit 523
The image capture device characteristic information storage unit 523 has a function of storing image capture device characteristic information.
The data structure of the imaging device characteristic information will now be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the imaging device characteristic information according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, the image capture device characteristic information is information in which the ID of the image capture device, which is identification information of the image capture device, is associated with characteristic information of the image capture device.

(2-4) Output device characteristic information storage unit 524
The output device characteristic information storage unit 524 has a function of storing output device characteristic information.
The data structure of the output device characteristic information will now be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the output device characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 10, the output device characteristic information is information in which an output device ID, which is identification information of an output device, is associated with characteristic information of the output device.

(2-5) User characteristic information storage unit 525
The user characteristic information storage unit 525 has a function of storing user characteristic information.
Here, the data structure of the user characteristic information will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the user characteristic information according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11, the user characteristic information is information in which a user ID, which is user identification information, is associated with a user characteristic.

(2-6) Conversion information storage unit 526
The conversion information storage unit 526 has a function of storing conversion information.
The data structure of the conversion information will now be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the conversion information according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 12, the conversion information is stored in the conversion information storage unit 526 in association with a device ID, which is the ID of the imaging device or the ID of the output device.

(3) Control unit 53
The control unit 53 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the server device 50. The control unit 53 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the server device 50 to execute a program.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 53 includes a user information acquisition unit 530, an image acquisition unit 531, a shooting environment information acquisition unit 532, an output environment information acquisition unit 533, a device characteristic information acquisition unit 534, a conversion information acquisition unit 535, a user characteristic information acquisition unit 536, a device determination unit 537, a user characteristic determination unit 538, an authentication unit 539, an authentication determination unit 540, an image conversion unit 541, and an output processing unit 542.

(3-1) User information acquisition unit 530
The user information acquisition unit 530 has a function of acquiring user information. For example, the user information acquisition unit 530 acquires user information transmitted from the registrant terminal 10 and the observer terminal 40. The user information acquisition unit 530 writes and stores the user information acquired from the registrant terminal 10 and the observer terminal 40 in the user information storage unit 521.
Furthermore, when an image conversion unit 541 (described later) converts an image, the user information acquisition unit 530 acquires the user information of the observer OU from the user information storage unit 521. The user information acquisition unit 530 outputs the user information acquired from the user information storage unit 521 to the image conversion unit 541.

(3-2) Image acquisition unit 531
The image acquisition unit 531 has a function of acquiring an image to be output by an output device. For example, the image acquisition unit 531 acquires an image transmitted from the registrant terminal 10. The image acquisition unit 531 writes and stores the image acquired from the registrant terminal 10 in the image information storage unit 522. The image acquisition unit 531 also outputs the image acquired from the registrant terminal 10 to the device determination unit 537.
Furthermore, the image acquisition section 531 acquires the image selected by the viewer OU from the image information storage section 522. The image acquisition section 531 outputs the image acquired from the image information storage section 522 to the image conversion section 541.

(3-3) Shooting environment information acquisition unit 532
The imaging environment information acquisition unit 532 has a function of acquiring imaging environment information indicating a light source used when an image of an output target is captured. For example, the imaging environment information acquisition unit 532 acquires imaging environment information transmitted from the registrant terminal 10. The imaging environment information acquisition unit 532 writes and stores the imaging environment information acquired from the registrant terminal 10 in the image information storage unit 522 in association with the registrant's user ID, the image, and the imaging device ID.
Furthermore, when an image is selected by the viewer OU, the shooting environment information acquisition unit 532 acquires shooting environment information associated with the selected image from the image information storage unit 522. The shooting environment information acquisition unit 532 outputs the shooting environment information acquired from the image information storage unit 522 to the image conversion unit 541.

(3-4) Output environment information acquisition unit 533
The output environment information acquisition unit 533 has a function of acquiring output environment information that indicates the environment in which an image is output. For example, the output environment information acquisition unit 533 acquires the output environment information transmitted from the observer terminal 40. The output environment information acquisition unit 533 writes and stores the output environment information acquired from the observer terminal 40 in the user information storage unit 521 in association with the user ID of the observer and the device ID of the output device.
Furthermore, the output environment information acquisition unit 533 acquires the output environment information selected by the viewer OU from the user information storage unit 521. The output environment information acquisition unit 533 outputs the output environment information acquired from the user information storage unit 521 to the image conversion unit 541.

(3-5) Device characteristic information acquisition unit 534
The device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 has a function of acquiring characteristic information of the imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of the output device that outputs the image. For example, the device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 acquires characteristic information of each device transmitted from the administrator terminal 30.
When characteristic information of the imaging device is acquired from the administrator terminal 30, the device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 writes and stores the acquired characteristic information of the imaging device in the imaging device characteristic information storage unit 523. When characteristic information of the output device is acquired from the administrator terminal 30, the device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 writes and stores the acquired characteristic information of the output device in the output device characteristic information storage unit 524.
Furthermore, when the viewer OU selects an image to be output, the device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 acquires characteristic information of the imaging device corresponding to the selected image from the imaging device characteristic information storage unit 523. The device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 outputs the characteristic information of the imaging device acquired from the imaging device characteristic information storage unit 523 to the image conversion unit 541.
Furthermore, when an image to be output is selected by the viewer OU, the device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 acquires characteristic information of the output device corresponding to the output device associated with the ID of the user who selected the image from the output device characteristic information storage unit 524. The device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 outputs the characteristic information of the output device acquired from the output device characteristic information storage unit 524 to the image conversion unit 541.

(3-6) Conversion information acquisition unit 535
The conversion information acquisition unit 535 has a function of acquiring conversion information. For example, the conversion information acquisition unit 535 acquires conversion information transmitted from the administrator terminal 30. The device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 writes and stores the conversion information acquired from the administrator terminal 30 in the conversion information storage unit 526.
Furthermore, when an image to be output is selected, the conversion information acquisition unit 535 acquires conversion information associated with the imaging device that captured the image and conversion information associated with the output device that outputs the image from the conversion information storage unit 526. The conversion information acquisition unit 535 outputs the conversion information acquired from the conversion information storage unit 526 to the image conversion unit 541.

(3-7) User characteristic information acquisition unit 536
The user characteristic information acquisition unit 536 has a function of acquiring user characteristic information. For example, when an image to be output is selected by an observer OU, the user characteristic information acquisition unit 536 acquires the user characteristic information of the observer OU from the user characteristic information storage unit 525. The user characteristic information acquisition unit 536 outputs the acquired user characteristic information to the image conversion unit 541.

(3-8) Device determination unit 537
The device determination unit 537 has a function of determining the imaging device that captured an image based on the image. For example, the device determination unit 537 determines the model of the imaging device that captured the image based on the metadata of the image. The metadata of the image is, for example, Exchangeable Image File Format (Exif) information.

(3-9) User characteristic determination unit 538
The user characteristic determination unit 538 has a function of determining user characteristics that indicate how each user sees colors. The user characteristic determination unit 538 transmits determination information for determining the user characteristics to the observer terminal 40. The user characteristic determination unit 538 determines the user characteristics of the observer OU based on a response by the observer OU to the determination information. For example, the user characteristic determination unit 538 causes the observer terminal 40 to display a patch as determination information, and causes the observer OU to respond as to how the patch looks.

(3-10) Authentication unit 539
The authentication unit 539 has a function of authenticating an output device as a device capable of outputting an image converted by the image conversion unit 541. The authentication unit 539 also has a function of authenticating an imaging device as a device capable of acquiring an image converted by the image conversion unit 541. For example, the authentication unit 539 authenticates a device whose characteristic information is registered.

(3-11) Authentication Judgment Unit 540
The authentication determination unit 540 has a function of determining whether a device used by a user is an authenticated device. For example, the authentication determination unit 540 determines whether an imaging device used by a registrant RU is an authenticated device. The authentication determination unit 540 also determines whether an output device used by an observer OU is an authenticated device.

(3-12) Image conversion unit 541
The image conversion unit 541 has a function of converting an image. For example, the image conversion unit 541 converts an image registered by the registrant RU into an image to be output to an output device used by the observer OU. Specifically, the image conversion unit 541 converts the image based on the imaging environment information, the output environment information, the characteristic information of the imaging device, and the characteristic information of the output device. This allows the image conversion unit 541 to convert the image according to the device used by each user. In other words, the image conversion unit 541 can perform color matching according to the device used by the user.
Furthermore, the image conversion unit 541 converts the image using user characteristic information in addition to the shooting environment information, output environment information, characteristic information of the image capture device, and characteristic information of the output device. This allows the image conversion unit 541 to convert the image according to the user characteristics of the observer OU. That is, the image conversion unit 541 can perform color matching according to the user characteristics of the user.

Note that the image conversion unit 541 may convert images based on output environment information specified by the user, rather than the output environment information stored in the user information storage unit 521.

(3-13) Output processing unit 542
The output processing unit 542 has a function of controlling output from each terminal. For example, the output processing unit 542 transmits the image converted by the image conversion unit 541 from the communication unit 51 to the observer terminal 40 and causes the observer terminal 40 to output the image.

The output processing unit 542 also outputs information according to the result of the determination made by the authentication determination unit 540. For example, the output processing unit 542 outputs to the output device whether the imaging device or output device used by the user is an authenticated device, according to the result of the determination made by the authentication determination unit 540.

The output processing unit 542 may also cause an output device to output a list of authenticated devices, depending on the result of the determination by the authentication determination unit 540. The output processing unit 542 may also cause the list to be output to the registrant terminal 10, the device manufacturer terminal 20, the administrator terminal 30, and the observer terminal 40.

The output processing unit 542 may also cause usage status information indicating the usage status of the authenticated device to be output to the device manufacturer terminal 20.

<7. Processing flow>
The flow of processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1) Flow of Registering Device Characteristic Information FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering device characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 13, the person in charge DU inputs device characteristic information into the device manufacturer terminal 20 (step S100).
The device manufacturer terminal 20 transmits the input device characteristic information to the server device 50 (step S101).
The server device 50 transmits the device characteristic information received from the device manufacturer terminal 20 to the administrator terminal 30 (step S102).
The administrator AU creates conversion information based on the device characteristic information that the administrator terminal 30 receives from the server device 50 (step S103).
The administrator AU inputs the created conversion information into the administrator terminal 30 (step S104).
The device manufacturer terminal 20 transmits the received device characteristic information and the input conversion information to the server device 50 (step S105).
The server device 50 authenticates the device corresponding to the received device characteristic information (step S106).
The server device 50 stores the received device characteristic information and conversion information (step S107).
The server device 50 notifies the device manufacturer terminal 20 that the device has been authenticated (step S108).

(2) Flow of Registering User Information FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering user information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 14, the observer OU performs an operation on the observer terminal 40 to access the server device 50 (step S201).
The observer terminal 40 accesses the server device 50 (step S202).
The observer OU performs an operation to select an output device on the observer terminal 40 (step S203).
The observer terminal 40 transmits information indicating the output device selected by the observer OU to the server device 50 (step S204).
The server device 50 associates the ID of the output device indicated by the received information with the ID of the viewer OU, and stores the result as user information of the viewer OU (step S205).
The observer OU performs an operation to select output environment information on the observer terminal 40 (step S206).
The observer terminal 40 transmits information indicating the output environment information selected by the observer OU to the server device 50 (step S207).
The server device 50 associates the output environment information indicated by the received information with the ID of the viewer OU and stores the information as user information of the viewer OU (step S208).

(3) Flow of Registering User Characteristic Information FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering user characteristic information according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 15, the observer OU performs an operation on the observer terminal 40 to access the server device 50 (step S301).
The observer terminal 40 accesses the server device 50 (step S302).
The server device 50 determines the output device used by the viewer OU from the user information based on the ID of the viewer OU (step S303).
The server device 50 transmits the determination information of the user characteristics according to the determined output device to the observer terminal 40 (step S304).
The observer terminal 40 displays the received determination information (step S305).
The observer OU inputs an operation to select the determination information to the observer terminal 40 (step S306).
The observer terminal 40 transmits the information selected by the observer OU to the server device 50 (step S307).
The server device 50 determines the user characteristics of the viewer OU based on the received information (step S308).
The server device 50 stores user characteristic information indicating the determined user characteristic in association with the ID of the observer OU (step S309).

(4) Flow of Image Information Registration FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of image information registration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 16, the registrant RU performs an operation on the registrant terminal 10 to access the server device 50 (step S401).
The registrant terminal 10 accesses the server device 50 (step S402).
The registrant RU inputs an operation to register an image and light source information (photography environment information) used when taking a photo to the registrant terminal 10 (step S403).
The registrant terminal 10 transmits the input image and shooting environment information to the server device 50 (step S404).
Based on the received image, the server device 50 determines the imaging device that captured the image (step S405).
The server device 50 stores image information in which the registrant's ID, the received image, the determined image capture device ID, and the received image capture environment information are associated with each other (step S406).

(5) Image Display Flow FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an image display flow according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 17, the observer OU performs an operation on the observer terminal 40 to access the server device 50 (step S501).
The observer terminal 40 accesses the server device 50 (step S502).
The server device 50 transmits the user information and the image list information to the observer terminal 40 based on the ID of the observer OU (step S503).
The observer terminal 40 displays the received user information and image list information (step S504).
The observer OU inputs an operation to the observer terminal 40 to select an image to be output from the displayed image list (step S505).
The observer terminal 40 transmits the information selected by the observer OU to the server device 50 (step S506).
The server device 50 executes an image generation process based on the received information (step S507). The image generation process will be described in detail later.
After the image generation process, the server device 50 transmits the generated image to the observer terminal 40 (step S508).
The observer terminal 40 outputs (for example, displays) the received image (step S509).

(6) Flow of Image Generation Processing FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of image generation processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 18, the image acquisition unit 531 acquires the selected image from the image information storage unit 522 (step S601).
The device property information acquisition unit 534 acquires conversion information of the imaging device that captured the selected image from the conversion information storage unit 526 (step S602).
The device property information acquisition unit 534 acquires conversion information for the output device that outputs the selected image from the conversion information storage unit 526 (step S603).
The output environment information acquisition unit 533 acquires the shooting environment information and the output environment information from the image information storage unit 522 and the user information storage unit 521, respectively (step S604).
The user characteristic information acquisition unit 536 acquires the user characteristic information from the user characteristic information storage unit 525 (step S605).
The image conversion unit 541 converts the image based on the acquired various information (step S606).

As described above, the image output system 1 according to this embodiment includes the image acquisition unit 531 , the device property information acquisition unit 534 , and the image conversion unit 541 .
The image acquisition unit 531 acquires an image to be output by an output device. The device characteristic information acquisition unit 534 acquires characteristic information of the imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of the output device that outputs the image. The image conversion unit 541 converts the image based on the characteristic information of the imaging device and the characteristic information of the output device.

With this configuration, the image output system 1 according to this embodiment converts the image to be output based on the characteristics of the imaging device used to capture the image and the characteristics of the output device used to output that image. Through this conversion, the image output system 1 according to this embodiment can adjust the color of the image according to the characteristics of the imaging device and the characteristics of the output device.

Therefore, the image output system 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to perform color matching according to the type of device being used.

8. Modifications
The above describes an embodiment of the present invention. Next, modifications of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that each modification described below may be applied alone to the embodiment of the present invention, or may be applied in combination to the embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, each modification may be applied in place of the configuration described in the embodiment of the present invention, or may be applied in addition to the configuration described in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the person in charge DU of the device manufacturer inputs the device characteristic information, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the administrator AU may acquire the device characteristic information from the device itself and input it.
FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of registering device characteristic information according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 19, the person in charge DU sends the device itself to the administrator AU (step S701).
The administrator AU analyzes the device received from the person in charge DU and acquires device characteristic information (step S702).
The administrator AU creates conversion information based on the acquired device information (step S703).
The administrator AU inputs the acquired device characteristic information and the created conversion information to the administrator terminal 30 (step S704).
The processing from step S705 to step S708 is the same as the processing from step S105 to step S108 described with reference to FIG. 13, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the user information of the observer OU is registered by selecting the output device to be used by the observer OU, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the information indicating the output device to be used by the observer OU may be acquired by the server device 50 based on access information from the observer terminal 40.
FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of registering user information according to the modified embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 20, the observer OU performs an operation on the observer terminal 40 to access the server device 50 (step S801).
The observer terminal 40 accesses the server device 50 (step S802).
The server device 50 acquires information about the output device used by the observer OU based on the identification information of the output device received when accessed by the observer terminal 40 (step S803).
The server device 50 associates the ID of the output device indicated by the acquired information with the ID of the viewer OU, and stores the result as user information of the viewer OU (step S804).
The processing from step S805 to step S807 is the same as the processing from step S206 to step S208 described with reference to FIG. 14, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, an example in which pre-registered output environment information is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, when selecting an image, the viewer OU may select a light source for observing the object to be photographed, which is output environment information.
FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a flow of image display according to a modified example of the embodiment of the present invention.
The processing from step S901 to step S906 shown in FIG. 21 is the same as the processing from step S501 to step S506 described with reference to FIG. 17, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.
In step S907, the observer OU inputs an operation to the observer terminal 40 to select output environment information.
The observer terminal 40 transmits information indicating the selected output environment information to the server device 50 (step S908).
The processing from step S909 to step S911 shown in FIG. 21 is the same as the processing from step S507 to step S509 described with reference to FIG. 17, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the administrator AU creates conversion information based on device characteristic information, as in step S103 shown in Fig. 13 and step S703 shown in Fig. 19 , but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the server device 50 may create the conversion information. When the server device 50 creates the conversion information, the device characteristic information is transmitted to the server device 50 in, for example, a predetermined format.
Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the server device 50 creates conversion information based on the device characteristic information received from the device manufacturer terminal 20 in step S101.
19 , the administrator AU inputs the device characteristic information acquired in step S702 into the administrator terminal 30 and transmits it to the server device 50. Then, the server device 50 creates conversion information based on the device characteristic information received from the administrator terminal 30.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the image conversion unit 541 converts an image based on the shooting environment information, the output environment information, the characteristic information of the image capture device, and the characteristic information of the output device, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the image conversion unit 541 may convert an image based only on the characteristic information of the image capture device and the characteristic information of the output device.
In this case, the server device 50 does not need to acquire the shooting environment information and the output environment information. That is, the server device 50 may be configured without the shooting environment information acquisition unit 532 and the output environment information acquisition unit 533.
In this modification, image conversion is performed using conversion information. The conversion information for the imaging device in this modification is information necessary for conversion from device values (e.g., camera RGB values) to colorimetric values (e.g., XYZ values or Lab values). The conversion information for the imaging device is prepared, for example, as a color conversion table indicating the correspondence between the device values and colorimetric values of the imaging device, and is stored in the conversion information storage unit 526.
Furthermore, the conversion information for the output device in this modification is information required for converting colorimetric values (e.g., XYZ values or Lab values) into device values (e.g., monitor RGB values). The conversion information for the output device is prepared, for example, as a color conversion table indicating the correspondence between colorimetric values and device values for the output device, and is stored in the conversion information storage unit 526.
In this modified example, the image conversion unit 541 first converts the device values of the imaging device into colorimetric values using the conversion information of the imaging device. Then, the colorimetric values converted using the conversion information of the imaging device are converted into device values of the output device using the conversion information of the output device. That is, the image conversion unit 541 performs image conversion by converting the device values of the imaging device into device values of the output device using the conversion information of the imaging device and the conversion information of the output device.

The conversion information for the imaging device is generated from the characteristic information for the imaging device, and the conversion information for the output device is generated from the characteristic information for the output device. Therefore, it can be said that the image conversion unit 541 converts the image based only on the characteristic information for the imaging device and the output device.
The image conversion unit 541 may convert the image using user characteristic information in addition to the characteristic information of the imaging device and the characteristic information of the output device.

The above describes modified embodiments of the present invention. Note that some or all of the components of the image output system 1, registrant terminal 10, device manufacturer terminal 20, administrator terminal 30, observer terminal 40, and server device 50 in the above-described embodiments may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program for implementing this function may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Note that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or telephone lines, or media that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within the computer systems that serve as the server or client in such cases. Furthermore, the above program may be designed to realize some of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system, or may be realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Image output system 10 Registrant terminal 20 Device manufacturer terminal 30 Administrator terminal 40 Observer terminal 50 Server device 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 Communication unit 12, 22, 32, 42 Input unit 13, 23, 33, 43, 52 Storage unit 14, 24, 34, 44, 53 Control unit 15, 25, 35, 45 Output unit 16 Imaging unit 141 Registrant information registration unit 142 Image registration unit 143 Shooting environment information registration unit 144 Output processing unit 241 Device characteristic information registration unit 242 Output processing unit 341 Conversion information registration unit 342 Output processing unit 441 Observer information registration unit 442 Observer characteristic information registration unit 443 Device selection unit 444 Environment selection unit 445 Image selection unit 446 Output processing unit 521 User information storage unit 522 Image information storage unit 523 Imaging device characteristic information storage unit 524 Output device characteristic information storage unit 525 User characteristic information storage unit 526 Conversion information storage unit 530 User information acquisition unit 531 Image acquisition unit 532 Imaging environment information acquisition unit 533 Output environment information acquisition unit 534 Device characteristic information acquisition unit 535 Conversion information acquisition unit 536 User characteristic information acquisition unit 537 Device determination unit 538 User characteristic determination unit 539 Authentication unit 540 Authentication determination unit 541 Image conversion unit 542 Output processing unit

Claims (24)

an image acquisition unit that acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition unit that acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion unit that converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a photography environment information acquisition unit that acquires photography environment information indicating a light source when photographing the target of the output;
Equipped with
the image conversion unit converts the image based on the shooting environment information, characteristic information of the imaging device, and characteristic information of the output device.
Server device . an output environment information acquisition unit that acquires output environment information indicating an environment in which the image is to be output;
the image conversion unit converts the image based on the shooting environment information, the output environment information, characteristic information of the imaging device, and characteristic information of the output device.
The server device according to claim 1 . a user characteristic determination unit that determines user characteristics that indicate how each user sees colors;
a user characteristic information storage unit that stores user characteristic information indicating the user characteristics;
a user characteristic information acquisition unit that, when an image to be output is selected, acquires the user characteristic information of the user who selected the image from the user characteristic information storage unit;
Equipped with
the image conversion unit further uses the user characteristic information to convert the image.
3. The server device according to claim 1 or 2. an image acquisition unit that acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition unit that acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion unit that converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a user characteristic determination unit that determines user characteristics that indicate how each user sees colors;
a user characteristic information storage unit that stores user characteristic information indicating the user characteristics;
a user characteristic information acquisition unit that, when an image to be output is selected, acquires the user characteristic information of the user who selected the image from the user characteristic information storage unit;
Equipped with
the image conversion unit further uses the user characteristic information to convert the image.
Server device . an image acquisition unit that acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition unit that acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion unit that converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
an authentication unit that authenticates the output device as a device that can output the image converted by the image conversion unit;
an authentication determination unit that determines whether the output device used by the user is an authenticated device;
an output processing unit that outputs information according to a result of the determination by the authentication determination unit;
A server device comprising : an image acquisition unit that acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition unit that acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion unit that converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
an authentication unit that authenticates the imaging device as a device that can acquire an image converted by the image conversion unit;
an authentication determination unit that determines whether the imaging device used by the user is an authenticated device;
an output processing unit that outputs information according to a result of the determination by the authentication determination unit;
A server device comprising : a device determination unit that determines, based on the image, the imaging device that captured the image;
an image information storage unit that stores image information in which the image is associated with identification information of the imaging device;
an imaging device characteristic information storage unit that stores imaging device characteristic information in which identification information of the imaging device is associated with characteristic information of the imaging device;
The server device according to claim 1 , further comprising: when an image to be output is selected, the device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires imaging device characteristic information corresponding to the selected image from the imaging device characteristic information storage unit;
The server device according to claim 7. a user information storage unit that stores user information in which identification information of a user, identification information of the output device used by the user, and the output environment information are associated with each other;
an output device characteristic information storage unit that stores output device characteristic information in which identification information of the output device and characteristic information of the output device are associated with each other;
The server device according to claim 2 , further comprising: when an image to be output is selected, the device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires, from the output device characteristic information storage unit, output device characteristic information corresponding to the output device associated with identification information of the user who selected the image;
The server device according to claim 9. the image conversion unit converts the image based on the output environment information specified by a user.
The server device according to claim 2 . the output processing unit outputs to the output device whether the output device used by the user is an authenticated device according to the result of the determination.
The server device according to claim 5 . the output processing unit outputs to the output device whether the imaging device used by the user is an authenticated device according to the result of the determination.
The server device according to claim 6. The output processing unit outputs a list of authenticated devices to the output device in accordance with a result of the determination.
14. The server device according to claim 5, claim 6, claim 12, or claim 13. the output processing unit outputs usage status information indicating a usage status of the authenticated device to a terminal of a manufacturer of the device.
The server device according to any one of claims 5, 6, and 12 to 14. A server device according to any one of claims 1 to 15;
a registrant terminal for transmitting the image to the server device;
an administrator terminal that transmits characteristic information of the imaging device to the server device;
an observer terminal that transmits characteristic information of the output device to the server device;
An image output system comprising: an image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition step in which a device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion step in which an image conversion unit converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a photographing environment information acquisition step in which a photographing environment information acquisition unit acquires photographing environment information indicating a light source when photographing the target of output;
Including,
In the image conversion process, the image conversion unit converts the image based on the shooting environment information, characteristic information of the imaging device, and characteristic information of the output device.
Image output method. an image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition step in which a device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion step in which an image conversion unit converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a user characteristic determination step in which a user characteristic determination unit determines user characteristics that indicate how each user sees colors;
a user characteristic information storage step in which a user characteristic information storage unit stores user characteristic information indicating the user characteristics;
a user characteristic information acquisition step in which, when an image to be output is selected, a user characteristic information acquisition unit acquires the user characteristic information of the user who selected the image from the user characteristic information storage unit;
Including,
In the image conversion process, the image conversion unit further uses the user characteristic information to convert the image.
Image output method. an image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition step in which a device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion step in which an image conversion unit converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
an output device authentication step in which an authentication unit authenticates the output device as a device capable of outputting the image converted by the image conversion unit;
an output device authentication determination step in which an authentication determination unit determines whether the output device used by the user is an authenticated device;
an output processing step in which an output processing unit outputs information according to a result of the determination by the authentication determination unit;
An image output method including: an image acquisition step in which an image acquisition unit acquires an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition step in which a device characteristic information acquisition unit acquires characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion step in which an image conversion unit converts the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
an imaging device authentication step in which an authentication unit authenticates the imaging device as a device capable of acquiring an image converted by the image conversion unit;
an imaging device authentication determination step in which an authentication determination unit determines whether the imaging device used by the user is an authenticated device;
an output processing step in which an output processing unit outputs information according to a result of the determination by the authentication determination unit;
An image output method including: Computer,
image acquisition means for acquiring an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion means for converting the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a photographing environment information acquiring means for acquiring photographing environment information indicating a light source when photographing the object to be output;
It functions as
the image conversion means converts the image based on the shooting environment information, characteristic information of the imaging device, and characteristic information of the output device.
program. Computer,
image acquisition means for acquiring an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion means for converting the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a user characteristic determining means for determining a user characteristic that indicates how each user sees color;
a user characteristic information storage means for storing user characteristic information indicating the user characteristics;
a user characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring, when an image to be output is selected, the user characteristic information of the user who selected the image from the user characteristic information storage means;
It functions as
the image conversion means further uses the user characteristic information to convert the image.
program. Computer,
image acquisition means for acquiring an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion means for converting the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a user characteristic determining means for determining a user characteristic that indicates how each user sees color;
a user characteristic information storage means for storing user characteristic information indicating the user characteristics;
an authentication means for authenticating the output device as a device capable of outputting the image converted by the image conversion means;
an authentication determination means for determining whether the output device used by the user is an authenticated device;
an output processing means for outputting information according to a result of the determination by the authentication determination means;
A program that functions as a Computer,
image acquisition means for acquiring an image to be output by an output device;
a device characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information of an imaging device that captured the image and characteristic information of an output device that outputs the image;
an image conversion means for converting the image based on characteristic information of the imaging device and characteristic information of the output device;
a user characteristic determining means for determining a user characteristic that indicates how each user sees color;
a user characteristic information storage means for storing user characteristic information indicating the user characteristics;
an authentication means for authenticating the imaging device as a device capable of acquiring the image converted by the image conversion means;
an authentication determination means for determining whether the imaging device used by the user is an authenticated device;
an output processing means for outputting information according to a result of the determination by the authentication determination means;
A program that functions as a