Creation of image file
The technique of the present invention ensures generation of an image file, in which image data and additional data are included, with the confidentiality of specific data kept. An image output system outputs the image data, which is generated in a digital still camera DSC 12 , with a color printer 20 . The DSC 12 encrypts image processing control data, which is preset by the manufacturer, and generates the image file, in which the image data and the encrypted image processing control data are included. The color printer 20 decodes the image processing control data included in the image file, performs image processing based on the image processing control data, and thereby outputs an image.
1. An image file generation apparatus for generating an image file, in which image data and additional data of the image data are associated with one another, comprising:
a data input module that inputs the image data and the additional data;
an encryption module that encrypts part of the additional data but does not encrypt the image data;
an image file generation module that generates the image file, in which the image data and the additional data are associated with one another, with part of the additional data being encrypted and the image data not being encrypted, and
a recording medium that stores the image file generated by the image file generation module,
wherein the additional data includes at least one of image processing control data and shooting condition data, the image processing control data being used for image processing on the image data, the shooting condition data being indicative of a shooting condition of the image data,
the image processing control data includes at least one of parameters regarding contrast, brightness, color balance, saturation, sharpness, gamma value, and target color space,
the shooting condition data includes at least one of shutter speed, exposure, and aperture,
the encryption module encrypts at least part of the image processing control data and the shooting condition data, and
the image file generation module generates an image file including the image data and at least one of the encrypted part of the image processing control data and the encrypted part of the shooting condition data.
2. An image file generation apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the encryption module encrypts data using a public key that is specified by an image processing device that performs specific image processing on the image data.
3. An image file generation apparatus in accordance with either claim 1 or 2 ,
wherein the additional data includes output control data that controls output of the image on an image output device.