Image processing apparatus, image processing method and image processing program

An image processing method comprising:

• an application mode selecting step of selecting an application;
• an image quality mode selecting step of selecting an image quality mode;
• an image reading step of generating a preselected color image signal by reading a document image;
• a scanner correcting step of executing image processing with the color image signal in accordance with the application and the image mode selected by said application mode selecting step and by said image mode selecting step, respectively, to thereby generate color image data;
• a storing step of storing the image data generated by said scanner correcting step and information representative a processing mode based on the application and the image mode selected by said application selecting step and said image mode selecting step;
• a data compressing/expanding step of selectively compressing or expanding the image data;
• a data format converting step of converting a format of the image data stored in said storing step in matching relation to the processing mode;
• a communicating step of interchanging various data with an external apparatus;
• and
• a controlling step of controlling an entire apparatus

In an image processing program for causing a computer to execute an image processing method, said image processing method comprising:

• an application mode selecting step of selecting an application;
• an image quality mode selecting step of selecting an image quality mode;
• an image reading step of generating a preselected color image signal by reading a document image;
• a scanner correcting step of executing image processing with the color image signal in accordance with the application and the image mode selected by said application mode selecting step and by said image mode selecting step, respectively, to thereby generate color image data;
• a storing step of storing the image data generated by said scanner correcting step and information representative a processing mode based on the application and the image mode selected by said application selecting step and said image mode selecting step;
• a data compressing/expanding step of selectively compressing or expanding the image data;
• a data format converting step of converting a format of the image data stored in said storing step in matching relation to the processing mode;
• a communicating step of interchanging various data with an external apparatus;
• and
• a controlling step of controlling an entire apparatus.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an application mode selector configured to select an application;
• an image quality mode selector configured to select an image quality mode;
• a reading section configured to generate a preselected color image signal by reading a document image;
• a scanner corrector configured to execute image processing with the color image signal in accordance with the application and the image mode selected by said application mode selector and said image mode selector, respectively, to thereby generate color image data;
• a storage configured to store the image data generated by said scanner corrector and information representative a processing mode based on the application and the image mode selected by said application selector and said image mode selector;
• a data compressor/expander configured to selectively compress or expand the image data;
• a data format converter configured to convert a format of the image data stored in said storage in matching relation to the processing mode;
• a communicating circuit configured to interchange various data with an external apparatus;
• and
• a controller configured to control an entire apparatus.