Image correction apparatus and image correcting method

An image correcting method for correcting a correction target image based on preference of a user, comprising:

• outputting a plurality of corrected image variations of a given image, the variation of corrected images including one representing the corrected image of a quality preferred widely among a large number of people and having been stored by said image correcting method;
• allowing the user to select a preferred one from the corrected image variations;
• deriving a preference data set of the user according to a result of the user's selection and the given image and storing the preference data set;
• and
• automatically correcting the correction target in a predetermined manner and using the stored preference data set to correct further the image resulting from the automatic correction.

A process of adjusting an image according to preferences of several users, comprising:

• displaying adjusted images to each of the users where the adjusted images are an original image to which different levels of adjustment have been applied;
• allowing each of the users to select one of the adjusted image as preferred adjusted image;
• determining the preferred adjusted image preferred by the users as a group preferred adjusted image;
• storing adjustment parameters associated with the group preferred adjusted image;
• presenting to a new user the group preferred adjusted image and variations of the group preferred adjusted image;
• allowing the new user to select one of the group preferred or variation images;
• and
• automatically adjusting subsequent images for the new user responsive to the selection by the new user.

An image correction apparatus which corrects a correction target image based on preference of a user, comprising:

• a user preference obtaining unit outputting a plurality of corrected image variations of a given image, the variation of corrected images including one representing the corrected image of a quality preferred widely among a large number of people and having been stored in said image correction apparatus;
• allowing the user to select a preferred one from the corrected image variations;
• deriving a preference data set of the user according to a result of the user's selection and the given image and storing the preference data set;
• and
• an image correction unit, so required, automatically correcting the correction target image in a predetermined manner and using the stored preference data set to correct further the image resulting from the automatic correction, wherein a user may register various kinds of preferences using different user name variations respectively.