JP2000101894A - Image data management device, image data management method, and medium recording image data management program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage image data by updating the image data with remark information newly to be added to the image data based on update conditions of the remark information to be added newly to the image data and the remark information having already been added to the image data when the remark information of the image data is updated. SOLUTION: A data storage means A1 stores remark information corresponding to a plurality of image data together with the image data. In the case of updating the remark information altogether, a remark information generating means A2 corresponding to an operation entry device or the like of a computer generates remark information to be added newly, and an update condition setting means A3 corresponding to the operation entry device or the like sets update conditions of the remark information to be added newly and the remark information having already been added to the image data. A remark information update means A5 corresponding to an application or the like of the computer continuously adds new remark information according to the update conditions to the remark information added to selected image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image data management device for managing a plurality of image data, an image data management method, and a medium on which an image data management program is recorded.
In particular, the present invention relates to an image data management apparatus, an image data management method, and a medium on which an image data management program is recorded, for managing remark information such as comments in each image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital still cameras have begun to be rapidly used. When photographing is performed with a digital still camera, images can be managed as data, and information at the time of photographing can be managed together.

[0003] As such additional information, there is information such as a date automatically given by a digital still camera.
Sometimes you may want to keep things that cannot be automatically added by a digital still camera, such as a shooting location. Normally, when such image data is managed by a computer or the like, a comment is input for each image data.

[0004]

The conventional image data management apparatus described above has the following problems. If you want to give a different comment to each image when you go to an amusement park with your family, if you want to use the search function of your computer as an image database, Is added as information of all the image data. This is because it is convenient if you want to see all the photos you went to the amusement park.

However, it is extremely troublesome to input the same comment individually for each image data. On the other hand, if comments for a plurality of image data are to be added collectively, it is normal for the already attached comments to disappear. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an image data management apparatus, an image data management method, and an image capable of adding additional information such as comments when managing a plurality of image data. It is intended to provide a medium recording a data management program.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of image data which are stored in association with remark information, and which can be appropriately updated and managed for the remark information; Storage means, remark information generating means for generating newly added remark information, update condition setting means for setting update conditions for newly added remark information and already added remark information, and image for updating remark information Image data selecting means for selecting data; and remark information generating means for remark information of the image data selected by the image data selecting means based on the update condition set by the update condition setting means. And a remark information updating means for updating with the generated remark information.

In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, a plurality of image data and remark information are stored in association with each other by a data storage means, and
The remark information can be appropriately updated and managed. In this state, remark information to be newly added is generated by the remark information generating means, and an update condition between the newly added remark information and the already added remark information is set by the update condition setting means. This update condition
For example, whether to update with new remark information instead of the already added remark information, or to update both in a mixed manner. Then, when the image data for which the remark information is to be updated is selected by the image data selecting means, the remark information updating means applies the remark information to the remark information of the image data selected by the image data selecting means by the updating condition setting means. Update is performed with the remark information generated by the remark information generating means based on the set update condition.

That is, the remark information is automatically updated with the newly added remark information while considering only the desired image data and considering the already added remark information. The data storage means only needs to be able to store the remark information in association with the image data. In this case, the data storage means may manage the image data and the remark information as a database structure, but need not necessarily have a database structure. For example, it can be said that an area for remark information is secured in the image data depending on its format format, and remark information is stored in association with the image data by writing to this area. Of course, in the case of a computer system, if it is written in an external storage area such as a hard disk, it can be managed as a file through an operating system, and this alone is sufficient. Of course, a database structure makes management easier, and image data may be managed as a file and remark information may be managed in a database structure.

[0009] The remark information generating means generates remark information to be newly added, and various configurations are possible. Generally, a comment such as a shooting location is assumed for the image data. In such a case, the character data is irregular. However, uniform remarks are required for photographing conditions and the like. As an example, the invention according to claim 2 is the image data management device according to claim 1, wherein A uniform remark information generating means for generating uniform remark information; and a uniform remark information selecting means for selecting remark information that can be generated by the uniform remark information generating means. It is configured to generate remark information selected from remark information.

In the invention according to claim 2 configured as described above, a plurality of uniform remark information can be generated by the uniform remark information generating means, and the uniform remark information selecting means can generate the plurality of uniform remark information. The remark information that can be generated by the uniform remark information generating means is selected.
Then, the selected remark information is generated by the uniform remark information selecting means, and the remark information updating means updates the remark information of the image data according to the remark information.

For example, the date and time are often attached to the original image data, but the date may change depending on the management method. For example, if the data is transferred via a communication line, the date and time of the reception may be the same as the date and time on the receiving side. In such a case, the uniform remark information generating means can generate uniform information such as date and time, and can be selected by the remark information selecting means. The selection operation in this case is
Operation devices of a computer system may be used.

For the remark information already attached and the remark information to be newly added, various update conditions including replacement are possible. As an example, the invention according to claim 3 is an image data management device according to claim 1, wherein the update condition setting means includes:
An update condition for linking existing remark information and newly added remark information in a predetermined order can be set, and the remark information updating means stores the remark information in the data storage means when the update condition is selected. Existing remark information that has been read, and is connected to the newly added remark information in the above order to generate and update new remark information.

In the third aspect of the present invention, when the update condition setting means sets update conditions to be linked in a predetermined order, the remark information updating means stores the remark information in the data storage means. The stored existing remark information is read and linked with the newly added remark information in the above order, and the linked new remark information is generated and updated. In such a case, it is conceivable that the remark information to be newly added is connected before, after, or after the remark information already attached.

Of course, other update conditions can be used, such as rewriting information for which remark information has already been added and not adding remark information for information to which no remark information has been added. It is. The image data selection means selects an image whose remark information is to be updated, and can have various configurations. For example, the operation can be facilitated by displaying a list of image data so that a check box can be used to input a check, and determining whether or not to select based on the presence or absence of the check. But,
When the operating system employs a hierarchical structure in the storage area, the operating system may determine that the data stored in the special hierarchical structure is to be selected. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to copy necessary image data to the hierarchical structure via the operating system. Instead of directly selecting the image data, the image data may be indirectly selected based on other conditions. As an example, the invention according to claim 4 is the image data management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image data selecting means includes: a search condition input means for inputting a search condition;
A search execution unit for executing a search on the existing remark information stored in the data storage unit based on the input search condition and selecting image data to be updated; .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a search condition is input by the search condition input means, the search execution means is stored in the data storage means based on the input search condition. A search is performed on the existing remark information that is already set, and image data to be updated is selected. That is, necessary image data is indirectly designated using the remark information already attached as a search condition.

As described above, the method of collectively updating the remark information corresponding to the image data by designating the update condition is not necessarily limited to a substantial device, and it is easy to function as the method. It can be understood. For this reason, the invention according to claim 5 is an image data management method that can appropriately update and manage the remark information while storing the remark information in association with each of a plurality of image data. A remark information generating step of generating, an update condition setting step of setting an update condition of remark information to be newly added and remark information already attached, and an image data selecting step of selecting image data for updating remark information, Remark information update for updating the remark information of the image data selected in the image data selection step with the remark information generated in the remark information generation step based on the update condition set in the update condition setting step And a process. That is, there is no difference that the method is not necessarily limited to a substantial device and is effective as a method.

By the way, such an image data management device may exist alone or may be used in a state of being incorporated in a certain device. It includes embodiments. Therefore, it can be changed as appropriate, such as software or hardware. When the software of the image data management device is realized as an example of realizing the idea of the present invention, it naturally exists on a recording medium on which such software is recorded, and it must be said that the software is used.

As one example, the invention according to claim 6 records an image data management program which can update and manage the remark information as needed while storing the remark information in association with each of a plurality of image data in a computer. The medium, a remark information generating step of generating remark information to be newly added, an update condition setting step of setting an update condition of the remark information to be newly added and the remark information already added, and updating the remark information An image data selecting step of selecting image data; and the remark information generating step based on the update condition set in the update condition setting step for the remark information of the image data selected in the image data selecting step. Remark information updating step for updating with the remark information generated by It is constituted comprising.

Of course, the recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future. Also, the duplication stages of the primary duplicated product, the secondary duplicated product, and the like are equivalent without any question. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the case where the present invention is used even when the supply is performed using a communication line. further,
The concept of the present invention is not completely different even when part is software and part is realized by hardware, and part is stored on a recording medium and read as needed as needed. Such a form may be adopted.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, the remark information can be added collectively without erasing the past remark information by specifying the update condition for the past remark information in advance. An image data management device can be provided. According to the second aspect of the present invention, uniform remark information can be easily added in addition to free remark information such as comments, and image data can be easily managed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3,
Since the remark information is linked and updated in the designated order, the remark information can be updated relatively easily. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since image data included in a certain condition can be indirectly specified, it is possible to easily select image data without omission. Further, according to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to provide an image data management method having the same effect, and according to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to provide a medium in which an image data management program is recorded.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image data management device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a claim correspondence diagram. Image data captured by a digital still camera or the like is managed using an external storage device such as a computer. The data storage means A1 corresponding to such an external storage device or the like stores remark information associated with each of the plurality of image data. In this case, the image data and the remark information are appropriately changed, added, or deleted by database management by a computer. When remark information such as comments is updated collectively, remark information to be newly added is generated by remark information generating means A2 corresponding to an operation input device or the like in a computer, and update conditions corresponding to the operation input device or the like are also generated. Setting means A3
The update condition of the remark information newly added and the remark information already added is set. The image data for which such remark information is to be updated is also selected by the image data selecting means A4 corresponding to the operation input device or the like. Then, the remark information updating means A5 corresponding to the application of the computer or the like continuously adds new remark information to the remark information attached to the selected image data according to the above-described update condition.

In the present embodiment, the computer system 10 is employed as an example of hardware for realizing such an image data management device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the computer system 10. The computer system 10 includes a scanner 11a, a digital still camera 11b, and a video camera 11c as image input devices for directly inputting image data, and is connected to a computer main body 12. Each input device generates image data representing an image by pixels in a dot matrix form,
The image data can be output to RGB
By displaying 256 gradations in each of the three primary colors, approximately 16.7 million colors can be expressed.

The computer main body 12 is connected to a floppy disk drive 13a, a hard disk 13b, and a CD-ROM drive 13c as external auxiliary storage devices, and the hard disk 13b stores main system-related programs. Necessary programs and the like can be read from a floppy disk or a CD-ROM as needed. The computer body 1
A modem 14a is connected as a communication device for connecting 2 to an external network or the like. The modem 14a is connected to the external network via the public communication line, and software and data can be downloaded and introduced.
In this example, the modem 14a accesses the outside through a telephone line. However, a configuration in which a network is accessed through a LAN adapter is also possible.

Here, among the external auxiliary storage devices, the floppy disk drive 13a and the CD-ROM drive 1
Regarding 3c, the recording medium itself can be exchanged, and when supplied in a state where image data is recorded on this recording medium, it can also be a means of an image input device. Further, when accessing a network via the modem 14a or a LAN adapter, image data may be supplied from the network, and in such a case, the image data can be used as a means of an image input device.

In addition, a keyboard 15a and a mouse 15b as a pointing device are connected to operate the computer main body 12, and a speaker 18a and a microphone 18b are provided for multimedia. On the other hand, a display 17a and a color printer 17b are provided as image output devices. Display 17
For a, 800 pixels in the horizontal direction and 600 pixels in the vertical direction
A pixel display area is provided, and the above-described 1
It is possible to display 6.70 million colors. Of course, this resolution is only an example, 640 x 480 pixels,
It can be changed as appropriate, such as 1024 x 768 pixels.

A color printer 1 as a printing device
Reference numeral 7b denotes an ink-jet printer which can print an image by adding dots to printing paper as a recording medium using four color inks of CMYK. Image density is 360
High-density printing such as × 360 dpi or 720 × 720 dpi is possible, but the gradation table has a two-gradation expression such as whether or not to apply color ink. The color ink is not limited to the four color inks, but it is also possible to reduce the conspicuousness of dots by six colors including light cyan and light magenta, and color toner is used not only in the ink jet method. It is also possible to employ an electrostatographic method or the like.

A predetermined program is executed in the computer main body 12 in order to display or output an image while inputting an image using such an image input device. Of these, the operating system (O
S) 12a, and the operating system 12
a includes a display driver (DSPRV) 12b for performing display on the display 17a and a printer driver (PRT) for performing print output to the color printer 17b.
DRV) 12c. These drivers 12b and 12c depend on the model of the display 17a and the color printer 17b, and can be additionally changed to the operating system 12a according to each model. Further, depending on the model, additional functions beyond the standard processing can be realized. That is, it is possible to realize various additional processes within an allowable range while maintaining a common processing system on the standard system of the operating system 12a.

The application 12d is executed on the operating system 12a as the basic program. The processing contents of the application 12d are various, and include a keyboard 15a and a mouse 1 as operation devices.
5b is monitored, and when it is operated, various external devices are appropriately controlled to execute corresponding arithmetic processing and the like. Further, the processing result is displayed on the display 17a,
For example, the data is output to the color printer 17b.

In the computer system 10, a photograph or the like is read by a scanner 11a or the like which is an image input device, and image data, image data photographed by a digital still camera 11b, or a moving image photographed by a video camera 11c is read. The captured image data and the like can be stored in the hard disk 13b or the like. At this time, remark information such as a comment is associated with each image data and stored in the hard disk 13b. Such association management is performed by the computer main unit 1.
In step 2, the database application 12d is executed to capture and manage image data and remark information,
Alternatively, it can be executed by directly writing in the remark information area of the image data. In this sense, the application 12d and the computer system 10 are organically integrated to form the data storage unit A1.

The application 12d receives an operation input from the keyboard 15a or the mouse 15b while displaying an operation input screen on the display 17a.
The remark information to be newly added is acquired, and the condition input such as the condition under which the remark information already added is updated is acquired. Further, the user can select which image to change the remark information while displaying the image data. Therefore, in this sense, the application 12d and various hardware configurations constitute the remark information generation unit A2, the update condition setting unit A3, and the image data selection unit A4.

After the above input and selection are made, the application 12d
Is updated, and the application 12d and the hard disk 13b constitute the remark information updating means A5. These software programs are stored in the hard disk 13b and read and operated by the computer main body 12. Also, at the time of introduction, it is recorded and installed on a medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk. Therefore, these media constitute a medium on which the image data management program is recorded.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the contents of control by the image data management program as described above. The main control unit 60 performs various comprehensive controls, and the common function unit performs various common controls. 20, a film data management unit 30 that manages image data, an image correction control unit 40 that performs image correction on each image data, and a DPE print control unit 50 that performs a series of printing processes. The main control unit 60 appropriately selects and executes various flows described below, and also executes various other functions that are not classified. One of them is an environment setting unit 60a, in which common settings and the like in the image data management program are recorded as a setting information file 60b on the hard disk 13b, and can be read from other functional units as appropriate. The setting information file 60b includes various default designations, for example, designation of a source of new image data, and parameters of a page to be taken over next time in a printing process described later. Will be recorded.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed block diagram of the common function unit 20, and some of the common function units 20 can be commonly called from other function units. For example, the image selection unit 20a causes the thumbnail creation unit 20i to create a thumbnail for each image data while the image display unit 20a.
A plurality of thumbnail images are displayed on the display 17a by m, and in that state, selection of each image is input by receiving a selection operation by the keyboard 15a or the mouse 15b. Of course, when the display is changed in accordance with the selection operation, the display is appropriately changed on the image display unit 20m, and the result of the selection is transferred to another functional unit. The display designation unit 20b designates display on the screen, and appropriately designates display of an image in response to a change in the size of a window area or the like in response to a GUI operation.

The file editing unit 20c executes an operation of appropriately changing the storage area of the image data, and the search unit 20d executes a search based on parameters managed together with the image file, such as a comment or a date. Things. The batch comment section 20e collectively processes comments on a plurality of image data.
The batch organizing unit 20f collectively processes image data and parameters simultaneously.

The image processing unit 20g and the image editing unit 20h
While the image correction control unit 40 mainly generates various parameters when performing automatic image processing, the image correction control unit 40 actually performs image processing, and also executes manually specified image processing. . This processing result is treated as temporary data in principle, and is reflected in the original image data when a change is made to the original image data during the actual processing. Further, for convenience of display and processing time, it is not always necessary to execute the processing based on the original image data. During the operation, the image processing unit 20g and the image editing unit 20h execute various processes based on the thumbnail image data.

The image input unit 20j performs processing for reading the image data at the time of image processing or print processing when the storage area of the image data is already registered by the file editing unit 20c. Corresponding to the existence of various data formats as image output units 20
k executes a process of converting the format and outputting the converted format.
Next, the film data management unit 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a management structure of an image file 30a, which is image data managed by the film data management unit 30, photographic data 30b including parameters, and film data 30c used in grouping the image data. I have. Here, the image data is handled as a file in the computer system 10, so that
It is shown as an image file, and the parameters are shown as photograph data 30b together with various information corresponding to each image data. In addition, film data 30
“c” is information for grouping and managing image data, and is shown as a film metaphor in FIG. Here, the database of the photograph data 30b is stored in a rewritable storage area on the computer system 10, and is stored in a fixed area regardless of a plurality of film metaphors. Of course, a plurality of databases can be physically provided, but the point is that the image data does not necessarily need to be formed on a medium in which image data is actually stored.

In the figure, the physical recording form of the image file is shown on the left side of the figure. The operating system 12a forms a hierarchical structure in folder units, and stores the image file in each folder. Has become. The grouping of image data in the present embodiment physically utilizes exactly the hierarchical structure of this folder unit, and information is added and managed in this folder unit. That is, the minimum information constituting the film data 30c is a film name that can be arbitrarily assigned, a link destination indicating an actual storage area as physical arrangement information of this folder, a creation date, a comment, and a media attribute. , Media label, film attribute, number of stored image files, and the like.

Further, as shown in the figure, each folder is identified as a film cartridge in management, and from a different viewpoint, the actual storage area is identified as a cartridge without individual awareness. , And is closer to Elias Management. In addition, a mark indicating whether or not the physical storage area is a replaceable medium is displayed on the patrone to make it easy for the user to understand. That is, when the image file is supplied by a CD-ROM, the CD-ROM can be replaced. In this case, by replacing the CD-ROM, the actual CD-ROM drive 13c
It may not be attached to. In such a case, if the CD-ROM is not mounted, the display is not made non-display, but the display is performed based on the data after the film data is registered as the film data 30c. The operator can use CD-
It becomes easy to understand that reference cannot be made unless a ROM is set. In this example, only exchangeable marks are shown, but information may be displayed by appropriately changing such marks. For example, the mark may be changed between a case where the CD-ROM is mounted and a case where the CD-ROM is not mounted as a replaceable storage area. Also, if image data is stored in a storage area shared by a plurality of people on the network, a mark representing a network drive should be displayed, since if it is rewritten by each person, it becomes impossible to collect it. May be. Of course, a network drive may be treated as writable or unwritable. In addition, instead of changing the mark,
The shape of the patrone itself may be changed.

The specific structure of the photographic data 30b is shown in FIGS. Here, the index information includes a file name, a file date and time, a file size, and a shooting date and time, and thumbnail data obtained by reducing the image file is displayed as a thumbnail. A comment can be attached to each image file, and the index information and thumbnail data described above are information that is almost uniquely determined based on the image data, whereas a comment is arbitrary information. Can be set. In many cases, index information based on character information for complementing an image data or a subject that is difficult to search with image data as it is is applicable. However, since the above-described shooting date and time is information attached to the image file, the date and time when the image is copied onto the hard disk 13b may be used depending on data transfer or the like. Therefore, it may include uniform information such as the original shooting date and time. Of course, not only the shooting date and time, but also information that is appropriate to be uniformly attached to a plurality of image data, such as weather information, indoor or outdoor information, and the like are effective. In addition, the photograph data 30b also includes organizing information indicating classification and the like, position information indicating an actual storage area, and audio information attached via the microphone 18b or the like.

In the present image data management program, the simultaneous printing process is one function as a series of image data processes by the main control section 60, and the purpose is to make the image data easier to manage. FIG. 7 shows a screen display in the simultaneous print processing. In this case, the main control unit 60 appropriately outputs a command to the display specifying unit 20b of the common function unit 20 to display the same screen on the display 17a, and
Or an operation input of the mouse 15b.

In the simultaneous print processing screen, a leftward portion on the screen is an operation display area, in which tabs are displayed along a flow of a series of data processing. In this example, "enter photo", "modify photo"
The tabs “print designation” and “print” are displayed, and a downward pointing “△” mark is displayed between them. Needless to say, the data processing can be performed in a sequence of “photo input” processing, “photo modification” processing, “print designation” processing, and “printing” processing, so that desired image data can be printed neatly. In the past, it was naturally possible to execute the same processing, but in that case, the work must be carried out by assuming the flow of the procedure by itself.

That is, 1: Open the image data from the file menu, 2: Specify the image correction operation from the tool menu, display the necessary palette, etc., make the desired correction, and save it. 3: A format to be printed is specified in the print layout in the file menu, 4: a print preview in the file menu is checked, and 5: printing in the file menu is executed finally. Of course, when printing a plurality of image data, it is necessary to determine the print target from the file menu in this process.

On the other hand, the digital still camera 11
The printing of the photograph taken in b corresponds to specifying simultaneous printing by the DPE as compared with the case of normal photographing, and a series of data processing is made to correspond to the work of simultaneous printing. It is possible to execute a series of data processing even if the user is not familiar with the application. Although the display of “photo input” is displayed on the simultaneous print processing screen of FIG. 7, image data management by the film data management unit 30 is substantially performed. The left part of the display area is the operation display area, but the remaining display area is the main display area, and the left part of it is the group display area for grouping and displaying image data. The remaining portion is an image display area for displaying, when a certain group is selected, image data belonging to that group as thumbnails.

The group display area is an area for displaying the film metaphor corresponding to the folder unit as described above, and displays the film name, comment, date, and accommodated image while displaying the film cartridge as a frame. Displays the number of files. Of course, if the properties of each film metaphor are displayed, all information such as a film name, a link destination, a date, a comment, a medium attribute, a medium label, a film attribute, and the number of stored image files will be displayed. The display area of the group display area can be appropriately increased or decreased by using a GUI. If the display area cannot be completely displayed, scroll display is added or reduced. Of course, by selecting and operating one of a plurality of displayed film metaphors, an image file 30a stored in a folder corresponding to the selected film metaphor is displayed as a thumbnail in the image display area. Will be. In addition to the film management performed by the patrone, a layer of a higher concept called a film case may be prepared, and the group management may be performed by storing the patrone in the film case. In this case, one patrone does not necessarily have to be accommodated in one film case, and data for identifying the film case to be accommodated for each patrone is prepared, and a plurality of this data are stored. Be prepared to do it. By doing so, it is possible to accommodate the same patrone in a plurality of film cases according to the management divisions with different viewpoints, though physically impossible.

In this embodiment, since the image data is managed by using the hierarchical structure of the folder adopted by the operating system 12a, the operator directly operates the computer system 10 to store the image data in the folder. It is also possible to store the image file 30a. In this case, there may be a difference between the presence / absence of the image file 30a in the folder and the photograph data 30b. In this case, the presence / absence of the image file 30a in the folder , And the photograph data 30b is appropriately increased or decreased.

In this sense, it is determined whether or not there is the corresponding photo data 30b based on the image file 30a existing in the folder corresponding to the film metaphor, and if there is the photo data 30b, the thumbnail data is used to display. Is performed, and if there is no photo data 30b, the thumbnail creation unit 20i creates thumbnail data and then displays the thumbnail data. The photo itself is portrait or landscape, and one thumbnail display area is a square that can accommodate both, and the serial number and the actual file name are displayed outside the frame.

In this state, the operator displays the image data in the image display area while judging the group while looking at the display in the patrone displayed in the group display area.
Further, image data to be printed is selected. This selection operation is received by the image selection unit 20a. The selected image data is displayed by changing the color of the frame portion of the thumbnail display area, so that the presence or absence of selection can be easily determined. Then, the selection result is not only the "modification of the photo" but also the "print"
Will be reflected as an output target in the processing of. In these cases, the physical arrangement information is referred to in each processing, and the actual processing is not performed by moving the image data to be selected to the temporary area.

Assuming that image data to be printed is selected in "photo input", it is obvious from the display in the operation display area that the next processing is "modification of photo". In this “modification of photo”, image correction can be performed only on the selected image data. The image correction is performed by selecting the image processing unit 20g shown in FIG. 4 or the image correction control unit 4 shown in FIG.
0 executes. Image correction is performed automatically through manual image adjustment, which changes the brightness and contrast according to the operator's preference, and emphasizes specific color components, and through statistical aggregation processing for each pixel that constitutes image data. It is possible to perform automatic image correction for performing automatic correction. In the former manual image correction, when manual image adjustment is selected by a menu operation as shown in FIG. 9 using the keyboard 15a and the mouse 15b, the image processing unit 20g executes the corresponding image processing. In the menu operation shown in the figure, if the user selects the manual image correction in the drop-down menu while clicking the image correction, it becomes possible to select whether to correct "brightness / contrast" or "color enhancement".

In manual image modification, the degree of modification is instructed using a GUI. That is, the GUI display is operated with the mouse 15b to reflect the result of the manual modification. In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 20g can perform stepwise enhancement processing on brightness and contrast, and based on the premise, a parameter representing each degree of enhancement is prepared, and the selected modification result is represented. The parameters are a management parameter of the brightness component enhancement level (m_nBrightness) and a contrast enhancement level (m_nConn).
(Trust) management parameter. The manual image modification is not limited to the brightness and the contrast, and the enhancement processing can be executed for each of the red component, the green component, and the blue component.
And the green component enhancement level (m_nGree
n) management parameters and the blue component enhancement level (m_Blu)
This is reflected in the management parameter e).

On the other hand, the automatic image correction is performed by the image correction controller 40.
Runs. More specifically, when the image feature extraction unit 40a extracts the features of the image based on the image data, the modification information creation unit 40b creates the parameters necessary for the modification, and the modification designating unit 40c uses the parameters to The actual processing is performed by the image processing unit 20g that has performed the processing. FIG. 10 shows a display screen when performing automatic screen correction by menu operation, and FIG. 11 shows a display in the main display area when performing automatic image correction. As shown in the figure, the image before the correction of the selected image data is displayed in the upper row of the thumbnail, and the image after the automatic correction described above is displayed in the lower row of the thumbnail. The operator looks at the two, compares them, and selects which is better. Of course,
The selection can be made by clicking the thumbnail on the desired side with the mouse 15b, and the display specification section 20b can discriminate the clicked side by, for example, highlighting the frame portion. Note that the default is to select the state before modification and select the state after modification only on the side clicked with the mouse, or in most cases, it is assumed that the one with the image quality modified will be selected In this case, the default may be changed to the selected state.

In these scenes, a command button of "execute" and a command button of "cancel" are provided at the bottom, and when the command button of "execute" is clicked with a mouse, it is prepared for each image data. The correction information of the photograph data 30b is updated. In addition, the image correction includes various processes reflected in the display of image data in a broad sense, and includes trimming and rotation of the image in a broad sense. In this example, although the automatic image modification is selectively performed, there is no way not to use such a function, and in particular, if the operation is inexperienced, the user cannot know the selection operation even if there is such a function. There is also. Therefore, it is also convenient that the automatic image modification is performed by default at the time of inputting the photograph, so that the process of modifying the photograph is not displayed. FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen display in such a case. In the example shown in the figure, a process of “selection of film” is added before “input of photo” as an operation, and a process of “print designation” is executed after “input of photo”.
As shown in FIG. 7, a new film may be selected in the process of “input of a photo” and a photo may be selected. However, in the case of FIG. 12, a “select film” screen is first displayed. By performing the display, selection of photographic data in units of patrone or selection of a new film is performed first to make it easier to understand. Also, in this screen display, command buttons for "previous step" and "next step" are prepared in the upper part on the right side of the screen to give instructions to advance or return the process, and "previous step" is When executed, the process is returned, and when the "next step" is executed, the process proceeds.
Furthermore, a simple explanation of the processing of each stage can be displayed on the upper part of the screen. For example, "Film selection"
Displays the message "Please select a film and proceed to the next. A new film can be made with" Add film "."

Returning to the description of the simultaneous printing process shown in FIG. 7, after the photo modification, the "print designation" is performed.
This is the process. Already, "Enter Photo" and "Modify Photo"
Has been selected, image data to be printed is selected, and image processing to be performed on the image data is selected. In the “print designation”, the layout of the selected image data to be printed is designated. FIG. 13 shows a specific configuration of the DPE print control unit 50 that executes the process of “print designation” and the next “print”. Print image designation section 5
0a inherits the designation of the image data selected as described above, and executes the “print designation” process by the frame designation unit 50b and the layout designation unit 50c, and under the control of the print designation unit 50d. The print style creating unit 50e and the print image processing unit 50f generate actual print data.

FIG. 14 shows a display in the main display area in the "print designation" mode. A display area that can be scrolled in the horizontal direction is arranged in the upper part so that a layout pattern can be displayed. In the figure, the layouts of “Layout by four”, “Album print”, and “Sticker print” are displayed. Of course, other layout patterns can be implemented. Also,
As an option, a check box is provided so that the user can select to print a registration mark as a guide of the position at the time of cutting, print a date, or print a title. Further, the paper corresponds to "A4", "B5", "seal", and the like, and a radio button for exclusively selecting any one of these is provided.

When printing, it is necessary to generate print data according to the model of the color printer 17b.
A selection display area for the printer device is provided on the lower left side. Here, by selecting the printer device, the corresponding setting information is read, and the above-described color shift is corrected or the output resolution is made to match. A layout of “album print” is prepared in the layout. When the command button of “album details” is clicked, an operation screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed in the main display area. Also on this display screen, a display area that can be scrolled in the horizontal direction is arranged in the upper part so that the pattern of the album can be displayed. In this example, A4 paper is arranged in two rows and four columns, and a checkered pattern is displayed. 1 shows an image printed on the left side, an image printed on the left half in four vertical rows, and an image printed on two upper and lower rows. Also,
As options for album printing, check boxes are provided so that you can select to print the above-mentioned comments, print the date, or print the page title. A designated page number list is also provided so that successive page numbers can be printed. The page number may be set automatically to the page number following the previous album printing. If a comment is included in the image, the comment is set as a default for comment display in album printing. And
If this is what you want, click the "OK" command button. If you don't like it, click "Cancel".
Just click on the command button. In performing various setting processes, the setting contents are stored, and the next time the next execution is performed, the previous setting contents are read and set as default values. Therefore, steps that need not be designated each time, for example, processing such as print designation, can be skipped as appropriate. Conversely, a warning may be displayed while skipping processing that has not yet been set. Of course, these settings are saved for each selected printing process. For this reason, the paper selection or the like selected in each print process is not reflected on the settings of the print process of another mode, and has an adverse effect that the process is skipped while an unexpected paper is selected. Not even.

The last process of the simultaneous printing shown in FIG. 7 is "printing". In the main display area, as shown in FIG. A message for confirmation including the required number of sheets is displayed, and a command button of "execute" and a command button of "cancel" for starting printing are prepared. Of course, in this state, clicking the “execute” command button starts printing.

The print image specifying unit 5 of the DPE print control unit 50
0a inherits the designation of the image data selected as described above, and executes the “print designation” process by the frame designation unit 50b and the layout designation unit 50c, and under the control of the print designation unit 50d. The print style creating unit 50e and the print image processing unit 50f generate actual print data. Generally, image data is represented by RGB multi-gradation display, but printing is often performed by CMYK two-gradation display. For this reason, the print image processing unit 50f executes the image processing according to the above-described designation, and then executes the RGB → CM
In addition to the change of the YK color space, a gradation conversion process from multi-gradation to two-gradation is also executed.

As described above, in the "modify photo" process, it is possible to manually correct each image data individually. At this time, when each image data is selected and double-clicked or “comment input / modification” is selected from the pop-up menu shown in FIG. 9, a comment input correction screen display as shown in FIG. 17 can be performed. . In the same figure, a comment input frame 2 is located at the upper part of the screen.
1, a comment to be added to the image data is input in this frame. This comment is keyboard 15a
Input by the operation of. An operation frame of the comment stamp 22 is displayed below the comment input frame 21. While the input in the comment input frame 21 is free character input, the comment stamp 22 adds uniform character information prepared in advance. In this example,
Uniform character information is prepared for each of the items "date", "weather", "subject", "situation", "correction", and "save", and arrows attached to the right side of the display column Is clicked to select character information, and double-clicked to copy it to the comment input frame 21.
In this case, the comment is added after the already input comment.

In the case of "date", an arbitrary date can be selected, and a display such as a Christian calendar or a Japanese calendar can be selected. "Weather" is "Sunny", "Rain", "Cloudy"
Etc. can be selected. As the subject, "dad", "mother", "older sister", "older brother", "child" and the like can be selected. "Status" includes "summer vacation", "athletic meet",
"Drive" etc. can be selected. “Correction” can select items such as whether the image modification is “necessary”, whether the image modification is “completed”, and whether the image modification is “not yet performed”. “Save” can select “permanent” save or “temporary” save.

It is free to use the comment stamp 22 or not. When the input in the comment input frame 21 is finally completed, the user clicks the “execute” command button to display the above-mentioned photograph of the selected image data. Data 3
0b is written as a comment. When a comment input correction screen is displayed when a comment has already been added, the existing comment is added to the comment input frame 2.
The correction operation is received in a state where the display operation is displayed at 1.

Note that a classification input frame 23 is provided below the comment stamp 22 by using a flag, so that eight types of classification can be performed using the organizing information in the photograph data. The classification input frame 23 has eight check boxes, which can be set individually. Normally, a comment is input for each piece of image data as described above. But,
When image data taken by the digital still camera 11b is copied to the hard disk 13b at home,
A large number of image data is input at a time. In this case, a common comment is usually attached in many cases. For example, if you go to a drive, each subject may be a child or a mother, but it may be a "drive brother" or a "drive mother". Therefore, the same comment "drive" must be input for all image data.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart in the case of performing a batch input of comments, and FIG. 19 shows a screen display in that case. As the processing, in step 100, image data for which comments are to be collectively arranged are selected. The selection of image data is exactly the same as in the case of automatic image correction. That is, the image data is displayed in the main display area in a manner similar to the screen display of “photo input” shown in FIG. 7, and when a thumbnail of a desired image is clicked, the image is highlighted and selected. At the next step 105, a comment batch input screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, and an instruction such as an operation mode is input.

This comment batch input screen display is similar to the comment input correction screen display shown in FIG. 17 described above, and a comment input frame 21 and a comment stamp 22 are displayed in the meaning of adding a comment. . An update condition setting frame 24 is added to the comment display screen for comment input correction, and a flag rearrangement input column 25 is provided for collectively rearranging the classifications by flags. The update condition indicates the relationship between the newly added comment and the already added comment in a relation to be updated, and the user wants to insert the newly added comment before the already added comment. In this case, "before" may be selected. Conversely, if a comment to be newly added is to be inserted after the already added comment, "after" may be selected. If the user wants to overwrite the comment already added with the newly added comment, select “overwrite”. In this case, if nothing has been entered in the comment input box 21, it will be replaced with that state.
It is regarded as the specification of all deletion.

Further, there is a case where it is desired to replace a part of the command already attached. For example, there may be a case where a comment "drive" was given once, but later it was easier to understand "Hotaka trip". In such a case, while selecting “replace” as the update condition, the character string to be replaced is input to the replacement character string input box 24.
Fill in a. Further, in the comment batch input screen display, flags attached as sort information can be sorted at once. If each image data has to be individually corrected, there is a problem that the input is troublesome if the comment is character information, but the classification of the flags may be confused on the way. For example, if the classification of flags was changed based on the pixel size of the image data, even though the correct flag was set halfway, a different flag was set confused from the middle. Such is the case. It should be noted that three flags are provided for each flag.
A toggle switch for the position is realized. Every time the input box is checked, "ON" → "OFF", "N"
O CHANGE ". Of course, each means "turn on", "turn off", and "do nothing".

When desired information is designated in each of the input fields including the comment input frame 21, the command button "execute" is clicked. Then, the execution of step 110 and subsequent steps in the flowchart of FIG.
At 5, the loop processing is performed until there is no more target image data. In this loop processing, the index information of the next image data is read in step 110, and the work pointer is cleared to "0" in step 115. Step 1
At 20, the operation mode is determined. The operation mode is the update condition specified in the update condition setting frame 24 shown in FIG. In other words, the additional mode is to link comments newly added before and after the comment that has already been added, while using the comment already added. If “before”, the pointer indicating the insertion position to insert at the beginning is set to “0”. "
If it is "after", the end position of the existing comment is set to the pointer to insert it at the end of the existing comment.
After this processing is executed in steps 125 and 130, a comment to be newly added is inserted at the pointer position in step 135. As a result, the newly added comment and the already-added comment arranged in a predetermined order are added as a new comment.

On the other hand, when "overwrite" is selected in the update condition setting frame 24, the comment already added is deleted in step 140 after the judgment in step 120.
As described above, if overwriting is specified with the comment input box 21 or the like left blank, it is considered that all deletions have been specified. However, this determination is made in step 145, and a comment is input to the comment input box 21. If so, it is determined that it is overwritten, and a new comment is inserted at the position indicated by the pointer cleared to "0" in step 135. Also,
If it is determined in step 145 that no comment has been entered in the comment input frame 21, it is regarded as all deletion and no comment is attached. Of course, it is also possible to explicitly display “delete all” in the update condition setting frame 24. In this case, if the operation mode in step 120 is “overwrite” or “delete all”, step 140 is executed. In step 145, it is determined whether the instruction is "delete all".

It is also possible to select “replace” in the update condition setting frame 24. If “replace” has been selected, the determination made in step 120 is followed by the comments already added in step 150. Search for a replacement string. If there is no data, the processing is terminated as it is through the determination in step 155.
In step 60, the deletion start position is set in the pointer after deleting the matching part. In the case of replacement, if a comment to be newly added is input in the comment input box 21, the comment is input in step 135 through the determination in step 165, but if nothing is input, It is determined that partial deletion has been designated, and the process ends without doing anything.

The above is the updating process of the comment data in the photograph data. Next, the updating process is performed for the batch sorting of the classification input by the flag. Flag sorting input field 2
In the case of 5, each of the eight classifications is instructed to "turn on", "turn off", or "do nothing".
In step 170, only those that are "turned on" are extracted,
A mask MASK of a target flag is prepared. For example, if you turn on the third and eighth classifications,
A mask “00100001” is prepared. Similarly, the flag of the organizing information is composed of an 8-bit bit string. In step 175, this bit string FLAG and the mask MASK
OR with Then, only the bits corresponding to the third and eighth classifications are changed to "1" without any influence on the other flags before that, and are converted to "ON".

Similarly, in step 180, only the ones to be turned off are extracted, and the mask M of the target flag is extracted.
Prepare ASK and invert. For example, if the third and eighth classifications are to be turned on, “00100
001 ”, and the mask after the inversion is“ 11011110 ”. In the next step 185, this bit string F
The logical product is calculated with the LAG and the mask MASK. Then, the bits other than the bits corresponding to the third and eighth classifications become "1", so that when the logical AND is performed, the status of the previous bits is retained, and only the bits corresponding to the third and eighth classifications are retained. Is logically ANDed with "0" and is converted to "OFF".

Thereafter, the updated index information is written in step 190, and it is determined in step 195 whether or not there is any unprocessed image data. If so, step 110 and subsequent steps are repeated. End the batch processing. In the above processing, the flag is used to classify the image data, but the possibility of using the flag is various. For example, in the above-described example, the character information is used as a stamp for the comment. However, it is assumed that image processing for stamping the image data is performed, and this flag determines whether or not eight stamps are added. You may control it. For example, a stamp of "Hanamaru" or a stamp of a character is prepared, and a stamp image is not added to the image data. A stamp may be used.

Also, in this example, all the image data is selected first and executed collectively. However, update information is input in advance, and the image data is sequentially updated while checking the image data. It is good also as processing. FIG. 20 shows a flowchart for determining whether or not to update while selecting image data as described above. In this flowchart, it is assumed that film data is selected in units of patrone, and a screen for collective input of comments shown in FIG. 19 is displayed in step 105 without selecting image data, and an instruction such as an operation mode is input. I do.
Next, in step 106, one of the image data belonging to the selected patrone is selected, and as shown in FIG.
The pre-update comment and flag for the image data are displayed alongside the post-update comment and flag. Further, an "update" command button is prepared as a command button to be selected when the user desires to update as described above. Also, prepare a "next" command button to target the next image data, prepare a "previous" command button to target the previous image data, and end the update process. "End" command button is prepared. Then, Steps 107 to 109
The processing branches according to the command button operated by.

Further, in this example, the image data is displayed in order according to a certain standard, and the operator makes a judgment individually. However, the conditions for the image data to be updated may be set and arranged collectively. FIG. 22 shows a screen display for setting such a search condition, in which “file name” is displayed.
And conditions such as "comment" and "shooting date" are set as selection targets. Of course, in this case, it may be possible to select a case that includes a character string or a case that the character string completely matches, or a flag used for classification may be included in the search condition. Then, in step 106 shown in FIG. 20, image data that matches the search condition is searched, and comments before and after updating are displayed as shown in FIG.

As described above, when remark information such as a comment is managed in association with image data, it is highly necessary to attach the same comment to a plurality of image data having matching shooting conditions. The operator had to judge how to add a new comment while taking advantage of the already added comment, and the batch processing could not be performed. By setting as, it becomes possible to input a comment and the like very easily while satisfying such a request.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a claim correspondence diagram of an image data management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of specific hardware of the image data management device.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image data management device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a common function unit.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a film data management unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a data structure managed by the film data management unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen of a simultaneous printing process.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of an image correction control unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when performing manual image adjustment processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when performing an automatic image adjustment process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation screen when performing an automatic image correction process.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when automatic image modification is performed by default.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a DPE print control unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when performing print designation processing.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an operation screen when performing album printing processing.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when performing printing processing.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation screen for comment input / correction.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of batch sorting.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an operation screen for comment batch input.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of comment serialization.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an operation screen for continuous sorting.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an operation screen for inputting search conditions.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Computer system 11a ... Scanner 11b ... Digital still camera 11c ... Video camera 12 ... Computer main body 12a ... Operating system 12b ... Display driver 12c ... Printer driver 12d ... Application 13a ... Floppy disk drive 13b ... Hard disk 13c ... CD-ROM drive 14a ... Modem 15a ... Keyboard 15b ... Mouse 17a ... Display 17b ... Color printer 18a ... Speaker 18b ... Microphone 20 ... Common function part 20a ... Image selection part 20b ... Display designation part 20c ... File editing part 20d ... Search part 20e ... Batch comment part 20f: Batch arrangement unit 20g: Image processing unit 20h: Image editing unit 20i: Thumbnail creation unit 20j: Image input unit 20k: Image output unit 20m Image display unit 30 Film data management unit 30a Image file 30b Photo data 30c Film data 40 Image correction control unit 40a Image feature extraction unit 40b Correction information creation unit 40c Correction designation unit 50 DPE printing Control unit 50a Print image designation unit 50b Frame designation unit 50c Layout designation unit 50d Print designation unit 50e Print style creation unit 50f Print image processing unit 60 Main control unit 60a Environment setting unit 60b Setting information file

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A remark information generating means for generating remark information to be newly added, a data storage means capable of appropriately managing the remark information while storing the remark information in association with a plurality of image data, and a new remark information. Update condition setting means for setting an update condition between the remark information to be added to the remark information and the remark information already attached; image data selecting means for selecting image data for updating the remark information; Remark information updating means for updating the remark information of the image data with the remark information generated by the remark information generating means based on the update condition set by the update condition setting means. Image data management device. 2. The image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said remark information generating means generates a plurality of uniform remark information, and said uniform remark information generating means. An image data management device, comprising: uniform remark information selecting means for selecting remark information that can be generated by an information generating means; and generating remark information selected from uniform remark information. 3. The image data management device according to claim 1, wherein the update condition setting unit connects the existing remark information and the newly added remark information in a predetermined order. An update condition can be set, and when the update condition is selected, the remark information updating means reads the existing remark information stored in the data storage means, and sets the remark information to be newly added and the order. An image data management device characterized in that new remark information is generated and updated by linking the data. 4. The image data management device according to claim 1, wherein said image data selecting means includes: a search condition input means for inputting a search condition; An image data management device comprising: a search execution unit that performs a search on the existing remark information stored in the data storage unit based on the search data and selects image data to be updated. 5. An image data management method capable of appropriately updating and managing remark information while storing remark information in association with each of a plurality of image data, wherein a remark information generating step for generating new remark information is provided. An update condition setting step of setting update conditions for newly added remark information and remark information already added; an image data selecting step of selecting image data for updating remark information; and an image data selecting step. Remark information updating step of updating the remark information of the image data selected by the remark information generated in the remark information generation step based on the update condition set in the update condition setting step. An image data management method comprising: 6. A medium in which a computer stores an image data management program capable of appropriately updating and managing the remark information while associating the remark information with each of a plurality of image data by a computer. A remark information generating step of generating a remark information; an update condition setting step of setting an update condition of the remark information to be newly added and the remark information already attached; and an image data selecting step of selecting image data for updating the remark information. The remark information to be updated with the remark information generated in the remark information generation step based on the update condition set in the update condition setting step for the remark information of the image data selected in the image data selection step Image data comprising an updating step Medium recording management program.