JP2002057973A - Photo management edit system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photo management edit system that attains high-speed operations of various applications such as photo edit or the like. SOLUTION: The photo management edit system is provided with a database 23 that stores and manages original image data photographed by a video camera 1 or the like, a reduced image generating section 24 that entirely reduces the original image data stored in the database 23 and stores the reduced image data to the database 23 in cross-reference with the original image data, and a main control section 21 that edit various images by using the original image data and the reduced image data stored in the database 23. The main control section 21 has an album management edit processing function that selects an optional reduced image from a list of reduced images displayed on a display section 25, adheres the selected reduced image on an edit menu of an album form and edits the reduced images for an album to register the result to the database 23, and the registration information of the album registered in the database 23 consists of only link information of the reduced images adhered to the image parts of the album.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photograph management / editing system for adding various information to image data taken into a computer, editing the image data in an album format, performing color tone correction, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a system has been proposed in which image data taken by a digital camera or the like or image data read by a color scanner is taken into a computer, and processed and edited.

At this time, since the amount of image data is generally large, in this system, the captured image data is compressed and encoded by, for example, JPEG and stored, and a number is internally assigned to the image data for management. . Therefore, when displaying a captured image by specifying a number, it is necessary to decode and display a compressed image.

[0004]

As described above, since image data generally has a large data amount, the load on a CPU, a memory, and the like is large, and processing such as compression encoding and decoding is required. There was a problem that application operation was slow.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photograph management / editing system capable of speeding up the operation of various applications.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a photograph management and editing system according to the present invention stores a database for storing and managing original image data photographed by an imaging device or the like, and stores the database in the database. A reduced image generating unit configured to generate a reduced image obtained by reducing the entire original image as a whole, and store the generated reduced image data in the database in correspondence with the original image data; and an original image data stored in the database. Editing control means for performing various kinds of image editing using the reduced image data, the editing control means comprising: a list display unit for displaying a list of the reduced image data; and a list of reduced images displayed by the list display unit. When an arbitrary reduced image is selected from, an information registration screen for registering various information related to the selected image is displayed. An information registration processing unit for storing various information input from the database in the database, and an original image corresponding to the selected image by selecting an arbitrary reduced image from a list of reduced images displayed by the list display unit Is read from the database and displayed, and a processing registration screen for processing the original image is displayed,
A processing registration processing unit that processes the original image according to the processing information input from the processing registration screen, and stores the processed image data as new processed image data different from the original image data in the database; An album management / editing processing unit for selecting an arbitrary reduced image from a list of reduced images displayed by the unit and pasting the selected reduced image on an editing screen in an album format, performing album editing of the reduced image, and registering the album in the database; It is characterized by having. Also, a process of selecting an arbitrary reduced image from a list of reduced images displayed by the list display unit and pasting the selected reduced image on an editing screen in an album format can be performed by drag and drop.

Further, according to the photo management / editing system of the present invention, when the reduced image edited by the album contains various information, the album management / edit processing section edits the album including the various information. It is characterized by the following.

Further, according to the photo management / editing system of the present invention, the album management / editing processing section registers only link information of a reduced image to be pasted on an image portion in an album format in the database, and the edit control means includes: When displaying an arbitrary album, reduced image data is read from the database based on link information included in the album, and the reduced image data is pasted and displayed on an image portion in an album format.

[0009]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photo management and editing system according to the present invention.

This photo management and editing system includes a digital camera 1, a personal computer 2 on which a photo management and editing program of the present invention is installed, an external output device 4 such as a color printer, and an external device such as a CDROM, MO, MD, DVD or the like. The digital camera 1 and the personal computer 2 are provided with a TWAIN (Technology Without Any).
An interface unit 22 that is connected by a cable 1a corresponding to the interested name or a direct insertion of a storage medium 1b of the digital camera 1 such as a compact flash (registered trademark), a smart media, a memory stick, a PC card, or the like. ing.

The personal computer 2 includes a CPU (not shown) and an RO
The main control unit 21 composed of M, RAM, and the like is mainly configured, and the interface unit 22 is connected to the main control unit 21. In addition, the main control unit 21 includes:
A database 23 for storing and managing original image data captured by the digital camera 1 or the like is connected. Also,
The main controller 21 generates a reduced image (thumbnail image) obtained by reducing the entirety of the original image stored in the database 23, and associates the generated reduced image data with the original image data in the database 23. The reduced image generation unit 24 to be stored is connected.

Further, the main control unit 21 includes a database 23
Has a function as an editing control unit for performing various image editing using the original image data and the reduced image data stored in the storage unit, and a display unit 25 such as a TFT for displaying an editing screen or the like is connected. . Further, an input unit 26 having a keyboard, a mouse, and the like (not shown) for performing an editing operation is connected.

In the above configuration, the main control section 21 has a function of displaying a list of reduced image data (thumbnail image data) stored in the database 23 on the display section 25;
When an arbitrary reduced image is selected from the displayed list of reduced images (thumbnail images), an information registration screen for registering various information related to the selected image is displayed on the display unit 25. An information registration processing function of storing various types of input information in the database 23, and by selecting an arbitrary reduced image from a displayed list of reduced images, an original image corresponding to the selected image is read from the database 23. In addition to the display, a processing registration screen for processing the original image is displayed on the display unit 25, the original image is processed according to the processing information input from the processing registration screen, and the processed image data is referred to as the original image data. A processing registration processing function for storing in the database 23 as another new processed image data, and an arbitrary reduced image is selected from a displayed list of reduced images. And by sticking to the editing screen of the album format, perform the album editing of the reduced image,
It has an album management / editing processing function to be registered in the database 23. A program for executing these processes is stored in a ROM or the like of the main control unit 21 (not shown) as a photo management editing program.

In this embodiment, the original image is full color, and the file format is JPEG. The thumbnail image has 256 colors and a file format of BMP (BitMap) in order to achieve both high-speed processing and reduced file size.

Next, a specific example of performing the photo management and the album editing using the photo management and editing system having the above configuration will be described with reference to various registration and editing screen examples shown in FIGS.

When a management database name of a registered photograph is selected from an initial screen (not shown), the main control unit 2
1 reads reduced image data (thumbnail image data) from the database 23 and displays a list on the display unit 25. FIG. 2 shows an example of this list display screen.

On this list display screen, a character information display column 31 is displayed at the upper part, and each thumbnail image (in the figure, symbols such as A, B, C... ) Are displayed. In the display field 31 for character information, one of the thumbnail images displayed in the lower display fields 32a, 32a,.
When one of them is selected (clicked with a mouse or the like), the character information registered in the selected thumbnail image is displayed.

In the display field 31 of the character information, three switching buttons 31a, 31b, 31c of "entry entry", "free entry", and "construction by Ministry of Construction" are displayed. Is provided with a display field 31d in which "registered album name" is displayed to display the album name.

In the thumbnail image display column 32a, two display windows 32a1 and 32a2 are provided at the upper right. The left display window 32a1 is a display window for notifying the user whether or not the thumbnail image is registered in the album. When the thumbnail image is registered, the display window is lit, for example, in blue. The right display window 32
a2 is a display window showing what data is added to the thumbnail image. When the data is general data (item entry, free entry), it is lit in green, for example.
If the data is for the Ministry of Construction, it is lit in red, for example, and if there is both general data and data for the Ministry of Construction, it is lit in yellow, for example.

The user performs various editing operations from this list display screen.

For example, the displayed thumbnail screen 32
When an arbitrary thumbnail image (for example, 32b) is selected from the list of a, 32a,..., and the information registration screen is selected, the main control unit 21 causes the thumbnail image 32b to be displayed.
The display unit 25 displays an information registration screen for registering various information (character information) related to. 3 to 6 show examples of the information registration screen at this time. However, FIG. 3 shows an example of an information registration screen when “free entry” is selected, FIG. 4 shows an example of an information registration screen when “item entry” is selected, and FIG. 5 shows information when “Ministry of Construction” is selected. FIG. 6 shows an example of an information registration screen when “Ministry of Construction” is selected.

In this example of the information registration screen, the original image 33b corresponding to the thumbnail image 32b is displayed on the upper right of each of the information registration screen examples shown in FIGS. That is, the main control unit 21 outputs the selected thumbnail image 32
The original image data 33b corresponding to “b” is read from the database 23, and the read original image data 33b is displayed in the upper right column of the information registration screen. Here, the reason why the image of the original image is displayed instead of the thumbnail image in the example of the information registration screen is so that the detailed part of the photograph can be confirmed.

Below the displayed original image photograph 33b, an operation explanation column 33c for moving, enlarging, and reducing the photograph and information of the photograph (file name, file size, image size, photographing date and time) ) Is provided, and a "register" button 3 is provided below the photo information display window 33d.
3e and a "cancel" button 33f are provided. On the left side of the photo information display window 33d, there is provided a switching button 33g for switching between photos, and further on the left side, there is provided a copy button 33h in which "Copy last input data" is entered. I have. By operating the switching button 33g, it is possible to move to the previous or next photograph without returning to the list display screen shown in FIG. By operating the copy button 33h, the characters input last time can be copied and used. The above is the part common to each information registration screen.

In the "free entry" information registration screen shown in FIG. 3, an information input box 34 is provided on the left side. In this information input box 34, the user can freely determine and input the contents. As shown, it is blank. On the other hand, FIG.
In the information registration screen of “Entry of items” shown in FIG. 7, each item is displayed in the information input box 35 on the left side. The user inputs information according to this item, but the item name can be changed. It is. In this example, a construction name input window 35a in which "construction name" is entered, a photographing date input window 35b in which "shooting date" is entered, a photography location input window 35c in which "shooting location" is entered, and "shooting content" , A remarks input window 35e with "Remarks" written therein,
A company name input window 35f in which "company name" is entered is provided.

On the information registration screen of "Ministry of Construction" shown in FIG. 5, items that fully comply with the specifications of the Ministry of Construction are displayed in the information input box 36 on the left side.
By inputting information according to this item, it is possible to create a document to be submitted that meets the specifications of civil engineering of the Ministry of Construction. In this example, a classification input window 36a in which "photograph / major classification" is entered,
Category input window 36b with "Photo category" written, "Construction type"
Input window 36c in which "type" is entered, type input window 36d in which "type" is entered, and subdivision input window 3 in which "subdivision" is entered
6e, title input window 3 with "photo title"
6f, reference figure input window 36g in which "reference figure 1" to "reference figure 3" are entered, photographing place entry window 36h in which "photographing place" is entered, and photographing date entry in which "shooting date" is entered Window 3
6i, a construction management value input window 3 in which "construction management value" is entered
6j, a flag input window 3 in which “photo arrangement flag” is entered
6k and the like are provided.

Further, on the information registration screen of "Building Ministry of Construction" shown in FIG. 6, each item completely conforming to the building specifications of the Ministry of Construction is displayed in the information input box 37 on the left side.
By inputting information according to this item, it is possible to create a document to be submitted that meets the building specifications of the Ministry of Construction. In this example, a construction name input window 37a in which "construction name" is entered,
Building name input window 37b with "building name" written therein, construction type input window 37c with "construction type" written, "construction content"
37d, a construction content input window 37e, which is filled with "photographing content", a construction location input window 37f, which is filled with "construction location", and a description text input window, which is filled with "explanatory text" 37g, an explanatory drawing input window 37h in which "explanatory drawing" is entered, and a photographing date input window 37 in which "photographing date" is entered.
i, a remarks input window 37j in which "remarks" are entered, and the like are provided.

Therefore, when the user inputs information of a photograph, the user selects one of the information registration screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and registers the information. At this time, the information registration screen shown in FIG. 5 conforms to the civil engineering specifications of the Ministry of Construction, and the information registration screen shown in FIG. 6 conforms to the architectural specifications of the Ministry of Construction. Can be created.

The information registered on these information registration screens is stored in the database 23.

On the other hand, the user selects an arbitrary thumbnail image (for example, 32b) from the list of thumbnail screens 32a, 32a... Shown in FIG. 2, and displays a picture display screen (corresponding to the processing registration screen described in the claims). Is selected, the main control unit 21 displays a photo display screen associated with the thumbnail image 32b on the display unit 25. FIG.
An example of a photo display screen at this time is shown.

On this photo display screen, an original image 33b corresponding to the thumbnail image 32b is displayed on the left side.
That is, the main control unit 21 stores the original image data 33b corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 32b in the database 2
3 and the read original image data 33b
Is displayed on the photo display screen. Here, a photograph of the original image is displayed instead of the thumbnail image in the example of the photograph display screen so that a minute change at the time of processing can be confirmed.

Therefore, brightness and contrast adjustment windows 38a and 38b are provided on the right side of the displayed original image photograph 33b.
Also, a "rotate" button 38c for rotating the original image by 90 degrees, 180 degrees, etc., a "cut" button 38d for cutting off a part of the original image, and a "size" for changing the size of the original image Processing input field 38 provided with button 38e, "Add" button 39a and "Insert" button 3
Save input field 39 provided with 9b, “Original” button 40
And a “cancel” button 41. A switching button 42 for switching between photographs is provided at the uppermost portion on the right side. By operating this switching button 42, the user can switch between the previous and next photographs without returning to the list display screen shown in FIG. You can move.

Therefore, the user can use this photo display screen to process a photo, for example, by changing the brightness or the contrast. Also,
You can magnify a part of the image or cut out unnecessary parts. The processed photograph is registered in the database 23 as processed image data different from the original image.

When the user selects album management editing from the menu in the list display screen shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit 21 causes the list display screen and the album management editing screen to be displayed as shown in FIG. And 51 are displayed at the same time.

The album management and editing screen 51 is initially a completely blank screen. Therefore, the user moves the mouse to the thumbnail image 32c displayed on the list display screen, and drags and drops the mouse cursor onto the album management editing screen 51 displayed beside the thumbnail image 32c. You can paste it on the album. At this time, when various types of character information are registered on the information registration screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the character information (character information displayed in the character information display field 31 of the list display screen) is also displayed. At the same time, it is displayed on the album. By repeating the same operation, for example, three photos are pasted on a single album if they are horizontally long, and two photos are pasted if they are a combination of portrait and landscape and a combination of portraits. It can be attached.

In the album editing, not only the drag and drop from the list display screen shown in FIG. 2 but also the drag and drop of the thumbnail image displayed on the album as shown in FIG. It is also possible to move the thumbnail image onto the album. Further, the information registration screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and the picture display screen shown in FIG. 7 can be opened also from the thumbnail images pasted on the album shown in FIG. Furthermore, circles, arrows, lines, and the like can be written on the album, so that work instructions and meeting materials can be created.

The album information at this time is as follows:
Instead of being composed of the image data and character information of the thumbnail image 32c, it is composed of only the link information of the thumbnail image 32c. That is, only when displayed on the display unit 25, the thumbnail image (photograph) and the registered character information are read from the database 23 from the link information, and the album is displayed in a pseudo manner. As a result, the display speed of the album screen can be increased, and the use area of the memory for storing the album information can be reduced, so that the load on the personal computer 2 can be reduced.

The list display screen shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
When performing printing by selecting a desired thumbnail image from the album shown in FIG. 1, the main control unit 21 stores the original image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image in the database 2.
3 is transmitted to an external output device 4 which is a color printer to print out a color photograph. The main controller 21 also selects the desired thumbnail image from the list display screen shown in FIG. 2 and the album shown in FIG. 8 and outputs the image data to the external storage device 5 such as an MO. The original image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is read from the database 23, and the original image data is output to the external storage device 5.

[0039]

As described above, according to the photograph management / editing system of the present invention, the original image (photograph) data taken from the imaging device such as a digital camera is registered in the database, and the reduced image (thumbnail) is converted from the original image data. image)
Data is generated and registered in a database, and image data used for various editing operations is performed using only thumbnail images or their link information, thereby speeding up the editing operation and providing a personal computer as an editing control means. The burden can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photo management and editing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a list display screen of a photo management editing screen.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information registration screen when “free entry” is selected.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information registration screen when “Entry of items” is selected.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information registration screen when “Ministry of Construction” is selected.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an information registration screen when “Ministry of Construction” is selected.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a photo display screen.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an album management editing screen.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an album management editing screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 digital camera 2 personal computer 4 external output device 5 external storage device 21 main control unit 22 interface unit 23 database 24 reduced screen generation unit 25 display unit 26 input unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A database for storing and managing original image data captured by an imaging device and the like, and a reduced image obtained by reducing the entirety of the original image stored in the database is generated, and the generated reduced image data is generated. A reduced image generating means for storing the reduced image data in the database in association with the original image data; andedit control means for performing various kinds of image editing using the original image data and the reduced image data stored in the database. The edit control means includes: a list display unit for displaying a list of the reduced image data; and selecting an arbitrary reduced image from a list of the reduced images displayed by the list display unit, thereby obtaining various information related to the selected image. An information registration screen for displaying an information registration screen for registering, and storing various information input from the information registration screen in the database; When an arbitrary reduced image is selected from the list of reduced images displayed by the list display unit, an original image corresponding to the selected image is read from the database and displayed, and processing for processing the original image is performed. Processing registration processing for displaying a registration screen, processing the original image according to the processing information input from the processing registration screen, and storing the processed image data as new processed image data different from the original image data in the database. And selecting an arbitrary reduced image from a list of reduced images displayed by the list display unit and pasting the selected reduced image on an editing screen in an album format, thereby performing album editing of the reduced image and registering it in the database. A photo management editing system comprising an album management editing processing unit. 2. The photograph management according to claim 1, wherein the process of selecting an arbitrary reduced image from the list of reduced images displayed by the list display unit and pasting the selected reduced image on an editing screen in an album format is a drag-and-drop process. Editing system. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the album management / editing processing unit edits the album including the various information when the reduced image obtained by the album editing includes the various information. The photo management editing system described in 1. 4. The album management / editing processing unit registers only link information of a reduced image to be pasted on an image portion in an album format in the database, and the edit control unit includes:
3. When displaying an arbitrary album, reduced image data is read from the database based on link information included in the album, and the reduced image data is pasted and displayed on an image portion in an album format. Or the photo management and editing system according to 3.