JP2006227822A - Information retrieval device and information retrieval method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve the high speed operation of retrieval processing and the saving of resources. <P>SOLUTION: This information retrieving device for retrieving a prescribed retrieval object in a retrieval region is provided with a retrieval object presence managing means for managing retrieval object presence information showing whether or not any retrieval object is present in the retrieval region, a retrieval object information managing means for managing the retrieval object information in the retrieval region, a determination means for determining whether or not the retrieval object is present in the retrieval region based on the retrieval object presence information and a retrieving means for retrieving the retrieval object based on the retrieval object information when the retrieval object is determined to be present by the determination means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method for retrieving data such as still images and moving images.

  Conventionally, recording / reproducing devices such as electronic cameras for recording and reproducing still images and moving images using a memory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording medium are already on the market, and devices equipped with an electronic viewfinder such as a color liquid crystal panel are also sold. ing.

In recent years, the recording capacity of a recording medium such as a memory card has increased, and since a large number of image data can be recorded, it has a function of allowing a user to search for a desired image file from a large number of image files. There is.
JP 2004-112708 A

  In such a conventional electronic camera or the like, the search time for a search target corresponding to a predetermined search condition tends to become longer as the number of images increases, and the response becomes worse when search processing is performed by a user operation or the like. There was a problem such as.

  In addition, when trying to hold the search conditions for each directory and / or file in order to perform the search process at high speed, there is a problem that system resources are wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image input apparatus and a file search method for the same that realize high-speed search processing and resource saving.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, an information search device according to the present invention is an information search device for searching a predetermined search target in a search region, and whether there is a search target in the search region. Search target presence / absence management means for managing search target presence / absence information indicating whether or not, search target information management means for managing search target information in the search area, and search in the search area based on the search target presence / absence information A determination unit configured to determine whether there is a target; and a search unit configured to search for a search target based on the search target information when the determination unit determines that there is a search target.

  The information search method according to the present invention is an information search method for searching a predetermined search object in a search area, and manages search object presence / absence information indicating whether or not there is a search object in the search area. Presence / absence management step, search target information management step for managing search target information in the search region, determination step for determining whether there is a search target in the search region based on the search target presence / absence information, and the determination means And a search step of searching for a search target based on the search target information when it is determined that there is a search target.

  According to the present invention, the search area is not searched in the search area in which no search target exists, so that the search process is speeded up. Further, whether the search target exists based on the information that manages only the presence or absence of the search target in the search process. Therefore, resource saving can be realized.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a recording / reproducing apparatus such as an electronic camera capable of taking, recording and reproducing an image to which the information retrieval apparatus of the present invention is applied, 10 is a photographing lens, 12 is a shutter having an aperture function, 14 Is an image sensor that converts an optical image of an object into an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion, and 16 is an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal.

  A timing generator 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26 and is controlled by the memory controller 22 and the system controller 50.

  An image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D conversion unit 16 or the data from the memory control unit 22.

  The image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control unit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.

  Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained calculation result.

  A memory control unit 22 controls the A / D conversion unit 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A conversion unit 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression unit 32.

  Data from the A / D converter 16 passes through the image processing unit 20 and the memory controller 22, or data from the A / D converter 16 passes directly through the memory controller 22 to the image display memory 24 or memory. 30 is written.

  Further, at the time of reproduction, still image data compressed in JPEG format or the like read out from the recording medium 200 or 210 into the memory 30 or moving image data compressed in MPEG format or the like is decompressed by the image processing unit 20. And expanded in the image display memory 24.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A conversion unit, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT LCD, and the display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A conversion unit 26. Displayed by the image display unit 28.

  If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  The image display unit 28 can display information such as various setting menus, titles, and times by an on-screen display (OSD). The display contents include single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, Compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded images, display image serial number display, number of remaining shots display, search key icon display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro photography Display, buzzer setting display, battery level display for clock, battery level display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display status of recording media 200 and 210, communication I / F operation display, date / time There are displays, etc.

  Among these various information displays, conditions and settings at the time of shooting can be obtained by storing each information in the image header at the time of shooting and analyzing and extracting the moving image header at the time of playback. Can be referred to.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time.

  This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot.

  The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control unit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression unit that compresses or decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like. The image data stored in the memory 30 is read and subjected to compression processing or decompression processing. Write to memory 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control unit that controls the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measurement control unit that controls focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control unit that controls zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control unit that controls the operation of the protection unit 102 serving as a barrier.

  A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method, and the system control unit 50 and the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement are based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing unit 20. The controller 42 is controlled.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control unit that controls the entire electronic camera 100, and 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control unit 50.

  Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit including a speaker or the like that displays an operation state, a message, or the like using sound or the like according to execution of a program in the system control unit 50, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LED and a sounding element.

  The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50, and may be a single or a combination of a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. Composed.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch for switching and setting each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and external device (for example, PC) connection mode. Can do.

  Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.

  Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when an operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an electric signal captured from the image sensor 14 is written as image data in the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory controller 22. Processing, development processing using calculation in the image processing unit 20 or the memory control unit 22, recording processing for reading out image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression unit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210 The operation start of a series of processes is instructed.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit including various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu movement − (minus). ) Button, playback image feed + (plus) button, playback image feed-(minus) button, and the like.

  A power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control unit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes a connector, 84 denotes a connector, and 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  90 and 94 are interfaces with a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, 92 and 96 are connectors for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk, and 98 is a connector 92 and / or 96 with the recording medium 200 or 210 attached thereto. It is a recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit that detects whether or not the recording medium is attached.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems and any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, when the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF card, or the like, a LAN card, modem card, USB card, IEEE 1394 card, P1284 card, SCSI card, By connecting various communication cards such as a communication card such as a PHS, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a protection unit that is a barrier that covers the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the electronic camera 100 to prevent the imaging unit from being contaminated or damaged, and its operation is controlled by the barrier control unit 46.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28.

  A communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the electronic camera 100 to another device by the communication unit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk.

  The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the electronic camera 100.

  Reference numeral 210 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 214 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 216 that connects to the electronic camera 100.

  Next, the search processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[file organization]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example and management information example of a file stored in the recording medium.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes an example of the configuration of a directory and a file stored in the directory, and here, it conforms to a DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) standard generally used in a digital camera.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes an example of search target presence / absence information, which holds search target presence / absence information regarding files in each directory as a search condition. Here, as the search target existence information in each directory, the first date and time (oldest shooting date and time, search start point), last date and time (newest shooting date and time, search end point), date change point (files with different shooting dates and times) Management information files such as presence / absence, total number of files having a specific format (extension such as JPEG, AVI, etc.) or attribute in each directory are held. That is, the search target presence / absence information holds the start (search start point) and end (search end point) of the files (or directories) in each directory as search targets, and the search target points (from the search start point to the search end point ( Management information for managing the presence or absence of a date change point, the total number of files in a specific format, and the like.

  Note that the search target presence / absence information may include shooting conditions (single shooting, continuous shooting, panoramic), image file color information (black and white, different colors), etc., and target at least one of these information It is good.

  Reference numerals 203 to 207 are examples of search target point information in each directory. Here, a flag indicating a date change point is set for each file in the directory (in the example shown, a flag is set for a file having a different date). ), A flag indicating whether the file is in a specific format (extension) (in the example shown, the flag is set in the AVI format file) is stored in association with the file number (file name).

  The search target presence / absence information and search target point information files are analyzed for the directory and / or file structure in the recording medium using the shooting condition and setting information stored in each image header at the time of shooting. It is created at the same time. Each file of the search target presence / absence information and search target point information is recorded so as to be writable and / or readable on a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for searching for a search target point according to the first embodiment. The following processing is executed in the system control unit 50.

  The search target in the present embodiment is a directory or file corresponding to the search condition included in the search target presence / absence information.

  In FIG. 3, first, if there is an instruction for search processing via the operation unit 70, search target point information of a directory (search target directory) including the search start point is acquired (S301).

  Next, it is confirmed from the search target point information acquired in S301 whether the next search target point exists (S302). If there is a next search target point, a file corresponding to this search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result (S307), and the process is exited.

  If there is no next search target point in S302, the next directory is searched.

  If it is determined in S303 that the current directory is a terminal directory, the fact that there is no search result is output to the display unit 54 (S308), and the process is exited.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S303 that the directory is not a terminal directory, the next directory is set as the current search target directory (S304).

  It is determined whether there is a search target in the current directory changed in S304 by referring to the search target presence / absence information (S305). If it is determined that there is a search target directory, the current directory is the first time at that time. Search target point information is acquired (S306), and a file corresponding to the first search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result based on the first search target point information in the search target point information (S309). ), Exit the process.

  If it is determined in S305 that there is no search target point, the process returns to S303 and the same search process is executed for the subsequent directories.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for searching for a change point of a search target point according to the second embodiment. The following processing is executed in the system control unit 50.

  The search target in the present embodiment is a directory or a file in which the search condition included in the search target presence / absence information changes (for example, with a date change point).

  First, if there is a search processing instruction via the operation unit 70, the search target point information of the directory including the search start point is acquired (S401).

  Next, it is confirmed from the search target point information acquired in S401 whether the next search target point exists (S402). If there is a next search target point, the file corresponding to this search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result (S408), and the process is exited.

  If there is no next search point in S402, the next directory is searched.

  If it is determined in S403 that the current directory is a terminal directory, the fact that there is no search result is output to the display unit 54 (S409), and the process is exited.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S403 that the directory is not a terminal directory, the current directory final search condition (search end point) and the next directory start search condition (search start point) simultaneously held in the search target presence / absence information. And the first file (or directory) of the next directory is determined as a search target point (S404). Here, if the final search condition for the current directory is different from the first search condition for the next directory, it is determined that the point is a search target point, and if they are the same, it is determined that the boundary between these directories is not the search target point.

  If it is determined in S404 that the point is a search target point, the first file in the next directory is output as a search result to the display unit 54 (S410), and the process is exited. If it is determined that the boundary between these directories is not a search target point, the next directory is set as the current directory (S405).

  It is determined whether there is a search target in the current directory changed in S405 by referring to the search target presence / absence information (S406). If it is determined that there is a search target, the current directory is the first time at that time. Search target point information is acquired (407), and a file corresponding to the first search target point is output to the display unit 54 as a search result based on the first search target point information in the search target point information (S411). ), Exit the process.

  If it is determined in S405 that there is no search target point, the process returns to S403, and the same search process is executed for the subsequent directories.

[Other Embodiments]
In the present embodiment, a computer-readable recording medium (or storage medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus is supplied. Or MPU) can read out and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present embodiment is applied to the recording medium, program code corresponding to the flowchart described above is stored in the recording medium.

  Note that the present embodiment can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. ).

[effect]
According to the present embodiment, a search in a directory where no search target exists is not performed based on the search target presence / absence information, so that a search can be performed at high speed. Further, since the search target point information is held only for the directory where the search target exists, it is possible to suppress the resource consumption of the system RAM and the like.

  Further, the search target presence / absence information and / or search target point information is created at the same time when analyzing and extracting the configuration of the directory and / or file in the recording medium. File system information acquired at the time of analysis can be used effectively, and the processing time for building search target information and / or search target point information can be shortened by reducing the number of times the file system is accessed. It becomes possible to do.

Further, the time for reconstructing the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target point information by enabling the search target presence / absence information and the search target point information to be written and / or read as a file in a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory. In addition, the search condition included in the search target presence / absence information is one or more of shooting conditions, date, time, file format, file attribute, and color information. It is possible to realize a high-speed search that is convenient for the user, such as a point search or a search only for files in a specific format.

  The search target presence / absence information includes a search target searched first in the directory and a search target searched last, and a search target searched first in a search area to be searched next and a previous search Search by eliminating the relationship between different directories when the search target point does not change by determining whether there is a search target by acquiring and comparing the search target searched at the end of the area in a timely manner. Is possible.

  In addition, since the search target is a directory or file corresponding to the predetermined search condition, the search target of the predetermined search condition can be easily searched.

  In addition, since the search target is a directory or file whose predetermined search condition changes, the search target whose predetermined search condition changes can be easily searched.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic camera of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is an example of the directory structure and management information of this embodiment. It is a flowchart of the search process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the search process of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10: Shooting lens 12: Shutter 14: Image sensor 16: A / D converter 18: Timing generator 20: Image processor 22: Memory controller 24: Image display memory 26: D / A converter 28: Image display 30: Memory 32: Image compression / decompression unit 40: Exposure control unit 42: Distance measurement control unit 44: Zoom control unit 46: Barrier control unit 48: Flash 50: System control unit 52: Memory 54: Display unit 56: Non-volatile Memory 60: Mode dial switch 62: Shutter switch SW1
64: Shutter switch SW2
70: operation unit 80: power supply control unit 82: connector 84: connector 86: power supply unit 90: interface 92: connector 94: interface 96: connector 98: recording medium attachment / detachment detection unit 100: electronic camera 102: protection unit 104: optical viewfinder 110: Communication unit 112: Connector (or antenna)
200: recording medium 202: recording unit 204: interface 206: connector 210: recording medium 212: recording unit 214: interface 216: connector

Claims (18)

An information search device for searching a predetermined search object in a search area,
Search target presence / absence management means for managing search target presence / absence information indicating whether or not there is a search target in the search area;
Search object information managing means for managing search object information in the search area;
Determining means for determining whether there is a search target in the search area based on the search target presence / absence information;
An information search apparatus comprising: search means for searching for a search target based on the search target information when the determination means determines that there is a search target. The search area is a directory and a file, and comprises a recording means for recording the directory and file, the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target information,
The information search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target information is created using information on the directory and / or file recorded in the recording unit.   3. The information search apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target information is written to and read from the recording unit in association with the directory and / or file.   The information search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search target is at least one of shooting conditions, date, time, file format, file attribute, and color information. The search target presence / absence information includes a search target searched first in the search area and a search target searched last.
The determination unit is configured to determine whether there is a search target by comparing a search target searched first in a search area to be searched next with a search target searched last in a previous search area. The information search device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The information search apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the search target is a directory or file corresponding to predetermined search target information.   The information search apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the search target is a directory or a file in which predetermined search target information changes.   8. The information search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the directory is a directory for storing image files conforming to the DCF standard. An information search method for searching a predetermined search object in a search area,
A search target presence / absence management step for managing search target presence / absence information indicating whether or not there is a search target in the search area;
A search object information management step for managing search object information in the search area;
A determination step of determining whether there is a search target in the search area based on the search target presence / absence information;
An information search method comprising: a search step of searching for a search target based on the search target information when the determination means determines that there is a search target. The search area is a directory and a file, and the directory and file, the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target information are recorded in a recording unit,
The information search method according to claim 9, wherein the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target information is created using information on the directory and / or file recorded in the recording unit.   11. The information search according to claim 9, wherein the search target presence / absence information and / or the search target information is written to and read from the recording unit in association with the directory and / or file. Method.   The information search method according to claim 9, wherein the search target is at least one of shooting conditions, date, time, file format, file attribute, and color information. The search target presence / absence information includes a search target searched first in the search area and a search target searched last.
In the determination step, it is determined whether there is a search target by comparing a search target to be searched first in a search area to be searched next with a search target to be searched at the end of a previous search area. The information search method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.   The information search method according to claim 10, wherein the search target is a directory or a file corresponding to predetermined search target information.   The information search method according to claim 10, wherein the search target is a directory or a file in which predetermined search target information changes.   The information search method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the directory is a directory for storing an image file compliant with the DCF standard.   A program for causing a computer of a recording / reproducing apparatus that captures, records, and reproduces an image to execute the information search method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 17.

Images