JP2010057073A - Album creating apparatus and album creating program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an album creating apparatus in which, when creating an album, a user does not feel unfairness by preventing the number of photographic images, in each of which a specific individual is photographed, from becoming too much or too little extremely. <P>SOLUTION: An album creating apparatus comprises: an image data storage unit 1B in which image data for album creation are stored; an album creation unit 1A for creating an album using a plurality of image data items stored in the image data storage unit 1B; a person extraction unit 15 for extracting a face image included in image data for each person; and an appearance number-of-times count unit 17 for counting the number of extracted face images for each person. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an album including an image data storage unit storing image data for creating an album, and an album creating unit that creates an album using a plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit The present invention relates to a creation device and an album creation program used in the album creation device.

  An example of an album created by such an album creating apparatus is a graduation album. The graduation album is composed of various event photos and snapshots in addition to personal photos of school students. Examples of event photos include image data taken at entrance ceremonies, excursions, school excursions, athletic festivals, graduation ceremonies and the like.

  When creating a graduation album, it is necessary to select image data to be used for the album from among a large number of image data (image data group). In such a case, when the number of images of a specific person becomes extremely large or small, unfairness occurs, so it is necessary to select image data fairly, but considering the number of images constituting the image data group, The manual selection operation is quite complicated and requires a lot of work time.

  As a technique for improving such a problem, an image processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. When an album is created by this image processing apparatus, a photographed image in which a specific subject is photographed is selected based on personal identification information associated with the photographed image. That is, an optimum album having different contents for each individual is created. As a result, an album satisfying each individual is created, and it is considered that unfairness is eliminated.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-210369

  However, creating graduation albums with different contents for each individual can satisfy the individual, but it is considered that complicated work is still required for album creation. Moreover, it cannot be said that it is preferable that the content of the graduation album differs between individuals. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the graduation album as much as possible while reducing unfairness.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that, when creating an album, there is no excessive increase or decrease in the number of photographic images taken by a specific individual. It is an object to provide an album creating apparatus that does not cause a feeling and an album creating program used in the album creating apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, an album creating apparatus according to the present invention provides:
An image data storage unit storing image data for creating an album;
An album creation unit that creates an album using a plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit;
A person extraction unit that extracts face images included in the image data by person;
And an appearance number counting unit that counts the number of extracted face images for each person.

  The operation and effect of the album creating apparatus having this configuration will be described. Image data in which a face image is taken is stored in the image data storage unit. An album is created using a plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit. For example, 100 pieces of image data are selected from 1000 pieces of image data. Various image selection methods are conceivable. For example, an example is a method in which an operator selects image data that is considered necessary as appropriate while sequentially displaying the image data on a monitor. Of course, the mode of image selection is not limited to this, and it is possible to adopt a configuration in which, for example, automatic selection is performed based on the shooting date / time data of the image data, instead of manual selection by the operator. In creating an album, all image data stored in the image data storage unit may be used.

  The created album may be an album that is actually printed out as a photo print (hardware) or an electronic album that can be viewed on a monitor screen.

  The person extraction unit extracts face images included in the image data for each person. A known technique can be used for the face recognition technique. When a person is photographed in the image data, face detection is performed and processing for specifying the person is also performed. When a plurality of persons are photographed in one image data, the persons are extracted for each of the plurality of persons. When face images are extracted for each person, the number of appearances is counted individually. Therefore, by confirming this count value, it can be confirmed whether or not the number of images of a specific individual is extremely increased or decreased. Thereby, it is possible to provide an album creating apparatus that does not cause an unfair feeling in creating an album.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a face image registration unit that registers face image data for each person in advance is provided, and the person extraction unit performs face image extraction for each person using the registered face image data as a reference image. .

  Face image data is registered for each person in advance, and is used as a reference image for extracting a face image. By preparing a reference image in advance, a person extraction process can be performed efficiently. For example, in the case of a graduation album, personal photos of all the students are always taken, and based on this, the reference image can be easily obtained.

  In the present invention, an image selection unit that selects image data for album creation from the large number of image data, and a selection restriction unit that limits the selection of image data so that the count value does not exceed a predetermined value. It is preferable to provide.

  With this image selection section, image data for creating an album can be selected from a large number of image data. For example, there is a method of displaying a list or thumbnail of image data on a screen and providing a screen selectable with a mouse or the like. Then, the number of appearances of the person photographed in the selected image data is counted, but the count value does not exceed a predetermined value. For example, a restriction is imposed so that five or more pieces of image data showing the same person are not selected. Therefore, for example, even if an attempt is made to select the sixth image data of the person, the selection cannot be made or a warning is displayed. Thereby, the frequency | count of appearance about a specific person can be restrict | limited within predetermined value.

  The appearance count unit according to the present invention preferably performs a count process in conjunction with an image data selection operation or a selection release operation.

  For example, each time one piece of image data is selected, the number of appearances can be counted for each person. Every time one sheet is selected (selection operation), count processing is performed. Then, the number of appearances is confirmed, and when a person whose count value is too large appears, image data in which the person is photographed is deleted (selection canceling operation). Along with this deletion, the count value of the photographed person is subtracted from the deleted image data. Thereby, image data can be selected while checking each image. However, the confirmation may be performed not for each image but for each predetermined number of image data or for each predetermined page.

In order to solve the above problems, an album creating program according to the present invention is used in the above album creating apparatus according to the present invention,
It is characterized by causing a computer to execute a person extraction process for extracting face images included in image data for each person and an appearance count process for counting the number of extracted face images for each person. .

  The operation and effect of the album creation program with this configuration is as described above. In other words, when face images are extracted by person, the number of appearances is counted individually, and by checking this count value, it can be confirmed whether the image of a specific individual has become extremely large or small. be able to. Thereby, it is possible to provide an album creation program that does not cause unfairness in album creation.

  A preferred embodiment of an album creating apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The main configuration of an album print system including the album creating apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Various types of albums are conceivable, but in the present embodiment, a description will be given taking graduation albums of elementary schools, junior high schools, and the like as examples.

<Configuration of album print system>
First, the album creating apparatus 1 will be described. The album creating apparatus 1 includes an album creating unit 1A and an image data storage unit 1B as main functions. The album creating unit 1A has functions necessary for creating album image data for creating an album, and is configured with software (album creating program) as a core. The image data storage unit 1B stores various image data necessary for creating an album. The image data storage unit 1B is configured by a mass storage device such as a hard disk or a DVD-R. The image data storage unit 1B may be a storage device built in the album creating apparatus 1 or an external type storage device.

  The image data storage unit 1B includes a snap image storage unit 100, a personal image storage unit 101, a reference image storage unit 102, an album image storage unit 103, and an album creation data storage unit 104. The snap image storage unit 100 stores various snap image data other than personal images. In the present invention, image data other than personal images is defined as snap image data. The snap image includes a photographic image that captures the scenery of the event inside and outside the school, and also includes a landscape image in which a person is not photographed. In addition, when a person is photographed, the number of persons is not particularly limited. There are cases where there are several people, and there are cases where a large number of people are photographed like a group photo of a class.

  The personal image storage unit 101 stores personal image data of students, teachers, office workers, and the like. Usually, in the case of graduation albums, face images of teachers and individual students in class units are posted. This face image is face image data of the upper body like an ID photo. Each personal image is linked with various information about the person along with the image data. For example, identification information representing the individual, name, date of birth, address, class name, and the like.

  The reference image storage unit 102 (corresponding to the face image registration unit) stores reference image data used when extracting face images by person. In the present embodiment, reference image data is created and registered based on the student's personal image stored in the personal image storage unit 101. The reference image data may be the same as the personal image data. However, in order to efficiently perform the extraction process, it is preferable to extract only the face portion of the upper body image as the reference image data.

  The album image storage unit 103 stores album image data necessary for creating an album. Using this album image data, the album can be printed on paper, and can be viewed online as an electronic album.

  The communication unit 11 is a transmission / reception unit for various data, and is configured by a known communication unit. For example, it has a function of capturing image data from a storage medium mounted at the storage medium reading position 2 and a function of transmitting image data to the storage medium.

  The image data storage processing unit 12 executes processing for storing the image data captured via the communication unit 11 and the album image data created by the album creation unit 1A in the image data storage unit 1B. The image data read processing unit 13 executes processing for reading various image data stored in the image data storage unit 1B.

  The image selection unit 14 provides a function of selecting image data used for creating an album from among a large number of image data stored in the image data storage unit 1B. Specifically, a predetermined number of images are displayed on the monitor screen, and the operator is made to select by appropriate input means.

  The person extraction unit 15 provides a function of extracting a face image for each person when a person is photographed in the image data. This extraction has a function of not only the presence of a person image but also identification of who the person is. When a plurality of persons are photographed in the image data, who is the plurality of persons is extracted.

  A known technique can be used as the face authentication technique when extracting a person. For example, if a feature point such as eyes, nose, or mouth is found on the face image, and the extracted face image is similar to the feature point of the reference image, it can be regarded as the same person. . For example, feature points such as the center of the pupil, the inner and outer edges of the eye, and the center of the forehead are extracted, and the mouth and eye width and the distance between the pupil and the pupil are obtained as feature points from these coordinates. be able to.

  For the image data once subjected to the person extraction process, the data is stored in a form linked with the extracted person identification information. For image data in which a plurality of persons are photographed, identification information of the plurality of persons is associated. As a result, when image data selection is performed again, it is not necessary to perform extraction processing again for the same image data, so that the image data selection operation can be performed efficiently.

  The reference image creation unit 16 provides a function of creating reference image data when the person extraction unit 15 extracts a person. The reference image data is created based on the personal image data stored in the personal image storage unit 101. As described above, it is preferable to extract only the face portion from the upper body image and use it as reference image data. That is, it is only necessary to have the minimum data necessary for extracting the feature points of each person. Note that it is preferable that the reference image data is prepared not only for the front image of the face but also for the face image not facing the front, such as a side image, as the reference image data.

  The appearance count unit 17 counts the number of face images extracted by the person extraction unit 15 for each person. In other words, when creating a graduation album, you must consider how many photos of each student will be published. In the case of a graduation album, it is necessary to select image data to be used for the album from among a large number of image data. When the number of images of a specific person becomes extremely large or small, unfairness is generated. It would be extremely cumbersome for the album creator to manually count the number of appearances of each student.

  Therefore, by providing the appearance number counting unit 17 as described above, the number of appearances of each person can be reliably counted. The operator can check whether the number of appearances is extremely biased while looking at the counted result. If there is a bias, other image data can be selected again using the image selection function of the image selection unit 14. As a result, it is possible to create an album without unfairness among students, and the labor for that is considerably reduced.

  Various timings can be set for the counting. For example, each time one or a predetermined number of image data is selected by the image selection unit 14, person extraction by the person extraction unit 15 can be performed and counting can be performed. That is, each time one (predetermined) image data is selected, the number of appearances of each individual is added and counted. When the selection of image data is canceled, the count of the number of appearances of persons included in the deleted image data is subtracted. Thereby, the appearance frequency can be grasped in real time.

  The count reference setting unit 170 sets a reference when the appearance number counting unit 17 counts the face image extracted by the person extracting unit 15. Even if a face image is included in the image data, if it is not evaluated that the person is photographed, it is considered unnecessary to count. For example, when a person is photographed at the edge of the image data, it is difficult to determine who the face image is too small, when the face image is not facing the front, eyes are closed, etc. If you think the expression is not suitable for the album, you can use it. Various criteria for performing such counting are conceivable, and the present invention is not limited to specific contents. In addition, it is preferable that the operator can arbitrarily set which criterion is actually used among many criteria.

  The appearance count totaling unit 171 counts the number of appearances of each person (student) counted by the appearance count counting unit 17 and creates data in a form that is easy to see on the monitor. For example, data that can display a person name (identification information) and the number of appearances in a graph is created.

  The selection restriction unit 18 has a function of restricting selection of image data so that the count value does not exceed a predetermined value. In other words, a restriction is imposed so that the photograph image of a specific individual does not exceed a predetermined value, in other words, not so many are selected. For example, the number of photos posted on the graduation album can be limited so as not to exceed five. About this predetermined value, it can set suitably.

  Therefore, when certain image data is selected, a person is extracted, and the number of appearances is counted, when the count value for a specific student becomes 6, the selection is controlled to be limited.

  The count warning unit 172 provides a function for warning a monitor or the like that the number of appearances for a specific person has exceeded a predetermined value. Various forms of warning are possible. For example, a method of displaying a student name whose count value exceeds a predetermined value and displaying a list of image data (a file name, a thumbnail image, etc.) in which the face image of the student is captured in a separate window is conceivable. In addition, an audio warning may be given.

  As a coping method when the count value exceeds a predetermined value, for example, the following method can be considered. As described above, the thumbnail display of image data is displayed as a list, and the operator cancels the selection while viewing the thumbnails. In the above example, 6 thumbnails are displayed, and any one of them can be deleted. Alternatively, a method of preventing the selection of the most recently selected image data can be considered.

  The album creation data storage unit 104 stores album template information. The album template information includes, for example, the number of images per page, the arrangement of images, the arrangement of related character information, the arrangement of handwritten fields, and additional images.

  The order management unit 110 has a function of managing an order for each type of album to be created. The order information is composed of image data such as personal images and snap images constituting the album, the number of albums to be created, the name of the requested school, and the like. The image data stored in the image data storage unit 1B is managed in units of orders, and identification information is assigned to each order to identify the order.

  The album image data creation unit 111 creates album image data for creating an album using the image data finally selected and determined, student image data, and the like. The created album image data is stored in the album image storage unit 103.

  The print control unit 112 has a function of controlling the printer 3 so that an album can be created using the created album image data. That is, the created album image data is transmitted to the printer 3 via the communication unit 11. The printer 3 may be a silver salt printer or an ink jet printer, and is not limited to a printer having a specific structure.

  The display control unit 113 controls the display content on the monitor screen so that processing up to album creation can be performed appropriately. Further, display screen data as a user interface that can perform various operations is provided to the monitor 4.

  As the monitor 4, various types of monitors 4 such as liquid crystal, plasma, and CRT can be used. In addition, a keyboard and a mouse are provided as the input means 5.

  At the storage medium reading position 2, a storage medium storing image data necessary for creating an album is loaded. As the storage medium, various storage media such as a CD-R, a USB memory, a compact flash (registered trademark), and a smart media (registered trademark) are used. Further, the image data may be captured not via the storage medium but via a network such as the Internet.

<Album creation procedure>
Next, the procedure for creating an album will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the monitor screen of FIG.

  First, an order is selected (S1). The order may be selected by displaying an order list based on the function of the order management unit 110 and selecting an order to be processed. After selecting the order, it is determined whether or not to create reference image data (S2). If the reference image data has already been created and registered, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In order to create the reference image data, the personal image data is read from the personal image storage unit 101 (S2-1). This personal image data is used to publish the face images of individual students in the graduation album. A display example of a personal image in the graduation album is shown in FIG. Personal images are posted in class units, and are usually images of the upper body facing the front.

  After the personal image data is read out, reference image data is created by the function of the reference image creation unit 16 based on this (S2-2). FIG. 4 conceptually shows an image when the reference image data is created from the personal image data. The reference image data is composed only of data necessary for face authentication. As shown in FIG. 4B, portions unnecessary for face authentication, such as background images and upper body, such as clothing other than the face and tie, are cut data.

  Reference image data for all students is created. In the graduation album, only personal images taken from the front are listed as personal images, but it is preferable to create reference image data for images taken from the side (side profile). This is because the face is not always facing the front in the snapshot. If the side image is taken together with the front image when taking a personal image, it does not take much time and effort. The side images are preferably taken from both the left and right sides.

  The obtained reference image data is stored in the reference image storage unit 102 (S2-3). The reference image data for each person is stored together with identification information for specifying an individual student. In addition, when there is reference image data for the front image and the left and right side images, identification information for distinguishing each is separately provided.

  When the creation of the reference image data is finished, image data such as a snap image used for the album is read from the snap image storage unit 100. The read image data is displayed on the monitor 3, and a configuration example of the display screen 30 is shown in FIG. Since the number of target image data may be quite large, it is divided into a plurality of pages and displayed in order.

  The number of images that can be displayed on one screen at a time can be set on another menu screen. In the example of FIG. 5, twelve pieces of image data are displayed, but the number of displayed images can be changed as appropriate. A page display area 31 is provided at the lower right of the screen, and in the example shown in the figure, the first page of 100 pages is displayed. When shifting to another page, the page shift button 32 or the page number input area 33 can be used.

  When selecting a displayed snap image or the like, the displayed image may be clicked with the mouse (S4). As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the selected thumbnail image can be recognized by making its edge thicker. Click the selected thumbnail image again to cancel the selection. Note that the image selection / deselection method is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be considered. For example, a list of image data file names may be displayed and selected from the list.

  Next, a person extraction process is performed on the selected image data based on the function of the person extraction unit 15 (S5). Since an extraction button 34 is provided to perform person extraction, the extraction process is started by clicking this button. For the selected image data, a process of specifying a person using the reference image data is performed, and the number of appearances is counted for each person (S6). Then, the counting result obtained by counting is displayed as a separate window as shown in FIG. 6 (S7).

  FIG. 6 shows a display example of the total result, and the number of appearances is shown in a graph for each student of each class. Here, 5 sheets are set as the upper limit value of the number of appearances, and 2 sheets are set as the lower limit value. There are restrictions so that each student appears as evenly as possible and not too many. In addition, the minimum number of appearances can be secured. Various display examples are conceivable and may be displayed numerically.

  If the result of counting the number of appearances is OK, the process proceeds to the next step (S8). If the number of appearances exceeds 5 for a specific person, a warning is displayed by the function of the count warning unit 172 (S8-1). In the example of FIG. 6, since the number of appearances of the student B2 of class B is 6, a warning message “The number is over! Please deselect the image.” Is displayed. In addition, since various modifications can be considered for the form of the warning display, it is not limited to this. Further, a warning by voice may be performed.

  The image selection can be canceled by clicking a thumbnail image in which the student B2 is photographed on the image selection screen shown in FIG. 5 (S8-2). However, searching for a thumbnail image in which the student B2 is photographed becomes more complicated as the total number of image data increases.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable to launch another window that displays only the thumbnail images in which the student B2 is photographed. Such a screen can be launched by, for example, clicking on the graph area of student B2 in FIG. Clicking on any one of the six thumbnail images shown in FIG. 7 cancels the selection of the image data. Since at least one selection may be canceled, two or three may be deselected. When the selection of the thumbnail image to be canceled is completed, the OK button 300 is selected.

  Next, the count value of the number of appearances is calculated again (S8-3). When the image is deselected, the image is counted again because there is a possibility that not only the student B2 but also other students are photographed. The total of the results of the counting is as shown in FIG. If there is no warning display as a result of the counting, it is OK (S8).

  When the processing for the page shown in FIG. 5 is completed, it is determined whether or not selection has been completed for all image data (S9). If not completed, the process returns to step S4 and the same operation is repeated again. When all the selection operations and the confirmation of the number of appearances are completed, the confirmation button 35 may be clicked.

  As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable that, even when the number of appearances for a specific student B2 exceeds a predetermined value, the student B2 is not allowed to select image data taken. For example, if another thumbnail image shown in FIG. 5 is to be selected in the state where the counting result of FIG. 6 is displayed, if student B2 is also photographed in the thumbnail image to be selected, add It is possible to adopt a configuration that cannot be selected. A configuration example of the display screen in that case is shown in FIG.

  If the number of appearances exceeds the upper limit, the selection is canceled on the screen shown in FIG. 7 or the like, but the number of appearances of other students falls below the lower limit (two in FIG. 6) by the selection canceling operation. It is preferable to issue a warning even when one (one). As a result, the operator can be alerted so as not to cancel the selection more than necessary.

  It should be noted that correction processing can also be performed on each image data displayed in FIG. For example, by double-clicking an arbitrary thumbnail image, a correction processing screen can be launched and correction processing can be performed. For example, special corrections such as color / density correction, red-eye correction, gradation correction, and trimming can be performed. The correction data is stored in a form associated with each image data.

  By clicking the confirmation button 35, the processed content is saved as data for creating an album. The file name, correction data, etc. of the selected image data are saved and managed as part of the order data (S10).

  Next, an album editing operation is performed using the selected image data (S11). Since the work after step S11 can be separated from the work up to S10, the album editing work may be performed at a later date after being stored as album creation data as described above. Note that the processing content up to step S10 is stored as data, but can be redone. For example, the selection or deselection of image data can be edited again.

  With respect to album editing, it is possible to perform operations such as layout, size adjustment, and trimming of selected image data while viewing a monitor screen using a template for album creation. These operations can be performed by a known technique.

  When the album editing is completed, album image data is created (S12). The created data is stored in the album image storage unit 103 (S13). The created album image data is transmitted to the printer 3, and the album image is printed on paper (S14). Instead of printing on paper, it can also be provided as an online album by using the created album image data and album browsing software, via the Internet, or directly installed on a personal computer.

  According to the album print system (album creation device and album creation program) as described above, the number of appearances is counted for each individual (student). You can check whether the number is increasing or decreasing. This makes it possible to provide an album that eliminates unfairness among students in creating the album.

<Another embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the graduation album is given as a specific example of the album, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of a graduation album, it may be an album for a specific event, such as a school excursion, a sports festival, a cultural festival, or a club event. It can also be applied to albums of specific events created in organizations other than schools, such as offices. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to albums such as albums for traveling with friends and events of neighborhood associations.

  Various modifications can be considered for the timing of the person extraction process by the person extraction unit 15 and the counting / counting timing of the number of appearances. The person extraction and the appearance count may be performed for all image data stored in advance. In this case, the calculation processing time for extraction / counting can be omitted, so that each time image data is selected, the total number of appearances can be displayed in a short time.

  In this embodiment, the person extraction and the appearance count are performed for each page of the screen (12 display images), but the person extraction and the appearance count may be performed every time one image is selected. Further, the person extraction and the appearance count may be performed after all the selection of images is completed. As described above, various modification examples are possible for the timing of image selection / deselection / person extraction / appearance count.

  The method for selecting and deselecting an image may be performed by a selection button / deselection button 36 as shown in FIG. 5 as well as by clicking a thumbnail image as in this embodiment. In this case, the selection / deselection of images may be performed one image at a time, or a plurality of images may be performed together.

  As an image selection method, the thumbnail image may not be clicked on the screen, but may be performed based on shooting date / time data or comment data attached to the image data. In addition, the above-mentioned incidental data may be used for narrowing down a large number of image data. That is, after narrowing down image data in advance, it may be displayed on the monitor screen.

  In this embodiment, a warning is displayed when the number of appearances for a specific individual exceeds a predetermined value (five), but a warning is also displayed when the predetermined value (for example, two) is not reached. It is preferable. As a result, it is possible to prompt the user to select image data taken by an individual whose number of appearances is insufficient. Thereby, the frequency | count that each student appears can be made equal as much as possible, and an unfair feeling can be eliminated. Needless to say, the predetermined value can be set as appropriate.

  In this embodiment, when performing person extraction, a configuration in which reference image data is created in advance is employed, but a configuration other than this can also be employed. For example, every time a person is extracted from a large number of image data stored in the snap image storage unit 100, a method of sequentially registering a person as reference image data reference image data may be employed.

The figure which shows the main composition of the album print system including the album creation device Flow chart showing the procedure to create an album The figure which shows the example of a display of the personal image in a graduation album The figure which shows the image conceptually when making standard picture data from personal picture data The figure which shows the structural example of an image selection screen The figure which shows the example of the display which counted the count result of the number of appearances The figure which shows the example of composition of the screen which cancels selection The figure which shows the structural example of the display screen when making selection of an image impossible

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Album creation apparatus 1A Album creation part 1B Image data preservation | save part 3 Printer 14 Image selection part 15 Person extraction part 16 Reference | standard image creation part 17 Appearance count part 18 Selection restriction part 100 Snap image etc. preservation | save part 101 Personal image preservation | save part 102 Reference | standard Image storage unit (face image registration unit)
103 album image storage unit 170 count reference setting unit 171 appearance count totaling unit 172 count warning unit

Claims (5)

An image data storage unit storing image data for creating an album;
An album creation unit that creates an album using a plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit;
A person extraction unit that extracts face images included in the image data by person;
An album creating apparatus comprising: an appearance count counting unit that counts the number of extracted face images for each person.   2. A face image registration unit for registering face image data for each person in advance, wherein the person extraction unit extracts a face image for each person using the registered face image data as a reference image. 1. The album creating apparatus according to 1. An image selection unit for selecting image data for creating an album from the plurality of image data;
The album creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a selection restriction unit that restricts selection of image data so that the count value does not exceed a predetermined value.   The album creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the appearance count section performs a count process in conjunction with an image data selection operation or a selection release operation. An album creating program used in the album creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A person extraction process for extracting face images included in the image data by person,
An album creation program for causing a computer to perform appearance frequency counting processing for counting the number of extracted face images by person.

Images