JP2004072383A - Classification of image file - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for reducing the burden on a user in classifying image files. <P>SOLUTION: An image classifying apparatus classifies a plurality of image files. Each of the plurality of image files has image data and image attribute information representing attributes of the image data. This image classifying apparatus is provided with an image file classifying section for classifying the plurality of image files corresponding to the image attribute information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for classifying image files.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, it has become common practice to take a photograph using a digital still camera (DSC) and store image data representing the photograph in a computer. Accordingly, it has been desired to manage a large amount of image data in a computer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with the increase in the number of image data stored in the computer, management of the image data has placed an excessive burden on the user. On the other hand, as the recording capacity of a recording medium that can be used by a digital still camera increases, the management load of image files stored in the recording medium also tends to increase.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem in the related art, and has as its object to provide a technique for reducing a burden on a user when classifying image files.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the present invention is an image classification device that classifies a plurality of image files, wherein each of the plurality of image files represents image data and an attribute of the image data. And an image file classification unit that classifies the plurality of image files according to the image attribute information.
[0006]
According to the image classification device of the present invention, a plurality of image files are semi-automatically classified according to the image attribute information included in the image files, so that the burden on the user in classifying the image files can be reduced. it can.
[0007]
In the image classification device, the image attribute information includes position information indicating a geographical position at the time of shooting, and the image file classification unit classifies the plurality of image files according to at least the position information. Is also good.
[0008]
However, in this case, when a part of the plurality of image files does not include the position information as the image attribute information, the image file classifying unit may include another image file among the plurality of image files. It is preferable that the configuration is such that the position information of the part of the image files can be estimated based on at least a part of the position information of the file.
[0009]
In this way, even when some of the image files do not store the position information, all the image files can be classified.
[0010]
Further, the image file classification unit may be configured to perform the classification based on an absolute geographic range, or may be configured to perform the classification based on a relative geographic range. May be.
[0011]
In the image classification device, the image attribute information may include time information indicating a time at the time of shooting, and the image file classification unit may classify the plurality of image files according to at least the time information. .
[0012]
The image classification device further includes a user interface for allowing a user to change the range of the classification, wherein the image file classification unit changes the range of the classification in accordance with an input from the user interface. It is preferable that it is comprised so that it can perform. In this way, finer classification according to the user's request can be performed.
[0013]
In the image classification device, the image file classification unit generates an image management file in which image attribute information is stored in a database for each of the image files, and classifies the plurality of image files using the generated image management file. Is preferably performed. This is because the time required for the classification process can be shortened.
[0014]
An image file writing device of the present invention is an image file writing device that writes information to an image file including image data and image attribute information indicating an attribute of the image data, and the image classification device according to any one of the above. A classification information obtaining unit that obtains classification information used for the classification, and an image file writing unit that writes the obtained classification information into the image file as the image attribute information.
[0015]
According to the image file writing device of the present invention, classification information can be written into an image file as image attribute information of the image file. As a result, classification and management using the classification information in the image file can be performed, thereby enabling flexible management regardless of the storage position of the image file in the storage area.
[0016]
The present invention can be realized in various modes, for example, an image file classification method, a computer program for realizing the functions of the method or the apparatus, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and a computer It can be realized in the form of a data signal including a program and embodied in a carrier wave.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Configuration of image processing system:
B. Structure of image file:
C. Image file classification processing in the first embodiment:
D. Image file classification processing in the second embodiment:
E. FIG. Image File Classification Processing in Third Embodiment:
F. Modification:
[0018]
A. Configuration of image processing system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing system 10 as one embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system 10 includes a digital still camera 12 as an input device that generates original image data, a personal computer PC as an image processing device that performs image processing on the original image data generated by the digital still camera 12, A color printer 20 as an output device for outputting the processed image.
[0019]
The digital still camera 12, the personal computer PC, and the color printer 20 can be mutually connected by a cable CV. When connected by the cable CV, the digital still camera 12 and the like can transmit and receive image files via the cable CV. Even when not connected by the cable CV, the digital still camera 12 and the like can exchange image files using the memory card MC.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the digital still camera 12 as an input device for generating image data. The digital still camera 12 is a camera that electrically records still images by forming an image on a charge-coupled device (CCD) through an optical lens.
[0021]
The digital still camera 12 includes a circuit group for generating image data, a circuit group for positioning, and a control circuit 124 for controlling these circuits. A circuit group for generating image data includes circuits such as an optical circuit 121, an image acquisition circuit 122, and an image processing circuit 123. The group of circuits for positioning includes a GPS circuit 128, a GPS antenna 129, and a mobile phone interface circuit 125. The digital still camera 12 further includes a selection / decision button 126 as a user interface, and a liquid crystal display 127 used as a preview of a captured image and a user interface.
[0022]
Each circuit for generating image data has the following functions. The optical circuit 121 converts an optical signal into an electric signal using a CCD. The image acquisition circuit 122 acquires an image by controlling the optical circuit 121 and generates image data. The image processing circuit 123 performs processing of the image data generated as described above.
[0023]
Each circuit for positioning has the following functions. A GPS (GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) antenna 129 receives radio waves from GPS satellites. The GPS circuit 128 obtains position information indicating the geographical position of the digital still camera 12 by analyzing this radio wave. In recent years, since the capability of the GPS positioning system has been improved, it is possible to acquire position information with an accuracy of several meters, for example, even in a room in the center away from the window of an office building.
[0024]
The mobile phone interface circuit 125 inputs the position information obtained by the mobile phone to the GPS circuit. Acquisition of location information by a mobile phone is performed by using radio waves of a base station, so that location information can be acquired even in a place where reception of GPS radio waves is extremely difficult, such as an underground mall. As such a positioning method, for example, there is a method called gpsOne (trademark) of Qualcomm Corporation.
[0025]
The photographing process (acquisition process of image data) by the digital still camera 12 includes (1) updating of GPS data, (2) setting of a photographing mode by a user, (3) photographing (inputting of image data), and (4) image processing. , (5) recording of image files.
[0026]
The update of the GPS data is performed using a user interface such as the liquid crystal display 127 and the selection / decision button 126. When the user instructs the update, the GPS circuit 128 is activated, and the position information is generated according to the radio wave from the GPS satellite. When the position information is generated, this information is stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory included in the image acquisition circuit 122, and “GPS_OK” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 127.
[0027]
As described above, updating the position information in response to an instruction from the user saves the power consumed for acquiring the position information and reduces the power consumption of the battery included in the digital still camera 12. That's why. However, it is more preferable to provide a mode for constantly updating the position information. This is because such an operation may be desired.
[0028]
In a mode in which the position information is constantly updated, if the position information cannot be acquired at the time of shooting, the shooting position is estimated based on the position information of the image file GF taken before and after the time. Is preferable.
[0029]
When the mobile phone PP is connected to the digital still camera 12, position information is further generated using information from the mobile phone PP. However, when the radio wave from the GPS satellite is not received, the position information is generated using only the information from the mobile phone PP.
[0030]
The imaging is performed by the user pressing the shutter after the acquisition of the position information and the setting of the imaging mode. When the shutter is pressed, the image acquisition circuit 122 generates an original image by controlling the optical circuit 121 to convert the input light into an electric signal. When the original image data is generated, image processing for storage is performed on the image data.
[0031]
This image processing is a pre-processing for storing in the memory card MC. Generally, original image data is converted into a JPEG format suitable for storing a photographic image. After the conversion into the JPEG format, the shooting information PI is added to the converted image data to generate an image file.
[0032]
The shooting information PI is information indicating shooting conditions, and includes position information indicating a shooting position. This position information is information stored in the nonvolatile memory of the image acquisition circuit 122 as described above. The photographing process in the digital still camera 12 is completed by recording the image file on the memory card MC. The configuration of the image file will be described later.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a computer PC and a color printer 20 as output devices for outputting image data. The computer PC includes a slot 22 from which an image file can be read from the memory card MC, and a print data generation circuit 23 for generating print data for causing the color printer 20 to perform printing.
[0034]
The print data generation circuit 23 includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 231 that executes arithmetic processing for generating print data, a hard disk 232 that stores a program executed by the CPU 231, an arithmetic processing result of the CPU 231, and other data. And a random access memory (RAM) 233 for temporarily storing programs and data. The print data generation circuit 23 further has a function of performing image processing performed before generating print data and classifying image files.
[0035]
The hard disk 232 of the computer PC stores an image management file used for managing each image file, a geographic information database described later, and image processing software capable of managing the image files. These roles will be described later.
[0036]
The color printer 20 is a printer that can output a color image. The color printer 20 discharges four colors of ink, for example, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) onto a print medium to form a dot pattern, thereby forming a print image. This is an inkjet printer to be formed.
[0037]
B. Image file structure:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the structure of the image file GF in each embodiment of the present invention. The image file GF has a file structure in accordance with the digital still camera image file format standard (Exif). This standard is defined by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA). This standard specifies that a JPEG-Exif file that stores JPEG data of a compression type as image data is included in an Exif file (an Exif standard file).
[0038]
The image file GF includes an SOI marker segment 101 indicating the head of the compressed data, an APP1 marker segment 102 storing Exif attached information, an APP2 marker segment 103 storing Exif extended data, and a DQT marker defining a quantization table. A segment 104, a DHT marker segment 105 that defines a Huffman table, a DRI marker segment 106 that defines an interval for inserting a restart marker, an SOF marker segment 107 indicating various parameters related to a frame, and an SOS marker indicating various parameters related to scanning. It includes a segment 108, an EOI marker segment 109 indicating the end of the compressed data, and an image data storage area 110.
[0039]
The APP1 marker segment 102 stores an APP1 marker 1021, an Exif identification code 1022, a TIFF header and other attached information 1023, and a thumbnail image 1024. The attached information 1023 has a TIFF structure including a file header (TIFF header). In Exif-JPEG, 0th IFD for storing attached information related to compressed image data, and Exif specific information including shooting information PI. It includes an Exif IFD that stores additional information, a GPS Info IFD that stores GPS measurement information, and a first IFD that stores additional information related to thumbnail images. The GPS Info IFD is pointed by an offset from the TIFF header stored in the 0th IFD. In the GPS Info IFD, a tag is used to specify each piece of information, and each piece of information may be referred to by a tag name.
[0040]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the additional information stored in the GPS Info IFD of the image file GF. This additional information includes, in addition to position information (tag numbers: 1 to 4) indicating a geographical position such as latitude and longitude at the time of shooting, speed, shooting direction, and time at the time of shooting (Coordinated Universal Time: Coordinated Universal Time) Can also be included. Recording of the photographing information PI including these additional information is performed at the time of photographing by the digital still camera 12 as described above.
[0041]
C. Image file classification processing in the first embodiment:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine for classifying image files in the computer PC. In step S110, the user starts the image processing software after copying each image file GF from the memory card MC to a predetermined area of the hard disk 232. When the image processing software is started, a start window W1 of the image processing software shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In the window W1, thumbnail images of the respective image files GF copied in a predetermined area are displayed. The thumbnail image is displayed based on the thumbnail image data 1024 (FIG. 4) read from the image file GF.
[0042]
In this window W1, when the user selects "classify" from the file menu, information representing the latitude and position information representing the longitude of the photographing information PI are read from each image file GF (step S120). In step S130, the CPU 231 generates an image management file for managing the image file using the read position information.
[0043]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the image management file. The image management file is configured as a management database. In this management database, a record is provided for each image file GF. For example, in this example, eight image files GF are managed.
[0044]
Items in the management database include an item representing latitude, an item representing longitude, an item representing geographic information, and an item representing a storage position of each image file GF. Items representing latitude include items such as “north-south”, “degrees”, “minutes”, and “seconds”. Items representing longitude include items such as “east-west”, “degree”, “minute”, and “second”. Items representing geographic information include items such as “point”, “city”, “prefecture”, and “country”. The item indicating the storage location of the image file GF includes a directory and an image file name of each image file GF for managing an image file group including eight image files GF. The "point" means a sightseeing point or other geographical points.
[0045]
The file shown in FIG. 8 is a state in which the information indicating the latitude read from each image file GF, the position information indicating the longitude, and the storage position of each image file GF are written by the CPU 231. The information indicating the latitude is information read from GPSLatitudeRef (tag number: 1) and GPSLatitude (tag number: 2) in the GPS Info IFD. The information representing the longitude is information read from GPSLongitudeRef (tag number: 3) and GPSLongitude (tag number: 4). The item indicating the geographic information is blank at the present time.
[0046]
In step S140, the CPU 231 searches the geographic information database for each record of the image management file. This search is a process for acquiring a place name and other geographic information according to the position information stored in each record. In this embodiment, the geographic information database is stored on the hard disk 232 of the personal computer PC.
[0047]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the geographic information database. As shown in FIG. 9A, the geographic information database has database items such as latitude, longitude, priority, and geographic information. Among these database items, an item storing latitude and an item storing longitude are used as search keys. The item of the priority is an item for selecting one record from a plurality of records when the records are searched. When one record is selected, data is output from the geographic information item of that record.
[0048]
The priority value is determined so that more detailed geographic information can be obtained. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, a record having data in a point item has a priority of “1”, and a record having a blank point item has a priority of “1”. Records with blank items of point and city are defined with a priority of "3", and records with blank items of points, city and prefecture are defined with a priority of "4". For example, no. The record of No. 1 has no data in the items of the point and the city as the geographic information (blank), so the priority is set to “3”.
[0049]
FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing the relative relationship between the records. Each of the plurality of rectangles is a rectangular area determined by a search key such as a minimum latitude, a maximum latitude, a minimum longitude, and a maximum longitude of each record. For example, if the position information read from the image file GF indicates the position of P1, the second record is searched and the geographic information of "Yokohama" is output.
[0050]
On the other hand, when the position information read from the image file GF indicates the position of P2, a plurality of records (the second and fourth records) are searched. When a plurality of records are selected, the CPU 231 selects a record having a higher priority (a value of the priority is smaller). As a result, the fourth record is selected, and “Yamashita Park”, “Yokohama City”, and other geographic information are output.
[0051]
In general, geographic points and cities have various shapes, but a rectangle may be roughly set to include, for example, a geographic point. This is because the burden on the user is reduced even if the image files are simply classified according to the rough geographic information.
[0052]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the position information of each image file GF managed by the image management file (FIG. 8) and the geographic information database. FIG. 10 is a diagram in which the position information of each image file GF is plotted in the diagram of FIG. 9B. As can be seen from FIG. 10 and the above description, the geographic information “Minato Mirai 21 (registered trademark)” is output for the image files GF having the image numbers 1 to 4, and the image file GF having the image number 5 is output. , And the geographic information of "Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise (registered trademark)" is output for the image file GF having the image number of 6 to 8 for "Yokohama City". The output geographic information is stored in a predetermined area of the image management file (FIG. 8) (Step S150).
[0053]
In step S160, the CPU 231 performs a classification process (sort) according to the geographic information stored in the image management file. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an image management file in which geographic information is stored and how the image files are classified. The geographic information stored in the image management file (FIG. 11A) can be used for classifying image files. More specifically, the image file group can be classified into hierarchies of “country”, “prefecture”, “city”, and “point”.
[0054]
In this example, since all eight image files GF are common to "country", "prefecture", and "city", this image file group is all classified as "Yokohama". This image file group can be subdivided in the hierarchy of “points”. Specifically, it is classified into "Minato Mirai 21", "Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise", and "Other". The image file GF classified as “other” is an image management file whose “point” is blank. As a result, it is possible to perform classification having a hierarchy as shown in FIG.
[0055]
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W2 showing thumbnail images of the classified images. The title of the window W2 shows the characters “Yokohama” in which all of the image file groups are classified. Window W2 has three pages with tabs TAB. These pages include a page displaying thumbnail images of four image files GF classified as “Minato Mirai 21” and a page displaying thumbnail images of three image files GF classified as “Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise”. And a page displaying a thumbnail image of one image file GF classified as “other”.
[0056]
In FIG. 12, thumbnail images of image files GF of image numbers 1 to 4 classified as “Minato Mirai 21” are displayed. The other classified images can be displayed by clicking a tab TAB of “Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise” or “Others”.
[0057]
As described above, in the first embodiment, since a plurality of image files are automatically classified according to the position information included in the image file GF, the burden on the user when classifying the image files can be reduced. it can.
[0058]
Note that the CPU 231 functions as an “image file classification unit” in the claims. The position information is information included in the “image attribute information” in the present embodiment.
[0059]
D. Image file classification processing in the second embodiment:
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W3 when the image processing software is started in the second embodiment of the present invention. The window W3 is different from the window W1 of the first embodiment (FIG. 7) in having a “classification menu”. In the window W3, when the user selects “classify by shooting location” from the category menu, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. On the other hand, when the user selects “classify by shooting location and date” from the category menu, the date is also used for classification. As a result, a plurality of image file groups having different shooting dates even when the shooting times are the same are classified separately.
[0060]
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W4 showing thumbnail images of the image files GF classified in the second embodiment. In this example, it is assumed that shooting was performed on July 6 and July 7 at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. Specifically, it is assumed that images 6 and 7 were shot on July 6, and an image 8 was shot on July 7. As a result, the image file group that was classified as Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is subdivided into two image files, one image file group shot on July 6 and the other image file group shot on July 7, at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. Has been Of these, the window W4 displays thumbnail images of two image files GF taken on July 6 at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.
[0061]
As described above, in the second embodiment, the plurality of image files GF are automatically classified according to the date in addition to the position information included in the image file GF. Has the advantage that the burden on the user can be further reduced.
[0062]
E. FIG. Image File Classification Processing in Third Embodiment:
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W5 when the image processing software is activated according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The window W5 differs from the window W3 of the second embodiment (FIG. 13) in that “classification on a map” is added to the classification menu.
[0063]
Here, the window W5 is a display after the classification in the second embodiment has already been performed by the user selecting “classification by shooting location and date” in the classification menu. As can be seen from FIG. 15, the image file group is all classified as Tokyo Disney Resort (registered trademark), and is subdivided into two for shooting on July 6 and for shooting on July 7. . In this state, if the user selects “classify on map” in the classification menu, the user can manually classify the image file group on the map.
[0064]
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an interface screen and an image management file used for manual classification according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16A shows a state in which shooting points of each image file GF are superimposed on a graphic image representing a map. The graphic image representing the map has been read from the hard disk 232. The photographing point is indicated by a black circle on this image.
[0065]
The graphic image is displayed at the maximum scale at which all photographing points are included in order to facilitate the operation by the user. Characters such as “Tokyo Disneyland (registered trademark)”, “Tokyo DisneySea (registered trademark)”, and “ABC Hotel” in the graphic image are displayed not as text information but as part of the graphic image.
[0066]
If the user desires to classify the eight image files GF into three of “Tokyo Disneyland”, “Tokyo Disneyland”, and “ABC Hotel” on this screen, for example, the following operation is performed. Can be processed.
(1) Select a black circle in the area of “Tokyo Disneyland” with the mouse.
(2) Click the right mouse button with one of the selected black circles. As a result, a text input screen (not shown) is displayed.
(3) On this text input screen, enter the characters "Tokyo Disneyland".
(4) The same processing is repeated for “Tokyo DisneySea” and “ABC Hotel”.
(5) Click an "input end button" (not shown).
[0067]
FIG. 16B is an example of an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the image management file in which the information input by the user as described above is stored. By performing the same processing as in each of the above-described embodiments based on the image management file, the classification desired by the user can be performed. In this example, the item indicating the position information and the item indicating the storage position are omitted.
[0068]
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W6 showing a thumbnail image of each image file GF classified in the third embodiment. As can be seen from the window W6, the image files GF classified as Tokyo Disney Resort for the shooting on July 6 and July 7 are changed to “Tokyo Disneyland (7/6)” and “ABC Hotel (7 / 6) "and" Tokyo DisneySea (7/7) ".
[0069]
Specifically, the image file GF photographed by 3:47 pm on July 6 is classified as “Tokyo Disneyland (7/6)”, and as shown in FIG. The two image files GF taken at 8:12 pm and 8:21 pm were “ABC Hotel (7/6)”, and the subsequent image files GF were “Tokyo DisneySea (7/7)” Each is classified.
[0070]
As described above, in the third embodiment, a plurality of image files are further semi-automatically classified according to the geographical information input by the user, so that the degree of freedom of the user's classification in classifying the image files can be increased. it can. In addition, since it is possible to perform classification on a map, there is an advantage that a burden associated with user input can be reduced.
[0071]
In the third embodiment, geographic information is input as a user input. However, the present invention is not limited to geographic information, and information desired by the user for classification can be freely used. The user can also input information such as “importance” of the image file GF, for example. Further, the input by the user can be made in a plurality of layers as in the case of the geographic information.
[0072]
F. Modification:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention, and for example, the following modifications are possible.
[0073]
F-1. In each of the above embodiments, the position information indicating the geographical position used for the classification of the image file is generated using radio waves from GPS satellites operated by the United States or radio waves from mobile phone base stations. However, it may be generated using a GPS system (Galileo) which is to be developed in Europe, for example. Generally, the position information used for selecting an image file in the present invention may be any information as long as it represents an absolute position on the earth at the time of shooting.
[0074]
F-2. In each of the above embodiments, the image file is selected according to the geographical position of the digital still camera itself at the time of shooting. For example, the image file is classified based on the position of the subject to which the digital still camera is pointed. May be. The position of the subject can be calculated, for example, from information indicating the position of the digital still camera and information indicating the direction of the digital still camera.
[0075]
Information indicating the direction of the digital still camera is stored in GPSImgDirectionRef (tag number: 16) and GPSImgDirection (tag number: 17) in the GPS Info IFD (FIG. 5). The “geographical position at the time of photographing” in the claims is a broad concept including not only the position of the digital still camera but also the position of the subject.
[0076]
F-3. In each of the above embodiments, the classification is performed according to the absolute position on the earth. However, the classification may be performed according to, for example, the relative position of each shooting point. For example, classification may be made for each image file photographed within a range of 10 km from each other. In the claims, “according to position information indicating a geographical position at the time of photographing” means not only “according to the absolute geographical position at the time of photographing” but also This is a broad concept that also means "depending on the target position."
[0077]
F-4. In each of the above embodiments, the image files are classified according to the position information. However, as shown in FIG. 19, the image files may be classified only according to the time information indicating the date of shooting. Further, the classification may be made according to the time instead of the date.
[0078]
It should be noted that the time information may be information provided from a GPS satellite or other external device of the digital still camera, or may be time measured by a clock built in the digital still camera. However, it is preferable that the time used for the classification of the image files is the time at the time of shooting without considering the time difference in order to prevent the time at the time of shooting from being mixed. This time can use, for example, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) obtained from GPS satellites.
[0079]
Further, it is preferable that the image classification device is provided with a user interface for changing a range of the classification, and is configured to be able to change the range of the classification according to an input from the user interface. In the above modified example, the image files are classified for each image file within a range of 10 km or less, but it is preferable that the user can freely set the distance.
[0080]
In the case of classifying according to time, the user can freely classify not only by date but also by month, year, hour, or at a specific interval (for example, 3 days) as in the above embodiment. Preferably, it can be set. In this way, finer classification according to the user's request can be performed.
[0081]
Further, the image files may be classified according to not only the data stored in the GPS Info IFD but also information indicating a shooting mode such as a portrait mode or a sunset mode. In general, the image file selection unit used in the present invention may be any as long as it is configured to classify a plurality of image files according to image attribute information indicating attributes of image data.
[0082]
F-5. In each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that all image files have position information, but all image files can be classified even if some image files do not have position information. For example, it is preferable that the computer PC is configured to estimate the position information. Specifically, when a part of the plurality of image files does not include the position information as the image attribute information, based on at least a part of the position information of another image file among the plurality of image files. It is preferable that the configuration is such that position information of some of these image files can be estimated.
[0083]
F-6. In each of the above embodiments, the image files are classified using the database file representing the attribute of each image file. For example, classification information used for classification of each image file is written in the image file as image attribute information. Alternatively, the attribute data may be used directly for classification. However, the method using a database file has the advantage that the time required for the classification process can be shortened. According to the method for writing to an image file, flexible management is possible regardless of the storage location of the image file in the storage area. There is an advantage that it becomes possible.
[0084]
Note that the image management file may be generated each time the classification work is performed, and may be configured so that a plurality of generated management files can be combined. You may comprise so that a record may be added.
[0085]
Further, the classification may be performed by rewriting the directory of each image file on the storage medium storing the image files.
[0086]
F-7. In each of the above embodiments, the image file is copied to a predetermined area of the hard disk 232 and the classification process is performed there. However, the classification process may be performed in the memory card MC. In the former, the image management file is preferably stored on the hard disk 232, whereas in the latter, the image management file is preferably stored in the memory card MC.
[0087]
F-8. In each of the above embodiments, the image files are classified using the geographic information database in which the range is set by a rectangle. For example, the map is divided into irregular finite elements, and each element includes an attribute including geographic information. The image files may be classified using a detailed geographic information database having information. However, the former has an advantage that the present invention can be easily realized, and the latter has an advantage that detailed and accurate classification according to geographic information can be performed.
[0088]
F-9. In each of the above embodiments, the personal computer functions as the image classification device. However, for example, a color printer or a digital camera may have the function of the image classification device. Further, the present invention is applicable not only to color printing but also to monochrome printing.
[0089]
Further, it is preferable that the digital still camera 12, the personal computer PC, and the printer 20 are configured to register a home position. For example, when living near a sightseeing spot, there is a high possibility that it is desirable to classify an image taken near the home as being around the home rather than as a sightseeing spot. Because there is.
[0090]
For example, the home position can be registered in the digital still camera 12, and when the image is taken within a predetermined range from the registered geographical position, information indicating that the shooting location is "around the home" is set as shooting information PI. May be configured to be stored in an image file.
[0091]
On the other hand, the home position can be registered in the personal computer PC or the printer 20, and if the image is taken within a predetermined range from the registered geographical position, it is determined that the shooting location is "around the home". You may comprise.
[0092]
When some or all of the functions of the present invention are implemented by software, the software (computer program) can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, the "computer-readable recording medium" is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but may be an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs or ROMs, a hard disk or the like. And an external storage device fixed to the computer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image processing system as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a digital still camera as an input device for generating image data.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a computer PC as an output device that outputs image data and a color printer.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the structure of an image file GF in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of additional information stored in an Exif IFD of an image file GF.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of image file classification processing in the computer PC.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W1 when image processing software is activated in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an image management file.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a geographic information database.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between each piece of position information in an image management file and a geographic information database.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an image management file in which geographic information is stored.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W2 showing a thumbnail image of each image classified in the first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W3 when the image processing software is activated in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W4 showing a thumbnail image of each image classified in the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W5 when the image processing software is activated according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an interface screen and an image management file used for manual classification according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W6 showing a thumbnail image of each image classified in the third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W7 showing a thumbnail image of each image classified in the third embodiment.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a window W8 showing a thumbnail image of each image classified in the modification.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Image processing system
12 Digital still camera
20 ... Color printer
22 ... Slot
23 print data generation circuit
121 ... Optical circuit
122 ... Image acquisition circuit
123 ... Image processing circuit
124 ... control circuit
125 ... Mobile phone interface circuit
126 ... OK button
127 ... Liquid crystal display
128 ... GPS circuit
129 ... GPS antenna
129 ... antenna
231 ... CPU
232 ... Hard disk

Claims (11)

An image classification device for classifying a plurality of image files,
Each of the plurality of image files includes image data and image attribute information indicating an attribute of the image data,
The image classification device, comprising: an image file classification unit that classifies the plurality of image files according to the image attribute information. The image classification device according to claim 1,
The image attribute information includes position information indicating a geographical position at the time of shooting,
The image classification device, wherein the image file classification unit classifies the plurality of image files according to at least the position information. The image classification device according to claim 2,
The image file classification unit, when a part of the plurality of image files does not include the position information as the image attribute information, the position information of another image file of the plurality of image files An image classification device capable of estimating the position information of the partial image file based on at least a part. The image classification device according to claim 2 or 3,
The image classification device, wherein the image file classification unit performs the classification based on an absolute geographic range. The image classification device according to claim 2 or 3,
The image classification device, wherein the image file classification unit performs the classification based on a relative geographic range. The image classification device according to claim 1 or 5,
The image attribute information includes time information indicating a time at the time of shooting,
The image classification device, wherein the image file classification unit classifies the plurality of image files according to at least the time information. The image classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:
A user interface for allowing a user to change the range of the classification,
The image classification device, wherein the image file classification unit can change the range of the classification according to an input from the user interface. The image classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image classification device, wherein the image file classification unit generates an image management file in which image attribute information is stored in a database for each of the image files, and classifies the plurality of image files using the generated image management file. . An image file writing device that writes information to an image file including image data and image attribute information indicating an attribute of the image data,
An image classification device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A classification information acquisition unit that acquires the classification information used for the classification,
An image file writing unit that writes the obtained classification information to the image file as the image attribute information,
An image file writing device comprising: An image classification method for classifying a plurality of image files including image data and image attribute information representing attributes of the image data,
An image classification method, comprising a step of classifying the plurality of image files according to the image attribute information. A computer program for causing a computer to perform classification of a plurality of image files having image data and image attribute information representing attributes of the image data,
A computer program comprising a program for causing the computer to realize a function of classifying the plurality of image files according to the image attribute information.

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