JP2004120420A - Image adjusting device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To classify image data in the form in which the image data are retrieved and designated more easily. <P>SOLUTION: A user 1 transmits image data SO to an image storage server 2. In an image adjusting means 4, a tag information reading means 42 reads tag information TO attached to the image data SO. A new/old image classifying means 43 classifies the prescribed number of pieces of image data into a new image group in the order of new photographing date and hour and image data unincluded in the prescribed number of the data into an old image group on the basis of photographing date and hour information described on the tag information TO with respect to the image data SO. A first image classifying means 44 classifies image data SO1 belonging to the old image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure on the basis of the tag information TO to generate classification information BO1. A second image classifying means 45 classifies image data SO2 belonging to the new image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure smaller than that of the classification performed by the first image classifying means 44 to generate classification information BO2. Classification information BO consisting of the classification information BO1 and the classification information BO2 is stored in a storage database 21 together with the image data SO and thumbnail image data STO of the image data SO. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image organizing apparatus that classifies image data acquired by a digital camera or the like, and a program that is executed by a computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Prints using conventional silver halide photographic film can be used in various ways, such as seeing the image, showing it to a friend for communication, printing it to a friend, enlarging it, decorating it, and pasting it on an album. Has been.
[0003]
On the other hand, an image is stored using image data obtained by reading an image recorded on a negative film or image data obtained by a digital camera. When storing such image data, the user who stores the image data creates a plurality of folders according to the shooting date and time and the event, and manually checks the contents of the image and stores the image data in each folder. It is classified into.
[0004]
However, as the amount of image data increases, the organization of the image data becomes very troublesome. In particular, since a digital camera does not incur a film fee, a large amount of image data is often acquired. For this reason, the image data is automatically classified, such as a method for classifying image data for each medium on which image data is recorded or a film for which image data is obtained, and a method for classifying image data into hierarchical folders for each year, month, and day. Various methods of classification have been proposed. Further, a method of classifying image data for each shooting date (JP-A-5-165935 and JP-A-2001-228528) based on information indicating the shooting time and shooting date / time given to the image data, depending on the shooting date / time. A method for classifying image data more finely according to the similarity of images after classification has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-112997). In addition, a method for classifying a plurality of image data acquired by a digital camera into each posture at the time of shooting of the camera, each image having the same time information, etc. (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-178261), A method for classifying each predetermined event (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-096145) has been proposed.
[0005]
By using such a method of automatically classifying image data, the user can organize the image data in an easy-to-view form.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the user often wants to immediately display an image just taken or an image that has just been acquired, or frequently displays these images in a short period of time. It is better that the image data representing is classified in such a way that the user can specify it instantaneously without being troublesome.
[0007]
However, according to the above-described classification methods proposed so far, all image data are uniformly classified in a relatively deep hierarchical structure that is subdivided based on items such as shooting date, film, media, or event. Therefore, even when specifying image data representing an image that is desired to be displayed quickly or an image having a high display frequency as described above, it is necessary to follow many levels before specifying the image data. In other words, there is a problem that desired image data cannot be instantly designated, and that a troublesome operation of tracing many levels each time image data is designated must be repeated.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image organizing apparatus capable of classifying image data in a form that can be more easily searched and specified, and a program for causing a computer to execute the program. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The first image organizing apparatus according to the present invention has an auxiliary information acquisition unit for acquiring auxiliary information from image data to which auxiliary information including shooting date / time information is added, and a shooting date / time represented by the shooting date / time information. New and old classification means for classifying into new image groups and old image groups based on the first image classification means for classifying image data belonging to at least the old image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the incidental information And second image classification means for classifying the image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a hierarchical structure having a lower number of hierarchies than the classification by the first image classification means based on the incidental information. It is characterized by.
[0010]
The incidental information is added to the image data in the digital camera when the image data is acquired by the digital camera. On the other hand, when the image data is obtained by reading an image recorded on a film or the like by a reading means such as a scanner, the image data is given by the reading means.
[0011]
In the first image organizing apparatus according to the present invention, the old and new classification means classifies image data within a predetermined number in the order of photographing date and time into a new image group, and classifies image data in a portion exceeding the predetermined number into an old image group. It is good.
[0012]
In the first image organizing apparatus according to the present invention, the old and new classification means may include the image data whose shooting date / time represented by the shooting date / time information is a new image group and the shooting date / time represented by the shooting date / time information from the predetermined date / time. The previous image data may be classified into old image groups.
[0013]
In this case, current date information acquisition means for acquiring current date information indicating the current date may be further provided, and the predetermined date may be a date before a predetermined time from the current date.
[0014]
Further, in the first image organizing apparatus according to the present invention, among the image data classified into the new image group, the image data whose shooting date / time is earlier than the predetermined date / time with the passage of time is transferred to the old image group. The image data transfer means may be further provided, and the first image classification means may classify the image data transferred by the image data transfer means into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure.
[0015]
The second image organizing apparatus according to the present invention includes an incidental information acquisition unit that acquires incidental information from image data to which incidental information is added, and image data that is classified for the first time by the classification process in accordance with the classification process of the image data. And classification history information storage means for storing classification history information for specifying the classification processing in association with each other, and based on the classification history information, the image data classified for the first time by the classification processing within the latest predetermined number of times is stored. New and old classification means for classifying image data classified into a new image group for the first time before the latest predetermined number of times of classification processing are performed into old image groups, and at least image data belonging to the old image group based on incidental information First image classification means for classifying into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure, and image data belonging to a new image group It is characterized in that a second image classifying means for classifying into groups having less hierarchical structure of the hierarchy number than classification by the first image classification unit based on the broadcast.
[0016]
In the first and second image organizing apparatuses according to the present invention, the second image classification means may classify the image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a single hierarchical structure.
[0017]
Further, the image processing apparatus further includes related information acquisition means for acquiring related information related to the supplementary information, and the first image classification means and the second image classification means are based on the related information in addition to the supplementary information. It may be classified.
[0018]
The supplementary information may include at least one of shooting date / time information, shooting conditions, shooting location, image size, subject type, subject unique name, number of subjects, event, and comment.
[0019]
The “shooting condition” represents various settings of the photographing apparatus at the time of shooting, the weather, and the like. For example, the shutter speed “1/125 seconds”, the aperture value “f11”, the weather “cloudy”, and the like. Can be mentioned.
[0020]
The “image size” represents the aspect ratio of the image, the number of pixels, and the like, for example, “640 × 400”.
[0021]
The “subject type” represents a type of person, mountain, sea, building, or the like.
[0022]
“Subject's unique name” means a person name such as “Yoshida” or “Tanaka” if the subject is a person, and “Takao” or “Miura Coast” if the subject is a mountain or the sea. It represents the name.
[0023]
The “number of subjects” represents the number of people in the case where the subject is a human being.
[0024]
“Comment” means any word or sentence related to an image given by a user such as a photographer to image data. For example, “walking of pet dog white” or “first time of Haruo” Pool experience ".
[0025]
Further, “related information” includes event information that associates a shooting date with a predetermined event.
[0026]
Examples of the “predetermined event” include Golden Week, New Year's holiday, calendar holidays, weekend weekends, summer holidays, personal holidays, personal events, and the like.
[0027]
Note that each means of the present invention may be supplied as a program for causing a computer to execute the means.
[0028]
Note that the image data may be not only data representing a still image but also data representing a moving image, and may further include sound information representing sound.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first image organizing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the incidental information including the shooting date / time information is acquired from the image data, and based on the shooting date / time information, the image data is old and new. Image data classified into image groups (hereinafter referred to as new and old classification), image data belonging to the old image group is classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the accompanying information, and image data belonging to the new image group is based on the accompanying information Therefore, it is classified into a group having a lower hierarchical structure than the classification of old image groups. On the other hand, for image data with relatively new shooting dates and times that require immediate use or are expected to be used frequently It can be classified in a form having a shallow hierarchical structure than the priority designation ease.
[0030]
Further, if the new and old classification means classifies image data within a predetermined number in the order of shooting date and time into a new group, and image data of a portion exceeding the predetermined number into an old image group, the image data is recently captured. Since the old and new classification is performed based on whether or not it is within the predetermined number, the old and new classification can be performed with an emphasis on the number of image data.
[0031]
Further, if the old and new classification means classifies the image data with the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time into a new image group and classifies image data before the predetermined date and time into an old image group. Since the data is classified into new and old with respect to the shooting date and time at a predetermined date and time, the old and new classification can be performed with an emphasis on the shooting date and time.
[0032]
Furthermore, if the predetermined date and time is set to a predetermined time before the current date and time, the image data is classified as new and old based on whether the shooting date and time is within a certain period from the current date and time. Image data can be classified on the basis of a user's feeling such as / old.
[0033]
Further, among the image data classified into the new image group, the image data whose photographing date and time is earlier than the predetermined date and time with the passage of time is migrated to the old image group, and the first image classification means If the image data is classified, the image data that has become obsolete over time is automatically transferred to the old image group and classified, so that each image data belongs to a suitable image group and is suitable. You can always keep the state that is classified by the structure.
[0034]
According to the second image organizing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the incidental information is acquired from the image data, and the image data classified for the first time by the classification process along with the image data classification process New and old classification based on whether or not the classification is first performed by the classification process within the latest predetermined number of times based on the classification history information that specifies and associates the classification process with the order of the classification process. Image data belonging to the image group is classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the incidental information, and image data belonging to the new image group is classified into a group having a lower hierarchical structure than the classification of the old image group based on the incidental information. Therefore, it is possible to perform old and new classification that places importance on the order and number of image data classified, and it is the first For image data that is relatively old, it is classified in a form that has a hierarchical structure that prioritizes visibility, while it is classified for the first time that is required to be used quickly or frequently. Image data having a relatively new time can be classified in a form having a shallower hierarchical structure that prioritizes ease of designation.
[0035]
In the first and second image organizing apparatuses, when image data belonging to a new image group is classified into a group having a single hierarchical structure, a plurality of image data belonging to the new image group can be specified. Since it is not necessary to follow the hierarchy, it is easier to specify a relatively new image, and image data can be specified by a single operation.
[0036]
In the first and second image organizing apparatuses, as supplementary information, at least one of shooting date / time information, shooting conditions, shooting location, image size, subject type, subject unique name, number of subjects, event, and comment is included. If the image data is included, it is possible to perform classification suitable for image data representing an image or a moving image photographed by a photographing device such as a digital camera or a video camera.
[0037]
Further, in the first and second image organizing apparatuses, the related information related to the supplementary information is acquired, and the image data subjected to the new and old classification is classified based on the related information in addition to the supplementary information. If so, the degree of freedom of classification can be further expanded.
[0038]
Even when each means of the present invention is supplied as a program for causing a computer to execute, the same effect can be obtained.
[0039]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0040]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image storage system according to a first embodiment to which the first image organizing apparatus of the present invention is applied. The image storage system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 exchanges data between a personal computer 10 possessed by a user 1 and an image storage server 2 having an image organizing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that the personal computer 10 of the user 1 and the image storage server 2 are connected via a network 3.
[0041]
The user 1 obtains the image data S0 by the digital camera 11 possessed by the user 1 and records it on the memory card 12. Then, the image data S0 is read from the memory card 12 in which the image data S0 is recorded in the personal computer 10 and temporarily stored in the hard disk of the personal computer 10. Then, when requesting the arrangement of the image data S0, the image data S0 is transmitted to the image storage server 2 via the network 3.
[0042]
Here, in the digital camera 11, when the image data S0 is acquired, shooting date / time information indicating the shooting date / time is described in the tag information T0 of the image data S0.
[0043]
The personal computer 10 is installed with viewer software for browsing the image data S0 and a general-purpose web browser. The user 1 can view the image data S0 acquired by the digital camera 11 using viewer software. In addition, it is possible to connect to the image storage server 2 using a web browser and request the image storage server 2 to organize the image data S0. When the user 1 requests the image storage server 2 to organize the image data S0, the image data S0 is transmitted to the image storage server 2 via the network 3. At this time, user information for specifying the user 1 is also transmitted to the image storage server 2. Note that user information may be described in the tag information T0 of the image data S0.
[0044]
The image storage server 2 includes a storage database 21 such as a hard disk or RAID that stores image data S0 and thumbnail image data ST0 (to be described later) and information representing the organization result of the image data S0, and an information database that stores various information such as user information. 22 (not shown), the image organizing means 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a web server 23 for enabling various information stored in the storage database 21 to be browsed via the network 3, and an image Thumbnail image creating means 24 for creating thumbnail image data ST0 representing the thumbnail image of the image represented by the data S0.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the storage database 21 stores image data S0, thumbnail image data ST0, and classification information B0. In the image archiving server 2, each process may be performed by software that performs each process instead of each means that performs the above process.
[0046]
The image organizing unit 4 includes an image data input unit 41 that receives input of image data S0, a tag information reading unit 42 that reads tag information T0 given to the image data S0, and shooting date / time information described in the tag information T0. New and old classification means 43 for classifying the image data S0 into a new image group and an old image group, and image data S01 belonging to the old image group is classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the tag information T0. The first image classification means 44 for generating the first classification information B01 representing the classification result of S01, and the image data S02 belonging to the new image group has a higher number of layers than the classification by the first image classification means 44 based on the tag information T0. Second classification information B02 that is classified into a group having a small hierarchical structure and represents the classification result of the image data S02. And a second image classifying unit 44 for forming.
[0047]
The image data input means 41 includes a communication interface that receives a plurality of image data S0 transmitted from the personal computer 10.
[0048]
In this embodiment, the image organizing unit 4 stores a plurality of pieces of image data S0 within a predetermined number of 30 in order of the latest shooting date / time based on the shooting date / time information described in the tag information T0 given to the image data S0. The image data S01 is classified into a new image group, the others are classified into an old image group, and a plurality of hierarchies are applied to the image data S01 belonging to the old image group according to the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information described in the tag information T0. The image data S02 belonging to a new image group is classified into a single hierarchy according to the shooting date and time.
[0049]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the classification of a plurality of image data S0. As shown in FIG. 2, the user 1 has 1/20, 1/27, 4/10, 4/15, 4/16 in 2001, 3/2, 3/31, 4/1 in 2002. It is assumed that photographing is performed 10 times a day and a total of 80 pieces of image data S0 are acquired. In each acquired image data S0, since the shooting date / time information is described in the tag information T0, the shooting date of the image data S0 can be specified by referring to the shooting date / time information of the tag information T0.
[0050]
Therefore, the old and new classification means 43 refers to the shooting date / time information, and the image data acquired by shooting 30 images in ascending order of shooting date, that is, 4/1, 3/31, 3/2 in 2002, is updated. In the image group, the remaining image data is classified into an old image group, and the first image classification means provides the image data S01 belonging to the old image group with a hierarchy representing “month” below the hierarchy representing “year”. Further, a layer representing “day” is provided below the layer representing “month”, and the layers are classified into groups corresponding to the respective shooting dates. The second image classifying unit also selects the image data S02 belonging to the new image group, A single hierarchy representing "date" is provided and classified into groups corresponding to the respective shooting dates. More specifically, folders representing “year”, “month”, “day”, and “year / month / day” are created, and the image data is classified for each corresponding shooting date.
[0051]
The first image classification unit 44 and the second image classification unit 45 generate classification information B01 and B02 (collectively, classification information B0) representing the respective classification results by classifying the image data S01 and S02 in this way. To do. Then, by referring to such classification information B0, the image data S0 can be classified for each shooting date.
[0052]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the classification result of the image data S0. As shown in FIG. 3, a folder titled “2001” is created for image data S01 belonging to an old image group, and folders titled “January” and “April” are created below it. Furthermore, the folders titled “20th” and “27th” are subordinate to the “January” folder, and the titles “10th”, “15th” and “16th” are subordinate to the “April” folder. A folder has been created. For the image data S02 belonging to the new image group, folders having the titles “March 2, 2002”, “March 31, 2002”, and “April 1, 2002” are created. . Note that the image data S01 is classified into the lowermost folder, and the image data S02 is classified as it is into a single hierarchy folder. These folders are arranged in order from the oldest shooting date. In each folder, the image data S0 is arranged in order from the oldest shooting date.
[0053]
When displaying the classification result, the state in which the image data S0 is classified using the thumbnail image data ST0 by referring to the classification information B0 is shown.
[0054]
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the first embodiment.
[0055]
First, when a plurality of image data S0 acquired by the user 1 using the digital camera 11 is transmitted from the personal computer 10 of the user 1 to the image storage server 2 via the network 3, the image data input means 41 in the image storage server 2 performs image processing. Data S0 is received (step S1). Then, the image data S0 is stored in the storage database 21 (step S2), the thumbnail image data ST0 is generated from the image data S0 by the thumbnail image generation means 24 (step S3), and the thumbnail image data ST0 is also stored in the storage database 21. (Step S4).
[0056]
On the other hand, the tag information reading means 42 reads the tag information T0 given to the image data S0 (step S5), and sequentially passes through the old and new classification means 43, the first image classification means 44 and the second image classification means 45. Or entered directly. The new and old classification means 43 classifies the image data S0 into a new image group and an old image group as described above based on the shooting date / time information described in the tag information T0 (step S6), and the first image classification means 44. , The image data S01 belonging to the old image group is classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure according to the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information described in the tag information T0, and the classification information B01 is generated (step S7). In the second image classification means, the image data S02 belonging to the new image group is classified into a single hierarchy group according to the shooting date and time, and classification information B02 is generated (step S8). The classification information B0 composed of the classification information B01 and B02 is stored in the storage database 21 (step S9), and the process ends.
[0057]
Note that the order of the processing in step S2, the processing in steps S3 and S4, and the processing in steps S5 to S9 is arbitrary, and each processing may be performed in parallel.
[0058]
When the user 1 accesses the web server 23 by the personal computer 10 and performs an operation for displaying the classification result of the image data S0 transmitted by the user 1, the classification information B0 is referred to and the classification result of the image data S0 is displayed on the personal computer 10. The
[0059]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a classification result of the image data S0 displayed on the personal computer 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the classification result is displayed on the personal computer 10 as a classification result display screen 50. 50LU and 50LD on the left side of the screen show the folder structure of the classification result, and the right side 50R of the screen is displayed in a state where thumbnail images of representative images of images classified in each folder are assigned to the folder. The upper left 50LU of the screen represents the classification result of the image data belonging to the old image group, and the lower left 50LD of the screen represents the classification result of the image data belonging to the new image group. The user 1 can display the thumbnail image of the image data S0 stored in each folder on the personal computer 10 by clicking the folder on the right side 50R of the screen. FIG. 5 shows a state in which thumbnail images classified in the “April 1, 2002” folder are displayed.
[0060]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the name of each folder is displayed as a title in each folder.
[0061]
If the image data S0 is classified incorrectly, the classification result needs to be changed. In this case, the user 1 can change the classification destination folder of the image data S0 obtained by obtaining the thumbnail image by changing the classification destination folder of the thumbnail image using the personal computer 10. Specifically, by dragging and dropping the thumbnail image and moving the thumbnail image to a desired folder, the classification destination folder of the image data S0 obtained from the thumbnail image can be changed. The change result is transmitted from the personal computer 10 to the web server 23, and the classification information B0 is corrected in the web server 23 according to the change result by the user.
[0062]
In addition, the user 1 can display the classification result display screen shown in FIG. 5 by accessing the web server 23 from the personal computer 10. However, the user 1 accesses the web server 23 from a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA. In some cases, it is desired to display the classification result. Here, since the display screen is small in the mobile terminal device, it is preferable to generate a classification result display screen corresponding to the mobile terminal device and display the classification result in the mobile terminal device. For example, it is preferable to omit the representative image of the folder or display only the folder structure of the left side 50LU and 50LD shown in FIG.
[0063]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the shooting date / time information is acquired from the tag information T0 given to the image data S0, and the image data S0 is included in a predetermined number in ascending order of the shooting date / time based on the shooting date / time information. Based on whether or not there is, the image data S01 is classified into a new image group and an old image group, the image data S01 belonging to the old image group is classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure, and the image data S02 belonging to the new image group is classified. Since it is classified into a group having a single hierarchy, image data with a relatively old shooting date and time that seems to be rarely used is classified in a form having a hierarchical structure that prioritizes visibility, and is urgent For image data with relatively new shooting dates and times that are required to be displayed or used frequently, a single floor with priority given to ease of specification It can be classified in a form having the structure.
[0064]
In the first embodiment, the image data S0, the thumbnail image data ST0, and the classification information B0 are stored in the storage database 21, but the image data are stored in another storage database connected to the image storage server 2 via a network. S0, thumbnail image data ST0 and classification information B0 may be stored. Further, the image data S0, the thumbnail image data ST0, and the classification information B0 may be stored in different storage databases.
[0065]
Next, an image storage system according to a second embodiment to which the first image organizing apparatus of the present invention is applied will be described. In the first embodiment, the image data S0 is classified into a new image group and an old image group based on whether or not the shooting date / time is within a predetermined number in ascending order. In the embodiment, the image data S0 is classified based on whether or not the shooting date and time is after a predetermined date and time. The predetermined date and time may be set to a fixed date and time regardless of the passage of time, but in this embodiment, whether the shooting date and time is after the date and time before the predetermined time (period) from the current date and time. Based on whether or not it is within a certain period in the past, it is classified into a new image group and an old image group. For this reason, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the image organizing unit 4 further includes a current date / time information acquiring unit 46 that acquires current date / time information representing the current date / time.
[0066]
In the current date / time information acquisition unit 46, for example, the current date / time information indicating the current date / time is acquired using the clock function of the image storage server 2, and the acquired current date / time information is sent to the old and new classification unit 43.
[0067]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the second embodiment.
[0068]
First, when a plurality of image data S0 acquired by the user 1 using the digital camera 11 is transmitted from the personal computer 10 of the user 1 to the image storage server 2 via the network 3, the image data input means 41 in the image storage server 2 performs image processing. Data S0 is received (step S11). The image data S0 is stored in the storage database 21 (step S12). Thumbnail image data ST0 is created from the image data S0 by the thumbnail image creating means 24 (step S13), and the thumbnail image data ST0 is also stored in the storage database 21 (step S14).
[0069]
On the other hand, the tag information reading means 42 reads the tag information T0 given to the image data S0 (step S15), and sequentially passes through the old and new classification means 43, the first image classification means 44, and the second image classification means 45. Or entered directly. The current date / time information acquisition unit 46 acquires current date / time information representing the current date and time (step S <b> 16) and inputs it to the old and new classification unit 43. The old and new classification means 43 refers to the shooting date / time information and the current date / time information described in the tag information T0, and the image data S0 is new based on whether or not the shooting date / time is within a certain period in the past from the current date / time. The first image classification means 44 classifies the image data S01 belonging to the old image group according to the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information described in the tag information T0. Then, classification information B01 is generated by being classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure (step S18), and in the second image classification means 45, the image data S02 belonging to the new image group is changed according to the shooting date and time. Classification information B02 is generated by being classified into groups of a single hierarchy (step S19). The classification information B0 composed of the classification information B01 and B02 is stored in the storage database 21 (step S1A), and the process ends.
[0070]
Thus, in the second embodiment, based on the shooting date / time information and the current date / time information described in the tag information T0, whether or not the shooting date / time is within a certain period in the past from the current date / time. Therefore, the image data can be classified according to a criterion that suits the user's feeling such as new / old at the time of classification.
[0071]
For example, the user 1 does not often shoot with the digital camera 11 and has so far taken 10 times in January 2000, 10 times in July 2001, 10 times in December 2001, 30 times in total. To acquire 30 image data, the image data is classified in January 2002, and 30 images are classified as a new image group in the order of the latest shooting date and time as in the first embodiment. In this case, all of the image data captured so far belong to a new image group, which does not match the user's feeling of new / old, and rather is classified as it is difficult to specify image data. Therefore, as in the second embodiment, if the shooting date / time is within a certain period in the past from the current date / time, for example, those within the past three months are classified as a new image group, Only 10 pieces of image data representing an image taken in December 2001 belong to a new image group, and are classified in a form that is easy to specify and fits the user's sense.
[0072]
Next, an image storage system according to a third embodiment to which the first image organizing apparatus of the present invention is applied will be described. In the third embodiment, among the image data S02 belonging to a newer image group in the second embodiment, the image data whose shooting date / time has exceeded a certain period in the past from the current date / time with the passage of time. Are transferred to an old image group, and the first image classification means 44 classifies the transferred image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure. For this reason, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the image organizing means 4 together with the current date and time information obtaining means 46, the image data S02 classified into a new image group, as time elapses. Accordingly, the image data transfer means 47 is further provided that transfers image data whose shooting date / time exceeds a certain past period from the current date / time to an old image group.
[0073]
In the image data transfer means 47, for example, based on the current date information acquired by the current date information acquisition means 46, the current date is constantly monitored and described in the tag information T0 of the image data belonging to the new image group. Based on the shooting date / time information, image data whose shooting date / time has exceeded a certain period in the past from the current date / time is transferred to an old image group. Further, the first image classification unit 44 classifies the transferred image data into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the tag information T0 of the image data.
[0074]
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, it is assumed that a series of processes until the image data S0 is transmitted to the image storage server 2 and the classification information B0 is stored in the storage database 21 has already been performed.
[0075]
First, the classification information B0 stored in the storage database 21 is read by the image data transfer means (step S21), and the current date information is acquired by the current date information acquisition means 47 and sent to the image data transfer means 47 (step S22). ). In the image data transfer means 47, for the image data S02 belonging to the new image group specified by the classification information B0, the shooting date and current date and time information indicated by the shooting date and time information described in the tag information T0 attached to the image data S02. Is compared with the current date and time, and so-called out-of-date image data in which the shooting date and time exceeds a certain past period from the current date and time is detected (step S23). When old image data is detected, the detected old image data is transferred to an old image group (step S24), and the first image classification means 44 converts the transferred image data into tag information T0. Based on this, a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure are classified (step S25).
[0076]
Note that the processing flow (steps S21 to S25) may be set on the image storage server side so as to be performed periodically, or stored every time the user 1 connects to the image storage server 2 via the network 3. The classification information B0 stored in the database 21 may be read and processing may be performed based on the classification information B0.
[0077]
As described above, in the third embodiment, in the image data S02 classified into the new image group, the shooting date / time becomes earlier than the predetermined date / time with the passage of time, that is, the shooting date / time starts from the current date / time. The image data that has exceeded a certain past period is transferred to the old image group, and the first image classification unit 44 classifies the transferred image data as image data belonging to the old image group. Old image data is automatically transferred to an old image group and classified, and each image data belongs to a suitable image group and can always be kept in a suitable structure.
[0078]
Next, an image storage system according to a fourth embodiment to which the second image organizing apparatus of the present invention is applied will be described. In the first to third embodiments, the image data S0 is classified into a new image group and an old image group according to the order of the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information. In the fourth embodiment, The image data S0 is first obtained by the classification process within the latest predetermined number of times based on the classification history information specifying the image data first classified by the classification process and the order of the classification process in association with the classification process. A new image group and an old image group are classified based on whether or not they are classified. For this reason, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the image organizing means 4 determines the image data classified for the first time by the classification process and the order of the classification process in accordance with the classification process of the image data. The configuration includes classification history information storage means 48 for storing classification history information specified in association with each other. Note that the shooting date / time information is not necessarily described in the tag information T0 given to the image data S0, but in this embodiment, the shooting date / time is included in the tag information as in the first to third embodiments. It is assumed that information is described.
[0079]
In the classification history information storage means 48, for example, information described by associating the execution count number of the classification process with the file name of the image data classified for the first time among the classification targets at that time is stored as the classification history information. The The classification history information need not be stored for all past classification processes, but may be stored for at least the latest predetermined number of classification processes.
[0080]
Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in the fourth embodiment.
[0081]
First, when a plurality of image data S0 acquired by the user 1 using the digital camera 11 is transmitted from the personal computer 10 of the user 1 to the image storage server 2 via the network 3, the image data input means 41 in the image storage server 2 performs image processing. Data S0 is received (step S31). The image data S0 is stored in the storage database 21 (step S32). Thumbnail image data ST0 is created from the image data S0 by the thumbnail image creating means 24 (step S33), and the thumbnail image data ST0 is also stored in the storage database 21 (step S34).
[0082]
On the other hand, the tag information reading means 42 reads the tag information T0 given to the image data S0 (step S35), and sequentially inputs or directly inputs it to the first image classification means 44 and the second image classification means 45. The The classification history information stored in the classification history information storage means 48 is input to the old and new classification means 43 (step S36). The old and new classification means 43 refers to the classification history information, and the image data S0 is classified into a new image group for the first time by the classification process within the latest predetermined number of times, and the other is classified into an old image group ( In step S37), in the first image classification means 44, the image data S01 belonging to the old image group is classified into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure according to the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information described in the tag information T0. Then, classification information B01 is generated (step S38), and in the second image classification means 45, the image data S02 belonging to the new image group is classified into a single hierarchy group according to the shooting date and time, and the classification information is obtained. B02 is generated (step S39). The classification information B0 composed of the classification information B01 and B02 is stored in the storage database 21 (step S3A), and the process ends. Note that image data classified for the first time by the latest classification processing within the predetermined number of times is not limited to those previously classified, and image data classified for the first time by the current classification processing is classified by the most recent classification processing. Shall be included.
[0083]
As described above, in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to classify the image data S0 into the new image group and the old image group by placing importance on the order and number of the image data classified, and the image data S0 is not often used. For image data that has been classified for the first time, which is considered to be the first time, it is classified in a form having a hierarchical structure that prioritizes easy viewing. On the other hand, immediate use is required or frequent use is considered. If the image data is classified for the first time, the image data can be classified in a form having a single hierarchical structure that prioritizes ease of designation.
[0084]
For example, in the case where a relatively old image data obtained by photographing with a digital camera several years ago is received and reclassified together with already classified image data, a new image is created based on the context of the photographing date and time. If the image data is classified into a group and an old image group, the acquired image data is new image data recently obtained by the user, but the shooting date and time itself is relatively old, so the image data may be classified as an old image group. There is. If the image data classified for the first time by the classification process within the latest predetermined number of times is classified into a new image group based on the classification history information as in the fourth embodiment, such a problem is caused. Can be avoided.
[0085]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the first image classification unit 44 and the second image classification unit 45 classify the image data based on the shooting date / time information described in the tag information T0. However, when other information is described in the tag information T0, for example, shooting conditions, shooting location, image size, subject type, subject unique name, subject count, event, comment, etc. It is also possible to classify based on.
[0086]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the image organizing unit 4 further includes a related information acquiring unit 49 that acquires related information associated with the tag information T0, and includes the first image classification unit 44 and the second image classifying unit 44. The image classification means 45 may classify the image data based on the related information in addition to the tag information T0. For example, the information database 22 corresponds to the date and time of shooting and one or more events (for example, Golden Week, New Year's holiday, calendar holidays, weekend weekends, summer holidays, personal holidays, personal events, etc.) as the related information. It is assumed that the attached calendar information C0 is recorded, the tag information reading means 42 reads the tag information T0 from the image data S0, the related information acquisition means 49 acquires the calendar information C0, and the first image classification means 44 and the first image classification means 44 The two-image classifying unit 45 classifies the image data S0 into groups for each event based on the shooting date / time information described in the tag information T0 and the calendar information C0, and classifying result information B0 representing the classification result of the image data S0. May be generated.
[0087]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the first image classification unit 44 classifies only the image data belonging to the old image group into a plurality of groups having a relatively deep conceptual structure. As an example, not only image data belonging to the old image group but also image data belonging to the new image group may be included, that is, all image data may be classified into a plurality of groups having a relatively deep conceptual structure. By doing so, the second image classification means 45 can obtain a classification result that makes it easy to specify image data belonging to a new image group, while the entire image data S0 is divided into a plurality of groups having a relatively deep hierarchical structure. The classified classification result can also be seen, and there is an effect that the entire image data S0 can be grasped in detail, and image data belonging to a new image group can be designated from the classification result.
[0088]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the user 1 transmits the image data S0 from the personal computer 10 to the image storage server 2, and the image storage server 2 classifies the image data S0. Software for performing classification may be installed in the personal computer 10 so that the user 1 performs classification of the image data S0 in his personal computer 10.
[0089]
In this case, the personal computer 10 may store the image data S0 classified for each folder. However, only the classification information B0 is stored, and the thumbnail of the image data S0 is referenced by referring to the classification information B0 when displaying the classification result. The classification result may be displayed using only the image data ST0.
[0090]
In the first to fourth embodiments, the user 1 classifies the image data S0 acquired by the digital camera 11, but the image data S0 is limited to that acquired by the digital camera 11. Instead, it may be obtained by reading an image recorded on a negative film or the like, or may represent not only a still image but also a moving image or audio information.
[0091]
When an image recorded on a negative film or the like is read, the shooting date / time information can be acquired by reading the date reflected in the image and performing character recognition, and can be described in the tag information of the image data S0. As the shooting location information and user information, information input when reading the image data S0 can be used.
[0092]
Here, the image reading may be performed by a scanner owned by the user 1, but the user 1 requests the lab managing the image storage server 2 to read the image, and the lab reads the image. Also good.
[0093]
When the film is an APS film capable of recording magnetic information, shooting date / time information, shooting location information and user information are recorded in the magnetic recording unit at the time of shooting, and simultaneously read from the magnetic recording unit at the time of reading the image. These pieces of information thus obtained may be described in the tag information T0 of the image data S0.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image storage system to which an image organizing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining classification of a plurality of image data
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a classification result of image data.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a classification result of image data displayed on a personal computer.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image storage system to which an image organizing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an image storage system to which an image organizing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the third embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of an image storage system to which an image organizing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 user
2 Image storage server
3 network
4 Image organization
10 PC
11 Digital camera
12 Memory card
21 Storage database
23 Web server
24 Thumbnail image creation means
41 Image data input means
42 Tag information reading means
43 old and new classification means
44 First image classification means
45 Second image classification means
46 Current date and time information acquisition means
47 Image data transfer means
48 Classification history information storage means
49 Related information acquisition means

Claims (13)

Ancillary information acquisition means for acquiring the ancillary information from the image data to which the ancillary information including the shooting date and time information is given;
New and old classification means for classifying the image data into a new image group and an old image group based on the context of the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information;
First image classification means for classifying image data belonging to at least the old image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the auxiliary information;
A second image classification unit that classifies the image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a hierarchical structure having a lower number of layers than the classification by the first image classification unit, based on the supplementary information. An image organizing apparatus characterized by that. The new / old classification means classifies image data within a predetermined number in order of the latest photographing date and time into a new image group, and classifies image data of a portion exceeding the predetermined number into an old image group. Item 1. An image organizing device according to Item 1. The new and old classification means classifies image data whose shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information is a predetermined date and time into a new image group, and image data whose shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information is before the predetermined date and time as an old image group. The image organizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A current date and time information acquisition means for acquiring current date and time information representing the current date and time;
The image organizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined date and time is a date and time that is a predetermined time before the current date and time. Image data transfer means for transferring image data whose shooting date and time is earlier than the predetermined date and time to the old image group among the image data classified into the new image group,
5. The image arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the first image classification unit classifies the image data transferred by the image data transfer unit into a plurality of groups having the hierarchical structure. apparatus. Incidental information acquisition means for acquiring the incidental information from the image data to which the incidental information has been added;
A classification history information storage means for storing classification history information for specifying the image data classified for the first time by the classification processing in association with the classification processing of the image data and the order of the classification processing;
Based on the classification history information, the image data classified for the first time by the classification process within the latest predetermined number of times is set to a new image group, and the image data classified for the first time before the latest predetermined number of classification processes is performed is old. New and old classification means for classifying into image groups,
First image classification means for classifying image data belonging to at least the old image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the auxiliary information;
Second image classification means for classifying image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a hierarchical structure having a lower number of layers than classification by the first image classification means based on the incidental information. A featured image organizing device. 7. The image organizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image classification means classifies image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a single hierarchical structure. The supplementary information includes at least one of shooting date / time information, shooting conditions, shooting location, image size, subject type, subject unique name, number of subjects, event, and comment. The image organizing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7. Further comprising related information acquisition means for acquiring related information related to the incidental information,
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first image classification unit and the second image classification unit classify image data based on the related information in addition to the incidental information. Or an image organizing device. A procedure for acquiring the supplementary information from image data to which supplementary information including shooting date and time information is attached;
A procedure for classifying the image data into a new image group and an old image group based on the context of the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information;
A procedure of performing a first classification for classifying image data belonging to at least the old image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the auxiliary information;
A second classifying procedure for classifying image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a hierarchical structure having a lower number of hierarchies than the first class based on the incidental information. program. The procedure of classifying the new image group and the old image group classifies image data within the predetermined number in order of the shooting date and time into a new image group, and classifies image data of the portion exceeding the predetermined number into an old image group. The program according to claim 10, which is a procedure. The computer further includes a step of transferring image data in which the shooting date and time represented by the shooting date and time information before the predetermined date and time with the passage of time is transferred to the old image group among the image data classified into the new image group. The program according to claim 10, wherein the program is executed by:
The program for performing the first classification is a procedure for classifying the transferred image data. A procedure for acquiring the supplementary information from the image data to which the supplementary information is attached;
Along with the image data classification process, a procedure for storing classification history information for specifying image data classified for the first time by the classification process and the order of the classification process;
Based on the classification history information, the image data classified for the first time by the classification process within the latest predetermined number of times is put into a new image group, and the image data classified for the first time before the latest predetermined number of classification processes is performed is old. The procedure of classifying each into image groups,
Performing a first classification for classifying image data belonging to at least the old image group into a plurality of groups having a hierarchical structure based on the incidental information;
A program for causing a computer to execute a second classification of classifying image data belonging to the new image group into a group having a hierarchical structure having a lower number of hierarchies than the first classification based on the incidental information.

Images