JP2006146730A - Image retrieval device, image retrieval method and image retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera device, an image retrieval method and an image retrieval device, allowing various image retrieval with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: When recording a photographic image set with an photographic condition (a photographic parameter) suitable for a photographic scene selected via a sample image in photographing, kind information showing the selected photographic scene is recorded in association with the image. In the image retrieval, a scene selection screen 401 list-displaying the same sample image as the image used in the photographing, and an explanatory sentence of the photographic scene corresponding thereto is displayed, the photographic scene of the target image is selected via the sample image, and the image wherein the kind information showing the selected photographic scene is associatively recorded is extracted. By using the photographic scene similar to the photographic scene used for the setting of the photographic condition in the photographing as a retrieval key, the various image retrieval proportional to the number of the photographic scenes selectable in the photographing can be performed with high accuracy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image search apparatus, an image search method, and an image search apparatus suitable for use in, for example, a digital camera.

In recent years, digital cameras that record digital image data acquired by photographing on a recording medium can record a large amount of image data as the recording capacity of the recording medium used increases. Accordingly, there is a tendency that the operation of displaying a target image from among the images recorded in accordance therewith becomes more complicated. In order to solve this problem, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, parameters related to shooting at the time of shooting, for example, setting data such as ON / OFF of the red-eye prevention function, are recorded at the time of shooting. A technique for performing an image search using the is described.
JP 2003-288601 A

  However, when searching for a target image based on the shooting parameters as described above, the shooting parameters that can be used to specify the type of recorded image and the shooting environment at the time of shooting are the ON / OFF setting of the red-eye prevention function described above, Thus, at the same time, the types of recorded images that can be searched for must be limited. Therefore, there is a problem that various image searches cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera device, an image search method, and an image search device that can perform various image searches with high accuracy.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention of claim 1, a plurality of sample images corresponding to different shooting scenes and a plurality of shooting conditions are stored, and a sample image stored in the storage unit. Display means, selection means for selecting the sample image displayed on the display means, setting means for setting shooting conditions corresponding to the sample image selected by the selection means as shooting conditions at the time of shooting, and An image recording unit that records a captured image shot based on the shooting condition set by the setting unit and type information indicating the shooting scene corresponding to the shooting condition, and a plurality of images stored in the storage unit Shooting scene selection means for allowing a user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of types of shooting scenes corresponding to each of the sample image and a plurality of shooting conditions; And a retrieval unit for retrieving a photographed image recorded in association with the type information indicating the photographing scene selected by the photographing scene selection unit from the photographed images stored in the image recording unit. .

  In such a configuration, when searching for a target shot image from a plurality of shot images recorded in the image recording means, a shooting scene similar to the shooting scene used for setting shooting conditions at the time of shooting is used. A search using the search key is performed.

  In the invention of claim 2, the photographing scene selecting means causes the display means to display a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means, and allows an arbitrary sample image to be selected. Thus, the user can select an arbitrary shooting scene.

  In such a configuration, it is possible to select a shooting scene serving as a search key via the sample image.

  Further, in the invention of claim 3, the storage means stores an explanatory text explaining a shooting scene corresponding to a plurality of sample images corresponding to each sample image, and the shooting scene selection means The display unit displays a plurality of sample images stored in the storage unit and an explanation corresponding to each sample image, and allows the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene by selecting an arbitrary sample image from the display unit. It was supposed to be selected.

  In such a configuration, when a photographic scene serving as a search key is selected via a sample image, the content of the photographic scene can be confirmed by an explanatory text.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the photographic scene selection means includes a number acquisition means for acquiring the number of photographed images recorded in the image recording means for each type information, and the storage means A plurality of stored sample images are displayed on the display unit in the order of the number of each piece of type information acquired by the number acquisition unit, and an arbitrary shooting scene is used by selecting an arbitrary sample image among them. It was decided to let the person choose.

  In such a configuration, when a shooting scene serving as a search key is selected via a sample image, it is possible to automatically know a difference in use frequency of each shooting scene at the time of shooting.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image recording means stores date information indicating the shooting date of the shot image in association with the shot image, and the shooting scene selection means is stored in the image recording means. Including number-of-sheets acquisition means for acquiring the number of recorded images for each type information and for each predetermined period based on the shooting date indicated by the date information. A selection screen in which a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means are arranged in one of a row or a column and the photographing period for each predetermined period is arranged in a corresponding position in a table arranged in the other of the row or the column Is displayed on the display means, and an arbitrary sample image is selected on the selection screen, thereby allowing the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene.

  In such a configuration, when a shooting scene serving as a search key is selected, it is possible to know in advance the number of recorded images of a shooting image corresponding to each shooting scene for a predetermined period.

  In the invention of claim 6, the photographing scene selecting means visually displays the number obtained by the number obtaining means in the table of the selection screen.

  In such a configuration, when a photographic scene serving as a search key is selected, the number of recorded images of a photographic image corresponding to each photographic scene per predetermined period can be intuitively known in advance.

  Further, in the invention of claim 7, the shooting scene selection means allows the user to select an arbitrary shooting period together with an arbitrary shooting scene by selecting an arbitrary position in the table on the selection screen. The search means stores in the image recording means a captured image in which the type information indicating the shooting scene selected by the shooting scene selection means and the date information indicating the shooting date corresponding to the shooting period are recorded in association with each other. It was assumed to search from the captured images.

  In such a configuration, it is possible to very easily search for a photographed image using the photographing scene and the photographing period as search keys.

  In the invention of claim 8, a plurality of representative sample images respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of shooting scenes corresponding to a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means. Representative sample image storage means for storing the representative sample image storage means, wherein the photographing scene selection means displays a plurality of representative sample images stored in the representative sample image storage means on the display means, and any representative sample image among them is displayed. The user can select a plurality of types of shooting scenes by selecting the image, and the search unit is a captured image in which type information indicating the plurality of types of shooting scenes selected by the shooting scene selection unit is recorded in association with each other. Is retrieved from the captured images stored in the image recording means.

  In such a configuration, when searching for a target photographed image from a plurality of photographed images recorded in the image recording means, a plurality of similar photographing scenes used for setting photographing conditions at the time of photographing and A search using a plurality of similar shooting scenes as search keys can be performed in a lump by simply selecting a representative sample image.

  In the invention of claim 9, the representative sample image storage means includes a plurality of representative sample images corresponding to a plurality of representative sample images, and a category including a plurality of types of photographing scenes corresponding to each other. An explanatory text describing a photographic scene is stored, and the photographic scene selection means displays a plurality of representative sample images stored in the representative sample image storage means and explanatory text corresponding to each representative sample image on the display means. The user is allowed to select a plurality of types of shooting scenes by selecting an arbitrary representative sample image.

  In such a configuration, when a plurality of shooting scenes serving as search keys are selected via the representative sample image, the contents of the shooting scenes in the category including the plurality of shooting scenes can be confirmed by the explanatory text.

  According to the invention of claim 10, there is provided a method for searching for a captured image in a camera device, wherein a plurality of previously-captured shooting conditions correspond to recording conditions when recording a captured image acquired by shooting in an image recording means. A step of recording the type information indicating a predetermined shooting scene selected from the prepared images through the sample image in association with the shot image, and any shooting from a plurality of types of shooting scenes prepared in advance. A step of causing a user to select a scene, and a step of searching a photographed image stored in the image recording means for a photographed image recorded in association with type information indicating the selected photographing scene. It was a method.

  According to this method, when searching for a target photographed image from a plurality of photographed images recorded in the image recording means, the same photographing scene as that used for setting the photographing conditions at the time of photographing is used. A search is performed using as a search key.

  In the invention of claim 11, a plurality of pre-prepared shooting conditions corresponding to the shooting conditions at the time of recording in the image recording means of the shot image acquired by shooting are stored in the computer of the camera device. A process for recording type information indicating a predetermined shooting scene selected via a sample image in association with the shot image, and an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of types of shooting scenes prepared in advance. A program for executing a process of selecting and a process of searching for a captured image stored in association with the type information indicating the selected shooting scene from the captured image stored in the image recording unit; did.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image search device for searching for a desired photographed image from a plurality of photographed images acquired by photographing recorded in the image recording means, a plurality of prepared in advance. Shooting scene selection means for allowing the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from among the various shooting scenes, and type information indicating the shooting scene selected by the shooting scene selection means, and at the time of shooting each shot image, A photographed image recorded in association with type information indicating a predetermined photographing scene corresponding to the photographing condition at the time of photographing selected from a plurality of images prepared in advance is stored in the image recording means. And retrieval means for retrieving from a plurality of photographed images.

  In such a configuration, when searching for a target shot image from a plurality of shot images recorded in the image recording means, a shooting scene similar to the shooting scene used for setting shooting conditions at the time of shooting is used. A search using the search key is performed.

  As described above, in the present invention, when searching for a target photographed image from a plurality of photographed images recorded in the image recording means, the same as the photographing scene used for setting the photographing conditions at the time of photographing. A search using the shooting scene of as a search key was performed. Therefore, various image searches proportional to the number of shooting scenes used for setting shooting conditions can be performed with high accuracy. Moreover, since the user's sensibility does not change between shooting and searching, even if the user does not remember the shooting scene set at shooting, it is very easy to search for a shot image in the same category as the target shot image. be able to.

  In addition, it is possible to select a photographic scene as a search key via a sample image, and to confirm the contents of the photographic scene by an explanatory text. Therefore, it is possible to easily select a shooting scene that applies to a target shot image.

  In addition, when a shooting scene serving as a search key is selected via a sample image, it is possible to automatically know the difference in use frequency of each shooting scene during shooting. Therefore, usability can be improved.

  Furthermore, when selecting a photographic scene as a search key, it is possible to know in advance the number of recorded photographic images corresponding to each photographic scene per predetermined period. Therefore, when selecting a photographic scene as a search key, useless search work by selecting a photographic scene in which no corresponding photographic image exists, or a photographic scene in which no photographic image corresponding to an expected shooting period exists. Can be prevented in advance. Therefore, more efficient search work is possible. Furthermore, since the number of recordings per predetermined period can be intuitively known, usability can be improved.

  In addition, since it is possible to search for a photographed image using the photographing scene and the photographing period as search keys, it is possible to improve usability.

  Further, when searching for a target photographed image from a plurality of photographed images recorded in the image recording means, a plurality of images similar to a plurality of similar photographing scenes used for setting photographing conditions at the time of photographing. Since the search using the photographic scene as a search key can be performed at a time only by selecting the representative sample image, an efficient search operation can be performed. Furthermore, when selecting a plurality of shooting scenes as search keys via the representative sample image, the contents of the shooting scenes in the category including the plurality of shooting scenes can be confirmed by the explanatory text. Can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of a digital camera 1. The digital camera 1 compresses and expands an image captured by a CCD 2 as an imaging unit, and a predetermined format, for example, a unified standard DCF (Design It has an image processing function for generating and reproducing an image file in a format that conforms to a rule for camera file system (JPEG) and JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group), and is configured mainly with an MPU 3 including a clock having a calendar function.

  An optical image of the subject is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 2 through the fixed lens 4, the focus lens 5, and the diaphragm 6. The focus lens 5 is held by a drive mechanism 7 composed of an AF motor or the like, and moves forward and backward on the optical axis when a drive signal output from the AF driver 8 is supplied to the drive mechanism 7 by a control signal from the MPU 3. Perform focusing operation. The diaphragm 6 is driven by a drive signal generated by the diaphragm drive unit 9 based on a control signal from the MPU 3 and adjusts the amount of light of the subject image incident on the CCD 2.

  Further, a TG (Timing Generator) 10 that generates a timing signal is connected to the MPU 3, and a V driver 11 (vertical driver) drives the CCD 2 based on the timing signal generated by the TG 10. An analog imaging signal corresponding to the luminance of the image is output and sent to the analog signal processing unit 12. The analog signal processing unit 12 includes a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) that holds an imaging signal output from the CCD 2, and a gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) that is an analog amplifier that is supplied with the imaging signal from the CDS. And an A / D converter (AD) that converts the analog imaging signal amplified and adjusted by the gain adjustment amplifier into a digital signal, and the output signal of the CCD 2 is sampled in accordance with the black level as a digital signal. Sent to MPU3.

  The MPU 3 is connected with a power supply circuit 13, an operation key unit 14 including various switch groups, a TFT liquid crystal monitor 15, a strobe 16, a DRAM 17, an MROM 18, and a card drive 19. The card drive 19 is connected to the MPU 3. A memory card 20 as an image recording means is mounted. The operation key unit 14 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a mode switching key, a shutter key, and a zoom key, and sends an operation signal corresponding to the user's key operation to the MPU 3.

  The DRAM 17 is a working memory, and a digital signal (imaging signal) sent from the CCD 2 to the MPU 3 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 17 and subjected to various image processing by the MPU 3 and finally compressed. The image data is recorded on the memory card 20. The image data recorded on the memory card 20 is read out to the MPU 3 as necessary, and is generated into a digital video signal or an analog video signal through processing such as expansion processing, addition of a luminance signal and a color signal, and then liquid crystal Displayed by the monitor 15. On the liquid crystal monitor 15, an image periodically picked up in the recording mode is thinned to a predetermined number of pixels and then displayed as a through image. Further, the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 functions as a display unit of the present invention, and displays a sample image and a selection screen, which will be described later, as necessary.

  The MROM 18 is a storage means of the present invention, and is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. In the memory space of the MROM 18, as shown in FIG. 2, a program data area 18a in which various operation programs necessary for control of each unit and data processing in the MPU 3 are stored, and an appropriate exposure value (EV) at the time of photographing is set. Various data areas 18b storing program AE data and the like constituting a program diagram showing a combination of the corresponding aperture value (F) and shutter speed, and a scene data area 18c are secured.

  The scene data area 18c stores scene data 101 used in the best shot mode, which is a lower mode of the recording (REC) mode. The scene data 101 includes sample image data 102, shooting condition data 103, and explanatory text data 104. The sample image data 102 is data of a plurality of sample images displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 15 when a scene is selected in the best shot mode, and each sample image is assigned to a scene number and a scene name for data management.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the shooting condition data 103. The shooting condition data 103 shows the scene number 103a and the scene name 103b and the shooting conditions of the digital camera 1 set in advance corresponding thereto. This is a parameter 103c indicating the contents of a plurality of control items that can be controlled in the digital camera 1, such as data, that is, focus control, shutter speed, aperture, EV shift amount, sensitivity,. FIG. 4 shows an example of a sample image based on the sample image data 102. FIG. 4A shows a sample image corresponding to the scene name “people and landscape 1” of the scene number “1”. (B) is a sample image corresponding to the scene name “people and landscape 2” of the scene number “2”, and FIG. 8 (c) is a sample image corresponding to the scene name “up” of the scene number “3”. . FIG. 5 shows an example of the explanatory text data 104. The explanatory text data 104 is character data displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 15 together with the sample image, and includes the scene number 103a and the scene name 103b, which are the same as the shooting condition data 103, and the explanatory text data 103d. In the present embodiment, the scene name 103b is the type information of the present invention.

  Then, the MPU 3 performs AE control by controlling the charge accumulation time of the CCD 2, which is the shutter speed, the opening degree of the aperture 6, and the gain of the gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) in the analog signal processing unit 12 according to the program diagram. In accordance with a predetermined program, AF (auto focus) control and AWB (auto white balance) control for driving the focus lens 25 are performed. Further, when the shutter key is operated (during shooting operation), the emission of the auxiliary shooting light by the strobe 16 is controlled as necessary. Further, in the best shot mode, the MPU 3 performs control related to display control of a sample image or the like according to a user's operation and setting of shooting conditions according to a sample image (shooting scene) selected by the user. In the image search mode, which is a lower mode of the playback (PLAY) mode, a target image is searched for and presented from a plurality of photographed images (hereinafter simply referred to as images) recorded in the memory card 20. The above processing is performed, and functions as a selection unit, a setting unit, a shooting scene selection unit, a search unit, and a number acquisition unit of the present invention.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of photographing processing executed by the MPU 3 when the best shot mode is set by the user.

  In such a mode, the MPU 3 first reads the sample image data 102 and the explanatory text data 104 stored in the MROM 18, and based on these, combines the sample image, the explanatory text, and the scene number corresponding to each other as shown in FIG. A scene selection screen 201 that is a list of shooting scenes to be displayed is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 (step SA1). A sample image) is directly selected and a shooting scene is determined by a predetermined key operation (for example, a shutter key operation) (step SA2). In addition, shooting scenes that cannot be displayed on one screen are displayed by sending (or scrolling) display according to key operations. The illustrated example shows a state in which the shooting scene of scene number 1 is selected. FIG. 7 is a diagram shown for convenience, and an image based on the sample image data 102 is displayed at the locations indicated as “sample image 1” to “sample image 12” in the drawing. Further, the explanatory text in the figure is also based on the character data 103d of the explanatory text data 104 shown in FIGS.

  Next, after specifying the scene name (category) corresponding to the finally selected sample image (photographing scene) (step SA3), the parameters of the photographing condition data 103 corresponding to the scene name (category) are read out and photographed at the time of photographing. Set as a condition (step SA4). Thereafter, shooting is performed in response to pressing of the shutter key, that is, imaging of a subject by the CCD 2, generation of image data, compression, and the like (step SA5), and the acquired image data is used as the scene name of the previously selected shooting scene. In association with the shooting date, it is recorded in the memory card 20 as an image file of a predetermined format (step SA6).

  FIG. 8 shows the data structure of the image file 301 recorded here. An image file 301 to be recorded in this embodiment is composed of a compression-coded image data main body 302, reduced image data (so-called thumbnail image data) 303, shooting date and time 304, and additional information 305. The data of the scene name 103b is stored together with other data such as the file name 306 and the image size 307.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of search processing executed by the MPU 3 when the image search mode is set by the user.

  In such a mode, the MPU 3 first displays a predetermined designation screen (not shown) on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15, and allows the user to designate the format of the selection screen for search described later and the arrangement order of the sample images (step SB1). . At this time, “normal” or “with number” can be designated as the format of the selection screen, and “normal” or “number order” can be designated as the arrangement order of the sample images. Note that the arrangement order of the sample images is fixed to “number order” when the format of the selection screen is “with number”. When “normal” is selected as the format of the selection screen (NO in step SB2), the following processing is executed.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the designated arrangement order is “number order”. If it is not “number order” (NO in step SB3), each other, like the scene selection screen 201 displayed in the best shot mode, A first selection screen 401 shown in FIG. 10A is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 which displays a list of corresponding sample images, explanations and scene numbers in the order of scene numbers (step SB4). When the designated order is “number order” (YES in step SB3), all image data (image files) recorded on the memory card 20 are recorded together with the image data main body 302. Based on the scene name 103b, the number of recordings for each shooting scene is confirmed (step SB5), and unlike the case shown in FIG. 10A, the arrangement order of sample images, explanations and scene numbers corresponding to each other is set as the order of recording number. The first selection screen 401 shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 (step SB6).

  Then, the user performs a predetermined key operation from the first selection screen 401 to select and determine a shooting scene (directly a sample image) related to the target image (step SB7). At this time, as in the case of selecting the shooting scene in the best shot mode, shooting scenes that cannot be displayed on one screen are displayed by performing feed display (or scroll display) according to key operations. FIG. 10 shows an example of a state in which the shooting scene with scene number 4 is selected.

  Next, after the scene name (category) corresponding to the finally selected sample image (photographed scene) is specified (step SB8), the scene data (103b) is recorded together with the image data main body 302. The target image is narrowed down by extracting (image file) from the memory card 20 (step SB9). Subsequently, a predetermined designation screen (not shown) is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15, and the user is allowed to designate the shooting date (shooting month or shooting month date) of the target image (step SB10). The image data is further narrowed down by date (step SB11). Thereafter, one or more image data finally narrowed down are read from the memory card 20, and the image is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 (step SB12), and the search process is completed. When there are a plurality of images, the reduced images are displayed in a list format.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in the above-described step S2 is YES and “with number of sheets” is selected as the format of the selection screen, the image data for all the image data (image files) recorded in the memory card 20 is displayed. Based on the scene name 103b and the shooting date / time 304 recorded together with the main body 302, the number of monthly recordings for each shooting scene is confirmed (step SB13). Then, the sample images corresponding to each other, the description sentence, and the scene number are arranged in the order of the number of recorded sheets, and they are arranged in a row and each month from January to December is a column. The second selection screen 402 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 at the intersection between the image (shooting scene) and the moon, for example, which displays the confirmed number of recordings by month as a bar graph (step SB14).

  Then, on the second selection screen 402, the user is caused to select an arbitrary intersection position, that is, a shooting scene relating to a target image and a shooting month thereof by a predetermined key operation (step SB15). Even in such a case, a photographic scene that cannot be displayed on one screen is displayed by performing feed display (or scroll display) according to a key operation. FIG. 11 also shows a state in which March of the shooting scene of scene number 4 is selected.

  Next, after specifying the scene name (category) and the shooting month corresponding to the sample image (shooting scene) at the selected intersection position (step SB16), the scene name (103b) is recorded together with the image data body 302, The target image is narrowed down by extracting the image data corresponding to the shooting date from the memory card 20 (step SB17). Thereafter, the narrowed-down image data or a plurality of image data is read from the memory card 20, and the image is displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 15 (step SB12), and the search process is completed. When there are a plurality of images, the reduced images are displayed in a list format.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when searching for a target image from images recorded in the memory card 20, if the target image is taken in the best shot mode, the image search mode In the first selection screen 401 or the second selection screen 402 displayed in the above, the same shooting scene (sample image) as the shooting scene (sample image) selected at the time of shooting is specified, and the same as the target image. A category image can be searched very easily. Therefore, various image searches proportional to the number of shooting scenes used for setting shooting conditions in the best shot mode can be performed with high accuracy.

  Moreover, even if the user does not remember the shooting scene set at the time of shooting, the user's sensibility does not change between shooting and search, so there is a high probability that the same shooting scene as the shooting scene selected at shooting will be specified. Even in that case, an image in the same category as the target image can be searched.

  In addition, on the first selection screen 401 or the second selection screen 402, an explanatory text for each photographic scene is displayed at the same time as the sample image, and the content of the photographic scene can be confirmed by the explanatory text. It is possible to easily specify (select) a sample image. In this embodiment, the shooting scene is selected via the sample image. However, the sample image and the explanatory text are not necessarily displayed, and the user can select a specific shooting scene by another method. It doesn't matter.

  In addition, in the first selection screen 401 and the second selection screen 402 when “number order” is designated as the arrangement order of the sample images, the difference in use frequency of each shooting scene at the time of shooting is automatically set. Since it can be known, it can be used as a reference when specifying a shooting scene, and is convenient.

  Furthermore, since the second selection screen 402 displayed when “with number of sheets” is designated as the selection screen format at the time of search, it is possible to know the number of recorded images per month corresponding to each shooting scene. A shooting scene in which no corresponding image exists, or a shooting scene in which no image corresponding to an expected shooting month exists is selected, that is, it is not necessary to perform a useless search operation. Therefore, more efficient search work can be performed. In this embodiment, since the number of recorded sheets is displayed as a bar graph, the number of recorded sheets can be intuitively known, which is convenient.

  In the present embodiment, the number of recordings per month for each shooting scene is displayed on the second selection screen 402, but each shooting scene is displayed on the second selection screen 402 or the first selection screen 401. The total number of recorded images may be displayed. In that case, it is possible to prevent the selection of a shooting scene in which no corresponding image exists. In addition to the bar graph, the number of recorded sheets may be visually displayed as a pie chart or the like, or may be displayed directly as a number. However, it is more convenient to display in a visual display form such as a bar graph or a pie graph because it can be intuitively understood as described above.

  Further, as described above, if “with number” is specified as the format of the selection screen, the shooting scene and the shooting month can be specified at the same time from the second selection screen 402, so that the search operation can be easily performed. it can.

  Further, in the image search mode in the present embodiment, the image search using the same shooting scene as the search key that can be set at the time of shooting in the best shot mode is performed as a search key. For example, the following may be performed.

  For example, the MROM 18 is used as the representative sample image storage means of the present invention, and apart from the sample image data described above, a plurality of similar scenes among a plurality of shooting scenes distinguished by the scene name 103b shown in FIGS. Data of a plurality of representative sample images corresponding to the shooting scenes are stored in advance in association with the plurality of shooting scenes. Here, the plurality of shooting scenes similar to each other are scene numbers “1” to “6” having similarities (or common points) as shooting scenes in which the subject is a person among the shooting scenes shown in FIG. This is a shooting scene. Note that the similarity as a shooting scene may be a shooting location (for example, indoors) or a shooting time zone (for example, night). The representative sample image is an image suitable for representing the similarities and the like.

  In the image search mode, a selection screen for selecting a plurality of representative sample images is displayed instead of the above-described sample image, and a shooting scene corresponding to the representative sample image selected on the selection screen, that is, a scene name ( 103b) may extract the image data recorded together with the image data main body 302 from the memory card 20 to narrow down the target image and display it.

  According to such a modification, it is possible to collectively search for images of similar shooting scenes by selecting a representative sample image. In this case, as in the present embodiment, not only the representative sample image but also a plurality of similar shooting scenes corresponding to each other, and an explanatory text (for example, “person” ")" Is also memorized and it is easier to use if it is displayed together with the representative sample image.

  In the present embodiment, the relationship between the captured image and the captured scene is recorded on the recording memory card 20 by recording the scene name 103b, which is the type information of the present invention, together with the image data main body 302 as an image file. Separately from this, an index file is provided in the recording memory card 20 to indicate the correspondence between the shot image and the shooting scene, and the contents are updated every time the shot image is recorded in the best shot mode. In addition, in the image search mode, the index file may be used to search for an image of the designated shooting scene.

  Further, here, the digital camera 1 which is the camera apparatus of the present invention having the best shot mode as the recording mode has been described. However, the sample image data 102, preferably the sample image data 102 and the description data recorded in the MROM 18 are described. By using 104 and a predetermined program for performing the same processing as the processing in the image search mode described above, the image search device of the present invention can be realized in a personal computer having a general configuration, for example. it can.

It is a block block diagram of the digital camera which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data stored in MROM. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of imaging condition data. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a sample image. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of explanatory note data. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement content at the time of imaging | photography by the best shot mode. It is a figure which shows the scene selection screen displayed in the best shot mode. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the data structure of an image file. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the search of the picked-up image by image search mode. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the 1st selection screen displayed in image search mode. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the 2nd selection screen displayed in image search mode.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital camera 2 CCD
3 MPU
14 Operation key section 15 TFT LCD monitor 17 DRAM
18 MROM
18a Program data area 18b Various data areas 18c Scene data area 20 Memory card 101 Scene data 102 Sample image data 103 Shooting condition data 103b Scene name 103c Parameter 103d Character data 104 Description sentence data 104a Character data

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing a plurality of sample images and a plurality of shooting conditions respectively corresponding to different shooting scenes;
Display means for displaying a sample image stored in the storage means;
Selecting means for selecting the sample image displayed on the display means;
Setting means for setting shooting conditions corresponding to the sample image selected by the selection means as shooting conditions at the time of shooting;
An image recording means for recording a photographed image photographed based on the photographing condition set by the setting means, and type information indicating the photographing scene corresponding to the photographing condition, in association with each other;
Shooting scene selection means for allowing a user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of types of shooting scenes respectively corresponding to a plurality of sample images and a plurality of shooting conditions stored in the storage means;
Search means for searching for a photographed image stored in association with the type information indicating the photographing scene selected by the photographing scene selection means from among the photographed images stored in the image recording means. A camera device.   The shooting scene selection means causes the display means to display a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means, and allows the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene by selecting any of the sample images. The camera device according to claim 1. In the storage means, explanatory text explaining a shooting scene corresponding to a plurality of sample images is stored corresponding to each sample image,
The photographing scene selecting means displays a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means and explanatory text corresponding to each sample image on the display means, and selects any sample image by selecting any of them. The camera apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a user selects a shooting scene.   The photographing scene selecting means includes a number obtaining means for obtaining the number of photographed images recorded in the image recording means for each type information, and a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means. 3. The display unit according to the present invention displays on the display unit in order of the number of each piece of type information acquired by the acquisition unit, and selects an arbitrary sample image, thereby allowing the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene. Or the camera apparatus of 3. In the image recording means, date information indicating a shooting date of the shot image is recorded in association with the shot image,
The shooting scene selection unit includes a number acquisition unit that acquires the number of shot images recorded in the image recording unit for each type information and for each predetermined period based on the shooting date indicated by the date information. The number of images acquired by the number acquisition means is arranged in one of the rows or columns of the plurality of sample images stored in the storage means, and the photographing period for each predetermined period is arranged in the other of the rows or columns. A selection screen arranged at a corresponding position in the displayed table is displayed on the display means, and an arbitrary sample image is selected on the selection screen, thereby allowing a user to select an arbitrary shooting scene. Item 4. The camera device according to Item 2 or 3.   6. The camera apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photographing scene selecting unit visually displays the number of images acquired by the number of images acquiring unit in the table of the selection screen. The shooting scene selection means allows the user to select an arbitrary shooting period together with an arbitrary shooting scene by selecting an arbitrary position in the table on the selection screen,
The retrieval unit stores in the image recording unit a captured image in which the type information indicating the shooting scene selected by the shooting scene selection unit and the date information indicating the shooting date corresponding to the shooting period are recorded in association with each other. The camera apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a search is made from among photographed images. Representative sample image storage means for storing a plurality of representative sample images respectively corresponding to a plurality of kinds of photographing scenes each corresponding to a plurality of sample images stored in the storage means,
The shooting scene selection unit displays a plurality of representative sample images stored in the representative sample image storage unit on the display unit, and selects any one of the representative sample images to thereby select a plurality of types of shooting scenes. Let the user select
The retrieval unit retrieves, from the captured images stored in the image recording unit, the captured images recorded in association with the type information indicating the plurality of types of captured scenes selected by the captured scene selection unit. The camera device according to claim 2. In the representative sample image storage means, in correspondence with a plurality of representative sample images, explanatory text for describing a category of shooting scenes including a plurality of types of shooting scenes corresponding to each representative sample image is stored,
The photographing scene selection means displays a plurality of representative sample images stored in the representative sample image storage means and explanatory text corresponding to each representative sample image on the display means, and any representative sample image among them is displayed. 9. The camera apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a user is allowed to select a plurality of types of shooting scenes by selecting. A method for retrieving a captured image in a camera device,
The type information indicating a predetermined shooting scene selected through a sample image from among a plurality of prepared images corresponding to shooting conditions at the time of shooting when recording a shot image acquired by shooting to the image recording unit. Recording in association with the captured image;
A step of allowing the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of types of shooting scenes prepared in advance;
And a step of searching for a captured image recorded in association with the type information indicating the selected shooting scene from the captured images stored in the image recording means. To the computer that the camera device has,
The type information indicating a predetermined shooting scene selected through a sample image from among a plurality of prepared images corresponding to shooting conditions at the time of shooting when recording a shot image acquired by shooting to the image recording unit. A process of recording in association with a captured image;
A process for allowing the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of types of shooting scenes prepared in advance;
A program for executing a process of searching a photographed image stored in the image recording unit for a photographed image recorded in association with type information indicating a selected photographing scene. In an image retrieval apparatus for retrieving a desired photographed image from a plurality of photographed images acquired by photographing recorded in an image recording means,
Shooting scene selection means for allowing the user to select an arbitrary shooting scene from a plurality of types of shooting scenes prepared in advance;
This type information indicates the shooting scene selected by the shooting scene selection means, and corresponds to the shooting conditions at the time of shooting selected from a plurality of sample images prepared in advance when shooting each shot image. Searching means for searching a plurality of photographed images stored in the image recording means for a photographed image recorded in association with type information indicating a predetermined photographing scene to be performed. Search device.

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