JP2008242846A - Information processor and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To add metadata to main data by a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor comprises a metadata area display part 203 which displays a metadata area in which metadata values are aligned by metadata items, and unique areas are defined for each of the aligned metadata values; an icon display part 211 which displays an icon associated with main data to which the metadata can be added; and a metadata addition part 213 which adds, when the displayed icon is moved to a position on the metadata area, the metadata value defining the unique area which contains this position as metadata to the main data associated with the icon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing technique for adding metadata to electronic data.

  In recent years, devices capable of generating and storing electronic data, such as personal computers, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and hard disk recorders, have become widespread. Along with this, during information processing, there are increasing opportunities to handle a huge variety of electronic data generated and stored in these devices.

  In order to effectively use such a vast and diverse variety of electronic data, it is essential that the information processing system be configured so that necessary electronic data can be acquired and reused when necessary. It is.

  As a means for realizing such a system, a method of adding related auxiliary electronic data to each electronic data can be considered (in general, such auxiliary electronic data is referred to as “metadata”). Called).

  By adding these metadata to the electronic data, the user can change the added electronic data (hereinafter, the electronic data with the added metadata is referred to as “body data”) as necessary. Can be searched and acquired under various conditions. Further, based on the metadata added to the acquired main body data, information that cannot be directly read from the main body data (for example, information at the time of generating main body data) can be acquired.

  By adding metadata in this way, main data can be reused efficiently and effectively, and recently, various kinds of metadata have been added to many electronic data. .

  On the other hand, when adding metadata to main body data, a user often directly inputs or specifies metadata. For example, in the case of image data taken with a digital still camera, metadata such as subject information, title, and impression / comment is input using an input means such as a keyboard. For this reason, depending on the user, the task of adding metadata is a burden, and it is desired to develop a system that can reduce the workload.

Under such a background, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, metadata that is frequently added is registered as an icon in advance, and the metadata is simply moved by moving the icon to main body data. It can be added to.
JP 2002-55748 A

  However, the method described in Patent Document 1 is effective in a situation where typical metadata addition is repeated a plurality of times. For example, the number of metadata items to be added for each main body data increases or decreases. In such a case, it is not necessarily efficient. Similarly, it is not efficient if the metadata value is changed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce a user's work load when adding metadata to main body data.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is
Area display means for displaying metadata areas in which metadata values are arranged according to metadata items, and a unique area is defined for each of the arranged metadata values;
Icon display means for displaying an icon associated with the body data to which the metadata can be added;
When the displayed icon is moved to a position on the metadata area, the metadata value defining the unique area to which the position belongs is added as metadata to the body data associated with the icon And additional means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a user's work load when adding metadata to main body data.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1. Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing device (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes an input device such as a pointing device such as a mouse or a pen or a numeric keypad for the user to perform an input operation such as selection / movement of an icon displayed on the display device 106.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a ROM that stores specific programs and parameters. Reference numeral 103 denotes a storage device that can read and write electronic data, and includes a hard disk, a memory card, an optical disk, a magnetic or optical card, an IC card, and the like. It is assumed that a program for realizing a metadata adding function described later and electronic data such as main body data and metadata used at the time of executing the program are stored in the storage device 103.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes a work RAM when executing the program. Reference numeral 105 denotes a CPU that executes various programs. Reference numeral 106 denotes a display device such as a display that displays icons associated with main body data, and metadata values are arranged for each metadata item, and each metadata value that is arranged is unique to each of the arranged metadata values. Display the "metadata area" where the area is defined.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a bus, and electronic data exchange between the units 101 to 106 is performed via the bus 107.

2. Functional Configuration for Realizing Metadata Addition Function FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration for realizing the metadata addition function in the information processing apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the metadata adding function is roughly divided into an area display unit 200 and a data adding unit 210.

  The area display unit 200 divides and arranges metadata values according to metadata items, and displays two-dimensional area data (metadata areas as two-dimensional representations of unique areas defined for each metadata value. Data) is generated and displayed on the display device 106 as a metadata area.

  The data adding unit 210 moves the icon onto the metadata area displayed by the area display unit 200, thereby changing the metadata value defining the specific area and the corresponding item to the electronic data associated with the icon. A metadata adding unit for adding data is provided.

  201 selects a metadata item to be added to the main data in the data adding unit 210 from metadata added to other main data already stored in the storage device 103. Part.

  202 determines the metadata value corresponding to the metadata item selected by the metadata item selection unit 201 from the metadata added to the other main data already stored in the storage device 103. This is a metadata value determination unit.

  Reference numeral 203 denotes a metadata area display unit. The metadata area display unit 203 arranges the metadata values determined by the metadata value determination unit 202 for each metadata item selected by the metadata item selection unit 201, and each metadata value defines Data indicating a metadata area in which the area is expressed in two dimensions is generated. Further, control is performed to display data indicating the generated metadata area on the display device 106 as a metadata area.

  Each unique area in the metadata area may be displayed as a line segment, a rectangular or circular area, or a graphic such as an icon.

  In addition, the metadata area is recognized as a combination of unique areas defined by each metadata value when metadata values are arranged for each metadata item. For example, an area where two unique areas intersect is recognized as a combination of the two metadata items defining the two unique areas and their values.

  An icon display unit 211 controls the display device 106 to display an icon associated with electronic data to which metadata is added. The icon display unit 211 controls the display on the display device 106 so as to display an icon following an input instruction for moving an icon received by the input processing unit 212 described later.

  An input processing unit 212 accepts an input operation such as icon selection / movement via the input device 101.

  Reference numeral 213 denotes a metadata adding unit. When the icon is moved to a position on the metadata area, the metadata adding unit 213 converts the metadata value defining the unique area to which the position belongs into the main body data associated with the icon as metadata. Perform additional processing. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the icon movement instruction input is performed by drag and drop.

3. Flow of Metadata Adding Process Next, the flow of the metadata adding process for realizing the metadata adding function in the information processing apparatus 100 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS.

3.1 Region Display Processing First, the flow of region display processing in the region display unit 200 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the area display process in the metadata addition process in the information processing apparatus 100.

  In step S <b> 301, the metadata item selection unit 201 selects the metadata item to be added to the main body data from the metadata added to the other main body data already stored in the storage device 103. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that preset metadata items are selected.

  In step S302, the metadata value corresponding to the metadata item selected in step S301 is added to the other body data already stored in the storage device 103 by the metadata value determination unit 202. Decide from within.

  In step S303, for each metadata item selected in step S301, the metadata values determined in step S302 are arranged, and the unique area defined by each metadata value is two-dimensionally arranged. Generate region data. The generated metadata area data is displayed on the display device 106 as a metadata area.

  An example of the display result displayed on the display device 106 by the area display processing shown in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a metadata area when “conference material data” is assumed as electronic data to which metadata is added.

  In the example of FIG. 5, “conference theme”, “conference date”, and “sub-theme” are selected as metadata items in step S301. In step S302, "Spring Concert", "Cultural Festival", "Performance Concert", "Summer Camp", and "New Students Welcome Party" (501) are determined as metadata values corresponding to the metadata item "meeting theme". Has been. Each date from “7/26” to “8/2” is determined as a metadata value corresponding to the metadata item “meeting date” (503). Furthermore, “part leader regular meeting”, “graduation performance planning”, “steering committee”, and “budget committee” are determined as metadata values corresponding to the metadata item “sub-theme” (502).

  In step S303, the metadata value (501) corresponding to the metadata item “meeting theme” is in the vertical direction, and the metadata value (503) corresponding to the metadata item “meeting date” is in the horizontal direction. Is arranged. Further, the metadata value (502) corresponding to the metadata value “sub-theme” is arranged in the vertical direction on the right side of the metadata value (501).

  In the example of FIG. 5, all metadata values corresponding to the metadata items “meeting theme” and “sub-theme” are displayed, but the metadata item “meeting date” corresponds. There may be further past values as metadata values. Thus, when displaying the metadata area, only a part of the determined metadata value may be displayed due to the display space.

  In FIG. 5, a line segment (504) extending in the horizontal direction is a unique area defined by metadata values corresponding to two metadata items of “meeting theme” and “sub theme”. On the other hand, in FIG. 5, a line segment (505) extending in the vertical direction is a unique area defined by the metadata value corresponding to the metadata item “meeting date”.

  As described above, the metadata area is a unique area defined by metadata values corresponding to a plurality of metadata items (multi-dimensional area), but the metadata corresponding to a single metadata item. It may be a unique area (one-dimensional area) defined by the data value.

  In the example of FIG. 5, a case is shown in which unique areas defined by different metadata values corresponding to different metadata items are displayed so as to intersect at right angles. However, the way of intersecting the two unique regions does not necessarily have to be orthogonal as shown in FIG. 5, and may be intersected in a non-orthogonal state.

3.2 Flow of Data Adding Process Next, the flow of the data adding process in the data adding unit 210 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the data addition process in the metadata addition process in the information processing apparatus 100.

  In step S401, the main body data is converted into an icon and displayed on the display device 106.

  In step S402, the input processing unit 212 monitors whether or not an instruction input via the input device 101 is an instruction to move an icon associated with main body data, and is determined to be an icon movement instruction. In the case, the process proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction is not an icon movement instruction, the process does not proceed to the next step but repeats this step.

  In step S403, it is determined whether the destination of the icon is a metadata area. If it is determined that the destination is a metadata area, the process proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination is other than the metadata area, this process ends.

  In step S404, metadata values and metadata items defining a unique area to which the position on the metadata area to which the icon has been moved belong are added as metadata to the body data associated with the icon.

  Examples of display results on the display device 106 corresponding to the flow of the data addition process of FIG. 4 are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the icon associated with the main body data is displayed on the display device 106 in step S401, and the user has made a selection instruction via the input device 101 in order to move the icon. Reference numeral 601 denotes an icon associated with the main body data. A pointer 602 is operated through the input device 101 such as a pointing device such as a mouse or a pen.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the user has moved the icon selected and designated in FIG. 6 onto the displayed metadata area.

  Here, a state of moving to the intersection (701) of two unique areas is shown. One is a metadata value “regular concert” of the metadata item “meeting theme”, and is a unique area defined by the metadata value “steering committee” of the metadata item “sub-theme”. It is. The other is a unique area defined by the metadata value “8/2” of the metadata item “meeting date”.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which metadata is added to the main body data associated with the icon because the position on the metadata area to which the icon is moved is determined. Specifically, “conference theme” is added as metadata items, and “regular performance” is added as metadata values as corresponding metadata values. In addition, “sub theme” is added as a metadata item, and “steering committee” is added as a corresponding metadata value. Further, “meeting date” is added as the metadata item, and “8/2” is added as the corresponding metadata value (801).

  In the present embodiment, an example in which two unique areas have moved to an intersecting location has been described. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a case. For example, if you want to add only the metadata value and metadata items that define one unique area, move it to an area on the metadata area where the unique area does not intersect. It is also possible to add only metadata values and items that define the area.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the metadata value “8/2” of the metadata item “meeting date” defines a unique area, and the metadata items “meeting theme” and “sub theme” have values of You just need to move to a location that doesn't intersect the specific area you are defining. As a result, “meeting date” can be added as metadata items, and only “8/2” can be added as metadata.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the metadata value corresponding to the metadata item “meeting date” is displayed in the display format “8/2”. It is desirable that the format be unified as much as possible.

  For this reason, “8/2” may not be added as a metadata value according to the display in the metadata area, but may be added after being converted into another format. As another format, for example, “August 2”, “2006.8.2”, or the like can be considered.

  As is clear from the above description, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the metadata area is displayed on the display device and the icon is moved onto the metadata area, the information area is associated with the icon. Added metadata to the main data.

  As a result, the user can add metadata to the main body data with a simple operation, and the work load when adding metadata is reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, by moving an icon to a unique area defined by the metadata value, the metadata value and metadata item defining the unique area are associated with the icon. The data is added to the data as metadata. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to such a configuration.

  For example, a function of grouping unique areas displayed at positions separated from each other may be provided. Then, by moving the icon over the area surrounded by the grouped unique area, all metadata values and metadata items defining the unique area included in the area can be added. It may be configured.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing functional blocks for realizing the metadata addition function according to the present embodiment.

  The difference from the functional block diagram (FIG. 2) shown in the first embodiment is that an area grouping unit 901 is added to the data adding unit 210.

  The area grouping unit 901 performs a process for grouping a plurality of unique areas in the metadata area based on the grouping instruction instructed via the input processing unit 212. Specifically, areas surrounded by a plurality of unique areas are recognized as the same group area. Thus, when an icon is moved into a group area surrounded by the plurality of unique areas, metadata values and metadata items that define all the unique areas included in the group area are displayed. It will be added to the body data.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which metadata is added to the main body data when the grouping process is performed by the area grouping unit 901.

  In the example of FIG. 10, the metadata value “2006.8” of the metadata item “meeting date” in the unique area defined by the metadata value “periodic concert” of the metadata item “meeting theme”. .2 "is grouped into two unique areas.

  Specifically, the metadata value “Graduation Performance Planning” in the metadata item “Sub Theme” and the metadata value “Steering Committee” in the metadata item “Sub Theme” are defined. There are two specific areas to define.

  FIG. 10 shows how the metadata values and metadata items defining the two unique areas are added to the body data by moving and confirming the icon in the group area (1001). (1002).

  In the example of FIG. 10, the group area surrounded by the grouped unique area is displayed by a double line, but the display method of the group area is not particularly limited to this. It does not matter if the grouped unique areas are displayed in a discriminable state.

  As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, a function for grouping unique areas in the metadata area is added. As a result, all metadata values and metadata items defining a plurality of unique areas that do not intersect can be added together to the main body data. As a result, more metadata can be added with a simple operation.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a grouping function is added to increase the number of metadata that can be added in one operation, thereby improving operability and reducing a user's work load. Is not particularly limited to this. For example, when there is main data to which metadata has already been added, the metadata addition work load may be reduced by using the added metadata.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing functional blocks for realizing the metadata addition function according to the present embodiment.

  The difference from the functional block diagram (FIG. 9) shown in the second embodiment is that a data acquisition unit 1101 is added to the data addition unit 210 instead of the area grouping unit 901.

  The data acquisition unit 1101 stores the body value in which the same value and item as the metadata value defined by the unique area in the metadata area displayed on the display device 106 and the item of the metadata are already added. 103. Then, the metadata added to the acquired main body data is displayed on the display device 106 as an identifier for each main body data.

  In this case, when the icon is moved on the metadata area, the metadata adding unit 213 first adds a metadata value and a metadata item defining a unique area in the metadata area. Works like this. Furthermore, it operates to add metadata added to the main data displayed by the data acquisition unit 1101.

  12 to 14 are diagrams illustrating examples of display results corresponding to the flow of data addition processing in the metadata addition function according to the present embodiment. Since the present invention does not limit the display method of the metadata area, here, the display example will be described using a display example different from those in the first and second embodiments. However, it goes without saying that even the display examples shown in the first and second embodiments can be processed in the same manner as the display examples in the following embodiments. Needless to say, the processing shown in the first and second embodiments can be realized even in the case of display examples in the following embodiments.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the metadata area. In the display example shown in the figure, “event name” and “shooting year, shooting month” are selected as metadata items. Further, “athletic meet”, “homecoming”, “Taro birthday”, “Hanako birthday”, “Christmas” (1201) are determined as metadata values corresponding to the metadata item “event name”. . Further, “2006” and “January” to “December” (1202) are determined as metadata values corresponding to the metadata items “shooting year and shooting month”.

  A metadata value 1201 corresponding to the metadata item “event name” is arranged in the vertical direction, and a metadata value 1202 corresponding to the metadata item “photographing year, photographing month” is arranged in the horizontal direction. . Note that the metadata value 1202 corresponding to the metadata item “shooting year, shooting month” only displays “July” to “December” due to the limitation of the display range.

  Further, other main body data to which the metadata item and the metadata value are already added are acquired from the storage device 103 and displayed as a black circle mark (identifier). For example, the black circle mark 1203 includes “event name” as a metadata item, “athletic day” as a value thereof, and “photographing year and photographing month” as a metadata item and “2006” as a value thereof. "And" October "are added to the main body data.

  In addition to the metadata, the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1203 includes metadata whose metadata item is “location” and whose value is “○ Elementary school”, and whose metadata item is “participant”. Metadata having a value of “Taro” is added (see 1204).

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the icon 1301 associated with the main data to be added with metadata is displayed on the display device 106 in a state where the metadata area shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. Here, the main body data associated with the icon 1301 is electronic data to which no metadata is added. However, even if the metadata of the main body data to which metadata has already been added is changed. I do not care.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the icon 1301 moves on the metadata area where the black circle mark 1203 is displayed. FIG. 15 shows a state where the icon 1301 is moved to a position on the metadata area where the black circle mark 1203 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the icon 1301 is moved to a position on the metadata area where the black circle mark 1203 is displayed, first, a metadata value defining a unique area in the metadata area and Metadata items are added as metadata.

  Specifically, the metadata item “event name” and its value “athletic meet”, and the metadata items “photographing year and photographing month” and their values “2006” and “October” are icons 1301 as metadata. Is added to the body data associated with.

  Further, other metadata added to the body data indicated by the black circle mark 1203 is also added to the body data associated with the icon 1301.

  Specifically, the metadata item “location” and its value “◯ △ elementary school”, and the metadata item “participant” and its value “Taro” are added to the body data associated with the icon 1301. (See 1501).

  As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, a data acquisition unit is provided, and other metadata values and metadata items that define unique areas in the displayed metadata area are already added. The main body data is acquired from the storage device. And it was set as the structure which a main body data display means displays as the identifier.

  As a result, when an icon is moved over the metadata area, it is added to the body data displayed in the metadata area in addition to the metadata value and metadata items defining the specific area. You can also add metadata.

  As a result, more metadata can be added with a simple operation, and the user's workload is reduced.

  Note that the metadata addition function according to the present embodiment is such that the information processing apparatus has a function of registering image data such as an electronic album, and arranges and classifies image data according to metadata. It is effective in the case.

  When there is image data to which metadata has already been added, when the image data obtained by photographing the same image is newly registered in the electronic album, the registered image can be obtained by using the metadata addition function according to the present embodiment. Data metadata and values can be shared.

  As described above, when the metadata addition function according to the present embodiment is used for registration work in a system such as an electronic album, the workload when adding metadata can be reduced, and the existing metadata can be reduced. And its value can be shared. As a result, it is possible to expect the effect that the shaking of the metadata is suppressed and the reuse becomes easy.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the case has been described where one black circle mark is displayed as an identifier for one unique area in the metadata area, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. The data acquisition unit 1101 acquires a plurality of metadata values that define one unique area and other body data identifiers already having metadata items added thereto from the storage device 103 and displays them. Also good.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of main body data is acquired by the data acquisition unit 1101 in the present embodiment and displayed as a plurality of black circle marks at corresponding positions in the metadata area.

  As shown in 1601 and 1602, the metadata item is “event name” and its value is “athletic day”, the metadata item is “shooting year, shooting month” and its value is “2006”, Two pieces of main data to which “October” metadata is added are displayed.

  The body data indicated by the black circle mark 1602 further includes metadata whose metadata item is “place” and its value is “□ △ Kindergarten”, and whose metadata item is “participant” and whose value is “participant”. “Hanako” metadata is added.

  Further, in the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1601, the metadata item “place” and the value “○ △ Elementary School” and the metadata item “participant” and the value “ Taro's metadata is added.

  In this case, when the icon is moved to a position on the metadata area where the black circle mark 1602 is displayed, first, a metadata value and a metadata item defining a unique area in the metadata area are displayed as metadata. Added as. Subsequently, metadata added to the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1602 is added.

  Specifically, the metadata item “event name” and its value “athletic meeting”, and the metadata items “photographing year and photographing month” and their values “2006” and “October” are icons. It is added to the associated body data. Further, metadata (metadata item “location” and its value “□ △ kindergarten”, metadata item “participant” and its value “Hanako”) added to the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1602 is added. , Added to the body data associated with the icon.

  On the other hand, when the icon is moved to a position on the metadata area where the black circle mark 1602 is displayed, similarly, first, a metadata value and metadata defining a unique area in the metadata area are displayed. Are added as metadata. Subsequently, metadata added to the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1602 is added.

  Specifically, the metadata item “event name” and its value “athletic meeting”, and the metadata items “photographing year and photographing month” and their values “2006” and “October” are icons. It is added to the associated body data. Further, metadata (metadata item “location” and its value “◯ △ elementary school”, metadata item “participant” and its value “Taro”) added to the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1601 are displayed. , Added to the body data associated with the icon.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, a plurality of other body data already added with metadata values and metadata items defining unique areas are obtained from the storage device, and the identifiers are obtained. Is configured to display a plurality.

  As a result, when an icon is moved over the metadata area, in addition to the metadata value and metadata items that define the specific area, a plurality of main body data displayed on the metadata area are displayed. Added metadata can be added.

  Furthermore, the configuration is such that the metadata to be added to the icon is changed depending on which position of the identifiers of the plurality of main body data displayed in the metadata area is the destination of the icon. As a result, the user can add desired metadata to the main body data by a simple operation.

  In the above description, the plurality of main body data acquired by the data acquisition unit is displayed on the metadata area as separate black circle marks. However, the present invention is particularly limited to such a display method. It is not a thing. For example, among the metadata added to the acquired plurality of main data, only common data may be integrated and displayed as one black circle mark. In this case, among the metadata added to the acquired plurality of body data, the metadata added in common to the plurality of body data is added to the body data associated with the icon.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the third and fourth embodiments, the data acquisition unit includes metadata values and metadata items that completely define the metadata values and metadata items that define unique areas in the metadata region. Is configured to obtain and display main data already added from the storage device. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this.

  For example, metadata values that define unique areas and metadata items that are content-matching, but including main data to which metadata with a different display format is added are acquired from the storage device, The identifier may be displayed on the metadata area.

  For example, when the metadata item added to the main data already stored in the storage device 103 is “shooting date” and the value is added by date, such as “2006.12.15” Will be described.

  In this case, the data acquisition unit 1101 in the present embodiment recognizes that the metadata item is “shooting year, shooting month” and the values match “2006” and “October”, and the metadata is added. Acquired body data.

  In FIG. 17, the data acquisition unit 1101 recognizes that the metadata value defining the unique area and the metadata matching the metadata item are added, and the acquired main data is displayed with a black circle mark. It shows the state.

  As shown in the figure, the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1703 includes, as metadata, a metadata item “event name” and its value “Christmas”, and a metadata item “shooting date” and its value “2006”. December 24 of the year "is added.

  Further, in the main body data indicated by the black circle mark 1704, as metadata, the metadata item “event name” and its value “Christmas”, the metadata item “shooting date” and its value “December 25, 2006”. "Is added.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the metadata item is “photographing year and photographing month” and the value is “December”, and the metadata item is “photographing date” and the value is “2006”. “December 24,” is recognized as matching metadata.

  Similarly, metadata whose metadata items are “shooting year and shooting month” and whose value is “December”, and whose metadata item is “shooting date” and whose value is “December 25, 2006”. Is recognized as matching metadata.

  That is, the data acquisition unit 1101 according to the present embodiment displays information indicating that “shooting date” is a metadata item from which “year” and “month” can be derived, and the display format of the metadata value of “shooting date”. Information such as “Year.Month.Day” is set.

  And the knowledge of metadata values and metadata items that define unique areas, the metadata values and metadata items actually added to the main data, and the display format of those values By using information, the above-described processing is realized.

  In addition, when adding the metadata added to the body data acquired in this way to the body data associated with the icon, the expression of the metadata item is unified, or the display format of the metadata value You may make it add after unifying. This is because, considering the reusability of the main data to which the metadata is added, it is desirable that the value does not fluctuate.

  Specifically, if there is no metadata having metadata items “year” and “month” in the already added metadata, the existing metadata item (in this example, “shooting date” ) Is added to the main data.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the present embodiment, when the main body data is acquired in the data acquisition unit, the contents are matched, but the data including the ones with different representation methods and display formats are acquired.

  As a result, the user can add more metadata when adding metadata to the body data associated with the icon.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the metadata items set in advance are selected in the area display processing, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the user may be able to specify metadata items to be displayed as the metadata area via the input device 101. In this case, the metadata value is determined according to the designated metadata item.

  Further, in this case, the display on the metadata area needs to be switched. For example, when “shooting location” is designated as another metadata item in the display example of the metadata area shown in FIG. 12, the display is switched to the metadata area shown in FIG. It becomes.

  Specifically, when “photographing location” (1801) is designated as the metadata item, metadata values corresponding to the metadata item include “home”, “elementary school”, “father's home”, “Mother's home” and “Kindergarten” are decided. Then, by arranging the metadata values in the vertical direction, a metadata area as shown in FIG. 18 is generated and displayed.

  Thus, in the area display process, the user can generate a desired metadata area by configuring the metadata items to be specified by the user.

  According to such a metadata addition function, for example, in an information processing apparatus having a function of registering image data such as an electronic album, when an image data registration operation and a metadata addition operation are performed simultaneously. Is particularly beneficial.

[Seventh Embodiment]
In the first to sixth embodiments, the metadata area is displayed two-dimensionally. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of metadata areas may be crossed. For example, when there are three types of metadata items, the metadata area may be displayed three-dimensionally. In this case, when the icon is moved to an area where three unique areas intersect, all the metadata values and metadata items defining the unique areas included in the area are all associated with the icon. Will be added to the main data.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, adding the metadata by moving the icon toward the metadata area displayed on the same screen as the screen on which the icon is displayed; However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, when a predetermined operation is performed, another metadata area is displayed, and a metadata value and a metadata item that define a unique area in the another metadata area are displayed in the icon. You may make it add to the main body data linked | related to.

  Furthermore, the number of other metadata areas is not limited to one, and a plurality of metadata areas may be provided. Each time the icon is moved to the other metadata area, the metadata value defining the unique area in the other metadata area and the metadata item are added to the body data associated with the icon. You may comprise so that it may add.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even if it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.

  Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. In this case, the above functions are realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. Is also included. That is, after the program code is written in the memory, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and is realized by the processing. This is also included.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus (100) concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration for realizing a metadata addition function in the information processing apparatus 100. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of region display processing in the metadata addition processing in the information processing apparatus 100. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of data addition processing in metadata addition processing in the information processing apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows an example of a metadata area | region at the time of assuming "meeting material data" as electronic data used as the addition object of metadata. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which an icon associated with main body data is displayed on the display device 106, and a user gives a selection instruction via the input device 101 to move the icon. It is a figure which shows the state which the user moved the icon instruct | indicated selection on the metadata area currently displayed. It is a figure which shows a mode that metadata was added to the main body data linked | related with the icon because the position on the metadata area | region which is a movement destination of an icon was decided. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration for realizing a metadata addition function in the information processing apparatus 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that metadata was added to main body data, when the area grouping part 901 performed the grouping process. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration for realizing a metadata addition function in the information processing apparatus 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a metadata area. It is a figure which shows a mode that the icon 1301 linked | related with the main body data used as the addition object of metadata was displayed on the display apparatus 106. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the icon 1301 is moving on the metadata area | region where the black circle mark 1203 is displayed. It is a figure which shows the state which moved the icon 1301 to the position on the metadata area | region where the black circle mark 1203 is displayed. It is a figure which shows a mode that several main body data were acquired by the data acquisition part 1101, and were displayed as a black circle mark in the applicable position on a metadata area | region. The data acquisition unit 1101 recognizes that metadata corresponding to the metadata value and metadata item defining the unique area has been added, and the acquired main data is displayed as a black circle mark. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a metadata area displayed when “photographing location” is instructed as another metadata item in the metadata area display example illustrated in FIG. 12.

Claims (11)

Area display means for displaying metadata areas in which metadata values are arranged according to metadata items, and a unique area is defined for each of the arranged metadata values;
Icon display means for displaying an icon associated with the body data to which the metadata can be added;
When the displayed icon is moved to a position on the metadata area, the metadata value defining the unique area to which the position belongs is added as metadata to the body data associated with the icon An information processing apparatus comprising: additional means for performing When the position on the metadata area where the displayed icon is moved is within an area where a plurality of unique areas defined for each value of the metadata intersect, the adding means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all metadata values defining each unique area are added as metadata to main data associated with the icon. An area grouping unit that groups the plurality of unique areas displayed in the metadata area;
When the position on the metadata area to which the displayed icon is moved is within a group area surrounded by the grouped unique area, the adding means includes each unique area included in the group area. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all metadata values defining the area are added as metadata to main data associated with the icon. Storage means for storing body data to which metadata is added; and
Of the metadata added to the body data stored in the storage means, represents the body data to which metadata including metadata values matching the metadata values arranged in the metadata area is added. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising main body data display means for displaying an identifier on the metadata area. When the position on the metadata area where the displayed icon is moved is within the unique area and above the identifier, the adding means defines the unique area The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the metadata value and the metadata value added to the body data representing the identifier are added to the body data associated with the icon. The main body data display means includes
Among the metadata added to the body data stored in the storage means, there are a plurality of body data to which metadata including metadata values matching the metadata values arranged in the metadata area is added. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein if there is, the plurality of identifiers are displayed on the metadata area. The main body data display means includes
Among the metadata added to the body data stored in the storage means, there are a plurality of body data to which metadata including metadata values matching the metadata values arranged in the metadata area is added. If there is, the identifier is displayed as an identifier obtained by integrating the plurality of main body data,
The adding means includes
When the position on the metadata area to which the displayed icon is moved is above the integrated identifier, a plurality of metadata values added to a plurality of main body data represented by the integrated identifier, The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus adds the main body data associated with the icon. The main body data display means includes
Of the metadata added to the main data stored in the storage means, metadata including metadata values having the same contents as the metadata values arranged in the metadata area and having different display formats is included. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: an identifier representing the added main data is displayed on the metadata area. The information according to claim 1, further comprising a designation unit that allows a user to designate an item of the metadata corresponding to a metadata value arranged on the metadata region by the region display unit. Processing equipment. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus,
An area display step for displaying a metadata area in which metadata values are arranged for each metadata item and a unique area is defined for each of the arranged metadata values;
An icon display step for displaying an icon associated with the main data to which the metadata can be added;
When the displayed icon is moved to a position on the metadata area, the adding means sets the metadata value defining the unique area to which the position belongs to the body data associated with the icon. An information processing method comprising: an additional step of adding as metadata. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 10.

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