JP2009157587A - Information management device, information management method, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information management device for easily registering various information on a picture taken by a user with detailed content of related information so that the user conveniently retrieves registered information later. <P>SOLUTION: An object to be read is optically read, so as to receive the selection of a category concerning the information of the object. A storage means previously stores retrieval conditions corresponding to the categories and the retrieval condition corresponding to the selected category is specified from the storage means. Then, a retrieval request, including at least the information of the object, the category received, and the specified retrieval condition, is transmitted to a retrieval server. The information management device receives the result of the retrieval request from the retrieval server, and automatically registers, in a database built in the own device, the retrieval result corresponding to the combination of the information of the object, the category, and the retrieval condition, by registering processing corresponding to at least the combination of the category with the retrieval condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management device, an information management method, and a program for registering optically read information in a terminal device held by a user.

With the widespread use of digital cameras and mobile phones with digital cameras, various objects are photographed, and the photographed information is stored in a server or terminal as individual-specific information. Thereby, the user of a digital camera or a mobile phone can use it as an album or diary by storing various information that he / she sees as a history. A related technique for registering photographed information is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP-A-11-175533

  By the way, when registering various information photographed by the user as described above, it is conceivable to register various attributes such as the name, category, and related information of the photographed information together. There is a demand for an apparatus that can easily perform work, register the contents of related information in detail, and be convenient for later retrieval of registered information.

  Therefore, when registering various information photographed by the user, the present invention facilitates the registration work, makes the contents of related information in detail, and is convenient for later retrieval of registered information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information management apparatus, an information management method, and a program that can be registered.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides reading target reading means for optically reading a reading target, category selection receiving means for receiving selection of a category of the read reading target, and a search condition corresponding to the category. Search condition storage means for storing, a search condition corresponding to the category is specified from the search condition storage means, the read information of the reading target, the category that has received the selection, and the specified search condition, A search request means for transmitting a search request including at least a search request; a search result receiving means for receiving a search result of the search request from the search server; and a combination of the information to be read, the category, and the search condition. A search medium corresponding to at least a combination of the category and the search condition, and a recording medium built in the device. An information management apparatus characterized by comprising: a search result registration means for automatically registering and to.

  In the information management apparatus according to the present invention, the category is a book, the information to be read is a title, the search condition is an author name or a summary, and the search result registration unit receives the search request as a result. The search result, which is a combination of a book, title, and author name, is automatically registered in the recording medium by at least a markup language description method specified by the book, author name combination, and the result of the search request The received search result, which is a combination of a book, a title, and a summary, is automatically registered in the recording medium by at least a markup language description method specified by the combination of the book and the summary.

  In the information management apparatus described above, the category is a plant, the information to be read is an image, the search condition is a name, and the search result registration unit is a search result received as a result of the search request. The search result based on a combination of a plant, an image, and a name is automatically registered in the recording medium by at least a markup language description method specified by the combination of the plant and the name.

  Further, the present invention is an information management method in the information management apparatus, wherein the reading target reading unit optically reads the reading target, and the category selection receiving unit receives the selection of the category of the read reading target information, A search condition storage unit stores a search condition corresponding to the category, and a search request unit specifies a search condition corresponding to the category from the search condition storage unit, and the read information to be read and the selection A search request including at least the category for which the search is received and the specified search condition, the search result receiving means receives the search result of the search request from the search server, and the search result registration means A search result corresponding to a combination of the information to be read, the category, and the search condition, at least a combination of the category and the search condition. The registration processing according to a data management method, characterized by automatic registration to a recording medium built in the own device.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer of an information management apparatus, wherein a reading target reading unit that optically reads a reading target, a category selection receiving unit that receives a selection of a category of the read information to be read, and a search condition corresponding to the category. A search request that is specified from a search condition storage unit that stores a search condition corresponding to the category and that includes at least the read information to be read, the category that has received the selection, and the specified search condition is searched. Search request means for transmitting to the server, search result receiving means for receiving the search result of the search request from the search server, search results corresponding to a combination of the information to be read, the category and the search condition, at least Automatic registration to the recording medium built in the device by registration processing according to the combination of the category and the search condition Is a program for causing the search result registration unit functions as a.

  According to the present invention, when registering information to be read acquired using an optical reading device provided in the information management device, the details searched by the search process without searching and checking the related information one by one. Related information can be easily registered. In addition, since the information to be registered is registered by an XML template specialized for the information, the registered information is a markup language, so that the later search process can be easily performed, and the information is specialized. Registration can be performed so that the display format becomes the same. For example, the information related to the title of the book is preferably in a screen display form specialized for the information, and such a problem can be solved.

Hereinafter, an information management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information management apparatus according to the embodiment.
In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an information management device. Reference numeral 2 denotes a search server. The information management device 1 and the search server 2 are connected via a communication network. The information management apparatus 1 is assumed to be stored in a terminal such as a mobile phone carried by a user or a PDA (personal digital assistant). The information management device 1 includes a communication processing unit 11 that transmits / receives information to / from the search server 2 via a communication network, a control unit 12 that controls each processing unit in the information management device 1, and an optical reading device built in the device itself. Request for transmitting information to the search server 2, an information reading unit 13 for optically reading information by driving, a search condition specifying unit 14 for specifying a search condition based on the read information, and a search request including information such as the search condition 15, based on the result of the search request, the registration processing unit 16 that automatically registers the optically read information or the information indicated by the search result in the storage unit in the own device, A database 17 for storing parameters and the like necessary for the processing unit to perform processing is provided. The database 17 may be a flash memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) built in the information management apparatus 1, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, an SD memory card (SD Memory Card), MMC (MultiMedia Card), or the like may be used. An IC card or a secure recording medium may be used.

  In this embodiment, the information management apparatus 1 optically reads the reading target and accepts selection of the category of the read information of the reading target. In addition, search conditions corresponding to the category are stored in advance, the search condition corresponding to the selected category is specified from the storage unit, the read target information, the category that has received the selection, and the specified search condition Are transmitted to the search server 2 at least. Then, the information management apparatus 1 receives the search result of the search request from the search server 2, and obtains the search result corresponding to the combination of the information to be read, the category, and the search condition according to at least the combination of the category and the search condition. By registration processing, it is automatically registered in a database (recording medium) built in the device itself.

FIG. 2 is a first diagram showing an example of a screen when information is registered.
This figure is an initial screen when information is registered using the information management apparatus 1. When the user inputs an information registration processing instruction to the information management apparatus 1, the information is displayed on the display unit of the information management apparatus 1. . Using this screen, the user selects a category and then registers data (data registration-category selection), reads information first with an optical reader (data registration-data scan), or creates a new category Specify whether to register the name. Here, the category is the type of information to be registered.

FIG. 3 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a screen when information is registered.
This figure is a screen used when referring to what categories can be registered, or when referring to information that has already been read by the optical reader.
FIG. 4 is a third diagram showing an example of a screen when registering information.
This figure is a screen displayed on the display unit of the information management apparatus 1 when performing category selection. A list of categories registered in advance or categories registered by the user is displayed. The user can select a category by operating the input unit of the information management apparatus 1, selecting a category, and pressing a selection button.
FIG. 5 is a fourth diagram showing an example of a screen when information is registered.
This figure is a screen for referring to registered information later. For example, when the user registers information whose category is “book”, information such as the author name and summary corresponding to the title of the book (information read by the optical reader) is registered in the information management apparatus 1. Then, a screen as shown in this figure is displayed by a user operation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the information management apparatus.
Next, the processing flow of the information management apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the user displays a screen for information registration (FIG. 2) on the display unit of the information management apparatus 1 and selects data registration (data scan). Then, the optical reading device built in the information management device 1 is activated, and the user optically reads the reading target using the information management device 1 (step S101). For example, the reading target is character information such as a title of a book written on paper or an actual object. If character information is used, an optical reader such as an OCR (optical character reader) of the information management apparatus 1 is used. Read character information. If the object is a real object, the object is photographed by the digital camera provided in the information management apparatus 1 and the image is read. The information reading unit 13 obtains the read information to be read. Hereinafter, an example in which the reading target is a book title will be described.

  When the information reading unit 13 acquires the information to be read (book title), the search condition specifying unit 14 then selects a category selection screen for designating which category the character string “title” belongs to (see FIG. 4) is output to the display unit, and a category selection is received from the user (step S102). Assume that the category selected here is “book”. The information management apparatus 1 stores search conditions corresponding to categories. The search condition is information used as a key for searching information related to the information indicated by the category in the search server. For example, if the category is “book”, the search condition is “author name”, “ The database 17 stores a search condition correspondence table between categories and search conditions. Then, the search condition specifying unit 14 reads the search conditions “author name” and “summary” corresponding to the category “book” from the search condition correspondence table of the database 17 (step S103). Then, the search condition specifying unit 14 notifies the search request unit 15 of information “title” to be read, “book” indicating the category, “author name” indicating the search condition, and “summary”.

  Next, the search request unit 15 sends a search request storing the information “title” to be read, “book” indicating the category, “author name” indicating the search condition, and “summary” to the search server 2. (Step S104). The search server 2 searches based on the combination of the information to be read “title”, the information “book” indicating the category, and “author name” or “summary” which is one of the search conditions. Search processing is performed for each combination of “author name” and “summary” indicated by the conditions (step S105). The search server 2 outputs a search result based on a combination of “title”, “book”, and “author name” and a search result based on a combination of “title”, “book”, and “summary”, and manages each of them. It transmits to the apparatus 1 (step S106). In the search result, information to be read, information indicating a category, and information indicating a search condition are also stored and transmitted.

  Next, the communication processing unit 11 receives the search result, and the registration processing unit 16 receives a notification of the search result. Here, in the database 17, an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) template for registering a search result based on a combination of “book” indicating a category and “author name” as search information, and “book” indicating a category are searched. An XML template for registering a search result based on a combination of information “summary” is stored separately. This XML template is used when registering a search result, and information to be registered is generated by writing search result information in a program described in XML. The registration processing unit 16 registers a search result based on a combination of “title”, “book”, and “author name” and a search result based on a combination of “book” indicating a category and “author name” that is search information. The registration information for registering the search result by the combination of “title”, “book”, and “author name” is generated using the XML template in the case (step S107). Further, the registration processing unit 16 registers a search result by a combination of “title”, “book”, and “summary” and a search result by a combination of “book” indicating a category and “summary” as search information. Using the XML template, registration information for registering a search result by a combination of “title”, “book”, and “summary” is generated. Then, the generated registration information is recorded in a predetermined area of the database 17 (step S108).

  With the above processing, when registering the information to be read acquired using the optical reading device provided in the information management device, the user is searched by the search processing without searching and checking the related information one by one. Detailed related information can be easily registered. In addition, since the information to be registered is registered by an XML template specialized for the information, the registered information is a markup language, so that the later search process can be easily performed, and the information is specialized. Registration can be performed so that the display format becomes the same. For example, the information related to the title of the book is preferably in a screen display form specialized for the information, and such a problem can be solved.

  In the above-described processing, the reading target is the “title” of the text, but other information may be used. For example, when the reading target is a real “plant”, an image obtained by photographing the plant is information on the reading target. The information management apparatus 1 then retrieves a search request storing information of “plant image” that is information to be read, “plant” that indicates the selected category, and “name” that indicates the search condition. Transmitted to the server 2, the search server 2 performs search processing using information stored in those search requests. In the search processing based on the image, for example, the image is analyzed, and the RGB value or tristimulus value of each pixel in the image, the contour of the object, etc. are extracted, and the information is used. . When the information management apparatus 1 receives the search result, the registration processing unit 16 indicates the search result and the category by a combination of “plant image”, “plant” indicating the category, and “name” which is the search condition. Registration information is generated using an XML template for registering a search result based on a combination of “plant” and “name” as search information, and is registered in the database 17.

  Further, the reading target may be a two-dimensional code, a color code, or a bar code in addition to the text and image described above. If it is such information, the information is read by the code reading device, and a character string stored in the read information is set as information to be read. Furthermore, the reading target may be acquired from a recording medium such as a wireless tag that transmits information using RFID technology.

  In addition, the user can search and display and edit already registered information by using the information management apparatus 1 (adding a diary or impression text to the registered information and inputting it, etc.). In addition, registered information may be uploaded to a terminal or a server held by another user.

  The information management apparatus and search server described above have a computer system inside. Each process described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above process is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” includes a WWW system having a homepage providing environment (or display environment).

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an information management apparatus. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of a screen at the time of information registration. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of a screen at the time of information registration. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of a screen at the time of information registration. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of a screen at the time of information registration. It is a figure which shows the processing flow of an information management apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information management apparatus 2 ... Search server 11 ... Communication processing part 12 ... Control part 13 ... Information reading part 14 ... Search condition specific | specification part 15 ... Search request part 16. ..Registration processor 17 ... Database

Claims (5)

A reading object reading means for optically reading the reading object;
Category selection accepting means for accepting selection of the read category to be read;
Search condition storage means for storing search conditions corresponding to the category;
A search condition corresponding to the category is specified from the search condition storage unit, and a search request including at least the read information to be read, the category for which the selection has been received, and the specified search condition is sent to the search server. Search request means to send;
Search result receiving means for receiving a search result of the search request from the search server;
Search for automatically registering a search result corresponding to a combination of the information to be read, the category, and the search condition in a recording medium built in the apparatus by at least a registration process corresponding to the combination of the category and the search condition. A result registration means;
An information management device comprising: The category is a book, the information to be read is a title, the search condition is an author name or a summary,
The search result registration means includes:
The search result received as a result of the search request, and the search result based on the combination of the book, title, and author name is automatically registered in the recording medium at least by the markup language description method specified by the book, author name combination. And
The search result received as a result of the search request, and the search result based on the combination of the book, title, and summary is automatically registered in the recording medium by at least the markup language description method specified by the combination of the book and the summary. The information management apparatus according to claim 1. The category is a plant, the information to be read is an image, and the search condition is a name,
The search result registration means includes:
The search result received as a result of the search request is automatically registered in the recording medium by a markup language description method specified by at least the combination of the plant, the image, and the name.
The information management apparatus according to claim 1. An information management method in an information management device, comprising:
The reading object reading means optically reads the reading object,
The category selection accepting unit accepts selection of the category of the read information to be read,
A search condition storage means stores a search condition corresponding to the category,
A search request means specifies a search condition corresponding to the category from the search condition storage means, and includes at least the read information to be read, the category that has received the selection, and the specified search condition Send the request to the search server,
The search result receiving means receives the search result of the search request from the search server,
A search result registering unit stores a search result corresponding to a combination of the information to be read, the category, and the search condition in at least a registration process corresponding to the combination of the category and the search condition. An information management method characterized by automatic registration on a medium. The computer of the information management device,
A reading object reading means for optically reading the reading object;
Category selection receiving means for receiving selection of a category of the read information to be read;
The search condition corresponding to the category is specified from search condition storage means for storing the search condition corresponding to the category, the read information of the reading target, the category that has received the selection, and the specified search condition , A search request means for transmitting a search request including at least to the search server,
Search result receiving means for receiving a search result of the search request from the search server;
Search for automatically registering a search result corresponding to a combination of the information to be read, the category, and the search condition in a recording medium built in the apparatus by at least a registration process corresponding to the combination of the category and the search condition. Result registration means,
Program to function as.

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