JP2009289203A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display device capable of performing image display which can prevent a visitor on a virtual space from feeing unnaturalness and prevent the user of the space from being confused, by displaying content made to be viewed by the user on the virtual space by a display method free from unnatural feeling on the virtual space. <P>SOLUTION: In a camera 10 having a virtual space display part 17, an image grouping part 16 associates items on the virtual space display part 17 with images in accordance with image information associated with the images picked up by an imaging part 12, groups classified on the basis of the image information and the numbers of images in respective groups. Each image is displayed on the virtual space display part 17 by the item associated with the image by the image grouping part 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement technology of an image display device when viewing a photograph in a virtual space that imitates a real space, and more specifically, where a user can go where in the virtual space. The present invention relates to an image display apparatus using a virtual space that can be intuitively determined.

  In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) spatial display has become easy due to the development of computer graphic technology and the speeding up of computers and graphic engines.

  Also, in recent years, services in which a virtual space created with computer graphics has become accessible through a network have become widespread, and users have a friendly user interface that is different from data access through the Internet. It is effective in inviting you to the world beyond the Internet.

  In such a space, it is possible to have a simulated experience similar to a real space, and even if one simple data store is replaced in the conventional net service, the theme classification etc. utilizing its spatial characteristics can also be performed. Is possible.

As described above, as a technique using a virtual space, a technique as described in Patent Document 1 below is known.
JP 2005-174024 A

  The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 switches annotations (annotations) in the virtual space at the position of the experience person. However, this Patent Document 1 describes a display method that is easy for the user to understand, such as where to go in a virtual space, and how to display an image at a favorite place depending on the content of the image. It has not been.

  The virtual space formed in this way is preferably utilized making use of the space characteristics, and it is important to make the best use of the characteristics that can resemble a real space and to devise only the virtual world.

  For example, the relationship between the sense of image capacity in real space and the sense of image collection capacity in virtual space is preferably the same, and cardboard has more photo capacity than album Such a feeling should be applied to the virtual space. That is, here, the content that can be viewed by the user in the virtual space is displayed in a display method (use of an item similar to the real space) that does not give a sense of incongruity in the virtual space. Then, it is desired to perform image display that eliminates the confusion of the person who uses the space without making the visitor in the virtual space feel unnatural.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to display content that can be viewed by a user in a virtual space by a display method that does not give a sense of incongruity in the virtual space. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device capable of displaying an image that eliminates the confusion of a person who uses the space without feeling unnatural for visitors in the space.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the virtual space display unit that displays the virtual space including the item, and the number of the images belonging to each of the groups of images classified based on the meta information associated with the images. The image grouping means for associating the group with the item, and using the item associated with the group by the image grouping means, the virtual space display unit classifies the group. And a display control means for displaying an image.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of images belonging to the group, the item associated with the virtual space display unit is an album. And

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the number of images belonging to the group is plural and exceeds a predetermined number, the item is associated on the virtual space display unit. Is a cardboard.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the number of images belonging to the group is one, the item associated with the virtual space display unit is at least a frame, a photo stand , One of the CD cases.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the number of images belonging to the group is one, the item associated with the virtual space display unit is at least a frame, a photo stand The CD case can be sequentially switched.

  The invention described in claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the meta information used when the images are classified into the groups is based on time information.

  The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the meta information used when the images are classified into the groups is based on position information.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising an image pickup means for taking the image.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, further comprising clock means for acquiring time information of an image captured by the imaging means, and classifying the images into the groups. The meta information used in the above is acquired by the clock means.

  The invention described in claim 10 is the invention described in claim 8, further comprising position information determining means for acquiring position information of an image captured by the image capturing means, and classifying the images into the groups. The meta information used when performing the processing is acquired by the position information determination means.

  The invention described in claim 11 is an image display device that is connected to a camera having a communication function via a network and has a virtual space display unit that displays an image transmitted from the camera in a virtual space including an item. Then, based on the information on the number of images transmitted from the camera via the network, designation information determination means for associating the image with the item, and the image transmitted by the designation information determination means Display control means for displaying the transmitted image on the virtual space display unit using the associated item is provided.

  According to the present invention, a content that can be viewed by a user in a virtual space is displayed in a display method that does not give a sense of incongruity in the virtual space, and a visitor in the virtual space does not feel unnatural. It is possible to provide an image display device capable of performing image display that eliminates the confusion of the person who uses the space.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an example of the relationship between the shooting date and time and the number of images classified by the image grouping unit 16. FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1A, a camera 10 in this embodiment includes a control unit 11, a photographing unit 12, an image recording unit 13, a clock unit 15, an image grouping unit 16, and a virtual space display. The unit 17 and the operation unit 18 are configured.

  The control unit 11 performs control according to the user's operation, and controls the entire camera 10, and is an item on the virtual space display unit 17 associated with the image grouping unit 16. The virtual space display unit 17 has a function as display control means for displaying an image. The imaging unit 12 is an imaging unit that captures (captures) an image corresponding to a subject (not shown) by a user operation. The image recording unit 13 stores an image photographed by the photographing unit 12.

  The clock unit 15 acquires time information of the captured image. The image grouping unit 16 groups and classifies the captured images as meta information according to the images, the number of images, and the time information from the clock unit 15. In addition, in the image grouping unit 16, in order to view the image on the virtual space display unit 17, meta information associated with the image, a group classified based on the meta information, and the number of images belonging to the group. Correspondingly, the item is associated with the item on the virtual space display unit, and the display is switched depending on the number of images.

  The virtual space display unit 17 is capable of displaying a virtual space, and is for displaying and viewing the images grouped by the image grouping unit 16. The grouped image refers to an image belonging to the group. The operation unit 18 is for performing various inputs and operations of the camera 10, and corresponds to a mode switching button, a shutter button, a cross key, and the like.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 1B, the relationship between the shooting date and the number of images classified by the image grouping unit 16 will be described.

  The images photographed by the photographing unit 12 are grouped based on the photographing date and time that is time information obtained from the clock unit 15. This grouping is performed in the image grouping unit 16 based on the date and time of shooting and the number of images shot.

  For example, FIG. 1B shows an example in which images taken on the same date are grouped. In this case, there was no photography on September 20, 18 pictures on September 21, 2 pictures on 22nd, 9 pictures on 23rd, 8 pictures on 24th, and 9 pictures on 25th. An example is shown. The grouping of images is performed by judging the interval of the next shooting time from the shooting time acquired from the shooting time acquired by the clock unit 15. This time interval can be appropriately changed by a user operation or the like.

  Next, an outline of the virtual display of the camera will be described.

  The virtual space display unit 17 can display the virtual space through the monitor of the camera 10. FIG. 2A shows an example of displaying a captured image in a virtual space. In the virtual space 20, a frame 21a, a photo stand 21b, a CD case 21c, an album 22a, a cardboard 23a, and the like are prepared as items that can display and store images.

  The captured image is automatically displayed on the item as described above associated with the image grouping unit 16. In the virtual space 20, when the user operates the operation unit 18, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the avatar 25, which is a virtual character that becomes a user's alternation, moves. Thus, the image displayed on the item described above can be viewed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the avatar 25 is moved and brought close to the cardboard 23a, an image stored in the cardboard 23a can be searched and viewed. Further, when the avatar 25 is moved to approach the album 22a placed on the bookshelf in the virtual space 20, the album 22a is taken out and the image stored in the album 22a as shown in FIG. 2 (c). Can be appreciated. When viewing the image, the image may be displayed with the avatar 25 displayed, or the display may be switched to display only the image.

  Here, the user operates the operation unit 18 to move the avatar 25 to select an image. However, the avatar 25 is not displayed, for example, a cursor is displayed and the above-described item is directly clicked. Anyway. In this case, an image is displayed on the clicked item, for example, the album 22a.

  Next, the operation of the camera 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a basic operation when the user operates the camera 10 described above. This control operation is mainly performed by the control unit 11. In step S1, it is first determined whether or not the camera 10 is in a shooting mode. If it is determined that the shooting mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S2. If not, that is, if it is determined that the playback mode is selected, the process proceeds to step S5 described later.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not a release operation has been performed using the shutter button in the operation unit 18. If the release is not performed, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the shutter is released, the process proceeds to step S3 and photographing is performed. Since this photographing operation is well known, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, in step S <b> 4, the photographed image is recorded in the image recording unit 13 together with the photographing time acquired by the clock unit 15. Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  If it is in the reproduction mode, it is determined in step S5 whether or not the captured image is to be reproduced. Here, when reproducing | regenerating, it transfers to step S6, and when not reproducing | regenerating, it transfers to step S14.

  In step S14, it is determined whether images are grouped (whether there are unclassified images). If the images are not grouped (there are unclassified images), the process proceeds to step S15. If the images are grouped (there are no unclassified images), the process returns to step S1.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed between the previous shooting and the next shooting. Here, if the predetermined time has passed without shooting, the process proceeds to step S16, and the images acquired in the previous shooting and the next shooting are determined to be in different groups. In other words, the images taken last time are grouped and organized so that one image is taken in the previous image and another image is taken in the next shooting.

  After that, in step S17, the number of grouped images is determined, and in subsequent step S18, an association such as an item suitable for display and an item to be displayed in order is performed according to the number of groups. Is called. Details of the association between the number of images and items performed in step S18 will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S5 that playback is to be performed, it is determined in step S6 whether or not virtual display is to be performed. If virtual display is not performed, the process proceeds to step S7. If virtual display is performed, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, an item displayed by the user is selected, and an image is displayed on the selected item. The user can display the image on other items by the transfer operation. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the item is changed in step S12. As a result, when there is no item change, this sequence ends. On the other hand, when the item is changed, an item change process, which will be described in detail later, is performed in step S13. Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  If it is determined in step S6 that virtual display is not performed, the process proceeds to step S7, and thumbnail display of images is performed on the virtual space display unit 17. In step S8, if the user finds an image of interest from the thumbnail images, the operation unit 18 is operated to specify the corresponding image, and the image is enlarged.

  Thereafter, in step S9, it is selected whether or not to move to the virtual space. Here, this sequence ends when it does not shift. On the other hand, in the case of shifting, the process proceeds to step S10, and an item for displaying an image is selected by the user. Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed operation of the subroutine “associating items by group number and order” in step S18 of the flowchart of FIG. Here, the association of items based on the number of images in a group and the order of items to be displayed will be described.

  In this subroutine, first, in step S21, it is determined whether or not the number of grouped images is one. Here, when the number of grouped images is one, the process proceeds to step S22, and an item change process, which will be described in detail later, is performed.

  If the number of grouped images is not one in step S21, it is determined whether or not the number of grouped images is less than 100 in step S23. If the number of grouped images is less than 100, the process proceeds to step S24, and the images are stored in the album 22a. If the number of grouped images is 100 or more, the process proceeds to step S25, and the images are transferred to cardboard.

  Although the number of images divided into albums and cardboards in step S23 is 100, it is needless to say that the number is not limited to this.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining detailed processing operations of the subroutine “item change” in step S13 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 and step S22 of the flowchart of FIG.

  When this subroutine is entered, first, in step S31, the image is displayed on the frame 21a. Thus, when a new image enters the frame 21a, in step S32, the image displayed on the frame 21a before step S31 is switched to the display of the photo stand 21b.

  Next, when a new image enters the photo stand, in step S33, the image displayed on the photo stand 21b before step S32 is switched to display on the CD case 21c. Furthermore, when a new image enters the CD case 21c, in step S34, the image displayed on the CD case 21c before step S33 is moved to the album 22a.

  Thus, when the number of images is one, images can be automatically switched and displayed sequentially. By changing the item to be displayed automatically even when one image is displayed, the user can enjoy viewing the image more.

  Note that the display positions of the images changed in steps S31 to S34 are not limited to those described above, and the order is not limited to this.

  In this way, even when there are a plurality of images, the images can be automatically organized.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment described below, the basic configuration and operation of the camera are the same as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and therefore only the different configuration and operation are described. In the description, the same reference numerals are assigned to other identical parts, and illustration and explanation thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the entire camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a position determined by a position determination unit, and FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the relationship between the imaging | photography date classified by the image grouping part 16, and the number of images.

  6A, the camera 10a according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 11, a photographing unit 12, an image recording unit 13, a clock unit 15, an image grouping unit 16, and a virtual space display. The unit 17 and the position determination unit 31 are configured. The position determination unit 31 is position information determination means for acquiring position information of an image photographed (captured) by the photographing unit 12, and is configured by a GPS or the like, for example. The position information acquired by the position determination unit 31 is added to the photographed image in the image grouping unit 16 and can be grouped.

  In the world map 35 shown in FIG. 6 (b), for example, information that images are taken at the positions of stars 36a, 36b, and 36c is shown. The positions of these stars 36a, 36b, and 36c are represented by the position determination unit 31. Based on these pieces of information, the date and time when the image was taken and the position where the image was taken are determined, and the images are grouped.

  FIG. 6C shows an example in which images taken on the same date in the same city are grouped. In this case, 8 images were taken in Paris with the star 36a on May 4 and 7 photos were taken with Cairo with the star symbol 36b on October 30, and 9 photos were taken in New York with the star symbol 36c on December 10. It is shown.

  In order to view images on the virtual space display unit 17, the image grouping unit 16 associates the grouped images with items, and switches display according to the shooting position information and the number of images.

  Next, an outline of the virtual display of the camera will be described.

  The virtual space display unit 17 can display the virtual space through the monitor of the camera 10. FIG. 7A shows an example in which a captured image is displayed in a virtual space. Similar to FIG. 2A described above, a frame 21a, a photo stand 21b, a CD case 21c, an album 22a, a cardboard 23a, and the like are prepared in the virtual space 20 as items that can decorate and store images.

  FIG. 7B shows an example in which images grouped in association with items to which shooting position information is added are displayed on the album 22a. At this time, the design of the item 22a can be changed according to the shooting position information. For example, the group of images grouped when taken in Paris will have an Eiffel Tower design on the cover of the album. Also, the image group that was grouped when taken with Cairo has the design of “Pyramid and Sphinx” on the cover of the album. The group of images that were grouped when taken in New York will have the design of the Statue of Liberty on the cover of the album.

  The design of the frame 21a, the photo stand 21b, the CD case 21c, the cardboard 23a, and the like, which are other items than the album 22a, can be changed according to the shooting position information. Each design is selected when it is associated with an item by the image grouping unit 16 and displayed in the virtual space by the virtual space display unit 17.

  Next, the operation of the camera 10a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a basic operation when the user operates the camera 10a according to the second embodiment.

  The processing operations of steps S41 to S43 and S45 to S56 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 are the same as the processing operations of steps S1 to S3 and S5 to S16 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 in the first embodiment described above. Since it is the same, description is abbreviate | omitted as referring the processing operation of a corresponding step.

  When photographing is performed in steps S41 to S43, the photographed image is recorded together with the photographing time and photographing position in subsequent step S44. Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  If the images are not grouped in the playback mode (there are unclassified images) and have not been photographed for a predetermined time, the images are grouped in step S56 to organize the images. Is done. Thereafter, in step S57, the number of grouped images and position information are determined, and in subsequent step S58, items suitable for display and in which items are displayed in order according to the number of groups and the shooting position. The association is made such that

  For example, in the case of being associated by the shooting position, as shown in FIG. 7B, it may be classified into albums for each shooting position.

  Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  In this way, even when there are a plurality of images, the images can be automatically organized.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, an example in which the camera is used alone has been described. In the third embodiment, an example of a camera system using a camera and an image display device using the Internet will be described.

  In the third embodiment described below, the basic configuration and operation of the camera are the same as those in the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. Only the operation will be described, and the same reference numerals will be given to the other same parts, and the illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a camera system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 9, the camera system includes a camera 10 b, an image display device 50 connected via a hot spot 41 and the Internet 45.

  The camera 10 b includes a control unit 11, a photographing unit 12, an image recording unit 13, a virtual space display unit 17, an operation unit 18, a designation unit 32, and a communication unit 33. Although not shown in the camera 10b of FIG. 8, the clock unit 15 and the image grouping unit 16 described above may be included.

  The designation unit 32 is used for selecting an image recorded in the image recording unit 13 and desired to be transmitted, and may be used for inputting time information and position information. Etc. Further, the communication unit 33 enables connection to the Internet 45 by the wireless LAN 40 using the hot spot 41 or the like so that the image selected by the designation unit 32 can be transmitted to the image display device 50. It is.

  The image display device 50 includes a reception unit 51, a temporary recording unit 52, a designation information determination unit 53, a display switching control unit 54, and a virtual space display unit 55 as a second virtual space display unit. The receiving unit 51 in the image display device 50 receives an image transmitted from the camera 10b through the Internet 45. The image received by the receiving unit 51 is recorded by the temporary recording unit 52. The designation information determination unit 53 determines how to display an image in the virtual space based on the number of images sent from the camera 10b. In other words, the teacher and student information determination unit 53 determines which item (frame 61a, book 62, etc.) in the virtual space is to be associated with the transmitted image in accordance with the number of images transmitted from the camera 10b, and Output information. Then, according to the information determined by the designation information determination unit 53, the display switching control unit 54, which is a display control unit, switches the image to be displayed in the virtual space. Thereby, the image transmitted from the camera is displayed in the virtual space using the item through the virtual space display unit 55, and can be viewed by the user.

  Next, an outline of virtual space display in the image display device 50 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the image display device 50 that has received the image transmitted from the camera 10b, the image is switched and displayed according to the designation information. For example, when the number of sent images is one, the images are displayed using the frame 61a and the photo frame 61b. If there are a plurality of images, they are displayed using a book 62 or an album. Details of the image switching are the same as those in the flowcharts of FIGS.

  Next, the basic operation of the camera 10b in the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S61, it is determined whether or not the user takes a picture. As a result, when shooting is performed, the process proceeds to step S62 and shooting is performed. Thereafter, this sequence ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S61 that the image is not shot, it is determined whether or not the process proceeds to step S63 and playback is performed. If it is determined that the reproduction is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S64, where the reproduction is performed, and then the present sequence ends.

  If it is determined in step S63 that the image is not to be reproduced, the process proceeds to step S65, and an image to be transmitted to the image display device 50 is selected by operating the designation unit 32. In step S66, the selected image is transmitted to the image display device 50. Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  In this manner, the user can transmit an image from the camera 10b to the image display device 50.

  Next, the basic operation of the image display device 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When this sequence is entered, first, in step S71, it is determined whether or not an image is received from the camera 10b by the receiving unit 51. If an image has been received, the process proceeds to step S 72, and the received image is temporarily recorded in the temporary recording unit 52. Thereafter, in step S73, the designation information determination unit 53 determines the association between the item and the image in accordance with the item and the number of images specified by the user. Based on the determination, an image is displayed on the frame 61a, for example. This displayed image can be viewed through the virtual space display unit 55. Thereafter, this sequence ends.

  On the other hand, if no image has been received in step S71, the process proceeds to step S74, where the image already recorded in the image display device 50 is viewed or the screen is switched according to the movement of the recorded avatar. For example, the image display device 50 is operated.

  As a result, content that can be viewed in the virtual space is displayed in a display method (use of items similar to the real space) that does not feel uncomfortable in the virtual space, and the visitor does not feel unnatural. It is possible to display an image that eliminates the user's own confusion.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention other than the above-described embodiments.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be extracted as an invention.

(A) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) shows an example of the relationship between the shooting date and time and the number of images classified by the image grouping unit 16. FIG. (A) is a diagram showing an example of displaying a photographed image in a virtual space, (b) is a diagram showing an example in which an avatar 25 is viewing an image stored in a cardboard 23a, and (c) is an album in which the avatar 25 is an album. It is the figure which showed the example which looks at the image currently displayed on 22a. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the basic operation | movement when a user operates the camera 10 in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining detailed operations of a subroutine “item association by group number and order” in step S18 of the flowchart of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining detailed processing operations of a subroutine “item change” in step S13 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 and step S22 of the flowchart of FIG. 4; (A) is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a diagram showing an example of positions determined by a position determination unit, (c) is an image grouping 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a shooting date and time and the number of images classified by a unit 16. FIG. (A) is a diagram showing an example in which captured images are displayed in a virtual space, and (b) is an example in which images grouped in association with items to which shooting position information is added are displayed on album 22a. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the basic operation | movement when a user operates the camera 10a in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the camera system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a diagram for describing an outline of virtual space display in the image display device 50. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the basic operation | movement of the camera 10b in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating basic operation | movement of the image display apparatus 50 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b ... Camera, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Shooting part, 13 ... Image recording part, 15 ... Clock part, 16 ... Image grouping part, 17, 55 ... Virtual space display part, 18 ... Operation part, 20 ... Virtual space, 21a, 61a ... Picture frame, 21b, 61b ... Photo stand, 21c ... CD case, 22a ... Album, 23a ... Cardboard, 25 ... Avatar, 31 ... Position determination part, 32 ... Designation part, 33 ... Communication part 35 ... World map, 36a, 36b, 36c ... Stars, 40 ... Wireless LAN, 41 ... Hot spot, 45 ... Internet, 50 ... Image display device, 51 ... Receiving unit, 52 ... Temporary recording unit, 53: Designated information determination unit, 54: Display switching control unit, 62: Book.

Claims (11)

A virtual space display unit for displaying a virtual space including an item;
Image grouping means for associating the group with the item according to the number of the images belonging to the group of images classified based on the meta-information associated with the image;
Display control means for displaying the images classified into the group on the virtual space display unit using the items associated with the group by the image grouping means;
An image display device comprising:   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of images belonging to the group, an item associated with the virtual space display unit is an album.   3. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein when the number of images belonging to the group is plural and exceeds a predetermined number, the item associated with the virtual space display unit is cardboard.   2. The item according to claim 1, wherein when the number of images belonging to the group is one, the item associated with the virtual space display unit is at least one of a frame, a photo stand, and a CD case. Image display device.   The item associated with the virtual space display unit when the number of images belonging to the group is one can be sequentially switched from at least a frame, a photo stand, and a CD case. The image display device described in 1.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the meta information used when classifying the images into the groups is based on time information.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the meta information used when classifying the images into the groups is based on position information.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging unit that captures the image. A clock means for acquiring time information of the image captured by the imaging means;
9. The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the meta information used when classifying the images into the groups is acquired by the clock means. Further comprising position information determining means for acquiring position information of an image captured by the image capturing means;
9. The image display device according to claim 8, wherein the meta information used when classifying the images into the groups is acquired by the position information determination unit. An image display device having a virtual space display unit that is connected to a camera having a communication function via a network and displays an image transmitted from the camera in a virtual space including an item,
Designation information determination means for associating the image with the item based on information on the number of images transmitted from the camera via the network;
Display control means for displaying the transmitted image on the virtual space display unit using the item associated with the transmitted image by the designation information determining means;
An image display device comprising:

Images