JP2010086039A - Information processing apparatus and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display an index indicating a shooting spot of an image on a map. <P>SOLUTION: A control apparatus 103, if a user selects at least one thumbnail image on an image display screen and gives an instruction to display a map, acquires map data of multiple reduction scales in a range including shooting spots of all the selected images, and from among acquired map data of multiple reduction scales, selects a map of the maximum reduction scale which includes all shooting spots of images selected by the user on the image display screen and can display the shooting spots in a map display field of a map display screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

  The following image processing apparatus is known. When selecting a group icon in which a plurality of GPS icons are registered, this image processing apparatus automatically displays a map at a reduced scale so that all child icons belonging to the group can be displayed (for example, patents). Reference 1).

2001-289650

  However, the conventional image processing apparatus automatically displays a map at a reduced scale so that all child icons belonging to the selected group icon group can be displayed. There is no technique for automatically determining the scale of a map so that all the shooting points of a selected image are displayed on the screen.

According to the present invention, at least one image is initially selected from images recorded in association with information on shooting points, and map data of a plurality of scales in a range including shooting points of all the initially selected images is acquired. Further, map data having a reduced scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all initially selected images in an area for displaying a map on the screen is selected from a plurality of obtained map data of a reduced scale.
In the present invention, when at least one image is reselected from the initially selected images, and the image is reselected, the map data on the screen is displayed from the acquired map data at a plurality of scales. The map data of a scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all the reselected images may be selected.
If at least one image is additionally selected from images other than the reselected image among the initially selected images, and an additional image is selected, the map data on the screen can be selected from a plurality of map data obtained. Map data of a scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all the reselected images and the shooting points of all the additionally selected images may be selected in the area where the map is displayed.
From the acquired map data of multiple scales, select the map data of the maximum scale among the map data of the scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all the selected images in the map display area on the screen You may make it do.
Based on the selected map data, the map may be displayed in the area where the map is displayed on the screen.
You may make it display the parameter | index which shows the imaging | photography point of the selected image on the displayed map.
Select one of the indicators displayed on the map, and change the display position of the map so that the selected indicator is displayed at a predetermined position in the area where the map is displayed on the screen. Good.
You may make it change the display position of a map so that the selected parameter | index may be located in the center in the area | region which displays the map on a screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically select a scale of a map that can be displayed on the screen including all shooting points of the selected image.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a personal computer (personal computer) in the present embodiment. As will be described later, the personal computer 100 operates as an information processing device when the control device 103 reads and executes a program recorded in the HDD 104 based on an instruction from the user.

  The personal computer 100 includes an operation member 101, a connection IF (interface) 102, a control device 103, an HDD (hard disk drive) 104, a monitor 105, and a communication device 106.

  The operation member 101 includes various devices operated by the user, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The connection IF 102 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a digital camera. For example, a USB interface for performing a wired connection with a digital camera or a video camera, a wireless LAN module for performing a wireless connection, or the like is used. The In the present embodiment, for example, image file data is captured from the digital camera via the connection IF 102.

  In this embodiment, the digital camera from which the image file is acquired is a camera equipped with a GPS unit, and can acquire data indicating the shooting point of the image at the time of shooting, for example, latitude and longitude information of the shooting point. The digital camera can store and record data indicating the shooting location in the header portion of the image file. That is, in the image file captured from the digital camera via the connection IF 102, the latitude and longitude information of the shooting point is recorded as data indicating the shooting point in the header portion. In addition, thumbnail image data is also recorded as a display image in the header portion of the image file.

  The HDD 104 is a recording device for recording an image file taken in via the connection IF 102, various programs executed by the control device 103, and the like. For example, the HDD 104 records data of an image display program for executing processing to be described later with reference to FIG. This program is provided by being recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. In the personal computer 100, when the user installs program data in the HDD 104 using a storage medium, the control device 103 can execute the program. As described above, when the control device 103 executes the program, the personal computer 100 functions as an information processing device.

  The monitor 105 is a liquid crystal monitor, for example, and displays an image of display data output from the control device 103. The communication device 106 is a device for communicating with an external device such as a server, for example, a network card for connecting the personal computer 100 to the LAN line, a modem for connecting the personal computer 100 to the telephone line, or the like. Is used. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the personal computer 100 connects to an external map server in which map data is recorded via the communication device 106 and acquires map data. As a map server to which the personal computer 100 is connected, for example, there is a map server owned by a map information providing company.

  The control device 103 includes a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the entire image processing device 100. The memory constituting the control device 103 is a volatile memory such as SDRAM, for example. This memory is used as a work memory for the CPU to expand the program when the program is executed, or as a buffer memory for temporarily recording data.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 103 reads the image display program recorded in the HDD 104 when the user operates the mouse included in the operation member 101 to instruct execution of the image display application. The image display application is activated by reading and activating. For example, the user can instruct execution of the image display application by operating the mouse and double-clicking the shortcut icon of the image display application displayed on the screen.

  When the image display application is activated, the control device 103 displays an image display screen as shown in FIG. This image display screen includes a folder selection area 2a and a thumbnail image list display area 2b. The control device 103 reads the thumbnail image from the header portion of the image file recorded in the folder selected in the folder selection area 2a among the image files recorded in the HDD 104, and displays the thumbnail image list display area 2b. List in.

  For example, when the image display application is activated, the control device 103 automatically selects a folder set in advance or a folder selected when the previous application is terminated as an initial folder in the folder selection area 2a. Then, the control device 103 displays a list of thumbnail images of the image files recorded in the initial folder in the thumbnail image list display area 2b. At this time, the control device 103 may display the thumbnail images sorted in a predetermined display order, for example, the order of the file names of the image files or the order of shooting date and time, and further accepts the change of the sort order by the user. May be.

  The user can select at least one thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image list display area 2b by operating the mouse included in the operation member 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can select a plurality of thumbnail images 3b to 3d. After the user selects at least one thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image list display area 2b, the user presses the map display button 3a assigned for the map display instruction, so that the monitor 105 is displayed on the monitor 105. It is possible to instruct to display a map of a range including the shooting point of the selected image.

  When there is an instruction to display the map from the user, the control device 103 connects to an external map server via the communication device 106, and sends the image selected by the user to the connected map server. Request transmission of map data covering the shooting point. Note that information necessary for connection to the map server, such as the URL and IP address of the map server, is recorded in advance in the flash memory or the HDD 104.

  In this embodiment, when the map server receives a request signal for map data to which latitude / longitude information of a certain point is added, the map server identifies the requested point based on the latitude / longitude information, and Provide a service that transmits map data in a range. In addition, when the map server receives a request signal for map data to which latitude / longitude information of a plurality of points is added, the map server obtains map data in a range covering all the requested points based on the latitude / longitude information. Provide a service to send.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control device 103 transmits a map data request signal to which the latitude / longitude information of each photographing point of the image selected by the user is added to the map server. Based on the request from the personal computer 100, the map server transmits to the personal computer 400 map data in a range that covers all the received shooting points. At this time, the map server transmits map data of all scales to the personal computer 100 when there are map data of a plurality of scales as the map data in a range covering all the received photographing points.

  In the personal computer 100, the control device 103 can acquire map data in a range that covers the shooting point of the image selected by the user by receiving the map data transmitted from the map server. Note that the control device 103 is set in advance for the map server if no information regarding the shooting location is recorded in the image file corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user on the image display screen. Request and get map data for the area you are in.

  The control device 103 outputs a map display screen as shown in FIG. 4 to the monitor 105, and outputs the map data received from the map server in the map display column 4a in the map display screen, whereby the map display column 4a. A map of a range that covers the shooting point of the image selected by the user is displayed. And the control apparatus 103 displays the parameter | index 4c which shows that the point is a shooting point of an image in the position corresponded to the shooting point of each image on a map. In FIG. 4, a figure having a pin shape is displayed as the index 4c. In FIG. 4, indices are displayed at a plurality of photographing points, respectively, but a symbol (4c) is added to only one index as a representative.

  At this time, when a plurality of map data of different scales are received from the map server, the control device 103 displays the shooting points of the image selected by the user on the image display screen in the map display field 4a. Select the largest scale map possible. That is, the size of the map that can be displayed in the map display field 4a differs depending on the screen size and resolution of the monitor 105, the size of the map display screen, or the size of the map display field 4a in the map display screen. For this reason, the control apparatus 103 selects the map of the reduced scale which can include all the imaging | photography points within the range which can be displayed in the map display column 4a from the map of each reduced scale, and displays it in the map display column 4a. To do.

  For example, the control device 103 selects the shooting point with the largest latitude, the shooting point with the smallest latitude, the shooting point with the largest longitude, and the longitude from the shooting points of the image selected by the user on the image display screen. Extract the smallest shooting point. The control device 103 includes, in the map data received from the map server, within the range of the map that can be displayed in the map display field 4a, the extraction point, that is, the shooting point with the maximum latitude, the shooting point with the minimum latitude, the longitude Is the map data including all the shooting points with the largest and the smallest shooting points, and the map data with the largest scale is selected. And the control apparatus 103 displays a map on the map display column 4a based on the selected map data.

  As an example of a specific procedure, the control device 103 first arranges the extraction point on the map using the map data having the largest scale among the map data received from the map server. And the control apparatus 103 judges whether the map after arrange | positioning an extraction point can be displayed in the map display column 4a in the state including all the extraction points. When determining that the display is possible, the control device 103 selects the map data of the scale as a display target in the map display field 4a.

  On the other hand, when the control device 103 determines that display is not possible, that is, when the map after the extraction points are arranged is displayed in the map display column 4a, any of the extraction points protrudes from the map display column 4a. If it is determined that the map data of the scale is not selected as a display target in the map display field 4a, the same determination as described above is performed for the map data having the next largest scale. The control device 103 executes the above processing in order from map data having a larger scale, and repeats until map data to be displayed can be selected. As a result, the control device 103 selects map data at the maximum scale that can include all the shooting points within the range that can be displayed in the map display field 4a, and displays the map in the map display field 4a. be able to.

  Note that, as described above, the control device 103, with respect to the map server, does not record information regarding the shooting location in the image file corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user on the image display screen. Request and obtain map data for a preset area. In this case, the control device 103 selects map data having a preset scale from among a plurality of scale map data received from the map server, and displays the map in the map display field 4a. To do.

  In the map display screen, a thumbnail image display field 4b for displaying a list of thumbnail images selected by the user on the above-described image display screen is arranged. The user can select one or a plurality of thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b by clicking with the mouse. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the thumbnail image 5a shown in FIG. 5 is selected. In the thumbnail image display field 4b, the thumbnail image selected by the user may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from the unselected thumbnail image. For example, the thumbnail image selected by the user may be displayed so as to be recessed as compared with the thumbnail image not selected.

  When at least one thumbnail image in the thumbnail image display field 4b is selected by the user, the control device 103 selects the selected thumbnail image among the indices displayed on the map in the map display field 4a. The display mode of the index corresponding to is changed, and the index is selected. For example, the control device 103 changes the display color of the index corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b. Alternatively, the control device 103 may cause the indicator corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b to blink.

  When at least one thumbnail image is selected from the thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b by the user, the control device 103 displays a map as shown in FIG. The “map redisplay” button 4e on the screen is changed from the invalid state to the valid state so that the user can operate the “map redisplay” button 4e. When the user presses the “redisplay map” button 4e, only the index indicating the shooting point corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b is displayed on the map in the map display field 4a. Can be narrowed down to.

  When the user presses the “redisplay map” button 4e, the control device 103 determines the map scale described above only for the shooting location of the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b. Is executed, and a map with the maximum scale covering the shooting locations of the thumbnail images selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b is selected. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device 103 displays the selected scale map in the map display field 4a, and indicates the shooting point of the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b on the map. Display indicators. At this time, when the index to be displayed on the map is narrowed down, the control device 103 disables the “map redisplay” button 4e and prohibits the operation of the “map redisplay” button 4e.

  When the control device 103 detects that the mouse has been right-clicked with the mouse cursor positioned on any thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b, the control device 103 monitors the monitor 105. Display a pop-up menu above. The user can instruct to display the shooting point of the thumbnail image on which the mouse cursor is placed at the center in the map display field 4a by selecting “center display” in the pop-up menu.

  When “center display” in the pop-up menu is selected, the control device 103 corresponds to the thumbnail image on which the mouse cursor is placed while maintaining the scale of the map displayed in the map display field 4a. Scroll so that the index 7a is positioned at the center of the map display field 4a. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the “center display” is instructed for the thumbnail image 7a, the control device 103 displays the map so that the index 7b corresponding to the thumbnail image 7a is positioned at the center of the map. Scroll.

  In addition, when any of the indices indicating the shooting points displayed in the map display field 4a is selected by the user operating the mouse, the control device 103 displays a thumbnail image corresponding to the selected index. Scrolls the thumbnail images in the thumbnail image display field 4b so that is displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b. Then, the control device 103 selects a thumbnail image corresponding to the selected index. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the index 8a is selected on the map, the control device 103 selects the corresponding thumbnail image 8b in the thumbnail image display field 4b.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, the user can instruct to move the currently selected index 8a to the center of the map display field 4a by pressing the button 8c arranged at the top of the screen. When the button 8c is pressed, the control device 103, as shown in FIG. 9, displays the map displayed in the map display field 4a while the scale 8 is kept in the scale display map 4a. Scroll to the center of.

  As described above, the user selects the thumbnail image in the thumbnail image display field 4b to narrow down the index to be displayed on the map, and then operates the thumbnail image not selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b with the mouse. It is possible to add thumbnail images to be narrowed down. When the user selects an unselected thumbnail image in the thumbnail image display field 4b, the control device 103 sets the index corresponding to the selected thumbnail image in the map display field 4a to the selected state.

  When the index corresponding to the additionally selected thumbnail image is not within the range of the map displayed in the map display field 4a, the user operates the mouse to scroll the map, thereby adjusting the position of the index. Can be confirmed. For example, FIG. 10 shows a map display screen after the index corresponding to the additionally selected thumbnail image is selected. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device 103 changes the “map redisplay” button 4 e from the invalid state to the valid state.

  When the “redisplay map” button 4e is pressed after a thumbnail image is additionally selected by the user, the control device 103 selects the thumbnail image including the additionally selected thumbnail image in the thumbnail image display field 4b. The above-described processing for determining the scale of the map is executed with respect to the shooting positions of all the thumbnail images. As a result, the map at the maximum scale covering the shooting point of the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b is reselected.

  Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the control device 103 displays the map of the selected scale on the map display field 4a, and displays the shooting point of the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b on the map. The indicator to show is displayed. At this time, when the index to be displayed on the map is narrowed down, the control device 103 disables the “map redisplay” button 4e and prohibits the operation of the “map redisplay” button 4e.

  In the present embodiment, when the control device 103 detects that the mouse cursor is placed on any of the indices displayed on the map, the control apparatus 103 pops up information on the image file corresponding to the index. . For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the control device 103 detects that the mouse cursor is positioned on the index 12a, the control device 103 pops up an image information display screen 12b on the map display screen. The image information display screen 12b can switch between two tabs, a photo tab 12b-1 and a metadata tab 12b-2.

  The control device 103 displays the thumbnail image and the file name read from the header portion of the image file corresponding to the index 12a on the photo tab 12b-1. The metadata tab 12b-2 displays metadata recorded in the header portion of the image file corresponding to the index 12a, for example, various information such as shooting date / time, shooting location, shooting conditions, and the like.

  In addition, the user can operate the mouse and press the “end” button 4d on the image display screen to end the display of the map display screen and return to the image display screen. When the user operates the mouse and the “end” button 4d is pressed, the control device 103 ends the display of the map display screen and returns to the image display screen.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of the personal computer 100 in the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the control device 103 as a program that is activated when an instruction to execute the image display application is given by the user.

  In step S10, the control device 103 displays the image display screen shown in FIG. 2 on the monitor 105, and proceeds to step S20. In step S20, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 103 selects at least one thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image list display area 2b by the user and presses the map display button 3a. Then, it is determined whether display of the map display screen is instructed. If a negative determination is made in step S20, the process proceeds to step S190 described later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S20, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control device 103 connects to an external map server via the communication device 106, and requests transmission of map data in a range that covers the shooting point of the image selected by the user. And the control apparatus 103 acquires the map data of the range which covers the imaging | photography spot of the image selected by the user by receiving the map data transmitted from a map server. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S40, and the control device 103 executes the process for determining the scale of the map described above, and sets the shooting point of the image selected by the user on the image display screen in the map display field 4a. Determine the largest scale map that can be displayed comprehensively. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the control device 103 displays a map on the map display field 4a based on the determined map data of the maximum scale, and that point is a shooting point of the image at a position corresponding to the shooting point of each image on the map. An index indicating that is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60, and the control device 103 determines whether or not at least one of the thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b by the user is selected by clicking with the mouse. If a negative determination is made in step S60, the process proceeds to step S120 described later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S60, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the display state of the index on the map corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user in step S60 is changed to a selected state, and the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, when the user presses the “redisplay map” button 4e, the control device 103 changes the index to be displayed on the map in the map display field 4a to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b. It is determined whether or not it is instructed to narrow down only to the corresponding index. If a negative determination is made in step S80, the process proceeds to step S120 described later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S120, the process proceeds to step S90.

  In step S90, the control device 103 executes the above-described processing for determining the scale of the map, so that the maximum scale that can cover and display the photographing points of the image narrowed down by the user in the map display field 4a. Determine the map. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S100, and the control device 103 redisplays the map on the map display field 4a based on the determined maximum scale map data, and the point is located at a position corresponding to the shooting point of each image on the map. An index 4c indicating that the image is taken is displayed. Then, it progresses to step S110.

  In step S110, the control device 103 determines whether or not a thumbnail image that has not been selected in step S60 among the thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b has been additionally selected by the user. If an affirmative determination is made in step S110, the process returns to step S70, and the processes from step S70 to S100 are repeated. In this case, in step S90, the control apparatus 103 determines the scale of the map including the position of the index corresponding to the thumbnail image additionally selected in step S100 by the user. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S110, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, the control device 103 determines whether or not any of the indices displayed on the map in the map display field 4a has been selected by operating the mouse by the user. If a negative determination is made in step S120, the process proceeds to step S140 described later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S120, the process proceeds to step S130. In step S130, the control device 103 selects a thumbnail image corresponding to the index selected by the user on the map from among the thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b, and proceeds to step S140. .

  In step S140, the control device 103 displays a pop-up menu displayed when the user right-clicks the mouse with the mouse cursor placed on any thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b. Is selected, it is determined whether or not an instruction to display an index indicating the shooting point of the thumbnail image on which the mouse cursor is placed at the center in the map display field 4a. Alternatively, the control device 103 selects any index on the map in the map display field 4a and presses the button 8c arranged at the upper part of the screen, so that the index is displayed in the center in the map display field 4a. It is determined whether or not an instruction to display is displayed.

  If a negative determination is made in step S140, the process proceeds to step S160 described later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S140, the process proceeds to step S150. In step S150, the control device 103 scrolls the map so that the index instructed to be displayed in the center by the user is displayed in the center of the map display field 4a, and proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, the control device 103 determines whether or not the user has instructed display of image information corresponding to the index when the user moves the mouse cursor over any index on the map. If a negative determination is made in step S160, the process proceeds to step S180 described later. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S160, the process proceeds to step S170, and the control device 103 pops up the image information display screen 12b on the map display screen as shown in FIG. Display information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S180.

  In step S180, the control device 103 determines whether or not the end of the display of the map display screen is instructed by operating the operation member 101 by the user. If a negative determination is made in step S180, the process returns to step S60 and is repeated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S180, the process proceeds to step S190.

  In step S190, the control device 103 determines whether or not an instruction to end the image display application is given by operating the operation member 101 by the user. If a negative determination is made in step S190, the process returns to step S10 and is repeated. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S190, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When at least one thumbnail image is selected on the image display screen and the display of the map is instructed by the user, the control device 103 selects a plurality of ranges including the shooting points of all the selected images. The map data of a plurality of scales are acquired, and the shooting points of the images selected by the user on the image display screen are covered in the map display field 4a of the map display screen from the acquired map data of a plurality of scales. The map of the maximum scale that can be displayed was selected. As a result, the most detailed map can be automatically selected from the map in the range including all the shooting points of the image selected by the user.

(2) When at least one thumbnail image is selected from the thumbnail images displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b and the display of the map is instructed, the control apparatus 103 acquires a plurality of scales obtained. The map of the maximum scale capable of covering and displaying the shooting points of the image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail image display field 4b is selected from the map data. As a result, when the user narrows down the image that displays the index indicating the shooting location, the most detailed map is automatically selected from the map in the range including all shooting locations of the narrowed-down image. You can choose.

(3) When the image for displaying the index is added again after the user narrows down the image for displaying the index, the control device 103, among the acquired map data of a plurality of scales, The maximum scale map that can be displayed including the shooting location of the image corresponding to the added thumbnail image is selected. As a result, after the user has narrowed down the image that displays the index indicating the shooting location, and is added again, the map of the range including the shooting location of the added image is the most. A detailed map can be selected automatically.

(4) The control device 103 displays a map in the map display field 4a based on the selected scale map data. Thereby, the scale can be automatically determined and the map can be displayed.

(5) The control device 103 displays an index indicating the shooting point of the image selected by the user on the map. As a result, the user can check the shooting location of each image on the map.

(6) When the control device 103 is instructed to display any of the indexes displayed on the map at the center of the map display column 4a, the control unit 103 is set so that the index is positioned at the center of the map display column 4a. An example of scrolling the map has been described. Thereby, the user can display the noted index at the center of the map display field 4a.

-Modification-
Note that the personal computer of the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a figure in the shape of a pin is displayed as an index indicating a shooting point to be displayed on a map, like the index 4c illustrated in FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a figure of another shape, a thumbnail image, or a character may be displayed as an index.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the control device 103 is the maximum scale that can cover and display all the shooting points in the map display field 4a among the map data that covers all the shooting points of the selected image. An example of selecting the map data has been described. However, the control device 103 may select map data other than the maximum scale.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the control device 103 causes the user to right-click the mouse while the mouse cursor is positioned on any thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image display field 4b. If a pop-up menu is displayed on the monitor 105 and “center display” in the pop-up menu is selected by the user, the map displayed in the map display field 4a is reduced in scale. The example in which the index corresponding to the thumbnail image on which the mouse cursor is placed is scrolled so as to be positioned at the center of the map display field 4a while maintaining the above. In addition, when one of the indicators is selected by the user and the button 8c arranged at the upper part of the screen is pressed, the control device 103 displays the map displayed in the map display field 4a. The example in which the index selected by the user is scrolled so as to be positioned at the center of the map display field 4a while maintaining the scale has been described. However, the control device 103 may scroll the map so that the target index is displayed at a preset position other than the center of the map display field 4a in any case. For example, the control device 103 may scroll the map so that the target index is displayed at a position shifted to the lower right from the center of the map display field 4a. In this case, if the image information display screen 12b shown in FIG. 12 is displayed in a pop-up on the upper left of the index, the image information display screen 12b is displayed near the center of the map display field 4a, and the appearance is improved. .

(4) In embodiment mentioned above, the control apparatus 103 demonstrated the example which acquires map data from the map server which the map information provision company has installed in each country. However, when the person who provides the image display application according to the present invention has the map server, the control device 103 may access the company's map server and acquire the map data. Alternatively, the map data may be stored in the HDD 104 and the control device 103 may acquire the map data stored in the HDD 104.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the personal computer 100 is used as the information processing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention includes a storage device or storage medium for recording an image file, a display device for displaying an image, and other devices that can acquire map data from an external map server, such as a digital camera, a mobile phone, etc. It is also possible to apply to the above.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described embodiments as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which combined the above-mentioned embodiment and a some modification.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of a personal computer. It is a 1st figure which shows the specific example of an image display screen. It is a 2nd figure which shows the specific example of an image display screen. It is a 1st figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a 2nd figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a 3rd figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a 4th figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a 5th figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a 6th figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a 7th figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is an 8th figure which shows the specific example of a map display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image information on a map display screen. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the personal computer 100. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

100 PC, 101 operation member, 102 connection IF, 103 control device, 104 HDD, 105 monitor, 106 communication device

Claims (9)

Image selection means for initially selecting at least one image from images recorded in association with information relating to a shooting point;
Map data acquisition means for acquiring map data of a plurality of scales in a range including shooting points of all images initially selected by the image selection means;
A map of a scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all the images initially selected by the image selection means within a region on the screen for displaying a map on the screen from a plurality of scale map data acquired by the map data acquisition means An information processing apparatus comprising map data selection means for selecting data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The image selection means reselects at least one image from the initially selected images,
The map data selection means, when the image selection means re-selects an image, from among a plurality of scale map data acquired by the map data acquisition means, the map data selection means within the area for displaying the map on the screen An information processing apparatus that selects map data on a scale that can be displayed including the shooting locations of all images reselected by the image selection means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The image selection means additionally selects at least one image from images other than the reselected image among the initially selected images,
The map data selection means, when the image selection means additionally selects an image, from among a plurality of scale map data acquired by the map data acquisition means within the area for displaying the map on the screen An information processing apparatus that selects map data of a scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all images reselected by the image selection unit and the shooting points of all images additionally selected by the image selection unit. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The map data selecting means includes shooting points of all images selected by the image selecting means in a region for displaying a map on a screen from a plurality of scale map data acquired by the map data acquiring means. An information processing apparatus characterized by selecting map data of a maximum scale out of map data of a scale that can be displayed. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An information processing apparatus comprising map display means for displaying a map in an area for displaying a map on the screen based on the map data selected by the map data selection means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,
An information processing apparatus, further comprising: an index display unit that displays an index indicating a shooting point of the image selected by the image selection unit on the map displayed by the map display unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,
An indicator selection means for selecting one of the indicators displayed on the map;
An information processing apparatus, further comprising: a changing unit that changes a display position of the map so that the index selected by the index selecting unit is displayed at a predetermined position in a map display area on the screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes the display position of the map so that the index selected by the index selecting unit is positioned at the center of the area on the screen where the map is displayed. On the computer,
An image selection procedure for selecting at least one image from images recorded in association with information about a shooting location;
A map data acquisition procedure for acquiring map data of a plurality of scales in a range including shooting points of all images selected in the image selection procedure;
Map data of a scale that can be displayed including the shooting points of all the images selected by the image selection procedure within an area for displaying a map on the screen from a plurality of scale map data acquired by the map data acquisition procedure. An information processing program for executing a map data selection procedure for selecting a map.

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