JP2010198426A - Retrieval system, image retrieval system, and retrieval method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retrieval system in which an operator can more intuitively understand a plurality of retrieval conditions. <P>SOLUTION: The retrieval system includes: an HDD 24 which stores recorded images; a display screen section 23 which can display: a clothing icon 106b and a belongings icon 206c composed of patterns suggesting a retrieval condition for retrieving from the recorded images; and a retrieval character 6a having an icon arrangement region 106a for arranging the clothing icon 106b and an icon arrangement region 206a for arranging the belongings icon 206c; and a control section 21 for controlling so as to search the recorded images of the HDD 24 based on the content retrieval conditions decided on the basis of the clothing icon 106b and the belongings icon 206c arranged at the icon arrangement regions 106a, 206a of the retrieval character 6a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a search system, a video search system, and a search method, and more particularly to a search system, a video search system, and a search method for searching for content based on content search conditions.

  Conventionally, a search system, a video search system, and a search method for searching for content based on a content search condition are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

  In Patent Document 1, a data search condition (content search condition) is set based on a keyword icon (search condition image icon) including an image reminiscent of a keyword (search condition) related to data in a database (content storage unit). A data search method including a step and a step of searching a database based on a set data search condition is disclosed. The keyword icon of this data search method is arranged in the keyword icon display area, and when setting the data search condition, the operator moves the keyword icon corresponding to the keyword required for the data search condition to the search condition setting area. Let Then, the database is searched based on the data search condition determined based on the keyword icon arranged in the search condition setting area by starting the search with the keyword icon arranged in the search condition setting area. It is configured. In addition, a plurality of keyword icons can be arranged in the search condition setting area, and by combining them separately or arranged so as to partially overlap, a keyword combination method at the time of database search (Logical product or logical sum) is configured to be different.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a database management system (content storage unit) that stores data, an icon condition storage unit that stores icons having search conditions, and a screen area in which the contents of a plurality of data are displayed as a list And an information search system including a condition analysis unit (control unit) that analyzes an icon search condition. In this information search system, by displaying an icon having a search condition in a screen area where a list is displayed, the condition analysis unit searches for data based on the icon search condition. A list related to the retrieved data is configured to be displayed in the screen area. A plurality of icons can be arranged in the screen area, and the condition analysis unit selects a combination of search conditions (logical product or logical sum) according to the positional relationship of icons and the color of icons. It is configured to be able to search differently. In addition, by combining a plurality of icons having search conditions into one icon, one icon can be configured to have a composite search condition.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a hierarchical structure type file is searched based on a screen on which a plurality of icons with search conditions having a search condition and a hierarchical structure type file are displayed, and a search condition of icons with search conditions. A search device comprising a CPU is disclosed. In this search device, a hierarchical structure searched by the CPU based on a plurality of search conditions (file search conditions) composed of a plurality of search condition icons by performing a mouse operation on the plurality of search condition icons. The type file and a plurality of icons with search conditions are connected by connecting lines and displayed on the screen.

  Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a file management method configured such that a file stored in a file storage unit is searched by a search unit using an icon in which a plurality of combined search conditions are set. It is disclosed. Note that the file management method described in Patent Document 4 does not describe the icon display form.

  Further, Patent Document 5 discloses a file search method in which a plurality of icons for searching for a file are displayed on a display screen. This file search method is configured so that a plurality of file attributes such as file (document) data amount, file printing size, and file information correspond to display attributes such as icon color and shape. ing. In the file search method, when an icon having a display attribute is selected by the operator, a plurality of files having a common file attribute corresponding to the display attribute of the selected icon by the processing device (control unit). Is configured to be searched. The icon is configured to be displayed as another icon having different display attributes such as the color and shape of the icon when even one file attribute is different.

JP-A-10-289251 JP 7-21199 A JP 2001-318944 A Japanese Patent No. 4194305 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-204987

  However, in the data search method described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to perform a search even when keyword icons are freely arranged in the search condition setting area. In the case where they are arranged apart from each other in opposite corners in the setting area, it is difficult for the operator to recognize the data search condition determined from the plurality of keyword icons arranged in the search condition setting area as one unit. Therefore, it is considered that there is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to intuitively understand the data search condition.

  Further, in the information search system described in Patent Document 2, when a plurality of icons having search conditions are displayed in a screen area in a state where they are combined into one icon having composite search conditions, the composite search condition is set to 1. Since it is displayed on one icon, there is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to intuitively understand the complex search condition.

  In the information search system of Patent Document 3, it is difficult for an operator to recognize a plurality of search conditions (file search conditions) including a plurality of icons with search conditions on which a mouse operation has been performed as one unit. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to intuitively understand the file search condition.

  Further, the file management method of Patent Document 4 has a problem that it is difficult for an operator to intuitively understand a plurality of search conditions when an icon with a plurality of search conditions is displayed as one symbol. It is believed that there is.

  Further, in the file search method of Patent Document 5 described above, an icon is configured to be displayed as another icon having different display attributes such as the color and shape of the icon if even one file attribute is different. As the number of icons increases, the number of icons tends to increase. For this reason, it is considered that the number of icons having similar display attributes increases due to the increase in the number of files and the number of icons. Therefore, it can be considered that there is a problem that it is difficult for the operator to intuitively understand the file attribute corresponding to the display attribute because it becomes difficult to distinguish between icons having similar display attributes.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a search system, a video search system, and a search system that make it easier for an operator to understand a plurality of search conditions more intuitively. To provide a search method.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  A search system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a content storage unit in which content is stored, a plurality of search condition image icons having a search condition for searching for content, and a pattern associated with the search condition, Determined based on a display screen portion capable of displaying a character image having a plurality of icon arrangement portions on which search condition image icons are arranged, and a plurality of search condition image icons respectively arranged on the plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image And a control unit that controls to search the content stored in the content storage unit based on the set content search condition.

  In the search system according to the first aspect, as described above, the content search condition is based on a plurality of search condition image icons each having a pattern reminiscent of the search condition respectively arranged in the plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image. By being determined, it is possible to make the operator recognize a plurality of search conditions as a single unit around the character image, so that the operator can more easily understand the plurality of search conditions more intuitively.

  In the search system according to the first aspect, it is preferable that the plurality of search condition image icons include a first search condition image icon that indicates the first type of search condition and a second type of search condition that indicates the second type of search condition. Two search condition image icons, and the icon arrangement part of the character image includes a first icon arrangement part where the first search condition image icon is arranged and a second icon arrangement part where the second search condition image icon is arranged. including. If comprised in this way, while the 1st search condition image icon which means the 1st type search condition will be arranged in the 1st icon arrangement part, the 2nd search condition image which will mean the 2nd type search condition Since the icons are arranged in the second icon arrangement part, different search conditions can be arranged in different parts, so that the operator can understand the plurality of search conditions more effectively and intuitively. It can be made easier.

  In the search system according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit is configured to be able to search for content using the date and time when the content is stored in the content storage unit as a date and time search condition. Based on the date and time of the date search condition, at least one of the color and the form of the character image is displayed on the display screen unit. With this configuration, the character image can be displayed with visually different expressions based on the date and time of the date and time search condition, so that not only the multiple search conditions but also the date and time search conditions are intuitive to the operator. To make it easier to understand.

  In the search system according to the first aspect, preferably, the search condition image icon is displayed so that it can be attached to the character image and a clothing icon displayed so as to be attached to the character image. Includes inventory icons. If comprised in this way, since character image can be personified and a search condition image icon can be arranged in a character image more sensibly, an operator can easily select content search conditions. .

  In the search system according to the first aspect, preferably, the search order is displayed in the icon arrangement part of the character image, and the control unit includes the search condition image icon and the character arranged in the icon arrangement part of the character image. The content storage unit is searched for content based on a content search condition determined based on the search order displayed on the icon arrangement site of the image. According to this configuration, the search order (priority order) can be set between the search conditions of the search condition image icons arranged in the icon arrangement part of the character image, so that the operator can set detailed content search conditions. Can be made.

  A video search system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a video content storage unit that stores video content, a search condition for searching for video content, and a plurality of search conditions that are associated with the search condition. A display screen unit capable of displaying an image icon and a character image having a plurality of icon arrangement portions on which search condition image icons are arranged, and a plurality of search condition image icons respectively arranged on the plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image And a control unit that controls to search for the video content in the video content storage unit based on the content search condition determined based on.

  In the video search system according to the second aspect, as described above, the content search condition is based on a plurality of search condition image icons each having a pattern reminiscent of the search condition respectively arranged in the plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image. Is determined, the operator can be made to recognize a plurality of search conditions as a single unit around the character image, so that the operator can easily understand the plurality of search conditions more intuitively. .

  The search method according to the third aspect of the present invention has a search condition for searching for content, and arranges a plurality of search condition image icons each having a pattern reminiscent of the search condition at a plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image. And a step of searching for content based on a content search condition determined based on a plurality of search condition image icons respectively arranged at a plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image.

  In the search method according to the third aspect, as described above, a content search determined based on a plurality of search condition image icons each having a pattern reminiscent of a search condition arranged at each of a plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image. By providing the step of searching for content based on the condition, the operator can recognize a plurality of search conditions as a single unit around the character image, so that the operator can more intuitively set the plurality of search conditions. To make it easier to understand.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a video apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote controller of the video apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the liquid crystal television of the video device shown in FIG. 3 is a control flow for explaining a content search method of the video apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. 3 is a control flow for explaining setting of content search conditions of the video apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the video device shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the liquid crystal television by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the liquid crystal television by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the liquid crystal television by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the liquid crystal television by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the content search method of the liquid crystal television by 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the video apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, 6, and 18.

  The video apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a remote controller 1 and a liquid crystal television 2 as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 1 includes a determination button 10a, a content display button 10b, a motion detection unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a control signal generation unit 14, and infrared transmission. Part 15. Further, the motion detection unit 11 has a function of detecting the vertical and horizontal movements of the remote controller 1.

  When the control unit 12 determines that the enter button 10a has been pressed, the control unit 12 determines that the cursor 5 (see FIG. 5) displayed on the display screen unit 23 described later of the liquid crystal television 2 is located. An operation signal for selecting and determining is generated. When the control unit 12 determines that the content display button 10b has been pressed, the content selection screen described later is displayed from the content display screen 3 (see FIG. 1) displayed on the display screen unit 23 of the liquid crystal television 2. 4 (see FIG. 5) is configured to generate an operation signal.

  When the control unit 12 determines that the remote controller 1 has been moved up, down, left and right, the cursor 5 displayed on the display screen unit 23 of the liquid crystal television 2 is moved to the up, down, left and right movements of the remote controller 1. The display screen unit 23 is configured to generate an operation signal that moves up, down, left, and right to be interlocked. In addition, when the control unit 12 determines that the remote controller 1 has been moved up, down, left, or right with the determination button 10a being pressed, the cursor 5 of the display screen unit 23 of the liquid crystal television 2 is located. The object 5 and the cursor 5 are simultaneously moved up, down, left, and right, and when it is determined that the pressing of the enter button 10a is released, the up, down, left, and right movement of the object 5 is released (drag and drop). Such an operation signal is generated.

  The control signal generation unit 14 has a function of generating a control signal corresponding to the operation signal output from the control unit 12 and outputting the control signal to the infrared transmission unit 15. The infrared transmitter 15 has a function of transmitting the control signal output from the control signal generator 14 to the outside by infrared communication.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal television 2 includes an infrared receiving unit 20, a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a display screen unit 23, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 24, a television broadcast, It includes a television broadcast receiving unit 25 for receiving information related to the genre and contents of the television broadcast, and a slot 26 into which a memory card 2000 can be inserted. The infrared receiver 20 has a function of receiving a control signal transmitted from the infrared transmitter 15 of the remote controller 1 and outputting a control signal to the controller 21.

  The control unit 21 is configured to process the control signal output from the infrared receiving unit 20 and perform control corresponding to the control signal. Specific control will be described later. The storage unit 22 stores processing information related to the control signal in advance, and the control unit 21 is configured to read the processing information related to the control signal. Further, the storage unit 22 has a function of storing a set search character 7a (see FIG. 18) in which a content search condition to be described later is set, and a date and time when the set search character 7a is set. The display screen unit 23 includes a content display screen 3 (see FIG. 1), a content selection screen 4 (see FIG. 5), a content search screen 6 (see FIG. 6), and a set search character screen 7 (FIG. 18). Reference)) can be displayed.

  Also, the HDD 24 stores a plurality of recorded images composed of video, the date and time when the plurality of recorded images were recorded, and information on the genre and contents of each recorded image related to the plurality of recorded images. The genre and content information of the recorded image is included in the information regarding the genre and content of the television broadcast received by the television broadcast receiving unit 25, and is used when the recorded image is searched. In addition, the memory card 2000 includes a plurality of still images captured by a digital camera (not shown), dates and times when the plurality of still images are captured, and information on the genre and content of each still image related to the plurality of still images. Is remembered. The genre and content information of the still image is stored in advance in the memory card 2000 by registration means (not shown), and is used when a still image is searched. The plurality of recorded images and still images stored are each displayed on the display screen unit 23 by the control unit 21. The recorded image and the still image are examples of the “content” of the present invention, and the HDD 24 and the memory card 2000 are examples of the “content storage unit” and the “video content storage unit” of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 21, the HDD 24, the memory card 2000, and the display screen unit 23 constitute the “search system” and the “video search system” of the present invention.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 18, a content search method of the video apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, a content image 3 a is displayed on the content display screen 3 in the display screen unit 23. Here, in step S1 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 21 (see FIG. 3) controls the control signal corresponding to the operation signal that the content display button 10b of the remote controller 1 is pressed by the operator (not shown). Is determined by the infrared receiver 20. If the control unit 21 determines in step S1 that the content display button 10b has been pressed by the operator, the process proceeds to step S2, and the control unit 21 displays the display screen unit 23 as shown in FIG. Control is performed to switch the displayed content display screen 3 to the content selection screen 4. Furthermore, the control unit 21 enables all the content icons 4a to be described later to be displayed on the content selection screen 4 for selecting and determining a recorded image and a still image. Then, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S1, if the control unit 21 determines that the content display button 10b has not been pressed by the operator, the control unit 21 performs steps until it determines that the content display button 10b has been pressed by the operator. The process of S1 is repeated.

  The content selection screen 4 also includes a content icon 4a for selecting and determining a recorded image and a still image stored in the HDD 24 or the memory card 2000, and the date and time when each recorded image and still image was recorded or taken. A date / time display 4b and a cursor 5 are displayed. In addition, a scroll button 4c for scrolling in the X1 direction is displayed at the corner in the X1 direction of the content selection screen 4, and at the corner in the X2 direction of the content selection screen 4 for scrolling in the X2 direction. A scroll button 4d is displayed. By scrolling the content selection screen 4, a part of the content icon 4a and the date / time display 4b currently displayed on the content selection screen 4 are not displayed, and a new content icon 4a and a date / time display 4b are displayed on the content selection screen. 4 is displayed.

  Further, in the X1 direction at the bottom (Z2 direction) of the content selection screen 4, a search condition display area 4e is displayed in which the genre and content of the displayed content icon 4a or the content search condition is displayed. In the first embodiment, “display all HDDs” is displayed in the search condition display area 4e. A content search button 4 f displayed as “Search” is displayed in the X2 direction at the bottom of the content selection screen 4.

  In the first embodiment, in step S3 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the content search button 4f has been selected and determined by the operator. In step S3, when the control unit 21 determines that the content search button 4f has been selected and determined by the operator, the process proceeds to step S4, and the control unit 21 displays the display screen unit 23 as shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the content selection screen 4 displayed on the screen is switched to the content search screen 6. Then, the process proceeds to a control flow for setting content search conditions in step S5. If the control unit 21 determines in step S3 that the content search button 4f has not been selected and determined by the operator, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a search character 6 a is displayed in the X1 direction of the content search screen 6. This search character 6a has a humanoid shape and is displayed so as to have a dark color (indicated by hatching with small intervals in FIG. 6). In addition, a clothing icon display area 6b is displayed at the top of the content search screen 6 in the X2 direction (Z1 direction), and a belongings icon display area 6c is displayed at the center of the content search screen 6 in the X2 direction. Has been. The search character 6a is an example of the “character image” in the present invention.

  In addition, clothing icons 106b and 206b are displayed in the clothing icon display area 6b, and belongings icons 106c and 206c are displayed in the belongings icon display area 6c. The clothing icons 106b and 206b are examples of the “first search condition image icon” and the “search condition image icon” of the present invention, respectively, and the belonging icons 106c and 206c are respectively the “second search of the present invention. It is an example of “condition image icon” and “search condition image icon”.

  In clothing icons 106b and 206b, symbols representing search conditions related to the genres of recorded images and still images are displayed in trapezoidal frames, respectively. Thus, the clothing icons 106b and 206b are configured to be displayed on the content search screen 6 so as to be put on the search character 6a. In the first embodiment, the symbol displayed on the clothing icon 106b is a soccer ball, which means a search condition of “sport” as the genre of the recorded image and the still image, and the search for “sport-related” to the operator. It is displayed to remind the condition. Further, the symbol displayed on the clothing icon 206b is a heart mark, which means a search condition of drama as a genre of recorded images and still images, and makes the operator associate the search condition of “drama related”. It is displayed. The search condition relating to the genre such as sports and dramas is an example of the “first type search condition” in the present invention.

  In addition, in the belonging icons 106c and 206c, symbols representing search conditions regarding the contents of the recorded image and the still image are displayed in a handbag-like frame. Thus, the belonging icons 106c and 206c are configured to be displayed on the content search screen 6 so that the search character 6a can have them. In the first embodiment, the symbol displayed on the belongings icon 106c is a television, which means a search condition of a program produced by a television station as the contents of a recorded image and a still image, and informs the operator of the television. It is displayed to remind the search condition. In addition, the symbol displayed on the belongings icon 206c is a movie film, which means a movie search condition as the contents of the recorded image and the still image, and is displayed to remind the operator of the movie search condition. Yes. The search condition related to the contents is an example of the “second type search condition” in the present invention.

  A scroll button 306b for scrolling in the X1 direction is displayed at the X1 direction corner at the top (Z1 direction) of the clothing icon display area 6b, and the X2 direction corner at the top of the clothing icon display area 6b. A scroll button 406b for scrolling in the X2 direction is displayed. By scrolling the clothing icon display area 6b, a part of the clothing icons currently displayed in the clothing icon display area 6b is not displayed, and a new clothing icon is displayed in the clothing icon display area 6b. Has been.

  In addition, a scroll button 306c for scrolling in the X1 direction is displayed at the upper corner (Z1 direction) of the belongings icon display area 6c, and a corner in the X2 direction at the upper part of the belongings icon display area 6c. A scroll button 406c for scrolling in the X2 direction is displayed. By scrolling the belonging icon display area 6c using the scroll buttons 306b and 406b, a part of the belonging icons currently displayed in the belonging icon display area 6c is not displayed, and a new belonging icon is displayed in the belonging icon display area. 6c is configured to be displayed.

  For example, from the state in which the belonging icons 106c and 206c are displayed in the belonging icon display area 6c, as shown in FIG. 7, the scroll button 306c is selected and determined, so that the belonging icon display area 6c has the X1 side. The belonging icon 106c displayed on the screen is no longer displayed, and a new belonging icon 506c is displayed on the X2 side. Here, the symbol displayed on the belongings icon 506c is a camera, which means a search condition of a still image captured by the camera as the contents of the recorded image and the still image, and a still image captured by the operator by the camera. The image is displayed so as to be reminiscent of the search condition. The belongings icon 506c is an example of the “second search condition image icon” and the “search condition image icon” in the present invention.

  Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the human-type search character 6a includes an icon arrangement portion 106a located on the body portion of the search character 6a and an arm portion on the X2 side of the search character 6a. There are provided an icon arrangement part 206a located and an icon arrangement part 306a located in the arm portion on the X1 side of the search character 6a. The icon placement portion 106a is an example of the “first icon placement portion” in the present invention, and the icon placement portions 206a and 306a are each an example of the “second icon placement portion” in the present invention.

  The search character 6a is configured to be able to be displayed with the clothing icons 106b and 206b on the icon arrangement portion 106a, and the search condition of the clothing icon 106b or 206b attached to the icon arrangement portion 106a. Based on the above, the genre of the recorded image and the still image to be searched is determined. The search character 6a is configured to be able to be displayed with the belonging icons 106c and 206c in the icon arrangement portions 206a and 306a, and the belonging icon 106c provided in the icon arrangement portions 206a and 306a. Alternatively, the contents of the recorded image and the still image to be searched are determined based on the search condition of 206c.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the clothing icons 106b and 206b and the belongings icons 106c and 206c are configured to be moved (drag and drop) in a state where they are selected and determined by the cursor 5, respectively. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, the clothing icon 106b is configured to be attached to the icon arrangement portion 106a of the search character 6a. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, when the belonging icon 106c is to be attached to the icon arrangement part 106a of the search character 6a, the belonging icon 106c is not attached to the icon arrangement part 106a, and the belongings shown in FIG. The belonging icon 106c in the icon display area 6c is returned to the position where it was placed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a date / time search condition selection area 6d is provided on the X2 side in the lower part (Z2 direction) of the content search screen 6. In this date / time search condition selection area 6d, a date / time search condition 106d displayed as “This week”, a date / time search condition 206d displayed as “1 week ago”, and “2 weeks ago” are displayed together with a check button. The date / time search condition 306d is displayed. The operator can set the date / time search conditions 106d to 306d by selecting any check button of the date / time search conditions 106d to 306d.

  Note that the date search condition 106d is a search of a recorded image of the HDD 24 (see FIG. 3) recorded in a period of one week before the current (when the content search condition is set) or a still image of the captured memory card 2000. Means a condition. The date and time search condition 206d means a search condition of a recorded image of the HDD 24 recorded in a period from two weeks ago to one week before the present or a still image of the captured memory card 2000. The date / time search condition 306d means a search condition of a recorded image of the HDD 24 or a still image of the captured memory card 2000 that was recorded two weeks ago before the current date.

  In the first embodiment, the date / time search condition 106d up to one week ago is selected and determined, so that the date / time search condition 106d is displayed as checked as shown in FIG. Further, by selecting and determining the date / time search condition 206d from two weeks ago to one week ago, as shown in FIG. 12, the date / time search condition 206d is checked and displayed, and the search character 6a on the content search screen 6 is displayed. The color is changed so as to be lighter than in the case of the date / time search condition 106d shown in FIG. 11 (in FIG. 12, it is displayed with hatched lines having a larger interval than in FIG. 11). Further, by selecting and determining the date / time search condition 306d older than two weeks ago, the date / time search condition 306d is checked and displayed, as shown in FIG. 13, and only the outline of the search character 6a on the content search screen 6 is displayed. Is changed to a state (white display) displayed as a solid line. That is, the control unit 21 is configured to display the search character 6a on the content search screen 6 while changing the color based on the date and time of the date and time search conditions 106d to 306d.

  Here, in the first embodiment, in step S5a of the control flow for setting the content search condition shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 21 determines whether one of the clothing icons 106b and 206b and the belonging icons 106c and 206c is a search character. It is determined whether or not the icons 6a, 206a and 306a are arranged by drag and drop. In step S5a, when the control unit 21 determines that any of the clothing icons 106b and 206b and the belonging icons 106c and 206c is arranged in the icon arrangement parts 106a, 206a and 306a, the process proceeds to step S5b. If the control unit 21 determines that neither the clothing icons 106b and 206b nor the belongings icons 106c and 206c are arranged in the icon arrangement parts 106a, 206a, and 306a, the process proceeds to step S5e.

  Further, in step S5b, the control unit 21 places the dragged and dropped clothing icon 106b or 206b on the icon placement site 106a, or drags and drops the belonging icon 106c or 206c on the icon placement site 206a and 306a. It is determined whether or not it is arranged in any of the above. In step S5b, if the control unit 21 determines that the clothing icon 106b or 206b is placed in the icon placement portion 106a, the process proceeds to step S5c, and the control unit 21 displays the content search screen as shown in FIG. The clothes icon 106b or 206b dragged and dropped is displayed on the 6 search characters 6a so as to be put on the icon arrangement part 106a. Then, the process proceeds to step S5e. Similarly, in step S5b shown in FIG. 14, when the control unit 21 determines that the belonging icon 106c or 206c is arranged in any one of the icon arrangement portions 206a and 306a, the process proceeds to step S5c, The dragged and dropped belongings icon 106c or 206c is displayed on the search character 6a on the content search screen 6 so as to be held in either of the icon arrangement parts 206a and 306a. Then, the process proceeds to step S5e.

  On the other hand, in step S5b, when the control unit 21 determines that the dragged and dropped clothing icon 106b or 206b is placed in any one of the icon placement portions 206a and 306a, the control unit 21 proceeds to step S5d. The dragged and dropped clothing icon 106b or 206b is displayed again in the clothing icon display area 6b without being placed on the search character 6a on the content search screen 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S5e. Similarly, in step S5b, when the control unit 21 determines that the dragged and dropped belonging icon 106c or 206c is arranged in the icon arrangement part 106a, the process proceeds to step S5d, and the control unit 21 performs drag and drop. The displayed belonging icon 106c or 206c is displayed again in the belonging icon display area 6c without being placed on the search character 6a on the content search screen 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S5e.

  Next, in step S5e, the control unit 21 determines whether any of the date / time search conditions 106d, 206d, and 306d in the date / time search condition selection area 6d of the content search screen 6 has been selected and determined. In step S5e, if the control unit 21 determines that any one of the date / time search conditions 106d, 206d, and 306d has been selected and determined, the process proceeds to step S5f to select the color of the search character 6a on the content search screen 6 Display based on the determined date and time search conditions 106d, 206d, and 306d. Then, the control flow for setting the content search condition ends, and the process proceeds to step S6 shown in FIG. In step S5e, when the control unit 21 determines that none of the date / time search conditions 106d, 206d, and 306d has been selected and determined, the control flow for setting the content search conditions ends, and the steps shown in FIG. Proceed to S6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, in the vicinity of the head (mouth) of the search character 6 a on the content search screen 6, the characters “search start” and the search character 6 a say “search start”. By displaying a line drawing surrounding the character, a search condition determination icon 6e for starting a search in the control unit 21 is displayed. Here, in the state in which the search character 6a shown in FIG. 15 is produced by the control flow for setting the content search condition shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 21 is an operator (not shown) in step S6 shown in FIG. To determine whether or not the search condition determination icon 6e on the content search screen 6 has been selected and determined.

  In step S6, if the control unit 21 determines that the search condition determination icon 6e has been selected and determined, the process proceeds to step S7, and the control unit 21 searches for the search condition attached to the icon arrangement portion 106a of the search character 6a. Based on (clothing icon 106b and belongings icon 106c), content search conditions are determined, and on the basis of the content search conditions, recorded images and still images stored in HDD 24 (see FIG. 3) or memory card 2000 are searched. To do. Then, the process proceeds to step S8. If the control unit 21 determines in step S6 that the search condition determination icon 6e has not been selected and determined, the process returns to step S5, which is a control flow for setting the content search condition shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S <b> 8, the control unit 21 determines whether a recorded image or still image satisfying the content search condition exists in the HDD 24 or the memory card 2000. At this time, the control unit 21 makes a determination based on the genre and content information of the recorded image stored in the HDD 24 or the genre and content information of the still image stored in the memory card 2000. If the control unit 21 determines in step S8 that a recorded image or still image satisfying the content search condition exists in the HDD 24 or the memory card 2000, the process proceeds to step S9, and as shown in FIG. Displays the content selection screen 4 on the display screen unit 23, and on the content selection screen 4, the content icon 4a and the date / time display 4b corresponding to the recorded image or still image corresponding to the content search condition, and the content search condition (HDD) A search condition display area 4e in which "genre: sport content: movie date: this week" is displayed is displayed. Then, the process returns to step S3.

  If the control unit 21 determines in step S8 that the recorded image or still image satisfying the content search condition does not exist in the HDD 24 or the memory card 2000, the process proceeds to step S10, and as shown in FIG. 21 displays the content selection screen 4 on the display screen unit 23, and also displays a search condition display area 4e in which the content search condition (HDD genre: sports content: movie date: this week) is displayed on the content selection screen 4; A message area 4g displaying that there is no content satisfying the content search condition is displayed at the center of the selection screen 4. Then, the process returns to step S2.

  In addition, when the control unit 21 determines in step S3 that the content search button 4f has not been selected and decided by the operator and proceeds to step S11, the control unit 21 displays a plurality of content icons 4a on the content selection screen 4. It is determined whether or not any of the above has been selected and determined. In step S11, when the control unit 21 determines that any of the content icons 4a is selected and determined, the process proceeds to step S12, and the control unit 21 displays the content display screen 3 on the display screen unit 23. Then, the recorded image and the still image stored in the HDD 24 or the memory card 2000 corresponding to the selected content icon 4a are displayed as the content image 3a. Then, the content search of the video device 100 is terminated. If the control unit 21 determines in step S11 that none of the content icons 4a has been selected and determined, the process returns to step S3.

  As shown in FIG. 15, a storage button 6 f displayed as “Save” is displayed at the center of the lower part (Z2 direction) of the content search screen 6, and X <b> 1 at the lower part of the content search screen 6. On the side, a call button 6g labeled “Read” is displayed. When the storage button 6f is selected and determined by the operator, the control unit 21 stores the search character 6a in which the content search condition is set as the set search character 7a having the content search condition in the storage unit 22 (see FIG. 3). It is comprised so that it may memorize.

  When the call button 6g is selected and decided by the operator, the control unit 21 switches the content search screen 6 displayed on the display screen unit 23 to the set search character screen 7 as shown in FIG. It is configured. On this set search character screen 7, a pair of set search characters 7a stored in the storage unit 22 and a scroll for scrolling in the X1 direction are displayed at the corner of the set search character screen 7 in the X1 direction. A button 7b and a scroll button 7c that is displayed at the corner in the X2 direction of the set search character screen 7 and scrolls in the X2 direction are displayed. Further, by scrolling the set search character screen 7, a part of the set search character 7a currently displayed on the set search character screen 7 is not displayed, and a new set search character 7a is set. It is configured to be displayed on the search character screen 7.

  Further, when the set search character 7 a is selected and determined by the operator, the control unit 21 is configured to switch the set search character screen 7 displayed on the display screen unit 23 to the content selection screen 4. . At this time, the control unit 21 sets the set search as the contents icon 4a and the date / time display 4b corresponding to the contents search condition of the set search character 7a and the contents icon 4a displayed on the content selection screen 4. The search condition display area 4e on which the content search condition of the character 7a is displayed is displayed. As described above, the search character 6a in which the content search condition is set is stored in the storage unit 22 and then read out as the set search character 7a having the content search condition. It is possible to easily perform a search under the same content search condition as the content search condition.

  Further, the control unit 21 selects the date / time search conditions 106d to 306d (see FIGS. 6 and 11 to 13) selected and determined when the set search character 7a is set on the set search character screen 7, and the set search character. The display of the set search character 7a is changed based on the set date and time of 7a and the date and time when the call button 6g is selected and determined. For example, the date and time search condition selected and determined when setting the set search character 7a is “one week ago” (the date and time search condition 206d is selected), and the set search character 7a is selected from the date and time when the call button 6g is selected and determined. If the date is set one week ago, the control unit 21 determines that the set search character 7a has a date and time search condition of “two or more weeks ago”, and sets the set search character 7a as white. It is configured to display as a display state.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the clothing icons 106b and 206b, which are arranged in the icon arrangement portion 106a of the search character 6a and have a pattern reminiscent of the search condition meaning the genre, and the icon arrangement portion 206a of the search character 6a. And 306a, the content search condition is determined based on the belonging icons 106c and 206c that are associated with the search condition meaning the content, and a plurality of items are collected as a single unit with the search character 6a as a center. Since the search conditions can be recognized by the operator, it is possible to make the operator more intuitively understand the plurality of search conditions.

  Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the clothing icons 106b and 206b having patterns reminiscent of the search condition meaning the genre are arranged in the icon arrangement part 106a of the search character 6a and the search meaning the contents. Since the belonging icons 106c and 206c having patterns reminiscent of the conditions are arranged in the icon arrangement parts 206a and 306a of the search character 6a, different search conditions can be arranged in different parts. It is possible to make it easier for a person to understand a plurality of search conditions more effectively and intuitively.

  Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the clothing icons 106b and 206b made of a pattern reminiscent of the search condition, the belonging icons 106c and 206c made of the design reminiscent of the search condition, and the clothing icons 106b and 206b are arranged. The search character 6a having the icon arrangement part 106a and the icon arrangement parts 206a and 306a in which the belonging icons 106c and 206c are arranged is displayed on the display unit screen unit 22, so that the search condition associated with the design can be obtained. Since the content search condition can be determined by placing the search character 6a, there is no need to input characters. As a result, it is possible to reduce time and labor when searching for recorded images and still images.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the control unit 21 displays the search character 6a on the content search screen 6 so that the color is changed based on the date and time of the date and time search conditions 106d to 306d. With this configuration, the search character 6a can be displayed with visually different expressions based on the date and time of the date and time search conditions 106d to 306d, so that not only a plurality of search conditions but also the date and time search conditions can be displayed to the operator. 106d to 306d can be easily understood intuitively.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the clothing icons 106b and 206b are displayed on the content search screen 6 so as to be put on the search character 6a, and the belonging icons 106c, 206c and 506c are searched. By configuring the search character 6a to be anthropomorphic by displaying the content search screen 6 so that the character 6a can have the clothes icon 106b and 206b, Since the belonging icons 106c, 206c, and 506c can be arranged, the operator can easily select a content search condition.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the video apparatus according to the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the search order is displayed on the icon arrangement portions 1106a, 1206a, and 1306a of the search character 1006a on the content search screen 1006 of the liquid crystal television 2, respectively. In addition, a case will be described in which the form of the search character 1006a changes based on the date and time of the date and time search conditions 106d to 306d.

  On the X1 side of the content search screen 1006 of the liquid crystal television 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 19, a humanoid shape is displayed in a white display state surrounded by a solid line. The search character 1006a being displayed is displayed. In addition, an icon arrangement part 1106a located in the body part of the search character 1006a, an icon arrangement part 1206a located in the arm part on the X2 side of the search character 1006a, and an icon arrangement part located in the arm part on the X1 side of the search character 1006a In 1306a, the order of search is displayed in the order of icon arrangement sites 1106a, 1206a, and 1306a, respectively. The search character 1006a is an example of the “character image” in the present invention.

  In addition, the control unit 21 first searches based on search conditions of search icons 1106h to 1606h described later attached to the icon arrangement site 1106a. Thereafter, the search is performed based on the search condition of the search icons 1106h to 1606h attached to the icon arrangement part 1206a, and the search is finally performed based on the search condition of the search icons 1106h to 1606h attached to the icon arrangement part 1306a. Has been.

  A search icon display area 1006h is displayed on the X2 side of the content search screen 1006. In this search icon display area 1006h, six search icons 1106h to 1606h without a frame are displayed. The search icons 1106h to 1606h are examples of the “search condition image icon” in the present invention.

  The search icon 1106h is made up of a soccer ball pattern, and means a search condition of sports as a genre of recorded images and still images, and is displayed so as to remind the operator of a search condition of “sports related”. . The search icon 1206h is made up of a heart symbol pattern, which means a search condition of drama as a genre of recorded images and still images, and is displayed so as to remind the operator of the search condition of “drama related”. .

  The search icon 1306h is composed of a television design, and means a search condition of a program produced by a television station as the contents of a recorded image and a still image, and is displayed so as to remind the operator of the search condition of television. ing. Further, the search icon 1406h is made up of a movie film pattern, which means a search condition of movie as the contents of the recorded image and the still image, and is displayed so as to remind the operator of the search condition of movie.

  The search icon 1506h is composed of a soccer goal symbol, which means a search condition called a score scene as the contents of a recorded image and a still image, and is displayed so as to remind the operator of the search condition called a score scene. Further, the search icon 1606h is made up of a camera pattern, and means a search condition of a still image taken by the camera as the contents of the recorded image and the still image, and a search condition called a still image taken by the camera by the operator. It is displayed to remind you.

  Further, a scroll button 1706h for scrolling in the X1 direction is displayed at the corner in the X1 direction of the search icon display area 1006h, and scrolling in the X2 direction is performed at the corner in the X2 direction of the belongings icon display area 6c. A scroll button 1806h is displayed. By scrolling the search icon display area 1006h using the scroll buttons 1706h and 1806h, a part of the search icon in which the search icon display area 1006h is currently displayed is not displayed, and a new search icon is displayed as a search icon. It is configured to be displayed in the area 1006h.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the search icon 1106 h is configured to move (drag and drop) in a state selected and determined by the cursor 5. Thus, as shown in FIG. 21, the search icon 1106h is configured to be attached to the icon arrangement site 1106a of the search character 1006a. In addition, when the search icon 1106h is attached to the icon arrangement part 1106a, the search icon 1106h is deformed and displayed as a clothing icon having a trapezoidal frame as if it is worn on the icon arrangement part 1106a. Has been.

  Similarly, the search icons 1206h to 1606h are configured to move (drag and drop) in a state where the selection is determined. Accordingly, the search icons 1206h to 1606h are configured to be attached to any one of the icon arrangement portions 1106a, 1206a, and 1306a of the search character 1006a. In addition, when the search icons 1206h to 1606h are attached to the icon arrangement part 1106a, the search icons 1206h to 1606h are deformed and put on the icon arrangement part 1106a of the search character 1006a as a clothing icon having a trapezoidal frame. When the search icons 1206h to 1606h are attached to the icon arrangement site 1206a or 1306a, the search icons 1206h to 1606h are deformed, respectively, and the belonging icons (the first embodiment) having a handbag-like frame are displayed. As shown in FIG. 15 of the form), it is configured to be displayed in a state where it is held in the icon arrangement portion 1206a or 1306a of the search character 1006a.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the search icons 1106h to 1606h are configured so that they can be attached to any positions of the icon arrangement portions 1106a, 1206a, and 1306a of the search character 1006a, respectively.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, the control part 21 is comprised so that it may display on the display screen part 23 so that the form of the search character 1006a may be changed based on the new and old of the date of the date search conditions 106d-306d. . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, when the date search condition 106d up to one week ago is selected and determined, the date search condition 106d is checked and displayed, and the search character 1006a is indicated by a solid line. It is configured so as not to change in the enclosed white display state. Further, by selecting and determining the date / time search condition 206d from two weeks ago to one week ago, as shown in FIG. 22, the date / time search condition 206d is checked and displayed, and the search character 1006a is surrounded by a broken line. It is configured to change to a white display state. Further, when the date search condition 306d that is older than two weeks ago is selected and determined, the date search condition 306d is checked and displayed as shown in FIG. 23, and the search character 1006a displays the date search condition shown in FIG. It is configured to change to a white display state surrounded by a broken line having a larger gap than in the case of the condition 206d. The remaining structure and content search method of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the control unit 21 is configured to display on the display screen unit 23 so as to change the form of the search character 1006a based on the date and time of the date search conditions 106d to 306d. By doing so, the search character 1006a can be displayed in a visually different expression based on the date and time of the date and time search conditions 106d to 306d, so that the operator can intuitively understand the date and time search conditions 106d to 306d. It can be made easier.

  In the second embodiment, as described above, the icon arrangement part 1106a located in the body part of the search character 1006a, the icon arrangement part 1206a located in the arm part in the X2 direction of the search character 1006a, and the search character 1006a The icon arrangement part 1106a of the search character 1006a is configured to display the search order in the order of the icon arrangement parts 1106a, 1206a, and 1306a on the icon arrangement part 1306a located on the arm portion in the X1 direction. Since the search order (priority order) can be set between the search conditions of the search icons 1106h to 1606h arranged in 1206a and 1306a, the operator can set fine content search conditions. The remaining effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the aforementioned first embodiment.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to the video apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and includes, for example, a content storage unit, a display screen unit, and a control unit. As long as the search system and the video search system are used, the present invention can be applied not only to video devices but also to PCs (personal computers).

  In the first and second embodiments, the “search condition image icon” of the present invention means a search icon (clothing icon) that represents the genre of recorded images and still images, and the contents of the recorded images and still images. The search condition search icon (clothing icon) is shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the search condition image icon is a search icon that means a search condition other than the genre or content of the recorded image and still image. May be included.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the search icons to be attached or held are displayed as the search icons to be attached to the three icon arrangement portions (the body and the arms of the search character) of the search character on the content search screen. Although an example using a search icon (clothing icon or belongings icon) has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and other search icons may be used as a search icon attached to a search character on the content search screen. For example, a search icon having a shoe pattern displayed so as to be put on (attached to) a leg portion (icon placement portion) of the search character may be used, or a head of the search character (icon placement portion) may be covered. You may use the search icon which has the design of the hat displayed so that it may be put on. In addition, you may comprise so that the icon arrangement | positioning site | part of a search character may be 2 or 4 or more.

  In the first and second embodiments, as a pattern of a search icon (clothing icon or belongings icon) on the content search screen, soccer ball, heart mark, television, movie film, soccer goal (second embodiment only) In addition, the example in which five or six symbols of the camera are used and each of the above symbols is configured to mean a search condition regarding the genre or contents of the recorded image and the still image is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. First, the design of the search icon is not limited to the above design, and other designs that mean different search conditions may be used. Further, the number of symbols of the search icon is not limited to five or six, and may be plural. In addition, the search icon may be configured to be arbitrarily formed by determining a symbol and a search condition associated with the symbol by the operator.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, examples of a plurality of recorded images and still images are shown as “contents” of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and searchable contents are used. If there is, content other than a plurality of recorded images and still images may be used. For example, a file search on a PC may be targeted as “content”.

  In the first and second embodiments, the date and time search condition selected and set when the set search character is set, the date and time when the set search character is set, and the call button are selected on the set search character screen. Although an example in which the display of the set search character is changed based on the determined date and time is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display of the set search character is displayed on the set search character screen. May not be configured to be changed. For example, on the set search character screen, the display of the set search character is the same as the search character at the set date and time of the set search character based only on the date and time search condition selected and determined when the set search character is set. You may comprise so that it may be displayed.

  In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the search character of the content search screen is displayed so as to have a human shape is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the search character is, for example, a dog. You may have the shape of animals, such as a cat, and the shape of plants, such as a tree. In this case, when the search character is a dog or a cat, a collar or clothes for dogs and cats can be used as a search icon. When the search character is a tree, fruits, flowers, etc. Can be used.

  In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the icon arrangement portion of the search character on the content search screen is configured to mean the genre or content of the search condition, and the search character itself is not meant to mean the search condition. In addition, in the second embodiment, the icon arrangement part of the search character on the content search screen is configured to mean the search order, and the search character itself is configured not to mean the search condition. The present invention is not limited to this, and the search character itself on the content search screen may be configured to mean a search condition. For example, if the search character is a human type, it means a search condition related to humans. If the search character is an animal, it means a search condition related to animals. If the search character is a plant, a search related to plants (such as gardening). You may comprise so that a condition may be meant. With this configuration, the search condition based on the shape of the search character can be easily understood intuitively by the operator, and the search condition for determining the content search condition can be increased. Is possible.

6a, 1006a Search character (character image)
21 Control unit 22 Display screen unit 24 HDD (content storage unit, video content storage unit)
106a Icon arrangement site (first icon arrangement site)
106b, 206b Clothing icon (first search condition image icon, search condition image icon)
106c, 206c, 506c belongings icon (second search condition image icon, search condition image icon)
106d, 206d, 306d Date and time search conditions 206a, 306a Icon placement site (second icon placement site)
1106a, 1206a, 1306a Icon arrangement site 1106h, 1206h, 1306h, 1406h, 1506h, 1606h Search icon (search condition image icon)
2000 Memory card (content storage unit, video content storage unit)

Claims (7)

A content storage unit for storing content;
A plurality of search condition image icons having a search condition for searching for the content and having a pattern reminiscent of the search condition, and a character image having a plurality of icon arrangement portions where the search condition image icon is arranged A display screen that can be displayed;
A control unit that controls to search for content in the content storage unit based on a content search condition determined based on the plurality of search condition image icons respectively arranged in the plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image; A search system comprising: The plurality of search condition image icons include a first search condition image icon that represents a first type of search condition and a second search condition image icon that represents a second type of search condition,
The icon arrangement part of the character image includes a first icon arrangement part where the first search condition image icon is arranged and a second icon arrangement part where the second search condition image icon is arranged. The search system described in. The control unit is configured to be able to search the content using a date and time search condition as a date and time when the content is stored in the content storage unit,
The character image is configured to be displayed on the display screen unit so that at least one of a color and a form of the character image changes based on the date and time of the date and time search condition. Or the search system of 2.   The search condition image icon includes a clothing icon displayed so as to be put on the character image, and a belonging icon displayed so as to be put on the character image. 4. The search system according to any one of items 3. The order of search is displayed on the icon arrangement part of the character image,
The control unit is based on a content search condition determined based on the search condition image icon arranged in the icon arrangement part of the character image and the search order displayed in the icon arrangement part of the character image. The search system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search system is configured to search for content in the content storage unit. A video content storage unit for storing video content;
A character image having a plurality of search condition image icons having a search condition for searching the video content and having a pattern reminiscent of the search condition, and a plurality of icon arrangement portions where the search condition image icon is arranged A display screen that can display
Control for controlling to search for video content in the video content storage unit based on a content search condition determined based on a plurality of the search condition image icons respectively arranged at a plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image And a video search system. Arranging a plurality of search condition image icons each having a search condition for searching for content and having a pattern reminiscent of the search condition in a plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image;
And a step of searching for the content based on a content search condition determined based on a plurality of the search condition image icons respectively arranged at a plurality of icon arrangement portions of the character image.

Images