JP2011081819A - Image management method and device, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more quickly and surely allow a desired image to be searched. <P>SOLUTION: A keyword search part 121 searches for a keyword set to image data, from a recording medium on the basis of a keyword. and an imaged information search part 122 searches for imaged information set to the image data, from the recording medium on the basis of imaged information. A similar information-set image search part 114 searches for similar image data being image data having a high correlation with a found keyword or imaged information, on the basis of the keyword found by the keyword search part 121 or the imaged information found by the imaged information search part 122, and a keyword extraction part 115 extracts a keyword from the similar image data, and a keyword setting part 116 sets the extracted keyword to the image data from which the keyword has been found by the keyword search part 121 or the imaged information search part 122, whereby a desired image can be searched more quickly and surely. This invention is applicable to an image management device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management method and apparatus, a recording medium, and a program, and more particularly to an image management method and apparatus, a recording medium, and a program for searching for a captured image.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and the like, the capacity of recording media such as memory cards that record images captured by these devices is also increasing.

  In these digital still cameras and digital video cameras, a captured image is displayed on a small LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the user confirms the captured image based on the displayed image.

  As the capacity of the recording medium increases, the number of images that can be recorded on the recording medium also increases, and it becomes difficult to manage and view the recorded images.

  In some cases, after the user has captured an image, a keyword corresponding to the captured image is input as additional information, and the image is searched using the input keyword as a condition so that the image can be managed more easily. .

  There is also a digital still camera that displays a list of captured images on the LCD screen in order of shooting date and time and confirms the captured images (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-278563 A

  However, the operation of inputting a keyword is troublesome and takes time and effort.

  Moreover, it is difficult to unify keywords that are input each time. That is, it is easy to set a plurality of types of words that the user recognizes as the same meaning as keywords. For this reason, keywords increase unnecessarily, and a desired image cannot be searched quickly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and can more easily and more quickly add unified text data to captured image data. As a result, a desired image can be retrieved more quickly and reliably.

  According to the image management method of the present invention, a first recording step for recording the recording information group and the image information in association with each other when the image information is recorded, and the additional information group for the recorded image information and the image information are recorded in association with each other. And second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information. And a third recording step for recording additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information.

  The recording information group includes recording information set for each of one or a plurality of recording information items, and the image information is classified based on the recording information set for the first recording information item included in the related recording information group. The first image information is selected from the classified image information.

  The image management method of the present invention further includes a measuring step of measuring the quantity of image information classified based on the recorded information.

  The image management method of the present invention further includes a display step for visually displaying the relative amount of the quantity of image information for each recorded information.

  The additional information group includes one or a plurality of additional information, the image information is classified based on the additional information included in the related additional information group, and the first image information is selected from the classified image information. It is characterized by that.

  The image management method of the present invention further includes a measurement step of measuring the quantity of image information classified based on the additional information.

  The image management method of the present invention further includes a display step of visually displaying a relative amount of image information for each additional information.

  The recorded information group includes information related to the date and time when the image information was recorded.

  The additional information group includes text information input from an input screen that prompts input of text information.

  An image management apparatus according to the present invention records a first recording unit that records a recording information group and image information in association with each other at the time of recording the image information, and records an additional information group and image information in association with the image information after recording. And second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information. Extraction means for performing the recording, and third recording means for recording the additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information.

  The recording medium program of the present invention relates to a first recording step for recording the recording information group and the image information in association with each other at the time of recording the image information, and to associate the additional information group and the image information with respect to the recorded image information. Second recording step for recording and second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information. It includes an extraction step of extracting, and a third recording step of recording additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information.

  The program according to the present invention relates to a first recording step of associating and recording a recording information group at the time of recording image information and image information, and an additional information group and image information for the recorded image information in association with each other. Extraction for extracting the second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first recording information selected from the image information and the first recording information selected from the image information The computer is caused to execute a step and a third recording step of recording the additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an image can be searched. Further, according to the present invention, unified text data can be added to captured image data more easily and more quickly. As a result, a desired image can be retrieved more quickly and reliably.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the digital still camera of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control program performed in a control part. It is a figure which shows the example of the correspondence of an image data information management file and an image data file. It is a flowchart explaining the process which records the imaging information with respect to image data, or a keyword. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays an image and additional information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays a keyword input screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays an image in a thumbnail format. It is a flowchart explaining the process of a keyword setting. It is a flowchart explaining the process of narrowing down the image which sets a keyword. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the selection screen of a search division. It is a flowchart explaining the histogram display process of the frequency of a keyword. It is a figure which shows the example of a keyword table. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays a keyword in a histogram format based on a keyword table. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the histogram display of the frequency of a keyword when a keyword is selected. It is a figure which shows the example of a keyword table. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays a keyword in a histogram format based on a keyword table. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the histogram display based on imaging information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays an imaging information menu. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays imaging | photography date in a histogram format. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the screen which designates whether an image is displayed or it searches with other imaging information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays an imaging information menu. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the search result by a positional information in a histogram format. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the screen which designates whether an image is displayed or it searches with other imaging information. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the list of the extracted image by making a keyword or imaging information into search conditions. It is a figure explaining the example of narrowing down of the image by the cross button provided in the operation part of the digital still camera. It is a figure which shows the example of the cross button provided in the operation part of a digital still camera. It is a flowchart explaining the process of keyword extraction and setting. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the list of the extracted image by making a keyword or imaging information into search conditions. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the keyword searched by the similar image search. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the search result of the some image searched by the similar image search. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a server. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the program run by a server. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a digital still camera acquires a keyword from a server. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a digital still camera sets the image data in which the keyword was set to a server. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a digital still camera searches for a similar keyword from a server. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a personal computer sets a keyword or related information in a server. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a digital still camera searches a keyword or related information from a server. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the keyword searched with the server, and related information. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a digital still camera searches a keyword or URL information from a server. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of LCD which displays the keyword and URL information which were searched with the server.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a digital still camera 1 of the present invention.

  The digital still camera 1 is an example of an image management apparatus that images a subject and records image data obtained as a result of the imaging.

  Hereinafter, the digital still camera 1 will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to, for example, a digital video camera, a mobile phone with an imaging function, or a personal computer with an imaging function.

  The digital still camera 1 includes a camera unit 11, a camera DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 12, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 13, a control unit 14, an operation unit 15, an LCD controller 16, an LCD 17, a medium interface 18, and a recording medium 19. , And an external interface 20.

  The camera unit 11 includes an image sensor and an optical system such as a lens that forms an image on the image sensor. The camera unit 11 forms an image of a subject, photoelectrically converts the formed image, and generates image data corresponding to the image. The camera unit 11 supplies the generated image data to the camera DSP 12.

  The camera unit 11 includes an optical block 31, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 32, a preprocessing circuit 33, an optical block driver 34, a CCD driver 35, and a timing generation circuit 36.

  The optical block 31 includes, for example, an optical lens, a focus mechanism, a shutter mechanism, and a diaphragm (iris) mechanism. The optical block 31 collects (images of) the light reflected on the subject, that is, the light of the subject is received by the CCD 32. The image is formed on the part. The optical block 31 is driven by an optical block driver 34.

  The CCD 32 is composed of a CCD sensor, and converts light into an analog electrical signal by photoelectrically converting light (image) imaged by the optical block 31 in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the CCD driver 35. . The CCD 32 supplies image data, which is a converted analog signal, to the preprocessing circuit 33 based on the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 36 controlled by the control unit 14.

  The CCD 32 is not limited to a CCD sensor, and may be any image sensor that generates an image signal in units of pixels, such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor.

  The preprocessing circuit 33 performs CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) processing on the image data, which is an analog signal supplied from the CCD 32, to maintain a good S / N (Signal / Noise) ratio, and to perform AGC. (Automatic Gain Control) processing is performed to control the gain. Then, the preprocessing circuit 33 performs A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion, converts an analog signal into a digital signal, and supplies image data that is the converted digital signal to the camera DSP 12.

  The optical block driver 34 generates a drive signal for operating the optical block 31 according to the control from the control unit 14, supplies the generated drive signal to the optical block 31, and operates the optical block 31. For example, the optical block driver 34 supplies the optical block 31 with a drive signal for adjusting the light amount by focusing or adjusting the diaphragm based on a user instruction when an image is captured.

  The CCD driver 35 generates a drive signal for driving the CCD 32 based on the timing signal supplied from the timing generation circuit 36 and supplies the generated drive signal to the CCD 32.

  The timing generation circuit 36 generates a timing signal that is a temporal reference for the operation of the CCD 32 based on the control by the control unit 14, and supplies the generated timing signal to the CCD 32 and the CCD driver 35.

  The camera DSP 12 applies image processing to image data that is a digital signal supplied from the CCD 32. The camera DSP 12 includes, for example, an AF (Auto Focus) processing unit 41, an AE (Auto Exposure) processing unit 42, an AWB (Auto White Balance) processing unit 43, a compression / decompression unit 44, and the like, and image data supplied from the CCD 32 The predetermined camera signal processing is applied to the image data, and the image data subjected to various adjustments is compressed by a predetermined compression method by the predetermined camera signal processing.

  The camera DSP 12 includes an SDRAM controller 45.

  The camera DSP 12 includes, for example, a dedicated DSP that is a dedicated IC (Integrated Circuit) or a general-purpose DSP.

  The camera DSP 12 supplies the compressed image data to the recording medium 19 via the system bus 55 under the control of the control unit 14 and causes the recording medium 19 to record the image data as a file.

  In addition, when the target image data is read from the recording medium 19 in response to an operation input from the user received through the operation unit 15 including a touch panel and a control key, the camera DSP 12 passes through the system bus 55. The image data supplied from the recording medium 19 is subjected to predetermined decompression processing (decompression processing) corresponding to the data compression, so that the image data is decompressed, and the decompressed image data is transmitted to the system bus. It is supplied to the LCD controller 16 via 55.

  For the image data supplied from the camera unit 11 stored in the SDRAM 13, the AF processing unit 41 performs a process (so-called autofocus) for focusing on the subject, and the AE processing unit 42 A process for determining exposure based on brightness (so-called automatic exposure) is performed, and the AWE processing unit 43 corrects the entire image data based on a predetermined reference color that is white (so-called automatic exposure). White balance).

  The compression / decompression unit 44 compresses variously adjusted image data by a predetermined compression method by predetermined camera signal processing. For example, the compression / decompression unit 44 compresses image data using a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method. Thereby, the image data can be recorded on the recording medium 19 after the amount of image data is reduced.

  When the image data is read from the recording medium 19, the compression / decompression unit 44 converts the compressed image data supplied from the recording medium 19 via the system bus 55 according to the compression method. Image data is expanded by performing a predetermined expansion process (decompression process). The expanded image data is supplied to the LCD controller 16 via the system bus 55.

  The SDRAM controller 45 temporarily stores these programs and various data in the SDRAM 13 by controlling the SDRAM 13 based on programs and various data executed by the camera DSP 12.

  The SDRAM 13 appropriately stores programs executed by the camera DSP 12 and various data based on the control of the SDRAM controller 45. For example, the SDRAM 13 temporarily stores the image data supplied from the camera unit 11, so that the camera DSP 12 compresses predetermined camera signal processing and image data for the temporarily stored image data. Applying the processing to generate compressed image data. The generated image data is read from the SDRAM 13 and supplied to the recording medium 19 via the system bus 55.

  The control unit 14 controls each unit of the digital still camera 1 such as the camera unit 11 or the camera DSP 12. For example, when capturing an image, the control unit 14 controls the optical block driver 34 to generate a drive signal that causes the optical block 31 to operate, and supplies the generated drive signal to the optical block 31. Then, the optical block 31 is operated.

  The control unit 14 includes, for example, a general-purpose embedded MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, a real-time clock 54, And a system bus 55.

  The CPU 51 controls each unit of the digital still camera 1 such as the camera unit 11 and the camera DSP 12. Further, the CPU 51 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the flash ROM 53 or the RAM 52.

  The RAM 52 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 51 and various data. The flash ROM 53 records programs executed by the CPU 51 and various data. The real-time clock 54 provides data indicating the current date, current day, and current time. Thereby, the digital still camera 1 can acquire, for example, the shooting date and time. The CPU 51, RAM 52, flash ROM 53, and real time clock 54 are connected to each other via a system bus 55.

  Further connected to the system bus 55 are a camera unit 11, a camera DSP 12, an operation unit 15, an LCD controller 16, a medium interface 18, and an external interface 20.

  The operation unit 15 includes, for example, a touch panel (for example, the screen of the LCD 17), a control key (switch) (not shown), and the like, and supplies a signal corresponding to a user operation input to the CPU 51.

  The LCD controller 16 generates an image signal to be supplied to the LCD 17 based on the image data supplied from the camera DSP 12, and supplies the generated image signal to the LCD 17. The LCD controller 16 controls the display of the LCD 17 by supplying an image signal to the LCD 17.

  The LCD 17 displays an image corresponding to the image signal on the display screen based on the image signal supplied from the LCD controller 16. Thereby, for example, an image corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  The form of image display follows a control program (described later) recorded in the flash ROM 14. That is, the LCD controller 16 determines an image display form to be displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in accordance with a control program executed by the CPU 51.

  The medium interface 18 is a predetermined interface corresponding to the recording medium 19. For example, when the recording medium 19 is a memory card, the medium interface 18 is configured by a predetermined interface corresponding to the memory card.

  The recording medium 19 includes, for example, a magnetic disk 71 (for example, HDD (Hard Disk)), an optical disk 72 (for example, a recordable CD (Compact Disc) or a recordable DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), a magneto-optical disk 73 ( For example, it is composed of an MD (Mini-Disc) (trademark)) or a semiconductor memory 74 (for example, a memory card) and can be attached and detached.

  The external interface 20 includes, for example, a wired interface such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, or a wireless interface using light or radio waves. That is, the external interface 20 may be a wired or wireless communication interface.

  For example, the external interface 20 is connected to an external personal computer (not shown) by connecting to a network such as the Internet, for example, and receives image data supplied from the personal computer via the network. Is recorded on the recording medium 19, and the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 is supplied to an external personal computer or the like via a network.

  Further, by connecting a communication module to the external interface 20 and connecting to a network such as the Internet, the digital still camera 1 can receive various image data and other information from an external personal computer via the network. Or information such as image data recorded on the recording medium 19 can be supplied to a target party via a network.

  Further, information such as image data obtained from an external personal computer and recorded on the recording medium 19 via the network is also read out and reproduced by the digital still camera 1 and displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for use by the user. Of course you can do that too.

  In this way, the digital still camera 1 can capture an image of a subject and record it on the recording medium 19 attached to the digital still camera 1, and also reads out the image data recorded on the recording medium 19, The read image data can be reproduced and used. The digital still camera 1 can acquire image data from an external personal computer via a network, and can record the acquired image data in a recording medium 19, or can read and reproduce the image data. It is.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control program 101 executed in the control unit 14.

  The control program 101 is stored in, for example, the flash ROM 53 of the control unit 14. The control program 101 is appropriately stored from the flash ROM 53 to the RAM 52 and executed by the CPU 51. For example, the control program 101 is appropriately stored from the flash ROM 53 to the RAM 52, and is searched by information (hereinafter referred to as a keyword) appropriately set by the user after imaging or information set at the time of imaging (hereinafter referred to as imaging information). And so on.

  The control program 101 includes an imaging information recording unit 111, a keyword recording unit 112, a setting target image searching unit 113, a similar information set image searching unit 114, a keyword extracting unit 115, a keyword setting unit 116, a histogram display data generating unit 117, a display. A control unit 118 and a communication control unit 119 are included.

  When image data is recorded on the recording medium 19 at the time of imaging, the imaging information recording unit 111 records the imaging information on the recording medium 19 in association with the image data. For example, the imaging information recording unit 111 records the imaging date and time “2004.02.28” in the recording medium 19 in association with the image data.

  The keyword recording unit 112 records a keyword on the recording medium 19 in association with image data based on a user operation on the operation unit 15. For example, the keyword recording unit 112 records the keyword “snowboard” on the recording medium 19 in association with the image data.

  The setting target image search unit 113 searches for image data to be set as a keyword.

  The setting target image search unit 113 includes a keyword search unit 121 and an imaging information search unit 122.

  The keyword search unit 121 searches for keywords set in the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. When no keyword is instructed by the user, the keyword search unit 121 searches for keywords set in all image data recorded on the recording medium 19. When a keyword is instructed by the user, the keyword search unit 121 sets the keyword set in the image data in which the keyword instructed by the user is set out of the image data recorded in the recording medium 19. Then, other keywords (other keywords excluding keywords instructed by the user) are searched.

  The keyword search unit 121 sets a keyword specified by the user from the image data and keywords recorded in the recording medium 19 as search conditions (hereinafter referred to as search conditions) in the image data in which the keywords are set. Search for other keywords. For example, when a keyword “daughter” is designated as a search condition by a user instruction, the keyword search unit 121 searches the recording medium 19 attached to the medium interface 18 for a keyword “daughter”. Then, a keyword other than “daughter” set in the image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set is searched.

  Further, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether or not the searched keyword is stored in the keyword table (a table storing information in which keywords and keyword frequencies are associated). When it is determined that the searched keyword is stored in the keyword table, the keyword search unit 121 increments the frequency of the searched keyword stored in the keyword table by one, while the keyword search unit 121 searches the keyword table. If it is determined that no keyword is stored, the searched keyword is newly added to the keyword table. Further, the keyword search unit 121 rearranges the keywords in the keyword table in order of frequency.

  For example, the keyword search unit 121 reads the keyword “daughter” searched by the keyword search unit 121 from the recording medium 19, and whether the keyword “daughter” is stored in the keyword stored in the keyword table. Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the keyword “daughter” is stored in the keyword stored in the keyword table, the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of the keyword “daughter” stored in the keyword table by one. On the other hand, when it is determined that the keyword “daughter” is not stored in the keyword table, the frequency “1” is added to the keyword table in association with the keyword “daughter”.

  For example, when searching for a keyword other than “daughter” set in the image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set, the keyword search unit 121 uses the “daughter” searched by the keyword search unit 121. The keyword “baseball” set in the image data in which a certain keyword is set is read from the recording medium 19, and the keyword “baseball” is stored in the keyword stored in the keyword table. Determine whether. When it is determined that the keyword “baseball” is stored in the keyword stored in the keyword table, the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of the keyword “baseball” stored in the keyword table by one. On the other hand, when it is determined that the keyword “baseball” is not stored in the keyword table, the frequency “1” is added to the keyword table in association with the keyword “baseball”.

  Further, the keyword search unit 121 sorts (rearranges) the keywords in the keyword table in descending order of frequency. For example, the keyword search unit 121 includes “daughter” (for example, a frequency of “2000”), “ski” (for example, a frequency of “1008”), and “baseball” (for example, “680”) in the keyword table. Frequency) and “hot spring” (for example, frequency “1355”) are sorted in descending order, such as “daughter”, “hot spring”, “ski”, and “baseball”.

  The imaging information search unit 122 searches for imaging information attached to the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. The imaging information is information related to imaging of image data. For example, the imaging information includes shooting date / time, shooting time, shooting position, information identifying the device that captured the image data, information identifying the photographer who captured the image data, shutter speed, F value, EV value, etc. Imaging conditions.

  Hereinafter, the types of information such as information about time, information about position, information about equipment, and information about a photographer in imaging information are also referred to as classifications.

  The imaging information search unit 122 is imaging information attached to the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 when the user instructs the imaging information to be classified, and the imaging information of the category instructed by the user is obtained. Search for. Further, the imaging information search unit 122 specifies a specific value of imaging information in a predetermined section from the user (for example, an imaging date and time that is “2003.10.12” or an imaging position that is near Ikebukuro Station). The image data recorded in the recording medium 19 with the specified specific value of imaging information is the imaging information attached to the image data, and the user instructs The imaging information of the sections other than the set sections, that is, the other sections is searched.

  Hereinafter, in the search, the classification of the imaging information, the specific value of the imaging information, and the keyword designated by the user are also referred to as search conditions.

  When the imaging information “2003.10.12” is designated as the search condition by the user's instruction, the imaging information search unit 122 uses the imaging information “2003.10.12” from the recording medium 19 as the search condition. Other imaging information set in the image data with the imaging information “2003.10.12” is searched.

  For example, when imaging information that is imaging date and time is designated as a search condition by a user instruction, the imaging information search unit 122 uses the search category of imaging information that is “imaging date and time” as a search condition from the recording medium 19. Search for the “imaging date” set in the image data such as “2003.10.12”, “2003.09.15”, “2003.04.01”, or “2004.04.01”.

  Further, the imaging information search unit 122 reads the searched imaging information from the recording medium 19, and the searched imaging information is stored in an imaging information table (a table storing information in which imaging information is associated with the frequency of imaging information). It is determined whether or not it is included. When it is determined that the searched imaging information is stored in the imaging information table, the imaging information search unit 122 increases the frequency of the searched imaging information in the imaging information table by 1 and searches the imaging information table. When it is determined that the imaging information is not stored, the searched imaging information is newly added to the imaging information table. The imaging information search unit 122 rearranges the imaging information in the imaging information table in order of frequency.

  For example, the imaging information search unit 122 reads the searched imaging information “2003.10.12” from the recording medium 19 and determines whether or not the imaging information “2003.10.12” is stored in the imaging information table. To do. When it is determined that the imaging information “2003.10.12” is stored in the imaging information table, the imaging information search unit 122 determines the frequency of the imaging information “2003.10.12” stored in the imaging information table. On the other hand, if it is determined that the imaging information “2003.10.12” is not stored in the imaging information table, the frequency “1” is captured in association with the imaging information “2003.10.12”. Add to the information table.

  Furthermore, the imaging information search unit 122 sorts (reorders) the imaging information in the imaging information table in descending order of frequency. For example, the imaging information search unit 122 sets “2003.10.12” (for example, a frequency of “200”), “2003.04.01” (for example, a frequency of “60”), “2004.04.01” in the imaging information table. (For example, “25” frequency) and “2003.09.15” (for example, “90” frequency) imaging information “2003.10.12”, “2003.09.15”, “2003.04.01”, Sort in descending order like “2004.04.01”.

  The similar information set image search unit 114 searches for image data in which a keyword different from the keyword instructed by the user is set and the keyword instructed by the user is set. Further, the similar information-set image search unit 114 searches for image data in which a keyword different from the keyword instructed by the user is set and the keyword and imaging information instructed by the user are set.

  That is, the similar information-set image search unit 114 is a keyword that is a search condition or image data in which imaging information is set in the search of image data by the setting target image search unit 113, and is not a search condition. Search for image data for which is set.

  For example, the similar-information-set image search unit 114 performs a narrowing operation for setting a keyword based on a keyword “daughter” and an imaging date and time “2003.10.12” in accordance with a user instruction ( When the image data is retrieved by the setting target image retrieval unit 113), the keyword “daughter” is set from the image data recorded on the recording medium 19, and the imaging information that is the imaging date and time “2003.10.12” And image data in which a keyword other than the keyword “daughter” is set is searched.

  Further, the similar information-set image search unit 114 determines whether to search for an image based on a user instruction. For example, the similar information set image search unit 114 determines to search for an image when a user presses a control key corresponding to a button for searching for an image displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Further, the similar information-set image search unit 114 sets instruction information indicating that a keyword is input to desired image data. For example, the similar information-set image search unit 114 sets instruction information (for example, a flag) in image data for inputting a keyword.

  The keyword extraction unit 115 extracts keywords set in the image data searched by the similar information-set image search unit 114. The keyword extraction unit 115 supplies the extracted keyword to the display control unit 118. For example, when the similar information-set image search unit 114 searches the image data in which the keywords “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” are set, the keyword extraction unit 115 searches for the searched image. The keywords “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” set in the data are extracted, and the extracted keywords “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” are displayed. This is supplied to the control unit 118.

  The keyword setting unit 116 sets a keyword for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets a keyword “snowboard” for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 (for example, an image of snowboarding).

  In addition, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword extracted by the keyword extraction unit 115 for the image data for which the instruction information is set by the similar information set image search unit 114. More specifically, when the keywords “wedding” and “xxx house” are extracted by the keyword extraction unit 115, the keyword setting unit 116 performs “marriage” on the image data in which the instruction information is set. Set keywords that are "formula" and "XX house".

  Further, the keyword setting unit 116 sets keywords and related information corresponding to the keywords for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. For example, for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19, the keyword setting unit 116 corresponds to the keyword “XX hot spring” and the keyword “XX hot spring” corresponding to “△△ near the hot spring”. Related information such as “The cafeteria is delicious” is set.

  Here, the related information refers to information related to the keyword. For example, information related to the keyword “XX hot spring” and “the cafeteria △△ near the hot spring is delicious” is related information. is there.

  Furthermore, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword and URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information corresponding to the keyword for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. For example, for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19, the keyword setting unit 116 performs “XX hot spring introduction http: //” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” and the keyword “XX hot spring”. URL information such as “/www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX Hot Spring Tourism Association http://www.bbb.or.jp” is set.

  Here, URL information refers to information consisting of link information to the URL-type web page and the title of the link page. For example, “XX hot spring introduction http: corresponding to the keyword“ XX hot spring ”http: Information that is “//www.aaa.or.jp” is URL information. Note that the URL information may consist only of link information to a URL-type Web page.

  The histogram display data generation unit 117 is a data for displaying the keyword frequency (number of keywords) for the keyword on the screen of the LCD 17 in a histogram format based on the data stored in the keyword table supplied from the keyword search unit 121. (Hereinafter referred to as histogram display data). In addition, the histogram display data generation unit 117 calculates the frequency of imaging information (number of imaging information) with respect to imaging information in the form of a histogram on the LCD 17 based on the data stored in the imaging information table supplied from the imaging information search unit 122. Generate histogram display data for display on the screen. The histogram display data generation unit 117 supplies the generated histogram display data to the display control unit 118.

  For example, in the histogram display data generation unit 117, the data stored in the keyword table supplied from the keyword search unit 121 is “2000” for the frequency corresponding to the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “daughter”. In some cases, histogram display data for displaying a histogram indicating the frequency of “2000” for the keyword “daughter” is generated, and the generated histogram display data is supplied to the display control unit 118.

  The display control unit 118 controls the LCD controller 16 to display an image, a keyword, imaging information, or the like corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 in a predetermined format (for example, a histogram format or a thumbnail format). To display on the LCD 17 screen.

  For example, the display control unit 118 displays the frequency for the keyword or the imaging information on the screen of the LCD 17 in a histogram format according to the histogram display data supplied from the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  The communication control unit 119 controls the external interface 20 to cause the external interface 20 to exchange data with the server via a network such as the Internet.

  The communication control unit 119 includes a transmission control unit 123 and a reception control unit 124.

  The transmission control unit 123 controls transmission of, for example, a keyword or imaging information performed in the external interface 20. For example, when the user performs a predetermined operation for querying the server for a keyword to be set in the image data, the transmission control unit 123 controls the external interface 20 to cause the external interface 20 to transmit imaging information to the server.

  The reception control unit 124 controls reception of, for example, related information or URL information described later, which is performed in the external interface 20. For example, the reception control unit 124 controls the external interface 20 to cause the external interface 20 to receive related information transmitted from the server.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between an image data information management file and an image data file.

  The image data information management file 201-1 through image data information management file 201-N and the image data file 211-1 through image data file 211-N are recorded on the recording medium 19, for example.

  The image data information management file 201-1 records information related to the image data file 211-1. The image data information management file 201-1 is configured to include, for example, an imaging information group 212-1, a keyword group 213-1, a file pointer 214-1, and thumbnail data 215-1. Further, the file pointer 214-1 and the image data file 211-1 are associated with each other.

  The imaging information group 212-1 is imaging information such as imaging date / time, position information, camera information, or a photographer set in the image data file 211-1. The imaging information group 212-1 includes, for example, an imaging date and time “Near Ikebukuro Station” that is “2003.10.12”.

  The keyword group 213-1 records zero, one, or a plurality of keywords set in the image data file 211-1. The keyword group 213-1 includes, for example, keywords “daughter”.

  Here, the imaging information and keywords described above will be described in more detail. In addition, the imaging information and the keyword are collectively referred to as additional information.

  Keywords can also be set based on imaging information. For example, the keyword can be set by storing in advance a conversion table in which the imaging information and the keyword are associated (for example, stored in the flash ROM 53). More specifically, by storing the keyword “morning” in the conversion table in advance corresponding to the imaging time of “6: 00-10: 00”, for example, an image captured at 8:00 Is set with the keyword “morning”.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, the keyword “home” is stored in advance in the conversion table in correspondence with position information that is a location specified in advance (for example, a location and range specified by latitude, longitude, etc.). Thus, for example, a keyword “home” is set in an image taken at a specific place.

  Further, the keyword can be set by supplying imaging information to an apparatus (for example, a personal computer) other than the digital still camera 1. More specifically, for example, the external interface 20 supplies imaging information to an external server (not shown) via a network based on the control of the CPU 51. The server searches for a keyword corresponding to the acquired imaging information based on the acquired imaging information and a conversion table stored in advance, and supplies the searched keyword to the digital still camera 1 via the network. The digital still camera 1 can acquire the keyword supplied from the server and set the acquired keyword for the target image based on the control of the CPU 51.

  Note that it is also possible to search using imaging conditions and keywords as complex conditions (AND conditions). More specifically, first, an image can be searched with a keyword “daughter”, and further an image can be searched with imaging information that is a shooting date and time (for example, “October 12, 2003”). That is, it is possible to search for an image in which “daughter” is set as a keyword and an image captured on “October 12, 2003”.

  In addition to numbers and symbols, the keyword can be any language such as English, French as well as Japanese.

  The file pointer 214-1 is information indicating the relationship between the image data information management file 201-1 and the image data file 211-1. The file pointer 214-1 is, for example, a variable indicating a memory area on the recording medium 19 of the image data file 211-1, that is, a so-called pointer, so that the image data information management file 201-1 and the image data file 211-1 are Associate.

  The thumbnail data 215-1 is image data obtained by reducing the screen size and the data size of the image data file 211-1. By recording the thumbnail data 215-1 for the image data file 211-1, for example, when displaying an image in the thumbnail format on the screen of the LCD 17, the thumbnail data 215-1 is used instead of the image data file 211-1, and the thumbnail is used. Since the format image can be displayed, the thumbnail format image can be displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 more quickly.

  The image data file 211-1 stores, for example, image data compressed by the JPEG method.

  The correspondence between the image data information management file 201-2 and the image data file 211-2, or the correspondence between the image data information management file 201-N and the image data file 211-N is the same as the image data information management file 201-. 1 and the image data file 211-1, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the image data information management file 201-2 through the image data information management file 201-N are configured in the same manner as the image data information management file 201-1, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the image data information management file 201-1 to image data information management file 201-N for managing image data information, and the image data file 211-1 to image data file 211-N for storing image data. For example, when it is desired to display additional information on the screen of the LCD 17 by separately recording, necessary data from the image data information management file 201-1 to the image data information management file 201-N among the additional information and thumbnail data. Since only (information) needs to be read, the amount of data to be read and the number of seeks can be reduced, and additional information or thumbnails can be displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 more quickly.

  The image data information management file 201-1 through image data information management file 201-N and the image data file 211-1 through image data file 211-N have been described as being recorded as separate files. Information included in the information management file 201-1 through image data information management file 201-N is embedded in the information included in the image data file 211-1 through image data file 211-N, respectively, and the image includes the embedded information. Each of the data file 211-1 to the image data file 211-N (for example, EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) format) may be recorded as one file.

  The information recorded in the image data information management file 201-1 to the image data information management file 201-N is the above-described imaging information group 212-1 to imaging information group 212-N, keyword group 213-1 to keyword. It is not limited to the group 213-N, the file pointer 214-1 to the file pointer 214-N, and the thumbnail data 215-1 to the thumbnail data 215-N. For example, the related information group for recording the related information and the URL information are recorded. URL information group or the like may be provided.

  Hereinafter, the image data information management file 201-1 to the image data information management file 201 -N are simply referred to as the image data information management file 201 when it is not necessary to distinguish them individually. Hereinafter, when there is no need to individually distinguish the imaging information group 212-1 to the imaging information group 212-N, they are simply referred to as the imaging information group 212. Furthermore, hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the keyword group 213-1 to the keyword group 213-N, they are simply referred to as the keyword group 213.

  Furthermore, hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the file pointer 214-1 to the file pointer 214-N, they are simply referred to as a file pointer 214. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the thumbnail data 215-1 to the thumbnail data 215-N, they are simply referred to as thumbnail data 215. Further, hereinafter, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the image data file 211-1 to the image data file 211-N, they are simply referred to as an image data file 211.

  Next, processing for associating the above-described imaging information group 212 or keyword group 213 with the image data file 211 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for describing processing for recording imaging information or keywords for image data.

  In step S1, as described above, the camera DSP 12 supplies the compressed image data to the recording medium 19 via the system bus 55 based on the control of the control unit 14, and the image data is transferred to the recording medium 19 as image data. The file 211 is recorded.

  In step S2, the imaging information recording unit 111 records imaging information corresponding to the image data (image data file 211). For example, the imaging information recording unit 111 acquires the current date and time from the real-time clock 54, sets the acquired date and time as the imaging date and time, and sets the imaging date and time “2004.02.28” corresponding to the image data file 211 to the imaging information group 212. To record.

  In step S3, the keyword recording unit 112 records a keyword corresponding to the image data (image data file 211) based on the signal from the operation unit 15 according to the user's operation, and the process ends. For example, the keyword recording unit 112 records the keyword “snowboard” in the keyword group 213 in association with the image data file 211 based on a user operation.

  The above-described method for setting the keyword in the image data (for example, the process in step S3 in FIG. 4) is a method in which the user manually inputs the keyword from the screen for setting the keyword and sets the manually input keyword in the image data. And a method of extracting a keyword already set in the image data and setting the extracted keyword in desired image data. Here, first, an example of setting a keyword by a user's manual input will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays an image and additional information.

  The screen showing the image and the additional information is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 when, for example, one image displayed in the thumbnail format is selected by a user operation and a predetermined control key is pressed.

  The image 251 is an image in which imaging information that is imaging information 252 and a keyword that is a keyword 253 are set as additional information.

  The imaging information 252 is imaging information set in the image 251 (image data to be displayed). The imaging information 252 includes the date and time of “2004.02.28” (imaging date and time), the photographer who is “user A”, and the location (imaging position) that is “near the hot spring”, and these are the images 251 ( Is set as imaging information). The keyword 253 is a keyword set in the image 251 (image data for displaying the image 251). The keyword 253 includes “son” and “XX hot spring”, and these are set as keywords of the image 251 (image data for displaying the image 251).

  For example, when the user presses a switch (hereinafter simply referred to as a switch) provided in the operation unit 15 of the digital still camera 1, a signal corresponding to the add button 254 is supplied to the CPU 51. That is, the add button 254 is operated by the user when it is desired to set a keyword other than the keyword 253 in the image 251.

  Further, the process of supplying the signal corresponding to the add button 254 to the CPU 51 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, when a touch panel is provided on the upper side of the LCD 17 and the user touches the additional button 254 displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 (by pressing the touch panel), a signal corresponding to the additional button 254 is supplied to the CPU 51. It may be.

  In the following description, it is assumed that signals corresponding to various buttons displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 are supplied to the CPU 51 when the user presses a switch of the operation unit 15, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, it may be supplied to the CPU 51 by the user operating a touch panel, dial, keyboard, jog dial, or the like.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the keyword input screen.

  For example, when a switch corresponding to the add button 254 in FIG. 5 is pressed by the user's operation, the CPU 51 displays a keyword input screen on the LCD 17 in accordance with a signal supplied from the add button 254. To display.

  Hereinafter, a case where the switch corresponding to the add button 254 in FIG. 5 is pressed will be described. Since the keyword is added to the image 251 in FIG. 5 on the keyword input screen displayed on the screen of the LCD 17, the keyword 253 of the image 251, the text box 261 for inputting the keyword to be added, and the enter button 263 are displayed.

  The keyword 253 is a keyword set before adding a keyword to the image 251, for example, “son” and “XX hot spring”. In the text box 261, a keyword to be added to the image 251 is input by a user operation. For example, since the image 251 is an image of snowboarding, a keyword “snowboard” is input as a character string reminiscent of the image 251 (in the example shown in FIG. 6, the character 262 is “snowboard”). The character “Suno” in the middle of entering a keyword).

  For example, the determination button 263 supplies a signal corresponding to the determination button 263 to the CPU 51 when the user presses a switch corresponding to the determination button 263. The keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword input in the text box 261 for the target image based on the control of the CPU 51 according to the supplied signal. For example, based on the control of the CPU 51, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword input in the text box 261 that is “snowboard” as the keyword of the image 251 (image data to be displayed).

  In other words, the keywords “son”, “OO hot spring”, and “snowboard” are set in the image 251 (image data to be displayed).

  Thus, an arbitrary keyword can be set for an arbitrary image by manually inputting the keyword by a user operation.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7 to FIG. 30, the keyword already set in the image data is extracted instead of the above-described method of manually setting the keyword, and the extracted keyword is converted into desired image data. An example of setting will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays images in a thumbnail format.

  The images 272-1 to 272-12 are thumbnail images corresponding to the image data recorded on the recording medium 19.

  More specifically, the LCD controller 16 is a thumbnail that is an image reduced to display a list of a plurality of images from the recording medium 19 based on the control of the CPU 51 that executes the display control unit 118 of the control program 101. The thumbnail data 215 for displaying the format image is acquired, an image signal corresponding to the acquired thumbnail data 215 is generated, and the generated image signal is supplied to the LCD 17. The LCD 17 displays an image 272-1 to an image 272-12 based on the image signal supplied from the LCD controller 16.

  The search button 271 supplies a signal corresponding to the search button 271 to the CPU 51 when the user presses a switch corresponding to the search button 271, for example. For example, the search button 271 is selected by a user operation when it is desired to search for a desired image based on the additional information.

  Hereinafter, a case where a switch corresponding to the search button 271 is pressed by a user operation will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a keyword setting process for extracting a keyword already set in image data and setting the extracted keyword in desired image data.

  In step S <b> 11, the control program 101 narrows down the image for which the keyword is set based on the keyword or the imaging information based on the user instruction. Details of the process of narrowing down images for which keywords are set will be described later.

  In step S12, the control program 101 extracts a keyword to be set for the image narrowed down in step S11, sets the extracted keyword in the narrowed image, and the process ends. Details of the keyword extraction and setting process will be described later.

  Next, the image narrowing-down process for setting the keyword in FIG. 8 with respect to the process in step S11 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S101, the keyword search unit 121, the histogram display data generation unit 117, and the display control unit 118 execute a process of displaying a histogram of keyword frequencies. For example, in the process of displaying the histogram of the keyword frequency, the keyword search unit 121 searches for keywords set in all image data based on a user instruction. Details of the histogram display processing of the keyword frequency will be described later.

  In step S <b> 102, the keyword search unit 121, the histogram display data generation unit 117, and the display control unit 118 execute processing for displaying a histogram of keyword frequencies when a keyword is selected. For example, in the process of step S <b> 102, when the keyword “daughter” is selected by the user, the keyword search unit 121 searches for other keywords in the image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set. Details of the histogram display processing of the keyword frequency when the keyword is selected will be described later.

  In step S103, the imaging information search unit 122, the histogram display data generation unit 117, and the display control unit 118 execute a histogram display process based on the imaging information. For example, in the process of step S103, when the imaging information search unit 122 selects "2003.10.12" imaging information, the imaging information search unit 122 selects the image data in which the imaging information "2003.10.12" is set. Search imaging information. Details of the histogram display process based on the imaging information will be described later.

  The example in which the processing is executed in the order of the processing of displaying the histogram of the keyword frequency, the processing of displaying the histogram of the keyword frequency when the keyword is selected, and the processing of displaying the histogram based on the imaging information has been described. Not limited to this, the processing may be executed in a desired order. For example, after executing a histogram display process based on imaging information, a keyword frequency histogram display process and a keyword frequency histogram display process when a keyword is selected, or based on imaging information After the histogram display process, the keyword frequency histogram display process and the keyword frequency histogram display process when the keyword is searched may be executed again.

  The order of the keyword frequency histogram display process, the keyword frequency histogram display process when the keyword is selected, and the histogram display process based on the imaging information can be determined by an instruction from the user. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays a search category selection screen for determining this order.

  For example, when a switch corresponding to the search button 271 in FIG. 7 is pressed by the user's operation, the CPU 51 displays a search category selection screen on the LCD 17 in accordance with a signal supplied from the search button 271. On the screen. An imaging information search button 281 and a keyword search button 282 are displayed on the search category selection screen.

  For example, when the user presses the switch corresponding to the keyword search button 282, the histogram processing of the keyword frequency and the histogram display of the keyword frequency when the keyword is selected are executed.

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the imaging information search button 271, a histogram display process based on the imaging information is executed.

  In step S104, the setting target image search unit 113 searches the narrowed-down image data by performing the processing of steps S101 to S103 using the keyword or the imaging information as a search condition.

  In step S105, the display control unit 118 displays on the screen of the LCD 17 an image displayed with the image data for setting the keyword, based on the image data retrieved by the process in step S104, and the process ends.

  For example, when the keyword “daughter” is instructed as a search condition in the process of step S101 or step S102, and the imaging information “2003.10.12” is instructed in the process of step S103, the display control unit 118 , Using the image data set with the keyword “daughter” and the imaging information “2003.10.12” as the image data for setting the keyword, the display control unit 118 displays the image displayed by the image data on the LCD 17. Display on the screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 24 described later, a list of extracted images is displayed using a keyword or imaging information as a search condition.

  Next, details of the histogram display of the keyword frequency with respect to the process of step S101 of FIG. 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 201, the keyword search unit 121 searches the storage medium 19 for the keyword group 213 set for one image data. For example, the keyword search unit 121 searches the keyword group 213 indicating the keyword “daughter” set for one piece of image data recorded on the recording medium 19.

  Here, as described above, the keyword group 213 refers to a set of zero, one, or a plurality of keywords set for one image data. For example, the keyword group 213 for the image data in which the keywords “daughter” and “ski” are set includes the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “ski”. The image data includes a keyword set and a keyword not set. However, the keyword search unit 121 sets “no keyword” as a search result for image data for which no keyword is set. To get.

  In step S202, the keyword search unit 121 reads the keyword group 213 searched by the process of step S201 from the recording medium 19.

  In step S203, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether a keyword exists based on the keyword included in the keyword group 213 read out in the process of step S202. For example, when the keyword group 213 includes the keyword “daughter” (when the keyword “daughter” is set in the image data), the keyword search unit 121 determines that the keyword exists, If no keyword is included in the group 213, that is, if a search result of “no keyword” is obtained, it is determined that there is no keyword.

  If it is determined in step S203 that no keyword exists, the process proceeds to step S204, and the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of “no keyword” in the keyword table by one.

  The keyword table may be recorded in advance in the RAM 52 or the recording medium 19, for example, and the keyword search unit 121 generates the keyword table before executing the histogram display of the keyword frequency. You may make it do.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a keyword table.

  In the example of the keyword table shown in FIG. 12, the first line indicates an item, and the second and subsequent lines indicate the frequency of each keyword. The first column on the left indicates “keyword”, and the second column on the right indicates “frequency”. That is, the keyword table stores the keywords and the frequency that is a value indicating how many keywords are associated with the keywords.

  For example, in the example of the keyword table shown in FIG. 12, the frequency of “2000” is recorded for the keyword of “daughter”. In addition, the frequency “1008” is recorded for the keyword “ski”. Further, a frequency of “680” is recorded for a keyword of “baseball”. In addition, a frequency of “1355” is recorded for the keyword “hot spring”. Furthermore, the frequency of “450” is recorded for the keyword of “entrance ceremony”. In addition, the frequency of “500” is recorded for the keyword “amusement park”. Further, a frequency of “455” is recorded for “no keyword”. The frequency for “no keyword” in the keyword table indicates the number of image data for which no keyword is set.

  For example, if it is determined in step S203 that no keyword exists, the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency for “no keyword” in the keyword table of FIG. 12 from “455” to “456”, for example.

  Returning to FIG. 11, if it is determined in step S203 that a keyword exists, the process proceeds to step S205, and the keyword search unit 121 includes the keyword included in the keyword group 213 in the keyword stored in the keyword table. It is determined whether or not.

  For example, in step S205, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether or not the keywords included in the keyword group 213 are stored in the keyword table of FIG. More specifically, for example, when the keyword group 213 includes a keyword “daughter”, the keyword search unit 121 stores the keyword “daughter” in the keyword table of FIG. , It is determined that the target keyword (the keyword “daughter”) is stored in the keyword table. On the other hand, for example, if the keyword group 213 includes the keyword “son”, the keyword search unit 121 is not targeted because the keyword “son” is not stored in the keyword table of FIG. It is determined that the keyword (the keyword “son”) is not stored in the keyword table.

  If it is determined in step S205 that the keyword included in the keyword group 213 is not stored in the keyword table, the process proceeds to step S206, and the keyword search unit 121 newly adds the corresponding keyword to the keyword table. Add a frequency of “1” to the keyword added to.

  For example, when the keyword of the keyword group 213 is “son”, the keyword search unit 121 does not include the keyword “son” in the keyword stored in the keyword table of FIG. In addition, the frequency of “1” is recorded for the keyword “son” and the keyword “son”. That is, the keyword “son” is newly added to the keyword table of FIG. 12 (not shown).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the keywords included in the keyword group 213 are stored in the keyword table, the process proceeds to step S207, and the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of the corresponding keyword in the keyword table by one. Let For example, when the keyword of the keyword group 213 is “daughter”, the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency for “daughter” in the keyword table of FIG. 12 from “2000” to “2001”.

  Note that in the case of image data in which a plurality of keywords are set, the keyword search unit 121 repeats the processing from step S205 to step S207 by the number of keywords. For example, when the keyword group 213 includes a keyword “daughter” and a keyword “ski”, the keyword search unit 121 changes the frequency for “daughter” in the keyword table of FIG. 12 from “2000” to “2001”. In addition, the frequency for “ski” is increased from “1008” to “1009”.

  In step S208, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether or not the image data for which the keyword group 213 is searched is the final image data in the process of step S201.

  If it is determined in step S208 that the image data is not the final image data, the image data still remains (because there are still unsearched keywords), the process returns to step S201 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S208 that the image data is the final image data, all keywords have been searched. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S209, and the keyword search unit 121 searches the keywords in the keyword table in descending order (descending order). Sort (reorder). The keyword search unit 121 supplies the sorted keyword table data to the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  For example, the keyword search unit 121 selects keywords “daughter”, “ski”, “baseball”, “hot spring”, “entrance ceremony”, “amusement park”, and “no keyword” in the keyword table of FIG. Sorted in descending order, such as “Daughter”, “Onsen”, “Ski”, “Baseball”, and “Other”, keywords other than “Daughter”, “Onsen”, “Ski”, “Baseball” Are arranged in the order of “no keyword”, which is image data for which is not set, and the sorted keyword table data is supplied to the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  In step S <b> 210, the histogram display data generation unit 117 generates histogram display data that is data for displaying the keywords in the histogram format on the screen of the LCD 17 based on the keyword table data supplied from the keyword search unit 121. The histogram display data generation unit 117 supplies the generated histogram display data to the display control unit 118.

  For example, the histogram display data generation unit 117 generates histogram display data based on the keyword table data of FIG. 12 supplied from the keyword search unit 121 and supplies the generated histogram display data to the display control unit 118.

  In step S211, the display control unit 118 displays the keywords on the screen of the LCD 17 in a histogram format based on the histogram display data supplied from the histogram display data generation unit 117, and the process ends.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the LCD 17 that displays keywords in a histogram format based on the keyword table of FIG. 12 by the histogram display processing of the keyword frequency.

  For the keyword on the left side of the figure, a rectangle (column) having a length corresponding to the frequency of the keyword is displayed, and the frequency is displayed as a number on the right side of the rectangle. In addition, in the selected keyword display area 291, keywords (already selected keywords) that have been narrowed down are displayed based on user instructions (in the example shown in FIG. 13, the keywords are still based on keywords). Since no filtering has been performed (and no keyword is selected), “Selected keyword: None” is displayed).

  A cursor 292 is a cursor for selecting a keyword. For example, when the user moves the cursor 292 and presses the switch while a desired keyword is selected by the cursor 292, the keyword is selected from the keywords displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the histogram format by the user's operation. The keyword is further narrowed down by the keyword.

  For example, in the example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the keywords shown in FIG. 12 in a histogram format, a rectangle with a length corresponding to the frequency of “2000” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “daughter”. Is done. For the keyword “hot spring”, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “1355” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Further, for the keyword “ski”, a rectangle of a length corresponding to the frequency “1008” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. For the keyword “baseball”, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “680” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Further, for the keyword “others”, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “1470” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Furthermore, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “455” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “none”.

  In other words, keywords and frequencies are set in the keyword table by the processing in steps S201 to S208, and the keywords are sorted in descending order in the processing in step S209 based on the set keyword table, and the processing in steps S210 and S211. The histogram is displayed based on the keyword table in which the keywords are sorted.

  As described above, the search result of the image by the keyword is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in a histogram format, so that the user intuitively grasps the number of keywords, that is, the number of images in which each keyword is set. be able to.

  Next, after the keywords described in FIG. 13 are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the histogram format, a desired keyword (“daughter”) is selected from the keywords displayed in the histogram format according to a user instruction. A case where “keyword” is selected will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the histogram display processing of the keyword frequency when a keyword is selected in the processing of step S102 of FIG.

  In step S301, the keyword search unit 121 acquires a desired keyword selected by a user instruction. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the keyword search unit 121 acquires the keyword “daughter” when the user selects the keyword “daughter” with the cursor 292 and presses the switch.

  In step S302, the keyword search unit 121 clears the keyword table in order to display the keywords again in the histogram format. For example, the keyword search unit 121 clears the keyword table in FIG. 12 that is the basis for displaying the keywords in FIG. 13 in a histogram format.

  In step S303, the keyword search unit 121 searches the recording medium 19 for another keyword group 213 set in the image data in which the acquired keyword is set, based on the acquired keyword. For example, when the keyword search unit 121 acquires the keyword “daughter”, the keyword search unit 121 sets the image data set with the keyword “daughter” from the image data recorded on the recording medium 19 as the image data. Other than the keyword “Daughter”, “hot spring”, “entrance ceremony”, “baseball”, “skiing”, “amusement park”, or “tennis” are searched as other keywords.

  Further, image data in which no keyword other than the keyword “daughter” is set, that is, image data in which only the keyword “daughter” is set, acquires “no keyword” as a search result.

  In step S <b> 304, the keyword search unit 121 reads the keyword group 213 searched by the process of step S <b> 303 from the recording medium 19. For example, the keyword search unit 121 searches for the “hot spring” other than the keyword “daughter” of the image data set with the keyword “daughter” recorded in the recording medium 19 searched by the process of step S303. A keyword group 213 such as “entrance type”, “baseball”, “ski”, “amusement park”, or “tennis” is read from the recording medium 19.

  In step S305, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether another keyword different from the selected keyword exists based on the keyword included in the keyword group 213 read out in step S304. For example, when the keyword “daughter” is selected, the keyword search unit 121 determines that the keyword group 213 includes the keyword “baseball” and the keyword “daughter” (the image data includes “baseball”). When the keyword “is” and the keyword “daughter” are set), it is determined that another keyword “baseball” different from the keyword “daughter” exists, and the keyword “daughter” is included in the keyword group 213. Is included (that is, when a search result “no keyword” is obtained), it is determined that there is no other keyword different from the keyword “daughter”.

  If it is determined in step S305 that no other keyword exists, the process proceeds to step S306, where the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of “no keyword” in the keyword table by 1, and the procedure proceeds to step S310.

  If it is determined in step S305 that another keyword exists, the process proceeds to step S307, and the keyword search unit 121 determines whether or not the keyword included in the keyword group 213 read out in step S304 is stored in the keyword table. Determine whether.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a keyword table when the keyword “daughter” is selected.

  In the example of the keyword table shown in FIG. 15, the first line indicates an item, and the second and subsequent lines indicate the frequency of each keyword. The first column on the left indicates “keyword”, and the second column on the right indicates “frequency”. That is, the keyword table stores a keyword and a frequency that is a value indicating how many keywords exist in association with the keyword.

  Here, the frequency in the example of the keyword table shown in FIG. 15 indicates the number of other keywords (keywords different from “daughter”) set in the image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set.

  For example, in the example of the keyword table shown in FIG. 15, the frequency of “1000” is recorded for the keyword of “hot spring”. In addition, the frequency of “390” is recorded for the keyword of “entrance type”. Further, the frequency of “180” is recorded for the keyword of “baseball”. In addition, a frequency of “50” is recorded for a keyword of “ski”. Further, the frequency of “450” is recorded for the keyword “amusement park”. In addition, a frequency of “110” is recorded for a keyword of “tennis”. Further, a frequency of “234” is recorded for “no keyword”.

  For example, in step S307, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether or not the keywords included in the keyword group 213 are stored in the keyword table of FIG. More specifically, for example, when the keyword of the keyword group 213 is “hot spring”, the keyword search unit 121 is targeted because the keyword “hot spring” is stored in the keyword table of FIG. It is determined that the keyword (the keyword “hot spring”) is stored in the keyword table. On the other hand, for example, if the keyword of the keyword group 213 is “sea bathing”, the keyword search unit 121 does not store the keyword “sea bathing” in the keyword table of FIG. It is determined that the keyword “sea bathing” is not stored in the keyword table.

  Returning to FIG. 14, if it is determined in step S307 that the keyword included in the keyword group 213 is not stored in the keyword table, the process proceeds to step S308, and the keyword search unit 121 newly adds the corresponding keyword to the keyword table. Add a frequency of “1” to the newly added keyword.

  For example, when the keyword of the keyword group 213 is “sea bathing”, the keyword search unit 121 does not have a keyword “sea bathing” in the keyword table of FIG. Record the frequency of “1” for the keyword. That is, the keyword “sea bathing” is newly added to the keyword table of FIG. 15 (not shown).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S307 that the keyword included in the keyword group 213 is stored in the keyword table, the process proceeds to step S309, and the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of the corresponding keyword in the keyword table by one. Let For example, when the keyword of the keyword group 213 is “hot spring”, the keyword search unit 121 increases the frequency of the keyword “hot spring” in the keyword table of FIG. 15 from “1000” to “1001”.

  When a plurality of keywords different from the selected keyword are set in the image data, the keyword search unit 121 repeats the processing from step S307 to step S309 by the number of keywords different from the selected keyword. For example, in the case of image data in which keywords “daughter”, “hot spring”, and “ski” are set, the keyword search unit 121 changes the frequency for “hot spring” in the keyword table of FIG. 15 from “1000” to “1001”. And the frequency for “skiing” is increased from “50” to “51”.

  In step S310, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether or not the image data searched for the keyword group 213 is the final image data in the process of step S303.

  If it is determined in step S310 that the image data is not the final image data, the image data still remains (a keyword that is different from the selected keyword and has not been searched may still remain). Therefore, the process returns to step S303 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S310 that the image data is the final image data, the process proceeds to step S311 and the keyword search unit 121 sorts (rearranges) the keywords in the keyword table in descending order of frequency. The keyword search unit 121 supplies the sorted keyword table data to the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  For example, the keyword search unit 121 sets keywords “hot spring,“ entrance ceremony ”,“ baseball ”,“ skiing ”,“ amusement park ”,“ tennis ”, and“ no keyword ”in the keyword table of FIG. ”,“ Amusement park ”,“ Admission ceremony ”,“ Baseball ”, etc. Sorted in descending order, and“ Other ”, which is a keyword other than“ Onsen ”,“ Amusement park ”,“ Admission ceremony ”,“ Baseball ” The keyword table data arranged in the order of “no keyword”, which is image data for which no keyword is set, is supplied to the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  In step S <b> 312, the histogram display data generation unit 117 generates histogram display data based on the keyword table data supplied from the keyword search unit 121. The histogram display data generation unit 117 supplies the generated histogram display data to the display control unit 118.

  For example, the histogram display data generation unit 117 generates histogram display data based on the data in the keyword table in FIG. 15 supplied from the keyword search unit 121, and supplies the generated histogram display data to the display control unit 118.

  In step S313, the display control unit 118 displays the keyword on the screen of the LCD 17 in the form of a histogram based on the histogram display data supplied from the histogram display data generation unit 117, and the process ends.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the LCD 17 that displays keywords in a histogram format based on the keyword table of FIG. 15 by a histogram display process of keyword frequencies when a keyword is selected.

  For the keyword on the left side of the figure, a rectangle (column) having a length corresponding to the number of keywords is displayed, and the histogram frequency is displayed as a number on the right side of the rectangle. Also, in the selected keyword display area 295, the selected keyword that is the narrowing condition based on the user's instruction is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 16, since the keyword “daughter” is selected and the image data is narrowed down, “selected keyword: daughter” is displayed in the selected keyword display area 295.

  For example, in the example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the keyword shown in FIG. 16 in a histogram format, a rectangle of a length corresponding to the frequency of “1000” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “hot spring”. Is displayed. For the keyword “amusement park”, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “450” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Furthermore, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency of “390” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “entrance type”. For the keyword “baseball”, a rectangle of a length corresponding to the frequency “180” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Further, for the keyword “others”, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “401” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. Furthermore, a rectangle having a length corresponding to the frequency “234” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for “none”.

  That is, for the image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set, the result of counting the number of keywords other than “daughter” is displayed for each keyword. In FIG. 16, “None” indicates that only the keyword “daughter” is set, and the frequency indicates the number of image data in which only the keyword “daughter” is set.

  More specifically, the keyword or frequency is set in the keyword table for the other keywords of the image in which the selected keyword is set by the processing of step S301 to step S310, and the keyword table in which the keyword or frequency is set. Based on the above, in the process of step S311, the keywords are sorted in descending order, and the histogram is displayed based on the keyword table in which the keywords are sorted in the processes of step S312 and step S313.

  As described above, for example, the result of counting the number of keywords other than “daughter” in the image in which the keyword “daughter” is set is displayed for each keyword. It is possible to intuitively understand what keywords are set for a given image. In addition, since the keyword “none” is provided, the user can set the number of images for which no keyword other than “daughter” is set (an image in which only the keyword “daughter” is set). It can be grasped intuitively.

  In addition, when the keyword described in reference to FIG. 16 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the histogram format and the keyword “baseball” is selected from the keywords displayed in the histogram format by the user, Further, it is possible to search for image data in which keywords “daughter” and “baseball” are set, and display the keywords of the searched image data on the screen of the LCD 17 in a histogram format.

  In this way, by sequentially selecting the keywords displayed in the histogram format, it is possible to narrow down the image data by sequentially adding the selected keywords to the search condition, so that a desired image can be searched more reliably. it can.

  Next, a case will be described in which keywords are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the form of a histogram described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a histogram display process based on imaging information with respect to the process in step S103 of FIG.

  In step S401, the imaging information search unit 122 acquires a search category (for imaging information) based on a user instruction. For example, the imaging information search unit 122 acquires a search category that is “imaging date and time” based on a user instruction.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the LCD 17 that displays a search category menu (hereinafter simply referred to as an imaging information menu) 301 based on imaging information.

  The imaging information menu 301 displays, for example, imaging date / time 302, position information 303, camera information 304, and photographer 305 as search categories. Note that the imaging information serving as the search category is not limited to the above-described example, and may be any information that can be added to the image during imaging.

  In addition, related information or URL information can be provided as a search category. For example, when related information is provided as a search category, the user can search for image data from related information set in the image data. When URL information is provided as a search category, the user can search for image data from URL information set in the image data.

  Further, the cursor 311 is based on the user's instruction, for example, in the imaging information menu 301 including the imaging date / time 302, the position information 303, the camera information 304, and the photographer 305, the imaging date / time 302, the position information 303, and the camera information 304. , And the photographer 305 are selected.

  For example, when the user presses the switch, the imaging information search unit 122 searches for any one of the imaging date / time 302, the position information 303, the camera information 304, and the photographer 305 selected by the cursor 311. Get as a category. For example, when the imaging date / time 302 is selected by the cursor 311 based on a user instruction, the imaging information search unit 122 acquires “imaging date / time” as a search category.

  Returning to FIG. 17, in step S <b> 402, the imaging information search unit 122 searches the imaging information of the acquired search category from the imaging information attached to the image data based on the acquired search category. When the predetermined keyword is selected, in step S402, the imaging information search unit 122 determines from the imaging information attached to the image data in which the selected keyword is set based on the acquired search category. The imaging information of the acquired search category is searched. For example, when the keyword “daughter” is selected, the imaging information search unit 122 attaches to the image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set based on the acquired search category “imaging date and time”. The imaging information that is “imaging date and time” is searched from the imaging information that has been recorded.

  In step S403, the imaging information search unit 122 reads the imaging information searched by the process of step S403 from the recording medium 19. For example, the imaging information search unit 122 reads from the recording medium 19 imaging information that is “imaging date and time” of the image data in which the keyword “daughter” searched by the process of step S403 is set.

  In step S404, the imaging information search unit 122 determines whether the contents of the imaging information read out in the process of step S404 are stored in an imaging information table (not shown).

  Here, the keyword table described above may be used instead of the imaging information table. That is, the keyword table can be used again by clearing the keyword table before the process of step S402. For example, the imaging information search unit 122 can use the keyword table again as the imaging information table by clearing the keyword table in FIG. 15 that is the basis for displaying the keywords in FIG. 16 in the histogram format.

  If it is determined in step S404 that the content of the imaging information (specific value of the imaging information) is not stored in the imaging information table, the process proceeds to step S405, and the imaging information search unit 122 determines the content of the corresponding imaging information. Is newly added to the imaging information table, and the frequency of “1” is stored for the added imaging information.

  For example, when the content of the imaging information is “2004.05.05”, the imaging information search unit 122 is not illustrated, but when “2004.05.05” does not exist in the imaging information table, “2004.05.05” is stored in the imaging information table. Since there is no content of the imaging information that is, the frequency that is “1” for the content of the imaging information that is “2004.05.05” and the content of the imaging information that is “2004.05.05” in the imaging information table Record. That is, the content of the imaging information “2004.05.05” (specific value of imaging information) is newly added to the imaging information table.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S404 that the content of the imaging information is stored in the imaging information table, the process proceeds to step S406, and the imaging information search unit 122 sets the frequency of the content of the corresponding imaging information in the imaging information table. Increase by one. For example, when the content of the imaging information is “2003.10.12”, the imaging information search unit 122 stores the frequency of the content of the imaging information “2003.10.12” as “200” in the imaging information table, although not illustrated. When it is set, the frequency of the content of the imaging information “2003.10.12” in the imaging information table is increased from “200” to “201”.

  In step S407, the imaging information search unit 122 determines whether or not the image data for which the imaging information is searched in the process of step S402 is final image data.

  If it is determined in step S407 that the image data is not the final image data, the image data still remains, so the process returns to step S402 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S407 that the image data is the final image data, the process proceeds to step S408, and the imaging information search unit 122 sorts (sorts) the imaging information in the imaging information table in descending order (descending order). do. The imaging information search unit 122 supplies the sorted imaging information table data to the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  For example, the imaging information search unit 122 performs “,” “2003.10.12” (for example, a frequency of “200”), “2003.04.01” (for example, a frequency of “60”) in an imaging information table (not shown). ), “2004.04.01” (for example, a frequency of “25”), and “2003.09.15” (for example, a frequency of “90”) are captured as “2003.10.12”, “2003.09.15” , Sort in descending order, such as “2003.04.01”, “2004.04.01”, and use image information other than “2003.10.12”, “2003.09.15”, “2003.04.01”, “2004.04.01” Arranged in the order of “other”, the data of the imaging information table thus sorted is supplied to the histogram display data generation unit 117.

  In step S409, the histogram display data generation unit 117 generates histogram display data based on the data of the imaging information table supplied from the imaging information search unit 122. The histogram display data generation unit 117 supplies the generated histogram display data to the display control unit 118.

  In step S410, the display control unit 118 displays the imaging information on the screen of the LCD 17 in the form of a histogram based on the histogram display data supplied from the histogram display data generation unit 117, and the process ends.

  Note that the process of searching for imaging information set in image data is not limited to the example of searching for imaging information set in image data based on the above-described imaging information table (or keyword table). . For example, when the imaging information search unit 122 (or keyword search unit 121) searches the imaging information set in the image data by appropriately storing the search conditions in the RAM 52, the imaging information search unit 122 (or The keyword search unit 121) may read the stored search conditions and search for imaging information set in the image data.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the shooting date and time in a histogram format.

  A histogram for each shooting date and time is displayed for the imaging date and time on the left side of the drawing, and the histogram frequency is displayed on the right side of the histogram. In addition, the cursor 321 can select, for example, an imaging date and time of “2003.10.12” according to a user instruction.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 19, a rectangle (column) having a length corresponding to the frequency of “200” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the imaging date and time of “2003.10.12”. In addition, a rectangle (column) having a length corresponding to the frequency of “90” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the imaging date and time of “2003.09.15”. Further, a rectangle (column) having a length corresponding to the frequency of “60” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the imaging date and time of “2003.04.01”. In addition, a rectangle (column) corresponding to the frequency of “25” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the imaging date and time of “2004.04.01”. Further, a rectangle (column) having a length corresponding to the frequency of “70” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the imaging date and time of “Other”.

  As described above, the image search result based on the imaging information is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the form of a histogram, so that the user can intuitively grasp the number of images in which each imaging information is set.

  In the above-described example, the imaging information is searched based on the imaging information that is “imaging date and time”. However, it is possible to further narrow down by imaging information other than the imaging information that is “imaging date and time”.

  Hereinafter, in the example illustrated in FIG. 19, a case where the user selects the imaging date and time “2003.10.12” with the cursor 321 and further presses the switch will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays a screen for designating whether to display an image or to search using other imaging information.

  For example, an image display button 341, a further narrowing button 342, and a cursor 351 are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  For example, the image display button 341 is selected by a cursor 351 in response to a user operation, and when the user presses a switch, a signal corresponding to the image display button 341 is supplied to the CPU 51. In this case, the image searched under the current search condition is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the thumbnail format.

  The further narrowing button 342 is selected by the cursor 351 corresponding to the user's operation, for example, and when the user presses the switch, a signal corresponding to the further narrowing button 342 is supplied to the CPU 51. In this case, the imaging information menu is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  When searching with other imaging information based on the user's instruction (that is, when the user selects the further narrowing button 342), a screen for selecting a search category is further displayed for further filtering with the imaging information. The

  Hereinafter, in the example illustrated in FIG. 20, a case where the user selects the further narrowing button 342 with the cursor 351 and further presses the switch will be described.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 displaying the imaging information menu 301 in this case.

  The imaging information menu 301 displays, for example, position information 303, camera information 304, and a photographer 305 as items serving as search keys based on imaging information. In the imaging information menu 301 in FIG. 21, the imaging date 302 is not displayed unlike the imaging information menu 301 in FIG. This is because the imaging date / time 302 has already been selected as a search condition in the process of step S401 in FIG. 17, and it is not necessary to search again with the imaging date / time. It is not displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  Further, the cursor 311 selects, for example, the imaging information menu 301 that is the position information 303, the camera information 304, or the photographer 305 based on the user's instruction.

  For example, when the user presses the switch, the imaging information search unit 122 acquires the imaging information menu 301 selected by the cursor 311 as a search category, and supplies the acquired search category to the imaging information search unit 122. More specifically, when the position information 303 is selected by the cursor 311 based on a user instruction, the imaging information search unit 122 acquires “position information” as a search category, and uses the acquired “position information”. A certain search category is supplied to the imaging information search unit 122.

  Hereinafter, in the example illustrated in FIG. 21, a case where the user selects the position information 303 with the cursor 311 and further presses the switch will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the search result based on the position information in a histogram format.

  For the position information on the left side of the figure, a rectangle with a length corresponding to the frequency for each position name is displayed, and the frequency is displayed as a number on the right side of the rectangle. Further, the cursor 361 can select, for example, position information “near Ikebukuro Station” or the like according to a user instruction. In addition, hereinafter, a specific position name (for example, “near Ikebukuro Station”) is referred to as a position name, and information for specifying the location of the position name is referred to as position coordinates (for example, latitude and longitude).

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 22, the display control unit 118 sets “150” for the position name “Near Ikebukuro Station” based on the histogram display data supplied from the histogram display data generation unit 117. A rectangle with a length corresponding to a certain frequency is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17, and a rectangle with a length corresponding to the frequency of “50” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the position name “near Meguro Station”. .

  Here, the position information will be described in more detail. For example, the position information is acquired from a GPS (Global Positioning System), a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), or the like by the digital still camera 1 having a receiving device (not shown) for acquiring position coordinates. The position coordinates are made up of, for example, two-dimensional information indicating latitude and longitude (or three-dimensional information indicating latitude, longitude, and altitude), and include the position coordinates acquired in a predetermined area by a user instruction. In this case, the display control unit 118 displays a position name corresponding to a predetermined area on the screen of the LCD 17 as position information.

  More specifically, the user sets an arbitrary area on the map in advance, and sets a position name corresponding to the set arbitrary area. For example, landmarks such as stations, parks, amusement parks, zoos, museums, etc. included in the set arbitrary area are set in the position name. Thus, by setting the position name corresponding to the position information in advance, for example, the display control unit 118 can display the position name on the screen of the LCD 17 based on the position information.

  As described above, the result of the image search based on the position information is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the form of a histogram, so that the user can intuitively grasp the number of images taken at a predetermined location.

  As described above, the position name may be set based on a user instruction, or as a so-called factory shipment setting, a main area may be set as a landmark in advance. .

  Hereinafter, in the example illustrated in FIG. 22, a case will be described in which the position name “near Ikebukuro Station” is selected with the cursor 361 and the user presses the switch in response to the user's operation.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays a screen for designating whether to display an image or to search using other imaging information. Further, the same parts as those in FIG. 20 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  For example, when the image display button 341 is selected by the cursor 351 in response to the user's operation, no further search is performed using the imaging information as a search condition, and the processes of steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 9 are executed. Then, image data for setting a keyword is searched, and an image is displayed based on the searched image data. On the other hand, when the button 342 further narrowed down by the cursor 351 is selected in response to the user's operation, the keyword “Daughter” and the imaging information “2003.10.12” and “Near Ikebukuro Station” are further added. The imaging information attached to the image data is searched by adding the imaging information of the above to the search condition.

  Hereinafter, in the example shown in FIG. 23, a case where the user selects the image display button 341 with the cursor 351 and further presses the switch will be described.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays a list of images to be displayed with the searched image data using the keyword or the imaging information as a search condition (for example, the process of step S104 in FIG. 9 described above). Displayed by). In the example of the screen of the LCD 17 shown in FIG. 24, candidate images of image data for setting keywords are displayed.

  For example, an image 401-1 to image 401-4, a scroll button 402, a scroll button 403, a keyword input button 411, a similarity search button 412, a check button 413, and a cursor 421 are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  Images 401-1 to 401-4 are candidate image data for which keywords are set. The images 401-1 to 401-4 are displayed in a thumbnail format by the display control unit 118. For example, the images 401-1 to 401-4 are image data searched by the setting target image search unit 113 using the keyword “daughter” and “2003.10.12” and “near Ikebukuro Station” as search conditions. Is a thumbnail image corresponding to. That is, the images 401-1 to 401-4 are thumbnail images corresponding to image data in which the keyword “daughter”, the imaging information “2003.10.12” and “near Ikebukuro Station” are set.

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the scroll button 402, the screen of the LCD 17 is scrolled to the left, and images displayed in the form of four thumbnails are displayed from left to right as an image 401-2 and an image 401-3. , Image 401-4 and image 401-5 are displayed in this order. Further, when the user presses the switch corresponding to the scroll button 402, the images displayed in the thumbnail format on the screen of the LCD 17 are, from the left, the images 401-3, 401-4, and 401-. 5 and the image 401-6 are displayed in this order.

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the scroll button 403, the screen of the LCD 17 is scrolled to the right. For example, if there are 150 pieces of image data that match the search conditions of “Daughter”, “2003.10.12”, and “Near Ikebukuro Station”, the user can press the switch corresponding to the scroll button 403 to display the screen of the LCD 17. The images displayed in the form of four thumbnails are displayed in the order of image 401-150, image 401-1, image 401-2, and image 401-3 from the left. Further, when the user presses the switch corresponding to the scroll button 403, images displayed in the form of four thumbnails on the screen of the LCD 17 are image 401-149, image 401-150, image 401- from the left. 1 and the image 401-2 are displayed in this order.

  When the keyword input button 411 is selected with the cursor 421 and the switch is pressed, a signal corresponding to the keyword input button 411 is supplied to the CPU 51. The display control unit 118 displays a keyword input screen (for example, the keyword input screen in FIG. 6).

  When the similar image search button 412 is selected with the cursor 421 and the switch is pressed, a signal corresponding to the similar image search button 412 is supplied to the CPU 51. The similar information set image search unit 114 searches for similar image data. Similar image data refers to image data in which the selected keyword is set and the selected imaging information is attached, and image data in which another keyword different from the selected keyword is set. Say. For example, when the keyword “daughter” is selected and the imaging information “2003.10.12” and “near Ikebukuro station” are selected, the similar image set image search unit 112 selects the keyword “daughter”. Is set and image data with imaging information “2003.10.12” and “near Ikebukuro Station” is added, and the image data is set with another keyword different from the keyword “daughter”. To do.

  The check button 413 is a button for selecting image data for setting a keyword from image data candidates for setting a keyword. After selecting one of the images 401-1 to 401-4, the check button 413 is selected, for example, by the user's operation, the cursor 421 is selected, and the user presses the switch to select the selected image. Image data corresponding to 401-1 to 401-4 is selected as image data for setting a keyword. The image data for setting the keyword selected in this way is specified by a flag, for example.

  By doing in this way, the keyword setting part 116 can set a keyword with respect to the image data with which the flag is set based on the flag added to image data.

  Further, in the processing of step S11, the processing for narrowing down the image for which the keyword is set is performed, but the above-described narrowing down by displaying the keyword in the histogram format (for example, the histogram of the keyword frequency described with reference to FIG. 11). In addition to display processing, it is also possible to narrow down images by other methods.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, a description will be given of a case where the image for setting the keyword is narrowed down using the cross button of the digital still camera 1.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an example of narrowing down an image by a cross button provided on the operation unit 15 of the digital still camera 1.

  The screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example in which a list of searched keywords (hereinafter referred to as a keyword list) is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. For example, the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 when the user selects the keyword search button 282 on the search category selection screen of FIG.

  25 is a process for displaying the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25. For example, in the above-described histogram display of the keyword frequency in FIG. 11, the processes from step S201 to step S209 are performed in the same manner. Instead of the processing in step S210 and step S211, the display control unit 118 may display the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25 based on the data in the keyword table.

  That is, the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25 has not been narrowed down by keywords (since no keywords have been selected yet), the keywords set for all image data are displayed. .

  In the example shown on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25, each row indicates a keyword and the frequency of the keyword (the number in parentheses on the right side of the keyword). That is, in the first line, the frequency “2000” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “daughter”. In the second line, the frequency “1335” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “hot spring”. Further, in the third line, the frequency “1008” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “ski”. Furthermore, in the fourth line, for the keyword “baseball”, the frequency “680” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17. On the fifth line, the frequency “1470” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “others”. Further, in the sixth line, the frequency “455” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 with respect to “none”.

  The cursor 423 selects a keyword based on a user instruction.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of the cross key 428 provided in the operation unit 15 of the digital still camera 1.

  On the upper surface of the digital still camera 1, a cross key 428 and a determination button 429 that are pressed by the user are arranged to instruct the movement of the cursor 423 or the determination of a command according to the user's operation.

  Hereinafter, pressing the arrow on the upper side of the cross key 428 by the user is referred to as pressing the upper cross key, and the arrow on the lower side of the cross key 428 is pressed by the user. This is referred to as pressing the lower cross key, and further, pressing the right arrow of the cross key 428 by the user is referred to as pressing the right cross key. Pressing the arrow on the left side of the cross key 428 is referred to as pressing the left cross key.

  When the upper cross key or the lower cross key is pressed, a desired keyword is selected from the keyword list by moving the cursor 423 based on a signal from the operation unit 15 according to a user operation.

  When the right cross key is pressed, the image is narrowed down by the keyword selected by the cursor 423 based on a signal from the operation unit 15 according to the user's operation.

  When the left cross key is pressed, the most recently selected keyword (hereinafter referred to as the most recent keyword) among the keywords that have become the search conditions based on a signal from the operation unit 15 according to the user's operation. The image is narrowed down by a keyword excluding (that is, the keyword that became the search condition is reduced by one).

  When the enter button 429 is pressed, based on the signal from the operation unit 15 according to the user's operation, the images that have been narrowed down by the keyword are displayed in the thumbnail format on the screen of the LCD 17.

  Returning to FIG. 25, when the keyword “daughter” is selected by the user with the cursor 423 in the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25 and the right cross key is pressed, A keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  The keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25 is a list of keywords narrowed down using the keyword “daughter” as a search condition in the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. is there. That is, the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25 displays other keywords of image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set.

  25 is a process of displaying the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25. For example, in the above-described histogram display process of the keyword frequency when the keyword of FIG. 14 is selected, steps S301 to S311 are performed. In the same manner, instead of steps S312 and S313, the display control unit 118 displays a keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown in the upper center of FIG. 25 based on the data in the keyword table. That's fine.

  In the example shown on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25, each row indicates a keyword and the frequency of the keyword (the number in parentheses on the right side of the keyword). That is, in the first line, the frequency of “1000” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “hot spring”. In the second line, the frequency of “450” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “amusement park”. Further, in the third line, the frequency of “390” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “entrance ceremony”. Furthermore, in the fourth line, the frequency of “180” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “baseball”. In the fifth line, the frequency “401” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “others”. Further, in the sixth line, the frequency “234” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 with respect to “none”.

  That is, when the right cross key is pressed, the image can be further narrowed down by the keyword selected by the cursor 423. For example, in the screen of the LCD 17 shown in the upper center of FIG. 25, when the keyword “hot spring” is selected by the user with the cursor 423 and the right cross key is pressed, a keyword list (not shown) is displayed. 3) displays other keywords of the image data in which the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “hot spring” are set.

  In the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown in the upper center of FIG. 25, when the left cross key is pressed, the keyword search unit 121 searches for the latest keyword out of the search conditions, and displays the display control unit. 118 displays a keyword list for other keywords of the image data set in the keyword searched by the keyword search unit 121 on the screen of the LCD 17. More specifically, for example, in the keyword list (not shown) in which other keywords of image data in which the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “hot spring” are set are displayed, the left cross key Is pressed, the keyword search unit 121 excludes the keyword “hot spring”, which is the latest keyword, from the keywords “daughter” and the keyword “hot spring”, which are the search conditions, from the search condition. The search control unit 118 searches the keyword (that is, only the keyword “daughter”) as a search condition, and the display control unit 118 searches the keyword search unit 121 for another keyword of image data in which the keyword “daughter” is set. The keyword list of the screen of the LCD 17 shown in the upper center of FIG. 25 is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  Further, in the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown in the upper center of FIG. 25, when the left cross key is pressed, the display control unit 118 displays the latest “daughter” searched by the keyword search unit 121. A keyword list of the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG.

  It should be noted that the position of the cursor 423 when the screen is changed when the left cross key is pressed, the display control unit 118 may match the keyword with the highest frequency, or the most recent search condition. You may match it with keywords.

  More specifically, for example, in the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25, when the keyword “ski” is selected with the cursor 423 and the determination button 429 is pressed, the keyword In the list (not shown), other keywords of the image data set with the keyword “ski” are displayed. When a left cross key is pressed in a keyword list (not shown) displaying other keywords of image data in which the keyword “ski” is set, as described above, the left side of FIG. The screen transitions to the screen of the LCD 17 shown in FIG. 4B. The position of the cursor 423 at that time may be matched with the keyword “daughter” having the highest frequency, or “ski” which is the most recent keyword. You may adjust it to a certain keyword.

  In the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25, when the keyword “baseball” is selected by the user with the cursor 423 and the determination button 429 is pressed, the right side of FIG. The thumbnail-format images 424-1 to 424-9 on the screen of the LCD 17 shown are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  That is, when the user presses the enter button 429, the keywords (for example, “daughter” (the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. 25) and “baseball” (the base of FIG. 25) have been selected. The image 424-1 through image 424-9 in which the keyword of the LCD 17 shown in the upper center portion)) is set are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the thumbnail format.

  In other words, the thumbnail-format images 424-1 to 424-9 on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the right side of FIG. 25 are images in which the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “baseball” are set. It is.

  As described above, since the image is displayed in the thumbnail format, the image in the thumbnail format can be displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 more quickly.

  When nine image data having the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “baseball” are searched, thumbnail-format images 424 on the screen of the LCD 17 shown on the right side of FIG. Although 1 to 424-9 are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17, it is of course possible to cope with the case where nine or more (less than nine) image data are searched. That is, when nine or more pieces of image data are retrieved, for example, a message that prompts the user to narrow down the images to a predetermined number may be displayed on the screen of the LCD 17, for example, a scroll button When the scroll button is pressed by the user, the next image (for example, screen 424-10 to screen 424-18) is displayed, and when the scroll button is further displayed. Further, the next image (for example, screens 424-19 to 424-27) may be displayed on the screen of the LCD 17.

  Further, in the keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the upper center of FIG. 25, when the user selects the keyword “others” with the cursor 423 and further presses the enter button 429, FIG. A list of keywords on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the lower center is displayed.

  The keyword list on the screen of the LCD 17 shown in the lower center of FIG. 25 is a keyword that is narrowed down using the keyword “daughter” in the keyword list on the LCD 17 shown on the left side of FIG. A list of details of the keywords aggregated as “others”, which is a set of keywords with a low frequency, is displayed. That is, the keyword “other” includes the keyword “daughter”, and the keywords “hot spring”, “amusement park”, “entrance ceremony”, and “baseball”, and other than “none”. A set of keywords.

  In the example shown on the screen of the LCD 17 shown at the lower center of FIG. 25, each row indicates a keyword and the frequency of the keyword (the number in parentheses on the right side of the keyword). That is, in the first line, the frequency of “100” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “soccer”. In the second line, the frequency of “45” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “Osaka”. Further, on the third line, the frequency “39” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “wedding”. Furthermore, on the fourth line, the frequency of “17” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword of “spring”. In the fifth line, the frequency “200” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 for the keyword “others”. Further, in the sixth line, the frequency “234” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 with respect to “none”.

  That is, since it is possible to search for a keyword in which only a small number is set for image data, a desired image can be searched more accurately.

  As described above, for example, when the right cross key is pressed, a search by a keyword can be performed more quickly. In particular, in the digital still camera 1, the operation of pressing a button is troublesome for the user and is therefore more effective.

  Next, a process for setting a keyword for the image searched by the keyword and the imaging information described above will be described.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for describing keyword extraction and setting processing for the processing in step S12 in FIG.

  In step S501, the similar information-set image search unit 114 acquires (selects) an image for inputting a keyword based on a user instruction. Hereinafter, an image for inputting a keyword selected by the process in step S501 is simply referred to as a selected image.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the LCD 17 that displays a list of extracted images using a keyword or imaging information as a search condition. The same parts as those in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The marks 431-1 to 431-3 are marks indicating images for inputting keywords. As described above, the marks 431-1 to 431-3 are added by, for example, the user operating the check button 413, and the image data (for example, the image 401) to which the marks 431-1 to 431-3 are added. −1, the image 401-2, and the selected image that is the image 401-4).

  Returning to FIG. 27, in step S <b> 502, the similar information-set image search unit 114 determines whether to perform a similar image search. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 28, the similar information set image search unit 114 determines that the similar image search is to be performed when the similar image search button 412 is selected with the cursor 421 according to a user instruction, and the cursor When the keyword input button 411 is selected in 411, it is determined that the similar image search is not performed.

  If it is determined in step S503 that the search is a similar image, the process advances to step S503, and the similar information set image search unit 114 acquires imaging information, a predetermined keyword, and the like from all the image data recorded in the recording medium 19. The image data set with keywords other than the predetermined keywords (hereinafter referred to as similar keywords) is searched. That is, in step S503, the similar information-set image search unit 114 is the image data to which the selected keyword is set and the selected imaging information is attached, and is different from the selected keyword. Search for image data for which the keyword is set. For example, the similar-information-set image search unit 114 selects “2003.10.12”, “Ikebukuro station neighborhood”, imaging information, “daughter” keyword, Search for image data with keywords other than “daughter”.

  Note that the similar information-set image search unit 114 searches the image data set with the similar keyword and either the imaging information or the predetermined keyword from all the image data recorded in the recording medium 19. May be.

  In step S504, the keyword extraction unit 115 extracts keywords set in the searched image data by the process in step S503. The keyword extraction unit 115 supplies the extracted keyword to the display control unit 118 and the keyword setting unit 116. For example, the keyword extraction unit 115 extracts the keywords “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” set in the searched image data in the process of step S503, and extracts the extracted keywords. Is supplied to the display control unit 118 and the keyword setting unit 116.

  In step S505, the display control unit 118 displays the keyword supplied from the keyword extraction unit 115 on the screen of the LCD 17 according to a predetermined format. For example, the display control unit 118 displays the keywords “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” supplied from the keyword extraction unit 115 on the screen of the LCD 17 according to a predetermined format.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the keywords searched by the similar image search.

  The search result content 441 displays a message including the search condition and the number of searches. For example, the search result content 441 is searched using image information that is “2003.10.12” and “near Ikebukuro Station”, a desired keyword that is “daughter”, and a keyword other than “daughter” as search conditions, and image data. When one of the images was searched, “One keyword-completed image taken in“ Near Ikebukuro Station ”on“ 2003.10.12 ”was searched. "Message.

  The image 442 is an image displayed by the image data retrieved by the process of step S503 in FIG. For example, “2003.10.12” and “Ikebukuro station neighborhood” imaging information, “daughter” desired keyword, and keywords other than “daughter” were searched as search conditions, and one image data was searched. In this case, the image 442 is displayed based on the retrieved one image data.

  The setting keyword 443 is a keyword set in image data for displaying the image 442. For example, the setting keyword 443 includes keywords such as “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter”. That is, keywords “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” are set in the image 442.

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the keyword batch input button 444, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the setting keyword 443 as a selected image. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the setting keywords 443 that are “wedding”, “XX house”, and “daughter” in the selected images (for example, the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401-4). Set to a certain selected image).

  Returning to FIG. 27, in step S506, the keyword setting unit 116 determines whether to set a similar keyword in the selected image. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 29, the keyword setting unit 116 selects the selected image (for example, the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401 when the keyword batch input button 444 is pressed according to a user instruction. -4), when it is determined that the similar keyword is set, and the keyword batch input button 444 is not pressed, it is determined that the similar keyword is not set because the user does not intend to set the keyword.

  If it is determined in step S506 that a similar keyword is set for the selected image, the process proceeds to step S507, where the keyword setting unit 116 sets a similar keyword corresponding to the selected image, and the process ends. For example, if the keyword already set is “daughter”, the keyword setting unit 116 selects a similar keyword that is a keyword other than “daughter” “wedding” and “xxx house” (for example, an image). 401-1, the image 401-2, and the selected image which is the image 401-4). That is, the keyword setting unit 116 stores similar keywords in the keyword group 213 corresponding to the selected image.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that a similar keyword is not set, the similar keyword is not set, so the process of step S507 is skipped and the process ends.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the LCD 17 that displays search results of a plurality of images searched by similar image search. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 29 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The search result content 441 indicates a message including the search condition and the number of search items. For example, the search result contents 441 are searched using “2003.10.12” and “Ikebukuro Station vicinity” imaging information, a desired keyword “Daughter”, and a keyword other than “Daughter” as search conditions. When multiple images (for example, 5 images) were searched, 5 images with keyword input that were taken in “Near Ikebukuro Station” on “2003.10.12” were searched. Message.

  The image 461 is an image displayed by the image data searched by the process of step S503 in FIG. For example, “2003.10.12” and “Ikebukuro station vicinity” imaging information, “daughter” keyword, and keywords other than “daughter” are searched as search conditions, and the setting keyword 462 is “wedding” When three images having the keywords “banquet” and “daughter” are retrieved, “3”, which is the number of retrieved images, is displayed over the image 461.

  The setting keyword 462 is a keyword set in the image 461. For example, the setting keywords 462 are “wedding”, “banquet”, and “daughter”. In other words, keywords “wedding”, “banquet”, and “daughter” are set in the image 461.

  The image 463 is an image displayed by the image data searched by the process of step S503 in FIG. For example, “2003.10.12” and “Ikebukuro station vicinity” imaging information, “daughter” keyword, and keywords other than “daughter” are searched as search conditions, and the setting keyword 464 is “wedding”. When two images having the keywords “second party” and “daughter” are retrieved, “2”, which is the number of retrieved images, is displayed over the image 463.

  The setting keyword 464 is a keyword set in the image 463. For example, the setting keywords are “wedding”, “second party”, and “daughter”. In other words, keywords “wedding”, “second party”, and “daughter” are set in the image 463.

  The product keyword 465 is a keyword set in common for the searched images when a plurality of images are searched. For example, an image 461 in which a setting keyword 462 that is “wedding”, “banquet”, and “daughter” is set, and a setting keyword 464 that is “wedding”, “second party”, and “daughter” are set. When the searched image 463 is searched, the keyword “wedding” and “daughter”, which are keywords common to the image 461 and the image 463, are used as the product keyword 465.

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the display button 471, the thumbnail display unit 116 displays the image selected by the cursor 473. For example, when the image 461 is selected by the cursor 473, three images 461 in which the setting keyword 462 which is “wedding”, “banquet” and “daughter” is set are displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in the thumbnail format. Is done. When the image 463 is selected by the cursor 473, the two images 463 in which the setting keyword 464, which is “wedding”, “second party”, and “daughter”, are set in thumbnail format on the screen of the LCD 17 Is displayed.

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the keyword batch input button 444, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the setting keyword to the selected image. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 selects the setting keywords 464 that are “wedding”, “second party”, and “daughter” in the selected images (for example, the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401-4). Set to a certain selected image).

  For example, when the user presses a switch corresponding to the product keyword batch button 472, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the product keyword to the selected image. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the product keyword 465 that is “wedding” and “daughter” to the selected image (for example, the selected image that is the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401-4). To do.

  As described above, even when a plurality of similar images are searched, a keyword can be set based on the searched similar images without inputting a keyword.

  Returning to FIG. 27, if it is determined in step S502 that the search is not a similar image (for example, when the keyword input button 411 in FIG. 28 is pressed), the process proceeds to step S508, and the display control unit 118 performs keyword input. A screen (for example, the keyword input screen in FIG. 6) is displayed.

  In step S509, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword input on the keyword input screen based on the user instruction, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 converts the keyword input in the text box 261 of the keyword input screen in FIG. 6 into a selected image (for example, a selected image that is the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401-4). Set.

  More specifically, for example, the keyword setting unit 116 selects the keyword input in the text box 261 “Church” (for example, the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401-4). Set to (Selected image). In other words, in this case, the selected image (for example, the selected image that is the image 401-1, the image 401-2, and the image 401-4) includes, as additional information, keywords that are “daughter” and “church”, and The imaging information “2003.10.12” and “near Ikebukuro Station” are set.

  In this way, since one or a plurality of similar images can be searched and a keyword can be set to a desired image based on the keyword set in the searched similar image without inputting the keyword, The user can save the trouble of inputting a keyword. In addition, since the keyword is unified by reusing the keyword once input, a desired image can be searched more quickly and reliably based on the unified keyword.

  Next, the configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the information processing system 2 to which the present invention is applied. In the information processing system 2, a digital still camera 1-1, a digital still camera 1-2, and a personal computer 602 are connected to a server 601. Although not shown, the digital still camera 1-1, the digital still camera 1-2, the server 601, and the personal computer 602 are connected via a network such as the Internet, for example.

  The digital still camera 1-1 and the digital still camera 1-2 are examples of the above-described digital still camera 1 and have the same functions. However, for convenience of explanation, data is received or transmitted to the server 601 below. The digital still camera 1 that performs this operation is referred to as a digital still camera 1-1, and the digital still camera 1 that only transmits data to the server 601 is described as a digital still camera 1-2. In addition, a user who uses the digital still camera 1-1 and the digital still camera 1-2 will be described as another (different) user.

  For example, the server 601 receives or transmits keywords or imaging information exchanged between the digital still camera 1-1, the digital still camera 1-2, or the personal computer 602 via a network such as the Internet. In response to a request from the digital still camera 1-1, related information or URL information is transmitted. The server 601 records data necessary for transmission or reception of keywords, imaging information, related information, or URL information. For example, the server 601 is provided as a keyword database server that manages keywords.

  The personal computer 602 is, for example, a desktop or portable personal computer. Based on a user instruction, the personal computer 602 sends keywords or related information input to a predetermined web browser program to the server 601 via a network such as the Internet. Send.

  In the example of the information processing system 2 shown in FIG. 31, two digital still cameras 1-1 and two digital still cameras 1-2 are provided. A digital still camera may be provided. Similarly, although one server 601 is provided, in practice, one or a desired number of plural servers may be provided. Furthermore, similarly, one personal computer is provided. However, in practice, one or a desired number of personal computers may be provided.

  FIG. 32 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the server 601.

  The CPU 621 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 622 or a program recorded in the recording unit 628. The RAM 623 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 621 and data. The CPU 621, ROM 622, and RAM 623 are connected to each other via a bus 624.

  An input / output interface 625 is also connected to the CPU 621 via a bus 624. The input / output interface 625 is connected to an input unit 626 including a keyboard and a mouse and an output unit 627 including a display. The CPU 621 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 626. Then, the CPU 621 outputs an image or sound obtained as a result of the processing to the output unit 627.

  The recording unit 628 connected to the input / output interface 625 includes, for example, a hard disk, and records programs executed by the CPU 621 and various data. The communication unit 629 communicates with an external device via a communication network, the Internet, another network, or a communication medium.

  A program may be acquired via the communication unit 629 and recorded in the recording unit 628.

  A drive 630 connected to the input / output interface 625 drives a magnetic disk 641, an optical disk 642, a magneto-optical disk 643, or a semiconductor memory 644, and drives programs and data recorded there. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to the recording unit 628 and recorded as necessary.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a program executed by the server 601 (an example of a functional configuration).

  An OS (Operating System) 651 is a basic program that performs, for example, file management, memory management, input / output management, or provision of a user interface. For example, the OS 651 provides various functions in response to requests from other programs.

  The web server program 652 is a program that provides data for browsing a web page to the other party via the Internet. For example, the web server program 652 uses the information recorded in the recording unit 628 (for example, a document or image data described in HTML) from an HTTP (HyperText) from a web browser program (not shown) of the personal computer 602. These pieces of information are transmitted via the Internet or the like in response to a request in accordance with a predetermined protocol such as a transfer protocol. That is, the web browser program of the personal computer 602 that has received the information transmitted from the web server program 652 displays a sentence or an image based on the description of the received information on a display unit (not shown).

  The keyword management program 653 acquires, for example, a keyword or provides a keyword.

  The keyword management program 653 includes a keyword search unit 661, a keyword setting unit 662, a related information setting unit 663, a related information search unit 664, a similar information set image search unit 665, a URL information search unit 666, a reception control unit 667, and a transmission. A control unit 668 is included.

  The keyword search unit 661 searches for a keyword from the recording unit 628, for example, based on the imaging information supplied from the reception control unit 667. For example, based on the imaging information that is the position coordinates of “Shinjuku Station” supplied from the reception control unit 667, the keyword search unit 661, for example, a correspondence table recorded by the recording unit 628 (for example, position coordinates and position names). From the correspondence table in which information associated with is set) is searched for a keyword corresponding to the imaging information that is the position coordinate of “Shinjuku Station”.

  The keyword setting unit 662 causes the recording unit 628 to record the image data in which the keyword supplied from the reception control unit 667 is set, for example. For example, the keyword setting unit 662 causes the recording unit 628 to record the image data set with the keywords “daughter” and “athletic meet” supplied from the reception control unit 667.

  The related information setting unit 663 causes the recording unit 628 to record the keyword and the related information supplied from the reception control unit 667, for example. For example, the related information setting unit 663 indicates that the keyword “XX hot spring” supplied from the reception control unit 667 and “the cafeteria Δ △ near the hot spring” corresponding to “XX hot spring” are delicious. The related information is recorded in the recording unit 628.

  The related information search unit 664 searches for related information corresponding to the keyword based on the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661. The related information search unit 664 supplies the searched related information to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, the related information search unit 664, based on the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” supplied from the keyword search unit 661, corresponds to the keyword “XX hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”. Searched for related information of “XX was in Event 1” corresponding to the keyword “Event 1” and “△△ in the vicinity of the hot spring” The cafeteria is delicious ”and“ XX came at event 1 ”are supplied to the transmission control unit 668.

  Based on the keyword or imaging information supplied from the reception control unit 667, the similar information-set image search unit 665, for example, from the image data recorded in the recording unit 628, the keyword or Image data in which keywords other than the keywords supplied from the imaging information and the reception control unit 667 are set is searched. The similar information set image search unit 665 supplies the keyword set in the searched image data to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, the similar information-set image search unit 665 has keywords other than the keyword “daughter” and the keyword “daughter” supplied from the reception control unit 667 from the image data recorded in the recording unit 628. The set image data is searched, and keywords “daughter” and “athletic meeting” set in the searched image data are supplied to the transmission control unit 668.

  Based on the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661, the URL information search unit 666 searches for a Web page on the Internet, for example, and searches for URL information corresponding to the keyword. The URL information search unit 666 supplies the searched URL information to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, the URL information search unit 666 has a function of a so-called Internet search engine that searches a web page on the Internet, for example, “XX hot spring” and “event 1” supplied from the keyword search unit 661. Based on the keyword, “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http: // www corresponding to the keyword“ XX hot spring ”via the Internet .bbb.or.jp ”URL information was searched for, and“ XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp ”and“ XX hot spring tourism association http: //www.bbb. or.jp "is supplied to the transmission control unit 668.

  The reception control unit 667 controls reception of imaging information or the like performed in the communication unit 629, for example. For example, the reception control unit 667 controls the communication unit 629 to cause the communication unit 629 to receive imaging information transmitted from the digital still camera 1-1.

  The transmission control unit 668 controls transmission of keywords and the like performed in the communication unit 629, for example. For example, when a keyword is supplied from the keyword search unit 661, the receiving unit 668 controls the communication unit 629 to cause the communication unit 629 to transmit the supplied keyword to the digital still camera 1-1.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the digital still camera 1-1 acquires a keyword from the server 601.

  In step S601, the transmission control unit 123 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 performs a predetermined operation in which the user inquires the server 601 about a keyword to be set for image data, for example, via a network such as the Internet. Then, the imaging information is transmitted to the server 601 through the external interface 20.

  More specifically, for example, when the user takes an image around “Shinjuku Station” and performs an operation to inquire the server 601 about a keyword to be set in the taken image (hereinafter referred to as a keyword setting scheduled image) As described above, the receiving device (not shown) for acquiring the position coordinates of the digital still camera 1-1 acquires the position coordinates from, for example, GPS, and supplies the acquired position coordinates to the transmission control unit 123. To do. For example, the transmission control unit 123 has a position coordinate indicating a location where an image around “Shinjuku Station” supplied from the receiving apparatus is captured via the network (hereinafter simply referred to as a position coordinate of “Shinjuku Station”). Is transmitted to the server 601.

  In step S611, the reception control unit 667 of the keyword management program 653 of the server 601 causes the communication unit 629 to receive imaging information transmitted from the digital still camera 1-1 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 667 supplies the received imaging information to the keyword search unit 661. For example, the reception control unit 667 supplies the image search information, which is the position coordinates of “Shinjuku Station”, received from the digital still camera 1-1 to the keyword search unit 661 via the network.

  In step S612, the keyword search unit 661 searches for a keyword based on the imaging information supplied from the reception control unit 667. The keyword search unit 661 supplies the searched keyword to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, based on the imaging information that is the position coordinates of “Shinjuku Station” supplied from the reception control unit 667, the keyword search unit 661, for example, a correspondence table recorded by the recording unit 628 (for example, position coordinates and position names). From the correspondence table in which information associated with is set) is searched for a keyword corresponding to the imaging information that is the position coordinate of “Shinjuku Station”. More specifically, for example, when the position coordinates of “Shinjuku Station” and the position name of “Near Shinjuku Station” are associated with the correspondence table, the keyword search unit 661 displays the position of “Shinjuku Station”. Based on the coordinates, the position name “Near Shinjuku Station” is searched, and the searched position name (keyword) “Near Shinjuku Station” is supplied to the transmission control unit 668.

  In step S613, the transmission control unit 668 causes the communication unit 629 to transmit the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661 to the digital still camera 1-1 via a network such as the Internet, for example. For example, when the keyword “near Shinjuku Station” is supplied from the keyword search unit 661 via the network, the transmission control unit 668 sends the keyword “near Shinjuku Station” to the digital still camera 1 to the communication unit 629. -1.

  In step S602, the reception control unit 124 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 causes the external interface 20 to receive a keyword transmitted from the server 601 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 124 supplies the received keyword to the display control unit 118 via the network. For example, the reception control unit 124 receives the keyword “Near Shinjuku Station” transmitted from the server 601, and supplies the received keyword “Near Shinjuku Station” to the display control unit 118.

  In step S <b> 603, the display control unit 118 displays the keyword on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format based on the keyword supplied from the reception control unit 124. For example, the display control unit 118 displays the keyword “Near Shinjuku Station” supplied from the reception control unit 124 on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format.

  In step S604, the keyword search unit 121 selects a keyword to be set from keywords displayed in a predetermined format on the screen of the LCD 17 based on a user instruction. The keyword search unit 121 supplies the selected keyword to the keyword setting unit 116. For example, when the user selects a keyword “Near Shinjuku Station”, the keyword search unit 121 supplies the selected keyword “Near Shinjuku Station” to the keyword setting unit 116.

  In step S605, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 121 for the keyword setting scheduled image, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets a keyword “Near Shinjuku Station” supplied from the keyword search unit 121 to the keyword setting scheduled image.

  As described above, the digital still camera 1-1 acquires a keyword from the server 601 through a network such as the Internet, for example, in addition to the keyword set for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. Therefore, it is possible to save the trouble of inputting a keyword and to set an optimum keyword for an image.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 35 and 36, the digital still camera 1-1 performs the above-described processing for searching for similar images (for example, the processing in step S503 in FIG. 27). Processing for searching from image data recorded in the recording unit 628 of the server 601 instead of from data will be described.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the digital still camera 1-2 sets image data in which a keyword is set in the server 601.

  In step S651, the transmission control unit 123 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-2 causes the external interface 20 to transmit image data set with keywords to the server 601 via a network such as the Internet. For example, the transmission control unit 123 causes the external interface 20 to transmit image data in which keywords “daughter” and “athletic meet” are set to the server 601 via the network.

  In step S661, the reception control unit 667 of the keyword management program 653 of the server 601 sends the image data set with the keyword transmitted from the digital still camera 1-2 to the communication unit 629 via a network such as the Internet. Receive. The reception control unit 667 supplies the received image data in which the keyword is set to the keyword setting unit 662. For example, the reception control unit 667 causes the communication unit 629 to receive and receive the image data set with the keywords “daughter” and “athletic meet” transmitted from the digital still camera 1-2 via the network. Image data in which keywords “daughter” and “athletic meet” are set is supplied to the keyword setting unit 662.

  In step S662, the keyword setting unit 662 causes the recording unit 628 to record the image data in which the keyword supplied from the reception control unit 667 is set, for example, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 662 causes the recording unit 628 to record the image data set with the keywords “daughter” and “athletic meet” supplied from the reception control unit 667.

  In this manner, the server 601 can record the image data set with the keyword transmitted from the digital still camera 1-2 via the network in the recording unit 628.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the digital still camera 1-1 searches for similar keywords from the server 601.

  In step S671, the similar information set image search unit 114 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 performs a similar image search process on a desired image (hereinafter referred to as a similar keyword setting scheduled image). . The similar image search processing is the same as the processing in step S503 in FIG. 27 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S672, the transmission control unit 123 causes the external interface 20 to transmit the keyword or the imaging information, which is the search condition for the processing in step S671, to the server 601 via a network such as the Internet. That is, a similar image search process can be performed on image data recorded in the recording unit 628 of the server 601 by transmitting a keyword or imaging information as a search condition for the process in step S671 to the server 601. . For example, the transmission control unit 123 transmits the keyword “daughter” to the server 601 via the network.

  In step S681, the reception control unit 667 of the keyword management program 653 of the server 601 causes the communication unit 629 to receive the keyword or the imaging information transmitted from the digital still camera 1-1 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 667 supplies the received keyword or imaging information to the similar information set image search unit 665. For example, the reception control unit 667 causes the communication unit 629 to receive the keyword “daughter” transmitted from the digital still camera 1-1 and causes the similar information-set image search unit 665 to receive the received keyword “daughter”. Supply.

  In step S682, the similar information-set image search unit 665 supplies from the reception control unit 667, for example, from the image data recorded in the recording unit 628 based on the keyword or the imaging information supplied from the reception control unit 667. The image data in which similar keywords other than the keyword or the imaging information and the keyword supplied from the reception control unit 667 are set is searched. The similar information set image search unit 665 supplies the similar keyword set in the searched image data to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, the similar information-set image search unit 665 sets the keyword “daughter” supplied from the reception control unit 667 and the image data (for example, image data set with the similar keyword) from the image data recorded in the recording unit 628. 35, the image data in which the keywords “daughter” and “athletic meeting” are set in the processing of step S662 in FIG. 35), and the similar keyword that is “athletic meeting” set in the searched image data is transmitted. 668.

  In step S683, the transmission control unit 668 causes the communication unit 629 to transmit the similar keyword supplied from the similar information set image search unit 665 to the digital still camera 1-1 via a network such as the Internet. For example, when a similar keyword that is “athletic day” is supplied from the similar information-set image search unit 665 via the network, the transmission control unit 668 sends the similar keyword that is “athletic day” to the communication unit 629 as a digital still. Transmit to the camera 1-1.

  In step S673, the reception control unit 124 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 causes the external interface 20 to receive similar keywords transmitted from the server 601 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 124 supplies the received similar keyword to the display control unit 118 via the network. For example, the reception control unit 124 causes the external interface 20 to receive the similar keyword that is “athletic meet” transmitted from the server 601, and supplies the received similar keyword that is “athletic meet” to the display control unit 118.

  In step S674, the display control unit 118 displays the similar keyword on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format based on the similar keyword supplied from the reception control unit 124. For example, the display control unit 118 displays the similar keyword “athletic meeting” supplied from the reception control unit 124 on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format.

  In step S675, the keyword search unit 121 selects a similar keyword to be set from keywords displayed in a predetermined format on the screen of the LCD 17, based on a user instruction. The keyword search unit 121 supplies the selected keyword to the keyword setting unit 116. For example, when a similar keyword that is “athletic day” is selected by the user, the keyword search unit 121 supplies the selected similar keyword that is “athletic day” to the keyword setting unit 116.

  In step S676, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the similar keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 121 to the similar keyword setting scheduled image, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets a similar keyword that is “athletic meet” supplied from the keyword search unit 121 to the similar keyword setting scheduled image.

  As described above, the digital still camera 1-1 acquires similar keywords from the server 601 via a network such as the Internet, for example, in addition to the keywords set for the image data recorded on the recording medium 19. By doing so, keywords can be selected from a larger number of keywords, so that an optimal keyword can be set for an image.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the personal computer 602 sets keywords or related information in the server 601.

  In step S701, for example, a predetermined web browser program (not shown) of the personal computer 602 is operated by a user (for example, a user other than the users of the digital still camera 1-1 and the digital still camera 1-2) (for example, The keyword and related information are acquired based on a keyword and related information input by the user, that is, based on a signal output from the input unit corresponding to an operation performed on the input unit (not shown) by the user. The predetermined web browser program supplies the acquired keyword and related information to a transmission unit (not shown).

  For example, when related information that “the cafeteria △△ near the hot spring is delicious” is input by the user's operation corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”, the predetermined web browser program is Acquired the related information of “XX hot spring” and the related information “corresponding to the keyword of“ XX hot spring ”“ Delicious △△ cafeteria near the hot spring ”is acquired, and the acquired“ XX hot spring ” , And related information “corresponding to a restaurant called △△ near the hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” is supplied to the transmission unit.

  In step S <b> 702, the transmission unit (not illustrated) transmits the keyword and related information supplied from a predetermined web program to the server 601 via a network such as the Internet, for example. For example, the transmitting unit transmits to the server 601 via the network, the keyword “XX hot spring” and the related information “corresponding to“ XX hot spring ”corresponding to“ XX hot spring ”is related to the delicious restaurant”. Send.

  In step S711, the reception control unit 667 receives a keyword and related information transmitted from the personal computer 602 via a network such as the Internet, for example. The reception control unit 667 supplies the received keyword and related information to the related information setting unit 663.

  For example, the reception control unit 667 transmits the keyword “XX hot spring” transmitted from the personal computer 602 via the network and the cafeteria “ΔΔ near the hot spring” corresponding to “XX hot spring”. The communication section 629 receives related information that is “delicious” and the received keyword “xxx hot spring” and “xxx hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “xxx hot spring” are “delicious”. The related information is supplied to the related information setting unit 663.

  In step S712, the related information setting unit 663 causes the keyword and the related information supplied from the reception control unit 667 to be recorded in the recording unit 628, for example, and the process ends. For example, the related information setting unit 663 indicates that the keyword “XX hot spring” supplied from the reception control unit 667 and “the cafeteria Δ △ near the hot spring” corresponding to “XX hot spring” are delicious. The related information is recorded in the recording unit 628.

  In step S712, the related information setting unit 663 does not cause the recording unit 628 to record the keyword and the related information supplied from the reception control unit 667 based on an instruction from the user (for example, the administrator of the server 601). You can also That is, for example, when the relevant information is not preferable for the keyword supplied from the reception control unit 667 (for example, a word that slanders the other party), the user displays the relevant information on a predetermined management screen or the like. Predetermined processing for preventing the setting can be performed.

  In this way, the server 601 can record the keyword and related information transmitted from the personal computer 602 in the recording unit 628.

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the digital still camera 1-1 searches the server 601 for keywords or related information.

  In step S721, the transmission control unit 123 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 performs a predetermined operation in which the user inquires the server 601 about a keyword or related information set in the image data. The imaging information is transmitted to the server 601 to the external interface 20 via the network.

  More specifically, for example, an operation in which the user captures an image around “XX hot spring” and inquires the server 601 about a keyword or related information to be set in the captured image (hereinafter referred to as a related information setting scheduled image). As described above, the receiving device (not shown) for acquiring the position coordinates of the digital still camera 1-1 acquires the position coordinates from the GPS and transmits the acquired position coordinates as described above. This is supplied to the control unit 123. For example, the transmission control unit 123 uses the position coordinates indicating the location where the image around the “XX hot spring” supplied from the receiving apparatus is captured via the network (hereinafter simply referred to as the position coordinates of “XX hot spring”). To the server 601.

  In step S741, the reception control unit 667 of the keyword management program 653 of the server 601 causes the communication unit 629 to receive imaging information transmitted from the digital still camera 1-1 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 667 supplies the received imaging information to the keyword search unit 661. For example, the reception control unit 667 supplies imaging information that is the received position coordinates of “XX hot spring” to the keyword search unit 661 from the digital still camera 1-1 via the network.

  In step S742, the keyword search unit 661 searches for a keyword corresponding to the imaging information based on the imaging information supplied from the reception control unit 667. The keyword search unit 661 supplies the searched keyword to the related information search unit 664 and the transmission control unit 668, respectively.

  For example, the keyword search unit 661, for example, a correspondence table (for example, position coordinates and position name) recorded by the recording unit 628 based on the imaging information that is the position coordinates of “XX hot spring” supplied from the reception control unit 667. Search for a keyword corresponding to the imaging information which is the position coordinate of “XX hot spring”. More specifically, for example, when the position coordinates of “XX hot spring” and the position name of “XX hot spring” are associated with the correspondence table, the keyword search unit 661 uses “XX hot spring”. Based on a certain position coordinate, the position name “XX hot spring” is searched. Furthermore, when the position name (event information) that is “event 1” is associated with the position coordinates of “XX hot spring” (that is, “event 1” is held at “XX hot spring”) The keyword search unit 661 searches for event information that is “event 1” based on the position coordinates that are “XX hot spring”.

  That is, the keyword search unit 661 searches for the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1”, and supplies the searched keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” to the transmission control unit 668. .

  In step S743, the related information search unit 664 searches for related information corresponding to the keyword based on the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661. The related information search unit 664 supplies the searched related information to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, the related information search unit 664, based on the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” supplied from the keyword search unit 661, corresponds to the keyword “XX hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”. The cafeteria of △△ is delicious ”(for example, related information that“ the cafeteria of △△ near the hot spring is delicious ”set for the keyword“ XX hot spring ”in the process of step S712 in FIG. 37) , And “Event 1” was searched for related information “XX was coming in event 1”, and the searched “A cafeteria near ΔXX hot spring is delicious” and “Event 1” Then, the related information “XX has come” is supplied to the transmission control unit 668.

  In step S744, the transmission control unit 668 transmits the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661 and the related information supplied from the related information search unit 664 to the communication unit 629 via a network such as the Internet. Send to address 1-1.

  For example, the transmission control unit 668 sends the keyword “XX hot spring” and “event 1” from the keyword search unit 661 and the cafeteria “△△ near the hot spring” from the related information search unit 664 via the network. When related information such as “Delicious” and “XX came at Event 1” is supplied, the keywords “XX Hot Spring” and “Event 1” and the keyword “XX Hot Spring” correspond to “ The related information “XX at the event 1 is XX” corresponding to “event 1” is transmitted to the digital still camera 1-1 corresponding to the event “Δ △ near the hot spring is delicious” and “event 1”.

  In step S722, the reception control unit 124 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 causes the external interface 20 to receive keywords and related information transmitted from the server 601 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 124 supplies the received keyword and related information to the display control unit 118. For example, the reception control unit 124 sends the keyword “XX hot spring” and “event 1” transmitted from the server 601 via the network, and the vicinity of “XX hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”. △△ of the cafeteria is delicious ”and“ Event 1 ”related information such as“ XX was coming ”was received, and the received“ XX hot spring ”and“ event 1 ”keywords, In addition, the display control is performed for related information such as “The cafeteria △△ near the hot spring is delicious” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”, and “XX came in event 1” corresponding to “event 1”. To the unit 118.

  In step S723, the display control unit 118 displays the keyword and the related information on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format based on the keyword and the related information supplied from the reception control unit 124. For example, the display control unit 118 supplies the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” supplied from the reception control unit 124, and “ΔΔ near the hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”. Related information corresponding to “The cafeteria is delicious” and “XX came in event 1” corresponding to “event 1” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the keyword searched by the server 601 and related information.

  The search result content 701 is a message related to the searched keyword (hereinafter referred to as a related keyword). For example, when the search result contents 701 include keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1”, “related keywords are“ XX hot spring ”and“ event 1 ”. Message is displayed.

  The related information content 702 is a message related to related information corresponding to the related keyword of the search result content 701. For example, when the related information content 702 is searched for related information “corresponding to“ XX hot spring ”,“ A cafeteria near ΔXX hot spring is delicious ””, “1. The message “The cafeteria is delicious” is displayed, and when “related to event 1” is searched for related information “XX came at event 1”, “2. Message is displayed.

  For example, when the user selects the keyword registration button 711 with the cursor 721 and presses the switch, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the related keyword displayed in the search result content 701 as the related information setting scheduled image. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets related keywords such as “XX hot spring” and “event 1” in the related information setting scheduled image.

  For example, when the user selects the related information registration button 712 with the cursor 721 and presses the switch, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the related information displayed in the related information content 702 corresponding to the related keyword to the related information setting schedule. Set to image. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 corresponds to “XX hot springs”, “A cafeteria near ΔXX hot springs is delicious”, and “Event 1” corresponds to “XX came in event 1”. Is set in the related information setting scheduled image.

  Returning to FIG. 38, in step S724, the keyword search unit 121 selects a keyword to be set from keywords displayed in a predetermined format on the screen of the LCD 17, based on a user instruction. The keyword setting unit 111 supplies the selected keyword to the keyword setting unit 116. For example, when the keyword “XX hot spring” is selected by the user, the keyword search unit 121 supplies the selected keyword “XX hot spring” to the keyword setting unit 116.

  In step S725, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether to set related information corresponding to the keyword. For example, when the related information registration button 712 is pressed by the user, the keyword search unit 121 determines to set related information corresponding to the keyword. On the other hand, when the user presses the keyword registration button 711, It is determined that related information corresponding to is set.

  If it is determined in step S725 that related information corresponding to the keyword is set, the process proceeds to step S726, and the keyword search unit 121 supplies related information corresponding to the selected keyword to the keyword setting unit 116 by the user. For example, the keyword search unit 121 supplies the keyword setting unit 116 with related information that “the cafeteria Δ △ near the hot spring is delicious” corresponding to the keyword “hot spring” selected by the user. .

  In step S727, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 121 and related information corresponding to the keyword for the related information setting scheduled image, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 116, with respect to the related information setting scheduled image, near “XX hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” and the keyword “XX hot spring” supplied from the keyword search unit 121. The relevant information is set as “The cafeteria of △△ is delicious”.

  As described above, the keyword setting unit 116 may set both the keyword and the related information for the keyword and the related information corresponding to the keyword. Either one of the related information may be set. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets only the related information “The cafeteria △ Δ near the hot spring is delicious” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” for the related information setting scheduled image. Can do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S725 that the related information corresponding to the keyword is not set, the related information for the keyword is not set, so the process proceeds to step S728, and the keyword setting unit 116 performs the process on the related information setting scheduled image. Only the keywords supplied from the keyword search unit 121 are set, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets only the keyword “XX hot spring” supplied from the keyword search unit 121 to the related information setting scheduled image.

In this way, the digital still camera 1-1 can acquire related information, which is detailed information about the keyword, from the server 601 in addition to the keyword, and can set the information for the image. In addition, more detailed information corresponding to the image can be acquired from the related information.

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart for describing processing in which the digital still camera 1-1 searches the server 601 for keyword or URL information.

  In step S751, the transmission control unit 123 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 performs a predetermined operation in which the user inquires the server 601 about keywords or URL information set in the image data. The imaging information is transmitted to the server 601 to the external interface 20 via the network.

  More specifically, for example, an operation in which the user captures an image around “XX hot spring” and inquires the server 601 about keywords or URL information to be set in the captured image (hereinafter referred to as a URL information setting scheduled image). As described above, the receiving device (not shown) for acquiring the position coordinates of the digital still camera 1-1 acquires the position coordinates from the GPS and transmits the acquired position coordinates as described above. This is supplied to the control unit 123. For example, the transmission control unit 123 uses the position coordinates indicating the location where the image around the “XX hot spring” supplied from the receiving apparatus is captured via the network (hereinafter simply referred to as the position coordinates of “XX hot spring”). To the server 601.

  In step S771, the reception control unit 667 of the keyword management program 653 of the server 601 causes the communication unit 629 to receive imaging information transmitted from the digital still camera 1-1 via a network such as the Internet. The reception control unit 667 supplies the received imaging information to the keyword search unit 661 via the network. For example, the reception control unit 667 supplies imaging information that is the position coordinates of the received “XX hot spring” from the digital still camera 1-1 to the keyword search unit 661.

  In step S772, the keyword search unit 661 searches for a keyword corresponding to the imaging information based on the imaging information supplied from the reception control unit 667. The keyword search unit 661 supplies the searched keyword to the URL information search unit 666 and the transmission control unit 668, respectively.

  For example, the keyword search unit 661, for example, a correspondence table (for example, position coordinates and position name) recorded by the recording unit 628 based on the imaging information that is the position coordinates of “XX hot spring” supplied from the reception control unit 667. Search for a keyword corresponding to the imaging information which is the position coordinate of “XX hot spring”. More specifically, for example, when the position coordinates of “XX hot spring” and the position name of “XX hot spring” are associated with the correspondence table, the keyword search unit 661 uses “XX hot spring”. Based on a certain position coordinate, the position name “XX hot spring” is searched. Furthermore, when the position name (event information) that is “event 1” is associated with the position coordinates of “XX hot spring” (that is, “event 1” is held at “XX hot spring”) The keyword search unit 661 searches for event information that is “event 1” based on the position coordinates that are “XX hot spring”.

  That is, the keyword search unit 661 searches for the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1”, and transmits the searched keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” to the URL information search unit 666 and transmits them. Each is supplied to the control unit 668.

  In step S773, the URL information search unit 666 searches, for example, a web page on the Internet based on the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661, and searches for URL information corresponding to the keyword. The URL information search unit 666 supplies the searched URL information to the transmission control unit 668.

  For example, the URL information search unit 666 has a function of a so-called Internet search engine that searches a web page on the Internet, for example, “XX hot spring” and “event 1” supplied from the keyword search unit 661. Based on the keyword, “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http: // www corresponding to the keyword“ XX hot spring ”via the Internet .bbb.or.jp ”URL information was searched for, and“ XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp ”and“ XX hot spring tourism association http: //www.bbb. or.jp "is supplied to the transmission control unit 668.

  In step S774, the transmission control unit 668 sends the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 661 and the URL information supplied from the URL information search unit 666 to the communication unit 629 via a network such as the Internet, for example. Send to address 1-1. For example, the transmission control unit 668 sends the keyword “XX hot spring” and “event 1” from the keyword search unit 661 to the keyword “XX hot spring” from the URL information search unit 666 via the network. If URL information corresponding to “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http://www.bbb.or.jp” is supplied, ○ “Onsen” and “Event 1” keywords, and “XX Onsen introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX Hot Springs Tourism Association” corresponding to the keyword “XX Hot Spring” http: // URL information “www.bbb.or.jp” is transmitted to the digital still camera 1-1.

  In step S752, the reception control unit 124 of the control program 101 of the digital still camera 1-1 causes the external interface 20 to receive the keyword and URL information transmitted from the server 601 via a network such as the Internet, for example. The reception control unit 124 supplies the received keyword and URL information to the display control unit 118 via the network. For example, the reception control unit 124 transmits the keyword “XX hot spring” and “event 1” transmitted from the server 601 and the keyword “XX hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” http: // www .aaa.or.jp ”and“ XX Hot Spring Tourism Association http://www.bbb.or.jp ”URL information is received, and the received“ XX Hot Spring ”and“ Event 1 ”keywords, And “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http://www.bbb.or.jp” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”. The URL information is supplied to the display control unit 118.

  In step S753, the display control unit 118 displays the keyword and URL information on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format based on the keyword and URL information supplied from the reception control unit 124. For example, the display control unit 118 provides the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” supplied from the reception control unit 124 and “XX hot spring introduction http: //” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring”. URL information of “/www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX Hot Spring Tourism Association http://www.bbb.or.jp” is displayed on the screen of the LCD 17 in a predetermined format.

  FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of the screen of the LCD 17 that displays the keyword searched by the server 601 and URL information.

  The search result content 731 is a message related to the searched keyword (related keyword). For example, if the keywords “XX hot spring” and “event 1” are searched, “related keywords are“ XX hot spring ”and“ event 1 ”. "Is displayed as the search result content 731.

  The URL information content 732 is a message regarding URL information corresponding to the related keyword of the search result content 731. For example, URL information content 732 corresponds to “XX hot spring”, “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http: //www.bbb.or When URL information that is ".jp" is searched, "1. XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp 2. XX hot spring tourism association http://www.bbb.or.jp" Is displayed as the URL information content 732.

  For example, when the user selects the keyword registration button 711 with the cursor 721 and presses the switch, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the related keyword displayed in the search result content 731 as the URL information setting scheduled image. For example, based on the control of the CPU 51, the keyword setting unit 116 sets related keywords such as “XX hot spring” and “event 1” in the URL information setting scheduled image.

  For example, when the user selects the URL registration button 713 with the cursor 721 and presses the switch, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the URL information displayed in the search result content 731 corresponding to the related keyword to the URL information setting schedule. Set to image. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 corresponds to “XX hot spring”, “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http: //www.bbb.or”. .jp ”URL information is set as the URL information setting scheduled image.

  Returning to FIG. 40, in step S754, the keyword search unit 121 selects a keyword to be set from keywords displayed in a predetermined format on the screen of the LCD 17, based on a user instruction. The keyword search unit 121 supplies the selected keyword to the keyword setting unit 116. For example, when the keyword “XX hot spring” is selected by the user and the keyword registration button 711 is pressed by the user, the keyword search unit 121 sends the selected keyword “XX hot spring” to the keyword setting unit 116. Supply.

  In step S755, the keyword search unit 121 determines whether to set URL information of a Web page related to the keyword. For example, when the URL information setting button 712 is pressed by the user, the keyword search unit 121 determines to set URL information related to the keyword. On the other hand, when the keyword registration button 711 is pressed by the user, the keyword search unit 121 It is determined that URL information related to is not set.

  If it is determined in step S755 that URL information related to the keyword is set, the process proceeds to step S756, and the keyword search unit 121 supplies the keyword setting unit 116 with URL information corresponding to the selected keyword. For example, the keyword search unit 121 selects “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring tourism association http” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” selected by the user. URL information “: //www.bbb.or.jp” is supplied to the keyword setting unit 116.

  In step S757, the keyword setting unit 116 sets the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 121 and the URL information corresponding to the keyword for the URL information setting scheduled image, and the process ends. For example, for the URL information setting scheduled image, the keyword setting unit 116 provides “XX hot spring introduction” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” and the keyword “XX hot spring” supplied from the keyword search unit 121. Set URL information such as “http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX Hot Spring Tourism Association http://www.bbb.or.jp”.

  As described above, the keyword setting unit 116 may set both the keyword and the URL information for the URL information setting scheduled image, or the keyword and the URL information corresponding to the keyword. Either one of the URL information may be set. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 performs “XX hot spring introduction http://www.aaa.or.jp” and “XX hot spring” corresponding to the keyword “XX hot spring” for the URL information setting scheduled image. Only URL information that is “Tourism Association http://www.bbb.or.jp” can be set.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S755 that URL information related to the keyword is not set, the process proceeds to step S758, and the keyword setting unit 116 supplies the keyword supplied from the keyword search unit 121 to the URL information setting scheduled image. Only this is set, and the process ends. For example, the keyword setting unit 116 sets only the keyword “XX hot spring” supplied from the keyword search unit 121 to the URL information setting scheduled image.

  In this way, the digital still camera 1-1 can acquire URL information, which is link information to the web page for the keyword, from the server 601 and set it for the image. By accessing a so-called home page based on the URL specified by the URL information, more detailed information corresponding to the keyword can be acquired.

  As described above, a captured image can be searched using imaging information or a keyword, and a keyword can be set for an image searched using imaging information or a keyword based on the keyword set in the searched image. Therefore, the keywords are unified, and it becomes easy to grasp the image recorded on the recording medium, and the desired image can be retrieved more quickly and reliably.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer, and includes a magnetic disk 71 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk 72 (CD- In addition to being composed of package media including ROM (compact disc-read only memory), magneto-optical disc 73 (including MD (trademark)), or semiconductor memory 74, the state is pre-installed in a computer. The program is composed of a ROM 52 in which a program is recorded and a flash ROM 53 provided to the user.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 32, this recording medium is distributed to provide a program to the user separately from the computer, and includes a magnetic disk 641 (including a flexible disk) on which the program is recorded, an optical disk 642 ( CD-ROM, DVD (including CD), magneto-optical disk 643 (including MD (trademark)), or package media consisting of semiconductor memory 644, etc., but also provided to the user in a pre-installed state in the computer The ROM 622 in which the program is recorded and the hard disk included in the recording unit 628 are configured.

  The program for executing the above-described series of processing is installed in a computer via a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. You may be made to do.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

  1, 1-1 and 1-2 digital still camera, 2 information processing system, 11 camera unit, 12 camera DSP, 13 SDRAM, 14 control unit, 15 operation unit, 16 LCD controller, 17 LCD, 18 medium interface, 19 recording Medium, 20 External interface, 31 Optical block, 32 CCD, 33 Preprocessing circuit, 34 Optical block driver, 35 CCD driver, 36 Timing generation circuit, 41 AF processing unit, 42 AE processing unit, 43 AWB processing unit, 44 Compression / decompression Part, 45 SDRAM controller, 51 CPU, 52 RAM, 53 flash ROM, 54 real-time clock, 55 system bus, 71 magnetic disk, 72 optical disk, 73 magneto-optical disk, 74 semiconductor memory, 101 control program, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Imaging information recording part, 112 Keyword recording part, 113 Setting object image search part, 114 Similar information set image search part, 115 Keyword extraction part, 116 Keyword setting part, 117 Histogram display data generation part, 118 Display control part, 119 Communication control unit, 121 keyword search unit, 122 imaging information search unit, 123 transmission control unit, 124 reception control unit, 601 server, 602 personal computer, 621 CPU, 622 ROM, 623 RAM, 624 bus, 625 input / output interface, 626 Input unit, 627 output unit, 628 recording unit, 629 communication unit, 630 drive, 641 magnetic disk, 642 optical disk, 643 magneto-optical disk, 644 semiconductor memory, 651 OS, 65 Web server program, 653 keyword management program, 661 keyword search unit, 662 keyword setting unit, 663 related information setting unit, 664 related information search unit, 665 similar information set image search unit, 666 URL information search unit, 667 reception control unit , 668 Transmission control unit

Claims (12)

A first recording step for recording the recording information group and the image information in association with each other when recording the image information;
A second recording step for recording the additional information group and the image information in association with the image information after recording;
An extraction step of extracting second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information;
And a third recording step of recording additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information. The recording information group includes recording information set for each of one or a plurality of recording information items,
The image information is classified based on recording information set in a first recording information item included in the related recording information group,
The image management method according to claim 1, wherein the first image information is selected from the classified image information. The image management method according to claim 2, further comprising a measuring step of measuring a quantity of image information classified based on the recording information. The image management method according to claim 3, further comprising a display step of visually displaying a relative amount of the image information for each recording information. The additional information group includes one or more additional information,
The image information is classified based on additional information included in the related additional information group,
The image management method according to claim 1, wherein the first image information is selected from the classified image information. The image management method according to claim 5, further comprising a measuring step of measuring a quantity of image information classified based on the additional information. The image management method according to claim 6, further comprising a display step of visually displaying a relative amount of the image information for each additional information. The image management method according to claim 1, wherein the recording information group includes information related to a date and time when the image information was recorded. The image management method according to claim 1, wherein the additional information group includes text information input from an input screen that prompts input of text information. A first recording means for recording a recording information group at the time of recording image information in association with the image information;
Second recording means for recording the additional information group for the image information after recording and the image information in association with each other;
Extraction means for extracting second image information associated with a second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information;
An image management apparatus comprising: third recording means for recording additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information. A first recording step for recording the recording information group and the image information in association with each other when recording the image information;
A second recording step for recording the additional information group and the image information in association with the image information after recording;
An extraction step of extracting second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information;
And a third recording step for recording additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information. Medium. A first recording step for recording the recording information group and the image information in association with each other when recording the image information;
A second recording step for recording the additional information group and the image information in association with the image information after recording;
An extraction step of extracting second image information associated with the second recording information group having a high correlation with the first recording information group associated with the first image information selected from the image information;
A program for causing a computer to execute a third recording step of recording additional information associated with the second image information in association with the first image information.

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