JP2012248020A - Information processor, data retrieval method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to more easily set a retrieval condition in a narrowing retrieval of data.SOLUTION: Data corresponding to a retrieval condition is retrieved from a storage unit, and when a retrieval is performed, retrieval results of the retrieval are displayed and also stored as retrieval results in an immediately-preceding retrieval condition. Also, differential retrieval results are extracted from the retrieval results of the retrieval and the retrieval results in the immediately-preceding retrieval condition, and the differential retrieval results are also displayed in a display unit according to an instruction input in an input unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a data search method, and a program.

Image feature values calculated and presented by the information processing device, such as numerical values such as similarity and smile level, may be different from human senses, and even if the user specifies a numerical value as an image search condition, the desired image Is not limited to search, and it is difficult to specify a search condition with a numerical value. Therefore, the user performs a search (squeezed search) so that a desired image remains by gradually changing threshold values such as the degree of similarity and the degree of smile.
Here, a technique is disclosed in which a certain number of similar images are extracted from the image storage means and displayed together on the screen of the display device in correspondence with the XY coordinate space (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-249352

The technique described in Patent Document 1 assigns search conditions to the XY axes and displays a list of search results of images corresponding to the cursor position conditions on the axes.
However, if the search condition at the current cursor position and the search condition for obtaining the expected image cannot be determined, and the cursor position is moved by a large amount, the search result is changed too much, and the expected result of the search result. There is a possibility of jumping over. In other words, since the degree of approach between the search condition and the search condition for obtaining the expected image is not known, it is necessary to move the cursor little by little while looking at the screen displayed in the list, and the search takes time. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to make it easier to search for data.

  Therefore, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that is communicably connected to a storage unit that stores data, an input unit that inputs an instruction from a user, and a display unit, and corresponds to a search condition. Search means for searching for data from the storage section, storage means for saving a search result by the search means as a search result in the immediately preceding search condition when a predetermined instruction is input at the input section, and the search means When the search is performed, the extraction unit that extracts the search result of the difference from the search result of the search and the search result of the immediately previous search condition stored by the storage unit, and the input input by the input unit Display means for displaying a search result of the difference extracted by the extraction means on the display unit in accordance with an instruction.

  According to the present invention, data search can be facilitated.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a display control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a search process. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart which concerns on a search process. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments do not limit the present invention, and all the configurations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the display control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the display control apparatus 100 is an example of an information processing apparatus (computer), and is a general personal computer that can search (data search) data such as image data (images) and document data (documents). It can be configured using a computer (PC).
In the display control device 100, a CPU 101, a hard disk (HDD) 102, a memory 103, a display control unit 104, an input unit 105, and a drive device 106 are communicably connected to an internal bus 108. In other words, each unit connected to the internal bus 108 is configured to be able to exchange data with each other via the internal bus 108.

The HDD 102 stores various data such as images, various programs, and the like. The memory 103 is composed of a RAM, for example. The CPU 101 controls each unit of the display control apparatus 100 using the memory 103 as a work memory according to a program stored in the HDD 102, for example.
Here, the HDD 102, the memory 103, and the like are examples of a storage unit that stores data. Note that the program executed by the CPU 101 is not limited to the configuration stored in the HDD 102, and may be stored in advance in a ROM (not shown), for example.

The input unit 105 receives a predetermined instruction from the user, for example, an input device operation (user operation) by the user, generates a control signal corresponding to the user operation, and supplies the control signal to the CPU 101. For example, the input unit 105 includes a character information input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device such as a position input device such as a mouse and a touch pad as input devices.
In this embodiment, the display 107 which is an example of a display part and the touchscreen comprised by the position input device are employ | adopted, and a touchscreen is the input coordinate according to the position contacted with respect to the position input device comprised planarly. Is output. Hereinafter, a user operation of pressing an object such as a button on the screen displayed on the display 107 performed by the user via the position input device is appropriately referred to as a touch operation.

The CPU 101 controls each unit of the display control apparatus 100 according to a program based on a control signal generated and supplied by the input unit 105 according to a user operation. Thereby, it is possible to cause the display control apparatus 100 to perform an operation according to the user operation.
The display control unit 104 outputs a display signal for displaying an image on the display 107. For example, a display control signal generated by the CPU 101 according to the program is supplied to the display control unit 104. The display control unit 104 generates a display signal based on the display control signal and outputs the display signal to the display 107.
For example, the display control unit 104 causes the display 107 to display a GUI screen configuring a GUI (Graphical User Interface) based on a display control signal generated by the CPU 101.

Here, a touch panel in which the position input device of the input unit 105 and the display 107 are integrally configured will be described in detail. The touch panel is configured such that the position input device does not interfere with the display on the display 107, and the position input device is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display 107. As an operation method of the position input device, an appropriate method such as a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or the like can be adopted.
Then, input coordinates in the position input device are associated with display coordinates on the display 107. Thus, a GUI is configured as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the display 107.

The drive device 106 can be loaded with an external storage medium (not shown) such as a CD or DVD, and reads data from the loaded external storage medium or writes data to the external storage medium based on the control of the CPU 101. I do. The external storage medium to which the drive device 106 can be attached is not limited to a disk recording medium such as a CD or DVD, and may be a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a memory card, for example.
In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the current search result and the search result (difference data) of the difference between the previous search result and the current search result are switched and displayed with one touch. According to this configuration, the user can intuitively determine whether or not a narrowing condition (an example of a search condition) for obtaining an expected image is far or near, and appropriately select an amount for changing the threshold value of the narrowing condition Will be able to.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to the search processing. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 developing and executing a program stored in the HDD 102 in the memory 103.
The operation of the touch panel when the processing of this flowchart is executed will be described visually with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display 107. The display processing related to the screen is realized by the CPU 101 developing and executing a program stored in the HDD 102 in the memory 103 and controlling the display control unit 104.

In S201, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a similar search source image has been confirmed by a user operation. If it is determined that the similarity search source image has not been determined, the process proceeds to S201, and if it is determined to be determined, the process proceeds to S202. . Note that the user uses the input unit 105 to select and confirm an image (similar search source image) to be used as a search reference that is likely to be close to a desired image among the images displayed on the display 107 as a list. Shall.
In S202, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the narrow-down start button has been touched. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S202. If it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S203. .

In S203, the CPU 101 calculates the degree of similarity of each image in the HDD 102 and the drive device 106 with the similar search source image for each image, and moves the process to S204. In S204, the CPU 101 saves the result of the first narrow search (initial narrow search) in the memory 103 as the current search result, and moves the process to S205. In the following description, it is assumed that the narrow-down condition for the initial narrowing search is 50%, and an image having a similarity of 50% or more is stored in the memory 103 as the search result.
In S205, the CPU 101 stores an image having a similarity of less than 50% in the memory 103 as a search result under the immediately preceding search condition, and moves the process to S206.

In S206, the CPU 101 controls the display control unit 104 to display the search results (image list) under the current search conditions on the display 107, and moves the process to S207. In S207, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the turning button is touch-operated. If it is determined that the touch operation is not performed, the process proceeds to S210. If it is determined that the touch operation is performed, the process proceeds to S208.
In S208, the CPU 101 controls the display control unit 104 to display the difference search result (a list of images in the previous search result but not in the current search result) on the display 107, and moves the process to S209. In S209, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the return button has been touch-operated. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S208, and if it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S206. For example, when the return button is touched, processing is performed so that the current search result (image list) is displayed again.

In S210, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the narrow-down button has been touched. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S206. If it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S211. In S211, the CPU 101 stores the current search result in the memory 103 as the previous search result, and moves the process to S212.
In S212, the CPU 101 determines whether the narrowed down button that has been touched is a normal narrowing button or a high speed narrowing button. At this time, if the CPU 101 determines that it is a normal narrowing button, it moves the process to S213, and if it determines that it is a high-speed narrowing button, it moves the process to S214.

In S213, the CPU 101 shifts the processing to S215 with the change amount of the threshold of the narrowing condition as + 1%. In S214, the CPU 101 sets the change amount of the threshold value of the narrowing-down condition to + 5%, and moves the process to S215.
In S215, the CPU 101 shifts the processing to S216, assuming that the new narrowing condition is obtained by adding the amount of change to the current narrowing condition. In S216, the CPU 101 performs a search with a new narrowing condition, saves the result in the memory 103 as the current search result, and moves the process to S217.
In S217, the CPU 101 extracts an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result, stores the extracted image (difference search result) in the memory 103, and moves the process to S206.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 when the similar search source image 301 is confirmed by a user operation. On the display 107, a similar search original image 301, a narrowing down start button 302, and a page feed button 303 are displayed. For example, when the user touches the narrowing start button 302, the CPU 101 performs a first narrowing search, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the similarity in the initial narrowing search is 50% or more.
FIG. 3B shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S206. The display 107 displays a current search result, a page feed button 303, a normal narrow button 304, a high speed narrow button 305, and a look back button 306. In this screen example, the search result of the initial narrowing search is displayed on the display 107.
For example, when the user performs a touch operation on the look-back button 306, if there is no difference search result, the CPU 101 displays the screen in FIG.

FIG. 3C shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S208. On the display 107, an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result and a return button 307 are displayed.
Since this screen example is a screen after the initial refinement search is performed and the look-back button 306 is touched, it is saved in S205 as an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result. An image having a similarity of less than 50% is displayed on the display 107.
Here, on the screen shown in FIG. 3C, the user can basically determine whether the narrow-down condition for obtaining the expected image is far or near. However, as shown in this screen example, when there is no image having a similarity of less than 50%, that is, when there is no difference search result, the user cannot determine whether the narrowing-down condition for obtaining the expected image is far or near. There is also.

For example, when the user touches the return button 307, the CPU 101 displays the current search result as shown in FIG. In the screen example of FIG. 3 (C), the user cannot determine whether it is far or near to the narrowing-down condition for obtaining the expected image. Therefore, in the screen of FIG. Assume that the button 304 is touch-operated. When the normal narrowing button 304 is touched, the CPU 101 performs a normal narrowing search, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.
Since the normal narrow button 304 is touched in the screen example of FIG. 3B, the process of S213 is performed, and the new narrowing condition is that the change amount 1% is added to the current similarity 50%. 51%.

FIG. 3D shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S206. As described above, the display 107 displays the current search result, page feed button 303, normal narrow button 304, high speed narrow button 305, and review button 306. The current search result of this screen example is a search result searched by the CPU 101 with a similarity of 51% or more of a new narrowing condition because the normal narrowing button 304 is touched.
For example, when the user touches the turn button 306, the CPU 101 displays the difference search result as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3E shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S208. As described above, the display 107 displays an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result and the return button 307.
In this screen example after the initial refinement search and the first normal refinement search, images with a similarity of 50% or more and less than 51% are displayed as images that are in the previous search result but not in the current search result. Has been. For example, the user looks at the displayed image, determines whether it is far or near to the narrowing-down condition for obtaining the expected image, and touches the return button 307. When the return button 307 is touched, the CPU 101 displays the current search result as shown in FIG.

For example, when it is determined that the user is far from the narrowing-down condition for obtaining an expected image, the user performs a touch operation on the high-speed narrowing button 305 on the screen of FIG. When the high speed narrowing button 305 is touched, the CPU 101 performs a high speed narrowing search, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.
In addition, since the high speed narrowing button 305 is touch-operated in the screen example of FIG. 3D, the process of S214 is performed, and the new narrowing condition is that the change amount 5% is added to the current similarity 51%. 56%.

FIG. 3F shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S206. As described above, the display 107 displays the current search result, page feed button 303, normal narrow button 304, high speed narrow button 305, and review button 306. The current search result of this screen example is a search result searched by the CPU 101 under a new narrowing condition because the high speed narrowing button 305 has been touched.
For example, when the user touches the reflection button 306, the CPU 101 displays the difference search result as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3G shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S208. As described above, the display 107 displays an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result and the return button 307.
In this screen example after the initial refinement search, one normal refinement search, and one high-speed refinement search, the similarity is 51% or more as an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result. An image that is less than 56% is displayed. For example, the user looks at the displayed image, determines whether it is far or near to the narrowing-down condition for obtaining the expected image, and touches the return button 307. When the return button 307 is touched, the CPU 101 displays the current search result as shown in FIG.

For example, when it is determined that the user is close to the narrow-down condition for obtaining an expected image, the user performs a touch operation on the normal narrow-down button 304 on the screen of FIG. When the normal narrowing button 304 is touched, the CPU 101 performs a normal narrowing search, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.
Since the normal narrow button 304 is touched in the screen example of FIG. 3F, the process of S213 is performed, and the new narrowing condition is that the change amount 1% is added to the current similarity 56%. 57%.

FIG. 3H shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S206. As described above, the display 107 displays the current search result, page feed button 303, normal narrow button 304, high speed narrow button 305, and review button 306. The current search result of this screen example is a search result searched by the CPU 101 using the new narrowing condition because the normal narrowing button 304 has been touched.
For example, when the user touches the turn button 306, the CPU 101 displays a difference search result as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3J shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S208. As described above, the display 107 displays an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result and the return button 307.
In this screen example after the initial refinement search, two normal refinement searches, and one high-speed refinement search, the similarity is 56% or more as an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result. An image that is less than 57% is displayed.

According to the above-described configuration, the current search result, the previous search result, and the search result (difference data) of the difference between the current search result and the display can be compared alternately with a single touch. It is easy to understand intuitively whether the narrowing-down conditions for obtaining are far or near.
Therefore, the user can easily determine whether to change the threshold value (numerical value) largely or smallly, which can be used to improve the search speed.
In addition, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to intuitively know the degree of approach between the current narrowing condition and the narrowing condition for obtaining an expected image. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the target image from being searched and stolen.
In the present embodiment, a touch panel in which the input unit 105 and the display 107 are integrated is described as an example. However, physical operation buttons may be provided in the display control apparatus 100 main body. Even in this case, the user can switch the display with one touch.

<Second Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the current search result and the difference result between the previous search result and the current search result are displayed in two display areas (a large area and a small area) with one touch. According to this configuration, it is possible to intuitively determine whether to advance or return as a narrowing-down condition for obtaining an image expected by the user. In addition, about the structure same as the structure of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted suitably using the same code | symbol.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart relating to the search processing. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 developing and executing a program stored in the HDD 102 in the memory 103.
The operation of the touch panel when the processing of this flowchart is executed will be described visually with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display 107. The display processing related to the screen is realized by the CPU 101 developing and executing a program stored in the HDD 102 in the memory 103 and controlling the display control unit 104.

In S401, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a similar search source image has been confirmed by a user operation. If it is determined that the similarity search source image has not been determined, the process proceeds to S401, and if it is determined to be determined, the process proceeds to S402. . Note that the user uses the input unit 105 to select and confirm an image (similar search source image) to be used as a search reference that is likely to be close to a desired image among the images displayed on the display 107 as a list. Shall.
In S402, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the narrow-down start button has been touched. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S402. If it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S403. .

In S403, the CPU 101 calculates the similarity with the similar search source image for every image in the HDD 102 and the drive device 106, and moves the process to S404. In S404, the CPU 101 stores the result of the initial narrowing search as the current search result in the memory 103, and moves the process to S405. In the following description, it is assumed that the narrowing-down condition for the initial narrowing search is 20%, and an image that is 20% or more is saved in the memory 103 as the search result.
In step S405, the CPU 101 stores an image having a similarity of less than 20% in the memory 103 as a previous search result, and moves the process to step S406. In step S406, the CPU 101 controls the display control unit 104 to display the current search result (image list) in the large area of the display 107, and the difference search result (in the previous search result in the current search result) in the small area. A list of images not included in the search result) is displayed, and the process proceeds to S407.

In S407, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the turn button 504 has been touched. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S421. If it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S408. .
In step S <b> 408, the CPU 101 controls the display control unit 104 to display a list of images that are in the previous search result but not in the current search result in the large area of the display 107, and the current search result image is displayed in the small area. A list is displayed, and the process proceeds to S409. In S409, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the reverse stop button has been touched. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S410. If it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S411.

In S410, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the return button has been touch-operated. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S408, and if it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S406.
In S411, the CPU 101 changes an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result to a new narrowing target (squeezing target), and moves the process to S412. In S412, the CPU 101 stores the changed narrowing target in the memory 103 as the previous search result, and moves the process to S413.

In S413, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining similarity width is 20% or less. If it is determined that the remaining similarity width is 20% or less, the process proceeds to S414, and if it is determined that it is not 20% or less, the process proceeds to S416. Move processing. The remaining similarity range indicates the range of the similarity to be narrowed down. For example, when the look-back button and the reverse stop button are touched after the initial narrowing search, the similarity is 0% or more and less than 20%. Since the image is to be narrowed down, the remaining similarity width is described as 20%.
In S414, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining similarity width is 10% or less. If it is determined that it is 10% or less, the process proceeds to S415. If it is determined that the remaining similarity width is not 10% or less, the process proceeds to S417. Move processing. In S415, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining similarity width is 5% or less. If the CPU 101 determines that the remaining similarity width is 5% or less, the process proceeds to S419, and if it is determined that it is not 5% or less, the process proceeds to S418. Move processing.

In S416, the CPU 101 sets the change amount of the threshold of the next narrowing condition to + 20% (sets the similarity change amount to 20%), and moves the process to S420. In S417, the CPU 101 sets the change amount of the threshold of the next narrowing condition to + 10%, and moves the process to S420. In S418, the CPU 101 sets the amount of change in the threshold value for the next narrowing-down condition to + 5%, and moves the process to S420. In S419, the CPU 101 sets the amount of change in the threshold value of the next narrowing condition to + 3%, and moves the process to S420.
In S420, the CPU 101 shifts the process to S431 on the assumption that the new narrowing condition is obtained by adding the amount of change in the narrowing condition threshold to the lower limit value of the remaining similarity width.

In S421, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the narrow-down button has been touched. If it is determined that the touch operation has not been performed, the process proceeds to S406. If it is determined that the touch operation has been performed, the process proceeds to S422. In S422, the CPU 101 stores the current search result in the memory 103 as the previous search result, and moves the process to S423.
In S423, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining similarity width is 20% or less. If it is determined that the remaining similarity width is 20% or less, the process proceeds to S424. If it is determined that the remaining similarity width is not 20% or less, the process proceeds to S426. Move processing. In S424, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining similarity width is 10% or less. If it is determined that the remaining similarity width is 10% or less, the process proceeds to S425, and if it is determined that it is not 10% or less, the process proceeds to S427. Move processing.

In S425, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the remaining similarity width is 5% or less. If it is determined that the remaining similarity width is 5% or less, the process proceeds to S429, and if it is determined that it is not 5% or less, the process proceeds to S428. Move processing.
In S426, the CPU 101 sets the change amount of the threshold of the next narrowing condition to + 20%, and moves the process to S430. In S427, the CPU 101 sets the change amount of the threshold value of the next narrowing condition to + 10%, and moves the process to S430. In S428, the CPU 101 sets the amount of change in the threshold value of the next narrowing condition to + 5%, and moves the process to S430. In S429, the CPU 101 sets the amount of change in the threshold value for the next narrowing-down condition to + 3%, and moves the process to S430.

In S430, the CPU 101 shifts the process to S431 on the assumption that the new narrowing condition is obtained by adding the change amount to the current narrowing condition.
In S431, the CPU 101 searches with the new narrowing condition, saves the result in the memory 103 as the current search result, and moves the process to S432. In S432, the CPU 101 extracts an image that is in the previous search result but not in the current search result, stores the extracted image (difference search result) in the memory 103, and moves the process to S406.

A configuration in which display areas having different sizes such as a left large area 501 and a right small area 502 toward the display 107 are controlled by the CPU 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5G.
FIG. 5A shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S406. On the display 107, a large area 501, a small area 502, a narrow down button 503, and a look back button 504 are displayed.
This screen example is a screen after the initial narrowing search is performed twice with the narrowing down button 503 (hereinafter referred to as initial narrowing search). As a search result, an image having a similarity of 60% or more and less than 100 is displayed. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 40% or more and less than 60 is displayed as a difference search result between the previous search result and the current search result.

Since the initial narrowing search is performed, the process of S426 is performed twice, and the current narrowing condition is 60%.
For example, when the user touches the turn button 504, the CPU 101 switches the contents of the large area 501 and the contents of the small area 502, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5B shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the processing of S408. A large area 501, a small area 502, a reverse stop button 505, and a return button 506 are displayed on the display 107. The large area 501 displays the search result of the difference between the previous search result and the current search result, and the small area 502 displays the current search result.
Since the initial refinement search is performed and the look-back button 504 is touched, an image having a similarity of 40% or more and less than 60% is displayed in the large area 501 of this screen example. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 60% or more and less than 100% is displayed.
For example, it is determined that the user has passed a narrowing-down condition for obtaining an expected image from the image of the large area 501 viewed in FIG. 5A and the difference image of the large area 501 viewed in FIG. Then, the reverse stop button 505 is touched. When the reverse stop button 505 is touched, the CPU 101 sets the search target as a difference search result, performs a search with a new search condition, and displays the search result as shown in FIG. .

FIG. 5C shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S406. As described above, the display 107 displays the large area 501, the small area 502, the narrow-down button 503, and the look-back button 504.
Here, since the initial narrowing search is performed and the reflection button 504 and the reverse narrowing button 505 are touched, the remaining similarity width is 40% or more and less than 60% (20%). That is, since the remaining similarity width exceeds 10%, the process of S417 is performed, and the new narrowing condition is 50% by adding the change amount 10% to the lower limit value 40% of the remaining similarity width.

Further, since the narrowing target is replaced in S411 and no image with a similarity of 60% or more remains, an image with a similarity of 50% or more and less than 60% as the current search result is displayed in the large area 501. Is displayed. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 40% or more and less than 50% is displayed as a search result of a difference between the previous search result and the current search result.
For example, when the user touches the turn button 504, the contents of the large area 501 and the contents of the small area 502 are switched by the CPU 101, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5D shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the processing of S408. As described above, the display 107 displays the large area 501, the small area 502, the reverse stop button 505, and the return button 506.
Since the initial refinement search is performed and the look back button 504, the reverse stop button 505, and the look back button 504 are touch-operated, the similarity in the large area 501 of this screen example is 40% or more and less than 50%. Is displayed. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 50% or more and less than 60% is displayed.

For example, the user does not pass the narrow-down condition for obtaining an expected image from the image of the large area 501 viewed in FIG. 5C and the difference image of the large area 501 viewed in FIG. If it is determined, the return button 507 is touch-operated. When the return button 506 is touched, the CPU 101 displays the current search result as shown in FIG.
When determining that the user has not passed the narrowing condition for obtaining the expected image, the user performs a touch operation on the narrowing button 503 in FIG. When the narrow-down button 503 is touched, the CPU 101 performs a search with a new narrow-down condition, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5E shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S406. As described above, the display 107 displays the large area 501, the small area 502, the narrow-down button 503, and the look-back button 504.
Here, since the initial narrowing search is performed and the review button 504, the reverse narrowing button 505, and the narrowing button 503 are touch-operated, the remaining similarity width is 50% or more and less than 60% (10%). It is. In other words, since the remaining similarity width exceeds 5%, the processing of S428 is performed, and the new narrowing condition is 55% by adding the change amount 5% to the current similarity 50%.

Further, since the initial narrowing search is performed and the review button 504, the reverse narrowing button 505, and the narrowing button 503 are touch-operated, the similarity is 55% or more in the large area 501 of this screen example. An image that is less than% is displayed. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 50% or more and less than 55% is displayed.
For example, when the user touches the turn button 504, the CPU 101 switches the contents of the large area 501 and the contents of the small area 502, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5F shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the processing of S408. As described above, the display 107 displays the large area 501, the small area 502, the reverse stop button 505, and the return button 506.
Since the initial refinement search is performed and the review button 504, the reverse refinement button 505, the refinement button 503, and the review button 504 are touch-operated, the large area 501 in this screen example has a similarity of 50. % Or more and less than 55% is displayed. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 55% or more and less than 60% is displayed.
For example, it is determined that the user has passed a narrowing-down condition for obtaining an expected image from the image of the large area 501 viewed in FIG. 5E and the difference image of the large area 501 viewed in FIG. Then, the reverse stop button 505 is touched. When the reverse stop button 505 is touched, the CPU 101 sets the search target as a difference search result, and searches using the new search condition, and the search result is displayed as shown in FIG. .

FIG. 5G shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 107 after the process of S406. As described above, the display 107 displays the large area 501, the small area 502, the narrow-down button 503, and the look-back button 504.
Here, since the initial narrowing search is performed and the review button 504, the reverse narrowing button 505, the narrowing button 503, the reflective button 504, and the reverse narrowing button 505 are touch-operated, the remaining similarity width is It is 50% or more and less than 55% (5%). That is, since the remaining similarity width is 5% or less, the process of S419 is performed, and the new narrowing condition is 53% by adding 3% of the change amount to the lower limit value 50% of the remaining similarity width.
In S411, the narrowing target is switched, and no image with a similarity of 55% or more remains. Therefore, an image with a similarity of 53% or more and less than 55% as a current search result is displayed in the large area 501. Is displayed. In the small area 502, an image having a similarity of 50% or more and less than 53% is displayed as a difference search result between the previous search result and the current search result.

According to the configuration described above, since the contents of the large and small display areas can be exchanged and compared with one touch, it is easy to intuitively sense the distance to the narrow-down condition until the expected image is obtained.
That is, since it becomes easy to determine whether or not the narrowing-down condition is advanced or retracted so as to be folded, it can be used to improve the search speed.
Further, according to the configuration described above, it is possible to compare the current search result with the difference search result (difference data) that is in the immediately preceding search result but not in the current search result with one touch.
Therefore, it becomes easy to grasp how much the current narrowing condition is positioned with respect to a certain full scale narrowing condition, and it becomes possible to find an appropriate narrowing condition more easily.

<Other embodiments>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which the present invention is applied to a personal computer has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.
For example, the present invention may be applied to an imaging device such as a digital camera. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a captured image stored in a storage medium such as a memory card that can be read by a digital camera is displayed on a display such as a rear liquid crystal device included in the digital camera.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a data management apparatus capable of displaying an image, such as a display for selecting and confirming a print image provided in a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, a printer device, and a digital photo frame.

In addition, the configuration in which the CPU 101 performs processing according to the procedure of the program stored in the HDD 102 to realize the functions in the display control apparatus 100 and the processing according to the above-described flowchart has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration. Absent. For example, you may comprise the function in the display control apparatus 100, a part of process based on the above-mentioned flowchart, or all using dedicated hardware.
Moreover, you may employ | adopt the structure which combined the structure of 1st Embodiment and the structure of 2nd Embodiment suitably.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  According to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to more easily search for data.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus communicably connected to a storage unit for storing data, an input unit for inputting an instruction from a user, and a display unit,
Search means for searching the storage unit for data corresponding to a search condition;
When a predetermined instruction is input in the input unit, a storage unit that stores a search result by the search unit as a search result in the immediately preceding search condition;
When the search is performed by the search unit, an extraction unit that extracts a difference search result from the search result of the search and the search result of the previous search condition stored by the storage unit;
Display means for displaying the search result of the difference extracted by the extraction means on the display section in accordance with the instruction input by the input section;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the difference search result displayed on the display unit is switched to a search result of the search performed by the search unit in accordance with an instruction input by the input unit. The information processing apparatus described.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the search result of the difference together with the search result of the search performed by the search unit on the display unit. A data search method in an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a storage unit for storing data, an input unit for inputting an instruction from a user, and a display unit,
A search step of searching the storage unit for data corresponding to a search condition;
When a predetermined instruction is input in the input unit, a storing step of storing the search result in the search step as a search result in the immediately preceding search condition;
When the search is performed in the search step, an extraction step of extracting a difference search result from the search result of the search and the search result of the previous search condition stored in the storage step;
In accordance with the instruction input in the input unit, a display step of displaying the search result of the difference extracted in the extraction step on the display unit,
A data search method characterized by comprising: A storage unit for storing data, an input unit for inputting an instruction from a user, and a computer connected to the display unit in a communicable manner;
Search means for searching the storage unit for data corresponding to a search condition;
When a predetermined instruction is input in the input unit, a storage unit that stores a search result by the search unit as a search result in the immediately preceding search condition;
When the search is performed by the search unit, an extraction unit that extracts a difference search result from the search result of the search and the search result of the previous search condition stored by the storage unit;
Display means for displaying the search result of the difference extracted by the extraction means on the display section in accordance with the instruction input by the input section;
Program to make it work.

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