JP2014053829A - Information processor, information processing method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily sort photographed images as much as possible when a user sorts the photographed images whose photographers cannot be specified for each photographer.SOLUTION: Photographer candidates of a plurality of photographed images are specified, and the specified photographer candidates are sorted in order from the smallest number of photographed images. The sorted photographed images of the photographer candidates are display-controlled in order from the smallest number of photographed images. Selection from a user is received and the photographer is specified. When there are a plurality of photographer candidates, the plurality of photographer candidates are removed from the candidates, and one remaining person is specified as the photographer when the photographer candidate becomes one.

Description

  The present invention relates to data management of images taken by an imaging apparatus typified by a digital camera.

  The capacity of storage media that can be mounted on recent imaging devices is large, and a large amount of captured images and moving images can be stored in the storage media. When the data is collected in the information processing apparatus, the number of shots is further increased, and management of the shot images collected in the information processing apparatus becomes complicated.

  For this reason, there is a demand for efficiently managing a large number of photographs and moving images obtained by the imaging apparatus using an information processing apparatus.

  In particular, when managing a large number of shot images and creating an album, etc., if the shot images are grouped for each photographer or shooting group, comments for each shooting scene that can only be given by the photographer or shooting group can be added. This makes it easy to manage captured images.

  Conventional techniques for identifying a photographer include, for example, a technique for embedding photographer information in a photograph using audio data recorded at the time of photographing, a technique for mounting a fingerprint sensor on a camera, and reading a photographer's retina information in a camera finder Technologies for mounting sensors have been released.

  However, in the above technique, an additional device is incorporated in the imaging apparatus in order to specify the photographer, and the imaging apparatus tends to be expensive.

  In order to compensate for the disadvantages of the prior art, Patent Document 1 describes a technique that can estimate a photographer of a captured image with certain accuracy.

JP2012-39490

  However, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration for estimating a photographer of a captured image with a certain degree of accuracy. However, if the photographer probability is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the photographer is determined to be unknown, The photographer is not classified. In addition, since the photographer estimates with certain accuracy, if the estimation is incorrect, it is necessary to designate the photographer again.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to classify captured images as easily as possible when a user classifies captured images for each photographer with respect to captured images that cannot be specified by the photographer.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention has a small number of photographers of photographer candidate specifying means for specifying photographer candidates for a plurality of photographed images and photographer candidates specified by the photographer candidate specifying means. Number-by-photographer sorting means for sorting in order, display control means by photographer candidate for controlling display of photographed images of photographer candidates in ascending order of the number of photographed images sorted by the number-of-photograph-by-photograph sorting means, and the photographer candidate In order to identify the photographer of the photographed image whose display is controlled by the separate display control means, the photographer accepting means for accepting a selection from the user is provided.

  According to the present invention, by classifying captured images in order from a photographer who seems to have a small number of shots, an effect of preventing the owner of the imaging device having a large number of shots from classifying the shot images over a long period of time, for example. Have

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the software structure of the information processing apparatus applicable to the information processing apparatus 100 in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus applicable to the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the imaging device applicable to the imaging device 300 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control processing procedure of the imaging device in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st control processing procedure of the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure of the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence (3rd control process procedure) which divides a captured image file for every user who image | photographed the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the photographer specific database and photographer new list database which the information processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention has. It is an example of the user's operation image on the information processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the operation image of the selection screen of the folder displayed on the user on the information processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the operation image which confirms the picked-up image data displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the operation image which selects the picked-up image data displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the operation image which selects the picked-up image data displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the operation image after selecting the picked-up image data displayed on the participant on the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the photographer candidate database of the information processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence (4th control process procedure) which divides a captured image file for every participant who image | photographed the information processing apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the operation image of the selection screen of the folder displayed on the user on the information processing apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the recording medium (storage medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the imaging device which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the information processing apparatus 100 shown in the present invention.

  The information processing apparatus 100 in FIG. 1 includes a photographer candidate specifying unit 101. The photographer candidate specifying unit 101 includes face information of photographed image data stored in the photographed image DB 111 and pre-registered photographer candidate faces. One or more photographer candidates are identified from the information (photographer candidate DB 110). The identified photographer candidates are registered in the photographer candidate DB 109.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a photographer-specific number sort unit 102, and the photographer-specific number sort unit 102 shoots from photographer data (photographer candidate DB 109) specified by the photographer candidate specifying unit 101. The number of image data is counted and sorted in ascending order of the number of photographed image data.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a photographer candidate-specific display control unit 103, and the photographer candidate-specific display control unit 103 captures captured images for each photographer candidate in the order sorted by the photographer-specific number sort unit. In order to prompt confirmation of data, display control of photographed image candidates is performed for each photographer.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a photographer reception unit 104, and the photographer reception unit 104 identifies a photographer by user selection from a screen controlled by the photographer candidate display control unit 103. Accept information.

  The information processing apparatus 100 also includes a photographer candidate deletion unit 105. The photographer candidate deletion unit 105 selects a photographer who has not been selected by the user from the list of photographer candidates in the photographed image data. Remove from the list.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a photographer specifying unit 106, and the photographer specifying unit 106 is deleted from the list of photographer candidates by the photographer candidate deleting unit 105, so that only one photographer candidate remains. The photographer is identified as the remaining one.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 includes an in-period shooting determination unit 107. The in-time shooting determination unit 107 determines whether the time interval at which the shot image data is shot is within a certain time.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a photographer specifying unit 108 within a predetermined time, and the photographer specifying unit 108 within a fixed time is captured image data captured within a fixed time by the shooting determination unit 107 within a fixed time. If there is, the photographer of the photographed image data photographed within the predetermined time is specified as the same photographer.

  The imaging apparatus 300 transmits the captured image data to the captured image DB 111, and identifies the photographer of the captured image data based on the processing of the information processing apparatus 100.

  2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is provided in an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 400 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus applicable to the imaging apparatus 300 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 300 denotes an image pickup apparatus (for example, a digital camera, a digital video camera, etc.) according to the present invention, and includes a lens 310, a lens aperture control unit 311, an image pickup device 312, a ROM, a memory 313, a CPU 314, and an external storage memory 315 ( And a shutter speed control unit 316. The image pickup apparatus 300 is composed of a number of components such as a lens drive motor for adjusting the focal length, a shutter button, and an optical system member other than those shown in 310 to 315, but is omitted in FIG. is there.

  In response to an instruction from the CPU 314, the lens aperture controller 311 drives an optical aperture mechanism of a lens (not shown) to set the depth of field and brightness of the subject to be photographed by the image sensor. The shutter speed control unit 316 adjusts the exposure time of the subject light incident on the image sensor by a shutter speed adjustment mechanism (not shown) at the shutter speed instructed by the CPU 314. The image sensor 312 is, for example, a CCD, a COMS sensor, or the like, senses the light transmitted through the lens 310, converts it into image data, and transfers it to the memory 313.

  The CPU 314 executes a program stored in the memory 313, reads image data from the memory 313, executes processing shown in a flowchart described later, and saves the image data in the external storage memory 315.

The communication I / F 317 is an interface for connecting the imaging apparatus 300 to an external information processing apparatus 100, an image forming apparatus, or the like, and is currently Universal.
Connection by Serial Bus (USB) or the like is the mainstream.

  The input / output control unit 318 controls information input / output to / from the input / output unit 319 for displaying information from the CPU 314 to the user and inputting information from the user to the CPU 314.

  The self-timer switching unit 320 is a switching unit that is switched by the user when the imaging device is photographed by the timer, and the image data photographed by the self-timer stores in the image data that the self-timer flag is on. .

  The shooting time registration unit 321 is a registration unit for registering the shooting time in the shooting data in the shooting data, and is used to determine that the photographer of the shooting data has not changed when the shooting interval is short. .

  Hereinafter, the control operation in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control processing procedure of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by each of the processing units 313 to 320 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 314 shown in FIG. 3 executing a program stored in the program area in the memory 313. In the figure, S401 to S404 indicate steps.

  First, when the CPU 314 of the image capturing apparatus 300 captures an image and stores the image data (step S401), the CPU 314 of the image capturing apparatus 300 determines whether the capturing is a self-timer capturing (step S402). Whether or not it is a self-timer is determined based on whether or not the self-timer switching unit 320 in FIG. In the case of self-timer shooting, the CPU 314 of the image pickup apparatus 300 proceeds to step S403, stores the self-timer flag as 1 in Exif information or the like (801 in FIG. 8) of image data, which will be described later, and stores the image. Finish the process. If it is not self-timer shooting, the CPU 314 of the imaging apparatus 300 proceeds to step S404, stores a flag 0 in the image data (801 in FIG. 8) described later as not being a self-timer, and processes the imaging apparatus. Finish. As a specific example, since the photo with the photo name “Kawaguchiko Pleasure Boat” in the third row from the top of FIG. 8 is taking a self-timer, the value of the self-timer flag of 801 is 1, and other photos Since self-timer shooting is not performed, the value of the self-timer flag is 0.

  Next, referring to FIG. 5, a procedure for specifying a photographer of the information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control processing procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by each of the processing units 201 to 211 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in the program area in the ROM 203. In the figure, S501 to S517 indicate each step.

  Note that the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7 below is described as an example performed by the information processing apparatus 100, but the processing of these flowcharts may be performed by the imaging apparatus 300. In that case, it is realized by the CPU 314 shown in FIG. 3 executing a program stored in the program area in the memory 313.

  FIG. 5 is started when the user activates a program for identifying photographer candidates of photographed image data stored in the external memory 211 or the like of the information processing apparatus.

  First, in step S501 of FIG. 5, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires information for specifying a person being photographed from photographed image data from a user input or a pre-registered database. An example of input from the user will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a user operation image on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  First, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image screen such as 900, and in order to acquire user information from the user, the participant's face photo file name 901, the participant's name 902, and the possession The camera information 903 being acquired is acquired. A participant described in 900 indicates a user who may have taken a picture during a series of photographs, for example, a participant who participated in a trip together.

  When one photographer candidate is input and the OK button 905 is pressed, one person is registered as a participant, and data is stored in a database as shown in FIG. An example of photographer candidate registration information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is an example of the photographer candidate database of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is stored in the external memory 211 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  For example, the user inputs “Mr. B” as the participant name 902 in FIG. 9, “xxxx” as the possessed camera information 903, and inputs the corresponding file name in the file name 901 column of the participant's face photo Or, if selected from the drop-down list, as shown in the second row of the photographer candidate DB 1500, the photographer candidate 1501 is “Mr. B”, the camera information 1502 is “xxxx”, and the image data column is the object data. sign up. Returning to the description of FIG.

  In FIG. 9, when the OK button 905 is pressed, after registering the photographer candidate registration information, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image screen such as 906 on the display unit 210, and the next participant Wait for the user's judgment.

  If there is a next photographer candidate, the user presses the “Register Other Participant” button 907, and the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image screen such as 900 again, and inputs the user. wait.

  On the other hand, if there is no next participant, the user presses the “registration complete” button 908, and the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 proceeds to the next process. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S <b> 502 of FIG. 5, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 accepts selection of a photograph that identifies the photographer. The captured image data to be accepted has already been stored in the external memory 211 of the information processing apparatus 100, and the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image screen like 909 in FIG. Wait for selection of image data.

  The user selects image data for which the photographer is desired to be identified from the captured image data displayed on the image screen 909. Specifically, a screen having a check box such as 911 is displayed as image data for which a photographer is desired to be identified with respect to the image of the captured image data 910. The screen image 909 is an example in which at least the photographed image data with ID: 0001 and the photographed image data with ID: 0003 are selected as images for which a photographer is desired to be specified. When the “select all” button 912 is pressed, all the images displayed in 909 are selected.

  When an OK button 913 is pressed after the user selects all the images that the user wants to specify, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 uses the image data information 800 of the image selected by the user among the captured image data. Copying to the photographer identification DB 810 managed by the information processing apparatus, the process of step S502 in FIG. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S503, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 extracts photographed image data for which the photographer selected in step S502 is desired to be identified from the photographer identification DB 810, and the participant who is photographed for each photographed image data. To pick up. The method for picking up the participants is determined by extracting face information from the photographed image data by face recognition means (not shown) and determining whether the extracted face images match the face images of the participants acquired at 901 in FIG. To do.

  Data obtained as a result of picking up the participants appearing in the subject is the “participants who became subjects” column 812 in FIG.

  In step S504, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the self-timer flag is ON in order to determine whether self-timer shooting is performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the self-timer flag 811 copied from 801 in FIG. 8 is 1, and if the self-timer flag is 1, the process proceeds to the next step S505.

  On the other hand, if it is not self-timer shooting, that is, if the self-timer flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S512. Specifically, if the 811 self-timer flag copied from 801 in FIG. 8 is 0, the process proceeds to the next step S512. The description of the processing after step S512 will be described later.

  In step S505, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not a participant is included in the subject in the captured image data. If the subject in the captured image data includes a participant, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 sets the photographer candidate as a person in the subject, and step S507. Move on to processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S505 that no subject is included in the subject in the captured image data, the process proceeds to step S511. In step S511, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 sets a participant who is not in the subject as a photographer candidate. That is, when the flow proceeds from step S505 to the process of step S511, since the subject is not included in the subject, the photographer candidates are all participants. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S507.

  Note that there is a possibility that the subject is the subject himself / herself in the case of a photographed image photographed at a distance closer to a certain extent (specifically, within 50 cm) based on distance information with the subject that can be acquired from the focus information of the photographing information ( In other words, since the self-photographing is performed in which the lens is photographed toward the user, it is possible to determine that the participant who is photographed on the subject is also a photographer candidate. In this case as well, as in the self-timer shooting, a person in the subject can be a photographer candidate.

  In step S507, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 stores the photographer candidates picked up from the participants in step S506 and step S511 in the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. An example of the saved data is the photographer candidate name column 813 in FIG.

  According to the example of FIG. 8, since the photo with ID field 816 of 0003 is 1 and the self-timer flag field 811 is 1, the process proceeds to step S505 and subsequent steps. In step S505, the subject is a participant who has become the subject. In the column 812, “Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C” are registered. If there are three participants listed in the photographer candidate DB 1500 in FIG. 15, the photographer candidate is a person in the subject. Therefore, in the photographer candidate name column 813, “Mr. A, Mr. B, “Mr. C” is registered. On the other hand, since the photo with the ID field 816 of 0008 also has a self-timer flag field 811 of 1, the process proceeds to step S505 and subsequent steps. In step S505, no subject is included in the subject (participation that became the subject). Since the photographer column 812 is “none”, the process proceeds to step S511, and “Mr. A, Mr. B, Mr. C” is registered in the photographer candidate name column 813 as a participant who is not a subject. The Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S504 of FIG. 5, if the self-timer shooting is not performed, that is, if the self-timer flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S512. In step S512, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 performs narrowing based on the shooting interval. This process is a process for determining that the same photographer as the previous photographer would have photographed when the photographing interval is short. Details will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control processing procedure of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by each of the processing units 201 to 211 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in the program area in the ROM 203. In the figure, S601 to S603 indicate each step.

  First, in step S601 in FIG. 6, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 extracts, from the shooting information data, the shooting image data having the same camera information and the closest shooting time, and shooting between the shooting images. The interval is calculated, and if the calculation result is within a certain time (specifically, within 20 seconds), the shooting interval flag of the shooting information data is turned ON (step S602). A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is sorted in the order of the date / time information column 817, and the value corresponding to the “814” column is taken image data within a predetermined time. That is, a case is considered in which it is determined that the photographed image data having IDs 816 of 0010, 0011, and 0012 are photographed by the same photographer.

  Since the captured image data in the “814” field is captured within a certain time with the previous and subsequent captured image data, the data “815” field corresponding to the “814” field of the imaging interval flag 818 is set to 1 or more, and the imaging interval flag is set. Set to ON. Thereafter, the process of narrowing down by the photographing interval is finished. As the value of the shooting interval flag 818, 1 may be input for all shots taken within a certain time, or different numbers (for example, 1, 2, 3, etc.) may be added depending on the difference in shooting time. .

  On the other hand, if the calculation result of the shooting interval between the shot images is not within a predetermined time in step S601, the shooting interval flag is turned OFF. That is, the shooting interval flag column 818 of the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. Thereafter, the process of narrowing down by the photographing interval is finished. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S513 in FIG. 5, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the shooting interval flag of the photographer specifying DB is ON. If the shooting interval flag is ON, that is, if the shooting interval flag column 818 of the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. 8 is 1 or more, the process proceeds to step S514. On the other hand, if the shooting interval flag is OFF, that is, if the shooting interval flag field 818 of the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. 8 is 0, the process proceeds to step S511. The processing after step S511 will be described later.

  When the process proceeds to step S514, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines that the captured images whose shooting intervals are within a predetermined time are the same photographer candidates. Therefore, a plurality of pieces of information in the photographer specifying DB are regarded as one piece of information. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the case of the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. 8, the information of the photographed image data with IDs 0010, 0011, and 0012 in the “815” column is set to one. Specifically, the information of Mr. A, who is the subject in 0010, and Mr. C, who is the subject in 0011, 0012, are combined into three subjects, 0010, 0011, and 0012. Let's say Mr. A and Mr. C. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Thereafter, the process of step S511 is executed to identify the photographer candidate from the relationship between the subject and the participant. In step S507, the photographer identification DB is stored. A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the case of the participant registered in FIG. 15, in the case of the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. 8, for example, when the participant field 812 that is the subject is “Mr. B, Mr. C” as in ID: 0001 As the photographer candidate, Mr. A who is not photographed as a subject is a photographer candidate, so that the name “Mr. A” is registered as a photographer candidate as registered in the photographer candidate name field 813. . On the other hand, for example, if the participant field 812 that is the subject is “Mr. A” as in ID: 0004, the photographer candidates are Mr. B and Mr. C who are not photographed as the subject. As registered in the photographer candidate name column 813, the names “Mr. B and Mr. C” are registered as photographer candidates.

  Note that in step S514, when a plurality of pieces of information in the photographer identification DB of captured images whose shooting intervals are within a certain time are regarded as one piece of information, for example, as three subjects with IDs 0010, 0011, and 0012, Since Mr. A and Mr. C are included, Mr. B may necessarily be picked up as a photographer candidate.

  As described above, the processes from step S504 to step S507 are repeated until all the photographer candidate names 813 of the photographer identification DB 810 of the photographed image data selected in step S503 are registered, and the photographer candidates of the photographed image data are identified. To finish the processing.

  Next, a process of accepting a confirmed input from a participant for a photographed image in which only one photographer candidate is selected among participants will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for dividing a photographed image file for each participant photographed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by each of the processing units 201 to 211 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in the program area in the ROM 203. Also, S1600 to S1606 in the figure indicate each step.

  The process of the flowchart of FIG. 16 is started when the process of specifying the photographer candidate of the photographed image data of FIG. 5 is completed.

  First, in step S1600 of FIG. 16, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 moves a captured image in which only one photographer candidate is selected to a folder for each photographer candidate. A specific example will be described with reference to the data in FIG.

  For example, as a photographed image in which only one person is registered in the photographer candidate name field 813 of the photographer identification DB 810 in FIG. 8, the ID field 816 has two images of 0001 and 0002, so the photographed images with IDs of 0001 and 0002 are photographed. To the folder for each photographer candidate of Mr. A described in the candidate name field 813. These processes are performed on all photographed images in which only one person is registered in the photographer candidate name field 813. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S1601 in FIG. 16, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines how many shot images are in the folder of the participant (participant registered in FIG. 15) acquired in step S501 in FIG. 5. And sort in ascending order according to the number of captured images. This ascending order sort has an effect that the photographed images can be confirmed in order from the participant with the smallest number of shots, and the trouble of selecting the shot image of the participant with the largest number of shots can be saved. As a result of step S1601, for example, in the case of a photographer candidate DB 1500 as shown in FIG. 15, the number described in the photographer specific number field 1504 is the number of photographed images in which each photographer candidate is limited to only one. When the photographer candidate DB 1500 is sorted by the photographer specific number 1504, as the imaging candidate, Mr. C is the first, then Mr. A, and finally Mr. B in order of confirming the photographed images from the participants. . An example of designating the order in which the participants who confirm the captured image are displayed will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an example of an operation image of a folder selection screen displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100.

  In step S1601, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image screen such as 1000, and the user considers the specific number of photographers 1004, or for each photographer of Mr. C who has been blinked out in advance. In the state of the folder 1005, the OK button 1003 is pressed. Note that 1000 is an example in which images such as 1001 and 1002 are displayed as representative images in each folder.

  In step S <b> 1602, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image confirmation screen for the folder of the participant who has the least number of photographed images with only one photographer candidate. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is an example of an operation image for confirming captured image data displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100. Note that the example of FIG. 11 is an image that assumes the case where the folder 1001 of Mr. A is selected on the folder selection screen of FIG.

  Reference numeral 1100 in FIG. 11 is an example in which captured image data in which the photographer is estimated to be Mr. A is displayed for each timeline. As the image progresses from the top to the bottom of the figure, an image whose time has elapsed is displayed, and the horizontal axis displays images taken every hour in order of time from right to left. Each image (1101) is selected by clicking with a mouse pointer (not shown) or the like (step S1603). When the photographer change drop-down button 1102 is pressed and the OK button 1103 is pressed, the image clicked with the mouse pointer or the like. Is moved to the photographer's folder designated in 1102 (step S1604). When Mr. A determines that the confirmation of the image has been completed, the user presses the end button 1104, and the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 that has been pressed determines whether or not the confirmation has been completed for all the participants in step S1605. If all the participants have been confirmed, the process of FIG. 16 is terminated. On the other hand, if all the pictures have not been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S1606.

In step S <b> 1606, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays an image confirmation screen for folders of participants who have not yet been confirmed among the photographer candidates. The following processing is the same as the processing in FIG.
When the process of FIG. 16 is completed, the process proceeds to the process of FIG.

  In step S1605, the processing of FIG. 16 has been completed depending on whether or not all the participants have been confirmed. However, the processing of FIG. 16 is performed when the remaining one (that is, the photographer with the largest number of images) has been reached. You may end. With reference to FIG. 17, an example will be described in which the processing of FIG.

  FIG. 17 is an example of an operation image of a folder selection screen displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100. In the example of 1700 in FIG. 17, after the images of Mr. C and Mr. A are confirmed, the remaining folder (1701) of Mr. B is not selected, and the next folder (1702) with a plurality of photographer candidates is selected. The process proceeds to the image confirmation process (FIG. 7). Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIGS. 12 to 14, a process for receiving a photographer confirmation input from a user when there are a plurality of photographer candidates in the photographed image data will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for dividing a photographed image file for each user photographed by the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by each of the processing units 201 to 211 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2 executing a program stored in the program area in the ROM 203. Also, S700 to S711 in the figure indicate each step.

  The process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the process of inputting the photographer confirmation in the case where there is only one photographer candidate in FIG. Note that the process of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is not necessarily performed after the process of the flowchart of FIG. 16 is completed. For example, a participant (user) C inputs photographer confirmation when there is only one photographer candidate. After that, the processing flow of FIG. 7 for selecting from the photographed image data of a plurality of photographer candidates may be entered.

  In step S701 in FIG. 7, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 moves the captured image data in which the confirmed participant is included as an imaging candidate to the photographer multiple candidate folder. The processing in step S701 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  For photographed image data in which a confirmed participant among photographers candidate names 813 in FIG. 8 is included in a plurality of photographer candidates as photographer candidates, a photographer multiple candidate folder Move to. For example, in the case of a participant confirmed by Mr. C in the photographer identification DB 810, the ID column 816 includes 0003, 0004, 0008, 0010, etc. as photographed image data registered with Mr. C in the photographer candidate name 813. Is moved to the multiple photographer candidate folder. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, in step S702 of FIG. 7, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether there is a photographed image photographed within a certain time in the photographer multiple candidate folder. Whether or not the image was taken within a certain time is determined by whether or not the previous photographer flag processed in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is ON. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the photographer identification DB 810 of FIG. 8, the photographed image data in which the photographing interval flag 818 (previous photographer flag) is 1 is taken as photographed image data taken by the photographer without change. Therefore, in the case of the photographer identification DB 810, since the photographed image data registered in 815 is determined to be the same person, the three photographed image data whose ID column 816 is 0010, 0011, and 0012 are the same. It is determined to be a person. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S702 that the captured image data is captured within a certain period of time, that is, if it is determined that the captured image data is captured by the same photographer, the process proceeds to step S703, and before and after. If it is determined that the captured image data is not captured image data captured within a certain period of time, that is, if it is determined that the captured image data may be different, the process proceeds to step S711. To do.

  In step S703, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 continuously displays the captured image data captured within a certain time. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is an example of an operation image for selecting photographed image data displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100. The screen image is the same as in FIG.

  The photographed image data 1201, 1202, and 1203 in FIG. 12 are photographed image data photographed within a fixed time, and these three images are continuously displayed without a gap (processing in step S703). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S704. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the preceding and following captured image data is not captured image data captured within a certain time, the process proceeds to step S711, and in step S711, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 is separated by a certain time or more. When the photographed image data before and after being photographed is displayed, for example, a symbol such as “...” Is attached between the images. A specific example will be described with reference to FIG.

  Since the photographed image data 1204 and 1205 in FIG. 12 are photographed with a photographing time longer than a certain time, there is a possibility that photographers are different. Therefore, when displaying in the photographer multiple candidate folder 1200, it is suggested that the photographers may be different by displaying the two images with a space between them, for example, “...” 1206. (Step S711).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S704. Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S704 of FIG. 7, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays the photographer candidate of the photographed image data selected from the participants as shown by 1206 in FIG. The participant can identify the photographer while confirming the photographer candidate.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S705, and in step S705, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 accepts input of captured image data specified by the photographer selected by the participant. With reference to FIG. 13, a screen image for accepting input of photographed image data in which a photographer is specifically identified and a flow of processing will be described.

  FIG. 13 is an example of an operation image for selecting photographed image data displayed to the user on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100. The screen image is the same as in FIG.

  The photographer multiple candidate folder 1300 in FIG. 13 shows a state where the participant Mr. B has selected 1302 groups of captured image data and 1303 captured image data following the captured image data 1301. This is an example in which the participant has selected 1302 shot image data group and 1303 shot image data, and the periphery of the selected shot image data is lit up in a different color from the surroundings.

  Next, in order to designate a photographer-specific folder that the participant wants to move, the participant designates an appropriate photographer from among photographer candidates in the photographer change field 1307. In the example of 1307, since Mr. B is selected, the captured image data selected in 1300 is moved to Mr. B's folder.

  Next, when the participant presses the OK button 1304, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays a movement confirmation screen 1305. When the participant presses the OK button 1306 for permission, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100. Moves the selected photographed image data to a folder for each photographer (step S706). A screen image after the selected photographed image data is moved to the folder for each photographer will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is an example of an operation image after selecting photographed image data displayed to a participant on the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and an image output to the display unit 210 of the information processing apparatus 100. It is. The screen image is the same as in FIG.

  In the photographer multiple candidate folder 1400 of FIG. 14, the initially existing 1302 group of photographed image data and 1303 of photographed image data are deleted. If the End button 1401 is pressed while displaying such a screen image (Step S707), the process proceeds to Step S708. If the End button 1401 is not pressed, the process proceeds to Step S704. To return.

  Next, in step S <b> 708, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 deletes the participant confirmed in the routine up to step S <b> 707 from the photographer candidate name 813.

  Subsequently, in step S709, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 deletes the participant confirmed in the routine from the photographer candidate name 813 to step S707. Confirm. If there is only one photographer candidate name 813, the process proceeds to step S710. If a plurality of photographer candidate names 813 remain, the process of step S710 is not executed and the process proceeds to step S712. To migrate.

  In step S710, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 moves the photographed image data in which only one photographer candidate name 813 is present to the photographer-specific folder in which only one photographer candidate name is present, and the process proceeds to step S712.

  By the processing from step S708 to step S710, when there is only one photographer candidate, the photographer is automatically designated as the remaining one person, so that it is possible to save the trouble of the participant specifying the photographer.

  Next, in step S712, the CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the photographed image data remains in the photographer multiple candidate folder. If photographed image data remains, the process returns to step S701. If photographed image data does not remain in the photographer multiple candidate folder, the process in FIG. 7 ends.

  Through the above processing, the present invention sorts the captured images in order from the photographer who seems to have the smallest number of images, so that, for example, the owner of the imaging apparatus having a large number of images has taken a long time. It has the effect of preventing the classification.

  In addition, when a participant selects a plurality of photographer candidates and only one remaining photographer candidate is selected, the participant automatically selects the remaining photographer candidate as a photographer so that the participant can select a photographer. There is an effect to save the time and effort to specify.

  Also, if the shooting times of a plurality of shot image data are within a certain time, it is determined that the same person has shot and managed as a shot image data group, and one of the shot image data groups is selected by the participant In this case, it is possible to save the time and effort for the participant to identify the photographer by determining the photographed image data group as photographed image data photographed by the designated participant.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is described in which the photographer is divided into folders. However, it is also possible to specify photographer information by changing attribute information of photographed image data instead of dividing by folder.

  In addition, when the above-described embodiment is provided in the imaging apparatus, participants are registered in advance, and candidates for who took pictures are displayed every time shooting is performed, or if the photographer can be specified, the photographer is selected. You may specify.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a recording medium (storage medium) that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 16 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 101 Photographer candidate specific part 102 Number sort part according to photographer 103 Display control part according to photographer candidate 104 Photographer acceptance part 105 Photographer candidate deletion part 106 Photographer specific part 107 Photographing judgment part 108 within a fixed time period Constant Photographer identification part 109 Photographer identification DB
110 Photographer candidate DB
111 Photographed image DB
300 Imaging device

Claims (6)

Photographer candidate identifying means for identifying photographer candidates of a plurality of photographed image data;
Number-by-photograph number sorting means for sorting photographers candidates identified by the photographer candidate identification means in ascending order of the number of shots;
Photographer candidate display control means for controlling the display of the photographed image data of the photographer candidates in ascending order of the number of photographed images sorted by the photographer-specific number sorting means;
Photographer accepting means for accepting a selection from the user in order to identify a photographer of the photographed image data whose display is controlled by the photographer candidate-specific display control means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: When the photographer candidate identification unit identifies a photographer candidate as a plurality of photographer candidate groups,
In photographed image data of photographer candidates whose display is controlled by the photographer candidate-specific display means,
Photographer candidate deletion means for deleting the photographer candidate from the photographer candidate group of photographed image data other than the photographed image data whose selection is accepted by the photographer accepting means;
The photographer candidate deleting means identifies the photographer image data in which the photographer candidate is alone as the photographer identification means for identifying the photographer candidate as a photographer.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A fixed time shooting determination means for determining whether the shot image data is shot within a fixed time;
When the photographer accepting means selects the photographed image data photographed by the photographing determination means for a certain period of time by the user, the photographed image determined to have been photographed within the certain time by the certain time photographing determination means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photographer specifying unit within a certain period of time, wherein the photographer of the data is the same photographer. Photographer candidate identification step for identifying photographer candidates of a plurality of photographed image data,
Photographer number specified by the shooter candidate specifying step, the number-of-photographs sorting step by shooter for sorting in ascending order of the number of shots,
A display control process for each photographer candidate for controlling the display of the photographed image data of the photographer candidates in order from the smallest number of captured images sorted by the photographer-specific number sort process;
A photographer accepting process for accepting a selection from a user in order to specify a photographer of the photographed image data whose display is controlled by the display control process for each photographer candidate;
An information processing method characterized by comprising:   The program for a computer to perform the information processing method described in Claim 4.   A recording medium storing a computer-readable program for executing the information processing method according to claim 4

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