JP4145067B2 - Image search result display control apparatus and operation control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling display of an image obtained as a result of searching for an image in an image database.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As a form for displaying the result of the image search in the image database, there is a form in which images obtained as a result of the search are simply displayed side by side.
[0003]
However, if the images obtained as a result of the search are simply arranged, the image is displayed if the search condition is completely matched. However, if the search condition is not met, the image is not found and is not displayed.
[0004]
Even if an image that does not completely match the search condition is displayed, if the image that completely matches the search condition and the image that does not completely match the search condition are displayed in the same manner, the displayed image It is not clear at first glance which of these images completely matches the search condition or not.
[0005]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to display an image that matches a search condition and an image that does not match the search condition but matches a similar search condition so that it can be seen at a glance.
[0006]
The image search result display device according to the present invention is based on a first input means for inputting an image main search condition, a main search condition inputted from the first input means, and a search condition similar to the main search condition. In the search means for searching the image database, and in the search means, the image represented by the image data found by the search based on the main search condition is one of the side faces of the stereoscopic image in which the bottom surface represents a polygonal solid. A first control unit that controls the display device so that an image displayed on the main side and represented by image data found by the search based on the similar search condition is displayed on the sub-side of the side of the stereoscopic image. A display control means is provided.
[0007]
You may make it provide the control method suitable for the image search result display apparatus by this invention. That is, this method inputs image main search conditions, searches the image database based on the input main search conditions and search conditions similar to the main search conditions, and finds the search based on the main search conditions. The image represented by the image data is displayed on one main side surface of the three-dimensional image representing the polygonal solid surface, and is represented by the image data found by the search based on the similar search condition. However, the display device is controlled so as to be displayed on the sub-side surface in the side surface of the stereoscopic image.
[0008]
According to the present invention, when an image main search condition is input, an image database is searched based on the input main search condition. Further, the image database is searched not only based on the input main search condition itself but also based on a search condition similar to the main search condition. An image obtained as a result of the search based on the main search condition is displayed on one main side surface among the side surfaces of the stereoscopic image. The main side is a side displayed toward the front. Even if it is not necessarily displayed so as to be completely opposed to the front, it is only necessary to display the main side so that it can be seen better than the other side. An image obtained as a result of the search based on the sub-search condition is displayed on the sub-side surface in the side surface of the stereoscopic image. The minor side is a side other than the main side.
[0009]
Not only images that match the main search conditions, but also images that are obtained based on search conditions similar to the main search conditions are displayed. It becomes possible to search for a desired image from images obtained based on the similar search condition. Even when the search condition for searching for a desired image is not completely known, the desired image can be found. Since an image obtained based on the main search condition is displayed on the main side, it can be seen at a glance that the image matches the main search condition.
[0010]
You may further provide the 2nd input means (It may be the same as a 1st input means.) Which inputs the said similar search conditions. In this case, the search means will search the image database based on the main search condition input from the first input means and the similar search condition input from the second input means.
[0011]
Command means for giving a rotation command, and second display control means for rotating the stereoscopic image (about the central axis) according to the rotation command given from the command means may be further provided.
[0012]
When the image that is being searched for is included in the sub-side surface, the image can be displayed on the main side surface by rotating.
[0013]
[Explanation of Examples]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image database apparatus.
[0014]
The image database device is controlled by the computer 3.
[0015]
The computer 3 includes an image database 4 in which image data representing a large number of images are stored, a display device 1 for displaying an image represented by the image data obtained from the image database 4 by a search, and a printer for printing the image and the like 2 is included. In addition, the image database device includes a keyboard 6 for inputting search conditions, search commands, and the like. A signal output from the keyboard 6 is input to the computer 3. A mouse 7 is also included in the image database device. A signal indicating that the mouse 7 has been clicked is input to the computer 3 via the keyboard 6. Further, the image database apparatus includes a memory 5 for temporarily storing data.
[0016]
In this embodiment, the image database 4 contains four times at 6 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 14 o'clock and 18 o'clock for 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th of each month. It is assumed that a lot of image data obtained by photographing the sun is stored. A desired image is searched from such image data. However, other images may be stored instead of the sun image, or a specific day such as 1st or 5th or a specific time such as 6 or 10 o'clock, or other specific day or time. Needless to say, it may be.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the image database apparatus. 3 to 6 are examples of images displayed on the display device 1 included in the image database device.
[0018]
When searching for image data in the image database device, a first question image 20 as shown in FIG. 3 is first displayed on the display screen of the display device 1 (step 11). The first question image 20 is for inputting a main search condition of an image to be searched.
[0019]
The first question image 25 includes an area 21 for displaying a shooting year in which an image to be searched for was shot and an area 22 for displaying a shooting month in which the image to be searched for was shot. Further, the first question image 20 includes a cancel area 23 and an OK area 24. When the cancel area 23 is clicked using the mouse 7, the input shooting year and shooting month (main search condition) are canceled. When the OK area 24 is clicked, a search is performed based on the entered shooting year and shooting month.
[0020]
These shooting year and shooting month are input from the keyboard 6 (step 12). The inputted shooting year is displayed in the area 21 of the first question image 20. The inputted shooting month is displayed in the area 22 of the first question image 20. If the input photographing year and photographing month are acceptable, the OK area 24 is clicked by the operator of the image database device. Then, the second question image 25 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 1 of the image database device (step 13).
[0021]
The second question image 25 includes an area 26 for displaying the number of months for displaying an image obtained as a result of the search, a cancel area 23, and an OK area 24. The number of months is input from the keyboard 6 (step 14). The number of months input from the keyboard 6 is displayed in the area 26. If the number of months displayed in the area 26 is acceptable, the OK area 24 is clicked by the operator. When the input month number is canceled, the cancel area 23 is clicked.
[0022]
When the OK area 24 is clicked, a search of the image database 4 is performed, and image data that includes images that have already been input and the number of months that have been input (similar search conditions) is displayed as image data. Searched from the database 4 (step 15). The search result is displayed on the display screen of the display device 1 (step 16).
[0023]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the search result and is an example of an image displayed on the display screen of the display device 1.
[0024]
In the image database apparatus according to this embodiment, the search result is represented as a three-dimensional image (in FIG. 5, a hexagonal prism) representing a polygonal solid surface. The polygon on the bottom of the solid corresponds to the number of months input in the second question image 25. As shown in FIG. 4, when 6 is input as the number of months, the bottom of the solid is a hexagon. In FIG. 5, a hexagonal column having a hexagonal bottom surface is displayed, but a hexagonal weight may be used if the bottom surface is a hexagonal shape.
[0025]
An image obtained as a result of a search using the main search condition input using the first question image 20 shown in FIG. 3 on the side surface 31 (referred to as the main side surface) 31 displayed in front of the hexagonal side surface An image represented by the data is displayed. As shown in FIG. 3, if a main search condition is input so as to search for an image taken in November 2001, the main side has an image taken in November 2001 obtained as a result of the search. It will be displayed. The horizontal axis of the main side surface {and the side surface (referred to as the sub-side surface) that is visible in front of the side surfaces other than the main side surface as will be described later} is the shooting date. The vertical axis on the main side is during shooting. A number of sections 32 are formed corresponding to the shooting date defined by the horizontal axis and the shooting time defined by the vertical axis. Corresponding images are displayed in these sections 32.
[0026]
On the sub-side 41 on the right side of the main side, an image taken on the shooting date (December 2001) after the shooting date of the image displayed on the main side is displayed. In addition, on the sub-side 51 on the left side of the main side, an image taken on the shooting date (October 2001) before the shooting date of the image displayed on the main side is displayed. Similarly to the main side surface 31, the sub-side surfaces 41 and 51 also define the shooting date on the horizontal axis and the shooting time on the vertical axis.
[0027]
The sub-side surfaces 41 and 51 also have a large number of compartments 42 and 52 corresponding to the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. Images corresponding to these multiple sections 42 and 52 are displayed.
[0028]
By giving the main search condition (November 2001), not only the search based on the main search condition is performed, but also the search by the search condition similar to the main search condition (6 months including November 2001) is performed. Done. A search result based on the main search condition is displayed on the main side surface 31, and a search result based on the similar search condition is displayed on the sub side surfaces 41 and 51. Even if the shooting date of the image to be searched for is not accurately known, images of the shooting date near the input shooting date are also displayed, so if the image to be searched for was in the shooting date near that You will be able to find the image.
[0029]
When a rotation command is given from the keyboard 6 (YES in step 17), the hexagonal prism 30 is rotated according to the given rotation direction. The main side surface 31 is the sub side surface, and the sub side surface 41 or 51 is the main side surface. Since the sub-side surface is the main side surface, the image displayed on the sub-side surface is easy to see. It becomes easy to find a desired image. In accordance with the rotation direction, an image photographed with a new photographing date is displayed on the sub-side surface.
[0030]
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the number of months is input to the operator of the image database device so that images for six months are displayed. However, the number of months is set in advance. Also good. By determining in advance, the second question image shown in FIG. 4 becomes unnecessary, and it is not necessary for the operator to input the number of months.
[0031]
In the embodiment described above, since the user inputs 6 months as the number of months, an image of a hexagonal prism is displayed on the display screen of the display device 1 as shown in FIG. When entered, a prism (or cone) corresponding to the number of months is displayed.
[0032]
If the number of months input by the operator is 3 months, a triangular prism (triangular pyramid) is displayed. If the number of months is 4 months, a quadrangular prism (square pyramid) is displayed. However, in the case of a triangular prism or a quadrangular prism, if the main side surface is displayed so as to face the front, the sub-side surface cannot be seen from the front. For this reason, the main side will not be displayed so as to face the front completely, but will be displayed with the main side slightly rotated from the front. The secondary side becomes visible, and images other than the image input as the main search condition can also be seen.
[0033]
In the above-described embodiment, a solid having a polygon with the same number of corners as the number of months input by the operator using the second question image 25 is displayed. A solid having a number of polygons on the bottom may be displayed. In that case, an image shot in the shooting month and month number input on the visible side of the displayed solid is displayed.
[0034]
FIG. 6 shows a stereoscopic image displayed when 8 months are input as the number of months.
[0035]
This stereoscopic image is of an octagonal prism 60 corresponding to the input number of months. The main side surface 61 is displayed on the front. In the same manner as described above, in this main aspect, the shooting date is specified on the horizontal axis and the shooting time is specified on the vertical axis. A section 62 is defined, and a corresponding image is displayed in the section 62.
[0036]
A sub-side surface 71 is displayed on the right side of the main side surface 61, and a sub-side surface 81 is displayed on the left side of the main side surface 61. The sub-side surfaces 71 and 81 also define the shooting date on the horizontal axis and the shooting time on the vertical axis. Furthermore, the sub-side surfaces 71 and 81 are also defined with sections 72 and 82. Images corresponding to these sections 72 and 82 are defined.
[0037]
In the case of an octagonal prism, if the main side 61 is displayed so that it is completely opposite to the front as shown in FIG. Good. Since there are four sides that can be seen from the front, more images can be displayed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image database apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the image database apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an example of an image displayed on a display device of the image database device.
FIG. 4 is an example of an image displayed on a display device of the image database device.
FIG. 5 is an example of an image displayed on a display device of the image database device.
FIG. 6 is an example of an image displayed on the display device of the image database device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Display 3 Computer 4 Image Database 6 Keyboard 7 Mouse
30 Hexagonal column
31 Main side
41, 51 Vice versa

Claims (2)

A first input means for inputting the shooting date of the image;
A second input means for inputting the number of months to display an image obtained as a result of the search;
Search means for searching the image database for image data including the shooting date inputted from the first input means and representing the image for the number of months inputted from the second input means ;
The first side displayed on the front side of the three-dimensional image representing the three-dimensional image having the bottom face with a polygon having a number of months or a double of the number of months input from the second input means is displayed on the first side face of the search means. Of the images found by the search, an image having the shooting date input from the first input means is displayed, and the side of the stereoscopic image other than the first side is found by the search of the search means . was among a shooting month in the vicinity of the shooting month inputted from the first input unit of the image, as the second image taken during the number of the month is input from the input means is displayed First display control means for controlling the display device;
Command means for giving a rotation command, and
Second display control means for rotating the stereoscopic image in response to a rotation command given from the command means;
An image search result display device comprising: The first input means inputs the shooting date of the image,
The second input means inputs the number of months to display the image obtained as a result of the search,
The search means searches the image database for image data including the shooting date input from the first input means and representing the number of months of images input from the second input means,
The first display control means is displayed in front of the side surface of a stereoscopic image representing a solid having a polygon having a bottom face with a polygon having a number of months or a double of the number of months input from the second input means. An image having a shooting date input from the first input unit among the images found by the search by the search unit is displayed on one side, and the side of the stereoscopic image other than the first side is displayed on the side. , Of the images found by the search by the search means, the shooting month in the vicinity of the shooting month input from the first input means, and shot during the number of months input from the second input means. Control the display device so that the
The command means gives a rotation command,
A second display control means for rotating the stereoscopic image in response to a rotation command given from the command means;
An operation control method for an image search result display device.

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