JP4561358B2 - Electronic album creation apparatus and electronic album creation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic album creating apparatus and an electronic album creating system for creating an electronic album that causes a computer to output a plurality of image data.

  Currently, electronic albums that can browse images captured by a digital camera via a computer have become widespread.

  The electronic album is substantially composed of a plurality of content data that is data such as images, sounds, and texts, and a content output program that causes the computer to output the content data. The content output program displays content data in a predetermined output format (for example, images and text are displayed on the display screen of the display device in a predetermined order and a predetermined layout, and in some cases, audio is synchronously output from a speaker). A program that causes a computer to function so as to output to a device or a sound output device.

As one form of the electronic album, there is a type in which image data that is content data is displayed in association with an imaging point (a point where the image data is captured) (see Patent Document 1). This is because a map showing the imaging point of the image data is displayed on the display screen of the display device, and when the imaging point is designated by the electronic album viewer on the map (for example, clicked with the mouse), the image is captured at the imaging point. The image corresponding to the received image data is displayed on the display screen. For example, when the electronic album viewer is a photographer, when he / she browses the electronic album at a later date, he / she can know the travel trajectory from the map and can feel the travel mood at the time of travel.
JP 2001-160058 A

  The above-described electronic album includes only image data captured at a specific place (sightseeing spot) in the electronic album, and when browsing the electronic album, only images corresponding to the captured image data are viewed. At this time, from the viewpoint of a tourist in a region (tourist spot) having a tourist spot, there is a desire to advertise the tourist spot to the electronic album viewer by incorporating information on various tourist spots into the electronic album.

  Therefore, the present invention has a configuration that makes it possible to incorporate information relating to the location where image data is captured into an electronic album, whereby an apparatus administrator (person who manages an electronic album creating apparatus) can be viewed by an electronic album viewer. Provided is an electronic album device for creating an electronic album having information relating to the place desired to be provided to the user, for example, information relating to the place desired to be advertised by the tourist provided by a tourist administrator, and an electronic album creating system The purpose is to do.

An electronic album creation apparatus according to the present invention is an electronic album creation apparatus that creates an electronic album that causes a computer to output a plurality of image data, and that obtains a plurality of image data to which information on imaging points is added. Acquisition means, content storage means for storing content data associated with a location, original content acquisition means for acquiring original content data that is a candidate for content data, and location information corresponding to the original content data are acquired Location information acquisition means for generating content data by associating the original content data acquired by the original content acquisition means with the location information acquired by the location information acquisition means, and an imaging point of the acquired image data Content data associated with related locations is stored as content storage A content extraction means for extracting from that having a electronic album editing means for editing an electronic album and a content data image data and content extraction means for image data acquisition means has acquired is extracted.

  Here, “image data whose imaging point is known” refers to the image data to which information on the point where the image data was captured is added. Further, “related” means that a predetermined positional relationship exists between the imaging point and the place, and as an example, a case where the imaging point is included in the place is applicable. By incorporating the image data and the content data associated with the location related to the imaging point of the image data into the electronic album, the electronic album viewer browses the image corresponding to the image data and captures the image data. Browse content data associated with a location related to a point. When the content data incorporated in the electronic album is, for example, content data associated with the place that the tour operator wants to advertise, provided by the tour operator, the location is electronic via the content data. Promoted to album viewers.

  The electronic album creating apparatus stores the first content data created by the content creating unit and the content storage unit associated with the place corresponding to the first content data and the place having a predetermined positional relationship. Content output means for outputting the second content data, selection input means for making input corresponding to the content data selected by the apparatus administrator from the output first and second content data, When the input corresponding to one content data is executed by the selection input means, the first content data is stored in the content storage means instead of the second content data, and the input corresponding to the second content data is received. When executed by the selection input means, the second content data remains stored in the content storage means Preferably it has a content updating means for lifting.

  Here, the “predetermined positional relationship” means that, for example, a location corresponding to the created first content data and a location corresponding to the content data stored in the content storage means are, for example, a predetermined distance. Say being within range. By having the content output means, the selection input means, and the content update means, the content storage means stores the content data selected (desired) by the device manager (person who is permitted to update the content data in a broad sense). Remembered.

  Further, the electronic album creating apparatus further includes a communication unit for performing communication, the content extraction unit sends information on the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit to the communication unit, and the communication unit includes the communication unit The information is configured to be transmitted to another electronic album creating apparatus, and when the communication unit receives the information of the imaging point from the other electronic album creating apparatus, the communication unit sends the information to the content extracting unit. Content data associated with the location related to the imaging point is extracted from the content storage unit and sent to the communication unit, and the communication unit is configured to transmit the content data to another electronic album creating device, The communication means is configured to send the content data to the content extraction means when receiving the content data from another electronic album creating apparatus. It is preferable to have.

  In addition to the content data stored in the content storage unit in the same device, the content extraction unit can use the content data stored in the content storage unit of another electronic album creating apparatus.

  In addition, it has information on the location of other electronic album creation devices, and based on the location information, identifies other electronic album creation devices that exist in locations related to the image data acquisition point acquired by the image data acquisition means In addition, it is preferable that the communication unit has a transmission destination specifying unit configured to transmit the imaging point information to the other specified electronic album creating apparatus.

  The communication means is likely to store content data associated with the location related to the imaging location corresponding to the imaging location information, and the imaging location information is stored in the electronic album creating apparatus existing at the location related to the imaging location. Can be sent.

  Furthermore, the location information corresponding to each of the content data stored in the content storage means and stored in the content storage means of another electronic album creating apparatus is stored in the electronic contents storage means in which the content data is stored. The location information management means associated with the ID information of the album creating apparatus, and the location related to the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition means are searched from the location information of the location information management means, and the searched location Preferably, the communication means has a transmission destination specifying means configured to transmit the imaging point information to the electronic album apparatus corresponding to the above information.

  It becomes possible to use the content data associated with the location stored in the electronic album device that does not exist at the location related to the image data imaging location.

  The location information management means acquires and holds location information corresponding to the content data newly stored in the content storage means and sends it to the communication means. The communication means sends the received location information to another electronic album. Preferably, the communication unit is configured to transmit to the communication unit of the creation device, and the communication unit is configured to transmit the location information from another electronic album device to the location information management unit.

  The location information management unit can acquire location information corresponding to each content data stored in the content storage unit of the other electronic album creation device from the location information management unit of the other electronic album creation device. ,

  Electronic album creating apparatus further comprising first communication means for performing communication, second communication means for performing communication, and second content storage for storing third content data associated with the place And a content server provided with second content extraction means for extracting, from the second content storage means, third content data associated with a location related to the imaging location upon receiving information on the imaging location In the electronic album creating system, the content extracting means of the electronic album creating device sends information on the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquiring means to the first communication means, and the first communication means The information is configured to be transmitted to the content server, and the second communication means of the content server transmits the information on the imaging point from the electronic album creating apparatus. Is sent to the second content extraction means, which extracts the third content data associated with the location related to the imaging point and sends it to the second communication means. The communication means is configured to transmit the third content data to the electronic album creating apparatus, and the first communication means of the electronic album creating apparatus sends the third content data to the content extracting means when receiving the third content data. You may comprise.

  The content extraction unit can use content data stored in the content server in addition to the content data stored in the content storage unit in the same apparatus.

  Furthermore, you may comprise the electronic album production system which has the above-mentioned electronic album production apparatus and the imaging means which adds the information of an imaging point to the imaged image data.

  When the imaging unit adds imaging point information to the image data, the electronic album creating apparatus can create an electronic album based on the imaging point information.

In addition, the above-described electronic album creating apparatus is configured such that the image data acquisition unit can acquire the second image data to which the information of the imaging point is not added, and the information of the imaging point of the second image data is input. input means that preferably has a associating imaging point information acquisition means and information of the input captured points to the input means and the second image data.

Image data acquisition means is configured so that information of the image point can obtain the second image data of the non-addition (image data capturing point information is not added), an electronic album creating apparatus input means and the imaging point information acquisition by having the means, it can be captured points to create an electronic album including the unknown image data.

  According to the present invention, the electronic album created by the electronic album creating apparatus includes image data and content data associated with a location related to the imaging point of the image data. For example, when the content data included is content data associated with a place (a place related to an imaging point) that the device administrator wants to advertise provided by the tourist to the device manager, via the content data The place can be advertised.

  An electronic album creating system according to the present invention includes an imaging device that captures image data and an electronic album creating device that creates an electronic album using the image data. Hereinafter, in the electronic album creating system, a customer who desires an electronic album (hereinafter referred to as “album desired person”) manages the electronic album creating apparatus, for example, a photo shop (hereinafter referred to as “device manager”). It is assumed that an electronic album incorporating the image data is created using the image data captured by the imaging device. Hereinafter, an electronic album creation system will be described with some embodiments.

First embodiment.
The electronic album creation system according to the present embodiment is a system that creates an electronic album using image data whose imaging point is known (image data to which information on the imaging point is added).

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an electronic album creation system. The electronic album creating system 10 is generally composed of an electronic album creating device 12 and an imaging device 14.

  The electronic album creating apparatus 12 includes a control unit 16 that controls the entire electronic album creating apparatus, an image data obtaining unit 18 that obtains image data from the imaging device 14, and an electronic album recording unit 20 that records the electronic album on a recording medium. The output unit 22 includes an output device such as a display (display device) and a speaker (audio output device), and the input unit 24 includes an input device such as a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse.

  The imaging device 14 in the present embodiment is an imaging device with a GPS function such as a GPS mobile information terminal with camera 28 or a camera 30 with a GPS function. The imaging device 12 with a GPS function is configured to add and store information of an imaging point on captured image data. The imaging point information is created based on position measurement (for example, latitude and longitude measurement) by the GPS function at the time of image data imaging, and is added to the image data.

  The image data is stored in the recording medium 32 via, for example, a recording medium writing / reading device (not shown) mounted on the imaging device 14 with a GPS function. An example of the recording medium 32 is a flash memory. Alternatively, the image may be recorded in a storage device (for example, a hard disk) mounted in the imaging device with GPS function 14.

  The image data acquisition unit 18 acquires image data from the imaging device 14 with a GPS function. As an example of a method for acquiring image data, a method of reading image data from a recording medium 32 having image data captured by the imaging device 14 with a GPS function, or an image from the imaging device 14 with a GPS function via a USB standard cable 34 is used. There is a method of transferring image data to the data acquisition unit 18. The image data acquisition unit 18 preferably corresponds to any image data acquisition method by having, for example, a flash memory reading device, a USB cable insertion port, and the like.

  The control unit 16 of the electronic album creating apparatus 12 acquires image data necessary for creating an electronic album from the image data obtaining unit 18 in order to control the electronic album creating apparatus 12 to create an electronic album, and also the electronic album It is configured so that content data to be embedded in can be created. The control unit 16 is configured to perform a dialogue process with the apparatus administrator via the output unit 22 and the input unit 24 when creating content data, as will be described later, for example. Further, the control unit 16 is configured to transmit electronic album data to the electronic album recording unit 20.

  As a specific configuration, the control unit 16 of the electronic album creation apparatus 12 includes an image data storage unit 36 that stores image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 18, a content generation unit 38 that generates content data, and content data. A content storage unit 40 for storing the content, a content extraction unit 42 for extracting content data from the content storage unit 40, and an electronic album editing unit 44 for editing the electronic album from the image data and the content data extracted by the content extraction unit 42. Have. Hereinafter, the term “image data” refers to data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 18 and is different from the image data included in the content data.

  The image data storage unit 36 is configured to store the image data acquired via the image data acquisition unit 18.

  The content creation unit 38 is for creating content data such as image data, audio data, and text data to be incorporated into the electronic album while performing an interactive process with the apparatus administrator via the output unit 22 and the input unit 24. . The content data creation unit 38 starts creating content data based on an instruction to start creating content data by the device administrator via the input unit 24. The content creation unit 30 displays, for example, a screen on the display (the output unit 22) for causing the device administrator to provide content data that is a candidate for content data (hereinafter referred to as “original content data”).

  In order to acquire the original content data, the electronic album creating apparatus 12 includes an original content acquisition unit 26. Similar to the image data acquisition unit 18, the original content acquisition unit 26 is configured to be able to acquire content data via a storage medium such as a flash memory or via a cable, for example. Alternatively, the image data acquisition unit 18 may be configured to acquire the original content data. Further, when the original content data is text data, it may be acquired by an input from the device manager via the keyboard (input unit 24). The original content acquisition unit 26 and the input unit 24 function as an original content acquisition unit.

  When the original content acquisition unit 26 acquires the original content data, the content creation unit 38 causes the display (output unit 22) to display a screen for allowing the device administrator to provide information on a location corresponding to the original content data. The location information referred to here refers to information indicating a location where a temple and shrine exists, for example, when the original content data is image data such as a temple and shrine. Further, the place may be a region (for example, a well-known region such as a prefecture or a municipality or a region defined by a device administrator) or a point (for example, a point indicated by an address or longitude / latitude). Good.

  For providing location information, for example, the content creation unit 38 displays a screen on which a map is displayed on the display (output unit 22), and the device administrator selects a location corresponding to the original content data shown on the map, For example, it is performed by clicking through the mouse (input unit 24). Further, it may be provided by inputting an address via a keyboard (input unit 24). The output unit 22 and the input unit 24 function as location information acquisition means.

  The content creation unit 38 creates content data in which location information is added to the original content data. The created content data is stored in the content storage unit 40.

  The content extraction unit 42, based on the imaging point information of each of the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit 36, the content data associated with the location associated with the imaging point of each of the plurality of image data, In other words, content data that is incorporated in the electronic album in association with the image data is extracted from the content storage unit 40, and the extracted content data is sent to the album editing unit 44.

  As one of the relations (relationships) between the image data capturing point and the location corresponding to the content data, the relationship (matching relationship) such that the image capturing point and the location corresponding to the content data (location defined by the point) substantially match. If there is a relationship), the content extraction unit 42 extracts the content data associated with the place (point) having a matching relationship with the imaging point of the image data.

  In addition, when there is a related relationship (inclusion relationship) such that the imaging point is included in a place corresponding to the content data (a place defined by the region), the content extraction unit 42 indicates the inclusion relationship with the imaging point. Content data associated with the location (area) it has is extracted.

  Further, when there is a related relationship (adjacent relationship) where the location corresponding to the imaging point and the content data (location defined by the location or the region) is within a predetermined distance, the content extraction unit 42 And content data associated with a place having an adjacent relationship. As a result, even when the imaging point does not coincide with the place (point) or is not included in the place (area) and is adjacent, the content data associated with the place is extracted. As a result, as will be described later, more content data can be incorporated into the electronic album. The predetermined distance, which is a reference for extracting the content data associated with the place having the adjacent relationship, can be set by the apparatus administrator via the keyboard (input unit 24), for example.

  The electronic album editing unit 44 edits the electronic album using the image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 and the content data extracted by the content extraction unit 42.

  The electronic album recording unit 20 is configured to record the electronic album edited by the electronic album editing unit 44 on a recording medium 52. The electronic album recording unit 20 records the electronic album on a writable recording medium (for example, CD-R or DVD-R). The electronic album recorded on the recording medium in this way can browse (view) content corresponding to the content data if the computer has a recording medium reading device.

  Hereafter, the electronic album creation process will be described with reference to an example of the electronic album creation process flow shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, in step 100, the image data acquisition unit 18 acquires a plurality of image data to which imaging point information is added from the imaging device 14.

  In step 110, the plurality of image data acquired via the image data acquisition unit 18 is stored in the image data storage unit 36.

  In step 120, the content extraction unit 42 specifies the imaging point of each image data based on the imaging point information added to each of the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit 36.

  In step 130, the content extraction unit 42 extracts content data associated with a location related to the imaging point from the content storage unit 40 based on the imaging point of each image data specified in step 120.

  In step 140, the electronic album editing unit 44 edits the electronic album including the image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 and the content data extracted by the content extraction unit 42.

  In step 150, the electronic album recording unit 20 records the electronic album on the recording medium 46. Thereby, the electronic album creation process is completed.

  According to the present embodiment, content data (content data created by the device administrator) associated with a location related to the image data capturing point is incorporated into the electronic album together with the image data. Thereby, information associated with a place corresponding to the incorporated content data can be provided to the album viewer.

Second embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the electronic album creating apparatus (control unit) of the first embodiment is provided with a function for updating content data. Except for the content update unit for updating the content data, the other components of the electronic album creating apparatus are the same as those of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are indicated by numerical symbols obtained by adding 200 to the reference numerals of the constituent elements of the first embodiment in the figure, and the description thereof is not necessary. Is omitted. Hereinafter, the content update unit 250 will be described.

  When content data (corresponding to the first content data in claims, hereinafter referred to as “new content data”) is created by the content creation unit 238, the content update unit 250 creates a location corresponding to the new content data. Content data associated with a place having a predetermined positional relationship (corresponding to the second content data in the claims, as will be described later, since it is content data to be compared with new content data, “target” "Content data") is searched from the content storage unit 240.

  The content update unit 250 searches the content storage unit 240 for target content data associated with a location (point) having a positional relationship that substantially matches a location (location defined by the location) corresponding to the new content data. To do.

  In addition, target content data associated with a location (location defined by a region) having a positional relationship that includes a location (location) corresponding to the new content data, or a location (region) corresponding to the new content data The content update unit 250 searches the content storage unit 240 for target content data associated with a place (point) having a positional relationship such as included in the content storage unit 240.

  Furthermore, content data associated with a place (point or area) having a positional relationship within a predetermined distance from a place (a place defined by a spot or area) corresponding to the new content data is stored as content. The update unit 250 searches from the content storage unit 240. This predetermined distance can be set by the device manager via, for example, a keyboard (input unit 24).

  When the content update unit 250 cannot search the content storage unit 240 for target content data associated with a location corresponding to the new content data and a location having a predetermined positional relationship, the content update unit 250 stores the new content data in the content storage unit 240. Remember.

  When target content data associated with a location corresponding to new content data and a location having a predetermined positional relationship is retrieved from the content storage unit 240, the content update unit 250, for example, when the content data is image data The new content data and the target content data are displayed on the display (output unit 222) on the screen. The output unit 222 functions as a content output unit. For example, to display content data to be left in the content storage unit 240 and select an input via a keyboard (input unit 224) by viewing an image corresponding to the image data displayed to the device administrator. The screen is displayed on the display (output unit 222). The input unit 224 functions as a selection input unit in the claims.

  If the content data selected by the device administrator is new content data, the content update unit 250 stores the new content data in the content storage unit 240 and deletes the target content data from the content storage unit 240. On the other hand, when the content data selected by the device administrator is the target content data, the new content data is not stored in the content storage unit 240.

  Note that content data not selected by the device manager is not stored in the content storage unit 240, but is updated as a backup, for example, stored in another storage device (not shown) other than the content storage unit. The unit 250 may be configured.

  Hereafter, content data update processing performed by the content update unit 250 will be described with reference to an example of a processing flow shown in FIG. Note that the processing flow in the figure also shows processing for the content creation unit 238 to create content data so that the content data update processing flow can be understood more. Hereinafter, processing until content data is created and stored in the content storage unit 250 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, in step 300, the content creation unit 238 acquires original content data.

  When the acquisition of the original content data is completed in step 300, in step 310, the content creation unit 238 acquires location information to be added to the acquired original content data by input via the input unit 224 of the apparatus administrator.

  In step 320, the content creation unit 238 creates new content data by adding the location information acquired in step 310 to the original content data acquired in step 300.

  In step 330, the content update unit 250 searches the content storage unit 240 for target content data associated with a place corresponding to the new content data created in step 320 and a place having a predetermined positional relationship.

  If the target content data is searched, the process proceeds to step 350, and if not, the process proceeds to step 370 (step 340).

  In step 350, the content update unit 250 outputs the new content data and target content data associated with a location having a predetermined positional relationship with a location corresponding to the new content data to the output unit 222. At this time, the apparatus administrator is prompted to select content data to be left in the content storage unit 240 from the content data output to the output unit 222 and to perform selection input via the corresponding input unit 224.

  In step 360, the content update unit 250 stores content data corresponding to the selection input in the content storage unit 240.

  In step 370, the content update unit 250 stores the new content data in the content storage unit 240.

  According to this processing flow, content data selected (desired) by the apparatus administrator is stored in the content storage unit 240. As a result, the content data desired by the device administrator can be incorporated into the electronic album.

Third embodiment.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that there is no content data associated with a location related to an imaging point of image data in the content storage unit.

  FIG. 5 shows an electronic album creation system of this embodiment. The electronic album creation system of this embodiment is composed of at least two electronic album creation devices. In the figure, the electronic album creating apparatus (having the content update unit) of the second embodiment is shown, but the electronic album creating apparatus of the first embodiment can also be configured. Except for a communication unit and a content extraction unit (content data extraction method performed by the content extraction unit) to be described later, the other components of the electronic album creating apparatus are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, the same component as the component of the second embodiment is indicated by a numeral sign obtained by adding 200 to the numeral of the component of the second embodiment in the drawing, or 200 is added. It is indicated by a reference numeral added with a subscript, and the description thereof is omitted unless necessary. Hereinafter, the communication unit 452 and the content extraction unit 456 will be described.

  The electronic album creation system 410 includes at least two electronic album creation apparatuses 412 (two electronic album creation apparatuses 412 and 412 'are shown in FIG. 5). Since the configuration of at least two electronic album apparatuses (the two electronic album creation apparatuses 412 and 412 ') is the same, the description will be focused on the electronic album creation apparatus 412.

  As will be described later, the electronic album creating apparatus 412 has a communication unit 452 for communicating with another electronic album creating apparatus 412 '. The communication unit 452 is connected to the communication unit 452 ′ of another electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′ via a network 454 such as the Internet or a dedicated line.

  The content extraction unit 456 of the electronic album creating apparatus 412 associates the image data storage unit 436 with the locations related to the imaging points of the plurality of image data based on the imaging point information of each of the plurality of image data items. The extracted content data is extracted from the content storage unit 440. At this time, the content data corresponding to the content storage unit 440 may not exist.

  In response to this, the content extraction unit 456 and the communication unit 452 have the following configuration so that the content data can be sent to the electronic album editing unit 444 even when there is no corresponding content data in the content storage unit 440.

  When the content data corresponding to the content storage unit 440 does not exist, the content extraction unit 456 stores the imaging point of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 436 (acquired by the image data acquisition unit (not shown)). The information is sent to the communication unit 452, and the communication unit 452 transmits the received imaging point information to another electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′.

  In addition, when the communication unit 452 receives the imaging spot information transmitted from the electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′, the communication unit 452 sends the imaging spot information to the content extraction unit 456, and the content extraction unit 456 captures the image corresponding to the imaging spot information. The content data associated with the location related to the location is extracted from the content storage unit 440, the imaging location based on the extraction to the content data is associated and sent to the communication unit 452, and the communication unit 452 The content data is transmitted to the electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′ that has transmitted the imaging point information. Note that the content data extraction unit 456 ′ sends out the content data extracted in association with the imaging points based on the extraction when a plurality of imaging point information (from the electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′, a plurality of imaging point information) is transmitted. This is because there is a possibility of extracting a plurality of content data based on the

  Further, when the content data is transmitted from the electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′, the communication unit 452 sends the content data to the content extraction unit 456.

  In short, the content extraction unit 456 can extract the content data associated with the location related to the imaging point of the image data from the content storage unit 440 ′ of the other electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′. A unit 456 and a communication unit 452 are configured.

  Note that the above-described configurations of the content extraction unit 456 and the communication unit 452 are configured to function when there is no content data associated with a location related to the image data imaging point in the content storage unit 440. However, even when the content data exists in the content storage unit 440, it may function as described above.

  In order to understand the functions of the content extraction unit 456 and the communication unit 452, an example of the flow of content data extraction processing according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of the flow of content data extraction processing of the electronic album creation apparatus 412.

  As shown in the figure, first, in step 500, the content extraction unit 456 captures each image data based on the imaging point information added to each of the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage unit 436. Identify the point.

  In step 510, the content extraction unit 456 extracts content data associated with a location related to the imaging point from the content storage unit 440 based on the imaging point of each image data specified in step 500.

  In step 520, the imaging point information of each image data specified in step 500 by the content extraction unit 456 is obtained from the content extraction unit 456 of another electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′ via the communication unit 452, the network 454, and the communication unit 452 ′. 'Sent to.

  In step 530, the content extraction unit 456 'of the other electronic album creating apparatus 412' receives the imaging point information.

  In step 540, the content extraction unit 456 ′ of the other electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′ uses the content data associated with the location related to the imaging spot corresponding to the received imaging spot information as the other electronic album creating apparatus 412. Extracted from 'content storage unit 440'.

  In step 550, the content data extracted by the content extraction unit 456 ′ of the other electronic album creating apparatus 412 ′ is sent to the content extraction unit 456 via the communication unit 452 ′, the network 454, and the communication unit 452.

  In step 560, the content extraction unit 456 receives the content data extracted by the content extraction unit 456 'of another electronic album creating apparatus 412'.

  In step 570, the content extraction unit 456 sends the content data extracted in step 510 and the content data received in step 560 to the electronic album editing unit 444. The content data extraction process ends.

  According to this processing flow, content data stored in the content storage unit of another electronic album creating apparatus can be used.

  In addition, the electronic album creating system of the present embodiment may include a transmission destination identifying unit that identifies another electronic album creating apparatus from which the communication unit transmits imaging point information.

  The communication unit may transmit the imaging spot information to all the electronic album creating apparatuses other than the apparatus having the communication unit included in the electronic album creating system. However, the electronic album creating apparatus to which the imaging spot information is transmitted does not necessarily The content data associated with the place related to the imaging point corresponding to the point information is not necessarily stored. The transmission destination specifying unit specifies an electronic album creating apparatus that has a high possibility of storing content data associated with a location related to the imaging point corresponding to the imaging point information.

  The transmission destination specifying unit 458 refers to the imaging point information of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 436, and transmits the imaging point information to the electronic album creating apparatus existing at a location related to the imaging point. Is configured to be transmitted. Further, the transmission destination specifying unit 458 has device location information indicating the location of another electronic album creation device, and refers to the device location information to identify the transmission destination electronic album creation device.

  An example will be described. A traveler who visits the sightseeing spot A by using the electronic album creation device x owned by the photo shop X existing in the sightseeing spot A, with the content manager associated with the sightseeing spot A created by the device manager of the photo shop X It is assumed that (the user who wants the album later) creates image data relating to the tourist spot A and creates an electronic album using the electronic album creating apparatus y of the photo shop Y in the neighborhood of the traveler's home. The transmission destination specifying unit of the electronic album creating apparatus y specifies that the image data relates to the sightseeing spot A with reference to the imaging point information of the image data. Next, the transmission destination specifying unit specifies the electronic album creating apparatus x existing in the sightseeing spot A by referring to the device location information regarding the electronic album creating apparatus existing in the sightseeing spot A.

  Next, content that is sent from the electronic album creating apparatus y to the electronic album creating apparatus x specified by the transmission destination specifying unit to the imaging spot information related to the sightseeing spot A, and the contents associated with the sightseeing spot A from the creating apparatus x to the creating apparatus y Data is sent. The electronic album creating apparatus y incorporates the content data associated with the sightseeing spot A together with the image data related to the sightseeing spot A into the electronic album.

  Furthermore, the electronic album creation system according to the present embodiment may include a content server 460 having content data associated with a place, connected to the electronic album creation device 412 (412 ′) via the network 454. .

  The content server 460 stores a communication unit (second communication means) 462 that can communicate with the communication unit 452 of the electronic album creating apparatus 412 and content data (third content data) associated with the location. A unit (second content storage unit) 464 and a content extraction unit (second content extraction unit) 466 that extracts content data from the content storage unit 464.

  The communication unit 462 is configured to receive the imaging spot information transmitted from the communication unit 452 of the electronic album creating apparatus 412 and send the received imaging spot information to the content extraction unit 466. The content data sent from the content extraction unit 466 is transmitted to the communication unit 452 of the electronic album creating apparatus 412.

  When the content extraction unit 464 extracts content data associated with a location related to the imaging location from the content storage unit 464 based on the imaging location information sent from the communication unit 462, the content extraction unit 464 extracts the extracted content data. The image pickup points based on the image data are sent to the communication unit 462 in association with each other.

  With this configuration, when the content server 460 receives the imaging point information transmitted from the communication unit 452 of the electronic album creating apparatus 412, the content server 460 displays the content data associated with the location related to the imaging point as the imaging point information. The transmitted information is transmitted to the communication unit 452 of the transmitted electronic album creating apparatus 412.

Fourth embodiment.
In the third embodiment, when the transmission destination specifying unit is included, when the content data stored in another electronic album creation device is used, image data is captured by the electronic album creation device specified by the transmission destination specification unit. Sending point information. The imaging point information is transmitted to an electronic album creating apparatus that exists at the place where the content data associated with the place related to the imaging point is highly likely to be stored. However, there is a possibility that an electronic album device that does not exist at a location related to the imaging location corresponding to the imaging location information stores content data associated with the location. This embodiment deals with it.

  FIG. 7 shows an electronic album creation system of this embodiment. The electronic album creation system of this embodiment has a large number of electronic album creation devices (only two are shown for the sake of simplicity). Except for a location information management unit, a transmission destination specifying unit, and a communication unit (communication performed by the communication unit) to be described later, the other components of the electronic album creating apparatus are the same as those of the third embodiment. Accordingly, the same constituent elements as those of the third embodiment are indicated by numerical symbols obtained by adding 200 to the reference numerals of the constituent elements of the third embodiment in the drawing, and the description thereof is not necessary. Is omitted. Hereinafter, the location information management unit 666, the transmission destination specifying unit 668, and the communication unit 670 will be referred to.

  The location information management unit 666 holds location information added to each of the plurality of content data stored in the content storage unit 640 and is stored in the content storage unit 640 ′ of the other electronic album creating apparatus 612 ′. The location information added to each of the plurality of content data is also held. In other words, location information corresponding to each content data included in the entire electronic album creating system is held. Further, the stored location information is associated with information on an electronic album creating apparatus in which content data corresponding to the location information exists.

  In short, the location information management unit 666 has information that content data associated with the sightseeing spot B is stored in the electronic album creating apparatus z, for example.

  For this purpose, the location information management unit 666 and the communication unit 670 are configured as follows. Each time content data (content data created by the content creation unit 638) is newly stored in the content storage unit 640, the location information management unit 666 acquires and holds location information corresponding to the content data and acquires it. The location information is sent to the communication unit 652. The communication unit 652 transmits the location information to another electronic album creation device 612 ', and sends the location information transmitted from the electronic album creation device 612' to the location information management unit 666. When the communication unit 652 transmits location information to another electronic album creation device 612 ′, the location information includes device ID information for clarifying from which electronic album creation device the location information is transmitted. (For example, an IP address) is associated.

  The transmission destination specifying unit 668 is configured to specify an electronic album creating apparatus in which content data associated with a location related to the imaging point of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 636 is stored. Yes. Specifically, the transmission destination specifying unit 668 searches the location information management unit 666 for a location related to the imaging point of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 636, and an ID corresponding to the location information. By acquiring information from the location information management unit 666, the electronic album creating apparatus is specified. The transmission destination specifying unit 668 is configured to cause the communication unit 670 to transmit the imaging point information to the specified electronic album creating apparatus.

  Simply put, the transmission destination specifying unit 668 stores, for example, content data associated with the sightseeing spot C from the location information of the location information management unit 666 when the imaging point of the image data is the sightseeing spot C. Knowing that this is the electronic album creating apparatus w, the communication unit 670 is caused to transmit imaging point information to the electronic album creating apparatus w.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to use the content data associated with the location stored in the electronic album device that does not exist at the location related to the imaging point of the image data.

  As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, the electronic album creating apparatus and the electronic album for creating the electronic album in which the content data of the location related to the imaging point of the image data are incorporated together with the image data captured by the photographer The creation system can be in other forms. Examples of other forms will be given below.

  The electronic album creating apparatus corresponds to image data whose imaging point is unknown in addition to image data whose imaging point is known (image data to which imaging point information is added). You may comprise so that an electronic album can be produced using the image data to which imaging point information is not added.

  In that case, for example, the electronic album creating apparatus may be provided with an imaging point information acquisition unit in the electronic album creating apparatus.

  For example, after the image data acquisition unit acquires the image data, the imaging point information acquisition unit displays the acquired image data on the display screen, for example, and inputs the information on the imaging point of the displayed image data. Prompts the album applicant to input via The imaging point information acquisition unit adds the input imaging point information to the corresponding image data stored in the image data storage unit. Thus, the image data to which the imaging point information input by the album applicant is added can be handled in the same manner as the image data to which the imaging point information created by the imaging device with the GPS function is added.

  In the above description, the imaging point information acquisition unit associates imaging point information with a part of image data of which the imaging point is unknown in the plurality of image data by the input of the album creator. Even when the imaging points of all of the image data are unknown, the information of the imaging points can be associated with the input of the album creator.

  This makes it possible to create an electronic album from a non-data format such as a photo or film. In that case, the image data acquisition unit has a scanner and acquires image data from a photograph or film. At this time, imaging point information is added to the image data created from the photograph or film by the imaging point information acquisition unit described above. However, it is assumed that the album applicant knows the imaging point.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic album creating system having an electronic album creating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an electronic album creation process flowchart. It is a schematic block diagram of the electronic album production apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a content data update process flowchart. It is a schematic block diagram of the electronic album production system which has an electronic album production apparatus concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a content extraction processing flowchart of the electronic album creation apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the electronic album production system which has an electronic album production apparatus concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

12: Electronic album creation device 18: Image data acquisition means 22, 24: Location information acquisition means 26: Original content acquisition means 38: Content creation means 40: Content storage means 42: Content extraction means 44: Electronic album editing means

Claims (9)

An electronic album creation device for creating an electronic album that causes a computer to output a plurality of image data,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image data to which information of imaging points is added;
Content storage means for storing content data associated with the place;
Original content acquisition means for acquiring original content data as candidates for content data;
A location information acquisition means for acquiring location information corresponding to the original content data;
Content creation means for creating content data by associating the location information acquired by the location information acquisition means with the original content data acquired by the original content acquisition means;
Content extraction means for extracting from the content storage means content data associated with a location related to the imaging point of the acquired image data;
An electronic album editing means for editing an electronic album having the image data acquired by the image data acquisition means and the content data extracted by the content extraction means ;
First content data created by the content creation means, and second content data stored in the content storage means associated with a place having a predetermined positional relationship with a place corresponding to the first content data Content output means for outputting;
A selection input means for making an input corresponding to the content data selected by the apparatus administrator from the output first and second content data;
When an input corresponding to the first content data is executed by the selection input means, the first content data is stored in the content storage means instead of the second content data, and the input corresponding to the second content data When the selection input unit executes, the content update unit maintains the second content data stored in the content storage unit . A communication means for performing communication;
The content extraction means is configured to send information on the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition means to the communication means, and the communication means is configured to transmit the information to another electronic album creation device,
When the communication means receives the information of the imaging point from another electronic album creating apparatus, the communication means sends the information to the content extraction means, and the content extraction means displays the content data associated with the location related to the imaging point as the content. Extracted from the storage means and sent to the communication means, the communication means is configured to transmit the content data to another electronic album creating device, and
2. The electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to send the content data to another content extracting unit upon receiving content data from another electronic album creating apparatus. It has information on the location of other electronic album creation devices,
Based on the location information, the other electronic album creation device that exists at a location related to the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is specified, and the communication unit detects the imaging point information for the other specified electronic album creation device. The electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a transmission destination specifying unit configured to transmit. The electronic album creating apparatus of the content storage means in which the content data is stored as the location information corresponding to each of the content data stored in the content storage means and stored in the content storage means of the other electronic album creating apparatus Location information management means associated with the ID information of
The location related to the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is searched from the location information of the location information management unit, and the communication unit transmits the imaging point information to the electronic album device corresponding to the searched location information. The electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a transmission destination specifying unit configured to do the above. The location information management means acquires and holds the location information corresponding to the content data newly stored in the content storage means and sends it to the communication means. The communication means creates the other electronic album Configured to transmit to the device; and
5. The electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the communication unit is configured to send the location information from another electronic album device to the location information management unit. An electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first communication means for communicating,
Corresponding to the second communication means for performing communication, the second content storage means for storing the third content data associated with the location, and the location related to the imaging location when receiving the information of the imaging location A content server comprising second content extraction means for extracting the attached third content data from the second content storage means;
In an electronic album creation system having
The content extraction unit of the electronic album creating apparatus sends information about the imaging point of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit to the first communication unit, and the first communication unit transmits the information to the content server. Composed of
When the second communication unit of the content server receives the information of the imaging point from the electronic album creating apparatus, the information is sent to the second content extracting unit, and the extracting unit associates the third point associated with the place related to the imaging point. Content data is extracted and sent to the second communication means, and the second communication means is configured to transmit the third content data to the electronic album creating apparatus; and
An electronic album creating system, wherein the first communication means of the electronic album creating apparatus is configured to send the third content data to the content extracting means when it is received. 3. An electronic album creating system comprising: the electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 1; and imaging means for adding imaging point information to captured image data. The image data acquisition means is configured to acquire the second image data to which information on the imaging point is not added,
Input means for inputting information of an imaging point of the second image data;
Electronic album creating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has an imaging point information acquisition means for associating the information of the input captured points to the input means and the second image data. An electronic album creation device for creating an electronic album that causes a computer to output a plurality of image data,
Image data acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image data to which information of an imaging point is not added;
An input means for inputting information of imaging points of a plurality of image data;
An imaging point information acquisition unit that associates the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit with the information of the imaging point input to the input unit;
Content storage means for storing content data associated with the place;
Original content acquisition means for acquiring original content data as candidates for content data;
A location information acquisition means for acquiring location information corresponding to the original content data;
Content creation means for creating content data by associating the location information acquired by the location information acquisition means with the original content data acquired by the original content acquisition means;
Content extraction means for extracting from the content storage means content data associated with a location related to the imaging location associated with the image data;
An electronic album editing means for editing an electronic album having the image data acquired by the image data acquisition means and the content data extracted by the content extraction means ;
First content data created by the content creation means, and second content data stored in the content storage means associated with a place having a predetermined positional relationship with a place corresponding to the first content data Content output means for outputting;
A selection input means for making an input corresponding to the content data selected by the apparatus administrator from the output first and second content data;
When an input corresponding to the first content data is executed by the selection input means, the first content data is stored in the content storage means instead of the second content data, and the input corresponding to the second content data When the selection input unit executes, the content update unit maintains the second content data stored in the content storage unit .

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