JP5612924B2 - Image management apparatus, image providing method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management apparatus, an image providing method, a program, and a storage medium.

  In recent years, services for managing photographic images taken by users with a server have been developed. Further, a business has been developed in which a print order for a photographic image managed by a server is received and the photographic image is printed and provided to a user. Patent Document 1 discloses a photo print ordering system that can easily and inexpensively construct a photo print ordering process in cooperation with an image sharing server.

JP 2010-1113629 A

  For example, when creating an original album (for example, a photo book) in which photographic images taken by a user are incorporated, it is desirable that the photographic images incorporated in the album can be flexibly organized. For example, when the photographed image is out of focus, the quality of the album can be improved if the image can be replaced with an image photographed near the place where the image was photographed. Also, for example, if the album can be supplemented with photo images taken by other persons, the sense of unity of the album can be enhanced.

  Here, when performing flexible organization of the photographic images incorporated in the album, it is convenient for the user to be able to search for an image taken near the place where the user's image was taken.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image management apparatus, an image providing method, a program, and a storage medium capable of performing an image search using a position corresponding to an image using an image as a search condition. For the purpose.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image management apparatus according to the present invention is an image management apparatus that is connected to a user terminal via a network and manages an image, and stores at least a plurality of images associated with position information. Image storage means, position information acquisition means for acquiring image position information based on information from a user terminal that has selected an image associated with position information, and an image acquired by the position information acquisition means Image selecting means for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in the image storage means based on the position information of the image, and image providing means for providing the user terminal with the image selected by the image selecting means It is characterized by including these.

  The image providing method according to the present invention includes a step in which an image management apparatus connected to a user terminal via a network and managing images stores a plurality of images associated with at least position information in an image storage unit; The image management apparatus acquires a position information of an image based on information from a user terminal that has selected an image associated with the position information, and the image management apparatus performs the position information acquisition step. An image selection step for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in the image storage means based on the received image position information, and the image management device selects the image selected in the image selection step. An image providing step of providing to the user terminal.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as an image management apparatus that manages images and is connected to a user terminal via a network, and stores at least a plurality of images associated with position information. Means for storing in the means, position information acquisition means for acquiring the position information of the image based on information from the user terminal that has selected the image associated with the position information, position information of the image acquired by the position information acquisition means The computer as image selection means for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in the image storage means, and image providing means for providing the user terminal with the image selected by the image selection means Is made to function.

  A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program that is connected to a user terminal via a network and that causes a computer to function as an image management apparatus that manages images. Means for storing a plurality of associated images in an image storage means; position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of an image based on information from a user terminal that has selected an image associated with position information; An image selection unit that selects an image from a plurality of images stored in the image storage unit based on the position information of the image acquired by the unit, and the image selected by the image selection unit is sent to the user terminal. Stored a program characterized by causing the computer to function as image providing means to be provided Computer is a readable storage medium.

  In the present invention, an image is selected based on image position information acquired based on information from a user terminal that has selected the image. In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform an image search using a position corresponding to an image using the image as a search condition.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the image selecting means indicates a position indicated by position information associated with an image received from a user terminal, and a position indicated by position information associated with an image stored in the image storage means. And an image whose distance is within a predetermined range is selected.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the image processing device further includes representative position specifying means for specifying a representative position based on position information of a plurality of images acquired by the position information acquiring means, and the image selecting means includes the representative position. An image is selected based on the above.

  In this aspect, the representative position may be a position corresponding to the center of gravity of the position indicated by the position information associated with each image received from the user.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the image stored in the image storage means is associated with time information indicating the time when the image was captured, and the image selected by the user terminal is captured. The image selecting means selects an image based on the time information associated with the image selected by the user terminal.

  In this aspect, the image selecting means indicates the time indicated by the time information associated with the image selected by the user terminal, and the time indicated by the time information associated with the image stored in the image storage means. Images in which the difference between them is within a predetermined range may be selected.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the image selection unit selects an image based on at least one of information indicating an address related to the user and information indicating the user's preference.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the image management system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an album organization screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a reference image list screen. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function implement | achieved by the server which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of image attribute data. It is a figure which shows an example of image addition attribute data. It is a figure which shows an example of user attribute data. It is a figure which shows an example of album management data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed with the server which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image management system 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an image management system 10 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a server 12 (functioning as an image management apparatus in the present embodiment) and user terminals (clients) 14 (14-1 to 14). -N). The server 12 and each user terminal 14 are connected to a network 16 such as the Internet, and the server 12 and the user terminal 14 can communicate with each other.

  The server 12 is, for example, a control unit that is a program control device such as a CPU that operates according to a program installed in the server 12, a storage unit such as a ROM or RAM, a storage unit such as a hard disk drive, or a communication interface such as a network board. A communication unit is included. These elements are connected via a bus. A program executed by the control unit of the server 12 is stored in the storage unit of the server 12. The storage unit of the server 12 also operates as a work memory of the server 12.

  The user terminal 14 includes, for example, a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM, a storage device such as a hard disk drive, an output device such as a display, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and a communication device such as a network board. It is comprised by the well-known personal computer.

  Here, an overview of the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, photographic images taken with a camera equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function are managed. In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of images are managed as one unit. In this embodiment, a management unit in which a plurality of images are collected is referred to as an album. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of images constituting the album is associated with a page.

  In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, the album organization screen 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 is displayed and output on the display of the user terminal 14. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the album organization screen 20. The album organization screen 20 includes, for example, a user-provided image display area 22, a preview display area 24, and a layout display area 26. In the present embodiment, for example, the user-provided image display area 22 is arranged at the top of the album organization screen 20. A preview display area 24 is arranged in the center of the album organization screen 20. A layout display area 26 is arranged at the bottom of the album organization screen 20.

  In the user-provided image display area 22, user-provided images 28 that are images (for example, photographic images) provided by the user are displayed in a list. In the layout display area 26, album registration images 30 which are images registered in the album are displayed side by side for each page. In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the user performs an operation on the user terminal 14 to specify the preview target image 32 corresponding to two spread pages (for example, when the preview target image 32 is clicked), the specified The preview target image 32 is enlarged and displayed in the preview display area 24, and the designated preview target image 32 is highlighted in the layout display area 26 (for example, the preview target image 32 is indicated by a frame line 34). Surrounded).

  When the user performs an operation on the user terminal 14 to specify a user-provided image 28 to be registered in the album and a page in the album in which the user-provided image 28 is placed (for example, a page in the preview display area 24). When the user-provided image 28 is dragged and dropped), the user-provided image 28 is registered as an album registration image 30 in the album. Then, on the album organization screen 20, the user-provided image 28 registered in the album as the album registration image 30 is displayed on the corresponding page in the preview display area 24 and the corresponding page in the layout display area 26.

  In the present embodiment, a complement button 36 is arranged at a position corresponding to each page in the preview display area 24. The complement button 36 is associated with the page number. When the user performs an operation of clicking the complement button 36 on the user terminal 14, for example, a reference image list screen 38 illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed and output on the display of the user terminal 14. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the reference image list screen 38. The reference image list screen 38 displays a list of reference images 40 that are images provided by a person (for example, a professional photographer) different from the user of the image management system 10. When the user performs an operation for selecting the reference image 40 from these images on the user terminal 14 (for example, when the user clicks the reference image 40), the selected reference image 40 is registered in the album as the album registration image 30. Is done. On the album organization screen 20, the reference image 40 registered in the album as the album registration image 30 is a position corresponding to the page in the preview display area 24 and the layout display area 26 where the complement button 36 is clicked. Is displayed.

  Here, functions realized by the server 12 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions realized by the server 12 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 12 includes a user-provided image storage unit 50, a user attribute data storage unit 52, a reference image storage unit 54, a reception unit 56, a user-provided image registration unit 58, an album organization process execution unit 60, an album. A management data storage unit 62, a position information acquisition unit 64, a representative position specifying unit 66, a reference image selection unit 68, and a reference image providing unit 70 are configured. The user-provided image storage unit 50, the user attribute data storage unit 52, the reference image storage unit 54, and the album management data storage unit 62 are realized mainly by the storage unit of the server 12. Other elements are realized mainly by the control unit of the server 12.

  These elements are realized by executing a program installed in the server 12, which is a computer, by the control unit of the server 12. The program is supplied to the server 12 via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or via a communication network such as the Internet.

  In the present embodiment, the user-provided image storage unit 50 stores, for example, a user-provided image 28 that is an image provided by a user of the image management system 10. In the present embodiment, the user-provided image storage unit 50 also stores image attribute data 72 illustrated in FIG. 5 and image additional attribute data 74 illustrated in FIG. 6 that are associated with the user-provided image 28. Yes.

  The image attribute data 72 is data indicating image attributes (specifically, for example, Exif data, DCF data, etc.), for example, shooting date / time data indicating the shooting date / time of the image, and position information corresponding to the image. Position information data (for example, latitude and longitude corresponding to the position of the camera, data indicating altitude, data indicating an address, etc., measured by GPS mounted on the camera) and the like are included.

  The image additional attribute data 74 is data indicating an additional attribute of the image, and includes, for example, an image ID that is an identifier of the image, file name data that indicates the name of the file, a user ID that indicates the identifier of the user who provided the image, and the like. Contains.

  In the present embodiment, the user attribute data storage unit 52 stores user attribute data 76 illustrated in FIG. The user attribute data 76 includes, for example, a user ID indicating a user identifier, name data indicating a user name, address data indicating a user address, telephone number data indicating a user telephone number, and a facsimile number indicating a user facsimile number. Data, preference data indicating user preferences (for example, hobbies, favorite sightseeing spots, etc.).

  In the present embodiment, the reference image storage unit 54 stores, for example, a reference image 40 that is an image provided by a person different from the user of the image management system 10. In this embodiment, the reference image storage unit 54 also stores image attribute data 72 associated with the reference image 40 as in FIG. The reference image 40 is associated with an image ID that is an identifier of the image. In the present embodiment, a unique image ID is associated with an image stored in the storage unit of the server 12.

  In the present embodiment, when the receiving unit 56 receives the user-provided image 28 associated with the image attribute data 72 from the user terminal 14, the user-provided image registration unit 58 generates new image additional attribute data 74. The user-provided image 28 is output to the user-provided image storage unit 50 in association with the user-provided image 28.

  In the present embodiment, when the receiving unit 56 receives a request for creating new album management data 78 (see FIG. 8) from the user terminal 14, the album organization processing execution unit 60 displays the album management data shown in FIG. 78 is newly created and output to the album management data storage unit 62.

  The album management data 78 is data corresponding to the album. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the album management data 78. The album management data 78 includes one album ID which is an identifier of the album management data 78, for example. The album management data 78 includes, for example, a plurality of combinations of page number data indicating album page numbers and image IDs. In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, an image corresponding to the image ID included in the album management data 78 is handled as the album registration image 30. The page number data does not need to be associated with the image ID. In the present embodiment, for example, the album management data 78 in the initial state does not include any image ID.

  In the present embodiment, the album organization processing execution unit 60 generates the above-described album organization screen 20 based on the album management data 78 in response to a request from the user terminal 14 and displays and outputs it on the display of the user terminal 14. . At this time, the album organization processing execution unit 60 selects the album registration image 30 specified based on the image ID included in the album management data 78 in the layout display area 26 according to the page number corresponding to the album registration image 30. Place it at the specified position.

  In the present embodiment, when the receiving unit 56 receives an operation for designating the preview target image 32 from the user terminal 14, the album organization processing execution unit 60 updates the album organization screen 20. Specifically, for example, the album organization processing execution unit 60 enlarges the designated preview target image 32 and arranges it in the preview display area 24, and also designates the designated preview target image 32 in the layout display area 26. Highlight. Then, the album organization processing execution unit 60 displays and outputs the album organization screen 20 updated in this way on the display of the user terminal 14.

  In the present embodiment, when the receiving unit 56 receives from the user terminal 14 the designation of the user-provided image 28 to be placed in the album and the page on which the user-provided image 28 is placed, the album organization process executing unit 60. Associates the image ID associated with the user-provided image 28 as the image ID included in the album management data 78 with the corresponding page number data. In this way, the user-provided image 28 is registered in the album as the album registration image 30.

  Then, the album organization processing execution unit 60 updates the album organization screen 20 based on the updated album management data 78. Then, the album organization processing execution unit 60 displays and outputs the updated album organization screen 20 on the display of the user terminal 14.

  Here, an example of the flow of processing performed by the server 12 according to the present embodiment when the user clicks the complement button 36 on the user terminal 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this processing example, it is assumed that several user-provided images 28 are registered in the album as album registration images 30 in advance.

  First, the reception unit 56 receives a page number associated with the clicked complement button 36 from the user terminal 14 (S101). Then, the album organization process execution unit 60 confirms whether there is an album registration image 30 associated with the page number received in the process shown in S101 (S102).

  If it exists (S102: Y), the position information acquisition unit 64 acquires position information associated with the album registration image 30 (S103). Then, the reference image selection unit 68 selects the reference image 40 based on the position information acquired in the process shown in S103 (S104). Specifically, the reference image selection unit 68 compares the position information of the album registration image 30 acquired in the process shown in S103 with the position information of the reference image 40, for example, and indicates the position indicated by the position information of the album registration image 30. A reference image 40 having a distance from is within a predetermined range is selected.

  When it is confirmed in the process shown in S102 that the album registration image 30 does not exist (S102: N), the position information acquisition unit 64 selects the album registration image 30 from the previous and next pages and acquires two pieces of position information. (S105). For example, when the album registration image 30 does not exist in the preview image 32 on the 4th and 5th pages shown in FIG. 2, the position information acquisition unit 64, the album registration image 30 on the 2nd and 3rd pages and the album registration image on the 6th and 7th pages. 30 is selected to acquire position information. As described above, by acquiring the position information of the album registration image 30 from the previous and next pages, the position information similar to the preview target image 32 is acquired even when the album registration image 30 does not exist in the preview target image 32. become able to.

  Then, the representative position specifying unit 66 specifies a representative position representing the position indicated by each of the two pieces of position information acquired in the process shown in S105 (S106). Specifically, the representative position specifying unit 66 specifies, for example, the midpoint of the position indicated by each of the two pieces of position information as the representative position. If only one album registration image 30 is specified in the process shown in S105, the position indicated by the position information associated with the album registration image 30 is specified as the representative position in the process shown in S106. You may do it.

  Then, the reference image selection unit 68 selects the reference image 40 based on the representative position specified in the process shown in S106 (S107). Specifically, the reference image selection unit 68 selects, for example, the reference image 40 whose distance from the representative position specified in the process shown in S106 of the position indicated by the associated position information is within a predetermined range. To do.

  When the process shown in S104 or S107 ends, the reference image providing unit 70 generates a reference image list screen 38 including the reference images 40 selected in the process shown in S104 or S107 as a list, and displays it on the display of the user terminal 14. The display is output (S108). In this way, the reference image 40 is provided to the user terminal 14.

  Here, when the receiving unit 56 receives from the user terminal 14 designation of an image to be registered as the album registration image 30 from among the reference images 40 (S109), the album organization process execution unit 60 performs the process shown in S109. The image ID corresponding to the image specified by is associated with the page number data included in the album management data 78 and indicating the page number received in the process shown in S101 (S110). That is, the album organization process execution unit 60 adds the reference image 40 selected by the user to the album management data 78 and updates it.

  Then, the album organization processing execution unit 60 updates the album organization screen 20 based on the updated album management data 78, and displays and outputs the updated album organization screen 20 on the display of the user terminal 14 (S111).

  As described above, according to the present processing example, the reference image 40 is searched based on the position information associated with the user-provided image 28, so that the photographed image is out of focus or traveled. If you forget to shoot the ground, you can complement the image.

  Specifically, in the processing example described above, if there is an album registration image 30 of the preview target image 32 associated with the page number received in the processing shown in S101 in the processing shown in S102, the processing proceeds to S110. In the processing shown, the album registration image 30 that is the user-provided image 28 is replaced with the album registration image 30 that is the reference image 40. In this way, in the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the user-provided image 28 registered as the album registration image 30 is out of focus, the user-provided registered in the album The image 28 can be replaced with a reference image 40 taken at a position close to the shooting position of the user-provided image 28.

  Further, in the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the album registration image 30 of the preview target image 32 does not exist, the reference image 40 is within the frame line 34 of the preview target image 32 in the process shown in S110. An album registration image 30 is arranged. As a result, the album can be supplemented by the reference image 40 even if it was assumed that the image was taken while traveling, but was not actually taken.

  In the image management system 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the server 12 receives an album sharing request with another user, the server 12 responds to the album browsing request from the user terminal 14 used by the other user. Accordingly, the access right of the album is changed so that this album can be browsed.

  For example, when the server 12 receives an album print request from the user terminal 14, the album registration image 30 is printed out from the printer connected to the server 12 in the order of the associated page numbers.

  For example, when the server 12 accepts an album binding request from the user terminal 14, the server 12 is notified to that effect by e-mail or the like. Here, the business operator binds the album in which the album registration image 30 is arranged on each page so as to correspond to the album management data 78 corresponding to the user of the user terminal 14 and mails it to the user of the user terminal 14. It may be. In this way, the user can create an original album (for example, a photo book) more easily than before.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

  For example, the position information acquisition unit 64 may acquire position information associated with each of the three or more album registration images 30. Then, the reference image selection unit 68 may select the reference image 40 whose distance from the representative position corresponding to the center of gravity of the position indicated by each of the plurality of pieces of position information is within a predetermined range.

  Further, for example, the reference image 40 may be associated with the name or address of a tourist spot. Then, the reference image selecting unit 68 uses the position indicated by the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 64 or the representative position specified by the representative position specifying unit 66 as the name or address of the associated tourist spot or the like. The corresponding reference image 40 may be selected.

  Further, for example, the reference image selection unit 68 selects the reference image 40 based not only on the position information but also on time information associated with the user-provided image 28 (for example, shooting date / time data in the present embodiment). You may make it do.

  For example, the reference image selection unit 68, from the reference image 40 selected in the process shown in S104 in the above-described processing example, the shooting date and time of the album registration image 30 corresponding to the page number accepted in the process shown in S101, You may make it narrow down and select the reference image 40 in which the difference with the imaging | photography date of the reference image 40 exists in a predetermined range. At this time, the reference image providing unit 70 may arrange the reference images 40 side by side on the reference image list screen 38 in ascending order of difference between the shooting date / time of the album registration image 30 and the shooting date / time of the reference image 40. . Accordingly, for example, when the reference image 40 whose date difference is within a predetermined range is narrowed down, the reference image 40 taken in the winter is selected in the case of a photo in which photographs taken in the winter are arranged side by side. It becomes like this. Further, for example, when the reference image 40 whose time difference is within a predetermined range is narrowed down, in the case of a photo in which night views are arranged, the reference image 40 taken in the night time zone is selected. .

  In addition, for example, the reference image selection unit 68 selects two albums in which the shooting date and time of the reference image 40 is specified in the process shown in S105 from the reference images 40 selected in the process shown in S107 in the above-described processing example. You may make it narrow down and select the reference image 40 between the imaging | photography dates of each registration image 30. FIG. In this way, for example, the reference image 40 showing the daytime state is arranged between the album registration images 30 showing the daytime state.

  For example, the reception unit 56 may receive information indicating the date and time corresponding to the reference image 40 to be selected from the user terminal 14. Then, the album organization processing execution unit 60 specifies the album registration image 30 whose shooting date / time is closest to this date / time among the album registration images 30 whose shooting date / time is earlier than this date / time, and the shooting date / time is this date / time. Alternatively, the album registration image 30 with the shooting date and time closest to this date and time may be specified in the album registration image 30 later. Then, the position information acquisition unit 64 may acquire the position information of each of these two album registration images 30. Then, the representative position specifying unit 66 may specify the midpoint of the position indicated by each of these two pieces of position information as the representative position. Then, the reference image selection unit 68 may select the reference image 40 based on the representative position specified in this way. This is because position information is obtained based on the analogy that there is a high possibility that each album registration image 30 with a close shooting date and time is shot at a close place, and the reference image 40 is selected based on this position information.

  Further, for example, at least one piece of data indicating the type (category) of an image such as “landscape”, “seasonal event”, “gourmet”, or the like may be associated with the reference image 40. In this case, for example, when the reference image selection unit 68 has a predetermined distance between the position where the user-provided image 28 is photographed and the place where the user specified based on the user attribute data 76 lives. For example, the reference image 40 whose image type is “seasonal event” is preferentially selected. Alternatively, the reference image 40 whose image type is “seasonal event” or “landscape” may be selected with priority. Thus, the reference image selection unit 68 may select the reference image 40 based on information indicating an address related to the user.

  Further, the reference image selection unit 68 may select the reference image 40 based on, for example, information indicating the user's preference. For example, when the value of the preference data included in the user attribute data 76 is “gourmet”, the reference image selection unit 68 preferentially selects the reference image 40 whose image type is “gourmet”. Also good.

  Further, the division of roles between the server 12 and the user terminal 14 in the image management system 10 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the server 12 shown in FIG. For example, a user image management apparatus server that is connected to the user terminal 14 via the network 16 and manages user images, and a material image management apparatus server that is connected via the network 16 and stores the reference image 40 are provided. Prepare. In this case, the user image management apparatus server requests the reference image 40 based on the position information or the like from the material image management apparatus server via the network 16, and the material image management apparatus server stores the position information of the user image management apparatus server. A reference image 40 is returned based on the request. Moreover, the specific numerical values and character strings described above and the specific numerical values and character strings in the drawings are examples, and are not limited to these numerical values and character strings.

  10 image management system, 12 server, 14 user terminal (client), 16 network, 20 album organization screen, 22 user-provided image display area, 24 preview display area, 26 layout display area, 28 user-provided image, 30 album registration image, 32 image to be previewed, 34 frame, 36 complement button, 38 reference image list screen, 40 reference image, 50 user provided image storage unit, 52 user attribute data storage unit, 54 reference image storage unit, 56 reception unit, 58 user provided Image registration unit, 60 album organization processing execution unit, 62 album management data storage unit, 64 position information acquisition unit, 66 representative position specifying unit, 68 reference image selection unit, 70 reference image providing unit, 72 image attribute data, 74 image addition Attribute data, 76 User attribute data, 7 8 Album management data.

Claims (12)

An image management apparatus that manages at least an image associated with position information in association with a page ,
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of an image associated with at least one page ;
From the image a plurality of images at least the position information is associated respectively stored in the image storage means is stored, on the basis of the positional information of the obtained image by the position information acquisition unit, an image selected Image selection means to
Association means for associating the image selected by the image selection means with a page corresponding to the at least one page;
An image management apparatus comprising: The position information acquisition unit acquires position information of an image associated with a designated page or pages before and after the page,
The association unit associates the image selected by the image selection unit with the designated page;
The image management apparatus according to claim 1. The image selection means has a predetermined distance between the position indicated by the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means and the position indicated by the position information associated with the image stored in the image storage means. Select an image within the range of,
Image management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. Representative position specifying means for specifying a representative position based on position information of a plurality of images acquired by the position information acquiring means,
The image selecting means selects an image based on the representative position;
Image management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. The representative position is a position corresponding to the center of gravity of the position indicated by each of the position information of the plurality of images acquired by the position information acquisition unit .
The image management apparatus according to claim 4 . The image stored in the image storage means is associated with time information indicating the time when the image was taken;
The image from which the position information is acquired by the position information acquisition means is associated with time information indicating the time when the image was captured;
The image selection means selects an image based on time information associated with the acquired image;
Image management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that. The image selection means indicates the time indicated by the time information associated with the image whose position information has been acquired by the position information acquisition means, and the time information associated with the image stored in the image storage means. Select an image that has a difference between the time and a predetermined range.
The image management apparatus according to claim 6 . The image selection means includes a period specified based on time information associated with each of the plurality of images for which position information has been acquired by the position information acquisition means, and an image stored in the image storage means. Select an image based on when the associated time information indicates,
The image management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image management apparatus is an image management apparatus. Wherein the image selection means, information indicating an address associated with the User chromatography THE, and selects an image based on at least one of information indicating a preference of the user,
Image management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that. A position information acquisition step in which an image management apparatus that manages at least an image associated with position information in association with a page acquires position information of an image associated with at least one page ;
The image management apparatus is based on the position information of the image acquired by the position information acquisition step from among the images stored in the image storage means in which a plurality of images each associated with at least position information is stored. Te, an image selection step of selecting images,
An association step in which the image management device associates the image selected in the image selection step with a page corresponding to the at least one page;
An image management method comprising: A program that causes a computer to function as an image management apparatus that manages at least an image associated with position information in association with a page ,
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of an image associated with at least one page ;
From the image a plurality of images at least the position information is associated respectively stored in the image storage means is stored, on the basis of the positional information of the obtained image by the position information acquisition unit, an image selected Image selection means,
Association means for associating the image selected by the image selection means with a page corresponding to the at least one page;
A program for causing the computer to function as: A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as an image management apparatus that manages at least an image associated with position information in association with a page ,
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of an image associated with at least one page ;
From the image a plurality of images at least the position information is associated respectively stored in the image storage means is stored, on the basis of the positional information of the obtained image by the position information acquisition unit, an image selected Image selection means,
Association means for associating the image selected by the image selection means with a page corresponding to the at least one page;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes the computer to function as:

Images