JPH04143863A - Picture retrieving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively retrieve the pictures by reproducing and displaying successively a reduce picture at and after the picture signal following a standard picture displayed when a picture retrieval is commanded by the reduced picture during the reproduction and display of the standard picture. CONSTITUTION:When a picture retrieval commanded the number of a standard picture displayed right before the retrieval is commanded is read. Then a reduced picture is reproduced and displayed so that the picture numbers are gradually increased at and after the picture number following the read picture number or the picture numbers are gradually reduced at and after the picture number preceding the read picture number. In other words, the reduced pictures of picture number 1 and 2 are successively displayed at the prescribed display positions. When the reduced picture of number 9 is displayed, the next reduced picture of number 10 is displayed at a precedent position. Thus the pictures can be effectively retrieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image search method for searching images recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic disk.

[Prior Art] Since a magneto-optical disk has a relatively large capacity, it is possible to record a considerable number of images (still images) thereon. If the number of frames increases, it will take a considerable amount of time to search frame by frame to find out what kind of still images are recorded on the magneto-optical disk. Therefore, it has been proposed that when recording a standard image of a normal size, a reduced image is generated by reducing it at a predetermined ratio and is recorded together with the standard image.

In this way, if you form a reduced image in advance and record it on a magneto-optical disk, you can reproduce it and create multiple images (for example, 9).
Reduced images of frames can be displayed simultaneously on one screen. By allowing nine frames to be viewed simultaneously on one screen in this way, it is possible to efficiently search for a desired frame from a large number of frames by sequentially changing the displayed content. Become.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the conventional image search method simply reproduces the reduced images in the order in which they were recorded, which is inconvenient as it takes time to search for a desired image.

For example, 50 frames of images are recorded on a given disk, and you looked at the standard images from the beginning to the 20th frame, but from now on, you will observe the reduced images, and only the images that are considered necessary will be used as the standard images. If you want to see them, you can command a search and the reduced images will be displayed in order starting from the first one. Therefore, the display of reduced images up to the 20th, which has already been confirmed, has become a completely useless display.

The present invention was developed in view of this situation and enables efficient searching.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The image retrieval method according to claim 1 retrieves a desired image from a recording medium in which a standard image of a normal size and a reduced image obtained by reducing the standard image at a predetermined ratio are recorded. In the image search method for searching, when a search is commanded, the step of reading the image number of the standard image that was displayed immediately before the search was commanded, and the step of sequentially increasing the image number from the image number next to the read image number. or so that the image numbers become smaller sequentially from the previous image number,
The image retrieval method according to claim 2 is characterized in that a desired image is retrieved from a recording medium in which a standard image of a normal size and a reduced image obtained by reducing the standard image at a predetermined ratio are recorded. In the image search method for searching, there is a step of specifying the search direction, and when the search method is specified as the first direction, from the left end of the top row on one screen divided into sXt pieces to the right. move,
When the right edge is reached, move to the left edge of the row below it, move leftward from the right edge of the bottom row, and when the left edge is reached, move to the left edge of the row above it, The process of displaying the reduced images in such a way that the image numbers become smaller and thicker so as to return to the left edge, and when the search direction has been specified as the second direction, one divided into sXt pieces is displayed. The reduced image is moved to the right end of the bottom row on the screen, and when it reaches the left end of the top row, it returns to the right end of the bottom row, which is the opposite of the case when searching in the first direction. The method is characterized by comprising a step of sequentially displaying the images in order of their number.

[Function] In the image search method according to claim 1, for example, when a search using a reduced image is commanded while a predetermined standard image is being played back or displayed, from the image signal next to the displayed standard image, The reduced images are played and displayed in sequence. Therefore, efficient search becomes possible.

In the image search method according to claim 2, when one search direction is specified for each area of one screen divided into s×t matrixes, the image numbers increase sequentially from the upper left to the lower right. When the other search direction is specified, the reduced images are displayed so that the image number decreases from the lower right to the upper left. Therefore,
By appropriately selecting the search direction, efficient search becomes possible.

Embodiment FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a magneto-optical disk device to which the image retrieval method of the present invention is applied.

The input video signal is processed by the A/D converter 1, for example, 1
After being A/D converted into digital data of 8 bits per pixel, the data is supplied to the frame memory 2 and the reduced image memory 5 via the data bus and stored therein. The data read from the frame memory 2 is supplied to the D/A converter 3 via the data bus, and the output of the D/A converter 3 is transferred to a CR (not shown).
It is output to a monitor such as T.

The memory controller 4 controls writing and reading of the frame memory 2 and the reduced image memory 5 in synchronization with the clock input from the A/D converter M1. The path changeover switch 6 is controlled by the CPU 9 to switch and connect the data bus on the CPU 9 side to the input side data bus or the output side data bus of the frame memory 2 and the reduced image memory 5.

Drive device 7 containing a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk
is connected to the 5C3I controller 8 via the 5C3I bus. The 5csr controller 8 includes a bus selector switch 6, a memory controller 4, a CPU 9, and an RO that stores programs for the CPU 9 via a data bus on the CPU side.
It is connected to a program memory 10 consisting of M and a program memory 11 consisting of RAM. When a predetermined command is input from the operation unit 16, the CPU 9 executes the program according to the program stored in the program memory 10.11.
Control each part.

DMA (Dir
ectMemory Access) D that controls transfer
For the memory controller 4, the MA controller 12
The clock signal MRC is used when reading the frame memory 2 or the reduced image memory 5, and the clock signal M when writing the frame memory 2 or the reduced image memory 5.
WC is supplied respectively. In addition, the DMA controller 12 inputs the ■OW signal when recording data on the disk of the drive device 7, and the l0R (number 3) when reproducing data to the 5C3I controller 8. When the DMA transfer request signal DMA REQ is inputted, an acknowledge signal DMAACK is supplied to the SC3I controller 8 via the interrupt circuit 13 when DMA transfer becomes possible.

Note that this interruption circuit 13 can also be placed in the signal path of the request signal DMAREQ.

The interruption circuit 13 includes a reduced image 1 line counter 15 that counts the acknowledge signal DMAACK by one line of the reduced image, and a switch 14 that is turned on and off by the output of the reduced image 1 line counter 15.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be explained.

In the monitor mode, the CPU 9 controls the memory controller 4 to write data A/D converted by the A/D converter 1 to the frame memory 2, reads the written data, and controls the D/A conversion 3. Supplied to D/A
Convert. This allows the image corresponding to the input video signal to be displayed as is on the monitor.

Furthermore, the memory controller 4 thins out the same data as the data input to the frame memory 2 at a predetermined ratio, and causes the reduced image memory 5 to store a reduced image of the standard image being displayed.

For example, when generating a reduced image that is 1/9 the size of a standard image, this thinning process selects one out of every three lines and extracts data for one out of every three pixels from each selected line. This is done by

Next, the operation in the recording mode will be explained with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

When recording is commanded, the CPU 9 controls the memory controller 4 to prohibit writing new data to the frame memory 2 and reduced image memory 5 (FIG. 3(a)).
. Then, the first address for data transfer (in this case, frame memory 2 of 240 x 768 pixels shown in Figure 4)
The upper left address O) is set. Also, CPU9
controls the DMA controller 12 and the 5C3I controller 8 to prepare for recording. At this time, 5C3I
The controller 8 outputs a 5C3I command (FIG. 3(b)) to the drive device 7 via the 5C3I bus to execute recording preparation. Then, the bus selection switch 6 is switched, and the data buses on the output side of the frame memory 2 and reduced image memory 5 are connected to the data bus on the CPU 9 side (
Figure 3 (C)).

Thereafter, the DMA controller 12 starts DMA transfer. As a result, data for one frame from address O to 184319 (=240X768-1) of the frame memory 2 in FIG. 5
Supplied from the CSI controller 8 to the drive device 7,
recorded on the disc.

The above operation is shown in more detail as shown in the timing chart of FIG.

That is, when the 5C8I controller 8 completes the recording preparation, the 5C8I controller 8 sends the DMA transfer request signal DMAREQ (fifth
(d)) is output to the DMA controller 12. DM
When the A controller 12 completes preparation for DMA transfer, it outputs an acknowledge signal DMAACK (FIG. 5(C)) to the 5C3II controller 8. At this time, the switch 14 of the interruption circuit 13 is on, so the acknowledge signal DMAACK is transmitted to the 5C3I controller 8 as is. In general, the DMA controller 12 supplies the memory controller 4 with a clock signal MRC (FIG. 5(b)). Memory controller 4 uses clock signal MRC
When input, the read address and timing signal are output to the frame memory 2, and the data written at that address is read out to the CPU data bus via the data bus and bus changeover switch 6 (see FIG. 5). e)
). After the data is read onto the data bus, the DMA controller 12 outputs a write command signal IOW to the 5C3I controller 8. When this write command signal IOW is input, the 5C3I controller 8 takes in the data on the data bus on the CPU side, supplies it to the drive device 7 via the 5C3I bus, and writes it to the disk.

When this data capture is completed, the DMA controller 12 transfers management of the data bus to the CPU 9 side.

The above operation is repeated for each pixel of data, and the data of one frame is transferred by DMA.

Note that, after the first address is set, the memory controller 4 counts the clock signal MRC, and
Automatically generate an address that increments by 1.

In this way, when the recording of one frame's worth of standard image data on the frame memory 2 onto the disk is completed, the reduced image data on the reduced image memory S is similarly DMA-transferred to the drive device 7 and recorded. be done.

Roughly speaking, at this time, the CPU 9 inputs the image number N, control data used on the device side such as a recorded code (flag Fl), and frame recording code, and user data used on the user side such as title and date. Management data consisting of is generated and supplied to the drive device 7 via the 5C3I controller 8, and recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

The above operations are executed every time a new image is recorded.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the recording area of the magneto-optical disk 51. As shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, a management data recording area 52 for recording management data on the innermost circumference of the magneto-optical disk 51, a reduced image recording area 53 for recording reduced images on the outer circumference, and a standard Standard image recording area 54 for recording images
is formed.

Each of these regions is formed by a plurality of spiral or concentric tracks. Each track is divided into a predetermined number of sectors.

FIG. 7 shows the format of management data.

As shown in the figure, X-bit image number data is placed at the beginning of the management data, Y-bit control data is placed next, and Z-bit user data is placed at the end. These management data are prepared for each image.

Next, referring to the timing chart in FIG. 8, play back the standard image that has been completely recorded on the disk of the drive device
The operation when displaying will be explained.

When a reproduction command is input from the CPU 9, the memory controller 4 cancels the previous operations of the frame memory 2 and reduced image memory 5. Then, it controls the DMA controller 12 and the 5C3I controller 8 to prepare for playback. At this time, the 5C5I controller 8
A 5C3I command is output via the path to cause the drive device 7 to prepare for playback. Roughly speaking, the CPU 9 switches the selector switch 6 to connect the data bus on the CPU side to the data buses on the input sides of the frame memory 2 and reduced image memory 5.

When the SC3I controller 8 completes preparation for playback,
DMA transfer request signal DMA to the DMA controller 12
REQ (Fig. 8(d)) is output.

When the DMA controller 12 receives this request signal DMAREQ and completes preparation for DMA transfer,
An acknowledge signal DMAACK (FIG. 8(C)) is output to the 5C3I controller 8 via the switch 14. The DMA controller 12 receives this acknowledge signal DM.
After outputting AACK, a rough reproduction command signal l0R (FIG. 8(a)) is outputted to the 5C3I controller 8. At this time, the 5C3I controller 8 causes the drive device 7 to reproduce standard image data from the disk and outputs it onto the data bus (FIG. 8(e)). When the successive output onto the data bus is completed, the DMA controller 12 outputs the clock signal MWC (FIG. 8(b)) to the memory controller 4. The memory controller 4 receives this clock signal MW.
When C is input, the standard image data on the data bus is loaded into a predetermined address of the frame memory 2.

In this way, one pixel worth of data is stored in the frame memory 2.
When writing to DM is completed, the data bus is managed by DM.
It is temporarily returned from the A controller 12 to the CPU 9 (the eighth
Figure (e)).

The above operations are performed for one frame of data,
Standard image data for one frame is written into the frame memory 2. Roughly speaking, the CPU 9 reads this standard image data from the frame memory 2 and displays it on the monitor via the D/A converter 3.

Next, the operation when a search mode is set by operating a predetermined switch on the operation section 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a search is commanded, the direction can first be determined (step 1-1). The operation unit 16 is provided with a forward search key and a reverse search key, and when the forward search key is operated, the process proceeds to step 1-5. When a key in the opposite direction is operated, it is determined whether a variable i indicating the display area of the frame memory 2 is O (1-2).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the frame memory 2 (screen) of 240 x 768 pixels has 80
It can be divided into nine display areas of x256 pixels, and a reduced image can be displayed in each display area.

When it is determined in step 1-2 that variable i is not O (i = 1 to 8), variable i is decremented by 1 (
1-3). When variable i is O, variable i is set to 8 (1-4).

After the variable i has been set in this way, the process proceeds to step 1-5, where it is determined whether the variable N indicating the image number is equal to the image number currently being displayed. When the variable N is different from the image number being displayed, a display disclosure address is calculated (1-6).

This display start address corresponds to the variable i, such as a memorial service.

When the table display start address has been calculated, the process advances to step 1-7, a subroutine for playing the reduced image is executed, the reduced image is read from the disk, and the variable i in the frame memory 2 is
The written tag will be displayed at the display position corresponding to. Details of this reduced image reproduction subroutine will be described later.

After the reduced image reproduction subroutine is completed, or when it is determined in step 1-5 that the variable N is equal to the currently displayed image number, the process proceeds to step 1-8, where the direction of the search is determined. When the search direction is the positive direction, the process proceeds to step 1-9, and it is determined whether the variable i is 8 or not. When the variable i is not 8 (when i=O to 7), it is incremented by 1, and when it is 8, this is the maximum value, so it is set to 0 (1-10.1-11). Next, it is determined whether the variable N is equal to the maximum number of frames M that can be recorded on the magneto-optical disk (1-12). The variable N is incremented by 1 when it is not between the maximum values, and incremented by 1 when it is between the maximum values.
is set to (1-13, 1-14). Next, it is determined whether the forward or reverse key operation is maintained, and if so, the process returns to step 1-1; if not, the search mode is aborted (1-15).
).

When it is determined in step 1-8 that the direction is backward, the update of the variable i is executed in steps 1-2 to 1-4, so the process proceeds to step 1-16, and it is determined whether the variable N is equal to 1 or not. be done. When the variable N is not equal to 1, it is decremented by 1, and when it is equal to 1, it can be set to the maximum value M (1
-17.1-18).

The above operation will be explained with reference to the screen as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when a forward search is commanded while the standard image with image number M is being displayed, the search will be performed as shown in FIG. 9(b) and (c). , the reduced images with image numbers 1 and 2 are sequentially displayed at display positions ■ and ■. As the display progresses and the reduced image with image number 9 is displayed at display position ■ as shown in FIG. Displayed at display position ■. In this way, the reduced images with sequentially increasing image numbers can be displayed at the display positions (2) to (3).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9(f), when a reverse search is commanded while the standard image with image number 10 is being displayed, as shown in FIG. 9(g) and (h), , image number 9.
The reduced image of 8 is displayed at ■.

■ will be displayed sequentially. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(i), when the reduced image of image number 1 is completely displayed at the display position ■, the reduced image between the next image numbers is displayed as shown in FIG. 9(j). Displayed at position 0. In this way, reduced images with image numbers that become smaller in sequence are displayed at display positions (2) to (2).

The variable i indicating the display position is set to an initial value O when a standard image is reproduced, and is not set in the search mode shown in FIG.

This results in the following advantages:

That is, if the variable i is set to the initial value O when this search mode is set, once the search key operation is released, the display positions will become discontinuous. For example, by operating the forward search key, image number 1. 2. The reduced image of 3 is displayed in the display position ■, ■.

■ When the search key is displayed, release the search key suppression operation, temporarily stop the display of additional reduced images, look at the three reduced images in detail, and then press the forward search key again to resume the search. When pressed, the reduced image of image number 4 will be displayed in the display position■
will be displayed. This is because when the operation key is released, the search mode is temporarily exited from step 1-15, so when the operation key is pressed again, the variable i is initialized again.

Therefore, if you set the playback mode etc. and initialize the variable i when the standard image is displayed, the variable i will not be initialized while the reduced image is displayed, so you can temporarily stop the search. Even if the screen is restarted after that, the display positions will continue.

When the direction reversal is determined in step 1-1 or 1-8, the variables a and i that had been incremented up to that point are then decremented, and the variables that had been decremented up to that point are then incremented. Therefore, since the direction of display movement is reversed at that point, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

Next, the operation of the reduced image reproduction subroutine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the timing chart of FIG. 11.

In the reduced image reproduction subroutine, the CPU 9 controls the memory controller 4 to stop the previous operation and to set the first address of the frame memory 2 to which the reduced image is to be transferred (step 10-1.1O-
2). In this case, this first address is address O in FIG.

Next, the bus changeover switch 6 is switched, and the data bus on the CPU side is connected to the data bus on the input side of the frame memory 2 (10-3). Roughly speaking, CPU9 is interrupt circuit 1
The reduced image 1-line counter 15 of No. 3 is enabled for operation (10-4). The CPU 9 also controls the DMA controller 12 and the SO8 controller 8 to prepare for reproduction of the reduced image data. 5C3I controller 8 is 5
A 5C3I command is output to the drive device 7 via the C8I bus to instruct playback of the reduced image data (10-5
).

As described above, when the 5C3I controller 8 completes preparation for transfer, it sends the request signal D to the DMA controller 12.
MAREQ (Figure 11(a)) is output. When the DMA controller 12 is ready for transfer, it sends the acknowledge signal DMAACK (FIG. 11(b)) to the switch 1.
3 to the 5C3I controller 8. After the acknowledge signal DMAACK is sent, the reproduction command signal IOR is output, and when the reproduction data from the disk is read out to the data bus, the clock signal MWC is output, and the data on the data bus is transferred to the frame memory 2 set in step 10-2. is written to the address of

On the other hand, the reduced image one line counter 15 counts, for example, the number of rising edges of the acknowledge signal DMAACK. Since this number corresponds to the number of transferred data as described above, the counter 15 counts the number of transferred data.

As described above, once the initial address value is set, the memory controller 4 automatically increments the address by 1 each time the clock signal l0R (or l0W) is input. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the first line of reduced image data is transferred from the first address O of the first line of the reduced/image display area (■) of the frame memory 2 to the last address 255 of that line. Data is transferred by DMA.

When data for one line of the reduced image has been transferred, the reduced image one line counter 15 outputs an H level output (FIG. 11(C)), turning off the switch 14. As a result, the acknowledge signal DMAACK is no longer transmitted to the 5C3I controller 8 (FIG. 11(b)).

As a result, the 5C8I controller 8 no longer outputs the request signal DMAREQ (FIG. 11(a)).

The CPU 9 monitors the output of the reduced image 1-line counter 15, and if the output does not become H, it continues the transfer operation until the data transfer is completed (10-6.1O-9).

When the output of the reduced image 1 line counter 15 becomes H, the address of the next line in the frame memory 2 is set (10-6° 10-7). In this case, this address is 768. When the number of data for one line of the standard image is n (n=768 in the example), the value obtained by adding n to the first address becomes the first address of the next line.

When the first address of the next line is set in this way, the CPU 9 outputs a control signal (FIG. 11(d)) to the reduced image 1 line counter 15, resets it,
The counting operation is restarted again (10-8).

The above operations process all the data of the reduced image (80X25
The process is repeated until a signal indicating the end of transfer of 6 pieces of data) is input from the 5C3I controller 8 (10-9).
.

Transfer of the reduced image data to the frame memory 2 is performed by the CPU.
It is also possible to transfer the program using 9, but as described above, DMA transfer can shorten the transfer time.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the image search method according to claim 1, reduced images are displayed so that the image number increases sequentially from the next image number of the standard image immediately before the search is commanded. Alternatively, the reduced images are displayed so that the image numbers decrease sequentially from the image number before the standard image, making it possible to perform an efficient search.

Further, according to the image search method according to claim 2, sXt
In each area of one screen divided into a matrix,
Depending on the search direction, reduced images are displayed so that the image number increases from the top left to the bottom right, or from the bottom right to the top left. Therefore, by selecting a predetermined direction, an efficient search can be performed. Further, even when the direction is reversed, the display movement direction is simply reversed, so that no discomfort occurs.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of an embodiment of the image search method of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a disc recording/reproducing apparatus that executes the flowchart of FIG. 1; 5 and 8 are timing charts explaining the operation in the embodiment of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining the area of the frame memory, and FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining the recording area of the magneto-optical disk. 7 is a diagram explaining the format of management data; FIGS. 9(a) to (j) are diagrams showing the state in which reduced images are recorded in each area of the frame memory according to the flowchart in FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing details of the reduced image reproduction subroutine 1B in FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a timing chart explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1... A/D converter 2... Frame memory 3... D/A converter 4... Memory controller 5... Reduced image memory 6... Path switching switch 7... Drive device 8...5C3I controller 9...CPU 12...DMA controller 13...-Interruption circuit 15...Reduced image 1 line counter Patent applicant Asahi Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image search method for searching for a desired image from a recording medium in which a standard image of normal size and a reduced image obtained by reducing the standard image at a predetermined ratio are recorded, when a search is commanded, a step of reading the image number of the standard image that was displayed immediately before the search was commanded; Reproducing the reduced images so that the numbers become smaller sequentially,
An image search method characterized by displaying images. (2) In an image search method for searching for a desired image from a recording medium in which a standard image of normal size and a reduced image obtained by reducing the standard image at a predetermined ratio are recorded, a step of specifying a search direction. When the search method is specified in the first direction, it moves to the right from the left end of the top row on one screen divided into s × t pieces, and when it reaches the right end, the displaying the reduced image in such a way that the image number sequentially decreases and increases so that the image number moves to the left end of the row and returns to the left end of the top row when the right end of the bottom row is reached; , When the search direction is specified as the second direction, it moves to the left from the right end of the bottom row on one screen divided into s × t pieces, and when it reaches the left end, it moves from the right end of the bottom row on one screen divided into s × t pieces, and when it reaches the left end, it moves to the left. Move to the right edge,
and displaying the reduced images sequentially in the reverse image number order from when searching in the first direction so that when the left end of the top row is reached, the reduced images return to the right end of the bottom row. An image search method featuring: