JPS6318386A - Image information retriever - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image information retrieval device for retrieving image information such as an aerial photograph taken corresponding to a predetermined division, for example.

(Prior Art) Generally, aerial photographs are stored in a photo book, and the photographed positions are recorded as orientation maps (1,150,000 National Geographical Survey Institute topographic maps).

Searching for a desired aerial photograph from among the aerial photographs recorded in this manner has conventionally been performed manually.

That is, first, an orientation map is obtained from the place name, date and time, etc. corresponding to the desired map, the position on this orientation map is confirmed, and the number of the corresponding aerial photograph is read. Next, according to the read number, the required aerial photograph is retrieved from the aerial photograph book. As such, conventionally, it took a great deal of time to extract the required aerial photographs.

Furthermore, in order to extract photographs corresponding to, for example, the top, bottom, left and right sides of the obtained aerial photograph, the above-mentioned series of operations must be performed, which is extremely inconvenient.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) This invention solves problems related to searching for aerial photographs, and its purpose is to make it possible to search and output required aerial photographs in a short time. The present invention aims to provide an image information retrieval device that is extremely convenient in practice.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention includes a first storage means in which a plurality of pieces of image information are stored respectively corresponding to first search information; a second storage means in which corresponding latitude and longitude information is stored in correspondence with the first search information; an input means for inputting the second search information; and a first storage means for displaying at least the second search information. A display means searches for latitude and longitude information from the second storage means according to the inputted second search information, and searches the first search information corresponding to the searched latitude and longitude information. The image forming apparatus is comprised of a control means for searching the storage means and extracting required image information, and a second display means for displaying the extracted image information.

(Operation) This invention stores image information in correspondence with first search information, stores the first search information in correspondence with latitude and longitude information corresponding to this image information, and stores image information in correspondence with latitude and longitude information corresponding to the image information, and stores image information in correspondence with latitude and longitude information corresponding to the image information. When inputting , latitude and longitude information is obtained from this second search information, and further, the first search information is obtained, and image information is searched from this first search information.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a control unit 11 is constituted by a so-called personal computer, and includes a keyboard 1 for inputting, for example, search information for aerial photographs.
2. A first display device 13 made of, for example, a CRT display device, on which information for controlling the operation of the control unit 11 is displayed, and an instruction device that instructs the information displayed on this first display device 13 A so-called mouse 14, a magnetic disk device 15, 16, and 17 (details of which will be described later), and an image processing device 18 (which performs processing to enlarge image data and display certain image data and other image data on the same screen).
For example, an IFM/PC manufactured by Mitani Corporation is connected.

The image processing device 18 also includes an optical disk device 19.
, and a second display device 20, for example a CRT display device, on which image information processed by the image processing device 18 is displayed is connected.

For example, aerial photographs are stored in the optical disk device 19 in correspondence with photograph numbers, and by inputting the photograph numbers, it is possible to search and output a desired aerial photograph. The aerial photographs stored in this optical disk device 19 are taken with adjacent photographs overlapped with each other at a predetermined ratio.

Further, in this optical disk device 19, enlarged photographs of the area are stored in correspondence with photograph numbers for necessary photographs among the above-mentioned aerial photographs.

On the other hand, the magnetic disk device 15 stores programs necessary for the operation of the control unit 11, display data, etc., and also, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, city name data CD, large character name data OD, mesh code data MD, mesh code/photo number correspondence data MPD
is memorized.

As shown in FIG. 2, the above municipality core data CD includes a municipality core CN and a municipality code C corresponding to this municipality core CN.
It is composed of C.

The university name data is provided corresponding to each municipality code CC, and as shown in Figure 3, the university name data in that municipality is ON.
, and a university name code OC corresponding to this university name ON.

Furthermore, the mesh code data MD is the name of each university mentioned above.
N, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is composed of a mesh code MC corresponding to the university name ON.

In addition, mesh code/photo number correspondence data M P D
As shown in FIG. 5, it is composed of the photograph number PN of the aerial photograph stored in the optical disk device 15 and the central mesh code MC of the aerial photograph corresponding to this photograph number PN.

The above-mentioned mesh code MC meshes the entire country of Japan into multiple stages, and each mesh is given a code based on 1 degree of latitude and longitude.

This mesh code is divided into primary regional divisions, secondary regional divisions, and tertiary regional divisions in descending order of the longest side of the mesh.

Figure 6 shows the first regional division.

A four-digit code is assigned to this primary regional division. For example, the mesh code for the region shown in diagram A is “
5438". The first two digits of this mesh code are 1.5 times the latitude of the southwestmost point of the mesh (36'X1.5-54°), and the bottom two digits are:
The last two digits of the longitude of the same point (138°-100°-3
8').

FIG. 7 shows a secondary regional division corresponding to division A shown in FIG. This secondary regional division is the first regional division divided into 8 equal parts vertically and horizontally, and each division is divided into 0 to 7
It is displayed by a combination of numbers. That is, the code number of the secondary regional division of the division shown in Figure B is displayed as 231, and the mesh code of the secondary regional division is "543823" together with the mesh code of the primary regional division.
becomes.

FIG. 8 shows the tertiary regional division corresponding to the B division shown in FIG. 7. This tertiary regional division is obtained by dividing the second regional division into 10 equal parts vertically and horizontally, and each division is divided into
It is displayed by a combination of 9 numbers. That is, illustrated C
The code number of the tertiary regional division of the plot shown in is displayed as 23'', and the mesh code of the tertiary regional division is
Combined with the mesh code of the next regional division and the second regional division, it becomes "54382323".

In this embodiment, the mesh code at the tertiary regional division level is used to ensure correspondence between the aerial photograph and the mesh code.

On the other hand, the magnetic disk device 16 stores, for example, map data of a required area corresponding to the aerial photograph, corresponding to the area number and longitude/latitude information, for example. Furthermore, this magnetic disk device 16 stores data on rivers, roads, railways, government offices, hospitals, etc. corresponding to the map data, for example, as different color information.

Furthermore, basic data PD consisting of attributes of each aerial photograph is stored in the magnetic disk device 17 in correspondence with the aerial photograph. As shown in FIG. 9, this basic data PD consists of one piece of data: city name CN, city code CC, photo number PN, area number SN corresponding to map information, and mesh code MC.

Additional information AND1, aerial photo frame number CMN.

8-direction photo number ED corresponding to photos in 8 directions around the photo number PN, additional information AND2, and the photo number PN
It is composed of the enlarged photo number EXPD of the area corresponding to the area.

Note that the enlarged photo number EXPD is set only when an enlarged photo of the area has been taken.

Further, the 8-direction photo number ED is set as follows.

FIG. 10 shows a method of taking an aerial photograph, and 1 to 1 indicates the flight route. In addition, the ○ marks on each flight route indicate the respective shooting points, and E
o indicates the photographing range at one photographing point Po. Photos in 8 directions corresponding to this shooting point PO are shown in the same figure.
The shooting points P1 to P8 are set as shown in P1 to P6.
The photo number PN of the aerial photo taken in 1 is set in the basic data PD. Note that it is difficult to take aerial photographs at the same point on each flight route, and the aerial photographs are slightly shifted on each flight route. therefore,
Since the photos taken in eight directions at a certain shooting point are not necessarily equidistant from that point, the photo closest to the shooting point is taken as the photo taken in the direction of that point.

In the above configuration, the operation will be explained.

The control section 11 performs operations as shown in FIG. 11. First, in step ST1, search items as shown in FIG. 12 are displayed on the first display device 13, and in steps S72 to ST4, it is determined which search item has been selected. Also, step ST5
Then, it is determined whether or not the end of the search has been selected. If the end is not the end, the control is transferred to step ST2, and if the end is the end, the process is ended.

In the display state shown in FIG. 12, if, for example, "1" is input from the keyboard 12, the control starts at step S
The process moves from T2 to step ST6, and a search operation using the photo number is executed.

That is, in step ST6, a display as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the first display device 13.

After this, from the keyboard 12, for example "551013"
When the photo number is input, in step ST7, the magnetic disk device 17 and the optical disk device 1
9 is accessed, and the basic data PD and aerial photo corresponding to this photo number are searched. This retrieved basic data PD.

and the aerial photograph are displayed in step ST8. That is, the basic data PD is edited and displayed on the first display device 13, as shown in FIG. 14, and the aerial photograph corresponding to this photo number is displayed on the second display device 20.

In the display state shown in FIG. 14, when the mouse 14 is used to specify photo numbers in eight directions, the control goes to step ST9.
The process moves to step STY, the basic data PD and the aerial photo corresponding to the designated photo number are retrieved, and in step ST8, these are displayed on the first and second display devices 13.20 as described above. Is displayed. For example, in the state shown in FIG.
14'', the display state of the first display device 13 is switched as shown in FIG.
The aerial photo corresponding to this photo number is displayed.

Further, in the display state of the basic data as shown in FIG. 14, when an enlarged photo number is displayed, when this enlarged photo number is designated by the mouse 14, control is transferred from step 5TIO to step ST7. The basic data and aerial photograph corresponding to the designated enlarged photograph number are retrieved, and in step ST8, these are displayed on the first and second display devices 1 as described above.
3.20 will be displayed.

Further, in the display state shown in FIG. 14, when the image processing icon is designated by the mouse 14, control is transferred from step 5TII to step 5T32, which will be described later.

Further, in the display state shown in FIG. 14, when the icon of the initial image is designated by the mouse 14, control is transferred from step 5T12 to step STI, and the display state shown in FIG. 12 is returned. Further, in the display state shown in FIG. 14, if no icon is designated, control is transferred from step 5T12 to step ST9, and an input waiting state is entered.

On the other hand, in the display state shown in FIG.
2, for example, when "2" is input, the control is transferred from step ST3 to step 5T13, and a search operation based on city/town/village core or mesh code is performed.

That is, in step 5T13, the first display device 13 displays
A display as shown in Section 16(a) is performed, and step 5T
14. In step 5T15, it is determined which of these search methods has been selected. Here, if, for example, "1" is input from the keyboard 12, the control is transferred from step ST14 to step 5TIB, and a search operation using the city, town, or village name is performed.

That is, in step 5T16, the magnetic disk device 1
5, the municipality name data CD shown in FIG. 2 is read out,
The image is displayed on the first display device 13 as shown in FIG. 16(b). Here, when a number such as "01" corresponding to the desired city, town, or village name is input from the keyboard 12,
In step 5T17, the magnetic disk device 15 is accessed. Then, the university name data OD shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to this number is retrieved and displayed as shown in FIG. 16(c). In this display state, if you enter the number corresponding to the desired university name from the keyboard 12,
In step ST1g, the mesh code data MD shown in FIG. 4 is searched, and the mesh code MC corresponding to the input university name is read out. And step 5T
At step 19, the mesh code/photo number correspondence data MPD shown in FIG. 5 is searched, and the photo number corresponding to the searched mesh code is read out.

After that, control is transferred to step ST7, and in step ST7 and step ST8, basic data PD,
and aerial photographs are searched, and the first and second display devices 13
．． 20 respectively.

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 12, when "31" is input from the keyboard 1, control is transferred from step ST4 to step 5T20, and a search using the map is performed.

That is, in step ST20, on the first display device 13,
A display as shown in FIG. 17(a) is displayed. In this state, when a number corresponding to a desired area, for example "9" is input from the keyboard 12, step 5T21
At this point, the magnetic disk drive 16 is accessed and map data corresponding to the designated area is read. Then, this read map data is stored in step 5T22.
17(b) is displayed on the first display device 13. This display includes rivers, roads, railways,
So-called icons indicating additional information such as government offices and hospitals are displayed, as well as icons for enlarging the map and displaying basic data corresponding to this map data, as well as icons for specifying to return the displayed image. displayed at the same time.

In steps 5T23 to ST25, it is determined whether these icons have been designated.

Here, when the mouse 14 is used to specify, for example, a government office among the icons indicating additional information, the control shifts to step 5T.
23 to step 5726. In this step 5T26, the magnetic disk device 16 is accessed,
The location information of the office is read out. In step 5T27, this read office position information is supplied to the first display device 13 and displayed in an overlapping manner with the map data. FIG. 17(c) shows the display state, and the 10-marked area indicates the office.

After this display operation, control is transferred to step ST23.

On the other hand, in the display state shown in FIG. 17(b), when the enlargement icon is designated by the mouse 14, the control moves from step 5T24 to step 5728, and the map enlargement process is performed. In this mode, the mouse 14
In step ST2g, the area inside the rectangle defined as the corner point in FIG. 17 is set as the enlarged range using . In step ST29, this enlarged map data is displayed as shown in FIG. 4(e).

After this, control is transferred to step ST23.

Furthermore, for example, in the display state shown in FIG. 17(e),
When the basic data display icon is designated by the mouse 14, control proceeds from step ST25 to step ST30.
, and the basic data PD display processing is performed. In this mode, when an arbitrary point Pc on the displayed map is designated using the mouse 14, step 5T
In step 30, the coordinate position of the designated point Pc on the screen is calculated, and in step 5T31, the mesh code of that position is calculated from the calculated coordinate position on the screen. After this, the control goes to step 5T.
In step ST7.8, the photograph number is retrieved from the calculated mesh code, and in step ST7.8, the basic data PD1 and the aerial photograph corresponding to this photograph number are retrieved and displayed on the first and second display devices 13. 20, as described above.

In addition, in the display state shown in FIGS. 17(b) to (e),
When the escape key (ESC) of the keyboard 12 is operated, the display screen is returned to the previous screen.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, when the image processing icon is designated with the mouse 14 while the basic data is displayed, control is transferred from step 5TII to step ST32, and the functions of the image processing device 18 are activated. The image processing operations used are then performed. In step ST32, image processing items as shown in FIG. 18 are displayed on the first display device 13. In this display state, if you operate the function keys f1 to f3 on the keyboard 12,
This operating state is determined in steps 5T33 to ST35, and required operations are performed. Further, when the function key flo is operated, control is transferred to step ST8.

Here, when the function key f1 is operated, for example, the control is transferred from step ST33 to step 5T37, and an image data reading operation is performed. That is, in this step 5T37, for example, the display device 2 of the current node 2
The image data of the aerial photograph read out from the optical disk device 19 and displayed at 0 is taken into the image processing device 18. This image processing device 18 is capable of capturing, for example, two screens worth of image data, and when the image data capture is completed, the control is transferred to step ST32.
will be moved to

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 18, when the function key f2 is operated, the control is switched to step ST3.
4, the process moves to step 5T38, and image enlargement processing is performed. In this step 5T3111, enlarged items are displayed on the first display device 13 as shown in FIG. 19, for example.

In this display state, when the function keys fl and f2 of the keyboard 1 are operated, this operation state is determined in step ST39.40, and a required operation is performed. Further, when the function key f10 is operated, the control is transferred from step 5T41 to step 5T32.

Here, when the function key f1 is operated in the display state shown in FIG.
The process then moves to step 5T42. This step ST
If it is determined in step 5T42 that the function key f3 has been operated, simple enlargement processing is executed in step 5T43. This simple enlarging process is performed on the image data G taken into the image processing device 18, as shown in FIG.
The value of one point a is directly copied to four points and enlarged, and this enlarged image data is displayed on the second display device 20. Then, the control is performed in step S
Moved to T38.

Further, in the display state shown in FIG. 19, when the function key f2 is operated, the control is switched to step ST4.
0, the process moves to step ST44. This step 5
If it is determined in T44 that the function key f3 has been operated, center enlargement processing is executed in step 5T45. In this center enlargement process,
As shown in FIG. 21, the image data Gc captured by the image processing device 18 is displayed on the second display device 20, and a cross-shaped pointer Gd, for example, is displayed on the second display device 20. . When this pointer Gd is moved using the mouse 14 to specify the enlargement center of the image data Gc,
As shown in the figure, an image enlarged based on the designated enlargement center is displayed. When this process is completed, control is transferred to step 5T38.

On the other hand, when the function key f3 is operated in the display state shown in FIG.
5 to step 5T46, where image fitting processing is executed. In this step ST4B, inset items as shown in FIG. 22 are displayed, for example, and when the function keys f1 to f3 are operated in this display state, required operations are performed in steps ST47 to ST49. . Further, when the function key flO is operated, the control changes from step 5T50 to step S.
Moved to T8.

Here, when the function key f1 is operated, for example, control is transferred from step 5T47 to step 5T51. In this step 5T51, the image processing device 18
The display of the captured image data is switched. That is, if the - side image data that has been taken into the image processing device 18 is currently displayed on the display device 20 of section 2, the other image data is displayed on the second display device 20 instead of this image data. will be displayed. When this process is completed, control is transferred to step 5T46.

Further, when the function key f2 is operated in a state where the status display section 1d of the function key f2 shown in FIG.
The process then moves to step 5T52. This step 5T
If it is determined in step 52 that the function key f3 has been operated, the fitting process for the same range is executed in step 5T53. This fitting process is performed by the image processing device 1 displayed on the first display device 20.
8, an image of the same range as the specified range of one image is extracted from other image data that has been input into the image processing device 18, and these are displayed on the same screen. In this fitting process, required image data is transferred to the second display device 20 by, for example, the above-mentioned image switching.
When the operation of step ST53 is started, a pointer Ge is displayed on the second display device 20 as shown in FIG. Mouse 14 this pointer Ge
When the center of inset is specified, the specified range of this image Gf is moved to the left half of the screen, and the same range as the specified range of another image Gg, which has been imported into the image processing device 18, is moved to the right half of the screen. The image will be inserted. When this process is completed, control is transferred to step 5T4B.

Further, in the display state shown in FIG. 22, if the function key f2 is operated and the status display section 1d of the function key f2 is set to "different", the control is transferred from step ST49 to step 5T54.
If it is determined in step 5T55 that the function key f3 has been operated, a different range fitting process is executed in step 5T55. In this different range fitting process, the fitting range is set on each of the two screens and the fitting is carried out. When the operation of step ST55 is started, the second display device 20 displays the screen as shown in FIG. 24. ,
A pointer Ge is displayed.

This pointer Ge is moved using the mouse 14 to specify the center of fitting. In this state, for example, mouse 1
When one of the keys 4 is operated, the screen is switched, and another image Gg captured in the image processing device 18 is displayed on the second display device 2o. In this display state, if you specify the inset range of this image Gg as described above,
The one image Gf is displayed on the left half of the screen, and the other image Gg is fitted on the right half of the screen. When this process is completed, control is transferred to step 5T46.

According to the above embodiment, the aerial photograph is stored in the optical disk device 19 in correspondence with the photograph number, and the basic data in which the photograph number of the aerial photograph and the mesh code are associated is stored in the magnetic disk device 17, and the basic data is stored in the magnetic disk device 17 and inputted. Find the mesh code of the place from the place name or any position on the map specified with the mouse 14, search the magnetic disk device 17 using this mesh code, find the corresponding photo number, and use this photo number. The aerial photographs stored in the optical disk device 19 are retrieved and displayed on the second display device 2o. Therefore, by specifying a place name or a location on a map, it is possible to easily search for and output the required aerial photograph, which greatly speeds up the search for aerial photographs compared to conventional methods. is possible.

In addition, the photo numbers of the aerial photos in eight surrounding directions in one aerial photo are set in the basic data of that aerial photo, and when the aerial photo and basic data are searched and displayed, the first display device By specifying the photo numbers of the 8 directions displayed in 13 with the mouse 14,
Aerial photographs in eight surrounding directions corresponding to the currently displayed aerial photograph are immediately searched and displayed. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently search for related aerial photographs.

Furthermore, since it is possible to enlarge a searched aerial photograph or to display two aerial photographs inset, it is possible to make the photographs easier to see.

In the above embodiment, only the aerial photograph was stored in the optical disk device 19, but for example, maps and tourist information of tourist spots may be stored and the aerial photograph and these pieces of information may be displayed at the same time. It is possible to store historical aerial photographs of a region and use them to observe changes in that region over time.

Furthermore, for example, an aerial photograph taken immediately after a disaster is stored in the optical disk device 19, and additional information AN of the basic data FD is stored.
By setting the mesh code of the disaster prevention area in D1 and the photo number of the area in additional information AND2, it is possible to compare the appearance of the area during normal times and during a disaster, making it possible to quickly grasp the disaster situation. It is possible.

It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, image information is stored in correspondence with first search information, and the first search information is stored in latitude and longitude information corresponding to this image information. If the second search information is inputted, latitude and longitude information is obtained from the second search information, and further the first search information is obtained.
By searching for image information using this first search information, it is possible to search and output the required image information in a short time, and it is possible to provide an image information search device that is extremely convenient in practice.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image information retrieval device according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams for explaining search data, and FIGS. 6 to 8 are Figure 9 is a diagram to explain the mesh code, Figure 9 is a diagram to explain basic data, Figure 10 is a diagram to explain the relationship between the aerial photography method and 8-direction photograph data, and Figure 11 is a diagram to explain the mesh code. 24 are diagrams shown to explain the operation of FIG. 1, respectively. 11... Control unit, 12... Keyboard, 13.20
...first and second display devices, 14...mouse, 15
．． 16.17... Magnetic disk device, 18... Image processing device, 19... Optical disk device. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5 Interval 1' (approx. Fig. 11 (f) Fig. 11 Fig. 12 Fig. 13 Fig. 14 (a) Fig. 16 @ (b) Fig. 16 (C) (a) Fig. 17 (b) (c) Fig. 17 (d ) (e) Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 Figure 22 Figure 20 Figure 23 Figure 21 Figure 24

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A first storage means in which a plurality of pieces of image information are stored in correspondence with the first search information, and latitude and longitude information respectively corresponding to the image information are stored in correspondence with the first search information. a stored second storage means; an input means for inputting the second search information; a first display means for displaying at least the second search information; , a control means for retrieving latitude and longitude information from the second storage means, and retrieving desired image information by searching the first storage means using the first search information corresponding to the retrieved latitude and longitude information; and second display means for displaying the retrieved image information. (2) The first display means displays first search information corresponding to image information surrounding the image information displayed on the second display means, and the instruction means connected to the control means displays the first search information. , when the first search means is instructed, the first storage means is searched by the control means and the corresponding image information is displayed on the second display means. The image information retrieval device described. (3) The image information retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the image information consists of an aerial photograph or map information.