JPS63184489A - Picture information storage retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain high speed retrieval even in multi-hierarchical retrieval adopting a representative picture by storing a specific picture being representative to a disk storage medium and a picture depending on the specific picture in separate storage areas. CONSTITUTION:A storage means (a) marks plural specific pictures selected among plural pictures and stores sequentially from the outside or inside of a picture information storage disk and the remaining subsequent picture depending on the specific picture from the inside or outside of the disk. A retrieval means (b) starts retrieval at first from the specific picture based on said marking. Then the representative specific picture with respect to the disk storage medium and the picture depending on the specific picture are stored in separate storage areas, then high speed retrieval even in the multi-hierarchical retrieval is applied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image information storage and retrieval device, and in particular, it stores image information such as still images on a television in a storage means such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk, The present invention relates to an image information storage and retrieval device that can search and read out a desired image at any time.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, in this type of image information storage and retrieval device, when an image is stored, characteristic data of the image, such as date, person's name, or a summary of the content, is generally referred to as a keyword. At the same time, the images are manually memorized, and when searching, the keyword data is used to narrow down the search to a few images and output and display them, and the user then looks at those output images and searches for the desired image. A keyword search method is generally used.

Various proposals have been made regarding such keyword search methods, and for example, one that outputs and displays a two-dimensional map has recently been proposed. Also, when extracting images after narrowing down by keyword, 6
Recently, a two-layer extraction method has become popular, in which 16 pixels of an image are projected at once, and the target object is selected from the projected image.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, a common feature of all of these conventional devices is that a large amount of keyword data information must be input at the same time when recording an image. This point may not necessarily place a heavy burden on image information storage and retrieval devices when they are used for business purposes such as offices or factories, but when used for home use, If keyword data were to be manually generated using a character keyboard, it would be a complete hassle, and even if various measures were taken to manually input the keyword data, it would be extremely troublesome and troublesome for the user, and it would be impractical. This is a serious drawback.

In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, the applicant has marked and memorized one "representative surface image" selected from multiple images taken at one event with a still video camera, etc. , proposed in a separate application a device using the ``representative surface image method,'' in which the first search is performed between these ``representative surface images.''

Humans memorize image information while relating it to each other, so one representative image allows you to remember what it looked like when the image was taken, and to check if the image you are looking for is within the group of representative images. Since it is intuitively obvious whether or not the image is displayed, image information can be retrieved extremely efficiently using this representative plane image method. However, when implementing this method on an actual storage disk, if the data is transferred to the storage disk in the order in which it was stored on the storage disk for recording, only the representative surface image will be displayed on the monitor during the first search. When selecting and displaying about 9 to 16 images at the same time, the seek time (search time) is too long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and provides an image information storage and retrieval system that is particularly suitable for home and personal use, and that makes it possible to quickly and efficiently store and retrieve images with extremely simple operations. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention marks a plurality of specific images selected from a plurality of images, sequentially stores them from either the outside or the inside of an image information storage disk, and identifies the images. The present invention is characterized by comprising a storage means for sequentially storing the remaining dependent images subordinate to the image from either the inside or the outside of the disk, and a search means for starting the search from a specific image based on the marking.

[Effect]

In the present invention, a representative specific image (representative image) and images subordinate to the specific image (child images) are stored in separate storage areas on the disk-shaped storage medium, so that the representative image can be stored in separate storage areas. Even in multi-level search using images, extremely high-speed searches can be achieved.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, a is a storage means that marks a plurality of specific images selected from a plurality of images and sequentially stores them from either the outside or the inside of the image information storage disk. The remaining dependent images are stored sequentially from the inside or outside of the disk. b is a search means, which first starts searching from a specific image stored on the disc based on the above-mentioned markings.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a human output interface for human output of image information to and from an external device, and 12 denotes an image information stored in the internal memory in advance as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 (A).

A controller (control device) that performs control operations for storing and retrieving image information and keyword data according to the control procedure shown in (B); 13 is a controller that controls information such as images in the storage device 14 and from external devices under the control of the controller 12; This is a monitor such as a CRT display that outputs and displays information such as information.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a printer, such as an inkjet printer or a laser beam printer, which records the image read from the storage device 14 on a recording medium such as paper. Storage device 1
As the storage device 4, various storage devices such as an optical disk device or a magnetic disk device can be used.

16 is a small handy type remote controller (remote control device) that remotely controls the controller 12;
It performs various operational instructions and human output of data via the display and keyboard. Signals are transmitted and received between the remote controller 16 and the controller 12 via infrared rays, weak radio waves, ultrasonic waves, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the arrangement of the remote controller 16 described above. In FIG. 3, 21 is a display panel for displaying operation instruction messages from the controller 12, and for example, a liquid crystal is used. Reference numerals 22 to 32 represent a group of function keys (button switches) for performing operational inputs necessary for storing and retrieving images. 22 is the human key, 123 is the representative image key, 24 is the child image key, 25 is the print key, 26 is the search key, 27 is the index key, 28 is the representative image key, 29 is the date key, 30 is NEXT 31 is a sequential key, and 32 is a selection key.

33-36 are a group of keys for inputting the year, month, day, and time, 37-
40. 42 to 44. 48 to 49 are tension keys for inputting numbers, 41 is a clear key, and 45 is an all clear key. Furthermore, the image positions A to P can be selected and specified using the keys 33 to 48.

FIG. 4 shows a method of storing image information in the storage device 14 of FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 141 denotes a disk-shaped storage medium (hereinafter referred to as a disk) such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, or optical disk, which constitutes the storage device 14.

Disk 14 in the order stored in the external device as described above.
1, it takes too much time to display the representative surface image for the first time, which is not preferable.

On the other hand, if a certain designated area is used for the representative image and the rest is used for general use, the number of "senryo, images" for one representative image varies, so there is a possibility that a surplus area will be generated. , undesirable.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the representative surface images A are recorded sequentially from the outside of the disk 141 toward the inside, while the child images B are recorded on the disk 141 in the order in which they are stored. Record from the inside out. At this time,
The representative surface image may be written in the child image B again.

This allows sufficiently high-speed access even when displaying only nine to 16 representative plane images A on the monitor 13 at a time.

Next, an outline of image information storage and retrieval operations will be explained.

First, when inputting data into the storage device 14, a representative surface image A is determined using the representative surface image key 23, and child images B subordinate to it are determined using the child image key 24, and each is marked and stored on the disk 141 of the storage device 14. Remember. When reading images from the storage device 14, based on the above-mentioned markings using the search key 26, only representative surface images A are displayed on the monitor 13 at the same time, about 9 to 16 images per monitor screen.
The user looks at the group of representative images displayed and remembers which image belongs to the event he or she wants.

When the user selects one of the representative plane images containing the event using the representative plane image key 28, the monitor 1
Approximately 9 to 16 child images B belonging to the representative surface image are displayed on one screen of 3. If the user realizes that the representative surface image was selected incorrectly, pressing the representative surface image key 28 returns to the original display of the representative surface image.

In this way, the user further selects the desired image from among the selected 9 to 16 child images. This search method is based on the associative function that essentially controls human memory, and has the advantage of requiring very little mental and physical burden on the user.

FIG. 5 shows the concept of grouping (grouping) consisting of representative plane images and child images in the above-mentioned search.

FIG. 6 shows the control procedure of the controller 12 at the time of input operation (memory) such as marking, and FIG. 7 shows the operation procedure of the user at the time of input operation.

First, the operation of the manual operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. In addition, P1 to P1
6 is the program step of the controller 12, 51-5
12 indicates the user's operation steps.

When the "input" key 22 of the remote controller 16 is pressed (Sl, PL), the video source of an external device (for example, a still video player) connected to the input terminal (not shown) of the human output interface 11 is connected to the monitor. 13 (S2.P2).

The still video player is operated to display the image desired as a representative image on the monitor 13 (S3.P2). Thereafter, when the "representative surface image" key 23 on the remote controller 16 is pressed (S6.P3), the image is registered and stored in the storage device 14 as a new representative surface image (P6). After this, a message saying "Please enter the date manually" appears on the display panel 21.
(P7), enter the date on which the representative image was taken or the date you wish to remember (S7.P8.P9). next,"
The message "Please manually create the next screen" appears on the display panel 21.
(PIO), so the still video player is switched to another image (S8.Pit).

This time, when you press the switch 24 for “r child image” (510°P
I3), the image being displayed on the monitor 13 is automatically stored in the storage device 1 as a child image belonging to the ``representative surface image'' recorded earlier.
4 and stored (PI3). This operation is repeated until there are no more child images (Sll.

PL5. PL6). Until the "representative image" key 2 is pressed manually (PL4) or the AC (all clear) key 45 is pressed (512, PL6), the "r child image" key 24 is used as a child image belonging to the representative image. The pressed image is registered in the storage device 14.

Also, immediately after pressing the AC key 45 (512, PlB)
Or, at the first time after the power is turned on, if you can only manually input from the "representative image" and try to start manually using the "child image" (S
4. P4), no memorization is performed, a warning sound "bleep" indicating an erroneous operation is emitted, and at the same time, the message "Incorrect operation" and the comment "Please set the representative image first" appear on the display panel 21. (S5.P5).

Note that when the image is manually recorded as described above, a code indicating the location where the image was recorded can be displayed on the monitor 13.

Figures 8(A) and 8(B) show the controller 12 at the time of search.
FIG. 9 shows the user's operating procedure at the time of search.

Next, operations at the time of search will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8(8) and 9(B) and FIG.

Here, P21 to P50 indicate program steps of the controller 12, and T1 to T23 indicate operation steps of the user.

When you press the search key 25 on the remote controller 16 (T
I, P21), the system enters a search state, and a message "Searching" appears on the monitor 13 (P22).

On the display panel 21 of the remote controller 16, a comment message R Please select between "index" and "representative surface image" appears (T2.P23).

After that, if you press the "Index" key 27 (T3.P
24) Image information can be directly selected by inputting codes "0" to "9" on the numeric keys , 37-40, 42-44, 46-48 (T4.P25). The correspondence between this code and the image can be checked when it is stored, so if the user records it in advance in a memo or the like, direct selection will be possible.

On the other hand, if you select the "representative surface image" key 28 (T5.P26)
, then choose between "year, month, day" or "sequential".

This instruction is also displayed on the display panel 21 (T8.P27). Select "year, month, day" with key 29 (T7.P28), then use keys 33 to 48 to input the approximate date of when the image you want to see was recorded (T8.P28). )
. For example, ■ the key human power is the same side of the same side. The part with an "O" in it indicates that the details are not known. Based on this human power information, representative images are displayed on the monitor 13 in the order of closest to the specified date (T9, P31, P3
2). At this time, 4×4=16 screens are displayed on the monitor at once.

If the desired screen is not found among the 16 screens displayed (T12), press the rNXETJ key 30 (T13).
゜P35). If there is something you want on the display screen,
Press the "selection" key 32 (T14.P34). When the selection key 32 is pressed, the message "Please select one of rA-P" is displayed on the display plate 21 (P42
).

That is, the keys 33-48 now correspond geometrically to the 16 screens on the monitor 13. For example, if you want the top right representative plane, press the "D" key 36.
Press (T15.P2O). Then, on the screen of the monitor 36, 16 images of that group are displayed at once from the upper left to the upper right in the order in which they were recorded, with the representative plane image placed at the upper left (716.P41). If you don't see the one you want on that screen (T17), press the r NEXTJ key 30718. P44) If there is one piece you want, select “Select”
Press key 32 (T21.P43). With the human power of the r NEXTJ key 30, even if you press the desired image too many times, when the image of the group ends, you can press the r NEXTJ key 30 again.
If you press , you will return to the original screen (T22.P46). When inputting the "selection" key 320, if one of the keys A to P 33 to 48 is pressed (T22.P48), one image desired by the user is displayed on the monitor 13 (T2
3. P49).

Also, an output terminal of the human output interface 11 (not shown)
The image signal of the selected image is output. Regardless of the state of use, pressing the "Print" key 25 will cause an interrupt, and the image currently displayed on the monitor 13 can be output to the printer 15 and printed on a recording medium. can.

Now, if you press key 31 in sequence instead of "year, month, day" (TI
O, P29), the 16 representative plane images are displayed on the monitor 13 from the upper left to the lower right in the order in which they were recorded (Tll.

P2O). The next step is to manually press the rNEXTj key 30 (TI3.P35) or select key 32 (T14.P34), and in the case of the above-mentioned "year, month, and day" selection. It is similar to

Note that "C" on the remote controller 16 in FIG.
(Clear) key 41 is a key that corrects only one command or data that is being input when this key is pressed manually, and rAcJ (all clear) key 45
is a key to preset to the initial state.

Furthermore, although the remote controller 16 described above cannot perform functions such as erasing or editing a specific screen,
Such advanced functions can be executed by operating the controller 12 side of the main body.

In addition, if the user realizes that the selection method of the representative image was incorrect after selecting one representative image, the user may press the "all clear" key 45 manually. P2O), the "representative surface image" key 28 may be rekeyed manually (P38, P45).

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which one disk is used efficiently, but a plurality of disks may be used, and one of the disks may be used as a disk exclusively for representative surface images.

In addition, in a multiple disc system, the representative surface image is inserted from the beginning of the first disc, and the representative surface image is inserted from the beginning of the first disc.
You can also insert child images from the end of the first page. Note that the present invention is similarly applicable to the case where alternate sectors are used. In that case, the "replacement sector" and "child image" will be involved in a complicated manner, but it is generally coded in such a way that it can be immediately determined whether or not it has been used as a replacement sector. No problem.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the present invention, a representative specific image (representative surface image) and images subordinate to the specific image (child images) are stored in separate storage areas on a disk-shaped storage medium. As a result, extremely high-speed searches can be achieved even in multi-level searches that employ representative surface images.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the remote controller in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a storage method on the disk of the storage device 14 in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the grouping configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure during manual operation in the embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 8(A) and (B) show the control procedure during search in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure at the time of search in the embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Human output interface, 12... Controller, 13... Monitor, 14... Storage device, 141... Disk, 15... Printer, 16... Remote controller, 21... Display plate, 22-48...keys. Plan view shown on the right to the remote controller spirit of Oiriki Hidari. Vノ'I'A /1\"J
v/47ts Ir Figure 9 (Procedural amendment dated February 29, 1985)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) a) A plurality of specific images selected from a plurality of images are marked and sequentially stored from either the outside or the inside of an image information storage disk, and the specific images are marked. b) a retrieval means for first starting a search from the specific image based on the marking; Image information storage and retrieval device. 2) The image information storage and retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores selection information of the specific image on the disk at the same time as the marking. 3) An image information storage and retrieval device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retrieval means sequentially outputs images dependent on the specific image extracted by the retrieval.