JPS63308672A - Image file method and its device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To promote an efficient using of an image file by inputting adding information to a registration or a retrieving image by a user and accumulating these adding information as an adding information file for respective users independently. CONSTITUTION:Adding information from input means 14 or 15 are converted 16-18 to an outputtable data system as an image signal or a sound signal according to the type of input media and they are stored 113. Next, an adding information list to get correspondence between the ID number of a user, the stored adding information and a display image is prepared 111 and this is stored 114. At the time of next image retrieving, the display image is determined from the retrieving condition input of the user, the ID number of the user, the determined display image and the stored adding information are referred, when there are information to added by the user himself to the display image, they are read and the original adding information of the user is outputted together with the display image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention allows a user to input additional information to registered or searched images, retains the additional information as the user's personal database, and reproduces the information. This article relates to available image file methods and devices.

(Prior art) In recent years, image file devices have been put into practical use, and opportunities for many people to access image databases have increased.
Document image filing systems are becoming popular in offices, as described in ``Overview of the Electronic Filing System NEOFILE100O.'' In these systems, document images are input from a scanner, registered on an optical disk, and each file is stored as search information. When performing a 6-image search to add image registration date, bibliographic information such as title, keyboard, etc., these search information is input, the corresponding image is displayed on a high-resolution display monitor, and a hard copy is taken if necessary. In the future, as more low-cost personal terminals are developed, it is thought that the use of image databases will become even more popular.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, when considering the usage of image files, the capabilities of currently provided devices are insufficient.

For example, when we read a paper file, we underline, mark important parts, and write annotations on the paper. Adding personal additional information to information in this way is editing the information in a sense, and can be said to be a very important act in understanding and organizing information. However, with conventional image file devices, it is not possible to actively edit information in this way for images displayed on a display.
Currently, the information that users can add to digitized image information is limited to information that is easy for the device to process, such as dates, bibliographic information such as titles, and keywords, making it difficult to understand and organize the information content of images. Therefore, in the past, if you wanted to add personal information to an image for effective use, you would make a hard copy, underline or write on it, and then re-install it on the device. It was necessary to enter the information into the form or refile it in paper form. Additionally, if you re-enter the device after writing,
If each user were to add their own information to a single image, the number of image files would increase by the number of users, which would be inefficient.

The present invention compensates for the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional image file devices, allows users to input personal additional information without having to make a hard copy, and saves the input information in a user-specific additional information file. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus that can store additional information unique to the user and reproduce the user's own additional information when searching for images.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the image file method provided by the first invention of the present application is such that the user inputs additional information for the displayed image at the time of image registration or image search. , converts the input additional information into a data format that can be output as an image signal or an audio signal depending on the type of input media, stores the converted additional information, and further stores the user's ID number and the stored additional information. Creates an additional information list that associates with the display image, stores the created additional information list, determines the display image based on the user's search condition input at the next image search, and uses the user's ID number and the determined display image. The present invention is characterized in that it refers to the stored additional information list, reads out any information added by the user to the display image, and outputs the additional information unique to the user along with the display image.

Means provided by the second invention of the present application in order to solve the above-mentioned problem is an image file device having an image display means for displaying a registered image or a search image, and an image file device for inputting additional information to the displayed image. an information input means; an additional information conversion means for converting the input additional information into a data format that can be output as an image signal or an audio signal according to the type of input media and temporarily storing the converted information; additional information storage means for storing the temporarily stored additional information; and an additional information list for creating an additional information list that associates a user's ID number, the additional information stored in the additional information storage means, and a display image. a creation means, an additional information list storage means for storing the additional information list created by the additional information list creation means, an image selection means for determining a display image based on a user's search condition input, and an ID number of the user. Referring to the display image determined by the image m selection means and the additional information list stored in the additional information list storage means, the additional information added by the corresponding user to the display image is stored in the additional information storage means. It is characterized by comprising additional information selecting means for reading out and sending to the additional information converting means, and additional information outputting means for outputting the additional information temporarily stored in the additional information converting means.

(Operation) The image file method and device according to the present invention solves the drawbacks of the prior art by adopting the above-described configuration.

In the image file method and device according to the present invention, input of additional information for a displayed image is allowed during image registration or search. The user inputs additional information using the provided additional information input means. Additional information is not limited to a single medium; key human-powered text information,
It is assumed that the basic information is a composite of information from different media, such as handwritten vector information using keypad/mouse input.

The additional information conversion means converts the additional information into a data format that can be output as an image signal or an audio signal, depending on the type of input media, and temporarily stores it. The stored data is output by the additional information output means so that the user can confirm it.

Thereafter, the additional information data is transferred to the additional information storage means and is filed into files for each input medium.

Further, the additional information list creation means creates an additional information list in which the user's ID number, the file pointer of each stored additional information, and the ID number of the displayed image are linked, and transfers it to the additional information list storage means.

In the next image search, the user inputs search information, such as keywords, given to the image data itself. Here, the image selection means reads and displays images that meet the search conditions.

These procedures use the conventional technology as is.The image selection means simultaneously provides the ID number of the displayed image and the ID number of the user to the additional information selection means. The additional information selection means is
Based on this, the corresponding record of the list is read from the additional information list storage means. Based on the contents of the read list, the additional information selection means reads the additional information file from the additional information storage means and sends it to the additional information conversion means. . The additional information conversion means identifies the media type of each file and temporarily stores each file in an outputtable format. The stored information is output by the additional information output means.

By overlaying handwritten marks, underlines, or text input using a mouse or keypad on an image, you can create an interface similar to adding information to a paper file. Moreover, since the user's additional information and image data are managed separately, even if the image data is shared, each user can simultaneously refer to the information he or she has added and create his or her own image data. It can be used as if it were there. In addition to this, you can add unique icons, add explanations by voice input, etc.
It is also possible to add multifaceted functions that cannot be achieved with paper files. Adding this unique information is
It is important for better understanding and organizing data and promotes effective use of image files.

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

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an image file device according to the present invention.
l! The unit 12 stores management information of image data. The image memory 13 expands and stores the image data read from the image data storage unit 11.

The mouse 14 and keyboard 15 constitute additional information input means. The keyboard 15 is also used to input ID numbers and search conditions. The input controller 16, point data memory 17 and key data memory 18 are
This constitutes additional information conversion means. Point data memory 1
7 is a bitmap memory for outputting input from the mouse 14 as a video; key data memory 18 is a keyboard 15;
character to output text input to video output.
It consists of a character-code memory for storing codes and a character-font generator. or,
The overlay controller 19 and display monitor 110, which may be configured with a bitmap memory that stores character fonts as images, constitute additional information output means. At the same time, these also serve as image data output means. Additional information list creation section 111 serves as additional information list creation means, additional information selection section 112 serves as additional information selection means, additional information file storage section 113 serves as additional information storage means, and additional information list storage section 114 serves as additional information list storage. The image selection section 115 corresponds to image selection means.

In the image file method and device according to the present invention, additional information for a displayed image can be input during image registration or image search. Additional information is not limited to a single medium, but is based on a composite of information from different media, such as text information manually input using a keypad or handwritten vector information input using a keypad/mouse. In this embodiment, the input device is When a zero image using a mouse and a keyboard is displayed on the display monitor 110, the user can input additional information using the mouse 14 or the keyboard 15.

Consider input using the mouse 14. The input of the mouse 14 is
The input controller 16 monitors and constantly writes to the point data memory 17. The point data memory 17 is a bitmap of 1 bit/pixel. The input is displayed as a cursor on display monitor 110 via overlay controller 19 . When the cursor is moved and the mouse button is pressed at any position on the image on the display monitor 110, the subsequent locus of the mouse cursor is written on the point data memory 17.

Writing the trajectory continues as long as the mouse button is held down.

The written trajectory is displayed on the display monitor 110, overlaying the image data. This makes it possible to express handwritten underlines, marks, and the like on images. If you make a mistake, try something like this: First, release the button, draw a rectangle that will enclose the part you want to erase, and use another button on the mouse 14 to specify the top left and bottom right of the rectangle. As a result, the area on the point data memory 17 corresponding to the inside of the rectangle is cleared.

The key input is the same as normal text input. The user inputs comments or summaries regarding the image data using the keyboard 15. The input data is
The input controller 16 writes to the key data memory 18, unless the user specifies otherwise, the input controller 1
6 writes data to a certain memory area of the key data memory 18, and on the display monitor 110, the text is always displayed in a certain area (for example, the bottom of the screen) 0 If you want to display comments in other parts of the screen For example, the input controller 16 overlays a key cursor on the screen and moves it to input text. Write text data in the corresponding area of the key data memory 18, or use the mouse 14 to cut a rectangular window at any position on the screen, and the input controller 16 writes the text data in the corresponding area of the key data memory 18. It is also possible to set a plurality of areas and write there.Of course, it is necessary to store the position information of each writing area together with the input data.

When the input of the additional information is completed, the input controller 16 converts the information into files for each media type and transfers them to the additional information file storage section 113. At this timing, for example, valid data in the point data memory 17 and key data memory 18 is transferred at the time when the display image is changed. In the case of the embodiment, a file is created in the following data format, for example.

The handwritten data entered by the mouse is displayed on the display monitor 11.
A partial area of the screen of 0 is cut out in a rectangular shape, and an image block with the position coordinates of the rectangle inside the point data memory 17 or the start coordinate and rectangle size as a header is used as a le code, and is stored in the additional information file storage section 113.
Transfer to. For example, there are the following methods for determining which partial region should be cut out. Now, assume that the period from when the mouse 14 button is pressed to when it is released is one interval.

The input controller 16 measures the coordinates in the point data memory 17 of the trajectory written during this interval, and
, find the upper and lower limits in both Y directions. As a result, the smallest rectangular area (see FIG. 2) surrounding the trajectory drawn in one interval is obtained in real time. The input controller 16 has a list of coordinates corresponding to valid intervals and transfers image blocks accordingly. The coordinates of each interval may be compared, a rectangular area surrounding all data may be set, and the inside of the rectangular area may be transferred as a code.

If the key is manually operated, the key data memory 18
Text data of undefined length with the coordinates of the internal writing area or the header coordinates and size as a header is transferred to the additional information file storage section 113 as a code. Each record of mouse input and key manual input is compiled into a file, and the media type of the file is written in the file header.Pi, P2 in Figure 0 shows a conceptual diagram of the mouse data file and key data file in Figure 3. are each a file pointer. Pointer P1. P2 is notified by the additional information file storage section 113 to the additional information list creation section 111.

The additional information list creation unit 111 creates a list that associates the additional information that has been input, the display image, and the user. First, it is assumed that the ID number of the accessing user is already known (eg, stored by the image selection unit 115 by keystrokes).

Additionally, the displayed image is assigned a unique ID number within the device (it may be a logical file number, or it may be a unique ID number within the device).
(It may be a logical address within 1). The additional information list creation M111 receives notification of these pieces of information from the image selection section 115, creates an additional information list as shown in FIG. 4, and transfers it to the additional information list storage section 114. ．． Pi 2 (i=1.
2=n) is a media-specific additional information file pointer for the image IDl. If the pointer is null, there is no additional information for the corresponding media. Note that here, in order to increase the security of personal information, an additional information list file is created for each user.

In the next image search, the user inputs search information, such as keywords, given to the image data itself. Here, the image selection unit 115 reads management data from the image database management unit 12 based on the search conditions, and obtains the ID number of the corresponding image.
reads the corresponding image data from the image data storage section 11, writes it into the image memory 13, and displays it on the display monitor 110. Processing related to these image searches uses the conventional technology as is.

On the other hand, the image selection section 115 notifies the additional information selection section 112 of the ID number of the displayed image and the ID number of the user. Based on this, the additional information selection unit 112 reads the corresponding record in the list from the additional information list storage unit 114, obtains a file pointer from the read list, and the additional information selection unit 112 reads the corresponding record in the list from the additional information list storage unit 114. Part 113
The necessary additional information file is read out from the file and sent to the input controller 16.

The input controller 16 identifies the media type of each file, allocates it to the point data memory 17 and key data memory 18, and writes the data according to the address written in the header. The additional information and the image are overlaid and output to the display monitor 110.

In the above, an example was shown in which additional information is output as an overlay as an image.
It is also possible to add audio annotations to images by using a speaker as an additional information output means. In this case, an A/D converter, a D/A converter, a compression/expansion circuit, and an audio data buffer are added to the input controller 16.

The audio data from the microphone is digitized by an A/D converter, compressed by a compression circuit, and then transferred to additional information file storage section 113 via an audio data buffer. The simplest file format is a header indicating the media type and compressed data. When displaying an image, the corresponding file is read from the additional information file storage unit 113 to the audio data buffer and decompressed by the decompression circuit. After that, it is converted to an analog signal by a D/A converter and sent to the speakers. The compressed data stored in the audio data buffer may be played back on the speaker at any time.

Adding information by voice is very easy to input and does not interfere with thinking, so it can be expected to be used effectively.

In the present invention, since additional information is managed separately from image data for each user, multiple users can access the same image data using their own interface, and can create images tailored to each user. A file usage environment can be provided. As mentioned above, by overlaying handwritten marks, underlines, or text input using a mouse or keypad on an image, you can create an interface similar to adding information to a paper file. In addition, it is also possible to add functions that cannot be achieved with paper files, such as adding unique icons or adding explanations by voice input. Of course, you can output additional information only when requested, and if there is no request, you can use the conventional image file search method.Adding your own information is important for better understanding and organizing data. It promotes effective use of image files.

(Effect of the invention) With the image file method and device described above, it is possible to input personal additional information on the device, which had to be added by making a hard copy in the conventional device, and when searching for an image, it is possible to input personal additional information on the device. information can be searched simultaneously. As in the embodiment, by overlaying handwritten marks, underlines, or text input using a mouse or keypad on an image, an interface similar to that of adding information to a paper file can be realized.

Furthermore, since the additional information is managed separately from the image data for each user, each user can use the image data as if it were his or her own, even if the image data is shared.

In addition, by adding unique icons as additional information or adding explanations by voice input, you can re-edit information from multiple angles that cannot be achieved with paper files.

Adding such unique information is important for better understanding and organizing image data, and promotes effective use of image files.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image file device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image block in which handwritten information input by a mouse is rectangularly cut out.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the file format of an additional information file input by mouse and keyboard input, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the file format of an additional information list. In the figure, 11 is an image data storage unit, 12 is an image database management unit, 13 is an image memory, 14 is a mouse, 1
5 is a keyboard, 16 is an input controller, 17 is a point data memory, 18 is a key data memory, 19 is an overlay controller, 110 is a display monitor, 111 is an additional information list creation section, 112 is an additional information selection section, 113 is additional information A file storage section, 114 an additional information list storage section, and 115 an In selection section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The user inputs additional information for the displayed image during image registration or image search, and converts the input additional information into a data format that can be output as an image signal or audio signal depending on the type of input media. It also stores the additional information that has been stored, creates an additional information list that associates the user's ID number, the stored additional information, and the display image, stores the created additional information list, and uses the user's information at the next image search. A display image is determined from the search condition input, and by referring to the user's ID number, the determined display image, and the stored additional information list, any information added by the user to the display image is read out. , an image file method characterized by outputting additional information unique to the user together with the displayed image. (2) In an image file device having an image display means for displaying a registered image or a search image, an additional information input means for inputting additional information for the displayed image, and an image signal for inputting the input additional information according to the type of input media. or additional information converting means for converting the data into a data format that can be output as an audio signal and temporarily storing it; additional information storage means for storing the additional information temporarily stored in the additional information converting means; ID number,
additional information list creation means for creating an additional information list that associates the additional information stored in the additional information storage means with the display image; and additional information list storage for storing the additional information list created by the additional information list creation means. means, an image selection means for determining a display image based on a search condition input by a user, an ID number of the user, a display image determined by the image selection means, and an additional information list stored in the additional information list storage means. with reference to the additional information added by the user to the displayed image from the additional information storage means;
An image file device comprising: additional information selecting means for sending to additional information converting means; and additional information outputting means for outputting additional information temporarily stored in the additional information converting means.