JPS636965A - Picture retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily retrieve plural pictures stored in a storage device in a short time by providing a function for retrieving the picture every prescribed number in a retrieving means. CONSTITUTION:The picture inputted from a scanner 4 is stored in an optical disk 5A and thereafter, all or a part thereof is stored and controlled by a picture area storage means 5B according to the necessity. In this picture area storage means 5B, the picture is stored corresponding to respective addresses in an order, for instance, in which the picture is registered. The picture registered before or after the prescribed number can be displayed on plural arrow marks respectively displayed on a CRT 3 by one registering operation on the display means CRT3. Accordingly, the picture to be displayed on the CRT can be easily and rapidly displayed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an image input device that inputs an image, or an image storage device that stores an image input from the image input device. The present invention relates to an image search device capable of searching a plurality of images stored in an image area storage means that stores part of information.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, this type of image retrieval device uses an image input means, for example, an image written on a document set at a predetermined position of a scanner, or an image memory input from the scanner and stored as image information. For example, in order to register image information stored on an optical disk as a part of another image, a storage means is provided in addition to the optical disk serving as the image storage means, and an image of an arbitrary area of the image is stored in this storage means. These images are stored and edited as part of other images.

More specifically, FIG. 7 shows an example of a display displayed on a display means, for example, a CRT. Display areas 30a and 30b display icons defining each function on the CRT.

30C, and a display area ff that displays the entire image stored on the optical disk or the entire image input from the scanner.
f31, and a display area 32 that displays part of the image input from the scanner or part of the image stored on the optical disc.

The image displayed in the display area 32 can be created by arbitrarily specifying a part of an image input from a scanner or a part of an image stored on an optical disk using, for example, a mouse serving as a pointing control mechanism. A plurality of images are stored in another storage means, such as a RAM (random access memory), and the stored images are searched and displayed.

The method of this search is, for example, by using the mouse, which is the pointing control mechanism, to move the cursor mark 35 over the arrow marks 33 and 34 displayed together with the stored images, and then pressing the registration button provided on the mouse. By doing so, the desired image is searched one by one from among the plurality of images stored in the direct image area storage means.

As mentioned above, in order to search the conventional stored image area, since the stored images can only be displayed one by one in sequence, the more images stored, the more time it takes. However, since the buttons must be pressed down one by one, there are problems in that operability is degraded and physical fatigue is accumulated.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As detailed above, in the conventional image retrieval device, the entire or part of the input image is stored in the storage means in order to be edited as part of another image. When searching for multiple images stored in a computer, the stored images can only be displayed one by one, so the more images stored in the memory, the more time it takes. Since the user has to press the button, there is a problem that the operability deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image search device that can easily search a plurality of images stored in a storage device in a short time.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The structure of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an image recording system that records and stores an arbitrary image area of an image input via an image input means. An image retrieval device comprising an area storage means, a display means for displaying at least the above arbitrary image area, and a retrieval means for retrieving images stored in the image area storage means via the display means, wherein the retrieval means The configuration includes a function to search for images every predetermined number of images.

(Function) The function of the present invention having the above configuration is that the saving means is provided with a function of retrieving images stored every predetermined number of images. No need to search one by one.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the image search device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the image search device 1.

In the figure, an image search device 1 includes a CPU 2, which is a control unit that controls the rest of the image search device 1, and an image input device that reads an image written on a document (not shown) placed at a predetermined position. Scanner 4 as a means and this scanner 4
An image storage device 5A that stores images read from the image storage device 5A, a magnetic disk device 5C that stores identification information corresponding to each stored image, and a display that temporarily stores a plurality of images to be registered as part of other images. A storage device 5 that stores a memory 5B, and this storage device 5 or the scanner 4
a CRT 3 serving as a display means for displaying an image input from the CRT; a keyboard 8 for inputting identification information corresponding to the input image or stored image information;
Pointing control gate (hereinafter also referred to as mouse) 6 which is a specifying means for moving the cursor mark displayed on Ta and selecting and inputting the displayed arrow mark or various icons (none of which are shown in the figure). For example, image information is exchanged between the printer 7 that prints out the image displayed on the CRTa, and an external device similar to the device 1, using a LAN line, for example. It is composed of an external interface 10 and the like for carrying out the operations.

The mouse 6, which is the pointing control mechanism, is usually provided with two presses, one for pressing, for example, a function to interrupt input, and the other for controlling items such as arrow marks and icons displayed on the CRTa. You can now selectively register.

The control section 2 has a function of controlling the display of the corresponding image stored in the image area storage means 5B when any of the plurality of arrow marks (described later) displayed on the CRT 3 is designated by the mouse 6. have.

Specifically, the image inputted from the scanner 4 is stored on the optical disk 5A, and then all or part of it is controlled to be stored in the image area storage means 5B as required. In this image area storage means 5B, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, images are stored in the order in which they were registered, in association with each address, for example, 0001 to 0OFF.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the arrow marks 11 to 16 displayed on the CRT 3 are defined to search for images stored in the image area recording/recording means 5B, respectively. That is, the arrow mark indicated by 11 in FIG.
It is necessary to access the address containing the first stored image, and the arrow mark 12 accesses the address just one previous from the address specified by the other arrows, and The arrow 13 is defined to access a predetermined number of addresses, for example, five addresses.

Further, the arrow marks 14 to 16 are defined in the same way as above, and the arrow mark 16 is for accessing the address storing the image stored last in number -. , 15 is for accessing the address one address after the address specified by the other arrows, and the arrow mark 14 is for accessing the address after a predetermined number of pages, for example, 5. is defined in . In this way, images registered a predetermined number of images before or after a predetermined number of images for each of the plurality of arrow marks displayed on the CRTa can be displayed on the display means CRTa by one registration operation. . Therefore, not only can images to be displayed on the CRTa be displayed easily and quickly, but also physical fatigue can be reduced.

Note that the above arrow marks 13 and 14 show an example of accessing five addresses before or after the predetermined number of sheets.
The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, numerical values such as 3.6.8 may be defined.

Here, image editing refers to, for example, an image written on a disc placed at a predetermined position of an image input means, that is, a scanner, or image information that has already been stored as a digital signal on the optical disk 5A, which is an image storage means. , to register it as part of another image.

The display memory 5B serving as the image area storage means is, for example, an RA.
When editing all or part of an image stored in the scanner 4 or optical disk 5A as part of another image, multiple images can be edited as described above. It is designed to be remembered. When an image, that is, a part, is registered as a part of another image in this display memory 5B, the size of the area of the image of the subject is specified by the mouse 6. It is now registered in proportion to the number of cases.

FIGS. 1 to 2(a) and 2(b) show the effects of the image search device configured as described above.

This will be explained below with reference to (C).

On the above-mentioned CRTa, after a predetermined operation, a work menu 17, 18.
The display of 19 is controlled. By moving the mouse 6 on the desk, the CPU 2 controls the movement of the cursor mark 20 displayed on the CRTa.

In this way, the arrow marks 11 to 16 displayed together with the cursor mark 20 or the icons displayed in the icon display areas 17 to 19, for example, 17a, 1
Move the cursor mark 20 onto an icon in which a predetermined function is defined, such as 7b, and press the registration button provided on the mouse 6 to execute "all" associated with the arrow mark, for example. It looks like this. Incidentally, this operation can be input not only from the mouse 6 but also from the keyboard 8.

Here, a procedure for displaying an arbitrary image on the CRTa from among the images already stored in the image area storage means will be described.

When the power is turned on for the first time, the process proceeds to step ST1.

In step ST1, one of the arrow marks 11 to 16 displayed on the CRTa is moved by controlling the movement of the cursor mark 20 using the mouse 6 to move the cursor mark 20 onto a desired arrow mark to perform pointing, that is, execution. Then, the process proceeds to step ST2. In addition, step ST2 and subsequent steps ST
Up to 6, the specified arrow mark is judged.

In step ST2, it is determined whether the designated arrow mark is an arrow mark indicated by the reference numeral 11. If the arrow mark is 11, the process proceeds to step ST9; if not, the process proceeds to step ST3.

In step ST9, step ST2 is sent via the CPU2.
The address for storing the image corresponding to the arrow mark 11 described above, that is, the image first stored in the display memory 5B, is accessed. The process then proceeds to step 5T10.

In step 5T10, the first image stored on the CRTa is displayed. Looking at this display, the operator decides whether or not to edit and register another image (step 5T19); if it is another image, the process returns to step ST1; if to edit and register, the operator proceeds to step 5T20. And step 5
At T20, editing registration is performed using the mouse 6, and the process proceeds to the next work step to proceed with other work.

- In step ST3, it is determined whether the designated arrow mark is the arrow mark 13 defined to search for an address registered a predetermined number of pages later, for example, five addresses ago. If the corresponding arrow mark 13 is found, step 5T1
1, and if not applicable, proceed to step ST4.

In step 5T11, the addresses of the five songs designated by the arrow marks 13 determined in step ST3 are accessed. Then, the process proceeds to step 5T12.

In step STI2, the image registered at the address defined in the arrow mark 13 described in step ST11 and registered five times before is displayed on the CRTS.

and step 5T19 and step 5T2 mentioned above.
Execute 0.

- In step ST4, it is determined whether the designated arrow mark is the arrow mark indicated by reference numeral 12. If it is the arrow mark 12, the process proceeds to step 5T13, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST5.

In step 5T13, step ST
The address for storing the image corresponding to the arrow described in 4, that is, the previously registered image, is accessed. The process then proceeds to step 5T14.

In step 5T14, the first image stored on the CRTS is displayed. Seeing this display, the operator decides whether or not to edit and register another image (step 5T19).
, if the image is another image, the process returns to step ST1, and if the image is to be edited and registered, the process proceeds to step ST20. Then, in step 5T20, editing registration is performed using the mouse 6, and the process proceeds to the next work step to recommend another work.

- In step ST5, it is determined whether the designated arrow mark is the arrow mark indicated by reference numeral 14. If the arrow mark is 14, the process proceeds to step 5T15, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST6.

In step 5T15, step S
The address for storing the image corresponding to the arrow described in T5, that is, the image registered after a predetermined number of images, for example, 5 images, is accessed. The process then proceeds to step 5T16.

In step ST16, the step 5T1 is placed on the CRTa.
Display the image registered at the address accessed in step 5. Based on this display, the operator decides whether to edit or register another image (step 5T19); if it is another image, the process returns to step ST1; if to edit and register, the operator proceeds to step 5T20. Then, in step 5T20, editing registration is performed using the mouse 6, and the process proceeds to the next work step to proceed with other work.

On the other hand, in step ST6, it is determined whether or not the designated arrow mark is the arrow mark indicated by the symbol ]5. If the designated arrow mark is the arrow mark 15, the process proceeds to step 5T17, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST7.

In step 5T17, step ST
The address for storing the image corresponding to the arrow described in 6, that is, the image registered after one, is accessed. The process then proceeds to step 5T18.

In step 5T18, the above step 5T1 is placed on CRTa.
Display the image registered with the address accessed in step 7. Looking at this display, the operator decides whether or not to edit and register another image (step 5T19); if it is another image, the process returns to step ST1; if to edit and register, the operator proceeds to step 5T20. Then, in step 5T20, editing registration is performed using the mouse 6, and the process proceeds to the next work step to proceed with other work.

In step ST7, the CPU 2 sends the arrow mark 16
accesses the address that stores the images corresponding to , that is, the first registered images. Then, the process advances to step ST8.

In step ST8, the first image stored on the CRTa is displayed. Based on this display, the operator decides whether or not to edit and register another image (step 5T19). If it is another image, the process returns to step ST1; if it does not, the operator advances to step 5T20. And step 5
At T20, editing registration is performed using the mouse 6, and the process proceeds to the next work step in order to finish other work.

As described above, arrow marks defined to display a predetermined number of images are displayed on the CRT, and the desired number can be selected easily and quickly. You can search for images.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which an arrow mark consisting of a substantially triangular shape was displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and marks having other shapes may be displayed, or a similar U mark on the keyboard may be displayed. A key A may be provided and the search may be performed using this key.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image search device that can easily search for a plurality of images stored in a neckband in a short time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 2 (a), (b), and (c) are flowcharts showing the working procedure of the image search device of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the configuration of the image search device of the present invention, and FIG. The figure is an explanatory diagram illustrating the image displayed in the image area 1 or 1. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the image displayed on the display means, and Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the image displayed on the display means. Enlarged view, Figure 7 is CR
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional image displayed on T. 1... Image search device, 2.6.11-16... Search means, 3... Display means, 4... Image input means, 5B...
Image area storage means. Figure 2 5B Figure 4 Figure 5 1111 6th

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Image area storage means for storing an arbitrary image area of an image inputted via the image input means, display means for displaying at least the above-mentioned arbitrary image area, and image area storage means for storing an arbitrary image area of the image inputted via the image input means; 1. An image retrieval device comprising: a retrieval means for retrieving images stored in an image retrieval device, wherein the retrieval means is provided with a function of retrieving images every predetermined number of images. (2) The image search device according to claim 1, wherein the function of searching for images every predetermined number of images includes a cursor mark displayed on the display means.