JP2001319230A - Electronic image sorting method and photo service - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that it takes a long time for arranging returned negative films or prints heretofore and a blank moment has occurred when they are lost. SOLUTION: This electronic image sorting method has a condition setting means for previously inputting sorting conditions and storing these inputted conditions. A photograph film or print subjected to a developing processing is converted into an electronic image by a converting means, the contents of the converted electronic image are recognized by an image recognizing means, and the image contents recognized by the image recognizing means are collated with the conditions set by the condition setting mans by a collation means, then the electronic image matching with the conditions set by the condition setting means is sorted for every set condition.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for sorting electronic images, a method for creating an album, and a photo service using the sorting method and the method for creating an album.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photographed photographic film is developed and printed, and a negative and a print are returned to a customer. When storing the returned negatives and prints, the customer is not always arranged in an album or the like and may be left alone. As the number of negatives and prints that are not organized increases, it becomes difficult to rearrange them in chronological order, and it becomes difficult to enjoy photographs later. In addition, it is very troublesome work to sort the photographed images according to the theme desired by the customer, or to order a photograph including many persons in a reprint order, and then sort the photograph for each individual.

[0003] In particular, organizing photographs at school is a very troublesome and complicated work.

[0004] For example, many pictures taken at school days, such as athletic meet, excursion, school festival, etc. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as various events), sign all the pictures, such as school corridors. Select the photos desired by the students and their parents, collect the memo papers with the symbols, create additional prints, separate the fees for each student and their parents, calculate the fee, and collect the money in exchange for the print Such an extremely complicated method has been adopted.

[0005] In addition, many kinds of events are performed in schools, and enormous work occurs. Because these are performed manually each time, it is very time-consuming,
When a teacher performs it, it becomes a heavy load. In addition, profitability is becoming severe even when a business trip photo studio performs.

[0006] On the other hand, since only a plurality of prints are given to the photos obtained by the students and their parents, if it is desired to arrange them for each event, it is necessary to purchase and organize the album separately. .

The graduation commemorative album is extremely important as a record of school life. However, since the same album was distributed in the past, the contents of the photos were equally distributed to each student. The editing was cumbersome, and even then, an uneven situation could occur, which was a potential frustration.

[0008]

As described above, conventionally, it takes time and effort to arrange the returned negatives and prints.
In addition, there is a problem that a blank time is created when the camera is lost.

[0009]

The object of the present invention is to provide (1)
It has a condition setting means for inputting conditions to be sorted in advance and storing the inputted conditions, converts the developed photographic film or print into an electronic image by a converting means, and converts the contents of the converted electronic image. Recognizing by the image recognizing means, collating the image content recognized by the image recognizing means with the condition set by the condition setting means by the collating means, and determining an electronic image that matches the condition set by the condition setting means. An electronic image sorting method for sorting for each of the set conditions; (2) a classification information setting means for inputting basic image data in advance, assigning a classification symbol to each basic image data and storing the classification information; Converting the developed photographic film or print into an electronic image by a converting means, recognizing the content of the converted electronic image by an image recognizing means, When the image content recognized by the step is compared with the base image data stored in the classification information setting unit by the matching unit, and the base image data matches the content of the image recognized by the recognition unit. An electronic image sorting method, wherein a classification symbol corresponding to the classification symbol assigned to the base image data is assigned to the electronic image. (3) Sorting is performed for each assigned classification symbol. And (4) the method for sorting electronic images according to (2), wherein
(1) Selection means for arbitrarily selecting an electronic image sorted by the electronic image sorting method according to any one of (1) to (3), and an electronic image editing means capable of editing and processing the selected electronic image Arbitrarily change the arrangement of electronic images by
A method for creating an electronic album, wherein the album is created by storing it in a storage means; (5) an electronic image sorted by the above (1) to (3) or an electronic album created by (4) is stored on a network. A photo service that is shared with various services using the electronic image, wherein a service user can browse the electronic album for each of the sorted conditions and / or for each classification symbol or for the electronic album. Photo service characterized by the following. (6) A photo service for transmitting an electronic image to a destination designated by the customer, wherein the electronic image to be transmitted to the customer is created by the electronic image sorted by the above (1) to (3) or by (4). Achieved by a photo service, which is an electronic album.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

FIG. 1 shows a flow of an electronic image sorting method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for sorting electronic images according to claim 1.

The conditions for sorting are input to the condition setting means 1 and stored. Specifically, it refers to a means for inputting and storing conditions, such as a personal computer terminal. Here, the storage means may be stored in the hard disk of the personal computer terminal itself, may be a recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium or an optical recording medium, or may be a server on a network. Further, it is preferable that the electronic image converted by the converting means 3, the image information recognized by the image recognizing means 4, and the sorted electronic image are respectively stored, and the stored means are the same as those described above. It is. In FIG. 2, it corresponds to the storage means 7.

In the present invention, conditions can be arbitrarily set. More specifically, a clerk can arbitrarily set the conditions in a photo shop or a collection and delivery place, or a customer can specify a condition for sorting.

The developed photographic film or print 2 is converted into an electronic image by the conversion means 3. The outline of the electronic image is recognized by a recognition unit 4 for recognizing the content. The recognized electronic image is sent to the matching unit 5
The condition setting means 1 checks whether or not a condition set in advance is met, and those which match the condition are automatically sorted for each set condition. Items that do not correspond to the preset conditions are automatically sorted into other items.

In the present invention, the processed photographic film or print 2 may be a color negative film, a color reversal film,
Either a black-and-white negative film or the like may be used. The prints are of course photographic prints using common silver halide,
A print without silver halide, for example, a printed matter or a print obtained by an inkjet method may be used. In the present invention, the development processing may be generally performed color development processing or black-and-white development processing, and may be a bleaching step, a fixing step, a drying step, or the like in the development processing steps. The development process may be a development process in which some of the steps relating to the development process are omitted. Further, it may be processed by heat development.

In the present invention, the conversion means 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can convert the developed photographic film or print 2 into an electronic image. Specifically, a scanner is preferably used. In the present invention, the recognition means 4 for recognizing the content of the electronic image recognizes the content of the image converted into the electronic image by the conversion means 3,
As a specific recognition method, a known method can be used. For example, JP-A-7-65169 and JP-A-1
1-238077 and JP-A-11-238078. Related documents include Kazuhiko Kushima et al., “High-speed Image Retrieval System Based on Objects: Exsight,” IPSJ Transactions, Vol4
0, No. 2, 732-741 (1999), Haruo Kimoto, "Image Retrieval Using Kansei Words and Its Accuracy Evaluation", Transactions of Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 3,886-89
8 (1999).

The electronic image information recognized by the recognizing means 4 is collated with preset conditions by the collating means 5 and sorted according to the set conditions. When the sea is recognized as the image information recognized by the recognition means 4, the matching means checks with a preset condition. Sort into conditions. In addition, when a plurality of images such as a sea and a mountain are recognized in one image, they are collated with each other, and if both conditions are set, they are sorted into the respective conditions.

3 and 4 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a flow of an electronic image sorting method according to the second aspect.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a method for sorting electronic images according to the second aspect.

A second feature of the present invention resides in that there is provided classification information setting means 10 which preliminarily inputs basic image data, assigns a classification symbol to each basic image data, and stores it. The basic image data is, for example, a face, a right side, and a left side of a face in the case of a person, and features such as colors and shapes of birds and flowers are stored in advance as image data. is there.

The provision of a classification symbol for each basic image data is not particularly limited as long as the individual data can be classified when the basic data is input.

For example, for each person, each building, each flower type,
It is set for each bird type.For example, in schools such as elementary schools and junior high schools, students' attendance numbers, individual numbers, etc.
Flowers and birds can be arbitrarily set at the time of inputting basic image data such as scientific names and common names.

According to this sorting method, when a plurality of students appear in one photograph, a plurality of classification symbols corresponding to each student are given to the electronic image. Since the sorting is performed for each assigned classification symbol, the electronic images to which the plurality of classification symbols are assigned are automatically sorted to correspond to the respective classification symbols.

A more detailed description will be given of a method of sorting individual students in a school as an example.

An image serving as a basis for specifying an individual such as the front, right and left sides of each student's face and the student's personal number are stored in advance in the classification information setting means 10. In FIG. 5, classification symbols A to D are stored in the classification information recording means 10 for four students A to D. Each feature is A
Shows that the nose is high, B has a mole on the right side of the face, C is a shameful head, and D is a student wearing glasses.

Photos taken at events such as athletic meet, school trip, school festival, etc. are developed and printed. The developed photographic film or print 2 is converted into an electronic image by the converting means 3, and the converted electronic image is recognized by the recognizing means 4. The contents of the recognized electronic image are collated with the pre-stored image data of the individual students stored in advance by the collation means 5, and if they match, a classification symbol stored in advance is automatically added, and the added symbol is added. It is sorted every time.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the collation. (1) shows three students, and the electronic image recognition means 4 recognizes the three students. Next, the three images recognized by the recognition means 4 are compared with the base image data (corresponding to FIG. 5 in this case) stored in the classification information setting means 10 by the matching means 5.
It is determined that the three recognized persons are three persons of ABC, and (1)
Are assigned ABC classification symbols. Thereafter, in (2) to (5), the recognition and collation of the electronic image are similarly performed. (2) is C, (3) is AD, and (4) is A.
The BCD is assigned to the CD in (5), and is sorted for each classification symbol.

It should be noted that an image having no base image data in advance, such as the image (5), may not be given any classification symbol, or may be classified as "other". In school life, there are various events such as athletic meet, school excursion, school festival, etc., and it was very troublesome to organize photos for each event and for each student, but the image that became the base beforehand Sorting can be automatically performed by storing data and classification symbols.

For the flowers and birds, the image data and the discrimination symbols, such as colors, shapes, and features, are stored in advance, so that the image recognized by the recognizing means 4 is collated by the collation means 5, and the classification symbols are discriminated. It can be automatically sorted every time.

By storing the electronic images sorted by the electronic image sorting method of the present invention in the storage means,
For example, when creating a graduation album, it is possible to eliminate biased students on the graduation album by evenly extracting the sorted electronic images, and to use personalized graduation albums using sorted electronic images It has an unprecedented effect.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the electronic images sorted as described above can be easily edited and processed by the image editing means, and the arrangement of the electronic images can be arbitrarily changed. is there. Known image editing means can be employed.

The customer can create an album of electronic images by arbitrarily selecting the sorted electronic images, editing the selected images by the image editing means, and arbitrarily arranging the images.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a photo service using a network. Each electronic image sorted as described above is disclosed on a network, and a customer can view the electronic image via a terminal. Electronic images can be published on the network in any way that can be widely viewed by the general public, or that can be viewed only by individuals, for example, only to specific groups such as school units. Adopted and customers can choose any publishing method. If only individuals are disclosed to a group, it can be easily performed by setting a password.

The customer can place an order for additional printing, processing, and editing for an image published on such a network. The creation of the electronic image album can also be ordered on the network.

In the present invention, the classified electronic images can be transmitted to the terminal designated by the customer by the transmitting means for each of the classified electronic images.

The electronic image to be transmitted may be a format in which a plurality of images are displayed on one screen when receiving and browsing, a so-called index system, or a system in which each electronic image is transmitted individually. When the destination specified by the customer has a large screen such as a personal computer, the index method is preferable, and when the screen is small, such as a mobile phone capable of receiving images, the individual transmission method is preferable. The customer can select a transmission method.

In transmitting the electronic image to the terminal designated by the customer, information relating to the transmission of the electronic image can be simultaneously transmitted as information other than the electronic image.

The information relating to the transmission of the electronic image includes the size of the electronic image (for example, image capacity (bytes)), the method of the electronic image (for example, JPG, TIFF, JIFF, BMP,
PSD, etc.), electronic image transmission fee, reprint order fee,
There are a method of ordering additional prints, specifications of additional prints (for example, print size, print quality, special prints such as sepia tone, sticker prints, calendar types, etc.), order sheets, and the like. The order form can be transmitted with customer information input in advance. By inputting customer information in the order form in advance, there is an advantage that the customer only needs to confirm the information recorded in the order form in advance and does not need to re-authenticate. This eliminates the need for a very troublesome operation such as inputting an ID code and a password in the conventional authentication on the Internet, and therefore, when the customer places an order with the order slip, the troublesome customer information is not required. There is no need to fill it out and it is easy to order.

The information other than the image information may be transmitted as a mail sentence different from the electronic image in the electronic image transmission, may be attached to the index-type electronic image, or may be attached to each electronic image. It may be attached to the image.

Further, in addition to the information related to the electronic image transmission, additional information can be attached. Additional information is
For example, there are corporate advertisements, event information, and the like.

In the case where the additional information is attached in the present invention, the effect of the corporate advertisement is enhanced by attaching a corporate advertisement and event information according to the content of the image taken by the customer and / or according to the customer information, In addition, event information is also effectively used, which is preferable.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform the sorting work of photographs, which has conventionally been very time-consuming, by using electronic images, and to easily perform the editing and processing. It is also possible to create an electronic image album from.

Further, by publishing the electronic image on the network, it is possible to place an order for additional prints and to transmit and receive the electronic image, so that the service of the electronic image is broadened and the use value of the electronic image is improved for the customer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an electronic image sorting method according to claim 1.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an electronic image sorting method according to claim 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an electronic image sorting method according to claim 2;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an electronic image sorting method according to claim 2;

FIG. 5 is an example of basic image data and classification symbols.

FIG. 6 shows an example of image recognition and classification symbol addition.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a photo service using a network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Condition setting means 2 Developed photographic film or print 3 Conversion means 4 Image recognition means 5 Verification means 7 Storage means 10 Sorting information setting means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuya Suzuki 1 Sakuracho, Hino City, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Akio Wakana 1 Sakuramachi Hino City, Tokyo Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 5B075 ND08 NK21 NR12 PP23 5L096 JA11 JA22 KA11 LA05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A condition setting means for inputting conditions to be sorted in advance and storing the inputted conditions, wherein the converted photographic film or print is converted into an electronic image by a conversion means, and the converted The contents of the electronic image are recognized by the image recognizing means, the image contents recognized by the image recognizing means are collated with the condition set by the condition setting means by the collating means, and the condition set by the condition setting means is compared with the condition set by the condition setting means. An electronic image sorting method for sorting matched electronic images according to the set conditions. 2. A photographic film or print which has been subjected to development processing and has classification information setting means for preliminarily inputting basic image data, assigning a classification symbol to each of the basic image data and storing the same. The electronic image is converted into an electronic image, the contents of the converted electronic image are recognized by the image recognition means, and the image contents recognized by the image recognition means are compared with the base image data stored in the classification information setting means. Means for matching, if the basic image data and the content of the image recognized by the recognizing means match, a classification symbol corresponding to the classification symbol given to the basic image data for the electronic image And a method for sorting electronic images. 3. The electronic image sorting method according to claim 2, wherein each of the assigned classification symbols is sorted and stored in a storage unit. 4. A selecting means for arbitrarily selecting an electronic image sorted by the electronic image sorting method according to claim 1, editing the selected electronic image,
A method for creating an electronic album, wherein an arrangement of electronic images is arbitrarily changed by a processable electronic image editing means and stored in a storage means to create an album. 5. A photo service that publishes electronic images sorted according to claims 1 to 3 or an electronic album created according to claim 4 on a network and uses the electronic images to share various services. A photo service that allows a service user to browse the electronic album for each of the sorted conditions and / or for each classification symbol or for the electronic album. 6. A photo service for transmitting an electronic image to a destination designated by a customer, wherein the electronic image to be transmitted to the customer is an electronic image sorted according to claims 1 to 3 or created according to claim 4. A photo service characterized by being an electronic album.