JP2003116081A - Data storage method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To reduce the user's effort to organize data,
Facilitate retrieval of stored data. SOLUTION: A means 201 for acquiring electronic data such as an image, a video, and a sound, a means 202 for acquiring index data such as a position and a time at the time of acquiring the electronic data, a means 203 for associating the electronic data with the index data, Data recording means 204 for storing the obtained electronic data and index data. A means 205 for determining a search item based on the index specified by the user; a means 206 for searching electronic data stored in the data recording means 204 based on the determined search item; and presenting the searched electronic data. Means 207.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing acquired electronic data such as images, videos and sounds in a format that is easy to use later.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When storing electronic data such as images, videos, and audios obtained by photographing and recording images with a digital camera, a voice recorder, etc., the electronic data obtained later is taken into consideration. Is desirable.
Conventionally, a method of automatically adding time as index data when storing electronic data such as images, video, and audio, or a method of adding time and other index data by a user has been used.

[0003]

The method of automatically adding the time as the index data when the electronic data such as the image, the video and the voice is stored by the image capturing or the recording reduces the labor of the user. However, only the time can be added, which is insufficient for later use of electronic data. In addition, the method of adding the time and other index data by the user increases the burden on the user, and even if the time can be automatically added, the labor of the user is not reduced so much.

According to the present invention, position data is added as index data in addition to time when storing electronic data such as images, videos and voices obtained by image capturing and recording.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a data storage method and device that reduce the burden on the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a data storage method and device that can store a large amount of electronic data without carrying a large capacity data storage medium.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention automatically acquires position data as index data in addition to index data such as time when acquiring electronic data such as image, video and audio. The main feature is that the electronic data such as the image, video, and sound is stored in a predetermined data recording unit in association with the index data such as the position and time. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the electronic data such as the image, video, audio and the index data thereof are stored in a data recording means installed on a communication network provided by a data storage / search service company or the like. .

In the present invention, by associating the position and the time as index data, it becomes possible to reduce the burden on the user of inputting index data. Further, it becomes possible to easily search for necessary information by using the associated index data.
Further, by using the data recording means on the communication network, the user can store a large amount of electronic data without carrying a large-capacity data storage medium.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a data storage method and device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a processing flowchart of an embodiment of a data storage method according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, (A) is a processing flowchart at the time of saving, and (B) is a processing flowchart at the time of retrieval (at the time of use).

At the time of acquiring electronic data such as an image, a video, and a sound by image capturing or recording (step 101), the position and time are automatically detected, and the index data at the position and time are automatically acquired (step 102). ), The acquired index data is associated with electronic data such as an image, video, and audio, and stored in a predetermined data recording device (step 103). Here, when a data recording device installed on a communication network is used as the recording device, electronic data such as the image, video, and audio is associated with the index data and then transmitted to the communication network to be transmitted on the communication network. Save in the data recording device of. Also, when saving to a data recording device on this communication network,
On the side of the data recording device, the user is charged according to the amount of electronic data such as image, video and audio.

When browsing the data stored in the data recording device, the user has to use the position data, time data, and map data which are the index data associated with the electronic data acquisition such as the image, video and audio. The index is designated based on the place name data and the like that can be detected from the position data and the like (step 111). As the user index designation method, any method such as index entry in text data, time entry from a calendar, or position entry in map data can be used. Search items are determined based on the index specified by the user (step 112). This is done in the index specification process. Based on the search item determined in the index designation process, desired data is searched for from electronic data such as images, videos and sounds stored in a predetermined data recording device (step 113). Then, the retrieved result is presented to the user (step 114). even here,
When using the data recording device set on the communication network, the search item determined in the index data designation process is sent to the data recording device via the communication network, and the search result is also sent via the communication network. Provide to users. Further, on the data recording device side, the user is charged according to the amount of electronic data such as the image, video, and audio of the search result.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the data storage device according to the present invention. This data storage device
Electronic data acquisition means 201 for images, videos, voices, etc., index data acquisition means 202 for detecting and acquiring index data of position and time at the time of acquiring electronic data such as images, videos, voices, etc., the images, videos, voices, etc. Data associating means 203 for associating the electronic data and the index data with each other, a predetermined electronic data recording means 204 for storing the associated electronic data such as image, video and audio and index data, and the user specifies the index. Index designating means 205, the electronic data corresponding to the index designated by the user, electronic data recording means 20
Data retrieval means 206 for retrieving based on a plurality of electronic data such as images, videos, sounds, etc. stored in FIG. 4 and index data associated therewith, data presentation means 207 for presenting the retrieved electronic data to the user, electronic When the data recording means 204 is installed on the communication network, it comprises a charging means 208 for charging according to the amount of electronic data stored in the electronic data recording means 204.

The electronic data acquisition means 201 for images, images, sounds, etc. is composed of a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a voice recorder, and the like. This image,
In the electronic data acquisition means 201 such as video and audio, the acquired electronic data is transmitted to the data association means 203, at that time, a control signal is transmitted to the index data acquisition means 202, and the index data acquisition means receives the control signal. At 204, index data is acquired. As means for detecting position data for index data acquisition,
The global positioning system (GPS) or the personal handyphone system (PHS) is used, and when the personal handyphone system is used, the position is detected from the relay station. A built-in clock is used as the time data detecting means for acquiring the index data. The time data is
It may be acquired by the electronic data acquisition means 201. The index data acquisition unit 202 transmits the acquired index data to the data association unit 203. The data associating means 203 associates the electronic data and the index data acquired by the electronic data acquiring means 201 and the index data acquiring means 202 and stores them in a predetermined data recording means 204. here,
When data is stored in the data recording means 204 via a communication network, the electronic data such as the image, video and audio and the index data associated therewith can be connected to a communication network such as a personal handyphone system or a mobile phone. The data is transmitted to the communication network via another communication terminal and stored in the data recording means 204 having a server function, which is configured by a computer and a hard disk installed on the communication network.

As the index designating means 205, a keyboard for inputting characters, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a touch panel are used. The index designating means 205 sends the index designated by the user to the data searching means 206 to request a search. The electronic data retrieval means 206 retrieves the data recording means 204 based on the retrieval item of the index designated by the user, and returns the retrieved electronic data to the data presentation means 207. The data presenting unit 207 includes a personal handyphone system, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone that can be connected to a communication network, a terminal such as a personal computer that can be connected to the communication network, and a display having a data presenting function.

The charging means 208 is the data recording means 2
When 04 is installed on the communication network, it has a function of presenting to the user the amount of electronic data such as the image, video and audio stored in the data recording means 204 in response to a request from the user. And Further, the charging means 208 has a function of charging according to the data amount of the electronic data such as the image, video and audio stored in the data recording means 204. Further, the charging means 208 has a function of notifying the user when the amount of data specified by the user exceeds, and changing the usable data storage area of a predetermined recording device if necessary. Shall have.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the screens of the index designating means 205 and the data presenting means 207. At the time of data search, the user first specifies an index on the screen 1, and then specifies a more detailed index (search item) on the screen 2 according to the specified index. Based on the index (search item) specified by the user,
In the data search means 206, the data recording means 204
The plurality of electronic data stored in the index and the index data associated with the electronic data are searched, and the obtained results are presented to the user on the data presenting means 207 as shown on the screen 3. As the data presenting means 207, index information of electronic data is output in a text format, or an image,
Electronic data such as video shall be output.

FIG. 4 shows a more detailed index designation example in the index designation means 205. Figure 4 (a)
Specifies the index from the calendar, outputs the calendar for the month from the year and month, displays a marker to that effect on the date when the data is saved, and selects the day with the marker by selecting the date with the marker. It shall be possible to acquire the acquired electronic data. Figure 4 (b)
It is assumed that by designating an index from the map data, a marker is displayed at the position where the data on the map is stored, and the electronic data acquired at that location can be acquired by selecting the marker.

FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the configuration of the data storage device according to the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 500 denotes an electronic data / index data acquisition device, which is an image / video / audio data acquisition device 501 such as a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a voice recorder, or a GP.
It is composed of a position detecting device 502 such as S and PHS and a data associating device 503. The user carries around the electronic data / index data acquisition device 500, and
The audio data acquisition device 501 acquires electronic data such as images, video and audio. At this time, the position detection device 502 acquires position data. The time data is acquired by a clock built in the image / video / audio data acquisition device 501, the position detection device 502, or the like. The data association device 503
A predetermined recording medium is provided, and the electronic data such as the image, video and audio is recorded in association with the index data of the position and time at that time. This data association device 503
When storing the data recorded in the data recording device 520 installed on the communication network, the user sets the communication terminal 510 to the data recording device 52 on the communication network.
0, and the data recorded in the data associating device 503 is transmitted to the data recording device 520 via the communication terminal 510 and stored. Further, when searching for data stored in the data recording device 520 installed on this communication network, the user connects the communication terminal 540 to the data searching device 530 and makes a search request via the data searching device 530. Exchange search results. The communication terminals 510 and 540 may be the same or different.

The data recording device 520 and the data search device 530 installed on the communication network are managed by, for example, a data storage / search service company. A data storage / retrieval service company provides users with a fee for storing and retrieving electronic data such as images, videos, and sounds, and charges a fee according to the amount of data. However, the charging device is omitted in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows another specific configuration example of the data storage device according to the present invention. This is an example of a configuration in which electronic data such as acquired images, videos, and sounds and index data such as the position and time of the acquired electronic data are stored in a user's own personal computer or the like and a search is performed. 6, the configuration of the electronic data / index data acquisition device 60 is the same as that of FIG. The data recording / retrieving terminal 610 is a user's personal computer, and includes a data recording medium 611 such as a hard disk for storing a large number of electronic data and index data, and a data retrieval processing unit 612. Further, a keyboard 620 and a display 630 are provided. Since the operation of FIG. 6 is the same as that of FIG. 5 except for the communication device 510, description thereof will be omitted.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By automatically adding position data as index data in addition to time to acquired electronic data such as images, video, audio, etc., the user's effort for data organization can be reduced and the stored information can be saved. The search can be easily performed. Further, by using the data storage device on the communication network as the storage place of the electronic data and the index data, it becomes possible to store a large amount of electronic data without carrying a large-capacity data storage device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a processing flowchart showing an embodiment of a data storage method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of a data storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display format of index-inputted and searched electronic data.

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of index input in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of a data storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another specific configuration example of the data storage device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

201 Electronic data acquisition means 202 Index data acquisition means 203 Data association means 204 electronic data recording means 205 Index designation means 206 Data retrieval means 207 Data presentation means 208 Billing means

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A data storage method for storing electronic data such as image, video and audio, comprising a process of acquiring electronic data such as image, video and audio by image capturing and recording, and a step of acquiring the electronic data. And a step of automatically acquiring index data such as the position and time of the data and a step of storing the electronic data in the data recording device in association with the index data. 2. The data storage method according to claim 1, wherein a process of determining a search item based on an index designated by a user and a search of electronic data recorded in the data recording device based on the determined search item are performed. A data storage method comprising a step of performing and a step of presenting retrieved electronic data. 3. The data storage method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic data and the index data are stored in a data recording device installed on the communication network via the communication network. . 4. The data storage method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of charging according to a data amount of electronic data stored in a data recording device installed on the communication network. Method. 5. A data storage device for storing electronic data such as image, video and audio, and means for acquiring electronic data such as image, video and audio by image capturing and recording, and a position at the time of acquiring the electronic data. And means for acquiring index data such as time, means for associating the electronic data with the index data,
A data storage device, comprising: a data recording unit that stores the associated electronic data and index data. 6. The data storage device according to claim 5, wherein means for determining a search item based on an index designated by a user, and electronic data stored in the data recording means based on the determined search item. A data storage device comprising a means for performing a search and a means for presenting the searched electronic data. 7. The data storage device according to claim 5, wherein the data recording means is installed on a communication network. 8. The data storage device according to claim 7, further comprising means for charging according to a data amount of electronic data stored in a data recording means installed on the communication network. apparatus.