JP2005094810A - Captured image management apparatus, captured image management method, and captured image management program - Google Patents

Abstract

A photographed image management apparatus and photographed image management device capable of greatly improving the visibility when grouping a plurality of photographed images and displaying the photographing positions of the grouped photographed images on a map. Providing management methods and captured image management programs.
The captured images stored in association with the shooting positions are read in the shooting order, and the image file address, latitude, and longitude are stored in an image pointer column 91, a latitude column 92, and a longitude column 93 of the table 90. Further, the distance from the immediately preceding image is sequentially calculated based on the latitude and longitude stored in the table 90 and stored in the distance column 94. Next, it is sequentially checked whether or not the distance stored in the distance column 94 is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and images having a distance equal to or greater than the threshold value are grouped as another group. Further, the location name 632 in the location name file 630 corresponding to the shooting position of the first image of each group is determined as the folder name 611 (group name) of the group.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographed image management apparatus, a photographed image management method, and a photographed image management program capable of managing photographed images in groups, and in particular, a photographed image management apparatus that manages photographed images by group based on photographing positions, and photographing. The present invention relates to an image management method and a captured image management program.

Some digital cameras manage folders of multiple captured image data stored in the memory. Multiple captured image data can be divided into folders (categorized) by the user's manual selection operation, A technique for automatically dividing folders is known.
Further, a technique is known in which a symbol indicating a shooting position is displayed on a map, and when this symbol is selected, a shot image shot at the shooting position is read and displayed.

  However, if you want to categorize the captured images by “shooting location” (grouping), first create a folder for the specified shooting location, then play back the captured images one by one and check the contents, A procedure for selecting a photographed image to be placed in a folder for a predetermined photographing location and storing it in the folder for the predetermined photographing location is required, which is very troublesome.

In particular, considering a folder name (group name) suitable for a predetermined shooting location and inputting it one character at a time has been very complicated for the user.
Also, when displaying a symbol indicating the shooting position on the map, if many shooting locations are adjacent to each other, the symbols will be displayed densely, resulting in poor visibility, There has been a problem that it becomes difficult to select a desired symbol.

  The present invention relates to a photographed image management apparatus and a photographer that can greatly improve the usability when grouping a plurality of photographed images and the visibility when displaying the photographing positions of the grouped photographed images on a map. An object is to provide an image management method and a photographed image management program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a captured image management apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a captured image storage unit that stores a plurality of captured image data and shooting position data in association with each other, and a plurality of captured images stored in the captured image storage unit. Grouping means for grouping image data, and at least one shooting position data among the shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of shooting image data grouped by the grouping means. And group name determining means for determining the group name of the group.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the captured image management apparatus of the first aspect, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and outputs captured image data, and an imaging unit that acquires a capturing position of the captured image data output from the imaging unit. The captured image storage means stores the captured image data output from the imaging means and the captured position data acquired by the captured position acquisition means in association with each other.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a group name display control unit that displays the group name determined by the group name determination unit on the display unit. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the group name determined by the group name determining means is associated with a plurality of photographed image data included in the group. Storage control means for storing in the captured image storage means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, the storage control means is means for storing the group name as a folder name in the photographed image storage means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the sixth aspect of the invention includes name storage means for storing a plurality of location data and name data in association with each other. At least one shooting position data among the shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of shooting image data grouped by the means, and position data stored in the name storage means Based on this, the name data stored in the name storage means is specified and determined as the group name of the group.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the name storage means stores a plurality of area data and name data in association with each other. Name stored in the name storage unit based on the plurality of shooting position data stored in the captured image storage unit in association with the plurality of captured image data and the area data stored in the name storage unit Data is identified and determined as the group name of the group.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth or seventh photographed image management apparatus, the photographed position data stored in the photographed image storage means in association with the photographed image data, and the position data stored in the name storage means And a file name determination unit that specifies name data stored in the name storage unit and determines the name as an image file name of the captured image data.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the photographed image storage means stores the photographing position data and the photographed image data in association with the photographing date / time data, and the group name The determination unit is configured to store the shooting position data stored in association with the captured image data having the earliest shooting date / time data stored in association with the captured image data among the plurality of captured image data grouped by the grouping unit. Based on this, the group name of the group is determined.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention, the group name determining means is stored in association with a plurality of photographed image data grouped by the grouping means. The group name of the group is determined based on a plurality of shooting position data.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the captured image management apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the group name determining means stores a plurality of photographing position data stored in association with a plurality of photographed image data grouped by the grouping means. The group name of the group is determined based on the average photographing position data obtained by averaging.

  A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the captured image management apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, further comprising name storage means for storing a plurality of area data and name data in association with each other. A plurality of photographed image data stored in the photographed image storage means are grouped in association with a plurality of photographing position data included in an area specified by the area data stored in.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus of the twelfth aspect, the group name determining means is stored in the name storage means in association with the area data used when grouping by the grouping means. Name data is determined as a group name of the group.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the grouping unit includes a plurality of pieces of photographing position data stored in association with photographed image data in the photographed image storage unit. A plurality of captured image data is automatically grouped based on a criterion for determining whether or not the distance is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the captured image management apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a distance determining unit that determines a predetermined distance based on a distribution state of distances between the respective capturing position data.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a plurality of arbitrary photographed image data is selected from a plurality of photographed image data stored in the photographed image storage means. And a grouping unit that groups the plurality of photographed image data selected by the photographed image selecting unit.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the captured image management apparatus of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a map storage means for storing a map and a map display control means for displaying the map stored in the map storage means on the display means. The photographed image selecting means includes a range specifying means capable of manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display means by the map display control means, and the grouping means is a map range specified by the range specifying means. A plurality of captured image data stored in the captured image storage means in association with a plurality of captured position data included in the group.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a symbol for displaying a symbol indicating the photographing position at a position on the map specified by the photographing position data stored in the photographed image storage means Display control means is provided.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographed image management apparatus, a map storage unit that stores a map, a map display control unit that displays a map stored in the map storage unit, a plurality of photographed image data, Shooting image storage means for storing shooting position data in groups, and on a map determined based on at least one shooting position data among a plurality of shooting position data in the same group stored in the shooting image storage means And a symbol display control means for displaying a symbol at a position.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the photographic image management apparatus of the nineteenth aspect, the photographic image storage means stores the photographic position data and the photographic image data in association with the photographic date / time data, and the symbol display control means is the same group. Among the plurality of captured image data, a symbol is placed at a position on the map determined based on the captured position data stored in association with the captured image data that is stored in association with the captured image data. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus of the nineteenth aspect, the symbol display control means averages a plurality of photographing position data stored in association with a plurality of photographed image data in the same group. The symbol is displayed at a position on the map determined based on the average photographing position data obtained by the above.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the photographic image management device according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, each photographic position data stored in the photographic image storage means in association with a plurality of photographic image data in the same group. Group name determining means for determining the group name of the group based on at least one of the shooting position data, and the symbol display control means displays the group name determined by the group name determining means on the map together with the symbol It is characterized by including the means to do.

  According to a twenty-third aspect, in the photographed image management apparatus according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-second aspects, symbol selection means for selecting a desired symbol from symbols displayed on the map by the symbol display control means. The symbol display control means is specified by each photographing position data stored in the photographed image storage means in association with each photographed image data included in the group corresponding to the symbol selected by the symbol selecting means. It includes means for displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on the map.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographed image management apparatus, a map storage unit that stores a map, a map display control unit that displays a map stored in the map storage unit, a plurality of photographed image data, Shooting image storage means for storing shooting position data divided into a plurality of groups, and a plurality of groups when symbols are displayed at positions on a map specified by shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means Display control for displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on a map specified by each shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of shooting image data included in any one of the groups Means.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the photographed image management apparatus of the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the respective photographing position data stored in the photographed image storage means in association with a plurality of grouped photographed image data. Group name determining means for determining the group name of the group based on the photographing position data is provided, and the symbol display control means includes means for displaying the group name determined by the group name determining means on a map together with a plurality of symbols. It is characterized by that.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, a photographed image management apparatus includes a map storage unit that stores a map, a map display control unit that displays a map stored in the map storage unit, a photographed image data, and a photographing position. A captured image storage means for storing a plurality of data in association with each other, a symbol display control means for displaying a symbol at a position on a map specified by the captured position data stored in the captured image storage means, and a map display control means Corresponding to a plurality of shooting position data corresponding to a plurality of symbols included in a map range specified by the range specifying means and a range specifying means capable of manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display means And grouping means for grouping a plurality of photographed image data stored in the photographed image storage means.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for grouping a plurality of photographed image data and a group based on at least one photographing position among the photographing positions of each of the plurality of grouped photographed image data. And a step of determining a group name.

  The photographed image management method according to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention is a method of grouping a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data and storing them in a memory, displaying a map on a display unit, and the same stored in the memory. And a step of displaying a symbol at a position on the map determined based on at least one of the plurality of shooting position data in the group.

  According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a captured image management method comprising: a step of grouping a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data into a plurality of groups and storing them in a memory; a step of displaying a map on a display unit; When a symbol is displayed at a position on the map specified by the stored shooting position data, it is stored in the memory in association with a plurality of shot image data included in any one of the plurality of groups. And a step of displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on the map specified by each shooting position data.

  The photographed image management method according to the thirtieth aspect of the present invention relates to a step of associating photographed image data and photographing position data and storing them in a plurality of memories, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and photographing position data stored in the memory. Displaying a symbol at a position on the map specified by the step, manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display unit, and a plurality of symbols included in the manually specified map range And grouping a plurality of captured image data stored in a memory in association with a plurality of corresponding shooting position data.

  According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic image management program that groups a plurality of photographic image data and a group based on at least one photographic position of each of the grouped photographic image data. The step of determining the group name of the photographed image management apparatus is made executable.

  A photographic image management program according to a thirty-second invention is the same as the step of grouping a plurality of photographic image data and photographic position data and storing them in a memory, the step of displaying a map on a display unit, and the same stored in the memory. The step of displaying a symbol at a position on a map determined based on at least one shooting position data among a plurality of shooting position data in the group can be executed on the shot image management apparatus.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, a captured image management program stores a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data into a plurality of groups and stores them in a memory, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and a memory. When a symbol is displayed at a position on the map specified by the stored shooting position data, it is stored in the memory in association with a plurality of shot image data included in any one of the plurality of groups. The step of displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on the map specified by each shooting position data can be executed for the shot image management apparatus.

  According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a captured image management program, a step of storing captured image data and shooting position data in association with each other in a plurality of memories, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and a shooting position data stored in the memory. Displaying a symbol at a position on the map specified by the step, manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display unit, and a plurality of symbols included in the manually specified map range The step of grouping a plurality of captured image data stored in the memory in association with a plurality of corresponding shooting position data can be executed on the captured image management apparatus.

  As described above, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the first invention, the photographed image management method of the twenty-seventh invention, and the photographed image management program of the thirty-first invention, out of the photographing positions of the grouped photographed images Since the group name is automatically determined based on at least one shooting position data, there is no need to manually input the group name.

  According to the photographic image management apparatus of the second invention, the photographic image data output from the imaging means and the photographic position data acquired by the photographic position acquisition means are stored in association with each other, so that only the digital camera is used. The photographed image data can be grouped and the group name can be automatically determined.

  In addition, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the third invention, since the group name is displayed, the group name can be visually confirmed.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the fourth invention, each photographed image data included in the group and the group name are stored in association with each other, so that group-based image retrieval can be performed by specifying the group name.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the fifth invention, since the group name is stored as the folder name, the photographed image data can be folder-managed using the group name.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the sixth invention, since the name corresponding to the photographing position is used as the group name, an easy-to-understand name suitable for the photographing place can be used as the group name.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the seventh invention, since the name corresponding to the area including the photographing position of each photographed image in the same group is the group name, it is suitable for a plurality of photographing places in the same group. The name can be a group name.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the eighth aspect of the invention, since the name corresponding to the photographing position is automatically determined as the file name, there is no need to manually input the file name.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the ninth invention, the group name is automatically set based on the photographing position data stored in association with the photographed image data having the earliest photographing date / time among the photographed image data in the same group. Therefore, the group name can be a group name based on the first shooting place that is most memorable.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the tenth invention, the group name is automatically determined based on the plurality of photographing position data stored in association with the plurality of photographed image data in the same group. The name can be a group name suitable for a plurality of shooting locations in the same group.

  According to the photographed image management device of the eleventh aspect of the invention, the group name is automatically determined based on the average photographing position obtained by averaging a plurality of photographing positions in the same group. The group name can be based on the center position, which is the representative position.

  According to the photographic image management device of the twelfth aspect, since a plurality of photographic images corresponding to a plurality of photographic positions included in the same area are grouped, the grouping of the photographic images based on the photographic location can be automated.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, since names corresponding to the same group area are used as group names, names suitable for a plurality of photographing locations within the same group can be used as group names. it can. Further, the grouping process of photographed images and the group name determination process can be performed collectively.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the fourteenth aspect, since the photographed images are grouped based on the distance between the photographing positions, the grouping of the photographed images based on the photographing location can be automated.

  According to the photographed image management device of the fifteenth aspect of the invention, since the reference distance for determining the length of the distance between the photographing positions is determined based on the distribution state of the photographing positions, the photographed image corresponding to the user's action range Can be grouped.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the sixteenth aspect, since the photographed image data to be grouped is manually selected from a plurality of photographed image data, it is possible to realize grouping of photographed images that matches the user's wishes.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the seventeenth aspect, the desired images on the map are manually designated, so that the photographed images corresponding to the photographing positions included in the designated range are grouped. Manual image selection operation can be facilitated.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the eighteenth aspect of the invention, since the symbol indicating the photographing position is displayed on the map, a desired range on the map can be manually designated while visually recognizing the symbol, and photographing that is grouped Manual operation of the image can be further facilitated.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the nineteenth invention, the photographed image management method of the twenty-eighth invention and the photographed image management program of the thirty-second invention, only the symbol indicating the representative position of the group is displayed on the map. It is possible to prevent deterioration of visibility due to the dense display of a plurality of symbols indicating the shooting positions in the same group.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the twentieth invention, since the symbol indicating the photographing position of the photographed image with the earliest photographing date and time in the same group is displayed on the map, it is usually the most impressive first Can be symbolized on the map as the representative position of the group.

  Further, according to the photographed image management device of the twenty-first invention, since the symbol indicating the average photographing position obtained by averaging a plurality of photographing positions in the same group is displayed on the map, the center position of the same group area is set to the group. Symbols can be displayed on the map as representative positions.

  Further, according to the photographed image management apparatus of the twenty-second aspect, since the group name is displayed together with the symbol on the map, it is possible to easily know which group the symbol is displayed on the map. .

  Further, according to the photographed image management device of the twenty-third aspect, when a desired symbol on the map is selected, a plurality of symbols indicating each photographing position included in the group are displayed, so the photographing position on the map As a result, it is possible to quickly reproduce a captured image desired by the user.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the twenty-fourth invention, the photographed image management method of the twenty-ninth invention, and the photographed image management program of the thirty-third invention, a plurality of photographing positions included in a certain group are indicated. Since only the symbols are displayed on the map, it is possible to prevent deterioration of visibility due to the display of a plurality of symbols indicating each shooting position in a plurality of groups, and as a result, the shooting position on the map The symbol selecting operation can be facilitated.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, since the group name is displayed together with a plurality of symbols on the map, it is easy to determine which group the plurality of symbols displayed on the map belongs to. I can know.

  According to the photographed image management apparatus of the twenty-sixth invention, the photographed image management method of the thirtyth invention, and the photographed image management program of the thirty-fourth invention, a desired range is manually designated while visually recognizing a symbol on a map. Since the captured images corresponding to the captured positions included in the designated range are grouped, the manual selection operation of the captured images to be grouped can be facilitated.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment in which a photographic image management apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera 100. A GPS receiving unit (photographing position acquisition unit) 1, an imaging unit (imaging unit) 2, Control unit (grouping means, group name determination means, group name display control means, storage control means, file name determination means, distance determination means, map display control means, symbol display control means) 3, operation section (photographed image selection means) , Range designation means, symbol selection means) 4, DRAM (temporary storage memory) 5, flash memory (memory section, captured image storage means, name storage means, map storage means) 6, display section (display means) 7 and program storage Memory (grouping means, group name determination means, group name display control means, storage control means, file name determination means, distance determination means, map display control means, And a symbol display control means) 8. In FIG. 1, an I / O interface 9 for transmitting a captured image and related data to an external device may be provided. The GPS receiver 1 performs position measurement (positioning) such as self-position calculation of the digital camera 100 based on data received from GPS satellites. The positioning result obtained by the GPS receiver 1 is sent to the controller 3 that controls the entire digital camera 100. Note that the shooting position acquisition means in the digital camera 100 is not limited to the GPS receiver 1. For example, the location information may be acquired using a location acquisition service of a mobile phone such as PHS via the I / O interface 9 without providing the GPS receiver 1.

  The imaging unit 2 converts a subject image captured via a photographic lens, a CCD, and the like into digital data, and converts the signal components (hereinafter referred to as digital luminance, color difference multiplexed signals (Y, Cb, Cr data), etc. from the digital data). , Image data) is obtained and transferred to the DRAM 5.

The control unit 3 has a microprocessor configuration including peripheral circuits such as a CPU, a RAM, and a timer. The CPU is connected to the above-described circuits and a power supply switch (not shown) via a bus line to store a program. The entire digital camera is controlled by the control program stored in the memory 8 and the mode processing program stored in the program storage memory 8 is extracted in response to the status signal from the operation unit 4. The execution control of each function of the digital camera 100 is performed.
In the present embodiment, the captured image management program or the like stored in the program storage memory 8 is taken out, and grouping (classification) of images, display control of shooting positions of the grouped images, and the like. Performs execution control of each function.

  In addition, when the shutter button 42 described later is fully pressed, the control unit 3 executes an imaging process by the imaging unit 2, writes the acquired captured image data in the DRAM 5, and then the captured image written in the DRAM 5. The data is read out, subjected to image data compression processing such as JPEG compression processing, and stored in the flash memory 6. At this time, the shooting position data acquired from the GPS receiver 1 is stored in the flash memory 6 in association with the shot image data. In addition, the control unit 3 performs decompression processing on the captured image data (compressed data) read from the flash memory 6 at the time of reproduction, and reproduces the captured image data on the display unit 7.

The operation unit 4 includes keys and switches such as a processing mode switching switch 41, a shutter button 42, and a cursor key 44, and a state signal is sent to the control unit 3 when these keys or switches are operated. The user can switch between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode, and can select the image classification mode and the group display mode by operating the processing mode switching switch 41.
The DRAM 5 is used as a temporary storage memory, and an image buffer area for temporarily storing captured image data and reproduced image data, a temporary storage area for name data, a work area for image data compression / decompression processing, and the like are secured. Yes.

  Further, as will be described later, the flash memory 6 has an image file area for storing and storing captured image data (compressed image data), a file area for storing shooting position data stored in association with the captured image data, and the like (see FIG. Figure 2). In this embodiment, the flash memory 6 is built in the digital camera 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the flash memory 6 may be configured to use a card-type flash memory that is detachable from the digital camera 100. Good.

  The display unit 7 includes a video memory, an encoder (not shown), and a liquid crystal display screen. By the display control of the control unit 3, function selection menu data, image data, and shooting location at the time of processing selection output to the video memory are displayed. Name data, icons indicating the shooting location on the map, and the like are displayed on the LCD screen.

  The program storage memory 8 comprises a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM, and stores a control program such as an OS and a communication control program, and various mode selection programs. The program storage memory 8 can be referred to and updated from the control unit 3. In the present embodiment, the program storage memory 8 also stores a captured image management program (including a group name determination program) for grouping (classifying) images and displaying grouped images. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the area configuration of the flash memory 6. In FIG. 2, the flash memory 6 has a management folder area (captured image storage means) 61 for storing a group management folder 610 and the like which will be described later, and an image file area (image file 62-1 to 62-n including captured image data) ( Captured image storage means) 62, a place name file area (name storage means) 63 for storing a place name file 630 in which place names (name data) such as place names and facility names on the map are stored in association with position data, and map data Has a map data area (map storage means) 64. Since the location name file is normally included in the map data, the location name file region 63 can be configured not to be provided.

  As will be described later, when image management processing such as image grouping and group name determination processing is performed by an external image management apparatus such as a personal computer, a captured image file is stored and stored in the flash memory 6. An area as shown in FIG. 2 is secured in the storage memory of the external image management apparatus. At this time, a shooting order management file area including a management record storing the shooting order of the shot images is secured in the storage memory of the external image management apparatus (FIG. 16B).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a record structure of files and tables stored in the flash memory 6.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the image management folder 61 includes a folder name 611 including a group name (character string), representative shooting position information 612, and first shot image data belonging to the group. A plurality of group image management folders 610 (610-1, 610-2,...) Having a subordinate file pointer 613 storing the address of the image file management data, and image file management data (614 to 616). . In the present embodiment, the group name (folder name 611) is a place name (character string) made up of the place name or facility name of the representative photographing position.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, image file management data (data for managing storage addresses of image files belonging to the same group (in the same folder) stores photographed image data belonging to the group. An image pointer 614 (614-1, 614-2,...) Storing the address of the image file 620, shooting position data (latitude, longitude data) 615 (615-1, 615-2,. It consists of subordinate file pointers 616 (616-1, 616-2,...) That store the address of the image file management data of the next photographed image data belonging to the same group.

  That is, if the number of photographed image data belonging to the same group is j, j image file management data are sequentially chained to the group image management folder 610. In addition, in the j-th image file management data (image file management data of the last photographed image data in the photographed image data belonging to the same group), an end mark (special value) is stored in the subordinate file pointer 616 portion. The

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the image file management data 614 to 616 do not store the shooting location name of the shot image, but the shooting is performed as part of the image file management data. You may comprise so that the imaging | photography place name of an image may be memorize | stored. In such a configuration, the stored shooting location name can be used as the file name of the image file.

  In the above description, the image management folder 61 is composed of the group image management folder 610 and the image file management data 614 to 616. However, the image management folder 61 is composed of only the group image management folder 610 and is replaced with the subordinate file pointer 613. The image pointers 614 of a plurality of photographed image data belonging to the group may be stored.

  The image file management data for the image file 620 that is not subordinate to the group image management folder 610 includes only the image pointer 614 and shooting position data 615. Further, the shooting position data 615 and the image file name may be included in each image file.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the image file 620. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the image files 62-1 to 62-n has image information such as an image file name (or image number) 621 and shooting date / time data. 622, shooting position information 623, and shooting image data (compressed image data) 624 for one frame. The shooting position information is position information (latitude information and longitude information) of the digital camera 100 acquired at the time of shooting by the GPS receiver 1, and is information recorded at the time of storing and recording the shot image data.

  Similarly, the shooting date / time data is current time information acquired at the time of shooting from a clock unit (not shown) provided in the digital camera 100, and is information recorded at the time of saving and recording the shot image data.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a location name file. The location name file 630 is location information (latitude information and longitude) of location names represented by location names (character strings) such as location names and facility names on a map. Information) 631 and a place name (name data) 632, and a plurality of file data.

  3 to 5, the position information of the representative shooting position of the group (representative shooting position information 612) and the position information 631 of the place name file 630 are compared as described later, and the closest to the representative shooting position information 612. The place name 632 of the place can be taken out as a group name (folder name 611). Since the location name file 630 is normally included in the map data, the group name may be extracted from the map data.

  The image file name 621 (shooting location name) of each captured image data in the group is also based on the dependent file pointer 613 in the group image management folder 610 and the dependent file pointer 616 in the image file management data. Since the shooting position information 615 in the file management data or the shooting position information 623 in the image file 620 can be extracted, the extracted shooting position information is compared with the position information 631 of the location name file 630 and is closest to the shooting position information. The location name 632 of the location can be extracted as the image file name 621. Since the location name file 630 is normally included in the map data, the file name may be extracted from the map data.

  6 is a functional block diagram showing the main part of the captured image management function configuration of the digital camera 100. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the main part of the captured image classification (grouping) function, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the principal part of a group image display function.

  In FIG. 6A, the digital camera 100 includes a group range determining unit 71 that determines a group range based on shooting position information acquired from an image file 620 stored in the flash memory 6, and representative shooting of the determined group. Representative photographing position determining means 72 for determining a position, group image management folder generating means 73 for acquiring a group name and generating a group image management folder 610, and image file management of photographed image data subordinate to the group image management folder 610 Dependent image file management data generating means 74 for generating data, and single image file management data generating means 75 for generating image file management data of photographed image data obtained by single photographing.

  The group range determining means 71 also displays means for displaying the selected map at a specified scale, and a symbol (for example, “★”) representing the shooting position in the map of the currently displayed range as the shooting position. Means for displaying and means for determining the group range within the range of the selected / designated symbol may be included.

In FIG. 6B, the digital camera 100 displays a map display control means 81 for displaying the selected map at a specified scale, and a group name and a representative of an image photographed in the map in the currently displayed range. A group display control means (symbol display control means) 82 for displaying a photographing position (symbol) on a map, and, when a group name or symbol is selected / designated, a photographing position (symbol) of each photographed image data belonging to that group And an in-group image position display control means (symbol display control means) 83 for displaying the group name on the map.
At this time, the in-group image position display control means 83 displays the selected group name (= group shooting location name) at a predetermined position on the screen and enlarges the map at the maximum scale including the group range. To display.

  In the present embodiment, the shooting position display by the group display control means 82 and the in-group image position display control means 83 displays a symbol (for example, “★”) at the shooting position of each image. The type of is not limited to the “★” mark. For example, thumbnail images or group names (folder names) obtained by reducing the photographed image data instead of the symbol “★” may be displayed as symbols at the photographing positions on the map.

  Each unit shown in the functional block of FIG. 6 is configured as a program module constituting the captured image management program in the present embodiment and functions by execution control of the control unit 3, but is not limited thereto.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a group discrimination table created in the temporary storage memory (DRAM) 5 during the grouping process. The group discrimination table 90 is generated by the group range determination means 71.

  The group discrimination table 90 includes an image pointer column 91 that stores the image number (or storage address) of each image stored and stored in the flash memory 6, and a latitude column 92 that stores the shooting position (latitude, longitude) of the image. And a longitude column 93, a distance column 94 for storing the distance from the immediately preceding captured image calculated based on the latitude and longitude, and a group column 95 for storing a group range discrimination result (group number).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the grouping process and the group name determination process of captured images by the digital camera 100. It is assumed that the photographed image data stored in the flash memory 6 is stored in association with the photographing position data.
Step S1: (Reading out stored images in order of photographing)
The control unit 3 controls the execution of the group range determination means 71, and the image number (or storage address) and shooting position information (latitude, longitude) of the image file 620 stored and stored in the flash memory 6 are taken for each shot image. Read in order (that is, in order of shooting date). At this time, the image file corresponding to the image pointer 614 in the image file management data stored in a chain with each group image management folder 610 is skipped as grouped.

Step S2: (Create group discrimination table)
Next, the image number (or storage address), latitude, and longitude of the read image file are stored in the image pointer column 91, the latitude column 92, and the longitude column 93 of the group discrimination table 90 as shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S1 until reading of the image number and shooting position information is completed.

Step S3: (Distance calculation with previous image: Grouping means)
Based on the latitude and longitude stored in the group discrimination table 90 in step S2, the distance between the shooting positions with the immediately preceding shot image is sequentially calculated and stored in the distance column 94 of the group discrimination table 90.

Step S4: (Determination of group range: Grouping means)
Next, it is sequentially checked whether or not the distance stored in the distance column 94 of the group discrimination table 90 is equal to or greater than a threshold (predetermined distance), and a captured image having a distance equal to or greater than the threshold is set as another group. Here, the threshold value is an arbitrary fixed constant determined at the time of design in consideration of the scale at the time of displaying map data, the positioning performance of the GPS receiver 1, and the like. Here, the threshold value is set to 10 km. For example, in the example shown in the group discrimination table 90 shown in FIG. 7, the linear distance between the shooting positions of the fourth and seventh shooting images in the shooting order and the shooting position of the immediately preceding shooting image is 10 km or more. Therefore, the 1st to 3rd, 4th to 6th and 7th to 9th captured images are determined as the same group.

Step S5: (determining the number of images in the group)
Next, the number of captured images in the group is checked. If the number of captured images is one, grouping cannot be performed, and the process proceeds to step S11 as a single captured image.

Step S6: (Determination of representative shooting position: Group name determination means)
If it is determined in step S5 that the number of shot images in the group is plural, the control unit 3 performs execution control of the representative shooting position determination means 72, and the shooting position (image file) of the first shot image in the group is controlled. The shooting position data 623 of the shot image data 624 having the earliest shooting date / time data 622 in the 620 is determined as a shooting position (representative shooting position) representing the group. The representative shooting position is not limited to the shooting position of the first image in the group. For example, it may be the shooting position of the last shot image, may be the shooting position of the intermediate shot image, or may be the shooting position of the second shot image.

Step S7: (Group image management folder generation: group name determination means)
Next, the control unit 3 performs execution control of the group image management folder generation unit 73, and the representative photographing position (expressed by latitude and longitude) determined in step S6 and the position information (latitude and longitude) of the place name file 630. ) 631 is compared, and the place name 632 corresponding to the position information (latitude, longitude) closest to the representative photographing position is read from the place name file area 63 and determined as the group name.

Step S8: (Group image management folder generation: storage control means)
Next, the control unit 3 sets the group name determined in step S7 as the folder name 611, the position information (latitude and longitude) of the representative shooting position determined in step S6 as the representative shooting position 612, and A group image management folder 610 is generated with the address of the image file management data of the first captured image in the group as the subordinate file pointer 613.

Step S9: (Generation of subordinate image file management data: file name determining means)
Next, the control unit 3 performs execution control of the subordinate image file management data generation unit 74, extracts the shooting position information (latitude, longitude) of the shot images in the group from the corresponding image file 620 based on the image pointer, The shooting position information is compared with the position information (latitude, longitude) 631 of the place name file 630, and the place name 632 corresponding to the position information (latitude, longitude) closest to the shooting position is read out from the place name file area 63. Determined as the image file name of the captured image. The process of determining the image file name is executed from the first image to the last image in the group, and the process proceeds to step S10.

Step S10: (Generation of subordinate image file management data: storage control means)
Next, the control unit 3 uses the image pointer indicating the storage address of the photographed image data in the group as the image pointer 614, and the image file corresponding to the photographing position information (latitude, longitude) of the photographed image based on the image pointer. From the first image in the group to the last image, with the storage position of the image file management data of the next photographed image in the same group as the subordinate file pointer 616 of the next image. And the process proceeds to step S12. An end mark (special symbol) is stored in the dependent file pointer 616 in the image file management data for the last image in the group. Note that the image file name determined in step S10 is used as the image file name 621 of each image file 620 included in the group, but may be included in each image file management data.

Step S11: (Generation of single image file management data)
If it is determined in step S5 that the number of images in the group is one, the control unit 3 controls the execution of the single image file management data generation unit 75, and does not generate the group image management folder 610. An image pointer indicating a storage address of single captured image data is set as an image pointer 614, and shooting position information (latitude and longitude) of the captured image is extracted from a corresponding image file based on the image pointer and is set as shooting position information 615. File management data is generated, and the process proceeds to step S12.

Step S12: (Group end determination)
When there is a next group, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S5, and when there is no next group, the control unit 3 proceeds to step S13.

Step S13: (Registering the generated folder in the management folder area)
The control unit 3 registers (stores and stores) the group image management folder 610 generated in step S8 and the plurality of subordinate image file management data generated in step S9 in the flash memory 6 (management folder area 61). If the single image file management data is generated in step S11, it is registered (stored) in the flash memory 6 in the same manner.

  In step S4, the threshold value for determining the group range (distance between shooting positions for determining whether or not the group is the same) is a fixed constant, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the threshold value may be determined based on the result of examining the distribution of distances between photographing positions.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9A, the control unit 3 controls the execution of the distance determining means, and in step S21, the distribution of the contents of the distance column 94 of the group discrimination table 90 created in step S2 above. Check out. Thereby, it is possible to obtain distance distribution data of 6 images having a distance of 0 to 10 km from the previous image, 0 images of 10 km to 50 km, 2 images of 50 km to 100 km, and 0 images of 100 km or more.
Thereafter, in step S22, 0 to 10 km is the largest from the distance distribution data, and therefore the maximum value 10 km of the distance section having the mode value is determined as a threshold value.

  In step S6, the photographing position of a predetermined photographed image in the group is used as a reference for determining the representative photographing position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a position represented by the average value of the shooting positions of all the shot images in the group may be set as the representative shooting position. The center of gravity position of the shooting positions of all the shot images in the group may be set as the representative shooting position.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, when it is determined in step S5 in FIG. 8 that there are a plurality of photographed images in the group, the control unit 3 controls the execution of the representative photographing position determining unit 72. First, in step S6-1, an average shooting position is obtained by obtaining an average position of shooting positions of the respective shooting images in the group.
After that, in step S6-2, after determining the average shooting position acquired in step S6-1 as a shooting position representing the group (representative shooting position), the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG.

  Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the location name file 630 shown in FIG. 5 is used to determine the group name. However, instead of the location name file 630, the area (area) shown in FIG. ) The name file 630-1 may be used.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11A, after the representative shooting position is determined in step S6 of FIG. 8, first, in step S7-1, each shot image in the group determined in step S4 is determined. By comparing the shooting position information with the area information in the area name file 630-1, area data including all shooting positions of each shot image in the group is searched.

  Then, the area name (name data) in the area name file 630-1 associated with the area data searched in the subsequent step S7-2 is read and determined as a folder name, and the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG.

  For example, when area A, area B, and area C as shown in FIG. 10B are registered as area information of the area name file 630-1, the shooting positions a to c of the shot images in the same group are registered. Since the area information including all of the area information is area C, the area name in the area name file 630-1 associated with the area data of area C is read and determined as the folder name.

  Further, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the shot images are grouped based on the distance between the shooting positions. However, the shot images are displayed using the area name file 630-1 shown in FIG. You may make it group.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11B, after “YES” is determined in step S2 of FIG. 8, first, in step S3-1, the shooting position and area name file of each read image that has been read out. Compare the area data in 630-1.

  In step S4-1, as a result of the comparison in step S3-1, the photographed images corresponding to the photographing positions included in the same area are determined as the same group, and at the same time, associated with the area data indicating the area. The area name (name data) in the area name file 630-1 is read out and determined as a folder name, and the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. In this case, the grouping means and the group name determining means are executed in steps S3-1 and S4-1.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10B, there may be a case where one area is not determined using the area data in which the areas overlap each other. It is desirable to use area data in which areas do not overlap each other.

In the example of FIG. 10C, the captured images corresponding to the capturing positions a to c are grouped, and at the same time, the region names in the region name file 630-1 associated with the area B area data are read out as folder names decide. Further, the captured images corresponding to the capturing positions d and e are grouped, and at the same time, the region name in the region name file 630-1 associated with the area C area data is read and determined as a folder name.
In addition, when executing the flowchart of FIG.11 (b), the process of step S7 of FIG. 8 becomes unnecessary.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the image grouping process and the group name determination process shown in FIG. 8 are executed in a state where a certain amount of image files are accumulated in the flash memory 6 by a plurality of shooting processes. However, every time the shooting process is executed, the distance between the shooting positions of the current and previous shot images is calculated, and the current shot image is put in the group to which the previous shot image belongs, or a new group is generated. The folder name may be determined at the timing of generating a new group (folder). Further, the timing for executing the grouping processing operation may be a timing when a predetermined key operation is performed, a power on / off timing, or the like. Further, if the image is determined to be grouped in step S1 in FIG. 8 and is an image that can be put into the existing group to which the image belongs, the existing group image management folder 610 and the single image file management data are not generated. It is only necessary to generate subordinate image file management data to be subordinated to the group image management folder 610.

  Further, in step S8 of FIG. 8 described above, the location name corresponding to the representative shooting position is stored as the folder name 611 of the group image management folder 610. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  With the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 described above, an image captured with a digital camera that stores and stores the captured position acquired by the captured position acquisition unit such as the GPS receiver 1 in association with the captured image is used as a reference for the captured position. The group name and the representative shooting position can be associated with the group automatically.

  In the above embodiment, the digital camera 100 stores the management folder, the image file, the location name file, and the map data in the flash memory 6 (FIG. 2), and performs the storage image grouping processing operation and the group name determination processing operation. The digital camera 100 saves and stores the management folder and the image file in the flash memory 6 (that is, the location name file and the map data are not provided), and the folder in step S7 in FIG. 8 is shown. The determination of the name and the storage of the group name in step S8 may not be performed (that is, the group name may not be associated with the group).

  With this configuration, the digital camera does not store map data or location name files, so there is no memory load. That is, there is no need to limit the number of captured images or increase the capacity of the flash memory. Further, in the case of such a configuration, the display operation of the group representative photographing position shown in FIG. 13 is not performed, but the group name is determined, the group name is associated with the group image, and the group representative photographing is performed by a photographed image management device such as a personal computer described later. The position display operation is performed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for displaying a shooting position on a map by the digital camera 100. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a representative photographing position display representing a group on the map, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the same group displayed by selecting a group name (or representative photographing position) on the map. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the imaging | photography position of this captured image (subordinate image).

Step T1: (Selection of wide area map, etc.)
In FIG. 12, the control unit 3 controls the execution of the map display control means 81. First, a map selection menu (not shown) displaying predetermined wide area map sections (for example, Kanto region, Tohoku region,...) Is displayed. Displayed on the display unit 7 to prompt the user to select. At this time, the scale is set to a predetermined value that matches the screen size of the display unit 7.

Step T2: (Display of wide area map: map display control means)
Next, when the user selects a map by operating the cursor key 44 in step T1, the map data of the area segment selected from the map data area 64 of the flash memory 6 is enlarged or reduced at a set scale and displayed on the screen. Let

Step T3: (Identification of shooting group included in map: symbol display control means)
Next, the group image management folder 610 within the range of the map displayed on the screen is specified based on the representative shooting position information 612.

Step T4: (Group name and representative shooting position superimposed display: group name display control means, symbol display control means)
The control unit 3 controls the execution of the group display control means 82, obtains representative shooting position information (longitude, latitude) 612 of each group image management folder 610 specified in step T3, and converts it into coordinate values on the display screen. The symbol “★” indicating the representative photographing position is superimposed on the position indicated by the coordinate value as shown in the display example of FIG. 13 and the folder name 611 of each group image management folder 610 is displayed at a predetermined position 105 on the screen. Is superimposed on the screen. Note that the folder name 611 may be displayed as a symbol at the representative photographing position without displaying the folder name 611 at the predetermined position 105.

  Reference numeral 109 denotes a scale change button. Each time the + (plus) button is selected by a point by the cursor key 44, the scale is reduced by a predetermined ratio (the map displayed on the screen is enlarged, and the display range is expanded). Each time the-(minus) button is selected, the scale increases by a predetermined rate (the map displayed on the screen is reduced and the display range is widened).

Step T5: (Determining whether or not there is a scale change instruction)
Next, the signal from the operation unit 4 is examined to determine whether or not the user has selected / designated the scale change button. When the scale change button is selected / designated, the scale is decreased or increased by a predetermined rate. Then, the process proceeds to step T2.

Step T6: (Group selection presence / absence determination: symbol selection means)
The control unit 3 performs execution control of the in-group image display control unit 83, examines a signal from the operation unit 4, and selects one of the groups displayed by the user in step T4 from the points of the symbols 101 to 103 by the cursor key 44, Alternatively, it is determined whether or not a desired symbol (group) is selected based on the points of the folder name (group name) 105, and if so, the process proceeds to step T7, and if not, the display process is terminated.

Step T7: (Display of a map including image shooting positions in the selected group: map display control means)
The subordinate file pointer 613 is taken out from the group image management folder 610 of the group selected in the above step T6, the chained image file management data is sequentially searched, and shooting position information (latitude and longitude) 615 of the shot images in the same group. 1, 615-2,... (Or shooting position information 623 in the image file 620) is taken out, map data including these shooting positions is taken out from the flash memory 6 and sent to the display unit 7 to be displayed on the map. At this time, in order to make it easy to understand the image photographing positions in the group, the scale is automatically adjusted so that all the image photographing positions in the group are included and the display range is narrowed.

Step T8: (Display of image shooting position in selected group, etc .: symbol display control means)
Next, the group name (folder name) of the selected group is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen, and the shooting position information (latitude, longitude) 615-1 of the shot image in the same group taken out at step T7. , 615-2,... Are converted into coordinate values on the display screen and symbols “★” 111 to 113, 121 to 123, 131 to 133 indicating the shooting positions at the positions indicated by the coordinate values, and group names 115 and 125 are displayed. , 135 are superimposed and displayed on the map as shown in the display examples of FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (c).

Step T9: (Determining whether individual images are selected)
Next, the signal from the operation unit 4 is checked, whether or not the user points to the symbol (shooting position) displayed on the screen and instructs the display of the shot image shot at that position, and the image display is performed. If not instructed, the display process is terminated, and if image display has been instructed, the process proceeds to step T10.

Step T10: (Individual image playback display)
The image pointer 614 of the image file management data storing the designated shooting position is extracted, the image data 624 is extracted from the image file 62 corresponding to the pointer, decompressed, sent to the display unit 7 and displayed on the screen. Let

  By the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, only the group names and representative shooting positions of the shooting images grouped in the wide area map are displayed, so that all shooting positions are displayed as symbols as in the conventional shooting position display method. Since there is nothing, symbols are not displayed densely and it is easy to see. Further, by selecting individual groups, the shooting positions of the respective shot images in the group can be displayed, so that the shooting positions of the shot images in the same group can be easily understood.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the group range determination means 71 creates a group discrimination table (step S2), calculates the distance from the previous image (step S3), and determines whether the distance from the previous image is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Although the group range is determined by sequentially examining and determining the group range by making another group from images with a distance equal to or greater than the threshold (step S4), the grouping is automatically performed, but the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of manual group range designation.
That is, as shown in FIG. 15A, the shooting position (however, the shooting position of an ungrouped image) included in the selected wide area map is displayed as a symbol (in this example, “★” mark), The group range may be determined by the user operating the cursor key 44 and specifying the ranges 201, 202, and 203.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15B, after “YES” is determined in step S2 of FIG. 8, first, in step U1 (map display control means), the wide area map data is read from the flash memory 6. The data is read out and sent to the display unit 7 to display a map.

  Then, in step U2 (symbol display control means), the shooting position (symbol) of each shot image read out in step S1 is superimposed and displayed on the wide area map as shown in FIG.

  In the subsequent step U3 (captured image selection means, range designation means), when the user operates the cursor key 44 of the operation unit 4 and, for example, the range 201 is designated, the process proceeds to step U4 (grouping means), and the range The photographed images corresponding to the photographing positions included in 201 are grouped.

  Then, the process proceeds to step U5. When the operation unit 4 is operated by the user and the completion of the range designation mode is instructed, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. Continue the range specification operation for.

  Note that the method of selecting the captured images to be grouped is not limited to the method described with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B, and the captured images are simply displayed on the display unit 7 in order, and the captured images to be grouped are simply displayed. An image may be selected.

  In the description of FIGS. 1 to 15 described above, the case where captured image management is performed by a captured image management apparatus including an imaging unit such as a digital camera has been described. However, the captured image management apparatus of the present invention is limited to a digital camera. Not. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a captured image management apparatus such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, or a portable information terminal that does not include an imaging unit.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram when a personal computer is used as a captured image management apparatus.
In FIG. 16A, the electronic cameras 100 ′ and 100 ″ are provided with shooting position acquisition means such as a GPS receiver, and save and store a shot image in a storage memory in association with shooting position information (latitude and longitude). .

  The personal computer 300 inputs the captured image data stored in the electronic cameras 100 ′ and 100 ″ and stores it in a storage memory such as the hard disk 400. The storage memory 400 is shown in FIG. In addition, a management folder area 410, an image file area 420, a location name file area 430, and a map data area 440 are secured.

  The management folder area 410, the image file area 420, the location name file area 430, and the map data area 440 mean the management folder area 61, the image file area 62, the location name file area 63, and the map data area 440 shown in FIG. It has the same meaning as the map data area 64.

  The group image management folder, the image file management data, the image file, the location name file, and the map data are also configured in the management folder 61, the group management folder 610, and the image files 62-1 to 62-n shown in FIGS. This is the same as the place name file 63 and the map data 64.

  Further, the photographed image management function configuration of the personal computer 300 is the same as the function of each means shown in the block diagram of FIG. 6A except for the function of the group range determination means in the photographed image classification function. Yes, the group image display function is the same as the function of each means shown in FIG. At this time, the user selects a map, specifies a range, and the like by operating the mouse.

  Also, the method of inputting captured image data to a personal computer may be a method of transmitting image data by wire or wireless (including infrared communication) and receiving it by a personal computer as in the electronic camera 100 ′, or an electronic camera A removable storage memory (memory card) 16 such as 100 ″ may be loaded into a personal computer, and captured image data can be input from a plurality of electronic cameras as shown.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of image grouping processing operation by the personal computer 300. The group image display operation by the personal computer 300 is the same as the group image display operation by the digital camera 100 shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Step V1: (Reading out stored image)
The control unit 3 performs execution control of the group range determination means 71 ′ (FIG. 6A), and the image number (or storage address) and shooting position information (latitude, longitude) of the image file 62 stored and stored in the hard disk 400. ) Are read in the storage order of each image. At this time, the captured image corresponding to the image pointer 614 of the image file management data stored in a chain with each group image management folder 610 is skipped as grouped.

Step V2: (Distance calculation with each image)
The distance of each captured image read in step V1 is calculated on the basis of the shooting position information, stored in the memory in association with the set of the image pointer and shooting position information, and the process proceeds to step V1. This operation is repeated until all the captured images have been read, and when all the images on the same shooting date have been read, the process proceeds to step V3.

Step V3: (Determination of group range: Grouping means)
Next, the captured images whose distances between the captured images held in the memory are within the threshold are set to the same group, and the image pointers stored in the memory determined to be the same group and the group number for identifying the group at the shooting position Add. For example, in the example shown in the group discrimination table 90 shown in FIG. 7, since the distance between the fourth image and the previous image of the seventh image is 10 km or more, the first to third, fourth to sixth, The seventh to ninth images are determined as the same group.

Step V4: (determining the number of images in the group to storing the created folder)
Hereinafter, the operation of step V4 (creation of the group discrimination table to registration of the generated folder in the management folder) is the same as the operation of S5 to S13 in the flowchart of FIG.
With the configuration shown in FIG. 17, recorded images taken by an imaging means such as a digital camera can be grouped by a taken image management apparatus such as a personal computer, and a folder name can be determined and managed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, the shooting position of the shot image is displayed as a symbol on the map, and the user designates the group range, determines the group range, and performs grouping. You can do the same.

  Further, in a captured image management apparatus such as a personal computer, a folder (including a folder name) is displayed as an icon on the display screen, and when the user designates a folder, the image file names of captured images included in the designated folder can be displayed. In this case, the image file management data belonging to a certain group image management folder can be moved to another group image management folder. That is, a certain image file in a certain group can be moved (file copy) to another group. In this case, the subordinate file pointers before and after the moved image file management data are replaced in the source group image management folder, and the subordinates before and after the moved image file management data are located in the destination group image management folder. The file pointer is replaced.

  As described above, a management folder can be created by grouping captured images in a digital camera having a configuration that does not include map data and a location name file, but a group name (folder name) cannot be associated with a group. . Even in such a configuration, the management file is taken together with the photographed image data into the personal computer, and the name of the photographing location is obtained from the location name file on the personal computer based on the representative photographing position information (FIG. 3) stored in the group image management folder. It can be taken out and associated with a group.

  In the above embodiment, the latitude / longitude data, which is the shooting position data, is converted into place (area) name data by referring to a conversion table such as a place name file or an area name file, and this is used as a group name. The latitude / longitude data of one captured image included in the group is used as the group name as it is, or one latitude / longitude data obtained based on a plurality of latitude / longitude data corresponding to a plurality of captured images included in the group is used as the group name. You may make it.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to storing the captured image data and the latitude / longitude data in association with each other. For example, the shooting location name data (file name) obtained based on the latitude / longitude data in association with the captured image data is captured. The present invention can also be applied to data stored as data.

  In this case, the shooting location name data (file name) associated with a single shot image data included in the same group is determined as a group name as it is, or is associated with a plurality of shot image data included in the same group. One location name data obtained based on a plurality of shooting location name data (file names) may be determined as a group name.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the group name determined as the group name (folder name) is used as it is, but for example, other data such as shooting date and time and number is added to the determined group name, This may be determined as a group name.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of the picked-up image management apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows one Example of the area | region structure of flash memory. It is a figure which shows one Example of the record structure of the file and table stored in flash memory. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an image file. It is a figure which shows one Example of a place name file. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part of the picked-up image management function structure of a digital camera. It is a figure which shows one Example of the group discrimination | determination table created in a temporary storage memory in the case of a grouping process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of image grouping processing and group name determination processing by the digital camera 100. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the determination process of the threshold value used in the case of a grouping process, and the determination process of the imaging position representing a group. It is a figure which shows the area name file which is another Example of a place name file. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the grouping process of an image and group name determination process at the time of using an area name file. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a group image display operation performed by the digital camera 100. It is a figure which shows one Example of the imaging | photography position display and group name display which represent the group on a map. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the imaging | photography position and group name of the imaging | photography image (subordinate image) in the same group displayed by selection of the group name on a map. It is explanatory drawing of group range specification by manual, and the flowchart which shows the operation example. It is explanatory drawing of the system configuration example at the time of using a personal computer as a picked-up image management apparatus. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of image grouping processing and group name determination processing performed by a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

1 GPS receiver (photographing position acquisition means)
2 Imaging unit (imaging means)
3 Control unit (grouping means, group name determining means, group name display controlling means, storage control means, file name determining means, distance determining means, map display controlling means, symbol display controlling means)
4. Operation unit (photographed image selection means, range specification means, symbol selection means)
5 DRAM (temporary storage memory)
6 Flash memory (memory unit, captured image storage means, name storage means, map storage means)
7 Display section (display means)
8 Program storage memory (grouping means, group name determination means, group name display control means, storage control means, file name determination means, distance determination means, map display control means, symbol display control means)
16 Memory card (photographed image storage means, name storage means, map storage means)
44 Cursor keys (photographed image selection means, range specification means, symbol selection means)
71 Group range determination means (grouping means)
73 Group image management folder generation means (group name determination means)
81 Map display control means (map display control means)
82 Group display control means (symbol display control means)
83 In-group image position display control means (symbol display control means)
100 Digital camera (Photograph image management device)
101, 102, 103 Image group symbol 105, 115, 125, 135 Group name (location name)
111-113, 121-123, 131-133 Symbol of each image in group 300 Personal computer (captured image management device)
400 Hard disk (memory unit, photographed image storage means, name storage means, map storage means)

Claims (34)

Photographic image storage means for storing a plurality of photographic image data and photographic position data in association with each other;
Grouping means for grouping a plurality of photographed image data stored in the photographed image storage means;
The group name of the group is determined based on at least one shooting position data among the shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with the plurality of shooting image data grouped by the grouping means. A group name determination means to
A photographed image management apparatus comprising: Imaging means for imaging a subject and outputting captured image data;
Photographing position acquisition means for acquiring the photographing position of the photographed image data output from the imaging means,
2. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographed image storage unit stores the photographed image data output from the imaging unit and the photographing position data acquired by the photographing position acquisition unit in association with each other.   The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a group name display control unit that displays the group name determined by the group name determination unit on a display unit.   4. A storage control unit that stores the group name determined by the group name determination unit in the captured image storage unit in association with a plurality of captured image data included in the group. The captured image management apparatus according to any one of the above.   5. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage control means is means for storing the group name as a folder name in the photographed image storage means. Comprising name storage means for storing a plurality of location data and name data in association with each other;
The group name determination means includes at least one shooting position data among the shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of shooting image data grouped by the grouping means; 6. The name data stored in the name storage unit is specified based on the position data stored in the name storage unit, and determined as a group name of the group. The captured image management apparatus according to the item. The name storage means is means for storing a plurality of area data and name data in association with each other,
The group name determination means is stored in the name storage means and a plurality of shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of shooting image data grouped by the grouping means. 7. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein name data stored in the name storage means is specified based on area data and determined as a group name of the group.   The name data stored in the name storage means is specified based on the shooting position data stored in association with the shot image data in the shot image storage means and the position data stored in the name storage means. 8. The captured image management apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a file name determining unit that determines the image file name of the captured image data. The photographed image storage means stores the photographing position data and the photographed image data in association with photographing date / time data,
The group name determination unit stores the shooting date / time data stored in association with the captured image data among the plurality of captured image data grouped by the grouping unit in association with the earliest captured image data. The photographed image management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a group name of the group is determined based on photographing position data.   The group name determination means determines a group name of the group based on a plurality of shooting position data stored in association with a plurality of shot image data grouped by the grouping means. Item 7. The captured image management device according to any one of Items 1 to 6.   The group name determining means is based on average shooting position data obtained by averaging a plurality of shooting position data stored in association with a plurality of shot image data grouped by the grouping means. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the group name is determined.   A plurality of shooting position data included in an area specified by the area data stored in the name storage means; The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of photographed image data stored in the photographed image storage unit are grouped in association with each other.   The group name determination means determines name data stored in the name storage means in association with area data used when grouping by the grouping means as a group name of the group. The captured image management apparatus according to claim 12.   The grouping unit is configured to determine the plurality of captured image data based on a determination criterion as to whether or not a distance between the captured position data stored in the captured image storage unit in association with the captured image data is a predetermined distance or more. The captured image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grouping is automatically grouped.   15. The captured image management apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising distance determining means for determining the predetermined distance based on a distribution state of distances between the respective photographing position data. Photographic image selection means for selecting a plurality of arbitrary photographic image data from a plurality of photographic image data stored in the photographic image storage means,
The captured image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the grouping unit groups a plurality of captured image data selected by the captured image selection unit. Map storage means for storing a map;
Map display control means for displaying the map stored in the map storage means on the display means,
The photographed image selecting means includes range specifying means capable of manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display means by the map display control means,
The grouping means groups a plurality of captured image data stored in the captured image storage means in association with a plurality of captured position data included in the map range specified by the range specifying means. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 16, wherein   18. The photographed image according to claim 17, further comprising symbol display control means for displaying a symbol indicating the photographing position at a position on the map specified by the photographing position data stored in the photographed image storage means. Management device. Map storage means for storing a map;
Map display control means for displaying the map stored in the map storage means on the display means;
Photographed image storage means for storing a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data in groups,
Symbol display control means for displaying a symbol at a position on the map determined based on at least one shooting position data among a plurality of shooting position data in the same group stored in the shot image storage means;
A photographed image management apparatus comprising: The photographed image storage means stores the photographing position data and the photographed image data in association with photographing date / time data,
The symbol display control means is based on shooting position data stored in association with the shooting image data having the earliest shooting date data stored in association with the shooting image data among a plurality of shooting image data in the same group. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a symbol is displayed at the determined position on the map.   The symbol display control means has a position on the map determined based on average shooting position data obtained by averaging a plurality of shooting position data stored in association with a plurality of shot image data in the same group. The photographed image management apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a symbol is displayed. Group name determination means for determining the group name of the group based on at least one shooting position data among the shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of shooting image data in the same group. With
The photographed image according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the symbol display control means includes means for displaying the group name determined by the group name determination means together with the symbol on a map. Management device. Symbol selection means for selecting a desired symbol from symbols displayed on a map by the symbol display control means,
The symbol display control unit is specified by each shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage unit in association with each shooting image data included in a group corresponding to the symbol selected by the symbol selection unit. 23. The captured image management apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising means for displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on the map. Map storage means for storing a map;
Map display control means for displaying the map stored in the map storage means on the display means;
Photographed image storage means for storing a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data by grouping into a plurality of groups,
When displaying a symbol at a position on the map specified by the shooting position data stored in the shot image storage means, a plurality of shot image data included in any one of the plurality of groups; Symbol display control means for displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on the map specified by the respective shooting position data stored in association with the captured image storage means;
A photographed image management apparatus comprising: Group name determination means for determining a group name of the group based on at least one shooting position data among the shooting position data stored in the shooting image storage means in association with a plurality of grouped shooting image data. With
25. The captured image management apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the symbol display control means includes means for displaying the group name determined by the group name determination means together with the plurality of symbols on a map. Map storage means for storing a map;
Map display control means for displaying the map stored in the map storage means on the display means;
Photographic image storage means for storing a plurality of photographic image data and photographic position data in association with each other;
Symbol display control means for displaying a symbol at a position on the map specified by the photographing position data stored in the photographed image storage means;
A range designation unit capable of manually designating a desired range on the map displayed on the display unit by the map display control unit;
Grouping for grouping a plurality of photographed image data stored in the photographed image storage means in association with a plurality of photographing position data corresponding to a plurality of symbols included in the map range designated by the range designation means Means,
A photographed image management apparatus comprising:   A step of grouping a plurality of photographed image data, and a step of determining a group name of the group based on at least one photographing position among the photographing positions of each of the plurality of grouped photographed image data. A method for managing photographed images.   A step of grouping a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data and storing them in a memory, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and a plurality of photographing position data in the same group stored in the memory And a step of displaying a symbol at a position on the map determined based on one shooting position data.   A step of grouping a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data into a plurality of groups and storing them in a memory, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and the photographing position data stored in the memory When a symbol is displayed at a position on a map, the symbol is specified by each shooting position data stored in the memory in association with a plurality of shooting image data included in any one of the plurality of groups. And a step of displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on the map.   A step of storing the captured image data and the shooting position data in association with each other in a plurality of memories, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and a symbol at a position on the map specified by the shooting position data stored in the memory A step of displaying, a step of manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display unit, and a plurality of shooting position data corresponding to a plurality of symbols included in the manually specified map range A group of a plurality of photographed image data stored in the memory, and a photographed image management method comprising:   Captured image management comprising: grouping a plurality of captured image data; and determining a group name of the group based on at least one captured position of each of the grouped captured image data A photographed image management program that is executable on an apparatus.   A step of grouping a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data and storing them in a memory, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and a plurality of photographing position data in the same group stored in the memory A photographed image management program capable of executing, on a photographed image management apparatus, a step of displaying a symbol at a position on the map determined based on one piece of photographing position data.   A step of grouping a plurality of photographed image data and photographing position data into a plurality of groups and storing them in a memory, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and the photographing position data stored in the memory When a symbol is displayed at a position on a map, the symbol is specified by each shooting position data stored in the memory in association with a plurality of shooting image data included in any one of the plurality of groups. A photographed image management program that enables a photographed image management apparatus to execute a step of displaying symbols at a plurality of positions on a map.   A step of storing the captured image data and the shooting position data in association with each other in a plurality of memories, a step of displaying a map on a display unit, and a symbol at a position on the map specified by the shooting position data stored in the memory A step of displaying, a step of manually specifying a desired range on the map displayed on the display unit, and a plurality of shooting position data corresponding to a plurality of symbols included in the manually specified map range And a step of grouping a plurality of captured image data stored in the memory with respect to the captured image management apparatus.

Images