JP2009146262A - Method and device for supporting selection operation of satellite image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for helping a satellite image orderer simply select an optimal candidate image from among photographed images. <P>SOLUTION: This satellite image selection support method is provided with a step, in which a satellite image retrieving device retrieves thumbnail images of photographed satellite images, including a purchase desired area within a photographed area from a photographed image database; generates a masked thumbnail image subjected to image processing for masking a part that does not cover the purchase desired area, of thumbnail images of photographed satellite images of the result of retrieval and transmits the masked thumbnail image to an orderer terminal, when receiving designation information of the purchase desired area of the photographed satellite images from the orderer terminal; and a step in which the ordering person's terminal displays, in a list the masked thumbnail images received from the retrieving device in a retrieval result display area of the ordering person's terminal and receives an operation of selecting a masked thumbnail image including the purchase desired area desired by the orderer, of masked thumbnail images displayed in the list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a satellite image that supports easy selection of an optimal candidate image that covers an area desired by an orderer from a large number of already-captured satellite images provided by a provider of satellite images. The present invention relates to a selection operation support method and apparatus.

Several years have passed since commercial high-resolution satellites began operation, and the number of high-resolution satellites in operation has increased. In addition, the number of captured images taken by each high-resolution satellite is also increasing.
The seller (provider) of the satellite image displays a large number of the captured images on a map for the purpose of selling the captured images, and each satellite image such as the shooting date, the shooting position, and the satellite attitude at the time of shooting is displayed. A Web site having a search function for narrowing down candidate images using unique attribute information as a key is prepared. The satellite image orderer selects a purchase image from this Web site and places an order.

The following Patent Document 1 describes a method for obtaining a desired satellite image from an arbitrary place in response to a satellite image distribution request from a satellite image orderer.
Further, in Patent Document 2 below, an image data file suitable for printing is automatically selected from among a large number of image data files stored on a recording medium for photo printing in accordance with an extraction item and an extraction level input by an operator. It describes a method for shortening the occupation time of a photo printing machine per operator by extracting.

JP2007-73055 JP 2006-301687A

As described above, the photographed image search Web site released by the satellite image seller has a search function for narrowing down the candidate images of the images desired by the orderer. Because there are so many completed images, it may be necessary for the satellite image orderer to perform multiple searches or redo in order to determine candidate images. Often it takes time.
As typical attribute information of satellite images, there is a cloud amount in the photographed image. However, even in an image with a large amount of cloud, there is a case where there is no cloud in the region desired by the orderer. When the search is performed using the threshold value, an image that can be a candidate image may be missed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for assisting a person who orders satellite images to easily select an optimal candidate image from among a large number of captured images.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for supporting a satellite image selection operation according to the present invention includes:
A search device for captured satellite images
When receiving the designation information of the desired purchase area of the taken satellite image from the satellite image orderer terminal, the thumbnail image of the taken satellite image including the desired purchase area in the taken area is searched from the taken image database. Generating a masked thumbnail image that has been subjected to image processing for masking a portion that does not cover the desired purchase area of the thumbnail image of the captured satellite image of the search result, and transmitting the thumbnail image to the orderer terminal;
The orderer terminal is
The masked thumbnail images received from the search device are displayed in a list in the search result display area of the orderer terminal, and the masked processed image including the desired purchase area desired by the orderer from the displayed masked thumbnail images. The method includes a step of receiving a thumbnail image selection operation.
The orderer terminal further includes a step of enlarging and displaying the details of the mask-processed thumbnail image that has been selected and operated.
The orderer terminal may further include a step of displaying, in a pop-up menu format, attribute information of the masked thumbnail image that has been selected and operated.

In addition, the satellite image selection operation support device according to the present invention,
A photographed satellite that is mounted in the photographed satellite image search device and includes the purchase desired area in the photographed area when receiving designation information of the desired purchase area of the photographed satellite image from the satellite image orderer terminal. Search the thumbnail image of the image from the captured image database and generate a masked thumbnail image that has been subjected to image processing that masks the portion of the thumbnail image of the captured satellite image of the search result that does not cover the desired purchase area. Means for transmitting to the user terminal;
Listed in the search result display area of the orderer terminal is the masked thumbnail image mounted in the orderer terminal and received from the search device, and the orderer desires from the masked thumbnail images displayed in the list Means is provided for receiving a selection operation of a masked thumbnail image including a purchase desired area.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily select a candidate image desired by the orderer from a large number of already-captured satellite images.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. A captured image search server 100, a captured image DB 101 storing thumbnail images 102 and attribute information 103 at the time of shooting, an orderer terminal 105, and the like. The orderer terminal 105 and the photographed image search server 100 are connected by a network 104.
The attribute information 103 includes, as representative attribute information, a unique ID that identifies a captured image, a shooting date, position coordinates that indicate the position of the captured image, satellite attitude information at the time of shooting, and the amount of clouds in the captured image. And the like.
The orderer terminal 105 displays a search screen for a photographed image search site activated on an Internet browser, and information constituting the site is transmitted from the photographed image search server 100 via the network 104. .

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.
The orderer terminal 105 accesses the image search site of the photographed image search server 100 to display a photographed satellite image search screen on the display screen of the orderer terminal 105 (step 201).
At this stage, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a map display area 300, a search result confirmation area 301, and a candidate image selection area 302 are displayed on the search screen, and a world map is displayed on the map display area 300. The

The orderer operates the orderer terminal 105 to narrow down the map including the desired area as shown in FIG. 3B (step 202), and then sets the desired purchase area 304 as shown in FIG. 3C. This is designated by a mouse operation (step 203).
In addition, as an input method of the desired purchase area, a method of specifying the rectangular center point and the east, west, south, and north width, a method of specifying the two corner position coordinates of the northwest and southeast of the rectangle, and a method of specifying the polygon position coordinates Is prepared.
Thereafter, when the orderer clicks the search button 305, the orderer terminal 105 transmits the position information of the desired purchase area to the search server 100.

In response to this, the search server 100 searches the captured image DB 101 for thumbnail images of captured satellite images including the purchase desired area based on the position information of the desired purchase area (step 204).
Next, image processing that masks a portion of the search result thumbnail image that does not cover (does not include) the desired purchase area is performed on each thumbnail image of the search result to generate a masked thumbnail image (step 205).

For example, if the thumbnail images 306a to 306f in FIG. 4 are stored as thumbnail images including the purchase desired area designated by the orderer, the thumbnail images 306a to 306f are portions that do not include the purchase desired area (purchase desired areas). Image processing is performed to mask a portion that does not overlap with the image, and a masked thumbnail image is generated. For example, as for thumbnail images 306a and 306b, as shown in FIG. 5, a masked thumbnail corresponding to each of the thumbnail images 306a and 306b is applied to a portion that does not include the purchase desired area 304 by masking the image of this portion. Images 307a and 307b are generated.
By masking a portion that does not overlap with the purchase desired image, it becomes possible to easily determine which image can be selected as a candidate image by the orderer.
Thereafter, the masked thumbnail images 307a to 304f corresponding to the thumbnail images 306a to 306f of the search result are transmitted to the orderer terminal 105 (step 206).

The orderer terminal 105 displays the received masked thumbnail images 307a to 304f as a list in the search result confirmation area 301 on the search screen as shown in FIG. 4 (step 207).
The orderer visually checks the masked thumbnail images 307a to 304f displayed as a list, and searches for a masked thumbnail image that satisfies the purchase condition of the purchaser. For example, if it is determined that 307a and 307f are optimal, the 307a and 307f are selected by a mouse click operation and moved to the candidate image selection area 302 by a mouse drag operation (steps 208 and 209). The moved masked thumbnail image is deleted from the search result confirmation area 301 and moves to the candidate image selection area 302.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a function for supporting the process of selecting a candidate image by the orderer.
Since the thumbnail images in the search result confirmation area 301 and the candidate image selection area 302 are small, it is assumed that the orderer cannot determine whether or not to make a candidate image. To solve this situation, when a thumbnail image is clicked, the detailed image is enlarged and displayed in the thumbnail image detail confirmation area 400.
In addition, since the attribute information such as the shooting date of the thumbnail image is information that greatly influences the orderer's judgment, this attribute information can be easily confirmed in a pop-up format like 401 by placing the mouse on the thumbnail image. it can.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image selection operation assistance procedure in this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen transition until an image purchase area | region is designated in an orderer terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display which determines the candidate image of the image | photographed image displayed on an orderer terminal. It is explanatory drawing of the production | generation process of a masked thumbnail image. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the thumbnail image detailed confirmation area | region of a captured image in an orderer terminal, and the example of a display of attribute information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Photographed image search server 101 ... Photographed image DB, 102 ... Thumbnail image of photographed image, 103 ... Attribute information of photographed image, 104 ... Network, 105 ... Orderer processing terminal, 300 ... Map display area, 301 ... Search result confirmation area 302 ... Candidate image selection area 304 ... Purchase desired area designated by the orderer 305 ... Search button 306a-306f ... Thumbnail image including purchase desired area, 307a-307f ... Masked thumbnail image 400 ... Thumbnail image detail confirmation area 401 ... Thumbnail image attribute information display.

Claims (6)

A search device for captured satellite images
When receiving the designation information of the desired purchase area of the taken satellite image from the satellite image orderer terminal, the thumbnail image of the taken satellite image including the desired purchase area in the taken area is searched from the taken image database. Generating a masked thumbnail image that has been subjected to image processing for masking a portion that does not cover the desired purchase area of the thumbnail image of the captured satellite image of the search result, and transmitting the thumbnail image to the orderer terminal;
The orderer terminal is
The masked thumbnail images received from the search device are displayed in a list in the search result display area of the orderer terminal, and the masked processed image including the desired purchase area desired by the orderer from the displayed masked thumbnail images. A satellite image selection operation support method comprising a step of receiving a thumbnail image selection operation.   The satellite image selection operation support method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of enlarging and displaying the details of the mask-processed thumbnail image that has been selected and operated by the orderer terminal.   The satellite image selection operation support method according to claim 1, wherein the orderer terminal includes a step of displaying, in a pop-up menu format, attribute information of the masked thumbnail image that has been selected and operated. A photographed satellite that is mounted in the photographed satellite image search device and includes the purchase desired area in the photographed area when receiving designation information of the desired purchase area of the photographed satellite image from the satellite image orderer terminal. Search the thumbnail image of the image from the captured image database and generate a masked thumbnail image that has been subjected to image processing that masks the portion of the thumbnail image of the captured satellite image of the search result that does not cover the desired purchase area. Means for transmitting to the user terminal;
Listed in the search result display area of the orderer terminal is the masked thumbnail image mounted in the orderer terminal and received from the search device, and the orderer desires from the masked thumbnail images displayed in the list A satellite image selection operation support apparatus, comprising: means for receiving a selection operation of a masked thumbnail image including a purchase desired area.   5. The satellite image selection operation support device according to claim 4, wherein the orderer terminal includes means for enlarging and displaying details of a mask-processed thumbnail image that has been selected and operated.   6. The satellite image selection operation support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the orderer terminal includes means for displaying, in a pop-up format, attribute information of the mask-processed thumbnail image that has been selected and operated.

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