JPH08335034A - Retrieving device for photographic image, and display method for filed state - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a retrieving device for photographic image and a display method for filed state in which, what degree of the number of images has been stored within a certain positional range, or in which unit and what degree of the number of images has been stored, and on what day they have been stored, can be quickly recognized. CONSTITUTION: This device is formed out of memory means 31, 32, 33 for dividing and storing the image information into an image part, a character part, and a key word extracted from the character part, a map data base 40 for storing the map information, and a display means 22 for displaying the stored information and/or the edited information. It also has a control part 20 for taking the correspondence with the map data base 40, when the position information is inputted as key word from an operation part 21, on basis of the position information corresponding to the key word, displaying an icon to a predetermined area when the map is displayed on a display means 22 in a certain scale, retrieving the number of images photographed within the area corresponding to the icon from the memory means 31, 32, 33 on the displayed map, and displaying the number of images in conformation to the icon position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a filing apparatus for photographic images taken by a camera having an information recording function, and more particularly to a photographing position of a camera using a satellite positioning system represented by GPS (Global Positioning System). The present invention relates to a photographic image search device in a photographic image filing device that can also record information, and a method of displaying a file state of a photographic image stored in the filing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various cameras have been increasingly used by individuals, travelers, photographers and the like. Further, the development of car navigation has promoted the development of devices that handle GPS data (positional information), such as cameras. An apparatus for filtering a photographic image taken by this camera has also been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 6-328964 filed by the present applicant).

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The photographing conditions and photographing environment conditions of the camera are recorded together with the photographed image, and this character data is recognized when filing, and the recognized character data is used as a keyword of the image, and as much as possible during retrieval It is proposed to make effective use of it. In addition, when searching for photographed images, you can specify the quadrangle on the map to find the number of images in that area, specify the latitude / longitude range, or use the year / month / day / time. A method of designating a range and searching for the number of images captured during that period has already been proposed.

However, consideration is given to temporarily know where and how many images are stored in the original database, and in what unit and how many images are stored in terms of date. There is no such thing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and stores how many images are stored in a certain position range, and in what unit in terms of date and how many images are stored. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic image search device and a file status display method capable of promptly recognizing whether a file is present.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, a photographic image composed of an image recording section and a character recording section and / or image information read from a film is read as an image section and a character section. A storage means for storing the keywords separately extracted from the character portion, a map database for storing map information, and information stored in the storage means and / or information stored in the map database and / or
Alternatively, when position information is input as the keyword from the display unit that displays edited information and the operation unit, the map is displayed at a certain scale by making correspondence with the map database based on the position information corresponding to the keyword. When it is displayed on the means, an icon is displayed for a predetermined area, the number of images taken within the area corresponding to the icon on the displayed map is searched from the storage means, and the icon position is displayed. It is characterized by including a control unit that displays the number of images correspondingly.

In this case, if the area of the icon corresponding to the scale of the map is determined in advance and the scale of the map is changed from the operation unit, the control unit determines the number of images taken according to the icon area. It is preferable to search from the storage means and display the number of images at the icon position in order to recognize the number of captured images existing within the area of the displayed icon.

When the displayed icon portion is operated by the operation portion, the control portion may display a list of images selected by this icon, image display and other detailed data on the display means. This is preferable for promptly recognizing the number of images existing in the area displayed by the icon and other detailed information.

Further, when the predetermined icon area can be modified and the icon area is changed, the control section retrieves the number of images photographed according to the icon area from the storage means, It is preferable to display the number of images at the icon position because it is possible to recognize the range and the number of captured images by changing the range.

A second aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to provide a photographic image composed of an image recording section and a character recording section and / or image information read from a film, with an image section and a character section.
Further, a storage means for storing the keyword separately extracted from the character part and storing the information and / or the information stored in the storage means.
Alternatively, when display means for displaying edited information and date information as the keyword is input from the operation unit, the storage means is searched for a unit selected based on the date information corresponding to the keyword, and the selected unit period And a control unit for displaying the number of captured images.

In this case, based on the date information as a keyword of each image, the control unit selects the period using the year, month, day, and time, and displays the number of images captured during the selected period. It is preferable to recognize the number of images captured within the selected period.

Further, when the displayed portion is operated from the operation section, the list of images selected in this unit, the display of images and other detailed data are displayed within the selected period. This is preferable for prompt recognition of the number of images and other detailed information.

A third invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to recognize character information from a photographic image composed of an image recording section and a character recording section, and automatically input a keyword of position information contained in this character information, or In the image file device where position information is input as a keyword to the image, it is possible to correspond to the map based on the position information as a keyword of each image, and when the map is displayed at a certain scale, it is predetermined. The feature is that icons are displayed for each area, the number of images taken within the area corresponding to the icon is searched on the map, and the number of images is displayed according to the icon position. I am trying.

A fourth invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to recognize character information from a photographic image composed of an image recording section and a character recording section, and automatically input a keyword of date information contained in this character information, or In the image file device in which date information is input as a keyword for an image, the number of images taken in the selected unit period is displayed as a list for the unit selected based on the date information as the keyword of each image. Is characterized by.

[0015]

[Action]

(First invention) When positional information is input as the keyword from the operation unit, the positional information corresponding to the keyword is associated with the map database, and when the map is displayed on the display means at a certain scale, An icon is displayed for a predetermined area, the number of images captured within the area corresponding to the icon is retrieved from the storage means on the displayed map, and the number of images is displayed corresponding to the icon position. I did it. This makes it possible to recognize how many images are stored in a certain position range. According to the first invention, it is convenient because it can be visually recognized that the numerical value displayed on the icon is the number of captured images existing within the area of the icon.

In this case, if the area of the icon corresponding to the scale of the map is predetermined and the scale of the map is changed from the operation unit, the control unit determines the number of images taken according to the area of the icon. By retrieving from the storage means and displaying the number of images at the icon position, promptly recognizing the number of captured images within the area of the displayed icon even when the size of the icon is changed. You can

When the displayed icon part is operated by the operation part, the control part displays a list of images selected by this icon, display of the image and other detailed data on the display means. The number of images existing in the area displayed by the icon and other detailed information can be promptly recognized.

Further, when the predetermined icon area can be corrected and the icon area is changed, the control section retrieves the number of images photographed according to the icon area from the storage means, Displaying the number of images at the icon position is convenient because it is possible to recognize the number of captured images in which range by changing the range.

(Second invention) When date information is input as the keyword from the operation unit, the storage means is searched for a unit selected based on the date information corresponding to the keyword, and an image is taken during the selected unit period. The number of images is displayed. As a result, the number of images captured within the designated period can be quickly recognized. According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to quickly recognize which unit (year / month / day / time) and how many images are stored in terms of date, which is convenient.

In this case, based on the date information as a keyword of each image, the control unit selects a period using the year, month, day, and time, and displays the number of images captured during the selected period. By doing so, it is possible to recognize the number of images captured within the selected period.

Further, when the displayed portion is operated from the operation unit, a list of images selected in this unit, image display and other detailed data are displayed, so that the image is captured within the selected period. The number of images and other detailed information can be recognized quickly.

(Third invention) In the image file device in which position information is input as a keyword, when the map is displayed at a certain scale by enabling correspondence with the map based on the position information as the keyword of each image. , The icon is displayed for a predetermined area, the number of images taken within the area corresponding to the icon is searched on the map, and the number of images is displayed corresponding to the icon position. I chose According to the third aspect, it is possible to quickly recognize how many images are stored in a certain position range.

(Fourth invention) In an image file device in which date information is input as a keyword, a list of the number of images taken in the selected unit period is displayed for the unit selected based on the date information as the keyword of each image. I decided to do it. According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to quickly recognize which unit and how many images are stored in terms of date.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a film in which an image and character information are recorded for each frame, and 12 is a photograph in which an image and character information are recorded. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a captured image. The photographed image section used in the present invention is composed of an image recording section and a character recording section as shown in FIG. The recording in the character recording unit is performed, for example, by printing on a film frame from an LED in a camera with a GPS recording function. The character recording section is provided at the end of the image recording section so that various information can be recorded. In the example shown in the figure, an image is displayed on the upper part and data is displayed on the lower end. In the data, is the shooting date and time, is the latitude, is the longitude, is the direction of the camera expressed as an angle from magnetic north, is the elevation angle of the camera, is the rotation angle of the camera around the lens axis (L is counterclockwise, R is Clockwise). In this way, if it is possible to record various information such as position information in the captured image, it is necessary to capture the same location again from the same location at a later date (for example, when investigating vegetation at a certain location). Is effective).

An image reading unit 13 reads image information from the film 11 and / or the photograph 12. As the image reading unit 13, for example, an image scanner using a CCD or the like as an element is used. 14 is an image reading unit 13
And an image identification unit that identifies only the image portion from the read image, and an output from the image reading unit 13 and the image identification unit 14, and a character portion from the remaining area identified by the image identification unit 14. Is a character recognition unit that recognizes.

Reference numeral 20 is a control unit for controlling the overall operation, and 21
Is an operation unit for inputting various search information, various commands, various information, and the like to the control unit 20. The operation unit 21
Include a coordinate input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. Three
A file 0 stores the information recognized by the image identification unit 14 and the character recognition unit 15, and is connected to the control unit 20.
A disk device is used as the file 30, for example. In the file 30, 31 is the image identification unit 14.
An image storage unit that stores the image unit identified by 3. A character storage unit 32 that stores the character unit recognized by the character recognition unit 15, and a character storage unit 33.
Represents the character group stored in the character storage unit 32 at each time,
This is a keyword storage unit that divides the data into latitude, longitude, azimuth, and elevation angles and stores these as keywords.
The keywords stored in the keyword storage unit 33 can be manually input from the operation unit 21. The image storage unit 31 and the character storage unit 32 are stored in association with each other.

A map database 40 stores map information, and is connected to the control unit 20. 22 is the operation unit 2
1 is a display unit that displays various types of information retrieved in 1. A CRT, for example, is used as the display unit 22. The operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

When the developed film 11 or photograph 12 is loaded into the image reading section 13, the image reading section 13 starts reading an image from the loaded film and / or photograph. Here, a dot image is read as an image regardless of the image recording unit and the character information recording unit. The image identifying unit 14 identifies only the image portion from the image data read by the image reading unit 13 by a predetermined algorithm. On the other hand, the character recognition unit 15 recognizes a character from a portion other than the image area identified by the image identification unit 14. As a character recognition method, for example, a pattern recognition method is used.

In this way, the image data identified by the image identification unit 14 is stored in the image storage unit 31 in the file 30, and the character data recognized by the character recognition unit 15 is
It is stored in the character storage unit 32 in the file 30. In this case, the image stored in the image storage unit 31 and the character data stored in the character storage unit 32 are always stored in a state of being associated with each other. The above operation is repeated for the number of frame images or the number of photographs recorded on the film 11. As a result, all the images are stored in the file 30 in a state of being separated into image data and character data. By storing the image data and the character data in a separated state, it is not necessary to occupy a space as in the case of storing the recording paper photograph, and the photograph can be easily managed.

The stored image can be searched by a keyword. When the image data and the character data are stored in the file 30, the control unit 20 stores a character of an appropriate type from the character information stored in the character storage unit 32 as a keyword in the keyword storage unit 33. That is, among the character information shown in FIG. 2, the camera direction (azimuth) represented by the shooting date and time, the latitude, the longitude, and the angle from magnetic north, the elevation angle of the camera, the rotation angle of the camera around the lens axis ( All or a part of (L is counterclockwise and R is clockwise) is registered as a keyword in the keyword storage unit 33. In addition, the keyword registration is performed by the operation unit 21.
It can also be registered by manual input from the keyboard.

In this way, the operation of the present invention is performed with the image information, the character information, and the keyword information registered in the file 30. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the present invention. In this embodiment, map information and icons (pictograms) are displayed on the display unit 22, and image information is searched using the icons. When the operation is started, each icon of position, date, azimuth and elevation is displayed on the display unit 22. Therefore, first, a desired display icon is selected using the operation unit 21 (S1). The selection of this icon can be realized by clicking the corresponding icon with a mouse, for example.

As described above, since the keyword storage unit 33 stores position information, date information, azimuth angle information, and elevation angle information as keywords, the control unit 20 selects the position icon (S2). Keyword storage unit 33
Is checked to see if the position information corresponding to the icon is stored in the keyword storage unit 33. If it is stored, the control unit 20 controls the map database 4
0 is searched to read out the necessary map information and the entire map is displayed (S3). Therefore, when the operator operates (clicks) the icon displayed on the display unit 22 from the operation unit 21,
Display the list of images corresponding to the icon (S
4). If necessary, the operator further operates the operation unit 21.
Can be operated to display detailed information on the display unit 22 (S5).

Next, when the operator selects the date icon (S6), the display unit 22 displays the unit of period (for example, year,
Month, day, etc.) is displayed. The operator selects a unit of a desired period from the displayed units (S7). Control unit 2
For 0, the file 30 is searched to check whether the date information corresponding to the selected unit is stored in the keyword storage unit 33. If it is stored, the character storage unit 3
The information is read from No. 2 and a list of image information of the images taken in the selected unit is displayed (S8). If necessary, the operator can further operate the operation unit 21 to display detailed information on the display unit 22 (S9).

Next, when the operator selects the azimuth angle icon (S10), the azimuth angle unit (for example, 10 °, 20 °, etc.) is displayed on the display unit 22. The operator sets a desired angle from the displayed angles (S1
1). The control unit 20 searches the file 30 and checks whether the information corresponding to the set angle is stored in the keyword storage unit 33. If it is stored, the information is read from the character storage unit 32, and the list of the image information of the photographed images existing within the selected azimuth angle is displayed (S12). If necessary, the operator can further operate the operation unit 21 to display detailed information on the display unit 22 (S13).

Next, when the operator selects the elevation angle icon (S14), the unit of the elevation angle (for example, 10 °, 20 °, etc.) is displayed on the display unit 22. The operator
A desired angle is set from the displayed elevation angle (S15).
The control unit 20 searches the file 30 and checks whether the information corresponding to the set elevation angle is stored in the keyword storage unit 33. If it is stored, the information is read from the character storage unit 32, and a list of image information of captured images existing within the selected elevation angle is displayed (S1).
6). If necessary, the operator further operates the operation unit 21.
Can be operated to display detailed information on the display unit 22 (S17).

Next, the above-mentioned operation will be described in detail. First, a case where content information is displayed using position information displayed in latitude and longitude as keywords will be described. In this case, it is premised that the area of the icon corresponding to the scale of the map is predetermined. The operator operates the display unit 22 to operate the displayed icon.
Determines the size of the icon displayed above. Control unit 20
When the size of the icon is determined, checks whether or not latitude information and longitude information corresponding to the icon are stored as keywords in the keyword storage unit 33. If stored, the corresponding image is always stored in the image storage unit 31, so the control unit 20 searches the character storage unit 32 of the file 30 and records it in this icon. The image is searched and the result is displayed on the display unit 22. When displaying, it is basically to associate one image with one icon. If the icon has a plurality of images, the number of images is displayed together with the icon. The same is true even if the scale of the map is changed. That is, when the scale of the map is changed from the operation unit 21, the control unit 20 searches the character storage unit 32 and checks the number of images captured according to the icon area (that is, the latitude and the longitude correspond to each other). When you count the number of characters, it becomes the number of captured images), and display the number of images at that icon position.

The operation flow of the present invention will be described below using an example of a CRT screen display. FIGS. 4 to 9 shown below show examples of the main screen in the display screen displayed on the display in one embodiment of the present invention with photographs of halftone images. For example, when the map display icon 50 is clicked (operated) from the operation unit 21 on the display screen (menu screen) of the table of contents shown in FIG. 4, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 5 is a map screen of the whole of Japan. In the figure
The icon is indicated by, and the number displayed in □ indicates the number of images taken in the area. Moreover, the icon □ displayed indicates the actual area at that scale. For example, in the Nagoya area, 6 images were taken in the area corresponding to the area of the icon surrounded by □ in the figure, and in the Kanto area, 8 images were taken in the area corresponding to the area of the icon surrounded by □ in the figure. It indicates that

Here, when the operator clicks (selects) the enlargement tool in the upper left of the screen of FIG. 5 and then clicks the icon indicating the Kanto region with the mouse, the control unit 20 changes the map reduction ratio. , Map database 4
By searching for 0, the display unit 22 is caused to display the map information of the Kanto area as shown in FIG. 6 in which the area indicated by the icon □ in FIG. 5 is enlarged. Further, the control unit 20 determines in which area the eight captured images are captured in the relevant area.
The position information stored in the character storage unit 32 and the map database 40 are collated and displayed separately. In the figure,
It is shown as an icon indicating four, three and one.
The □ area of the icon shown here corresponds to the actual area on the map. The number "1" is not displayed in the case of one sheet. This is because, as described above, it is basic to display one icon and one image in association with each other.

Further, when the operator clicks the icon displayed in FIG. 6 with the operation unit 21 to increase the reduction ratio of the map, the control unit 20 causes the map corresponding to the icon when the reduction ratio is increased. The information is read from the map database 40, and the position information of the photographed image is determined on the map and displayed on the display unit 22 as an icon.
As a result, one icon each is displayed. For example, when the icon indicating “3” is clicked in the display of FIG. 6, three icons in total are displayed, one icon each, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, each icon represents one captured image.

Further, when the operator clicks one of the icons (single icon) shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 20
Reads the map information when the reduction ratio is further increased from the map database 40, reads the corresponding image from the image storage unit 31, further reads the character information from the character storage unit 32, and displays it on the display unit 22. As a result, details of one captured image are displayed together with the captured image as shown in FIG.
That is, the photographed image, a map showing the photographing position, and photographing information such as the photographing date, latitude and longitude are displayed. Although not shown in the figure, if the microcomputer indicating the position on the map is changed to indicate the shooting direction (azimuth angle), the shooting information can be more easily understood.

When a plurality of icons (icons for a plurality) having a display are clicked, the control unit 20 reads out the image existing in the area of the clicked area from the character storage unit 32, and as shown in FIG. 9, for example. Display a list of various shooting information. Here, when a specific line is clicked from these lists, the control unit 20 retrieves the corresponding map information from the map database 40, the relevant image from the image storage unit 31, and the relevant shooting information from the character storage unit 32. The screen is read out and the screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 22.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for displaying an icon on a map, which is executed by the control unit 20. First, the size of the icon is determined, and the map is divided into a grid pattern based on, for example, the upper left corner of the display (S
1). The origin of division is arbitrary if the position on the map is designated in advance. Then, each divided grid is numbered 1 to N (S2). Next, the lattice with the number n = 1 is selected (S3). Next, the latitude / longitude range on the map representing this grid is calculated, and the file 30 is calculated in this range.
Search the latitude / longitude data in (S4).

Then, it is checked whether or not there is data in this range (S5). If there is data, the display icon is changed depending on the number of data, so one or two
It is checked whether there are more than one (S6). When the number of data is one, a single icon is displayed in the grid (S7). When the number of data is two or more, a plurality of display icons are displayed in the grid (S8), and the number of data is displayed in the icon (S9).

Next, the number is updated by 1 (S10).
In step S5, even if there is no data in the lattice, the number is updated by 1 to prepare to retrieve the next lattice. Next, it is checked whether or not the number n = N + 1 is reached (S11). If n = N + 1 is not satisfied, all grids have not been checked yet, so the process returns to step S4 and the process for searching the data in the file within the latitude / longitude range on the map representing the grid of the corresponding number is performed. Move. n = N
When it becomes +1, all the grids have been checked, so the processing is ended. By the above processing, the icon of the area where the image exists in the screen of the display unit 22 is displayed, and the number of the existing images is also displayed (FIG. 5, FIG.
See FIG. 6). This display procedure, even if you change the scale
It can be applied similarly. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to visually recognize that the numerical value displayed on the icon is the number of captured images existing within the area of the icon, which is convenient. Further, even when the size of the icon is changed, it is possible to quickly recognize the number of captured images existing within the area of the displayed icon.

If the size of the icon can be modified by an instruction from the operation unit 21, the control unit 2
With 0, the number of captured images existing in the icon of the corrected area can be displayed in the icon by the algorithm shown in FIG. According to this, it is possible to recognize the range and the number of captured images by changing the range, which is convenient.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure from the map icon to the display of the detailed screen, showing the operation of the control unit 20. First, decide which icon you want to know. Therefore, it is checked whether or not the single icon is operated (S1). In the case of a single icon, it is checked whether or not it has been double-clicked (S2). If the click is a single click instead of a double click, a list of index images and data relating to the images is displayed below the display screen (S3).

In the case of double-clicking, the entire image and various kinds of photographing data are displayed as a detailed screen as shown in FIG. 8 (S6). Here, in step S1, when the icon is not the single icon but the plural icon, when the icon is clicked with the mouse, all the image data included in the plural icon as shown in FIG. 9 is output as a list ( S4). Next, double-click any line in the displayed list (S
5) As a detail of this data, a detailed image as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (S6). As described above, according to the present invention, the list of images selected by the icon, the display of the image, and other detailed data can be displayed on the display unit 22, and the images existing within the area displayed by the icon can be displayed. Quickly recognize numbers and other detailed information.

Next, the case where the filed contents are displayed using the date information as a keyword will be described. The date information includes year / month / day / time.
When the month is designated as a unit, the control unit 20 checks whether the keyword exists in the keyword storage unit 33. If the file exists, the image information of the image taken within the date unit always exists in the file 30. The result of searching and displaying the character storage unit 32 of the file 30 is
The result is as shown in FIG. This shows the number of images taken according to the year and month.
For example, the number of images taken in April 1995 is 16
It is one.

Here, when the date up to April 1995 is further specified from the operation unit 21, the control unit 20 searches the keyword storage unit 33 to check whether the keyword of the day exists. If it exists, be sure to use the file 30
Since the date data exists in the character storage unit 32, when the character storage unit 32 is searched and displayed, it becomes as shown in FIG. In this display example, the number of captured images is displayed in units of days. For example, April 8, 1995
The number of images taken on a day is 28. in this way,
According to the present invention, the unit of date (for example, year / month /
This is convenient because it is possible to quickly recognize how many images are stored (day / time).

In this case, based on the date information as a keyword of each image, the control unit selects the period using the year, month, day, and time to display the number of images taken in the selected period. By doing so, it is possible to recognize the number of images captured within the selected period.

Further, in the display shown in FIG. 12, when the "day" portion of the list of (b) is clicked, the control unit 20 searches the file 30 and the list of images photographed on that day is shown in FIG. It can be displayed as shown. Further, when the line of this list is clicked, the control unit 20 searches the file 30 and displays the screen as shown in FIG. In the year / month list of FIG. 12, as in the above case, when the “month” part of the list is clicked, a list of images taken in that month is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. When clicked, the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. As described above, according to the present invention, by clicking the displayed portion from the operation unit 21, the list of images selected in this unit, the display of images, and other detailed data are displayed, thereby making a selection. It is possible to promptly recognize the number of images taken within the specified period and other detailed information.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the procedure of totalizing and displaying date information, showing the operation of the control unit 20.
First, the operator selects a unit of a period (year / month / day / time) from the operation unit 21 as a keyword (S1). The control unit 20 refers to the keyword storage unit 33 of the file 30 and checks whether there is a corresponding keyword. When there is a corresponding keyword, the corresponding character information always exists in the character storage unit 32. Therefore, the control unit 20
Searches the character storage unit 32 (S2).

Next, the control unit 20 reads out the existing image data for each unit period from the character storage unit 32, and displays the number of existing captured image data on the display unit 22 as a list (S).
3). Next, it is checked whether the period unit is changed (S4). When changing the period unit, step S1
Return to and select the new period unit as a keyword.

When the period unit is not changed, the control unit 2
When 0 is double-clicked on the designated line from the list, the photographed image data for each designated unit period is displayed in a list (S5). Next, when the operator double-clicks the designated line in the list, the details of the designated data are displayed on the display unit 22 (S6). Next, it is checked whether or not the period unit is further changed (S7). If it is changed, the process returns to step S1 and a new period unit is selected as a keyword. If not changed, the process ends.

In the above description of the embodiment, the case where the year / month / day is displayed as a list has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and time may be a keyword.
In this case, the captured images can be sorted in more detail.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where position information is used as a keyword and the latitude / longitude information using an icon is used as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and similar processing can be performed for elevation angles and azimuth angles. For example, the elevation angle can be set to ± 3 °, ± 10 °, ± 30 °, ± 45 ° and more, and the number of captured images in each angle range can be output as a list. Further, it is possible to output a list of the number of captured images in each angle range by using azimuth as a keyword, setting each azimuth by 16 azimuths ± 11 °.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of contents filed with the elevation angle information using the elevation angle information as a keyword. In this example, for example, it can be seen that there are 269 shot images at 0 °, 153 shot images at + 3 °, and 116 shot images at −3 °. The total number n of captured images is 767. Figure 15 shows
It is a figure which shows the content display example filed by the said azimuth information using the azimuth information as a keyword. Total 76
Seven captured images are displayed classified by azimuth. For example, it can be seen that there are 43 photographed images in the N (north) direction, 50 photographed images in the E (east) direction, and 71 photographed images in the northeast.

[0058]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the position information is input as the keyword from the operation unit, the position information corresponding to the keyword is associated with the map database, When a map is displayed on the display means at a certain scale, an icon is displayed for a predetermined area, and the number of images taken within the area corresponding to the icon on the displayed map is searched from the storage means. However, by displaying the number of images corresponding to the icon position, it is possible to recognize how many images are stored in a certain position range. According to the first invention, it is convenient because it can be visually recognized that the numerical value displayed on the icon is the number of captured images existing within the area of the icon.

In this case, if the area of the icon corresponding to the scale of the map is predetermined and the scale of the map is changed from the operation unit, the control unit determines the number of images taken according to the area of the icon. By retrieving from the storage means and displaying the number of images at the icon position, promptly recognizing the number of captured images within the area of the displayed icon even when the size of the icon is changed. You can

When the displayed icon portion is operated by the operation portion, the control portion displays a list of images selected by this icon, display of images, and other detailed data on the display means. The number of images existing in the area displayed by the icon and other detailed information can be promptly recognized.

Further, when the area of a predetermined icon is made modifiable and the icon area is changed, the control section retrieves the number of images photographed according to the icon area from the storage means and Displaying the number of images at the icon position is convenient because it is possible to recognize the number of captured images in which range by changing the range.

According to the second aspect, when date information is input as the keyword from the operation unit, the storage means is searched for the unit selected based on the date information corresponding to the keyword, and the selected unit period is set. By displaying the number of captured images, it is possible to quickly recognize the number of images captured within the designated period. Second
According to the invention, it is convenient because it is possible to promptly recognize in what unit (year / month / day / time) and how many images are stored in terms of date.

In this case, based on the date information as a keyword of each image, the control unit selects the period using the year, month, day, and time, and displays the number of images captured during the selected period. By doing so, it is possible to recognize the number of images captured within the selected period.

Further, when the displayed portion is operated from the operation section, a list of images selected in this unit, image display, and other detailed data are displayed, so that the image is captured within the selected period. The number of images and other detailed information can be recognized quickly.

According to the third invention, in the image file device in which the positional information is input as the keyword, the correspondence with the map is enabled based on the positional information as the keyword of each image, and the map is displayed at a certain scale. When you do, decide to display an icon for a predetermined area,
By searching for the number of images shot within the area corresponding to the icon on the map and displaying the number of images corresponding to the icon position, how many images are stored in a certain position range You can quickly recognize what you are doing.

According to the fourth invention, in the image file device in which the date information is inputted as the keyword, the number of images photographed in the selected unit period is set with respect to the unit selected based on the date information as the keyword of each image. By displaying the list, it is possible to quickly recognize which unit and how many images are stored in terms of date.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to promptly recognize how many images are stored in a certain position range and how many images are stored in what unit in terms of date. It is possible to provide a photographic image search device and a file status display method that can be performed, and are highly effective in practice.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a captured image.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen in a display screen displayed on the display in a photograph of a halftone image in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen in a display screen displayed on a display in a photograph of a halftone image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen in a display screen displayed on a display in a photograph of a halftone image in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen in a display screen displayed on the display according to an embodiment of the present invention with a photograph of a halftone image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen in a display screen displayed on the display according to an embodiment of the present invention with a photograph of a halftone image.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen in a display screen displayed on a display in a photograph of a halftone image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for displaying an icon on a map.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure from a map icon to displaying a detailed screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a filed content display with date information.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of totalizing and displaying date information.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of contents stored in elevation angle information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of contents filed with azimuth angle information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 film 12 photograph 13 image reading unit 14 image identification unit 15 character recognition unit 20 control unit 21 operation unit 22 display unit 30 file 31 image storage unit 32 character storage unit 33 keyword storage unit 40 map database

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing a photographic image including an image recording unit and a character recording unit and / or image information read from a film by dividing it into an image unit, a character unit, and a keyword extracted from the character unit. A map database that stores map information; a display unit that displays information stored in the storage unit and / or information stored in the map database and / or edited information; When the position information is input as, the correspondence with the map database is obtained based on the position information corresponding to the keyword, and when the map is displayed on the display means at a certain scale, an icon is displayed for a predetermined area. Then, the number of images photographed within the area corresponding to the icon on the displayed map is searched from the storage means, and the position of the icon is searched. And a control unit for displaying the number of images accordingly. 2. The area of the icon corresponding to the scale of the map is determined in advance, and the scale of the map is changed from the operation unit,
2. The photographic image retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit retrieves the number of images taken according to the icon area from the storage unit and displays the number of images at the icon position. 3. When the displayed icon part is operated by the operation part, the control part displays a list of images selected by this icon, display of the image and other detailed data on the display means. The photographic image retrieval device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. When the area of a predetermined icon is made modifiable and the icon area is changed, the control unit retrieves the number of images photographed according to the icon area from the storage means and 4. The photographic image retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein the number of images is displayed at the icon position. 5. Storage means for storing a photographic image comprising an image recording section and a character recording section and / or image information read from a film by dividing it into an image section, a character section, and a keyword extracted from the character section. And display means for displaying the information and / or edited information stored in the storage means, and when date information is input as the keyword from the operation unit, the unit selected based on the date information corresponding to the keyword is displayed. On the other hand, a photographic image retrieval apparatus comprising: a control unit that retrieves the storage means and displays the number of images captured in the selected unit period. 6. The display unit displays the number of images taken in the selected period by selecting a period using year, month, day, and time based on date information as a keyword of each image. The photographic image retrieval device according to claim 5. 7. When the displayed portion is operated from the operation section,
7. The photographic image retrieval device according to claim 5, wherein a list of images selected in this unit, an image display, and other detailed data are displayed. 8. The character information is recognized from a photographic image composed of an image recording part and a character recording part, and the position information included in the character information is automatically inputted as a keyword, or the position information is inputted as a keyword to the image. In the image file device, the correspondence with the map is enabled based on the position information as the keyword of each image, and when the map is displayed at a certain scale, the icon is displayed for a predetermined area. A method for displaying a file status, characterized in that the number of images photographed within the area corresponding to the icon is searched for on the map and the number of images is displayed corresponding to the icon position. 9. Character information is recognized from a photographic image composed of an image recording part and a character recording part, and date information included in this character information is automatically entered as a keyword, or date information is input as a keyword to an image. In the image file apparatus described above, the number of images shot in the selected unit period is displayed as a list for a unit selected based on the date information as a keyword of each image, and the file state display method is displayed.