JPH1166089A - Device and method for managing image and recording medium with recorded image managing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily retrieve the desired image out of nomerous images. SOLUTION: As retrieval information, character strings such as keyword, photographing place or comment and a date such as photographing date are added to respective images stored in a photograph storage part 39 as photographs. When any character string is designated as the retrieval condition, a retrieval part 40 retrieves the image having the said designated character string out of the photograph storage part 39. When the date is designated as the retrieval condition, the retrieval part 40 retrieves the image having the said designated date out of the photograph storage part 39. When a personal name is designated as the retrieval condition, the retrieval part 40 acquires the birthday corresponding to the said designated personal name from a personal information storage part 43 and retrieves the image having the said birthday as the date out of the photograph storage part 39.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image management device, an image management method, and a recording medium on which an image management program is recorded, for example, used for information equipment such as a word processor and a personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, information devices such as a word processor and a personal computer input various image images read by a scanner or a digital camera, for example.
Some have a function of managing these.

In this case, each image is managed in the input order,
At the time of display, as shown in FIG. 25 (b), it is common to display a list of images in a matrix in the order of input. Further, even when searching for an image, the user visually selects a desired image from the screen displayed as a list.

[0004]

As described above, conventionally, various types of image images read by a scanner, a digital camera or the like have been managed in the input order. For this reason, it has not been possible to perform an album-like editing operation such as laying out each image at an arbitrary position according to the user's preference.

[0005] In particular, in image retrieval, a user visually selects a desired image from a list screen of images arranged in the order of input, so that the user may overlook the image.
When there are many images, it was very difficult to select them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an image management apparatus, an image management method, and a recording medium in which an image management program that can easily retrieve a desired image from a large number of images is recorded. The purpose is to provide a medium.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image management apparatus for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts on which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file. An image management device,
Image storage means for adding an arbitrary character string to an image for storage; search condition specification means for specifying a character string as a search condition; and the image storage means based on the character string specified by the search condition specification means. , An image search means for searching for an image having the specified character string from among the character strings, and a display means for displaying the image searched by the image search means as a search result.

According to such a configuration, a character string such as a keyword, a photographing place, and a comment is added to each image, and by specifying the character string as a search condition, an image having the character string is searched.

An image management apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image management apparatus that manages a single file by pasting images on a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image layout positions are predetermined. An image storage means for storing the image with the date on which the image was obtained, a search condition specifying means for specifying a date as a search condition, and the image based on the date specified by the search condition specifying means. An image search means for searching an image having the specified date from the storage means, and a display means for displaying the image searched by the image search means as a search result.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the accurate date, the image search means determines the date based on a deformed date such as a month, a day, a day of the week, a month and a specific day, and the like. 3. The image management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image having the specified date is searched from the image storage unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image having the designated date is not obtained, the image retrieving means retrieves an image having a date close to the date. I do.

According to such a configuration, for example, a date such as a shooting date is added to each image, and by specifying a date as a search condition, an image having the specified date is searched. In this case, it is possible to search by specifying a deformed date such as a month, a day, a day of the week, a month and a day of the week, and a specific day, in addition to the accurate date. If an image having the designated date is not obtained, an image having a date close to the date is searched.

An image management apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an image management apparatus for pasting an image onto a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file. A personal information storage means for storing personal information having at least a name and a date of birth registered in advance for each individual; an image storage means for adding an image acquisition date to an image and storing the image; Search condition specifying means for specifying a personal name as a condition, and a date of birth corresponding to the specified personal name is obtained from the personal information storage means based on the personal name specified by the search condition specifying means. An image search unit for searching the image storage unit for an image having the date of birth as a date; and displaying the image searched by the image search unit as a search result. Characterized by comprising a display unit that.

According to such a configuration, when a database in which individual information is stored is provided, by specifying a personal name as a search condition, the date of birth corresponding to the personal name is selected from the database. Is obtained, and an image having this as a date is searched.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present apparatus is realized by a computer which reads a program recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk and the operation of which is controlled by the program.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus comprises a CPU 1
1, ROM 12, RAM 13, input device 14, display device 15, printer (PRT) 16, external storage device 1
7, communication device 18, real timer 19, scanner 20,
A digital camera 21 is provided.

The CPU 11 controls the entire apparatus, and executes an image management process by starting a program. In the ROM 12, in addition to a program storage area 12a for storing various programs, a mount sample storage area 12b for storing sample information of the mount, and a background sample for storing background sample information to be added to the mount. A storage area 12c is provided.

The ROM 12 is provided with a personal information storage area 12d for storing personal information registered by the user in advance. This personal information has at least information of a name and a date of birth, and is referred to at the time of a photograph search described later.

Here, the mount used in the present apparatus is prepared for laying out an image input by the scanner 20, the digital camera 21, or the like, as if the user puts a photograph on an album. There are a plurality of types of this mount (see FIG. 18), and the mount types corresponding to these types are stored in the mount sample storage area 12b as sample information.

Further, a background pattern such as a color and a pattern can be added to each mount. There are a plurality of types of the background patterns, and the background patterns corresponding to those types are stored in the background sample storage area 12c as sample information.

The RAM 13 stores various types of information necessary for the image management processing of the apparatus. Here, a mount storage area 13a for storing information of each mount formed as one album, Photo storage area 13 for storing the image pasted on the mount as photo information
b is provided.

Further, the RAM 13 is provided with a search variation storage area 13c for storing search variation information and a coming pattern storage area 13d for storing coming pattern information. The search variation information and the upcoming pattern information are information used in a date search described later (FIGS. 13 and 14).
reference).

The input device 14 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and performs data input and instructions. The display device 15 is, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD.
(Liquid Crystal Display) etc. to display data.

The printer (PRT) 16 prints data on paper. The external storage device 17 includes, for example, a hard disk device (HDD) and a floppy disk device (F
DD) for storing various information. The external storage device 17 stores a program provided by a recording medium. The communication device 18 is, for example, an IR
It has an (infrared) communication function and controls data communication with external devices.

The real timer 19 counts the current date and time (to be exact, year, month, day, hour, and minute).
To provide. The scanner 20 is connected to the apparatus via a connector, for example, and inputs various images. The digital camera 21 is connected to the apparatus by, for example, IR communication, and inputs various images. Various images input via the scanner 20 and the digital camera 21 are stored in the external storage device 17.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image management function realized by the image management apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the image management function of this device is as follows.
Input unit 31, main control unit 32, display unit 33, mount editing unit 3
4. Mount sample storage unit 35, background sample storage unit 3
6. Mount storage unit 37, photo editing unit 38, photo storage unit 39
Is configured. The search unit 40, the search variation storage unit 41, the upcoming pattern storage unit 42,
It has a personal information storage unit 43.

The input section 31 performs input processing of various data and functions input by the input device 14 of FIG. The main control unit 32 performs control processing of the entire image management function. The display unit 33 performs display processing of various data to be displayed on the display device 15.

Under the control of the main control unit 32, the board editing unit 34 performs a board editing process (deletion, movement, copying, layout change, etc. of the board). The mount sample storage unit 35 stores sample information of the mount. Background sample storage unit 36
Stores the background sample information. Mount storage unit 37
Stores information of each mount formed as one album.

The photo editor 38 edits a photo (moves a photo, cuts out an image, etc.) under the control of the main controller 32.
I do. The photo storage unit 39 stores the image pasted on each mount as photo information.

The search unit 40 performs a photograph search process under the control of the main control unit 32. The search variation storage unit 41 stores search variation information used for date search. This search variation information is information for enabling a search by specifying a deformed date separately from a search by specifying an accurate date. As shown in FIG. There are various variations such as “designation”, “× month × day”, “specific day (holiday or anniversary)”, “xx's birthday”.

The upcoming pattern storage unit 42 stores upcoming pattern information used for date search. This upcoming pattern information is information for searching when there is no photo corresponding to the date specified by the user with a date close to that date. As shown in FIG.
There are various patterns such as "same month", "same day", "same day of the week" ...

The personal information storage unit 43 is a database storing personal information registered in advance for each individual. The personal information has at least a name and a date of birth. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the mount storage unit 37. The mount storage unit 37 stores information of each mount configured as one album, and a number (the number of pages of the album) assigned to the mount for each mount, a type of the mount, The mount information including the background added to the mount, the number of the photo pasted on the mount, and the like is stored together with the album name.

The mount type information includes the shape (mount type) and size of the mount, the number of photographs, the arrangement position of the photographs, and the like. Further, the photograph number is set for each arrangement position of the photograph. That is, for example, in the case of a three-photograph mount sheet, three predetermined arrangement positions 1 to 3 are set.
In contrast, a photograph number is set for each position, such as arrangement position 1: photograph number 1, arrangement position 2: photograph number 2, arrangement position 3: photograph number 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the photograph storage unit 39. In the photo storage unit 39, the image pasted on each mount is stored as photo information, and the number, image information, search information (keyword, comment, Information such as shooting conditions) and mask information (mask pattern for cutting out a photograph) are stored. It should be noted that the search information includes information on a shooting date as a shooting condition.

In this case, the photograph number of each photograph information is
This corresponds to the photo number set in the mount information. That is, the photograph is pasted and displayed (printed) at a predetermined position on the mount according to the photograph number.

Next, before explaining the operation of this embodiment,
For easy understanding, a basic operation procedure of the image management function of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, a main screen 11 as shown in FIG.
0 is displayed. The main screen 110 is provided with an icon 111 for instructing “album creation”, an icon 112 for instructing “album arrangement”, and an icon 113 for instructing “album display”.

When the icon 111 is selected, an album save destination designation screen and an album name input screen (not shown) are displayed. The user specifies an album storage destination (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or the like) through these screens, and then inputs a name (file name) of an album to be created.

Thereafter, a picture number designation screen 120 as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. This photo number designation screen 120
Is provided with a number selection section 121 for selecting the number of photographs (1 to 4) per mount. The user designates the number of photos (images) to be pasted on the mount via the number selection section 121.

When the number of photographs is selected, a mount sample screen 130 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed according to the selected number of photographs. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 18A to 18D, four types are provided for one photo and four types are provided for two photos.
Samples of the mount type are prepared in advance for two types for three photos and two types for four photos, and a desired mount type is selected from these. For each mount type, the arrangement position of the photograph and the arrangement position of the comment added to the photograph are defined.

When the "F1" key is depressed, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a background sample screen 131 for selecting a background is displayed in a window. In this case, eight background samples such as colors and patterns are prepared in advance, and a desired background pattern can be arbitrarily selected from these. The background pattern selected here is added to the mount.

In this manner, each mount forming an album is created while selecting a mount type according to the number of photographs and, if necessary, selecting a background pattern to be added to the mount. A number (corresponding to an album page) is assigned to each mount in the order of its creation. At the time of display (at the time of printing), the mounts are displayed (printed) in the order of their numbers. The order of each mount is
It can be arbitrarily changed by board mounting described later.

When the "select / execute" key is pressed after the mount is created, an album edit screen 140 as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. On the album editing screen 140, the format 1 of each mount of the created album is displayed.
Reference numerals 41 are sequentially displayed according to pressing of the "F4" key / "F5" key. "F4" on the first page
When the key is pressed, the last page is displayed.
When the key is pressed, the first page is displayed. If there is only one page, the operations of the "F4" key and the "F5" key are ignored.

After the desired mount format 141 is displayed by operating the "F4" key / "F5" key, the position where the picture is to be pasted is specified by operating the "cursor" key, and the "F6" key is pressed. Thus, an image can be read from a medium such as a scanner, a digital camera, or a hard disk or a floppy disk, and the image can be pasted as a photograph at the specified position.

At this time, on an image editing screen (not shown),
A part of an image can be cut out using a cutout pattern prepared in advance and attached to a mount. This cutout pattern includes, for example, a round shape, a heart shape, and the like.
The user arbitrarily selects from among them and cuts out the image. Note that since the masking of this image creates a mask pattern internally, the image itself remains unchanged.

In the above image editing screen, "F
When the "3" key is pressed, a search information input screen 142 as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed in a window. On this search information input screen 142, a keyword, a comment, and shooting conditions (shooting date, shooting location, weather, photographer, camera used) can be input. Each piece of information input here is added to the photo as search information, and used at the time of photo search.

As described above, an image is read from a medium such as a scanner or a digital camera or a hard disk or a floppy disk, and the image is cut out, and a comment or the like is added to the image to obtain a photograph. It is pasted on a predetermined position on the backing paper. In this case, a number corresponding to the mounting position of the mount is added to each photo. At the time of display (at the time of printing), it is displayed (printed) together with the comment at a predetermined position on the backing sheet according to the number.

Thus, the mounts and the photos pasted on them are stored as one album (file) in the storage destination (eg, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) designated on the main screen 110 in FIG. Same screen 1
The data is stored in accordance with the album name designated at 10.

Here, when viewing the album, after selecting the icon 113 provided on the main screen 110 of FIG. 15, the call destination (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc.) is designated, as shown in FIG. Such a display designation screen 150 is displayed. On the display designation screen 150, an icon 151 for turning over each mount and viewing it, an icon 152 for displaying a list of all the photos, and an image for displaying only photos that meet the conditions are displayed by selecting an album. An icon 153 is provided.

When the icon 151 is selected on the display designation screen 150 and the album name is input, an album display screen 160 as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. On the album display screen 160, it is possible to see each mount of the album according to the above-mentioned album name while turning over each one. In this case, one page is displayed in the initial state,
Subsequent page turning of each mount is performed by operating the "F4" key / "F5" key.

The "F4" key is assigned as a previous page display key, and when the key is pressed, the mount of the previous page is displayed together with a photograph (including a comment or the like) pasted thereon. The "F5" key is assigned as a next page display key, and when the key is pressed, the mount of the next page is displayed together with a photograph (including a comment or the like) pasted thereon. Pressing the "F4" key on the first page displays the last page, and pressing the "F5" key on the last page displays the first page. If there is only one page, the operations of the "F4" key and the "F5" key are ignored.

When a photograph search is performed, FIG.
Icon 153 is selected on the display designation screen 150 shown in FIG. By selecting the icon 153, an input screen for search conditions is displayed, and a list of photos matching the search conditions input on the input screen is displayed on a search result list screen 170 as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, (a) creating an album (mount), (b) creating a photo,
(C) Each operation of the album display will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

(A) Creation of Album (Mount) FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the album (mount) creating process in the embodiment. Album (mount)
When the album name is input through the input unit 31 (step A11), the main control unit 32 reads the mount sample information from the mount sample storage unit 35 through the mount editing unit 34 (step A12). Then, based on the mount sample information, the main control unit 32
Is displayed on the display unit 33 (step A13).

In this case, as a mount sample, FIG.
As shown in (a) to (d), there are a plurality of types of mount types for each number of photographs, and the user selects a desired mount type from these (step A14).

Subsequently, the main control section 32 reads background sample information from the background sample storage section 36 through the mount editing section 34 (step A15). Then, the main control unit 32 displays a background sample screen 131 as shown in FIG. 19 on the display unit 33 based on the background sample information (step A16).

In this case, there are a plurality of types of background patterns such as colors and patterns as background samples, and the user selects a desired background pattern from these (step A17).

When the mount and the background are selected, the mount editing unit 34 creates one mount information based on the selected mount type and background type, and sets the mount number there. 3 (step A).
18).

Thereafter, when a board is added or a board is inserted (Yes in step A19), the same processing as described above is repeated. At this time, in the addition of the mount, the mount information is added after the mount information created immediately before, and a mount number is set. In the insertion of the mount, the mount information is inserted into the insertion destination specified by the user, a mount number corresponding to the insertion position is set, and the mount number of the other mount information whose order is changed by the insertion is changed. change.

(B) Photo Creation FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photo creation processing in the embodiment. At the time of creating a photograph, when a reading destination of an image (for example, a medium such as a hard disk or a floppy disk) is selected (step B11), the main control unit 32 reads each image information from the selected medium (step B12). The image information selected by the user among them is given to the photo editor 38 as a photograph (step B13). Note that an image may be directly read from a scanner or a digital camera.

Here, when the image is cut out by the user (Yes in step B14), the main control unit 3
2 creates a mask pattern corresponding to the cut-out pattern and gives the information to the photo editing unit 38 (step B).
15) Also, a search information input screen 1 as shown in FIG.
When a keyword, comment, and shooting conditions (shooting date, shooting location, weather, photographer, camera used) are input through 42, the main control unit 32 gives the information to the photo editing unit 38 as search information (step). B16).

Thus, the image information, the mask information,
When the search information is obtained, the photo editing unit 38 creates photo information based on the information, sets a photo number there, and stores it in the photo storage unit 39 shown in FIG. 4 (step B1).
7).

On the other hand, when the photograph is to be pasted on the backing sheet (Yes in step B18), the main control unit 32 reads the backing sheet information created in the backing sheet storage unit 37 through the backing sheet editing unit 34, as shown in FIG. Album edit screen 140
Is displayed on the display unit 33. Through this album editing screen 140, the user designates the pasteboard and the photograph paste position on the pasteboard (step B1).
9).

By specifying such a paste destination, the main control unit 32 adds the photo information to the paste position specified in the paste position in the mount storage unit 37 through the mount edit unit 34. Is set (step B20). As a result, the mount information and the photograph information are associated with each other.

Thereafter, similarly, each image is sequentially taken in, created and stored as photograph information, and a process of pasting the photograph on a mount is performed (step B21). (C) Album display FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the album display process in the embodiment. On the display designation screen 150 as shown in FIG. 22, the user selects an album name to be displayed (step C11).

When an album name is selected, the main control unit 32
Acquires the mount information corresponding to the selected album name from the mount storage unit 37 through the mount editing unit 34.
At that time, first, in order to display the first page, the main control unit 32 sets the mount number n to “1”, acquires the mount information of the mount number 1 from the mount storage unit 37 (step C1).
3) According to the photo number set in the mount information, information on the photo pasted on the mount is acquired from the photo storage unit 39 through the photo editing unit 38 (step C14).

When the mount information and the photograph information are obtained in this manner, the main control unit 32 displays an album display screen 160 as shown in FIG.
(Step C15). In this case, on the initial screen, the first page, that is, the mount with the mount number 1 and the photograph attached to the mount are displayed together with the comments and the like.

When background information is set in the mount information, the main control unit 32 displays the mount with a modification such as coloring or patterning based on the background information. When mask information corresponding to the cutout pattern is set in the photograph information, the main control unit 32 masks and displays a part of the photograph based on the mask information.

Here, when the user instructs the display of the next page by pressing the "F5" key (Yes in step C16)
s), the main controller 32 updates the mount number n by “+1” (step C17), and obtains the mount information and the photograph information in the same manner as described above according to the updated mount number n, thereby displaying the next page (step C17). Steps C13 to C15).

When the user instructs the display of the previous page by pressing the "F4" key (Yes in step C18),
The main control unit 32 updates the mount number n by "-1" (step C19), obtains the mount information and the photograph information in accordance with the updated mount number n, and displays the previous page (step C13). To C15).

As described above, according to the display instruction of the next page / previous page, the mounts constituting the album and the pictures pasted thereon are sequentially displayed together with the comments and the like (step C20).

Next, (d) photo retrieval will be described as a photo-related process. (D) Photo Search FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photo search process in the embodiment. Searching for a photo is performed by selecting the icon 153 on the display designation screen 150 shown in FIG. When the icon 153 is selected, a search condition input screen 51 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The search condition input screen 51 includes selection items of search conditions such as “keyword”, “location (photographing location),” “comment”, “date (photographing date)”, and the like. Is selected (step D11).

Here, items other than “date”, that is,
When “keyword”, “location (photographing location)”, and “comment” are selected and the character string information is input (No in step D12), the main control unit 32 transmits the information through the search unit 40 as shown in FIG. Execute a simple search process A (step D
13).

(Search Process A) As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 9, the main control unit 32 first sets the character input to the selection items (items other than “date”) on the search condition input screen 51 of FIG. A column (keyword, location, comment, etc.) is obtained and passed to the search unit 40 (step E11).

The search section 40 reads out the information of each photo stored in the photo storage section 39 in order from the top, and selects a character string (added to the photo) corresponding to the selected item from the search information added to each photo. Keywords, places, comments, etc.)
Is obtained (step E12). Then, the search unit 40 compares the character string added to the photograph with the character string input as the above-described search condition, and if both character strings match (Yes in step E13), the photograph that hit the photograph is hit. The information is transmitted to the main control unit 32 as (photographs matching the search condition) (step E14).

In this way, all the pictures are searched for pictures that meet the search condition in order (step E15). When there are inputs to a plurality of items, it is assumed that all of the items are searched under AND conditions.

On the other hand, on the search condition input screen 51,
When the item of “date” is selected (Ye in step D12)
s), a variation selection screen 52 for date search as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. In this variation selection screen 52, “specify only month”, “specify only day”, “× month ×
There are selection items for variation search such as "day of the week", "specific day (holiday or anniversary)", "birthday of XX", and the like, and the user arbitrarily selects a desired item from these (step D15). Then, information corresponding to the selected item is input (step D16).

In this case, a desired month is inputted in "only month designation". Similarly, in "specify only days", a desired day is input, and in "x month x day", a desired month and day are input. In the “specific day”, a holiday or an anniversary is input, for example, “a day of physical education” or “a day of the vernal equinox”. In the case of "xx's birthday", a personal name such as A and B is input.

At this time, a near-term pattern selection screen 53 for date search is displayed as shown in FIG. 14, and a date close to the specified date can be specified as a search condition. Here, "how many days", "the same month",
There are selection items such as “same day” and “same day of the week”, and the user can arbitrarily select one of these items. In “how many days”, the number of days can be input.

When an item other than “XX's birthday” is selected on the variation selection screen 52 of FIG. 13 (N in step D18),
o), a search process B as shown in FIG. 10 is executed through the search unit 40 (step D19). If the item “Birthday of XX” is selected (step D18)
Yes), a search process C as shown in FIG. 11 is executed through the search unit 40 (step D20).

(Search Process B) As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the main control unit 32 first obtains the date entered in the “date” item of the search condition input screen 51, and obtains the date of FIG. The variation information input to the selection items (items other than “xx's birthday”) of the variation selection screen 52 and the information of the upcoming pattern selected on the upcoming pattern selection screen 53 are acquired, and these are obtained. The information is passed to the search unit 40 (step F11).

The search section 40 stores the information of the variation and the upcoming pattern selected and input by the user in the search variation storage section 41 and the upcoming pattern storage section 42, and then stores the information of each photograph stored in the photo storage section 39. Are sequentially read from the top, and a date is obtained from the search information added to each photograph (step F12). Then, the search unit 40 compares the date added to this photo with the date input as the above search condition, and if both dates match (Yes in step F13), the photo that hit that photo (the search condition) The information is transmitted to the main control unit 32 (step E14).

In this way, all the pictures are searched for pictures that meet the search condition in order (step F15). At this time, if the search condition is not an accurate date but a modified date such as “month only” is specified, the search is performed based on the search variation information stored in the search variation storage unit 41. Do.

That is, in the “designate only month”, a photograph that matches the designated month is searched. Similarly, “specify date only” searches for photos that match the specified date and returns “×
In “month × day of the week”, a photo that matches the specified month and day of the week is searched. In the “specific day”, for example, photos matching the designated holiday or anniversary, such as “physical education day” or “spring day”, are searched.

If a photograph having a date designated by the user is not obtained (step F16)
No), the search unit 40 searches for a photograph having a date close to the specified date using the upcoming pattern information stored in the upcoming pattern storage unit 42 (step F1).
7).

That is, the search unit 40 sequentially reads out the information of each photo stored in the photo storage unit 39 from the top, and obtains information of the date (photographing date) from the search information added to each photo (step). F18), it is determined whether or not the date matches the upcoming pattern information stored in the upcoming pattern storage unit 42 (step F19).

More specifically, for example, when “within a few days” is specified as the near-term pattern, a matching photo is searched for within the specified number of days. In “Same month”, the same picture as the designated month is searched. Similarly, "same day" searches for photos that are the same as the specified day, and "same day of the week" searches for photos that have the same specified day of the week.

In this way, even if there is no photo that matches the specified date, a search is made for a photo close to that date.
As a result, if there is a corresponding photo (Y in step F19)
es), and transmits the information to the main control unit 32 (step F)
20). This process is repeated for all the photographs (step F21).

(Search Process C) As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the main control unit 32 firstly inputs the personal name entered in the item “birthday of XX” on the variation selection screen 52 of FIG. And passes it to the search unit 40 (step G11).

The search unit 40 first searches the personal information storage unit 43 according to the personal name, and obtains the date of birth of the person (step G12). Next, the search unit 40 sequentially reads out the information of each photo stored in the photo storage unit 39 from the top, and obtains information of the date (shooting date) from the search information added to each photo (step G13). ). And
The search unit 40 compares the date added to the photo with the date of the birthday of the individual entered as the search condition, and if the dates match (Yes in step G14), the photo that hit the photo is found. The information is transmitted to the main control unit 32 as (photographs matching the search condition) (step G1).
5).

In this way, all the pictures are searched for pictures that meet the search condition in order (step G16). When the information of the photo that matches the search condition is obtained in the above-described search process A, search process B, or search process C, the main control unit 32 displays a list of these photos as a search result in FIG. Search result list screen 17
0 is displayed through the display unit 33 (step G14).
At this time, information used for the search, such as a keyword, a photographing place, a comment, a date, and the like added to the photo, may be added and displayed in addition to the photo.

As described above, in the present invention, FIG.
As shown in (1), each image read by a scanner or a digital camera can be freely laid out using a mount. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform an album-like editing operation such as arranging each image according to a purpose or collecting only images desired by the user.

Further, by adding a keyword, a place, a character string of a comment, or a date such as a shooting date to each image as search information, a search can be performed based on such information. In this case, searching by date is not limited to the exact date. For example, "only month", "only day",
Searches with various variations such as “× month × day of the week”, “specific days (holidays and anniversaries)” are also possible.

Also, by using personal information,
Searches like "xx's birthday" or "xx's birthday"
A search such as "when you are old" is also possible. In the case of “when xx is n years old”, the personal information storage unit 43
Can be handled by obtaining the date of birth of Mr. XX from among the individual information stored in, and adding the specified number of years n to the date of birth.

If no photo having the specified date is obtained in the search by date, "how many days", "the same month" ... "the same day", "the same day of the week"
If there is a photo close to the specified date, you can search for it.

The method described in the above-described embodiment includes, as programs that can be executed by a computer, for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM,
It is also possible to write the data on a recording medium such as a DVD or a semiconductor memory and apply it to various devices, or to transmit it via a communication medium and apply it to various devices. A computer that realizes the present apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, each image read by a scanner or a digital camera is managed by adding a character string such as a keyword, a photographing place, and a comment. By specifying a character string, a desired image can be easily obtained.

Further, since each image is managed by adding a date such as a photographing date, a desired image can be easily obtained by designating a date as a search condition. In this case, it is possible to search by specifying a deformed date such as a month, a day, a day of the week, a month and a day of the week, and a specific day, in addition to the accurate date. If an image having the designated date cannot be obtained, an image having a date close to the date can be obtained.

When a database storing personal information is provided, by specifying a personal name as a search condition, a date of birth corresponding to the personal name is obtained from the database. Images having dates can be searched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image management function realized by the image management device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mount storage unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a photograph storage unit in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of album (backing sheet) creation processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of a photo creation process in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of album display processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of a photo search process in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a search process A in step D13 of FIG. 8;
5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of search processing B in step D19 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of search processing C in step D20 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary view showing a search condition input screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view showing a variation selection screen for date search in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary view showing an upcoming pattern selection screen for date search in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary view showing a main screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary view showing a photograph number designation screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary view showing a mount sample screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary view for explaining a mount sample in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary view showing a background sample screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary view showing an album editing screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary view showing a search information input screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an exemplary view showing a display designation screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary view showing an album display screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is an exemplary view showing a search result list screen in the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a comparison between the image management method of the present invention and a conventional image management method.

[Description of Signs] 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Input device 15 Display device 16 Printer device 17 External storage device 18 Communication device 19 Real timer 20 Scanner 21 Digital camera 31 Input unit 32 main control unit 33 display unit 34 mount editing unit 35 mount sample storage unit 36 background sample storage unit 37 mount storage unit 38 photo editing unit 39 photo storage unit 40 search unit 41 search variation storage Unit 42: Coming soon pattern storage unit 43: Personal information storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Toru Mabuchi 2-9-9 Suehirocho, Ome City, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Ome Plant Co., Ltd.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image management apparatus for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are predetermined and managing the image as one file, wherein an arbitrary character string is added to the image. An image storage means for storing a character string as a search condition; and a character string specified from the image storage means based on the character string specified by the search condition specification means. An image management apparatus, comprising: an image search unit that searches for an image having the following; and a display unit that displays an image searched by the image search unit as a search result. 2. An image management apparatus for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or more image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file, wherein the image includes a date when the image is acquired. Image storage means for additionally storing, search condition specifying means for specifying a date as a search condition, and the specified date from the image storage means based on the date specified by the search condition specifying means. An image management apparatus, comprising: an image search unit that searches for an image that the user has; and a display unit that displays an image searched by the image search unit as a search result. 3. The image search means according to claim 1, wherein said image search means is configured to select one of said image storage means based on a deformed date such as a month, a day, a day of the week, a month and a day of the week, and a specific day. 3. The image management device according to claim 2, wherein an image having the date set is searched. 4. The image management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said image search means searches for an image having a date close to the specified date when an image having the specified date is not obtained. apparatus. 5. An image management apparatus for managing images as one file by pasting images on a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance, wherein the image management device is registered in advance for each individual. Personal information storage means for storing personal information having at least a name and a date of birth, image storage means for storing an image with the date on which the image was obtained, and search condition specifying means for specifying a personal name as a search condition Based on the personal name specified by the search condition specifying means, obtains a date of birth corresponding to the specified personal name from the personal information storage means, and obtains the birth date from the image storage means. Image search means for searching for an image having a date as a date, and display means for displaying the image searched by the image search means as a search result. Image management device. 6. An image management method in which images are pasted on a plurality of types of mounts in which one or more image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managed as one file, wherein an arbitrary character string is added to the images. A character string is specified as a search condition, and an image having the specified character string is searched from the memory based on the specified character string. An image management method, wherein is displayed as a search result. 7. An image management method for pasting an image onto a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file, wherein a date when the image is acquired is added to the image. In addition, it is stored in a memory, a date is specified as a search condition, and an image having the specified date is searched from the memory based on the specified date. An image management method characterized by displaying as a search result. 8. Searching an image having the specified date from the memory based on a deformed date such as a month, a day, a day of the week, a month and a day of the week, and a specific date, apart from an accurate date. The image management method according to claim 7, wherein: 9. The image management method according to claim 7, wherein when an image having the specified date is not obtained, an image having a date close to the date is searched. 10. An image management method for managing images as one file by pasting images on a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance, wherein the image is registered for each individual in advance. It has a database that stores personal information having at least a name and a date of birth, stores the image in the memory with the date on which the image was obtained, specifies the personal name as a search condition, Based on the personal name, obtain the date of birth corresponding to the specified personal name from the database, search the memory for an image having the date of birth as a date, and search for the image. An image management method, wherein is displayed as a search result. 11. A recording medium on which an image management program for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file is recorded. Is added to an arbitrary character string and stored in a memory. A screen for specifying a character string as a search condition is displayed. Based on the character string specified on this screen, A computer-readable recording medium storing an image management program for causing an image having a character string to be searched and displaying the searched image as a search result. 12. A recording medium recording an image management program for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image arrangement positions are determined in advance and managing the image as a single file. The date on which the image was obtained is added to and stored in the memory, and a screen for specifying the date as a search condition is displayed. Based on the date specified on this screen, the specified A computer-readable recording medium on which an image management program for causing an image having a searched date to be searched and displaying the searched image as a search result is recorded. 13. The computer having the specified date in the memory based on a deformed date such as a month, a day, a day of the week, a day of the month, a specific day, etc., apart from the exact date. 13. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein an image management program for retrieving an image is recorded. 14. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein an image management program for causing a computer to search for an image having a date close to the specified date when the image having the specified date is not obtained. . 15. A recording medium recording an image management program for attaching an image to a plurality of types of mounts in which one or a plurality of image layout positions are determined in advance and managing the image as one file, In order to specify the personal name as a search condition, add the date on which the image was obtained to the computer and store it in a computer that has a database that stores personal information having at least the name and date of birth registered in Is displayed, and based on the personal name specified on this screen, the date of birth corresponding to the specified personal name is obtained from the database, and the date of birth is obtained from the memory. A computer-readable recording medium storing an image management program for causing an image having a date to be searched and displaying the searched image as a search result Ri capable of recording medium.