KR101480400B1 - Apparatus for managing image files and the method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for efficiently managing an image file using image information and position information of an image, and more particularly, to a system and method for efficiently managing an image file by using a person A detection unit; A characteristic part for giving a predetermined characteristic to each detected person; And a first icon generation unit for generating a first icon corresponding to each person based on the characteristics assigned to the person.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION [0002] APPARATUS FOR MANAGING IMAGE FILES [0003]

The present invention relates to a system and method for managing an image file, and more particularly, to a system and method for efficiently managing an image file using image information and position information.

With the development of electronic communication and optical technology, portable photography devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones equipped with CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging devices, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) have been rapidly spreading to the general public, have.

Photos taken with a portable photographing device are converted into image files and then uploaded to Internet sites such as blogs, mini-hompy, etc., or stored in their own computers, managed through photo folders, Album, and so on.

However, in the conventional image file management method as described above, since the image files are stored in a specific folder at a time, or the date is stored separately, there is no indication of the characteristics of the person included in the image. Therefore, There is a problem that is difficult to color.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for providing a specific color for each person detected from an image, and giving an icon representing the number of persons and figures included in each image, A system and method for efficiently managing an image file including a person.

The present invention relates to a face detection apparatus, including a face detection unit for detecting faces included in images of a selected region using a face recognition technique; A characteristic part for giving a predetermined characteristic to each detected person; And a first icon generation unit for generating a first icon corresponding to each person based on the characteristics assigned to the person.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the first icon generator may generate a first icon so that the number of times the person appears in the images of the selected area is divided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the person detecting unit detects the same person among the detected persons to select a representative face among the same people, and the characterizing unit assigns a specific color to each of the selected representative faces And the first icon generator may generate the first icon so that the number of times the same person appears in the selected images of the selected representative faces.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the characteristic imparting unit may assign the same color to the same person among the persons detected by the person detecting unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system further includes a second icon generation unit that generates a second icon corresponding to each of the images based on the characteristics assigned to the person, wherein when two or more persons are included in the respective images, And a second icon generator for generating a second icon so that the imparted features are distinguished from each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the system includes: a position information analyzer for analyzing position information of an image; And an image synthesizer for synthesizing the second icon on the map image, and a map image for displaying a location where the images included in the selected area analyzed by the location information analysis unit are photographed.

The present invention relates to an image processing method, comprising: (a) detecting a person included in images of a selected region using a face recognition technique; (b) assigning a predetermined characteristic to each detected person; And (c) generating a first icon corresponding to each person based on the specific color assigned to the person.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the step (b) may generate the first icon so that the number of times the character appears in the images of the selected area is generated.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the step (a), the same person among the detected persons is detected to select a representative face among the same persons, and the step (b) And the step (c) may generate the first icon so that the number of times the same person appears in the images of the selected region for each of the selected representative faces.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the step (b), the same color may be assigned to the same person among the persons detected in the step (a).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a second icon corresponding to each image is generated on the basis of the feature assigned to the person, and when two or more persons are included in each image, And generating a second icon to distinguish the first icon and the second icon from each other.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus including: a map image displaying a position where images included in the region are photographed using position information included in images of the selected region; 2 icon is displayed together with the second icon generated in the step of creating the second icon.

According to the image file management system and method of the present invention as described above, a first icon is generated by assigning a characteristic to each person included in an image belonging to a selected region and being classified according to the appearance frequency of each person, The shape of the first icon makes it possible to know how many people are being photographed.

In addition, since the second icon corresponding to the number of persons and figures included in each image is generated, it is possible to know what person is included in each image by using only the shape of the second icon, It is easy to see from which position each image is taken because it is synthesized and displayed on the map image linked with the information.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The image file management system according to the present invention can be used not only when the photographed images are stored in an image storage device such as a personal computer and directly managed on a computer but also when an image file uploaded through the Internet is downloaded on a web server such as a blog or a mini- It can be applied even when it is managed. In the latter case, the personal computer may further comprise a communication means for communicating with the web server, wherein the computer is able to transmit the processed signal on the web server through the communication means. Hereinafter, an image file is stored in an image storage device such as a personal computer, and an image file is directly managed on a computer.

The image storage device to which the present invention is applied may be applied not only to the personal computer described above but also to various devices in which images can be stored such as a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a mobile phone, a PDA, a digital album, . Hereinafter, a case where an image file is stored and managed on a personal computer will be described as an example.

1 is a schematic block diagram of an image file management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the image file management system according to the present embodiment includes a power supply unit 111, a user input unit 112, a storage unit 113, a display unit 114, a signal processing unit 211, a character detection unit 212, A first icon generator 214, a second icon generator 215, a position information analyzer 216, an image synthesizer 217, and the like.

The image file management system according to the present embodiment is driven by receiving a predetermined power from the power supply unit 111. [

The user input unit 112 is a means that the user inputs to the image file management system so that the image file management system can perform an overall operation. The user input unit 112 includes buttons and the like for inputting images.

The storage unit 113 is a means for storing photographed images, and stores image files generated by photographing by the digital image processing apparatus. Generally, an image file is stored in accordance with the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) protocol. In addition to the image data, meta data includes date information of an image taken, photographing mode, exposure data, GPS (Global Positioning System) . ≪ / RTI >

The display unit 114 displays a result obtained by a computer or the like, a first icon and a second icon corresponding to images included on a selected area to be described later, a person included in each image, each image and each person, A map image, and the like.

The signal processing unit 211 controls the overall operation of the image file management system and performs various signal processing. The signal processing unit 211 includes a person detecting unit 212, a feature assigning unit 213, a first icon generating unit 214, a second icon generating unit 215, a position information analyzing unit 216, 217) so that each function can be performed smoothly.

The person detecting unit 212 detects the persons included in the images existing in the selected region by using the face recognition technology. A variety of methods can be used for the face recognition technique used to determine whether or not a person is included in the image. For example, data on the main color of the face is inputted in advance, and it is possible to detect the face part by judging whether or not there is data regarding the main color of the face among the image data, It is possible to use a variety of techniques known in the art, such as data on the T shape being input in advance and determining whether or not there is data related to the T shape among the image data to detect the face portion.

The selected area is an area where some or all of the images stored by the user's preference or the basic setting of the computer are displayed on one screen of the computer display unit 114. [ In addition, when the same person exists among the detected persons, the person detecting unit 212 can analyze the same person and select representative faces among the same people. In this case, a method of selecting a representative face can be variously selected. For example, a method of selecting an image that faces the front face of the same person as a representative face, or selecting the first detected image as a representative face Can be used.

The feature assigning unit 213 assigns a predetermined characteristic to each character detected by the character detecting unit 212. Here, the predetermined feature assigned to each person is an icon corresponding to each person prepared in advance so as to distinguish each person. In this embodiment, for example, a specific color is assigned to each person detected. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to display characteristics of each person by setting a specific figure to correspond to each person, or to set a specific animal to correspond to each person, Of course, the application is possible.

On the other hand, when the same person among the detected persons is present, the same specific color is given between the same persons. Such a specific color assignment may be performed by a user in a variety of ways, for example, a user may arbitrarily select a specific color and assign it to each person, or a specific color may be automatically selected for each person in the system irrespective of the user's selection. Of course, the above-described method can also be applied to the case where each character is imparted with features such as the specific figure or specific animal described above.

The first icon generating unit 214 generates a first icon corresponding to each character so that the number of times the character appears in the images included in the selected region is classified based on the specific color assigned to each character by the feature assigning unit 213 Create an icon. For example, if there are 8 characters in total of 9 images displayed on one screen of a computer, and if there are 3 images in which 9 of the images show a particular person, A first icon corresponding to the number of appearances of the person is generated, and a first icon is generated for each person. At this time, if the same person exists among the persons detected by the person detecting unit 212, the first icon is generated for each representative face selected from the same person.

The second icon generating unit 215 generates a second icon corresponding to each image included in the selected area based on the specific color assigned to each character by the feature assigning unit 213. [ Here, when two or more persons are included in each image, a second icon is generated such that specific colors assigned to the respective persons are distinguished. For example, if a total of nine images are displayed on one screen of a computer, and one of the images contains three people, if the specific color assigned to each person is red, blue, and yellow, A second icon is generated such that all three colors are displayed without being mixed or omitted. At this time, when there is a paid person among the persons or the like detected by the person detecting unit 212, the same color is given between the same persons, so that images including the same person generate a second icon of the same color.

The location information analyzer 216 analyzes location information of images included in the selected area. If the image file includes GPS information according to the Exif standard, or includes tag information related to a general location or geography, the image file is analyzed to acquire location information on the captured image.

The image synthesizing unit 217 generates a map image including positional information of each image by using the positional information of each of the images obtained by the positional information analyzing unit 216, Thereby synthesizing the second icon.

Hereinafter, an image file management method according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of managing an image file according to another embodiment of the present invention. The main image file management method according to the present embodiment may be performed in the image file management system as shown in FIG. 1, and the main algorithm may be performed by the signal processing unit 121 with the help of peripheral components in the image file management system. Lt; / RTI >

Referring to FIG. 3, the person detecting unit 212 detects the persons included in the images belonging to the selected region using the face recognition technology (operation 310). At this time, if the same person is included in the detected persons, the representative face among the same persons is selected.

The feature assigning unit 213 assigns a predetermined characteristic to each person detected in the step (step 320). In this embodiment, a specific color is assigned to each detected person. At this time, the same characters are given the same color.

The first icon generating unit 214 generates a first icon corresponding to the number of times appearing in the selected region for each person based on the specific color assigned to each person in the step (Step 330), and if the same person is detected A representative face among the same person is selected and a first icon is generated so as to correspond to each representative face.

The second icon generation unit 215 generates a second icon corresponding to the number of persons and characters included in each image in the selected area on the basis of the specific color assigned to each person (step 340). Here, the step of generating the first icon (operation 330) and the operation of generating the second icon (operation 340) may be performed in a different order.

The image synthesis unit 217 synthesizes the generated second icons using the map image and the positional information of each image file analyzed by the positional information analysis unit 216 in step 350, A map image in which the icon, each representative face, each image, and the second icon are combined is displayed on the display unit 113.

3 to 6 show examples in which the present invention is applied. Hereinafter, an image file management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to examples shown in the above drawings.

3, an area A in which a first icon is displayed, an area B in which a representative face is displayed, areas C and D in which images and a second icon are displayed on the display unit 114 of the computer, There is an area E in which a map image in which the second icon is synthesized is displayed. Of course, the above-described areas do not need to be all displayed on the display unit 114, or necessarily displayed simultaneously on the display unit 114. [

First, in the case of the present embodiment, a total of nine images (C1, C2, .., C9) are displayed on one screen of the computer, and the screen corresponds to the selected area to which the present embodiment is applied. The corresponding screen may be changed by selecting the previous screen (F) and the next screen (G) selection menu.

B2, ..., B8 included in the images included in the selected area, i.e., a total of nine images C1, C2, .., C9, using the face recognition technology, ). When the same person is detected in the process of detecting a person, for example, when a person included in C3, C4, and C5 is determined to be the same person, a person image included in any one of the images is selected as a representative face , C6, and C9 are determined to be the same person, a portrait image included in any one of the images is selected as a representative face. In the case of the above examples, the person images included in the first detected C3 and C6 are selected as the representative faces B3 and B4, respectively.

The feature assigning unit 213 gives a specific color corresponding to each detected person, and when same person exists, the same color is given to the same person. In addition, when a representative face among the same people is selected, a specific color is assigned to each representative face. Referring to the area A in the figure, it can be seen that a specific color is assigned to each of the characters included in the nine images in total.

The first icon generator 214 displays the number of times that the person appears in the images of the selected area together with the specific color corresponding to each representative face. The first icon A1 indicates that the person B1 corresponding to the icon of A1 appears in only one of the nine images in total, referring to the colors displayed by the icons and the numbers inside the icons in the area A in the drawing, 1 Icon A3 indicates that the person B3 corresponding to the icon of A3 appeared in three images out of a total of nine images. Of course, in the above figure, the number of appearances of the person is displayed as a number inside the icon. However, this is only one example, and as shown in FIG. 4, a certain section is divided into the first icon, You may. FIG. 4 shows a modification of the first icon, which indicates that a person corresponding to the icon of A3 appears three times in the image included in the selected area. Of course, the above examples assume that a specific color is given to each person, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As described above, even when the feature imparted to each person is a specific figure or a specific animal, the number of times each person appears in the same manner as in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be indicated. In addition, It is needless to say that various methods such as displaying the number of times may be possible.

The second icon generating unit 125 generates a second icon corresponding to each of the images C1, C2, .., and C9 included in the selected region based on the specific color assigned to each person by the feature assigning unit 213 2 icons (D1, D2, .., D9). At this time, each of the images and the second icons do not necessarily have to be simultaneously displayed on the screen, as described above, and only one of them may be displayed. Even if only the second icons D1, D2, ..., D9 are displayed, the user can know how many persons are included in the image corresponding to the icon through the color and color classification of each icon. For example, even if the image C1 is not displayed on the display unit 113 and only the second icon D1 is displayed, the user can know that the second icon D1 is an image in which the person B1 corresponding to the second icon D1 appears alone. As another example, through color and color classification of the second icon D6, the user can know that D6 is an image in which two persons B4 and B5 appear.

Of course, although the icon corresponding to each image is displayed in a circular shape in the drawing, this is only an example. As shown in FIG. 5, the second icon can be displayed in a rectangular shape, The number of characters appearing on the screen may be displayed. Fig. 5 shows a modified example of the second icon, wherein (a) to (h) show that the character is 1 to 8 characters, (i) is 9 or more characters, Although not shown in the figure, a specific color corresponding to each person is given.

On the other hand, the above examples are based on the assumption that a specific color is given to each person. However, as described above, when the feature imparted to each person is a specific figure or a specific animal, The number of characters included in the image may be generated.

The image synthesis unit 217 synthesizes the second icons generated to correspond to the respective images to the map image by using the position information included in each image file analyzed by the position information analysis unit 216. [ The area E displaying the map image in which the second icon is synthesized may be displayed on the display unit at the same time as the areas A to D described above and the areas A to D described above are displayed, It is possible. Also, the map image E shown in the area may be a map image embedded in the computer or a map image provided in real time from a server connected to the computer.

Referring to FIG. 2, a map image E including the second icon is simultaneously displayed on the display section with the other areas A to D. In the figure, a map image E displaying a second icon corresponding to a total of nine images displayed in the selected area is displayed. On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a modified example in which the map image is displayed differently, and the map image E 'is not displayed simultaneously with other areas, but a signal by the user's choice, such as clicking an image or clicking an icon, Only displayed.

According to the above image file management system and management method, a predetermined characteristic such as a specific color is assigned to each person included in an image belonging to a selected region, and a first icon is generated which is classified according to the appearance frequency of each person , It is possible to know how a person is photographed even by the shape of the first icon alone. In addition, since the second icon corresponding to the number of persons and figures included in each image is generated, the shape of the second icon allows the user to know which character is included in each image. In addition, since the second icon is displayed on the map image associated with the position information, it is easy to know from which position each image is photographed.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

1 is a schematic block diagram of an image file management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of managing an image file according to another embodiment of the present invention

3 to 6 show examples in which the present invention is applied.

Claims (12)

A person detecting unit for detecting the persons included in the images of the selected region using the face recognition technology; A characteristic part for giving a predetermined characteristic to each detected person; A first icon generating unit for generating a first icon corresponding to each person based on the characteristics assigned to the person; A second icon generation unit for generating a second icon corresponding to each image based on the characteristics assigned to the person; A position information analyzer for analyzing position information of an image; And A map image displaying a position where images included in the selected area analyzed by the location information analyzing unit are photographed; and an image synthesizing unit synthesizing the second icons on the map image. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the first icon generator generates a first icon so that the number of times the person appears in the images of the selected area is divided. The method according to claim 1, The person detecting unit detects the same person among the detected persons, selects a representative face among the same people, Wherein the characteristic imparting unit assigns a specific color to each of the selected representative faces, Wherein the first icon generation unit generates a first icon so that the number of times the same person appears in the images of the selected region for each of the selected representative faces. The method of claim 3, Wherein the characteristic imparting section assigns the same color to the same person among the persons detected by the person detecting section. delete delete A method of managing an image file, the method being performed by an image file management system, (a) detecting the persons included in the images of the selected region using the face recognition technology; (b) assigning a predetermined characteristic to each detected person; (c) generating a first icon corresponding to each person based on the characteristics assigned to the person; (d) generating a second icon corresponding to each image on the basis of the feature imparted for each of the plurality of persons, if the plurality of persons included in the respective images are two or more persons, ; (e) using the location information included in the images of the selected area, displaying a map image indicating a location where images included in the area are photographed, and generating the second icon on the map image And displaying a second icon generated by the second icon. 8. The method of claim 7, Wherein the step (b) comprises generating a first icon such that the number of times the person appears in the images of the selected area is divided into the first icon and the second icon. 8. The method of claim 7, In the step (a), the same person among the detected persons is detected, a representative face among the same persons is selected, In the step (b), a specific color is assigned to each of the selected representative faces, Wherein the step (c) comprises generating a first icon such that the number of times the same person appears in the images of the selected region for each of the selected representative faces. 10. The method of claim 9, Wherein the step (b) includes the step of assigning the same color to the same person among the persons detected in the step (a). delete delete

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