JP5090135B2 - Image viewing system, image viewing method, image viewing server, and terminal device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image viewing system, images viewing method, image viewing server, and to a terminal device, and more particularly, an image viewing system that can search for images on display in the virtual space to a user-friendly, Watching images The present invention relates to a method , a server for viewing images, and a terminal device .

  In recent years, services that enable access to a virtual space created by computer graphics via a network have become widespread. Access to this virtual space is effective in inviting users to a world that extends beyond the Internet using a friendly user interface that is different from data access through the Internet.

  In virtual space, it is possible to have a simulated experience similar to that in the real world, and even if one simple data store is replaced, it is possible to classify themes using the characteristics of the space. . Various techniques for accessing data in a server connected through such a network and using a virtual space built in the server have been proposed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a content distribution system in which content is distributed from a virtual space when the system is accessed using a two-dimensional code. In this content distribution system, a fortune-telling content is distributed when a user is authenticated by accessing the content distribution system from a mobile phone using a QR code printed on a photo print. Patent Document 2 discloses an exhibition system that can rent an exhibition space in a virtual space. In this exhibition system, exhibitors can exhibit in the rental space in the virtual space, and viewers can access the virtual space providing terminal via the network and browse the exhibit as an avatar in the virtual space. Is possible.
JP 2006-107116 A JP 2002-342673 A

  The content distribution system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is not an exhibition that takes advantage of the characteristics of a virtual space. The exhibition system disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses the characteristics of the virtual space, such as browsing exhibits with an avatar, but does not take into account the easy finding of the target one. That is, it is difficult to easily find a target image while enjoying the target image in a virtual space where a large number of images can be displayed.

The present invention, such are those was made in view circumstances, in the virtual space number of images can be exhibited, image viewing system, viewing images which can be found easily while enjoying the image of interest It is an object to provide a method , an image viewing server, and a terminal device .

In order to achieve the above object, an image viewing system according to a first invention is an image viewing system for guiding a viewer to a virtual space having a plurality of image storage rooms, and transmits a sample image obtained by resizing an original image. and parts, and the virtual spatial synthesis unit for generating data for displaying by combining the specific image in the virtual space, the virtual space display unit that displays an image representing the data generated by the virtual spatial synthesis unit, In the virtual space, an operation determination unit that determines a movement instruction operation by a user and an image of a reference location that represents a predetermined position in the virtual space, and an image obtained by processing the original image based on the sample image There searching exhibit location in the virtual space on display, in accordance with an instruction operation of the movement is determined by the operation determining unit represents the location of the virtual space Switching an image, anda guide unit for generating data for guiding to the exhibit location, an image representing the data generated by the guide portion to be displayed on the virtual space display unit.

Image viewing system according to the second aspect of the invention related to the first invention, the specific image differs from that of the image obtained by the above processing, the virtual space representing the image storage chamber is synthesized.

In the image appreciation system according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, each of the plurality of image storage rooms is associated with a theme.
In the image appreciation system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the guide section guides the virtual space so as to pass a route determined according to the theme .
In the image appreciation system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the guide unit guides the virtual space so as to pass through a route on which images according to the photographer's preference are displayed.

In order to achieve the above object, an image viewing method according to a sixth invention is an image viewing method for guiding a viewer to a virtual space having a plurality of image storage rooms, wherein the sample image is resized by the transmission unit. Transmitting data, a step of generating data for combining and displaying a specific image in the virtual space by the virtual space combining unit , and a movement instruction operation by the user in the virtual space by the operation determining unit. A display in a virtual space in which an image of a reference place representing a predetermined position in the virtual space is generated and an image obtained by processing the original image based on the sample image is displayed by the guide unit Find the location in accordance with an instruction operation of the movement is determined by the operation determination unit to switch the image representing the location of the virtual space, the exhibition Comprising a step of generating data for guiding the location, the.

An image viewing server according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is an image viewing server for guiding a viewer to a virtual space having a plurality of image storage rooms, and is data for combining and displaying a specific image in the virtual space. A virtual space compositing unit that generates an image, a sample image storage unit that stores a sample image that is input from an external device and is resized from the original image to be searched, and determines a movement instruction operation by a user in the virtual space And an operation determination unit for generating a reference location image representing a predetermined position in the virtual space, and searching for an exhibition location in the virtual space on which the image group including the original image is displayed based on the sample image The image representing the location of the virtual space is switched in accordance with the movement instruction determined by the operation determination unit, and data for guiding to the exhibition location is generated. And a guide portion for transmitting.

According to the present invention, there is provided a guide unit that generates data for guiding to a virtual space based on a sample image, and in the virtual space where a large number of images related to the sample image can be displayed, It is possible to provide an image appreciation system and an image appreciation method that can be easily found while enjoying an image to be played.

  A preferred embodiment will be described below using an image appreciation system to which the present invention is applied according to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image viewing system comprising a camera 10, a server 20, and a mobile phone 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The camera 10 is a digital camera, and includes a photographing unit 1, an image recording unit 2, a representative image resizing unit 3, an infrared communication unit 4, a display unit 5, and a communication unit 6, and is an external server 20 via the Internet or the like. Can be connected.

  The photographing unit 1 includes an optical system for forming a subject image, an image sensor that photoelectrically converts the subject image, an image processing unit that processes a signal output from the image sensor, and the like, and outputs image data. The image recording unit 2 records the image data output from the photographing unit 1. The display unit 5 performs display such as reproduction display of an image recorded in the image recording unit 2. The communication unit 6 communicates with the server 20 via the Internet or the like. Image data selected by the user from among a large number of images recorded in the image recording unit 2 can be transmitted to the server 20 via the communication unit 6.

  The representative image resizing unit 3 resizes a representative image (also referred to as a representative image, a sample image, or a reference image) selected by the user from the images recorded in the image recording unit 2 into a reduced size image. The infrared communication unit 4 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit, and transmits and receives data to and from a device at a short distance using infrared rays. The representative image resized by the representative image resizing unit 3 can be transmitted to the mobile phone 30 by infrared communication.

  The mobile phone 30 includes a display unit 31, an infrared communication unit 32, an image transmission unit 33, a display control unit 34, and an operation unit 35. The display unit 31 displays a captured image transmitted from the camera 10 and a virtual image in the virtual space transmitted from the server 20 in addition to the normal display as the mobile phone 30. When the captured image 51 is displayed in the virtual space, the captured image 51 is also displayed.

  The infrared communication unit 32 communicates with the infrared communication unit 4 of the camera 10. An image resized by the representative image resize 3 of the camera 10 can be received by infrared communication. The image communication unit 33 communicates with the server 20 using a mobile phone communication network. Further, the image communication unit 33 transmits the representative image received from the camera 10 to the server 20 and receives a virtual space image transmitted from the server 20.

  The display control unit 34 performs display control on the display unit 31 based on the virtual space image and various data transmitted from the server 20. The operation unit 35 also serves as an operation unit as a normal mobile phone, and can perform various operations such as an operation of moving an avatar in the virtual space and a conversation using characters for communication.

  The server 20 includes an image processing unit 21, an image storage unit 22, a virtual space composition display unit 23, a guide unit 24, a virtual space data unit 25, and an operation determination unit 26. In addition to this, communication that communicates with the mobile phone 30. Has a part. The image processing unit 21 receives one or a plurality of images transmitted from the camera 10 and processes the images. In the virtual space, it is not unnatural even if the photographed image is displayed differently from the actual effect, and people who are embarrassed to display the image as it is can see the processed image naturally Therefore, the image processing unit 21 performs image processing according to a user instruction or according to a place or event in a virtual space where a photographed image is displayed. In addition, as image processing, you may just attach a frame to an image.

  The image received and processed by the image processing unit 21 is stored in the image storage unit 22. When saving, the virtual space designated by the user (also referred to as a room or an exhibition room) or the area selected by the server 20 is saved. The virtual space data unit 25 stores image data for generating a landscape in the virtual space.

  The virtual space composition display unit 23 synthesizes the image stored in the image storage unit 22 and the image of the virtual space stored in the virtual space data unit 25 for display. The guide unit 24 guides to an exhibition place in a virtual space where images that are the same as or similar to the representative image transmitted from the image communication unit 33 of the mobile phone 30 are displayed.

  Unlike the actual space, the virtual space does not have a map, and the configuration may change every day. Therefore, the guide unit 24 allows the user who has accessed from the mobile phone 30 to reach the desired image without getting lost in the virtual space. That is, the guide unit 24 searches for an image that is the same as or similar to the representative image, and the user can efficiently go to the place where the searched image is placed in the virtual space, like navigation in a car navigation system. In this way, guidance is provided by the guidance avatar 43 (see FIG. 2).

  The operation determination unit 26 determines a user operation state on the operation unit 35 of the mobile phone 30. That is, when the user operates the operation unit 35 of the mobile phone 30, the operation state is transmitted through the image communication unit 33. When the operation determination unit 26 of the server 20 determines the operation state of the user's operation unit 35, an image as if the user is moving in the virtual space is obtained using the data stored in the virtual space data unit 25. The image is generated and transmitted to the mobile phone 30.

  Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, when viewing an image in the virtual space, it is possible to reach the target image while enjoying the virtual space. In other words, unlike the conventional Internet search, instead of instantaneously jumping to the image display place, the robot moves as instructed in order to give a sense of movement in the virtual space. For this reason, it is possible to enjoy the scenery on the way and to communicate with other users encountered on the way, and to enjoy the way to the display place of the image.

  When a user who displays a travel photo collection in a virtual space wants to show this photo collection to a friend or the like, the representative image resized from the camera 10 may be transmitted to the mobile phone 30 of the friend or the like in infrared. . If a friend or the like likes the representative image, it can enter the virtual space by transmitting the representative image to the server 20. It can be intriguing for people who don't know the destination of the trip at all.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which a representative image is transmitted from the camera 10 to the mobile phone 30 using infrared communication. A backlight unit 5a for illuminating a liquid crystal display is provided behind the display unit 5 of the camera 10, and a backlight control unit 5b for controlling illumination of the backlight is provided in the vicinity of the backlight unit 5a. Is arranged. The infrared communication unit 4 is substantially the same surface as the display surface of the display unit 5 and is disposed in the vicinity of the display unit 5. An infrared communication unit 32 is disposed on the surface of the mobile phone 30 opposite to the display unit 31.

  With such a configuration, when the mobile phone 30 is moved, the illumination light of the backlight 5 a of the camera 10 is reflected by the back surface of the mobile phone 30 and is received by the infrared communication unit 4 of the camera 10. At this time, since the received signal changes regularly, the change of the received signal is determined, and the camera 10 can determine whether infrared communication with the mobile phone 30 is possible. If infrared communication is possible, the camera 10 transmits the resized representative image to the mobile phone 30 by infrared transmission.

  In recent years, the mobile phone 30 has a built-in motion sensor or the like. If this motion sensor detects this movement in the mobile phone 30 and activates the infrared communication unit 32, the infrared signal from the camera 10 is received. Can be received.

  As described above, the resized representative image (sample image) displayed on the display unit 5 of the camera 10 can be transmitted to the mobile phone 30 only by moving the mobile phone 30 on the display unit 5 of the camera 10. . Therefore, communication can be performed easily, and other people can easily come to see this virtual space.

  When a representative image (sample image) received from the camera 10 is displayed in the virtual space, an example of an image displayed on the display unit 31 of the mobile phone 30 when receiving a service for guiding the representative image to the representative image. As shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, instead of suddenly jumping to the display location of the representative image, first, as shown in FIG. 2A, at a place (reference position) such as the entrance of the virtual space, A place with an atmosphere is displayed. There, a user avatar 41 representing the user is displayed in the rear view, and a guide avatar 43 for guiding the user avatar 41 is also displayed.

  Since the guide avatar 43 guides the destination, the user avatar 41 feels like following the guide avatar 43, and the user operates the operation unit 35 of the mobile phone 30 to move the user avatar 41. As shown in FIG. 2B, the guide avatar 43 guides to a place where the photographed image 51 corresponding to the target representative image is displayed.

  Since you can experience the movement on the way, rather than suddenly flying to the exhibition place, you can see other events in the virtual space, and other people's avatars 44 you met on the way, ) And can communicate by chatting. FIG. 2 (c) shows a situation where the images of similar themes are gathered and other avatars. By creating a space to collect images of the same theme, exchanges with images are created.

Further, when moving to the exhibition place, as shown in FIG. 5, the route may be changed according to the user's preference. In other words, the image exhibition rooms in the virtual space each collect images according to the theme, and the route may be determined in consideration of this theme. For example, if a user likes birds, he / she guides to the intended exhibition room 55 through the bird appreciation route 51 , while if he / she likes flowers and birds, he / she goes through the flower / watch appreciation route 52. It may be guided to the exhibition room 55. The user's preference can be estimated from the captured image. That is, you may make it pass along the route where the image similar to a user's picked-up image was displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of images displayed in such a virtual space. In the present embodiment, it is possible to process the image in the image processing unit 21 in accordance with the design of the exhibition room where the image is displayed. For example, when the user performs a selection operation of a favorite exhibition room in the virtual space and many furnitures of the exhibition room are decorated with a rococo design, a photograph as shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 4 (b), the photos are displayed in rococo-like clothes and hairstyles.

  This can be done by searching for the face of the sent image and a similar face painting by the face recognition technique and the similar image search technique, and changing the face part into a photo face. By processing such images, many people want to know how the photos have changed and come to appreciate the images in this virtual space. In addition, when a conversation is made about image processing in the space, the image may be corrected.

  Next, the operation of the camera 10 in the image appreciation system described above will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When the camera control flow is entered, it is first determined whether or not the playback mode is set (S1). The camera 10 can be set in two modes: a playback mode and a shooting mode. If the result of determination is that the shooting mode has been set, the operation state of the release button is then detected to determine whether or not to perform shooting (S2).

  As a result of the determination, if it is not shooting, the process returns to step S1, and if it is shooting, a shooting operation is executed (S3). In the photographing operation, the photographing unit 1 acquires image data of a subject image and records the image data in the image recording unit 2. When the photographing operation ends, the process returns and returns to step S1.

  If the result of determination in step S1 is playback mode, the operating state of the playback button or the like is detected and it is determined whether or not playback is to be performed (S11). If the result of determination is that playback is not performed, processing returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the reproduction is performed, the process proceeds to step S12 and the subsequent steps, and the reproduction mode is executed. In the playback mode in the present embodiment, in addition to the normal playback display, the display image and the selected image on the display unit 5 are transmitted to the server 20 that performs the virtual space service via the network, or the representative image ( Sample image).

  When the reproduction mode is entered, first, the image recorded in the image recording unit 2 is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 5 (S12). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the selected image is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 (S13). As a result of the determination, if it is not the transmission to the mobile phone 30, it is determined whether or not the image is displayed in a museum in the virtual space (S21).

  As a result of the determination, if it is not exhibited in the museum, the process returns to step S1 and the above-described steps are executed. On the other hand, when displaying at a museum, an image is designated (S22), and when displaying on an image, an instruction is given (S23). Subsequently, the designated image is transmitted from the communication unit 6 to the server 20 (S24), and the process returns. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the hairstyle and clothes are changed according to the exhibition room. However, when transmitting from the camera 10, the exhibition room may be designated.

  If the result of determination in step S13 is that an image is to be transmitted to the mobile phone 30, then the receiving circuit of the infrared communication unit 4 is activated (S14). When transmitting to the mobile phone 30, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the receiving circuit is enabled and the mobile phone 30 is moved closer to the camera 10, and the backlight reflects from the mobile phone 30 at this time. The light is determined, and based on the reflected light, it is determined whether a request signal has been received (S15). If there is no request signal, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S19), and steps S15 and S19 are repeatedly determined for a predetermined time. If there is no request signal even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns.

  If the request signal is detected as a result of the determination in step S15, the selected reproduction image, that is, the representative image is resized by the representative image resizing unit 3, and this image signal is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 by infrared communication. To do. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the image transmission is completed. If the image transmission is not completed, the process waits for a predetermined time to elapse (S20). When transmission ends within a predetermined time, OK display is performed (S18), and the process returns.

  Next, the operation of the server 20 that operates the photo museum in the virtual space will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. If the server control flow is entered, it is first determined whether or not an exhibition image has been transmitted (S51). When the exhibition image is transmitted, it is determined whether or not there is a designated decoration (S52). As a result of the determination, if there is no designated decoration, the process jumps to step S54, and if there is a designated decoration, the designated decoration is applied to the acquired image by the image processing unit 21 (S53).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a theme from the image of the transmitted exhibition image (S55). The image theme determination is performed by image recognition technology. However, as long as data on a theme is given to the image, it may be used. As a result of the determination, if there is a theme, it is put into a room (exhibition room) having the same or similar theme as the designated theme (S56). If the theme is unclear, it is put in a room without a theme (S55).

  Next, it is determined whether there are a large number of transmitted images (S57). As a result of the determination, if there are many cases, a room (exhibition room) is prepared by itself (S56). For example, when returning from a trip or the like, a large amount of images are created. In that case, a room for memories of the trip is provided (S58). It should be noted that even when the number of images increases in a room without a theme or a room with a theme, the number of rooms is increased. Next, the transmitted image and the information on the exhibition room (room) in the virtual space are associated with each other, and if the user goes to the exhibition room, the image can be viewed (S59).

  As a result of the determination in step S51, if it is not the acquisition of the exhibition image, it is determined whether or not it is a virtual space walk (S61). Since a user who wants to walk in the virtual space accesses from a terminal such as the mobile phone 30, it is determined in this step whether or not this access is made. As a result of the determination, if it is not a virtual space walk, the process returns to step S51. On the other hand, in the case of walking in the virtual space, in order to display the user avatar 41 at the reference place as shown in FIG. 2A, the image of the virtual space is transmitted to the accessing terminal (S62).

  Next, it is determined whether the user wants to search and appreciate an image that is the same as or similar to the sample image (representative image) from the museum (S63). As a result of the determination, in the case of the museum search, the resized sample image is acquired (S64), and the image is searched from the holding images of the museum in the virtual space using the image (S65). Note that if the sample image is transmitted at the time of image acquisition in step S51, the process may jump to this step.

  When the image is searched and the display place of the image is found, next, the route to the display place is searched (S66). In determining the route to the exhibition place, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the route may be appropriately selected according to the user's preference. When the route is determined, the guidance avatar 43 is issued and guidance display is performed up to the exhibition place (S67).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a moving operation (S68). Since the user moves the user avatar 41 by operating the operation unit 35 so as to follow the guidance avatar 43, the operation determination unit 26 determines the user's operation in this step. If there is no user operation as a result of the determination, an image for that purpose is transmitted when performing communication such as chat or shopping in the virtual space (S70). If the result of determination is that the user has performed a moving operation, an image is generated and transmitted so that the landscape changes according to the user's operation (S69).

  It is determined whether or not the display location of the image searched in step S65 has arrived (S71). If the result of determination is that the vehicle has not arrived at the exhibition location, the flow returns to step S66 to repeat the above operation. On the other hand, when arriving at the exhibition place, the guidance avatar 43 has finished its role and returns, but the user may wish to further stroll in the virtual space, so the user can jump to step S81 and continue the stroll. I am doing so.

  By following the guidance avatar 43, it is possible to go to the display location of the target image, but it is not necessary to follow another. It is also possible to take a detour while being intrigued by the scenery in the virtual space, and whenever necessary, by operating the operation unit 35, it is possible to go to a favorite place in the virtual space.

  Further, when the guidance avatar 43 is not required, it is sufficient that the resized image is not sent. In this case, it is determined in step S63 that it is not a museum search, and the user avatar 41 can touch the virtual space and experience various things without guidance according to the user's operation. If it is determined in step S63 that it is not a museum search, first, the operation determination unit 26 determines whether or not the user has performed a moving operation (S81).

  If the result of determination in step S81 is that the user has performed a moving operation, as in step S69, landscape switching is performed in accordance with the user operation (S82). On the other hand, if the user's movement operation is not performed, communication such as chat is performed as in step S70 (S83). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the user ends the walk in the virtual space. When the user continues, the process returns to step S81, and when the user ends, the process returns.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, images taken by the user can be displayed in the virtual space, and many people can be invited to the display place. And since the guide part 24 which guides to this exhibition place is provided, the target image can be found easily.

Moreover, in this embodiment, when a large number of images increase, it is possible to add a room (exhibition room), and even in such a case, guidance is provided using sample images (representative images). The viewer can be efficiently guided to the room (exhibition room).

  In the present embodiment, the server 20 is accessed from the mobile phone 30, but may be accessed from a personal computer or the like that has received a sample image (representative image) from the camera 10. Information necessary for accessing the server 20 may be transmitted together with the image when the sample image (representative image) is transmitted. If more images are sent, a museum may be added.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8-11. In the first embodiment, the server 20 is accessed from the mobile phone 30 or the like, and the photographed images displayed in the virtual space are enjoyed. In the second embodiment, among the captured images 51 displayed in the virtual space, a favorite image or the like is taken into the camera 10 and can be displayed in a slide show format, for example.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image viewing system including the camera 10, the server 20, and the mobile phone 30 according to the second embodiment. The camera 10 has a slide show unit 7. The slide show unit 7 reproduces and displays the images recorded in the image recording unit 2 on the display unit 5 in the form of a slide show. Since the configuration other than this is the same as that of the camera 10 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The server 20 includes a slide show candidate unit 27. Slideshow candidate section 27, have to watch the captured image 51 in the virtual space, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the captured image 51 as a slide show candidates had positive remarks such as "it sounds good" Remember. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), when the guide avatar 43 no affirmative reply even when speaking to recommend to the user avatar 41 does not store the candidates for the slide show.

  Since the other configuration of the server 20 is the same as that of the server 20 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Since the mobile phone 30 has the same configuration as the mobile phone 30 in FIG. 1, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, if there is a favorite photo in the museum in the virtual space, the server 20 sends the selected image to the mobile phone 30 as if purchasing a picture postcard of the favorite picture in the museum. Send . Camera 10 acquires the image from the portable telephone 30 by infrared communication, and recorded in the image recording unit 2.

The slide show unit 7 displays the acquired images recorded in the image recording unit 2 in a slide show format. In the slide show, not only displays on the display unit 5 of the camera 10, as shown in FIG. 10, may be displayed on the external monitor 60. Note that the slide show candidate data stored in the slide show candidate unit 27 is selected by a contract with the virtual space.

Flow Server Control server 20, can be used as it to a flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the candidate of the slide show performed in the subroutine of communication like in step S70 and step S83, the this flowchart, FIG. 11 It demonstrates using the flowchart shown in FIG. In addition, in this communication subroutine, it is possible to have a conversation and to enjoy other services depending on the progress. If a slide show candidate can be obtained as a result of the conversation, an image is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 by a switch operation or voice response provided in the virtual space.

  When a subroutine for communication or the like is entered, it is first determined whether or not a conversation is being made (S101). The communication here includes conversation in words based on text data and the like, conversation based on gestures and gestures by avatars, and the like. If the result of the determination is a conversation, it is determined whether or not the conversation is input as text data (S111). If there is an input as a result of the determination, the text is displayed, for example, in a balloon form from an avatar (S112).

  On the other hand, if there is no input of the text data of conversation, it will be determined whether it is communication by gesture by an avatar (S113). The user can cause the user avatar 41 to perform a predetermined gesture by operating the operation unit 35 of the mobile phone 30. In step S113, it is determined whether or not the user avatar 41 is communicating with this gesture. If communication by gesture is made as a result of the determination, according to the communication by gesture of the user avatar 41, the guide avatar 43 and other avatars perform gestures corresponding to the gesture (display of gesture) (S114). In this way, each user makes avatars perform a predetermined movement and has a conversation, thereby enabling communication in a virtual space. If there is no gesture communication in step S113, or if words are displayed in step S112 and gestures are displayed in step S114, the process returns to step S101.

  If the result of determination in step S101 is not conversation, it is determined whether or not shopping is in the virtual space (S102). If the result of the determination is shopping, negotiation with the store owner or the like on the price of the product, payment, etc. are performed (S121). On the other hand, if it is not shopping, it is determined whether or not to play a game (S103). As a result of the determination, when a game is played, the game application is activated (S122).

If the result of determination in step S113 is not a game, it is determined whether or not a slide show is to be transmitted (S104). As a result of the determination, if it is a slide show transmission, as described above, the image is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 by a switch operation or voice response provided in the virtual space (S123). An image can be transmitted from the mobile phone 30 to the camera 10 by the infrared communication described above. Incidentally, this image, as described with reference to FIG. 9, an image positive remark is made.

  If the processing in steps S121, S122, and S123 is performed, or if slide show transmission is not performed in step S104, it is next determined whether or not to end communication or the like (S105). Returning to step S101, on the other hand, in the case of completion, the process returns to the original routine.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, if there is a photographed image 51 displayed in the virtual space that you like, it is converted into a slide show candidate and sent to the user's mobile phone 30, The camera 10 can be viewed. For this reason, it is possible not only to enjoy a favorite image in the virtual space but also to appreciate it at the user's hand.

  In the present embodiment, the slide show candidate images are transmitted from the server 20 to the mobile phone 30, but may be directly transmitted to the user's personal computer or the camera 10. Further, although the images are viewed in the slide show format, the present invention is not limited to this, and the images may be viewed in other formats, for example, normal image reproduction.

  As described above, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, data for guiding from the reference position in the virtual space to the virtual space in which the same or similar image as the representative image is displayed is generated. Since the guide section is provided, it is possible to search for the display location of the target image according to the guidance by the guide section. Rather than simply jumping to the display location of the image, it is possible to move within the virtual space and easily find the desired image while enjoying it.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, an exhibition room (room) for displaying images in a virtual space is provided, and when guiding to a target image, a route on which an image similar to a captured image is displayed is displayed. I try to pass. For this reason, the user can appreciate an image of interest on the route to the target image.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera is used as the photographing device. However, the camera may be a digital single-lens reflex camera or a compact digital camera, and may be a mobile phone or a portable information terminal ( Of course, a camera built in PDA (Personal Digital Assist) or the like may be used. When using the imaging function of a mobile phone or a portable information terminal, the mobile phone 30 and the camera 10 can be used as a single device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image viewing system including a camera, a server, and a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the guidance to the display place of a picked-up image, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the entrance in virtual space, (b) arrives at the display place of a picked-up image (C) is a figure which shows a mode that it communicates with other avatars. In 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows a mode that a representative image is transmitted to a mobile telephone from a camera by infrared communication. In a 1st embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure showing signs that a transmitted picture is corrected according to the atmosphere of an exhibition place, (a) shows an image before correction, and (b) shows an image after correction. . In 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the route to the display place of a picked-up image. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the camera control in the camera concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the server control in the server concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image appreciation system which consists of a camera, a server, and a mobile phone concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows a slide show candidate, (a) is a figure which shows a case where a user is affirmative and (b) is a case where a user is not affirmative. It is a figure which shows a mode that the slide show is performed in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement, such as communication in the server concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging | photography part, 2 ... Image recording part, 3 ... Representative image resizing part, 4 ... Infrared communication part, 5 ... Display part, 6 ... Communication part, 7 ... Slide show section, 10 ... camera, 20 ... server, 21 ... image processing section, 22 ... image storage section, 23 ... virtual space composition display section, 24 ... guide section, 25 ... Virtual space data part, 26 ... Operation determination part, 27 ... Slide show candidate part, 30 ... Mobile phone, 31 ... Display part, 32 ... Infrared communication part, 33. ..Image communication unit 34... Display control unit 35 .. operation unit 41... User avatar 43 .. guidance avatar 44 .. other avatar 51. 53 ... Bird viewing route, 54 ... Flower bird viewing route, 55 ... Exhibition room, 60 ... External monitor

Claims (7)

An image viewing system for guiding a viewer to a virtual space having a plurality of image storage rooms,
A transmission unit for transmitting a sample image obtained by resizing the original image;
A virtual space composition unit that generates data for combining and displaying a specific image in the virtual space;
A virtual space display unit that displays an image representing the data generated by the virtual space synthesis unit;
In the virtual space, an operation determination unit that determines a movement instruction operation by a user;
Generating an image of a reference place representing a predetermined position in the virtual space, searching an exhibition place in a virtual space where an image obtained by processing the original image is displayed based on the sample image, and the operation determination unit A guide unit for switching the image representing the location of the virtual space and generating data for guiding to the exhibition location according to the movement instruction operation determined by
An image appreciation system comprising: displaying an image representing the data generated by the guide unit on the virtual space display unit.   The image appreciation system according to claim 1, wherein the specific image is a combination of an image obtained by processing the original image and a virtual space representing the image storage room.   The image appreciation system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of image storage rooms is associated with a theme.   The image appreciation system according to claim 3, wherein the guide unit guides the virtual space so as to pass a route determined according to the theme.   The image appreciation system according to claim 3, wherein the guide unit guides the virtual space so that the route according to the photographer's preference is displayed. An image viewing method for guiding a viewer to a virtual space having a plurality of image storage rooms,
A step of transmitting a sample image obtained by resizing the original image by the transmission unit;
Generating data for combining and displaying a specific image in the virtual space by the virtual space combining unit;
A step of determining a movement instruction operation by a user in the virtual space by an operation determination unit;
An image of a reference place representing a predetermined position in the virtual space is generated, and the guide unit searches for an exhibition place in the virtual space where an image obtained by processing the original image based on the sample image is displayed. In accordance with the movement instruction operation determined by the operation determination unit, switching the image representing the location of the virtual space and generating data for guiding to the exhibition location;
An image viewing method characterized by comprising: An image viewing server for guiding a viewer to a virtual space having a plurality of image storage rooms,
A virtual space composition unit that generates data for combining and displaying a specific image in the virtual space;
A sample image storage unit for storing a sample image input from an external device and resized from the original image to be searched;
In the virtual space, an operation determination unit that determines a movement instruction operation by a user;
An image of a reference place representing a predetermined position in the virtual space is generated, and an exhibition place in the virtual space in which an image group including the original image is displayed is searched based on the sample image, and the operation determination unit A guide unit that switches an image representing the location of the virtual space according to the determined movement instruction, generates data for guiding to the exhibition location, and transmits the data to the outside;
An image viewing server characterized by comprising: