JP7030561B2 - Information processing equipment, information processing methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for managing captured images captured by the photographing device.

Conventionally, photography technology using digital devices such as digital cameras and smartphones and image sharing technology via the Internet have become widespread. As a result, many technical means for quickly and easily sharing digital images taken by users on WEB sites on networks have come to be seen. In order to share the captured image on the WEB site, the mechanism of selecting the image by the operation on the photographing device and transferring it to the desired WEB site is realized by the communication application of many photographing devices. Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically transferring only a specific image previously marked by the person himself / herself, omitting the selection operation of the user.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-21908

However, for example, there is also a request to store (back up) all captured images on a home PC (personal computer) and share only special images on a WEB site.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the workload of user operations related to the management of captured images.

Therefore, the present invention is an information processing device, which is a receiving means for receiving a photographed image and information given to the photographed image from the photographing device, and a storage processing means for storing the photographed image in a storage means. And the transmission control means for controlling the selective transfer of the captured image to the external device based on the captured information, and the receiving means provides the updated imparted information corresponding to the captured image. It is characterized in that the transmission control means receives the information and selectively transfers the captured image stored in the storage means to an external device based on the updated information .

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the workload of user operations related to the management of captured images.

It is an whole view of the image system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of an information processing apparatus. It is a hardware block diagram of a camera. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of an image file. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer process by a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer process by an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer process by an information processing apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of the image system 100 according to the first embodiment. The image system 100 includes an information processing device 110, a camera 120, and a WEB server device 130. Here, examples of the information processing device 110 include a personal computer and a smart device. The camera 120 is a photographing device such as a digital camera. The WEB server device 130 is a server system for enabling storage and sharing of images on the Internet. Examples of the WEB server device 130 include a shared site on the Internet and cloud storage.

The information processing device 110 and the camera 120 are connected by a wireless or wired cable or the like. The image taken by the camera 120 is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 110 and stored. The information processing device 110 saves the image received from the camera 120 and uploads the predetermined image to the WEB server device 130. The information processing device 110 and the WEB server device 130 are connected via a communication device such as a wireless router or a modem. As for the mechanism of image transfer from the camera 120 to the information processing device 110 and the mechanism of uploading an image from the information processing device 110 to the WEB server device 130, the prior art shall be used.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 110. Reference numeral 201 denotes a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electro Luminescent) display. The display device 201 displays the operation screen and the status display screen of the information processing device 110, and is also used as a pointing device by detecting the input position of the user due to contact with a finger, a stylus pen, or the like. It is also possible to provide a software keyboard by knowing the position of a character key with keyboard-like image information displayed on the display device 201.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a video RAM (VRAM), and an image to be displayed on the display device 201 is drawn. The image generated in the VRAM 102 is transferred to the display device 201 according to a predetermined rule, whereby the image is displayed on the display device 201. Reference numeral 203 denotes an optical image information input device such as a built-in camera attached to the information processing device 110, which accepts input of image information such as still images and moving images and fingerprint authentication information by a touch sensor or the like.

Reference numeral 204 is a Central Processing Unit (CPU), which controls each device connected via the bus 212 based on the control program stored in the Read Only Memory (ROM) 205 and the storage 207. The ROM 205 holds various control programs and data. Reference numeral 206 is a Random Access Memory (RAM), which includes a work area of the CPU 204, a data save area at the time of error processing, a control program load area, and the like. Various programs that control the information processing apparatus 110 are loaded in the RAM 206.

Reference numeral 207 is a data storage for recording and storing electronic information. Examples of the storage 207 include a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD) composed of a flash memory. Examples of the storage 207 include a hybrid drive in which a hard disk and a flash memory are used in combination, a memory card, and a card reading device. This includes a large capacity external hard disk drive HDD connected through the Universal Bus Interface (USB / IF) 208, which will be described later. The functions and processes of the information processing apparatus 110, which will be described later, are realized by the CPU 204 reading a program stored in the ROM 205 or the storage 207 and executing this program.

The USB / IF 208 makes it possible to expand the functions of the information processing apparatus by connecting to an external device such as a USB memory, a Compact Disc (CD) drive, or a Digital Versaille Disc (DVD) drive. Reference numeral 209 is a communication interface (NET / IF), which acts as an intermediary for communicating with other information processing devices, printers, server devices on the Internet, etc. by wired communication or wireless communication. Wireless communication means using NET / IF209 also includes simple low power consumption communication functions such as Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLT) and Near Field Communication (NFC). Communication with the camera 120 and communication with the WEB server device 130 are also carried out by NET / IF209.

Reference numeral 210 is an interface module (mobile phone / IF) for mobile phone communication, which enables communication processing according to a mobile phone standard such as 3G or LTE. The mobile phone / IF210 also includes an antenna device required for input / output of radio waves for the communication processing. Reference numeral 211 is a GPS module (GPS / IF). By capturing radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites by the antenna function of the GPS / IF211 and causing the CPU 204 to perform a predetermined calculation process, it is possible to specify the position information in which the information processing device 110 exists.

The control program processed by the CPU 204 can be provided from other devices via USB / IF208, NET / IF209, and mobile phone / IF210 in addition to the ROM 205 and the like.

FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the camera 120. The arithmetic unit 302 has a CPU and controls the entire camera 120. Reference numeral 303 is an optical unit composed of an image sensor or the like for inputting an image of the subject. Reference numeral 304 denotes an image processing unit for converting optical information input from the optical unit 303 into an electronic signal. Reference numeral 305 is a primary and secondary storage device such as a DRAM, which is used for electronic information processing by the calculation unit 302 and the image processing unit 304. Reference numeral 306 is an operation unit for receiving an instruction from the user, and converts an operation of a switch, dials, etc. provided in the housing of the camera 120 into an input signal and notifies the calculation unit 302. The operation unit 306 also includes a voice input unit such as a character input device and a microphone for performing voice input. Reference numeral 307 is a display unit typified by a rear liquid crystal panel and an EVF (Electronic View Finder). The display unit 307 is used to display information in order to assist the image pickup and the operation unit 306 input by the optical unit 303. When the display unit 307 is a liquid crystal panel, it is also used as an input device having a sensitive function by contact.

Reference numeral 308 is a ROM, and a program for executing each process operated by the camera 120 is stored. Reference numeral 309 is a storage medium for recording an image file or the like of a shooting result, and an input unit of the same medium. Reference numeral 310 denotes a communication control unit, which connects the camera 120 and another electronic communication device by wire or wirelessly to transmit and receive electronic information. The communication means handled by the communication control unit 310 also includes a simple low power consumption communication function such as BLE or NFC. Communication control with the information processing device 110 is performed by the communication control unit 310. Reference numeral 311 is a bus, which transmits electronic information in the camera 120.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of an image file transmitted from the camera 120 to the information processing apparatus 110. The image file contains image data and related information. Here, the image data is the image itself taken by the camera 120. The relevant information is information related to the image. The related information includes an image ID, shooting time information, rating information, a transfer flag, and an update flag.

The image ID is identification information for uniquely identifying an image. The shooting time information is information indicating the shooting date and time. Rating information is information that expresses the subjective evaluation of an image by a photographer or an observer in terms of frequency (stepwise value). That is, the rating information is set according to the user operation. The transfer flag is information indicating whether or not the image file has been transferred to the camera 120. In the present embodiment, the initial value of the transfer flag is OFF, and when the image file is transferred to the camera 120, the transfer flag is set to ON. The update flag is information indicating whether or not the rating information has been updated. In the present embodiment, the initial value of the update flag is OFF, and when the rating image is updated, the update flag is set to ON. It is assumed that the rating information is updated according to the user operation on the camera 120.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the transfer process by the camera 120. In S501, the arithmetic unit 302 of the camera 120 controls to connect to the information processing device 110. Next, in S502, the calculation unit 302 reads one image file from the storage medium 309. Hereinafter, the image file is simply referred to as an image as appropriate. Next, in S503, the calculation unit 302 determines whether or not the image is an untransmitted image that has not been transmitted to the camera 120. The calculation unit 302 determines that the image has not been transmitted when the transfer flag included in the image file is OFF. If the calculation unit 302 determines that the image has not been transmitted (YES in S503), the calculation unit 302 advances the process to S504. If the calculation unit 302 determines that the image is not an untransmitted image (NO in S503), the calculation unit 302 advances the process to S506. In S504, the arithmetic unit 302 transmits an image to the camera 120. Next, in S505, the calculation unit 302 changes the transfer flag of the image file to ON, and then proceeds to the process to S508.

Further, in S506, the calculation unit 302 determines whether or not the rating information has been updated. The calculation unit 302 determines that the image file has been updated when the update flag included in the image file is ON. If the calculation unit 302 determines that the update has been performed (YES in S506), the calculation unit 302 advances the process to S507. If the calculation unit 302 determines that the update has not been performed (NO in S506), the calculation unit 302 advances the process to S508. In S507, the arithmetic unit 302 transmits the updated related information to the camera 120, and then advances the processing to S508. In the present embodiment, the related information is transmitted in S507, but instead, only the rating information may be transmitted.

In S508, the calculation unit 302 determines whether or not the next image, that is, the unprocessed image is left in the storage medium 309. If the next image exists (YES in S508), the calculation unit 302 advances the process to S502. In this case, in S502, the next image is read and the subsequent processing is performed. The calculation unit 302 advances the processing to S509 when the next image does not exist, that is, when the processing is completed for all the images stored in the storage medium 309 (NO in S508). In S509, the arithmetic unit 302 controls to disconnect from the information processing apparatus 110. This completes the transfer process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a transfer process by the information processing apparatus 110. In the transfer process, the information processing apparatus 110 receives an image from the camera 120 and appropriately transmits the image to the WEB server apparatus 130. In S601, the CPU 204 of the information processing apparatus 110 is controlled to be connected to the camera 120. Next, in S602, if the camera 120 stores a new image that has not been received by the information processing apparatus 110 (YES in S602), the CPU 204 advances the process to S603. If the CPU 204 does not store a new image (NO in S602), the CPU 204 advances the process to S607.

In S603, the CPU 204 receives one new image. Next, in S604, the CPU 204 stores the image received in S603 in the storage 207. This process is an example of a storage process for storing an image in a storage unit. Next, in S605, the CPU 204 determines whether or not the image received in S603 is the target of upload. Specifically, the CPU 204 determines that the rating information is to be uploaded when the frequency of the rating information is a preset value. Here, the process of S204 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 700 for setting a threshold value of rating information. The setting screen 700 is displayed on the display device 201 of the information processing device 110. On the setting screen 700, check boxes 701 to 705 for each frequency of rating information are displayed. Here, when the check is performed by the user operation, the CPU 204 of the information processing apparatus 110 accepts the designation of the frequency of the rating information to be transferred (acceptance processing), and sets the frequency related to the designation as the frequency of the upload target. Then, in S605, when the frequency of the rating information related to the received image matches the frequency set on the setting screen 700, the CPU 204 determines that the image is to be uploaded. The process of S603 is an example of a transfer determination process for determining whether or not the object is an upload target (transfer target).

The CPU 204 may determine whether or not the image is an upload target based on the given information (related information) given to the image, and the referenced information is not limited to the rating information. As another example, the related information includes an upload flag indicating ON / OFF of the upload, and the information processing apparatus 110 may determine whether or not the upload is targeted based on the upload flag. ..

Returning to FIG. 6, when the CPU 204 determines that the received image is the upload target (YES in S605), the CPU 204 proceeds to the process to S606. When the CPU 204 determines that the received image is not the upload target (NO in S605), the CPU 204 proceeds to the process to S602. In S606, the CPU 204 adds the image received in S603 to the upload queue, and then proceeds to the process in S602. Here, the upload queue is an arbitrary format list of images to be uploaded, that is, paths of image files registered as standby images (paths in storage 207, etc.). The upload queue is stored in RAM 206.

Further, in S607, the CPU 204 targets the received image and determines whether or not the updated related information exists. The CPU 204 can confirm the presence or absence of an update by referring to the update flag (FIG. 4) of the related information. If the updated related information exists (YES in S607), the CPU 204 advances the process to S608. If the updated related information does not exist (NO in S607), the CPU 204 advances the process to S612. In S608, the CPU 204 receives one updated related information that the information processing apparatus 110 has not yet received. Next, in S609, the CPU 204 updates the related information before the update, which is already stored in the storage 207, with the related information received in S608. The CPU 204 can specify the related information for the same image by referring to the image ID.

Next, in S610, the CPU 204 determines whether or not the image that was not the upload target has been changed to the upload target by updating the related information. When the upload target is updated (YES in S610), the CPU 204 advances the process to S611. If the upload target is not updated (NO in S611), the CPU 204 advances the process to S602. Note that the CPU 204 will proceed to S602 even if it has been an upload target before the update. In S611, the CPU 204 adds the image with the updated related information to the upload queue, and then proceeds to the process to S602.

Then, in S612, the CPU 204 controls to disconnect from the camera 120. Next, in S613, the CPU 204 determines whether or not the image to be uploaded is stored in the upload queue. If the image to be uploaded is stored (YES in S613), the CPU 204 advances the process to S614. If the image to be uploaded is not stored (NO in S613), the CPU 204 ends the transfer process. In S614, the CPU 204 executes a connection authentication process with the WEB server device 130. Next, in S615, the CPU 204 uploads (transfers) all the images stored in the upload queue. Next, in S616, the communication with the WEB server device 130 is controlled to be disconnected. This completes the transfer process. By the processing of S605 and S606, the image file stored in the upload queue is later transferred to the WEB server device 130, while the image file not stored in the upload queue is not transferred to the WEB server device 130. .. That is, the processing of S605, S606 and S615 is an example of the transfer determination processing for determining whether or not to perform the transfer based on the rating information. The processes of S605, S606 and S615 are also examples of transmission control processes for transferring an image to an external device when it is determined to perform transfer and controlling not to transfer the image when it is determined not to transfer. That is, a process of controlling transmission so as to selectively transfer to an external device is executed based on the rating information.

As described above, the information processing apparatus 110 of the first embodiment stores all the images in the storage unit of the own apparatus and transfers the images desired by the user to the WEB server apparatus 130 according to the rating information. be able to. That is, it is possible to reduce the workload of user operations related to the management of captured images.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the image system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. The image system 100 according to the second embodiment appropriately compresses an image and transfers the image to the WEB server device 130. Hereinafter, the image system 100 according to the second embodiment will be mainly described as being different from the image system 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 800 displayed on the display device 201 by the information processing device 110 according to the second embodiment. On the setting screen 800, a check box 801 for designating the presence / absence of upload and a check box 802 for specifying the presence / absence of compression are displayed for each frequency of rating information. Here, the user can specify not only the presence / absence of upload but also the presence / absence of compression. It should be noted that the check box 802 for compression can be selected only when the corresponding upload check box 801 is selected.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a transfer process by the information processing apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment. Of the transfer processing processes shown in FIG. 9, the same processing as each processing of the transfer processing according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6 is assigned the same number. If the CPU 204 determines in S605 that it is the upload target (YES in S605), the CPU 204 advances the process to S901. In S901, the CPU 204 determines whether or not the received image is a compression target. Specifically, the CPU 204 determines that the frequency of the rating information is the target of compression when the frequency is a preset frequency. The preset frequency is the frequency in which the compression check box 802 is checked on the setting screen 800 described with reference to FIG.

If the CPU 204 determines that it is a compression target (YES in S901), the CPU 204 advances the process to S902. If the CPU 204 determines that it is not a compression target (NO in S901), the CPU 204 advances the process to S606. In S902, the CPU 204 performs a compression process on the received image to obtain a compressed image, and then proceeds to the process to S606. In this case, the CPU 204 adds the compressed image to the upload queue in S606. That is, when the image is compressed, the compressed image is transferred. The processes of S901 and S902 are examples of compression determination processes for determining whether or not compression is performed, and are examples of compression processes. As described above, the compression process is selectively performed on the image to be transferred based on the rating information. The other configurations and processes of the image system 100 according to the second embodiment are the same as the configurations and processes of the image system 100 according to the first embodiment. In the image system 100 according to the second embodiment, the presence or absence of compression at the time of image transfer can also be controlled according to the rating information.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications are made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Can be changed.

(Other examples)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 Image system 110 Information processing device 120 Camera 130 WEB server device

Claims (8)

A receiving means for receiving the photographed image and the information given to the photographed image from the photographing apparatus, and
A storage processing means for storing the captured image in the storage means,
It has a transmission control means for controlling the selective transfer of the captured image to an external device based on the given information.
The receiving means receives the updated added information corresponding to the captured image, and receives the updated information.
An information processing device characterized in that the transmission control means selectively transfers the captured image stored in the storage means to an external device based on the updated information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the given information is rating information that can take a plurality of steps in stages. It also has a reception means that accepts the designation of the frequency of rating information corresponding to the transfer target according to the user operation.
The transmission control means is characterized in that the captured image is selectively transferred to an external device based on the frequency of the rating information given to the captured image and the frequency of the reception means accepting the designation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 . Further, it has a compression means for selectively compressing the captured image based on the given information.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the transmission control means transfers a compressed captured image. The given information is rating information that can take a plurality of steps in stages.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the compression means selectively compresses based on the frequency of rating information. It also has a reception means that accepts the designation of the frequency of rating information corresponding to the compression target according to the user operation.
5. The compression means is characterized in that it selectively compresses based on the frequency of the rating information given to the photographed image and the frequency of the rating information designated by the reception means. The information processing device described in. It is an information processing method executed by an information processing device.
A reception step for receiving the captured image and the assigned information assigned to the captured image from the photographing device, and
A storage processing step for storing the captured image in the storage means, and
A transmission control step for controlling the selective transfer of the captured image to an external device based on the given information is included.
The receiving step receives the updated added information corresponding to the captured image, and receives the updated information.
An information processing method , wherein the transmission control step selectively transfers the captured image stored in the storage means to an external device based on the updated information. A program for making a computer function as each means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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