JPH0581348A - Image retrieving system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is possible to quickly and surely search a plurality of moving image data for a purpose. A reduced-image creating unit 32 creates image data for moving image display from the image data of all or some of the moving image data, and also creates moving image data for each of the plurality of moving image data. A reduced image (representative image) representative of is created from a part of each moving image data. The representative image of the moving image data is displayed side by side on the screen of the bitmap display 18E by the still image display 18B. The representative image displayed on the bitmap display 18E is selected by the image selection means 18F. Image data for moving image display of moving image data represented by the selected representative image by the moving image display 18C is sequentially and sequentially displayed on the bitmap display 18E.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image search system, and more particularly, to producing a video work for a limited audience, such as a news program such as business news, or a package software for the news program. The present invention relates to a system for retrieving moving image data suitable for a purpose from a plurality of moving image data suitable for use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the production of images such as news programs has been
It was carried out for the purpose of distribution to an unspecified large number of viewers in mass media such as the broadcasting industry.

[0003] In the broadcasting industry, the above-mentioned video programs are usually distributed using ground stations or broadcasting satellites.

However, today, the demand for video distribution to a limited number of objects has increased, and there has been a demand for distributing business video such as business news programs using communication satellites.

This business image has the following features.

That is, this business video is delivered not to the mass media intended for an unspecified large number of viewers but to only a specific contractor using a communication satellite. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the production cost.

Further, it is characterized by the instant collection and distribution of images by the communication satellite, and it is necessary to immediately collect the related material images and edit the transmission file. Therefore, it is important to reduce the manufacturing time.

[0008] Furthermore, the viewers are limited businessmen, and it is required to provide more specialized information for problem solving. Therefore, it is necessary to collect so-called horizontal information, which serves as a reference related to new information, and provide information with a wide range.

In order to produce a video program such as the above-mentioned business video, a large amount and various types of video data such as still image data, moving image data, and audio data are required.

A still image is a still image, and its recording medium includes a photographic original. In addition, a moving image is a moving image produced by sequentially displaying successive frames (frames), and its recording medium includes a video tape and a movie film. In addition, the sound mainly has a background sound of a moving image, and the recording medium thereof has a video tape or an audio tape similar to the moving image.

Here, in producing the video program,
From the accumulated moving image data, it is necessary to select data that meets the purpose of video production.

As a selection method, a sentence that describes the contents of moving image data or a description (for example, a set of keywords) in which words that are closely related to the moving image data are collected is used as a judgment target. There is a method to select the target moving image by reading and judging the content of the moving image data, or by checking whether there is a specified word in those sentences or words (keyword search). ..

Further, the moving image data may be stored in the video tape library and the moving image data in the recording medium (video tape) may be searched by the title index. Further, there is a method in which the moving image data itself that has been stored is reproduced as a video on a screen, and a human sees the reproduced image and selects it.

[0014]

However, the above-mentioned conventional selection method has the following various drawbacks, and there is a problem that moving image data cannot be selected easily and quickly.

That is, it is difficult to express the content of moving image data in words (keywords) or sentences without exception.
In addition, the keyword input operation cannot be automated, and the input person is biased. In addition, the search by the title index has the same problem as the keyword.

Further, with the method of viewing and selecting the video of the accumulated moving image data, it takes time and effort to reproduce the moving image data, and it is not possible to confirm a large amount of moving image data in a short time. .. Further, when the recording medium on which the moving image data desired to be viewed is used by another user or the like, it cannot be confirmed.

Therefore, when producing a video program for a specific audience as described above, it is an obstacle to fulfilling the demands for reduction of production cost, reduction of production time, and provision of a wide range of information. ing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an image retrieval system capable of quickly and reliably retrieving moving image data that meets a purpose from a plurality of moving image data. The task is to do.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a system for retrieving moving image data that meets a purpose from a plurality of moving image data, and image display means for displaying the image data on a screen. A moving image manual display image creating means for creating image data for moving image display from all or a part of image data of moving image data, and each moving image for each of a plurality of moving image data. Representative image creating means for creating data of a representative image representing data from a part of each moving image data, and displaying the representative image of each moving image data side by side on the screen of the image display means at the time of retrieval. Representative image display means, representative image selection means for selecting the displayed representative image, and moving image data for displaying moving images represented by the selected representative image are continuously displayed on the screen. By providing a video display means for Shimesuru it is intended to solve the above problems.

Further, in the present invention, the moving image display means may display the moving image display data on the display screen in the same size and position as the selected representative image.

[0021]

According to the present invention, in the image retrieval system, for each of a plurality of moving image data, representative image data representing each moving image data is created from a part of each moving image data, and each moving image data is created. The representative images are displayed side by side on the screen of the image display means so that the operator can select the displayed representative image.

Therefore, at the time of searching the image data, the searcher can know what is captured in each moving image by looking at the screen where the representative images are displayed side by side.

However, since the representative image alone is displayed as a still image, the movement of the subject cannot be known. Therefore,
Image data for moving image display is created from the image data of all or some of the moving image data.

By selecting the displayed representative image, the moving image data of the representative moving image data is continuously displayed on the screen.

Therefore, by continuously displaying the video of the moving image display image data on the screen, the movement of the subject of the moving image data can be surely grasped.

Further, unlike the case of expressing the contents of words, sentences or moving images, since the search data can be created by processing the images, the input work can be automated and there is no bias by the input person. Also, the movement of the subject of the original moving image can be confirmed even while the recording medium on which the desired moving image data is recorded is in use.

If the moving image display image data is created from a part of the image data of the image data, the original moving image data is displayed as to how the subject of the moving image moves at the time of retrieval. Since it is possible to know immediately without reproducing the recording medium on which is recorded, the search time is shortened.

If the moving image display image data is displayed on the screen in the same size and position as the representative image, other moving image data can be referred to while confirming the selected image data. Can be compared. As a result, the number of moving image display image data is reduced, and high-speed data processing is enabled. Further, it is possible to know the shooting content of the moving image by comparing it with other moving images.

However, the present invention is not limited to displaying the moving image display image data and the representative image data at the same size and position, and if necessary, at an appropriate position and position on the screen. The moving image display image data can be displayed in a size. For example, the moving image display image data of the selected representative image can be displayed on the entire screen or at a position other than the position where the representative image is displayed.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment is an image retrieval system as shown in FIG. 1, and is constructed in a material video database system having a configuration as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, this document video database system mainly comprises a database management device 10 and a database input / search / use terminal device 12.
Still image data, moving image data, voice (natural voice) and voice (narrated voice) data, etc. are integrally stored as a database, and the stored data can be searched and used.

In the audio data, the natural audio data is background sound of the moving image data, and the narration audio data is narration data which mainly describes still image data in words. The contents of each of these audio data and the details of storage in the database will be described later.

The database management device 10 is a data center having the functions of a data storage / deletion / correction and data search / use server. The details of the data storage and the like performed by the database management device 10 will be described later.

The database input / search / use terminal device 12 is divided into four parts in terms of function. That is, the moving image input unit 14, the still image input unit 16, the database search unit 18, and the database use unit 20.

The moving image input unit 14 performs predetermined processing on moving image data output from a storage medium such as a video tape recorder (VTR) tape or a laser disk (LD) via the video device 14A described later. It is for inputting into the database management device 10. Natural audio data recorded with moving image data on a recording medium is A
The management device 1 is converted to DPCM (adaptive differential pulse code).
Enter 0. Details of inputting the moving image data in the moving image input unit 14 will be described later.

The still image input section 16 is for inputting a search key (keyword) to the database management device 10 while taking in still image data. or,
Voice data such as narration, which is input along with the image data, is used as a phonetic code (for example, a code written in Roman letters).
Convert and enter. The details of inputting still image data in the still image input unit 16 will be described later.

The database search unit 18 is for performing a search on a search screen, which will be described later, or a keyword for each data in the database. The details of the search will be described later.

The database use section 20 outputs the retrieved image data for use as a material for producing a video program, for example. For example, one frame of still image or moving image is output by a video printer or displayed on the screen of a video device. If the moving image data is recorded in the database management device 10 when the searched moving image is used on the screen (mainly in the case of a short-time moving image), it is output, and the storage is If recorded on a video recording medium (such as a video tape), the medium is ordered and the data in the medium is output and used.

Here, in the database system, as shown in FIG. 2, one database input / search / use terminal device 1 for one database management device 10.
2, the plurality of terminal devices 12 are connected to one database management device 10, and the one database management device 10 is accessed from the plurality of terminal devices 12 as shown in FIG. Can be used.

Further, the terminal device 12 can be installed at a remote place.

The database management device 10 and the database input / search / use terminal device 12 are connected by, for example, a digital transfer network. However, when real-time (immediate) transfer of moving image data is required, the moving image video signal is analog transfer.

The detailed structure of the database system is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the database system, the database management unit 10 includes search index data and a reduced image (corresponding to a representative image, which will be described later).
A first storage stage 10A for mainly storing digital data such as search screen data in which (details will be described later) are arranged.
And a video disk 10B for storing moving image data or still image data as analog data, and a database management unit 10 and a plurality of database input / search / use terminal devices 12 are connected, which terminal It has a terminal switch 10C for switching whether to input / output analog image data from the device 12 to the disk 10B.

For the database management unit 10, for example, a host computer having a file server function and a large data storage capacity can be used.

The first storage stage 10A has a function of storing data such as a search screen and voice data which has a small capacity and requires a high access speed.

Further, in the storage stage 10A, for example, a magnetic disk (for example, having a capacity of 2 giga (G) bytes) device for storing index data, a magneto-optical disk (for example, disk 1) for storing a search screen and voice data. The capacity of 594 mega (M) bytes per sheet) can be used.

The video disc 10B has an NT
Write-once type optical disk device of SC composite recording system (for example, 48 minutes moving image per optical disk, still image 8700
(Capable of recording 0 sheets) can be used. As a result, the access speed is high and the recording density is high.

In the database input / search / use terminal device 12, each of the image input units 14 and 16, the database search unit 18 and the database use unit 20 are roughly divided into sections as shown in FIG. However, since some components are shared by each unit, the divisions shown in FIG. 4 show a schematic division configuration, and the equipments of other divisions are used as necessary. A workstation capable of executing each function of this embodiment can be used as the database input, search, and use terminal device 12.

In the database input / search / use terminal device 12, the moving image input unit 14 controls the video equipment 14A, such as a VTR or LD, and the operation / stop of the video equipment 14A. Video device remote controller 14 for outputting moving image data from the recording medium or recording it on the recording medium.
An audio converter 14 for ADPCM conversion of input and output of natural audio data between B and the video device 14C.
C and a first frame buffer 14D for temporarily storing one frame image in the moving image data output from the video device 14A as a still image.

Further, when inputting an image, the moving image input unit 14 outputs an image of a frame of each original moving image for each frame (frame) or for each frame at regular intervals to the first frame buffer 1.
It has a function of taking in from 4D, converting the pixel density by a pixel density converter 16C described later, thinning out the pixels, and creating a reduced image. The reduced-size image can be displayed as a moving image by sequentially and continuously displaying the reduced image on the search screen by the moving-image display device 18C described later.

When creating a reduced image, the still image reproduced image on the first frame buffer 14D is converted into digital image data of, for example, horizontal 768 × vertical 480 dots and 24-bit full color, and then the image data Is thinned out, for example, 128 horizontal × 96 vertical, and 8
It is possible to create a reduced image of a bit limited color. Further, among the reduced images, a reduced image of a frame or an image of an arbitrary frame that best represents the content of the moving image is set as a representative image, and the representative images are arranged in a vertical and horizontal grid pattern on the screen on the bitmap display 18E. The screen arranged in this way is called a search screen. Further, the representative image is created from one reduced image as described above, which is only an example. In addition, the representative image can be created by, for example, reducing the sum of a plurality of images.

The still image input unit 16 includes, for example, a video device 16E including a video camera or a still camera, a second frame buffer 16F for temporarily storing still image data output from the video device 16E, and a color. A scanner 16B such as a flat scanner for inputting information of a flat still image medium such as a photo original in the form of digital data, and a format capable of converting the input still image data into a pixel density and displaying it on the screen. And a pixel density converter 16C for converting image data of, for example, NTSC system, and a keyboard for inputting characters, numerical values, for example, keywords, words of narration voice (to input characters), characters of image-related information, etc. A numerical character input device 16D and a character, numerical value, for example, key word from a word processor De, narration voice words data exchanger 16A for inputting characters and the like of the image-related information
Have and. The reduced images are arranged in a grid pattern on the search screen like the moving images.

The second frame buffer 16F may be the same as or different from the first frame buffer 14D.

The database search section 18 displays a distinction display 18A for displaying a distinction between a moving image and a still image for each reduced image on the search screen on the bitmap display 18E and a reduced image on the search screen. Still image display 18B for displaying the image on the search screen
And a moving image display 18C for displaying a reduced image of a moving image as a moving image on the search screen by using a whole frame or a frame at a constant interval (frame dropping), and a bitmap display 1
Numerical / character display 18D for displaying numerical values and characters of the video related information on 8E, bitmap display 18E for displaying related information and the like on the search screen of the reduced image, and reduction on the search screen Selector 18F for inputting a selection of images.

The distinguishing display 18A can distinguish, for example, a representative image of moving image data by a green frame and a representative image of still image data by a red frame.

Further, the selector 18F may be a keyboard common to or different from the numerical character input device 16D. Alternatively, a mouse can be used.

The database utilization section 20 is provided with a video printer 20A for taking a hard copy of an image sent from the database management apparatus 10 side and a dot printer 20B for printing out image-related information. .. Although not shown, the database use unit 20 is provided with a voice synthesizer that generates voice-over voice by voice synthesis.

The terminal device 12 is provided with a second storage stage 24 for recording each processing program data and recording data when inputting or outputting image and audio data to and from the database management unit 10. Has been.

Since the database system has the functions described above, the image data and the like stored as a database and the recording medium have the following configuration.

In the case of moving image data of a relatively long time, the moving image data is recorded in a recording medium and stored in a storage, and a reduced image of a representative image displayed on the search screen is stored in the first storage. It is recorded in the stage 10A in the form of digital data in order to improve the efficiency and speed of the search.

That is, the moving image is reproduced from the recording medium by the video device 14, and an image showing the content of the moving image or an arbitrary image is extracted by the frame buffer 14D as a representative image. Image data (constitutes a search screen) is created by reducing the extracted images so that they can be arranged in a grid pattern (for example, vertical 10 × horizontal 10), and the database management device 1 is stored as a file in the first storage 10A.
Record 0. On the recording medium on which the original moving image data is recorded, a label with a reference number is attached to the recording medium case and stored. The details of this search screen, creation, and search will be described later.

In the case of moving image data of a relatively short time,
It is reproduced by the video device 14A, and a necessary portion is recorded as an analog signal on the video disc 10B together with the sound. This enables high-speed search.

Still image data can be input corresponding to both the video signal (analog signal) input from the video device 16E and the still image signal digital signal input from the scanner 16B. Further, the reduced image of the representative image displayed on the search screen is stored in the first storage stage 10A in the form of digital data so that the search can be made efficient and quick. The analog still image data is recorded on the video disk 10B and is also stored in the frame buffer 16F, and is reduced in size so that it can be arranged in a grid pattern (for example, about 10 vertical by 10 horizontal) on the screen (search screen). The first storage stage 10
A is stored in the database management device 10 as a file. Further, the digital still image data input from the scanner 16B or the like is subjected to pixel density conversion by the pixel density converter 16C to be NTSC digital image data, and the data is recorded in the first storage stage 10A and is analogized. Similar to the still image data, image data reduced so as to be arranged in a grid is created and stored in the database management device 10 as a file in the first storage 10A.
Further, digital still image data input from the scanner 16B or the like can be input to the frame buffer 14D to be converted into analog data and recorded on the video disk 10B. As described above, if the still image data is recorded on the video disk 10 in the form of analog data, the data amount can be reduced as compared with the digital data, the reproduction time is short, and the handling is easy.

Regarding the narration voice data among the voice data, a narration original describing the contents of a moving image or a still image is transmitted from the word processor via the numerical character input device 16D or the data exchanger 16A, for example, as a character (character code). Data). Also, the character code data is converted into phonetic code data and stored. With this phonetic code data, the voice synthesizer can reproduce the narration voice. In this case, the character code data is stored for use in displaying a telop and the like.

Regarding the natural voice data, the natural voice data is stored in the video disc 10B together with the moving image data. Further, when recording is necessary when the data is not input to the video disc 10B, it can be converted into an ADPCM file and can be converted into a file in the first storage stage 10A.

In addition, regarding still image data and moving image data, video-related information, that is, management information such as the photographer and shooting date, and related information for clarifying the original / background of the video, each item has a maximum of 200 characters. Enter the degree and make it available when searching. In the case of moving image data, a time code or the like is automatically recorded so that it can be called up quickly.

Further, a keyword is added to the image data so as to be conveniently used for writing and searching. For the keyword, select a free keyword consisting of any word that directly expresses the video, or a controlled keyword that is selected from pre-selected and classified according to its own classification, or enter word proset And add it to the image data.

As described above, in the database system of the embodiment, still image data, moving image data, natural voice data and narration voice data are integrated and stored as a database.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an image search apparatus as viewed from the function of searching the database system by creating a search screen from moving image data. In FIG. 1, the image input function corresponds to the moving image input unit 14 and the database management device 10 in FIG. 2, and the image search function corresponds to the database management device 10 and the database search unit 18.

That is, the image input function is performed by each frame reproducing unit 3.
0, a reduced screen creation unit 32, and a reduced screen storage unit 34.

Each frame reproducing section 30 reproduces an image of each frame of the moving image data and creates and records a search screen composed of reduced images, and is mainly used for the video equipment 14A.
And a frame buffer 14D. or,
The reduced image creating unit 32 is for creating a reduced image to be displayed on the search screen, and mainly includes the pixel density converter 16C. The reduced screen storage unit 34 is for storing the created reduced image, and mainly includes the first storage stage 10A.

Further, the image search function is for searching on the search screen and displaying the images in the screen like a moving image, and mainly includes the storage unit 34 and the reduced image still image display unit 1.
8B, a moving image display section 18C, a bitmap display 18E, and a selection means 18F. The contents of the display section 18B and the like have been described above, and will be omitted.

The search screen is, for example, 10 × 10 (or 8 × 1) on the display screen of the bitmap display 18E.
The divided image is divided into about 0), and reduced images of representative images of moving image data and still image data are displayed in order on each divided screen.

That is, in the case of moving image data, a reduced image is created and stored for each frame or for each frame at a fixed interval (for example, 10 frames), and it is displayed continuously (by the whole frame or by frame removal). Make it possible to understand the video content by (video-like display). At the time of this moving image display, the time code of the original image is displayed in real time. As described above, the moving image data can be grasped in a short time if the moving image is displayed by dropping the frame.

Further, in the case of still image data, the image itself becomes the representative image, so a reduced image of the still image data is displayed on the search screen.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

The procedure for creating the reduced image for the moving image display by the above-mentioned drop-off is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, steps 101 to 103 are performed by the operation of the image input person.

First, the video device 14A reproduces a recording medium such as a video tape to search for the first and last parts of the moving image, and records the time code thereof (step 10).
1).

Next, a frame interval for forming a reduced image for displaying a moving image on the search screen is determined (step 102).

Next, the time code at the beginning and end of the moving image and the frame interval for producing the reduced image are set to the reduced image creating section 3
Set to 2 (step 103).

From this point onward, the procedure is automatically advanced.

That is, the recording medium is reproduced (still) at the position of the first time code (step 104).

Next, the image being reproduced as a still image is input to the frame buffer 14D and, for example, horizontal 768 × vertical 480.
The dots (24-bit full-color image) are converted into digital data, and then the pixel density converter 16C thins out to, for example, horizontal 128 × vertical 96 dots (limited color of 8 bits) to create a reduced image (step 105).

Next, the created reduced image is stored in the first storage stage 10A (step 106).

Next, it is judged whether or not the frame at the position where the frame interval for producing a reduced image is added to the frame at the position at which the still image is currently reproduced exceeds the last frame of the moving image data (step). 107). If it exceeds, creation of the reduced image for displaying the search screen ends (step 10).
8).

On the other hand, if it does not exceed the limit, the recording medium is fast-forwarded by a frame interval for producing a reduced image, and a still image is reproduced at that position (step 109).

Then, the process returns to step 105 to restart the production of the reduced image.

By the way, the reduced image of the still image data is created by thinning out the still image data by the pixel density converter 16C. Created reduced image (this is the representative image)
Is stored in the first storage stage 10A.

Further, each reduced image (representative image) of a still image and a moving image can be arbitrarily arranged when displayed on the search screen. In this case, the distinction display 18A identifies the moving image and the still image. For example, a moving image should be surrounded by a green frame, and a still image should be surrounded by a red frame.

Next, the search of the above database will be described. First, the search on the search screen will be described.

In this search, when the operator designates a classification item (culture, sports, incident, etc.), each moving image data included in the classification is selected. Then, a search screen in which reduced images of the representative images of the image data are arranged in a grid of about 10 × 10 is displayed on the screen of the bitmap display 18E.

FIG. 6 shows a display example of the search screen.

In this case, when the reduced images cannot be arranged on the screen, the screen can be scrolled up (scroll up) or scrolled down (scroll down), the frame display, the attribute display, and the search end instruction can be given. ing. The contents of this scroll-up will be described later in detail.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a state in which a representative image for moving image display is selected.

As described above, among the reduced images (representative images) displayed, if it is desired to know the details of the reduced images (representative images), a representative image to be displayed in a moving image is displayed as shown in FIG. Select with the cursor.

By selecting this cursor, as shown in FIG. 8, all the frames or the reduced images of the frames are successively displayed at the position of the selected image, and a moving image is displayed. With this moving image display, it is possible to easily understand what kind of motion the moving image data shows. In addition,
If you select the image with the cursor during moving image display, the moving image display will stop. Further, not only one representative image to be selected but also a plurality of representative images can be selected and the moving image data can be displayed in a moving image.

Also, since the number of representative images is large, if all of the images are not displayed, selecting the icon "scroll up" with the cursor moves the entire displayed image upward by one column, By this movement, another image which has not been displayed until now is displayed in a horizontal row below the screen. Further, when the icon "scroll down" is selected with the cursor, the entire displayed image is moved downward by one column, and the image that has disappeared from the screen is displayed again by scrolling up. The directions of scrolling up and scrolling down are as shown in FIG.

Further, when the cursor "icon" is selected with the cursor and then the representative image to be displayed with the cursor is selected with the cursor, each reduced image frame accumulated for moving image display of the selected representative image is displayed. Is read, and the images of all the frames are displayed in order from the left side of the screen. The display direction is as shown in FIG. By this frame display, it is possible to know in more detail how the subject in the moving image data is moving.

[0100] When the portion "display attribute" is selected with the cursor and then the representative image whose attribute is desired to be displayed is selected with the cursor, the storage location of the original moving image corresponding to the representative image, the photographing date, the photographer, etc. Attribute information is displayed on the screen.

In this database system, in addition to the search using the reduced image on the search screen as described above,
You can do the following searches:

That is, it is a search for each classified field. In this search, the images are classified according to the data field and are extracted for each field. The classification has a hierarchical structure, and each item can be further subdivided into about 10 items.

Further, it is possible to search by the management information. This search is performed using video management information such as the photographer and the shooting date. A range can be specified for the search on the display screen.

It is also possible to search by free keywords.

In this search, a display image is selected using a keyword extracted from a sentence such as a scenario and added to a video.

It is also possible to search by control keywords.

In this search, a candidate image is selected by using a keyword that is selected in advance and is added to the video.

It is possible to search by a keyword network.

This keyword network is defined by weighting the relationship between keywords,
At the time of search, image data that is closely related to the specified keyword is extracted at the same time. In addition, the videos can be arranged in the order of relevance to the designated keyword.

Also, a combination of searches can be performed.

That is, the management information, the free keyword, the controlled keyword, and the respective field-specific searches can be used in combination with the AND / OR operator as well as input.

Also, metacharacters can be used.

A part of a word can be designated as a metacharacter, and by using the metacharacter as a search key, a wide range of search can be performed by the partial position of the keyword. For example, the meta character designation is ski ○○○ (○
For example, ski wear and ski boots are applicable if XX is a free character.

It is possible to output a hard copy of an image which is a candidate for retrieval by the video printer 20A and output related information by the dot printer 20B.

As described above, the still image data, the moving image data, the audio data, etc. obtained by the search are the database input / search / use terminals in response to the output request of the moving image data stored in the video disc 10B. It can be sent to the video equipment 14A of the device 12. In this case, the voice can also be transmitted. When the original moving image data on the search screen is recorded on the recording medium in the storage, the recording medium for the moving image can be pulled out from the storage with the tape management number output to the dot printer.
Also, when setting the tape in the video device 14A,
Cue can be done.

Further, a still image can be read and a hard copy output can be obtained. At this time, the database management unit 1
The still image sent from the 0 side is the video printer 20A.
The color hard copy can be output with. Related narration is done by a speech synthesizer and natural speech is AD
It is reproduced into an audio signal by the PCM decoder and output.

In the above-described embodiment, since the moving image data can be searched together with the still image data, it is possible to collectively perform the searches that have been duplicated for each data in the past, and to perform the quick search. Is.

[0118] Further, in the case of searching only by the representative image, there is a possibility that the contents other than the frame (frame) other than the representative image may be overlooked. However, in the present embodiment, the whole frame or frame-by-frame moving image is displayed. There is no such oversight, and moreover,
It is possible to properly understand the movement of a moving image.

In addition, the contents of the moving image can be grasped in a relatively short time by the search by the drop-down display. Therefore, conventionally, it took a long time to reproduce all images, but the time can be greatly shortened.

In the above embodiment, the database system schematically shown in FIG. 2 or 3 and the database system having the detailed configuration shown in FIG. 4 are exemplified, and the image retrieval according to the present invention is performed by the retrieval device of FIG. The system was implemented.

However, this is an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented with other device configurations.

Further, the image search system according to the present invention is most suitable for use when a search is performed by using a reduced image on a search screen such as that shown in FIG. 6, but this search screen is an example. , As long as it is a screen implementing the present invention,
The present invention can be implemented by a system for searching on another search screen.

For example, the moving image display is not limited to the display position of the representative image of FIG. 8 and the same size as the representative image, and the display may be performed by arbitrarily changing the position or the size. it can. That is, the entire screen may be used to display a moving image, or the search screen may be displayed in advance on a part of the screen of the display means and the other part may be displayed as a moving image. it can.

[0124]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and surely search for moving image data that meets a purpose from a plurality of moving image data.

That is, at the time of search, moving image data is searched by looking at the representative image, and how the subject of the moving image data of the selected representative image moves is reproduced on the recording medium on which the original moving image data is recorded. Search time is shortened because you can immediately know without doing.

Further, since the data of the representative image for retrieval can be created and inputted by processing the image data, the input work can be automated unlike the case of inputting the contents of the moving image data by words or sentences. In addition, the input person does not have a bias. Therefore, the accuracy of the search is high.

Further, even when the recording medium on which the moving image data desired to be viewed is recorded is in use, the movement of the original moving image can be confirmed.

Therefore, when producing a video program such as business news to be delivered only to a specific contractor, it is possible to reduce production costs, production time, enrich reference materials to be provided, and the like. The effect is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a database system according to the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an application example of the database system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the database system.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation of the above embodiment,
9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating the search screen.

FIG. 6 is likewise a plan view showing an example of a created search screen.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a state where a moving image display portion on the search screen is selected with a cursor.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of a state in which a moving image is displayed on the screen selected by the cursor.

FIG. 9 is likewise a plan view showing an example of scroll-up and scroll-down directions of the search screen.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a direction example of each frame display on the search screen.

[Explanation of Codes] 10 ... Database management device, 10A ... First storage stage, 10B ... Video disc, 10C ... Terminal switching device, 12 ... Database input / search / use terminal device, 14 ... Moving image input unit, 14A ... Video device, 14B ... Video device remote controller, 14C ... Audio converter, 14D ... First frame buffer, 16 ... Still image input section, 16A ... Data exchanger, 16B ... Scanner, 16C ... Pixel density converter, 16D ... Numerical value Character input device, 16E ... Video device, 16F ... Second frame buffer, 18 ... Database search unit, 18A ... Identification display, 18B ... Still image display of reduced image, 18C ... Moving image display of reduced image, 18D ... Numerical value / character display, 18E ... bitmap display, 18F ... bitmap display Image selecting means on the ray, 20 ... database utilization unit, 20A ... dot printer, 20B ... video printer, 30 ... each frame reproduction unit, 32 ... image merging section, 34 ... reduced image storing unit.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuo Yamada 1-1-1, Ichigayaka-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A system for retrieving moving image data according to a purpose from a plurality of moving image data, comprising image display means for displaying the image data on a screen, and all frames of the moving image data or A moving image display image creating means for creating image data for moving image display from a part of the image data and representative image data representing each moving image data for each of the plurality of moving image data. Representative image creating means for creating from a part of each moving image data, representative image displaying means for displaying each moving image data representative image side by side on the screen of the image displaying means, Representative image selecting means for selecting a representative image, and a moving image displaying means for continuously displaying image data for displaying moving images of moving image data represented by the selected representative image on the screen. Image retrieval system characterized by comprising a, the. 2. The moving image display means according to claim 1, wherein the moving image display image data is displayed on the screen in the same size and position as the selected representative image. Image search system.