Index image creating device

• US 20030122940A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Myojo, Toshihiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,466,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

An image storage device creates index image data representing an index image. One index image contains a plurality of original images. The image storage device maps an inherent identifier of each of the plurality of original images to a second identifier of each of the plurality of original images. The second identifier of each of the plurality of original images corresponds to a position in each of the original images in one index image. The storage device transmits the index image to a selection device. The selection device selects one of the inherent identifiers, corresponding to the second identifier inputted.

Claims

1. A creating device for creating index image data representing an index image, comprising:

creating means for creating the index image data representing the index image, one index image containing a plurality of original images; and

means for mapping an inherent identifier of each of the plurality of original images to a second identifier of each of the plurality of original images,

wherein the second identifier of each of the plurality of original images corresponds to a position of each of the original images in one index image.

2. A creating device according to claim 1, wherein if said creating means changes one of the plurality of original images to other original image, said mapping means maps an inherent identifier of other original image to a second identifier of one of the plurality of original images.

3. A creating device according to claim 1, wherein said creating means includes transmitting means for transmitting the index image data and the inherent identifier and the second identifier of each of the plurality of original images, and receiving means for receiving the inherent identifier, and

said transmitting means transmits the original image corresponding to the inherent identifier received by said receiving means.

4. A creating program for creating index image data representing an index image, or a storage medium stored with said program, said creating program comprising steps of:

creating the index image data representing the index image, one index image containing a plurality of original images; and

mapping an inherent identifier of each of the plurality of original images to a second identifier of each of the plurality of original images,

wherein the second identifier of each of the plurality of original images corresponds to a position of each of the original images in one index image.

5. A program according to claim 4, wherein if one of the plurality of original images is changed to other original image in said creating step, an inherent identifier of other original image is mapped to a second identifier of one of the plurality of original images in said mapping step.

6. A program according to claim 4, wherein said creating step involves transmitting the index image data and the inherent identifier and the second identifier of each of the plurality of original images, receiving the inherent identifier, and transmitting the original image corresponding to the inherent identifier received in said receiving step.

7. A selection program for selecting image data stored on an image storage device from a remote place, or a storage medium stored with said program, said selection program comprising steps of:

receiving index image data representing an index image and an identifier of each of a plurality of original images contained in the index image from an image storage device;

selecting one of the identifiers of the plurality of original images, corresponding to selection information for selecting one of the plurality of original images, the selection information corresponding to a position of each of the original images in one index image; and

notifying said image storage device of the selected identifier.

8. A program according to claim 7, wherein said receiving step involves receiving the identifier of each of the plurality of original images and the selection information.

9. A program according to claim 7, wherein said receiving step comprises steps of receiving an image data identifier list from said image storage device, and requesting of said image storage device one of the image data identified by the identifier contained in the list and related information.

10. A selection device for selecting image data stored on an image storage device, comprising:

receiving means for receiving index image data representing an index image and an identifier of each of a plurality of original images contained in the index image from an image storage device;

selecting means for selecting one of the identifiers of the plurality of original images, corresponding to selection information for selecting one of the plurality of original images, the selection information corresponding to a position of each of the original images in one index image; and

notifying means for notifying said image storage device of the selected identifier.

11. A selection device according to claim 10, wherein said receiving means receives the identifier of each of the plurality of original images and the selection information.

12. A selection device according to claim 10, wherein said receiving means receives an image data identifier list from said image storage device, and

transmitting means transmits a signal requesting of said image storage device one of the image data identified by the identifier contained in the list and related information.