Apparatus and method for setting degrees of importance, apparatus and method for representative image selection, apparatus and method for printing-recommended image selection, and programs therefor

• US 20060139461A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsui, Yuko, Nonaka, Shunichiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,783,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.200
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence

Abstract

A plurality of images are classified into hierarchical categories. A degree of importance for each of the categories is set according to at least one of: the number of images therein, the number of images in an upper-level category, the number of categories related to the category, the number of hierarchical levels below the category, and the number of hierarchical levels from the uppermost level to the level of the category.

Claims

1. An importance degree setting apparatus comprising setting means for setting a degree of importance for each of categories generated through hierarchical classification of images, based on at least one of:

the number of images included therein, the number of images included in an upper-level category, the number of categories related thereto, the number of hierarchical levels therebelow, and the number of hierarchical levels from the uppermost level thereto.

2. The importance degree setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets the degree of importance for each of the categories by weighted addition of the number of images included therein and the number of images included in the upper-level category.

3. The importance degree setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets the degree of importance for each of the categories by weighted addition of the number of images included therein, the number of categories related thereto, and the number of hierarchical levels therebelow.

4. The importance degree setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting means sets the degree of importance for each of the categories by multiplying the number of images included therein, the number of categories related thereto, and the number of hierarchical levels from the uppermost level thereto.

5. The importance degree setting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the case where any one of the categories has lower-level categories, the setting means sets the degree of importance therefor as the degree of importance that is the largest among the degrees of importance for the categories immediately below the category.

6. The importance degree setting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying a hierarchical structure of the categories in such a manner that the degrees of importance set for the respective categories are visually perceptible.

7. The importance degree setting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

representative image selection means for selecting at least one representative image representing a part of the categories whose degree or degrees of importance is/are high; and

representative image display means for displaying the representative image or images.

8. An importance degree setting method comprising the step of setting a degree of importance for each of categories generated through hierarchical classification of images, based on at least one of:

the number of images included therein, the number of images included in an upper-level category, the number of categories related thereto, the number of hierarchical levels therebelow, and the number of hierarchical levels from the uppermost level thereto.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute an importance degree setting method comprising the step of setting a degree of importance for each of categories generated through hierarchical classification of images, based on at least one of:

the number of images included therein, the number of images included in an upper-level category, the number of categories related thereto, the number of hierarchical levels therebelow, and the number of hierarchical levels from the uppermost level thereto.

10. A representative image selection apparatus for selecting a predetermined number of representative images from a plurality of images, the apparatus comprising:

candidate selection means for selecting candidate images for the representative images from a part of categories, the categories obtained by hierarchical classification of the images and respectively given degrees of importance, the degree or degrees of importance being high for the part; and

selection means for selecting the predetermined number of representative images from the candidate images that have been selected.

11. The representative image selection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the selection means calculates a representative quantity of changes in pixel values corresponding to each other between a processed image obtained by carrying out image processing for image quality enhancement on each of the selected candidate images and a non-processed image as the candidate image before the image processing, and selects the predetermined number of the candidate images in ascending order of the representative quantity starting from the smallest representative quantity, as the representative images.

12. The representative image selection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the representative quantity is a value obtained by normalization of a mean of the changes in the pixel values.

13. The representative image selection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the representative quantity is a value obtained by correction of a value obtained by normalization of a mean of the changes in the pixel values, the correction being carried out according to at least one of:

reproduction time of the candidate image and time and date of last reproduction of the candidate image.

14. A representative image selection apparatus for selecting a predetermined number of representative images from a plurality of images, the apparatus comprising:

change calculation means for calculating a representative quantity of changes in pixel values corresponding to each other between a processed image obtained by carrying out image processing for image quality enhancement on each of the images and a non-processed image as the image before the image processing; and

selection means for selecting the predetermined number of the images in ascending order of the representative quantity starting from the smallest representative quantity, as the representative images.

15. The representative image selection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the representative quantity is a value obtained by normalization of a mean of the changes in the pixel values.

16. The representative image selection apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the representative quantity is a value obtained by correction of a value obtained by normalization of a mean of the changes in the pixel values, the correction being carried out according to at least one of:

reproduction time of the image and time and date of last reproduction of the image.

17. A representative image selection method for selecting a predetermined number of representative images from a plurality of images, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting candidate images for the representative images from a part of categories, the categories obtained by hierarchical classification of the plurality of images and respectively given degrees of importance, the degree or degrees of importance being high for the part; and

selecting the predetermined number of representative images from the candidate images that have been selected.

18. A representative image selection method for selecting a predetermined number of representative images from a plurality of images, the method comprising the steps of:

calculating a representative quantity of changes in pixel values corresponding to each other between a processed image obtained by carrying out image processing for image quality enhancement on each of the images and a non-processed image as the image before the image processing; and

selecting the predetermined number of the images in ascending order of the representative quantity starting from the smallest representative quantity, as the representative images.

19. A program for causing a computer to execute a representative image selection method for selecting a predetermined number of representative images from a plurality of images, the program comprising the steps of:

selecting candidate images for the representative images from a part of categories, the categories obtained by hierarchical classification of the plurality of images and respectively given degrees of importance, the degree or degrees of importance being high for the part; and

selecting the predetermined number of representative images from the candidate images.

20. A program for causing a computer to execute a representative image selection method for selecting a predetermined number of representative images from a plurality of images, the program comprising the steps of:

calculating a representative quantity of changes in pixel values corresponding to each other between a processed image obtained by carrying out image processing for image quality enhancement on each of the images and a non-processed image as the image before the image processing; and

selecting the predetermined number of the images in ascending order of the representative quantity starting from the smallest representative quantity, as the representative images.

21. A printing-recommended image selection apparatus for selecting a printing-recommended image whose printing is recommended from a plurality of images, the apparatus comprising:

classification means for carrying out classification of the images into categories;

analysis means for carrying out analysis of the images;

suitability calculation means for carrying out calculation of printing suitability, based on the result of the classification by the classification means and the result of the analysis by the analysis means; and

selection means for carrying out selection of the printing-recommended image from the images, according to the printing suitability.

22. The printing-recommended image selection apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising parameter calculation means for calculating a parameter representing preference of a user, wherein the selection means selects the printing-recommended image based on the parameter and the printing suitability.

23. The printing-recommended image selection apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising:

detection means for detecting input of the images; and

control means for controlling the classification means, the analysis means, the suitability calculation means, and the selection means to respectively carry out the classification, the analysis, the calculation of the printing suitability, and the selection when the detection means detects the input of the images.

24. A digital camera comprising the printing-recommended image selection apparatus of claim 21.

25. A printer comprising the printing-recommended image selection apparatus of claim 21.

26. A print order apparatus comprising the printing-recommended image selection apparatus of claim 21.

27. A printing-recommended image selection method for selecting a printing-recommended image whose printing is recommended from a plurality of images, the method comprising the steps of:

carrying out classification of the images into categories;

carrying out analysis of the images;

carrying out calculation of printing suitability, based on the result of the classification and the result of the analysis; and

carrying out selection of the printing-recommended image from the images, according to the printing suitability.

28. A program for causing a computer to execute a printing-recommended image selection method for selecting a printing-recommended image whose printing is recommended from a plurality of images, the program comprising the steps of:

carrying out classification of the images into categories;

carrying out analysis of the images;

carrying out calculation of printing suitability, based on the result of the classification and the result of the analysis; and

carrying out selection of the printing-recommended image from the images, according to the printing suitability.