Database search system and method

• US 6,704,748 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2000
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Suganuma, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Mizrahi, Diane D.
• Application Number:
  US09/651,675
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/2, 707/3, 707/4, 707/5, 707/6, 707/10, 707/100, 707/101, 707/102, 707/104.1
• US Class Current: 707/706
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/53 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/915 Image
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

In order to make possible a variety of database searches, image data is registered on a first hard disk and a plurality of attribute tables each containing attribute information regarding images are registered on a second hard disk. When one search condition has been applied, a search of attribute information is conducted using one attribute table conforming to the search condition from among the attribute tables stored on the second hard disk. When another search condition has been applied, a search of attribute information is conducted using another attribute table stored on the second hard disk. Thus, a database can be searched even when search conditions differ.

Claims

1. A database search system, comprising:

an image database that stores a plurality of images, each of said plurality of images having a unique image identifier;

an attribute information database that stores a plurality of attribute information tables, each of said plurality of attribute information tables storing photography information as search items, said photography information corresponding to said plurality of images stored in said image database; and

a link information database, comprising;

a plurality of binding tables that store binding information for linking said photography information with said plurality of images, said binding information comprising an ordered string of bits, in which, a bit of said ordered string of bits corresponds to a value of said unique image identifier associated with one of said plurality of images;

an attribute search unit that links a search condition to a selected attribute information table and said search items; and

an image search unit that links said selected attribute information table and search items to a subset of said plurality of images.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein on a basis of said search condition, said attribute information search unit selects said selected attribute information table, so that, said photography information, conforming to said search condition and said selected attribute information table, is retrieved from said attribute information database to said link database.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein

said attribute search unit includes an attribute search table that provides first link information, which links said search condition to said selected attribute information table, and

said image search unit uses said search condition to provide second link information, which identifies one of said plurality of binding tables corresponding to said selected attribute information table, and said one of said plurality of binding tables links said photography information of said selected attribute information table to said plurality of images, so that, a subset of said plurality of images is retrieved from said image database to said link database.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an attribute information table generating unit for generating an additional attribute information table to be stored in said attribute information database;

a determination unit for determining whether said additional attribute information table generated by said attribute information table generating unit is stored in said attribute information database; and

a first storage control unit for storing said additional attribute information table generated by said attribute information table generating unit in said attribute information database, in response to a determination by said determination unit that said additional attribute information table is not stored in said attribute information database.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a link information generating unit, responsive to storage of said additional attribute information table in said attribute information database by said first storage control unit, in which said link information generating unit generates first link information, stored in said attribute search table, that corresponds to said additional attribute information table; and

a second storage control unit for storing said second link information, generated by said link information generating unit that links said photography information of said additional attribute information table with said plurality of images stored in said image database.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said image database, said attribute information database, and said link information database are connected to a network by a server.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said photography information comprises information concerning a photographed subject.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said image data is obtained by photography.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein information stored in the attribute information data base comprises the photography information, which includes a photography date, a place of photography, and a subject name.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein information stored in the attribute information data base comprises the photography information, which includes at least one of a photography date, a place of photography, and a subject name.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said bit comprises a single bit.

6. A database search method, comprising:

storing a plurality of images in an image database, each of said plurality of images having a unique image identifier;

storing a plurality of attribute information tables in an attribute information database, each of said attribute information tables storing photography information as search items, said photography information corresponding to said plurality of images stored in said image database;

storing a plurality of binding tables in a link information database, said plurality of binding tables including binding information, which comprises an ordered string of bits, in which, a bit of said ordered string of bits corresponds to a value of said unique image identifier associated with one of said plurality of images;

linking a search condition to a selected attribute information table and said search items; and

linking said selected search attribute information table and said search items to a corresponding subset of said plurality of images.

12. The system according to claim 6, wherein information stored in the attribute information data base comprises the photography information, which includes a photography date, a place of photography, and a subject name.

13. The system according to claim 6, wherein information stored in the attribute information data base comprises the photography information, which includes at least one of a photography date, a place of photography, and a subject name.

15. The system according to claim 6, wherein said bit comprises a single bit.