IMAGE MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, IMAGE MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: set a grace period for image deletion in response to transferring one or more images from a first storage area to a second storage area different from the first storage area, according to a user's instruction; and give an instruction to delete, from the first storage area, an image corresponding to the transferred image, in response to a lapse of the grace period starting from the transfer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-104056 filed on Jun. 26, 2023. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-104056 are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification relates to an image management apparatus, an image management method, and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in order to efficiently manage a large amount of images, a technique of automatically deleting an image from a storage device has been proposed (for example, JP 2013-008379 A).

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to the present embodiment.FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. A system1illustrated inFIG.1is an image management system including a camera10and an information processing apparatus20, and manages image data acquired by imaging by the camera10. In the system1, the camera10and the information processing apparatus20are communicably connected to each other.

The camera10is an imaging device that acquires image data by imaging. The camera10includes an image sensor (not illustrated) and a recording medium11that records image data. The image data acquired by the camera10is recorded in the recording medium11.

The camera10has a communication function, and exchanges image data and the like with the information processing apparatus20. Note that, althoughFIG.1illustrates an example in which the camera10and the information processing apparatus20are wirelessly connected, the camera10and the information processing apparatus20may be connected by a communication cable.

The information processing apparatus20is an image management apparatus that manages image data acquired by the camera10, and is communicably connected to the camera10having the recording medium11. The information processing apparatus20is a computer that executes an image management program, and includes, for example, a processor21, a storage device22, an input device23, a display device24, and a communication device25as illustrated inFIG.2.

The storage device22stores, for example, an image management application program (program22a) installed in advance. In the information processing apparatus20, the processor21executes the program22astored in the storage device22to perform image management processing including transfer of image data from the recording medium11of the camera10to the information processing apparatus20and automatic deletion of the transferred image data from the recording medium11. Image data22btransferred to the information processing apparatus20is stored in the storage device22.

In the system1configured as described above, the information processing apparatus20performs the image management processing including the transfer and the automatic deletion of the image data, so that it is possible to suppress occurrence of various inconveniences caused by accumulation of a large amount of image data in the recording medium11. In particular, when image data satisfying a predetermined condition is automatically deleted by automatic deletion, it is possible to avoid, for example, a situation in which a free capacity of the recording medium11is tight due to a large amount of image data and new image data cannot be acquired (that is, there is a possibility that the operation of the device of the transfer source is affected by a large amount of image data remaining in the transfer source), or a situation in which a scan time of the recording medium11performed to extract image data to be transferred or deleted becomes longer than an allowable range (that is, there is a possibility that the speed of transfer is affected by a large amount of image data remaining in the transfer source).

The automatic deletion setting included in the image management processing performed by the information processing apparatus20will be described below.FIG.3AandFIG.3Bare views illustrating display examples of the wireless setting screen according to the present embodiment. The user of the information processing apparatus20can set an automatic deletion function of automatically deleting transferred image data from the recording medium11on the wireless setting screen30displayed on the display device24by the processor21executing the program22a.

The wireless setting screen30is a screen for performing wireless communication setting between the camera10and the information processing apparatus20, and includes a mode selection area31and an automatic deletion setting area32. In a default state (that is, initial setting), as illustrated inFIG.3A, a camera wireless mode is set to an access point (AP) mode in the mode selection area31.

The AP mode is a mode in which the camera10itself operates as an access point (that is, a master unit) to perform communication between the camera10and the information processing apparatus20. The station (ST) mode is a mode in which the camera10operates as a slave device, and is a mode in which the camera10and the information processing apparatus20communicate via different access point.

In the default state (that is, the initial setting), as illustrated inFIG.3A, “not to be deleted”, which is not to perform an automatic deletion, is selected in the automatic deletion setting area32. The automatic deletion setting area32includes a grace period setting area33in which the user can designate a grace period from image transfer to image deletion. The grace period setting area33is, for example, a list box for selecting the length of the grace period from among predetermined options, but in the default state, as illustrated inFIG.3A, this list box is invalidated.

Note that it is sufficient that the list box cannot be operated by the user in the default state, more strictly, in a state where “not to be deleted” can be selected in the automatic deletion setting area32, and the list box may be hidden instead of invalidating the list box.

In a case where the user desires to automatically delete the transferred image data from the recording medium11, the user may select “to be deleted” in the automatic deletion setting area32. As a result, the transferred image data is automatically deleted from the recording medium11in the image management processing performed by the processor21. As described above, in the information processing apparatus20, the user can easily switch between validating and invalidating of the automatic deletion function on the wireless setting screen30.

Furthermore, when “to be deleted” is selected, as illustrated inFIG.3B, the grace period setting area33(list box) is validated, and the length of the grace period from image transfer to image deletion can be selected. When the user selects the length of the grace period from the options in the grace period setting area33and presses the OK button, the processor21sets the grace period according to the user's selection. As described above, in the information processing apparatus20, the user can also set the grace period when the automatic deletion function is validated.

Note that, inFIG.3B, four options of “Immediately after transfer”, “After lapse of 30 days (from transfer)”, “After lapse of 60 days (from transfer)”, and “After lapse of 90 days (from transfer)” are illustrated, but the options selectable in the list box are not limited to this example. The options may include at least immediately after image transfer (inFIG.3B, “Immediately after transfer”) and a certain period after image transfer (inFIG.3B, “After lapse of 30 days”, “After lapse of 60 days”, and “After lapse of 90 days”).

As described above, in the information processing apparatus20, the processor21operates as a processing unit that executes a setting process of setting a grace period and a deletion process of deleting, from the recording medium11, the transferred image data in which a duplicate image data has been transferred from the recording medium11, which is an example of a first storage area, to the storage device22, which is an example of a second storage area different from the recording medium11, after a lapse of the grace period starting from the image transfer. Note that, more strictly, the starting period of the grace period is desirably set at the end of transfer of the image data.

Since the grace period until the automatic deletion can be set on the basis of the transfer timing, the information processing apparatus20can secure a time for the user to confirm whether the transfer has been normally ended even in a case where the automatic deletion function is validated. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate the concern of the user about the unexpected loss of the image data due to the transfer failure, and an effect of prompting the user to use the automatic deletion function can be expected.

Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus20, as illustrated inFIG.3B, the processor21which is a processing unit sets a grace period on the basis of an operation of the user from among options including immediately after image transfer and a certain period after image transfer.

That is, the user can freely select the length of the grace period. Therefore, the user can appropriately select the optimal grace period according to different environments for each system, such as the capacity of the recording medium11, the period during which the transferred image data is required as a backup, and the occurrence frequency of the image data. In general, the longer the grace period is set, the more image data is accumulated in the recording medium11, and thus, it takes time to perform image management processing (image transfer and deletion) per one time. However, according to the information processing apparatus20, it is possible to well balance the risk of image data loss and the processing time required for the image management processing.

FIG.4is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating another example of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a specific example of the image management processing performed by the information processing apparatus20in a state where the automatic deletion function is validated will be described with reference toFIGS.4and5.

First, an example in which automatic deletion is performed in synchronization with transfer of image data will be described with reference toFIG.4. In a case where the automatic transfer function of the image data from the camera10to the information processing apparatus20is validated, the processing illustrated inFIG.4is performed, for example, when the program22ais activated.

When the processing illustrated inFIG.4is started, the processor21first acquires a grace period from transfer of image data to automatic deletion (step S1). The grace period acquired in step S1is a period set in advance on the wireless setting screen30.

Thereafter, the processor21performs a transfer process (steps S2to S4) of transferring, from the recording medium11, the image data untransferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22which is an area different from the recording medium11, and a deletion process (steps S2and S5to S6) of deleting the transferred image data after a lapse of the grace period from the recording medium11.

Specifically, the processor21first confirms target data from the recording medium11(step S2). Here, image data to be transferred and image data to be deleted are confirmed. The image data to be transferred is untransferred image data that has not yet been transferred to the storage device22of the information processing apparatus20among the image data recorded in the recording medium11. In addition, the image data to be deleted is image data that has been transferred to the storage device22among the image data recorded in the recording medium11, and is image data for which a grace period acquired in step S1has elapsed since a duplicate of the image data was transferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22.

In step S2, the information processing apparatus20transmits an instruction to extract the target data to the camera10. In accordance with the extraction instruction from the information processing apparatus20, the camera10scans the recording medium11to extract the target data, and transmits the result to the information processing apparatus20. The information processing apparatus20confirms the target data on the basis of the information received from the camera10.

Next, the processor21determines the presence or absence of target data to be transferred (step S3), and in a case where there is image data to be transferred (step S3: YES), requests the information processing apparatus20to transfer the image data to be transferred (step S4). As a result, the camera10that has received the transfer request duplicates the image data to be transferred and transmits the duplicate to the information processing apparatus20, and the information processing apparatus20stores the duplicate of the image data to be transferred in the storage device22.

Further, the processor21determines the presence or absence of target data to be deleted (step S5), and in a case where there is image data to be deleted (step S5: YES), requests the information processing apparatus20to delete the image data to be deleted (step S6). That is, the processor21performs processing of transmitting a deletion request for requesting deletion of the transferred image data from the recording medium11to the camera10which is an imaging device. As a result, the camera10that has received the deletion request deletes the image data to be deleted from the recording medium11.

Note that, in a case where the information processing apparatus20periodically monitors the presence or absence of image data to be transferred, the processing ofFIG.4may be performed, not only at the time of startup, but also may be periodically performed while the program22ais operating. In addition, the processing illustrated inFIG.4is not limited to the case where the automatic transfer function of the image data is validated, and may be performed in a case where the user manually gives an instruction to transfer of the image data.

As illustrated inFIG.4, in addition to the setting processing and the deletion processing, the processor21as a processing unit executes a transfer processing of transferring an untransferred image from the recording medium11. In particular, by performing the transfer processing in synchronization with the deletion processing, the image data to be transferred and the image data to be deleted can be simultaneously extracted by performing one scan on the recording medium11. Therefore, the time required for the entire processing can be shortened as compared with the case where the transfer processing and the deletion processing are separately performed asynchronously.

Next, an example in which automatic deletion is performed asynchronously with transfer of image data will be described with reference toFIG.5. The processing illustrated inFIG.5is periodically performed, for example, while the program22ais operating.

When the processing illustrated inFIG.5is started, the processor21first acquires a grace period from transfer of image data to automatic deletion (step S11). The processing in step S11is similar to the processing in step S1inFIG.4.

Next, the processor21confirms the target data from the recording medium11(step S12). The processing in step S12is similar to the processing in step S2inFIG.4except that only image data to be deleted is confirmed.

Thereafter, the processor21determines the presence or absence of target data to be deleted (step S13), and in a case where there is image data to be deleted (step S13: YES), requests the information processing apparatus20to delete the image data to be deleted (step S14). As a result, the camera10that has received the deletion request deletes the image data to be deleted from the recording medium11.

Note that although the example in which the processing illustrated inFIG.5is periodically performed has been described above, the processing illustrated inFIG.5may be performed in a case where the user manually gives an instruction to delete the image data for which the grace period has elapsed.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the processor21as a processing unit may perform the deletion processing asynchronously with the transfer processing. As a result, only necessary processing can be performed at a necessary frequency. The execution of the deletion processing and the transfer processing asynchronously is particularly effective in a case where frequencies at which the deletion processing and the transfer processing are required are greatly different.

FIG.6is a diagram illustrating an example of transfer and deletion of image data from the recording medium11caused by the processing illustrated inFIG.4, and indicates an example of a case where the processing ofFIG.4is performed on a reference date (0 day), 60 days, 90 days, 120 days, and 150 days after the reference date.FIG.7is a flowchart of processing of updating a setting of a grace period. When the user performs an update operation of the grace period, the processor21detects the operation (step S101: YES), acquires information of the updated grace period designated by the user (step S102), and updates the setting of the grace period by performing processing such as rewriting a configuration file (step S103). Note that, in this example, a case where the grace period initially set to 90 days is changed to 30 days after the transfer in the middle of the grace period will be described.

When the processing illustrated inFIG.4is performed on the reference date (t0) on which the untransferred image data D1is recorded in the recording medium11, the untransferred image data D1is duplicated and the duplicate is transferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22. Note that the image data D1of the duplication source is not deleted from the recording medium11on the reference date (t0) since 90 days have not elapsed from the transfer.

When the processing illustrated inFIG.4is performed on a date of 60 days after the reference date (t1), untransferred image data D2recorded on the recording medium11on and after the reference date is duplicated, and the duplicate is transferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22. Note that the image data D1and the image data D2of the duplication source are not deleted from the recording medium11since the grace period of 90 days has not elapsed from the transfer of each image data on the date of 60 days after the reference date (t1).

When the processing illustrated inFIG.4is performed on a date of 90 days after the reference date (t2), untransferred image data D3recorded on the recording medium11on and after the date of 60 days after the reference date is duplicated, and the duplicate is transferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22. In addition, the image data D1of the duplication source is deleted from the recording medium11in the processing illustrated inFIG.4since the grace period of 90 days has elapsed from the transfer on the date of 90 days after the reference date (t2). On the other hand, the remaining image data D2and the image data D3of the duplication source are not deleted from the recording medium11since the grace period of 90 days has not elapsed from the transfer of each image data on the date of 90 days after the reference date (t2).

When the processing illustrated inFIG.4is performed on a date of 120 days after the reference date (t3), untransferred image data D4recorded on the recording medium11on and after the date of 90 days after the reference date is duplicated, and the duplicate is transferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22. Further, the image data D2and the image data D3of the duplication source are deleted from the recording medium11in the processing illustrated inFIG.4since the updated grace period of 30 days has elapsed from the transfer of each image data on the date of 120 days after the reference date (t3). On the other hand, the remaining image data D4of the duplication source is not deleted from the recording medium11on the date of 120 days after the reference date (t3) since the grace period of 30 days has not elapsed from the transfer.

When the processing illustrated inFIG.4is performed on a date of 150 days after the reference date (t4), untransferred image data D5recorded on the recording medium11on and after the date of 120 days after the reference date is duplicated, and the duplicate is transferred from the recording medium11to the storage device22. In addition, the image data D4of the duplication source is deleted from the recording medium11in the processing illustrated inFIG.4since the updated grace period of 30 days has elapsed from the transfer on the date of 150 days after the reference date (t4). On the other hand, the remaining image data D5of the duplication source is not deleted from the recording medium11on the date of 150 days after the reference date (t4) since the grace period of 30 days has not elapsed from the transfer.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the grace period can be updated as appropriate. In the information processing apparatus20, when the setting of the grace period is updated, the updated grace period is applied not only to the transferred image data duplicated after the update and to which the duplicate is transferred, but also to the transferred image data duplicated before the update and to which the duplicate is transferred. That is, the updated grace period is uniformly applied to the transferred image data regardless of the transfer time. Therefore, when the grace period is updated by the setting processing, the processor21, which is the processing unit, deletes the transferred image data that has not been deleted from the recording medium11at the time of update from the recording medium11after the lapse of the updated grace period starting from the transfer of the transferred image data.

In this manner, by applying the updated grace period to all of the transferred image data, the image management processing reflecting the intention of the user can be executed at an early stage. As a result, for example, when the user detects that the free capacity of the recording medium11is tight and sets the grace period to be short, the free capacity can be secured relatively early. In addition, by detecting that the time required for the image management processing per one time by the user becomes longer and setting the grace period to be short, the image processing time can be shortened relatively early.

Note that althoughFIG.6illustrates an example in which the grace period is shortened, the grace period may be lengthened in the middle. For example, when sufficient free capacity can be secured, the grace period may be extended, and the transferred image data recorded on the recording medium11may be used as a backup for a long period of time.

Second Embodiment

The system and the image management apparatus according to the present embodiment are different from the system1and the image management apparatus (the information processing apparatus20) according to the first embodiment in that a confirmation dialog is displayed on the display device24when the image data is automatically deleted from the recording medium11and the user is requested for final confirmation. Since components of the system and the image management apparatus are similar to those of the first embodiment, the same components are referred to by the same reference numerals.

FIG.8is a view illustrating a display example of the wireless setting screen according to the present embodiment. In the image management apparatus according to the present embodiment, the user can set the automatic deletion function on the wireless setting screen40illustrated inFIG.8instead of the wireless setting screen30illustrated inFIGS.3A and3B.

The wireless setting screen40is different from the wireless setting screen30in that a confirmation display setting area41is included in the automatic deletion setting area32. Note that the confirmation display setting area41is a check box for selecting whether or not to display a confirmation dialog when automatically deleting image data from the recording medium11. In a case where the user desires to perform final confirmation before deleting the transferred image data, the user may check the confirmation display setting area41.

Note that the confirmation display setting area41is invalidated or hidden so as not to be operated by the user in a state where “not to be deleted” is selected in the automatic deletion setting area32, similarly to the grace period setting area33.

FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;FIGS.10A and10Bare views each illustrating a display example of a confirmation dialog according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a specific example of the image management processing performed by the image management apparatus in a state where the automatic deletion function is validated and the confirmation dialog display is validated will be described with reference toFIGS.9to10B.

When the processing illustrated inFIG.9is started, the processor21first acquires a grace period from transfer of image data to automatic deletion (step S21). and confirms target data from the recording medium11(step S22). The processing in step S21and step S22is similar to the processing in step S1and step S2inFIG.4.

Thereafter, the processor21determines the presence or absence of target data to be transferred (step S23), and in a case where there is image data to be transferred (step S23: YES), requests the image management apparatus to transfer the image data to be transferred (step S24). The processing in step S23and step S24is similar to the processing in step S3and step S4inFIG.4.

Further, the processor21determines the presence or absence of target data to be deleted (step S25), and in a case where there is image data to be deleted (step S25: YES), displays a confirmation dialog on the display device24(step S26).

Note that, in step S26, the contents in the confirmation dialog may be changed according to the grace period acquired in step S21. For example, in a case where the grace period is 90 days, the confirmation dialog50illustrated inFIG.10Amay be displayed, and in a case where there is no grace period, that is, in a case of setting to delete image data immediately after image transfer, the confirmation dialog60illustrated inFIG.10Bmay be displayed.

When detecting an operation on the confirmation dialog (confirmation dialog50, confirmation dialog60) and confirming the intention of the user to execute deletion (step S27: YES), the processor21requests the image management apparatus to delete the image data to be deleted (step S28). As a result, the camera10that has received the deletion request deletes the image data to be deleted from the recording medium11.

When detecting an operation on the confirmation dialog (confirmation dialog50, confirmation dialog60) and confirming the intention of the user not to execute deletion (step S27: NO), the processor21ends processing illustrated inFIG.9without performing the deletion processing in step S28. As a result, the deletion processing is postponed until the next execution of the processing illustrated inFIG.9.

As described above, in the present embodiment, before deleting the transferred image data of the duplication source from the recording medium11, the processor21displays a confirmation dialog on the display device24to request the user for the final confirmation as to whether or not to delete the image data. Therefore, according to the image management apparatus according to the present embodiment, the user can postpone the deletion processing in a case where there is image data that the user wants to postpone the deletion even in the transferred image data after the grace period has elapsed, and can manually take necessary measures after the postpone.

Therefore, when setting the grace period, the user can individually cope with a situation in which the image data should be maintained beyond the grace period, which occurs irregularly, by postponing the deletion processing on the confirmation dialog while setting an appropriate grace period based on a normally assumed condition.

Third Embodiment

FIG.11is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. A system2according to the present embodiment includes a camera10, an information processing apparatus20, and an information processing apparatus70. The system2is different from the system1in that the untransferred image data recorded in the recording medium11of the camera10is transferred to a storage device71of the information processing apparatus70different from the information processing apparatus20instead of being transferred to the information processing apparatus20in which an image management application program operates.

As illustrated inFIG.11, the transfer destination of the image data is not limited to the information processing apparatus in which the image management application program operates, and can be arbitrarily set. Furthermore, the storage device of the transfer destination may be appropriately changed according to the free capacity of the storage device71of the transfer destination.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG.12is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to the present embodiment. A system3according to the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus20and an information processing apparatus70. The system3is different from the system2according to the third embodiment in that instead of transferring image data from the recording medium11of the camera10to the storage device71of the information processing apparatus70, image data is transferred from the storage device71of the information processing apparatus70to a storage device72.

As illustrated inFIG.12, the transfer source of the image data is not limited to the recording medium of the imaging device such as the camera10. The system3may be applied to, for example, transfer and automatic deletion of image data from a server that accumulates a large amount of image data to another server.

On the other hand, it is very useful to transfer image data from the recording medium11of the camera10and delete the image data after the lapse of the grace period. The capacity of the recording medium11of the camera10is often smaller than that of a storage device of a general information processing apparatus, and the free capacity is likely to be tight. By performing the automatic deletion processing, even in a case where the capacity of the recording medium11is small, it is possible to avoid a situation in which an inconvenience due to insufficient capacity occurs.

The above-described embodiments have been given as specific examples to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and should be understood as including various modifications and alternative embodiments of the above-described embodiments. For example, it will be understood that the above-described embodiments can be embodied by modifying components without departing from the spirit thereof. In addition, it will be understood that various embodiments can be implemented by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art may understand that various embodiments may be implemented by deleting some components from all the components shown in the embodiments or adding some components to the components shown in the embodiments. That is, the image management apparatus, the image management method, and the program described above can be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the information processing apparatus20inquires of the camera10about the presence or absence of the target data, the information processing apparatus20recognizes the presence of the target data, and then a request for image transfer and image deletion is transmitted to the information processing apparatus20. However, the request for the image transfer and image deletion from the information processing apparatus20to the camera10is not necessarily transmitted after the presence of the target data is recognized. For example, the camera10that has received the request for the image transfer and image deletion from the information processing apparatus20may check the presence or absence of the target data, execute the image transfer and the image deletion if there is the target data, and notify the information processing apparatus20of the result.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the user explicitly sets the grace period has been described. However, the grace period may be automatically set by the information processing apparatus20according to the free capacity, for example, in a case where the free capacity of the recording medium11is large, the grace period is set to be long, and in a case where the free capacity of the recording medium11is small, the grace period is set to be short. Furthermore, instead of completely leaving the setting of the grace period to one of the information processing apparatus20and the user, the user and the information processing apparatus20may cooperate to set the grace period. For example, by setting the free capacity (or the ratio thereof) to be secured by the user, the information processing apparatus20may estimate a grace period during which the free capacity set by the user is secured on the basis of past results or the like, and set the estimated grace period.

Although not particularly mentioned in the above-described embodiment, the determination as to whether or not the grace period has elapsed may be made based on 0:00 after the lapse of the designated number of days until the automatic deletion, and if there is deletion target data after 0:00, a deletion instruction may be issued. In addition, whether or not the grace period has elapsed may be determined by obtaining the number of elapsed days by dividing the elapsed time by24starting from the end of transfer, and determining whether or not the number of elapsed days exceeds the designated number of days. If there is deletion target data at an arbitrary timing, a deletion instruction may be issued. In the deletion instruction, for example, the information processing apparatus20may detect that the power of the camera10is turned on, and then may issue the deletion instruction to the camera10.