Imaging system, server, communication terminals, imaging method, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To enable even a user who knows little about a camera to image a picture that is just a picture the user wants to image.SOLUTION: In an imaging system, a server, communication terminals, an imaging method, a program, and a storage medium, a tag in a text form related to a first picture is acquired for each first picture. The first picture, a setting value on imaging of a first communication terminal at the time of the first picture being imaged, and the tag in the text form are stored in a memory in association with one another. A retrieval key in a text form is received from a second communication terminal. A first picture associated with a tag agreeing with the retrieval key is retrieved from first pictures stored in the memory. A setting value associated with the retrieved first picture is acquired from set values stored in the memory. The acquired setting value is set to the second communication terminal. A picture is imaged on the basis of the set setting value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a photography system, a server, a communication terminal, a photography method, a program, and a recording medium that photographs an image using camera photography setting values ​​when an image with similar features was photographed by another user, depending on the features of the image that the user will next photograph. [Background technology]

[0002] Users with little knowledge of cameras simply aim the camera at a subject such as a child and take pictures with the camera set to auto mode, without realizing that they can actually take images (photos) with a variety of expressions by changing the camera settings. Alternatively, users with little knowledge of cameras may find an image they like through a social networking service (SNS), but may not know how to change the camera settings to capture that image, so they give up before actually taking the photo.

[0003] Also, for example, if you come across a beautiful image of your child at a sports day on social media, and you want to take an image like that, you soon forget about it, and when the actual sports day comes around, you end up taking images with the camera still set to auto mode without even thinking about it. Furthermore, there are also users who do not have a clear understanding of the images they like and the images they want to take.

[0004] Here, prior art documents that serve as references for the present invention include, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4.

[0005] Patent document 1 describes a network control device that receives attribute information of multiple images, including information about the color temperature of the images, from multiple digital cameras, determines common parameters to be used in image processing for the multiple images based on the attribute information of the multiple images received, and sequentially displays the multiple images that have been image processed using the determined common parameters on a display unit.

[0006] Patent Document 2 describes an imaging device that acquires detection information of an imaging signal captured by another camera and uses this detection information to perform imaging control and signal processing control adapted to the captured scene.

[0007] Patent document 3 describes a photography condition data distribution system in which an image of a subject to be photographed is sent from a digital camera to a server, and the server extracts the characteristics of the subject from the image of the subject, searches for a sample image similar to the subject image from among sample images stored in association with photography condition data based on the characteristic information contained in the sample image, extracts the photography condition data, and distributes it from the server to the digital camera.

[0008] Patent document 4 describes an imaging system in which a server searches for image information corresponding to location information received from a digital camera from among image information stored in association with location information, transmits the searched image information and attached control information for setting shooting conditions for the digital camera to the digital camera, and sets the shooting conditions in the digital camera based on the control information received from the server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-065448 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-180024 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-333498 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-348519 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Although Patent Document 1 attempts to reduce variations in color tone, etc., among multiple images, these do not necessarily correspond to the color tone, etc., preferred by the user viewing the images. Furthermore, if it were possible to change the settings related to photography on a digital camera, it would be possible to achieve expressions that cannot be achieved through image processing, but Patent Document 1 does not mention changing the settings related to photography on a digital camera.

[0011] In Patent Document 2, a plurality of cameras are required to perform control adapted to the shooting scene.

[0012] Patent Document 3 describes storing sample photos and their shooting data in association with each famous photographer, but does not describe acquiring and using photos taken by other users and their shooting data from their digital cameras. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 describes that sample images include feature information in addition to image data, but does not describe analyzing the sample images to acquire feature quantities of the sample images.

[0013] Patent Document 4 describes that control information is added to image information, but does not describe acquiring and using image information and its control information for images taken by other users from their digital cameras. Also, Patent Document 4 describes storing image information in association with location information, but does not describe analyzing the image information to acquire image location information.

[0014] To provide a photography system, a server, a communication terminal, a photography method, a program, and a recording medium that enable even a user with little knowledge of cameras to take an image that the user wants to take. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a server accessed by a plurality of communication terminals owned by a plurality of users, comprising: a first processor, the first processor comprising: receiving, from one or more first communication terminals, a first image captured by the first communication terminal and a setting value related to photography of the first communication terminal when the first image was captured; For each first image, obtaining a text tag associated with the first image; storing the first image, the setting value, and the text tag in association with each other in the memory; receiving a search key in text format from a second communication terminal; Searching for a first image associated with a tag that matches the search key from among the first images stored in the memory; obtaining a setting value associated with the first image retrieved by the first processor from among the setting values ​​stored in the memory; A server is provided that transmits the setting value obtained by the first processor to the second communication terminal.

[0016] Here, the first processor: storing the first image, the setting value, and the text tag in association with each other for each user in a memory; Analyzing image preferences of the user of the second communication terminal based on the text tags of the first images of the user of the second communication terminal stored in the memory; Preferably, the first images stored in the memory are searched for a first image associated with a text tag that matches or is similar to the image preferences of the user of the second communication terminal.

[0017] The first processor also receiving, from the first communication terminal, at least one of a positive rating and a negative rating voted for the first image by a user of the first communication terminal; storing in memory the first image and the number of all ratings voted for the first image in association with each other; receiving an instruction for a search based on the evaluation from the second communication terminal; Preferably, in response to an instruction, a predetermined number of first images are retrieved from among the first images stored in the memory based on the number of ratings.

[0018] The first processor also receiving a voting date and time of the evaluation from the first communication terminal; storing the first image and the voting date and time of the evaluation in a memory in association with each other; receiving a voting period for the evaluation from the second communication terminal; It is preferable to search for a first image for which an evaluation was cast on a voting date and time within the evaluation voting period from among the first images stored in the memory.

[0019] The first processor also As a text tag, a text tag of the broadest concept in the first hierarchy is obtained, and text tags of concepts in the second hierarchy to the nth hierarchy, which are successively narrower than the concept in the first hierarchy, are obtained, where n is an integer of 2 or more. It is preferable to use at least one of the text tags of concepts from the first to nth layers to search for a predetermined number of first images from among the first images stored in the memory.

[0020] The first processor also receiving information on a first image selected by a user of the second communication terminal from among the plurality of first images searched by the first processor; It is preferable to acquire a setting value associated with the first image corresponding to the information of the first image from among the setting values ​​stored in the memory.

[0021] Furthermore, the setting values ​​preferably include at least one value of the aperture, shutter speed, focal length, and ISO sensitivity of the first communication terminal when the first image was captured.

[0022] Preferably, the text tag includes at least one of header information of the first image, a subject appearing in the first image, and a scene of the first image.

[0023] The present invention also provides a communication system including any one of the above-described servers and a plurality of communication terminals, the first communication terminal comprises a second processor; the second communication terminal comprises a third processor; The second processor transmits the first image and the setting value to the server; The third processor is receiving, from the server, the setting value obtained by the first processor; setting the setting value received by the third processor in the second communication terminal; An imaging system is provided that captures an image based on setting values ​​set by a third processor.

[0024] Here, the communication terminal includes a camera, the camera of the first communication terminal has a second processor; the camera of the second communication terminal has a third processor; The second processor transmits the first image and the setting value to the server; the third processor receives the setting value acquired by the first processor from the server; setting the setting value received by the third processor in the camera of the second communication terminal; Preferably, the image is captured based on settings set by the third processor.

[0025] The third processor recognizes a subject appearing in the through image captured by the third processor and outputs information about the subject; Each time the third processor recognizes a subject in the through image and outputs information about a different subject, The third processor transmits the information of the subject to the server, The first processor receiving information about a subject from a camera of the second communication terminal; Searching for a first image associated with a text tag of the subject that matches or is similar to the information of the subject from among the first images stored in the memory; obtaining a setting value associated with the first image retrieved by the first processor from among the setting values ​​stored in the memory; transmitting the setting value acquired by the first processor to the second communication terminal; The third processor is receiving, from the server, the setting value obtained by the first processor; It is preferable to repeat the operation of setting the setting value received by the third processor in the camera of the second communication terminal.

[0026] The communication terminal includes a camera having a communication function and an information terminal having a communication function, the information terminal of the first communication terminal has a second processor; the information terminal of the second communication terminal has a fourth processor, and the camera of the second communication terminal has a fifth processor; the second processor transmits the first image and the setting values ​​received from the camera of the first communication terminal via the communication function to the server; the fourth processor receives the setting value acquired by the first processor from the server; It is preferable that the fifth processor sets the setting values ​​received from the information terminal of the second communication terminal via the communication function in the camera of the second communication terminal, and captures an image based on the setting values ​​set by the fifth processor.

[0027] The present invention also provides a second processor, the second processor comprising: Sending the first image and the setting values ​​to the server; receiving, from the server, the setting value obtained by the first processor; setting the setting value received by the second processor in the communication terminal; A communication terminal is provided that captures an image based on a setting value set by a second processor.

[0028] The present invention also provides a photographing method in a photographing system including a plurality of communication terminals owned by a plurality of users and a server accessed by the plurality of communication terminals, the method comprising: a step of transmitting, from one or more first communication terminals, a first image captured by the first communication terminal and a setting value related to photography of the first communication terminal at the time the first image was captured, to a server; a first receiving unit of the server receiving a first image and a setting value for the first image from the first communication terminal; A tag acquisition unit of the server analyzes each first image and acquires a text tag related to the first image; storing the first image, the setting value, and the tag in text format in association with each other in a memory of the server; a step of receiving a search key in text format from a second communication terminal by a first receiving unit; An image search unit of the server searches for a first image associated with a tag that matches the search key from among the first images stored in the memory; a setting value acquisition unit of the server acquiring setting values ​​associated with the first image searched for by the image search unit of the server from setting values ​​stored in the memory; a step in which a first transmission unit of the server transmits the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit to the second communication terminal; a step in which a second receiving unit of the second communication terminal receives the setting value acquired by the setting value acquiring unit from the server; a setting unit of the second communication terminal setting the setting value received by the second receiving unit in the second communication terminal; and a step of the photographing unit of the second communication terminal photographing an image based on the setting value set by the setting unit.

[0029] The present invention also provides a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the above-described photographing method.

[0030] The present invention also provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the above-described photographing method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] According to the present invention, a user can capture an image using the same settings as those of the communication terminal when an image having characteristics that match or are similar to those of the image to be captured next was captured. Therefore, even a user with little knowledge of cameras can quickly and easily capture the image they want to capture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the imaging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the imaging system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, the photographing system, server, communication terminal, photographing method, program, and recording medium of the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an imaging system of the present invention. The imaging system 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a plurality of communication terminals 14 owned by a plurality of users, and a server 12 accessed by the plurality of communication terminals 14. The server 12 and each of the plurality of communication terminals 14 are connected to each other via a network 16 such as the Internet, a telephone line, or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity). This allows the server 12 and each of the communication terminals 14 to send and receive data to and from each other.

[0035] The server 12 receives an image captured by the communication terminal 14 and the setting values ​​related to photography of the communication terminal 14 at the time the image was captured, and in response to a request from a user, transmits setting values ​​suitable for the features of the image the user will next capture to the user's communication terminal 14. As shown in FIG. 2 , the server 12 includes a first receiving unit 18, a feature acquisition unit 20, a memory unit 22, an image search unit 24, a preference analysis unit 26, a setting value acquisition unit 28, and a first transmitting unit 30.

[0036] The first receiving unit 18 receives various types of data from the communication terminal 14. For example, the first receiving unit 18 receives from the first communication terminal 14 a first image captured by the first communication terminal 14 and setting values ​​related to the capture of the first communication terminal 14 when the first image was captured. The first receiving unit 18 also receives from the second communication terminal 14 feature amounts of the second image.

[0037] The first communication terminal 14 is one or more of the plurality of communication terminals 14, and transmits the first image and its setting values ​​to the server 12. The first image is one or more images taken by the first communication terminal 14. The setting values ​​are values ​​of various setting items (photography conditions) related to photography of the first communication terminal 14, and are not particularly limited, but preferably include at least one value of the aperture, shutter speed, focal length, and ISO sensitivity of the first communication terminal 14 when the first image was photographed. The setting values ​​may also include values ​​of other setting items. The setting values ​​can be extracted from header information such as Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) that the first image has.

[0038] The second communication terminal 14 is one of the multiple communication terminals 14, and transmits the features of the second image to the server 12, and receives from the server 12 setting values ​​suitable for the features of the image that the user of the second communication terminal 14 will next take. The second image is a sample image for the user of second communication terminal 14 to search for a first image having features that match or are similar to the features of the image that the user will next take using second communication terminal 14.

[0039] The feature amount acquiring unit 20 analyzes each first image received by the first receiving unit 18 with respect to one or more analysis items, and acquires the feature amount of the first image.

[0040] The analysis items are not particularly limited, but may include an analysis of the image quality of the first image, such as the brightness (luminance), color (saturation), sharpness, contrast, and degree of blurring of the first image. The analysis items may include analysis of the content of the first image, such as detecting subjects (people and non-people objects) appearing in the first image, detecting the number of subjects, detecting the movement of the subjects, detecting the behavior of the subjects, and detecting the scene of the first image. The analysis items may include analysis of the attributes of the first image, such as the shooting date and time, the shooting location, the model name of the communication terminal 14, and the lens name, which are included in the header information of the first image.

[0041] The feature quantity is a numerical representation of various pieces of information regarding the characteristics of the first image based on the results of analyzing the first image, and is not particularly limited, but numerical representations of the following (1) to (4), etc., can be used. (1) Information about the image quality of the first image, such as the brightness and sharpness of the first image. (2) Information about the content of the first image, such as the subjects appearing in the first image, the number of subjects, the movement of the subjects, the behavior of the subjects, and the scene of the first image. (3) Information about the attributes of the first image: Various information acquired from the header information of the first image, such as the date and time when the first image was taken, the location where the image was taken, the model name and lens name of the communication terminal 14, and other information unrelated to the setting values. (4) Information representing the feature quantities of the first image, such as the image quality, content, and attributes, estimated by the decision model (trained model), as a multidimensional vector of 512 dimensions, for example, information about the subject and scene in the first image.

[0042] The feature acquisition unit 20 may acquire the feature of the first image using a judgment program or the like that analyzes one or more analysis items through image analysis, or may estimate the feature of the first image using a first judgment model. Here, the first judgment model is a trained model that has learned the relationship between the first training image and the feature values ​​of this first training image for multiple first training data, using the first training image and the feature values ​​of this first training image as first training data. The first determination model receives a first image as an input and estimates the feature amount of the first image.

[0043] The feature amount is not particularly limited, but preferably includes at least one of the header information of the first image, the subject appearing in the first image, and the scene of the first image. Other feature amounts may also be included. The items in the header information used as the feature amount are also not particularly limited, but preferably include at least one of the date and time the first image was taken, the location where the image was taken, the model name of first communication terminal 14, and the lens name. Other items in the header information may also be included as the feature amount.

[0044] The storage unit 22 is a memory that stores a database including various data related to the first images, and stores the first images, their setting values, and feature amounts in association with each other for each first image. For example, the storage unit 22 stores these data for each user. The storage unit 22 is not particularly limited, but may be a memory device such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0045] The preference analysis unit 26 analyzes the image preference of the user of the second communication terminal 14 based on the feature amount of the first image of the user of the second communication terminal 14 stored in the storage unit 22.

[0046] A user's image preferences represent the tendency of the images that the user likes to take. For example, if the feature amount of the first image includes a specific camera model name and lens name frequently, the preference analysis unit 26 analyzes that the user likes to take images using the communication terminal 14 with that model name and lens name. Also, if the feature amount of the first image includes a "children" frequently, the preference analysis unit 26 analyzes that the user likes to take images of "children." Furthermore, if the feature amount of the first image includes an "athletic meet" in autumn frequently, the preference analysis unit 26 analyzes that the user likes to take images of that "athletic meet" in that season.

[0047] The image search unit 24 searches the first images stored in the memory unit 22 for first images associated with features that match or are similar to the features of the second image received from the second communication terminal 14 by the first receiving unit 18. The image search unit 24 also searches the first images stored in the memory unit 22 for first images associated with features that match or are similar to the image preferences of the user of the second communication terminal 14 analyzed by the preference analysis unit 26. For example, if the feature amount of the second image is "child," the image search unit 24 searches for a first image associated with the feature amount of "child" from among the first images stored in the storage unit 22. Furthermore, if the preference analysis unit 26 analyzes that the user's image preference is that the user likes to take images of "child," the image search unit 24 searches for a first image associated with the feature amount of "child" from among the first images stored in the storage unit 22.

[0048] The setting value acquisition unit 28 acquires, from the setting values ​​stored in the storage unit 22, the setting values ​​associated with the first image searched for by the image search unit 24. For example, when one first image is searched for by the image search unit 24, the setting value acquisition unit 28 acquires the setting values ​​associated with this one first image from the setting values ​​stored in the storage unit 22. On the other hand, when multiple first images are searched for by the image search unit 24, the setting value acquisition unit 28 acquires, from the setting values ​​stored in the storage unit 22, the setting values ​​associated with one first image selected by the user of the second communication terminal 14 from the multiple first images.

[0049] The first transmission unit 30 transmits various types of data to the communication terminal 14. For example, the first transmission unit 30 transmits the setting values ​​acquired by the setting value acquisition unit 28, the first image searched by the image search unit 24, etc. to the second communication terminal 14.

[0050] The communication terminal 14 transmits to the server 12 an image captured by the communication terminal 14 and the setting values ​​of the communication terminal 14 at the time the image was captured, and receives from the server 12, in response to a request from the user, setting values ​​of the communication terminal 14 that are suitable for the features of the image that the user will next capture.

[0051] In this embodiment, the communication terminal 14 includes a camera 32 with a communication function and a portable information terminal 34 with a communication function. The camera 32 is a digital single-lens reflex camera or the like, and includes a setting unit 46 and a photographing unit 48, as shown in Fig. 3. The portable information terminal 34 is a smartphone or the like, and includes a second transmitting unit 36, an input unit 38, a display control unit 40, a display unit 42, and a second receiving unit 44, as also shown in Fig. 3. The camera 32 and the mobile information terminal 34 also include other components than those described above, but the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0052] The camera 32 and the mobile information terminal 34 can be connected to each other by wire, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or wirelessly, for example, by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi, and can send and receive data between them using their respective communication functions. The communication functions of the camera 32 and the mobile information terminal 34 include a transmission function using a known transmitter and a reception function using a known receiver. Note that a detailed description of the connection between the camera 32 and the mobile information terminal 34 and the transmission and reception of data will be omitted.

[0053] In the mobile information terminal 34, the second receiving unit 44 receives various data from the server 12. For example, the second receiving unit 44 of the second communication terminal 14 receives, from the server 12, the setting values ​​acquired by the setting value acquiring unit 28, the first image searched for by the image searching unit 24, etc.

[0054] The input unit 38 acquires various instructions and the like input by the user. The input unit 38 is not particularly limited, but acquires various instructions and the like input by the user by touch operation using a touch panel provided on the display unit 42 on an operation screen (graphical user interface) of an application for implementing the present invention displayed on the display unit 42, in addition to instructions input using physical buttons of the mobile information terminal 34. For example, the input unit 38 of the first communication terminal 14 receives instructions to transmit the first image and its setting values ​​to the server 12, etc. The input unit 38 of the second communication terminal 14 receives instructions to transmit the feature amount of the second image to the server 12, instructions to select one image from the list of first images displayed on the display unit 42, and instructions as to whether or not to set the setting values ​​received from the server 12 in the camera 32, etc.

[0055] The display control unit 40 causes various types of information to be displayed on the display unit 42. For example, the display control unit 40 causes the display unit 42 to display images captured by the imaging unit 48, a list of first images received from the server 12, various operation screens, and the like.

[0056] The display unit 42 is a display that displays various information under the control of the display control unit 40. The display unit 42 is not particularly limited, but is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0057] The second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits various types of data to the server 12. For example, the second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits at least one of a first image and its setting values, and a feature amount of a second image to the server 12. More specifically, the second transmission unit 36 ​​of the first communication terminal 14 transmits the first image and its setting values ​​to the server 12, and the second transmission unit 36 ​​of the second communication terminal 14 transmits the feature amount of the second image to the server 12. The second transmission unit 36 ​​also transmits various instructions and the like acquired by the input unit 38 to the server 12.

[0058] In camera 32, setting unit 46 sets the setting value received from mobile information terminal 34 of second communication terminal 14 via the communication function in camera 32. For example, setting unit 46 of second communication terminal 14 sets the setting value in camera 32 of second communication terminal 14.

[0059] The photographing unit 48 photographs an image when the user presses the shutter button. For example, the photographing unit 48 of the second communication terminal 14 photographs an image based on the setting values ​​set by the setting unit 46 of the second communication terminal 14.

[0060] Instead of the mobile information terminal 34, an information terminal such as a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, or a tablet PC having a communication function may be used.

[0061] Next, the operation of the imaging system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0062] First, the user takes an image using camera 32 of first communication terminal 14. For example, as shown in the left part of FIG. 5, the user takes an image of their child running a footrace at an athletic meet. In this case, when the user presses the shutter button of camera 32, image capturing unit 48 captures an image of their child at the athletic meet (step S1). Note that the setting values ​​of camera 32 in this case are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an auto mode.

[0063] After capturing an image, the user connects the camera 32 to the mobile information terminal 34 and issues an instruction to transmit the image, and this instruction is acquired by the input unit 38. In response to this instruction, as shown in the left part of Fig. 5, the image and the setting values ​​related to the camera 32 when the image was captured are transmitted from the camera 32 to the mobile information terminal 34 via the communication function. In this embodiment, the setting values ​​of the camera 32 include the shutter speed, aperture, and focal length. 5, the image (first image) and its setting values ​​received from the camera 32 by the communication function are transmitted from the mobile information terminal 34 to the server 12 by the second transmission unit 36.

[0064] Note that a setting value extraction unit may be provided in the first communication terminal 14, and the setting value extraction unit of the first communication terminal 14 may extract setting values ​​from the header information of the image and transmit the setting values ​​from the communication terminal 14 to the server 12. Alternatively, a setting value extraction unit may be provided in the server 12, and the setting value extraction unit of the server 12 may extract setting values ​​from the header information of the image received from the first communication terminal 14.

[0065] Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives the first image and its setting values ​​from the first communication terminal 14 (step S2). Next, the first image received by the first receiving unit 18 is analyzed by the feature amount acquiring unit 20, and its feature amount is acquired (step S3). In the present embodiment, the subject appearing in the first image and the scene of the first image are acquired as the feature amount of the first image. Next, as shown in Table 1, the ID (Identification) for each user, the first image represented by the image name, the model name and lens name of the camera 32, the setting values ​​of the camera 32 received by the first receiving unit 18, namely, the shutter speed, aperture, and focal length, and the subject and scene, which are the features of the first image acquired by the feature acquisition unit 20, are associated and stored in the memory unit 22 (step S4).

[0066] [Table 1]

[0067] The first images stored in the storage unit 22 are made public to all users who use the photography system 10. That is, each user can freely view all of the first images of multiple users stored in the storage unit 22 on their own communication terminal 14.

[0068] Here, when a user has an image they want to capture, in other words, a user who clearly knows the subject and scene they will capture next, when capturing an image using camera 32, they can select one first image from the first images stored in memory unit 22 that matches or is similar to the image they will capture next, and then capture the next image using the settings of camera 32 that were in effect when this selected first image was captured.

[0069] In this case, when the user inputs an instruction to view a list of the first images stored in the storage unit 22 at the second communication terminal 14, the input unit 38 of the mobile information terminal 34 acquires this instruction. Subsequently, the instruction acquired by the input unit 38 is transmitted to the server 12 by the second transmission unit 36.

[0070] Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives an instruction from the second communication terminal 14. In response to this instruction, the first transmitting unit 30 transmits a list of the first images stored in the storage unit 22 to the second communication terminal 14.

[0071] Subsequently, in the second communication terminal 14, the second receiving unit 44 of the mobile information terminal 34 receives the list of the first images from the server 12. Then, the list of the first images received by the second receiving unit 44 is displayed on the display unit 42 of the mobile information terminal 34 under the control of the display control unit 40, as shown in the right part of FIG.

[0072] Here, the user can search and narrow down the first images based on, for example, the model name of the camera 32, the lens name, the subject, the scene, etc., as the feature amount of the second image.

[0073] In this case, when the user inputs, for example, "sports day" and "children" on the second communication terminal 14, the input unit 38 of the mobile information terminal 34 acquires "sports day" and "children" as features of the second image. Subsequently, the feature amount of the second image acquired by the input unit 38 is transmitted to the server 12 by the second transmission unit 36.

[0074] Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives the feature amount of the second image from the second communication terminal 14 (step S5). Next, the image search unit 24 searches the first images stored in the storage unit 22 for a first image having features that match the features of "sports day" and "children" of the second image, i.e., a first image associated with the features of "sports day" and "children" (step S6). For example, in the example of Table 1, an image with the image name "Sample1.jpg" whose subject feature includes "children" and whose scene feature includes "sports day" is searched for. Then, a list of the first images searched by the image search unit 24 is transmitted by the first transmission unit 30 to the second communication terminal 14.

[0075] Next, in the second communication terminal 14, a list of first images searched by the image search unit 24 is received from the server 12 by the second receiving unit 44 of the mobile information terminal 34, and as shown in the right part of Figure 5, the list of first images received by the second receiving unit 44 is displayed on the display unit 42 under the control of the display control unit 40. Next, the user selects one first image from the list of first images displayed on the display unit 42 that has features closest to the features of the image the user will take next (step S7), and information about the first image selected by the user is acquired by the input unit 38. Subsequently, the information of the first image acquired by the input unit 38 is transmitted to the server 12 by the second transmission unit 36.

[0076] Subsequently, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives information about the first image from the second communication terminal 14. Next, the setting value acquisition unit 28 acquires, from the setting values ​​stored in the memory unit 22, the setting value associated with the first image corresponding to the information of the first image received by the first receiving unit 18 (step S8). Next, the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit 28 is transmitted to the second communication terminal 14 by the first transmission unit 30 (step S9).

[0077] Subsequently, in the second communication terminal 14, the second receiving unit 44 of the portable information terminal 34 receives the setting value from the server 12. Next, the setting value received by the second receiving unit 44 and a message prompting the user to set the value, such as "Do you want to set this? Yes / No", are displayed on the display unit 42 under the control of the display control unit 40.

[0078] If the user selects "No" (No in step S10), the process ends. In this case, the user can select a desired image from the list of first images, for example, and perform the above operation again. On the other hand, if the user connects the camera 32 to the mobile information terminal 34 and selects "Yes" (Yes in step S10), the setting values ​​received by the second receiving unit 44 are transmitted from the mobile information terminal 34 to the camera 32 via the communication function, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0079] Next, the setting values ​​received from the portable information terminal 34 via the communication function are set in the camera 32 by the setting unit 46 of the camera 32 (step S11). After the setting of the set value is completed, a message such as "Setting completed" is displayed on the display unit 42 under the control of the display control unit 40 of the portable information terminal 34. In response to this, the user of the second communication terminal 14 uses the camera 32, whose settings have been set by the setting unit 46, to take the next image to be taken, for example, an image of their child running a footrace at a sports day, as shown in the right part of Figure 5 (step S12).

[0080] This allows the user to capture an image using the same settings of the camera 32 as when an image having characteristics that match or are similar to the characteristics of the image to be captured next was captured. Therefore, even a user with little knowledge of cameras can quickly and easily capture the image they want to capture.

[0081] On the other hand, a user who does not have a particular image they want to capture, in other words, a user who does not have a particular subject or scene to capture next, can select one first image from the first images stored in the memory unit 22 that match the user's preferences, automatically searched by the server 12, and can capture an image using the settings of the camera 32 that were in effect when the selected one first image was captured.

[0082] In this case, in the server 12, the preference analysis unit 26 analyzes the image preferences of the user of the second communication terminal 14 based on the features of the first image of the user of the second communication terminal 14 stored in the memory unit 22, for example, the model name and lens name of the camera 32 when the first image of the user of the second communication terminal 14 was taken, the subject appearing in the first image of the user of the second communication terminal 14, and the scene of the first image of the user of the second communication terminal 14.

[0083] For example, if the feature of the first image of the user of the second communication terminal 14 stored in the memory unit 22 is "children" in large numbers, that is, if the user of the second communication terminal 14 frequently takes images of "children," it is analyzed that the user likes to take images of "children."

[0084] Next, the image search unit 24 searches the first images stored in the memory unit 22 for first images associated with features that match or are similar to the user's preferences analyzed by the preference analysis unit 26.

[0085] For example, images are searched for that were taken using a camera with the same model name and a lens with the same lens name as the user of second communication terminal 14, that contain a subject that matches the image preferences of the user of second communication terminal 14, and that depict scenes from an event close to the current date. For example, for a user who frequently takes images of "children," images of "children" taken at a sports day event in October 2020 using a camera with the same model name and a lens with the same lens name are searched for.

[0086] Next, a list of the first images searched by the image search unit 24 is transmitted by the first transmission unit 30 to the second communication terminal 14.

[0087] Subsequently, in the second communication terminal 14, the second receiving unit 44 of the mobile information terminal 34 receives the list of the first images from the server 12. Then, the list of first images received by the second receiving unit 44 is displayed on the display unit 42 under the control of the display control unit 40. That is, a list of first images that match the user's preferences is proposed to the user. The subsequent operations are the same.

[0088] As a result, even if a user does not have a particular image that he or she wants to take, the user can quickly and easily take an image that matches the user's preferences by using the setting values ​​of the camera 32 at the time when an image selected from images analyzed to match the user's preferences was taken.

[0089] The analysis, search, and display of images based on user preferences may be performed periodically, for example, once a day or once an hour, or may be performed only once, such as when an application implementing the present invention is launched or when a web page implementing the present invention is opened.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the user of second communication terminal 14 views a list of first images displayed on display unit 42 of mobile information terminal 34 under the control of display control unit 40, but this is not limited to this, and the list of first images can also be viewed on camera 32. In this case, camera 32 has input unit 38, display control unit 40, and display unit 42 similar to those of mobile information terminal 34. The operation when viewing a list of first images on camera 32 is similar.

[0091] Furthermore, the communication terminal 14 does not necessarily have to include the mobile information terminal 34, and may include only the camera 32. In this case, the camera 32 includes a second receiving unit 44, an input unit 38, a display control unit 40, a display unit 42, and a second transmitting unit 36 ​​similar to those of the portable information terminal 34, in addition to a setting unit 46 and an imaging unit 48. First, the second transmitting unit 36 ​​of the camera 32 of the first communication terminal 14 transmits the first image and its setting values ​​to the server 12 . Meanwhile, the feature amount of the second image is transmitted to the server 12 by the second transmission unit 36 ​​of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14 . Subsequently, the setting values ​​acquired by the setting value acquisition unit 28 are received from the server 12 by the second receiving unit 44 of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14. Subsequently, the setting value received by the second receiving unit 44 of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14 is set in the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14 by the setting unit 46 of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14 . Then, based on the setting values ​​set by the setting unit 46 of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14, the image is taken by the photographing unit 48 of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14. The operations of the input unit 38, display control unit 40 and display unit 42 of the camera 32 other than those described above are similar to those of the input unit 38, display control unit 40 and display unit 42 of the portable information terminal 34.

[0092] This allows the user to take images in the same way as if they had the mobile information terminal 34, even if they do not have the mobile information terminal 34.

[0093] In addition, when viewing the list of first images, the user of the second communication terminal 14 can search for and narrow down the first images included in the list based on at least one of the positive and negative ratings voted for the first images.

[0094] In this case, when viewing the list of first images, the user of first communication terminal 14 not only selects one first image from the list of first images, but also taps and selects a button for voting a positive or negative rating for any first image, thereby voting a positive or negative rating for that first image. In response, second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits this rating to server 12.

[0095] Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives, from the first communication terminal 14, the rating voted for the first image by the user of the first communication terminal 14. Next, the first image and the number of all ratings cast for this first image are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 22. For example, each time the first receiving unit 18 receives a positive rating cast for the first image, the number of positive ratings for this first image is increased by one. The same applies to negative ratings.

[0096] When narrowing down the first images based on the evaluation, if the user of the second communication terminal 14 inputs an instruction to search based on the evaluation, the input unit 38 acquires this instruction. Subsequently, the second transmitting unit 36 ​​transmits this instruction to the server 12. Subsequently, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives this instruction from the second communication terminal 14. Next, in response to this instruction, the image search unit 24 searches for a predetermined number of first images from among the first images stored in the storage unit 22 based on the number of ratings. For example, the image search unit 24 may search for a single first image with the most positive ratings, or multiple first images from the side with the most positive ratings. Alternatively, the image search unit 24 may exclude multiple first images from the side with the most negative ratings and search for the remaining first images. Furthermore, the image search unit 24 may search for a single first image with the largest number of negative ratings minus the largest number of positive ratings, or multiple first images from the side with the largest number of negative ratings. The subsequent operations are the same.

[0097] This allows the user of the second communication terminal 14 to take an image using the same setting values ​​as those of the first communication terminal 14 when an image that is popular with multiple users is taken, even if there is no particular image that the user wants to take.

[0098] In addition, when viewing the list of first images, the user can search and narrow down the first images by the voting period for the evaluation of the first images, such as images from the last week, images from the last month, or images from the last year.

[0099] In this case, in the first communication terminal 14, the second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits to the server 12 the date and time of the vote for the evaluation of the first image.

[0100] Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives this voting date and time from the first communication terminal 14. Next, the first image and the voting date and time received by the first receiving unit 18 are stored in the storage unit 22 in association with each other.

[0101] When narrowing down the first images based on the voting period for evaluation, when the user of the second communication terminal 14 inputs the voting period for evaluation of the first images, the input unit 38 acquires this voting period. Subsequently, the second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits this voting period to the server 12.

[0102] Subsequently, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives this voting period from the second communication terminal 14. Next, the image search unit 24 searches the first images stored in the storage unit 22 for first images for which evaluations were cast on the voting date and time within the voting period received by the first receiving unit 18. The subsequent operations are the same.

[0103] This allows the user to take an image using the same setting values ​​as the setting values ​​of the first communication terminal 14 when a trendy image that reflects the trends during the voting period for evaluation was taken. Also, by narrowing down the images by, for example, the most recent voting period, the user can narrow down the images to those taken with newly released cameras, lenses, etc., and therefore can use setting values ​​suitable for newly released cameras, lenses, etc.

[0104] Furthermore, when viewing the list of first images, the user can search for and narrow down the images based on the subject that appears in the first image.

[0105] In this case, the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14 is provided with a subject recognition section that recognizes a subject appearing in a through image captured by the photographing section 48 and outputs information about the subject. Then, in the second communication terminal 14, the subject recognition unit recognizes a subject captured in the through image, and the following operation is repeated each time information on a different subject is output.

[0106] First, information about the subject recognized by the subject recognition unit is transmitted to the server 12 by the second transmission unit 36 ​​of the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14. Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives information about the subject from the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14. Next, the image search unit 24 searches the first images stored in the memory unit 22 for a first image associated with features of the subject that match or are similar to the information of the subject received by the first receiving unit 18. Next, the setting value acquisition unit 28 acquires, from the setting values ​​stored in the storage unit 22, the setting values ​​associated with the first image searched for by the image search unit 24. Next, the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit 28 is transmitted to the second communication terminal 14 by the first transmission unit 30.

[0107] Subsequently, in the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14, the second receiving unit 44 receives the setting value from the server 12. Then, the setting value received by the second receiving unit 44 is automatically set in the camera 32 of the second communication terminal 14 by, for example, the setting unit 46.

[0108] In this way, if the camera 32 has a subject recognition unit, the subject in the through image is recognized by the subject recognition unit, and the search conditions (feature of the second image) are set in advance to, for example, the most popular image of the same subject in the past week.Every time the camera 32 captures a subject other than the background, it can receive setting values ​​that match the same search conditions from the server 12 and automatically set them in the camera 32. This allows the user of the second communication terminal 14 to eliminate the need to operate the mobile information terminal 34 to search through a list of first images for an image that matches the image to be captured next, and allows the user to capture an image by automatically setting the settings using only the camera 32.

[0109] Furthermore, the image search unit 24 can search for the first image based on the similarity of the subject, scene, and the like.

[0110] In this case, the server 12 is provided with a similarity calculation unit, which will be described later. First, the feature amount acquiring unit 20 estimates the feature amount of each first image using the first judgment model, and outputs a multidimensional vector, for example, a 512-dimensional vector (f1_1, f2_1, ..., f512_1). Based on this 512-dimensional vector, a similarity judgment can be made using the similarity or distance described below, similar to the sense a human has when judging that two images are similar.

[0111] Next, in second communication terminal 14, second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits a plurality of second images to server 12. The plurality of second images are different images, but all of them have features that match or are similar to the features of the image that the user of second communication terminal 14 will next take using second communication terminal 14. For example, if the user next takes a picture of their child in a "footrace," the plurality of second images will all be images of the child's "footrace" scene.

[0112] Subsequently, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives the plurality of second images from the second communication terminal 14. Next, the feature acquisition unit 20 estimates the features of the second image for each second image using the first judgment model, and outputs a multidimensional vector, similarly a 512-dimensional vector (f1_2, f2_2, ..., f512_2).

[0113] Next, the similarity calculation unit estimates the similarity between the feature amount of the first image and the feature amount of each second image for each first image.

[0114] The similarity calculation unit can calculate the similarity using the second determination model. The second judgment model is a trained model that has learned the relationship between the features of the second training image and the features of the third training image and the similarity between the features of the second training image and the features of the third training image for multiple second training data, using the features of the second training image and the features of the third training image and the similarity between the features of the second training image and the features of the third training image as second training data. The second determination model receives the feature amount of the first image and the feature amount of the second image as input, and estimates the degree of similarity between the feature amount of the first image and the feature amount of the second image for each first image.

[0115] When training the second judgment model, correct answer data including, for example, feature amounts of the second training image and the third training image that are similar to each other, and a similarity (numerical value) indicating the degree of similarity between the second training image and the third training image is provided as second training data, and training is repeated for a large number of second training data. Using the second judgment model trained in this way, by providing the feature amounts of the first image and the feature amounts of the second image as input, it is possible to output a similarity (numerical value) indicating whether the feature amounts of the first image and the feature amounts of the second image are similar, and further, the degree of similarity.

[0116] Alternatively, the similarity calculation unit uses the following formula (1) to calculate, for each first image, the distance d1_2 between the 512-dimensional vector (f1_1, f2_1, ..., f512_1) that is the feature of the first image and the 512-dimensional vector (f1_2, f2_2, ..., f512_2) that is the feature of each second image, and this distance d1_2 can be used as the similarity between the feature of the first image and the feature of the second image. d1_2=√{(f1_1 - f1_2)^2 + (f2_1 - f2_2)^2 ... + (f512_1 - f512_2)^2} ... Equation (1)

[0117] Instead of formula (1), various mathematical formulas for calculating distance can be used, such as calculating the sum of the absolute values ​​of the differences between two values. Since a smaller distance indicates a higher similarity, it is easier to handle by taking the reciprocal of the distance d1_2 and using it as the similarity s1_2 (= 1 / d1_2). Furthermore, to make handling even easier, the similarity s1_2 may be normalized to fall within a range of 0 to 100, for example.

[0118] Furthermore, the similarity calculation unit calculates an overall similarity between the feature of the first image and the feature of each of the second images based on the similarity or distance between the feature of the first image and the feature of each of the second images. For example, as shown in Table 2, an overall similarity of 85 is calculated by averaging the similarity between first image 1 and second image A = 85, the similarity between first image 1 and second image B = 87, and the similarity between first image 1 and second image C = 83.

[0119] [Table 2]

[0120] The overall similarity between the other first images 2, 3, ... and the second images A, B, and C is calculated in the same manner. The method for calculating the overall similarity is not limited to the arithmetic average, and any calculation formula can be used as long as it comprehensively represents the similarity between the first image and multiple second images.

[0121] Next, based on the result of the similarity estimation using the second judgment model, the image search unit 24 searches for a predetermined number of first images from the first images stored in the storage unit 22, starting from the side with the highest overall similarity. For example, one first image with the highest overall similarity, or multiple first images starting from the side with the highest overall similarity, are searched for. The subsequent operations are the same.

[0122] In the above-described search for first images based on similarity, for example, if a user's child participates in a footrace at an athletic meet, images of other children running the footrace other than the user's child are taken as the multiple second images and transmitted to server 12. However, if the user's child happens to be a runner in the first group of the footrace, it is difficult to take images of other children running the footrace and transmit them to server 12.

[0123] As a method for dealing with such a case, the image search unit 24 may search for the first image using a search key for searching for the first image stored in the storage unit 22.

[0124] In this case, the first image, its setting values ​​and feature amounts, and a text tag that expresses the feature amounts of the first image, such as the subject and scene, in words or sentences in a natural language are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 22. For example, if the feature amount of the first image is "child," the text tag "child" is stored. The method of assigning tags is not particularly limited, but a tag assigning unit may be provided in server 12 or communication terminal 14, and text tags expressing the feature amounts of the first image may be automatically assigned by this tag assigning unit. Alternatively, each user may manually assign text tags expressing the feature amounts of the first image, or a combination of automatic tag assignment by the tag assigning unit and manual tag assignment by the user may be used.

[0125] Next, in the second communication terminal 14, the second transmission unit 36 ​​transmits the search key in text format, for example, “children” to the server 12.

[0126] Next, in the server 12, the first receiving unit 18 receives the search key from the second communication terminal 14. Next, the image search unit 24 searches the first images stored in the memory unit 22 for first images that have a tag that matches the search key received by the first receiving unit 18, for example, a "child" tag. The subsequent operations are the same.

[0127] Furthermore, the feature amount acquiring section 20 may acquire feature amounts by conceptually dividing them into a plurality of layers.

[0128] In this case, the feature acquisition unit 20 acquires the feature of the broadest concept in the first hierarchy as the feature, and then acquires the feature of concepts in the second hierarchy to the nth hierarchy, which are successively narrower than the concept in the first hierarchy, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0129] For example, the feature acquisition unit 20 may acquire feature amounts for the first-level concept "subject" by dividing it into "landscape," "streetscape," "people," "vehicles," etc. In this case, the feature amounts for the second-level concept "subject" may be further acquired by dividing each "people" into "child," "adult," "elderly," "male," "female," etc. The same applies to other subjects.

[0130] Also, the feature quantities of the "scene" concept at the first level can be divided into "night view," "group photo," and "event," etc. In this case, the feature quantities of the "scene" concept at the second level can be divided into "sports day," "field trip," and "amusement park," etc., even within "event," and the feature quantities of the "scene" at the third level can be divided into "footrace" and "play," etc., even within "sports day." The same applies to other scenes. Here, for example, a "footrace" and a "play" can be distinguished based on image analysis, such as calculating the subject's moving speed and direction, and detecting the movement of a body part such as the hands. Specifically, if the moving speed is fast and there is relatively little change in the moving direction, it can be determined to be a "footrace." On the other hand, if the moving speed is relatively slow, but there is a large change in the moving direction and there is a lot of hand movement, it can be determined to be a "play."

[0131] Next, the image search unit 24 uses at least one of the feature amounts of the concepts from the first layer to the n-th layer to search for a predetermined number of first images from among the first images stored in the storage unit 22. For example, one first image or multiple first images are searched for. The subsequent operations are the same.

[0132] In this way, by acquiring features at multiple levels, in other words, by acquiring features for concepts at lower levels, it is possible to acquire features that more accurately represent the characteristics of an image. For example, the second level concept "athletic meet" is more accurate as a feature than the first level concept "event," and the third level concept "footrace" is more accurate than the second level concept "athletic meet."

[0133] In the device of the present invention, the hardware configuration of the processing unit that performs various processes, such as the first receiving unit 18, feature acquisition unit 20, image search unit 24, preference analysis unit 26, setting value acquisition unit 28, first transmitting unit 30, second transmitting unit 36, input unit 38, display control unit 40, second receiving unit 44, setting unit 46 and photographing unit 48, may be dedicated hardware or various processors or computers that execute programs.

[0134] Various types of processors include CPUs (Central Processing Units), which are general-purpose processors that execute software (programs) and function as various processing units, programmable logic devices (PLDs), which are processors whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and dedicated electrical circuits, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), which are processors with circuit configurations designed specifically for performing specific processes.

[0135] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types, for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of an FPGA and a CPU, etc. Also, multiple processing units may be configured with one of the various processors, or two or more of the multiple processing units may be combined into one processor.

[0136] For example, as typified by server and client computers, one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Another form is the use of a processor that realizes the functions of an entire system including multiple processing units on a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by system-on-chip (SoC).

[0137] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0138] The method of the present invention can be implemented by, for example, a program that causes a computer to execute each step. Also, a computer-readable recording medium on which this program is recorded can be provided.

[0139] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 10. Shooting System 12 Servers 14 Communication terminals 16 Network 18 First receiving unit 20 Feature acquisition unit 22 Memory section 24 Image Search Section 26 Preference Analysis Department 28 Setting value acquisition unit 30 First Transmission Unit 32 Camera 34 Mobile Information Terminals 36 Second Transmission Unit 38 Input section 40 Display control unit 42 Display section 44 Second receiving unit 46 Setting section 48 Photography Department

Claims

1. A server accessed by a plurality of communication terminals owned by a plurality of users, a first processor, the first processor comprising: receiving, from one or more first communication terminals, first images captured by the first communication terminals and setting values ​​related to photography of the first communication terminals at the time the first images were captured; For each of the first images, obtaining a text tag associated with the first image; storing the first image, the setting value, and the text tag in the memory in association with each other; receiving a search key in text format from a second communication terminal; searching the first images stored in the memory for a first image associated with a tag that matches the search key; obtaining a setting value associated with the first image retrieved by the first processor from the setting values ​​stored in the memory; A server that transmits the setting value acquired by the first processor to the second communication terminal.

2. The first processor storing the first image, the setting value, and the text tag in association with each other for each user in the memory; analyzing image preferences of the user of the second communication terminal based on text tags of first images of the user of the second communication terminal stored in the memory; The server according to claim 1, wherein the server searches the first images stored in the memory for first images associated with the text tag that matches or is similar to the image preferences of the user of the second communication terminal.

3. The first processor receiving, from the first communication terminal, at least one of a positive rating and a negative rating voted for the first image by a user of the first communication terminal; storing the first image and the number of all the ratings voted for the first image in association with each other in the memory; receiving, from the second communication terminal, an instruction to perform a search based on the evaluation; The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in response to the instruction, a predetermined number of first images are retrieved from among the first images stored in the memory based on the number of ratings.

4. The first processor receiving a voting date and time of the evaluation from the first communication terminal; storing the first image and the voting date and time of the evaluation in association with each other in the memory; receiving a voting period for the evaluation from the second communication terminal; The server according to claim 3 , wherein a search is made for a first image for which the rating was voted on a voting date and time within a voting period for the rating from among the first images stored in the memory.

5. The first processor As the text-format tag, a text-format tag of a first-level concept, which is the broadest, is acquired, and text-format tags of concepts from a second level to an n-th level, which are successively narrower than the first-level concept, are acquired, where n is an integer of 2 or more; 5. The server according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of first images are searched for from among the first images stored in the memory using at least one of the text tags of concepts from the first hierarchy to the nth hierarchy.

6. The first processor receiving information on a first image selected by a user of the second communication terminal from among the plurality of first images searched by the first processor; The server according to claim 1 , further comprising: a setting value associated with a first image corresponding to information about the first image, the setting value being acquired from the setting values ​​stored in the memory.

7. The server according to claim 1 , wherein the setting values ​​include at least one value of aperture, shutter speed, focal length, and ISO sensitivity of the first communication terminal when the first image was captured.

8. The server according to claim 1 , wherein the text tag includes at least one of header information of the first image, a subject appearing in the first image, and a scene of the first image.

9. A system comprising: the server according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and the plurality of communication terminals; the first communication terminal comprises a second processor; the second communication terminal comprises a third processor; the second processor transmits the first image and the setting value to the server; The third processor receiving, from the server, the setting value obtained by the first processor; setting the setting value received by the third processor in the second communication terminal; an imaging system that captures an image based on the setting values ​​set by the third processor;

10. the communication terminal includes a camera; a camera of the first communication terminal having the second processor; a camera of the second communication terminal having the third processor; the second processor transmits the first image and the setting value to the server; the third processor receives the setting value acquired by the first processor from the server; setting the setting value received by the third processor in a camera of the second communication terminal; The imaging system according to claim 9 , wherein an image is captured based on the setting values ​​set by the third processor.

11. the third processor recognizes a subject appearing in a through image captured by the third processor and outputs information about the subject; Each time the third processor recognizes a subject appearing in the through image and outputs information about a different subject, The third processor transmits information about the subject to the server; The first processor receiving information about the subject from a camera of the second communication terminal; Searching for a first image associated with a text tag of the subject that matches or is similar to the information of the subject from among the first images stored in the memory; obtaining a setting value associated with the first image retrieved by the first processor from among the setting values ​​stored in the memory; transmitting the setting value acquired by the first processor to the second communication terminal; The third processor receiving, from the server, the setting value obtained by the first processor; The photographing system according to claim 10 , further comprising repeating the operation of setting the setting value received by the third processor in the camera of the second communication terminal.

12. the communication terminal includes a camera having a communication function and an information terminal having a communication function; an information terminal of the first communication terminal having the second processor; the information terminal of the second communication terminal has a fourth processor, and the camera of the second communication terminal has a fifth processor; the second processor transmits the first image and the setting values ​​received from the camera of the first communication terminal via the communication function to the server; the fourth processor receives the setting value acquired by the first processor from the server; The photographing system of claim 9, wherein the fifth processor sets the setting values ​​received from the information terminal of the second communication terminal via the communication function in the camera of the second communication terminal, and photographs an image based on the setting values ​​set by the fifth processor.

13. a second processor, the second processor comprising: transmitting the first image and the setting values ​​to the server according to any one of claims 1 to 12; receiving, from the server, the setting value obtained by the first processor; setting the setting value received by the second processor in the communication terminal; A communication terminal that captures an image based on the setting values ​​set by the second processor.

14. 1. A photographing method in a photographing system including a plurality of communication terminals owned by a plurality of users and a server accessed by the plurality of communication terminals, comprising: a step in which one or more first communication terminals transmit to the server a first image captured by the first communication terminal and a setting value related to photography of the first communication terminal at the time the first image was captured; a first receiving unit of the server receiving the first image and a setting value of the first image from the first communication terminal; a tag acquisition unit of the server analyzing each of the first images to acquire a tag in text format related to the first image; a step of storing the first image, the setting value, and the text tag in association with each other in a memory of the server; receiving a search key in text format from a second communication terminal by the first receiving unit; an image search unit of the server searching for a first image associated with a tag that matches the search key from among the first images stored in the memory; a setting value acquisition unit of the server acquiring a setting value associated with the first image searched for by the image search unit of the server from the setting values ​​stored in the memory; a step in which a first transmission unit of the server transmits the setting value acquired by the setting value acquisition unit to the second communication terminal; a step in which a second receiving unit of the second communication terminal receives the setting value acquired by the setting value acquiring unit from the server; a setting unit of the second communication terminal setting the setting value received by the second receiving unit in the second communication terminal; an imaging unit of the second communication terminal capturing an image based on the setting value set by the setting unit.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the photographing method according to claim 14.

16. 15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the photographing method according to claim 14.

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