JP5761564B2 - User search system, user search device and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for finding and feeding back other users who have a taste and taste in various sites such as an image sharing site.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital cameras, the way to enjoy photos has become diversified. In particular, since it is digital image data, various image processing is possible.

  For example, a technique has been proposed that can generate and display an image with a different tone (such as a painting tone) based on an original photograph by adding image processing (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

  The technology of Patent Document 1 is developed, and features such as color information and brushing information are extracted from the image of the painting actually drawn by the painter. Considering this, a technique for converting to a painting-like image with high artisticness has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In addition, a technique for changing a picture quality such as a painting style has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  A powerful image processing engine is required to perform these image conversions, so the server on the network has an image processing engine, and the user uploads his / her photos to the server. It is conceivable to perform image processing.

  In such a case, the user wants to show the person when he creates a work by converting his own picture. One of the methods that satisfies the demand is posting photos on the Internet by SNS (Social Network Service) (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

  Hereinafter, an image obtained by a user uploading his / her photo to a server and performing image processing such as painting-like conversion on the server is referred to as a “work”.

JP-A-8-44867 JP 2004-213598 A JP-B-1-46905 JP 2008-242039 A

  When a large number of users post works on the server, there are cases where a user who has viewed the work is interested in a particular user and the work as being determined as having a hobby and interest. Then, another user who is interested in a certain user searches for a certain user using a search system, a search service, or the like in order to obtain information on the interested user.

  At this time, in a conventional search system, search service, or the like, when searching for a certain user, it is only possible to search by gender, age, or keyword. For this reason, it is impossible to accurately find out and feed back other users who have a taste and taste, and are unsatisfied with the accuracy and speed of the search for other users.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a user search system, a user search device, and a program that can improve the accuracy and speed of search for other users.

In order to achieve the above object, a main feature of the present invention is a user search system including a server configuring various sites and a plurality of user terminals that can access the site. Extraction means for extracting an index from input information to the site or output information from the site to the terminal of the user, attribute addition means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index upon occurrence of a user action, and the attribute Management means for managing the attribute added by the adding means for each user, each user managed by the management means and the public means for releasing the attribute, and the user to which the attribute is added by the occurrence of the user action a search means for searching for, a image from the user terminal to the site server Uploading means for uploading, image tone converting means for performing tone conversion processing on the uploaded image on the server, and downloading means for downloading the converted image after the tone conversion, wherein the extracting means includes the upload The user search system is characterized in that an index is extracted from the downloaded image and the downloaded converted image, and the occurrence timing of the user action includes any of the following “1” to “5”.
“1”: When the user uploaded an image “2”: When the user performed editing or painting conversion on the image “3”: When the user took some action “4”: Other by the user When some action is received from the user "5": When the user himself performs a search.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the precision and speed of a search with respect to the other user of each user can be improved.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the outline | summary of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network type | system | group of the image display system by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image service site 10 by the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the attribute information of the user ID by the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the work by the same embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the attribute addition / search system by the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detail of a memory | storage device. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the picture conversion process by the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the exchange of the data between the terminal and server by the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which the terminal by the embodiment downloads an image from a server. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement which displays a some work in 1 screen by the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the terminal page display by the embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which weight-displays several works in 1 screen by the embodiment. It is a flowchart which displays so that the display size of a work may become large, so that the point of the work is high. “1”: a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a user uploads an image and an attribute is added. “2”: a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the user performs processing such as editing or picture conversion on an image and an attribute is added.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the present embodiment. The user uses the terminal 1 such as a personal computer to generate user actions such as image upload and image processing. Similarly, other users also generate other user actions using the terminal 1 such as a personal computer. Then, indexes are extracted from these user actions and other user actions and stored in an index DB (database) 610. Further, an attribute is given to the extracted index and stored in the attribute DB 610, and registered in the member attribute registration DB 613 for each member. As a result, each user can search for other attributes desired by the user accurately and quickly by searching for this attribute using the terminal 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network system of the image display system according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image service site having an SNS function, which is connected to a plurality of terminals 1-1, 1-2, 1-3,. The terminal may be a normal personal computer. 60 is an attribute addition / retrieval system, which is connected to a plurality of terminals 1-1, 1-2, 1-3,... 10 is also connected.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image service site 10. A server has a member area 100, a common area 200, and a control area 300 in the server. Reference numeral 20 denotes a CPU for controlling the whole, and reference numeral 30 denotes a work memory when the CPU 20 performs work. The member area 100 is an area provided for each registered member, and has a user ID 102 for identifying the member and various attribute information 104 for each user correspondingly.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the attribute information 104 is user-specific information such as name, handle name, gender, age, region, membership type, and the like. There are two types of membership: free members who have just registered for free, paid members who have registered for a fee, and premium members who have paid a special membership fee. The other user-specific information will be described later.

  Reference numeral 106 denotes an upload image area in which a user uploads a photo, 108 denotes a work buffer area in which works that have undergone painting conversion by the image service site 10 are stored, and 110 denotes a download work in which works of other users are downloaded and stored. It is a buffer area.

  The common area 200 is an area provided in common to all users, and includes a work area 202 in which a number of works obtained by converting an image uploaded by the user into a painting style are stored.

  Each work stored in the work area 202 stores an image ID 204 for identifying the work and attribute information 206 of the work together with image data 208.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the attribute information 206 includes a user ID indicating a contributor of the work, date information such as a creation date or a posting date, image type information such as the size of image data and a type of image, Access number information indicating the number of times of browsing, download number information indicating the number of times the work has been downloaded, point information indicating evaluation of the work, and other information unique to the work.

  In FIG. 3, a control area 300 is a picture conversion processing unit 302 that stores an image processing program for performing picture conversion processing on image data, and a parameter table that is referred to during picture conversion processing and stores parameters for picture conversion. 304, a display control unit 308 that stores a control program for displaying a work on the screen, an evaluation control unit 310 that stores a control program that evaluates the work according to the number of accesses and gives points to the work, and a user ID A member management unit 312 for managing members and controlling services for free members, paid members, and premium members is included. The member management unit 312 also manages the SNS function of the image service site 10.

Next, a specific operation of the image display system of this embodiment will be described.
First, the painting conversion processing technique will be described.

  Picture conversion means that each pixel constituting an image such as a photo is converted according to predetermined parameters (painting conversion parameters), oil painting, watercolor, pastel, colored pencil painting, crayon painting, illustration painting, dot drawing. This is an image processing technique for converting into a so-called painting tone, such as a tone, an airbrush, a silk screen tone, an embroidery tone, and a collage tone.

  Basically, various effect processing parameters known by photo retouching software such as Photoshop (registered trademark) are adjusted and combined so that the image looks like a painting.

  In other words, the picture conversion process is a kind of effect process in principle, and the picture conversion algorithm creates various painting styles by combining the effect process and parameters, and the conversion algorithm is programmed.

  In the conversion algorithm, a parameter group P that is a set of the parameters for converting the pixels of the original image is prepared in advance. If there are 12 types of image tone types, the parameter groups are represented as P (1) to P (12). The tone of the converted image also changes depending on how the parameters are determined. Assuming that a parameter group for converting to an oil painting tone is P (1), and there are m parameters necessary for effect processing for converting an image so that it looks like an oil painting tone in P (1), the parameter P1 It represents -Pm.

  The picture conversion algorithm is stored in the picture conversion processing unit 302 of the control area 300 of the image service site 10, and the parameter group is also stored in the parameter table 304 of the control area 300.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the attribute addition / search system 60. The attribute addition / retrieval system 60 operates on the server, but the processor, input / output device, power supply device, communication device, memory management device, and other devices in the server are not shown. It is. This is because the description is focused on the parts necessary for explaining the present embodiment, but there is of course a minimum (or more) system that operates the server itself. Shall. FIG. 7 shows an example of data stored in the storage device in FIG. This is merely an example, and is not limited to this. The type of storage device is not limited as long as it is a device that can store electronic information, such as a flash memory or a hard disk.

  The image sent from the user is first received by the image data reception buffer 601 (Note that this buffer 601 is not essential, and once the image is stored in the storage device (area allocated to the user) 605, from there. You can also dump data). When the image data is received normally, the image is sent to the image analysis device 602.

  The image analysis apparatus 602 performs image recognition on the image and identifies a subject (hereinafter referred to as an object) in the image. Examples of objects include humans (classifying gender, age, race, etc.), animals (classifying dogs, cats, birds, etc.), flowers (classifying by type), and the like. This image analysis may be performed automatically using an analysis algorithm, or may be performed by an operator. The Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) is also read out in the same device. Information such as the model of the camera used for shooting, the shooting location, and the date / time is extracted as information. When the collected information is recognized as the contents set in advance in the index database 603, it is embedded as an index in the image data (an Exif area or a newly set data area may be used).

  Here, the index database 603 will be briefly described. The index database 603 is a database of “indexes” that is necessary as a pre-stage for adding “attributes” that will be required for searches in the future to users.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the storage device 605 includes an image storage area 6051, an index storage area 6052, an attribute storage area 6053, and a user data area 6054 for each user. All items written in the index storage area 6052 match items defined in the index database 603. For simplicity, only four items are not shown here, but if there are many items in the index database 603, the number of items increases as the user updates the image.

  That is, if the image uploaded by the user matches the information in the index database 603, the image data is stored in the storage device 605 by the image storage device 604, and the index is stored in the storage device 605 by the index addition device 606. Saved in. Although it is not always necessary to divide the memory area, the memory areas are different in the present embodiment, and are therefore shown separately.

  In the present embodiment, the timing of adding an attribute to the index from the user action and the timing of performing the search are time points “1” to “5” below.

Since these “1” to “5” are points in time when features such as user's preference become prominent, it becomes possible to quickly notify other users of the user's features.
“1”: When the user uploads an image and an attribute is added. “2”: When the user performs editing or painting conversion on the image and the attribute is added. “3”: Some action by the user When the attribute is added “4”: When the user receives some action from another user and the attribute is added “5”: When the user performs a search

  Therefore, the index is added to the user only when the image is uploaded. For example, the case where the user has processed an image already stored in the storage device 605 is also applicable. This is the pattern of the timing “2”. The system reads an image from the storage device 605 by the image reading device 607 and performs processing by the image processing device 608. At that time, the processing contents and “what object” has been processed are checked against the index database 603, and if there is a match, the index adding device 606 stores it in the index storage area 6052 in the storage device 605. To do.

  Also, other user actions may be handled as an index (corresponding to other user-specific information described above). This is the pattern of the timing “3”. For example, the total login time and frequency, the login time zone, the number of logins, the communication carrier used by the user, and the like may be treated as an index as necessary. In addition, profile information registered by the user (age, gender, nationality, residence, other specific keywords, etc.) may be treated as an index. In addition to updating the frequency of blogs on the site, keywords used in the blog, adding and deleting friends on the site, and actions that occur in applications such as games provided on the site are also indexed. You can handle it. If you are working with other websites, you can also use the updates there as an index (for example, the number of tweets on Twitter). Here, index addition by user action has been described, but the above is an example, and is not limited to this range.

  Also, if a user receives some action from another user, it can be treated as an index. This is the pattern of the timing “4”. Although not described in the system configuration example of the embodiment, for example, an action of receiving a message from another user, receiving a friend application, receiving a present (eg, a game item that can be enjoyed on the site), etc. Is not limited to this. These can also be treated as indexes.

  When a new index is written in the storage device 605, the index reading device 609 reads the index in the storage device 605 and compares it with the attribute database 610.

  Here, the attribute database 610 will be briefly described. The attribute database 610 is a database in which information for adding “attributes” to be searched by the user is stored. When a specific index held by the user satisfies the criteria described in the attribute database, the notification is transmitted to the attribute adding device 611 and added to the attribute storage area 6053 in the storage device 605.

  Once the attribute is added, the user can optionally make his / her own attribute available to all users. In this case, the fact that the user has added the attribute is registered in the all user attribute registration database 613 through the attribute registration device 612. By doing so, the user becomes a search target from other users, and other users having the same attribute can be searched through the user search device 614.

  Further, the user notification device 615 is a device that transmits a notification to the terminal of the user who uploaded the image, as will be described later, and the user command processing device 616 processes commands from the terminal of the user and other users. Furthermore, it is a device that controls each part of this system.

  In addition, although not essential, when an attribute is added, the user may be asked whether to register the attribute in the all-user attribute registration database. If the user refuses, he can choose not to register.

  When the attribute is added, a user having the same attribute as the newly added attribute is searched from the all user attribute registration database, and the user is fed back.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image storage area 6051 stores an image uploaded by the user, Format, Exif of the data constituting the image, an added index, and the like.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for performing a picture conversion process. The CPU 20 executes this flowchart while using the work memory 30.

  In FIG. 8, first, pre-processing is performed (step S501). This process is executed in common regardless of the type of image tone.

  Since the effect processing as described above is performed on each pixel, the image data needs to be in a bitmap format. Therefore, image data normally expressed in the JPEG format is converted into a bitmap format.

  Also, since the size of the uploaded image data is various, this is resized to the number of pixels in the display area, for example, 800 × 600 pixels. Larger images are reduced and smaller images are enlarged. This is because the parameters are fixed when the size is determined, and the processing is efficient. Of course, at the time of picture conversion of the main image, which will be described later, the picture conversion is performed for the size of the uploaded image data as it is.

  Next, in step S502, it is determined whether the photo to be converted includes a face. This is because the face becomes unnatural when subjected to extreme transformation, so the face portion is particularly finely processed for painting conversion. In step S504, an image tone to be converted is selected from an oil painting tone, a watercolor painting tone, a pastel tone, a color pencil drawing tone, and the like.

  When an image tone is selected, the flow goes to the flow of each image tone conversion algorithm. For example, if it is an oil painting tone conversion, the process proceeds to step S506, and if it is a watercolor painting tone conversion, the process proceeds to step S510. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to the flow of other image tone conversion algorithm (step S520).

  When executing each algorithm, the control area parameter table 304 is referred to (steps S508 and 512).

  Here, the image data of the display screen size is converted into a picture while viewing the display screen. If it is determined in step S522, the process proceeds to the picture conversion of the main image (step S524).

  When redoing with another image tone, the process returns to step S504.

In step S524, tone conversion processing is performed on the main image with reference to the parameter table using the tone conversion algorithm determined in step S522 (steps S526 and 527). Even if the image tone is the same, the appropriate parameter differs when the image size is different. Therefore, the parameter table used in step S526 is different from the parameter acquired in step S508 or step S512.
In the post-processing in step S528, the data is converted again into the JPEG format.

  Next, a process of uploading, displaying, browsing, and downloading images between the terminal and the server of the image service site will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a user who is a member accesses the image service site 10 from his / her terminal 1 (SB2). The server authenticates the user ID by logging in the user (SC2), and when it is confirmed that the user is a member, the server transmits the member's page so that the member can see it (SC4).

  When the member opens his / her page, the member uploads an image (SB4). The uploaded image is stored in the upload image area 106 of the member area 100 of the server. When the type of painting tone is selected to convert this image into a painting, the painting is converted according to the flow of FIG. 8 (SC6), and the converted work is stored in the work buffer 108. You can enjoy it as it is, but if you want to share it with other users, post it (SB8). The submitted work is transferred from the work buffer 108 in the member area 100 to the work area 202 in the common area 200 and stored. The attribute information as described in FIG. 5 is also added to the works in the work area 202.

  Since other users can view works stored in the work area 202 of the common area 200 even if they are not members (SA2), the image service site 10 displays many works so that they can be easily viewed. (SC8).

  Although this display method will be described later, as shown in FIG. 12, each work is displayed in the same size in a plurality of images on one screen. The arrangement order is, for example, the order of posting date or the number of accesses. It is mixed.

  Points are added even if the work is just viewed (SC10). If the user likes the GOOD button and presses the GOOD button (SA4), more points are added (SC12).

  When the user downloads the work (SA6), if the work is a download permission target, the download is permitted (SC14), points are further added (SC16), and the download is performed (SA8).

  Although not described in detail here, when an image that is not permitted to be downloaded is downloaded, a logo called a tag is added to the work.

  FIG. 10 is a download flowchart. Membership registration is required to download. The member designates a desired work while looking at the display screen (step S802). The server determines whether the user is a paid member or a free member by the member management unit 312 (step S804). If the user is a paid member, the server proceeds to step S812 and can download it unconditionally. In the case of a free member, the point corresponding to the evaluation of the work is read from the attribute information of the corresponding work in step S806, and the retained points are read from the attribute information of the member who is going to download (step S808).

  Payment points are calculated from the difference between the points (equivalent to the price) of the work and the points held by the member (step S810). If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S812. If the work is insufficient, the work is downloaded. Since it is not possible, the process returns to step S802 to select another work. If reading of the work is permitted in step S812, points are added to the creator of the work, and points are added to the point area of the attribute information of the image ID of the work (SC16 in FIG. 9). In other words, as the number of downloads increases, the evaluation of the work increases, and points are added to the point area of the attribute information of the user ID of the member who is the creator, thereby increasing the number of points owned by the member.

  Furthermore, since the image service site 10 has an SNS function, a comment on another member's work can be written, a reply to it can be written, a group of members with similar preferences can be created, and a fan of a specific author You can create a group. Since such a mechanism is already implemented in an existing SNS, it will not be described in detail, but the member management unit 312 realizes the SNS mechanism together with the member management mechanism.

  Next, I will explain how to display the work.

  FIG. 11 is a normal posted work display flow, and FIG. 12 is a display example. First, works are read in the order of arrival (step S902) and arranged so that they can be displayed on one screen (step S904). Display processing is performed in this state (step S906). This state is shown in FIG. Here, when a page turning operation is performed by the user (step S908), the process returns to step S902 to go to collect the next new arrival works. When a specific work is selected in the displayed page (step S910), the process proceeds to step S912, and image data of the work is read together with attribute information. If not selected, the process returns to step S906. In step S914, the user can press a GOOD button indicating that he / she likes the selected work, or write a comment such as an impression. When the GOOD button is pressed or a comment is written, points of attribute information of the work are added, and the evaluation is improved. In step S918, it is determined whether or not browsing is completed. If not completed, the page display is returned to step S906.

  The above is normal work display in which a list of works is simply displayed in the order of arrival. Next, a list display method according to evaluation of works will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, each work is given points as attribute information corresponding to the image ID. This point is added according to the number of times the GOOD button is pressed, the number of accesses, and the number of downloads, as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 12, the works are simply arranged in the same size and displayed on one screen, but in FIG. 13, the types of image tone are distinguished in the horizontal axis direction and arranged in the order of arrival in the vertical axis direction. Here, the order is the new arrival order, but the order may be the number of accesses. The display size of the work is displayed so as to increase as the point of the work increases.

  A flowchart for performing this display is shown in FIG. This corresponds to the page arrangement step of step S904 in FIG. 11. In step S9042, the pages are classified by image tone and arranged in the vertical direction. In step S9044, the display size is determined by the points. The display size is divided into several levels such as large, medium, and small according to the points. That is, an image with a high point is displayed large and a low image is displayed with a small size. Since the number of works that can be displayed on one screen varies depending on the display size, the display layout is determined in step S9046.

  In the next step S9048, the display frame is determined according to the member type. As described above, the display size of the image changes depending on the evaluation of the work, but for premium member works that paid a special fee, for example, attach a frame or decoration, show the frame clearly, blink it, etc. so that it will stand out (See FIG. 14A as an example).

  In step S9050, since there are a plurality of image adjustment axes and works of different sizes, the layout is determined so as to fit on one page.

  If you scroll or page forward in the horizontal direction, works with different painting styles will be displayed one after another, and if you scroll in the vertical direction in this example, other works will be displayed one after the other in order of posting date. It will be displayed. Of course, the display size and display frame conform to the rules described above.

  By displaying in this way, a large number of works can be efficiently displayed so as to attract the user's interest.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the timing “1”: a user uploads an image and an attribute is added. First, a user who is a member logs in from his / her terminal 1 (SA21), and uploads an image to the image service site 10 (SA22). The uploaded image is stored in the upload image area 106 of the member area 100 of the server. When the type of painting tone is selected to convert this image into a painting, the painting is converted according to the flow of FIG. 8 (SC6), and the converted work is stored in the work buffer 108.

  On the other hand, the attribute addition / search system 60 also has an uploaded image directly or transferred via the image service site 10. Then, the attribute addition / search system 60 analyzes the image, reads the Exif data, and extracts the index (SC21). Subsequently, the index is held (added) to the image as additional information (SC22), and the image and the index are stored in the storage device 605 which is a user memory (SC23). The stored index is compared with the standard described in the attribute database 610 (SC24), and it is determined whether there is attribute data corresponding to the index (SC25). If there is no corresponding attribute data, no processing is performed and the process proceeds to the end.

  If there is corresponding attribute data, the corresponding attribute is added to the index extracted this time (SC27), and the user information (attribute storage area 6053, etc.) of the storage device 605 is updated (SC28).

  Therefore, the types of attributes to be added are limited, and it is possible to prevent the types of added attributes from increasing indefinitely and hindering management and control.

  The terminal 1 receives “User Notification Public DB Registration Confirmation” for asking whether or not this updated user information may be disclosed, and responds thereto (SA23).

  The attribute addition / search system 60 determines whether the response is unregistrable or registerable (SC29), and if the response is unregisterable, the process proceeds to the end. If the response can be registered, the response is registered in the all user attribute registration database 613 and updated (SC30).

  Therefore, only when the user is allowed to register, the user and its attributes are disclosed as will be described later. Therefore, it is possible to prevent human rights violations and privacy infringements caused by unauthorized disclosure of information about users.

  Thereafter, other users having the same attribute are displayed (SC31). As a result, other users having the same attribute are disclosed. Therefore, each user accesses the attribute addition / retrieval system 60 via the terminal 1 and downloads the data displayed on the SC 31 so that the attributes can be accurately and quickly identical, and the preferences and the like are similar. You can search for users.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when the timing “2”: the user performs processing such as editing or picture conversion on the image and the attribute is added. First, a user who is a member logs in from his / her terminal 1 (SA41), and selects a processed image to be processed from an uploaded image (SA42). Further, when the type of painting tone is selected to convert the image into a painting (SA43), the painting is converted according to the flow of FIG. 8 (SC6), and the converted work is stored in the work buffer 108.

  On the other hand, the attribute addition / retrieval system 60 also converts the selected image into a painting (SC41) and extracts an index from the image and the processing type (SC42). Subsequently, the image and the index are stored in the storage device 605 that is a user memory (SC43). The stored index is compared with the criteria described on the attribute database 610 (SC44), and it is determined whether there is attribute data corresponding to the index (SC45). If there is no corresponding attribute data, no processing is performed and the process proceeds to the end.

  If there is corresponding attribute data, the corresponding attribute is added to the index extracted this time (SC47), and the user information (such as the attribute storage area 6053) in the storage device 605 is updated (SC48). The terminal 1 receives “User Notification Public DB Registration Confirmation” for asking whether or not this updated user information may be disclosed, and responds thereto (SA44).

  The attribute addition / search system 60 determines whether the response is unregistrable or registerable (SC49), and if the response is unregistrable, the process proceeds to the end. If the response can be registered, the response is registered in the all user attribute registration database 613 and updated (SC50). Thereafter, other users having the same attribute are displayed (SC51). As a result, other users having the same attribute are disclosed. Therefore, each user accesses the attribute addition / retrieval system 60 via the terminal 1 and downloads the data displayed on the SC 51, so that the other attributes have the same attributes and have similar preferences. You can search for users.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, an index is set based on the image uploaded by the user and the selected processing type, and an attribute is added to the user, thereby adding an attribute based on artistic sense. Is possible.

In the above-described embodiment, it is described that another user having the same attribute as that of the user is searched. However, the present invention is not limited to the same attribute. Even if the attributes are different, if it is statistically determined that the hobbies and preferences of the attribute pairs match each other, the user may be fed back. For example, if the system determines that there are statistically many cases where a user having the attribute “A” and a user having the attribute “B” have friendships (friend registration) on the site, a new attribute “ For a user to whom “A” is added, not only other users having “A” but also other users having “B” are fed back.
(For example, a user who uploads a lot of photos of the sea and a person who updates the fishing blog every day are considered to have a good taste.)

  In the embodiment, the description is limited to the image data, but the update may be music data. For example, a system that can perform a search when there is another user who has created a similar sound source by analyzing the uploaded sound source data on a music data sharing site (MySpace, etc.) made by himself. If the data is MIDI, the key can be determined from the data, and if it is mp3 etc., the sound source is expanded by frequency and the index is extracted from the feature points, so the same system as the image is built Is possible.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, The invention described in the claim and its equal range are included.

The invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be added below.
(Appendix)

<Claim 1>
A user search system comprising a server constituting various sites and a plurality of user terminals that can access the site,
An extraction means for extracting an index from input information from the accessed user terminal to the site or output information from the site to the user terminal;
Attribute adding means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index extracted by the extracting means;
Management means for managing the attribute added by the attribute adding means for each user;
A user search system comprising: each user managed by the management means and a public means for disclosing the attributes thereof.

<Claim 2>
2. The user search system according to claim 1, wherein the publishing means publishes by displaying a user with the same attribute added at a predetermined timing on a terminal of another user.

<Claim 3>
The attribute adding means includes a judging means for judging whether or not the index extracted by the extracting means corresponds to any one of indexes determined in advance corresponding to the attribute,
The user search system according to claim 1, wherein an attribute corresponding to the index is added to the user when applicable.

<Claim 4>
The publication means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not the attribute added to the user can be disclosed, and discloses the user and its attributes only when the confirmation means allows disclosure. Item 1. The user search system according to Item 1.

<Claim 5>
Upload means for uploading an image from a user terminal to a server of the service site, image tone conversion means for image tone conversion processing on the uploaded image on the server, and downloading the converted image after the image tone conversion With download means,
2. The user search system according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts an index from the uploaded image and the downloaded converted image.

<Claim 6>
An extraction means for extracting an index from input information from the accessed user terminal to the site or output information from the site to the user terminal;
Attribute adding means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index extracted by the extracting means;
Management means for managing the attribute added by the attribute adding means for each user;
A user search apparatus comprising: a public means for publicizing each user managed by the management means and their attributes.

<Claim 7>
7. The user search apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the publishing means publishes by displaying a user with the same attribute added at a predetermined timing on a terminal of another user.

<Claim 8>
The attribute adding means includes a judging means for judging whether or not the index extracted by the extracting means corresponds to any one of indexes determined in advance corresponding to the attribute,
The user search device according to claim 6, wherein an attribute corresponding to the index is added to the user when applicable.

<Claim 9>
The publication means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not the attribute added to the user can be disclosed, and discloses the user and its attributes only when the confirmation means allows disclosure. Item 7. The user search device according to Item 6.

<Claim 10>
Upload means for uploading an image from a user terminal to a server of the service site, image tone conversion means for image tone conversion processing of the uploaded image on the server, and download means for converting the image tone converted With
The user search device according to claim 6, wherein the extraction unit extracts an index from the uploaded image and the downloaded converted image.

<Claim 11>
A computer that the user search device has,
An extraction means for extracting an index from input information from the accessed user terminal to the site or output information from the site to the user terminal;
Attribute adding means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index extracted by the extracting means;
Management means for managing the attribute added by the attribute adding means for each user;
A program that can be read and executed by the computer, wherein the computer functions as public means for publicizing each user and their attributes managed by the management means.

10 Image service site 20 CPU
60 Search System 100 Member Area 102 User ID
106 Uploaded image area 108 Work buffer 200 Common area 202 Work area 204 Image ID
206 Attribute Information 208 Image Data 300 Control Area 302 Painting Conversion Processing Unit 304 Index Table 308 Display Control Unit 310 Evaluation Control Unit 312 Member Management Unit 500 Internet 601 Buffer 601 Image Data Reception Buffer 602 Image Analysis Device 603 Index Database 604 Image Storage Device 605 Storage device 606 Index addition device 607 Image reading device 608 Image processing device 610 Attribute database 611 Attribute addition device 612 Attribute registration device 613 Member attribute registration DB
613 All user attribute registration database 614 User search device 615 User notification device 6051 Image storage area 6052 Parameter storage area 6053 Attribute storage area 6054 User data area

Claims (9)

A user search system comprising a server constituting various sites and a plurality of user terminals that can access the site,
An extraction means for extracting an index from input information from the accessed user terminal to the site or output information from the site to the user terminal;
Attribute addition means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index upon occurrence of a user action;
Management means for managing the attribute added by the attribute adding means for each user;
Publishing means for publishing each user managed by this managing means and their attributes;
Search means for searching for a user to which an attribute is added by the occurrence of the user action;
Uploading means for uploading images from the user ’s device to the server of the site,
A tone conversion unit that performs a tone conversion process on the uploaded image on the server;
Downloading means for downloading the converted image after the tone conversion,
The extraction means extracts an index from the uploaded image and the downloaded converted image,
The occurrence timing of the user action includes any of the following “1” to “5”.
“1”: When the user uploaded an image “2”: When the user performed editing or painting conversion on the image “3”: When the user took some action “4”: Other by the user When some action is received from the user "5": When the user himself performs a search.   2. The user search system according to claim 1, wherein the publishing means publishes by displaying a user with the same attribute added at a predetermined timing on a terminal of another user. The attribute adding means includes a judging means for judging whether or not the index extracted by the extracting means corresponds to any one of indexes determined in advance corresponding to the attribute,
The user search system according to claim 1, wherein an attribute corresponding to the index is added to the user when applicable.   The publication means includes confirmation means for confirming whether or not the attribute added to the user can be disclosed, and discloses the user and its attributes only when the confirmation means allows disclosure. Item 1. The user search system according to Item 1. An extraction means for extracting an index from input information from the accessed user terminal to the site or output information from the site to the user terminal;
Attribute addition means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index upon occurrence of a user action;
Management means for managing the attribute added by the attribute adding means for each user;
Publishing means for publishing each user managed by this managing means and their attributes;
Search means for searching for a user to which an attribute is added by the occurrence of the user action;
Uploading means for uploading images from the user ’s device to the server of the site,
A tone conversion unit that performs tone conversion processing on the uploaded image on the server, and a download unit that downloads the converted image after the tone conversion,
The extraction means extracts an index from the uploaded image and the downloaded converted image,
The occurrence timing of the user action includes any of the following “1” to “5”.
“1”: When the user uploaded an image “2”: When the user performed editing or painting conversion on the image “3”: When the user took some action “4”: Other by the user When some action is received from the user "5": When the user himself performs a search. 6. The user search apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the publishing means publishes by displaying a user having the same attribute added at a predetermined timing on a terminal of another user. The attribute adding means includes a judging means for judging whether or not the index extracted by the extracting means corresponds to any one of indexes determined in advance corresponding to the attribute,
6. The user search device according to claim 5 , wherein an attribute corresponding to the index is added to the user when applicable. The public means, claims, characterized in that the user in the additional attribute comprises a confirmation means for confirming whether a public, exposes the user and the attribute only if it is a public accessibility by the confirming means Item 6. The user search device according to Item 5 . A computer that the user search device has,
An extraction means for extracting an index from input information from the accessed user terminal to the site or output information from the site to the user terminal;
Attribute addition means for adding an attribute to the user based on the index upon occurrence of a user action;
Management means for managing the attribute added by the attribute adding means for each user;
Publishing means for publishing each user managed by this managing means and their attributes;
Search means for searching for a user to which an attribute is added by the occurrence of the user action;
Uploading means for uploading images from the user ’s device to the server of the site,
Functioning as a tone conversion unit for performing tone conversion processing on the uploaded image on the server, and a download unit for downloading the converted image after the tone conversion;
The extraction means extracts an index from the uploaded image and the downloaded converted image,
The occurrence timing of the user action includes any one of the following “1” to “5”.
“1”: When the user uploaded an image “2”: When the user performed editing or painting conversion on the image “3”: When the user took some action “4”: Other by the user When some action is received from the user "5": When the user himself performs a search.

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