JP5552453B2 - Image collection system and image collection method - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image collection system and an image collection method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photographing apparatuses such as digital cameras and video cameras that generate still images and moving images by performing photographing processing are known. Such a photographing device is often used by a user who goes out on a trip or the like, and can be used as a still image or a moving image by being used on the go.

Netcam Systems Co., Ltd., “Simple monitoring via broadband internet LAN”, [online], [February 24, 2011 search], Internet <URL: http://www.ncam.net/index.html> Weather News, Inc., “Weather Camera”, [online], [Search February 24, 2011], Internet <http://weathernews.jp/livecam/> Fuji Film Co., Ltd., “ID Photo Box”, [online], [Search February 24, 2011], Internet <URL: http://fujifilm.jp/business/photo/photo_box/index.html>

  However, when a conventional photographing apparatus is used, when the user himself / herself becomes a subject, the user requests photographing from a travel companion or another person who met at the destination. For this reason, there are cases in which it is difficult for a user to leave a still image or a moving image including the user himself / herself.

  The image collection system according to the embodiment includes an imaging device and a service server. An imaging device is an imaging device installed inside or outside a building. The imaging device includes a determination request transmission unit, a notification unit, and an image data transmission unit. The determination request transmission unit receives an image data acquisition request for requesting acquisition of image data generated by being imaged by the imaging device from a user terminal together with a user identifier for identifying the user. A determination request for determining whether to permit transmission of image data to the user terminal is transmitted to the service server together with the user identifier. When the determination result indicating that the image data is permitted to be transmitted to the user terminal is received from the service server as a determination result for the determination request, the notification unit performs shooting by the imaging device. To the user. The image data transmission unit performs imaging after being notified by the notification unit, and transmits image data generated by the imaging to the user terminal. The service server includes a user information storage unit, a shooting information storage unit, a determination unit, and a determination result transmission unit. The user information storage unit stores behavior information including the user identifier and a location where the user terminal is located. The photographing information storage unit stores a photographing position indicating a position of a photographing target photographed by the photographing device. When the determination unit receives the determination request together with the user identifier from the imaging apparatus, the determination unit stores the location stored in the user information storage unit in association with the user identifier that matches the user identifier Determines whether or not it approximates a location corresponding to the shooting position stored in the shooting information storage unit. The determination result transmission unit transmits a determination result indicating that transmission of image data to the user terminal is permitted to the photographing device when it is determined that the determination unit approximates the image.

  According to the image collection system and the image collection method according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide a large number of image data including a user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the pre-registration of the photographing position by the image collection system in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a shooting position in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an image data acquisition request and transmission according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating processing for registering a shooting position by the image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating behavior information transmission / reception processing by the image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a photographing process performed by the image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating image data transmission / reception processing by the image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of each device in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information storage unit. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the image storage unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information storage unit. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the shooting information storage unit. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a computer that executes an authentication program.

  Embodiments of an image collection system and an image collection method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this Example.

[Configuration Example of Image Collection System in Embodiment 1]
First, the image collection system according to the first embodiment will be described. The image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment collects image data photographed by a photographing device such as a surveillance camera. Then, when the image collection system 1 receives an image data acquisition request from a user, the image collection system 1 performs an authentication process using the user's action history, and then the image data that may be reflected in the user. To users.

  Such processing by the image collection system 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image collection system according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a case where the image collection system 1 collects image data that is a still image will be described as an example. However, the image collection system 1 may collect image data that is a moving image.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image collection system 1 includes user terminals 110, 120, 130, and 140, imaging devices 210, 220, 230, and 240, an operation terminal 310, an image storage 410, and a service server 510. And an image collection device 610.

  The user terminals 110, 120, 130, and 140 are mobile phones or the like used by users, and have a function of acquiring the location of the own terminal. These user terminals 110, 120, 130, and 140 periodically transmit behavior information including the location of the terminal and the location date and time to the service server 510. Here, the position information 210a, 220a, 230a, and 240a illustrated in FIG. 1 are the position information of the user terminals 110, 120, 130, and 140, respectively.

  The photographing devices 210, 220, 230, and 240 are monitoring cameras or the like installed inside and outside the building, and generate image data by performing photographing processing. The imaging device 210 and the imaging device 240 transmit image data and the like to the image storage. Here, the photographing apparatus 210 is connected to one image storage 410, and the photographing apparatus 240 is connected to one image storage (not shown). The photographing apparatus 210 transmits image data and the like to the image storage 410, and the photographing apparatus 240 transmits image data and the like to an image storage (not shown). Thereby, each image storage accumulate | stores the image data produced | generated by the imaging device. On the other hand, the image capturing device 220 and the image capturing device 230 store image data generated by performing image capturing processing in the image capturing device.

  In addition, the imaging devices 210 and 240 transmit imaging information regarding image data to the service server 510. Note that the shooting information indicates, for example, information including an image ID for identifying image data, a shooting date and time that is a date and time when shooting is performed by the shooting device, and the like.

  The operation terminal 310 specifies a shooting position that is a position of a shooting target shot by the shooting device 210 and the like, and pre-registers the specified shooting position in the service server 510. The operation terminal 310 pre-registers in the service server 510 a shooting position that is to be shot by the shooting device 210 when the shooting device 210 is installed. Here, the photographing positions 210b, 220b, 230b, and 240b shown in FIG. 1 are photographing positions of the photographing devices 210, 220, 230, and 240, respectively.

  The service server 510 collects behavior history of each user by periodically receiving behavior information from the user terminal 110 or the like. Further, the service server 510 collects shooting information related to image data generated by each shooting device by receiving shooting information from the shooting device 210 and the like. Accordingly, the service server 510 can collect shooting information of image data held by each image storage.

  The image collection device 610 is a PC (Personal Computer) used by a user and searches for image data from the service server 510 and the image storage 410. Specifically, the image collection device 610 transmits an image ID acquisition request to the service server 510 together with position information and date / time information designated by the user in accordance with an instruction from the user such as the user terminal 110. Then, the service server 510 first performs an authentication process using the user's action history, and then there is a possibility that the user is shown based on the action history, a pre-registered shooting position, and the like. The image ID indicating the image data is searched, and the obtained image ID is transmitted to the image collection device 610. Then, the image collection device 610 acquires image data from the image storage 410 using the image ID acquired from the service server 510. Thereby, a user such as the user terminal 110 obtains image data that may be reflected in the user by operating the image collection device 610, for example, when the user goes home from whereabouts. Can do.

  In the above description, an example in which the image collection device 610 acquires image data from the image storage 410 has been described. However, the imaging devices 220 and 230 illustrated in FIG. 1 do not pass through the image storage 410 but the user terminal 120 or 130. Provide image data.

  Specifically, the imaging device 220 receives an image data acquisition request from the user terminal 120 and provides the image data to the user terminal 120 in response to the image data acquisition request. Thereby, the user of the user terminal 120 can immediately acquire the image data photographed by the photographing device 220.

  In addition, in response to the image data acquisition request from the user terminal 130, the imaging device 230 performs the imaging process after recognizing that the user of the user terminal 130 performs the imaging process, for example, by blinking a light. Do. Then, the imaging device 230 provides the image data to the user terminal 130. Thereby, the user of the user terminal 130 can immediately acquire the image data photographed in the posture desired by the user himself / herself.

  Further, when the user is on a transportation facility such as the train 10, the image collection system 1 can also provide image data of the transportation facility to the user. Specifically, the imaging device 240 is a monitoring camera or the like that images the train 10 or a track through which the train 10 passes, and the train 10 receives vehicle information including the location and date and time of the train 10 as a service server. A vehicle apparatus that periodically transmits to 510 is mounted. Then, the image collection device 610 is operated by the user of the user terminal 140 to transmit an image ID acquisition request to the service server 510. Then, the service server 510 transmits an image ID indicating image data on which the train 10 boarded by the user may be reflected to the image collecting device 610 by performing an authentication process using the vehicle information. Then, the image collection device 610 acquires image data from the image storage connected to the imaging device 240. Thereby, when the user of the user terminal 140 returns home from a place where he / she goes out, for example, the user operates the image collection device 610 so that the image data on the train 10 on which the user himself / herself is taken may be reflected. Can be obtained.

  Among such image collection systems 1, in the first embodiment, processing by the user terminal 130, the imaging device 230, the operation terminal 310, and the service server 510 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. Here, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that there are a plurality of user terminals 130. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user terminal 130 according to the first embodiment. User terminals 130-1 to 130-m illustrated in FIG. 2 correspond to the user terminals 130 illustrated in FIG. Each of the user terminals 130-1 to 130-m is communicably connected to the service server 510, and periodically transmits behavior information to the service server 510. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the user terminals 130-1 to 130-m, these may be collectively referred to as “user terminal 130”.

[Pre-registration of shooting position]
Next, the pre-registration of the shooting position will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining pre-registration of the photographing position by the image collection system 1 in the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the photographing position in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment, the operation terminal 310 pre-registers the shooting position of the shooting device 230 in the service server 510. The service server 510 uses the pre-registered shooting position to search for an image ID indicating image data that may be captured by the user.

  Here, the shooting position is a position of a shooting target shot by the shooting device 230 and is not a position where the shooting device 230 is installed. In the first embodiment, the shooting position is not a certain point but a fixed area. The operation terminal 310 according to the first embodiment specifies a shooting position as a fixed area using image data shot by the shooting device 230 and pre-registers position information indicating the specified shooting position in the service server 510. For example, the operation terminal 310 performs this pre-registration when the photographing apparatus 230 is installed.

  Hereinafter, the pre-registration of the photographing position performed when the photographing apparatus 230 is installed will be described together with an example of the work performed by the worker. First, the operator operates the operation terminal 310 brought to the installation location of the imaging device 230 and inputs the imaging device ID of the imaging device 230 to the operation terminal 310. The imaging device ID is information for identifying the imaging device 230. When the operation terminal 310 receives the input of the imaging device ID, the operation terminal 310 stores the imaging device ID in the storage unit.

  In addition, the operator performs an operation on the operation terminal 310 to acquire the position information of the position where the imaging device 230 is installed. Then, the operation terminal 310 measures position information using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) function built in the terminal itself. The GPS function of the operation terminal 310 receives a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, and detects longitude and latitude as position information of a position where the imaging device 230 is installed. Note that the position information measured here is only the position information of the position where the photographing apparatus 230 is installed, not the position information of the position of the photographing target.

  In addition, the worker installs the photographing device 230 at a predetermined position inside and outside the building, and manually adjusts the direction of the lens. When the operator inputs a shooting instruction to the shooting device 230, the shooting device 230 performs shooting and generates image data. In this image data, a subject to be photographed by the photographing device 230 is photographed. Subsequently, the operator inputs image data captured by the imaging device 230 to the operation terminal 310, and the operation terminal 310 receives input of image data.

  Here, the operation terminal 310 in the first embodiment stores map information. The map information is obtained by associating a map, position information of each position indicated on the map, and map image data generated by photographing the periphery at the position indicated on the map. , Google (R) map street view, and the like. The operation terminal 310 stores such map information by being input in advance by an operator, for example.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation terminal 310 compares the image data 30 photographed by the photographing device 230 with the map image data 40 using the existing image recognition technology, and the image data on the map image data 40 is displayed. Search for 30 overlapping ranges. That is, generally, the map image data 40 includes an enormous amount of map image data 40 taken at every position on the earth. Therefore, the operation terminal 310 searches for a range that matches the image data 30 from the enormous map image data 40 by pattern matching or the like.

  However, the operation terminal 310 according to the first embodiment uses the position information of the position where the imaging device 230 is installed in order to narrow down the comparison range of the map image data 40 used for comparison before searching for the overlapping range. That is, normally, since the position where the image capturing device 230 is installed and the position of the object to be imaged captured by the image capturing device 230 are considered to be close, the operation terminal 310 is located at the position where the image capturing device 230 is installed. The comparison range of the map image data 40 is narrowed down using the position information, that is, the position information measured using the GPS function. For example, the operation terminal 310 narrows down a range within a radius of about 100 m, for example, as a comparison range, with a fixed range around the position indicated by the position information measured using the GPS function.

  Then, when the operation terminal 310 searches for the overlapping range of the image data 30 on the map image data 40 in the narrowed comparison range, the location information indicating the area on the map included in the searched overlapping range is displayed as the map information. Extract from

  As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the operation terminal 310 cuts out the map image data 50 that is the overlapping range with the image data 30 from the map image data 40, and in the cut out map image data 50, the landmark object The fountain 50a is specified as a thing. The landmark object is, for example, one registered in the map information in advance as a characteristic structure, or one recognized as a characteristic structure by image recognition.

  Then, the operation terminal 310 sets the horizontal width and the depth width that are the registration range of the photographing position around the fountain 50a. The operation terminal 310 uses, for example, preset values that are input in advance by an operator and stored in the storage unit of the operation terminal 310 as the horizontal width and the depth width. In addition, for example, the operation terminal 310 may use a value input on the spot by the operator when the operator inputs while viewing the map image data 50 displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal 310.

  Next, the operation terminal 310 determines a rectangular area surrounded by the set horizontal width and depth width as a registration range area to be registered as a shooting position. Then, the operation terminal 310 extracts the latitude and longitude information at each corner of the rectangular area from the map information. For example, since the map, the position information, and the map image data are associated with each other in the map information, the operation terminal 310 first extracts the latitude / longitude information of the landmark object from the position information using the corresponding relationship. Then, using the latitude / longitude information, the latitude / longitude information at each corner of the rectangular area is obtained, for example, by calculation. In this way, the operation terminal 310 extracts “latitude X1 longitude Y1”, “latitude X2 longitude Y2”, “latitude X3 longitude Y3”, and “latitude X4 longitude Y4” as shown in FIG.

  Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, for example, “latitude X1 longitude Y1” or the like is described. However, for example, the values are “north latitude 35 degrees 39 minutes 29 seconds 1572” and “east longitude 139 degrees 44 minutes 28 seconds 8759”. However, this value is only an example, and the position information is not limited to that indicated by latitude and longitude. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a rectangular area centering on a landmark object will be described as an example of the registration range area, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The region of the registration range may be, for example, a circle region centered on a landmark object. In addition, it is not always essential that the registration range area is centered on the landmark object.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation terminal 310 transmits the position information extracted from the map information to the service server 510 via the information communication network 20 together with the imaging device ID stored in the storage unit. The operation terminal 310 may display a confirmation button on the display unit before transmitting the position information to the service server 510, and may transmit the position information after accepting the operator pressing the confirmation button.

  The embodiment is not limited to the example described above. For example, in Example 1, although the example which narrows down a comparison range using the positional information measured using the GPS function was demonstrated, embodiment is not restricted to this. For example, the worker may input position information of landmark-like objects existing in the vicinity of the installation location of the imaging device 230 to the operation terminal 310. In this case, the operation terminal 310 uses the position information of the landmark object to narrow down a range within a radius of about 100 m as a comparison range, for example, around a position indicated by the position information.

  Further, the process performed based on the operation by the operator may be automatically performed, and conversely, the process performed automatically may be the process performed based on the operation by the worker. For example, measurement of position information using the GPS function may be automatically performed by the operation terminal 310. In this case, the operation terminal 310 may measure the position information by activating the GPS function built in the terminal itself when the input of image data is received, for example.

  Further, for example, the map information may be automatically stored by the operation terminal 310. In this case, the operation terminal 310 downloads the map information via the information communication network 20 such as the Internet when the input of the image data is received, for example, and uses the map information stored by downloading the map information. The overlapping range of the image data 30 on the image data 40 is searched. Further, the operation terminal 310 may download the map image data 40 after narrowing down the comparison range by performing download using the position information of the position where the imaging device 230 is installed.

[Request for image data acquisition and transmission]
Next, an image data acquisition request and transmission performed between the user terminal 130, the imaging device 230, and the service server 510 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an image data acquisition request and transmission according to the first embodiment.

  As described above, the imaging device 230 according to the first embodiment receives an image data acquisition request from the user terminal 130 and provides the image data to the user terminal 130 in response to the image data acquisition request. Thereby, the user of the user terminal 130 can immediately acquire the image data photographed by the photographing device 230.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 130 includes behavior information a including a user ID indicating the user of the user terminal 130 and a location where the user terminal 130 is located. It is periodically transmitted to the service server 510. The service server 510 stores the behavior information a that is periodically transmitted.

  In addition, the user terminal 130 transmits an image data acquisition request b for requesting acquisition of image data to the photographing apparatus 230 together with the user ID. For example, by coloring the ground in the shooting range and its boundary portion in advance, or by installing a signboard that guides the installation location of the shooting device 230 at the entrance of the shooting range, It is assumed that the installation location of the imaging device 230 can be recognized. Then, the user operates the user terminal 130, and the user terminal 130 transmits the image data acquisition request b to the photographing apparatus 230 together with the user ID.

  On the other hand, when the image capturing apparatus 230 receives the image data acquisition request b together with the user ID from the user terminal 130, the imaging apparatus 230 transmits an authentication request c together with the user ID to the service server 510. Here, the authentication request c is a request for determining whether or not to allow the user terminal 130 to transmit image data.

  When the service server 510 receives the authentication request c together with the user ID from the imaging device 230, the service server 510 refers to the stored behavior information a, and the location stored in association with the user ID is the imaging device 220. It is determined whether or not it approximates to a location corresponding to the shooting position. If it is determined that the service server 510 is approximate, the service server 510 transmits permission information d indicating that the user terminal 130 is permitted to transmit image data to the photographing apparatus 230.

  When the photographing apparatus 230 receives the permission information d from the service server 510, the photographing apparatus 230 notifies the user that photographing is performed by the photographing apparatus 230 (e). For example, the photographing device 230 notifies the user by blinking a light attached to the photographing device 230, moving an object attached to the photographing device 230, or making a sound from a speaker attached to the photographing device 230.

  Then, the image capturing device 230 performs image capturing after the notification, and transmits the image data f generated by the image capturing to the user terminal 130.

[Flow of processing between devices]
Next, the flow of processing between the various apparatuses shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a shooting position registration process between the operation terminal 310 and the service server 510 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating processing for registering a shooting position by the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the operation terminal 310 receives an input of the image data 30 photographed by the photographing device 230 (Step S11). Next, the operation terminal 310 narrows down the comparison range using the position information measured using the GPS function (step S12). For example, the operation terminal 310 narrows down a range within a radius of about 100 m, for example, as a comparison range, with a fixed range around the position indicated by the position information measured using the GPS function.

  Subsequently, the operation terminal 310 compares the image data 30 photographed by the photographing device 230 with the map image data 40 using a known image recognition technique, and searches for an overlapping range of the image data 30 on the map image data 40. (Step S13). That is, the operation terminal 310 searches the map image data 40 for a range that matches the image data 30.

  Then, the operation terminal 310 cuts out the map image data 50 that is the overlapping range with the image data 30 from the map image data 40, and specifies the landmark object in the cut out map image data 50 (step S14). ). For example, the operation terminal 310 identifies the fountain 50a as a landmark object.

  Next, the operation terminal 310 sets a horizontal width and a depth width that are the registration range of the shooting position around the landmark object (step S15). Subsequently, the operation terminal 310 determines a rectangular area surrounded by the set horizontal width and depth width as a registration range area, and extracts position information indicating the determined area from the map information (step S16). For example, the operation terminal 310 extracts information on latitude and longitude at each corner of the rectangular area from the map information.

  And the operation terminal 310 transmits the positional information extracted from map information to the service server 510 via the information communication network 20 with imaging | photography apparatus ID (step S17).

  On the other hand, when the service server 510 receives the position information and the imaging device ID (step S18), the service server 510 stores them in the imaging information storage unit 513 (step S19). In this way, the service server 510 pre-registers the shooting position of the shooting device 230 in the shooting information storage unit 513.

  Next, behavior information transmission / reception processing between the user terminal 130 and the service server 510 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating behavior information transmission / reception processing by the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 130 monitors whether or not it is time to transmit the behavior information to the service server 510 (step S21). In addition, the timing which transmits action information may be every time predetermined by the system, and may be every time arbitrarily determined by the user, for example, every 10 minutes or 1 hour. Every.

  Then, the user terminal 130 acquires the location of the own terminal when it is the transmission timing of the behavior information (step S22). Then, the user terminal 130 obtains behavior information including the acquired location, the location date and time at which the location is located, and a user ID for identifying a user who uses the user terminal 130. The information is stored in the user information storage unit 133 (step S23). Then, the user terminal 130 transmits such behavior information to the service server 510 (step S24).

  When receiving the behavior information from the user terminal 130 (step S25), the service server 510 stores the received behavior information in the user information storage unit 512 (step S26). Each time the service server 510 receives behavior information from the user terminal 130, the service server 510 stores the behavior information in the user information storage unit 512. In this way, the service server 510 collects behavior information regarding the location and date / time where the user is located as a behavior history.

  Next, the photographing process of the photographing apparatus 230 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a photographing process performed by the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that the image capturing process described with reference to FIG. 8 is an image capturing process normally performed by the image capturing apparatus 230, and is performed in response to an image data acquisition request from the user (the image capturing process described with reference to FIG. 9). ) Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the imaging device 230 monitors whether or not it is an imaging timing (step S31). Note that the photographing timing may be every time determined in advance by the system, or may be every time arbitrarily determined by an administrator who manages the photographing device 230, for example, every minute or Every 5 minutes.

  Then, when it is the photographing timing, the photographing device 230 generates image data by performing a photographing process (step S32). Then, the imaging device 230 pays out an image ID in association with the generated image data, and stores the image ID, the image data, and the shooting date / time in the image storage unit 233 (step S33). At this time, the image capturing device 230 may store image data and the like in the image storage unit 233 together with the image capturing device ID for identifying the image capturing device 230 that is the device itself.

  Next, image data transmission / reception processing among the user terminal 130, the photographing apparatus 230, and the service server 510 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating image data transmission / reception processing by the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the user terminal 130 transmits an image data acquisition request for requesting acquisition of image data to the photographing apparatus 230 together with the user ID (step S <b> 41). For example, when the user operates the user terminal 130 at the installation location of the image capturing device 230, the user terminal 130 reads a QR code (registered trademark) displayed on a signboard and passes through the information communication network 20. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the image capturing device 230 is accessed. Then, for example, the user terminal 130 displays a user ID input box and an “image data acquisition request” button on a predetermined display unit, thereby inputting the user ID from the user and pressing the button. And the image data acquisition request is transmitted to the photographing apparatus 230 together with the user ID. Note that the transmission method of the image data acquisition request is not limited to this. For example, the user terminal 130 communicates with the image capturing device 230 by other methods such as receiving an input of the URL of the image capturing device 230 described on the sign from the user or storing the URL of the image capturing device 230 in advance. You may go.

  Subsequently, when the image data acquisition request is received together with the user ID, the imaging device 230 transmits an authentication request to the service server 510 together with the user ID (step S42). Here, the authentication request is a request for determining whether or not to allow the user terminal 130 to transmit image data.

  When the service server 510 receives the authentication request together with the user ID, the service server 510 performs an authentication process using the behavior information stored in the user information storage unit 512 (step S43). For example, the service server 510 determines whether the user ID received together with the authentication request is stored in the user information storage unit 512, so that the user subscribes to the service provided by the service server 510. It is determined whether or not. The service server 510 determines that the authentication is successful when the user ID is stored in the user information storage unit 512, and the authentication fails when the user ID is not stored in the user information storage unit 512.

  Subsequently, the service server 510 confirms that the location of the user is included in the shooting position of the shooting device 220 (step S44). For example, the service server 510 uses the shooting position of the shooting apparatus 230 in which the location stored in the user information storage unit 512 in association with the user ID received together with the authentication request is stored in the shooting information storage unit 513. It is determined whether or not the position is approximate to the location corresponding to.

  For example, the service server 510 has a location corresponding to the imaging position of the imaging device 230 for the location with the latest date and time information among the locations stored in the user information storage unit 512 in association with the user ID. It is determined whether or not to approximate. Thereby, the service server 510 can determine whether or not the user who requests acquisition of the image data is located in the vicinity of the imaging position of the imaging device 230, and as a result, the usage that is the transmission source of the acquisition request. The legitimacy of the person can be determined. Note that the legitimacy here is legitimacy that “the user is at least in the vicinity of the photographing position of the photographing device 220”.

  Subsequently, the service server 510 transmits permission information permitting the image data to be transmitted to the user terminal 130 together with the user ID received from the image capturing device 230 to the image capturing device 230 (step S45).

  When receiving the permission information from the service server 510, the imaging device 230 informs the user that the imaging device 230 will perform imaging (step S46). For example, the photographing device 230 notifies the user by blinking a light attached to the photographing device 230, moving an object attached to the photographing device 230, or making a sound from a speaker attached to the photographing device 230.

  Then, the imaging device 230 performs imaging after the notification to generate image data (step S47), and transmits the generated image data to the user terminal 130 (step S48). For example, the photographing apparatus 230 specifies the user terminal 130 that is the transmission source of the image data acquisition request using the user ID received together with the permission information, and transmits the generated image data to the user terminal 130.

[Configuration of each apparatus in Embodiment 1]
Next, the configuration of each device included in the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of each device in the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a user terminal 130, a photographing device 230, an operation terminal 310, and a service server 510.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the user terminal 130 includes a signal transmission / reception unit 131, a GPS unit 132, a user information storage unit 133, and a control unit 134.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 131 is a communication device that transmits / receives various information to / from an external device. For example, the signal transmission / reception unit 131 transmits behavior information to the service server 510 and transmits an image data request to the imaging device 220.

  The GPS unit 132 detects the location of the user terminal 130. For example, the GPS unit 132 detects the longitude and latitude as the location of the user terminal 130 by receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. The GPS unit 132 is controlled by a position information acquisition unit 124a described later.

  The user information storage unit 133 stores the location where the user terminal 130 is located, the date and time where the user terminal 130 was located, and the like. Note that the user information storage unit 133 is updated by a position information registration unit 134b described later.

  Here, FIG. 11 shows an example of the user information storage unit 133. In the example of FIG. 11, the user terminal 130 is located at the location “longitude X10 latitude Y10” at the location date “February 24, 2011, 11:32”. In the example of FIG. 11, the user terminal 130 is located at the location “longitude X20 latitude Y20” at the location date “February 24, 2011, 11:38”.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the user information storage unit 133 stores the location date and location. However, the user information storage unit 133 includes a user in addition to the location date and location. The ID may be stored.

  The control unit 134 performs overall control of various processes performed by the user terminal 130. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 134 includes a position information acquisition unit 134a, a position information registration unit 134b, and a request unit 134c.

  The position information acquisition unit 134 a acquires the location of the user terminal 130 by controlling the GPS unit 132. Specifically, the position information acquisition unit 134a monitors whether or not it is the timing for transmitting the behavior information to the service server 510, and when the transmission timing is reached, the location of the user terminal 130 is indicated to the GPS unit 132. To get.

  The location information registration unit 134b registers the location acquired by the location information acquisition unit 134a and the location date and time when the user terminal 130 is located at the location in the user information storage unit 133. Further, the location information registration unit 134 b transmits behavior information including a user ID indicating the user of the user terminal 130, a location, and a location date and time to the service server 510 via the signal transmission / reception unit 131. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the behavior information includes the user ID, the location, and the location date / time. However, the behavior information is not limited to this. For example, the behavior information does not include the location date / time. It may be information.

  When the request unit 134c receives an operation requesting acquisition of image data from a user, the request unit 134c transmits an image data acquisition request to the photographing apparatus 230 together with the user ID.

  The imaging device 230 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a surveillance camera or a live camera installed inside or outside a building, or a digital camera carried by someone other than the user of the user terminal 130. In the first embodiment, the imaging device 220 is a camera installed inside and outside a building.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the imaging device 230 includes a signal transmission / reception unit 231, an imaging unit 232, an image storage unit 233, and a control unit 234.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 231 is a communication device that transmits / receives various information to / from an external device. For example, the signal transmission / reception unit 231 transmits an authentication request to the service server 510 and receives permission information from the service server 510. The imaging unit 232 generates image data by performing imaging processing according to the control of the control unit 234.

  The image storage unit 233 stores image data generated by the imaging unit 232, imaging information related to the image data, and the like. The image storage unit 233 is updated by the control unit 234 described later.

  Here, FIG. 12 shows an example of the image storage unit 233. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the image storage unit 233 includes items such as “imaging device ID”, “image ID”, “image data”, and “imaging date / time”. The “imaging device ID” is an identifier for identifying the imaging device 230. For example, the photographing apparatus ID of the photographing apparatus 230-1 is “230-1”. “Image ID” is an identifier for identifying image data. The “image data” is data generated by performing a photographing process by the photographing device 230. “Shooting date and time” is the date and time when shooting was performed by the shooting device 230.

  In the example of FIG. 12, “Image data A” is generated when the imaging unit 232 performs imaging at “11:35 on February 24, 2011”, and the image ID of the image data A is “G10”. It is shown that. In addition, when the photographing unit 232 performs photographing at “11:40 on February 24, 2011”, “image data B” is generated, and the image ID of the image data B is “G11”. Show.

  The control unit 234 performs overall control of various processes performed by the photographing apparatus 230. Specifically, the imaging device 230 performs an imaging process by controlling the imaging unit 232 when the imaging timing comes, and issues an image ID to the image data generated by the imaging unit 232. Then, the control unit 234 stores the imaging device ID, image ID, image data, and imaging date / time in the image storage unit 233.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 234 includes an authentication request unit 234a, a notification unit 234b, and a provision unit 234c.

  The authentication request unit 234 a transmits an authentication request to the service server 510 when receiving an image data acquisition request from the user terminal 130. Specifically, when the authentication request unit 234a receives an image data acquisition request together with the user ID from the user terminal 130, the authentication request unit 234a transmits the authentication request together with the user ID to the service server 510. Here, the authentication request is a request for determining whether or not to allow the user terminal 130 to transmit image data. When the authorization request unit 234a receives the license information from the service server 510 in response to the authentication request, the authentication request unit 234a notifies the notification unit 234b that the license information has been received.

  When the notification unit 234b receives a notification that the permission information has been received from the authentication request unit 234a, the notification unit 234b notifies the user that shooting is performed by the shooting device 230. For example, the notification unit 234b performs notification by blinking a light attached to the photographing device 230, moving an object attached to the photographing device 230, or sounding a sound from a speaker attached to the photographing device 230. Also, the notification unit 234b notifies the providing unit 234c that the notification has been completed.

  The providing unit 234c performs imaging by controlling the imaging unit 232 when receiving notification from the notification unit 234b that notification has been completed. The imaging unit 232 generates image data and stores the generated image data in the image storage unit 233. Then, using the user ID received together with the permission information, the providing unit 234c identifies the user terminal 130 that is the transmission source of the image data acquisition request, and uses the latest image data stored in the image storage unit 233. To the user terminal 130.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the operation terminal 310 includes a signal transmission / reception unit 311, a display unit 312, a map information storage unit 313, and a control unit 314.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 311 is a communication device that transmits / receives various information to / from an external device. For example, the signal transmission / reception unit 311 transmits the position information to the service server 510. The display unit 312 is an output device that outputs various types of information, such as a liquid crystal display.

  The map information storage unit 313 stores map information and the imaging device ID. The map information is obtained by associating a map, position information of each position indicated on the map, and map image data generated by photographing the periphery at the position indicated on the map. The photographing device ID is information for identifying the photographing device 230.

  The map information storage unit 313 stores map information by being input in advance by an operator, for example. Further, the map information storage unit 313 stores the photographing ID by being input by an operator when the photographing device 230 is installed, for example. Note that the shooting ID stored in the map information storage unit 313 may be deleted from the map information storage unit 313 after being transmitted to the service server 510 by the position information registration unit 314c described later.

  The control unit 314 totally controls various processes performed by the operation terminal 310. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the control unit 314 includes an image data reception unit 314a, a position information extraction unit 314b, and a position information registration unit 314c.

  The image data receiving unit 314a receives input of image data shot by the shooting device 230. Specifically, the image data receiving unit 314a receives input of image data captured by the image capturing device 230 by being input by an operator.

  The position information extraction unit 314b extracts position information registered in the service server 510 from the map information. Specifically, the position information extraction unit 314b compares the image data received by the image data reception unit 314a with the map image data stored in the map information storage unit 313 by image recognition, so that the map data on the map image data is displayed. Search for overlapping range of image data. Then, the position information extraction unit 314b extracts position information indicating a region on the map included in the searched overlapping range from the position information stored in the map information storage unit 313.

  The location information registration unit 314 c registers location information with the service server 510. Specifically, the location information registration unit 314 c transmits the location information extracted by the location information extraction unit 314 b to the service server 510 via the signal transmission / reception unit 311 together with the shooting ID stored in the map information storage unit 313. To do.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the service server 510 includes a signal transmission / reception unit 511, a user information storage unit 512, a shooting information storage unit 513, and a control unit 514.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 511 is a communication device that transmits / receives various information to / from an external device. For example, the signal transmission / reception unit 511 receives behavior information from the user terminal 130, receives an authentication request from the imaging device 230, and receives position information from the operation terminal 310. Further, for example, the signal transmission / reception unit 511 transmits permission information to the image capturing device 230.

  The user information storage unit 512 stores the behavior information transmitted by the location information registration unit 134b of the user terminal 130. Here, FIG. 13 shows an example of the user information storage unit 512. In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the user information storage unit 512 includes items such as “user ID”, “location date”, and “location position”. These “user ID”, “location date” and “location” are behavior information transmitted by the user terminal 130 and are stored by the storage unit 514a described later.

  In the example of FIG. 13, the user terminal 130-1 having the user ID “130-1” is located at the position indicated by “latitude X10 longitude Y10” at “11:32 on February 24, 2011”. It is shown that. In the example of FIG. 13, the user terminal 130-2 with the user ID “130-2” is located at the position indicated by “latitude X20 longitude Y20” at “11:38 on February 24, 2011”. It indicates that it was located.

  The shooting information storage unit 513 stores the shooting position transmitted by the operation terminal 310. Here, FIG. 14 shows an example of the photographing information storage unit 513. In the example illustrated in FIG. 14, the shooting information storage unit 513 includes items such as “shooting device ID” and “shooting position”. The “imaging device ID” and “imaging position” are information transmitted by the operation terminal 310 and are stored by the storage unit 514a described later.

  The control unit 514 totally controls various processes performed by the service server 510. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 514 includes a storage unit 514a, an authentication unit 514b, and a transmission unit 514c.

  When receiving various information from the user terminal 130 or the operation terminal 310, the storage unit 514a stores the received various information in the user information storage unit 512 or the photographing information storage unit 513. Specifically, the storage unit 514 a stores the received behavior information in the user information storage unit 512 when receiving behavior information including the user ID, the location date and time, and the location from the user terminal 130. . Further, the storage unit 514 a stores the received various information in the shooting information storage unit 513 when receiving the shooting device ID and the position information from the operation terminal 310.

  When the authentication unit 514 b receives an authentication request from the image capturing device 230 via the signal transmission / reception unit 511, the authentication unit 514 b determines whether the user ID received together with the authentication request is stored in the user information storage unit 512. To authenticate.

  If the authentication unit 514b determines that the user ID is stored in the user information storage unit 512, the authentication unit 514b confirms that the location of the user is included in the shooting position of the shooting device 230. Specifically, the authentication unit 514b refers to the user information storage unit 512 using the user ID, and acquires the latest location location stored in association with the user ID. Further, the authentication unit 514b refers to the shooting information storage unit 513 using the shooting device ID for identifying the shooting device 220, and acquires the shooting position stored in association with the shooting device ID.

  Then, the authentication unit 514b determines whether the location position approximates the location position corresponding to the shooting position. Description will be made using the photographing information storage unit 513 illustrated in FIG. For example, in the shooting position “latitude X1 longitude Y1, latitude X2 longitude Y2, latitude X3 longitude Y3, latitude X4 longitude Y4” stored in the shooting information storage unit 513 (hereinafter referred to as “area XY14”). It is assumed that the position (hereinafter referred to as “position Z”) indicated by the location acquired from the user information storage unit 512 is included. In such a case, the authentication unit 514b determines that the location position approximates the location position corresponding to the shooting position.

  In the above example, it is assumed that the position Z is not included in the region XY14. At this time, when the linear distance between the outer periphery of the region XY14 and the position Z is smaller than a predetermined threshold (for example, 5 [m]), the authentication unit 514b sets the location position to the location position corresponding to the shooting position. It is determined to be approximate.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, the position information of four points indicating the area is stored in the shooting position of the shooting information storage unit 513, but the position of one point is set in the shooting position of the shooting information storage unit 513. Only the position information shown may be stored. In such a case, the authentication unit 514b, for example, is located within a circular area having a predetermined radius (for example, 5 [m]) centered on the position information of one point stored in the imaging information storage unit 513. Z is included, or when such a circular region and the position Z are located in the vicinity (for example, the linear distance between the circumference of the circular region and the position Z is greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 1 [m]) If it is small, it is determined that the location position approximates the location position corresponding to the shooting position.

  As described above, the service server 510 according to the first embodiment uses the position of the photographing target photographed by the photographing device 230 as the position information used for comparison with the user's location, not the position where the photographing device 230 is installed. Use. For example, when the photographing device 230 is a surveillance camera or the like installed on the roof of a building, the position where the photographing device 230 is installed is the building itself, and the position of the subject to be photographed by the photographing device 230 is, for example, a building There are roads and parks in front of. It is assumed that the user walks in the park in front of the building and is photographed by the photographing device 230 installed on the roof of the building. Then, although there is a possibility that the user is reflected in the image data generated by the photographing apparatus 230, the user's location (park) is compared with the position (building) where the photographing apparatus 230 is installed. However, the determination result that the user's location is close to the position where the photographing device 230 is installed is not always obtained. On the other hand, if the user's location (park) is compared with the position of the subject to be photographed (road or park in front of the building) taken by the photographing device 230, the location of the user is determined by the photographing device 230. There is a high possibility that the determination result is approximate to the position of the imaged object.

  In the first embodiment, the authentication unit 514b performs the above determination using the latest location stored in association with the user ID, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user terminal 130 may transmit the behavior information to the service server 510 at the same time when transmitting the image data acquisition request to the imaging device 230. In this case, for example, the user terminal 130 attaches information indicating that this behavior information is to be transmitted simultaneously with the image data acquisition request. Then, the service server 510 may perform the above determination using the location included in the action information transmitted simultaneously with the image data acquisition request.

  When the authentication by the authenticating unit 514b is successful and it is confirmed that the user's location is close to the location corresponding to the imaging position of the imaging device 230, the transmission unit 514c transmits the permission information together with the user ID to the imaging device 230. Send to.

[Effect of Example 1]
As described above, the image collection system 1 according to the first embodiment includes the imaging device 230 and the service server 510. The photographing device 230 is a photographing device 230 installed inside and outside the building. The imaging device 230 includes an authentication request unit 234a, a notification unit 234b, and a providing unit 234c. The authentication request unit 234a receives an image data acquisition request together with the user ID from the user terminal 130. The authentication request unit 234a performs authentication for determining whether to permit the user terminal 130 to transmit image data. The request is transmitted to the service server 510 together with the user ID. When the notification unit 234b receives from the service server 510 a determination result indicating that image data is allowed to be transmitted to the user terminal 130 as a determination result for the authentication request, the image capturing device 230 performs shooting. Is notified to the user. The providing unit 234c performs shooting after being notified by the notification unit 234b, and transmits image data generated by the shooting to the user terminal 130. The service server 510 includes a user information storage unit 512, a shooting information storage unit 513, an authentication unit 514b, and a transmission unit 514c. The user information storage unit 512 stores behavior information including a user ID and a location where the user terminal 130 is located. The shooting information storage unit 513 stores a shooting position indicating the position of the shooting target shot by the shooting device 230. When the authentication unit 514b receives the authentication request together with the user ID from the imaging device 230, the location stored in the user information storage unit 512 in association with the user ID that matches the user ID is captured. It is determined whether or not the position approximates the location corresponding to the shooting position stored in the information storage unit 513. When it is determined that the authentication unit 514b approximates the transmission unit 514c, the transmission unit 514c transmits a determination result indicating that transmission of image data to the user terminal 130 is permitted to the imaging device 230.

  As described above, the imaging device 230 according to the first embodiment recognizes that the user of the user terminal 130 performs the imaging process in response to the image data acquisition request from the user terminal 130, for example, by blinking the light. Then, the shooting process is performed. Then, the imaging device 230 provides the image data to the user terminal 130. For this reason, the user of the user terminal 130 can immediately acquire image data shot in a posture desired by the user. In the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the location of the user who uses the user terminal 130 approximates the location corresponding to the imaging position of the imaging device 230. According to the determination result, Whether to provide image data to the user terminal 130 is determined. For this reason, the image collection system 1 can provide image data to a user who has the legitimacy that “it is at least in the vicinity of the photographing position of the photographing device 230”.

  In addition, the service server 510 according to the first embodiment includes a storage unit 514a. The storage unit 514a stores the user ID and the location in the user information storage unit 512 when the behavior information including the user ID and the location is received. As a result, the service server 510 can collect the action history of each user, and as a result, can perform authentication processing for determining the legitimacy of the user.

  By the way, the image collection system 1 in the first embodiment may be implemented in various different forms other than the above-described embodiments. Therefore, in the second embodiment, another embodiment of the image collection system 1 will be described.

  In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the photographing apparatus 230 generates a still image as image data, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The imaging device 230 may generate a moving image as image data.

  In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the lens of the photographing device 230 is fixed and the photographing position is one, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The lens of the imaging device 230 may be movable. That is, the imaging device 230 may capture a plurality of imaging positions as the imaging target. In this case, the photographing position of the photographing device 230 is a plurality of photographing positions. For this reason, for example, the imaging device 230 may include information for identifying at which imaging position the image data was captured in the imaging information of the image data. On the other hand, the service server 510 determines whether or not the location of the user who uses the user terminal 130 approximates the location corresponding to the imaging position of the imaging device 230 for each imaging location, and determines that the location is approximate. Information for identifying the shooting position may be transmitted to the shooting device 230. Then, the image capturing device 230 may notify the user of the image capturing position, and may transmit image data generated by performing image capturing after the notification to the user terminal 130.

[Image collection system configuration]
In addition, the image collection system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured without the train 10, the user terminals 110, 120, and 140, the imaging devices 210, 220, and 240, the image storage 410, and the image collection device 610. Also good. That is, the image collection system 1 may be configured by the user terminal 130, the imaging device 230, the operation terminal 310, and the service server 510. Further, the image collection system 1 may be configured without including the operation terminal 310. When the operation terminal 310 is not included, the same function as that of the operation terminal 310 is installed in the service server 510, and the service server 510 sets the shooting position, the image storage ID, and the shooting device ID of the shooting information storage unit 513. The information may be stored, or the information may be updated manually by a system administrator or the like.

[Device configuration]
In addition, among the processes described in the above embodiment, all or a part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be manually performed, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the document and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14 and the like are merely examples, and can be changed to arbitrary information.

  Further, each component of each illustrated apparatus is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

  Further, for example, the user information storage unit 512 and the imaging information storage unit 513 illustrated in FIG. 10 may be stored in a predetermined storage device connected to the service server 510 without the service server 510.

[program]
It is also possible to create an authentication program in which the processing executed by the service server 510 according to the first embodiment is described in a language that can be executed by a computer. In this case, when the computer executes the authentication program, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, the same processing as in the first embodiment may be realized by recording the authentication program on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the authentication program recorded on the recording medium. . Hereinafter, an example of a computer that executes an authentication program that realizes the same function as the service server 510 illustrated in FIG. 10 will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a computer 1000 that executes an authentication program. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the computer 1000 includes, for example, a memory 1010, a CPU 1020, a hard disk drive interface 1030, a disk drive interface 1040, a serial port interface 1050, a video adapter 1060, and a network interface 1070. These units are connected by a bus 1080.

  The memory 1010 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1011 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1012 as illustrated in FIG. The ROM 1011 stores a boot program such as BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The hard disk drive interface 1030 is connected to the hard disk drive 1031 as illustrated in FIG. The disk drive interface 1040 is connected to the disk drive 1041 as illustrated in FIG. For example, a removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is inserted into the disk drive. The serial port interface 1050 is connected to, for example, a mouse 1051 and a keyboard 1052 as illustrated in FIG. The video adapter 1060 is connected to a display 1061, for example, as illustrated in FIG.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the hard disk drive 1031 stores, for example, an OS 1091, an application program 1092, a program module 1093, and program data 1094. In other words, the registration program is stored in, for example, the hard disk drive 1031 as a program module in which a command to be executed by the computer 1000 is described. For example, a storage procedure for executing information processing similar to the storage unit 514a illustrated in FIG. 10, an authentication procedure for executing information processing similar to the authentication unit 514b, and a transmission procedure for executing information processing similar to that of the transmission unit 514c. Is stored in the hard disk drive 1031.

  Various data held by the service server 510 described in the above embodiment is stored as program data in, for example, the memory 1010 or the hard disk drive 1031. Then, the CPU 1020 reads the program module 1093 and program data 1094 stored in the memory 1010 and the hard disk drive 1031 to the RAM 1012 as necessary, and executes a storage procedure, an authentication procedure, and a transmission procedure.

  Note that the program module 1093 and the program data 1094 related to the authentication program are not limited to being stored in the hard disk drive 1031, but may be stored in, for example, a removable storage medium and read out by the CPU 1020 via the disk drive or the like. Good. Alternatively, the program module 1093 and the program data 1094 related to the authentication program are stored in another computer connected via a network (LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.), and via the network interface 1070. May be read by the CPU 1020.

  Similarly, it is possible to create a providing program in which the processing executed by the image capturing apparatus 230 according to the first embodiment is described in a language that can be executed by a computer. In this case, when the computer executes the provided program, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. For example, an authentication request procedure for executing information processing similar to the authentication request unit 234a illustrated in FIG. 10, a notification procedure for executing information processing similar to the notification unit 234b, and information processing similar to that of the providing unit 234c are executed. A program module 1093 describing the provision procedure is stored in the hard disk drive 1031.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image collection system 20 Information communication network 130 User terminal 230 Image pick-up device 310 Operation terminal 510 Service server

Claims (3)

An image collection system including a photographing device and a service server,
The photographing device is a photographing device installed inside or outside a building provided with a signboard that guides the installation location of the photographing device,
An image data acquisition request for requesting acquisition of image data generated by photographing by the photographing device when the code displayed on the signboard is read by the user terminal and the URL of the photographing device is accessed and when receiving from the user terminal with the user identifier for identifying a user who uses the user terminal, whether to allow the sending of image data to said user terminal A determination request transmitting unit that transmits a determination request for determination to the service server together with the user identifier;
As a determination result for the determination request, when a determination result indicating that image data is permitted to be transmitted to the user terminal is received from the service server, the user is notified that shooting is performed by the imaging device. An informing unit for informing,
An image data transmission unit that performs image capturing after being notified by the notification unit and transmits image data generated by the image capturing to the user terminal,
The service server
A user information storage unit for storing behavior information including the user identifier and a location where the user terminal is located;
A shooting information storage unit that stores a shooting position indicating a position of a shooting target shot by the shooting device;
When the determination request is received from the photographing apparatus together with the user identifier, the location stored in the user information storage unit in association with a user identifier that matches the user identifier is the photographing A determination unit that determines whether or not to approximate the location corresponding to the shooting position stored in the information storage unit;
And a determination result transmission unit that transmits a determination result indicating that image data is allowed to be transmitted to the user terminal when the determination unit determines that the approximation is to be performed. An image acquisition system. The service server
When behavior information including a user identifier indicating the user of the user terminal and a location where the user terminal is located is received from the user terminal, the user identifier and the location are The image collection system according to claim 1, further comprising: a user information storage unit that is stored in the user information storage unit. An image collection method executed by an image collection system including a photographing device and a service server,
The photographing device is a photographing device installed inside or outside a building provided with a signboard that guides the installation location of the photographing device,
The service server
A user information storage unit for storing behavior information including a user identifier for identifying a user and a location where a user terminal used by the user is located;
A shooting information storage unit that stores a shooting position indicating a position of a shooting target shot by the shooting device;
The imaging device
Image data acquisition requesting acquisition of image data generated by photographing by the photographing device by reading the code displayed on the signboard by the user terminal and accessing the URL of the photographing device When a request is received from the user terminal together with the user identifier, a determination request for determining whether to permit transmission of image data to the user terminal is issued together with the user identifier. A determination request transmission step of transmitting to the service server,
The service server
When the determination request is received from the photographing apparatus together with the user identifier, the location stored in the user information storage unit in association with a user identifier that matches the user identifier is the photographing A determination step of determining whether or not to approximate a location corresponding to the shooting position stored in the information storage unit;
A determination result transmission step of transmitting a determination result to permit the image data to be transmitted to the user terminal when it is determined to be approximated by the determination step;
The imaging device
As a determination result for the determination request, when a determination result indicating that image data is permitted to be transmitted to the user terminal is received from the service server, the user is notified that shooting is performed by the imaging device. An informing process for informing;
An image collection method comprising: an image data transmitting step of performing image capturing after being notified by the notification step and transmitting image data generated by the image capturing to the user terminal.

Images