JP2004310373A - Point information database system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a point information database system capable of providing, based on image data, various pieces of information related to the shooting place of the image. <P>SOLUTION: Information for shooting point including at least the name of a shooting point is recorded in the recording part 15 of an imaging device 10, and the image data are transferred to a server device 50 with this information. The server device 50 receives the image data and the information for shooting point, classifies the information according to the point name by a point name hierarchization part 61 followed by recording in the recording part 15. An area name retrieval part 63 retrieves the image data and the information for shooting point by use of the point name as a retrieval key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a point information database system, and more particularly, to a point information database system that stores, together with image data, information on a point where an image is captured.
[0002]
[Prior art]
If you are going on a sightseeing or business trip, or if you want to know about the history or transition of a specific area, do a preliminary survey using a commercially available guidebook or book, existing Internet homepage, bulletin board, search engine, etc. That is usually done.
[0003]
However, due to the limitation of the number of pages of the book and the speculation of the homepage administrator (administrative, company, individual), the provided books and data themselves are edits that are convenient for the publisher or administrator, In some cases, it was not always possible to obtain information in a range appropriate for the area that one wanted to know.
[0004]
Therefore, it is conceivable to attach information on the place where the image was taken to the image taken by the individual.
[0005]
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of such a conventional photographing apparatus.
[0006]
Such a photographing apparatus 100 includes, for example, a photographing unit 101 for photographing an image and a GPS position acquiring unit 102, and can record photographed image data, its photographing location, and date and time in a recording unit 103. There are devices (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Here, the GPS is a global azimuth measurement system (Global Positioning System).
[0007]
Further, there is a system and a transmission / reception method for wirelessly transmitting / receiving information stored in an imaging device to / from a database on a network (for example, Patent Document 3).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3019771
[0009]
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent No. 3109130
[0010]
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent No. 3273192
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in these prior arts, information on the place and date and time when the image was taken is simply stored as a database with respect to the image data. Even if such a database is searched, the user wants to know the information. The handling of information on the range according to the area is small or missing, only one-way photos are posted, only old information and photos are posted, and it is unknown how it is changing now. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain information in a range corresponding to a region that the user wants to know.
[0012]
In addition, since there is no link between the stored image data and related information such as opinions of people who can provide images and other information on the range and those who have already been There is also the problem of having to search.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide, in addition to image data, information indicating a place where an image is taken, and a point capable of providing various information related to the place. The purpose is to provide an information database system.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a photographing device and a server device, wherein the photographing device includes a photographing unit that photographs an image, and at least a point where the photographing unit photographs the image. Position information obtaining means for externally obtaining information on a shooting location including a name, and data transfer means for transferring the information on the shooting location collected by the position information obtaining means together with the image data shot by the shooting means to the server device Wherein the server device receives the image data from the imaging device and the information on the imaging location, receiving means, and the image data and information on the imaging location received by the receiving means, Recording means for classifying and recording by the name of the spot, information on the image data and the photographing spot using the name of the spot as a key A search to find means, a point information database system and summarized in that with.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the point information database system according to the first aspect, the server device has connection means for connecting to another device, and persons who have accessed the server device via the connection means. And a communication means for exchanging information.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the point information database system according to the first or second aspect, the search means is further configured to execute information based on a name of the point given as a search key, The gist of the present invention is to search information of a predetermined range of the area from the recording means around a physical position corresponding to the name of the point.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a point information database system according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
[0019]
This point information database system includes a photographing device 10 and a server device 50.
[0020]
The photographing device 10 includes a photographing unit 11 for photographing a moving image and a still image, an information input unit 13 for inputting additional information such as a photographing time, a place, a direction, an angle of view, and a magnification when the image is photographed. It has a recording unit 15 for recording the additional information together with the image data, and a connection unit 17 for connecting to an external device.
[0021]
The photographing unit 11 has, for example, an optical system such as a lens and an image sensor such as a CCD area image sensor (both are not shown), and outputs photographed image data as digital data in a predetermined format.
[0022]
The information input unit 13 has, for example, an input key for easily inputting characters with a cross key or a button operation, and displays a menu on a view finder including a liquid crystal screen used for photographing. Information can be input by operation.
[0023]
The recording unit 15 includes, as a recording medium, a medium of a semiconductor memory type such as an SD memory card, a smart media, a CF memory card, a memory stick, a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), an MO, a CD-R / WR, and a DVD. The additional information is recorded together with the image data using a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, or the like.
[0024]
The connection unit 17 is an interface for connecting to the server device 50 or the like by wire or wirelessly. Various connections such as a direct connection unit such as IEEE 1394, USB, and Bluetooth, and a connection unit via a network such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet can be used for the wired or wireless connection. However, the photographing apparatus 10 is usually provided with one or about two connecting means due to restrictions on its body shape, weight, price and the like.
[0025]
On the other hand, the server device 50 includes a server connection unit 51 for transmitting and receiving data by connecting to the image capturing device 10, an input unit 53 of the server for inputting information, and a recording unit 55 of the server for storing data. And a display unit 57 for displaying.
[0026]
The connection unit 51 of the server is an interface for connecting to the imaging device 10 and other devices (for example, a personal computer) by wire or wirelessly. Various connections such as a direct connection unit such as IEEE 1394, USB, and Bluetooth, and a connection unit via a network such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet can be used for the wired or wireless connection. It is preferable that the server device 50 be provided with various connection means so as to enable connection with various photographing devices 10 and personal computers.
[0027]
The input unit includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and other pointing devices.
[0028]
The recording unit 55 of the server is a recording medium for storing image data with additional information, and is, for example, a large-capacity randomly accessible hard disk drive (HDD) or a rewritable optical disk.
[0029]
The display unit 57 is a display device, and displays various operation states on the server device 50 and the like.
[0030]
It should be noted that the server device 50 itself is a computer, and preferably a computer referred to as a so-called server computer used for storing and managing a large amount of data.
[0031]
In the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, information on a shooting location, for example, shooting time, place, direction, angle of view, magnification, and the like are added to image data shot by the shooting apparatus 10 as additional information. Since the image data is stored together with the image data, the image data with the additional information is transferred to the server device 50 and stored, so that the image data and the information about the place where the image was taken, the date and time, and the like are extracted from the server device 50. Will be able to do it.
[0032]
Further, in the server device 50, the image data may be searched by a key input from the input unit, and the result may be displayed on the display unit 57.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the server device 50.
[0034]
In the server device 50, the connection unit 51a has a function of connecting to another device, for example, a personal computer. As described above, specific connection means include direct connection means such as IEEE 1394, USB, and Bluetooth, and connection means via a network such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.
[0035]
In this case, in particular, since the connection unit 51a has a function of connecting to the Internet or the like, the user can browse image data and information about the location from a personal computer from a remote location, and store the image with additional information stored in the server device 50. Data can also be downloaded.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another modified example of the server device 50.
[0037]
The server device 50 has, in addition to the connection unit 51a, a communication unit 59 for realizing information exchange between persons who have accessed from the server devices 50 other than the server device 50, and between a system administrator and an accessing person. . As a specific communication means, for example, a bulletin board which is displayed on a Web-type homepage and which can be read and written by an accessing user can be used. Alternatively, a link destination of a similar database system located elsewhere is displayed.
[0038]
Thereby, a plurality of server devices 50 or those who have accessed them inquire whether there is data that is not in the server device 50 that they have accessed, and also obtain various information from other server devices 50 This makes it possible to obtain image data of a very large area and information on the location thereof, and to provide a place for people to communicate.
[0039]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a point information database system according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
[0040]
This point information database system includes a photographing device 10 and a server device 50.
[0041]
The photographing device 10 includes a photographing unit 11 for photographing a moving image and a still image, an information input unit 13 for inputting additional information such as a photographing time, a place, a direction, an angle of view, and a magnification when the image is photographed. A recording unit 15 for recording the additional information together with the image data; a connection unit 17 for connecting to an external device; a position information acquisition unit 19 by GPS; a time generation unit 21 for generating an accurate time; A photographing information collecting unit 23 for collecting camera setting information such as an angle of view and a magnification.
[0042]
The photographing unit 11 has, for example, an optical system such as a lens and an image sensor such as a CCD area image sensor (both not shown), and outputs photographed image data as digital data in a predetermined format.
[0043]
The information input unit 13 has, for example, an input key for easily inputting characters with a cross key or a button operation, and displays a menu on a view finder including a liquid crystal screen used for photographing. Information can be input by operation. By using the information input unit 13, information including at least the name of the place where the image was taken, for example, information of the photographer such as the gist and title of the photographed image (related to the photographer such as the photographer's name, nickname and address) Information that you want to add arbitrarily), information about people who know the shooting location and the area (information you want to add arbitrarily, such as the name, nickname, and address of the person who knows the shooting location), The user can input various information (hereinafter, these will be referred to as other information) regarding the shooting location, such as the contact information of the user. The other information of the input shooting location is stored as additional information together with the image data at the time of shooting.
[0044]
The recording unit 15 is a recording medium, for example, an SD memory card, a smart media, a CF memory card, a semiconductor memory type medium such as a memory stick, a floppy disk (FD), an MO, a CD-R / WR, a DVD, or another magnetic storage. The additional information is recorded together with the image data using a medium, an optical storage medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, or the like.
[0045]
The connection unit 17 is an interface for connecting to the server device 50 or the like by wire or wirelessly. Various connections such as direct connection means such as IEEE 1394, USB, and Bluetooth, and connection means via a network such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet can be used for wired or wireless connection. Here, a wireless LAN is used. Therefore, a wireless LAN antenna 25 is connected from the connection unit 17.
[0046]
The position information obtaining unit 19 receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite and obtains the current position of the imaging device 10 itself. Therefore, a GPS antenna (not shown) is connected to the position information acquisition unit 19. The current position obtained by the position information acquisition unit 19 is added as additional information to the image data as the current position at the time of shooting.
[0047]
The time generation unit 21 generates a clock signal from a pulse signal of a radio wave received by the position information acquisition unit 19 from a GPS satellite, and generates an accurate time based on the clock signal. Since the radio wave from the GPS satellite is a pulse signal that is very accurate in terms of its function, an accurate time is generated using the accuracy of the pulse signal in the time generation unit box. Instead of this, for example, an accurate time may be generated using a standard radio wave (operated by the Japan Telecommunications Research Institute, Japan Standard Time Group) used for a so-called radio clock.
[0048]
The date and time (time) from the time generation unit 21 is added to the image data as additional information as the time at the time of shooting.
[0049]
The photographing information collecting unit 23 acquires a set value of each part of the photographing apparatus at the time of photographing an image, in particular, an angle of view, a magnification, etc. relating to reproducibility of an image. The shooting information acquired by the shooting information collecting unit 23 is added to the image data as additional information as shooting information at the time of shooting.
[0050]
Thus, in the photographing apparatus 10, for a moving image or a still image that has been photographed, information on the photographing point of the image, information on the photographing date and time, photographing information such as the angle of view and magnification, and the photographing location Other information and the like are stored in the recording unit 15 together with the photographed image data, and can be transferred to another device via the connection unit 17.
[0051]
On the other hand, the server device 50 includes a server connection unit 51 for transmitting and receiving data by connecting to the image capturing device 10, an input unit 53 of the server for inputting information, and a recording unit 55 of the server for storing data. And a display unit 57 for displaying a message, a communication unit 59 having a bulletin board function, and the like. The information registered by the name of the point is set by using the position of the point as a country name, a prefecture name, a city name, a town name, and an address. A place name stratification unit 61 that manages by hierarchies, an area name search unit 63 that can search for an area in units, and a physical area such as a range within a radius of several kilometers around a position corresponding to the name of a point. And a physical position search unit 65 capable of searching.
[0052]
The connection unit 51 of the server is an interface for connecting to the imaging device 10 and other devices (for example, a personal computer) by wire or wirelessly. Various connections such as a direct connection unit such as IEEE 1394, USB, and Bluetooth, and a connection unit via a network such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet can be used for the wired or wireless connection. It is preferable that the server device 50 be provided with various connection means so as to enable connection with various photographing devices 10 and personal computers.
[0053]
Here, the connection unit 17 of the photographing apparatus 10 can be wirelessly connected to a network 70 such as the Internet by a wired LAN via a wireless LAN base station 71 connected to the network 70. Like that.
[0054]
The input unit includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and other pointing devices.
[0055]
The recording unit 55 of the server is a recording medium for storing image data with additional information, and is, for example, a large-capacity randomly accessible hard disk drive (HDD) or a rewritable optical disk.
[0056]
The display unit 57 has a function of converting various operation statuses and search results of the server device 50 into an HTML format file, and displays the file on a display device or the like.
[0057]
The communication unit 59 has an Internet bulletin board function, and provides a bulletin board that allows browsing and writing in response to access from the personal computer 73 by a user connected via the network 70 or the like. This bulletin board serves as a communication means, and realizes information exchange between persons who have accessed the server device 50.
[0058]
The place name hierarchy unit 61 hierarchically stores the received image data and additional information on the shooting location of the image based on the place name.
[0059]
The area name search unit 63 links a place name and a place name related to the place name to convert the place name into data.
[0060]
The physical position search unit 65 links the input place name and the physical position (longitude, latitude) and converts the data into data. At this time, the area range to be linked may be determined in advance, for example, how many kilometers from the physical position as a target, or the search range may be input as a search key.
[0061]
It should be noted that the server device 50 itself is a computer, and preferably a computer referred to as a so-called server computer used for storing and managing a large amount of data.
[0062]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the server device 50.
[0063]
The server device 50 receives additional information such as point information, date and time information, photographing information, and other information of the photographing place together with the image data from the photographing device 10 through the server connection unit 51 (S1).
[0064]
Subsequently, in the server device 50, in the place name hierarchical section 61, the place information is extracted from the additional information, and the place information (the place name) is used as a key so that image data and other information can be searched. Create a database (S2).
[0065]
Subsequently, when there is a search key input by a character such as a place name from the personal computer 73 connected to the Internet or the like (S3: Yes), the server apparatus 50 searches for the inputted place name by the area name search unit 63. All information within the range of the place name, that is, image data included in the additional information as the point information in the additional information, photographing information related to the image data, other information of the photographing point, etc. are collected from the database (S4: point search), and physical information is collected. The position search unit 65 converts the input place name into a latitude and longitude position, collects all information within a range from the position in units of a radius of 1 km or the like from a database, and transmits a relation in the bulletin board from the communication unit 59. Information to be collected is also collected (S5: point information collection).
[0066]
Subsequently, the server device 50 converts all the collected information into the HTML format by the display unit 57 and transmits the converted information to the personal computer 73 via the connection unit 51 of the server (S6: transmission of collected information).
[0067]
As a result, the personal computer 73 accessing the server device 50 transmits the image data relating to the range of the place name to be searched and various information related to the image data, particularly the photographing information of the image data, the photographer and the location If there is information such as a person who knows the information, the information can also be acquired. Further, if there is information to be searched in the bulletin board provided by the server device 50, such information can be obtained. Information can also be obtained.
[0068]
In the search, not only the place name but also the contents of other information stored in the database can be searched, and the search range can be set (for example, the search can be limited to only those having image data, or the bulletin board can be searched). Or not).
[0069]
The information to be searched is not limited to information stored in a database in the server device 50. For example, by connecting to the Internet, a so-called search page is accessed, and the input location name is used as a search key. The Internet may be searched, and the results may be displayed together as link information or the like.
[0070]
Next, a more specific example will be described.
[0071]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a more specific case, and FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing information registered in the server device 50.
[0072]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), Mr. M, who owns the imaging device 10, takes a video of the first sunrise on the eastern mountain area at "G Park" in "A Town, A-cho, Q-P, P". The operation of shooting as an image, information on the shooting spot together with the image data, and registration and accumulation in the spot information database of the server device 50 will be described.
[0073]
When Mr. M finishes capturing the first sunrise, the image data of the first sunrise is provided to the image capturing apparatus 10 together with the point information (35 ° 35:35 seconds north latitude, 135 ° 35:35 seconds east longitude), date and time information, and angle obtained by the GPS satellite 81. The photographing information such as the magnification and the magnification is stored in the recording unit 15 in the photographing apparatus 10.
[0074]
Next, after photographing, Mr. M transmits information in the photographing device 10 to the server device 50 from a further hot spot (wireless LAN base station 71) as shown in FIG. 6B.
[0075]
The server device 50 receives the information from Mr. M. The server device 50 converts the point information indicated by the longitude and latitude into a place name, and registers and stores this information in the point information database using the place name as a key.
[0076]
As a result, the image data captured by Mr. M is point information with the name "G park" which is a representative place in "1 town A town, Q city P prefecture" and "1 town A town, 1 city Q in P prefecture". Registered in the database.
[0077]
The registered information includes, for example, a file name “hinode.mpg” as image information, “N35 ° 35′35 ″ −E135 ° 35′35 ″” as point information, and 6:00 on January 1, 2003 as date and time information. FIG. 7 shows a case where "2003.01.01.056.50.30" for 50 minutes 30 seconds, "east" as view angle information, x10 as magnification information, and a comment "First sunrise" as other information. Such information is classified and arranged as described above and registered as a database.
[0078]
In this classification, the location name is changed to the prefecture name as the first classification, the city and ward as the second classification, the town and village name as the third classification, and the city area name as the fourth classification according to the size of the area. Classify and classify, and for each classification, the physical position, related place name, shooting date and time of image data, image information (for example, file name), angle information (angle of view), magnification information, comment, communication means (here, link destination) And the like are stored in a database.
[0079]
On the other hand, Mr. N who is searching for information about “G park” accesses the server device 50 from the personal computer 73 at home via the Internet (see FIG. 6B). FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen on the personal computer 73.
[0080]
When the server device 50 is accessed, a search key input field 91 is displayed on the browser screen 90 of the personal computer 73 as shown in FIG. 8A. As shown, by inputting “G park” and pressing the search button 92, “G park” as a search key is transmitted to the server device 50.
[0081]
In the server device 50, the area name search unit 63 searches the recording unit 55 based on the search key “G park”, collects all information on “G park”, and displays it on the personal computer 73. Edit the data to a possible format.
[0082]
Since data of the first sunrise photographed by Mr. M exists in the server device 50, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), a still image, a moving image, Information on the G park and a link to a bulletin board as a communication means related to the "G park" are displayed. As shown in FIG. 8D, a still image related to "1-chome A town, Q city, P prefecture" The moving image, all information, and a link to a bulletin board, which is a means of communication related to “1-chome A town, Q city, P prefecture”, are displayed.
[0083]
In addition, Mr. M wants to broaden the range a little and look for the scenery of the beginning of the year, and input “P prefecture” in the search key input box 91 from the personal computer 73 as shown in FIG. 9 (b) and 9 (c), a still image and a moving image of the entire "P prefecture", all information, and a link to a bulletin board which is a communication means related to "P prefecture" are displayed. A searcher can acquire information within a necessary range.
[0084]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, together with image data such as a moving image or a still image photographed by an unspecified number of travelers, etc., the server device 50 transmits the point information of the image and various information about the point. For those who want to know the information of a specific area by accumulating them in a database, the point of the area they want to know from a large area range (for example, prefecture unit) to a very narrow range (for example, landmark name) By entering a name, a search can be performed, and detailed information in a range that the user wants to know can be obtained.
[0085]
Furthermore, since communication corresponding to the area of the area is also obtained as a bulletin board, by accessing it, it becomes possible to exchange information with other persons who are interested in the area of the area.
[0086]
Therefore, comprehensive information on the target point / area can be easily obtained, and it can be a communication tool between searchers or between a manager of the local information database and the searcher.
[0087]
Further, the searcher can also know the actual popularity of the spot based on the number of updated images, and it becomes easier for travelers and the like to select a destination that suits the user.
[0088]
Further, by comparing new and old still images or moving images at the same point and the same angle, it is possible to know the transition (townscape, landscape, etc.) of the point.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, information of a photographing point including at least the name of the photographing point is added to image data photographed by the photographing apparatus, and the information is transferred to the server device. Has decided to store the stored image data and the information related to the shooting location of the image data as a database, so that the image stored in the server device and various regional information related to the image are searched and browsed. It is possible to do.
[0090]
Further, according to the present invention, information exchange can be realized between persons accessing the server device by having communication means.
[0091]
Further, according to the present invention, not only the information of the search point but also information of an area within a predetermined range from the point is searched, so that the search value transfer related information can be found in a wider range. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a point information database system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a modification of the server device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another modified example of the server device.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a point information database system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the server device.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific case.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing information registered in a server device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a browser screen.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a browser screen.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional photographing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Imaging equipment
11 Shooting unit
13 Information input section
15 Recorder
17 Connection
19 Location information acquisition unit
21 Time generation unit
23 Shooting information collection unit
25 Antenna
50 Server device
51 Server Connection
53 Server input section
57 Display
59 Communication Department
61 Place Name Hierarchy Department
63 Area Name Search Department
65 Physical position search unit
70 Network
71 Wireless LAN base station
73 PC
81 GPS satellites
90 Browser screen
91 Search key input field
92 Search button

Claims (3)

It has a shooting device and a server device,
The photographing device,
Shooting means for shooting an image,
Position information obtaining means for obtaining from the outside at least information on the shooting location including the name of the location where the shooting means shot the image,
A data transfer unit that transfers information about the shooting location collected by the position information acquisition unit together with the image data shot by the shooting unit to the server device;
Has,
The server device includes:
Receiving means for receiving the image data and the information on the imaging location from the imaging device,
Recording means for classifying and recording the image data and the information on the shooting location received by the receiving means by the name of the location,
Search means for searching for the image data and information on the shooting location using the location name as a key,
A point information database system comprising: The server device includes:
Connection means for connecting to another device;
Communication means for exchanging information between persons who have accessed the server device via the connection means,
2. The point information database system according to claim 1, comprising: Based on the name of the point given as a search key, the search means furthermore, information related to the name of the point, information of a region within a predetermined range around a physical position corresponding to the name of the point, 3. The point information database system according to claim 1, wherein a search is performed from a recording unit.

Images