JP2013021399A - Photographing request device, control method for photographing request device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a photographed image of a photographing target at a remote place to be easily obtained from various directions or angles without a user visiting the place.SOLUTION: Photographing target information on a photographing target is acquired (302), plural pieces of photographing apparatus information on plural photographing apparatuses are acquired (312), plural photographing apparatuses to be requested to photograph the photographing target are selected based on the acquired photographing target information and photographing apparatus information (322), and a photographing request is transmitted to the plural selected photographing apparatuses (313).

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, a photographing method, and a program for requesting photographing to a photographing device.

  In recent years, with the mounting of a network function of a photographing device such as a digital camera or digital video, position information such as GPS information can be acquired from a photographing device equipped with GPS. In addition, using augmented reality technology, it is possible to display virtual information that presents text such as the name and address of the subject to the photographer using position information on the subject on the screen of the photographing device. It was.

  As a result, it is possible to send a shooting request message to a shooting device in the vicinity of the shooting target and display the message on the screen of the shooting device. Here, when there are a plurality of photographing devices in a photographing target range, a technique for selecting a photographing device that requests photographing from a plurality of photographing devices has been proposed.

  For example, a user requesting shooting transmits shooting request information specifying a shooting target to the system. Then, the system acquires the location information of each of the plurality of portable communication terminals accompanied by the imaging means, the system selects a communication terminal existing in the vicinity of the imaging target among these communication terminals, and communicates from the system. Send photography request information to the terminal. According to this method, the user can easily obtain a photographed image of an arbitrary subject to be photographed at a remote place without the person going to the spot (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In another method, the system acquires the current position transmitted from the image photographer, and the system discloses the current position. Then, the imaging request transmitted from the image capturing client is acquired based on the current position where the system is disclosed, and the image capturing instruction is transmitted to the image capturing person based on the imaging request acquired by the system. According to this method, a user who is an image capturing client simply sends an image capturing request to the system based on the current current position, and the user can easily acquire an image without going to the spot. (For example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-218436 A JP 2008-217831 A

  However, in the case of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the system selects a communication terminal that is closest to the subject to be photographed. Alternatively, when there are a plurality of candidate communication terminals, the system selects a communication terminal that has captured the image most desired by the user in the past. In this case, since the system only selects one communication terminal, the captured image requested by the user is not always acquired. In particular, since the system selects a communication terminal that is close to the shooting target, it is not always possible to acquire a shot image by telephoto at a position away from the shooting target. In other words, the subject was not requested to shoot from various directions and angles.

  In the second method of the prior art, a user who is an image capturing client sends an image capturing request to the system based on the current position of the disclosed image photographer. However, the subject was not requested to shoot from various directions and angles.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a user can easily acquire a captured image of a shooting target in a remote place from various directions and angles without going to the spot. be able to.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes the following arrangement. That is, shooting target information acquisition means for acquiring shooting target information related to a shooting target, shooting apparatus information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of shooting apparatus information related to a plurality of shooting apparatuses, and shooting target information acquired by the shooting target information acquisition means A plurality of photographing devices selected by the photographing device selecting means, and a plurality of photographing devices selected by the photographing device selecting means from the photographing device information obtained by the photographing device information obtaining means. Transmitting means for transmitting a photographing request to the device.

  According to the present invention, a user can easily acquire a captured image of a subject to be photographed at a remote place from various directions and angles without going to the spot.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the imaging | photography requesting apparatus to which embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the connection of the imaging | photography requesting apparatus in the embodiment of this invention, an imaging device, and an imaging | photography request transmission apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the imaging | photography requesting apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging | photography requesting apparatus in embodiment of this invention. 5 is a correspondence table between landmark names and GPS information in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the acquisition result of the positional information on an imaging device and apparatus information in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography request range in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows selection of the imaging device which requests imaging | photography according to the nearness and distance of the imaging | photography object within the imaging | photography request range in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and each imaging device. It is a figure which shows selection of the imaging device which expands an imaging request range with the density of the imaging device in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and requests imaging. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating selection of a photographing device that changes and increases photographing devices according to a photographing history according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and requests photographing, and a photographing history of the photographing device. It is a figure which shows the imaging | photography request range in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows selection of the imaging device which requests imaging | photography in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

  The embodiment assumes the following configuration.

  When a viewer is browsing news or event information using a PC, smartphone, or the like connected to a network, there are cases where it is desired to acquire images of the news site or event venue. Or, when viewing images, photographs, music, books, etc., there is a case where it is desired to acquire an image related thereto.

  There may be a photographer who brings a GPS-equipped photographing device such as a digital camera or digital video connected to a network at a news site or an event site. In this case, the viewer requests an image to be photographed such as a news site or an event venue from a photographing request transmission device such as a PC or a smartphone to a photographing request device connected to a network that mediates the photographing request. The information requested by the imaging request transmitting apparatus to the imaging requesting apparatus may be the name of the imaging target or position information such as an address.

  The photographing requesting apparatus acquires position information from the photographing device, selects a photographing device existing in a news site, an event venue, etc., and requests photographing. The method in which the imaging request device acquires the position information of the imaging device may be a method in which the imaging request device makes an inquiry to the imaging device, or a method in which the imaging device notifies the imaging request device.

  The method for requesting the photographing device to photograph the photographing device may be a method of displaying information such as text requesting photographing according to position information on the subject on the screen of the photographing device, or a speaker of the photographing device. A method of using and notifying by voice may be used.

  When the photographer takes an image of a news site, an event venue, etc., the photographer transmits the taken image from the photographing device to the photographing request device. The imaging requesting apparatus transmits this captured image to an imaging request transmitting apparatus such as a viewer's PC or smartphone.

  Then, the photographing requesting device receives the photographing target request from the photographing request transmitting device, acquires photographing device information, selects a photographing device capable of photographing the photographing target, and requests the selected photographing device to perform photographing. The above will be described as an example of the embodiment.

  Here, the photographed image photographed by the photographing device is directly transmitted from the photographing device to the photographing request transmitting device without going through the photographing requesting device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is once transmitted to the photographing requesting device. Then, it may be transferred to the photographing requesting device. In this case, the photographing request apparatus has a photographed image receiving unit.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a hardware configuration of a photographing request apparatus 100 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a microprocessor CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs operations for information processing, logical determination, and the like, and controls each component connected to those buses via a system bus 110. . The CPU 101 also performs a flow process to be described later.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a read-only fixed memory ROM (Read Only Memory), which stores control program codes such as processing programs executed in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 103 denotes a writable RAM (Random Access Memory), which is used for temporary storage of various data from each component. Reference numeral 104 denotes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a user instruction is input. Reference numeral 106 denotes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and the display controller 105 controls display of the photographing object and the photographing device information on the display device.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes an external storage device, which stores shooting target and shooting device information. As a storage medium for storing these data, a memory card, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disk Random Access Memory), or the like can be used. Reference numeral 108 denotes a communication apparatus, which can be connected to a plurality of photographing request apparatuses via a communication network 109 such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a wireless LAN.

  The imaging requesting device composed of each of these components operates in response to various inputs from the input device 104 and various inputs via the network supplied from the communication device 108. Therefore, when an input from the input device 104 and an input from the communication device 108 are supplied, first, an interrupt signal is sent to the CPU 101. Then, the CPU 101 reads out various control signals stored in the ROM 102, the RAM 103, and the external storage device 107, and various controls are performed in accordance with these control signals.

  The present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing a program according to the present invention to a system or apparatus, and the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a connection between the imaging request apparatus, the imaging apparatus, and the imaging request transmission apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An imaging request apparatus 100, an imaging apparatus 200 such as a digital camera, and an imaging request transmission apparatus 210 such as a PC (Personal Computer) used by a user to transmit information about an imaging target are connected through a communication network 109.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging request apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 300 denotes a shooting target management unit that manages shooting target information. Reference numeral 301 denotes an imaging request reception unit that receives information on the transmitted imaging request using an imaging request transmission device 210 such as a PC. Reference numeral 302 denotes a shooting target position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a shooting target that is a target of the shooting request received by the shooting request reception unit 301.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes a photographing device management unit that manages position information and device information of photographing devices. Reference numeral 311 denotes a photographing device position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the photographing device 200 such as a digital camera. Reference numeral 312 denotes an imaging device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of the imaging device 200 such as a digital camera. Reference numeral 313 denotes an imaging request transmission unit that transmits an imaging request to the imaging device 200 selected by the imaging request imaging device selection unit 322.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes a processing unit, which specifies a shooting request range based on position information of a shooting target, position information of the shooting device, and device information, and selects a shooting device that requests shooting. Reference numeral 321 denotes an imaging request range specifying unit that specifies an imaging request range based on position information of an imaging target, position information of the imaging device 200, and device information. Reference numeral 322 denotes an imaging request imaging device selection unit that selects an imaging device 200 that requests imaging based on the imaging request range specified by the imaging request range specifying unit 321.

  Reference numeral 330 denotes a communication unit, which is connected to the photographing device 200 such as a digital camera and the photographing request transmission device 210 such as a PC used by the user to transmit information about the photographing target.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the photographing request apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In S401, the imaging request apparatus 100 receives a name or the like as information of the imaging request transmitted by the imaging request receiving unit 301 using the imaging request transmitting apparatus 210 such as a PC. For example, the shooting request receiving unit 301 receives “Tokyo Sky Tree” as shooting request information.

  In S402, based on the information of the imaging request received in S401, the imaging target position information acquisition unit 302 acquires the position information of the imaging target that is the target of the imaging request. For example, using the correspondence table as shown in FIG. 5, the GPS information “35 ° 42'36.5 seconds north” 139 ° 48'39 east longitude is the location information of “Tokyo Skytree” received as the information of the imaging request. Get seconds ". Although the position information is used here, other information such as altitude and state may be acquired using 302 as the imaging target information acquisition unit.

  In addition, as the information of the imaging request, not only the name but also timing, part, imaging mode, etc. may be designated. For example, “Tokyo Tower”, “Glow in Red”, “Tip”, “Panorama Mode”, etc.

In step S <b> 403, the position information acquisition unit 311 acquires position information of the shooting device 200 such as a digital camera managed by the shooting request apparatus 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, “GPS latitude 35 degrees 41 minutes 28.5 seconds east longitude 139 degrees 47 minutes 14 seconds” which is the position information of the photographing apparatus A is acquired. Here, it is assumed that the photographing apparatus 200 such as a digital camera is registered in the photographing request apparatus 100 in advance. The imaging request apparatus 100 is assumed to periodically acquire the positional information of the registered imaging device 200 such as a digital camera by the imaging device position information acquisition unit 311.
The acquisition of the position information may be inquired from the photographing requesting apparatus 100 side or may be notified from the photographing apparatus 200 side such as a digital camera. The target for acquiring the position information in this step is limited to the photographing device 200 existing within a certain range from the position of the photographing target, but may be acquired for all the photographing devices 200 as a matter of course.

  In S <b> 404, the device information acquisition unit 312 acquires device information of the shooting device 200 such as a digital camera managed by the shooting request apparatus 100. However, since the distance between the photographing target and the photographing device can be determined from the positional information of the photographing target acquired in S402 and the positional information of the photographing device acquired in S403, if the distance is larger than the preset upper limit value, the photographing is performed. The device information of the device is not acquired. For example, a model name, a focal length, an optical zoom, and an open F value are acquired as device information of the photographing device. As device information of the photographing device A, as shown in FIG. 6, the model name “XY”, the focal length “50 mm”, the optical zoom “4 ×”, and the open F value “F2.8” are acquired.

  Here, the photographing device position information acquisition unit 311 and the photographing device device information acquisition unit 312 are collectively referred to as a photographing device information acquisition unit.

  In S405, it is determined whether or not the acquisition of the position information and device information of the photographing device 200 such as a digital camera managed by the photographing requesting device 100 is completed. If the acquisition of all the position information and device information of the photographing device 200 to be managed is completed, the process proceeds to S406. If all acquisition is not completed, the process returns to S403. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when there are 10 photographing devices 200 managed by the photographing request apparatus 100, ie, photographing devices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and J, ten photographing devices. A loop is performed until acquisition of all the position information and device information of 200 is completed.

  In S406, the shooting request range specifying unit 321 focuses on the shooting target based on the shooting target position information acquired in S402, the shooting device position information acquired in S403, and the shooting device device information acquired in S404. A photographing request range that is a photographing range of the photographing device is specified.

  The shooting request range is within a rectangle centered on the shooting target, and the rectangle is the initial shooting request range. In the initial stage, a photographing device is selected from the rectangle. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the center of a rectangle with a side of 600 m is set as the position of the object to be imaged, the rectangle with a side of 600 m is set as the initial shooting request range.

  Here, the shooting target and the shooting request range may be managed in association with each other in advance, for example, Tokyo Tower, 300 m, Tokyo Sky Tree, 600 m, Yokohama Marine Tower, 200 m, and the shooting request range. It may be used when specifying.

  In S407, the imaging requesting imaging device selection unit 322 selects an imaging device that requests imaging from the imaging request range specified in S406 according to the imaging device selection condition.

  In this embodiment, the imaging request selection apparatus 100 receives the transmission of the selected imaging apparatus selection condition when the imaging request transmitting apparatus 210 transmits an imaging target. Not limited to.

  FIG. 8 shows a case where the photographing device selection condition is the distance and direction from the photographing target. The position information of the imaging device within the imaging request range is acquired, the imaging request range is divided into certain rectangular units, and the imaging device is mapped. Then, the photographing device closest to the photographing object is selected in the divided rectangular units.

  For example, the position information of the imaging devices A, B, C, D, E, and F within the imaging request range is acquired and mapped to a rectangular unit having a side of 200 m divided into nine equal parts within the imaging request range. Then, the photographing devices A, C, D, and F that are closest to the photographing object in each rectangular unit having a side of 200 m are selected. Reference numeral 801 denotes a selected photographing device, and reference numeral 802 denotes a photographing device that is not selected.

  Here, when there is no photographing device in the initial photographing request range, or when the number of photographing devices is less than the preset number, the photographing request range is expanded and the same processing is performed. For example, one side is extended to a rectangle of 1000 m, and the inside is divided into 5 × 5 rectangle units. However, the expansion of the imaging request range is limited to the area where the imaging target can be imaged.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the photographing device selection condition is the density of the photographing device. The position information of the imaging device within the imaging request range is acquired, the imaging request range is divided into certain rectangular units, and the imaging device is mapped. Then, the photographing request range is expanded in a direction in which the density of the photographing device is low in divided rectangular units, that is, the photographing device does not exist. The shooting range is expanded to a range where there is a shooting device capable of shooting.

  Shooting range is obtained from the model name, focal length, optical zoom, and open F value, which are the device information of the shooting device. If the difference between the position information of the shooting target and the position information of the shooting device is within the shooting range, shooting is possible. Assuming that there is a photographing device, the photographing request range is expanded.

  For example, the position information of the imaging devices A, B, C, D, E, and F within the imaging request range is acquired and mapped to a rectangular unit having a side of 200 m divided into nine equal parts within the imaging request range. Then, the photographing request range is expanded to a range where the photographing device G that can be photographed exists in a direction in which the density of the photographing device is low in units of a rectangle having a side of 200 m, that is, there is no photographing device, and the photographing device G is selected. There are other directions in which there are no photographic devices, but since there are no photographic devices that can shoot in that direction, the imaging request range is not expanded. Reference numeral 901 denotes a selected photographing device, and reference numeral 902 denotes a photographing device that is not selected.

  FIG. 10 shows a case where the photographing device selection condition is a photographing history. As an example of the shooting history, a shooting record with respect to a shooting request and a rating of the shot image are used. The position information of the imaging device within the imaging request range is acquired, the imaging request range is divided into certain rectangular units, and the imaging device is mapped. Then, when there is no imaging device that has a record of shooting with respect to the imaging request in the divided rectangular units, any one imaging device is selected.

  Also. When there are a plurality of photographing devices having a record of photographing with respect to the photographing request in the divided rectangular units, a photographing device having a high rating of the photographed image is selected. The rating of the image is determined based on the shooting for the previous shooting request.

  For example, in the case of FIG. 10, the position information of the imaging devices A, B, C, D, E, and F within the imaging request range is acquired, and mapped to a rectangular unit with one side divided into nine equal parts within the imaging request range. To do. Since the photographing apparatus A does not have a record of shooting with respect to the shooting request in a rectangular unit 1004 having a side of 200 m, and the shooting apparatus B does not have a shooting record with respect to the shooting request, the shooting apparatus A is selected.

  In addition, in the rectangular unit 1005, the photographing device D has a record of photographing in response to the photographing request, and the rating of the photographed image is “2”. Further, since the photographing device E has a record of photographing with respect to the photographing request and the rating of the photographed image is “5”, the photographing device E having a high rating of the photographed image is selected.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a selected photographing device, and reference numeral 1002 denotes a photographing device that is not selected. Again, if there is no shooting device in the initial shooting request range, or if the number of shooting devices is less than the preset number, the shooting request range is expanded as described in FIG. The same processing is performed.

  In S408, the imaging request transmission unit 313 transmits an imaging request to the imaging device selected in S407. For example, in FIG. 8, a photographing request is transmitted to the photographing devices A, C, D, and F.

  After sending a photographing request to the selected photographing device, if there is no response from the photographing device even after a preset time has elapsed, a request for photographing is requested from another photographing device. As another imaging device, for example, the next imaging device may be selected when the selection is made according to the imaging device selection condition in S407.

  FIG. 5 is a correspondence table between landmark names and GPS information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the imaging request receiving unit 301 receives a landmark name as an imaging target, the imaging target position information acquisition unit 302 can use this correspondence table to acquire GPS information that is one of the positional information. .

  For example, when the name of the landmark is “Tokyo Tower”, it is possible to acquire “North latitude 35 ° 39: 31” east longitude 139 ° 44: 44 ”which is one of the location information. Further, when the landmark name is “Tokyo Sky Tree”, it is possible to acquire “North latitude 35 degrees 42 minutes 36.5 seconds east longitude 139 degrees 48 minutes 39 seconds” which is one of the positional information. In addition, when the name of the landmark is “Yokohama Marine Tower”, it is possible to obtain “North latitude 35 ° 26: 38.05 seconds” east longitude 139 ° 39: 03.28 seconds ”which is one of the location information. it can.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the position information of the photographing device and the acquisition result of the device information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The photographing device position information acquisition unit 311 acquires the position information of the photographing device, and the photographing device device information acquisition unit 312 acquires the model name, the focal length, the optical zoom, and the open F value as the device information of the photographing device.

  For example, GPS information “North latitude 35 degrees 41 minutes 28.5 seconds 139 longitude 47 minutes 14 seconds”, which is one of the position information of the imaging apparatus “imaging apparatus A”, is acquired, and the model name “XY” is obtained as the apparatus information. ”, Focal length“ 50 mm ”, optical zoom“ 4 × ”, and open F value“ F2.8 ”. Also, the GPS information “North latitude 35 degrees 40 minutes 28.5 seconds” 139 degrees 46 minutes 14 seconds east longitude, which is one of the positional information of the imaging apparatus “imaging equipment G”, is acquired, and the model name “EO” is obtained as the equipment information. ”, The focal length“ 135 mm ”, the optical zoom“ 10 × ”, and the open F value“ F3.4 ”.

  For example, when there is a photographing device that satisfies the photographing request in the acquired device information, the corresponding photographing device may be selected preferentially.

  As described above, by dividing the photographing request range into a certain rectangular unit and selecting a photographing device from each rectangle, it becomes possible to request photographing from a plurality of positions with respect to the same photographing object. . This makes it possible to request shooting from various directions.

In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which shooting is requested to the shooting target in different directions as much as possible. It may be. In this case, for example, the front direction may be associated and managed in advance in association with the name, and the photographing devices existing in that direction may be selected for each predetermined distance. This makes it possible to request shooting at different angles.
According to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, since a photographing device that requests photographing in a rectangular unit with a photographing target as a center is selected, a viewer can easily obtain photographed images in various directions and angles.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a case where the imaging request range is a circle centering on the imaging target will be described.

  The flowcharts showing the hardware configuration, functional configuration, and operation of the imaging requesting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, respectively.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an imaging request range in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the photographing request range is specified based on the position information of the photographing target acquired in S402 in S406, the position information of the photographing apparatus acquired in S403, and the device information of the photographing apparatus acquired in S404. To do. The center of a circle of a certain size is set as a position to be imaged, and the circle is set as an initial imaging request range. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the center of a circle having a radius of 300 m is set as the position to be imaged, the circle having a radius of 300 m is set as the initial imaging request range.

  In S407, the imaging requesting imaging device selection unit 322 selects an imaging device that requests imaging from the imaging request range specified in S406 according to the imaging device selection condition.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating selection of an imaging device that requests imaging in the second embodiment. Reference numeral 1200 in FIG. 12 denotes a case where the photographing device selection condition is a distance and a direction from the photographing target. The position information of the imaging device within the imaging request range is acquired, the imaging request range is divided into certain sector units, and the imaging device is mapped. Then, the photographing device closest to the photographing object is selected in the divided sector unit.

  For example, the position information of the imaging devices A, B, C, D, E, and F within the imaging request range is acquired, and mapped to 45-degree sector units of a circle with a radius of 300 m obtained by dividing the imaging request range into eight equal parts. To do. Then, the photographing devices A, C, D, and F that are closest to the photographing target are selected in 45-degree sector units having a radius of 300 m. Reference numeral 1201 denotes a selected photographing device, and reference numeral 1202 denotes a photographing device that is not selected.

  Here, when there is no photographing device in the initial photographing request range, or when the number of photographing devices is less than the preset number, the photographing request range is expanded and the same processing is performed. For example, it expands to a circle with a radius of 600 m. However, the expansion of the imaging request range is limited to the area where the imaging target can be imaged.

  Reference numeral 1210 in FIG. 12 denotes a case where the photographing device selection condition is the density of the photographing device. The position information of the imaging device within the imaging request range is acquired, the imaging request range is divided into certain sector units, and the imaging device is mapped. Then, the photographing request range is expanded in a direction where the density of the photographing device is low in the divided sector units, that is, the photographing device does not exist. The shooting request range is expanded to a range where there are shooting devices capable of shooting. The photographic equipment that can shoot is obtained from the model name, focal length, optical zoom, and open F value, which are the equipment information of the photographic equipment, and the difference between the position information of the photographing object and the position information of the photographic equipment is within the photographing range. If there is a photographing device capable of photographing, the photographing request range is expanded.

  For example, the position information of the imaging devices A, B, C, D, E, and F within the imaging request range is acquired, and mapped to 45-degree sector units of a circle with a radius of 300 m obtained by dividing the imaging request range into eight equal parts. To do. Then, in each of the 45-degree sector units of a circle having a radius of 300 m, the density of the imaging device is low, that is, in the direction where the imaging device does not exist, the imaging request range is expanded to the range where the imaging device G that can be imaged exists, The photographing device G is selected. There are other directions in which there are no photographic devices, but since there are no photographic devices that can shoot in that direction, the imaging request range is not expanded. Reference numeral 1211 denotes a selected photographing device, and reference numeral 1212 denotes a photographing device that is not selected.

  Reference numeral 1220 in FIG. 12 denotes a case where the photographing device selection condition is a photographing history. As an example of the shooting history, a shooting record with respect to a shooting request and a rating of the shot image are used. The position information of the imaging device within the imaging request range is acquired, the imaging request range is divided into certain sector units, and the imaging device is mapped. Then, when there is no shooting device having a record of shooting with respect to the shooting request in the divided sector unit, any one shooting device is selected. Also. When there are a plurality of photographing devices having a record of photographing with respect to the photographing request in the divided sector unit, a photographing device having a high rating of the photographed image is selected.

  For example, the position information of the imaging devices A, B, C, D, E, and F within the imaging request range is acquired, and mapped to 45-degree sector units of a circle with a radius of 300 m obtained by dividing the imaging request range into eight equal parts. To do. Further, there is a shooting record in the shooting devices D and E, there is no other, and the rating is also set to 2 and 5 for the shooting devices D and E, respectively, and there is no other.

  Then, the imaging device A does not have a record of shooting in response to the shooting request in the 45-degree sector unit 1224 having a radius of 300 m, and the shooting device B does not have a shooting record in response to the shooting request, so the shooting device A is selected.

  In the sector unit 1225, the imaging device D has a record of shooting for a shooting request, and the rating of the shot image is “2”. Further, since the photographing device E has a record of photographing with respect to the photographing request and the rating of the photographed image is “5”, the photographing device E having a high rating of the photographed image is selected.

  Reference numerals 1221 and 1223 denote selected photographing devices, and 1222 denotes the photographing devices that are not selected. Here, when there is no shooting device in the initial shooting request range, or when the number of shooting devices is smaller than the preset number, the shooting request range is expanded as described in FIG. The same processing is performed.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the photographing device that requests photographing in the sector unit is selected with the photographing object as the center, the photographed images from the same direction are reduced, and the viewer can photograph the images in various directions and angles. Can be easily obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment of the present invention, a case where there is no correspondence table between landmark names and GPS information will be described.

  The flowcharts showing the hardware configuration, functional configuration, and operation of the imaging requesting apparatus in Embodiment 3 of the present invention are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, respectively.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, in step S402, the shooting target position information acquisition unit 302 acquires the shooting target position information based on the shooting target information received in step S401. Here, in the case where the subject and position information are given as metadata of an image previously captured by the photographing device, the position information of the subject that matches the subject to be photographed is acquired. The subject position information may be attached by a photographing device equipped with GPS, or may be attached manually.

  Alternatively, if position information is given as metadata of an image previously captured by a photographing device, subject recognition of the photographed image is performed, and subject position information that is position information of a subject that matches the photographing target is acquired. .

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, when there is no correspondence table between landmark names and GPS information, it is possible to easily acquire position information of a shooting target using metadata of a previously shot image. it can. As a result, by using these pieces of position information, the viewer can easily acquire photographed images in various directions and angles.

(Embodiment 4)
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which there are several photographing devices that are not equipped with GPS among photographing devices 200 such as digital cameras managed by the photographing request device 100.

  The flowcharts showing the hardware configuration, functional configuration, and operation of the imaging requesting apparatus in Embodiment 4 of the present invention are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, respectively.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in step S403, the photographing device position information acquisition unit 311 acquires position information of the photographing device 200 such as a digital camera managed by the photographing request device 100. For example, if the shooting date / time and location information are given as metadata of an image previously shot with a shooting device, the location information within the time set in advance is set as the difference between the shooting date / time and the current date / time. To do. As an example, position information within 5 minutes is obtained, in which the shooting date and time are close to the current date and time.

  According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, even in the case of a photographing device not equipped with GPS, the position information of the photographing device can be easily obtained using the metadata of the previously photographed image. As a result, by using these pieces of position information, the viewer can easily acquire photographed images in various directions and angles.

(Embodiment 5)
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, an example of requesting a photographing device when there is an owner of the photographing device with high knowledge or skill regarding photographing will be described. The flowcharts showing the hardware configuration, functional configuration, and operation of the basic photographing request apparatus are the same as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, respectively.

  In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in S404, knowledge or skill information related to photographing of the owner of the photographing device is acquired. In step S407, if the knowledge or skill is high, the owner's photographing device is selected from the photographing request range.

  According to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, an owner with high knowledge or skill may be able to take a valuable image or an image with excellent content.

(Embodiment 6)
Alternatively, a method may be used in which photographing devices within the photographing request range are selected from photographing devices that have a large number of photographing during a certain period of time from the current time.

  An imaging device that has taken a certain amount of time from the current time and has a large number of images during that period is highly likely that the photographer is operating the imaging device, and is likely to see a display requesting imaging. As a result, by using these pieces of information, it is possible to increase the photographing opportunity of the photographer, and the viewer can easily acquire the photographed image.

  As described above, according to the first to sixth embodiments, according to the present invention, a user can easily capture a captured image of a shooting target in a remote place from various directions and angles without going to the spot. Can be acquired.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 Image | photographing object management part 301 Image | photographing request | requirement receiving part 302 Image | photographing object position information acquisition part 310 Image | photographing apparatus management part 311 Image | photographing apparatus position information acquisition part 312 Image | photographing apparatus apparatus information acquisition part 313 Image acquisition request transmission part 320 Processing part 321 Image acquisition request range specification part 322 Imaging request photographing device selection unit 330 communication unit

Claims (13)

Shooting target information acquisition means for acquiring shooting target information related to the shooting target;
Photographing device information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of photographing device information relating to a plurality of photographing devices;
A shooting device selection unit that selects a plurality of shooting devices that request shooting of the shooting target from the shooting target information acquired by the shooting target information acquisition unit and the shooting device information acquired by the shooting device information acquisition unit;
An imaging request apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit an imaging request to a plurality of imaging devices selected by the imaging device selection unit. A photographing request range specifying means for specifying a photographing request range for requesting photographing of the photographing target;
2. The photographing request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device selecting unit selects a photographing device from photographing devices existing within the range specified by the photographing request range specifying unit.   The shooting target information is position information of a shooting target, the plurality of shooting device information is position information of a plurality of shooting devices, and the shooting device selection unit includes the position information of the shooting target and the plurality of shooting images. The photographing request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of photographing devices are selected from the position information of the devices.   The photographing request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device selection unit selects a plurality of photographing devices capable of photographing from a plurality of different directions.   The photographing request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device selection unit selects a plurality of photographing devices capable of photographing from a plurality of different angles. The photographing device selection means includes
The photographing request apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one photographing device is selected from each of a plurality of ranges obtained by dividing the photographing request range specified by the photographing request range specifying unit.   When there are a plurality of shooting devices in a range obtained by dividing the shooting request range specified by the shooting request range specifying means, selecting a shooting device from the distance and direction between the shooting target and the plurality of shooting devices. The imaging request apparatus according to claim 2, wherein   The imaging device is selected from the density of the imaging device when there are a plurality of imaging devices in a range obtained by dividing the imaging request range specified by the imaging request range specifying unit. Shooting request device.   The imaging device is selected from imaging histories of the plurality of imaging devices when there are a plurality of imaging devices in a range obtained by dividing the imaging request range specified by the imaging request range specifying unit. The imaging request device described in 1.   The shooting target information acquisition unit acquires subject and subject position information, which is metadata of an image shot by the shooting device, and acquires subject position information of a subject that matches the shooting target as position information of the shooting target. The imaging request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The shooting device information acquisition means acquires shooting date / time and subject position information of metadata of images taken by the plurality of shooting devices, and uses subject position information whose shooting date / time is close to the current date / time as position information of the shooting device. The imaging request apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging request apparatus is acquired. A shooting target information acquisition step in which shooting target information acquisition means acquires shooting target information related to the shooting target;
An imaging device information acquisition step in which the imaging device information acquisition means acquires a plurality of imaging device information related to a plurality of imaging devices;
Shooting in which a shooting device selection unit selects a plurality of shooting devices that request shooting of the shooting target from the shooting target information acquired in the shooting target information acquisition step and the shooting device information acquired in the shooting device information acquisition step. Equipment selection process;
A method for controlling a photographing request apparatus, comprising: a transmission step in which a transmission unit transmits a photographing request to a plurality of photographing devices selected in the photographing device selection step.   The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of the imaging | photography request | requirement apparatus described in Claim 12.

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