JP4177396B2 - Satellite image distribution device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a satellite image delivery device capable of user satellite image taken by a commercial satellite is easily available in any location.

  Conventionally, a satellite image captured by an artificial satellite is used by an expert who has a dedicated terminal. In that case, in order to obtain satellite image content (satellite image data), digital image data was written on a printed matter, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, or the like at the address specified by the user, who is an expert, or at the office. Service forms that send magnetic media have become mainstream.

  In such a service form, a long period of time is required for request reception, medium creation, and transmission, which also has the inconvenience that satellite image content can be obtained only at a predetermined location.

  On the other hand, in recent years, the resolution of ground satellite images taken by commercial artificial satellites has been remarkably improved, and has become about 1 m for black and white and about 4 m for color. As satellite images become high resolution in this way, there is an increasing tendency that ordinary people use satellite images. General people will receive a satellite image content distribution service with a general-purpose information terminal.

  In order for ordinary people to receive a satellite image content distribution service using a general-purpose information terminal, the user's computer (user terminal) is connected to a distribution center server via a network such as the Internet to use the satellite image content. It is known to download directly to a user terminal. This is described, for example, in JP-A-10-307534.

  For music data, connect the user terminal (user terminal) to the music distribution server, apply for the music data that you want to download, and distribute the requested music data from the music distribution server to the information terminal installed at the convenience store. It is known to download from an information terminal. This is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 below.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-312175

  In the prior art, a user terminal is connected to a server in a distribution center via a network such as the Internet, and satellite image content is directly downloaded to the user terminal. However, satellite image content (satellite image data) has a large capacity, and a normal network infrastructure requires a lot of time to download, and the connection fee to the network is high. In addition, the user can easily access it anywhere. It has a problem that it cannot be obtained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a satellite image distribution apparatus that allows a user to easily obtain a satellite image from an arbitrary place in a short time.

  A feature of the present invention is that satellite images are distributed to a plurality of output terminals connected to a satellite image distribution center via a network, and the distribution center receives a satellite image distribution request from a user terminal. When the order identification ID is input to any one of the plurality of output terminals, the output terminal is determined, and the order identification ID is input to the output terminal. Then, the image data transmission request including the order identification ID and the terminal identification ID is transmitted to the distribution center to receive the distribution of the satellite image data, and after charging, the satellite image data is output.

  In the present invention, a distribution center determines an output terminal based on an image data transmission request including an order identification ID and a terminal identification ID transmitted from any one output terminal among the plurality of output terminals. Satellite image data is distributed to the output terminal. Therefore, the user can easily and easily obtain the satellite image from an arbitrary place designated when the satellite image distribution request is made.

  In the present invention, a distribution center determines an output terminal based on an image data transmission request including an order identification ID and a terminal identification ID transmitted from any one output terminal among the plurality of output terminals. Satellite image data is distributed to the output terminal. Therefore, the user can easily and easily obtain the satellite image from an arbitrary place designated when the satellite image distribution request is made.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a satellite image distribution apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a user terminal 11 is a general-purpose home information terminal, portable information terminal, in-vehicle information terminal, or the like, and transmits an image data distribution request to a satellite image distribution center (server) 12. The satellite image data distribution center 12 is provided with a satellite image database 13 that stores satellite images. The satellite image receiving center 15 transmits an imaging request to an artificial satellite (not shown) and receives a satellite image.

  A plurality of satellite image data content output terminals 14 are connected to the distribution center (server) 12 via a dedicated high-speed network 16. In the figure, an output terminal 14A installed at station A and an output terminal 14B installed at B convenience store are shown.

  Now, the distribution center 12 has a satellite image database 13 in which captured satellite images are accumulated, creation of an order identification ID and request acceptance information from the distribution request, and satellite image data that matches the distribution request from the satellite image database 13. Search, search result satellite image data, order identification ID and request acceptance information are managed in association with each other.

  The distribution center 12 is connected to the output terminal 14 via the dedicated high-speed network 16, receives an image data transmission request from the output terminal 14, and identifies the destination output terminal 14 via the dedicated high-speed network 16. And determination and transmission of satellite image data. Further, when the satellite image requested by the user terminal 11 in response to the satellite image distribution request is not registered in the satellite image database 13, the distribution center 12 sends a new image capturing request to the satellite image receiving center 15 and the new satellite image. Perform registration.

  As the user terminal 11, a general-purpose home information terminal that can be connected to a wide area network such as the Internet via a wired or wireless communication network, a portable information terminal, an in-vehicle information terminal, and the like are used.

  The output terminal 14 is connected to the distribution center 12 via a dedicated high-speed network 16 and is a dedicated output terminal for downloading satellite image data and printing satellite images. The high-resolution satellite image data output terminal 14 is installed in a convenient place for the user (user) to use, such as a nearest public facility such as a station or a convenience store and a multi-storey commercial facility.

  The output terminal 14 performs a satellite image data transmission request to the distribution center 12, satellite image data reception, satellite image data output form determination, billing processing, and satellite image data output via the dedicated high-speed network 16 by user operation.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the distribution center 12.

  In FIG. 2, a distribution request input / reception unit 21 receives a distribution request from a distribution request input unit displayed on a Web browser 22 as shown in FIG. 5 of the general-purpose user terminal 11, creates an order identification ID, and creates distribution information. And manage. Further, the order identification ID is output to the user's Web browser 22 as the delivery request acceptance confirmation information.

  The DB search means 23 searches the satellite image database 13 for satellite image data that matches the distribution request received by the distribution request input / acceptance means 21. The imaging request unit 24 issues a new imaging request to the satellite image receiving center 15 when the satellite image data matching the distribution request does not exist in the satellite image database 13 as a result of the satellite image data search by the DB search unit 23. To do.

  The order identification ID-image data association management means 25 associates and manages the order identification ID and distribution information created by the distribution request input / acceptance means 21 and the satellite image data that matches the distribution request retrieved by the DB search means 23.

  In response to the satellite image data transmission request from the output terminal 14, the transmission request reception / retrieval means 26 extracts and distributes the order identification ID included in the satellite image data transmission request and the terminal identification ID for specifying the output terminal 14. The information, satellite image data, and each information of the satellite image data output terminal are searched and determined. In this way, by acquiring the output terminal identification ID included in the image data transmission information, even if a plurality of high-resolution satellite image data output terminals 14 that can be accessed with the distribution center 12 exist in any place in Japan, The requested satellite image data can be transmitted.

  The image data transmission means 27 transmits the distribution information and the satellite image data to the output terminal 14 that has been searched and determined by the transmission request reception / search means 26. The control unit 28 has functions of a distribution request input / accepting unit 21, a DB search unit 23, an imaging request unit 24, an order identification ID-image data association management unit 25, a transmission request reception / search unit 26, and an image data transmission unit 27. Control.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the output terminal 14 for high resolution satellite image data.

  In FIG. 3, the information display means 31 displays information for navigating operations until the user receives satellite image data. The order identification ID input receiving means 32 receives the order identification ID input by the user, and creates transmission request information from the terminal identification ID for specifying the output terminal 14 to which the order identification ID and the order identification ID are input.

  Thus, by including the terminal identification ID for transmitting the image data transmission request in the transmission information, even if the output terminal 14 accessible to the distribution center 12 exists in any place in Japan, the user can The requested satellite image data can be acquired from any location.

  The transmission request transmission / data reception means 33 transmits the transmission request information created by the order identification ID input reception means 32 to the distribution center 12 and receives the distribution information and satellite image data from the distribution center 12. The charge input confirming unit 34 monitors the charge input state from the charging information included in the distribution information received by the transmission request transmission / data receiving unit 33.

  The output medium confirmation unit 35 monitors the user-specified output medium setting state included in the distribution information received by the transmission request transmission / data reception unit 33. When the monitoring results of the charge input confirmation unit 34 and the output medium confirmation unit 35 match the distribution information received by the transmission request transmission / data reception unit 33, the image data output unit 36 converts the satellite image data into a printer or electronic device according to the distribution information. Output to the medium 37.

  The control means 38 controls the functions of the information display means 31, the order identification ID input acceptance means 32, the transmission request transmission / data reception means 33, the charge input confirmation means 34, the output medium confirmation means 35, and the image data output means 36.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining one mode of use of the present invention. A user takes a commemorative photo (b) at a travel destination, and the background mountains and the user's whereabouts appearing in the commemorative photo (b). This is an example of acquiring satellite image data at the nearest satellite image data output terminal in order to obtain a high-resolution satellite image (a) including

  FIG. 5 is an example of a distribution request input screen displayed on the Web browser 22 of the general-purpose user terminal 11. The distribution request input screen 51 has items of position information 52, image range 53, image type 54, number of images 55, and image output medium 56 as input items.

  The user searches for satellite image data that matches the request from the satellite image database 13 by using the position information 52 indicating his / her position and the image range (image region) 53 centered on his / her position. Enter information. The position information 52 can be input directly from latitude and longitude or automatically from a position information acquisition function possessed by a user terminal such as a general-purpose portable information terminal or in-vehicle information terminal.

  The distribution information of black and white / color information by the image type 54, desired number information by the number 55 of images, and output medium information by the image output medium 56 is input. The image output medium 56 is an electronic data format that can be stored in an electronic medium suitable for peripheral devices that can be used in any of general-purpose home information terminals, portable information terminals, and in-vehicle information terminals owned by users, or photo printing The format can be requested according to the usage form of the user. Note that MO is a magneto-optical disk and CD is a compact disk.

  6 shows the satellite image database 13 search, order identification ID, creation of distribution information, and satellite image of the satellite image database 13 search result after the distribution center 12 accepts the request from the distribution request input screen 51 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process until the correlation management with data.

  In FIG. 6, the distribution center 12 accepts a distribution request input from the distribution request input screen 51 (step S <b> 601), and the position information 52, the image range 53, the image type 54, the number of images 55, and the image output medium 56 are input items. Each information (order request) is confirmed (step S602). If there are no omissions in the input items, request confirmation information indicating that the input items have been normally received is transmitted to the user's Web browser 22 (step S603).

  Next, an image data search key for searching the satellite image database 13 from the distribution request input items is created (step S604), and a DB search (step S605) is executed in the satellite image database 13 using the image data search key.

  If the DB is not registered in the satellite image database 13 by the DB search in step S605 (step S606), a new imaging request (step S607) is issued to the satellite image receiving center 15.

  On the other hand, when the DB registration has been completed by the DB registration presence / absence confirmation process (step S606), distribution information is created from the distribution request information and the DB search result (step S608), and an order identification ID is created from this distribution information (step S609). )

  Next, request acceptance information (output medium information, billing information) is created (step S610), the order identification ID and the request acceptance information are transmitted to the user's web browser 22 (step S611), and then the order identification ID, distribution information, and The image data is associated and managed (step S612).

  FIG. 7 shows an example configuration of the association management table 71 that associates and manages the distribution information created in step S608 of FIG. 6 and the order identification ID created in step S609 in step S612.

  In FIG. 7, the consistent reception number 72 is a number assigned by the distribution center 12 when receiving a satellite image distribution request. The output medium information 75 sets the image output medium 56 of the distribution request input information. The billing information 74 is set with a fee determined and determined from the image range 53, the image type 54, the number 55 of images, and the image output medium 56 of the distribution request input information. The image data identification internal ID 73 sets an identification name added to the registered image data in the satellite image database 13. By using the consistent acceptance number 72 as the order identification ID 76, the relationship between the order identification ID 76 and the association management table 71 can be facilitated.

  In FIG. 8, the order identification ID received by the user from the distribution center 12 is input to the output terminal 14, and satellite image data and distribution information (output medium data, billing data) are transmitted from the high resolution satellite image data distribution center 12. It is a flowchart which shows the process until.

  In FIG. 8, the output terminal 14 receives the order identification ID input by the user according to the information display means 31 (step S <b> 801), and as information for specifying the output terminal 14 that is the satellite image data transmission destination from the distribution center 12. Transmission request information is created from the terminal identification ID of the output terminal 14 and the input order identification ID (step S802). By including the terminal identification ID to which the order identification ID is input in the transmission information (image data transmission request) in this way, even if the output terminal 14 accessible to the distribution center 12 exists in any place in Japan, The user can acquire the requested satellite image data from any place in Japan.

  In step S803, an image data transmission request is transmitted to the distribution center 12. When a transmission request acceptance signal is received from the distribution center 12 (step S804), an order inquiry message is displayed on the information display means 31 (step S805), and satellite image data, output medium data, and billing data are received (step S806). To do.

  9 identifies the output terminal 14 after receiving a transmission request received from the output terminal 14 by the distribution center 12, and transmits satellite image data matching the order identification ID and distribution information (output medium data, billing data). It is a flowchart which shows the process until.

  In FIG. 9, the distribution center 12 accepts the image data transmission request from the output terminal 14 (step S901), and acquires the output terminal identification ID necessary for specifying the image data transmission destination output terminal 14 from the transmission request information ( Step S902). By acquiring the output terminal identification ID included in the transmission information in this way, even if the high-resolution satellite image data output terminal 14 that can be accessed with the distribution center 12 exists in any place in Japan, the requested satellite Image data can be transmitted.

  When the image data transmission destination output terminal 14 is specified, an acceptance signal indicating that the transmission request has been normally received is transmitted (step S903), and the order identification ID in the transmission request is retrieved from the association management table 71 (step S904). To do. Satellite image data, output medium data, and billing data that match the order identification ID are acquired (step S905), and the data is transmitted to the specified output terminal 14 (step S906).

  FIG. 10 shows a mechanism for acquiring matching satellite image data by searching the association management table 71 using the order identification ID in step S904 of FIG.

  The fact that the order identification ID 76 is diverted from the consistent acceptance number 72 is described with reference to FIG. By searching for the consistent reception No. 72 that matches the order identification ID 76 and acquiring the image data identification internal ID 73 existing in the line of the consistent reception consistency No. 72, satellite image data that matches the order identification ID 76 can be easily obtained. Can be acquired.

  FIG. 11 shows the processing from when the user pays the high-resolution satellite image data output terminal 14, sets the medium necessary for acquiring satellite image data specified in advance by the user, and acquires satellite image data. It is a flowchart to show.

  In FIG. 11, the output terminal 14 displays the charge and output medium information on the information display means 31 (step S1101), and performs charge input confirmation (step S1102). If the charge input does not match the charge information, the charge input wait (step S1103) and the charge input confirmation (step S1102) are repeated until they match.

  When the charging is performed normally, the output medium setting information is displayed on the information display means 31 (step S1104), and the output medium setting state is confirmed (step S1105). If the output medium setting does not match the output medium information, the output medium check (step S1106) and the output medium setting state check (step S1105) are repeated until they match. When the output medium setting is normally performed, the satellite image data is output to the designated output medium (step S1107).

  FIG. 12 shows an execution flow summarized on the basis of user operations in the high-resolution satellite image distribution service system, which is an example of the embodiment according to the present invention described so far.

  The user 121 issues an image data request 12 a using the distribution request input / accepting means 21 of the distribution center 12. In the distribution center 12, the DB search unit 23 searches for image data that matches the image data request 12 a received via the distribution request input / acceptance unit 21.

  If there is image data that matches the request as a result of the search by the DB search means 23, the order identification ID / image data association management means 25 associates and manages the order identification ID, distribution information, and search result image data. The request acceptance information and the order identification ID 12c are returned to the user 121 from the distribution request input / accepting means 21. If there is no image data matching the request, 12b issues a new imaging request from the imaging request unit 24, and returns request acceptance information and order identification ID 12c from the distribution request input / accepting unit 21 to the user 121.

  When the user 121 receives image data, the order identification ID input 12d is performed using the identification ID input receiving means 32 of the image data output terminal. In the image data output terminal 14, the order identification ID is received via the identification ID input receiving unit 32, and the transmission request transmission / data receiving unit 33 requests the distribution center 12 to transmit the image data.

  Next, the distribution center 12 receives the image data transmission request from the image data output terminal 14 via the transmission request reception / retrieval means 26, determines and specifies the output terminal 14 of the image data transmission destination, and matches the request. Image data, billing data, and output medium information data to be acquired are acquired and transmitted to the image data output terminal 14 by the image data transmission means 27.

  In the output terminal 14, the charge input confirmation unit 34 presents a charge to the user 121 based on the data received from the distribution center 12, receives the charge input 12 e from the user 121, and the output medium confirmation unit 35 notifies the user 121. Check the output media settings. In response to the output medium setting 12f from the user 121, the image data output means 36 outputs the image data.

  The satellite image is distributed as described above, and the output terminal responds to the image data transmission request including the order identification ID and the terminal identification ID transmitted from any one of the plurality of output terminals by the distribution center. And satellite image data is distributed to the output terminal among the plurality of output terminals. Therefore, the user can easily and easily obtain the satellite image from an arbitrary place designated when the satellite image distribution request is made.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing contents of the distribution center (server) of satellite image data and the output terminal are separately stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM as a program processing procedure, and only the recording medium is sold. Of course it is good.

  Moreover, since the output terminal can output in a plurality of forms in the above-described embodiment, it can be output in any form requested by the user. Furthermore, it is possible to make an order request by designating the satellite image of the image area desired by the user.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a satellite image delivery center. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a satellite image output terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention. It is an example figure of the request input screen of a user terminal. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention. It is an example block diagram of a management table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention. It is search explanatory drawing of a management table. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 ... User terminal 12 ... Satellite image data distribution center (server)
13 ... Satellite image database 14 ... Satellite image data output terminal 15 ... Satellite image receiving center 16 ... Dedicated high-speed network

Claims (2)

The satellite image is distributed to a plurality of output terminals connected to a satellite image distribution center via a dedicated high-speed network. When a satellite image distribution request including an image area is received from a user terminal, the distribution request is met. Satellite image data to be created , an order identification ID is assigned to the satellite image data and managed in association with the satellite image data, and the order identification ID is transmitted to the user terminal, and any one of the plurality of output terminals is output. When the image data transmission request including the order identification ID and the terminal identification ID is input from the distribution center that transmits the satellite image data managed by the order identification ID to the output terminal of the terminal identification ID, and the order identification ID Is input, an image data transmission request including the order identification ID and terminal identification ID is transmitted to the distribution center, and the order identification ID is transmitted. Satellite image delivery apparatus characterized by being delivered managed the satellite image data comprising a plurality of output terminals for outputting the satellite image data.   The satellite image is distributed to a plurality of output terminals connected via a dedicated high-speed network to a distribution center server having a satellite image database, and a satellite image distribution request including an image area is received from a user terminal. When accepted, the database is searched to create satellite image data that matches the distribution request, and the satellite image data is associated with an order identification ID and managed, and the order identification ID is transmitted to the user terminal, A server that, when an image data transmission request including a terminal identification ID is input from any one of the plurality of output terminals, transmits the satellite image data managed by the order identification ID to the output terminal of the terminal identification ID When the order identification ID is input, an image data transmission request including the order identification ID and terminal identification ID is sent to the server. Are signals to deliver the satellite image data managed by said order identification ID, satellite image delivery apparatus characterized by comprising a plurality of output terminals for outputting the satellite image data after charging.

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