JP2001337598A - Map system with picture information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly and easily update picture information linked with a digital map without interposing a human processing at the time of updating the picture information. SOLUTION: This map system is provided with a storage means 10 which stores picture information to be supplied from a digital camera as stored data together with reduction-to-one positions, a sameness judging means 20 which judges whether photographing objects of the new picture information picture information being previous stored data are the same or not based on the comparison among photographed positions of the new picture information and unitied positions of the stored data when new picture information is supplied and a stored data updating means 30 which updates the picture information of the previous stored data to the new picture information when the means 20 judged that positions are the same.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map system with image information for linking image information whose imaging position has been specified to a digital map, and to an image capable of easily updating image information linked to a digital map. It relates to a map system with information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the advent of digital cameras and digital maps, image information captured by a digital camera can be easily linked to a predetermined position on the digital map. For example, if position information indicating the position where the image was captured is added to the image information, the image information can be easily linked to the position on the digital map indicated by the position information.
The linked image information can be output on a digital map from the link position. As a technique for linking image information to a digital map as described above, a map system with image information described in Japanese Patent Publication No. H8-23870 shown in FIG. This conventional map system with image information S is provided with a computer main body 1, a digital camera 2, and a GPS3. The computer body 1 stores the image information captured by the digital camera 2 in association with the position information recognized by the GPS 3 at that time. The computer main body 1 links the image information associated with the position information to the digital map provided in the computer main body 1 based on the position information, and displays the location with an icon. When the icon is selected and executed, image information linked to the position is displayed on the digital map.

[0003]

By the way, the conventional map system with image information S adds the position information recognized by the GPS 3 to the image information when the image information is captured. Since the position information includes the measurement error of GPS3, even when the image information of the same imaging target is imaged at the same imaging position, the position information added to the image information is delicate every time the image is captured due to the measurement error of GPS3. It will be different. Furthermore, it is difficult to image the same imaging target at exactly the same imaging position,
Since the imaging position also shifts, it is extremely rare that the same position information is given to the image information even for the same imaging target. Therefore, when updating the image information once linked to the digital map with the position information, it is necessary to perform processing for confirming that the image information before the update and the image information after the update are the same imaging target. In this process, it is necessary to compare the position information added to the image information one by one to check whether or not they are the same imaging target, and there is a problem that a great deal of trouble is required. As a means for solving the problem, once the identification information is given to the image information linked to the digital map, and when the image information to be updated is captured, the identification information given to the image information to be updated is added to the image information. A method of giving the same identification information and recognizing that the imaging targets are the same can be considered. However, a new process of adding identification information to image information at the time of imaging is required, and since the addition of identification information is performed artificially, erroneous identification information is given to image information and recognition becomes impossible. And the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and when updating image information, the image information linked to the digital map can be updated accurately and without any artificial processing. An object of the present invention is to provide a map system with image information that can be easily updated.

[0005]

The technical means of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is that an image is taken by a digital camera and the image information of the object to be imaged whose imaging position is specified is stored in the existing image information. The digital map can be linked to a reduced return position determined based on the imaging position, a sign can be given to the return position linked to the digital map, and the image information can be output when the mark is indicated. Storage means for storing image information supplied from the digital camera as storage data together with the return position, when new image information is supplied, the new image information It is determined based on a comparison between the imaging position of new image information and the return position of storage data whether or not the imaging target with the image information of the stored data is the same. As an determination unit, and a configuration in which a storage data updating means for updating the image information of the previous stored data when it is determined that the same determination means is identical to the new image information. The image information captured by the digital camera is supplied to a storage unit with an imaging position given. The storage unit stores the supplied image information as storage data including the image information and a return position determined from the imaging position. At this time, the storage data newly stored in the storage unit is supplied to the same determination unit, and it is determined whether or not the previous storage data stored in the storage unit and the imaging target are the same. The image information of the previous storage data determined by the same determination unit to be the same imaging target is updated by the storage data updating unit to the image information of the newly supplied storage data.

Also, if necessary, when new image information is supplied from the digital camera, a return position setting means for setting a return position from an imaging position of the image information is provided.
The storage data updating means has a function of updating the return position of the previous storage data to a new return position set by the return position setting means. The link position of the image information to the digital map is set to one value by the return position setting means. The new return position may be a return position of previously stored data or a newly set return position. Further, if necessary, the same determination means stores a calculation unit for calculating a separation distance between the imaging position of the new image information and the return position of the previous storage data, and stores a predetermined allowable separation distance. When the allowable separation distance storage unit and the separation distance calculated by the calculation unit are within the allowable separation distance range, the imaging target of the new image information is the same as the imaging target of the image information of the previous storage data. And a judgment unit for judging. The determining unit compares the previously set allowable distance value with the separation distance calculated from the return position (imaging position) of the newly supplied storage data and the return position of the previous storage data, and determines a new distance. It is mechanically determined whether or not the imaging target of the storage data supplied to is the same as the imaging target of the previous storage data.

[0007] Further, if necessary, the storage data updating means may determine that the stored data is the same by the same determination means, and the storage data updated to the new image information may be the same as the storage data determined to be the same. A configuration is provided that includes a history holding unit that holds data as history information. The image information of the original storage data can be updated, and the storage data before the update can be accumulated and held as history information. In addition, if necessary, the return position setting means may determine that the new image information is determined as the return position of the image information of the new image information when the same determination means does not determine the same. It was configured to include a position determining unit. The storage data of the new imaging target is stored in the storage unit as new storage data. Further, if necessary, the return position determination unit returns the average value of the imaging position of the new image information and the return position of the previous storage data when the same determination unit determines that the same is the same. It was configured to have a function to determine it as one position. Since the return position is determined from the average of the two values of the image pickup position of the new image information and the return position of the previously stored data, the return position approximates the actual position of the imaging target. Further, if necessary, when the same determination means is determined to be the same by the return position determination unit, the return position setting means holds the imaging position of the new image information and the previous storage data. The configuration is provided with a function of determining the average value of the history information and the imaging position as the return position. Since the return position is determined from the average of only the imaging positions of the stored data, the return position is closer to the actual position of the imaging target.

[0008] Further, an information appending means for appending additional information of the storage data to the storage data is provided if necessary. Desired information can be given for each storage data. Furthermore, a configuration is provided in which the information appending means is provided with a classification setting section for setting the classification information of the imaging target of the storage data as required. Desired classification information can be given to the stored data. Furthermore, a configuration is provided in which a tag-marking section for giving a mark according to the classification information of the imaging target in the storage data is provided as necessary. Different signs can be displayed at positions where the image information of the digital map is linked according to the classification information. In addition, as necessary, the configuration is such that an extraction unit for extracting the storage data stored in the storage unit is provided. The stored data can be extracted under predetermined conditions.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A map system with image information according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Map system S with image information shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
Is linked with the image information G of the object to be imaged which is imaged by the existing digital camera with GPS and whose image capturing position of the digital camera is specified, is reduced to a localized return position determined based on the image capturing position in the existing digital map M. Then, a sign is given to the return position linked to the digital map M, and the linked image information G is displayed by selecting the sign.
The digital camera records image information G in a predetermined data format (for example, JPEG or the like) in the same index I together with background information (indicating longitude and latitude) indicating an imaging position and the imaging time. The index I is information for distinguishing the image information G in the digital camera, and is composed of, for example, a number indicating an imaging order. The information recorded by these digital cameras is supplied to the map system with image information S via a recording medium such as a flash memory that can process the image information G at high speed. The map system with image information S includes a storage unit 10 for storing the image information G supplied from the digital camera together with the return position as storage data, and when the new image information G is supplied, the new image information G The same determining means 20 for determining whether or not the imaging target with the image information G of the stored data is the same based on the comparison between the imaging position of the new image information G and the return position of the stored data;
A storage data updating unit 30 for updating the image information G of the previous storage data to the new image information G when the same determination unit 20 determines that they are the same.

The storage means 10 has a temporary storage area and temporarily stores image information G supplied from the digital camera. Here, information supplied from the digital camera is referred to as supply data. The supply data includes an index I, information indicating an imaging position, an imaging time (not shown), and image information G, as shown in FIG. The information indicating the imaging position means background information. The supply data stored in the temporary storage area becomes storage data A with identification information S for identifying the image information G in the storage means instead of the index I. Further, the storage data A is provided with an information area F for additional information and an information area Rn for history information (n indicates the number of updates). Identifying means 20
Is a calculation unit 21 for calculating a separation distance between an imaging position of new image information G and a return position of previous storage data, and an allowable separation distance storage unit 22 for storing a predetermined allowable separation distance.
When the separation distance calculated by the calculation unit 21 is within the allowable separation distance range, the determination unit 23 that determines that the imaging target of the new image information G and the imaging target of the image information G of the previous storage data are the same. And The calculation unit 21 calculates the shortest distance from the two pieces of history information. Allowable separation distance storage unit 22
Causes the user to set an allowable separation distance for determining that the imaging targets are the same. A criterion for determining whether the imaging targets are the same is determined. The determination unit 23 compares the shortest distance calculated by the calculation unit 21 with the allowable separation distance set by the allowable separation distance storage unit 22, and the imaging target of the image information G for which the calculation of the allowable separation distance is the same. It is determined whether or not. Here, if the shortest distance is shorter than the set allowable separation distance, it is determined that the imaging targets of the image information G are the same. The stored data updating means 30 updates the previously stored data which has been determined to be the same by the same determining means 20, by writing information of the newly supplied stored data. Also, the stored data updating means 30
Includes a history holding unit 31 that accumulates and holds supply data determined to be the same as history information. The history storage unit 31 stores the image information G, the imaging position, the imaging time, and the additional information of all the supply data (excluding the index I) for which the imaging target is determined to be the same in the storage data updated as the history information. I do.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when new image information G is supplied from a digital camera, a return position is set from the imaging position of the image information G to the map system with image information S. Return position setting means 40 is provided. The return position setting unit 40 determines the return position of the new image information G as the return position when the same determination unit 20 does not determine that the return position is the same.
Is provided. The return position determination unit 41 determines the average value of the imaging position of the new image information G and the return position of the previous storage data as the return position when the same determination unit 20 determines that the return position is the same. (Function 1) or a function (Function 2) of determining the average value of the imaging position of the new image information G and the imaging position of the history information added to the previously stored data as the return position. The function 1 determines the average of the two values of the imaging position of the supply data and the return position of the stored data as a new return position. The function 2 determines an average of multiple values (two or more values) of the imaging position of the supply data and all the imaging positions of the history information of the storage data as a new return position. The return position determination unit 41 can also fix the return position to the return position that was set first (the imaging position of the supply data).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the map system with image information S has an information adding means 50 for adding accompanying information of the storage data to the storage data stored in the storage means 10.
Is provided. The information appending means 50 causes the type information of the image information G and the comment on the image information G to be input from the outside in units of storage data. Further, the information appending means 50
Includes a classification setting unit 51 that classifies stored data according to accompanying information, and classifies the stored data for each type of imaging target of the image information G, for example. Classification information is added to the classified storage data.

Further, the map system with image information S includes output means 60 for giving a mark to a position linked to the digital map M and outputting the mark. The output unit 60 includes a labeling unit 61 that gives a different label according to the classification information set in the stored data. The sign adding section 61 selects a sign to be displayed on the digital map M according to the correspondence between the kind of the sign and the classification information set in advance. Output means 6
To 0, the return position of the stored data, which is the link position, is supplied according to the output area of the digital map M. At this time, the marking section 61 selects a sign to be displayed at the link position from the classification information supplied together with the return position. The output form includes a map display mode for outputting a digital map with a mark, and an image display mode for displaying stored data including linked image information G.

The map system with image information S further includes:
An extraction unit 70 for extracting storage data stored in the storage unit 10 is provided. The extraction means 70 enables only the desired storage data to be output by setting the classification information and the area of the storage data to be output.

Therefore, according to the map system with image information S according to this embodiment, the stored data including the image information G linked to the digital map M is processed according to the processing steps P1 to P5 as shown in FIG. Update, Digital Map M
The storage data including the image information G linked to is output. (Input processing) Supply data recorded on the recording medium of the digital camera is supplied to the storage means 10 of the map system with image information S using a predetermined information input module.

(Temporary storage process P1) The supply data (see FIG. 2) supplied to the storage means 10 is stored data (storage data) in which the index I is converted into identification information S used for identification in the storage means 10. A: see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) and temporarily stored in the storage means 10. When converting the supply data into the storage data A, the storage means 10 provides an information area F of the additional information and an information area Rn of the history information.

(Identity determination processing P2) The storage data A temporarily stored in the storage means 10 is sequentially supplied to the calculation section 21 of the identity determination means 20. The calculation unit 21 determines whether the supplied storage data A and existing storage data (storage data B: FIG.
And FIG. 3) are sequentially calculated, and the calculated value is supplied to the determination unit 23. The same determination means 20 allows the allowable separation distance storage unit 22 to previously input an allowable separation distance value for determining that the imaging targets are the same, and provides the value to the determination unit 23. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the determination unit 23 detects a combination in which the calculated value is smaller than the allowable separation distance value by sequentially comparing the allowable separation distance value (one value) and the calculated value (multi-valued). When there is no corresponding combination, the determination unit 23 determines that there is no image information G having the same imaging target between the storage data B and the storage data A. Recognize the same storage data B and storage data A. This determination result is supplied to the return position setting means 40.

(Update processing P3) The update processing P3 includes a return position determination processing P3a and an image update processing P3 as described below.
3b and a history adding process P3c. The storage data A for which the determination unit 23 has determined that the same imaging target does not exist becomes the storage data B without any change in information (the non-updated storage data B1 shown in FIG. 3). Therefore,
The return position of the storage data B is the imaging position of the supply data. The storage data A and the storage data B recognized by the determination unit 23 as the same combination of the imaging target are returned to the return position setting unit 4.
The information of the storage data A is incorporated into the information of the storage data B by the storage data updating means 30. Return position determination processing P3a) First, the return position of the updated storage data B is determined by the return position determination unit 41. For example, the return position determination unit 41
The average value of the imaging position of the storage data B (all imaging positions having history information when the storage data B is updated) and the average value of the imaging position of the storage data A are determined as a new return position, and the return position is rewritten. . The return position determination unit 41 can also maintain the previous return position of the storage data B (the imaging position when first stored in the storage unit 10) as the return position. Image Update Process P3b) Next, the image information G of the storage data B after the update is updated to the image information G of the storage data A by the storage data updating means 30. At this time, along with the update of the image information G, the imaging time and the additional information are also updated to the information of the storage data A. Thus, the updated storage data B is updated to new information except for the identification information and the return position. History adding process P3c) Further, as shown in FIG. 3, information of the storage data A is newly added to the area of the history information of the storage data B after the update. That is, the history information of the storage data B after the update includes:
Information other than the identification information of the storage data A used for updating in the past is accumulated.

(Storage Process P4) The storage data A of the new imaging target and the updated storage data B are stored in the storage means 10 as storage data B (storage data B1 having no history information and storage data B2 having history information). It is memorized. In the area of the additional information of the storage data B stored in the storage means 10, the type of the imaging target and the comment on the image information G thereof can be input by the information additional means 50. For example, the classification setting unit 51 can provide classification information indicating that the imaging target of the image information G of the storage data B is a sewage manhole or a rainwater manhole.

(Output processing P5) The storage data B stored in the storage means 10 is stored in the digital map M
Link to FIG. 5A shows an output example of the map display mode. In the map display mode, the storage data B
Outputs a digital map M in which a mark H is attached to a position (return position) linked by. The sign H displayed on the digital map M is displayed in a shape, color, and pattern corresponding to the classification information by identifying the classification information of the storage data B in the label addition section 61. FIG. 5B shows an output example of the image display mode. Here, in the image display mode, the information of the storage data B linked to the position where the marker H is displayed is displayed by clicking the marker H with a mouse or the like. As described above, the display of the storage data B is also performed on the history information supplied in the past together with the latest image information G and the additional information F. In the output process P5, the extraction means 7
At 0, the desired storage data B is extracted by designating the imaging time range, the return position range, and the type of the image information G, and only the sign H of the extracted storage data B is displayed on the digital map M. be able to. The output means 60
In addition to outputting the storage data B for each marker H of the digital map M, a list display of the storage information B in the range specified by the extraction means 70 by converting the image information G into a thumbnail, a slide display of the image information G, etc. Function can be provided.

In the map system S with image information according to the above-described embodiment, if transmission / reception control means is provided, supply data picked up by a digital camera can be received via a network and processed into storage data B. .

[0022]

As described above, according to the map system with image information of the present invention, the storage means for storing the image information supplied from the digital camera together with the return position as storage data, and the new image information When supplied, it is determined whether or not the imaging targets of the new image information and the image information of the previous storage data are the same based on the comparison of the imaging position of the new image information and the return position of the storage data. Storage means for updating the image information of the previous storage data to new image information when the same determination means determines that they are the same. When the same image information is supplied to the image pickup target and the same is supplied, the fact is recognized, and the image information of the stored data can be artificially updated with new image information.

Further, when new image information is supplied from the digital camera, there is provided a return position setting means for setting a return position from an image pickup position of the image information. When a function is provided for updating one position to a new return position set by the return position setting means, the return position when the image information is updated can be adjusted to one value. Further, the same determination means, a calculation unit that calculates the separation distance between the imaging position of the new image information and the return position of the previous storage data, an allowable separation distance storage unit that stores a predetermined allowable separation distance, When the separation distance calculated by the calculation unit is within the allowable separation distance range, a configuration is provided that includes a determination unit that determines that the imaging target of the new image information and the imaging target of the image information of the previous storage data are the same. in case of,
By comparing the calculated value of the separation distance between the imaging position and the return position with the value set in the allowable separation distance storage unit, it is possible to easily determine whether the imaging targets are the same.

Further, the storage data updating means retains, as the history information, the previous storage data determined to be the same as the storage data updated to the new image information, which is determined to be the same by the same determination means. In the case where a history holding unit is provided, image information and the like before updating can be held as reference information in stored data. Also, when the return position setting means includes a return position determining unit that determines the image capturing position of the new image information as the return position when the same determination unit does not determine that the same is the same, Since the return position can be used as it is as the imaging position, the update processing efficiency can be improved.

Further, when the same-judgment means judges the same as the return position determination unit, the average value of the imaging position of the new image information and the return position of the previously stored data is determined as the return position. In the case where a function to perform the operation is provided, the return position of the stored data can be made closer to the actual position of the imaging target. Furthermore, when the same position determining unit determines that the same position is the same, the return position determination unit determines whether the return position setting unit determines the image capture position of the new image information and the image capture position of the history information held in the previous storage data. When a function of determining the average value as the return position is provided, the return position of the stored data can be made closer to the actual position of the imaging target.

Further, in the case where the information adding means for adding the accompanying information of the storage data to the storage data is provided, a comment can be given to the image information, so that the storage data can be given an added value. Further, when the information adding means is provided with a classification setting section for setting classification information of the imaging target of the stored data, it acts as an effective index when extracting and classifying the stored data. In addition, in the case where there is provided a sign-marking unit that gives a sign according to the classification information of the imaging target in the stored data, different signs can be displayed on the digital map linked with the image information according to the classification information of the image information. Therefore, the linked image information can be easily distinguished. Further, in the case where extraction means for extracting storage data stored in the storage means is provided, desired storage data can be extracted and output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map system with image information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the same judgment processing in the map system with image information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an update process in the map system with image information according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the map system with image information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a digital map in which image information is linked by the map system with image information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view embodying an example of a conventional map system with image information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S Map system with image information M Digital map H Sign 10 Storage means 20 Identifying means 21 Calculating part 22 Allowable separation distance storing part 23 Judging part 30 Storage data updating means 31 History holding part 40 Return position setting means 41 Return position determination Unit 50 information adding unit 51 classification setting unit 60 output unit 61 marker adding unit 70 extracting unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] An image captured by a digital camera, and image information of an imaging target whose imaging position of the digital camera is specified is linked to a localized return position determined based on the imaging position in an existing digital map. An image information-added map system that provides a sign at a return position linked to the digital map and enables the image information to be output when the sign is specified, wherein the image information supplied from the digital camera is returned to the digital camera. A storage means for storing as storage data together with one position, and, when new image information is supplied, whether or not the imaging target of the new image information is the same as the image information of the previous storage data is a new image. The same determining means for determining based on the comparison between the imaging position of the information and the return position of the stored data; A map system with image information, comprising: storage data updating means for updating image information of storage data with new image information. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a return position setting unit configured to set a return position from an imaging position of the image information when new image information is supplied from the digital camera. 2. The map system with image information according to claim 1, further comprising a function of updating a return position of data to a new return position set by said return position setting means. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the same determination unit calculates a separation distance between an imaging position of the new image information and a return position of the previously stored data, and a storage unit that stores a predetermined allowable separation distance. When the separation distance calculated by the separation distance storage unit and the calculation unit is within the allowable separation distance range, it is determined that the imaging target of the new image information and the imaging target of the image information of the previous storage data are the same. The map system with image information according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit configured to perform the determination. 4. The storage data updating means determines that the storage data updated by the same determination means is the same, and the storage data updated to the new image information is determined by using the previous storage data determined to be the same as history information. 4. The map system with image information according to claim 1, further comprising a history storage unit for storing. 5. The return position for determining the new image information as the return position of the image information when the same determination unit does not determine the same as the return position setting unit. 5. The map system with image information according to claim 2, further comprising a determination unit. 6. The return position determination unit, when the same determination unit determines that the same is the same, returns the average value of the imaging position of the new image information and the return position of previous storage data. The map system with image information according to claim 5, further comprising a function of determining the position. 7. The return position determination unit, wherein when the same determination unit determines that the same is the same, the return position setting unit sets the imaging position of the new image information and the history information held in the previous storage data. The map system with image information according to claim 5, further comprising a function of determining an average value of the image pickup position and the return position. 8. The map with image information according to claim 1, further comprising information adding means for adding the accompanying information of the storage data to the storage data. system. 9. The map system with image information according to claim 8, wherein said information appending means comprises a classification setting section for setting classification information of an imaging target of said storage data. 10. The map system with image information according to claim 9, further comprising: a marking unit for giving a mark in accordance with the classification information of the imaging target in the stored data. 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising extraction means for extracting storage data stored in said storage means.
2. A map system with image information according to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.