JP2002112255A - Information collection/distribution system and method, and information collection/distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information collection/distribution system and method and an information collection/distribution device that can immediately collect information denoting a photographing place and the number of photographing times at that place and immediately distribute the collected information. SOLUTION: The system comprises image pickup devices 500-1-500-n and a server 100 connected to a communication network 300. Each image pickup device 500 acquires information including information denoting the position of a concerned image pickup device 500 at least at image pickup and transmits the information to the server 100. The server 100 collects the received information and distributes the collected information in cross-reference with map information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information collection / distribution system and method for collecting imaging information of an imaging device, and an information collection / delivery device. The present invention relates to an information collection / distribution system and method capable of collecting / aggregating, and an information collection / distribution device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image is captured by an image capturing apparatus such as a digital camera, it is necessary to refer to a book or perform trial and error by a photographer to find a popular photographing place or a place suitable for photographing. It had been. In recent years, due to the spread of the Internet, information exchange on electronic bulletin boards and the like has been performed to find a shooting location.

In the method of finding a photographing place by trial and error of the photographer, it takes time to learn the photographer, for example, because the photographer's experience is required. Also, in the method of referring to books,
The shooting location in the area desired by the photographer is not always listed. In addition, the described information is often not instantaneous, and may not be useful for photographing.

In a method using an Internet bulletin board, an answer may be obtained in a relatively short time by inquiring an unspecified number of users about a shooting location in a desired area. It is difficult to get information immediately.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and information on a photographing place in a desired area or a popular photographing place is immediately collected and distributed to photographers. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information collection / distribution system and method and an information collection / distribution device capable of performing the above-mentioned operations.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an information collection / distribution system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of imaging devices and a server connected to a communication network. An information collection / distribution system, comprising: an imaging information acquisition unit configured to acquire imaging information including information indicating at least a position of the imaging device at the time of imaging; and an information collection unit configured to collect the imaging information via the communication network. And an information distribution unit that distributes the collected imaging information via the communication network.

According to this configuration, since the server collects the imaging position information of the plurality of imaging devices and distributes the information to each imaging device, each photographer can immediately know the place where the most photographing is performed. it can.

In this case, the imaging device includes the imaging information acquisition unit and a transmission unit that transmits the imaging information, and the server includes the information collection unit and the information distribution unit. The image capturing apparatus may include an information acquiring unit that acquires and displays information distributed from the information distribution unit via the communication network.

[0009] The information processing apparatus may further include a plurality of information terminals connected to the communication network for receiving and displaying information distributed from the information distribution unit.

[0010] Thereby, the imaging information collected from each imaging device can be browsed by an information device such as a personal computer.

[0011] It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a relay device connected to the server via the communication network and wirelessly connected to the imaging device. In this case, the relay device includes an imaging device acquired by the imaging device. The information may be relayed to the server, and the imaging information distributed by the server may be relayed to the imaging device.

[0012] The information processing apparatus may further include a portable information terminal device wirelessly connected to the relay device. In this case, the relay device relays the imaging information distributed by the server to the portable information terminal device. Things.

[0013] According to such a configuration, each imaging device includes:
For example, mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handyphone Syst
Since the imaging information can be transmitted using the relay device used for the operation of the mobile communication means such as em), the server can immediately collect the imaging information from any place. In addition, each photographer can also obtain other imaging information while staying at the shooting location. Further, even when the imaging device of the photographer does not have the function of acquiring the distribution information, for example, using a mobile information terminal such as a mobile phone capable of receiving and displaying text or image information,
Information distributed from the server can be obtained.

[0014] Preferably, the communication network is the Internet.

By utilizing the Internet, each photographer can easily provide information from any place.

In order to achieve the above object, an information collection / distribution method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an imaging step of capturing an image, and imaging information for acquiring at least information indicating an imaging position in the imaging step. An acquisition step, an imaging information collection step of collecting the imaging information acquired in the imaging information acquisition step through a communication network, and an information distribution of distributing the information collected in the imaging information collection step through the communication network And step.

In order to achieve the above object, an information collection / distribution apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is an information collection / distribution apparatus connected to a communication network, and includes: An information collection unit that collects imaging information including information indicating a position via the communication network, and an information distribution unit that distributes the information collected by the information collection unit via the communication network. And

[0018] It is preferable that an information totalizing unit for totalizing the information collected by the information collecting unit is provided, and the information distribution unit distributes the information totalized by the information totaling unit via the communication network.

It is preferable that the information distribution unit distributes the information collected by the information collection unit within a predetermined period for each predetermined region.

[0020] The imaging information includes information indicating an imaging date and time, and the information distribution unit extracts, from the collected imaging information, information having an imaging date and time corresponding to a predetermined period, and extracts the extracted information. It may be distributed for each predetermined area.

It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a map information storage unit storing map information, and the information distribution unit distributes the collected information in association with the map information in the map information storage unit.

Thus, the collected information of the imaging position can be displayed on a map of a desired area.
Each photographer can easily recognize popular photographing locations.

The imaging information further includes any one of information indicating a captured image, setting information indicating a setting of the imaging device at the time of imaging, and imaging direction information indicating an imaging direction at the time of imaging. It may be.

The information distribution unit accesses a weather information database, which is connected to the communication network and stores at least weather information, and obtains an imaging date and time indicated by the imaging information collected by the information collection unit or the information collection unit. May be obtained and distributed.

With such a configuration, not only the photographing position but also an image photographed by each photographer and photographing data at that time, for example, parameters of the photographing apparatus such as a shutter speed, an aperture, a white balance, and a light of a photographing light. Since the direction of incidence (different from normal light or backlight) can be obtained, it is possible to contribute to the acquisition and improvement of the imaging technique of each photographer.

The information collecting unit receives location information, and the counting unit counts information corresponding to an area based on the received location information, of the information collected by the information collecting unit.
The information distribution unit may distribute the aggregated information to a source of the position information.

With such a configuration, the photographing situation information near the place where the information distribution is requested is automatically selected and distributed, so that the user does not need to perform the input operation for specifying the position.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information collecting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an information collection system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a server 100, a relay station 200, a communication network 300, a terminal 400,
A plurality of imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n, a plurality of mobile communication terminals 600-1 to 600-n, and a portable information terminal 7
And 00.

The server 100 is a server device operated by the business operator that provides the information distribution service according to the present embodiment, and collects information from the imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n via the communication network 300. And collects the collected information into the imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n and the terminal 40.
0, distribution to the mobile communication terminals 600-1 to 600-n and the portable information terminal 700.

The relay station 200 is, for example, a mobile phone or a PH.
It is a relay station of a mobile communication carrier such as S (Personal Handyphone System), and is connected to the communication network 300 and connected to the imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n and the mobile communication terminals 600-1 to 600-n. Connected wirelessly.

The communication network 300 is, for example, the Internet, and connects the server 100, the relay station 200, and the terminal 400. In the present embodiment, the Internet is used as the communication network 300.

The terminal 400 is an information terminal composed of a computer such as a personal computer, for example, and is connected to the communication network 300 via a communication device such as a modem.

The imaging device 500 is, for example, a digital camera, and has communication means that can be wirelessly connected to the relay station 200. The detailed configuration of the imaging device 500 will be described later.

The mobile communication terminal 600 is, for example, a mobile station used in a mobile communication network such as a mobile phone or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), and is connected via a relay station 200 to a public line network (not shown). Communication network 30
0 for voice communication and data communication.

The portable information terminal 700 is, for example, a PDA
(Personal Data Assistants), etc., and can perform data communication by connecting to the communication network 300 by cooperating with the mobile communication terminal 600 and the like. Note that the portable information terminal 700 may be provided with the function of the mobile communication terminal 600 to enable data communication by the portable information terminal 700 alone.

Next, the configuration of the imaging device 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the imaging device 500.

As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 500 includes a control unit 50, an imaging unit 51, a storage unit 52, and an input unit 53.
Display unit 54, position detection unit 55, communication unit 56,
A communication antenna 57 and a GPS antenna 58 are provided.

The control unit 50 is, for example, a CPU (Central Pr
Ocessing Unit: a central processing unit) and controls each unit of the imaging device 500. The control unit 5
0 is provided with a timer (not shown), and acquires the time at the time of imaging by the imaging unit 51.

The imaging section 51 is, for example, a CCD (Charge C).
An image signal is generated by generating a voltage in accordance with the intensity of light focused by a lens (not shown).

The storage unit 52 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory device, and stores an image signal generated by the imaging unit 51 and information input from an input unit 53 and a position detection unit 55 described later. Note that the storage unit 52 stores the imaging device 50
It may be fixed to 0 or may be configured to be detachable.

The input unit 53 includes keys and switches for inputting various parameters of the imaging apparatus 500 and operating each unit.

The display unit 54 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (L
It is composed of a CD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays an image captured by the imaging unit 51, information input from the input unit 53, information received by a communication unit 56 described later, and the like.

The position detector 55 is, for example, a GPS (Glob)
al Positioning System (Global Positioning System) device, which acquires position information (information indicating latitude and longitude) of the imaging device 500 based on radio waves received from a plurality of artificial satellites via a GPS antenna 58 described later. .

The communication unit 56 transmits the position information and the like obtained by the position detection unit 55 to the relay station 200 via a communication antenna 57 described later, and transmits the information distributed from the server 100 via the relay station 200. Receive.

The communication antenna 57 is connected to the imaging device 500.
Are used for communication with the relay station 200 (for example, a PDC (Personal Digital Cellular)
MA (Code Division Multiple Access) system, PHS
Etc.) that can transmit and receive data.

The GPS antenna 58 is an antenna for receiving a GPS signal transmitted from an artificial satellite.

Next, the configuration of the server 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the server 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server 100 includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 11, an imaging information database 12, a timer 13, a counter 14, a memory 15, a map information database 16, and a content creation unit 17.

The control unit 10 is, for example, a CPU (Central
The processing unit includes a central processing unit (CPU) and controls each unit of the server 100.

The communication unit 11 is composed of, for example, a router and connects the server 100 to the communication network 300. The communication unit 11 includes a terminal 400, an imaging device 500, and a mobile communication terminal 60 via the communication network 300.
0, while receiving information from the portable information terminal 700, the terminal 400, the imaging device 500, the mobile communication terminal 600, the portable information terminal 70, and the content created by the content creation unit 17 described later via the communication network 300.
Send to 0.

The imaging information database 12 is a database constituted by, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk device, and accumulating the imaging information received by the communication unit 11 according to a predetermined rule.

The timer 13 counts the time when the imaging information received during a predetermined period is totaled in the imaging information totaling process described later.

The counter 14 counts the received image information in the image information totalizing process described later.

The memory 15 is composed of, for example, a rewritable storage device such as a hard disk device or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and includes a timer 13 out of the counter value of the counter 14 and the imaging information stored in the imaging information database 12. Is temporarily stored for a predetermined period of time.

The map information database 16 is a database that stores at least information indicating a map image in a range where the information collection service can be provided according to the present embodiment in association with position information (information indicating latitude and longitude). is there.

The content creator 17 can transmit and receive information over the communication network 300 when distributing the imaging information compiled by the server 100 to the terminal 400, the imaging device 500, the mobile communication terminal 600, and the portable information terminal 700. This is for creating a web page in a format suitable for the reception format of HTML. For example, HTML (Hyper Text Markup La
nguage), Compact HTML, WML (Wireless Markup La)
nguage) or create a web page in a file format.

Next, the imaging device 50 according to the present embodiment.
The operation of 0 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control unit 50 of the imaging device 500 determines whether the shutter of the input unit 53 has been pressed (step S101). That is, the imaging operation by the imaging device 500 is detected.

Next, the control unit 50 acquires an image signal generated by the imaging unit 51 by the imaging operation in step S101 (step S102), and stores the image signal in the storage unit 52 (step S103).

The control unit 50 obtains from the position detection unit 55 information indicating the position of the imaging device 500 at the time of the imaging operation in step S101 (information indicating latitude and longitude), and stores it in the storage unit 52.
(Step S104). The position information may be stored in association with the image information.

The control unit 50 controls the communication unit 56 to transmit the position information temporarily stored in the storage unit 52 in step S104 to the relay station 200 via the antenna 57 (step S105), and ends the processing. I do.

Next, the operation of the server 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the photographing information collection processing by the server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the communication unit 11 establishes communication network 3
The photographing information is received from each of the imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n via 00 (step S201).

The control section 10 assigns identification numbers to the photographing information received in step S201 in the order of reception (step S202).

The control unit 10 acquires the photographing position information from the received photographing information (step S203), and based on this position information, as shown in FIG. 6, assigns the number assigned in step S202 for each block (region). While being stored in the imaging information database 12, the imaging information with the identification number is stored in another storage area of the imaging information database 12, and the same information is written in the memory 15 (step S204).

In response to the information addition in step S204,
The counter 14 updates the number of stored information for each block, and stores the updated counter value in the imaging information database 12 and the memory 1.
5 (step S205), step S201
Return to and receive the next shooting information.

Next, the photographing information totalizing process in the server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The photographing information totalizing process is performed in parallel with the above-described photographing information collecting process.

First, the control section 10 resets the timer 13 (step S301) and clears the contents of the memory 15 (step S302).

When the memory 15 is cleared, the control unit 10
Instructs the timer 13 to start timing (step S30).
3).

The control unit 10 determines whether or not the count value of the timer 13 started in step S303 has reached a predetermined value (for example, 5 minutes) (step S304).

If it is determined in step S304 that the time value has reached the predetermined value, the process returns to step S301, where the timer 13 is reset, and the above processing is repeatedly executed.

That is, the predetermined time (in this case, 5
For example, the photographing information and the counting result for each block received during the period of time are stored in the memory 15, and the information held in the memory 15 is used as the counting result for each block distributed by the information distribution process described later.

Next, information distribution processing in the server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, the control unit 10 includes the terminal 400, the imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n, and the mobile communication terminal 600-1.
600-n, it is determined whether or not the communication unit 11 has received an information distribution request from the portable information terminal 700 (step S).
401).

When an information distribution request is received in step S401, the control unit 10 instructs the content creation unit 17 to receive a region selection page as shown in FIG. Then, the created file is transmitted to the request source (step S402).

Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a region selection instruction based on the region selection page transmitted in step S402 has been transmitted from the request source (step S40).
3). That is, the page shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the screen of the requesting terminal, and when the user selects a desired area by a predetermined operation, a signal indicating the selection is transmitted to the server 100.

The control unit 10 acquires the photographing information and the count value for the block corresponding to the selected area from the memory 15 based on the selection signal received in step S403 (step S404).

The control section 10 ranks the photographing information for each block based on the acquired count value, and supplies this information to the content creating section 17. Content creator 17
9 is based on the information supplied from the control unit 10,
A block selection page as shown in (b) is created and transmitted to the requesting terminal via the communication unit 11 (step S).
405).

The control unit 10 determines whether or not a block selection instruction has been received from the request source (step S40).
6).

The control unit 10 acquires the photographing information of the corresponding block from the memory 15 by referring to the identification number, and accesses the map information database 16 based on the block selection signal received in step S406. Acquire block map information (step S
407).

The control unit 10 supplies the content creating unit 17 with information in which the position information and the map information included in the photographing information acquired in step S407 are associated with each other. Based on the information supplied from the control unit 10, the content creating unit 17 creates an image in which the shooting position is displayed on the map indicated by the map information acquired in step S407, as shown in FIG. The content creation unit 17 creates a page including this image and transmits it to the requesting terminal (step S
408).

The server 100 repeatedly executes the above processing every time a distribution request is received.

With the above processing, it is possible to know which block in a desired area has been photographed a lot, and to confirm the photographing place on the map screen.

(Second Embodiment) In the above-described first embodiment, an example is shown in which information indicating shooting locations where shooting is performed by the imaging devices 500-1 to 500-n is collected and distributed. However, in addition to the information on the shooting location, the imaging device 500
It is also possible to collect and distribute information indicating the images shot by -1 to 500-n and the shooting conditions at that time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an information collecting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration of the information collection system 2 according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding a weather information server 800 to the configuration of the information collection system 1 shown in FIG. Further, the configuration of the imaging device is different from that of the first embodiment. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The weather information server 800 shown in FIG. 10 is a server connected to the communication network 300 and operated by, for example, a weather information providing service provider, and includes at least the information collection / distribution service according to the present embodiment. It accumulates weather information of the areas where it can provide. It is assumed that the accumulated weather information includes at least the sunshine intensity and the sunshine direction for each area and each time.

Next, the configuration of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an imaging device 510 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the configuration of the imaging device 510 according to the present embodiment is obtained by adding the azimuth detecting unit 58 to the configuration of the imaging device 500 shown in FIG. The other configuration is the same as that of the imaging device 500, and the description thereof is omitted.

The azimuth detecting unit 58 is composed of, for example, an azimuth sensor, and detects the photographing direction of the imaging device 510 at the time of photographing.

Next, the photographing processing by the image pickup device 510 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control unit 50 of the imaging device 510 determines whether the shutter of the input unit 53 has been pressed (step S501). That is, the imaging operation by the imaging device 510 is detected.

Next, the control unit 50 acquires an image signal generated by the imaging unit 51 by the imaging operation in step S501 (step S502), and stores it in the storage unit 52 (step S503).

The control unit 50 obtains from the position detection unit 55 information indicating the position of the imaging device 510 (information indicating latitude and longitude) at the time of the imaging operation in step S501, and stores the information in the storage unit 52.
(Step S504).

The control unit 50 acquires from the azimuth detecting unit 58 information indicating the photographing direction of the image pickup device 510 during the image pickup operation in step S501, and temporarily stores the information in the storage unit 52 (step S505).

The control unit 50 acquires information indicating the setting of the imaging device 510 at the time of the imaging operation in step S501, and temporarily stores the information in the storage unit 52 (step S506).
Here, the information indicating the setting of the imaging apparatus 510 includes, for example, a shutter speed, an aperture, a white balance, a photometry method, an exposure correction value, a zoom magnification, use of a flash,
This is information for setting shooting conditions such as.

The control unit 50 controls the communication unit 56 to store the image information stored in step S503 and the image information stored in step S50.
The information temporarily stored in the storage unit 52 in 4 to S506 is transmitted from the antenna 57 to the relay station 200 as imaging information (step S507), and the process ends.

Note that, instead of temporarily storing each photographing information, the photographing information may be stored and stored in association with the image information.

Next, the server 100 collects photographing information.
Aggregation processing is performed, and these processings are described in FIGS.
Since the processing is the same as the processing in the first embodiment shown in FIG.
A detailed description of these will be omitted.

The imaging information database 12 has an area for storing image information and an area for storing other imaging information (hereinafter referred to as condition information) shown in FIG. The image information stored in the image information storage area and the corresponding condition information are associated with each other by an identification number (FIG. 5: step S202) assigned by the photographing information collecting process. The condition information is written in the memory 15.

Next, the information distribution processing by the server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the processing of steps S401 to S406 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed (step S6).
01), after the desired block is selected, the control unit 10
Instructs the content creation unit 17 to create a menu selection page as shown in FIG. 15A, and transmits the menu selection page from the communication unit 11 to the request source terminal (step S602).

As shown in FIG. 15A, from the menu selection page, “Shooting point information” which is a page indicating the shooting position information of the block selected in step S601 or shooting in the block selected in step S601. A “photographed image sample” that is a page showing a sample of the captured image can be selected.

The control unit 10 determines whether the user of the request source terminal has selected either “photographing point information” or “photographed image sample” (step S603).

In step S603, “photographing point information”
Is selected, the control unit 10 acquires the photographing information corresponding to the block selected in step S601 from the memory 15 and accesses the map information database 16 to acquire the map information of the block (step S601). S604).

The control unit 10 supplies the photographing information and the map information acquired in step S604 to the content creating unit 17 in association with each other. It is assumed that the shooting information in this case includes direction information indicating the shooting direction and information indicating the shooting date and time. Based on the information supplied from the control unit 10, the content creating unit 17 creates an image in which arrows indicating the position of the photographer and the photographing direction are arranged on a map as shown in FIG. The content creation unit 17 further creates a shooting location display page including the created image and transmits the page to the request source terminal via the communication unit 11 (step S60).
5).

Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the photographer (photographing point) indicated on the photographing location display page transmitted in step S605 has been selected by the user of the request source terminal (step S606). In other words, the image representing the photographer (photographing point) shown on the photographing place display page includes, for example, a method such as a clickable map.
The control unit 10 links to a page indicating a shooting parameter of an image shot at the shooting point, which will be described later.
It is determined whether any of the images representing the photographer (photographing point) has been selected (clicked). In FIG. 15C, a state in which a shooting point is selected is indicated by a box surrounded by a broken line.

Based on the position information and the date and time information corresponding to the photographing point information selected in step S606, access is made to the weather information server 800 connected to the communication network 300 via the communication unit 11 and Weather information to be obtained (step S60)
7). It is assumed that the weather information acquired here includes at least the weather, the sunshine intensity, and the sunshine direction.

Since the photographing point information selected in step S606 is obtained from the information stored in the memory 15, the photographing point information is collected in step S30.
4 (FIG. 7), weather information corresponding to the date and time based on the predetermined time may be obtained.

The control unit 10 determines the condition information corresponding to the photographing point selected in step S606,
The weather information acquired in step 7 and the corresponding image information are supplied to the content creating section 17. Content creator 17
Creates a photographing condition (parameter) page for displaying a photographing parameter and a thumbnailed image as shown in FIG. 16A based on the supplied information, and sends the requesting terminal via the communication unit 11. (Step S60)
8). The thumbnail image displayed on the shooting condition page is
For example, the original file of the image stored in the image information area of the imaging information database 12 is linked by a clickable map or the like.

Here, as parameters displayed on the photographing condition page, for example, photographing date and time, photographing place (latitude / longitude, address), distinction of direct light / backlight based on photographing direction and sunshine direction, weather / sunlight intensity , Various settings of the imaging device 510, and the like are displayed.

The control unit 10 determines whether or not the user of the requesting terminal has selected (clicked) a thumbnail image on the photographing condition page (step S609). The file is called from the image information area of the imaging information database 12 and transmitted to the requesting terminal (step S610). As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), the original size image can be browsed.

If “image sample” is selected in step S603 (FIG. 17A), the control unit 10
Acquires from the memory 15 the imaging information corresponding to the block selected in step S601, and acquires image information corresponding to the acquired imaging information (condition information) from the image information area of the imaging information database 12 (step S601). S611).

The control section 10 supplies the image information acquired in step S611 to the content creating section 17. The content creation unit 17 creates thumbnails of the supplied image information and creates an image selection page for displaying a list of them as shown in FIG. 17B. Here, the content creation unit 1
Reference numeral 7 links each thumbnail image to the original file of the image stored in the image information area of the imaging information database 12 using, for example, a clickable map. The created image selection page is transmitted to the requesting terminal via the communication unit 11 (step S612).

The control section 10 determines whether or not the user of the request source terminal has selected (clicked) a thumbnail image on the image selection page transmitted in step S612 (step S613).

The control unit 10 acquires the condition information corresponding to the image selected in step S613, and acquires the corresponding weather information from the weather information server 800 based on the acquired condition information (step S614).

The control unit 10 determines whether the above-described steps S608 to S608 have been performed.
By the same processing as in S610, the photographing condition page as shown in FIG. 16A is provided to the request source, and when a thumbnail image is selected, an original image as shown in FIG. 16B is provided.

According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to not only check a popular shooting location on a map, but also browse images shot at that location and shooting data at that time.

(Modification of Embodiment) In the information distribution processing of the above-described embodiment, the target area and block of the distribution information are selected by the user inputting, but the user uses the imaging devices 500 and 510. If the user is a user, an area / block corresponding to the current position of the user may be automatically selected. Imaging device 500 (510) in this case
The processing of the server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the imaging device 500 (510) transmits a signal requesting information distribution to the server 100 together with the position information acquired by the position detecting section 55 (step S70).
1).

The server 100 receives the information distribution request signal and the position information transmitted in step S701 (step S702), and automatically selects a block (including the received position information) corresponding to the received position information, The imaging information of the selected block is acquired from the memory 15 (Step S703).

The server 100 determines in step S4 shown in FIG.
07 to S408, or step S60 shown in FIG.
By executing the processing of steps S2 to S610, step S
Various pages corresponding to the area / block selected in 703 are created and transmitted to the imaging device 500 (510) (step S704), and the process ends.

The communication terminal transmitting the information distribution signal and the position information in step S701 is the imaging device 500 (51).
0), the mobile communication terminal 600 (mobile phone,
(PHS terminal), portable information terminal 700, etc., as long as it is a communication terminal capable of detecting the position.

In the above embodiment, the imaging device 500 (5
The imaging information is transmitted in conjunction with the imaging operation of 10), and the imaging information collected by the server 100 during the predetermined period is totaled. However, the totaling of the imaging information may be performed based on the imaging date and time. The processing of the server 100 in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the communication unit 11 of the server 100 receives the imaging information including the imaging date and time from the imaging device 500 (510), and the control unit 10 stores the received imaging information in the imaging information database 12 (step S801).

In response to an information distribution request from the imaging device 500 (510), the mobile communication terminal 600, and the portable information terminal 700, a region selection page is created as described above and transmitted to the requesting terminal (step S802). , S803).

After receiving the area selection instruction from the request source, the control unit 100 extracts, from the imaging information database 12, imaging information corresponding to the selected area and whose imaging date and time corresponds to a predetermined period (steps S804 and S805). ).

The control unit 100 creates a block selection page including the extracted imaging information and transmits it to the requesting terminal (step S808). After the block selection is instructed by the request source, the above-described processing of steps S407-S408 or steps S602-610 is performed to appropriately perform information distribution (steps S807 and S808).

According to this configuration, the imaging information to be tabulated is extracted based on the imaging date and time, not the reception date and time of the server 100. Therefore, the imaging device 500 (510) transmits the imaging information for each imaging operation. You don't have to. for that reason,
After storing a certain amount of imaging information, only desired imaging information can be transmitted.

Further, since the information corresponding to the predetermined period is extracted from the imaging information stored in the imaging information database 12 based on the imaging date and time, a desired period can be set from the terminal which has requested information distribution. . In this case, a desired period is designated when the area is selected in step S804,
What is necessary is just to extract the imaging information corresponding to the period instructed by the server 100 from the imaging information database 12.

In the above embodiment, the imaging device 500 (5
Although an example in which a GPS device is used as the position detection unit in 10) has been described, any method may be used as long as the position of the imaging device 500 (510) can be detected. For example, the imaging device 5
PHS (Personal Handyphon)
e System), the PH
The position detection system of S can be used.

In the above embodiment, information is distributed in a web page format in the information distribution process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, information indicating the totaled photographing positions may be transmitted by e-mail. in this case,
For example, a user may register a desired area and a delivery interval (daily, weekly, etc.) in advance with a service provider, and deliver a corresponding tally result by e-mail based on this condition.

Further, the type of the terminal of the distribution request source may be determined, and the format of the distribution information according to the type of the terminal may be adopted. In this case, for example, an operating system (OS) such as a personal computer or UNIX (registered trademark) is used.
em) or a terminal running with basic software equivalent to it, transmits web page data created in HTML, etc., and mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones, Compact
Web page data created in HTML, WML, or the like, or transmitted in an e-mail format may be used.

Further, by linking the information collection system of the present invention with, for example, the functions of an existing car navigation system, not only the photographing position is displayed on the map, but also the route up to that point is displayed. May be.

[0136]

As described above, according to the information collecting system of the present invention, the position information is collected and distributed to the browsing applicant every time the photographing is performed by the imaging device. You can know the place immediately.
Furthermore, in addition to the position information of the photographing place, the photographed image and its photographing data can be browsed, which can contribute to the photographer's acquisition and improvement of the photographing technique.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information collecting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the imaging device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a server shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting process performed by the imaging apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting information collection process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a recording area of photographing information recorded by the photographing information collecting process shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting information totalizing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an information distribution process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a diagram showing an example of a page created by the information distribution processing shown in FIG. 8, (a) showing a region selection page, (b) showing a block selection page, and (c) showing a position display page, respectively. .

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information collection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of the imaging device shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing process performed by the imaging device illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of photographing information recorded in an information collection process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an information distribution process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a diagram showing an example of a page created by the information distribution process shown in FIG. 14, where (a) is a menu selection page,
(B) shows a position display page, and (c) shows a state where a shooting location is selected on the position display page of (b).

16 is a diagram showing an example of a page created by the information distribution process shown in FIG. 14, (a) is a photographing condition display page,
(B) shows each image display page.

17 is a diagram showing an example of a page created by the information distribution processing shown in FIG. 14, where (a) is a menu selection page,
(B) shows an image selection page, respectively.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, ... information collection system, 100 ... server, 200 ...
Relay station, 300: communication network, 400: terminal, 5
00-1 to 500-n, 510-1 to 510-n: imaging device, 600-1 to 600-n: mobile communication terminal, 70
0: portable information terminal, 800: weather information server

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 ZEC G06F 17/60 ZEC 152 152 302 302E 506 506 H04M 11/00 301 H04M 11/00 301F Terms (reference) 5B049 BB00 CC02 DD00 DD01 DD05 EE07 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG04 GG06 GG07 GG09 5B075 KK07 KK13 KK33 KK38 ND03 ND06 ND20 ND23 ND36 PP03 PP13 PP30 PQ02 PQ13 PQ32 GB05 EA07 5 KK16 LL12 MM07 NN18 PP03

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An information collection / distribution system comprising a plurality of image pickup apparatuses and a server connected to a communication network, wherein image pickup information including at least information indicating a position of the image pickup apparatus at the time of image pickup is obtained. An information collection unit that collects the imaging information through the communication network; and an information distribution unit that distributes the collected imaging information through the communication network. Information collection and distribution system. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging information acquisition unit includes:
The information collection and transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the imaging information, wherein the server includes the information collection unit and the information distribution unit.
Delivery system. 3. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires and displays information distributed from the information distribution unit via the communication network. Information collection and distribution system. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of information terminals connected to said communication network for receiving and displaying information distributed from said information distribution unit.
4. The information collection and distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A relay device connected to the server via the communication network and wirelessly connected to the imaging device, wherein the relay device transmits imaging information acquired by the imaging device to the server. The information collection / distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information is relayed to the imaging device, and the imaging information distributed by the server is relayed to the imaging device. 6. The portable information terminal device further comprising a portable information terminal device wirelessly connected to the relay device, wherein the relay device relays the imaging information distributed by the server to the portable information terminal device. The information collection / distribution system according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The information collection / distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said communication network is the Internet. 8. An image capturing step of capturing an image, an image capturing information acquiring step of acquiring at least information indicating an image capturing position in the image capturing step, and an image capturing information acquired in the image capturing information acquiring step via a communication network. An information collection / distribution method, comprising: an imaging information collection step of collecting; and an information distribution step of distributing the information collected in the imaging information collection step via the communication network. 9. Information collection and connection connected to a communication network
A distribution device, comprising: an information collection unit that collects imaging information including information indicating an imaging position at the time of imaging by a plurality of imaging devices via the communication network; and an information collection unit that collects information collected by the information collection unit. An information collection / distribution device, comprising: an information distribution unit that distributes the information via the Internet. 10. An information totalizing unit for totalizing information collected by the information collecting unit, wherein the information distributing unit distributes the information totalized by the information totaling unit via the communication network. The information collection / distribution device according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The information collection and distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the information distribution unit distributes the information collected by the information collection unit within a predetermined period for each predetermined region.
Delivery device. 12. The imaging information includes information indicating an imaging date and time, and the information distribution unit extracts, from the collected imaging information, information having an imaging date and time corresponding to a predetermined period. The information collection and distribution according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the information is distributed for each predetermined area.
Delivery device. 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a map information storage unit storing map information, wherein said information distribution unit distributes said collected information in association with map information in said map information storage unit. Item 13. An information collection / distribution device according to any one of Items 9 to 12. 14. The imaging information further includes one of information indicating a captured image, setting information indicating a setting of the imaging device at the time of imaging, and imaging direction information indicating an imaging direction at the time of imaging.
The information collection / distribution apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, comprising: 15. The information distribution unit accesses a weather information database, which is connected to the communication network and stores at least weather information, and obtains an imaging date and time indicated by the imaging information collected by the information collection unit. The information collection / distribution device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein weather information corresponding to the collection date and time and the imaging position collected by the collection unit is acquired and distributed. 16. The information collection unit receives position information, and the tallying unit, among the information collected by the information collection unit,
The information corresponding to the area based on the received position information is totaled, and the information distribution unit distributes the totalized information to a source of the position information, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein Information collection and distribution device described.