JP2002328930A - Information providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing apparatus capable of responding to various kinds of needs. SOLUTION: A user transmits image pickup device identifying information to a management device 20 with terminal devices 30a, 30b. The management device 20 transmits an image captured by image pickup devices 10a, 10b designated by the image pickup device identifying information to the terminal devices 30a, 30b. In addition, the management device 20 reads, from a storage device 21, associated information corresponding to places included in the area where the designated image pickup device is capturing the image, and transmits the associated information to the terminal devices 30a, 30b. The terminal devices 30a, 30b indicate the image captured by the designated image pickup device and the associated information on a display.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus for displaying point information on a display device. In particular, the present invention relates to an information providing apparatus that displays related information corresponding to a point on a display device together with the point information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an information providing apparatus for displaying map information as point information on a display device.

[0003]

However, since the conventional information providing apparatus only displays map information on the display device, the user can obtain necessary information only from the map information. This is inconvenient. Further, for example, by displaying advertisement information of a store or the like present at a point included in the map information together with the map information, an advertisement effect can be expected. For this reason, there is a demand for providing advertisement information together with map information. Therefore, the present invention provides an information providing apparatus that can respond to various needs by displaying, on a display device, related information corresponding to a point included in the point information, together with the point information. Aim.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first invention of the present invention is an information providing apparatus as described in claim 1. In the information providing device according to claim 1, the storage device stores the related information corresponding to the point, and the management device captures an image of the imaging device corresponding to the imaging device identification information transmitted from the terminal device. The information and the related information corresponding to the point included in the imaging information of the imaging device are read from the storage device, transmitted to the terminal device, and displayed. Thus, the user can easily see a distant place, a landscape, or the like in a short time only by specifying the imaging device. Furthermore, since related information corresponding to a point included in the area where the imaging device is imaging is displayed on the display device, various needs can be met. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus according to the second aspect. In the information providing device according to the second aspect, the imaging device can be operated by the terminal device. Accordingly, the user can remotely control the imaging device, and can freely select a place or a scenery that he / she wants to see. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing apparatus according to the third aspect. In the information providing device according to claim 3, the storage device stores the map information and the related information corresponding to the point, and the management device displays the map information of the area designated by the input device and the display information. Relevant information corresponding to a point included in the map information displayed on the device is read out from the storage device and displayed on the display device. This makes it possible to meet various needs. Also,
A fourth invention of the present invention is an information providing device as described in claim 4. In the information providing device according to the fourth aspect, the storage device stores the notification information as the related information. Thereby, a high advertising effect can be expected.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. At present, if you want to see the state or landscape of a distant place (for example, a sightseeing spot, a road, a downtown area, etc.), you can go out to that place or see a photograph of the place. Used. However, how to get to the place where you want to see
It takes time and money. Also, in order to view a photo of a place where you want to see the scenery or landscape, it is necessary to obtain the photograph, and since it is a photograph of the past state or scenery of that place, the current method You may not be able to understand the situation or landscape. Here, an imaging device is provided at each point,
By configuring the imaging information of the imaging device specified by the user to be able to be provided to the terminal device of the user, the user can easily, in a short time, and inexpensively see the situation and scenery of a distant place. The embodiment described below relates to an information providing apparatus that provides such imaging information.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information providing apparatus that provides such imaging information.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information providing device shown in FIG.
Imaging devices (cameras and the like) 10a arranged at a plurality of points;
10b, a management device 20, terminal devices 30a and 30b, and the like, and these devices are connected by a communication line 40 such as the Internet. The management device 20 is provided with a storage device 21. The storage device 21 only needs to be accessible to the management device 20 and may be connected to the communication line 40. Imaging device 10a,
10b is, for example, a sightseeing spot, a scenic spot, an arterial road, a general road, an intersection, an expressway, a port and its surroundings, an airport and its surroundings, a school and a cram school surrounding road (school road), a park and its surroundings, It is installed at a place where there is a high possibility of gathering, at an event venue, near a monitoring place, at a monitoring place in a building, or the like, and outputs imaging information as point information. The installation location of the imaging device is determined according to a request of a user who receives a service of providing imaging information. The management device 20 is managed by, for example, an information providing service company that provides imaging information. Terminal device 30
For a and 30b, a portable terminal, a personal computer, or the like is used. As the terminal devices 30a and 30b, a terminal device used in a home or a workplace, or a terminal device dedicated to an information providing service can be used. In the terminal devices 30a and 30b,
A display device, an output device such as a printer, a storage device, an input device such as a keyboard, and the like are provided as necessary. Although illustration is omitted, if necessary, a sound collecting device (microphone or the like) may be arranged at each point so that audio information around each point can be provided.

[0007] The storage device 21 stores a member database, an imaging device database, a related information database, a map database, and the like. In the member database,
For example, a member ID (member identification information), a name, an e-mail address, a password, a billing method, and the like of a user who has become a member of the information providing service company are stored. Information of each imaging device is stored in the imaging device database. In the imaging device database, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, imaging device ID (imaging device identification information) of each imaging device, imaging device installation position information indicating a location where each imaging device is installed,
Image-capable range information (for example, lens information and image-capturing device mounting base information) indicating the image-capable range of each image-capturing device, and image-capturing range information (for example, the range where each image-capturing device is currently capturing images)
(Focal length of lens, rotation angle and elevation angle of image pickup device mount)
Etc. are stored. The related information database stores, on the display device of the terminal device, related information corresponding to a point included in the imaging information or the map information, which is displayed together with the imaging information or the map information as the point information. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the related information database indicates related information IDs (related information identification information), types of related information (advertising information, building information, sightseeing spot information, etc.), and points corresponding to the related information. Point identification information and the like are stored. The map database stores map information as point information.

Next, processing for providing imaging information using the information providing apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below. A user who wants to view imaging information of a desired point connects a terminal device (for example, the terminal device 30 a) to the management device 20. If the information providing service cannot be received unless the member is a member, the member number (and the password if necessary) is transmitted to the management device 20. The purpose of using the information providing service using the information providing apparatus of the present embodiment includes, for example, checking the degree of crowding of a commuting route, checking the weather condition of a visited place, checking the condition of an expressway, and checking a route to a destination. Confirmation of traffic conditions, confirmation of intersection conditions, monitoring of park conditions, monitoring of school roads, confirmation of sightseeing spots and scenic spots, monitoring of monitoring locations, etc. When connected to the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 transmits menu screen information to the terminal device 30a. If the information provision service cannot be received unless the user is a member, authentication is performed. For example, authentication is performed by determining whether or not the member ID transmitted from the terminal device 30a is stored in the member database. If the authentication is OK, the menu screen information is transmitted to the terminal device 30a. If the authentication is NG, a message indicating the authentication NG is sent to the terminal device 30a.
Send to a. Authentication may be performed using a member number and a password. The terminal device 30a displays the menu screen on the display device when receiving the menu screen information from the management device 20, and displays the message on the display device when receiving the message indicating the authentication NG.

The menu screen information and the authentication NG message can be stored in the storage device of the terminal device 30a. In this case, the management device 20
It is only necessary to transmit the K signal or the authentication NG signal to the terminal device 30a. When receiving the authentication OK signal, the terminal device 30a reads the menu screen information from the storage device and displays the menu screen on the display device. On the other hand, when the authentication NG signal is received, a message indicating the authentication NG is read from the storage device and displayed on the display device.

Next, the user selects an information providing service on a menu screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device 30a. As a result, a point input screen for indicating imaging device identification information indicating the imaging device is displayed on the display device of the terminal device 30a. On this point input screen, the user can input the point at which the user wants to view the imaging information by various methods. For example, a method of directly inputting a point based on information indicating the point (for example, a prefecture name, a city name, a town name, a street name, an intersection name, etc.) can be used. Alternatively, a method may be used in which map information of a predetermined area is displayed on a display device, and a point is input by pointing a predetermined point on the map information displayed on the display device with a cursor or the like. The scale ratio of the map displayed on the display device may be set in advance, or may be arbitrarily set by the user. In a state where the map information is displayed on the display device, the map information can be scrolled in an arbitrary direction by a movement operation (for example, an operation of a movement key). In this case, it can be said that the operation of the movement key is an operation of inputting information indicating a point. The display of the menu screen may be omitted. For example, when the terminal device 30a is connected to the management device 20, a point input screen is displayed on the display device of the terminal device 30a.

When a point is input on the point input screen, the terminal device 30a transmits point instruction information (for example, position information of the point) indicating the input point to the management device 20. When receiving the point instruction information from the terminal device 30a, the management apparatus 20 receives map information indicating an area including the point indicated by the point instruction information, The device installation position information (which may include the identification number of the imaging device) is read from a map database, an imaging device database, or the like in the storage device 21 and transmitted to the terminal device 30a. When the map is displayed on the display device and the point is input, the transmission of the map information from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a can be omitted.
In this case, the management device 20 transmits only the imaging device installation position information to the terminal device 30a. Also, the management device 20
May be set in advance, or may be set by the user. When receiving the map information and the imaging device installation position information from the management device 20, the terminal device 30a displays the received map information and the imaging device installation position information on the display device.

Here, the terminal device 30a is transmitted from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a.
Various forms are possible as the form of the imaging device installation position information transmitted to the user. That is, the display mode of the imaging device that displays the map information together with the map information on the display device of the terminal device 30a can be various modes. Hereinafter, an example of the imaging device installation position information transmitted from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a will be described. In the first example, only the position of the imaging device installed on the map information of the area including the designated point is displayed. In the first example, the management device 20 is the terminal device 3
When the point instruction information is received from 0a, the map information indicating the area including the point indicated by the point instruction information, and the image pickup apparatus installation position information of the image pickup apparatus installed in the area are stored in a map database, an image pickup apparatus database, and the like. And sends it to the terminal device 30a. Also, the management device 20
Is related information corresponding to the location included in the map information,
For example, advertisement information, sightseeing spot information, building information, and the like are read from the related information database of the storage device 21 and the terminal device 3
0a. At this time, if the number of pieces of related information corresponding to the points included in the map information is larger than the number of pieces of related information that can be displayed on the display device of the terminal device, the number of related information that can be displayed on the display device is transmitted. I do. For example, according to a predetermined priority, a displayable number is selected and transmitted. The terminal device 30a displays, on the display device, the map information, the imaging device installation position information of the imaging device installed in the area indicated by the map information, and the relevant information corresponding to the point included in the map information. I do.

In the first example, FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen for displaying information on the installation position of the imaging device. The display screen 50 shown in FIG. 3 includes display units 51, 53 to 55, and 61 to 64. The display unit 51 displays map information and imaging device installation position information. The same applies to other examples described later. However, in a state where the map information is displayed on the display unit, the map information displayed on the display unit is moved in an arbitrary direction by a moving operation (for example, an operation of a moving key). You can scroll to In this case, the point instruction information is changed according to the scroll amount corresponding to the time during which the moving key is operated. Then, the management device 20 transmits the map information, the imaging device installation position information, and the related information corresponding to the changed point instruction information to the terminal device 30a. Display section 61
The related information is displayed in -64. In addition, it is also possible to use a single display unit for displaying the related information, and to display the related information while sequentially scrolling. The operation units of the imaging device are displayed on the display units 53 to 55. For example, the display unit 5
By operating the “up”, “down”, “right”, and “left” sections of FIG. 3, the orientation of the imaging device can be adjusted.
By operating the “telephoto” and “wide-angle” sections of No. 4, the image pickup apparatus can be zoom-adjusted.
By operating the “far” part, the focus of the imaging device can be adjusted. The display units 53 to
55 may be provided when displaying imaging information of the designated imaging device, which will be described later. A map including the designated point “X” is displayed on the display unit 51 of the display screen shown in FIG.
It is displayed that E is installed. In addition, the display method of the imaging devices A to E only needs to know the installation positions of the imaging devices A to E. For example, it can be displayed using symbols, symbols, and the like. At this time, on the display units 61 to 64, related information corresponding to points included in the map information displayed on the display unit 51, for example, advertisement information, sightseeing spot information,
Building information and the like are displayed. The user may be allowed to specify related information to be displayed on the display units 61 to 64. For example, the type of related information, related information ID, and the like are specified. First
In the example, the installation position of the imaging device installed in the area on the map is displayed on the display device of the terminal device, so that the user can easily designate (select) a desired imaging device.

Next, a second example of the imaging device installation position information transmitted from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a will be described.
In the second example, among the imaging devices installed in the area including the designated point, the imaging device installation position information of the imaging device capable of imaging the designated point is transmitted. Second
In the example of, when the management device 20 receives the point designation information from the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 can capture the map information indicating the area including the point indicated by the point designation information, and the point indicated by the point designation information. The image pickup device installation position information of the image pickup device is retrieved from a map database, an image pickup device database, or the like, and transmitted to the terminal device 30a. In addition, as the map information, the map information indicating the area including the image pickup device installation position information of the image pickup device capable of picking up an image of the designated point is stored in the terminal device 3.
0a. In addition, the management device 20 reads out the related information corresponding to the point included in the map information from the related information database of the storage device 21 and transmits the related information to the terminal device 30a. For example, the following method is used as a method for detecting an imaging device capable of imaging the designated point. In the image capturing range information of the image capturing device database of the storage device 21,
Imaging device standard information of each imaging device, such as installation information (position and height of the imaging device), lens information (focal length range,
The maximum aperture ratio, the focus range, the zoom range, etc.), the image pickup device mount (pan head) information (rotation angle range, elevation angle range, etc.) are stored. Then, when detecting an imaging device capable of imaging the point indicated by the point instruction information, first,
Based on the imaging device standard information of each imaging device, an imaging range in which each imaging device can capture an image (a point where an image can be captured) is calculated.
Next, an imaging device capable of imaging the point indicated by the point instruction information is detected by comparing the imaging range in which each imaging apparatus can image and the point indicated by the point instruction information. It should be noted that the imageable range in which each image pickup device can image may be calculated in advance and stored in the storage unit.

In this case, the terminal device 30a is connected to the management device 2
The map information, the imaging device installation position information, and the related information transmitted from 0 are received and displayed on the display device. FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device in the second example.
Shown in The display screen 50 shown in FIG. 4 has the display units 51, 53 to 55, 61 to 6 like the display screen 50 shown in FIG.
4. The display unit 51 of the display screen shown in FIG. 4 displays a map of a region including the designated point “X”, and the imaging devices A to C capable of capturing the point “X” in the region. It is displayed that it is installed. In addition, the method of displaying the installation positions of the imaging devices A to C capable of imaging the designated point "X" is not limited to the method illustrated in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the installation positions of the imaging devices A to E installed in the area on the map are displayed, and the installation positions of the imaging devices A to C capable of imaging the designated point “X”. May be displayed in a display mode different from the installation positions of the other imaging devices D and E (for example, displayed in different colors). In the second example, since the installation position of the imaging device capable of imaging the designated point is displayed on the display device of the terminal device, the user can easily designate (select) a desired imaging device. .

Next, a third example of the imaging device installation position information transmitted from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a will be described.
In the third example, image capturing device installation position information indicating the position of the image capturing device and image capturing range information indicating the image capturing range in which the image capturing device can capture an image are transmitted. In the third example, when receiving the point designation information from the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 maps information indicating an area including the point indicated by the point designation information, and an imaging device installation position indicating the installation position of the imaging device. The information and the imageable range information indicating the imageable range in which the image capturing apparatus can capture an image are retrieved from a map database, an image capturing apparatus database, and the like, and transmitted to the terminal device 30a. Also,
The management device 20 reads the related information corresponding to the point included in the map information from the related information database of the storage device 21 and transmits the related information to the terminal device 30a. At this time, as the imaging device installation position information, as in the first example, the imaging device installation position information of the imaging device installed in the area including the point indicated by the point instruction information may be used. Then, as in the second example, the imaging device installation position information of the imaging device capable of imaging the point indicated by the point instruction information may be used. As a method of detecting an imaging device capable of imaging the designated point, for example, the method described in the second example can be used. Further, as a method of detecting an imaging range in which the imaging device can image, for example, the method described in the second example can be used.

In this case, the terminal device 30a is connected to the management device 2
The map information, the imaging device installation position information, the imageable range information, and the related information transmitted from 0 are received and displayed on the display device. In the third example, FIG. 5 shows an example of a display screen for displaying the installation position of the imaging device. Display screen 50 shown in FIG.
Is a display unit 51, similar to the display screen 50 shown in FIG.
53 to 55 and 61 to 64. In addition,
The example illustrated in FIG. 5 is a case in which the management apparatus 20 transmits imaging apparatus installation position information and imaging range information of an imaging apparatus capable of imaging the designated point to the terminal device 30a. The display unit 51 of the display screen shown in FIG. 5 displays a map of a region including the designated point “X”, and the imaging devices A to A capable of capturing the point “X” in the region.
C is installed, and it is displayed that the imaging range of each of the imaging devices A to C is a to c. In addition,
The installation position of the imaging devices installed in the area on the map and the imageable range of each imaging device can also be displayed on the display device. In addition, the method of displaying the installation positions and the imageable ranges of the imaging devices A to C capable of imaging the designated point “X” is not limited to the method illustrated in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the imaging devices A to
The installation position of E and the imageable range of each of the imaging devices A to E are displayed, and the installation position of the imaging device A to C and the imageable range of each of the imaging devices A to C capable of imaging the designated point “X” May be displayed in a display form different from the installation positions of the other imaging devices D and E and the imageable range thereof (for example, displayed in different colors). In the third example, the installation position of the imaging device and the imageable range of the imaging device are displayed on the display device of the terminal device.
An imaging device for viewing imaging information at a desired position can be easily instructed (selected).

Next, a fourth example of the imaging device installation position information transmitted from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a will be described.
In the fourth example, imaging device installation position information indicating the installation position of the imaging device and imaging range information indicating the imaging range in which the imaging device is imaging are transmitted. In the fourth example, when receiving the point designation information from the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 maps information indicating an area including the point indicated by the point designation information, an imaging device installation position indicating the installation position of the imaging device. The information and imaging range information indicating the imaging range of the imaging device are retrieved from a map database, an imaging device database, or the like, and transmitted to the terminal device 30a. Also,
The management device 20 reads the related information corresponding to the point included in the map information from the related information database of the storage device 21 and transmits the related information to the terminal device 30a. At this time, as the imaging device installation position information, as in the first example, the imaging device installation position information of the imaging device installed in the area including the point indicated by the point instruction information may be used. Then, as in the second example, the imaging device installation position information of the imaging device capable of imaging the point indicated by the point instruction information may be used. As a method of detecting the current imaging range of the imaging device, for example, the following method is used. In the imaging range information of the imaging device database of the storage device 21, imaging device current information of each imaging device, for example, installation information (current position and height of the imaging device), lens information (current focal length of the imaging device,
Information such as a focus position and a zoom position), image pickup device mount (pan head) information (current rotation angle and elevation angle of the cloud) is received from each image pickup device as needed, and stored. Then, based on the imaging range information of each imaging device, the current imaging range (the point where the image is captured) of each imaging device is detected. As the imaging range information, for example, it is preferable to display a range in which the imaging device is in focus (horizontal imaging range angle, perspective distance). As the display method, for example, a method of displaying the imaging range in different colors, a method of indicating the boundary of the imaging range with a line, and indicating the distance by the length of the line can be used. In addition to displaying the imaging range information on the display device, the elevation angle and the depression angle of the imaging device may be displayed.

In this case, the terminal device 30a is connected to the management device 2
The map information, imaging device installation position information, imaging range information, and related information transmitted from 0 are received and displayed on the display device. In the fourth example, FIG. 6 shows an example of a display screen for displaying the installation position of the imaging device. Display screen 50 shown in FIG.
Is a display unit 51, similar to the display screen 50 shown in FIG.
53 to 55 and 61 to 64. In addition,
The example illustrated in FIG. 6 is a case where the management apparatus 20 transmits the imaging apparatus installation position information and the imaging range information of the imaging apparatus capable of imaging the designated point to the terminal device 30a.
The display unit 51 of the display screen shown in FIG. 6 displays a map of a region including the designated point “X”, and includes imaging devices A to C capable of capturing the point “X” in the region. In addition, it is displayed that the current imaging range of each of the imaging devices A to C is p to r. In addition, the installation position of the imaging devices arranged in the area on the map and the imaging range of each imaging device can be displayed on the display means. Further, imaging devices A to C capable of imaging the designated point “X”
The method for displaying the installation position and the imaging range is not limited to the method shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the installation positions of the imaging devices A to E installed in the area on the map and the imaging ranges of the imaging devices A to E are displayed, and the designated point “X” is imaged. The possible installation positions of the imaging devices A to C and the imaging ranges of the imaging devices A to C are displayed in a display form different from the installation positions of the other imaging devices D and E and the imaging ranges thereof (for example, displayed in different colors). ) Method can also be used. In the fourth example, the display device of the terminal device includes:
Since the installation position of the imaging device and the imaging range currently being imaged by the imaging device are displayed, the user can easily instruct (select) a desired imaging device.

In the above example, the management device 20 transmits the imaging device installation position information, the imageable range information or the imaging range information to the terminal device 30a, but the information transmitted from the management device 20 to the terminal device 30a is It is not limited to. For example, the management device 20 transmits the imaging device installation position information of the imaging devices A to E and the imaging information of the imaging device to the terminal device 30a. In this case, the terminal device 30a
Displays the installation positions of the imaging devices A to E on the display unit 51 of the display device, provides child screens at the positions of the imaging devices A to E, and displays the imaging information of each imaging device. By displaying the installation position of the imaging device and the imaging information on the display device of the terminal device, the user can instruct (select) a desired imaging device while checking the imaging information of each imaging device.

As described above, in the state where the map including the designated point, the installation position of the imaging device, the image-capable range or the image-capturing range is displayed on the display device of the terminal device 30a, the user can perform a predetermined image-capturing operation. A process of instructing (selecting) an apparatus will be described. The user instructs (selects) a predetermined imaging device from the imaging devices displayed on the display device of the terminal device 30a. For example, parts of the imaging devices A to E displayed on the display unit 51 of the display device of the terminal device 30a are indicated by a cursor or the like. Alternatively, the identification number of the imaging device is input using the input device. At this time, the designated imaging device is displayed in a display mode different from other imaging devices (for example,
Display in a different color). After instructing the imaging apparatus, the user performs a transmission process, for example, selects a “transmission” section on the display screen. When the imaging device is instructed and a transmission operation is performed, the terminal device 30a transmits imaging device instruction information (for example, imaging device position information and an identification number of the imaging device) indicating the instructed imaging device to the management device 20. .

When receiving the imaging device instruction information transmitted from the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 transmits the imaging information of the imaging device indicated by the imaging device instruction information and the imaging range information of the imaging device to the terminal device 30a. Send. At the same time, the management device 20 stores the start time of the imaging information providing service. Note that the point in time at which the imaging information providing service is started can be appropriately set. The terminal device 30a
When receiving the imaging information transmitted from the designated imaging device and the imaging range information of the imaging device, the received imaging information and the imaging range information are displayed on the display device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, map information,
In addition to displaying the imaging device installation position information and the imaging range information, the imaging range of the designated imaging device is displayed. At this time, it is preferable to display the designated imaging device in a form different from other imaging devices. Note that the designated imaging range of the imaging device may be displayed in a different form from the others. Further, the display section 52 of the display screen 50 displays the imaging information of the specified imaging device. Thereby, the user can see the state, scenery, and the like of the desired point on the display device of the terminal device 30a. Further, since the imaging range of the imaging device is also displayed, the user can easily understand the contents (directions and the like) of the imaging information.

Further, the management device 20 determines a region where the designated imaging device is currently capturing an image. For example, the image pickup area is determined based on the image pickup apparatus database stored in the storage device 21. Then, the related information corresponding to the point included in the area where the determined imaging device is imaged is searched from the related information database stored in the storage device 21 and transmitted to the terminal device 30a. Upon receiving the related information transmitted from the management device 20, the terminal device 30a displays the information on the display device. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the received related information is displayed on the display units 61 to 64 of the display screen 50. When the user is viewing the imaging information captured by the imaging device, the related information corresponding to the point included in the imaging information is displayed together with the imaging information. The place where the building is built can be easily determined, which is convenient. At this time, it is more convenient to display the related information specified by the user. In addition, when the advertisement information corresponding to the point included in the imaging information is displayed together with the imaging information, a user can be impressed with the association between the advertisement information and the region, so that a high advertisement effect can be expected. . The shapes and positions of the display units 61 to 64 of the display screen 50, the method of displaying related information, and the like can be changed as appropriate.

The user displays on the display section 51 of the display screen 50,
In a state where the imaging information of the designated imaging device is displayed, for example, by operating the display units 53 to 55 of the display screen 50, the designated imaging device can be remotely controlled. For example, "up", "down",
By operating the “right” and “left” parts, the orientation of the imaging device is changed to “upward”, “downward”, “rightward”, “leftward”.
Can be adjusted. By operating the “telephoto” and “wide-angle” portions of the display unit 54, the zoom of the imaging device can be adjusted. By operating the “near” and “far” portions of the display unit 55, the focus of the imaging device can be adjusted. For example, when the user selects the “right” part of the display unit 53 with a cursor,
The processing device of the terminal device 30a detects that the “up” portion has been selected, and transmits an “upward” operation signal to the management device 20. Upon receiving the “upward” operation signal transmitted from the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 transmits an “upward” control signal to the imaging device selected by the terminal device 30a, and controls the direction of the imaging device upward. I do. At this time, the terminal device 30a continues to transmit the "upward" operation signal while the "right" portion of the display unit 53 is selected. The user stops selecting the “right” part of the display unit 53 when desired imaging information is displayed on the display unit 51 of the display screen 50. As described above, by configuring the imaging direction (direction, elevation angle, depression angle, etc.), imaging range (zoom), and imaging position (focus) of the imaging device to be remotely controllable, the user can display desired imaging information on the display unit. It can be easily displayed. Note that the operation signal of the imaging device can be directly transmitted from the terminal device 30a to the imaging device. In this case, the management device 20
Monitors the state of the imaging device and determines the imaging range of the imaging device.

When the imaging device is remotely operated by the user, the management device 20 determines the area where the imaging device is imaging, and determines the area corresponding to the point included in the area where the imaging device is imaging. The information is retrieved from the related information database and transmitted to the terminal device 30a. The terminal device 30a receives the related information transmitted from the management device 20, and displays the related information on the display units 61 to 64 of the display screen 50 of the display device. The operation contents and operation method of the imaging apparatus are not limited to the above-described operation contents and operation methods, and various operation contents and operation methods can be adopted.

To end the imaging information providing service, the user performs an end operation on the terminal device 30a. For example, the "end" part displayed on the display means is selected.
Accordingly, the terminal device 30a transmits an end signal to the management device 20. When receiving the end signal from the terminal device 30a, the management device 20 ends the transmission of the imaging information of the specified imaging device to the terminal device 30a. At the same time, the fee for the imaging information providing service to the terminal device 30a is calculated, and the accounting process is performed. For example, a service charge is calculated based on the imaging information providing service time, and charging is performed by a charging method registered in advance. As a billing method, for example,
Various methods such as a method of withdrawing from a bank account, a method of payment by credit card, a method of payment by cash, and a method of adding to telephone charges are possible.

In the above embodiment, the method of instructing the imaging device after designating the point is used. Is unnecessary. Therefore, when the imaging information providing service is selected on the menu screen, the imaging device identification information input screen may be displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 30a. In the image capturing apparatus identification information input screen, the user inputs identification information of the image capturing apparatus (for example, the number of the image capturing apparatus) and directly instructs the image capturing apparatus. Terminal device 30
“a” transmits the imaging device identification information indicating the designated imaging device to the management device 20. The management device 20 transmits, to a terminal, map information of a region including the installation position where the designated imaging device is installed, imaging device installation position information indicating the installation position of the designated imaging device, and imaging information of the designated imaging device. Device 3
0a. The terminal device 30a displays a map of an area including the position of the designated imaging device, an installation position of the imaging device, and imaging information of the imaging device on a display device. When the imaging information providing service is selected on the menu screen, a menu screen that allows selection of point input and imaging apparatus identification information input may be displayed on the display device of the terminal device.

The structure of the present invention is not limited to the method described in the embodiment, and various changes, additions, and deletions can be made without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the imaging information of the imaging apparatus is provided, but it is possible to provide audio information. In this case, for example,
A sound collection device is installed together with the imaging device at each point, and image information of the imaging device and audio information of the sound collection device can be transmitted to the terminal device. Thereby, a sense of reality is enhanced. Further, the related information is displayed when the imaging device is selected, but the display of the related information may be omitted when the imaging device is selected. Also, the information providing apparatus that displays related information when providing imaging information has been described. However, the present invention may be configured as an information providing apparatus that displays related information when providing only map information. In this case, by providing the processing function of the management device in the terminal device and providing a storage device that stores the map information database, the related information database, and the like, the information providing device can be configured by the terminal device alone. Since the related information corresponding to the point included in the map information is provided together with the map information, the user can use the information providing device for various purposes. Also,
As a method of operating the imaging device, for example, a method of instructing an upper part, a lower part, a right part, and a left part of a display unit on which imaging information is displayed can be used.

[0029]

As described above, according to the information providing apparatus of the first aspect, the user can view a distant place or scenery in a short time and at a low cost only by specifying the image pickup apparatus. Can be. Further, since the related information of the point included in the imaging information can be displayed, it is possible to meet various needs. Further, by using the information providing device according to the second aspect, the user can freely select a place or a scenery to be viewed. Further, the use of the information providing device according to claim 3 can meet various needs.
In addition, the use of the information providing device according to claim 4 can expect a high advertising effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of an information providing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a database stored in a storage device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a method of displaying imaging device position information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a method of displaying imaging device position information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a third example of a method of displaying imaging device position information.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of a method for displaying imaging device position information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display screen that displays imaging information of a designated imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10a, 10b Imaging device 20 Management device 21 Storage device 30a, 30b Terminal device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A management device, a storage device, a plurality of imaging devices provided at a plurality of positions, and a terminal device, wherein the storage device stores related information corresponding to a point, When receiving the imaging device identification information transmitted from the terminal device, the management device receives the imaging information of the imaging device corresponding to the received imaging device identification information and the related information corresponding to the point included in the imaging information of the imaging device. Is read from the storage device and transmitted to the terminal device.The terminal device transmits imaging device identification information indicating the designated imaging device to the management device, and displays the imaging information and the related information transmitted from the management device on the display device. An information providing device. 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is capable of outputting an operation signal of the imaging device in response to an input operation. 3. A management device, a storage device, and a display device, wherein the storage device stores map information and related information corresponding to a point. Reading out the map information from the storage device and displaying it on the display device, and reading out the relevant information corresponding to the point included in the map information displayed on the display device from the storage device and displaying it on the display device. Information providing device. 4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage device stores notification information as related information.