JP2003101984A - Image distribution system and image distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of a cable for transmitting photographing data from a camera and to provide the photographing data of the same photographing object photographed in different photographing places while reducing costs. SOLUTION: This image distribution system is provided with a data reception part 2 for receiving the respective photographing data of the same photographing object photographed and transmitted by a plurality of photographers positioned in the different places, a photographing place specifying part 3 for specifying the photographing places of the respective photographing data on the basis of the image of the same photographing object photographed in the respective photographing data received by the data reception part 2, and a distribution part 6 for distributing corresponding photographing data to a person 16 wanting them on the basis of the photographing place specified by the photographing place specifying part 3 in the case that distribution of the photographing data photographed in the specified place of the same photographing object is requested from the person 16 wanting them.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention acquires photographing data of a same photographing target photographed at different photographing places from a plurality of photographers, and utilizes the acquired photographing data,
The present invention relates to an image distribution system and an image distribution method for distributing photographing data photographed from various places to a desired person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image distribution system has been applied to television viewers of sports games and the like, which provides viewers with images obtained by shooting a player from various directions. Normally, each person on the spot can only see the image from his or her own point of view with the naked eye, but by providing an image captured from various directions to the viewer by this type of image distribution system, The person can enjoy the image from the desired direction or the image with a special effect that circles around the player without having to be there or moving around. .

In such an image distribution system, in order to photograph an object such as an athlete from various directions,
Use multiple cameras. Then, it is necessary for each camera to photograph the same object from different positions.

That is, taking a baseball game as an example, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, 20 cameras 14 (# 1 to # 2) are arranged so as to surround the baseball field.
0) is placed. Then, by continuously broadcasting the images from the camera 14 (# 1) to the camera 14 (# 20) at regular time intervals, the viewer can view the player from various angles as if he or she made a round of the baseball field. It is possible to see the image of.

[0005]

However, such a conventional image distribution system has the following problems.

As described above, the conventional image distribution system requires a large number of cameras. Further, the image data taken by each camera needs to be transmitted to the image center 19 by the cable 18. As a matter of course, when the image distribution system is applied to a large place such as a baseball field, the cable 18 required
Not only the number of but also the length becomes enormous.

Therefore, there is a problem that a huge cost is required. For example, if 20 cameras 14 (# 1 to # 20) are installed in a baseball field as shown in FIG. 7, the cost will be about 200 million yen. Further, there is a problem that man-hours and time required for installing the cameras 14 (# 1 to # 20) and the cable 18 become enormous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides photographing data from a plurality of photographers who photograph the same subject from different photographing locations by using cameras having a photographing data transmission function. By providing a shooting data provision service to those who want it, the camera and the cable for sending the shooting data from the camera are unnecessary, and the same shooting target shot at different shooting locations is not required. An object of the present invention is to provide an image distribution system and an image distribution method capable of acquiring as much shooting data as possible and realizing a detailed image providing service.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following means.

That is, the image distribution system according to the invention of claim 1 comprises a data receiving means, a photographing location specifying means, and a distributing means. Then, the data receiving unit receives each piece of image data of the same image captured and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places. Further, the shooting location specifying unit specifies the shooting location of each shooting data based on the image of the same shooting target shot in each shooting data received by the data receiving unit. Further, when there is a request from the applicant for delivery of image data captured at a specific location of the same subject, the delivery means, based on the image location identified by the image location identification means, sends the corresponding image data. Deliver to applicants.

An image distribution system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a data receiving means, a photographing location specifying means, and a distributing means. Then, the data receiving unit receives each piece of the photographing data of the same photographing object photographed and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places together with the photographing time data indicating the photographing time of each photographing data. Further, the shooting location specifying unit specifies the shooting location of each shooting data based on the image of the same shooting target shot in each shooting data received by the data receiving unit. Further, the delivery means, when a request is made by a requester to deliver the shooting data shot in a predetermined time zone at the same shooting location, the shooting location and the shooting time data identified by the shooting location identifying means. Based on the above, the corresponding shooting data is delivered to the applicant.

An image distribution system according to a third aspect of the invention comprises a data receiving means and a distributing means. The data receiving unit receives each piece of shooting data of the same shooting target shot and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places together with shooting location data indicating a shooting location of each piece of shooting data. In addition, when there is a request from the applicant for delivery of shooting data captured at any one of the shooting locations, the distribution means may send corresponding shooting data based on the received shooting location data. Deliver to applicants.

An image distribution system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises a data receiving means and a distributing means. The data receiving means captures each piece of shooting data of the same shooting target shot and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places, shooting location data indicating a shooting location where each shooting data was shot,
Also, each shooting data is received together with the shooting time data indicating the shooting time at which the shooting data was taken. In addition, the delivery means, from the applicant, at any of the shooting locations,
When there is a request for distribution of shooting data shot in a predetermined time period, corresponding shooting data is delivered to the desired person based on the received shooting location data and shooting time data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a rearrangement means for rearranging the order of the photographed data based on the photographing location, and a rearrangement means. Shooting data display means for displaying each shooting data according to the order rearranged.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image distribution system according to the fifth aspect, photographing data extracting means for extracting arbitrary two photographing data from the respective photographing data rearranged by the rearranging means, And an image synthesizing unit for synthesizing the two photographic data extracted by the photographic data extracting unit to create a synthetic image including the same photographic subject.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image distribution system according to the fifth aspect, photographing data extracting means for extracting arbitrary two photographing data from the respective photographing data rearranged by the rearranging means, Based on the two pieces of shooting data extracted by the shooting data extraction means,
And an image creating means for creating shooting data shot at an arbitrary position between each shooting location of one shooting data.

According to the image distribution method of the invention of claim 8, the respective photographing data of the same photographing object photographed and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located at different places are received. Then, the shooting location of each shooting data is specified based on the image of the same shooting target shot in each received shooting data, and each shooting data is stored corresponding to the specified shooting location. Furthermore, when a request is made by a requester to distribute shooting data shot at a specific location of the same shooting target, the corresponding shooting data is searched from the stored shooting data based on the identified shooting location. , The retrieved photographing data is distributed to the desired person.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

It is to be noted that the reference numerals used in the following description of each embodiment are given to the same portions as those in FIG. 7 with the same reference numerals.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to the first embodiment is applied.

That is, the image distribution system 1 to which the image distribution method according to the present embodiment is applied has a data receiving unit 2
A photographing location specifying unit 3, a photographing data storage unit 4, a distribution request receiving unit 5, a distribution unit 6, a rearrangement unit 7, a rearrangement data storage unit 8, a display unit 9, and photographing data extraction. Part 1
0, an image composition unit 11, and an image creation unit 12.

The data receiving section 2 captures the respective captured data of the same subject which is captured and transmitted by the cameras 14 (# 1 to #n) of a plurality of photographers located in different places. It is received together with the shooting time data indicating the shooting time. The camera 14 (# 1 to #n) includes a digital camera having a function of transmitting shooting data,
Use a mobile phone built-in camera. The photographer individually photographs the same subject to be photographed using such own camera 14 and transmits the photographing data to the data receiving unit 2 together with the photographing time data.

The photographing location specifying unit 3 specifies the photographing location of each photographing data based on the image of the same photographing object photographed in each photographing data received by the data receiving unit 2. For example, the image distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment
As shown in FIG. 2, when shooting a sumo competition, a plurality of images of the ring 15 which is an image serving as a mark from a predetermined shooting location are shot in advance. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an image of the ring 15 taken from a certain shooting place. Then, when the image data received by the data receiving unit 2 is an image as shown in FIG. 4, by comparing with a plurality of images taken in advance, the image pickup location at which the image shown in FIG. 4 was taken. Specify.

The photographing data storage unit 4 stores the photographing data and the photographing time data received by the data receiving unit 2 in association with the photographing place specified by the photographing place specifying unit 3.

The distribution request reception unit 5 is provided with a distribution requester 16 (#
1 to #m), a request for delivering shooting data is received.
The distribution applicants 16 (# 1 to #m) are photographers (# 1 to #m).
The same person as n) may be used, and the photographed data can be obtained by designating the photographing place to the distribution request reception unit 5 via a digital camera with a transmission function, a mobile phone with an image display function, or the Internet. Request for delivery.

The distribution unit 6 searches the shooting data stored in the shooting data storage unit 4 for the shooting data requested by the distribution request receiving unit 5. Then, the retrieved shooting data is transmitted to the requesting delivery person 16.

The sorting section 7 sorts the shooting data stored in the shooting data storage section 4 in order so that the shooting locations are continuous.

The rearrangement data storage unit 8 includes a rearrangement unit 7
The shooting data is stored so that the shooting locations are rearranged so as to be continuous.

The photographing data extraction unit 10 selects any two of the photographing data stored in the rearrangement data storage unit 8.
Extract one shooting data.

The image synthesizing unit 11 is a photographing data extracting unit 10.
A synthetic image including the same photographing target is created by synthesizing the two photographing data extracted by. By thus synthesizing the two pieces of shooting data, an image having a stereoscopic effect is obtained as seen by the human left and right eyes.

The image creating section 12 includes a photographing data extracting section 10
Based on the two shooting data extracted by, the shooting data shot at an arbitrary location between the shooting locations of these two shooting data is created, and the created shooting data is shot according to the shooting location. The data is stored in the data storage unit 4. As a result, shooting data shot from an arbitrary shooting location is created.

The display unit 13 continuously displays the photographing data stored in the rearrangement data storage unit 8 in the rearranged order. As a result, the image is displayed frame-by-frame as if it made one round around the subject. The display unit 13 also displays the combined image combined by the image combining unit 11. As a result, an image having a stereoscopic effect as viewed by the human left and right eyes is displayed.

Next, the operation of the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to this embodiment configured as described above is applied will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to this embodiment is applied does not include the camera 14 in the system itself. Instead, from a photographer who owns a digital camera with a transmission function or a camera with a built-in mobile phone,
It consists of providing shooting data. Therefore, a large number of photographers are secured in advance by advertisement on a homepage or the like so that more photograph data can be provided. Alternatively, a digital camera with a transmission function may be distributed to some spectators at the venue to request the provision of shooting data.

Each photographer shoots the same subject (for example, Sumo ring 15 etc.) from his or her seat at the venue with the camera 1.
4 is used to take an image (S1). When the camera 14 transmits the shooting data together with the shooting time data, the shooting data is received by the data receiving unit 2 (S2).

Then, the photographing location specifying section 3 specifies the photographing location of each photographing data based on the image of the same photographing object photographed in each photographing data received by the data receiving section 2 (S3). . The shooting data and the shooting time data received by the data receiving unit 2 are stored in the shooting data storage unit 4 in correspondence with the shooting location specified by the shooting location specifying unit 3 (S4).

The photographing data stored in the photographing data storage unit 4 is rearranged by the rearranging unit 7 so that the photographing locations are continuous, and is stored in the rearrangement data storing unit 8 together with the corresponding photographing time data. (S5).

Then, the photographing data extracting section 10 extracts two arbitrary photographing data from the respective photographing data stored in the rearrangement data storing section 8 (S6). Furthermore, based on the two pieces of extracted shooting data, the image creation unit 12 creates shooting data shot at an arbitrary location between the shooting locations of the two pieces of shooting data,
The created shooting data is stored in the shooting data storage unit 4 corresponding to the shooting location (S7). As a result, shooting data shot from an arbitrary shooting location is created.

The respective photographed data stored in the photographed data storage unit 4 in this way are distributed by the distribution requesting person 16 based on the distribution request.
(# 1 to #m). That is, the distribution request reception unit 5 designates the shooting location from the distribution requester 16 (# 1 to #m) via a digital camera with a transmission function, a mobile phone with an image display function, or the Internet. A distribution request for shooting data is made (S8).

When a distribution request of the photographing data is made to the distribution request receiving unit 5, the distribution unit 6 causes the photographing data storage unit 4
The shooting data requested by the distribution request receiving unit 5 is retrieved from the shooting data stored in (S9). Then, the retrieved photographing data is returned to the requester 16 who requested the distribution (S10).

The distribution requesting person 16 may be the same person as the photographer. In this case, instead of the photographer providing the photographing data free of charge, the desired photographing data is distributed free of charge. To do so. On the other hand, if the distribution requester 16 is different from the photographer, the distribution fee is collected.

In the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to this embodiment is applied, the following special image is displayed.

First, the photographed data stored in the rearranged data storage unit 8 and photographed at the same time are successively displayed on the display unit 13 in the rearranged order. As a result, the image is frame-advanced and displayed as if it made a circle around the object to be photographed.

Further, in the image synthesizing unit 11, the two photographic data extracted by the photographic data extracting unit 10 are synthesized to create a synthetic image including the same photographic subject. By displaying this composite image from the display unit 13, an image having a stereoscopic effect as viewed by human left and right eyes is displayed.

The image displayed on the display unit 13 may be transmitted to the distribution requesting party 16 by adding a transmission function to the display unit 13.

As described above, in the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to the present embodiment is applied, the system itself does not include the camera 14, and the photographing data transmitted from the photographer is acquired. It can be used for distribution of shooting data or creation of special images.

Therefore, not only the camera 14 but also the cable for transmitting the photographing data from the camera 14 is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

By acquiring the photographed data from more photographers, it is possible to provide the photographed data with a higher degree of satisfaction with respect to the request of the distribution requesting person 16 and also to provide a higher degree of specialness. It is possible to create an image.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of an image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to the second embodiment is applied. The same parts as those in FIG. It is omitted and only different parts will be described here.

That is, in the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to this embodiment is applied, the camera 14 (# 1
From #n), in addition to the shooting data and the shooting time data, the shooting location posture measurement data is also received by the data receiving unit 2. Along with this, the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to the present embodiment is applied is the photographing location specifying unit 3 of the image distribution system 1 to which the image distribution method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is applied. Is omitted.

In this case, the camera 14 used by each photographer
(# 1 to #n) is a function that sends shooting data, a time stamp function that records shooting time, and a GPS that measures your location (shooting location) and posture (Yaw angle, Roll angle, Pitch angle), etc. Use a digital camera with a shooting position and posture measurement function, or a camera with a built-in mobile phone. Each photographer individually photographs the same subject using such a camera 14, and transmits the photographing data together with the photographing time data and the photographing location posture measurement data.

The data receiving unit 2 includes the cameras 14 (# 1 to # 1).
Each piece of shooting data transmitted from #n) is received together with the shooting time data and the position and orientation measurement data.

As described above, in the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to this embodiment is applied, not only the photographing data and the photographing time data from each camera 14 (# 1 to #n) but also the photographing location posture Measurement data is also transmitted.

Since the data receiving unit 2 can recognize the shooting location by receiving the shooting location posture measurement data, the shooting location specifying unit 3 in FIG.
Can be omitted, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such configurations. Within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, those skilled in the art can contemplate various modifications and modifications, and the modifications and modifications are also within the technical scope of the present invention. Be understood to belong to.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By using a camera with a shooting data transmission function, it is possible to have the shooting data provided by multiple photographers who have taken the same shooting target from different shooting locations, and to provide shooting data provision services to those who wish to do so. it can.

This eliminates the need for a camera and a cable for transmitting photographed data from the camera, and obtains as much photographed data of the same photographed object photographed at different photographing places as possible to provide a detailed image providing service. An image distribution system and an image distribution method that can be realized can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of an image distribution system to which an image distribution method according to a first embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sumo ring that is a shooting target.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a ring of a ring photographed from a certain photographing location.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a ring of a ring photographed from another photographing place.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image distribution system to which the image distribution method according to the first embodiment is applied.

FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of an image distribution system to which an image distribution method according to a second embodiment is applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of cameras arranged around the ground of a baseball field.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Image distribution system 2 ... Data receiver 3 ... Shooting location identification section 4 ... Shooting data storage 5 ... Delivery request reception section 6 ... Delivery department 7. Sorting section 8 ... rearrangement data storage unit 9 ... Display 10 ... Shooting data extraction unit 11 ... Image composition section 12 ... Image creation unit 13 ... Display 14 ... Camera 15 ... ring 16 ... Delivery requester 18 ... Cable 19 ... Image Center 16 ... Delivery requester

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C022 AB61 CA03                 5C054 AA02 DA01 DA06 EA01 EA03                       EA07 FE01 FE02 FE11 GB04                       HA16                 5C064 BA01 BB03 BC18 BD02 BD08

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A data receiving unit that receives each piece of image data of the same image captured and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places, and image data captured by each image data received by the data receiving unit. If there is a request from the requester for the shooting location specifying means for specifying the shooting location of each shooting data based on the image of the same shooting target, and the delivery request of the shooting data shot at the specific location of the same shooting target Is based on the shooting location specified by the shooting location specifying means,
An image distribution system comprising: a distribution unit that distributes corresponding photographing data to the desired person. 2. A data receiving means for receiving, together with shooting time data indicating a shooting time at which each shooting data was shot, each shooting data of the same shooting target shot and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places. A photographing location specifying unit that specifies a photographing location of each photographing data based on the image of the same photographing target photographed in each photographing data received by the data receiving unit; When there is a request for distribution of shooting data shot in a predetermined time period at a specific location, the corresponding shooting data is obtained based on the shooting location and the shooting time data specified by the shooting location specifying means. An image distribution system comprising a distribution means for distributing to an applicant. 3. A data receiving means for receiving, together with shooting location data indicating a shooting location of each shooting data, shooting data of the same shooting object shot and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places, and a desired person. When there is a request from the user to deliver shooting data taken at any one of the shooting locations, the corresponding shooting data is delivered to the desired person based on the received shooting location data. An image distribution system comprising a distribution means. 4. The photographing data of the same photographing target photographed and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places, photographing place data indicating a photographing place where each photographing data is photographed, and each photographing data are photographed. A data receiving means for receiving together with the shooting time data indicating the taken shooting time, and a request from a requester for delivery of the shooting data taken in a predetermined time zone at any of the above shooting locations. The image delivery system further comprises: delivery means for delivering corresponding shooting data to the desired person based on the received shooting location data and the shooting time data. 5. The image distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rearrangement unit rearranges the order of the respective photographed data based on the photographing location, and the rearrangement unit arranges the photographed data. An image distribution system, comprising: photographing data display means for displaying the respective photographing data according to the changed order. 6. The image distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the shooting data extracting unit extracts any two pieces of shooting data from the shooting data sorted by the sorting unit, and the shooting data extracting unit. An image synthesizing means for synthesizing two image data extracted by the means to create a synthetic image including the same photographic subject. 7. The image distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the shooting data extracting unit extracts any two pieces of shooting data from the shooting data sorted by the sorting unit, and the shooting data extracting unit. An image creating means for creating shooting data shot at an arbitrary location between the shooting locations of the two shooting data based on the two shooting data extracted by the means. Delivery system. 8. Receiving each piece of image data of the same image object captured and transmitted by a plurality of photographers located in different places, and based on the image of the same image object captured in each of the received image data. Then, the shooting location of each shooting data is specified, the shooting data is stored in association with the specified shooting location, and a request for distribution of the shooting data taken at the specific location of the same shooting target is made by a requester. In this case, based on the specified shooting location, the corresponding shooting data is searched from the stored shooting data, and the searched shooting data is distributed to the desired person. Image delivery method.