JP2003116127A - Automatic photographing system, automatic photographing method and automatic photographing service utilizing radio tag - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photographing system, an automatic photographing method and an automatic photographing service utilizing a radio tag that can automatically photograph a particular user and provide photographed video data to the user. SOLUTION: The automatic photographing system is provided with at least; a camera 15 for photographing a photographing area 14; the radio tag carried by the user; a communication base station 13 having a reception area nearly equal to or smaller than the photographing area and receiving user particular information sent from the radio tag in a reception area; and an image server 16 for receiving the user particular information received by the communication base station and video data acquired by the camera and recording the both in cross-reference with each other. When a user carrying the radio tag enters the photographing area, the radio tag can automatically transmit the user particular information and video data photographed by the camera to the image server, the user uses the given ID to allow the terminal to access the image server and to acquire the video data resulting from photographing the user itself.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic image capturing system, an automatic image capturing method, and an automatic image capturing service using a wireless tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable video cameras have become smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more sophisticated, and it has become possible to easily perform video shooting without the need for advanced shooting technology. An increasing number of users are shooting video at entertainment facilities such as places and tourist spots.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when video recording is carried out with a portable video camera, preparations such as charging the battery or purchasing a video tape are necessary in advance, and the battery will be lost when I want to shoot. It may run out or the tape may run out. In addition, when the user himself / herself shoots with a portable video camera, he / she must always carry the mobile phone even when moving, and it has been a heavy burden for the user to carry the video camera constantly for a short shooting time.

Further, even if a family member or friend visits an amusement park or other entertainment facility or tourist spot, the photographers cannot take pictures together. Especially when two people visit each other, the photographer always takes pictures one by one. I couldn't do that, and it would be unsatisfactory as a memorial video. Such a problem is the same in the still camera, but in the case of the still camera, the operation is simple and it is possible to request a passerby to take a picture. On the other hand, in the case of a video camera, it is difficult to operate,
Since it takes a certain amount of time to take a picture, it is very difficult to ask another person to take a picture.

In addition, amusement park attractions (for example,
In the case of roller coasters, etc., it may be prohibited to bring in the video camera itself, but it is difficult to shoot with a portable video camera even if it is possible to bring in fast-moving attractions or skiing downhill. There's a problem.

On the other hand, amusement park attractions (for example,
Depending on the roller coaster, ferris wheel, etc.), there is also a service to take pictures with the camera provided inside the attraction, but the pictures provided by this service are still images, and there is no service to provide moving images. However, when moving a moving subject, it will not be powerful unless it is a moving image. Further, since it takes time to record on a photographic paper in taking a picture, it takes time to obtain the picture, and the cost also increases.

[0007] In recent years, an Internet video distribution service using fixed-point cameras has come to be provided.
Since it is a system that delivers all the captured images in real time via the Internet, when used in an amusement park where unspecified people gather, it is not possible to deliver video while protecting the privacy of others.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main purpose is to automatically perform video shooting for a specific user and provide the taken video data to the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic image capturing system, an automatic image capturing method, and an automatic image capturing service using a wireless tag capable of performing.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic photographing system using a wireless tag of the present invention is
At least a photographing means for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a means for detecting that a predetermined user has entered the photographing area, and an image server for receiving and recording the video data acquired by the photographing means are provided. When the user enters the photographing area, the information specifying the predetermined user and the video data of the photographed user are associated with each other and automatically stored in the image server. .

Further, the automatic photographing system of the present invention comprises a photographing means for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a radio tag carried by the user, a reception area substantially equal to the photographing area or a reception area inside the photographing area. And a communication base station that receives user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag in the reception area, and receives and records the user identification information received by the communication base station and the video data acquired by the photographing means. And an image server that carries the wireless tag, and when the user carrying the wireless tag enters the shooting area, the user identification information transmitted from the communication base station and video data of the user captured. Are associated and automatically stored in the image server.

The present invention may further comprise a means for detecting a position of the user in the photographing area, and the position detecting means may perform photographing by following the position of the user. .

Further, in the present invention, the image server further comprises means for authenticating an ID previously given to the user, and the ID transmitted from a terminal connected through a network is authenticated. The video data corresponding to the ID may be delivered to the authenticated terminal.

Further, according to the present invention, the tag may be an RFID tag for communicating data with the communication base station by utilizing electromagnetic induction.

According to the automatic photographing method of the present invention, a photographing means for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a means for detecting that a predetermined user has entered the photographing area, and image data acquired by the photographing means. An automatic image capturing method in a system including at least an image server for receiving and recording, wherein image data of the user captured by the image capturing unit in the image server when the wireless tag enters the image capturing area. And information for identifying the predetermined user are stored in association with each other.

Further, the automatic photographing method of the present invention comprises a photographing means for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a radio tag carried by the user, a reception area substantially equal to the photographing area or a reception area inside the photographing area. And a communication base station that receives user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag in the reception area, and receives and records the user identification information received by the communication base station and the video data acquired by the photographing means. And an image server for performing an automatic image capturing method in a system, the wireless base station receiving the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag in the communication base station when the wireless tag enters the image capturing area. And transmitting to the image server, in the image server, the video data of the user photographed by the photographing means and the user. And storing in association with The specific information are those having at least.

In the present invention, the photographing means may be configured to photograph only while the communication base station is receiving the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag.

If the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag or the user information stored in advance in the image server includes the electronic mail address of the user, the image server Then, when the video data obtained by photographing the user is received, the video data may be automatically delivered to the electronic mail address.

Further, the service of the present invention is a service for providing the video data to the user by using the above-mentioned automatic photographing method, when the user requests the assignment of the ID, or the video data is transferred to the user. The user is charged when downloading from the terminal.

As described above, according to the above-described structure of the present invention, the user does not need to carry a video camera, and the video image can be automatically obtained only by entering the predetermined photographing area. In addition, since the captured video data is stored in the image server and the user can obtain the video data at any time using the terminal, there is no need to wait until the print is completed as in the case of a photograph, The convenience of the user can be improved.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An automatic photographing system using a wireless tag according to the present invention is, in a preferred embodiment thereof, a camera for photographing a predetermined photographing area and a user entering the photographing area. Means for detecting, eg,
A wireless tag carried by the user, and a reception area approximately equal to the photographing area or a reception area inside the photographing area,
The communication base station that receives the wireless tag data (user identification information) transmitted from the wireless tag in the reception area, the user identification information received by the communication base station, and the video data acquired by the camera are received, and both are associated with each other. When the user carrying the wireless tag enters the shooting area, the communication base station that receives the user specifying information transmitted from the wireless tag stores the user specifying information. The image data is transmitted to the image server, and the camera transmits the image data of the image of the user to the image server. The image server stores the user identification information and the image data in association with each other. Then, the user can use the assigned ID to access the image server from the terminal and obtain the image data of the image taken by the user.

That is, according to the present invention, by utilizing the wireless tag in video recording, the user carrying the wireless tag automatically captures the image only when he / she enters a specific area set in advance, and the video data is taken by a personal computer at home. It is characterized in that it can be obtained from a terminal such as the Internet via the Internet. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic image capturing system using a wireless tag according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image server.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic photographing system according to the present embodiment includes photographing means such as a camera 15 installed in the photographing area 14 and means for detecting that a user enters the photographing area, for example, The small wireless tags 12 and 21 that are lent to the user in advance and carried by the user, and the shooting area 1
4, a communication base station 13 that has a reception area substantially equal to that of 4 or a reception area inside the shooting area 14 and receives data transmitted from a wireless tag in the reception area; The image server 16 that receives and stores the information of the RFID tag received in step S1 and a terminal such as a personal computer, a mobile terminal, or a mobile phone owned by a user who is connected to the image server 16 via a communication network such as the Internet 17 18 is the main component.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image server 16
Is an input unit 16a that receives data from the camera 15 and the communication base station 13 and connects with the terminal 18, a video data storage unit 16b that stores the video data transmitted from the camera 15, and a communication base station 13 A user information storage unit 16c that stores the information (user identification information) of the wireless tag 12 transmitted from the device in association with the video data, and a user authentication unit 16d that authenticates the user using the ID / password transmitted from the terminal 18. , I sent from the terminal 18
D and the user identification information stored in the user information storage means 16c are compared, and the video data search means 16e for searching the corresponding video data, and the output means 16f for transmitting the searched video data to the terminal 18 via the Internet 17. It has and.

The means for detecting that the user has entered the photographing area, for example, the wireless tags 12 and 21 and the receiving means 13, uses a method other than a wired method, for example, radio waves, microwaves, electromagnetic waves, or the like. It is possible to use any system capable of transmitting and receiving the radio waves. For example, the radio waves may be continuously transmitted from the wireless tags 12 and 21, and the radio waves may be received by the antenna provided in the communication base station 13. . In this case, in order to make the shooting area 14 and the receiving area substantially equal, it is preferable to use an antenna with high directivity. A plurality of antennas are provided, and when a plurality of antennas receive radio waves, the wireless tag is placed in the shooting area 14. It may be configured to judge that the person has entered.

Further, the wireless tags 12 and 21 and the receiving means 1
RFID (Ra that conducts data communication using electromagnetic induction, electromagnetic coupling, and microwave induction between the antennas provided in both
A dioFrequency Identification) system etc. can be used.

In this RFID system, data is recorded in advance in an IC provided in the radio tag, and the receiving means 13 is used.
The electromagnetic wave from the antenna of the RFID system (reader / writer in the case of the RFID system) is used to drive the IC in the wireless tag and to transmit the data from the antenna of the wireless tag. The data can be stored, and the transmittable / receivable range can be arbitrarily set by appropriately adjusting the frequency of the electromagnetic wave used and the shape of the antenna. Further, in the RFID system, since the wireless tag is driven only when receiving a signal from the antenna, there is an advantage that useless transmission of radio waves can be suppressed as compared with a system that constantly transmits radio waves. The means for detecting that the user has entered the shooting area is not limited to the combination of the wireless tags 12 and 21 and the receiving means 13, and any means or method capable of detecting the position of the user may be used. You can

A general procedure from the photographing of the user by the camera 15 to the delivery of the video data to the user using the automatic photographing system having the above-mentioned structure will be described.

The user acquires the wireless tags 12 and 21 to which the information identifying the wireless tag itself or the individual wireless tags is sent in advance and carries it. When the wireless tag is configured to emit radio waves, for example, it is set to transmit user identification information by being superimposed on the radio waves, or set to emit radio waves of different frequencies or different patterns for each tag to communicate. Base station 1
The user may be identified by judging the frequency and pattern of the radio wave on the 3 side, and when data communication is performed between the wireless tag and the communication base station 13 using electromagnetic induction, the wireless tag Information (ID, name, e-mail address, etc.) for identifying the user may be written in advance in the IC inside, and the communication base station 13 may judge the data.

Since the wireless tags 12 and 21 periodically transmit radio waves or receive signals from the communication base station 13 and transmit data, when the user enters the photographing area 14,
The signal is received by the antenna of the communication base station 13 which is set so as to receive a signal in an area substantially matching the shooting area 14, and it is recognized that a specific user has entered the shooting area 14.

On the other hand, the camera 15 installed in the photographing area
Always shoots in the shooting area 14 or starts shooting in accordance with an instruction from the communication base station 13 that has received the signal. Then, the information identifying the user received by the communication base station 13 and the image information captured by the camera 15 are transmitted to the image server 16 connected by a communication line, a wireless line, or the like. When the user leaves the shooting area 14, the communication base station 13 notifies the image server 16 of the end point position of the video data, and the image server 16 stores a series of video data in the video data storage means 16b and the user information storage means. Record and store in association with 16c.

As a method of recording in association with each other, for example, the shooting start time and the shooting end time are added to the user specifying information, or the user specifying information is added to the header of the video data starting from the time when the user specifying information is transmitted. Or
An arbitrary method such as creating a correspondence table of video data and user identification information and storing the correspondence table in the image server 16 separately can be used.

At any time after the end of shooting, the user accesses the image server 16 via the Internet 17 using the terminal 18 such as a personal computer at home, a mobile terminal, or a mobile phone, and gives the ID / password assigned in advance. And the like are used to connect to the image server 16.

On the other hand, on the image server 16 side, after the user authentication means 16d authenticates the user, the image data retrieval means 16e cuts out the photographing time portion stored in association with the user ID from the image data, The video data corresponding to the user ID is searched, and the corresponding video data is sent to the user's terminal 18 via the Internet 17. Then, the user receives the video data transmitted from the image server 16 and displays the video data using the display means of the terminal 18 or records the video data on an arbitrary recording medium to view the moving image of the camera.

As described above, in the automatic photographing system of the present invention, the antenna is installed so that the reception area of the radio base station 13 and the photographing area 14 of the camera 15 are substantially equal to each other, so that the radio waves of the radio tag are received. This makes it possible to determine that the user has entered the shooting area 14 of the camera 15. Therefore, when the user enters the shooting area 14, the shooting is automatically started, and when the user exits the shooting area 14, the shooting is automatically ended. Therefore, the user obtains the video data from the camera without performing any special operation. be able to.

Further, since the above-mentioned wireless tag transmits the ID given to the user, it is possible to specify who has entered the photographing area 14. By utilizing this, the user can automatically record himself / herself only by approaching the camera 15 at a specific place, and can retrieve the record later by using the ID. That is, since the ID is used, it is not possible to take out anything other than its own recording, and it is possible to receive video data via the Internet while ensuring security.

Further, in the present invention, since the recording medium such as photographic paper and tape is unnecessary by utilizing the Internet, there is an advantage that the cost and the time required for recording can be reduced.

Note that the camera 15 may shoot only a preset place at a fixed angle, but a plurality of antennas are installed and information from the plurality of antennas is processed to detect the position and movement of the wireless tag. Is detected and the camera is directed to the direction of the wireless tag to shoot a specific subject as the center, or the direction of the user is determined from the movement of the wireless tag, and shooting is performed only when the user faces the camera 15. It can also be configured. Further, the camera may be provided with a zoom function and an image recognition function, and when the user is specified, the user may be automatically enlarged to take a picture.

[0038]

EXAMPLE A specific shooting procedure of the automatic shooting system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the automatic photographing method of this embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that the image server constantly encodes the image captured by the camera 1 into the standard moving image format and stores it in the HDD.

First, in step S101, the user 11 applies for a password and uses the ID 19 and the wireless tag 1 that wirelessly transmits the ID 19 when using this service.
Get 2.

Next, in step S102, when the user 11 carries the wireless tag 12 and moves to enter the receiving area of the wireless base station 13 which is set in the range equal to or inside the photographing area 14 of the camera 15, In step S103, the image server 16 is notified of the ID 19 that is the ID of the user 11 received by the antenna provided in the wireless base station 13.

Next, in step S104, the image server 16 receives the notification of this ID 19 and the user 11
Is in the shooting area 14 of the camera 15, and the antenna number and ID of the wireless base station 13 (in this case, ID 19)
And record the reception period (time).

Next, in step S 105, the user 20 carries the wireless tag 21 and moves to the wireless base station 13.
When entering the reception area (equivalent to the shooting area 14 of the camera 15) of the user 20, the wireless base station 13 similarly receives the user 20
The image server 16 is notified of the ID 22 that is the ID of the user ID. When the image server 16 receives the notification of the ID 22, the image server 16 determines that the user 20 is in the shooting area 14 of the camera 15,
Antenna number and ID of the wireless base station 13 (in this case, ID2
2) Record the reception period (time).

Next, in step S106, the users 11 and 20 access the image server via the Internet 17 by using the terminal 18 such as a personal computer, a mobile terminal, or a mobile phone, and the ID / password given in advance. To connect to the image server 16.

On the other hand, in step S107, the image server 16 side uses the user authentication means 16d to send the user 11,
After performing the authentication of 20, in step S108, only the time when the ID19 or ID22 is recorded is cut out from the recorded video data, or the video data corresponding to the user ID is searched, and in step S109, the corresponding If the data is recorded, the video data is transmitted via the Internet 17 to the terminals 1 of the users 11 and 20.
Send to 8.

Then, the users 11 and 20 receive the video data transmitted from the image server 16 and display it on the display means of the terminal 18 or record it on any recording medium to photograph the user. Watch the video from the camera.

As described above, by transmitting a unique ID for each wireless tag and distributing the video data only to the user having the ID, it is possible to prevent the video of another person from being indiscriminately available, and a plurality of users can be inspected. It is also possible to photograph the user at the same time. Further, since the user can obtain only the video data that has been photographed, there is an effect that it is possible to save the trouble of cutting out a video that is necessary for himself from a useless image.

By charging the user at an arbitrary time, such as when the user is given an ID and a wireless tag, when the user enters the photographing area 14, when the user downloads video data from the image server 16, and the like. , The service using the automatic photographing system using this wireless tag can be utilized as a business.

In the above embodiment, the case where the user accesses the image server 16 by using the ID / password and downloads the predetermined video data is described. However, for example, when the RFID tag is used as the wireless tag, It is also possible to write complicated data in the IC, write the user's e-mail address as the user identification information, and the image server 16 automatically captures the video data in the user's e-mail address when the user's video is captured. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which

[0049]

As described above, according to the automatic image capturing system, the automatic image capturing method, and the automatic image capturing service using the wireless tag of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The first effect of the present invention is to use a radio tag and a radio base station as means for detecting that a user has entered the shooting area, and the user can carry out the radio tag automatically by a fixed-point camera simply by carrying the radio tag. This means that you can reduce the time and effort required to prepare, carry around, and shoot a video camera.

The second effect of the present invention is to eliminate the problem that the photographer cannot be seen together, as in the case of photographing with a portable video camera, since photographing is performed with a fixed-point camera installed. It means that you can

For example, when a family visits an amusement park or the like, the dad often shoots a video, and when he comes back and watches the video, there are many things in which the dad does not appear, but the automatic shooting system of the present invention. Since it is possible for everyone to shoot, it is possible to increase the value as a record.

The third effect of the present invention is that a video camera is not used for shooting, so an image of an attraction that cannot be taken, such as a roller coaster or a haunted house, or a skiing figure at a ski resort is also taken. It means that you can.

The fourth effect of the present invention is to reduce the cost because recording media such as photographic paper and tape are not required by distributing the video stored in the HDD of the image server using the Internet. In addition, it is possible to watch the moving image at any desired period without having to consider the time for recording on the photographic paper.

The fifth effect of the present invention is that only the image is distributed while the user's ID is recorded, so that the privacy of others is ensured and the place where oneself appears in the huge image is displayed. It means that it is possible to eliminate the trouble of cutting out only.

The sixth effect of the present invention is that the user can
By adding D, it is possible to make a clear charge at that point and to utilize it as a business.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an automatic photographing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image server of the automatic image capturing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an automatic photographing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 users (in shooting area) 12 Wireless tag (in shooting area) 13 Receiving means (antenna) 14 Shooting area 15 camera 16 Image server 17 Internet 18 terminals 19 ID 20 users (outside the shooting area) 21 Wireless tag (outside the shooting area) 22 ID

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image server for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a means for detecting that a predetermined user has entered the photographing area, and an image server for receiving and recording the video data acquired by the photographing means. And at least, when the user enters the photographing area, the information for identifying the predetermined user and the video data of the photographed user are associated and automatically stored in the image server. Automatic shooting system characterized by being performed. 2. A photographing means for photographing the inside of a predetermined photographing area, a wireless tag carried by a user, and a reception area substantially equal to the photographing area or a reception area inside the photographing area. At least a communication base station that receives the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag, and an image server that receives and records the user identification information received by the communication base station and the video data acquired by the photographing means. When the user carrying the wireless tag enters the shooting area, the user identification information transmitted from the communication base station is associated with video data of the image captured by the user, and the image is displayed. An automatic shooting system characterized by being automatically stored in a server. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for detecting a position of the user in the photographing area, and the position detecting means performs photographing by following the position of the user. The automatic photographing system described in 2. 4. The image server further comprises means for authenticating an ID given to the user in advance, authenticating the ID transmitted from a terminal connected via a network, and the authenticated terminal. 4. The automatic image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the video data corresponding to the ID is distributed to the. 5. The automatic tag according to claim 1, wherein the tag is an RFID tag that communicates data with the communication base station using electromagnetic induction. Shooting system. 6. An image server for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a means for detecting that a predetermined user has entered the photographing area, and an image server for receiving and recording the video data acquired by the photographing means. In the system including at least the following, when the wireless tag enters the photographing area, the image data of the user photographed by the photographing means and the predetermined user are displayed in the image server. An automatic photographing method characterized by storing in association with specified information. 7. A photographing means for photographing a predetermined photographing area, a wireless tag carried by a user, and a reception area substantially equal to the photographing area or a reception area inside the photographing area, and the inside of the reception area is provided. At least a communication base station that receives the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag, and an image server that receives and records the user identification information received by the communication base station and the video data acquired by the image capturing unit. A method for automatically photographing in a system, wherein when the wireless tag enters the photographing area, the communication base station receives the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag and transmits the user identification information to the image server. And, in the image server, the video data obtained by photographing the user by the photographing means and the user specifying information are stored in association with each other. An automatic image capturing method, comprising: 8. The automatic camera according to claim 6, wherein the position detection means for detecting the position of the user in the photographing area causes the photographing to be performed following the position of the user. How to shoot. 9. The image server further comprises a step of authenticating an ID transmitted from a terminal connected via a network, a step of retrieving the video data corresponding to the ID, and the authenticated step. 9. The automatic image capturing method according to claim 6, further comprising: delivering the video data to a terminal. 10. The image capturing means captures an image only while the communication base station is receiving the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag.
The automatic shooting method described in any one of 1. 11. The image server if the user identification information transmitted from the wireless tag or the user information stored in advance in the image server includes an electronic mail address of the user. The automatic image capturing method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein when the image data of the user is received, the image data is automatically delivered to the e-mail address. 12. A service for providing the video data to the user by using the automatic photographing method according to claim 6, when the user requests the ID assignment, or An automatic photographing service, wherein the user is charged when the video data is downloaded from the terminal.