JP2003209824A - Image distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image distribution system capable of distributing image data imaged by an imaging camera while changing a distribution destination in real time depending on a kind of an object. <P>SOLUTION: This invention relates to the image distribution system 10A that distributes image data imaged by the imaging camera 12 through a communication network. The image distribution system 10A includes: an object identification section 16 that electronically identifies an object 11 to output identification information ID; a database 18 for storing destination addresses on an IP network NW associated with the identification information ID; a distribution destination decision processing section 17 for referring to the database 18 to decide the distribution destination address on the basis of the identification information ID received from the object identification section 16; and a transmission/reception processing section 19 for transmitting image data to an IP network NW addressed to the distribution destination address decided by the distribution destination decision processing section 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image distribution system for distributing image data via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image distribution system is DS
A still image captured by a C (digital still camera) or a moving image captured by a DVC (digital video camera) is transferred to a wide area network or a LAN (Local Area Network).
An image distribution system that distributes via rk) is known. Most of image distribution systems of this type include imaging cameras arranged at a plurality of points, a server that transmits image data captured by the imaging cameras, and a base station (distribution server) that stores the image data transmitted from the servers. The base station has a function of delivering the stored image data to a home communication terminal device, a mobile phone, a PC (personal computer) or the like registered in advance.

[0003]

When the image distribution system is installed at a point where a large number of unspecified subjects may exist,
There are cases where it is desired to distribute image data by designating different distribution destinations for each subject. For example, when an imaging camera is installed at a crowded spot crowded with an unspecified number of people (subjects) and it is desired to monitor the crowded spot from a remote place, human monitoring work is a wasteful work requiring patience. In addition, when an accident such as an accident occurs at the crowded place, you may want to change the distribution destination of the image data depending on the type of the abnormality, but you must rely on humans to change the distribution destination of the image data. In reality, it took time and effort from the occurrence of the change to the change of the delivery destination.

Further, for example, there is a case where an image pickup camera is provided in each of a plurality of patient rooms to image each patient room and the image thereof should be distributed only to the persons concerned in the patient room. In such cases,
It takes time and effort to change the setting of the distribution destination of surveillance video for each hospital room, but if the setting work is neglected, the private video of the patient will be distributed to an unrelated third party. The situation may occur.

In view of the above situation and the like, an object of the present invention is to deliver image data picked up by an image pickup camera by changing the delivery destination in real time and accurately according to the type of subject. The point is to provide the system.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is an image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network. A subject identification unit that electronically identifies the subject and outputs identification information;
A database that stores a delivery destination address on the communication network associated with the identification information, and a delivery destination determination that refers to the database and determines the delivery destination address based on the identification information input from the subject identifying unit. It is characterized by comprising: a processing unit; and a transmission / reception processing unit for sending the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution destination determination processing unit.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the database further comprises:
Image format information associated with the identification information is stored, further comprising a format conversion processing unit that converts the format of the image data based on the image format information, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit is the format conversion processing unit. The image data converted in (1) is sent to the delivery destination address.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subject identifying section electromagnetically reads an identification code of the subject to generate the identification information. It has a function to do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network, the time measuring means generating time information, and the communication associated with a predetermined schedule. A database that stores a delivery destination address on the network and a control that captures image data captured by the imaging camera according to the schedule are performed, and the delivery destination address is determined based on the time information by referring to the database. And a transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution schedule processing unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the database further comprises:
Image format information associated with the schedule is stored, further comprising a format conversion processing unit for converting the format of the image data based on the image format information, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit is the format conversion processing unit. The converted image data is sent to the delivery destination address.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network, wherein the image data picked up by the image pickup camera is image-recognized and identification information of a subject is output. An image recognition processing unit, a database storing a delivery destination address on the communication network associated with the identification information, and a delivery destination based on the identification information input from the image recognition processing unit with reference to the database. A delivery destination determination processing unit that determines an address, a transmission and reception processing unit that sends the image data to the communication network addressed to the delivery destination address determined by the delivery destination determination processing unit,
It is characterized by including.

The invention according to claim 7 is the image distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the database further comprises:
Image format information associated with the identification information is stored, further comprising a format conversion processing unit that converts the format of the image data based on the image format information, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit is the format conversion processing unit. The image data converted in (1) is sent to the delivery destination address.

The invention according to claim 8 is claim 6 or 7
In the image distribution system described above, the image recognition processing unit has a function of recognizing a management code associated with the identification information.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network, and a position information acquisition section for detecting position information of a subject picked up by the image pickup camera. A database that stores a delivery destination address on the communication network that is associated with the location information, and a delivery destination that refers to the database and determines the delivery destination address based on the location information input from the location information acquisition unit. And a transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution destination determination processing unit.

The invention according to claim 10 is the image distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the database further stores image format information associated with the identification information, and the image format information is stored in the image format information. A format conversion processing unit that converts the format of the image data based on the image data is further provided, and the transmission / reception processing unit sends the image data converted by the format conversion processing unit to the delivery destination address.

The invention according to claim 11 is the image distribution system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein position output means for outputting the position information of the image pickup camera and the subject at each of the plurality of points. And the location information acquisition unit detects the location information input from each of the position output means and outputs the location information to the delivery destination determination processing unit, and the delivery destination determination processing unit The distribution destination address of the image data transmitted from each of the points is determined for each position information.

The invention of claim 12 relates to claims 9 to 11.
The image distribution system according to any one of the items 1 to 3, wherein the image pickup camera provided at each of the points and the transmission / reception processing unit are connected by a LAN (local area network). is there.

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claims 1 to 12.
The image distribution system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the display unit displays image data captured by the imaging camera,
A user interface that allows input of information by a user operation, and inquires of the user about the quality of the delivery destination of the image data, based on the response result of the user via the user interface,
And a delivery information confirmation processing unit that controls delivery to the delivery destination determination processing unit or the delivery schedule processing unit.

The invention according to claim 14 relates to claims 1 to 12.
The image distribution system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication terminal on the communication network is inquired of at least the content of the image data and the distribution destination of the image data, and a response result from the communication terminal is displayed. On the basis of the above, a distribution control unit for controlling distribution to the distribution destination determination processing unit or the distribution schedule processing unit is further provided.

The invention according to claim 15 relates to claims 1 to 14.
The image distribution system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the communication network is constructed using Internet technology.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Various embodiments of the image distribution system of the present invention will be described below.

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image distribution system 10A includes a camera control unit 13 that controls an image pickup camera 12 that picks up an image of a subject 11 to obtain image data 30, and an image signal processing unit 1.
4, format conversion processing unit 15 and transmission / reception processing unit 1
9 is equipped. Furthermore, this image distribution system 10A
Includes a subject identification section 16 that electronically identifies the identification code 34 of the subject 11 and outputs the identification information ID, and a delivery destination determination processing section 17 that determines the network address DA of the captured image data 30. I have it.

The transmission / reception processing unit 19 uses TCP / IP.
(Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protoco
l) and UDP / IP (User Datagram Protocol / Internet
Protocol) or the like, and communication terminals T1, T2, TU1, TU2 via the IP network NW.
, TUn (n: integer of 3 or more), a function is provided to establish a connection and perform bidirectional data communication. The IP network NW may be any network that realizes IP (Internet Protocol) communication, such as the Internet, an intranet, or a VPN.
(Virtual Private Network). Further, the communication terminals T1, T2, TU1, T
U2, ..., TUn are network-compatible personal computers, set-top boxes (home communication terminals), mobile phones, PHSs (Personal Handy).
phone system), PDA (personal digital assistant); Personal Dig
ital Assistants) and so on.

The illustrated image pickup camera 12 has a CCD image pickup device, a CMOS image pickup device, etc. built therein, and an aperture mechanism for adjusting the amount of incident light from the subject 11, an AF (automatic focusing) mechanism, and an optical system for the subject 11 (see FIG. A zoom mechanism for adjusting the focal length (not shown), a mechanism for changing the imaging direction, and the like are provided. The camera control unit 13 uses the control signal CT
To drive the image pickup camera 12 to control the diaphragm mechanism, the AF mechanism and the like, and obtain image data 30 of a still image or a moving image.

Image data 3 acquired by the camera controller 13
0 is transferred to the image signal processing unit 14. The image signal processing unit 14 outputs image data 32 obtained by performing image processing such as gain adjustment and white balance adjustment on the input image data 30.

The format conversion processing unit 15 executes conversion processing on the image data 32 input from the image signal processing unit 14 in accordance with the image format information 35 designated by the distribution destination determination processing unit 17. Specifically, it converts high resolution image data to low resolution, converts the file format of image data to BMP format, animation GIF format, etc., and uses JPEG (Joint Photographic Exp
erts Group) or MPEG (Moving Picture Exp)
erts Group) conversion processing such as compression coding is executed. The image data 33 converted by the format conversion processing unit 15 is transferred to the transmission / reception processing unit 19 and distributed from the transmission / reception processing unit 19 to the designated communication terminals T1, ... Through the IP network NW. Become. For example, when the communication terminals T1, ... Are mobile phones and the decoding method differs depending on the model of the mobile phone and the resolution of the display device differs, the image data 32 is converted into a resolution suitable for the model and compression-encoded. Will be done.

The transmission / reception processing unit 19 has a function of selecting a transmission rate for each communication terminal to which image data is distributed. For example, if the destination communication terminal is connected to a network with a narrow bandwidth, the transmission / reception processing unit 1
9 can adjust its transmission rate low according to its bandwidth.

In the first embodiment, the image signal processing unit 14 processes only the image data, but the invention is not limited to this. It may be processed by the unit 14.

Further, the subject identifying section 16 has a function of electronically identifying the identification code 34 of the subject 11 and outputting the identification information ID. As the identification code 34, for example, a two-dimensional array barcode or electromagnetic waves can be used. When the subject 11 has a barcode printed on a card or the like, the subject identifying unit 16 irradiates the barcode with light, recognizes the distribution of the reflected light, reads the barcode, and identifies the alphanumeric string. The information ID is converted and output. When the subject 11 has a contact type or non-contact type IC card (Integrated Circuit Card), the subject identifying unit 16 electromagnetically reads and outputs the identification information ID embedded in the IC card. From the perspective of improving security, the IC card
It is desirable to have a built-in CPU and a semiconductor memory and to have a function capable of executing a personal identification number confirmation process and a secret code process. Further, the subject identifying unit 16 may have a function of recognizing a voiceprint or a bark of the subject 11, or a function of measuring the weight or shape dimension of the subject 11 and outputting the measured value as the identification information 34.

The delivery destination determination processing unit 17 is provided in the database 1
8, it has a function of determining the delivery destination of the image data 30 and the type of conversion processing based on the identification information ID input from the subject identifying unit 16. Database 18
The network address (hereinafter, referred to as a delivery destination address) of each communication terminal T1, ... Of the delivery destination is registered in the, and each identification information ID and each delivery destination address are associated with each other. The delivery destination determination processing unit 17 outputs the determined delivery destination address DA to the transmission / reception processing unit 19. The database 18 also stores the image format information 35 associated with each identification information ID. The delivery destination determination processing unit 17 outputs the image format information 35 to the format conversion processing unit 15 and specifies the type of conversion processing described above.

The transmission / reception processing unit 19 converts the image data 33 input from the format conversion processing unit 15 into a packet (datagram) with the delivery destination address DA as the destination in accordance with the communication protocol of the IP network NW, and sends it out. The packet type may be either unicast or multicast. IPv4 (Internet Protocol version)
n 4), the multicast standard is IETF (Intern
RFC (Request For Co.) of et Engineering TaskForce
mments) 1112 and the like, and an IP address of an address system called class D is used. In the class D address scheme, the first 4 bits of the IP address are identified as being multicast, and the remaining 28 bits specify a particular multicast group.
In the embodiment, the delivery destination address DA is IP
A 32-bit address according to v4 (Internet Protocol version 4) is adopted, but IPv6 is used instead.
A 128-bit address according to (Internet Protocol version 6) may be used. In the illustrated example, the transmission / reception processing unit 19 uses the unicast packets UD1 and UD2.
To the communication terminals T1 and T2, respectively, and the multicast packet MD1 is broadcast to a plurality of communication terminals TU1, ..., TUn via the node 20.

According to the above image distribution system 10A,
The delivery destination address on the IP network NW is automatically determined according to the identification result of the subject, and the image data of the subject can be delivered to the delivery destination. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually set the delivery destination address according to the subject as in the conventional case, and it is possible to provide the image delivery service very easily.

Further, in the format conversion processing section 15, the format of the image data to be distributed can be selected for each subject according to the situation of the distribution destination and the conversion processing can be executed, so that the communication terminals T1 ,. It is possible to display stable image data reliably.

The following (A1) and (A2) can be cited as specific application examples of the image distribution system 10A.
(A1) An image distribution service that distributes an image of a pet from a pet hotel that keeps many pets to its owner. (A2) An image distribution service that distributes an image of a baby from a maternity hospital that handles a large number of babies to a parent. In general,
The subject, the baby, is difficult to identify in the video. As described above, even when a plurality of subjects are similar and difficult to identify, the image data can be reliably delivered to the parent of the baby.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image distribution system 10B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, constituent elements designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 have substantially the same functions as those of the above constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Similar to the image distribution system 10A according to the first embodiment, the image distribution system 10B controls the image pickup camera 12, a camera control unit 13, an image signal processing unit 14, a format conversion processing unit 15, and a transmission / reception process. A section 19 is provided. This image distribution system 10B is
Further, it has a clocking means 40 for outputting time information 42, uses the time information 42 to instruct to image the subjects 11A, 11B, 11C, ... According to a predetermined distribution schedule, and also to a distribution destination address DA and an image format. A distribution schedule processing unit 41 for determining the information 35 is provided.

The distribution schedule processing unit 41 has a function of referring to the database 18 and determining the distribution destination of the image data 30 and the type of conversion processing according to a predetermined schedule. The distribution destination address DA and the image format information 35 are stored in the database 18 in association with the distribution schedule.

Further, the clock means 40 has an internal clock (not shown), and with a predetermined accuracy, for example, "2001
The time information 42 such as "20:30:30 on December 23" is output. The timekeeping means 40 is a server that receives a standard radio wave provided from a public institution and adjusts the time to maintain the accuracy of the internal clock, and a server that provides the standard time via the IP network NW. It is desirable to have a time synchronization function for accessing to and adjusting the time. As an example of the latter, NT using the Internet
P (Network Time Protocol).

The image distribution system 10 having the above configuration
In B, the delivery schedule processing unit 41 issues an imaging request 43 to the camera control unit 13 every time when a predetermined time set by the delivery schedule is reached. Camera control unit 1
In response to the image pickup request 43, the image pickup apparatus 3 drives and controls the image pickup camera 12 to image the subjects 11A, 11B, 11C, ... At a certain time on the time axis (t). The image data 30 picked up by the image pickup camera 12 is input to the image signal processing unit 14 via the camera control unit 13, and after being subjected to image processing, is input to the format conversion processing unit 15.

Next, the format conversion processing section 15 outputs to the transmission / reception processing section 19 the image data 33 whose format has been converted according to the image format information 35 designated by the distribution schedule processing section 41.

Then, the transmission / reception processing section 19 determines the delivery destination address DA designated by the delivery schedule processing section 41.
The image data 33 addressed to the packets UD1 and UD2
Alternatively, it is converted into MD1 and sent to the IP network NW.

Since the image distribution system 10B described above can transmit image data at a designated date and time to a predetermined distribution destination, a more convenient image distribution service can be provided. For example, when the image distribution system 10B is applied to a wedding hall, it is possible to easily transmit the images of a plurality of wedding ceremony sets continuously performed at the wedding hall to different distribution destinations for each group. When this image distribution system 10B is applied to an education system, images according to the timetable of the curriculum can be transmitted to each of the communication terminals T1, T2, ... Used by predetermined auditors for each subject.

Embodiment 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system 10C according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, constituent elements designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 have substantially the same functions as those of the above constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Similar to the image distribution system 10A according to the first embodiment, the image distribution system 10C controls the image pickup camera 12 facing the subjects 11A to 11C, the image signal processing unit 14, the format. The conversion processing unit 15, the delivery destination determination processing unit 17, and the transmission / reception processing unit 19 are provided.

The image distribution system 10B further performs image recognition of the subjects 11A to 11C or labels 23A to 23C such as name tags shown in the image data 32 output by the image signal processing unit 14, and the image recognition result It has an image recognition processing unit 22 that generates certain identification information ID and outputs it to the delivery destination determination processing unit 17. This image recognition processing unit 2
2 identifies the subjects 11A to 11C, for example,
The characteristic portions of the subjects 11A to 11C appearing in the image data 33 are extracted, the extracted characteristic portions are matched with the standard pattern, and the matching rate between them is calculated and recognized. However, since the algorithm of the image recognition processing of the subjects 11A to 11C is complicated and the processing amount is large, the label 23 attached to each of the subjects 11A to 11C can be avoided in order to avoid this.
The control code printed on A to 23C may be image-recognized.
Labels 23A to 23C shown in the figure each include "Axx.
The management codes "x", "Bxxx", and "Cxxx" are printed. The control code is composed of only characters, only symbols, or a combination of characters and symbols.

The delivery destination determination processing unit 17 is provided in the database 1
8, the distribution destination of the image data 30 and the type of conversion processing are determined based on the identification information ID input from the image recognition processing unit 22, and the image format information 35 and the distribution destination address DA are output. Then, the transmission / reception processing unit 19
Generates a packet of the format-converted image data 33 and sends it to the IP network NW.

In the above image distribution system 10C, it is possible to perform the image recognition processing on the captured image data and generate the identification information ID. Therefore, by pre-registering the characteristic part of the subjects 11A, ... And the standard pattern of the management code, it is possible to provide an image distribution service capable of automatically identifying the subjects 11A ,. In particular, by recognizing the management code printed on the labels 23A, ... Attached to the respective subjects 11A, ..., The recognition rate can be increased and the image data can be distributed to the correct distribution destination.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system 10D according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the components designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 1 have substantially the same functions as those of the above-described components, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Similar to the image distribution system 10A according to the first embodiment, this image distribution system 10D controls the image pickup camera 12 facing the object 11, the camera control unit 13, the image signal processing unit 14, and the format conversion process. Part 1
5, a delivery destination determination processing unit 17 and a transmission / reception processing unit 19 are provided.

The image delivery system 10D further includes a position information acquisition section 50 that detects the position detection information 51 of the subject 11 and outputs the position information LD. As the position information acquisition unit 50, for example, GPS (Global Pos
itioning system; a GPS receiver, and a position detection device using a PHS (Personal Handyphone System). The position information acquisition unit 50
It may be arranged near the imaging camera 12 or the subject 1
It may be carried by one.

The database 18 stores the distribution destination address DA associated with the position information LD and the image format information 35. The delivery destination determination processing unit 17
The image data 30 is referred to based on the position information LD input from the position information acquisition unit 50 with reference to the database 18.
The delivery destination and the type of conversion processing are determined, and the image format information 35 and the delivery destination address DA are output. Then, the transmission / reception processing unit 19 generates a packet of the format-converted image data 33 to generate the IP network NW.
Send to.

The above image distribution system 10D can provide an image distribution service that automatically determines the distribution destination and distribution conditions of the image data of the subject 11 according to the position of the subject 11. For example, when the image distribution system 10D is applied to a monitoring system, it is possible to easily construct a monitoring system that selectively transmits image data of a certain monitoring point to a communication terminal of a monitoring person who is in charge of the monitoring point. . In particular, it is possible to extremely efficiently perform monitoring work at a plurality of monitoring points distributed over a wide area.

Modification 1 of Embodiment 4 FIG. 5 is an image distribution system 10D _{1 according to the} first modification of the fourth embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of FIG. The configuration of the image delivery system 10D ₁ is substantially the same as the configuration of the image delivery system 10D shown in FIG. In the image distribution system 10D _{1 according to the} first modification, the imaging points SP1, SP2,
, SPn (n: an integer of 3 or more) are provided, and the imaging cameras 121, 122, ..., 12n and the position output device 601, respectively at the imaging points SP1, SP2 ,.
602 and 60n are provided. Imaging camera 12
, 12n are subjects 111 and 11 respectively.
2, ..., 11n and their backgrounds are imaged.

Further, the position output devices 601, 602, ...
60n outputs the position information of the subjects 111, 112, ..., 11n to the position information acquisition unit 50B of the image distribution system 10D ₁ . The camera control unit 13B of the image distribution system 10D ₁ receives a plurality of image data transmitted and input from each of the image pickup points SP1, ..., SPn, and the position information acquisition unit 50B receives the image data from each of the image pickup points SP1 ,. A plurality of pieces of positional information to be transmitted are detected. Camera control unit 13B
, 12n can be individually controlled. Further, the position output devices 601, 602,
As 60n, the ones that simply output the position numbers of the imaging points SP1, ..., SPn may be used, or the above GPS receiver or the position detection device using PHS may be used.

The delivery destination determination processing unit 17B refers to the database 18 and, for each position information, each of the image pickup points SP.
1, ..., SPn determines the delivery address DA of each image data and the image format information 35. The transmission / reception processing unit 19 sends each image data w to the distribution destination address DA to the IP network NW.

As described above, in the image distribution system according to the first modification, it is possible to individually distribute the image data 33 at the plurality of imaging points SP1, ..., SPn to a predetermined destination.

Note that the image distribution system 10D ₁ uses the image pickup cameras 121 at the image pickup points SP1, ..., SPn.
, 12n and position output devices 601, ..., 60n may be included.

Modification 2 of Embodiment 4 FIG. 6 is an image distribution system 10D _{2 according to the} second modification of the fourth embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of FIG. In the image distribution system according to the second modification, each of the image pickup points SP1, ..., SPn.
A LAN (Local Area Network) 62 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) is laid between the image distribution system 10D ₂ and the image distribution system 10D ₂ .

Further, each image pickup point SP1, SP2, ..., S
In Pn, as in the case of the first modification, the imaging cameras 121, ..., 12n and the position output devices 601, 602,
, 60n are provided. In the second modification, the image data output from the imaging cameras 121, ..., 12n and the position information output by the position output devices 601, ..., 60n are further transmitted to the image delivery system 10D ₂ via the LAN 62. Servers 611, 612, ..., 61n
Is provided. The image data and position information are
After being input to the image distribution system 10D ₂ , the image is output to the camera control unit 13C and the position information acquisition unit 50C via the LAN interface 21. Camera control unit 1
3C receives the plurality of image data transmitted from the respective imaging points SP1, ..., SPn, and the position information acquisition unit 50C can detect the plurality of positional information transmitted from the respective imaging points SP1 ,. The camera control unit 13C is a LAN
, 12n can be individually controlled via the interface 21 and the servers 611, ..., 61n.

The delivery destination determination processing section 17B has the above-described modification example 1.
Similarly to the case of 1, the distribution destination address DA and the image format information 35 of each image data transmitted from each of the image pickup points SP1, ..., SPn are individually determined for each position information by referring to the database 18. The transmission / reception processing unit 19
Each image data 33 is addressed to the delivery destination address DA.
It is sent to the P network NW.

As described above, in the image distribution system 10D _{2 according to the} second modification, it is possible to easily construct an image distribution system using the LAN 62. It should be noted that the image distribution system 10D ₂ uses the image pickup cameras 121, ..., 12n and the position output device 6 at each of the image pickup points SP1 ,.
, 60n and servers 611, ..., 61n may be included.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image distribution system 10E according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 7, components designated by the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 have substantially the same functions as those of the components described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This image distribution system 10E is a camera control unit 13, an image signal processing unit 14, a format conversion processing unit 15, and a database 18, which have been described in the first to fourth embodiments.
And a transmission / reception processing unit 19, and further includes the above-described subject identification unit 16, position information acquisition unit 50, image recognition processing unit 22, distribution destination determination processing unit 17, distribution schedule processing unit 41, and timing means 40. ing. Hereinafter, the delivery destination determination processing unit 17, the delivery schedule processing unit 41, and the timing means 40 are collectively referred to as the delivery condition determination unit 70.

In the fifth embodiment, the image distribution system 10E further includes a distribution information confirmation processing section 26, a display section 24 and a user interface 25. The display unit 24 has a function of displaying the image data 36 output from the image signal processing unit 14. In addition, the user
The interface 25 is the image distribution system 10E.
Has a function of executing information input by an operation of a user (not shown), and specifically, an operator such as a mouse or a keyboard, or a GUI (graphical interface) combining these operators and the display unit 24. User interface).

The delivery information confirmation processing unit 26 inquires of the user about the image data 33 output from the format conversion processing unit 15 to the transmission / reception processing unit 19 and the delivery destination of the image data 33, and the user interface 25 is displayed. It has a function of performing distribution control for the distribution destination determination processing unit 17 and the distribution schedule processing unit 41 based on the response result of the user through. Specifically, the distribution information confirmation processing unit 26 acquires the identification information ID output from the subject identification unit 16 or the position information LD output from the position information acquisition unit 50, and refers to the database 18 to identify the information. The distribution destination address DA and the image format information 35 corresponding to the information ID or the position information LD are acquired. Next, the distribution information confirmation processing unit 26 outputs the distribution destination address DA and the image format information 35 as the display data 37 to the image data 36 and causes the display unit 24 to display the image data 36 together with the image data. Inquire about the quality of the conditions (image data, image format information 35, and delivery destination address DA).

Next, when the user permits the distribution condition via the user interface 25, the distribution information confirmation processing unit 26 outputs the identification information ID or the position information LD to the distribution condition determining unit 70, and then, In the procedure described above, the delivery destination determination processing unit 17 or the delivery schedule processing unit 41 determines the image format information 35 and the delivery destination address DA, and the format conversion processing unit 1 respectively.
5 and the transmission / reception processing unit 19. on the other hand,
If the user does not permit the distribution condition, the user can stop the distribution of the image data or change the distribution condition to give the permission through the user interface 25.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, before distributing the image data, the user can confirm the distribution condition of the image data and determine the quality of the distribution condition.
Moreover, when the user does not give permission to the distribution condition, the user can appropriately change all or part of the distribution condition. Therefore, the users of the communication terminals T1, ... Can receive the detailed image distribution service.

Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The above image distribution system 10A-
Each functional block (constituent element) constituting 10E may be incorporated in a single device in the form of hardware or software, or each functional block may operate in a distributed manner via a network. The image distribution system according to the sixth embodiment is an example in which a plurality of functional blocks operate in a distributed manner via a network. Figure 8
Shows a schematic configuration of this image distribution system. Here, in FIG. 8, components having the same reference numerals as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 7 have substantially the same functions as those of the components described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This image distribution system includes a confirmation terminal 10E ₁ arranged near the imaging point of the subject 11 and an IP.
A base station 85 for delivering image data (packets) UD1, ... To the communication terminals T1, ... Through the network NW. The confirmation terminal 10E ₁ is the same as the _first to fifth embodiments
The camera control unit 13, the image signal processing unit 14, the transmission / reception processing unit 19, the subject identifying unit 16, and the position information acquiring unit 5 described in the above.
0, image recognition processing unit 22 and distribution information confirmation processing unit 26
Is equipped with.

Further, the base station 85 includes the distribution condition determining unit 70, the database 18 and the format conversion processing unit 15 described in the fifth embodiment, and stores the image data format-converted by the format conversion processing unit 15. A database 87 for storing and a distribution control unit 86 for performing image distribution control described later are provided.

The third communication terminal 80 is provided with a transmission / reception processing section 83, a distribution information confirmation processing section 82, a display section 81 and a user interface (UI) 84. The communication terminal 80 has a function of performing bidirectional communication (IP communication) with the base station 85 via the IP network NW by the transmission / reception processing unit 83. The user interface 84 has a function of executing information input by a user (not shown) of the communication terminal 80, and specifically, controls such as a mouse and a keyboard, or display with these controls. It is realized by a GUI (graphical user interface) or the like in combination with the unit 81.

In the image distribution system having the above configuration, the image data captured by the confirmation terminal 10E ₁ is transmitted to the base station 85 via the IP network NW, and the base station 85 stores the transmitted image data. . Then, before delivering the image data (packet) UD1 to the communication terminal T1, the delivery conditions (contents of image data, delivery destination, image format information, etc.) are set to the third communication terminal 80.
The confirmation process for confirming is executed. The specific contents of the confirmation processing are as follows.

Image data 30 picked up by the image pickup camera 12
Is output to the transmission / reception processing unit 19 via the camera control unit 13 and the image signal processing unit 14. The transmission / reception processing unit 19 converts the input image data 32 into a packet and transmits the packet to the base station 85 via the IP network NW. Further, the distribution information confirmation processing unit 26 outputs the identification information ID or the position information LD input from the subject identification unit 16, the position information acquisition unit 50 or the image recognition processing unit 22 to the transmission / reception processing unit 19, and the transmission / reception processing unit 19 The information ID and LD are converted into a packet and then transmitted to the base station 85.

In the base station 85, the distribution controller 86
When the image data of the subject 11 and the identification information ID and the position information LD are received from the confirmation terminal 10E ₁ , the identification information ID and the position information LD are transferred to the distribution condition determining unit 70, and the image data is subjected to the format conversion processing. Transfer to section 15. The distribution condition determination unit 70 generates the distribution destination address DA and the image format information 35 based on the identification information ID and the position information LD, and the image format information 35.
Is output to the format conversion processing unit 15. The format conversion processing unit 15 receives the input image format information 3
Perform format conversion of image data based on 5,
The converted image data is output to the database 87 and stored.

Next, the distribution control unit 86 reads the distribution conditions of the image data accumulated in the database 87,
The data is transmitted to the communication terminal 80 via the network NW. The delivery method of the delivery condition is e-mail or HTTP.
(HyperText Transfer Protocol) communication, streaming transmission, or the like may be used. When using electronic mail as the transmission method, the image data can be attached to the electronic mail and transmitted to the communication terminal 80. Communication terminal 8
At 0, the distribution information confirmation processing unit 82 causes the display unit 81 to display the distribution condition received by the transmission / reception processing unit 83, and inquires of the user about the quality. When the user permits the delivery condition via the user interface 84, the delivery control unit 86 is notified of that fact, and the delivery control unit 86 subsequently delivers the image data to the communication terminal T1. Become. On the other hand, if the user does not permit the distribution conditions, the user may operate the user interface 84 to stop the distribution of the image data, or change the distribution conditions to give permission. it can.

Further, it is desirable that the distribution control section 86 has an HTTP server function for transmitting a web page in which the image data is embedded, and the communication terminal 80 has an HTTP client function and an electronic mail client function. That is, the delivery control unit 86 transmits an electronic mail in which a URL (Universal Resource Locator) indicating the location of the web page is described to the communication terminal 80 via an electronic mail server (not shown). In the communication terminal 80, the delivery information confirmation processing unit 82, the transmission / reception processing unit 83
The display unit 81 is caused to display the electronic mail received in.
Since the URL is described in the e-mail, the user operates the user interface 84 to access the URL, and downloads the web page in which the image data is embedded from the distribution control unit 86 of the base station 85. Then, the web page displayed on the display unit 81 can be browsed and its contents can be confirmed. Then, the user operates the user interface 84 to notify the base station 85 of permission or denial of the image data distribution.

As described above, the image delivery system according to the sixth embodiment can deliver the image data to the communication terminal T1 after inquiring the delivery condition to the third communication terminal 80 and receiving the permission. Become. Therefore, for example, the distribution image is displayed on the mobile phone which is the communication terminal 80 for confirmation, or the communication terminal 80 of the same model as the communication terminal T1 of the distribution destination.
You can display and check the distribution image.

Further, the past image data accumulated in the database 87 can be confirmed at the confirmation terminal 10E ₁ or the third communication terminal 80. For example, a time-dependent image of the subject 11 is routinely captured and accumulated in the database 87, and the image of the present subject 11 and the image of the past subject 11 are read out from the database 87 at the same time to confirm the terminal. 10E ₁ and communication terminal 80
, And display them side by side so that both subjects 11
Can be visually compared and identified, and the identification accuracy can be easily improved. This is particularly effective for subjects such as infants and animals and plants that are difficult to visually identify.

Furthermore, by adding the voice of the subject 11 to the image data accumulated in the database 87, the past and present images of the subject 11 can be compared with the voice.
It becomes easier to distinguish between the two.

[0080]

As described above, according to the image delivery system of the first aspect of the present invention, the subject can be identified, and the delivery destination on the communication network is automatically determined according to the type of the identified subject. It is possible to easily construct an image distribution system capable of sending image data to the distribution destination.

According to the second, fifth, seventh and tenth aspects, by designating the image format information associated with the identification information of the subject, the image data suitable for the model of the communication terminal of the delivery destination and the receiving condition can be delivered. .

According to the third aspect, the subject can be identified more reliably by electromagnetically reading the identification code and generating the identification information.

According to claim 4, the communication terminal of the delivery destination is
It is possible to construct a highly convenient image distribution system, in which it is sufficient to confirm the distribution image at the date and time determined by the predetermined schedule.

According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to construct an image distribution service capable of automatically identifying a subject.

According to the eighth aspect, since the management number reflected in the image data is image-recognized, the object can be surely identified,
The delivery destination of the subject can be correctly determined.

According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to provide the image distribution service which can automatically determine the distribution destination of the image data of the subject according to the position of the subject.

According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to individually deliver the image data obtained by picking up a plurality of points to a plurality of delivery destinations.

According to the twelfth aspect, the image distribution system can be easily constructed by utilizing the LAN.

According to the thirteenth aspect, before delivering the image data, the user can easily determine the quality of the delivery destination by checking the image data.

According to the fourteenth aspect, since the user of the third communication terminal is inquired about the distribution condition, the user can easily confirm the distribution data and can easily determine the quality of the distribution of the image data.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the communication terminal can easily receive the image distribution service using the Internet or an intranet using the Internet technology.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image delivery system according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image distribution system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10A-10E image distribution system 11 subject 12 Imaging camera 13 Camera control unit 14 Image signal processing unit 15 Format conversion processing unit 16 Subject identification section 17 Delivery destination determination unit 18 Database 19 Transmission / reception processing unit 20 nodes 21 LAN interface 22 Image recognition processing unit 23 labels 24 Display 25 user interface 26 Delivery information confirmation processing unit

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an imaging camera through a communication network, the object identification section electronically identifying an object imaged by the imaging camera and outputting identification information. A database that stores a delivery destination address on the communication network associated with the identification information, and a delivery destination determination that refers to the database and determines the delivery destination address based on the identification information input from the subject identifying unit. An image distribution system comprising: a processing unit; and a transmission / reception processing unit that sends the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution destination determination processing unit. 2. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the database further stores image format information associated with the identification information, and the image data of the image data is stored based on the image format information. An image distribution system further comprising a format conversion processing unit for converting a format, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit sends the image data converted by the format conversion processing unit to the distribution destination address. 3. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the subject identifying section has a function of electromagnetically reading an identification code of the subject to generate the identification information. Delivery system. 4. An image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network, wherein: time measuring means for generating time information; and a delivery destination address on the communication network associated with a predetermined schedule. And a delivery schedule processing unit that controls the image data captured by the imaging camera according to the schedule and determines the delivery address based on the time information by referring to the database. And a transmission / reception processing unit for transmitting the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution schedule processing unit. 5. The image distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the database further stores image format information associated with the schedule, and the format of the image data is based on the image format information. An image distribution system further comprising a format conversion processing unit for converting the image data, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit sends the image data converted by the format conversion processing unit to the distribution destination address. 6. An image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network, and an image recognition processing section for image-recognizing the image data picked up by the image pickup camera and outputting identification information of a subject. A database that stores a delivery destination address on the communication network associated with the identification information, and a delivery destination that refers to the database and determines a delivery destination address based on the identification information input from the image recognition processing unit. An image distribution system comprising: a determination processing unit; and a transmission / reception processing unit that sends the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution destination determination processing unit. 7. The image distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the database further stores image format information associated with the identification information, and the image data of the image data is stored based on the image format information. An image distribution system further comprising a format conversion processing unit for converting a format, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit sends the image data converted by the format conversion processing unit to the distribution destination address. 8. The image distribution system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the image recognition processing unit has a function of recognizing a management code associated with the identification information. 9. An image distribution system for distributing image data picked up by an image pickup camera through a communication network, comprising: a position information acquisition unit for detecting position information of a subject picked up by the image pickup camera; A database that stores a delivery destination address on the communication network; a delivery destination determination processing unit that refers to the database and determines the delivery destination address based on the location information input from the location information acquisition unit; An image distribution system, comprising: a transmission / reception processing unit that sends the image data to the communication network addressed to the distribution destination address determined by the distribution destination determination processing unit. 10. The image distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the database further stores image format information associated with the identification information, and the image data of the image data is stored based on the image format information. An image distribution system further comprising a format conversion processing unit for converting a format, wherein the transmission / reception processing unit sends the image data converted by the format conversion processing unit to the distribution destination address. 11. The image distribution system according to claim 9, wherein the imaging camera and position output means for outputting the position information of the subject at each of the points are provided at each of a plurality of points. The position information acquisition unit detects the position information input from each of the position output units and outputs the position information to the delivery destination determination processing unit, and the delivery destination determination processing unit, the location information for each of the location information. An image distribution system for determining a distribution destination address of the image data transmitted from a point. 12. The image distribution system according to claim 9, wherein a LAN (local area) is provided between the image pickup camera and the transmission / reception processing unit arranged at each of the points.・ An image distribution system that is connected via a network. 13. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a display unit that displays image data captured by the image capturing camera, and a user that executes information input by a user operation. An interface and an inquiry about the quality of the delivery destination of the image data to the user, and delivery control for the delivery destination determination processing unit or the delivery schedule processing unit based on the response result of the user via the user interface. An image distribution system further comprising: a distribution information confirmation processing unit to perform. 14. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein at least content of the image data and a distribution destination of the image data are provided to a communication terminal on the communication network. An image distribution system further comprising a distribution control unit that controls distribution to the distribution destination determination processing unit or the distribution schedule processing unit based on an inquiry and a response result from the communication terminal. 15. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the communication network is constructed using Internet technology.