JP2007235903A - Picked-up image display processing program, picked-up image display processing method, information processing terminal, imaging apparatus, picked-up image transmission method, picture acquisition support program, picture acquisition support method, picture acquisition support server, and picked-up image acquisition support system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to see scenery and situation easily at present or a nearer point to the present of a place where the picked-up image is imaged, when a user browses a certain picked-up image etc., so as to enable the user to extend pleasure of picture browsing and the like. <P>SOLUTION: Image pick-up point information including an image pick-up position, a direction (rotation angle) at the time of an image pick-up etc. is to be added to image pick-up data imaged with a digital still camera or the like. For example, when a user is perusing such image pick-up data using an information processing terminal, according to operation of the user, the network transmission of the picture acquisition request is carried out with image pick-up point information added to designated image pick-up data. An imaging device which receives the picture acquisition request judges whether its own position situation agrees to the image pick-up point information included in the picture acquisition request, and if it agrees, it transmits the imaged data. In the information processing terminal, if the imaged data is received from a certain imaging device, the user's browsing is presented by displaying it. Thereby, the user can see an image pick-up picture of this position at present or the nearer point to present of the same place from the image pick-up picture which was imaged and perused in the past, for example. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a captured image display processing program, a captured image display processing method, an information processing terminal device, an imaging device, a captured image transmission method, an image acquisition support program, an image acquisition support method, an image acquisition support server, and a captured image acquisition system. In particular, the present invention relates to a display process of captured image data and an acquisition process of image data related to the displayed image data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-66058

  Taking pictures of the scenery at a travel destination is a very common behavior. In recent years, with the widespread use of digital still cameras, photographs are taken with the digital still cameras (capturing of a subject's scenery, etc.), and the photographs (imaging data) are captured on a personal computer and displayed on a monitor screen for viewing. There are many usage forms.

By the way, the photographed image is static, and information such as the landscape and date at the time of image capture is saved, but it is natural that it is unknown how the landscape captured in the captured image is now.
For example, Lake Mashu in Hokkaido is famous for fog, but on the day of the visit, if you are hiding in the fog, you will not see Lake Mashu itself, but even if it is clear the next day, check if you are already moving the place There is no help for it. Similarly, there is no easy way to know what is happening when you are looking at a captured image of a previously visited place.

  In view of this, the present invention makes it possible to broaden the enjoyment of image browsing, for example, when a user is browsing a certain captured image, and the scenery at the current or near the present location of the location where the captured image was captured The purpose is to be able to see the situation easily.

The captured image display processing program of the present invention includes a first image display control step for displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added, and a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data. In response to the transmission step of extracting the imaging point information added to the designated captured image data, transmitting an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging point information, and the transmitted image acquisition request A program for causing an information processing terminal device to execute a reception step of receiving transmitted captured image data and a second image display control step of displaying the received captured image data.
In addition, the imaging point information includes position information for specifying an imaging location and direction information indicating an imaging direction at the time of imaging.
Further, the image processing device further includes a neighborhood condition setting step for setting a neighborhood condition indicating a range as a neighborhood of the imaging location indicated by the imaging location information. Send.
In the transmission step, the image acquisition request is transmitted to an unspecified number of imaging devices connected to the network.
Alternatively, in the transmission step, the image acquisition request is transmitted to a specific image acquisition support server connected to the network.
In the receiving step, for a plurality of received image data, by comparing the imaging spot information added to each image data with the imaging spot information added to the designated captured image data, Captured image data is selected from a plurality of received captured image data, and the captured image data is displayed in the second image display control step.

  The captured image display processing method of the present invention includes a first image display control step for displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added, and a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data. In response to the transmission step of extracting the imaging point information added to the designated captured image data, transmitting an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging point information, and the transmitted image acquisition request A receiving step for receiving the transmitted captured image data; and a second image display control step for displaying the received captured image data.

  The information processing terminal device according to the present invention includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network, a process of displaying captured image data to which imaging point information indicating an imaging location is added, and the imaging that is displayed Processing for extracting the imaging point information added to the designated captured image data in accordance with a predetermined operation for designating image data and transmitting an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging point information from the communication unit And control means for performing processing for receiving the captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request by the communication means and processing for displaying the received captured image data.

The imaging apparatus of the present invention includes imaging processing means that performs imaging processing of a subject image, communication means that communicates with an external device via a network, and imaging point information that indicates an imaging location is included by the communication means. When the image acquisition request is received, the image capturing point information is compared with the image capturing point information included in the image acquisition request to determine whether the device is the target device for the image acquisition request. If it is the said target apparatus, the control means which transmits the picked-up image data imaged with the said imaging process means by the said communication means is provided.
Further, it is assumed that sensor means for detecting own position information is further provided, and that the own imaging point information is position information detected by the sensor means.
In this case, the sensor means is also configured to detect direction information indicating an imaging direction, and the imaging point information of the self is position information and direction information detected by the sensor means.
Further, the control unit may periodically transmit the captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit and / or the imaging point information by the communication unit.
The image acquisition request received by the communication unit includes a proximity condition indicating a range as the vicinity of the imaging location indicated by the imaging point information, and the control unit receives the image acquisition request. When this is done, it compares the imaging point information of itself with the imaging point information included in the image acquisition request and the proximity condition, and determines whether or not the device is the target device of the image acquisition request.
The control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit to the transmission source device of the image acquisition request.
Alternatively, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit to a specific image acquisition support server.

  The captured image transmission method of the present invention includes a reception step of receiving an image acquisition request including imaging point information indicating an imaging location, the own imaging point information when the image acquisition request is received, and the image A comparison step of comparing the imaging point information included in the acquisition request to determine whether or not the device is the target device of the image acquisition request; and if the target device is the target device, transmit the captured captured image data A transmission step.

The image acquisition support program of the present invention includes an image acquisition request receiving step for receiving an image acquisition request including imaging point information, and the transfer destination of the image acquisition request from the imaging point information included in the received image acquisition request. An image acquisition request transmission step for transmitting the image acquisition request to the selected transfer destination, and an image for receiving the captured image data transmitted in response to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmission step. A program that causes a server device to execute a reception step and an image transmission step of transmitting the captured image data received in the image reception step to a device that is a transmission source of the image acquisition request.
The image acquisition step further includes an image storage step of storing captured image data added with imaging point information transmitted from an external imaging device in a recording medium. In the image transmission step, the image acquisition transmitted in the image acquisition request transmission step is performed. Either the captured image data corresponding to the request or the captured image data selected by the imaging point information from the captured image data stored in the image storage step is transmitted to the transmission source device of the image acquisition request. .
Further, in the image storage step, when the captured image data corresponding to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmission step is not received, the captured image data stored in the image storage step is used according to the imaging point information. The selected captured image data is transmitted to the device that has transmitted the image acquisition request.

  The image acquisition support method of the present invention includes an image acquisition request receiving step for receiving an image acquisition request including imaging point information, and the transfer destination of the image acquisition request from the imaging point information included in the received image acquisition request. An image acquisition request transmission step for transmitting the image acquisition request to the selected transfer destination, and an image for receiving the captured image data transmitted in response to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmission step. A reception step, and an image transmission step of transmitting the captured image data received in the image reception step to a transmission source device of the image acquisition request.

  The image acquisition support server of the present invention includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device via a network, an image acquisition request reception process including imaging point information, and the imaging point included in the received image acquisition request. From the information, a transfer destination of the image acquisition request is selected, a process of transmitting the image acquisition request from the communication unit to the selected transfer destination, and captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request And a control unit that performs processing to be received by the communication unit and processing to transmit the received captured image data to the transmission source device of the image acquisition request by the communication unit.

The captured image acquisition system of the present invention is a system in which the information processing terminal device and the imaging device can communicate with each other.
Alternatively, the captured image acquisition system of the present invention is a system in which the information processing terminal device, the imaging device, and the image acquisition support server can communicate with each other.

The present invention described above searches for an imaging device close to the position as the imaging point information from the imaging point information embedded in the captured image data when browsing the captured image data, and acquires the captured image data obtained from the imaging device. The present invention relates to a system that realizes an operation to display and each device, program, and method that constitute the system.
In recent digital still cameras (imaging devices), the camera itself is provided with various sensors, and for example, a format called the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard is defined for imaging data (photographic images) captured by the digital still camera. Various information can be stored. In addition, with the development of network communications such as the Internet, information processing devices connected to the network can be easily accessed.
The present invention realizes an image acquisition operation with higher added value for the user in such a situation. First, imaging point information including an imaging position and an imaging direction (rotation angle) is added to imaging data captured by a digital still camera or the like.
For example, when the user is browsing such image data using the information processing terminal device, an image acquisition request is made together with the image point information added to the specified image data according to the user's operation. Send to the network.
Upon receiving the image acquisition request, the imaging device determines whether or not its own position status matches the imaging point information included in the image acquisition request, and if it matches, transmits the captured image data.
In the information processing terminal device, when the captured image data is received from a certain imaging device, it is displayed for use by the user.
Here, the user can view the captured image at the current position or near the current position from the captured images that have been captured or acquired and viewed in the past.
Note that such network communication for image acquisition may be performed between the information processing terminal device and a number of imaging devices on the network, or the communication may be performed by the image acquisition support server. It may be.

  According to the present invention, when imaged image data such as what the user has previously photographed is viewed on the information processing terminal device, the image is taken at the present time or near the present time, which is a landscape similar to the imaged image data. Image data can be acquired and viewed. As a result, it is possible to broaden the enjoyment of browsing the captured image and realize a system operation having high value for the user.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
[1. Overview of captured image acquisition operation]
[2. Captured image acquisition system configuration]
[3. Captured image data]
[4. First processing example]
[5. Second processing example]
[6. Third processing example]
[7. Fourth processing example]
[8. Fifth processing example]
[9. Effect of embodiment, modification and program]

[1. Overview of captured image acquisition operation]

First, an outline of a captured image acquisition operation realized in the present embodiment will be described.
For example, a user who owns an information processing terminal device such as a personal computer can use image data captured by his / her digital still camera, image data captured by a family member or friend, and a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), Various types of data such as purchased image data downloaded from recording media such as DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory), downloaded from websites connected to networks such as the Internet, etc. Captured image data can be taken into one's personal computer and displayed on a monitor device for viewing.
This is an image browsing mode that has already been widely implemented as a browsing operation of captured images using a personal computer.

  In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that imaging point information is added to the image data that the user browses with a personal computer or the like. For example, in a digital still camera owned by a user, azimuth and rotation angle information is detected as information on latitude / longitude as an imaging position and direction information indicating the direction of a subject at the time of imaging, and image data obtained by capturing these images Is added as imaging point information and recorded on a recording medium. This operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. Of course, the captured image data relating to the operation of the present embodiment may be image data that has been purchased or downloaded as described above. However, it is assumed that imaging point information is added to the captured image data. To do.

An example will be given of a case where a user browses image data captured in the past with his / her digital still camera on a personal computer. For example, FIG. 1A shows image data taken by a user traveling to Lake Mashu in a certain winter period.
Thereafter, the user can take such captured image data into a personal computer at home or the like, reproduce it, and display it on the monitor device.
Suppose that a user browses the image data (photo of Lake Mashu in winter) in the summer of six months later, and wonders what it looks like now.
At this time, the user performs an operation of selecting the image data of FIG. 1A displayed on the monitor device. For example, a specific operation such as clicking an image using a mouse or the like, double-clicking, or clicking an icon for selecting an image is performed.
In this case, the personal computer serving as the embodiment of the information processing terminal device of this example takes out the imaging spot information added to the designated image, adds the imaging spot information, and requests an image acquisition (hereinafter simply referred to as “image acquisition request”). "Acquisition request") is sent to the network.

When a large number of imaging devices in communication connection on the network receive the above acquisition request directly from a personal computer or via an image acquisition support server, they confirm the imaging point information included in the acquisition request, It is determined whether or not the position and imaging direction of its own imaging device match imaging point information requested for acquisition. If they match, the image is captured and the captured image data is transmitted to the personal computer.
For example, when the user is viewing the image of FIG. 1A, it is determined that the imaging device that exists in the vicinity of the imaging position on the shore of Lake Mashu is an imaging device that matches the acquisition request and performs imaging. For example, the captured image data of FIG. 1B is transmitted to the personal computer.
As a result, the user of the personal computer can view the captured image data transmitted from a certain imaging device, that is, the current summer photo of Lake Mashu.

That is, the user of the personal computer can view an image of the current state corresponding to the image by performing an operation such as clicking the image while browsing the captured image data.
The imaging device that performs the operation according to the acquisition request may be any captured image that can be communicated with the network. For example, it may be a fixed point camera or a fixed camera installed in a sightseeing spot, a tourist facility, or the like. Digital still cameras owned by individuals. To the last, when an acquisition request is issued, an imaging device that is a condition that matches the imaging point information included in the acquisition request (that is, an imaging device that currently exists near the imaging point specified by the user). What is necessary is just to perform imaging and transmission of captured image data as described above.

[2. Captured image acquisition system configuration]

For example, a configuration example of a captured image acquisition system for realizing the above operation will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a system configuration of this example using devices connected to be communicable via a network 10 such as the Internet.

In the figure, as a personal computer system used by a user, a personal computer main body (hereinafter referred to as “PC main body”) 20, a mouse 11, a keyboard 12, and a monitor device 13 are shown.
The imaging device 40 (hereinafter referred to as “camera”) is shown as a digital still camera owned by a user who uses this personal computer system, and is not necessarily required to have a function of connecting to the network 10. . However, this camera 40 performs the processing of FIG. 7 described later at the time of imaging, and has a function of adding imaging point information to imaging data and recording it on a recording medium. The user can capture the captured image data captured by the camera 40 into a personal computer system and display it on the monitor device 13 for browsing.

In addition to the PC main body 20, an image acquisition support server 1 (hereinafter referred to as “server”), an access point 11, and an imaging device 30 (hereinafter referred to as “camera”) are connected to the network 10. The server 1 and the camera 30 can communicate with each other.
As the camera 30, for example, a fixed-point camera such as a fixed-point camera having a communication connection function to the network 10, or a camera 30 having a wireless communication connection function via the access point 11, for example, A digital still camera owned by the user is assumed.

As examples of processing performed by the captured image acquisition system of this example, various examples will be described later. When the personal computer system (PC main body 20) and the camera 30 communicate with each other via the network 10, the above-described captured image is processed. Execute the acquisition operation.
Alternatively, the personal computer system (PC main body 20), the server 1, and the camera 30 perform communication via the network 10 to execute the above-described captured image acquisition operation.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the PC main body 20, the server 1, and the camera 30 which are embodiments of the information processing terminal device, image acquisition support server, and imaging device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a system comprising a PC main body 20, a mouse 11, a keyboard 12, and a monitor device 13 as a personal computer system. Of course, other external devices such as a printer device, a scanner device, and a communication device are also included. Sometimes connected.
The PC main body 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), various interface units, a recording / reproducing unit 24, a communication unit 23, and the like as hardware configurations. As a software configuration, an OS (Operating System) 21 shown in the figure operates, and various applications operate on it. For example, various applications having functions such as document creation, spreadsheet, drawing / drawing, accounting, browser, game, music / video playback, and the like operate. Various applications accept user operations from the keyboard 12 and mouse 11 via the OS 21, process them, and display the results on the monitor device 13.
As an application related to the operation of the present embodiment, there is an image browsing application 22 shown in the figure.

A recording / reproducing unit 24 is provided as a storage device in the PC main body 20. The recording / reproducing unit 24 records and reproduces various data on the recording medium 25. For example, the recording / reproducing unit 24 is an HDD (Hard Disc Drive).
Of course, other than HDD, an optical disc drive using optical disc media such as CD (Compact Disc), mini disc (Mini Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray Disc (Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark)), A recording / reproducing unit or the like corresponding to a solid-state memory or a memory card incorporating the solid-state memory may be used.
The communication unit 23 is provided as a communication interface in the PC main body 20, and communicates with external devices such as the server 1 and the camera 30 via the network 10.

  The image browsing application 22 operating on the OS is an example of an embodiment of the captured image display processing program of the present invention, and the captured image display processing method of the present invention is an operation executed by the image browsing application 22. Executed. The image browsing application 22 is a program having the function of FIG. 4A, for example, and performs the following processes.

  The image browsing application 22 includes an image display processing function 22a, an imaging point information extraction function 22b, an acquisition request transmission function 22c, a latest image reception processing function 22d, a latest image display processing function 22e, and a neighborhood condition setting function 22f shown in FIG. Have

  For example, the image display processing function 22a reproduces the image data recorded in the recording / reproducing unit 24, and displays the data on the monitor device 13 for user viewing. For example, captured image data captured by the user with the digital still camera (camera 40) shown in FIG. 2 and transferred to the recording / playback unit 24, image data downloaded via the network 10, and recording such as a CD-ROM This is a browsing process for image data reproduced from the media. In particular, regarding the operation of the present embodiment, processing for displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added is performed.

The imaging point information extraction function 22b is added to the designated captured image data in response to a user operation (for example, a click operation using the mouse 11) that designates the captured image data displayed on the monitor device 13. Extract imaging point information. As will be described later, captured image data to be displayed by the image display processing function 22a is filed (captured image file) in a form including imaging point information and recorded on the recording medium 25. The imaging point information extraction function 22b extracts imaging point information included in the file for the captured image data designated by the operation.
The acquisition request transmission processing function 22c generates image acquisition request data including the imaging point information extracted by the imaging point information extraction function 22b and the proximity condition set by the proximity condition setting function 22f, and uses this as an acquisition request as a communication unit. The process of transmitting from 23 to the network 10 is performed.

The latest image reception processing function 22d performs processing for receiving captured image data transmitted from the camera 30 or the server 1 in response to the image acquisition request transmitted by the processing of the acquisition request transmission processing function 22c.
The latest image display processing function 22e is transmitted from the camera 30 or the server 1 and received by the latest image reception processing function 22d (hereinafter, the captured image data transmitted from the camera 30 or the server 1 is distinguished for distinction). A process of displaying “the latest image data” on the monitor device 13 is performed.

The neighborhood condition setting function 22f performs a process of setting a neighborhood condition indicating a range as the neighborhood of the imaging location indicated by the imaging location information.
In this example, it is assumed that the content of the imaging point information includes position information of the imaging point and direction information indicating the imaging direction. The position information is information on latitude / longitude and height, and the direction information is information indicating a direction toward the subject by a rotation angle. The rotation angle indicates, for example, a subject direction from the imaging apparatus at the time of imaging using the coordinate axes of the y axis (east-west direction) and the z axis (elevation angle) with the negative direction of the x axis among the x, y, and z axes as north. Information.
The neighborhood condition setting function 22f is a function for setting, as the neighborhood condition, a range that can be regarded as a neighborhood based on an actual value as each value of latitude, longitude, height, x, y, and z rotation angle.
This neighborhood condition may be set as a fixed value, but for the user to customize, for example, a setting screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor device 13, and each value of the neighborhood condition is variably set by user input. It can be so. FIG. 5 shows an example in which latitude / longitude degrees / minutes / seconds are set in seconds, height is set in m, and rotation angle is set in degrees.
In each processing example to be described later, the neighborhood condition is added to the acquisition request and transmitted, but an example in which the neighborhood condition is not transmitted is also conceivable. Further, an example in which a fixed value that cannot be customized by the user is set as the neighborhood condition.

The server 1 shown in FIG. 3 performs processing described in third, fourth, and fifth processing examples described later by the image acquisition support system 2. The image acquisition support system 2 is configured as an information processing apparatus having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and various interface units as hardware, and the image acquisition support system 2 is operated by the information processing apparatus operated by the image acquisition support program. The operation is executed.
The server 1 is also provided with a recording / reproducing unit 3 that records and reproduces various data on the recording medium 4. The recording / reproducing unit 24 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). Of course, other than the HDD, an optical disk drive using an optical disk medium such as a CD, a mini disk, a DVD, or a Blu-ray disk, or a recording / reproducing unit corresponding to a solid memory or a memory card incorporating a solid memory may be used.
The communication unit 5 is provided with the server 1 as a communication interface, and communicates with external devices such as the PC main body 20 and the camera 30 via the network 10.

The program that functions in the image acquisition support system 2 is an embodiment of the image acquisition support program of the present invention, and the operation of the image acquisition support system 2 is an embodiment of the image acquisition support method of the present invention.
The image acquisition support system 2 has the function shown in FIG. That is, the acquisition request reception processing function 2a, the acquisition request transmission processing function 2b, the image / notification transmission processing function 2c, and the reception information storage function 2d.

The acquisition request reception processing function 2 a performs a process of receiving an acquisition request including imaging point information from the PC main body 20 via the communication unit 5.
The acquisition request transmission processing function 2b selects the camera 30 or the access point 11 as the transfer destination of the acquisition request from the imaging point information included in the acquisition request received by the acquisition request reception processing function 2a, and selects the selected transfer. The process of transmitting the acquisition request first is performed.
The image / notification transmission processing function 2c receives and receives the captured image data (latest image data) transmitted from the camera 30 in response to the image acquisition request transmitted by the processing of the acquisition request transmission processing function 2b. A process of transmitting the captured image data to the PC main body 20 that is a transmission source device of the image acquisition request is performed. Alternatively, when the latest image data is not obtained, a process of transmitting a notification that the latest image data cannot be acquired to the PC main body 20 is performed.
The received information storage function 2d transfers, for example, imaging point information or captured image data to which the imaging point information is added, periodically transmitted from each camera 30, to the recording / reproducing unit 3, and stores it in the recording medium 4, which will be described later. Process to build database.

The camera 30 shown in FIG. 3 includes a control unit 31, an imaging lens mechanism 32, an imaging unit 33, a sensor unit 34, a communication unit 35, and a recording / reproducing unit 36.
The imaging unit 33 receives subject light incident from the imaging lens mechanism 32, converts it into an electrical signal, performs various processes, and obtains captured image data.
The sensor unit 34 is configured by a sensor that detects imaging point information. As described above, the imaging point information includes latitude / longitude information, height information, and imaging direction information indicating a direction toward the subject. In order to obtain latitude / longitude and height information, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver / decoder is mounted on the sensor unit 34. In addition, an azimuth sensor, a gyroscope, an angle sensor, and the like are mounted to detect the azimuth and rotation angle as direction information.

The recording / reproducing unit 36 records and reproduces data on the recording medium 37. The recording medium 37 may be a portable medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus, such as an optical disk or a memory card with a built-in nonvolatile memory. It may be a thing. The recording / reproducing unit 36 performs data modulation / demodulation, error correction code processing, and media access processing in accordance with these recording media 37 to record / reproduce various data.
The recording / reproducing unit 36 performs processing for recording the captured image data (still image data) obtained by the imaging unit 33 on the recording medium 37. The captured image data is formed as a captured image file including imaging point information obtained by the sensor unit 34, and the captured image file is recorded on the recording medium 37.
Further, the recording / reproducing unit 36 performs processing for displaying the captured image file recorded on the recording medium 37 on a display unit (not shown in FIG. 3) or reading the image file for transmission from the communication unit 35.

The communication unit 35 is a wireless communication unit that is connected to the network 10 via the access point 11 and communicates with various devices.
In FIG. 3, the communication unit 35 that performs wireless communication with the access point 11 is shown. However, as described in FIG. It may be possible to communicate with the network 10 by wired connection.

The control unit 31 includes a CPU that controls the operation of each unit of the camera 30. Then, the operation of each function in FIG. 4C is executed as a software function formed by the operation program. The operation executed by the processing of the control unit 31 is an embodiment of the captured image transmission method of the present invention.
The functions of the control unit 31 are shown in FIG. That is, it has an imaging control function 31a, a recording / playback control function 31b, an imaging point information processing function 31c, an acquisition request reception processing function 31d, an acquisition request response processing function 31e, an image transmission processing function 31f, and a date and time counting function 31g.

The imaging control function 31a controls the operation of the imaging lens mechanism 32 and the imaging unit 33 to execute subject image imaging processing. For example, the imaging process is executed in response to the user performing an imaging operation using an operation unit (not shown). Alternatively, automatic imaging is executed in response to an acquisition request or timer interruption.
The recording / playback control function 31 b controls the recording / playback operation of the recording / playback unit 36. That is, at the time of imaging, control is performed to record an imaging data file that is filed by adding imaging point information obtained by the sensor unit 34 to captured image data obtained by the imaging unit 33 on the recording medium 37.
The imaging point information processing function 31 f performs processing for generating imaging point information based on information from the sensor unit 34.
The acquisition request reception processing function 31d performs processing for receiving an acquisition request including imaging point information from the PC main body 20 or the server 1 via the communication unit 35.
When the acquisition request reception processing function 31d receives the acquisition request, the acquisition request response processing function 31e performs the response processing. That is, by comparing the own imaging point information obtained by the imaging point information processing function 31f at that time with the imaging point information included in the received acquisition request, it is determined whether the device is the target device of the acquisition request. If it is the target device, processing for requesting imaging to the imaging control function 31a is performed.
The image transmission processing function 31f receives the imaging data (or the captured image file obtained by filing the imaging data and the imaging point information) from the communication unit 35 from the communication unit 35 as a result of the processing of the acquisition request handling processing function 31e. Processing to be transmitted to the main body 20 is performed.
The date / time counting function 31f performs processing for counting the current date / time (year / month / day / hour / minute / second).

In addition to the camera 30 (imaging device) having such a configuration, FIG. 2 shows a camera 40 used by a user of the PC main body 20, for example, but this camera 40 is the same as the camera 30 of FIG. Alternatively, the communication unit 35 for network communication may not be provided. That is, at least a control unit 31, an imaging lens mechanism 32, an imaging unit 33, a sensor unit 34, and a recording / reproducing unit 36 are provided. The control unit 31 only needs to include at least an imaging control function 31a, a recording / playback control function 31b, and an imaging point information processing function 31f.
When the communication unit is included, the captured image data may be transferred to the PC main body 20 via the communication unit. For example, the captured image file is recorded on a removable recording medium, and the recording medium is recorded. The captured image file may be transferred to the recording medium 25 of the PC main body 20 from the above.

[3. Captured image data]

Here, the captured image data captured by the PC body 20 and browsed by the user will be described. This is, for example, the captured image data shown in FIG. 1A, that is, the captured image data that the user first browses using the personal computer system including the PC main body 20.
This captured image data is, for example, image data captured by a user or an acquaintance of the PC main body 20 using the camera 40 (digital still camera). Of course, the captured image data was obtained by purchasing or downloading a medium such as a CD-ROM. It may be a thing.
However, it is assumed that the captured image data that the user first browses for the operation of this example is in a state where the captured image data is filed and recorded on the recording medium 25 including the imaging point information.

  An example of the structure of the captured image file is shown in FIG. Each of the captured image files PIC001, PIC002, PIC003,... Is a file as one captured image data (one photo data). This captured image file is, for example, an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard file. As shown in the figure, the data contents include a file header, captured image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compressed data, and imaging point information. The file header includes information such as a file name, data size, file format, imaging date and time.

For example, each piece of captured image data is filed in such a manner as to include imaging point information.
The camera 40 and the camera (imaging device) 30 having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 perform the process of FIG. 7 during normal imaging and record the captured image file on the recording medium 37.
A description will be given assuming that the camera 40 has the same configuration as the camera 30 of FIG.
When detecting that the user has performed an imaging operation, the control unit 31 of the camera 40 advances the process from step F101 to F102, and causes the imaging unit 33 to execute an image imaging process.
In step F103, the control unit 31 generates imaging point information from the detection information of the sensor unit 34.
Then, in step F104, the control unit 31 adds imaging point information to the captured image to generate a captured image file as shown in FIG. 6 and transfers it to the recording / reproducing unit 36 to be recorded on the recording medium 25. .

In this way, the camera 40 records the captured image file to which the imaging point information is added on the recording medium 25. The image of the captured image file can be viewed by the user in his / her personal computer system. That is, the captured image file is stored in the recording medium 25 of the PC main body 20 from the camera 40 side by replacing the recording medium 37 or some interface means.
In this state, the user can browse the captured image arbitrarily by the processing of the image browsing application 22.

[4. First processing example]

Hereinafter, the captured image acquisition operation according to the present embodiment, that is, the operation that enables the user to view the latest captured image based on the image being browsed as described in FIG. Processing examples (first processing example to fifth processing example) will be sequentially described.
In the first and second processing examples, the server 1 is not included and the personal computer system (PC main body 20) and the camera 30 capable of network communication are used.
On the other hand, the third, fourth, and fifth processing examples are operations involving the server 1.
In the first to fifth processing examples, the processing of the image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20, the processing of the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1, and the processing of the control unit 31 of the camera 30 are shown. This process is realized by the application 22, the image acquisition support system 2, and the control unit 31 having the functions shown in FIG.

First, a first processing example will be described.
As described above, the user of the personal computer system can arbitrarily browse the captured image file captured in the PC main body 20 by starting the image browsing application 22 and displaying it on the monitor device 13.
The captured image acquisition operation of this example is performed in a situation where the user is browsing the captured image file that the user possesses.

FIG. 8 illustrates processing performed by the image browsing application 22 in the PC main body 20 and processing of many cameras 30 that can communicate with the network 10.
The image browsing application 22 performs the process of FIG. Step F201 indicates a normal image browsing process in which the image browsing application 22 displays captured image data (captured image file) recorded on the recording medium 25 on the monitor device 13. In this image browsing process, each captured image is sequentially displayed, displayed as a list, or reduced / enlarged in accordance with a user operation.

The user can perform an operation of selecting an image displayed on the monitor device 13 by clicking the mouse 11 or the like. This specific selection operation is an operation in which the user requests the latest image data for the selected image. For example, the operation of selecting the image in FIG. 1A is an operation indicating the will of requesting the latest image as shown in FIG.
When the image browsing application 22 detects such a user's latest image browsing request operation, the image browsing application 22 advances the process to step F203, and extracts imaging point information included in the captured image file of the image selected by the user operation.
In step F204, an acquisition request including the imaging point information and the proximity condition set by the proximity condition setting function 22f as described above is generated, and the acquisition request is transmitted from the communication unit 23 to the network. Do.
This acquisition request is transmitted to a large number of cameras 30 that are connected to the network 10 directly or via the access point 11.

At this time, the control units 31 of the many cameras 30 that are connected for communication perform the processing of FIG.
In step F301, in response to receiving the acquisition request, the process proceeds to step F302. In step F302, the detection information of the sensor unit 34 is acquired, and the self imaging point information is obtained.
Subsequently, in step F303, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the imaging spot information and the proximity condition included in the received acquisition request match the current imaging spot information of the user. That is, the current imaging point information at that time is compared with the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, and the current position of the self is within the range of the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, and the PC It is determined whether or not the main device 20 is a target device that can obtain the requested image. For example, it is determined whether the self position and the rotation angle state coincide with the position (latitude, longitude, height) and rotation angle of the imaging point information in the acquisition request, or are within the range of the proximity condition.
Note that the determination in step F302 may be determined as whether or not only the latitude, longitude, and height at that time match the imaging point information of the acquisition request and the proximity condition.

If the situation of the user does not match the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, the control unit 31 of the camera 30 determines in step F302 that the camera 30 is not the target of the acquisition request of the PC main body 20. Finish the process.
On the other hand, if the current state of the camera matches the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, the control unit 31 assumes that the camera 30 is the target of the acquisition request of the PC body 20 and performs the processing. Proceed to step F303. Then, the image capturing unit 33 is instructed to perform image capturing.
In step F304, the control unit 31 transmits the captured image data as the latest image data to the PC body 20 that is the transmission source of the acquisition request.

At this time, a captured image file including the imaging point information may be transmitted. However, it is also possible to transmit the captured image file without including the imaging point information.
In this processing example, the image is captured in step F303 in response to the acquisition request. However, as a captured image file captured in the past and recorded in the recording medium 37, the image is captured at a time closer to the current time. If there is a file that matches the imaging point information, the captured image file may be transmitted in step F304.

On the other hand, as the processing of the image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20, after the acquisition request is transmitted in Step F204, the reception of the latest image data is waited in Step F205 until a time-out occurs in Step F206.
If the time-out occurs without receiving the latest image data, the process proceeds to step F207, and a message indicating that the latest image could not be acquired is displayed on the monitor device 13. Then, the process returns to step F201, that is, the image browsing process before the user's latest image browsing request operation.

When a certain camera 30 transmits the latest image data in step F304 and the latest image data can be received in step F205, the process proceeds to step F208, and the received latest image is displayed on the monitor device 13. As a result, the user can view the image acquired in response to the latest image browsing request operation. Specifically, for example, as a result of performing the latest image browsing request operation on the image of FIG. 1A, the current latest image of FIG. 1B can be viewed.
There are various ways of displaying the latest image data. For example, the latest image as shown in FIG. 1B may be displayed instead of the image of FIG. 1A in the area on the screen where the image of FIG. Then, the image of FIG. 1A and the latest image of FIG. 1B may be displayed simultaneously in parallel.
The acquired latest image data may be recorded on the recording medium 25 by the recording / reproducing unit 24. At this time, the selected captured image file as shown in FIG. 1A and the acquired captured image file of the latest image data as shown in FIG. 1B are associated with each other at a later time. It is also possible to make it possible to browse related items.

[5. Second processing example]

Next, a second processing example will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the same processing as in FIG. 8 is assigned the same step number, and the description thereof is omitted.
Steps F201 to F204 as the processing of the image browsing application 22 in FIG. 9A are the same as those in FIG. The processing of the camera 30 in FIG. 9B is the same as that in FIG.

In the second processing example, the image browsing application 22 is different from the first processing example in the processing for the received latest image data.
For example, this is an example of processing that takes into account that there may be a plurality of cameras 30 that match the imaging point information in the acquisition request, and thus a plurality of latest image data may be received.

As processing of the image browsing application 22, after the acquisition request is transmitted in Step F204, reception of the latest image data is waited in Step F211 until a time-out occurs in Step F212. In this case, when the latest image data from the camera 30 is received, a process of saving a captured image file as the latest image data is performed. For example, it is stored in the RAM area in the PC main body 20 or the recording medium 25.
By performing the process of step F211 until time-out, when the plurality of cameras 30 have transmitted the latest image data, the plurality of latest image data is stored.

If a predetermined time elapses after transmission of the acquisition request and a time-out occurs, it is checked in step F213 whether one or more latest image data has been received and saved.
If none of the latest image data has been received, the process proceeds to step F214, and a message indicating that the latest image has not been acquired is displayed on the monitor device 13. Then, the process returns to step F201, that is, the image browsing process before the user's latest image browsing request operation.

If one or more latest image data has been received, the process proceeds to step F215, and the optimum latest image data is selected.
When only one latest image data is received, it is set as the optimum latest image data as it is.
When two or more latest image data are received and stored, the imaging point information added to each latest image data is compared with the imaging point information added to the acquisition request in step F204. Of the latest image data received, the latest image data having the closest captured position information and direction information is set as the optimum latest image data.

When the optimum latest image data is selected, the process proceeds to step F216, and the selected latest image is displayed on the monitor device 13. Thereby, the user can see the image acquired in response to the latest image browsing request operation. In addition, when a plurality of latest image data is received, the latest image data captured at a position or angle closest to the original image being viewed can be viewed.

[6. Third processing example]

Next, a third process example that is a process involving the server 1 will be described. In the first and second processing examples, since the acquisition request is widely transmitted from the PC main body 20 to a large number of cameras 30 connected to the network 10, the communication load on the network 10 is large. In the third processing example, the communication load of the network 10 can be remarkably reduced by managing the server 1 so that efficient communication is performed.

The processing executed in the third processing example is shown in FIGS.
First, FIG. 10 shows processing periodically executed between the camera 30 and the server 1. FIG. 10A shows a process periodically executed by the control unit 31 of each camera 30 connected to the network as a timer calling process.
The control unit 31 of each camera 30 periodically executes the processes of steps F351 and F352. First, in step F351, detection information of the sensor unit 34 is acquired, and imaging point information is obtained. In step F352, the imaging point information, the time information (year / month / day / hour / minute / second information) counted by the date / time counting function 31f, and the camera ID as its own identification information are transmitted to the server 1. The camera ID is information that can individually identify the camera 30 on the network communication, and may be information that can identify the camera 30 as a communication destination when viewed from the server 1.

  In response to this, the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 performs the process of FIG. That is, in step F451, when the imaging point information, time information, and camera ID transmitted in the process of step F352 of the camera 30 are received, the image acquisition support system 2 advances the process to step F452, and for each camera ID, Save information and time information. For example, the recording / reproducing unit 3 performs recording on the recording medium 4. At this time, if a new camera ID already stored in the recording medium 4 is received, imaging point information and time information corresponding to the camera ID are updated.

Each camera 30 communicable on the network 10 periodically performs the process of FIG. 10A, and the server 1 performs the process of FIG. 4, a database as shown in FIG. 12 is formed for managing the current position of each camera 30 (or a point close to the current time).
That is, the latest time information TM (TM1, TM2,...) And imaging point information PTD (PTD1, PTD2,...) Are registered corresponding to the camera ID (Cid1, Cid2,...) Of each camera 30. Database.
As a result, the server 1 can manage the positions (for example, latitude and longitude) of the cameras 30 that can be connected to the network 10 at the time close to the present.

11 is performed by the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 and the control unit 31 of the camera 30 in response to an acquisition request from the PC main body 20 while always executing such processing.
FIG. 11A shows the processing of the image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20, but steps F201 to F204 are the same as the above examples. Further, the processing of the control unit 31 of the camera 30 shown in FIG. 11C is the same as that of FIGS. 8B and 9B except that the communication partner is the server 1. Become.

  The image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20 performs the processes of steps F203 and F204 in response to the user's latest image browsing request operation and transmits an acquisition request. In this case, the image browsing application 22 transmits an acquisition request to the server 1.

The image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 performs the process of FIG.
That is, when the image acquisition support system 2 receives the acquisition request from the PC main body 20 in step F401, the process proceeds to step F402, and the camera 30 that may match the imaging point information included in the acquisition request is determined. I do.
This compares the current position of each camera 30 (latitude / longitude in the imaging point information PTD) with the imaging point information included in the acquisition request from the database of FIG. 12 formed by the processing of FIG. This is a process of searching for the camera 30 (camera ID) at the current position close to the imaging point information.
Note that, depending on the execution interval of the timer call process in FIG. 10A of each camera 30, the position information of each camera 30 stored in the database is the position information of a past time from the reception time of the acquisition request. It may be in the past near the time when the acquisition request is received, or may be much earlier than the time when it is received. Therefore, when searching the database, the time information TM recorded corresponding to the camera ID is also confirmed, and only the position information of the imaging point information PTD updated within a predetermined time from the present to the past. Should be selected.
Further, since it is necessary to consider the movement of the camera 30 (the movement of the person who owns the camera 30), it is recorded corresponding to the camera ID as a search target that may match the imaging point information. It is preferable that the position information in the imaging point information PTD is expanded not only for the camera 30 included in the proximity condition centered on the imaging point information in the acquisition request, but also for a certain geographical range. For example, even if the camera 30 possessed by a certain person does not exist near the imaging point information in the acquisition request at the time of database registration (update), the acquisition request is received when the acquisition request is transmitted from the PC body 20. This is because there is a possibility that it exists in the vicinity of the position indicated by the imaging point information.
Even if the imaging point information PTD registered for the camera ID in the database includes direction information, the direction information is ignored in the search in step F402, and only the latitude / longitude as the position information corresponds to the corresponding camera. Or not.

Note that the processing of FIG. 10 is performed in order to manage the position of each camera 30 (movable camera 30) on the premise of the camera 30 that is moved by a place such as being carried by a person or installed in a car. However, there is no positional variation in the camera 30 (fixed type camera 30) that is fixedly installed as a fixed point camera or the like. Therefore, the camera ID and position information may be stored in a database for the fixed camera 30 in advance.
In the search in step F402, both the database as shown in FIG. 12 for the mobile camera 30 updated in the process of FIG. 10 and the database of position information of the fixed camera 30 may be searched.

As a result of the search in step F402, if it is determined that there is no corresponding camera 30, that is, the camera 30 in a state where imaging according to the acquisition request can be executed, the process proceeds from step F403 to F407, and the latest image cannot be acquired. A notification of “no image” signifying this is transmitted to the PC main body 20.
On the other hand, if one or more corresponding cameras 30 exist as a result of the search in step F402, the process proceeds from step F403 to F404, and an acquisition request is transmitted to the corresponding one or more cameras 30. That is, the acquisition request received from the PC body 20 is transferred to the camera 30 with the searched camera ID.

Each camera 30 to which an acquisition request is transmitted from the server 1 performs the process of FIG.
First, in response to receiving the acquisition request in step F301, the control unit 31 of the corresponding camera 30 advances the process to step F302, and obtains its own imaging point information from the detection information of the sensor unit 34.
Subsequently, in step F303, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the imaging spot information and the proximity condition included in the received acquisition request match the current imaging spot information of the user.
In this case, in the case of the mobile camera 30, the server 1 confirms that the mobile camera 30 was present at a position close to the position indicated by the imaging point information in the acquisition request at the present time or a past time point close to the current time. In step F302, the current position is within the range of the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, and the target device can obtain the image requested by the PC body 20. The possibility is high. In the case of the fixed camera 30, there is a high possibility that the device itself is a target device.
However, of course, it is the case of the movable camera 30 that has already moved away from the position indicated by the imaging point information or the case of the fixed camera 30, and the direction information does not match the imaging point information and the neighborhood condition. In some cases, the device may not be a target device.

If the situation of the user does not match the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, the control unit 31 determines that the own apparatus is not the camera 30 that is the target of the acquisition request of the PC body 20. Then, the process ends from step F302.
On the other hand, if the current state of the camera matches the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request, the control unit 31 assumes that the camera 30 is the target of the acquisition request of the PC body 20 and performs the processing. Proceed to step F303. Then, the image capturing unit 33 is instructed to perform image capturing, and in step F304, the captured image data is transmitted to the transmission source of the acquisition request, that is, the server 1 in this case, as the latest image data.

In this case as well, the latest image data to be transmitted may be a captured image file filed including the imaging point information, but it may be transmitted without including the imaging point information.
If there is a file that has been captured in the past and recorded on the recording medium 37 and that is captured at a time close to the current time and that matches the image point information, the captured image file is stepped. It is also conceivable to transmit in F304.

On the other hand, after transmitting (transferring) the acquisition request in step F404, the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 waits for reception of the latest image data from the camera 30 in step F405 until a timeout occurs in step F406.
If the time-out occurs while the latest image data cannot be received, the process proceeds to step F407, and a “no image” notification indicating that the latest image cannot be acquired is transmitted to the PC main body 20.
When a certain camera 30 transmits the latest image data in step F304 and the image acquisition support system 2 can receive the latest image data in step F405, the process proceeds to step F408, and the received latest image data is stored in the PC main body 20. Send to. That is, the latest image data transmitted from a certain camera 30 is transferred to the PC main body 20.

After transmitting the acquisition request to the server 1 in step F204, the image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20 waits for communication from the server in steps F222 and F223.
When the notification of “no image” is received from the server 1, the process proceeds from step F 223 to F 224, and a message indicating that the latest image could not be acquired is displayed on the monitor device 13. Then, the process returns to step F201, that is, the image browsing process before the user's latest image browsing request operation.
When the latest image data is transmitted from the server 1, the process proceeds from step F222 to F225, and the received image of the latest image data is displayed on the monitor device 13. As a result, the user can view the image acquired in response to the latest image browsing request operation. Specifically, for example, as a result of performing the latest image browsing request operation on the image of FIG. 1A, the current latest image of FIG. 1B can be viewed.

  Thus, in the third processing example, the server 1 always manages the position status of the camera 30 connected to the network. When an acquisition request is transmitted from the PC main body 20, one or more cameras 30 that may be able to respond to the acquisition request are selected and the acquisition request is transferred. That is, the camera to be transmitted by the server 1 is selected, that is, the communication target is filtered. As a result, the acquisition request is not transmitted to all the cameras 30 connected to the network, the network communication load can be reduced, and the operation of the entire system can be made efficient.

Note that the processing of the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 is related to reception of the latest image data from one or a plurality of cameras 30 as in the reception processing of the image browsing application 22 in the second processing example. The latest image data from is stored for a certain period of time, and when a plurality of latest image data is received, the image acquisition point information of the acquisition request and the latest image data are compared, and the optimum latest image Data may be selected, and the most recent latest image data may be transferred to the PC main body 20.
Alternatively, when the server 1 receives the latest image data from one or a plurality of cameras 30, the server 1 unconditionally transfers it to the PC body 20, and the image browsing application 22 of the PC body 20 performs the second processing example (FIG. 9 (a)) may be performed to select the most recent latest image data.

[7. Fourth processing example]

Next, a fourth process example that is a process involving the server 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 13 shows processing periodically executed between the camera 30 and the server 1. FIG. 13A shows processing periodically executed by the control unit 31 of each camera 30 connected to the network as timer call processing.
The control unit 31 of each camera 30 periodically executes the processes of steps F361, F362, and F363. First, in step F361, the control unit 31 controls the image capturing unit 33 to execute image capturing. Next, in step F362, detection information of the sensor unit 34 is acquired, and imaging point information is obtained. In step F363, the captured image data, the imaging point information, the time information (year / month / day / hour / minute / second information) counted by the date / time counting function 31f, and the camera ID as its own identification information are obtained. To the server 1. As in the case of the third processing example, the camera ID is information that can identify the camera 30 as a communication destination when viewed from the server 1.

In response to this, the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 performs the process of FIG. That is, when the captured image data, the captured spot information, the time information, and the camera ID transmitted in the process of step F363 of the camera 30 are received, the image acquisition support system 2 proceeds from step F461 to F462, and for each camera ID, Captured image data, imaging point information, and time information are stored. For example, the recording / reproducing unit 3 performs recording on the recording medium 4.
However, when a new camera ID already stored in the recording medium 4 is received at this time, the currently received captured image data, captured spot information, and time information are added in association with the camera ID. In this case, the previously received captured image data, captured spot information, and time information recorded for the camera ID are not deleted and are stored for a certain period. The deletion depends on the capacity of the database and the execution interval of the timer call processing of each camera 30, but it is assumed that a certain period of time has elapsed, such as one week.

Each camera 30 that can communicate on the network 10 periodically performs the process of FIG. 13A, and the server 1 performs the process of FIG. 4, a database as shown in FIG. 15 for managing the status of each camera 30 and captured image data is formed.
In this database, one or more time information TM, imaging point information PTD, and captured image data DT are registered corresponding to the camera ID (Cid1, Cid2,...) Of each camera 30. For example, for the camera ID (Cid1), time information TM11, imaging point information PTD11, data unit of captured image data DT11, time information TM12, imaging point information PTD12, data unit of captured image data DT12, time information TM13, imaging Each data unit as information received at a plurality of time points is registered, such as the point information PTD13, the data unit of the captured image data DT13, and so on.
Therefore, in the case of this database, captured image data captured in a period of, for example, the past one week corresponding to each camera ID is stored together with imaging point information and imaging time of each image.

14 is performed by the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 and the control unit 31 of the camera 30 in response to an acquisition request from the PC main body 20 while always executing such processing.
FIG. 14A shows the processing of the image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20, but steps F201 to F204 and F222 to F225 are the same as those in the third processing example (FIG. 11A). Also, the processing of the control unit 31 of the camera 30 shown in FIG. 14C is the same as the third processing example (FIG. 11C).

The image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20 performs the processes of steps F203 and F204 in response to the user's latest image browsing request operation, and transmits an acquisition request to the server 1.
The image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 performs the process of FIG.
That is, when the image acquisition support system 2 receives the acquisition request from the PC main body 20 in step F401, the process proceeds to step F402, and the camera 30 that may match the imaging point information included in the acquisition request is determined. I do.
The determination process of the camera 30 that may match the imaging point information is basically the same as in the third process example, but in this case, as shown in FIG. Since a plurality of imaging point information is stored (in the case of the mobile camera 30), each camera ID corresponds to the latest imaging point information (imaging point information PTD of the data unit with the latest time information TM). It will be judged whether it is a camera. In addition, as described in the third processing example, what is extracted as a corresponding camera is imaging point information (latitude / (Longitude).

If one or more corresponding cameras 30 exist as a result of the search in step F402, the process proceeds from step F403 to F404, and an acquisition request is transmitted to the corresponding one or more cameras 30. That is, the acquisition request received from the PC body 20 is transferred to the camera 30 with the searched camera ID.
As described above, when the image acquisition support system 2 selects the corresponding camera 30 and transfers the acquisition request, the camera 30 that has received the acquisition request performs the processing of steps F301 to F305 as in the case of the third processing example. If it is determined that it is the target device of the acquisition request, the captured image file as the latest image data is transmitted to the server 1.
In addition, after transmitting (transferring) the acquisition request in step F404, the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 waits for reception of the latest image data from the camera 30 in step F405 until a timeout occurs in step F406. If the latest image data is received in step F405, the process proceeds to step F414, and the received latest image data is transmitted to the PC main body 20. That is, the latest image data transmitted from a certain camera 30 is transferred to the PC main body 20.

In this fourth processing example, as the processing of the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1, when it is determined in step F403 that the corresponding camera 30 does not exist, and until the time-out occurs in step F406, the latest image is received in step F405. The processing in the case where the process cannot be performed is significantly different from the third processing example.
That is, in these cases, the processing of the image acquisition support system 2 proceeds to step F411, and whether or not there is captured image data DT that can be transmitted to the PC main body 20 as the latest image data by searching the database of FIG. Will be confirmed.
In the database formed on the recording medium 4 as described above, captured image data DT for a period such as the past one week is stored together with the imaging point information PTD for one camera ID, for example. Therefore, in step F411, the imaging point information PTD (position information and direction information) is confirmed for all stored data units, and the imaging image data DT that matches the imaging point information and the neighborhood condition in the acquisition request. It will be searched whether there is.

  Here, if there is captured image data DT that matches the captured spot information and the neighborhood condition in the acquisition request, the process proceeds from step F412 to F413, and the retrieved captured image data DT is transmitted to the PC main body 20. At this time, if there is one retrieved image data DT, it may be transmitted to the PC main body 20 as the latest image data, and if a plurality of captured image data DT are retrieved, each captured image What is necessary is just to compare the imaging point information PTD of the data DT, select the one closest to the imaging point information in the acquisition request, and transmit it to the PC body 20 as the latest image data.

  On the other hand, in the database search in step F411, if the captured image data DT that matches the imaging point information and the proximity condition in the acquisition request is not found, the process proceeds from step F412 to F415, meaning that the latest image cannot be acquired. A notification “No image” is transmitted to the PC main body 20.

After transmitting the acquisition request to the server 1 in step F204, the image browsing application 22 of the PC main body 20 waits for communication from the server in steps F222 and F223.
When the notification of “no image” is received from the server 1, the process proceeds from step F 223 to F 224, and a message indicating that the latest image could not be acquired is displayed on the monitor device 13. Then, the process returns to step F201.
If the latest image data has been transmitted by the process of step F413 or F414 of the server 1, the process proceeds from step F222 to F225, and the received image of the latest image data is displayed on the monitor device 13. As a result, the user can view the image acquired in response to the latest image browsing request operation.

As described above, in the fourth processing example, the server 1 always manages the position status of the camera 30 connected to the network, and the captured image data captured by each camera 3 is, for example, the past week from the present time. I keep it for a certain period.
When an acquisition request is transmitted from the PC main body 20, the server 1 selects one or a plurality of cameras 30 that may be able to respond to the acquisition request, and transfers the acquisition request. That is, the camera to be transmitted by the server 1 is selected, that is, the communication target is filtered. As a result, the acquisition request is not transmitted to all the cameras 30 connected to the network, the network communication load can be reduced, and the operation of the entire system can be made efficient.
Furthermore, when it is determined by filtering processing that the corresponding camera 30 does not exist or when the latest image data from the camera 30 cannot be received, an acquisition request is obtained from the past captured image data DT stored in the database. Are searched for and transmitted to the PC main body 20. Thereby, the possibility that the latest image data can be acquired on the PC main body 20 side can be increased.

Note that the processing of the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1 is related to reception of the latest image data from one or a plurality of cameras 30 as in the reception processing of the image browsing application 22 in the second processing example. The latest image data from the image data is stored for a certain amount of time until timeout, and when a plurality of latest image data is received, the acquisition request and the latest image data are compared with the respective imaging point information. Alternatively, the optimum latest image data may be selected and the optimum latest image data may be transferred to the PC main body 20.
Alternatively, when the server 1 receives the latest image data from one or a plurality of cameras 30, the server 1 unconditionally transfers it to the PC body 20, and the image browsing application 22 of the PC body 20 performs the second processing example (FIG. 9 (a)) may be performed to select the most recent latest image data.
Even when the latest image data from the camera 30 can be received, the captured image data that matches the acquisition request is searched by the database search, and the latest image data received from the camera 30 and the captured image data extracted by the database search are retrieved. It is also conceivable to transmit both of them to the PC body 20.
In addition, when the server 1 receives the acquisition request, the server 1 first searches the captured image data that matches the acquisition request by database search, and transfers the acquisition request to the camera 30 when there is no matching captured image data. Then, a process of waiting for reception of the latest image data from the camera 30 is also conceivable.

[8. Fifth processing example]

A fifth processing example will be described with reference to FIG. The fifth processing example is basically the same as the third processing example, but shows another example of the filtering processing in the server 1.
16A, 16B, and 16C show the processing of the image acquisition support system 2 of the PC main body 20, the image acquisition support system 2 of the server 1, and the control unit 31 of the camera 30, as in FIG. However, since only the steps F402A, F403A, and F404A are different as processes in the image acquisition support system 2, only these processes will be described.

  The server 1 manages, for example, the identification information and position information of the access points 11 installed in various places in a database and recorded on the recording medium 4. For example, a database as shown in FIG. That is, this is a database in which the latitude / longitude position information PT (PT1, PT2,...) Is registered in correspondence with the access point IDs (aid1, aid2,...) For identifying each access point 11.

When the image acquisition support system 2 receives the acquisition request from the PC main body 20 in step F401, the process proceeds to step F402A to determine the access point 11 that matches the imaging point information included in the acquisition request. That is, the position information PT of each access point 11 registered in the database is compared with the imaging point information in the acquisition request, and the access point 11 near the position indicated by the imaging point information in the acquisition request is searched.
In this case, in consideration of the communicable distance between the access point 11 and the camera 30 and the movement of the camera 30, the corresponding access point 11 may be searched in a slightly wider range than the position and the vicinity condition of the imaging point information in the acquisition request. .

As a result of the search in step F402A, if the corresponding access point 11 exists, the process proceeds from step F403A to F404A, and the acquisition request from the PC main body 20 is transferred to the corresponding access point 11.
Then, an acquisition request is transmitted to the camera 30 that exists in the vicinity of the access point 11 and can communicate.

Other processes are the same as those in the third process example (FIG. 14).
This fifth processing example reduces the communication load on the network 10 by filtering the acquisition request transmission destination as the selection of the access point 11. Further, in this case, the periodic communication between the camera 30 and the server 1 as shown in FIG.

[9. Effect of embodiment, modification and program]

As described above, the embodiment has been described. By performing the operation of the embodiment, the user browses a captured image or the like previously captured by the user on the personal computer system (the PC main body 20, the monitor device 13 or the like). Sometimes, it is possible to acquire and browse the latest image data at the present time or near the present time, which is a landscape that is roughly the same as the captured image. As a result, the enjoyment of browsing the captured image can be expanded, and a system operation with high value for the user can be realized.
The latest image is transmitted based on the imaging point information including position information and direction information, and the latest image at a position and angle almost the same as the image that the user is browsing first is obtained. It is done. As a result, for example, it is possible to enjoy the change of the same scenery according to the season, and the satisfaction of the user is great.

The camera 30 may be a fixed camera or a movable camera that is held by a general user. For example, the system can be constructed using a fixed point camera already installed or a digital still camera that is widely used.
Further, the server 1 can reduce the network load of the communication of the acquisition request and the latest image data, and can realize efficient communication.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the example of the embodiment, and various modifications can be considered.
Although the PC main body 20 is an example of an information processing terminal device, even a portable personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or the like can function as an information processing terminal device.
Further, for example, FIG. 2 shows a camera 40 owned by a user who is a user of the personal computer system, but an example in which this camera 40 functions as an information processing terminal device in the claims of the present invention is also conceivable.

FIG. 18 shows a system configuration example when the camera 40 is an information processing terminal device. In FIG. 18, the server 1 and the camera 30 are the same as those in FIG.
The camera 40 shown in FIG. 18 includes a control unit 41, an imaging lens mechanism 42, an imaging unit 43, a sensor unit 44, a communication unit 45, a recording / reproducing unit 46, a display unit 48, and an operation unit 49.
The imaging unit 43 receives subject light incident from the imaging lens mechanism 42, converts it into an electrical signal, performs various processes, and obtains captured image data.
The sensor unit 44 is configured by a sensor that detects imaging point information (latitude / longitude, height information, and a direction toward a subject). For example, a GPS receiver / decoder, an orientation sensor, a gyro, an angle sensor, and the like are mounted.

The recording / reproducing unit 46 performs data recording / reproduction with respect to the recording medium 47. The recording medium 47 may be a portable medium that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus, such as an optical disk or a memory card with a built-in non-volatile memory, or a hard disk (magnetic disk) or a solid memory that is detachably built into the apparatus. It may be a thing. The recording / reproducing unit 46 performs data modulation / demodulation, error correction code processing, and media access processing in accordance with these recording media 37 to record / reproduce various data.
The recording / reproducing unit 46 performs processing for recording the captured image data (still image data) obtained by the imaging unit 43 on the recording medium 47. The captured image data is formed as a captured image file including imaging point information obtained by the sensor unit 44, and the captured image file is recorded on the recording medium 47.
Further, the recording / reproducing unit 46 performs a process of reading the captured image file recorded on the recording medium 47 in order to display it on the display unit 48.

The communication unit 45 is a wireless communication unit that is connected to the network 10 via the access point 11 and communicates with various devices such as the server 1 and other cameras 30.
The display unit 48 is, for example, a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, and performs display of an image captured and recorded on the recording medium 47, operation menu display, message display, icon display, and the like under the control of the control unit 41.
The operation unit 49 includes various operators for the user to instruct image capturing and image request.

  The control unit 41 includes a CPU that controls the operation of each unit of the camera 40. Then, the operation of each function shown in FIG. 19 is executed as a software function formed by the operation program. Further, the image browsing application 22 described above as the function of the PC main body 20 in FIG. 3 is also incorporated as one of the operation programs of the control unit 41.

As the functions of the control unit 41, the imaging control function 31a, the recording / playback control function 31b, and the imaging point information processing function 31c shown in FIG. 19 are functions that the camera 30 has, as described with reference to FIG. That is, the image capturing operation, the generation of the imaging point information, and the function of executing the operation control for recording the imaging data file filed by adding the imaging point information to the captured image data on the recording medium 47.
With these functions, the processing shown in FIG. 7 is realized in the camera 40, that is, the imaging data file as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded on the recording medium 47.
The control unit 41 also includes an image display processing function 22a, an imaging point information extraction function 22b, an acquisition request transmission function 22c, a latest image reception processing function 22d, a latest image display processing function 22e, and a neighborhood condition setting function 22f as the image browsing application 22. Have
Having each function as the image browsing application 22, the control unit 41 can execute the following processing. That is, processing for displaying each imaging data file recorded on the recording medium 47 on the display unit 48, and imaging point information corresponding to an image displayed when there is a selection operation as a user operation of the operation unit 49 for the displayed image A process of extracting an image acquisition process, a process of transmitting an acquisition request including imaging point information, a process of receiving the latest image from the server 1 or the camera 30, a process of displaying the received latest image on the display unit 48, and a neighborhood condition. The control unit 41 can execute the setting process.

That is, since the control unit 41 has a function as the image browsing application 22, the control unit 41 of the camera 40 performs the processing described as the processing of the image browsing application 22 in the first to fifth processing examples described above. Can be executed.
As a result, when the user who owns the camera 40 is browsing the image captured by the camera 40 on the display unit 48 of the camera 40, the latest image data at the present time or near the present time, which is a landscape similar to that image. You can get and browse it.
For example, when an image of Lake Mashu as shown in FIG. 1 (a) taken by the user before is viewed with the camera 40 during the trip to Okinawa, an operation for selecting the image is performed. It is possible to see the current image of Lake Mashu.

  In addition to such a camera 40, a mobile phone, a PDA, or even a video player having an image display function can perform the same operation by having the function as the image browsing application 22.

Further, the camera 30 corresponding to the imaging device in the claims of the present invention may be a mobile phone having an imaging function, a PDA, a video camera capable of capturing a moving image, or the like other than a digital still camera device.
Moreover, although it demonstrated as what handles the picked-up image data as a still image, the system which handles a moving image similarly can also be assumed.

Furthermore, the functions of the camera 30 (the acquisition request reception processing function 31d, the acquisition request response processing function 31e, and the image transmission processing function 31f) are added to the function of the camera 40 having the function as the image browsing application 22 as shown in FIG. In other words, if the camera has both functions shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, the camera can be a device corresponding to both the information processing terminal device and the imaging device in the claims of the present invention. .
In this case, such cameras can request and transmit the latest images to each other via network communication.
Of course, in devices such as a mobile phone with an imaging function, a PDA, and a video player, both the information processing terminal device and the imaging device can be provided by having both the functions shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C. It can be set as equipment corresponding to.

The captured image display processing program and the image acquisition support program of the present invention can be recorded in advance in a system HDD as a recording medium in an information processing apparatus such as a computer system, a ROM in a microcomputer having a CPU, or the like.
Alternatively, these programs are temporarily stored on a removable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magnet optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, it can be stored (recorded) permanently. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software. For example, it can be installed in a computer system by being provided by a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. In addition to installing from a removable recording medium, the program can be downloaded from a download site via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

It is explanatory drawing of the image displayed by operation | movement of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the image acquisition system structure of embodiment. It is a block diagram of each part of a system configuration of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the function structure of the image browsing application of embodiment, an image acquisition assistance system, and a control part. It is explanatory drawing of the neighborhood condition setting screen of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the structure of the captured image data of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process which produces | generates the captured image data of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 1st processing example of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 2nd processing example of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 3rd processing example of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 3rd processing example of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the database in the 3rd process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 4th example of processing of an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 4th example of processing of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the database in the 4th process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart of the 5th processing example of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the database in the 5th process example of embodiment. It is a block diagram of each part of other system composition of an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the control function structure of the camera of the other example of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  1 server, 2 image acquisition support system, 3, 24, 36 recording / playback unit, 4, 25, 37 recording medium, 5, 23, 35 communication unit, 10 network, 11 access point, 13 monitor device, 20 PC body, 21 OS, 22 image browsing application, 31 control unit, 32 imaging lens mechanism, 33 imaging unit, 34 sensor unit

Claims (23)

A first image display control step for displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added;
In response to a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data, the imaging spot information added to the designated captured image data is extracted, and an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging spot information is transmitted. Sending step to
A reception step of receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request;
A second image display control step for displaying the received captured image data;
A captured image display processing program for causing the information processing terminal device to execute   The captured image display processing program according to claim 1, wherein the imaging point information includes position information for specifying an imaging location and direction information indicating an imaging direction at the time of imaging. Furthermore, it comprises a neighborhood condition setting step for setting a neighborhood condition indicating a range as a neighborhood of the imaging location indicated by the imaging location information,
The captured image display processing program according to claim 1, wherein in the transmission step, an image acquisition request including the imaging point information and the proximity condition is transmitted.   The captured image display processing program according to claim 1, wherein in the transmission step, the image acquisition request is transmitted to an unspecified number of imaging devices connected to a network.   The captured image display processing program according to claim 1, wherein, in the transmission step, the image acquisition request is transmitted to a specific image acquisition support server connected to a network.   In the reception step, for the plurality of received image data, the imaging point information added to each image data is received by comparing the imaging point information added to the designated captured image data. The captured image display processing program according to claim 1, wherein captured image data is selected from a plurality of captured image data, and the captured image data is displayed in the second image display control step. A first image display control step for displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added;
In response to a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data, the imaging spot information added to the designated captured image data is extracted, and an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging spot information is transmitted. Sending step to
A reception step of receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request;
A second image display control step for displaying the received captured image data;
A captured image display processing method characterized by comprising: A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
In accordance with a process of displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added and a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data, it is added to the designated captured image data. Processing for extracting the imaging point information, transmitting an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging point information from the communication unit, and receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request by the communication unit And a control means for performing processing for displaying and processing for displaying the received captured image data;
An information processing terminal device comprising: Imaging processing means for performing imaging processing of a subject image;
A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
When the image acquisition request including the imaging point information indicating the imaging location is received by the communication unit, the imaging unit information is compared with the imaging point information included in the image acquisition request. Determining whether or not the image acquisition request target device, and if it is the target device, a control unit that causes the communication unit to transmit captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising sensor means for detecting own position information, wherein the own imaging point information is position information detected by the sensor means.  11. The sensor means is further configured to detect direction information indicating an imaging direction, and the self imaging point information is position information and direction information detected by the sensor means. The imaging device described in 1.   10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit causes the communication unit to periodically transmit captured image data and / or the imaging point information captured by the imaging processing unit. The image acquisition request received by the communication means includes a proximity condition indicating a range as the vicinity of the imaging location indicated by the imaging location information,
When the control unit receives the image acquisition request, the control unit compares the imaging point information of the self, the imaging point information included in the image acquisition request, and the proximity condition. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein it is determined whether or not the device is a device.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit to the transmission source device of the image acquisition request.   10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit to a specific image acquisition support server. A receiving step of receiving an image acquisition request including imaging point information indicating an imaging location;
When the image acquisition request is received, the image capturing point information is compared with the image capturing point information included in the image acquisition request to determine whether the device is the target device for the image acquisition request. A determination step;
If it is the target device, a transmission step of transmitting captured image data,
A captured image transmission method comprising: An image acquisition request receiving step for receiving an image acquisition request including imaging point information;
An image acquisition request transmission step of selecting a transfer destination of the image acquisition request from the imaging point information included in the received image acquisition request, and transmitting the image acquisition request to the selected transfer destination;
An image receiving step for receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmitting step;
An image transmission step of transmitting the captured image data received in the image reception step to a transmission source device of the image acquisition request;
An image acquisition support program for causing a server device to execute the above. An image storage step of storing the captured image data to which the imaging point information transmitted from the external imaging device is added in a recording medium;
In the image transmission step, either the captured image data corresponding to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmission step or the captured image data selected by the imaging point information from the captured image data stored in the image storage step The image acquisition support program according to claim 17, wherein the image acquisition request is transmitted to a transmission source device of the image acquisition request.   In the image storage step, when the captured image data corresponding to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmission step is not received, the image storage step selects from the captured image data stored in the image storage step The image acquisition support program according to claim 18, wherein the captured image data is transmitted to a transmission source device of the image acquisition request. An image acquisition request receiving step for receiving an image acquisition request including imaging point information;
An image acquisition request transmission step of selecting a transfer destination of the image acquisition request from the imaging point information included in the received image acquisition request, and transmitting the image acquisition request to the selected transfer destination;
An image receiving step for receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the image acquisition request transmitted in the image acquisition request transmitting step;
An image transmission step of transmitting the captured image data received in the image reception step to a transmission source device of the image acquisition request;
An image acquisition support method comprising: A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
From the reception processing of the image acquisition request including the imaging point information and the imaging point information included in the received image acquisition request, the transfer destination of the image acquisition request is selected, and the image acquisition request is sent to the selected transfer destination. Processing for transmitting from the communication means, processing for receiving the captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request by the communication means, and receiving the captured image data by the communication means for the image acquisition request Control means for performing processing to be transmitted to the transmission source device;
An image acquisition support server comprising: A captured image acquisition system in which an information processing terminal device and an imaging device can communicate with each other,
The information processing terminal device
A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
In accordance with a process of displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added and a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data, it is added to the designated captured image data. Processing for extracting the imaging point information, transmitting an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging point information from the communication unit, and receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request by the communication unit And a control means for performing processing for displaying and processing for displaying the received captured image data;
With
The imaging apparatus is
Imaging processing means for performing imaging processing of a subject image;
A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
When the image acquisition request from the information processing terminal device is received by the communication means, the image acquisition point information is compared with the image acquisition point information included in the image acquisition request, and the image acquisition A control unit that determines whether or not the target device is a request, and, if the target device is the target device, causes the communication unit to transmit the captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit to the information processing terminal device;
A captured image acquisition system comprising: A captured image acquisition system in which an information processing terminal device, an imaging device, and an image acquisition support server can communicate with each other,
The information processing terminal device
A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
In accordance with a process of displaying captured image data to which imaging point information representing an imaging location is added and a predetermined operation for designating the displayed captured image data, it is added to the designated captured image data. Processing for extracting the imaging point information, transmitting an image acquisition request including the extracted imaging point information from the communication unit, and receiving captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request by the communication unit And a control means for performing processing for displaying and processing for displaying the received captured image data;
With
The image acquisition support server
A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
From the reception processing of the image acquisition request including the imaging point information and the imaging point information included in the received image acquisition request, the transfer destination of the image acquisition request is selected, and the image acquisition request is sent to the selected transfer destination. Processing for transmitting from the communication means, processing for receiving the captured image data transmitted in response to the transmitted image acquisition request by the communication means, and receiving the captured image data by the communication means for the image acquisition request Control means for performing processing to be transmitted to the transmission source device;
With
The imaging apparatus is
Imaging processing means for performing imaging processing of a subject image;
A communication means for communicating with an external device via a network;
When the image acquisition request is received from the image acquisition support server by the communication means, the image acquisition point information is compared with the image acquisition point information included in the image acquisition request, and the image acquisition request A control unit that determines whether or not the target device is a request, and if the target device is the target device, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit the captured image data captured by the imaging processing unit to the image acquisition support server;
A captured image acquisition system comprising:

Images