JP2009009436A - Satellite image request system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a satellite image request system which requests the photography of new images to a satellite while specifying a photographing condition, acquires the images and displays a list of photographing requests to observe a progress state. <P>SOLUTION: The satellite image request system comprises: a photography request receiving server 12 including a photographing plan creation part 121, an image generation part 122 and a satellite communication part 123 for communicating with the satellite 11; and a user terminal 15a or the like for transmitting a photography request to the photography request receiving server 12 and managing photography requests. The user terminal 15a or the like and the photography request receiving server 12 are connected to each other through an exclusive line 14a or the like. The image generation part 122 includes a thumbnail image generation part 122a for generating a thumbnail image. The photographing plan creation part 121 makes a photographing plan and transmits a command to make the satellite 11 to photograph an image. The photographed image is processed to a thumbnail or the like by the image generation part 122 and transmitted to the user terminal, and when a user likes the image, a real image is requested from the user terminal 15a or the like to the photography request receiving server 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that requests an artificial satellite to capture an image and manages the imaging request.

A highly accurate map can be created based on satellite images taken by an artificial satellite. In particular, with the recent spread of the Internet and improvement in the resolution of satellite images, there is a demand for obtaining satellite images not only from experts but also from general users.
In order to satisfy such a demand, there has been a method of connecting a user information terminal to a satellite image server using a network line such as the Internet. For example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 can be cited. By these methods, it is possible to search and order satellite images not only from a dedicated terminal but also from a general-purpose information terminal.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-283209

  However, the conventional method is a method of searching for a satellite image captured based on a predetermined operation plan, and does not directly request an imaging to the satellite. Therefore, there is a problem that the image cannot be obtained when the desired image does not exist. That is, in the prior art, only a mechanism for retrieving a photographed image and requesting the image has been proposed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for easily obtaining a satellite image desired by a user.

  The present invention is a system for requesting an artificial satellite to specify an imaging condition and requesting a new image, to display a list of imaging requests, and to view the progress status. is there.

  More specifically, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging request reception server that can communicate with an artificial satellite that captures a satellite image and a user terminal that requests imaging of a satellite image, and the imaging from the user terminal When the request is received, a shooting plan is created while referring to the shooting request and the orbit of the artificial satellite, and a command is sent to the artificial satellite based on the generated shooting plan to cause the artificial satellite to take an image. A photographing request receiving server including a plan creating unit.

  According to the imaging request reception server, a satellite image can be captured by an artificial satellite based on a request from a user terminal.

  An imaging request reception server capable of communicating with a plurality of artificial satellites that capture satellite images and a user terminal that requests imaging of satellite images, and an orbit information database that stores orbit information of the plurality of artificial satellites, Upon receiving an imaging request from the user terminal, an imaging plan including a process for selecting an appropriate artificial satellite is created with reference to the imaging request and the orbit information of the artificial satellite, and the imaging plan is created based on the created imaging plan. A shooting plan creation unit that transmits a command to the selected artificial satellite and causes the artificial satellite to capture an image; and an image generation unit that processes the captured image into a form that is easy for a user to refer to. A characteristic imaging request reception server is provided.

  According to the imaging request reception server, since it has a database for storing orbit information of a plurality of artificial satellites, it can respond to a satellite image request from a user terminal with reference to the orbit information of this database. This increases the possibility that the user's request can be met.

  For example, it is preferable to include an image generation unit that processes an image into a form that can be easily referred to by the user, such as a thumbnail image with a reduced image resolution.

  A user terminal connectable to the imaging request receiving server, an input unit for inputting an imaging request, a display unit for displaying a list of imaging requests, and an imaging request display processing unit; A processing unit including a captured image display processing unit and a DB update unit that updates a database, a communication unit that communicates with the imaging request reception server, an imaging request DB that stores the imaging request, and an imaging that stores the captured image The imaging request input from the input unit is transmitted to the imaging request reception server via the communication unit, and the input imaging request is stored in the imaging request DB by the DB update unit. The shooting request display processing unit extracts shooting request information from the shooting request DB and displays it on the display unit, and the shooting image display processing unit extracts a shot image from the shooting image DB. , It is displayed on the display unit, the DB updating unit, the user terminal and executes the process of storing the captured image transmitted from the imaging request receiving server in the captured image DB is provided.

  As described above, according to the satellite image request system of the present invention, since it is possible to request the artificial satellite to specify a shooting condition and to newly capture an image, the desired image can be obtained. The possibility to acquire increases. In addition, a list of photographing requests can be managed and the progress status can be viewed.

  Hereinafter, a satellite image request system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of a satellite image request system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the satellite image request system according to the present embodiment includes an imaging request reception server 12 having an imaging plan creation unit 121, an image generation unit 122, and an artificial satellite communication unit 123 that communicates with the artificial satellite 11. , (Hereinafter, represented by reference numeral 15) having user terminal 15a, 15b,... Having a function of transmitting a shooting request to the shooting request receiving server 12 and a function of managing a shooting request. The user terminal 15a and the imaging request reception server 12 can be connected by, for example, dedicated lines 14a and 14b. The image generation unit 122 includes a thumbnail image generation unit 122a that generates a thumbnail image with a reduced image resolution.

  The imaging request reception server 12 transmits a command (such as an order for a satellite image) to the artificial satellite 11 by the communication unit 123 that can communicate with the artificial satellite 11 by wireless radio waves, and captures the artificial satellite 11 or transmits a satellite image. Can be controlled. Further, it has a function of receiving image data photographed and transmitted by the artificial satellite 11.

  When the imaging request reception server 12 receives an imaging request from each user terminal 15, the imaging plan creation unit 121 makes an appropriate imaging plan. Based on the created photographing plan, a command is transmitted to the artificial satellite 11 to cause the artificial satellite 11 to photograph an image. The captured image is processed into a form that can be used by the user in the image generation unit 122, for example, a thumbnail, and transmitted to the user terminal. If the user likes the thumbnail, the user terminal 15 requests an actual image from the user terminal 15 through the same process.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed internal configuration example of the user terminal 15 in the satellite image request system shown in FIG. The user terminal 15 includes an input unit 24 such as a key operation unit for inputting an image shooting request, a display unit 25 for displaying a list of image shooting requests, a shooting request display processing unit 231, and a shot image display process. It has processing part 23 provided with part 232 and DB update part 233 which updates a database, communication part 21 which communicates with server 12, photography request DB22, and photography picture DB26.

The shooting request input from the input unit 24 is transmitted to the server 12 via the communication unit 21, and the input shooting request is stored in the shooting request DB 22 by the DB update unit 233.
The shooting request display processing unit 231 extracts shooting request information from the shooting request DB 22 and causes the display unit 25 to display the information. The captured image display processing unit 232 extracts a captured image from the captured image DB and causes the display unit 25 to display the captured image. The DB update unit 233 stores the captured image transmitted from the server 12 in the captured image DB 26.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of image capturing request information stored in the image capturing request DB 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the image capturing request information includes an ID 31 that is uniquely assigned for each request, a requested capturing period 32, a requested capturing point 33, an allowable cloud amount 34 allowed by the user, and a user request. The requested characteristic 35 and the progress situation 36 are included. The required characteristics 35 include, for example, the resolution, format, and communication frequency of the captured image. The server 12 can create a shooting plan based on these pieces of information.

  Here, the ID 31 is a number that is automatically given in the user terminal so as to be uniquely determined for each image capturing request in each user terminal 15. The imaging period 32 is a parameter for designating the date and time when the artificial satellite captures an image. For example, it consists of a shooting start time and a shooting end time. In FIG. 3, in the imaging request whose ID is “1”, the imaging period is specified to be between April 2, 2007 and April 4, 2007.

  The photographing point 33 is a parameter that designates a range in which an image is taken by the artificial satellite 11, and can be designated by, for example, latitude and longitude. An arbitrary rectangle or polygon can be designated as the shooting point. In FIG. 3, the shooting request with the ID “1” includes [42 degrees 5 minutes 0 seconds north latitude 142 degrees 5 minutes 30 seconds east] and [42 degrees 15 minutes 0 seconds north latitude 142 degrees 15 minutes 30 seconds east]. A rectangle as a diagonal point is designated as the shooting range.

  The allowable cloud amount 34 is a value that designates what percentage is acceptable as a ratio of the captured image covered with clouds. The required characteristic 35 specifies the resolution of the captured image on the ground, the format of the image, and the like. The communication frequency is a wireless radio wave communication frequency for transmitting and receiving a captured image.

  The progress status 36 indicates to which step the processing relating to the imaging request has progressed. As an example of the progress status value, “under shooting possibility check”, “waiting for shooting”, “waiting for shooting result check”, “waiting for image generation”, “complete”, “cancel”, etc. are notified.

  When an image request is sent from the input unit 24 of the user terminal 15 to the processing unit 23, the shooting request is stored in the shooting request DB 22. In addition, when a shooting plan is created on the server or when shooting is finished, the user terminal 15 transmits a message to that effect, and the user terminal 15 that receives the message receives the shooting request DB 22 based on the message content. Update progress information in

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow when a photographing request is transmitted from the user terminal 15 to the server 12. When a shooting request is input from the input unit 24 of the user terminal 15 (step 41), the shooting request is transmitted to the server 12 via the communication unit 21 (step 42), and the server 12 receives this shooting request. . The server 12 creates a shooting plan periodically based on the shooting request sent from each user terminal 15, for example, every day. In step 43, it is determined whether or not photographing based on the request is possible. When a plurality of users request to shoot different places at the same time, for example, a plan can be made based on priorities registered in advance.

  When the created photographing plan includes a user's photographing request (Y), since the user's photographing request can be photographed, the photographing plan (that photographing is possible) is indicated to the user. (With a message) is transmitted (step 44). If the user's shooting request is not included in the created shooting plan, since shooting cannot be performed (N), a message indicating that shooting cannot be performed is transmitted to the user terminal (step 45). In this case, the requested shooting process is not executed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow from when the artificial satellite 11 captures an image until the user terminal 15 receives the image. Upon receiving the satellite image from the artificial satellite 11 (step 51), the server 12 generates a thumbnail image as an arbitrary process from the received image information and transmits it to the user terminal 15 (step 52). The user sees the transmitted image and sends a response from the user terminal 15 to the server 12 as to whether the image is necessary from the input unit 24 (53). When a message requesting the captured image is sent to the server, the captured image is transmitted from the server 12 to the user terminal 15 (step 54). When a message indicating that a photographed image is not requested is transmitted, the photographed image is not transmitted to the user terminal 15 and re-photographing is performed. Note that the re-shooting is performed until the shooting period 32 specified at the time of shooting request registration has passed, and since the processing related to the shooting request fails after the shooting period has passed, only a message indicating failure to the user terminal 15 is given. Is sent.

  As described above, according to the system according to the present embodiment, the artificial satellite is requested to specify a shooting condition including a shooting range and a shooting time, and to request a new image to be taken. Street images can be acquired. In addition, the list of photographing requests can be centrally managed by the server, and the progress status of the process can be referred to on the user terminal side.

  Next, a satellite image request system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the satellite image request system according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. The configuration example shown in FIG. 6 differs from the configuration example shown in FIG. 1 in that the communication unit 123 of the server 12 can communicate with a large number of artificial satellites 11a, 11b, 11c,. The track DB 125 is provided.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the satellite orbit DB 125. As shown in FIG. 7, the data table includes a satellite ID that uniquely identifies an artificial satellite managed by the server 12, orbit information of the artificial satellite for each satellite ID, and imaging performance (capability) information for each artificial satellite. And other information, for example, the price per shot. The server 12 can manage various artificial satellites while updating the table in the satellite orbit DB 125 as needed, and can select and process artificial satellites suitable for a request from the user.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of processing when a photographing request is transmitted from the user terminal 15 to the server 12, and are diagrams corresponding to FIG. The difference from FIG. 4 is that in the step of determining whether or not photographing is possible in step 43, as shown in FIG. 8B, first, the satellite orbit DB is searched (step 43-1), It is determined whether or not there is a satellite that satisfies the request (step 43-2). If Yes, the process proceeds to step 43-3, and a satellite that satisfies the condition is determined. In the case of No, the process waits until an artificial satellite satisfying the condition is found, or proceeds to a process of notifying that imaging cannot be performed (step 45). At this time, since a plurality of artificial satellites can be selected as candidates, there is an advantage that user requirements can be easily satisfied.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow from when the artificial satellite 11 captures an image until the user terminal 15 receives the image, and corresponds to FIG. In FIG. 9, if the thumbnail image is checked in step 53 and no image is requested, the process proceeds to step 55, where a search for another artificial satellite can be requested.

  As described above, according to the system according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that it becomes easy to provide satellite images that meet user requirements by managing orbit information of a plurality of artificial satellites. For the user, there is an advantage that the possibility that the request is satisfied is increased and the options are expanded. When there are a plurality of artificial satellites that satisfy the user request, it is possible to select a target from which a satellite image is actually acquired from among a plurality of candidates. At that time, it is possible to acquire thumbnails from a plurality of artificial satellites, see this, and actually acquire only good images.

  The present invention is applicable to a system that requests a satellite image from an artificial satellite.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the satellite image request | requirement system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the user terminal by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the data stored in imaging | photography request DB by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the imaging | photography request | requirement process by this Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process after a satellite image | photographs an image by this Embodiment until an image is transmitted to a user. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the satellite image request | requirement system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and is a figure corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structural example of satellite orbit DB. FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts illustrating an example of a process flow when a photographing request is transmitted from the user terminal to the server, and are diagrams corresponding to FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow from when an artificial satellite captures an image until the user terminal receives the image, and corresponds to FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Artificial satellite, 12 ... Shooting request reception server, 14 ... Dedicated line, 15 ... User terminal, 121 ... Shooting plan preparation part, 122 ... Image generation part, 122a ... Thumbnail image generation part, 123 ... Communication part.

Claims (4)

An imaging request reception server capable of communicating with an artificial satellite that captures a satellite image and a user terminal that requests imaging of a satellite image,
Upon receipt of an imaging request from the user terminal, an imaging plan is created with reference to the imaging request and the orbit of the satellite, and a command is transmitted to the artificial satellite based on the created imaging plan. An imaging request reception server, comprising: an imaging plan creation unit that causes an image to be captured. An imaging request reception server capable of communicating with a plurality of artificial satellites that capture satellite images and a user terminal that requests imaging of satellite images,
An orbit information database for storing orbit information of the plurality of artificial satellites;
Upon receipt of the imaging request from the user terminal, an imaging plan including processing for selecting an appropriate artificial satellite is created while referring to the imaging request and the orbit information of the artificial satellite. A shooting plan creation unit that sends a command to the selected artificial satellite and causes the artificial satellite to take an image;
An imaging request reception server characterized by comprising:   The imaging request reception server according to claim 1, further comprising an image generation unit that processes the captured image into a form that can be easily referred to by a user. It is a user terminal connectable with the photography request reception server according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An input unit for inputting an image capturing request;
A display unit for displaying a list of image capturing requests;
A processing unit including a photographing request display processing unit, a photographed image display processing unit, and a DB update unit for updating the database;
A communication unit that communicates with the photographing request reception server;
A shooting request DB for storing shooting requests;
A captured image DB for storing captured images;
The imaging request input from the input unit is transmitted to the imaging request reception server via the communication unit, and the input imaging request is stored in the imaging request DB by the DB update unit,
The shooting request display processing unit extracts shooting request information from the shooting request DB and displays it on the display unit, and the shooting image display processing unit extracts a shot image from the shot image DB and displays it on the display unit. The DB update unit executes a process of storing the captured image transmitted from the imaging request reception server in the captured image DB.

Images