JP2011114579A - Image collecting method and mobile device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the data of an image on which a user's figure is shown. <P>SOLUTION: The method executes the following steps: a detecting step in which a mobile device 110a carried by a user 2a detects a mobile device 110b existing within a predetermined distance from the own device, a photographing request step in which the mobile device 110a requests the mobile device 110b to execute photographing, a step in which the mobile device 110b confirms that the mobile device 110a exists within a photographing range, a photographing execution step in which the mobile device 110b executes photographing in response to the request from the mobile device 110a, and an image transmitting step in which the mobile device 110b transmits the captured image data in accordance with information designated in the request from the mobile device 110a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image collection method and a portable device.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital cameras, camera-equipped mobile phones, etc., anyone can easily record various events in their daily lives as image data. In addition, a service called life log that collects image data and the like recorded in such daily life as individual activity records and enables tracking of individual past activities is also used (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). And Non-Patent Document 2).

“About Life-X”, [online], Sony Marketing Inc., [October 15, 2009 search], Internet <URL: http://life-x.jp/about/> “Online Album Zorg”, [online], Zorg Co., Ltd. [searched on September 15, 2009], Internet <URL: http://www.zorg.com/>

  When recording various events of one's daily life as image data, it is preferable that one's own figure is also reflected in the image, but in the prior art, it is not possible for an individual to acquire image data that reflects his / her own figure. It was difficult. Although it is possible to take a picture of yourself with a digital camera or the like, it is difficult to capture the background of the surroundings because the angle at which it can be taken is limited. In addition, although it is possible for the accompanying person to take a picture, it often acts without accompanying persons in daily life.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image collection method and a portable device that can acquire image data showing a person's appearance.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image collection method according to the present invention, in one aspect, includes a photographing request device carried by a user within a predetermined distance from the device itself. A detection step of detecting a photographing device, a photographing request step in which the photographing requesting device requests execution of photographing to the photographing device detected in the detection step, and an appearance feature of the photographing requesting device. Based on the determination step of determining whether or not the imaging request device is within the imaging range of the imaging device, and determining in the determination step that the imaging request device is within the imaging range of the imaging device. The imaging device performs imaging in response to the request in the imaging request step, and the imaging device captures the image data captured in the imaging execution step by the imaging device. Characterized in that it comprises an image transmission step of transmitting according to the information specified by the request in the shadow request process.

  In one aspect, the portable device according to the present invention includes, in one aspect, a photographing request receiving unit that receives a photographing execution request from another device and whether or not the requesting device is within the photographing range. A request source detecting means for determining the request based on the appearance characteristics of the apparatus, and the request source detecting means in response to the request when the request source detecting means determines that the request source apparatus is within the imaging range. The image processing apparatus includes: an imaging execution unit that executes imaging; and an image transmission unit that transmits image data captured by the imaging execution unit according to information specified by the request.

  The image collecting method and the portable device according to the present invention have an effect that it is possible to acquire image data that shows one's own appearance.

FIG. 1-1 is a diagram illustrating an image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1-2 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the image collection system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the mobile device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image management apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image management apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the photographing request apparatus. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the photographing apparatus. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an image collection system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the mobile device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of recording of authentication results. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the service providing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the mobile device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the authentication request processing. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of request source authentication processing. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the imaging request transmission process. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the photographing process. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the service providing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Embodiments of an image collection method and a portable device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the following embodiments, the same parts as those already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, an image collection system and an image collection method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the image collection system according to the present embodiment includes portable devices 110a and 110b and image management devices 120a and 120b.

  The portable device 110a is a wearable device that is worn on the user's 2a head, shoulders, and the like. The portable device 110a executes shooting from the viewpoint of the user 2a to generate image data, and the generated image data is used as the image management device 120a. Has the function of saving. The portable device 110b is a wearable device that is worn on the head or shoulder of the user 2b, and performs image capturing from the viewpoint of the user 2b to generate image data. The generated image data is used as the image management device 120b. Has the function of saving.

  The portable devices 110a and 110b transmit image data storage requests including image data to the wireless base station 20 by wireless communication in order to store the image data in the image management devices 120a and 120b, respectively. The radio base station 20 transfers the received image data storage request to the transmission destination indicated by the request through the network 10.

  The image management device 120a is a server device that stores and discloses image data of the user 2a, and the image management device 120b is a server device that stores and discloses image data of the user 2b. The image management devices 120a and 120b correspond to devices that provide a life log service, for example.

  In the image collection system having such a configuration, the image collection method according to the present embodiment is executed as follows. The portable device 110a periodically checks whether or not another portable device 110 exists within the predetermined range 1a. Here, the predetermined range 1a is a range in which the other mobile device 110 can photograph the appearance of the user 2a carrying the mobile device 110a, for example, a radius of about 10 meters.

  When the portable device 110a detects that the portable device 110b exists within the predetermined range 1a, the portable device 110a transmits a photographing request to the portable device 110b (step S11). In the photographing request transmitted by the portable device 110a, authentication information such as an ID for identifying the user of the own device (in this case, authentication information of the user 2a) and information indicating the transfer destination of the image data (this scene) Includes the network address of the image management apparatus 120a.

  When the portable device 110b receives the photographing request, the portable device 110b performs photographing for detecting the request source, analyzes image data obtained by photographing, and determines whether the portable device 110a is within the photographing range of the own device (step S12). ). The mobile devices 110a and 110b have appearance features such as a specific shape and color, and the mobile device 110b can be used when the image data includes an article having the appearance features. Is in the shooting range of the device itself.

  When the portable device 110b determines that the portable device 110a is within the photographing range of the own device, the portable device 110b executes normal photographing to generate image data, and issues an image data storage request including the generated image data to the image management device 120b. (Step S13). The image data storage request transmitted by the portable device 110b in this scene includes authentication information such as an ID for identifying the user of the portable device 110b as the authentication information of the transmission source and is included in the photographing request. Authentication information and information indicating the transfer destination are included in association with each other. The image data storage request reaches the image management apparatus 120b via the wireless base station 20 and the network 10.

  When the image management device 120b receives the image data storage request from the portable device 110b, the image management device 120b checks whether or not the image data storage request includes information indicating the transfer destination. In this scene, the image data storage request includes the information of the image management device 120a as the information indicating the transfer destination, so that the image management device 120b has the correct authentication information of the user of the portable device 110b that is the transmission source. After performing the normal operation of storing the image data in the area corresponding to the ID included in the authentication information, an image data storage request is transmitted to the image management apparatus 120a. The transmitted image data storage request includes authentication information stored in association with information indicating the transfer destination as authentication information of the transmission source, and includes a copy of the image data.

  Upon receiving the image data storage request, the image management apparatus 120a checks whether or not the image data storage request includes information indicating the transfer destination. In this scene, since information indicating the transfer destination is not included, the image management apparatus 120a confirms that the authentication information included in the image data storage request is correct, and then stores the information in the area corresponding to the ID included in the authentication information. Image data is saved (step S14).

  As described above, in the image collecting method according to the present embodiment, the portable device 110a carried by the user 2a detects that the portable device 110b exists within the predetermined range 1a, and requests the portable device 110b to execute shooting. Since the mobile device 110b and the mobile device 110b confirm that the mobile device 110a is within the shooting range of the device, the shooting is executed and the image data is transmitted according to the request. The user 2a can acquire image data showing his / her appearance.

  In the above description, the case where the user 2a acquires the image data captured by the mobile device 110b has been described. However, the user 2b can acquire the image data captured by the mobile device 110a by the same procedure. it can. In addition, the numbers of the portable device 110 and the image management device 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 are examples, and the number of these devices is arbitrary.

  Further, in the request source detection shooting in the above description, the portable device 110b may change the focal length and perform shooting a plurality of times. In this case, if there is a request source within the shooting range of the portable device 110b, there is a high possibility that the request source is clearly shown in any of the image data, so that the detection accuracy of the request source is improved. In addition, by performing normal shooting at a focal length at which the request source is clearly imaged, the user 2a can acquire image data in which his / her appearance is clearly imaged.

  In the above description, the portable device 110b performs two shootings, ie, shooting for request source detection and normal shooting. This is to improve detection accuracy of the request source in shooting for request source detection. This is because normal shooting assumes changing shooting conditions. Therefore, if the request source can be detected with sufficient accuracy without changing the shooting conditions, the request source is captured in the image data obtained by normal shooting without performing shooting for detecting the request source. If the request source is captured, the image data may be transmitted to the image management apparatus 120 according to the request.

  In addition, the example shown in FIG. 1-1 is an example of acquiring image data that shows the appearance of itself regardless of the direction from which the image was taken, but only the image data taken from the front direction of the user is acquired. If desired, as shown in the example of FIG. 1-2, the portable device 110a may periodically check whether another portable device 110 exists in the predetermined range 1b ahead. .

  In order to periodically check whether another portable device 110 is present in the predetermined range 1b ahead, for example, the portable device 110a uses another radio wave having strong directivity such as a short wave. The device 110 may be detected, or it may be determined whether another portable device 110 is shown in an area corresponding to the predetermined range 1b in the image data captured by the portable device 110a.

  Next, a more detailed configuration of the portable devices 110a and 110b and the image management devices 120a and 120b shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Since the configurations of the mobile devices 110a and 110b are the same, the configuration will be described using the mobile device 110a as an example. Since the image management apparatuses 120a and 120b have the same configuration, the configuration will be described using the image management apparatus 120a as an example.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile device 110a. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile device 110 a includes a photographing unit 111, a communication unit 112, a communication unit 113, a storage unit 114, and a control unit 115. The imaging unit 111 digitally processes a signal obtained by the imaging sensor to generate image data.

  The communication unit 112 is a communication unit for performing communication over a relatively short distance, and is used for detecting another portable device 110 and exchanging requests and responses with the other portable device 110. Is done. The communication unit 112 communicates with the opposite device using, for example, light, sound waves, or weak radio waves. The communication unit 113 is a communication unit for performing communication over a relatively long distance, and is used for exchanging requests and responses with the image management apparatus 120 via the radio base station 20.

  The storage unit 114 is a semiconductor storage device, for example, and is necessary for the operation of the control unit 115 such as the ID of the user who owns the device and the network address of the image management device 120 corresponding to the user who owns the device. Various kinds of setting information and image data generated by the photographing unit 111 are stored.

  The control unit 115 is a control unit that totally controls the portable device 110a, and includes a photographing request processing unit 115a and a photographing execution processing unit 115b. The imaging request processing unit 115a includes an imaging means detection unit 115c and an imaging request transmission unit 115d, and detects another portable device 110 existing in the predetermined range 1a or a device having an equivalent function. The detected apparatus is requested to execute photographing and transmit image data. The imaging execution processing unit 115b includes an imaging request reception unit 115e, a request source detection unit 115f, an imaging execution unit 115g, and an image transmission unit 115h, and is requested from a preset timing and another device. The photographing unit 111 is caused to perform photographing at a timing when it is confirmed that the request source is within the photographing range, and the generated image data is transmitted to the image management device 120 corresponding to the own device.

  The imaging means detection unit 115c detects another portable device 110 existing in the predetermined range 1a or a device having a function equivalent to this. Specifically, the imaging means detection unit 115c transmits a predetermined detection signal with an intensity that reaches within the predetermined range 1a from the communication unit 112, and when a response from any device is received. It is determined that another portable device 110 or the like is within the predetermined range 1a. In addition, the imaging unit detection unit 115 c transmits a response from the communication unit 112 when a predetermined detection signal is received by the communication unit 112.

  The imaging request transmission unit 115d transmits an imaging request from the communication unit 112 when another imaging apparatus 110 or the like is detected by the imaging unit detection unit 115c. The imaging request transmission unit 115d acquires the ID and the like of the user who owns the device from the storage unit 114 and includes it as authentication information in the imaging request, and also the network of the image management device 120 corresponding to the user who owns the device. The address is acquired from the storage unit 114 and included in the photographing request as information indicating the transfer destination of the image data.

  When the imaging request is received by the communication unit 112, the imaging request reception unit 115e causes the request source detection unit 115f to check whether the request source of the imaging request exists within the imaging range of the imaging unit 111. The request source detection unit 115f causes the photographing unit 111 to perform photographing and determines whether or not a photographing request request source exists in the generated image data. Specifically, the request source detection unit 115f analyzes whether or not the image data includes appearance features such as shape and color that the request source of the imaging request should have. It is determined whether or not there is a request source for the imaging request.

  Note that the imaging request transmission unit 115d transmits information regarding the appearance characteristics of the mobile device 110 included in the imaging request so that it is possible to cope with the case where the appearance characteristics such as the shape and color of the portable device 110 are different for each model. Then, the request source detection unit 115f may analyze whether or not the appearance feature indicated by the information included in the imaging request is included in the image data.

  The imaging execution unit 115g causes the imaging unit 111 to generate image data at a preset timing or when the request source detection unit 115f detects the request source of the imaging request, and requests the image transmission unit 115h to transmit the image data. To do.

  The image transmission unit 115h acquires authentication information such as the network address of the image management device 120 corresponding to the user who owns the device and the ID of the user who owns the device from the storage unit 114, and uses the acquired network address. An image data storage request that is set as a transmission destination and the acquired authentication information is set as the authentication information of the transmission source is transmitted from the communication unit 113. The generated image data is included in the image data storage request.

  When the image data is generated at the timing when the request source detection unit 115f detects the request source of the shooting request, the image transmission unit 115h associates the authentication information included in the received shooting request with the information indicating the transfer destination. In addition, it is included in the transmitted image data storage request.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image management apparatus 120a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image management apparatus 120 a includes a communication unit 121, an image storage unit 122, a user information storage unit 123, and a control unit 124. In FIG. 3, only the configuration related to the image collection method according to the present embodiment is illustrated, and the configuration for publishing the image data is not illustrated.

  The communication unit 121 exchanges requests and responses with other devices connected to the network 10 and also exchanges requests and responses with the portable device 110 via the radio base station 20. used.

  The image storage unit 122 and the user information storage unit 123 are, for example, a hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The image storage unit 122 stores the image data of each user registered in the user information storage unit 123 in an area provided for each user. The user information storage unit 123 stores an authentication number such as a user ID and a personal identification number, and various setting information of services used by the user.

  The control unit 124 is a control unit that controls the entire image management apparatus 120a, and includes an image reception unit 124a, a storage location determination unit 124b, an image storage unit 124c, and an image transfer unit 124d.

  When the image data storage request is received by the communication unit 121, the image reception unit 124a causes the storage location determination unit 124b to determine the storage location of the image data included in the image data storage request. If the image data storage request does not include information indicating the transfer destination, the storage location determination unit 124b determines the storage location of the image data as the own device, and otherwise sets the storage location of the original image data as the own device. The image data copy storage location is determined to be another device indicated by the information indicating the transfer destination included in the image data storage request.

  The image storage unit 124 c performs authentication by checking the ID included in the image data storage request as the authentication information of the transmission source with the user ID stored in the user information storage unit 123. When the authentication is successful, the image storage unit 124c stores the image data in the area of the image storage unit 122 corresponding to the user who has been authenticated successfully. On the other hand, when the authentication is not successful, the image storage unit 124c discards the image data.

  When the storage location determination unit 124b determines that the storage location of the copy of the image data is another device, the image transfer unit 124d sets the network data set as information indicating the transfer destination as the transmission destination. A save request is transmitted from the communication unit 121. The image data storage request transmitted by the image transfer unit 124d includes authentication information stored in association with information indicating the transfer destination as authentication information of the transmission source, and includes a copy of the image data.

  Next, operations of the portable device 110a shown in FIG. 2 and the image management device 120a shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable device 110a. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the mobile device 110a, when a communication request is received by the communication unit 112 (Yes in step S101), the request source detection unit 115f causes the shooting unit 111 to perform shooting and generates a generated image. It is determined whether or not the request source of the imaging request exists in the data (step S102).

  Here, if the request source of the shooting request exists in the image data (Yes at Step S103), the shooting execution unit 115g causes the shooting unit 111 to execute shooting (Step S104). Then, the image transmission unit 115h transmits an image data storage request including the image data generated by the photographing unit 111 to the image management apparatus 120a (step S105).

  On the other hand, when the photographing request is not received by the communication unit 112 (No at Step S101), if the photographing unit detection unit 115c detects that the portable device 110b or the like is present within the predetermined range 1a (Step S106). (Yes), the shooting request transmission unit 115d transmits a shooting request (step S107).

  The portable device 110a repeatedly executes the above processing procedure. In addition to the operation shown in FIG. 4, the portable device 110a causes the photographing unit 111 to perform photographing at a preset timing, and performs an operation of transmitting the generated image data to the image management device 120a. .

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image management apparatus 120a. As shown in FIG. 5, in the image management apparatus 120a, when the image data storage request is received by the communication unit 121 (Yes in step S201), the storage location determination unit 124b determines whether the image data needs to be transferred. judge.

  If it is determined that image data transfer is not necessary (No at Step S202), the image storage unit 124c stores the image data in the image storage unit 122 (Step S203). On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data needs to be transferred (Yes at Step S202), the image storage unit 124c stores the image data in the image storage unit 122 (Step S204), and the image transfer unit 124d The image data storage request including the data copy is transferred to the device corresponding to the information indicating the transfer destination (step S205).

  The image management apparatus 120a repeatedly executes the above processing procedure. In addition to the operations shown in FIG. 5, the image management apparatus 120 a performs operations such as publishing image data stored in the image storage unit 122 via the network 10.

  In the present embodiment, examples of the portable devices 110a and 110b that include a function for requesting another device for shooting and a function for executing shooting according to a request from another device have been described. The apparatus may be configured to have only one of them.

  For example, a device that has a function of requesting another device for shooting but does not have a function of performing shooting in accordance with a request from another device, like the shooting request device 130 shown in FIG. The storage unit 114 and the control unit 135 including the photographing request processing unit 115a can be configured as an apparatus.

  On the other hand, an apparatus that does not have a function of requesting shooting from another apparatus, but has a function of executing shooting according to a request from another apparatus, includes a shooting unit 111, as in the shooting apparatus 140 illustrated in FIG. The communication unit 112, the communication unit 113, the storage unit 114, and the control unit 145 including the imaging execution processing unit 115b can be configured.

  In this way, when the functions of the portable device 110a are separated into two devices, the photographing request device 130 and the photographing device 140, the user carries both the photographing request device 130 and the photographing device 140 according to the purpose and convenience. Alternatively, only one of them may be carried. In this case, the photographing device 140 may be fixedly installed on a street or a store.

  In this embodiment, when the portable device 110 receives a shooting request from another device, the portable device 110 transmits image data to the image management device designated by the shooting request via the image management device corresponding to the own device. However, the image data may be transmitted through a different route. For example, when a shooting request is received from another device, the portable device 110 directly transmits the image data to the image management device designated by the shooting request without going through the image management device corresponding to the device itself. It is good as well. In addition, when a photographing request is received from another device, the portable device 110 may transmit the image data to the device that has transmitted the photographing request.

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a user can acquire an image in which his / her appearance is seen almost from the front at a timing desired by the user.

  First, an image collection system and an image collection method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the image collection system according to the present embodiment includes portable devices 210a and 210b, image management devices 220a and 220b, and a service providing device 250. In FIG. 8, the illustration of the radio base station 20 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  The portable device 210a is a wearable device that is worn on the user's 2a's head, shoulders, and the like. The portable device 210a executes shooting from the viewpoint of the user 2a to generate image data, and the generated image data is used as the image management device 220a. Has the function of saving. The portable device 210b is a wearable device that is worn on the head or shoulder of the user 2b. The portable device 210b executes shooting from the viewpoint of the user 2b to generate image data, and the generated image data is used as the image management device 220b. Has the function of saving.

  The portable devices 210a and 210b transmit image data storage requests including image data to the service providing device 250 in order to store the image data in the image management devices 220a and 220b, respectively. The service providing apparatus 250 sends the received image data storage request based on a network address set as information indicating the transmission destination of the image data, a network address set as information indicating the transfer destination of the image data, or the like. The image is transferred to the image management device 220a or the image management device 220b.

  The image management apparatus 220a is a server apparatus that stores and discloses image data of the user 2a, and the image management apparatus 220b is a server apparatus that stores and discloses image data of the user 2b. The image management devices 220a and 220b correspond to devices that provide a life log service, for example.

  The service providing device 250 provides services such as authentication of the opposite mobile device 210 and transfer of an image data storage request to the mobile devices 210a and 210b.

  In the image collection system having such a configuration, the image collection method according to the present embodiment is executed as follows. The portable device 210a periodically checks whether another portable device 210 exists within the predetermined range 1b.

  Then, when the portable device 210a detects that the portable device 210b exists within the predetermined range 1b ahead, the portable device 210a transmits an authentication request to the portable device 210b (step S21). The authentication request transmitted by the portable device 210a includes authentication information such as an ID for identifying the user of the own device (in this case, authentication information of the user 2a).

  When the portable device 210b receives the authentication request, the portable device 210b transmits the authentication information included in the authentication request to the service providing device 250 to execute the authentication process, and whether the request source of the authentication request exists within the photographing range of the own device. It is determined whether or not (step S22).

  Then, when there is a response of authentication success from the service providing apparatus 250 and the request source of the authentication request exists within the imaging range of the own apparatus, the portable apparatus 210b identifies an ID for identifying the user of the own apparatus, etc. , Including the authentication information (in this case, the authentication information of the user 2b), a response to permit photographing is made. On the other hand, when there is an authentication failure response from the service providing device 250, or when the request source of the authentication request does not exist within the imaging range of the own device, the portable device 210b responds that the imaging is not possible (step S23). .

  When the photographing permission is returned from the portable device 210b, the portable device 210a transmits the authentication information included in the response to the service providing device 250 to execute the authentication process. If the authentication result is a successful authentication, the portable device 210a notifies the user 2a using light or sound that the photographing means is present within the predetermined range 1b (step S24).

  The user 2a receiving the notification performs a predetermined operation on the portable device 210a at a timing desired by the user 2a and transmits a photographing request (step S25). In the photographing request transmitted by the portable device 210a, authentication information such as an ID for identifying the user of the own device (in this case, authentication information of the user 2a) and information indicating the transfer destination of the image data (this scene) Includes the network address of the image management apparatus 220a.

  Upon receiving the shooting request, the portable device 210b executes shooting to generate image data, and transmits an image data storage request including the generated image data to the service providing device 250 (step S26). In the image data storage request transmitted by the portable device 210b in this scene, the network address of the image management device 220b corresponding to the portable device 110b is set as information indicating the transmission destination, and the user of the portable device 110b is identified. The authentication information such as the ID is set in association with the information indicating the transmission destination. Further, authentication information included in the photographing request and information indicating the transfer destination are associated with each other and included in the image data storage request.

  When receiving the image data storage request, the service providing apparatus 250 transfers the image data storage request to an apparatus corresponding to information indicating the transmission destination of the image data included in the image data storage request. In this scene, since the network address of the image management apparatus 220b is set as information indicating the transmission destination of the image data, the service providing apparatus 250 transfers the image data storage request to the image management apparatus 220b. When the image management apparatus 220b receives the image data storage request, the image management apparatus 220b confirms that the authentication information associated with the information indicating the transmission destination of the image data is correct, and then the area corresponding to the ID included in the authentication information The image data is stored in (Step S27).

  Further, if the image data storage request includes information indicating the transfer destination of the image data, the service providing apparatus 250 transfers the image data storage request to the apparatus corresponding to the information. In this scene, since the network address of the image management apparatus 220a is set as information indicating the transfer destination of the image data, the service providing apparatus 250 sends an image data storage request including a copy of the image data to the image management apparatus 220a. Send. In the image data storage request transmitted to the image management apparatus 220a, information set as information indicating the transfer destination of the image data in the received image data storage request is set as information indicating the transmission destination of the image data. The Further, authentication information associated with information indicating the transfer destination of the image data in the received image data storage request is set in association with information indicating the transmission destination of the image data. When the image management apparatus 220a receives the image data storage request, it confirms that the authentication information associated with the information indicating the transmission destination of the image data is correct, and then the area corresponding to the ID included in the authentication information The image data is stored in (Step S28).

  As described above, in the image collection method according to the present embodiment, when the mobile device 210a detects that the mobile device 210b exists within the predetermined range 1b, it is possible to request the mobile device 210b to take an image. Since the user 2a is notified of this, the user 2a grasps whether or not the image data obtained by viewing the appearance of the user from the front can be obtained, and then the timing desired by the user 2a. Thus, it is possible to acquire image data captured by the portable device 210b.

  Further, in the image collection method according to the present embodiment, since the device that requests photographing and the device that performs photographing authenticate the opposite device, photographing for a person with an unauthorized purpose, It is possible to reduce the risk that the photographed image data is misused.

  In the above description, the case where the user 2a acquires the image data captured by the portable device 210b has been described. However, the user 2b can acquire the image data captured by the portable device 210a by the same procedure. it can. Further, the numbers of the portable device 210 and the image management device 220 shown in FIG. 8 are examples, and the number of these devices is arbitrary.

  Next, more detailed configurations of the mobile devices 210a and 210b and the service providing device 250 shown in FIG. 8 will be described. Since the mobile devices 210a and 210b have the same configuration, the configuration will be described using the mobile device 210a as an example.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the portable device 210a. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the mobile device 210 a includes a photographing unit 111, a communication unit 112, a communication unit 113, a storage unit 214, a control unit 215, an operation unit 216, and a notification unit 217.

  The storage unit 214 is a semiconductor storage device, for example, and is necessary for the operation of the control unit 215 such as the ID of the user who owns the device and the network address of the image management device 220 corresponding to the user who owns the device. Various kinds of setting information and image data generated by the photographing unit 111 are stored. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the storage unit 214 stores the authentication processing result requested by the mobile device 210 a from the service providing device 250 in association with the ID of the user to be authenticated.

  The operation unit 216 receives an operation for sending an imaging request to another apparatus from a user. When the notification unit 217 can request another device to take a picture, the notification unit 217 notifies the user to that effect. The notification by the notification unit 217 is realized by light, sound, vibration, or the like, for example.

  The control unit 215 is a control unit that totally controls the portable device 210a, and includes a photographing request processing unit 215a, a photographing execution processing unit 215b, an authentication unit 215h, and a request source detection unit 215i. The imaging request processing unit 215a includes an imaging means detection unit 215c and an imaging request transmission unit 215d, and detects another portable device 210 present in the predetermined range 1b or a device having a function equivalent to this. The detected apparatus is requested to execute photographing and transmit image data. The imaging execution processing unit 215b includes an imaging request receiving unit 215e, an imaging execution unit 215f, and an image transmission unit 215g. The imaging execution processing unit 215b performs imaging on the imaging unit 111 at a preset timing and a timing requested from another device. And the generated image data is transmitted to the image management device 220 corresponding to the device itself.

  The authentication unit 215h executes processing related to authentication of the opposite device. Specifically, when another photographing device 210 existing in the predetermined range 1b or a device having the same function is detected by the photographing means detection unit 215c, the ID of the user who owns the device, etc. Are acquired from the storage unit 214, and an authentication request in which these are set as authentication information is transmitted to request authentication of the device itself. In the case where there is a response to photographing permission in response to the authentication request, the authentication unit 215h transmits authentication information included in the response to the service providing apparatus 250 and requests execution of authentication processing for the response source apparatus. Then, when there is a response of successful authentication from the service providing apparatus 250, the notification unit 217 is notified that it is possible to request another apparatus to perform imaging.

  Further, when the authentication unit 215h receives an authentication request from another device, the authentication unit 215h transmits the authentication information included in the authentication request to the service providing device 250 to request execution of authentication processing for the requesting device. When there is a response of authentication success from the service providing apparatus 250, the authentication unit 215h causes the request source detection unit 215i to determine whether or not the request source of the authentication request exists in the shooting range of the shooting unit 111.

  When the request source detection unit 215i determines that the request source of the authentication request exists in the shooting range of the shooting unit 111, the authentication unit 215h responds to the request for the authentication request with permission for shooting. When responding to permission for photographing, the authentication unit 215h acquires the ID of the user who owns the device from the storage unit 214, and includes these in the response as authentication information.

  The authentication unit 215h stores the result of the authentication process requested to the service providing apparatus 250 in the storage unit 214 as illustrated in FIG. When the authentication result corresponding to the authentication information that should request authentication processing from the service providing apparatus 250 is stored in the storage unit 214, the authentication result is stored in the storage unit 214 without making a request to the service providing apparatus 250. The authentication result is used as a response from the service providing apparatus 250.

  The request source detection unit 215i causes the photographing unit 111 to perform photographing and determines whether or not a request source of an authentication request exists in the generated image data. Specifically, the request source detection unit 215i analyzes whether or not the image data includes appearance features such as shape and color that the request source of the authentication request should have. It is determined whether or not there is a request source of the authentication request.

  In addition, the authentication unit 215h transmits information on the appearance characteristics of the own device included in the authentication request so as to be able to cope with the case where the appearance features such as the shape and color of the mobile device 210 are different for each model, The request source detection unit 215i may analyze whether or not the appearance characteristic indicated by the information included in the authentication request is included in the image data.

  The photographing means detection unit 215c detects another portable device 210 existing in the predetermined range 1b or a device having a function equivalent to this. Specifically, the imaging means detection unit 215c transmits a predetermined detection signal with a strength and directivity that reaches within the predetermined range 1b from the communication unit 112, and a response from any device is received. If it is determined that the other portable device 210 or the like is within the predetermined range 1b. In addition, the imaging unit detection unit 215 c transmits a response from the communication unit 112 when a predetermined detection signal is received by the communication unit 112.

  The photographing request transmission unit 215d causes the communication unit 112 to transmit a photographing request when an operation indicating a photographing request transmission instruction is performed on the operation unit 216. The imaging request transmission unit 215d acquires the ID of the user who owns the device from the storage unit 214 and includes it as authentication information in the imaging request, and the network of the image management device 220 corresponding to the user who owns the device. The address is acquired from the storage unit 214 and included in the imaging request as information indicating the transfer destination of the image data.

  The imaging request receiving unit 215e acquires an authentication result corresponding to the authentication information included in the imaging request from the storage unit 214 when the imaging request is received by the communication unit 112. If the authentication result corresponding to the authentication information exists in the storage unit 214 and the authentication result is successful, the imaging request reception unit 215e requests the imaging execution unit 215f to execute imaging.

  The imaging execution unit 215f causes the imaging unit 111 to generate image data at a preset timing or a timing requested from the imaging request reception unit 215e, and requests the image transmission unit 215g to transmit the image data.

  The image transmission unit 215g acquires authentication information such as the network address of the service providing apparatus 250 and the ID of the user who owns the apparatus from the storage unit 214, and sets the acquired network address as information indicating the transmission destination of the image data. Then, the communication unit 113 transmits an image data storage request that is set by associating the acquired authentication information with information indicating the transmission destination of the image data. The generated image data is included in the image data storage request.

  When image data is generated at the timing requested by the imaging request receiving unit 215e, the image transmission unit 215g transmits the authentication information included in the received imaging request in association with the information indicating the transfer destination. Included in the image data storage request.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the service providing apparatus 250. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the service providing apparatus 250 includes a communication unit 251, a user information storage unit 252, and a control unit 253.

  The communication unit 251 exchanges requests and responses with other devices connected to the network 10 and also exchanges requests and responses with the portable device 210 via a wireless base station (not shown). Used to do.

  The user information storage unit 252 is, for example, a hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device, and stores an authentication number such as a user ID and a personal identification number, and various setting information of services used by the user.

  The control unit 253 is a control unit that totally controls the service providing apparatus 250, and includes an authentication unit 253a, an image reception unit 253b, a transfer destination determination unit 253c, and an image transfer unit 253d.

  The authentication unit 253a performs authentication processing by comparing the authentication information received by the communication unit 251 with the authentication information stored in the user information storage unit 252, and sends the authentication result from the communication unit 251 to the requester of the authentication process. To send to.

  When the image data storage request is received by the communication unit 251, the image reception unit 253 b causes the transfer destination determination unit 253 c to determine the transfer destination of the image data storage request. The transfer destination determination unit 253c determines that the device indicated by the information indicating the transmission destination included in the image data storage request is the transfer destination of the original image data. Further, when the image data storage request includes information indicating the transfer destination, the transfer destination determination unit 253c determines that the device indicated by the information indicating the transfer destination is the transfer destination of the copy of the image data.

  The image transfer unit 253d resets the network address of the apparatus determined as the transfer destination of the original image data by the transfer destination determination unit 253c as the transmission destination, and causes the communication unit 251 to transmit the image data storage request. In addition, if there is a device that is determined as the transfer destination of the copy of the image data by the transfer destination determination unit 253c, the image transfer unit 253d sets the network address of the device as the transmission destination, and the image including the copy of the image data A data storage request is transmitted from the communication unit 251. In the image data storage request transmitted to the apparatus determined to be the transfer destination of the copy, the information set as the information indicating the transfer destination of the image data in the received image data storage request indicates the transmission destination of the image data. It is set as information to show. Further, authentication information associated with information indicating the transfer destination of the image data in the received image data storage request is set in association with information indicating the transmission destination of the image data.

  Next, operations of the portable device 210a shown in FIG. 9 and the service providing device 250 shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the portable device 210a. As shown in FIG. 12, in the portable device 210a, when a shooting request is received by the communication unit 112 (Yes at Step S301), the shooting execution processing unit 215b executes a shooting process described later (Step S302). When the authentication request is received by the communication unit 112 (No at Step S301, Yes at Step S303), the authentication unit 215h executes a request source authentication process described later (Step S304).

  When an operation indicating a shooting request transmission instruction is performed on the operation unit 216 (No at Step S301, No at Step S303, Yes at Step S305), the shooting request processing unit 215a executes a shooting request transmission process described later ( Step S306). Further, when another portable device 210 or the like existing in the predetermined range 1b is detected by the photographing means detection unit 215c (No at Step S301, No at Step S303, No at Step S305, Yes at Step S307), the authentication unit 215h Authentication request processing described later is executed (step S308).

  The portable device 210a repeatedly executes the above processing procedure. In addition to the operations shown in FIG. 12, the portable device 210 a causes the photographing unit 111 to perform photographing at a preset timing, and performs an operation for transmitting the generated image data to the service providing device 250. .

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the authentication request processing. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the authentication unit 215h transmits an authentication request to another detected device (step S401) and receives a request result (step S402). Here, if the request result is not photography permission (No at Step S403), the authentication unit 215h ends the authentication request process.

  On the other hand, if the request result is permission for photographing (Yes at Step S403), the authentication unit 215h acquires an authentication result corresponding to the ID included as authentication information in the response from the storage unit 214 (Step S404). Here, when there is no authentication result (No at Step S405), the authentication unit 215h sends the authentication information included in the response to the service providing apparatus 250 to request execution of the authentication process (Step S406), and provides the service. The authentication result returned from the device 250 is recorded in the storage unit 214 in association with the ID included in the authentication information (step S407).

  Then, if the authentication result acquired in step S404 is authentication success, or if the authentication result returned from the service providing apparatus 250 is authentication success (Yes in step S408), the authentication unit 215h captures the image on another apparatus. The notification unit 217 is notified that the request can be requested, and the authentication request process is terminated (step S409). On the other hand, if the authentication result acquired in step S404 is an authentication failure, or if the authentication result returned from the service providing device 250 is an authentication failure (No in step S408), the authentication unit 215h takes a picture of another device. The authentication request process is terminated without causing the notification unit 217 to notify that the request can be made.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of request source authentication processing. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the authentication unit 215h acquires an authentication result corresponding to an ID included as authentication information in the authentication request from the storage unit 214 (step S501). If there is no authentication result (No at Step S502), the authentication unit 215h transmits the authentication information included in the authentication request to the service providing apparatus 250 to request execution of the authentication process (Step S503). The authentication result returned from the providing device 250 is recorded in the storage unit 214 in association with the ID included in the authentication information (step S504).

  If the authentication result acquired in step S501 is authentication success, or if the authentication result returned from the service providing apparatus 250 is authentication success (Yes in step S505), the request source detection unit 215i requests the imaging unit 111. An original detection image is taken (step S506). Then, the request source detection unit 215i analyzes the image data, and when the request source is detected (Yes in step S507), the authentication unit 215h receives the ID of the user who owns the device from the storage unit 214. Obtaining and responding to the photographing permission including these as authentication information (step S508).

  On the other hand, if the authentication result acquired in step S501 is not successful, or if the authentication result returned from the service providing apparatus 250 is not successful (No in step S505), the authentication unit 215h cannot shoot. A response is made (step S509). Even when the request source is not detected from the image data for request source detection (No at Step S507), the authentication unit 215h makes a response indicating that the photographing is impossible (Step S509).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the imaging request transmission process. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the shooting request transmission unit 215d of the shooting request processing unit 215a transmits a shooting request including authentication information and information indicating a transfer destination (step S601). When the processing result is received (step S602), the imaging request transmission unit 215d notifies the user of the processing result through the notification unit 217 or the like (step S603).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the photographing process. As shown in FIG. 16, the imaging request receiving unit 215e of the imaging execution processing unit 215b acquires an authentication result corresponding to an ID included as authentication information in the imaging request from the storage unit 214 (step S701). Here, when the authentication result corresponding to the ID exists in the storage unit 214 and the authentication result is successful authentication (Yes in step S702), the imaging execution unit 215f executes imaging (step S703), and the image transmission unit 215g. Transmits the generated image data to the service providing apparatus 250 (step S704). Then, the imaging execution processing unit 215b returns a processing result to the transmission source of the imaging request (step S705).

  On the other hand, if the authentication result corresponding to the ID does not exist in the storage unit 214, or if the existing authentication result is not successful authentication (No in step S702), the imaging execution processing unit 215b performs the imaging request without executing imaging. The processing result is returned to the transmission source (step S705).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the service providing apparatus 250. As shown in FIG. 17, in the service providing apparatus 250, when the authentication request is received by the communication unit 251 (Yes in step S801), the authentication unit 253a stores the authentication information and user information received by the communication unit 251. The authentication information stored in the unit 252 is collated to perform authentication processing (step S802), and the authentication result is transmitted from the communication unit 251 to the authentication processing request source (step S803).

When the image data storage request is received by the communication unit 251 (No in step S801,
In step S804, the image transfer unit 253d transfers the image data storage request (step S805). The service providing apparatus 250 repeatedly executes the above processing procedure.

2a, 2b User 10 Network 20 Wireless base station 110 Portable device 110a, 110b, 210a, 210b Portable device 111 Imaging unit 112 Communication unit 113 Communication unit 114, 214 Storage unit 115, 215 Control unit 115a, 215a Imaging request processing unit 115b 215b Imaging execution processing unit 115c, 215c Imaging means detection unit 115d, 215d Imaging request transmission unit 115e, 215e Imaging request reception unit 115f, 215i Request source detection unit 115g, 215f Imaging execution unit 115h, 215g Image transmission unit 215h Authentication unit 216 Operation unit 217 Notification unit 120a, 120b, 220a, 220b Image management device 121 Communication unit 122 Image storage unit 123 User information storage unit 124 Control unit 124a Image reception unit 124b Storage location determination unit 124c Image storage unit 124d Image transfer section 130 imaging request unit 135 control unit 140 image capturing apparatus 145 control unit 250 the service providing apparatus
251 Communication unit 252 User information storage unit 253 Control unit 253a Authentication unit 253b Image reception unit 253c Transfer destination determination unit 253d Image transfer unit

Claims (8)

A detection step in which a photographing request device carried by a user detects a photographing device existing within a predetermined distance from the own device;
The photographing requesting step, wherein the photographing requesting device requests the photographing device detected in the detecting step to perform photographing,
A determination step of determining whether or not the imaging requesting device is within the imaging range of the imaging device based on the appearance characteristics of the imaging requesting device;
In the determination step, when it is determined that the photographing request device is within the photographing range of the photographing device, the photographing device performs photographing in response to a request in the photographing request step;
An image transmission method comprising: an image transmission step in which the imaging device transmits image data captured in the imaging execution step in accordance with information specified in the request in the imaging request step.   The said detection request | requirement WHEREIN: The said imaging | photography request | requirement apparatus detects the imaging device which exists in the range ahead of the said user within the range within a predetermined distance from an own apparatus. Image collection method.   In the determination step, the imaging device determines whether the imaging request device exists within the imaging range of the imaging device based on the appearance characteristics of the imaging device notified from the imaging request device. The image collecting method according to claim 1, wherein: In the determination step, the photographing requesting device is configured so that the photographing requesting device includes the photographing device when there is an image including an appearance characteristic of the photographing requesting device among a plurality of images photographed by changing a focal length. Is determined to be within the shooting range,
4. The image capturing execution step, wherein the image capturing device performs image capturing at the same focal length as when an image including an appearance feature of the image capturing request device is captured. The image collection method as described in one. Photographing request receiving means for receiving a photographing execution request from another device;
Request source detection means for determining whether or not the request source device of the request exists within the imaging range based on the appearance characteristics of the device;
Shooting execution means for executing shooting in response to the request when the request source detection means determines that the request source device is within the shooting range;
An image transmission means for transmitting image data photographed by the photographing execution means according to the information specified in the request.   The request source detection unit determines whether or not the request source device exists within the imaging range based on the appearance characteristic of the device notified from the request source device. The portable device according to claim 5. The request source detection unit determines that the request source device is within the shooting range when there is an image including the appearance feature in a plurality of images shot with a changed focal length. And
The portable apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the photographing execution unit executes photographing at the same focal length as when the image including the appearance feature is photographed. Detecting means for detecting other portable devices existing within a predetermined distance from the own device;
6. An imaging request transmission unit that requests the other portable device detected by the detection unit to specify the transmission destination of the captured image data and execute the imaging. 8. The portable device according to any one of 7.

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