JP2013156784A - Image collection system, image pickup device and image storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image collection system for much more quickly collecting a necessary image by collecting the image by using a much wider image provision source as an object.SOLUTION: The image collection system includes: image management information reception means for receiving image management information as information relating to an image stored in an image storage device; image management information storage means for storing the image management information; image request reception means for receiving an image request; determination means for determining whether or not the image satisfying conditions requested by the image request is stored in the plurality of image storage devices by referring to the image management information; and request means for, when the image satisfying the conditions requested by the image request is stored in the plurality of image storage devices on the basis of the result of determination, requesting the transmission of the image satisfying the conditions requested by the image request to the image storage device in which the image satisfying the conditions requested by the image request is stored.

Description

The present invention relates to an image collection system, and more particularly to an image collection system that collects and manages images captured by a plurality of cameras. The present invention also relates to an image capturing / storing system that provides an image to the image collecting system. The present invention also relates to an image management system including the image collection system and an image capturing / storage system.

One of the things that has become a social issue in recent years is a group of cameras attached to the city. This is a security system that, if used correctly, contributes to improving security by improving security functions, but if used incorrectly, it becomes a monitoring system that threatens our freedom of life.

For example, suppose that the dictatorship of Yasukuni has installed a myriad of cameras in the city just for crime prevention. Images taken by these cameras are sent to a central database and centrally managed by this dictatorship. Is this a security system or a surveillance system hidden under the name of the security system?

In the end, it is up to the video manager's morals to be a security system or a surveillance system. In other words, it can be said that the system has a potential danger that the security system will be transformed into a surveillance system due to the morals of the video manager.

In other words, when the political and police organizations in the country begin to rot due to corruption or injustice, it is either military intervention from abroad or the people's revolution that has the power to correct it. It is the weak citizens who suffer from foreign military intervention, and the people want to rebuild their own country if possible. However, if a monitoring system is in place at this time, any correct revolution will be blocked and the country will not be rebuilt.

As a system for solving such a problem, there is an image collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the image collection system, the video (image) taken by the camera attached to the moving body is distributed and stored in the storage unit in a state in which the shooting position and the shooting time are associated with each other, and the video is necessary for the case investigation and the like. In this case, the position information and time information are transmitted to each storage unit, and necessary images are extracted from each storage unit and integrated.

Although the image collection system of the prior art document 1 has a function as a security system, there is no risk of changing to the monitoring system. This is because the image collection system has a one-to-one correspondence with the real world.

In the real world, when an incident occurs, a police officer goes around the incident and asks the residents, “There was a murder case at 19:30 yesterday at XX 3-chome, but did you notice the suspicious person?” The basics of the investigation are to ask questions and try to obtain information that provides clues to the criminal.

Here, each inhabitant (each image recording device) stores an image incident (input) from the eyes (camera) in daily life in the brain (storage unit). The police inquired the residents (image recording devices) for search information regarding “the location of xx 3-chome and the time of 19:30”, and each inhabitant (each image recording device) was asked to provide a video of the location and time. Search within (storage). Then, the residents whose corresponding information is accumulated in the brain (memory unit) provide (output) the information to the police. The police will integrate information (video) collected from each resident (each image recording device), identify the situation at the time of the incident, and lead to the criminal arrest.

As described above, the invention of the prior art document 1 maps the real world case investigation method in the analog era as it is to the information society in the digital era, so that the problem of privacy does not occur.

JP 2009-60477 A

The distributed image collection system of Patent Document 1 that collects images from a plurality of image storage devices that are stored and managed is installed in the city, although it has a high advantage in terms of privacy protection. There is a problem that the image collection efficiency is lower than that of a centrally managed image collection system that collects all images captured by a fixed camera.

Accordingly, when an image is required for a criminal investigation or the like, it takes time until a necessary amount of images are collected, and thus there is a possibility that it is not possible to cope with a case where it is desired to quickly collect the image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image collection system capable of collecting necessary images earlier by constructing a system for collecting images for a wider image providing source. .

  The image collection system of the present invention is an image collection system connected to a plurality of image storage devices that store images, and receives image management information that is information relating to images stored in the image storage device Requested by the image request received by the image request receiving means, the image management information storing means for storing the received image management information, the image request receiving means for receiving the image request, and the image request receiving means. A determination unit that determines whether an image that satisfies a certain condition is stored in the plurality of image storage devices with reference to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit, and based on a result of the determination If the images satisfying the conditions required by the image request are stored in the plurality of image storage devices, the conditions required by the image request are satisfied. Comprising a requesting means for requesting the transmission conditions are satisfied image image is requested by the image request to the image storage device stored the.

  An image collection system according to another aspect of the present invention is an image collection system connected to a plurality of image storage devices storing images, and includes information related to images stored in the image storage device. Image management information receiving means for receiving certain image management information, image management information storage means for storing the received image management information, usable image information request receiving means for receiving an available image information request, and the image management Utilizing the image management information stored in the information storage means and collecting information related to images satisfying the conditions specified based on the available image information request received by the available image information request receiving means Usable image information generating means for generating usable image information; and usable image information transmitting means for transmitting the usable image information.

An image capturing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image capturing unit that captures an image, an image storage unit that stores the captured image, and an imaging position of an image stored in the image storage unit. Image management information generating means for generating image management information including information relating to imaging time, image management information transmitting means for transmitting the image management information, and image for receiving an image transmission request stored in the image storage means A transmission request receiving unit; and an image transmitting unit configured to transmit an image received by the image transmission request receiving unit.

An image storage device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving unit configured to receive an image captured by an image capturing device that captures an image; and image management information including information regarding an image capturing position and an image capturing time of the image. An image for transmitting image management information including information relating to an imaging position and an imaging time of the image received by the receiving means; and a storage means for storing the image taken by the image taking device received by the receiving means A management information transmission unit; an image transmission request reception unit that receives an image transmission request stored in the image storage unit; and an image requested by the transmission request received by the image transmission request reception unit. Image transmitting means.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image collection system which can collect a required image earlier can be provided by constructing | assembling the system which collects an image for a wider image provision source.

Conceptual diagram of the image management system of the present invention Block diagram of a central processing server according to the first embodiment The figure explaining the composition of an image request (packet) The figure which shows an example of image management information The figure which shows an example of image search information The flowchart figure which shows the flow of a process of a central processing server 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing / storage device of Embodiment 1. FIG. The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the image pick-up and the storage process in an image pick-up storage device The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the image search and transmission process in an image pick-up storage device Block diagram showing the configuration of the image pickup apparatus 6-side view showing the appearance of a smartphone, a type of image pickup device The flowchart figure which shows the flow of a connection establishment / transmission process of an image pick-up device The figure which shows an example of the image management file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of an image pick-up device Block diagram showing the configuration of the image storage device The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the connection establishment and image storage processing of an image storage device Block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus Block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus The figure which shows an example of imaging device specific information FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing / storage device according to a second embodiment. The figure which shows the folder structure in the memory | storage part of an image pick-up memory | storage device Sequence diagram showing the flow of image capturing / storage processing of the image capturing / storage device Block diagram showing the configuration of the image pickup apparatus Block diagram showing the configuration of the image storage device FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing / storage device according to a third embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image management file Block diagram showing the configuration of the image pickup apparatus The block diagram which shows the structure of the central processing server which concerns on Embodiment 4. The figure which shows an example of the image request from the network side user The figure which shows the concept of the image management system which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the central processing server which concerns on Embodiment 5. FIG. Figure showing an example of an available image list file The figure which shows a mode that the map is displayed in the image display apparatus of the terminal of a user side Figure showing an example of map management information The figure which shows an example of the 1st management information which put together the information regarding the image memorize | stored in DB. The figure which shows an example of the 2nd management information which put together the information regarding the image memorize | stored in places other than DB in an image management system The flowchart figure which shows the update process of 2nd management information The figure which shows an example of the image management information sent to the central processing server from the outside The figure which shows the specific example of the image management information sent to the central processing server from the outside The figure which shows the specific example of the 2nd image management information after update The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the update process of 2nd image management information FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing and storing device according to a fifth embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image management information (image management file) produced and managed with an image pick-up storage device The figure which shows an example of the image management information (image management file) for presentation transmitted to a central processing server The figure which shows an example of the image management information (image management file) after the update produced and managed by an image pick-up storage device The figure which shows an example of the image transmission request | requirement sent to each image memory | storage device etc. from the image collection system side The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the production | generation / transmission process of the image management information in an image (imaging) memory | storage device The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the image management information update process in an image (imaging) memory | storage device The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the image presentation process in an image (imaging) memory | storage device FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image storage device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the central processing server which concerns on Embodiment 7. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of image management information according to the seventh embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the useable image list (file) request | requirement which concerns on Embodiment 8. The figure which shows the structure of the central processing server which concerns on Embodiment 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of image management information according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing and storing device according to an eighth embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the image presentation condition registration information which concerns on Embodiment 8. The figure which shows the image management information for presentation which concerns on Embodiment 8. The figure which shows the structure of the central processing server which concerns on Embodiment 9. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of image management information managed by a central processing server according to the ninth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing and storing device according to a ninth embodiment. Conceptual diagram of information processing system according to embodiment 10 The figure which shows the structure of the database which concerns on Embodiment 10. The figure which shows the structure of the central processing server which concerns on Embodiment 10. FIG. Figure showing an example of access authentication information The figure which shows an example of a data management table group The figure which shows another example of a data management table group The figure which shows an example of the data management table which comprises a data management table group Figure showing the access condition management table The figure which shows the structure of the data acquisition management apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 10. FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail in each embodiment. In the following description, components having the same reference numerals have substantially the same functions. In addition, the following embodiment illustrates one aspect of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. In the following description, overlapping parts are omitted as appropriate for the sake of clarity.

In the following description, data captured by an imaging device or the like will be described using the term “image”, but this includes not only still images but also moving images, that is, videos. Therefore, the expression “imaging” “image” includes the expression “recording” “video” and the expression “photographing” “image”. In addition, since a video that is a moving image includes sound, the “image” in the following description includes sound synchronized with the image. In the following description, an image that is digital data may be clearly described as image data as necessary, but the expression “image” includes the image data.

Further, although the term “memory” is used as a term for storing “image”, it can be replaced with “recording”. In the present image management system, since the image to be captured is digital data, the description will be made using the term “memory”.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an image management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, the image management system refers to the entire system that stores images captured by an imaging device such as a camera in a spatially or virtually distributed manner and collects and integrates and uses a plurality of images as necessary. .

  The image management system is roughly configured to include an image collection system 10 and a plurality of image capturing / storage systems 100a to 100n. Note that the image collection system 10 is an image providing system when viewed from the user requesting an image to the system. First, the image collection system 10 will be described.

  An image collection system 10 according to the first embodiment is a system that collects and stores images distributed and stored in a plurality of image capturing / storage systems, and is broadly divided into an image storage database 11 (hereinafter abbreviated as DB). ) And the central processing server 12.

  The DB 11 is a large storage device for storing images collected by the central processing server 12. Note that the DB 11 may be incorporated into the central processing server 12 and configured as one device.

  The central processing server 12 collects images stored dispersedly in a plurality of scattered image capturing / storage systems as necessary, stores them in the DB 11, and uses them for various purposes such as criminal investigations. Information processing apparatus. The central processing server 12 may be composed of a single device or a system in which a plurality of devices are combined. In the following description, the central processing server 12 will be referred to in common including any modification.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central processing server 12. The central processing server 12 includes an image request reception unit 13, an image request processing unit 14, an image request storage unit 15, an image management information storage unit 16, an image reading unit 17, an image transmission unit 18, and image search information. A generation unit 19, an image search information transmission unit 20, an image reception unit 21, and an image storage unit 22 are provided. Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail.

  The image request receiving unit 13 receives an image request sent from the network side. Here, the “image request” is packet data transmitted from a user who requests a predetermined image. The image request is sent to the central processing server 12 in response to an instruction from a user who wants an image taken at a specific position and time from a terminal device such as a personal computer (PC) or a mobile phone connected to a network such as the Internet. Is done.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the image request packet. The image request includes at least request source identification information, request image position information, and request time information.

The request source identification information is information for identifying the terminal to which the image request is transmitted, and can be, for example, the IP address of the packet transmission source.

The requested image position information is information for specifying at which position an image captured at the position is requested. For example, in order to specify a range for requesting an image, a plurality of pieces of GPS position information can be used as the requested image position information. In the image request processing unit 14 to be described later, a protocol that interprets a position range connecting the GPS position information as vertices as a range for requesting an image may be set. One piece of GPS position information may be used as the requested image position information. A protocol that interprets a range of a predetermined distance from the GPS position information as a range for requesting an image may be used. In addition, a base station ID that identifies a radio communication base station can be used as requested image position information. That is, a designation method may be used in which the coverage area of the base station ID is designated as a position range for requesting an image.

  The image request time information is information for specifying in which time zone an image captured is requested. For example, two times may be designated as the image request time information in order to specify a time zone for requesting an image. In the image request processing unit 14, a protocol may be set that specifies that the time zone between the two times is the time zone requesting the image. One time may be used as the image request time information. The configuration may be such that a predetermined time before and after the time is specified as a time zone for requesting an image. Further, a protocol may be used in which one time and one time width are used as the image request time information, and a time zone specified by the time width before and after the time is specified as a time zone requesting an image. .

The method for specifying the position and time zone for requesting an image in the image request position information and the image request time information is not limited to the above example, can be changed as appropriate, and can be set as a protocol.

  The image request may include additional information such as the IP address of the other central processing server 12 and other image request conditions. In addition, as such additional information, for example, when the submission of an image is a transaction involving money, information indicating the upper and lower limits of the purchase price of the image may be included. Information about image quality such as a pixel number range and a lower pixel number may be included. In addition, as the additional information, the user name of the imaged user, the identification ID of the imaging device, the purpose of use of the image, the encryption key for encrypting the image, the identifier for identifying the institution requesting the image request, the requested image Various information such as the purpose of use can be included in the image request packet.

In addition, the image request may include an identifier for identifying a packet related to the image request. The central processing server 12 may be configured to perform subsequent processing when an identifier indicating the image request is included in the packet.

  The image request processing unit 14 processes the image request received by the image request receiving unit 13. Specifically, processing necessary for transmitting an image based on the image request is performed. Such processing includes processing for determining whether a corresponding image is stored in the DB 11, packet generation processing for generating a transmission packet for transmitting an image, additional information processing for reading additional information appropriately, and image encryption An encryption process is performed, an image reading instruction generation process for the image reading unit 17, an image search information generation instruction generation process for the image search information generation unit 19, and the like.

  The image request processing unit 14 specifies a range of image capturing positions and image capturing times required from image request position information and image request time information included in the image request. Next, the image request processing unit 14 accesses the image management information storage unit 16, refers to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 16, and performs imaging within the range of the imaging position and imaging time. It is determined whether the processed image is stored in the DB 11.

As a result of the determination, the image request processing unit 14 instructs the image reading unit 17 to read the corresponding image when the corresponding image is stored in the DB 11. Specifically, an image captured within a position / time range specified based on an image request in the determination process is determined as an image to be read from the DB 11. The image request processing unit 14 refers to image management information, which will be described later, and outputs an image reading instruction including the storage address of the image to be read to the image reading unit 17.

Further, if the image is not stored in the DB 11 as a result of the determination, the image request processing unit 14 instructs the image search information generation unit 19 to generate image search information. Specifically, the requested image position information and the requested image time information included in the image request are subjected to format conversion as necessary, and then included in the image search information generation instruction and output to the image search information generation unit 19.

Further, the image request processing unit 14 transmits the image read by the image reading unit 17 in a packet having the request source address specified by the request source identification information included in the image request as the destination (IP address). To the unit 18.

  The additional information included in the image request includes an encryption key for encryption and an encryption necessity bit indicating whether encryption is necessary, and the encryption necessity bit indicates “1” indicating “encryption required”. ", The image request processing unit 14 may encrypt the read image with the encryption key and store it in the packet.

  The image request processing unit 14 stores the image request received from the image request receiving unit 13 in the image request storage unit 15. When the image request processing unit 14 receives an image from the image storage unit 22 to be described later, the image request processing unit 14 reads an image request corresponding to the image from the image request storage unit 15 and uses the request source identifier included in the image request as a destination. The image is divided into packets and stored, and then sent to the image transmission unit 18.

  The image management information storage unit 16 stores image management information for managing images stored in the DB 11. FIG. 4 shows an example of image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 16.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image management information includes the file name of the image stored in the DB 11, image acquisition position information indicating the acquisition position (imaging position) of the image, and the acquisition time (imaging time) of the image. Is a management table in which image acquisition time information indicating the image data, image provider identification information for specifying a provider (sender) of the image, and a storage address indicating a storage position on the DB 11 of the image data are associated with each other. is there.

  In the example of FIG. 4, GPS information of the position where the image is acquired is used as the image acquisition position information. Further, as the image provider identification information for specifying the image provider, information that uniquely identifies the device that captured the image or the transmission device that transmitted the image, the ID of the user who captured the image, and the like are used. Can do. As the information for uniquely identifying the device or the like, the MAC address of the device can be used, but is not limited to this.

  Based on the image reading instruction from the image request processing unit 14, the image reading unit 17 accesses the address of the DB 11 specified by the instruction and reads the image stored at the address position. The image reading unit 17 outputs the image to the image request processing unit 14.

  The image transmission unit 18 transmits the image data to the image request source by transmitting a packet included in the payload portion of the image data transmitted from the image request processing unit 14.

  The image search information generation unit 19 generates image search information based on an image search information generation instruction from the image request processing unit 14. Here, the image search information is an image captured within a position / time range specified by the image request in an image stored in a small and small image storage device existing in a distributed manner. This is information used to search for existence.

FIG. 5 shows an example of image search information. The image search information includes request source identification information, image search position range information, and image search time range information.

Here, the request source identification information is information indicating a transmission destination to which an image extracted as a result of the search from the image capturing / storage systems existing in a distributed manner is transmitted. Here, the information for identifying the central processing server 12 is information. Selected. That is, the image search information generation unit 19 sets the IP address set in the central processing server 12 that is its own device as request source identification information indicating a request source that requests an image as a transmission destination of an image packet. Generate image search information. The image search information generation unit 19 includes these pieces of information as an image search packet and outputs the packet to the image search information transmission unit.

Here, the image search information generation unit 19 sets the destination of the image search packet to a broadcast address or a multicast address so that it can be transmitted to a large number of image capturing / storage systems. In addition to the broadcast packet, an image search packet in which an individual unicast address is set may be generated.

The image search position range information included in the image search information is information for designating an image pickup position range of an image to be extracted from images stored in a distributed image pickup / storage system. The image search information generation unit 19 sets the image search position range information based on the requested image position information included in the image request received by the image request reception unit 13.

The image search time range information included in the image search information is information for designating an imaging time range of an image to be extracted from images stored in an image capturing / storage system existing in a distributed manner. The image search information generation unit 19 sets image search time range information based on the requested image time information included in the image request received by the image request reception unit 13.

Here, when the image request and the image search information adopt the same format, the requested image position information and the requested image time information included in the image request are directly used as the image search position range information and the image search time range information. May be set as On the other hand, when different protocols are set between the image request and the image search information and the format needs to be changed, the image request processing unit 14 includes the requested image position information and the requested image time information included in the image request. The position / time range specified in (1) is replaced with the image search position range information and the image search time range information, which are methods for specifying the format for the image search information, and output to the image search information generation unit 19.

Note that the image search information is not limited to the case shown in FIG. The image search information generation unit 19 may generate image search information including an encryption key for encryption performed on each storage device side, monetary information indicating a purchase price of an image, and other additional information specified by an image request. good. Although a large number of conditions are incorporated as image search conditions, the image collection efficiency is reduced, but only the images that have been scrutinized and selected in each image storage device are transmitted to the central processing server 12, so the load on the central processing server 12 It is possible to increase the privacy protection effect by suppressing the distribution of unnecessary images and reduce the network load.

The image search information transmitting unit 20 transmits the generated image search information. In accordance with the destination address of the packet set by the image search information generation unit 19, it is simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of image capturing / storage systems.

In another way, the image search information generation unit 19 and the image search information transmission unit 20 can be viewed as a request unit that requests an external image storage device to transmit an image. That is, the image search information is a signal for causing each image storage device to search for an image and transmitting an image corresponding to the condition. That is, the request unit requests an external image storage device to transmit an image that is not stored in the DB on the image collection system side. From another viewpoint, it can also be seen as a transmission instruction unit that gives an instruction to transmit an image.

The image receiving unit 21 receives an image transmitted from an image capturing / storage system existing in a distributed manner, and outputs the received image to the image storage unit 22. Here, the image received by the image receiving unit 21 is associated with at least the imaging position of the image and the imaging time. The association may be associated by including information indicating the imaging position and imaging time in the header portion of the image. Further, the image receiving unit 21 may receive an image management file in which the file name of the image, the imaging position, and the imaging time are associated and collected separately from the image. In this case, the image management file is also output to the image storage unit 22.

The image storage unit 22 stores the image received from the image reception unit 21 in the DB 11. In addition, the image management information includes the file name of the image, the imaging position and the imaging time (acquisition position and acquisition time) associated with the image, information for identifying the provider of the image, and a storage address indicating the storage position of the image. Stored in the management information storage unit 16. That is, the image storage unit 22 updates the image management information in the management table stored in the image management information storage unit 16.

The image storage unit performs processing for storing, in the image management information, information relating to the imaging position and imaging time associated with the image, information for identifying the provider of the image, and a storage address indicating the storage location of the image as image management information Instead of 22, it may be provided as a separate image management storage unit.

  Next, the operation of the central processing server 12 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the central processing server 12.

  The image request processing unit 14 determines whether or not a new image request has been received by the image request receiving unit 13 (step S101). If it has not been received, it waits as it is and waits for a new image request to be received.

  When the image request receiving unit 13 receives a newly received image request, the image request processing unit 14 determines whether the image requested by the image request is stored in the DB 11 (step S102).

Specifically, the image request processing unit 14 refers to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 16 and specifies based on the requested image position information and requested image time information included in the received image request. It is determined whether an image captured in the position / time range to be stored is stored in the DB 11.

If the image request processing unit 14 determines in step S102 that the requested image is stored in the DB 11, the image request processing unit 14 instructs the image reading unit 17 to read an image including the storage address of the image, and the image reading unit 17 causes the image to be read (step S103).

Upon receiving the image reading instruction, the image reading unit 17 accesses the storage address specified by the image reading instruction and reads the image stored at the address position (step S104).

In step S104, the image read by the image reading unit 17 is sent to the image request processing unit 14, and after the necessary processing such as encryption is performed in the image request processing unit 14, it is divided into packets and stored. Finally, the image is transmitted from the image transmission unit 18 to the image request source (step S105).

On the other hand, when the image request processing unit 14 determines in step S102 that the corresponding image is not stored in the DB 11, the image request processing unit 14 issues an image search information generation instruction to the image search information generation unit 19. (Step S106). Specifically, the image request processing unit 14 converts the format of the information included in the image request received from the image request receiving unit 13 as necessary and includes it in the image search information generation instruction so as to include the image search information generation unit 19. Output to.

Receiving the image search information generation instruction, the image search information generation unit 19 generates image search information according to a predetermined format and outputs it to the image search information transmission unit (step S107).

The image search information transmission unit 20 transmits the image search information received from the image search information generation unit 19 to the outside (step S108).

The image receiving unit 21 receives the image extracted and transmitted based on the image search information transmitted in step S108 (step S109). The image received by the image receiving unit 21 is sent to the image storage unit 22.

The image storage unit 22 stores the image received from the image receiving unit 21 in the DB 11 (step S110). At the same time, the image storage unit 22 stores the position information and time information associated with the image and other storage addresses on the DB 11 storing the image as image management information in the image management information storage unit, thereby storing the image management information storage. The image management information stored in the unit 16 is updated (step S111).

At the same time, the image storage unit 22 sends the image to the image processing unit 14, and the image processing unit 14 converts the image into a packet whose destination is an IP address specified based on the request source identification information included in the image request corresponding to the image. After the image is divided and stored, the image transmission unit 18 transmits the image to the image request source (step S112).

Next, the image capturing / storing system 100 that captures and stores images will be described. The image capturing / storing system 100 can take various forms and will be described in order.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing / storage device 100a which is an aspect of the image capturing / storage system. Here, the image capturing and storing device is a device having a function of capturing an image and a function of storing an image with one device.

  The image imaging storage device 100a includes an image imaging unit 110, a position information acquisition unit 120, a time information acquisition unit 130, an association unit 140, a storage unit 150, an image search information reception unit 160, and an image search unit 170. And an image transmission unit 180.

  The image capturing unit 110 corresponds to a so-called camera and captures an image. The image capturing unit 110 performs image correction such as white balance adjustment on an image captured by a solid-state device such as a CCD or CMOS through a lens, and after compression-encoding to a predetermined format such as JPEG or MPEG, The image is output to the associating unit 140.

The position information acquisition unit 120 obtains the position information by obtaining the current position. The position information acquisition unit 120 receives radio waves from GPS satellites, specifies the current position according to a predetermined position calculation algorithm, and acquires the position as position information. The position information acquisition unit 120 sends position information indicating the acquired current position to the association unit 140.

The position information acquisition unit 120 may be configured to acquire position information in cooperation with a server on the network side. For example, the position information acquisition unit 120 transmits information obtained by demodulating and decoding radio waves received from GPS satellites to the network once by wireless communication, and is calculated by a position calculation device arranged in the network. The position information may be acquired by wirelessly receiving the position information.

Further, the position information acquisition unit 120 is configured to acquire position information by estimating the current position based on the ID of the base station that is performing communication and the intensity and direction of the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the base station. Also good.

The time information acquisition unit 130 obtains time information by obtaining the current time. Specifically, the time information acquisition unit 130 may be configured as a time measurement circuit such as a built-in clock, or receives radio waves from a GPS satellite and specifies the current time according to a predetermined position calculation algorithm. The time may be obtained as time information. The time information acquisition unit 130 sends time information indicating the acquired current time to the association unit 140.

  The associating unit 140 associates the image sent from the image capturing unit 110 with the position information received from the position information acquiring unit 120 and the time information received from the time information acquiring unit 130. The associating unit 140 stores the image in the storage unit 150 in a state where the image is associated with the position information and time information.

  Note that various methods can be adopted as the association method in the association unit 140. For example, the associating unit 140 may perform the association by embedding the position information and time information as information indicating the position and time at which the image is captured in the header portion of the image.

Further, the associating unit 140 may perform the association by separately generating a management file in which the file name of the image is associated with the position information and time information. In this case, the associating unit 140 stores the management file together in the storage unit 150. Specifically, the associating unit 140 reads out from the storage unit 150 an image management file in which the association between the image file name, the imaging position and the imaging time, and the storage address of the image in the storage unit 150 is newly read. The image file name, position information, time information, and storage address related to the associated image are added to the image management file and updated. Association may be performed in this way.

  The storage unit 150 stores the images that have been associated by the association unit 140. When the association is performed using the management file, the management file is stored together. As the storage unit 150, a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory card can be used.

  The image search information receiving unit 160 receives image search information transmitted from the central processing server 12. The image search information receiving unit 160 sends the received image search information to the image search unit 170.

  Based on the received image search information, the image search unit 170 performs a search to determine whether an image satisfying the search condition indicated by the image search information is stored in the storage unit 150.

  Specifically, since the image search information includes the image search position range information and the image search time range information as shown in FIG. 5, the image search information is captured in the position / time range specified based on these information. It is searched whether the recorded image is stored. That is, a position identified based on the image search position range information and the image search time range information included in the image search information by confirming the image pickup position and the image pickup time associated with the image stored in the storage unit 150 -Search for images taken in the time range.

  As a result of the search, if the image captured in the position / time range is stored in the storage unit 150, the image search unit 170 extracts the image and sends it to the image transmission unit 180.

  The image transmission unit 180 divides the image extracted and sent as a result of the search in the image search unit 170 into packets whose destination is the IP address specified based on the request source identification information included in the image search information. To store and send. The transmission method may be wired transmission when connected to a wired connection, or wireless transmission via a wireless interface (not shown) otherwise. A mobile radio communication network can be used as such radio.

Usually, the associating unit 140 and the image searching unit 170 are connected to a CPU (Central
This is realized by causing the Processing Unit) to execute a predetermined program.

  Next, the operation of the image capturing / storage device 100a will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the imaging process and the storage process in the image capturing / storage device 100a.

  The image capturing unit 110 captures an image (step S201). Specifically, the image capturing unit 110 starts capturing an image when receiving an image capturing instruction (recording instruction) from a user via an operation input unit (not shown). The image capturing unit 110 may be configured to automatically start image capturing when the image capturing / storage device 100a is placed in a predetermined state.

  At the same time, the position information acquisition unit 120 and the time information acquisition unit 130 acquire position information and time information, respectively (step S202). The acquired position information and time information are sent to the associating unit 140.

  The associating unit 140 associates the image captured in step S201 with the position information and time information acquired in step S202, and stores the image in the storage unit 150 (step S203).

  The associating unit 140 determines whether an imaging stop instruction (recording stop instruction) has been input from the user via the operation input unit when the storage is performed (step S204). If no imaging stop instruction has been input, the process returns to step S201 to continue imaging. On the other hand, when an imaging stop instruction has been input, a stop instruction signal for stopping the operation is output to the image capturing unit 110, the position information acquisition unit 120, and the time information acquisition unit 130, and a series of imaging / storage processes ends. .

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of image search / transmission processing in the image capturing / storage device 100a.

The image search unit 170 determines whether the image search information is received by the image search information receiving unit 160 (step S301). If the image search information has not been received, the image search unit 170 waits as it is and waits for the image search information to be received.

When the image search information is received by the image search information receiving unit 160 and the image search information is received, the image search unit 170 executes an image search (step S302). Specifically, the position information associated with the image whether the image captured within the position / time range specified based on the position and time information included in the image search information is stored in the storage unit 150, and Check by referring to the time information.

As a result of the search executed in step S302, the image search unit 170 determines whether the corresponding image obtained from the image search information exists in the storage unit 150 (step S303). As a result of the determination, if the corresponding image is not stored in the storage unit 150, the process is terminated.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the corresponding image is stored by the search in step S302, the image search unit 170 extracts the corresponding image and sends it to the image transmission unit 180 (step S304). The image transmission unit 180 submits the requested image by transmitting the transmitted image to the outside (step S305).

As described above, the image capturing / storing device 100a is a device that moves by itself or is attached to a moving body, and is a device that can capture and store an image while allowing the position of the device to be specified. Examples of such a device include a car navigation device having a route guidance function mounted on a moving body such as a car, a drive recorder, and a mobile phone terminal device with a camera such as a smartphone. However, the image capturing / storing device 100a is not limited to this, and may be various types of devices having the functions described above.

Next, the image capturing / storing system 100b will be described. The image capturing / storing system 100b includes at least two devices, an image capturing device 200b and an image storing device 300b, and has a configuration capable of communication between the two devices.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image capturing apparatus 200b. The image capturing apparatus 200b includes an image capturing unit 110, a position information acquiring unit 120, a time information acquiring unit 130, an associating unit 140, a storage unit 250, a connection state establishing unit 270, an image extracting unit 280, and a communication. Part 290. Hereinafter, functions of each unit will be described. However, since the image capturing unit 110, the position information acquiring unit 120, the time information acquiring unit 130, and the associating unit 140 are substantially the same as the configuration described in the image capturing / storage device 100a, description thereof is omitted.

In addition to storing an image associated with the imaging position and imaging time, the storage unit 250 also stores connection information necessary for establishing a connection with the image storage device 300b described later. The connection information includes an identifier that uniquely identifies the connection destination image storage device 300b, an encryption key used for establishing a connection state with the image storage device 300b, an authentication password, and the like.

The connection state establishing unit 270 establishes a connection state with the image storage device 300b. Specifically, the presence of an external device is detected via a communication unit 290 described later, and connection with the external device is attempted.

When the connection state establishing unit 270 detects the presence of the external device, the connection state establishing unit 270 first refers to the connection information stored in the storage unit 250 and confirms whether the device is registered in advance. Specifically, it is determined whether the identifier for identifying the detected external device matches the identifier registered in the connection information. If the identifiers match, the connection state establishing unit 270 establishes a session with the external device, and establishes a connection state by performing authentication processing and concealment processing as necessary.

After the connection state is established by the connection state establishment unit 270, the image extraction unit 280 extracts the image stored in the storage unit 250 and sends it to the communication unit 290. The image extraction unit 280 manages images that have been extracted from the storage unit 250 and have been transmitted so far, and extracts images that have been stored in the storage unit 250 and have not been transmitted. Part 290.

The communication unit 290 stores the image transmitted from the image extraction unit 280 in a packet and transmits the image to the external device whose connection state is established by the connection state establishment unit 270. At this time, the communication unit 290 transmits the image to be transmitted in a state associated with the imaging position (acquisition position) and imaging time (acquisition time) of the image. In this case, the imaging position information and imaging time information may be given in the image data, or a management file that summarizes the correspondence may be transmitted separately.

Examples of such an image capturing apparatus 200b include a compact camera and a mobile phone terminal with a camera. 11A is a front view, FIG. 11B is a rear view, FIG. 11C is a plan view, FIG. 11D is a bottom view, and FIG. 11E is a left side view. FIG.

On the front surface of the smartphone 201, a speaker 202 that reproduces sound is disposed above, and an image display panel 203 that is mainly composed of a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like is disposed. In addition, an input button 204 is arranged below.

A camera 205 is attached to the rear surface. A modular jack 206 and a power switch 207 for connecting headphones or the like are disposed on the top surface, and speakers 208 and 209 are disposed on both sides and a connection terminal 210 for connecting to a connection cable is disposed on the center on the bottom surface. On the left side, a SIM card slot 211 for storing a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card that records contract information for specifying a telephone number is arranged, and on the right side, a volume switch 212 for changing the volume is arranged. The

Here, the image storage device 300b and the smartphone 201, which will be described later, are configured to be connectable with a connection cable. As such a connection cable, for example, an existing connection method such as USB can be used. Communication is started between the smartphone 201 and the image storage device 300b by connecting one end of the connection cable to the connection terminal 210 on the smartphone side and connecting the other end to the connection terminal of the image storage device 300b.

In addition, although FIG. 11 demonstrated the smart phone as the image pick-up device 200b, it is not restricted to this. Similarly, a connection terminal connected to a connection cable may be provided for a digital camera, a drive recorder, or the like, which is a kind of the image pickup apparatus 200b.

Returning to FIG. 10, the communication unit 290 starts communication when both devices are connected by the connection cable. At the same time, the connection state establishment unit 270 starts connection state establishment processing such as authentication processing and concealment processing via the communication unit 290.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the image capturing apparatus 200b.

The connection state establishing unit 270 detects a connection with an external device (step S401). Specifically, a connection cable is connected to a connection terminal provided in the own device, and data is sent through the connection cable. When the data is received, the connection device is connected to an external device. You may employ | adopt the system which detects this.

When the connection state establishment unit 270 detects a connection with an external device in step S401, the connection state establishment unit 270 performs a connection process that attempts to connect to the external device (step S402). Specifically, a unique ID that uniquely identifies the external device, such as a MAC address included in a packet transmitted from the external device via a connection cable, and the connection information stored in the storage unit 250 are included. The unique ID of the registered device is compared. If the two unique IDs match, the external device is assumed to be a registered device, and a connection state is established after performing other authentication processing, concealment processing, encryption processing, and the like. The connection process may be configured to perform a connection process such as an authentication process in a higher layer than the session layer or the application layer.

The detection of connection in step S401 is not limited to wired connection, but may be wireless connection. The image capturing apparatus 200b includes a wireless communication interface such as a wireless LAN, and the connection state detection unit 270 employs a method of detecting a connection with an external apparatus by receiving a signal from an access point (AP). Also good.

In this case, the connection state establishing unit 280 has a unique ID for identifying the access point included in the received signal and a unique ID of the registered access point included in the connection information for connection establishment stored in the storage unit 250. Compare the ID. If these two APs have unique IDs, the authentication password and WEP included in the connection information are used to perform authentication processing and concealment processing with the AP, and after establishing the connection with the AP, The same authentication process and concealment process as those of the previously connected image storage device 300b are performed using a password or the like included in the connection information or an encryption key. The connection state establishing unit 270 may establish a connection by such a method.

As a result of the connection process in step S402, if the connection is successful, the process proceeds to the image transmission process in step S404 (step S403). On the other hand, when the connection fails as a result of the connection processing in step S402, the image storage device 300b ends the connection processing without establishing a connection state on the assumption that the image storage device 300b is not a regular device registered in advance.

If it is determined in step S403 that the connection process in step S402 has been successful, the image extraction unit 280 extracts an image stored in the storage unit 250 and transmits the image from the image transmission unit 290.

In this case, the image stored in the storage unit 250 is associated with whether or not the image is extracted by the image extraction unit 280 and transferred to the outside in addition to being associated with the imaging position and the imaging time. Also good.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an image management file in which the correspondence between the image stored in the storage unit 250 in this case, the imaging position, and the imaging time is summarized. In FIG. 13, in the image management file, an image has already been extracted in addition to the image file name, image acquisition position information and image acquisition time information indicating the image pickup position and image pickup time, and a storage address indicating the storage position of the image. The transmitted judgment bit indicating whether or not the data has been transmitted to the outside is also countered.

If it is determined in step 403 that the connection process has been successful, the image extraction unit 280 reads the image management file, and an image with a transmitted determination bit of 0 indicating that image extraction and transmission has not yet been completed. The image is extracted by reading the image from the storage address position of the image.

In FIG. 13, since SRC100101.jpg and SRC100102.jpg have already been extracted and transmitted, the transmitted determination bit is set to “1” indicating that the processing has been completed. ,
The determination bit of SRC100103.jpg and SRC100104.jpg is “0”. The image extraction unit 280 has the transmitted determination bit “0” SRC100103.jpg
The image of SRC100104.jpg is specified as an extraction target, and the image is read from the storage position with reference to the storage address of the image. The image extraction unit 280 sends the read image to the image transmission unit 290. The image extraction unit 280 receives an Ack signal indicating that the image transmission is completed from the image transmission unit 290 at a stage where the image transmission from the image transmission unit 290 to the image storage device 300b which is an external device is completed. When the image extraction unit 280 receives the Ack signal from the image transmission unit 290, the image extraction unit 280 updates the image management file by rewriting the transmitted determination bit of the image from “0” to “1”. . It may be configured in this way.

The image extraction unit 280 determines whether an image to be further transmitted is stored in the storage unit 250 when one (one unit) image transmission is completed (step S405). Specifically, if there is no transmitted determination bit, it is determined whether all the images stored in the storage unit 250 have been transmitted. When the transmitted determination bit is used, it is determined whether an image having the transmitted determination bit “0” is stored in the storage unit 250. As a result of the determination, if the necessary image transmission has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S404, and the image extraction unit 280 performs the next image extraction. On the other hand, when the transmission of all the images that need to be transmitted is completed, the process ends.

Next, the image storage device 300b which is an image receiver will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image storage device 300b. The image storage device 300b includes a communication unit 310, a connection state establishment unit 320, an image storage unit 330, a storage unit 350, an image search information reception unit 360, an image search unit 370, and an image transmission unit 380. Prepare.

The communication unit 310 communicates with the image capturing device 200b that is an external device. Specifically, the image storage device 300b also has a connection terminal for connecting a connection cable, and communicates with the image capturing device 200b via the connection cable connected to the connection terminal. The image received by the communication unit 310 is once sent to the image storage unit 330.

The connection state establishing unit 320 establishes a connection state with an external device. When the connection state establishing unit 320 detects the presence of the external device, the connection state establishing unit 320 first refers to the connection information stored in the storage unit 350 and confirms whether the device is registered in advance. For example, it is determined whether the identifier for identifying the detected external device matches the identifier registered in the connection information. If the identifiers match, the connection state establishment unit 320 establishes a session with the external device, and establishes a connection state by performing authentication processing and concealment processing as necessary.

The image storage unit 330 stores the image received from the communication unit 310 in the storage unit 350. At this time, the image storage unit 330 stores the image in the storage unit 350 while maintaining the association between the imaging position and the imaging time. The method for maintaining the association is to generate an image management file and store it in the storage unit 350, or store the image in the storage unit 350 in an image management file in which the association is received together in the communication unit 310. This can be dealt with by writing the address and storing it in the storage unit 350.

The storage unit 350 stores an image received by the communication unit 310 and stored from the image storage unit 330 after the connection state establishment unit 320 establishes the connection state. Here, the communication unit 310 receives the image in a state associated with the imaging position and the imaging time, and the storage unit 350 stores the image while maintaining the association. When the communication unit 310 receives the image management file that summarizes the correspondence between the image file name, the imaging position, and the imaging time, and the association is maintained, the storage unit 350 indicates the image management file. The contents to be stored are stored together.

The image search information receiving unit 360 receives image search information transmitted from the central processing server 12. The image search information receiving unit 360 sends the received image search information to the image search unit 370.

  Based on the received image search information, the image search unit 370 performs a search to determine whether an image that satisfies the search condition indicated by the image search information is stored in the storage unit 350.

  Specifically, similar to the image search unit 170 described above, an image captured in the position / time range specified based on the image search position range information and the image search time range information included in the image search information is stored. Find out what has been done. That is, a position identified based on the image search position range information and the image search time range information included in the image search information by confirming the image pickup position and the image pickup time associated with the image stored in the storage unit 350 -Search for images taken in the time range.

  As a result of the search, when the image captured in the position / time range is stored in the storage unit 350, the image search unit 370 extracts the image and sends it to the image transmission unit 380.

  The image transmission unit 380 divides the image extracted and sent as a result of the search in the image search unit 370 into packets whose destination is an IP address specified based on the request source identification information included in the image search information. To store and send. The transmission method may be wired transmission when connected to a wired connection, or wireless transmission via a wireless interface (not shown) otherwise.

Note that the image storage device 300b is generally assumed to take the form of a personal computer or the like installed in the home, and therefore is expected to be connected to the Internet network by wire. In such a case, the image transmission unit 380 can transmit the image extracted by the image search unit 370 to the central processing server 12 at high speed using the wire.

As described above, the image capturing / storing system 100b includes at least two of a device that captures an image and a device that stores the image. In general, as a result of pursuing user portability and convenience, the image capturing apparatus 100b is required to be reduced in size and power saving, and the storage capacity of the storage unit 250 is assumed to be relatively small.

Therefore, when an image captured by such a device is charged when connected to a personal computer or the like when the user returns home, or when entering a home wireless LAN, It is preferable to automatically transfer the image from the image capturing device 200b to the image storage device 300b. With this configuration, a long-term image can be stored and stored by a personal computer or the like on which a relatively large capacity information storage medium can be mounted.

Note that the image storage device 300b does not have to be a device disposed in the home, and may be a device disposed in an office, a public area, or the like.

In addition, the image capturing apparatus 200b described above may be an apparatus that the user who is one of the moving bodies can see. There is a smart glass as such. Here, the smart glasses are digital glasses having multiple functions. First and second transmissive liquid crystal panels are respectively disposed in the binocular lens portions, and first and second cameras are respectively disposed above the transmissive liquid crystal panels. Also, inside the frame portion of the digital glasses, a CPU that processes the upper part, a storage unit that stores an image captured by the camera, a GPS receiver that acquires current position information, a wireless communication unit that communicates with the outside, power A power supply unit or the like for supplying is provided. By mounting the function shown in FIG. 10 on the smart glass, the image capturing apparatus 200b can be obtained.

Next, the operation of the image storage device 300b will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The connection state establishing unit 370 detects a connection with an external device (step S501). Specifically, a connection cable is connected to a connection terminal provided in the own device, and data is sent through the connection cable. When the data is received, the connection device is connected to an external device. A method for detecting this can be adopted. Further, data may be periodically transmitted via a connection cable connected to the connection terminal, and connection with an external device may be detected when a response is obtained.

When the connection state establishment unit 370 detects a connection with an external device in step S401, the connection state establishment unit 370 performs a connection process that attempts to connect with the external device (step S502). Specifically, a unique ID that uniquely identifies the external device, such as a MAC address included in a packet transmitted from the external device via a connection cable, and the connection information stored in the storage unit 350 are included. The unique ID of the registered device is compared. If the two unique IDs match, the external device is assumed to be a registered device, and a connection state is established after performing other authentication processing, concealment processing, encryption processing, and the like. The connection process may be configured to perform a connection process such as an authentication process in a higher layer than the session layer or the application layer.

In addition, as a connection detection in step S501, a method of detecting a connection with an external device by monitoring a packet sent from a wireless LAN access point which is a device connected to the own device via a LAN is adopted. Also good. In this case, the unique ID indicating the transmission source of the packet transmitted via the AP is compared with the registered unique ID included in the connection information stored in the storage unit 350. Etc., a connection can be established.

As a result of the connection process in step S502, if the connection is successful, the process proceeds to the image reception process in step S504 (step S503). On the other hand, if the connection process fails as a result of the connection process in step S502, the image capturing apparatus 200b, which is the external apparatus, terminates the connection process without establishing a connection state on the assumption that the apparatus is not a registered regular apparatus. .

If it is determined in step S503 that the connection process in step S502 is successful, the communication unit 310 receives an image transmitted from the image capturing apparatus 200b, which is an external apparatus (step S504). An image received by the communication unit 310 is sent to the image storage unit 330.

The image storage unit 330 stores the received image in the storage unit 350 in a state associated with the image capturing position and the capturing time (step S505). Next, the image storage unit 330 determines whether all images to be stored this time have been received by the communication unit 310 (step S506).

In the determination, for example, when all the images have been extracted and transmitted on the image capturing apparatus 200b side, the image extraction unit 280 generates transmission completion information indicating that transmission of all the images has been completed, and the communication unit 290. A more transmitting mechanism may be incorporated. When the image storage unit 330 receives the transmission completion information via the communication unit 310, the image storage unit 330 may determine that all transmission / reception of all the current images has been completed and end the series of image storage processing.

As a result of the determination in step S506, if it is determined that all images have not been received, the process returns to step S504, and the subsequent image is received. Note that after the image is properly stored in step S505, the image storage unit 330 generates an Ack signal indicating that the image has been properly received, and transmits the Ack signal to the image capturing apparatus 200b side through the communication unit 310. And even better.

Note that image extraction / transmission processing performed by the image search information receiving unit 360, the image search unit 370, and the image transmission unit 380 is performed by the image search information reception unit 160, the image search unit 170, and the image transmission unit 180 described with reference to FIG. Since this is substantially the same as the image extraction / transmission process, description thereof is omitted.

As described above, the central processing server 12 is used for collecting images by incorporating the system in which the image capturing / storage device 100a is systematized like the image capturing / storage system 100b including a plurality of devices into the image collection target in the central processing server 12. The target can be enlarged and the image collection efficiency can be improved.

  Next, another form of the image capturing / storage system 100c will be described. The image capturing / storage system 100c is a system including an image capturing device 200c, an information processing device 400c, and an information storage medium 500c.

An internal system composed of the information processing apparatus 400c and the information storage medium 500c may be particularly referred to as an image storage system 300c. The image storage system 300c corresponds to a systemized image storage device 300b described above.

Since the functional configuration of the image capturing device 200c is substantially the same as that of the above-described image capturing device 200b except that the connection destination is changed from the image storage device 300b to the information processing device 400c, description thereof is omitted here.

  The information processing device 400c is a device such as a personal computer disposed in a home, for example, and the information storage medium 500c is a device such as a home server disposed in the home. The information processing apparatus 400c and the information storage medium 500c are connected to each other via a home LAN. It is assumed that the information storage medium 500c can be connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses 400c via a home LAN. Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 400c will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus 400c. The information processing apparatus 400c includes a communication unit 310, a connection state establishment unit 320, an image storage unit 430, a storage unit 450, an image search information reception unit 360, an image search unit 370, and an image transmission unit 380. Prepare. Here, a part of the substantially same parts as those of the image storage device 300b shown in FIG.

The storage unit 450 stores connection information that is information used by the connection state establishing unit 320 to establish a connection state with an external device. The connection state establishing unit 320 attempts to establish a connection state with an external device using the connection information stored in the storage unit 450. Such connection information includes a unique ID for identifying a registered external device, an authentication password, an encryption key for encryption, confidential information used for confidential processing, and the like.

The storage unit 450 also stores an image management file for managing images stored in the information storage medium 500c.

The image storage unit 430 stores the image received and sent by the communication unit 310 in the information storage medium 500c located outside. At this time, similarly to the image storage unit 330 in FIG. 14, the image storage unit 430 stores the image in the information storage medium in a state associated with the acquisition position and acquisition time of the image. An image management file in which the image, the acquisition position (imaging position), the acquisition time (imaging time), and the storage address in the information storage medium 500c are associated is stored in the storage unit 450. That is, the image storage unit 430 reads out the image management file stored in the storage unit 450 and updates information related to the image newly stored in the information storage medium.

  The image search unit 370 refers to the image management file stored in the storage unit 450 and is photographed within the position / time range specified by the image search information received by the image search information receiving unit 360. A search is performed as to whether an image is stored in the information storage medium 500c. If the image is stored, the information storage medium 500 c is accessed to read the image, and the image transmission unit 380 transmits the image to the central processing server 12.

  As described above, the image storage system 300c is connected to the information processing apparatus 400c serving as an interface with the image capturing apparatus that is an external apparatus or the central processing server 12, and the image itself is stored in the information storage medium 500c.

  A typical example of such a system configuration is a group of devices connected to a home LAN, and images are collected and stored in an information storage medium 500c that is a home server. It is assumed that mobile phone devices such as smartphones and compact cameras, which can be the image capturing device 200c in a general home, exist for the number of family members. However, if images acquired by each device are individually managed in the home, management Becomes complicated. Therefore, after the home LAN is constructed, the images captured by the image capturing device to be written are collected and stored in the information storage medium that is the home server, so that the image search information from the central processing server 12 can be obtained. Is simplified, and image management itself is simplified.

In general, the home server can easily cope with the enlarging of the device itself, and can store images for a long period of several months to several years. Despite this enormous amount of image data, this image is isolated in a private area, and access from a public central processing server is restricted. Therefore, since the image storage systems isolated in such private areas exist in a distributed manner, it is possible to construct an image management system with a large amount of information as a whole while realizing privacy protection.

Next, the image capturing / storage system 100d will be described. The image capturing / storage system 100d includes an image capturing device 200d, an information processing device 400d, and an information storage medium 500d. Hereinafter, it demonstrates using drawing.

  The image capturing apparatus 200d is a camera having a function of capturing an image, and a fixed camera is assumed here. Here, the fixed camera refers to a security camera or the like that is fixedly installed in a home building or house, not a moving body. The image capturing apparatus 200d transmits an image captured by an image capturing unit that captures an image to the information processing apparatus 400d via a communication line. Normally, a plurality of such image capturing devices 200d are installed, and images captured by each image capturing device 200d are transmitted to the information processing device 400d.

  The image storage system 300d has a configuration similar to that of the above-described image storage system 300c, and here, the information storage medium 500d is also assumed to be a device such as a home server like the above-described information storage medium 500c. On the other hand, the information processing apparatus 400d is assumed to be a personal computer or the like connected to a home LAN, like the information processing apparatus 400c, but its functions are partially different.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus 400d. The information processing apparatus 400d includes an image reception unit 410, a time information acquisition unit 420, an image storage unit 430, a storage unit 450, an image search information reception unit 360, an image search unit 370, an image transmission unit 380, Is provided. Here, a part of the description is omitted for parts that are substantially the same as those of the information processing apparatus 400c shown in FIG.

The image receiving unit 410 receives an image transmitted from each image capturing device 200d. The received image is once sent to the associating unit 460.

The time information acquisition unit 420 acquires the current time and outputs it to the association unit 460 as time information. Note that the time acquisition method in the time information acquisition unit 420 can use an existing acquisition method.

  The storage unit 450 stores together the image capturing apparatus specific information related to the image capturing apparatus 200d connected to the own apparatus. FIG. 18 shows an example of the image capturing apparatus specific information.

As the image capturing device unique information, a camera number, an image capturing device unique ID, image capturing device information, an active state, installation position information, and a camera direction are registered in association with each other.

The camera number indicates a number assigned to a fixed camera (image capturing apparatus 200d) existing in the image capturing / storage system 100d. The image capturing device unique ID is an ID for uniquely identifying the image capturing device 200d. Specifically, a MAC address or the like can be used. The image capturing apparatus information is information that the apparatus user registers to manage the image capturing apparatus, and is information that is registered by each user so that the user can easily recognize the image capturing apparatus. The active state is information relating to whether each image capturing apparatus 200d is shooting (active state) or stopped (sleep state). The installation position information indicates the installation position of each image capturing apparatus 200d, and can be expressed using, for example, GPS coordinates. The installation position information indicates the image pickup position in the image pickup apparatus as it is. The camera direction indicates the direction (azimuth) in which each image capturing device 200d is attached. As the camera direction, for example, 8 directions may be designated by 3-bit information of 0 to 7, or 16 directions may be designated by 4-bit information of 0 to 15. Since a fixed installation type camera is assumed as the image capturing apparatus 200d, the information is also registered.

The associating unit 460 associates the image received by the image receiving unit 410 with the time acquired by the time information acquiring unit 420. Here, the time acquired by the time information acquisition unit 420 is associated with the imaging time when the image is captured. In addition, the associating unit 460 refers to the image capturing device unique information stored in the storage unit 450 and uses the value described in the installation position information associated with the image capturing device that captured the image as the image. As the imaging position. In addition, the associating unit 460 associates the value written in the camera direction associated with the image capturing apparatus as the image capturing direction (imaging orientation) of the image. The associating unit 460 sends the associated image to the image storage unit 430.

The association may be performed by writing it in the header portion of the image data, or by associating the image file with the image file name, image capturing position, image capturing time, and image capturing direction separately with the image management file. Also good. When the image management file is stored in the storage unit 450, the image management file is mainly referred to and updated from an image storage unit 430 described later.

  The image storage unit 430 stores the image after the association processing is performed by the association unit 460 in an external information storage medium 500d in a state where the association is maintained. The image storage unit 430 updates the image management file by adding the storage address on the information storage medium 500d for storing the image to the image management file newly written by the associating unit 460. The image management file may be stored in the storage unit 450 or the information storage medium 500d.

The configuration of the image search information receiving unit 360, the image search unit 370, and the image transmission unit 380 is the same as the configuration of the information processing apparatus 400c that has already been described, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In this way, images of a fixed camera or the like set in a private space by a private person or a private organization for self-defense are also subject to image collection by the central processing server 12. In this case, since the camera is a fixed camera, a predetermined position range is observed at a fixed point, so that the privacy infringement probability is increased as compared with the case of imaging with a camera or the like attached to the moving body.

  This is because a person living at the shooting destination of the camera is always exposed to the fixed camera. Therefore, from the viewpoint of privacy protection, it is preferable that the shooting range of such a camera is limited. In fact, in Germany where privacy protection literacy is high, the law imposes restrictions on the shooting range of fixed cameras within ~ meters from the eaves.

  However, a fixed camera after clearing such restrictions can also be a good image providing source for the image collection system 10 provided by the central processing server 12. Further, the image capturing / storing system 100d is spatially and virtually separated from the image collecting system 10 and is managed in a private space. Therefore, the images captured by the image capturing device 200d are collected in a unified manner. Because it is never done, privacy can be maintained.

  Therefore, the central processing server 12 can achieve the image collection more quickly and efficiently by incorporating the images of the fixed cameras that are installed and distributed and managed by each household in this manner into the image collection target. Can do.

In the above description, the associating unit 460 describes the case of associating with the image capturing apparatus specific information at the stage of image storage, but is not limited thereto. What needs to be associated with the information described in the image capturing apparatus specific information is a stage where the image is submitted to the outside.

  Accordingly, the associating unit 460 associates the image received from the image receiving unit 410 with the time information received from the time information acquiring unit 420 and sends it to the image storage unit 430 to store the image in the information storage medium 500d. The association between the image and the imaging time indicated by the item information is collected in an image management file and stored in the storage unit 450.

Thereafter, when the image search unit 370 extracts the corresponding image based on the image search information received by the image search information receiving unit 360, the association unit 460 is included in the image capturing apparatus specific information with respect to the extracted image. It may be configured to associate with necessary information.

  That is, the image search unit 370 performs a search based on the image search information, refers to the image capturing apparatus specific information stored in the storage unit 450 for the position range specified by the image search information, and stores the time range in the storage unit. Each image is extracted with reference to the image management file stored in 450, and the corresponding image is extracted.

  Then, when the image captured in the position / time range specified based on the image search information is extracted, the image search unit 370 transmits the extracted image to the association unit 460. The associating unit 460 identifies the installation position information and the camera direction of the image capturing apparatus 200d that captured the image extracted by the image search unit 370 with reference to the image capturing apparatus specific information, and the image and the image capturing position (installation position). Information) and the camera direction are additionally associated and sent to the image transmission unit 380.

Even with such a configuration, the image transmitted from the image transmission unit 380 is associated with the imaging position, the imaging time, and the imaging direction, and thus can be appropriately managed by the central processing server 12 that receives the image. it can.

  As described above, the image collection system according to the first embodiment stores the management information including the image storage unit that stores the image, and the imaging position and the imaging time of the image stored in the image storage unit. Management information storage means, image request receiving means for receiving an image request for an image taken in a predetermined position range and time range, and imaged in the position range and time range specified by the image request. From the image storage means when it is determined that the stored image is stored in the image storage means as a result of the determination. A reading means for reading out the corresponding image, and when it is determined that the image is not stored in the image storage means as a result of the determination, the image request is designated in an external image storage device. And request means for requesting transmission of the position range and the image captured by the time range that comprises a.

  As described above, when an image is stored in a DB (image storage unit) in the system but is not stored in the DB, the image is transmitted from a small-sized image storage device scattered outside. By requesting to do so, it is possible to maintain the image supply capability in response to an external image request.

  Here, the image collection system includes: an image receiving unit that receives an image transmitted from the external image storage device based on the request; and an image storage unit that stores the received image in the image storage unit. If prepared, the image stored in the DB can be gradually enriched while processing the image request.

  The image collection system may further include an image transmitting unit that transmits the image read by the reading unit or the image received by the image receiving unit to the request source of the image request. Here, the image request includes request source identification information for identifying the request source, and the image transmission unit reads the packet addressed to the IP address specified by the request source identification information by the reading unit. The output image or the image received by the image receiving means may be stored and transmitted.

In addition, the image receiving means further includes management information storage means for receiving information relating to the imaging position and imaging time of the received image and storing information relating to the imaging position and imaging time of the received image in the management information storage means. Furthermore, you may comprise.

While a wide range of apparatuses and systems are set as targets for image collection, each apparatus and each system is separated from the image collection system as a private space. In other words, a device / function as a gateway is provided between the image collection system and each image capturing / storage system, and the entire system is constructed in which only necessary images are submitted using image search information as a trigger. .

Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as image abuse and privacy infringement caused by centrally collecting and managing unnecessary images that do not meet the purpose of use.

In the above description, the image transmission unit included in each device has been described with respect to a case where an image is transmitted in a state associated with an imaging position and an imaging time, and, if necessary, an imaging direction. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which a management file in which the association is collected is transmitted together with the image itself.

(Embodiment 2)
In the image collection system of the present invention, images captured by various types of image capturing apparatuses are targeted for collection. Here, the image pickup device is also intended for a mobile phone device with a camera such as a smartphone, or a device that picks up a private image such as a compact digital camera or a single-lens reflex digital camera.

  That is, it is assumed that a smartphone or a digital camera is fixed in the vehicle while it is moving in a vehicle and operated as an in-vehicle camera, and an image captured in such a case is also an image collection target.

Here, some users are allowed to provide images captured when used as an in-vehicle camera, but private images are very private, There are users who do not want to provide.

  However, since the image pickup storage device 100a and the image pickup storage systems 100b, 100c, and 100d according to the first embodiment store these two types of images regardless of the image collection, the images that the user does not want to submit are collected. The problem of being collected by the system and the user who dislikes the situation and does not provide any image to the image collection system. This is a new issue in terms of privacy protection and image collection efficiency.

In view of the new problem, the image capturing and storage device and the image capturing and storage system according to the second embodiment realize maintaining image collection efficiency while appropriately protecting an image including a lot of private information. Features. Hereinafter, it demonstrates using drawing. However, a part of the description of Embodiment 1 is omitted for the sake of clarification of the invention.

The image management system according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the image management system shown in FIG. 1, and will be described with reference to FIG. However, in the following description, the image capturing storage device 600a is the image capturing storage device 100a, the image capturing systems 600b and 600c are the image capturing systems 100b and 100c, the image capturing devices 700b and 700c are the image capturing devices 200b and 200c, The image storage device 800b corresponds to the image storage device 300b.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing / storage device 600a according to the second embodiment. The image capturing / storage device 600a is characterized by newly including an image capturing state detection unit 610 and an image capturing state determination unit 620 in addition to the image capturing / storage device 100a. In FIG. 19, the operation input unit 630 that receives input from the user is also shown. Further, a new function to be described later is added to the associating unit 140 and replaced with the associating unit 640. Other blocks are substantially the same as the functions described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The imaging state detection unit 610 detects the current imaging state. Specifically, the imaging state detection unit 610 detects whether the image is privately captured by the user or whether the device is automatically capturing images.

More specifically, the imaging state detection unit 610 detects whether the image is an image captured by the user pressing a shutter button that is a function of the operation input unit 630. Note that the imaging state detection unit 610 may include an acceleration sensor and a speed sensor inside, and detect the moving speed of the own apparatus using the sensor. Note that the imaging state detection unit 610 may detect a signal transmitted from a wireless device registered in advance. Note that the imaging state detection unit 610 may detect the current position.

The imaging state determination unit 620 determines whether the image captured by the image imaging unit 110 is an image that can be submitted or an image that cannot be submitted, based on the detection result in the imaging state detection unit 610. Specifically, it is determined whether the image captured by the image capturing unit 110 is an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the network side (image collection system side). Here, the image submission request is image search information. Since the image search information sent from the central processing server on the image collection system side is information requesting the own device to submit (transmit) an image that satisfies a specific condition, the image search information is requested to be submitted. Sometimes called.

As an example of the determination method of the imaging state determination unit 620, when the imaging state detection unit 610 detects that the user has captured an image by pressing the shutter button, the image is privately captured by the user himself / herself. It is determined that the image is an image that cannot be submitted.

As another example of the determination method in the imaging state determination unit 620, when the imaging state detection unit 610 detects that the moving speed of its own device using an internal acceleration sensor or speed sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value. Is determined to be an image that can be submitted as an image captured as an in-vehicle camera while moving in a car, and if the moving speed is less than or equal to a predetermined standard, it may be determined that the image cannot be submitted as a private image good.

In addition, as another example of the determination method in the imaging state determination unit 620, when the imaging state detection unit 610 detects a signal transmitted from a wireless device registered in advance, it is transmitted from a beacon device attached in the vehicle. It may be determined that the own apparatus is attached within the range, the image to be captured is determined to be an in-vehicle image, and it may be determined that the image can be submitted.

As another example of the determination method in the imaging state determination unit 620, the imaging state detection unit 610 compares the detected current position with a position range registered in advance as an exclusion area, and the current position is excluded. If the image is within the area, the image captured by the image capturing unit 110 may be determined as an unsubmitted image captured in the private area.

In addition, the image state determination unit 620 displays a selection screen for the user to select “image submission is allowed” or “image submission is not allowed” on an image display unit that displays an image (not shown), via the operation input unit 630. It may be determined whether an image captured by the image capturing unit 110 or an image captured in the future can be submitted based on an instruction input from the user.

As another example of the determination method in the imaging state determination unit 620, the imaging state detection unit 610 detects the current apparatus state by measuring the peripheral light amount with a sensor such as a photodiode, and the detection result. When the detected light amount is equal to or less than a predetermined reference, it may be determined that the current image capturing mode in the image capturing unit 110 is an image capturing mode for capturing an image that cannot be submitted.

The determination result in the imaging state determination unit 620 is sent to the association unit 640.

The associating unit 640 associates the image sent from the image capturing unit 110 with the position information received from the position information acquiring unit 120 and the time information received from the time information acquiring unit 130. The associating unit 640 stores the image in the storage unit 150 in a state where the image is associated with the position information and time information.

At this time, the associating unit 640 determines the storage destination of the image related to the determination based on the determination result sent from the imaging state determination unit 620. That is, the associating unit 640 stores an image in a corresponding folder in the storage unit 150 based on the determination result.

From another viewpoint, the associating unit 640 is an image that can be submitted based on the image submission request from the network side based on the determination result in the imaging state determining unit 620. The image is stored in the storage unit 150 as a storage medium in a state where it can be determined whether the image cannot be submitted.

The storage unit 150 has a plurality of folders according to purposes. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a directory structure (folder structure) of the storage unit 150. The storage unit 150 has a root folder at the top, and a subordinate image storage folder for storing images that can be submitted to the image collection system, and an image that cannot be submitted to the system. It has two folders, a non-submitted image storage folder for storing (images that are not permitted to be submitted). A management information storage folder for storing management information and the like is also provided. The management information storage folder stores an image management file in which associations between image file names, image capturing positions, and capturing times are summarized. In addition to the management file that manages all the images stored in the storage unit 150, the image file includes a first image management file that individually manages images stored in the two folders (submitted image management file). ) And the second image management file (non-submitted image management file) may be created and stored together.

These folders may be configured to be created by the associating unit 640 prior to image storage, or a separate folder creating unit may be provided, and the folder creating unit may create each of the folders in the storage unit 150. good.

When the determination result sent from the imaging state determination unit 620 is “image submission is possible”, the association unit 640 stores the associated image in the submittable image storage folder in the storage unit 150. On the other hand, when the determination result sent from the imaging state determination unit 620 is “image cannot be submitted”, the associating unit 640 stores the associated image in the non-submitted image storage folder in the storage unit 150. To do.

When the image search information is received by the image search information receiving unit 160, the image search unit 170 performs an image search from the images stored in the submittable image storage folder in the storage unit 150. That is, the image search unit 170 refers to the imaging position and imaging time of each image registered in the submittable image management file stored in the management information storage folder, and the position / time specified by the image search information. A search is performed as to whether there is an image captured within the range. At this time, even if the unsubmitted image storage folder is searched, the image search unit 170 does not search for an image in this folder because the final image submission is not performed.

The image search unit 170 sends an image extracted from the submittable image storage folder in the storage unit 150 to the image transmission unit 180, and the image transmission unit 180 transmits the image.

As described above, the image capturing / storing device 600a stores public images or private images separately in different folders. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain image collection efficiency while maintaining privacy.

The imaging state determination unit 620 is preferably configured to automatically determine the current imaging state in accordance with pre-registered determination criteria because image management can be performed without bothering the user. Such a registration file in which determination criteria are registered may be stored in accordance with the management information storage folder in the storage unit 150. Whether the imaging state determination unit 620 reads out the registration file and compares it with the imaging state detected by the imaging state detection unit 610 to determine whether the current imaging state is a shooting mode in which an image that can be submitted is captured. May be determined.

In addition, the imaging state determination unit 620 automatically starts up the image imaging unit 110 when the current apparatus state detected by the imaging state detection unit 610 determines that the image can be submitted, and automatically Alternatively, control for starting imaging may be performed. Similarly, when the imaging state determination unit 620 determines that the current state of the device detected by the imaging state detection unit 610 has returned to a state in which images cannot be submitted, the imaging state determination unit 620 stops the imaging function in the image imaging unit 110. The control for stopping the recording may be automatically performed. With this configuration, recording can be automatically started when the vehicle is set at a predetermined location in the vehicle, so that the user does not need to perform an operation and convenience is improved.

Note that the imaging state detection unit 610 may detect whether the imaging position detection unit 610 is set at the predetermined position. As such a position, it may be detected whether it is attached to an imaging device holder (smartphone holder) attached in the vehicle. Usually, such a holder is provided with a charging terminal connected to the battery of the car, so that the imaging state detection unit 610 indicates that the current device is connected to the charging terminal. Is set at a position for in-vehicle video shooting in the vehicle.

Next, the operation of the image capturing / storage device 600a will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image capturing / storage device 600a.

When the power of the device itself is turned on, the imaging state detection unit 610 detects the current state of the device (step S601). Next, the imaging state determination unit 620 determines whether automatic shooting is possible (step S602). Here, the automatic image capturing is to start image capturing based on the determination of the apparatus itself without triggering the user to press the image capturing instruction button, and the functions of the image capturing unit 110 such as capturing an image for submission are determined by the user. This means that when the camera is not in use, the imaging function is automatically activated and used to capture an image of a surrounding landscape or the like.

If it is determined in step S602 that automatic shooting is not possible, the process returns to step S601. On the other hand, if it is determined that automatic shooting is possible, the process proceeds to step S603.

If it is determined in step S602 that automatic shooting is possible, the imaging state determination unit 620 activates the function of the image imaging unit 110 (step S603). The image capturing unit 110 automatically started up by the image capturing state determination unit 620 starts image capturing (video recording) (step S604).

At the same time, the position information acquisition unit 120 and the time information acquisition unit 130 acquire the current position and time as the imaging position and imaging time of the image automatically captured by the image imaging unit 110, respectively (step S605). .

The associating unit 640 associates the image automatically captured by the image capturing unit 110 with the position and time acquired by the position information acquiring unit 120 and the time information acquiring unit 130, respectively, as the image capturing position and the image capturing time of the image. Then, the image is stored in the provideable image storage folder in the storage unit 150 (step S606).

The imaging state determination unit 620 determines whether the current state (imaging state) has changed based on the detection result in the imaging state detection unit 610 (step S607). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the current situation has not changed, the process returns to step S604 assuming that the automatic shooting mode is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current shooting state has changed as a result of the determination, the shooting state determination unit 620 stops recording in the image shooting unit 110 (step S608) and returns to step S601.

When the image capturing / storage device 600a performs the above operation, when the image capturing unit 110 is not consciously used by the user, an image for image submission is automatically captured and stored in a corresponding folder. As a result, when viewed from the image collection system, a rich image is distributed and stored outside. Therefore, the image collection efficiency can be improved, and on the other hand, both the public automatic recording image and the private manual recording image can be appropriately managed by the folder.

Next, the image capturing device 700b will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The image capturing device 700b includes the image capturing state detection unit 610, the image capturing state determination unit 620, and the operation input unit 630 newly described above in addition to the image capturing device 200b described in the first embodiment. Further, the associating unit 140 and the image extracting unit 280 are replaced with the associating unit 640 and the image extracting unit 780, respectively. Some explanations are omitted for the overlapping parts already explained.

The associating unit 640 associates the image sent from the image capturing unit 110 with the position information received from the position information acquiring unit 120 and the time information received from the time information acquiring unit 130. The associating unit 140 stores the image in the storage unit 250 in a state where the image is associated with the position information and time information.

At this time, the associating unit 640 determines the storage destination of the image related to the determination based on the determination result sent from the imaging state determination unit 620. That is, the associating unit 640 stores an image in a corresponding folder in the storage unit 250 based on the determination result.

The storage unit 250 stores a submittable image storage folder that stores images that can be submitted to the image collection system, and cannot submit images that cannot be submitted to the system (images that are not allowed to be submitted). There are two image storage folders.

A management information storage folder for storing management information and the like is also provided. The management information storage folder stores an image management file in which associations between image file names, image capturing positions, and capturing times are summarized. In addition to the management file that manages all the images stored in the storage unit 250, the image file includes a first image management file that individually manages images stored in the two folders (submitted image management file). ) And the second image management file (non-submitted image management file) may be created and stored together.

The management information storage folder also stores connection information necessary for establishing a connection with the image storage device 800b. The connection information includes an identifier that uniquely identifies the connection destination image storage device 800b, an encryption key used for establishing a connection state with the image storage device 300b, an authentication password, and the like.

When the determination result sent from the imaging state determination unit 620 is “image submission is possible”, the association unit 640 stores the associated image in the submittable image storage folder in the storage unit 250. On the other hand, when the determination result sent from the imaging state determination unit 620 is “image cannot be submitted”, the association unit 640 stores the associated image in the non-submitted image storage folder in the storage unit 250. To do.

The connection state establishing unit 270 establishes a connection state with the image storage device 800b that is an external device. Specifically, the presence of an external device is detected via the communication unit 290, and an attempt is made to connect to the external device.

After the connection state is established by the connection state establishment unit 270, the image extraction unit 680 extracts the image stored in the storage unit 250 and sends it to the communication unit 290. At this time, the image extraction unit 680 extracts an image according to a protocol defined between the image storage device 800b and the connected image storage device 800b. For example, in the case of a protocol that automatically extracts and transmits only images that can be submitted, the image extraction unit 680 extracts images from the submittable image storage folder provided in the storage unit 250 and communicates with each other. 290. In this case, the image extraction unit 680 does not extract images that cannot be submitted and are stored in the unsubmitted image storage folder provided in the storage unit 250.

In addition, when it is agreed that the image that can be submitted in the first section and the image that cannot be submitted in the second section are transmitted in the protocol, the image extracting unit 680 performs the first process. The image is extracted from the submittable image storage folder and sent to the communication unit 290. Then, after extracting all the images necessary for the current transmission from the presentable image storage folder, the image extraction unit 680 extracts the image from the unsubmitted image storage folder and sends it to the communication unit 290. Such a configuration may be adopted. Note that the protocol may be determined in the reverse order of extraction.

The communication unit 290 packs the image transmitted from the image extraction unit 780 into a packet and transmits the packet to the image storage device 800b. Note that the communication unit 290 may transmit the image that can be submitted in a packet that includes 1-bit information indicating that the image can be submitted.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image storage device 800b that receives and stores an image from the image capturing device 700b. Except for the image storage unit 830, the description is omitted because it is substantially the same as the image storage device 300b of FIG.

The storage unit 350 also has folders for different purposes as shown in FIG. The image storage unit 830 stores the image received from the image capturing apparatus 700b via the communication unit 310 in the storage unit 350.

Here, the image storage unit 830 stores the received image in a submittable image storage folder if it is a submittable image, and stores it in a non-submitable image storage folder if it is an unsubmitted image. The image storage unit 830 can identify the image according to a predetermined protocol by determining that an image sent during a predetermined period is an image that can be submitted, or an image that can be submitted in a packet. May be determined with reference to the information.

Based on the image search information received by the image search information receiving unit 360, the image search unit 370 is based on the image search information from among the images stored in the submittable image storage folder in the storage unit 350. The image is searched, and the extracted image is transmitted from the image transmission unit 380 to the network side.

Note that the information processing apparatuses included in the image capturing / storage systems 600c and 600d according to the second embodiment respectively include the above-described folder for permitting submission (a folder for storing submittable images) and the folder for not permitting submission (images that cannot be submitted). The storage folder is substantially the same as the image storage device 800b except for the difference between whether it is created in an internal storage unit or an external information storage medium, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the image capturing apparatus according to the second embodiment includes an image capturing unit that captures an image, and an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the network side. A determination means for determining whether or not the image captured by the image capturing means is an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the network side or an image that cannot be submitted based on the determination result. Storage means for storing in a storage medium in a state where it can be determined whether or not there is.

With this configuration, in each of the image capturing devices scattered outside the image collection system, it is possible to discriminate between a private image that does not permit submission (publication) (non-public image) and a public image that permits submission (public image). Therefore, the image pickup apparatus can be used with confidence.

Further, the image capturing apparatus includes an image submission request receiving unit that receives an image submission request from the network side, and an image submission from the network side as a result of the determination by the determination unit based on the received image submission request. The image processing apparatus further includes an extraction unit that extracts an image that is determined to be an image that can be submitted based on the request, and an image transmission unit that transmits the image extracted by the extraction unit. Through this processing, an image to be disclosed is extracted and submitted to the network (image management system) side.

The image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing position acquiring unit that acquires an image capturing position of an image captured by the image capturing unit, and an image capturing time acquiring unit that acquires an image capturing time of the image. The means stores the image in a storage medium in association with the image, the imaging position, and the imaging time.

Here, the image submission request includes position information for specifying a position range and time information for specifying a time range, and the extraction unit is based on an image submission request from the network side as a result of determination by the determination unit. The image is determined to be an image that can be submitted, and is captured in a range specified based on position information and time information included in the image submission request received by the image submission request receiving means. Extracted images. With this configuration, an image can be extracted more appropriately.

The image capturing apparatus further includes an image capturing state detecting unit that detects a current image capturing state, and the determining unit is configured to detect an image captured by the image capturing unit based on a detection result in the image capturing state detecting unit. May be determined based on an image submission request from the network side. The imaging state detection means detects whether the own apparatus is attached to the moving body, and the determination means detects that the own apparatus is attached to the moving body in the imaging state detection means. It can be determined that the image captured by the image capturing means is an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the network side.

The storage means stores, in the determination result, an image determined to be an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the network side, in the first folder. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an image determined to be an image that cannot be submitted based on the image submission request is stored in the second folder.

The images captured by the image capturing apparatus are divided into private images that are not submitted and public images that can be submitted, and are managed separately in separate folders. And it is possible to enhance the viewpoint of privacy protection by adopting a configuration in which only images stored in the latter folder are transmitted as search targets as required.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, since it is attempted to appropriately manage two types of images in a folder, when image capturing and storage is performed with one device such as an image capturing and storing device, management is easy. When the imaging and storage functions are assigned to different devices to form an imaging and storage system, image management becomes complicated.

In other words, images are transmitted and received between devices in the system, and it is necessary to maintain the distinction between private images and public images during that time. In such cases, folder management Then, there is a problem that the protocol becomes complicated.

The image capturing and storage device and the image capturing and storage system according to the third embodiment are similar to the image capturing and storing device and the image capturing and storing system according to the second embodiment, while appropriately protecting an image including a lot of private information. The image management is further facilitated while maintaining the collection efficiency. Hereinafter, it demonstrates using drawing. However, the description of the parts described in the first and second embodiments is omitted for the sake of clarification of the invention.

The image management system according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the image management system shown in FIG. 1, and will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image capturing / storage device 900a according to the third embodiment. The image capturing / storage device 900a includes an image capturing unit 110, a position information acquisition unit 120, a time information acquisition unit 130, a storage unit 150, an image search information reception unit 170, an image transmission unit 180, and an imaging state detection. Unit 610, imaging state determination unit 620, operation input unit 630, and association unit 940. Since the configuration other than the associating unit 940 is substantially the same as the configuration of each unit described in the second embodiment, a part of the description is omitted.

The imaging state determination unit 620 determines whether the image captured by the image imaging unit 110 is an image that can be submitted or an image that cannot be submitted, based on the detection result in the imaging state detection unit 610. The determination result in the imaging state determination unit 620 is sent to the association unit 940.

The associating unit 940 associates the image sent from the image capturing unit 110 with the position information received from the position information acquiring unit 120 and the time information received from the time information acquiring unit 130. Here, the associating unit 940 is information regarding whether the image is an image that can be submitted to the network side or a private image that cannot be submitted based on the determination result received from the imaging state determining unit 620. Associate certain submission information together. The associating unit 940 stores the image in the storage unit 150 in a state where the image is associated with the position information and time information.

The storage unit 150 does not have a folder for each of whether submission is possible or not, and stores the images stored from the association unit 940 in the same folder. However, the image management file for managing the stored image is associated with information regarding whether the image can be submitted.

FIG. 25 is an example of the image management file. In addition to the file name of the image, the shooting position (acquisition position) of the image, and the shooting time (acquisition time) of the image, a submission propriety bit indicating whether the image can be submitted is also associated. Here, “1” indicates that the image can be submitted, and “0” indicates that the image is privately photographed and cannot be submitted.

The image search unit 170 searches for an image satisfying the corresponding condition received by the image search information receiving unit 160, and based on the image search information that is information for requesting the submission of the corresponding image, the storage unit 150 Among the images stored in the table, a search is performed as to whether or not there is a corresponding image from among the images in which the submission permission bit is set to 1.

That is, the image search unit 170 sets the submission permission bit indicating 1 among the images stored in the storage unit 250 to be an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request (image search information) from the network side. It is searched whether there is an image that has been set and is captured in a range specified based on position information and time information included in the image submission request.

As a result of the search in the image search unit 170, it is indicated that the image can be submitted based on the above three conditions, that is, (1) an image submission request from the network side, and (2) specified by the image submission request. If there is an image that satisfies the following conditions: (3) an image captured in the time range specified by the image submission request, the image extraction unit 1080 An image is extracted, and the communication unit 290 transmits the image requested by the image submission request to the network side by transmitting to the network side.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image capturing apparatus 1000b included in the image capturing / storage system 900b according to the third embodiment. The image pickup apparatus 1000b has substantially the same configuration as the image pickup apparatus 700b shown in FIG. 22 except that the image extraction unit 780 is changed to an image extraction unit 1080 and the association unit 640 is changed to an association unit 940. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

The associating unit 940 in the image capturing apparatus 1000b is substantially the same as the associating unit 940 in the image capturing / storing apparatus described with reference to FIG. 24, and stores the image by associating the image with the submission availability information of the image.

The image extraction unit 1080 extracts the image stored in the storage unit 250 together with the submission availability information associated with the image, and sends the extracted image to the communication unit 290. Then, the communication unit 290 adds the image extracted by the image extraction unit 1080 to the image storage device, which is an external device connected in a state in which the image is associated with the image submission availability information in addition to the imaging position and imaging time of the image. Send.

Here, the information relating to the imaging position, the information relating to the imaging time, and the information relating to the image submission availability information are each embedded in the header portion of the image, and transmitted in a state associated with each information. You may be comprised so that. Further, the image extraction unit 1080 extracts and sends the image management file in which the image submission availability information and the image are associated with each other and sends the image management file to the communication unit 290. The communication unit 290 also stores the image management file together with the image. A configuration may be used in which an image is transmitted while being kept in association by being sent to the apparatus.

An image storage device that receives and stores an image from the image capturing device 1000b is configured such that the image storage unit stores an image received in a state associated with the submission availability information in the storage unit while maintaining the association. Is substantially the same as the image storage device 800b of FIG. Note that, in the image storage device, the image search unit searches the images stored in the storage unit as images to be searched for images that are indicated in the image submission availability information.

In the information processing apparatuses included in the image capturing / storage systems 900c and 900d according to the third embodiment, the image storage unit indicates whether the image received from the connected external apparatus is an image that can be submitted. Except for the difference between storing in an external information storage medium in association with the image submission availability information or in the internal storage unit, the configuration is substantially the same as that of the image storage device 800b in FIG. To do.

As described above, the image storage and imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment can submit an image capturing unit that captures an image and an image captured by the image capturing unit based on an image submission request from the network side. A determination means for determining whether the image is an image, and a predetermined identifier is attached to the image determined to be an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the network side in the determination result; A storage means for storing; a connection state establishing means for establishing a connection with an external device; and the network side stored in the storage medium when a connection with the external device is established by the connection state establishing means Transmitting means for transmitting an image that can be submitted based on an image submission request from the external device to the external device together with the identifier.

The storage means, which is the storage medium, stores submission propriety information that is an identifier indicating whether the image captured by the image capturing means is an image that can be submitted. Here, the association unit that associates the image captured by the image capturing unit with the imaging position and the imaging time of the image may be associated with the image together with the submission availability information. At this time, the associating unit may perform the association by adding the submission availability information to a header portion of the image data, or the image, the imaging position, the imaging time, and the submission availability information. And the association may be performed by generating a management file that associates.

In addition, as described above, a detection unit that detects the current state of the device, and a determination unit that determines whether an image captured by the imaging unit can be submitted based on the detection result, The association unit may perform the association based on the determination result.

Here, the detection unit that detects the current state of the apparatus and the first imaging mode that captures an image in the imaging mode in the imaging unit that captures the image based on the detection result are not included in the submission target. A configuration may be provided that includes selection means for selecting one of the second imaging modes for capturing an image.

(Embodiment 4)
In each of the above embodiments, the central processing server arranged in the image collection system receives an image request from the network side, and when an image satisfying the image request is stored in the DB, the image is received from the DB. When the image is read and transmitted to the image request source and is not stored in the DB, the image search information is generated and transmitted to the general public to collect images.

Here, although the image can be read from the DB at high speed, the image retrieval information is transmitted from the image retrieval information, and the image obtained by the image retrieval information is obtained from each image capturing / storage device or each image capturing / storage system. It takes a relatively long time to recover.

This is because the time loss when generating image search information, the time loss when transmitting information to each device or system, and the image search in each device or system with different processing speed or stored image capacity This is because there is a time loss for making it happen.

Here, among users who desire an image for which an image is requested, there is a user who needs an image immediately and does not need an image when time is required. As such a user, for example, there is a user who wants to confirm an image of a place of interest in a short time while surfing the Internet.

Here, in the above embodiments, the central processing server generates and transmits image search information without considering such user needs when there is no image in the DB. The user is no longer interested in the image, and a new problem has arisen that the image collection is a wasteful process.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present embodiment is to provide an image collection system (image providing system) that can appropriately respond to a user's image request.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the central processing server 32 according to the fourth embodiment. The description of the same parts as those of the central processing server 12 shown in FIG.

The central processing server 32 is characterized in that the image request processing unit 34 newly performs an image collection necessity confirmation process.

  The image request processing unit 34 processes the image request received by the image request receiving unit 13.

  The image request processing unit 34 specifies a range of image capturing positions and image capturing times required from image request position information and image request time information included in the image request. Next, the image request processing unit 34 accesses the image management information storage unit 16, refers to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 16, and performs imaging within the range of the imaging position and imaging time. It is determined whether the processed image is stored in the DB 11.

As a result of the determination, the image request processing unit 34 instructs the image reading unit 17 to read the corresponding image when the corresponding image is stored in the DB 11. Specifically, an image captured within a position / time range specified based on an image request in the determination process is determined as an image to be read from the DB 11. The image request processing unit 34 refers to the image management information and outputs an image reading instruction including the storage address of the image to be read to the image reading unit 17.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the corresponding image is not stored in the DB 11, the image request processing unit 14 performs an image collection necessity confirmation process. In the image collection necessity confirmation process, first, the image request processing unit 34 instructs the image collection necessity confirmation unit 35 to transmit image collection necessity confirmation information.

Based on the transmission instruction, the image collection necessity confirmation unit 35 generates and transmits a packet including image collection request confirmation information whose destination is the transmission source of the image request. The image collection necessity confirmation information includes information indicating that the corresponding image is not stored in the DB 11.

The user who has received the packet returns an image collection instruction when he / she wants to collect images from image storage systems distributed in various places. The image collection necessity confirmation unit 35 returns the image collection instruction to the image request processing unit 34, and the image request processing unit 34 receives the image collection instruction when the image collection instruction is received, and the image search information generation unit To 19.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment includes a management information storage unit that stores management information including an imaging position and an imaging time of an image stored in an image storage unit that stores an image, and a predetermined amount. An image request receiving unit that receives an image request that requests an image captured in a position range and a time range, and an image captured in the position range and the time range specified by the image request is stored in the image storage unit. A determination unit that determines whether the image is stored based on the management information; and a reading unit that reads out a corresponding image from the image storage unit when it is determined that the image is stored in the image storage unit as a result of the determination. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the image is not stored in the image storage means, the image request transmission source is confirmed to request transmission of an image to an external storage device. A confirmation means, and when the image is requested to be transmitted from the external storage device as a result of confirmation by the confirmation means, the position range and the time range specified by the image request to the external storage device; Requesting means for requesting transmission of the captured image.

In this way, it is determined whether an image captured in the requested position / time range is stored in the DB, and when the image is not stored, an external image storage device (system) ) To confirm whether to collect images taken in the position / time range, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unnecessary image collection.

The image search information generation means generates image search information for executing a search as to whether or not an image captured in the position / time range is stored in the image storage system based on the confirmation result in the confirmation means, The image search information transmitting unit transmits the generated image search information. With this configuration, an image providing system that can be easily used by a user who requests an image can be obtained.

In the above description, a case has been described in which confirmation is performed when there is no corresponding image after determining whether the corresponding image is stored in the DB, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first image request sent from the user may include image collection necessity information regarding whether or not to collect an image from an external image storage system when there is no image in the DB. .

FIG. 28 shows an image request format in such a case. In addition to the information that specifies whether or not to collect images from an external image storage system, the newly included image collection request information includes the period of time when it is specified that the images should be collected. Period information regarding whether to collect, image amount information indicating how much image to collect, and other information specifying the contents of the image collection may be included together. In this way, the processing procedure when there is no image in the DB at the initial image request stage is instructed, so that a data catch ball occurs between the central processing server and the image request transmission source. Can be prevented.

(Embodiment 5)
The image collection system according to each of the above embodiments attempts to collect an image from an external image storage system when an image that satisfies a user requirement is not stored in the DB. Here, in order to collect an image from the external image storage system, a time loss such as time for performing an image search in each image storage system occurs. Therefore, a certain time is required until the images are collected. Here, an image is not stored in an external image storage system, and an image collection is attempted from the image storage system, but no image is finally collected, and an image requesting user cannot be provided Can also be assumed.

In such a case, from the viewpoint of the user who requested the image, although waiting until the result of image collection is obtained, there is a problem that the image cannot be obtained after all and only time is wasted. It will be.

In view of the above problems, the image collection system according to the fifth embodiment can quickly determine whether an image is stored in any place in the entire image management system while protecting privacy. The purpose is to provide. Hereinafter, it demonstrates using drawing.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing an image management system according to the fifth embodiment. Compared with the image management system shown in FIG. 1, the image management system sends image management information from an image storage system distributed to various places to the central processing server 42, and the central processing server 42 sends each image storage system 100n to each image storage system 100n. Thus, an image transmission request is sent instead of the image search information.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the central processing server 42 according to the fifth embodiment. The central processing server 42 includes a receiving unit 43, a request information processing unit 44, a storage unit 45, a first image management information storage unit 46, a second image management information storage unit 47, a reading unit 48, and a transmission unit. 49, an image management information receiving unit 50, a second image management information managing unit 51, an image transmission request generating unit 52, an image transmission request transmitting unit 53, an image receiving unit 54, and an image storage unit 55. Prepare.

The receiving unit 43 receives an available image list file request and an image request from a user who requests an image from the network side. Also, a map data request is received as necessary. Here, the usable image list file request is information (packet) for requesting presentation of a list file of usable (providable) images in which an image exists in the image management system. The image request is information indicating a request for an image designated by the user who has received the available image list from the list. The map data request is information (packet) for requesting transfer of data related to the map stored in the DB.

FIG. 31 shows an example of the usable image list file request. The usable image list file request includes request source identification information for identifying a transmission source of the request, usable image list request position range information, and usable image list request time range information.

Here, the request source identification information may be, for example, a user ID assigned to a user who issues the request, an IP address of the user's terminal, or a MAC address.

The usable image list request position range information indicates the position range of the usable image list requested by the usable image list file request. In other words, this is information for designating which position range image is requested. As such information, for example, a plurality of GPS information may be included, and a position range surrounded by the plurality of GPS information may be specified as a requested range, or may be specified in a map information range.

As shown in FIG. 32, a user who requests an image usually displays map data on his / her terminal screen. The user requests the central processing server 42 to transmit map data in a specific range using a protocol such as HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) from his terminal, and the map data transmitted from the central processing server 12 is displayed on the screen. it's shown.

As shown in FIG. 32, the user desires to display an image using a GUI (Graphic User Interface) such as a cursor in the range of the map data displayed on the screen, in particular, when displaying an image. Specify a range.

The position range specified by the method may be automatically set in the available image list request position range information in the available image list file request. Further, the mesh number of the map displayed on the screen may be set in the usable image list request position range information in the usable image list file request.

The usable image list request time range information indicates the time range of the usable image list requested by the usable image list file request. In other words, this is information for designating which time range image list is requested. As such information, for example, by inputting two times of a start time and an end time for specifying a desired time zone in a time input blank provided separately on FIG. 32 and pressing the execution key, Two times may be set in the usable image list request time range information of the usable image list file request.

If only the position range is desired for the requested image, and there is no particular desired time zone, the available image list requested time range information column may be set to a null state without setting anything.

The map data request is information for requesting transmission of map data in a range to be displayed on the screen by the user. Normally, map data has a plurality of scales and a plurality of layer configurations indicating scale reduction, and the user can map the map position range and scale to be displayed using the GUI, the map mesh number (mesh code), and other information. It is included in the request and transmitted to the central processing server 42.

When receiving the map data request, the usable image list file request, and the image request sent from the user on the network side, the receiving unit 43 sends these pieces of information to the request information processing unit 44.

The request information processing unit 44 processes various requests received by the receiving unit 43.

The request information processing unit 44 issues an instruction to read the map data in the position range indicated by the map data request sent from the receiving unit 43 to the reading unit 48. Specifically, the request processing unit 44 refers to the map management information in which the mesh number of the map data stored in the storage unit 45 and the storage address of the map data on the DB 11 are associated, and makes a map data request. A map data reading instruction including the map storage address indicated by the mesh number indicating the position of the requested map included is sent to the reading unit 48. The request information processing unit 44 packs the read map data into a packet addressed to the request source of the map data request and sends it to the transmission unit 49.

  When the request information processing unit 44 receives the request for the usable image list file sent from the receiving unit 43, the request information processing unit 44 refers to the second image management information in a table form stored in the second image management information storage unit 47. Then, only the part related to the image captured in the position / time range specified by the usable image list request is extracted to generate the usable image list file.

  The request information processing unit 44 stores the generated usable image list file in a packet addressed to the request source address of the usable image list file request and sends the packet to the transmission unit 49.

  Further, the request information processing unit 44 stores, in the first image management information storage unit 46, whether the image specified by the image request is stored in the DB 11 based on the image request sent from the receiving unit 43. The table-like first image management information is checked for confirmation.

If the image specified by the image request is stored in the DB 11 as a result of the confirmation, the request information processing unit 44 sends an instruction to read the image to the reading unit 48, and the read image is sent to the image request. Is stored in a packet addressed to the request source address and sent to the transmission unit 49.

On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation, if the image specified by the image request is not stored in the DB 11, the request information processing unit 44 transmits an image transmission request, which is a request to the external image storage system, to transmit the image. The request generation unit 52 is instructed to generate.

After the image transmission request generation instruction, the request information processing unit 44 reads out the image received by the image receiving unit 54 based on the instruction in the image storage unit 55 and stored in the DB 11 in the image storage unit 55. The image is packed into a packet addressed to the request source address of the request and then sent to the transmission unit 49.

The storage unit 45 stores map management information in which a mesh number of map data stored in the DB 11 is associated with a storage address on the DB 11 of a map corresponding to the mesh number. FIG. 33 shows an example of the map management information.

The storage unit 45 individually includes a first image management information storage unit 46 and a second image management information storage unit 47.

  The first image management information storage unit 46 stores table-shaped first image management information that is management information for managing images stored in the DB 11. FIG. 34 shows the first image management information. The first image management information includes an image management number uniquely assigned to each image to manage the image, a file name of the image, an acquisition position of the image, an acquisition time of the image, The provider identification information for identifying the provider and the storage address indicating the storage location of the image on the DB 11 are associated with each other and managed in a table form. The first image management information is referred to when the request information processing unit 44 reads an image from the DB 11 based on the image request.

The second image management information storage unit 47 is management information for managing images existing in the image management system. FIG. 35 shows the second image management information. The second image management information includes an image management number for managing an image, an image file name, an acquisition position (imaging position) and an acquisition time (imaging time) of the image, and an image possession that identifies the owner of the image The person identification information and the storage expiration date of the image on the image storage system (image storage device) side are associated with each other and managed in a table form. The second image management information is referred to when the request information processing unit 44 creates an available image list file based on the available image list file request. A common number may be assigned to the image management number assigned to the same image in the second image management information and the first image management information. The second image management information is updated by the second image management information management unit 51.

The reading unit 48 accesses the storage address on the DB 11 specified together with the instruction based on the map data reading instruction and the image data reading instruction issued from the request information processing unit 44, and the map is read from the address position. Data or image data is read out.

The transmission unit 49 transmits various packets created by the request information processing unit 44. The packet includes a packet storing map data, a packet storing a usable image list file, and a packet storing image data.

The image transmission request generation unit 52 generates an image transmission request for requesting image transmission to an external image storage device or image storage system.

The image transmission request transmission unit 53 transmits the image transmission request generated by the image transmission request generation unit 52 to the outside.

The image receiving unit 54 receives an image transmitted from an external image storage device or image storage system based on the image transmission request. The image is transmitted from the outside in a state in which identification information for identifying the image provider is associated in addition to the imaging position and the imaging time. Image management information such as the imaging position, imaging time, and image provider identification information may be added to the header portion of the image data, or may be received together with the image in the form of an image management file. There may be. The image receiving unit 54 sends the received image together with the image management information to the image storage unit 55.

The image storage unit 55 stores the image received from the image reception unit 54 in the DB 11. Further, the image management information associated with the image is extracted and stored in the first image management information storage unit 46. Note that a first image management information management unit having a function of extracting image management information associated with the image and storing it in the first image management information storage unit 46 may be provided separately.

The image management information receiving unit 50 receives image management information periodically transmitted from an external image storage system or image storage device. The image management information is information relating to the images stored and existing in each of the external systems and apparatuses, and the image management information is sent in a format performed with an image management file collected in a table. Sometimes it comes. The image management information receiving unit 50 sends the received image management information to the second image management information management unit 51.

The second image management information management unit 51 formats the image management information received from the image management information receiving unit 50 and stores it in the second image management information storage unit 47 as second image management information. Specifically, the second image management information stored in the second image management information storage unit 47 is read, and the second image management information is updated by writing the newly received image management information into a new entry. go. In addition, the second image management information management unit 51 deletes an entry whose image storage time limit associated with each image included in the second image management information has passed. This is because the image of the entry whose image storage time limit has passed indicates the time when the image is deleted in the image storage system or the image storage device in which the image is actually stored. When the image storage period indicated by the second image management information is exceeded, the image is lost from the image management system.

Next, the operation of the central processing server 42 will be described. FIG. 36 shows the second image management information update process of the central processing server 42. The update process includes a first update process for updating triggered by reception of new image management information and a second update process for spontaneously deleting unnecessary entries from the second image management information. First, the first update process will be described.

The second image management information management unit 51 determines whether image management information is newly received by the image management information reception unit 50 (step S701).

The image management information is information periodically sent from an image (imaging) storage device or an image (imaging) storage system that exists in the image management system and distributed outside the image collection system 11. This is information about an image stored in the device or system.

FIG. 37 shows an example of the image management information. The image management information is prefixed with transmission source identification information for identifying the transmission source of the information and the number of images notified by the image management information, and then the file name of the image for each image, An image acquisition position, an image acquisition time, and an image storage time limit are recorded. Here, it is shown in the tail chart management information as a new notification regarding N images. The image storage time limit indicates a time limit for storing and storing the image in the image management information transmission source apparatus or system.

If new image management information has not been received in step S701, the second image management information management unit 51 waits until new image management information is received and sent by the image management information receiving unit 50. To do.

On the other hand, when the second image management information management unit 51 receives new image management information, the second image management information management unit 51 updates the second image management information (step S702). Specifically, after the second image management information stored in the second image management information storage unit 47 is read and the newly received image management information is format-converted into a form suitable for the second image management information, Updating is performed by writing the image management information in a new entry.

As an example, when the second image management information shown in FIG. 35 is stored in the second image management information storage unit 47, the image management information receiving unit 50 newly receives the image management information shown in FIG. A case where the second is sent to the image management information management unit 51 will be described. In the image management information shown in FIG. 38, an identifier for identifying the image holder who transmitted the image management information is shown in the transmission source identification information. Here, 56-88-91-F4-FA-C1 is shown as an identifier for identifying the image holder. Then, “2” indicating that the number of images relating to the image included in the image management information is two, followed by each piece of information relating to the two images.

When the second image management information management unit 51 receives new image management information, the second image management information management unit 51 reads the second image management information from the second image management information storage unit 47. In the second image management information, information related to images up to image management number No. 0814355 is registered. Here, by registering information regarding the two images included in the image management information shown in FIG. 38 in the entries of No0814336 and No0814337, the updated second image management information takes the form shown in FIG.

Next, the second update process in the second image management information management unit 51 will be described. The second image management information management unit 51 manages the presence of images distributed and stored in the entire image management system. Each image is stored in each image storage system or image storage device. It will be deleted as appropriate. Therefore, information about images deleted in each image storage system and image storage device also needs to be deleted in the central processing server 42. In other words, the first update process described above is a process for updating information relating to a new image that is newly captured and stored by each image capturing / storage system or the like, whereas the second update process is outdated. This is a process of updating information about an image to be deleted from each image capturing / storage system or the like.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the flow of the update process of the second image management information.

The second image management information management unit 51 activates an internal timer (time measurement circuit) when the server is started up (step S801). The second image management information management unit 51 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was started (step S802). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the system waits until the predetermined time elapses.

If the result of determination in step S802 is that a predetermined time has elapsed, the second image management information is read from the second image management information storage unit 47 (step S803). The second image management information management unit 51 determines whether there is an image whose image storage deadline exceeds the current time among the entries registered in the read second image management information (step S804). . As a result of the determination, if there is no image that has expired, the timer is reset again and the process returns to step S802.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S804, if there is an image that has exceeded the storage expiration date, the second image management information management unit 51 deletes the entry of the expired image from the second image management information (step S805). . The second image management information management unit 51 stores the second image management information updated by deleting all entries related to expired images from the second image management information in the second image management information storage unit 47, and the step Proceeding to S806, the timer is reset.

The second image management information management unit 52 manages the image storage status of the entire image management system, and stores the image specified in the image request as necessary in response to the image request from the network side. The image storage system can be instructed to submit the image.

Next, an image capturing / storage system existing in a distributed manner in the image management system will be described.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image capturing / storage device 1100a according to the fifth embodiment.

The image capturing / storage device 1100a includes an image capturing unit 110, a position information acquisition unit 120, a time information acquisition unit 130, a storage unit 150, an association unit 1140, a submission image management information generation unit 1150, and an image management. Unit 1160, image transmission request receiving unit 1170, image extracting unit 1180, and transmitting unit 1190. The description of the same parts as those of the image capturing / storage device 100a is omitted.

The associating unit 1140 uses the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 120 and the time information acquired by the time information acquiring unit 130 as an image capturing position and an image capturing time for the image captured by the image capturing unit 110, respectively. The data is stored in the storage unit 150 in the associated state. Here, the associating unit 1140 performs the association by creating / updating table-like image management information.

FIG. 42 is an example of image management information (image management file) created / updated by the associating unit 1140. The image management information includes an image management number that is uniquely assigned to manage the image within the apparatus, an image file name that indicates the file name of the image, image acquisition position information that indicates the image capturing position, and image acquisition that indicates the image capturing time Time information, a transmitted bit, an image storage time limit indicating a time limit for storing the image in the storage unit 150, and a storage address indicating a storage position of the image in the storage unit 150 are associated with each other. Here, the transmitted determination bit is 1 bit that specifies whether the information has already been notified to the network side by the submission image management information generated by the submission image management information generation unit 1150 described later. Information. Further, the image storage time limit indicated by the image management information may be determined based on information related to the free capacity of the storage unit 150 and the like.

The image management information generation unit 1160 for submission manages image management information for submission to be submitted to the network side (image collection system side). The submitting image management information is generated by the submitting image management information generating unit 1150 as update information of an image newly captured and stored by the own apparatus.

The submitting image management information generation unit 160 periodically accesses the image management information created / updated by the associating unit 1140 and stored in the storage unit 150, and there is information regarding images that have not yet been notified to the network side. Determine whether.

As an example, when the image management information stored in the storage unit 150 is in the state shown in FIG. 42, two images having image management numbers No0010 and No0011 are already processed by the processing up to the previous time from the value of the transmitted determination bit. It can be seen that the image management information for submission has been generated and transmitted to the network side. On the other hand, for the two images No0012 and No0013, the transmitted determination bit is 0, and after the submission image management information generation unit 1160 generates the submission image management information by the previous generation process, a new image is created. It shows that the image is captured by the imaging unit 110 and is stored in the storage unit 150 through the association process in the association unit 1140.

Therefore, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 reads the image management information stored in the storage unit 150, and the necessary information from the entries in which the transmitted bit described in the image management information is 0. To extract. The necessary information mentioned here is indicated by an image file name for specifying an image, image acquisition position information indicating an image capturing position, image acquisition time information indicating an image capturing time, and the entry in the own apparatus. This is the image storage deadline indicating the image storage deadline.

As information for specifying an image, an image management number may be used as an image file name. Which one is used depends on the protocol constructed by the image management system, but it may be better to use the image management number from the viewpoint of enhancing the confidentiality including the information related to the image. Some users give names that include organic information about the image to the image file name, so it is preferable to use an image management number as information that the device assigns to each image inorganically. Here, an image file name is used as information for specifying the image.

FIG. 43 shows the image management information for submission generated by the submission image management information generation unit 1160 by extracting necessary information regarding unsubmitted images from FIG. The submission image management information generation unit 1160 further converts the format of the generated submission image management information into image management information shown in FIG. In other words, information identifying the own device storing the image is used as the source sender identification information, the number of images is changed to two, the first image file name is replaced with SRC100103.jpeg, and stored in the packet. Then, the data is sent to the transmission unit 1190.

Also, the submission image management information generation unit 1160 updates the image management information stored in the storage unit 150. That is, in FIG. 42, since the information regarding the images of SRC100103.jpg and SRC100104.jpg is newly gathered in the image management information for submission and notified to the network side, the value of the transmitted determination bit is updated as shown in FIG.

The image management unit 1160 manages images stored in the storage unit 150. Specifically, the image management unit 1160 refers to the image management information, compares the image storage time limit indicated by the image management information with the current time acquired by the time information acquisition unit 130, and has already exceeded the time limit. Are deleted in order to secure a storage area in the storage unit 150. At the same time, the image management unit 1160 deletes the entry of the expired image indicated in the image management information.

The image transmission request receiving unit 1170 receives an image transmission request transmitted from the central processing server 42. The image transmission request is information that is sent when the central processing server 42 requests transmission of an image stored in its own apparatus based on image management information submitted in the past.

FIG. 45 shows an example of the image transmission request. Information identifying the central processing server 42 that has transmitted the image transmission request is attached to the head as transmission source identification information. Subsequently, an image transmission request number assigned to the image transmission request is attached. The image transmission request number is a number used for managing the image transmission request itself. That is, the number is a number that is assigned so that the central processing server 42 can easily manage which image transmission request is based on the submitted image.

Following the image transmission request number, destination 1 identification information that is a first destination is arranged, and subsequently, information that is an image stored in the destination 1 and that requests transmission is arranged. Yes. Here, the destination 1 identification information is given the same identification information as the identification ID described in the image management information when the device of the destination 1 has transmitted image management information for submission in the past. Here, the MAC address of the device is used as information for identifying the device. In the example of FIG. 45, it is an image transmission request to K destinations 1 to K, requesting the first destination to transmit N images, and requesting the destination K to transmit M images. I understand that

The image transmission request receiving unit 1170 determines whether the received image transmission request is addressed to the own apparatus. Specifically, by comparing a plurality of pieces of destination identification information included in the image transmission request with identification information unique to the own device, the image transmission request includes information destined for the identification information unique to the own device. Determine. When identification information unique to the own apparatus is included in the image transmission request, the image transmission request is sent to the image extraction unit 1180.

The image extraction unit 1180 extracts, from the image transmission request sent from the image transmission request reception unit 1170, an image file name that identifies an image that is described following the identification information of the own device, and the image file name The image specified in (1) is extracted from the storage unit 150.

The image extraction unit 1180 sends the extracted image to the transmission unit 1190. At this time, the image extraction unit 1180 may also create an image management file for managing the image to be transmitted and send it to the transmission unit 1190. In the image management file, when the extracted image file name, imaging position and imaging time, information for identifying the device as the image provider, and the corresponding image transmission request number are described, the central processing server 42 side Easy to manage. The image transmission request number referred to here is an image transmission request number included in the image transmission request used when extracting the image. Since the information is also transmitted together, it becomes easy for the central processing server to grasp which request or the image is transmitted as a response.

The transmission unit 1190 transmits the image management information for submission sent from the image management information generation unit for submission 1150 in a packet whose destination is the IP address of the central processing server 42 registered in advance. The transmission unit 1190 transmits the image sent from the image extraction unit 1180 and the image management file in a packet addressed to the central processing server 42.

Next, the operation of the image capturing / storage device 1100a will be described. Note that a series of processing from image capturing processing to processing for associating with an imaging position and the like to storage processing in the storage unit is substantially the same as the processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 46 shows an example of the flow of processing for generating / transmitting image management information for submission in the image capturing / storage device 1100a. The submission image management information generation unit 1150 activates a time measurement timer that measures a predetermined time (not shown) (step S1001). The submission image management information generation unit 1150 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was activated (step S1002). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 reads the image management information stored in the storage unit 150 (step S1003).

Next, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 determines whether there is information regarding an image that has not been transmitted (notified) to the network side in the image management information read in step S1003 (step S1004). Specifically, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 determines that the entry in which the transmitted determination bit field provided in the image management information is “0” indicating “unsent” is the image management information. It is determined whether there is an image that is newly captured by determining whether it is included in the image.

If the result of determination in step S1004 is that a new image has not been captured and no image that has not been notified to the network side has been stored, processing proceeds to step S1008. On the other hand, when a new image is captured by the image capturing unit 110 and stored in the storage unit 150, the network side cannot yet know information about the image. Process to inform to. That is, as a result of the determination in step S1004, the image management information includes an entry in which “0” indicating that the field of the transmitted determination bit provided in the image management information is “not transmitted” is included in the image management information. In the case, the process proceeds to step S1005.

The submission image management information generation unit 1150 generates image management information for submission (step S1005). Specifically, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 converts the information related to the image of the entry whose transmission determination bit is “0” into a predetermined format among the entries included in the image management information determined in step S1004. The image management information for submission is collectively generated (step S1005). The generated image management information for submission is sent to the transmission unit 1190, packed in a packet by the transmission unit 1190, and transmitted to the network side (central processing server 42) (step S1006).

Further, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 updates the submission image management information by rewriting the entry in which the transmitted determination bit of the image storage information is “0” to “1” (step S1007). Then, the submission image management information generation unit 1150 resets the timer (step S1008), returns to step S1002, and waits for a predetermined time to elapse.

According to the above processing, it is possible to share information regarding the existence of an image between each image storage device or image storage system distributed in each place and the image collection system.

Next, the flow of image update processing in the image capturing / storage device 1100a will be described with reference to FIG. The image management unit 1160 activates a time measurement timer that measures a predetermined time (not shown) (step S1101). The image management unit 1160 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer was activated (step S1102). If the predetermined time has elapsed, the image management unit 1160 reads the image management information stored in the storage unit 150 (step S1103).

The image management unit 1160 determines whether there is an image for which the storage period of the image exceeds the current time among the images indicated by the read image management information (step S1104). If there is no storage expiration image as a result of the determination, the process advances to step S1107. On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if an image whose storage period has expired is stored in the storage unit 150, the image management unit 1160 deletes the expired image (step S1105). Further, the image management unit 1160 updates the image management information by deleting the deleted image entry from the image management information read in step S1103, and returns the updated image management information to the storage unit 150 (step S1103). S1106). Then, the image management unit 1160 resets the time measurement timer (step S1107), returns to step S1102, and waits for a predetermined time to elapse again.

As described above, the image management unit 1160 appropriately deletes the image stored in the storage unit 150, so that the storage unit 150 configured with a storage medium with limited lift is filled with image data, and a new image is taken. It prevents the situation that the image cannot be memorized.

Further, the deletion of the image is performed by the image capturing / storage device 1100a based on the image storage time limit managed by the image management information. The image storage time limit is determined in advance by the image management information submission process shown in FIG. It is also shared on the image acquisition system side. Accordingly, since the deletion of the image is synchronized between the image acquisition system side and the distributed storage system side, the image acquisition system side does not delete the image even though it has already been deleted on the storage system side. The submission request for the image is prevented.

Next, image submission processing in the image capturing / storage device 1100a will be described with reference to FIG. The image transmission request receiving unit 1170 waits for an image transmission request to be received from the image collection system side (central processing server 42) (step S1201). When receiving a new image transmission request, the image transmission request receiving unit 1170 determines whether the received image transmission request is an image transmission request addressed to the own apparatus (S1202). As shown in FIG. 45, when taking a form in which a plurality of devices are requested to submit an image within one image transmission request, the image transmission request receiving unit 1170 includes, in the received image transmission request, It is determined whether or not a part destined for the own apparatus is included.

If the result of determination in step S1202 is that the image transmission request does not contain information for identifying the own device such as the MAC address of the own device, the received image transmission request is not destined for the own device, step S1201. The process returns to the process of waiting for the next image transmission request to be received. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S1202, if the image transmission request includes information for identifying the own device such as the MAC address of the own device, the process proceeds to step S1203.

The image extraction unit 1180 extracts an image from the storage unit 150 based on information specifying the image specified in the part addressed to the own apparatus indicated by the image transmission request received from the image transmission request receiving unit 1170 ( Step S1203). The information specifying the image may be an image file name or an image management number. The information of the same type as the information specifying the image included in the image management information transmitted to the image collection system side in FIG. 46 is sent in the image transmission request. The information specifying the image is information for selecting an image specified by the information from the images stored in the storage unit of the own device.

The image extraction unit 1180 sends the image extracted in step S1203 together with the image management information related to the extracted image to the transmission unit 1190, and transmits the image to the image collection system side from the transmission unit 1190 (step S1204). After that, the process returns to step S1201 to wait for a new image transmission request to be received.

As described above, in the image capturing / storage device 1100a, an image is extracted and transmitted based on the received image transmission request, so that the image collection system collects an image based on the image request issued from the network side. It becomes possible to do.

In this method, the image capturing / storage device 1100a also determines whether the image transmission request is a request addressed to the device itself, and an image specified by information specifying an image such as a file name from the storage unit 150. An image can be submitted by performing an extraction process for extracting.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, by performing a wasteful image search a great number of times based on the image search information, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of resources and power of the own apparatus, and an image collection system. Since the image management system can recognize in advance what kind of image exists in the entire image management system, it is possible to perform flexible image collection.

In other words, in an image collection system, an image that has already been collected from an external storage system and stored in the DB in its own system can be submitted in response to a request from the network side. Even if the image is stored, the image existing in the external storage system can be appropriately collected.

Note that the configurations of the image storage device 1300b and the information processing device 1400c in the present embodiment are as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, but the functions already described in FIGS. 14, 16, and 41, respectively. Since the blocks are combined, detailed description is omitted here. For example, the image storage device 1300b includes at least a communication unit 310, a storage unit 350, an image transmission request reception unit 1170, and a transmission unit 1190.

Here, the communication unit 310 is a block that communicates with the image capturing device 1200b, and specifically includes an image captured by the image capturing device that captures an image, and information regarding the capturing position and capturing time of the image. A receiving function for receiving image management information; The storage unit 350 stores an image captured by the image capturing device 1200b received by the communication unit 310. In more detail, the transmission unit 1190 receives an image management information transmission unit that transmits image management information including information regarding the imaging position and imaging time of the image received by the communication unit 310, and an image transmission request reception unit. The image transmission unit is configured to transmit an image requested (designated) by the transmitted request.

The image transmission request receiving unit 1170 receives an image transmission request stored in the storage unit. The image extraction unit 1180 extracts a corresponding image from the storage unit 350 based on the image transmission request received by the image transmission request reception unit 1170, and sends it to the transmission unit 1190, more specifically to the image transmission unit. Here, since the image transmission request includes information for identifying the own device and information for specifying the image, the image transmission request receiving unit 1170 uses the identification information included in the image transmission request to identify the own device. Compared with the information, it can be first determined whether the image transmission request is for the device itself. The image transmission request addressed to the own apparatus is sent to the image extraction unit 1180, and the image extraction unit 1180 selects from the images stored in the storage unit 350 based on the information specifying the image included in the image transmission request. The specified image is extracted.

Here, the information specifying the image may be the file name of the image, but from the viewpoint of confidentiality, the image number uniquely assigned to the image stored in the storage unit 350 in the own device 1300b. Alternatively, it is more preferable to use an image number that is uniquely assigned to an image captured by the image capturing apparatus 1200b.

Here, the image storage device 1300b further includes a connection state establishing unit that establishes a connection state with the image capturing device 1200b, and the communication unit is configured so that the connection state establishing unit establishes a connection state with the image capturing device. Then, the image and the image management information transmitted from the image capturing apparatus are received.

In the information processing apparatus 1400c, the image extraction unit 1480 compares the image specified by the image transmission request received by the image transmission request reception unit 1170 from the external information storage medium as compared with the image extraction unit 1180 of FIG. The points to be extracted are different. In other respects, the information processing apparatus 1400c is substantially the same as the image storage apparatus 1300b, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The communication unit 310 communicates with the image capturing device 1200b. Of the communication functions, the transmission function is about the transmission of control signals, and most of the functions are reception of images and image management information. Unit 310 may be simply referred to as a receiving unit.

As described above, the information collection system according to the sixth embodiment obtains information related to images stored in the image storage system (image storage device) from the image storage systems (image storage devices) scattered outside. Receiving means for receiving, storage means for storing information relating to the received image, and transmission of an image specified based on the information relating to the image stored in the previous storage means to the image storage system (image storage device) Requesting means for making a request to According to this configuration, by receiving notification of information on an image existing in the system from a storage system that is distributed in advance in advance, the processing after the necessity of image collection is simplified be able to.

The information processing system according to the sixth embodiment is an image collection system connected to a plurality of image storage devices that store images, and includes information related to images stored in the image storage device. Received by an image management information receiving means for receiving certain image management information, an image management information storing means for storing the received image management information, an image request receiving means for receiving an image request, and the image request receiving means. Determination means for determining whether or not images satisfying the conditions requested in the image request are stored in the plurality of image storage devices with reference to the image management information stored in the image management information storage means; Based on the result of the determination, if an image that satisfies the condition requested in the image request is stored in the plurality of image storage devices, the image request is requested. Satisfying image there are provided with a, and request means for requesting the transmission conditions are satisfied image that is being requested by the image request to the image storage device stored. The image management information referred to here corresponds to the second image management information described above. According to this configuration, by receiving notification of information on an image existing in the system from a storage system that is distributed in advance in advance, the processing after the necessity of image collection is simplified be able to.

Further, the image receiving device further includes an image receiving unit that receives an image transmitted from the image storage device based on the request in the request unit, and an image storage unit that stores the image received by the image receiving unit in a storage medium. To do. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately collect an image from a small image storage device distributed outside and store it in a large image storage device (image storage medium) on the system side.

The image storage means further comprises stored image management information storage means for storing stored image management information, which is information relating to the image stored in the storage medium, and reading means for reading an image from the storage medium. The determination unit stores in the stored image management information storage unit whether an image satisfying the condition requested by the image request received by the image request reception unit is stored in the storage medium. Determining with reference to the stored image management information, and the reading means, when an image satisfying the condition requested in the image request based on the determination result is stored in the storage medium, An image satisfying the condition requested by the image request is read out. The stored image management information referred to here corresponds to the first image management information described above. With this configuration, first, it is determined whether an image is stored in the image storage medium on the system side that does not take time to read, so that the necessary image is stored in the image storage medium. In this case, the image storage medium can be accessed to read the image and transmit it to the request source.

In addition, the determination unit performs the first determination with reference to the stored image management information, and a condition requested by the image request received by the image request reception unit as a result of the first determination. When an image satisfying the condition is not stored in the storage medium, the second determination is performed with reference to the image management information. With this configuration, first, it is determined whether an image is stored in an image storage medium on the system side that does not take time to read, and unnecessary search processing is performed on a plurality of external image storage devices. Generation can be suppressed.

In addition, the image management information includes information regarding an imaging position and an imaging time of an image stored in the image storage device, and the stored image management information includes an imaging of an image stored in the storage medium. Information regarding the position and imaging time is included, and the image request includes information for specifying the imaging position and imaging time of the requested image. More preferably, in the stored image management information, the file name of the image stored in the storage medium by the image storage means, the imaging position of the image, the imaging time of the image, and the storage medium of the image Is associated with the storage address. More preferably, in the image management information, the file name of the image, the imaging position of the image, the imaging time of the image, and identification information for identifying the image storage device in which the image is stored, , Are associated. More preferably, an image number for managing the image assigned to the image in the image storage device is further associated in the image management information. With this configuration, it is possible to narrow down effective images.

The determination unit includes an image captured in a position and a time range specified based on information specifying an imaging position and an imaging time of the requested image included in the image request, in the storage medium or the image storage device. It is determined whether it is stored in either one.

The requesting unit is requested by the identification information for identifying the image storage device in which an image satisfying the condition requested in the image request is stored and the image request stored in the image storage device. By transmitting an image transmission request including image specifying information for specifying an image that satisfies a certain condition, a request is made to transmit an image that satisfies the condition requested by the image request. Here, it may be the file name of the image, the imaging position and imaging time of the image, or the image number. In either method, based on the image transmission request, an image to be appropriately requested is extracted from an external image storage device and an image is submitted.

Another aspect of the image collection system according to the sixth embodiment is an image collection system connected to a plurality of image storage devices that store images, and is stored in the image storage device. Image management information receiving means for receiving image management information that is information relating to an image, image management information storage means for storing the received image management information, and usable image information request receiving means for receiving an available image information request , Information on an image satisfying a condition specified based on the available image information request received by the available image information request receiving means with reference to the image management information stored in the image management information storage means And usable image information generating means for generating usable image information, and usable image information transmitting means for transmitting the usable image information. Here, the usable image information refers to the above-described usable image list file. With this configuration, it is possible to know what images exist even if they are spatially separated and stored and can be used upon request.

Here, the image request receiving means for receiving the image request and the image storage device storing the image requested by the image request are requested to transmit an image satisfying the condition requested by the image request. And requesting means for performing the retrieval when the user who has received the usable image information looks at the usable image information and there is an image desired in the image indicated by the information. be able to.

And an image receiving unit that receives an image transmitted from the image storage device based on the request in the request unit, and an image storage unit that stores an image received by the image receiving unit in a storage medium. By storing the received image in the storage medium (database) on the system side, it is possible to prevent the transmission request from being sent to the external image storage device many times for the same image.

Note that a stored image management information storage unit that stores stored image management information that is information related to an image stored in the storage medium by the image storage unit, and a request by the image request received by the image request reception unit. A determination unit that determines whether the stored image is stored in the storage medium with reference to the stored image management information stored in the stored image management information storage unit, and based on the determination result When the image requested by the image request is stored in the storage medium, a reading unit that reads out an image satisfying the condition requested by the image request is provided. It is possible to prevent a transmission request from jumping to an external image storage device.

Further, the image management information includes information for specifying an image stored in an image storage device, and information regarding the imaging position and imaging time of the image, and the stored image management information includes the storage medium. Includes information for specifying an image stored in the image, and information regarding the imaging position and imaging time of the image, and the available image information request includes an imaging position range of an available image that requests presentation of information, and Information specifying an imaging time zone is included.

More preferably, in the stored image management information, the file name of the image stored in the storage medium by the image storage means, the imaging position of the image, the imaging time of the image, and the storage medium of the image Is associated with the storage address. More preferably, in the image management information, the file name of the image, the imaging position of the image, the imaging time of the image, and identification information for identifying the image storage device in which the image is stored, , Are associated. More preferably, an image number for managing the image assigned to the image in the image storage device is further associated in the image management information.

The user who requests the usable image information is most likely assumed to use an image in a specific time zone in a specific position area. Therefore, such information should be included in each management information or usable image information request. . Note that the information for specifying the imaging time zone may be removed from the available image information request. This is because, depending on the user, the time zone may be ignored and only the position range is important for some users.

The usable image information generating means refers to the image management information stored in the image management information storage means, and the imaging included in the usable image information request received by the usable image information request receiving means. Useable image information is generated that summarizes information related to images captured in the position range and the time range specified based on the information specifying the position range and the imaging time zone. With this configuration, user-desirable usable image information can be generated and provided.

The request means includes identification information for identifying an image storage device in which an image satisfying a condition requested in the image request is stored, and a condition requested in the image request stored in the image storage device. By transmitting an image transmission request including image specifying information for specifying an image that satisfies the condition, transmission of an image that satisfies the condition requested by the image request is requested. Here, the image specifying information may be a file name of the image, an imaging position and an imaging time of the image, or the image number.

The information processing method according to the sixth embodiment is an information processing method used in an image collection system connected to a plurality of image storage devices that store images, and is stored in the image storage device. An image management information receiving step for receiving image management information that is information relating to the image being received; an image management information storing step for storing the received image management information; an image request receiving step for receiving an image request; and the image request Refer to the image management information stored in the image management information storage step to determine whether images satisfying the requirements of the image request received in the reception step are stored in the plurality of image storage devices. Based on the determination step and the result of the determination, an image that satisfies a condition requested by the image request is stored in the plurality of image storage devices. A transmission request step for requesting transmission of an image satisfying the condition requested in the image request to an image storage device storing an image satisfying the condition requested in the image request, And having.

An information processing method according to another aspect of the sixth embodiment is an information processing method used in an image collection system connected to a plurality of image storage devices storing images, and the image storage device An image management information receiving step for receiving image management information which is information relating to an image stored in the image, an image management information storing step for storing the received image management information, and an available image for receiving an available image information request A condition specified based on the usable image information request received in the usable image information request receiving step with reference to the image management information stored in the information request receiving step and the image management information storing step A usable image information generating step for generating usable image information in which information on images satisfying the condition is collected, and transmitting the usable image information Having a usable image information transmitting step.

The image capturing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment includes an image capturing unit that captures an image, an image storage unit that stores an image captured in the previous period, and an imaging position of an image stored in the image storage unit. Image management information generating means for generating image management information including information related to imaging time, and image management information transmitting means for transmitting the image management information. With this configuration, the image collection system can grasp an image captured and stored by the image capturing device. Here, it is preferable that the image management information transmitting unit periodically transmits the image management information.

Further, it is preferable that the image management information generation unit generates image management information in which information for specifying the image, an imaging position and an imaging time of the image, and identification information for identifying the device itself are associated with each other. Here, the information specifying the image may be a file name of the image, an image number uniquely assigned to the image stored in the image storage means, or other information. There may be. In this case, the transmission request includes identification information for identifying the device itself and information for identifying the image.

In addition, the image storage device according to the sixth embodiment includes a receiving unit that receives an image captured by an image capturing device that captures an image, and image management information including information regarding the capturing position and capturing time of the image. An image for transmitting image management information including information relating to an imaging position and an imaging time of the image received by the receiving means; and a storage means for storing the image taken by the image taking device received by the receiving means Management information transmission means, image transmission request reception means for receiving an image transmission request stored in the image storage means, and image for transmitting an image based on the transmission request received by the image transmission request reception means Transmitting means. With this configuration, even if the image capturing apparatus does not have a function for connecting to the network side, the image storage apparatus that has received the image and the image management information from the image capturing apparatus realizes an equivalent function. be able to.

Here, the image processing apparatus further includes connection state establishment means for establishing a connection state with the image pickup apparatus, and the reception means establishes the connection state with the image pickup apparatus after the connection state establishment means has established the connection state with the image pickup apparatus. The image and the image management information transmitted from the imaging device are received.

Further, it is preferable that the image management information generation unit generates image management information in which information for specifying the image, an imaging position and an imaging time of the image, and identification information for identifying the device itself are associated with each other. Here, the information specifying the image may be a file name of the image, an image number uniquely assigned to the image stored in the image storage means, or other information. There may be. In this case, the transmission request includes identification information for identifying the device itself and information for identifying the image.

In the above description, a configuration has been described in which the image storage deadline is transmitted together with the image storage deadline when transmitting image management information for submission from each image storage device or the information processing device in the image storage system. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that can send a change notification for changing the image to the image collection system.

That is, the storage medium capacity in each image storage device or the like is limited, and when the image is stored, the remaining storage capacity, the free capacity of the image to be deleted in the future due to the image storage deadline, It is assumed that the period calculated by the associating unit using a predetermined algorithm is set as the image storage deadline based on information such as the average image storage speed and the free space consumption speed. However, for example, if the image storage device is an in-vehicle image capturing and storage device and the frequency with which the user uses the car is exceptionally increased, the storage capacity may be exhausted at the originally scheduled image storage time limit. Come out. In such a case, the associating unit or other processing unit performs an image storage time limit update process.

That is, the image storage expiration update processing unit monitors the storage medium free space in the storage unit, and reads the image management information when the free space falls below a predetermined reference value, and displays each of the image management information indicated by the image management information The image management information for submission reset at a date and time before the image storage deadline is created, and the image management information is transmitted with an identifier indicating that the image management information has already been transmitted. The central processing server 42 that has received the new image management information corresponds to the new image management information for update in the second image management information that has already been stored with reference to the new image management information. Make corrections to the part. In other words, the central processing server 12 also updates the image storage deadline in the second image management information. By adopting such a configuration, even if there is a situation where an image must be deleted at a timing prior to a preset storage period due to unintentional waste of the storage medium, adjustment is made with the image acquisition system side. Is possible.

(Embodiment 7)
The central processing server 62 according to the seventh embodiment is characterized in that the image in the image management system is managed by one piece of image management information as compared with the central processing server 42 in the sixth embodiment. This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the central processing server 62 according to the seventh embodiment. Here, only differences from the central processing server 42 will be described, and description of common blocks will be omitted. The image management system according to the seventh embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 29 except that the central processing server 42 is replaced with the central processing server 62. The configuration of each image capturing / storage device, image capturing / storage system, etc. Are the same.

The central processing server 62 includes an image management information storage unit 63 and an image management information management unit 64. The image management information storage unit 63 stores image management information for managing images of the entire image management system. The image management information is a management table file shown in FIG.

The image management information shown in FIG. 52 has a DB presence / absence column. The DB presence / absence column is information for determining whether an image of each entry is stored in the DB 11 or stored in an image storage system or the like that is distributed outside. The image relating to the entry whose information is “1” indicates that the image has already been stored in the DB 11, and accordingly, the image storage time limit is written as null indicating an indefinite period.

The image storage unit 65 stores the submitted image received by the image reception unit 54 in the DB 11 and sends image management information sent together with the image to the image management information management unit 64. The image management information sent from the image storage unit 65 to the image management information management unit 64 is information such as an imaging position for an image stored in the DB 11.

The image management information management unit 64 additionally stores the image management information received from the image management information receiving unit 50 and the image management information received from the image storage unit 65 in the image management information storage unit 63. Also, the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 63 is read, and the expired entry whose image storage period has expired is deleted from the image management information.

When the image management information received from the image management information receiving unit 50 is newly added to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 63 and updated, the image management information management unit 64 sets the DB presence / absence column. Update as 0. This is because the image management information received from the image management information receiving unit 50 is information relating to an image stored in an external image storage system or the like, and the image is not stored in the DB 11.

On the other hand, when the image management information received from the image storage unit 65 is newly added to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 63 and updated, the image management information management unit 64 sets the DB presence / absence column. Update as 1. This is because the image management information received from the image storage unit is information about an image submitted from an external image storage system or the like and stored in the DB 11, and the image is stored in the DB 11.

As described above, the central processing server according to the seventh embodiment stores information in the image storage device or the like submitted from the image storage device (or image storage system, information processing device, etc.) owned by each external general user. The image management information, which is information related to the image being displayed, and the image management information, which is information related to the image submitted from the image storage device, are stored together in the management table. At this time, whether the image managed in the management table is an image stored in a database or an image stored in an image storage device installed by a private company or the like that is distributed outside. Manage in a discriminable state. With this configuration, it becomes easy to cope with a case where an image request for only an image existing in the DB is sent from the network side.

That is, an information processing device connected to a plurality of image storage devices storing images, image management information receiving means for receiving image management information that is information related to images stored in the image storage device, Image management information storage means for storing the received image management information, image reception means for receiving an image transmitted from the image storage device, and image storage means for storing an image received by the image reception means in a storage medium And. Here, the information regarding the image stored in the storage medium by the image storage means is included in the image management information stored in the image management information storage means. That is, the image management information indicates whether it is stored in the storage medium or stored in an external image storage device.

(Embodiment 8)
The image management system according to the eighth embodiment is characterized in that more appropriate image exchange can be performed by incorporating a configuration in which image submission criteria and the like can be set more finely. This will be described below with reference to the drawings. The entire image management system is substantially the same as the configuration of FIG. 29 except that the central processing server 42 is replaced with the central processing server 72, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 53 shows an example of a usable image list request sent from a user on the network side in the eighth embodiment. In the usable image list request, usable image list request range specifying information follows identification information for identifying a request source. Here, the usable image list request range specifying information is information for specifying various conditions requested by the usable image list request. In FIG. 54, as such conditions, in addition to the image capturing position range and image capturing time range, an image type that specifies whether the image is a moving image or a still image, and a case where the image is bought and sold at a price. Image price range for specifying the selling price of images, request source type for specifying what kind of organization the request source is, whether the requested image is the image in the DB, or the entire image management system There is information such as the target range that specifies the target of the image submission range, such as whether to do. In addition to these pieces of information, a configuration in which the number of pixels can specify the resolution may be used.

FIG. 54 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the central processing server 72 according to the eighth embodiment. Compared with the central processing server 62 shown in FIG. 51, the request information processing unit 44 is replaced with a request information processing unit 74. Other blocks have substantially the same functions as the blocks already described, and a part of the description is omitted.

The usable image list request shown in FIG. 53 received by the receiving unit 43 is sent to the request information processing unit 74. Upon receiving the available image list request, the request information processing unit 74 accesses the image management information storage unit 63 and refers to the image management information stored in the storage unit. Then, only a portion related to an image satisfying various conditions indicated by the usable image list request range specifying information included in the usable image list request is extracted from the image management information to generate a usable image list file.

FIG. 55 is an example of image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 63. In the image management information in the present embodiment, the image management number uniquely assigned to each image, the image file name that is the name of the image, the image acquisition position information that is the imaging position of the image, and the imaging time of the image Image acquisition time information, image owner identification information for identifying the owner or provider of the image, an image price indicating a price set as a condition for providing the image, and an owner (image custodian) of the image A request for submission permission indicating an organization that permits the submission of the image, an image storage deadline indicating a storage deadline in the image management system of the image, the image quality of the image, and whether the image is stored in the DB or distributed. The presence / absence of a DB indicating whether the data is stored on the existing storage unit side is collected.

The request information processing unit 74 compares the available image list request received from the receiving unit 43 with the image management information read from the image management information storage unit 63 and can be used as a request source of the available image list request. A usable image list is generated by duplicating an entry portion relating to an image that can be presented as an image and collecting it as a separate management table.

For example, as the usable image list request range specifying information in the usable image list request, it is specified that the image type is “moving image”, the request source identification is “police”, and the (search) target range is limited to DB. If so, the request information processing unit 74 refers to the image management information shown in FIG. 55, and the extension of the image file name is an image encoded by a moving image method such as mpeg or avi. The entry including “Police” in the field and “1” indicating that the image has already been stored in the DB is copied. In the case of FIG. 55, since only No083 satisfies the request specified by the available image list request, the request information processing unit 74 uses the image management information to copy the entry of No083 that satisfies the above condition. It is generated as a usable image list file as a usable image. The generated usable image list file is transmitted from the transmission unit 49 to the requesting user.

The image management information received by the image management information receiving unit 50 is also associated with the various conditions relating to image provision. The image management information is sent to the image management information management unit 64, and the image management information management unit 64 updates the image management information stored in the image diagram management information storage unit 63. At this time, the image management information updating unit 64 updates the image management information in a state in which various additional information included in the received image management information is written in the corresponding positions.

When the image management information management unit 64 receives the image management information from the image storage unit 65, the image management information management unit 64 stores the entry of the image in the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 63. Update is performed by rewriting the value “0” in the presence / absence to “1”. This is because the image has already been stored in the DB 11 by the image storage unit 65 at this stage.

Next, the configuration on the image capturing and storage system side will be described. FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image pickup storage device 1600a. Since the image submission condition setting unit 1610 is newly added as compared with the image pickup storage device 1100a shown in FIG. 41, this block will be mainly described.

The image submission condition setting unit 1610 sets conditions for submitting images. Specifically, the image submission condition setting unit 1610 extracts the conditions input by the user from an operation input unit (not shown) or the hardware information of the image capturing unit 110 that is a so-called camera with reference to a driver or the like. One of them. The image submission condition setting unit 1610 creates the image submission condition registration information by collecting the above various conditions and stores it in the storage unit 150.

FIG. 57 shows an example of image submission condition registration information generated by the image submission condition setting unit 1610. In the information, the price of the image is set for each of a still image and a moving image. In addition, image request destinations permitting image submission are limited to two organizations, the police and the SDF. In addition, the image quality is 12 million pixels. Also, the encoding formats are jpeg and mpeg, respectively.

The submission image management information generation unit 1650 periodically generates submission image management information and sends it to the transmission unit 1190. At this time, the submitting image management information generating unit 1650 reflects the contents of the image submitting condition registration information and generates submitting image management information.

FIG. 58 shows an example of the image management information for submission. The information regarding the image to be submitted this time is related to the price that is the selling price when submitting the image as additional information, and the request source that permits submission. Information and other information relating to the image quality of the image are also stored in association with each image.

In addition, for image storage devices and information processing devices included in other image capturing and storage systems, a block corresponding to the image submission condition setting unit 1610 is added to reflect the image submission conditions, and for submission. Except for the generation of the image management information, the configuration is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the image storage device further includes an image submission condition setting unit that sets conditions for submitting an image, and summarizes information related to submittable images stored in the storage unit. Generation means for generating image management information generates image management information as information relating to the image that can be submitted based on the condition for submitting the set image, and a transmission means generates the image management information generated by the generation means. Send. The central processing server that receives the image management information transmitted from the image storage device receives a storage means for storing the received image management information and an introduction request for information relating to images that can be acquired (available) from the network side. And whether the image captured at the imaging position and the imaging time specified in the range requested by the introduction request (available image information request) exists in the entire image management system. Determination means with reference to management information.

According to the said structure, since the demand and supply of a finer image can be matched, the provider side, such as a civilian who provides an image, can provide an image in comfort, and also requires an image. An organization such as the police can request only the images that are really necessary.

In the above description, the case has been described in which the submission image management information generation unit 1650 generates image management information reflecting the conditions set by the image submission condition setting unit 1610 and transmits the image management information from the transmission unit 1190. It is not limited to this. While the image management information itself transmits the previous image management information, when the image transmission request receiving unit 1170 receives an image transmission request addressed to its own device, the requested image is set by the image submission condition setting unit. A determination means for determining whether or not the satisfied condition is satisfied may be provided. That is, the determination unit determines whether to transmit (submit) the requested image based on the received image transmission request with reference to the set submission condition. If the request condition indicated by the image transmission request does not clear the submission condition, the determination means determines that the image is not transmitted, and determines that the image is transmitted when all the submission conditions are cleared. . When the determination unit determines that an image is to be transmitted, an image extraction instruction may be skipped to the image extraction unit 1180.

Note that the other image capturing devices, image storage devices, and information processing devices are also described above, and the image capturing devices, image storage devices, and information processing devices that have been described in the above embodiments. Since this can be described in combination, the description is omitted.

(Embodiment 9)
The image management system according to the ninth embodiment is characterized in that when image management information is transmitted, thumbnails are transmitted together. This will be described below with reference to the drawings. The entire image management system is substantially the same as the configuration in FIG. 54 except that the central processing server 72 is replaced with the central processing server 82, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 59 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central processing server 82 according to the ninth embodiment. A thumbnail image storage unit 83 is newly provided. The image management information receiving unit 50 receives image management information and thumbnail images sent from an external image storage system or the like.

Here, the thumbnail image is a reference image with a sufficiently small image resolution and image size. Although the atmosphere of what the image is can be read, it is not a detailed image, so privacy is sufficiently protected. Say the image.

The thumbnail image storage unit 83 receives a thumbnail image from the image management information receiving unit 50 and stores the thumbnail image in the DB 11. Further, the thumbnail image storage unit 83 adds the information regarding the storage address where the thumbnail is stored to the image management information received from the image management information receiving unit 50, and then sends the image management information to the image management information management unit 64. When thumbnail images are sent together with the main image from each image storage system or the like, the image storage unit 65 also stores the thumbnail image in the DB 11 in addition to the main image.

FIG. 60 shows an example of image management information managed by the image management information management unit 64 and stored in the image management information storage unit 63. In the image management information, a column for SN presence / absence (thumbnail image presence / absence) and a column for SN storage address (thumbnail image storage address) are added. In the SN presence / absence column, “0” indicates that the thumbnail image is not stored in the DB 11, and “1” indicates that the thumbnail image is stored in the DB 11.

In the case of FIG. 60, the image of the image management number No0814352 is not stored in the DB11 as the main image (official size image) nor the thumbnail image, whereas the images No0814353 and No0814355 are not stored in the DB11. The thumbnail images are stored in the DB 11.

The request information processing unit 74 refers to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 63 and generates an available image list file that is a list of information about available (introducible) images. Then, when the usable image list file is returned from the transmission unit 49 to the request source and the thumbnail image is stored in the DB 11, the reading unit 48 uses the address position indicated by the SN storage address. An instruction to read the thumbnail image is issued. The thumbnail image read by the reading unit 48 is packed into a packet by the request information processing unit 74 and sent from the transmission unit 49 to the request source together with the available image list file.

This configuration makes it easier for the requester to recognize what images are available through the thumbnail images, and what is provided at this stage is thumbnail images, so privacy is high and protection is provided. Has been.

Next, the image pickup storage device 1700a will be described. The image capturing / storage device 1700a has substantially the same configuration as that of the image capturing / storage device 1600a shown in FIG. 56 except that a thumbnail image generating unit 1710 is newly added.

The thumbnail image generation unit 1710 receives the image captured by the image capturing unit 110 and generates a thumbnail image. The associating unit 1140 stores the image and the thumbnail image in association with the thumbnail image generated by the thumbnail image generating unit 1710 to the image captured by the image capturing unit 110.

When the image management information for submission 1650 generates image management information for submission, if there is a thumbnail image for a new image to be notified by the image management information, the image management information generation unit 1650 extracts it from the thumbnail image storage unit 150. To the transmission unit 1190.

The transmission unit 1190 transmits the image management information sent from the submission image management information generation unit 1650 and the thumbnail image related to the image management information to the central processing server side.

Even when the image capturing device and the image storage device (or image storage system) are separated and the image capturing / storage system is constructed, the thumbnail function can be added similarly. That is, the thumbnail image generation unit 1710 is added to the image pickup device, and the thumbnail image generated by the creation western unit 1710 is transferred from the image pickup device to the image storage device after the connection is established by the connection state establishment unit. The image is sent to the image storage device (or image storage system) side and stored together with the official size image. In the information processing apparatus included in the image storage device or the image storage system, the thumbnail image can be transmitted together with the image management information for submission to the image collection system.

(Embodiment 10)
The image management system according to the tenth embodiment is characterized in that images are not stored in a spatially dispersed manner but are virtually separated and stored at concentrated positions.

The history of the world is said to be decided by the winner. In other words, the history we know today is the history left behind by those who have won the battle. This history is seen from the winner's side, and the history seen from the defeated ones is buried in the dark.

That is, the winner is justice and the loser is evil. History is formed from the viewpoint that the winner, the messenger of justice, defeats the loser and saves the world after a fierce battle. This is why “justice wins”. Since the winner is always defined as justice, it is natural that justice wins. This is because the winner is sublimated to justice.

The lameness performed by the winner is buried in the darkness, and the innocent people who have been defeated are reported to have been ladies. The truth is in the darkness.

The ancient history can only be read from the books left in the present day. However, since this old document is also written by the subjectivity of the author, it cannot be guaranteed that objectivity is guaranteed. Since 1800 AD, the state of the time was recorded not by text but by images, etc., due to the invention of the imaging device, enabling more appropriate history research in the sense of objectively examining history compared to books. It has become.

However, it cannot be said that the objectivity is fully secured by the video. The photographer's subjectivity determines what to shoot, so it is possible not to shoot and record videos that are inconvenient for themselves, but to intend to leave only images that are advantageous to themselves for future generations. .

The human psychology of not wanting to know what is inconvenient to me is unchanged. However, after my death or after a sufficient amount of time, it is quite possible to change to the idea of telling the truth about what really happened at that time. Therefore, if the condition is that the time capsule is opened after a long time, it can be considered that privacy has already disappeared. In other words, a subject person who moves to an image taken 50 years ago is no longer aware of privacy in modern times. In other words, it can be said that the concept of privacy contained in a certain information object will fade over time.

From this point of view, it is too much to delete images that have already been sold in hundreds of millions and have been taken so far, and images that will be taken further in the future. No. This is because, even if each piece contains only a little stale information, it can be a valuable image that unraveles the modern life and history from the later generations.

Therefore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of historical research to build and store a mechanism that can also be a central library for images so that books are centrally managed in the central library. However, love letters are not kept in the central library of books. This is because love letters are secret texts that are full of privacy, and no one wants to submit such texts to the central library unless strictly managed.

But what about a central library subject to strict management? This is the story of a military letter summarizing the strategy and plan of the Gallic expedition that Caesar, who was brilliant in the Roman Empire, wrote 2000 years ago, and a love letter written by Shakespeare, a great playwright in history. There is no more valuable material.

Humans are life forms learned from history, and in order for human beings to evolve into more advanced life forms, the past humankind's mistakes are reviewed, evaluated, and improved to live in this world and pass on to future generations. It is important to pass on. However, the human beings have been making the same mistakes and stepping on, just as the word “history repeats” remains strong. Even if technology advances, it remains an immature creature that has not grown at all compared to people who lived in ancient civilization in terms of individual maturity.

One of the reasons may be that we humans have not looked back on history properly. If we look at us from an objective point of view, we can immerse ourselves in the cocoon with an intelligent creature compared to animals and insects. It may be a life form.

The reason for the lack of progress in historical research is that, as mentioned above, information that is inconvenient for people who live desperately in this world has been buried in the dark. In fact, we live in a world where each person has a subjective view of what kind of world we live in, and we do not understand exactly what kind of world it is objectively. .

Therefore, it is required to build a system that can leave these information without erasing and look back after several years or decades.

In the image management system described up to the ninth embodiment, images are distributed and stored in each image storage device and storage system for a certain period of time. Because of this limitation, images can be stored for a few years at most, and it is not suitable for the purpose of looking back on the past from a medium- to long-term perspective.

After such consideration, the tenth embodiment aims to construct an information management system that can be used as a new world library.

However, maintaining such an information management system requires a great deal of money. Therefore, it is ideal and not a reality to build such an information management system simply by motivation to leave the truth in future generations. Therefore, in such an information management system, it is necessary to incorporate it into a business model that realizes the above-mentioned final goal and raises profits separately during system operation to cover system maintenance costs. Hereinafter, it demonstrates using drawing.

FIG. 62 is a conceptual diagram showing an information management system according to the tenth embodiment. The information management system is a system in which the image management system is conceptualized. Separated from an information collection system 2000 that includes at least a database (DB) 2001 that stores images and a central processing server 2002 that is an information processing apparatus, information acquisition / storage systems 2100a, 2100b, 2100c, and 2100d are scattered. Yes.

FIG. 63 is a diagram showing the DB 2001. The DB 2001 is a large information storage device in which a plurality of information storage media are connected in parallel. As shown in FIG. 63, the storage unit of the DB 2001 is divided into a plurality of domains.

Each domain of the DB 2001 is assigned to a user who owns an external information acquisition device.

FIG. 64 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central processing server 2002. The central processing server 2002 includes a data reception unit 2003, an access authentication unit 2004, an access authentication information storage unit 2005, a data storage unit 2006, a data management file reception unit 2007, a data management table management unit 2008, and a data management table. A storage unit 2009, a reception unit 2010, a request information processing unit 2011, a transmission unit 2012, a read access permission determination unit 2013, an access condition storage unit 2014, and a reading unit 2015 are provided.

The data receiving unit 2003 receives various data sent from an external information processing / storage system. Here, the data receiving unit 2003 receives the authentication request sent from the information processing / storage system prior to the reception of the data.

The authentication request is a connection request sent to establish a connection with the central processing server 2002 before the external information processing / storage system stores data in the DB 2001. The connection request includes at least identification information for identifying the transmission source of the authentication request and a password. The identification information for identifying the transmission source may be information for identifying a device that transmits the authentication request included in the information processing / storage system, or may be identification information for identifying a user of the device. good. The data reception unit 2003 sends the received authentication request to the access authentication unit 2004, and sends various received data to the data storage unit 2006.

The access authentication unit 2004 performs access authentication based on the received authentication request. The access authentication unit 2004 performs access authentication with reference to the access authentication information stored in the access authentication information storage unit 2005.

The access authentication information storage unit 2005 stores access authentication information for access authentication. FIG. 65 shows an example of the access authentication information. In the access authentication information, a user management number uniquely assigned to each user, a domain of the DB 2001 assigned to the user, a user ID, and an authentication password are associated with each other.

The access authentication unit 2004 determines whether the access authentication information includes a combination of identification information for identifying a user included in the authentication request received from the data reception unit 2003 and a password. As a result of the determination, if the combination is included, access permission is given as valid access. The access authentication unit 2004 informs the data storage unit 2006 of information related to the assigned domain associated with the access authentication information.

The data storage unit 2006 writes the data received by the data receiving unit 2003 into the domain subdivided by the DB 2001 and the domain notified from the access authentication unit 2004.

A data management information receiving unit 2007 receives data management information sent together with data from the external information acquisition / storage system. Here, the data management information is information for managing the data and is specifically reference information related to the data. Such data management information includes the data acquisition time, data size, data type (extension), creator ID, and the like. Further, when the data type is an image, the data management information includes the imaging position and imaging time of the image. The data management information receiving unit 2007 sends the received data management information to the data management table management unit 2008.

The data management table management unit 2008 newly generates a data management table based on the data management information received from the data management information receiving unit 2007 and the storage address of the data received from the data storage unit 2006, and stores the data management table. Stored in the section 2009.

Here, it is preferable that the data management table managed by the data management table management unit 2008 is subdivided into different files depending on the type of data and the acquisition date and time. This is because the search efficiency performed by the request information processing unit 2011, which will be described later, is reduced when trying to manage with a single management table in order to handle innumerable data.

FIG. 66 shows a data management table group stored in the data management table storage unit 2009. A management file is created for each date and time and data type by the data management table management unit 2008 and stored in the data management table storage unit 2009. For example, information on the pdf file created on October 7, 2011 is described in the management table of management table No 04-003.

FIG. 67 shows a data management table for managing image data. If the type of data indicated by the data management information is an image, the data management table management 2008 updates the information in the image management table shown in FIG.

For example, for a still image taken on October 4, 2011 in Osaka, the management table No. The information is recorded in the management table of Pic01-001. A data management table related to the image is also stored in the data management table storage unit 2009.

FIG. 68 shows the management table no. Pic01-001 is shown. In this table, a data management number, an image file name, an image capturing position, and an imaging time are associated. The data management number is a number uniquely assigned to all data stored in the DB 2001. When the data management table management unit 2008 creates and updates each data management table, the data management number is newly added. Uniquely assign to the data to be added.

The receiving unit 2010 receives an available data list request and a data request from the network side. The available data list request received by the receiving unit 2010 is sent to the request information processing unit 2011. The data request received by the receiving unit 2010 is sent to the read access authenticating unit 2013.

Upon receiving the available data list request, the request information processing unit 2011 reads an appropriate data management table from a plurality of data management tables stored in the data management table storage unit 2009, and from the data management table Further, information about data that satisfies the conditions specified in the available data list request is extracted. Then, the request information processing unit 2011 generates a usable data list in which the information is collected, and transmits it from the transmission unit 2012 to the request source.

The requesting user who has received the available data list request designates the desired data from the data shown in the available data list and transmits a data request. When the data request is received by the receiving unit 2010, the data request is sent to the read access permission determining unit 2013.

The read access permission determination unit 2013 determines whether to permit transfer of data requested by the data request based on the received data request.

The access condition storage unit 2014 stores access conditions for various data stored in the DB 2001 as an access condition management table. FIG. 69 shows an example of the access condition management table. The data management number is synchronized with the data management number described in the data management file stored in the data management file storage unit 2009. In the access condition management table, access conditions to the data indicated by the data management number are collected.

The read access permission determination unit 2013 reads the access condition imposed on the data of the data management number specified in the received data request from the access condition management table. The read access permission determination unit 2013 compares each condition specified in the data request with the read condition, and determines whether all the conditions are cleared.

If the received data request satisfies the condition for transferring data as a result of the determination, the read access permission determination unit 2013 instructs the reading unit 2015 to read the data of the data management number.

When the reading unit 2015 receives a data reading instruction from the reading access permission determination unit 2013, the reading unit 2015 reads an image of the data management number specified by the instruction from the DB 2001.

Here, the reading unit 2015 refers to the data management table in which data information indicated by the data management number is once stored in the data management table storage unit 2009, and stores the storage address position indicated in the management table. The data is read out and sent to the transmission unit 2012.

The transmission unit 2012 transmits the data received from the reading unit 2015 to the request source. In addition, the available image list request generated by the request information processing unit 2011 is transmitted to the request source.

Next, each data acquisition storage device 2100a will be described. The data acquisition storage device 2100a acquires various data by acquiring an image or generating a document file. The data acquisition storage device 2100a includes a storage unit that temporarily stores acquired data, and includes a connection state establishment unit for establishing a connection with the central processing server 2002. ID information and password information necessary for the connection are stored in the storage unit. When connecting to the central processing server 2002, the connection state establishing unit generates an access request packet including the ID information, password information, and identification information indicating that a connection is requested, and transmits the access request packet to the central processing server 2002. To do. When the central processing server 2002 receives a notification that the access authentication has been successful, the data stored in the storage unit is stored in the database 2001 via the central processing server 2002.

Here, the various data acquired by each data acquisition storage device or the like is centrally managed in the database 2001 on the information collection system side, but the storage area is virtually divided in the database 2001. In order to access the network, a configuration that requires an authentication process is adopted. Accordingly, since the person on the information collecting system side cannot remove each area in the database 2001 without permission, privacy is maintained.

The data acquisition storage device 2100a preferably includes an encryption unit that encrypts data prior to transmitting the data.

Since the other data acquisition / storage systems 2100b, 2100c, 2100d can be realized by combining the image capturing / storage system described in the above embodiments and the data acquisition / storage device 2100a, description thereof will be omitted.

It should be noted that Embodiments 1 to 10 may be implemented independently or in combination.

  Needless to say, the image capturing / recording apparatus of the present invention can be used as a conventional drive recorder used as evidence in the event of an accident of the host vehicle. Further, the data may be encrypted and recorded in the recording unit so that the image data or the like cannot be falsified. In addition, the image pickup storage device of the present invention is mounted not only on private cars but also on various movable mobile objects such as humans, pets, trucks, buses, taxis, motorcycles, trains, bicycles, strollers, etc. Images can be recorded in association with position information and time information. In the above description, the device of the present invention has been described as an imaging storage device that captures and stores images. However, a car navigation device having a function of storing images may be used, or a wireless reception device having a function of storing images. Or a video camera. In the above description, the case where the image storage device is mounted on the vehicle has been described. However, the image storage device may be incorporated in advance in the vehicle body to have a vehicle having an image storage function.

In the present invention, it is assumed that an image request or a usable image information request sent from the network side is an image submission request from a private organization, and in order to make these operations smooth, It is even better to set up an image information management company. The image information management company has a receiving department that receives a request for image submission from a client. The request for image submission request includes information such as the location and time range for requesting image submission, the period for requesting image submission, the monetary compensation paid for image submission, and the intended use of the submitted image. . In addition, the image information management company has a creation department that collects request contents in a predetermined format and creates image search information. The image search information is transmitted to a plurality of image recording devices via a wireless communication medium. Further, the image information management company receives images submitted from a plurality of image recording devices and a management file for managing the images. The image information management company has a creation department that creates a submitted image list file based on management files from a plurality of image recording apparatuses received for the same item as necessary. The submitted image list file is submitted to the client, and the final image designated by the client is submitted to the client. In this way, by introducing a presence managing the distribution of images between the requester requesting image submission and the image recording apparatus, an appropriate image collection system can be constructed.

Also, in the above recording means, a process of writing the acquisition position and acquisition time of the image data in the file name of the image data or embedding it in the header portion of the image data as the association between the image and the acquisition position and acquisition time Means may be further provided. The conversion processing means may write a unique ID of the apparatus such as a MAC address or an ID assigned to the owner of the apparatus together with the file name or embed it in the header portion of the image data. Such information is used by the police and the image information management company to identify the image provider.

In the above description, it is assumed that the MAC address is notified as identification information for identifying the image (imaging) storage device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image recording device records the registration number of its own device on the personal information management file stored in the personal information management company, and transmits the image to be submitted and the additional information management file including the registration number. There may be. By notifying the personal information management company of the registration number indicated in the additional information management file, the image information management company knows the account number of the image provider of the registration number from the personal information management company and It may be configured to transfer.

Note that the central processing server, the image capturing / storage device, the image storage device, the augmentation processing device, and the like described in the above embodiments may each include an encryption / decryption unit that encrypts and decrypts data. When data transmission / reception with an external apparatus is involved, it is more preferable that each apparatus is configured to transmit an image, image management information, and the like after encryption by an internal encryption / decryption unit. In this case, the encryption key and the decryption key used between devices may be distributed in advance, or may be distributed prior to transmission / reception via another route. A plurality of encryption keys are periodically transmitted from an image information management company or the police, and the plurality of encryption keys received by the communication unit of the image recording apparatus are stored in an information recording medium such as a RAM in the encryption / decryption unit. Corresponding to the encryption key number is recorded for a certain period. In the encryption key management file for managing the encryption key, an encryption key number, a start address indicating a location where the corresponding encryption key is recorded, and the like are recorded. The image search information includes an encryption key number that specifies an encryption key for encrypting an image for each item. The encryption key number is output to the encryption processing unit according to the control of the system controller, and the encryption processing unit refers to the encryption key management file when encrypting the image extracted for the case corresponding to the encryption key number, Encryption is performed using an encryption key specified based on the encryption key number. Such a configuration is also possible. In addition, the encryption key is not limited to being transmitted, but a plurality of encryption keys are recorded in advance in the ROM in the encryption processing unit, and the extracted image is encrypted by selecting the encryption key according to the encryption key number included in the image search information. It may be configured to do so.

In addition, regarding the price set by the input from a user, you may be comprised so that a different price can be set according to a time zone and a position. At times when there is a lot of traffic or in the city center, many cars equipped with image recording devices run, so the value of the images decreases. This is because the client is highly likely to obtain an image without setting a high price as the money consideration. On the other hand, the value of images is high in the countryside where there are few cars. It is desirable for the configuration to be able to respond flexibly to such situations. The contrast processing unit reads a setting file in which the reference value input by the user is recorded, the price set for the position and time specified by the position information and time information included in the received image search information, and the image It may be configured to compare with money information included in the search information.

  In addition, when using an image pick-up (memory) device as a vehicle-mounted camera, the vehicle-mounted camera is not limited to the case of photographing the front of the vehicle, and may be installed to photograph the rear of the vehicle, for example, or a plurality of cameras A plurality of directions may be photographed and recorded. When taking a picture of the rear, the video inside the car can be acquired at the same time, so it is possible to effectively cope with the case where a suspicious person gets into the car. In this case, the image captured by the front camera is recorded together with “Front” information indicating that the front is captured when recording, and the image captured by the rear camera is recorded as “Back” information. If they are combined and recorded in the image management file, later management can be simplified. In addition, an infrared camera, a night vision camera, and the like may be included in the plurality of in-vehicle cameras. By photographing with such a special camera, it is possible to obtain an image more effective for investigation.

In the above description, it is assumed that the image data is erased when a certain period of time has elapsed after being recorded in the recording unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image data may be erased according to the state of the free recording capacity of the recording unit, and the image extracted based on the image search information and the image around the extraction range are longer than the normal recording period. You may comprise so that it may record for a long period.

Further, the image data that has passed for a certain period may be erased when it is recorded again for a certain period after re-encoding with a compression method with a higher compression rate. The image data that has passed for a certain period is output to the image encoding unit under the control of the system controller, re-encoded, and then recorded again in the recording unit for a certain period. With this configuration, an image can be stored for a longer period of time, and an old image can be recorded as data of a smaller size, thereby preventing recording capacity from being compressed. The re-encoding may be performed a plurality of times and recorded as image data having a smaller size as it gets older. In the case of moving image data, re-encoding may be performed at a reduced frame rate. In addition, the image data erasing method may be configured to be automatically erased by a unique method in consideration of the recording capacity and free capacity of the information recording medium.

Moreover, you may use the image image | photographed with the camera part (image imaging part) of this invention for the measurement of the distance between vehicles, the presence detection of a person, etc. In this case, in order to detect the boundary between the car running in front and the landscape and to calculate the distance between the detection results, and to determine whether there is a person in the photographed image, a person pattern is previously set. A separate recording unit and a matching unit for performing a matching process on whether there is a feature in the image that matches a pattern recorded in the ROM are required. It can also be used in a driving assistance system that detects a white belt from a photographed image and automatically corrects the traveling position.

  Needless to say, the image recording apparatus of the present invention can be used as a conventional drive recorder used as evidence in the event of an accident of the host vehicle. Further, the data may be encrypted and recorded in the recording unit so that the image data or the like cannot be falsified.

As image compression methods, MPEG2, H.264, and the like can be used. H.264 / AVC, JPEG, TIFF, etc. may be used for compression, and video shot from a car has a high correlation in the time direction, so even if a new compression method is developed. good. Further, it is possible to appropriately adopt the latest compression technology according to the progress of future compression technology.

In the above description, the device of the present invention has been described as an image recording device for recording an image. However, a car navigation device having a function of recording an image may be used, or a wireless reception device having a function of recording an image, It may be a video camera. In the above description, the case where the image recording apparatus is mounted on a vehicle has been described. However, the image recording apparatus described above may be incorporated in the vehicle body in advance to provide a vehicle having an image recording function.

In addition, each unit of each device described above may be realized using a semiconductor integrated circuit. Here, the integrated circuit may be referred to as LSI, VLSI, or ULSI.

In addition, each unit of each device described above may be realized by causing a small microcomputer such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program that is predetermined software.

In addition, the design can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The image collection system according to the present invention can be used for criminal investigations. It can also be applied as an information library that preserves the history of the world. Since images captured by a plurality of imaging devices are spatially or virtually separated and stored, these systems can be constructed while protecting privacy.

10 Image acquisition system
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image storage database 12 Central processing server 13 Image request receiving part 14 Image request processing part 15 Image request storage part 16 Image management information storage part 17 Image reading part 18 Image transmission part 19 Image search information generation part 20 Image search information transmission part 21 Image receiving unit 22 Image storage unit 100 Image capturing storage device (system)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Image pick-up part 120 Position information acquisition part 130 Time information acquisition part 140 Association part 150 Storage part 160 Image search information reception part 170 Image search part 180 Image transmission part 200 Image pick-up device 250 Storage part 270 Connection state establishment part 280 Image extraction part 290 Communication unit 300 Image storage device 310 Communication unit 320 Connection state establishment unit 330 Image storage unit 350 Storage unit 360 Image search information reception unit 370 Image search unit 380 Image transmission unit 400 Information processing device 410 Image reception unit 420 Time information acquisition unit 430 Image storage unit 450 Storage unit 460 Association unit
500 Information storage medium

Claims (11)

An image acquisition system connected to a plurality of image storage devices storing images,
Image management information receiving means for receiving image management information which is information relating to images stored in the image storage device;
Image management information storage means for storing the received image management information;
Image request receiving means for receiving an image request;
The image management information stored in the image management information storage means is stored in the plurality of image storage devices as to whether or not images satisfying the conditions requested by the image request received by the image request receiving means are stored. Determining means for determining by referring to;
Based on the result of the determination, when images satisfying the condition requested by the image request are stored in the plurality of image storage devices, an image satisfying the condition requested by the image request is stored. Requesting means for requesting transmission of an image that satisfies the conditions requested in the image request to the image storage device,
An image collection system comprising: Image receiving means for receiving an image transmitted from the image storage device based on the request in the request means;
Image storage means for storing an image received by the image receiving means in a storage medium;
The image collecting system according to claim 1, further comprising: Stored image management information storage means for storing stored image management information which is information relating to the image stored in the storage medium by the image storage means;
Reading means for reading an image from the storage medium;
Further comprising
The determination unit stores in the stored image management information storage unit whether an image that satisfies the condition requested by the image request received by the image request reception unit is stored in the storage medium. Judgment by referring to stored image management information
The reading unit reads an image satisfying the condition requested by the image request when an image satisfying the condition requested by the image request is stored in the storage medium based on the determination result. ,
The image collection system according to claim 2. An image acquisition system connected to a plurality of image storage devices storing images,
Image management information receiving means for receiving image management information which is information relating to images stored in the image storage device;
Image management information storage means for storing the received image management information;
An available image information request receiving means for receiving an available image information request;
By referring to the image management information stored in the image management information storage means, information on an image that satisfies a condition specified based on the available image information request received by the available image information request receiving means. Usable image information generating means for generating collected usable image information;
Usable image information transmitting means for transmitting the usable image information;
An image collection system comprising: Image request receiving means for receiving an image request;
Request means for requesting transmission of an image satisfying the condition requested in the image request to an image storage device in which the image requested in the image request is stored;
The image collecting system according to claim 4, further comprising: Image receiving means for receiving an image transmitted from the image storage device based on the request in the request means;
Image storage means for storing an image received by the image receiving means in a storage medium;
The image collecting system according to claim 5, further comprising: Stored image management information storage means for storing stored image management information which is information relating to the image stored in the storage medium by the image storage means;
Refer to the stored image management information stored in the stored image management information storage means whether the image requested by the image request received by the image request receiving means is stored in the storage medium. Determination means for determining
A reading unit that reads an image that satisfies a condition requested in the image request when an image requested in the image request is stored in the storage medium based on the determination result;
The image collecting system according to claim 6, further comprising: Image capturing means for capturing an image;
Image storage means for storing the captured image;
Image management information generating means for generating image management information including information relating to the imaging position and imaging time of the image stored in the image storage means;
Image management information transmitting means for transmitting the image management information;
Image transmission request receiving means for receiving an image transmission request stored in the image storage means;
Image transmitting means for transmitting the image received by the image transmission request receiving means;
An image pickup apparatus comprising: The image management information generating unit generates image management information in which information for specifying the image, an imaging position and an imaging time of the image, and identification information for identifying the device itself are associated with each other.
The image pickup device according to claim 8. Receiving means for receiving an image captured by an image capturing apparatus that captures an image, and image management information including information regarding an imaging position and an imaging time of the image;
Storage means for storing an image picked up by the image pickup device received by the receiving means;
Image management information transmitting means for transmitting image management information including information regarding the imaging position and imaging time of the image received by the receiving means;
Image transmission request receiving means for receiving an image transmission request stored in the image storage means;
Image transmitting means for transmitting an image requested by the transmission request received by the image transmission request receiving means;
An image storage device comprising: Further comprising connection state establishing means for establishing a connection state with the image capturing device;
The receiving unit receives the image and the image management information transmitted from the image capturing device after the connection state establishing unit establishes a connection state with the image capturing device.
The image storage device according to claim 10.