JP5586763B2 - Map search server and map search method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a map search server and a map search method, and more particularly to a map search server and a map search method that are convenient for searching for old buildings and streets.

  In recent years, with the advancement of IT technology surrounding digital cameras, it has become possible to output digitized images to the outside via the Internet, etc., and to acquire external images including maps, It can be used for various purposes.

  As a method of using a combination of a map and an image, Patent Document 1 discloses a photograph providing system that displays a photograph on a map and displays a position and a photographing direction of the photograph.

JP 2007-52809 A

  The photo providing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a device for accurately grasping the situation represented by the photograph when using the photograph to report the situation at the time of the disaster, and enjoys photographing. Not for. One of the pleasures of photography is to look for old buildings and townscapes and take pictures. For this purpose, it is conceivable to use old maps, but the photo providing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 solves this problem. I can't.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a map search server and a map search method capable of easily searching for an old building or street.

  In order to achieve the above object, the map search server according to the first aspect of the present invention uses a chronological map DB that records a map for each era and the chronological map DB to obtain a current map and a past chronological map. A search unit that sequentially compares and searches for a reference point where the map has not changed, and a transmission unit that transmits map information representing the searched reference point.

In the map search server according to the second invention, in the first invention, the search unit searches for the reference point based on the reference position received from the portable information device.
In the map search server according to the third invention, in the second invention, the search unit sequentially compares the current map with a past age map, and the map at the reference position has not changed. A point where the map has not changed for a period substantially the same as the period is searched as the reference point.
Furthermore, in the map search server according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the search unit searches for the reference point based on a road change recorded in the age-specific map DB.

  In order to achieve the above object, a map search method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a comparison step of sequentially comparing a current map and a past chronological map using a chronological map DB that records a map for each era. As a result of the sequential comparison, there is a search step for searching for a reference point where the map has not changed, and a transmission step for transmitting map information representing the searched reference point.

In a map search method according to a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the search step searches for the reference point based on the reference position received from the portable information device.
A map search method according to a seventh invention is the map search method according to the sixth invention. A point where the map has not changed during the same period is searched as the reference point.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a map search server and a map search method capable of easily searching for old buildings and townscapes.

It is a block diagram which shows the map display system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. In the map display system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure explaining judgment in a change judging part. In the map display system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure showing change on a map in place A (the position of a reference picture). In the map display system concerning one embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure showing change on a map in place B (current position). It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a camera in the map display system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a server in the map display system concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment will be described using a map display system to which the present invention is applied according to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera 10 is a digital camera, and can convert a subject image into image data and record it on a recording medium. The image data recorded on the recording medium can be displayed on the display unit 10a when a reproduction instruction is given by a reproduction button or the like.

In addition, the camera 10 has a GPS (Global Positioning) for acquiring position information.
System: Global positioning system). At the time of shooting, the position information of the shooting position is recorded on the recording medium together with the image data. Further, the camera 10 includes a transmission unit and a reception unit, transmits image data together with position information to the server 20 via a communication network such as the Internet network 15, and map image information processed by the server 20. Etc. can be received. This map image information can be displayed on the display unit 10a. In this embodiment, the camera 10 has a built-in GPS and acquires position information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a position may be detected using a mobile phone, a hot spot, or the like.

  The server 20 is connectable to the Internet network 15 and can record received images such as photographs. The server 20 reads the recorded images in accordance with an operation instruction of the user's PC (personal computer) and displays the display unit of the user's PC. Can be displayed. In the server 20, a control unit 1, an image recording unit 2, a position recording unit 2b, an age-specific map DB (database) 3, a communication unit 4, a display control unit 5, an operation determination unit 6, and a change determination unit 7 are provided. It has been.

  The control unit 1 is connected to each unit in the server 20 and receives an image from the user, stores the image and transmits the image, and according to a request from the user, a place on the map where there is no change. Each part is controlled, such as transmission of the map information shown. The image recording unit 2 records an image transmitted from the user. The position recording unit 2b records position information of an image attached to the image to be recorded in the image recording unit 2.

  The age-specific map DB 3 is a database that records a map for each year. In addition to providing the age-specific map DB 3 in the server 20, the server 20 may be connected to the age-specific map DB in an external database by the Internet network 15 or the like. Further, in addition to the map, the aerial photograph may be accumulated in the age-specific map DB 3 and the map and the aerial photograph may be stored in association with each other.

  The communication unit 4 performs transmission / reception with an external PC, the camera 10 and the like via the Internet network 15. The display control unit 5 is a control unit for displaying an image recorded in the server 20 and generated map information on an external PC, camera 10, or the like. The operation determination unit 6 determines the operation state of the keyboard and the like by the user with respect to the external PC, the camera 10, and the like. Based on the determination by the operation determination unit 6, the control unit 1 performs control. The change determination part 7 searches the map information memorize | stored in map DB3 classified by age, and determines the change on a map.

  Next, the operation of the map display system configured as described above will be described. First, when a photographer photographs an old building 11 or the like as a subject using the camera 10, the image data and the position data of the photographing position are transmitted to the server 20 on the network through the Internet network 15.

  The server 20 is connected to the net via the communication unit 4, and the received image data and position data are recorded in the image recording unit 2 and the position recording unit 2b, respectively. When there is a similar location search request from the user, the server 20 compares the display of the shooting location on the map with the change determination unit 7 for many years and determines whether the location has changed from the past. To do. In the map DB 3, when the map and the aerial photograph are stored in association with each other, the captured image information may be reflected to specify the building in more detail. As a result, the display of the shooting location on the map is compared up to many years ago, and it is possible to determine whether the location has not changed from the old days, the age of the building, and so on.

  The change determination unit 7 compares the maps, and determines what has changed and what has not changed according to whether there is a change in the topography, the shape of the road, the displayed building, or the facility, as shown in FIG. To do. In the example of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it is assumed that the position 31 of the asterisk is the current position, and this position 31 has not changed since 40 years ago. The determination unit 7 searches for a place that has not changed from the old days as the position 31 and displays the “place that has not changed from the past” as the position 32 on the map. As with the current position 31, the user can know an old-fashioned building and a place where the cityscape can be photographed, and can go there for photographing.

  Next, map change determination performed by the change determination unit 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a 10-year road network from 1977 to 2007 at location A, and FIG. 4 shows a 10-year road network from 1977 to 2007 at location B different from location A. Show. Note that FIG. 3 is a map corresponding to a position corresponding to a photographed image, and FIG. 4 assumes a map corresponding to a location where the user currently exists.

  Examining the map from 1977 to 2007 shows that although there were few roads in the past, development has progressed with the times and new roads have been created. In addition, a change in topography can also be determined on a map where the altitude is also displayed. As a change classification, when there is no change since 1977, it is classified as “change small 1”, when there is no change since 1987, “change small 2”, and when there is no change since 1997, it is classified as “small change 3”. be able to.

  Such classification can be performed in the same manner at the place shown in FIG. 3 or the place shown in FIG. If the user likes the building found at the place showing the small change 2 on the map shown in FIG. 3, it is considered that he / she is interested in the trendy building of this era. Therefore, if a place classified as small change 2 is searched from other areas and displayed on the map shown in FIG. 4, for example, there is a possibility that a user's favorite building can be photographed at that place.

  For example, when searching for an image of a building having a historical background similar to the cultural heritage remaining in Tokyo now in Kanagawa Prefecture, FIG. 3 is Tokyo and FIG. 4 is Kanagawa. The map shown in FIG. 4 is a map of a place where the user has transmitted an image to be searched. In this embodiment, the search is performed with a span of 10 years, but depending on the region, the determination can be made with a span of 100 years. As a result, it is possible to display a map indicating where to go to see the same architectural style.

  3 and 4 are displayed at the same time, and color-coded according to the classified "changes", it is easy to see where there are similar buildings and townscapes, etc. Can do. By displaying such data on the display unit 10a of the camera 10, the camera 10 can be carried, searched as needed, and enjoyed walking around the city while watching the display unit 10a.

  In addition to images taken with the camera 10, for example, an image seen on a PC or the like may be used to search for a similar building or the like near the place where the person lives. Of course it doesn't matter. Further, the search or the like may be performed by a PC, and only the search result may be input to the camera 10.

As described above, the map determination unit 7 according to the present embodiment can find a building, a townscape, and the like similar to those the user likes in a familiar place, and can enjoy photographing these buildings and the townscape. Note that the present embodiment can be applied not only to the streets but also to searching for similar places on the map when photographing animals and plants. Old ponds may be home to local types of fish, while newly constructed ponds are less likely to have such fish. To search.

  Next, the operation of the camera 10 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the operation of the camera 10 is started, it is determined whether or not it is a photographing operation (S101). Whether or not the photographing operation is performed is determined by whether or not a release button of the camera is operated. If the result of determination is that there is an instruction for shooting operation, shooting is carried out (S102). In this shooting, image data based on the subject image is acquired by the image sensor in the camera 10.

  Subsequently, the position information of the shooting location is acquired (S103). As the position information, the position information is acquired by the built-in GPS. In addition to this, for example, when the camera 10 is connected to the Internet at a hot spot, the position information may be acquired from the camera 10 and the position information of the shooting may be acquired from the connection position of a mobile phone or the like. Also good. When the position information is acquired, the image data is recorded on the recording medium together with the position information (S104). When recording is completed, the process returns and returns to the beginning.

  If the result of determination in step S101 is not shooting, it is next determined whether or not to play back (S111). The reproduction mode is a mode in which image data recorded in the camera 10 is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 10a. In this step, it is determined whether or not an instruction to operate a reproduction button provided on the camera 10 has been issued. . If the result of determination is that playback has not been made, processing returns to step S101.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination is playback, playback and display of the image selected by the user is performed (S112). Next, it is determined whether or not a similar place search is performed (S113). This similar place search is a search for determining a change on the map by the change determining unit 7 described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and searching for a similar place on the map. When the user conducts a similar place search, this search is instructed in the menu mode of the camera 10, so in this step, it is determined whether or not a similar place search has been instructed.

  The user can search for a place similar to the playback image (reference image) by performing a similar place search operation. However, the search target is not limited to the image taken by the user, but an image taken by another person. Alternatively, an image searched on the Internet or the like may be used. In this case, the image is imported into the camera 10 in advance. By configuring so that a similar place search can also be performed using a reference image searched on the Internet or the like, the use can be expanded, for example, a place having undergone a historical transition under the same conditions as the reference image can be searched.

  If the result of determination in step S113 is that it is not the similar place search mode, processing returns to step S101 and the aforementioned steps are executed. On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if it is in the similar place search mode, the camera 10 is connected to the Internet network 15 (S114). And the position information in a connection place is acquired (S115). As the position information, the GPS built in the camera 10 may be used. However, when connecting to the network via a wireless LAN from a hot spot or the like, the position information may be obtained from the connection location at the time of connection. This is because the server 20 can determine the location of the hot spot. In this case, the GPS may not be built in the camera.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the network connection has been made and the position information has been correctly acquired (S116). As a result of the determination, if the network connection is not performed and the position information cannot be acquired, that is, if it is not OK, it is determined whether or not to end the similar place search mode (S117). When the user selects to end the similar place search mode, the end operation is performed, and therefore it is determined in this step whether or not the end operation has been performed.

  If the result of determination in step S117 is not end, the flow returns to step S116 to execute the above-mentioned steps. On the other hand, if the result of determination is end, return and return to the first step.

  If the result of determination in step S116 is OK, the selected image (reference image) and position information are transmitted to the server 20 via the Internet network 15 (S118). In step S116, if it is OK, a message to that effect may be displayed on the display unit 10a. Based on the selected image (reference image) and position information, the server 20 searches the age-specific map DB 3 for a place where an image similar to the selected image can be obtained near the current position of the user. Details of this search will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After transmitting the selected image (reference image) and the position information, the camera 10 waits for a response from the server 20 (S121). If there is no response, the camera 10 determines whether or not to end as in step S117 (step S117). S122). As a result of the determination, if it is not the end, the process returns to step S121. On the other hand, if it is the end, the process returns and returns to the first step.

  In step S121, when a response is received from the server 20, that is, when a search result is received, the reception result is displayed (S123). That is, since the server 20 transmits a location where a similar image can be captured as shown in FIG. 2A together with the map, it is displayed on the display unit 10a. Note that the server 20 may transmit information such as the combination of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, FIG. 4 alone, or FIG. 3 and FIG.

  As described above, the camera 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of transmitting image data with position information, a function of receiving a result transmitted from the server 20, a function of acquiring position information at the time of transmission, and the like. By using this function, it is possible to receive a place where an image similar to the image data can be taken and display it on the display unit 10a.

  Next, the operation of the server 20 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. The server 20 suggests a place where a similar subject can be found from the image transmitted from the camera 10. First, when the operation of the server 20 starts, it is determined whether or not the communication with the camera is established (S201).

  If the result of determination in step S201 is communication with the camera 10, it is next determined whether or not to search for a similar location based on the communication content (S202). As a result of the determination, if it is a search for a similar place, image data is received from the camera 10 (S203). In addition, the position information of the place where the camera 10 has performed the transmission operation is also received at the time of image reception.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether image reception or the like has been properly performed, that is, whether it is OK (S204). If the result of the determination is that it is not OK, it is determined whether or not the similar place search is to be ended (S205). If it is not ended, that is, if it is to be continued, the process returns to step S203, and ends. If so, return and return to the beginning.

  If the result of determination in step S201 is not camera communication, other services, for example, receiving and storing images according to PC operations, and performing display control so that the stored images can be browsed and displayed, etc. The server 20 performs a general service (S211). If the result of determination in step S <b> 202 is not a similar place search, the image transmitted from the camera 10 is stored (S <b> 212). When the processes of steps S211 and S212 are completed, the process returns and returns to the beginning.

  If the image reception is OK in step S204, the characteristics of the received image are determined (S221). Based on the result of the image reception determination, it is determined whether or not the name can be specified (S222). In other words, if the shape is clear and unique, such as Tokyo Tower or Kinkakuji, it is possible to specify the name, so in this step, it is determined whether or not the image is such an image.

  As a result of the determination in step S222, if the name can be specified, a search in natural language is performed with the name information (S223). Based on the search result, the age and author of the building are specified (S224). And the thing in other places is searched by the same age, the building by the same author, etc. (S225). Then, based on the search result, a place near the place where the user's transmission operation received in step S203 is performed is mapped (S226), and the mapped information is transmitted to the camera 10 (S227). As a result, the place where the user can go immediately has a historical background similar to the building of the transmission image or the like, or the place of the same building by the author is displayed on the map. When transmission is complete, return and return to the beginning.

  If the name cannot be specified as a result of the determination in step S222, N = 1 is set (S231). The case where the name cannot be specified is assumed to be a normal street or a shopping street. The variable N set in step S231 represents how many years ago the map to be searched is. Subsequently, the map of N years ago is compared with the current map (S232), and it is determined whether there is a change in the road or the like (S233). If there is no change, N = N + 1 is added for one year, and the process returns to step S232 to compare the maps.

  If the result of determination in step S233 is that there has been a change, the variable N is stored as Nb year (S235). Since the place has changed Nb years ago, a place where the scenery of Nb years ago is likely to remain is searched. As this place, another place with a change on the map is searched Nb years ago.

  First, in step S115 (FIG. 5) as a predetermined area, the camera 10 designates an image near the transmission point as an area (S241). In other words, there may be many places where changes on the map are recognized Nb years ago, so this is to preferentially search for places in or near a predetermined area.

  Of course, the predetermined area may be manually set by the user. If you want to start shooting now, it is more convenient to automatically set the location data of the transmission location. However, for example, before going somewhere, the destination may be input as a predetermined area, a map may be selected, and the same determination as in the present embodiment may be performed.

  If a predetermined area is designated in step S241, then N = 1 and variable N are initialized (S242). The current map is compared with the map N years ago within or near the predetermined area (S243). Subsequently, it is determined whether the compared age is Nb + 10 years ago (S244). As a result of the determination, if Nb + 10 years have not been reached, 2 is added to the variable N, that is, N = N + 2 (S245). Then, it returns to step S243 and performs a map comparison.

  As a result of the determination in step S244, when N = Nb + 10 is reached, a place where there is no change within the range of ± 2 years before Nb years is subsequently searched based on the map comparison results in steps S243 to S244 (S246). If it is an old place that searches in units of 100 years, an error of ± 30 years ago may be allowed, but here, assuming a case where history of several decades is targeted, ± 2 years The range. This width may be changed as appropriate according to the age of the search target. That is, you may make it change the age difference of a change detection with the age of buildings.

  When the search for the no-change portion is completed, the search result is mapped (S226), and this information is transmitted to the camera 10 (S227). When transmission is complete, return and return to the beginning. In this way, a map of the part that has the same history as the one that the camera user is interested in is displayed, and the pleasure of photographing while searching for various things increases. In addition, it is possible to provide a camera system that makes it easy to take a picture by finding an image to be taken in a familiar place.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a reference point where the map has not changed is searched for approximately the same period as a period when the map or landscape of the reference point has not changed, and information indicating the searched reference point is obtained. It is trying to display. That is, based on the transmission position transmitted by the user and the transmission image (landscape), a reference point where the map has not changed is searched (S225, S246), and this is mapped (S226). Therefore, it is possible to provide a map display system and a map display method capable of easily searching for old buildings and townscapes.

  In the present embodiment, an image is received in step S203 and a landscape image is also received. When the specification of the image name from the landscape image in steps S222 → S223 and after is omitted, the transmission of the landscape image can be omitted. In this embodiment, the change on the map is determined based on the road. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the determination is made based on the land use state such as paddy fields, orchards, and residential areas, and altitude. But of course it does n’t matter.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a digital camera is used as an apparatus for acquiring image data. However, the camera may be a digital single-lens reflex camera or a compact digital camera, and may be a mobile phone or portable information. Of course, a camera built in a terminal (PDA: Personal Digital Assist) or the like may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, you may delete some components of all the components shown by embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 2 ... Image recording part, 2b ... Position recording part, 3 ... Map database (DB) according to age, 4 ... Communication part, 5 ... Display control part, 6 ... Operation determination unit, 7 ... Change determination unit, 10 ... Camera, 10a ... Display unit, 11 ... Old building, 15 ... Internet network, 20 ... Server, 31 ... (current) position, 32 ... position

Claims (7)

A chronological map DB that records maps for each era,
A search unit that sequentially compares a current map and a past chronological map using the chronological map DB and searches for a reference point where the map has not changed,
A transmission unit for transmitting map information representing the searched reference point;
A map search server characterized by comprising:   The map search server according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches for the reference point based on a reference position received from a portable information device.   The search unit sequentially compares the current map and the past map according to the ages, and searches for the point where the map has not changed for the same period as the period when the map of the reference position has not changed as the reference point. The map search server according to claim 2, wherein:   The map search server according to claim 1, wherein the search unit searches the reference point based on a change in a road recorded in the age-specific map DB. A comparison step of sequentially comparing the current map and the past chronological map using the chronological map DB that records the map for each era,
As a result of the above sequential comparison, a search step for searching a reference point where the map has not changed,
A transmission step of transmitting map information representing the searched reference point;
A map search method characterized by comprising:   The map search method according to claim 5, wherein the search step searches for the reference point based on a reference position received from a portable information device.   The search step sequentially compares the current map with a past age map, and searches for a point where the map has not changed for a period substantially the same as a period when the map at the reference position has not changed as the reference point. The map search method according to claim 6.