JP6665440B2 - Image management system, image management method, image communication system, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image management system, an image management method, an image communication system, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a special digital camera that obtains a 360-degree celestial sphere panoramic image with one shot has been provided (see Patent Document 1).

  Although this digital camera obtains a spherical panoramic image, since the image is curved as it is and it is difficult for a user to see, a smartphone or the like displays a predetermined area image that is a part of the spherical spherical panoramic image, The user can browse the same two-dimensional image as the image captured by the conventional digital camera.

  However, since the predetermined area image is fixed to an image of a predetermined part at the time of shipment from the factory, if a person or the like is not shown, the user can determine what the predetermined area image represents. I do not understand. Therefore, there is a problem that even if a thumbnail of the predetermined area image whose content is unknown is displayed, the viewer is confused.

The invention according to claim 1 includes a receiving unit that receives a request for thumbnail data related to predetermined image data from a communication terminal, a detecting unit that detects an image of a person in the first image data, and a detecting unit that detects the thumbnail image. Creating means for creating thumbnail data including the image of the person, transmitting means for sending the created thumbnail data to the communication terminal, and a partial area of an image related to the predetermined image data. possess a terminal management unit for managing a predetermined area information indicating a position of a predetermined region set in advance, and the terminal management unit, in a predetermined region image is an image of said detected person image of the predetermined area If not included, when the detected image of the person is included in a specific area image that is an image of another specific area that is included in the image of the person, Specific area information indicating the position of the specific area in a fixed image is managed in place of the predetermined area information, and the creating unit manages the specific area information in place of the predetermined area information by the terminal management unit. Generating thumbnail data relating to the specific area image indicated by the specific area information for each of the first image data and the second image data different from the first image data. Is an image management system.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the image management system can transmit the thumbnail data including the image of the person to the communication terminal of the viewer, when the viewer views the thumbnail, It is possible to eliminate confusion without knowing what is being expressed.

(A) is a left side view of the imaging device, (b) is a front view of the imaging device, and (c) is a plan view of the imaging device. It is a use image figure of an imaging device. (A) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (front) taken by the photographing device, (b) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (rear) taken by the photographing device, and (c) is a diagram showing an image represented by Mercator projection. FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a sphere is covered with a Mercator image, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a panoramic spherical image. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined area when a panoramic spherical image is a three-dimensional three-dimensional sphere. 5A is a three-dimensional perspective view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a communication terminal in which an image of a predetermined area is displayed on a display. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between predetermined area information and a predetermined area image. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the imaging device. It is a hardware block diagram of the communication terminal in the case of a smart phone. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image management system and a communication terminal. It is a figure showing an outline of processing of this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating registration and acquisition processing of image data. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a base management table. It is a conceptual diagram showing a terminal management table. It is a conceptual diagram showing a photography management table. It is a conceptual diagram showing an image management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a thumbnail management table. It is a conceptual diagram of a base layout map. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a shooting reservation process. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of giving a shooting instruction. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of displaying a layout map. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating a display process of captured image data. It is a figure showing a schedule table screen It is a figure showing a schedule table screen. It is a site status screen showing the status of a specific site. It is a figure showing a predetermined area image in a specific base. It is a site status screen showing the status of a specific site. It is a site status screen showing the status of a specific site.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<< Outline of Embodiment >>
<How to generate a spherical panoramic image>
A method of generating a spherical panoramic image will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the appearance of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The photographing device 1 is a digital camera for obtaining a photographed image that is a source of a spherical (360 °) panoramic image. 1A is a left side view of the photographing apparatus, FIG. 1B is a front view of the photographing apparatus, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of the photographing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the photographing apparatus 1 is large enough to be held by one hand by a human. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, an image pickup device 103a is provided on the front side (front side) of the imaging device 1 and an image pickup device 103 is provided on the back side (rear side). 103b is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, an operation unit 115 such as a shutter button is provided on the front side of the imaging device 1.

  Next, a use situation of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the use of the image capturing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 1 is used by a user to hold a hand and photograph an object around the user. In this case, two hemispherical images can be obtained by imaging the subject around the user by the image sensor 103a and the image sensor 103b shown in FIG.

  Next, an outline of processing until an omnidirectional panoramic image is created from an image captured by the imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A is a hemispherical image (front side) photographed by the photographing device, FIG. 3B is a hemispherical image photographed by the photographing device (rear side), and FIG. 3C is represented by Mercator projection. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image (hereinafter, referred to as a “Mercator image”). FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a sphere is covered with a Mercator image, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a spherical panoramic image.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the image obtained by the image sensor 103a is a hemispherical image (front side) curved by a fisheye lens 102a described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the image obtained by the image sensor 103b is a hemispherical image (rear side) curved by a fisheye lens 102b described later. Then, the hemispherical image (front side) and the hemispherical image (rear side) inverted by 180 degrees are synthesized by the photographing apparatus 1, and a Mercator image is created as shown in FIG.

  Then, by using OpenGL ES (Open Graphics Library for Embedded Systems), as shown in FIG. 4A, the Mercator image is pasted so as to cover the spherical surface, and FIG. A spherical panoramic image as shown is created. As described above, the spherical panoramic image is represented as an image in which the Mercator image faces the center of the sphere. OpenGL ES is a graphics library used to visualize 2D (2-Dimensions) and 3D (3-Dimensions) data. Note that the spherical panoramic image may be a still image or a moving image.

  As described above, the omnidirectional panoramic image is an image pasted so as to cover the spherical surface, so that a human sees it unnaturally. Therefore, by displaying a predetermined region (hereinafter, referred to as a “predetermined region image”) of a part of the celestial sphere panoramic image as a flat image having a small curvature, it is possible to provide a display that does not give a feeling of strangeness to humans. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the positions of the virtual camera and the predetermined area when the omnidirectional panoramic image is a three-dimensional three-dimensional sphere. The virtual camera IC corresponds to the position of the viewpoint of the user who views the omnidirectional panoramic image displayed as a three-dimensional three-dimensional sphere. 6A is a three-dimensional perspective view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a predetermined area image when displayed on a display. In FIG. 6A, the panoramic spherical image shown in FIG. 4 is represented by a three-dimensional solid sphere CS. Assuming that the omnidirectional panoramic image generated in this way is a three-dimensional sphere CS, the virtual camera IC is located at the center of the omnidirectional panoramic image as shown in FIG. Rotation of three axes, that is, left and right rotation and rotation (ROLL) from the viewpoint from the center can be performed. The predetermined area T in the omnidirectional panoramic image is specified by the predetermined area information of the position of the virtual camera IC in the omnidirectional panoramic image. This predetermined area information is indicated by coordinates x (rH), coordinates y (rV), and an angle of view α (angle). The zoom of the predetermined area T can be expressed by expanding or contracting the range (arc) of the angle of view α.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the image of the predetermined area T in the omnidirectional panoramic image is displayed on a predetermined display as a predetermined area image as shown in FIG. 6B. Is displayed. The image shown in FIG. 6B is an image represented by predetermined area information (x, y, α) = (0, 0, 34) which is initialized (defaulted).

  Here, the relationship between the predetermined area information and the predetermined area image will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the predetermined area information and the relation between the predetermined area image. As shown in FIG. 7, the center point CP when the diagonal angle of view 2L of the predetermined area T represented by the angle of view α of the virtual camera IC is the (x, y) parameter of the predetermined area information. . f is the distance from the virtual camera IC to the center point CP. In FIG. 7, a trigonometric function represented by the following equation (1) generally holds.

Lf = tan (α / 2) (Equation 1)
<Outline of image communication system>
Next, an outline of the configuration of the image communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the image communication system of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the image communication system according to the present embodiment includes an imaging device 1, a communication terminal 3, a wireless router 9a, an image management system 5, and a communication terminal 7.

  Among them, the photographing device 1 is a digital camera for obtaining a spherical (360 °) panoramic image as described above. Note that the photographing apparatus 1 may be a general digital camera, and when the communication terminal 3 has a camera, the communication terminal 3 may be a digital camera. In the present embodiment, a digital camera for obtaining a panoramic omnidirectional image will be described for easy understanding. The communication terminal 3 is an example of a cradle for charging the imaging device 1 and transmitting and receiving data. In addition, the communication terminal 3 can perform data communication with the image capturing device 1 via a contact point, and can also perform data communication with the image management system 9 via the wireless router 9a and the communication network 9. The communication network 9 is, for example, the Internet.

  The image management system 5 is, for example, a server computer, and can perform data communication with the communication terminals 3 and 5 via the communication network 9. OpenGL ES is installed in the image management system 5 and creates a panoramic spherical image. Further, the image management system 5 creates thumbnail data of a part of the celestial sphere panoramic image (a predetermined area image or a specific area image described later), and provides the communication terminal 7 with the thumbnail data and the captured image data.

  The communication terminal 7 is, for example, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), and can perform data communication with the image management system 5 via the communication network 9. The image management system 5 may be configured by a single server computer, or may be configured by a plurality of server computers.

  Further, the photographing apparatus 1, the communication terminal 3, and the wireless router 9a are installed at predetermined positions by the installer X at each sales base for clothes and the like. The communication terminal 7 is installed at a head office or the like that supervises each sales base, and displays an image indicating the status of each base sent via the image management system 5 so that the viewer Y can check the status of each base. (Hereinafter, referred to as a “base situation image”). The image management system 5 provides a service for creating thumbnail data based on photographed image data sent from the communication terminal 3 at each site and providing thumbnail data and photographed image data to the communication terminal 7. It is installed in the company.

<Hardware Configuration of Embodiment>
Next, the hardware configurations of the imaging device 1, the communication terminals 3 and 7, and the image management system 5 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, the hardware configuration of the imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the photographing apparatus. In the following, the imaging device 1 is an omnidirectional imaging device using two image sensors, but any number of three or more image sensors may be used. Further, the device is not necessarily required to be dedicated to omnidirectional imaging, and may have substantially the same function as the imaging device 1 by attaching a retrofitting omnidirectional imaging unit to an ordinary digital camera, smartphone, or the like. .

  As shown in FIG. 9, the imaging apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 101, an image processing unit 104, an imaging control unit 105, a microphone 108, a sound processing unit 109, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory). ) 112, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 113, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 114, an operation unit 115, a network I / F 116, a communication unit 117, and an antenna 117a.

  Among them, the imaging unit 101 includes wide-angle lenses (so-called fisheye lenses) 102a and 102b each having an angle of view of 180 ° or more for forming a hemispherical image, and two imaging units provided corresponding to each wide-angle lens. Elements 103a and 103b are provided. The imaging devices 103a and 103b are image sensors such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor that convert an optical image by a fish-eye lens into image data of an electric signal and output the image data. It has a timing generation circuit that generates a vertical synchronizing signal, a pixel clock, and the like, and a register group in which various commands and parameters necessary for the operation of the image sensor are set.

  The imaging elements 103a and 103b of the imaging unit 101 are connected to the image processing unit 104 by a parallel I / F bus. On the other hand, the imaging elements 103a and 103b of the imaging unit 101 are connected to a serial I / F bus (such as an I2C bus) separately from the imaging control unit 105. The image processing unit 104 and the imaging control unit 105 are connected to the CPU 111 via the bus 110. Further, a ROM 112, an SRAM 113, a DRAM 114, an operation unit 115, a network I / F 116, a communication unit 117, an electronic compass 118, and the like are also connected to the bus 110.

  The image processing unit 104 captures image data output from the imaging elements 103a and 103b through a parallel I / F bus, performs a predetermined process on each image data, and synthesizes the image data. , And creates data of a Mercator image as shown in FIG.

  The imaging control unit 105 generally sets a command or the like in a register group of the imaging devices 103a and 103b using an I2C bus, with the imaging control unit 105 as a master device and the imaging devices 103a and 103b as slave devices. Necessary commands and the like are received from the CPU 111. The imaging control unit 105 also uses the I2C bus to acquire status data and the like of a group of registers of the imaging devices 103a and 103b, and sends the data to the CPU 111.

  Further, the imaging control unit 105 instructs the imaging elements 103a and 103b to output image data at the timing when the shutter button of the operation unit 115 is pressed. Some photographing apparatuses have a function of displaying a preview on a display or a function of displaying a moving image. In this case, the output of image data from the imaging elements 103a and 103b is performed continuously at a predetermined frame rate (frame / minute).

  The imaging control unit 105 also functions as a synchronization control unit that synchronizes the output timing of the image data of the imaging elements 103a and 103b in cooperation with the CPU 111, as described later. In the present embodiment, the imaging device is not provided with a display unit, but may be provided with a display unit.

  The microphone 108 converts sound into sound (signal) data. The sound processing unit 109 takes in sound data output from the microphone 108 through an I / F bus, and performs predetermined processing on the sound data.

  The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the photographing apparatus 1 and executes necessary processing. The ROM 112 stores various programs for the CPU 111. The SRAM 113 and the DRAM 114 are work memories, and store programs executed by the CPU 111, data being processed, and the like. In particular, the DRAM 114 stores image data being processed by the image processing unit 104 and data of a processed Mercator image.

  The operation unit 115 is a general term for various operation buttons, a power switch, a shutter button, and a touch panel having both display and operation functions. By operating the operation buttons, the user inputs various photographing modes and photographing conditions.

  The network I / F 116 is a general term for an interface circuit (such as a USB I / F) with an external medium such as an SD card or a personal computer. The network I / F 116 may be a network interface regardless of whether it is wireless or wired. The data of the Mercator image stored in the DRAM 114 is recorded on an external medium via the network I / F 116, or is transmitted to the communication terminal 3 or the like via the network I / F 116 serving as a network I / F as necessary. Or sent to an external device.

  The communication unit 117 communicates with an external device such as the communication terminal 3 via a short-range wireless technology such as WiFi (wireless fidelity) or NFC via an antenna 117a provided in the imaging device 1. The communication unit 117 can also transmit mercator image data to an external device of the communication terminal 3.

  The electronic compass 118 calculates the azimuth and inclination (Roll rotation angle) of the imaging device 1 from the magnetism of the earth, and outputs azimuth and inclination information. The azimuth / tilt information is an example of related information (metadata) along Exif, and is used for image processing such as image correction of a captured image. It should be noted that the related information also includes each data of the image capturing date and time and the data capacity of the image data.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the communication terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the communication terminal 3 in the case of a cradle having a wireless communication function.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the communication terminal 3 includes a CPU 301 for controlling the operation of the entire communication terminal 3, a ROM 302 storing a basic input / output program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 used as a work area of the CPU 301. An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 304 for reading or writing data under the control of the CPU 301, and a CMOS sensor 305 as an image sensor for capturing an image of a subject and obtaining image data under the control of the CPU 301.

  Note that the EEPROM 304 stores an operating system (OS) executed by the CPU 301, other programs, and various data. Further, a CCD sensor may be used instead of the CMOS sensor 305.

  Further, the communication terminal 3 includes an antenna 313a, a communication unit 313 that communicates with the wireless router 9a and the like by a wireless communication signal using the antenna 313a, an IMES (Indoor Messaging) as a GPS (Global Positioning Systems) satellite or indoor GPS. System), a GPS receiving unit 314 that receives a GPS signal including position information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the communication terminal 3 and a bus such as an address bus or a data bus for electrically connecting the above units. A line 310 is provided.

  A hardware configuration of the image management system 5 and the communication terminal 7 in the case of a notebook PC will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image management system 5 and the communication terminal 7. Since the image management system 5 and the communication terminal 7 are both computers, the configuration of the image management system 5 will be described below, and the description of the configuration of the communication terminal 7 will be omitted.

  The image management system 5 includes a CPU 501 for controlling the entire operation of the image management system 5, a ROM 502 storing a program used for driving the CPU 501 such as an IPL, a RAM 503 used as a work area of the CPU 501, and a program for the image management system 5. The HD 504 stores various data such as data, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 505 that controls reading or writing of various data to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501, and reads or writes (stores) data to or from a recording medium 506 such as a flash memory. A media drive 507 to be controlled, a display 508 for displaying various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image, and a network I / F 509 for data communication using the communication network 9. A keyboard 511 having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc., a mouse 512 for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like, as an example of a removable recording medium And a CD-ROM drive 514 for controlling the reading or writing of various data to or from a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 513, and for electrically connecting the above-described components as shown in FIG. Bus lines 510 such as an address bus and a data bus.

<Outline of Processing of Embodiment>
Next, an outline of the processing of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the processing of the present embodiment.

  First, the communication terminal 3 acquires photographed image data, predetermined area information, and related information from the photographing device 1 (step S1). Then, the communication terminal 3 transmits the captured image data, the specific area image (or the predetermined area image), the related information, and the thumbnail data to the image management system 5 (Step S2). Next, the image management system 5 detects an image of a person from the captured image data and creates thumbnail data including the detected image (step S3). Then, the image management system 5 transmits, instead of the predetermined area image indicated by the predetermined area information, the specific area image that is the image of the area where the person image is detected, the related information, and the thumbnail data of the specific area image. (Step S4). Accordingly, on the communication terminal 7 side, since the viewer Y can browse the thumbnails that include the image of the person and change, the viewer Y browses the thumbnails that have no or little change, and It is possible to eliminate confusion as to whether or not the person is present.

<< Functional Configuration of Embodiment >>
Next, a functional configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIG. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of each of the imaging device 1, the communication terminal 3, the image management system 5, and the communication terminal 7, which constitute a part of the image communication system of the present embodiment. In FIG. 13, the image management system 5 can perform data communication with the communication terminals 3 and 7 via the communication network 9.

<Functional configuration of imaging device 1>
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the imaging device 1 includes a reception unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a sound collection unit 14, a connection unit 18, and a storage / readout unit 19. These units are functions or means realized by operating any one of the components shown in FIG. 9 according to a command from the CPU 111 in accordance with an image storage program developed from the SRAM 113 to the DRAM 114. It is.

  Further, the photographing apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 1000 configured by the ROM 112, the SRAM 113, and the DRAM 114 illustrated in FIG.

(Each functional configuration of the photographing apparatus 1)
Next, each functional configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  The reception unit 12 of the imaging device 1 is mainly realized by the processing of the operation unit 115 and the CPU 111 illustrated in FIG. 9, and receives operation input from a user (installer X in FIG. 8).

  The imaging unit 13 is mainly implemented by the processing of the imaging unit 101, the image processing unit 104, the imaging control unit 105, and the CPU 111 illustrated in FIG. 9, and captures landscapes and the like to obtain captured image data.

  The sound collection unit 14 is realized by the processing of the CPU 108 and the sound processing unit 109 illustrated in FIG. 9, and collects sounds around the imaging device 1.

  The connection unit 18 is mainly realized by electric contacts and processing of the CPU 111, and receives power supply from the communication terminal 3 and performs data communication.

  The storage / readout unit 19 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 111 illustrated in FIG. 9, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 1000 and stores various data (or information) from the storage unit 1000. Read.

<Functional Configuration of Communication Terminal 3>
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the communication terminal 3 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 31, a connection unit 38, and a storage / readout unit 39. These units are functions or means realized by operating any of the components shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with a command from the CPU 301 in accordance with the program for the communication terminal 3 loaded on the RAM 303 from the EEPROM 304. It is.

  Further, the communication terminal 3 has a storage unit 3000 constructed by the ROM 302, the RAM 303, and the EEPROM 304 shown in FIG.

(Each functional configuration of the communication terminal 3)
Next, each functional configuration of the communication terminal 3 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  The transmission / reception unit 31 of the communication terminal 3 is mainly realized by the processing of the communication unit 313 and the CPU 301 illustrated in FIG. 10, and communicates with the image management system 5 and various data (or) via the wireless router 9 a and the communication network 9. Information).

  The connection unit 38 is mainly realized by electric contacts and the processing of the CPU 301, and supplies power to the communication terminal 3 and performs data communication.

  The storage / readout unit 39 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 10, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 3000 and stores various data (or information) from the storage unit 3000. Read.

<Functional configuration of image management system>
Next, each functional configuration of the image management system 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The image management system 5 includes a transmission / reception unit 51, a person detection unit 52, a creation unit 53, a generation unit 54, and a storage / readout unit 59. Each of these units has a function or a function realized by operating any one of the components shown in FIG. 11 according to a command from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program for the image management system 5 developed on the RAM 503 from the HD 504. Means.

  Further, the image management system 5 includes a storage unit 5000 configured by the RAM 503 and the HD 504 illustrated in FIG. In this storage unit 5000, a base management DB 5001, a terminal management DB 5002, a shooting management DB 5003, an image management DB 5004, and a thumbnail management DB 5005 are constructed. Among them, the site management DB 5001 is configured by a site management table described later. The terminal management DB 5002 includes a shooting management table described later. The shooting management DB 5003 is configured by a shooting management table. The image management DB 5004 is configured by an image management table described later. The thumbnail management DB 5005 is configured by a thumbnail management table.

(Base management table)
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a site management table. In this site management table, the region ID, the region name, the site ID, the site name, the file name of the site layout map, and the device ID are stored and managed in association with each other. Among them, the area ID is an example of area identification information for identifying the area. The region indicates a certain range such as Kanto, Tokyo, Shibuya Ward, New York, and New York City, for example. The site ID is an example of site identification information for identifying the site. The base name indicates a store name such as a Shibuya store or a venue name such as a Shibuya venue. As shown in FIG. 19, the layout map shows the layout of each site, and the position in the site can be specified in detail by two-dimensional coordinates. FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram of the base layout map. The device ID is an example of device identification information for identifying the imaging device 1. The layout map data is stored in the storage unit 5000.

(Terminal management table)
FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a terminal management table. In this terminal management table, device installation position information and predetermined region information are stored and managed in association with each other for each device ID. Among them, the device installation position information indicates, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the installation position of the imaging device on the site layout map represented by two-dimensional coordinates. The predetermined area information is the predetermined area information described with reference to FIG. The device ID, the device installation position information, and the predetermined area information in the terminal management table are information that the viewer Y has acquired in advance from the installer X. The installer X notifies the viewer Y by e-mail or the like when installing each imaging device 1 at a predetermined position in the base.

(Shooting management table)
FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing a shooting management table. In the shooting management table, a shooting title, a shooting start date and time, and a shooting end date and time are stored and managed in association with each site ID. The photographing title is a title input by the viewer, and is used by the viewer to extract desired photographed image data from a plurality of photographed image data. The shooting start date and time is a date and time input by the viewer, and indicates a date and time when the imaging device 1 starts (or starts) shooting. The shooting end date and time is a date and time input by the viewer, and indicates a date and time when the shooting device 1 ends (or ends) shooting.

(Image management table)
FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing an image management table. In the image management table, an image ID, a file name of captured image data, and a shooting date and time are stored and managed in association with each device ID. Among them, the image ID is an example of image identification information for identifying captured image data. The file name of the captured image data is the file name of the captured image data indicated by the associated image ID. The shooting date and time is the date and time when the associated shot image data was shot by the shooting device 1 indicated by the device ID. The captured image data is stored in the storage unit 5000.

(Thumbnail management table)
FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a thumbnail management table. In this thumbnail management table, a thumbnail ID and specific area information are stored and managed in association with each other for each image ID. Among them, the thumbnail ID is an example of thumbnail identification information for identifying thumbnail data created based on the image data indicated by the associated image ID. The file name of the thumbnail data is the file name of the thumbnail data indicated by the associated thumbnail ID. The specific area information indicates the specific area in which the thumbnail data is created after the person is detected in the image data indicated by the associated image ID. For example, FIG. 6B shows an image of a predetermined area T in the spherical panoramic image of FIG. 6A, but is an image of the predetermined area T when thumbnail data is created. 6 (b) is created.

(Functional configuration of image management system)
Next, each functional configuration of the image management system 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 is mainly realized by the processing of the network I / F 509 and the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and communicates with the communication terminal 3 or the communication terminal 7 via the communication network 9 and various data ( Or information).

  The detection unit 52 is implemented mainly by the processing of the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 11 and detects an image of a person in the captured image data. This person detection is performed by an SVM (Support Vector Machine) person detection method or the like.

  The creation unit 53 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 illustrated in FIG. 11 and creates thumbnail data including an image of a person detected by the detection unit 52.

  The generation unit 54 generates a site status screen that indicates the status of a specific site, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, 28, and 29 described below.

  The storage / readout unit 59 is mainly realized by the processing of the HDD 505 and the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 5000, and stores various data (or information) from the storage unit 5000. Information).

<Functional Configuration of Communication Terminal 7>
Next, a functional configuration of the communication terminal 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The communication terminal 7 includes a transmission / reception unit 71, a reception unit 72, a display control unit 73, and a storage / readout unit 79. Each of these units is implemented by a function or means realized by operating any one of the components shown in FIG. 11 according to a command from the CPU 501 according to the program for the communication terminal 7 developed on the RAM 503 from the HD 504. It is.

  Further, the communication terminal 7 has a storage unit 7000 constructed by the RAM 503 and the HD 504 shown in FIG.

(Each functional configuration of the communication terminal 7)
Next, each functional configuration of the communication terminal 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The transmission / reception unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 is realized mainly by the processing of the network I / F 509 and the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and transmits / receives various data (or information) to / from the image management system 5 via the communication network 9. I do.

  The receiving unit 72 is implemented mainly by the processing of the keyboard 511 and the mouse 512 and the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and receives an operation input from the user (the viewer Y in FIG. 8).

  The display control unit 73 is implemented mainly by the processing of the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11 and performs control for displaying various images on the display 508 of the communication terminal 7.

  The storage / readout unit 79 is realized mainly by the processing of the HDD 504 and the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11 and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 7000, and stores various data (or information) from the storage unit 7000. Information).

<< Process or Operation of Embodiment >>
Subsequently, the processing or operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, referring to FIG. 20, a description will be given of a process of the photographing reservation of the photographing apparatus 1 by the viewer Y using the communication terminal 7. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of making a shooting reservation. FIGS. 24 and 25 are diagrams showing a schedule table screen. 26, 28, and 29 are site status screens showing the status of the specific site. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined area image at a specific base.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the viewer Y inputs the base ID to the communication terminal 7, the receiving unit 72 receives the input of the base ID (Step S11). In this case, as shown in FIG. 24A, an input field 7110 for inputting a base ID is displayed on the display 508 of the communication terminal 7, so that the viewer Y can enter the input field 7110. , Enter the base ID of the base that is the store or the like that the user wants to browse. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 71 transmits a request for the schedule to the image management system 5 (step S12). This request includes the base ID input in step S11. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the request for the schedule.

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 of the image management system 5 searches the shooting management table (see FIG. 16) using the base ID received by the transmission / reception unit 51 as a search key, thereby obtaining the corresponding shooting title, shooting start date and time. , And the shooting end date and time, and by searching the site management table (see FIG. 14) using the site ID as a search key, the corresponding site name is read (step S13). Then, the generation unit 54 creates a schedule table screen as shown in FIG. 24B based on the various information read in step S13, and the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the schedule table screen to the communication terminal 7. Is transmitted (step S14). At this time, the site ID is transmitted together with the schedule screen data. Thereby, the transmitting / receiving unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the data of the schedule table screen.

  Next, in the communication terminal 7, the display control unit 73 causes the display 508 to display a schedule table screen as shown in FIG. 24B (step S15). On the schedule table screen, a time table is displayed for each day, and a reservation button 7290 is displayed. Then, the receiving unit 72 receives a shooting reservation from the viewer Y (step S16). More specifically, when the viewer Y presses the desired day item 7210 and then presses the reservation button 7290, the display control unit 73 causes the “reservation of photographing” as shown in FIG. Display the screen. Then, the viewer Y inputs a shooting title (here, “Saturday and Sunday sale”), a shooting start time (here, 10:00), and a shooting end time (here, 18:00), When the “OK” button 7380 is pressed, the transmission / reception unit 71 transmits a shooting reservation to the image management system 5 (step 17). The shooting reservation includes a base ID, a shooting title, a shooting start date and time, and a shooting end date and time. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the shooting reservation.

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 of the image management system 5 stores the contents of the shooting reservation as a new record in the shooting management table (see FIG. 16) (step S18). With the above, the processing of the photographing reservation ends.

  Next, a process in which the image management system 5 issues a shooting instruction to the communication terminal 3 based on the shooting management table (see FIG. 16) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram showing a process for giving a shooting instruction.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 transmits a shooting instruction to all the communication terminals 3 in the site indicated by the site ID (step S31). This shooting instruction includes a shooting start date and time and a shooting end date and time. Thereby, the communication terminal 3 receives the photographing instruction.

  Next, when the photographing start time comes, the communication terminal 3 transmits a photographing start instruction to the photographing device 1 (step S32). Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 11 of the photographing device 1 receives the photographing start instruction.

  Next, the communication terminal 3 shoots, for example, every 10 minutes, and transmits its own device ID, shot image data, related information, and predetermined area information to the communication terminal 3 (step S33). The related information indicates the actual shooting date and time. The predetermined area information indicates a viewpoint direction that is predetermined when the imaging device 1 is shipped from the factory. Thereby, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 of the communication terminal 3 receives the device ID, the captured image data, the related information, and the predetermined area information.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 31 of the communication terminal 3 transmits an image registration request to the image management system 5 (Step S34). This image registration request includes the device ID, captured image data, related information, and predetermined area information received in step S3. By this. The transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives an image registration request. Then, in the image management system 5, the storage / readout unit 59 newly assigns an image ID to the captured image data received in step S34 (step S35).

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 records and manages each information in each table (step S36). Specifically, the storage / readout unit 59 manages the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) by overwriting the predetermined area information corresponding to the device ID. The storage / readout unit 59 stores the device ID, the image ID, the file name of the image data, and the shooting date and time as new records in the image management table (see FIG. 17). Among them, the device ID is the ID received in step S34. The image ID is an ID assigned in step S35. The file name of the image data is the file name of the captured image data received in step 34. The shooting date and time is the shooting date and time included in the related information received in step S34.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits a notification of registration completion to the communication terminal 3 (Step S37). This notification includes the image ID. Thereby, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 of the communication terminal 3 receives the notification of the registration completion. Then, the storage / readout unit 39 of the communication terminal 3 stores the image ID in the storage unit 3000 (Step S38).

  Subsequently, a process of displaying a layout map will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of displaying a layout map.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the viewer Y inputs the base ID to the communication terminal 7, the receiving unit 72 receives the input of the base ID (step S51). In this case, as shown in FIG. 24A, an input field 7110 for inputting a base ID is displayed on the display 508 of the communication terminal 7, so that the viewer Y can enter the input field 7110. , Enter the base ID of the base that is the store or the like that the user wants to browse. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 71 transmits a request for the schedule to the image management system 5 (step S52). This request includes the base ID input in step S51. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the request for the schedule.

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 of the image management system 5 searches the shooting management table (see FIG. 16) using the base ID received by the transmission / reception unit 51 as a search key, thereby obtaining the corresponding shooting title, shooting start date and time. , And the shooting end date and time, and the corresponding site name is read by searching the site management table (see FIG. 14) using the site ID as a search key (step S53). Then, the generation unit 54 creates a schedule table screen as shown in FIG. 25B based on the various information read in step S13, and the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the schedule table screen to the communication terminal 7. Is transmitted (step S54). At this time, the site ID is transmitted together with the schedule screen data. Thereby, the transmitting / receiving unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the data of the schedule table screen.

  Next, in the communication terminal 7, the display control unit 73 causes the display 508 to display a schedule table screen as shown in FIG. 25B (step S55). Here, unlike FIG. 24 (b), a schedule table screen in the case where a shooting reservation has already been made is shown. In FIG. 25B, for example, schedule information 7410 indicating the details of the shooting schedule performed in the processing of steps S16 to S18 is displayed.

  Next, when the viewer Y presses, for example, the schedule information 7410, the receiving unit 72 receives the acquisition of the layout map related to the schedule information 7410 (Step S56). Then, the transmission / reception unit 71 requests a layout map from the image management system 5 (step S57). This request includes the base ID, the shooting start date and time, and the shooting end date and time. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the request for the layout map.

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 of the image management system 5 searches the site management table (see FIG. 14) using the site ID received in step S57 as a search key, and finds the corresponding layout-up file name. Read (step 58). In addition, the storage / readout unit 59 reads the corresponding layout-up file name and device ID by searching the site management table (see FIG. 14) using the site ID received in step S57 as a search key (see FIG. 14). Step 58). Also, the storage / readout unit 59 reads out the corresponding device installation position information and predetermined region information by searching the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) using the read-out device ID as a search key (step S58).

  Next, the generation unit 54 generates a layout map by using each piece of information read in step S58 (step 59). Then, the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits the layout map data to the communication terminal 7 (Step S60). Thereby, the transmitting / receiving unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the data of the layout map. Then, in the communication terminal 7, the display control unit 73 causes the display 508 to display a site status screen as shown in FIG. 26A (step S61). At the top of the location status screen, a layout including icons indicating all the imaging devices installed at the location is displayed.

  Subsequently, a display process of the captured image data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating a display process of the captured image data.

  First, as shown in FIG. 23, when the viewer Y selects an icon of a desired photographing device as shown in FIG. 26B, the accepting unit 72 accepts the selected photographing device ( Step S71). Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 71 transmits a request for captured image data and thumbnail data captured by the selected capturing device to the image management system 5 (step S72). This request includes the device ID of the imaging device associated with the selected icon. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the request for the captured image data and the thumbnail data.

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 of the image management system 5 searches the image management table (see FIG. 17) using the device ID received in step S72 as a search key, thereby obtaining the file name of the corresponding first image data. Is read, and the captured image data of this file name is read from the storage unit 5000 (step S73). Then, the detection unit 52 performs a process of detecting a person from the captured image data (Step S74). Hereinafter, a case where the detection unit 52 can detect a person and the person is not included in the predetermined area image indicated by the predetermined area information managed in advance in the terminal management table will be described continuously. .

  The storage / readout unit 59 changes the predetermined area information corresponding to the device ID received in step S72 to the specific area information including the person in the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) (step S75). In this case, as shown in FIG. 27 (a), the predetermined area image indicated by the first predetermined area information has a pillar without a person, but a specific area information with a person. After being changed, the specific area information is fixed to this specific area information, and becomes a specific area image in which a person appears in a time series as shown in FIGS. 27 (b), (c), and (d) sequentially.

  Next, the creating unit 53 newly creates thumbnail data based on the specific area image indicated by the specific area information (Step S76). In this case, based on the same specific area image, not only the first photographed image data of the selected date and time but also all photographed image data photographed between the photographing start date and time and the photographing end date and time are created. To create new thumbnail data. When there are a plurality of pieces of captured image data, the creating unit 53 determines the specific area for each of the plurality of image data based on the fact that the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) manages the specific area information instead of the predetermined area information. The thumbnail data relating to the specific area image indicated by the information is created. If the image of a person is included in the predetermined area image, the creation unit 53 creates thumbnail data of a predetermined predetermined area image at the time of factory shipment.

  Next, the storage / readout unit 59 newly assigns a new thumbnail ID to all the thumbnail data (step S77). Then, the storage / readout unit 59 assigns, as a new record, an image ID indicating the original shot image data of the thumbnail data to the thumbnail management table (see FIG. 18) for each thumbnail data in step S77. The thumbnail ID and the file name of the thumbnail data created in step 76 are managed in association with each other (step S78). At this time, the storage / readout unit 59 associates the shooting date and time of the original captured image data (see the image management table), the device installation position (see the terminal management table), and the predetermined area information (see the terminal management table). The information on the thumbnail data is collectively managed in the thumbnail management table.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 sends the communication terminal 7 a site name, first photographed image data of the selected date and time, all thumbnail data between the photographing start date and time and the photographing end date and time, And the shooting date and time are transmitted (step S79). In this case, the image ID of the captured image data is transmitted together with the captured image data, and the thumbnail ID of each thumbnail data is transmitted together with each thumbnail data. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the site name, the first captured image data of the selected date and time, all the thumbnail data between the capture start date and time and the capture end date and time, and the capture date and time.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 28, the display control unit 73 of the communication terminal 7 sets the specific area image and each of the specific area images below the base status image shown in FIG. The thumbnail and the shooting date and time are displayed (step S80). At first, the specific area image changed from the predetermined area information to the specific area information is displayed from FIG. 27A to FIG. 27C.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 29, when the viewer Y selects the fourth thumbnail from the left, the receiving unit 72 receives this selection (step S81). Then, the transmission / reception unit 71 requests the image management system 5 for data of the specific area image (step S82). This request includes the thumbnail ID of the thumbnail selected in step S81. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the request for the data of the specific area image.

  Next, in the image management system 5, the storage / readout unit 59 reads the corresponding image ID by searching the thumbnail management table (see FIG. 18) using the thumbnail ID received in step S82 as a search key (see FIG. 18). Step 83). Further, the storage / readout unit 59 retrieves the file name of the corresponding photographed image data by searching the image management table (see FIG. 17) using the image ID as a search key, and thereby reads the file name from the storage unit 5000. The image data of the name is read out (step S83).

  Next, the transmitting / receiving unit 51 generates a specific area image from the captured image data read in step S83 based on the specific area information (step S84). Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 51 transmits the data of the specific area image to the communication terminal 7 (Step S85). At this time, the image ID of the captured image data read in step S83 is also transmitted. Thereby, the transmitting / receiving unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the captured image data and the image ID.

  Next, in the communication terminal 7, the display control unit 73 displays a specific area image related to the thumbnail selected by the viewer Y on the display 508 as shown in FIG. 29 (step S86). As described above, the viewer Y can browse the specific area image at the desired shooting date and time.

<< Main effects of the present embodiment >>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the viewer Y can browse the thumbnail in which the person is displayed, regardless of the direction in which the installer X installs the photographing apparatus 1. Thus, the viewer Y can select a thumbnail having a change in the person from the plurality of thumbnails.

  When the viewer Y selects a thumbnail, a specific area image corresponding to the thumbnail is displayed as shown in FIG. 29, so that the customer can grasp what kind of product the customer is interested in. be able to.

[Supplement to the embodiment]
Further, the image management system 5 and the link information management system 7 in the above embodiment may be constructed by a single computer, or may be arbitrarily assigned by dividing each unit (function, means, or storage unit). It may be constructed by a plurality of computers.

  Further, the recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which the programs of the above-described embodiment are stored, and the HD 504 in which these programs are stored may be provided as a program product (Program Product) in Japan or abroad. it can.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 imaging device 3 communication terminal 5 image management system 7 communication terminal 9 communication network 51 transmission / reception unit (an example of a transmission unit, an example of a reception unit)
52 Detecting unit (example of detecting means)
53 Creation unit (an example of creation means)
54 generation unit (one example of generation means)
59 Storage / readout unit 508 Display (an example of display means)
5000 storage unit 5001 base management DB (an example of base management means)
5002 Terminal management DB (an example of terminal management means)
5003 shooting management DB (an example of shooting management means)
5004 Image management DB (an example of image management means)
5005 Thumbnail management DB (an example of thumbnail management means)

JP 2014-131215 A

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving a request for thumbnail data relating to predetermined image data from the communication terminal;
Detecting means for detecting an image of a person in the first image data;
Creating means for creating thumbnail data including the image of the person detected by the detecting means,
Transmitting means for transmitting the created thumbnail data to the communication terminal;
Terminal management means for managing predetermined area information indicating a position of a predetermined area, which is a partial area of an image related to the predetermined image data,
Have a,
The terminal management means is a case where the detected image of the person is not included in the predetermined region image that is the image of the predetermined region, and in another region in which the detected image of the person is included. When included in a specific area image that is an image of a specific area, specific area information indicating the position of the specific area in the predetermined image is managed instead of the predetermined area information,
The creation unit is configured to manage the first image data and the second image data different from the first image data based on the fact that the terminal management unit manages the specific region information instead of the predetermined region information. An image management system for each of which creates thumbnail data relating to the specific area image indicated by the specific area information . If it contains images of the person in the office constant region image, the generating means, the image management system according to claim 1, characterized in that to create the thumbnail data related to the predetermined region image. The receiving means receives information indicating a shooting start date and time and a shooting end date and time of the predetermined image data,
The image management according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates thumbnail data for the first image data and the second image data shot during the shooting start date and time and the shooting end date and time. system. The image management system according to claim 3, wherein
Image management means for managing information on the shooting date and time of the first image data and the second image data,
The image management system, wherein the creation unit creates thumbnail data for the first image data and the second image data indicating a shooting date and time between the shooting start date and time and the shooting end date and time. The image management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A thumbnail management unit that associates and manages thumbnail identification information for identifying the thumbnail data created by the creation unit and image identification information for identifying the original image data for which the thumbnail data was created,
The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the thumbnail identification information and the created thumbnail data to the communication terminal. The receiving means receives the thumbnail identification information transmitted from the communication terminal that has received the thumbnail identification information,
The image management system according to claim 5 , wherein the transmission unit transmits original image data indicated by image identification information corresponding to the received thumbnail identification information to the communication terminal. The image data, the image management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a full spherical panoramic image data. An image management system according to claim 7 ,
An imaging device that obtains the omnidirectional panoramic image data by imaging a subject;
An image communication system comprising: An image management method executed by an image management system for managing images,
The image management system includes:
A terminal management unit that manages predetermined area information indicating a position of a predetermined predetermined area, which is a partial area of an image related to predetermined image data,
A receiving step of receiving a request for thumbnail data according from the communication terminal to the predetermined image data,
A detecting step of detecting an image of a person in the first image data;
In the case where the detected image of the person is not included in the predetermined region image which is the image of the predetermined region, the detected image of the specific region which is another region including the image of the person is included. A change step of changing the predetermined area information managed by the terminal management unit to specific area information indicating a position of the specific area in the predetermined image when included in a specific area image;
When the predetermined area information is changed to the specific area information, the specific area indicated by the specific area information for each of the first image data and the second image data different from the first image data A creating step of creating thumbnail data relating to the image;
A transmitting step of transmitting the created thumbnail data to the communication terminal;
Performing an image management. A program for causing a computer to execute the steps according to claim 9 .

Images