JP2002152704A - Image service system and image storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image service system by which a user can enjoy an image obtained from a mobile body moving in an optional place at an optional time so far as time permits and to provide an image recording system by which the user can record a required image even when the capacity of a memory is limited. SOLUTION: When a user uses its own personal computers 11, 12 to access a server 21, designates a mobile body moving in a place whose picture the user desires to view and enters information of the place, the server 21 specifies the mobile body on the basis of the information, acquires image data from the specified mobile body and provides the data to the user's terminals. Then the user can enjoy the image based on the image data on a display device connected to the personal computers 11, 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a satellite, an aircraft, an airship, a balloon, a ship, a submarine, a train, an automobile,
The present invention relates to an image service system that acquires and provides images from various moving objects such as bicycles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One may imagine what a place where he has traveled himself in the past by airplane, ship, railway train, car, or the like, is now. Even in places you haven't been, you may imagine scenes from airplanes, ships, railway trains, and cars, based on stories from the media and people. Such imagination may increase the desire to see the landscape, but it is often difficult to go to the site as a real problem. In particular, it can be said that scenes such as the earth and the deep sea viewed from outside the stratosphere cannot be seen by the naked eye in the future.

[0003]

There are many still images such as photographs and postcards that capture these scenes and the like, but they capture the moment of the past, and what kind of scenery they are today If it can be viewed as a still image or a moving image, there is an advantage that a virtual travel experience can be achieved by removing the space gap.

[0004] For example, on a one-way information transmission medium such as a television, the scenery of the window of a railway vehicle is often broadcasted. However, the scenery is a past scene and not a present scene as described above,
Sometimes you want to see the scenery of different places on the same route. It can be said that it is not enough to respond to such a viewer's request by broadcasting an image taken by a video camera on a television or the like.

[0005] Furthermore, like a weather camera, the current situation of each place can be viewed as a moving image by live relaying of a television, but the fixed point camera in which the location is specified and which is stopped is used. In addition, it cannot be freely selected by the viewer, and it is limited to the time zone of the live relay program. Therefore, it cannot be said that this is insufficient to satisfy the viewer's request.

[0006] On the other hand, a mobile body rarely encounters an accident. In such a case, if it is possible to obtain the image as an image, it is considered that it will be useful as valuable data and elucidation of the accident. However, if it is assumed that such image data is to be accumulated forever, it cannot be realized in practice, no matter how large the memory capacity is.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image service system and a memory that allow a user to enjoy an image obtained from a moving body moving at an arbitrary time at an arbitrary time as long as his time allows. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording system capable of recording a required image even if the capacity is limited.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image service system comprising: an electronic camera mounted on a plurality of moving objects; a server connected to the electronic camera via a network; And a terminal connected via a network, and when the terminal provides information for specifying the mobile unit to the server via the network, the server Identify the moving body by information, obtain image data from the electronic camera mounted on the identified moving body,
It is provided to the terminal.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention provides an image service system comprising:
An image storage system comprising: an electronic camera installed on a moving object; and memory means for storing image data output from the electronic camera, wherein the memory means erases old image data and deletes new image data. It is characterized in that endless storage is performed by storing data.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image service system comprising: an electronic camera mounted on a plurality of mobile objects; a server connected to the electronic camera via a network; and a server connected to the server via the network. Device,
Having, when information for specifying the mobile unit is provided to the server via the network from the terminal, the server specifies the mobile unit by the information, the specified Since the image data is acquired from the electronic camera mounted on the moving body and provided to the terminal, for example, after the user accesses the server from his / her own terminal, the moving body moving, such as a place where the user wants to view an image, When the server specifies and inputs information related thereto, the server specifies the moving object based on the information, obtains image data from the specified moving object, and provides the obtained data to the user terminal. An image based on the image data can be viewed via a display connected to the terminal. In addition, along with the image from the moving object, the place name information, the current date and time, the type and name of the moving medium,
Preferably, the model, flight number, destination, etc. are displayed. The location of the electronic camera installed on a moving body such as an aircraft, a ship, a railway train, and an automobile is not limited as long as the scenery is easy to see, but it may be installed at a position heading in the traveling direction, that is, at the head. preferable.

Here, the terminal may be a personal computer or a mobile phone. The image data may be still image data or moving image data. Further, the moving object is only required to be a three-dimensionally movable object, and it does not matter whether or not it is currently moving. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, satellites, aircraft, airships, balloons, ships, submersibles, railway trains, automobiles, bicycles, and the like, and those that move unmanned. As an aircraft,
Passenger airplanes are preferred, but cargo transport aircraft, military aircraft, helicopters, and the like, which are not operated by general passenger airplanes, are also rare and valuable because they may pass through dedicated or arbitrary air routes. As the ship, those with a view of the land, such as coastal ferries and high-speed ferry, are preferable,
Even cargo ships and fishing boats sailing in the ocean can obtain scenes at the ports of call, which are rare and valuable. As the railway train, a popular limited express train, a bullet train, a night sleeper train, a tram, a local line, or the like is preferable. Particularly preferred are night trains, which are so popular that it is difficult to make reservations, and local lines that are remote and tend to be avoided. As the automobile, those which operate long distances for a long time, such as long-distance trucks, highway buses, and regular sightseeing buses, are preferable.

[0012] Further, the moving body has position recognizing means for recognizing its own current position, and provides information on the recognized position to the server. Is provided, the server, based on the information on the position provided by the mobile unit and the information on the position provided by the terminal, the server detects the mobile unit closest to the specific position Determined, the image data is obtained from the electronic camera mounted on the determined moving body, and provided to the terminal, for example, the user only inputs information on the place where the user wants to view the image, the server is This is convenient because it is possible to specify a moving body moving near the area and obtain image data from the moving body. The information on the specific position may be numerical data such as latitude and longitude,
Alternatively, it may be character data such as a place name.

The server may determine a local name where the moving object is located based on the information on the recognized position, and provide the terminal with the information on the local name. This is preferable because names can be displayed together.

When the terminal provides information on the type of the moving object, a specific type of moving object closest to the specific position is determined, and the determined moving object is determined. It is convenient to acquire image data from the mounted electronic camera and to provide the image data to the terminal, since it is possible to narrow down by the type of the moving object.

Further, each mobile unit is provided with unique identification information, and when the terminal provides the server with the unique identification information via the network to the server, The server determines a moving object from the identification information, acquires image data from an electronic camera mounted on the determined moving object, and provides the terminal with the data. By inputting "Nozomi 13" or "JAL 373" or "Himawari Satellite Himawari", image data from these moving objects can be obtained, which is convenient.

Further, the moving body has an electronic camera capable of capturing images in different directions, and when information about a specific direction is provided from the terminal to the server via the network, The server acquires image data from the electronic camera facing the specific direction at that time, and if it is provided to the terminal, the user can view an image in a desired direction, More convenient. Here, the direction of the electronic camera may be the moving direction of the moving body to which the electronic camera is attached, the direction opposite to the moving direction, the direction orthogonal to the moving direction, or the downward direction of the moving body flying. It is also conceivable that the electronic camera can be rotated by 360 degrees and directed in a predetermined direction by a command from the server.

Further, when the mobile object has sound collecting means, and information on sounds collected by the sound collecting means such as a microphone is provided to the terminal via the server,
Through a speaker or the like connected to the terminal, the user can appreciate the running sound and the whistle with the image,
Realism is enhanced.

Further, it is preferable that the weather is predicted based on the image data provided to the terminal.

[0019] It is preferable that the server combines the image data from the moving object with the additional information, and provides the combined image data to the terminal. Here, the additional information is, for example, information relating to the advertisement when it is agreed to attach an advertisement to an image on the condition that part or all of the service charge in the image service system is paid. Say. By adding an advertisement in this manner, the user can view a wide variety of images at low cost, and the advertiser can efficiently advertise to a wide range of users.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image storage system comprising: an electronic camera installed on a moving body; and memory means for storing image data output from the electronic camera. Since the memory means performs endless storage by storing new image data while erasing old image data, it is possible to repeatedly store image data even if the memory capacity is limited.
On the other hand, for example, when a valuable natural phenomenon or an accident is encountered, by stopping the image storage at that time or thereafter, it becomes possible to store such a scene as image data.

The memory means may stop storing new image data when a predetermined impact force is applied to the moving body, or the memory means may be operated by a person operating the moving body. The storage of new image data may be stopped in accordance with.

As used herein, the term "network" refers to a system in which computer systems, terminals, and data communication equipment are interconnected, and includes, for example, POS systems used in convenience stores. The connection may be connected by a wired line such as a dedicated line or a public line, may be connected wirelessly through a communication satellite or the like, or may be connected in a complex form thereof. The so-called Internet is also included in the network. “Acquiring image data” includes transmitting image data by a partner, downloading the image data, and the like.

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image service system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, personal computers 11 and 12 which are terminals located at homes of general users A and B, a server 21, a computer 41 of a weather forecasting system, and an electronic device mounted on a front part of a railway vehicle 31. Camera 31a, electronic camera 32a mounted on the bottom of airplane 32, bus 33
The electronic camera 33a mounted on the front of the ship and the electronic camera 34a mounted on the front of the ship 34 are connected to each other via the Internet N which is a network. still,
Each of the railway vehicle 31, the airplane 32, the bus 33, and the ship 34 has a unique identification number (for example, Railroad 37).
6, Airline 185).
A device such as a GPS (not shown) is mounted as position recognition means, and the position detected by the device is transmitted to the server 21 together with its own identification number (and a common name) as needed.

Next, the image service system will be described. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing display examples displayed on the displays of the personal computers 11 and 12. FIG. Here, if the user accesses the image service site of the server 21 from the personal computers 11 and 12, the personal computer 1
Predetermined data is downloaded to 1 and 12, and a display as shown in FIG. 2 is first displayed on the display.

In the screen shown in FIG. 2, the date and the current time of the day are displayed at the lower right. Here, the user enters the “place name for which one wants to see the scenery” in the column C1 and the “type of moving object”
In the column C2, or the "identification number of the moving object" in the column C3. In the example of FIG. 2, "○
"City" and "All" as the type of moving object. If you want to change the input items after inputting,
What is necessary is just to click the cancel button B2.

On the other hand, if there is no problem with the input items, the user clicks the execution button B1 and the input information is transmitted to the server 21 via the network N. The server 21 keeps track of the current position (eg, latitude / longitude) as data from each moving body moving in each area at any time. Therefore, based on the data, the moving body moving in the vicinity of XX city is determined. Search for. The retrieved data is transmitted from the server 21 to the personal computers 11 and 12,
It is displayed on the display (FIG. 3).

In the display example shown in FIG. 3, the user puts a check mark on a moving object (here, Hayabusa No. 3) whose view is to be viewed, and clicks an execution button B 1 to transmit the information to the server 21. Then, the server 21 acquires image data from the electronic camera of the corresponding mobile object (Hayabusa 3) and transmits the image data to the personal computers 11 and 12. The personal computers 11 and 12 display the format on a display based on the image data. FIG. 4 is a display example of an image.

In FIG. 4, together with the image G1, the upper part of the display is provided with a so-called C4 of a moving body (limited express Hayabusa3).
No.) and the local name C5 (the city XX
(Near the station), and the lower part of the display shows the current position C6 (latitude / longitude) of the moving object, the identification number C7 (Railroad 376) of the moving object, and the current date / time C8. Such an image is a video,
Since it changes every moment as the moving object advances, the user who appreciates it can feel as if traveling while staying at home. The moving body has a sound collecting means such as a microphone, and the sound collected through the server 21 is
If transmitted to the personal computers 11 and 12, the whistle of the train, the running sound, and the like are made to flow through the speakers of the personal computers 11 and 12, thereby increasing the sense of presence.

On the other hand, on the display screen of FIG.
Click 4 to return to the display in Fig. 3, where
When the user puts a check mark on “XX Air Flight 27”, the server 21 acquires image data from the moving object and transmits the image data to the personal computers 11 and 12. Personal computer 11,
Reference numeral 12 displays an image on a display based on the image data. FIG. 5 shows an example of the display. Similar to FIG. 4, various types of information on the moving object are displayed together with the images.

On the display screen of FIG. 2, when the identification number of the moving object such as “Airline 185” (or the flight number “XX Air Flight 27”) is entered, the server 21 Since the moving object can be specified immediately from the identification number, image data can be quickly acquired from the specified moving object and transmitted to the personal computers 11 and 12. The personal computers 11 and 12 can display an image as shown in FIG. 5 on a display based on the image data.

On the display screen of FIG. 2, a latitude and longitude can be input instead of the place name for which the user wants to view the scenery. In such a case, the server 21 moves around the input latitude and longitude. You can also search for mobiles. If the latitude / longitude of the moving object is known, the server 21 may automatically call the linked place name information data file, transmit information related to the position or area, for example, place name information, and display the image together with the image. . The place name information includes not only prefecture names, municipalities, and area names, but also bridges, tunnels, stations, ports,
Lighthouses, skyscrapers, towers and other large buildings, mountains, valleys,
There are unique topographical names such as pass, plain, coast, cape, and bay.
By displaying such place name information on a landscape image from an electronic camera installed on a moving object, the use value of the image information is greatly increased. Furthermore, it is preferable to add a simple sentence explanation to the place name information. In addition, based on the latitude and longitude entered from the stored map information,
It is also possible to obtain a place name in the vicinity and transmit the character information to the personal computers 11 and 12 together with the image data.

The image from such a moving object is taken into the computer 41 via the network N, whereby the weather in each region can be grasped, whereby the accuracy of the weather forecast can be improved. That is, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that not only the scenery and scenery from the moving object can be enjoyed, but also the weather condition of the area where the moving object is moving can be accurately grasped. That is, the aircraft moving in the target area shows the clouds in the sky, the ships moving in the vicinity show the waves of the sea, and the nearby railroad trains and cars moving on land. You can grasp the weather situation. Therefore, this embodiment can be said to be an excellent service system capable of greatly improving the accuracy of weather information obtained by ordinary observation means.

Further, a plurality of electronic cameras pointing in the moving direction of the moving body, the direction opposite to the moving direction, the direction orthogonal to the moving direction, and the like are mounted, and images from the electronic cameras in the directions designated by the personal computers 11 and 12 are provided. It can also be configured to acquire data. It is also conceivable that an electronic camera or the like provided at the bottom of the aircraft can be rotated 360 degrees and directed in a predetermined direction by the designation of the personal computers 11 and 12.

A system administrator and an advertiser (for example, a travel agency, a tourism company, a transportation company, a railway company, or a local government or a tourist association nationwide) may make an agreement in advance and a part of the service fee. Alternatively, in the case where an advertisement is attached to an image on the condition that all the data is paid, the server 21 combines the image data obtained from the moving object with the stored advertisement data, and 11,
12 is conceivable. In such a case, the user can receive the above-described image service for a small amount or free of charge, and the advertiser can make the user browse the advertisement in a wide range, so that the effect of the advertisement is enhanced.

It is to be noted that if the present embodiment is widely used, travel may be replaced with a substitute, and thus there is a possibility that the number of people who actually travel may be reduced. There is an increasing desire to go to the local area, which is likely to contribute to the revitalization of the travel and tourism industry by triggering travel planning.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an image storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
A vehicle 100 as an example of a moving object includes an electronic camera 101 and a collision sensor 101a on the front side, and includes an electronic camera 102 and a collision sensor 102a on the left side,
Electronic camera 103 and collision sensor 103a on the right side
And an electronic camera 104 and a collision sensor 10 on the rear side.
4a. The electronic cameras 101 to 104 and the collision sensors 101a to 104a are connected to the CPU 105. The CPU 105 is connected to the memory 106,
It is also connected to a switch 107 that can be operated by the driver. The CPU 105 and the memory 106 constitute a memory unit.

The operation of the present system will be described. When the driver gets into the vehicle 100 and inserts the key, the CPU
The electronic camera 101 to 104 captures an image, converts the image into image data, and stores the image data in the memory 106. Since the storage capacity of the memory 106 is limited, for example, image data captured 30 minutes ago is erased, and instead, new image data is overwritten. That is, as long as the vehicle continues to run without any problems,
Old image data is deleted at any time.

Here, when the vehicle 100 collides with something (including the case where the vehicle 100 is collided), any one of the collision sensors 1
01a to 104a react. Then, the CPU 105 detects this, and stops overwriting of the subsequent image data. As a result, the image data immediately before the collision remains stored in the memory 106, and the cause of the collision can be analyzed by analyzing the image data. on the other hand,
For example, if the vehicle 100 runs and encounters the escape site of a criminal who committed a crime such as running away, if the operation switch 107 is operated while pursuing the criminal's vehicle, the overwriting of image data is stopped at that time. Therefore, the number, characteristics, and the like of the offender's vehicle can be stored as image data. Therefore, even if the culprit succeeds in escaping, there will be material available for subsequent police investigations. In addition, although the vehicle was mentioned as an example of a moving body, it is not limited to this.

The present system is also useful for preventing mischief and arresting theft of a vehicle. For example, while the vehicle 100 is parked, image data from the electronic cameras 101 to 104 is stored in the memory 10.
6 can be continued to be overwritten. Here, when an unskilled person breaks the glass of the parked vehicle 100 or scratches the body, a sensor (not shown) detects the vibration, and at that time, the CPU 105 stops overwriting the image data. . Alternatively, when the situation is imminent, the information may be transmitted to a server managed by, for example, the police or a security company using wireless communication means (not shown). In such a case, the 4
The image of the criminal approaching the vehicle should have been captured by the electronic camera facing the direction, and the criminal can be determined from the human face and body type by analyzing the image data.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiments, and it is needless to say that modifications and improvements can be made as appropriate. is there.

[0042]

According to the present invention, an image service system and a memory that allow a user to enjoy an image obtained from a moving body moving in an arbitrary place at an arbitrary time as long as his / her time permits. It is possible to provide an image recording system capable of recording a required image even if the capacity is limited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image service system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example displayed on a display of a personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example displayed on a display of a personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a display example of an image.

FIG. 5 is a display example of an image.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an image storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 12 PC 21 server 31 railway vehicle 32 airplane 33 bus 34 ship 31a-34a, 101a-104a electronic camera 101 vehicle N Internet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04Q 7/38 H04B 7/26 106A H04N 7/18 109M

Claims (12)

[Claims] An electronic camera mounted on a plurality of mobile objects, a server connected to the electronic camera via a network, and a terminal connected to the server via a network, When information for specifying the mobile unit is provided to the server via the network from the terminal, the server specifies the mobile unit based on the information, and the server specifies the mobile unit based on the information. An image service system, comprising: obtaining image data from a mounted electronic camera; and providing the image data to the terminal. 2. The mobile object has position recognition means for recognizing its own current position, and provides information on the recognized position to the server. Is provided, the server, based on the information on the position provided by the mobile unit and the information on the position provided by the terminal, the server detects the mobile unit closest to the specific position The image service system according to claim 1, wherein the determined image data is acquired from the determined electronic camera mounted on the moving body, and the acquired image data is provided to the terminal. 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the server determines a local name where the mobile unit is located based on the information on the recognized position, and provides the terminal with the information on the local name. The image service system according to 1. 4. When the information about the type of the moving object is provided from the terminal, a specific type of moving object that is closest to the specific position is determined, and the determined moving object is determined. The image service system according to claim 2, wherein image data is acquired from a mounted electronic camera and provided to the terminal. 5. Each mobile unit is provided with unique identification information, and when the terminal provides the server with the unique identification information via the network to the server, The image according to claim 1, wherein the server determines a moving object from the identification information, acquires image data from an electronic camera mounted on the determined moving object, and provides the image data to the terminal. Service system. 6. The mobile object has an electronic camera capable of capturing images in different directions, and when information about a specific direction is provided from the terminal to the server via the network, The image service system according to claim 1, wherein the server acquires image data from the electronic camera facing the specific direction at that time and provides the acquired image data to the terminal. 7. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit has a sound collecting unit, and information about the sound collected by the sound collecting unit is provided to the terminal via the server. 7. The image service system according to any one of 6. 8. The weather forecast is performed based on image data provided to the terminal.
8. The image service system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. The server according to claim 1, wherein the image data from the moving body and the additional information are combined, and the combined image data is provided to the terminal. 9. The image service system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. An image storage system comprising: an electronic camera installed on a moving object; and memory means for storing image data output from the electronic camera, wherein the memory means erases old image data. And an endless storage by storing new image data. 11. The image storage system according to claim 10, wherein the memory unit stops storing new image data when a predetermined impact force is applied to the moving body. 12. The image storage system according to claim 10, wherein the memory unit stops storing new image data in response to an operation of a person operating the moving body.