JP2011141762A - Apparatus, method and program for controlling distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control distribution of information by which information provider's privacy may be infringed. <P>SOLUTION: A distribution control procedure acquires a photographed image I2 photographed by a camera C mounted on a mobile object M. The distribution control procedure determines whether distribution of the photographed image I2 to third persons is to be controlled. Here, a house of a driver of the mobile object M is included in the photographed image I2. In this case, the distribution control procedure determines that the distribution of the photographed image I2 to third persons is to be controlled. Then, when determining that the distribution of the photographed image I2 should be controlled, the distribution control procedure does not transmit the photographed image I2 from a distribution controlling apparatus 101 to a server 102. Consequently, the distribution of the photographed image, in which a place having possibility of infringing information provider's privacy is included, to third persons is controlled to protect the information provider's privacy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution suppression apparatus, a distribution suppression method, and a distribution suppression program that suppress information distribution.

  Conventionally, there is a technique for providing driving support information to drivers such as automobiles and motorcycles. Specifically, for example, in a traffic information collection / distribution system, traffic information is generated based on the current position of the moving body, and the generated traffic information is distributed to the traffic information user, thereby charging the traffic information user. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 below.)

  Further, there is a technique for receiving and displaying image data captured by an external imaging device mounted on a car, a train, or the like in a display device (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below). Further, in the information distribution system, there is a technique for prohibiting the disclosure of the captured image data when the difference between the positional information of the captured image data and the positional information of the vehicle that requested the distribution is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, the following patents) Reference 3).

JP 2002-74585 A JP 2008-154192 A JP 2008-232967 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology has a problem that privacy protection for information providers is insufficient. For example, when a private location such as home or work is reflected in a captured image to be distributed, there is a problem that the privacy of the information provider may be infringed.

  The present invention provides a distribution suppression apparatus, a distribution suppression method, and a distribution suppression program capable of suppressing the distribution of information that may infringe the privacy of an information provider in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the disclosed distribution suppression device, the distribution suppression method, and the distribution suppression program acquire and acquire a captured image captured by the camera mounted on the movable body. Distribution of the captured image to another user different from the user of the mobile object based on the position information of the mobile object associated with the captured image and the position information of an arbitrary point set in advance. It is a requirement to determine whether or not to suppress, and to output the determined determination result.

  According to the distribution suppression device, the distribution suppression method, and the distribution suppression program, there is an effect that it is possible to suppress the distribution of information that may infringe the privacy of the information provider.

It is explanatory drawing which shows one Example of this delivery suppression method. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image distribution system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of hardware constitutions, such as a delivery suppression apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a delivery suppression apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of map data. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory content of a delivery suppression point table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory content of a transmission data table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of an open range. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a process of a picked-up image. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the memory content of picked-up image DB. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the delivery suppression process procedure of a delivery suppression apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information delivery processing procedure of a server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen of a client terminal.

  Exemplary embodiments of a distribution suppression device, a distribution suppression method, and a distribution suppression program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(One example of this distribution suppression method)
First, an example of the distribution suppression method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the present distribution suppression method. This distribution suppression method is applied to, for example, the image distribution system 100 that provides a third party with a captured image captured by the camera C (see FIG. 2) mounted on the moving body M.

  In this distribution suppression method, a captured image captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M is acquired by the distribution suppression apparatus 101. Here, the delivery suppression apparatus 101 acquires captured images I1 to I3 captured by the camera C at predetermined time intervals. The captured images I1 to I3 are associated with positional information of the moving body M at the time of shooting.

  In this distribution suppression method, the distribution suppression apparatus 101 determines whether to suppress distribution of the captured images I1 to I3 to a third party. Specifically, the distribution suppression device 101 distributes the captured images I1 to I3 based on the position information of the moving body M associated with the captured images I1 to I3 and the position information of a preset point. Determine whether to suppress.

  Here, the preset point is a point that may infringe the privacy of the information provider. Here, the home of the driver of the moving object M is reflected in the captured image I2, that is, an image of a point that may infringe the privacy of the information provider is reflected in the captured image I2.

  In this case, in this distribution suppression method, it is determined that the distribution suppression apparatus 101 suppresses the distribution of the captured image I2 to a third party. In this distribution suppression method, when it is determined to suppress distribution of the captured image I2, the distribution suppression apparatus 101 does not transmit the captured image I2 to the server 102. Note that the delivery suppression apparatus 101 may process the captured image I2 and transmit it to the server 102 as a blank image.

  In this way, the information provider can be controlled by suppressing the distribution of shot images that reflect private locations such as homes or work places that may infringe the privacy of the information provider. Can protect the privacy. Note that the captured images I <b> 1 and I <b> 3 determined not to suppress distribution are transmitted from the distribution suppression apparatus 101 to the server 102. Then, the server 102 distributes the captured images I 1 and I 3 to the client terminal 103 in response to a distribution request from the client terminal 103.

(System configuration of image distribution system 100)
Next, a system configuration example of the image distribution system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the image distribution system. In FIG. 2, the image distribution system 100 includes a distribution suppression device 101, a server 102, and a client terminal 103.

  In the image distribution system 100, the distribution suppression apparatus 101, the server 102, and the client terminal 103 are mutually connected via a wireless or wired network 210 such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a WAN (Wide Area Network). It is connected so that it can communicate.

  The distribution suppression apparatus 101 is mounted on the moving body M and has a function of transmitting a captured image captured by the camera C to the server 102. The moving body M is a vehicle including, for example, an automobile or a motorbike. The camera C is a vehicle-mounted camera that is mounted on the moving body M and photographs the outside of the moving body M, that is, the surroundings of the moving body M at arbitrary time intervals.

  Further, the distribution suppression apparatus 101 has a function of determining whether or not to suppress distribution of a captured image captured by the camera C to the client terminal 103. In the distribution suppression apparatus 101, a captured image determined to suppress distribution to the client terminal 103 (for example, the captured image I2 illustrated in FIG. 1) is excluded from the distribution target.

  The server 102 includes a captured image DB (database) 220 and has a function of receiving a captured image captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M from the distribution suppressing apparatus 101. Further, the server 102 has a function of distributing the captured image in the captured image DB 220 to the client terminal 103 in response to a distribution request from the client terminal 103.

  The client terminal 103 has a browser function and a function of displaying a captured image distributed from the server 102. The client terminal 103 is, for example, a PC (personal computer), a mobile phone, a navigation device, or the like.

(Hardware configuration of 101 to 103 such as distribution suppression device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the distribution suppression apparatus 101, the server 102, and the client terminal 103 (here, simply referred to as “distribution suppression apparatuses 101 to 103”) will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration such as a distribution suppression device.

  In FIG. 3, the distribution suppression devices 101 to 103 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, and a magnetic disk 305. An optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, a display 308, an I / F (Interface) 309, and an input device 310. Each component is connected by a bus 300.

  Here, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the distribution suppression devices 101 to 103 and the like. The ROM 302 stores a program such as a boot program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. The magnetic disk 305 stores data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304.

  The optical disk drive 306 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the optical disk 307 according to control of CPU301. The optical disk 307 stores data written under the control of the optical disk drive 306, and causes the computer to read data stored on the optical disk 307.

  The display 308 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As this display 308, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The I / F 309 is connected to a network 210 such as a LAN, a WAN, and the Internet through a communication line, and is connected to other devices via the network 210. The I / F 309 controls an internal interface with the network 210 and controls input / output of data from an external device. For example, a modem or a LAN adapter can be adopted as the I / F 309.

  The input device 310 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. The input device 310 may be a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad.

(Functional configuration of distribution suppression apparatus 101)
Next, a functional configuration of the distribution suppression apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the distribution suppression apparatus. In FIG. 4, the distribution suppression apparatus 101 includes an acquisition unit 401, an association unit 402, a determination unit 403, a calculation unit 404, a processing unit 405, and a transmission unit 406. Specifically, each functional unit (acquisition unit 401 to transmission unit 406) is, for example, a program stored in a storage device such as the ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk 305, or optical disc 307 of the distribution suppression apparatus 101 shown in FIG. Is executed by the CPU 301 or by the I / F 309. Note that the processing results of each functional unit are stored in a storage device such as the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, and the optical disk 307 unless otherwise specified.

  First, the acquisition unit 401 has a function of acquiring a captured image outside the moving body M, which is captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M. Here, the captured image may be a still image or a moving image. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 401 acquires a captured image from the camera C via the I / F 309. Note that a shooting time at the time of shooting is added to the shot image.

  The acquisition unit 401 has a function of acquiring position information of the moving object M. Here, the position information is information for specifying the position of the moving object M on the map data (see FIG. 5), for example. The map data is, for example, image information drawn using road shape data including nodes and links and features regarding facilities, roads, and other terrain (mountains, rivers, land).

  Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 401 acquires position information of the moving body M measured by a navigation device (not shown) mounted on the moving body M via the I / F 309. The position information is, for example, position information of the moving body M calculated based on received waves from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and output values from various sensors included in the moving body M.

  The position information may be position information obtained by correcting the calculated position information by DGPS (Differential GPS) or map matching processing. For example, time at the time of position measurement is added to the position information.

  Here, map data will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of map data. In FIG. 5, map data 500 in a certain region is divided into a plurality of mesh regions by being divided into a grid shape with a predetermined width R. In FIG. 5, the numbers listed along the A axis and the B axis are numbers for specifying the mesh region.

  For example, the position information of the point X on the map data 500 is expressed by the coordinate position “(A, B) = (2, 3)” for specifying the mesh region including the point X. For this reason, when the moving body M is located at the point X, the position information of the moving body M is expressed by the coordinate position “(A, B) = (2, 3)”.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 4, the acquisition unit 401 has a function of acquiring destination information indicating a destination point of the moving object M. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 401 acquires destination information of the moving object M from a navigation device (not shown) mounted on the moving object M via the I / F 309.

  The acquisition unit 401 has a function of acquiring traveling state information indicating the traveling state of the moving object M. Here, the traveling state information refers to traveling of the moving body M identified from output values of various sensors (such as a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, a shift lever sensor, a seat belt sensor, an engine sensor, and a seating sensor) included in the moving body M. This is information indicating the state.

  That is, the traveling state information is information indicating, for example, the moving direction of the moving body M, whether or not an occupant is sitting in the driver's seat, the state of the shift lever, the state of the engine, and the like. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit 401 acquires travel state information of the moving body M from various sensors included in the moving body M via the I / F 309. In addition, the time at the time of detection by various sensors is added to driving state information, for example.

  The associating unit 402 has a function of associating acquired acquisition results. Specifically, for example, the associating unit 402 associates the captured image with various other information (position information, destination information, travel state information) using the time as a clue. More specifically, for example, the associating unit 402 associates the positional information of the moving body M within a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds) with the captured image, with the time difference between the captured time of the captured image and the time of position measurement. .

  When the acquired captured image is video data, the associating unit 402 may divide the captured image into a plurality of video data at an arbitrary time interval (for example, 5 [minutes]). In this case, the associating unit 402 may associate each divided video data with various other information. As a result, a captured image that has been continuously captured for a long time (for example, 30 [minute], 1 [hour]) can be divided and handled.

  Note that, when the associating unit 402 associates the captured image with the traveling state information of the moving object M, the time when the traveling state information is detected is a predetermined time after the capturing time of the captured image (for example, 3 [minutes]). You may associate things. Thereby, the captured image before actually moving to the parking action can be associated with the running state information.

  Whether the determination unit 403 suppresses delivery of the captured image to the client terminal 103 based on the position information of the moving object M associated with the acquired captured image and the position information of an arbitrary point set in advance. It has a function to determine whether or not.

  Specifically, for example, when the position information of the moving object M matches the position information of an arbitrary point (for example, the same mesh region), the determination unit 403 determines to suppress the delivery of the captured image. Also good. On the other hand, the determination unit 403 may determine that distribution of the captured image is not suppressed when the position information of the moving object M and the position information of an arbitrary point do not match (for example, the mesh area is different).

  The calculation unit 404 has a function of calculating the distance between the position of the moving object M and the arbitrary point based on the position information of the moving object M associated with the captured image and the position information of the arbitrary point. Here, the distance may be a linear distance between the position of the moving body M and an arbitrary point, or may be a route distance from the position of the moving body M to an arbitrary point. Note that the route distance may be the number of mesh regions that pass from the position of the moving body M to an arbitrary point.

  Further, the determination unit 403 may determine whether to suppress the distribution of the captured image to the client terminal 103 based on the calculated calculation result. Specifically, for example, when the calculated distance is less than the predetermined threshold value α, the determination unit 403 determines to suppress distribution of the captured image.

  Thereby, the delivery to the third party of the captured image in which the periphery of an arbitrary point is reflected can be suppressed. The threshold α is set in advance and stored in a storage device such as the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, and the optical disk 307, for example. Specific processing contents of the determination unit 403 will be described later.

  The processing unit 405 has a function of processing the acquired captured image. Specifically, for example, the processing unit 405 processes and trims or filters an image outside the preset disclosure range among the captured images. Here, the disclosure range specifies a range of images that may be disclosed to a third party. This disclosure range can be arbitrarily set by, for example, a user operation input using the input device 310 shown in FIG. An example of setting the disclosure range will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, when it is determined that the distribution of the captured image is to be suppressed, the processing unit 405 may process the captured image so that the third party cannot recognize the captured image. Specifically, for example, the processing unit 405 processes the captured image as a blank image. An example of processing a captured image will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The transmission unit 406 has a function of transmitting a captured image to the server 102. Specifically, for example, when it is determined not to suppress the distribution of the captured image, the transmission unit 406 transmits the captured image to the server 102. On the other hand, if it is determined that distribution of the captured image is to be suppressed, the transmission unit 406 may not transmit the captured image to the server 102.

  When it is determined that the distribution of the captured image is to be suppressed, the transmission unit 406 may transmit a determination result indicating that the distribution of the captured image is suppressed to the server 102 together with the captured image. More specifically, for example, the transmission unit 406 may transmit the transmission data in the transmission data table 700 illustrated in FIG. When the captured image is processed, the transmission unit 406 transmits the processed captured image to the server 102.

(Specific processing contents of the determination unit 403)
Here, an example of specific processing contents of the determination unit 403 will be described. First, a case will be described in which it is determined whether or not to suppress distribution of a captured image to the client terminal 103 using position information of a distribution suppression point set in advance. A distribution suppression point is a point where distribution of a captured image is suppressed. Examples of the distribution suppression point include a home, a place of work, and a facility (sports gym, shopping center) that regularly passes.

  Specifically, for example, first, the calculation unit 404 refers to the distribution suppression point table 600 illustrated in FIG. 6, and based on the position information of the mobile unit M and the position information of the distribution suppression point, The distance between the position and the distribution suppression point is calculated.

  Thereafter, when the calculated distance is less than the predetermined threshold value α, the determination unit 403 determines to suppress the delivery of the captured image. Thereby, it is possible to suppress distribution of a captured image in which the vicinity of a distribution suppression point arbitrarily designated by the user is reflected. Here, the contents stored in the distribution suppression point table 600 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the contents stored in the distribution suppression point table. In FIG. 6, the distribution suppression point table 600 has fields of point ID, point name, and position information, and stores the distribution suppression point information 600-1 to 600-m as records by setting information in each field. is doing.

  The point ID is an identifier for identifying a distribution suppression point. The point name is the name of the distribution suppression point. The position information is information indicating the position of the distribution suppression point. Here, when the distribution suppression point information 600-1 is taken as an example, the position information (4, 5) of the distribution suppression point P1 indicating the home is registered. For this reason, delivery of the captured image in which the surroundings of the home are reflected is suppressed.

  Note that the distribution suppression point table 600 is created, for example, by a user operation input using the input device 310. Specifically, for example, the user designates an arbitrary point on the map data displayed on the display 308 where it is desired to suppress distribution of the captured image. As a result, the position information of the designated point is determined, and new distribution suppression point information is registered in the distribution suppression point table 600.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where it is determined whether to suppress the delivery of the captured image to the client terminal 103 using the position information of the destination point of the moving object M. Specifically, for example, first, the calculation unit 404 moves based on the position information of the moving body M associated with the captured image and the position information of the destination point specified from the acquired destination information. The distance between the position of the body M and the destination point is calculated.

  Thereafter, when the calculated distance is less than the predetermined distance α, the determination unit 403 may determine to suppress the delivery of the captured image. Thereby, the delivery of the captured image in which the periphery of the destination of the moving body M is reflected can be suppressed.

  Next, a case where it is determined whether or not to suppress the delivery of the captured image to the client terminal 103 using the traveling state information of the moving object M will be described. Specifically, for example, first, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the moving body M is performing a parking action based on the traveling state information of the moving body M.

  More specifically, for example, when the traveling state information of the moving body M indicates at least one of the following (a) to (d), the determining unit 403 determines that the moving body M is in a parking action. It may be. The determination unit 403 may determine that the moving body M is in a parking action when the traveling state information of the moving body M indicates all of the following (a) to (d).

(A) Shift lever sensor output value is back gear or parking (b) Seat belt sensor output value is not wearing a seat belt (c) Engine sensor output value is engine stop (d) Seat sensor output value is driving No passengers in the seat

  And when it determines with the mobile body M being parking action, the determination part 403 determines with suppressing the delivery of a picked-up image. Thereby, delivery of the picked-up image in which the periphery of the parking spot of the mobile body M is reflected can be suppressed.

  Next, a case will be described in which it is determined whether or not the distribution of the captured image to the client terminal 103 is suppressed using the map data and the traveling state information of the moving object M. Specifically, for example, first, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the moving body M is located on the road based on the position information and map data of the moving body M. More specifically, for example, the determination unit 403 compares the position information, the moving direction, and the like of the moving body M with road shape data, and determines whether or not the moving body M is located on the road.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the moving body M is performing a parking action based on the traveling state information of the moving body M. And when the determination part 403 determines with the mobile body M not being located on a road, and it determines with the mobile body M being parking behavior, it determines with suppressing the delivery of a picked-up image. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately distinguish between a temporary stop during movement such as waiting for a signal and a parking action.

  Usually, the driver is moving by the moving body M with a purpose. For this reason, if the third party knows where the moving body M is heading and where it is parked, the mobile body M may be easily estimated. Therefore, as described above, in consideration of the destination point of the moving body M and the parking behavior, it is determined whether or not to suppress the delivery of the captured image.

  Note that it may be possible to make settings so as not to intentionally suppress the distribution of all captured images without executing the determination process of the determination unit 403. Thereby, even if an amusement park, department store, or the like is set as a destination, information such as weather conditions, congestion conditions, traffic conditions, etc. can be provided to a third party. The determined determination result is stored in, for example, the transmission data table 700 shown in FIG. Here, the contents stored in the transmission data table 700 will be described.

(Storage contents of transmission data table)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the contents stored in the transmission data table. In FIG. 7, the transmission data table 700 has fields of a captured image ID, video data, shooting time, position information, and suppression flag. By setting information in each field, transmission data 700-1 to 700-5 are stored as records.

  Here, the captured image ID is an identifier for identifying a captured image. The video data is divided video data obtained by dividing a captured image by dividing it at an arbitrary time interval. The photographing time is the time when photographing of the divided video data divided from the photographed image is started. The position information is position information of the moving body M at the time when shooting of each video data is started.

  The suppression flag is a flag indicating whether or not to suppress distribution of video data. Here, when it is determined that the distribution of the video data is to be suppressed, “ON” is set to the suppression flag. The suppression flag is “OFF” in the initial state. Note that the shooting time and position information are information associated with each video data by the associating unit 402.

  Here, taking transmission data 700-1 as an example, as a result of determining not to suppress distribution of video data I1a, video data I1a, shooting time, and position information are stored in association with each other. Taking transmission data 700-5 as an example, as a result of determining that the distribution of the video data I1e is to be suppressed, the video data I1e is stored in association with the shooting time and position information, and the suppression flag is set to “ON”. Has been.

(Public range setting example)
Next, an example of setting a disclosure range that specifies a range of images that may be disclosed to a third party will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a disclosure range. In FIG. 8, a shooting area 810 shot by the camera C mounted on the moving body M is displayed. Here, the ceiling 811 of the moving body M, the rearview mirror 812, the dashboard 813, the bonnet 814, the emblem 815, etc. are reflected in the imaging region 810.

  For this reason, when the color and shape of the ceiling 811, the rearview mirror 812, the dashboard 813, the hood 814, the emblem 815, etc. of the moving body M are characteristic, the moving body M may be specified by a third party. Therefore, a disclosure range that may be disclosed to a third party in the photographed image is set so that the above 811 to 815 are not reflected.

  Specifically, for example, by the user's operation input using the input device 310, a disclosure range 820 that may be disclosed to a third party is set out of the imaging region 810 displayed on the display 308. As a result, an image outside the open range 820 in the shooting area 810 is processed so that it cannot be recognized by a third party like the hatch portions 821 and 822. In addition, when the viewpoint of the camera C mounted on the moving body M can be changed, the disclosure range 820 may be followed according to the viewpoint change of the camera.

(Example of processing of captured images)
Next, a processing example of a captured image that is determined to suppress distribution will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of processing of a captured image. In FIG. 9, a captured image 910 that is determined to suppress distribution is processed into a blank image 920. As a result, the captured image 910 cannot be recognized by a third party.

(Contents stored in photographed image DB 220)
Next, the contents stored in the captured image DB 220 provided in the server 102 will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the contents stored in the photographed image DB. The captured image DB 220 is realized by a storage device such as the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, and the optical disk 307 of the server 102 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the photographed image DB 220 includes fields for photographed image ID, video data, photographing time, position information, road ID, and suppression flag. By setting information in each field, captured image data 1000-1 to 1000-n are stored as records.

  Here, the captured image ID is an identifier for identifying a captured image. The video data is divided video data obtained by dividing a captured image by dividing it at an arbitrary time interval. The photographing time is the time when photographing of the divided video data divided from the photographed image is started. The position information is position information of the moving body M at the time of shooting video data.

  The road ID is an identifier that identifies the road on which the moving object M was located when the video data was captured. The road ID is specified from the position information of the moving body M by referring to the map data. The suppression flag is a flag indicating whether or not to suppress distribution of video data. Here, taking the photographed image data 1000-1 as an example, it is a set of photographed image data 1000-1-1-1 to 1000-1-5 (transmission data 700-1 to 700-5).

(Functional configuration of server 102)
Next, a functional configuration of the server 102 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server. In FIG. 11, the server 102 is configured to include a receiving unit 1101, a search unit 1102, a determination unit 1103, and a distribution unit 1104. Specifically, each function unit (reception unit 1101 to distribution unit 1104) causes the CPU 301 to execute a program stored in a storage device such as the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, and the optical disk 307 illustrated in FIG. Or the I / F 309 realizes the function. Note that the processing results of each functional unit are stored in a storage device such as the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, and the optical disk 307 unless otherwise specified.

  First, the receiving unit 1101 has a function of receiving, from the distribution suppression apparatus 101, a captured image captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M. Specifically, for example, the reception unit 1101 receives transmission data 700-1 to 700-5 from the distribution suppression apparatus 101. The received photographed image (for example, photographed image data 1000-1) is stored in the photographed image DB 220, for example.

  In addition, the reception unit 1101 has a function of receiving a delivery request for a captured image from the client terminal 103. The photographed image distribution request includes location information of a point arbitrarily designated by the user of the client terminal 103.

  The retrieval unit 1102 has a function of retrieving a photographed image from the photographed image DB 220 illustrated in FIG. 10 based on the received photographed image distribution request. Specifically, for example, the search unit 1102 searches the photographed image DB 220 for photographed image data having position information that matches the position information included in the distribution request.

  If a captured image having position information that matches the position information included in the distribution request is not searched, the search unit 1102 searches for a certain range of captured images centered on the position information included in the distribution request. You may decide to search again.

  The determination unit 1103 has a function of determining whether or not distribution of searched photographed images is suppressed. Specifically, for example, when the suppression flag of the searched captured image data is set to “ON”, the determination unit 1103 determines that the distribution of the captured image (video data) is suppressed.

  On the other hand, when “OFF” is set in the suppression flag of the captured image data, the determination unit 1103 determines that the distribution of the captured image (video data) is not suppressed. Note that, when a plurality of photographed images are retrieved in the search unit 1102, it may be determined whether distribution is suppressed for each photographed image.

  The distribution unit 1104 has a function of distributing the photographed image to the client terminal 103 that is the distribution request source when it is determined not to suppress the distribution of the retrieved photographed image. On the other hand, when it is determined that the distribution of the searched captured image is suppressed, the distribution unit 1104 does not distribute the captured image to the client terminal 103 that is the distribution request source.

  Note that if the photographed image is not retrieved by the search unit 1102, the distribution unit 1104 may deliver message data indicating that the photographed image has not been retrieved to the client terminal 103. Further, when the distribution suppression apparatus 101 does not transmit a captured image determined to suppress distribution to the server 102, the determination process of the determination unit 1103 is not necessary.

(Distribution suppression processing procedure of the distribution suppression apparatus 101)
Next, the distribution suppression processing procedure of the distribution suppression apparatus 101 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a distribution suppression processing procedure of the distribution suppression device. In the flowchart of FIG. 12, first, the acquisition unit 401 determines whether a captured image and various types of information have been acquired (step S1201).

  The photographed image is a photographed image photographed by the camera C mounted on the moving body M. The various types of information are position information, destination information, and traveling state information of the moving body M.

  Here, it waits for acquisition of a captured image and various types of information (step S1201: No), and when acquired (step S1201: Yes), the association unit 402 uses the time as a clue to capture the captured image and other various types of information. Are associated with each other (step S1202).

  Then, the association unit 402 registers the associated captured image (including the imaging time) and the position information of the moving object M as transmission data in the transmission data table 700 (step S1203). Thereafter, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the setting is made so that the user does not intentionally suppress the captured image (step S1204).

  Here, when it is set not to suppress the captured image (step S1204: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1212. On the other hand, when it is not set not to suppress the captured image (step S1204: No), the calculation unit 404 refers to the distribution suppression point table 600 and calculates the distance between the position of the moving body M and the distribution suppression point. (Step S1205).

  Thereafter, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the calculated distance is less than a predetermined threshold value α (step S1206). Here, when it is less than the threshold value α (step S1206: Yes), the determination unit 403 sets the suppression flag in the transmission data table 700 to “ON” (step S1207). Then, the processing unit 405 processes the captured image in the transmission data table 700 into a blank image (step S1208), and the process proceeds to step S1213.

  In step S1206, when the threshold value α is equal to or larger than the threshold value α (step S1206: No), the calculation unit 404 calculates the distance between the position of the moving object M and the destination point of the moving object M (step S1209). Thereafter, the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the calculated distance is less than a predetermined threshold value α (step S1210).

  Here, when it is less than the threshold value α (step S1210: Yes), the determination unit 403 sets the suppression flag in the transmission data table 700 to “ON” (step S1207). Then, the processing unit 405 processes the captured image in the transmission data table 700 into a blank image (step S1208), and the process proceeds to step S1213.

  In step S1210, when the threshold value α is equal to or larger than the threshold value α (step S1210: No), the determination unit 403 determines whether or not the moving object M is performing a parking action based on the traveling state information of the moving object M (step S1211). ).

  Here, when the moving body M is in a parking action (step S1211: Yes), the determination unit 403 sets a suppression flag in the transmission data table 700 to “ON” (step S1207). Then, the processing unit 405 processes the captured image in the transmission data table 700 into a blank image (step S1208), and the process proceeds to step S1213.

  On the other hand, when the moving body M is not in the parking action (step S1211: No), the processing unit 405 filters and processes an image outside the open range of the captured image (step S1212). Then, the transmission unit 406 transmits the transmission data in the transmission data table 700 to the server 102 (step S1213), and the series of processes according to this flowchart ends.

  Instead of transmitting the image processed into the blank image in step S1208 in step S1213, the captured image in which the suppression flag is set to “ON” in step S1207 is not processed in step S1208, but in step S1213. The transmission itself may not be performed.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress distribution of a photographed image that may infringe the privacy of the information provider among photographed images photographed by the camera C mounted on the moving body M. In addition, it is possible to process an image outside the disclosure range among the captured images so that a third party cannot recognize the image.

(Information distribution processing procedure of server 102)
Next, an information distribution processing procedure of the server 102 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a server information distribution processing procedure. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, first, the receiving unit 1101 determines whether or not a photographed image distribution request has been received from the client terminal 103 (step S1301).

  Here, after waiting for the delivery request to be received (step S1301: No), if received (step S1301: Yes), the retrieval unit 1102 stores the received photographed image distribution request in the photographed image DB 220. A photographed image is searched from the inside (step S1302).

  Thereafter, the search unit 1102 determines whether or not a captured image is searched (step S1303). Here, when a captured image is searched (step S1303: Yes), the determination unit 1103 determines whether or not distribution of the searched captured image is suppressed (step S1304).

  If distribution of the captured image is not suppressed (step S1304: No), the distribution unit 1104 distributes the retrieved captured image to the client terminal 103 that is the distribution request source (step S1305). Terminate the process.

  On the other hand, when the distribution of the captured image is suppressed (step S1304: Yes), the distribution unit 1104 distributes a message indicating that the captured image has not been searched to the client terminal 103 that is the distribution request source (step S1306). Then, a series of processes according to this flowchart is finished.

  If the photographed image is not searched in step S1303 (step S1303: No), a message indicating that the photographed image was not retrieved is delivered to the client terminal 103 that is the distribution request source (step S1306), and this flowchart. The series of processes by is terminated.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a service for providing a third party with a photographed image photographed by the camera C mounted on the moving body M while considering the privacy of the information provider.

(Display screen example of client terminal 103)
Next, an example of a display screen displayed on the display 308 (see FIG. 3) of the client terminal 103 will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display screen example of the client terminal. In FIG. 14, display screens 1410 and 1420 displayed on the display 308 of the client terminal 103 are shown.

  First, when the server 102 is accessed from the client terminal 103, a display screen 1410 is displayed on the display 308 of the client terminal 103. On the display screen 1410, when the user uses the input device 310 (see FIG. 3) to move the cursor C and specify a point X on the map data 1411, a distribution request including the position information of the point X is transmitted to the server 102. Is done.

  Thereafter, when a photographed image (video data) corresponding to the delivery request is retrieved in the server 102, the photographed image is delivered from the server 102 to the client terminal 103. Here, it is assumed that the video data I1a and I1b (see FIG. 10) are retrieved in the server 102. In this case, video data I1c and I1d having the same captured image ID may also be distributed. However, the video data F1e is not distributed because the suppression flag is “ON” even if the captured image ID is the same.

  On the display screen 1420, for example, when the user uses the input device 310 to move the cursor C and specify the thumbnail image 1421, the video data F1a to F1d are reproduced in sequence. At this time, in order to show that the image is the image of the route of the position information (2, 3) → (2, 4) → (3,4) moved through the road with the road ID (121) → (122), The marker M on the data may be moved sequentially.

  In the above description, the case where the distribution request is made based on the position information of an arbitrary point designated by the user of the client terminal 103 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may specify the shooting time, or the distribution request may be made by a combination of the shooting time and the position information.

  In the present embodiment, the determination process for determining whether or not to suppress the distribution of the captured image is executed in the distribution suppression apparatus 101 mounted on the moving body M. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the server 102 may execute a determination process for determining whether or not to suppress the distribution of the captured image.

  In this case, the distribution suppression apparatus 101 mounted on the moving body M transmits the association result associated by the association unit 402 to the server 102. Then, based on the association result from the distribution suppression device 101, the server 102 executes a determination process for determining whether or not to suppress the distribution of the captured image. Note that the determination process for a captured image to be distributed may be performed before a distribution request from the client terminal 103, or only for a captured image corresponding to the distribution request from the client terminal 103. May be.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image was taken by the camera C mounted on the moving body M based on the position information of the moving body M and the position information of the preset distribution suppression point. It can be determined whether or not the distribution of the captured image is suppressed. Thereby, the delivery to the third party of the photographed image in which the place which the information provider does not want to disclose can be suppressed.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, based on the positional information on the moving body M and the destination information on the moving body M, the distribution of the captured image captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M is suppressed. It can be determined whether or not. Thereby, the delivery to the third person of the picked-up image in which the periphery of the destination of the moving body M is reflected can be suppressed.

  Moreover, according to this Embodiment, based on the driving | running | working state information of the moving body M, it can be determined whether the delivery of the picked-up image image | photographed with the camera C mounted in the moving body M is suppressed. . Thereby, the delivery to the third person of the picked-up image in which the periphery of the parking spot of the mobile body M is reflected can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, based on the map data and the traveling state information of the moving body M, it is determined whether or not to suppress distribution of the captured image captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M. be able to. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately distinguish between a temporary stop during movement such as waiting for a signal and a parking action.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, among photographed images to be distributed, an image outside a preset disclosure range can be processed so that a third party cannot recognize. Thereby, it is possible to conceal an image of a portion (a rearview mirror, a bonnet, an emblem, etc.) that may lead to the identification of the moving body M in the captured image to be distributed. As a result, for example, even if the inter-vehicle distance between the mobile body M on the information provider side and the mobile body M on the information receiving side is short due to traffic jams or the like, the processed captured image can be delivered to the client terminal 103. it can.

  For these reasons, according to the distribution suppression device, the distribution suppression method, and the distribution suppression program according to the present embodiment, the image captured by the camera C mounted on the moving body M while protecting the privacy of the information provider. A service for distributing images to users can be realized.

  The distribution suppression method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. The distribution suppression program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, the distribution suppression program may be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image delivery system 101 Delivery suppression apparatus 102 Server 103 Client terminal 220 Photographed image DB
401 Acquisition Unit 402 Association Unit 403 Determination Unit 404 Calculation Unit 405 Processing Unit 406 Transmission Unit 600 Distribution Restriction Point Table 700 Transmission Data Table

Claims (8)

Obtaining means for obtaining a photographed image outside the moving body photographed by a camera mounted on the moving body;
Whether distribution of the captured image to other computers is suppressed based on the position information of the moving body associated with the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit and the position information of an arbitrary point set in advance Determining means for determining whether or not;
Output means for outputting the determination result determined by the determination means;
A distribution suppression apparatus comprising: Based on the position information of the moving body and the position information of the arbitrary point, further comprising a calculating means for calculating a distance between the position of the moving body and the arbitrary point,
The determination means includes
The distribution suppression apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the distance calculated by the calculation unit is less than a preset threshold, it is determined to suppress distribution of the captured image. The determination means includes
The distribution according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to suppress distribution of the captured image based on position information of the moving body and position information of a destination point of the moving body. Suppression device. The acquisition means includes
Furthermore, it acquires travel state information indicating the travel state of the moving body at the time of capturing the captured image,
The determination means includes
The distribution suppression device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether to suppress distribution of the captured image based on the traveling state information acquired by the acquisition unit. The acquisition means includes
Furthermore, the map information regarding the road on which the mobile body travels is acquired,
The determination means includes
Furthermore, based on the map information acquired by the said acquisition means, it determines whether the delivery of the said picked-up image is suppressed, The delivery suppression apparatus of Claim 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The distribution suppression device further includes a processing unit that processes the captured image when it is determined by the determination unit to suppress distribution,
The delivery suppressing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a captured image processed by the processing unit. On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring a photographed image outside the moving body, which is captured by a camera mounted on the moving body;
Whether distribution of the captured image to other computers is suppressed based on the position information of the moving body associated with the captured image acquired by the acquisition step and the position information of an arbitrary point set in advance A determination step of determining whether or not,
An output step for outputting the determination result determined by the determination step;
The delivery control method characterized by performing. Computer
Acquisition means for acquiring a photographed image outside the moving body, which is photographed by a camera mounted on the moving body;
Whether distribution of the captured image to other computers is suppressed based on the position information of the moving body associated with the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit and the position information of an arbitrary point set in advance Determination means for determining whether or not,
Output means for outputting the determination result determined by the determination means;
A distribution suppression program characterized by functioning as:

Images