JP2017182548A - Image management system, image management method, image communication system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which: although a special digital camera obtaining a full 360-degree spherical panoramic picture obtains a full 360-degree spherical panoramic picture, a user has difficulty in seeing the picture as it is, and a smartphone displays part of the full 360-degree spherical panoramic picture; in general, a technology is known where an image with a lower resolution than that of the original image is displayed as a thumbnail on a browser's communication terminal, and when a user selects the thumbnail, the corresponding original image is displayed; however, when displaying a thumbnail according to a partial image of the entire original image on the browser's communication terminal, if the partial image does not include the browser's point of interest, the browser has difficulty in referring to the thumbnail in browsing the original image.SOLUTION: An image management system 5 creates thumbnail data on the basis of the details of past operations with a communication terminal 7 to enable a thumbnail to display a browser Y's point of interest. This makes it easy for the browser Y to refer to the thumbnail in browsing an original image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 33

Description

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

  In recent years, there has been provided a special digital camera that obtains a 360-degree panoramic image at one time (see Patent Document 1).

  This digital camera obtains an omnidirectional panoramic image, but the image is curved as it is and it is difficult to see the user, so a smartphone or the like displays a partial image of the omnidirectional panoramic image, so that the user can The same planar image as the image photographed by the conventional digital camera can be viewed on the communication terminal.

  In general, a technique is known in which, when a user selects a thumbnail by displaying an image having a resolution lower than that of the original image on the communication terminal of the viewer, the corresponding original image is displayed.

  However, if the viewer's communication terminal tries to represent thumbnails related to some images of the entire original image, if the viewer's highlights are not included in some images, the viewer When browsing, there is a problem that it is difficult to refer to the thumbnail.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image management system for managing predetermined image data to be transmitted to a communication terminal, and receiving means for receiving a request for thumbnail data related to the predetermined image data from the communication terminal; Creation means for creating specific thumbnail data relating to a part of the image of the predetermined image data based on operation information indicating contents operated in the past with respect to the image related to the predetermined image data in the communication terminal And a transmission means for transmitting the created specific thumbnail data to the communication terminal.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the image management system creates thumbnail data based on the contents operated in the past by the communication terminal, so that the thumbnail can represent the viewer's highlight. Thereby, there is an effect that the viewer can easily refer to the thumbnail when browsing the original image.

(A) is a left side view of the photographing apparatus, (b) is a front view of the photographing apparatus, and (c) is a plan view of the photographing apparatus. It is a usage image figure of an imaging device. (A) is the hemispherical image (front) image | photographed with the imaging device, (b) is the hemispherical image (back) image | photographed with the imaging device, (c) is the figure which showed the image represented by the Mercator projection. (A) The conceptual diagram which showed the state which covers a sphere with a Mercator image, (b) The figure which showed the omnidirectional panoramic image. It is the figure which showed the position of the virtual camera and predetermined | prescribed area | region at the time of making an omnidirectional panoramic image into a three-dimensional solid sphere. (A) is the three-dimensional perspective view of FIG. 4, (b) is a figure which shows the communication terminal by which the image of the predetermined area | region was displayed on the display. It is the figure which showed the 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. It is a hardware block diagram of an imaging device. It is a hardware block diagram of the communication terminal in the case of a smart phone. It is a hardware block diagram of an image management system and a communication terminal. It is the figure which showed the outline of the process of this embodiment. It is the figure which showed the outline of the process of registration and acquisition of image data. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a base management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a terminal management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an imaging | photography management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an image management table. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a thumbnail management table. It is a conceptual diagram of a browsing operation management table. It is a conceptual diagram of an operation point number management table. It is a conceptual diagram of a total result management table. It is a conceptual diagram of a base layout map. It is a sequence diagram which shows a process of imaging reservation. It is the sequence diagram which showed the process which performs imaging | photography instruction | indication. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a layout map display process. It is a sequence diagram which shows the display process of picked-up image data. It is a sequence diagram which shows the display process of picked-up image data. This is a setting screen for creating thumbnails. It is a figure showing a schedule table screen It is a figure which shows a schedule table screen. It is a site status screen showing the status of a specific site. (A) The figure which shows the predetermined area image in a specific base, (b) The figure which shows the new 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. It is a site status screen showing the status of a specific site. It is the flowchart which showed the batch process which calculates a thumbnail creation area. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the example 1 of calculation at the time of defining a thumbnail creation area. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the example 2 of calculation at the time of defining a thumbnail creation area.

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

<< Summary of Embodiment >>
<Generation method of panoramic image>
A method for generating an omnidirectional panoramic image will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the external appearance of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The photographing apparatus 1 is a digital camera for obtaining a photographed image that is the basis of a panoramic image of a celestial sphere (360 °). 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 has a size that a human can hold with one hand. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, on the upper part of the photographing apparatus 1, an image sensor 103a is provided on the front side (front side) and an image sensor 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 photographing apparatus 1.

  Next, the usage situation of the imaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a usage image diagram of the photographing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing apparatus 1 is used for photographing a subject around the user with the hand held by the user. In this case, two hemispherical images can be obtained by imaging the subject around the user by the imaging device 103a and the imaging device 103b shown in FIG.

  Next, an outline of processing until an omnidirectional panoramic image is created from an image photographed by the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3A is a hemispheric image (front side) photographed by the photographing apparatus, FIG. 3B is a hemispheric image photographed by the photographing apparatus (rear side), and FIG. 3C is represented by Mercator projection. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image (hereinafter referred to as “Mercatl 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 an omnidirectional panoramic image.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the image obtained by the image sensor 103a is a hemispherical image (front side) curved by a fish-eye lens 102a described later. Also, as shown in FIG. 3B, the image obtained by the image sensor 103b is a hemispherical image (rear side) curved by a fish-eye lens 102b described later. Then, the hemispherical image (front side) and the hemispherical image inverted by 180 degrees (rear side) are combined by the photographing apparatus 1 to create a Mercator image as shown in FIG.

  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. An omnidirectional panoramic image as shown is created. Thus, the omnidirectional 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 for visualizing 2D (2-Dimensions) and 3D (3-Dimensions) data. Note that the omnidirectional panoramic image may be a still image or a moving image.

  As described above, since the omnidirectional panoramic image is an image pasted so as to cover the spherical surface, it is uncomfortable when viewed by a human. Therefore, by displaying a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as “predetermined area image”) of a part of the omnidirectional panoramic image as a flat image with little curvature, a display that does not give a sense of incongruity to humans can be achieved. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the virtual camera and the predetermined area when the panoramic image is a three-dimensional solid 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 solid sphere. FIG. 6A is a three-dimensional perspective view of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a predetermined area image when displayed on the display. In FIG. 6A, the omnidirectional panoramic image shown in FIG. 4 is represented by a three-dimensional solid sphere CS. If the omnidirectional panoramic image generated in this way is a solid sphere CS, the virtual camera IC is located outside the omnidirectional panoramic image as shown in FIG. The predetermined area T in the omnidirectional panoramic image is specified by predetermined area information of the position of the virtual camera IC in the omnidirectional panoramic image. This predetermined area information is indicated by, for example, coordinates x (rH), coordinates y (rV), and angle of view α (angle). The zoom of the predetermined region T can be expressed by expanding or contracting the range (arc) of the angle of view α. The zoom of the predetermined area T can also be expressed by moving the virtual camera IC closer to or away from the panoramic image.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the image of the predetermined area T in the omnidirectional panoramic image is displayed on the predetermined display as the 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) that is initially set (default).

  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 showing the relationship between the predetermined region information and the relationship between the predetermined region images. As shown in FIG. 7, the center point CP when the diagonal field angle of the predetermined area T represented by the field angle α of the virtual camera IC is 2L is the (x, y) parameter of the predetermined area information. Become. f is the distance from the virtual camera IC to the center point CP of the predetermined area T. In FIG. 7, a trigonometric function represented by the following formula (1) is generally established.

Lf = tan (α / 2) (Formula 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 9 a, an image management system 5, and a communication terminal 7.

  Among these, the imaging device 1 is a digital camera for obtaining an omnidirectional (360 °) panoramic image as described above. The photographing apparatus 1 may be a general digital camera. When the communication terminal 3 has a camera, the communication terminal 3 can be a digital camera. In the present embodiment, the description will be made as a digital camera for obtaining an omnidirectional panoramic image for easy understanding. The communication terminal 3 is an example of a cradle that charges the photographing apparatus 1 and performs data transmission / reception. In addition, the communication terminal 3 can perform data communication with the photographing apparatus 1 through the contact point, and can perform data communication with the image management system 5 through the wireless router 9 a and the communication network 9. The communication network 9 is, for example, the Internet.

  The image management system 5 is a server computer, for example, 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 image. In addition, the image management system 5 creates thumbnail data of a part of the omnidirectional panoramic image (predetermined region image) and provides the communication terminal 7 with the thumbnail data and the captured image data. The image management system 5 may be configured by a single server computer or may be configured by a plurality of server computers.

  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. Note that the communication terminal 7 may be a personal computer such as a desktop PC as well as a notebook PC, and may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a smart watch.

  Furthermore, the photographing device 1, the communication terminal 3, and the wireless router 9a are installed at predetermined positions by the installer X at each sales base such as clothes. The communication terminal 7 is installed in the head office that supervises each sales base, and displays an image showing the situation of each base sent via the image management system 5 so that the viewer Y can check the situation of each base. Can be viewed (hereinafter referred to as “site status image”). The image management system 5 creates a thumbnail data based on the photographed image data sent from the communication terminal 3 at each base, and provides a service for providing thumbnail data and photographed image data to the communication terminal 7 It is installed in companies.

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

  First, the hardware configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of the photographing apparatus. In the following, the photographing apparatus 1 is an omnidirectional photographing apparatus using two imaging elements, but the number of imaging elements may be three or more. In addition, it is not always necessary to use an apparatus dedicated to omnidirectional imaging. By attaching a retrofit omnidirectional imaging unit to an ordinary digital camera, a smartphone, or the like, the apparatus may have substantially the same function as the imaging apparatus 1. .

  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, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 113, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 114, operation unit 115, network I / F 116, communication unit 117, and antenna 117a.

  Among these, the imaging unit 101 includes wide-angle lenses (so-called fish-eye 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 the wide-angle lenses. Elements 103a and 103b are provided. The image sensors 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 obtained by a fisheye lens into image data of an electric signal and output the image data. A timing generation circuit for generating a vertical synchronization 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 each connected to the image processing unit 104 via a parallel I / F bus. On the other hand, the imaging elements 103 a and 103 b of the imaging unit 101 are connected to a serial I / F bus (I2C bus or the like) 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, ROM 112, SRAM 113, DRAM 114, operation unit 115, network I / F 116, communication unit 117, and electronic compass 118 are connected to the bus 110.

  The image processing unit 104 takes in the image data output from the image sensors 103a and 103b through the parallel I / F bus, performs predetermined processing on the respective image data, and then combines these image data. Then, data of a Mercator image as shown in FIG.

  In general, the imaging control unit 105 sets a command or the like in a register group of the imaging elements 103a and 103b using the I2C bus with the imaging control unit 105 as a master device and the imaging elements 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 capture status data of the register groups of the imaging elements 103a and 103b and send it to the CPU 111.

  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 preview display function by a display and a function corresponding to a moving image display. In this case, output of image data from the image sensors 103a and 103b is continuously performed at a predetermined frame rate (frame / min).

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

  The microphone 108 converts sound into sound (signal) data. The sound processing unit 109 takes in the sound data output from the microphone 108 through the 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 processes. 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 processed Mercator image data.

  The operation unit 115 is a general term for various operation buttons, a power switch, a shutter button, a touch panel that has both display and operation functions, and the like. The user inputs various shooting modes and shooting conditions by operating the operation buttons.

  The network I / F 116 is a general term for an interface circuit (USB I / F or the like) with an external medium such as an SD card or a personal computer. Further, the network I / F 116 may be a network interface regardless of 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 the communication terminal 3 or the like via the network I / F 116 which becomes 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 by a short-range wireless technology such as WiFi (wireless fidelity) or NFC via the antenna 117 a provided in the photographing apparatus 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 tilt (Roll rotation angle) of the photographing apparatus 1 from the earth's magnetism, and outputs azimuth / tilt information. This 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. Note that the related information includes each data of the image capturing date and time and the data capacity of the image data.

  Next, the 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 that controls the operation of the entire communication terminal 3, a ROM 302 that stores basic input / output programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 that is used as a work area for the CPU 301. An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 304 that reads or writes data according to the control of the CPU 301, and a CMOS sensor 305 as an image pickup device that captures an image of the subject and obtains image data according to the control of the CPU 301 are provided.

  The EEPROM 304 stores an operating system (OS) executed by the CPU 301, other programs, and various data. 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 an indoor GPS. System)) a GPS receiver 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 and a data bus for electrically connecting the above-described units. A line 310 is provided.

  The hardware configuration of the communication terminal 7 in the case of the image management system 5 and the 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 that controls the overall operation of the image management system 5, a ROM 502 that stores programs used to drive the CPU 501 such as an IPL, a RAM 503 that is used as a work area for the CPU 501, and a program for the image management system 5. For reading various data such as HD504, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 505 for controlling the reading or writing of various data to the HD504 in accordance with the control of the CPU 501, and data reading or writing (storage) for a recording medium 506 such as a flash memory. A media I / F 507 to be controlled, a display 508 for displaying various information such as a cursor, menu, window, character, or image, a network I / F 509 for data communication using the communication network 9, As an example of a keyboard 511 having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, a mouse 512 for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like, and a removable recording medium A CD-ROM drive 514 for controlling the reading or writing of various data to / from a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 513, and the above-mentioned components are electrically connected as shown in FIG. A bus line 510 such as an address bus or a data bus.

<Outline of Processing of Embodiment>
Next, the outline of the processing of this 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 apparatus 1 (step S1). Then, the communication terminal 3 transmits the captured image data, the predetermined area image, the related information, and the thumbnail data to the image management system 5 (Step S2). Each process of the imaging by the imaging device 1 and the transmission from the communication terminal 3 is performed at regular time intervals (for example, every 1 minute). Next, the image management system 5 creates thumbnail data based on operation information indicating operations such as movement and enlargement on the past predetermined area image sent from the communication terminal 7 (step S3). Then, the image management system 5 transmits a new predetermined area image that is an image based on the past operation, related information, and thumbnail data of the new predetermined area, instead of the predetermined area image indicated by the predetermined area information. (Step S4). Thereby, on the communication terminal 7 side, the viewer Y can display a thumbnail representing a region that should have been viewed in the past. Thereafter, when the viewer Y newly performs an operation such as moving or enlarging the new predetermined area image (step S5), the communication terminal 7 sends operation information indicating the operation content to the image management system 5. Transmit (step S6). Then, at the next browsing, this operation information is used in the process of step S3 as operation information indicating an operation such as movement or enlargement with respect to the past predetermined area image.

<< Functional Configuration of Embodiment >>
Next, the functional configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and FIGS. 13 to 22. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the imaging device 1, the communication terminal 3, the image management system 5, and the communication terminal 7 that 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 terminal 3 and the communication terminal 7 via the communication network 9.

<Functional configuration of photographing apparatus 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. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 9 being operated by a command from the CPU 111 in accordance with a shooting storage program developed from the SRAM 113 onto the DRAM 114. It is.

  Further, the photographing apparatus 1 has a storage unit 1000 constructed by the ROM 112, the SRAM 113, and the DRAM 114 shown 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. 9 and 13.

  The accepting unit 12 of the photographing apparatus 1 is mainly realized by the processing of the operation unit 115 and the CPU 111 illustrated in FIG. 9 and accepts an operation input from a user (installer X in FIG. 8).

  The imaging unit 13 is realized mainly by the processing of the imaging unit 101, the image processing unit 104, the imaging control unit 105, and the CPU 111 shown in FIG. 9, and images a landscape and the like to obtain captured image data.

  The sound collecting unit 14 is realized by the processing of the CPU 108, the sound processing unit 109, and the CPU 111 shown in FIG. 9, and collects sounds around the photographing apparatus 1.

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

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

<Functional configuration of communication terminal 3>
As illustrated in FIG. 13, the communication terminal 3 includes a transmission / reception unit 31, a connection unit 38, and a storage / readout unit 39. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 10 operating according to a command from the CPU 301 according to the communication terminal 3 program expanded from the EEPROM 304 onto the RAM 303. It is.

  Further, the communication terminal 3 includes 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. 10 and 13.

  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 shown in FIG. 10, and the image management system 5 and various data (or the data (or Information).

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

  The storage / reading 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 or stores various data (or information) from the storage unit 3000. Read out.

  Note that a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which the above programs are stored, and an HD 504 in which these programs are stored can be provided domestically or abroad as a program product.

<Functional configuration of image management system>
Next, the functional configuration of the image management system 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13 to 22. The image management system 5 includes a transmission / reception unit 51, a derivation unit 52, a calculation unit 53, a creation unit 54, a generation unit 55, and a storage / readout unit 59. Each of these units is a function realized by any of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 11 being operated by an instruction from the CPU 501 according to the image management system 5 program expanded from the HD 504 to the RAM 503, or Means.

  Further, the image management system 5 includes a storage unit 5000 constructed by the RAM 503 and the HD 504 shown in FIG. In the storage unit 5000, a base management DB 5001, a terminal management DB 5002, a shooting management DB 5003, an image management DB 5004, a thumbnail management DB 5005, an operation management DB 5006, a point management DB 5007, and a creation management DB 5008 are constructed. Among these, the base management DB 5001 is configured by a base management table described later. The terminal management DB 5002 is configured by 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. The operation management DB 5006 is configured by an operation management table described later. The score management DB 5007 is configured by a score management table described later. The creation management DB 5008 includes a creation management table described later.

(Base management table)
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a base management table. In this base management table, a region ID, a region name, a base ID, a base name, a file name of a base layout map, and a device ID are stored and managed in association with each other. Of these, the region ID is an example of region identification information for identifying a region. The region indicates a certain range, for example, Kanto, Tokyo, Shibuya Ward, New York State, New York City. The base ID is an example of base identification information for identifying the base. The base name indicates the name of a store such as a Shibuya store or the name of a venue such as a Shibuya venue. As shown in FIG. 22, the layout map shows the layout of each site, and the position in the site can be specified in detail with two-dimensional coordinates. FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram of the base layout map. The device ID is an example of device identification information for identifying the photographing 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 area information are stored and managed in association with each device ID. Among these, the apparatus installation position information indicates the installation position of the imaging apparatus on the base layout map indicated by the two-dimensional coordinates, for example, as shown in FIG. 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 this terminal management table are information acquired in advance by the viewer Y from the installer X. The installer X notifies the viewer Y by e-mail or the like when installing each photographing apparatus 1 at a predetermined position in the base.

(Shooting management table)
FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing a photographing management table. In this 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 base ID. Among these, the photographed title is a title input by the viewer, and is used when the viewer extracts desired photographed image data from a plurality of photographed image data. The shooting start date and time is the date and time input by the viewer, and indicates the date and time when the shooting apparatus 1 starts (or starts) shooting. The shooting end date and time is the date and time input by the viewer, and indicates the date and time when the shooting apparatus 1 ends (or ends) shooting.

(Image management table)
FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing an image management table. In this image management table, for each device ID, an image ID, a file name of captured image data, and a shooting date and time are associated with each other and stored and managed. Among these, the image ID is an example of image identification information for identifying captured image data. The file name of the photographed image data is the file name of the photographed image data indicated by the associated image ID. The shooting date and time is the date and time when the associated shooting image data was shot by the shooting device 1 indicated by the device ID. The photographed 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, for each image ID, a thumbnail ID and predetermined area information are stored in association with each other and managed. Among these, 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 thumbnail data is the file name of thumbnail data indicated by the associated thumbnail ID. The predetermined area information indicates an area in which thumbnail data is created in the image data indicated by the associated image ID. For example, the image of the predetermined area T in the omnidirectional panoramic image of FIG. 6A is shown in FIG. 6B, but when thumbnail data is created, the image is an image of this predetermined area T. 6 (b) thumbnail data is created.

(Operation management table)
FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation management table. In this operation management table, for each image ID, operation start time, operation end time, predetermined area information after operation, enlargement ratio, brightness, contrast, and number of memos are stored and managed in association with each other. Among these, the operation start time indicates a time (year, month, day, time) when the viewer Y starts an operation such as moving or enlarging the predetermined area image in the communication terminal 7. The operation end time indicates the time (year, month, day, time) when the viewer Y ends the operation such as moving or enlarging the predetermined area image in the communication terminal 7. The predetermined area information after the operation indicates the predetermined area after the operation indicating the predetermined area after the operation by the viewer Y. The enlargement ratio indicates the enlargement ratio of the predetermined area image after the operation by the viewer Y. This enlargement ratio includes an enlargement magnification and a reduction magnification. The brightness indicates the brightness of the predetermined area image when the viewer Y browses. The contrast indicates the contrast of the predetermined area image when the viewer Y browses. The number of memos indicates the number of memos attached to the predetermined area image by the viewer.

(Point management table)
FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a score management table. In this score management table, a predetermined score is associated and stored for each operation change information. Among these, operation change information shows the content of the change by the predetermined operation of the browsing person Y with respect to a predetermined area image. The score is a number determined in advance according to the content of the change. For example, when the viewer Y moves the predetermined area image, it can be estimated that the viewer Y is paying attention to the predetermined area image after the operation, and therefore, the operation of the viewer Y is given a score. When the viewer Y attaches a memo to the predetermined area image, it can be assumed that the viewer Y is very interested in the predetermined area image after the operation. A score (for example, 5 points) is assigned.

(Create management table)
FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing a creation management table. In this creation management table, for each image ID, designated start time, designated end time, creation area information, average enlargement ratio, average brightness, and average contrast are stored and managed in association with each other. Among these, the designated start time indicates the first time (year, month, day, time) of the calculation target period in the thumbnail data creation area. The designated end time indicates the last time (year, month, day, time) of the calculation target period in the thumbnail data creation area. The creation area information indicates a predetermined area in which thumbnail data is created in an image related to captured image data. The average enlargement ratio indicates the average value of the enlargement ratio in each operation information within the calculation target period. The average brightness indicates the average value of brightness in each operation information within the calculation target period. The average contrast indicates the average value of contrast in each operation information within the calculation target period. Note that the calculation target period is set in advance by the viewer Y on a thumbnail creation setting screen to be described later as shown in FIG.

(Each functional configuration of the image management system)
Next, the functional configuration of the image management system 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13.

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

  The deriving unit 52 is realized mainly by the processing of the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11 and specified by the operation of the past viewer based on each operation information managed in the operation management table (see FIG. 19). Deriving operation change information.

  The calculation unit 53 is realized mainly by the processing of the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and the operation information is weighted by a specific score corresponding to specific operation change information in the score management table (see FIG. 20). The creation area of the thumbnail data is calculated by calculating the arithmetic average.

  The creation unit 54 is realized mainly by the processing of the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and represents a predetermined area in the photographed image data based on operation information indicating the contents of the past operation of the viewer with respect to the predetermined area image. Create thumbnail data.

  The generation unit 55 generates a site status screen representing the status of a specific site as shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, 33, and 34 described later.

  The storage / reading 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 or various data (or information) from the storage unit 5000. Information).

<Functional configuration of communication terminal 7>
Next, the functional configuration of the communication terminal 7 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 13. 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 a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 11 operating according to a command from the CPU 501 according to the communication terminal 7 program expanded from the HD 504 to the RAM 503. It is.

  In addition, the communication terminal 7 includes 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 accepting unit 72 is realized mainly by the processing of the keyboard 511 and mouse 512 and the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11, and accepts an operation input from a user (browser Y in FIG. 8).

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

  The storage / reading unit 79 is realized mainly 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 7000 or various data (or information) from the storage unit 7000. Information).

<< Processing or Operation of Embodiment >>
Next, the processing or operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, referring to FIG. 23, a process for making a reservation for photographing by the photographing apparatus 1 using the communication terminal 7 by the viewer Y will be described. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram showing a process for taking a picture. FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 are diagrams showing a schedule table screen. 31, FIG. 33 and FIG. 34 are site status screens showing the status of specific sites. FIG. 32A is a diagram showing a predetermined area image at a specific base, and FIG. 32B is a diagram showing a new predetermined area image at the specific base.

  As shown in FIG. 23, when the viewer Y inputs a site ID to the communication terminal 7, the accepting unit 72 receives an input of the site ID (step S11). In this case, as shown in FIG. 29 (a), an input field 7110 for inputting the 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 you want to view. Thereby, the transmission / reception part 71 transmits the request | requirement of a schedule to the image management system 5 (step S12). This request includes the base ID input in step S11. Accordingly, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the schedule request.

  Next, the storage / reading 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 corresponding shooting title, shooting start date and time. And the shooting end date and time, and the corresponding base name is read by searching the base management table (see FIG. 14) using the base ID as a search key (step S13). And the production | generation part 55 produces a schedule table screen as shown in FIG.29 (b) based on the various information read by step S13, and the transmission / reception part 51 transmits the schedule table screen to the communication terminal 7. FIG. Is transmitted (step S14). At this time, the base ID is also transmitted together with the schedule table screen data. Thereby, the transmission / reception 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 displays a schedule table screen as shown in FIG. 29B on the display 508 (step S15). On the schedule table screen, a time table is displayed for each day, and a reservation button 7290 is displayed. And the reception part 72 receives imaging | photography reservation from the browsing person Y (step S16). Specifically, when the viewer Y presses the reservation button 7290 after pressing the item 7210 of a desired day, the display control unit 73 performs “reservation for shooting” as shown in FIG. Display the screen. Then, the viewer Y inputs the shooting title (here, “Saturday and Sunday sale”), the shooting start time (here, 10:00), and the shooting end time (here, 18:00), When the “OK” button 7380 is pressed, the transmission / reception unit 71 transmits a photographing reservation to the image management system 5 (step 17). This 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 imaging reservation.

  Next, the storage / reading 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). Thus, the shooting reservation process is completed.

  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. 24 is a sequence diagram showing a process for giving a shooting instruction.

  As illustrated in FIG. 24, 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, the communication terminal 3 transmits a photographing start instruction to the photographing apparatus 1 when the photographing start time is reached (step S32). Thereby, the transmission / reception part 11 of the imaging device 1 receives an imaging start instruction.

  Next, in the communication terminal 3, for example, imaging is performed every 10 minutes, and its own device ID, captured image data, related information, and predetermined area information are transmitted 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 photographing apparatus 1 is shipped from the factory. Thereby, the transmission / reception 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. In the image management system 5, the storage / reading unit 59 newly assigns an image ID to the captured image data received in step S34 (step S35).

  Next, the storage / reading unit 59 records and manages each information for each table (step S36). Specifically, the storage / reading unit 59 manages the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) by overwriting predetermined area information corresponding to the device ID. In addition, the storage / reading 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 these, the device ID is the ID received in step S34. The image ID is the ID assigned in step S35. The file name of the image data is the file name of the captured image data received at step 34. The shooting date / time is the shooting date / time included in the related information received in step S34.

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

  Next, layout map display processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram illustrating a layout map display process.

  As shown in FIG. 25, when the viewer Y inputs a 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. 29 (a), an input field 7110 for inputting the 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 you want to view. Thereby, the transmission / reception part 71 transmits the request | requirement of a schedule to the image management system 5 (step S52). This request includes the base ID input in step S51. Accordingly, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the schedule request.

  Next, the storage / reading 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 corresponding shooting title, shooting start date and time. In addition, the photographing end date and time are read out, and the corresponding base name is read out by searching the base management table (see FIG. 14) using the base ID as a search key (step S53). And the production | generation part 55 produces a schedule table screen as shown in FIG.30 (b) based on the various information read by step S13, and the transmission / reception part 51 transmits the schedule table screen to the communication terminal 7. FIG. Is transmitted (step S54). At this time, the base ID is also transmitted together with the schedule table screen data. Thereby, the transmission / reception 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 displays a schedule table screen as shown in FIG. 30B on the display 508 (step S55). Here, unlike FIG. 29B, a schedule table screen in the case where a shooting reservation has already been made is shown. In FIG. 30B, for example, schedule information 7410 indicating the contents of the shooting schedule performed in the processes of steps S16 to S18 is displayed.

  Next, when the viewer Y presses the schedule information 7410, for example, the reception unit 72 receives the acquisition of the layout map related to the schedule information 7410 (step S56). Then, the transmitting / receiving 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 / reading unit 59 of the image management system 5 searches the base management table (see FIG. 14) using the base ID received in step S57 as a search key, thereby obtaining the corresponding layout-up file name. Read (step 58). Further, the storage / reading unit 59 searches the base management table (see FIG. 14) using the base ID received in step S57 as a search key, thereby reading out the corresponding layout-up file name and device ID (see FIG. 14). Step 58). The storage / reading unit 59 reads the corresponding device installation position information and the predetermined area information by searching the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) using the read device ID as a search key (step S58).

  Next, the generation unit 55 generates a layout map using each information read out 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 transmission / reception unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the data of the layout map. In the communication terminal 7, the display control unit 73 causes the display 508 to display a site status screen as shown in FIG. 31A (step S61). On the upper part of the site status screen, a layout including icons indicating all imaging devices installed at the site is displayed.

  Subsequently, the display processing of captured image data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 are sequence diagrams showing display processing of captured image data. FIG. 28 is a thumbnail creation setting screen.

  The thumbnail creation setting screen shown in FIG. 28 is displayed on the communication terminal 7, and before the process of step S71, the viewer Y calculates the thumbnail creation area calculation target period, the thumbnail creation area calculation source, and It is a screen for setting the calculation timing of the thumbnail creation area. Among these, the calculation period of the thumbnail creation area indicates how many days in the past the calculation of the thumbnail creation area is calculated.

  The calculation source of the thumbnail creation area can select “all images photographed by the same camera (here, photographing apparatus 1)” and “each image”. Among these, “all images taken with the same camera” indicates that a plurality of time-series shot image data obtained by sequentially taking images with the same photographing apparatus 1 are the calculation source of the thumbnail creation area. Yes. For example, even if there is an arbitrary predetermined area image viewed by one or a plurality of viewers in any one of the plurality of captured image data, the remaining many If there is another predetermined area image that one or a plurality of viewers pay attention to in the captured image data, thumbnail data is created based on the predetermined area related to the other predetermined area image. The On the other hand, for each “image”, thumbnail data is created for each piece of captured image data based on a predetermined area related to a predetermined area image viewed by one or more viewers.

  In addition, at the calculation timing of the thumbnail creation area, “sequential” and “time designation (batch processing)” can be selected. Among these, “sequential” indicates that the image management system 5 sequentially calculates thumbnail creation areas when there is a request for thumbnail data from the communication terminal 7. On the other hand, “time designation (batch processing)” indicates that the image management system 5 calculates the thumbnail creation area before a request for thumbnail data from the communication terminal 7 (for example, at night). Yes. In the case of batch processing, the time for batch processing is also specified along with the selection. In FIG. 28, batch processing is performed at 1:00.

  Thereafter, in the thumbnail creation setting screen, as shown in FIG. 28, the calculation target period of the thumbnail creation area is “3 days”, the thumbnail creation unit is “thumbnail of common image”, and the calculation timing of the thumbnail creation area is A case where “batch processing” is set will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 26, when the viewer Y selects an icon of a desired photographing device as shown in FIG. 31B, the accepting unit 72 accepts the selected photographing device ( Step S71). As a result, the transmission / reception unit 71 transmits a request for captured image data and thumbnail data captured by the selected imaging device to the image management system 5 (step S72). This request includes the device ID of the imaging device related to the selected icon. As a result, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives a request for captured image data and thumbnail data.

  Next, the storage / reading unit 59 of the image management system 5 searches the image management table (see FIG. 17) by using the device ID received in step S72 as a search key, and thereby the file name of the corresponding first image data. And the captured image data and image ID of this file name are read from the storage unit 5000 (step S73). Then, the storage / reading unit 59 reads the corresponding creation information from the creation management table (see FIG. 21) based on the image ID (step S74).

  Next, in the terminal management table (see FIG. 15), the storage / reading unit 59 obtains the predetermined area information corresponding to the device ID received in step S72 in the creation area information in the creation information read in step S74. The contents are changed (step S75). In this case, the predetermined area image indicated by the first predetermined area information is only a pillar as shown in FIG. 32 (a), but as shown in FIG. 32 (b). The image is changed to a new predetermined area image overlooking the store.

  Next, the creation unit 54 creates thumbnail data based on the creation area indicated by the creation area information (step S76). At this time, the creation unit 54 uses not only the first photographed image data of the selected date and time but also all the photographed image data photographed between the photography start date and the photography end date and time based on the same predetermined area image. To newly create thumbnail data. When there are a plurality of photographed image data, the creation unit 54 manages the plurality of image data based on the fact that the terminal management table (see FIG. 15) manages new predetermined area information instead of the current predetermined area information. For each, thumbnail data relating to a new predetermined area image indicated by the new predetermined area information is created.

  Next, the storage / reading unit 59 assigns a new thumbnail ID to all thumbnail data (step S77). Then, the storage / reading unit 59 assigns to the thumbnail management table (see FIG. 18), for each thumbnail data, an image ID indicating the original captured image data of the thumbnail data as a new record 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 / reading unit 59 associates the shooting date and time (refer to the image management table) of the original captured image data, the device installation position (refer to the terminal management table), and the predetermined area information (refer to the terminal management table). Information about thumbnail data is collectively managed in the thumbnail management table.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 sends to the communication terminal 7 the site name, the first captured image data of the selected date, all thumbnail data between the shooting start date and the shooting end date, Then, 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 the respective thumbnail data. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the base name, the first captured image data of the selected date and time, all the thumbnail data between the shooting start date and time and the shooting end date and time, and the shooting date and time.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 33, the display control unit 73 of the communication terminal 7 displays a predetermined area image as well as each area on the lower side of the site status image shown in FIG. The thumbnail and the shooting date and time are displayed, and an operation area for changing the brightness and contrast of the predetermined area image is displayed in the bottom column (step S80).

  Subsequently, proceeding to FIG. 27, when the viewer Y selects the fourth thumbnail from the left as shown in FIG. 34, the accepting unit 72 accepts this selection (step S91). Then, the transmission / reception unit 71 requests data of a predetermined area image from the image management system 5 (step S92). This request includes the thumbnail ID of the thumbnail selected in step S91. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives a request for data of a predetermined area image.

  Next, in the image management system 5, the storage / reading unit 59 reads the corresponding image ID by searching the thumbnail management table (see FIG. 18) using the thumbnail ID received in step S92 as a search key (see FIG. 18). Step S93). Further, the storage / reading 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 this file is read from the storage unit 5000. The photographed image data of the name is read (step S93).

  Next, the generation unit 55 generates a predetermined area image based on the predetermined area information from the captured image data read out in step S93 (step S94). Then, the transmission / reception unit 51 transmits data of a predetermined area image to the communication terminal 7 (step S95). At this time, the image ID of the captured image data read out in step S93 is also transmitted. Thereby, the transmission / reception 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 predetermined area image related to the thumbnail selected by the viewer Y on the display 508 as shown in FIG. 34 (step S96). As described above, the viewer Y can browse the predetermined area image at the desired shooting date and time.

  Next, when the viewer Y performs a movement and enlargement operation on the predetermined region image shown in FIG. 34, for example, as shown in FIG. Y operation is accepted (step S97). Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 71 transmits operation information indicating the operation content to the image management system 5 (step S98). This operation information includes the image ID shown in FIG. Thereby, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the image management system 5 receives the operation information.

  Next, the storage / reading unit 59 of the image management system 5 adds the operation information received in step S98 to the creation management table (see FIG. 22) and stores it (step S99).

  Subsequently, the batch processing for calculating the thumbnail creation area will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing batch processing for calculating a thumbnail creation area.

  As shown in FIG. 36, the storage / reading unit 59 of the image management system 5 is included in the calculation target period of the thumbnail creation area set on the thumbnail creation setting screen from the operation management table (see FIG. 19). All the operation information of “operation start time” and “operation end time” is read (step S111). Next, the deriving unit 52 derives specific operation change information based on past operations of the viewer Y based on each operation information managed in the operation management table (see FIG. 19) (step S112). For example, when two pieces of operation information are read from the operation management table (see FIG. 19), the predetermined area information after the operation indicated by the first operation information and the post-operation indicated by the second operation information. When the predetermined area information is different and the enlargement rate is large, the deriving unit 52 derives “movement” and “enlargement” as the operation change information.

  Next, the storage / reading unit 59 reads the score corresponding to the operation change information from the score management table (see FIG. 20) (step S113). Then, the calculation unit 53 calculates the creation area of the thumbnail data by obtaining an arithmetic average when the operation information is weighted by a specific score corresponding to the specific operation change information in the score management table (see FIG. 20). (Step S114). Here, two calculation examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38. FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram showing a calculation example 1 for determining the thumbnail creation area. FIG. 38 is a conceptual diagram showing a calculation example 2 for determining the thumbnail creation area.

(Calculation Example 1)
In FIG. 37, Mercator images as shown in FIG. 3C are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 37A, the calculation unit 53 attaches the center point of each predetermined area information and the operation change information. Then, as shown in FIG. 37 (b), the calculation unit 53 calculates the center of gravity c1 by first determining the arithmetic average of the coordinates of the center point based on the center point of each predetermined area information. . Next, as illustrated in FIG. 37B, the calculation unit 53 associates each score read from the score management table (see FIG. 20) with the center point of each predetermined area information. Then, as shown in FIG. 37 (d), the calculation unit 53 calculates the center coordinate c11 of the thumbnail by calculating the arithmetic average when the operation information is weighted by each score, thereby calculating the center of gravity c1. Is corrected (centroid c11), and finally a thumbnail data creation area is calculated.

(Calculation example 2)
In FIG. 38, Mercator images as shown in FIG. 3C are displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 38A, the calculation unit 53 attaches the center point of each predetermined area information and the operation change information. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 38B, the calculation unit 53 performs clustering that collects the center points of each predetermined area information. Here, the area a1 and the area a2 are grouped. Next, as illustrated in FIG. 38C, the calculation unit 53 associates each score read from the score management table (see FIG. 20) with the center point of each predetermined area information. Then, as shown in FIG. 38 (d), the calculation unit 53 sums up the points for each of the regions a1 and a2, and determines the center point of the region having a large total number (here, region a2) as a thumbnail. By using the center coordinate c21, a thumbnail data creation area is finally calculated.

<< Main effects of this embodiment >>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image management system 5 creates thumbnail data based on the contents operated in the past by the communication terminal 7 so that the thumbnail represents the highlight of the viewer Y. it can. Thereby, there is an effect that the viewer Y can easily refer to the thumbnail when browsing the original image.

[Modification]
Hereinafter, modifications of the embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, on the thumbnail creation setting screen, as shown in FIG. 28, the calculation target period of the thumbnail creation area is “3 days”, the thumbnail creation unit is “common image thumbnail”, and the thumbnail creation area The case where the calculation timing is set as “batch processing” has been described. On the other hand, when it is selected to display the “thumbnail for each image”, the image management system 5 performs the process for step S76 shown in FIG. 27 for each changed predetermined area image. Create different thumbnail data. In FIG. 33, thumbnails related to the same predetermined area image are displayed, but in the case of this modification, thumbnails related to different predetermined area images are displayed.

  In FIG. 28, when “sequential” is selected at the calculation timing of the thumbnail creation area, the image management system 5 replaces the creation information reading in the process of step 74 shown in FIG. The nighttime batch processing shown in FIG. 36 is sequentially performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 3 Communication terminal 5 Image management system 7 Communication terminal 9 Communication network 51 Transmission / reception part (an example of a transmission means, an example of a reception means)
52 Detection unit (an example of detection means)
53 Creation unit (an example of creation means)
54 Generation Unit (Example of Generation Unit)
59 Storage / reading 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 (11)

An image management system for managing predetermined image data to be transmitted to a communication terminal,
Receiving means for receiving a request for thumbnail data relating to the predetermined image data from the communication terminal;
Creating means for creating thumbnail data of a predetermined area in the image of the predetermined image data based on operation information indicating contents operated in the past on the image related to the predetermined image data in the communication terminal;
Transmitting means for transmitting the created thumbnail data to the communication terminal;
An image management system comprising: The image management system according to claim 1,
The receiving means receives the operation information from the communication terminal,
Operation management means for managing the received operation information;
The image creation system for creating the thumbnail data based on operation information indicating contents of past operations managed by the operation management unit. The image management system according to claim 2,
Calculation means for calculating creation information used to create thumbnail data relating to the image based on each operation information managed by the operation management means;
Having creation management means for managing the creation information calculated by the calculation means;
The image creation system for creating the thumbnail data based on the creation information managed by the creation management unit. The image management system according to claim 3,
Each operation information includes predetermined area information after operation indicating a predetermined area after operation in the communication terminal,
The image management system is configured to calculate creation area information indicating a creation area of thumbnail data included in the creation information based on the predetermined area information after the operation. The image management system according to claim 4,
Point management means for associating and managing a predetermined score determined according to the content of the change for each predetermined operation change information indicating the content of the change by a predetermined operation on the predetermined image;
Derivation means for deriving each specific operation change information based on past operations based on each operation information managed by the operation management means;
Have
The image calculation system calculates the thumbnail data creation area by calculating an arithmetic average when the operation information is weighted by a specific score corresponding to each specific operation change information in the score management unit . The image management system according to claim 4,
Point management means for associating and managing a predetermined score determined according to the content of the change for each predetermined operation change information indicating the content of the change by a predetermined operation on the predetermined image;
Derivation means for deriving each specific operation change information based on past operations based on each operation information managed by the operation management means;
Have
The calculation unit calculates a total of specific points corresponding to each predetermined region including a group of the specific operation change information in the image data in the point management unit, so that a specific region with a large total score is obtained. An image management system for calculating a thumbnail data creation area by obtaining a center point of the thumbnail data.   The operation change information includes brightness change, contrast change, or number of attached memos to the predetermined area image that is an image of the predetermined area, or movement, enlargement, or reduction of the predetermined area image. The image management system described in 1.   The image management system according to claim 1, wherein the image data is omnidirectional panoramic image data. The image management system according to claim 1,
The communication terminal;
An image communication system. An image management method executed by an image management system for managing predetermined image data to be transmitted to a communication terminal,
The image management system includes:
A receiving step of receiving a request for thumbnail data related to the predetermined image data from the communication terminal;
A creation step of creating thumbnail data of a predetermined area in the image of the predetermined image data based on operation information indicating contents operated in the past on the image related to the predetermined image data in the communication terminal;
Transmitting the created thumbnail data to the communication terminal;
Image management method to execute.   The program which makes a computer perform the method of Claim 10.

Images