JP2016082491A - Image distribution system and management device of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To immediately achieve reproduction display even if a viewer misses an interested scene.SOLUTION: An CPU 102 collects photographing directions and photographing positions of a plurality of cameras and whether imaging is being performed or not, holds them in a database 105, and stores a photographed image in a secondary storage device 104. The CPU 102 determines a target object being a subject of the prescribed number or more of the cameras from information on the photographing direction and the photographing positions of the plurality of cameras and informs the camera which does not photograph the target object of existence of the target object by a communication device 106. The CPU 102 distributes the photographed image of the target object to the camera of a communication destination by the communication device 106 in accordance with a request from the camera receiving a notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image distribution system that selectively distributes a desired image from captured images of a plurality of imaging devices, and a management device thereof.

  At event venues such as sports and live concerts, viewers watch various points as they wish. As the event progresses, many viewers are interested, and the things and people that are noticed change from moment to moment. In such a scene in which the shooting target that interests the user changes with time, a cameraman who shoots a moving image for media broadcasting such as TV needs to always find the position of the shooting target to be interested and perform shooting.

  With respect to such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically tracking the position of an imaging target even in a situation where the imaging target changes or moves with time.

JP 2008-5208 A

  Imaging devices such as digital cameras and digital video cameras are becoming lighter and smaller. Because of its good portability, not only professional photographers but also general audiences (hereinafter referred to as viewers) at the event venue, taking pictures of the points they watch with their own imaging devices, Something like watching events.

  However, in viewing at the event venue, if you want to view an interesting scene from a different angle, or it is difficult to obtain an appropriate image in terms of size or direction from your position, but if you are using another camera you will not be able to obtain an appropriate image. It may be easy to obtain.

  You can view the recorded video and play it, but you can't enjoy the atmosphere. If a scene to be noticed is missed during sports watching, if it can be immediately reproduced and displayed, it becomes possible to further enjoy watching sports.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to present an image distribution system and its management device that enable such a way of enjoying.

  An image distribution system according to the present invention includes: a plurality of imaging devices based on information on a shooting direction / position determining unit that determines shooting directions and shooting positions of a plurality of imaging devices; A target of interest determination means for determining a target of interest that is a subject of an imaging device of a predetermined number or more among a plurality of subjects, a notification destination determination means of determining a notification destination to be notified of the presence of the target of attention, and the notification A notification means for notifying the presence of the attention target first, and a distribution for distributing the captured image of the attention target to a distribution destination which is one of the notification destination and a terminal designated by the notification destination in accordance with the request of the notification destination Means.

  According to the present invention, even if a scene that attracts interest is missed, the moving image / image can be viewed immediately.

It is a schematic block diagram of the management apparatus in one Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of a digital video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of camera arrangement in a stadium. It is an example of a structure and content of a camera database. It is an example of a structure and content of imaging | photography information database. It is an example of a structure and content of an attention position database. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of a detection and notification of an attention position. It is a flowchart which shows an attention position notification operation example. It is an example of a display of notice of an attention position. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement which delivers the picked-up image of an attention position. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an external device (display device) in Embodiment 2. It is an example of a structure and content of the camera database in Example 2. It is an example of a structure and content of the image database in Example 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a delivery destination registration operation according to the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of detection and notification of a target position in the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image acquisition / delivery operation at a target position according to the second embodiment.

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

  One embodiment of the image distribution system according to the present invention distributes and displays a plurality of digital video cameras 201 and selected ones of the captured images (recorded images) of these cameras 201 to a predetermined distribution destination. As shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a management apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a digital video camera (hereinafter abbreviated as “camera”) 201.

  The management apparatus 101 provides the designated image to the camera 201. Reference numeral 102 denotes a CPU that controls the entire management apparatus 101. A primary storage device 103 stores temporary data and is used for the work of the CPU 102. A secondary storage device 104 stores a program for controlling the management device 101, various setting information, and the like. Reference numeral 105 denotes a database used for managing information on the camera 201, information on photographing by the camera 201, information on the target position, and storing images. Reference numeral 106 denotes a communication device used for communication with the camera 201.

  A camera 201 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an optical system 202, an image sensor 203, a CPU 204, a primary storage device 205, a secondary storage device 206, a storage medium 207, a display unit 208, an operation unit 209, and a communication device 210.

  The optical system 202 includes a lens, a shutter, and a diaphragm, and forms an optical image from a subject on the image sensor 203 with an appropriate amount of light and timing. The image sensor 203 converts an optical image formed through the optical system 202 into an electric image signal.

  The CPU 204 performs various calculations and controls each part constituting the camera 201 according to the input signal and the program. The primary storage device 205 stores temporary data and is used for the work of the CPU 204. The secondary storage device 206 stores a program (firmware) for controlling the camera 201, various setting information, and the like.

  The storage medium 207 stores image data of moving images obtained by shooting. The display unit 208 displays a viewfinder image at the time of shooting, a shot image, a notice of a noticed target position missed, and a character display for interactive operation. The operation unit 209 is for receiving a user's operation. As the operation unit 209, for example, a button, a lever, a touch panel, or the like can be used.

  The communication apparatus 210 is connected to the management apparatus 101 and transmits / receives shooting information, images, acquisition requests, and various data to / from the management apparatus 101. As a protocol for establishing a connection with the management apparatus 101 and performing data communication, for example, PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) and MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) are used. The communication device 210 may perform communication through a wireless connection such as a wireless LAN or a wired connection such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. The communication device 210 may be directly connected to the management device 101, or may be connected to the management device 101 via another server or a network such as the Internet.

  The sensor unit 211 includes measurement means such as a GPS receiver and a six-axis sensor that measures the position information (longitude, latitude, altitude) and shooting direction (azimuth, elevation angle) of the camera 201. The time acquisition unit 212 is used by the CPU 204 to acquire time. The time acquisition unit 212 may be of a type that acquires the current time from the elapsed time and an internal set value, or may acquire the current time by radio waves.

  The camera 201 records image data captured during shooting by the image sensor 203 in the storage medium 207 as moving image data in a predetermined compression format. The camera 201 also reads the time after the designated time of the moving image data stored in the storage medium 207 and designates it by the request source or the request source in response to an external request even during shooting, that is, during moving image recording. Can be sent to the device.

  FIG. 3 shows an arrangement example of the camera 201 in the sports stadium. Reference numerals 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, and 201e denote cameras that shoot a game or a spectator, and have the same configuration as the camera 201 shown in FIG. As described above, the five cameras 201a to 201e can transmit the shooting range information including the installation position (shooting position) and the shooting direction and the shot image to the management apparatus 101. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the cameras 201b to 201e photograph the same subject to be noticed at the attention position 302, and the camera 201a does not perform photographing.

  The management apparatus 101 requests the cameras 201a to 201e for information on the MAC address, the shooting time, the shooting position, and the shooting direction as the shooting direction / position determining unit, and holds the acquired information. The management apparatus 101 identifies the subject (target object) (the target object at the target position 302 in FIG. 3) captured by a predetermined number of cameras or more according to the information acquired from the cameras 201a to 201e. That is, the CPU 102 functions as an attention target determining unit that determines an attention target that is a predetermined number or more of the subjects of the plurality of cameras 201a to 201e. At the same time, the management apparatus 101 identifies a camera that is capturing the attention position 302 (cameras 201b to 201e in FIG. 3) and a camera that is not capturing the attention position 302, that is, an uncaptured camera (camera 201a in FIG. 3). To do. Detection of the attention position 302 may be performed by the management apparatus 101, or the management apparatus 101 may receive position information from an external apparatus when an attention target is generated as an external input. In the present embodiment, since the unphotographed camera is the notice target of interest, the CPU 102 functions as a notice destination determination unit.

  The management apparatus 101 holds, as the database 105, a camera DB whose configuration is illustrated in FIG. 4, a shooting information DB whose configuration is illustrated in FIG. 5, and an attention position DB whose configuration is illustrated in FIG.

  The camera DB illustrated in FIG. 4 is a database that records information on the cameras 201a to 201e connected to the management apparatus 101. The management apparatus 101 manages information of all the cameras 201a to 201e communicating with the management apparatus 101 using the camera DB.

  In FIG. 4, 401 is a camera ID. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the camera ID 401 is a character string in which “Cam” is added with a serial number starting from 1. Reference numeral 402 denotes identification information for specifying a corresponding camera, and in the present embodiment, includes a MAC address. Reference numeral 403 denotes a transmission history of attention positions, and attention position IDs 601 of the attention position DB shown in FIG. 6 are listed and recorded.

  The management apparatus 101 registers the camera ID and MAC address in the camera DB in advance, but may be added to or deleted from the camera DB in accordance with a request from each camera.

  The shooting information DB illustrated in FIG. 5 is a database of shooting information managed by the management apparatus 101. The acquired information is recorded in the shooting information DB every time the management apparatus 101 acquires shooting information from the cameras 201 (201a to 201e).

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes an ID for classifying photographing, and consists of a character string in which a serial number starting from 1 is added to “P”. Reference numeral 502 denotes an ID (camera ID) 401 of the camera that performed the shooting. Reference numeral 503 denotes a time at which shooting is performed. Reference numeral 504 is information for specifying the position information of the camera that has taken the image, and records the longitude, latitude, and altitude. Reference numeral 505 denotes information for specifying the shooting direction of the camera that performed the shooting, and the azimuth angle and the elevation angle are recorded.

  The attention position DB illustrated in FIG. 6 is a database of attention positions registered in the management apparatus 101. In the attention position DB, information described below is recorded every time an attention position is detected.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes an ID for classifying the detected attention position, and is composed of a character string in which a serial number starting from 1 is added to the character “A”. Reference numeral 602 denotes information for specifying the position information of the detected position of interest, in which longitude, latitude, and altitude are recorded. Reference numeral 603 denotes a list of shooting IDs 501 relating to shooting that has shot the target position. Reference numeral 604 denotes an ID list of cameras that have photographed the target position, that is, a photographing camera ID list, in which camera IDs 502 corresponding to the photographing ID 501 are listed. Reference numeral 605 denotes the attention frequency of the attention position, and the number of cameras that photographed the attention position, that is, the number of camera IDs recorded in the list 604 is recorded.

  With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the operation in which the management apparatus 101 acquires the above-described information from the cameras 201b to 201e, detects the position of interest, and notifies the unphotographed camera 201a of the information.

  In step S701, the CPU 102 of the management apparatus 101 initializes the value of the variable n to 1. The value of the variable n is an index representing a camera registered in the camera DB.

  In step S <b> 702, the CPU 102 issues a request for inquiring whether the camera 201 a to 201 e is photographing through the communication device 106 and knows whether photographing is being performed. If the result of the determination during photographing is that photographing is in progress, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S703, and if not photographing, proceeds to step S704.

  In step S <b> 703, the CPU 102 issues a request for inquiring the current position information, the shooting direction, and the time to the cameras 201 a to 201 e via the communication device 106, and acquires the information. The CPU 102 adds the acquired information to the shooting information DB.

  In step S704, the CPU 102 checks whether or not the variable n is less than N. The value of N is the total number of cameras for which shooting information is acquired, that is, the total number of cameras registered in the camera DB. If n is less than N, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S705, and if n is N or more, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S706.

  In step S705, the CPU 102 increments the variable n and returns to step S702.

  In step S706, the CPU 102 lists all the shooting intersections from the positions and shooting directions of all the cameras added to the shooting information DB in the repetition processing of steps S701 to S705. Let M be the total number of shooting intersections listed here.

  In step S707, the CPU 102 initializes the variable m to 1. The value of the variable m is an index indicating the shooting intersections listed in step S706.

  In step S708, the CPU 102 first checks the number of cameras that have been photographed by confirming the photographing ID at which the photographing intersection was photographed. Since this is an inverse operation of enumerating the shooting intersections in step S706, the shooting intersection and the shooting ID that shot the shooting intersection are associated with each other and stored in the primary storage device 103 in step S706. Is preferred.

  If the number of cameras that photographed the photographing intersection is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the CPU 102 sets the photographing intersection as a target position, and proceeds to step S709. If less than the reference value, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S710. This reference value may be determined directly by the number of cameras, or may be a value calculated by a fixed ratio, for example, 30%, with respect to the total number N of cameras registered in the management apparatus 101. The reference value is formally 2 or more.

  In step S709, the CPU 102 adds the shooting intersection, position information, the list of shooting IDs listed in step S708, the list of camera IDs that have been shot, and the degree of attention to the attention position DB. Here, the CPU 102 acquires the camera ID by searching the shooting information DB using the shooting ID as a key.

  In step S710, the CPU 102 checks whether the variable m is less than M. If the variable m is less than M, the process proceeds to step S711. If the variable m is greater than M, the process proceeds to step S712. In step S711, the CPU 102 increments the variable m and returns to step S708.

  In step S712, the CPU 102 determines whether or not there is an addition to the target position DB in the repetitive processing of steps S707 to S711. If there is an addition, the process proceeds to step S713, and if there is no addition, the flow ends.

  In step S713, the CPU 102 notifies the position of interest to an unphotographed camera (camera 201a in the example shown in FIG. 3) as a notification unit. Details of the notice processing of the position of interest (S713) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  With the above processing, it is possible to specify a camera that has captured the target position and a camera that has not been captured (unphotographed camera) at a certain time. The CPU 102 executes the flow shown in FIG. 7 periodically (for example, every 5 seconds) to detect the position of interest and notify the unphotographed camera. In this way, instead of the management apparatus 101 periodically inquiring the camera 201 about the shooting position, shooting direction, and whether or not shooting is in progress, each camera 201 takes the shooting position, shooting direction, shooting start time, shooting end time, and shooting time. A method of notifying the management apparatus 101 in a timely manner may be employed.

  FIG. 8 shows a detailed flowchart of step S713. With reference to FIG. 8, the details of the process in which the management apparatus 101 notifies the camera of interest of the position of interest will be described.

  In step S <b> 801, the CPU 102 sorts all the attention positions added most recently in the repetition processing of steps S <b> 707 to S <b> 711 in descending order of the attention frequency order. This is to enable the camera to be notified of an unphotographed position with a higher degree of attention.

  In step S802, the CPU 102 initializes the value of the variable n to 1. The value of the variable n is an index representing a camera registered in the camera DB.

  In step S803, the CPU 102 initializes the value of the variable s to 1. The value of the variable s is an index representing the position of interest added most recently in the flow of steps S707 to S711.

  In step S804, the CPU 102 refers to the shooting camera ID list 604 in the target position DB and checks whether or not the camera indicated by the variable n has shot the target position. If the camera indicated by the variable n has photographed the target position, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S805, otherwise proceeds to step S807.

  In step S805, the CPU 102 checks whether the variable s is less than S. The value of S is the total number of attention positions added most recently in the flow of steps S707 to S711. If the variable s is less than S, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S806, and if it is greater than or equal to S, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S808.

  In step S806, the CPU 102 increments the variable s and returns to step S804.

  In step S <b> 807, the CPU 102 transmits the presence of an uncaptured attention position to the camera indicated by the variable n via the communication device 106. Then, the CPU 102 adds the attention position ID of the transmitted attention position to the attention position ID transmission history of the camera DB. When transmitting to the camera, the position information of the target position may be sent. Further, the CPU 102 confirms the position information and shooting direction of the camera from the shooting information DB, compares the position information of the target position with the position information of the target position, calculates the relative direction from the camera to the target position, and calculates the calculated relative direction angle. You may transmit to the said camera.

  In step S808, the CPU 102 checks whether the variable n is less than N. The value of N is the total number of cameras registered in the camera DB. If the variable n is less than N, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S809. If n is greater than or equal to N, the flow shown in FIG.

  In step S809, the CPU 102 increments the variable n and returns to step S804. That is, the CPU 102 executes step S804 and subsequent steps for the next camera.

  The management apparatus 101 notifies the presence of the attention position to the camera that has not photographed the attention position by the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a display example on the display unit 208 of the camera notified of the position of interest. Reference numeral 901 denotes a character string indicating that an unphotographed attention position has occurred. Reference numeral 902 denotes an arrow image indicating in which direction the unphotographed attention position is located. Reference numeral 903 denotes a dialog for allowing the camera user to select whether or not to acquire an image of an uncaptured target position. When the user selects acquisition of an image, the CPU 204 of the camera requests the management apparatus 101 for an image of the target position and displays it on the display unit 208.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of processing in which the management apparatus 101 transmits the image to the camera that requests the image of the target position. When an image request is received from the camera that has notified the attention position by communication via the communication device 106, the CPU 102 of the management device 101 starts the flow illustrated in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1001, the CPU 102 refers to the attention position ID transmission history in the camera DB, and identifies the attention position most recently transmitted to the requesting camera.

  In step S <b> 1002, the CPU 102 refers to the camera ID list captured at the target position DB and confirms the camera that captured the target position. Then, the CPU 102 selects a camera having an image suitable for transmission to the image request source camera. For example, the CPU 102 specifies and selects the camera that has been photographed at the position closest to the position of interest from the position information of the position of interest and the camera photographing position described in the photographing information DB. In addition, the CPU 102 may identify and select a camera that has captured the target position from the earliest position from the imaging information DB.

  In step S1003, the CPU 102 requests and acquires a captured image (moving image or still image) from the communication device 106 to the camera selected in step S1002. Specifically, the CPU 102 refers to the shooting information DB, specifies the shooting time of the shot image to be provided, and requests and acquires a still image at the shooting time or a moving image after the shooting time.

  In step S1004, the CPU 102 distributes the image acquired in step S1003 to the image request source camera through the communication device 106.

  As described above, in this embodiment, even if a viewer has missed a scene in which the viewer is interested, that is, when the camera is missed, a moving image / still image of the scene can be displayed immediately and easily. . When the attention position is detected, the attention position is notified to the unphotographed camera so that the user of the unphotographed camera can notice the presence of the attention position and visually check the scene image on the spot. Become. By transmitting an image only when there is a request by an operation on the camera side, unnecessary communication can be prevented, and the amount of communication traffic and battery consumption of an unphotographed camera can be reduced. By selecting a camera having a suitable image from the cameras that have photographed the target position, it is possible to provide a better image to the viewer who requests the image of the target position.

  Rather than searching for an unphotographed camera and distributing attention position information, the attention position information and its image may be distributed to a communication terminal having a display device and no camera. Examples of such a communication terminal include a tablet terminal, a notebook type small portable computer, a portable game machine, and the like.

  FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration block head of a tablet terminal as a communication terminal having display means. The tablet terminal 1101 includes a CPU 1102, a primary storage device 1103, a secondary storage device 1104, a display unit 1105, an operation unit 1106, and a communication device 1107. Since the basic function of each component is the same as the corresponding member of the camera 201, a detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration and contents of the camera DB in the second embodiment. In the camera DB illustrated in FIG. 12, access information 1204 (specifically, the MAC address of the external device) of the external device serving as the image providing destination is added to the camera DB illustrated in FIG. 4. The other items 1201 to 1203 are the same as the items 401 to 403 of the camera DB shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration and contents of the image DB in the second embodiment. Reference numeral 1301 denotes access information unique to each image for accessing each image from an external device. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the access information 1301 is [http: // soccer_server / img? page = + attention position ID]. Reference numeral 1301 denotes an image file name. Reference numeral 1303 denotes a thumbnail of image data (a representative image in the case of a moving image).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an operation for associating a camera and a tablet in order to provide an image from the management apparatus 101 to the tablet. The CPU 102 of the management apparatus 101 starts this flow when an association request is received from the camera.

  In step S1401, the CPU 102 assigns and transmits access information to the management apparatus 101 that is unique to each camera to the requesting camera. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, for the camera registered as Cam1 in the imaging device DB, as the unique access information, http: // socer_server / deviceRegist +? Cam1 is allocated and transmitted. As will be described later, the tablet obtains desired image data by accessing the access destination.

  In step S1402, the CPU 102 determines whether the access information assigned in step S1401 has been accessed within a certain time (for example, 5 minutes). If there is an access within a certain time, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S1403. If there is no access, the flow shown in FIG. 14 is terminated.

  In step S1403, the CPU 102 sets the access source MAC address as the transmission destination MAC address of the data in the camera DB associated with the access URL. In a state where no setting is made, the CPU 102 leaves the transmission destination MAC address of the camera DB blank.

  FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart of the management apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment corresponding to FIG. When the management apparatus 101 acquires information from the camera and detects the occurrence of the position of interest, the management apparatus 101 notifies the transmission destination apparatus of the uncaptured camera. Since the difference from the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is only step S1513, description other than step S1513 will be omitted.

  In step S <b> 1513, the CPU 102 provides a unit that can browse the image of the target position to the device set as the transmission destination. In the first embodiment, the image at the target position is acquired after receiving an image acquisition request from an unphotographed viewer. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, an image is acquired before receiving a request so that the tablet can access a desired image at a desired timing later. FIG. 16 shows a detailed flowchart of step S1513.

  In step S1601, the CPU 102 initializes the value of the variable s to 1. The value of the variable s is an index representing the position of interest detected most recently by repeating the processes of steps S1507 to S1511.

  In step S1602, the CPU 102 refers to the shooting camera ID list in the target position DB, confirms the camera that has captured the target position, and selects a camera having an image suitable for transmission to the request source camera.

  In step S1603, the CPU 102 refers to the shooting information DB for the camera selected in step S1602, specifies the shooting time of the image desired to be provided, requests the image via the communication device 106, and acquires it. .

  In step S1604, the CPU 102 sets unique access information for the acquired image and stores it in the image DB together with the image.

  In step S1605, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the variable s is less than S. The value of S is the total number of attention positions detected most recently by repeating the processes of steps S1507 to S1511. If the variable s is less than S, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S1606, and if it is greater than or equal to S, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S1607.

  In step S1606, the CPU 102 increments the variable s and returns to step S1602.

  The CPU 102 accumulates images to be provided in the image DB by repeating steps S1601 to S1606.

  In step S1607, the CPU 102 initializes the value of the variable n to 1. The value of the variable n is an index representing a camera registered in the camera DB.

  In step S1608, the CPU 102 initializes the value of the variable s to 1. Again, the value of the variable s is an index representing the position of interest detected most recently by repeating the processing of steps S1507 to S1511.

  In step S1609, the CPU 102 refers to the shooting camera ID list in the target position DB, and checks whether the camera n has captured the target position s. If the camera n has photographed the target position s, the CPU proceeds to step S1613. If the camera n has not been photographed, the CPU proceeds to step S1610.

  In step S1610, the CPU 102 refers to the camera DB and confirms whether the MAC address of the transmission destination apparatus is registered in the camera n. If the MAC address of the transmission destination device is registered, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S1611. If not registered, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S1612.

  In step S <b> 1611, the CPU 102 provides the image access URL via the communication device 106 to the device set as the transmission destination via the communication device 106. That is, the CPU 102 transmits the access URL corresponding to the target position s to the MAC address of the transmission destination device. Then, the CPU 102 updates the transmission history of the camera DB.

  In step S <b> 1612, the CPU 102 transmits information on the target position s to the camera via the communication device 106 and updates the transmission history of the camera DB.

  In step S1613, the CPU 102 determines whether the variable s is less than S. If the variable s is less than S, the process proceeds to step S1614. If the variable s is greater than S, the process proceeds to step S1515.

  In step S1614, the CPU 102 increments the variable s and returns to step S1609.

  In step S1615, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the variable n is less than N. The value of N is the total number of cameras registered in the camera DB. If the variable n is less than N, the CPU 102 proceeds to step S1616. If the variable n is greater than or equal to S, the CPU 102 ends the flow shown in FIG.

  With the flow described above, even if a viewer misses a scene they are interested in, that is, when they miss a camera, they can immediately and reliably watch videos and images of the scene they are interested in without any hassle. be able to. In addition, when the attention position is detected, the attention position is notified to the unphotographed camera, so that the viewer can be prevented from overlooking. In addition, by providing an image to an external device such as a tablet that is different from the camera, it is possible to check the image without interrupting shooting with the camera.

  Furthermore, by distributing the image by providing the access URL of the server instead of the image itself, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication and avoid the pressure on the storage of the external device. The user can view a desired image by accessing the URL at an arbitrary timing. Further, by selecting a camera having a suitable image from the cameras that have photographed the target position, a better image can be provided to the viewer who requests the image of the target position.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. A part of the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims (16)

Shooting direction / position determining means for determining shooting directions and shooting positions of a plurality of imaging devices;
Attention target determination means for determining, from information on shooting directions and shooting positions of the plurality of imaging devices, attention targets that are subjects of a predetermined number or more of the imaging devices among the subjects of the plurality of imaging devices;
Notification destination determination means for determining a notification destination to be notified of the presence of the target of interest;
A notification means for notifying the notification destination of the presence of the attention target;
In accordance with a request from the notification destination, the image distribution system further comprises a distribution unit that distributes the target captured image to a distribution destination that is one of the notification destination and a terminal designated by the notification destination.   The image delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the notification destination is an unphotographed imaging device that has not photographed the target of interest.   The image delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the notification destination is a communication terminal having display means.   The distribution unit includes a storage unit that stores captured images of the plurality of imaging devices, and reads the captured image of the target object from the storage unit according to a request from the notification destination and distributes the image to the distribution destination. The image delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit causes the imaging device that holds the captured image to be distributed to the distribution destination to distribute the captured image to the distribution destination in accordance with a request from the notification destination. Distribution system.   The image distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising an in-photographing determination unit that periodically determines whether each of the plurality of imaging devices is in the middle of shooting.   The image distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the shooting-in-progress determination unit is a unit for inquiring whether or not the plurality of imaging devices are periodically shooting.   The photographing direction / position determining means is arranged in each of the plurality of imaging devices, sensor means for measuring the photographing direction and photographing position, and the photographing direction and photographing position measured by the plurality of imaging devices. The image distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that supplies the target object determination unit. A management device for an image distribution system that distributes a target captured image captured by two or more imaging devices among subjects of a plurality of imaging devices,
Shooting direction / position determining means for determining shooting directions and shooting positions of the plurality of imaging devices;
Attention target determination means for determining, from information on shooting directions and shooting positions of the plurality of imaging devices, attention targets that are subjects of a predetermined number or more of the imaging devices among the subjects of the plurality of imaging devices;
Notification destination determination means for determining a notification destination to be notified of the presence of the target of interest;
A notification means for notifying the notification destination of the presence of the attention target;
And a control unit that controls distribution of the target captured image to a distribution destination that is one of the notification destination and the terminal designated by the notification destination in accordance with a request from the notification destination. apparatus.   The management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification destination is an unphotographed imaging apparatus that has not photographed the target of interest.   The management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification destination is a communication terminal having a display unit. Furthermore,
Storage means for storing captured images of the plurality of imaging devices;
12. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a distribution unit that is controlled by the control unit to read out the captured image of the target object from the storage unit and distribute the image to the distribution destination. Management device.   The management according to claim 9, wherein the control unit causes the imaging device that holds a captured image to be distributed to the distribution destination to distribute the captured image to the distribution destination in accordance with a request from the notification destination. apparatus.   The management apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an in-shooting determination unit that periodically determines whether or not each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses is shooting.   The management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the shooting-in-progress determination unit is a unit that inquires to the plurality of imaging apparatuses whether or not shooting is being performed regularly.   10. The photographing direction / position determining means is means for taking in a photographing direction and a photographing position measured by sensor means arranged in each of the plurality of imaging devices from the plurality of imaging devices. 15. The management device according to any one of 15 to 15.

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