System and program

Abstract

To provide a system and a program capable of satisfactorily grasping the environment of sensing areas where sensors are disposed.SOLUTION: A system 10 generates information on a local area. The system 10 comprises a control unit 32. The control unit 32 is connected with sensors 20 which acquire environmental information. The control unit 32 generates an environmental index in sensing areas where the sensors 20 are disposed, on the basis of the environmental information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a system configured such that information about a region is transmitted from sensors placed in the region to a server via a network. In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, images are transmitted from surveillance cameras via a network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-215767 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, surveillance cameras are often used for crime prevention. Images captured by surveillance cameras are managed by managers of the facilities where the surveillance cameras are installed, security companies, etc. Images captured by security cameras are viewed in the event of, for example, an illegal intrusion or theft, but some images are discarded without being viewed. Area information acquired by sensors can also be used for purposes other than crime prevention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) A system for forming information about a region includes a control unit connected to a sensor that acquires environmental information, and the control unit generates an environmental index for the detection region in which the sensor is located based on the environmental information. With this configuration, since the control unit generates the environmental index from the environmental information, the environment of the detection region in which the sensor is located can be understood by the environmental index.

[0006] (2) In the system of (1) above, the environmental information includes at least one of an image, an audio, and an odor. With this configuration, an environmental index can be generated based on at least one of an image, an audio, and an odor in a detection area.

[0007] (3) The system according to (1) or (2) above further includes the sensor and a server connected to the sensor via a network, and the control unit is included in at least one of the sensor and the server. With this configuration, since the control unit is included in at least one of the sensor and the server, the system can be simply configured by the sensor and the server.

[0008] (4) The system according to (3) above further includes a storage unit, and the control unit stores the environmental index in the storage unit so that the environmental index can be extracted for each detection time and each detection area when the environmental information was acquired. With this configuration, the environmental index can be grasped for each detection area and each detection area.

[0009] (5) In any one of the systems (1) to (4) above, the sensor includes at least one of a surveillance camera, an intercom, a mobile terminal, and a vehicle terminal. With this configuration, an environmental index can be generated based on environmental information acquired by at least one of the surveillance camera, the intercom, the mobile terminal, and the vehicle terminal.

[0010] (6) In any one of the systems (1) to (5) above, a user terminal that displays map information corresponding to the detected area is further provided, and the control unit is configured to display the generated environmental index on the map information. With this configuration, the environmental index for the detected area can be suitably provided to the user.

[0011] (7) In the system according to any one of (1) to (6) above, the control unit changes the generated environmental index in accordance with an attribute of the detected area. With this configuration, an environmental index in accordance with the attribute of the detected area can be generated.

[0012] (8) In the system according to any one of (1) to (7) above, the control unit determines an evaluation level for the detected area based on the magnitude of the environmental index, and the evaluation level has a plurality of stages. With this configuration, the evaluation level for the detected area can be appropriately determined.

[0013] (9) In any one of the systems (1) to (8) above, the control unit has a route derivation function that derives a route from a first point to a second point, and in the route derivation function, derives a first route from the first point to the second point after passing through the predetermined detection area, and a second route from the first point to the second point without passing through the predetermined detection area. With this configuration, when moving from the first point to the second point, it is possible to derive a first route that passes through the predetermined detection area and a second route that does not pass through the predetermined detection area.

[0014] (10) In the system of (9) above, the control unit has a route selection function for selecting a recommended route from the routes derived by the route derivation function, and the route selection function selects one of the first route and the second route based on the environmental index. With this configuration, a more suitable route can be selected from the first route and the second route based on the environmental index of the detected area.

[0015] (11) A program for generating information about a region, the program causing a computer to acquire environmental information from a sensor that acquires the environmental information, and generating an environmental index for the detection region in which the sensor is placed based on the environmental information. With this configuration, since the environmental index is generated from the environmental information, the environment of the detection region in which the sensor is placed can be grasped by the environmental index. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The system and program can preferably grasp the environment of the detection area in which the sensor is placed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an area in which a system according to an embodiment is deployed; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of processing by the system. [Figure 4] 1 is an example of map information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a first modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] <Embodiment> A system 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0019] <System> As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the system 10 generates information about an area 1. Fig. 1 shows an urban area having houses, public facilities, commercial facilities, etc. as an example of the area 1. The area 1 may be an agricultural area having fields, a mountainous area, a river, a coast, etc., other than an urban area. The area 1 may be a combination of at least two of the urban area, agricultural area, mountainous area, river, coast, etc. The system 10 includes a sensor 20 and a server 30.

[0020] <Sensor> As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 20 is placed in the area 1 so as to acquire at least one of video and audio within the area 1. The sensor 20 is placed in a detection area 2. The detection area 2 is a part of the area 1. The detection area 2 is a range that includes the point in the area 1 where the sensor 20 is placed. The boundaries of the multiple detection areas 2 may be set near the midpoints between adjacent sensors 20. The multiple detection areas 2 may overlap with each other. When only one sensor 20 is placed in the area 1, the detection area 2 may coincide with the area 1.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the sensor 20 includes at least one of a surveillance camera 21 and an intercom 22. An example of the surveillance camera 21 is a security camera that is installed in a house, a public facility, a commercial facility, outdoors, etc. for crime prevention. The surveillance camera 21 may be a camera used for purposes other than crime prevention, such as a river surveillance camera, a coastal surveillance camera, a harbor surveillance camera, or a road surveillance camera. The surveillance camera 21 includes a camera and a microphone for capturing outdoor images. The intercom 22 of the sensor 20 is installed outdoors (for example, on the outer wall of the facility) for communication from inside the facility to the outside of the facility. The intercom 22 includes a microphone and a speaker facing the outdoors. The microphone and the speaker of the intercom 22 are configured to be able to communicate with the intercom 22 communication unit installed in the facility. The intercom 22 may also be an intercom with a camera that can check the caller outdoors by video during a call. The intercom with a camera includes a camera that is arranged to capture the outdoors. The camera of the intercom with a camera is arranged to be directed outdoors, similar to the microphone and the speaker. The intercom 22 is installed in, for example, a house, a public facility, or a commercial facility. The surveillance camera 21 and the intercom 22 can capture or record images of the surrounding area of ​​the detection area 2 in which the surveillance camera 21 and the intercom 22 are installed.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the sensor 20 acquires environmental information EI. The environmental information EI is information related to the environment of the detection area 2. In this embodiment, the environmental information EI includes at least one of video and audio. Each of the sensors 20 has at least one of a camera capable of acquiring video and a microphone capable of acquiring audio. For example, the camera is a camera provided in the surveillance camera 21 or a camera-equipped intercom. For example, the microphone is a microphone provided in the surveillance camera 21 or a microphone for calls provided in the intercom 22. The camera has an imaging element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor. The microphone has a microphone element such as a dynamic microphone or a condenser microphone.

[0023] The environmental information EI includes raw data acquired by the sensor 20. When the environmental information EI includes an image, the environmental information EI includes raw data before filter processing such as noise removal, brightness adjustment, contour emphasis, etc. When the environmental information EI includes an image, the raw data of the environmental information EI includes the brightness in the detection area 2.

[0024] When the environmental information EI includes audio, the environmental information EI includes raw data before processing such as echo cancellation, noise removal, gain amplification, contour emphasis, etc. When the environmental information EI includes audio, the raw data of the environmental information EI includes sound pressure in the detection area 2. The sound pressure corresponds to background noise in the detection area 2.

[0025] The surveillance cameras 21 may be configured to be driven individually for shooting, such as panning, tilting, and zooming. The surveillance cameras 21 may be driven by the server 30 so as to shoot a predetermined spot at a predetermined time period.

[0026] A typical intercom goes into talk mode when there is a visitor, but the intercom 22 may be configured to acquire environmental information EI regardless of the talk mode. For example, the intercom 22 may always drive a microphone to acquire environmental information EI. For example, the intercom 22 may drive a microphone during a predetermined time period to acquire environmental information EI. The predetermined time period may be set by the server 30, for example.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 20 communicates with devices different from the sensor 20 via a network NT. The network NT is, for example, the Internet. The devices different from the sensor 20 include a server 30. The sensor 20 may be connected, for example, by wire to an external server different from the server 30 that can be connected to the network NT. The external server is, for example, a local server arranged in the vicinity of the point where the sensor 20 is installed so as to accumulate images from security cameras or the like for crime prevention, or a cloud server accessible via the Internet. For example, the surveillance camera 21 is configured to transmit captured images to an external server for crime prevention accumulation, as the intended use of the surveillance camera 21.

[0028] 3, the environmental information EI acquired by the sensor 20 is transmitted to the server 30. The environmental information EI acquired by the sensor 20 may be temporarily stored in an external server and then transmitted from the external server to the server 30 via the network NT. The environmental information EI acquired by the sensor 20 may be continuously transmitted to the server 30, or the environmental information EI for a predetermined time period may be intermittently transmitted to the server 30.

[0029] The sensor 20 may have a storage unit capable of storing the acquired environmental information EI. The sensor 20 may be connected to a network NT so as to communicate directly with the server 30 through a LAN such as Wi-Fi or through cellular communication.

[0030] When transmitting the environmental information EI to the server 30, the sensor 20 transmits the position information PI together with the environmental information EI. The position information PI is information corresponding to an address or coordinates of the detection area 2 of the sensor 20. The position information PI is assigned to each of the multiple sensors 20 so that the server 30 can identify which of the multiple sensors 20 transmitted the environmental information EI. When transmitting the environmental information EI to the server 30, the sensor 20 may transmit unique identification information assigned to each of the sensors 20 instead of or together with the position information PI. The server 30 may determine the address or coordinates of the detection area 2 of the sensor 20 from the unique identification information.

[0031] <Server> 2 is, for example, one or more server devices. The server 30 may be located in any of the detection areas 2, or may be located in a location different from the detection area 2. The server 30 is, for example, a cloud server accessible via the Internet.

[0032] The server 30 is connected to the sensor 20 via a network NT. The server 30 includes, for example, a communication unit 31 that is connected to the network NT. The communication unit 31 is connected to the network NT via, for example, a LAN. Environmental information EI acquired by the sensor 20 is input to the server 30 via the network NT.

[0033] The system 10 includes a control unit 32. The control unit 32 includes a calculation processing unit that executes a predetermined control program and control processing. The calculation processing unit includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 32 may include one or more microcomputers. The control unit 32 may include multiple calculation processing devices that are separately arranged in multiple locations. The control unit 32 is included in at least one of the sensor 20 and the server 30. The control unit 32 in this embodiment is included in the server 30.

[0034] The system 10 further includes a storage unit 33. The storage unit 33 includes, for example, at least one of a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory includes, for example, at least one of a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and a flash memory. The volatile memory includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM). The storage unit 33 is included in the server 30.

[0035] 1 to 3, the control unit 32 is connected to the sensor 20. The control unit 32 generates an environmental index EP for the detection area 2 based on the environmental information EI. The control unit 32 generates an environmental index EP for the detection area 2 based on the environmental information EI transmitted from the sensor 20. The environmental index EP may be an index related only to the range photographed by the surveillance camera 21, or may be an index related to the periphery of the detection area 2. In this embodiment, the environmental index EP is an index related to the periphery of the detection area 2.

[0036] The control unit 32 generates an index of the environmental index EP from at least one of the luminance and the sound pressure in the environmental information EI. The environmental index EP includes at least one index of brightness, public safety, sunlight, visibility of the night sky, loudness, quietness, and nighttime silence.

[0037] The control unit 32 generates at least one index of brightness, public safety, sunlight, and visibility of the night sky based on the brightness of the environmental index EP of the detected area 2. When generating the brightness of the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher brightness index as the brightness of the detected area 2 increases. The higher the brightness index, the brighter the detected area 2 is.

[0038] When generating the public safety index of the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher public safety index as the luminance of the detected area 2 increases. The higher the public safety index, the better the public safety of the detected area 2.

[0039] When generating the sunlight of the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher sunlight index as the luminance of the detected area 2 during the daytime increases. The higher the sunlight index, the more sunlight the detected area 2 receives.

[0040] When generating the night sky visibility of the environment index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher night sky visibility index as the luminance of the detected area 2 at night is lower. The higher the night sky visibility index, the more beautiful the night sky in the detected area 2 appears.

[0041] The control unit 32 generates at least one of loudness, quietness, and nighttime quietness based on the sound pressure of the environmental index EP of the detection area 2. When generating the loudness of the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher loudness index the higher the sound pressure of the detection area 2. The higher the loudness index, the noisier the detection area 2 is.

[0042] When generating the quietness of the environment index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher quietness index the lower the sound pressure in the detected area 2. The higher the quietness index, the quieter the detected area 2 is.

[0043] When generating the nighttime quietness of the environment index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher nighttime quietness index the lower the sound pressure at night in the detected area 2. The higher the nighttime quietness index, the quieter the detected area 2 is.

[0044] The control unit 32 normalizes the environmental information EI to suppress variations in the environmental information EI depending on the sensor 20 that acquired the environmental information EI. Variations in the environmental information EI occur due to differences in the models of the sensors 20, individual differences between sensors 20 of the same model, aging of the sensors 20, the environment in which the sensors 20 are placed, etc. Normalizing the environmental information EI makes it possible to compare the environmental indexes EP in each of the detection areas 2.

[0045] For example, if the luminance acquired by a specific sensor 20 tends to be lower than the luminance acquired by other sensors 20, the control unit 32 normalizes the luminance of the specific sensor 20 or the other sensors 20 by multiplying them by a constant. The difference in luminance acquired by the specific sensor 20 and the other sensors 20 can be obtained, for example, by comparing images of the same subject captured from the same distance. In the same manner as the normalization of luminance, the control unit 32 normalizes the sound pressure in the environmental information EI according to the sensor 20 that acquired the environmental information EI.

[0046] The environmental information EI may be normalized according to the weather in the detection area 2. For example, the control unit 32 may multiply the luminance of the sensor 20 by a constant when the amount of light is low due to cloudy weather, rain, or the like, or when the amount of light is high due to fine weather. The environmental information EI may be normalized by a method other than constant multiplication.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 32 generates an environment index EP at a detection time DT based on the environment information EI. The detection time DT is, for example, daytime, nighttime, morning, evening, early morning, late night, etc. The predetermined detection time DT may be different for each generated environment index EP. In Fig. 3, daytime and nighttime are shown as examples of the detection time DT.

[0048] The control unit 32 calculates an average value of at least one of the luminance and the sound pressure from the environmental information EI over a predetermined time period of a predetermined detection time DT. The control unit 32 generates an environmental index EP from the calculated average value of the environmental information EI. The predetermined time period is set according to the environmental index EP. For example, when generating a sunshine index from the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 calculates an average value of the luminance in a predetermined time period from 10:00 to 16:00 in the daytime. For example, when generating a nighttime security index from the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 calculates an average value of the luminance in a predetermined time period from 19:00 to 24:00 in the nighttime. For example, when calculating an index of the visibility of the night sky from the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 calculates an average value of the luminance in a predetermined time period from 21:00 at night to 3:00 a.m. the next day.

[0049] Attributes are set for the detected area 2. Multiple attributes may be set for one detected area 2. The attributes of the detected area 2 include at least one of urban area, agricultural area, mountain area, river, and coast. The attributes of the detected area 2 are registered in the system 10 in advance. The attributes of the detected area 2 are stored in, for example, the memory unit 33. The control unit 32 determines the attributes of the detected area 2 from the position information PI.

[0050] The control unit 32 changes the generated environmental index EP according to the attributes of the detected area 2. The environmental index EP according to the attributes of the detected area 2 includes at least one index of brightness, public safety, sunlight, visibility of the night sky, noisiness, quietness, and nighttime silence.

[0051] For example, when the attribute of the detected area 2 includes an urban area, the control unit 32 generates at least one index of daytime security, nighttime security, sunlight, daytime noisiness, and nighttime noisiness, which is an index of the livability (living environment) of the urban area, from among the environmental indices EP of the detected area 2. At least one index of daytime security, nighttime security, sunlight, daytime noisiness, and nighttime noisiness can provide the user with information to determine whether the detected area 2 is suitable as a location for a residence, an office, or the like.

[0052] For example, when the attributes of the detected area 2 include an agricultural area, the control unit 32 generates sunlight that is an index of crop growth among the environmental indicators EP of the detected area 2. The sunlight can provide the user with information to determine whether the detected area 2 is suitable as an agricultural area or what crops are suitable for growth.

[0053] For example, if the attributes of the detected area 2 include a mountainous area, a river, or a coast, the control unit 32 generates at least one of the visibility of the night sky and the quietness at night among the environmental indices EP for the detected area 2. The visibility of the night sky and the quietness at night allow the user to know whether the detected area 2 is suitable for outdoor activities such as stargazing.

[0054] The control unit 32 determines the evaluation level EL for the detection area 2 based on the magnitude of the environmental index EP. The evaluation level EL has a number of stages corresponding to the magnitude of the environmental index EP. The control unit 32 determines that the evaluation level EL is higher as the environmental index EP is larger, and determines that the evaluation level EL is lower as the environmental index EP is smaller. In this embodiment, the evaluation level EL has five stages from 1 to 5. The number of stages may be four or less, or six or more.

[0055] The control unit 32 stores the environmental indicators EP in the memory unit 33 so that the environmental indicators EP can be extracted for each detection time DT at which the environmental information EI was acquired and for each detection area 2. The memory unit 33 stores the environmental indicators EP generated by the control unit 32 so as to correspond to the detection time DT and the detection area 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the memory unit 33 stores the environmental indicators EP corresponding to the detection time DT, for example, for each area.

[0056] The control unit 32 may store the environmental information EI itself transmitted from the sensor 20 to the server 30 in the storage unit 33. The control unit 32 may perform filtering or the like on the raw data of the environmental information EI before storing it in the storage unit 33. By storing the environmental information EI in the storage unit 33, an environmental indicator EP for the detected area 2 can be generated later as needed, so that a new environmental indicator EP can be generated even if an attribute of the detected area 2 is changed or added.

[0057] Tables 1 and 2 are examples of environmental indicators EP stored in the memory unit 33. Table 1 shows the evaluation levels EL of the environmental indicators EP when the attribute of the detected area 2 is an urban area. The control unit 32 may determine an overall evaluation of each detected area 2 from the evaluation levels EL of each environmental indicator EP. The overall evaluation is calculated as a weighted average of the evaluation levels EL of the environmental indicators EP. The overall evaluation is set according to the attributes of the detected area 2. When the attribute of the detected area 2 is an urban area, the overall evaluation is livability.

[0058] [Table 1]

[0059] Table 2 shows the evaluation level EL of the environmental indicator EP when the attribute of the detected area 2 is mountainous area, river, or coast. When the attribute of the detected area 2 is mountainous area, river, or coast, the overall evaluation is the ease of relaxation in outdoor activities.

[0060] [Table 2]

[0061] <User device> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the system 10 further includes a user terminal 40. The user terminal 40 provides a user interface that displays the environmental index EP to a user. The user may be, for example, a local government, an administrative agency, a police agency, a real estate agent, a farmer, a travel agency, or an electronic map agent. The user may be a person who uses map data via the network NT. The control unit 32 transmits the environmental index EP corresponding to the detection time DT and the detection area 2 to the user terminal 40.

[0062] The user terminal 40 is, for example, an information processing device having a CPU or an MPU. An example of the user terminal 40 is a personal computer. The user terminal 40 may be a terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet computer. The user terminal 40 may be composed of two or more terminals. The user terminal 40 may be configured to be able to control the system 10 by a user operation.

[0063] The user terminal 40 is connected to the server 30 by wire or wirelessly. The user terminal 40 may be connected to the server 30 via a network, for example, a wireless WAN such as LTE, or may be connected to the server 30 via a network, such as a LAN. The system 10 may include a plurality of user terminals 40. Each of the plurality of user terminals 40 is connected to the server 30.

[0064] The user terminal 40 has a display unit 41. The display unit 41 is, for example, a display. The control unit 32 causes the display unit 41 to display the environmental indicators EP stored in the storage unit 33. The control unit 32 may cause the environmental indicators EP stored in the storage unit 33 to be displayed for each detection time DT and detection area 2 in a tabular format such as Table 1 and Table 2.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, the user terminal 40 displays map information MI corresponding to the detected area 2. Fig. 4 shows an example of the map information MI. The map information MI is displayed on the display unit 41 of the user terminal 40. The map information MI displays one or more detected areas 2 selected by the user from among the multiple detected areas 2. The detected areas 2 displayed in the map information MI are configured to be selectable by the user via the user terminal 40, for example.

[0066] <System function 1: Presentation of environmental indicators> 2 and 4, the control unit 32 is configured to display the generated environmental index EP on the map information MI. The control unit 32 is configured to display the evaluation level EL of the environmental index EP on the map information MI. The control unit 32 displays the environmental index EP on the map information MI by coloring the corresponding detected area 2 based on the evaluation level EL of the environmental index EP of the detected area 2. The control unit 32 may display the generated environmental index EP in the vicinity of the corresponding detected area 2 in the map information MI using tables such as Table 1 and Table 2.

[0067] The color in which the detected area 2 is displayed is set according to the stage of the evaluation level EL. In the example of Fig. 4, when the environmental index EP is a security index, map information MI is illustrated which is colored based on the security index. A detected area 2 with a low security index is displayed with dark hatching, and a detected area 2 with a high security index is displayed with light hatching. The environmental index EP displayed on the map information MI is selected by the user.

[0068] The evaluation level EL of the environmental index EP displayed in the map information MI is an evaluation level EL determined based on, for example, the average value of the environmental index EP in a predetermined detection period. The predetermined detection period is, for example, a period of about one month. By determining the evaluation level EL based on the average value of the environmental index EP in the predetermined detection period, it is possible to suppress variation in the environmental index EP due to weather, construction work, etc. The memory unit 33 may store the environmental index EP for each predetermined detection period. By storing the environmental index EP for each predetermined detection period, the user can understand the environment in the past detection area 2.

[0069] <System function 2: Route suggestions based on environmental indicators> As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the control unit 32 has a route derivation function 34. The route derivation function 34 derives a route from a first point A1 to a second point A2 selected by a user on map information MI. For example, a list of points displayed on the map information MI may be displayed on the display unit 41. The user is configured to be able to select the first point A1 and the second point A2 from the list of points displayed on the map information MI. Alternatively, the user may select the first point A1 and the second point A2 by clicking or touching a predetermined point of the map information MI on the display unit 41. For example, by setting a predetermined area, the route derivation function 34 derives a route that passes through the predetermined area and a route that does not pass through the predetermined area.

[0070] The control unit 32 derives a first route R1 and a second route R2 in the route derivation function 34. The first route R1 reaches the second point A2 after passing through a predetermined detection area 2 from the first point A1. The second route R2 reaches the second point A2 from the first point A1 without passing through the predetermined detection area 2. In the example of FIG. 4, the first route R1 is displayed by a dashed line, and the second route R2 is displayed by a dashed line.

[0071] The first route R1 is, for example, the shortest route from the first point A1 to the second point A2. The second route R2 is the shortest route from the first point A1 to the second point A2 that does not pass through a predetermined detection area 2. The predetermined detection area 2 is, for example, a detection area 2 in which a predetermined environmental index EP is low. In the example of FIG. 4, the predetermined environmental index EP is a security index. The predetermined environmental index EP may be an environmental index EP other than a security index.

[0072] The control unit 32 has a route selection function 35 that selects a recommended route from the routes derived by the route derivation function 34. The control unit 32 selects one of the first route R1 and the second route R2 based on the environmental index EP in the route selection function 35. In the route selection function 35, for example, the second route R2 that does not pass through the detection area 2 where a predetermined environmental index EP is low from the first route R1 and the second route R2 is selected. The control unit 32 proposes to the user the first route R1 and the second route R2 derived by the route derivation function 34 and one of the first route R1 and the second route R2 selected by the route selection function 35. The one of the first route R1 and the second route R2 selected by the route selection function 35 is a route that the control unit 32 recommends to the user.

[0073] The control unit 32 may preferentially derive, select, and present to the user a route that passes only through detection areas 2 where the evaluation level EL related to a predetermined environmental index EP is at or above a predetermined level (e.g., level 3 or higher) using the route deriving function 34 and the route selecting function 35. In other words, the control unit 32 may derive, select, and present to the user only a route that does not pass through detection areas 2 where the evaluation level EL related to a predetermined environmental index EP is below a predetermined level (e.g., below level 3) using the route deriving function 34 and the route selecting function 35.

[0074] <System function 3: Generation of regional information based on environmental indicators> 2 and 3, the control unit 32 generates regional information RI based on the environmental index EP in accordance with the attributes of the user. The regional information RI generated by the control unit 32 is output to the user via the user terminal 40. The regional information RI generated by the control unit 32 may also be output directly to the user by email or the like. The regional information RI is a characteristic of the region 1 determined from the environmental index EP.

[0075] The user attributes include at least one of a local government, an administrative agency, a police agency, a real estate agent, a farmer, and a travel agency. The user attributes are registered in the system 10 for each user terminal 40. The storage unit 33 stores the attributes of the user who uses each user terminal 40. When the user terminal 40 is connected to the server 30, the control unit 32 transmits to the user terminal 40 regional information RI according to the attributes of the user who uses the user terminal 40.

[0076] <Local governments and government agencies> When the user's attribute is a local government or administrative agency, the control unit 32 operates as follows. The control unit 32 generates area information RI related to security lights and street lights in area 1 from the nighttime security index among the environmental indexes EP. Detected area 2, which has a low nighttime security index, is dark at night, so residents tend to feel uneasy. Also, if the nighttime security index suddenly becomes low, there is a possibility that a malfunction has occurred in the installed security lights and street lights.

[0077] The control unit 32 generates area information RI on locations where new installation or repair of security lights and street lights is required from the detected area 2 with a low index of security at night. The control unit 32 outputs the area information RI on locations where new installation or repair of security lights and street lights is required to the user's local government or administrative agency.

[0078] <Police Agency> When the user's attribute is a police agency, the control unit 32 operates as follows. The control unit 32 generates regional information RI on locations with high priority for patrol patrol from the security index of the environmental index EP. From the security index, it is possible to determine locations with high priority for patrol patrol during both daytime and nighttime. The control unit 32 outputs the regional information RI on locations with high priority for patrol patrol to the user's police agency.

[0079] <Real estate agent> When the user's attribute is a real estate agent, the control unit 32 operates as follows. The control unit 32 generates regional information RI on the livability of the detected area 2 from at least one index of public safety, sunlight, and noisiness among the environmental indexes EP. The control unit 32 may generate regional information RI on the livability of the surroundings of a specific property based on the address of the specific property input by the user's real estate agent. The control unit 32 outputs the regional information RI on the livability of the detected area 2 to the user's real estate agent.

[0080] <Farmer> When the user's attribute is a farmer, the control unit 32 operates as follows. The control unit 32 generates regional information RI related to agriculture in the detected area 2 from a sunlight index among the environmental indexes EP. The control unit 32 determines farmland suitable for agriculture from sunlight in the detected area 2. The control unit 32 may generate regional information RI related to agriculture according to the type of crop or livestock. The control unit 32 may generate regional information RI related to agriculture from a sunlight index for each season. The control unit 32 outputs the regional information RI related to agriculture to the user's farmer.

[0081] <Travel agency> When the user's attribute is a travel agent, the control unit 32 operates as follows. The control unit 32 generates regional information RI related to outdoor activities in the detected region 2 from the indicators of night sky visibility and nighttime quietness among the environmental indicators EP. The control unit 32 determines recreational sites suitable for outdoor activities such as camping and stargazing from the night sky visibility and nighttime quietness in the detected region 2. The control unit 32 outputs the regional information RI related to outdoor activities to the user's travel agent. The user who receives the regional information RI related to outdoor activities may be a local government official in charge of tourism in the region 1.

[0082] The operation of this embodiment will now be described. In order to generate the environmental index EP of the detected area 2 from the environmental information EI of the sensor 20, the control unit 32 can generate the environmental index EP including information about the vicinity of the sensor 20. Since the environmental index EP is calculated as an average value of the environmental information EI during a predetermined time period around the detected area 2, the user can obtain information about the detected area 2 without continuously watching the video or listening to the audio acquired by the sensor 20. Since the system 10 outputs the area information RI generated from the environmental index EP so that each user can easily handle the environmental index EP, the user can efficiently use the environmental index EP for the output information about the detected area 2. The system 10 makes it possible to efficiently obtain information about a wider range of the area 1 than by directly looking at or listening to the environmental information EI acquired by the sensor 20.

[0083] The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The system 10 includes a control unit 32 connected to a sensor 20 that acquires environmental information EI. The control unit 32 generates an environmental index EP for the detection area 2 in which the sensor 20 is placed, based on the environmental information EI. With this configuration, the control unit 32 generates the environmental index EP from the environmental information EI, so that the environment of the detection area 2 in which the sensor 20 is placed can be understood from the environmental index EP.

[0084] (2) The environmental information EI includes at least one of an image and an audio. According to this configuration, the environmental indicator EP can be generated based on at least one of an image and an audio in the detection area 2.

[0085] (3) The system 10 further includes a sensor 20 and a server 30. The control unit 32 is included in at least one of the sensor 20 and the server 30. According to this configuration, since the control unit 32 is included in at least one of the sensor 20 and the server 30, the system 10 can be simply configured by the sensor 20 and the server 30.

[0086] (4) The system 10 further includes a storage unit 33. The control unit 32 stores the environmental indicators EP in the storage unit 33 so that the environmental indicators EP can be extracted for each detection time DT at which the environmental information EI was acquired and for each detection area 2. According to this configuration, the environmental indicators EP can be grasped for the detection area 2 and each detection area 2.

[0087] (5) The sensor 20 includes at least one of a surveillance camera 21 and an intercom 22. According to this configuration, the environmental index EP can be generated by utilizing existing surveillance cameras 21 installed throughout the town for crime prevention purposes and existing intercoms 22 installed in facilities throughout the town for communication purposes, without the need to install sensors 20 throughout the town just to generate the environmental index EP.

[0088] (6) The system 10 further includes a user terminal 40. The control unit 32 is configured to display the generated environmental index EP on the map information MI. With this configuration, the environmental index EP for the detected area 2 can be suitably provided to the user.

[0089] (7) The control unit 32 changes the generated environmental index EP in accordance with the attributes of the detected area 2. According to this configuration, the environmental index EP in accordance with the attributes of the detected area 2 can be generated.

[0090] (8) The control unit 32 determines the evaluation level EL for the detected area 2 based on the magnitude of the environmental index EP. The evaluation level EL has a plurality of stages. With this configuration, the evaluation level EL for the detected area 2 can be appropriately determined.

[0091] (9) The control unit 32 has a route derivation function 34. In the route derivation function 34, the control unit 32 derives a first route R1 that passes from the first point A1 to the second point A2 after passing through a predetermined detection area 2, and a second route R2 that passes from the first point A1 to the second point A2 without passing through the predetermined detection area 2. According to this configuration, when moving from the first point A1 to the second point A2, it is possible to select the first route R1 that passes through the predetermined detection area 2 and the second route R2 that does not pass through the predetermined detection area 2.

[0092] (10) The control unit 32 has a route selection function 35. The control unit 32 selects one of the first route R1 and the second route R2 based on the environmental index EP in the route selection function 35. With this configuration, it is possible to select a more suitable route from the first route R1 and the second route R2 based on the environmental index EP of the detected area 2.

[0093] <Modification> The above-described embodiment is an example of a form that the system can take, and is not intended to limit the form. The system can take a form different from the form exemplified in the above-described embodiment. Examples of such a form include a form in which a part of the configuration of the embodiment is replaced, changed, or omitted, or a form in which a new configuration is added to the embodiment. Modified examples of the embodiment are shown below.

[0094] The system 10 may be configured not to include the sensor 20. In this modification, the system 10 generates an environmental index EP from environmental information EI acquired by at least one of a surveillance camera and an intercom configured separately from the system 10.

[0095] The user terminal 40 does not have to be included in the system 10. The user terminal 40 may be configured separately from the system 10. The control unit 32 may display data on a display unit 41 of the user terminal 40 configured separately from the system 10.

[0096] 5, the control unit 32 may be included in the sensor 20. In this modification, the environmental index EP is transmitted from the sensor 20 to the server 30. In this modification, the sensor 20 has a memory unit 33. The server 30 may have the memory unit 33. The server 30 may have an additional control unit 36 ​​having a route derivation function 34 and a route selection function 35, and an additional memory unit 37 that stores the environmental index EP transmitted from the sensor 20. Since the data amount of the environmental index EP is smaller than the data amount of the environmental information EI, the system 10 of this modification can perform communication between the sensor 20 and the server 30 favorably.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 20 may include at least one of a surveillance camera 21, an intercom 22, a mobile terminal 23, and a vehicle terminal 24. The mobile terminal 23 is a terminal such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet computer. The mobile terminal 23 has a camera capable of capturing images of the surroundings of the detection area 2 and a microphone capable of collecting sounds of the surroundings of the detection area 2. An example of the vehicle terminal 24 is an in-vehicle camera. The vehicle terminal 24 may be a car navigation system including an in-vehicle camera. The mobile terminal 23 and the vehicle terminal 24 can be connected to the network NT through, for example, cellular communication such as LTE and 5G, and LAN communication such as Wi-Fi. The mobile terminal 23 and the vehicle terminal 24 are equipped with a satellite positioning system. Examples of the satellite positioning system include GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), and Galileo operated by Europe. The mobile terminal 23 and the vehicle terminal 24 acquire position information PI through the satellite positioning system.

[0098] The environmental information EI may include at least one of video, audio, and smell. If the environmental information EI includes smell, the sensor 20 may have an odor meter. If the environmental information EI includes smell, the environmental index EP includes smell. When generating the smell of the environmental index EP, the control unit 32 generates a higher odor index the stronger the smell in the detection area 2. The higher the odor index, the smellier the detection area 2 is.

[0099] The control unit 32 may combine two or more of the environmental indicators EP to generate an additional environmental indicator. The additional environmental indicator is calculated as a weighted average of the two or more environmental indicators EP to be combined. The additional environmental indicator includes, for example, the safety of the road at night. As shown in Table 3, the control unit 32 evaluates the safety of the road at night from the security indicator at night and the inverse indicator of noisiness at night. The inverse indicator of noisiness is an environmental indicator EP that is generated based on the noisiness index so that the larger the noisiness index is, the smaller the inverse indicator of noisiness is, and the smaller the noisiness index is, the larger the detection area 2 is. The higher the inverse indicator of noisiness is, the less noisy the detection area 2 is.

[0100] [Table 3]

[0101] The control unit 32 may derive three or more routes from the first point A1 to the second point A2 in the route derivation function 34. The control unit 32 may select one of the three or more routes based on the environmental index EP in the route selection function 35. In this modification, the control unit 32 may rank the three or more routes in order of recommendation in the route selection function 35, instead of selecting one of the three or more routes.

[0102] The control unit 32 may store reference data corresponding to the detected area 2 in the memory unit 33. The reference data is, for example, data corresponding to the detected area 2 from among open data such as disaster prevention information, crime occurrence information, and population. The reference data may be data related to weather such as average temperature and hours of sunshine. The control unit 32 of this modification may refer to the reference data when generating the environmental index EP. For example, when there is a lot of crime occurrence information in the detected area 2, the control unit 32 generates a low security index.

[0103] The technology according to the present disclosure may be configured by a program. The program generates information about the area 1. The program causes a computer to acquire the environmental information EI from a sensor 20 that acquires the environmental information EI. The program causes the computer to generate an environmental index EP for the detection area 2 in which the sensor 20 is placed, based on the environmental information EI. The program may cause the computer to determine an evaluation level EL for the detection area 2, based on the magnitude of the environmental index EP. The program may cause the computer to store the environmental index EP in the storage unit 33 so that the environmental index EP can be extracted for each detection time DT when the environmental information EI was acquired and for each detection area 2. According to this configuration, the environmental index EP is generated from the environmental information EI by the program, so that the environment of the detection area 2 in which the sensor 20 is placed can be understood by the environmental index EP. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] A1...first location, A2...second location, DT...detection time, EI...environmental information, EL...evaluation level, EP...environmental index, MI...map information, NT...network, R1...first route, R2...second route, 1...area, 2...detection area, 10...system, 20...sensor, 21...surveillance camera, 22...intercom, 23...mobile terminal, 24...vehicle terminal, 30...server, 32...control unit, 33...memory unit, 34...route derivation function, 35...route selection function, 40...user terminal.

Claims

1. A system for generating information about a region, comprising: A control unit is connected to a sensor that acquires environmental information, The control unit generates an environmental index for a detection area in which the sensor is placed based on the environmental information.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the environmental information includes at least one of video, audio, and smell.

3. The sensor; A server connected to the sensor via a network, The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is included in at least one of the sensor and the server.

4. Further comprising a storage unit, The system according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit stores the environmental index in the storage unit so that the environmental index can be extracted for each detection time and each detection area when the environmental information was acquired.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes at least one of a surveillance camera, an intercom, a mobile terminal, and a vehicle terminal.

6. a user terminal for displaying map information corresponding to the detected area; The system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to display the generated environmental index on the map information.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit changes the generated environmental index depending on an attribute of the detected area.

8. The control unit determines an evaluation level for the detection area based on the magnitude of the environmental index, The system of claim 1 , wherein the evaluation level has a plurality of stages.

9. The control unit is A route derivation function for deriving a route from a first point to a second point, 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the route derivation function derives a first route from the first point to the second point after passing through a predetermined detection area, and a second route from the first point to the second point without passing through the predetermined detection area.

10. The control unit is a route selection function for selecting a recommended route from the routes derived by the route derivation function; The system of claim 9 , wherein the route selection function selects one of the first route and the second route based on the environmental indicator.

11. A program for generating information about a region, On the computer, Acquiring environmental information from a sensor that acquires the environmental information; A program that generates an environmental index for a detection area in which the sensor is placed based on the environmental information.

Images