Imaging apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that an image stored in an imaging apparatus flows out.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus is used in visiting a patient at home, and has: first acquisition means that acquires an image of the patient at a visit destination and visit information before the visit; second acquisition means that acquires position information of the imaging apparatus; and control means that inhibits an access to the image of the patient after the completion of the visit on the basis of the visit information and the position information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for managing images stored in an imaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] In home medical care or house calls (out-of-hospital medical care), doctors sometimes bring a camera to the place they visit to take pictures of the patient or show the patient images of the affected area that they have taken in the past.

[0003] However, since it may not be possible to connect to the hospital's system and obtain patient information at the visit site, it is necessary to acquire the patient's past images and information on the camera while at the hospital before going out to visit.If unnecessary images (images of the affected area previously shown to the patient) remain on the camera after the visit, there is a risk that the images may be leaked if the camera is lost, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-244982 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, if the current location is outside the designated area, data is erased from memory, preventing the leakage of images. However, if the current location is outside the designated area, data is erased not only when leaving the designated area but also when approaching the designated area, which means that past images of places that have not yet been visited may also be deleted.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to realize a technology that reduces the possibility that images stored in an imaging device will be leaked. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an imaging device used when visiting a patient at home, which comprises a first acquisition means for acquiring images of the patient and visit information of the patient to be visited before the visit, a second acquisition means for acquiring location information of the imaging device, and a control means for controlling access to images of the patient after the visit has been completed based on the visit information and the location information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that images stored in an imaging device will be leaked. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration and a hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a usage pattern of the system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of visit information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating visit information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] In this embodiment, the imaging device of the present invention is applied to a digital camera, and in a system in which the digital camera is connected to a hospital server or the like via a network so that they can communicate with each other, a control process will be described for when a medical professional such as a doctor or nurse brings a digital camera with them when visiting a doctor or nurse to conduct medical examinations or house calls.

[0012] In this embodiment, during home medical care or house calls (hereinafter referred to as outpatient medical care), medical professionals may take photographs of patients or show them images of affected areas that they have previously taken.After the medical care is completed, the images remaining on the digital camera are deleted, thereby reducing the possibility of images stored on the digital camera being leaked if the digital camera is lost, for example.

[0013] Home medical care includes visiting medical services where medical professionals visit patients to examine them and monitor their progress, visiting nursing where nurses visit patients to provide care, and visiting rehabilitation services where physical therapists or occupational therapists visit patients.

[0014] The imaging device of this embodiment is not limited to a digital camera, but may also be a portable communication terminal or information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer that has a camera function and a communication function.

[0015] First, the configuration of the system and device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0016] In the system of this embodiment, a digital camera (hereinafter referred to as camera) 101 and a server 130 are connected to a network 120 so as to be capable of wireless or wired communication. The system is not limited to a single camera 101, and may include multiple cameras.

[0017] When connecting via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), the camera 101 connects to the network 120 via an access point installed in an examination room, a hospital room, a photography studio, etc. When connecting via wired communication such as USB, the camera 101 connects to the network 120 via a PC (not shown) installed in an examination room, a hospital room, a photography studio, etc.

[0018] The camera 101 captures an image of a subject and generates image data. The network 120 constitutes a communication path such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a mobile line that communicably connects the camera 101 and server 130 that constitute the system. The communication method may be wireless or wired.

[0019] The server 130 is a server within the hospital or a cloud server (hereinafter referred to as the in-hospital server), and can be accessed by medical professionals via the network 120 as needed. The in-hospital server 130 stores patient information and doctor information. The patient information includes the patient's name, medical department, age, sex, medical history, and past medical history. In this embodiment, the patient information is information used during outpatient care, and includes at least the order of visits, the patient's name, patient location information, address, and visit status, which will be described later in FIG. 3.

[0020] Next, the configuration and functions of the camera 101 of this embodiment will be described.

[0021] The imaging unit 102 has an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS that converts a subject image into an electrical signal, and an A / D converter that converts an analog image signal output from the image sensor into a digital signal. Under the control of the control unit 103, the imaging unit 102 converts the subject image formed by the lens into an electrical signal using the image sensor, performs noise reduction processing, etc., and outputs image data consisting of a digital signal.

[0022] The control unit 103 is a processor (CPU or MPU) that controls the entire camera 101, and controls each component of the camera 101 by executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 104. Note that instead of the control unit 103 controlling the entire device, the entire device may be controlled by having multiple pieces of hardware share the processing.

[0023] The nonvolatile memory 104 is a ROM, and is used as a storage area for storing constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the control unit 103. The programs are programs for executing the control processing described below.

[0024] The volatile memory 105 is a RAM, and is used as a working area for expanding constants and variables for the operation of the control unit 103, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 104, etc. The volatile memory 105 is also used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data captured by the imaging unit 102, etc.

[0025] The display unit 106 displays image data (live view) captured by the imaging unit 102, image data read from the recording medium 114, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for interactive operations. The display unit 106 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0026] The image processing unit 107 performs various types of image processing on the image data output from the imaging unit 102. The image processing unit 107 generates image files by compressing and encoding the processed still image data in JPEG format or the like, or by encoding the moving image data in a moving image compression format such as MP4 format, and records the generated image files on the recording medium 114. The image processing unit 107 also decodes still image files read from the recording medium 114, or decodes moving image files read from the recording medium 114.

[0027] Furthermore, the control unit 103 performs AE processing and AF processing by controlling the imaging unit 102 based on the results of predetermined calculation processing using the image data that has been subjected to image processing.

[0028] The image processing unit 107 may be configured by a dedicated circuit block (GPU (Graphical Processing Unit)) for executing specific image processing.

[0029] The file generation unit 108 generates image files by compressing and encoding the processed still image data in a JPEG format or the like, or by encoding the moving image data in a moving image compression format such as the MP4 format, and records the image files on the recording medium 114. The file generation unit 108 also decodes still image files read from the recording medium 114, or decodes moving image files read from the recording medium 114.

[0030] The input unit 109 is an operating member such as a switch, button, or touch panel that accepts various operations from the user and notifies the control unit 103. The input unit 109 includes at least a still image capture button, a video capture button, a mode dial, a playback button, and a power switch. The still image capture button is an operating member for instructing the control unit 103 to capture a still image. The video capture button is an operating member for instructing the control unit 103 to capture a video. The mode dial is an operating member for switching the operation mode of the camera 101. The mode dial can switch the operation mode of the camera 101 between still image capture mode, video capture mode, and playback mode. The playback button is an operating member for switching between the shooting mode and playback mode. Pressing the playback button during shooting mode switches to playback mode, and the most recent image recorded on the recording medium 114 can be displayed on the display unit 106. The power switch is an operating member for switching the power of the camera 101 on and off.

[0031] The recording medium interface (I / F) 110 allows a recording medium 114 such as a memory card or hard disk to be attached or detached, and makes it possible to write image data such as videos and still images taken by the camera 101 to the recording medium 114 and to read image data stored on the recording medium 114.

[0032] The communication interface (I / F) 111 is connectable to an external device via a network 120 for wired or wireless communication. The camera 101 is connected to an in-hospital server 130 via the network 120 by the communication I / F 111 so as to be able to communicate with the in-hospital server 130.

[0033] The position detection unit 112 is a GPS receiver that receives GPS (Global Positioning System) signals and the like to detect position information of the camera 101. Note that in environments where it is difficult to receive GPS signals, such as indoors, as alternative measures, position information may be detected by, for example, beacon positioning using Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi positioning using the radio wave strength of a Wi-Fi access point, Ultra Wide Band (UWB) positioning using an ultra-wideband frequency bandwidth, or geomagnetic positioning using the magnetism (geomagnetism) emitted by the Earth.

[0034] The system bus 113 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus that connect the components of the camera 101 together.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the flow of outpatient medical treatment using the camera 101 of this embodiment.

[0036] In the first step 201, before visiting a patient's home, the medical staff accesses the hospital server 130 to obtain past images of the patient and a visit information list, and stores them in the camera 101. Details of the visit information list will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0037] In the second step 202, a medical professional goes to a visitor's destination A with the camera 101 in hand.

[0038] In a third stage 203, when a medical professional visits Patient A, past images of Patient A can be displayed on the camera 101.

[0039] In a fourth step 204, the medical staff goes to the visit B with the camera 101 in hand.

[0040] In a fifth step 205, when the medical staff visits the destination B, the past images of the patient A cannot be displayed on the camera 101. For example, the past images of the patient A are encrypted.

[0041] The above process reduces the possibility of past images of patient A stored in camera 101 being leaked, for example, if a medical professional visits destination B carrying camera 101 and then loses camera 101.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows an example of a visit information list acquired from the in-hospital server 130 of this embodiment. Note that the visit information list is not limited to the example of Fig. 3, and the number of records (rows) and columns (columns) and item contents of the visit information list can be set arbitrarily.

[0043] The visit information includes a sequence 301 , a name 302 , location information 303 , an address 304 and a status 305 .

[0044] Order 301 indicates the order in which patients are visited. Name 302 indicates the name of the patient being visited. Location information 303 indicates the latitude and longitude of the destination. Address 304 indicates the address of the destination. Status 305 indicates the status of the destination. In this embodiment, three statuses, "before visiting," "visiting," and "visited," are shown as examples, but other character strings, numbers, symbols, etc. may also be used.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the camera 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0046] In the first embodiment, an example of processing that uses the location information and status included in the visit information list shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

[0047] The processing in Fig. 4 is realized by the control unit 103 of the camera 101 executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 104 and controlling each component of the camera 101. The processing in Fig. 4 is started when the camera 101 is connected to the hospital server 130 via the network 120. The same applies to Fig. 6, which will be described later.

[0048] In step S401, the control unit 103 acquires past images of the patient at the visit destination and a visit information list from the hospital server 130, and stores them in the non-volatile memory 104 or the recording medium 114. The past images of the patient and the visit information are associated and managed by the hospital server 130. For example, in addition to the patient information in the visit information, the hospital server 130 also manages the patient ID and the like, and the past images of the patient and the visit information are associated by the patient ID.

[0049] In step S402, the control unit 103 sets the status 305 of all visited destinations included in the visit information list to "before visiting."

[0050] In step S403, the control unit 103 starts a repeated process (loop process) at the destination.

[0051] In step S404, the control unit 103 starts up the camera 101 in response to an operation of the power button included in the input unit 109. Starting up the camera 101 multiple times at the visited location does not affect the processing. It goes without saying that, in addition to operating the power button, if the camera 101 is in a sleep state, for example, the camera 101 can be started up by any operation of the input unit 109.

[0052] In step S405 , the control unit 103 acquires the current position information of the camera 101 from the position detection unit 112 .

[0053] In step S406, the control unit 103 compares the current location information acquired in step S405 with all of the location information 303 included in the visit information list acquired in step S401, and searches for a destination whose location information matches the current location information. If the control unit 103 finds a destination whose location information matches the current location information, the control unit 103 proceeds to step S407, and if the control unit 103 does not find a destination whose location information matches the current location information, the control unit 103 does nothing. Note that step S406 may be performed not only when the current location information matches the location information of the destination, but also when a predetermined condition is met, such as when the location information of the destination is included within an area within a predetermined distance from the current location information (for example, an area with a radius of 10 m).

[0054] In step S407, the control unit 103 sets the status 305 of the destination found in step S406 to "visiting."

[0055] In step S408, the control unit 103 sets the status 305 of the destination that is earlier in the order 301 than the destination found in step S406 to "visited." For example, in the example of FIG. 3, if the patient currently being visited is Kamiya, the status 305 of Takada and Miyata, who are earlier in the order 301 than Kamiya, is set to "visited." By performing this processing, even if the patient at the destination is absent or there is a sudden cancellation, care of past images can be performed without omission in step S409, which will be described later. Note that, in the above-mentioned step S406, nothing is done if a destination whose current location information matches the location information of the destination is not found. However, it goes without saying that, for example, if there is a patient whose status 305 is set to "visiting," it may be determined that the patient has moved from the destination and the status 305 may be set to "visited."

[0056] In step S409, the control unit 103 deletes past images of visited destinations for which the status 305 is "visited." Note that, since it is only necessary to prohibit access to past images, methods other than deleting images, such as encrypting images or requiring authentication when accessing images, may also be used. Furthermore, methods such as encrypting images or requiring authentication when accessing images may also be applied to images newly taken at visited destinations.

[0057] In step S410, in response to an operation of the power button included in the input unit 109, the control unit 103 shuts down the camera 101. It goes without saying that the processing of step S410 also includes a case where the camera 101 is automatically shut down (enters a sleep state) if the input unit 109 is not operated for a predetermined period of time.

[0058] In step S411, when the control unit 103 has completed visiting all the destinations included in the visit information list, the control unit 103 ends the loop and terminates the process. When the control unit 103 has completed visiting all the destinations, it goes without saying that, in order to take care of the images of the last patient visited, the control unit 103 deletes or encrypts the images stored in the camera 101, as in step S409 described above.

[0059] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the current location information of the camera 101 is compared with the location information of the visited destination in the visit information list to identify patients whose visits have been completed, and past images of patients whose visits have been completed are made inaccessible, thereby reducing the possibility of images stored in the camera 101 being leaked if the camera 101 is lost, for example.

[0060] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0061] In the first embodiment, an example of control using the current location information of the camera 101 and the status of the visit information list has been described. In the second embodiment, an example of control using only the location information included in the visit information list will be described.

[0062] The system configuration and device configuration of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the usage pattern is the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates a visit information list acquired from the hospital server 130 of this embodiment, and is similar to FIG. 3 except that the status 305 is not included.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the camera 101 according to the second embodiment.

[0065] In step S601, similar to step S401 in FIG. 4, the control unit 103 acquires past images and a visit information list of the patient at the visit destination from the hospital server 130, and stores them in the nonvolatile memory 104 or the recording medium 114.

[0066] In step S602, the control unit 103 provides an area in the nonvolatile memory 104 for storing the previous position information, and empties the area.

[0067] In step S603, repeated processing (loop processing) at the destination is started.

[0068] In step S604, similar to step S404 in Fig. 4, the control unit 103 starts up the camera 101 in response to the operation of the power button. Starting up the camera 101 multiple times at the visited location does not affect the processing. Operations other than those of the power button are as described in step S404 in Fig. 4.

[0069] In step S605, the control unit 103 acquires the current position information of the camera 101 from the position detection unit 112.

[0070] In step S606, the control unit 103 compares the current location information acquired in step S605 with the previous location information acquired immediately before the current location information, and determines whether the current location information and the previous location information have changed. If the current location information and the previous location information have not changed, the control unit 103 returns the process to step S604 and does nothing until the next startup of the camera 101. If the current location information and the previous location information have changed, the control unit 103 proceeds to step S607.

[0071] In step S607, the control unit 103 compares the previous location information with all location information included in the visit information list, and searches for a visited destination whose location information matches the previous location information. If the control unit 103 finds a visited destination whose location information matches the previous location information, the control unit 103 proceeds to step S608, and if the control unit 103 does not find a visited destination whose location information matches the previous location information, it does nothing. Note that in the first loop process, the previous location information is not saved, so no action is taken. Note that step S607 may be performed not only when the previous location information matches the location information of the visited destination, but also when a predetermined condition is met, such as when the location information of the visited destination is included within an area within a predetermined distance from the previous location information (for example, an area with a radius of 10 m).

[0072] In step S608, if the previous visit destination is found in step S607, the control unit 103 deletes the past images of the corresponding patient; if the previous visit destination is not found, no action is taken. If the previous visit destination is found, past images of visit destinations that precede the previous visit destination may be deleted. Alternatively, the currently visiting patient may be identified from current location information, and past images of visit destinations that precede the currently visiting patient may be deleted. By performing such processing, past images can be thoroughly managed even if the patient is absent from the visit destination or if a sudden cancellation occurs. Since it is sufficient to prohibit access to past images, methods other than deleting images, such as encrypting images or requiring authentication when accessing images, may also be used. Furthermore, the image encryption method and the method of requiring authentication when accessing images may also be applied to newly captured images at the visit destination.

[0073] In step S609, the control unit 103 updates the previous location information to the current location information in the nonvolatile memory 104. In the example of Fig. 2, when the camera 101 is started up during a visit to Miyata, the location information 303 of Takata that was saved as the previous location information is rewritten to the location information 303 of Miyata.

[0074] In step S610, in response to the operation of the power button, control unit 103 shuts down camera 101, similar to step S410 in Fig. 4. Note that the case where input unit 109 has not been operated for a predetermined period of time is as described in step S410 in Fig. 4.

[0075] In step S611, when the control unit 103 has completed visiting all the destinations included in the visit information list, it ends the loop and terminates the process. When the visits to all the destinations have been completed, it goes without saying that, in order to take care of the images of the last patient visited, the images stored in the camera 101 are deleted or encrypted, as in step S608 described above.

[0076] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the previous location information obtained immediately before the current location information of the camera 101 is compared with the location information of the visited destination in the visit information list to identify patients whose visits have been completed, and by making past images of patients whose visits have been completed inaccessible, it is possible to reduce the possibility of images stored in the camera 101 being leaked if the camera 101 is lost, for example.

[0077] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0078] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

[0079] The disclosure of this specification includes the following imaging device, control method, and program. [Configuration 1] 1. An imaging device for use during a patient visit at home, comprising: A first acquisition means for acquiring an image and visit information of a patient to be visited before the visit; a second acquisition means for acquiring position information of the imaging device; and a control means for controlling access to images of patients whose visits have been completed based on the visit information and the location information. [Configuration 2] 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the visit information includes patients at the visit destinations, the order of visits, location information of the visit destinations, and statuses of the visit destinations. [Configuration 3] 3. The imaging device according to configuration 2, wherein the control means sets the status of the destination to not yet visited, visiting, or visited based on the visit information and the location information. [Configuration 4] 4. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control means changes the status of all destinations in the visit information to "not visited" before visiting. [Configuration 5] the control means compares the current location information acquired by the second acquisition means with the location information of the destination; 5. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 2 to 4, wherein the status of a destination where the current location information and the location information of the destination satisfy a predetermined condition is set to "visited." [Configuration 6] The imaging device according to configuration 5, wherein the predetermined condition is that the current location information and the location information of the destination match or that the location information of the destination is included in an area within a predetermined distance from the current location information. [Configuration 7] 7. The imaging device according to configuration 6, wherein the control means sets the status of a destination that is earlier in the order of visitation than a destination currently being visited to "visited." [Configuration 8] 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the control means controls the imaging device so that images of patients at the destinations whose status is "visited" cannot be accessed. [Configuration 9] The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the control means prevents access to the image by deleting the image, encrypting the image, or requiring authentication when accessing the image. [Configuration 10] The imaging device according to configuration 9, wherein the method of encrypting the image and the method of requiring authentication when accessing the image are applied to images taken at a visiting location. [Configuration 11] 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the visit information includes information about patients to be visited, the order of visits, and location information about the visited patients. [Configuration 12] the control means compares the current location information acquired by the second acquisition means with previous location information acquired before the current location information; 12. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein the imaging device controls so that images of patients at a destination where the previous location information and the location information of the destination satisfy a predetermined condition cannot be accessed. [Configuration 13] The imaging device described in configuration 12, characterized in that the specified condition is that the previous location information and the location information of the destination match or that the location information of the destination is included in an area within a specified distance from the previous location information. [Configuration 14] The imaging device according to any one of configurations 11 to 13, wherein the control means prevents access to the image by deleting the image, encrypting the image, or requiring authentication when accessing the image. [Configuration 15] 15. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein the method of encrypting the image and the method of requiring authentication when accessing the image are applied to images taken at a visiting location. [Configuration 16] a communication means for communicating with an external device; 16. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15, wherein the first acquisition means acquires the visit information from the external device via the communication means before the visit. [Configuration 17] 17. The imaging device according to configuration 16, wherein the external device is an in-hospital server. [Configuration 18] a detection unit for detecting position information of the imaging device; 18. The imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 17, wherein the second acquisition means acquires location information detected by the detection means at a current visited destination. [Configuration 19] 1. A method for controlling an imaging device used when visiting a patient at home, comprising: acquiring images and visit information of the patient to be visited before the visit; acquiring location information of the imaging device; and controlling access to images of patients whose visits have been completed based on the visit information and the location information. [Configuration 20] A program for causing a computer to function as the imaging device according to any one of configurations 1 to 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 101...digital camera, 102...controller, 114...recording medium, 130...hospital server

Claims

1. 1. An imaging device for use during a patient visit at home, comprising: a first acquisition means for acquiring an image and visit information of a patient to be visited before the visit; a second acquisition means for acquiring position information of the imaging device; and a control means for controlling access to images of patients whose visits have been completed based on the visit information and the location information.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the visit information includes patients to be visited, the order of visits, location information of the visited patients, and statuses of the visited patients.

3. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control means sets the status of the destination to not yet visited, visiting, or visited based on the visit information and the location information.

4. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control means changes the status of all visited destinations in the visit information to "not visited" before visiting.

5. the control means compares the current location information acquired by the second acquisition means with the location information of the destination; 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the status of a destination is set to "visited" when the current location information and the location information of the destination satisfy a predetermined condition.

6. 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition is that the current location information and the location information of the destination coincide with each other or that the location information of the destination is included in an area within a predetermined distance from the current location information.

7. 7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the control means sets the status of a destination that is earlier in the order of visitation than a destination currently being visited to "visited."

8. 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the control means controls the access so that images of patients at the destinations whose status is "already visited" cannot be accessed.

9. 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means makes the image inaccessible by one of a method of deleting the image, a method of encrypting the image, and a method of requiring authentication when accessing the image.

10. The imaging device according to claim 9 , wherein the method of encrypting the image and the method of requiring authentication when accessing the image are applied to images taken at a visiting location.

11. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the visit information includes information about patients to be visited, the order of visits, and location information about the patients to be visited.

12. the control means compares the current location information acquired by the second acquisition means with previous location information acquired before the current location information; The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein the control is performed so that images of patients at a destination where the previous location information and the location information of the destination satisfy a predetermined condition cannot be accessed.

13. The imaging device according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined condition is that the previous location information and the location information of the destination coincide with each other or that the location information of the destination is included in an area within a predetermined distance from the previous location information.

14. 12. The imaging device according to claim 11, wherein the control means makes the image inaccessible by one of a method of deleting the image, a method of encrypting the image, and a method of requiring authentication when accessing the image.

15. The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein the method of encrypting the image and the method of requiring authentication when accessing the image are applied to images taken at a visiting location.

16. a communication means for communicating with an external device; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first acquisition means acquires the visit information from the external device via the communication means before the visit.

17. The imaging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the external device is an in-hospital server.

18. a detection unit for detecting position information of the imaging device; 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the second acquisition means acquires location information detected by the detection means at a currently visited destination.

19. 1. A method for controlling an imaging device used when visiting a patient at home, comprising: acquiring images and visit information of the patient to be visited before the visit; acquiring location information of the imaging device; and controlling access to images of patients whose visits have been completed based on the visit information and the location information.

20. A program for causing a computer to function as the imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Images