Information providing apparatus, information providing method, and program

Abstract

To facilitate the occurrence of a fact that an object to be monitored is damaged by an accident and the specification of a damaged part.SOLUTION: An information providing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image obtained by photographing a monitoring target object from an image storage unit configured to store the image for a predetermined period, an accident detection unit configured to detect occurrence of an accident that inflicts damage on the monitoring target object based on a change in the image, a first image selection unit configured to select an image including an image before the occurrence of the accident from the image storage unit when the occurrence of the accident is detected, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image selected by the first image selection unit and information of a place where the change in the monitoring target object is detected to a predetermined terminal when the occurrence of the accident is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an accident information providing method, and a program recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image monitoring device capable of advanced and efficient image monitoring. According to the document, this image monitoring device inputs video images of a monitored area captured by an external monitoring camera and records the video images as image information consisting of a predetermined number of still images, correlating them with the monitoring camera and the time of capture. The image monitoring device then inputs the video images, performs image analysis on the video images, extracts a predetermined number of types of events, and stores the extracted event information by correlating each type with the monitoring camera and the time of capture. Furthermore, the image monitoring device provides the recorded image information and stored event information to an external party. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-243342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When public property is damaged in a vehicle accident or other incident, the driver reports it to the police, and after the accident is handled, the damaged property is repaired and compensation is paid. At that time, it may be difficult to identify the damaged area. Also, if there are no victims, a hit-and-run may occur. In this regard, the invention of Patent Document 1 only inputs video images of the monitored area captured by a surveillance camera, and provides the recorded image information and stored event information to an external party when a specific event is extracted.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an information providing device, an accident information providing method, and a program recording medium that can contribute to making it easier to detect the occurrence of damage to a monitored object due to an accident and to identify the damaged area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided an information providing device comprising: an image acquisition means for acquiring images of multiple monitored objects; an image storage means for storing the images; a change detection means for detecting a change in a first monitored object included in the image based on a change in the image; a first image selection means for, when a change is detected, selecting a first image before the change occurred by searching for images based on information about the first monitored object from among the multiple monitored objects included in the image; and a transmission means for, when a change is detected, transmitting the first image selected by the first image selection means and information about the location where the change in the first monitored object was detected to a specified terminal.

[0007] According to a second aspect, there is provided an information provision method that acquires images of multiple monitored objects, stores the images, detects a change in a first monitored object contained in the images based on changes in the images, and, if a change is detected, selects a first image before the change occurred by searching for images based on information about the first monitored object from among the multiple monitored objects contained in the images, and, if a change is detected, transmits the first image and information about the location where the change in the first monitored object was detected to a specified terminal.

[0008] According to a third aspect, a program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: acquiring images of multiple monitored objects; storing the images; detecting a change in a first monitored object included in the images based on the change in the images; if a change is detected, searching the images based on information about the first monitored object among the multiple monitored objects included in the images to select a first image before the change occurred; and if a change is detected, transmitting the first image and information about the location where the change in the first monitored object was detected to a specified terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, an information providing device, an accident information providing method, and a program recording medium are provided that can easily detect the occurrence of damage to a monitored object due to an accident and identify the damaged area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is another diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is another diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is another diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted by the information providing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of camera placement in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information transmitted by an information providing device according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of monitoring object information held by an information providing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of monitored object information held by an information providing device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of monitored object information held by an information providing device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer that can function as an information providing device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First, an overview of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference numerals in this overview are used for convenience to identify each element as an example to facilitate understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated form. Furthermore, connecting lines between blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows are used to schematically indicate the flow of main signals (data) and do not exclude bidirectionality. A program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and, if necessary, a display device. Furthermore, this computer device is configured to be able to communicate with internal or external devices (including computers) via the communication interface, whether wired or wireless. Furthermore, ports or interfaces are present at the input / output connection points of each block in the drawings, but are not shown.

[0012] In one embodiment, the present invention can be realized by an information providing device 10 including an image acquisition means 11, an accident detection means 12, a first image selection means 13, and a transmission means 14, as shown in FIG.

[0013] More specifically, the image acquisition means 11 acquires the images from the image storage means 20, which stores images of the monitored object for a predetermined period of time. The image storage means 20 is configured with a storage, a server, or the like, which receives images of the monitored object from a camera 50 or the like capable of capturing images of the monitored object and stores the images for a predetermined period of time.

[0014] The accident detection means 12 detects the occurrence of an accident that has caused damage to the monitored object based on the change in the image.

[0015] When the occurrence of the accident is detected, the first image selection means 13 selects images including an image taken before the accident from the image storage means.

[0016] When the transmission means 14 detects the occurrence of the accident, it transmits the image selected by the first image selection means and information on the location where the change in the monitored object was detected to a predetermined terminal 30. The predetermined terminal 30 may be a terminal of the owner of the monitored object or a non-life insurance company.

[0017] 2A shows a state in which fences F-1 to F-5, which are objects to be monitored, are photographed by camera 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the operation of information providing device 10 of this embodiment will be described using an example in which an image of the process in which fence F-2 collapses after a vehicle collision is recorded in image storage means 20.

[0018] As described above, the image acquisition means 11 acquires images of fences F-1 to F-5 from the image storage means 20 and sends them to the accident detection means 12. The images acquired by the image acquisition means 11 from the image storage means 20 may be moving images or still images taken at regular intervals.

[0019] The accident detection means 12 detects that the fence F-2 has collapsed based on the change in the image.

[0020] When the first image selection means 13 detects that the fence F-2 has collapsed, it selects an image of the fence F-2 before the accident occurred from the image storage means 20. The image of the fence F-2 before the accident can be obtained very simply by acquiring a past image going back a predetermined time from the time when the collapse of the fence F-2 was detected from the image storage means 20. Of course, it is also possible to use a method of scanning past images from the image storage means 20 and searching for an image of the fence F-2 before any changes occurred.

[0021] When the transmitting means 14 detects that the fence F-2 has collapsed, it transmits to a specified terminal 30 the image selected by the first image selecting means 13 shown in Figure 3 and information about the fence F-2 indicating the corresponding location among the fences F-1 to F-5.

[0022] In the example of Fig. 3, the information providing device 10 transmits to a predetermined terminal 30 an image of fences F-1 to F-5 before the accident occurred and an image of fence F-2, one of fences F-1 to F-5, after it has collapsed. By viewing these images, the user of the predetermined terminal 30 can accurately grasp the fact that fence F-2 has collapsed and the extent of the damage caused by the accident. Note that in the example of Fig. 3, the information providing device 10 transmits to the predetermined terminal 30 an image showing all of fences F-1 to F-5, but it is also possible to transmit an image of just fence F-2.

[0023] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to accurately grasp the extent of damage caused by subsequent accidents. For example, in a location where self-inflicted accidents frequently occur, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, after fence F-2 collapses, fence F-3 may collapse due to another accident.

[0024] In this case as well, the accident detection means 12 detects that the fence F-3 has collapsed based on the change in the image.

[0025] When detecting that the fence F-3 has collapsed, the first image selection means 13 selects from the image storage means 20 an image of the fence F-3 before the accident occurred.

[0026] When the transmission means 14 detects that the fence F-3 has collapsed, it transmits the image selected by the first image selection means 13 shown in FIG. 5 and information about the fence F-3, which indicates the corresponding location among the fences F-1 to F-5, to the specified terminal 30. By viewing these images, the user of the specified terminal 30 can accurately grasp the fact that the fence F-3 collapsed in the second accident and the extent of the damage caused by this second accident. This allows the owners of the fences F-1 to F-5 to accurately claim repair costs from the driver who caused the first accident and the driver who caused the second accident. The same applies when the specified terminal 30 is a terminal of a non-life insurance company; the insurance company's representative can accurately calculate the insurance amount to be paid for each accident based on the above information.

[0027] [First embodiment] Next, a first embodiment of the present invention, which is capable of providing images of a vehicle involved in an accident in addition to images taken before the accident, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, an information providing device 100 is shown which is connected to a plurality of cameras 150 and is capable of transmitting information to terminals 31 and 32 of road administrators and non-life insurance companies. In the following description, the objects to be monitored are assumed to be fences F-1 to F-5 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0028] The information providing device 100 includes an image storage means 120 , an image acquisition means 101 , an accident detection means 102 , a first image selection means 103 , a second image selection means 105 , and a transmission means 104 .

[0029] The image storage means 120 is configured with a storage device, a server, or the like that receives images of a monitored object captured by the camera 150 and stores the images for a predetermined period of time. The period for which the image storage means 120 stores images may be longer than the period during which the first image selection means 103 and the second image selection means 105 can select necessary images. In the example of Fig. 6, the image storage means 120 is provided inside the information providing device 100, but the image storage means 120 may be configured in an external storage device or the like that is accessible by the information providing device 100.

[0030] The image acquisition means 101 acquires two temporally consecutive images of the fences F-1 to F-5 from the image storage means 120 and sends them to the accident detection means .

[0031] The accident detection means 102 compares the two images from the image acquisition means 101 and detects the occurrence of an accident that has damaged the fence, which is the monitored object, based on the changes. Specifically, the accident detection means 102 detects the occurrence of an accident based on whether or not a change has occurred in the images of the fences F-1 to F-5 acquired from the image acquisition means 101. Note that, in addition to accidents, changes in the images of the fences F-1 to F-5 can also be caused by splashes of water, the attachment of foreign matter, etc., so it is desirable that the accident detection means 102 has a function to distinguish between these.

[0032] When an accident is detected, the accident detection means 102 transmits information on the locations where changes in the images of the fences F-1 to F-5 have been detected to the first image selection means 103 and the second image selection means 105, and instructs each means to select an image. The accident detection means 102 also transmits information on the locations where changes in the images of the fences F-1 to F-5 have been detected to the transmission means 104.

[0033] The first image selection means 103 selects from the image storage means 120 an image (first image) showing the fence F-2 before the accident occurred, based on information on the location among the fences F-1 to F-5 where a change in the image was detected.

[0034] The second image selection means 105 selects an image (second image) showing the vehicle involved in the accident from the image storage means 120 based on information about the location of the fences F-1 to F-5 where a change in the image was detected. The image showing the vehicle involved in the accident can be obtained very simply by obtaining, from the image storage means 120, an image of a vehicle traveling near the fence where the change occurred, from past images going back from the time when the change in the image of the fences F-1 to F-5 was detected. Of course, it is also possible to employ a method of searching for an image showing the vehicle involved in the accident by scanning past images from the image storage means 120, detecting moving objects, and analyzing their movement.

[0035] The transmission means 104 transmits information on the locations of the fences F-1 to F-5 where changes in the image have been detected, and the first and second images selected by the first and second image selection means 103 and 105 to the terminals 31 and 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator.

[0036] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 7, first, the image acquisition means 101 of the information providing device 100 acquires two temporally consecutive images of fences F-1 to F-5 from the image storage means 120 (step S001). Note that if there are multiple monitored objects, the following processing will be performed in parallel or multiple times.

[0037] Next, the information providing device 100 compares the two acquired images and detects the occurrence of an accident based on the changes therein. Specifically, the accident detection means 102 detects the occurrence of an accident based on whether or not a change has occurred in the images of the fences F-1 to F-5 acquired from the image acquisition means 101 (step S002). If the occurrence of an accident is not detected, the information providing device 100 omits the subsequent processing.

[0038] When an accident is detected, the information providing device 100 selects, from the image storage means 120, an image of the fence before the accident (first image) and an image of the vehicle involved in the accident (second image) (step S003).

[0039] Finally, the information providing device 100 transmits information on the locations of the fences F-1 to F-5 where changes in the image were detected, and the first and second images selected in step S003 to the terminals 31 and 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator (step S004).

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information transmitted by the information providing device 100 to the terminals 31, 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator. In the example of FIG. 8, the information providing device 100 transmits change location information, a first image, and a second image to the terminals 31, 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator. The change location information indicates the location of the accident (location where a change was detected) with a dashed line on the image of fences F-1 to F-5. The first image is an image of fence F-2 before the accident, where a change was detected. The second image is an image showing the vehicle that caused the accident on fence F-2.

[0041] By viewing this information, the non-life insurance company and road administrator personnel can grasp not only the occurrence of an accident in which damage to a fence occurred and the location of the incident, but also the scale of the damage and the vehicles involved. This information can be used to file claims for compensation against the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident and to analyze the cause of the accident. It should be noted here that the information providing device 100 of this embodiment transmits an image of fence F-2 before the accident in which a change was detected. This makes it easier to reach an agreement to exclude fence F-3, which collapsed before the accident, from the scope of compensation. It also enables non-life insurance companies to reduce the burden of investigations and the insurance payments.

[0042] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention, which makes it possible to grasp the extent of damage to a vehicle involved in an accident, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information providing device 100a of the second embodiment of the present invention. The differences from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 are that the arrangement of the camera 150 has been changed, that a third image selecting means 106 has been added to the information providing device 100a, and that the transmitting means 114 also includes the third image as an image to be transmitted. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, their explanations will be omitted and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0043] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of camera placement in the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, cameras 150 are placed in positions suitable for photographing the fences F-1 to F-5, which are the objects to be monitored, and are also placed in positions where they can photograph a vehicle V that has collided with the fences F-1 to F-5, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 10. For example, in the example of Fig. 10, the camera 150 in the upper part can photograph a vehicle V that has collided with fence F-2.

[0044] The third image selection means 106 selects an image (third image) of the vehicle involved in the accident from the image storage means 120 based on information about the location of the fences F-1 to F-5 where a change in image was detected. The image of the vehicle involved in the accident before the accident can be obtained very simply by obtaining, from the image storage means 120, an image of the vehicle approaching the fence where the change occurred from past images going back from the time when the change in the image of the fences F-1 to F-5 was detected. Of course, it is also possible to employ a method of searching for an image of the vehicle involved in the accident before the accident by scanning past images from the image storage means 120, detecting moving objects, and analyzing their movement.

[0045] The transmission means 114 transmits information on the locations of the fences F-1 to F-5 where changes in the image have been detected, and the first to third images selected by the first to third image selection means 103, 105, and 106 to the terminals 31 and 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator.

[0046] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information providing device 100a of the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the operation of the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is the operation from step S103 onwards. Specifically, when an accident is detected, the information providing device 100a selects, from the image storage means 120, an image of the fence before the accident (first image), an image of the vehicle that caused the accident (second image), and an image of the vehicle before the accident (third image) (step S103).

[0047] Then, the information providing device 100a transmits information on the locations of the fences F-1 to F-5 where changes in the image were detected, and the first to third images selected in step S103 to the terminals 31 and 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator (step S104).

[0048] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of information transmitted by the information providing device 100a to the terminals 31 and 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator. In the example of Fig. 12, the information providing device 100a transmits change location information and first to third images to the terminals 31 and 32 of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator. The third image is an image showing the state of the vehicle that caused the accident on fence F-2 before the accident.

[0049] Persons in charge of the non-life insurance company and the road administrator who view this information can grasp the extent of damage caused to the vehicle involved in the accident, in addition to the information obtained from the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment. This clarifies the repairs required for the vehicle involved in the accident, and enables the non-life insurance company to refine the vehicle insurance payments to the insured.

[0050] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention, which identifies the manager of a monitored object and enables prompt notification in the event of an accident, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information providing device 100b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The first difference from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is that a monitored object DB (database) 108 and a transmission destination specification means 107 are added to the information providing device 100b. The second difference is that the accident detection means 122 of the information providing device 100b instructs the transmission destination specification means 107 to specify a transmission destination when an accident is detected, and that the transmission means 124 of the road administrator 32a or 32b is configured to be able to transmit information to the manager of the monitored object that has been involved in the accident. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, their explanations will be omitted and the following description will focus on the differences.

[0051] The monitored object DB 108 is a database that stores information about the administrator, including contact information for the monitored object. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of monitored object information registered in the monitored object DB 108. In the example of Fig. 14, an email address is registered for each monitored object as the administrator's contact information.

[0052] When an accident is detected, the accident detection means 122 transmits information about the monitored object in which a change has been detected to the destination specification means 107, and requests the destination specification means 107 to specify the destination.

[0053] When the destination specification means 107 receives information about a monitored object in which a change has been detected from the accident detection means 102, it refers to the monitored object DB 108 to specify the contact information of the manager of the monitored object in which the accident occurred and sends it to the transmission means 124.

[0054] The transmitting means 124 transmits, to the contact point identified by the destination identifying means 107, information on the location of the fences F-1 to F-5 where a change in the image was detected, and the first to third images selected by the first to third image selecting means 103, 105, and 106. Although omitted in Fig. 13, a terminal of a non-life insurance company may be added to the destinations as needed.

[0055] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 15 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information providing device 100b of the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the operation of the information providing device 100 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 11 is the operation from step S204 onwards. Specifically, when an accident is detected, the information providing device 100b selects the first to third images, and then refers to the monitored object DB 108 to identify the contact information of the manager of the monitored object where the accident occurred (step S205). The order of the processing of step S205 and the processing of step S103 can be reversed, or they can be processed in parallel.

[0056] Then, the information providing device 100b transmits to the identified contact point information on the locations of the fences F-1 to F-5 where changes in the image were detected, and the first to third images selected in step S103 (step S204).

[0057] According to the third embodiment that operates as described above, it is possible to transmit necessary information to the manager of the monitored object that has been involved in the accident promptly after the accident occurs.

[0058] In the above-described embodiments, the monitored object is a fence. However, the monitored object is not limited to a fence and may be a guardrail, a utility pole, or a traffic sign. Furthermore, the monitored object does not need to be a fixed object on land, but may be a vehicle parked in a parking lot, etc. In this case, by installing a camera 150 in the parking lot and having the information providing devices 100-100b monitor the parking lot as shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to quickly detect an accident occurring in the parking lot. Furthermore, even in this case, the configuration of the third embodiment can be applied, and as shown in FIG. 17, the information providing device 100b can store information on the manager (owner) of the vehicle V as monitored object information. This makes it possible to quickly send necessary information to the owner of the vehicle V that has been damaged in an accident. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18, by storing not only information on the manager (owner) of the vehicle V but also information on the insurance company that provides automobile insurance for the vehicle V, it is possible to automate contact with the non-life insurance company.

[0059] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical concept of the present invention. For example, the network configurations, element configurations, and data representation formats shown in the drawings are examples intended to aid in understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings.

[0060] For example, in the above-described embodiments, the information providing devices 100 to 100b have been described as transmitting the first to third images to the predetermined terminals 30 to 32, but the information providing devices 100 to 100b may transmit information with higher added value in addition to these images. For example, it is also possible to change the format so that the information providing devices 100 to 100b use the first to third images to create an accident occurrence report and transmit it to the predetermined terminals 30 to 32. It is also possible to change the format so that the information providing devices 100 to 100b cut out a video of the accident occurrence and transmit it to the predetermined terminals 30 to 32 in addition to the first to third images.

[0061] (About hardware configuration) In each embodiment of the present disclosure, each component of each device represents a functional block. Some or all of the components of each device are realized by an arbitrary combination of an information processing device 900 and a program, for example, as shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 that realizes each component of each device. The information processing device 900 includes, as an example, the following configuration. ·CPU(Central Processing Unit)901 ROM (Read Only Memory) 902 ·RAM(Random Access Memory)903 Program 904 loaded into RAM 903 A storage device 905 for storing a program 904 A drive device 907 for reading and writing data from and to the recording medium 906 A communication interface 908 for connecting to a communication network 909 Input / output interface 910 for inputting and outputting data Bus 911 connecting each component

[0062] Each component of each device in each embodiment is realized by the CPU 901 acquiring and executing a program 904 that realizes the function. That is, the CPU 901 in FIG. 19 executes an accident detection program and an image selection program, and performs an update process for each calculation parameter stored in the RAM 903, the storage device 905, or the like. The program 904 that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in advance in a program recording medium such as the storage device 905 or the ROM 902, and is read out by the CPU 901 as needed. The program 904 may be supplied to the CPU 901 via the communication network 909, or may be stored in advance in the program recording medium 906, and the drive device 907 may read out the program and supply it to the CPU 901.

[0063] Furthermore, this program 904 can display the processing results, including intermediate states, at each stage as necessary on a display device, or can communicate with the outside via a communication interface. Furthermore, this program 904 can be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transitive) program storage medium.

[0064] There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a separate information processing device 900 and a program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in each device may be realized by any combination of a single information processing device 900 and a program. That is, the communication terminals and network control devices shown in the first to third embodiments, and processors installed in these devices, can be realized by computer programs that cause the above-mentioned processes to be executed using the hardware.

[0065] In addition, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by other general-purpose or dedicated circuits, processors, etc., or a combination of these. These may be configured by a single chip, or by multiple chips connected via a bus.

[0066] Some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and programs.

[0067] When some or all of the components of each device are realized by multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc., the multiple information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally or decentralized. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, or the like, in a form in which each device is connected via a communication network.

[0068] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. In other words, those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the above-described embodiments to construct various modified forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0069] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0070] [Appendix 1] image acquisition means for acquiring images of a monitored object from an image storage means for storing the images for a predetermined period of time; an accident detection means for detecting the occurrence of an accident that has caused damage to the monitored object based on the change in the image; a first image selection means for selecting an image including an image taken before the accident occurs from the image storage means when the occurrence of the accident is detected; an information providing device comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting, when the occurrence of the accident is detected, the image selected by the first image selecting means and information on the location where the change in the monitored object was detected to a specified terminal. [Appendix 2] The monitoring object monitored by the information providing device is either a fixed object on land or a parked vehicle, The image storage means may be configured to receive an image of the monitored object from a first camera capable of capturing an image of the monitored object and store the image for a predetermined period of time. [Appendix 3] The information providing device further comprises a second image selecting means for selecting an image showing the vehicle involved in the accident from the image storing means, The image selected by the second image selection means may be transmitted to the predetermined terminal. [Appendix 4] the image storage means receives an image of the vehicle involved in the accident before the accident from a second camera arranged at a predetermined position and stores the image for a predetermined period of time; The information providing device described above is Further, a third image selection means is provided for selecting an image of the vehicle involved in the accident before the accident from the image storage means, The image selected by the third image selection means may be transmitted to the predetermined terminal. [Appendix 5] The information providing device described above is Obtaining monitored object information that stores manager information including at least contact information for the monitored object; A configuration may be adopted in which the terminal of the manager of the monitored object to which the damage has been inflicted is selected as the predetermined terminal. [Appendix 6] Acquiring the image from an image storage means that stores an image of the monitored object for a predetermined period of time; Detecting the occurrence of an accident that has caused damage to the monitored object based on the change in the image; A method for providing accident information, in which, when the occurrence of the accident is detected, the image before the accident occurs and information on the location where the change in the monitored object was detected are transmitted from the image storage means to a specified terminal. [Appendix 7] A process of acquiring an image of a monitored object from an image storage means that stores the image for a predetermined period of time; A process of detecting the occurrence of an accident that has caused damage to the monitored object based on the change in the image; A program recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to execute the following process: when the occurrence of the accident is detected, the image before the accident occurs is transmitted from the image storage means to a specified terminal, along with information on the location where the change in the monitored object was detected.

[0071] Note that, like Supplementary Note 1, the forms of Supplementary Note 6 and Supplementary Note 7 can be developed into the forms of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 5.

[0072] The disclosures of the above-cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference and may be used as the basis or part of the present invention, as necessary. Modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), and further based on its basic technical concept. Furthermore, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of the various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention. In other words, the present invention naturally embraces various modifications and alterations that would be possible by a person skilled in the art in accordance with the entire disclosure and technical concept, including the claims. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges set forth herein, any numerical value or subrange within that range should be construed as specifically set forth, even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above-cited documents, when used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures herein as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, are also deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10, 100, 100a, 100b Information providing device 11, 101 Image acquisition means 12, 102 Accident detection means 13, 103 First image selection means 14, 104 Transmission means 20, 120 Image storage means 30 devices 31 Road administrator terminal 32 Non-life insurance company terminals 50, 150 cameras 105 Second image selection means 106 Third image selection means 107 Destination Identification Method 108 Monitoring Object Database (Monitoring Object DB) 900 Information Processing Equipment 901 CPU(Central Processing Unit) 902 ROM (Read Only Memory) 903 RAM (Random Access Memory) 904 Program 905 Storage device 906 Program recording media 907 Drive unit 908 Communication Interface 909 Communication Network 910 Input / Output Interface 911 Bus F-1~F-5 Fence V vehicle

Claims

1. image acquisition means for acquiring images of a plurality of monitoring objects; an image storage means for storing the image; a change detection means for detecting a change in a first monitored object included in the image based on the change in the image; a first image selection means for selecting a first image before the occurrence of the change by searching the images based on information on the first monitored object among the plurality of monitored objects included in the images when the occurrence of the change is detected; an information providing device comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting, when the change is detected, the first image selected by the first image selecting means and information on the location where the change in the first monitored object was detected to a specified terminal.

2. a second image selection means for selecting a second image including the object based on a position of the first monitored object among the plurality of monitored objects when the occurrence of the change is detected by the change detection means; 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means further transmits said second image selected by said second image selecting means to said predetermined terminal.

3. the monitored object is either a fixed object on land or a parked vehicle; the image storage means receives an image of the monitored object from a first camera capable of photographing the monitored object and stores the image for a predetermined period of time; 3. The information providing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first image selection means, when detecting the occurrence of the change, selects the first image from among images taken a predetermined time before the time when the occurrence of the change in the first monitored object was detected, based on information about the first monitored object among the multiple monitored objects contained in the image.

4. the image storage means receives an image of the object before the change from a second camera disposed at a predetermined position and stores the image for a predetermined period of time; and a third image selection means for selecting a third image of the object before the change that has caused the change to the first monitoring object based on information of the first monitoring object among the plurality of monitoring objects included in the image from the image storage means, 4. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means further transmits the third image selected by the third image selecting means to the predetermined terminal.

5. a second image selection means for selecting a second image including the object based on a position of the first monitored object among the plurality of monitored objects when the occurrence of the change is detected by the change detection means; a report creation means for creating an accident occurrence report based on the first image, the second image, and the third image; 5. The information providing device according to claim 4, wherein the transmitting means transmits the accident occurrence report to the predetermined terminal.

6. a monitored object database that stores manager information including at least contact information for the monitored object; An information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a destination identification means for identifying the terminal of the manager of the first monitored object in which the change is detected as the specified terminal by referring to the monitored object database.

7. 7. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the change detecting means identifies whether a change occurring in the first monitored object is an accident or not based on the change in the image, and detects the occurrence of the accident.

8. Acquire images of multiple monitored objects, storing the image; Detecting a change in a first monitored object included in the image based on the change in the image; When the occurrence of the change is detected, the image is searched based on information of the first monitored object among the plurality of monitored objects included in the image, thereby selecting a first image before the occurrence of the change; an information providing method for transmitting, when the change is detected, the first image and information on the location where the change in the first monitored object is detected to a predetermined terminal;

9. acquiring images of a plurality of monitored objects; storing the image; detecting a change in a first monitored object included in the image based on the change in the image; When the occurrence of the change is detected, a process of selecting a first image before the occurrence of the change by searching the images based on information of the first monitored object among the plurality of monitored objects included in the images; and when the change is detected, transmitting the first image and information on the location where the change in the first monitored object was detected to a specified terminal.

Images