Image data distribution system

Abstract

We provide a system that delivers image data to owners and real estate agents, allowing them to know the detailed condition of unmanned accommodations and rental properties when tenants move out. [Solution] To apply this invention to an unmanned accommodation facility, a camera 5 fixed to the ceiling or other part of the room is used to photograph the interior. The timing of the photograph is when the guest checks in by holding a PIN or other code stored on a smartphone or similar device over the reader at the accommodation facility. In other words, the camera 5 activates in conjunction with the signal confirming check-in and acquires an image. The acquired image is temporarily stored in a client computer 3, and then transmitted from this client computer 3 to the administrator's host computer 1 via the internet 2 or a dedicated line. The administrator's host computer 1 saves the acquired image with a timestamp attached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image data distribution system for confirming the state (original state) at the start of use (move-in) of unmanned accommodation facilities, hotels, weekly mansions, rental real estate properties, etc.

Background Art

[0002] As a method for introducing unmanned accommodation facilities, hotels, rental real estate properties, etc., recently, video data is used to create a sense of presence.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a mediator server creates a 3D image of a house or housing equipment based on the input basic specifications and transmits it to a user terminal. When an entry signal is input, information identifying the user is hidden, and the user's entry number, budget, basic specifications, and 3D image are registered as a property for purchase in the bidding section of the server. A contractor browses the properties for purchase registered in the bidding section, designates a property for which an order is desired, and transmits the estimate specifications and cost to the server. The server hides information identifying the contractor and distributes the contractor's registration number, the estimate specifications and cost to the user's email address. When the registration number of the selected contractor is transmitted to the server, the content of the introduction to the selected contractor is disclosed to the user.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, a service server receives basic information including at least either a drawing of a house to be newly constructed or renovated or an image of the house taken, from a communication terminal of either a general customer or a housing-related contractor, and based on the basic information, generates a proposed image including a completion expected image in the case of newly constructing or renovating based on the 3D image data of the house and estimate information specifying the cost and construction period, and distributes it to a housing-related contractor introducing it to a general customer or a housing-related contractor who received the provision of the basic information.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a video distribution system comprising a host computer that edits and distributes videos to contracted real estate agents, and a client computer used by the real estate agents and capable of bidirectional communication with the host computer.

[0006] Patent Document 4 discloses an expense inspection device that utilizes time stamps. In this expense inspection device, as shown in Figure 3, the expense information has usage date information that identifies the day the expense was used, and the applicant information has one or more entry / exit pieces of information that identify the date and time when the applicant, identified by the applicant identifier, entered and left their workplace. The inspection unit uses the entry / exit pieces of information that are associated with the applicant identifier linked to the expense information and that correspond to the date identified by the usage date information in the expense information to inspect the expense information received by the expense reception unit for fraud and obtain the inspection results. In particular, the accommodation receipt image has a timestamp, and the image inspection means obtains the timestamp of the receipt image, obtains the receipt issuance date corresponding to the receipt image, and determines whether a predetermined period has elapsed since the date identified by the timestamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-015159 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-306944 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 7103743 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 6780888 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The video (3D image) described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, as shown in Figure 2, involves a real estate agent or housing-related company photographing the property for sale with a 360°-capable 3-scan camera and uploading the captured data to a site operated by Matterport on the cloud. To view the 3D video, prospective buyers access the site operated by Matterport. The system then sends the 3D captured data of the property for sale and a program (software) to play this data to the viewer's computer or other device.

[0009] In rental properties such as apartments and condominiums, as well as accommodations, problems can arise upon move-out, such as missing furnishings or damage being discovered. For example, if damage or stains are found upon move-out, disputes may arise as to whether the damage or stains were present from the start of the stay or occurred during the stay. Especially with the increase in inbound tourists and the current situation where private lodging is permitted, the taking of amenities such as hair dryers and lighting fixtures is becoming a major problem.

[0010] To address this issue, real estate agents and accommodation owners take several photos before guests begin using the property and keep them on file to avoid disputes upon departure. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to prove the date and time the photos were taken. Some devices record the date and time of shooting, but this cannot be verified by a third party.

[0011] If the exterior and interior condition of a property at the time of occupancy are saved using image data disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, and the real estate agent files this data or stores it in the cloud, disputes upon vacating the property can be reduced. However, file storage has the problem of data loss, and uploading photographic data to the cloud incurs monthly costs, which would be substantial considering that the rental cycle until a tenant vacates a property is about 10 years.

[0012] Furthermore, even if the rental properties or accommodations themselves remain, there are many cases where the real estate agents or owners change due to business closures or other reasons, making it impossible to store files over many years or upload photographic data to the cloud. The content described in Patent Document 3 does not resolve this issue.

[0013] Patent Document 4 describes the process of adding a timestamp to an image of a receipt, but this does not solve the specific problems that arise in the accommodation facilities described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The present invention, which solves the above problems, comprises a host computer owned by an information manager that stores and distributes video data confirming the condition of a rental property or accommodation facility at the start of use, and a client computer capable of bidirectional communication with the host computer. The image data stored in the host computer is stamped with a timestamp to prove the time of shooting, and in response to a request from the client computer, the host computer transmits the stored image data showing the original condition of the rental property or accommodation facility at the start of use to the client computer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the condition at the time of check-in (move-in) is saved as image data with a timestamp, making it easy to verify the condition at the time of shooting (more precisely, when the timestamp was acquired). In particular, when video is used as the image, it is possible to view specific parts from different angles compared to still photographs, significantly reducing the probability of overlooking minor damage or stains.

[0016] It is not the owner of rental real estate or accommodation facilities, but a company (information manager) that contracts with these owners to hold and manage data, that attaches a timestamp to the image data at the time of check-in (move-in) and stores it. Therefore, the owners of rental real estate and accommodation facilities can save the trouble of storing and managing data and even obtaining a cumbersome timestamp. In particular, many private accommodations have a small-scale business form, and it is conceivable that they are not used to obtaining timestamps and storing and managing images. This system is advantageous.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Overall configuration diagram of the 3D shooting data distribution system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Diagram explaining the conventional system. [Figure 3] Diagram explaining the conventional example.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the video distribution system according to the present invention is composed of a host computer 1 of an information manager that stores, manages, and distributes image data, and a client computer 3 that can communicate bidirectionally with this host computer 1 via the Internet 2.

[0019] The host computer 1 of the information manager is capable of bidirectional communication with a timestamp station (TSA) 4, and the client computer 3 is owned by real estate brokers, rental property managers, or providers (owners) of accommodation facilities

[0020] Here, the information manager is a company that aims to store, manage, and distribute image data for confirming the original state of rental real estate and accommodation facilities. Also, although the host computer 1 is of the on-premises type (a desktop personal computer), it is also possible to place the host computer 1 on the cloud.

[0021] In addition to the CPU, the host computer 1 incorporates at least communication means, storage means, and software with image editing capabilities. The storage device contains image data to verify the condition of the rental property at the time of occupancy, and a program (software) to reproduce that image data.

[0022] To apply this invention to an unmanned accommodation facility, the interior of the room is photographed using a camera 5 installed on the ceiling or elsewhere in the room. The timing of the image capture is determined to be when the guest checks in by holding their smartphone or other device with a stored PIN or similar information over the reader at the accommodation facility. In other words, camera 5 activates and acquires images in conjunction with the signal confirming check-in. Furthermore, in order to protect the privacy of guests, it is preferable to set camera 5 to be inactive from check-in to check-out, except for the time of filming during check-in as described above.

[0023] The acquired images are first taken to client computer 3, and then transmitted from client computer 3 to the administrator's host computer 1 via the internet 2 or a dedicated line.

[0024] The administrator's host computer 1 immediately saves the acquired image with a timestamp. For example, the information administrator's host computer 1 calculates the hash value of the image data and sends a timestamp generation request to the Timestamp Authority (TSA) 4. Upon receiving this request, the Timestamp Authority (TSA) 4 sends a timestamp token consisting of the hash value and time information to the information administrator.

[0025] To verify (prove) whether the state of an unmanned accommodation facility upon departure is the same as the state of the image data at the start of use, the hash value of the image data is recalculated, the timestamp token is decrypted with the public key, and if the hash values ​​are the same, it can be determined that the data has not been tampered with.

[0026] In unmanned accommodation facilities where check-out can be confirmed, camera 5 may be activated at check-out, just as it is at check-in, to acquire images. This allows for immediate and remote confirmation of any differences in the room between check-in and check-out, making facility management easier, such as replenishing missing supplies or contacting cleaning companies.

[0027] In addition, for rental properties and weekly apartments, the real estate agent or other party will use a smartphone 6 to capture images (videos) at the start of the rental period and save the video data with a timestamp added, as described above.

[0028] In the case of rental properties or weekly apartments, the entity responsible for filming the video can be the property owner, the real estate agent, or the information manager. If someone other than the information manager films the video, the data must be sent to the information manager. The subsequent steps, similar to those for unmanned accommodation facilities, involve obtaining a timestamp through communication between the information administrator's host computer 1 and the timestamp authority (TSA) 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1...Host computer, 2...Internet, 3...Client computer, 4...Timestamp office, 5...Camera, 6...Smartphone.

Claims

1. An image data distribution system comprising a host computer owned by an information manager responsible for storing, managing, and distributing image data confirming the condition of a rental property or accommodation facility at the start of use, and a client computer owned by the owner of the rental property or accommodation facility or a real estate agent, which is capable of bidirectional communication with the host computer, wherein the image data held in the host computer is marked with a timestamp proving the date and time of capture, and in response to a request from the client computer, the host computer distributes the timestamped image data showing the original condition of the rental property or accommodation facility at the start of use to the client computer.

2. The image data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation facility is an unmanned accommodation facility, check-in is performed using a pre-notified code (PIN), and when the code is read by a reader, a camera installed in the room is activated to photograph the inside of the room at the time of check-in, and this image data is transmitted to the host computer via the client computer.

Images