Information providing device, information providing method, and program

Abstract

From a finding person terminal (30), this information provision device (2000) acquires a found-object image (40), which is an image of a found object (20). By using the found-object image (40) and search information (50) associating sought-object information (60) with searching person information (80), the information provision device (2000) determines whether or not there is a sought object that matches the found object (20). If there is a sought object that matches the found object (20), the information provision device (2000) transmits found-object information (100) to a searching person terminal (110) of a searching person corresponding to said sought object.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to image-based search for a searched object. [Background technology]

[0002] Technologies for searching for searched objects using images have been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for acquiring a facial image of a missing person from a terminal of a person requesting a search, and using the facial image to detect images containing the missing person from an image storage. Here, the image storage stores images uploaded by a third party. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-149237 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the images uploaded by a third party are images of scenes arbitrarily captured by the third party, and are unlikely to contain the searched object. The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such issues, and one of its purposes is to provide a new technology for searching for the searched object using images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information providing device of the present disclosure includes an acquisition means for acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal, a determination means for determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with the second terminal and the first image, and a transmission means for transmitting information regarding the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object.

[0006] The information providing method disclosed herein is executed by a computer and includes the steps of: acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; determining whether a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; and transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object.

[0007] The non-transitory computer-readable medium of the present disclosure stores a program that causes a computer to execute the information providing method of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a new technology for searching for a search target using an image is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of an operation of the information providing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information providing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the information providing device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information providing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information providing device having a handover processing unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of how management of a discovered object 20 is taken over. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary for clarity. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, predetermined values ​​such as predetermined values ​​and threshold values ​​are stored in advance in a storage device accessible from a device that uses the values. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the storage unit is composed of one or any number of storage devices.

[0011] <Summary> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an information providing device 2000 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a diagram for facilitating understanding of the overview of the information providing device 2000, and the operation of the information providing device 2000 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1.

[0012] The information providing device 2000 is used to provide information to searchers who are searching for a searched object. Here, search information 50, which associates searched object information 60, which is information about the searched object, with searcher information 80, which is information about the searcher searching for the searched object, for each of one or more searched objects, is registered in advance in a storage unit 90.

[0013] A searched object is any object being searched for by a searcher. For example, the searched object may be a lost child (e.g., the actor's child or grandchild). Alternatively, the searched object may be a pet or any lost property.

[0014] The searched object information 60 includes at least a searched object image, which is an image including the searched object. The searcher information 80 includes at least destination information indicating the destination when providing information to the searcher. The storage unit 90 is, for example, a database accessible from the information providing device 2000.

[0015] For example, as will be described later, the searcher information 80 is provided from a searcher terminal 110, which is a computer used by the searcher. The searcher terminal 110 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the searcher.

[0016] When a search object that matches the found object 20 discovered by the finder 10 exists, the information providing device 2000 provides the searcher corresponding to the search object with found object information 100, which is information about the found object 20. To do this, the information providing device 2000 acquires a found object image 40 from the finder terminal 30. The finder terminal 30 is any computer used by the finder 10. For example, the finder terminal 30 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the finder 10.

[0017] The finder 10 who finds the object to be found 20 uses the finder terminal 30 to transmit an object to be found image 40 to the information providing device 2000. The object to be found image 40 is an image that includes the object to be found 20. For example, if the object to be found 20 is a person, the object to be found image 40 is preferably a facial image of the object to be found 20. Here, a facial image of a person means an image that includes the face of that person.

[0018] For example, the discovered object image 40 is generated by capturing an image of the discoverer 10 with a camera provided in the discoverer terminal 30. However, the camera used to generate the discovered object image 40 may be any camera and is not limited to the camera provided in the discoverer terminal 30.

[0019] The information providing device 2000 uses the found object image 40 acquired from the finder terminal 30 and each piece of search information 50 to determine whether or not there is a search object that matches the found object 20. If there is a search object that matches the found object 20, the information providing device 2000 provides found object information 100, which is information about the found object 20, to the searcher corresponding to the search object that matches the found object 20.

[0020] Here, a "search object that matches the found object 20" is a search object that has a high probability of matching the found object 20. In other words, a match between the found object 20 and the search object means that there is a high probability that the found object 20 and the search object are the same object. As will be described later, for example, when there is a high degree of similarity between a feature extracted from the found object image 40 and a feature extracted from the search object image, it is determined that the found object 20 included in the found object image 40 matches the search object information 60 included in the search object image.

[0021] <Examples of effects> One method for detecting a searched object using images is to use images of the object provided by the searcher to detect the object from surveillance camera footage. However, because surveillance cameras are not configured to intentionally capture images of the object, the surveillance camera footage contains a large amount of scenes unrelated to the object. Therefore, when detecting a searched object from surveillance camera footage, there are problems such as the time required for the detection process being long and the amount of computer resources required for the search process being large due to the large number of images to be processed. Furthermore, if the object is not within the surveillance camera's imaging range, the object may not be detected.

[0022] In Patent Document 1, images captured by a third party can be treated in the same way as video from a surveillance camera, thereby expanding the search range for the searched object and increasing the probability of detecting the searched object. However, the images captured by a third party in Patent Document 1 do not intentionally include the searched object. Therefore, it is believed that the majority of images are of scenes unrelated to the searched object. For this reason, the invention of Patent Document 1 also has problems such as a long detection process time and a large amount of computer resources required for the search process.

[0023] In this regard, the information providing device 2000 of this embodiment identifies a searched object that matches the searched object 20 by matching an image of the searched object (searched object image) provided by the searcher with a found object image 40, which is an image of the searched object 20 provided by the finder 10. Here, both the found object image 40 and the searched object image are images provided for the purpose of a search. Specifically, the found object image 40 is an image of the found object 20 that is thought to be being searched for by the searcher, and the searched object image is an image of the searched object being searched for by the searcher. Therefore, the information providing device 2000 has the advantage of requiring less time to detect the searched object than when using video from a surveillance camera, which contains many images of scenes unrelated to the search.

[0024] Furthermore, the third party in Patent Document 1 provides images that they have taken arbitrarily and is unable to actively contribute to the search for the searched object. In contrast, with the information providing device 2000, a third party, namely a finder 10, can actively contribute to the search for the searched object by providing an image of the found object 20 to the information providing device 2000. For example, suppose the found object 20 is a lost child. In this case, a third party who finds the lost child can provide an image of the child to the information providing device 2000 and actively provide information about the child to parents and others who may be searching for the child. In this way, the information providing device 2000 allows a searcher to find the searched object more quickly and with a higher probability by utilizing information provided by a kind third party to search for the searched object.

[0025] The information providing device 2000 of this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0026] <Example of functional configuration> 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of an information providing device 2000 according to an embodiment. The information providing device 2000 includes an acquisition unit 2020, a determination unit 2040, and a transmission unit 2060. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires a found object image 40. The determination unit 2040 uses the found object image 40 and search information 50 to determine whether a search object that matches the found object 20 exists. If a search object that matches the found object 20 exists, the transmission unit 2060 provides found object information 100 related to the found object 20 to a searcher corresponding to the search object that matches the found object 20.

[0027] <Example of hardware configuration> Each functional component of the information providing device 2000 may be realized by hardware that realizes the functional component (e.g., a hardwired electronic circuit, etc.), or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it, etc.). Below, a case where each functional component of the information providing device 2000 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1000 that realizes the information providing device 2000. The computer 1000 is any computer. For example, the computer 1000 is a stationary computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a server machine. Alternatively, the computer 1000 may be a portable computer such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed to realize the information providing device 2000, or may be a general-purpose computer.

[0029] For example, by installing a predetermined application on the computer 1000, the computer 1000 realizes each function of the information providing device 2000. The application is configured as a program for realizing each functional component of the information providing device 2000. The method for acquiring the program is arbitrary. For example, the program can be acquired from a storage medium (such as a DVD disc or USB memory) on which the program is stored. Alternatively, the program can be acquired by downloading the program from a server device that manages the storage device on which the program is stored.

[0030] The computer 1000 has a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage device 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path for the processor 1040, the memory 1060, the storage device 1080, the input / output interface 1100, and the network interface 1120 to transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method for connecting the processor 1040 and the like to each other is not limited to a bus connection.

[0031] The processor 1040 is a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The memory 1060 is a main storage device realized using a random access memory (RAM) or the like. The storage device 1080 is an auxiliary storage device realized using a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, or a read only memory (ROM) or the like.

[0032] The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to an input / output device. For example, the input / output interface 1100 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display device.

[0033] The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to a network. This network may be a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0034] The storage device 1080 stores a program (a program that realizes the above-mentioned application) that realizes each functional component of the information providing device 2000. The processor 1040 reads this program into the memory 1060 and executes it, thereby realizing each functional component of the information providing device 2000.

[0035] The information providing device 2000 may be realized by one computer 1000 or by multiple computers 1000. In the latter case, the configurations of the computers 1000 do not need to be the same, and can be different from each other.

[0036] <Processing flow> 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing executed by the information providing device 2000 of the embodiment. The acquisition unit 2020 acquires a found object image 40 (S102). The determination unit 2040 determines whether a search object that matches the found object 20 exists using the found object image 40 and the search information 50 (S104). If a search object that matches the found object 20 exists (S104: YES), the transmission unit 2060 provides the found object information 100 to the searcher corresponding to the search object (S106).

[0037] Here, when there is no search object that matches the discovered object 20 (when the result of S104 is NO), the processing performed by the transmitting unit 2060 is arbitrary. For example, the transmitting unit 2060 transmits to the finder terminal 30 a notification indicating that there is no search object that matches the discovered object 20.

[0038] <Acquisition of discovery image 40: S102> The acquisition unit 2020 acquires the found object image 40 from the finder terminal 30 (S102). The found object image 40 is transmitted from the finder terminal 30 to the information providing device 2000. For example, the information providing device 2000 acquires the found object image 40 by receiving a query request including the found object image 40 from the finder terminal 30. The query request is a request for inquiring whether the found object 20 has been registered as a search target.

[0039] The inquiry request is transmitted, for example, using a dedicated application (hereinafter referred to as the inquiry application) installed in the finder terminal 30. The inquiry application provides the finder terminal 30 with an input screen for inputting information about the discovered object 20. The finder 10 operates this input screen to transmit an inquiry request including information about the discovered object 20 to the information providing device 2000.

[0040] For example, the finder 10 operates the input screen on the finder terminal 30 to activate the camera of the finder terminal 30. The finder 10 operates the activated camera to capture the object to be found 20. As a result, an object image 40 is generated.

[0041] Here, when the camera of the finder terminal 30 is started, it is preferable that the scene being captured by the camera be displayed in real time on the input screen. In other words, the camera automatically captures images repeatedly, and each time a new image is generated, that image is displayed on the input screen. In this case, in response to a specific operation being performed on the input screen (for example, pressing the capture button), the image generated by the camera at the time the operation was performed is treated as the found object image 40.

[0042] Here, it is preferable that a guide for properly capturing an image of the object to be discovered 20 is displayed on the input screen, superimposed on the scene captured by the camera. For example, the guide is a frame of a predetermined shape. The shape of the guide is, for example, a rectangle. Furthermore, when a person is handled as the object to be discovered 20, the shape of the guide may be a shape that represents the outline of a person's face.

[0043] The determination unit 2040 treats the image area included in the guide, among the image areas included in the discovery object image 40, as the image area representing the discovery object 20. Therefore, the discoverer 10 takes an image of the discovery object 20 as large as possible within the range that fits within the guide. By providing a guide on the input screen in this way, the discoverer 10 can easily take an discovery object image 40 from which the feature quantities of the discovery object 20 can be extracted with high accuracy.

[0044] The discoverer 10 may also operate the input screen to input attribute information indicating the attributes of the discovered object 20. In this case, the query request includes the attribute information of the discovered object 20 in addition to the discovered object image 40.

[0045] A variety of attributes of the discovered object 20 can be handled. If the discovered object 20 is a person, the attributes of the discovered object 20 can include the name, age, address, date and time (for example, the date and time the person got lost), or appearance characteristics (height, clothing, items carried or worn, etc.) of the discovered object 20. If the discovered object 20 is an object other than a person, the attributes of the discovered object 20 can include the name and appearance characteristics (color, accessories, etc.) of the discovered object 20. Furthermore, if multiple types of discovered object 20 can be handled, the type of discovered object 20 (person, wallet, watch, smartphone, etc.) can be handled as the attribute of the discovered object 20.

[0046] The method of providing the discovered object image 40 from the finder terminal 30 to the information providing device 2000 is not limited to the method of using a query application. For example, a website may be provided for providing the discovered object image 40 to the information providing device 2000. In this case, by accessing the website using the browser software of the finder terminal 30, a web page displaying the above-mentioned input screen is provided to the finder terminal 30. The finder 10 operates this input screen to send a query request including the discovered object image 40 from the finder terminal 30 to the information providing device 2000.

[0047] Here, it is preferable that the discovered object image 40 does not remain in the finder terminal 30 after the inquiry request has been sent. This makes it possible to protect the personal information and privacy of the discovered object 20. For example, the inquiry application performs a process to delete the discovered object image 40 from the finder terminal 30 after sending the inquiry request. Alternatively, for example, the inquiry application may store the discovered object image 40 generated by the camera in a temporary memory area allocated to the inquiry application, so that the discovered object image 40 is automatically deleted when the memory area is freed.

[0048] <About Search Information 50> Search information 50 is information that associates a searched object with a searcher who is searching for the searched object. More specifically, search information 50 associates searched object information 60, which is information about the searched object, with searcher information 80, which is information about the searcher. As described above, searched object information 60 includes at least an image of the searched object.

[0049] The searched item information 60 may further include attribute information indicating the attributes of the searched item. The attributes of the searched item may be the same as those of the found item 20 described above. However, the information relating to date and time is the date and time when the searched item was separated from or lost.

[0050] The searcher information 80 includes information about the searcher. As described above, the searcher information 80 includes destination information. The destination information indicates an arbitrary destination that enables the searcher terminal 110 of the corresponding searcher to receive the found item information 100.

[0051] For example, suppose that the found item information 100 is transmitted from the information providing device 2000 to the searcher terminal 110 by push notification. In this case, the destination information is identification information of the searcher terminal 110 that enables push notification to the searcher terminal 110. For example, suppose that a dedicated application (hereinafter referred to as a search application) for registering search information 50 and viewing found item information 100 is installed in the searcher terminal 110. In this case, the search application assigns different identification information to each searcher terminal 110. This identification information is then used as the destination information.

[0052] The destination information is not limited to the identification information of the searcher terminal 110 used for the push notification. For example, the destination information may indicate an email address, identification information of various SNS (Social Networking Service) accounts, or a telephone number.

[0053] The searcher information 80 may further include attribute information of the searcher. The searcher attributes may be the same as the attributes of the object 20 described above.

[0054] The searcher information 80 preferably includes a facial image of the corresponding searcher (hereinafter referred to as a searcher image). For example, a searcher image is suitable for preventing impersonation by a searcher, as will be described later. Here, impersonation by a searcher means that a person unrelated to the searched item pretends to be a person related to the searched item. A more specific example would be a case where "a person unrelated to a lost child pretends to be the child's parent."

[0055] The search information 50 is registered, for example, by using the search application described above. The search application provides the searcher terminal 110 with an input screen for registering the search information 50. The searcher operates this input screen to register the search information 50.

[0056] Here, when including a searcher image in the searcher information 80, it is undesirable for the searcher to be able to register a photo of someone other than himself / herself as the searcher image. Therefore, it is preferable to have the search application activate the camera of the searcher terminal 110, and treat the image of the person captured by the camera as the searcher image. This prevents pre-obtained images of other people from being registered as the searcher image, thereby preventing impersonation.

[0057] Alternatively, for example, a search application may be used to detect the liveness of a searcher. Specifically, the search application displays instructions to perform a predetermined action on the screen and determines whether the instructed action has been performed. Then, search information 50 is registered only when the instructed action has been performed. Examples of the predetermined action include tilting the face in a predetermined direction or blinking. Note that various existing methods can be used as specific methods for realizing liveness detection.

[0058] The search information 50 may be registered using a means other than the search application. For example, the search information 50 may be registered via a website provided by the information providing device 2000, similar to the transmission of the query request described above.

[0059] <Matching: S104> The determination unit 2040 uses the found object image 40 and the search information 50 to determine whether or not a search object that matches the found object 20 exists (S104). For example, for each piece of search information 50, the determination unit 2040 determines whether or not the search object included in the search object image corresponding to that search information 50 matches the found object 20 included in the found object image 40. Then, if a search object image including a search object that matches the found object 20 included in the found object image 40 exists, the determination unit 2040 determines that a search object that matches the found object 20 exists.

[0060] Here, various methods can be employed as a method for determining whether objects included in two images match each other (in other words, a method for determining whether objects included in two images are the same object). For example, the determination unit 2040 calculates the similarity between the feature amount extracted from the search object image and the feature amount extracted from the found object image 40. If the calculated similarity is equal to or greater than a threshold, the determination unit 2040 determines that the search object included in the search object image matches the found object 20 included in the found object image 40. On the other hand, if the similarity is less than the threshold, the determination unit 2040 determines that the search object included in the search object image does not match the found object 20 included in the found object image 40.

[0061] Alternatively, for example, a judgment model for determining whether objects included in two input images match each other may be prepared in advance. The judgment model is configured with any machine learning model (for example, a neural network such as a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network)). By inputting the discovered object image 40 and the searched object image into the judgment model, the judgment unit 2040 can obtain, from the judgment model, a judgment result as to whether the discovered object 20 included in the discovered object image 40 matches the searched object included in the searched object image. Therefore, the judgment unit 2040 can use the judgment model to determine whether the discovered object 20 included in the discovered object image 40 matches the searched object included in the searched object image.

[0062] These attribute information may be further used in matching between the discovered object 20 and the search object. For example, the determination unit 2040 narrows down the search object information 60 used for matching by using the attribute information of the discovered object 20 provided from the finder terminal 30 along with the discovered object image 40. Specifically, the determination unit 2040 identifies search object information 60 that shows attribute information that matches or is similar to the attribute information of the discovered object 20, and matches the discovered object 20 with the search object using the search object image included in the search object information 60. By narrowing down the search object in this way, the number of matching operations performed by the determination unit 2040 can be reduced. Therefore, the time and amount of computer resources required for the matching process can be reduced.

[0063] The date and time indicated by the attribute information of the found object 20 and the date and time indicated by the attribute information of the searched object (for example, the date and time when a child got separated from its parent and the date and time when a parent got separated from their child) are determined to be similar when the difference between them is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In addition, various existing methods can be used as a specific method for determining whether attributes match or are similar.

[0064] Here, the search information 50 may be registered by the searcher after the finder 10 provides the found object image 40. In this case, at the time the finder terminal 30 provides the found object image 40 to the information providing device 2000, there will be no search object that matches the found object 20. Therefore, it is preferable for the information providing device 2000 to determine whether there is a search object that matches the found object 20 not just once, but periodically (for example, once per minute). In this case, the matching execution interval may be constant, or may be changed over time (for example, set to be longer as time passes).

[0065] <Providing discovery information 100: S106> If a search object that matches the found object 20 is present, the transmitting unit 2060 provides the searcher with found object information 100 corresponding to the search object (S106). The found object information 100 provided to the searcher preferably includes information that enables the searcher to confirm that the search object he or she is searching for matches the found object 20. Therefore, for example, the transmitting unit 2060 generates found object information 100 that includes a found object image 40. By viewing the found object image 40 included in the found object information 100, the searcher can determine whether the found object 20 included in the found object image 40 matches the search object he or she is searching for.

[0066] Additionally, for example, it is preferable that the found item information 100 includes information indicating the location of the found item 20. This is because by using the information indicating the location of the found item 20, the searcher can go to that location to pick up the found item 20.

[0067] For example, information indicating the position of the discovered object 20 is provided together with the discovered object image 40 when the discoverer terminal 30 provides the discovered object image 40 to the information providing device 2000. For example, position information of the discoverer terminal 30 (e.g., GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates) can be used as the information indicating the position of the discovered object 20. Alternatively, for example, the information indicating the position of the discovered object 20 may be information manually input to the discoverer terminal 30 (e.g., text information indicating the name or address of a place). Alternatively, for example, if the discovered object image 40 is an image with position information added (geotagged image), the position information added to the discovered object image 40 can be used as information indicating the position of the discovered object 20.

[0068] Additionally, for example, the discovered item information 100 may include attribute information of the discovered item 20 provided from the finder terminal 30. Furthermore, the discovered item information 100 may include the date and time when the discovered item 20 was discovered by the finder 10. As this date and time, the date and time manually input by the finder 10, the date and time when the above-mentioned inquiry request was sent, the date and time when the discovered item image 40 was generated, etc. may be used.

[0069] The discovered item information 100 may include information about the finder 10. For example, the discovered item information 100 includes identification information of the finder terminal 30 and the address of the finder 10 (such as an email address, a telephone number, or SNS account information).

[0070] The information providing device 2000 uses the above-mentioned destination information to provide the found object information 100 to the searcher terminal 110. Specifically, the information providing device 2000 acquires the destination information from the searcher information 80 associated with the searched object information 60 of the searched object determined to match the found object 20. Then, the information providing device 2000 transmits the searcher terminal 110 to the destination specified by the destination information.

[0071] Here, various methods can be used to send information to a specific destination depending on the destination. For example, the information providing device 2000 sends a push notification of the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110 using the method described above. Alternatively, the found item information 100 may be sent to the searcher terminal 110 by email, a direct message on an SNS, or the like.

[0072] <<Confirmation about the searcher>> As described above, when using the information providing device 2000, it is preferable to be able to prevent impersonation by a malicious searcher. Therefore, if the found object 20 is a person, the transmitting unit 2060 may transmit a confirmation request to the finder terminal 30 before transmitting the found object information 100 from the information providing device 2000 to the searcher terminal 110. The confirmation request is a request for the found object 20 to confirm whether the searcher identified as the recipient of the found object information 100 is appropriate as a person to provide the found object information 100. For example, if the found object 20 is a child, the confirmation request is used to confirm whether the searcher is a relative of the child (such as the child's parent or sibling).

[0073] For example, for a search object determined to match the found object 20, the transmission unit 2060 identifies the searcher information 80 associated with the search object information 60 of the search object. Then, the transmission unit 2060 transmits a confirmation request including information on the searcher indicated by the searcher information 80 to the finder terminal 30.

[0074] For example, the confirmation request includes a confirmation screen that can be operated using the finder terminal 30. The confirmation screen includes, for example, an input interface (e.g., a selection button) for the searcher to select whether or not the searcher is appropriate as a recipient of the found item information 100. The confirmation screen also includes information about the searcher.

[0075] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. The confirmation screen 120 includes a display area 122 in which information about the searching person is displayed. In the example of FIG. 5, a facial image of the searching person (the searching person image described above) is displayed in the display area 122. The information to be displayed in the display area 122 can be obtained from the searching person information 80.

[0076] The information about the searcher provided to the finder terminal 30 is not limited to the image of the searcher. For example, information about the searcher's attributes, such as the name and age of the searcher, may be provided to the finder terminal 30.

[0077] The confirmation screen 120 further includes a selection button 124 and a selection button 126. The selection button 124 is selected when the searcher is appropriate as a recipient of the found item information 100. On the other hand, the selection button 126 is selected when the searcher is not appropriate as a recipient of the found item information 100.

[0078] The finder terminal 30 transmits a response to the confirmation request in response to an input on the confirmation screen 120. For example, this response indicates which of the selection buttons 124 and 126 was selected.

[0079] The transmission unit 2060 receives this response. If the response indicates that the selection button 124 has been selected, the transmission unit 2060 transmits the discovered item information 100 to the finder terminal 30. On the other hand, if the response indicates that the selection button 126 has been selected, the transmission unit 2060 does not transmit the discovered item information 100 to the finder terminal 30.

[0080] For example, suppose that the object 20 is a child. In this case, the finder 10 shows the confirmation screen displayed on the finder terminal 30 to the child, and asks the child to confirm whether the searcher is an appropriate person to search for the child, such as the child's parent (in other words, whether the searcher is an appropriate person to provide information about the child).

[0081] When it is confirmed that the searcher is an appropriate person, such as when a child who sees the searcher image replies, "This is my mother," the finder 10 operates the finder terminal 30 to press the selection button 124. As a result, the information providing device 2000 provides the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110.

[0082] On the other hand, if the finder 10 cannot confirm that the searcher is the appropriate person, such as when a child who sees the searcher image replies, "This is a stranger," the finder 10 operates the finder terminal 30 to press the selection button 126. As a result, the information providing device 2000 does not provide the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110.

[0083] In this way, before providing the found item information 100 to the searcher, the finder terminal 30 is used to have the searcher confirm whether or not the searcher is an appropriate person, so that information about the found item 20 is provided to the searcher only if the searcher is an appropriate person. In other words, information about the found item 20 is not provided to searchers to whom it is not appropriate to provide information about the found item 20. This makes it possible to prevent impersonation by malicious searchers. Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately protect personal information about the found item 20.

[0084] The confirmation method using the confirmation screen is not limited to a method of directly selecting whether the searcher is an appropriate person. For example, the confirmation screen may include multiple facial images, including an image of the searcher and facial images of other people, from which the image of the appropriate person to be the searcher can be selected. Furthermore, a button may be provided to indicate that there is no image of an appropriate person to be the searcher.

[0085] The response to the confirmation request indicates the result of the selection on the confirmation screen. If the selected image is an image of the searcher, it can be said that the searcher is an appropriate person. Therefore, the transmission unit 2060 transmits the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110. On the other hand, if the selected image is other than an image of the searcher, or if the answer selected indicates that there is no image of an appropriate person to be the searcher, it can be said that the searcher is not an appropriate person. Therefore, the transmission unit 2060 does not transmit the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110.

[0086] In this way, by using a method in which an image of a person appropriate for the searcher is selected from a plurality of face images, it is possible to more accurately confirm that the person being searched for is the appropriate person.

[0087] Furthermore, the confirmation request does not have to use an image. For example, the searcher information 80 may include a question (a so-called "security question") to be sent to the found object 20 and the answer to that question. In this case, the transmission unit 2060 transmits a confirmation screen including the security question to the finder terminal 30. The finder 10 or the found object 20 uses the finder terminal 30 to input the answer to the security question into the confirmation screen.

[0088] The transmitting unit 2060 receives a response indicating the answer to the security question. The transmitting unit 2060 determines whether the answer indicated in the response matches the answer indicated in the searcher information 80. If the answer indicated in the response matches the answer indicated in the searcher information 80, the transmitting unit 2060 transmits the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110. On the other hand, if the answer indicated in the response does not match the answer indicated in the searcher information 80, the transmitting unit 2060 does not transmit the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110. This method also ensures that the found item information 100 is provided only to appropriate searchers.

[0089] <Providing a means of communication between the discoverer 10 and the searcher> The information providing device 2000 may provide the finder terminal 30 and the searcher terminal 110 with a means for communication between the finder 10 and the searcher. For example, when the transmission unit 2060 sends the found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110, it transmits the URL of a web page where messages can be exchanged, such as a bulletin board or chat page, to the searcher terminal 110 of the searcher and the finder terminal 30. By accessing this URL, the finder 10 and the searcher can communicate using the bulletin board, chat page, or the like. This makes it easy for the finder 10 to hand over the found item 20 to the searcher.

[0090] Note that instead of a web page, functions of dedicated applications such as the query application and search application described above may be used. For example, when it is decided to send found item information 100 to the searcher terminal 110, the transmission unit 2060 enables the search application of the searcher terminal 110 and the query application of the finder terminal 30 to connect via a chat function, a voice call function, or the like. This can be achieved, for example, by notifying the search application of the query application from the transmission unit 2060, and then notifying the query application of the search application from the transmission unit 2060. Alternatively, for example, the transmission unit 2060 may transmit account information of the finder 10 to the search application of the searcher terminal 110, and then transmit the searcher's account information to the query application of the finder terminal 30. This allows message exchanges and voice calls between the finder 10's account and the searcher's account. Note that existing methods can be used to specifically realize message exchanges and voice calls using user accounts.

[0091] <Handing over management of Discovery 20> As described above, at the time when the found object image 40 is provided from the finder terminal 30, search information 50 about a search object that matches the found object 20 may not be registered. In this case, it is preferable for the finder 10 to continue to manage the found object 20 (by remaining near the found object 20 or continuing to carry the found object 20) until the search information 50 is registered and the found object information 100 is provided to the searcher. However, it may be difficult for the finder 10 to continue to manage the found object 20. For example, suppose the found object 20 is a child, and the finder 10 needs to leave the location for some reason. In this case, it may be difficult for the finder 10 to leave the child there or to take the child with them.

[0092] In such a case, it is preferable to be able to hand over management of the discovered object 20 from the finder 10 who first discovered the discovered object 20 to another person. Therefore, the information providing device 2000 may have a function to change the person corresponding to the discovered object image 40 from the finder terminal 30 to another person after receiving the discovered object image 40 from the finder terminal 30. Hereinafter, a functional configuration unit that realizes this function will be referred to as a handover processing unit. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information providing device 2000 having a handover processing unit 2080.

[0093] Hereinafter, the finder terminal 30 that is the takeover source and the finder terminal 30 that is the takeover destination will be referred to as the takeover source terminal and the takeover destination terminal, respectively. Also, the user of the takeover source terminal and the user of the takeover destination terminal will be referred to as the takeover source person and the takeover destination person, respectively.

[0094] For example, the handover processing unit 2080 takes over management of the discovered object 20 by changing the association between the discovered object image 40 and the terminal. First, when the discovered object image 40 is initially registered, the acquisition unit 2020 stores, in an arbitrary storage unit, information associating the discovered object image 40 received from the finder terminal 30 with the identification information of the finder terminal 30. Hereinafter, this information will be referred to as "discovered object management information." Hereinafter, if information other than the discovered object image 40 about the discovered object 20, such as attribute information of the discovered object 20, is provided, this information will also be included in the discovered object management information. For example, the identification information of the finder terminal 30 may be the identification information assigned to a query application installed on the finder terminal 30 or the identification information of the finder's account.

[0095] In this way, by storing the identification information of the finder terminal 30 and the discovered object image 40 in association with each other in the storage unit, the finder terminal 30 is associated with the inquiry process for the discovered object 20 corresponding to the discovered object image 40. In other words, the finder terminal 30 is associated with the status of "responding to an inquiry for the discovered object 20."

[0096] Suppose that the person managing the discovered object 20 is subsequently changed. In this case, the handover processing unit 2080 receives a handover request requesting a change of the finder terminal 30 associated with the discovered object image 40. For example, the handover request indicates the identification information of the terminal from which the discovered object is to be taken over and the identification information of the terminal to which the discovered object is to be taken over. The handover processing unit 2080 identifies the discovered object management information indicating the identification information of the terminal from which the discovered object is to be taken over, and changes the identification information of the finder terminal 30 in the discovered object management information to the identification information of the terminal to which the discovered object is to be taken over. In this way, the association between the discovered object image 40 and the finder terminal 30 can be changed. Therefore, the state of "responding to an inquiry about the discovered object 20" is taken over from the terminal from which the discovered object is to be taken over to the terminal to which the discovered object is to be taken over.

[0097] To facilitate the transmission of a takeover request, for example, the inquiry application is provided with a function for displaying the identification information of the finder terminal 30 on which the inquiry application is installed. For example, the identification information is displayed as a character string representing the identification information, or a code (such as a two-dimensional code) obtained by encoding the identification information. Furthermore, the inquiry application is provided with a function for reading the identification information displayed by the inquiry application of another finder terminal 30, and transmitting a takeover request using that identification information and its own identification information.

[0098] For example, an inquiry application of the takeover source terminal is used to display the identification information of the takeover source terminal on a display device of the takeover source terminal. Then, the inquiry application of the takeover destination terminal reads the identification information displayed on the takeover source terminal. For example, the identification information is read using a camera provided on the takeover destination terminal. The inquiry application of the takeover destination terminal generates a takeover request indicating the identification information of the takeover destination terminal and the identification information of the takeover source terminal read from the takeover source terminal, and transmits the request to the information providing device 2000.

[0099] The takeover request may be sent from the takeover source terminal, in which case the identification information of the takeover destination terminal displayed on the display device of the takeover destination terminal is read by a query application of the takeover source terminal.

[0100] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of how management of a discovered object 20 is taken over. In the example of FIG. 7, the takeover terminal is the finder terminal 30-1. Then, discovered object management information 130 that associates identification information T1 of the finder terminal 30-1 with discovered object image I1, which is discovered object image 40 registered by the finder terminal 30-1, is stored in storage unit 140.

[0101] Now, suppose that management of the discovered object 20 is handed over from finder terminal 30-1 to finder terminal 30-2. To this end, a code 150 indicating identification information T2 of the takeover destination terminal is displayed on the display device of finder terminal 30-2, which is the takeover destination terminal. By reading this code 150 with finder terminal 30-1, a takeover request indicating identification information T1 of the takeover source terminal and identification information T2 of the takeover destination terminal is transmitted from finder terminal 30-1 to information providing device 2000.

[0102] In response to receiving this request, the handover processing unit 2080 identifies the discovered object management information 130 that associates the identification information T1 with the discovered object image I1. Then, the handover processing unit 2080 changes the identification information of the finder terminal 30 indicated by this discovered object management information 130 from T1 to T2. As a result, management of the discovered object 20 corresponding to the discovered object image I1 is handed over from the user of the finder terminal 30-1 to the user of the finder terminal 30-2.

[0103] Here, this method of taking over using the identification information of the finder terminal 30 has the advantage that a user account is not required for the takeover. This also applies to the method of using the identification information of the inquiry request, which will be described below.

[0104] The information providing device 2000 may assign identification information to the query request and use the identification information of the query request to perform the above-mentioned handover. In this case, when the acquiring unit 2020 receives a query request indicating the found object image 40 from the finder terminal 30, it assigns identification information to the query request. Then, the acquiring unit 2020 stores in the storage unit the found object management information 130 that associates the identification information of the query request, the found object image 40, and the identification information of the finder terminal 30.

[0105] The inquiry application that has sent the inquiry request is configured to be able to refer to the identification information of the inquiry request, for example, by providing the inquiry application with a function for displaying the identification information of the inquiry request.

[0106] When taking over the management of the discovered object 20, the inquiry application of the takeover source terminal is used to display the identification information of the inquiry request on the display device of the takeover source terminal. Then, the inquiry application of the takeover destination terminal reads the identification information of the inquiry request. Then, the inquiry application of the takeover destination terminal generates a takeover request indicating the identification information of the inquiry request and the identification information of the takeover destination terminal, and transmits the request to the information providing device 2000.

[0107] The handover processing unit 2080 identifies the discovered object management information 130 indicating the identification information of the received query request. Then, the handover processing unit 2080 changes the identification information of the finder terminal 30 indicated in this discovered object management information 130 to the identification information of the terminal to which the discovery is to be taken over.

[0108] The transfer may be performed using the accounts of the transfer source person and the transferee person. In this case, the finder 10 sends a query request from the finder terminal 30 while logged in to the query application. The query request then includes identification information of the finder 10's account. The acquisition unit 2020, which receives the query request, stores in the storage unit the discovered object management information 130 that associates the identification information of the query request, the identification information of the finder 10's account, and the discovered object image 40. This associates the account of the finder 10 with the query process related to the discovered object 20. In other words, the finder 10's account is associated with a status of "responding to a query for the discovered object 20."

[0109] Furthermore, the inquiry application is provided with a function that allows the inquiry of the discovered object 20 to be taken over between accounts. For example, the inquiry application of the takeover source terminal generates a takeover request indicating the account of the takeover recipient and transmits it to the information providing device 2000. In response to receiving the takeover request, the takeover processing unit 2080 transmits an approval request for the takeover addressed to the account of the takeover recipient indicated in the takeover request. As a result, the approval request is transmitted to the takeover destination terminal.

[0110] On the transfer destination terminal that receives the approval request, a selection screen is displayed for the user to select whether or not to approve the transfer. The selection screen displays the account information of the transfer source user, the discovered object image 40 associated with the query to be transferred, and the like.

[0111] When a selection is made on this selection screen as to whether or not to approve the takeover, a response indicating the result of the selection is transmitted to the information providing device 2000. If the response indicates approval of the takeover, the takeover processing unit 2080 changes the identification information of the account associated with the identification information of the inquiry request in the discovered object management information 130 to the identification information of the account of the takeover recipient. By doing so, the account associated with the inquiry request in the discovered object management information 130 is changed from the account of the takeover source person to the account of the takeover recipient person. As a result, the status of "responding to inquiry for discovered object 20" is taken over from the account of the takeover source person to the account of the takeover recipient person.

[0112] It is also possible that the management of the found item 20 must be taken over after the found item information 100 has been sent to the searcher terminal 110. In this case, if information about the finder 10 (such as the identification information of the finder terminal 30) has been provided to the searcher terminal 110, it is preferable to notify the searcher terminal 110 that the management of the found item 20 has been taken over, along with information about the person to take over.

[0113] Therefore, for example, once the handover from the handover source terminal to the handover destination terminal is performed using the various methods described above, the transmission unit 2060 transmits a notification to the searcher terminal 110 that management of the found item 20 has been taken over. This notification includes various information about the handover destination person. The information about the handover destination person is the same as the information about the finder 10 included in the found item information 100.

[0114] <Examples of usage scenarios> To facilitate understanding of the information providing device 2000, specific examples of scenes in which the information providing device 2000 is used are described below. The scenes described here are merely examples, and scenes in which the information providing device 2000 is used are not limited to the examples described below.

[0115] Here, assume that parent A and child B have become separated. Parent A realizes that they have become separated from child B, so they start a search application on their own terminal Ta and register child B as a found object 20. For example, search information 50 that associates searched object information 60 including a facial image of child B as a searched object image with searcher information 80 including a facial image of parent A as a searcher image is stored in storage unit 90.

[0116] Person C, who finds lost child B, starts an inquiry application on his / her terminal Tc, takes a photo of child B, and sends an inquiry request. The inquiry request includes a photo of child B's face as the found object image 40.

[0117] The information providing device 2000 searches for a found object 20 that matches Child B from the search information 50 stored in the storage unit 90. As a result, a search object that matches the found object 20 is detected because there is a high degree of similarity between the search object image, which is Child B's facial image, and the found object image 40, which is also Child B's facial image. The information providing device 2000 acquires a facial image of Parent A as a searcher image from searcher information 80 associated with search object information 60 that includes Child B's facial image as the search object image. The information providing device 2000 then transmits a confirmation request including the facial image of Parent A to terminal Tc, which is the sender of the inquiry request.

[0118] Person C shows Child B the face image of Parent A displayed on the display device of Terminal Tc. Because Parent A is Child B's parent, Child B replies that "Parent A is my parent." Person C then operates the confirmation screen displayed on Terminal Tc to reply that he or she allows information about Child B to be provided to the searcher. As a result, a response to the confirmation request is transmitted from Terminal Tc to Information Providing Device 2000.

[0119] Upon receiving the response to the confirmation request, the information providing device 2000 transmits the discovered object information 100, which is information about child B, to terminal Ta of parent A. This discovered object information 100 includes the location information of terminal Tc. Parent A can ascertain the location of child B by viewing the discovered object information 100. Parent A then goes to the location indicated in the discovered object information 100 to pick up child B and collect child B from person C.

[0120] In order to ensure that Parent A and Person C meet, they may exchange messages via a bulletin board provided by the information providing device 2000, chat, or voice calls as appropriate.

[0121] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0122] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0123] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) an acquisition means for acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination means for determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists, using information associating the second object with the second terminal and the first image; a transmitting means for transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object. (Appendix 2) the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; 2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object. (Appendix 3) The transmitting means Sending a confirmation request to the first terminal that includes information about the searcher; An information providing device as described in Appendix 2, which, when receiving information from the first terminal indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher, transmits information regarding the first object to the second terminal. (Appendix 4) the confirmation request includes an image of the searcher and an image of a person other than the searcher; An information providing device as described in Appendix 3, which determines that information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher has been received when a predetermined input indicating that the image of the searcher has been selected is received. (Appendix 5) the acquiring means acquires information representing a position of the first object; 5. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means includes information indicating a position of the first object in the information about the first object. (Appendix 6) the acquiring means stores the first image and identification information of the finder who found the first object in association with each other in a storage unit; An information providing device as described in any one of appendices 1 to 5, having a handover processing means for receiving a request indicating the identification information of the discoverer and the identification information of a recipient person, and changing the identification information of the person associated with the first image in the memory unit to the identification information of the recipient person. (Appendix 7) 7. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein the determining means treats an object included in a predetermined range in the first image as the first object. (Appendix 8) an acquisition step of acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination step of determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting step of transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object. (Appendix 9) the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; The information providing method according to claim 8, wherein the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object. (Appendix 10) In the transmitting step, Sending a confirmation request to the first terminal that includes information about the searcher; An information providing method as described in Appendix 9, wherein, when information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher is received from the first terminal, information regarding the first object is sent to the second terminal. (Appendix 11) the confirmation request includes an image of the searcher and an image of a person other than the searcher; An information provision method as described in Appendix 10, wherein, when a specified input indicating that the image of the searcher has been selected is received, it is determined that information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher has been received. (Appendix 12) In the acquiring step, information representing a position of the first object is acquired; 12. The information providing method according to any one of appendices 8 to 11, wherein, in the transmitting step, the information relating to the first object includes information indicating a position of the first object. (Appendix 13) In the acquiring step, the first image and identification information of a person who discovered the first object are stored in a storage unit in association with each other; An information provision method described in any one of Appendices 8 to 12, comprising a handover processing step of acquiring a request indicating the identification information of the discoverer and the identification information of a recipient person, and changing the identification information of the person associated with the first image in the memory unit to the identification information of the recipient person. (Appendix 14) 14. The information providing method according to any one of appendices 8 to 13, wherein in the determining step, an object included in a predetermined range in the first image is treated as the first object. (Appendix 15) an acquisition step of acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination step of determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting step of transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object. (Appendix 16) the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; 16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object. (Appendix 17) In the transmitting step, Sending a confirmation request to the first terminal that includes information about the searcher; 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein, when information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher is received from the first terminal, information regarding the first object is transmitted to the second terminal. (Appendix 18) the confirmation request includes an image of the searcher and an image of a person other than the searcher; 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein when a predetermined input indicating that the image of the searcher has been selected is received, it is determined that information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher has been received. (Appendix 19) In the acquiring step, information representing a position of the first object is acquired; 19. The computer-readable medium of any one of appendixes 15 to 18, wherein, in the transmitting step, the information about the first object includes information indicating the location of the first object. (Appendix 20) In the acquiring step, the first image and identification information of a person who discovered the first object are stored in a storage unit in association with each other; A computer-readable medium described in any one of Appendices 15 to 19, comprising a handover processing step of acquiring a request indicating the identification information of the discoverer and the identification information of a recipient person, and changing the identification information of the person associated with the first image in the memory unit to the identification information of the recipient person. (Appendix 21) 21. The computer-readable medium of any one of appendices 15 to 20, wherein in the determining step, an object included in a predetermined range in the first image is treated as the first object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 10 Discoverer 20 Discoveries 30 Discoverer's Terminal 40 Images of discovered objects 50 Search Information 60 Search object information 80 Searcher Information 90 Memory section 100 Discovered Item Information 110 Searcher Terminal 120 Confirmation Screen 122 display area 124 Select button 126 Select button 130 Found object management information 140 Storage section 150 Code 1000 computers 1020 Bus 1040 processor 1060 memory 1080 storage device 1100 Input / Output Interface 1120 Network Interface 2000 Information provision equipment 2020 Acquisition Department 2040 Judgment section 2060 Transmitter 2080 Handover Processing Unit

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination means for determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists, using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting means for transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object, the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object, The transmitting means Sending a confirmation request to the first terminal, the confirmation request including information about the searcher; an information providing device that, when receiving information from the first terminal indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher, transmits information about the found object to the second terminal;

2. An acquisition means for acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination means for determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists, using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting means for transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object, the acquiring means stores the first image and identification information of a person who discovered the first object in a storage unit in association with each other; An information providing device having a handover processing means that receives a request indicating the identification information of the finder and the identification information of the person to whom the information is to be taken over, and changes the identification information of the person associated with the first image in the memory unit to the identification information of the person to whom the information is to be taken over.

3. the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; The information providing device according to claim 2 , wherein the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object.

4. the confirmation request includes an image of the searcher and an image of a person other than the searcher; The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein when a predetermined input indicating that the image of the searcher has been selected is received, it is determined that information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher has been received.

5. the acquiring means acquires information representing a position of the first object; The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitting means includes information indicating a position of the first object in the information relating to the first object.

6. The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the determining means treats an object included in a predetermined range in the first image as the first object.

7. an acquisition step of acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination step of determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting step of transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object, the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object, In the transmitting step, Sending a confirmation request to the first terminal, the confirmation request including information about the searcher; An information providing method executed by a computer, which, when receiving information from the first terminal indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher, transmits information regarding the discovered object to the second terminal.

8. An acquisition step of acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination step of determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting step of transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object, In the acquiring step, the first image and identification information of a person who discovered the first object are stored in a storage unit in association with each other; An information provision method executed by a computer, comprising a handover processing step of acquiring a request indicating the identification information of the discoverer and the identification information of a recipient person, and changing the identification information of the person associated with the first image in the memory unit to the identification information of the recipient person.

9. an acquisition step of acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination step of determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting step of transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object; the first object is a find; the second object is a search target; the second terminal associated with the second object is a terminal of a searcher searching for the second object, In the transmitting step, Sending a confirmation request to the first terminal, the confirmation request including information about the searcher; a program that transmits information about the object to be found to the second terminal when information indicating that the searcher is an appropriate searcher is received from the first terminal;

10. An acquisition step of acquiring a first image including a first object from a first terminal; a determination step of determining whether or not a second object identical to the first object exists using information associating a second object with a second terminal and the first image; a transmitting step of transmitting information about the first object to the second terminal corresponding to the second object determined to be identical to the first object; In the acquiring step, the first image and identification information of a person who discovered the first object are stored in a storage unit in association with each other; A program that causes the computer to execute a handover processing step of acquiring a request indicating the identification information of the discoverer and the identification information of the person to whom the information is to be taken over, and changing the identification information of the person associated with the first image in the memory unit to the identification information of the person to whom the information is to be taken over.

Images