Management device, management method, management program, and provision system

Abstract

To efficiently manage gathered video recording data.SOLUTION: A management device according to one embodiment includes: a storage part which acquires video recording data, meeting specified conditions, from a providing device for providing video recording data, and then saves the data in a storage device on receiving a request for provision including the specific conditions from a device as a request source; an evaluation part which provides the video recording data meeting the specified conditions, to the device as the request source from the storage device, and evaluates the degree of use of the video recording data based upon how many times the video recording data is provided; and a deletion part which deletes the video recording data in the storage device when the degree of use of the video recording data is sufficiently low to meet predetermined conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the management of recorded data in a system that collects recorded data and provides the collected recorded data to users who wish to use the data, and more particularly to a technique for efficiently managing collected recorded data. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a system that collects, via a network, recording data such as recording files recorded by a photographing device such as a drive recorder.

[0003] For example, in the data collection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, collection condition data specifying the conditions (presence or absence of metadata) assigned to the recording data to be used is generated in advance and set in the image capture device. The image capture device then transmits the recording data that meets the collection conditions to the data collection device. This allows the data collection device to collect only the recording data that meets the conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-38408 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, suppose that recorded data is collected from a wide range of imaging devices, such as drive recorders, surveillance cameras, and personally owned smartphones, and that the recorded data is provided to third parties upon request for use. In this case, there may be more unused recorded data than expected, resulting in unnecessary consumption of storage space in the management device that collects the recorded data.

[0006] In this case, for example, when a request for recorded data is received from a third party, a method can be considered in which the management device searches for a camera that has recorded the requested recorded data and sends it directly to the user's terminal. In other words, this method involves the management device acting as an intermediary without collecting the recorded data.

[0007] However, the storage capacity of the imaging device is also limited. For example, drive recorders and surveillance cameras record recorded data by overwriting it on the built-in storage medium, so when a request for use occurs, the recorded data that meets the requested conditions may be overwritten and lost.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a management device, a management method, a management program, and a providing system for efficiently managing collected recorded data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) A management device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a storage unit that, upon receiving a provision request including specified conditions from a requesting device, acquires recorded data that satisfies the specified conditions from a providing device that provides the recorded data and stores the data in a storage device; an evaluation unit that provides the recorded data that satisfies the specified conditions from the storage device to the requesting device and evaluates the usage of the recorded data based on the number of times the recorded data is provided; and a deletion unit that deletes the recorded data from the storage device if the usage of the recorded data is low and satisfies the specified conditions.

[0010] (2) In the management device of (1) above, the recording data may be associated with information indicating the detection target detected by image analysis of the recording data, and the specified conditions may include the date and time the recording data was taken, the location where the recording data was taken, and information specifying the detection target detected from the recording data.

[0011] (3) In the management device of (1) above, when a predetermined detection target is detected as a result of image analysis of certain recorded data, the providing device may transmit the certain recorded data to the management device in association with the predetermined detection target, and when the storage unit receives the recorded data in which the predetermined detection target has been detected from the providing device, it may store the recorded data in a storage device, and the deletion unit may not delete the recorded data in which the predetermined detection target has been detected even if its usage rate is low and satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0012] (4) In the management device of (2) above, the predetermined condition for the utilization may be set according to the type of the detection target.

[0013] (5) A management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the following: when a computer receives a provision request including specified conditions from a requesting device, the computer acquires recorded data that meets the specified conditions from a providing device that provides the recorded data and stores the data in a storage device; the computer provides the recorded data that meets the specified conditions from the storage device to the requesting device; the computer evaluates the usage of the recorded data based on the number of times the recorded data is provided; and if the usage of the recorded data is low and meets the specified conditions, the computer deletes the recorded data from the storage device.

[0014] (6) A management program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following process when it receives a provision request including specified conditions from a requesting device: acquires recorded data that meets the specified conditions from a providing device that provides the recorded data, stores the data in a storage device; provides the recorded data that meets the specified conditions from the storage device to the requesting device; evaluates the usage of the recorded data based on the number of times the recorded data is provided; and, if the usage of the recorded data is low and meets the specified conditions, deletes the recorded data from the storage device.

[0015] (7) One aspect of the provision system of the present disclosure is a provision system including a provision device that provides recorded data and a management device, wherein the management device, upon receiving a provision request including specified conditions from a requesting device, acquires recorded data that meets the specified conditions from the provision device and stores it in a storage device, provides the recorded data that meets the specified conditions from the storage device to the requesting device, evaluates the usage of the recorded data based on the number of times the recorded data is provided, and if the usage of the recorded data is low and meets the specified conditions, deletes the recorded data from the storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] Collected recording data can be managed efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a provision system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of a management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of a providing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operational flow of a recording data generation process executed by a control unit of a providing device according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of recorded data information according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a provision request according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operational flow of a recording data providing process executed by a control unit of a management device according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of recording data management information according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating threshold information according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detection target list according to the embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer for realizing a management device and a providing device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate corresponding elements in the various drawings.

[0019] 1 is a diagram illustrating a providing system 100 according to an embodiment. In the providing system 100 in FIG. 1, for example, a management device 101 and a providing device 102 that provides recorded data are connected via a network 105.

[0020] The management device 101 may be, for example, a computer such as a server that collects recorded data from the providing device 102 and provides the data to the terminal 103 .

[0021] The providing device 102 is, for example, a device that provides recording data captured by a photographing device to the management device 101. The providing device 102 may include, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle that provides recording data captured by a photographing device such as a drive recorder, a photographing device such as a surveillance camera, a recording providing server that provides recording data captured by a photographing device, etc.

[0022] The terminal 103 may be a device used by a user who receives a recording data provision service from the management device 101, and may include, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile terminal such as a mobile computer, and a computer such as a personal computer. The terminal 103 may also operate as the providing device 102.

[0023] In the provision system 100, when the management device 101 receives a request for provision of recorded data from, for example, a terminal 103, it widely collects recorded data that meets the conditions specified in the provision request from various provision devices 102 (for example, in-vehicle devices, surveillance cameras, recorded data provision servers, personally owned smartphones, etc.) and stores the collected recorded data in a storage device. The management device 101 also provides the collected recorded data to the requesting terminal 103. Once collected, the recorded data may be stored in the storage device as is, since it may be used by other users, for example.

[0024] However, when recording data is stored in a storage device in this way, there may be recording data that is less used than expected. In this case, the storage area of ​​the storage device is wasted by recording data that is less used. Therefore, there is a need for a technology to efficiently use the storage capacity of the storage device.

[0025] One method for reducing the amount of recorded data stored in the storage device is, for example, when the management device 101 receives a provision request from a third party, to search for a providing device 102 that has recorded data that meets the specified conditions included in the provision request, and to transmit the recorded data directly to the user's terminal from that providing device 102. In other words, in this method, the management device 101 only acts as an intermediary without collecting the recorded data.

[0026] However, in the providing device 102, such as a drive recorder or a surveillance camera, the recorded data is often recorded by overwriting the built-in storage medium. In this case, the recorded data that meets the conditions specified in the provision request may be overwritten and erased when the provision request is made. Therefore, it may be preferable to temporarily store the recorded data for which a provision request has been made in the storage device of the management device 101.

[0027] Therefore, in the embodiment described below, the management device 101 evaluates the usage of recorded data based on the number of times the recorded data is provided. If the usage of the recorded data satisfies a predetermined condition and is low, the management device 101 deletes the recorded data from the storage device. This makes it possible to prevent the storage area of ​​the management device 101 from being overwhelmed by recorded data that is not often provided to users and has little utility value. The embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0028] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of the management device 101 according to an embodiment. The management device 101 includes, for example, a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, and a communication unit 203. The control unit 201 includes, for example, a saving unit 211, an evaluation unit 212, and a deletion unit 213, and may also include other functional units. The storage unit 202 stores, for example, information such as a provision request 600, video recording data management information 800, and threshold information 900, which will be described later. The communication unit 203 communicates with other devices, such as the providing device 102 and the terminal 103, according to instructions from the control unit 201. Details of each of these units and the information stored in the storage unit 202 will be described later.

[0029] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of a providing device 102 according to an embodiment. The providing device 102 includes, for example, a control unit 301, a storage unit 302, and a communication unit 303. The control unit 301 controls, for example, each unit of the providing device 102. The storage unit 302 stores, for example, information such as video recording data information 500, a provision request 600, and a detection target list 1000, which will be described later. The communication unit 303 communicates with other devices, such as the management device 101, in accordance with instructions from the control unit 301. Details of these functional units and details of the information stored in the storage unit 302 will be described later.

[0030] Next, the process of generating recorded data executed by the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 will be described.

[0031] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of a recording data generation process executed by the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 according to the embodiment. The control unit 301 may start the operation flow of FIG. 4 when, for example, an instruction to execute the recording data generation process is input.

[0032] In S401, the control unit 301 of the providing device 102, for example, acquires recorded data. For example, if the providing device 102 is a photographing device such as a camera, the control unit 301 may acquire recorded data captured by the device itself. Also, if the providing device 102 is a recorded data providing server that stores recorded data captured by a photographing device, the providing device 102 may acquire recorded data captured by a connected photographing device such as a surveillance camera and store the acquired data in the storage unit 302. In this case, the control unit 301 may acquire recorded data to be processed from the recorded data stored in the storage unit 302.

[0033] In S402, the control unit 301 performs image analysis on the acquired recording data. For example, the control unit 301 divides the recording data into recording data of a predetermined length. Then, the control unit 301 executes a detection process to detect a predetermined detection target, such as an object or an event, in each of the divided recording data, and determines whether the detection target is captured in the recording data. The detection target may be, for example, any object that can be detected from the recording data. In one example, the detection target includes a person, a vehicle, an animal, a wheelchair, a sign, weather, etc.

[0034] The detection process can be performed using, for example, object detection technology, and various methods can be used, such as a method using machine learning, a method using features such as local features, and a matching method such as template matching.

[0035] In S403, the control unit 301 associates additional information with the recorded data. The additional information includes information about the recorded data, such as information about the shooting date and time when the recorded data was captured. The additional information also includes information about the shooting location where the recorded data was captured. For example, if the image capturing device is a surveillance camera that captures images at a fixed location, information about the installation location may be recorded in the storage device of the surveillance camera, and the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 can acquire the information about the shooting location by reading out the information about the installation location. For example, if the image capturing device is a driving recorder that captures images while moving, a position sensor such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) can acquire location information corresponding to the time. The control unit 301 may then acquire the location information measured by the position sensor at the shooting date and time as the image capturing location.

[0036] The control unit 301 also performs image analysis on the recording data to acquire information on the detected target as additional information. Note that the additional information may be stored together with the recording data as meta information such as metadata of the recording data, or may be stored as separate data associated with the recording data.

[0037] In S404, the control unit 301 registers the record of the recorded data associated with the additional information in the recorded data information 500.

[0038] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of recorded data information 500 according to the embodiment. The recorded data information 500 is stored in the providing device 102, for example.

[0039] In the example of FIG. 5, the video recording data information 500 has registered therein records that associate a camera device identifier (ID), a video recording data ID, video recording data, and additional information. The camera device ID, for example, has registered therein identification information for identifying the camera that captured the video recording data corresponding to the record. The video recording data ID, for example, has registered therein an identifier for identifying the video recording data corresponding to the record. The video recording data, for example, has registered therein information indicating the video recording data corresponding to the record. The video recording data may, for example, be information indicating the file name or storage location of the video recording data. The additional information, for example, has registered therein additional information associated with the video recording data corresponding to the record. The additional information includes, for example, information on the date and time when the video recording data corresponding to the record was captured, and information on the capture location. The additional information also includes, for example, information on the detection target detected from the video recording data.

[0040] Then, in the process of S404, the control unit 301 registers in the recorded data information 500, for example, a record in which the recorded data to be processed is associated with the additional information identified for the recorded data.

[0041] In S405, the control unit 301 determines whether or not a request to provide recorded data has been received. For example, when the control unit 301 receives a request to provide recorded data from the management device 101, the control unit 301 may determine YES in S405, and the flow proceeds to S406. On the other hand, when a request to provide recorded data has not been received, the control unit 301 may determine NO in S405, and the flow returns to S401. Note that the request to provide includes, for example, a designation condition that specifies the recorded data to be requested to be provided. The designation condition includes, for example, the shooting date and time when the recorded data was captured, the shooting location when the recorded data was captured, and information that specifies the detection target detected from the recorded data.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a provision request 600 according to an embodiment. The provision request 600 includes, for example, a shooting date and time, a shooting location, and additional information as specification information. The shooting date and time in the provision request 600 is, for example, information specifying the shooting date and time when the video data requested to be provided was captured. The shooting location in the provision request 600 is, for example, information specifying the shooting location when the video data requested to be provided was captured. The additional information in the provision request 600 is information specifying the detection target that appears in the video data requested to be provided. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an example of provision request 600 requesting the provision of video data that was captured between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM on April 10, 2020, the longitude and latitude of the shooting location is within a predetermined distance from (x, y), and includes the character "shika" as additional information.

[0043] In S406, the control unit 301 determines whether or not the video recording data that satisfies the specified conditions specified in the provision request 600 is registered in the video recording data information 500. If the video recording data that satisfies the specified conditions specified in the provision request 600 is not registered in the video recording data information 500 in S406 (NO in S406), there is no video recording data to provide, so the flow returns to S401 and the control unit 301 repeats the process. On the other hand, if the video recording data that satisfies the specified conditions specified in the provision request 600 is registered in the video recording data information 500 in S406 (YES in S406), the flow proceeds to S407.

[0044] In S407, the control unit 301 provides, for example, the recording data that satisfies the specified conditions to the management device 101, and the flow returns to S401.

[0045] As described above, according to the providing device 102 of the embodiment, it is possible to associate additional information with recorded data and register the associated additional information in the recorded data information 500. Furthermore, the providing device 102 can provide the recorded data specified in the provision request 600 to the management device 101.

[0046] Next, the process of providing recorded data to the terminal 103 by the management device 101 will be described.

[0047] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of a recording data providing process executed by the control unit 201 of the management device 101 according to an embodiment. For example, the control unit 201 of the management device 101 may start the operation flow of FIG. 7 when an instruction to execute the recording data providing process is input.

[0048] In S701, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the provision request 600 has been received. For example, if the provision request 600 has not been received from the terminal 103 or the like in S701 (NO in S701), the flow proceeds to S707. On the other hand, if the provision request 600 has been received in S701 (YES in S701), the flow proceeds to S702.

[0049] In S702, the control unit 201 notifies the providing device 102 of the provision request 600. For example, upon receiving the notification of the provision request 600, the providing device 102 checks whether the video recording data that satisfies the specified conditions included in the provision request 600 is registered in the video recording data information 500, and if so, provides the video recording data to the management device 101.

[0050] In S703, the control unit 201 collects, for example, from the providing device 102, recorded data that satisfies the specified conditions indicated in the provision request 600. For example, the control unit 201 receives the recorded data in response to the notification of the provision request 600 from the providing device 102.

[0051] In S704, the control unit 201 registers the record of the provided recording data in the recording data management information 800 and stores it in the storage unit 202.

[0052] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of video recording data management information 800 according to an embodiment. In the video recording data management information 800, for example, records of video recording data collected from the providing device 102 are registered, and the records include information indicating the degree of use of the registered video recording data.

[0053] In the example of FIG. 8, the video recording data management information 800 has registered therein records associating information such as a camera device ID, a video recording data ID, video recording data, additional information, the number of times of provision, the collection date and time, and the frequency threshold. The camera device ID is, for example, an identifier for identifying the camera that captured the video recording data corresponding to the record. The video recording data ID is, for example, an identifier for identifying the video recording data corresponding to the record. The video recording data is, for example, information indicating the video recording data corresponding to the record, and may be, for example, information indicating the file name or storage location of the video recording data. The additional information is, for example, additional information associated with the video recording data corresponding to the record. The additional information includes, for example, information on the shooting date and time and the shooting location of the video recording data corresponding to the record. The additional information also includes, for example, information on the detection target detected from the video recording data corresponding to the record. The information registered in the video recording data information 500 for the video recording data of the record may be registered in the video recording data management information 800 from the camera device ID to the additional information.

[0054] The number of times of provision in the video recording data management information 800 may, for example, be the number of times that video recording data corresponding to a record has been provided. The collection date and time may, for example, be information on the date and time when video recording data corresponding to a record was collected from the providing device 102. The frequency threshold may, for example, be a threshold for determining whether or not to delete video recording data corresponding to a record. In one example, the frequency threshold may be a fixed value, and in another example, a threshold may be set for each type of video recording data. For example, the frequency threshold may be set in association with the type of additional information.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating threshold information 900 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, a frequency threshold may be set for additional information, for example. In one example, the frequency threshold may be set according to the value of a video. For example, the frequency threshold may be set so that the more valuable a video is, the longer the video will be stored even if it is provided less frequently. For example, in FIG. 9, a low frequency threshold is set for additional information representing a valuable detection target, such as once every 100 days if the additional information "wheelchair" is added, or once every 300 days if the additional information "only" is added.

[0056] If the recorded data is associated with a plurality of pieces of additional information, a frequency threshold representative of the plurality of pieces of additional information may be set. For example, the control unit 201 may use a frequency threshold representative of the plurality of pieces of additional information detected from one piece of recorded data (for example, the lowest frequency threshold) as the frequency threshold for that piece of recorded data.

[0057] In S705, the control unit 201 provides the recording data to the requesting terminal 103. For example, the control unit 201 transmits to the requesting terminal 103, among the recording data registered in the recording data management information 800, the recording data that satisfies the specified conditions indicated in the provision request 600. Note that the recording data transmitted to the terminal 103 may include not only the recording data provided by the providing device 102 in response to the current provision request 600, but also recording data that has already been registered in the recording data management information 800.

[0058] In S706, the control unit 201 counts (for example, counts) the number of times that the recorded data has been provided to the terminal 103, and updates the number of times that the recorded data has been provided in the recorded data management information 800.

[0059] In S707, the control unit 201 evaluates the usage of the recorded data based on the number of times the recorded data has been provided, and determines whether there is any recorded data with a low usage rate. For example, the control unit 201 determines whether any recorded data whose frequency of provision since the collection date and time is equal to or less than the frequency threshold is registered in the recorded data management information 800. If any recorded data whose frequency of provision since the collection date and time is equal to or less than the frequency threshold is not registered in the recorded data management information 800 (NO in S707), the flow returns to S701. On the other hand, if any recorded data whose frequency of provision since the collection date and time is equal to or less than the frequency threshold is registered in the recorded data management information 800 (YES in S707), the flow proceeds to S708.

[0060] In S708, the control unit 201 deletes from the recorded data management information 800 the recorded data whose frequency of provision since the collection date and time is equal to or less than the frequency threshold, and the flow returns to S701.

[0061] As described above, according to the embodiment, the management device 101 can delete recorded data according to the degree of use of the recorded data. Therefore, recorded data with high utility value can be carefully selected and retained. On the other hand, recorded data with low utility value can be deleted. Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to prevent the storage area from being consumed by recorded data with low utility value, and it is possible to use the storage area efficiently.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, for example, the storage unit 302 of the providing device 102 may store a list of detection targets for which detection is to be performed from recorded data.

[0063] 10 is a diagram illustrating a detection target list 1000 according to an embodiment. In the processes of S402 and S403 described above, the control unit 301 detects various detection targets as shown in the detection target list 1000 and associates additional information about the detected detection targets with the recorded data. This makes it possible to obtain information about what is shown in the recorded data from the additional information, thereby increasing the usefulness of the recorded data. Note that if a detection target object is not detected in the recorded data, the control unit 301 may associate additional information indicating that the detection target was not detected with the recorded data.

[0064] Furthermore, when the providing device 102 receives a request 600 for providing video recording data having certain additional information, it can determine whether the additional information is a detection target by referring to the detection target list 1000. This allows for a rapid search.

[0065] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the providing device 102 provides recorded data that satisfies the conditions indicated in the provision request when the providing device 102 receives the provision request from the management device 101, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the providing device 102 may transmit recorded data that satisfies predetermined transmission conditions to the management device 101.

[0066] For example, after registering the video recording data in the video recording data information 500 in S404, the management device 101 may transmit the video recording data to the management device 101 if the registered video recording data satisfies a predetermined transmission condition. The predetermined transmission condition may be, for example, the detection of a predetermined detection target, such as the presence of a rare detection target. For example, video recording data showing a deer jumping out into the road may be rarer than video recording data showing traffic lights and signs. Such rare video may be difficult to obtain, so it may be desirable to collect and store it even if it is not used often. Furthermore, many providing devices 102, such as drive recorders, overwrite and erase previous video recording data when their storage space becomes full, resulting in the loss of rare video footage that has been carefully captured. Therefore, the providing device 102 may be configured to immediately upload video recording data that satisfies a predetermined transmission condition to a server.

[0067] For example, when recording data in which predetermined additional information (for example, additional information indicating a rare detection target) has been detected in S404 is newly registered in the recording data information 500, the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 may transmit the recording data to the management device 101. This allows the management device 101 to efficiently collect valuable recording data.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, the providing device 102 may associate information indicating the usefulness of the recorded data as additional information with the recorded data. For example, if the recording device for the recorded data is a drive recorder, the information indicating the usefulness may be information indicating that the proportion of the road in the image is equal to or greater than a predetermined proportion.

[0069] For example, when recording data is collected, a large vehicle or the like may block the direction in which the recording data is shot, obstructing the view and making it difficult to obtain information about the surroundings. For this reason, if the area in which the vehicle is captured in the recording data is 20% or less of the shooting range, the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 may associate additional information (e.g., "good visibility") that indicates that the view of the recording data is likely to be good.

[0070] As another example, recorded data captured by a drive recorder attached to a large vehicle is likely to be captured from a higher position than a standard vehicle, and therefore has good visibility. Therefore, for example, if the recording device for the recorded data is a drive recorder, the information indicating the usefulness may be that the model of the vehicle to which the drive recorder is attached is included in a predetermined model representing a large vehicle. In this case, the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 may associate the recorded data with additional information indicating that visibility is likely to be good (e.g., good visibility), or may associate the recorded data with information indicating a large vehicle (e.g., large vehicle). Note that the drive recorder may be connected to the providing device 102, such as an in-vehicle device, and information indicating the vehicle model may be stored in the storage unit 302 of the providing device 102.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, when the recording device for the recorded data is a drive recorder, the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 may associate information about the vehicle's driving lane (for example, sidewalk side, center side, etc.) with the recorded data as additional information. This enables efficient work, such as collecting recorded data taken by the drive recorder of a vehicle traveling on the sidewalk side when an accident occurs on the sidewalk side.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the control unit 201 of the management device 101 deletes the recorded data collected in the recorded data management information 800 based on the degree of usage, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, some recorded data is used depending on the time of year, such as the season. For example, recorded data collected for use in spring tourist guides may not be used after the season changes to summer. One example is video of cherry blossoms in bloom. Such recorded data may not only be deleted based on the degree of usage in S407, but may also be deleted, for example, when the expiration date has passed in S404. As such, in the embodiment, an expiration date may be further set for the recorded data, and the recorded data may be deleted based on the expiration date in addition to the deletion based on the degree of usage.

[0073] As another example, it may be desirable to use video that shows the latest situation. In this case, the control unit 301 may delete previously registered video data with the same additional information from the video data management information 800 when new video data with the same additional information is registered in the video data management information 800 in S404. This allows the provision of fresh video.

[0074] As described above, additional information indicating highly useful data that meets the conditions set according to the purpose may be associated with the recorded data, which allows the management device 101 to efficiently collect highly useful recorded data according to the purpose by specifying it with the additional information.

[0075] Although the embodiments have been described above as examples, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, the above-described operational flow is an example, and the embodiments are not limited to these. If possible, the operational flow may be executed by changing the order of the processes, may include additional processes, or may omit some processes.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the providing device 102 associates additional information with the recorded data, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in another embodiment, the association of additional information with at least some of the recorded data may be performed by the management device 101.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, in the process of S704, the control unit 201 operates, for example, as the storage unit 211. In the processes of S705 to S707, the control unit 201 operates, for example, as the evaluation unit 212. In the process of S708, the control unit 201 operates, for example, as the deletion unit 213.

[0078] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1100 for realizing the management device 101 and the providing device 102 according to an embodiment. The hardware configuration of the computer 1100 in FIG. 11 includes, for example, a processor 1101, a memory 1102, a storage device 1103, a reading device 1104, a communication interface 1106, and an input / output interface 1107. The processor 1101, the memory 1102, the storage device 1103, the reading device 1104, the communication interface 1106, and the input / output interface 1107 are connected to one another via, for example, a bus 1108.

[0079] The processor 1101 may be, for example, a single processor, or a multi-processor or multi-core processor. The processor 1101 provides some or all of the functions of the control unit 201 of the management device 101 or the control unit 301 of the providing device 102 by using the memory 1102 to execute a program that describes, for example, the procedures of the above-mentioned operational flow. For example, the processor 1101 of the management device 101 operates as the saving unit 211, the evaluating unit 212, and the deleting unit 213 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 1103.

[0080] The memory 1102 is, for example, a semiconductor memory and may include a RAM area and a ROM area. The storage device 1103 is, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a hard disk or flash memory, or an external storage device. Note that RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory, and ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory.

[0081] The reading device 1104 accesses the removable storage medium 1105 in accordance with instructions from the processor 1101. The removable storage medium 1105 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor device, a medium that inputs and outputs information by magnetic action, or a medium that inputs and outputs information by optical action. An example of a semiconductor device is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. An example of a medium that inputs and outputs information by magnetic action is a magnetic disk. An example of a medium that inputs and outputs information by optical action is a CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, etc. (Blu-ray is a registered trademark). CD is an abbreviation for Compact Disc. DVD is an abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disk.

[0082] The storage unit 202 of the management device 101 and the storage unit 302 of the providing device 102 include, for example, a memory 1102, a storage device 1103, and a removable storage medium 1105. The storage unit 202 of the management device 101 stores, for example, a provision request 600, video recording data management information 800, and threshold information 900. The storage unit 302 of the providing device 102 stores, for example, video recording data information 500, a provision request 600, and a detection target list 1000.

[0083] The communication interface 1106 communicates with other devices in accordance with instructions from the processor 1101. For example, the communication interface 1106 of the management device 101 communicates with the providing device 102 and the terminal 103 in accordance with instructions from the processor 1101. The communication interface 1106 of the providing device 102 communicates with the management device 101 in accordance with instructions from the processor 1101, for example.

[0084] The input / output interface 1107 is, for example, an interface between an input device and an output device. The input device is, for example, a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel that accepts instructions from a user. The output device is, for example, a display device such as a display, and an audio device such as a speaker.

[0085] In addition, for example, the processor 1101 may be connected to an image capturing device 1121 and a GPS device 1122. For example, the processor 1101 of the providing device 102 may be connected to devices such as the image capturing device 1121 and the GPS device 1122, such as a drive recorder.

[0086] Furthermore, each program according to the embodiment is provided to the management device 101 and the providing device 102 in the following form, for example. (1) It is pre-installed in the storage device 1103. (2) Provided by removable storage medium 1105. (3) Provided from a server such as a program server.

[0087] The hardware configuration of the computer 1100 for realizing the management device 101 and the providing device 102 described with reference to FIG. 11 is an example, and the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, part of the above-described configuration may be deleted, or new configuration may be added. Furthermore, in another embodiment, for example, part or all of the functions of the above-described control unit 201 and control unit 301 may be implemented as hardware using an FPGA, SoC, ASIC, PLD, or the like. Note that FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. SoC is an abbreviation for System-on-a-chip. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. PLD is an abbreviation for Programmable Logic Device.

[0088] Several embodiments have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and should be understood as including various modifications and alternative forms of the above embodiments. For example, various embodiments can be realized by modifying the components within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention also includes embodiments in which multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments are appropriately combined, embodiments in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments, or embodiments in which some components are added to the components shown in the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100: Provision system 101: Management device 102:Providing device 103: Terminal 105: Network 201: Control unit 202: Storage section 203: Communications Department 211: Preservation Department 212: Evaluation section 213: Deleted section 301: Control section 302: Storage section 303: Communications Department 500: Recording data information 600: Request for provision 800: Recording data management information 900: Threshold information 1000: Detection target list 1100: Computer 1101: Processor 1102: Memory 1103 :Storage device 1104: Reading device 1105: Removable storage media 1106: Communication interface 1107: Input / output interface 1108: Bus 1121: Imaging device 1122: GPS machine

Claims

1. a storage unit that, upon receiving a provision request including a specified condition from a requesting device, acquires video recording data that satisfies the specified condition from a providing device that provides video recording data, and stores the video recording data in a storage device; an evaluation unit that provides the recording data that satisfies the specified condition from the storage device to the requesting device and evaluates the usage of the recording data based on the number of times the recording data has been provided; a deletion unit that deletes the recorded data from the storage device when the usage rate of the recorded data is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold; the recorded data is associated with information indicating a detection target detected by image analysis of the recorded data, the specified conditions include information specifying the shooting date and time of the recorded data, the shooting location of the recorded data, and the detection target detected from the recorded data; The predetermined threshold is set according to the type of the detection target. Management device.

2. When a predetermined detection target is detected as a result of image analysis of certain recorded data, the providing device associates the certain recorded data with the predetermined detection target and transmits the certain recorded data to the management device regardless of the specified conditions; The storage unit stores the recording data in the storage device when the recording data in which the predetermined detection target is detected is received from the providing device. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. A management method executed by a computer, the computer: When receiving a provision request including the specified conditions from the requesting device, the recording data providing device obtains the recording data that satisfies the specified conditions and stores the data in a storage device; providing the recording data that satisfies the specified condition from the storage device to the requesting device, and evaluating the usage of the recording data based on the number of times the recording data has been provided; If the usage of the recorded data is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the recorded data is deleted from the storage device; the recorded data is associated with information indicating a detection target detected by image analysis of the recorded data, the specified conditions include information specifying the shooting date and time of the recorded data, the shooting location of the recorded data, and the detection target detected from the recorded data; The predetermined threshold is set according to the type of the detection target. Management methods, including:

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