Information processing device, information processing method

The information processing device prioritizes and quickly delivers user-requested videos by utilizing imaging device location data and user-specific conversion, addressing inefficiencies in existing systems.

JP7873532B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-12MICWARE CO LTD

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
MICWARE CO LTD
Filing Date
2023-09-08
Publication Date
2026-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently provide videos desired by users, as they often acquire unwanted videos that are not immediately needed, leading to waste and delayed delivery due to search and conversion processes.

Method used

An information processing device and method that prioritize video acquisition based on user requests by utilizing current location information from imaging devices, storing relevant images, and determining acquisition priority based on the number of users requesting specific time and location conditions, with conversion to match user specifications.

🎯Benefits of technology

Enables quick provision of desired videos by prioritizing high-demand footage for immediate delivery, reducing waste and minimizing processing time.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an information processing device for enabling a projected image desired from a user to be preferentially acquired beforehand.SOLUTION: An information processing device performs: acquiring present place information indicating present places of respective imaging devices including position information and time information from the imaging devices which are held in a plurality of mobile bodies so as to generate projected images by imaging the periphery during moving; acquiring and storing the projected images which satisfy a first condition from the imaging devices existing in time and position included in the first condition being the condition to identify at least the time and position; receiving a request of the projected image satisfying a second condition being the condition to identify at least the time and position from a user terminal; selectively providing the projected images satisfying the second condition from the stored projected images to the user terminal; counting the number of provision of the provided projected images; determining priority related to the projected image acquisition by the first condition based on the number of provision; and controlling the acquisition of the projected images based on the determined priority.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a technology that enables efficient provision of videos desired by users. 【Background Art】 【0002】 The following Patent Document 1 discloses a system that estimates the time and area where traffic congestion occurs, identifies the vehicles present in the estimated time and area, instructs the imaging devices mounted on those vehicles to transmit the videos they capture to the center, and provides the videos from the center to other vehicles outside the traffic congestion area. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-221537 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 By the way, users who use the system disclosed in the prior document 1 may not desire the videos acquired by the center. For example, if the user does not pass through the location where the event (such as a disaster, accident, traffic congestion, etc.) shown in the video occurred, the acquired video will not be desired by the user. 【0005】 Even if videos not desired by users are acquired, they are wasted. As one method to prevent this waste, it is conceivable that the center "searches" for the vehicle that captured the video that satisfies the request after receiving the request from the user and "acquires" the video. However, this method has the drawback that it cannot quickly provide videos to the user because it performs processes such as "searching" and "acquiring" the video after receiving the request. 【0006】 Furthermore, after acquiring the video, it is necessary to perform image conversion and other processing to match the display specifications of the user's device. Therefore, it takes time from the time a request is received until the video is displayed on the user's device. 【0007】 In one aspect, this specification discloses an information processing device and an information processing method that enable the prioritization of acquiring video requested by a user. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 (1) One embodiment of the information processing apparatus disclosed herein comprises a current location information acquisition unit, a control unit, a storage unit, a reception unit, a provision unit, a count unit, and a determination unit. The current location information acquisition unit acquires current location information, including location information and time information, from each imaging device, which is held by a plurality of moving objects and generates images by capturing images of the surroundings while moving. The control unit controls the acquisition of images from the imaging devices that satisfy a first condition, which is a condition that specifies at least the time and location, based on the acquired current location information. The storage unit stores the acquired images. The reception unit receives requests from a user terminal for images that satisfy a second condition, which is a condition that specifies at least the time and location. The provision unit selects an image that satisfies the second condition from among a plurality of images stored in the storage unit and provides it to the user terminal. The count unit counts the number of images provided. The determination unit determines the priority for acquiring images according to the first condition based on the number of images provided. The control unit controls the acquisition of images based on the priority. 【0009】 (2) In the information processing device described in (1), the first condition may include event information indicating the type of event, link information indicating the road on which the event occurred, and time information indicating the time period in which the event occurred, and the priority may be stored in association with the link information. 【0010】 (3) The information processing device described in (2) may further include a conversion unit that converts the aspect ratio or resolution of the video according to the user type indicating the type of user, and the request includes information indicating the user type, and the provision unit provides the converted video to the user terminal based on the user type included in the request. 【0011】 (4) One aspect of the information processing method disclosed herein involves acquiring current location information, including position information and time information, from each imaging device held in a plurality of moving bodies and generating images by capturing images of the surroundings while moving; acquiring images that satisfy the first condition from imaging devices that were at a time and location included in the first condition, which is a condition specifying at least time and location, based on the current location information; storing the acquired images; receiving a request from a user terminal for images that satisfy the second condition, which is a condition specifying at least time and location; selecting images that satisfy the second condition from among the stored plurality of images and providing them to the user terminal; counting the number of images provided; determining the priority for acquiring images according to the first condition based on the number of images provided; and controlling the acquisition of images based on the determined priority. [Effects of the Invention] 【0012】 Using an information processing device that is one aspect of this disclosure, the priority for acquiring video footage acquired in advance under the first condition is determined based on the number of videos provided to the user terminal. For example, video footage under the first condition with a high priority is acquired in advance with priority over those with a lower priority, thus enabling the video to be provided to the user quickly. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0013】 [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the video provision system 100. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of the imaging device 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of current location information. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 3. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of the first condition information. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of map information. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of expressing nodes and links on Map 30. [Figure 8] This is table information showing an example of the aspect ratio and resolution corresponding to the user type. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of table information for managing video files stored in the video file DB334. [Figure 10] This is a functional block diagram of the user terminal 4. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 441 of the user terminal 4. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of request information. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 441 of the user terminal 4. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the information processing apparatus 3. 【Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0014】 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components shown in the drawings, and repeated descriptions are omitted. 【0015】 [Configuration of Video Providing System 100] The video providing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes each imaging device 1 held (mounted) by the vehicles 21 and 25, an information processing apparatus 3, and a user terminal 4 held (mounted) by the vehicle 24. The video providing system 100 is communicatively connected to each device included in the system via the network 2. The network 2 is composed of the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, a mobile communication network, etc. 【0016】 Traffic Center 5 has the function of grasping the occurrence status of events such as disasters, accidents, and traffic congestion that occur near roads, and notifying external devices of first condition information (also called "event information") which includes location information indicating the location where the event occurred, or link information identifying the road, and time information of the event. Traffic Center 5 is equipped with a computer with communication capabilities. The computer of Traffic Center 5 generates first condition information which includes the content of the event and the location and date and time the event occurred, and transmits it to the information processing device 3. 【0017】 The computer at Traffic Center 5 receives driving trajectory information (also called "probe data") indicating driving conditions such as location, speed, acceleration, braking, and steering from multiple vehicles equipped with communication capabilities. By analyzing this driving trajectory information, it can estimate the number of vehicles traveling on each road at different times of the day, as well as whether or not congestion occurs. 【0018】 Furthermore, the computer at Traffic Center 5 can estimate whether an accident has occurred based on information such as acceleration, braking frequency, and steering input. In addition, locations where there is a difference in wheel speed can be considered as locations where the road may have collapsed. 【0019】 Traffic Center 5 may transmit information predicting the likelihood of future events such as traffic congestion or accidents as first condition information to the information processing device 3 and user terminal 4. Since these estimation methods are publicly known, a detailed explanation is omitted. 【0020】 The imaging device 1 is held by vehicles 21 and 25. In this embodiment, the vehicle holding the imaging device 1 is an automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, etc. traveling on a road, but a moving object such as a person or airplane may also hold the imaging device 1. The imaging device 1 has functions such as capturing images of the area around a moving object, recording the generated images, generating current location information including location information and time information and transmitting it to the information processing device 3, and receiving requests from the information processing device 3 and transmitting the recorded images to the information processing device 3 based on the requests. Details of each function will be described later. 【0021】 The term "video" refers to still images or moving images displayed on a display or projector, but for convenience, it also includes video data and video files used to display video. Videos may also include recorded audio. 【0022】 Vehicle 20 shown in Figure 1 is the vehicle involved in the accident. Vehicles 22 and 23 are vehicles that are not subscribed to the service provided by the video provision system 100. In Figure 1, vehicles 20 to 23 are located on roads associated with link information (link ID: L31) included in the map information 454 described later. Vehicle 25 is located on a road associated with link information (link ID: L32). 【0023】 Vehicle 24 is a vehicle that holds (or "mounts") a user terminal 4. Specifically, the user terminal 4 may be an in-vehicle device attached to the vehicle, or it may be a terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user. In Figure 1, vehicle 24 is a vehicle that is scheduled to travel on a congested road (L31). 【0024】 User terminal 4 is equipped with communication functions and display functions for displaying maps and images. Although not shown in the figures, vehicle 24 may also hold an imaging device 1, or user terminal 4 may have the functions of imaging device 1. Vehicles 21 and 25 may be equipped with user terminals 4 as well as imaging device 1, or they may be equipped with an in-vehicle device that integrates imaging device 1 and user terminal 4. Here, a brief overview of the operation of the video provision system 100 will be given. 【0025】 The video provision system 100 is a system that provides users of this system with video footage of events that occur on the road. Each imaging device 1 captures images of the surroundings while the vehicle on which it is mounted is moving, records the generated video footage, and generates current location information 152 indicating the current location, which is then transmitted sequentially to the information processing device 3. As a result, the information processing device 3 obtains the current location of the vehicle on which each imaging device 1 is mounted. 【0026】 When an event such as an accident occurs, the traffic center 5 notifies the information processing device 3 of the first condition information via the network 2. The information processing device 3 may also receive the first condition information from external devices other than the traffic center 5. For example, the information processing device 3 may receive reports from public institutions that collect information on incidents, such as the police, or reports from general users as the first condition information. 【0027】 When an accident involving vehicle 20 causes a traffic jam on the road (link ID: L31), the imaging device 1 mounted on vehicle 21, one of the vehicles 21-23 involved in the traffic jam, records video footage of the traffic jam or accident situation on the road (link ID: L31) as a video file. 【0028】 The information processing device 3 determines the collection range for collecting video based on the first condition information and identifies the imaging device 1 held by the vehicle 21 that was located within the collection range. The information processing device 3 receives (acquires) a video file that satisfies the first condition from the identified imaging device 1 and stores it. 【0029】 The information processing device 3 receives video request information, including the second condition, from the user terminal 4 held by the vehicle 24, and selects a video file that satisfies the second condition from the stored video files. The information processing device 3 transmits (provides) the video file that satisfies the second condition to the user terminal 4 that sent the request information, and counts the number of provided video files. 【0030】 The information processing device 3 determines the priority for video acquisition according to the first condition based on the number of users 4 to be provided. In the next video acquisition, the information processing device 3 controls the acquisition of video files based on the determined priority. Next, the functional configuration of each device included in the video provision system 100 will be described. 【0031】 [Configuration of imaging device 1] As shown in Figure 2, the imaging device 1 comprises, as functional units, an imaging unit 10, a communication unit 11, a position detection unit 12, an imaging control unit 13, and an imaging storage unit 15. The imaging device 1 comprises, as hardware, a camera (imaging unit 10), a communication module (communication unit 11), various sensors such as a gyro sensor for detecting direction of travel, acceleration, etc., a GPS sensor for detecting GPS signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and a storage medium. 【0032】 The imaging unit 10 is a camera having a housing, a lens, and an image sensor. The image sensor may be, for example, a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor). 【0033】 The imaging unit 10 has the function of generating images and is installed in front of the vehicle, for example, near the windshield. The imaging direction of the imaging unit 10 may be not only in the forward direction of the vehicle on which it is mounted, but also in the rear direction, side direction, or all directions, and the imaging range may include not only the outside of the vehicle but also the interior. 【0034】 The communication unit 11 has the function of communicating with the information processing device 3 via the network 2 and sending and receiving various data. The communication unit 11 transmits to the information processing device 3 the vehicle ID that identifies the vehicle on which the imaging device 1 is installed, and current location information 152 which includes the vehicle's location information and time information. 【0035】 The position detection unit 12 sequentially outputs sensor information to the imaging control unit 13 for identifying the current position and date and time detected by each of the above-mentioned sensors. 【0036】 The imaging control unit 13 includes a current location information generation unit 131, a recording unit 132, and an extraction unit 133. Each of the functions of the imaging control unit 13 is realized by the CPU executing a program. 【0037】 The current location information generation unit 131 has the function of generating current location information 152, which includes the vehicle's position and the date and time it was at that position, based on the sensor information sequentially output by the position detection unit 12. The position information is expressed in a global coordinate system, for example, which includes at least longitude and latitude information. As shown in Figure 3, the current location information 152 includes a vehicle ID that identifies the vehicle on which it is installed, position information, and time information. 【0038】 Location information may be expressed in a local coordinate system that can be converted to a global coordinate system, or it may include altitude information. Date and time may be expressed in any format, for example, year, month, day, hour, and second, and can be converted to year, month, day, hour, and second. For example, it may be in a format in which the data size has been compressed using a predetermined compression method, or it may be in a format that is converted using pre-prepared table information. 【0039】 The recording unit 132 records the video generated by the imaging unit 10 in a predetermined file format, divided into predetermined time intervals. The video file 153 may be divided into time units such as 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes, which can be set by the user. 【0040】 The video file 153 may be in MP4 format, for example. MP4 can store not only video data but also audio data, subtitle data, etc. The recording unit 132 may also record the video file 153 in a file format other than MP4, such as "MOV", "AVI", or "TS". 【0041】 The extraction unit 133 has the function of extracting video files 153 that satisfy the first condition based on the first condition information received from the information processing device 3 via the communication unit 11. The extracted video files 153 are transmitted to the information processing device 3 via the communication unit 11. 【0042】 The imaging memory unit 15 is a storage medium that stores programs and data necessary to realize each function of the imaging device 1. The hardware of the imaging memory unit 15 may be, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read On Memory), or a combination thereof. The imaging memory unit 15 stores vehicle information 151, current location information 152, and video files 153. 【0043】 [Configuration of Information Processing Device 3] As shown in Figure 4, the information processing device 3 comprises a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, and a management storage unit 33. The information processing device 3 is a computer, and various functions are realized by the CPU executing programs. 【0044】 The information processing device 3 may be, for example, a group of servers consisting of multiple server computers installed within the facilities of the system provider of the video provision system 100, or it may be a server computer of a cloud service used by the system provider. 【0045】 The communication unit 31 has the function of communicating with each imaging device 1 and the user terminal 4 via the network 2, and sending and receiving various data. For example, the communication unit 31 receives current location information 152 from each imaging device 1 and first condition information from the traffic center 5. 【0046】 The communication unit 31 requests a video file 153 that satisfies the first condition from a specific imaging device 1 and receives the video file 153 from the imaging device 1. It also receives request information for a video that satisfies the second condition from the user terminal 4 and sends the video file 153 that satisfies the second condition to the user terminal 4. 【0047】 The control unit 32 includes a first condition information acquisition unit 320, a current location information acquisition unit 321, a map information acquisition unit 322, a search unit 323, an image acquisition unit 324, a conversion unit 325, a request reception unit 326, a selection unit 327, a provision unit 328, a counting unit 329, and a decision unit 330. Each function unit included in the control unit 32 is realized by the CPU executing a program. 【0048】 The first condition information acquisition unit 320 has the function of acquiring first condition information from the traffic center 5, etc. The acquired first condition information is stored in the first condition information DB 332. As shown in Figure 5, the first condition information includes an event ID, which is information that identifies each event that has occurred, a link ID that identifies the road on which the event occurred, and time information indicating the time period in which the event occurred. 【0049】 The current location information acquisition unit 321 has the function of acquiring current location information 152 transmitted from each imaging device 1. The acquired current location information is stored in the imaging device information DB 331 in association with identification information that identifies each imaging device 1. 【0050】 The map information acquisition unit 322 has the function of acquiring map information 335 from a map server, which is an external server not shown in the diagram. The map information 335 is, for example, information that constitutes a map of the entire area where images are provided to the user. When the map is newly updated on the map server, the updated data is provided from the map server to the information processing device 3, and the information processing device 3 stores the latest map information 335 in the management storage unit 33. 【0051】 Map information 335 includes node information and link information, as shown in Figure 6. The road network depicted as a map is composed of multiple node and link information. Nodes, as indicated by node information, are connecting points such as intersections and locations where the road shape changes. Links, as indicated by link information, are lines (roads) connecting two nodes. A road is composed of one or more links. 【0052】 Node information includes node ID and coordinate information. The node ID is the identification information for the node. The coordinate information indicates the actual location, such as an intersection, that the node represents. Link information includes link ID, start point, end point, number of lanes, road type, road name, and priority. The link ID is the identification information for the link. The start point and end point are the nodes connected to the link. 【0053】 A node has a direction from the starting point to the ending point, indicating the direction of vehicle travel. The number of lanes indicates the number of lanes on the road. The road type indicates the type of road, such as whether it is a highway or a national road. The road name indicates the name given to the road. The priority indicates the priority for acquiring video footage. 【0054】 For example, as shown in Figure 7, the road indicated by link L31 is a road that starts at node ND03 and ends at node ND02, and the road indicated by link L32 is a road that starts at node ND01 and ends at node ND02. 【0055】 The search unit 323 has the function of searching for an imaging device 1 that records a video file 153 that satisfies the first condition, based on the acquired first condition information and the current location information stored in the imaging device information DB 331. 【0056】 The video acquisition unit 324 has the function of accessing the imaging device 1 detected by the search unit 323 via the communication unit 11 and acquiring a video file 153 that satisfies the first condition. The acquired video file 153 is converted to a predetermined aspect ratio and resolution by the conversion unit 328 and then stored in the video file DB 334. 【0057】 The video acquisition unit 324 performs acquisition processing on video files 153 that satisfy the first condition, which include high-priority links, based on the priority determined by the decision unit 330, which will be described later. 【0058】 The conversion unit 325 has the function of converting the acquired video file 153 to an aspect ratio and resolution corresponding to the user type. Figure 8 is a table showing an example of aspect ratio and resolution corresponding to the user type. Examples of user types include "Police" and "Request 1". When the user type is "Police", the aspect ratio is converted to "4:3" and the resolution is not converted. When the user type is "Request 1", the aspect ratio is converted to "16:9" and the resolution is converted to "1280×720". 【0059】 If the aspect ratio and resolution of the video file 153 acquired from the imaging device 1 are the same as those listed in the conversion table, no conversion process is performed. The information processing device 3 stores the converted video file 153 in the video file DB 334, associating it with each user type. 【0060】 The request receiving unit 326 has the function of receiving request information, including the second condition, from the user terminal 4 via the communication unit 11. The request information will be described later. 【0061】 The selection unit 327 has the function of selecting a video file 153 that satisfies the second condition included in the request information from among a plurality of video files 153 stored in the video file DB 334. 【0062】 The provisioning unit 328 has the function of providing the video file 153 selected by the selection unit 327. The provisioning unit 328 causes the user terminal 4 that sent the request information to send the video file 153 via the communication unit 31. 【0063】 The counting unit 329 has the function of counting the number of video files 153 stored in the video file DB 334 that have been provided to the user terminal 4. The counting starts from the date and time each video file 153 was acquired. 【0064】 The video file DB334 manages video files 153 using the table information shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the video ID is information that identifies video file 153. The link ID is information that identifies the link associated with the road on which the video was captured. The acquisition date and time is the date and time when video file 153 was acquired. The number provided is the cumulative number of times that the information processing device 3 has provided to the user terminal 4. 【0065】 The determination unit 330 has a function to determine the priority for acquiring the video file 153 based on the number of requests provided to the user terminal 4. For example, if the number of requests is less than 1, the priority may be set to "low"; if the number of requests is 1 or more but less than 10, the priority may be set to "medium"; and if the number of requests is 10 or more, the priority may be set to "high". The determined priority is stored in association with the link information of the map information 335. 【0066】 The management memory unit 33 is a storage medium that stores programs and data necessary to realize each functional unit of the information processing device 3. The hardware of the management memory unit 43 consists of, for example, a large-capacity HDD or SSD. The management memory unit 33 stores imaging device information DB331, first condition information DB332, user terminal information DB333, video file DB334, and map information 335. 【0067】 [User terminal configuration 4] As shown in Figure 10, the user terminal 4 comprises a terminal communication unit 41, a position detection unit 42, a terminal control unit 43, a UI (User Interface) unit 44, and a terminal storage unit 45. The user terminal 4 also includes, as hardware, a communication module (terminal communication unit 41), various sensors, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, a storage medium, and a touch panel display (display unit 441, input unit 442). 【0068】 The terminal communication unit 41 has the function of communicating with the information processing device 3 via the network 2 and sending and receiving various data. The terminal communication unit 41 transmits the request information generated by the request generation unit 433 to the information processing device 3 and receives video, which is a response to the request information, from the information processing device 3. 【0069】 The position detection unit 42 sequentially outputs sensor information to the terminal control unit 43 to identify the current location and date and time detected by each sensor. 【0070】 The UI unit 44 has a display unit 441 and an input unit 442 in order to present information to the user and receive instructions from the user. 【0071】 The display unit 441, for example as shown in Figure 11, displays the map 30 based on the acquired map information 454, and overlays an event icon 46 indicating the location of an event based on event information, a vehicle icon 47 indicating the location of the vehicle, and a speech bubble 48 displaying the event details and a button to request video onto the map. Since the technology of displaying the location of an event and the location of the vehicle on the map using icons, etc., is publicly known technology, a detailed explanation is omitted. 【0072】 The input unit 442 accepts input from the user when the user touches a GUI button displayed on the display unit 441, indicating the instruction indicated by the GUI button. The input unit 442 accepts instruction input such as zooming in or out on the displayed map, traffic information, or video requests. The input unit 442 may also be a physical button (hardware button) provided on the user terminal 4. 【0073】 The terminal storage unit 45 is a storage medium that stores programs and data necessary to realize each of the functional units provided by the user terminal 4. The hardware of the terminal storage unit 45 may be, for example, an HDD, SSD, flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, ROM, or a combination thereof. 【0074】 The terminal storage unit 45 stores vehicle information 451, current location information 452, video files 453, and map information 454. 【0075】 The terminal control unit 43 includes a current location information generation unit 431, a map information acquisition unit 432, an event information acquisition unit 433, and a request generation unit 434. Each of the functions of the terminal control unit 43 is realized by the CPU executing a program. 【0076】 The current location information generation unit 431 has the function of generating current location information 452, which includes the vehicle's position and the date and time it was at that position, based on the sensor information output sequentially by the position detection unit 42. 【0077】 The map information acquisition unit 432 has the function of acquiring map information 454 from a map server (not shown). The map information 454 is, for example, information that constitutes a map of the area around the current location generated by the current location information generation unit 431. 【0078】 The event information acquisition unit 433 has the function of receiving event information from the traffic center 5 when events such as traffic congestion occur on the road currently being traveled or on the route to the destination. Note that the first condition information and the event information are equivalent information. 【0079】 The request generation unit 434 has the function of receiving event information indicating that an event such as traffic congestion has occurred, and when it receives a request from a user for video related to the event, it generates information requesting video of the area and time period in which the event occurred. 【0080】 As shown in Figure 12, the request information includes a vehicle ID that identifies the vehicle of the user who made the request, user type information indicating the type of user who made the request, link information that identifies the area where the event occurred, and time information indicating the time period. The link information and time information included in the request information are called the second condition. 【0081】 When request information is transmitted from the user terminal 4 to the information processing device 3, a video file 153 that satisfies the second condition included in the request information is transmitted from the information processing device 3 to the user terminal 4, and as shown in Figure 13, a speech bubble 49 containing video footage of the accident situation is displayed on the display unit 441 of the user terminal 4. 【0082】 [Operation of Information Processing Device 3] Here, the operation of the information processing device 3 will be explained using the flowchart shown in Figure 14. The symbol "S" in the figure represents a step. First, the information processing device 3 receives current location information sequentially from each monitoring device 3 (S1). Next, when the information processing device 3 obtains first condition information from the traffic center 5 (S2), it searches for an imaging device 1 that satisfies the first condition based on the current location information stored in the imaging device information DB331 and the first condition information (S3). 【0083】 The information processing device 3 accesses the detected imaging device 1 and acquires a video file 153 that satisfies the first condition (S4). The information processing device 3 performs a conversion process to convert the acquired video file 153 to an aspect ratio and resolution corresponding to the user type (S5). 【0084】 The information processing device 3 receives request information including the second condition from the user terminal 4 (S6). The information processing device 3 selects a video file 153 from among the multiple video files 153 stored in the video file DB334 that satisfies the second condition included in the request information (S7). 【0085】 The information processing device 3 provides the selected video file 153 to the user terminal 4 that sent the request information (S8), and counts the number of provided video files 153 (S9). 【0086】 The information processing device 3 determines the priority of the link ID of the video file 153 associated with the video file DB334 based on the counted number of provided (S10), and stores the priority in the link information (S11). 【0087】 Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention may be the video provisioning system 100 described in the above embodiments, or it may be the information processing method shown in the operation flow of the information processing device 3, or a program that executes the operation of the information processing device 3. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0088】 1. Imaging device 2 Network 3. Information Processing Device 4. User terminals 5 Transportation Center 10 Imaging Unit 11, 31 Communications Department 12, 42 Position detection unit 13 Imaging control unit 15. Imaging and storage unit 32 Control Unit 33 Management storage unit 41 Terminal Communication Unit 43 Terminal Control Unit 44 UI section 45 Terminal storage unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A current location information acquisition unit acquires current location information, including position information and time information, from each imaging device held by multiple moving objects that captures images of the surroundings and generates images while moving, indicating the current location of each imaging device. A search unit searches for the imaging device that satisfies a first condition, which is a condition that specifies at least the time and location, based on the acquired current location information. The first condition includes event information indicating the type of event, a link ID indicating the road on which the event occurred, and time information indicating the time period during which the event occurred. A control unit that controls the acquisition of an image generated by the imaging device that satisfies the first condition, A storage unit that stores multiple acquired video images, associating them with a link ID indicating the road on which the video was captured, A reception unit receives requests from user terminals for the aforementioned video that meets the second condition, which is that the conditions specify at least the time and location. A providing unit that selects a video that satisfies the second condition from among a plurality of videos stored in the storage unit and provides it to the user terminal, A counting unit that counts the number of each of the aforementioned videos provided, Based on the counting results of the aforementioned counting unit, a determination unit determines the priority for acquiring video according to the first condition for link IDs associated with videos that have a large number of available videos, Equipped with, The control unit is an information processing device that controls the acquisition of the video based on the priority. [Claim 2] From each imaging device, which is held by a plurality of moving objects and generates an image by capturing the surroundings while moving, current location information indicating the current location of each imaging device, including position information and time information, Based on the current location information, the system searches for imaging devices that satisfy the first condition, from among the imaging devices that were at the time and location included in the first condition, which is a condition that specifies at least the time and location. The first condition includes event information indicating the type of event, a link ID indicating the road on which the event occurred, and time information indicating the time period during which the event occurred. Control is performed to acquire the image generated by the imaging device that satisfies the first condition described above from the imaging device. Multiple copies of the acquired video are stored, each associated with a link ID indicating the road on which the video was captured. The system receives a request from the user terminal for the aforementioned video that satisfies the second condition, which is that the conditions at least specify the time and location. From among the multiple videos stored, select the video that satisfies the second condition and provide it to the user terminal. The number of each of the aforementioned videos is counted, Based on the count, the link ID associated with the aforementioned video, which has a large number of available links, will be given higher priority for video acquisition according to the first condition. An information processing method that controls the acquisition of the video based on the determined priority.