Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

An information processing device (100) is characterized by comprising: a metadata storage unit (131) that acquires metadata including position information relating to the position of an image captured by a mobile body and time information relating to the time at which the image was captured, and stores the metadata in a first storage unit (121); an accepting unit (132) that accepts a designation of a specific region on a map; an identifying unit (133) that uses the metadata stored in the first storage unit (121) to identify an image that satisfies a specific condition, among the images captured at positions included in the region accepted by the accepting unit (132); and an image storage unit (134) that acquires the image identified by the identifying unit (133) from the mobile body and stores the image in a second storage unit (122).

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, and information processing program

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a technique for displaying images captured by an in-vehicle camera on a map (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] "Google Maps," [online], [searched February 17, 2024], Internet (URL: https: / / www.google.co.jp / maps)

[0004] However, conventional technologies have had a problem in that users cannot properly grasp information about roads and their surrounding environments. For example, images captured by an in-vehicle camera may be captured several days after the date and time of capture. Therefore, when a user wants to know information about roads and their surrounding environments from images captured in near real time, such as within the same day or within a week, the user may not be able to properly grasp the information.

[0005] The information processing device of the present invention is characterized by having a metadata storage unit that acquires metadata including location information regarding the location of an image captured by a moving body and time information regarding the time the image was captured and stores the metadata in a first memory unit; a reception unit that accepts the designation of a predetermined area on a map; an identification unit that uses the metadata stored in the first memory unit to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at a position included in the area accepted by the reception unit; and an image storage unit that acquires the images identified by the identification unit from the moving body and stores them in a second memory unit.

[0006] Furthermore, the information processing method of the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, and is characterized by including a metadata storage step of acquiring metadata including location information regarding the location of an image captured by a moving body and time information regarding the time the image was captured and storing the metadata in a first memory unit; a reception step of accepting the designation of a predetermined area on a map; an identification step of using the metadata stored in the first memory unit to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted by the reception step; and an image storage step of acquiring the images identified by the identification step from the moving body and storing them in a second memory unit.

[0007] In addition, the information processing program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute the following steps: a metadata storage step of acquiring metadata including location information regarding the location of an image captured by a moving body and time information regarding the time the image was captured, and storing the metadata in a first memory unit; a reception step of accepting the designation of a predetermined area on a map; an identification step of using the metadata stored in the first memory unit to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted by the reception step; and an image storage step of acquiring the images identified by the identification step from the moving body and storing them in a second memory unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, an effect is achieved in that a user can appropriately grasp information about roads and the surrounding environment of the roads.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of metadata. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a metadata storage process for storing metadata in a first storage unit that stores metadata. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of designating a predetermined area on a map. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a process for identifying images that satisfy predetermined conditions from images captured in a predetermined area. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image storage process for storing images in a second storage unit. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image screen displayed on a user's terminal device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a computer that executes an information processing program.

[0010] Hereinafter, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the information processing device, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] First Embodiment 1. Configuration of Information Processing System First, an example of information processing according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an information processing system according to a first embodiment, which is realized by an information processing device 100. Note that the terminal device 10, the mobile object 50, and the information processing device 100 are communicably connected to each other via a network N, whether wired or wireless. The number of terminal devices 10 is not limited to the number shown in FIG. 1. Also, while FIG. 1 shows a case where the terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 are separate devices, the terminal device 10 and the information processing device 100 may be integrated. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where a user specifies a predetermined area.

[0012] The terminal device 10 is a computer used by a user to input a predetermined area on a map. For example, the terminal device 10 allows the user to appropriately understand information about roads and the surrounding environment of the roads from an image of the area selected by the user, based on the user's input of the predetermined area on the map. The terminal device 10 may be a device such as a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a desktop PC, a mobile phone, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0013] The mobile object 50 is a mobile object equipped with a device or function for capturing an image. Note that, although the mobile objects 50 shown in Fig. 1 are exemplified by a bus 50A, a car 50B, a truck 50C, a motorbike 50D, and a drone 50E, any mobile object may be used as long as it is equipped with a device or function for capturing an image.

[0014] The information processing device 100 is a computer used by a user to appropriately grasp information about roads and the surrounding environment of the roads, and may be any device capable of performing the processes in the embodiments. For example, the information processing device 100 acquires metadata including "location information" of images captured from the mobile object 50 and "time information" at which the images were captured, identifies images that satisfy predetermined conditions within a predetermined area on a map, and acquires the identified images from the mobile object 50.

[0015] Here, the information processing device 100 receives metadata including "location information" and "time information" related to the image captured from the moving object 50, and the image identified by the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 also receives a designation of a predetermined area on a map from the terminal device 10. Then, the information processing device 100 transmits the identified image to the terminal device 10.

[0016] 2. Configuration of Information Processing Device Next, the configuration of the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 100 has a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130. The processing of each unit of the information processing device 100 will be described below.

[0017] The communication unit 110 is connected to the network N via a wired or wireless connection, and transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 10 and the like via the network N. For example, the communication unit 110 receives a predetermined area on a map from the terminal device 10, and transmits an image corresponding to the selected area to the terminal device 10. The communication unit 110 also receives metadata including "location information" relating to the location of an image captured by the mobile object 50 and "time information" relating to the time the image was captured, and acquires an image that satisfies predetermined conditions from the mobile object 50. For example, the communication unit 110 is realized by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like.

[0018] The storage unit 120 stores data and programs necessary for various processes performed by the control unit 130. The storage unit 120 has a first storage unit 121 and a second storage unit 122. For example, the storage unit 120 stores map data and the like. The storage unit 120 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0019] The first storage unit 121 stores metadata including "location information" relating to the location of an image captured by the mobile object 50 and "time information" relating to the time the image was captured. An example of the metadata will now be described using the example of FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the metadata. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first storage unit 121 stores a mobile object identification number "ID: XXXXXX" for identifying the mobile object 50, location information "latitude XX, longitude XX" indicating the longitude and latitude of the mobile object 50 when the image was captured, and time information "20XX year, X month, X day, XX hour, XX minute, XX second" indicating the date and time when the image was captured, in association with each other.

[0020] The data stored in the first storage unit 121 can be added, updated, and deleted as needed. For example, the first storage unit 121 may delete data that has been there for a period of time, such as two weeks. The data stored in the first storage unit 121 may be stored in a database external to the information processing device 100.

[0021] The second storage unit 122 stores images acquired from the moving object 50. For example, the second storage unit 122 stores images acquired from the moving object 50 in association with a "moving object identification number" for identifying the moving object 50, "location information" relating to the location of the image captured by the moving object 50, and "time information" relating to the time the image was captured.

[0022] The data stored in the second storage unit 122 can be added, updated, and deleted as needed. For example, the second storage unit 122 may add or update data in response to a user request. The data stored in the second storage unit 122 may be stored in a database external to the information processing device 100.

[0023] The control unit 130 is a controller, and various programs stored in a storage device inside the information processing device 100 are executed by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), using RAM as a working area. The control unit 130 is realized by an integrated circuit, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0024] 2, the control unit 130 has a metadata storage unit 131, a reception unit 132, an identification unit 133, an image storage unit 134, and a display control unit 135, and realizes or executes the functions of the information processing device 100 described below. Note that the internal configuration of the control unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and may have any other configuration as long as it is a configuration that performs the functions of the information processing device 100 described below.

[0025] The metadata storage unit 131 acquires metadata including location information relating to the location of an image captured by the moving object 50 and time information relating to the time the image was captured, and stores the metadata in the first storage unit 121. For example, the metadata storage unit 131 periodically acquires metadata from the moving object 50, and stores the metadata in association with a "moving object identification number," "location information," and "time information" for identifying the moving object 50. Note that the metadata storage unit 131 may acquire the metadata when a predetermined request is received or when predetermined conditions are satisfied, as the timing for acquiring the metadata.

[0026] Here, an example in which the metadata storage unit 131 acquires metadata and stores it in the first storage unit 121 will be described using the example of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a metadata storage process for storing metadata in the first storage unit 121 that stores metadata. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the metadata storage unit 131 stores "mobile object identification number," "location information," and "time information" included in metadata acquired via LTE (Long Term Evolution) or the like from an image captured by a camera installed in the mobile object 50.

[0027] The reception unit 132 receives a designation of a predetermined area on a map. For example, the reception unit 132 divides the map displayed on the user's terminal into a mesh and receives a designation of a section that the user wants to acquire from the divided sections. The reception unit 132 may also display a flag on the section designated by the user.

[0028] Here, an example in which the reception unit 132 receives a designation of a predetermined area on a map will be described using the example of FIG. 5 . FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of designating a predetermined area on a map. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the reception unit 132 divides the map 25 into 15-meter sections using a mesh and displays the map 25 on the terminal device 10, and receives a designation of the section from which the user wants to acquire an image by, for example, clicking a mouse. Note that when receiving a designation of the location of an image from the user, the reception unit 132 may divide the map 25 into a mesh and receive the designation from the user, as shown in FIG. 5 , or may display the movement route of the mobile object 50 on the map using map matching and receive a designation of the location and direction of the image to be acquired.

[0029] The identification unit 133 uses the metadata stored in the first storage unit 121 to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted by the accepting unit 132. Here, for example, the identification unit 133 identifies images captured of the area selected by the accepting unit 132 based on at least one of weather information at the time the image was captured and date and time information related to the date and time the image was captured, as the predetermined condition. Specifically, the identification unit 133 identifies images based on weather information such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy when the image was captured as the predetermined condition. Furthermore, the identification unit 133 identifies images based on date and time information related to the date and time the image was captured, such as the time period when the image was captured "from x o'clock to x o'clock" or the time when the image was captured "from x month x to △ month △ day", as the predetermined condition.

[0030] For example, the identification unit 133 identifies images captured at a position included in the area specified by the user that satisfy the following conditions: weather information "sunny day," time period "9:00 to 16:00," and time period when the images were captured "one week from the current date and time." Furthermore, when multiple images are identified based on the above conditions, the identification unit 133 may consider the date and time when the images were captured from the multiple identified images. For example, the identification unit 133 may identify images from the multiple images in order of their proximity to the current date and time. Furthermore, the predetermined conditions can be changed as appropriate based on a user request, and may be, for example, weather information "rainy day" and time period "8:00 to 4:00." Furthermore, the identification unit 133 may use only one or more of the weather information, time information, and time period when the images were captured as the predetermined conditions.

[0031] Here, using the example of FIG. 6 , an example will be described in which the identification unit 133 uses metadata stored in the first storage unit 121 to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted by the accepting unit 132. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for identifying images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured in a predetermined area. For example, in the example of FIG. 6 , the identification unit 133 identifies a route traveled by the mobile object 50 from the “location information” included in the metadata, and acquires images that satisfy conditions of a location specified by the user from among the route traveled by the mobile object 50, the weather specified by the user from the weather forecast included in the “weather information,” and the image capture date and time from the “time information.” Furthermore, if the location specified by the user is captured by multiple mobile objects 50, the identification unit 133 may consider the dates and times at which the multiple identified images were captured. In this case, the identification unit 133 identifies the most recent image from among the multiple identified images, for example, by considering the dates and times. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 6 , the route traveled by the mobile object 50 is highlighted on the map 25 as an X.

[0032] Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 133 may identify, as a predetermined condition, an image of the area selected by the reception unit 132 when the mobile object 50 is stopped or traveling at a predetermined speed or less within a predetermined period of time, based on at least one of the position information of the mobile object 50 and the sensor information of the acceleration sensor. For example, the identification unit 133 identifies an image of the area selected by the reception unit 132 when it is determined that the mobile object 50 has stopped or is traveling at a predetermined speed or less within a predetermined period of time due to traffic congestion, an accident, road construction, or the like, based on the position information or the sensor information of the acceleration sensor.

[0033] Specifically, the identification unit 133 identifies an image when the moving object 50 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time of 0 seconds or more, or when the predetermined speed is △ km or less. For example, the identification unit 133 identifies an image when the moving object 50 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time of 100 seconds or more, or when the predetermined speed is 10 km or less. The predetermined period and the predetermined speed can be changed as appropriate in response to a request from the user. Note that, for example, when multiple moving objects 50 have been stopped at the same location for a predetermined period of time, or when the moving object 50 has been stopped for a long period of time, such as one hour, the identification unit 133 may change the interval for identifying images to a time of the user's choosing, such as one day or three hours.

[0034] The image storage unit 134 acquires from the moving object 50 the image identified by the identification unit 133 and stores it in the second memory unit 122. For example, the image storage unit 134 acquires from the moving object 50 images that were captured at positions included in an area previously selected by the reception unit 132 and that satisfy predetermined conditions, and stores them in the second memory unit 122. The image storage unit 134 also acquires from the moving object 50 images that were captured while the moving object was stopped or traveling at a predetermined speed or slower within a predetermined period, and stores them in the second memory unit 122. For example, the image storage unit 134 stores the images acquired from the moving object 50 in association with a "moving object identification number" for identifying the moving object 50, "location information" regarding the position of the image captured by the moving object 50, and "time information" regarding the time the image was captured.

[0035] Here, using the example of FIG. 7 , an example will be described in which the image storage unit 134 acquires from the mobile object 50 images that were captured at a location included in an area previously selected by the reception unit 132 and that satisfy predetermined conditions, and stores the images in the second storage unit 122. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image storage process for storing images in the second storage unit 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the image storage unit 134 acquires from the mobile object 50 images that were captured at a location included in an area previously selected by the reception unit 132 and that satisfy predetermined conditions, such as weather information of "sunny" and a time period of "9:00 to 16:00," and stores the images in the second storage unit 122. Here, the image storage unit 134 may acquire images that satisfy the same conditions as images captured at a location included in an area previously selected, or may acquire images by changing the conditions as appropriate in response to a user request. Furthermore, the image storage unit 134 may set a period, such as one month, as the period for acquiring the images, or may change the acquisition period as appropriate in response to a user request.

[0036] The display control unit 135 acquires an image corresponding to the area selected by the reception unit 132 from the second storage unit 122 and displays it. For example, the display control unit 135 displays the image by linking it to a flag displayed on the map.

[0037] 8 will be used to describe an example in which the display control unit 135 acquires from the second storage unit 122 and displays an image corresponding to the area selected by the reception unit 132. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image screen displayed on the user's terminal device 10. For example, the display control unit 135 receives a flag representing the section of the map 25 selected by the reception unit 132 from the user through a click operation with a mouse or the like, displays the date and time of the image captured in the area, and receives the date and time of the captured image from the user through a click operation with a mouse or the like, and displays the image.

[0038] 3. Processing Procedure of Information Processing Apparatus Next, an example of a processing procedure by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0039] 9 , the receiving unit 132 of the information processing device 100 determines whether to accept a designation of a predetermined area from the user (step S101). As a result, if the receiving unit 132 accepts the designation of a predetermined area from the user (step S101: Yes), the identifying unit 133 identifies an image that satisfies predetermined conditions (step S102). For example, the identifying unit 133 identifies an image that satisfies the conditions of weather information "sunny" and a time period "from 9:00 to 16:00."

[0040] The image storage unit 134 then acquires the image specified by the user from the moving object 50 and stores it in the second storage unit 122 (step S103). The display control unit 135 then acquires the specified image from the second storage unit 122 and displays it on the terminal device 10 (step S104).

[0041] 4. Effects The information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a metadata storage unit 131 that acquires metadata including position information on the position of an image captured by the moving object 50 and time information on the time the image was captured, and stores the metadata in the first storage unit 121; a reception unit 132 that accepts designation of a predetermined area on a map; an identification unit 133 that uses the metadata stored in the first storage unit 121 to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted by the acceptance unit 132; and an image storage unit 134 that acquires the images identified by the identification unit 133 from the moving object 50 and stores them in the second storage unit 122.

[0042] This allows the information processing device 100 to identify near real-time images of roads and their surrounding environments in a specific area on a map received from the user. Also, by acquiring only images that satisfy specific conditions from the mobile object 50 and storing them in the image storage unit 134, only the necessary images are stored, which makes it possible to efficiently use the capacity of the storage unit 120 and allows the user to properly grasp information about roads and their surrounding environments.

[0043] The information processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment further includes a display control unit 135 that acquires an image corresponding to the area selected by the receiving unit 132 from the second storage unit 122 and displays the image.

[0044] This allows the information processing device 100 to display near-real-time images identified by the identification unit 133 on the terminal device 10, allowing the user to properly grasp information about the road and the surrounding environment of the road.

[0045] In the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment, the identification unit 133 identifies an image of an area selected by the reception unit 132 based on at least one of the weather information at the time the image was captured and the date and time information relating to the date and time the image was captured, as a predetermined condition.

[0046] This allows the information processing device 100 to identify information about the road and its surrounding environment in the conditions desired by the user by using weather information, the time the image was captured, and the number of days since the image was captured, thereby allowing the user to properly understand information about the road and its surrounding environment.

[0047] In the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment, the image storage unit 134 acquires from the moving body 50 images that were captured at a position included in an area previously selected by the reception unit 132 and that satisfy predetermined conditions, and stores the images in the second memory unit 122.

[0048] As a result, the information processing device 100 stores multiple images captured at different dates and times in an area similar to the area selected by the reception unit 132, with weather information and conditions similar to the time the image was captured, so that the images can be displayed in chronological order on the terminal device 10, allowing the user to properly grasp information about the road and the surrounding environment of the road.

[0049] In the information processing device 100 according to the first embodiment, the identification unit 133 identifies, as a predetermined condition, an image of the area selected by the reception unit 132 when the moving body 50 is stopped or traveling at a speed below a predetermined speed within a predetermined period of time, based on at least one of the position information of the moving body 50 and the sensor information of the acceleration sensor, and the image storage unit 134 acquires from the moving body 50 the image captured when the moving body 50 is stopped or traveling at a speed below a predetermined speed within the predetermined period of time, and stores the image in the second memory unit 122.

[0050] As a result, the information processing device 100 identifies images of when the mobile body 50 is stopped or traveling at a speed below a predetermined speed within a predetermined period due to traffic congestion, an accident, road construction, etc., so that the user can understand from the images where traffic congestion occurs and the congestion situation, and the user can properly understand information about the road and the surrounding environment of the road.

[0051] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, an example was mainly described in which an area that the user wants to acquire and an image that satisfies a condition were identified. However, in the second embodiment described below, an example will be described in which an image is acquired at a predetermined time in an area that the user specifies in order to identify an image of a road and its surrounding environment during a disaster or the like. Note that descriptions of content common to the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the identification unit 133 that executes processing different from that in the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, an example is given in which the user wants to grasp an image of a road and its surrounding environment due to snowfall during a disaster, for example.

[0052] The identification unit 133 identifies images in the area specified by the user from the date and time specified by the user to the present as images that satisfy a predetermined condition. For example, if it starts snowing at XX / XX / Date XX:XX, the identification unit 133 identifies images in the area specified by the user from XX / XX / Date XX:XX to the present.

[0053] In other words, in the second embodiment, the user can obtain near real-time images of the area specified by the user, allowing the user to properly grasp information about the road and its surrounding environment during snowfall or when a disaster occurs.

[0054] (System Configuration, etc.) Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the drawings are conceptual functional units and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Furthermore, all or any part of the processing functions performed by each device can be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware using wired logic.

[0055] Furthermore, among the processes described in this embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using a known method.In addition, the information including the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified.

[0056] (Program) It is also possible to create a program in which the processes executed by the information processing device 100 described in the above embodiment are written in a language executable by a computer. For example, it is also possible to create an information processing program in which the processes executed by the information processing device 100 according to the embodiment are written in a language executable by a computer. In this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained by having a computer execute the information processing program. Furthermore, such an information processing program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the information processing program recorded on the recording medium may be read into and executed by a computer, thereby realizing processes similar to those of the above embodiment.

[0057] 10 is a diagram showing a computer that executes an information processing program. As shown in the example of Fig. 10, the computer 1000 includes, for example, a memory 1010, a CPU 1020, a hard disk drive interface 1030, a disk drive interface 1040, a serial port interface 1050, a video adapter 1060, and a network interface 1070, and these components are connected by a bus 1080.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10 , the memory 1010 includes a read-only memory (ROM) 1011 and a RAM 1012. The ROM 1011 stores a boot program such as a basic input / output system (BIOS). The hard disk drive interface 1030 is connected to a hard disk drive 1090 as shown in FIG. 10 . The disk drive interface 1040 is connected to a disk drive 1100 as shown in FIG. 10 . A removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk or optical disk is inserted into the disk drive 1100. The serial port interface 1050 is connected to a mouse 1110 and a keyboard 1120 as shown in FIG. 10 . The video adapter 1060 is connected to a display 1130 as shown in FIG. 10 .

[0059] 10 , the hard disk drive 1090 stores, for example, an operating system (OS) 1091, an application program 1092, a program module 1093, and program data 1094. That is, the information processing program is stored, for example, in the hard disk drive 1090 as a program module in which instructions to be executed by the computer 1000 are written.

[0060] The various data described in the above embodiment are stored as program data, for example, in the memory 1010 or the hard disk drive 1090. The CPU 1020 then reads the program module 1093 and the program data 1094 stored in the memory 1010 or the hard disk drive 1090 into the RAM 1012 as necessary, and executes various processing procedures.

[0061] The program module 1093 and program data 1094 related to the information processing program are not limited to being stored in the hard disk drive 1090, but may be stored in, for example, a removable storage medium and read by the CPU 1020 via a disk drive or the like. Alternatively, the program module 1093 and program data 1094 related to the information processing program may be stored in another computer connected via a network (such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)) and read by the CPU 1020 via the network interface 1070.

[0062] The above-described embodiments and their modifications are included in the technology disclosed in this application, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0063] 10 Terminal device 25 Map 50 Mobile body 50A Bus 50B Car 50C Truck 50D Motorcycle 50E Drone 100 Information processing device 110 Communication unit 120 Memory unit 121 First memory unit 122 Second memory unit 130 Control unit 131 Metadata storage unit 132 Reception unit 133 Identification unit 134 Image storage unit 135 Display control unit N Network X Display

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a metadata storage unit that acquires metadata including location information regarding the location of an image captured by a moving object and time information regarding the time the image was captured, and stores the metadata in a first memory unit; a reception unit that accepts the designation of a predetermined area on a map; an identification unit that uses the metadata stored in the first memory unit to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at a location included in the area accepted by the reception unit; and an image storage unit that acquires the images identified by the identification unit from the moving object and stores them in a second memory unit.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that retrieves from the second storage unit and displays an image corresponding to the area selected by the reception unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification unit identifies an image of the area selected by the reception unit based on at least one of the predetermined conditions, namely, weather information at the time the image was captured and date and time information relating to the date and time the image was captured.

4. The information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the image storage unit acquires from the moving body an image captured at a position included in an area previously selected by the reception unit, which image satisfies the specified conditions, and stores the image in the second memory unit.

5. The information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the identification unit identifies, as the specified condition, the image captured of the area selected by the reception unit when the moving body is stopped or traveling at a speed below a specified speed within a specified period from at least one of the position information of the moving body and the sensor information of the acceleration sensor, and the image storage unit acquires from the moving body the image captured when the moving body is stopped or traveling at a speed below a specified speed within the specified period and stores it in the second memory unit.

6. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, comprising: a metadata storage step of acquiring metadata including location information regarding the location of an image captured by a moving object and time information regarding the time the image was captured, and storing the acquired metadata in a first storage unit; a reception step of accepting the designation of a predetermined area on a map; an identification step of using the metadata stored in the first storage unit to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted by the reception step; and an image storage step of acquiring the images identified by the identification step from the moving object and storing them in a second storage unit.

7. An information processing program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a metadata storage step of acquiring metadata including location information regarding the location of an image captured by a moving object and time information regarding the time the image was captured, and storing the metadata in a first memory unit; a reception step of accepting the designation of a predetermined area on a map; a specification step of using the metadata stored in the first memory unit to identify images that satisfy predetermined conditions from among images captured at positions included in the area accepted in the reception step; and an image storage step of acquiring the images identified in the specification step from the moving object and storing them in a second memory unit.

Images