Server, communication terminal, server program, and communication terminal program

Abstract

This server comprises: a storage unit that stores a specific image received from a first communication terminal, and use restriction information with which a type of use restriction of the specific image received from the first communication terminal can be specified; a reception unit that receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal; a control unit that determines whether or not the captured image includes the specific image; and a transmission unit that transmits the use restriction information to the second communication terminal when it is determined that the captured image includes the specific image.

Description

Server, communication terminal, server program, and communication terminal program

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-146102, filed on August 28, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] In recent years, communication systems equipped with surveillance cameras as image capturing devices have been developed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this communication system equipped with an image capturing device, pixelation is performed on all people except for a specific person in an image captured by the image capturing device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-62560

[0004] The mosaic processing disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is an image usage restriction process performed on images captured by a surveillance camera, and therefore, the person being photographed cannot arbitrarily enable or disable the image usage restriction setting in order to protect their privacy.

[0005] Furthermore, according to the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the person being photographed cannot allow only specific photographers to take their photograph. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned mosaic processing can be performed on an image captured by a general-purpose camera such as a smartphone with a camera, the person being photographed cannot allow or deny use of the image depending on the surrounding environment or the photographer. In other words, the person being photographed cannot set for themselves who is subject to restrictions on use of the image.

[0006] According to the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, not only is it not possible for a person being photographed to set usage restrictions on an image in which they themselves are the subject, but they are also unable to set usage restrictions on an image in which an object they own is the subject.

[0007] As can be seen from the above, the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 does not allow the photographed person to arbitrarily set restrictions on the use of the image.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a server, a communication terminal, a server program, and a communication terminal program that allow a photographed person to arbitrarily set usage restrictions on an image.

[0009] A server of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal and usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction of the specified image received from the first communication terminal, a receiving unit that receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal, a control unit that determines whether the captured image includes a specified image, and a transmitting unit that transmits the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image.

[0010] A server of a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal, a receiving unit that receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal, a control unit that determines whether the captured image includes the specified image, and a transmitting unit that, when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image, transmits a request signal to the first communication terminal requesting usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction on the specified image, and, when the receiving unit receives the usage restriction information from the first communication terminal, transmits the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal.

[0011] A communication terminal of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a control unit that associates a specified image with usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction of the specified image, and a transmission unit that transmits the specified image and the usage restriction information to a server.

[0012] A communication terminal of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a transmitting unit that transmits a captured image to a server, a receiving unit that receives usage restriction information from the server that can identify the type of usage restriction on the captured image, and a control unit that executes usage restriction processing on the captured image based on the usage restriction information.

[0013] A server program of a first aspect of the present disclosure is a computer-readable server program for causing a computer to operate as: a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal and usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction of the specified image received from the first communication terminal; and a control unit that, when a receiving unit receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal, determines whether the captured image includes a specified image, and, when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image, causes a transmitting unit to transmit the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal.

[0014] A server program of a second aspect of the present disclosure is a computer-readable server program for causing a computer to operate as a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal, and a control unit that, when a receiving unit receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal, determines whether the captured image includes a specified image, and, when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image, causes a transmitting unit to send a request signal to the first communication terminal requesting usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction of the specified image, and, when the receiving unit receives the usage restriction information from the first communication terminal, causes the transmitting unit to transmit the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal.

[0015] A first aspect of the communication terminal program of the present disclosure is a computer-readable communication terminal program for causing a computer to operate as a control unit that associates a specified image with usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction of the specified image, and causes a transmitting unit to transmit the specified image and the usage restriction information to a server.

[0016] A second aspect of the communication terminal program of the present disclosure is a computer-readable communication terminal program for causing a computer to operate as a control unit that causes a transmitting unit to transmit a captured image to a server, and when a receiving unit receives usage restriction information from the server that can identify the type of usage restriction on the captured image, executes usage restriction processing for the captured image based on the usage restriction information.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a communication system including a server, a first communication terminal, and a second communication terminal according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of each of the server, the first communication terminal, and the second communication terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a first flowchart for explaining the operation of each of the server, the first communication terminal, and the second communication terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the content of usage restrictions on images stored in a storage unit of the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a second flowchart for explaining the operation of each of the server, the first communication terminal, and the second communication terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image with usage restrictions according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a first flowchart for explaining the operation of each of the server, the first communication terminal, and the second communication terminal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the server according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the content of usage restrictions on images according to the fourth embodiment.

[0018] Hereinafter, a server, a first communication terminal, and a second communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[0019] First Embodiment A server SE, a first communication terminal 1CT, and a second communication terminal 2CT according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a communication system including a server SE, a first communication terminal 1CT, and a second communication terminal 2CT according to this embodiment. The server SE is a server that provides cloud services, but the type of server SE is not limited as long as it has communication and data processing functions. The first communication terminal 1CT and the second communication terminal 2CT are each assumed to be a portable smartphone or tablet terminal, but may be any device, such as a stationary personal computer, as long as they have image processing and communication functions. The server SE communicates with the first communication terminal 1CT and the second communication terminal 2CT via a general-purpose telecommunications information network such as the Internet. However, the server SE may communicate with the first communication terminal 1CT and the second communication terminal 2CT via individual wireless or wired communication networks, or may communicate via a combination of a general-purpose telecommunications network and an individual communication network.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , the server SE includes a receiving unit SE1, a control unit SE2, a transmitting unit SE3, and a storage unit SE4. The receiving unit SE1 and the transmitting unit SE3 are each an antenna for transmitting radio waves for wireless communication or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port for wired communication. The control unit SE2 is a controller generally called a computer. The storage unit SE4 is a recording medium such as a memory or a database that stores a server program for executing each operation of the server SE described below. The control unit SE2 is a processor or the like that executes the server program.

[0022] The first communication terminal 1CT includes a receiving unit 1CT1, a control unit 1CT2, a transmitting unit 1CT3, a memory unit 1CT4, an imaging unit 1CT5, a display unit 1CT6, and an operation unit 1CT7.

[0023] The receiving unit 1CT1 and the transmitting unit 1CT3 are each an antenna for transmitting radio waves for wireless communication or a USB port for wired communication. The control unit 1CT2 is a controller generally called a computer. The storage unit SE4 is a recording medium such as a memory or a database that stores a first communication terminal program for executing each operation of the first communication terminal 1CT described below.

[0024] The control unit 1CT2 is a processor that executes the first communication terminal program. The control unit 1CT2 functions as a computer, and the first communication terminal program is computer-readable. The first communication terminal program may be stored in the memory unit 1CT4 during the manufacturing stage of the first communication terminal 1CT, or may be rewritten in the memory unit 1CT4 by a program update after the first communication terminal 1CT is sold. The first communication terminal program may be downloaded to the first communication terminal 1CT from the server SE or another server, or may be read into the first communication terminal 1CT from another recording medium such as a memory stick.

[0025] The photographing unit 1CT5 is a camera that transmits captured images to the control unit 1CT2. The control unit 1CT2 causes the transmission unit 1CT3 to transmit the image data captured by the photographing unit 1CT5 to the server SE. The control unit 1CT2 causes the display unit 1CT6 to display the image data captured by the photographing unit 1CT5.

[0026] In this embodiment, the first communication terminal 1CT is a smartphone or tablet terminal that has an integrated photographing unit 1CT5, but it may also be a personal computer that processes images captured by the photographing unit 1CT5, which is a camera as an external device.

[0027] The display unit 1CT6 is a liquid crystal display panel, but may be another display panel such as an OLED (organic light emitting diode) or a QLED (quantum dot light emitting diode). The display unit 1CT6 is controlled by the control unit 1CT2 to display an image. The operation unit 1CT7 is a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 1CT6 and is used to perform operations by touching icons displayed on the display unit 1CT6, but may also be a push button switch or the like separate from the display unit 1CT6. When operated by the subject, the operation unit 1CT7 transmits an operation signal based on the operation to the control unit 1CT2, and the control unit 1CT2 executes a first communication terminal program based on the operation signal.

[0028] The second communication terminal 2CT has the same configuration as the first communication terminal 1CT, that is, a receiving unit 2CT1, a control unit 2CT2, a transmitting unit 2CT3, a memory unit 2CT4, a photographing unit 2CT5, a display unit 2CT6, and an operation unit 2CT7.

[0029] The receiving unit 2CT1 and the transmitting unit 2CT3 are each an antenna for transmitting radio waves for wireless communication or a USB port for wired communication, etc. The control unit 2CT2 is a controller generally called a computer, etc. The storage unit 2CT4 is a recording medium such as a memory or database that stores a second communication terminal program for executing each operation of the second communication terminal 2CT described below.

[0030] The control unit 2CT2 is a processor that executes the second communication terminal program described above. The control unit 2CT2 functions as a computer, and the program is computer-readable. The second communication terminal program described above may be stored in the memory unit 2CT4 during the manufacturing stage of the second communication terminal 2CT, or may be rewritten in the memory unit 2CT4 by a program update after the second communication terminal 2CT is sold. The second communication terminal program described above may be downloaded to the second communication terminal 2CT from the server SE or another server, or may be transmitted to the second communication terminal 2CT from another recording medium such as a memory stick.

[0031] The photographing unit 2CT5 is a camera that transmits captured images to the control unit 2CT2. The control unit 2CT2 causes the transmission unit 2CT3 to transmit the image data captured by the photographing unit 2CT5 to the server SE. The control unit 2CT2 causes the display unit 2CT6 to display the images captured by the photographing unit 2CT5.

[0032] In this embodiment, the second communication terminal 2CT is a smartphone or tablet terminal or the like that has an integrated photographing unit 2CT5, but it may also be a personal computer or the like that processes images captured by the photographing unit 2CT5, which is a camera as an external device.

[0033] The display unit 2CT6 is a liquid crystal display panel, but may be another display panel such as an OLED or QLED. The display unit 2CT6 is controlled by the control unit 2CT2 and displays an image. The operation unit 2CT7 is a touch panel formed integrally with the display unit 2CT6 and is used to perform operations by touching icons displayed on the display unit 2CT6, but may also be a push button switch or the like separate from the display unit 2CT6. When operated by the photographer, the operation unit 2CT7 transmits an operation signal based on the operation to the control unit 2CT2, and the control unit 2CT2 executes a second communication terminal program based on the operation signal.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operations of the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment.

[0035] In step 1-1, the first communication terminal 1CT is a communication terminal carried by a person to be photographed who will be the subject of photography by the second communication terminal 2CT. The control unit 1CT2 of the first communication terminal 1CT causes the transmission unit 1CT3 to transmit to the server SE a personal identification ID capable of identifying the person's personal identification ID, AAA, input by the person to the control unit 1CT2 via the operation unit 1CT7. The control unit 1CT2 of the first communication terminal 1CT also causes the transmission unit 1CT3 to transmit to the server SE an image including the person's face photographed via the photographing unit 1CT5 based on the person's own operation of the operation unit 1CT7. Furthermore, the control unit 1CT2 of the first communication terminal 1CT causes the transmission unit 1CT3 to transmit to the server SE usage restriction information for the image input to the control unit 1CT2 based on the person's operation of the operation unit 1CT7.

[0036] In step 2-1, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT is a communication terminal that acquires an image of the holder of the first communication terminal 1CT as the subject of the image. The control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT causes the transmission unit 2CT3 to transmit to the server SE information that can identify BBB, which is the personal identification ID of the person who took the image using the second communication terminal 2CT.

[0037] In step 2-2, the control unit SE2 of the server SE identifies AAA, which is the personal identification ID of the person being photographed, in a data server DB (an example of its own storage unit SE4), and searches for image usage restriction information corresponding to AAA. Consequently, in step 2-3, the control unit SE2 of the server SE causes the transmission unit 2CT3 to transmit usage restriction information for the image of the person being photographed to the second communication terminal 2CT. The usage restriction information, for example, specifies that use of the image is to be denied.

[0038] In step 2-4, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT sets a usage restriction process for image data including a face corresponding to AAA, the personal identification ID of the person being photographed, based on the image usage restriction information received from the server SE. For example, if the use of the image is denied due to the image usage restriction of AAA, the personal identification ID of the person being photographed, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT causes the display unit 2CT6 to display an image from which the person being photographed has been erased. Note that the image at the position from which the person being photographed has been erased is interpolated based on the images surrounding the image of the person being photographed.

[0039] The features of the communication system of the present embodiment described above are as follows.

[0040] The server SE of this embodiment has the following characteristic configuration.

[0041] The storage unit SE4 stores a predetermined image received from the first communication terminal 1CT and usage restriction information capable of identifying the type of usage restriction on the predetermined image received from the first communication terminal 1CT. The receiving unit SE1 receives a captured image from a second communication terminal 2CT different from the first communication terminal 1CT. The control unit SE4 determines whether the captured image includes a predetermined image. The transmitting unit SE3 transmits usage restriction information to the second communication terminal 2CT when it is determined that the captured image includes a predetermined image. In this specification, "predetermined image" includes images of the subject's own body, as well as images of the subject's belongings (such as a camera, bag, and umbrella) or possessions (such as a house, garden, and garage).

[0042] The first communication terminal 1CT of this embodiment has the following characteristic configuration.

[0043] The control unit 1CT2 associates the predetermined image with usage restriction information that can specify the type of usage restriction on the predetermined image. The transmission unit 1CT3 transmits the predetermined image and the usage restriction information to the server SE.

[0044] The second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment has the following characteristic configuration.

[0045] The transmission unit 2CT3 transmits the captured image to the server SE. The reception unit 2CT1 receives usage restriction information capable of identifying the type of usage restriction on the captured image from the server SE. The control unit 2CT2 executes usage restriction processing on the captured image based on the usage restriction information.

[0046] According to the communication system of the present embodiment as described above, the person being photographed can arbitrarily set usage restrictions on a predetermined image. Specifically, the predetermined image includes a human facial image, i.e., an image of the person being photographed's own face. Therefore, if the person being photographed sets a preference to refuse use of their own image, their image will not be used by others, and the privacy of the person being photographed can be protected. Furthermore, the person being photographed can arbitrarily set usage restrictions depending on the photographer. Therefore, even if usage restrictions are imposed on one photographer, it is possible to not impose usage restrictions on other photographers.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a first flowchart for explaining the operations of the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment.

[0048] 3, in step S0, the person being photographed sets the person's personal identification ID in the first communication terminal 1CT. In steps S1 to S3, the person being photographed sequentially transmits the person's personal identification ID, face image, and image usage restriction information from the first communication terminal 1CT to the server SE. In step S10, the photographer sets his or her own personal identification ID in the second communication terminal 2CT.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the usage restrictions on images stored in the storage unit SE4 of the server SE of this embodiment.

[0050] Server SE stores image data including a facial image of person having personal identification ID AAAAA in storage unit SE4. Server SE executes use restriction processing for image data including the facial image of person AAAAA based on the use restriction information shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, the use restriction processing is valid for a photographer having personal identification ID BBBBB or an unspecified photographer, but is invalid for a photographer having personal identification ID CCCCC. Here, whether the use restriction processing is valid or invalid means information that can specify whether a specified image can be identified, that is, whether the specified image itself can be identified.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a second flowchart for explaining the operations of the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment.

[0052] In step S11, the photographer takes a picture of the person to be photographed, i.e., the holder of the first communication terminal 1CT (including the face of the holder), using the second communication terminal 2CT that the photographer owns. Then, in step S12, the photographer transmits photographed image data including the photographer's own personal identification ID and the face of the person to be photographed from the second communication terminal 2CT to the server SE.

[0053] Next, in step S13, the server SE identifies the personal identification ID of the person being photographed based on the captured image data received from the second communication terminal 2CT. At this time, the server SE uses image authentication technology to determine whether the facial image included in the captured image data matches or is similar to each of the many facial images stored in the storage unit SE4. If the facial image included in the captured image data matches or is similar to any of the many facial images stored in the storage unit SE4, the server SE identifies the personal identification ID of the person being photographed corresponding to image data having a facial image that is the same as or similar to the facial image included in the shadow image data.

[0054] Then, in step S14, the server SE searches for image usage restriction information corresponding to the personal identification ID of the person being photographed. Next, in step S15, the server SE reads out the setting corresponding to the photographer's personal identification ID from the image usage restriction information corresponding to the photographed person's personal identification ID. Then, in step S16, the server SE determines usage restriction information for the photographer's captured images. Next, in step S17, the server SE notifies the second communication terminal 2CT of whether or not to execute usage restriction processing, that is, transmits the usage restriction information for the photographer's captured images determined in step S17 to the second communication terminal 2CT.

[0055] In step S18, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT determines whether or not use restriction processing of the captured image is necessary based on the use restriction information received from the server SE. If it is determined in step S18 that use restriction processing of the captured image is necessary, the control unit 2CT2 executes use restriction processing of the captured image in step S19, thereby disabling display, saving, and publication of the captured image. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that use restriction processing of the captured image is not necessary, the control unit 2CT2 does not execute use restriction processing of the captured image in step S20, thereby enabling display, saving, and publication of the captured image.

[0056] However, the usage restriction information may be set so that the control unit 2CT2 selectively restricts use of one or two of the display, storage, and publication of the captured image. In this way, the types of usage restrictions include whether or not a specific image is allowed to be displayed, published, or saved. This allows various types of usage restrictions to be selectively set.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image with usage restrictions according to this embodiment.

[0058] An example of usage restrictions when the holder of the first communication terminal 1CT is the person being photographed (personal identification ID: AAAAA) will be described using Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, when the person being photographed is photographed using the second communication terminal 2CT of the photographer whose personal identification ID is BBBBB, usage restriction processing is executed on the image including the person being photographed. Therefore, an image without the person being photographed is displayed on the display unit 2CT6 as the captured image. On the other hand, when the person being photographed is photographed using the second communication terminal 2CT of the photographer whose personal identification ID is BBBBB, usage restriction processing on the image including the person being photographed's face is not executed. Therefore, an image with the person being photographed is displayed on the display unit 2CT6 as the captured image. In other words, an image with the person being photographed erased, where the image where the person being photographed was erased is interpolated based on the images surrounding the image of the person being photographed, is displayed on the display unit 2CT6.

[0059] (Embodiment 2) The server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of embodiment 2 will be described using Figures 7 and 8. Note that, below, description of the same points as the server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of embodiment 1 will not be repeated. The server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment differ from the server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of embodiment 1 in the following points.

[0060] In this embodiment, the configuration of the server SE is the same as that of the server SE of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the operation of the server SE is different from that of the server SE of the first embodiment.

[0061] Specifically, the storage unit SE4 of the server SE stores a predetermined image received from the first communication terminal 1CT. The receiving unit SE1 of the server SE receives a captured image from a second communication terminal 2CT different from the first communication terminal 1CT. The control unit SE2 of the server SE determines whether the captured image includes the predetermined image. If it is determined that the captured image includes the predetermined image, the transmitting unit SE3 of the server SE transmits a request signal to the first communication terminal 1CT requesting usage restriction information capable of identifying the type of usage restriction of the predetermined image. Furthermore, if the receiving unit SE1 receives usage restriction information from the first communication terminal 1CT, the transmitting unit SE3 of the server SE transmits the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal 2CT.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a first flowchart for explaining the operations of the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment.

[0063] In step S20, the person being photographed sets his / her own personal identification ID in the first communication terminal 1CT. In steps S21 and S22, the person being photographed sequentially transmits his / her personal identification ID and facial image from the first communication terminal 1CT to the server SE. In this embodiment, unlike embodiment 1, at this stage the person being photographed has not yet transmitted his / her usage restriction information from the first communication terminal 1CT to the server SE. In step S30, the photographer sets his / her own personal identification ID in the second communication terminal 2CT.

[0064] FIG. 8 is a second flowchart for explaining the operations of the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment.

[0065] In step S41, the photographer takes a picture of the person to be photographed, i.e., the person holding the first communication terminal 1CT (including their face), using the second communication terminal 2CT that the photographer holds. Then, in step S42, the person to be photographed transmits photographed image data including the photographer's own personal identification ID and a facial image of the person to be photographed from the second communication terminal 2CT to the server SE.

[0066] Next, in step S43, the server SE identifies the personal identification ID of the person being photographed from the captured image data received from the second communication terminal 2CT. At this time, the server SE uses image authentication technology to determine whether the facial image data included in the captured image data matches or is similar to any of the multiple facial image data stored in the storage unit SE4. The server SE selects image data including a facial image included in the shadow image data from the multiple facial images stored in the storage unit SE4, and reads out the personal identification ID corresponding to the selected image data. Next, in step S44, the server SE transmits information (notification) that identifies that the photograph was taken by the photographer to the first communication terminal 1CT of the person being photographed.

[0067] In this embodiment, in step S45, the person being photographed views information displayed on the display unit 1CT6 of the first communication terminal 1CT that identifies the person as having been photographed by the photographer, and then transmits image usage restriction information to the server SE.

[0068] Then, in step S46, the server SE reads out the use restriction information for the image corresponding to the photographer's personal identification ID in the use restriction information received from the first communication terminal 1CT. Then, in step S47, the server SE determines the use restriction information for the photographer's captured images. Next, in step S48, the control unit SE2 of the server SE notifies the second communication terminal 2CT whether or not to execute the use restriction process. That is, the control unit SE3 transmits the use restriction information for the photographer's captured images determined in step S47 to the second communication terminal 2CT.

[0069] In step S49, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT determines whether or not use restriction of the captured image is necessary based on the use restriction information received from the server SE. If it is determined in step S49 that use restriction processing of the captured image is necessary, the control unit 2CT2 executes use restriction processing of the captured image in step S50, thereby disabling display, saving, and publication of the captured image. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S49 that use restriction processing of the captured image is not necessary, the control unit 2CT2 does not execute use restriction processing of the captured image in step S51, thereby enabling display, saving, and publication of the captured image.

[0070] The communication system of this embodiment also allows the person being photographed to arbitrarily set usage restrictions on the image, thereby protecting the privacy of the person being photographed. Furthermore, the person being photographed can arbitrarily set usage restrictions depending on the photographer. Therefore, even if usage restrictions are imposed on one photographer, they may not be imposed on other photographers.

[0071] (Embodiment 3) The server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of embodiment 3 will be described using Figures 9 and 10. Note that, below, description of the same points as the server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of embodiment 1 or 2 will not be repeated. The server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of this embodiment differ from the server SE, first communication terminal 1CT, and second communication terminal 2CT of embodiment 1 or 2 in the following points.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the content of image usage restrictions in this embodiment.

[0073] The server SE stores image data including a facial image of a person having a personal identification ID of AAAAA in a storage unit SE4. The server SE executes a usage restriction process for the facial image of AAAAA based on the usage restriction information shown in FIG.

[0074] Specifically, the use of images by a photographer with personal identification ID BBBBB will be denied only from April 23, 2024 to April 25, 2024, and in all locations.

[0075] Furthermore, the use of images by a photographer with the personal identification ID CCCCC is denied for the entire period and only within a 1 km radius of the designated point.

[0076] In addition, the use of images by photographers who do not have personal identification ID is permitted at all times and in all places.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the server SE of this embodiment.

[0078] In step S61, the control unit SE2 of the server SE determines image usage restriction information for the image captured by the photographer. In step S62, the control unit SE2 of the server SE determines whether the captured image was captured within the restricted period. If it is determined in step S62 that the captured image was not captured within the restricted period, in step S65, the control unit SE2 of the server SE causes the transmission unit SE3 to transmit usage restriction information capable of specifying that execution of usage restriction processing is unnecessary to the second communication terminal 2CT. As a result, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT does not execute usage restriction on the image.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that the photographed image was taken within the restricted period, then in step S63 the control unit SE2 of the server SE determines whether the photographed image was taken within the restricted area. If it is determined in step S63 that the photographed image was not taken within the restricted area, then in step S65 the control unit SE2 of the server SE transmits to the second communication terminal 2CT usage restriction information that can specify that the execution of usage restriction processing is unnecessary. As a result, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT does not execute usage restriction on the image.

[0080] On the other hand, in step S63, it may be determined that the captured image was taken in a restricted area. In this case, in step S64, the control unit SE2 of the server SE causes the transmission unit 2CT3 to transmit usage restriction information that can identify the need to execute usage restriction processing to the second communication terminal 2CT. As a result, the control unit 2CT2 of the second communication terminal 2CT executes usage restriction on the image.

[0081] The communication system of this embodiment also allows the person being photographed to arbitrarily set restrictions on the use of the image, thereby protecting the person's privacy. Furthermore, since restrictions on the use of the image can be arbitrarily set based on the location and period of photography, detailed restrictions on the use can be set.

[0082] (Fourth Embodiment) A server SE, a first communication terminal 1CT, and a second communication terminal 2CT according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 11. Note that, below, descriptions of the same points as those of the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT according to the first to third embodiments will not be repeated. The server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT according to the present embodiment differ from the server SE, the first communication terminal 1CT, and the second communication terminal 2CT according to the first to third embodiments in the following points.

[0083] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the content of image usage restrictions in this embodiment.

[0084] As can be seen from Figure 11, in this embodiment, the predetermined image does not include an image of the face of the person being photographed, but rather an image of an object held by the person being photographed. In this case, a usage restriction on the helicopter image is set using the object identification ID AAAAA instead of a personal identification ID. In this case, usage restrictions on images of the person being photographed's belongings can be set arbitrarily. This allows the person being photographed to maintain the confidentiality of their belongings, thereby protecting their privacy. Note that the usage restriction information of this embodiment shown in Figure 11 also sets a usage restriction period and a usage restriction area, similar to the usage restriction information of embodiment 3.

Claims

1. A server comprising: a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal and usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction on the specified image received from the first communication terminal; a receiving unit that receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal; a control unit that determines whether the captured image includes the specified image; and a transmitting unit that transmits the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image.

2. A server comprising: a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal; a receiving unit that receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal; a control unit that determines whether the captured image includes the specified image; and a transmitting unit that, when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image, transmits a request signal to the first communication terminal requesting usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction on the specified image, and, when the receiving unit receives the usage restriction information from the first communication terminal, transmits the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal.

3. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the types of usage restrictions include whether or not the specified image can be identified.

4. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the types of usage restrictions include whether or not the specified image is allowed to be displayed, made public, or saved.

5. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the type of usage restriction includes a period during which the specified image is restricted in use or an area during which the specified image is restricted in use.

6. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined image includes a human face image.

7. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined image includes an image of an object.

8. A communication terminal comprising: a control unit that associates a predetermined image with usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction on the predetermined image; and a transmission unit that transmits the predetermined image and the usage restriction information to a server.

9. A communication terminal comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits a captured image to a server; a receiving unit that receives usage restriction information from the server that can identify the type of usage restriction on the captured image; and a control unit that executes usage restriction processing on the captured image based on the usage restriction information.

10. A computer-readable server program for causing a computer to operate as: a memory unit that stores a predetermined image received from a first communication terminal and usage restriction information capable of identifying the type of usage restriction of the predetermined image received from the first communication terminal; and a control unit that, when a receiving unit receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal, determines whether the captured image includes a predetermined image, and, when it is determined that the captured image includes the predetermined image, causes a transmitting unit to transmit the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal.

11. A computer-readable server program for causing a computer to operate as: a memory unit that stores a specified image received from a first communication terminal; and a control unit that, when a receiving unit receives a captured image from a second communication terminal different from the first communication terminal, determines whether the captured image includes a specified image, and, when it is determined that the captured image includes the specified image, causes a transmitting unit to transmit to the first communication terminal a request signal requesting usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction of the specified image; and, when the receiving unit receives the usage restriction information from the first communication terminal, causes the transmitting unit to transmit the usage restriction information to the second communication terminal.

12. A computer-readable communication terminal program for causing a computer to operate as a control unit that associates a specified image with usage restriction information that can identify the type of usage restriction on the specified image, and causes a sending unit to send the specified image and the usage restriction information to a server.

13. A computer-readable communication terminal program for causing a computer to operate as a control unit that causes a transmitting unit to transmit a captured image to a server, and when a receiving unit receives usage restriction information from the server that can identify the type of usage restriction on the captured image, executes usage restriction processing for the captured image based on the usage restriction information.

Images