Image analysis distance information provision system, method, and program

An image analysis distance information provision system, comprising:

• an object information storage unit, which is configured to pre-store object information comprising shape information about a shape of an object and size information about a size of the object;
• an image acquisition unit, which is configured to acquire an image of an object captured by an imaging device;
• a type determination unit, which is configured to determine a type of the captured object according to the shape information;
• a length calculation unit, which is configured to calculate an actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object according to the shape information associated with the determined type of the captured object;
• a shooting range calculation unit, which is configured to calculate a shooting range of the image of the captured object according to a calculation result of the length calculation unit;
• a distance estimation unit, which is configured to estimate a distance from the imaging device to the captured object according to the shooting range;
• and
• a provision unit, which is configured to provide information about the estimated distance;
• wherein the shape information comprises image data of lateral surfaces, front and back of the object;
• wherein the system further comprises a correction unit, which is configured to transform coordinates of the image of the object captured by the imaging device, so that the image of the captured object is corrected;
• wherein the type determination unit is configured to the type of the captured object according to the corrected image of the captured object with reference to the shape information;
• and
• wherein the length calculation unit is configured to calculate, according to the shape information associated with the determined type of the captured object, an actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object corrected by the correction unit.

A distance information provision method by using a system, wherein the system is configured to analyze an image captured by an imaging device and provide the distance information about a distance between the imaging device and a captured object;

• wherein the system comprises:
• an object information storage unit, which is configured to pre-store object information comprising shape information about a shape of an object and size information about a size of the object;
• and
• wherein the method comprises:
• acquiring the image of the object captured by the imaging device;
• determining a type of the captured object according to the shape information;
• calculating an actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object according to the shape information associated with the determined type of the captured object;
• calculating a shooting range of the image of the captured object according to a calculation result of the actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object;
• estimating the distance from the imaging device to the captured object according to the shooting range;
• and
• providing information about the estimated distance;
• wherein the shape information comprises image data of lateral surfaces, front and back of the object;
• wherein the method further comprises a step of transforming coordinates of the image of the object captured by the imaging device, so that the image of the captured object is corrected;
• wherein in the step of determining the type of the captured object, the type of the captured object is determined according to the corrected image of the captured object with reference to the shape information;
• and
• wherein in the step of calculating the actual length of the captured object, an actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object corrected by the correction unit is calculated according to the shape information associated with the determined type of the captured object.

A program for causing a system to perform prescribed steps, wherein

• the system comprises an object information storage unit configured to pre-store object information comprising shape information about a shape of an object and size information about a size of the object;
• the system is configured to analyze an image captured by an imaging device and provide distance information about a distance between the imaging device and a captured object;
• and
• the program is configured to cause the system to perform the following prescribed steps:
• acquiring the image of the object captured by the imaging device;
• determining a type of the captured object according to the shape information;
• calculating an actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object according to the shape information associated with the determined type of the captured object;
• calculating a shooting range of the image of the captured object according to a calculation result of the actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object;
• estimating the distance from the imaging device to the captured object according to the shooting range;
• and
• providing information about the estimated distance;
• wherein the shape information comprises image data of lateral surfaces, front and back of the object;
• wherein the prescribed steps further comprise a step of transforming coordinates of the image of the object captured by the imaging device, so that the image of the captured object is corrected;
• wherein in the step of determining the type of the captured object, the type of the captured object is determined according to the corrected image of the captured object with reference to the shape information;
• and
• wherein in the step of calculating the actual length of the captured object, an actual length of the captured object per unit length of the image of the captured object corrected by the correction unit is calculated according to the shape information associated with the determined type of the captured object.