Method and system for sharing multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method and related system for sharing multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios.

Technological background of the invention

Nowadays, images, whether static (i.e. photographs) or dynamic (i.e. videos), acquired by cameras or webcams distributed across the territory can be used in different areas, e.g. for investigation purposes or for query purposes in the tourism sector for being able to easily benefit from a place of interest.

The big limit of such systems is obviously connected with the ubiquity with which the cameras or webcams are distributed across the territory itself: the more cameras and/or webcams are distributed, the greater will be the portions of territory that can be reached and acquired as images.

However, efficient coverage implies high costs in terms of installation and wiring, without considering the fact that there is still the problem of having uncovered areas, even only partially from a time point of view, in the event of breakdowns.

Further limits are also represented by the quality of the available images which may not be suitable in terms of the frame provided (there are generally only a few cameras and/or webcams positioned in predefined placed, e.g. along roads, and they do not always offer useful frames, of interest and/or usable), maintenance (typically poor), cleaning (not always guaranteed at regular intervals, especially for cameras and/or webcams installed outdoors).

Further, in the event that the images acquired are static, i.e. photographs, another limit is certainly represented by the fact that the photographs acquired and stored may not always be updated, therefore they may, for example, not represent the current situation of a place or a scenario.

Again, the images, whether static or dynamic, in the event that they are stored in specific databases for subsequent use after downloading by a user, could require the obligation of large archiving spaces.

Therefore, there is a strongly perceived need to have available a method for sharing images, whether they are of the “static” or “dynamic” type, therefore in general of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios, which allows the ubiquity of the coverage obtained to be increased, costs to be however contained and an improvement in the quality and/or utility of the images potentially usable to be guaranteed.

Summary

The object of the present invention is that of devising and making available a method for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios, which allows the drawbacks complained of above with reference to the prior art to be at least partly overcome, in particular which allows the ubiquity of the coverage obtained to be increased, costs to be however contained and an improvement in the quality and/or utility of the images potentially usable to be guaranteed.

Such an object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of said method are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention also relates to a system for sharing multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the method and related system according to the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of indicative, non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows, by a functional block diagram, a system for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically shows, by a further functional block diagram, a system for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a map that can be viewed during an example of implementation of the method according to the present invention, and

Figure 4 schematically shows, by a block diagram, a method for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios in accordance with the present invention.

It is worth noting that, in the aforesaid figures, equivalent or similar elements are indicated by the same numeric and/or alphanumeric references.

Detailed description

With reference to the aforesaid figures, a system 100 is now described for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios, also simply referred to below as sharing system or only system, in accordance with the present invention.

For the purposes of the present invention, “multimedia contents” means both “static” type images, or photographs or instant frames, and “dynamic” type images, i.e. videos, films or sequences of instant frames.

The system 100 comprises a plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices configured to acquire a plurality of multimedia contents.

With reference to the diagram of Figure 2, each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD comprises a respective local data processing module 1, e.g. a microcontroller or microprocessor.

Each multimedia contents acquisition electronic device of said plurality PD further comprises a local memory module 2 operatively connected to the local data processing module 1.

The local memory module 2 may be external (as schematically shown in Figure 2) or internal to the local data processing module 1 (embodiment not shown in figures).

The local data processing module 1, by loading and running one or more program codes (e.g. a software application), stored in the local memory module 2, is configured to perform operating steps during the performance of the method for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios, according to the present invention, as will be described below.

Each multimedia contents acquisition electronic device of said plurality PD may be movable or fixed.

Examples of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices, also shown in Figure 1 , comprise: a portable electronic device PD-1 of a user, e.g. a smartphone or a tablet, comprising a camera; a camera which is integrated or installed on a means of transport PD- 2, e.g. a bus, a coach or a taxi; a camera which is integrated or installed on a vehicle PD-3 of the police or security forces; a device PD-4 wearable by a user, e.g. glasses (as shown in Figure 1 ), smartwatch, etc., comprising a camera; a camera which is integrated or installed on an infrastructure PD-5 such as, for example, a building (as shown in Figure 1), an upright, a bridge, a lamp post and so on.

Each multimedia contents acquisition device has an associated user (“videomaker”) who possesses or manages the multimedia contents acquisition device.

By way of example, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2: the portable electronic device PD-1 is in the possession of a respective user V1; the camera, which is integrated or installed on the means of transport PD-2, is managed by a respective user V2; such camera may already be present, e.g. a video camera for visual analysis ADAS (Advance Driver Assistance Systems); the camera, which is integrated or installed on the vehicle PD-3 of the police or security forces, is managed by a respective user V3; such camera may already be present, e.g. a video camera for visual analysis ADAS (Advance Driver Assistance Systems); the device PD-4 wearable by a user, e.g. glasses (as shown in figure 1), smartwatch, etc., is in the possession of a respective user V4; the camera, which is integrated or installed on the infrastructure PD-5, is in the possession of a respective user V5.

It is specified that, for the purposes of the present description, “camera” means a 2D digital camera, a 3D digital camera, a video camera, a dashcam, a webcam and so on.

In the event in which the multimedia contents acquisition device is a smartphone or tablet, even an old generation one, such multimedia contents acquisition device may be configured, by a respective software application, to operate as a fixed webcam if installed outside a building infrastructure (e.g. a private home).

Such multimedia contents acquisition device can further be configured to darken the screen during the acquisition of the multimedia contents for energy saving and/or so as not to be visible in the case where it is installed on movable means of transport.

In the event in which the “camera” is a dashcam, the dashcam is configured to acquire multimedia contents continuously, storing such multimedia contents on the respective local memory module 2.

A dashcam, if connected to the data communication network NTW, is configured to transmit in real time the multimedia contents acquired.

A dashcam, if not connected to the data communication network NTW, is configured to transmit strings of code of the multimedia contents acquired to a portable electronic device (smartphone or tablet) of a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing the dashcam, appropriately configured with a relevant software application, which is configured to transmit data to a central electronic processor 1, described below, configured to perform operating functions of the method according to the present invention.

In the event in which the “camera” is a webcam, the webcam is configured to transmit the multimedia contents acquired in real time in the case the webcam has associated a geographic position.

It should be noted that a webcam is configured to be operatively connected to the central electronic processor 10 for transmission in real time and with the portable electronic device of the user V1-V5 in possession of or managing the webcam, appropriately configured with a relevant software application.

In this case, the portable electronic device of the user V1-V5 in possession of or managing the webcam is configured to record data representative of the multimedia contents acquired stored in the local memory module 2 of the respective multimedia contents acquisition device for subsequent off-line use.

Returning in general to the system 100 according to the present invention, it is specified that each multimedia content acquired has an associated acquisition time indication and a geographical inquiry indication.

The acquisition time indication of a multimedia content is representative of an instant of time and/or a period of time (e.g. in terms of date, hour, minutes, seconds, time zone) in which the multimedia content was acquired.

The geographical inquiry indication associated with a multimedia content is representative of the place and/or position of the multimedia contents acquisition device which acquired the multimedia content (e.g. geographical coordinates at the start of acquisition, geographical coordinates at the end of acquisition).

On this point, in one embodiment, each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is configured to acquire multimedia contents sampled with a set definite time duration, through the software application with which the multimedia contents acquisition device is configured, by a user (videomaker) in possession of and/or managing such multimedia contents acquisition device.

In accordance with an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is configured to store the multimedia content acquired in the respective local memory module 2.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is configured to associate at least the acquisition time indication and the geographical inquiry indication with the multimedia content acquired stored inside the local memory module 2.

In accordance with an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is configured to associate further information representative of the multimedia content acquired with the multimedia content acquired stored inside the local memory module 2.

Non-limiting examples of such further information representative of the multimedia content acquired are: identification code of a name assigned to the multimedia content; identification code of the userV1-V5 having possession of or managing the multimedia contents acquisition device which acquired the multimedia content; one or more movement parameters (e.g. speed, altitude and so on) detectable by the multimedia contents acquisition device and/or associated with the integration and/or installation point of the multimedia contents acquisition device.

In accordance with an embodiment, each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is configured to transmit the multimedia content acquired.

In an embodiment, one or more of said multimedia contents acquisition devices of said plurality PD are configured to transmit the multimedia content acquired in real time.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, one or more of said multimedia contents acquisition devices of said plurality PD are configured to transmit the multimedia content, on demand and/or at the time at which data transmission is enabled, previously stored in the respective local memory module 2.

Returning in general to the system 100 according to the present invention, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the system 100 further comprises a central electronic processor 10 operatively connected to the plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices through a data communication network NTW, e.g. the internet.

The central electronic processor 10 comprises a respective data processing unit 20, for example a microcontroller or microprocessor. The central electronic processor 10 further comprises a memory unit 3 operatively connected to the data processing unit 20.

The memory unit 30 may be external (as schematically shown in Figure 2) or internal the data processing unit 20 (embodiment not shown in the figures).

The data processing unit 20, by loading and running one or more program codes, stored in the memory unit 30, is configured to perform operating steps of the method for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios, according to the present invention, as will be described below.

The central electronic processor 10 is configured to receive multimedia contents acquired from said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices.

The central electronic processor 10 is configured to receive from a user U (viewer) requesting a multimedia contents viewing service, a request to access at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired.

The user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service may be, for example, a user who needs to view multimedia contents for investigative purposes (e.g. an operator of a security institution, a member of the police force, or the like), a user who needs to view the multimedia contents for informative or tourist-related purposes (e.g. a tourist operator, an operator of a service provider of tourist services, an operator in an informative setting, a tourist, a person interested for informative purposes or for personal knowledge, and so on).

The at least one sub-group of multimedia contents requested by the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service is a function of a set acquisition time indication and a set geographical inquiry indication selected by the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service.

The central electronic processor 10 is configured to provide the user U with access to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired.

In an embodiment, the use of said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired takes place in real time.

In an alternative embodiment to the previous one, the use of said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired takes place on demand.

In an embodiment, in combination with any one of the previous ones, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to ask a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD who has acquired a multimedia content belonging to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired for which access has been requested, for an authorization to share the multimedia content acquired.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to receive or not from the user in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device who has acquired a multimedia content belonging to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired for which access has been requested, for the authorization to share the multimedia content acquired.

In an embodiment, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to provide the user with access to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired following receipt of said authorization to share the multimedia content acquired.

It should be noted that each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is configured to transmit to the central electronic processor 1 , through a spot connection, for example Wi-Fi or “tethering", or the so-called “internet in the car”, strings corresponding to a code of a multimedia content acquired which will be subsequently made available for a possible viewing request.

In accordance with an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to provide the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service with the service of viewing multimedia contents through a user interface l-U usable online.

The access to the user interface l-U usable online is available on any electronic device (mobile and/or fixed), shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2 and indicated with the reference numeral 40, which the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service may have available.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to receive from the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service the at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired requested by the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service through the user interface l-U usable online.

On this point, the user interface l-U is configured to enable the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service to select the multimedia contents acquisition devices the acquired multimedia contents of which correspond to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired of which such user can request access to the central electronic processor 10.

In particular, the selection is enabled at least on the basis of a set acquisition time indication and on the basis of a set geographical inquiry indication.

In an embodiment, shown in figure 3, the user interface l-U usable online enables the selection of a set geographical inquiry indication and of the set acquisition time indication (the latter for example through a sub-interface S- I which enables the date to be selected, in terms of day/month/year and the acquisition time).

Following this selection, the central electronic processor 10, through the user interface l-U usable online, is configured for viewing a geographic map M corresponding to a set geographical inquiry indication in which a sub-group of said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition devices is viewed corresponding to the set acquisition time indication.

Therefore, in the example of Figure 3, the geographic map M displays a first acquisition device PD-1 belonging to a first user V-1 , a second acquisition device PD-2 belonging to a second user V-2, a third acquisition device PD-3 belonging to a third user V-3, a fourth acquisition device PD-4 belonging to a fourth user V-4, a fifth acquisition device PD-5 belonging to a user V-5.

The multimedia contents acquired by the sub-group of said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition devices viewed on the geographic map M correspond to the at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired of which such user U can request access to the central electronic processor 10.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to display on the geographic map M at each multimedia contents acquisition device a code of the respective user in possession of or managing such multimedia contents acquisition device.

In accordance with an embodiment, alternative to the previous one and not shown in the figures, the user interface l-U usable online enables the selection of a set geographic inquiry indication and of the set acquisition time indication through the use of menus and/or by filling in query fields, for example, by entering the set geographic inquiry indication in terms of address, road, street, city and the set acquisition time indication in terms of date (day/month/year) and possibly acquisition time.

In an embodiment, in combination with any of those described above, the central electronic processor 1 , through the user interface U-l usable online, enables the user U requesting a service for viewing multimedia contents to select to request the possibility of viewing a multimedia content acquired from the user in possession of or managing the multimedia contents acquisition device which acquired the aforesaid multimedia content.

Such request can take place through one of the communication channels provided by the user in possession of or managing the multimedia contents acquisition device (email, dedicated software application or the like).

In an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the central electronic processor 10 is configured to provide the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service with an access to the multimedia contents viewing service following authentication, for example through access credentials, to a portal or platform usable via the web.

It should be noted that the multimedia contents are preferably acquired by a multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD with the so- called “last in, first out” logic also as a function of the maximum size of the respective local memory module 2.

Therefore, after a set time period, the multimedia contents stored shall no longer be available.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the central electronic processor 10 enables a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device to be able to register for the multimedia contents sharing service by providing identification data of the respective multimedia contents acquisition device, identification data of the user, data representative of contacts to be made available to users who request the multimedia contents sharing service.

In an embodiment, alternative to the previous one, a portable electronic device (e.g. a smartphone or tablet) of a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device is configured, through a respective software application, to enable the user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device to be able to register for the multimedia contents sharing service by providing identification data of the respective multimedia contents acquisition device, identification data of the user, data representative of contacts to be made available to users who request the multimedia contents sharing service.

In a further embodiment, a portable electronic device (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet) of a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device is configured, through a respective software application, so as to: make available transmission in real time of the multimedia contents acquired by the multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD; implement the requests received from the central electronic processor 10 to share multimedia contents; send the requested multimedia contents.

Now with reference to Figure 4, a method 400 is now described for sharing images of multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios, also referred to below as sharing method 400 or simply method 400, in accordance with the present invention.

A definition of “multimedia contents” has already been provided above.

The method 400 comprises a symbolic step of starting ST.

The method 400 comprises a step of acquiring 401 , by a plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices, a plurality of multimedia contents.

The plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition devices, in accordance with different embodiments and/or examples, has already been described above.

Each multimedia content acquired is associated with an acquisition time indication and a geographical inquiry indication.

The acquisition time indication of a multimedia content and the geographical inquiry indication associated with a content have already been defined above. Each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD is associated with a user V1-V5 (videomaker) who possesses and/or manages a respective multimedia contents acquisition device.

Still with reference to Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of receiving 402, by a central electronic processor 10 operatively connected to the plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices, through a data communication network NTW, the multimedia contents acquired by said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices.

The central electronic processor 10, according to different embodiments, has been described above.

The method 400 further comprises a step of receiving 403, by the central electronic processor 10, from a user U (viewer) requesting a multimedia contents viewing service, a request to access at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired.

Some examples of users U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service have been provided above.

The at least one sub-group of multimedia contents requested by the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service is a function of a set acquisition time indication and a set geographical inquiry indication selected by the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service.

The method 400 further comprises a step of providing 404, by the central electronic processor 10, the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service with an access to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired.

With reference again to Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a symbolic step of ending ED.

In accordance with an embodiment, shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of storing 405, by each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD, the multimedia content acquired in a respective local memory module 2 of said multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of associating 406, by each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD, at least the acquisition time indication and the geographical inquiry indication with the multimedia content acquired stored inside the respective local memory module 2.

In accordance with an embodiment, in combination with the preceding one and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of associating 407, by each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD, further information representative of the multimedia content acquired with the multimedia content acquired stored inside the respective local memory module 2.

Non-limiting examples of such further information representative of the multimedia content acquired have been described above.

According to one embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of selecting 408, by each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD, the multimedia contents acquired.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the step of transmitting 408 the multimedia content acquired is performed in real time by one or more of said multimedia contents acquisition devices of said plurality PD.

In an embodiment, alternative to the previous one, the step of transmitting 408 the multimedia content acquired is carried out, by one or more of said multimedia contents acquisition devices of said plurality PD, on demand and/or at the time at which data transmission is enabled.

The multimedia content acquired to be transmitted has been previously stored in the respective local memory module 2 of the respective multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD.

In an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, the use of said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired takes place in real time.

In an alternative embodiment to the previous one, the use of said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired takes place on demand.

In an embodiment, in combination with any one of the previous ones and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the step of receiving 403 comprises a step of asking 409, by the central electronic processor 10, a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD who has acquired a multimedia content belonging to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired for which access has been requested, for an authorization to share the multimedia content acquired.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the step of receiving 403 further comprises a step of receiving or not 410, by the central electronic processor 10, from the user in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device who has acquired a multimedia content belonging to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired for which access has been requested, for the authorization to share the multimedia content acquired.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the step of providing 404 the user with the access to at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired is performed by the central electronic processor 10 following receipt of said authorization to share the multimedia content acquired.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the step of transmitting 408 comprises a step of transmitting 411, by each multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD, through a spot connection, e.g. Wi-Fi or “tethering”, or the so-called “internet in the car”, strings corresponding to a code of a multimedia content acquired which will be subsequently made available for a possible viewing request.

In accordance with an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of providing 412 the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service, by the central electronic processor 10, with the service of viewing multimedia contents through a user interface l-U usable online.

The access to the user interface l-U usable online is available on any electronic device (mobile and/or fixed), shown schematically in Figures 1 and 2 and indicated with the reference numeral 40, which the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service may have available.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the method 400 further comprises a step of receiving 413, by the central electronic processor 10, from the user U requesting a multimedia content viewing service, the at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired requested by the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service through the user interface l-U usable online.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of selecting 414, by the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service, through the user interface l-U, the multimedia contents acquisition devices whose multimedia contents acquired correspond to said at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired of which such user can request access to the central electronic processor 10.

In particular, the selection is enabled at least on the basis of a set acquisition time indication and on the basis of a set geographical inquiry indication.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one, the step of selecting 414 is carried out for selecting a set geographical inquiry indication and a set acquisition time indication (the latter for example through a subinterface S-l which enables the date to be selected, in terms of day/month/year and the acquisition time, as shown in Figure 3).

Following this selection, in an embodiment shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of viewing 415, by the central electronic processor 10, through the user interface l-U usable online, a geographic map M corresponding to a set geographical inquiry indication in which a sub-group of said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition devices is viewed corresponding to the set acquisition time indication.

An example of a geographic map M has been described above with reference to Figure 3.

The multimedia contents acquired by the sub-group of said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition devices viewed on the geographic map M correspond to the at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired of which such user U can request access to the central electronic processor 10.

In an embodiment, in combination with the previous one and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of viewing 416, by the central electronic processor 10, on the geographic map M at each multimedia contents acquisition device, a code of the respective user V1-V5 in possession of or managing such multimedia contents acquisition device.

In accordance with an embodiment, alternative to the previous one and not shown in the figure, the step of selecting 414 is carried out through the user interface l-U usable online for selecting the set geographic inquiry indication and the set acquisition time indication through the use of menus and/or by filling in query fields, for example, by entering the set geographic inquiry indication in terms of address, road, street, city and the set acquisition time indication in terms of date (day/month/year) and possibly acquisition time.

In an embodiment, in combination with any of those described above, shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of requesting 417, by the central electronic processor 1, through the user interface l-U usable online, the possibility of viewing a multimedia content acquired from the user V1-V5 in possession of or managing the multimedia contents acquisition device which acquired the aforesaid multimedia content.

Such request can take place through one of the communication channels provided by the user in possession of or managing the multimedia contents acquisition device (email, dedicated software application or the like).

In an embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of providing 418, by the central electronic processor 10, to the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service, an access to the multimedia contents viewing service following authentication, for example through access credentials, to a portal or platform usable via the web.

In accordance with a further embodiment, in combination with any one of those described above, shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of enabling 419, by the central electronic processor 10, a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device, to have the possibility of registering for the multimedia contents sharing service by providing identification data of the respective multimedia contents acquisition device, identification data of the user, data representative of contacts to be made available to users who request the multimedia contents sharing service.

In an embodiment, alternative to the previous one, shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises a step of enabling 420, by a portable electronic device 40 (e.g. a smartphone or tablet) of a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device, through a respective software application, to the user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device the possibility of registering for the multimedia contents sharing service by providing identification data of the respective multimedia contents acquisition device, identification data of the user, data representative of contacts to be made available to users who request the multimedia contents sharing service.

In a further embodiment, in combination with any one of the previous ones and shown with dashed lines in Figure 4, the method 400 further comprises steps of, by a portable electronic device 40 (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet) of a user V1-V5 in possession of or managing a multimedia contents acquisition device, through a respective software application: making available 421 transmission in real time of the multimedia contents acquired by the multimedia contents acquisition device of said plurality PD; implementing 423 the requests received from the central electronic processor 10 to share multimedia contents; sending 424 the requested multimedia contents.

Now with reference to the aforesaid figures, an example of implementation of the method of sharing multimedia contents representative of spaces, places, scenarios according to the present invention is described.

A plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices acquires a plurality of multimedia contents of spaces, places, scenarios.

Each multimedia content acquired is associated with an acquisition time indication and a geographical inquiry indication.

A central electronic processor 10 operatively connected to the plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices, through a data communication network NTW, receives the multimedia contents acquired by said plurality PD of multimedia contents acquisition electronic devices.

The central electronic processor 10 receives, through a user interface l-U usable online, from a user U (viewer) requesting a multimedia contents viewing service, a request to access at least one sub-group of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired.

The at least one sub-group of multimedia contents requested by the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service is a function of a set acquisition time indication and a set geographical inquiry indication selected by the user requesting a multimedia contents viewing service selected, through the user interface l-U usable online, by the user U (viewer) requesting a multimedia contents viewing service.

The central electronic processor 10 provides the user U requesting a multimedia contents viewing service with an access to said at least one subgroup of said plurality of multimedia contents acquired.

It is worth noting that the object of the invention is fully achieved.

In fact, the method and related system provide for the consensual acquisition of multimedia contents (images and/or videos) through multimedia contents acquisition devices which are mobile, fixed and/or integrated into means of transport.

The multimedia contents are acquired automatically, reside in the multimedia contents acquisition device that acquired them and can be shared if necessary, for public safety, tourist information or personal safety.

The social exchange of multimedia contents can be carried out by crossing the search between geographical area and time range or, alternatively, by viewing the geographical area identified in real time.

The sharing of multimedia contents only takes place through the agreed availability of the user (videomaker) in possession of or managing the multimedia contents acquisition device which acquired the multimedia content for which sharing has been requested.

In the security area, the method and related system according to the present invention enable the viewing of what has happened at a certain time, in a certain place (e.g. crimes, offenses, traffic, etc.), for irrefutably and immediately obtaining evidence against the guilty party.

In more detail, where it is required to investigate an event (whether it is a crime or offense) which took place in a certain place and in a certain time slot, for the police forces (or an entity having to perform surveys) it is possible to obtain in real time, the support of multimedia contents (e.g. social videos) of the area and time requested, by asking the citizens or facilities that provided the system for the video data immediately.

All this simplifies the investigative processes and maximizes the possibility of identifying the offender, by reducing the analysis timescales and in some cases (e.g. in the event of kidnappings), can be a determining factor for prompt rescue intervention.

In the tourism sector, the method and related system according to the present invention enable places to be viewed in real time for tourist-related or weather purposes, multiplying the possibility of interaction with the places themselves.

In particular, through the connected multimedia contents acquisition devices, it is possible for users to have remote access in real time to the viewing of places, spaces or scenarios using different perspectives and for other users to share multimedia contents in real time. In fact, the proposed method is an individual “real-time” tool or supports existing digital structures.

A person skilled in the art may make changes and adaptations to the embodiment of the method and respective system described above or can replace elements with others which are functionally equivalent to satisfy contingent needs without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims. All the features described above as belonging to one possible embodiment may be implemented independently from the other described embodiments.