US6137485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image transmission method and apparatus, and image transmission system including the apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-15
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Granted: 2000-10-24
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Expires: 2016-03-15
Abstract
Abstract Image transmission method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving images among a plurality of terminals connected to a network, and an image transmission system including the apparatus. A video camera (30) is connected to each of a plurality of video communication terminals connected to a network (12), and an image picked up by the camera (30) of each terminal is exchanged with another communication terminal via the network (12). In this case, in a certain terminal, a plurality of images received from other terminals are displayed on a display (26), and the names of terminals which are receiving the image picked up by the video camera (30) of the terminal, and the name of a terminal (or the name of an operator) which is operating the video camera (30) of the terminal are also displayed on the display (26). Each terminal displays, on the display (26), an icon which allows an operator to recognize at a glance whether or not an image picked up by the camera of its own terminal is being monitored by another terminal, or generates a warning tone in correspondence with the monitor or operation state of the video camera (30) of its own terminal, thereby calling for an attention of the operator of its own terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomoaki Kawai
- 👤 Takashi Oya
- 👤 Shinya Urisaka
- 👤 Takeshi Namikata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image, the movements of said image input means are controlled by a communication terminal connected to the network; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; and display means for displaying information indicating the communication terminal which is controlling the movements of said image input means via the network, on said display unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image, the movements of said image input means are controlled by a communication terminal connected to the network; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; and display means for displaying information indicating the communication terminal which is controlling the movements of said image input means via the network, on said display unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising multi-point image display means for displaying images received from a plurality of communication terminals via the network on said display unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of an image input means of the communication terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said image input means comprises a camera, and the operation control includes at least one control processing of pan processing, tilt processing, zoom processing, and focusing processing of said camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying, on said display unit, figure indicating whether or not the movements of said image input means is being controlled by a communication terminal connected to the network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for identifiably displaying, on said display unit, the communication terminal which is permitted to control the movements of said image input means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; and notification means for notifying that the movements of said image input means are controlled by a communication terminal via the network, to the communication terminal which controls said image input means via the network, wherein said notification means notifies by using a tone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; and notification means for notifying that the movements of said image input means are controlled by a communication terminal via the network, to the communication terminal which controls said image input means via the network, wherein said notification means notifies by using a tone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising terminal display means for identifiably displaying the communication terminal, which is controlling the movements of said image input means via the network, on said display unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; notification means for notifying that said transmission means is transmitting the image, and means for specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of an image input means of the communication terminal, wherein said notification means change a state of notification based on whether said transmission means is transmitting the image or the movements of said image input means are controlled.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; notification means for notifying that said transmission means is transmitting the image, and means for specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of an image input means of the communication terminal, wherein said notification means change a state of notification based on whether said transmission means is transmitting the image or the movements of said image input means are controlled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said image input means comprises a camera, and the operation control includes at least one control processing of pan processing, tilt processing, zoom processing, and focusing processing of said camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said notification means change the state of notification by changing a frequency or tone volume of the tone.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; and notification means for notifying that the movements of said image input means are controlled by a communication terminal via the network, to the communication terminal via the network, wherein said notification means notifies by using light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: a display unit; image input means for inputting an image; transmission means for transmitting the image input by said image input means onto the network; and notification means for notifying that the movements of said image input means are controlled by a communication terminal via the network, to the communication terminal via the network, wherein said notification means notifies by using light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said notification means notifies by changing time intervals of turning on and off of the light and the intensity of the light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising observer display means for displaying information indicating a communication terminal, which is receiving the image transmitted by said transmission means, on said display unit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying an image received via the network on said display unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video camera, the movements of the video camera are able to be controlled via the network, by a communication terminal connected to the network; transmitting the input image via the network; and displaying information indicating the communication terminal which is controlling the movements of the video camera via the network.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
78 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video camera, the movements of the video camera are able to be controlled via the network, by a communication terminal connected to the network; transmitting the input image via the network; and displaying information indicating the communication terminal which is controlling the movements of the video camera via the network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of simultaneously displaying images received from a plurality of communication terminals via the network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of a video camera of the communication terminal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 18, wherein the operation control includes at least one control of pan processing, tilt processing, zoom processing, and focusing processing of the video camera.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of displaying a figure indicating whether or not the movements of the video camera is being controlled by a communication terminal connected to the network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of identifiably displaying a communication terminal which is permitted to control the movements of the video camera.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video camera; transmitting the input image via the network; and notifying that the movements of the video camera are controlling by a communication terminal via the network, to the communication terminal via the network, wherein the notifying step notifies by using a tone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video camera; transmitting the input image via the network; and notifying that the movements of the video camera are controlling by a communication terminal via the network, to the communication terminal via the network, wherein the notifying step notifies by using a tone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of identifiably displaying, on the display unit, the communication terminal which is controlling the movements of the video camera via the network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video camera; transmitting the input image via the network; notifying that image transmission is being executed, and specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of a video camera of the communication terminal, wherein in said notifying step, a notifying state is changed based on whether the input image is being transmitting or the movements of the video camera are controlled.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video camera; transmitting the input image via the network; notifying that image transmission is being executed, and specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of a video camera of the communication terminal, wherein in said notifying step, a notifying state is changed based on whether the input image is being transmitting or the movements of the video camera are controlled.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein the operation control includes at least one control of pan processing, tilt processing, zoom processing, and focusing processing of the video camera.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 24, wherein the notification step notifies by changing a frequency or tone volume of the tone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video-camera; transmitting the input image via the network; notifying that image transmission is being executed, and specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of a video camera of the communication terminal, wherein the notification step further notifies that the movements of the video camera are controlled by a communication terminal via the network, by using light.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image transmission method for an image transmission apparatus, which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising the steps of: inputting an image from a video-camera; transmitting the input image via the network; notifying that image transmission is being executed, and specifying a communication terminal connected to the network and requesting a control of the movements of a video camera of the communication terminal, wherein the notification step further notifies that the movements of the video camera are controlled by a communication terminal via the network, by using light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 26, wherein the informing step informs by changing time intervals of turning on and off of the light and the intensity of the light.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of displaying, on a display unit, information indicating a communication terminal which is receiving the transmitted image.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 22, further comprising displaying an image received via the network on the display unit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
176 words
An image transmission system which transmits images picked up by video cameras connected to a plurality of terminal connected to a network among the terminals via the network, comprising: storage means for storing information of a terminal which can receive an image transmitted from a first terminal; transmission means for transmitting the image from the first terminal to a second terminal which can receive the image from the first terminal in accordance with the information stored in said storage means; receiver display means for identifiably displaying the second terminal to which the image is being transmitted by said transmission means on a display unit of the first terminal; display means for identifiably displaying a terminal, which is controlling the movements of the video camera connected to the first terminal, on said display unit of the first terminal; informing means for informing whether or not the image from the first terminal is being displayed on another terminal, or whether or not the movements of the video camera of the first terminal are being controlled by another terminal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
176 words
An image transmission system which transmits images picked up by video cameras connected to a plurality of terminal connected to a network among the terminals via the network, comprising: storage means for storing information of a terminal which can receive an image transmitted from a first terminal; transmission means for transmitting the image from the first terminal to a second terminal which can receive the image from the first terminal in accordance with the information stored in said storage means; receiver display means for identifiably displaying the second terminal to which the image is being transmitted by said transmission means on a display unit of the first terminal; display means for identifiably displaying a terminal, which is controlling the movements of the video camera connected to the first terminal, on said display unit of the first terminal; informing means for informing whether or not the image from the first terminal is being displayed on another terminal, or whether or not the movements of the video camera of the first terminal are being controlled by another terminal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of terminals comprises request issuing means for requesting another terminal to operate the video camera connected to the terminal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of terminals comprises multi-point video display means for simultaneously displaying images from the plurality of terminals.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system according to claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of terminals displays, on a display, an icon which allows to identify whether or not the image from the terminal is being displayed on another terminal or whether or not the video camera of the terminal is being operated by another terminal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 31, wherein said informing means generates information by means of a tone, and changes the tone in correspondence with an operation state of the video camera.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: image input means for inputting an image signal, movements of said image input means are able to be controlled via the network by first communication terminal connected to the network; and notification means being capable of notifying a user on the side of second communication terminal which is connected to the image input means, that the movements of said image input means are controlled by said first communication terminal connected to the network.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image transmission apparatus which is connected to a network and transmits/receives an image, comprising: image input means for inputting an image signal, movements of said image input means are able to be controlled via the network by first communication terminal connected to the network; and notification means being capable of notifying a user on the side of second communication terminal which is connected to the image input means, that the movements of said image input means are controlled by said first communication terminal connected to the network.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said notification means notifies by using a tone.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said notification means notifies by using light.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
71 words
An image transmission method, comprising the steps of: inputting an image signal from a camera, movements of the camera are able to be controlled via a network by first communication terminal which is connected to the network; and notifying a user on the side of second communication terminal which is connected to the camera, that the movements of the camera are controlled by said first communication terminal connected to the network.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
71 words
An image transmission method, comprising the steps of: inputting an image signal from a camera, movements of the camera are able to be controlled via a network by first communication terminal which is connected to the network; and notifying a user on the side of second communication terminal which is connected to the camera, that the movements of the camera are controlled by said first communication terminal connected to the network.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 39, wherein said notifying step notifies by using a tone.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 39, wherein said notification step notifies by using light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |