Patent US6414716B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6414716B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for controlling an imaging apparatus, imaging operation control system, and storage medium storing a program implementing such a method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-18
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Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2017-11-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and system for performing image sensing operations in an efficient manner in response to video data transmission requests or video camera control requests issued by a plurality of clients. The invention also provides a storage medium on which a program implementing the method is stored. A managing apparatus manages a plurality of camera servers each including a video camera and a controller. When the apparatus receives a video signal transmission request or a video camera control permission request from a client via a network, an available camera server is selected and connected to the client so that the client can control the camera server and display the video signal transmitted from that camera server. Each client can perform a desired camera control operation, receive a desired video signal, and display it on its screen without having to know which camera server is transmitting the video signal to the client.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomoaki Kawai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/66; H04N23/661; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/147; H04N23/63; H04N23/631; H04N23/633; H04N23/635; H04N23/695
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A managing apparatus for managing a plurality of camera servers, each camera server having a video camera and a controller for controlling the video camera, said managing apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving a camera control permission request transmitted from a client via a network; retrieving means for retrieving a camera server, having a video camera which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of camera servers in response to receiving the camera control permission request; and selecting means for selecting the camera server retrieved by said retrieving means as an object for connecting with a client who transmitted the camera control permission request.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A managing apparatus for managing a plurality of camera servers, each camera server having a video camera and a controller for controlling the video camera, said managing apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving a camera control permission request transmitted from a client via a network; retrieving means for retrieving a camera server, having a video camera which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of camera servers in response to receiving the camera control permission request; and selecting means for selecting the camera server retrieved by said retrieving means as an object for connecting with a client who transmitted the camera control permission request.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising notifying means for supplying information about which client has issued the video camera control permission request to the camera server selected by said selecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising first notifying means for supplying information to the client about which camera server has been selected by said selecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising second notifying means for supplying information about which client has issued the video camera control permission request to the camera server selected by said selecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said first notifying means further notifies said client of a password used to control the camera server selected by said selecting means, and wherein said second notifying means further notifies said camera server of the same password.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising controlling means for (i) selecting one camera server from the plurality of camera servers in response to said receiving means receiving a video signal transmission request, and (ii) transmitting the video signal generated by the selected camera server to the client that issued the control command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising video signal distributing means for (i) selecting a first camera server from the plurality of camera servers in response to said receiving means receiving the control command that comprises a video signal transmission request, and (ii) distributing the video signal generated by said first camera server to the client that has issued the control command.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a table for storing information about each video camera of the plurality of camera servers that are currently being used by the clients, and wherein said retrieving means retrieves a camera server having a video camera that is not currently being used by referring to said table.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein said table stores the addresses of the plurality of camera servers and also the addresses of clients by which respective camera servers are controlled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said video camera is capable of being controlled in terms of a camera orientation and zoom ratio, in response to an external command.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of managing a plurality of camera servers, each including a video camera and a controller for controlling said video camera, comprising the steps of: receiving a control command transmitted from a client via a network; interpreting the control command received in said receiving step; retrieving a camera server having a video camera that is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of camera servers, if in said interpreting step said command is interpreted as a video camera control permission request; and selecting the retrieved camera server as an object for connecting with a client who transmitted the camera control permission request.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of managing a plurality of camera servers, each including a video camera and a controller for controlling said video camera, comprising the steps of: receiving a control command transmitted from a client via a network; interpreting the control command received in said receiving step; retrieving a camera server having a video camera that is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of camera servers, if in said interpreting step said command is interpreted as a video camera control permission request; and selecting the retrieved camera server as an object for connecting with a client who transmitted the camera control permission request.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 11 , said method further comprising a notifying step in which information about which client has issued the video camera control permission request is supplied to the camera server selected in said selecting step.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 11 , further comprising a first notifying step in which information about which camera server has been selected in said selecting step is supplied to the client.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 13 , further comprising a second notifying step in which information about which client has issued the video camera control permission request is supplied to the camera server selected in said selecting step.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 14 , wherein said first notifying step further comprises the step of notifying said client of a password used to control the camera server selected in said selecting step, and wherein said second notifying step further comprises the step of notifying said camera server of the same password.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 11 , further comprising a transmitting step in which, if the control command is interpreted as a video signal transmission request in said interpreting step, one camera server is selected from the plurality of camera servers, and the video signal generated by the selected camera server is transmitted to the client that has output said control command.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 11 , further comprising a video signal distributing step in which, if said control command is interpreted as a video signal transmission request in said interpreting step, a first camera server is selected from said plurality of camera servers and the video signal generated by s aid first camera server is distributed to the client that has output said control command.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein a camera server having a video camera that is not currently used by the clients is selected by referring to a table storing the information about each camera of the plurality of camera servers that are currently being used by the clients.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 18 , wherein said table stores the addresses of said plurality of camera servers and also the addresses of clients by which respective camera servers are controlled.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11 , wherein said video camera is capable of being controlled in terms of camera orientation and zoom ratio in response to an external command.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method according to claim 11 , further comprising the steps of: outputting a panoramic image to the client, said panoramic image being generated by varying the viewing angle of a camera server of the plurality of camera servers; transmitting information about a camera parameter including at least one of the orientation of the camera and the zoom ratio of the camera; and displaying the image displaying areas corresponding to camera parameters received from the plurality of camera servers in such a manner that said image displaying areas are superimposed on said panoramic image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
122 words
A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program in accordance with which a managing apparatus performs a process for managing a plurality of camera servers each including a video camera and a controller for controlling said video camera, said program causing the apparatus to perform the steps of: receiving a control command transmitted from a client via a network; interpreting the received control command; retrieving a camera server having a video camera which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of camera servers, if in said interpreting step the command is interpreted as a video camera control permission request; and selecting the retrieved camera server as an object for connecting with a client who transmitted the camera control permission request.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
122 words
A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program in accordance with which a managing apparatus performs a process for managing a plurality of camera servers each including a video camera and a controller for controlling said video camera, said program causing the apparatus to perform the steps of: receiving a control command transmitted from a client via a network; interpreting the received control command; retrieving a camera server having a video camera which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of camera servers, if in said interpreting step the command is interpreted as a video camera control permission request; and selecting the retrieved camera server as an object for connecting with a client who transmitted the camera control permission request.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A storage medium according to claim 22 , said program further causing the apparatus to notify said client which camera server is selected.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A storage medium according to claim 22 , said program further causing the apparatus to notify said selected camera server which client has issued the video camera control permission request.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A storage medium according to claim 23 , said program further causing the apparatus to notify said selected camera server which client has issued the video camera control permission request.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A storage medium according to claim 25 , wherein said program causes said apparatus to notify said client of a password used to control the selected camera server, and to notify the camera server of the same password.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
A storage medium according to claim 22 , said program further causing said apparatus to, if said control command is interpreted as a video signal transmission request in said interpreting step, select one camera server from said plurality of camera servers, and transmit the video signal generated by said selected camera server to the client that has output said control command.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
62 words
A storage medium according to claim 22 , said program further causing said apparatus to, if said control command is interpreted as a video signal transmission request in said interpreting step, select a first camera server from said plurality of camera servers and distribute the video signal generated by said first camera server to the client that has output said control command.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
A storage medium according to claim 22 , wherein said program causes said apparatus to select a camera server having a video camera that is not currently used by the clients by referring to a table storing the information about each camera of said plurality of camera servers that are currently being used by the clients.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
78 words
A managing apparatus for managing a plurality of image pickup apparatuses, each of which can be controlled by a client, comprising: a retrieving unit that retrieves an image pickup apparatus which is not controlled by another client, from among the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, in response to a control permission request by the client; and a selecting unit that selects the image pickup apparatus retrieved by said retrieving unit as an object for connecting with the client.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
78 words
A managing apparatus for managing a plurality of image pickup apparatuses, each of which can be controlled by a client, comprising: a retrieving unit that retrieves an image pickup apparatus which is not controlled by another client, from among the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, in response to a control permission request by the client; and a selecting unit that selects the image pickup apparatus retrieved by said retrieving unit as an object for connecting with the client.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein said selecting unit notifies the client of a password to control the image pickup apparatus selected by said selecting unit.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein said selecting unit selects one image pickup apparatus from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses in response to receive of a video signal transmission request by said A receiving unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 , further comprising a table for storing information about each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses that is currently being used by another client, and wherein said retrieving unit retrieves an image pickup apparatus that is not currently being used by another client by referring to said table.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses has controllable functions including image pickup direction and zoom ratio, and the client controls such functions.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of managing a plurality of image pickup apparatuses each of which is controllable by a client, comprising the steps of: retrieving an image pickup apparatus which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, in response to a control permission request by the client; and selecting the image pickup apparatus retrieved by said retrieving step as an object for connecting with the client.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of managing a plurality of image pickup apparatuses each of which is controllable by a client, comprising the steps of: retrieving an image pickup apparatus which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, in response to a control permission request by the client; and selecting the image pickup apparatus retrieved by said retrieving step as an object for connecting with the client.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 35 , further comprising the step of notifying the client of a password to control the image pickup apparatus selected in said selecting step.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 35 , further comprising the step of selecting, from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, one image pickup apparatus for outputting a video signal to the client, in response to receiving a video signal transmission request by the client.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 35 , further comprising the step of referring to a table for storing information about each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses that is currently being used by another client, and retrieving the image pickup apparatus based on a result of the referring step.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 35 , wherein each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses has controllable functions including image pickup direction and zoom ratio, and the client controls such functions.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
82 words
A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program for managing a plurality of image pickup apparatuses each of which is controllable by a client, said computer-readable program causing the performance of the following steps. retrieving an image pickup apparatus which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, in response to a control permission request by the client; and selecting the image pickup apparatus retrieved by said retrieving step as an object for connecting with the client.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
82 words
A storage medium for storing a computer-readable program for managing a plurality of image pickup apparatuses each of which is controllable by a client, said computer-readable program causing the performance of the following steps. retrieving an image pickup apparatus which is not controlled by another client, from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, in response to a control permission request by the client; and selecting the image pickup apparatus retrieved by said retrieving step as an object for connecting with the client.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
A storage medium according to claim 40 , wherein the computer-readable program further causes the step of notifying the client of a password to control the image pickup apparatus selected in the selecting step.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
A storage medium according to claim 40 , wherein the computer-readable program further causes the step of selecting, from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses, one image pickup apparatus for outputting a video signal to the client, in response to receiving a video signal transmission request by the client.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
A storage medium according to claim 40 , wherein the computer-readable program further causes the step of referring to a table storing information about each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses that is currently being used by another client, and retrieving the image pickup apparatus based on a result of the referring step.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
39 words
A storage medium according to claim 40 , wherein each of the plurality of image pickup apparatuses has controllable functions including an image pickup direction and zoom ratio, and the computer-readable program causes the client to control such functions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |