U.S. patent application number 14/217589 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for information processing apparatus, network camera and processing system.
The applicant listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Motoo Ohnishi, Masanori Tashiro.
Application Number | 20140293070 14/217589 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51620469 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140293070 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tashiro; Masanori ; et
al. |
October 2, 2014 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, NETWORK CAMERA AND PROCESSING
SYSTEM
Abstract
An information processing apparatus can hold a bookmark to be
used to access a camera through a network. The information
processing apparatus acquires a photographed image photographed by
the camera from the camera through the network, and then registers
the photographed image acquired from the camera in the
bookmark.
Inventors: |
Tashiro; Masanori;
(Funabashi-shi, JP) ; Ohnishi; Motoo;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
51620469 |
Appl. No.: |
14/217589 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/207.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/232 20130101;
H04N 5/23206 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/207.1 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/232 20060101
H04N005/232 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2013 |
JP |
2013-074543 |
Feb 13, 2014 |
JP |
2014-025895 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus which can hold a bookmark to
be used to access a camera through a network, comprising: an
acquisition unit configured to acquire a photographed image
photographed by the camera, from the camera through the network;
and a registration unit configured to register the photographed
image acquired from the camera, in the bookmark.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the acquisition unit is configured to request the camera to
photograph an image to be registered in the bookmark.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the registration unit is configured to register, in the
bookmark, an image cut out from the photographed image photographed
by the camera.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,
wherein the acquisition unit further comprise a designation unit
configured to designate a range within which the image is cut out
from the photographed image photographed by the camera for the
registration in the bookmark.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the registration unit is configured to register data
according to a position of the camera, in the bookmark, together
with the photographed image.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein the data according to the position of the camera is
acquired from a map data service through the network.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the registration unit is configured to cut out an image to
be registered in the bookmark from the photographed image acquired
from the camera.
8. A network camera comprising: a receiving unit configured to
receive, from a request device, a request to photograph an image to
be registered in a bookmark; a processing unit configured to
process the photographed image for registration in the bookmark;
and a transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the request
device, the photographed image processed by the processing unit for
registering the photographed image in the bookmark.
9. The network camera according to claim 8, wherein the receiving
unit is configured to receive from the request device a
photographing position to photograph the image to be registered in
the bookmark, and the processing unit is configured to control a
photographing unit to photograph the image in the photographing
position received from the request device.
10. A system which comprises a network camera and an information
processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus
further comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a
photographed image photographed by the network camera, from the
network camera through a network, and a registration unit
configured to register the photographed image acquired from the
network camera, in a bookmark to be used by the information
processing apparatus to access the network camera through the
network, and the network camera further comprises a transmitting
unit configured to transmit the photographed image to the
information processing apparatus.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the network camera
further comprises a receiving unit configured to receive a request
for the photographed image to be registered in the bookmark from
the information processing apparatus, and a processing unit
configured to process the photographed image for registration in
the bookmark, and the transmitting unit is configured to transmit
the photographed image processed by the processing unit to the
information processing apparatus.
12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the registration unit
further comprises a cutout unit configured to cut out an image from
the photographed image acquired from the network camera to register
the cut-out image in the bookmark.
13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the registration unit
further comprises a position data acquisition unit configured to
acquire position data of the network camera, and the registration
unit is configured to register, in the bookmark, the position data
of the network camera acquired by the position data acquisition
unit together with the photographed image.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the position data
acquisition unit is configured to acquire a name corresponding to
the position data of the network camera from a map data service
through the network, and the registration unit is configured to
register, in the bookmark, the acquired name together with the
photographed image.
15. A method of registering a bookmark to be used to access a
camera through a network, the method comprising: acquiring a
photographed image photographed by the camera, from the camera
through the network; and registering the photographed image
acquired from the camera, in the bookmark.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising cutting
out an image to be registered in the bookmark, from the
photographed image acquired from the camera.
17. An image transmitting method in a network camera, the method
comprising: receiving a request for photographing an image to be
registered in a bookmark, from a request device; processing the
photographed image to be registered in the bookmark; and
transmitting the photographed image processed to be registered in
the bookmark, to the request device.
18. The image transmitting method according to claim 17, further
comprising: receiving a photographing position of the network
camera for photographing the image to be registered in the
bookmark; and controlling a photographing unit to photograph the
image in the requested photographing position.
19. A computer-readable storage medium which stores a program for
registering a bookmark to be used to access a camera through a
network, the program serving to: acquire a photographed image
photographed by the camera, from the camera through the network;
and register the photographed image acquired from the camera, in
the bookmark.
20. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 19,
wherein the stored program further serves to cut out an image to be
registered in the bookmark, from the photographed image acquired
from the camera.
21. A computer-readable storage medium which stores a program for
transmitting a photographed image in a network camera, the program
serving to: receive a request for photographing an image to be
registered in a bookmark, from a request device; process the
photographed image to be registered in the bookmark; and transmit
the photographed image processed to be registered in the bookmark,
to the request device.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an information processing
apparatus, a network camera and a processing system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] It has been widely and generally performed to easily acquire
URL (Uniform Resource Locater) information by previously adding a
name to the URL information and storing them in an information
processing apparatus. On that occasion, a previously formed image
can be stored together with the URL information in a Web page, and
thus the stored image can be displayed together with the name
thereof.
[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2011-515725 discloses a method in which a Web page connected from a
URL is associated with the URL and stored as a thumbnail image. By
this method, when a name of the Web page is displayed, the
corresponding thumbnail image is simultaneously displayed, thereby
acquiring the associated URL of the Web page.
[0006] However, if it is assumed that different cameras are used at
respective URLs connected to Web pages respectively for displaying
images from the cameras, an identical image is displayed regarding
the respective URLs in the conventional technique of storing the
previously formed image in the Web page together with the URL
information. Consequently, there is a problem that it is difficult
for a user to discriminate from which camera the displayed image
has been acquired. Meanwhile, in order to switch an image for each
URL, since it is necessary to previously form a different image for
each URL, there is a problem that it is troublesome.
[0007] Besides, in the above related art disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-515725, since the contents of
the whole Web page are stored as the thumbnail images, the images
other than the image acquired from the camera are stored as the
thumbnail images. Therefore, there is a problem that the necessary
and important image acquired from the camera is merely displayed
small in size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention, which has been completed in
consideration of the above problems, aims to be able to easily
discriminate a bookmark to be used for accessing a camera.
[0009] Further, the present invention aims to provide an
information processing apparatus which can hold a bookmark to be
used to access a camera through a network, and comprises: an
acquisition unit configured to acquire a photographed image
photographed by the camera, from the camera through the network;
and a registration unit configured to register the photographed
image acquired from the camera, in the bookmark.
[0010] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a network
camera which comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive,
from a request device, a request to photograph an image to be
registered in a bookmark; a processing unit configured to process
the photographed image for registration in the bookmark; and a
transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the request device,
the photographed image processed by the processing unit for
registering the photographed image in the bookmark.
[0011] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a system
which comprises a network camera and an information processing
apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus further
comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire a photographed
image photographed by the network camera, from the network camera
through a network, and a registration unit configured to register
the photographed image acquired from the network camera, in a
bookmark to be used by the information processing apparatus to
access the network camera through the network, and the network
camera further comprises a transmitting unit configured to transmit
the photographed image to the information processing apparatus.
[0012] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of an information processing system to which a first
embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0014] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow charts for describing an example of
a bookmark registration process according to the first
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of a viewer
client according to the first embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HTTP
(HyperText Transfer Protocol) command indicating a bookmark
registration request according to the first embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen displaying a
bookmark list.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a desktop screen image on
which desktop shortcuts are arranged as bookmarks.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of a viewer
client to which a second embodiment is applied.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HTTP
command indicating a bookmark registration request according to the
second embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for describing an example of a
bookmark image generation process on the side of a camera,
according to the second embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of an information processing system to which a third
embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of a viewer
client according to the third embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an HTTP
command indicating a bookmark registration request according to the
third embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a flow chart for describing an example of a
bookmark image generation process on the side of a camera,
according to the third embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of an information processing system to which a fourth
embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0027] FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating a screen image
of a viewer client according to the fourth embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for describing an example of a
bookmark registration process according to the fourth
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of an information processing system to which a fifth
embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a flow chart for describing an example of a
bookmark registration process according to the fifth
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0032] A first embodiment is an embodiment in which a camera with a
Web server function receives a bookmark registration request from a
client, photographs an image in response to the received bookmark
registration request, generates a bookmark image by cutting out a
partial range from the photographed image, and transmits the
generated bookmark image to the client.
[0033] A second embodiment is an embodiment in which a position of
a camera is changed according to a camera position selected when
registration of a bookmark is requested, an image is then
photographed in the changed position, and a bookmark image is
generated based on the photographed image.
[0034] A third embodiment is an embodiment in which a cutout range
is displayed on an image when registration of a bookmark is
requested.
[0035] A fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which a bookmark
image is generated inside a client by using an image already
received by the client, and registration of the bookmark image is
performed.
[0036] A fifth embodiment is an embodiment in which a bookmark
image is generated, a bookmark name, as well as the generated
bookmark image, is acquired based on a position acquired by using a
position information acquisition unit connected to a camera, and
the generated bookmark image and the acquired bookmark name are
registered.
First Embodiment
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for describing an example of a
configuration of an information processing system in which a camera
can be actually controlled from a connected information processing
apparatus.
[0038] In the present embodiment, the information processing system
is configured such that a camera 1 which has a bookmark image
generation function, and a viewer client 2 which requests
registration of a bookmark to the camera 1 and actually registers
the bookmark therein are connected to each other through a network
3.
[0039] Although the number of cameras (i.e., network cameras) and
the number of viewer clients respectively connected to the network
3 are not specifically limited in the present embodiment, it is
assumed that one camera and one viewer network are respectively
connected to the network in the present embodiment for simplifying
the description. Moreover, any type of network can be used as the
network 3, if the relevant network is a digital network such as the
Internet, an intranet or the like which has a sufficient band
enabling to transmit compressed image signals.
[0040] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that
an HTTP protocol is used as a protocol for the network, and an IP
(Internet Protocol) address is simply called an address in the
following description. Besides, it is assumed that an IP address
has been allocated to each of the camera 1 and the viewer client
2.
[0041] In the camera 1, a communication control unit 108 delivers
image data through the network 3 and performs various camera
operations, in response to operation commands received from the
viewer client 2. First, an imaging unit 104 captures a photographed
image (i.e., a moving image and a still image) through a lens 101.
Then, when the registration of the bookmark is requested, the
photographed image captured by the imaging unit is processed by a
bookmark image generation unit 106, and a bookmark image (i.e., an
image to be registered with a predetermined URL) is thus
generated.
[0042] A storage unit 109 holds or stores therein various kinds of
setting values or parameters, and further holds or stores therein
previously designated camera positions and the like. The lens 101,
the imaging unit 104, and a rotation mechanism 102 for performing
rotation control are installed or mounted on a movable camera
platform 103, and they are controlled by a camera control unit
105.
[0043] Then, a command interpretation unit 110 interprets the
operation command received by the communication control unit 108,
and, after then, the camera control unit 105 performs imaging
device control such as panning control, tilting control, zooming
control, rotation control and the like for the lens 101, the
rotation mechanism 102 and the movable camera platform 103, in
accordance with designated control contents.
[0044] Incidentally, an image compression unit 107 compresses the
digital image captured by the imaging unit 104 through the lens 101
in accordance with a Motion-JPEG (Motion-Joint Photographic Experts
Group) method, transfers the compressed digital image to the
communication control unit 108, and then transmits the transferred
digital image as image data to the network 3. Incidentally,
although the Motion-JPEG method is used as the image compression
method in the present embodiment, the present invention is not
limited to this compression method.
[0045] The viewer client 2 is a Web application which operates on a
Web browser implemented by an HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
format or a JavaScript format. Here, it should be noted that it is
possible to download the viewer client 2 from the camera 1 by
designating the predetermined URL including the IP address
allocated to the relevant camera.
[0046] A communication control section 206 receives the
photographed image and the previously designated camera position
held in the storage unit 109, both delivered from the camera 1.
Also, the communication control section receives the results of
various camera operations.
[0047] A display control section 203 generates a GUI (graphical
user interface) on the basis of the photographed image decompressed
by an image expansion section 205 and the results of the various
camera operations, and causes a screen display section 201 to
display the generated GUI.
[0048] A camera operation input section 202 receives and accepts
various user inputs for camera operations through a mouse, a
keyboard and a touch screen, and transfers the accepted user inputs
to an operation command generation/interpretation section 204.
[0049] The operation command generation/interpretation section 204
generates various camera operation commands for panning, tilting,
zooming and rotating the camera, and a bookmark registration
request command for requesting the registration of the bookmark, on
the basis of GUI operations such as a slider operation, a button
operation, mouse clicking on the image and the like.
[0050] The various camera operation commands generated by the
operation command generation/interpretation section 204 are
transmitted to the camera 1 through the communication control
section 206. Moreover, the operation command
generation/interpretation section 204 interprets the camera
operation result received from the camera 1, and reflects the
interpreted result on the GUI generated by the display control
section 203.
[0051] FIGS. 2A and 2B are flow charts for describing an example of
a process to be performed in the information processing system
which includes the camera 1 which received the request of the
registration of the bookmark (hereinafter, simply called the
bookmark registration request) and the viewer client 2. Moreover,
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of the viewer
client 2 according to the present embodiment.
[0052] A viewer client screen 300 includes a tilting slider 302, a
panning slider 303, a zooming slider 304, a bookmark registration
button 305 and a bookmark image update button 306, and the viewer
client screen is displayed on the Web page display section of the
Web browser. Besides, an address bar 310, a bookmark registration
menu 320 and a bookmark list display button 330 are displayed on
the Web browser.
[0053] The flow chart illustrated in FIG. 2A corresponds to the
process which is performed by the viewer client 2, and the flow
chart illustrated in FIG. 2B corresponds to the process which is
performed by the camera 1. When the bookmark registration button
305 is pressed on the viewer client 2, in S101, the bookmark
registration request is first generated and transmitted to the
camera 1. The bookmark registration request is transmitted
according to a GET command of the HTTP which includes a command
name indicating the bookmark registration request as illustrated in
FIG. 4.
[0054] In the camera 1, the bookmark registration request
transmitted from the viewer client 2 in S101 is received by the
communication control unit 108.
[0055] Then, it is determined by the command interpretation unit
110 whether or not the received command is the bookmark
registration request. If it is determined that the received command
is the bookmark registration request, then, in S102, the
photographing is started in the current camera position maintained
as it is, and the still image is captured and generated by the
imaging unit 104 through the lens 101. Here, in a case where the
imaging unit 104 steadily continues to photograph the still image,
it may be possible to extract the latest still image already
photographed.
[0056] Next, in S103, the bookmark image generation unit 106
calculates the center position of the image on the basis of the
photographed result of the still image generated by the imaging
unit 104, and cuts out from the image a rectangular range which has
the same height and width and has the center identical with the
calculated center position.
[0057] Then, in S104, a bookmark image file which has a
predetermined size and a predetermined file format is generated
from the cut-out partial image, and the generated bookmark image
file is held in the storage unit 109 through the communication
control unit 108. Moreover, a success of the bookmark registration
request is notified to the viewer client 2 through the
communication control unit 108 and the network 3.
[0058] Then, in S105, the viewer client 2 to which the success of
the bookmark registration request was notified receives and
acquires, from the camera 1, the bookmark image file held in the
storage unit 109. Then, in S106, the received bookmark image file
is added and registered, together with a bookmark name indicating
the name of the camera, to the bookmark list of a bookmark
registration section 207 of the viewer client 2 (S106). The
bookmark list is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 5 by the pressing
of the bookmark list display button 330, such that a bookmark image
331 and a bookmark name 332 are associated with each other.
[0059] Here, it is possible to register the bookmark to which the
bookmark image has been added, by not only pressing the bookmark
registration button 305 but also pressing the bookmark image update
button 306 and then selecting the bookmark registration menu 320.
More specifically, if the bookmark image update button 306 is
pressed, the steps S101 and S105 in the flow chart of FIG. 2A are
performed, and, if the bookmark registration menu 320 is selected,
the step S106 is performed.
[0060] Further, in the case where the bookmark registration menu
320 is pressed, it is possible to select a desktop of a terminal as
a bookmark registration destination, in addition to the bookmark
list illustrated in FIG. 5. In the case where the desktop of the
terminal is selected as the bookmark registration destination, the
bookmark image is used as an icon 431 of a desktop shortcut to be
displayed on a desktop 400 of the terminal, as illustrated in FIG.
6.
[0061] Incidentally, the bookmark image file is recognized as the
bookmark image file if it is stored in the position of the same
path as that of the viewer download source with the predetermined
file name such as "favicon.ico". However, according to a Web
browser to be used, it is possible to receive bookmark image data
provided in a text form by the "Base64" scheme without a file form,
and use the received bookmark image data for the registration of
the bookmark. Therefore, it may be possible to change over the
bookmark image registration process by the JavaScript of the viewer
client 2 according to the Web browser to be used.
Second Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of a viewer
client 2 according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, in which, when registration of a bookmark is requested,
a camera position is changed and then photographing is performed.
In the present embodiment, photographing position selection radio
buttons 307 are added to a screen image corresponding to the screen
image of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0063] More specifically, if a bookmark registration button 305 is
pressed in the state that "PHOTOGRAPH IN CAMERA POSITION 1" has
been selected by the photographing position selection radio button
307, a bookmark registration request command illustrated in FIG. 8
is generated by an operation command generation/interpretation
section 204, and the generated command is transmitted to a camera
1.
[0064] When the bookmark registration request command illustrated
in FIG. 8 is received, the camera 1 controls the photographing
direction to the camera position 1, photographs an image, generates
a bookmark image based on the photographed image, and transmits the
generated bookmark image to the viewer client. Then, when the
bookmark image transmitted from the camera 1 is received, the
viewer client 2 registers the received bookmark image in the list
of a bookmark registration section 207.
[0065] Here, the bookmark registration request command illustrated
in FIG. 8 is provided by adding a query string for designating the
camera position 1 to a bookmark registration request command
corresponding to the bookmark registration request command of the
first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. In the present embodiment,
designation of the position of an imaging device is selected by the
photographing position selection radio buttons 307. More
specifically, it is selected whether to perform the photographing
in the current position or to perform the photographing after
controlling the camera to change its position to the camera
position previously registered therein.
[0066] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for describing an example of the
process which is performed on the side of the camera 1 in an
information processing system which includes the camera 1 which
received the bookmark registration request and the viewer client 2,
in the case where, when the registration of the bookmark is
requested, the camera position is changed and then the
photographing is performed. Here, since the flow chart indicating
the process which is performed on the side of the viewer client 2
is common to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 2A, the description
thereof will be omitted. In a case where it has been selected to
perform the photographing in the camera position 1 or 2 by the
photographing position selection radio button 307, the camera 1
transmits the bookmark registration request command to which the
query string for designating the selected camera position has been
added.
[0067] In the camera 1, when the bookmark registration request
transmitted from the viewer client 2 in S101 is received by a
communication control unit 108, it is determined by a command
interpretation unit 110 whether or not the received command is the
bookmark registration request. If it is determined that the
received command is the bookmark registration request, it is
further determined by the command interpretation unit 110 whether
or not the designation of the camera position is included in the
command. If it is determined that the designation of the camera
position is included in the command, then, in S201, the camera
position is controlled to the camera position designated by a
camera control unit 105. After the controlling of the camera
position was completed in S201, or, if the designation of the
camera position is not included in the bookmark registration
request, processes in S202 to S204 respectively same as those in
S102 to S104 in the first embodiment are sequentially performed.
Incidentally, the block diagram for describing the present
embodiment is the same as that for describing the first embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1.
Third Embodiment
[0068] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an information
processing system to which a bookmark registration method to be
used in a case where a cutout range is displayed on a screen
display section 201 of a viewer client 2 when registration of a
bookmark is requested is applied. Basically, the configuration of
the information processing system in the present embodiment is
substantially the same as that in the first embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 1. However, a cutout area calculation/synthesis section 210
is added to the viewer client 2 in the information processing
system according to the present embodiment.
[0069] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen image of the
screen display section 201 to which the bookmark registration
method to be used in the case where the cutout range is displayed
on the image display of the viewer client when the registration of
the bookmark is requested is applied.
[0070] If the bookmark registration button 305 or the bookmark
image update button 306 is pressed by a user in the screen state
illustrated in FIG. 3, an operation mode is changed from a camera
operation mode to a bookmark image cutout mode, and the screen
illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed. Here, a bookmark image cutout
frame 308, a decision button 311 and a stop button 312 are
displayed on a screen display section 301 in the bookmark image
cutout mode. More specifically, the bookmark image cutout frame 308
is synthesized onto an image received from a camera 1, by the
cutout area calculation/synthesis section 210. Incidentally, the
bookmark image cutout frame 308 can be moved by a screen tapping
operation and/or a screen swiping operation input through a camera
operation input section 202, or the size of the bookmark image
cutout frame 308 can be changed by a pinch-in operation and/or a
pinch-out operation input through the camera operation input
section 202.
[0071] If the bookmark image cutout frame 308 is set at an
appropriate position and then the decision button 311 is pressed, a
bookmark registration request command illustrated in FIG. 12 is
generated by an operation command generation/interpretation section
204, and the generated bookmark registration request command is
transmitted to the camera 1. Here, the bookmark registration
request command is provided by adding a query string for
designating the position (x, y) and the size (v, h) of the bookmark
image cutout frame 308 on the image and the size of a cutout-source
still image to a bookmark registration request command
corresponding to the bookmark registration request command of the
first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. If the stop button 312 is
pressed, the operation mode is changed from the bookmark image
cutout mode to the camera operation mode, and the screen is
returned to the screen state illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0072] FIG. 13 is a flow chart for describing an example of the
process which is performed on the side of the camera 1 in the
information processing system which includes the camera and the
viewer client 2 to which the bookmark registration method to be
used in the case where the cutout range is displayed on the screen
display section 201 of the viewer client 2 when the registration of
the bookmark is requested is applied. Here, since the flow chart
indicating the process which is performed on the side of the viewer
client 2 is common to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 2A, the
description thereof will be omitted. The camera 1 transmits the
bookmark registration request command to which the query string for
designating the bookmark image cutout frame 308 has been added.
[0073] In the camera 1, if the bookmark registration request
transmitted from the viewer client 2 in S101 is received by a
communication control unit 108, it is determined by a command
interpretation unit 110 whether or not the received command is the
bookmark registration request. If it is determined that the
received command is the bookmark registration request, then a still
image is photographed in S301 in the current camera position
maintained as it is. Next, it is determined by the command
interpretation unit 110 whether or not designation of the cutout
range is included in the command. Then, if it is determined that
the designation of the cutout range is included in the command, the
designated cutout range is cut out as the bookmark image from the
still image in S302. Incidentally, the process in S303 to be
performed in the case where the designation of the cutout range is
not included in the command is the same as the process in S103, and
the process in S304 to be performed after the processes in S302 and
S303 were completed is the same as that in S104.
Fourth Embodiment
[0074] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an information
processing system in which a viewer client 2 is provided as a
native application implemented by a C language or a C++ language
and a bookmark image is generated on the side of the viewer
client.
[0075] FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating a screen image
in the case where the viewer client 2 is provided as the native
application.
[0076] In the case where the viewer client 2 is provided as the
native application, a connection information dialog box 340 is
first displayed. Then, if a camera IP address, a port number, a
user name and a password are input, the viewer client is connected
to a camera 1, and the screen illustrated in FIG. 15B is displayed.
Here, the basic configuration of the displayed screen is the same
as that in the case where the viewer client is the Web application
as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, since the displayed screen does
not operate on the browser, an address bar 310, a bookmark
registration menu 320 and a bookmark list display button 330 which
are included in the Web browser are not displayed here. Moreover,
since the native application does not have a bookmark list unlike
the Web browser, a home screen registration button 309 is displayed
instead of a bookmark registration button 305.
[0077] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for describing an example of a
desktop shortcut registration process to be performed in the viewer
client 2 when the home screen registration button 309 is pressed.
Here, since the side of the camera 1 does not perform any specific
process when a desktop shortcut is registered in the native
application, the description thereof will be omitted.
[0078] If the home screen registration button 309 is pressed, in
S401, the bookmark image generation section 208 first calculates
the center position of a latest image decompressed by an image
expansion section 205, and cuts out from the image a rectangular
range which has the same height and width and has the center
identical with the calculated center position. Next, the cut-out
image is held as the bookmark image in S402. Then, in S403, a
bookmark registration section 207 stores the desktop shortcut
together with a separately set bookmark name.
[0079] As well as the Web application in the first embodiment of
FIG. 6, the desktop shortcut is registered on a desktop screen. In
the case where the viewer client 2 is the native application, the
native application to be started and parameters to be given thereto
are registered as a shortcut name. Incidentally, in the case where
the viewer client is the Web application, the URL of the HTTP is
registered as the shortcut name. In the present embodiment, the
shortcut name is registered in the form of <identification name
inherent in native application>://<user
name>:<password>@IP address(:<port number>). For
example, nwviewer://root:******@192.168.0.1 is given.
[0080] If the given desktop shortcut is pressed by a user, the
connection information dialog box illustrated in FIG. 15A is
omitted, the camera 1 is directly accessed, and the screen
illustrated in FIG. 15B is displayed. Incidentally, the data to be
input on the screen illustrated in FIG. 15A is registered on the
desktop shortcut.
[0081] Incidentally, the shortcut name to be registered to the
desktop shortcut is not limited to the above form.
Fifth Embodiment
[0082] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
configuration of an information processing system to which a
bookmark registration method which is performed in a case where a
name is acquired based on a position acquired using a position
information acquisition unit connected to a camera and the acquired
name is delivered together with a bookmark image to a client is
applied. Since a viewer client 2 in the information processing
system of the present embodiment is assumed as a native
application, the configuration thereof is substantially the same as
that in the block diagram of FIG. 14. However, a GPS (global
positioning system) receiver 111 is added in a camera 1, and a GPS
transmitter 4 and a map information service 5 are added through a
network 3.
[0083] The GPS receiver 111 measures position information (latitude
and longitude) of the camera 1 by receiving a radio wave from the
GPS transmitter 4. Moreover, the name of the position is acquired
based on the position information by transmitting the position
information measured by the GPS receiver 111 to the map information
service 5 with use of a communication control unit 108 through the
network 3. The acquired name is delivered together with an image
photographed by an imaging unit 104 to the viewer client 2 through
the network 3.
[0084] FIG. 18 is a flow chart for describing an example of a
desktop shortcut registration process which is performed in the
viewer client 2 in the information processing system of the present
embodiment which consists of the camera 1 and the viewer client 2.
Incidentally, a screen image of the viewer client 2 is the same as
that in the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B.
[0085] If a home screen registration button 309 is pressed, in
S501, a bookmark image generation section 208 first calculates the
center position of a latest received image decompressed by an image
expansion section 205, and cuts out from the image a rectangular
range which has the same height and width and has the center
identical with the calculated center position. Next, the cut-out
image is held as the bookmark image in S502.
[0086] Further, in S503, the position information (latitude and
longitude) of the camera 1 is acquired from the camera 1. The
camera 1 causes the GPS receiver 111 to receive the radio wave
transmitted from the GPS transmitter 4, measures the position
information (latitude and longitude) of the camera 1, and notifies
the viewer client 2 of the measured position information. Here, in
a case where the camera cannot be connected to the map information
service 5 due to a problem of a configuration on the side of the
viewer client 2 and/or a problem of communication on the network 3,
in S504, the position information (latitude and longitude) of the
camera 1 is directly set as the bookmark name. On the other hand,
in a case where the camera can be connected to the map information
service 5, in S505, the position information (latitude and
longitude) of the camera 1 is transmitted to the map information
service 5. Thus, a position name which is a landmark name or the
like is acquired, and the acquired position name is set as the
bookmark name.
[0087] In S506, the acquired bookmark image and the acquired
position name are registered together with the desktop shortcut by
a bookmark registration section 207.
[0088] As above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been described. However, the present invention is not limited
to these embodiments, and various deformations and modifications
can be achieved within the scope of the present invention.
Other Embodiments
[0089] The present invention can be achieved by performing the
following process in which software (a computer program) for
achieving the functions of the above embodiments is supplied to a
system or an apparatus through a network or various
computer-readable storage media, and a computer (or a CPU, an MPU,
etc.) of the system or the apparatus reads out and executes the
computer program.
[0090] Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by
a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes
computer executable instructions recorded on a storage medium
(e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) to perform
the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s)
of the present invention, and by a method performed by the computer
of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and
executing the computer executable instructions from the storage
medium to perform the functions of one or more of the
above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or
more of a central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit
(MPU), or other circuitry, and may include a network of separate
computers or separate computer processors. The computer executable
instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a
network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for
example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM),
a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing
systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD), or Blue-ray Disc (BD).TM.), a flash memory
device, a memory card, and the like.
[0091] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary
embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded
the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
[0092] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 2013-074543, filed Mar. 29, 2013, and 2014-025895,
filed Feb. 13, 2014, which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein in their entirety.
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