Abstract: A robot apparatus capable of further enhancing an amusement property and a control method for the robot apparatus are disclosed. A robot apparatus and a control method for the robot apparatus which are configured to select a transmission destination and transmit predetermined information to the above described selected transmission destination, thereby being capable of enhancing a probability of notification by selection of the transmission destination. Furthermore, the robot apparatus and the control method for the robot apparatus are configured to acquire information of a surrounding environment and/or an internal state and then transmit the above described acquired information to a predetermined transmission destination, thereby making it possible to communicate with the transmission destination even when the transmission destination is not at a short distance.

Abstract: A picture photographed by a camera portion is sent to a video capturing portion of a computer. The picture is displayed in an operation area of a monitor. A panorama picture of which pictures in part or all moving range of a pan tiler are combined is displayed in a panorama operation area. A pan tilter portion sends positional information of pan and tilt to the computer through a mode controller. With a mouse, the operation area and the panorama operation area are operated so as to select an object. The computer obtains data for driving the pan tilter. Thus, the selected object is displayed at the center of the operation area.

Abstract: A motion detection system for detecting motion in input images. One of the input images is stored for use as a reference image for motion detection processing. The reference image is updated according to any one of a multiple of possible updating modes. Images input after establishment of the reference image are compared to the reference image and the detection of motion in the input images is based on the comparison. The interval in which motion in the input images is detected is extended according to a predetermined extension time.

Abstract: An incorrect operation is prevented from occurring in a tracking system for keeping track of a photographic object and taking a picture of the photographic object. When a body which is most likely to be recognized incorrectly as a photographic object exists, pan/tilt driving is carried out on a lens block employed in the tracking system so that an optical axis of the lens block is brought into the range of an angle set as an allowed-drive range. By doing so, the lens block will never take a picture of the body. As a result, an incorrect operation can be prevented from occurring due to incorrect recognition of the body as a photographic object.

Abstract: The automatic tracking/image sensing device includes a lens barrel for supporting an image sensing lens, a support mechanism for supporting the lens barrel in such a way that the lens barrel can be moved, driver for driving the lens barrel, an image sensor installed at a location in close proximity to an image created by the image sensing lens, a video signal processor for generating a video signal based on a signal output by the image sensor, an object position detector for computing a positional deviation from the current position of the object to the center of the screen in accordance with the video signal generated by the video signal processor, a deflection detecting sensor for detecting the deflection of the lens barrel and a lens barrel posture controller for adjusting the angle of the lens barrel by using a driver in accordance with the positional deviation and the deflection.