Abstract: A reusable digital camera includes a memory storing a picked-up image, and a phototransistor provided in the camera to detect disassembly of the camera. When the user disassembles the digital camera in an unauthorized manner, the phototransistor detects outer light, and the picked-up image stored in the memory is erased. Thus, a digital camera is provided that prevents unauthorized disassembly or unauthorized access.

Abstract: Provided is a camera control system which will not invade one's privacy even if a camera is located where there is a problem in terms of privacy. To accomplish this, the system is provided with an input unit for inputting a control command for controlling shooting direction or zoom magnification of the camera, a calculation unit for calculating, on the basis of the control command input by the input unit, an area to be imaged by the camera, a limiting unit for limiting a control range of the zoom magnification of the camera in a case where the imaging area of the camera calculated by the calculation unit overlaps a prescribed area; and a control unit for controlling the zoom magnification of the camera so as to fall within the control range, which has been limited by the limiting unit, in a case where the zoom magnification of the camera exceeds the control range limited by the limiting unit.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an information control system capable of executing a desired action in accordance with the angle position of a camera. This system includes an action storage unit for storing the image sensing range of the camera and the contents of actions corresponding to the image sensing range, a comparing unit for comparing the current image sensing range of the camera with the contents stored in the action storage unit, and an action activating unit for activating an action corresponding to the image sensing range of the camera on the basis of the comparison result obtained by the comparing unit.

Abstract: A device-initiated image processing transaction system and method for use in a network, for example, the Internet, operable to interconnect at least one imaging appliance and an image processing service provider. The imaging appliance, preferably provided to be IP-addressable, is operable to capture an image. Thereafter, a transaction session is initiated by the imaging appliance with the image processing service provider for effectuating appropriate image transformation. In one exemplary embodiment, the image is transmitted to the service provider for processing by a host processing engine co-located at the image processing service provider. In a second exemplary embodiment, the host processing engine and associated list of available transforms are downloaded for locally processing the image by the imaging appliance.

Abstract: When a control command for a video camera is entered, a client issues an acquisition request for a video camera control right and a camera server issues a permission command for the video camera control right in response to the acquisition request for the video camera control right from the client, and controls the video camera in accordance with the control command from the client.

Abstract: An Internet camera, which operates in accordance with parameters contained in configuration data, is provided with a storage that stores the configuration data, a network interface for connecting the Internet with a predetermined site on the Internet. The Internet camera is further provided with a mail receiving system that receives an e-mail message through the Internet. The e-mail message may contain configuration data. If the configuration data is contained in the received e-mail message, it replaces the configuration data currently stored in the storage.

Abstract: A video display control method comprises generating camera operation information concerning an operation of a camera operated by remote control, transmitting data of video captured by the camera and the camera operation information to a control apparatus via a network; and processing the data of the video based on the camera operation information to display an image of the video at the control apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated Internet camera includes, as embedded components contained within the camera body and controlled by a microcontroller, at least a network interface device for connecting to the Internet, a transport control device for packetizing according to Internet protocols, a file transfer device for communicating with a destination user directory on the Internet, and a transmission initiating device for initiating the connection and transfer operations of the file transfer device and transport control device. The network interface device may be a modem, network adapter, or adapter for connection to the Internet. Upon capturing the digital image, the camera initiates a connection to the Internet, connects to the destination user directory, and uploads the digital images. Thereafter, the digital images are available to authorized (or any) user having access to the Internet.

Abstract: A camera control system capable of controlling a plurality of cameras determined whether or not the camera to be controlled is controllable. The display state of an interface used for performing a camera operation is changed in accordance with a result of this determination.

Abstract: In order to allow the user to access an arbitrary camera from an arbitrary camera client via a network, and to cause a plurality of cameras to perform a linked movement, a camera linkage server includes a communication path to each camera client, a client control module for controlling a camera used by the camera client, a communication path to each camera server, a camera server control module for controlling the camera used by the camera server, a camera server for controlling each of a plurality of cameras, a camera control module for controlling a camera client having an operation right for the camera and a state of the camera, and a linkage control module, having linked-movement defining information for defining a linked movement between each camera and other cameras, for recognizing a request for connection from an arbitrary camera client to an arbitrary camera via a corresponding client control module, and providing the other camera to perform a linked movement in accordance with the request for the co

Abstract: A digital video system including a computer connected via a network to a number of video servers and cameras. The computer includes a program that provides a grid of display windows, each of which displays an image received from the camera associated with that window. The program sequentially polls each camera, accessing and displaying an image from the camera in its associated window. The program can access the cameras at different frame rates. The program stores image streams in a single file, concatenating each successive image onto the end of the file. The file is then indexed using SOI and EOI markers to permit fast access to individual images within the file. The program can monitor received video and automatically start recording upon detecting motion within the video stream. Motion detection is implemented by comparing color component values for pixels from different images.

Abstract: A switching apparatus of a camera server switches to down-load advertisement for a predetermined period at predetermined intervals while down-loading an image sensed by a camera, in response to a request for the image sensed by the camera.

Abstract: A system and method for teleconferencing and recording of meetings. The system uses a variety of capture devices (a novel 360° camera, a whiteboard camera, a presenter view camera, a remote view camera, and a microphone array) to provide a rich experience for people who want to participate in a meeting from a distance. The system is also combined with speaker clustering, spatial indexing, and time compression to provide a rich experience for people who miss a meeting and want to watch it afterward.

Abstract: In an image distribution system comprising a camera controllable by an external device, a camera server having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by the camera via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control the camera, a viewer which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control the camera, and a network connecting the camera server and the viewer, in a case where the camera server issues the authorization to control the camera to the viewer and communication between the viewer and the camera server is undesirably terminated while the viewer holds the authorization, when the viewer restores the communication within a predetermined period, it is allowed to continuously control the camera under the same conditions as at the time of the undesired termination.

Abstract: A digital camera system in which capture, processing and storage functions are partitioned differently than in existing systems. A hand-held digital camera is used with a workstation that may exist in a commercial image processing service center. A minimal amount of image data processing is performed in the digital camera, thereby allowing significant digital camera cost reductions due to lower memory requirements, lower processing requirements, and lower power requirements. Real-time single pass image compression techniques are employed within this digital camera to permit rapid gathering and storage of raw or minimally processed image data. The workstation to which the image data are transferred performs the image processing normally done within existing cameras. This processing takes advantage of the increased computational power that is possible to have in such a workstation, compared to that of a small camera, and the increased time over which such processing may be performed.

Abstract: To solve the problems on camera control such as control of the zoom lens of a camera, caused by the delay time from the time when camera control is performed up to the time when a camera-controlled image arrives, the electronic zoom processing for a displayed image is executed in accordance with the zoom control command, when a zoom control command for the camera is input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically forwarding digital images to a service provider. The apparatus includes a reading device for reading said digital images from a removable digital storage medium and a communication device for automatically forwarding said digital image data over a network to said service provider when a predetermined criteria is met. The service provider may send transmission to the communication device so as to activate the apparatus for transmitting digital images. The apparatus has a unique ID known by the service provider which can be used to identify the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and digital camera for capturing images for requesting and confirming an image order to be provided by a service provider. The camera includes a capture device for capturing digital images and an interface for storing the captured digital images on a removable digital storage media in a first directory, and for reading digital images from both the first directory and from a second directory on the removable digital storage media. A user interface is provided for selecting the first directory or the second directory. The camera also has a display for displaying information and image stored in the selected directory. The second directory can be used for placing an image order and/or reviewing confirmation provided by a service provider of an image order.

Abstract: A camera system that includes a video camera and a processor, which periodically uploads images captured by the video camera to a web server in accordance with one of a plurality of motion detection algorithms. A first motion detection algorithm captures a current image frame when a pixel comparison between successive image frames exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image delivery camera system includes a user information terminal; an image delivery camera including a wireless communication unit for performing mobile communication with a base station to send image information to an image delivery server through the wireless communication unit; and an image delivery server for receiving the image information from the image delivery camera and delivering the image information to the user information terminal. In the image delivery camera system, a location of the image delivery camera is determined based on the base station in communication with the wireless communication unit. Information regarding the location of the camera is delivered to the user information terminal together with the image information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a camera captures an image. The image is transmitted to a server for image recognition processing. The camera receives information from the server, including an indication of information to suggest to a user for meta-tagging the image. The suggested information may be based, for example, on a comparison of the image with meta-information stored by the server and/or a database of stored images. The camera asks the user if the user would like to meta-tag the image with the information. Optionally, the camera receives an indication from the user that the user would like to meta-tag the image with the suggested information, and the camera meta-tags the image with the information.

Abstract: Displaying a subject image on a browser in accordance with the aspect ratio of the subject image, with reduced scan line interference at a time exposure, as well as transmitting a high-quality image with easy compression processing.

Abstract: High performance digital cameras today are increasingly directed towards parallelism in the snap and store of digital photos. As the trend towards faster snap rates continues so too is the ability to store these photos concurrently. Although, these simultaneous occurrences of snap and store are visited previously, a permanent, economical and more viable technology to view/display and store these photos has not been previously investigated.

Abstract: A network configuration file is generated at a host computer and downloaded to a digital camera. This file contains instruction information for communicating with a selected destination via a communications interface. The digital camera includes a “send” button or LCD icon which allows the user to easily transmit one or more images via a wired or wireless communications interface to a desired destination, which among other possibilities may be an Internet Service Provider or a digital photofinishing center. When the user selects this option, the communications port settings, user account specifics, and destination connection commands are read from the network configuration file on the removable memory card. Examples of these settings include serial port baud rate, parity, and stop bits, as well as account name and password.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a connector for connecting another digital camera and an interface for exchanging data between the digital camera and another digital camera. When another digital camera is connected to the connector, another digital camera is be controlled by a controller via the interface.

Abstract: A digital camera (1) according to the present invention includes an external memory device (12) to store image data, a communication device (15) connected to LAN to conduct a data communication, and a control section (10) to control these. The control section (10) sends request data to the LAN with a broad cast by the external memory device (12), and when data for responding to the request data are received from a device connected to the LAN, the control section detects an IP address of the equipment in which the response data are sent, and the control section (10) sends the image data stored in the external memory device (12) to the equipment which includes the detected IP address.

Abstract: A system that the tracks a likely object within the user's field of view. This is done by taking a picture of the field of view, and processing that picture to determine likely objects within the picture being viewed. Those likely objects are than correlated against a database, and information about the objects are returned. The information can be either raw information that is sent over an information link, or an address to local information. The information sent back can indicate, for example, more information about a painting being viewed, or more information about a theme park attraction.

Abstract: A communication device for interconnecting a digital camera to a communication network for downloading data to a remote computer. The device has a network communication port for establishing communication with a network via a pre-defined protocol and communication mode, and has a camera communication port such as a serial, parallel, SCSI, USB or Irda-port that imitates the back end application of a PC, for connection to a digital camera for sending and receiving data to and from the camera. The camera communication port is also used for input of programming and setup data to the communication device from a PC. The device can be programmed to operate on the data directly, such as in the case of data for storage or operational direction, and/or direct the data to the camera. The device may also have a Smart card socket into which a user can insert a card to input data, such as user and camera I.D., user authorization, image marking, camera operational parameters, remote computer/destination address, etc.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic imaging system (20) as a distributed processor network is provided for a system that includes multiple imaging components such as digital cameras (22), printers (34), etc., wherein each component is connected to an intelligence module (24-36) having a microcontroller (58) and memory (62). In the method, the intelligence modules (24-36) are interconnected by way of a data interface (28-37) to form a system network. Next, different image processing steps are assigned to different ones of the intelligence modules (24-36). Image data entered and stored within the imaging system (20) is divided into a plurality of data groups, each of which preferably corresponds to a portion of an image. Finally, the data groups are serially entered through each of the intelligence modules (24-36) such that a specific sequence of image processing steps are conducted on each data group until the processing of a specific image is completed.

Abstract: A camera equipment includes a first coder for compression-coding a picked-up image for transmission to a network and a second coder for compression-coding the image to store it in a recorder. Even when data cannot be transmitted due to the conditions of a transmission path, the compressed image data can be acquired without fail. The compressed image data before and after an abnormality can be recorded and transmitted in high image quality, and a compression scheme suitable for the expansion decoding scheme at the transmission destination can be selected. The image data generated in a camera unit is compression-coded in according to the expansion decoding scheme at the transmission destination, and transmitted to a network. The same image data thus generated is compression-coded by the second coder using a compression coding scheme in a more finely detailed fashion than that by the first coder.

Abstract: This invention allows a user to simultaneously control geometric parameters for a camera and suppresses a deterioration in the image quality of distributed video images while keeping the cost low. The invention includes an image sensing area calculation unit for calculating a minimum image sensing area including required areas from clients, a required video image forming unit for forming required video images by extracting video images of the respective required areas from a video image of the image sensing area which is sensed, and a video image transmission I/F for distributing the formed required video images to the respective clients. Only the minimum area including the respective required areas is sensed, and video images of the respective required areas are cut from the video image and distributed to the respective users, thereby allowing a plurality of users to simultaneously control the camera and obtain video images at desired viewpoints and view angles.

Abstract: Using a joint video and still image pipeline technology, a network may be deployed through the Internet so that a user may acquire high resolution photographs using a handheld device and a remote camera. The remote device may also include an identification tag embedded with the user's personal information, so that the remote camera may identify the user in the photographs by reading the identification tag. The remote camera may optionally annotate the photographs, which may be sent to the user through the network.

Abstract: A photo service provider provides remote developing, printing, and delivery of photographic prints of digital images. In one embodiment, a handheld digital camera can send to the photo service provider one or more digital images with address information (e.g., one or more address image created in the camera) indicating destinations for the digital images or photographic prints. One or more additional images or instructions associated with the delivery addresses can indicate the size or quantity of the prints to be delivered. The camera can be coupled to a data communication network through which the camera directly sends the selected images to the photo service provider. At a server of the service provider, one or more photographic prints of the selected images are automatically printed, packaged, and sent to the delivery addresses.

Abstract: A displaying system capable of Internet communication and a control method thereof.

Abstract: A camera control system for displaying a video image inputted from a plurality of cameras, wherein in order to easily control each camera, a map showing positions of cameras is prepared. Along with the map, icons indicating the positions of cameras are displayed on the map so that the directions of the cameras can be identified on the map. An operator is able to select a camera referring to the map and see the video image of the selected camera. When each of the cameras is to be operated, an operator uses a pointing device to operate an icon for a camera on the map. In this camera control system, a camera corresponding to each icon can be controlled for zooming, panning, tilting and focusing by operating the icon for each camera. An operator may delete, add or move the icon for a camera according to an actual structure of the camera system.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled photographing system includes a photographing module that, when activated, records an image. A code generator generates and associates an identifying code with the image. An output module notifies the user of the photographing system the identifying code. A server allows external access to the image with the identifying code via the Internet.

Abstract: A camera control system permits a variety of types of cameras to be connected thereto, and makes it possible to control a plurality of cameras by using standardized camera control commands to enable a user to control them without worrying about the difference in type of cameras connected thereto. The camera control system is also capable of supplying the information on the cameras connected to a user. In a camera server, the information on a video camera connected to the camera server is entered, the input of the information on the video camera that has been entered is determined, and the information on the video camera which has been determined is stored. If an external signal is received, then the external signal is converted to a control signal compatible with the video camera according to the stored information on the video camera.

Abstract: A digital camera stores captured picture data and E-mail address data inputted from a key entry unit in a flash memory so that they are associated with each other and then transfers the picture data and the E-mail address data to a personal computer via an I/O port or an infrared communication unit. The personal computer receives the picture data and the E-mail address data transferred from the digital camera via an I/O port or an infrared communication unit. The received picture data is then transmitted to a destination terminal on a computer network on the basis of the received E-mail address data.

Abstract: A multi-user control system for multi-media sources. The system includes a module for connection initialization. A first software loop is performs main control functions including initializing a network, loading configurable features, and starting subsequent software control loops for single user control that execute in separate threads. Subsequent software loops perform single user control functions including executing associated features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for automatically establishing a user account and for configuring a hand-held electronic device for accessing a site on a public network using the user account. The method and system include establishing a connection to a website server, which is responsible for establishing and maintaining website accounts. The presence of account information on the electronic device camera is then checked, and if none are found, it is determined that this is a first-time connection and information uniquely identifying the electronic device is sent to the website server so that the server can set-up the account information based on the electronic device information. The server then sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password.

Abstract: In a camera control system for remote-controlling a video camera, a range within which the viewing direction of the video camera can be changed and the current viewing direction are displayed on a screen. A desired viewing direction to which the camera should be tilted or panned can be designated by a scroll bar. In response to the operation of the scroll bar, the camera is rotated to the designated direction. An image taken via the camera, which now faces in the new direction, is displayed on the screen of a controller in an enabled state in which the controller can access the camera, wherein a button of the scroll bar displayed on the screen moves with the change in the viewing direction of the camera.

Abstract: A monitoring and management system based on the Internet enables a user to access the Internet with a personal computer (PC) or a video phone at a remote place to check, monitor and manage the current situation of a specific location. The system comprises one or more wireless web cameras each installed at any location where it is required to photograph an object to be monitored and adapted to photograph a moving picture at the photographing location and wirelessly sends out a video signal representative of information regarding the photographed moving picture. A control section is adapted to receiving the video signal from the wireless web cameras and then sends out the received video signal via the Internet through an LAN port. A service provider server receives the video signal from the control section through the Internet for storing the moving picture information corresponding to the received video signal in a database, and provides a home page which assigns a monitoring and management function.

Abstract: A picture display controller is provided which can display picture data having been taken from a plurality of viewpoints in a flexible manner. For displaying moving-picture data having been taken from the plurality of viewpoints, read from a storage medium or received from a server, switching can be made at any time between a manual mode in which a picture is selected or synthesized based on designated information such as viewpoint position included in a viewpoint setting command from the controller operated by the user or from the sensor such as head tracker and displayed and a preset mode in which moving-picture data having been taken from different viewpoints are selected one after another according to a picture display program preset for a moving picture and displayed. With this system design, it is possible to make a user's setting effective only for a picture portion in which he is interested.

Abstract: A network video recording system. The system includes at least one video server, at least one network storage device, and a monitoring device. The video server controls a video camera in order to obtain video image data by video recording, and sends the data via a network. The network storage device is connected to the video server with the network to receive the video image data sent by the same via the network and stores the video image data. The monitoring device is connected to the video server and the network storage device with the network for monitoring the video image data sent by the video server. The monitoring device of the present invention may be used as a monitoring interface, or control the network storage device to send the video image data stored therein to the monitoring device for required inspection.

Abstract: Most camera systems only record an image from a limited viewing angle. A new panoramic camera apparatus is disclosed that instantaneously captures a 360 degree panoramic image. In the camera device, virtually all of the light that converges on a point in space is captured. Specifically, in the camera of the present invention, light striking this point in space is captured if it comes from any direction, 360 degrees around the point and from angles 50 degrees or more above and below the horizon. The panoramic image is recorded as a two dimensional annular image. Furthermore, various different systems for displaying the panoramic images and distributing the panoramic images. Specifically, methods and apparatus for digitally performing a geometric transformation of the two dimensional annular image into rectangular projections such that the panoramic image can be displayed using conventional methods such as printed images and televised images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of a video and audio data signal processing with a display apparatus for a visual communication systems. The display apparatus is coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) hub root and a host equipped with a communication interface. A digital camera and a memory are coupled to a digital signal processor (DSP). The digital video data signal generated from the digital camera is stored in the memory and directly processed in the DSP. A USB hub system receives the video data signal with parallel and transmits the video data signal to the host with serial by a USB protocol. The USB hub system also receives the audio data signal with serial and transmits the audio data signal to the DSP with parallel. In the display apparatus for the visual communication systems, the DSP receives the digital video data signal acquired from the digital camera and directly processes the digital video data signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an online relay-broadcasting system which enables consumers to enjoy viewing not only regular TV images, but also selectively viewing the images output from a camera selected out of plurality of cameras set up around a stadium by combining into three-dimensional dynamic images while an event is relay-broadcasting on the internet, so that consumers can enjoy the reality of a game by directly editing all the online images captured and out by a plurality of digital cameras set up around a stadium without the labor force and cost needed for relay-broadcastings as well as those which are relay-broadcasted by a TV broadcasting station.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in which previously sensed image information is stored, so that information with an angle desired by the user can be searched for and displayed. Image data sensed by a camera device (100) is captured by an image information capture unit (101) and the angle information of image data captured by the image information capture unit (101) is acquired by an image view point information acquisition unit (102). A header is generated by a header generation unit (103) based on the angle information. A recording information generation unit (104) generates recording information based on the generated header and the captured image data, and stores the generated information in an external storage device (6). Upon reception of an external search instruction, a search unit (105) searches for information matching angle information included in the search condition, and an output unit (106) outputs the found image data.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and system for implementing internet access to images stored in a digital image capture unit including an imaging device and a display. The image capture unit (e.g., a digital camera) is used to capture images and store them within its internal memory. The image capture unit accesses a ID server via the internet and registers its identity and internet address with the web server. A user subsequently accesses the image capture unit by entering the identity of the image capture unit into his web browser. The web browser, using standard internet protocols, then queries the ID server with the identity of the image capture unit and retrieves the internet address. The internet address is subsequently used to access a web page hosted by the image capture unit and display the web page to the user. The web page provides access to the stored images within the image capture unit.

Abstract: A remote-controlled camera-picture broadcast system is provided, which decreases the cost of hardware and network for the use of a lot of unspecified users. This system is comprised of a camera apparatus, a camera controller, a camera server connected to the camera controller through a first network, and clients connected to the camera server through a second network. Each of the clients transmits an operation demand for the camera apparatus to the camera server through the second network according to an input of a user. The camera server receives the operation demand from the client into which the input of the user is applied, and transmits an operation command corresponding to the operation demand to the camera controller through the first network. The camera controller controls the camera apparatus according to the operation command from the camera server so that the camera apparatus acquires a picture and produces a video signal of the picture.