Abstract: An image processing method for a picture of a participant, photographed in an event, such as a marathon race, increases the accuracy of recognition of a race bib number by performing image processing on a detected race bib area, and associates the recognized race bib number with a person included in the picture. This image processing method detects a person from an input image, estimates an area in which a race bib exists based on a face position of the detected person, detects an area including a race bib number from the estimated area, performs image processing on the detected area to thereby perform character recognition of the race bib number from an image subjected to image processing, and associates the result of character recognition with the input image.

Abstract: There is provided a device control apparatus which makes it possible to dispense with device monitoring (polling) by a client apparatus to thereby reduce traffic on a network. A device server 200 acquires, according to device information for identifying a device locally connected to the device server 200, at least one of a trigger detection algorithm and a definition file for monitoring a state change of the device identified based on the device information, and monitors the locally connected device based on at least one of the acquired trigger detection algorithm and definition file. Then, when a state change of the device is detected, the device server 200 sends a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to a client PC 100 via a network 500, and starts a session with the client PC 100 in response to a connection request from the client PC 100 having received the trigger notification.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which is capable of performing device connection control for connection to more devices than the maximum connectable devices defined by the device interface standard or the SDK. A device server communication module generates communication threads for controlling data communication with device servers according to requests from higher-layer software. Each communication thread generates a device stack for controlling a device via an associated device server connected thereto in such a manner as if the device were directly connected to the apparatus. When a connection notification indicative of connection with the device is received, the communication thread attempts to detect a device stack in a non-data transmission and reception state from the device stacks, and connects to the device server via the detected device stack to perform data transmission and reception.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which is capable of remotely operating a device through a portable terminal while reducing burden and cost to introduction without concentrating load on the portable terminal. The information processing apparatus is connected to a portable terminal through a first network. Individual identification information that a first interface unit of the portable terminal has is obtained, and generates a virtual interface based on the individual identification information concerned is generated. Address information is obtained from a device connected to the portable terminal through a second network. A part of the obtained address information is changed and the changed address information is set to the virtual interface. A device connected to the first interface unit of the portable terminal is simulated through the virtual interface as if the device concerned were directly connected to the virtual interface.

Abstract: A device control apparatus which monitors a state change of a device independently without communication with a client apparatus. A device server as the device control apparatus monitors the state of a device locally connected thereto, using a definition file and a trigger detection algorithm for monitoring the state of the device, and detects a state change of the device. When a state change of the device is detected, the device server transmits a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to the client apparatus. The device server starts a session with the client apparatus having received the trigger notification and relay data communication with the device, of which the state change has been detected. When the session with the client apparatus is disconnected, the device server restarts monitoring of the state of the device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in traffic on the network, and transmitting data even when the platform is different between a transmitting-side device and a receiving-side device. When a transfer request to the device is received from an upper layer software program, a virtualized controller extracts predetermined parameters necessary for controlling the device from parameters included in the transfer request, transmits the extracted parameters to the device, and stores the other parameters. When response parameters corresponding to the request parameters are received, a communication controller generates a transfer response by adding the stored parameters to the response parameters and transfers the generated transfer response to the upper layer software program.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which is capable of performing device connection control for connection to more devices than the maximum connectable devices defined by the device interface standard or the SDK. A device server communication module generates communication threads for controlling data communication with device servers according to requests from higher-layer software. Each communication thread generates a device stack for controlling a device via an associated device server connected thereto in such a manner as if the device were directly connected to the apparatus. When a connection notification indicative of connection with the device is received, the communication thread attempts to detect a device stack in a non-data transmission and reception state from the device stacks, and connects to the device server via the detected device stack to perform data transmission and reception.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in traffic on the network, and transmitting data even when the platform is different between a transmitting-side device and a receiving-side device. When a transfer request to the device is received from an upper layer software program, a virtualized controller extracts predetermined parameters necessary for controlling the device from parameters included in the transfer request, transmits the extracted parameters to the device, and stores the other parameters. When response parameters corresponding to the request parameters are received, a communication controller generates a transfer response by adding the stored parameters to the response parameters and transfers the generated transfer response to the upper layer software program.

Abstract: A device control apparatus which monitors a state change of a device independently without communication with a client apparatus. A device server as the device control apparatus monitors the state of a device locally connected thereto, using a definition file and a trigger detection algorithm for monitoring the state of the device, and detects a state change of the device. When a state change of the device is detected, the device server transmits a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to the client apparatus. The device server starts a session with the client apparatus having received the trigger notification and relay data communication with the device, of which the state change has been detected. When the session with the client apparatus is disconnected, the device server restarts monitoring of the state of the device.

Abstract: There is provided a device control apparatus which makes it possible to dispense with device monitoring (polling) by a client apparatus to thereby reduce traffic on a network. A device server 200 acquires, according to device information for identifying a device locally connected to the device server 200, at least one of a trigger detection algorithm and a definition file for monitoring a state change of the device identified based on the device information, and monitors the locally connected device based on at least one of the acquired trigger detection algorithm and definition file. Then, when a state change of the device is detected, the device server 200 sends a trigger notification indicative of the detection of the state change to a client PC 100 via a network 500, and starts a session with the client PC 100 in response to a connection request from the client PC 100 having received the trigger notification.