Abstract: This invention provides an image input system capable of setting an arbitrary imaging inhibited area. This system displays a map showing the positions of cameras arranged in an office and the directions in which these cameras can be aimed, or displays the view angles of the cameras. An operator designates an imaging inhibited area on the map. In accordance with the designated imaging inhibited area, a limiting direction is calculated for each camera, and each camera is so controlled as not to point in that direction. Even when cameras are fixed, the system controls display so that an imaging inhibited area is not displayed.

Abstract: An image distribution apparatus divides image data of a single frame into a plurality of blocks, orthogonally transforms the blocks and calculates transformation coefficients, quantizes the calculated transformation coefficients, codes the quantized transformation coefficients, and distributes the coded image data. The image distribution apparatus acquires the quantized transformation coefficients, stores the acquired transformation coefficients in a storage unit, calculates differences between the transformation coefficients of a first frame and the transformation coefficients of a second frame stored in the storage unit in a unit of block, counts blocks whose difference values calculated above are equal to or greater than a predetermined value as changing blocks of the first frame, and determines that the first frame has changed when the counted number of blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a cradle device which inhibits driving of a pan/tile driving unit in the event of an imaging device being detached from the cradle device, and also receiving a control command of the imaging device from a camera. The cradle device can lock the imaging device in the event that the imaging device is mounted on the cradle device. The cradle device can have a configuration enabling detaching the imaging device, thus facilitating the most appropriate environment for a surveillance system.

Abstract: A conversion apparatus is connected to a camera server delivering image information obtained by image sensing to a display operation terminal. When image information is received from the camera server, the conversion apparatus converts the received image information to a format for a portable display terminal, and delivers it to the portable display terminal.

Abstract: An image distribution apparatus divides image data of a single frame into a plurality of blocks, orthogonally transforms the blocks and calculates transformation coefficients, quantizes the calculated transformation coefficients, codes the quantized transformation coefficients, and distributes the coded image data. The image distribution apparatus acquires the quantized transformation coefficients, stores the acquired transformation coefficients in a storage unit, calculates differences between the transformation coefficients of a first frame and the transformation coefficients of a second frame stored in the storage unit in a unit of block, counts blocks whose difference values calculated above are equal to or greater than a predetermined value as changing blocks of the first frame, and determines that the first frame has changed when the counted number of blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An image distribution apparatus divides image data of a single frame into a plurality of blocks, orthogonally transforms the blocks and calculates transformation coefficients, quantizes the calculated transformation coefficients, codes the quantized transformation coefficients, and distributes the coded image data. The image distribution apparatus acquires the quantized transformation coefficients, stores the acquired transformation coefficients in a storage unit, calculates differences between the transformation coefficients of a first frame and the transformation coefficients of a second frame stored in the storage unit in a unit of block, counts blocks whose difference values calculated above are equal to or greater than a predetermined value as changing blocks of the first frame, and determines that the first frame has changed when the counted number of blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A dodging process which brightens a dark portion sometimes makes noise components contained in an image obtained by an image sensor conspicuous. A gray image generator extracts a luminance component Y of an image, an unsharp image generator generates an unsharp image L on the basis of the luminance component Y, a correction coefficient calculator calculates a correction coefficient g for correcting a brightness difference of the image in accordance with the unsharp image L, a corrector performs a dodging process in accordance with the correction coefficient g, and a noise eliminator eliminates noise of the image in accordance with the correction coefficient g.

Abstract: A conversion apparatus is connected to a camera server delivering image information obtained by image sensing to a display operation terminal. When image information is received from the camera server, the conversion apparatus converts the received image information to a format for a portable display terminal, and delivers it to the portable display terminal.

Abstract: In order to facilitate a setting of multiple parameters of a tracking function of a camera, in a setting window, an image display window is displayed in which a picked-up image sent from a camera server and an indicator indicating a change detection maximum area as a detection result of an image change detection process by the camera server are superimposingly on the picked-up image. In addition, in the setting window, a window is displayed in which a setting window is displayed which is used to make a setting of a tracking method by referring to an image displayed in the image display window.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling an image pickup apparatus in an image delivery system delivering an image acquired from the image pickup apparatus to at least one of multiple external devices, the image pickup apparatus being remotely controllable by the multiple external devices. In the method, the image pickup apparatus is controlled at a preset time based on preset control data, and remote control of the image pickup apparatus by predetermined external devices is inhibited during the control.

Abstract: A motion detecting system which can set a proper set value for motion detection processing carried out by a camera server through a setting terminal. A setting terminal is connected to a camera server via a network for communication with each other. In the camera server, first motion detection processing is carried out for detecting a variation in an image taken by a camera based on a first set value. In the setting terminal, second motion detection processing is carried out on the taken image acquired based on a second set value via the network. The second set value is transmitted to the camera server so as to change the first set value according to a result of the second motion detection processing.

Abstract: There is provided a stereo image display apparatus in which a CPU 201 of a PC 101 carries out control in accordance with a stereo image display program such that a suitable viewing position verification image that appears different when a glasses-free type display 102 is viewed from a suitable viewing position to when the glasses-free type display 102 is viewed from elsewhere is displayed on the glasses-free type display 102 in accordance with a user's instructions.

Abstract: This invention provides an image input system capable of setting an arbitrary imaging inhibited area. This system displays a map showing the positions of cameras arranged in an office and the directions in which these cameras can be aimed, or displays the view angles of the cameras. An operator designates an imaging inhibited area on the map. In accordance with the designated imaging inhibited area, a limiting direction is calculated for each camera, and each camera is so controlled as not to point in that direction. Even when cameras are fixed, the system controls display so that an imaging inhibited area is not displayed.

Abstract: An image distribution method for distributing an image acquired by a camera on a network includes the steps of receiving control information for the camera from an image reception apparatus via a packet-switched network; and sending an image acquired by the camera to the image reception apparatus via a circuit-switched network.

Abstract: This invention provides an image input system capable of setting an arbitrary imaging inhibited area. This system displays a map showing the positions of cameras arranged in an office and the directions in which these cameras can be aimed, or displays the view angles of the cameras. An operator designates an imaging inhibited area on the map. In accordance with the designated imaging inhibited area, a limiting direction is calculated for each camera, and each camera is so controlled as not to point in that direction. Even when cameras are fixed, the system controls display so that an imaging inhibited area is not displayed.

Abstract: A display authorization area corresponding a user is selected from maps stored in a device, only the selected zone is displayed, and a camera which is not authorized for the user to perform information communication is inhibited from being displayed. With this arrangement, a camera control system having so excellent security that any user cannot see a place irrelevant to the user and cannot recognize the position of an installed camera is constructed.

Abstract: In order to freely select, locate and display an image from a remote place on a monitor to facilitate observer's use, disclosed are apparatus and methods arranged to perform operation of drag and drop of a symbol to a specific position on a map showing the symbol indicating information of the position where an image generator is set, thereby establishing logical network connection with a video transmission terminal to which the image generator is connected, to display a video in an arbitrary display area, to perform the drag and drop operation of the video displayed in the video display area to another video display area, thereby changing a video display position, and to perform the drag and drop operation thereof to a display stop symbol, thereby disconnecting the logical network connection to stop the video display of the video camera.

Abstract: An image distribution apparatus divides image data of a single frame into a plurality of blocks, orthogonally transforms the blocks and calculates transformation coefficients, quantizes the calculated transformation coefficients, codes the quantized transformation coefficients, and distributes the coded image data. The image distribution apparatus acquires the quantized transformation coefficients, stores the acquired transformation coefficients in a storage unit, calculates differences between the transformation coefficients of a first frame and the transformation coefficients of a second frame stored in the storage unit in a unit of block, counts blocks whose difference values calculated above are equal to or greater than a predetermined value as changing blocks of the first frame, and determines that the first frame has changed when the counted number of blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a cradle device which inhibits driving of a pan/tile driving unit in the event of an imaging device being detached from the cradle device, and also receiving a control command of the imaging device from a camera. The cradle device can lock the imaging device in the event that the imaging device is mounted on the cradle device. The cradle device can have a configuration enabling detaching the imaging device, thus facilitating the most appropriate environment for a surveillance system.

Abstract: An image distribution apparatus divides image data of a single frame into a plurality of blocks, orthogonally transforms the blocks and calculates transformation coefficients, quantizes the calculated transformation coefficients, codes the quantized transformation coefficients, and distributes the coded image data. The image distribution apparatus acquires the quantized transformation coefficients, stores the acquired transformation coefficients in a storage unit, calculates differences between the transformation coefficients of a first frame and the transformation coefficients of a second frame stored in the storage unit in a unit of block, counts blocks whose difference values calculated above are equal to or greater than a predetermined value as changing blocks of the first frame, and determines that the first frame has changed when the counted number of blocks is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.