Abstract: When an access request (a request for transfer of video and audio information or a request for a camera operation) to a camera apparatus connected to a network via a terminal is issued via the network, a camera management server processes the access request on the basis of an access right set by a user (or a manager) using the terminal to which the camera apparatus is connected. That is, the camera management server refers to an access right set file and grants or denies permission to access for the user whose has issued the access request. The user to whom the access permission is granted requests a camera control server to permit a camera operation via a camera control client and thereby can receive an image taken by the camera apparatus and voices collected by the camera apparatus and can perform panning, tilting, and zooming of the camera apparatus.

Abstract: A camera control system having a plurality of cameras connected to a network, enabling users to be informed of such as status of use of each camera and each user's access right in a real-time manner. The system, where one of cameras controllable via the network is selected and video-display of output from the selected camera and operation of the camera are controlled, has camera-status display device for real-time displaying the statuses of at least two cameras.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus arranged to refer to image capture limitation information to judge whether an image capture range after control includes a limitation area, the image capture limitation information defining the limitation area corresponding to an attribute of a user of a terminal, and effect control so that if it is judged that the image capture range includes the limitation area, the terminal is controlled so as to perform secure communications.

Abstract: When an access request (a request for transfer of video and audio information or a request for a camera operation) to a camera apparatus connected to a network via a terminal is issued via the network, a camera management server processes the access request on the basis of an access right set by a user (or a manager) using the terminal to which the camera apparatus is connected. That is, the camera management server refers to an access right set file and grants or denies permission to access for the user whose has issued the access request. The user to whom the access permission is granted requests a camera control server to permit a camera operation via a camera control client and thereby can receive an image taken by the camera apparatus and voices collected by the camera apparatus and can perform panning, tilting, and zooming of the camera apparatus.

Abstract: A stereoscopic-image display apparatus displays a stereoscopic image by inputting a character string of a portion common to two image-file names corresponding to an arbitrary pair of stereoscopic images when selecting the pair of stereoscopic images from a plurality of image files, each corresponding to a pair of images for the left eye and the right eye, adding an identifier for a left eye or a right eye to the input character string, reading two image files having the identifier as a pair of stereoscopic images for the left eye and the right eye, and displaying the pair of stereoscopic images.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide a high-quality composite image of a real image and virtual image to a viewer or the like. To achieve this object, the position/posture of photographing means for photographing a performer or the like is measured, the position/posture of an HMD, which the performer or the like wears, and which allows the viewer to see through the external world, is measured, a CG at the viewpoint of the photographing means and image data photographed by the photographing means are aligned and composited on the basis of the measurement result of the position/posture of the photographing means, CG at the viewpoint of the HMD and image data photographed by a camera built in the HMD are aligned and composited on the basis of the measurement result of the position/posture of the HMD, and image data is displayed on the HMD.

Abstract: Upon distributing data from a first terminal apparatus to a second terminal apparatus, whether the data is to be distributed is determined in accordance with an access situation of a client to the first terminal apparatus, and, on the basis of a determined result, the data is distributed to the second terminal apparatus.

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: 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: 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 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 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: An object of this invention is to provide a camera control system for improving a camera control function at a control terminal. To achieve this object, a camera control system for selecting one or more cameras from a plurality of controllable cameras connected to a network, and performing video display and camera control includes a map display monitor, a mouse for designating one point on a map displayed by the monitor, a camera selection unit for selecting an optimal camera capable of monitoring the point designated by the mouse, and a camera control unit for controlling the camera selected by the camera selection unit.

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: A mobile terminal, which is capable of communicating with a camera server via a network, has a display unit and a plurality of operating units. Operations for acquiring video and for controlling a camera are assigned to respective ones of the plurality of operating units. Depending upon the operation of the plurality of operating units, processing is executed for acquiring video from the camera server or for instructing the camera server to control the camera.

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: 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 moving picture file is generated from moving picture data received from a camera. Control sequence information from the camera corresponding to the generated moving picture file, and information relating to an address of the camera, are incorporated into the moving picture file. The moving picture file is generated by dividing the received moving picture data, based on camera control information.

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 stereoscopic-image display apparatus displays a stereoscopic image by inputting a character string of a portion common to two image-file names corresponding to an arbitrary pair of stereoscopic images when selecting the pair of stereoscopic images from a plurality of image files, each corresponding to a pair of images for the left eye and the right eye, adding an identifier for a left eye or a right eye to the input character string, reading two image files having the identifier as a pair of stereoscopic images for the left eye and the right eye, and displaying the pair of stereoscopic images.

Abstract: A system utilizes the camera control server of the CPU to transfer the camera control command, received through the network, to the camera control device to control the camera in order to vary the audio input/output characteristics in linkage with the camera operation and to thereby improve the realistic feeling. In more details, the camera control server also sends control commands to the audio input control device, the audio output device and the video display control device according to the camera control thereby controlling the input characteristics (spreading, direction and sensitivity) of the microphone and the output characteristics (spreading, direction and depth) of the speaker and varying the image displayed on the monitor. The system also includes technology for displaying, on the monitor, the information on the operator of the camera and on the receiver of the image, and for varying the direction of the monitor according to the panning or tilting operation of the camera.