Abstract: There are provided: a communicating unit (transmitting and receiving unit) that is capable of transmitting and receiving information wirelessly to and from a plurality of electronic cameras and receives identification information peculiar to a device from the electronic cameras; an inputting unit that a user uses to input the identification information peculiar to a device; and a collating unit (information processing unit) for collating the received identification information peculiar to a device with the inputted identification information peculiar to a device.

Abstract: An image receiving apparatus is assigned with a field-of-view range setting right which is a right of setting a field-of-view of an image to be distributed. A field-of-view range setting request is received from the image receiving apparatus having the field-of-view range setting right and then reflected upon a cut-out position of an image, and a field-of-view selection request is received from an image receiving apparatus not having the field-of-view range setting right, thereby selecting and an image to be distributed to the image receiving apparatus having the field-of-view range setting right as a distribution image to the image receiving apparatus not having the field-of-view range setting right.

Abstract: Interactive multi-view video presents new types of video capture systems, video formats, video compression algorithms, and services. Many video cameras are allocated to capture an event from various related locations and directions. The captured videos and any associated audio streams are captured in a video beam format which allows for the efficient and expedient search of the vast amount of data in real-time and allows the data to be stored for off-line access.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus, when a pan/tilt head is located at a predetermined position, a photographed image acquired by an imaging unit is stored as a registered image. A photographed image, which is newly acquired by the imaging unit, is compared with the registered image when the pan/tilt head is not driven from the predetermined position after the registered image is stored. The pan/tilt head is driven to an initial position if, as a result of comparison between the photographed image and the registered image, it is determined that a degree of matching between the photographed image and the registered image satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A camera for connection to an authorised user via a network. The camera has a processor arranged to execute a communications client program and an image data decoding program. The camera further has means for capturing image data including encoded login data, the image data being supplied to the image data decoding program, the image data decoding program being arranged to decode the image data and to supply the login data decoded from the image data to the communication client program to set up the camera as an authorised device accessible by the user via the network.

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 standalone device, connectible to a CCTV network, includes an analog video input connector that collects input image signals corresponding to views from outside the standalone device, and digital image signal data corresponding to the collected signals are output. The device is connectible to an the internet-protocol network, and a transport control protocol packetizes the digital image signal data and controls addressing of the packetized digital image signal data. An address setting routine sets an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself, permitting connection to the internet-protocol network. A self-initiating transmission initiating routine self-initiates a connection with the internet-protocol network in response to a triggering signal on an alarm trigger input. An E-mail message is assembled, including report information related to the triggering signal and digital image signal data, and is transmitted to an address via the internet-protocol network.

Abstract: A method of transmitting digital image signal data from a standalone device includes input image signals corresponding to views from outside the standalone device. Digital image signal data, corresponding to the input image signals, are output. The standalone device is permitted to connect to an internet-protocol network by setting an internet-protocol address for the standalone device itself. On the network, the digital image signal data is packetized and addressing of the packetized digital image signal data for the internet-protocol network is controlled, with a transport control protocol. The method includes self-initiating a connection with the network in response to a triggering signal on at least one alarm trigger input of a plurality of input/output terminals.

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: A peer-to-peer camera sensor network is defined using intelligent cameras that employ iSCSI initiators and iSCSI targets to read and write data and to send control commands directly across the network as iSCSI blocks. Because data transfer rides on top of the internet protocol, cameras can be directly attached to the internet without requiring attachment to a host computer. Image data represented as video frames are mapped onto iSCSI data blocks and are shared among the cameras directly to form an efficient virtual block level video image frame storage that can be directly manipulated by multiple cameras without data replications. Transport of multiple streams, associated with scalable or multilevel MPEG encoding scheme for instance, are automatically sequenced and realigned as the iSCSI data blocks are time-aligned.

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: An omnidirectional camera performs image sensing of a panoramic object 6 surrounding it, and sends the video signal to an image capturing device 1, then the image capturing device 1 extracts a video signal of a partial object 61 and sends the extracted video signal to a camera-equipped portable terminal 3 carried in user's hand at a place distant from the omnidirectional camera 2 to display the image of the video signal on a display surface 32a of the portable terminal, and the user shoots a surrounding object 8 with the portable terminal 3 and sends the surrounding video signal to the device 1.

Abstract: A network storage type video camera system enables to perform real-time recording and live distribution concurrently. The network storage type video camera system includes camera terminal equipment for generating moving image data; a network; and a moving image storage server connected to the camera terminal equipment through the network, wherein the camera terminal equipment converts the generated moving image data into packets to transmit in real time to the moving image storage server; the moving image storage server stores received packets and then reports reception packet information on the received packets to the camera terminal equipment; and further, after real-time transmission of the packets is completed, the camera terminal equipment supplies one or more lost packets having been lost during the transmission to the moving image storage server, so as to complement the lost packets according to the reported reception packet information.

Abstract: An information processing system, such as a camera system, includes a radio communication system and an information appliance (such as a camera) communicable with the radio communication system within a predetermined distance. The information appliance includes an image pickup for obtaining image data by photographing a subject, a storing part for storing information peculiar to a user of the information appliance, a radio communication part for transmitting a predetermined radio signal and for reading information from the radio communication system, and an authorization part for authorizing the user by collating information from the radio communication system read at the radio communication part with stored information peculiar to the user. The radio communication system includes storage for storing predetermined information and a transmission part for receiving a radio signal generated at the information appliance and for transmitting the stored predetermined signal as a radio signal.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a camera system suitable for remote monitoring. The present invention is made by making improvements to a camera system that transmits camera image data to a network. The camera system includes a camera head including an image sensor and a sensor controller that controls the image sensor; a video signal processing means that performs video signal processing on image data from the image sensor; and a web server which transmits image data from the video signal processing means as the camera image data to the network, receives control data from the network, and controls at least the sensor controller or the video signal processing means.

Abstract: A video-image control apparatus enables a client to obtain the details of an object in a displayed video image. For this purpose, when the angle of a camera 1003 is changed in accordance with an instruction from an external device, it is determined whether or not the object (e.g., a copier) is within an image sensing view. If it is determined that the object is within the image sensing view, the current status of the object is obtained by request. Then, an image of a character string indicative of the status information is generated, and combined with the video image. The combined image is transferred via a communication interface unit to the external device.

Abstract: A method and device for transmitting data are discussed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a display state of image data for which transmission is requested is checked, and all or part of image data is transmitted depending on the checked state. The image data is downsampled and compressed into N layers having small-size screens, and all or some of the N compressed layers can be transmitted. In an embodiment, when the display state is in a separation display mode, some of the N layers created from image data for each channel for which transmission is requested are transmitted. When the display state is in a 1 channel display mode, all N layers created from image data for a channel for which transmission is requested are transmitted.

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 smart camera device incorporates a first processing path for video display processing and a second processing path for detection and/or tracking processing. A sensor device provides input signals including first size data units to both processing paths, at least some of the same input signals are processed by both processing paths. The video display processing generates second size data units which are smaller than first size data units. First size data units provide more information to the detection/processing module than second size data units would have provided if used. IR detection capability is improved by using first size data units. Detection and/or target tracking operations generate control signals used to control the video display processing to enhance the visual perceptibility of a detected target.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus to request that an image be printed, where the image is stored in a mobile device, such as a cellular phone, which is able to capture the image. The method includes creating a markup document indicating a panoramic image in which a plurality of images are united, and requesting that the panoramic image be printed, by transmitting the created markup document. Accordingly, a panoramic image may be easily created even in a mobile device having an insufficient memory resource and low specification hardware.

Abstract: A camera control apparatus provides an end user with environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. When the camera control apparatus 1001 receives a file-transfer request described in the format of the network from an external device 1002 connected to the apparatus, it handles a characters in a character string of a file name of the request as camera-control characters. As a result, if the character string includes description corresponding to the format for camera control, the camera control apparatus 1001 controls the camera in accordance with the description to perform image sensing, and transfers the obtained video image as the content of an image file requested by the external device as the file-transfer request originator.

Abstract: Video data recording using a plurality of video camera devices can be performed more conveniently than in the conventional technique. A video camera device working as a parent device has a signal sending/receiving function and a control function for the whole system, and a video camera device working as a child device has a signal sending/receiving function. The parent device sends synchronization data for time synchronization, and each child device performs a shooting operation in time synchronization with the parent device in accordance with the received synchronization data.

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: 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 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: In order that a digital video (DV) camera function as a WWW server in a network, an image capturing section captures an image of a subject. A DV encoder encodes an image signal input from the image capturing section. A recording and playback section plays back DV data recorded in a DV cassette tape. An IP packet assembling/disassembling section assembles a DV signal input from the DV encoder, a DV signal input from the recording and playback section, or an HTML file input from a WWW server processing section into IP packets, and outputs them to an IEEE 1394 interface. The IEEE 1394 interface transmits, via the network, the IP packets input from the IP packet assembling/disassembling section to a personal computer which accessed the DV camera.

Abstract: In a video system of the invention, control means is provided for a terminal input apparatus which is connected by a communication network of a camera on the partner side and which comprises an image display apparatus having a multiwindow display function for selecting and displaying the camera. An image pickup operation which is required to the camera on the partner side, for example, the image pickup direction, focal distance, panning, exposure amount, white balance, automatic focusing, and the like of the designated camera are inputted by using an image display and a window display of the image display apparatus. The operation of the camera on the partner side and the operations of a tripod, a movable arm, and the like to hold the camera are controlled through communicating means. A photographed image is displayed by the display apparatus.

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: 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 camera control apparatus provides an end user with environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. When the camera control apparatus receives a file-transfer request described in the format of the network from an external device connected to the apparatus, it handles the characters in a character string of a file name of the request as a camera-control characters. As a result, if the character string includes a description corresponding to the format for camera control, the camera control apparatus controls the camera in accordance with the description to perform image sensing, and transfers the obtained video image as the content of an image file requested by the external device as the file-transfer request originator.

Abstract: Image pickup processes of a plurality of image pickup apparatuses are synchronized by using one kind of communication medium (for example, IEEE 1394-1995 standard or its extended standard). A control device selects a master camera from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses. The master camera generates a time stamp for synchronizing frame synchronization signals of all of the image pickup apparatuses (including the master camera). All of the image pickup apparatuses (including the master camera) generate the frame synchronization signals on the basis of the time stamp generated by the master camera and generate image data on the basis of the generated frame synchronization signals.

Abstract: A video imaging system includes a master video camera for producing video images of a moving object of interest, a plurality of additional video cameras each positioned at a different location for producing additional video images of the object of interest from different spatial perspectives, and a control system for controlling the additional video cameras to track the object of interest imaged by the master video camera. The system generates video images using a method comprising the steps of producing a master video image of a moving object of interest, producing additional video images of the object of interest from different spatial perspectives, and controlling size of the object of interest in the additional video images in response to the size of the object of interest in the master video image.

Abstract: Image information is transferred between an imaging device and a host system. The host system detects that an imaging device is connected to the host system. In response to detecting the imaging device, one or more images are transferred between the imaging device and the host system.

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 invention provides a navigation apparatus and a navigation server capable of providing information to the user enabling comparison between a route that the user is actually traveling and a different route. According to a car navigation apparatus 200, a route setup unit 230 sets up plural routes. An actual route recognition unit 231 recognizes an “actual route” of the vehicle M. Further, a virtual route recognition unit 232 recognizes a “virtual route” that differs from the actual route. Moreover, a virtual travel information recognition unit 240 recognizes a “virtual travel information” containing a virtual position of the vehicle M on the virtual route. The actual travel information, the actual route, the virtual travel information and the virtual route are displayed on a liquid crystal panel 250.

Abstract: Described is a system having a digital camera and a docking unit which permits the docking unit to receive images over a channel and direct them to a viewable display in the digital camera.

Abstract: The image upload system of the present invention, comprising, inter alia: a capture unit for capturing the image data from an image input apparatus disposed on a network; a storage unit for storing the plural captured image data; an image capture control unit for controlling the capture unit according to a previously designated schedule; a creation unit for creating a display image by adding information at image capture time to the captured image data captured by the capture unit, and a transmission unit for transmitting the created display image, allows information such as an image data capture date and time, an image data size or the like to be embedded as a part of the image data to be displayed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for viewing microscopic images include transmitting tiled microscopic images from a server to a client. The client assembles the tiled images into a seamless virtual slide or specimen image and provides tools for manipulating image magnification and viewpoint. The method and apparatus also provides a virtual multi-headed microscope function which allows scattered viewers to simultaneously view and interact with a coherent magnified microscopic image.

Abstract: An electronic camera system of this invention includes an electronic camera for converting an image obtained by sensing into a file and recording the file, a PHS unit attached to the electronic camera to transmit the image file recorded in the electronic camera upon obtaining base station identification information of a master unit in position registration processing according to movement, the master unit having registered the PHS unit as a subsidiary unit, a private base station as the master unit, in which the PHS unit is registered as the subsidiary unit in advance, for transferring the image file sent in position registration processing of the PHS unit, and an electronic album apparatus connected to the private base station to record the image file transferred from the private base station.

Abstract: A method of sharing a digital recording between a group of users of digital recording devices (e.g. digital cameras) present at a common event, the method including: (a) creating a digital recording (e.g. a digital photograph) using a digital recording device; (b) subjecting the users' digital recording devices to a synchronization event associated with the common event, the synchronization event resulting in the transmission of a synchronization code between the users' digital recording devices, the synchronization code including an address code to uniquely identify a database; (c) establishing a digital communication connection between the digital recording device which created the recording and the database; (d) causing the database to receive the digital recording without input from a user; and (e) enabling a user to access the digital recording from the database.

Abstract: An end user is provided with an environment to easily remote-control a video camera via a general network such as the Internet. For this purpose, on a client side, the content of camera control is described in file-transfer protocol description, and the description is transferred to a camera server on the Internet via a browser. The camera server interprets the description, controls a camera in accordance with the designated content, to perform image sensing, and returns the obtained video image as the content of a file to the client. The client performs various controls while observing the video image. When a desired angle has been found, the client instructs to register the angle in a bookmark, then angle information displayed at that time is registered. Thereafter, when the user of the client can see the video image obtained on the same image-sensing conditions by merely select-designating the angle information registered in the bookmark.

Abstract: An apparatus and method acquires and stores multiple resolution images from a specimen on a support and provides to the user a low magnification, reconstructed macro image of the entire specimen, or a large portion thereof, to aid the person in selecting points of interest to be viewed or analyzed at higher magnifications and resolution. The reconstructed image is formed of a large number of tiled, stored images which are coordinated and assembled to form the macro image of the specimen which is displayed on a monitor. Preferably, the stored, reconstructed image is reduced further in size by a software system before it is displayed to the user. The display may be on a local monitor over a local area network or sent over the Internet to the user who is typically a pathologist. The user selects by a marker such as a cursor the defined area of interest or region and then views higher magnification images or has them analyzed.

Abstract: A camera server includes a video transmitting part for transmitting a video signal of a video camera to each of a plurality of camera clients in response to their request to acquire the control right of the video camera and their requests to transmit video information of the video cameras, a permission command issuring part for issuing a command to permit control of the video camera in response to the request to acquire the control right of the video camera, and an automatic control part for executing automatic control of the video camera if the command to permit control of the video camera is not issued.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which can be connected to a plurality of terminals, comprising an input unit for inputting the image data representing the image corresponding to a predetermined range by causing a predetermined camera unit to photograph or take each of plural partial areas obtained by dividing the image corresponding to the predetermined range, a reception unit for receiving commands representing positions in the predetermined range from a plurality of terminals, an extraction unit for extracting the image data corresponding to a part of the predetermined range on the basis of the command received by the reception unit and a transmission control unit for causing a predetermined transmission unit to transmit the image data extracted by the extraction means, to the terminal which transmitted the command corresponding to the image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides for detecting device information including information about a device. First ID information is obtained which is specific to the device via a digital interface after second ID information is assigned to the device, wherein the first ID information includes the device information, and the second ID information is used for communicating with the device. The first ID information and the second ID information are stored in a memory. The device information is detected from the first ID information. A new second ID information is checked using the first ID information, if the new second ID information is assigned to the device.

Abstract: In an image receiving apparatus, a command for operating a camera is detected on the screen of a monitor on which an image formed by the camera is displayed. The detected camera operating command is recognized and a camera control command is formed on the basis of the recognized camera operating command to be transmitted to an image transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile device with the capability of imaging a natural scene or a document and transmitting the image over a network is presented. The mobile device includes a digital pixel sensor so that over-sampling of an image of a target is possible. The target may be a scene or a document and output images can be set for the appropriate target.

Abstract: An image recording system includes: an image recording device for recording an image based on image information; a first controller for controlling the image recording device; a second controller; and a memory which is controlled by the second controller and on which image information is stored. The first controller can send a reading command signal to the second controller for reading the image information, the second controller reads the image information out of the memory based on the reading command signal, and transmits the image information to the first controller, and the first controller receives the image information transmitted from the second controller, and controls the image recording device so that an image based on the image information is recorded.

Abstract: An electronic camera and system for capturing of digital images, and wireless transmission of the captured images to a recipient. The camera includes a selection device for creating an electronic content identifier to be associated with a digital image file in the camera that identifies a recipient that the associated digital image file is to be forwarded.

Abstract: A method for providing digital images over a communication network to a user using instruction obtained from a roll of film containing images or wireless image capture device. The instruction may be obtained by analyzing the image for an image content identifier. The instructions may include the obtaining of an offer by a third party over the communication network for providing the service.