JP3796296B2 - COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND CAMERA CONTROL DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication device for controlling a camera via the Internet.Camera control deviceIt is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A system for remotely controlling a camera (for example, panning, tilting, zooming, etc.) is generally known.
[0003]
In such a system, even if it is performed via a network, a device based on a unique specification (protocol or control information) is adopted between the device that controls the camera and the device on the client side. It is not versatile.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in recent years, the Internet has been spreading rapidly, and there has been an increasing demand for end users to view videos taken by a remote camera.
[0005]
One possible method to meet this requirement is that a server connected to the camera periodically saves images taken by the camera as a file in its own storage device and forwards it to the accessing terminal (client). To do. On the end user side, for example, the browser is activated and the user can appreciate it.
[0006]
However, this is not limited to viewing fixed images, and for example, it is not possible to meet the demand to view the right side a little more, or to view a wider area or enlarged.
[0007]
Therefore, the present applicant has previously presented a system that allows the camera to be freely controlled via the Internet.
[0008]
However, such a presentation method still has room for improvement in terms of usability to the camera.
[0009]
  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication device that can easily control a camera via the Internet.Camera control deviceThis is a proposal.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present inventionPertaining toThe communication method is, for example,,A communication method in a communication device for controlling a camera control device for controlling a camera via the Internet, wherein a first character string indicating an address of the camera control device and a first character string used for controlling the camera Accessing the camera control device using a URL including a second character string and a third character string indicating an image format, and the camera control device controlling the camera using the second character string Receiving the image obtained from the camera control device, and the image format of the image received from the camera control device is an image format corresponding to the third character string.
  The communication device according to the present invention is a communication device for controlling a camera control device that controls a camera, for example, via the Internet, and includes a first character string indicating an address of the camera control device, and the camera Means for accessing the camera control apparatus using a URL including a second character string used for controlling the image and a third character string indicating an image format, and the camera control apparatus uses the second character string. And receiving the image obtained by controlling the camera from the camera control device, and the image format of the image received from the camera control device is an image format corresponding to the third character string. It is characterized by being.
  The camera control device according to the present invention is, for example, a camera control device that controls a camera, and a first character string that indicates an address of the camera control device and a second character string that is used to control the camera And a control means for controlling the camera using the second character string when an access by a URL including the third character string indicating the image format is received, and using the second character string Transmission means for transmitting an image obtained by controlling the camera to an external device accessing the camera control device using the URL, and the image format of the image transmitted to the external device is The image format corresponds to the third character string.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the camera control apparatus according to the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 1001 denotes a camera control apparatus, which is based on a personal computer, for example. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a video camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) that is a control target of the camera control apparatus 1001. The control content includes not only zooming as a shooting condition but also panning, tilting, exposure, and the like. For this reason, the camera 1003 has a pan head (not shown). The camera 1003 and the camera control apparatus 1001 are connected by, for example, an RS232C interface that is normally provided in a personal computer.
[0013]
The camera control apparatus 1001 has the following configuration.
[0014]
Reference numeral 1017 denotes camera control means 1017 for outputting various control signals to the camera 1003 via the interface. Reference numerals 1017 and 1018 denote video input means for inputting a photographed image of the camera 1003 by an image capture device. Is a communication interface means for exchanging information with other devices, and in addition to these resources, command interpretation realized as a program and memory data using each resource such as a CPU of a computer, a storage device and an auxiliary storage device A means 1012, a reception code generation means 1013, a time limit means 1015, an image storage means 1019, and a reservation registration means 1014 are provided.
[0015]
The external device 1002 is, for example, a WWW server or a WWW browser, and performs communication using the HTTP protocol between them. That is, the WWW browser presents the information to the WWW server, which is the storage location of the document data and image data, according to the URL indicating the storage location of the target data. In response to this, the WWW server returns corresponding document data and image data to the WWW browser.
[0016]
In this embodiment, the communication interface 1011 uses a method realized by a WWW server. That is, communication is performed using the HTTP protocol, and the control apparatus 1001 of this embodiment behaves as if it is a WWW server in the application of video data. This can be realized by using the communication method of the WWW server also in this control apparatus.
[0017]
In general, when image data is pasted into a WWW document, the following description is used.
[0018]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/image001.gif">
This means that the image data stored in the image001.gif file of the WWW server www.foo.co.jp is requested, and the transferred image is displayed on the browser screen. Will be done.
[0019]
In this embodiment, such a specification is utilized as it is, and it is going to control a camera remotely.
[0020]
That is, in this embodiment, the character string corresponding to the file name is interpreted as a command. In short, panning, tilting, zooming, and the like that specify the camera angle are represented by alphabetic characters “P”, “T”, and “Z”, respectively, and then the respective control amounts are represented by numbers. If the aperture is controlled or the aperture can be controlled, for example, the letter “I” may be described after “Z”. However, since the camera control device in the embodiment automatically performs this diaphragming, it means that the control is left to the camera control device side when there is no description.
[0021]
For example, it is assumed that there is a camera that can select from eight stages of pan angle from -50 degrees to 50 degrees, tilt angle from -20 degrees to 20 degrees, and zoom from 1 to 8. In this case, for example, when shooting with a pan angle of 20 degrees, a tilt of 5 degrees, and a double zoom and wishing to be pasted as gif format image data, it is described as follows. It is assumed that the network address of this camera control device is cam.foo.co.jp.
[0022]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/P20T5Z2.gif">
When the HTML document description is from the external device 1002 as described above, the camera control device 1001, which is a server of the WWW browser, outputs the character string of the HTML description described above,Theobtain.
[0023]
In other words, when this request is input to the camera control device 1001 via the communication interface unit 1011, the command interpretation unit 1012 is activated, and the interpretation of the request (the above HTML character string) and the processing of a response thereto are started.
[0024]
The configuration of the browser (program operating on the client side) of the embodiment is shown in FIG.
[0025]
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 4001 denotes a browser software module, and 4002 denotes a register used by the software module, which stores an address to be accessed or to be accessed. 4004 is a bookmark file, for example, as described above.
<Ing src = “http://ww.foo.co.jp/P20T5Z2.gif”>
Such addresses are stored so as to be selectable by the user later.
[0026]
A timer 4006 is a timer for measuring a time until a warning is displayed when a site having an address set in a flow to be described later cannot be found, and a memory 4100 is stored so that the browser can read from the computer. For example, a computer hard disk, 4200 is a computer motor display, 4300 is a computer main body, and 4400 is a communication board.
[0027]
Reference numeral 101 denotes a WWW interface of the camera server, which operates by interpreting data described in HTML according to the HTTP protocol. 103 is output from the video compression delivery unit 105.
[0028]
This is a part for delivering compressed image data as a file. Reference numeral 105 denotes the above-described video compression / delivery unit, which in this embodiment has a still image compression function and a moving image compression function.
[0029]
The still image compression function includes, for example, JPEG compression 109, and the moving image compression function includes a compression method such as MPEG compression or H261.
[0030]
The compression function is not limited to this, and even in the case of moving image compression, the same compression method, for example, JPEG compression may be performed in units of frames. In such a case, the compression rate may be changed between still image compression and moving image compression.
[0031]
A camera control unit 111 generates a control signal, pan, tilt, zoom, and the like for controlling the camera 113 in accordance with an instruction from the still image delivery unit 103 or a moving image helper described later. Reference numeral 115 denotes a driver that actually controls the camera 113.
[0032]
Reference numeral 117 denotes an OS, which is Windows in this embodiment. Reference numeral 119 denotes a hardware configuration including hardware for partially executing image compression, personal computer PC, serial interface, and network interface hardware such as a modem for inputting / outputting data to / from the network.
[0033]
Reference numeral 122 denotes a hardware configuration of the client, which includes network interface hardware and a personal computer PC. The configuration of the computer PC will be described later. Reference numeral 125 denotes software called a video helper / or plug-in, which corresponds to each OS such as Windows, Mac OS, and Solaris, and operates on any platform.
[0034]
In addition, as described above, 125 continuously outputs moving images using a protocol different from HTTP. Reference numeral 4001 denotes WWW browser software in the embodiment.
[0035]
Now, processing when the above request is input to the camera control apparatus 1001 via the communication interface unit 1011 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0036]
First, in step S101, a command described as a file name is interpreted. That is, if the head of the request is “P”, it is recognized as a shooting command, and the process proceeds to step S102.
[0037]
If step S102 can be executed, that is, if the specified pan and zoom can be performed, an acknowledgment is returned to the external device 1002 on the client side.
[0038]
Here, the camera 1003 is operated with the specified pan, tilt, and zoom values via the camera control means 1017 (step S102), and the captured image is converted into the image format of the specified method, and the communication interface. A response is made to the requesting external device 1002 via the means 1011. The external device 1002 stores this image data and transfers it to the original transmission source.
[0039]
At this time, since the communication interface unit 1011 uses the HTTP protocol, content type information, status information, and the like corresponding to the image format are added to the head. Then, this process ends.
[0040]
As a result, an image captured as if it were image data stored in a file of the WWW server is pasted and displayed on the HTML document.
In the condition determination in step S101, if the head of the request is “R”, it is recognized as a reservation command for shooting date and time, and the process proceeds to step S105 via the condition determination in step S104.
[0041]
Reservation commands begin with the letter "R", followed by a year, month, day, hour, and minute each represented by an integer, separated by a period. Then, pan / tilt / zoom instructions that are photographing conditions follow, and finally a name representing the image format is given. When there is no shooting condition, the camera angle at the shooting date and time is adopted.
[0042]
For example, if you want to make a reservation for shooting a 3x zoom video with a pan angle of 25 degrees and a tilt angle of 0 degrees at 13:15 on July 6, 1996, the following description is used. That is,
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/R1996.7.6.13.15.P25T0Z3.gif">
When a reservation command as described above is designated, a unique identification number is received as a reception code from the reception code generation means 1013 in step S105. For example, it may be realized as a counter that is incremented by one for each generation request, or may be realized by a numerical value indicating the time of the requested date.
[0043]
Then, the reception code, the reservation time, the photographing condition, and the image format information are registered in a storage device (not shown) included in the reservation registration unit 1014 (step S106), and the reception code (a code for notifying that the reception has been received) A reply is made to the requesting external device 1002 and eventually to the original end user via the means 1011 (step S107).
[0044]
Also at this time, content type information, status information, and the like are added to the head to indicate that the response content is a reception code. Then, this process ends.
[0045]
If you simply create an HTML document that includes such a shooting reservation and try to display it with a general WWW browser, the reception code will be returned instead of the image data. Does not display an image.
[0046]
However, after a reservation is obtained for the camera control device 1001 by the same method as that of the WWW browser by the CGI program of the WWW server and the reception code is obtained, the reception code is designated by an image retrieval command described later. If an HTML document including an image data description is generated, when the generated document is displayed on a WWW browser, photographing is performed as reserved and the image data is displayed.
[0047]
In other words, the camera control device 1001 controls the camera 1003 at the registered camera angle when the reservation time registered in the reservation registration means 1014 is reached, and takes a picture of the camera 1003 with an appropriate name, for example, the image storage means 1019. The reservation number is used as the file name and stored in the specified format. Thereafter, when a fetch command is sent from the external device 1002, image data conforming to the fetch command is read from the image recording means 1019 and designated as the external device 1002 (corresponding to an end user terminal). Will be transferred in the same format.
[0048]
The retrieval command starts with the letter “G”, followed by a reception code, and finally has a name indicating the image format.
[0049]
This reception code is returned to the external device 1002 when a reservation is made. For example, when “12543” is returned as an acceptance code, the following description is used when an image reserved for shooting is taken out after shooting. That is,
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/G12543.gif">
It is.
[0050]
Various types of information are stored in the storage device in the reservation registration unit 1014 in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Here, the storage device included in the reservation registration unit 1014 itself is taken as an example. However, for example, the image storage unit 1019 of the camera control device 1001 may be used, and any storage unit may be used.
[0051]
Note that the character string meaning image formation added to the end of the retrieval command (in this case, “gif”, but in principle it should be the same as when it was reserved. The camera control device may convert the image stored in the image storage means 1019 with the reservation number into a newly designated format and transfer it.
[0052]
Although the description will return, FIG. 3 shows a state when the reception code is “12543” in the case of the above reservation example. That is, first, shooting date / time information, reception code, shooting conditions, and image format (image format).
[0053]
The image storage unit 1019 is managed in a format as shown in FIG. Here, the reception code (corresponding to the reservation code and having the same meaning as the file name), the image format, and the actual image data are stored. The image storage means 1019 may be any type of storage device, but it is desirable that the capacity is sufficient. Specifically, it is a hard disk device or a magneto-optical disk device.
[0054]
As described above, the processing procedure when an extraction command is actually received will be described below.
[0055]
In the condition determination in step S101, if the head of the request is “G”, then the process proceeds to step S104, and the determination here is also negative, so the process proceeds to step S108. Here, since it is recognized that the command is an image retrieval command, the process proceeds to step S109, and data stored in the image storage unit 1019 is searched based on the reservation code included in the retrieval command.
[0056]
Then, it is determined whether or not it is stored with the same value as the reception code described as the image fetch command (step S110). If registered, the image data is fetched and the request source is sent via the communication interface means 1011. To the external device 1002.
[0057]
Also at this time, since the communication interface unit 1011 uses the HTTP protocol, content type information, status information, and the like corresponding to the image format are added to the head (step S111).
[0058]
In step S112, the column of the image storage means 1019 in which the image data that has just been extracted is stored is deleted. Then, this process ends.
[0059]
If it is determined in step S110 that the image data corresponding to the designated reception code is not stored, the target image has not been captured or has already been transferred and deleted, so error information is transmitted to the communication interface unit. A response is made to the requesting external device 1002 via 1011, and this processing ends.
[0060]
If the head of the request from the external device 1002 is not “G” in step S108, error information indicating an undefined command is returned to the requesting external device 1002 via the communication interface unit 1011. The process ends.
[0061]
Next, operation processing on the client side in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0062]
Step Y-1: First, an initial address is set in a setting address register 4001 managed by software as a browser.
[0063]
Such initial address may be specified in advance by the user, or may be set in advance by the browser supplier.
[0064]
Step Y-3: It is determined whether or not the setting address register 4001 is cleared. If it has been cleared, there is no designated address, so it waits as it is.
[0065]
Step Y-5: The search for the site of the address set in the set address register 4001 is started.
[0066]
Step Y-7: It is determined whether or not a site having the set address has been found. If found, the process branches to step Y-21, and if not found, the process branches to step Y-9.
[0067]
Step Y-9: Time is measured by the timer 4006 while the site of the set address is not found.
[0068]
Step Y-13: A warning message indicating that the site cannot be found is displayed on the monitor display 4200.
[0069]
Step Y-15: The set address register is once cleared, and the process returns to Step Y-3.
[0070]
Step Y-21: Setting addressTheto see. That is, when a connection is made with such a site, the shooting command and the camera control parameter are set according to whether or not “P” exists in the set address, as described in step S101. It is determined whether or not there is. If “No”, the flow branches to Y-27.
[0071]
Step Y-23: If there is a camera control parameter, it is determined whether or not the site of the set address returns Acknowlege for the control parameter.
[0072]
Here, if the site of the set address can execute the control parameter, that is, for example, if the camera server side can execute the control of the camera according to the control parameter, as described in step S101 above, Acknowlege returns.
[0073]
Step Y-25: When there is no Acknowlege, or when a signal indicating that the camera cannot be controlled according to the aforementioned control parameter is sent from the camera server, that fact is displayed on the display 4200.
[0074]
Step Y-27: It is determined whether or not the image data has been transferred to the file (whether or not it has been completed).
[0075]
Step Y-29: When the file transfer is not completed, it is determined whether or not another instruction from the user, for example, an access to another site is instructed.
[0076]
Step Y-31: An operation according to the instruction is performed.
[0077]
Step Y-33: It is determined whether or not the user has instructed to add an address to the bookmark. An example of the browser window of the embodiment displayed on the monitor display 4200 when such an instruction is given is shown in FIG.
[0078]
Step Y-35: Addition of a bookmark is executed as shown in FIG. Here, since the connected site is a camera server, as shown in the figure, normal bookmarks are displayed in an unselectable state, and conversely, camera bookmarks can be selected.
[0079]
Step Y-36: It is determined again whether there is an Acknowlege for the camera parameter. If “No”, the flow branches to Y-29 described above.
[0080]
Step Y-37: When the flow branches to such a step, it is connected to a server capable of camera control. Therefore, the control menu of the video camera is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0081]
That is, a file transfer character string composed of the address of the currently selected site (in the illustrated case, XX CameraView) and a character string for camera control is added to the camera bookmark.
[0082]
Step Y-39: It is determined whether or not a control instruction has been given by the user.
[0083]
Step Y-41: If there is a control instruction, a parameter corresponding to the instruction is incorporated into the setting address register, and the flow returns to Y-3.
[0084]
Step Y-43: It is determined whether or not there is an address instruction depending on the user from the bookmark.
[0085]
Step Y-45:If the address is specified, the specified address is set in the setting address register.
[0086]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, if there is an image input unit such as a video camera in the site corresponding to the address as well as the site address in the camera bookmark, the control information of the image input unit If the control information such as the user's preferred angle of view, zoom ratio, or shutter speed of the video camera is registered on the browser side, the status of the video camera can be displayed on the Internet simply by accessing such a site. It can be set automatically via, improving usability.
[0087]
In addition, since the camera control unit 111 receives both the camera control support from the still image delivery unit 103 and the control instruction from the video helper / plug-in 125, and changes the control of the video camera 113, video transmission is performed. And the video camera 113 can be used for both of the still image transmission.
[0088]
FIG. 15 shows an example in which the camera control menu 5001 is displayed on the screen in step Y-37 of the flowchart. This menu is to detect and display an acknowledge indicating that control is possible from the camera server as the target site.
[0089]
In the example shown in the figure, the address of the site being accessed is
http://www.foo.co.jp/P20T5Z2
Is shown as
[0090]
Reference numeral 5000 denotes an image obtained from the camera. In addition, while the camera control panel 5001 is displayed as an active window in the browser, the camera control panel 5001 is always displayed on the near side.
[0091]
Reference numeral 5002 indicates a shootable range of the connected camera, and an internal 5012 indicates an angle of an image displayed on the browser. Reference numerals 5014 and 5016 denote bars for the user to set the pan state and tilt state of the video camera, respectively, and the user can freely set the state using the mouse 5050. In accordance with such setting, the camera control parameter is set to be transmitted to the site side in step Y-41 described above.
[0092]
5018 is a bar for adjusting the brightness (iris) of the video camera, and 5020 is a bar for adjusting the zoom ratio of the video camera.
[0093]
The parameter for adjusting the iris is represented by a numerical value following “i” in the character string. For example, in FIG. 15, “I5” is shown in the location column.
[0094]
Therefore, when the most preferred angle is found, as long as it is registered in the camera bookmark as described above, a live image at the same angle can be viewed at any time.
[0095]
As described above, information is exchanged between the external device 1002 and the control device 1001 of the present invention.
[0096]
Next, the time limit unit 1015 that performs camera control, shooting, and storage of shooting results based on reservation data registered in the reservation registration unit 1014 will be described.
[0097]
In the time limit means 1015, a time limit program is started at regular time intervals, for example, every one minute. This can be realized by using a timer of a computer.
[0098]
The operation of the timed program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0099]
First, the current time is read from the timer of the control device 1001 (step S201), and the process proceeds to step S202.
[0100]
In step S202, the reservation items registered one by one in order from the reservation registration means 1014 are taken out. If it is determined in step S203 that all the items have been extracted, the process ends. If the reserved item can be extracted, the process proceeds to step S204 to determine whether the set time in the target reserved item is later than the current time. If it is determined that the current time has not reached the set time, the processes after step S202 are repeated.
[0101]
If it is determined that the current time is equal to or greater than the set time, the process proceeds to step S205, and the camera 1003 is controlled via the camera control means 1017 according to the shooting condition of the retrieved reservation item to perform shooting. Then, the photographed image is converted into the image format of the method specified by the reservation item, and this image data is stored in the image storage means 1019 together with the reception code and the image format information (step S206).
[0102]
Subsequently, the currently retrieved reservation item is deleted from the reservation registration unit 1014 (step S207), and the process returns to step S202 to repeat the process.
[0103]
As described above, photographing is performed as scheduled, the result is stored, and when an image retrieval command is requested from the external device 1002 later, this image data is returned.
[0104]
As described above, the camera control device in the embodiment is connected to the network of the WWW system, and only the URL obtained by adding the description of the shooting condition of the camera to the address of the camera control device in the embodiment is described as the source of the image data. A live image obtained by operating a remote camera can be easily pasted into a WWW document. If only this is realized, each of the reception code means 1013, the time limit means 1015, the image storage means 1019, and the reservation registration means 1014 is unnecessary, and the steps after step S104 of the command interpretation means 1012 are unnecessary. .
[0105]
In addition, by providing the time limit means 1015, the image storage means 1019, and the reservation registration means 1014, if the CGI program of the WWW server is used, the camera shooting is reserved, and the result is later displayed on the WWW page for display. It becomes possible to do. In particular, even if an attempt is made to shoot with a remote camera in a time zone where the network is congested, it takes time to transfer the image and image data cannot be collected as expected, but according to this embodiment, Reservation is made in advance for a necessary time at a specific camera angle, and the accumulated image data can be taken out and used when the network is exhausted at night or the like.
[0106]
In particular, it is possible to obtain a great effect that it is possible to capture a plurality of images at a short interval with the same camera angle regardless of the transmission capacity of the network.
[0107]
Of course, the interface with the external device 1002 has been described as the HTTP protocol here, but any communication interface may be used.
[0108]
In this embodiment, the reception code is used to identify the photographing data for the reservation. However, a unique request number is used on the external device 1002 (end user side) that requests an image without using the reception code generation means. May be generated as a part of the reservation command, and the control device may use a method of identifying the target image data by a combination of the external device 1002 and the request number.
[0109]
Further, when notifying the above-mentioned reservation code to the transmission source, a password may be issued and notified, and the next time it is taken out, it may be transferred only after attaching the password together with the reservation code. At least in this way, the problem that the file is deleted because the third party happens to give the same reservation number and issues a transfer request can be avoided.
[0110]
In addition, although the reservation time is in minutes, it may be extended to seconds or milliseconds.
[0111]
In addition, although gif is taken as an example of the image format, JPEG may be expressed by a file extension called jpg so that one of them can be switched.
[0112]
Although the file name is regarded as a command, a URL parameter description may be used.
[0113]
For example, when the pan, tilt, zoom, and image format are 25 degrees, 5 degrees, 2 times, and gif, respectively, the following description may be made.
[0114]
<img src = "http://cam.foo.co.jp/cameraimage?P=20,T=5,Z=2,F=gif">
Moreover, you may mount a WWW server simultaneously in this control apparatus. In that case,
For example, it can be realized by giving the name camctl.exe to the program of the command interpreting means 1012 as a CGI program of the WWW server and performing the following description.
[0115]
<img src = "http://cam.foo.co.jp/cgi-bin/camctl.exe?P=20,T=5,Z=2,F=gif">
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the transfer of the reserved image is completed, the image data (file) is deleted. However, it may not be deleted at this point in some cases.
[0116]
In other words, an appropriate time after the actual shooting and saving as a file is stored, and when that time has passed, the data is deleted regardless of whether it has been transferred or not. In this way, at least a plurality of end users can have an opportunity to view the same image.
[0117]
In some cases, a password may be assigned and transferred only when the password matches the password.
<Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, since the character string for camera control is inserted into the address in the bookmark and the address is inserted into the setting address register, the camera user intends to access as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that the camera control character string is displayed in the column of the site address (shown as a location in FIG. 15), which is troublesome for the user.
[0118]
Therefore, only the address may be displayed in the location field without displaying the character string for camera control. For such control, the browser software module has a step of discriminating between the bookmark and the camera bookmark shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. Is determined from “P”, and the subsequent character strings are not displayed.
[0119]
FIG. 16 shows a display example of addresses designated in the camera book Mac by such a method.
[0120]
According to such an address display method, since the camera control character string is not displayed, the display is easy to see.
[0121]
In this embodiment, the address of the target site and the control information of the image input means are registered in the camera bookmark. However, the present invention is not limited to this, only the target address is registered in the camera bookmark, and the address stored in the bookmark Even if stored as a separate file, it is included in the scope of the present invention.
[0122]
In short, the address of the target site and the control information of the image input means may be stored in association with each other.
[0123]
<Second Embodiment>
In the above embodiment (first embodiment), only one image can be reserved for camera shooting at a time.
[0124]
In this embodiment, a file extension representing an image format is added to a file name formed by combining a plurality of reservation commands with “+” so as to enable reservation of a plurality of times and camera angles at a time. To do.
[0125]
For example, when shooting at 3 times zoom with a pan angle of 25 degrees and a tilt angle of 0 degrees at 13:15, 30, 30 and 45 minutes on July 6, 1996, and taking out three images in gif format later, Write like this.
[0126]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/R1996.7.6.13.15P25T0Z3+R1996.7.6.13.30P25T0Z3+R1996.7.6.13.45P25T0Z3.gif">
Here, in this specification, a character string enclosed by "" "and" "" may be displayed over two or more lines, but the actual description is one line that does not include line breaks. Describe in.
[0127]
If the date and time are the same or the camera angles are the same, they may be omitted. In that case, the same reservation as above can be described as follows.
[0128]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/R1996.7.6.13.15P25T0Z3+R....30+R....45.gif">
In this description, the part where the periods are continued indicates that the number between the periods is the same as the number set first. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information for the same date or the like.
[0129]
The basic configuration of the second embodiment can be realized with substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment except for the following changes.
[0130]
That is, step S106, step S111, and step S112 of the procedure program in the command interpretation unit 1012 are processed according to the format indicated by “+”.
[0131]
Accordingly, the reservation codes in the reservation table of FIG. 3 are set to, for example, “12543-1”, “12543-2”, “12543-3”, and these reservation codes are also stored when images are stored. Store according to. When a retrieval command is received, the common part reservation code (in this case, “12543”) is searched, and the image data is re-ordered according to the numerical order after the hyphen, and one image data including a plurality of image data is included. The data is reformatted as image data and returned to the requesting external device 1002 via the communication interface unit 1011.
[0132]
Also at this time, since the communication interface unit 1011 uses the HTTP protocol, content type information, status information, and the like corresponding to the image format are added to the head.
[0133]
Then, in step S112 after the change, the column of the image storage unit 1019 corresponding to each of the extracted plurality of image data is deleted.
[0134]
By configuring as described above, many reservations can be made at one time, and it is possible to handle them collectively as one image data composed of a plurality of images, and a plurality of receptions corresponding to each image data. Saves you the trouble of managing your code.
[0135]
Further, when applied to intermittent photography such as plant growth recording, it is possible to handle a plurality of photographed images as a pseudo moving image that is stored in one image data.
[0136]
Of course, other applications may be the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0137]
<Third Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, even when intermittent shooting is performed with the same camera angle at the same time interval, it is necessary to specify and designate the reservation commands by the number of shooting.
[0138]
Therefore, in the third embodiment, the end time and the intermittent time are added immediately after the time designation of the reservation command, and then the information amount to be set is designated by designating the shooting conditions such as the camera angle and the image format. To reduce. Here, an example will be described in which the end time is designated by the time following the letter “t”, and the intermittent time is designated by the time in minutes following the letter “e”.
[0139]
For example, when shooting at 3 times zoom with a pan angle of 25 degrees and a tilt angle of 0 degrees at 13:15, 30, 30 and 45 minutes on July 6, 1996, and taking out three images in gif format later, Write like this.
[0140]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/R1996.7.6.13.15t1996.7.6.13.45e15P25T0Z3.gif">
Here, in this specification, a character string enclosed by "" "and" "" may be displayed over two or more lines, but the actual description does not include line breaks, one line Describe in.
[0141]
Of course, in this case, when the date and time of the end time are the same, it may be omitted as described above. In that case, the same reservation as above can be described as follows.
[0142]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/R1996.7.6.13.15t....45e15P25T0Z3.gif">
The basic configuration of the third embodiment can be realized with substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment except for the following changes.
[0143]
That is, step S106, step S111, and step S112 of the program executed by the command interpretation unit 1012 are changed to meet the above specifications. At the same time, step S207 in the time limit means 1015 is also changed to meet the above specifications.
[0144]
In this case, the table format registered in the reservation registration unit 1014 is as shown in FIG.
[0145]
That is, the shooting end time and its intermittent time are newly added to the record of FIG.
[0146]
On the other hand, in step S106, if the requested reservation command has an end time and an intermittent time, the command analysis unit 1012 sets the reservation time as the shooting time, and sets the end time, the intermittent time, the reception code, the shooting condition, Along with the image format, it is registered in the reservation registration means 1014.
[0147]
If the requested reservation command is a simple reservation and does not have an end time and an intermittent time, the end time is set to be the same as the shooting time and the intermittent time is set to 1.
[0148]
In step S111, a plurality of pieces of image data registered with the same reservation code are extracted, reformatted as one piece of image data including a plurality of pieces of image data, and the request source external device via the communication interface unit 1011. It is sufficient to reply to 1002.
[0149]
Also at this time, since the communication interface unit 1011 uses the HTTP protocol, content type information, status information, and the like corresponding to the image format are added to the head.
[0150]
In step S112, it can be understood that the column of the image storage means 1019 corresponding to each of the plurality of extracted image data is deleted.
[0151]
On the other hand, in step S207, the time limit means 1015 updates the registered reservation information with the information obtained by adding the intermittent time of the retrieved reservation item to the shooting time, and when the shooting time is later than the end time, The item is deleted from the reservation registration unit 2014.
[0152]
With the configuration described above, intermittent photographs can be easily taken with a short command.
[0153]
In particular, when taking intermittent photographs over a long period of time, in the case of the method of the second embodiment, the command becomes very long, and in many cases, it cannot be substantially realized. According to the above, it is possible to realize it by providing a sufficient storage capacity of a storage device for accumulating image data.
[0154]
<Fourth Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the result of intermittent shooting is taken out as a plurality of still image data. However, in the fourth embodiment, an example in which a form taken out as moving image data is added will be described.
[0155]
When extracting as video data, set the file extension to mpg. For example, it is described as follows.
[0156]
<img src = "http://www.foo.co.jp/R1996.7.6.13.15t....45e15P25T0Z3.mpg">
FIG. 7 shows the basic configuration of the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the fourth embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the first embodiment except for the following changes.
[0157]
That is, a moving image compression unit 2021 such as an MPEG1 compression device is added, and a command interpretation unit 4012 capable of interpreting the file extension “mpg” is provided.
[0158]
In step S111 of the program in this case, if the image format designation is a still image format such as jpg or gif, a plurality of pieces of image data registered with the same reservation code are extracted, and a plurality of pieces of image data are included again. The data is reformatted as one image data and returned to the requesting external device 1002 via the communication interface unit 1011.
[0159]
If the image format is designated as “mpg”, a plurality of image data registered with the same reservation code is taken out, each image is restored, delivered to the moving image compression means 2021, and compressed. The moving image data is returned to the requesting external device 1002 via the communication interface unit 1011.
[0160]
Also at this time, since the communication interface unit 1011 uses the HTTP protocol, content type information, status information, and the like corresponding to the image format are added to the head.
[0161]
With the configuration as described above, compression using the relationship between image frames is performed, and particularly in intermittent photographs that do not change so much, image data is greatly compressed. The amount of communication can be reduced, and the communication time can be greatly shortened.
[0162]
<Fifth Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the camera angles to be photographed are the same. However, in the fifth embodiment, the definition of the control variable is added immediately before the time designation of the reservation command, and then the time is set. Specify, and then repeat shooting that specifies shooting conditions such as camera angle and image format.
[0163]
The definition of the control variable adopts the format of “$ (” + “definition body” + “)”. Here, two ways of writing are defined in the definition body. One specifies an initial value, a closing price, and an increment, which is further divided into two ways depending on whether the increment is positive or negative. Another format is to write down all the values of control variables. That is,
$ (<Control variable> = initial value, upto closing price, up increment)
$ (<Control variable> = initial value, downto closing price, down increment)
Or
$ (<Control variable> = value 1, value 2, value 3, value 4, ... value n)
It is.
[0164]
Here, <control variable> is a character string consisting of one or more English characters and is an identifier of the control variable.
[0165]
The reference of the control variable is “$ (” + reference body + “)”. The reference body is a four-rule arithmetic expression including control variables.
[0166]
For example, at 13:15 on July 6, 1996,
3x zoom with 25 ° pan angle and 0 ° tilt angle
3x zoom with 30 ° pan angle and 0 ° tilt angle
3x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 0 degrees,
When taking a picture with (taking a picture by changing the pan angle by 5 degrees) and extracting three images in gif format later, the following is described.
[0167]
"http://www.foo.co.jp/R$(pan=25,upto35,up5)1996.7.6.13.15P$(pan)T0Z3.gif"
Or
"http://www.foo.co.jp/R$(pan=0,upto10,up5)1996.7.6.13.15P$(pan+25)T0Z3.gif"
Or
"http://www.foo.co.jp/R$(pan=35,downto25,down5)1996.7.6.13.15P$(pan)T0Z3.gif"
Or
"http://www.foo.co.jp/R$(pan=25,30,35)1996.7.6.13.15P$(pan)T0Z3.gif"
Here, in this specification, a character string enclosed by "" "and" "" may be displayed over two or more lines, but the actual description is one line that does not include line breaks. Describe in.
[0168]
The basic configuration of the fifth embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment, but step S106 in the processing program of the command interpretation unit 1012 is as shown in FIG. If the character next to “R” is $, this is a definition of a control variable, which is a reserved command of the fifth embodiment.
[0169]
First, in step S501, one control variable definition starting with “$ (” and ending with “)” is acquired, and in step S502, it is checked whether all definitions have been extracted.
[0170]
After all the control variable definitions are extracted, the control variables are initialized in step S503.
[0171]
In step S504, the remaining part of the command is scanned to search for a control variable reference starting with “$ (” and ending with “)”, and the corresponding variable previously initialized is replaced with the searched control variable value. Thus, when the replacement for the number of searched control variables is completed, the process proceeds to step S506, where the character string obtained by the above process is analyzed as a reservation command for repeated shooting described above, and is generated in step S105. The reservation code and the image format information are the same, and the reservation time and shooting conditions specified by each reservation command are registered in the reservation registration means 1014 as a plurality of reservations.
[0172]
Then, the control variables are repeatedly updated so that the next stage is reached in step S507, and the processes in and after step S504 are repeated until it is determined in step S508 that all control variables have reached the end values.
[0173]
By doing as described above, an intermittent photographic image in which the camera angle is changed can be easily obtained with a short command.
[0174]
In the explanation, only one control variable definition is used, but a plurality of definitions can be written. In that case, the definitions shall be nested.
[0175]
In the fifth embodiment, the introduction of the repetition syntax has been described, but in the same manner, syntax such as a condition determination syntax, variable definition, variable assignment, and four arithmetic operations can be introduced.
[0176]
That is, the command interpreting means can be realized as a program interpreter, and the contents of the URL can be regarded as a program and held for interpretation.
[0177]
In this way, complicated camera control and the like can be automatically executed.
[0178]
<Sixth Embodiment>
In the fifth embodiment, all camera angle designations for shooting must be described in the same URL.
[0179]
Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, a part of the reservation command can be separately registered as a macro library.
[0180]
Here, an example will be described in which data describing time designation and shooting conditions is stored in an external device (an appropriate server on the network).
[0181]
For the sake of explanation, for example, it is assumed that shooting is performed by sequentially changing from 13:00 on July 6, 1996 to the following camera angles every minute.
3x zoom at 25 ° pan angle and 0 ° tilt angle (13:00:00 on July 6, 1996)
3x zoom at 30 ° pan angle and 0 ° tilt angle (13:01 on July 6, 1996)
3x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 0 degrees (July 6, 1996, 13:02)
4x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 1 degree (13:03 on July 6, 1996)
4x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 2 degrees (July 6, 1996 13: 4)
5x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 3 degrees (13:05 on July 6, 1996)
5x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 4 degrees (13:06 on July 6, 1996)
6x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 5 degrees (13:07 on July 6, 1996)
7x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 5 degrees (July 6, 1996 13:08)
8x zoom with a pan angle of 35 degrees and a tilt angle of 5 degrees (July 6, 1996 13: 9)
A file storing a command instructing this is sent to the second external device.
http://www.bar.co.jp/camcon-a.ctl
Store as. That is, the address of the second external device is www.bar.co.jp.
[0182]
The contents of the file in this case are as follows, for example.
[0183]
R199 6.7.6.13.0P25T0Z3 + R1996.7.6.13.1P30T0Z3 + R1996.7.6.13.2P35T0Z3 + R1996.7.6.13.3P35T1Z4 + R1996.7.6.13.4P35T2Z4 + R1996.7.6.13.5P35T3Z5 + R1996.7.6.13.6P35T4Z .7.6.13.7P35T5Z6 + R1996.7.6.13.8P35T5Z7 + R1996.7.6.13.9P35T5Z8.gif
In order to use this, the command given to the camera control device has a format that starts with “% 23 (”, followed by the URL, and ends with “)”. In the above case, it is necessary to inform the address of the command file.
[0184]
"http://www.foo.co.jp/%23(httpd%3A//www.bar.co.jp/camcon-a.ctl)"
The basic configuration of this embodiment is as shown in FIG. As compared with the fifth embodiment, the command interpreting means 6012 can interpret the command, and the connection state with the second external device (server storing the file having the command character string). This is a point.
[0185]
The operation of the command interpretation unit 6012 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0186]
In step S621, the command described as the file name is interpreted.
[0187]
If the head of the request is “% 23”, it is recognized as an external reference command, and the process proceeds to step S622.
[0188]
In this step S622, the part between “(” and “)” is regarded as the designated URL of the file in which the command is described and stored, and a file transfer request is issued according to this URL. In the above example, since the file is stored in “www.bar.co.jp”, a request is issued to the second external device 1004 in FIG.
[0189]
In step S623, a response is awaited. As a result, a long reservation command as described above is returned. The external reference command interpreted here is expanded and replaced so that it can be applied to subsequent command interpretation (step S624). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S101.
[0190]
Note that if the command is not an external reference command in step S621, the process proceeds to step S101. Since the subsequent steps are based on the description in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.
[0191]
Of course, the present invention can be applied not only to the first embodiment but also to the second to fifth embodiments.
[0192]
With the configuration as described above, it is possible to easily take a complicated time reservation and intermittent photographs with complicated camera angle changes with a short command.
[0193]
In particular, according to the sixth embodiment, when there are a plurality of camera control devices (that is, a plurality of cameras) on the Internet and an image in the same shooting state is viewed, a shooting procedure is stored on one server. If you store files that describe commands, you can use them.
[0194]
For example, even when camera control devices are installed in various countries, you should appreciate each of them according to your own shooting conditions as well as your own shooting conditions. Will also be possible.
[0195]
In the sixth embodiment, the camera control device and the external device storing the camera control file are described as different devices. However, the two devices may be the same. In that case, the URL can be written as follows:
"http://www.foo.co.jp/%23(httpd%3A//www.foo.co.jp/camcon-a.ctl)"
Or only if the URL is the same,
"http://www.foo.co.jp/%23(camcon-a.ctl)"
Of course, if the command is stored in the external device that makes the request first, the address may be used. At that time, the second external device is unnecessary.
[0196]
Further, although not specifically described in the above embodiment, when there are camera control request acquisition requests from a plurality of locations at a time, the control right is given to any one of them. The control right is given to the first user stored in the control right queue. However, in the case of a specific user, the control right may be given preferentially.
[0197]
However, since this control right is not directly related to the present invention, further explanation is omitted.
[0198]
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device.
[0199]
In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, for example, software as a browser, to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or computer) of the system or apparatus (or Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the CPU and MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
[0200]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0201]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0202]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. Needless to say, a case where the function of the embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing, is also included.
[0203]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0204]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention,The camera can be easily controlled via the Internet.
[0205]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a camera control device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a command interpretation unit of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format registered by a reservation registration unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management format of data stored in the image storage unit of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure of a time limit means in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format registered by a reservation registration unit according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block configuration diagram of a camera control device according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a reservation registration processing procedure according to the fifth embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a camera control device according to a sixth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a control variable replacement process according to the sixth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the camera control device and client hardware and software in the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control processing procedure on the client side in the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control processing procedure on the client side in the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen for camera bookmark registration in the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a browser and a control window in the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of a browser and a control window in the embodiment.

Claims (18)

A communication method in a communication device for controlling a camera control device that controls a camera via the Internet,
The camera control device using a URL including a first character string indicating an address of the camera control device, a second character string used for controlling the camera, and a third character string indicating an image format A process of accessing
The camera control device receiving an image obtained by controlling the camera using the second character string from the camera control device;
An image format of an image received from the camera control device is an image format corresponding to the third character string.   The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the second character string includes a character string used for zoom, pan, or tilt control of the camera.   The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the second character string includes a character string necessary for reserved shooting of one image.   The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the second character string includes a character string necessary for reserved shooting of a plurality of images.   5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein the second character string includes a character string that designates a reservation shooting interval.   The communication method according to claim 4, wherein the second character string includes a character string that changes an angle of reserved shooting. A communication device for controlling a camera control device that controls a camera via the Internet,
The camera control device using a URL including a first character string indicating an address of the camera control device, a second character string used for controlling the camera, and a third character string indicating an image format A means of accessing
Means for receiving from the camera control device an image obtained by the camera control device controlling the camera using the second character string;
An image format of an image received from the camera control device is an image format corresponding to the third character string.   The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second character string includes a character string used for zoom, pan, or tilt control of the camera.   The communication apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second character string includes a character string necessary for reserved shooting of one image.   The communication apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the second character string includes a character string necessary for reserved shooting of a plurality of images.   The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the second character string includes a character string that designates a reservation shooting interval.   The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second character string includes a character string that changes a reservation shooting angle. A camera control device for controlling a camera,
When access by a URL including a first character string indicating the address of the camera control device, a second character string used for controlling the camera, and a third character string indicating an image format is received Control means for controlling the camera using the second character string;
Transmitting means for transmitting an image obtained by controlling the camera using the second character string to an external device accessing the camera control device using the URL;
An image format of an image transmitted to the external device is an image format corresponding to the third character string. The camera control apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second character string includes a character string used for zoom, pan, or tilt control of the camera. The camera control apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the second character string includes a character string necessary for reserved shooting of one image. The camera control apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the second character string includes a character string necessary for reserved shooting of a plurality of images. The camera control device according to claim 16, wherein the second character string includes a character string that designates a reservation shooting interval. The camera control apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second character string includes a character string that changes an angle of reserved shooting.

Images