Remote operation method and image transmission method for panning camera

• US 20030165192A1
• Filed: 03/03/2003
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nisca Corporation (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nisca Corporation (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kitta, Toru
• Application Number:
  US10/376,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20030165192A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/240.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/115 Selection of the code volume for a coding unit prior to coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/137 Motion inside a coding unit, e.g. average field, frame or block difference
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An image transmission method is provided for transmitting compressed image data from a panning camera to a terminal device. The panning camera is connected to a telecommunication line and is capable of being controlled remotely. The terminal device is connected to the telecommunication line, and has an operation device for changing a shooting direction of the panning camera and a display for displaying a still image taken by the camera. In the image transmission method, a compression rate of the compressed image data is increased while the camera is moving to transmit the compressed image. The compression rate returns to a standard rate when the camera stops.

Claims

1. An image transmission method for transmitting image data, comprising:

moving a panning camera for capturing image data by actuating operation means of a terminal device located away from the camera and connected through a communication line,

compressing the image data at a first compression rate when the panning camera stops, and compressing the image data at a second compression rate higher than the first compression rate when the panning camera is moving, and

transmitting the compressed image data sequentially at the first and second compression rates to display means of the terminal device to show still images with different modes.

2. An image transmission method according to claim 1, wherein said compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the terminal device.

3. An image transmission method according to claim 2, wherein a cellular phone controls the camera and displays the image data as the terminal device.

4. A remote control operating method for transmitting image data, comprising:

setting a panning angle of a panning camera for one panning operation,

inputting a number of the panning operations through a terminal device located away from the panning camera and

connected thereto through a communication line,

moving the panning camera for capturing image data for angles corresponding to the number of the panning operations input to the terminal device after completion of inputting the number of the panning operations, and

transmitting the image data sequentially to display means of the terminal device to show still images after completion of moving the panning camera.

5. A remote control operating method according to claim 4, wherein one panning operation is set by pushing one key in the terminal device within a predetermined time;

an additional panning operation is set by pushing said one key within the predetermined time; and

said number of the panning operations is determined by a number of pushing of the one key.

6. A remote control operating method according to claim 4, wherein said panning camera moves for the number of the panning operations, and takes still images, which are transferred to the display means.

7. A remote control operating method according to claim 6, wherein an angle of each still image is displayed in the terminal device.

8. A remote control operating method according to claim 7, wherein a direction of the panning camera is displayed in the terminal device when the number of panning operations is input.

9. An image transmission method according to claim 4, wherein a cellular phone controls the camera and displays the image data as the terminal device.

10. An image transmission method according to claim 4, further comprising providing a first compression rate for compressing the image data and a second compression rate for compressing the image data higher than the first compression rate, said image data at the panning operation being processed by the first compression rate and transmitted to the display means.

11. An image transmission method according to claim 10, further comprising pushing an image request so that the image data is processed at the second compression rate and displayed at the display means.