METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING PARAMETER VALUES FOR CAMERAS

• US 20080122949A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Axis AB (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Olsen, Hans, Reichenauer, Michael, Kindborg, Mattias
• Granted Patent: US 8,184,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.99
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19636 pertaining to the camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19667 Details realated to data compression, encryption or encoding, e.g. resolution modes for reducing data volume to lower transmission bandwidth or memory requirements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19671 Addition of non-video data, i.e. metadata, to video stream
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19676 Temporary storage, e.g. cyclic memory, buffer storage on pre-alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19693 using multiple video sources viewed on a single or compound screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A method for configuring parameter values for a plurality of cameras (100a-100f) is disclosed. In the first step of the method, image data from the plurality of cameras (100a-100f) is acquired. Secondly, the image data from the plurality of cameras (100a-100f) is buffered. Thirdly, the buffered image data from the plurality of cameras (100a-100f) is displayed. Fourthly, at least one parameter value for a first subset of said plurality of cameras is changed. Fifthly, the at least one parameter value is transmitted to said first subset of cameras. Sixthly, the changed image data from a second subset of said plurality of cameras is acquired. Seventhly, the buffered image data for said second subset of cameras is replaced with said changed image data for said second subset of cameras. Finally, the stored image data for said plurality of cameras (100a-100f) is displayed.

Claims

1. A method for configuring parameter values for a plurality of cameras (100a-100f), comprising

acquiring (1000) image data from said plurality of cameras (100a-100f), said cameras stores parameter values which control the appearance of image data captured by said cameras,

buffering (1002) said image data from said plurality of cameras (100a-100f),

displaying (1004) said buffered image data from said plurality of cameras (100a-100f),

changing (1006) at least one parameter value for a first subset (600/700/800/900) of said plurality of cameras,

transmitting (1008) said at least one changed parameter value to said first subset (600/700/800/900) of cameras to allow update of said at least one parameter value in each camera in said first subset,

acquiring (1010) changed image data from a second subset of said plurality of cameras (100a-100f) comprising at least the cameras of the first subset,

replacing (1012) said buffered image data for said second subset (602/702/802/902) of cameras with said changed image data for said second subset of cameras, and

displaying (1014) said buffered image data for said plurality of cameras (100a-100f).

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first subset (600) is a subset of said second subset (602).

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first subset (700) is equal to said second subset (702).

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein said second subset (802/902) is equal to said plurality of cameras (100a-100f).

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said changing involves

receiving a user input from a user, and

changing said at least one parameter value in accordance with said user input.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said changing involves

determining reference image data,

calculating a correction value based on said reference image data, and

changing said at least one parameter value in accordance with said correction value.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said acquiring of image data involves transmitting an image data request to said plurality of cameras (100a-100f).

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of changing involves retrieving at least one parameter value from a predetermined set of parameter values.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said set of predetermined parameter values is selected from a group consisting of:

a set of predetermined parameter values adapted for outdoor conditions, a set of predetermined parameter values adapted for indoor conditions, a set of predetermined parameter values adapted for fluorescent lighting conditions, a set of predetermined parameter values adapted for incandescent light conditions and a set of predetermined parameter values adapted for infrared light conditions.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said retrieving involves

receiving a user input from a user, and

retrieving said set of predetermined parameter values in accordance with said user input.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one parameter value is selected from a group consisting of:

a white balance value, a contrast value, a rotation value, a compression value, a sharpness value and a colour balance value.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said parameter values are acquired together with said image data from said plurality of cameras (100a-100f) in said acquiring of image data and are displayed in said displaying of image data together with said image data.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein said acquiring of said image data, buffering of said image data, displaying of said image data, changing of at least one parameter value for said first subset, transmitting of said at least one parameter value, acquiring of changed image data from said second subset, replacing of said buffered image data for said second subset, and displaying of said buffered image data, are repeated iteratively until a user acceptance signal is received from a user.

17. An apparatus (104) comprising a processing device (306), a display (300) adapted for showing image data, an input device (302), a memory (308) adapted for holding a number of parameter values and for buffering image data, and a data communication interface (310) adapted for communication through a data communications network (102) with a plurality of cameras (100a-100f), the processing device (306) being adapted to:

acquire image data from said plurality of cameras (100a-100f),

buffer said image data from said plurality of cameras in said memory (308),

display said buffered image data from said plurality of cameras on said display (300),

change at least one parameter value for a first subset (600/700/800/900) of said plurality of cameras based upon an actuation of said input device (302),

transmit said at least one parameter value to said first subset (600/700/800/900) of cameras through said data communications network (102), to allow update of said at least one parameter value in each camera in said first subset,

acquire changed image data from a second subset (602/702/802/902) of said plurality of cameras through said data communications network (102),

replace said buffered image data for said second subset (602/702/802/902) of cameras with said changed image data for said second subset (602/702/802/902) of cameras in said memory (308), and

display said buffered image data for said plurality of cameras (100a-100f) on said display (300), wherein said processing device (306) is adapted to perform a method according to claim 1.

21. A computer program, comprising computer program code for performing the steps of the method according to claim 1.

14. An apparatus (104) comprising a processing device (306), a display (300) adapted for showing image data, an input device (302), a memory (308) adapted for holding a number of parameter values and for buffering image data, and a data communication interface (310) adapted for communication through a data communications network (102) with a plurality of cameras (100a-100f), the processing device (306) being adapted to:

acquire image data from said plurality of cameras (100a-100f),

buffer said image data from said plurality of cameras in said memory (308),

display said buffered image data from said plurality of cameras on said display (300),

change at least one parameter value for a first subset (600/700/800/900) of said plurality of cameras based upon an actuation of said input device (302),

transmit said at least one parameter value to said first subset (600/700/800/900) of cameras through said data communications network (102), to allow update of said at least one parameter value in each camera in said first subset,

acquire changed image data from a second subset (602/702/802/902) of said plurality of cameras through said data communications network (102),

replace said buffered image data for said second subset (602/702/802/902) of cameras with said changed image data for said second subset (602/702/802/902) of cameras in said memory (308), and

display said buffered image data for said plurality of cameras (100a-100f) on said display (300).

15. An apparatus (104) according to claim 14, wherein said apparatus (104) comprises a personal computer (PC).

16. An apparatus (104) according to claim 14, wherein said apparatus (104) comprises a mobile terminal.

20. A system for configuration of at least one parameter value in a plurality of cameras (100a-100f), comprising

a data communications network (102),

an apparatus (104) according to claim 14, connected to said data communications network, and

a plurality of cameras (100a-100f) configured for communication with said apparatus (104) through said data communications network (102).

18. A method for parameter value configuration of a camera (100) coupled to an apparatus (104) through a data communications network (102), said camera stores parameter values which control the appearance of image data captured by said camera,

comprising the steps, in said camera, of:

receiving (1100) an image data request from said apparatus,

generating (1102) image data, using said parameter values, upon receiving said image data request,

transmitting (1104) said image data to said apparatus,

receiving (1106) a parameter value change request from said apparatus,

changing (1108) at least one parameter value among said parameter values held in said camera based upon said parameter value change request,

generating (1110), using said parameter values as changed, changed image data, and

transmitting (1112) said changed image data to said apparatus through said data communications network.

19. A camera (100) having a processing device (204), a memory (206) adapted for holding a number a parameter values, and a data communication interface (210) adapted for communication through a data communications network (102), said camera stores parameter values which control the appearance of image data captured by said camera, the processing device (204) being adapted to:

receive an image data request from an apparatus (104) through said data communications network (102),

generate image data, using said parameter values, upon receiving said received image data request,

transmit said image data to said apparatus (104) through said data communications network (102),

receive a parameter value change request from said apparatus (104) through said data communications network (102),

change at least one parameter value among said parameter values held in said memory (206) in accordance with said parameter value change request,

generate, using said parameter values as changed, changed image data, with said parameter values being changed, upon said parameter value change request, and

transmit said changed image data to said apparatus (104) through said data communications network (102).