Image distribution system and method of controlling the same

• US 6,836,287 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.), Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Nakahara, Masanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henn, Timothy J.
• Application Number:
  US09/368,469
• Time in Patent Office: 1,973 Days
• Field of Search: 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.99, 348/211.11, 348/211.12, 348/207.1, 348/552, 348/14.08, 348/14.09, 348/14.1, 348/14.12, 702/188, 725/29, 725/30
• US Class Current: 348/211.12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/643 Communication protocols network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP], H04L65/65
• 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 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• 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 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

In an image distribution system comprising a camera controllable by an external device, a camera server having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by the camera via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control the camera, a viewer which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control the camera, and a network connecting the camera server and the viewer, in a case where the camera server issues the authorization to control the camera to the viewer and communication between the viewer and the camera server is undesirably terminated while the viewer holds the authorization, when the viewer restores the communication within a predetermined period, it is allowed to continuously control the camera under the same conditions as at the time of the undesired termination.

Claims

1. An image distribution system comprising:

an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device;

an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus;

an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus; and

a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to said image reception apparatus to control said image sensing apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, conditions of said image sensing apparatus are restored to conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and said image reception apparatus is allowed to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions.

2. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of panning operation, tilting operation, and zooming operation of said image sensing apparatus is controlled by said image reception apparatus.

3. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said image transmission apparatus comprises certification means for identifying whether or not said image reception apparatus is allowed to control said image sensing apparatus.

4. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said image transmission apparatus immediately issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said image reception apparatus when said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination of the communication.

5. The image distribution system according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and another image reception apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication, said image transmission apparatus gives priority to said restored image reception apparatus to receive the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after the other image reception apparatus releases the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus.

6. The image distribution system according to claim 5, wherein said image transmission apparatus informs said restored image reception apparatus of time to take until said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image reception apparatus, and said image reception apparatus has a function of indicating the notified time.

7. The image distribution system according to claim 1, said image transmission apparatus comprises administration means for, when a request for authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is received after the undesired termination, determining whether or not an image reception apparatus which requested the authorization is said image reception apparatus whose communication was undesirably terminated while holding an authorization.

8. The image distribution system according to claim 7, wherein said administration means performs the determination on the basis of an IP (internet protocol) address and a user name of the image reception apparatus which requested the authorization.

9. The image distribution system according to claim 7, wherein said administration means performs the determination on the basis of a key issued by said image transmission apparatus and a password.

10. An image distribution system comprising:

an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device;

an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus;

an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus; and

a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to said image reception apparatus to control said image sensing apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, conditions of said image sensing apparatus are restored to conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and said image reception apparatus is allowed to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein, in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and another image reception apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication, said image transmission apparatus suspends the authorization issued to the other image reception apparatus and issues authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image reception apparatus.

11. The image distribution system according to claim 10, wherein, in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination, said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination.

12. The image distribution system according to claim 10, wherein said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image sensing apparatus after suspending the authorization issued to the other image sensing apparatus if said restored image reception apparatus has higher priority than the other image reception apparatus.

13. The image distribution system according to claim 12, wherein said priority is determined on the basis of time when the image reception apparatuses start controlling said image sensing apparatus.

14. The image distribution system according to claim 12, wherein, when the image distribution system charges an image reception apparatus for the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, said priority is determined on the basis of ranks given to the image reception apparatuses in a charging system.

15. An image distribution system comprising:

an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device;

an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus;

an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus; and

a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to said image reception apparatus to control said image sensing apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, conditions of said image sensing apparatus are restored to conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and said image reception apparatus is allowed to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring the conditions of said image sensing apparatus.

16. An image distribution system comprising:

an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device;

an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus;

an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus; and

a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to said image reception apparatus to control said image sensing apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, conditions of said image sensing apparatus are restored to conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and said image reception apparatus is allowed to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said image transmission apparatus comprises authorization period administration means for setting a period allowed for said image reception apparatus to hold the authorization at the time of restoration of communication after the undesired termination.

17. The image distribution system according to claim 16, wherein said authorization period administration means sets a period T-t for said image reception apparatus at the time of restoration of communication, where T indicates a period which is allowed for an image reception apparatus to hold authorization and t indicates a period elapsed by the time of the termination.

18. The image distribution system according to claim 16, wherein said authorization period administration means sets a period T-t-s for said image reception apparatus at the time of restoration of communication, where T indicates a period which is allowed for an image reception apparatus to hold authorization, t indicates a period elapsed by the time of the termination, and s indicates a period elapsed since the termination of the communication until the restoration of the communication.

19. A control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after said image reception apparatus restores communication within a predetermined period,

restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination;

and

allowing said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions.

20. The control method according to claim 19, comprising a certification step of identifying whether or not said image reception apparatus is allowed to control said image sensing apparatus.

21. The control method according to claim 19, comprising a step of immediately issuing the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said image reception apparatus when said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination of the communication.

22. The control method according to claim 19, comprising, in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and another image reception apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication, a step of giving priority to said restored image reception apparatus to receive the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after the other image reception apparatus releases the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus.

23. The control method according to claim 22 comprising:

a step of informing said restored image reception apparatus of time to take until said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image reception apparatus; and

a step of indicating the notified time in said restored image reception apparatus.

24. The control method according to claim 19 comprising:

a reception step of receiving a request for authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after the undesired termination; and

a determination step of determining whether or not an image reception apparatus which requested the authorization is said image reception apparatus whose communication was undesirably terminated while holding an authorization.

25. The control method according to claim 24, wherein, in said determination step, the determination is performed on the basis of an IP (internet protocol) address and a user name of the image reception apparatus which requested the authorization.

26. The control method according to claim 24, wherein, in said determination step, the determination is performed on the basis of a key issued at said image transmission apparatus and a password.

27. A control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after said image reception apparatus restores communication within a predetermined period,

restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination;

and

allowing said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said control method further comprising;

a step of suspending the authorization issued to another image reception apparatus in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and the other image reception apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication; and

a step of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image reception apparatus after suspending the authorization issued to the other image reception apparatus.

28. The control method according to claim 27, comprising:

a condition restoration step of restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination; and

a step of issuing the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after said condition restoration step.

29. The control method according to claim 27, comprising a step of determining whether or not said restored image reception apparatus has higher priority than the other image reception apparatus,

wherein in said suspending step, the authorization issued to the other image reception apparatus is suspended when said restored image reception apparatus has higher priority than the other image reception apparatus.

30. The control method according to claim 29, wherein said priority is determined on the basis of time when the image reception apparatuses start controlling said image sensing apparatus.

31. The control method according to claim 29, wherein, when an image reception apparatus is charged for the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, said priority is determined on the basis of ranks given to the image reception apparatuses in a charging system.

32. A control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after said image reception apparatus restores communication within a predetermined period,

restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination;

and

allowing said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said control method further comprising;

issuing the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring the conditions.

33. A control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after said image reception apparatus restores communication within a predetermined period,

restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination;

and

allowing said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said control method further comprising an authorization period administration step of setting a period allowed for said image reception apparatus to hold the authorization at the time of restoration of communication after the undesired termination.

34. The control method according to claim 33, wherein, in said authorization period administration step, a period T-t is set for said image reception apparatus at the time of restoration of communication, where T indicates a period which is allowed for an image reception apparatus to hold authorization and t indicates a period elapsed by the time of the termination.

35. The control method according to claim 33, wherein, in said authorization period administration step, a period T-t-s is set for said image reception apparatus at the time of restoration of communication, where T indicates a period which is allowed for an image reception apparatus to hold authorization, t indicates a period elapsed by the time of the termination, and s indicates a period elapsed since the termination of the communication until the restoration of the communication.

36. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium of a control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

said product including:

computer readable program code means for, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination; and

computer readable program code means for enabling said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions.

37. The computer program product according to claim 36, further comprising computer readable program code means of a certification step for identifying whether or not said image reception apparatus is allowed to control said image sensing apparatus.

38. The computer program product according to claim 36, comprising computer readable program code means for immediately issuing the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said image reception apparatus when said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination of the communication.

39. The computer program product according to claim 36, comprising computer readable program code means for, in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and another image reception apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication, giving priority to said restored image reception apparatus to receive the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after the other image reception apparatus releases the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus.

40. The computer program product according to claim 39 comprising:

computer readable program code means for informing said restored image reception apparatus of time to take until said image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image reception apparatus; and

computer readable program code means for indicating the notified time in said restored image reception apparatus.

41. The computer program product according to claim 36 comprising:

computer readable program code means for receiving a request for authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after the undesired termination; and

computer readable program code means for determining whether or not an image reception apparatus which requested the authorization is said image reception apparatus whose communication was undesirably terminated while holding an authorization.

42. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium of a control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

said product including:

computer readable program code means for, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination; and

computer readable program code means for enabling, said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said product further comprising;

computer readable program code means for suspending the authorization issued to another image reception apparatus in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and the other image reception apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication; and

computer readable program code means for issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image reception apparatus after suspending the authorization issued to the other image reception apparatus.

43. The computer program product according to claim 42, comprising:

computer readable program code means for restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination in a case where said image reception apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination; and

computer readable program code means for issuing the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring the conditions.

44. The computer program product according to claim 42, comprising computer readable program code means for determining whether or not said restored image reception apparatus has higher priority than the other image reception apparatus,

wherein the authorization issued to the other image reception apparatus is suspended when said restored image reception apparatus has higher priority than the other image reception apparatus.

45. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium of a control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

said product including:

computer readable program code means for, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination; and

computer readable program code means for enabling said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said product further comprising;

computer readable program code means for issuing the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring the conditions.

46. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium of a control method for controlling an image distribution system having an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, an image transmission apparatus having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, an image reception apparatus which receives and displays the transmitted digitized image signal, further requests to control said image sensing apparatus, and a network connecting said image transmission apparatus and said image reception apparatus,

said product including:

computer readable program code means for, in a case where the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is issued to said image reception apparatus and communication between said image reception apparatus and said image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while said image reception apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination; and

computer readable program code means for enabling said image reception apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said product further comprising computer readable program code means for setting a period allowed for said image reception apparatus to hold the authorization at the time of restoration of communication after the undesired termination.

47. An image transmission apparatus, used in connection with an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to an external apparatus and communication between the external apparatus and the image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while the external apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, the image transmission apparatus restores conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and allows said external apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions.

48. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 47 comprising certification means for identifying whether or not said external apparatus is allowed to control said image sensing apparatus.

49. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the image transmission apparatus immediately issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said external apparatus when said external apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination of the communication.

50. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 47, wherein, in a case where said external apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and another external apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication, the image transmission apparatus gives priority to said restored external apparatus to receive the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after the other external apparatus releases the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus.

51. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the image transmission apparatus informs said restored external apparatus of time to take until the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored external apparatus.

52. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 47 comprising administration means for, when a request for authorization to control said image sensing apparatus is received after the undesired termination, determining whether or not an external apparatus which requested the authorization is said external apparatus whose communication was undesirably terminated while holding an authorization.

53. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said administration means performs the determination on the basis of an IP (internet protocol) address and a user name of the external apparatus which requested the authorization.

54. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said administration means performs the determination on the basis of a key issued by the image transmission apparatus and a password.

55. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the image transmission apparatus includes said image sensing apparatus.

56. An image transmission apparatus, used in connection with an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to an external apparatus and communication between the external apparatus and the image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while the external apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, the image transmission apparatus restores conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and allows said external apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein, in a case where said external apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination and another external apparatus holds authorization to control said image sensing apparatus at the time of the restoration of the communication, the image transmission apparatus suspends the authorization issued to the other external apparatus and issues authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored external apparatus.

57. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 56, wherein, in a case where said external apparatus restores the communication within the predetermined period after the undesired termination, the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination.

58. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to said restored image sensing apparatus after suspending the authorization issued to the other image sensing apparatus if said restored external apparatus has higher priority than the other external apparatus.

59. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said priority is determined on the basis of time when the external apparatuses start controlling said image sensing apparatus.

60. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 58, wherein, when the image transmission apparatus charges an external apparatus for the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus, said priority is determined on the basis of ranks given to the external apparatuses in a charging system.

61. An image transmission apparatus, used in connection with an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to an external apparatus and communication between the external apparatus and the image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while the external apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, the image transmission apparatus restores conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and allows said external apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus after restoring the conditions of said image sensing apparatus.

62. An image transmission apparatus, used in connection with an image sensing apparatus controllable by an external device, having a function of digitizing and transmitting an image signal acquired by said image sensing apparatus via a network and a function of issuing authorization to control said image sensing apparatus,

wherein, in a case where the image transmission apparatus issues the authorization to control said image sensing apparatus to an external apparatus and communication between the external apparatus and the image transmission apparatus is undesirably terminated while the external apparatus holds the authorization, after restoring the communication within a predetermined period, the image transmission apparatus restores conditions of said image sensing apparatus to the conditions at the time of the undesired termination, and allows said external apparatus to continuously control said image sensing apparatus under the restored conditions,

wherein said image transmission apparatus further comprising authorization period administration means for setting a period allowed for said external apparatus to hold the authorization at the time of restoration of communication after the undesired termination.

63. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said authorization period administration means sets a period T-t for said external apparatus at the time of restoration of communication, where T indicates a period which is allowed for an external apparatus to hold authorization and t indicates a period elapsed by the time of the termination.

64. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said authorization period administration means sets a period T-t-s for said external apparatus at the time of restoration of communication, where T indicates a period which is allowed for an external apparatus to hold authorization, t indicates a period elapsed by the time of the termination, and s indicates a period elapsed since the termination of the communication until the restoration of the communication.