SERVER, SERVER SYSTEM, CLIENT SERVER CONTROL METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM THEREFOR

• US 20060195574A1
• Filed: 05/01/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Sakai, Keiichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,277,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2187 Live feed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25866 Management of end-user data customer care in data networks H04L41/5077
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• 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 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects

Abstract

Information identifying an operator remotely controlling a camera can be obtained. By using voice as means for reporting the information, it is possible to achieve reporting that is ideal for a user interface. Specifically, a client (116) is connected to a camera server (101) via a network and is receiving a video service obtained from a camera unit (102). When an individual on the side of the camera server (101) issues a request for the purpose of identifying the client, e.g., an inquiry as to who is controlling the camera, by voice, the voice is recognized. In response, information (the user name) identifying a connected client or the client controlling the camera is obtained by voice from a speaker (112).

Claims

1. A server for controlling a plurality of clients, said server comprising:

a control device, adapted to (a) select at least one client which has a privilege for controlling an image sensing device remotely, (b) prohibit unselected clients from controlling the image sensing device while the selected client is controlling the image sensing device, and (c) enable the unselected clients to receive video information captured by the image sensing device; and

a notification device, adapted to notify a user captured by the image sensing device, as to which client is selected for controlling the image sensing device and which clients receive the video information captured by the image sensing device, in response to a request from the user.

2. A server according to claim 1, wherein the image sensing device is a camera having a two-dimensional image sensing device.

3. A server according to claim 1, wherein control of the image sensing device includes optical control and orientation control.

4. A server according to claim 1, further including:

a voice input unit, adapted to input a voice of the user; and

a recognition unit, adapted to recognize the voice input by said voice input unit.

5. A server according to claim 1, wherein information notified by said notification device includes user names of the clients.

6. A server according to claim 1, wherein said notification device notifies by voice.

7. A server according to claim 5, wherein said notification device notifies by voice.

8. A method of controlling a plurality of clients, said method comprising:

a control step, of selecting at least one client which has a privilege for controlling an image sensing device remotely, prohibiting unselected clients from controlling the image sensing device while the selected client is controlling the image sensing device, and enabling the unselected clients to receive video information captured by the image sensing device; and

a notification step, of notifying a user captured by the image sensing device, as to which client is selected for controlling the image sensing device and which clients receive the video information captured by the image sensing device, in response to a request from the user.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the image sensing device is a camera having a two-dimensional image sensing device.

10. A storage medium storing program code executing a method of controlling a plurality of clients via the communication medium, said program code comprising:

code for a control step, of selecting at least one client which has a privilege for controlling an image sensing device remotely, prohibiting unselected clients from controlling the image sensing device while the selected client is controlling the image sensing device, and enabling the unselected clients to receive video information captured by the image sensing device; and

code for a notification step, of notifying a user captured by the image sensing device as to which client is selected for controlling the image sensing device and which clients receive the video information captured by the image sensing device, in response to a request from the user.

11. A storage medium according to claim 10, wherein the image sensing device is a camera having a two-dimensional image sensing device.

12. A system comprising at least one client, and a server for controlling the at least one client, said server comprising:

a control device, adapted to (a) give the at least one client a privilege for controlling an image sensing device remotely, (b) prohibit unprivileged clients from controlling the image sensing device while the privileged client is controlling the image sensing device, and (c) enable the unprivileged clients to receive video information captured by the image sensing device; and

a notification device, adapted to notify a user captured by the image sensing device, as to which client is selected for controlling the image sensing device and which clients receive the video information captured by the image sensing device, in response to a request from the user.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the image sensing device is a camera having a two-dimensional image sensing device.