Data communication system, data communication control method and electronic apparatus

• US 7,161,619 B1
• Filed: 07/27/1999
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Niida, Mitsuo, Ohnishi, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Villecco; John M.
• Application Number:
  US09/361,413
• Time in Patent Office: 2,723 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.03, 348/14.09, 348/14.12, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/211.99, 348/211.3, 348/211.4, 348/211.1, 348/211.5, 348/211.7, 348/211.13, 348/231.9, 348/552, 348/207.2, 348/211.8, 348/230.1, 348/239, 382/167
• US Class Current: 348/207.11
• 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

Abstract

A control apparatus is provided for controlling an image capture apparatus. The control apparatus includes a communication unit for receiving an image captured by the image capture apparatus, and a control unit coupled to the communication unit. The control unit controls a frame setting process for setting a shape, a position, and an area of a frame, and a first command sending process for sending a first command to the image capture apparatus in order to set the frame within the image captured by the image capture apparatus. The first command indicating the shape, the position, and the area set in the frame setting process. The control unit further controls a function selection process for selecting a function to be set in the frame, and a second command sending process for sending a second command to the image capture apparatus. The second command indicating the function selected in the function selection process.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an image capture apparatus, the control method comprising:

a reception step of receiving an image captured by the image capture apparatus;

a frame setting step of setting a shape, a position, and an area of a frame;

a first command sending step of sending a first command to the image capture apparatus in order to set the frame within the image captured by the image capture apparatus,

wherein the first command indicates the shape, the position, and the area set in the frame setting step;

a function selection step of selecting a function to be set in the frame; and

a second command sending step of sending a second command to the image capture apparatus, wherein the second command indicates the function selected in the function selection step.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the frame to be set in the frame setting step is rectangular, circular, polygonal, or one pixel.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a display step of displaying the frame on the captured image.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the function to be selected in the function selection step includes a focus, an exposure, a white balance, or a digital zoom.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a display step of displaying the frame on the captured image.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a color change step of changing a color of a rim of the frame according to the function selected in the function selection step.

7. A control apparatus controlling an image capture apparatus, comprising:

a communication unit adapted to receive an image captured by the image capture apparatus; and

a control unit coupled to the communication unit,

wherein the control unit is adapted to control;

a frame setting process of setting a shape, a position, and an area of a frame;

a first command sending process of sending a first command to the image capture apparatus in order to set the frame within the image captured by the image capture apparatus, wherein the first command indicates the shape, the position, and the area set in the frame setting process;

a function selection process of selecting a function to be set in the frame; and

a second command sending process of sending a second command to the image capture apparatus, wherein the second command indicates the function selected in the function selection process.

8. A control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shape of the frame to be set in the frame setting process is rectangular, circular, polygonal, or one pixel.

9. A control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted to control a display process of displaying the frame on the captured image.

10. A control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the function to be selected in the function selection process includes a focus, an exposure, a white balance, or a digital zoom function.

11. A control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is adapted to control a display process of displaying the frame on the captured image.

12. A control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is adapted to control a color change process of changing a color of a rim of the frame according to the function selected in the function selection process.

13. A storage medium which stores software for executing a method of controlling an image capture apparatus, the method comprising:

a reception step of receiving an image captured by the image capture apparatus;

a frame setting step of setting a shape, a position, and an area of a frame;

a first command sending step of sending a first command to the image capture apparatus in order to set the frame within the image captured by the image capture apparatus, wherein the first command indicates the shape, the position, and the area set in the frame setting step;

a function selection step of selecting a function to be set in the frame; and

a second command sending step of sending a second command to the image capture apparatus, wherein the second command indicates the function selected in the function selection step.

14. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the shape of the frame to be set in the frame setting step is rectangular, circular, polygonal, or one pixel.

15. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises a display step of displaying the frame on the captured image.

16. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the function to be selected in the function selection step includes a focus, an exposure, a white balance, or a digital zoom function.

17. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises a display step of displaying the frame on the captured image.

18. A storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the method further comprises a color change step of changing a color of a rim of the frame according to the function selected in the function selection step.