JP2002325248A - Method for image distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute images to a plurality of groups in parallel with inexpensive equipment in a method for distributing the image taken by a camera installed in an observation area to a plurality of users via the Internet. SOLUTION: A distributing server 1 for distributing the images other than a camera 4 equipped with means for disclosing images on the Internet and a plurality of browser terminals 5 for observing the images captured by the camera is installed. The camera successively distributes the captured image to the distribution server via the Internet. The distribution server protects moving pictures of one frame or one segment captured by the camera by an ID or a password, and distributes them via the Internet adapting to a data format for use in the image display of the browser terminal. The distribution server 1 updates the images when receiving an image update request from the browser terminal 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of distributing an image of a camera installed at a certain observation area to a plurality of users (observers) via the Internet, and to a method of observing a common image. The present invention relates to an image distribution method for distributing images to a plurality of groups with the users of the group being one group.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Distributing an image of a camera installed at a predetermined observation area via the Internet has been conventionally performed. For example, in a tourist spot, a system is known in which an image captured by a camera installed at a tourist spot is disclosed on the Internet so that an unspecified number of people can freely observe the image. The camera is connected to an image disclosure means such as a computer connected to the Internet, and the image disclosure means discloses an image currently being captured by the camera on the Internet. At present, a camera (referred to as a web camera or the like) incorporating means for disclosing a captured image on the Internet is also provided. In this type of conventional image distribution method, an image disclosure means (including a built-in camera) connected to a camera allows an observer to directly import an image disclosed on the Internet into a browser terminal for observation. is there. The browser terminal referred to here includes a personal computer having a display screen, a mobile phone, an electronic organizer, a palmtop computer, and the like, and a built-in or external Internet connection means and a display for image display. Say something with.

[0003] The technical problems of this type of image distribution method are that the image has a large data amount and the communication speed of the Internet is low. The camera is 20-
Although 30 frames of images can be captured, the processing speed and communication speed required for data compression and the like cannot correspond to this speed. Attempting to transmit an image of an ever-changing observation area to an observer without delay requires enormous costs due to high-speed processing and is not feasible with distribution via the Internet.

Therefore, in the conventional system, a method of distributing an image for a predetermined time at a predetermined time interval is adopted. For example, an operation of compressing an image for 15 seconds by the above-described disclosure means (actually, a computer) and disclosing it on the Internet, and taking in the image for the next 15 seconds when the processing is completed is repeated. If it takes 30 seconds to compress the image, the observer will have access to the image 30 seconds before. However, considering the Internet communication speed and the time to decompress the image on the browser terminal, the delay will be longer. Time is even greater.

[0005] Another practical example of this type of image distribution method is a safety monitoring system or a video telephone system using the Internet. In this type of system, if one frame processing and transmission / reception of an image captured by a camera require, for example, 0.1 second, the above-described disclosure means (transmission means) is provided with a margin, for example, at intervals of two seconds. The operation of fetching an image for one frame at the time, compressing the image, protecting it with a protection means such as a password, and disclosing it on the Internet is repeated. On the other hand, the receiving side accesses the disclosed image every two seconds and performs decompression processing, and updates the display image when the processing is completed. Therefore, with such a system, the receiving side sees a moving image such as a dropped frame of 5 fps (frame / second).

[0006]

In a conventional image distribution method of this type, the state of the observation area including the passage of time is determined.
The problem was how to deliver without losing reality. It is well known that image information has a much larger data amount than text information. For a moving image, the data amount further increases. However, in the real world, even if the distributed image is a still image or a short one-part moving image, if it is the latest image, there is no problem in practical use, and distribution of such an image is inexpensive. If there is something that can be very convenient in real life.

[0007] For example, there are many people who are worried about an out-of-home home or an old parent in the countryside, for example, in a case of single transfer or living in the city with their parents left in the countryside. In such a case, if you can see the latest absences and old parents on inexpensive terminals such as personal computers and mobile phones,
Psychological security can be obtained, and appropriate measures can be taken promptly in the event of an unexpected accident. In addition, for example, when a young child leaves the house and goes out, if the state of the house can be observed with a mobile phone in a timely manner, appropriate actions can be taken according to changes in the situation. Also, if you can see the state of children and grandchildren who go to kindergartens and day care centers as appropriate, you can know the state of children at those facilities, and when the grandparents of infants want to stay at home, kindergarten etc. Being able to see the grandchildren at will be a great help in deepening family ties.

Further, for example, in a company, if a situation in an office or a factory in a distant place can be viewed in a timely manner even if it is a still image or a short one-part moving image, information that cannot be transmitted by telephone or e-mail can be obtained. In the case of distribution via the Internet, for example, a person in charge of a factory in a remote place and a person in charge of the head office can hold a meeting while viewing the same image.

[0009] In the image distribution for obtaining such convenience, it is possible to use the image at low cost, and to realize the image distribution, image distribution to a large number of users can be performed in parallel by one system at the lowest possible cost. It is desired to be able to do it with equipment. An object of the present invention is to provide an image distribution method that satisfies such a demand, thereby realizing the above-described image distribution in the real world.

[0010]

An image distribution method according to the present invention comprises a camera 4 having an image disclosure means on the Internet, and a plurality of browser terminals 5 for observing images taken by the camera. In addition, a distribution server 1 that distributes images is installed. The camera 4 discloses images on the Internet with only the distribution server as the addressee. As a result, images taken by a large number of cameras with different locations and observers can be protected by the distribution server with IDs and passwords, and distributed according to the data format for displaying images on individual browser terminals. become. The transmission and reception of images between each camera 4 and the distribution server 1 can be performed by a method similar to the method used in a conventional video conference system using the Internet. That is, the distribution server 1 is connected to each camera 4
The image data continuously transmitted from is captured as a still image of one frame or a moving image of one section at each time interval required for the processing. The old one frame or one section image is sequentially updated with the new one frame or one section image. One section of a moving image is a moving image of a size divided by a predetermined capacity, time, or number of frames. In the distribution server 1, a plurality of browser terminals and the IDs of the users who use each terminal are registered as a database, and for each user ID and each browser terminal, identification of a camera that the user can access (camera ID), etc. Priorities with users of
The image data format of the browser terminal is registered.
The distribution server 1 transmits and receives images to and from a large number of cameras 4 and browser terminals 5, and a user who uses the images is determined for each of one or a plurality of specific cameras. In the above example, each group of users, such as one family, parents with toddlers attending a kindergarten, and managers belonging to a company, share one or more specific cameras. The distribution server 1 distributes images to a plurality of groups while maintaining security between the groups by using a user ID and a password and, if necessary, an encryption unit for each group.

The distribution server 1 places only one frame or one section of the image requested from the browser terminal 5 on the network. The distribution server 1 sequentially receives images from the cameras 4, but the images disclosed by the distribution server 1 on the network are not updated unless an update request is made from the browser terminal 5. When there is an image update request from the browser terminal 5, the distribution server 1 updates the held image, that is, the image disclosed on the Internet with the latest received image. This allows each observer to take a long time to observe one or one section of the image, and if necessary, allows another person having access to the screen to access the image. This allows a plurality of persons to share the same image. Then, when the user desires, the image to be observed can be updated to the latest one. By performing such processing, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the distribution server which requires processing of a large number of images and the load on the memory, and to avoid the communication speed slowness caused by using the Internet as much as possible. Can be.

An image distribution method according to the invention of claim 1 of the present application is to provide one or a plurality of cameras each having a distributing server for disposing a photographed image to the distribution server on the Internet. Or one or more browser terminals provided with a display for displaying the image, and one or more user IDs authenticated with the image data format and the distribution password, which are installed toward the plurality of observation areas, and The distribution server associates a camera or a camera group with the distribution server, and the distribution server converts the latest image captured by the camera to the image data format when the data format of the image is different from the registered image data format. Then, it is characterized by being identified by the user ID and disclosed on the Internet.

Preferably, the distribution server distributes the data sequentially transmitted from the camera as a still image of one frame or a moving image of a predetermined size in one section when requested by a browser terminal or automatically. I do. The image distribution method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a distribution server, and one or a plurality of cameras provided with a disclosure unit for distributing a photographed image to the distribution server on the Internet in one or more observation areas. One or a plurality of browser terminals equipped with a display for displaying the image, transmitting one or more of the above images, and one or more user IDs authenticated with the image data format and distribution password
Is registered in the distribution server in association with the camera or camera group, and the distribution server converts the latest one-frame or one-section moving image of the received image into an image data format in which the data format of the image is registered. If they are different, they are converted into the registered image data format, the screen including the image and the next screen request pixel is identified by the user ID and disclosed on the Internet, and the operation signal of the next screen request pixel is received. In this case, the distribution server updates the screen disclosed on the Internet with the latest received still image of one frame or moving image of one section.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image distribution method, comprising the steps of: installing a distribution server; One or a plurality of browser terminals equipped with a display for displaying the image, installed one or more browser terminals and one or more browser terminals authenticated with the image data format and distribution password The user ID is registered in the distribution server in association with the camera or the camera group, and the distribution server registers the received latest one-frame still image or one-part moving image in the data format of the image. If it is different from the image data format, it is converted to the registered image data format, the screen containing the image is identified by the user ID, and the A screen update program for transmitting a next screen request signal to the distribution server at predetermined time intervals to the browser terminal when the screen is accessed from a registered browser terminal. Upon receiving the signal, the distribution server updates the screen disclosed on the Internet with the received latest one-frame still image or one-part moving image.

In these methods, logging of the image observed by the browser terminal, panning, tilting,
Allowing the user to control the zoom and other controls;
It is possible that the distribution server automatically performs such control of the camera.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image distribution method described above, the distribution server sequentially records images disclosed on the Internet in an external storage device in response to a request from a browser terminal. is there. This allows
The delivered image can be redistributed on a CD-ROM or the like in response to a user request.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image distribution method, the camera obtained by each of the above methods is installed, and the distribution server identifies a screen including a camera control pixel and the received image by the user ID. Disclosure on the Internet
When an operation signal for a camera control pixel is received from a browser terminal, the signal is converted into a remote control signal for the camera and sent to the remote control device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the remote control of the camera is automatically performed by the distribution server in accordance with a reserved procedure. A remote control device for the camera is installed together with the camera. When an access signal is received, an operation control signal registered in advance in the distribution server is transmitted to the remote control device.

When the screen is updated in response to a request from the user or when the user controls the camera, the user's priority is registered and the instruction of the user with a higher priority is made to follow. . The invention according to claim 3 realizes priority control for screen updating, and assigns a priority to the user ID, and when a plurality of accesses are made to a screen disclosed on the Internet, the priority is the highest. The screen is updated by a next screen request signal of the browser terminal associated with the user ID.

[0020] The invention according to claim 8 realizes priority control of camera operation, and assigns a priority to the user ID, and the distribution server establishes a browser associated with the user ID having the highest priority. Only the operation signal of the terminal is converted into a remote control signal of the camera and transmitted to the remote control device.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the entire system. A service provider that provides an image distribution service installs a distribution server (computer) 1 connected to the Internet 3 via a router 2. The customer of the service provider is one or more users who want to see an image of a particular viewing area. The one or more users belong to an independent group surrounded by imaginary lines in FIG. The service provider installs one or more cameras 4 for the group at the observation area at the request of the customer. The camera 4 is connected to the Internet 3 via the router 2 and discloses a photographed image only to the distribution server 1 and discloses the image on the Internet.

The user uses the personal computer 5a,
The browser terminal 5 such as the mobile phone 5b or the mobile terminal 5c is registered in the distribution server 1, and receives the user ID and the password. These terminals are usually connected to the Internet via an Internet service provider 6. Each group is, for example, one family, parents having children attending a kindergarten, managers of a company, and the like. The service provider distributes images to a plurality of groups with one distribution server 1, and individually installs the cameras 4 for each group.

The distribution server 1 sequentially retrieves the images disclosed by the cameras 4 and holds the latest one still image of each camera or a one-part moving image of a predetermined size.
The image of each camera held by the distribution server 1 is updated each time a new image is captured, and the previous image is deleted.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the distribution server when a user browses an image. The distribution server 1 waits for a user's access, and when there is access, transmits a login page to the terminal and waits for reception of authentication data such as a user ID and a password. When the authentication data is returned, a database registered in advance is searched, user authentication is performed, and a camera or the like that can be accessed by the user is determined from data of the corresponding user. The separation of each group in FIG. 1 is performed by associating a user ID with a camera.

By referring to the above database,
Since the camera is associated with the accessing user,
The image server sends a shooting start signal to the camera, and distributes the image received from the camera to the user. When a plurality of cameras are installed in a group to which the user belongs, a camera selection screen is transmitted to select a camera, an image of a predetermined default camera is distributed, or the camera belongs to the group. Send a thumbnail of the camera image and let the camera be selected.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are views showing an example of a screen distributed by the distribution server to the user. In the example of FIG. 3, an image 7 to be distributed, a pan slider 8a, a tilt slider 8b, and a zoom slider 8c for remotely controlling the camera are displayed, and a camera selection button 9a and an end button 9b are displayed. ing. In this example, the image is updated automatically. FIG. 4 shows an example of updating the image 7 when requested by the user.
The next screen request button 9c is displayed. In this example,
The slider for camera operation is not displayed, and the operation of the camera is left to the automatic operation of the distribution server or the operation of another user. The distribution server distributes such a screen to the user and waits for a response from the user.

When receiving the next screen request signal from the user, the distribution server 1 updates the image of the screen distributed to the user with the image (the latest image) of the camera acquired at that time. In addition, the user can set the sliders 8a, 8b, 8c
When the camera receives the control signal of the camera by operating, the distribution server updates the image being distributed with the image of the camera acquired at that time, and then updates the sliders 8a and 8b.
The operation signals b and 8c are converted into camera control signals and transmitted to the corresponding cameras. Then, the screen being distributed is updated with the latest image received after receiving the operation end signal instructed from the camera.

When the camera switching signal is received from the browser terminal, the screen being distributed is updated with the latest image of the camera after switching, and when the end signal is received, the screen distribution to the user is performed. finish. When there is no other user receiving the image, a photographing end signal is sent to the camera.

The above is a typical example of the image distribution method according to the present invention. The following is a specific example of the case where the customer is a family, a kindergarten, a company, etc. The example of a distribution mode is shown.

If the customer is a family who wants to see the state of the absence or the state of the old parents in the countryside, the camera 4 is, in principle, the living environment of the absence house or the countryside parent, one of which is an observation area. Installed in The camera 4 has a pan function and a tilt function in principle, but the zoom function is an optional equipment function. Installation of a fixed camera without a remote control is also allowed.

The main browser terminal is a PC browser. The operation function of the camera can be controlled from the screen of the PC browser. As other browser terminals, mobile phones and palmtop terminals including PHS can be used, but these browser terminals cannot remotely control the camera. In such a case, the control of the operation function of the camera is automatically performed by the distribution server 1 based on an operation program predetermined.

A typical system configuration is as follows. B. PC browser and its Internet provider. B. Various mobile phones including PHS and their Internet providers. However, models with image display function. Ha, palmtop terminals and their Internet providers. However, models with image display function. D. Internet. E. A camera that is connected to the Internet and has both an image capturing function and a Web server function to a distribution server that distributes camera images to various browsers, and is always connected to an Internet provider.

Of the above, the number of cameras that can be installed in the system is one in principle. The camera has a fixed address and is always connected to the Internet. The distribution server guarantees the constant connection. Multiple types and multiple browser terminals can be installed in the system. Multiple users can be registered in the system. The browser terminal accepts one that is always connected to the Internet or one that is dial-up connected.

The procedure for distributing images and videos by the PC browser in the above system configuration will be described. At the time of observation, the user connects a PC browser to be used to the distribution server. The distribution server requests the user for a user ID and a password. The user notifies his / her ID and password to the distribution server. The distribution server checks whether or not the user ID is registered. If it is not registered, the connection will be terminated according to the specified procedure. After confirming the user ID, it is confirmed whether or not the notified password corresponds to the user. If not, terminate the connection.

After the distribution server confirms that the user's browser is a PC browser with the internal registration information, the distribution server applies the PC browser compatible mode. From the above information, the distribution server retrieves and prepares the next information from the internal database. (1) Name (2) User ID (3) Password (4) Browser type → Confirmation of presence of control screen → Image / video data format accepted by browser (5) Control priority (6) Camera model (7) Camera Provided image / video data format (8) Control function type → Pan, tilt, zoom or fixed (9) Camera IP address (10) Camera URL (11) Camera operation status → If already operating (controlling) Whether there is another user other than the user concerned (12) Zoom range and current position of camera (13) Pan range and current position of camera (14) Tilt range and current position of camera (15) Camera is Specific control command (character string or bit string) for controlling the function that has. This is retained for all commands of the camera or for functions provided to the user. (16) Identification of cameras that the user is allowed to access. (17) Line type

The distribution server sends an image /
Distribute the video. 1． If the screen has not been accessed,
The camera is controlled at the zoom position: neutral, the pan position: neutral, and the tilt position: neutral, and the image / video in that state is captured.
The image / video acquired from the camera is a still image or a moving image having a predetermined size. 2． The above image, a zoom position control pixel (slider, button, etc., the same applies hereinafter), a pan position control pixel, a tilt position control pixel, and an “end” button are combined to constitute one screen, and this screen is transmitted to the user's PC browser. Send out. Wait for user response. 3． If the camera has already been accessed, the control priority of the currently accessed user is checked. Four. If the priority of the already accessed user is high, the image / screen of the already accessed user is configured as the screen of the currently accessed user and sent out. This time we wait for the user's response. Five. When the priority of the accessed user is low, both the accessed user and the current access user configure and send out the screen according to steps 1 and 2. Wait for a response from each user. Thereafter, users with lower priorities share a screen controlled by higher users. Even if a user having a lower control priority operates a camera control pixel on the screen, the distribution server ignores the operation. 6． The user who has been granted the screen priority control right notifies the distribution server how to control the camera function by operating the camera control pixels on his screen. The notification is made by sliding or clicking the operation pixels on the screen. 7． The distribution server receiving the contents of the camera control from the user adds the control to the camera and sends out the obtained video / image to the user. Further, it waits for a response from the user. 8． The user who has finished browsing reports the end of the observation to the distribution server by clicking the "end" button on the screen. The distribution server receives this and disconnects the line connection with the user. 9． At this time, if the observation of the already accessed user is continued, the screen at the end of step 8 is taken over by the already accessed user.

An image / video distribution procedure when the browser terminal is a portable browser such as a portable telephone or a Palmtop terminal will be described below.

The user dials up the portable browser used for observation and connects to the distribution server. The distribution server requests the user for a user ID and a password. The user notifies his / her user ID and password to the distribution server. The distribution server checks whether or not the user ID is registered. If it is not registered, the connection will be terminated according to the specified procedure. After confirming the user ID, it is confirmed whether or not the notified password corresponds to the user. If not, terminate the connection. The distribution server confirms that the user's browser is a mobile browser with the internal registration information, and then applies the mobile browser compatible mode.

Based on the above information, the distribution server retrieves and prepares the following information from the internal database. (1) Name (2) User ID (3) Password (4) Browser type → Confirmation of presence of control screen (5) Control priority (6) Camera model (7) Image / video data format provided by camera (8 ) Control function type → Pan, tilt, zoom or fixed (9) IP address of camera (10) URL of camera (11) Operation status of camera → Whether or not another user is already controlling → This user's (12) Zoom range and current position of camera (13) Pan range and current position of camera (14) Tilt range and current position of camera (15) Specifics for controlling functions of camera Control commands (strings or bit strings). This is retained for all commands of the camera or for functions provided to the user. (16) Identification of cameras that the user is allowed to access. (17) Mobile phone manufacturer / model (18) Mobile phone number (19) Command (character string or bit string) of mobile phone (20) Line type

Next, the distribution server distributes images and videos to the user in the following procedure. 1． When the camera is not accessed, the camera is controlled at the zoom position: neutral, the pan position: neutral, the tilt position: neutral, and an image in that state is captured. The image captured from the camera is a still image. Alternatively, the moving image has a predetermined size. 2． The image is converted into a data format that can be handled by a mobile browser used by the user. Further, the data size is reduced and adjusted to a data size that can be handled by the mobile browser. The screen configured in this way is distributed to the user. Wait for user response. 3． The distribution server automatically controls the pan function of the camera until the user requests the next screen. The panning is performed at a predetermined angle at a predetermined time interval in a predetermined pan range. The time interval and the pan interval are determined by the distribution server administrator. The pan range follows the pan range of the camera. Four. If control access has already been made to the camera, that screen is captured. The image is edited in step 2 and distributed to the user. Five. If the observation of the user who has already controlled the camera is completed first, the distribution server returns the zoom position and the tilt position to the neutral position with respect to the camera position and the image at that time, and the distribution server is determined in step 3. Continue camera control to acquire images and distribute them to users. Wait for user response. 6． The user who has completed the observation ends the connection with the distribution server by the line disconnection procedure of the portable browser terminal device.
The distribution server detects this state and disconnects the line connection with the user.

When the customer is a kindergarten or the like, the user is the kindergarten and the parents of the infants who go to the kindergarten. In such a case, the cameras are installed in a kindergarten where a plurality of cameras serve as observation areas. The camera has pan and tilt functions in principle, but the zoom function is an optional equipment function.
Installation of fixed cameras is also permitted. Main browser is P
C browser. The use of a mobile browser is allowed, but the mobile browser cannot control the camera's operating functions. In this case, the distribution server automatically controls the camera operation function.

A typical system configuration is as follows. B. PC browser and its Internet provider. B. Various mobile phones including PHS and their Internet providers. However, models with image display function. Ha, palmtop terminals and their Internet providers. However, models with image display function. D. Internet E. A camera that is connected to the Internet and is always connected to an Internet provider, with both an image capturing function and a Web server function to a distribution server that distributes camera images to various browsers.

Of the above, a plurality of cameras can be installed in the system. Some have an operation control function and some do not. Multiple types and multiple browsers can be installed in the system. Multiple users can be registered in the system. The browser accepts one that is always connected to the Internet or one that is dialed up. It is assumed that the camera has a fixed IP address and is always connected to the Internet.

The procedure for distributing images / videos by the PC browser in the above system configuration will be described below.

At the time of observation, the user connects a PC browser to be used to the distribution server. The distribution server requests the user for a user ID and a password. The user notifies his / her ID and password to the distribution server. The distribution server checks whether or not the user ID is registered. If it is not registered, the connection will be terminated according to the specified procedure. After confirming the user ID, it is confirmed whether or not the notified password corresponds to the user. If not, terminate the connection. The distribution server confirms that the user's browser is a PC browser based on the internal registration information, and then applies the PC browser compatible mode.

From the above information, the distribution server retrieves and prepares the following information from the internal database. (1) Name (2) User ID (3) Password (4) Browser type → Image / video data format accepted by browser (5) Control priority (6) Camera model (7) Image / video data provided by camera Format (8) Control function type → Pan, tilt, zoom or fixed (9) Camera IP address (10) Camera URL (11) Camera operation status (12) Camera zoom range and current position (13) Camera Pan range and current position (14) Tilt range and current position of camera (15) Specific control commands (character strings or bit strings) for controlling the functions of the camera. This is retained for all commands of the camera or for functions provided to the user. (16) Identification of cameras that are allowed access by blind persons. (17) Line type

Next, the distribution server distributes images and videos to the user in the following procedure. 1． The distribution server controls the camera at the zoom position: neutral, the pan position: neutral, and the tilt position: neutral, and captures an image in that state. The image taken from the camera is a still image or a moving image. 2． The above image, the camera switching pixel, the next screen request pixel, and the end pixel are combined to form one screen, and this screen is sent to the user's PC browser. Wait for user response. 3． Upon receiving the operation signal of “pixel for camera switching” from the user, the distribution server obtains the image / video from the next camera to which the user is permitted to access, and sends the obtained video / image to the user. Send out. Further, it waits for a response from the user. Four. The distribution server, which has received the operation signal of “next screen request pixel” from the user, continuously sends out the image / video from the camera immediately before to the user. Wait for user response. Five. The user who has completed the observation informs the distribution server of the end of the observation by operating the “end pixel” on the screen. The distribution server receives this and disconnects the line connection with the user.

Next, an image / video distribution procedure when the browser terminal is a portable browser will be described.

The user dials up the portable browser used for observation and connects to the distribution server. The distribution server requests the user for a user ID and a password. The user notifies his / her user ID and password to the distribution server. The distribution server checks whether or not the user ID is registered. If it is not registered, the connection will be terminated according to the specified procedure. After confirming the user ID, it is confirmed whether or not the notified password corresponds to the user. If not, the connection is terminated according to the prescribed procedure.

After the distribution server confirms that the user's browser is the portable browser by using the internal registration information, the distribution server applies the portable browser compatible mode.

From the above information, the distribution server retrieves and prepares the following information from the internal database. (1) Name (2) User ID (3) Password (4) Browser type → image / video data format accepted by browser (5) Control priority (6) Camera model (7) Image and video data provided by camera Format (8) Control function type → Pan, tilt, zoom or fixed (9) Camera IP address (10) Camera URL (11) Camera operation status (12) Camera zoom range and current position (13) Camera Pan range and current position (14) Tilt range and current position of camera (15) Specific control commands (character strings or bit strings) for controlling the functions of the camera. This is held for all the commands of the camera or for the functions provided to the user. (16) Identification of cameras that the user is allowed to access. (17) Line type

Next, the distribution server distributes images and videos to the user in the following procedure. 1． The distribution server controls the camera at the zoom position: neutral, the pan position: neutral, and the tilt position: neutral, and captures an image in that state. The image captured from the camera is a still image or a moving image of a predetermined size. 2． The image is converted into a data format that can be handled by a mobile browser used by the user. Further, the data size is reduced and adjusted to a data size that can be handled by the mobile browser. Further, a screen is configured by combining pixels (buttons) such as "camera switching", "next screen", "end". The screen configured in this way is distributed to the user. Wait for user response. 3． The distribution server automatically controls the pan function of the camera until the user requests the next screen. The pan is performed at a predetermined angle at a predetermined time interval in a predetermined pan range. The time interval and the pan interval are determined by the distribution server administrator. The pan range follows the pan range of the camera. Four. The distribution server, which receives the operation signal of “pixel for camera switching” from the user, takes the image / video from the next camera to which the user is allowed to access, and obtains the obtained video / video.
Send the image to the user. Further, it waits for a response from the user. Five. Upon receiving the operation signal of “request next screen” from the user, the distribution server sends the image and the image from the camera immediately before to the user.
Send out the video continuously. Wait for user response. 6． The user who has completed the observation terminates the connection with the distribution server according to the line disconnection procedure of the portable browser device. The distribution server detects this state and disconnects the line connection with the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an image distribution procedure of a distribution server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of a screen to be distributed;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of an image to be distributed;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Distribution server 3 Internet 4 Camera 5 Browser terminal 5a PC 5b Mobile phone 5c Mobile information terminal 9a Camera selection button 9b Exit button 9c Next screen request button

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A distribution server is installed, and one or a plurality of cameras provided with a disclosure means for disclosing a photographed image to the distribution server on the Internet are installed facing one or a plurality of observation areas. Register one or more browser terminals having a display for displaying an image and one or more user IDs authenticated with the image data format and the distribution password in the distribution server in association with the camera or the camera group. When the data format of the image is different from the registered image data format, the distribution server converts the latest image taken by the camera into the image data format, identifies the image data format by the user ID, An image distribution method disclosed in claim 1. 2. A distribution server is installed, and one or a plurality of cameras provided with a disclosure means for disclosing a photographed image to the distribution server on the Internet are installed facing one or a plurality of observation areas. One or more browser terminals provided with a display for displaying images sequentially, transmitting one or more images, and associating one or more user IDs authenticated with the image data format and the distribution password with the camera or camera group. The distribution server registers the received latest one-frame still image or one-part moving image received when the data format of the image is different from the registered image data format. After the image is converted into the image data format, the screen including the image and the next screen request pixel is identified by the user ID and disclosed on the Internet. An image distribution method, characterized in that a distribution server updates a screen disclosed on the Internet with the latest received still image of one frame or moving image of one section when receiving an operation signal of a requested pixel. 3. A priority order is assigned to the user ID,
3. A screen updated by a next screen request signal of a browser terminal associated with a user ID having the highest priority when a plurality of accesses are made to a screen disclosed on the Internet. Image distribution method. 4. A distribution server is installed, and one or a plurality of cameras provided with disclosure means for disclosing a photographed image to the distribution server on the Internet are installed facing one or a plurality of observation areas. One or more browser terminals provided with a display for displaying images sequentially, transmitting one or more images, and associating one or more user IDs authenticated with the image data format and the distribution password with the camera or camera group. The distribution server registers the received latest one-frame still image or one-part moving image received when the data format of the image is different from the registered image data format. The screen is converted to an image data format, the screen including the image is identified by the user ID, disclosed on the Internet, and the screen in which the screen is registered is registered. When accessed from the user terminal, the browser terminal downloads a screen update program for transmitting a next screen request signal to the distribution server at predetermined time intervals, and upon receiving the next screen request signal, the distribution server updates the received latest An image distribution method characterized by updating a screen disclosed on the Internet with one frame of a still image or one segment of a moving image. 5. The image distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the distribution server sequentially records images disclosed on the Internet in an external storage device in response to a request from a browser terminal. 6. A remote control device for a camera is installed together with the camera, and the distribution server sends an operation control signal registered in advance in the distribution server to the remote control device when receiving the access signal of the disclosed screen. The image distribution method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein: 7. A camera provided with a remote control device is installed, a distribution server identifies a screen including a camera control pixel and the received image by the user ID, discloses the screen on the Internet, and transmits the screen from the browser terminal to the camera. 6. The image distribution method according to claim 1, wherein when receiving an operation signal of a control pixel, the signal is converted into a remote control signal of a camera and sent to the remote control device. . 8. A priority is assigned to the user ID, and the distribution server converts only an operation signal of a browser terminal associated with the user ID having the highest priority into a remote control signal of a camera, and The image distribution method according to claim 7, wherein the image is transmitted to a control device.