JP2003087782A - Image server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image server having high security by which a user can comfortably operate an imaging part or an imaging device via a network and image data and information related to this can speedily be obtained corresponding to the needs of the user. SOLUTION: An image server 1 comprises a display information creating prossing part 13, after changing the position of the imaging part 4 with camera control data sent via the network 3, judging whether the imaging position of the imaging part 4 after the change is in an attached range angle. In the case of judging that the imaging position is in the attached range angle, a related display page is sent to an accessing terminal apparatus 2 via a server part 8 in the attached range angle to display it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to comfortably remotely operate an image pickup unit or an external image pickup device via a network to shoot an image, and sends this image pickup data together with attached information to each terminal device. Regarding the image server that can be.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a system for remotely controlling an image pickup section having a built-in camera or the like or an external image pickup apparatus to change an image pickup angle (pan, tilt). However, many of these conventional systems use a dedicated line, and even if they are remotely controlled using a network, the imaging unit side and the control device side each adopt their own protocol and control form, which makes them versatile. It was lacking.

However, recent innovations in information technology have been remarkable, and networks such as the Internet are rapidly spreading. If anyone can easily use the Internet or the like, remote control of the image pickup unit and the image pickup apparatus can be constructed as a system with extremely high versatility, and it can be expected to spread widely.

As such a conventional system, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-265390. This conventional technology is a network connection type that automatically updates image data that can be viewed by a viewer on a network such as the Internet, and also automatically provides information necessary for the viewer regarding the image data. An image acquisition system is provided. An imaging control device is connected to the imaging device, and the imaging control device is connected to the server device via a communication adapter. A communication adapter is connected to the server device so that a plurality of terminal devices of partner companies can be arbitrarily connected via a network. When the terminal device is connected to the server device via the network, the file stored in the server device can be browsed on the display by ordinary browser software or the like.

However, in this conventional technique, the terminal device of the partner can be arbitrarily connected via the network, but it is possible to perform the photographing operation only from the predetermined terminal device by a special password or the like. However, it was highly closed in terms of operation, such as making it unreadable on other terminals.

[0006] This conventional network-connected image acquisition system does not send an image in real time or near real time (hereinafter, both in real time), but browses an image automatically shot at a predetermined time later. It was a thing. Therefore, according to this conventional technique, basically, only a specific terminal having the authority to perform a shooting operation performs a shooting operation, and other users merely browse and do not need to operate.

Therefore, an integrated Internet camera for transmitting digital image data in real time has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-134522). This integrated internet camera can send digital images taken by the camera in real time. This integrated internet camera is equipped with a character generation device,
When a date, time, or annotation string is received from the terminal device, a bitmap character string is generated according to the font stored internally, and the memory value in the image memory is set so that the text information is superimposed on the stored digital image. To change. That is, the value of the portion corresponding to the color information is changed on the image coordinates of the stored image according to the bitmap data of the bitmap character string. Invert all pixels that correspond to bitmap characters in the stored image to ensure that the characters are visible, or insert all the stored characters to insert characters of uniform color. All the pixels corresponding to the bitmap character in the pixel are changed to the same value.

However, this conventional technique uses the date, time,
Since the annotation string such as the shooting angle of the camera is only written and the text information is superimposed on the image and the memory value is changed, the text information is created for each image. In other words, the date and time when the image was taken, the conditions, etc. are written in the image and a memo is left.

However, many pieces of information to be attached to an image taken by such an Internet camera are not suitable for associating one by one in this way.
For example, when a large number of compartments are provided on a multi-tiered shelf to store a wide variety of parts and the parts are managed by the camera, it is not necessary to take a memo of each image such as the shooting date and time, but a specific part. It is necessary that information related to, such as supplier information, part specifications, manufacturer, price, embedded product, etc., is always displayed at the angle in which this part is shown. If information was written in the image as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-134522, it is, so to speak, attached information of "dots" and cannot be attached information of "planes".
The image itself became unclear and the image processing was also loaded.

[0010]

As described above,
Although the network connection type image acquisition system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-26590 is capable of arbitrarily connecting a plurality of partner terminal devices via a network, it is not a system for acquiring images by real-time operation. In other words, only a specific terminal device can be operated for shooting, and other terminals are not allowed to operate, which is a highly closed property. That is, it has been impossible to realize an image acquisition system in which users can operate the image pickup devices individually, comfortably, with high security, and operate in real time.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-134522
The integrated internet camera proposed in Japanese Patent Publication is for transmitting a digital image in real time, is equipped with a character generation device, and generates a bitmap character string when a date, time, and an annotation string are received from a terminal device. The memory value in the image memory was modified to superimpose textual information on the stored digital image.
However, according to this conventional technique, since text information is superimposed on an image and the memory value is changed, the text information is created for each image. However, most of the information related to the images taken by this Internet camera is not suitable to be related on an image-by-image basis. In such a case, write memo information in the image itself for each image. So, I blurred the image itself,
It took a lot of load for image processing. There is a demand for an image server that can display necessary attached information on a browser regardless of where the image of a specific subject is captured within a predetermined range.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the user can comfortably operate the image pickup section or the image pickup apparatus via the network, and the image data and the information related thereto can be promptly adjusted according to the user's needs. The objective is to provide a highly secure image server that is available.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image server of the present invention, after changing the position of the image pickup section by the camera control data sent via the network, displays the information. Section determines whether the image pickup position of the changed image pickup section is within the attachment range angle, and when it is determined that the image pickup position is within the attachment range angle, the section determines whether to access the terminal device through the server section. The feature is that the related display page is sent and displayed within the attachment range angle.

As a result, the user can comfortably operate the image pickup section or the image pickup apparatus via the network,
The image data and the information related to it can be quickly obtained according to the needs of the user, and the image server can have a high security.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention described in claim 1 is an image pickup section capable of controlling an image pickup position by camera control data from a network, and image data picked up by the image pickup section in a predetermined format. An image processing unit that performs conversion processing on the image processing unit, a memory unit that stores the image pickup data that has been converted and that stores attached information that is associated with the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, and image pickup data that is attached information based on the image pickup position information. And the arithmetic control means for determining the attachment range angle to be associated with, and whether or not the image pickup position of the image pickup unit is within the attachment range angle. When it is determined that the image pickup position is within the attachment range angle, the display page to be transmitted is displayed. A display information creation processing unit that reflects the attached information related to the imaging data and the attachment range angle, and transmits the display page to the terminal device via the network. An image server including a server unit that receives camera control data from the terminal device, wherein the display information creation processing unit is configured to change the position of the imaging unit according to the camera control data sent via the network. , It is determined whether the image pickup position of the changed image pickup unit is within the attachment range angle. If it is determined that the image pickup position is within the attachment range angle, the attachment range is added to the accessing terminal device via the server unit. Since the image server is characterized in that the display page related to the angle is sent and displayed, the arithmetic control unit determines the attachment range angle to which the attachment information is attached from the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit. When the image pickup position of is within the attachment range angle, the display information creation processing unit can associate the image pickup data with the attachment information, and the attachment information is included in the attachment range. It can be displayed together with the captured image within the range of Single.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the arithmetic control means, when there are a plurality of attached information, the attached range angle corresponding to one attached information does not overlap the attached range angle corresponding to the other attached information. Since the image server according to claim 1 is characterized in that the above calculation is performed, a plurality of pieces of attached information are not displayed in an overlapping manner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the terminal device requests the registration of the attached information in association with the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, the image pickup position information is stored in the memory unit. Since it is the image server according to claim 1 or 2, it is possible to register the imaging position information and the attached information from a terminal device connected to the network, and it is easy to change and add the attached information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image pickup section capable of controlling an image pickup position by camera control data from a network and a video signal taken by the image pickup section are converted into image pickup data of a predetermined format. An image processing unit, a memory unit that stores the converted image pickup data and stores attached information related to the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, and a predetermined display of the image pickup data and the attached information stored in the memory unit Input information in which attached information is entered when a page is transmitted to the terminal device via the network, camera control data is received from the terminal device via the network, and the input page registration request is made from the terminal device. A table for receiving the input information, and a table for storing the attached information in the memory section and then transmitting the attached information when the server section receives the input information from the network. An image server including a display information creation processing unit to be reflected on a page, and an operation control unit that determines an attachment range angle that associates attached information with imaged data based on imaged position information when input information is input. Therefore, the display information creation processing unit associates the image pickup data captured within the attachment range angle with the attachment information,
When an image is captured somewhere within the attachment range angle via the network, the display information creation processing unit sends a display page to the terminal device that is accessing and displays it. When the request for registering the input page in which is written is received, the arithmetic control unit determines the attachment range angle to which the attached information is attached, and the display information creation processing unit associates the imaged data with the attached information. The attached information can be displayed together with the image taken within the attached range angle.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the display information creation processing section sets the range in which the screen is scrolled by 1/2 screen in front, rear, left and right around the image pickup position when the input information is input, as the attached range angle. Since it is the image server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, since the attached range angle is a range rotated by half a screen vertically and horizontally, the attached range angle can be easily determined. Is.

In the invention described in claim 6, when there is no attached information within the attached range angle, the display information creation processing section calculates position information up to the shortest attached range angle where the attached information exists. The image server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image server displays the image together with the image on the accessing terminal device. Therefore, when the attached information is not displayed, the shortest location of the attached information. Can be easily grasped.

In the invention described in claim 7, when the attachment range angles are adjacent to each other, the adjacent attachment range angles are respectively reduced, and the image server according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Therefore, it is easy to manage the attached information.

In the invention described in claim 8, the display information creation processing unit associates the attached information for each user information, and when the user accesses through the network, the arithmetic operation control means makes the ID. 8. The user information is discriminated by using an address or a password, and the display information creation processing unit reflects only the attached information related to the user information on the display page. Since it is the image server of the above, the user information can be immediately known from the ID address or the password, only the attached information related to the user can be transmitted, and the attached information suitable for the user's needs can be delivered together with the image.

Since the invention described in claim 9 is the image server according to claim 8 in which the attachment range angle can be changed for each user information, the range of the image of interest differs for each user. It is possible to make detailed information distribution.

The invention described in claim 10 is the same as claim 1.
The image server according to any one of 1 to 9, wherein the image server includes a plurality of image pickup units, the image pickup units to be photographed can be switched by camera control data, and the attached information is separately registered for each image pickup unit. Since this is an image server, it is possible to attach different attached information to the images of the plurality of image pickup units, and it is possible to perform detailed information distribution.

The invention described in claim 11 is the invention according to claim 8.
Or the image server according to 9, further comprising a plurality of image pickup units, and the arithmetic and control unit switches the image pickup unit to be photographed for each user information by the sent camera control data and the ID address or the password. Since the image server is characterized in that the attached information is separately registered for each imaging unit, the attached information provided to the user can be different by the ID address or the password, and the attached information displayed for each user. Even security information can be attached to change the password.

The invention described in claim 12 is the same as claim 1.
The image server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a mail transmitting / receiving unit that receives an e-mail containing the attached information and the imaging position information transmitted from the terminal device, and the arithmetic control unit is based on the imaging position information. Determines an attachment range angle for associating the attached information with the imaged data, and the display information creation processing unit associates the imaged data captured within the attached range angle with the attached information, and attaches the image through the network. When an image is captured anywhere in the angle, the display information creation processing unit sends the display page to the terminal device that is accessing and displays it. Since the information is transmitted, the attached information and the attachment range angle can be determined very easily.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the display information creation processing section has an H content including the attached information and the imaging position information.
13. The image server according to claim 12, wherein the attachment information and the imaging position information are extracted from the TML data and stored in a memory unit. Therefore, the attachment information and the imaging position are extracted from the HTML data transmitted by e-mail. Since the information is obtained, the attached information and the attachment range angle can be determined very easily.

The invention described in claim 14 is characterized in that an electronic mail including the number of times of access through the network and / or update information of attached information is transmitted from the mail transmitting / receiving section. Since it is the described image server, the number of times of access and the update information of attached information can be provided to each user, and the utility value can be further enhanced.

The invention according to claim 15 is the image server according to claim 14, characterized in that an electronic mail is transmitted from the mail transmitting / receiving section when a request is made from the terminal device via the network. , The number of times of access and the update information of the attached information can be provided to the user only when there is a mail request, and there is no useless delivery of information.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the display information creation processing unit reads the attached information from the memory unit, creates imaging data and HTML data having the attached information as contents, and sends it as an electronic mail from the mail transmitting / receiving unit. Since the image server according to any one of claims 12 to 15 transfers the information, information can be distributed to other terminal devices by e-mail, and the image server can be highly useful.

(First Embodiment) An image server according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image server system including an image server and a terminal device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention,
FIG. 2A is a display page screen view displayed on the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an input page screen view displayed on the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. is there.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is an image server for photographing a subject and transferring image data, and 2 is a user receiving and displaying an image transferred from the image server 1 and displaying the image server 1 with camera control data. A terminal device such as a client PC that can be controlled by the computer 3 is a network such as the Internet, and the image server 1 is connected to the network 3.
Or transfer images by connecting the terminal device 2,
The camera control data can be transmitted.
The image server system according to the first embodiment includes an image server 1, a terminal device 2 and a network 3.
The terminal device 2 will be described later.

An image pickup device 4 is provided in the image server 1, and the image pickup position (the position includes zoom) is controlled by the camera control data from the network 3, and the subject is photographed and converted into an image signal for output. And 4a is a camera unit including a photoelectric conversion device. 5 is an image processing unit, 5
Reference numeral a denotes an image processing circuit that format-converts a video signal captured and output by the camera unit 4a and converts it into luminance (Y) and color difference signals (Cb, Cr) as image data. 6
Is an image compression means for performing image compression in a predetermined format such as JPEG format or TIF format so that the image data obtained by conversion in the image processing circuit 5a has a data amount suitable for the communication rate of the network. In the first embodiment, the data is converted into JPEG format data. MPEG
Other formats such as formats may be used. As described above, the image processing unit 5 for processing the video is composed of the image processing circuit 5aa and the image compression means 6.

A storage unit 7a stores various information and temporarily stores the image data compressed by the image compression means 6.
Is a camera information memory unit provided in the storage unit 7 capable of storing image pickup position information of the image pickup unit 4 such as pan data, tilt data, and zoom data, and other camera information. When there is access from the terminal device 2, a display information memory unit that stores attached images to be displayed on the browser of the terminal device 2 together with an image captured by the image capturing unit 4, and 7c is a terminal IP address of the accessed terminal device or a user. The access management memory unit stores an ID, a password, and other terminal device information unique to the terminal device 2. The attached information includes, for example, various kinds of related information such as advertisement information related to images, management information related to image articles, and detailed description. An attachment range angle (described later) to which the same attachment information is attached is also stored in the camera information memory unit 7a after the calculation.

Reference numeral 8 receives camera control data for controlling the image pickup unit 4 and posture (position) control such as pan and tilt via the network 3, and receives the image pickup data compressed by the image compression means 6 and the attached information. A server unit that can send to the device 2.

Reference numeral 9 is an image processing circuit 5a and an image compression means 6.
An arithmetic control unit 9 for controlling the image processing unit 5 provided with the camera adjusting unit 12 for controlling the camera adjusting unit 12 described later and for controlling the camera adjusting mechanism 11 via the camera adjusting unit 12.
Reference numeral a is a clock means for measuring the access time when there is access and time management for time management, and 10 is a network interface for transmitting and receiving between the network 3 and the image server 1 according to a protocol. When a plurality of image pickup units 4 are provided, the arithmetic control unit 9 uses the sent camera control data and the ID address or password to
The image pickup unit 4 to be photographed is selected and switched for each user information. That is, the image server according to the first embodiment is
The user information is discriminated by the D address or the password, the image pickup units 4 that take images in units of user information are switched, the attached information is registered separately for each image pickup unit 4, and the attached information provided for each user is set separately. Since the attached information to be displayed is changed every time, even security information can be attached without anxiety.

The calculation control means 9 of the first embodiment is based on the image pickup position information stored in the camera information memory section 7a.
Determine the attachment range angle to which the attachment information is related. That is, a range in which the image pickup position (pan, tilt, zoom) of the image of the input page requested to be registered from the terminal device 2 is centered, and a half screen is scrolled forward, backward, leftward, and rightward by 1/2 screen is calculated as an attachment range angle. . However, it is also preferable to be able to change the attachment range angle for each user information according to the common needs of users. Further, between adjacent attachment range angles, a margin area that does not relate attachment information may be provided between two attachment range angles. In this case, all adjacent attachment range angles will be reduced in the adjacent direction.
The attached information does not collide between the two attachment range angles, which facilitates management. Further, when there is no attached information within the attached range angle, the display information creation processing unit 13 calculates and accesses the positional information (distance information) to the shortest attached range angle zone in which the attached information 21b exists. When the attached information is displayed on the existing terminal device 2, it is possible to easily grasp the location of the shortest attached information when the attached information is not displayed.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a camera adjustment mechanism capable of changing the image pickup angle such as the pan position and tilt position of the image pickup unit 4 and zoom or aperture, and 12 denotes a camera adjustment means for controlling the camera adjustment mechanism 11 and the camera unit 4a. . Pan means left / right swing change, tilt means up / down tilt angle displacement, and pan adjustment by the camera adjustment mechanism 11 is panning motor, tilt is changed by tilt motor, and zoom is changed. Is a zoom motor. The camera adjusting means 12 has a CCD driver or the like for controlling the number of rotations and the direction of rotation of the panning motor, the tilting motor, and the zooming motor, and performing image pickup control of the camera section 4a, and also controls the diaphragm and the like. .

Reference numeral 13 transmits to the server section 8 via the network 3 a display page consisting of image pickup data and attached information as shown in FIG. 2A, and an input for writing the attached information from the terminal device 2. When there is a request for a page, the input page is transmitted to this terminal device 2, and when the input page (input information) in which attached information as shown in FIG. 2B is requested to be registered, this attached information is displayed. It is a display information creation processing unit that is stored in the memory unit 7b and further reflected on the display page. It is simple and preferable to send the display page itself as the input page. In this case, registration can be requested immediately. The display information creation processing unit 13 is configured by loading a program such as CGI or Java into a central processing unit (CPU), and is stored in the display information memory unit 7b when a request is made from the terminal device 2 via the network 3. The display page data and the input page data including the captured image data and the attached information are transmitted as HTML data or a script.

When the server unit 8 is accessed by the terminal device 2, the server unit 8 retrieves the terminal IP address information, the user ID, the password, etc. included in the access request and registers them in the access management memory unit 7c. Also, the server unit 8
The display information creation processing unit 13 sends the display page with the attached imaging data, and receives the camera control data sent from the terminal device 2 that received the display page. Arithmetic control means 9
Is the specified angle change data (fast-forward) for significantly changing the imaging angle according to the data in the camera information memory unit 7a and the sent camera control data, small normal feed data, and automatic imaging start for performing the automatic imaging mode. Data such as data is determined by referring to the access management memory unit 7c,
The camera adjusting means 12 is controlled. Note that the camera information memory unit 7a and the storage unit 7 described above all store many setting values for camera control data. For example,
In the automatic image capturing mode, a predetermined interval (automatic image capturing angle) for automatically moving the camera unit 4a by the camera adjusting unit 12 to capture an image, a predetermined swing speed, an image capturing time interval, and the like. Then, the arithmetic control unit 9 reads out these set values from the camera information memory unit 7a and the storage unit 7 according to the camera control data, and delivers them to the camera adjustment unit 12 together with the camera control data. However, these will not be described in detail.

Next, the terminal device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B. 15 is the terminal device 2
With the browser means, display page data including HTML data or script in which the storage position information of the imaging data and other screen information are described from the server unit 8 of the image server 1 and input page data for entering attached information. Is received and displayed on a display screen such as an LCD. The browser means 15 of the first embodiment is general-purpose browser software (for example, a browser application such as Netscape (registered trademark) or Internet Explorer (trademark)).
Is mounted on the terminal device 2. Therefore, the browser unit 15 can display the information on other screens on the network 3 according to the URL indicating the storage location of the target data. Reference numeral 16 is an image decompression means capable of decompressing the received compressed data, 17 is a terminal operation control means for controlling each part of the terminal device 2 such as controlling the image decompression means 16 for decompressing an image, 18 Is a network interface between the network 3 and the terminal device 2.

In FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, 19
Is actively embedded in the graphical input screen of the display page or input page transmitted in a predetermined format (eg, HTML data that can be displayed by a general-purpose browser, Java script, etc.) from the server unit 8 and A normal feed button that can change the image pickup angle of the camera unit 4a in small increments of one predetermined rotation angle, and a fast feed button 20 that sends the specified angle change data when the image pickup angle is significantly changed. When the normal feed button 19 and the fast feed button 20 are clicked, the server unit 8 receives them as camera control data, and the arithmetic control unit 9 controls the imaging unit 4.

Reference numeral 21 is a display page screen displayed by the browser means 15 according to the display page data, 21a is an image taken by the image pickup section 4, 21b is attached information, and 21c.
Is an input request button, 21d is an end button, 22 is an input page screen displayed by the browser means 15 according to the input page data, 22a is a registration request button, 22b is an attached information entry field, 22c is an end button, and 23 is a screen input. It is a GUI input means for outputting the input as a control signal. Although not shown, on the display screen displayed by the browser unit 15, an automatic image capturing button for sending the automatic image capturing data for setting the automatic image capturing mode to the image server 1 and a stop button for stopping this are also displayed. Has been done.

As described above, in the first embodiment, since the GUI input is performed from the display page screen 21 by the display of the normal feed button 19 and the fast feed button 20 on the screen, the image pickup angle of the camera adjustment mechanism 11 can be easily obtained. Can be operated. Further, since the normal feed button 19 and the fast feed button 20 are actively embedded in the display page screen 21 and the image 21a and the attached information 21b are also displayed, the GUI input is performed while observing the information on the display screen. Thus, the image pickup section 4 can be operated immediately. Similarly, when requesting the input page screen 22 from the image server 1, the display information creation processing unit 13 of the image server 1 creates an input page by pressing the input request button 21c of the display page screen 21. The input page screen 22 can be easily displayed by the browser 15 by transmitting it via the server unit 8. By writing new attached information 21b or updated attached information 21b on the input page screen 22 and clicking the registration request button 22a, the attached information 21b is immediately reflected on the display page screen 21 and displayed. If the input page screen 22 is captured in the display page and the registration request button 22a is provided instead of the input request button 21c, the attached information 21b to be updated immediately can be written and uploaded without requesting the input.

Reference numeral 24 is a camera control data transmission means for generating control data to be sent to the image server 1 based on the input from the GUI input means 23. The camera control data transmission means 24 creates camera control data, and this camera control data is sent to the image server 1 via the network interface 18. In addition to sending such control data, the camera control data transmission means 24 receives the access page (not shown) for receiving the display page from the image server 1 by the input means (not shown) of the terminal device 2. User ID on the input page
It also has a function to write a password and send it back to the image server 1. It should be noted that the camera control data transmission means 24 is used for HTML or Ja sent from the image server 1 to the terminal device 2.
It may be configured in the terminal device 2 by a va script or the like. At this time, when a graphical input screen is displayed on the terminal device 2 and the user inputs to the screen using an input means such as a mouse, the HTML And Java
A command (camera control data) that can be recognized by the image server 1 is generated according to a program such as a script. In this case, the terminal device 2 can use a general-purpose PC or the like, and system complexity can be avoided.

Next, the process of associating the attached information with the image using the image server and the terminal device of the first embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for displaying attached information on the image server and the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for uploading attached information on the image server and the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, when the image server 1 is accessed from the terminal device 2 (step 1), the server unit 8 includes the terminal I included in the access request (attached to the access page).
P address information, user ID, password, etc. are taken out and registered in the access management memory unit 7c (step
2).

Next, the arithmetic control means 9 takes out the image pickup position information of the image pickup section 4 for picking up the image pickup data to be transmitted from the camera information memory section 7a, and based on this, the attached information 21b within the attachment range angle. Determine (step 3). If there is no attached information 21b within the attached range angle, it is determined that there is no attached information 21b. In the first embodiment, the attachment range angle is calculated with the attachment range angle being a range in which the screen is scrolled by ½ screen in front, rear, left and right around the image pickup position of the image registered on the input page.

Next, the display information creation processing unit 13 captures image data captured by the image capturing unit 4 from the display information memory unit 7b,
The attached information and page data related to the image pickup position of the image pickup unit 4 that picked up the image pickup data are read, created as a display page, and transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step
p4). When the display information creation processing unit 13 stores the attached information 21b in the display information memory unit 7b in association with the user information based on the user ID, password, etc., the user information is determined from the ID address or the password, and the image is captured. Of the attached information associated with the imaging position of the unit 4, the attached information 21b associated with the user information
Just attach.

In the terminal device 2, the browser means 15 displays the display page screen 21 (step 5). On the display page screen 21, an image 21a, attached information 21b related by this time, and an input request button 21c are displayed. Here, the user determines whether to continue the shooting display by the image server 1 or to end (step 6). When ending, click the end button 21d to end (step 13). To continue the shooting display, the user operates the normal feed button 19, the fast feed button 20 and the like on the display page screen 21 (step 7). As a result, the camera control data transmission means 24 of the terminal device 2 creates camera control data, and this camera control data is sent to the image server 1 via the network interface 18 (step 8). When the camera control data transmitting means 24 is composed of HTML data from the image server 1 or Java script, the camera control data is also processed by the CGI or script function like other inputs.

The server section 8 of the image server 1 receives this as camera control data, and the arithmetic control means 9 controls the image pickup section 4 (step 9). After being adjusted by the camera adjustment mechanism 11, the image capturing unit 4 captures an image at a new image capturing position,
The arithmetic control unit 9 determines whether or not this new imaging position is included in the attached range angle already calculated in step 4 (step 10).

In step 10, when the new image pickup position is included in the already calculated attachment range angle, the image pickup data photographed by the image pickup unit 4 by the display information creation processing unit 13 is associated with this. Step 5
The same attached information 21b and page data as those displayed in step 2 are read out and created as a display page, and the terminal device 2
Or the attached information and the like are displayed on the terminal device 2 as they are, and only the imaging data is transmitted (st
ep11). In the terminal device 2, the browser means 15 displays the display page screen 21 (step 5) and repeats this. In step 10, if the new image pickup position is not included in the already calculated attachment range angle, the arithmetic control unit 9 picks up new image pickup data to be transmitted. Attached information 2 that is taken out from 7a and is within the attachment range angle based on this
1b is determined (step 12), and the display information creation processing unit 1
3 reads the attached information 21b from the display information memory unit 7b, reads the page data, creates a display page with this, and sends it to the terminal device 2 (step 13). If there is no related attached information 21b, there is no attached information 21b to be sent, so the attached information 21b is not sent. In the terminal device 2, the browser means 15 displays the display page screen 21 (step 5) and repeats this.

Next, the process of calling the input page screen 22 from the display page screen 21 and inputting the attached information 21b will be described.

First, with the display page screen 21 open, it is determined whether or not the attached information 21b is to be input (st
ep21), when inputting, operate the normal feed button 19, the fast feed button 20 and the like on the display page screen 21 to move the camera unit 4a to an image pickup position where an image desired to be associated with newly input attached information 21b can be picked up. , Click the input request button 21c on the display page screen 21 (s
(Step 22). Exit button 2 to stop entering
Click 1d to finish (step 31). HTM
The display information creation processing unit 13 of the image server 1 transmits the input page via the server unit 8 using L data or Java script (step 23), and the browser means 15 displays the input page screen 22 (step 24). An image 21a and a registration request button 22a are displayed on the input page screen 22.
Then, the attached information entry field 22b is displayed.

The user determines whether or not to continue to input the attached information 21b (step 25), and when ending, clicks the end button 21d to end (step 3).
1). When continuing the input, the attached information 21b newly posted in the attached information entry field 22b while looking at the image 21a,
Alternatively, enter the attached information 21b to be updated (step
26). After the entry, it is determined whether or not the input page (input information) is transmitted (step 27).

When not transmitting, the end button 21d is clicked to end (step 25), and when transmitting,
Click the registration request button 22a to send (step
p28). The display information creation processing unit 13 of the image server 1 uses the HTML data or Java script to attach the attached information 21b.
Is stored in the display information memory unit 7b, and the display page attached with the updated attachment information 21b is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step 29) and displayed on the browser means 15 (step 30). After that, the process returns to step 21. It should be noted that this input page screen is secured with an ID or the like so that only a predetermined user can display it.

As described above, when the image server 1 according to the first embodiment receives the request for registering the input page in which the attached information 21b is written, the arithmetic control means 9 attaches the attached information 2
In order to determine the attachment range angle to which 1b is attached and to associate the attachment information 21b with the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit 4 that picks up the image pickup data to be transmitted by the display information creation processing unit 13, the attachment information 21b is attached. It can be displayed together with the image that is always being shot within the angle range. Further, since the attachment range angle is a range in which the screen is scrolled by 1/2 screen back and forth and left and right around the image pickup position where the image at the time of registration is displayed, the attachment range angle can be easily determined. Note that the attachment range angle does not have to be a range in which the screen is scrolled by 1/2 screen back and forth and left and right around the imaging position where the image at the time of registration is displayed. The attached information may be displayed.

(Second Embodiment) An image server 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup device of an image server according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The image server 1 according to the second embodiment is different from the image server 1 according to the first embodiment in which the image pickup unit 4 is built-in, and is characterized in that an external image pickup device 41 is provided. Since it is the same as the image server system including the image server 1 and the terminal device 2 according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5, 41 is an external image pickup device,
41a is a camera unit of the image pickup apparatus 41 according to the second embodiment, 42 is a pan position of the camera unit 41a of the image pickup apparatus 41,
A camera adjustment mechanism capable of changing an image pickup angle such as a tilt position and the zoom or aperture, 43 an in-camera mechanism control means for controlling the camera adjustment mechanism 42, and 44 an image pickup device mounting portion for connecting the image pickup device 41 to the image server 1. .

When the arithmetic control means 9 instructs the camera adjusting means 12 to control the camera section 4a and the camera adjusting mechanism 42, the camera adjusting means 12 sends out serial control data, and the RS-232C cable and the image pickup device are attached. It is sent to the in-camera mechanism control means 43 via the section 44 to control the camera adjustment mechanism 42.

The camera section 41a, which has received the photographing instruction from the camera adjusting means 12, takes in a video signal of the NTSC system or the like which is photographed by the camera section 41a and digitally sampled, and A / D-converts the luminance as image data ( Y) and color difference signals (Cb, Cr) are sent to the image processing circuit 5a. Next, in the image compression means 6, the image data obtained by the conversion in the image processing circuit 5a is converted into data of the JPEG format or the like having a data amount suitable for the communication rate of the network.

As described above, since the image pickup device 41 is an external device, any type of image pickup device 41 can be connected, and various external image pickup devices 41 can be supported, which is convenient. The property is improved.

The image server 1 of the second embodiment is
The image server 1 and the image server system each include one external image pickup device 41, but the image server 1 may include a plurality of external image pickup devices 41. In this case, the image server 1 switches and controls each imaging device 41. Attached information 21b for each imaging device 41
Can be registered separately, and can be used as an image server that can deliver detailed information.

(Third Embodiment) Next, an image server according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image server system including an image server and a terminal device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The image server 1 according to the third embodiment receives, in addition to the display information creation processing unit and the server unit according to the first embodiment, an email that receives an email including the attachment information and the imaging position information transmitted from the terminal device. It is characterized in that a transmission / reception unit is provided, and other points are the same as those of the image server system including the image server 1 and the terminal device 2 according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 51 is a mail transmitting / receiving unit for receiving electronic mail, and 52 is a terminal mail transmitting / receiving unit.

When the image server 1 of the third embodiment receives the e-mail containing the attached information 21b and the image pickup position information from the terminal mail transmission / reception unit 52 of the terminal device 2, the display information creation processing unit 13 causes the attached information to be displayed. 21b is stored in the display information memory unit 7b, and the imaging position information is stored in the camera information memory unit 7a. The attached information 21b and the image pickup position information to be put on the electronic mail may be made into an attached file as an HTML file. The arithmetic control unit 9 determines the attachment range angle to which the attachment information 21b is related based on the image pickup position information of the electronic mail. Similar to the first embodiment, the image pickup position of the registered image is taken as the center to move forward / backward in the left / right direction 1 /
The attachment range angle is calculated with the range scrolled by two screens as the attachment range angle.

The image server 1 according to the third embodiment sends an electronic mail containing the number of accesses made from the terminal device 2 via the network from the mail transmitting / receiving unit 51 and / or the update information of the attached information 21b. ing. As a result, the number of times of access and the update information of the attached information can be provided to the user, respectively, and the image server 1 is highly useful. The electronic mail to be sent at this time is preferably sent only when the terminal device 2 requests a mail via the network. In this case, it is possible to avoid unnecessary information distribution.

Further, the display information creation processing section 13 reads the attached information 21b from the display information memory section 7b, creates HTML data having the imaged data and the attached information 21b as contents, and transfers it as an electronic mail from the mail transmitting / receiving section 51. You can also Information can be distributed to other terminal devices 2 by e-mail, and the image server can be highly useful.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, after the position of the image pickup unit is changed by the camera control data sent via the network, the display information creation processing unit causes the changed image pickup position of the image pickup unit. Is within the attachment range angle, and if it is determined to be within the attachment range angle, the display page related to the attachment range angle is sent to the accessing terminal device via the server unit. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit determines the attachment range angle to which the attachment information is attached from the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit,
When the image pickup position of the image pickup unit is within the attachment range angle, the display information creation processing unit can correlate the image pickup data with the attached information, and the attached information is recorded as an image taken within the attachment range angle. It can be displayed together.

When there are a plurality of pieces of attached information, the attachment range angle corresponding to one piece of attached information is calculated so as not to overlap the attachment range angle corresponding to another piece of attached information.
There is no need to display multiple attached information in piles.

When a request for registration of attached information in association with the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit is made, the image pickup position information is stored in the memory unit, so that the image pickup position information and the attachment information are attached from the terminal device connected to the network. Information can be registered and attached information can be easily changed or added.

Further, when the server section receives the input page from the network, the display information creation processing section for storing the attached information in the memory section and reflecting it on the display page to be transmitted thereafter, and the imaging position information when the input page is input are displayed. And a calculation control means for determining an attachment range angle for associating the attached information with the captured image data, and the display information creation processing unit associates the captured image data captured within the attached range angle with the attached information. , When a picture is taken somewhere within the attachment range angle via the network, the display information creation processing unit sends the display page to the terminal device that is accessing and displays it. Therefore, the input page in which the attachment information is written is registered. When the request to that effect is received, the arithmetic control unit determines the attachment range angle to which the attached information is attached, and the display information creation processing unit Can perform association of the accompanying information, it can be displayed together with the captured image to the accompanying information within the scope of the appended range angle.

Further, since the attached range angle is a range in which the screen is scrolled by 1/2 screen back and forth and left and right around the image pickup position when the input information is input, the attached range angle is 1
Since the range rotated by / 2 screens is set as the attachment range angle, it is easy to determine the attachment range angle.

When there is no attached information within the attached range angle, the display information creation processing unit calculates the position information up to the shortest attached range angle where the attached information exists, and displays the image on the terminal device that is accessing. Will be displayed with
When the attached information is not displayed, the location of the shortest attached information can be easily grasped.

When the attachment range angles are adjacent to each other, the adjacent attachment range angles are reduced, so that the attached information can be easily managed.

Further, the attached information is associated with each user information, and when the user accesses through the network, the user information is discriminated by using the ID address or the password, and the attached information associated with the user information is identified. Since only the information is reflected on the display page, the user information can be immediately known from the ID address or password, only the attached information related to the user can be transmitted, and the attached information that meets the user's needs can be delivered together with the image.

Further, since the attachment range angle is changed for each user information, the range of the image of interest is different for each user, so that detailed information distribution can be performed.

Further, since a plurality of image pickup units are provided and the image pickup units to be photographed are switched according to the camera control data, and the attached information is separately registered for each image pickup unit, different attached information is provided to the images of the plurality of image pickup units. It can be attached and detailed information can be distributed.

Further, a plurality of image pickup units are provided, and the image pickup unit to be photographed is switched for each user information by the sent camera control data and the ID address or password, and the attached information is separately registered for each image pickup unit. Therefore, the attached information to be provided to the user can be separated by the ID address or the password, and since the attached information displayed for each user is changed, even the security information can be attached.

Further, a mail transmitting / receiving unit for receiving an electronic mail containing the attached information and the image pickup position information transmitted from the terminal device is provided, and the attachment range angle relating the attached information to the image pickup data is determined based on the image pickup position information. Then, the image data captured within the attachment range angle is associated with the attachment information, and when somewhere within the attachment range angle is captured via the network, the terminal accessed by the display information creation processing unit Since the image server is characterized by sending a display page to the device for display, the attached information and the imaging position information are sent by e-mail, so the attached information and the attachment range angle can be determined very easily.

Further, since the attached information and the image pickup position information are extracted from the HTML data having the attached information and the image pickup position information and stored in the memory unit, the attached information and the image pickup position are extracted from the HTML data transmitted by the electronic mail. Since the information is obtained, the attached information and the attachment range angle can be determined very easily.

Further, since the e-mail containing the number of times of access and / or the update information of the attached information is transmitted from the mail transmitting / receiving unit, the number of times of access and the update information of the attached information can be provided to the user, respectively, and the utility value is further enhanced. Can be increased.

Further, when a request is made from the terminal device, an electronic mail is transmitted from the mail transmitting / receiving unit, so that it is possible to provide the user with the number of times of access and update information of attached information only when a mail request is made. There is no delivery.

Further, since the attached information is read from the memory unit, the image pickup data and the HTML data having the attached information are created and transferred from the mail transmitting / receiving unit as an electronic mail, the information is distributed to other terminal devices by electronic mail. Therefore, it can be an image server with high utility value.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image server system including an image server and a terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a display page screen diagram displayed on the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is an input page screen diagram displayed on the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for displaying attached information on the image server and the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for uploading attached information in the image server and the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image pickup device of an image server according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image server system including an image server and a terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image server 2 terminal devices 3 network 4 Imaging unit 4a camera section 5 Image processing unit 5a image processing circuit 6 Image compression means 7 memory 7a Camera information memory section 7b Display information memory section 7c Access management memory unit 8 server department 9 Arithmetic control means 9a Clock means 10 network interface 11 Camera adjustment mechanism 12 Camera adjustment means 13 Display information creation processing unit 15 Browser means 16 Image decompression means 17 Terminal arithmetic control means 18 network interface 19 Normal feed button 20 fast forward button 21 Display page screen 21a image 21b Attached information 21c Input request button 21d, 22c End button 22 Input page screen 22a Registration request button 22b Attachment information entry field 23 GUI input means 24 Camera control data transmission means 41 Imaging device 41a camera section 42 Camera adjustment mechanism 43 In-camera mechanism control means 44 Imaging device mounting part 51 Mail Send / Receive Unit 52 Terminal email sending / receiving unit

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C022 AA01 AB62 AB65 AB66 AC01                       AC27 AC31                 5C052 AA03 AA12 CC01 DD04                 5C054 AA01 CF05 CG08 DA09 EA07                       FE16 FE23 FF02 GA00 GB11                       GB18

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup section capable of controlling an image pickup position by camera control data from a network, an image processing section for converting a video signal picked up by the image pickup section into image pickup data of a predetermined format, and the conversion. A memory unit that stores the processed image pickup data and stores attached information related to the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, and an attachment range angle that associates the attached information with the image pickup data based on the image pickup position information. Determining whether the image pickup position of the image pickup unit is within the attachment range angle, and if it is determined that the image pickup position is within the attachment range angle, the image data is displayed on the display page to be transmitted. A display information creation processing unit that reflects the attachment information related to the attachment range angle, and transmits the display page to the terminal device via a network. An image server having a server unit for receiving camera control data from the terminal device, the display information after changing the position of the image pickup unit according to the camera control data sent via a network. The creation processing unit determines whether the image pickup position of the changed image pickup unit is within the attachment range angle, and if it is determined that the image pickup position is within the attachment range angle, the creation processing unit accesses through the server unit. An image server, wherein a display page related to the attachment range angle is sent to a terminal device for display and displayed. 2. The calculation control means calculates, when there are a plurality of pieces of attached information, an attachment range angle corresponding to one piece of attached information so as not to overlap an attachment range angle corresponding to another piece of attached information. The image server according to claim 1. 3. When the terminal device requests registration of attached information in association with the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, the image pickup position information is stored in a memory unit. The image server according to claim 2. 4. An image pickup section capable of controlling an image pickup position by camera control data from a network, an image processing section for converting a video signal picked up by the image pickup section into image pickup data of a predetermined format, and the conversion. A memory unit that stores the processed image pickup data and stores attached information related to the image pickup position information of the image pickup unit, and the image pickup data and the attached information stored in the memory unit on a predetermined display page through a network. While sending to the terminal device via
A server unit that receives camera control data from the terminal device via a network and receives the input information in which attached information is written when a registration request for an input page is made from the terminal device, and the server unit receives the input information. When the information is received from the network, the attached information is stored in the memory unit and reflected on the display page to be transmitted thereafter, and the attached information is stored based on the imaging position information when the input information is input. An image server, comprising: an arithmetic control unit that determines an attachment range angle to be associated with image pickup data, wherein the display information creation processing unit has a relationship between the image pickup data captured within the attachment range angle and the attachment information. When the image is attached and somewhere within the attachment range angle is photographed via the network, the end accessed by the display information creation processing unit. Image Server for causing display sends the display page to the apparatus. 5. The display information creation processing unit sets the range of scrolling by 1/2 screen in front, rear, left and right around the image pickup position when the input information is input as an attachment range angle. The image server according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. If there is no attached information within the attached range angle, the display information creation processing unit calculates the positional information up to the shortest attached range angle where the attached information exists, and the terminal device that is accessing. The image server according to claim 1, wherein the image server is displayed together with the image. 7. The image server according to claim 1, wherein when the attachment range angles are adjacent to each other, the adjacent attachment range angles are reduced. 8. The display information creation processing unit correlates the attached information for each user information, and when the user accesses through the network, the arithmetic operation control unit uses the ID address or the password. The image according to claim 1, wherein the display information creation processing unit reflects only the attached information related to the user information on the display page. server. 9. The image server according to claim 8, wherein the attachment range angle can be changed for each of the user information. 10. The image server according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of image pickup units, wherein the image pickup units to be photographed can be switched by camera control data, and each image pickup unit is attached. An image server characterized by information being registered separately. 11. The image server according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising a plurality of image pickup units, wherein the arithmetic and control unit uses the camera control data that has been sent and an ID address or password to provide user information. An image server, wherein the image pickup unit for photographing is switched for each image pickup unit, and attached information is separately registered for each image pickup unit. 12. The image server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a mail transmitting / receiving unit for receiving an electronic mail containing attached information and imaging position information transmitted from the terminal device, and performing an arithmetic operation. The control means determines an attachment range angle for associating the attached information with the imaged data based on the imaged position information, and the display information creation processing unit captures the imaged data captured within the attached range angle and the attached information. And when somewhere within the attachment range angle is photographed via the network, the display information creation processing unit sends a display page to the terminal device that is accessing and displays it. Image server. 13. The display information creation processing unit extracts the attached information and the image pickup position information from HTML data containing the attached information and the image pickup position information and stores them in the memory unit. The image server according to item 12. 14. The number of accesses through a network,
14. The image server according to claim 13, wherein an electronic mail including update information of the attached information is transmitted from the mail transmitting / receiving unit. 15. The image server according to claim 14, wherein an electronic mail is transmitted from the mail transmitting / receiving unit when a request is made from a terminal device via a network. 16. A display information creation processing unit reads the attached information from the memory unit, creates imaging data and HTML data having the attached information as contents, and transfers it as an electronic mail from the mail transmitting / receiving unit. Claims 12 to 1
The image server according to any one of 5.