JP2013255041A - Image distribution apparatus, information processing apparatus, control method of them, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique of displaying a readable OSD character without damaging the content of a monitor image in an image distribution apparatus such as a network camera provided with an image cut-out function and an OSD character display function.SOLUTION: The image distribution apparatus comprises: a cut out unit which cuts out a portion of an image; a superimposition unit which superimposes on-screen display (OSD) information on the cut-out image cut out by the cut out unit; and a distribution unit which codes the cut-out image or the superimposition image obtained by superimposing the OSD information by the superimposition unit and distributes the image. The superimposition unit does not superimpose the OSD information on the cut-out image if determining that the OSD information cannot be read if the OSD information is superimposed on the cut-out image, from size setting information of the cut-out image and image quality setting information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image distribution apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program, and more particularly, to an OSD (On Screen Display) technique for displaying an image such as an arbitrary character or symbol superimposed on an image.

  A network camera having an OSD (on-screen display) function for creating a distribution image by superimposing characters and symbols on a captured image and distributing the image to a network is known. A network camera having a clipping function for distributing only an image in an arbitrary area designated by a user with respect to an image photographed at a wide angle is also known with the progress of high resolution of the photographed image in recent years.

  When viewing a distribution image using a viewer that receives and displays a captured image from a network camera, it is desirable that OSD characters are also displayed on the clipped image. However, if the cut-out image is small, superimposing OSD characters will hide image information more than necessary. In addition, if the OSD character font is reduced to match the size of the clipped image, there is a problem that the character cannot be read depending on the size of the clipped image.

  For example, FIG. 6 is a display example of OSD characters. The OSD character 602 is superimposed on the captured image 601 by the OSD function. As shown in FIG. 6, by superimposing the date, time, camera name, etc. taken, it becomes possible to confirm information at the time of photographing when reproducing an image. The captured image 603 is an example of a captured image that is smaller in size than the captured image 601. As can be seen from the OSD characters 604 superimposed on the photographed image 603, when the size of the photographed image is reduced, the OSD character font itself is also reduced so that the image is not hidden more than necessary by the OSD characters. Therefore, if the image size is further reduced and the font size is reduced, the character cannot be read at a certain stage.

  In order to solve such a problem, a method of enlarging a cutout image to a predetermined size in the camera and superimposing OSD characters on the enlarged image is performed, but the enlarged image has a large data size. There is a problem of squeezing the network bandwidth during distribution.

  On the other hand, when the OSD function is executed in the viewer, a technique for providing a function that allows the user to select whether or not to display the OSD character, and when OSD information is complicated, a symbol is simplified instead of the OSD character. Techniques for displaying information have also been proposed. In Patent Document 1, when displaying an image smaller than a predetermined size, a technique for selecting a character to be superimposed or selecting whether to display line drawing data according to the size, or A technique for superimposing and displaying symbol data or the like instead is disclosed. In this case, since the data is superimposed when the captured image is displayed, the presence / absence of the superposition may be determined in consideration of only the enlargement / reduction size of the display image.

JP 2007-282279 A

  However, even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, an image distribution apparatus such as a network camera superimposes and encodes an OSD character at the time of shooting, so that the OSD character can be set according to a video quality setting such as an encoding compression rate. Affects interpretation. For this reason, there is a problem that it is impossible to determine whether or not characters are superimposed only by the image size.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides a technology for displaying readable OSD characters without losing the contents of a monitoring video in an image distribution apparatus such as a network camera having an image cutout function and an OSD character display function. The purpose is to provide.

An image distribution apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows.
Clipping means for cutting out a part of an image;
Superimposing means for superimposing on-screen display (OSD) information on the cut-out image cut out by the cut-out means;
Distribution means for encoding and distributing the clipped image or the superimposed image on which the OSD information is superimposed by the superimposing means,
When the OSD information is determined to be unreadable when the OSD information is superimposed on the clipped image based on the size setting information and the image quality setting information of the clipped image, The OSD information is not superimposed on the.

  According to the present invention, when OSD display is performed also on a cut-out image, OSD characters that cannot be read are not superposed unnecessarily, and related information can be transmitted as much as possible while maintaining the quality of the captured image. This makes it possible to greatly improve the efficiency of video surveillance.

The figure which shows the example of the connection form of the network imaging | photography system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is an external view of a network imaging device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network imaging device according to a first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by the network imaging device (image distribution device) according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the table which described the combination of the cutting size and image quality setting which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the flag information of whether to perform OSD superimposition about the said combination. The figure which shows the example of a display of the OSD character to a picked-up image. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by a network imaging device (image distribution device) according to a second embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the JPEG header in which the OSD character code data which concern on 2nd Embodiment were embedded. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by a network imaging device (image distribution device) according to a third embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the cut-out image which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of UI display used when the clipped image area | region is designated in the video viewer apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows another UI display example used when the clipped image area | region is designated in the video viewer apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of UI display used when the clipped image area | region is designated in the video viewer apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the image | video viewer apparatus concerning 6th Embodiment implements.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, the example of the connection form of the network imaging | photography system which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. In FIG. 1, network photographing apparatuses 101-104 are connected to the Internet 106 through a LAN line 105. Video data captured by each network imaging device 101-104 is distributed from the Internet 106 to the video viewer devices (information processing devices) 107-108 and the recording server device 109, which are clients, via the LAN line 105. The network imaging device 101-104 captures an image and distributes the captured image. However, the image capturing device that captures an image and the image distribution device that distributes the image may be separated into different devices. Good.

  Video viewer devices (information processing devices) 107 to 108 are clients connected to the LAN line 110. The video viewer devices 107-108 include, for example, an application that operates on a personal computer (PC), a home digital TV, a mobile terminal, and the like. In addition to the function of reproducing and displaying the video data distributed from the network imaging device 101-104 in real time, the video viewer device 107-108 performs shooting condition setting and pan / tilt / zoom for the network imaging device 101-104. It has a UI (user interface) function for performing imaging control such as operation.

  The recording server device 109 is connected to the LAN line 110 and constantly records video data distributed from the network imaging devices 101-104 on a built-in hard disk. The recording server device 109 includes a dedicated recording application that runs on a server PC and a dedicated hardware. It is also possible to distribute the data recorded by the recording server device 109 to the network and reproduce and display it by the video viewer devices 107-108.

  In this network photographing system, when the user controls the photographing direction of the network photographing device 101-104, an operation command is sent to the LAN line 110, the Internet 106, and the LAN line 105 by an operation from the viewer device 107-108 which is a normal client. Via the operation command, pan, tilt, and rotation operations are executed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, details of the network imaging devices 101 to 104 according to the first embodiment will be described. The network photographing apparatuses 101 to 104 include a lens unit 201, a dome unit 202, and a camera base unit 203. The lens unit 201 includes a pan, tilt, and rotation mechanism. The dome part 202 is a transparent dome cover for protecting the lens part 201. The camera base unit 203 supports the lens unit 201.

  An operation trajectory 204 indicates the pan operation direction, and the lens unit 201 itself rotates as the upper part of the camera base unit 203 rotates. An operation trajectory 205 indicates a tilt operation direction, and a rotation mechanism is provided at portions supported at both ends of the lens unit 201, so that the lens unit 201 can be moved from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. An operation trajectory 206 indicates a rotation operation direction, and a captured image can be rotated by a rotation mechanism inside the lens.

  With reference to FIG. 3, an example of the internal configuration of the network imaging device 101-104 according to the first embodiment will be described. The network imaging device 101-104 includes a lens unit 301, a CCD unit 302, a signal processing unit 303, an on-screen display (OSD) processing unit 304, an encoding unit 305, a communication processing unit 306, and a camera control unit. 307, a motor driving unit 308, a pan / tilt / rotation motor 309, a lens driving unit 310, a CPU 311, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, and an image clipping unit 314. The network imaging device 101-104 captures an image and distributes the captured image. However, the image capturing device that captures an image and the image distribution device that distributes the image may be separated into different devices. Good.

  Hereinafter, processing until video data captured by the network imaging apparatus 101-104 is distributed to the LAN line 105 will be described. The optical image captured from the lens unit 301 is converted into RGB digital data by the CCD unit 302 and then sent to the signal processing unit 303. The signal processing unit 303 performs processing for converting RGB digital data into digital data in YCbCr4: 2: 0 format or YCbCr4: 2: 2 format, conversion processing to a requested transmission video image size, various filter processing, and the like. Do. The processed captured image data (entire area image data) is sent to the OSD processing unit 304 or the image cutout unit 314.

  The image cutout unit 314 performs a cutout process of cutting out a part of the area specified by the user from the captured image sent from the signal processing unit 303, and generates a cutout image. This cut-out image is sent to the OSD processing unit 304. The OSD processing unit 304 generates OSD image data for the OSD characters and symbols set by the user, and further superimposes the OSD image data on the image data input from the signal processing unit 303 or the image clipping unit 314 to generate the superimposed image data. Generate the process.

  The encoding unit 305 executes processing for encoding and compressing the superimposed image data acquired from the OSD processing unit 304 into the MPEG4 format or the JPEG format. The MPEG4 moving image stream data or each JPEG still image data generated by the encoding unit 305 is sent to the communication processing unit 306. The communication processing unit 306 distributes the data to each client via the LAN line 105 according to a network protocol such as TCP / IP, HTTP, or RTP.

  The camera control unit 307 controls the motor driving unit 308 and the lens driving unit 310. The camera control unit 307 outputs control signals for panning, tilting, and rotation operations and control signals for zooming and AF (autofocus) operations in accordance with instructions from the CPU 311 described later.

  The motor drive unit 308 includes a motor drive circuit and the like, and can drive the pan / tilt / rotation motor 309 in accordance with a control signal acquired from the camera control unit 307 and change the shooting direction of the camera by the rotation of the motor. The lens driving unit 310 includes a motor for performing various controls such as zoom and AF, and a motor drive circuit, and controls zoom and AF according to a control signal acquired from the camera control unit 307.

  The CPU 311 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the entire network photographing apparatus by executing control program codes stored in a ROM (read only memory) 312. A ROM 312 and a RAM (random access memory) 313 are connected to the CPU 311. The CPU 311 is also connected to the signal processing unit 303, the image cropping unit 314, the OSD processing unit 304, the encoding unit 305, and the communication processing unit 306. The CPU 311 starts / stops the operation for each module and the operating conditions. Control of each module is performed by executing the setting and acquisition of operation results.

  The ROM 312 stores program codes and data for the CPU 311 to control the network imaging device such as application processing. The RAM 313 is a memory for writing and reading data when the CPU 311 reads and executes a program stored in the ROM 312. The RAM 313 includes a work area, a temporary save area, and the like that are used by the CPU 311 when executing the control program of the network imaging device.

  Next, a processing procedure of the CPU 311 of the network imaging device, which is an image distribution device that distributes images, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 401, the CPU 311 performs processing for acquiring cutout area information set by the user. The acquisition of the area information may be performed by storing the setting value if it is set in advance by the viewer devices 107 and 108 as clients, and reading the stored setting value. An inquiry may be made again to the viewer devices 107 and 108 in which the cut-out area information is set.

  In step S <b> 402, the CPU 311 performs processing for obtaining a video quality setting value (image quality setting information), for example, a value of an encoding compression rate. In S403, the CPU 311 determines the extracted image size based on the extracted image size (size setting information) obtained from the extracted area information acquired in S401 and the video quality setting value (image quality setting information) acquired in S402. It is determined whether or not the OSD character superimposed on the cut-out image is a readable combination. When it is determined that the OSD character is a readable combination (S403; YES), the process proceeds to S404. On the other hand, when it is determined that the OSD character is an unreadable combination (S403; NO), the process proceeds to S405.

  The determination process may be performed by holding predetermined combination data as a table in the camera and checking whether the combination data matches the calculated data. This may be done by checking whether or not the specified value is exceeded. An example of this table will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a table describing whether or not OSD superimposition is performed for each combination of the cut-out size and the image quality setting. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the cutout size 501 has four types of image resolutions of 1280 × 960, 640 × 480, 320 × 240, and 160 × 120. The image quality setting 502 has five stages from “1” to “5”, and is an encoding setting in which the higher the number, the higher the image quality, that is, the lower the compression rate.

  The flag 503 is a flag for indicating whether or not the OSD superimposed character can be read, that is, whether or not to perform the superimposition process, for each combination of the cutout size 501 and the image quality setting 502. Here, “1” indicates that OSD superimposition is performed, and “0” indicates that OSD superimposition is not performed. For example, when the cutout size 501 is 1280 × 960, the flag 503 is “1” for all of the image quality settings 502 “1” to “5”, and OSD superimposition is performed with all of these combinations. When the cutout size 501 is 640 × 480, the image quality setting 502 is “2” to “5”, the flag 503 is “1”, and OSD superimposition is performed for these combinations. When the cutout size 501 is 320 × 240, the image quality setting 502 is “3” to “5”, the flag 503 is “1”, and OSD superimposition is performed for these combinations. When the cutout size 501 is 160 × 120, the flag 503 is “0” for any value of the image quality setting 502, and OSD superimposition is not performed.

  As shown in this table, for high-quality images with high image quality setting values (close to “5”), the OSD display is highly readable even when the cut-out size is small, and therefore superimposition processing is performed. You can see that the number of combinations is increasing.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, in step S <b> 404, the CPU 311 controls the OSD processing unit 304 to execute an instruction to perform OSD character superimposition control. In step S405, the CPU 311 controls the OSD processing unit 304 to execute an instruction not to superimpose OSD characters. In other words, when the OSD information is superimposed on the cutout image and the OSD information is determined to be unreadable, the CPU 311 instructs the OSD information not to be superimposed on the cutout image. Thus, the processes in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when OSD display is performed on a cut-out image, OSD characters that cannot be read are not superimposed unnecessarily, so that the quality of the captured image is maintained as much as possible. Related information can be transmitted, and the efficiency of video surveillance can be greatly improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which useless OSD superposition is not performed depending on the combination condition of the cut-out image size and the image quality setting. However, some users may require OSD information for any image size. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a configuration for transmitting OSD information for any cut image will be described. Note that the configuration of the network imaging device according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the procedure of the process which the network imaging device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment implements is demonstrated. This network imaging device is an image distribution device that distributes a captured image. In FIG. 7, the processes of S701 to S705 are the same as the processes of S401 to S405 described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in S703 that the OSD character is a combination that cannot be read, and if an instruction not to superimpose the OSD character is issued in S705, the CPU 311 further displays the header area (for example, JPEG header) of the image data in S706. The process of embedding OSD character code data is executed. That is, when it is determined that the OSD information is not readable, the CPU 311 embeds the data of the OSD information in a part of the distribution data of the cutout image. Although the OSD character is not superimposed, the user can obtain the OSD character code information.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a JPEG header in which OSD character code data is embedded. In FIG. 8, the JPEG header includes a JPEG header marker portion 801, a JPEG header portion 802, a user area marker portion 803, an OSD character string portion 804, and JPEG encoded data.

  A JPEG header marker portion 801 indicates the start of the JPEG header. The JPEG header unit 802 stores various types of information regarding image size and encoding in a format defined by the JPEG standard. The user area marker portion 803 indicates the start position that the subsequent data is an area that can be freely defined by the user. The OSD character string unit 804 stores the character code of the OSD character. JPEG encoded data 805 indicates JPEG encoded image data. In addition to embedding the OSD character information in the distribution image, it may be transmitted to the client as separate distribution data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user needs OSD information for any image size, the OSD information can be acquired.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, as an example of transmitting OSD information to a user, a configuration that simultaneously distributes minimum image data that can be read by OSD even when transmitting image data that is not OSD superimposed will be described.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the procedure of the process which the network imaging device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment implements is demonstrated. This network imaging device is an image distribution device that distributes a captured image. In FIG. 9, the processes of S901 to S905 are the same as the processes of S401 to S405 described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S903 that the OSD character is an unreadable combination, and if an instruction not to superimpose the OSD character is issued in step S905, the CPU 311 can perform OSD superimposition with the same image size as the cut-out size in step S906. An instruction is executed to simultaneously generate image data with a condition for setting a suitable image quality. That is, when it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read, the CPU 311 sets an image quality setting that allows the OSD information to be read for the clipped image in the encoding unit 305. Then, the encoding unit 305 generates image data on which the OSD information is superimposed with this image quality setting. Here, when there is no image quality setting that allows OSD superimposition to the same image size, the cut-out image enlargement process is performed to a size that allows OSD display.

  In step S907, the CPU 311 performs OSD superimposition on the generated image data. Alternatively, OSD superposition may be performed by enlarging the cut image to a size that allows OSD display while maintaining the image quality setting set for the cut image.

  In step S908, the CPU 311 performs processing for associating the cut-out image instructed not to superimpose OSD characters in step S905 and the generated image instructed to superimpose OSD characters in step S907, for example, a frame number indicating the relationship. Processing such as embedding in the user area of the image header as shown in the OSD character string portion 804 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when image data that is not OSD-superimposed is transmitted, the minimum image data that can be read by OSD is simultaneously distributed, so that the user can acquire OSD information. become.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, an example in which OSD information is transmitted to a user will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, if it is determined that the OSD character is not readable in relation to the cut image and the image quality setting, and an instruction not to superimpose the OSD character is given, the OSD character can be readable at the same image quality setting. A configuration in which the cutting process is performed after expanding the cutting area is conceivable. That is, when it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read, the CPU 311 expands the cutout area to a size that allows the OSD information to be read while including the image area of the cutout image, and generates an extended cutout image.

  In FIG. 10A, an OSD character 1003 is superimposed and displayed on an image 1001 actually cut out after the area expansion. Further, the cutout area 1002 is an area designated by the user, and an area frame is displayed to indicate the area to the user. An image 1001 including a cutout area 1002 is an extended cutout image.

  As another method, a configuration in which a margin (dummy data) is added to the image data so that the OSD characters can be read is considered. That is, if it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read, the CPU 311 adds dummy data to the image area of the cutout image up to a size that allows the OSD information to be read, and generates a dummy data added image.

  In FIG. 10B, a dummy data addition image is generated by adding a single color fill to the actually cut out image 1101 as the margin 1102 so that the OSD characters are readable in the cut out image. Then, a process of superimposing the OSD character 1103 on the generated image is executed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to convey readable OSD information to the user while showing the area designated by the user.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, when a user performs a cutout area designation instruction from the client side such as a viewer apparatus, whether or not the combination corresponds to a combination of a cutout image size that can be overlaid with OSD and an image quality setting at the area designation operation stage. A configuration that can recognize this will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration example of a UI (user interface) screen used when the user designates a cutout image area in the viewer devices 107-108. In FIG. 11, a window 1201 represents the entire window of the viewer application. In this window 1201, a display area 1202 is a display area for the entire image distributed from the network photographing apparatuses 101-104. By specifying a rectangular area on the entire image using a mouse or the like, the position and size of the extracted image area can be accepted, and the extracted area 1203 is displayed as a rectangular frame in the entire image 1202. Is done.

  A display area 1204 is a display area for cut-out image data distributed from the network photographing apparatus 101-104, and transmits information on the cut-out area 1203 designated by the rectangular frame to the network photographing apparatus 101-104. It is distributed after the specified area is cut out on the 101-104 side. OSD characters are superimposed on the cutout image.

  The image quality setting menu 1205 is a pull-down menu for image quality setting, and can accept, for example, designation from image quality 1 (low image quality) to image quality 5 (high image quality). The OSD character designation menu 1206 is a pull-down menu for OSD character designation, and can accept designation of information displayed as an OSD. In this embodiment, the date, time, and camera name are displayed.

  A button 1207 is a setting button. After the designation of the cutout area 1203, the image quality setting menu 1205, and the OSD character designation menu 1206 is completed, the designation information is transmitted to the network imaging apparatus 101-104 by operating the setting button 1207. Then, the image data is transmitted from the network photographing apparatus 101-104 to the viewer apparatus 107-108 under the condition corresponding to the specified information.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a UI display when a small cutout area is designated. In FIG. 12, each of the components indicated by 1201, 1202, 1204-1207 is the same as the corresponding component described in FIG.

  The rectangular frame 1301 is a rectangular frame display of the cut-out area. However, since the cut-out size is small in the example of FIG. 12, the OSD character is superimposed because it is combined with an image quality setting that makes the OSD character unreadable. It is a rectangular display with broken lines indicating that there is no. OSD superimposed display is not performed in the cut-out image display area 1204.

  In the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, the type of the rectangular frame display line when the OSD area is designated is a broken line or a straight line, so that the user can identify whether or not the OSD character superimposition is performed. However, it is not necessarily limited to the type of line.

  For example, it is also possible to notify whether or not OSD character superimposition is performed by changing the type and color of the border of the region frame display, the method of filling the rectangular region, and the like. Further, according to an operation for designating the size of the cut-out area, notification may be performed by displaying a message or a mark so that the presence / absence of the OSD character superimposition process can be recognized in a place different from the rectangular frame 1301. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a user gives a cutout area designation instruction from the client side such as a viewer device, the cutout image size and image quality settings that can be overlaid with OSD are set at the stage of the area designation operation. It is possible to recognize whether or not the combination is applicable, that is, whether or not the OSD information can be read.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the quality of an OSD character to be superimposed can be known in advance at the stage of an area designation operation when a user issues a cutout area designation instruction from the client side such as a viewer device.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a UI display used when a clipped image area is designated in the viewer device according to the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 13, each of the components indicated by 1201-1207 is the same as the corresponding component described in FIG. The OSD character preview frame 1401 shows how the OSD characters are displayed with the image quality, OSD character, and cutout area conditions specified by the image quality setting menu 1205, the OSD character designation menu 1206, and the cutout area 1203, respectively. In other words, in order to confirm how much character quality is to be achieved, this is a preview frame that displays characters with the same quality as the image that is actually superimposed and encoded on the image. The user can determine the cut-out size and image quality setting while confirming the quality of the OSD character displayed in the OSD character preview frame 1401.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14, the procedure of the process which the viewer apparatus based on 6th Embodiment implements is demonstrated. Here, the CPU (not shown) of the viewer devices 107 to 108 described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1501, the CPU communicates with the network imaging device 101-104 connected to the viewer device 107-108, and performs processing for acquiring currently set OSD character string information from the network imaging device 101-104. .

  In step S1502, the CPU communicates with the network imaging device 101-104 connected to the viewer device 107-108, and acquires image quality setting information, that is, information on the compression rate at the time of encoding, from the network imaging device 101-104. Process.

  In S1503, the CPU reflects the OSD character string information and the image quality setting information acquired in S1501 and S1502 on the window 1201 which is a viewer operation screen, and displays the current setting information.

  In S1504, the CPU determines whether the setting condition has been changed by a user operation. This setting condition change means that the user changes the contents of the image quality setting menu 1205, the OSD character designation menu 1206, and the cutout area 1203 in the window 1201. When it is determined that the setting condition has been changed (S1504; YES), the process proceeds to S1505. On the other hand, when it is determined that the setting condition has not been changed (S1504; NO), the process proceeds to S1506.

  In step S <b> 1505, the CPU performs a process of reflecting the changed setting condition on the window 1201. Then, it progresses to S1506. In step S <b> 1506, the CPU creates OSD image data having the same size and the same characters as those actually displayed from the set cut size and OSD character string.

  In step S <b> 1507, the CPU performs encoding processing on the created OSD image data using the set image quality conditions to generate OSD encoded data. In step S1508, the CPU performs decoding processing on the generated OSD encoded data, and displays the generated OSD decoded image in the OSD character preview frame 1401.

  In step S1509, the CPU determines whether to end the process. For example, when the user closes the window 1201 or when there is no input from the user for a predetermined time, it is determined that the processing is to be ended. If there is an input from the user, it is determined that the process is not terminated. If it is determined to end the process (S1509; YES), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined not to end the process (S1509; NO), the process returns to S1504. Thus, each process of the flowchart of FIG. 14 is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user gives a cutout area designation instruction from the client side such as a viewer device, the quality of the OSD character to be superimposed is known in advance at the stage of the area designation operation. Can do.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (17)

Clipping means for cutting out a part of an image;
Superimposing means for superimposing on-screen display (OSD) information on the cut-out image cut out by the cut-out means;
Distribution means for encoding and distributing the clipped image or the superimposed image on which the OSD information is superimposed by the superimposing means,
When the OSD information is determined to be unreadable when the OSD information is superimposed on the clipped image based on the size setting information and the image quality setting information of the clipped image, The OSD information is not superimposed on the image distribution apparatus.   The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an embedding unit that embeds the data of the OSD information in a part of the data of the cut-out image when it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read.   The image distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a part of the data is a part of a JPEG header.   The distribution unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the OSD information is determined to be unreadable, the distribution unit distributes only the OSD information data separately from the clipped image. The image delivery apparatus described. When it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read, the image forming apparatus further includes a generating unit that generates image data obtained by superimposing the OSD information on an image quality setting capable of reading the OSD information with respect to the clipped image,
The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit distributes the image data generated by the generation unit and the clipped image on which the OSD information is not superimposed. If it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read, the OSD information further includes expansion means for generating an extended cutout image by extending the cutout area to a size that allows the OSD information to be read while including the image area of the cutout image.
The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the superimposing unit superimposes the OSD information on the extended cutout image. When it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read, the image processing apparatus further includes an adding unit that adds dummy data to the image area of the cutout image up to a size that allows the OSD information to be read and generates a dummy data added image. ,
The image distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the superimposing unit superimposes the OSD information on the dummy data added image.   The image distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dummy data is single color fill data. Size setting information of a cutout area used when the image distribution apparatus cuts out a part of the image to generate a cutout image, and an on-screen display (OSD) used for the image distribution apparatus to superimpose on the cutout image ) Input of setting conditions including information and image quality setting information at the time of the encoding used to encode and distribute the clipped image or the superimposed image on which the OSD information is superimposed. Accepting means,
Notification means for notifying the user whether or not the OSD information is legible when the image distribution apparatus superimposes the OSD information on the cut-out image based on the size setting information and the image quality setting information. ,
An information processing apparatus comprising:   10. The notification unit according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit performs notification by displaying a color of a region frame indicating the cut-out region or a type of a frame line in a different color or type depending on whether or not the OSD information can be read. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the notification means notifies the user by displaying a message or mark indicating whether or not the OSD information can be read. Cutout area information used when the image distribution apparatus cuts out a part of the image to generate a cutout image, and on-screen display (OSD) information used by the image distribution apparatus to superimpose the cutout image Receiving means for receiving an input of a setting condition including image quality setting information at the time of encoding used for encoding and distributing the clipped image or the superimposed image on which the OSD information is superimposed by the image distribution device; ,
Creating means for creating a preview of OSD image data displayed when the image distribution apparatus superimposes the OSD information on the cut-out image under the setting condition received by the receiving means;
Notification means for notifying the user of the preview;
An information processing apparatus comprising: A method for controlling an image distribution apparatus including a clipping unit, a superimposing unit, and a distribution unit, wherein the clipping unit clips a part of an image,
A superimposing step in which the superimposing unit superimposes on-screen display (OSD) information on the cut-out image cut out by the cut-out step;
A distribution step in which the distribution unit encodes and distributes the clipped image or the superimposed image on which the OSD information is superimposed by the superimposition step;
In the superimposing step, when the OSD information is superimposed on the clipped image based on the size setting information of the clipped image and the image quality setting information at the time of encoding, it is determined that the OSD information cannot be read. The image distribution apparatus does not superimpose the OSD information on the clipped image. A control method for an information processing apparatus including a receiving unit and a notification unit,
The accepting unit is used for the size setting information of the cut-out area used when the image distribution device generates a cut-out image by cutting out a part of the image, and used by the image distribution device to superimpose the cut-out image. Including on-screen display (OSD) information and image quality setting information at the time of encoding used for encoding and distributing the clipped image or the superimposed image on which the OSD information is superimposed by the image distribution device. A reception process for receiving input of setting conditions;
When the notification means superimposes the OSD information on the clipped image based on the size setting information and the image quality setting information, the notification means informs the user whether or not the OSD information can be read. A notification process to notify;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: A control method for an information processing apparatus comprising a receiving means, a creating means, and a notification means,
Cut-out area information used when the reception unit cuts out a part of the image and generates a cut-out image, and an on-screen display used by the image distribution device to superimpose the cut-out image Input of setting conditions including (OSD) information and image quality setting information at the time of encoding used for encoding and distributing the clipped image or the superimposed image on which OSD information is superimposed by the image distribution apparatus Accepting process of accepting,
A creation step in which the creation means creates a preview of OSD image data displayed when the image distribution device superimposes the OSD information on the clipped image under the setting condition received in the reception step;
A notification step in which the notification means notifies the user of the preview; and
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method for the image distribution apparatus according to claim 13.   The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of the information processing apparatus of Claim 14 or 15.

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