JPH1169341A - Camera control system, computer terminal, control method of the system and terminal, and storage medium storing the control execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp in real time the total operating state of a camera and the communication state by acquiring previously the terminal and camera operating information on the camera side where the quantity of data is small and then deciding whether a request should be given for the information on a camera parameter having the large traffic of data based on the operating information. SOLUTION: It's observed via a timer device 39 whether a request is given from a camera management server 68 for the camera parameter information for a fixed time from a time point when the operating information on a camera 58 and a terminal 50 placed at the camera side are sent to the server 68. If no request is received from the server 68 even after the prescribed time, the operating information on the terminal 50 and the camera 58 are transmitted again. When it is detected by the device 39 that the prescribed time elapsed, an unsuable state the server 68 judges that it is 'disabled'. Thus, the server 68 can grasp in real time whether the camera 58 is working or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system such as a camera control system which enables remote control of a camera by exchanging data via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a plurality of cameras are controlled via a network, there are generally a plurality of users who remotely control the plurality of cameras. However, only one person can operate one camera instantaneously, and the right to operate the camera needs to be exclusively controlled by some method or reference.

When the size of the entire system becomes large, the right to operate the camera is managed, and the operation states (pan, tilt angle, zoom, and use of the camera) of all the connected cameras are managed. A system using a camera management server that manages the situation as a camera parameter becomes effective.

A camera management server requests information of camera parameters from all connected cameras, and supplies the obtained camera parameters to a terminal on the user side, thereby obtaining information on the user side. The terminal is
The operation state of the camera can be grasped.

[0005]

However, communication between the camera management server and the camera is often interrupted due to a network communication condition or an abnormal operation of the camera-side control device (camera control server). . In such a case, camera parameter information cannot be transmitted from the camera to the camera management server.

The present invention has been made based on such an unexpected situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a camera control system capable of grasping the entire camera operation state and communication state in real time as much as possible.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. A camera management server that manages camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network, and a camera control server that transmits camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management server, The camera management server has parameter requesting means for requesting transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled when receiving a start report from the camera control server, wherein the camera control server comprises: An activation report for transmitting an activation report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled to the camera management server A step, first timing means for measuring the time from when the activation report of the one or more video cameras is executed by the activation reporting means, and a time counted by the first timing means elapses a predetermined time. If the request for the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is not received during the period until, the start report unit re-transmits the start report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled. Reporting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the camera management server further sends a camera parameter request of the one or more video cameras by the camera parameter requesting unit. Second timer means for measuring the time from the camera, and transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras from the camera control server until the time counted by the second timer means elapses a predetermined time. A control unit that recognizes that the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the camera control server are unusable.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera control server used in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein the camera control server is a control target. Activation report means for transmitting an activation report of one or more video cameras via a network, and first timing means for measuring a time from when the activation report of the one or more video cameras is transmitted by the activation report means. If the request for transmitting the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is not received before the time counted by the first clock means elapses a predetermined time, Re-reporting means for transmitting again an activation report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a camera management server used for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. And
A camera parameter requesting unit for requesting transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras; and a second unit for measuring a time from when the camera parameter requesting unit requests transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras. Between the time counting means and the time counted by the second time counting means until a predetermined time elapses.
A control unit that recognizes that the one or more video cameras are unusable when the camera parameter information of the video camera is not received.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, the one or more video cameras connected to the network A camera management server that manages camera parameters; and a camera control server that sends camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management server, wherein the camera management server is controlled by the camera control server. Operation information requesting means for requesting the camera control server for operation information as to whether or not one or more video cameras are operating normally; and the operation information requesting means, wherein the one or more video cameras are to be operated by the camera control server. When the operation information indicating that the video camera is operating normally is obtained, the camera control Characterized in that it has a parameter request means for making a request of the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras over server.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the parameter requesting means transmits only the camera parameters of the video camera for which the operation information indicating that the operation is normal is obtained to the camera control server. Characterized in that it is configured to require

According to the present invention, a camera management server used for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. And
Operation information requesting means for requesting operation information as to whether or not the one or more video cameras are operating normally; and operation information indicating that the one or more video cameras are operating normally by the operation information requesting means And a camera parameter requesting unit for requesting the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras when is obtained.

According to the invention according to claim 8, in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, the one or more video cameras connected to the network can be controlled. A camera management server that manages camera parameters; and a camera control server that transmits camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management server, wherein the camera control server is provided with the one or more video cameras at predetermined time intervals. Transmitting means for transmitting, to the camera management server, operation information indicating whether or not the camera is operating normally.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, when no operation information is obtained from the camera control server, the camera management server sets Control means for recognizing that the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the camera control server are unusable.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second or ninth aspect, a control command for a video camera selected from the one or more video cameras is further transmitted to the camera control server. And a control client capable of displaying images obtained from the one or more video cameras, wherein the camera control client is configured to control the network based on camera parameters of the one or more video cameras managed by the camera management server. Camera status display means for displaying the status of all video cameras connected to the camera in real time, a map display means, and superimposing and displaying the symbols of the one or more video cameras on the map display means. A symbol display unit, and a video camera determined to be unusable by the camera management server. A display changing means which is not displayed on the map display means by the display means or is displayed so as to be distinguished from a normally operating video camera.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the control method for a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, the one or more video cameras connected to the network can be selectively controlled. A camera management step of managing camera parameters of the video camera; and a camera control step of transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management step, wherein the camera management step includes activation from the camera control server. When receiving a report, the method includes a parameter requesting step of requesting transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled, wherein the camera control step includes activating the one or more video cameras to be controlled. An activation report step of transmitting a report to the camera management step; A first timing step of measuring the time from when the start report of the video camera is timed, and the one or more of the one or more to be controlled during a time period elapsed by the first timing step until a predetermined time elapses. A re-reporting step of re-transmitting an activation report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the activation report step when a request for a camera parameter of the video camera is not received.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eleventh aspect, the camera management step further includes a step of: transmitting a camera parameter transmission request of the one or more video cameras in the requesting step. No camera parameters of the one or more video cameras are transmitted from the camera control step between a second time counting step of counting time and a time elapsed by the second time counting unit until a predetermined time elapses. A control step of recognizing that the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the camera control step are unusable.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control method for a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, the one or more video cameras connected to the network may be controlled. A camera management step of managing camera parameters of the video camera; and a camera control step of transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management step, wherein the camera management step is controlled by the camera control step. An operation information requesting step for requesting operation information as to whether or not the one or more video cameras are operating normally from the camera control step, and an operation target of the camera control step by the operation information requesting step When operation information indicating that the one or more video cameras are operating normally is obtained,
The camera control step includes a parameter requesting step of requesting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, in the parameter requesting step, only the camera parameters of the video camera for which operation information indicating that the video camera is operating normally are obtained are included in the camera control step. Characterized in that it is configured to require

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in a control method of a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, the one or more video cameras connected to the network may be controlled. A camera management step of managing camera parameters of the video camera; and a camera control step of transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management step, wherein the camera control step is performed at predetermined time intervals. Transmitting operation information as to whether or not the video camera is operating normally to the camera management step.

According to the invention of claim 16, in any one of claims 13 to 15, when no operation information is obtained from the camera control server, the camera management step includes the step of: The method further comprises a control step of recognizing that the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the camera control server are unusable.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program for executing a camera control server of a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. , Said 1
In the camera management server that manages the above video cameras,
Transmitting a start report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled via a network, and measuring a time from when the start report of the one or more video cameras is executed;
If no request for the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is received from the camera management server until the time measured elapses a predetermined time, the one or more video cameras to be controlled are controlled. A storage medium having a program for transmitting a video camera activation report again.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a camera management server used for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. Is a storage medium storing a program for executing the step of transmitting the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras, and measuring a time from when the request of transmitting the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras is made. Then, if the camera parameter information of the one or more video cameras is not received before the counted time elapses the predetermined time, the one or more video cameras are recognized as being unusable.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a camera management server that manages the one or more video cameras of a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network is executed. A storage medium storing a program, requesting operation information as to whether or not the one or more video cameras controlled by a camera control server are operating normally, wherein the one or more video cameras operate normally. When the operation information indicating that the video camera is operating is obtained, a request for camera parameters of the one or more video cameras is made.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the sixteenth aspect, the camera control server is made to request only the camera parameters of the video camera for which the operation information indicating that it is operating normally is obtained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program for executing a camera control server of a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. , Said 1
The operation information as to whether the video camera is operating normally or not is transmitted to the outside at predetermined time intervals.

According to the invention of claim 22, in a computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, a computer management terminal for managing a plurality of computer terminals connected to the network is provided. An activation reporting unit that reports that the computer terminal has been activated, a first timing unit that measures a time from when the activation reporting unit executes the activation report of the computer terminal, and a first timing unit. If there is no response from the management computer terminal until the time counted reaches a predetermined time, re-reporting means for transmitting a start-up report of the computer terminal again is provided.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in a computer management terminal that manages one or more computer terminals via a network, it is determined whether each of the one or more computer terminals is operating normally. Operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information; and data request means for requesting predetermined data to the computer terminal from which the operation information indicating that the operation information is normally operated by the operation information request means is provided. It is characterized by the following.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-third aspect, there is provided a transmission means for transmitting, to the computer management terminal, operation information as to whether or not the operation is normal at predetermined time intervals. It is characterized by the following.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in a computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, an output means for outputting arbitrary data to a first computer terminal on the network, When a response to the data output by the output means is not obtained from the second computer terminal, request means for requesting the second computer terminal to perform output of the data, Receiving means for receiving a proxy for the output of the data.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-fifth aspect, the invention further comprises timing means for measuring a time after requesting the data output on behalf of the requesting means, The means, if a response from the first computer terminal is not obtained until a predetermined time elapses by the time measured by the time measuring means, to a computer terminal different from the second computer terminal. And requesting a substitute for the output of the data.

According to the invention of claim 27, in claim 25 or claim 26, the data includes:
Having data indicating the output source, when a response to the output of the data is obtained from the first computer terminal,
Control means for outputting a response to the output source computer terminal.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling a computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, the computer management terminal for managing a plurality of computer terminals connected to the network is provided. An activation reporting step for reporting that the computer terminal has been activated, a first timing step for measuring a time from when the activation report of the computer terminal is executed by the activation reporting step, and A re-reporting step of, if there is no response from the management computer terminal before the time counted in the clocking step elapses a predetermined time, re-transmitting the activation report of the computer terminal. .

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the computer management terminal control method for managing one or more computer terminals via a network, each of the one or more computer terminals operates normally. An operation information acquisition step of acquiring operation information of whether or not the operation information is required, and a data requesting unit for requesting predetermined data to the computer terminal from which the operation information indicating that the operation is normal is obtained by the operation information requesting step. It is characterized by having.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-ninth aspect, a transmission step of transmitting, to the computer management terminal, operation information as to whether or not the operation is normal at predetermined time intervals is provided. It is characterized by the following.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the invention, in the control method of a computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, the output means for outputting arbitrary data to the first computer terminal on the network Request means for requesting the second computer terminal to perform the output of the data when a response to the data output by the output means is not obtained from the second computer terminal; Receiving means for receiving a proxy for the output of the data requested by the user.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the requesting means further comprises a timing means for timing a time after the request for the output of the data is requested by the requesting means. The means, if a response from the first computer terminal is not obtained until a predetermined time elapses by the time measured by the time measuring means, to a computer terminal different from the second computer terminal. And requesting a substitute for the output of the data.

According to a thirty-third aspect, in the thirty-first or thirty-second aspect, the data includes:
Having data indicating the output source, when a response to the output of the data is obtained from the first computer terminal,
Control means for outputting a response to the output source computer terminal.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium storing a program for executing an operation process of a computer terminal that exchanges data via a network, a plurality of programs connected to the network are provided. A computer management terminal that manages the computer terminal is informed that the computer terminal has been started, and the time from when the start of the computer terminal is executed is counted, and the counted time elapses a predetermined time. If no response is received from the management computer terminal during this period, a program for causing the computer terminal to transmit a startup report again is stored.

According to the thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium storing a program for executing an operation process of a computer management terminal that manages one or more computer terminals via a network, Of a computer terminal that obtains operation information as to whether or not each of them is operating normally, and that makes a request for predetermined data to the computer terminal that has obtained the operation information that it is operating normally. Features.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the method according to the thirty-fifth aspect, further comprising a transmitting step of transmitting, to the computer management terminal, operation information as to whether or not the operation is normal at predetermined time intervals. It is characterized by the following.

According to the thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium storing a program for executing an operation process of a computer terminal which transmits and receives data via a network, arbitrary data is stored in the first storage medium on the network. Output to the computer terminal, and when a response to the data output by the output unit is not obtained from the second computer terminal, request the second computer terminal to request a proxy for the output of the data; A program for receiving a proxy for the output of the data requested by the requesting means is stored.

According to the thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the thirty-seventh aspect, the time from requesting the proxy for data output is further measured, and the measured time is measured until the predetermined time elapses. If a response from the first computer terminal is not obtained in the meantime, a program for requesting a computer terminal different from the second computer terminal to substitute for the output of the data is stored. .

According to the invention of claim 39, in claim 37 or claim 38, the data includes:
Having data indicating the output source, when a response to the output of the data is obtained from the first computer terminal,
A program for outputting a response to the output source computer terminal is stored.

[0046]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computer system terminal to which a plurality of camera devices are connected. One or a plurality of computers having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and one or a plurality of computers having a configuration similar thereto are mutually connected via a computer network to configure the entire camera control system.

In FIG. 1, 10 (10-1, 10-
2, 10-3,...) Are video cameras, and 12 (12-
1, 12-2, 12-3,...) Are video cameras 1
0 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ...) bread,
A camera control circuit 14 that directly controls tilt, zoom, focus adjustment, aperture, and the like according to an external control signal, and a camera input selection device 14 that controls the video camera 10 and selects whether to capture an output image thereof. The control signal line includes, for example, RS-232C, but is not limited thereto.

20 controls the camera input selection device 14,
This is a camera operation device including a computer system that controls the video camera 10 attached to the camera control circuit 12 by sending a control command to a desired camera control circuit 12 via the camera input selection device 14. 22
Is a CPU for controlling the whole, 24 is a main memory, 26 is a secondary storage device (for example, a hard disk device), 28 is a mouse as a pointing device, and 30 is a keyboard.

A reference numeral 32 connects the camera input selection device 14,
An I / O port 34 for supplying a camera control command or the like to the camera input selection device 14, an output video signal of the video camera 10 selected by the camera input selection device 14 is taken in, and various images are displayed on a bitmap display 35. A video board 36 is a network interface for connecting the apparatus 20 to a computer network or a communication network, and a system bus 38 is used for connecting the CPU 22 to the network interface 36 with each other. With the network interface 36, a camera control signal can be sent to the camera operation device 20 from a remote place via a network to control the camera 10. Timer 39 is
The time when each operation process of the CPU 22 is executed is measured,
For example, to measure the camera control time.

The camera input selecting device 14 selects one of a control signal line and a video output connected to the plurality of camera control circuits 12, supplies the selected video output to the video board 34, and selects the selected video output. I / O control signal line
Logically connected to port 32. As a format of the video signal, for example, there is an NTSC signal of a luminance / chrominance separation type.
Video board 34 captures the video output selected by camera input selection device 14. A moving image is displayed in a predetermined window of the bitmap display 35 based on the fetched video signal.

The secondary storage device 26 has a camera 10
For example, camera position information data and camera graphic data. Details of such information will be described later.

When only one camera 10 is connected, the camera input selection device 14 is unnecessary, and the camera control circuit 12 is directly connected to the I / O port 32. Also,
In a later-described embodiment, in the case of a terminal that does not transmit an image, the camera 10, the camera control circuit 12, and the camera input selection device 14 are not required.

The device shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a network, for example, as shown in FIG. The terminal A has the same configuration as the device configuration shown in FIG. 1, and the terminal B has a configuration in which only one camera is connected, so that the camera control circuit is directly connected to the I / O port. Has a configuration in which no camera is connected. Generally, the terminals A, B, and C having various configurations are mixed in one network. The network used in the present embodiment is a LAN or W having a transmission bandwidth sufficient for transmitting digital video data and camera control signals.
AN is assumed.

As described above, the video board 34 has a video capture function. The video board 34 not only supplies the captured video data to the bitmap display 35 to display the video but also displays the video via the bus 38. CPU
22 is also supplied. The CPU 22 packetizes the video data and outputs the packetized data to the network via the network interface 36. From the network interface 36, a camera operation command, a camera switching command, and the like are also packetized and transmitted to the network.
Further, information on the entire system is also packetized and transmitted to the network. The transmission of the data contents may be transmitted to the specified transfer destination or transmitted to all terminals.

The same applies to reception. That is,
Upon receiving the packetized video data and the camera operation command and the camera switching command, each device A, B, C
Handles the received video data in the same way as the internally captured data, and handles the received camera operation command and camera switching command in the same manner as the similar internal command. Information on the entire system (camera operation status, communication status, etc.) is used for updating a system display of a user interface described later.

FIG. 3 shows a software configuration in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, regarding the camera operation, software (camera control server 66) to be installed in a terminal directly connected to the camera device and software (camera control client 72) to be installed in a terminal to remotely control the camera device are shown. It is shown separately. When connecting a camera device and controlling a camera on a network, both softwares are installed in one terminal.

In FIG. 3, terminals (here, personal computers, workstations, etc.) 50, 5 are shown.
2, 54, 56 are connected to the network 57 and the terminal 50
Is connected to a camera device 58 which is the camera 10, and monitors (bitmap displays) 60 and 62 are connected to the terminals 52 and 54, respectively. Terminal 56
Although the details will be described later, this is for managing rights and usage status of each camera or user that can be remotely controlled via one network within one network.

The terminal 50 includes video transmission / reception software 64 for transmitting image information (moving image) obtained by the camera 58 to another terminal via the network 57 and camera control signals from the other terminals 52 and 54. According to the camera device 5
A camera control server (software) 66 for controlling the camera 8 is stored.

The terminal 56 has a camera management server (software) 68 installed therein and functions as a computer management terminal. When the camera 58 is activated, the camera control server 66 requests the camera management server 68 to register that the camera 58 has actually become available via the network 57.
8 is stored. Also, the camera management server 68
Is provided with a timer 39 for measuring the time from the transmission of the camera parameters.

The terminals 52 and 54 receive video transmission / reception software 70 for receiving images (moving images) from the terminal 50 and displaying them on the monitors 60 and 62, and a camera (here, the camera 5).
Camera control client (software) that displays the status of 8), displays a camera display control panel for remotely controlling operable cameras, and processes the operation.
72 are stored.

The users of the terminals 52 and 54 can refer to, enter, and correct various information managed by the camera management server 68 by using the camera control client 72. Details will be described later. Note that the camera management server 6
When the connection with the camera of another terminal (here, the camera 58) (reception of the captured image and remote control) is permitted by the camera 8, the camera control client 72 transmits the camera control signal without passing through the camera management server 68. It can be transmitted to another terminal (here, the camera control server 66).

The video transmission / reception software 64, 70 has both functions of video transmission and video reception. In general,
Software consists of a single program or a group of program modules. Terminals A and C shown in FIG. 2 are the same as terminal 52 or 54 shown in FIG. 3, and terminal B shown in FIG. 2 is the same as terminal 52 or 54 shown in FIG. The terminal 56 shown in FIG.
It may correspond to any one of the terminals A, B and C.

The camera management server 68 is connected to the network 5
7 is software for managing the cameras released on the server. The camera management server 68 manages access permission / denial with respect to a camera access request from a user, in addition to registration associated with connection of the camera to the network 57 and deletion associated with separation from the network 57, and further operates the camera. Information is periodically announced to all camera control clients via a network.

In FIG. 3, the camera management server 68 is mounted on a dedicated terminal. However, the camera management server 68 may be mounted on any of the terminals connected to the network 57 (the terminals 50, 52, 54 in FIG. 2). Of course. All the terminals to be connected to the network may be provided in advance, and the camera management server 68 may be activated at one of the two terminals that start a video conference or the like first.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a camera display control panel displayed on the monitors 60 and 62 by the camera control client 72. The camera control client 72 includes a camera image window 110 for displaying a camera image, a camera operation panel 112 including various camera control buttons,
A camera status list display window 114 for displaying a list of camera statuses is set and displayed on the monitor screen.

FIG. 5 shows a camera status list display window 1.
14 shows an example of the content displayed. In the present embodiment, for all available cameras connected to the network 57, the camera name, the installation position,
The tilt angle, zoom, usage status, and the like are displayed in the camera status list display window 114.

The "camera name" is a unique name for identifying the camera, the installation position is a camera position on three-dimensional coordinates that is appropriately taken, and the "pan, tilt, zoom" indicates a shooting direction and a shooting angle of view. I have. “User” is the name of a user who currently has the right to operate the camera, and is blank when no one is using it. Also, if the camera is not running,
Alternatively, when the network is not connected, "unusable" is displayed.

For example, when a user wants to access a certain camera (in this case, remote control), he or she selects the desired camera on the camera list displayed on the camera status list display window 114 (for example, using a mouse). Move the cursor to the desired camera position and double click.) If no user is currently using this camera, the camera management server 68 permits remote operation of the camera, and if there is already a user operating this camera, only the video display Allow
When the display of the image is permitted, the camera image window 11 is displayed.
At 0, the output video of the permitted camera is displayed. When the remote operation is permitted, operations (pan, tilt, and zoom) by the camera operation panel 112 become possible.

At the time of activation, the camera control client 72 receives information on the status of all available cameras from the camera management server 68 via the network 57 and displays the result in the camera status list display window 114 as a camera list. I do. Thereby, the user of the computer activated by the camera control client 72 can know the status of all the cameras.

At the time of activation, the camera control server 66 transmits the operation status of the directly connected camera 58 to the camera management server via a network. Further, at the time of the stop, the camera control server 66 reports the operation stop of the camera 58 directly controlled by the camera control server 66 to the camera management server 68 via the network.

In FIG. 5, the information of all cameras is displayed as a camera list in the camera status list display window 114. However, each camera or the camera selected by the user is arranged where and in which direction. There was a problem that it was difficult to understand.

This problem is caused by the problem shown in FIG.
This can be solved by using an interface. In the user interface shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a window display system capable of simultaneously displaying a plurality of windows is operating. In the map window 140, a map indicating the seat arrangement of the office and the like is displayed, and on the map, camera icons 142-1 to 142-7 indicating the arrangement positions of the individual cameras arranged in the office are displayed. ing. Each camera icon 142-1 to 142-7 is
It is displayed in almost the same orientation as the current orientation of the corresponding camera.

In the video window 144, the selected 1
The output images of the cameras are displayed. In the map window 140, the camera icon corresponding to the selected camera is displayed in a different color from the camera icon corresponding to the non-selected camera so that the selected camera can be identified.

An operation panel 146 is displayed below the video window 144. The operation panel 146 includes a rotation operation button for pan and tilt and a button for zoom operation. By operating these buttons, an arbitrary designated camera can be rotated and zoomed. When the selected camera is not controllable, both the rotation operation button and the zoom operation button are in a display mode in which the operation cannot be performed. The current value display window 148 displays the current value of the selected camera.

When the user interface shown in FIG. 11 is used, the camera control client 72 starts
The buffer of the channel into which the operation information is fetched via the network I / F is constantly monitored. If there is any input in this buffer, the information report is read as having arrived, and the display form is changed as necessary.

Here, there may be a case where the above-mentioned report cannot be transmitted between the camera management server 68 and the camera control server 66 due to a software bug, a network communication state, or the like. The operation of the camera control system described below takes such unexpected situations into consideration. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. FIG.

When the device indicated by the camera 58 and the terminal 50 connecting the camera 58 is started, the camera control server 66 sets the camera management server 68 as described above.
FIG. 6 shows an operation flowchart of the terminal 50 of the camera control server 66 when the device indicated by the camera 58 and the terminal 50 connecting the camera 58 is activated. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal 56 of the camera management server 68.

In FIG. 6, when the device indicated by the camera 58 and the terminal 50 connecting the camera 58 is activated (s101), the camera control server 66 transmits the operation information that the camera-side terminal 50 and the camera 58 are activated (s101). An activation report is transmitted to the camera management server 68 for confirmation (FIG. 6) (s102).

Here, in FIG. 7, when the camera management server 68 receives operation information from the camera control server via the network I / F 36 (FIG. 7), (s20)
1), in s202, the CPU 22 checks whether the operation information fetched into the main memory 24 is a start report, and if it is a start report, in s203, requests the camera control server 66 on the transmission side for camera parameter information ( 7).

Returning to FIG. 6 again, when there is a request for camera parameter information from the camera management server 68 (FIG. 6) in s103, the camera control server 66 sets the current operation state of the camera 58 (pan, tilt). Angle, zoom magnification, camera usage, etc.) are transmitted to the camera management server 68 side.

However, the operation information (startup report) of the terminal 50 and the camera 58 on the camera side depends on the communication status due to a software bug or a network interruption.
Is transmitted to the camera management server 68 side, the request for the camera parameter information from the camera management server 68 cannot be received (in s103, there is no request for the camera parameter information from the camera management server 68).

In this case, first, in s104, from the time when the operation information (startup report) of the camera-side terminal 50 and the camera 58 is transmitted to the camera management server 68, the camera management server 68 uses the timer device 39 for a predetermined time. Observe whether there is a request for camera parameter information. When the request for the camera parameter information is not received from the camera management server 68 after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation information (startup report) of the terminal 50 and the camera 58 on the camera side is transmitted again. At this time, information on whether or not this is a start report may or may not be added to the data of the operation information.

Proceeding to S204, the camera management server 68
In the case where the camera parameter information is received in
Proceeding to 206, the received camera parameters are registered. On the other hand, in S205, the camera management server 6
When it is detected that a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the camera parameters are requested from the terminal 56 on the side 8, and the timer 39 counts, the camera 58 connected to the terminal 50 on the camera control server 66 side Is determined as “unavailable” by the camera management server 68.

Since the camera parameters are information over a wide range such as the mechanism of the camera 58, the camera management server 68 needs a certain amount of time to acquire the camera parameter information. For this reason, communication may not be performed correctly because the network cannot communicate or the operation of the terminal 50 and the camera 58 on the camera side is not normal. At that time, camera parameters must be requested many times. It takes. The operation of the camera control system according to the present embodiment is executed in view of the above.

Next, the terminal 50 on the camera side of this embodiment is described.
The operation of the camera control system while the camera 58 is running will be described.

FIG. 8 shows the terminal 50 and the camera 5 on the camera side.
9 shows an operation flowchart of the terminal 56 of the camera management server 68 when the camera 8 is running.

In FIG. 8, first, the camera management server 68
Requests the camera control server 66 via the network for operation information (information for confirming whether the camera-side terminal 50 and the camera 58 are correctly started) periodically or as needed (s301).

Next, the terminal 50 on the camera control server 66 side
From the main memory 24 via the network I / F 36, and the operation information
If the camera management server 68 determines that the information is that the camera 58 has been started up correctly (s302), the camera management server 68 requests camera parameter information from the camera control server 66 of the camera-side terminal 50 (S302). s30
3). In step s306, when the camera management server 68 does not correctly obtain the operation information even after the lapse of the predetermined time (when the operation information has not been transmitted or the transmitted operation information has an error, etc.). S308
In the camera management server 68, the camera-side terminal 5
0 and the camera 58 are determined to be “unusable”. s304
In, when the camera parameters are received, the camera management server 68 registers the received camera parameters (s305). If the camera parameter information has not been transmitted from the camera control server 66 even after the predetermined time has elapsed in s307, it is determined in s308 that the camera-side terminal 50 and the camera 58 cannot be used.

When the camera management server 68 determines that the camera 58 is unusable, the information indicating that the camera 58 cannot be used is transmitted from the camera management server 68 to the camera control client 72, and the camera 58 is displayed on the interface (camera icon) shown in FIG. The display flashes and is displayed so that the operator can recognize that an error has occurred. Or try to distinguish it from a working video camera.

As described above, the terminal 50 and the camera 58 on the camera side having a small data amount are transmitted from the camera management server 68 side.
Is obtained beforehand, and it is determined whether or not to request camera parameter information having a large data communication amount according to the operation information. Therefore, the network data communication amount is minimized. And the operating status of the camera can be quickly grasped.

If there are a plurality of cameras 58 connected to the camera control server 66, the camera management server 68
It is also possible to selectively request a camera parameter only for a camera for which an activation report or operation information indicating that a normal operation is being performed is obtained. In this case, the operation state of each camera may be checked on the camera control server 66 side. In this way, unnecessary data communication between the camera management server 68 and the camera control server 66 is reduced, so that the network transmission amount can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) In this embodiment, the camera operation is periodically checked from the camera control server 66 to the camera management server 68.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the terminal 50 on the camera control server 66 side in the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the terminal 56 on the camera management server 68 side. The configuration of the camera control system is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, the camera control server 66 is operating normally and the operation confirmation information (the terminal 50 on the camera side)
And the activation report of the camera 58) can be transmitted (s401), the operation confirmation information is transmitted (s402).

The timer 39 recognizes that a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation confirmation information was transmitted (s40).
3), and prepare to transmit the operation confirmation information again.

In FIG. 10, when the operation check information is received by the camera management server 68 via the network I / F 36 (s501), the data of the operation check information fetched into the main memory 24 indicates that the camera has been properly operated. Not working,
Alternatively, if there is an error in the operation check information due to a bug occurring during communication (s502), the CPU 22 of the camera management server 68 determines that the terminal 50 and the camera 58 on the camera side are “unusable”. Recognition (s505). If there is no error in the operation check information, the camera 58 is recognized as “starting up” (s
503).

If the camera management server 68 has not received the operation confirmation information (s501), and the timer 39 detects that a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time it was recognized as "starting up" (S501). s504), the camera management server 68 determines that the communication between the camera server 66 and the network of the camera server 68 is disconnected or the camera control server is not activated, and the camera-side terminal 50 and the camera 58 It is recognized as "unusable" (s505).

As described above, when the camera control server 66 is running, the camera-side terminal 50 and the camera 5
Since the operation information in step 8 is transmitted to the camera management server 68 at regular time intervals, the operation state of the camera can be grasped in real time.

In the first and second embodiments, the parameter requesting means, the start reporting means, the re-reporting means, the control means, the operation information requesting means, and the parameter requesting means include at least the CPU of each terminal. Performs the respective operation processing. In addition, the first timing means and the second
The operation processing is performed by the timer of the terminal where the camera management server and the camera control server exist, respectively. The operation process of the transmission unit corresponds to the CPU and the network I / F. The operation of the camera status display unit, the map display unit, the symbol display unit, and the symbol display prohibition unit is performed by the CPU and the bitmap display of the terminal where the camera control client exists.

(Third Embodiment) In the first and second embodiments described above, for example, as shown in the conceptual diagram of the network in FIG. 12, a terminal activation report, a camera parameter request command, The exchange of data such as camera parameters or commands is performed between the terminal 50 including the camera control server 66 and the terminal 56 including the camera management server 68 via a network. If the transfer was not correctly performed, the terminal 50 transmits a command to the terminal 56 again, or the terminal 56 has determined that the camera control server 66 cannot be used.

In the present embodiment, for example, if the route A network is interrupted due to disconnection or excessive data traffic volume, the route goes through another terminal (for example, terminals 51 and 52 in FIG. 12). In this case, data is transmitted and received. Note that the configuration of the camera control system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the camera management server 68 according to the present embodiment.

First, in s601, the camera management server 68 outputs, for example, a camera parameter request command as data to the camera control server 66 of the terminal 50 at a predetermined timing. Here, the data output from the terminal 56 is as shown in FIG. 14, and is mainly constituted by the ID address of the terminal 56 and the content of the command.

Next, the camera management server 68
It is confirmed whether or not there is a response from the terminal 50 within a predetermined time by the time measurement of 9. If there is a response, the flow ends, but if there is no response to the command because the network line of A is disconnected, the process proceeds to s603, for example, if the operation is correctly performed in the second embodiment. It outputs data for making a request to the terminal 51, which has been determined to be performed, to substitute the output of the command to the terminal 50.

The output data to the terminal 51 in s603 is as shown in FIG.
And the data indicating the request for proxy of the output of the command and the contents of the command.

Further, the process returns to s602, and despite the fact that the proxy request for the output of the command has been made to the terminal 52, the network line of D has been interrupted even after the lapse of a predetermined time. If there is no response to this command, the process proceeds to s603, and a proxy request for command output is made to a terminal other than the terminal 51, for example, the terminal 52 having the camera control client 52 and capable of executing camera control.

As described above, when there is no response even when a command is output to a desired terminal, proxy output of the command is successively performed to other terminals on the network which can communicate with the desired terminal. Since the request is made, data can be exchanged with a desired terminal even if one network line is disconnected.

The above-described command transfer processing is executed by the camera control server 66 or the camera control client 72 of the terminal that has received the command output proxy request.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the third embodiment, each time a response to a command requested by the camera management server 68 is not obtained, the terminal that performs command output is changed. Met.

In this embodiment, a terminal that has received a command output proxy request (for example, terminal 51 in FIG. 12)
However, if no response is obtained from the command target terminal, the terminal 51 that has received the command output proxy request further sends the command output proxy request (FIG. 12).
In this embodiment, the terminal (terminal 52 in FIG. 12) other than the terminal 56) is requested to perform a command output substitution request.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer terminal which has received a command output proxy request.
Here, the operation process of the camera control server 66 of the terminal 51 will be described.

First, in s701, when the terminal 51 receives a command output proxy request from the terminal 56 having the camera management server 68, it outputs a command to the command output target terminal 50 in s702. Here, the output data to the terminal 51 is as shown in FIG. 14, and is mainly composed of the ID address of the own terminal (the terminal 52 in FIG. 12) and the command content.

The flow advances to s703, and if a response is obtained within a predetermined time, the flow advances to s705 to output the responded data to the terminal 56 having the management server 68. On the other hand, if no response is obtained from the command output destination terminal 50 even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed due to a disconnection of the network D or the like, the process proceeds to s704, except for the terminal (the terminal 56 in FIG. 12) that has performed the command output proxy request. Of the terminal 52 for the command output. Here, terminal 5
The output data for No. 2 is mainly composed of the ID address of the own terminal 51, data indicating a proxy request for command output, the ID address of the proxy request source (terminal 56), and the command content.

In the present embodiment, when the terminal that has received the command output response is the terminal 52, the response data may be directly returned to the terminal 56 that has issued the proxy request, or the proxy request may be transmitted to the terminal 52. It may be returned to the terminal 56 via the terminal 51 performed for the terminal.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a command is output to a desired terminal and no response is received, another terminal on a network that can communicate with the desired terminal is transmitted to the desired terminal. Since proxy requests for command output are made one after another, data can be exchanged with a desired terminal even if one network line is disconnected.

According to the present invention, a recording medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM
Etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) Performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The case where the CPU of the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts. Essential modules will be stored on the storage medium.

The present invention is characterized in that at least a request for a camera parameter of a video camera to be controlled is not received during a period from the transmission of the start report until a predetermined time has elapsed. What is necessary is just to store the program code of the "re-report module" for transmitting the start-up report of the video camera again in the storage medium.

[0124]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling a camera, the camera management server can determine whether or not the camera is activated in real time. it can. Further, when transmitting camera parameters from the camera control server side, it is possible to reduce the amount of communication on the network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a basic configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a hardware configuration of an embodiment in a network.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a software configuration of an embodiment in a network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a camera status list according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation processing flowchart of the camera control server.

FIG. 7 is an operation processing flowchart of the camera management server.

FIG. 8 is an operation processing flowchart of the camera management server.

FIG. 9 is an operation processing flowchart of the camera control server.

FIG. 10 is an operation processing flowchart of the camera control server.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation processing flowchart of the camera management server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a command output from a computer terminal.

FIG. 15 is an operation processing flowchart of the computer terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, ...) Video camera 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3, ...) Camera control circuit 14 Camera input selection device 20 Camera operation device 22 CPU 24 Main Memory 26 Secondary Memory 28 Mouse 30 Keyboard 32 I / O Port 34 Video Board 35 Bitmap Display 36 Network Interface 38 System Bus 39 Timer 50, 52, 54, 56 Workstation 57 Network 58 Camera device 60, 62 Monitor 64 Video transmission / reception software 66 Camera control server 68 Camera management server 70 Video transmission / reception software 72 Camera control client 110 Camera video window 112 Camera operation panel 114 Camera status list display window 14 Map window 142-1～142-7 camera icon 144 video window 146 operation panel 148 camera information window

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. A camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, comprising: a camera management server that manages camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network; A camera control server that transmits camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management server, wherein the camera management server receives an activation report from the camera control server,
The camera control server further includes a parameter request unit configured to request transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled. The camera control server sends an activation report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled to the camera management server. Activation reporting means for transmitting; first timing means for measuring a time from when the activation reporting means executes the activation report of the one or more video cameras; and time measured by the first timing means. If the request for the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is not received until the predetermined time elapses, the activation report unit sets the one or more video cameras to be controlled.
A camera control system comprising: a re-report unit that transmits the video camera activation report again. 2. The second timer according to claim 1, wherein the camera management server further measures the time from when the camera parameter requesting unit issues a request for transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras. Means, and when the camera control server does not transmit the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras until the time counted by the second timer means elapses a predetermined time, the camera control server A control unit for recognizing that the one or more video cameras to be controlled are unusable. 3. A camera control server used for a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein a start report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is transmitted to an external device. Starting report means for transmitting the start report of the one or more video cameras by the start reporting means; and time counting by the first time counting means. If the request for transmitting the camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is not received before the predetermined time elapses, the activation reporting unit activates the one or more video cameras to be controlled. A camera control server comprising: a re-reporting unit that transmits a report again. 4. A camera management server used for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein the one or more video cameras are provided. Camera parameter requesting means for requesting transmission of camera parameters of the following; second time measuring means for measuring a time from when the camera parameter requesting means requests transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras; If the camera parameter information of the one or more video cameras has not been received before the time counted by the second timer has elapsed, the one or more video cameras are recognized as being unusable. A camera control system comprising: 5. A camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, a camera management server for managing camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network, A camera control server for transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management server, wherein the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the camera control server operate normally. Operation information requesting means for requesting the camera control server for operation information as to whether or not the one or more video cameras to be operated by the camera control server are operating normally by the operation information requesting means. Is obtained, the one or more video cameras are transmitted to the camera control server. Camera control system, characterized by having a parameter request means makes a request for camera parameters. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the parameter requesting means is configured to request only the camera parameters of the video camera for which the operation information indicating that the operation is normal is obtained from the camera control server. A camera control system. 7. A camera management server used for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein the one or more video cameras are provided. An operation information requesting unit for requesting operation information as to whether or not the video camera is operating normally; and if the operation information requesting unit obtains operation information indicating that the one or more video cameras are operating normally. A camera parameter requesting unit for requesting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras. 8. A camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, comprising: a camera management server that manages camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network; A camera control server that transmits camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management server, wherein the camera control server determines whether the one or more video cameras are operating normally at predetermined time intervals. A camera control system comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit operation information to the camera management server. 9. The camera management server according to claim 5, wherein when no operation information is obtained from the camera control server, the camera management server sets the camera control server to a target to be controlled by the camera control server. A camera control system comprising: a control unit that recognizes that the video camera is unusable. 10. The video camera according to claim 2, further comprising: transmitting a control command for a video camera selected from the one or more video cameras to the camera control server to obtain the control command from the one or more video cameras. A control client capable of displaying an image to be displayed, wherein the camera control client, based on camera parameters of the one or more video cameras managed by the camera management server, controls all of the video camera cameras connected to the network. Camera status display means for displaying a state in real time; map display means; symbol display means for superimposing and displaying the symbols of the one or more video cameras on the map display means; , A symbol corresponding to the video camera determined to be unusable by the camera management server Camera control system, characterized in that a display changing means for changing the display form. 11. A control method for a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein a camera management for managing camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network. And a camera control step of transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management step, wherein the camera management step includes: receiving an activation report from the camera control server;
A parameter requesting step of requesting transmission of a camera parameter of the one or more video cameras to be controlled, wherein the camera control step sends an activation report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled to the camera management step. An activation report step of transmitting; a first timing step of measuring a time from when the activation report of the one or more video cameras is timed by the activation report step; and a time counted by the first timing step. If a request for camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to be controlled is not received until a predetermined time elapses, the one or more video parameters to be controlled are determined by the activation report process.
And a re-reporting step of transmitting the video camera start-up report again. 12. The camera management step according to claim 11, wherein the camera management step further comprises: a second time measurement step for measuring a time from when a request for transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras is made in the request step. If no camera parameter of the one or more video cameras has been transmitted from the camera control step until the predetermined time has elapsed by the second timer, the control object of the camera control step A control step of recognizing that the one or more video cameras are unusable. 13. A method for controlling a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein a camera management for managing camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network. And a camera control step of transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management step, wherein the one or more video cameras to be controlled by the camera control step are normal. An operation information requesting step of requesting operation information as to whether or not the camera is operating to the camera control step; and the one or more video cameras to be operated in the camera control step operate normally by the operation information requesting step. If the operation information that the video camera is operating is obtained, Control method for a camera control system characterized by having a parameter request step for requesting the camera parameters. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the parameter requesting step is configured to request only the camera parameters of the video camera for which the operation information indicating that the camera is operating normally is obtained from the camera control step. A control method for a camera control system, comprising: 15. A method for controlling a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein a camera management for managing camera parameters of the one or more video cameras connected to the network. And a camera control step of transmitting camera parameters of the one or more video cameras to the camera management step, wherein the camera control step is performed at predetermined time intervals to determine whether the one or more video cameras are operating normally. A transmitting step of transmitting operation information indicating whether or not the operation is to the camera managing step. 16. The camera management step according to claim 13, wherein, when no operation information is obtained from the camera control server, the camera management step sets the one to be controlled by the camera control server. A control method for a camera control system, comprising a control step of recognizing that the video camera is unusable. 17. A storage medium storing a program for executing a camera control server of a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein the one or more videos to be controlled are controlled. A camera start report is transmitted to the outside via a network, a time from when the one or more video camera start reports are executed is measured, and a control object is controlled until a predetermined time elapses. A storage medium comprising a program for retransmitting an activation report of the one or more video cameras to be controlled when a request for transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras is not received. 18. A storage medium storing a program for executing a camera management server used for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. Requesting transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras; measuring time from when the request of transmission of camera parameters of the one or more video cameras is performed; and elapse of a predetermined time. In the meantime,
A storage medium storing a program for recognizing that the one or more video cameras are unusable when the camera parameter information of the video camera is not received. 19. A storage medium storing a program for executing a camera management server usable for managing the one or more video cameras in a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network. And requesting operation information as to whether the one or more video cameras are operating normally. If the operation information indicating that the one or more video cameras are operating normally is obtained, A storage medium storing a program for requesting the camera parameters of the video camera. 20. The storage medium according to claim 16, further comprising a program for requesting the camera control server to request only camera parameters of a video camera for which operation information indicating that the camera is operating normally is obtained. 21. A storage medium storing a program for executing a camera control server of a camera control system capable of selectively controlling one or more video cameras via a network, wherein the one or more video cameras are normally operated. A storage medium storing a program for transmitting, at predetermined time intervals, operation information as to whether or not it is operating. 22. A computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, wherein a computer management terminal for managing a plurality of computer terminals connected on the network is notified that the computer terminal has been started. Activation reporting means, first timing means for measuring a time from when the activation reporting means executes the activation report of the computer terminal, and time counted by the first timing means until a predetermined time has elapsed. And a re-reporting means for re-transmitting the activation report of the computer terminal when there is no response from the management computer terminal during the period. 23. A computer management terminal for managing one or more computer terminals via a network, comprising: operation information acquisition means for acquiring operation information as to whether each of the one or more computer terminals is operating normally. A computer management terminal comprising: a data requesting unit for requesting predetermined data to the computer terminal from which the operation information that the operation information requesting unit normally operates is obtained by the operation information requesting unit. 24. The computer terminal according to claim 23, further comprising: transmission means for transmitting, to the computer management terminal, operation information as to whether the computer is operating normally at predetermined time intervals. 25. A computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, comprising: output means for outputting arbitrary data to a first computer terminal on the network; and a response to the data output by the output means. If not obtained from the second computer terminal,
A computer terminal, comprising: a requesting unit that requests a second computer terminal to perform a proxy for outputting the data; and a receiving unit that receives a proxy for outputting the data requested by the requesting unit. 26. The data processing apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising: clocking means for measuring a time after requesting the proxy for outputting the data by the requesting means, wherein the requesting means is clocked by the clocking means. If a response from the first computer terminal is not obtained before the time elapses a predetermined time, a request for a proxy for outputting the data is issued to a computer terminal different from the second computer terminal. A computer terminal characterized by being configured as follows. 27. The data according to claim 25, wherein the data has data indicating an output source thereof,
A computer terminal, comprising: control means for outputting a response to the output source computer terminal when a response to data output is obtained from the first computer terminal. 28. A control method of a computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, wherein the computer terminal is activated with respect to a computer management terminal managing a plurality of computer terminals connected on the network. A first clocking step for measuring a time from when the startup report of the computer terminal is executed by the startup report step; and a time counted by the first clocking step. And a re-reporting step of re-transmitting the activation report of the computer terminal when there is no response from the management computer terminal before the time elapses. 29. A control method of a computer management terminal for managing one or more computer terminals via a network, wherein operation information for acquiring operation information as to whether or not each of the one or more computer terminals is operating normally. Computer management, comprising: an acquisition step; and data request means for requesting predetermined data to the computer terminal from which the operation information indicating that the terminal is operating normally in the operation information requesting step. Terminal control method. 30. A control method for a computer terminal according to claim 29, further comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting operation information as to whether or not the computer is operating normally at predetermined time intervals to said computer management terminal. . 31. A control method of a computer terminal for exchanging data via a network, comprising: output means for outputting arbitrary data to a first computer terminal on the network; and data output by the output means. Is not obtained from the second computer terminal,
A computer terminal, comprising: a requesting unit that requests a second computer terminal to perform a proxy for outputting the data; and a receiving unit that receives a proxy for outputting the data requested by the requesting unit. 32. The apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising: a time measuring means for measuring a time after the request for the output of the data is requested by the requesting means, wherein the requesting means is timed by the time measuring means. If a response from the first computer terminal is not obtained before the time elapses a predetermined time, a request for a proxy for outputting the data is issued to a computer terminal different from the second computer terminal. A computer terminal characterized by being configured as follows. 33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the data includes data indicating an output source thereof.
A computer terminal, comprising: control means for outputting a response to the output source computer terminal when a response to data output is obtained from the first computer terminal. 34. A storage medium storing a program for executing an operation process of a computer terminal transmitting and receiving data via a network, comprising: a computer management terminal for managing a plurality of computer terminals connected to the network; Reporting the activation of the computer terminal, and measuring the time from when the activation report of the computer terminal is executed.From the management computer terminal, until the measured time elapses a predetermined time. A storage medium storing a program for causing the computer terminal to transmit the activation report again when there is no response. 35. A storage medium storing a program for executing an operation process of a computer management terminal for managing one or more computer terminals via a network, wherein each of the one or more computer terminals is operating normally. A storage medium storing a program that causes the computer terminal that has obtained the operation information to obtain the operation information indicating that the terminal is operating normally to make a request for predetermined data. 36. A computer terminal control method according to claim 35, further comprising: a transmission step of transmitting operation information as to whether or not the computer is operating normally at predetermined time intervals to said computer management terminal. . 37. A storage medium storing a program for executing an operation process of a computer terminal that transmits and receives data via a network, wherein arbitrary data is outputted to a first computer terminal on the network. If no response to the data output by the means is obtained from the second computer terminal,
A storage medium storing a program for causing a second computer terminal to request a proxy for outputting the data, and for receiving the proxy for outputting the data requested by the requesting unit. 38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the step of: measuring a time after requesting the proxy of data output; and measuring the time from the first computer terminal until the measured time elapses a predetermined time. A storage medium storing a program for requesting a computer terminal different from the second computer terminal to request a substitute for output of the data when a response is not obtained. 39. The data according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the data includes data indicating an output source thereof,
A storage medium storing a program for outputting a response to the output source computer terminal when a response to data output is obtained from the first computer terminal.