Method for simultaneously utilizing one camera by computer system and a plurality of application programs

Abstract

The invention discloses a system and a method for simultaneously utilizing one camera by a plurality of application programs. The computer system comprises a virtual camera component coupled in a camera; the virtual camera component comprises a video acquisition source filter, a virtual camera service center and a virtual camera setting tool; the video acquisition source filter and the virtual camera setting tool are both coupled in the virtual camera service center; the video acquisition source filter processes the video data from the camera and transmits processed data to a plurality of camera application programs; the virtual camera service center controls the video acquisition source filter and transmits the video data from the camera to the video acquisition source filter; and the virtual camera setting tool uses proper working parameters to configure the virtual camera service center. By using the virtual camera component, the method resolves the conflicts among a plurality of application programs, thus ensuring that a plurality of application programs can share one camera simultaneously.

Description

Technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a computer system, in particular to a computer system and method that supports multiple application programs to simultaneously use a camera. Background technique [0002] Cameras are widely used in multiple client applications, such as webcam recording programs, video conferencing tools, and instant messaging (Instant Messenger, IM) tools. [0003] Such as figure 1 As shown in the prior art, the system 100 includes a camera application module 102, a Windows driver model (WDM) acquisition filter 104, and a physical camera 110. The camera application module 102 includes a plurality of camera applications, for example, MSN MESSENGER 108A, YAHOOMESSENGER 108B, SKYPE 108C, and “360-degree WEB FACE” application (hereinafter referred to as FACE program) 114. Among them, the FACE program 114 in the camera application module 102 is a smart login and lock / unlock application developed by OMicro. [0004] The WDM acquisition filter 104 is...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

At this time, if another program (for example, MSNMESSENGER 108A) tries to use the camera 110, and the FACE program 114 is also using the camera 110, the MSN MESSENGER 108A cannot access the device driver of the camera 110

Therefore, when multiple applications use the camera 110 at the same time, conflicts will occur, and the applications accessed later, such as MSNMESSENGER 108A, cannot use the camera 110

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