Information processing apparatus, information processing method, imaging apparatus, control method, and program

Abstract

To prevent operations to display an image suitable for setting processing performed on a setting screen from being complicated.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus has: acquisition means that acquires an image transmitted by an imaging apparatus; display control means that causes display means to display the image and a plurality of setting menus of different types of setting processing; and processing means that, when a certain setting menu is selected from among the plurality of setting menus of the setting processing, based on image settings associated with each of the plurality of setting menus of the setting processing, specifies the image settings corresponding to the certain setting menu. The processing means creates a control command to change the image settings of the imaging apparatus to the specified image settings and transmits the command to the imaging apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an imaging device that captures an image has a function of distributing an image obtained by cutting out a partial area within an angle of view from an image of the entire angle of view (hereinafter, cut-out image) to an information processing device. Further, as a conventional technique, an information processing device can display an image or a cut-out image received from the imaging device on a display. Further, an information processing device that receives an image from the imaging device has a function of changing the settings of the imaging device in response to an input from a user to a setting screen displayed on the display. With this function, while confirming the image distributed from the imaging device and displayed by the information processing device, the user can change parameters related to the settings of the imaging device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of making settings while viewing a video in which a cut-out range changes depending on the focus position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When there are a plurality of setting processes of different types as setting processes related to an image captured by an imaging device, there may be an image suitable as an image to be displayed according to the setting process. Here, assume a case where a user makes a setting on a setting screen for a certain setting process. At this time, in Patent Document 1, since an image suitable as a display target in the setting process is not considered, the user has to manually operate to display the suitable image, which is complicated.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to prevent the operation of displaying images suitable for setting processes performed on the settings screen from becoming complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration: an acquisition means for acquiring an image transmitted by an imaging device; a setting menu for a plurality of setting processes of different types; a display control means for displaying the image on a display means; and a processing means for identifying an image setting corresponding to a setting menu when a setting menu is selected from among the plurality of setting menus, based on the image settings associated with each of the plurality of setting menus. The processing means generates a control command such that the image setting of the imaging device becomes the identified image setting and transmits it to the imaging device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the operation required to display an image suitable for the setting process performed on the settings screen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the system configuration. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the external appearance of the imaging device. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of an imaging device and an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a diagram to explain the settings screen. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the image settings file. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the information processing flow related to the settings screen. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the flow of the control method for the imaging device related to the settings screen. [Figure 8]This diagram shows the hardware configuration of each device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to those illustrated.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 shows the system configuration in this embodiment. The system in this embodiment includes an imaging device 100, an information processing device 200, a display 210, and a network 300.

[0012] The imaging device 100 and the information processing device 200 are interconnected via a network 300. The network 300 is implemented using multiple routers, switches, cables, etc., that comply with communication standards such as ETHERNET®.

[0013] Network 300 may be implemented using the Internet, a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN (Wireless LAN), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like.

[0014] The imaging device 100 is a device that captures images and functions as an imaging means with a changeable imaging range. The imaging device 100 transmits the image data of the captured image, information on the date and time the image was captured, identification information to identify the imaging device 100, and information on the imaging range of the imaging device 100 to an external device such as an information processing device 200 via the network 300. The information processing device 200 is, for example, a client device such as a personal computer on which a program for realizing the processing functions described later is installed. In the system according to this embodiment, there is one imaging device 100, but there may be multiple. That is, multiple imaging devices 100 may be connected to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. In this case, the information processing device 200, for example, uses the identification information associated with the transmitted image to determine which of the multiple imaging devices 100 captured the transmitted image.

[0015] The display 210 is made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays images captured by the imaging device 100. The display 210 is connected to the information processing device 200 via a display cable compliant with a communication standard such as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The display 210 and the information processing device 200 may be housed in a single enclosure.

[0016] Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an example of an external view of the imaging device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an example of functional blocks of the imaging device 100 and the information processing device 200 according to the present embodiment. Among the functional blocks of the imaging device 100 shown in FIG. 3, functions of the image processing unit 112, the system control unit 113, the extraction processing unit 114, the storage unit 115, the communication unit 116, etc. are assumed to be realized as follows. That is, it is realized by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 800 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 820 of the information processing device 200, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0017] The direction in which the optical axis of the lens 101 faces is the imaging direction of the imaging device 100, and the light beam that has passed through the lens 101 forms an image on the imaging element of the imaging unit 111 of the imaging device 100. The imaging unit 111 is composed of an imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD (charge coupled device) sensor or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor. Then, the imaging unit 111 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed through the lens 101 to generate an electrical signal. The image processing unit 112 performs image processing such as converting the electrical signal photoelectrically converted in the imaging unit 111 into a digital signal and compression encoding processing, and generates image data of the captured image.

[0018] The cropping processing unit 114 performs a cropping process to crop a partial area from the image of the image data generated by the image processing unit 112 (i.e., the image captured by the imaging device 100), and generates a cropped partial image (hereinafter, the cropped image). Note that as the cropping process, the cropping processing unit 114 generates a cropped image, for example, by a process (electronic PTZ) of cropping an arbitrary area in the image of the image data generated by the image processing unit 112. Further, the cropping processing unit 114 may perform the following process as the cropping process. That is, the cropping range may be determined so that the center position of the image captured by the imaging device 100 coincides with the center position of the cropping range (hereinafter, the cropping range), and the cropping range may be cropped from the image to generate a cropped image. At this time, the cropping processing unit 114 performs an electronic zoom process of changing the size of the cropping range while making the center position of the captured image coincide with the center position of the cropping range. By the electronic zoom process, control is performed to virtually change the zoom ratio.

[0019] The storage unit 115 stores (holds), for example, information indicating the position of the cropping range cropped by the cropping process in the captured image. The communication unit 116 communicates with the information processing device 200 via the I / F 840 described later with reference to FIG. 8. For example, the communication unit 116 transmits the image data of the image captured by the imaging device 100 to the information processing device 200 via the network 300. Further, the communication unit 116 receives a control command, which is a command for controlling the imaging device 100, transmitted from the information processing device 200, and transmits it to the system control unit 113. Further, a UI for displaying or changing the current setting value of the imaging device 100 is transmitted to the information processing device 200.

[0020] The system control unit 113 controls the entire imaging device 100 in accordance with the processing performed by the CPU 800, as described later with reference to Figure 8, and performs the following processing, for example: The system control unit 113 analyzes the control commands for controlling the imaging device 100 transmitted from the information processing device 200 and performs processing according to the control commands. The system control unit 113 also gives instructions to the cropping processing unit 114 regarding the cropping range. Furthermore, the system control unit 113 transmits the image data generated by the image processing unit 112 and the cropped image data generated by the cropping processing unit 114 to the information processing device 200.

[0021] Next, the information processing of the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the functional blocks of the information processing device 200 shown in Figure 3. Each function of the information processing device 200 is implemented as follows, using the ROM 820 and CPU 800, which will be described later with reference to Figure 8. Specifically, each function shown in Figure 3 is implemented by the CPU 800 of the information processing device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 820 of the information processing device 200.

[0022] The display control unit 201 displays images captured by the imaging device 100, setting screens related to image quality, and images received from the imaging device 100 on the display 210. The operation reception unit 202 receives information about user operations via input devices (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel. The input unit is assumed to be a button, mouse, joystick, etc., and receives various operations from the user. For example, the display control unit 201 displays a setting screen for configuring settings related to the imaging device 100 on the display 210, and the operation reception unit 202 receives information about user operations on the setting screen displayed on the display 210. The system control unit 203 sends control commands to the remote camera via the communication unit 204 in response to user operations.

[0023] The communication unit 204 transmits various setting commands and control commands for the imaging device 100, sent from the system control unit 203, to the imaging device 100 via the I / F 840, which will be described later with reference to Figure 8. The communication unit 204 also receives image data transmitted from the imaging device 100 and responses from the imaging device 100 to commands sent from the information processing device 200 to the imaging device 100, and transmits them to the system control unit 203. The storage unit 205 stores setting screens and images acquired by the communication unit 204.

[0024] The system control unit 203 generates various setting commands and control commands based on user operations received by the operation reception unit 202 and transmits them to the imaging device 100 via the communication unit 204.

[0025] As described above, the information processing device 200 can control the imaging device 100 via the network 300.

[0026] Next, referring to the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the setting screen shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the setting screen displayed on the display 210 by the information processing device 200 of this embodiment will be described. The setting screens 400a to 400c shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are GUIs displayed on the display 210 by the information processing device 200. As shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the setting screens 400a to 400c include a menu list 401 consisting of setting menu (1) 402, setting menu (2) 403, and setting menu (3) 404. As shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the setting screens 400a to 400c further include an image display area 405a to 405c where an image transmitted from the imaging device 100 is displayed, and a setting area 406a to 406c. Each of the setting menus (1) to (3) in the menu list 401 is associated with a different setting process. For example, setting menu (1) 402 is associated with a setting process for setting a privacy mask on the captured image, and in response to the user selecting setting menu (1) 402, a setting screen 400a for the setting process for setting the privacy mask is displayed. Note that the setting screen 400a shown in Figure 4(a) is the setting screen displayed when setting menu (1) 402 is selected. Also, setting menu (2) 403 is associated with a setting process related to video analysis processing, such as person detection or motion detection, and in response to the user selecting setting menu (2) 403, a setting screen 400b for the setting process related to video analysis processing is displayed. Note that the setting screen 400b shown in Figure 4(b) is the setting screen displayed when setting menu (2) 403 is selected. Also, setting menu (3) 404 is associated with a setting process for setting the cropping range, and in response to the user selecting setting menu (3) 404, a setting screen 400c for the cropping range setting process is displayed.

[0027] Each setting process has a suitable setting for the image displayed in the image display areas 405a to 405c. For example, when setting a privacy mask, there is a desire to set the area where privacy is protected (i.e., the area where the privacy mask is set) while viewing the environment being captured from above. Therefore, it is desirable that the image display area 405a of the setting screen 400a, which corresponds to the privacy mask setting, displays the image captured when the imaging device 100 is at its maximum field of view (in other words, the zoom magnification at the WIDE end).

[0028] Let us now consider the case where video analysis processing is configured. Generally, when video analysis processing such as person detection or motion detection is performed in the imaging device 100, the video analysis processing may be performed not on the image captured by the imaging device 100, but on a cropped image obtained by cropping a selected area from the image. This is because, if the image transmitted from the imaging device 100 to a client device is a cropped image, performing the video analysis processing on the cropped image, which is a part of the image, reduces the processing load related to the video analysis processing, rather than performing the video analysis processing on the entire image captured by the imaging device 100. Therefore, let us assume a case where video analysis processing is configured and the video analysis processing is performed on a cropped image generated by the imaging device 100. In this case, it is desirable that the cropped image be displayed in the image display area 405b of the setting screen 400b corresponding to the video analysis processing configuration. The cropped image here may be an image of the cropped area by the electronic PTZ of the imaging device 100, or an image of the cropped area by the electronic zoom.

[0029] Furthermore, when setting the cropping range, it is desirable to display an image of the cropped range. This is so that the user can appropriately check, for example, how the cropped image extracted from the image captured by the imaging device 100 will actually look. Therefore, the image display area 405c of the setting screen 400c, which corresponds to the cropping range setting process, displays the cropped image that has been generated by cropping the set cropping range from the image captured by the imaging device 100 and transmitted to the information processing device 100.

[0030] As explained above, each setting screen has a suitable setting for the displayed image (hereinafter referred to as the optimal image setting). Here, the optimal image settings associated with each setting screen will be explained with reference to Figure 5. The setting file 500 shown in Figure 5 contains information on the optimal image settings displayed on the setting screen of each setting menu. The setting file 500 may be held in advance by the information processing device 100, or it may be held by the imaging device 100 and the information processing device 100 may acquire it from the imaging device 100 as needed. As shown in Figure 5, the setting file 500 contains Menu names 501 (Menu1 to Menu3) that identify each setting menu, and information on the optimal image settings for each menu name 501. For example, the optimal image setting 502 for Menu1, which corresponds to setting screen 400a, contains '1' information that identifies the stream of image data transmitted from the imaging device 100, and 'zoom.max' information that indicates the maximum field of view. In other words, Menu1 (settings screen 400a) indicates that it is desirable to display an image transmitted from the imaging device 100 in a stream of '1', and that the image was captured when the imaging device 100 was at its maximum field of view.

[0031] Similarly, the optimal image setting 503 in Menu2, which corresponds to setting screen 400b, includes information '2' that identifies the stream of image data transmitted from the imaging device 100, and information 'dptz.zoom.value', 'dptz.pan.value', and 'dptz.tilt.value' that indicates the cropping range. In other words, Menu2 (setting screen 400b) indicates that it is desirable to display an image transmitted from the imaging device 100 in stream '2', with a cropped image of the currently set cropping range in the imaging device 100. Similarly, the optimal image setting 504 in Menu3, which corresponds to setting screen 400c, includes information '3' that identifies the stream of image data transmitted from the imaging device 100, and information 'dptz.zoom.value', 'dptz.pan.value', and 'dptz.tilt.value' that indicates the cropping range. In other words, Menu3 (settings screen 400c) indicates that it is desirable to display an image transmitted from the imaging device 100 in stream '3', and a cropped image of the cropping range currently set on the imaging device 100.

[0032] Note that the format of the setting file 500, which includes the optimal image settings associated with the settings screen (or settings menu), is not limited to the example shown in Figure 5. For example, it may be expressed in text format, XML (Extensible Markup Language), HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), JSON (Javascript Object Notation), object format, binary, etc. Also, the settings for the optimal image settings 502 to 504 are not limited to the example shown in Figure 5. For example, they may also include video type, frame rate, encoding method, etc.

[0033] Returning to the explanation of Figure 4, when a setting menu in the menu list 401 is selected by the user, the system control unit 203 of the information processing device 100 performs the following processing. That is, the system control unit 203 refers to the setting file 500 and identifies the optimal image setting associated with the setting process of the selected setting menu (one of the following: setting a privacy mask, setting video analysis processing, setting a cropping range, etc.). For example, if setting menu (3) 404 is selected by the user, the system control unit 203 identifies the optimal image setting 504 for setting menu (3) 404. Then, based on the captured image setting 504, the system control unit 203 generates a control command to send a cropped image of the currently set cropping range from the imaging device 100 to the information processing device 200 in stream '3', and sends it to the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 generates a cropped image by cropping the currently set cropping range from the captured image according to the transmitted control command, and distributes the cropped image to the information processing device 200 in stream '3'.

[0034] Next, we will explain in detail the setting process in each setting screen in Figure 4. First, we will explain the setting screen 400a, which corresponds to the privacy mask setting shown in Figure 4(a). The image display area 405a of the setting screen 400a that corresponds to the privacy mask setting displays the image transmitted from the imaging device 100 and captured at the maximum field of view. The setting area 406a of the setting screen 400a also includes the following buttons: an add button 408 for adding a new privacy mask, a delete button 409 for deleting the privacy mask currently selected by the user, and a save button 410 for saving the current privacy mask setting. For example, by pressing the add button 408, a privacy mask 407 is added to the image displayed in the image display area 405a. Here, in response to user operations to change the position and size of the privacy mask 407 on the image display area 405, the system control unit 203 can change the position and size settings of the privacy mask 407. Furthermore, the user can, for example, select a privacy mask 407 on an image displayed in the image display area 405a and then press the delete button 409, which allows the system control unit 203 to delete the setting of the privacy mask 407. In response to a user operation of pressing the save button 410, the system control unit 203 performs the following processing: it stores the current position and size settings of the privacy mask and sends a control command containing the information of the set position and size of the privacy mask to the imaging device 100. Subsequently, the imaging device 100, for example, superimposes the privacy mask on the captured image (or cropped image) at the position set by the user and sends the image with the superimposed privacy mask to an external device.

[0035] Next, we will explain the settings screen 400b, which corresponds to the settings for the video analysis processing shown in Figure 4(b). The image display area 405b of the settings screen 400b displays the cropped image generated by the cropping process in the imaging device 100 and transmitted from the imaging device 100. The settings area 406b of the settings screen 400b includes the setting for the maximum size of the person to be detected (maximum size setting 411) and the setting for the minimum size of the person to be detected (minimum size setting 412) in the person detection process, which is a video analysis process. The settings area 406b also includes a save button 413 to save the settings related to the video analysis processing currently specified by the user (maximum size setting 411 and minimum size setting 412).

[0036] Next, the setting screen 400c, which corresponds to the setting of the cropping range shown in Figure 4(c), will be described. The image display area 405c of the setting screen 400c shown in Figure 4(c) displays the cropped image generated by the cropping process in the imaging device 100 and transmitted from the imaging device 100. The setting area 406c of the setting screen 400c includes a position change button 414 for changing the position of the cropping range, a tele-button 415 for decreasing the size of the cropping range, and a wide button 416 for increasing the size of the cropping range. In response to a user operation such as pressing at least one of the position change button 414, the tele-button 415, and the wide button 416, the system control unit 203 generates a control command to change the cropping range and transmits it to the imaging device 100. Based on the control command, the imaging device 100 identifies the changed cropping range, generates a cropped image of that cropping range, and transmits it to the information processing device 200. The transmitted cropped image is displayed in the image display area 405c. Therefore, in response to a user operation such as pressing at least one of the position change button 414, tele-button 415, and wide button 416, the image displayed in the image display area 405c (cropped image) is also dynamically changed. Furthermore, if the cancel button 417 is pressed, the cropping range setting currently added by the user is canceled, and if the save button 418 is pressed, the cropping range setting currently added by the user is saved and applied.

[0037] Here, the information processing of the information processing device 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow shown in Figure 6. The processing shown in Figure 6 is assumed to be executed by the functional blocks shown in Figure 3, which are realized by the CPU 800 of the imaging device 200 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 820 of the imaging device 200.

[0038] First, in step S601, the system control unit 203 identifies information on the optimal image settings corresponding to the setting menu specified by the user. Here, for example, the system control unit 203 refers to a pre-held setting file 500 to identify the optimal image settings associated with the selected setting menu. Here, for example, let's assume that setting menu (1) 402 is selected by the user. In this case, the system control unit 203 refers to the setting file 500 to identify the optimal image settings 502 corresponding to setting menu (1) 402.

[0039] Next, in S602, the system control unit 203 acquires the current image settings of the image currently being transmitted from the imaging device 100. Here, for example, the system control unit 203 acquires information that identifies the stream of the image (distributed image) currently being transmitted from the imaging device 100, and information about the cropping range if the image is a cropped image.

[0040] Next, in S603, the system control unit 203 compares the optimal image setting identified in S601 with the current image setting acquired in S602 to determine whether it is necessary to change the image setting. For example, let's assume that the optimal image setting identified in S601 is optimal image setting 502. In this case, if the current image setting is the maximum field of view setting for the imaging device 100, then in S603, the system control unit 203 determines that since the optimal image setting 502 and the current image setting are the same, it is not necessary to change the image setting (No in S603). If it is determined that it is not necessary to change the image setting (No in S603), the process proceeds to S605. On the other hand, let's assume that the current image setting is set to a cropping area for a portion of the image captured by the imaging device 100. In this case, in S603, the system control unit 203 determines that since the optimal image setting 502 and the current image setting are different, it is necessary to change the image setting (Yes in S603). If it is determined that the image settings need to be changed (Yes in S603), the process proceeds to S604.

[0041] In S604, the system control unit 203 generates a control command that results in the optimal image setting identified in S601 (i.e., the optimal image setting associated with the setting menu currently specified by the user) and sends it to the imaging device 100 to change the image setting of the imaging device 100. Here, for example, let's assume that the optimal image setting identified in S601 is optimal image setting 502. In this case, the system control unit 203 generates a control command based on the image capture setting 502 to send the image captured at the maximum field of view from the imaging device 100 to the information processing device 200 in a stream of '1', and sends it to the imaging device 100. The imaging device 100 captures an image at the maximum field of view according to the transmitted control command and distributes the data of the image to the information processing device 200 in a stream of '1'.

[0042] In step S605, the display control unit 201 displays the setting screen corresponding to the currently selected setting menu on the display 210. At this time, the setting screen displays the image transmitted from the imaging device 100.

[0043] As described above, the information processing device 200 displays an image appropriate to the type of setting process on the displayed setting screen, according to the setting menu selected by the user. In this way, it is possible to prevent the operation required to display an image appropriate for a particular setting process from becoming complicated.

[0044] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2, information of the setting menu specified by the user on the setting screen displayed by the information processing device 200 is transmitted to the imaging device 100, and the imaging device 100 generates an image suitable for the setting menu and transmits it to the information processing device 200. Note that the differences from Embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and the same or equivalent components and processes as in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0045] The processing of the imaging device 100 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow shown in Figure 7. The processing shown in Figure 7 is assumed to be executed by the functional blocks shown in Figure 3, which are realized by the CPU 800 of the imaging device 100 executing a computer program stored in the ROM 820 of the imaging device 100.

[0046] First, in S701, the system control unit 113 of the imaging device 100 receives information transmitted from the information processing device 200, which is information about the setting menu specified by the user on the setting screen.

[0047] Next, in S702, the system control unit 113 refers to the image setting file 500 stored in the storage unit 115, identifies the optimal image setting associated with the currently specified setting menu, and determines whether the current image setting needs to be changed based on the identified optimal image setting. Here, for example, let's assume that the setting menu of the information received in S701 is setting menu (1) 401. In this case, the system control unit 113 refers to the image setting file 500 and identifies the optimal image setting 502 as the optimal image setting. Here, if the current image setting is the maximum field of view setting for the imaging device 100, then in S702, the system control unit 113 determines that the optimal image setting 502 and the current image setting are the same, and therefore there is no need to change the image setting (No in S703). If it is determined that there is no need to change the image setting (No in S703), the process proceeds to S704. On the other hand, let's assume that the current image setting is set to a partial area of ​​the image captured by the imaging device 100 as the cropping range. At this point, in S702, the system control unit 113 determines that the optimal image setting 502 is different from the current image setting and therefore the image setting needs to be changed (Yes in S702). If it is determined that the image setting needs to be changed (Yes in S702), the system proceeds to S703.

[0048] In S703, the system control unit 113 changes the image settings to the optimal image settings corresponding to the currently specified setting menu. Here, for example, let's assume that the setting menu of the information received in S701 is setting menu (1) 401. In this case, in S703, the system control unit 113 controls the zoom magnification to the wide end to maximize the field of view of the imaging device 100 so that the optimal image setting 502 is achieved.

[0049] In S704, the system control unit 113 transmits the captured image data to the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 116. Here, for example, let's assume that the setting menu of the information received in S701 is setting menu (1) 401. In this case, the system control unit 113 transmits the image data of the image captured at the maximum field of view to the information processing device 200 as a stream of '1'.

[0050] As described above, the imaging device 100 in this embodiment generates an image suitable for the setting menu selected by the user and transmits it to the information processing device. In this way, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the operation required to display a suitable image for a particular setting process.

[0051] (Other embodiments) Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 will be described with reference to Figure 8. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 200 will be explained, but the imaging device 100 will be implemented using a similar hardware configuration.

[0052] The information processing device 200 in this embodiment includes a CPU 800, RAM 810, ROM 820, HDD 830, and I / F 840.

[0053] The CPU 800 is a central processing unit that provides overall control over the information processing unit 200. The RAM 810 temporarily stores computer programs executed by the CPU 800. The RAM 810 also provides a work area used by the CPU 800 when executing processes. Furthermore, the RAM 810 can function, for example, as frame memory or buffer memory.

[0054] ROM820 stores programs and other information that the CPU800 uses to control the information processing unit 200. HDD830 is a storage device that records image data and other data. I / F840 communicates with external devices via network 102 according to TCP / IP, HTTP, etc.

[0055] In the above-described embodiments, examples are given in which the CPU 800 performs processing. However, at least a portion of the CPU 800's processing may be performed by dedicated hardware. For example, the process of reading program code from the ROM 820 and loading it into the RAM 810 may be performed by DMA (Direct Memory Access), which functions as a transfer device.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors read and execute a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments. The program may be supplied to a system or device having a processor via a network or storage medium. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments. In addition, each part of the information processing device 200 may be realized by the hardware shown in Figure 8, or by software.

[0057] Furthermore, one or more functions of the information processing device 200 according to each embodiment described above may be provided by other devices. For example, the imaging device 100 may provide one or more functions of the information processing device 200 according to each embodiment. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be combined, for example, by arbitrarily combining the embodiments described above.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described above along with its embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or its main features. For example, combinations of the embodiments are also included in the disclosure of this specification. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 100 Imaging device 113 System Control Unit 200 Information Processing Devices 202 Display Control Unit 203 System Control Unit

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring an image transmitted by an imaging device; a display control means for causing a display means to display at least one of a plurality of setting menus corresponding to a plurality of different types of setting processes; a transmission means for transmitting a control command to the imaging device for acquiring an image with a predetermined image setting; having When a first setting menu is selected from among the plurality of setting menus, the transmission means, in response to the selection of the first setting menu, transmits to the imaging device a control command for acquiring an image of a first image setting corresponding to the first setting menu; the display means displays the image of the first image setting transmitted from the imaging device in response to the control command in association with the first setting menu; When a second setting menu different from the first setting menu is selected from among the plurality of setting menus, the transmission means, in response to the selection of the second setting menu, transmits to the imaging device a control command for acquiring an image with a second image setting that corresponds to the second setting menu and is different from the first image setting; The display means displays the image of the second image setting transmitted from the imaging device in response to the control command in association with the second setting menu.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The plurality of setting menus includes a setting menu for setting an image cropping range.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The plurality of setting menus includes a setting menu for setting a privacy mask for an image.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. The image transmitted from the imaging device in response to the control command is an image cut out from an image captured by the imaging device.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a computer.

5. The processing means transmits the control command based on information indicating a plurality of image settings associated with the plurality of setting menus.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a computer.

6. An imaging means for capturing an image; a receiving means for receiving information indicating a setting menu selected from a plurality of setting menus corresponding to a plurality of different types of setting processes from an information processing device; a transmitting means for transmitting an image corresponding to the information to the information processing device; having The transmitting means is when information indicating that a first setting menu of the plurality of setting menus has been selected is received from the information processing device, in response to the reception of the information, transmitting an image of a first image setting corresponding to the first setting menu to the information processing device; When information indicating that a second setting menu different from the first setting menu of the plurality of setting menus has been selected is received from the information processing device, in response to the reception of the information, an image of a second image setting different from the first image setting, which corresponds to the second setting menu, is transmitted to the information processing device.

1. An imaging device comprising:

7. The plurality of setting menus includes a setting menu for setting an image cropping range.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6.

8. The plurality of setting menus includes a setting menu for setting a privacy mask for an image.

8. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second lenses are arranged in a first direction.

9. The image transmitted by the transmission means in response to receiving the information is an image cut out from an image captured by the imaging device.

9. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second lenses are arranged in a first direction. A selection means for selecting an image setting of the image to be transmitted by the transmission means based on information indicating a plurality of image settings associated with the plurality of setting menus. The imaging device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising:

11. A first display control step of displaying at least one of a plurality of setting menus corresponding to a plurality of different types of setting processes on a display means; a transmitting step of transmitting a control command to the imaging device for acquiring an image with a predetermined image setting; an acquisition step of acquiring an image transmitted from the imaging device in response to the control command; a second display control step of causing the display means to display the acquired image; having When a first setting menu is selected from among the plurality of setting menus, In the transmission step, in response to the selection of the first setting menu, a control command for acquiring an image of a first image setting corresponding to the first setting menu is transmitted to the imaging device; In the second display control step, an image of the first image setting transmitted from the imaging device in response to the control command is displayed in association with the first setting menu; When a second setting menu different from the first setting menu is selected from among the plurality of setting menus, In the second display control step, in response to the selection of the second setting menu, a control command is transmitted to the imaging device for acquiring an image having a second image setting that corresponds to the second setting menu and is different from the first image setting; In the second display control step, the image of the second image setting transmitted from the imaging device in response to the control command is displayed in association with the second setting menu. An information processing process comprising:

12. An imaging step of capturing an image; a receiving step of receiving information indicating a setting menu selected from a plurality of setting menus corresponding to a plurality of different types of setting processes from the information processing device; a transmitting step of transmitting an image corresponding to the information to the information processing device; having In the transmitting step, when information indicating that a first setting menu of the plurality of setting menus has been selected is received from the information processing device, in response to the reception of the information, transmitting an image of a first image setting corresponding to the first setting menu to the information processing device; When information indicating that a second setting menu different from the first setting menu of the plurality of setting menus has been selected is received from the information processing device, in response to the reception of the information, an image of a second image setting different from the first image setting, which corresponds to the second setting menu, is transmitted to the information processing device. A control method comprising:

Images