Camera controlling device and method for predicted viewing

A method of controlling an image pickup device via a transmission medium, comprising the steps of:

• storing images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• storing setting information corresponding to the stored images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• inputting setting information for setting said image pickup device;
• predicting an image of an object to be obtained upon reset of said image pickup device in response to the input setting information by selecting a predetermined image from the images stored in the image storing step and predicting the image of the object on the basis of the selected predetermined image and the corresponding setting information;
• outputting the predicted image to a display device;
• making a decision as to whether a control action corresponding to the input setting information is to be executed or not with reference to the image being displayed on said display device;
• and
• sending a control signal, which corresponds to the input setting information, to said image pickup device via said transmission medium after execution of the control action is decided in the preceding step.

A transmission medium for transmitting a computer program to control an image pickup device connected via the transmission medium, said computer program having functions to execute the steps of:

• storing images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• storing setting information corresponding to the stored images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• inputting setting information for setting said image pickup device;
• predicting an image of an object to be obtained upon reset of said image pickup device in response to the input setting information by selecting a predetermined image from the images stored in the image storing step and predicting the image of the object on the basis of the selected predetermined image and the corresponding setting information;
• outputting the predicted image to a display device;
• making a decision as to whether a control action corresponding to the input setting information is to be executed or not with reference to the image being displayed on said display device;
• and
• sending a control signal, which corresponds to the input setting information, to said image pickup device via said transmission medium after execution of the control action is decided in the preceding step.

A receiving apparatus for controlling an image pickup device in response to a control signal transmitted thereto from a controlling device via a transmission medium, said receiving apparatus comprising:

• a receiving means for receiving pickup-device setting information transmitted thereto from said controlling device via said transmission medium;
• a first storage means for storing images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• a second storage means for storing setting information corresponding to the images stored in said first storage means;
• a prediction means for predicting an image of an object to be obtained upon reset of said image pickup device in response to the setting information received by said receiving means;
• said prediction means having selection means for selecting a predetermined image from the images stored in said first storage means;
• the prediction means predicting the image of the object on the basis of the selected predetermined image and the corresponding setting information from said second means;
• a send means for sending to said controlling device the image obtained from said prediction means;
• and
• a setting means for setting said image pickup device in response to the setting information upon reception of a control command from said controlling device to set said image pickup device in response to the setting information.

A receiving method for controlling an image pickup device in response to a control signal transmitted thereto from a controlling device via a transmission medium, said receiving method comprising the steps of:

• storing images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• storing setting information corresponding to the stored images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• receiving pickup-device setting information transmitted thereto from said controlling device via said transmission medium;
• predicting an image of an object to be obtained upon reset of said image pickup device in response to the received setting information by selecting a predetermined image from the images stored in the image storing step and predicting the image of the object on the basis of the selected predetermined image and the corresponding setting information;
• sending the predicted image to said controlling device;
• and
• setting said image pickup device in response to the setting information upon reception of a control command from said controlling device to set said image pickup device in response to the setting information.

A transmission medium for transmitting a computer program used in a receiving apparatus to control an image pickup device in response to a control signal transmitted from a controlling device via the transmission medium, said computer program having functions to execute the steps of:

• storing images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• storing setting information corresponding to the stored images transmitted from said image pickup device;
• receiving pickup-device setting information transmitted from said controlling device via said transmission medium;
• predicting an image of an object to be obtained upon reset of said image pickup device in response to the received setting information by selecting a predetermined image from the images stored in the image storing step and predicting the image of the object on the basis of the selected predetermined image and the corresponding setting information;
• sending the predicted image to said controlling device;
• and
• setting said image pickup device in response to the setting information upon reception of a control command from said controlling device to set said image pickup device in response to the setting information.