Remote control system and access control method for information input apparatus with limitation by user for image access and camemremote control

A control method for a camera apparatus capable of being operated via a network, comprising the steps of:

• setting first limitation information for limiting operation via the network of the camera apparatus for each user where the operation is at least one of panning, tilting and zooming of the camera apparatus;
• setting second limitation information for indicating whether or not the camera apparatus is operated by a user;
• and
• managing the operation by a user who receives a current image acquired by the camera apparatus on the basis of the set first and second limitation information,
• wherein in the managing step, one of the user, who is not limited from performing operation via the network by the first limitation information, can obtain permission to operate the camera apparatus and receive a current image acquired by the camera apparatus if the second limitation information indicates that the camera apparatus is not being operated by another user,
• and in the managing step, the one of the user can not obtain permission to operate the camera apparatus and can obtain permission to have access to the camera apparatus for receiving a current image acquired by the camera apparatus if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is operated via the network by another user.

A control system controlling a camera apparatus which is operated via a network where the operation is at least one of panning, tilting and zooming of the camera apparatus, comprising:

• an output section, arranged to output a current image acquired by the camera apparatus to at least one user via the network;
• a manager arranged to manage first and second management information stored in a table where the first management information defines limits of the operation for each user and the second management information indicates whether or not the camera apparatus is operated by a user;
• and
• a controller, arranged to control an action of the camera apparatus within the limits of the operation via the network corresponding to the user who receives the current image and requires the operation,
• wherein said controller permits a user, who is not limited from performing operation by the first management information, to operate the camera apparatus and receive the current image if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is not being operated by another user,
• and said controller prohibits the user to operate the camera apparatus, and permits the user to have access to the camera apparatus for receiving the current image if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is operated via the network by another user.

A control apparatus controlling a camera comprising:

• a controller, arranged to control an action of a connected camera based on a received signal which requires operation of the connected camera through a network where the operation is at least one of panning, tilting and zooming, and
• a manager, arranged to manage the action of the connected camera based on first and second management information stored in a table where the first management information indicates limitation of the operation for each user and the second management information indicates whether or not the camera apparatus is operated by a user,
• wherein said manager permits a user, who is not limited from performing operation via the network by the first management information, to operate the camera apparatus and receive a current image acquired by the camera apparatus if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is not being operated by another user,
• and said manager prohibits the user to operate the camera apparatus, and permits the user to have access to the camera apparatus for receiving a current image acquired by the camera apparatus if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is operated via the network by another user.

A control apparatus controlling a camera comprising:

• a controller, arranged to control an action of a connected camera based on a received signal which requires operation of the connected camera through a network, the operation being at least one of panning, tilting and zooming;
• an output section, arranged to output a current image acquired by the connected camera to at least one user via the network;
• a manager, arranged to manage first and second management information stored in a table where the first management information defines limits of the operation for each user and the second management information indicates whether or not the connected camera is operated by a user;
• and
• a controller, arranged to control an action of the connected camera within the limits of the operation via the network corresponding to the user who receives the current image and requires the operation,
• wherein said controller permits a user, who is not limited from performing operation by the first management information, to operate the connected camera and receive the current image if the second management information indicates that the connected camera is not being operated by another user,
• and said controller prohibits the user to operate the camera, and permits the user to have access to the camera for receiving the current image if the second management information indicates that the camera is operated via the network by another user.

A control method for a camera apparatus which is operated via a network where the operation is at least one of panning, tilting and zooming of the camera apparatus, comprising the step of:

• outputting a current image acquired by the camera apparatus to at least one user via the network;
• managing first and second management information stored in a table where the first management information defines limits of the operation for each user and the second management information indicates whether or not the camera apparatus is operated by a user;
• and
• controlling an action of the camera apparatus within the limits of the operation via the network corresponding to the user who receives the current image and requires the operation,
• wherein in the controlling step, a user, who is not limited from performing operation by the first management information, is permitted to operate the camera apparatus and receive the current image if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is not being operated by another user, and the user is prohibited to operate the camera apparatus, and is permitted to have access to the camera apparatus for receiving the current image if the second management information indicates that the camera apparatus is operated via the network by another user.

A control apparatus for controlling a camera connected to said apparatus, comprising:

• a controller, arranged to control an action of the camera based on a received signal which requires an operation of the camera;
• and
• a memory, arranged to store first management information which indicates limitation of operation of the camera for each user and second information which indicates whether the camera is operated by a user or not,
• wherein said controller permits a user, who is not limited from performing operation via a network by the first management information, to operate the camera and receive a current image acquired by the camera if the second management information indicates that the camera is not being operated by another user, and
• said controller prohibits the user to operate the camera, and permits the user to have access to the camera for receiving a current image acquired by the camera if the second management information indicates that the camera is operated via the network by another user.