Patent ID: 6985178
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image pick-up server, which has camera, for performing a distribution service which distributes video information obtained by the camera to a client via a network, comprising: a storage device adapted to set a plurality of shootable areas, which are the object of the distribution service, within a range in which shooting direction of said camera can be changed, and to store information relating to the plurality of shootable areas set and information which specifics a plurality of virtual cameras for respective ones of the shootable areas; a notifying device adapted to notify the client of the identification information of plurality of virtual cameras stored by said storage device; a receiving device adapted to receive a selection command from the client selecting one of the plurality of virtual cameras corresponding to the identification information notified by said notifying device; and a control device adapted to read out, from said storage device, information corresponding to virtual camera selected by the client, after receiving the selection command from the client, to set a range in which it is possible to change the shooting direction of said camera based upon the information relating to the shootable area indicated by the information that has been read out, and to control said camera within the range in which it is possible to change the shooting direction.