Information processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and program

An information processing apparatus prevents or reduces an increase in storage capacity when setting information of a device present on a network is customized and held. Difference information with respect to common information of the setting information on the network is recorded as difference information of the setting information. The common information is obtained from the network. The recorded difference information and the obtained common information are combined together to generate combined setting information. The combined setting information is applied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus configured to be in communication with an external apparatus via a network, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art

Setting information of a device present on a network has conventionally been customized and held to enable each user to use the device by optimal setting. For example, in the case of a network printer, a default value is held as setting information in an operation terminal of each user to reduce time and labor of resetting each time. For example, “two-sided printing in 2 in 1” can be set as a default value for a user A, and “two-sided printing” can be set as a default value for a user B. However, the setting information must be held in the operation terminal of each user, and the setting information cannot simply be used when the same user uses the device in the other operation terminal. Consequently, resetting must be carried out on the operation terminal. In the operation terminal, a nonvolatile memory must be disposed to sufficiently hold the setting information even when power is cut off. Thus, various technologies have been proposed to solve the problems.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-222318 discusses a method of obtaining setting information from a server at the time of starting to execute own setting, thereby enabling reduction of a storage capacity of a client side and making-common of setting information among a plurality of devices. However, according to the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-222318, as all pieces of setting information are concentrated on the server side, a storage capacity necessary for the server side increases. Besides, it is impossible to deal with different use of setting information corresponding to different conditions (device, installation place, operation terminal, and the like).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-317745 discusses a method of holding setting data of network constituting apparatuses facing each other, thereby enabling recovery when abnormalities occur. According to the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-317745, as the holding of setting data can be used only as a backup for recovery, it is impossible to realize a reduction of the storage capacity of the operation terminal side and common-use of the setting information among the plurality of devices.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-117388 discusses a method of disposing a setting information generation unit for generating setting information in a home information terminal and a setting information storage unit for storing information generated by the setting information generation unit on a device side. Thereby, the device can be used even when the set unit fails while a cost increase of the device side for the set unit is prevented. According to the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-117388, as all pieces of setting information must be held on the device side, the storage capacity necessary for the device side increases. Beside, it is impossible to deal with different use of the setting information corresponding to different conditions (device, installation place, operation terminal, and the like).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-063419 discusses a method of instructing a client to update a setting file following a change in the setting file, thereby enabling automatic updating of the setting of the client side and prevention of mismatching of setting information between a server and the client. According to the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-063419, as the setting information must be held by each device, the storage capacities of the server and the device both increase.

Therefore, the aforementioned approaches do have some inherent drawbacks. It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for controlling the same which has been made in consideration of the above problems, and is directed to preventing an increase in storage capacity and further directed to using a device in an optimal state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and is directed to preventing an increase in storage capacity. The present invention is also directed to using a device in an optimal state.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided which is configured to be in communication with an external apparatus having common information of setting information via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a difference information recording unit configured to record difference information with respect to the common information; an obtaining unit configured to obtain the common information; a combination unit configured to combine the difference information with the obtained common information to generate combined setting information; and an application unit configured to apply the generated combined setting information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus may further include a designation unit configured to be in communication with a plurality of information processing apparatuses and configured to designate a designee information processing apparatus to which the setting information is applied; and a recording apparatus deciding unit configured to determine the information processing apparatus on which the difference information is recorded in accordance with the designation.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus may also include a plurality-of-difference-information obtaining units configured to obtain a plurality of difference information recorded on a plurality of information processing apparatuses decided by the recording apparatus deciding unit; a plurality-of-information combination units configured to combine together the common information obtained by the obtaining unit, the difference information recorded on the difference information recording unit, and the plurality of difference information obtained by the plurality-of-difference-information obtaining unit to generate combined setting information; and a plurality-of-information application units configured to apply the combined setting information generated by the plurality-of-information combination unit.

Furthermore, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus may further include a deletion unit configured to delete difference information with respect to the setting information. In addition, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus may also include an addition unit configured to add new difference information with respect to the setting information.

Moreover, according to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus may further include an alternative recording apparatus deciding unit configured to decide an alternative recording apparatus if no recording apparatus is decided by the recording apparatus deciding unit. Additionally, according to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of information processing apparatuses may be configured in hierarchical layers, wherein the designation unit designates one of the hierarchical layers, and wherein the recording apparatus deciding unit decides a recoding apparatus according to the designated layer.

Furthermore, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the setting information may include at least one of camera setting information, printer setting information, and web page setting information. Also, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of information processing apparatuses may include at least one of an access point, an operation apparatus, and an operated apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling an information processing apparatus in communication with an external apparatus having common information of setting information via a network. The method includes recording difference information with respect to the common information on a difference information recording unit; obtaining the common information; a combination step of combining the recorded difference information with the obtained common information obtained to generate combined setting information; and applying the combined setting information.

Moreover, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable program is provided for executing a control method for an information processing apparatus connected to an external apparatus having common information of setting information via a network. The computer-readable program includes program code for recording difference information with respect to the common information on a difference information recording unit; program code for obtaining the common information; program code for combining the recorded difference information with the obtained common information to generate combined setting information; and program code for applying the combined setting information.

Furthermore, according to still yet another aspect of the present invention, an information processing system is provided including a server and an information processing apparatus in communication via a network. Here, the information processing system includes a common information recording unit configured to record common information of setting information; a difference information recording unit configured to record difference information with respect to the common information recorded on the common information recoding unit; a combination unit configured to combine the difference information recorded on the difference information recording unit with the common information recorded on the common information recording unit to generate combined setting information; and an application unit configured to apply the combined setting information generated by the combination unit.

Also, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is an effect of preventing an increase in storage capacity. Moreover, there is an effect of enabling use of a device in an optimal state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention will now herein be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an example hardware configuration of a center server and each device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, an input unit101is configured to input data. For the input unit101, for example, an input screen constituted of a touch panel or the like, a remote controller, or an operation button may be provided to perform an input operation described below. A CPU102is configured to perform calculation, logical determination or the like for various processes, and to control components connected to a bus106. An output unit103is configured to output data. For the output unit103, a display such as an LCD or a CRT described below, or a recording such as a printer is available. A program memory104is configured to store control programs of the CPU102including a processing procedure of a flowchart described below. The program memory104can be a ROM. A data memory105is configured to store data generated by various processes. For example, the data memory105is a RAM to be loaded from a nonvolatile external storage medium before processing or referred to when necessary. A bus106is configured to transfer an address signal indicating each component to be controlled by the CPU102, a control signal for controlling each component, and data transferred between the components.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 2 to 17, a first exemplary embodiment of designating setting information under conditions designating a device place and using the setting information to realize a monitoring operation will be described. In particular, recording of the setting information in a storage place corresponding to the conditions, and operation of the device by combining difference information of the dispersed setting information will be described.

FIG. 2shows an example of a system configuration according to the first embodiment. In the configuration ofFIG. 2, a center server201and a plurality of devices constituting the hardware configuration ofFIG. 1are interconnected. The plurality of devices of the embodiment are a TV, a camera, and the like described below.

More specifically, the center server201, access points203,205, and207, and TVs209,211, and213as operation terminals are interconnected via a wired network. The access points203,205, and207and cameras215,217,219, and221, which are devices to be controlled, are interconnected via a wireless network. The devices include storage areas202,204,206,208,210,212,214,216,218,220, and222to hold setting information. For example, a monitoring video of the camera217is operated by the TV213, which is connected to the wired network, via the access point203and the center server201, which is connected to the wireless network. In this case, pieces of setting information stored in the storage areas of the devices are properly combined to operate the devices with optimal setting.

FIG. 3is an exemplary system block diagram when the system configuration ofFIG. 2is realized according to the first embodiment. A center server301equivalent to the center server201ofFIG. 2, an access point302, an operation terminal303equivalent to the TV ofFIG. 2, and a control target device304equivalent to the camera ofFIG. 2are interconnected via a wired/wireless network305. The devices include storage areas306,307,308, and309to hold setting information. The devices further include setting information transmission/reception units310,311,312, and313to transmit/receive setting information, and setting information storage units314,315,316, and317to store the setting information in the storage areas. The operation terminal303additionally includes a device setting unit318configured to execute device setting according to a user's instruction, and a setting information application unit319configured to apply corresponding setting information to the operation target device304. The setting information is prepared by assuming that a common unit, a room unique unit, a TV unique unit, and a camera unique unit are respectively recorded in the storage area306of the center server301, the storage area307of the access point302, the storage area310of the operation terminal303, and the storage area309of the control target device304.

FIG. 4is an example functional block diagram of the embodiment. Each function is realized by a cooperative operation of a program stored in the program memory104and the CPU102. The functions ofFIG. 4are not all essential according to embodiments described below, and functions other than those shown may be provided.

As shown inFIG. 4, the functional system of the exemplary embodiment includes an operation terminal401equivalent to the TV ofFIG. 2, a center server417, a control target device420equivalent to the camera ofFIG. 2, and an access point423. The operation terminal401includes a device setting unit402, a monitoring operation unit407, a device deletion unit411, and a device addition unit413. The device setting unit402includes a setting information application condition designation unit403to receive application conditions designated by a user's operation, and a condition corresponding recording place deciding unit404to decide a recording place of setting information by referring to condition corresponding recording place definition data415. Further, the operation terminal401includes a condition corresponding alternative recording place deciding unit405.

The device setting unit402additionally includes a difference setting information recording unit406to actually record difference setting information416in the recording place. The monitoring operation unit407includes a setting information combining unit409to combine difference setting information by referring to the difference setting information, and a setting information application unit408to apply the combined difference setting information. The monitoring operation unit407additionally includes a device control unit410to control the device according to the applied setting information and a user's operation. The device deletion unit411includes a difference setting information deletion unit412. The device addition unit413includes a condition corresponding recording place generation unit414. The center server417, the control target device420, and the access point423respectively include difference setting information managing units418,421, and424to store/manage difference setting information.

Referring toFIGS. 5 to 10, a case where the cameras215and217, the TV209, and the access point203in a child room2aofFIG. 2are set as application conditions of setting information is described below. A pan range of the camera installed in the child room2ais limited to a north side (North). As a result, difference setting information unique to a room is recorded in setting information of the storage area204of the access point203.

FIG. 5shows an example of a screen for performing setting operations of the cameras215and217as operation target devices via an operation terminal of the TV209according to the first embodiment. A device setting operation screen501shown inFIG. 5includes an application condition designation area504, a setting content designation area505, a decide button502for deciding designated contents, and a cancel button503for canceling the designated contents. A situation where a user designates “limited to device present in child room”506and changes a standard pan range only to “North”507is shown. Upon this setting, the decide button502is pressed to store setting contents corresponding to application conditions.

FIG. 6shows an exemplary flow of a device setting process of the device setting unit402of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4. In a no-condition setting content display process of step S601ofFIG. 6, “setting contents of application condition=no condition” shown inFIG. 5is displayed, and a process of step S602and subsequent steps is repeated. In a setting instruction process of step S602, a user's instruction generated via the device setting operation screen is received, and the process proceeds to step S603. If a changing operation of the application conditions is determined in step S603, application conditions of the setting information are changed by a condition changing process of step S604, and the process then returns to step S602to repeat the processing. If a changing operation of the setting contents corresponding to the application conditions is determined in step S603, the setting contents are changed by a setting changing process of step S605, and then the process returns to step S602to repeat the processing. If a cancel operation of the designated contents is determined in step S603, the process ends. If a decide operation is determined, the process proceeds to step S606.

In step S606, if it is determined in step S606that application conditions of the setting contents have not been designated, common setting contents are updated to be stored in the center server201by a no-condition setting content updating process of step S607, and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S606that application conditions of the setting contents have been designated, in a condition corresponding recording place deciding process of step S608, a recording place corresponding to the designated conditions is decided by referring to condition corresponding recording place definition data described below. Then, in a difference setting information recording process of step S609, difference setting information is stored in the recording place, and the process ends.

FIG. 7shows an example of the condition corresponding recording place definition data415ofFIG. 4. In the condition corresponding recording place definition data ofFIG. 7, conditions when setting information is applied, and corresponding recording places of difference setting information are recorded as indicated by701to705. For example, in the condition corresponding recording place definition data704, a recording place “storage area of corresponding access point” is set corresponding to a condition “limit place of device”. Specifically, if “child room2a” shown inFIG. 2is designated as a condition “limit place pf device”, a storage area204of the corresponding access point203is decided as the recording place.

FIG. 8shows an example flow of a condition corresponding recording place deciding process of the condition corresponding recording place deciding unit404of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4. A target is initialized at a head of condition corresponding recording place definition data in step S801ofFIG. 8, and a process of step S802and subsequent steps is repeated. If the target is determined to be valid in step S802, the process proceeds to step S803. If an end is determined in step S802, an error is determined to end the process. If the designated application conditions match the condition corresponding recording place definition data of the target in step S803(YES in step S803), in a corresponding recording place specifying process of step S805, a recording place is specified according to the condition corresponding recording place definition data of the target. Then, the process ends. For example, if “child room2a” ofFIG. 2is designated as a condition “limit place of device”, the storage area204of the corresponding access point203is decided as the recording place. On the other hand, if matching of the conditions is not determined in step S803(NO in step S803), the target is advanced in step S804, and the process then returns to step S802to repeat the processing.

FIG. 9shows an example of difference setting information recording data according to the first embodiment. In the difference setting information recording data ofFIG. 9, setting items and corresponding setting contents are recorded. For example, in the center server201, which serves as a common unit of the setting information, setting items of a standard pan range “North, West, South, and East”901, a standard zoom range902, and a standard resolution903of difference setting information recording data are set. In the access point203in the child room2a, a standard pan range “North”904alone of difference setting information recording data corresponding to a difference from the center server201is set. By referring to the difference setting information recording data, when a device in the child room2ais operated, the difference setting information “North” of the access point203becomes valid only in the case of the standard pan range, while difference setting information of the center server201as the common unit becomes valid for other cases.

FIG. 10shows an example flow of a difference setting information recording process of the difference setting information recording unit406of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 4. In a difference setting information specifying process of step S1001ofFIG. 10, a difference from setting information when there is no condition is specified, and the process proceeds to step S1002. Here, if it is determined in step S1002that there is a difference (YES in step S1002), recoding of the difference setting information is instructed to the information processing apparatus in step S1003. Then, the process ends. If it is determined in step S1002that there is no difference (NO in step S1002), deletion of the difference setting information is instructed to the information processing apparatus in step S1004. Then, the process ends.

Next, a case where the camera217installed in the child room2ahaving the access point203is operated via the TV213present in the living room2dwill be described. In this case, in addition to the setting information202, when there is no condition, recorded in the center server201, there is only a pan range “North” of the difference setting information204of the access point203recorded in the operation described above with reference toFIGS. 5 to 10.

FIG. 11shows an example of a situation for performing a monitoring operation on the camera304via the TV303ofFIG. 3. A monitoring operation screen1101ofFIG. 11includes a photographic video display area1102of the camera304and various operation areas. Specifically, the monitoring operation screen1101includes a pan operation slide bar1103, a zoom operation slide bar1105, and a tilt operation slide bar1107. By operating the slide bars, the camera304can be controlled, and the photographic video display area1102can be operated. The monitoring operation screen1101further includes a pan range changing button1104, a zoom range changing button1106, a tilt range changing button1108, and a resolution changing button1109. These buttons are used to temporarily change a standard pan range, a zoom range, and the like designated by the setting operations on the monitoring operation screen1101.

FIG. 12shows an example of setting information combined when the camera217is operated via the TV213according to the first embodiment. As indicated by1201to1203ofFIG. 12, only in the case of the standard pan range, the difference setting information “North” recorded on the access point203is valid, while the setting information when there is no condition is valid for other items.

FIG. 13shows an example flow of a monitoring operation process of the monitoring operation unit407ofFIG. 4. In a setting information application process of step S1301ofFIG. 13, setting information combining an operation target device, an operation terminal and corresponding difference setting information together is applied to display an operation screen. In step S1302, a user's operation is received in a device control instruction process. Then, in step S1303, the type of processing affiliated with the event is determined. If a pan operation is determined in step S1303, the camera217is subjected to pan control in a pan process of step S1304, and the process returns to step S1302to repeat the processing. If a tilt operation is determined in step S1303, the camera217is subjected to tilt control in a tilt process of step S1305, and the process returns to step S1302to repeat the processing. If a zoom operation is determined in step S1303, the camera217is subjected to zoom control in a zoom process of step S1306, and the process returns to step S1302to repeat the processing. If a resolution switching operation is determined in step S1303, the camera217is subjected to resolution switching control in a resolution switching process of step S1307, and the process returns to step S1302to repeat the processing.

FIG. 14shows an example flow of a setting information application process of the setting information application unit408ofFIG. 4. In a setting information combining process of step S1401ofFIG. 14, the operation target device, the operation terminal, and the corresponding difference setting information are combined to generate setting information. The setting information is applied to the operation target device in a device application process of step S1402. Then, an operation screen is displayed in a user interface (UI) generation process of step S1403to display the operation screen, and the process ends.

FIG. 15shows an example flow of a setting information combining process of the setting information combining unit409ofFIG. 4. In a center server setting information obtaining process of step S1501ofFIG. 15, a common unit of setting information when there is no condition is obtained. In an access point setting information overwriting process of step S1502, the setting information is overwritten with difference setting information corresponding to a place of the operation target device stored in the access point and difference setting information corresponding to a place of the operation terminal. The setting information is overwritten with the difference setting information of the operation target device by a device setting information overwriting process of step S1503, and the setting information is overwritten with the difference setting information of the operation terminal in an operation terminal setting information overwriting process of step S1504. Then, the process ends.

The case where a single application condition is designated for the contents has been described. However, the contents are valid when a plurality of conditions are combined. In this case, a recording place corresponding to a combination of conditions is determined, and difference setting information is stored in the recording place.

The case where the network camera is a target for the contents has been described. However, the contents are valid when a network printer is a target. For example, in the case of a network printer, printing is directly executed when it is in the same place as that of an operator. In another place, printing may be executed after an authentication operation on the printer. Thus, setting information corresponding to a place management storage place such as an access point may be stored.

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, by dispersing and saving the differences of setting information in the storage places corresponding to the conditions (device, installation place, device operation, and the like), it is possible to prevent an increase in necessary storage capacity caused by concentration of setting information in a specific device. The device can be used in an optimal state by properly using the setting information corresponding to the conditions. Proper use of the setting information is facilitated. The setting information can be shared by a plurality of operation terminals.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIG. 2andFIGS. 16 to 18, a second embodiment will be described in which a difference information combination of dispersed setting information is changed by targeting a device different from that of the first embodiment.

The second embodiment will be described by way of example where the camera215present in the child room2ahaving the access point203is operated via the TV213in the living room2daccording to a monitoring operation described below. According to the second embodiment, there is a common unit202of difference setting information, when there is no condition, recorded in the center server201. Additionally, the pan range “North” of the difference setting information204of the access point203recorded in the operation described above with reference toFIGS. 5 to 10, and a standard resolution “QVGA” of the difference setting information216of the camera215are present.

FIG. 16shows an example of difference setting information recording data according to the second embodiment. InFIG. 16, in addition to contents similar to that ofFIG. 9(reference numerals1601-1604), a standard resolution “QVGA” of difference setting information recording data1605of the camera215is set. By referring to the above-described difference setting information recording data, difference setting information “QVGA” of the camera215, which is an operation target device, becomes valid for the standard resolution, and difference setting information “North” of the access point203becomes valid for the standard pan range. For other items, difference setting information of the common center server201becomes valid.

FIG. 17shows an example of a situation where the camera304ofFIG. 3is subjected to a monitoring operation via the TV303according to the second embodiment. For components1701to1709, as compared with the monitoring operation screen ofFIG. 11, only a photographic video display area1702for the camera304is different in that it is set to QVGA. This is because the difference setting information recording data1605ofFIG. 16is reflected.

FIG. 18shows an example of setting information combined when the camera215is operated via the TV213according to the second embodiment. As indicated by1801to1803ofFIG. 18, “QVGA” of difference setting information recorded on the camera215becomes valid in the case of a standard resolution. In the case of a standard pan range, “North” of difference setting information recorded on the access point203becomes valid. For other items, setting information when there is no condition becomes valid.

As described above, recording, on a device, a difference of the setting information limited to the device facilitates proper use of the setting information designating the device.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIG. 2andFIGS. 19 to 21, a third embodiment will be described in which a difference information combination of dispersed setting information is changed by using an operation terminal different from that of the first embodiment. The third embodiment shows a situation where the camera217present in the child room2ahaving the access point203is operated via the TV211in the Japanese room2b. In addition to the setting information202of no condition recorded in the center server201shown inFIG. 2, according to the third embodiment, a pan range “North” of the difference setting information204of the access point203recorded in the operation described above with reference toFIGS. 5 to 10is present. Additionally, a standard zoom range “5 to 100 magnifications” of difference setting information212of the TV211is present.

FIG. 19shows an example of difference setting information recording data according to the third embodiment. In1901to1905ofFIG. 19, in addition to the contents ofFIG. 9, a standard zoom range “5 to 100 magnifications” of difference setting information recording data1905of the TV211is set.

By referring to the above-described difference setting information recording data, difference setting information “5 to 100 magnifications” of the TV211, which is an operation target device, becomes valid for the standard zoom range, and difference setting information “North” of the access point203becomes valid for the standard pan range. For other items, difference setting information of the common center server201becomes valid.

FIG. 20shows an example of a situation where a remote camera performs a monitoring operation according to the third embodiment. For components2001to2009, as compared with the monitoring operation screen ofFIG. 11, a zoom range2005is only different in that it is set to 5 to 100 magnifications. This is because the difference setting information recording data1905ofFIG. 19is reflected.

FIG. 21shows an example of setting information combined when the camera217is operated via the TV211according to the third embodiment. As indicated by2101to2103ofFIG. 21, “5 to 100 magnifications” of difference setting information recorded on the TV211becomes valid in the case of the standard zoom range. In the case of the standard pan range, “North” of difference setting information recorded on the access point223becomes valid. For other items, setting information when there is no condition becomes valid.

As described above, recording, on an operation terminal, a difference of the setting information limited to the operation terminal facilitates proper use of the setting information limiting the operation terminal.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 22 to 25, a fourth embodiment will be described in which a difference information combination of dispersed setting information is changed by moving a device to a place different from that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22shows an example of a system configuration according to the fourth embodiment, specifically showing a monitoring operation target described below with reference toFIGS. 23 to 25. Components similar to those ofFIG. 2are denoted by similar reference numerals. Specifically, a situation is shown where in a monitoring operation described below, a camera2201, which corresponds to the camera215installed in the child room2ainFIG. 2, is moved to the living room2dhaving the access point207, and is operated via the TV211in the Japanese room2b. InFIG. 22, in addition to the setting information202of no condition recorded in the center server201, a pan range “East” of the difference setting information208of the access point207, and a standard zoom range “5 to 100 magnifications” of difference setting information212of the TV211are present. A standard resolution “QVGA” of difference setting information2202of the camera2201is also present.

FIG. 23shows an example of difference setting information data according to the fourth embodiment. InFIG. 23, in addition to contents similar to that ofFIG. 9(reference numerals2301-2303), data2304indicates a difference setting information recording data standard pan range “East” of the access point207set in the living room2d. Data2305indicates a standard zoom range “5 to 100 magnifications” of difference setting information recording data of the TV211. Data2306indicates a standard resolution “QVGA” of the difference setting information recording data2202of the camera2201.

By referring to the above-described difference setting information recording data, difference setting information “5 to 100 magnifications” of the TV211, which is an operation target device, becomes valid for the standard zoom range. Difference setting information “East” of the access point207becomes valid for the standard pan range. For the standard resolution, difference setting information “QVGA” of the camera2201becomes valid. For other items, difference setting information of the common center server201becomes valid.

FIG. 24shows an example of a situation where the camera304ofFIG. 3is subjected to a monitoring operation via the TV303. A difference from the monitoring operation screen ofFIG. 11is that a standard pan range2403is set to a range near “East”, a zoom range2405is set to 5 to 100 magnifications, and a photographic video display area2402of the camera304is set to QVGA. This is because the difference setting information recording data2304,2305and2306ofFIG. 23are reflected.

FIG. 25shows an example of setting information combined when the camera2201is operated via the TV211according to the fourth embodiment. As shown inFIG. 25, “5 to 100 magnifications” of difference setting information2502recorded on the TV211becomes valid in the case of the standard zoom range. In the case of the standard pan range, “East” of difference setting information2501recorded on the access point207becomes valid. “QVGA” of difference setting information2503recorded on the camera2201becomes valid in the case of the standard resolution. For other items, setting information when there is no condition becomes valid.

As described above, recording, on an access point, a difference of the setting information limited to a place facilitates proper use of the setting information designating the place. In particular, recording, on an access point, a difference of the setting information limited to the device place facilitates proper use the setting information designating the device place.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 26 to 31, a fifth embodiment will be described in which a difference information combination of dispersed setting information is changed by using an operation terminal in a place different from that of the first embodiment. In particular, a change depending on presence in the same place as that of a target device will be described. Furthermore, specifying a place of the operation terminal based on wireless connection of an access point and the operation terminal will be described.

FIG. 26shows an example of a system configuration of the fifth embodiment, specifically showing a monitoring operation target described below with reference toFIGS. 27 to 29. Components similar to those ofFIG. 2are denoted by similar reference numerals. Specifically, a situation is shown where the camera217present in the child room2ahaving the access point203is operated via the TV213in the living room2dhaving the access point207in a monitoring operation described below. InFIG. 26, in addition to the setting information of no condition recorded in the center server201, there is only a pan range “North” of the difference setting information204corresponding to a place of an operation terminal of the access point203.

FIG. 27shows an example of difference setting information data according to the fifth embodiment. In data2701to2704ofFIG. 27, unlikeFIG. 9, a standard pan range is correlated with the place of the operation terminal to be set as difference setting information recording data2704of the access point203. By referring to the above-described difference setting information recording data, difference setting information “North” correlated with the place of the operation terminal of the access point203becomes valid for the standard pan range. For other items, difference setting information of the common center server201becomes valid. Thus, by recording the difference setting information correlated with the place of the operation terminal, an operation method corresponding to the operator's place is enabled. For example, photographing in the room is unnecessary when the operator is in the same room as that of the camera, and operability is improved only by setting a pan range outside even for a camera capable of all-direction photographing.

FIG. 28shows an example of a situation where a remote camera performs a monitoring operation according to the fifth embodiment. For components2801to2809, as compared with the monitoring operation screen ofFIG. 11, a pan range2803is only different in that it is set to difference setting information “North, West, South, East” of the center server201corresponding to a case of no applied condition. This is because the difference setting information recording data2704ofFIG. 27has not been applied as it is set valid only for the operation terminal in the child room2aunder the control of the access point203.

FIG. 29shows an example of setting information combined when the camera217is operated via the TV213according to the fifth embodiment. As indicated by2901to2903ofFIG. 29, setting information when there is no condition is valid.

Next, referring toFIGS. 30 and 31, another embodiment different from the previous embodiments in that the operation is performed via the TV209installed in the same child room2aas that of the access point203will be described.

FIG. 30shows an example of a situation where the camera304ofFIG. 3is subjected to a monitoring operation via the TV303. For components3001to3009, as compared with the monitoring operation screen ofFIG. 28, the only difference is that a pan range3003is set to a range near “North”. This is because the difference setting information recording data2704ofFIG. 27is reflected as the camera is operated via the operation terminal present in the same child room2aas that of the access point203.

FIG. 31shows an example of setting information combined when the camera217is operated via the TV209according to the fifth embodiment. As indicated by3101to3103ofFIG. 31, for a standard pan range only, difference setting information recorded in the access point203becomes valid.

As described above, recording, on an access point, a difference of the setting information limited to the place of the operation terminal facilitates proper use of the setting information limiting the place of the operation terminal.

Sixth Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 32 and 33, a sixth embodiment will be described in which corresponding setting information is associatively deleted when the camera2201is discarded from the system described above with reference toFIG. 22.

FIG. 32is an example flowchart of a device discarding process of the device deletion unit411ofFIG. 4in a device discarding process. A recording place corresponding to a device to be discarded is decided in a device corresponding recording place deciding process of step S3201ofFIG. 32. If the recording place is determined to be outside the device in step S3202, in a difference setting information deletion process of step S3203, the difference setting information of the recording place is discarded. Then, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3202that the recording place is in the device, the process ends without any processing. In other words, if the recording place is present in the device, no processing is necessary as it becomes invalid together with the discarding.

FIG. 33shows an example of difference setting information recording data after the device discarding process of the sixth embodiment. For data3301to3306, as compared withFIG. 23, only difference is that difference setting information3306of the camera2201is deleted.

As described above, management of unnecessary setting information can be facilitated.

Seventh Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 34 and 35, a seventh embodiment will be described in which a storage area of corresponding setting information is associatively secured when a new camera is added to the system described above with reference toFIG. 22.

FIG. 34is an example flowchart of a device addition process of the device addition unit413ofFIG. 4. A recording place corresponding to a device to be added is decided in a device corresponding recording place deciding process of step S3401ofFIG. 34. If the recording place is determined to be outside the device in step S3402, in a difference setting information area generation process of step S3403, the difference setting information recording area of the recording place is generated. Then, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3402that the recording place is in the device, the process ends without any processing. In other words, if the recording place is present in the device, no processing is necessary as it becomes valid together with the adding.

FIG. 35shows an example of difference setting information recording data after the device adding process of the seventh embodiment. As compared withFIG. 33, the difference is that difference setting information recording data3506of the new camera is added.

Therefore, as described above, generation of setting information of the newly added device can be facilitated.

Eighth Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 36 to 39, an eighth embodiment will be described in which recording is executed in a storage place for replacement when there is no storage place of setting information corresponding to conditions.

FIG. 36shows an example of a system configuration according to the eight embodiment, specifically showing a case of no access point. As there is no access point which is an optimal recording place, difference setting information designating a place of the device of the first embodiment is recorded in the recording place202of the center server201.

FIG. 37shows an example of a system configuration according to the eighth embodiment, specifically showing a case where there is no center server. Setting information of no condition to be originally stored in the center server is stored in all access points in an overlapped manner.

FIG. 38shows an example of alternative recording place definition data according to the eighth embodiment. In the alternative recording place definition data ofFIG. 38, a target recording place, and an alternative recording place when recording in the recording place is impossible are defined. For example, in alternative recording place definition data3801, as an alternative recording place when recording cannot be carried out in the target recording place “center server”, one of “all access points”, “all devices”, and “all operation terminals” is defined as an alternative candidate. Further, in the alternative recording place definition3802, for the target recording place “access point”, one of “center server”, “all devices of corresponding place”, and “all operation terminals” is defined as an alternative candidate. By referring to this data, according to the embodiment described above with reference toFIG. 36, difference setting information is recorded in the center server in place of the access point. According to the embodiment described above with reference toFIG. 37, difference setting information is recorded in all of the access points in place of the center server.

FIG. 39shows an example flow of a condition corresponding recording place deciding process of the condition corresponding recording place generation unit414ofFIG. 4. In step S3901ofFIG. 39, a target is initialized at a head of condition corresponding recording place definition data, and a process of step S3902and subsequent steps is repeated. If the target is not determined to be valid in step S3902, the process ends as an error by determining that there is no alternative place to record the difference setting information. On the other hand, if the target is determined to be valid in step S3902, a determination is made as to matching of a target recording place in step S3903. If matching is not determined (NO in step S3903), the target is advanced in step S3904, and the process returns to step S3902to repeat the processing. If matching of the target recording place is determined in step S3903(YES in step S3903), in an alternative recording place specifying process of step S3905, an alternative recording place is specified according to definition of alternative recording place definition data. Then, the process ends.

As described above, the setting information can be held even when there is no best recording place.

Ninth Exemplary Embodiment

Referring toFIGS. 40 to 43, a ninth embodiment will be described in which a difference information combination of dispersed setting information is changed under conditions to specify a device at a high abstract level.

FIG. 40shows an example of a situation of a device setting operation according to the ninth embodiment. In particular, a situation where a device is not uniquely specified but a device type is designated abstractly is shown. Specifically, a device selection pop-up window4002is displayed by designating “limited to device” as an application condition on a device setting operation screen4001shown inFIG. 40, and “optical zoom camera”4003is designated.

FIG. 41shows an example of a condition corresponding recording place definition data according to the ninth embodiment. Condition corresponding recording place definition data4102defining a storage place in a center server when a device is abstractly limited is added to definition data4101and4103to4106similar to those ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 42shows an example of difference setting information recording data according to the ninth embodiment. As shown inFIG. 42, difference setting information recording data4204of standard resolution “SXGA” is set in addition to difference setting information4201to4203of “optical zoom camera” limiting a device recorded in the center server at an abstract level.

FIG. 43shows an example flow of a setting information combining process of the setting information combining unit409ofFIG. 4. Standard setting information when there is no condition is obtained in a center server setting information obtaining process of step S4301ofFIG. 43. In an access point setting information overwriting process of step S4302, the setting information is overwritten with difference setting information corresponding to a place of an operation target device stored in the access point and difference setting information corresponding to a place of an operation terminal. In a center server abstract device setting information overwriting process of step S4303, the setting information is overwritten with difference setting information of an abstract device to which the operation target device belongs. The setting information is overwritten with difference setting information of the operation target device in a device setting information overwriting process of step S4304. The setting information is overwritten with difference setting information of the operation terminal in an operation terminal setting information overwriting process of step S4305. Then, the process ends.

As described above, a common use range of the setting information can be expanded by correlating the setting information at a higher abstract level.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

The aforementioned embodiments have been described by way of a case where the camera control is carried out via the TV. However, the invention can be applied in the case of customizing according to a user when a portal site is browsed on a web of the Internet using a general PC. For example, a server has common information of a portal site, a user's PC has a moving image photographed by the user as difference information. By combining these, the portal site in which the moving image photographed by the user himself is displayed as a background can be browsed.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (e.g., a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, and the like), or to an apparatus (e.g., a copying machine, a facsimile device or the like) including one device. For example, the invention can employ an embodiment of a system, an apparatus, a method, a program or a storage medium. For example, a software program (program corresponding to the shown flowcharts according to the embodiments) for realizing the functions of the embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus directly or from a remote place. Then, a computer of the system or the apparatus reads the supplied program code to execute it.

Thus, the program code itself installed in the computer to realize the functional process of the invention can be used also for realizing the invention. In other words, the computer program itself for realizing the functional process of the invention is also within the invention.

In this case, as long as the program function is provided, a form such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to an operating system (OS) may be employed.

As a recording medium for supplying a program, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, or an optical disk is available. Additionally, as recording media, there are a magneto-optical disk, an MD, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

According to a program supply method, a home page of the Internet is connected by using a browser of a client computer. The computer program of the invention is supplied from the home page of the connection destination, or a compressed file containing an automatic installing function is downloaded in a recording medium such as a hard disk to be supplied.

The present invention can be realized by classifying program code for the program into a plurality of files and downloading files from different home pages. In other words, a WWW server which causes a plurality of users to download program files to realize the functional process of the invention by the computer is also within the invention. The program of the invention can be encrypted and stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM to be distributed to users. The users who satisfy predetermined conditions are permitted to download key information to decrypt the program from the home page via the Internet. Then, the encrypted program can be executed by using the key information, and installed in the computer to be realized.

By executing the read program through the computer, the functions of the embodiments can be realized. Based on instructions of the program, the OS or the like operating on the computer executes a part or all of an actual process, and the functions of the embodiments can be realized by this process.

The program read from the recording medium is written in a memory disposed in a function expansion board inserted into the computer, or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Subsequently, based on the program instruction, a CPU or the like installed in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit executes a part or all of an actual process, and the functions of the embodiments are realized by this process.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-301844 filed Oct. 17, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference here in its entirety.