Abstract:
The related art has the problem of difficulty in providing the maximum number of actually superimposable images from an image-capturing apparatus to an external apparatus to which superimposition images are to be set, so that normal superimposition image setting cannot be performed from the external device. 
     An image-capturing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a request to acquire information on setting of superimposition information; and a transmission unit configured, when the reception unit receives an acquisition request, to transmit a maximum number of superimposition settings that the image-capturing apparatus can perform and a maximum number of settings for each kind of superimposition information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an image-capturing apparatus capable of transmitting a captured image to an external apparatus, and in particular, it relates to a technique for superimposing information, such as an image, on a captured image. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There is a known technique for superimposing an image or the like on a predetermined position of a captured image and transmitting the superimposed image. A known example is an on-screen display function (hereinafter, referred to as an OSD function) for displaying information, such as an image, at a fixed position of a captured image. 
     There is another known technique for dynamically changing a position of a captured image at which an image is to be superimposed. For example, PTL 1 discloses an image-capturing apparatus that moves the position of a cursor on a display screen in a panning or tilting direction in which the body of the apparatus moves. 
     However, increasing diversity of an image superimposing process sometimes causes a mismatch between the maximum number of superimposable images, which depends on individual superimposing processes, and the maximum number of images that can be set by the image-capturing apparatus as a whole. 
     Furthermore, there is no interface that provides the maximum number of images that can be superimposed by individual image superimposing processes to an external apparatus. 
     This poses the problem of difficulty in providing the maximum number of actually superimposable images from an image-capturing apparatus to an external apparatus to which superimposition images are to be set, so that normal superimposition image setting cannot be performed from the external device. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-131684 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Solution to Problem 
     To solve the above problem, an image-capturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reception unit configured to receive a request to acquire information on setting of superimposition information; and a transmission unit configured, when the reception unit receives an acquisition request, to transmit a maximum number of superimposition settings that the image-capturing apparatus can perform and a maximum number of settings for each kind of superimposition information. 
     To solve the above problem, an image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire the number of settings on superimposition information and the number of settings for each kind of superimposition information set in an image-capturing apparatus; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a maximum number of superimposition settings that the image-capturing apparatus can perform and a maximum number of superimposition settings for each kind of superimposition information; and a display unit configured to display a screen for setting superimposition information in accordance with the result of comparison between information acquired by the first acquisition unit and information acquired by the second acquisition unit. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a monitoring camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a monitoring camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the structure of parameters that the monitoring camera according to an embodiment of the present invention holds. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the relationship between the processing blocks and memories of the monitoring camera according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram of an example of a captured image according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram of a delivered image according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a diagram of a superimposition image according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing a command sequence from the start of setting to delivery of an image according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing a command sequence of an image superimposing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting option according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting option according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7C  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting option according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of the details of image-superimposition settings according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting screen for setting image superimposition according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 10A  is a flowchart for setting image superimposition in the monitoring camera. 
         FIG. 10B  is a flowchart for setting image superimposition in the monitoring camera. 
         FIG. 10C  is a flowchart for setting image superimposition in a client unit. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram showing the relationship between the processing blocks and memories of the monitoring camera according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting option according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram showing an example of the details of image-superimposition settings according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting screen for setting image superimposition according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing the relationship between the processing blocks and memories of the monitoring camera according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an example of the details of an image-superimposition setting option according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing an example of the details of image-superimposition settings according to the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing an example of an image-superimposition setting screen for setting image superimposition according to the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a monitoring camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the monitoring camera system includes a monitoring camera  1000  according to an embodiment of the present invention and a client unit  2000 , which is an external apparatus in the present invention. The monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000  are connected so as to communicate with each other via an IP network  1500 . The client unit  2000  transmits various commands for changing imaging parameters, driving a platform, starting video streaming, and so on, described later, to the monitoring camera  1000 . The monitoring camera  1000  transmits responses to such commands and video streaming to the client unit  2000 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , a control unit  1001  controls the whole of the monitoring camera  1000 . The control unit  1001  is a CPU, for example. 
     Reference sign  1002  denotes a storage unit. The storage unit  1002  is mainly used as a storage area for programs that the control unit  1001  executes and various set values and a work area during execution of the programs. Examples of the storage unit  1002  include a hard disk and a flash memory. The storage unit  1002  stores set values for an image-capturing-unit setting, a delivery profile, an image processing setting, a compression-coding setting, an image-superimposition setting, described later, and so on. The set values are referred to by the control unit  1001 . 
     Reference sign  1003  denotes a video memory. The video memory  1003  includes a captured-image memory, a clipped-image memory, and a delivery-image memory depending on the purpose and is used as an image-data processing area for an image-capturing unit  1004 , an image-processing unit  1005 , and a compression-coding unit  1006 , described later. 
     Reference sign  1004  denotes an image-capturing unit. The image-capturing unit  1004  converts an analog signal obtained by capturing a subject to digital data and outputs it as a captured image to a captured-image memory  1310 , described later. 
     Reference sign  1005  denotes an image-processing unit. The image-processing unit  1005  clips a captured image that the image-capturing unit  1004  outputs to the captured-image memory  1310  on the basis of the details of an image processing setting, described later. The image-processing unit  1005  further performs an image superimposing process on the clipped image data on the basis of an image-superimposition setting, described later, and outputs it to the clipped-image memory. Since the monitoring camera  1000  of this embodiment has two image-capturing-unit settings, the monitoring camera  1000  includes two clipped-image memories  1321  and  1322 . 
     Reference sign  1006  denotes a compression-coding unit. The compression-coding unit  1006  performs a resizing process on image data that the image-processing unit  1005  outputs to the clipped-image memory  1321  or  1322  on the basis of the details of a compression-coding setting, described later. The compression-coding unit  1006  further performs a compression coding process on the resized image data on the basis of a JPEG or H.264 format and outputs the compressed coded image data to delivery-image memories  13111  to  13223  as delivery images. If a request to start streaming is given from an external apparatus, the monitoring camera  1000  transmits the content of the delivery-image memory to the external apparatus by streaming on the basis of the details of the request. 
     Reference sign  1007  denotes a communication unit. The communication unit  1007  is used to receive control commands from the external client unit  2000  or to transmit responses to the control commands or a delivery image to the client unit  2000 . 
     Although the internal configuration of the monitoring camera  1000  has been described with reference to  FIG. 2 , the processing blocks shown in  FIG. 2  are merely examples of a monitoring camera of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and changes, such as addition of a sound input portion or an image-capture control portion for changing the orientation of the image-capturing unit, can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Next, the names and details of commands, parameters, and so on used in the first embodiment will be described hereinbelow. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the structure of parameters that the monitoring camera  1000  of this embodiment holds. These parameters are stored in the storage unit  1002  in  FIG. 2 . 
     Reference signs  6100  and  6101  denote delivery profiles. The delivery profiles are parameter sets for storing various set items of the monitoring camera  1000  in association with each other. The delivery file  6100  holds the ID of the delivery profile  6100  and links to an image processing setting  6110  and a compression-coding setting  6120 , described later, and so on. 
     Reference sign  6102  denotes an image-capturing-unit setting. The image-capturing-unit setting  6102  includes the ID of the image-capturing-unit setting  6102  and a resolution parameter of image data that the image-capturing unit  1004  can output. 
     Reference signs  6110  and  6111  denote image processing settings. The image processing settings  6110  and  6111  each include the parameters of the image-capturing-unit setting  6102  for outputting a captured image to be processed by the image-processing unit  1005  and parameters of a clip position and a clip size designating what part of the captured image is to be clipped and output to the clipped-image memory ( 1321  or  1322  in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Reference signs  6120  and  6121  denote compression-coding settings. The compression-coding settings  6120  and  6121  are each a set of parameters for compression coding of image data that the image-processing unit  1005  outputs to the clipped-image memory  1321  or  1322 . The compression-coding settings  6120  and  6121  each include the ID of the compression-coding setting, a compression-coding-type parameter indicating a compression coding type, and a delivery resolution indicating the resolution of an image output to the delivery-image memory after being compression coded. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the relationship between the processing blocks and memories of the monitoring camera  1000  according to the first embodiment. The image-capturing unit  1004  outputs captured image data to the captured-image memory  1310 . 
     Reference sign  1900  in  FIG. 5A  denotes example image data that the image-capturing unit  1004  having the parameters shown in the image-capturing-unit setting  6102  stored in the storage unit  1002  outputs to the captured-image memory  1310 . 
     The image-processing unit  1005  performs a clipping process on the image data  1900  output to the captured-image memory  1310  in accordance with an image processing setting read from the storage unit  1002  and outputs the clipped image to the clipped-image memory  1321  or  1322 . 
     Reference signs  1910  and  1911  in  FIG. 5A  denote clipped images, which are obtained by processing the image data  1900  output to the captured-image memory  1310  with the image-processing unit  1005  in accordance with the image processing setting  6110  or  6111  in  FIG. 3  and which are output to the clipped-image memory  1321  or  1322 . 
     The image data  1910  is an image clipped at a clip position ( 250 ,  200 ) with the upper left of the image data  1900  as the origin ( 0 ,  0 ) in a clip size ( 1280 ,  720 ) by a clipping process  10051  in accordance with the image processing setting  6110 . 
     The image data  1911  is an image clipped at a clip position ( 270 ,  210 ) of the image data  1900  in a clip size ( 854 ,  480 ) by a clipping process  10052  in accordance with the image processing setting  6111 . 
     The image-processing unit  1005  further includes image superimposing processes  1411  and  1412 . The image-processing unit  1005  reads an image-superimposition setting, described later, from the storage unit  1002  and determines whether an image-superimposition setting for the image processing setting  6110  or  6111  is present. If an image-superimposition setting for the image processing setting  6110  or  6111  is present, the image-processing unit  1005  superimposes an image on the clipped image  1910  or  1911  in accordance with the image-superimposition setting and outputs the clipped image to the clipped-image memory  1321  or  1322 . 
     The compression-coding unit  1006  performs a resizing process and a compression coding process, represented by H.264, JPEG, on the clipped image output to the clipped-image memory in accordance with compression-coding setting stored in the storage unit  1002  and outputs the image to the video memory  1003 . 
     The compression-coding unit  1006  resizes the images in the clipped-image memories  1321  and  1322  into three sizes in total, which can be designated by the compression-coding settings  6120  and  6121 , in resizing processes  10061  to  10064 . Furthermore, the resized images are compressed and coded in an H.264 coding portion  10068  or a JPEG coding portion  10069  and are output to the delivery-image memories  13111  to  13223  as delivery images. 
     The communication unit  1007  delivers delivery images in the delivery-image memories  13111  to  13223  in response to requests from the client unit  2000 . 
     The communication unit  1007  reads the delivery profile  6100  or  6101  designated by the client unit  2000  from the storage unit  1002 . The communication unit  1007  selects a target delivery-image memory in accordance with the details of an image processing setting and a compression-coding setting associated with the delivery profile  6100  or  6101  and delivers an image in the delivery-image memory by streaming to the client unit  2000 . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an example image delivered to the client unit  2000  on the basis of the delivery profile  6100 . This is an image clipped in accordance with the image processing setting  6110  and compressed and coded in the H.264 format into a size of 1,280×720 in accordance with the compression-coding setting  6120  and is stored in the delivery-image memory  13112 . 
     In  FIG. 5B , reference signs  1920  and  1921  denote superimposition images superimposed on the delivery image  1901  on the basis of the image-superimposition settings  6150  and  6151 , respectively. 
     Next, the details of the image-superimposition settings  6150  and  6151  will be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     Since the superimposition target in both settings  6150  and  6151  is image processing setting ID=A, that is, the image processing setting  6110  is designated, superimposition images  1920  and  1921  are superimposed on the delivery image  1901  clipped by the image processing setting  6110 , shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     In  FIG. 5C , reference sign  1922  denotes a superimposition image superimposed on a delivery image  1902  on the basis of an image-superimposition setting  6152 . 
     Next, the details of the image-superimposition setting  6152  will be described using  FIG. 8 . 
     Since the superimposition target is image processing setting ID=B, that is, the image processing setting  6111  is designated, the superimposition image  1922  is superimposed on the delivery image  1902  in  FIG. 5C  clipped by the image processing setting  6111 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows a typical command sequence from the start of setting to delivery of an image between the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
     Here, a transaction refers to a pair of a command transmitted from the client unit  2000  to the monitoring camera  1000  and a response that the monitoring camera  1000  returns to the client unit  2000 . 
     Reference sign  6000  denotes a transaction for device search. The client unit  2000  transmits a search request with predetermined conditions to the network. The monitoring camera  1000  that matches the conditions for search request returns a search response to the client unit  2000 . 
     Reference sign  6001  denotes a transaction for requesting event registration. The client unit  2000  transmits an event registration request to the monitoring camera  1000  to request the monitoring camera  1000  to transmit an event if a trigger that satisfies the predetermined conditions is generated. The monitoring camera  1000  stores the details of the event registration in the storage unit  1002 , and if a trigger that satisfies the predetermined conditions is generated, the monitoring camera  1000  transmits the event to the client unit  2000 . 
     Reference sign  6002  denotes a transaction for acquiring the function of the image-processing unit  1005 . This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain information on the function of the image-processing unit  1005  of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     Reference sign  6003  denotes a transaction for acquiring an image processing setting list. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain a list including the IDs of image processing settings held in the storage unit  1002  from the monitoring camera  1000 . In this embodiment, the image processing settings  6110  and  6111  are obtained. 
     Reference sign  6004  denotes a transaction for acquiring an image-processing setting option. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain settable choices and the range of set values for individual parameters of the image processing settings. 
     Reference sign  6005  denotes a transaction for changing image processing settings. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to change the details of the image processing settings obtained by the transaction  6003  on the basis of the choices obtained by the transaction  6004 . For example, the client unit  2000  changes the position and size of clipping. The monitoring camera  1000  stores the details of the changed image processing settings in the storage unit  1002 . 
     Reference sign  6006  denotes a setting-change event. The monitoring camera  1000  determines whether there is a client unit in which an event to notify that the image processing settings are changed by the transaction  6005  is registered in advance, with reference to the storage unit  1002 . If present, the monitoring camera  1000  transmits the event to the client unit. 
     Reference sign  6007  denotes a transaction for acquiring the function of the compression-coding unit  1006 . This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain information on the function of the compression-coding unit  1006  of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     Reference sign  6008  denotes a transaction for acquiring a compression-coding setting list. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain a list including the IDs of compression-coding settings stored in the storage unit  1002  from the monitoring camera  1000 . In the first embodiment, the client unit  2000  acquires the compression-coding settings  6120  and  6121 . 
     Reference sign  6009  denotes a transaction for acquiring a compression-coding setting option. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain settable choices and the range of set values for individual parameters of the compression-coding settings. 
     Reference sign  6010  denotes a transaction for changing compression-coding settings. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to change the details of the compression-coding settings obtained by the transaction  6008  on the basis of the choices obtained by the transaction  6009 . For example, the client unit  2000  changes the compression coding type or the clip size. The monitoring camera  1000  stores the details of the changed compression-coding settings in the storage unit  1002 . 
     The transaction  6011  is a setting-change event. The monitoring camera  1000  determines whether there is a client unit in which an event to notify that the compression-coding settings are changed by the transaction  6010  is registered in advance, with reference to the storage unit  1002 . If present, the monitoring camera  1000  transmits the event to the client unit  2000 . 
     Reference sign  6012  denotes a transaction for requesting creation of a delivery profile. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to newly create delivery profiles, as designated by  6100  and  6101 , in the monitoring camera  1000  and to obtain the IDs of the created delivery profiles. The monitoring camera  1000  stores the newly created delivery profiles in the storage unit  1002 . 
     Reference sign  6013  denotes a transaction for requesting addition of an image processing setting. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to designate the IDs of the delivery profiles obtained by the transaction  6012  and the IDs of the image processing settings obtained by the transaction  6003 . The monitoring camera  1000  associates the designated image processing settings with the designated delivery profiles and stores the details in the storage unit  1002 . 
     Reference sign  6014  denotes a transaction for requesting addition of a compression-coding setting. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to designate the IDs of the delivery profiles obtained by the transaction  6012  and the IDs of the compression-coding settings obtained by the transaction  6008  and to associate the compression-coding settings with the delivery profiles. The monitoring camera  1000  associates the designated compression-coding settings with the designated delivery profiles and stores the details in the storage unit  1002 . 
     Reference sign  6015  denotes a transaction for requesting acquisition of a delivery address. In this transaction, the client unit  2000  designates one of the delivery profile IDs obtained by the transaction  6012  and obtains a delivery address for acquiring an images delivered on the basis of the settings of the designated delivery profile. The monitoring camera  1000  reads the designated profile ID from the storage unit  1002  and selects a delivery-image memory corresponding to the details of the associated image processing setting and compression-coding setting from the delivery-image memories  13111  to  13223 . Furthermore, the monitoring camera  1000  returns a delivery address for delivering the image in the selected delivery-image memory to the client unit  2000 . 
     Reference sign  6016  denotes a transaction for requesting start of delivery. In this transaction, the client unit  2000  designates the delivery address obtained by the transaction  6015  and starts image streaming based on the setting of the designated delivery profile. Specifically, the client unit  2000  starts image streaming based on the image processing setting and the compression-coding setting associated with the delivery profile designated by the transaction  6015 . In this transaction  6016 , the client unit  2000  receives the ID of streaming from the monitoring camera  1000 . The monitoring camera  1000  stores association between streaming IDs and streaming in delivery in the storage unit  1002 . 
     Reference sign  6017  denotes streaming delivered from the monitoring camera  1000  to the client unit  2000 . Taking an example in which the delivery profile  6100  is designated in the request to acquire a delivery address in the transaction  6015  in  FIG. 6A , an image delivered here is based on the image processing setting  6110  and the compression-coding setting  6120 . In other words, an image processed in the clipping process  10051  and the resizing process  10061  and output to the delivery-image memory  13113  in  FIG. 4  is delivered. 
     Reference sign  6018  denotes a transaction for stopping delivery. In this transaction, the client unit  2000  designates the ID of streaming obtained by the transaction  6016  and stops the streaming in delivery. The monitoring camera  1000  specifies streaming corresponding to the designated streaming ID with reference to the storage unit  1002  and stops the streaming. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a typical command sequence of an image superimposing process between the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
     Reference sign  6050  denotes a transaction for requesting acquisition of an image-superimposing-process support function. In this transaction, the client unit  2000  determines whether the monitoring camera  1000  supports the image superimposing process. 
     Reference sign  6051  denotes a transaction for requesting acquisition of an image-superimposition setting list. In this transaction, the client unit  2000  obtains a list including the IDs of image-superimposition settings that the monitoring camera  1000  stores in the storage unit  1002 . In this embodiment, the client unit  2000  obtains image-superimposition settings  6150  to  6152  in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  shows an example of the details of the image-superimposition settings  6150  to  6152 . 
     Reference sign  6052  denotes a transaction for acquiring an image-superimposition setting option. This transaction causes the client unit  2000  to obtain settable choices and the range of set values for individual parameters of the image-superimposition settings. 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C  show examples of the details of an image-superimposition setting option that the monitoring camera  1000  returns to the client unit  2000  by the transaction  6052 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows that the monitoring camera  1000  supports a maximum of six image-superimposition settings and that image processing settings A and B can be designated as the superimposition target, to each of which a maximum of three image-superimposition settings can be applied. In other words, if the seventh image-superimposition setting is to be created irrespective of the superimposition target, the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response indicating that the setting cannot be created. 
     If the fourth image-superimposition setting for the image processing setting A is designated by the client unit  2000 , the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response indicating that the designation is impossible even if the sum of image-superimposition settings is six or less. 
       FIG. 7B  shows that the monitoring camera  1000  supports a maximum of six image-superimposition settings and that the image processing settings A and B can be designated as the superimposition target, to each of which a maximum of six image-superimposition settings can be applied. If the fourth image-superimposition setting for the image processing setting A is designated from the client unit  2000 , the monitoring camera  1000  returns a normal response indicating that the setting can be designated if the sum of image-superimposition settings is six or less. 
       FIG. 7C  shows that the monitoring camera  1000  supports a maximum of six image-superimposition settings and that only the image processing setting A can be designated as the superimposition target, to which a maximum of six image-superimposition settings can be applied. In this case, the image processing setting B is not supported. If an image-superimposition setting for the image processing setting B is designated from the client unit  2000 , the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response indicating that the designation is impossible even if the sum of image-superimposition settings is six or less. 
     Reference sign  6053  in  FIG. 6B  denotes a transaction for creating image-superimposition setting. This transaction  6053  causes the client unit  2000  to create a new image-superimposition setting in the monitoring camera  1000  on the basis of the choices obtained by the transaction  6052 . 
     Reference signs  6054 ,  6056 , and  6058  in  FIG. 6B  denote setting-change events. 
     The monitoring camera  1000  transmits the event of notifying that an image-superimposition setting is newly created, changed, or deleted by the transaction  6054  or  6055 , described later, to the client unit  2000  in which the event is registered. 
     Reference sign  6055  denotes a transaction for changing image-superimposition settings. This transaction  6055  causes the client unit  2000  to change the details of the image-superimposition settings obtained by the transaction  6051  and the details of the new image-superimposition setting created by the transaction  6053  on the basis of the choices obtained by the transaction  6052 . For example, the client unit  2000  changes the position of superimposition and the details of superimposition text. 
     Reference sign  6057  denotes a transaction for deleting an image-superimposition setting. This transaction  6056  causes the client unit  2000  to delete the image-superimposition settings obtained by the transaction  6051  or the image-superimposition setting newly created by the transaction  6053  from the monitoring camera  1000 . The monitoring camera  1000  deletes an image-superimposition setting having a designated ID from the storage unit  1002 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an example of an image-superimposition setting screen of the client unit  2000  for setting image superimposition of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     Reference sign  8100  denotes a live view area. When this setting screen of the client unit  2000  is opened, the client unit  2000  executes the transactions  6015  to  6017  in  FIG. 6A  to display a sample image that the monitoring camera  1000  is delivering at the present. Furthermore, the client unit  2000  executes the transaction  6052  for requesting acquisition of an image-superimposition setting option to create the details of the image-superimposition setting screen described below. 
     Reference sign  8101  denotes an image-superimposition setting tab. If the number of image-superimposition settings obtained by the transaction  6051  is less than the maximum setting number in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 , the client unit  2000  displays the image-superimposition setting tab  8101  to provide a screen for creating a new image-superimposition setting. The details of the screen are the same as an image-superimposition setting tab described below. 
     Reference sign  8102  denotes an image-superimposition setting tab. The client unit  2000  displays image-superimposition setting tabs corresponding to the number of image-superimposition settings obtained by the transaction  6051 . The screen displayed in the OSD1 tab  8102  in  FIG. 9  is a screen for changing the details of the image-superimposition setting  6150  in  FIG. 3 . 
     Reference sign  8103  denotes a superimposed-object specification area. The client unit  2000  provides choices of a superimposed image depending on the kind of a superimposed-image parameter in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 . If text can be selected, the client unit  2000  displays a superimposed-text box for inputting superimposed text, and if an image can be selected, the client unit  2000  displays an image-address box for inputting the address of a target image. 
     Reference sign  8104  denotes a superimposing-position specification area. The client unit  2000  provides choices of superimposing position in a delivery image depending on the details of a superimposing-position parameter in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 . 
     Reference sign  8105  denotes a superimposed-object specification area. The client unit  2000  provides choices of the superimposition target depending on the details of a superimposition-target parameter in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 . In  FIG. 9 , the targets of superimposition and image processing settings A and B shown in  FIG. 7A  are provided as choices. 
     When displaying the choices in the superimposed-object specification area  8105 , the client unit  2000  compares the image-superimposition settings set in the monitoring camera  1000  at present, obtained by the transaction  6051 , and the maximum setting number of the superimposition-target parameters in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 . For example, if the maximum setting number for the image processing setting A is 3, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the client unit  2000  displays image processing setting ID=A as a choice in the superimposed-object specification area  8105  only when the number of image-superimposition settings for the image processing setting A held in the monitoring camera  1000  is 3 or less. 
     Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 7C , if the image processing setting B is not displayed as the superimposition target, the client unit  2000  does not display the image processing setting ID=B as a choice in the superimposed-object specification area  8105 . 
     Reference sign  8106  denotes a send button. When the send button  8106  in the image-superimposition setting tab  8101  is pressed, the client unit  2000  transmits the details of the setting values in the areas  8103  to  8105  to the monitoring camera  1000  as an image-superimposition-setting creation request. If the send button  8106  in the image-superimposition setting tab  8102  is pressed, the client unit  2000  transmits the details of the setting values in the areas  8103  to  8105  to the monitoring camera  1000  as an image-superimposition-setting change request for the image-superimposition setting of the ID shown in the tab  8102 . 
     Reference sign  8107  denotes a delete button. When the delete button  8107  on the screen of the image-superimposition setting tab  8102  is pressed, the client unit  2000  transmits an image-superimposition-setting deletion request for the image-superimposition setting of the ID shown in the tab  8102  to the monitoring camera  1000 . The delete button  8107  is not necessary and is not displayed on the screen of the new image-superimposition setting tab  8101 . 
     Reference sign  8108  denotes a cancel button. When the cancel button  8108  is pressed, the client unit  2000  exits the image-superimposition setting screen. 
     Referring to the flowcharts in  FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C , workflows for image-superimposition setting in the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000  will be described. 
       FIG. 10A  is a flowchart for an image-superimposition-setting-creation request command process in the monitoring camera  1000 . The control unit  1001  of the monitoring camera  1000  executes this process when receiving an image-superimposition-setting creation request command. 
     In step S 9000 , the control unit  1001  acquires all of created image-superimposition settings from the storage unit  1002 . 
     In step S 9001 , the control unit  1001  compares the number of the created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9000  with the maximum number of image-superimposition settings that the monitoring camera  1000  can hold. Specifically, the control unit  1001  compares the number of created image-superimposition settings (the total number of image-superimposition settings) acquired in step S 9000  with the maximum setting number in the image-superimposition setting option described with reference to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C . 
     If the number of created image-superimposition settings is equal to or less than the maximum setting number, the control unit  1001  goes to step S 9002 , and if not, goes to step S 9007 . 
     In step S 9002 , the control unit  1001  calculates, among the created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9000 , the number of image-superimposition settings in which the same superimposition target as that included in the image-superimposition setting input in the image-superimposition-setting-creation request command is set. 
     In step S 9003 , the control unit  1001  determines whether the number of the image-superimposition settings calculated in step S 9002  is equal to or less than the maximum setting number for the superimposition target. Specifically, the control unit  1001  compares the number of the created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9002  with the maximum setting number for each image processing setting in the image-superimposition setting option, described with reference to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C . 
     If it is equal to or less than the maximum setting number for the superimposition target, the control unit  1001  determines that the input image-superimposition setting can be created and goes to step S 9004 . If it exceeds the maximum setting number for the superimposition target, the control unit  1001  determines that the input image-superimposition setting cannot be created and goes to step S 9007 . 
     In step S 9004 , the control unit  1001  determines whether the parameter of the input image-superimposition setting is normal. Specifically, the control unit  1001  determines whether the parameter of the input image-superimposition setting is within the range of the parameter that can be designated for the image-superimposition setting provided to the client unit  2000  by the transaction  6052 . If the parameter is normal, the control unit  1001  goes to step S 9005 . If the parameter is not normal, the control unit  1001  determines that the input image-superimposition setting cannot be created and goes to step S 9007 . 
     In step S 9005 , the control unit  1001  executes an image superimposing process with the input image-superimposition setting so that the details of the input image-superimposition setting is reflected to an image delivered by the monitoring camera  1000 . Furthermore, the control unit  1001  stores the details of the input image-superimposition setting in the storage unit  1002  as a created image-superimposition setting. 
     In step S 9006 , the control unit  1001  transmits a normal response via the communication unit  1007  and exits the image-superimposition-setting-creation request command process. 
     In step S 9007 , the control unit  1001  transmits an error response via the communication unit  1007  and exits the image-superimposition-setting-creation request command process. 
       FIG. 10B  is a flowchart of an image-superimposition-setting-change request command process in the monitoring camera  1000 . The process in  FIG. 10B  is executed by the control unit  1001  of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     The control unit  1001  of the monitoring camera  1000  executes this process when receiving an image-superimposition-setting change request command. In  FIG. 10B , descriptions of steps similar to those in  FIG. 10A  will be omitted. 
     In step S 9100 , the control unit  1001  calculates the number of image-superimposition settings in which the same superimposition target as that included in the input image-superimposition setting input among the created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9000 . 
     If it is present, the control unit  1001  determines that an image superimposing process whose setting is to be changed is present and goes to step S 9101 . If it is not present, the control unit  1001  determines that the setting change request cannot be honored because an image superimposing process whose setting is to be changed is not present and goes to step S 9007 . 
     In step S 9101 , the control unit  1001  calculates the number of image-superimposition settings in which the same superimposition target as that included in the image-superimposition setting input in the image-superimposition-setting-change request command, in addition to the image-superimposition setting to be changed, among the created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9000 . 
     In step S 9101 , the control unit  1001  deletes the superimposition image in the image-superimposition setting with the same ID, displayed at the present, and executes the image superimposing process with the details of the input image-superimposition setting so that the details of the input image-superimposition setting is reflected to an image delivered by the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     Furthermore, the control unit  1001  writes the image-superimposition setting with the same ID among the created image-superimposition settings over the input image-superimposition setting and stores it in the storage unit  1002 . 
       FIG. 10C  is a flowchart for an image-superimposition setting screen process in the client unit  2000 . 
     This is a process executed by the client unit  2000  when the user of the client unit  2000  wants to superimpose an image on an image delivered from the monitoring camera  1000 . As a result of this process, the screen shown in  FIG. 9  is displayed on the display of the client unit  2000 . 
     In step S 9500 , the client unit  2000  displays an image-superimposition setting screen. In step S 9501 , the client unit  2000  executes the transactions  6012  to  6017  in  FIG. 6A  to cause the monitoring camera  1000  to transmit image streaming and displays the received image streaming in the live view area  8100 . 
     In step S 9502 , the client unit  2000  executes the transaction  6051  in  FIG. 6B  to obtain a created image-superimposition setting list from the monitoring camera  2000 . 
     In step S 9503 , the client unit  2000  executes the transaction  6052  in  FIG. 6B  to acquire an image-superimposition setting option from the monitoring camera  2000 . 
     In step S 9504 , the client unit  2000  determines whether the number of created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9502  is equal to or less than the maximum setting number obtained in step S 9503 . If the number of created image-superimposition settings is equal to or less than the maximum setting number, the client unit  2000  goes to step S 9505  to display the new button  8101 . 
     In step S 9506 , the client unit  2000  determines whether the number of created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9502  is 1 or more. If the number of created image-superimposition settings is 1 or more, the client unit  2000  displays the image-superimposition setting tab  8102  in step S 9507  in accordance with the detail of the created image-superimposition settings. 
     In step S 9508 , the client unit  2000  displays the choices in the areas  8103  to  8105  in  FIG. 9  in accordance with the details of the image-superimposition setting option acquired in step S 9503 . 
     In step S 9509 , the client unit  2000  displays the choices in the areas  8103  to  8105  as selected settings in accordance with the details of the created image-superimposition setting displayed in the selected image-superimposition setting tab  8102 . 
     In step S 9510 , the client unit  2000  displays only selectable targets of superimposition as choices in the area  8105 , among the targets in the image-superimposition setting option acquired in step S 9503 . Specifically, the client unit  2000  calculates the number of created image-superimposition settings for each superimposition target for the created image-superimposition settings acquired in step S 9502  and compares the number with the maximum setting number for each superimposition target acquired in step S 9503 . The client unit  2000  lists, as selectable choices, only superimposition targets whose number of created image-superimposition settings is equal to or less than the maximum setting number in the area  8105 . 
     In step S 9511 , the client unit  2000  waits until any of the buttons on the image-superimposition setting screen is pressed. If the new button  8101  or the image-superimposition setting tab  8102  is pressed, the client unit  2000  returns to step S 9509 . If the send button  8106  is pressed, the client unit  2000  goes to step S 9512 . If the delete button  8107  is pressed, the client unit  2000  goes to step S 9520 . If the cancel button  8108  is pressed, the client unit  2000  goes to step S 9540 . 
     In step S 9512 , the client unit  2000  designates an ID corresponding to the image-superimposition setting tab  8101  that is selected at present and transmits an image-superimposition-setting-change request command with the details in the areas  8103  to  8105  as an input to the monitoring camera  1000 . If not the image-superimposition setting tab but the new button  8101  is selected, the client unit  2000  transmits an image-superimposition-setting-creation request command to the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     In step S 9520 , the client unit  2000  designates an ID corresponding to the selected image-superimposition setting tab  8101  and transmits an image-superimposition-setting-deletion request command to the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     In step S 9521 , the client unit  2000  deletes the selected image-superimposition setting tab  8101 . 
     In step S 9540 , the client unit  2000  exits the screen. 
     The first embodiment allows an image-capturing apparatus in which an image superimposing process is performed for each of a plurality of image clipping processes and in which image superimposition is performed at the previous stage of the compression coding process to provide the number of settable superimposition image settings and the maximum number of superimposable images to an external apparatus. 
     This provides an advantage in that normal image-superimposition setting for an image-capturing apparatus can be performed from an external apparatus even if the number of superimposition image settings that can be set in the image-capturing apparatus and the maximum number of superimposable images are not equal. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The first embodiment has been described when applied to a monitoring camera in which an image superimposing process is performed for each of a plurality of image clipping processes and in which image superimposition is performed at the previous stage of the compression coding process and which provides the number of settable superimposition image settings and the maximum number of superimposable images. 
     The present invention can also be applied to an image-capturing apparatus in which image superimposition is performed for each of a plurality of compression coding processes in the image-capturing apparatus and in which the image superimposition is performed in the previous stage of a resizing process. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . Descriptions of parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted. 
       FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a monitoring camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 1 , reference sign  1000  denotes a monitoring camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the structure of parameters that the monitoring camera  1000  holds. 
       FIG. 11  shows the relationship between processing blocks and memories in the monitoring camera  1000  according to the second embodiment. 
     The image-processing unit  1005  does not perform an image superimposing process in contrast to the first embodiment. 
     The compression-coding unit  1006  resizes images in the clipped-image memories  1321  and  1322  by the resizing processes  10061  to  10064  into three sizes in total, which can be designated by the compression-coding settings  6120  and  6121 . If an image-superimposition setting is set for individual compression coding types, both of clipped images in the clipped-image memories  1321  and  1322  are resized after being subjected to an image superimposing process in accordance with the details of the image-superimposition settings. If an image-superimposition setting for H.264 is present, the images in the clipped-image memory  1321  are processed in an image superimposing process  1421 , and if an image-superimposition setting for JPEG is present, the images in the clipped-image memory  1322  are processed in an image superimposing process  1422 . 
     Furthermore, the resized images are compressed and coded in the H.264 coding portion  10068  or the JPEG coding portion  10069  and are output to the delivery-image memories  13111  to  13223  as delivery images. 
     Reference sign  1900  in  FIG. 5A  denotes example image data that the image-capturing unit  1004  having the parameters shown in the image-capturing-unit setting  6102  stored in the storage unit  1002  outputs to the captured-image memory  1310 . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an example image delivered to the client unit  2000  on the basis of the delivery profile  6100 . This is an image clipped in accordance with the image processing setting  6110  and compressed and coded in the H.264 format into a size of 1,280×720 in accordance with the compression-coding setting  6120  and is stored in the delivery-image memory  13112 . 
     In  FIG. 5B , reference signs  1920  and  1921  denote superimposition images superimposed on the delivery image  1901  on the basis of the image-superimposition settings  6150  and  6151 , respectively. Examples of the details of the image-superimposition settings  6150  and  6151  are shown in  FIG. 13 . Since the superimposition target in both settings  6150  and  6151  is compression-coding type=H.264, superimposition images  1920  and  1921  are superimposed on the delivery image  1901  in  FIG. 5B  that is compressed and coded by the compression-coding unit  10068 . 
     In  FIG. 5C , reference sign  1922  denotes a superimposition image superimposed on the delivery image  1902  on the basis of the image-superimposition setting  6152 . An example of the details of the image-superimposition setting  6152  is shown in  FIG. 13 . Since the superimposition target is image processing setting ID=B, that is, the image processing setting  6111  is designated, the superimposition image  1922  is superimposed on the delivery image  1902  in  FIG. 5C  compressed and coded by the compression-coding unit  10069 . 
       FIG. 6A  shows a typical command sequence from the start of setting to delivery of an image between the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows a typical command sequence of an image superimposing process between the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
       FIG. 12  shows an example of the details of an image-superimposition setting option that the monitoring camera  1000  returns to the client unit  2000  in the transaction  6052 . 
       FIG. 12  shows that the monitoring camera  1000  supports a maximum of six image-superimposition settings and that compression coding types H.264 and JPEG can be designated as the superimposition target, to each of which a maximum of three image-superimposition settings can be applied. In other words, if the seventh image-superimposition setting is to be created irrespective of the superimposition target, the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response indicating that the setting cannot be created. If the fourth image-superimposition setting for the H.264 format is designated by the client unit  2000 , the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response indicating that the designation is impossible even if the sum of image-superimposition settings is six or less. 
       FIG. 14  shows an example of an image-superimposition setting screen of the client unit  2000  for setting image superimposition of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     Reference sign  8115  denotes a superimposed-object specification area. The client unit  2000  provides choices of a superimposition target depending on the details of a superimposed-image parameter in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 . In  FIG. 14 , the superimposition target and the compression coding types, H.264 and JPEG illustrated in  FIG. 12 , are provided as choices. 
     The flowcharts in  FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C  show workflows for image-superimposition setting in the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
     The second embodiment allows an image-capturing apparatus in which an image superimposing process is performed for each of a plurality of different types of compression coding process and in which image superimposition is performed at the previous stage of the resizing process to provide the number of settable superimposition image settings and the maximum number of superimposable images to an external apparatus. 
     This provides an advantage in that normal image-superimposition setting for an image-capturing apparatus can be performed from an external apparatus even if the number of superimposition image settings that can be set in the image-capturing apparatus and the maximum number of superimposable images are not equal. 
     Third Embodiment 
     The second embodiment has been described when applied to a monitoring camera in which an image superimposing process is performed for each of a plurality of compression coding processes and in which image superimposition is performed at the previous stage of the resizing process and which provides the number of settable superimposition image settings and the maximum number of superimposable images. 
     The present invention can also be applied to an image-capturing apparatus in which image superimposition is performed in the subsequent stage of the clipping process and the resizing process for each of compression coding types. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . Descriptions of parts similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted. 
       FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a monitoring camera system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , reference sign  1000  denotes a monitoring camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the structure of parameters that the monitoring camera  1000  holds. 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram showing the relationship between the processing blocks and memories of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     In contrast to the first embodiment, the image-processing unit  1005  does not perform an image superimposing process. 
     The compression-coding unit  1006  resizes images in the clipped-image memories  1321  and  1322  by the resizing processes  10061  to  10064  into three sizes in total, which can be designated by the compression-coding settings  6120  and  6121 . If an image-superimposition setting is set, image superimposing processes  1431  to  1442  are performed in accordance with the details of a combination of an image processing setting, compression coding type, and the compression coding resolution of the superimposition target. Furthermore, the individual resized images are coded and compressed by the H.264 coding portion  10068  and the JPEG coding portion  10069  and are output to the delivery-image memories  13111  to  13223  as delivery images. 
     Reference sign  1900  in  FIG. 5A  denotes example image data that the image-capturing unit  1004  having the parameters shown in the image-capturing-unit setting  6102  stored in the storage unit  1002  outputs to the captured-image memory  1310 . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates an example image delivered to the client unit  2000  on the basis of the delivery profile  6100 . This is an image clipped in accordance with the image processing setting  6110  and compressed and coded in the H.264 format into a size of 1,280×720 in accordance with the compression-coding setting  6120  and is stored in the delivery-image memory  13112 . 
     In  FIG. 5B , reference signs  1920  and  1921  denote superimposition images superimposed on the delivery image  1901  on the basis of the image-superimposition settings  6150  and  6151 , respectively. Examples of the details of the image-superimposition settings  6150  and  6151  are shown in  FIG. 17 . Since the superimposition target in both settings  6150  and  6151  is set to image processing setting A, compression-coding type=H.264, and compression coding resolution=1,280×720, the superimposition images  1920  and  1921  are superimposed on the delivery image  1901  in  FIG. 5B  that satisfies these three conditions. 
     In  FIG. 5C , reference sign  1922  denotes a superimposition image superimposed on the delivery image  1902  on the basis of the image-superimposition setting  6152 . An example of the details of the image-superimposition setting  6152  is shown in  FIG. 17 . Since the superimposition target is set to image processing setting ID=B, compression-coding type=JPEG, and compression coding resolution=400×240, the superimposition image  1922  is superimposed on the delivery image  1902  in  FIG. 5C  that satisfies the these three conditions. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a typical command sequence from the start of setting to delivery of an image between the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows a typical command sequence of an image superimposing process between the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
       FIG. 16  shows an example of the details of an image-superimposition setting option that the monitoring camera  1000  returns to the client unit  2000  in the transaction  6052 . 
       FIG. 16  shows that the monitoring camera  1000  supports a maximum of six image-superimposition settings and that a combination of three kinds of parameter, that is, image processing setting, compression coding type, and compression coding resolution, can be designated as the superimposition target. 
       FIG. 16  shows not all combinations. A maximum of three image-superimposition settings can be applied to each of combinations. In other words, if the seventh image-superimposition setting is to be created irrespective of the superimposition target, the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response indicating that the setting cannot be created. 
     If four image-superimposition settings in which a combination of the image processing setting, compression coding type, and compression coding resolution is the same is designated by the client unit  2000 , the monitoring camera  1000  returns an error response that the designation is impossible even if the sum of image-superimposition settings is six or less. 
       FIG. 18  shows an example of an image-superimposition setting screen of the client unit  2000  for setting image superimposition of the monitoring camera  1000 . 
     Reference sign  8125  denotes a superimposed-object specification area. The client unit  2000  provides choices of a superimposed image depending on the details of superimposed-image parameters in the image-superimposition setting option obtained by the transaction  6052 . In  FIG. 18 , the three parameters of the superimposition target shown in  FIG. 16 , that is, image processing setting, compression coding type, and compression coding resolution, are provided as choices. 
     The flowcharts in  FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C  show workflows for image-superimposition setting in the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000 . 
     The third embodiment allows an image-capturing apparatus in which image superimposition is performed at the subsequent stage of the clipping process and the resizing process for each of compression coding type to provide the number of superimposition image settings and the maximum number of images that can be subjected to superimposition at one time to an external apparatus. 
     This provides an advantage in that normal image-superimposition setting for an image-capturing apparatus can be performed from an external apparatus even if the number of superimposition image settings that can be set in the image-capturing apparatus and the maximum number of superimposable images are not equal. 
     Although the operations of the monitoring camera  1000  and the client unit  2000  implementing the present invention have been described in the first to third embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above; the embodiments may be partly changed. 
     Although  FIG. 16  shows combinations of image processing setting, compression coding type, and compression coding resolution as choices for the superimposition target, the IDs of compression-coding settings in  6120  and  6121  may be provided as choices instead of the compression coding type and compression coding resolution. 
     In this case, acquiring the compression coding type and compression coding resolution in the image superimposing process on the basis of the ID of the compression-coding setting offers the same advantages as those in the third embodiment. 
     Although the image-superimposition setting in  FIG. 8  includes the superimposition target, superimposed object, superimposing position, superimposed text, and a superimposition image, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, including the font size of superimposed text, the size of a superimposition image, and so on does not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 7A , only four corners of the image are provided as choices of the image superimposing position, the present invention is not limited thereto. A method of designating an any position in the image with its coordinates and a method of specifying the position of a feature portion in the image, such as a human face and a number plate, by image processing and superimposing an image on the position do not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to a so-called on-screen display function in which a specific character string or image is superimposed on a delivery image, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be applied to a so-called masking function for superimposing or processing images so that a specific position of a delivery image cannot be viewed by a receiving side. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or other circuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separate computer processors. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to 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 such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-115686, filed May 31, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.