Patent Abstract:
A method and an apparatus of controlling a plurality of monitoring cameras which transmit a plurality of live-view images of a plurality of channels, respectively, are provided. The method includes: displaying a panorama image of a channel among the plurality of channels on a panorama region in a screen of a display unit; and controlling at least one of a monitoring camera of the channel and the panorama image according to a command input by a user.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0062225, filed on Jul. 8, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to controlling monitoring cameras, and more particularly, to controlling monitoring cameras of a plurality of channels which are connected via a communication network. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Monitoring cameras can be connected to a controlling device, such as a computer, via a communication network and perform panning, tilting and zooming according to controlling commands from the controlling device. The panning is an operating of rotating a monitoring camera in a horizontal direction, and the tilting is an operation of rotating the monitoring camera in a vertical direction. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In operating monitoring cameras, a user may search for regions to be monitored and designate the regions while performing panning and tilting of the monitoring cameras. 
         [0007]    For example, if the user wants to watch an enlarged image of a certain area included in a monitoring region of one monitoring camera, the user should search for the area and designate the area while performing panning and tilting of the monitoring camera. 
         [0008]    In addition, if the user wants to monitor a plurality of points by a set time interval within the entire monitoring region of one monitoring camera, the user may need to search for the points and designate the points while performing panning and tilting of the monitoring camera. 
         [0009]    One or more exemplary embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling monitoring cameras, which allow a user to easily search for designated areas without performing panning and/or tilting with respect to each of the monitoring cameras in a monitoring system, in which a plurality of monitoring cameras transmit images through a plurality of channels, respectively, in a communication network. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of a plurality of monitoring cameras which transmit a plurality of live-view images of a plurality of channels, respectively, the method including: displaying a panorama image of a channel among the plurality of channels on a panorama region in a screen of a display unit; and controlling at least one of a monitoring camera of the channel and the panorama image according to a command input by a user. 
         [0011]    The method may further include: displaying a live-view image of the channel on the panorama region or a live-view region in the screen before the displaying the panorama image of the channel on the first region in the screen; and generating the panorama image of the channel using the live-view image. 
         [0012]    The displaying the live-view image may include: inputting data for at least one of the monitoring camera and the channel; and displaying the live-view image on the panorama region or a live-view region in the screen according to the data. The inputting data may include: generating a signal pointing to the live-view region; displaying an input means for the user according to the signal; and inputting the data using the input means by the user. 
         [0013]    In the displaying the panorama image of the channel, the panorama image may be generated by at least one of panning, tilting and zooming operations on the monitoring camera. 
         [0014]    The controlling at least one of the monitoring camera and the panorama image may include: inputting data, corresponding to the command, for at least one of the monitoring camera and the channel; and controlling the monitoring camera according to the data. The controlling at least one of the monitoring camera and the panorama image may include: designating at least one area in the panorama image using an input means without performing any of panning, tilting and zooming of the monitoring camera of the channel; and displaying images of the designated at least one area in another region in the screen. The images of the designated at least one area may be displayed in the other region at a predetermined order and at a preset time interval. The controlling at least one of the monitoring camera and the panorama image may include: enlarging or reducing an image corresponding to a designated area included in the panorama image without performing any of panning, tilting and zooming of the monitoring camera of the channel; and displaying the enlarged or reduced image in another region in the screen. 
         [0015]    According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided an apparatus controlling a plurality of monitoring cameras which transmit a plurality of live-view images of a plurality of channels, respectively, the apparatus including a control unit which controls a display unit, connected to the control unit, to display a panorama image of a channel among the plurality of channels on a panorama region in a screen of the display unit, and control at least one of a monitoring camera of the channel and the panorama image according to a command input by a user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The above and other aspects will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing communications between computers, which are controlling devices, and monitoring cameras via a communication network, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary diagram of a screen displayed on a display panel by a computer among the computers shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a controlling algorithm performed by a computer among the computers shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a connection input window displayed to input a live-view display command illustrated in S 31  of  FIG. 3  or a panorama display command illustrated in S 33  of  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a detailed algorithm of a controlling operation relating to the panorama shown in  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a panorama controlling window displayed to perform controls relating to the panorama illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of each of the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows that computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  which are controlling devices communicate with monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  via a communication network  2  according to an exemplary embodiment. The number of the computers and the number of the monitoring cameras are not limited to three (3) as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  communicate with the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  via communication channels D COM s, and transmit live-view images to the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  via an image data channels D IMA s. 
         [0027]    Each of the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  which are the controlling devices displays and stores live-view images transmitted from the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c.    
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of a computer  300  corresponding to each of the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 7 , each of the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  includes an input unit  310 , a control unit  330 , a display unit  370  and a storage unit  390 . The input unit  310  receives the live-view images from monitoring cameras  200  corresponding to the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  shown in  FIG. 1  through the image data channels D IMA s. The control unit  330  controls overall operations of the input unit  310 , the display unit  370  and the storage unit  390 . Specifically, the control unit  310  processes the live-view images received through the input unit  310 , stores in the storage unit  390  and/or transmits to the display unit  370  the received live-view images and/or processed live-view images. The control unit  330  also controls the display unit  370  to display the received live-view images and/or processed live-view images. The display unit  370  may be implemented as a separate device from each of the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c . The storage unit  390  stores the input live-view images and/or the processed live-view images. The processed live-view images include a panorama image, an enlarged panorama image, a reduced panorama image, etc. The control unit  330  receives and processes commands or data input by a user. The control unit  330  also controls operations of the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  by generating and transmitting control signals through the input unit  310  and the communication channels D COM s. For example, panning, tilting and/or zooming operations of the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  are controlled by the control unit  330 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a screen that is displayed on the display unit  370  by the control unit  330  of one of the computers  3   a ,  3   b  and  3   c  with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 , the control unit  330  controls live-view images of selected channels to be displayed on live-view regions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  in the screen of the display unit  370 . The channels, through which the live-view images are provided, are selected by the user through the control unit  330 , and the live-view regions  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  are also selected by the user through the control unit  330 . 
         [0031]    In addition, the control unit  330  controls monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the selected channel to generate a panorama image of the channel that is selected by the user among the channels for the images displayed on the live-view regions  22   a  through  22   d , and then, the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display the panorama image on a panorama region  21 . For this, the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the selected channel performs panning and/or tilting operations to generate the panorama image by the control of the control unit  330 . 
         [0032]    Also, the control unit  330  controls the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the panorama image channel and the panorama image according to commands input by the user. 
         [0033]    That is, in a state where the panorama image is displayed on the panorama region  21 , the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the panorama image channel and the panorama image are controlled by the control unit  330  according to commands input by the user. 
         [0034]    Therefore, the user may easily search for areas that are to be designated, and designate the areas in the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  without performing panning and/or tilting operations with respect to each of the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c.    
         [0035]    For example, if the user wants to watch an enlarged view of a certain area within an entire monitoring region of one of the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c , the user may easily search for the certain area which image is to be enlarged and designate the certain area within the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  without performing panning and/or tilting operations of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c.    
         [0036]    In addition, if the user wants to sequentially monitor a plurality of points with a set time interval within the entire monitoring region of one monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c , the user may easily search for the plurality of points and designate the points to be monitored in the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  without performing panning and/or tilting operations of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c.    
         [0037]    The above operations will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 through 6 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 2 , a reference numeral  24  denotes a range of angle that represents a panning range of the panorama region  21 . 
         [0039]    When the user clicks a left button  23   a  by using a mouse, the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  is moved in a left direction by 10°. 
         [0040]    When the user clicks a right button  23   b  by using the mouse, the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  is moved in a right direction by 10°. 
         [0041]    When the user clicks a zoom button  23   c  by using the mouse, the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  is enlarged by a predetermined magnification ratio. 
         [0042]    When the user clicks a wide-angle button  23   d  by using the mouse, the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  is reduced by a predetermined reduction ratio. 
         [0043]    When the user clicks an overall finish button  25  by using the mouse, the execution of the monitoring program is finished. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating algorithm for controlling the monitoring cameras  1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  performed by the control unit  330 , according to an exemplary embodiment. The controlling algorithm shown in  FIG. 3  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0045]    First, the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display an initial screen (S 30 ). 
         [0046]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether a live-view display command is input by a user (S 31 ). If it is determined that a live-view display command is input by the user, the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display a live-view image of a selected channel on a selected region (e.g., the region  221 ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d ) in a screen of the display unit  370  according to data input by the user (S 32 ). Here, the live-view display command may include selection of a channel and a region where a live-view image of the selected channel is to be displayed on the screen of the display unit  370 . If, however, the control unit  330  determines that the live-view display command is not input by the user, a next operation to determine whether there is an overall termination command input by the user is performed by the control unit  330  (S 39 ). 
         [0047]    After the live-view image of the selected channel is displayed on the selected region in the screen of the display unit  370 , the control unit  330  determines whether a panorama display command is input by the user (S 33 ). If the control unit  330  determines that the panorama display command is input by the user, the control unit  330  controls the monitoring camera of the selected channel according to data input by the user to generate a panorama image (S 34 ). That is, by performing panning and/or tilting by a control of the control unit  330 , the panorama image is generated. If, however, the control unit  330  determines that the live-view display command is not input by the user, a next operation to determine whether there is an overall termination command input by the user is performed by the control unit  330  (S 39 ). 
         [0048]    After the panorama image is generated, the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display the generated panorama image on the panorama region  21  (S 35 ). 
         [0049]    Then, the control unit  330  performs controls relating to the panorama image (S 36 ). That is, the panorama image and the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the panorama image channel are controlled according to commands input by the user through the control unit  330 . The control relating to the panorama image (S 36 ) will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0050]    When the user inputs a live-view termination command (S 37 ), the control unit  330  terminates the connection of the channel selected by the user (S 38 ). 
         [0051]    The above operations S 31  through S 38  are repeatedly performed until the user clicks the overall finish button  25  in order to generate the finish command through the control unit  330  (S 39 ). 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a connection input window  4  that is displayed for commanding the live-view image display in operation S 31  or the panorama image display in operation S 33  of  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , when the user double-clicks the right side button of the mouse on the desired live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d , the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display the connection input window  4  as a pop-up window. 
         [0054]    Here, a live-view image of the selected channel is displayed on the selected live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d  according to data input through the connection input window  4  by the user through the control unit  330 . 
         [0055]    In addition, the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the live-view channel displayed on the selected region is controlled by the control unit  330  according to data input through the connection input window  4 , and thus, a panorama image is generated. The generated panorama image is displayed on the panorama region  21 . 
         [0056]    In more detail, the connection input window  4  includes a live-view connection designation section  41  and a panorama display setting section  42 . 
         [0057]    In the live-view connection designation section  41 , an input field  411  of an internet-protocol (IP) address is formed. A reference numeral  412  denotes a field for inputting the number of a port used by the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c . Reference numerals  413  and  414  are fields for inputting a log-in identification (ID) and a password of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c . A reference numeral  415  denotes a live-view execution button, and a reference numeral  416  denotes a live-view termination button. 
         [0058]    Therefore, when the IP address, the port number, the log-in ID and the password are input in the live-view connection designation section  41 , and the live-view execution button  415  is clicked, the live-view image of the designated channel is displayed on the selected live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d  (refer to operations shown in  FIG. 3  and S 31  and S 32 ). 
         [0059]    When the user clicks the live-view termination button  416 , the connection of the channel selected by the user is terminated (refer to S 38  of  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0060]    In the panorama display setting section  42 , a reference numeral  421  denotes panning range setting fields, a reference numeral  422  denotes tilting range setting fields, a reference numeral  423  denotes a ceiling indication button, a reference numeral  424  denotes a desk indication button, and a reference numeral  425  denotes a panorama execution button. 
         [0061]    The user sets a panning range of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  for generating a panorama image in the panning range setting unit  421 . In addition, the user sets a tilting range of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  for generating a panorama image in the tilting range setting unit  422 . 
         [0062]    If the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the selected channel is installed on a ceiling, the user selects the ceiling indication unit  423 . If the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the selected channel is installed on a desk, the user selects the desk indication unit  423 . 
         [0063]    After the user sets the panning range, the tilting range and the installation location, when the user clicks the panorama execution button  425  (refer to S 33  of  FIG. 3 ), the control unit  330  controls the monitoring camera of the selected channel according to data input by the user to generate a panorama image (refer to  FIG. 34  of  FIG. 3 ). In addition, the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display the generated panorama image on the panorama region  21  (S 35  of  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0064]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm for controlling the panorama image shown in  FIG. 3  by the control unit  330 , according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a panorama controlling window  6  displayed for performing controls relating to the panorama image, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         [0065]    When the user generates a double-click signal of the right side button of the mouse on the panorama region ( 21  of  FIG. 2 ), the panorama controlling window  6  is displayed. Accordingly, by the control unit  330  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 7 ) controls the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) of the panorama image channel according to data input by the user through the panorama controlling window  6 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the panorama controlling window  6  includes a panorama channel managing section  61 , a panorama image adjusting section  62 , a monitoring path setting section  63  and a panorama reset section  64 . 
         [0067]    The panorama channel managing section  61  includes channel selection buttons  611 , a file storage button  612  and a file loading button  613 . 
         [0068]    The user may select a channel corresponding to one of the live-view regions  22   a  through  22   d  using the channel selection buttons  611 . After selecting a channel, the panorama image of the selected channel is loaded and displayed on the panorama region  21  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0069]    When the user clicks the file storage button  612 , a path input window is displayed as a pop-up window (not shown), and the panorama image currently displayed on the panorama region  21  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) is stored in the storage unit  390  according to a path input by the user. 
         [0070]    When the user clicks the file loading button  613 , the path input window is displayed as a pop-up window, and a panorama image of a file selected according to a path input by the user is loaded and displayed on the panorama region  21  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0071]    The panorama image adjusting section  62  includes a left direction button  23   a , a right direction button  23   b , a zoom button  23   c  and a wide-angle button  23   d . The buttons  23   a  through  23   d  are the same as the buttons displayed on the screen of  FIG. 2 , and thus, detailed descriptions of the buttons  23   a  through  23   d  will not be provided here. 
         [0072]    The monitoring path setting section  63  includes setting mode buttons  631 , an input field of the number of points  632 , a monitoring period input field  633 , a monitoring path execution button  634  and a monitoring path termination button  635 . 
         [0073]    When the user selects “random settings” using the setting mode buttons  631 , predetermined monitoring path and period are used without regard to the selection of the user. 
         [0074]    When the user selects “manual settings” using the setting mode buttons  631 , the user should input data in the input field of the number of points  632  and the monitoring period input field  633 . Here, if the user presses the monitoring path execution button  634  after inputting a number of monitoring points and a monitoring period, the panorama controlling window  6  is closed, and the user is allowed to designate desired monitoring points in the panorama image by clicking the mouse. After the monitoring points of an input number are designated, the designated monitoring points are sequentially displayed on the live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d  with a set time interval. 
         [0075]    The panorama reset section  64  includes an origin reset button  641  and a before reset button  642 . When the user clicks the origin reset button  641 , a center coordinate of the panorama image is moved to angles of panning 0° and tilting 0°. When the user clicks the before reset button  642 , the center coordinate of the panorama image is moved to a center coordinate of the previous panorama image. 
         [0076]    The algorithm of the panorama controlling shown in  FIG. 5  are described as follows with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  5   6  and  7 . 
         [0077]    First, the control unit  330  determines whether a monitoring-position change signal is generated by the user (S 501 ). If it is determined that the monitoring position change signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 7 ) controls the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the panorama image channel so that a center of an input image of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  is a designated point (S 502 ). 
         [0078]    For example, when the user designates a point on the panorama image, a center of the input image of the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  is changed to the designated point. If, however, it is determined that the monitoring position change signal is not generated by the user, a next operation (e.g., S 503 ) is performed. 
         [0079]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether an expansion region signal is generated by the user (S 503 ). If it is determined that the expansion region signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  controls the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the panorama image channel so that an image of a designated area can be enlarged on the live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d  (S 504 ). 
         [0080]    For example, when the user designates an area in the panorama image by dragging using the mouse, an image of the designated area is enlarged on the entire portion of the live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d . If, however, it is determined that the expansion region signal is not generated by the user, a next operation (e.g., S 505 ) is performed. 
         [0081]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether a moving signal is generated by the user (S 505 ). If it is determined that the moving signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  moves the panorama image according to the commanded direction (S 506 ). 
         [0082]    For example, when the user clicks the left direction button ( 23   a  of  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 6 ) by using the mouse, the panorama image on the panorama region  21  is moved to a left side by 10°. When the user clicks the right direction button ( 23   b  of  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 6 ) by using the mouse, the panorama image on the panorama region  21  is moved to a right side by 10°. If, however, it is determined that the moving signal is not generated by the user, a next operation (e.g., S 507 ) is performed. 
         [0083]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether an expansion/reduction signal is generated by the user (S 507 ). If it is determined that the expansion/reduction signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  enlarges or reduces the panorama image according to the commanded signal (S 508 ). 
         [0084]    For example, when the user clicks the zoom button ( 23   c  of  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 6 ) by using the mouse, the panorama image displayed on the panorama region  21  is enlarged by a predetermined magnification ratio and displayed. When the user clicks the wide-angle button ( 23   d  of  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 6 ) by using the mouse, the panorama image displayed on the panorama region is reduced by a predetermined reduction ratio and displayed. If, however, it is determined that the expansion/reduction signal is not generated by the user, a next operation (e.g., S 509 ) is performed. 
         [0085]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether a panorama channel change signal is generated by the user (S 509 ). If it is determined that the panorama channel change signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  controls the display unit to display the panorama image of a selected channel on the panorama region  21  (S 510 ). 
         [0086]    For example, when the user selects a channel corresponding to one of the live-view regions  22 ,  22   b ,  22   c  and  22   d  on the channel selection unit  611  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) in the panorama controlling window ( 6  of  FIG. 6 ) and closes the panorama controlling window, the panorama image of the channel selected in the channel selection unit  611  is loaded and displayed on the panorama region  21 . If, however, it is determined that the panorama channel change signal is not generated by the user, a next operation (e.g., S 511 ) is performed. 
         [0087]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether a storing/loading signal is generated by the user (S 511 ). If it is determined that the storing/loading signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  controls the display unit  370  to display a path input window (not shown), and performs the storing or loading operation according to the input path (S 512 ). 
         [0088]    For example, when the user clicks the file storage unit  612  in the panorama controlling window ( 6  of  FIG. 6 ), the path input window is displayed as a pop-up window, and the panorama image currently displayed on the panorama region ( 21  of  FIG. 2 ) is stored in the storage unit  390  according to the path input by the user. 
         [0089]    In addition, when the user clicks the file loading unit  612 , the path input window is displayed as a pop-up window, and the panorama image of the file designated according to the input path of the user is loaded and displayed on the panorama region ( 21  of  FIG. 2 ). If, however, it is determined that the storing/loading signal is not generated by the user, a next operation (e.g., S 513 ) is performed. 
         [0090]    Next, the control unit  330  determines whether a monitoring path signal is generated by the user (S 513 ). If it is determined that the monitoring path signal is generated by the user, the control unit  330  controls the monitoring camera  1   a ,  1   b  or  1   c  of the panorama image channel so that designated points can be sequentially displayed on the live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d  with a set time interval (S 514 ). 
         [0091]    For example, when the user inputs data in the input field of the number of points  632  and the monitoring period input field  633  in the panorama controlling window ( 6  of  FIG. 6 ) and designates desired monitoring points in the panorama image by clicking the mouse, the designated points are sequentially displayed on the live-view region  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c  or  22   d  with a set time interval. 
         [0092]    As described above, according to the exemplary embodiments, the monitoring camera of the panorama image channel and the panorama image are controlled according to commands input by the user in a state where the panorama image is displayed. 
         [0093]    Therefore, the user easily searches for and designates areas to be monitored in the panorama image without performing panning and/or tilting operations with respect to each of the monitoring cameras. 
         [0094]    For example, when the user wants to enlarge an image of an area within an entire monitoring region of one monitoring camera, the user easily searches for and designates the area which image is to be enlarged in the panorama image without performing panning and/or tilting of the monitoring camera. 
         [0095]    In addition, when the user wants to sequentially monitor a plurality of points within an entire monitoring region of one monitoring camera with a set time interval, the user also easily searches for and designates the plurality of points to be monitored in the panorama image without performing panning and/or tilting of the monitoring camera. 
         [0096]    While exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7