Adapter device for image capturing device

Abstract

A network camera system is configured such that an adapter is connected with a digital camera, and the adapter is connected with a network to which a client is also connected. A video signal representing a real-time image and a digital image signal representing a high-resolution still image are transmitted from the camera to the adapter. The adapter has a function of a file server and allows the client to download image data corresponding to the high-resolution still image. The adapter device further has a function of a streaming server and transmits streaming data representing the real-time image. The client can transmit an operation command to the adapter through the network, and the adapter can transfer the command to the camera to perform the operation required by the client.

1 . A network camera system including at least one client, a digital camera and an adapter, said client and said adapter being connected with each other through a network, said camera comprising:
 an image capturer;   an analog video signal outputter that outputs an analog video signal representing a moving image captured by said image capturer;   a digital image signal outputter that outputs a digital image signal representing a still image captured by said image capturer;   a control command receiver; and   an operation controller that controls an operation of said camera in accordance with the control command received through said control command receiver;   said adapter comprising:
 a file server that receives the digital image signal from said camera and stores an image file representing the still image captured by said image capturer, said file server allowing said at least one client to download the image file from said file server through the network; 
 a streaming server that receives the analog video signal from said camera and creates streaming data corresponding to the received video signal, the streaming data being transmitted to said client through the network; 
 an adapter command receiver that receives an operation command from said client through the network; and 
 an adapter command transmitter that transmits a control command corresponding to the operation command to said camera, and 
   said client comprising:
 a browser that downloads the image file from said file server and displays an image represented by the image file, said browser being capable of processing the streaming data and displaying the moving image represented by said streaming data; and 
 a client command transmitter that allows an operator to input an operation command indicative of an operation to be executed by said camera and transmits the operation command to said adapter through the network. 
   
     
     
         2 . The network camera system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operation to be executed by said camera includes capturing a still image when the operation command is input to said client command transmitter by the operator. 
     
     
         3 . The network camera system according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital image signal representing the captured image output by said digital image signal outputter is received by said file server and stored in said adapter. 
     
     
         4 . The network camera system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operation to be executed by said camera includes at least one of zooming operation of said camera, capturing a still image and adjustment of brightness of an image captured by said camera. 
     
     
         5 . The network camera system according to  claim 1 , wherein a resolution of the still image is greater than that of the moving image.