Image capturing apparatus, external device, image capturing system, method for controlling image capturing apparatus, method for controlling external device, method for controlling image capturing system, and program

Abstract

The image capturing apparatus includes a communication unit that receives a start command to start the rotation of an image capturing unit and a stop command to stop the rotation of the image capturing unit from a client device through a network; a pan-tilt control unit that starts the rotation upon receiving the start command with the communication unit 1009 ; and a system control unit that, upon receiving the stop command with the communication unit, determines whether the amount of rotation of the image capturing unit after the start command is received by the communication unit 1009 until the stop command is received is a predetermined amount or more, wherein if it is determined that the amount is not the predetermined amount or more, continues the rotation until the amount of rotation becomes the predetermined amount or more.

1 . An image capturing apparatus that communicates with an external device via a network, the image capturing apparatus comprising:
 an imaging unit configured to capture an image;   a driving unit configured to rotate the imaging unit in a pan direction or a tilt direction;   a communication unit configured to receive a request for acquiring information related to capability of the driving unit and to transmit the information to the external device based on the request;   a receiving unit configured to receive, from the external device, a command for starting continuous rotation of the imaging unit by using the driving unit; and   a detection unit configured to detect an amount of rotation caused by the command,   wherein the driving unit rotates such that the amount detected by the detection unit becomes a predetermined amount or more.   
     
     
         2 . The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, upon receiving a command to stop rotating the imaging unit in the pan direction or the tilt direction before the amount of rotation becomes the predetermined amount or more, the driving unit continues rotating until the amount of rotation becomes the predetermined amount or more. 
     
     
         3 . The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, if the amount of rotation becomes the predetermined amount or more, the driving unit stops rotating. 
     
     
         4 . The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving unit drives the image capturing apparatus based on a position designated by the command for starting rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The image capturing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a storage configured to store the predetermined amount,
 wherein the receiving unit receives a designation command for designating an amount of rotation, and   wherein, when the designation command is received by the receiving unit, the control unit updates the predetermined amount that the storage stores to the amount designated by the designation command.   
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling an image capturing apparatus that communicates with an external device via a network, wherein the image capturing apparatus includes a driving unit configured to rotate an imaging unit, configured to capture an image, in a pan direction or a tilt direction, the method comprising:
 receiving a request for acquiring information related to capability of the driving unit and transmitting the information to the external device based on the request;   receiving, from the external device, a command for starting continuous rotation of the imaging unit by using the driving unit; and   detecting an amount of rotation caused by the command,   wherein the driving unit rotates such that the amount detected becomes a predetermined amount or more.