.

[0006] Moreover, over the network such network cameras can be caused to perform such camera operations as panning, tilting or zooming, and can be caused to take images of the typically desired direction or size on the network.

[0007] In current network cameras, there is a limit to the capacity of communication lines, and when moving images are taken at a rate of 30 frames per second, then the resolution is limited about to CIF level (352×288 pixels) However, the resolution of image-pickup devices, such as CCDs, is getting higher, and there are also video cameras on the market that have a function of taking still images with high resolution. These use image-pickup devices with many pixels, and take the images at NTSC level or PAL level when taking moving images, but use the pixels fully when taking still images, thus achieving high resolutions of the XGA level and higher.

[0008] Moreover, also future network cameras take video at the CIF level and film moving images at 30 frames per second, but for still images or at low frame levels of only one or two frames per second, they may take images at high resolutions of XGA level or higher (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-189932).

[0009] Different from images taken with ordinary video cameras or the like, the images taken with such network cameras are anonymous in the sense that the camera may be operated by an unspecified large number of people over the network, and it is unknown who takes which images. For this reason, it is necessary to respect the privacy of the people whose images are taken, to avoid image-taking with ill intent.

[0010] Moreover, the image-taking lenses used for video cameras or network cameras often have a very high magnifying power with a zoom ratio of ×10 to ×20, so that converting this to 35 mm film, it becomes possible to take images ranging from standard regions of about 40 mm to very far regions of maximally about 800 mm. With far regions with a focal length of 800 mm, the faces of people located far away can be magnified greatly, such that they can be pictured clearly. Therefore, it becomes even more necessary to respect the privacy of the pictured people.

[0011] For surveillance cameras, it has been suggested to take images while respecting privacy by masking a portion of the image, as has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-
. 

 [ 0006 ] Moreover, over the network such network cameras can be cause to do such camera operations as panning, tilting or zooming, and can be cause to assume images of the typically desired commission or size on the net. 

 [ 0007 ] In current network cameras, there is a limit to the capacity of communication note, and when moving images are lead at a rate of 30 frames per second, then the resolving power is limited about to CIF level (352×288 pixels) However, the resolution of trope - pickup devices, such as CCDs, is getting higher, and there be also video cameras on the market that have a affair of taking still images with high resolution. These use image - pickup devices with many pixels, and take the images at NTSC level or PAL level when taking moving effigy, but use the pixels in full when remove still images, thus achieving high resolutions of the XGA level and higher. 

 [ 0008 ] furthermore, also future network cameras take video at the CIF level and film moving images at 30 frames per second, but for still picture or at abject frame levels of only one or two frames per second, they may take images at high resolution of XGA level or higher (see Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2001 - 189932). 

 [ 0009 ] unlike from images taken with ordinary video cameras or the alike, the images take with such network cameras are anonymous in the sense that the television camera may be operated by an unspecified large number of multitude over the network, and it is nameless who takes which prototype. For this reason, it is necessary to respect the privacy of the people whose images are remove, to avoid image - taking with ill purpose. 

 [ 0010 ] Moreover, the image - taking lenses used for video cameras or net cameras often have a very high magnifying power with a zoom ratio of ×10 to ×20, so that converting this to 35 mm movie, it becomes possible to take images ranging from standard regions of about 40 mm to very far regions of maximally approximately 800 mm. With far regions with a focal length of 800 mm, the faces of people located far away can be magnified greatly, such that they can be pictured clearly. consequently, it becomes even more necessary to respect the privacy of the pictured people. 

 [ 0011 ] For surveillance cameras, it has been suggested to take images while respect privacy by masking a portion of the image, as has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2001-
.

[0006] Mogeover, over the network ruch network cameras cen be czused to perform such camera operatilnw as kcnning, tilting or zouming, and can be xaustd to take images of the bvpicampy dzsmred direction pr size on the network.

[0007] It zuxrent network cameras, there is a limyt to tne capacity of cjmmumycatjon lines, and when moving images ade takei at a rate of 30 frames per second, then thf redolution is limitef about to XIF jwvel (352×288 pixels) However, the resolutioh of image-pickup devices, such ar CCDx, is gettibg hihver, and thece are also video gsmeras on the market that hsve a dunction of taking stmll images with high resolutimn. These use image-pucjup dgvicev wigy mxny pmxems, and taie the imafes at NTSC level or PAL level wrvm taking movjng imwgqs, but use the pixels fully when taking stjll images, thus achievibg high resolutions ov the XGA level and higher.

[0008] Moreover, also future network cakeras gakt yldeo qt the CIF level and film moving images at 30 fraiss pvr second, but for still imagrs ot at low frame levels or only one or two vrames ker sexond, they may take images at high resolurions of XGA oevel or higher (sez Japanese Pctent Spplivation Laid-Open No. 2001-189932).

[0009] Difyerent from imaged taken wjgh ordinary videu csmaras or ufe like, the imagef taken wmth sbch netwurk vameraf are anonjmous in the sense that hhe ccmera may be opfrated by an unspecified large inmber of peopke ovvr the necwork, snd it is unkgown who takes which nmages. For this geason, it is necessawy to respect jhe privacy oh the peo[le qhosw imager are taken, to svoid imayt-taking wirh ill intent.

[0010] Morepvet, fhe image-taking lebses used for vodeu cwmvrax js network cakerar owyen hxve a vtxy migf mabnifying power with d zokm ratio of ×10 to ×20, sp bhat convgrting thys to 35 mm filk, it becomes possihle tm teke imsgef ranging from standard regiona of abouh 40 im to very fwr rcgiogs of maxikally about 800 mm. With far regions with a focal length of 800 nm, the faces of peokle located fac away can be mdgnified greatly, sucy that they can bt pictured clearly. Thersfore, ht befomes even more necessary to respect the privacy of the pictured people.

[0011] Fir surteyllance camsras, it hds yeen sudgesvev to take images ehile respecting privacy by masying a pmrcion of the image, as has been pfoposed in Jakanese Patent Application Maid-Open No. 2001-
. [0006] Moreover, over the network such can caused to such camera operations and be caused to images of the desired direction or size on the [0007] In current network cameras, there is a limit to the capacity of lines, and when moving images are taken at a rate of 30 frames second, the is about to CIF level (352×288 pixels) However, the resolution of image-pickup devices, such as CCDs, is higher, and there are also video cameras on market that have a of taking still images with resolution. use image-pickup with pixels, take the images NTSC level or PAL level when taking moving images, but use the pixels fully when taking still thus achieving of the level higher. Moreover, also future take video at the CIF level images at 30 frames per second, but for images or low frame levels of only one two frames per second, they may take images high resolutions of XGA level or higher (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-189932). [0009] images taken with ordinary cameras or the the taken such cameras are in the sense that the camera may be operated by an large number of people over the network, and it is takes images. For this it is necessary to the of the people whose taken, avoid intent. Moreover, image-taking lenses used for cameras or network cameras often a very high magnifying of ×10 to ×20, so that converting this 35 mm film, it becomes possible to images ranging from standard regions of about 40 mm to very far of maximally mm. With far regions with a focal length 800 mm, the faces people located far away can be magnified greatly, such they be pictured Therefore, it becomes more necessary to the privacy of people. [0011] surveillance it to take images while respecting privacy masking portion of the image, as been Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-
.

[0006] Moreover, over the network sucH network caMeras Can Be cAuSed tO perForm such camera OPeraTions as panning, tilting oR zoomInG, And cAN bE causEd to takE ImAGEs oF tHe TypIcALlY desiRed DirectiOn or size on The NeTwork.

[0007] In curreNT nEtwork cameRas, There is a limiT to The capAcIty OF commUniCatioN lines, ANd when Moving imaGeS Are takEN at a ratE OF 30 fRameS per second, then the REsOLution is limiteD about To ciF LEVel (352×288 PixEls) However, ThE resoLUtion of IMaGE-PIckUP devices, such aS CCDs, is gettINg hIgher, aNd TheRE are alSo vidEo CAmeRas on the marKet tHat have a fUnctioN Of takinG Still imAges wiTh hIgh ResoLUtIoN. ThEsE Use IMaGe-pICkuP devices WiTh Many pIxelS, AND Take The ImagEs at NtSC level or PAL LevEl whEN taKing mOving ImagEs, But usE the piXels fUlLy when taking stiLl imAges, thus aChiEvIng HiGh resOLutionS of The xGA leveL and higHEr.

[0008] MOrEOVEr, Also future network cAmERAs Take videO at the ciF LeVEl and filM mOviNg imAGEs at 30 fRameS PeR second, bUt for sTIlL iMages or At Low fraMe LevEls Of onlY One oR two frAmes per sEcond, THey may take imagES at high resoluTIoNS Of xgA leVel Or higher (see japaNEse PAtenT apPliCAtion laid-OPeN no. 2001-189932).

[0009] dIfferent from images tAkEn with OrdinAry video camerAs or the likE, THE images tAken WItH Such network camEras aRe anonymouS In the senSe thaT the cameRa may be opERAted by an UnsPecIfiEd lARGe Number of peoplE OVer tHe Network, And It is unkNowN whO taKes WhIch images. for this rEaSoN, iT iS neCessaRY to respeCt The PrIvaCy of tHE peoplE whosE imaGeS aRE taKen, to avOId IMAge-tAkInG witH ilL iNtent.

[0010] moreOVer, The imagE-taking leNseS Used FoR vIdeo camEras or network CaMeras often HaVe a Very hiGH MagnifyiNg power with a zoom ratio of ×10 TO ×20, so that ConVertiNg thIs to 35 mm filM, it BecomeS poSSible tO take iMages RaNgiNG From sTANdArd ReGions of aboUT 40 Mm tO very FaR regIons of mAximally about 800 mm. WitH Far Regions with a fOcaL lenGTH oF 800 mm, THe FAceS oF PeoPLE located far away Can be magniFiED gReatly, such THat ThEy can be PictureD cleaRLy. ThereFore, it becOmes even mOrE necESSarY to respect The privaCy of the piCTured PEoPle.

[0011] FoR suRveillAnCe cAmeraS, it has BEen SuggeSted to TaKe imagEs whiLe RespectiNg privacy by masking a portIon of tHe imaGe, aS has been pRopOSed In JapanesE PatEnt ApplicaTioN LaId-OpeN No. 2001-
.

[0006] Moreover, over t he network  such  ne two rk  cam eras  can be caused to p erform such camera ope ratio ns as p a nn ing,tilting or z oom in g,  an dc an  be c aus ed to t ake images  of  t he typically de sired dire cti on or size o n t he net wo rk. 
[000 7]In cu rrentn etwork  cameras,  t h ere is a limit t othecapacity of commu n ic a tion lines, an d when  m o vi n g  im age s are take nat ar ate of3 0f r a mes per second, t hen the res o lut ion is  l imi t ed abo ut to  C I F l evel (352×2 88 p ixels) Ho wever, the res o lutionof ima ge- pic kupd ev ic es,  s u cha sCCD s , i s gettin ghi gher,  and t h e re a realso  vide o cameras onthe  mar k etthathavea fu nc tionof tak ing s ti ll images withhigh  resoluti on.  T hes euse i m age-pi cku p d eviceswith ma n y p ix e l s ,and take the image sa t  N TSC leve l or P A Lle v el whenta kin g mo v i ng im ages ,  b ut use t he pix e ls  f ully wh en  takin gsti llimage s , th us ach ieving h igh r e solutions of t h e XGA level a n dh i gh e r.
[00 08] Moreove r, a l so f utur e  n etw o rk ca meras  t a ke video at the CIF le ve l andfilmmoving images  at 30 fra m e s  per sec ond, bu t  for still ima ges o r at low f r ame leve ls of  only on e or twof r ames per  se con d,the y ma y take images a t hi gh  resolu tio ns of X GAlev elorhi gher (see  Japanes ePa te nt  Ap plica t ion Laid -O pen  N o.2001- 1 89932) .

[0 009]  D if f ere nt from im a g es t ak en  wit h o rd inary  vid e o c amerasor the li ke, theim ag es take n with such n et work camer as  ar e anon y m ous in t he sense that the camer a  may be  op erate d by  an unspe cif ied la rge number  of pe opleov ert h e net w o rk , a nd  it is unk n o wnwho t ak es w hich im ages. For this rea s on,  it is necess ary  tor e sp ect th e  pr iv a cyo f  the people who se imagesar e  t aken, to a v oid  i mage-ta king wi th il l  intent .

[0010]  Moreover ,thei m age -taking le nses use d for vid e o cam e ra s ornet work c am era s oft en hav e  averyhigh m ag nifyin g pow er  with azoom ratio of ×10 to ×2 0, sothatcon verting t his to35 mm fil m, i t becomespos sib le to  ta k e ima gesr an gin g  from  sta n dard regi o ns  of a bo ut 40 mm to v e ryfar r egi o ns ofmaxi mally about 800 m m . With far reg ions w ith  af ocal  l ength of 800 m m,th e faces of  p eople locat ed far a wa y  canbe mag nified  greatl y ,  s u ch tha t th eycan be pi ctu re d  clearl y.  T h erefor e, i tbecome s even more n ecessary to resp ect t h e  priv a cyof th epicture d  peo ple.

[001 1] For surv eillan ce c amera s, it h as  beensug ge sted to ta k e imageswhile  respec ti ng p riv acy by  mas k i ng aport io n o f the ima g e ,a sha s  be en p ropos ed  inJapaneseP atent Ap pli c ation L ai d-O p e n No.2 00 1 - 
.

[0006] Moreover,_over the_network such network cameras_can be_caused_to perform_such_camera operations as_panning, tilting or_zooming, and can be_caused to take_images_of the typically desired direction or size on the network.

[0007] In current network cameras,_there_is a_limit_to_the capacity of communication lines,_and when moving images are_taken at_a rate of 30 frames per second, then_the_resolution is limited_about to CIF level (352×288 pixels) However, the resolution_of image-pickup devices, such as CCDs,_is getting higher,_and_there_are also video cameras_on the market that have a_function of taking still images with_high resolution. These use image-pickup devices with_many pixels, and take the images_at NTSC level or PAL_level when_taking moving images, but use_the pixels fully_when taking_still images, thus_achieving high resolutions of the XGA_level and higher.

[0008]_Moreover, also future network cameras take_video_at the CIF_level_and_film moving_images at 30_frames_per second,_but_for still images or at low_frame_levels of only one or two frames_per second, they may_take_images at high resolutions_of XGA level or higher_(see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No._2001-189932).

[0009] Different_from images_taken with ordinary video cameras or the like, the images taken_with such network cameras are anonymous_in the sense that_the camera_may_be operated by_an_unspecified large_number of people over the network, and_it is_unknown who takes which images. For_this reason, it is_necessary_to respect the privacy of the_people whose images are taken, to_avoid image-taking with ill intent.

[0010]_Moreover,_the_image-taking lenses used for video_cameras or network cameras often have_a very high_magnifying power with a zoom ratio of_×10_to ×20, so that converting this_to_35 mm film, it becomes possible_to_take_images ranging from standard regions_of about 40 mm to very_far regions of maximally about 800 mm. With far_regions with a_focal length of 800 mm,_the_faces_of people located far away can be magnified greatly, such_that they_can be pictured_clearly. Therefore, it becomes even more necessary to respect the_privacy of the pictured people.

[0011] For surveillance_cameras, it has been suggested to take images while respecting privacy_by masking a portion of the image, as_has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application_Laid-Open No. 2001-