Information processor, screen creation method, program, and information processing system

Abstract

To make it possible to more easily perform comparison of prescribed area pictures in imaged pictures imaged at different timing.SOLUTION: An information processor for creating a screen for displaying an image in a display area includes a creation unit for creating the screen including a first display area for displaying a prescribed area picture, which is a prescribed area in an imaged picture obtained by imaging an object, and a second display area for displaying a three-dimensional picture that includes a three-dimensional model obtained by three-dimensionally displaying a shape of the object and is aligned with the prescribed area picture. In the first display area, the creation unit displays prescribed area pictures of a plurality of imaged pictures imaged at the same imaging position at different timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a screen creation method, a program, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, wide-field-of-view images (hereinafter referred to as "wide-field-of-view images") with a wide viewing angle, such as a 360-degree image (also called a celestial sphere image, omnidirectional image, or panoramic image) capturing an entire 360-degree surrounding area, have become known as an imaging range that includes areas that cannot be fully confirmed with a normal angle of view. When attempting to display such a wide-field-of-view image in its entirety on a display terminal, the wide-field-of-view image is curved and difficult to see, so a predetermined area image showing a predetermined area in the wide-field-of-view image is displayed on the display terminal, and the user views the predetermined area image (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] For example, when reviewing captured images later, a user may want to compare images of a specific location captured at different times. However, when comparing images of a specific location captured at different times, the user must play back each of the captured images captured at different times and pause the playback when the specific location they want to compare is displayed. The same problem exists when the captured image is not a curved image, such as a wide-field image.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to make it easier to compare images of a predetermined region in images captured at different times. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The disclosure of claim 1 is an information processing device that creates a screen for displaying an image in a display area, and includes a creation unit that creates the screen including a first display area that displays a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area in a captured image obtained by photographing an object, and a second display area that displays a three-dimensional image that includes a three-dimensional model that represents the shape of the object in three dimensions and is aligned with the predetermined area image, and the creation unit displays the predetermined area images of multiple captured images photographed at different times at the same photographing position in the first display area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to more easily compare predetermined area images in captured images captured at different times. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A is a left side view of the imaging device, FIG. 1B is a front view of the imaging device, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of the imaging device. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of the imaging device in use. [Figure 3] (a) is a hemispherical image (before) taken with the imaging device, (b) is a hemispherical image (after) taken with the imaging device, and (c) is an image represented by the Mercator projection. [Figure 4] (a) A conceptual diagram showing how a sphere is covered with a Mercator image, and (b) a diagram showing a spherical image. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined area when the celestial sphere image is a three-dimensional sphere. [Figure 6] (a) is a three-dimensional oblique view of Figure 5, (b) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (a) displayed on the display, (c) is a diagram showing the predetermined area after changing the viewpoint of the virtual camera IC in (a), and (d) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (c) displayed on the display. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates points in three-dimensional Euclidean space in spherical coordinates. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between a predetermined area and a point of interest. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the imaging device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a relay device. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a communication control device and a communication terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a user device management table. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a virtual room management table. [Figure 16A] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a three-dimensional image management table (part 1). [Figure 16B] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a three-dimensional image management table (part 2). [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a virtual space management table. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a communication process of content data in the communication system. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process for starting video and audio recording in a communication system. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process for stopping video and audio recording in a communication system. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process of displaying a virtual space image in the communication system. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process of recording and playing back audio in a communication system. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a recording data selection screen. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a communication terminal 9a. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the communication control device in a screen display process. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a communication terminal 9a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [Overview of spherical images] A method for generating a spherical image will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. A spherical image is also called a spherical panoramic image or a 360° panoramic image, and is an example of a wide-field video with a wide viewing angle. Wide-field images also include simple panoramic images of about 180°.

[0010] First, the appearance of the imaging device 10 will be described using Fig. 1. The imaging device 10 is a digital camera for obtaining captured images that are the basis for creating a spherical image. Fig. 1(a) is a left side view of the imaging device, Fig. 1(b) is a front view of the imaging device, and Fig. 1(c) is a plan view of the imaging device.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the photographing device 10 is small enough to be held in one hand. As shown in Figs. 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c), an image sensor 103a is provided on the front side (front side) of the upper portion of the photographing device 10, and an image sensor 103b is provided on the rear side (rear side). As shown in Fig. 1(b), an operation unit 115 such as a shutter button is provided on the front side of the photographing device 10.

[0012] Next, a usage situation of the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 2 is an image diagram of the imaging device in use. As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 10 is communicably connected to a relay device 3 installed on some kind of stand 2, and is used to capture surrounding subjects, scenery, and the like. In this case, two hemispherical images can be obtained by capturing images of subjects around the user using the imaging element 103a and the imaging element 103b shown in FIG. 1. Note that if the omnidirectional image captured by the imaging device 10 is not to be transmitted to other communication terminals or systems, the relay device 3 is not necessary.

[0013] Next, an outline of processing until a celestial sphere image is created from an image captured by the image capturing device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (front side) captured by the image capturing device, Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (rear side) captured by the image capturing device, and Fig. 3(c) is a diagram showing an image expressed by equirectangular projection (hereinafter referred to as "equirectangular projection image"). An image expressed by Mercator projection or the like (hereinafter referred to as "Mercator image") may also be used. Fig. 4(a) is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a sphere is covered with an equirectangular projection image, and Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing a celestial sphere image. The "equirectangular projection image" is an equirectangular celestial sphere image as an example of the wide-field-of-view image described above.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the image obtained by the image sensor 103a becomes a hemispherical image (front side) curved by a wide-angle lens 102a such as a fisheye lens, which will be described later. Also, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the image obtained by the image sensor 103b becomes a hemispherical image (rear side) curved by a wide-angle lens 102b such as a fisheye lens, which will be described later. Then, the image capturing device 10 combines the hemispherical image (front side) with a hemispherical image (rear side) flipped 180 degrees to create an equirectangular projection image EC as shown in Fig. 3(c).

[0015] The image capturing device 10 then uses software such as OpenGL ES (Open Graphics Library for Embedded Systems) to apply an equirectangular projection image EC to cover the spherical surface as shown in FIG. 4( a), thereby creating a celestial sphere image CE as shown in FIG. 4( b). In this way, the celestial sphere image CE is represented as an image in which the equirectangular projection image EC faces the center of the sphere. OpenGL ES is a graphics library used to visualize 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) data. OpenGL ES is merely an example of software that performs image processing, and the celestial sphere image CE may be created by other software. The celestial sphere image CE may be a still image or a video. While the image capturing device 10 has been described as generating a celestial sphere image, the communication control device 5 or the communication terminals 7 and 9 may perform similar image processing or some of the image processing steps.

[0016] Then, by using OpenGL ES (Open Graphics Library for Embedded Systems), the Mercator image is pasted onto the surface of a sphere as shown in Fig. 4(a), creating a spherical image as shown in Fig. 4(b). In this way, the spherical image is represented as an image in which the Mercator image faces the center of the sphere. OpenGL ES is a graphics library used to visualize 2D (2-Dimensions) and 3D (3-Dimensions) data.

[0017] As described above, the spherical image CE is an image pasted to cover the spherical surface, which gives a sense of incongruity to people when they view it. Therefore, the communication terminals 7 and 9 can display a predetermined region (hereinafter referred to as a "predetermined region image"), which is a partial region of the spherical image, as a flat image with little curvature (distortion), thereby enabling a display that does not give a sense of incongruity to people. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0018] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined area when the celestial sphere image is a three-dimensional sphere. The virtual camera IC1 corresponds to the position of a virtual viewpoint of a user viewing the celestial sphere image CE displayed as a three-dimensional sphere. In Fig. 6, (a) is a three-dimensional perspective view of Fig. 5, (b) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (a) displayed on the display, (c) is a diagram showing the predetermined area after the viewpoint of the virtual camera IC1 in (a) is changed, and (d) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (c) displayed on the display.

[0019] If the celestial sphere image CE generated in this manner is a three-dimensional sphere CS, the virtual camera IC1 is located inside the celestial sphere image CE as shown in Fig. 5. A predetermined area T in the celestial sphere image CE is an imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC1, and is specified by angle-of-view information (also referred to as "area information") that indicates the imaging direction and angle of view of the virtual camera IC1 in a three-dimensional virtual space including the celestial sphere image CE.

[0020] Zooming of the predetermined region T can also be expressed by moving the virtual camera IC1 closer to or farther away from the celestial sphere image CE. The predetermined region image Q is an image of the predetermined region T in the celestial sphere image CE. Therefore, the predetermined region T can be specified by the angle of view α and the distance f from the virtual camera IC1 to the celestial sphere image CE.

[0021] Furthermore, when the virtual viewpoint of the virtual camera IC1 is moved (also referred to as "changed") to the right (left as one faces the drawing) from the state of Fig. 6(a) as shown in Fig. 6(c), the predetermined area T in the omnidirectional image CE is moved to the predetermined area T' accordingly, and the predetermined area image Q displayed on the predetermined display is changed to the predetermined area image Q'. As a result, the image shown in Fig. 6(b) is changed to the image shown in Fig. 6(d) and displayed on the predetermined display.

[0022] Next, the relationship between the angle of view information and the image of the predetermined area T will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing points in a three-dimensional Euclidean space using spherical coordinates. Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the predetermined area and a point of interest (center point).

[0023] Here, the coordinates of an arbitrary position when the center point CP shown in Fig. 7 is expressed in a spherical polar coordinate system are (r, θ, φ). (r, θ, φ) are the radius vector, polar angle, and azimuth angle, respectively. The radius vector r is the distance from the origin of the three-dimensional virtual space including the omnidirectional image to an arbitrary point (the center point CP in Fig. 8), and is equal to the distance f shown in Fig. 8.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the center of a predetermined area T, which is the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC1, is considered to be the center point CP in FIG. 7, the trigonometric function shown in the following (Equation 1) generally holds. (L / f) = tan(α / 2) (Equation 1) Note that f is the distance from the virtual camera IC1 to the center point CP. L is the distance between any vertex of the predetermined area T and the center point CP (2L is the diagonal). α is the angle of view. In this case, the angle of view information for identifying the predetermined area T can be expressed by pan(θ), tilt(φ), and fov(α). Note that zooming of the predetermined area T can be expressed by widening or narrowing the range (arc) of the angle of view α.

[0025] [Communication system overview] Next, an overview of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the communication system according to the embodiment.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 9, the communication system 1 of this embodiment is composed of a communication control device 5, an imaging device 10, a relay device 3, a communication terminal 7, and communication terminals 9a and 9b. The communication terminals 9a and 9b are collectively referred to as "communication terminal 9." The communication control device 5, the communication terminal 7, and the communication terminal 9 are also examples of information processing devices. The communication terminals 7 and 9 may also be referred to as "display terminals" that display images, etc.

[0027] Of these, the image capturing device 10 is a digital camera for obtaining a wide-field image (such as a spherical image), as described above. The relay device 3 functions as a cradle for charging the image capturing device 10 and transmitting and receiving data. The relay device 3 can perform data communication with the image capturing device 10 via a contact point, and can also perform data communication with the communication control device 5 via the communication network 100. The communication network 100 includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a (wireless) router, etc.

[0028] The communication control device 5 is, for example, a computer, and can perform data communication with the relay device 3 and the communication terminals 7 and 9 via the communication network 100. The communication control device 5 can also be referred to as an "information management device" because it manages information such as angle of view.

[0029] The communication terminals 7 and 9 are, for example, computers such as notebook PCs (Personal Computers), and can perform data communication with the communication control device 5 via the communication network 100. OpenGL ES is installed in the communication terminals 7 and 9, and the communication terminals 7 and 9 create a predetermined area image (see FIG. 6 ) from the omnidirectional image received from the communication control device 5. The communication control device 5 may be configured by a single computer or by multiple computers.

[0030] Furthermore, the imaging device 10 and the relay device 3 are installed at predetermined positions by an organizer X or the like at a site Sa such as a construction site, exhibition hall, educational site, medical site, etc. The communication terminal 7 is operated by the organizer X. The communication terminal 9a is operated by a participant A such as a viewer who is in a remote location from the site Sa. Similarly, the communication terminal 9b is operated by a participant B such as a viewer who is in a remote location from the site Sa. Participant A and participant B may be in the same location or in different locations.

[0031] The communication control device 5 transmits (distributes) wide-field images obtained from the image capturing device 10 via the relay device 3 to the communication terminals 7 and 9. The communication control device 5 also transmits (distributes) captured images obtained from each communication terminal 7 to the communication terminals 7 and 9. Note that the captured images sent from the image capturing device 10 via the relay device 3 are wide-field images, but if a single-lens reflex camera is used instead of the image capturing device 10, the captured images will be general narrow-field images. The captured images may be either moving images or still images.

[0032] [Hardware configuration] Next, the hardware configurations of the communication control device 5, the photographing device 10, the relay device 3, and the communication terminals 7 and 9 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0033] <Hardware configuration of the imaging device> Fig. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of the photographing device 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the photographing device 10 is composed of an imaging unit 101, an image processing unit 104, an imaging control unit 105, a microphone 108, a sound processing unit 109, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 113, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 114, an operation unit 115, an input / output I / F 116, a short-range communication circuit 117, an antenna 117a of the short-range communication circuit 117, an electronic compass 118, a gyro sensor 119, an acceleration sensor 120, and a network I / F 121.

[0034] Of these, the imaging unit 101 is equipped with wide-angle lenses 102a and 102b (hereinafter referred to as lenses 102 when there is no need to distinguish between them) that are each capable of capturing an image with a field of view of 180° or more to form a hemispherical image, and two imaging elements 103a and 103b that are provided corresponding to the lenses 102a and 102b, respectively.

[0035] Furthermore, the imaging elements 103a, 103b include an image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor that converts optical images captured by the lenses 102a, 102b, etc. into image data in the form of electrical signals and outputs the image data, a timing generation circuit that generates horizontal or vertical synchronization signals and pixel clocks for the image sensors, and a group of registers in which various commands or parameters required for the operation of the imaging elements are set. Note that the configuration in which the imaging unit 101 has two wide-angle lenses is merely an example, and the imaging unit 101 may have only one, or three or more.

[0036] The imaging elements 103a and 103b of the imaging unit 101 are each connected to the image processing unit 104 via a parallel I / F bus. On the other hand, the imaging elements 103a and 103b of the imaging unit 101 are each connected to the imaging control unit 105 via a serial I / F bus (such as an I2C bus).

[0037] The image processing unit 104, the imaging control unit 105, and the sound processing unit 109 are connected to a CPU 111 via a bus 110. Furthermore, the bus 110 is also connected to a ROM 112, an SRAM 113, a DRAM 114, an operation unit 115, an input / output I / F 116, a short-range communication circuit 117, an electronic compass 118, a gyro sensor 119, an acceleration sensor 120, a network I / F 121, and the like.

[0038] The image processing unit 104 takes in the image data output from the image sensors 103a and 103b via a parallel I / F bus, performs predetermined processing on each piece of image data, and then synthesizes the image data to create data for an equirectangular projection image (an example of a wide-field image), which will be described later.

[0039] The imaging control unit 105 generally sets commands and the like in the registers of the imaging elements 103a and 103b using an I2C bus, with the imaging control unit 105 acting as a master device and the imaging elements 103a and 103b acting as slave devices. Necessary commands and the like are received from the CPU 111. The imaging control unit 105 also uses the I2C bus to retrieve status data and the like from the registers of the imaging elements 103a and 103b and send it to the CPU 111.

[0040] Furthermore, the imaging control unit 105 instructs the imaging elements 103a and 103b to output image data when the shutter button on the operation unit 115 is pressed. Some imaging devices 10 have a preview display function or a function for displaying moving images on a display (for example, a display of an external terminal such as a smartphone that performs short-range communication with the imaging device 10 using the short-range communication circuit 117). In this case, the image data is output continuously from the imaging elements 103a and 103b at a predetermined frame rate (frames / minute).

[0041] As will be described later, the imaging control unit 105 also functions as a synchronization control means that cooperates with the CPU 111 to synchronize the output timing of image data from the imaging elements 103a and 103b. Although the imaging device 10 is not provided with a display unit in this embodiment, a display unit may be provided. The microphone 108 converts sound into sound (signal) data. The sound processing unit 109 receives the sound data output from the microphone 108 via an I / F bus and performs predetermined processing on the sound data.

[0042] The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the image capturing device 10 and executes necessary processing. The ROM 112 stores various programs for the CPU 111. The SRAM 113 and DRAM 114 are work memories that store programs executed by the CPU 111, data in the middle of processing, etc. In particular, the DRAM 114 stores image data in the middle of processing by the image processing unit 104 and data of processed equirectangular projection images.

[0043] The operation unit 115 is a general term for various operation buttons, a power switch, a shutter button, a touch panel that combines display and operation functions, etc. A user operates the operation unit 115 to input various imaging modes, imaging conditions, etc.

[0044] The input / output I / F 116 is a general term for an interface circuit (such as a USB I / F) with an external medium such as an SD card or a personal computer. The input / output I / F 116 may be wireless or wired. The data of the equirectangular projection image stored in the DRAM 114 is recorded on an external medium via the input / output I / F 116, or transmitted to an external terminal (device) via the input / output I / F 116 as needed.

[0045] The short-range communication circuit 117 communicates with an external terminal (device) by short-range wireless communication technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi via an antenna 117a provided in the image capturing device 10. The short-range communication circuit 117 can transmit data of the equirectangular projection image to the external terminal (device).

[0046] The electronic compass 118 calculates the direction of the image capturing device 10 from the Earth's magnetism and outputs the direction information. This direction information is an example of related information (metadata) according to Exif, and is used for image processing such as image correction of the captured image. The related information also includes data such as the image capture date and time and the data size of the image data.

[0047] The gyro sensor 119 is a sensor that detects changes in angle (roll angle, pitch angle, yaw angle) that accompany the movement of the image capturing device 10. The changes in angle are an example of related information (metadata) according to Exif, and are used for image processing such as image correction of captured images.

[0048] The acceleration sensor 120 is a sensor that detects acceleration in three axial directions.

[0049] The photographing device 10 can also calculate the attitude (angle with respect to the direction of gravity) of the own device (the photographing device 10) by using the electronic compass 118, the acceleration sensor 120, etc. Furthermore, by providing the photographing device 10 with the acceleration sensor 120, the accuracy of image correction is improved.

[0050] The network I / F 121 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network 100 such as the Internet via a router or the like. The hardware configuration of the image capturing device 10 is not limited to that shown here, and any hardware configuration may be used as long as it can realize the functional configuration of the image capturing device 10. At least a part of the hardware configuration may be present on the relay device 3 or the communication network 100.

[0051] <Hardware configuration of relay device> Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the relay device 3. Note that Fig. 11 shows the hardware configuration when the relay device 3 is a cradle having a wireless communication function.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the relay device 3 includes a CPU 310, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an EEPROM 304, a CMOS sensor 305, a bus line 310, a communication unit 313, an antenna 313a, a positioning unit 314, and an input / output I / F 316.

[0053] Of these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the relay device 3. The ROM 302 stores programs such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader) used to drive the CPU 301. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301.

[0054] An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 304 reads or writes data under the control of the CPU 301. The EEPROM 304 stores an operating system (OS) executed by the CPU 301, other programs, and various data.

[0055] The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 305 is a solid-state image sensor that captures an image of a subject under the control of the CPU 301 and obtains image data.

[0056] The communication unit 313 communicates with the communication network 100 by using a wireless communication signal via an antenna 313a.

[0057] The positioning unit 314 receives a positioning signal including the position information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the relay device 3 from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite such as a GPS (Global Positioning Systems) satellite, or an IMES (Indoor Messaging System) as an indoor GPS.

[0058] The input / output I / F 316 is an interface circuit (such as a USB I / F) electrically connected to the input / output I / F 116 of the image capturing apparatus 10. The input / output I / F 316 may be wireless or wired.

[0059] The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 301.

[0060] <Hardware configuration of communication control device and communication terminal> 12 shows the hardware configuration of the communication control device 5. The hardware configuration of the communication terminals 7 and 9 is the same as that of the communication control device 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, the communication control device 5 is a computer and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an SSD 504, an external device connection I / F 505, a network I / F 506, a display 507, an operation unit 508, a media I / F 509, a bus line 510, a CMOS sensor 511, a speaker 512, and a positioning unit 514.

[0062] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the communication control device 5. The ROM 502 stores programs such as IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501.

[0063] The SSD 504 reads or writes various data under the control of the CPU 501. If the communication terminals 7 and 9 are smartphones or the like, the SSD 504 may not be provided. Alternatively, a hard disk drive (HDD) may be provided instead of the SSD 504.

[0064] The external device connection I / F 505 is an interface for connecting various external devices, such as a display, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse, a USB memory, and a printer.

[0065] The network I / F 506 is an interface for performing data communication via the communication network 100 .

[0066] The display 507 is a type of display unit such as a liquid crystal display or organic electroluminescence (EL) display that displays various images.

[0067] An operation unit 508 is an input means for selecting and executing various instructions such as various operation buttons, a power switch, a shutter button, and a touch panel, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like.

[0068] The media I / F 509 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 509m such as a flash memory, etc. The recording medium 509m includes DVDs, Blu-ray Discs (registered trademarks), etc.

[0069] The CMOS sensor 511 is a type of imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 501. A CCD sensor may be used instead of a CMOS sensor.

[0070] The speaker 512 is a circuit that converts electrical signals into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voice.

[0071] The positioning unit 314 receives a positioning signal including position information (latitude, longitude, and altitude) of the communication terminals 7 and 9 from a GNSS satellite such as a GPS satellite, or from IMES as an indoor GPS.

[0072] The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 501.

[0073] [Functional configuration of the embodiment] Next, the functional configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0074] <Functional configuration of the imaging device> 13, the photographing device 10 has a reception unit 12, a detection unit 13, an imaging unit 16, a sound collection unit 17, a connection unit 18, and a memory / readout unit 19. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any of the components shown in FIG. 10 operating in response to an instruction from the CPU 111 in accordance with a photographing / storage program loaded from the SRAM 113 onto the DRAM 114.

[0075] The image capturing device 10 also includes a storage unit 1000 configured by a ROM 112, an SRAM 113, and a DRAM 114 shown in FIG.

[0076] (Functional configuration of the imaging device) The reception unit 12 of the image capturing device 10 is realized by the processing of the operation unit 115 for the CPU 111, and receives operation input from the user.

[0077] The detection unit 13 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 111 to the electronic compass 118, the gyro sensor 119, the acceleration sensor 120, etc., and obtains attitude information by detecting the attitude of the image capturing device 10.

[0078] The imaging section 16 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 111 to the imaging unit 101, the image processing unit 104, the imaging control unit 105, and the CPU 111, and captures images of scenery and the like to obtain captured images.

[0079] The sound collection unit 17 is mainly realized by processing of the sound processing unit 109 from the CPU 111, and collects sounds around the image capturing device .

[0080] The connection unit 18 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 111 to the input / output I / F 116, and performs data communication with the relay device 3.

[0081] The storage / readout unit 19 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 111 , and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 1000 and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 1000 .

[0082] <Functional configuration of relay device> 13, the relay device 3 has a communication unit 31 and a connection unit 38. These units are functions or means realized when any of the components shown in FIG. 11 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 301 in accordance with the program for the relay device 3 loaded from the EEPROM 304 onto the RAM 303.

[0083] (Functional configuration of relay device 3) The communication unit 31 of the relay device 3 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 11 to the communication unit 313, and performs data communication between the image capturing device 10 and the communication control device 5 via the communication network 100.

[0084] The connection unit 38 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 301 to the input / output I / F 316, and performs data communication with the image capturing device 10.

[0085] <Functional configuration of communication control device> Next, each functional configuration of the communication control device 5 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 13. The communication control device 5 has a communication unit 51, a reception unit 52, a creation unit 53, a processing unit 54, an authentication unit 55, and a storage / readout unit 59. Each of these units is a function or means realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 12 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 501 in accordance with the program for the communication control device 5 loaded from the SSD 504 onto the RAM 503.

[0086] The communication control device 5 also has a storage unit 5000 constructed by the RAM 503 and HD 504 shown in Fig. 12. The storage unit 5000 contains a user device management DB 5001, a virtual room management DB 5002, a three-dimensional image management DB 5003, a virtual space management DB 5004, and a captured image management DB 5006.

[0087] (User / Device Management DB) Figure 14 is a conceptual diagram of a user device management table. The user device management DB 5001 is composed of the user device management table shown in Figure 14. In the user device table, user IDs (or device IDs), passwords, names, user images, and IP addresses are stored and managed in association with each other.

[0088] Among these, the user ID is an example of user identification information for identifying a user (organizer X, participants A, B, etc.). The device ID is an example of device identification information for identifying a device such as the image capturing device 10. Note that if a head-mounted display or the like is used in addition to the image capturing device 10, the head-mounted display or the like is also treated as a device.

[0089] The name is the name of a user or a device. Each user name may be the name of the communication terminal of each user.

[0090] The user image is a schematic image of each user's face, a photograph of the user's face, or the like, and is registered in advance by each user.

[0091] The IP address is an example of destination identification information for devices such as the communication terminals 7 and 9 and the image capturing device 10 used by the user.

[0092] (Virtual room management DB) Fig. 15 is a conceptual diagram of a virtual room management table. The virtual room management DB 5002 is configured by the virtual room management table shown in Fig. 15. In the virtual room management table, a virtual room ID, a virtual room name, a device ID, a host ID, a participant ID, a content ID, a content URL (information on the storage location of content data of images and sounds), a field of view information URL, and a three-dimensional image ID are stored and managed in association with each other.

[0093] Of these, the virtual room ID is an example of virtual room identification information for identifying a virtual room.

[0094] The virtual room name is the name of the virtual room and is given by the user or the like.

[0095] The device ID is the same as the device ID in FIG. 14, and is the ID of the device that has participated in the virtual room indicated by the virtual room ID of the same record.

[0096] The host ID is an example of host identification information for identifying the host ID in particular among the user IDs in FIG. 14, and is the ID of the host who participated in the virtual room indicated by the virtual room ID of the same record.

[0097] The participant ID is an example of participant identification information for identifying the participant ID among the user IDs in FIG. 14, and is the ID of a participant who has participated in the virtual room indicated by the virtual room ID of the same record.

[0098] The content ID is an example of content identification information for identifying image and sound content data. In this case, the image is a wide-field image obtained during shooting, and the sound is sound (including voice) obtained during the same shooting.

[0099] The content URL is an example of content storage location information that indicates where the content (wide-field image, sound information) data is stored. The content URL also stores the time of shooting (video recording) and sound collection (recording) as well as the shooting location (absolute location on Earth) in association with the content data.

[0100] The field of view information URL is an example of field of view information storage location information that indicates the location where field of view information for specifying a predetermined area to be displayed on the display 507 in a wide-field image is stored.

[0101] The three-dimensional image ID is an example of three-dimensional image identification information that identifies a three-dimensional image to be displayed in a display area 620, which will be described later.

[0102] (3D image management DB) (Part 1) Fig. 16A is a conceptual diagram of a three-dimensional image management table (part 1). The three-dimensional image management DB 5003 is configured by the three-dimensional image management table shown in Fig. 16A. In the three-dimensional image management table shown in Fig. 16A, a model ID and position information are associated and managed for each three-dimensional image ID.

[0103] The model ID is an example of three-dimensional model identification information for identifying a three-dimensional model, and the three-dimensional model is generated based on a point cloud acquired by, for example, a TOF (Time-of-Flight) camera or the like.

[0104] The position information is information that indicates the position of the three-dimensional model in the three-dimensional virtual space using three-dimensional coordinates of XYZ, and is indicated, for example, by the three-dimensional coordinates of eight points that define the rectangular parallelepiped space occupied by the three-dimensional model.

[0105] (Part 2) Fig. 16B is a conceptual diagram of a three-dimensional image management table (part 2). The three-dimensional image management DB 5003 is configured by the three-dimensional image management table shown in Fig. 16B. The three-dimensional image management table shown in Fig. 16B is a table for managing attribute information indicating the attributes of parts (three-dimensional models) that make up a structure included in a three-dimensional virtual space. In the three-dimensional image management table shown in Fig. 16B, the attribute information, such as part number, member information, dimension information, color information, material information, position information, and construction date information, is associated and managed for each three-dimensional image ID.

[0106] The component information is information that identifies components such as walls, floors, ceilings, windows, pipes, and doors that are made up of parts.

[0107] The dimension information is information that identifies the dimensions of a part in virtual space, and is expressed, for example, by numerical values ​​in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z.

[0108] The color information is information for identifying the color of the part, and the material information is information for identifying the material of the part.

[0109] The position information is information for identifying the position of a part in virtual space, and is indicated by coordinates in three axes, X, Y, and Z, for example. This makes it possible to identify whether or not each of a plurality of parts is adjacent to another.

[0110] The construction date information indicates the planned date on which a component will be constructed in the real world, making it possible to identify a structure at a given point in time, excluding components that have not yet been constructed.

[0111] As described above, the position information in Figures 16A and 16B is managed in association with absolute positions on the Earth. As an example, by associating the origin (X=0, Y=0, Z=0) of the position information in Figures 16A and 16B with absolute positions on the Earth (latitude, longitude, altitude), all coordinates in the 3D image including the 3D model and parts can be associated with absolute positions on the Earth.

[0112] Furthermore, the three-dimensional image management DB 5003 may manage three-dimensional point groups, mesh objects, textured mesh objects, etc., instead of three-dimensional models.

[0113] (Virtual space management DB) Fig. 17 is a conceptual diagram of a virtual space management table. The virtual space management DB 5004 is configured by the virtual space management table shown in Fig. 17. In the virtual space management table, a model ID and position information are associated and managed for each virtual space ID.

[0114] Of these, the virtual space ID is an example of virtual space identification information for identifying a virtual space.

[0115] The model ID is an example of three-dimensional model identification information for identifying a three-dimensional model, and the three-dimensional model is generated based on a point cloud acquired by, for example, a TOF (Time-of-Flight) camera or the like.

[0116] The position information is information that indicates the position of the three-dimensional model in the three-dimensional virtual space using three-dimensional coordinates of XYZ, and is indicated, for example, by the three-dimensional coordinates of eight points that define the rectangular parallelepiped space occupied by the three-dimensional model.

[0117] (Photo image management database) The captured image management DB 5005 is a location where content data (wide-field images, sound information) is stored. The content data is an example of a captured image captured by the image capturing device 10 at different times. The content data is associated with the timing of capture (e.g., year, month, date, etc.) and the location of capture. The timing of capture may be the date or the date and time. The timing of capture may also be expressed by at least one of the year, month, day, and time.

[0118] (Functional configuration of communication control device) Next, each functional configuration of the communication control device 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0119] 11 to the network I / F 505, and performs data communication with other devices (relay device 3, communication terminals 7 and 9) via the communication network 100. The communication unit 51 also serves as an acquisition unit, acquiring instruction information indicating instructions sent from the communication terminals 7 and 9.

[0120] The reception unit 52 is realized by the processing of the operation unit 508 for the CPU 501, and receives operation input from a user (here, a system administrator or the like).

[0121] Creation unit 53 is mainly realized by processing of CPU 501, and creates a screen to be sent to each communication terminal 7, 9 using data stored in storage unit 5000, etc. For example, creation unit 53 creates screen 600 including a first display area 610 that displays a predetermined area image that is a predetermined area in a wide-field image (an example of a captured image) captured by imaging device 10, and a second display area 620 that displays a three-dimensional image of the predetermined area (see FIG. 24). The predetermined area image displayed in display area 610 and the three-dimensional image displayed in display area 620 are aligned as described below.

[0122] Processing unit 54 is mainly realized by the processing of CPU 501, and performs processing to associate and align position information indicating the position in the captured image obtained by capturing an image of the object with position information indicating the position in the three-dimensional image of the object. Note that processing unit 54 can also be referred to as a "corresponding unit."

[0123] The authentication unit 55 authenticates whether each user is authorized to use the virtual room.

[0124] The storage / readout unit 59 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 , and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 5000 and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 5000 .

[0125] <Functional configuration of communication terminal 7> Next, the functional configuration of the communication terminal 7 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 13. The communication terminal 7 has a communication unit 71, a reception unit 72, a creation unit 73, a display control unit 74, a sound input / output control unit 75, a connection unit 78, and a storage / readout unit 79. Each of these units is a function or means realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 12 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 501 in accordance with the program for the communication terminal 7 loaded from the SSD 504 onto the RAM 503.

[0126] The communication unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 12 to the network I / F 505, and performs data communication with other devices (communication control device 5) via the communication network 100.

[0127] The reception unit 72 is mainly realized by the processing of the operation unit 508 on the CPU 501, and receives instructions by operation input from a user (here, organizer X). The reception unit 72 also serves as an acquisition unit, and can be said to acquire instructions given by user operation.

[0128] The creation unit 73 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and creates a screen to be displayed on the terminal itself (communication terminal 7) using data stored in the storage unit 7000. When the creation unit 53 of the communication control device 5 creates the screen, the communication terminal 7 may or may not have the creation unit 73.

[0129] The display control unit 74 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and performs control to display various images on the display 507 of the communication terminal 7 or an external display connected to the external device connection I / F 505.

[0130] The sound input / output control unit 75 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 of the communication terminal 7, and performs control to collect sound from an external microphone connected to the external device connection I / F 505. If the communication terminal 7 has a built-in microphone, the sound input / output control unit 75 performs control to collect sound from the microphone. The sound input / output control unit 75 also performs control to output sound to the speaker 512 of the communication terminal 7 or an external speaker connected to the external device connection I / F 505.

[0131] The storage / readout unit 79 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 , and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 7000 and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 7000 .

[0132] <Functional configuration of communication terminal 9> Next, each functional configuration of the communication terminal 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0133] The communication terminal 9 has a communication unit 91, a reception unit 92, a creation unit 93, a display control unit 94, a sound input / output control unit 95, a connection unit 98, and a storage / readout unit 99. Each of these units is a function or means realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 12 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 501 in accordance with the program for the communication terminal 9 loaded from the SSD 504 onto the RAM 503.

[0134] The communication terminal 9 also includes a storage unit 9000 constructed by the RAM 503 and the SSD 504 shown in FIG.

[0135] The communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 501 to the network I / F 505, and performs data communication with other devices (communication control device 5) via the communication network 100.

[0136] The reception unit 92 is mainly realized by the processing of the operation unit 508 on the CPU 501, and receives instructions by operation input from users (participants in this case). The reception unit 92 also serves as an acquisition unit, and can be said to acquire instructions given by user operations.

[0137] The creation unit 93 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and creates a screen to be displayed on the terminal itself (communication terminal 9) using data stored in the storage unit 9000. When the creation unit 53 of the communication control device 5 creates the screen, the communication terminal 9 may or may not have the creation unit 93.

[0138] The display control unit 94 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and performs control to display various images on the display 507 of the communication terminal 9 or an external display connected to the external device connection I / F 505.

[0139] The sound input / output control unit 95 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 of the communication terminal 9, and performs control to collect sound from an external microphone connected to the external device connection I / F 505. If the communication terminal 9 has a built-in microphone, the sound input / output control unit 95 performs control to collect sound from the microphone. The sound input / output control unit 95 also performs control to output sound to the speaker 512 of the communication terminal 9 or an external speaker connected to the external device connection I / F 505.

[0140] The connection unit 98 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 501 to the external device connection I / F 505, and performs data communication with external devices connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0141] The storage / readout unit 99 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501 , and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 9000 and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 9000 .

[0142] [Processing or Operation of the Embodiment] Next, the processing or operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 26. Note that the following processing is performed after the image capturing device 10 and the communication terminals 7 and 9 have already joined the same virtual room.

[0143] <Communication processing of content data in a communication system> First, the communication processing of content data in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing the communication processing of a wide-field image and each piece of field angle information in the communication system. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the image capturing device 10, the communication terminal 7 of the organizer X, the communication terminal 9a of the participant A, and the communication terminal 9b of the participant B are in the same virtual room. Furthermore, when the virtual room is constructed, the storage / readout unit 79 adds one record to the virtual room management DB (see FIG. 15) and manages the virtual room ID, virtual room name, device ID, organizer ID, and participant ID in association with each other. The content ID, content URL, and field angle information URL will be stored later. Note that the processes S11 to S15 in FIG. 18 are repeated, for example, 30 or 60 times per second.

[0144] S11: In the image capturing device 10, the imaging unit 16 captures spherical images of the area Sa and collects sound to obtain content (wide-field image, sound information) data, and then the connection unit 18 sends the content data to the relay device 3. In this case, the connection unit 18 also sends a virtual room ID for identifying the virtual room in which the image capturing device 10 is participating and a device ID for identifying the image capturing device 10. As a result, the connection unit 38 of the relay device 3 obtains the content data, the virtual room ID, and the device ID.

[0145] S12: In the relay device 3, the communication unit 31 transmits the content data, the virtual room ID, and the device ID acquired by the connection unit 38 in process S11 to the communication control device 5 via the communication network 100. As a result, in the communication control device 5, the communication unit 51 receives the content data, the virtual room, and the device ID.

[0146] The image capturing device 10 may transmit the content data, the virtual room ID, and the device ID to the communication terminal 7 instead of the relay device 3 (S11d). In this case, the communication terminal 7 transmits the content data, the virtual room ID, and the device ID to the communication control device 5 (S12d).

[0147] S13: In the communication control device 5, the storage / readout unit 59 searches the virtual room management DB 5002 based on the virtual room ID received in step S12, thereby reading out the user IDs (host ID and participant ID) participating in the same virtual room as the image capturing device 10. The storage / readout unit 59 also searches the user / device management DB 5001 based on the readout host ID and participant ID, thereby reading out the corresponding user image of the host X and the IP address of the communication terminal 7, as well as the user images of the corresponding participants A and B and the IP addresses of the communication terminals 9a and 9b. The communication unit 51 then refers to the IP address of the communication terminal 7 and transmits screen data including the content data and three-dimensional image data received in step S12 to the communication terminal 7. As a result, the communication unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the screen data. The detailed processing (screen display processing) at this time will be described later.

[0148] S14: The communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 references the IP address of the communication terminal 9a and transmits screen data including the content data and three-dimensional image data received in step S12 to the communication terminal 9a. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the screen data. Note that the detailed processing at this time (screen display processing) will be described later.

[0149] S15: Similarly, the communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 references the IP address of the communication terminal 9b and transmits screen data including the content data and three-dimensional image data received in step S12 to the communication terminal 9b. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9b receives the screen data. Note that the detailed processing at this time (screen display processing) will be described later.

[0150] <Process for starting video and audio recording in a communication system> Next, the process of starting video and audio recording in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the process of starting video and audio recording in the communication system.

[0151] S31: First, in the communication terminal 7 of the organizer X, the reception unit 72 receives an operation from the organizer X to start video and audio recording.

[0152] S32: Before starting video and audio recording in the communication terminal 7, the communication unit 71 transmits a command to share the field of view information to the communication control device 5. This command includes the virtual room ID of the virtual room in which the communication terminal 7 is participating and the device ID of the image capturing device 10. As a result, the communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 receives the command to share the field of view information.

[0153] S33: In the communication control device 5, the storage / readout unit 59 sets the content URL and the field of view information URL in the virtual room management DB (see FIG. 15). Then, the communication unit 51 transmits to the communication terminal 7 an instruction to start recording and a request to upload the field of view information. This instruction includes information indicating a content URL that indicates a location where the communication terminal 7 will save the content data after recording. This request also includes information indicating a field of view information URL for maintaining the field of view information. As a result, in the communication terminal 7, the communication unit 71 receives the instruction to start recording and the request to upload the field of view information.

[0154] S34: The communication unit 51 also transmits a request to upload the field of view information to the communication terminal 9a. This request includes information on the field of view information URL for maintaining the field of view information. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the request to upload the field of view information.

[0155] S35: Similarly, the communication unit 51 transmits a request to upload the field of view information to the communication terminal 9b. This request includes information on the field of view information URL for maintaining the field of view information. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9b receives the request to upload the field of view information.

[0156] S36: Next, in the communications terminal 7, the storage / readout unit 79 functions as a video recording unit and a sound recording unit, and starts recording and sound recording of the content data received in process S13 shown in Fig. 18. Note that in the case of process S12d shown in Fig. 18, the communications terminal 7 may start recording and sound recording of the content data received from the imaging device 10 in process S11d, instead of the content data received from the communications control device 5 in process S13.

[0157] S37: In the communication terminal 7, for example, while displaying a predetermined area image (see FIG. 6(b)), which is a predetermined area (see FIG. 6(a)) of the wide-field image received in process S13, if the reception unit 72 receives a request to change the angle of view from the organizer X, the display control unit 74 displays a predetermined area image (see FIG. 6(d)), which is a changed predetermined area (see FIG. 6(c)) of the same wide-field image. In this case, the reception unit 72 also functions as an acquisition unit, and when receiving a request to display a predetermined area in the wide-field image from a user (here, organizer X), acquires angle-of-view information (pan, tilt, fov) for specifying the predetermined area in the wide-field image to be displayed on the display 507. Then, the communication unit 71 transmits the angle-of-view information for specifying the changed predetermined area to the image information URL (communication control device 5) received in process S33. This angle-of-view information includes the user ID of the organizer X of the communication terminal 7, which is the sender. As a result, in the communication control device 5, the communication unit 51 receives the angle-of-view information. Then, the storage / readout unit 59 stores the user ID, the IP address of the sender, the angle of view information, and the timestamp in the storage unit 5000. This timestamp indicates the time when the angle of view information was received in step S37.

[0158] S38: The same process as S37 is performed independently of S37 in the communication terminal 9a and the communication control device 5. The user ID transmitted in this case is the user ID of participant A.

[0159] S39: A process similar to the process S37 is performed independently of the processes S37 and S38 in the communication terminal 9b and the communication control device 5. The user ID transmitted in this case is the user ID of participant B.

[0160] The processes S37 to S39 may be executed collectively by the communication control device 5 when the recording is completed.

[0161] <Processing for stopping video and audio recording in a communication system> Next, a process for stopping video and audio recording in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a sequence diagram showing a process for stopping video and audio recording in the communication system.

[0162] S51: First, in the communication terminal 7 of the organizer X, the reception unit 72 receives an operation from the organizer X to stop video and audio recording.

[0163] S52: The storage / readout unit 79 stops recording the content data.

[0164] S53: The communication unit 71 uploads (transmits) the video and audio recording content data to the predetermined content URL (communications control device 5) received in step S33. This content data includes the time (timestamp) from the start to the end of the video and audio recording. As a result, the communication unit 51 in the communications control device 5 receives the content data.

[0165] S54: In the communication control device 5, the storage / readout unit 59 stores the content data together with the timestamp in a predetermined content URL. Furthermore, the storage / readout unit 59 converts the timestamp stored in the storage unit 5000 (indicating the time when the angle of view information was received in step S37) into an elapsed playback time in accordance with the total recording time of the content data whose recording has been stopped.

[0166] S55: The communication unit 51 transmits a video and audio end notification to the communication terminal 7. The end notification includes information indicating a specific content URL. As a result, the communication unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the video and audio end notification.

[0167] S56: Similarly, the communication unit 51 transmits a video and audio end notification to the communication terminal 9a. The end notification includes information indicating a specific content URL. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the video and audio end notification.

[0168] S57: Similarly, the communication unit 51 transmits a video and audio end notification to the communication terminal 9b. The end notification includes information indicating a specific content URL. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9b receives the video and audio end notification.

[0169] In the case of process S55, the completion notification does not need to include the predetermined content URL.

[0170] <Processing for displaying virtual space images in a communication system> Next, a process for displaying a virtual space image in the communication system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a sequence diagram showing a process for displaying a virtual space image in the communication system.

[0171] S61: First, the communication terminal 7 of the organizer X accepts the designation of the virtual space ID of the three-dimensional image to be displayed in the second display area 620 of the screen 600.

[0172] S62: The communication unit 71 transmits the virtual space ID to the communication control device 5. The communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 receives the virtual space ID transmitted from the communication terminal .

[0173] S63: The memory / read unit 59 of the communication control device 5 searches the virtual space management DB 5004 using the virtual space ID received in step S62 as a search key to read out the model ID and location information associated with the virtual space ID, and also searches the three-dimensional image management table of the three-dimensional image management DB 5003 shown in Figures 16A and 16B using the model ID read from the virtual space management DB 5004 as a search key to read out information about the three-dimensional model associated with the model ID.

[0174] The creating unit 53 of the communication control device 5 generates a virtual space image based on the information of the three-dimensional model read out by the storing / reading unit 59 .

[0175] S64: The communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 transmits the virtual space image generated in step S33 to the communication terminal 7.

[0176] S65: The communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 transmits the virtual space image generated in step S33 to the communication terminal 9a.

[0177] S66: The communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 transmits the virtual space image generated in step S33 to the communication terminal 9b.

[0178] S67: The communication unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the virtual space image transmitted from the communication control device 5. The display control unit 74 of the communication terminal 7 displays the received virtual space image in the second display area 620 of the screen 600.

[0179] S68: The communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the virtual space image transmitted from the communication control device 5. The display control unit 94 of the communication terminal 9a displays the received virtual space image in the second display area 620 of the screen 600.

[0180] S69: The communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9b receives the virtual space image transmitted from the communication control device 5. The display control unit 94 of the communication terminal 9b displays the received virtual space image in the second display area 620 of the screen 600.

[0181] <Recording and playback of recorded data in a communication system> Next, the process of recording and playing back audio data in a communication system will be described with reference to Fig. 22 to Fig. 26. Fig. 22 is a sequence diagram showing the process of recording and playing back audio data in a communication system. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing a recording data selection screen. Here, participant A uses communication terminal 9a to play back the recorded content data.

[0182] S71: First, when the reception unit 92 of the communication terminal 9a receives a login operation from user A by inputting a user ID, password, etc., the communication unit 91 transmits a login request to the communication control device 5. This request includes the user ID and password of user A. As a result, in the communication control device 5, the communication unit 51 receives the login request, and the authentication unit 55 performs authentication by referring to the user device management DB (see FIG. 14). Hereinafter, the explanation will proceed assuming that user A is determined to be a legitimate accessing person through login authentication.

[0183] S72: In the communication control device 5, the creation unit 53 creates a recording data selection screen 940 as shown in FIG. 23. In this case, the storage / reading unit 59 searches the virtual room management DB (see FIG. 15) using the user ID received in process S71 as a search key, thereby reading out all corresponding virtual room IDs, virtual room names, and content URLs. The creation unit 53 then creates thumbnails 941, 942, and 943 using images from each piece of content data (with timestamp) stored in the content URL. As a result, the creation unit 53 adds, for each thumbnail, a virtual room name (such as "Construction Site α") and a recording time (such as "2022 / 10 / 31 15:00") indicating a predetermined time in the timestamp (for example, the recording start time).

[0184] S73: The communication unit 51 transmits the selection screen data created in step S72 to the communication terminal 9a. In this selection screen data, each thumbnail includes a content ID for identifying the wide-field image from which each thumbnail was created. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the selection screen data.

[0185] S74: In the communication terminal 9a, the display control unit 94 displays a recording data selection screen as shown in Fig. 23 on the display 507 of the communication terminal 9a. Then, the reception unit 92 receives a designation (selection) of a predetermined thumbnail from the participant A. Here, the description will continue assuming that the thumbnail 941 has been designated (selected).

[0186] S75: The communication unit 71 transmits to the communication control device 5 a download request for the content data that is the creation source of the selected thumbnail 941. This request includes the content ID associated with the thumbnail 941. As a result, the communication unit 51 of the communication control device 5 receives the download request for the content data.

[0187] S76: In the communication control device 5, the storage / readout unit 59 searches the virtual room management DB (see FIG. 15) using the content ID received in process S75 as a search key, and reads out content data from the corresponding content URL. The content data also includes location information at the time of image capture by the image capture device 10, which will be described later. The storage / readout unit 59 also searches the three-dimensional image management DB using the three-dimensional image ID associated with the content ID also received in process S75 as a search key, and reads out parameters such as the corresponding model ID and location information (see FIG. 16A), or parameters such as the corresponding part number and location information (see FIG. 16B).

[0188] Then, the communication unit 51 transmits the requested content data and the three-dimensional image data to the communication terminal 9a, whereby the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the content data and the three-dimensional image data.

[0189] S77: The communication terminal 9a performs a playback process. That is, the display control unit 94 of the communication terminal 9a displays a screen including the recorded image on the display 507 of the communication terminal 9a, and the sound input / output control unit 95 outputs sound.

[0190] <Details of screen display processing> 24 to 26, processing S14 of processing S13 to S15 will be described. Here, participant A operates communication terminal 9a, and the accepting unit 92 accepts the operation, and the communication unit 91 transmits operation information indicating the operation content to the communication control device 5. As a result, in the communication control device 5, the communication unit 51, which serves as an acquiring unit, acquires the operation information, and the creating unit 53 creates a screen 600 based on the operation content indicated by the operation information. Then, the communication unit 51 transmits data of the screen 600 to the communication terminal 9a, and the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the data of the screen 600, and the display control unit 94 displays the screen 600 on the display 507 or the like of the communication terminal 9a. In this case, the communication control device 5 is an example of an information processing device.

[0191] Alternatively, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a may receive each piece of data that is material for creating the screen 600 from the communication control device 5, and the reception unit 92, which functions as an acquisition unit, may acquire operation information indicating the content of the operation performed by the participant A. In this case, the creation unit 93 of the communication terminal 9a creates the screen 600. In this case, the communication terminal 9a is an example of an information processing device. The communication terminals 7 and 9b can also perform the same processes and functions as the communication terminal 9a.

[0192] Next, a process will be described in which the communication control device 5 creates a screen 600 to be displayed on the display 507 of the communication terminal 9a. Note that in processes S13 and S15, the communication control device 5 performs the same process as in process S14, and only the terminal on which the screen is displayed is different, so a description of processes S13 and S15 will be omitted.

[0193] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the communication terminal 9a. The creation unit 53 of the communication control device 5 creates a screen 600 to be displayed on the communication terminal 9a, as shown in Fig. 24. The screen 600 includes a first display area 610 and a second display area 620.

[0194] The display area 610 displays predetermined area images 612, which are predetermined areas in a wide-field image (an example of a captured image) obtained by capturing an image of an object such as a desk, pillar, or window. The first display area 610 displays predetermined area images 612 of a plurality of captured images captured at different times from the same capturing position. The first display area 610 also displays information indicating the different times at which the predetermined area images 612 of the plurality of captured images were captured, in association with each of the predetermined area images 612.

[0195] In Figure 24, specified area images 612 of four photographed images taken at different times (year, month, and date) at the same photographing position are displayed, and information indicating the different times (dates) at which the photographs were taken is displayed in association with each of the specified area images 612.

[0196] The second display area 620 includes a three-dimensional model that represents the shape of the object in three dimensions, and displays a three-dimensional image aligned with the predetermined area image in the first display area 610. The second display area 620 displays a shooting area 621 that corresponds to the angle of view of the virtual camera IC1 superimposed thereon.

[0197] The photographing area 621 is an area corresponding to the predetermined area of ​​the predetermined area image 612 displayed in the first display area 610. In FIG. 24, the photographing area 621 is represented by a dashed line, which is an example of a display mode. The display mode of the photographing area 621 includes dashed and solid lines of a predetermined color, and the thickness of the dashed and solid lines may be different from that of other parts. The dashed line representing the photographing area 621 is an example of a mark indicating the photographing area.

[0198] Additionally, the second display area 620 displays an icon 622 of the virtual camera IC2 superimposed at a position corresponding to the shooting position of the image capturing device 10. The icon 622 is displayed superimposed so as to face the center point CP1 of the shooting area 621. The icon 622 in FIG. 24 is an example of a schematic diagram (image) of the virtual camera IC1. In addition to the icon, this schematic diagram also includes characters such as "camera" or a figure including these characters.

[0199] Furthermore, a line diagram showing the shooting direction 623 from the icon 622 to the center point CP1 is superimposed on the second display area 620. The line diagram may be a solid line or a dashed line, and may be displayed with a thickness or color different from other lines. The line diagram showing the shooting direction 623 is an example of a mark indicating the shooting direction.

[0200] The second display area 620 displays a part or all of the 3D image associated with the coordinates of the wide-field image. The shooting position of the image capturing device 10 is associated with an absolute position on the Earth, and as described in Fig. 16, all coordinates in the 3D images including the 3D models and parts managed in the 3D image management DB 5003 and the virtual space management DB 5004 are also associated with absolute positions on the Earth.

[0201] As a result, the processing unit 54 of the communication control device 5 performs positioning processing, for example, by associating coordinates indicating the shooting position in the wide-field image of the content data received by the communication control device 5 in processing S12 with coordinates in the three-dimensional image whose absolute position is the same as these coordinates. As another form of positioning processing, without using absolute positions on the Earth, for example, image processing such as matching feature points between the wide-field image and the three-dimensional image may be used to associate coordinates in the wide-field image with coordinates indicating the position in the three-dimensional image.

[0202] Furthermore, the creation unit 53 creates a three-dimensional image that displays the location where the captured image was captured in the second display area 620. Furthermore, the creation unit 53 creates a screen to display, at a position corresponding to the capturing position in the second display area 620, an image showing a virtual camera whose capturing area is a second angle of view that corresponds to the virtual first angle of view when the predetermined area image is displayed in the first display area 610. As shown in Fig. 24 , the creation unit 53 creates a screen 600 in which the predetermined area image 612 displayed in the first display area 610 and the three-dimensional image displayed in the second display area 620 are aligned.

[0203] Here, when the three-dimensional image management DB 5003 shown in Figures 16A and 16B manages three-dimensional point clouds, mesh objects, textured mesh objects, etc. instead of three-dimensional models, the second display area 620 displays at least a portion of a three-dimensional image including the three-dimensional point clouds, mesh objects, textured mesh objects, etc. as a three-dimensional area corresponding to the object included in the wide-field image.

[0204] 24 shows the first display area 610 and the second display area 620 simultaneously displayed in the same size, but they may be simultaneously displayed in different sizes, or either one may be displayed by a switching operation by participant A. Alternatively, the screen 600 may be configured so that the first display area 610 is displayed on one of the two displays 507, and the second display area 620 is displayed on the other.

[0205] 25 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the communication control device in the screen display processing. The virtual camera IC1 is used to identify a predetermined area related to the predetermined area image to be displayed in the first display area 610. The virtual camera IC2 shown below is used to identify a three-dimensional image to be displayed in the second display area 620.

[0206] S100: First, the creation unit 53 of the communication control device 5 aligns the position of the virtual camera IC2 with the shooting position associated with the wide-field image of the content data received by the communication unit 51, and also aligns the virtual angle of view of the virtual camera IC2 (an example of a second angle of view) with the virtual angle of view of the virtual camera IC1 that has been set in advance (an example of a first angle of view). The creation unit 53 creates a three-dimensional image to be displayed in the second display area 620, and displays the three-dimensional image in the second display area 620. The three-dimensional image to be displayed in the second display area 620 is an image that three-dimensionally represents the location where the captured image was taken.

[0207] S102: The creation unit 53 creates a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area in the captured image, from the wide-field image of the content data received by the communication unit 51 based on the virtual angle of view of the virtual camera IC1 that is set in advance, and displays it in the first display area 610.

[0208] S104: The creation unit 53 displays the icon 622 of the virtual camera IC2 in the second display area 620 in a position corresponding to the photographing position of the photographing device 10, superimposed thereon.

[0209] S106: The creation unit 53 superimposes and displays in the second display area 620 a line diagram showing the shooting direction 623 from the icon 622 to the center point CP1. The creation unit 53 also superimposes and displays in the second display area 620 a shooting area 621 showing, by a broken line, a predetermined area related to the predetermined area image 612 displayed in the first display area 610.

[0210] S108: The creation unit 53 displays predetermined area images 612 of a plurality of photographed images photographed at different times at the same photographing position in the first display area 610, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0211] S110: The creation unit 53 displays information indicating the timing of capture in the predetermined area image 612 displayed in the first display area 610, as shown in Fig. 24, for example. In the first display area 610 of Fig. 24, "2023 / 12 / 25," "2023 / 12 / 26," "2023 / 12 / 28," and "2023 / 12 / 29" are displayed in association with the predetermined area image 612 as information indicating the timing of capture. By referring to the screen 600 of Fig. 24, the user can more easily compare the predetermined area images 612 of multiple captured images captured at different times at the same capturing position.

[0212] S112: The user performs an operation to select one of the predetermined area images 612 from the plurality of predetermined area images 612 displayed in the first display area 610 as shown in FIG.

[0213] S114: The creation unit 53 displays on the screen 630 an enlarged image of the predetermined area image 612 selected by the user in process S112, as shown in, for example, FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the communication terminal 9a. The user can also check the details of the predetermined area image 612 of interest by displaying the enlarged image, as shown in, for example, FIG. 26, on the screen 630. A close button 631, which is pressed to close the screen 630, is displayed on the screen 630.

[0214] S116: The user can perform an operation to select another predetermined area image 612 different from the predetermined area image 612 selected in step S112 from the multiple predetermined area images 612 displayed in the first display area 610 as shown in Fig. 24. When an operation to select another predetermined area image 612 is received from the user, the creation unit 53 returns to step S114 and displays an enlarged image of the other predetermined area image 612 selected by the user on the screen 630. If an operation to select another predetermined area image 612 is not received from the user, the process proceeds to step S118.

[0215] S118: The user can perform an operation to change the shooting area 621 or the shooting direction 623 from the screen 600 shown in Fig. 24. For example, the user can change the shooting area 621 or the shooting direction 623 by performing an operation to move the icon 622 of the virtual camera IC2. When the shooting area 621 or the shooting direction 623 is changed, the second angle of view of the virtual camera IC2 is changed. The creation unit 53 can change the predetermined area image 612 displayed in the first display area 610 by changing the first angle of view in accordance with the change in the second angle of view.

[0216] When an operation to change the shooting area 621 or the shooting direction 623 is received from the user, the creation unit 53 returns to step S104 and continues the process. If an operation to change the shooting area 621 or the shooting direction 623 is not received from the user, the process of the flowchart in FIG. 25 ends.

[0217] [Major Effects of the Embodiments] As described above, according to this embodiment, as shown on the screen 600 in FIG. 24, predetermined area images 612 of multiple captured images taken at different times at the same shooting position can be displayed in the first display area 610 so that comparison can be made more easily.

[0218] This allows the user to more easily understand changes in the predetermined area image 612 by viewing the first display area 610 of the screen 600. Therefore, the present embodiment has the effect of improving user convenience by creating the screen 600 that complements the captured image obtained by shooting.

[0219] 〔supplement〕 Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0220] (1) Each function of each of the above embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the above-described functions.

[0221] (2) A (non-transitory) recording medium such as a DVD-ROM on which each of the above programs is stored can be provided domestically or internationally as a program product.

[0222] (3) There may be multiple CPUs 111, 301, and 501 serving as processors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0223] 1. Communication systems (examples of information processing systems) 3. Relay Device 5. Communication control device (an example of an information processing device) 7. Communication terminal (an example of a display terminal, an example of an information processing device) 9, 9a, 9b Communication terminal (an example of a display terminal, an example of an information processing device) 10 Imaging equipment 51 Communication unit (an example of an acquisition unit) 52 Reception 53 Creation Department 71 Communications Department 72 Reception unit (an example of an acquisition unit) 74 Display control unit 75 Sound input / output control section 76 Creation Department 78 Connection 91 Communications Department 92 Reception unit (example of acquisition unit) 94 Display control unit 95 Sound input / output control section 98 Connection 600 screens 610 First display area 620 Second Display Area 507 Display (an example of a display unit) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0224] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-140923

Claims

1. An information processing device that creates a screen for displaying an image in a display area, a creating unit that creates the screen including a first display area that displays a predetermined area image that is a predetermined area in a captured image obtained by capturing an image of an object, and a second display area that displays a three-dimensional image that includes a three-dimensional model that represents the shape of the object in three dimensions and is aligned with the predetermined area image; and the creation unit displays, in the first display area, the predetermined area images of the plurality of photographed images photographed at different times at the same photographing position. Information processing device.

2. the creation unit creates the three-dimensional image in the second display area, the three-dimensional image displaying the location where the photographed image was taken. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the creation unit creates the screen so as to display, in the second display area, an image showing a virtual camera having a second angle of view corresponding to a virtual first angle of view when the predetermined area image is displayed in the first display area, at a position corresponding to the shooting position. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. the creation unit creates the screen so as to display an image indicating at least one of a shooting direction and a shooting area of ​​the captured image in the second display area. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the captured image is a wide-field-of-view image having a wide range of viewing angles, and an acquisition unit is provided for acquiring changes in at least one of a shooting direction and a shooting area of ​​the captured image; the creation unit changes the first angle of view in accordance with changes in at least one of the shooting direction and the shooting area of ​​the captured image, thereby changing the predetermined area image to be displayed in the first display area. The information processing device according to claim 3 .

6. the creation unit creates the screen so as to display information indicating the different times at which the plurality of captured images were each captured. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. A screen creation method executed by an information processing device that creates a screen for displaying an image in a display area, comprising: a creation process for creating the screen including a first display area that displays a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area in a captured image obtained by photographing an object, and a second display area that displays a three-dimensional image that includes a three-dimensional model that represents the shape of the object in three dimensions and is aligned with the predetermined area image; Run the creation process displays, in the first display area, the predetermined area images of the plurality of photographed images photographed at different times at the same photographing position. How to create a screen.

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the screen creation method according to claim 7.

9. An information processing system including an information processing device and a display terminal that communicates with the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a creating unit that creates a screen including a first display area that displays a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area in a captured image obtained by capturing an image of an object, and a second display area that displays a three-dimensional image that includes a three-dimensional model that represents the shape of the object in three dimensions and is aligned with the predetermined area image; and The display terminal a display control unit that displays the screen created by the creation unit on a display unit and the creation unit displays, in the first display area, the predetermined area images of the plurality of photographed images photographed at different times at the same photographing position. Information processing system.

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