Display terminal, communication system, display method, and program

Abstract

To suggest to a user who views a wide-field-of-view image after recording it a specific area (field of view) that is to be of interest at a plurality of locations in the wide-field-of-view image at the time of recording.SOLUTION: The present disclosure relates to a display terminal that plays back a recorded image when it is distributed to a plurality of communication terminals, and that includes an acceptance unit that accepts playback of a wide-field-of-view image as the image, and a display control unit that displays a specific specified area image aD, which is a specific specified area in the wide-field-of-view image, on the display unit by clustering each specific area in the wide-field-of-view image that has been displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image has been recorded.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display terminal, a communication system, a display method, and a program. [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 360-degree images (also called omnidirectional images, panoramic images, or omnidirectional images) capturing an entire 360-degree surrounding area, have become known as images with an imaging range that includes areas that cannot be fully confirmed with a normal angle of view. When attempting to display the entire wide-field-of-view image on a display terminal, the wide-field-of-view image is curved and difficult to see, so each user views the same wide-field-of-view image by displaying a predetermined area image that indicates a desired predetermined area.

[0003] Furthermore, a technique has been disclosed in the past for cutting out a more suitable predetermined area from a wide-field image without requiring complicated operations (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Furthermore, when wide-field images related to a video are distributed to multiple locations, users at the multiple locations can view the wide-field images while independently changing the desired predetermined area in the wide-field images. Also, if wide-field images related to a video obtained by photographing a work site or the like are recorded when they are distributed to a predetermined location, users can later play back and view the recorded wide-field images. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, a user who records a wide-field image and then plays back the recorded image to view it cannot understand which specific area of ​​the wide-field image was attracting attention and being displayed at multiple locations when the image was recorded.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to suggest to a user who views a wide-field-of-view image after it has been recorded a predetermined area (angle of view) that was of interest at a plurality of locations in the wide-field-of-view image at the time of recording. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure relates to a display terminal that plays back a recorded image when it is distributed to a plurality of communication terminals, and that has a reception unit that accepts playback of a wide-field image as the image, and a display control unit that displays a specific specified area image, which is a specific specified area in the wide-field image, on the display unit by clustering each specific area in the wide-field image that was displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image was recorded. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to suggest to a user who views a wide-field image after it has been recorded a specific area (angle of view) of the wide-field image that was attracting attention from multiple locations at the time of recording. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [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 of the present invention; [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 system and a communication terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a user device management DB. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a virtual room management DB. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of a field angle information management DB. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a communication process of content data in the communication system. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process for starting video and audio recording in a communication system. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process for stopping video and audio recording in a communication system. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process of recording and playing back audio in a communication system. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a recording data selection screen. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing a playback process (angle of view suggestion mode). [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing a process when the angle of view of a predetermined area image is changed during a playback process. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wide-field image. [Figure 25]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the display areas ax1, aa1, and ab1 displayed during recording of a wide-field image, and the center points cx1, ca1, and cb1 of the display areas. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overlapping area ad1 of predetermined areas ax1 and aa1 relating to a plurality of center points cx1 and ca1 in the same class. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 shows the center point cd1 of the overlapping area ad1 of the predetermined areas ax1 and aa1. [Figure 28] FIG. 27 shows a minimum predetermined area aD that includes all of the center points cx1 and ca1 of multiple display areas of the same class at the time of recording (past), with the center point cd1 of the overlapping area ad1 as the center point. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a predetermined area image of the specified predetermined area aD. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing each display area in a wide-field image when multiple center points are not included in the same class. [Figure 31] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing each display area in a wide-field image during recording. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a predetermined area image after the predetermined area has been changed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [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°.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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).

[0017] 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. 3( a), thereby creating a celestial sphere image CE as shown in FIG. 3( 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 system 5 or the communication terminals 7 and 9 may perform similar image processing or some of the image processing steps.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined area when a celestial sphere image is a three-dimensional sphere. The virtual camera IC corresponds to the position of a virtual viewpoint of a user viewing a 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 a display, (c) is a diagram showing the predetermined area after the viewpoint of the virtual camera IC in (a) is changed, and (d) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (c) displayed on a display.

[0021] If the celestial sphere image CE generated in this way is a three-dimensional sphere CS, the virtual camera IC 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 IC, 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 IC in a three-dimensional virtual space including the celestial sphere image CE.

[0022] Furthermore, zooming of the predetermined region T can also be expressed by moving the virtual camera IC 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 IC to the celestial sphere image CE.

[0023] Furthermore, when the virtual viewpoint of the virtual camera IC is moved (also referred to as "changed") from the state of Fig. 6(a) to the right (left as one faces the drawing) as shown in Fig. 6(c), the predetermined area T in the omnidirectional image CE is accordingly moved to a predetermined area T', 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.

[0024] 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).

[0025] 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.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, when the center of a predetermined area T, which is the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC, 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) Here, f is the distance from the virtual camera IC 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(φ), tilt(θ), 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.

[0027] [Communication system overview] Next, an overview of a communication system 1a according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0028] 9, the communication system 1a of this embodiment is composed of 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 terminal may also be referred to as a "display terminal" that displays images, etc.

[0029] 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 system 5 via the communication network 100. The communication network 100 includes, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a (wireless) router, etc.

[0030] Furthermore, the communication control system 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. Note that the communication control system 5 can also be referred to as an "information management system" because it manages information such as angle of view.

[0031] The communication terminals 7 and 9 are, for example, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), and can perform data communication with the communication control system 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 system 5. The communication control system 5 may be configured by a single computer or may be configured by multiple server computers.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The communication control system 5 transmits (distributes) the wide-field image obtained from the imaging device 10 via the relay device 3 to the communication terminals 7 and 9. The communication control system 5 also receives, from each communication terminal 7 and 9, information on the angle of view for identifying the predetermined area of ​​the predetermined area image being displayed on each communication terminal 7 and 9, and transmits the information on the angle of view to the communication terminals 7 and 9. The wide-field image may be a moving image (wide-field moving image) or a still image (wide-field still image).

[0034] [Hardware configuration of the embodiment] Next, the hardware configurations of the image capturing device 10, relay device 3, and communication terminals 7 and 9 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0035] <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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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).

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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).

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The acceleration sensor 120 is a sensor that detects acceleration in three axial directions.

[0051] The photographing device 10 calculates the attitude (angle with respect to the direction of gravity) of the photographing device 10 itself (the photographing device 10) 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] <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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The communication unit 313 communicates with the communication network 100 by using a wireless communication signal via an antenna 313a.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 301.

[0062] <Communication control system and communication terminal hardware configuration> 12 shows the hardware configuration of the communication control system 5. The hardware configuration of the communication terminals 7 and 9 is the same as that of the communication control system 5, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control system 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.

[0064] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the communication control system 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] The network I / F 506 is an interface for performing data communication via the communication network 100 .

[0068] The display 507 is a type of display unit such as a liquid crystal display or organic electroluminescence (EL) display that displays various images.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] The speaker 512 is a circuit that converts electrical signals into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voice.

[0073] The positioning unit 514 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.

[0074] The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 501.

[0075] [Functional configuration of the embodiment] Next, the functional configuration of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] <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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] (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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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 .

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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 .

[0084] <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.

[0085] (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 system 5 via the communication network 100.

[0086] 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.

[0087] <Functional configuration of the communication control system> Next, each functional configuration of the communication control system 5 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 13. The communication control system 5 has a communication unit 51, a reception unit 52, a creation unit 53, 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 system 5 loaded from the SSD 504 onto the RAM 503.

[0088] The communication control system 5 also has a storage unit 5000 constructed by a RAM 503 and an SSD 504 shown in Fig. 12. In this storage unit 5000, a user device management DB 5001, a virtual room management DB 5002, and a field of view information management DB 5003 are constructed.

[0089] (User / Device Management DB) 14 is a conceptual diagram of the user device management DB. The user device management DB 5001 is configured in a table format, and stores and manages user IDs (or device IDs), passwords, names, user attributes, user images, and IP addresses in association with each other.

[0090] Among these, the user ID is an example of user identification information for identifying users (organizer X, participants A and B). The device ID is an example of device identification information for identifying devices 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.

[0091] The name is the name of the user or device.

[0092] The attributes indicate the user's gender, age, position, etc. In Fig. 14, the position within the company (department manager, section manager) is shown.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] (Virtual room management DB) 15 is a conceptual diagram of the virtual room management DB 5002. The virtual room management DB 5002 is configured in a table format, and stores and manages the virtual room ID, virtual room name, device ID, organizer ID, participant ID, content ID, and content URL (information on the storage location of image and sound content data) in association with each other.

[0096] Of these, the virtual room ID is an example of virtual room identification information for identifying a virtual room.

[0097] The virtual room name is the name of the virtual room and is given by the user or the like.

[0098] 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.

[0099] The host ID is an example of host identification information for identifying the host ID 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The content ID is an example of content identification information for identifying content (image, sound) 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.

[0102] 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 video and audio recording times (video recording time, audio recording time) in association with the content data.

[0103] (Field of view information management DB) 16 is a conceptual diagram of the field of view information management DB 5003. The field of view information management DB 5003 is configured in a table format, and stores and manages, for each content ID, a user ID, an IP address, field of view information (pan, tilt, fov), and a timestamp in association with each other. Note that the timestamp can also indicate the elapsed recording time or the elapsed playback time.

[0104] Of these, the user ID is the same as the user ID in FIG.

[0105] The IP addresses are the same as those in FIG.

[0106] The field of view information (pan, tilt, fov) is field of view information sent from the communication terminals 7 and 9 of the users (organizer and participant) indicated by the user ID of the same record.

[0107] The timestamp indicates the time when the field of view information for the same record was sent during recording. When recording ends, the storage and readout unit 59, which will be described later, converts the timestamp into the elapsed playback time. When recording and playback are performed, the storage and readout unit 59, which will be described later, stores the timestamp as the elapsed playback time from the beginning. Note that "recording and playback" may simply be expressed as "playback."

[0108] (Functional configuration of the communication control system) Next, each functional configuration of the communication control system 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0109] The communication unit 51 of the communication control system 5 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 501 shown in Figure 12 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.

[0110] 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).

[0111] The creation unit 53 plays the role of a screen creation unit, and is realized mainly by the processing of the CPU 501, and creates screens to be sent to the communication terminals 7 and 9 using data stored in the storage unit 5000 and the like.

[0112] The authentication unit 55 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and performs authentication such as whether each user is a legitimate person to use the virtual room.

[0113] 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 .

[0114] <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 display control unit 74, a sound input / output control unit 75, a creation unit 76, 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.

[0115] The communication unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 11 to the network I / F 505, and performs data communication with other devices (communication control system 5) via the communication network 100.

[0116] The reception unit 72 is mainly realized by the processing of the operation unit 508 on the CPU 501, and receives operation input from a user (here, organizer X). The reception unit 97 also functions as an acquisition unit, and when it receives from the user a display of a predetermined area in a wide-field image, it acquires field angle information for identifying this predetermined area.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] The creation unit 76 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and adds narration, subtitles, etc. to the content data recorded and sounded by the communication terminal 7 to create content data for use as teaching materials, etc.

[0120] The connection unit 78 is mainly realized by processing from the CPU 501 to the external device connection I / F 505, and performs data communication with an external device (for example, an imaging device) connected by wire or wirelessly using short-range wireless technology.

[0121] 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 .

[0122] <Functional configuration of communication terminal 9> Next, each functional configuration of the communication terminal 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0123] The communication terminal 9 has a communication unit 91, a reception unit 92, 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 a program for the communication terminal 9 that has been loaded from the SSD 504 onto the RAM 503.

[0124] The communication terminal 9 also includes a storage unit 9000 constructed by the RAM 503 and the SSD 504 shown in FIG.

[0125] 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 system 5) via the communication network 100.

[0126] The reception unit 92 is mainly realized by the processing of the operation unit 508 on the CPU 501, and receives operation input from a user (here, a participant). The reception unit 92 also serves as an acquisition unit, and when it receives from the user a display of a predetermined area in a wide-field image, it acquires field angle information for identifying this predetermined area.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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 7 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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 .

[0131] [Processing or Operation of the Embodiment] Next, the processing or operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 32. 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.

[0132] <Communication processing of content data in a communication system> First, the communication processing of content data in the communication system 1a will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 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 S10 to S15 in FIG. 17 are repeated, for example, 30 or 60 times per second.

[0133] S10: A communication session is established between the image capturing device 10 and the communication control system 5 via the relay device 3 (S10r). A communication session is established between the communication terminal 7 and the communication control system 5 (S10x). A communication session is established between the communication terminal 9a and the communication control system 5 (S10a). A communication session is established between the communication terminal 9b and the communication control system 5 (S10b). Therefore, video calls can be made between the communication terminals 7, 9a, and 9b. Furthermore, the communication terminals 7, 9a, and 9b can share wide-field images captured by the image capturing device 10 and sound information collected by sound collection.

[0134] S11: In the image capturing device 10, the imaging unit 16 captures a celestial sphere image of the area Sa and collects sound with the sound collecting unit 17 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 acquires the content data, the virtual room ID, and the device ID.

[0135] 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 system 5 via the communication network 100. As a result, in the communication control system 5, the communication unit 51 receives the content data, the virtual room, and the device ID.

[0136] 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 system 5 (S12d).

[0137] S13: In the communication control system 5, the storage / readout unit 59 searches the virtual room management DB 5002 based on the virtual room ID received in step S12 to read out the user IDs (organizer ID and participant IDs) of users 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 organizer ID and participant ID to read out the corresponding user image of the organizer 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 the content data received in step S12 to the communication terminal 7. The communication unit 71 of the communication terminal 7 receives the content data. At this time, the communication unit 51 may transmit the user images and user IDs of the users participating in the same virtual room in an associated state to the communication terminal 7.

[0138] S14: The communication unit 51 of the communication control system 5 references the IP address of the communication terminal 9a and transmits the content data received in step S12 to the communication terminal 9a. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the content data. At this time, the communication unit 51 may transmit the content data to the communication terminal 9a in a state in which the user images and user IDs of the users participating in the same virtual room are associated with each other.

[0139] S15: Similarly, the communication unit 51 of the communication control system 5 references the IP address of the communication terminal 9b and transmits the content data received in step S12 to the communication terminal 9b. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9b receives the content data. At this time, the communication unit 51 may transmit the content data to the communication terminal 9b in a state in which the user images and user IDs of the users participating in the same virtual room are associated with each other.

[0140] Through the above processing, for example, in communication terminal 9a, the display control unit 94 displays a predetermined area image (see FIG. 6(b)) showing a predetermined area (see FIG. 6(a)) of the wide-field image received in processing S14, and the sound input / output control unit 95 outputs sound based on the sound information received in processing S14. Furthermore, when the reception unit 92 receives a screen operation from participant A, the display control unit 94 changes the predetermined area T (see FIG. 6(a)) and displays a predetermined area image (see FIG. 6(d)) showing a predetermined area T' (see FIG. 6(c)) in which an object of interest to participant A is displayed.

[0141] <Process for starting video and audio recording in a communication system> Next, the process of starting video and audio recording in the communication system 1a will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a sequence diagram showing the process of starting video and audio recording in the communication system.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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 system 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 system 5 receives the command to share the field of view information.

[0144] S33: In the communication control system 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.

[0145] S34: The communication unit 51 also transmits a request to upload the angle of view information to the communication terminal 9a. This request includes information about a URL for saving the angle of view information. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the request to upload the angle of view information.

[0146] S35: Similarly, the communication unit 51 transmits a request to upload the angle of view information to the communication terminal 9b. This request includes information on a URL for saving the angle of view information. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9b receives the request to upload the angle of view information.

[0147] 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. 17. Note that in the case of process S12d shown in Fig. 17, 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 system 5 in process S13.

[0148] 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), it 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 angle-of-view information URL (communication control system 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 system 5, the communication unit 51 receives the angle-of-view information. Then, the storage / readout unit 79 stores the user ID, the IP address of the sender, the angle of view information, and a timestamp in the angle of view information management DB (see FIG. 16). This timestamp indicates the time when the angle of view information was received in step S37.

[0149] S38: A process similar to the process S37 is performed independently of the process S37 in the communication terminal 9a and the communication control system 5. The user ID transmitted in this case is the user ID of participant A.

[0150] 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 system 5. Note that the user ID sent in this case is the user ID of participant B.

[0151] The processes S37 to S39 may be executed together with the communication control system 5 when the recording is completed.

[0152] <Processing for stopping video and audio recording in a communication system> Next, the process of stopping video and audio recording in the communication system 1a will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the process of stopping video and audio recording in the communication system.

[0153] 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.

[0154] S52: The storage / readout unit 79 stops recording the content data.

[0155] S53: The communication unit 71 uploads (transmits) the video and audio recording content data to the specified content URL (communication control system 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, in the communication control system 5, the communication unit 51 receives the content data.

[0156] S54: In the communication control system 5, the storage and reading unit 59 stores the content data together with the timestamp in a predetermined content URL. Furthermore, the storage and reading unit 59 converts the timestamp managed in the field of view information management DB (see FIG. 16) into an elapsed playback time (elapsed recording time) in accordance with the total recording time of the content data whose recording has been stopped.

[0157] 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.

[0158] 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.

[0159] 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.

[0160] In the case of process S55, the completion notification does not need to include the predetermined content URL.

[0161] <Recording and playback of recorded data in a communication system> Next, the process of recording and playing back audio in a communication system will be described with reference to Fig. 20 to Fig. 32. Fig. 20 is a sequence diagram showing the process of recording and playing back audio in a communication system. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a recording data selection screen. Here, participant A, who participated during recording, uses communication terminal 9a to play back the recorded content data during playback of the recording.

[0162] 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 system 5. This request includes user A's user ID and password. As a result, in the communication control system 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). The following explanation will be given assuming that user A is determined to be a legitimate accessing user through login authentication.

[0163] S72: In the communication control system 5, the creation unit 53 creates a recording data selection screen 940 as shown in FIG. 21. 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).

[0164] 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.

[0165] S74: In the communication terminal 9a, the display control unit 94 displays a recording data selection screen as shown in Fig. 21 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 is designated (selected).

[0166] S75: The communication unit 71 transmits a download request to the communication control system 5 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 system 5 receives the download request for the content data.

[0167] S76: In the communication control system 5, the storage and reading unit 59 searches the virtual room management DB 5002 (see FIG. 15) using the content ID received in step S75 as a search key, and reads out content data from the corresponding content URL. The storage and reading unit 59 also reads out information on the user ID, field of view information, and elapsed recording time (elapsed playback time) from the field of view information management DB 5003 (see FIG. 16). The communication unit 51 then transmits the field of view information associated with the user ID and elapsed playback time, along with the content data at the time of the requested recording, to the communication terminal 9a. As a result, the communication unit 91 of the communication terminal 9a receives the content data and the field of view information.

[0168] S77: In the communication terminal 9a, the display control unit 94 displays the recorded image on the display 507 of the communication terminal 9a, and the sound input / output control unit 95 performs a sound (voice, etc.) playback process.

[0169] <Details of playback processing (angle of view suggestion mode)> Next, the playback process (view angle suggestion mode) of step S77 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 22 to Fig. 32. Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing the playback process (view angle suggestion mode).

[0170] S111: First, the reception unit 72 receives a request from participant A to start recording and playback.

[0171] S112: The display control unit 94 performs linear clustering on the center points of the predetermined areas of the wide-field image received in step S76 that were displayed (in the past) on the communication terminals 7 and 9. Note that the center points may be used instead of the center points.

[0172] Clustering will now be described with reference to Figures 24 and 25. Figure 24 is a diagram showing a wide-field-of-view image. Figure 25 is a diagram showing display areas ax1, aa1, and ab1 displayed during recording of the wide-field-of-view image, and center points cx1, ca1, and cb1 of each display area.

[0173] As shown in Fig. 25, of the wide-field image shown in Fig. 24, the predetermined area ax1 displayed by organizer X on his / her own terminal, the predetermined area aa1 displayed by participant A on his / her own terminal, and the predetermined area ab1 displayed by participant B on his / her own terminal are indicated by dashed lines. Furthermore, the center points cx1, ca1, and cb1 of each predetermined area ax1, aa1, and ab1 are indicated. The clustering function (clustering unit 94a) of the display control unit 94 clusters the images into a class of center points cx1 and ca1 and a class of only center point cb1.

[0174] S113: The determination function (determination unit 94b) of the display control unit 94 determines whether multiple center points are included in the same class.

[0175] S114: If the same class contains multiple center points (S113; YES), the identification function (identification unit 94c) of the display control unit 94 identifies (determines) the smallest specified area (specific specified area) that contains all of the multiple center points of the same class, using the center point of the overlapping area of ​​each specified area related to the multiple center points as the center point.

[0176] Here, process S114 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 26 to 28. Figure 26 is a diagram showing an overlapping area ad1 of predetermined areas ax1, aa1 related to multiple center points cx1, ca1 in the same class. Figure 27 is a diagram showing a center point cd1 of the overlapping area ad1 of each predetermined area ax1, aa1 in Figure 26. Figure 28 is a diagram showing a smallest predetermined area aD in Figure 27 that has the center point cd1 of the overlapping area ad1 as its center point and includes all of the center points cx1, ca1 of multiple display areas at the time of recording (past) of the same class.

[0177] As shown in FIG. 26, the identification unit 94c identifies an overlapping area ad1 between the predetermined areas ax1 and aa1 associated with multiple center points cx1 and ca1 in the same class. Then, as shown in FIG. 27, the identification unit 94c identifies a center point cd1 of the overlapping area ad1 between the predetermined areas ax1 and aa1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 28, the identification unit 94c identifies a minimum predetermined area aD that includes all of the center points cx1 and ca1 of multiple display areas recorded (in the past) in the same class, with the center point cd1 of the overlapping area ad1 as its center point. Note that the specific predetermined area need not be the minimum predetermined area that includes all of the center points cx1 and ca1, but may be a predetermined area of ​​a predetermined size (area) that includes all of the center points cx1 and ca1. Alternatively, it may be a predetermined area that includes all of the center points cx1 and ca1 and has the same size (area) as any of the predetermined areas ax1 and aa1 in the same class.

[0178] S115: As shown in Fig. 29, the display control unit 94 displays a display screen 950 showing a predetermined area image of the identified predetermined area on the display 507. Fig. 29 is a diagram showing a predetermined area image of the identified predetermined area aD.

[0179] S116: On the other hand, in process S113, as shown in FIG. 30, if the same class does not contain multiple center points (S113; NO), the judgment unit 94d judges whether there is a user speaking during playback of the video (audio) at the time of judgment in process S116. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing each display area in a wide-field image when the same class does not contain multiple center points. Note that the sound (audio) data of the content data received in process S76 contains data on the content of the speech and the speaker's IP address in association with each other. Therefore, the judgment unit 94d can determine which communication terminal (host or participant) is making the sound during playback of the video.

[0180] S117: In process S116, if there is a user who is speaking during the playback elapsed time (during playback) at the time of judgment in process S116 (S116; YES), a display screen 950 showing a specific predetermined area image is displayed as the predetermined area image displayed on the terminal of the speaking user, as shown in Fig. 31. Fig. 31 is a diagram showing the predetermined area image displayed and viewed by the speaking user at the time of recording.

[0181] S118: On the other hand, in process S116, if there is no user currently speaking during the playback elapsed time at the time of judgment in process S116 (S116; NO), a display screen 950 showing a specific predetermined area image is displayed as the predetermined area image displayed on the own terminal of a randomly selected predetermined user (here, either organizer X, user A, or user B).

[0182] S119: After steps S115, S117, and S118, the determination unit 94b determines whether recording and playback have ended. If recording and playback have not ended, the process returns to step S112. On the other hand, if recording and playback have ended, the process shown in FIG. 22 ends.

[0183] As described above, in the angle of view suggestion mode, the display control unit 94 can suggest a predetermined area, which is the angle of view to be viewed, to the user currently viewing (here, user A) by displaying the predetermined area image shown in Figure 29 or Figure 31.

[0184] <Change the angle of view of the specified area image> Next, a process when the angle of view of the predetermined region image is changed during the playback process shown in Fig. 22 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing the process when the angle of view of the predetermined region image is changed during the playback process.

[0185] S131: When the reception unit 92 receives a request from a user (here, participant A) to change the specified area (angle of view) of the specified area image (see FIG. 6(b)) shown in FIG. 29 or FIG. 31 (see FIG. 6(c)), the display control unit 94 displays, for example, a specified area image as shown in FIG. 32 on the display screen 950 (see FIG. 6(d)).

[0186] S132: The determination unit 94b determines whether a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the image was changed to the predetermined area image as shown in Fig. 32. If the certain time has not elapsed (S132; NO), the process returns to S131.

[0187] S133: On the other hand, in process S132, if a certain time has elapsed (S132; YES), the display control unit 94 returns to the view angle suggestion mode shown in Fig. 22, and switches to and displays, for example, a predetermined area image as shown in Fig. 29 or Fig. 31. This ends the description of the process in Fig. 23.

[0188] [Major Effects of the Present Embodiment] As described above, according to the embodiment, it is possible to suggest to a user who views a wide-field image after recording a specific area (angle of view) of the wide-field image that was of interest at the time of recording, which makes it easier for the user who views the image after recording to understand the specific area that was of interest at the time of recording.

[0189] 〔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.

[0190] (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.

[0191] (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.

[0192] (3) There may be multiple CPUs 111, 301, 501, and 801 as processors that are hardware.

[0193] [Note] The above embodiment can also be expressed as follows.

[0194] [Additional Note 1] A display terminal that plays back recorded images when they are distributed to a communication terminal, a reception unit that receives a reproduction of a wide-field image as the image; a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, a specific predetermined area image that is a specific predetermined area in the wide-field image by clustering each specific area in the wide-field image that was displayed by a plurality of communication terminals during the recording; A display terminal having:

[0195] [Additional note 2] A communication system having a display terminal that plays a predetermined area image that is a predetermined area of ​​a recorded wide-field image, and an information management system that manages information to be transmitted to the display terminal, The information management system includes: a transmitter that transmits to the display terminal each piece of field angle information for identifying each predetermined area in the wide-field image that was displayed by a plurality of communication terminals during the recording; The display terminal a receiving unit that receives the information on each angle of view; a display control unit that clusters each predetermined area in the wide-field image displayed by the plurality of communication terminals during the recording based on the information on each angle of view, and displays on a display unit an image of a specific predetermined area that is a specific predetermined area in the wide-field image; A communication system comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 1a Communication Systems 3. Relay Device 5. Communication control system (also referred to as information management system or image management system) 7. Communication terminal (an example of a first display terminal) 9. Communication terminals 9a Communication terminal (an example of a display terminal) 9b Communication terminal (an example of a second display terminal) 10 Imaging equipment 51 Communication unit (an example of a transmission unit, an example of a reception unit) 52 Reception 53 Creation Department 71 Communication unit (an example of a transmission unit, an example of a reception unit) 72 Reception unit (also referred to as acquisition unit) 74 Display control unit 75 Sound input / output control section 76 Creation Department 88 Connection 82 Reception unit (also referred to as acquisition unit) 83 Detection unit 84 Display control unit 85 Sound output control unit 91 Communication unit (an example of a transmission unit, an example of a reception unit) 92 Reception unit (also referred to as acquisition unit) 94 Display control unit 95 Sound input / output control section 507 Display (an example of a display unit) 807 Display (Example of display unit) 5001 User Device Management DB 5002 Virtual Room Management DB 5003 Field of view information management DB [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0197] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-121857

Claims

1. A display terminal that plays back recorded images when they are distributed to a plurality of communication terminals, a reception unit that receives a reproduction of a wide-field image as the image; a display control unit that displays, on a display unit, a specific predetermined area image that is a specific predetermined area in the wide-field image by clustering each specific area in the wide-field image that was displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image was recorded; A display terminal having:

2. The display terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit determines the specific predetermined area by clustering a center point or a center of gravity of each predetermined area.

3. 3. The display terminal according to claim 2, wherein when the clustering results in multiple center points or centroid points being included in the same class, the display control unit defines the specific predetermined area having a center point that is the center of an overlapping area of ​​each predetermined area related to the multiple center points or centroid points.

4. The display terminal according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit defines the specific predetermined area as the smallest predetermined area that includes all of the multiple center points of the same class, using the center point of the overlapping area of ​​each predetermined area related to the multiple center points or center of gravity points as a center point.

5. 3. The display terminal according to claim 2, wherein when the clustering does not result in multiple center points or center of gravity points being included in the same class and there is a user currently speaking during the playback, the display terminal displays the specific predetermined area image as the predetermined area image displayed by a predetermined communication terminal of the currently speaking user among the multiple communication terminals.

6. 3. The display terminal according to claim 2, wherein when the clustering does not result in multiple center points or center of gravity points being included in the same class and no user is currently speaking, the display terminal displays the specific predetermined area image as the predetermined area image that was displayed by a randomly selected communication terminal among the multiple communication terminals.

7. A communication system including a display terminal that plays back recorded images when the images are distributed to a plurality of communication terminals, and a communication control system that manages information to be transmitted to the display terminal, The communication control system includes: a transmitter that transmits to the display terminal each piece of field angle information for identifying each predetermined area in the wide-field image as the image displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image was recorded; The display terminal a receiving unit that receives the information on each angle of view from the communication control system; a display control unit that clusters each predetermined area in the wide-field image displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image was recorded based on the field of view information received by the receiving unit, and displays on a display unit a specific predetermined area image that is a specific predetermined area in the wide-field image; A communication system comprising:

8. A display method executed by a display terminal that plays back recorded images when they are distributed to a plurality of communication terminals, comprising: The display terminal a receiving process for receiving a reproduction of a wide-field image as the image; a display control process for displaying a specific predetermined area image, which is a specific predetermined area in the wide-field image, on a display unit by clustering each specific area in the wide-field image displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image was recorded; The display method to perform.

9. A program for playing back recorded images when they are distributed to a plurality of communication terminals, On the computer, a receiving process for receiving a reproduction of a wide-field image as the image; a display control process for displaying a specific predetermined area image, which is a specific predetermined area in the wide-field image, on a display unit by clustering each specific area in the wide-field image displayed by the plurality of communication terminals when the image was recorded; A program that executes the following.

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