Communication systems, information processing systems, information display methods, programs

Abstract

Display at least one of the time or cause of the communication anomaly that occurred during image recording. [Solution] The present invention relates to a communication system comprising: an information processing system that receives an image from an image capturing device; and a communication terminal that receives the image from the information processing system, the system comprising: a recording unit 61 that records the image; an analysis unit 62 that analyzes the cause of a communication abnormality if one is detected during recording by the recording unit; and a display control unit 33 that plays back the image recorded by the recording unit and displays the time the communication abnormality occurred, or at least one of the causes of the communication abnormality analyzed by the analysis unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, an information processing system, an information display method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a communication system that transmits at least an image and voice in real time from one base point to one or more other base points, and enables remote communication using the image and voice between users located at remote locations. As this image, there is known a wide-view image having a wide imaging range captured as an imaging range including locations that cannot be fully confirmed within a normal angle of view, for example, a 360-degree image (also referred to as an all-sky image, an omnidirectional image, or a full-surround image) in which the entire 360-degree circumference is captured. A user can change a virtual viewpoint for a partial image of the wide-view image displayed on the display screen of the communication terminal, and view a partial area of the wide-view image from an arbitrary virtual viewpoint.

[0003] Distribution of images and voice by a communication system may be interrupted unintentionally due to troubles in devices or networks. Technologies have been devised for recording images and voice during interruptions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which when a communication interruption with a terminal device at another base point is detected, the image and voice are stored in a storage unit, and the stored image and voice are transmitted to the terminal device that requested the image and voice.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventional technology had a problem in that even when playing back recorded images, the time and cause of the communication error were not displayed. For example, communication systems may have a recording function that saves images and audio distributed to each location. If an unintended communication error occurs during recording due to equipment or network trouble, the user cannot determine the reason why the image cannot be played back, or why the image quality is degraded or replaced with a still image. If the cause is unknown, there is a risk that the same recording failure will occur in the next recording opportunity.

[0005] Furthermore, if the exact time of the communication error is unknown, it may cause difficulties for users when organizing the recorded data later.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a technology for displaying at least one of the time or cause of a communication anomaly that occurred during the recording of an image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a communication system comprising: an information processing system that receives an image from an image capturing device; and a communication terminal that receives the image from the information processing system, the system comprising: a recording unit that records the image; an analysis unit that analyzes the cause of a communication abnormality when one is detected during recording by the recording unit; and a display control unit that plays back the image recorded by the recording unit and displays the time when the communication abnormality occurred, or at least one of the causes of the communication abnormality analyzed by the analysis unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention can display at least one of the time or cause of a communication anomaly that occurred during image recording. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates an example of remote communication using wide-field imaging. [Figure 2]This is an example of a schematic diagram of a communication system configuration. [Figure 3] This is an example of a hardware configuration diagram for an imaging device. [Figure 4] This is an example of a hardware configuration diagram for a communication terminal and an information processing system. [Figure 5] (a) is a left side view of the imaging device, (b) is a front view of the imaging device, and (c) is a top view of the imaging device. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the use of the imaging device. [Figure 7] (a) is a hemispherical image (front) captured by the imaging device, (b) is a hemispherical image (back) captured by the imaging device, and (c) is an image represented using equirectangular projection. [Figure 8] (a) A conceptual diagram showing the state of covering the sphere with an equirectangular projection image, and (b) A diagram showing a full-sphere image. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined region when a 360-degree image is treated as a three-dimensional sphere. [Figure 10] (a) is a stereoscopic perspective view of Figure 5, and (b) is a diagram showing the state in which an image of a predetermined area is displayed on the display. [Figure 11] This figure shows the relationship between information from a predetermined region and an image of a predetermined region T. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing a point in three-dimensional Euclidean space using spherical coordinates. [Figure 13] This is an example of a functional configuration diagram for a communication system. [Figure 14] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of image management information stored in the image management information storage unit. [Figure 15] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of virtual room information stored in the virtual room information storage unit. [Figure 16] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of content information stored in the content information storage unit. [Figure 17] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of video recording problem information stored in the video recording problem information storage unit. [Figure 18](a) shows an example of an entrance screen. (b) is a diagram showing an example of an image viewing screen displayed by a communication terminal when a user enters a virtual room. [Figure 19] This is an example of a sequence diagram explaining the process by which a user (or a communication terminal) enters a virtual room. [Figure 20] This is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 1) for associating an imaging device with a virtual room. [Figure 21] This is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 2). [Figure 22] This is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 3). [Figure 23] This is a diagram showing an example of a wide - view image transmission start / stop dialog displayed by a communication terminal. [Figure 24] This is an example of a sequence diagram showing the procedure by which a user registers an imaging device in a virtual room. [Figure 25] This is an example of a sequence diagram explaining the flow in which a wide - view image is shared. [Figure 26] This is an example of a sequence diagram explaining the process by which an information processing system identifies the cause and event when a communication abnormality occurs. [Figure 27] This is a diagram showing an example of a playback screen displayed by a communication terminal. [Figure 28] This is an example of a playback screen for explaining the correspondence between the playback time of a recording and the emphasized image. [Figure 29] This is an example of a flowchart diagram explaining the process by which a communication terminal displays a playback screen. [Figure 30] This is an example of a flowchart diagram explaining the process by which a communication terminal displays a playback screen. [Figure 31] This is a diagram explaining an example of remote communication in which a communication system is applied to telemedicine. [Figure 32] This is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 1) for associating an imaging device with a virtual room in the case of telemedicine. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention: an information processing system and an information display method performed by the information processing system.

[0011] <An example of remote communication> Figure 1 illustrates an example of remote communication using wide-field imaging. In Figure 1, three locations A to C communicate via an information processing system 50. The number of locations is just an example; there could be two locations, four or more locations, etc. Remote communication refers to communicating with someone who is physically far away, using IT tools to communicate through images and audio.

[0012] Location A is, for example, a construction site. Locations B and C can be anywhere, such as an office, as long as wide-field images can be transmitted. Location A is equipped with an imaging device 10 that can capture wide-angle images, such as a 360-degree spherical image, or wide-angle images with a horizontal range of 180 to 360 degrees. Hereafter, such wide-angle images will simply be referred to as wide-field images. Locations A to C are equipped with various communication terminals 30A to 30C that can view wide-field images. Hereafter, any of the communication terminals 30A to 30C will be referred to as "communication terminal 30".

[0013] At the construction site, various construction activities are being carried out by workers at different locations. The entire construction site is captured using wide-field imaging, and users at each location A to C can arbitrarily change their viewpoint to monitor specific construction or work they wish to focus on. The viewpoint refers to the central position or range displayed on the displays of communication terminals 30A to 30C within the entire wide-field image.

[0014] The imaging device 10 can be mounted on a tripod 86 or on an arm 85 via a gimbal 87. A relay device (in Figure 1, the communication terminal 30A also serves as the relay device) is installed at the construction site, and the communication terminal 30A transmits the wide-field images received from the imaging device 10 via wired or wireless connection to the information processing system 50. The communication terminal 30A can also serve as a terminal for viewing the wide-field images. A camera 9 is connected to the communication terminal 30A (it may also be built-in), and images of a normal field of view (or 360-degree images) captured by the camera 9 can also be transmitted to the information processing system 50. In addition, user A (for example, a worker) can wear smart glasses 88, and images of a normal field of view (or 360-degree images) captured by the smart glasses 88 may be transmitted to the information processing system 50. Smart glasses 88 are information terminals that display information acquired via the internet on a display while maintaining a field of view. Smart glasses 88 may be placed at any location.

[0015] At site B, a PC (Personal Computer) or smartphone is provided as an example of a communication terminal 30B. Furthermore, any device capable of communicating with the information processing system 50 via the communication network N may be used as a communication terminal 30B, and other devices such as tablet terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), electronic whiteboards, or projectors may also be used. A camera may be built into or connected to the communication terminal 30B.

[0016] At base C, a PC, smartphone, VR goggles 89, etc., are placed as examples of communication terminals 30C. In Figure 1, a camera 8 is built into or connected to the communication terminal 30C. VR goggles 89 are information terminals that display an artificial world on a computer or a 360-degree image according to the direction of movement of the head or body. The camera 8 can be either wide-angle or standard-angle. Furthermore, the communication terminal 30C can be any device that can communicate with the information processing system 50 via the communication network N, and may be a display device such as a tablet terminal, PDA, electronic whiteboard, or projector. VR goggles 89 may be placed at any base.

[0017] In this embodiment, the imaging device 10 and the communication terminal 30 are managed in a communication group called a virtual room. The imaging device 10 is associated with the virtual room, and the communication terminal 30 (the user operating the communication terminal 30) can enter this virtual room to receive the wide-field image transmitted by the imaging device 10 and view the wide-field image. Smart glasses 88 and VR goggles 89 can also be associated with the virtual room. Cameras 8 and 9 enter the virtual room together with the communication terminal 30.

[0018] Users A to C at locations A to C can arbitrarily change their viewpoint on the wide-field image. Therefore, each user A to C viewing the wide-field image in real time may be seeing a different viewpoint, which could make communication difficult. To address this, in this embodiment, the viewpoint of communication terminal 30A at location A is shared with communication terminals 30B and 30C at locations B and C. The outline of viewpoint sharing will be explained below. For the sake of explanation, it will be assumed that the viewpoint of a user at location B is shared by users at locations A and C.

[0019] (1) Communication terminals 30A to 30C share the wide-field image captured by the imaging device 10. When user B requests the capture of a wide-field image while viewing from an arbitrary viewpoint on communication terminal 30B, communication terminal 30B transmits the viewpoint information and the capture request to the information processing system 50.

[0020] (2) In response to an imaging request, the information processing system 50 specifies viewpoint information and requests the imaging device 10 to take an image (either a still image or a video).

[0021] (3) The imaging device 10 takes an image in response to an imaging request and saves the wide-field image and viewpoint information to a URL (an example of storage destination information; in Figure 1, the imaging device 10 is stored in storage 90) notified by the information processing system 50. The wide-field image saved in storage 90 can be downloaded and displayed by any communication terminal 30.

[0022] (4) The information processing system 50 sends a URL to the communication terminal 30B.

[0023] (5) The information processing system 50 also automatically or at the request of user B sends the URL to the communication terminals 30A and 30C that are in the same virtual room.

[0024] (6) The communication terminals 30A and 30C connect to a URL to receive viewpoint information and a wide-field image, and set the viewpoint of the wide-field image identified by the viewpoint information to align with the center of the image field and display it. However, it is not necessary to align the viewpoint perfectly with the center; the viewpoint may be set to be included in the area near the center of the image field and displayed.

[0025] The same applies when users at locations B and C share the perspective of users at location A, and when users at locations A and B share the perspective of users at location C.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, even when wide-field images are distributed, viewpoint information is shared at each location, making it easier for users to communicate.

[0027] In (3), the imaging device 10 can transmit the wide-field image itself to the information processing system 50, and in (4), the information processing system 50 can transmit the wide-field image to the communication terminals 30A to 30C.

[0028] While Figure 1 illustrates an example where the imaging device 10 is deployed at a construction site, this embodiment can also be applied to VR education, event streaming, remote customer service, telemedicine, and the like. In VR education, the imaging device 10 is deployed at a site location such as a laboratory, allowing students to remotely change their viewpoint and view blackboards, equipment, samples, experimental results, etc. In event streaming, the imaging device 10 is deployed at the event venue, allowing event participants, such as spectators, to remotely change their viewpoint and view the venue online. The venue includes images of performers, contestants, presenters, products and exhibits explained at the event, materials explained at the event, and the state of the venue. The event venue can be indoors or outdoors and includes venues for sports, concerts, plays, etc. In remote customer service, for example, when applied to customer service at a travel agency, the imaging device 10 is deployed at the travel destination, allowing customers to remotely change their viewpoint and review their itinerary. In telemedicine, the imaging device 10 is placed in a medical setting such as an operating room, and doctors, students, medical equipment personnel, etc., can remotely change their viewpoint and view the actions of doctors and nurses performing medical procedures in the medical setting, the placement of equipment, the patient's condition, vital signs, etc.

[0029] The locations where images are captured are not limited to these; any space where users (viewers) at the viewing location have a need to understand the situation at a remote location, such as schools, factories, warehouses, construction sites, server rooms, or stores, is acceptable.

[0030] <About Terminology> A tenant is a company or organization that has contracted with a service provider (in this embodiment, an information processing system) to receive image distribution services. While a user is typically affiliated with a tenant, they may also subscribe to the service individually. In addition to users, tenants may also include imaging devices, virtual rooms, and other similar entities.

[0031] A base of operations refers to a place that serves as the foundation for activities. In this embodiment, a conference room is used as an example of a base of operations. A conference room is a room set up primarily for the purpose of holding meetings. Meetings are also called gatherings, meetings, discussions, assemblies, and other similar terms.

[0032] A device refers to an apparatus other than a general-purpose communication terminal 30 such as a PC or smartphone, and is an imaging device or a wide-field image viewing device. In this embodiment, examples include an imaging device 10, smart glasses 88, and VR goggles 89.

[0033] Viewpoint information refers to parameter information that specifies which predetermined region of a wide-field image to display on the screen. In this embodiment, the radial, polar, and azimuth angles corresponding to the center of the wide-field image displayed on the screen are described as examples of viewpoint information, but it may also be specified by other parameter information such as the coordinates of diagonal vertices.

[0034] A wide-field image is an image with a wide field of view, captured over a wide imaging range, including a 360-degree image (also called a full-sphere image, omnidirectional image, or all-around image) that captures the entire 360 ​​degrees around the subject.

[0035] An image is a visual representation of an event or phenomenon, captured on a medium. A video is an image displayed on a display device.

[0036] A planar image is an image that is not a wide-field image, but rather an image in which the entire image is displayed on the screen with almost no distortion.

[0037] A communication group is a collection of users from whom wide-field images are shared (distributed). In a normal space, a communication group is described as a virtual room, meaning that when each user enters the same room, each user can share the wide-field image. "Virtual" means that it is realized through information processing via a network.

[0038] Users at each location communicate remotely with each other. Remote communication refers to communicating with someone who is physically far away, using IT tools to convey information through images and audio. Remote communication can take various forms, such as customer service, meetings, gatherings, discussions, study sessions, classes, seminars, and presentations. It does not necessarily have to be two-way communication. Therefore, a virtual room may also be called a virtual conference room.

[0039] <Example of a communication system configuration> Figure 2 shows an example of a schematic diagram of the communication system 1. The communication system 1 is a system that transmits and receives wide-field images and normal-angle images captured by the imaging device 10 bidirectionally between multiple locations. By displaying images distributed from one location at other locations, users at other locations can view the images. As an example of a wide-field image, a 360-degree spherical image captured by the imaging device 10 is distributed. The communication system 1 can, for example, allow a wide-field image captured at a predetermined location to be viewed at other locations in remote locations.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, in the communication system 1, the imaging device 10, communication terminal 30A, and information processing system 50 located at base A, and communication terminals 30B and 30C located at each of the multiple bases (bases B and C), are connected in a way that enables communication.

[0041] If the imaging device 10 can be directly connected to the communication network N, a communication terminal 30A acting as a relay device (e.g., a router) is not necessary. In this case, the communication terminal 30A is connected to the communication network N without the imaging device 10. However, if the communication terminal 30A is located at site A, the communication terminal 30A also functions as a relay device, allowing user A to view wide-field images in the same way as communication terminals 30B and 30C. Furthermore, imaging devices 10 may be located at other sites besides site A, or multiple imaging devices 10 may be located at site A.

[0042] Each communication terminal 30 and information processing system 50 can communicate via the communication network N. The communication network N is constructed using the Internet, mobile communication networks, LANs (Local Area Networks), etc. The communication network N may include not only wired communication but also wireless communication networks such as 3G (3rd Generation), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0043] As described later, the imaging device 10 is a special digital camera capable of capturing a full-sphere image by capturing a subject, landscape, etc., to obtain two hemispherical images as the basis. The wide-field image obtained by the imaging device 10 may be a video, a still image, or both. In addition, the captured image may include sound along with the image.

[0044] The communication terminal 30 is a computer such as a PC used by users at each location. The communication terminal 30 displays images captured at its own location, wide-field images (still images or videos) distributed from other locations, and images with a normal field of view. For example, the communication terminal 30 acquires wide-field images captured by the imaging device 10 via the communication network N. The communication terminal 30 also has image processing software such as OpenGL ES installed, and can display images based on viewpoint information that identifies a portion of the wide-field image. Note that OpenGL ES is just one example of image processing software, and other software may be used. Furthermore, even if image processing software is not installed, image processing may be performed by software received from an external source, or image display may be performed by receiving the results of image processing performed by external software. In other words, the communication terminal 30 can display a predetermined portion of the wide-field image.

[0045] The communication terminal 30 can arbitrarily change the viewpoint relative to the display range of a wide-field image in response to user operation. The communication terminal 30 can change the field of view (predetermined area) based on viewpoint information corresponding to the changed viewpoint by moving the virtual viewpoint in response to user operation input (including key input, drag, scrolling, etc.) to a touch panel, directional buttons, mouse, keyboard, touchpad, etc. Furthermore, if the communication terminal 30 is a communication terminal worn by a user, such as VR goggles, the communication terminal 30 may detect the change in posture information of the communication terminal 30 in response to changes in the movements of the user wearing it, and change the field of view (predetermined area) based on viewpoint information corresponding to the changed viewpoint by moving the virtual viewpoint in response to the detected posture information.

[0046] The communication terminal 30A distributes wide-field images acquired from the imaging device 10 via a wired cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable to communication terminals 30 at other locations via the information processing system 50. The connection between the imaging device 10 and the communication terminal 30A may be a wireless connection using short-range wireless communication or the like, rather than a wired connection using a wired cable. Multiple communication terminals 30A may be located at location A.

[0047] In some cases, a user at location A may wear smart glasses 88, and the smart glasses 88 may connect to the communication network N. In this case, the images captured by the smart glasses 88 are transmitted to the information processing system 50 via the communication network N, and the information processing system 50 can distribute them to the communication terminals 30 at each location.

[0048] Communication terminal 30B is located at site B where user B is located, and communication terminal 30C is located at site C where user C is located. Multiple communication terminals 30B and 30C may be located at sites B and C. Furthermore, communication terminals 30B and 30C may be carried by user B and user C respectively.

[0049] Furthermore, the communication terminals 30A to 30C at locations A to C may be terminals with built-in cameras 8 and 9, or terminals that can accommodate external cameras. Communication terminals 30A to 30C can distribute images of their own location captured by their own cameras 8 and 9 to other locations. In addition, any devices may be placed at locations A to C.

[0050] The arrangement of each terminal and device (communication terminal 30 and imaging device) and the user shown in Figure 2 is an example, and other examples may be used. Furthermore, the communication terminal 30 is not limited to a PC, but may be, for example, a tablet terminal, smartphone, wearable device, projector, electronic whiteboard (a whiteboard with electronic blackboard functionality that enables mutual communication), or autonomous robot. The communication terminal 30 can be any computer running a dedicated application for a web browser or image distribution service.

[0051] Furthermore, if the imaging device 10 has a display, it may be configured to display images distributed from other locations.

[0052] The information processing system 50 has one or more information processing devices. The information processing system 50 manages and controls communication between the imaging devices 10 and communication terminals 30 at each location, and manages the wide-field images that are transmitted and received. The information processing system 50 provides a platform that allows users to utilize the functions necessary to provide an image distribution service that distributes wide-field images. This platform may be made available to service providers, such as individuals or companies, who wish to provide image distribution services, by contract. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish them from tenants that receive image distribution services, service providers who provide image distribution services to users using the platform will be referred to as platform subscribers.

[0053] Therefore, the information processing system 50 may, as a platform, expose an API (Application Programming Interface), allowing platform subscribers to use this API to provide various image distribution services. Platform subscribers only need to develop software such as applications that handle screens displayed by the communication terminal 30 and API calls, and do not need to develop functions provided by APIs such as image distribution from scratch.

[0054] The information processing system 50 may be constructed using a single computer, or it may be constructed using multiple computers, each part (function or means) of which is arbitrarily assigned. Furthermore, all or part of the functions of the information processing system 50 may be server computers located in a cloud environment, or server computers located in an on-premises environment.

[0055] Storage 90 is a storage device separate from the information processing system 50. Storage 90 may be external storage (which may be storage located in the cloud or storage located on-premises) or storage included in the information processing system 50.

[0056] <Example Hardware Configuration> Next, the hardware configuration of each device or terminal in the communication system according to this embodiment will be described using Figures 3 and 4. Note that the hardware configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4 may have components added or removed as needed.

[0057] <<Hardware configuration of the imaging device>> First, the hardware configuration of the imaging device 10 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the imaging device 10. In the following, the imaging device 10 will be described as a 360-degree (omnidirectional) imaging device using two image sensors, but there may be more than two image sensors. Furthermore, it is not necessarily required to be a device dedicated to omnidirectional imaging; an omnidirectional imaging unit can be attached to a regular digital camera or smartphone, etc., to provide essentially the same functionality as the imaging device 10.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the imaging device 10 consists 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 interface 116, a short-range communication circuit 117, an antenna 117a for the short-range communication circuit 117, an electronic compass 118, a gyro sensor 119, an acceleration sensor 120, and a network interface 121.

[0059] Of these, the imaging unit 101 includes wide-angle lenses (so-called fisheye lenses) 102a and 102b (hereinafter referred to as lens 102 unless otherwise specified) each having a field of view of 180° or more for forming a hemispherical image, and two image sensors 103a and 103b provided corresponding to each lens. The image sensors 103a and 103b have an image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor that converts the optical image from the lenses 102a and 102b into electrical signal image data and outputs it, a timing generation circuit that generates horizontal or vertical synchronization signals and pixel clocks for the image sensors, and a group of registers for setting various commands or parameters necessary for the operation of the image sensors. Note that the configuration in which the imaging unit 101 has two wide-angle lenses is merely an example; it may have only one, or three or more.

[0060] The image sensors 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 image sensors 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). The image processing unit 104, the imaging control unit 105, and the sound processing unit 109 are connected to the CPU 111 via a bus 110. Furthermore, the bus 110 is also connected to the ROM 112, SRAM 113, DRAM 114, operation unit 115, input / output I / F 116, short-range communication circuit 117, electronic compass 118, gyro sensor 119, acceleration sensor 120, and network I / F 121, etc.

[0061] The image processing unit 104 receives image data output from the image sensors 103a and 103b via a parallel I / F bus, performs predetermined processing on each image data, and then combines these image data to create the data for the equirectangular projection image described later.

[0062] The imaging control unit 105 generally uses the I2C bus to set commands and other information in the registers of the image sensors 103a and 103b, with the imaging control unit 105 acting as the master device and the image sensors 103a and 103b as slave devices. It receives the necessary commands and other information from the CPU 111. The imaging control unit 105 also uses the I2C bus to acquire status data and other information from the registers of the image sensors 103a and 103b and send it to the CPU 111.

[0063] Furthermore, the imaging control unit 105 instructs the image sensors 103a and 103b to output image data when the shutter button on the operation unit 115 is pressed. Depending on the imaging device 10, there may also be functions to display a preview or video on a display (for example, the display of an external terminal such as a smartphone that communicates with the imaging device 10 via a short-range communication circuit 117). In this case, the image data output from the image sensors 103a and 103b is performed continuously at a predetermined frame rate (frames / minute).

[0064] Furthermore, as will be described later, the imaging control unit 105 also functions as a synchronization control means that works in cooperation with the CPU 111 to synchronize the output timing of image data from the image sensors 103a and 103b. In this embodiment, the imaging device 10 is not provided with a display unit, but a display unit may be provided. The microphone 108 converts sound into sound (signal) data. The sound processing unit 109 takes in the sound data output from the microphone 108 through the I / F bus and performs predetermined processing on the sound data.

[0065] The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the imaging 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 and data in progress. In particular, the DRAM 114 stores image data in progress of processing by the image processing unit 104 and data of completed equirectangular projection images.

[0066] The control unit 115 is a collective term for various operation buttons, a power switch, a shutter button, and a touch panel that combines display and operation functions. The user inputs various imaging modes, imaging conditions, etc., by operating the control unit 115.

[0067] The input / output interface (I / F) 116 is a general term for interface circuits (such as USB I / F) to external media such as SD cards or personal computers. The I / F 116 can be wireless or wired. The data of the equirectangular projection image stored in the DRAM 114 is recorded to external media via the I / F 116, or transmitted to an external terminal (device) via the I / F 116 as needed.

[0068] The short-range communication circuit 117 communicates with an external terminal (device) via an antenna 117a provided on the imaging device 10 using a short-range wireless communication technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi. The short-range communication circuit 117 can transmit equirectangular projection image data to the external terminal (device).

[0069] The electronic compass 118 calculates the orientation of the imaging device 10 from the Earth's magnetic field and outputs orientation information. This orientation information is an example of related information (metadata) according to Exif and is used for image processing such as image correction of captured images. The related information also includes the date and time the image was captured and the data size of the image data. The gyro sensor 119 is a sensor that detects changes in angle (Roll angle, Pitch angle, Yaw angle) associated with the movement of the imaging 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. Furthermore, the acceleration sensor 120 is a sensor that detects acceleration in three axes. The imaging device 10 calculates its own orientation (angle relative to the direction of gravity) based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 120. By providing the acceleration sensor 120, the accuracy of image correction of the imaging device 10 is improved.

[0070] Network I / F121 is an interface for data communication using a communication network N, such as the Internet, via a router or similar device.

[0071] <<Hardware configuration of the communication terminal>> Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the communication terminal 30 and the information processing system 50. First, the communication terminal 30 will be described. The hardware configuration of the communication terminal 30 is indicated by codes in the 300 series. The communication terminal 30 is built by a computer and, as shown in Figure 4, is equipped with a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, HD (Hard Disk) 304, HDD controller 305, display 306, external device connection I / F 308, network I / F 309, bus line 310, keyboard 311, pointing device 312, DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 314, media I / F 316, sound input / output I / F 317, microphone 318, speaker 319, short-range communication circuit 320, and camera 321.

[0072] Of these components, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the communication terminal 30. The ROM 302 stores programs used to drive the CPU 301, such as IPLs. The RAM 303 is used as the work area for the CPU 301. The HD 304 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 305 controls the reading or writing of various data to the HD 304 according to the control of the CPU 301. The display 306 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. The display 306 is an example of a display unit. The display 306 may also be a touch panel display equipped with input means. The external device connection I / F 308 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, external devices include, for example, USB memory or printers. The network I / F 309 is an interface for data communication using the communication network N. The bus line 310 is an address bus or data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component, such as the CPU 301 shown in Figure 4.

[0073] The keyboard 311 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 312 is a type of input means for selecting or executing various instructions, selecting processing targets, or moving a cursor, etc. Note that the input means may not be limited to the keyboard 311 and the pointing device 312, but may also be a touch panel or an audio input device, etc. The DVD-RW drive 314 controls the reading or writing of various data to the DVD-RW 313, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW 313 may be a DVD-R or a Blu-ray® Disc, etc. The media I / F 316 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to the recording medium 315, such as flash memory. The microphone 318 is a type of built-in sound collection means for inputting sound. The sound input / output I / F 317 is a circuit that processes the input and output of sound signals between the microphone 318 and the speaker 319 according to the control of the CPU 301. The short-range communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit for communicating with an external terminal (device) using short-range wireless communication technology such as NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi. The camera 321 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data. Note that the microphone 318, speaker 319, and camera 321 may be external devices rather than being built into the communication terminal 30.

[0074] <<Hardware configuration of the information processing system>> As shown in Figure 4, each hardware component of the information processing system 50 is indicated by a 500-series code in parentheses. The information processing system 50 is built using a computer and has a configuration similar to that of the communication terminal 30, as shown in Figure 4; therefore, a description of each hardware component is omitted.

[0075] Furthermore, each of the above programs may be distributed as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of recording media include CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), SD card, USB memory, etc. The recording media can also be provided domestically or internationally as a program product. For example, the communication terminal 30 realizes the image display method according to the present invention when the program according to the present invention is executed.

[0076] <Regarding wide-field images and viewpoint information> The following section explains how to generate wide-field images (spherical images) using Figures 5 to 12.

[0077] First, the external appearance of the imaging device 10 will be described using Figure 5. The imaging device 10 is a digital camera for obtaining captured images that will form the basis of a 360° spherical image. Figure 5(a) is a left side view of the imaging device, Figure 5(b) is a front view of the imaging device, and Figure 5(c) is a top view of the imaging device. This external view is merely one example of the imaging device 10, and other external appearances are also possible.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5(a), the imaging device 10 is small enough to be held in one hand, but this shape is merely an example, and other shapes are also possible. Also, as shown in Figures 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c), the upper part of the imaging device 10 is equipped with an image sensor 103a on the front side and an image sensor 103b on the back side. These image sensors 103a and 103b are used in conjunction with optical components (for example, lenses 102a and 102b described later) capable of capturing hemispherical images (angle of view of 180° or more). Also, as shown in Figure 5(b), an operating section 115 such as a shutter button is provided on the side of the imaging device 10 opposite to the front side. As mentioned above, there may be only one image sensor, or there may be three or more.

[0079] Next, the usage of the imaging device 10 will be explained using Figure 6. Figure 6 is an illustrative diagram of the imaging device in use. As shown in Figure 6, the imaging device 10 is used, for example, to image a subject around the imaging device 10. In this case, two hemispherical images can be obtained by imaging the subject around the imaging device 10 using the image sensors 103a and 103b shown in Figure 5, respectively.

[0080] Next, using Figures 7 and 8, we will outline the process from the image captured by the imaging device 10 to the creation of a full-sphere image. Figure 7(a) shows the hemispherical image (front side) captured by the imaging device, Figure 7(b) shows the hemispherical image (back side) captured by the imaging device, and Figure 7(c) shows the image represented by equirectangular projection (hereinafter referred to as "equistratic projection image"). Figure 8(a) is a conceptual diagram showing the state in which the sphere is covered by the equirectangular projection image, and Figure 8(b) shows the full-sphere image.

[0081] As shown in Figure 7(a), the image obtained by the image sensor 103a is a curved hemispherical image (front side) by the lens 102a described later. Similarly, as shown in Figure 7(b), the image obtained by the image sensor 103b is a curved hemispherical image (rear side) by the lens 102b described later. The imaging device 10 then combines the hemispherical image (front side) and the 180-degree inverted hemispherical image (rear side) to create an equirectangular projection image EC as shown in Figure 7(c).

[0082] The imaging device 10 then uses software such as OpenGL ES (Open Graphics Library for Embedded Systems) to overlay an equirectangular projection image EC so that it covers the sphere, as shown in Figure 8(a), and creates a full-sphere image (full-sphere panoramic image) CE as shown in Figure 8(b). In this way, the full-sphere image CE is represented as an image where the equirectangular projection image EC is facing the center of the sphere. Note that OpenGL ES is a graphics library used to visualize 2D (2-Dimensional) and 3D (3-Dimensional) data. OpenGL ES is merely one example of software that performs image processing, and the full-sphere image CE may be created using other software. Also, the full-sphere image CE may be a still image or a video.

[0083] As described above, the 360-degree spherical image CE is an image pasted to cover a sphere, which can cause discomfort to the human eye. Therefore, the imaging device 10 can display a predetermined area T of the 360-degree spherical image CE (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined area image") as a planar image with less curvature, thereby providing a display that does not cause discomfort to the human eye. This will be explained with reference to Figures 9 to 10.

[0084] Figure 9 shows the positions of the virtual camera and a predetermined region when the 360-degree image is treated as a three-dimensional sphere. The virtual camera IC corresponds to the viewpoint of the user viewing the 360-degree image CE, which is displayed as a three-dimensional sphere. Figure 10(a) is a stereoscopic perspective view of Figure 9, and Figure 10(b) shows the predetermined region image as it appears on a display. Figure 10(a) represents the 360-degree image CE shown in Figure 9 as a three-dimensional sphere CS. If the 360-degree image CE generated in this way is a sphere CS, then, as shown in Figure 9, the virtual camera IC is located inside the 360-degree image CE. The predetermined region T in the 360-degree image CE is the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC and is identified by predetermined region information indicating the imaging direction and field of view of the virtual camera IC in the three-dimensional virtual space including the 360-degree image CE. Furthermore, zooming in on the predetermined region T can also be represented by moving the virtual camera IC closer to or further away from the 360-degree image CE. The predetermined region image Q is the image of the predetermined region T in the 360-degree spherical image CE. Therefore, the predetermined region T can be determined by the field of view α and the distance f from the virtual camera IC to the 360-degree spherical image CE (see Figure 11).

[0085] Then, the predetermined region image Q shown in Figure 10(a) is displayed on a predetermined display as an image of the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC, as shown in Figure 10(b). The image shown in Figure 10(b) is a predetermined region image represented by the initially set (default) predetermined region information. The following explanation will use the imaging direction (ea, aa) and field of view (α) of the virtual camera IC. Note that the predetermined region T may be represented by the position coordinates (X, Y, Z) of the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC, which is the predetermined region T, rather than by the field of view α and distance f.

[0086] Next, we will explain the relationship between the predetermined region information and the image of the predetermined region T using Figure 11. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the predetermined region information and the image of the predetermined region T. As shown in Figure 11, "ea" is the elevation angle, "aa" is the azimuth angle, and "α" is the field of view (Angle). That is, the orientation of the virtual camera IC is changed so that the point of fixation of the virtual camera IC, indicated by the imaging direction (ea, aa), becomes the center point CP(x, y) of the predetermined region T, which is the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC. As shown in Figure 11, the center point CP(x, y) when the diagonal field of view of the predetermined region T, represented by the field of view α of the virtual camera IC, is α becomes the parameter ((x, y)) of the predetermined region information. The predetermined region image Q is the image of the predetermined region T in the 360-degree spherical image CE. f is the distance from the virtual camera IC to the center point CP(x, y). L is the distance between any vertex of a given region T and the center point CP(x, y) (2L is the diagonal). In Figure 11, the following trigonometric function generally holds:

[0087]

number

[0088] Figure 12 shows the relationship described in Figure 11 as a point in a three-dimensional Euclidean space using spherical coordinates. Here, the position coordinates of the center point CP shown in Figure 11, expressed in spherical polar coordinates, are (r, θ, φ). (r, θ, φ) are the radial, polar angle, and azimuth angle, respectively. The radial r is the distance from the origin of the three-dimensional virtual space containing the full-sphere image to the center point CP, and is therefore equal to the distance f shown in Figure 11. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating these relationships. Hereafter, the position coordinates (r, θ, φ) of the virtual camera IC will be used as an example of viewpoint information for explanation. The viewpoint information only needs to be parameter information that can identify a predetermined region T (predetermined region image Q) that is displayed as an image of the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC on the predetermined display shown in Figure 10, as described above, and includes the coordinates of the diagonal vertices of the predetermined region T. Alternatively, the information indicating the field of view α of the virtual camera IC and the information indicating the center point CP(x, y) described in Figure 11 may also be considered as viewpoint information. Furthermore, viewpoint information includes not only position coordinate information in spherical coordinates, but also position coordinate information in Cartesian coordinates and coordinate difference values ​​from the initially set (default) predetermined region information. Also, viewpoint information may be information other than coordinate information, such as angles and distances, as shown in Figure 11. In addition, although Figures 11 and 12 use the center point of the predetermined region T as the reference, the predetermined region T may also be identified by parameter information based on any of the vertices of the predetermined region T. Note that the above explanation of viewpoint information was given using the example of a 360-degree spherical image as the wide-field image, but in the case of other wide-field images, the viewpoint information is the information that identifies the predetermined region T in that wide-field image.

[0089] <About the features> Next, the functional configuration of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment will be described using Figure 13. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment. In Figure 13, the terminal devices, devices, and servers shown in Figure 1 that are related to the processing or operation described later are shown.

[0090] <<Functional Configuration of Imaging Device>> First, the functional configuration of the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to Figure 13. The imaging device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a reception unit 12, an imaging processing unit 13, a code analysis unit 14, a registration request unit 15, a connection unit 16, a storage processing unit 17, an image transmission control unit 18, a communication log generation unit 21, and a storage / reading unit 19. Each of these units is a function or means of functioning, realized by any of the components shown in Figure 3 operating according to instructions from the CPU 111 that follow a program deployed on the SRAM 113 or DRAM 114. The imaging device 10 also has a storage unit 1000 constructed from a ROM 112, etc., as shown in Figure 3.

[0091] The communication unit 11 has the function of connecting to a communication network N using wireless communication means such as Wi-Fi and sending and receiving various data or information with other devices. In this embodiment, the connection unit 16 mainly transmits the wide-field image acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 to the information processing system 50, but it is also possible for the communication unit 11 to transmit the wide-field image to the information processing system 50.

[0092] The reception unit 12 is a function that receives user input for the imaging device 10. The reception unit 12 receives input such as power on / off, shutter button on / off (start or stop transmission of wide-field images), etc.

[0093] The imaging processing unit 13 captures images of subjects, landscapes, etc., and acquires the captured images. The captured images acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 may be videos or still images (or both), and may include sound along with the images. The imaging processing unit 13 also captures images of, for example, a two-dimensional code displayed on the display 306 of the communication terminal 30.

[0094] The code analysis unit 14 analyzes the two-dimensional code captured and acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 and extracts the information contained in the two-dimensional code (URL for registering the imaging device with the tenant, temporary ID and password).

[0095] The registration request unit 15 uses the information contained in the two-dimensional code read by the code analysis unit 14 to send a request to the information processing system 50 to register the imaging device 10 as a tenant of the information processing system 50.

[0096] The connection section 16 is implemented, for example, by a short-range communication circuit 117, and has the function of receiving power supply from the communication terminal 30A and performing data communication.

[0097] The storage processing unit 17 processes the wide-field images captured in response to imaging requests from any location and saves them to a URL (e.g., storage 90) notified by the information processing system 50.

[0098] The communication log generation unit 21 generates communication logs related to communication. The communication log generation unit 21 does not aim to detect anomalies itself, but rather generates communication logs when it detects an event that should be recorded. Events include not only anomalies, but also operation reception, changes in the communication environment, and changes in the status of the device. The communication log records information such as the following: • Imaging device ID (may also include IP address) • Error code when an anomaly is detected • Communication bandwidth • Change in resolution ·CPU temperature ·delay • Communication disconnected • Communication restored The communication log generation unit 21 of the imaging device 10 can generate communication logs regarding the transmission of images and audio. The imaging device 10 is not assumed to receive images and audio, but it may receive them. In this case, a communication log will also be generated for the reception.

[0099] An error code is identification information for a communication anomaly. Communication bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted per unit time. Communication speed may be recorded separately from communication bandwidth. Resolution change refers to a change in the resolution of the wide-field image being transmitted, and the resolution before and after the change (for example, 4K → 2K for wide-field images). CPU temperature refers to the temperature of the CPU 111, but it may also refer to the temperature of other components that could lead to an anomaly in the imaging device 10. Delay refers to a decrease in the frame rate of the video. During transmission, delay can be detected by the transmission interval of frames becoming longer than planned, the occupancy rate of the sender's buffer approaching its upper limit or the buffer overflowing, the number of packets waiting to be processed in the transmission queue exceeding a threshold, or the RTT (Round Trip Time) exceeding a threshold for control packets such as RTCP (RTP Control Protocol). Communication disconnection is an unintended interruption of communication. For example, during transmission, it refers to a change from a state where communication is possible (with ACK) to a state where communication is not possible (without ACK). When UDP is used to transmit images or audio, it is difficult to detect that transmission is not possible because an ACK is not returned as per the communication specifications. However, when TCP is used, the communication log generation unit 21 detects disconnection when an ACK is not returned. In addition, the inability to communicate can be detected by the failure of the three-way handshake to establish a communication connection. The communication log generation unit 21 may also execute a Ping command to determine whether communication has been disconnected. Furthermore, the communication log generation unit 21 may detect communication disconnection when the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) falls below a threshold. Communication recovery means that the state has changed from one in which transmission is not possible to one in which communication is possible. In addition, information about the imaging device 10 may be recorded in the communication log.

[0100] The image transmission control unit 18 controls the transmission of wide-field images to the information processing system 50. For example, the image transmission control unit 18 transmits captured images acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 to the information processing system 50 periodically or in response to user operation if they are still images, or at a predetermined FPS (Flame Per Second) if they are videos. The image transmission control unit 18 also switches between the communication unit 11 and the connection unit 16.

[0101] The storage / reading unit 19 has the function of storing various data in the storage unit 1000 or reading various data from the storage unit 1000. The storage unit 1000 also stores the image capture data acquired by the image processing unit 13, the image capture device ID, etc. The image capture data stored in the storage unit 1000 may be deleted after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was acquired by the image processing unit 13, or it may be deleted when data has been transmitted to the information processing system 50.

[0102] Furthermore, the imaging device 10 has an application (also called a plug-in) installed to support the communication system 1. This application is not necessary for commercially available imaging devices 10, but it is used when associating the imaging device 10 with a virtual room and when receiving control from external sources. Some of the functions shown in Figure 13 (for example, the registration request unit 15) are provided by this application.

[0103] Although Figure 13 does not show the functional blocks of the smart glasses 88, they have the same functions as the imaging device 10, except for the connection part 16.

[0104] <<Communication terminal function configuration>> Next, the functional configuration of the communication terminal 30 will be explained using Figure 13. The communication terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, a reception unit 32, a display control unit 33, an imaging unit 34, a storage / reading unit 35, a communication log generation unit 36, and a connection unit 37. Each of these units is a function or means of functioning, realized by any of the components shown in Figure 4 operating according to instructions from the CPU 301 following a program (which may be a web browser or a dedicated application) deployed on the RAM 303. The communication terminal 30 also has a storage unit 3000 constructed from the ROM 302 or recording medium 315 shown in Figure 4.

[0105] The communication unit 31 is implemented, for example, by a network interface 309, and is connected to a communication network N, performing functions such as sending and receiving various data or information with other devices.

[0106] The reception unit 32 has the function of receiving various selections or operation inputs to the communication terminal 30. The display control unit 33 has the function of displaying wide-field images, normal-angle images, and various screens on the display 306 of the communication terminal 30. The display control unit 33 displays, for example, a two-dimensional code transmitted from the information processing system 50 on the display 306. The two-dimensional code may be, for example, QR code (registered trademark), DataMatrix (DataCode), MaxiCode, or PDF417. The two-dimensional code may also be a barcode.

[0107] The communication log generation unit 36 ​​generates communication logs related to communication. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​does not aim to detect anomalies itself, but rather generates communication logs when it detects an event that should be recorded. Events include not only anomalies, but also changes in the communication environment and changes in the status of the device. The communication log records information such as the following: • User ID (may also include IP address) • The image capture device ID of the source image in which the anomaly was detected. • Error code when an anomaly is detected • Communication bandwidth • Change in resolution ·CPU temperature ·delay • Communication disconnected • Communication restored The function of the anomaly recording unit 63 is the same as that of the imaging device 10, but the communication log generation unit 36 ​​of the communication terminal 30 can generate communication logs for both the reception and transmission of images and audio. However, in the communication terminal 30, communication anomalies during reception are mainly related to anomalies in the imaging device 10. The error code is identification information for the communication anomaly. Communication bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted per unit time. Communication speed may be recorded separately from communication bandwidth. Resolution change refers to a change in the resolution of the image being transmitted or received, and the resolution before and after the change (for example, 4K → 2K in the case of a wide-field image). CPU temperature is the temperature of the CPU, but it may also be the temperature of a component that is related to an anomaly in the communication terminal 30. Delay refers to a decrease in the frame rate of the video. During transmission, delay can be detected when the frame transmission interval becomes longer than planned, when the occupancy rate of the sender's buffer approaches the upper limit or the buffer overflows, when the number of packets waiting to be processed in the transmission queue exceeds a threshold, or when the RTT (Round Trip Time) exceeds a threshold in control packets such as RTCP (RTP Control Protocol). Reception refers to a situation where the interval between receiving frames that make up a video exceeds a certain limit. Communication disconnection is an unintended interruption of communication. For example, during transmission, it refers to a change from a state where communication is possible (ACK present) to a state where communication is not possible (ACK absent). Communication failure can also be detected by a failure in the three-way handshake required to establish a communication connection. The communication log generation unit 21 may also execute a Ping command to determine whether communication has been disconnected. Reception refers to a situation where images or audio are not received for a certain period of time or longer. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​may also execute a Ping command to determine whether communication has been disconnected. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​may detect communication disconnection when the RSSI falls below a threshold. Communication recovery refers to a change from a state where communication is not possible to a state where communication is possible, both during transmission and reception. In addition, information regarding the communication terminal 30 may be recorded in the communication log.

[0108] Furthermore, since one communication terminal 30 receives images or audio from all imaging devices 10 and smart glasses 88, if even one of them fails to receive an image or audio, it detects a communication anomaly by associating it with the imaging device ID. Since the imaging devices 10 and smart glasses 88 attach the imaging device ID to the images they transmit, the communication terminal 30 can identify the imaging device 10 and smart glasses 88 that experienced the anomaly. In addition, since one communication terminal 30 also receives images and audio from other communication terminals 30, it can also record communication anomalies from these.

[0109] The connection section 37 is implemented, for example, by a short-range communication circuit 320, and has the function of supplying power to the imaging device 10 and performing data communication.

[0110] The storage / reading unit 35 is executed by instructions from the CPU 301 shown in Figure 4, and has the function of storing various data in the storage unit 3000 or reading various data from the storage unit 3000. The storage unit 3000 has an image management information storage unit 3001. The image management information storage unit 3001 will be explained in the description of the information processing system 50.

[0111] <<Functional Configuration of the Information Processing System>> Next, the functional configuration of the information processing system 50 will be described. The information processing system 50 includes a communication unit 51, a screen generation unit 52, an association processing unit 53, an image distribution unit 54, an authentication unit 55, a communication group management unit 56, a communication control unit 57, a connection management unit 58, a storage / reading unit 59, an API management unit 60, a recording unit 61, an analysis unit 62, and an error recording unit 63. Each of these units is a function or means of functioning, realized by any of the components shown in Figure 4 operating according to instructions from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program deployed on the RAM 503. The information processing system also has a storage unit 5000 constructed from a ROM 502, HD 504, or recording medium 515 shown in Figure 4.

[0112] The communication unit 51 has the function of sending and receiving various data or information with other devices via the communication network N.

[0113] The screen generation unit 52 generates screen information to be displayed by the communication terminal 30. When the communication terminal 30 runs a web application, the screen information is created using HTML, XML, CSS (Cascade Style Sheet), and JavaScript (registered trademark), etc. When the communication terminal 30 runs a native application, the screen information is held by the communication terminal 30, and the information to be displayed is transmitted in XML, etc. The screen generation unit 52 generates screen information on which wide-field images, etc., distributed by the image distribution unit 54 are placed.

[0114] The association processing unit 53 controls the sharing of viewpoint information for wide-field images. When the association processing unit 53 receives an imaging request along with viewpoint information from the communication terminal 30, it requests imaging from the imaging device 10 and processes the acquisition of a wide-field image and the associated viewpoint information. Furthermore, the association processing unit 53 stores the associated wide-field image and viewpoint information in the image management information storage unit 5001. The association processing unit 53 also sends a URL to the communication terminal 30 as information indicating the storage location where the associated wide-field image and viewpoint information are stored. Note that the information processing system 50 does not need to receive viewpoint information and imaging requests from the communication terminal 30 simultaneously; it may receive them separately and then process the association. Also, the URL is just one example of information indicating a storage location, and other formats such as URIs may be used.

[0115] The image distribution unit 54 distributes wide-field images transmitted by the imaging device 10, which is associated with the same virtual room, to the communication terminal 30 operated by the user who is in the virtual room. Images of the normal field of view captured by the camera of the communication terminal 30 or connected cameras 8 and 9 are also distributed in the same manner.

[0116] The authentication unit 55 is a function that authenticates the requester based on the authentication request received by the communication unit 51. For example, the authentication unit 55 authenticates the user by checking whether the authentication information (user ID and password) included in the authentication request received by the communication unit 51 matches the authentication information it has previously stored. The authentication information may be an IC card number, facial recognition, biometric information such as fingerprints or voiceprints, etc. The authentication unit 55 may also authenticate using an external authentication system or an authentication method such as OAuth.

[0117] The communication group management unit 56 manages the entry of communication terminals 30 and users into the virtual room, as well as the mapping of devices. When authentication by the authentication unit 55 is successful, the communication group management unit 56 registers the user ID and the IP address of the communication terminal 30 in the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and maps the imaging device 10 to the virtual room.

[0118] The communication control unit 57 manages the start, establishment, and termination of communication with the imaging device 10 associated with each virtual room. The communication control unit 57 also manages the start, establishment, and termination of communication for distributing wide-field images and audio in response to the communication terminal 30 entering or leaving the virtual room.

[0119] The connection management unit 58 manages the communications (connections) that the communication terminal 30 and the imaging device 10 have established with the information processing system 50, associating them with virtual rooms.

[0120] The API management unit 60 manages the APIs used by platform subscribers when providing wide-field image distribution services. When using APIs, platform subscribers only need to develop software to call the APIs separately. The developed software may run on a server or on a client such as a communication terminal. Any function provided by the information processing system 50, such as the image distribution unit 54, association processing unit 53, and communication control unit 57, can be provided as an API. It is also possible to provide functions added to the information processing system 50 later as APIs. Whether or not to provide an API is determined by the communication terminal operated by the platform provider accessing the information processing system 50 and accepting the API disclosure setting, allowing the API management unit 60 to control the API based on the disclosure setting. The API management unit 60 may also perform authentication processing to verify whether the requesting software requesting the API call is software developed by a legitimate platform subscriber. Authentication processing can be performed by comparing the information stored in the platform subscriber information storage unit with the information transmitted from the requesting software. As a specific example of the authentication process, the information processing system 50 receives an application ID, which has been pre-issued by the API management unit 60, from the requesting software developed by the platform subscriber. If the API management unit 60 determines that the application ID is stored in the platform subscriber information storage unit, the API management unit 60 performs a control to permit the provision of the API as legitimate software. On the other hand, if it cannot determine that the software is legitimate, the API management unit 60 performs a control to deny the provision of the API. Note that the application ID is just one example of authentication information used to determine legitimacy, and the API management unit 60 may also verify the legitimacy of the requester using authentication information such as an access token, ticket, security key, password, or PIN code that has been pre-issued by the API management unit 60 of the information processing system or an external system.In this embodiment, the form in which the functions provided by the information processing system 50 are used as an API is not described, but the processing flow is the same except that the software such as an application developed by the platform subscriber uses the functions provided by the information processing system 50 via a decision made by the API management unit 60.

[0121] The recording unit 61 records images and audio from each location in the content information storage unit 5003, associating them with bibliographic information. For example, the images recorded are those captured by the imaging device 10, the smart glasses 88, and all communication terminals 30.

[0122] The analysis unit 62 identifies the cause and event of an abnormality that occurs during recording by analyzing the communication log transmitted from the imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88. The analysis unit 62 can also analyze communication logs transmitted from other communication terminals 30.

[0123] The anomaly recording unit 63 records the cause of the anomaly and other related information in the recording problem information storage unit 5004 based on the analysis results from the analysis unit 62.

[0124] The memory / read unit 59 has the function of storing various data in the memory unit 5000 or reading various data from the memory unit 5000. The memory unit 5000 also includes an image management information storage unit 5001, a virtual room information storage unit 5002, a content information storage unit 5003, and a recording problem information storage unit 5004.

[0125] "Image Management Information Storage Unit 5001" Figure 14(a) is a conceptual diagram showing the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 5001. The image management information storage unit 5001 stores the image management information as shown in Figure 14. The image management information is information for managing wide-field images captured in response to an imaging request, and when a user sends an imaging request from the communication terminal 30, one record of image management information is generated. Each item of the image management information will be explained below.

[0126] • The data ID is identification information used to identify a wide-field image. The data ID is assigned by the information processing system 50. ID is an abbreviation of Identification and means identifier or identification information. An ID is a name, code, string, number, or a combination of one or more of these used to uniquely distinguish a particular object from multiple objects.

[0127] The data name is the name of the wide-field image set by the user of the communication terminal 30. The data name can be set by the user, but it may also be set automatically.

[0128] The imaging date and time information is information used to identify the imaging date and time of the wide-field image, such as the date and time when the user entered an imaging request into the communication terminal 30, and the date and time when the imaging device 10 captured the wide-field image. The imaging date and time information may be replaced with the timestamp of the wide-field image.

[0129] • The imager information is the identification information (which may be the username) of the user who joined the virtual room. Since the user logs in when entering the virtual room, the user is identified by authentication to the information processing system 50 or the virtual room.

[0130] The image source information is information about the device that captures the image. For example, the image source information is the identification information (image device ID) of the image capture device 10 that captured a wide-field image or the smart glasses 88 that captured a planar image. The image device ID is assigned by the information processing system 50 and shared with the image capture device 10 and the smart glasses 88, but information unique to the image capture device 10, such as a MAC address or serial number, may also be used. The image device ID is transmitted to the information processing system 50 along with the image.

[0131] The predetermined region information of the imager is viewpoint information consisting of radial radius, polar angle, and azimuth angle. The viewpoint information indicates the center coordinate of the wide-field image displayed by the communication terminal 30. The viewpoint information is transmitted from the communication terminal 30 that requests imaging. In addition to radial radius, polar angle, and azimuth angle, the viewpoint information may also include information specifying the width and height of the display range. Alternatively, the viewpoint information may consist only of the width and height of the display range. Note that predetermined region information is not recorded for planar images captured by the smart glasses 88.

[0132] The virtual room ID used during imaging is the identification information of the virtual room to which the imaging device 10 is associated.

[0133] • Data storage location information includes the URL or file path where the wide-field images are stored.

[0134] Figure 14(b) is also a conceptual diagram showing image management information. In Figure 14(b), wide-field images with the same virtual room ID at the time of acquisition are stored. Image management information may be classified by virtual room.

[0135] "Virtual Room Information Storage Unit 5002" Figure 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the virtual room information stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. The virtual room information storage unit 5002 stores virtual room information as shown in Figure 15. Virtual room information is information about a virtual room and is maintained for each virtual room. The items contained in the virtual room information will be explained below. Note that virtual rooms are registered with tenants.

[0136] The virtual room ID is identification information that identifies the virtual room. In this embodiment, virtual rooms can be created at the user's discretion.

[0137] The virtual room name is a name used by users to identify the virtual room, and can be set by the user at will.

[0138] The image source information consists of the identification information (imaging device ID) and name (example notation) of the device (e.g., imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88, etc.) that captures the image associated with the virtual room.

[0139] The user currently in the room is the user ID of the user currently in the virtual room. This user is capable of viewing wide-field images. The method of entering the room will be described later. In addition, the user ID is associated with the IP address of the communication terminal 30 operated by that user.

[0140] "Content Information Storage Unit 5003" Figure 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the content information stored in the content information storage unit 5003. The content information storage unit 5003 stores content information associated with a data ID. Content is at least one of an image and / or sound. Each item of the content information may be the same as each item in the image management information storage unit 5001. That is, while the image management information storage unit 5001 stores wide-field images along with viewpoint information, the content information storage unit 5003 records video. If the content of the video is a wide-field image, viewpoint information specified by the user may be stored associated with the playback time. In addition, multiple imaging devices 10 and smart glasses 88 (imaging device ID and name) associated with the virtual room are registered in the image source information. In Figure 16, the imaging device 10 and smart glasses 88 that capture wide-field images are registered, but a communication terminal 30 may also be registered. This is because the communication terminal 30 may capture images of the surroundings with its camera. The video from the imaging device 10 and smart glasses 88 is stored associated with the imaging device ID.

[0141] "Recording Problem Information Storage Unit 5004" Figure 17 is a conceptual diagram showing the recording problem information stored in the recording problem information storage unit 5004. Recording problem information is created when a communication abnormality is detected in the imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88 based on the communication log. It may also be created for the communication terminal 30, but in this embodiment, we will mainly describe abnormalities in the imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88 located on-site. Based on the communication log of the information processing system 50, the analysis unit 62 analyzes the cause and event, and the abnormality recording unit 63 saves the recording problem information in the recording problem information storage unit 5004. The recording problem ID is identification information that uniquely identifies a recording problem, and the error recording unit 63 assigns a unique recording problem ID. The data ID is the same as the data ID of the image management information storage unit 5001 or the content information storage unit 5003. The anomaly recording unit 63 identifies the data ID being recorded when the communication log is transmitted. This indicates that an anomaly occurred during the communication of the content to which this data ID was assigned. The user ID is the identification information of the user who logged in from the communication terminal 30 that sent the communication log. This allows the user of the communication terminal 30 that detected the anomaly to be identified. Communication anomalies without a user ID can also occur (for example, when only the imaging device 10 detects the anomaly). The imaging device ID is the imaging device ID of the source of the content that caused the anomaly (mainly imaging device 10 and smart glasses 88). The anomaly recording unit 63 obtains the imaging device ID included in the communication log from the communication log. The occurrence / resolution dates are the date and time the communication error occurred and the date and time it was resolved. These dates and times are included in the communication log. The cause is the communication anomaly identified by the analysis unit 62 through its analysis of the communication log. If the cause cannot be estimated, the cause will be "unknown". • The event describes the symptoms that occurred as a result of the communication abnormality.

[0142] <Entering a virtual room using a communication terminal> Next, referring to Figures 18 and 19, the process of user B entering the virtual room will be explained. It is assumed that the imaging device 10 has already been associated with the virtual room, and that the communication terminal 30A has transmitted wide-field images and normal-angle images to the information processing system 50 (it is assumed that the imaging device 10 and smart glasses 88 have been pre-associated with the virtual room). Furthermore, in the following explanation, there will be no particular distinction made between user B entering the virtual room and the communication terminal 30B operated by user B entering the virtual room.

[0143] Figure 18 shows an example of the screen displayed by the communication terminal 30B when user B enters a virtual room. Figure 18(a) is an example of the entry screen 200. To clarify, prior to the display of the entry screen 200, user B is logged into the information processing system 50. By logging in, the tenant to which user B belongs is identified. Virtual rooms are associated with tenants. User B displays a list of virtual rooms associated with the tenant on the communication terminal 30B (see Figure 20) and selects a virtual room to enter from the list. Figure 18(a) is the entry screen 200 for the virtual room selected by user B in this way.

[0144] Alternatively, the creator of the virtual room may request the information processing system 50 to issue a URL corresponding to the virtual room and send this URL to user B via email or other means. When user B clicks the URL displayed on the communication terminal 30B, the communication terminal 30B displays the room entry screen 200 shown in Figure 18(a).

[0145] The entry screen 200 has a virtual room name 201, a participant name input field 202, and an entry button 203. The virtual room name 201 is the same as the one stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. The participant name input field 202 may be a nickname or other designation for user B. Since user B's username is identified when user B logs in, this username may be displayed automatically. The entry button 203 is a button that user B presses to request entry into the virtual room.

[0146] Furthermore, authentication for entering the virtual room may be required separately from the tenant login process.

[0147] Figure 18(b) shows the image viewing screen 210 displayed by the communication terminal 30B when user B enters the virtual room. In the image viewing screen 210 of Figure 18(b), the imaging device 10 has already started distributing wide-field images, and the communication terminal 30A has already started distributing images with a normal field of view. Therefore, the image viewing screen 210 has a first image section 211 and a second image section 212. The first image section 211 displays the wide-field image, and the second image section 212 displays the image with a normal field of view. If there are three or more locations transmitting images, the image viewing screen 210 is divided according to the number of transmitting locations.

[0148] The first image field 211 displays a wide-field image mark 213. The screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 sets the wide-field image mark 213 when it determines that the image to be displayed in the first image field 211 is a wide-field image. The communication terminal 30B may also determine and display it. User B can see the wide-field image mark 213 and understand that the viewpoint can be changed. The first image field 211 also displays the device name 214 (transmitted from the imaging device 10 along with the wide-field image). The device name 214 was set by user A.

[0149] The second image field 212 displays the participant name 215. The participant name 215 is the participant name of a user who has already entered the room (in this case, user A has already entered, so it is "AAA" that user A entered in the participant name input field 202).

[0150] Figure 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which user B (or communication terminal 30B) enters a virtual room.

[0151] S1: First, user B at site B performs an operation to display the virtual room list screen. When the reception unit 32 receives the operation to display the list screen, the display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30B displays the selection screen on the display 306.

[0152] S2: When user B selects a virtual room selection button, the reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30B accepts the selection of a virtual room. The display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30B displays the room entry screen 200 on the display 306.

[0153] S3: User B enters the required information and presses the enter button 203. Upon receiving the press from the reception unit 32, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B sends an entry request to the information processing system 50. This entry request includes the virtual room ID indicating the virtual room selected in step S2, the user ID of the logged-in user B, and the IP address of the requesting terminal, the communication terminal 30B.

[0154] S4: As a result, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the entry request. The communication group management unit 56 registers the logged-in user ID and IP address in the virtual room information identified by the virtual room ID in the virtual room information storage unit 5002.

[0155] S5: Then, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits a message to the communication terminal 30B indicating that the room has been entered. As a result, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B receives the message that the room has been entered.

[0156] <Mapping of imaging equipment to rooms> Next, the mapping of the imaging device 10 to a room will be explained with reference to Figures 20 to 24. Note that this explanation assumes that user A at site A performs the mapping of the imaging device 10 to a room, but this can also be done by a system administrator, tenant administrator, etc.

[0157] Figure 20 shows an example of a virtual room mapping screen (part 1) 260 for associating the imaging device 10 with a virtual room. The screen configuration can be the same for VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88. The virtual room mapping screen (part 1) 260 has a virtual room list 261. The virtual room list 261 displays individual virtual room fields 262 to 264 based on the virtual rooms created in the tenant. Each individual virtual room field 262 to 264 has a link issuance button 265, an entry button 266, a settings button 267, and a virtual room name 268. The link issuance button 265 is a button for issuing a link to the virtual room (URL for invitation) and a passcode. The entry button 266 is a button for user A to enter the virtual room. The settings button 267 is a button for associating the imaging device 10 with the virtual room. The virtual room name 268 is the same as that stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. Therefore, user A presses the settings button 267. Pressing the settings button 267 causes the communication terminal 30A to display the virtual room mapping screen (part 2) 270.

[0158] Additionally, if a device is already associated with a virtual room, the device name 269 will be displayed in the individual virtual room section (individual virtual room section 264 in the diagram).

[0159] Figure 21 shows an example of the virtual room mapping screen (part 2) 270. Note that the virtual room mapping screen (part 2) 270 is displayed as a pop-up on the virtual room mapping screen (part 1) 260. The screen transition from the virtual room mapping screen (part 1) 260 to the virtual room mapping screen (part 2) 270 does not go through the information processing system 50, but a screen transition that does go through the information processing system 50 is also possible.

[0160] The virtual room mapping screen (part 2) 270 has the name 271 of the imaging device 10 currently (already) mapped to the virtual room (not yet registered, so not shown in the diagram), a connect button 272, and a storage button 273. The connect button 272 is a button that displays a list of devices registered to the tenant. The storage button 273 is a button that displays a list of storage 90 where the imaging device 10 mapped to the virtual room saves wide-field images. When the connect button 272 is pressed, the communication terminal 30A displays the virtual room mapping screen (part 3).

[0161] The communication terminal 30A transmits a virtual room ID to the information processing system 50 and obtains the name of the device registered in the tenant where the virtual room is created (including the device ID, etc.), and the name of the device associated with the virtual room (including the device ID, etc.).

[0162] Figure 22 shows an example of the virtual room mapping screen (part 3) 280. The virtual room mapping screen (part 3) 280 has the name 281 of the imaging device 10 currently (already) mapped to the virtual room, a list of addable devices 282, and a save button 283. User A selects the device they want to map to the virtual room from the list of addable devices 282 and presses the save button 283. This maps the device to the virtual room (the imaging device ID is registered in the virtual room information storage unit 5002).

[0163] <Processing to initiate transmission of wide-field images to the imaging device> With the above steps, devices such as the imaging device 10 are now associated with the virtual room, but user A needs to initiate image transmission to the device.

[0164] For the VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88, user A turns image transmission on and off by operating the device itself. This is because currently, there is no dedicated application running on the communication system 1 for the VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88. If a dedicated application were running on the communication system 1 for the VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88, user A would be able to remotely turn image transmission on and off.

[0165] In the case of the imaging device 10, if the application is enabled, user A can enter the virtual room and turn the transmission of wide-field images on or off from the menu.

[0166] Figure 23 shows an example of a wide-field image transmission start / stop dialog 290 displayed by the communication terminal 30A. The wide-field image transmission start / stop dialog 290 is displayed as a pop-up on the image viewing screen 210. Assume that user A has entered a virtual room associated with the imaging device 10 by operating the communication terminal 30A. The wide-field image transmission start / stop dialog 290 displays the name 292 of the imaging device 10 associated with this virtual room. A toggle button 291 is displayed near the name 292, and user A can operate the toggle button 291 to turn on or off the transmission of wide-field images by the imaging device 10. Note that the method of setting on or off using the toggle button is just one example, and it is acceptable as long as it can be set according to user input. The user may set it by, for example, selecting a radio button or a predetermined icon, or using a menu. Alternatively, the transmission of wide-field images may start automatically after the imaging device 10 enters the room, without requiring user operation. Alternatively, certain conditions such as the date and time, the number of users who entered the room, or whether a specific user participated may be predetermined, and the transmission of wide-field images may begin when it is determined that these conditions have been met.

[0167] The communication terminal 30A transmits the state of the toggle button 291 to the information processing system 50. The information processing system 50 transmits a transmission start request or a transmission stop request to the imaging device 10 according to the state of the toggle button 291.

[0168] Figure 23(a) shows the toggle button 291 in the off state. Therefore, the wide-field image is not displayed in Figure 23(a). On the other hand, in Figure 23(a), when the communication terminal 30A enters the room, the image of the normal field of view captured by the camera 9 of the communication terminal 30A has already been shared and is displayed on the image viewing screen 210.

[0169] Figure 23(b) shows the toggle button 291 in the ON state. When the toggle button 291 is turned ON, the information processing system 50 sends an ON request to the imaging device 10, causing the imaging device 10 to start transmitting the wide-field image. As a result, two images are shared in one virtual room, and the image viewing screen 210 is divided into two.

[0170] <<Procedure for registering the imaging device in the virtual room>> Next, referring to Figure 24, the procedure for registering the imaging device 10 to the virtual room, as described in the screen transition section, will be explained. Figure 24 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the procedure for user A to register the imaging device 10 to the virtual room. Figure 24 explains the registration of the imaging device 10, but the smart glasses 88 can be registered in the same way.

[0171] S11: First, user A connects the communication terminal 30A to the information processing system 50, enters authentication information (user ID, password, etc.), and requests to log in to the tenant to which they belong. The reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A accepts the operation.

[0172] S12: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A sends a login request to the information processing system 50, specifying the authentication information. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the login request, and the authentication unit 55 performs authentication. Here, we assume that authentication was successful.

[0173] S13: In response to user operation, the screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 generates a device registration screen 220, and the communication unit 51 transmits the screen information of the device registration screen 220 to the communication terminal 30A.

[0174] S14: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives screen information from the device registration screen 220, and the display control unit 33 displays the device registration screen 220. User A selects the type of device (in this case, the imaging device 10 is selected), and then enters the name and description of the imaging device 10. The reception unit 32 accepts the input.

[0175] S15: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A sends a request for a two-dimensional code to the information processing system 50, specifying the name and description entered by user A.

[0176] S16: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a request for a two-dimensional code. The communication group management unit 56 generates a URL (connection destination for registration) associated with the name and description, and generates a two-dimensional code containing the URL, temporary ID and password. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the two-dimensional code to the communication terminal 30A. The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives the two-dimensional code, and the display control unit 33 displays the two-dimensional code.

[0177] S17: Next, user A operates the imaging device 10 that they want to associate with the virtual room to capture a two-dimensional code. The reception unit 12 of the imaging device 10 receives the operation.

[0178] S18: The imaging processing unit 13 of the imaging device 10 generates image data by performing imaging processing that includes a two-dimensional code, and the code analysis unit 14 analyzes the image data to extract a URL, a temporary ID, and a password. As a result, the registration request unit 15 connects to the URL via the connection unit 16, specifies the temporary ID and password, and sends a registration request from the imaging device 10 to the information processing system 50.

[0179] S19: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a temporary ID and password, and the authentication unit 55 determines whether they match the temporary ID and password associated with the connected URL. Here, we assume they match.

[0180] S20: The communication group management unit 56 of the information processing system 50 receives a request to register the imaging device 10, so it generates an imaging device ID and registers it in the tenant when user A logs in. The imaging device ID is associated with a name and description.

[0181] S21: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the imaging device ID to the imaging device 10. The connection unit 16 of the imaging device 10 receives the imaging device ID and stores it in the storage unit 1000.

[0182] S22: The communication terminal 30A is notified that registration is complete, and user A begins associating the imaging device 10 with a virtual room. User A displays the virtual room association screen (part 1) 260 on the communication terminal 30A and selects the virtual room to which the imaging device 10 registered with the tenant should be associated. The reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A accepts the selection.

[0183] S23: Next, user A displays the virtual room mapping screen (part 2) 270 on the communication terminal 30A and presses Add Device. The reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A receives the press.

[0184] S24: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A requests the information processing system 50 for devices registered with the tenant and devices associated with the virtual room ID selected in step S23.

[0185] S25: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives requests from devices registered with the tenant and devices associated with the virtual room ID, and the screen generation unit 52 generates a virtual room mapping screen (part 3) 280 that includes the device IDs of the devices registered with the tenant and devices associated with the virtual room ID. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the screen information of the virtual room mapping screen (part 3) 280 to the communication terminal 30A.

[0186] S26: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives screen information from the virtual room mapping screen (part 3) 280, and the display control unit 33 displays the virtual room mapping screen (part 3) 280. User A selects the imaging device 10 to associate with the virtual room. The reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A accepts the selection, and the imaging device ID is identified.

[0187] S27: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A sends an association request to the information processing system 50, specifying the virtual room ID selected in step S23 and the imaging device ID selected in S27.

[0188] S28: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a mapping request, and the communication group management unit 56 registers the imaging device 10 in the virtual room. That is, the communication group management unit 56 registers the imaging device ID in the virtual room information storage unit 5002.

[0189] S29: Since the imaging device ID has been associated with the virtual room, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the virtual room ID, name, and description to the imaging device 10. The information processing system 50 may use push notifications or transmit the information by utilizing polling by the imaging device 10. The connection unit 16 of the imaging device 10 receives the virtual room ID, name, and description and stores them in the storage unit 1000. As a result, when the imaging device 10 transmits a wide-field image, it can attach the imaging device ID, virtual room ID, name, description, etc.

[0190] S30: Communication terminal 30A is notified that the mapping is complete, and user A turns on the toggle button 291 of the imaging device 10 associated with the virtual room on the image viewing screen 210. The reception unit 32 of communication terminal 30A receives the ON signal.

[0191] S31: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A sends a request to the information processing system 50 to start transmitting wide-field images, specifying the imaging device ID. Alternatively, user A may directly start transmitting wide-field images by operating a button on the imaging device 10. In addition, user A may also cause the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A to send a request to stop transmission to the information processing system 50.

[0192] S32: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a transmission start request and requests the imaging device 10, identified by the imaging device ID, to start transmission. The information processing system 50 may use push notifications or the imaging device 10 may use polling. The connection unit 16 of the imaging device 10 receives the transmission start request and the imaging processing unit 13 starts imaging. The image transmission control unit 18 repeatedly transmits wide-field images via the connection unit 16 at a fixed FPS or an FPS corresponding to the bandwidth. Therefore, the communication terminal 30 that has entered the virtual room can display the status of site A on the image viewing screen 210 in real time.

[0193] <Distribution of wide-field images, etc.> Refer to Figure 25 to explain the process by which wide-field images and normal-angle images are shared. Figure 25 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating the process of sharing wide-field images. In Figure 25, communication terminals 30A and 30B have already entered the virtual room. Communication terminal 30A has a normal-angle camera 9, which is shared with communication terminal 30B. Instead of the camera 9 of communication terminal 30A, images captured by smart glasses 88 associated with the virtual room may also be shared.

[0194] S41-S43: The user enters (logs in to) a virtual room to view wide-field images and smart glasses 88, similar to steps S1-S5 in Figure 19.

[0195] S44: The imaging unit 34 of the communication terminal 30A repeatedly captures images, and the communication unit 31 specifies the virtual room ID in which the user is present and repeatedly transmits the images and audio to the information processing system 50.

[0196] S45, S46: When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives images and audio, the image distribution unit 54 obtains the IP addresses of the communication terminals 30A and 30B that are in the virtual room from the virtual room information storage unit 5002 and transmits the images and audio via the communication unit 51. In Figure 25, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives and displays an image with a normal field of view from the information processing system 50, but it may also display an image with a normal field of view captured by the imaging unit 34 without receiving it.

[0197] S47: Next, in response to the request to start transmission by the toggle button 291 being turned on by the imaging device 10, the imaging processing unit 13 repeatedly captures wide-field images, and the image transmission control unit 18 repeatedly transmits the wide-field images and audio to the information processing system 50 via the connection unit 16, specifying the virtual room ID, imaging device ID, name, and description. The smart glasses 88 are similar, but the user may also transmit the virtual room ID, imaging device ID, name, description, planar image, and audio to the information processing system 50.

[0198] S48, S49: When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a wide-field image and audio, the image distribution unit 54 obtains the IP addresses of the communication terminals 30A and 30B that are in the virtual room from the virtual room information storage unit 5002 and transmits the wide-field image and audio via the communication unit 51. Preferably, the communication unit 51 transmits the imaging device ID and name so that it is clear which location the wide-field image is from.

[0199] S50: Next, communication terminal 30C, equipped with camera 9, entered the new virtual room.

[0200] S51: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30C transmits images and audio of a normal field of view to the information processing system 50.

[0201] S52-S54: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives images and audio of the normal field of view from the communication terminal 30C, obtains the IP addresses of the communication terminals 30A-30C that are in the virtual room from the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and the image distribution unit 54 transmits images and audio of the normal field of view.

[0202] S55: In addition, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits wide-field images and audio to the communication terminal 30C that has entered the same virtual room.

[0203] In this way, users A and B who enter the same virtual room can share the wide-field image captured by the imaging device 10 associated with the virtual room. Note that the transmission order of each image shown in Figure 25 is just an example; the wide-field image may be shared first, or the image with a normal field of view may be shared first.

[0204] Let's add some details about the smart glasses 88 and VR goggles 89. The smart glasses 88 have a camera and display function with a normal field of view. Images with a normal field of view captured by the camera held by the smart glasses 88 are distributed in the same way as cameras 8 and 9. The display function held by the smart glasses 88 is flat, like a normal display, so a portion of the wide-field image is displayed at the viewpoint indicated by the user. The VR goggles 89 have a display function (they may also have a camera with a normal field of view). The display function held by the smart glasses 88 projects a wide-field image at a viewpoint determined by the orientation of the user's head, so a portion of the wide-field image is displayed at a viewpoint corresponding to the orientation of the user's head. While viewing a wide-field image with the smart glasses 88 or VR goggles 89, the user can send an imaging request specifying the viewpoint information being viewed to the information processing system 50.

[0205] <Handling procedures when a communication error occurs> Next, referring to Figure 26 and other figures, the processes that the communication system 1 performs when a communication error occurs will be explained. Figure 26 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which the communication system 1 identifies the cause and event when a communication error occurs. As explained in Figure 25, the communication terminals 30A to 30C receive wide-field images via the information processing system 50.

[0206] S61: During communication (while logged into the virtual room), user A can specify the viewpoint of the wide-field image transmitted by the imaging device 10 at any time. Any user can specify the viewpoint. User A rotates the wide-field image to adjust the predetermined area image displayed by the communication terminal 30A. As a result, the display control unit 33 displays the predetermined area image corresponding to the viewpoint on the display.

[0207] S62: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A transmits viewpoint information to the information processing system 50.

[0208] S63: Also, during communication (while logged into the virtual room), the smart glasses 88 repeatedly transmit the planar image, imaging device ID, and virtual room ID to the information processing system 50.

[0209] The operations in steps S61 to S63 may be performed multiple times. Also, if other users B and C are configured to share viewpoint information, the information processing system 50 transmits the viewpoint information to communication terminals 30B and 30C. Communication terminals 30B and 30C automatically display the same display range as communication terminal 30A without any user intervention.

[0210] S64: For example, user A of communication terminal 30A performs an operation on communication terminal 30A to start recording. The reception unit 32 of communication terminal 30A accepts the operation. Recording means recording all video transmitted to the information processing system 50 within the same virtual room. Note that another user may perform the recording operation.

[0211] S65: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A transmits a recording start request to the information processing system 50.

[0212] S66: When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a recording start request, the recording unit 61 starts recording.

[0213] S67: The recording unit 61 generates the data ID, data name, imaging date and time information (only the start time at this point), imager information, image source information, room ID at the time of imaging, and the URL for saving the data to be stored in the content information storage unit 5003. For example, the data name is the virtual room name + date and time. The imaging date and time information is the current date and time. The imager information is the user ID logged into the virtual room. The image source information is the imaging device ID and name associated with the virtual room. The room ID at the time of imaging is the virtual room ID where the meeting is taking place (the user is in the room). The URL for saving the data is generated as appropriate.

[0214] S68: The recording unit 61 stores the content information in the content information storage unit 5003.

[0215] S69: For example, an abnormality related to communication occurs in the imaging device 10. The communication log generation unit 21 generates a communication log. The communication log generation unit 21 generates one or more of the following: communication disconnection, change in resolution, communication bandwidth, CPU temperature, delay, and an error code representing the content of the communication abnormality. Communication logs unrelated to abnormalities, such as when communication is restored, do not include an error code. For example, if a communication disconnection occurs, the communication log generation unit 21 of the imaging device 10 detects the disconnection because it cannot transmit a wide-field image (failure of 3-way handshake, non-detection of ACK, etc.). If the resolution decreases or increases, the communication log generation unit 21 detects that the resolution of the wide-field image has decreased or increased, and detects the resolution before and after the change. The communication log generation unit 21 also sends a Ping command to the information processing system 50 to measure the network's communication bandwidth. The communication log generation unit 21 also obtains the CPU temperature from the OS. The communication log generation unit 21 may also obtain the CPU usage rate from the OS. The communication log generation unit 21 detects the delay based on the time from when the image is transmitted until an ACK is received. The communication log generation unit 21 of the imaging device 10 records this information, along with the error code and the imaging device ID, in the communication log.

[0216] In the process shown in Figure 26, the information processing system 50 analyzes the cause and the event, but the imaging device 10 may also analyze the cause and the event.

[0217] S70: If communication is possible, the communication unit 11 of the imaging device 10 sends the communication log to the information processing system 50 immediately after generating it. If there is an abnormality that causes the communication to be interrupted, the communication unit 11 sends the communication log to the information processing system 50 when communication becomes possible again.

[0218] S71: Similarly, for example, an anomaly related to communication is detected in communication terminals 30A to 30C. Figure 26 illustrates the case where communication terminal 30B detects an anomaly, but communication terminals 30A and 30C may also generate communication logs in the same way. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​generates a communication log. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​generates one or more of the following: communication disconnection, change in resolution, communication bandwidth, CPU temperature, delay, and an error code representing the content of the communication anomaly. Communication logs unrelated to an anomaly, such as when communication is restored, do not include an error code. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​of communication terminal 30B identifies, for example, whether the anomaly occurred in the wide-field image from the imaging device 10 or the planar image from the smart glasses 88, based on the imaging device ID attached to the image.

[0219] If a communication interruption occurs, the communication log generation unit 36 ​​of the communication terminal 30B detects the interruption because it cannot receive the wide-field image or the planar image from the smart glasses 88. For example, if the resolution decreases or increases, the communication log generation unit 36 ​​of the communication terminal 30B detects that the resolution of the wide-field image or the planar image from the smart glasses 88 has decreased or increased, and detects the resolution before and after the change. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​also sends a Ping command to the information processing system 50 to measure the network's communication bandwidth. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​also obtains the CPU temperature from the OS. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​may also obtain the CPU usage rate from the OS. Furthermore, the communication log generation unit 36 ​​detects a delay when the interval between receiving frames constituting the video of the wide-field image or the planar image from the smart glasses 88 exceeds a certain level. The communication log generation unit 36 ​​of the communication terminal 30B records this information, along with an error code and a user ID, in the communication log.

[0220] In the process shown in Figure 26, the information processing system 50 analyzes the cause and the event, but the communication terminal 30 may also analyze the cause and the event.

[0221] S72: If communication is possible, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B sends the communication log to the information processing system 50 immediately after generating it. If there is an abnormality that causes the communication to be interrupted, the communication unit 31 sends the communication log to the information processing system 50 when communication becomes possible again.

[0222] S73: When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a communication log, the analysis unit 62 analyzes the communication log and determines the cause and event. First, based on the error code, the analysis unit 62 determines that the event is indicated by the error code if it represents an event. For example, if the error code indicates disconnection, delay, or resolution reduction, the analysis unit 62 determines that the event is disconnection, delay, or resolution reduction. If the error code does not indicate a connection, the analysis unit 62 compares the communication bandwidth with a threshold, and if the communication bandwidth is less than the threshold, the analysis unit 62 determines that the event is delay or disconnection. Whether it is delay or disconnection can be classified by the difference from the threshold. Similarly, if a change in resolution (e.g., 4K → 2K) indicates a resolution reduction, the analysis unit 62 determines that the event is resolution reduction.

[0223] Furthermore, the analysis unit 62 determines the cause of the anomaly based on the information contained in the communication log. The analysis unit 62 compares the communication bandwidth with a threshold, and if the communication bandwidth is less than the threshold, it determines that the network is the cause. The analysis unit 62 also compares the CPU temperature with a threshold, and if the CPU temperature is above the threshold, it determines that the cause is a power outage due to heat in the imaging device 10 or the communication terminal 30.

[0224] The analysis unit 62 analyzes both the communication log from the imaging device 10 and the communication log from the communication terminal 30 in the same manner. If the imaging device ID included in these communication logs is common and the times when the anomalies occur overlap or the difference is less than a certain value, the analysis unit 62 determines whether the cause and the event are the same. If the cause and the event are the same, the analysis unit 62 determines that each communication log relates to the same anomaly and generates one recording problem information. If the imaging device ID, the time when the anomaly occurs, or the cause and the event are different, each communication log is treated separately and recording problem information is generated from each.

[0225] S74: The error recording unit 63 generates recording problem information and stores it in the recording problem information storage unit 5004. That is, the error recording unit 63 assigns a unique recording problem ID. The error recording unit 63 identifies the data ID from step S68. The error recording unit 63 obtains at least one of the imaging device ID or user ID included in the communication log. The error recording unit 63 obtains the occurrence time included in the communication log. The error recording unit 63 stores this information, along with the identified cause and event, in the recording problem information storage unit 5004.

[0226] S75, S77: When the communication abnormality is resolved, the communication log generation units 21 and 36 record the date and time the abnormality was resolved in the communication log.

[0227] S76, S78: The communication unit 11 of the imaging device 10 or the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B transmits the communication log to the information processing system 50. When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the communication log, the analysis unit 62 identifies the recording problem information at the time of the abnormality that corresponds to the resolved abnormality. The analysis unit 62 analyzes the communication log and identifies whether communication recovery, no delay, or resolution improvement occurred, and identifies the recording problem information in the recording problem information storage unit 5004 that records the corresponding disconnection, delay, or resolution reduction. It is sufficient to identify the most recent problem information or problem information for which the resolution date and time have not been registered. The abnormality recording unit 63 stores the date and time when the abnormality was resolved for the identified recording problem information in the recording problem information storage unit 5004.

[0228] <Play content> When playing back recorded content, any user connects the communication terminal 30 to the information processing system 50. By logging into the information processing system 50, the user can display content for which they have viewing privileges on the communication terminal 30. Content for which a user has viewing privileges is, for example, content for which the user ID is registered in the imager information of the content information storage unit 5003.

[0229] The screen generation unit 52 generates screen information to display the content specified by the user, and the communication unit 51 transmits the screen information and recording problem information to the communication terminal 30. As a result, the communication terminal 30 displays a playback screen as shown in Figure 27.

[0230] Figure 27 shows an example of a playback screen 600 displayed by the communication terminal 30. The playback screen 600 includes a wide-view image section 601, a planar image section 602, a thumbnail section 603, a seek bar 604, and a detailed information section 605.

[0231] The wide-field image section 601 displays a wide-field image. The planar image section 602 displays a planar image captured by the smart glasses 88. The display control unit 33 simultaneously plays back multiple images recorded by the recording unit 61. The mark 615 displayed in the wide-field image section 601 indicates that it is a wide-field image. Note that the screen layout example is just one example, and any image selected from the thumbnail section 603 may be displayed where the wide-field image section 601 and the planar image section 602 are located. The planar image section 602 may also display a wide-field image. In addition, one image of the location where the sound originated may be displayed in a larger size. If a communication error such as disconnection occurs, the wide-field image section 601 or the planar image section 602 will display the last received still image, a rectangle of black or gray, or no rectangle at all. In this embodiment, even if the last received still image is mainly displayed, the user will be able to understand that an error has occurred.

[0232] The thumbnail section 603 displays thumbnails of face images and data images captured by each communication terminal 30 (thumbnails of images other than those in the wide-field image section 601 and the planar image section 602). The images in the wide-field image section 601, the planar image section 602, and the thumbnail section 603 may be displayed in a tiled pattern of uniform size.

[0233] The seek bar 604 highlights the time periods during which anomalies were detected (hereinafter referred to as anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608), corresponding to the total playback time of the recording. In Figure 27, three anomalies are detected, so there are also three anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608. These anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 are color-coded to show the time period from the date of occurrence to the date of resolution, as stored in the recording problem information storage unit 5004. The anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 are color-coded according to whether the anomaly was detected in the imaging device 10 or the smart glasses 88, allowing the user to determine from the color whether the anomaly occurred in the imaging device 10 or the smart glasses 88.

[0234] Furthermore, the seek bar 604 displays the current playback time mark 609. When the current playback time mark 609 overlaps with the anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608, the display control unit 33 highlights the image in which an anomaly was detected at the anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608. In Figure 27, the current playback time mark 609 indicates the anomaly detection time 606 in the wide-field image, so the wide-field image section 601 is highlighted with a frame 601a of the same color as the anomaly detection time 606.

[0235] Furthermore, anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 do not necessarily have to be the same color if the image source from which the anomaly was detected is the same; anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 for the same cause or the same event may be displayed in the same color.

[0236] In this way, the display control unit 33 highlights the image in which an anomaly has been detected during playback of the recording. The highlighting method may include not only displaying the frame 601a, but also blinking the frame, graying out, reducing brightness, or adding textual explanations. The user can understand that a communication anomaly has occurred in the image they are currently viewing because the image is highlighted. In the case of wide-field images, even if the video becomes a still image due to a communication interruption, the user can change their viewpoint arbitrarily, making it appear as if it is a video, making it difficult for the user to notice the anomaly. In this embodiment, even if a wide-field image that should be a video is displayed as a still image due to a communication anomaly, and the user can change their viewpoint to make it appear as a video, the user can understand that an anomaly has occurred.

[0237] The detailed information section 605 displays detailed information for each anomaly. The detailed information includes, for example, the date and time of occurrence and resolution 611, the event 612, the image source information 613, and the cause 614. This information is recorded in the recording problem information storage unit 5004. Note that detailed information for all anomalies is not displayed simultaneously; the detailed information for a particular anomaly may be displayed when the user clicks or mouses over the anomaly detection time 606, 607, or 608.

[0238] A search box may be displayed to search for events shown in event 612. This search box displays a dropdown list of events detected in the recording. When the user selects an event, the date and time of occurrence and resolution 611, event 612, image source information 613, and cause 614 related to that event only are displayed in the detailed information field 605. The anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 may also display only the anomaly detection times related to the selected event, or they may be highlighted.

[0239] A search box may be displayed to search for the imaging device and smart glasses 88 shown in the image source information 613. This search box displays a dropdown list of imaging devices 10 and smart glasses 88 registered in the content information storage unit 5003. When the user selects an imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88, the date and time of occurrence and resolution 611, event 612, image source information 613, and cause 614 related to the abnormality of that imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88 are displayed in the detailed information field 605. The abnormality detection times 606, 607, and 608 may also be displayed or highlighted only for the abnormality detection time related to the selected imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88.

[0240] A search box may be displayed to search for the cause shown in Cause 614. This search box displays a dropdown list of causes detected in the recording. When the user selects a cause, the occurrence date and resolution date and time 611, event 612, image source information 613, and cause 614 related only to that cause are displayed in the detailed information field 605. The anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 may also display or highlight only the anomaly detection times related to the selected cause.

[0241] In any search, images of the time period corresponding to the anomaly that matches the search may be displayed in the wide-field image section 601, the planar image section 602, and the thumbnail section 603. If multiple anomalies match, the image of the time period of the first anomaly will be displayed. Alternatively, the images may be displayed by the user through actions such as pressing the anomaly detection time 606, 607, or 608.

[0242] In Figure 27, the anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608, the occurrence date and resolution date and time 611, the event 612, the image source information 613, and the cause 614 are displayed on one screen, but these may be displayed separately. In other words, it is sufficient for at least one of the anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608, the occurrence date and resolution date and time 611, the event 612, the image source information 613, and the cause 614 to be displayed.

[0243] Figure 28 is a playback screen 600 illustrating the correspondence between the playback time of the recording and the highlighted image. In Figure 28, the current playback time mark 609 on the seek bar 604 indicates the anomaly detection time 607 (the time when an anomaly was detected in the planar image from the smart glasses 88). Therefore, the display control unit 33 highlights the planar image section 602, where the planar image captured by the smart glasses 88 is displayed, with a frame 602a. The color of this frame 602a is the same as the color of the anomaly detection time 607.

[0244] <Display process for the playback screen> Next, referring to Figure 29, we will explain the process by which the communication terminal 30 displays the playback screen 600. Figure 29 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the communication terminal 30 displays the playback screen 600.

[0245] The communications unit 11 receives content and recording problem information associated with the content by a data ID from the information processing system 50 (S101).

[0246] The display control unit 33 starts playback of the playback screen 600 (S102). The display control unit 33 displays the current playback time mark 609 at the left end of the seek bar 604 and moves it to the right as the playback time elapses.

[0247] The display control unit 33 repeatedly determines whether the current playback time overlaps with the anomaly detection times 606, 607, and 608 (S103). The user may manually move the current playback time mark 609. The wide-view image field 601, the planar image field 602, and the thumbnail field 603 display the image at the moved time. Alternatively, if the user presses the occurrence date and resolution date and time 611 (or event 612, image source information 613, or cause 614), the current playback time mark 609 may move to the center or start point of the occurrence date and resolution date and time 611 that was pressed.

[0248] If the decision in step S103 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S104; if it is No, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0249] In step S104, the display control unit 33 highlights the image from the imaging device 10 or smart glasses 88 where an anomaly occurred during the anomaly detection time that overlaps with the current playback time mark 609, using a frame of the same color as the anomaly detection time (S104).

[0250] The display control unit 33 determines whether or not content playback has finished (S105). If the determination in step S105 is Yes, the process in Figure 29 ends; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0251] <> In the processing shown in Figure 29, during the time period in which the anomaly occurred, the wide-field image and the planar image of the smart glasses 88 were enhanced regardless of whether they were from the imaging device 10 or the smart glasses 88. However, when the image is not a wide-field image, such as the planar image of the smart glasses 88, it is easy for the user to determine that it is a still image. On the other hand, if the user changes the viewpoint of the wide-field image, it becomes difficult to determine whether it is a video or a still image. Therefore, the display control unit 33 may enhance the wide-field image only when the user changes the viewpoint of the wide-field image during the time period in which the anomaly occurred.

[0252] Figure 30 is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the communication terminal 30 displays the playback screen 600. In explaining Figure 30, we will mainly explain the differences from Figure 29. First, the processes in steps S201 to S203 can be the same as in steps S101 to S103.

[0253] In step S204, the display control unit 33 determines whether the image in which the anomaly is detected is a wide-field image (S204). Based on the recording problem information, the display control unit 33 determines whether the image capture device ID of the image in which the anomaly is occurring corresponds to the image capture device 10 or the smart glasses 88.

[0254] If the determination in step S204 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S205; if No, the process proceeds to step S207. Therefore, an image that is not a wide-field image is not emphasized. However, it may be emphasized in a different manner from the wide-field image.

[0255] In step S205, the display control unit 33 determines whether the reception unit 22 has received a change in the viewpoint of the wide-field image (S205). The reception unit 22 has received a change in the viewpoint of the wide-field image when it has received a drag operation or a swipe operation on the wide-field image column 601.

[0256] If the determination in step S205 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S206; if No, the process proceeds to step S207.

[0257] The processing in steps S206 and S207 may be the same as that in S104 and S105.

[0258] In this way, the display control unit 33 can emphasize the wide-field image only when the user changes the viewpoint of the wide-field image during the time period when an abnormality has occurred, so that the occurrence of the abnormality can be emphasized only in a situation where it is difficult to notice that an abnormality has occurred.

[0259] <Application Example of Communication System in Remote Medicine> Figure 31 illustrates an example of remote communication where communication system 1 is applied to telemedicine. Note that the explanation of Figure 31 primarily focuses on the differences from Figure 1. In Figure 31, base A is an operating room, but the processing flow from (1) to (6) is the same as in Figure 1. In Figure 31, the patient is placed on an operating table 355 and undergoes surgery performed by a medical professional such as a doctor. The medical professional (corresponding to the user) uses various surgical instruments 354, such as forceps and scalpels, to operate on the patient. The medical professional can also wear smart glasses 88, which can transmit images of the surgical field to the communication network N. Various cameras, including an operating room camera 351, a surgical field camera 352, and an endoscope 353, are also installed in the operating room. All cameras and smart glasses 88 in the operating room are associated with a virtual room.

[0260] A main unit 356 is located in the operating room to monitor the patient's vital signs and the operating status of medical equipment. The main unit 356 corresponds to the communication terminal 30 in this embodiment. In addition to the functions shown in Figure 1, the communication terminal 30 (main unit 356) in the operating room may also have the function of receiving images from the endoscope 353 and the surgical field camera 352. The communication terminal 30 can display the received images on the display 306 and transmit them to the information processing system 50 as images from the communication terminal 30's location. The operation panel 357 is an input interface that accepts various operations, and may allow medical personnel to operate the equipment in the operating room via the operation panel 357. Alternatively, the endoscope 353, surgical field camera 351, and surgical field camera 352 may communicate directly with the information processing system 50 without going through the communication terminal 30.

[0261] Furthermore, the communication terminal 30 may have the functionality of an electronic medical record system, or it may have the functionality to communicate with an electronic medical record system. The communication terminal 30 may display electronic medical record information on the display 306.

[0262] Figure 32 shows an example of a virtual room mapping screen (part 1) 360 for associating the imaging device 10 and smart glasses 88 with a virtual room in the case of telemedicine. The explanation of Figure 32 mainly describes the differences from Figure 20.

[0263] In the case of telemedicine, the virtual room mapping screen (part 1) 360 displays a list of virtual rooms 361 associated with, for example, remote surgeries or consultations. Medical cameras 362, including 360-degree cameras, are associated with each virtual room. Medical cameras 362 include endoscopes, surgical field cameras used for imaging the surgical field in the operating room, and cameras for capturing microscopic images.

[0264] <Main effects> As described above, the communication system 1 of this embodiment records communication abnormalities that occur during recording, and when playing back the video, the user can view the time and cause of the abnormality, so that the user can understand the time and cause of the abnormality.

[0265] <Other application examples> Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these examples, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0266] For example, in this embodiment, the time and cause of an anomaly related to image communication were mainly described, but the communication terminal 30 can similarly display the time and cause of an anomaly related to voice communication.

[0267] For example, the configuration example shown in Figure 13 is divided according to its main function in order to facilitate understanding of the processing performed by the information processing system 50, the imaging device 10, and the communication terminal 30. The present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of those units. The processing of the information processing system 50, the imaging device 10, and the communication terminal 30 can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, each processing unit can be divided to include even more processing.

[0268] Each of the functions of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above.

[0269] Furthermore, the apparatus described in the examples represents only one of several computing environments for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information processing system 50 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including networks and shared memory, and perform the processing disclosed herein.

[0270] Furthermore, the information processing system 50 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps, such as those shown in Figures 24, 25, and 26, in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a predetermined unit can be executed by multiple information processing devices of the information processing system 50. Also, the information processing system 50 may be consolidated into a single server device or divided into multiple devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0271] 1. Communication System 10 Imaging device 30 Communication terminals 50 Information Processing Systems [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0272] [License 1] Patent No. 6107228

Claims

1. A communication system comprising an information processing system that receives images from an image capturing device, and a communication terminal that receives the images from the information processing system, A recording unit that records the aforementioned image, If a communication error is detected during recording by the recording unit, an analysis unit analyzes the cause of the communication error. A display control unit that plays back the image recorded by the recording unit and displays at least one of the time the communication anomaly occurred or the cause of the communication anomaly analyzed by the analysis unit, A communication system having

2. The recording unit records the images received from a device that captures multiple images. The system includes a communication log generation unit that generates a communication log including identification information of the device that captures the image in which the communication anomaly was detected, The display control unit simultaneously plays back the images from the image-capturing device that were recorded by the recording unit, and displays information regarding the image-capturing device from which the communication abnormality was detected. The communication system according to claim 1.

3. The communication log generation unit includes the time when the communication anomaly was resolved in the communication log. The display control unit causes the seek bar, which represents the total playback time of the image recorded by the recording unit, to display the time when the communication error occurred and the time when it was resolved. The communication system according to claim 2.

4. If the playback time during which the display control unit plays back the image recorded by the recording unit falls between the time the communication error occurred and the time it was resolved, The display control unit highlights the image transmitted by the image-capturing device that captured the image in which the communication anomaly was detected, among the images captured by the image-capturing device that is playing back the plurality of images. The communication system according to claim 3.

5. The display control unit displays the time period on the seek bar from the time the communication error occurred until the time it was resolved in a predetermined color. The display control unit surrounds the image captured by the image-capturing device that captures the multiple images being played back by the display control unit with a frame of the same color as the predetermined color, in which case the image transmitted by the image-capturing device in which the communication anomaly was detected is surrounded by a frame of the same color as the predetermined color. The communication system according to claim 4.

6. The display control unit displays the time period in a different color for each device that captures the image in which the communication anomaly was detected. The communication system according to claim 5.

7. The image being reproduced by the display control unit is a wide-field image. The playback time during which the display control unit plays back the image recorded by the recording unit is between the time the communication error occurred and the time it was resolved, and When an operation to change the viewpoint of the wide-field image is received, The display control unit enhances the wide-field image from among the images captured by the image-capturing device that is reproducing the plurality of images that the display control unit is playing back. The communication system according to claim 2.

8. An information processing system that transmits images received from an image capturing device to a communication terminal, A recording unit that records the aforementioned image, If a communication error is detected during recording by the recording unit, an analysis unit analyzes the cause of the communication error. A communication unit that plays back the image recorded by the recording unit and transmits the cause of the communication error to the communication terminal, which displays at least one of the time the communication error occurred or the cause of the communication error analyzed by the analysis unit. An information processing system having

9. A method for displaying information performed by a communication system having an information processing system that receives an image from an image capturing device, and a communication terminal that receives the image from the information processing system, The recording unit performs the process of recording the aforementioned image, If a communication error is detected during recording by the recording unit, the analysis unit performs a process to analyze the cause of the communication error. The process involves playing back the image recorded by the recording unit and displaying at least one of the time the communication anomaly occurred or the cause of the communication anomaly analyzed by the analysis unit. A method for displaying information.

10. An information processing system that transmits images received from an image capturing device to a communication terminal, A recording unit that records the aforementioned image, If a communication error is detected during recording by the recording unit, an analysis unit analyzes the cause of the communication error. A communication unit that plays back the image recorded by the recording unit and displays at least one of the time the communication error occurred or the cause of the communication error analyzed by the analysis unit, transmits the cause of the communication error to the communication terminal. A program designed to function as such.

Images