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

Abstract

Appropriately select the shared images to focus on. [Solution] The present invention relates to a communication system comprising a plurality of communication terminals that display a shared image, and an information processing system 50 that can transmit the shared image from one communication terminal to another communication terminal via a network, wherein each communication terminal has a first storage unit 5003 that stores a first frequency in which a part of the shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the display field for the shared image, in association with the identification information of the shared image, and a focus image determination unit 62 that determines a shared image to focus on based on the first frequency associated with the shared image, and at least one of the communication terminals displays the determined focus image larger than other shared images.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a communication system that transmits at least images and voices in real time from one base to one or more other bases and enables remote communication using images and voices between users located at remote locations. A shared image transmitted from another base is displayed on the display screen of the communication terminal. However, when the number of participants in a meeting increases and the number of shared images displayed on one screen increases, it becomes difficult to know which shared image to pay attention to.

[0003] There is known a technique for calculating the degree of attention by aggregating the handling status of shared data by other users (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for calculating the degree of attention based on the window size of the image displayed by each user and displaying a screen on the terminal of a user who joins midway in a predetermined layout based on the degree of attention.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technology has a problem that it is difficult to be determined as a shared image unless it is a shared image displayed in a large-sized column. For example, when a window of a large size and a window of a small size are displayed, the window of the small size may be noticed by many users. In such a case, even if a user wants to view the shared image that is being noticed, the shared image displayed in the large-sized column may be determined as the shared image to be noticed, and there is a possibility that the shared image to be noticed may not be appropriately determined.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for appropriately determining a shared image to be noticed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a communication system comprising: a plurality of communication terminals that display a shared image; and an information processing system that can transmit the shared image from one communication terminal to another communication terminal via a network, wherein each communication terminal has a first storage unit that stores a first frequency at which a part of the shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the display area for the shared image, in association with identification information of the shared image; and a focus image determination unit that determines a shared image to focus on based on the first frequency associated with the shared image, wherein at least one of the communication terminals displays the determined focus image larger than other shared images. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This invention makes it possible to appropriately determine the shared image of interest. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [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 spherical 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] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the room entry screen. (b) is a diagram showing an example of the image viewing screen displayed by the communication terminal when a user enters a virtual room. [Figure 17] This is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating the process of a user (or communication terminal) entering a virtual room. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example of a virtual room mapping screen (part 1) for associating imaging devices with virtual rooms. [Figure 19] This figure shows an example of the virtual room mapping screen (part 2). [Figure 20] This figure shows an example of the virtual room mapping screen (part 3). [Figure 21] This figure shows an example of a wide-field image transmission start / stop dialog displayed by a communication terminal. [Figure 22] This is an example of a sequence diagram showing the procedure for a user to register an imaging device in a virtual room. [Figure 23] This is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which wide-field images are shared. [Figure 24] This figure shows an example of a video conference screen displayed on a communication device by any user. [Figure 25] This is a diagram for explaining how a shared image changes when a user enlarges a part of the shared image. [Figure 26] This is a diagram for explaining how the layout changes when a user enlarges one shared image column. [Figure 27] This is a diagram for explaining enlargement operation information in partial enlargement. [Figure 28] This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of evaluation information stored in an evaluation information storage unit. [Figure 29] This is a conceptual diagram showing the enlargement operation information stored in an enlargement operation information storage unit. [Figure 30] This is a diagram showing an example of a video conference screen of a communication terminal operated by users A, B, and C. [Figure 31] This is a diagram showing an example of a video conference screen displayed by a communication terminal when a user presses a focused layout button. [Figure 32] This is an example of a sequence diagram for explaining the process of a user displaying a focused area. [Figure 33] This is a diagram for explaining an example of remote communication in which a communication system is applied to telemedicine. [Figure 34] 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.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, as an example of a mode for carrying out the present invention, an information processing system and an image display method performed by the information processing system will be described.

[0010] <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.

[0011] 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".

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] Users A to C at locations A to C can arbitrarily change their viewpoint on the wide-field image. Therefore, since each user A to C viewing the wide-field image in real time may be seeing a different viewpoint, there is a risk of communication difficulties. To address this, in this embodiment, for example, the viewpoint of communication terminal 30A at location A is transmitted to 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.

[0018] (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.

[0019] (2) In response to the 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).

[0020] (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.

[0021] (4) The information processing system 50 sends a URL to the communication terminal 30B.

[0022] (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.

[0023] (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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 view blackboards, equipment, samples, experimental results, etc., from a remote location by arbitrarily changing their viewpoint. In event streaming, the imaging device 10 is deployed at the event venue, allowing event participants, such as spectators, to view the venue online from a remote location by arbitrarily changing their viewpoint. The venue includes images of performers, contestants, presenters, products and exhibits explained at the event, images of materials explained at the event, and images of the venue's condition. 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 review their itinerary from a remote location by arbitrarily changing their viewpoint. 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] <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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] Viewpoint information refers to parameter information that specifies which predetermined region of a wide-field image to display on the display. In this embodiment, the radial, polar angle, and azimuth angle corresponding to the center of the wide-field image displayed on the display are described as examples of viewpoint information, but the viewpoint information may also be specified by other parameter information such as the coordinates of diagonal vertices.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Remote communication refers to communicating with someone who is physically far away, using IT tools to convey information through images and audio. Communication can take various forms, including customer service, meetings, gatherings, discussions, study groups, classes, seminars, and presentations. It does not necessarily have to be two-way communication. Therefore, a virtual room can also be called a virtual conference room.

[0035] Images with a normal field of view are not wide-field images, but in this embodiment, they will be described as non-wide-field images (planar images).

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] A shared image refers to an image that is displayed by one communication terminal 30, transmitted to another communication terminal 30, and displayed on that other communication terminal 30.

[0039] A shared image of interest is one that, when multiple shared images are shared, is presumed to be of interest based on a predetermined process. In other words, the information processing system 50 can display the shared image presumed to be of interest as a shared image of interest on the communication terminal 30.

[0040] Frequency refers to the number of times or instances in which a shared image has been zoomed in. Zooming can be partial or complete, and the frequency of each may be recorded.

[0041] <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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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. Furthermore, the captured image may be a video containing sound along with the image.

[0046] 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 part 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 the communication terminal 30 does not have image processing software installed, it may perform image processing using software received from an external source, or it may display images by receiving the results of image processing performed by external software. In other words, the communication terminal 30 can display a predetermined area of ​​a wide-field image.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Furthermore, the communication terminals 30A to 30C at locations A to C may be either terminals with built-in cameras or terminals that can accommodate external cameras. Communication terminals 30A to 30C can distribute images captured by their own cameras 8, 9, etc., to other locations. In addition, any devices may be placed at locations A to C.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Furthermore, if the imaging device 10 has a display, it may be configured to display images distributed from other locations.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] <Example Hardware Configuration> Next, the hardware configuration of each device or terminal in the image 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.

[0059] <<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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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).

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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).

[0071] 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.

[0072] Network I / F121 is an interface for data communication using a communication network N, such as the Internet, via a router or similar device.

[0073] <<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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] <<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.

[0077] 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.

[0078] <Regarding wide-field images and viewpoint information> The following section explains how to generate wide-field images (spherical images) using Figures 5 to 12.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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).

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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).

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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:

[0089]

number

[0090] 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 area information. Also, viewpoint information may be information other than coordinate information, such as angles and distances, as shown in Figure 11. In Figures 11 and 12, the center point of the predetermined area T is the reference point for coordinates, but the reference point for parameter information may be any vertex of the predetermined area 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 information that identifies the predetermined area T in that wide-field image will be the viewpoint information.

[0091] <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 terminals, devices, and servers shown in Figure 1 that are related to the processing or operation described later are shown.

[0092] <<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, an analysis unit 14, a registration request unit 15, a connection unit 16, a storage processing unit 17, an image transmission control unit 18, 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] The 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).

[0097] The registration request unit 15 uses the information contained in the two-dimensional code read by the 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[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] <<Communication terminal function configuration>> Next, the functional configuration of the communication terminal 30 will be explained using Figure 13. The communication terminal 30 has a communication unit 31, a reception unit 32, a display control unit 33, an imaging unit 34, a storage / reading unit 35, and a connection unit 36. 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] The connection section 36 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] <<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 magnification operation information management unit 61, and a focus image determination unit 62. 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.

[0109] The communication unit 51 has the function of sending and receiving various data or information with other devices via the communication network N.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] The connection management unit manages the communications (connections) established between the communication terminal 30 and the imaging device 10 and the information processing system 50, associating them with virtual rooms.

[0117] 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.

[0118] The zoom operation information management unit 61 records in the zoom operation information storage unit 5004 which user is zooming in on which shared image, and the zoom operation information related to the zoom operation, based on the zoom operation information transmitted from the communication terminal 30. In addition, the zoom operation information management unit 61 records in the evaluation information storage unit 5003 for each user whether or not an image has been zoomed in from each location. Whether or not an image has been zoomed in on a shared image can be either the entire image (window size) has been zoomed in or a portion of the image has been zoomed in or a portion of the image has been zoomed in or a portion of the image.

[0119] The focus image determination unit 62 determines the shared image to focus on and the area of ​​focus within the shared image based on whether or not each user has performed an image zoom operation.

[0120] 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 has an image management information memory unit 5001, a virtual room information memory unit 5002, an evaluation information memory unit 5003, and a magnification operation information memory unit 5004. The evaluation information memory unit 5003 and the magnification operation information memory unit 5004 will be explained in Figures 28 and 29.

[0121] "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.

[0122] • 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] The imager information is the identification information (which may be the username) of the user who entered the imaging request into the communication terminal 30. Since the user enters the imaging request into the communication terminal 30 while inside the virtual room, the user registered in the imager information is identified by authentication to the information processing system 50 or the virtual room. The imager information is transmitted to the information processing system 50 along with the imaging request.

[0126] The imaging device information is the identification information (imaging device ID) of the imaging device 10 that captured the wide-field image. The imaging device ID is assigned by the information processing system 50 and shared with the imaging device 10, but information unique to the imaging device 10, such as the MAC address or serial number, may also be used. The imaging device ID is transmitted to the information processing system 50 along with the wide-field image.

[0127] The imager's predetermined area information 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 requesting the image capture. 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.

[0128] The virtual room ID used during imaging is the identification information of the virtual room to which the imaging device 10 is associated.

[0129] • The data storage location information includes the URL or file path where the wide-field images are stored. The wide-field images may also be videos. In the case of videos, radial motion, polar angle, and azimuth angle, such as the imager's designated area information, are stored in correspondence with the elapsed time of the meeting (video recording time).

[0130] 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.

[0131] "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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] The virtual room name is a name used by users to identify the virtual room, and can be set by the user at will.

[0134] The imaging device information is the identification information (imaging device ID) of the imaging device 10 associated with the virtual room. 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.

[0135] <Entering a virtual room using a communication terminal> Next, referring to Figures 16 and 17, 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 (the association of the imaging device 10 with the virtual room will be explained from Figure 17 onwards). 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.

[0136] Figure 16 shows an example of the screen displayed by the communication terminal 30B when user B enters a virtual room. Figure 16(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 18) and selects a virtual room to enter from the list. Figure 16(a) is the entry screen 200 for the virtual room selected by user B in this way.

[0137] 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 16(a).

[0138] 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.

[0139] Furthermore, authentication for entering the virtual room may be required separately from the tenant login process.

[0140] Figure 16(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 16(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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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).

[0143] Figure 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which user B (or communication terminal 30B) enters a virtual room.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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.

[0149] <Assigning imaging equipment to rooms> Next, the mapping of the imaging device 10 to a room will be explained with reference to Figures 18 to 22. Note that the mapping of the imaging device 10 to a room will be explained assuming that user A at site A performs this task, but it may also be performed by a system administrator, tenant administrator, etc.

[0150] Figure 18 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.

[0151] 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).

[0152] Figure 19 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.

[0153] 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).

[0154] 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.).

[0155] Figure 20 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).

[0156] <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.

[0157] 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.

[0158] 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.

[0159] Figure 21 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 sufficient if it can be set according to user input. For example, the user may set the transmission of wide-field images on or off by selecting radio buttons or predetermined icons, or by operating 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] Figure 21(a) shows the toggle button 291 in the off state. Therefore, the wide-field image is not displayed in Figure 21(a). On the other hand, in Figure 21(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.

[0162] Figure 21(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.

[0163] <<Procedure for registering the imaging device in the virtual room>> Next, referring to Figure 22, the procedure for registering the imaging device 10 to the virtual room, as described in the screen transition section, will be explained. Figure 22 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the procedure for user A to register the imaging device 10 to the virtual room.

[0164] 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.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] 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.

[0168] 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.

[0169] 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.

[0170] 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.

[0171] S18: The imaging processing unit 13 of the imaging device 10 generates image data by performing imaging processing including a two-dimensional code, and the 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.

[0172] 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, it is assumed that they match.

[0173] 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.

[0174] 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.

[0175] 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.

[0176] 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.

[0177] 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.

[0178] 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.

[0179] 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.

[0180] 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.

[0181] 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.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] 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.

[0186] <Distribution of wide-field images, images with a normal field of view, etc.> Refer to Figure 23 to explain the process by which wide-field images and normal-angle images are shared. Figure 23 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating the process of sharing wide-field images. In Figure 23, 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.

[0187] S41-S43: The user enters a virtual room to view wide-field images, similar to steps S1-S5 in Figure 17.

[0188] 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.

[0189] 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 23, 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.

[0190] 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.

[0191] 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.

[0192] S50: Next, communication terminal 30C, equipped with camera 9, entered the new virtual room.

[0193] 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.

[0194] 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.

[0195] 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.

[0196] 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 23 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.

[0197] 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 of view 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 of view image at a viewpoint determined by the orientation of the user's head, so a portion of the wide field of view image is displayed at a viewpoint corresponding to the orientation of the user's head.

[0198] <Screen displayed on the communication terminal and zoom operation> Referring to Figure 24 and other figures, we will explain examples of screens displayed by the communication terminal 30 and how to zoom in on shared images. First, Figure 24 shows a video conference screen 400 displayed on the communication terminal 30 by any user. For the sake of explanation, the video conference screen 400 in Figure 24 is assumed to be that of the communication terminal 30C operated by user C. In the following explanation, we will assume that wide-field images are not shared, or if they are shared, they are not zoomed in on, and will explain how to zoom in on a shared image with a normal field of view.

[0199] There are three participants in the meeting (User A, User B, and User C). The video conferencing screen 400 has three face image fields 403-405 that display the face images of each user. Users A and B are also sharing documents. Document sharing means displaying the documents one holds on the communication terminals 30 of other participants, including oneself. Images of the documents of Users A and B are displayed on the video conferencing screen 400. These document images are the shared images. The video conferencing screen 400 has two shared image fields 401 and 402. Shared image field 401 displays the shared image sent by the communication terminal 30A operated by User A. Shared image field 402 displays the shared image sent by the communication terminal 30B operated by User B. The documents are not limited to, for example, a large-sized (area-based) map. In the following, a shared image sent by communication terminal 30A operated by user A may be referred to as "user A's shared image," and a shared image sent by communication terminal 30A operated by user B may be referred to as "user B's shared image."

[0200] The shared image sections 401 and 402 and the face image sections 403 to 405 each display location names 411 to 415, a zoom button 408, and a zoom button 409, respectively. User C can zoom in or out on the shared images in shared image sections 401 and 402, and the face images in face image sections 403 to 405, by pressing the zoom button 408 or the zoom button 409. The video conferencing screen 400 also has a focus layout button 406. The focus layout button 406 is a button that displays a shared image of interest and its focus area on the communication terminal 30C operated by User C. A "shared image of interest" refers to a shared image that is recommended to be viewed because it is frequently viewed by other users. A focus area is a part of the shared image of interest that is recommended to be viewed even more.

[0201] Furthermore, the automatic layout change button 410 may be located alongside the focus layout button 406. When the automatic layout change button 410 is selected, the information processing system 50 periodically sends the shared image and focus area to the communication terminal 30 without the user having to press the focus layout button 406 each time.

[0202] Alternatively, the "Featured Layout" button 406 and the "Automatic Layout Change" button 410 may be omitted. In this case, the communication terminal 30 requests the information processing system 50 at regular intervals, and the video conferencing screen of the communication terminal 30 is updated each time. Alternatively, even if the communication terminal 30 does not request the information processing system 50, the information processing system 50 may periodically update the video conferencing screen of each communication terminal 30.

[0203] Furthermore, the video conferencing screen 400 has a setting field 407 for setting a threshold for determining which shared images to focus on. As will be described later, users can change the number of shared images to display on the video conferencing screen 400 by adjusting the threshold. Note that the setting field 407 is not mandatory, and the threshold may be predetermined.

[0204] Figure 25 illustrates how a shared image changes when user C zooms in on a portion of it. Figure 25(a) shows the video conference screen 400 before zooming, and Figure 25(b) shows the video conference screen 420 after zooming. Figure 25(a) is the same as Figure 24.

[0205] User C enlarged the shared image in the shared image section 401 by pressing the enlarge button 408. As a result, in Figure 25(b), only a portion of User A's shared image is displayed enlarged in the shared image section 401. This type of enlargement is called "partial enlargement." With partial enlargement, the size of the shared image section 401 does not increase; the enlarged shared image is displayed in the same size shared image section 401 as before the enlargement operation. A use case for this type of enlargement operation is expected, for example, in situations where users want to focus on other shared images or facial images along with the shared image being enlarged.

[0206] Figure 26 illustrates how the layout changes when user C zooms in on a shared image. Figure 26(a) shows the video conference screen 400 before zooming, and Figure 26(b) shows the video conference screen 430 after zooming. Figure 26(a) is the same as Figure 24.

[0207] User C wanted to enlarge the entirety of one shared image field 401. The shared image field 431 in Figure 26(b) is an enlarged version of shared image field 401. Unlike Figure 25(b), in Figure 26(b), only the shared image field 431 is displayed larger than the other shared image fields 432 and face image fields 433-435. This type of enlargement is called "overall enlargement." It is also possible to further enlarge a portion after overall enlargement, and to further enlarge the entire image after partial enlargement.

[0208] There is no specific method for zooming in on the entire image, but one method is to drag the edge of the image, similar to window manipulation. Users can also zoom in on the entire image by double-clicking on the shared image 401. Note that when zooming in on the entire image, as will be explained later, the shared image is determined using a binary value of "zoomed or not," so the ratio of the size before and after zooming does not need to be considered. When zooming in on a portion of the image, the shared image is also determined using a binary value of "zoomed or not," but in the case of partial zooming, the zoomed area is used to determine the area of ​​interest.

[0209] Figure 27 is a diagram illustrating the magnification operation information in partial magnification. First, in this embodiment, the magnification start position 443 may be specified by the user or may be fixed. The position of the magnification start position 443 in the x-axis direction is expressed as a ratio to the width W of the shared image field 440, and the position in the y-axis direction is expressed as a ratio to the height H of the shared image field 440. If the width of the shared image field 440 is W and the height is H, The x-axis position of the starting position 443 for scaling is: "Length W from the top-left corner 441 of shared image 440 to position P in the x-axis direction" The position in the y-axis direction of the starting position 443 for scaling is: "Length H from the top-left corner 441 of shared image 440 to position Q in the y-axis direction" That is the case.

[0210] For example, if the center of the shared image area 440 is the zoom start position 443, then the values ​​for zoom start position 443 will be zoom start position x-axis direction = 0.5 and zoom start position y-axis direction = 0.5.

[0211] Furthermore, the width w and height h of the enlarged area 442 are similarly set as ratios to the width W and height H of the shared image area 440. When the width w and height h of the enlarged area 442 are each half of the width of the shared image area 440, the width and height of the enlarged area 442 are both 0.5.

[0212] The magnification operation information related to the partial magnification described above is stored in the magnification operation information storage unit 5004. The evaluation information storage unit 5003 stores whether or not overall magnification and partial magnification were performed, etc.

[0213] "Evaluation Information Storage Unit 5003" Figure 28 is a conceptual diagram showing the evaluation information stored in the evaluation information storage unit 5003. The evaluation information storage unit 5003 (an example of the first storage unit) stores the evaluation information shown in Figure 28.

[0214] The row headings in the evaluation information are identification information for the shared images transmitted from each location. In Figure 28, five communication terminals 30 are participating in the meeting, but the number of communication terminals 30 is just an example. Each communication terminal 30 can be considered a location.

[0215] The column headers for the evaluation information, from left to right, are: overall zoom frequency 451 (an example of the first frequency), partial zoom frequency 452 (an example of the second frequency), zoom operation order 453, evaluation score 454, and attention rank 455. Of these, overall zoom frequency 451, partial zoom frequency 452, and zoom operation order 453 are associated with the identification information of the user who performed the zoom operation. The user identification information may also be the identification information of the communication terminal 30.

[0216] The reason the column header shows three users is that the remaining two participated in the meeting in view mode and were unable to zoom in, or they were omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0217] The frequency of overall zoom 451 and the frequency of partial zoom 452 indicate that "1" means the user performed a zoom operation and "0" means the user did not perform a zoom operation. Therefore, a higher number of "1"s in the row direction indicates a higher frequency of zoom operations on the shared image. Since the frequency of partial zoom 452 may involve zooming in on different parts of the same shared image multiple times, it may be possible to record not only whether or not partial zooming occurred, but also the number of partial zoom operations. The focus image determination unit 62 calculates the evaluation score 454 using the number of operations instead of the frequency of partial zoom 452.

[0218] The order of zoom operations (453) records the order in which the user in the column header performed zoom operations on five shared images, converted into numbers such as "1", "0.5", "0.25", "0.125", and "0.0625". A larger number indicates a later order. This makes shared images that were zoomed in on more recently more likely to be selected as featured shared images. Note that zoom operations can be performed on the entire image, a part of an image, or both.

[0219] Furthermore, the frequency of overall zoom (451), the frequency of partial zoom (452), the order of zoom operations (453), the evaluation score (454), and the attention ranking (455) should be reset each time the material in the shared image section changes. This is because the reliability of the previous frequencies, etc., decreases when the material changes. The change in material in the shared image section may be detected, for example, by a page switching button or an equivalent operation signal, or by comparing the shared images in the shared image section at regular intervals and detecting the change if the difference exceeds a threshold.

[0220] The column header for "Rating Score 454" is the sum of the values ​​for one row. That is, the column for "Rating Score 454" is the sum of the values ​​for the frequency of full zoom (451), the frequency of partial zoom (452), and the order of operations (453) for each shared image. If only the values ​​for one row are summed, the frequency of full zoom (451) and the frequency of partial zoom (452) may record the number of zoom operations by all users without distinguishing between users.

[0221] Furthermore, when the focus image determination unit 62 sums the values ​​for one row, the values ​​may be weighted. For example, the presence or number of zoom operations performed by the meeting organizer, experts, or presenters during their speech may be weighted more heavily than the zoom operations of other participants. This makes it easier to accurately determine the shared image of interest. Note that whether or not a presenter performed a zoom operation during their speech can be detected by transmitting audio along with the zoom operation information to the information processing system 50.

[0222] Among the column headings, the item ranked 455th in terms of attention is a sequential number assigned to the shared images in descending order of their evaluation score of 454.

[0223] The evaluation score 454 for each shared image is compared with a threshold set in the settings section 407, as shown in Figure 24. When a user presses the focus layout button 406, the set threshold is sent to the information processing system 50. Alternatively, the threshold may be a fixed value set in advance. When any communication terminal 30 presses the focus layout button 406 (to display the shared image of interest in the focus area), it is determined that the shared image whose evaluation score 454 exceeds the threshold is the one of interest, and the focus area for this shared image is determined. For example, if the threshold is set to 5 points in Figure 28, it is determined that only "User A's shared image" is of interest, and the shared image transmitted by the communication terminal 30A operated by User A becomes the shared image of interest. Furthermore, the focus area is determined for the shared image transmitted by the communication terminal 30A. The determination of the focus area is performed based on the magnification operation information storage unit 5004. Thus, since the threshold and evaluation score 454 are compared for each communication terminal 30 that transmits the threshold, the number of shared images of interest may vary for each communication terminal 30. In other words, each user can adjust the number of shared images they focus on by setting a threshold.

[0224] The focus image determination unit 62 may, regardless of the threshold, determine the single shared image with the highest evaluation score 454.

[0225] Furthermore, the evaluation score 454 may be calculated based on one or more of the following: the frequency of overall zooming 451, the frequency of partial zooming 452, and the order of zooming operations 453. Users may also select information from the frequency of overall zooming 451, the frequency of partial zooming 452, and the order of zooming operations 453 to determine which shared image to focus on.

[0226] If the shared image to focus on is determined by a partial zoom frequency of 452, the shared image to focus on can be determined based on partial zoom operations even on a video conference screen where the window size is fixed or cannot be arbitrarily changed.

[0227] "Expanded Operation Information Storage Unit 5004" Figure 29 is a conceptual diagram showing the magnification operation information stored in the magnification operation information storage unit 5004. The magnification operation information storage unit 5004 (an example of a second storage unit) stores the magnification operation information as shown in Figure 29.

[0228] The row headings for the zoom operation information are identification information for the shared image transmitted from each location. In Figure 29, five communication terminals 30 are participating in the meeting, but the number of communication terminals 30 is just an example. Each communication terminal 30 can be considered a location.

[0229] The column headers for the magnification operation information are the identification information of each communication terminal 30 or user. For each communication terminal 30 or user's identification information, information for identifying the magnification area is recorded. The magnification area has a magnification start position in the x-axis direction, a magnification start position in the y-axis direction, a width of the magnification area, and a height of the magnification area. These details are explained in Figure 27.

[0230] In Figure 29, the magnified areas of User A and User B in the column headers are the same, but in many cases, the magnified areas of multiple users do not coincide. The following methods can be considered for how the focus image determination unit 62 determines the focus area. The focus image determination unit 62 determines the overlapping area among each user's enlarged area as the focus area. If there is no overlapping area, it is possible to determine the area containing both enlarged areas as the focus area, or to determine the entire shared image as the focus area. The focus image determination unit 62 inputs each user's magnified area into a pre-trained model and outputs the optimal focus area.

[0231] Furthermore, users may zoom in on a face image instead of a shared image. In other words, the subject matter of the image of interest does not matter. Alternatively, the recording of zoom operations and zoom operation information may be restricted based on the content of the shared image data, so that the information processing system 50 can determine that only shared images containing subjects such as maps are the shared images of interest. In this case, if the zoom operation information management unit 61 detects that the image is a face image through image processing, it will not record whether or not a zoom operation was performed or the zoom operation information. Conversely, the zoom operation information management unit 61 may record whether or not a zoom operation was performed and the zoom operation information only if the shared image is detected by image processing to be specific image data such as a map.

[0232] Next, based on Figure 30 and other figures, we will explain how to determine the shared image and region of interest using evaluation information and zoom operation information.

[0233] Figure 30 shows the video conferencing screens of communication terminal 30 operated by users A, B, and C. Figure 30(a) is the video conferencing screen 400 of communication terminal 30 operated by user C, Figure 30(b) is the video conferencing screen 430 of communication terminal 30 operated by user B, and Figure 30(c) is the video conferencing screen 460 of communication terminal 30 operated by user A. Figure 30(a) is the same as Figure 24, and Figure 30(b) is the same as Figure 26(b). As shown in Figure 30(a), user C did not perform a zoom operation. As shown in Figure 30(b), User B zoomed in on the entire shared image section 431 (User A's shared image), and then zoomed in on a portion of it. As shown in Figure 30(c), User A zoomed in on the entire image in the shared image section 461 (User A's shared image), and then zoomed in on a portion of it. User A also zoomed in on the entire image in the shared image section 462 (User B's shared image), and then zoomed in on a portion of it.

[0234] In the state shown in Figure 30, user C pressed the focus layout button 406 on the video conferencing screen 400. As a result, the shared image with the highest evaluation score and its focus area are displayed on the video conferencing screen 400 of the communication terminal 30 operated by user C.

[0235] Figure 31 shows the video conferencing screen 470 displayed by the communication terminal 30C when user C presses the focus layout button 406. When the focus layout button 406 is pressed, the communication terminal 30C operated by user C requests the information processing system 50 to identify the shared image to focus on and the area to focus on. The focus image determination unit 62 determines the identification information and area to focus on the shared image to focus on and returns them to the communication terminal 30C. The display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30C changes the layout of the video conferencing screen 470 based on the identification information and area to focus on the shared image to focus on.

[0236] According to the evaluation score 454 in Figure 28, only "User A's shared image" is determined to be the shared image of interest. Therefore, on the video conferencing screen 470 of the communication terminal 30C operated by User C, the shared image section 471 displaying User A's shared image is displayed larger than the other shared image sections 472 (User B's shared image) and face image sections 473-475. Furthermore, User A's shared image in the shared image section 471 is displayed with its area of ​​interest enlarged. The area of ​​interest is determined based on the enlarged area in Figure 29. According to Figure 29, the enlarged areas for Users A and B are the same (enlargement start position x-axis direction = 0.5, enlargement start position y-axis direction = 0.5, enlargement area width = 0.5, enlargement area height = 0.5), so the area of ​​interest is determined by this enlarged area.

[0237] Furthermore, with an evaluation score of 454 in Figure 28, if the threshold is 2, "User A's shared image" and "User B's shared image" are determined to be the shared images of interest. Therefore, on the video conferencing screen 470 of the communication terminal 30C operated by User C, User A's shared image and User B's shared image fields 471 and 472 are displayed at the same size and are larger than the face image fields 473 to 475. In shared image field 471, User A's shared image is displayed with its area of ​​interest enlarged, and in shared image field 472, User B's shared image is displayed with its area of ​​interest enlarged. The area of ​​interest in shared image field 471 is the same as in Figure 31. In shared image field 472, according to Figure 29, only User A's area of ​​interest is enlarged (enlargement start position x-axis direction = 0.5, enlargement start position y-axis direction = 0, enlargement area width = 0.5, enlargement area height = 0.5), so the area of ​​interest is determined by this enlarged area.

[0238] In this way, even when a single communication terminal 30 displays multiple shared images, and a portion of a large shared image, such as a map, is magnified, making it difficult for the user to determine which area of ​​the shared image to focus on, the communication terminal 30 can magnify and display the area of ​​interest of the shared image it is focusing on. For example, in a safety patrol of a building spanning multiple floors at a construction site, images of each floor are displayed on a single communication terminal 30. Similarly, in the case of construction inspections, images of multiple floors or locations are displayed on a single communication terminal 30. Thus, in situations where multiple similar large images are shared, even if the user does not know which area to focus on, the communication terminal 30 can magnify and display the area of ​​interest of the shared image it is focusing on.

[0239] <Instructions for displaying the area of ​​interest> Figure 32 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which user C displays the area of ​​interest. Two or more communication terminals 30 from among communication terminals 30A to 30C are sharing the shared image.

[0240] S101: User A, who participated in the meeting, inputs an operation to share a shared image into the communication terminal 30A in order to share the document they hold with other users. The reception unit 32 accepts the operation.

[0241] S102: The display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30A operated by user A displays the shared image sent by user A.

[0242] S103: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A operated by user A sends a sharing start request along with the shared image to the information processing system 50.

[0243] S104: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a sharing start request, and the image distribution unit 54 obtains the IP address of the communication terminal 30B, which is in the same virtual room as user A, from the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and transmits the shared image sent by user A via the communication unit 51.

[0244] S105: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B receives the shared image, and the display control unit 33 displays the shared image transmitted by the communication terminal 30A operated by user A.

[0245] S106: Similarly, the image distribution unit 54 obtains the IP address of the communication terminal 30C, which is in the same virtual room as user A, from the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and transmits the shared image sent by user A via the communication unit 51.

[0246] S107: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30C receives the shared image, and the display control unit 33 displays the shared image sent by user A.

[0247] Similarly, shared images provided by user B will also be displayed on communication terminals 30A to 30C operated by users A to C through the same process.

[0248] Next, we will explain how the process works when a shared image is enlarged.

[0249] S111: User B performs an operation on communication terminal 30B to enlarge a shared image sent by user A's communication terminal 30A. This operation may be partial or complete enlargement. The reception unit 32 accepts the enlargement operation.

[0250] S112: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B transmits the magnification operation information to the information processing system 50. In the case of partial magnification, the magnification operation information includes the identification information of the magnified shared image and the magnified area. In the case of full magnification, the magnification operation information includes the identification information of the magnified shared image.

[0251] S113, S114: User C also performed the zoom operation.

[0252] S115: For example, user A presses the attention layout button 406. The reception unit 32 receives the press.

[0253] S116: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A operated by user A sends a request to the information processing system 50 for the shared image and area of ​​interest. The information processing system 50 may, for example, periodically determine the shared image and area of ​​interest to be of interest without a request.

[0254] S117: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives magnification operation information from the communication terminals 30B and 30C. The magnification operation information management unit 61 stores the magnification operation information related to partial magnification in the magnification operation information storage unit 5004. The magnification operation information management unit 61 also stores the frequency of full magnification and partial magnification for each shared image and for each user who performed the magnification operation in the evaluation information storage unit 5003. The magnification operation information management unit 61 may also simply record the number of magnification operations, ignoring the user who performed the magnification operation. The magnification operation information management unit 61 also determines the order in which magnification operations were performed for each shared image and sets a higher score for the operation order 453 the later the order.

[0255] Then, when the communication unit 51 receives a request for a shared image and a region of interest, the image of interest determination unit 62 determines the shared image and region of interest. The method for determining the shared image and region of interest is explained in Figure 31.

[0256] S118: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the shared image and the area of interest to the communication terminal 30A. The communication unit 51 may transmit the identification information of the shared image of interest and the area of interest to the communication terminal 30A.

[0257] S119: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives the shared image and the area of interest, and the display control unit 33 enlarges the shared image column in which the shared image of interest is displayed on the video conference screen more than other shared image columns, and displays the area of interest in the enlarged shared image column.

[0258] S120 - S123: For the communication terminals 30B and 30C, for example, the automatic layout change button 410 is selected, and the shared image and the area of interest to be focused on are automatically transmitted. The display control units 33 of the communication terminals 30B and 30C enlarge the shared image column in which the shared image of interest is displayed on the video conference screen more than other shared image columns, and display the area of interest in the enlarged shared image column. In this way, at least one communication terminal 30 can display the area of interest in the enlarged shared image column.

[0259] <Example of application of the communication system in telemedicine> FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining an example of remote communication in which the communication system 1 is applied to telemedicine. In the description of FIG. 33, mainly the differences from FIG. 1 will be explained. The base A in FIG. 33 is an operating room, but the flow of the processes (1) to (6) may be the same as in FIG. 1. In FIG. 33, the patient is placed on the operating table 355 and undergoes surgery by medical staff such as doctors. The medical staff (corresponding to the user) uses various surgical instruments 354 such as forceps and scalpels to operate on the patient. In addition, the medical staff can wear the smart glasses 88 and transmit the image of the medical staff's surgical field to the communication network N. In addition, various cameras such as an operating room camera 351, a surgical field camera 352, and an endoscope � are arranged in the operating room. All the cameras in the operating room and the smart glasses 88 are associated with the virtual room.

[0260] In the operating room, a main unit 356 for monitoring the patient's vital signs, the operating status of medical devices, etc. is arranged. The main unit 356 corresponds to the communication terminal 30 of the present embodiment. The communication terminal 30 (main unit 356) in the operating room may also have a function of receiving images from the endoscope 353 and the surgical field camera 352 in addition to the functions shown in FIG. 1. The communication terminal 30 can display the received images on the display 306 and can transmit them to the information processing system 50 as images of the base of the communication terminal 30. The operation panel 357 is an input interface for receiving various operations, and medical staff may be able to operate the devices in the operating room via the operation panel 357. Also, the endoscope 353, the surgical field camera 351, and the surgical field camera 352 may communicate directly with the information processing system 50 without going through the communication terminal 30.

[0261] Also, the communication terminal 30 may have a function of an electronic medical record system or may have a function of communicating with an electronic medical record system. The communication terminal 30 may display the information of the electronic medical record on the display 306.

[0262] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 1) 360 for associating an imaging device with a virtual room in the case of telemedicine. In the description of FIG. 34, the differences from FIG. 18 will be mainly described.

[0263] In the case of telemedicine, on the virtual room association screen (part 1) 360, a list of virtual rooms 361 associated with, for example, surgeries and examinations performed remotely is displayed. A medical camera 362 including an omnidirectional camera is associated with the virtual room. The medical camera 362 includes an endoscope, a surgical field camera used for imaging the surgical field in the operating room, a camera for imaging microscopic images, and the like.

[0264] <Main effects> As described above, the communication system 1 of this embodiment determines which shared image to focus on based on the zoom operation when shared images from multiple locations are shared, so that each user can view the shared image that the meeting participants are focusing on. Furthermore, since it determines which area of ​​interest is being focused on within the shared image based on the zoom operation, each user can view the area of ​​interest that the meeting participants are focusing on.

[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, 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.

[0267] 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.

[0268] 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.

[0269] Furthermore, the information processing system 50 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps, such as those shown in Figures 22, 23, 33, and 34, 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.

[0270] <Nature> [Aspect 1] A communication system comprising: multiple communication terminals that display shared images; and an information processing system that can transmit shared images from one communication terminal to another via a network, A first storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image, the first frequency at which a portion of a shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the area displaying the shared image on each communication terminal. It includes a focus image determination unit that determines a shared image to focus on based on the first frequency associated with the shared images, At least one of the communication terminals displays the determined shared image of interest larger than other shared images. Communication system. , Communication system. [Aspect 2] The first memory unit also stores a second frequency in which the overall size of the shared image is enlarged, associated with the identification information of the shared image. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus image for each of the shared images based on evaluation points obtained by evaluating the first frequency and the second frequency. The communication system described in Embodiment 1. [Aspect 3] The first memory unit further stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image, a value obtained by converting the order in which a partial enlargement operation or an overall enlargement operation of the shared image was performed into a larger value for later operations. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus image for each of the shared images based on the evaluation score obtained by evaluating the first frequency, the second frequency, and the value. The communication system described in Embodiment 2. [Aspect 4] The first storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image and the identification information of the user who performed the enlargement operation, whether or not a portion of the shared image was enlarged, and whether or not the overall size of the shared image was enlarged. The first frequency mentioned above is the number of users who are remembered to have performed an enlargement operation on a portion of a shared image. The second frequency mentioned above is the number of users who are remembered to have performed an operation to enlarge the overall size of a shared image. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus image for each of the shared images based on evaluation points obtained by evaluating the first frequency and the second frequency. The communication system described in Embodiment 2. [Aspect 5] The first memory unit stores not whether or not a portion of the shared image has been enlarged, but rather the number of times a portion of the shared image has been enlarged. The aforementioned first frequency is the sum of the number of zoom operations performed on a portion of the shared image across all users. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the shared image to focus on based on the summed value. The communication system described in Embodiment 4. [Aspect 6] It has a second storage unit that stores the enlarged area displayed by enlarging a portion of the shared image, in association with the identification information of the shared image and the identification information of the user who performed the enlargement operation. The target image determination unit determines the attention area of the shared image determined based on the first frequency based on all the enlarged areas associated with the identification information of the user, At least one of the communication terminals displays the determined target shared image larger than other shared images and displays the attention area of the target shared image enlarged, The communication system according to any one of Aspects 2 to 5. [Aspect 7] The target image determination unit compares the evaluation score with a threshold value and determines the shared image having the evaluation score larger than the threshold value as the target shared image to be noted, The communication system according to any one of Aspects 2 to 6. [Aspect 8] The communication terminal displays a setting field for receiving the setting of the threshold value, The target image determination unit, for each communication terminal that has transmitted the received threshold value, compares the evaluation score with the transmitted threshold value, transmits the identification information of the target shared image determined for each communication terminal to the communication terminal that has transmitted the threshold value. The communication system according to Aspect 7.

Explanation of Signs

[0271] 1 Communication system 10 Imaging device 30 Communication terminal 50 Information processing system

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0272]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: multiple communication terminals that display shared images; and an information processing system that can transmit shared images from one communication terminal to another via a network, A first storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image, the first frequency at which a portion of a shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the area displaying the shared image on each communication terminal. It includes a focus image determination unit that determines a shared image to focus on based on the first frequency associated with the shared images, At least one of the communication terminals displays the determined shared image of interest larger than other shared images. Communication system.

2. The first memory unit also stores a second frequency in which the overall size of the shared image is enlarged, associated with the identification information of the shared image. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus image for each of the shared images based on evaluation points obtained by evaluating the first frequency and the second frequency. The communication system according to claim 1.

3. The first memory unit further stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image, a value obtained by converting the order in which a partial enlargement operation or an overall enlargement operation of the shared image was performed into a larger value for later operations. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus image for each of the shared images based on the evaluation score obtained by evaluating the first frequency, the second frequency, and the value. The communication system according to claim 2.

4. The first storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image and the identification information of the user who performed the enlargement operation, whether or not a portion of the shared image was enlarged, and whether or not the overall size of the shared image was enlarged. The first frequency mentioned above is the number of users who are remembered to have performed an enlargement operation on a portion of a shared image. The second frequency mentioned above is the number of users who are remembered to have performed an operation to enlarge the overall size of a shared image. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus image for each of the shared images based on evaluation points obtained by evaluating the first frequency and the second frequency. The communication system according to claim 2.

5. The first memory unit stores not whether or not a portion of the shared image has been enlarged, but rather the number of times a portion of the shared image has been enlarged. The aforementioned first frequency is the sum of the number of zoom operations performed on a portion of the shared image across all users. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the shared image to focus on based on the summed value. The communication system according to claim 4.

6. It has a second storage unit that stores the enlarged area displayed by enlarging a portion of the shared image, in association with the identification information of the shared image and the identification information of the user who performed the enlargement operation. The aforementioned focus image determination unit determines the focus region of the shared image determined based on the first frequency, based on all the enlarged regions associated with the user's identification information. At least one of the communication terminals displays the determined shared image of interest larger than other shared images, and also displays the area of ​​interest of the shared image of interest enlarged. A communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. The aforementioned focus image determination unit compares the evaluation score with a threshold and determines the shared image having an evaluation score greater than the threshold as the focus image. The communication system according to claim 2.

8. The aforementioned communication terminal displays a setting field for accepting the setting of the threshold, The aforementioned image determination unit, for each communication terminal that has received and transmitted the threshold value, The evaluation score is compared with the transmitted threshold, The identification information of the shared image of interest, determined for each communication terminal, is transmitted to the communication terminal that transmitted the threshold. The communication system according to claim 7.

9. An information processing system that can transmit a shared image from one communication terminal displaying the shared image to another communication terminal displaying the shared image via a network, A first storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image, the first frequency at which a portion of a shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the area displaying the shared image on each communication terminal. A focus image determination unit that determines a shared image to focus on based on the first frequency associated with the shared images, A communication unit that transmits the selected shared image of interest to at least one communication terminal, An information processing system having [a certain feature].

10. An image display method performed by a communication system having multiple communication terminals that display shared images, and an information processing system that can transmit shared images from one communication terminal to another communication terminal via a network, The first storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the shared image, the first frequency at which a portion of a shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the field displaying the shared image on each communication terminal. The process of determining the shared image of interest in the focus image determination unit is based on the first frequency associated with the shared images, At least one of the communication terminals performs the process of displaying the determined shared image of interest larger than other shared images, An image display method having the following characteristics.

11. An information processing system that can transmit a shared image from one communication terminal displaying the shared image to another communication terminal displaying the shared image via a network, By referring to a first storage unit that stores the first frequency at which a portion of a shared image is enlarged without changing the size of the field for displaying the shared image on each communication terminal, in association with the identification information of the shared image, A focus image determination unit that determines a shared image to focus on based on the first frequency associated with the shared images, A communication unit that transmits the selected shared image of interest to at least one communication terminal. A program designed to function as such.

Images