Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To solve a problem in which, when an imaging device captures an image with a wide field of view, adjustments are made to the exposure, white balance, ISO sensitivity, etc. across the entire wide field of view, such that when a user views a specified area image, which is a specified area of the wide field of view image obtained by capturing an image, the image quality is not necessarily optimized.SOLUTION: A display terminal includes a display control unit that causes a specific area image to be displayed on a display unit by acquiring a wide-field-of-view image having a wide range of viewing angles captured by an imaging device and displays a specific area image that is a specific area in the wide-field-of-view image, and a parameter transmission unit that transmits shooting parameters for optimizing the image quality of the specific area image displayed on the display unit such that the imaging device can receive the shooting parameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure provides: Information processing system, information processing method, and programs. [Background technology]

[0002] Wide-field images (hereinafter referred to as "wide-field images") with a wide viewing angle captured in a wide imaging range including, for example, a 360-degree image (also called a spherical image, omnidirectional image, or panoramic image) capturing an entire 360-degree surrounding area as an imaging range that includes areas that cannot be fully seen with a normal angle of view are known. These wide-field images are generated by capturing images of subjects, scenery, etc. using an omnidirectional imaging camera.

[0003] Furthermore, when a user views a wide-field image, the entire image appears curved, so it is possible to view a predetermined area that is part of the wide-field image by displaying it on a display (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when an imaging device captures an image with a wide field of view, the imaging device adjusts the exposure, white balance, ISO sensitivity, etc. uniformly across the entire wide field of view. Therefore, when a user views a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area of ​​the wide field of view image, a problem arises in that the image of this predetermined area is not necessarily of appropriate image quality.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to optimize the image quality of a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area in a wide-field image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is An information processing system that receives a wide-field-of-view image having a wide range of viewing angles captured by an imaging device and distributes the image to a display terminal, the information processing system comprising: an information receiving unit that receives viewpoint information transmitted from the display terminal for specifying a predetermined area displayed on a display unit in the wide-field-of-view image; a parameter transmitting unit that transmits to the imaging device shooting parameters for optimizing image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field-of-view image; and a parameter generating unit that determines whether the image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field-of-view image is appropriate, and generates the shooting parameters if the image quality is not appropriate, and the parameter transmitting unit transmits the generated shooting parameters. is. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the present invention has the effect of optimizing the image quality of a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area in a wide-field image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of remote communication using a wide-field image. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a communication terminal and an information processing system. [Figure 5] 1A is a left side view of the imaging device, FIG. 1B is a front view of the imaging device, and FIG. 1C is a plan view of the imaging device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the imaging device in use. [Figure 7] (a) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (front) captured by an imaging device, (b) is a hemispherical image (back) captured by an imaging device, and (c) is a diagram showing an image represented by equirectangular projection. [Figure 8] (a) is a conceptual diagram showing how a sphere is covered with an equirectangular projection image, and (b) is a diagram showing a spherical image. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined area when the celestial sphere image is a three-dimensional sphere. [Figure 10] (a) is a three-dimensional oblique view of Figure 5, (b) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (a) displayed on the display, (c) is a diagram showing the predetermined area after changing the viewpoint of the virtual camera IC in (a), and (d) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (c) displayed on the display. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between predetermined area information and an image of a predetermined area T. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates points in three-dimensional Euclidean space in spherical coordinates. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a communication system. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are conceptual diagrams showing image management information stored in an image management information storage unit. [Figure 15] 1A is a conceptual diagram showing virtual room information stored in a virtual room information storage unit, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing tenant information stored in a tenant information storage unit. [Figure 16] 1A is a diagram showing an example of an entry screen, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of an image viewing screen displayed by a communication terminal when a user enters a virtual room. [Figure 17] 10 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which a user (or a communication terminal) enters a virtual room. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device registration screen displayed on the communication terminal. [Figure 19] 10A is a diagram showing an example of an imaging device registration dialogue, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional code screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a VR goggle registration screen that is displayed when a VR goggle registration button is pressed. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 1) for associating an imaging device with a virtual room. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 2). [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen (part 3). [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wide-field image transmission start / stop dialogue displayed by the communication terminal. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure in which a user registers an imaging device in a virtual room. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a flow in which a wide-field image is shared. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a shooting function setting screen. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process (part 1) for adjusting the photographing function. [Figure 29]10A is a diagram showing a wide-field image (spherical image), FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a predetermined area image of a predetermined area T1, and FIG. 10C is a diagram showing the predetermined area image after adjusting the shooting settings. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process (part 2) for adjusting the photographing function. [Figure 31] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of remote communication in which the communication system is applied to telemedicine. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen for associating an imaging device with a virtual room in the case of remote medical care. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An information processing system and an image transmission method performed by the information processing system will be described below as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] <An example of remote communication> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of remote communication using a wide-field image. In Fig. 1, three locations A to C are communicating via an information processing system 50. The number of locations is merely an example, and may be two locations, four locations, or more.

[0011] As an example, site A is a construction site. Sites B and C can be anywhere, such as an office, as long as they are capable of transmitting wide-field images. Site A is provided with an imaging device 10 capable of capturing an image of a subject, for example, to generate a wide-field image known as a celestial sphere image or a wide-angle image of the surroundings, such as 180 to 360 degrees in the vertical or horizontal directions. Hereinafter, such a wide-angle image will be simply referred to as a "wide-field image." Sites A to C are provided with various communication terminals 30A to 30C for viewing the wide-field images. Hereinafter, any of communication terminals 30A to 30C will be referred to as a "communication terminal 30."

[0012] At a construction site, various construction works are being carried out by workers at each location, and while an imaging device captures the entire construction site to generate a wide-field image that captures the entire construction site, if there is a construction or work that users at each of bases A to C want to focus on, each user a to c at bases A to C can arbitrarily change the virtual viewpoint to check it. In this case, the viewpoint is the center position or range of a predetermined area of ​​the entire wide-field image that is displayed on a display screen such as a monitor.

[0013] The imaging device 10 is attached to a tripod 86 or an arm 85 via a gimbal 87. A relay device (in FIG. 1, the communication terminal 30A also serves as the relay device) is installed at the construction site, and the communication terminal 30A transmits wide-field images received from the imaging device 10 via wired or wireless communication to the information processing system 50. The communication terminal 30A can also serve as a terminal for viewing wide-field images. A camera 9 is connected to (or may be built-in to) the communication terminal 30, and images with a normal angle of view captured by the camera 9 (which may be capable of capturing omnidirectional images) can also be transmitted to the information processing system 50. In addition, a user a (e.g., a worker) can wear smart glasses 88, and images with a normal angle of view (which may be capable of capturing omnidirectional images) captured by the smart glasses 88 may be transmitted to the information processing system 50. The smart glasses 88 are an information terminal that displays information acquired via the Internet on a display while maintaining a field of view. The smart glasses 88 may be installed at any base.

[0014] On the other hand, at site B, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or the like is placed as an example of a communication terminal 30B. The communication terminal 30B may be any device that can communicate with the information processing system 50, and may also be a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an electronic whiteboard, a projector, or the like. A camera may be built into or connected to the communication terminal 30B.

[0015] Furthermore, at site C, a PC, a smartphone, VR (Virtual Reality) goggles 89, or the like are placed as examples of communication terminals 30C. In FIG. 1, a camera 8 is built into or connected to the communication terminal 30C. The VR goggles 89 are information terminals that display an artificial world on a computer or a 360-degree image in accordance with the direction of neck or body movement. The VR goggles 89 may be a smartphone with VR goggles attached, such as a Hakosco (a VR scope with a cardboard body and plastic lenses that can be easily assembled and connected to a smartphone to enjoy VR). The camera 8 may be a wide-angle or normal-angle camera. The communication terminal 30C may be any device capable of communicating with the information processing system 50, such as a tablet terminal, PDA, electronic whiteboard, or projector. The VR goggles 89 may be placed at any site.

[0016] In this embodiment, communication between the imaging device 10 and each communication terminal 30 is 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 view the wide-field image by entering the virtual room and receiving the wide-field image transmitted by the imaging device 10. Smart glasses 88 and VR goggles 89 can also be associated with the virtual room. The cameras 8 and 9 enter the virtual room in the same way as the communication terminal 30.

[0017] Users a to c at locations A to C can arbitrarily change the viewpoint of the wide-field image on their respective communication terminals 30. This creates the possibility that users a to c viewing the wide-field image in real time may be viewing different viewpoints, which could make communication difficult. Therefore, in this embodiment, information about a virtual viewpoint set in a communication terminal 30 at a location can be shared with communication terminals 30 at other locations. An overview of sharing will be explained below. For the sake of explanation, the following illustrates a case where a viewpoint specified by user b at location B is shared with users a and c at locations A and C.

[0018] (1) Communication terminals 30A to 30C share a wide-field-of-view image (an example of a first wide-field-of-view image) generated by imaging device 10. When user b requests a wide-field-of-view image while viewing from an arbitrary viewpoint on communication terminal 30B, communication terminal 30B (an example of a first communication terminal) transmits viewpoint information and an imaging request to 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 capture an image (either a still image or a moving image).

[0020] (3) The imaging device 10 captures an image in response to an imaging request, and stores the wide-field image (an example of a second wide-field image) and viewpoint information in association with a URL (an example of storage location information; in FIG. 1, this shows the storage location on storage 90) notified by the information processing system 50. The wide-field image stored in storage 90 can be downloaded and displayed by any communication terminal 30.

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

[0022] (5) Furthermore, the information processing system 50 automatically or in response to a request from user b transmits the URL to the communication terminals 30A and 30C (an example of a second communication terminal) currently in the same virtual room.

[0023] (6) The communication terminals 30A and 30C access the URL to receive the viewpoint information and the wide-field image, and then display the wide-field image identified by the viewpoint information by setting the viewpoint of the image to coincide with the center of the image field. Note that the viewpoint does not need to be perfectly centered, and the viewpoint may be set to be within a range near the center of the image field.

[0024] The same applies when the viewpoint of user a at site A is shared with users at sites B and C, and when the viewpoint of user a at site C is shared with users at sites A and B.

[0025] As described above, in the communication system 1a of this embodiment, even when a wide-field image is distributed, viewpoint information is shared without the need to instruct users to move their viewpoint relative to the wide-field image generated by capturing an image so that the specific area that each location focused on is displayed, making it easier for users to communicate their intentions.

[0026] It is also possible that the imaging device 10 transmits the wide-field image itself to the information processing system 50 in (3), and the information processing system 50 transmits the wide-field image to the communication terminals 30A to 30C in (4).

[0027] Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the imaging device 10 is installed at a construction site, this embodiment can also be applied to VR education, event distribution, remote customer service, remote medical care, and the like. In VR education, the imaging device 10 is installed at an on-site base such as a laboratory, allowing students to freely change their viewpoint from a remote base and view the blackboard, equipment, samples, experiment results, and the like. In event distribution, the imaging device 10 is installed at the event venue, allowing event participants such as spectators to freely change their viewpoint online from a remote base and view the venue. The venue includes footage of subjects such as performers, contestants, presenters, products and exhibits explained at the event, footage of materials explained at the event, and footage of the venue's condition. The event venue may be indoors or outdoors, including venues for sports, concerts, plays, and the like. In remote customer service, for example, when applied to travel agency customer service, the imaging device 10 is installed at the travel destination, allowing customers to freely change their viewpoint from a remote base and plan their itinerary. In telemedicine, the imaging device 10 is placed in a medical setting such as an operating room, and doctors, students, medical equipment personnel, etc. can change their viewpoint at will from a remote location and view the actions of doctors and nurses performing medical procedures at the medical setting, the placement of instruments, the patient's condition, vital signs, etc.

[0028] The locations where images are captured are not limited to these, but can also be schools, factories, warehouses, construction sites, server rooms, or stores, or any other space where a user (viewer) at the viewing location needs to understand the situation at a remote location.

[0029] <Terminology> A tenant refers to a group of users linked to a contract unit when signing a contract to receive an image distribution service from a service provider (an information processing system in this embodiment), and is a company, organization, individual, etc. that has signed the contract. Therefore, a tenant can also be referred to as a user group. As an example, a user belongs to a tenant, but an individual user may also subscribe to the service. In addition to users, imaging devices, virtual rooms, etc. are registered in a tenant (user group).

[0030] A base refers to a location that is the base of activities. In this embodiment, a conference room is used as an example of a base. A conference room is a room that is set up primarily for use in meetings. A conference is also called a get-together, a meeting, a consultation, a gathering, a get-together, a get-together, or the like.

[0031] The device refers to a device other than a general-purpose communication terminal 30 such as a PC or a smartphone, and is an imaging device or a device for viewing wide-field images. In this embodiment, examples of the device include the imaging device 10, smart glasses 88, and VR goggles 89.

[0032] The viewpoint information is parameter information that specifies which predetermined area of ​​the wide-field-of-view image to display on the display screen of the display. In this embodiment, the "radius", "polar angle", and "azimuth angle" corresponding to the center of the wide-field-of-view image displayed on the display screen of the display are described as examples of viewpoint information, but the viewpoint may be specified by other parameter information such as the coordinates of the diagonal vertices.

[0033] A wide-field-of-view image refers to an image with a wide viewing angle that is wider than the display range that can be displayed at one time on the display screen (the area where the wide-field image is displayed) of a display using a specified display method. A wide-field-of-view image has a display range of up to 360 degrees (or 180 degrees) vertically and 360 degrees horizontally. However, even if the display range is less than 360 degrees vertically or horizontally, an image with a wide viewing angle that is wider than the display range that can be displayed at one time is included in the wide-field-of-view image. Also included in the wide-field-of-view image are images with a display range of 160 degrees or more vertically and horizontally. For example, an image with a display range wider than the range that a human can see at one time is also included in the wide-field-of-view image. Note that even if an image can be displayed at one time on the display screen of a display using a certain display method, it can be included in the wide-field-of-view image if it has a wide viewing angle when switched or changed to a specified display method. In this embodiment, an equirectangular omnidirectional image will be described as an example of a wide-field image, but omnidirectional images, hemispherical images, 3D panoramic images, 2D panoramic images, and VR images are also included in the wide-field image. The wide-field image may be, for example, an image in a cube mapping format or a dome master format. Furthermore, the omnidirectional image may be in a format other than the equirectangular format.

[0034] An image captured at a normal angle of view is not a wide-field image, but in this embodiment, it will be described as an image that is not a wide-field image (planar image).

[0035] A communication group is a group of users who share (distribute) wide-field images. In a normal space, a communication group is described as a virtual room, in the sense that wide-field images can be shared by each user when they are in the same room. Here, "virtual" means that it is realized by information processing via a network.

[0036] Users at each location communicate remotely with each other. Remote communication is a meeting held at a remote location. A meeting is when people get together for consultation, discussion, etc. Meetings can take various forms, such as customer service, conferences, meetings, consultations, study sessions, classes, seminars, and presentations. Communication does not necessarily have to be two-way. Therefore, a virtual room can also be called a virtual conference room.

[0037] <Example of communication system configuration> FIG. 2 is an example of a schematic diagram of a communication system 1a. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the communication system 1a of FIG. 2 is applied to remote communication with a site. The communication system 1a is a system for bidirectionally transmitting and receiving wide-field images and normal-angle images captured by an imaging device 10 between multiple bases, and is a system in which images distributed from one base are displayed at other bases, allowing users at the other bases to view the images. Note that as an example of a wide-field image, a spherical image captured by the imaging device 10 is distributed. The communication system 1a, for example, allows a wide-field image captured at a specific base to be viewed at another base in a remote location.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, in the communication system 1a, an imaging device 10, a communication terminal 30A, an information processing system 50, and communication terminals 30B and 30C, each located at a plurality of locations (locations B and C), are communicatively connected to each other.

[0039] If the imaging device 10 has a communication function that allows it to connect directly to the communication network N, the communication terminal 30A 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 the site A, the communication terminal 30A also functions as a relay device, and user a can view the wide-field image in the same way as communication terminals 30B and 30C. Note that an imaging device 10 may be located at a site other than the site A, or multiple imaging devices 10 may be located at the site A.

[0040] Each communication terminal 30 and the information processing system 50 can communicate via a communication network N. The communication network N is constructed by the Internet, a mobile communication network, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. Note that the communication network N may include not only wired communication networks 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).

[0041] As will be described later, imaging device 10 is a digital camera that can capture an object, a landscape, or the like, obtain two original hemispherical images, and generate one omnidirectional image. The wide-field image obtained by imaging device 10 may be a moving image, a still image, or both a moving image and a still image. The captured image may also be a video that includes audio along with the image.

[0042] 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 the local location, wide-field images (still images or videos) distributed from other locations, and images with a normal angle of view. The communication terminal 30 acquires wide-field images captured by the imaging device 10, for example, via a communication network N. Software for performing image processing, such as OpenGL ES, is installed on the communication terminal 30, enabling image display based on viewpoint information that identifies a partial region of the wide-field image. Note that OpenGL ES is an example of software for performing image processing, and other software may also be used. Even if software for performing image processing is not installed, image processing may be performed using software received from outside, or image display may be performed by receiving the results of image processing performed by external software. In other words, the communication terminal 30 is capable of displaying a predetermined partial region of the wide-field image.

[0043] Communication terminal 30 can arbitrarily change the viewpoint relative to the display range of the wide-field image in response to user operation. Communication terminal 30 can change and display the field of view range (predetermined area) based on viewpoint information corresponding to the viewpoint after the movement by moving the virtual viewpoint in response to user operation input (including key input, dragging, scrolling, etc.) on a touch panel, directional buttons, mouse, keyboard, touchpad, etc. Furthermore, if communication terminal 30 is a communication terminal worn by a user, such as VR goggles, it may detect posture information of communication terminal 30 changed in response to changes in the movement of the wearing user, and move the virtual viewpoint in response to the detected posture information, thereby changing and displaying the field of view range (predetermined area) based on viewpoint information corresponding to the viewpoint after the movement.

[0044] The communication terminal 30A distributes wide-field images acquired from the imaging device 10 via a wired cable such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable connected to the input / output I / F 116 (described later) to the 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 installed at location A.

[0045] A user at site A may wear smart glasses 88, and the smart glasses 88 may connect to the communication network N. In this case, 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 the images to the communication terminals 30 at each site.

[0046] Communication terminal 30B is located at location B where user b is present, and communication terminal 30C is located at location C where user c is present. A plurality of communication terminals 30B and 30C may be located at locations B and C. Note that communication terminal 30B and communication terminal 30C may be carried by user b and user c, respectively.

[0047] The communication terminals 30A to 30C at the locations A to C can have built-in or external cameras 8, 9 as imaging units, and the communication terminals 30A to 30C can distribute images of their own locations captured by their own cameras 8, 9 to other locations. Any devices may be placed at the locations A to C.

[0048] The arrangement of the terminals and devices (communication terminal 30 and imaging device) and users shown in Figure 2 is an example, and other examples may be used. Furthermore, communication terminal 30 is not limited to a PC, and may be, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a PDA, a wearable device (including smart glasses and VR goggles), a PJ (Projector), an electronic whiteboard (a whiteboard with electronic blackboard functionality that allows intercommunication), or an autonomous robot. Communication terminal 30 may be any computer on which a web browser or an application dedicated to an image distribution service runs.

[0049] Furthermore, if the imaging device 10 has a display, it may be configured to display images distributed from other locations.

[0050] The information processing system 50 has one or more information processing devices. The information processing system 50 manages and controls communications between the imaging devices 10 and communication terminals 30 at each location, and manages the wide-field images sent 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, through a contract. Hereinafter, to distinguish from tenants who receive image distribution services, service providers who use the contracted platform to provide image distribution services to users will be referred to as platform contractors.

[0051] For this reason, the information processing system 50 may publish an API (Application Programming Interface) as a platform, so that platform subscribers can use this API to provide various image distribution services. Platform subscribers only need to develop software such as applications that mainly perform screens displayed by the communication terminal 30 and call APIs, and do not need to develop functions provided by the API, such as image distribution, from scratch.

[0052] The information processing system 50 may be constructed by a single computer, or may be constructed by multiple computers to which each unit (function or means) is divided and arbitrarily assigned. In addition, all or part of the functions of the information processing system 50 may be a server computer existing in a cloud environment or a server computer existing in an on-premise environment.

[0053] The storage 90 is a storage device that stores data such as wide-field images. The storage 90 may be an external storage separate from the information processing system 50 (which may be a storage located on a cloud or on-premise), or may be a storage included in the information processing system 50.

[0054] <Hardware configuration example> Next, the hardware configuration of each device or terminal included in the image communication system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Note that components may be added or deleted from the hardware configurations shown in Figures 3 and 4 as needed.

[0055] <<Hardware configuration of imaging device>> First, the hardware configuration of the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the imaging device 10. In the following, the imaging device 10 is assumed to be an omnidirectional (omnidirectional) imaging device using two imaging elements, but the imaging element may be one, two, or more. Furthermore, the imaging device does not necessarily have to be a device dedicated to omnidirectional imaging; an omnidirectional imaging unit may be attached to a regular digital camera, smartphone, or the like to have substantially the same functions as the imaging device 10.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 10 is composed of an imaging unit 101, an image processing unit 104, an imaging control unit 105, a microphone 108, a sound processing unit 109, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 113, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 114, an operation unit 115, an input / output I / F 116, a short-range communication circuit 117, an antenna 117a of the short-range communication circuit 117, an electronic compass 118, a gyro sensor 119, an acceleration sensor 120, and a network I / F 121.

[0057] Of these, imaging unit 101 includes wide-angle lens covers 102a and 102b (hereinafter referred to as lens covers 102 when no distinction is necessary) capable of capturing an image with a field angle of 180° or more to form a hemispherical image, and two image sensors 103a and 103b provided corresponding to each lens cover 102a and 102b. Furthermore, lens units 106a and 106b and mechanical shutters 107a and 107b are provided inside imaging device 10 from lens covers 102a and 102b, respectively, in that order from the outside toward image sensors 103a and 103b. These allow adjustment of shutter speed, focus, and the like. Note that electronic shutters may be used instead of mechanical shutters 107a and 107b.

[0058] Furthermore, the imaging elements 103a, 103b include an image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor that converts optical images captured by the lenses 102a, 102b, etc. into image data in the form of electrical signals and outputs the image data, a timing generation circuit that generates horizontal or vertical synchronization signals and pixel clocks for the image sensors, and a group of registers in which various commands or parameters required for the operation of the imaging elements are set. Note that the configuration in which the imaging unit 101 has two wide-angle lenses is merely an example, and the imaging unit 101 may have only one, or three or more.

[0059] The imaging elements 103a and 103b of the imaging unit 101 are each connected to the image processing unit 104 via a parallel I / F bus. On the other hand, the imaging elements 103a and 103b of the imaging unit 101 are each connected to the imaging control unit 105 via a serial I / F bus (such as an I2C bus).

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

[0061] The image processing unit 104 takes in the image data output from the image sensors 103a and 103b via a parallel I / F bus, performs predetermined processing on each piece of image data, and then synthesizes the image data to create data for an equirectangular projection image (an example of a wide-field image), which will be described later.

[0062] The imaging control unit 105 generally sets commands and the like in the registers of the imaging elements 103a and 103b using an I2C bus, with the imaging control unit 105 acting as a master device and the imaging elements 103a and 103b acting as slave devices. Necessary commands and the like are received from the CPU 111. The imaging control unit 105 also controls the driving of the lens units 106a and 106b and the mechanical shutters 307a and 307b (electronic shutters). The imaging control unit 105 also uses the I2C bus to retrieve status data and the like from the registers of the imaging elements 103a and 103b and send it to the CPU 111.

[0063] Furthermore, the imaging control unit 105 instructs the imaging elements 103a and 103b to output image data when the shutter button of the operation unit 115 is pressed. Some imaging devices 10 have a preview display function or a function for displaying moving images on a display (for example, a display of an external terminal such as a smartphone that performs short-range communication with the imaging device 10 using the short-range communication circuit 117). In this case, the image data is output continuously from the imaging elements 103a and 103b at a predetermined frame rate (frames / minute).

[0064] As will be described later, the imaging control unit 105 also functions as a synchronization control means that cooperates with the CPU 111 to synchronize the output timing of image data from the imaging elements 103a and 103b. 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 receives the sound data output from the microphone 108 via an I / F bus and performs predetermined processing on the sound data.

[0065] The CPU 111 controls the overall operation of the imaging device 10 and executes necessary processing. The ROM 112 stores various programs for the CPU 111. The SRAM 113 and DRAM 114 are work memories that store programs executed by the CPU 111, data in the middle of processing, etc. In particular, the DRAM 114 stores image data in the middle of processing by the image processing unit 104 and data of processed equirectangular projection images.

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

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

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

[0069] The electronic compass 118 calculates the direction of the image capture device 10 from the Earth's magnetism and outputs direction information. This direction information is an example of related information (metadata) according to Exif, and is used for image processing such as image correction of the captured image. The related information also includes data such as the image capture date and time and the data size of the image data.

[0070] The gyro sensor 119 is a sensor that detects changes in angle (roll angle, pitch angle, yaw angle) that accompany the movement of the image capture 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.

[0071] The acceleration sensor 120 is a sensor that detects acceleration in three axial directions. The imaging device 10 calculates the attitude (angle with respect to the direction of gravity) of the imaging device 10 itself (the imaging device 10) based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 120. By providing the imaging device 10 with the acceleration sensor 120, the accuracy of image correction is improved.

[0072] The network I / F 121 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network N such as the Internet via a router or the like. Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the imaging device 10 is not limited to that shown here, and any hardware may be used as long as it can realize the functional configuration of the imaging device 10. Furthermore, at least a part of the above hardware configuration may be present on the communication network N.

[0073] <<Hardware configuration of communication terminal>> 4 is a diagram showing 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 reference numerals in the 300 series. The communication terminal 30 is constructed by a computer, and as shown in FIG. 4, includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an HDD (Hard Disk) 304, an HDD controller 305, a display 306, an external device connection I / F 308, a network I / F 309, a bus line 310, a keyboard 311, a pointing device 312, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 314, a media I / F 316, an audio input / output I / F 317, a microphone 318, a speaker 319, a short-range communication circuit 320, and a camera 321.

[0074] Of these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the communication terminal 30. The ROM 302 stores programs, such as an IPL, used to drive the CPU 301. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The HDD 304 stores various data, such as programs and data. The HDD controller 305 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HDD 304 under the control of the CPU 301. The display 306 displays various information, such as a cursor, 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, the external device is, for example, a USB memory or a printer. The network I / F 309 is an interface for data communication using the communication network N. The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like, for electrically connecting the components, such as the CPU 301, shown in FIG. 4. The HDD 304 and the HDD controller 305 are examples of storage that stores programs, data, etc., and may be an SSD (Solid State Drive) and an SSD controller, respectively.

[0075] The keyboard 311 is a type of input means having 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 a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. Note that the input means may be not only the keyboard 311 and the pointing device 312, but also a touch panel, a voice input device, etc. The DVD-RW drive 314 controls reading and writing of various data from and to a 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 (registered trademark) Disc. The media I / F 316 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 315 such as a flash memory. The microphone 318 is a type of built-in sound collection means for inputting audio. The audio input / output I / F 317 is a circuit that processes input and output of audio signals between the microphone 318 and a speaker 319 under the control of the CPU 301. The short-range communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit for communicating with an external terminal (device) by 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 do not have to be built into the communication terminal 30, but may be external devices.

[0076] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the communication terminal 30 is not limited to that shown here, and may be anything that can realize the functional configuration of the communication terminal 30. Furthermore, at least a part of the above hardware configuration may be present on the network N.

[0077] <<Hardware configuration of information processing system>> As shown in Fig. 4, each hardware component of the information processing system 50 is indicated by a reference number in the 500 range in parentheses. The information processing system 50 is constructed using a computer, and as shown in Fig. 4, has the same configuration as the communication terminal 30, and therefore a description of each hardware component will be omitted.

[0078] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the information processing system 50 is not limited to that shown here, and any hardware configuration may be used as long as it can realize the functional configuration of the information processing system 50. Furthermore, at least a part of the above hardware configuration may exist on a network.

[0079] Each of the above programs may be recorded as an installable or executable file on a computer-readable recording medium and distributed. Examples of the recording medium include a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), an SD card, and a USB memory. The recording medium may 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 by executing the program according to the present invention.

[0080] <Wide-field images and viewpoint information> A method for generating a wide-field image (spherical image) will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0081] First, the appearance of the imaging device 10 will be described using Fig. 5. The imaging device 10 is a digital camera for obtaining captured images that serve as the basis for spherical (360°) images. Fig. 5(a) is a left side view of the imaging device, Fig. 5(b) is a front view of the imaging device, and Fig. 5(c) is a plan view of the imaging device. This external view is merely one example of the imaging device 10, and other appearances may also be used.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the imaging device 10 is sized to be held in one hand, but this shape is merely an example and other shapes may be used. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c), an imaging element 103a is provided on the front side (front side) of the upper portion of the imaging device 10, and an imaging element 103b is provided on the rear side (rear side). These imaging elements (image sensors) 103a and 103b are used in conjunction with optical components (e.g., lenses 102a and 102b, described below) capable of capturing hemispherical images (with a field angle of 180° or more). Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), an operation unit 115, such as a shutter button, is provided on the side of the imaging device 10 opposite the front side. As described above, the imaging device 10 may have only one imaging element, or three or more imaging elements.

[0083] Next, the usage of the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an image diagram of the imaging device in use. As shown in Fig. 6, the imaging device 10 is used, for example, to capture an image of a subject around the imaging device 10. In this case, two hemispherical images can be obtained by capturing images of the subject around the imaging device 10 using the imaging element 103a and the imaging element 103b shown in Fig. 5, respectively.

[0084] Next, an outline of processing until a celestial sphere image is created from an image captured by the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. Fig. 7(a) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (front side) captured by the imaging device, Fig. 7(b) is a diagram showing a hemispherical image (rear side) captured by the imaging device, and Fig. 7(c) is a diagram showing an image expressed by equirectangular projection (hereinafter referred to as "equirectangular projection image"). Fig. 8(a) is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a sphere is covered with an equirectangular projection image, and Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing a celestial sphere image. The "equirectangular projection image" is an equirectangular celestial sphere image as an example of the wide-field image described above.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 7(a), the image obtained by the image sensor 103a becomes a hemispherical image (front side) curved by a lens 102a (described later). Also, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the image obtained by the image sensor 103b becomes a hemispherical image (rear side) curved by a lens 102b (described later). Then, the image capturing device 10 combines the hemispherical image (front side) and the hemispherical image (rear side) flipped 180 degrees to create an equirectangular projection image EC as shown in Fig. 7(c).

[0086] The imaging device 10 then uses software such as OpenGL ES (Open Graphics Library for Embedded Systems) to apply an equirectangular projection image EC to cover the spherical surface as shown in FIG. 8( a), thereby creating a celestial sphere image (celestial sphere panoramic image) CE as shown in FIG. 8( b). In this way, the celestial sphere image CE is represented as an image in which the equirectangular projection image EC faces the center of the sphere. OpenGL ES is a graphics library used to visualize 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) data. OpenGL ES is merely an example of software that performs image processing, and the celestial sphere image CE may be created by other software. The celestial sphere image CE may be a still image or a video. While the imaging device 10 has been described as generating a celestial sphere image as an example, similar image processing or part of the image processing steps may be performed by the information processing system 50 or the communication terminal 30.

[0087] As described above, the spherical image CE is an image pasted to cover the spherical surface, which gives a sense of incongruity to people when they view it. Therefore, by displaying a predetermined region T (hereinafter referred to as a "predetermined region image") of the spherical image CE as a planar image with little curvature in the imaging device 10 or the communication terminal 30, it is possible to display the image in a way that does not give a sense of incongruity to people. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0088] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the positions of a virtual camera and a predetermined area when a celestial sphere image is a three-dimensional sphere. The virtual camera IC corresponds to the position of a virtual viewpoint of a user viewing a celestial sphere image CE displayed as a three-dimensional sphere. In Fig. 10, (a) is a three-dimensional perspective view of Fig. 9, (b) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (a) displayed on a display, (c) is a diagram showing the predetermined area after the viewpoint of the virtual camera IC in (a) is changed, and (d) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image in the state of (c) displayed on a display.

[0089] If the celestial sphere image CE generated in this manner is a three-dimensional sphere CS, the virtual camera IC is located inside the celestial sphere image CE as shown in FIG. 9. A predetermined region T in the celestial sphere image CE is an imaging region of the virtual camera IC, and is specified by predetermined region information indicating the imaging direction and angle of view of the virtual camera IC in a three-dimensional virtual space including the celestial sphere image CE. Zooming of the predetermined region T can also be expressed by moving the virtual camera IC closer to or farther away from the celestial sphere image CE. A predetermined region image Q is an image of the predetermined region T in the celestial sphere image CE. Therefore, the predetermined region T can be specified by the angle of view α and the distance f from the virtual camera IC to the celestial sphere image CE (see FIG. 11).

[0090] The predetermined area image Q shown in FIG. 10(a) is then displayed on a predetermined display as an image of the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC, as shown in FIG. 10(b). The image shown in FIG. 10(b) is a predetermined area image represented by the initial (default) predetermined area information. The following explanation will be given using the imaging direction (ea, aa) and angle of view (α) of the virtual camera IC. Note that the predetermined area T may be represented by the position coordinates (X, Y, Z) of the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC, which is the predetermined area T, instead of the angle of view α and the distance f.

[0091] 10(c), when the virtual viewpoint of the virtual camera IC is moved (also referred to as "changed") to the right (left as viewed in the drawing) from the state of Fig. 10(a), the predetermined area T in the omnidirectional image CE is moved to the predetermined area T' accordingly, and the predetermined area image Q displayed on the predetermined display is changed to the predetermined area image Q'. As a result, the image shown in Fig. 10(b) is changed to the image shown in Fig. 10(d) and displayed on the display.

[0092] Next, the relationship between the predetermined region information and the image of the predetermined region T will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the predetermined region information and the image of the predetermined region T. As shown in FIG. 11, "ea" represents the elevation angle, "aa" represents the azimuth angle, and "α" represents the angle of view (Angle). That is, the attitude of the virtual camera IC is changed so that the gaze point 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 region of the virtual camera IC. As shown in FIG. 11, when the diagonal angle of view of the predetermined region T represented by the angle of view α of the virtual camera IC is α, the center point CP(x, y) becomes the parameter ((x, y)) of the predetermined region information. The predetermined region image Q is an image of the predetermined region T in the omnidirectional 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 the predetermined region T and the center point CP(x, y) (2L is the diagonal). In FIG. 11, the trigonometric function shown in the following (Equation 1) generally holds.

[0093]

number

[0094] The imaging device 10 described above is an example of an imaging device capable of acquiring a wide-field image, and a celestial sphere image is an example of a wide-field image. A wide-field image is generally an image captured using a wide-angle lens, and is captured using a lens that can capture a wider range than what the human eye can perceive.

[0095] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship described in FIG. 11 using points in a three-dimensional Euclidean space based on spherical coordinates. Here, the position coordinates of the center point CP shown in FIG. 11 when expressed in a spherical polar coordinate system are (r, θ, φ). (r, θ, φ) are the radius vector, polar angle, and azimuth angle, respectively. The radius vector r is the distance from the origin of the three-dimensional virtual space including the omnidirectional image to the center point CP, and is therefore equal to the distance f shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating these relationships. Hereinafter, the position coordinates (r, θ, φ) of the virtual camera IC will be used as an example of viewpoint information. Note that the viewpoint information may be parameter information that can identify the predetermined area T (predetermined area image Q) displayed as an image of the imaging area of ​​the virtual camera IC on the predetermined display shown in FIG. 10 as described above, and also includes coordinates of diagonal vertices of the predetermined area T. Furthermore, information indicating the angle of view α of the virtual camera IC and information indicating the center point CP(x, y) described in FIG. 11 may be the viewpoint information. Furthermore, the viewpoint information may be information indicating the angle of view α and information indicating the azimuth angle aa of the virtual camera IC described in FIG. 11. The viewpoint information may include not only position coordinate information based on spherical coordinates but also position coordinate information based on Cartesian coordinates and a difference value of coordinates from initially set (default) predetermined area information. The viewpoint information may also be information other than coordinate information, such as angle or distance, as shown in FIG. 11. Although the center point of the predetermined area T is used as a reference in FIGS. 11 and 12, the predetermined area T may also be identified by parameter information based on one of the vertices of the predetermined area T. While the viewpoint information has been described above using an example in which the wide-field image is a celestial sphere image, in the case of other wide-field images, information identifying the predetermined area T in the wide-field image serves as the viewpoint information. The viewpoint information may also include parameter information such as the height and width of the predetermined area T and parameter information such as a magnification factor due to zooming of the virtual camera IC. 7(c) , when the position of each pixel of the equirectangular projection image EC is associated with the coordinates on the surface of a sphere (for example, coordinates on two axes of latitude and longitude), parameter information such as the direction and angle of view of the virtual camera IC may be used as viewpoint information, or information such as latitude and longitude may be included in the viewpoint information. In this way, viewpoint information is not necessarily limited to information indicating a point.

[0096] <About the function> Next, the functional configuration of the communication system 1a according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the communication system 1a according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 13 shows terminals, devices, and servers shown in Fig. 1 that are related to the processes or operations described below.

[0097] <<Functional configuration of the imaging device>> First, the functional configuration of the imaging device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The imaging device 10 has 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, a memory / readout unit 19, and an adjustment unit 21. Each of these units is a function or a means for performing the function, which is realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 111 in accordance with a program loaded on the SRAM 113 or DRAM 114. The imaging device 10 also has a storage unit 1000 constructed using the ROM 112 shown in Fig. 3, etc.

[0098] The communication unit 11 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101 on the short-range communication circuit 117, and has the function of connecting to the communication network N using a wireless communication means such as Wi-Fi to transmit and receive various data or information to and from other devices. In this embodiment, a form in which the wide-field image acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 is transmitted to the information processing system 50 via the connection unit 16 will be mainly described, but it is also possible for the communication unit 11 to transmit the wide-field image to the information processing system 50.

[0099] The reception unit 12 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101 on the operation unit 115, and has a function of receiving operation input from the user to the imaging device 10. The reception unit 12 receives operation input from the user such as turning the power on or off, turning the shutter button on or off (starting or stopping transmission of a wide-field image), and operating the touch panel or buttons.

[0100] The imaging processing unit 13 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101 on the image processing unit 104, and captures images of subjects, landscape images, etc., and acquires (generates) captured images. The captured images acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 may be moving images or still images (or both), and may include audio along with the images. Furthermore, the imaging processing unit 13 may capture, for example, a two-dimensional code (see FIG. 19) displayed on the display 306 of the communication terminal 30. Furthermore, the imaging processing unit 13 may generate a wide-field image by performing the image processing described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 on the captured images.

[0101] The analysis unit 14 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101, and analyzes the two-dimensional code captured and acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 to extract information contained in the two-dimensional code (a URL for registering the imaging device to a tenant, a temporary ID and a password).

[0102] The registration request unit 15 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101, and uses the information contained in the two-dimensional code read by the analysis unit 14 to send a request to register the imaging device 10 with a tenant of the information processing system 50 to the information processing system 50 via the communication unit 11.

[0103] The connection unit 16 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101 for the input / output I / F 116, and has the function of receiving power supply from the communication terminal 30A and performing data communication.

[0104] The storage processing unit 17 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101, and performs processing to store wide-field images captured in response to an imaging request from any location in a URL notified by the information processing system 50 (e.g., storage 90, etc.).

[0105] The image transmission control unit 18 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101, and has a function of controlling the transmission of wide-field images to the information processing system 50. The image transmission control unit 18 transmits, for example, captured images acquired by the imaging processing unit 13 to the information processing system 50 periodically or in response to a user operation if the images are still images, or at a predetermined FPS (frames per second) if the images are moving images. The image transmission control unit 18 also switches between the communication unit 11 and the connection unit 16.

[0106] The adjustment unit 21 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101, and adjusts the image quality of the wide-field image using shooting parameters. Examples of adjustment include exposure, white balance, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) sensitivity, shutter speed, focus, noise reduction, DR (Dynamic Range) correction, and HDR (High Dynamic Range) composition.

[0107] The storage / readout unit 19 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 101, and has the function of storing various data in the storage unit 1000 or reading out various data from the storage unit 1000. The storage unit 1000 also stores captured image data, an imaging device ID, and the like acquired by the imaging processing unit 13. The captured image data stored in the storage unit 1000 may be configured to be deleted when a predetermined time has elapsed since the image data was acquired by the imaging processing unit 13, or the data transmitted to the information processing system 50 may be deleted.

[0108] An application (also called a plug-in) for compatibility with the communication system 1a is installed in the imaging device 10. This application is used to associate the imaging device 10 with a virtual room and to accept external control. Some of the functions shown in FIG. 13 (for example, the registration request unit 15) are provided by this application. Note that the application for compatibility with the communication system 1a may be placed on the communication network N, and the same function may be realized by accessing the application using a web browser or the like included in the imaging device 10.

[0109] <<Functional configuration of communication terminal>> Next, the functional configuration of the communication terminal 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The communication terminal 30 has a communication unit 31, a reception unit 32, a display control unit 33, an imaging unit 34, a connection unit 36, a storage / readout unit 39, and a parameter generation unit 41. Each of these units is a function or a means for performing the function, which is realized when any of the components shown in Fig. 4 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 301 in accordance with 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 by the ROM 302 or recording medium 315 shown in Fig. 4.

[0110] The communication unit 31 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 for the network I / F 309, and has the function of connecting to the communication network N and transmitting and receiving various data or information to and from other devices.

[0111] The reception unit 32 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 on the keyboard 311 and the pointing device 312, and has a function of receiving various selections or operation inputs to the communication terminal 30. The display control unit 33 has a function of displaying a wide-field image, an image with a normal angle of view, and various screens on the display 306 of the communication terminal 30.

[0112] The display control unit 33 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and causes, for example, a two-dimensional code transmitted from the information processing system 50 to be displayed on the display 306. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark), DataMatrix (DataCode), MaxiCode, PDF417, etc. The two-dimensional code may also be a barcode.

[0113] The imaging unit 34 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 on the camera 321, and captures images of the subject and its surroundings.

[0114] The connection unit 36 ​​is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301 on the short-distance communication circuit 320, and has the function of supplying power to the imaging device 10 and performing data communication.

[0115] The parameter generation unit 41 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 301, and determines whether the image quality of the predetermined area image displayed on the display 305 (an example of a display unit) is appropriate, and generates shooting parameters for optimizing the image if it is not appropriate. Note that as long as the information processing system 50 has the parameter generation unit 61, the communication terminal 30 does not necessarily have to have the parameter generation unit 41.

[0116] The storage / readout unit 39 is mainly executed by the processing of the CPU 301, and has the function of storing various data in the storage unit 3000 or reading various data from the storage unit 3000. An image management information storage unit 3001 is formed in the storage unit 3000. The image management information storage unit 3001 will be described in detail in the description of the information processing system 50.

[0117] <<Functional configuration of information processing system>> Next, the functional configuration of the information processing system 50 will be described. The information processing system 50 has a communication unit 51, a screen generation unit 52, an association processing unit 53, an image delivery control unit 54, an authentication unit 55, a communication group management unit 56, a communication control unit 57, a connection management unit 58, a storage / readout unit 59, an API management unit 60, and a parameter generation unit 61. Each of these units is a function or a means for performing the function, which is realized when any of the components shown in FIG. 4 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program loaded on the RAM 503. The information processing system also has a storage unit 5000 constructed using the ROM 502, HDD 504, or recording medium 515 shown in FIG. 4.

[0118] The communication unit 51 mainly functions to transmit and receive various data or information to and from other devices via the processing communication network N of the CPU 501 for the network I / F 509.

[0119] The screen generation unit 52 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and generates screen information to be displayed by the communication terminal 30. When the communication terminal 30 executes a web application, the screen information is created using HTML, XML, CSS (Cascade Style Sheet), JavaScript (registered trademark), etc. When the communication terminal 30 executes 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 the wide-field image, etc., delivered by the image delivery control unit 54 via the communication unit 51 is arranged.

[0120] The association processing unit 53 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and controls the association and sharing of viewpoint information of wide-field images. When the association processing unit 53 receives viewpoint information and an imaging request from the communication terminal 30, it performs processing to associate the acquired wide-field image with the viewpoint information by requesting imaging from the imaging device 10. Furthermore, the associated wide-field image and viewpoint information are stored in the image management information storage unit 5001 by the storage / readout unit 59. The association processing unit 53 also transmits each storage location information (e.g., 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 simultaneously receive the viewpoint information and the imaging request from the communication terminal 30; it may receive them separately and then perform the association processing. Furthermore, the URL is an example of storage location information indicating the storage location, and may be in another format such as a URI.

[0121] The image distribution control unit 54 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and distributes images such as wide-field images transmitted by the imaging device 10 associated with the same virtual room to the communication terminal 30 operated by the user currently in the virtual room via the communication unit 51. Images with a normal angle of view captured by the camera of the communication terminal 30 or the connected cameras 8 and 9 are also distributed in the same manner. The distributed images include streaming video, video, still images, etc.

[0122] The authentication unit 55 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and has a function of authenticating a requester based on an authentication request received by the communication unit 51. The authentication unit 55 authenticates a user, for example, by checking whether authentication information (user ID and password) included in the authentication request received by the communication unit 51 matches pre-stored authentication information. Note that the authentication information may be an IC card number, biometric authentication information such as face, fingerprint, or voiceprint, a device ID, a passcode, an access token, a security key, a ticket, or the like. The authentication unit 55 may also perform authentication using an external authentication system or an authentication method such as OAuth. The authentication unit 55 may also authenticate not only a user but also a device such as an imaging device.

[0123] The communication group management unit 56 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and manages the entry of communication terminals 30 and users into a virtual room, the association of devices, etc. If 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 associates the imaging device 10 with the virtual room.

[0124] The communication control unit 57 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and manages the start, establishment, and termination of communication with the image capture device 10 associated with each virtual room. The communication control unit 57 also manages the start, establishment, and termination of communication for delivering wide-field images and audio in response to the communication terminal 30 entering or leaving the virtual room.

[0125] The connection management unit 58 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and manages the communications (connections) established between the communication terminal 30 and the imaging device 10 and the information processing system 50 in association with the virtual rooms.

[0126] The API management unit 60, primarily implemented by the CPU 501, manages the API used by the platform contractor when providing an image distribution service for wide-field images. To use the API, the platform contractor may separately develop software that calls the API. The developed software may run on a server or on a client device such as a communication terminal. Any function included in the information processing system 50, such as the image distribution control unit 54, the association processing unit 53, and the communication control unit 57, can be provided as an API. Functions added to the information processing system 50 later can also be provided as APIs. Whether or not a function is provided as an API can be determined by a communication terminal operated by the platform provider accessing the information processing system 50 and accepting API disclosure settings, allowing the API management unit 60 to control the API based on the disclosure settings. The API management unit 60 may also perform authentication processing to verify whether the software requesting the API call is software developed by a legitimate platform contractor. This authentication processing can be performed by comparing information previously registered and stored in the storage unit 5000 as information about the platform contractor with information transmitted from the requesting software.

[0127] As a specific example of the authentication process, the information processing system 50 receives from the requesting software an application ID issued in advance by the API management unit 60 for software developed by a platform contractor, and if the API management unit 60 determines that the application ID is stored in the storage unit 5000, the API management unit 60 performs control to permit provision of the API as legitimate software. On the other hand, if the software cannot be determined to be legitimate, the API management unit 60 performs control to not permit provision of the API.

[0128] The app ID is an example of authentication information for determining legitimacy, and the API management unit 60 may confirm the legitimacy of the request source using authentication information such as an access token, ticket, security key, password, or PIN code issued in advance by the API management unit 60 of the information processing system or an external system. In this embodiment, a form in which a function provided in the information processing system 50 is used as an API is not described, but the processing flow may be the same except that software such as an application developed by a platform contractor uses the function provided in the information processing system 50 via a determination made by the API management unit 60.

[0129] The parameter generation unit 61 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and determines whether the image quality of the predetermined area image displayed on the display 305 (an example of a display unit) on the communication terminal 30 side is appropriate, and generates shooting parameters for optimizing the image if it is not appropriate. In this case, the parameter generation unit 61 acquires viewpoint information (predetermined area information) from the communication terminal 30 for identifying the predetermined area as the predetermined area image, in order to recognize the predetermined area in the wide-field image of the predetermined area image displayed on the display 305 on the communication terminal 30 side. Note that as long as the communication terminal 30 has the parameter generation unit 41, the information processing system 50 does not necessarily have to have the parameter generation unit 61.

[0130] The storage / readout unit 59 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, and has the function of storing various data in the storage unit 5000 or reading various data from the storage unit 5000.

[0131] "Image management information storage unit 5001" The storage unit 5000 includes an image management information storage unit 5001. Fig. 14(a) is a conceptual diagram showing image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 5001. The image management information storage unit 5001 stores image management information such as that shown in Fig. 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 contained in the image management information will be described below.

[0132] The data ID of a wide-field image is identification information for identifying image data of the wide-field image. The data ID is assigned by the information processing system 50. ID is an abbreviation for Identification and means identifier or identification information. An ID refers to a name, code, character string, number, or a combination of one or more of these used to uniquely distinguish a specific object from multiple objects. Note that the data ID may be associated not only with wide-field images, but also with images captured at a normal angle of view by the imaging device 10 associated with the virtual room.

[0133] 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 may also be set automatically.

[0134] The imaging date and time information is information for specifying the imaging date and time of a captured image such as a wide-field image, such as the date and time when a user inputs an imaging request to the communication terminal 30, or the date and time when the imaging device 10 captures the image such as a wide-field image. The imaging date and time information may be replaced with timestamp information of the captured image such as a wide-field image.

[0135] The photographer information is identification information (including the user ID and user name) of the user who inputs an imaging request to the communication terminal 30. The user inputs an imaging request to the communication terminal 30 while in the virtual room, so the user registered in the photographer information is identified by authentication to the information processing system 50 or the virtual room. The photographer information is transmitted to the information processing system 50 together with the imaging request. Note that the imaging request and the photographer information do not necessarily have to be transmitted to the information processing system 50 at the same time, and may be transmitted to the information processing system 50 at different times.

[0136] The imaging device information is identification information (imaging device ID) of the imaging device 10 that captured the image and generated 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 specific to the imaging device 10, such as a MAC address or serial number, may also be used. The imaging device ID is transmitted to the information processing system 50 together with the wide-field image. Note that the imaging device ID and the wide-field image do not necessarily have to be transmitted to the information processing system 50 at the same time, and may be transmitted to the information processing system 50 at different times.

[0137] The viewpoint information of the photographer is viewpoint information specified on the communication terminal 10 of the photographer. For example, the viewpoint information indicates the center coordinates (center point in FIG. 11) of the wide-field-of-view image being displayed on the communication terminal 30, and is parameter information used to identify the predetermined region T (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the wide-field-of-view image displayed on the communication terminal 30. Here, the radius vector (r), polar angle (θ), and azimuth angle (φ) are shown as examples of parameter information, but other parameter information described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 may also be used. The viewpoint information is transmitted from the communication terminal 30 that requests imaging. Note that the viewpoint information may include information specifying the width and height of the display range of the predetermined region T. Alternatively, the viewpoint information may be only the width and height of the display range.

[0138] The virtual room ID at the time of image capture is identification information of the virtual room with which the image capture device 10 is associated.

[0139] The storage location information (storage destination information) for the wide-field image data is information indicating the location where the wide-field image is saved, such as a URL or file path. The storage location specified by the storage location information may also be information indicating a specific folder. The folder may be a folder associated with the virtual room at the time of image capture. Alternatively, the folder may be associated with identification information (additional information such as a name) indicating one or a combination of two or more classifications such as the image capture date and time, image capture device, image capturer, and virtual room at the time of image capture. The data storage location may also be specified by combining the data storage location information with information such as a data ID or data name.

[0140] Fig. 14(b) is a conceptual diagram showing image management information as a modified example of Fig. 14(a). In Fig. 14(b), wide-field images with the same virtual room ID at the time of capture are stored. In this way, image management information may be classified by virtual room.

[0141] "Virtual room information storage unit 5002" A virtual room information storage unit 5002 is configured in the storage unit 5000. FIG. 15(a) is a conceptual diagram showing virtual room information stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. The virtual room information storage unit 5002 stores virtual room information such as that shown in FIG. 15(a). The virtual room information is information related to a virtual room and is stored for each virtual room. Each item of the virtual room information will be described below. Note that although the virtual rooms are registered with a tenant here, registration with a tenant is not mandatory, and information about temporarily created virtual rooms and shared virtual rooms is also stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002.

[0142] The virtual room ID is identification information that identifies a virtual room. In this embodiment, the user can create any virtual room.

[0143] The virtual room name is a name that allows the user to distinguish between virtual rooms and can be set by the user. Note that the virtual room ID and virtual room name may be the same information.

[0144] The device information is identification information (device ID) of a device including the image capture device 10 associated with the virtual room.

[0145] The currently active user is the user ID of the user currently in the virtual room. This user is a user who can view images such as wide-field images that are distributed to the users in the virtual room. The entry method will be described later. The user ID may also be associated with the IP address of the communication terminal 30 operated by the user. The user ID may also be stored in association with a user name.

[0146] "Tenant information storage unit 5003" A tenant information storage unit 5003 is configured in the storage unit 5000. FIG. 15(b) is a conceptual diagram showing tenant information stored in the tenant information storage unit 5003. The tenant information storage unit 5003 stores tenant information such as that shown in FIG. 15(b). Tenant information is information about tenants (user groups) and is held for each tenant. Each item of the tenant information will be described below. Note that the tenant information registers various information other than that shown in the figure, such as user information, and FIG. 15(b) shows only a portion of it. The tenant ID is identification information that identifies a tenant. The tenant name is a name that allows users to identify the tenant. Note that the tenant ID and tenant name may be the same information. The tenant registered virtual room ID is identification information of the virtual room registered with the tenant. Tenant registered devices are information about devices registered to a tenant. The tenant information storage unit, tenant ID, tenant name, tenant registered virtual room ID, and tenant registered device can be rephrased as user group information storage unit, user group ID, user group name, user group registered virtual room ID, and user group registered device, respectively.

[0147] <Entering the virtual room from a communication device> Next, the process of user b entering a virtual room will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. It is assumed that image capture device 10 has already been associated with the virtual room, and communication terminal 30A has already transmitted a wide-field image and a normal-angle image to information processing system 50 (the association of image capture device 10 with the virtual room will be described in Figure 18 and subsequent figures). In the following description, there will be no particular distinction between user b entering a virtual room and communication terminal 30B operated by user b entering a virtual room.

[0148] FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen displayed by communication terminal 30B when user b enters a virtual room. FIG. 16(a) is an example of an entry screen 200. More specifically, before the entry screen 200 is displayed, user b logs in to 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 tenants on communication terminal 30B (see FIG. 21) and selects a virtual room to enter from the list. FIG. 16(a) is the entry screen 200 for the virtual room selected by user b in this way. Note that a temporarily created virtual room not associated with a tenant or a shared virtual room may also be displayed on the screen of FIG. 16(a).

[0149] Alternatively, the creator of the virtual room may request the information processing system 50 to issue a URL corresponding to the virtual room, and may send this URL to user b by email or the like. When user b clicks the URL displayed on communication terminal 30B, communication terminal 30B displays room entry screen 200 shown in FIG. 16(a).

[0150] The entry screen 200 has a virtual room name 201, a participant name input field 202, and an enter button 203. The virtual room name 201 is the same as that stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. The participant name input field 202 is a field for inputting a user name to be displayed in the virtual room, and may be a nickname or other name for user b. When user b logs in, a user name linked to user b's user ID may be identified, and this identified user name may be automatically displayed. The enter button 203 is a button that user b clicks to request entry into the virtual room.

[0151] Note that authentication for entering the virtual room may be required at the time of entry, separately from logging in to the tenant.

[0152] 16(b) shows an image viewing screen 210 displayed by communication terminal 30B when user b enters the virtual room. On image viewing screen 210 in FIG. 16(b), imaging device 10 has already started distributing wide-field-of-view images via information processing system 50, and communication terminal 30A has already started distributing images with a normal angle of view. Therefore, image viewing screen 210 has a first image field 211 and a second image field 212. A wide-field-of-view image is displayed in first image field 211, and an image with a normal angle of view is displayed in second image field 212. If there are three or more locations transmitting images, image viewing screen 210 is divided according to the number of transmitting locations.

[0153] A wide-field-of-view image mark 213 is displayed in the first image field 211. The wide-field-of-view image mark 213 is set by the screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 when it determines that the image to be displayed in the first image field 211 is a wide-field-of-view image. It may also be determined and displayed by the communication terminal 30B. By looking at the wide-field-of-view image mark 213, user b knows that a wide-field-of-view image with a changeable viewpoint is being distributed. In addition, the first image field 211 displays a device name 214 (transmitted from the imaging device 10 together with the wide-field-of-view image). The device name 214 is information set by user a, etc., as will be described later (see FIG. 19).

[0154] The second image field 212 displays a participant name 215. The participant name 215 is a user name, and the participant name input field 202 displays the participant name of the user who has already entered the room (in this case, since user a has already entered the room, "AAA" entered by user a in the participant name input field 202).

[0155] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which user b (or communication terminal 30B) enters a virtual room.

[0156] S1: First, user b at site B performs an operation to display a list screen of virtual rooms. Note that communication terminal 30B has previously accessed the information processing system 50 in response to an operation by user b and received, from the information processing system 50, virtual room information stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002 for displaying the list screen of virtual rooms. At this time, communication terminal 30B may be authenticated by the authentication unit 55 of the information processing system 50 by transmitting authentication information required for login or the like to the information processing system 50. The authentication information may be authentication information associated with user b or authentication information associated with communication terminal 30B. In such a case, the virtual rooms displayed on the list screen may be virtual rooms registered in a tenant associated with user b or a tenant associated with communication terminal 30B. When the reception unit 32 receives the operation to display the list screen, the display control unit 33 of communication terminal 30B displays a selection screen on the display 306.

[0157] S2: When user b selects a virtual room selection button, the reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30B receives the selection of the virtual room. The display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30B displays the entry screen 200 shown in FIG. 16(a) on the display 306.

[0158] S3: User b enters the necessary information and presses the enter button 203. When the reception unit 32 receives the press, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B transmits a request to enter the virtual room to the information processing system 50. This entry request includes information such as the virtual room ID indicating the virtual room selected in step S2, the user ID of user b authenticated by login or the like, and the IP address of the communication terminal 30B that is the requesting terminal. As a result, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the entry request.

[0159] S4: The communication group management unit 56 registers the user ID and IP address authenticated by login or the like in the virtual room information specified by the virtual room ID in the virtual room information storage unit 5002.

[0160] S5: Then, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits a response indicating that the user has entered the room to the communication terminal 30B. As a result, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30B receives the response indicating that the user has entered the room. Following S5, the display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30B receives information about the screen generated by the screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 and information about the image distributed by the image distribution control unit 54, and displays the image viewing screen 210 shown in FIG. 16(b) based on the received information.

[0161] <Associating imaging devices with rooms> Next, the association of the imaging device 10 with the virtual room will be described with reference to Fig. 18 to Fig. 25. Note that although the association of the imaging device 10 with the virtual room will be described as being performed by user a at site A, it may also be performed by a system administrator, a tenant administrator, or the like.

[0162] 18 is an example of a device registration screen 220 displayed by the communication terminal 30A. User a has been authenticated by logging in to the information processing system 50, for example. By logging in, the tenant to which user a belongs is identified. User a requests the information processing system 50 to display the device registration screen 220, and the communication terminal 30A displays the device registration screen 220 received from the information processing system 50. First, a device is registered with the tenant using the device registration screen 220.

[0163] The device registration screen 220 has an imaging device registration button 221, a VR goggles registration button 222, and a smartglasses registration button 223. A button is provided for each type of device because there are differences in whether or not the device has a camera, the information used for registration, etc. Furthermore, because devices are registered by device type, the information processing system 50 can also grasp the device type.

[0164] The imaging device registration button 221 is a button for user a to register the imaging device 10, the VR goggle registration button 222 is a button for registering the VR goggles 89, and the smartglasses registration button 223 is a button for registering the smartglasses 88.

[0165] Fig. 19 is an example of a screen that is displayed when the imaging device registration button 221 is pressed. Fig. 19(a) shows an imaging device registration dialog 230. The imaging device registration dialog 230 has a name field 231 for the imaging device 10, a description field 232, and a next button 233. User a sets an arbitrary name in the name field 231 for the imaging device 10 so that it is clear that this is the imaging device 10 to be registered, and sets a description in the description field 232.

[0166] When user a presses the next button 233, the communication terminal 30A requests the information processing system 50 for the two-dimensional code, and the communication terminal 30A displays the two-dimensional code.

[0167] 19(b) is an example of a two-dimensional code screen 240 displayed by the communication terminal 30A. The two-dimensional code screen 240 includes a message 241 saying, "Please scan the following two-dimensional code to register a device called XX (the name entered in the name field)," and a two-dimensional code 242. User A captures the two-dimensional code 242 with the imaging device 10 that the user wishes to register. The two-dimensional code 242 includes authentication information required for registration, such as a URL that the imaging device 10 connects to for its own registration, and a temporary ID and password.

[0168] When user a captures an image of the two-dimensional code 242 with the imaging device 10, the imaging device 10 connects to a URL and is authenticated using a temporary ID and password. If the authentication is successful, a formal imaging device ID is exchanged, and the name, description, and imaging device ID of the imaging device 10 are registered with the tenant. The imaging device 10 also holds this imaging device ID, name, and description. The imaging device 10 registered with the tenant is associated with a virtual room in response to an operation by user a, which will be described later. Note that the two-dimensional code 242 is an example of code information, and any other form of code, such as a barcode, may be used as long as similar authentication information is embedded therein.

[0169] Next, an example of a method for registering a communication terminal such as VR goggles 89 or smart glasses 88 to a tenant will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 shows an example of a VR goggle registration screen 250 that is displayed when the VR goggle registration button 222 is pressed. The VR goggle registration screen 250 has a temporary code input field 251 and a secret input field 252.

[0170] If the VR goggles 89 do not have a camera, they cannot capture the two-dimensional code. Therefore, user a may have the VR goggles 89 output (display) a temporary code (temporary ID) and a secret (password), and enter them in the temporary code input field 251 and the secret input field 252. The communication terminal 30A registers the VR goggles 89 with the tenant by transmitting the temporary code and secret to the information processing system 50. The VR goggles 89 connect to the information processing system 50 and are authenticated by transmitting the temporary code and secret. If the authentication is successful, a formal VR goggle ID is exchanged, and the VR goggle ID is registered with the tenant. The VR goggles 89 also hold this VR goggle ID. The VR goggles 89 registered with the tenant are associated with a virtual room in response to an operation by user a, which will be described later. The smart glasses 88 will be described in detail below, but user a can register them in the same way as the imaging device 10 or the VR goggles 89. Note that the temporary code and secret are examples of authentication information, and other information may be used as authentication information. The imaging device ID, VR goggles ID, and smartglasses ID are each an example of a device ID, and can be referred to as a device ID. Therefore, when registering devices other than the imaging device 10, VR goggles, and smartglasses, the device ID can be used to associate the device with a virtual room or tenant using a similar procedure. The device ID may be identification information linked to the device owner.

[0171] FIG. 21 shows an example of a virtual room association screen (part 1) 260 for associating the imaging device 10 with a virtual room. The screen configuration may be the same for VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88. The virtual room association 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 of the individual virtual room fields 262 to 264 has a link issue button 265, an enter button 266, a settings button 267, and a virtual room name 268. The link issue button 265 is a button for issuing a link to the virtual room (a URL for invitation) and a passcode. The enter 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 the name stored in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. Therefore, user a presses setting button 267. By pressing setting button 267, communication terminal 30A displays virtual room association screen (part 2) 270.

[0172] Furthermore, if a device has already been associated with a virtual room, the name 269 of the device is displayed in the individual virtual room field (individual virtual room field 264 in the drawing).

[0173] 22 shows an example of virtual room matching screen (part 2) 270. Note that virtual room matching screen (part 2) 270 is displayed as a pop-up on virtual room matching screen (part 1) 260. A screen transition from virtual room matching screen (part 1) 260 to virtual room matching screen (part 2) 270 does not go through information processing system 50, but a screen transition that goes through information processing system 50 is also possible.

[0174] The virtual room association screen (part 2) 270 includes a name 271 of the imaging device 10 currently (already) associated with the virtual room (not yet registered, and therefore not shown in the figure), a connection button 272, and a storage button 273. The connection button 272 is a button for displaying a list of devices registered with the tenant as candidates for association in order to associate a device with the virtual room. The storage button 273 is a button for displaying a list of storages 90 for saving wide-field images and normal-angle images captured by the imaging device 10 associated with the virtual room. The list of storages 90 may include not only a list of storages 90 associated with the virtual room, but also a list of specific storage locations, such as folders on the storages 90. The user can associate a storage 90 with a virtual room by selecting a specific storage 90 or a specific storage location, such as a folder on the storage 90. Information about the associated storage 90 (address information for accessing the storage 90 and storage location, such as a folder on the storage 90) can be stored in association with the virtual room ID in the virtual room information storage unit 5002. When the connect button 272 is pressed, the communication terminal 30A displays the virtual room association screen (third).

[0175] The communication terminal 30A sends a virtual room ID to the information processing system 50 and obtains the names of devices (including device IDs, etc.) registered with the tenant in which the virtual room is generated, and the names of devices (including device IDs, etc.) associated with the virtual room.

[0176] FIG. 23 shows an example of a virtual room association screen (part 3) 280. The virtual room association screen (part 3) 280 has a name 281 of the imaging device 10 currently (already) associated with the virtual room, a list of devices that can be added 282, and a save button 283. User A selects a device that the user A wishes to add to the virtual room from the list of devices that can be added 282 and presses the save button 283. This associates the device with the virtual room (a device ID such as an imaging device ID is registered in the virtual room information storage unit 5002). Note that, as shown in FIG. 23, the number of imaging devices that can be associated with the virtual room may be limited. For example, if the upper limit is two, the remaining number of devices that can be added may be displayed on the virtual room association screen (part 3) by referring to the number of imaging device IDs already registered in the virtual room information storage unit 5002.

[0177] <Wide-field image transmission start process for imaging device> In this way, devices such as the image capture device 10 are associated with the virtual room, but user a needs to operate the device to start transmitting images.

[0178] For the VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88, user a turns on and off image transmission by operating the device itself. This is because currently, a dedicated application for the communication system 1a does not run for the VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88. If a dedicated application for the communication system 1a runs for the VR goggles 89 and smart glasses 88 as well, user a can remotely turn on and off image transmission.

[0179] In the case of the imaging device 10, if the application is enabled, user a can enter the virtual room and turn on or off the transmission of wide-field images from the menu.

[0180] FIG. 24 shows an example of a wide-field-of-view image transmission control dialog 290 displayed by the communication terminal 30A. The wide-field-of-view image transmission control dialog 290 is displayed as a pop-up on the image viewing screen 210. Assume that user a operates the communication terminal 30A to enter a virtual room associated with the image capture device 10. The wide-field-of-view image transmission control dialog 290 displays a name 292 of the image capture 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 (start transmission) or off (stop transmission) transmission of wide-field-of-view images by the image capture device 10. Note that the method of turning on or off using the toggle button is just one example, and any setting may be made in response to user input. For example, setting may be made by selecting a radio button or a predetermined icon, operating a menu, or the like. Alternatively, transmission of wide-field-of-view images may be automatically started after the image capture device 10 enters the room, eliminating the need for user operation. In addition, certain conditions such as the date and time, the number of users who have entered the room, or the participation of a specific user may be determined in advance, and the transmission of the wide-field image may begin when it is determined that these conditions have been met.

[0181] Furthermore, the wide-field image transmission control dialog 290 displays a setting button 293 for setting various imaging functions of the imaging device 10. When this setting button 293 is pressed, an imaging function setting screen 400 such as that shown in Fig. 27 is displayed. Fig. 27 is a diagram showing the imaging function setting screen. The imaging function setting screen 400 displays a toggle button 401 for switching between a manual setting mode in which the user manually performs settings such as exposure adjustment, and an automatic setting mode in which the imaging device 10 automatically performs exposure adjustment, etc.

[0182] The automatic setting mode is a mode in which the photographing device 10 adjusts exposure and other parameters by sending photographing parameters to the photographing device 10 from an external device, and is a so-called forced automatic setting mode. The manual setting mode is a mode in which photographing parameters are not sent to the photographing device 10 from an external device, and a user near the photographing device 10 can switch between the automatic setting mode (auto mode) and the manual setting mode (manual mode) by directly touching the photographing device 10 or setting the mode using a remote control. When the communication terminal 30 switches between the automatic setting mode and the manual setting mode, the communication terminal 30 notifies the photographing device 10 via the information processing system 50 whether the mode is the automatic setting mode or the manual setting mode. Initially, the manual setting mode is selected.

[0183] 27 shows only an example of adjusting exposure (light exposure) due to space limitations, but adjustments regarding white balance, ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, focus, noise reduction, DR correction, or HDR compositing are also possible. Furthermore, when the user presses the "Save" button 402 at the bottom right, the settings are saved. In this embodiment, the following description will be given for the case where the automatic setting mode is selected.

[0184] The communication terminal 30A transmits the setting information for transmission control set by operating 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 setting information for transmission control.

[0185] 24(a) shows a state in which toggle button 291 is set to OFF. For this reason, no wide-field image is displayed in FIG. 24(a). On the other hand, in FIG. 24(a), when communication terminal 30A enters the room, an image with a normal angle of view captured by camera 9 of communication terminal 30A has already been shared and is displayed on image viewing screen 210.

[0186] 24(b) shows a state in which the toggle button 291 is set to ON. When the toggle button 291 is set to ON, the information processing system 50 transmits a transmission start request to the imaging device 10, and the imaging device 10 starts 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. Furthermore, when the setting is changed from ON to OFF, the communication terminal 30A transmits OFF setting information, and the information processing system 50 transmits a transmission stop request to the imaging device 10 in response to receiving the OFF setting information, and the imaging device 10 stops transmitting the wide-field image.

[0187] As described with reference to FIG. 25 , even if a user is on-site, the imaging device 10 can be associated with a virtual room by a simple operation of capturing code information with the imaging device 10. Because a user on-site may not have a PC or the like, the ability to perform the association process on the spot with only pre-issued code information and the imaging device 10 is particularly useful for the user on-site. Furthermore, if the association process is performed in advance, the user can connect the imaging device 10 to a specific virtual room without having to select a virtual room, and can also instruct the remote location to start or stop transmission, thereby reducing the burden on the user who wants to concentrate on work on-site. Therefore, a system can be provided that enables efficient communication between the on-site and remote locations even during the advance preparation process.

[0188] <<Procedure for registering an imaging device in a virtual room>> Next, the procedure for registering the imaging device 10 in the virtual room described in the series of screen transitions in Fig. 18 to Fig. 24 will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the procedure for user a to register the imaging device 10 in the virtual room.

[0189] S11: First, user a connects communication terminal 30A to information processing system 50, inputs authentication information (user ID, password, etc.), and requests to log in. Accepting unit 32 of communication terminal 30A accepts the operation.

[0190] S12: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A specifies authentication information and transmits a login request to the information processing system 50. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the login request, and the authentication unit 55 performs authentication based on the specified authentication information. Here, it is assumed that the authentication is successful. At this time, the information processing system 50 can identify the tenant ID associated with the authenticated user ID by referring to the tenant information storage unit 5003.

[0191] S13: In response to a user operation, the screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 generates the device registration screen 220, and the communication unit 51 transmits screen information of the device registration screen 220 to the communication terminal 30A.

[0192] S14: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives the screen information of the device registration screen 220, and the display control unit 33 displays the device registration screen 220 shown in Fig. 18. User a selects the type of device (here, it is assumed that the imaging device 10 (for example, a spherical camera) is selected), and then inputs the name and description of the imaging device 10 as shown in Fig. 19. The reception unit 32 receives the input.

[0193] S15: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A transmits a request for code information (for example, a two-dimensional code) to the information processing system 50, specifying the name and description input by the user a.

[0194] S16: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a request for code information (e.g., a two-dimensional code). The communication group management unit 56 generates a URL (a connection destination for registration) in association with the name and description, and generates code information (e.g., a two-dimensional code) including the URL, a temporary ID, and a password. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the code information (e.g., a two-dimensional code) to the communication terminal 30A. The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives the code information (e.g., a two-dimensional code), and the display control unit 33 displays the code information (e.g., a two-dimensional code) as shown in FIG. 19.

[0195] S17: Next, the user a operates the imaging device 10 that he / she wishes to associate with the virtual room, and captures an image of code information (for example, a two-dimensional code). The reception unit 12 of the imaging device 10 receives the operation.

[0196] S18: The imaging processing unit 13 of the imaging device 10 performs imaging processing on an imaging target including code information (e.g., a two-dimensional code) to generate image data, 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 transmits a registration request for the imaging device 10 to the information processing system 50. Note that when the registration method using the registration screen described in Fig. 20 is performed, the code information is not captured, so the imaging device 10 is replaced with a communication terminal such as VR goggles 89 or smart glasses 88, and steps S15 to S17 can be omitted.

[0197] S19: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the temporary ID and password, and determines whether they match the temporary ID and password associated with the URL to which the authentication unit 55 has connected. Here, it is assumed that they match.

[0198] S20: In response to a request to register the imaging device 10, the communication group management unit 56 of the information processing system 50 generates an imaging device ID as an example of a device ID and registers the imaging device ID with the tenant corresponding to the tenant ID identified when user a logged in. Note that a name and a description are associated with the imaging device ID. Specifically, the communication group management unit 56 refers to the tenant information storage unit 5003, and adds and registers the imaging device ID to the tenant registered devices associated with the identified tenant ID. Note that, although the communication group management unit 56 generates and registers the imaging device ID here, it may also register the imaging device ID received from the imaging device 10. Note that, when registering a communication terminal such as VR goggles 89 or smart glasses 88 instead of the imaging device 10 with a tenant, the corresponding device ID can be registered in the tenant information storage unit 5003 using a similar procedure.

[0199] 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.

[0200] S22: The communication terminal 30A is notified of the completion of registration from the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50, allowing user a to start associating the imaging device 10 with the virtual room. User a displays the virtual room association screen (part 1) 260 on the communication terminal 30A and selects a virtual room to which the imaging device 10 registered with the tenant is to be associated. The reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A receives an operation input indicating the selection. Specifically, when the reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A receives the operation input from user a, the display control unit 33 displays the virtual room association screen (part 1) 260. At this time, the communication unit 31 may transmit a screen update request to the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50. Upon receiving the update request, the information processing system 50 refers to the tenant information storage unit 5003 and identifies the virtual room ID registered with the tenant associated with the authenticated user ID. Subsequently, the information processing system 50 refers to the virtual room information storage unit 5002 and acquires the virtual room name associated with the identified virtual room ID. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits information on the virtual room ID and the corresponding virtual room name thus identified (which may be information on a screen generated by the screen generation unit 52 based on this information) to the communication terminal 30A. The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives the information on the virtual room ID and the virtual room name, and the display control unit 33 can update and display the virtual room correspondence screen (first) 260 based on the received information. Note that, because such information can be identified based on the user ID, it may be received in S13 after authentication. The reception unit 32 receives an operation input indicating a selection from user a on the virtual room correspondence screen (first) 260 displayed in this manner, and the communication terminal 30A can identify the selected virtual room ID.

[0201] S23: Next, user a causes communication terminal 30A to display virtual room association screen (part 2) 270, and presses connect button 272 to additionally associate the device with the virtual room. Receiving unit 32 of communication terminal 30A receives an operation input indicating the press. Specifically, display control unit 33 of communication terminal 30A displays virtual room association screen (part 2) 270 corresponding to the selected virtual room ID identified in S22. Furthermore, receiving unit 32 receives an instruction from user a to additionally associate the device with the virtual room (pressing connect button 272).

[0202] S24: In response to the operation input in S23, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A requests information from the information processing system 50 about devices registered with the tenant that are candidates for devices to be associated with the virtual room, and information about devices that are already associated with the virtual room ID selected in step S22.

[0203] S25: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives a request for information on devices registered with the tenant and devices associated with the selected virtual room ID, and the screen generation unit 52 generates a virtual room correspondence screen (third) 280 including the device IDs of the devices registered with the tenant and devices associated with the selected virtual room ID. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits screen information of the virtual room correspondence screen (third) 280 to the communication terminal 30A.

[0204] S26: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives the screen information of the virtual room association screen (part 3) 280, and the display control unit 33 displays the virtual room association screen (part 3) 280. The user a selects a device (here, the imaging device 10 is used as an example) to be associated with the virtual room. The reception unit 32 of the communication terminal 30A receives the selection, and the imaging device ID is identified as the device ID of the selected device.

[0205] S27: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A transmits an association request to the information processing system 50, specifying the virtual room ID selected in step S22 and the device ID (for example, the imaging device ID) selected in S26.

[0206] S28: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the association request, and the communication group management unit 56 registers the device (e.g., the imaging device 10) in the virtual room. That is, the communication group management unit 56 refers to the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and registers the device ID (e.g., the imaging device ID) in association with the virtual room ID specified in the request of S27.

[0207] S29: Now that the device ID (e.g., 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 notification, or the imaging device 10 may transmit the information by polling. 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, the imaging device ID, virtual room ID, name, description, etc. can be added. Devices other than the imaging device 10 can also be associated with the virtual room using a similar procedure. Subsequently, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 may send a notification to the communication terminal 30A indicating that the association has been completed. After this step, the device registered with the virtual room (the imaging device 10) can connect to the associated virtual room. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that the imaging device 10 connects to the virtual room by sending a connection request to the virtual room to the information processing system 50, specifying the virtual room ID received in S29; however, the timing at which the imaging device 10 connects to the virtual room can be changed by user operation.

[0208] S30: The communication terminal 30A and the information processing system 50 perform the room entry process described with reference to FIG. 17, thereby allowing the communication terminal 30A to enter the virtual room in which the device (imaging device 10) has been associated.

[0209] S31: After entering the room, 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 the communication terminal 30A receives the on-button.

[0210] S32: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A specifies the device ID (imaging device ID) and transmits a request to start transmitting the wide-field image to the information processing system 50. Note that user a may directly operate a button on the imaging device 10 to start transmitting the wide-field image. Note that user a may also operate the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A to transmit a request to stop transmission to the information processing system 50.

[0211] S33: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the transmission start request and requests the imaging device 10 identified by the device ID (imaging device ID) to start transmission. The information processing system 50 may use push notification, 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 capturing images. The image transmission control unit 18 repeatedly transmits wide-field images via the connection unit 16 at a determined FPS or an FPS according to the bandwidth. Therefore, the communication terminal 30 that has entered the virtual room can display the situation at site A on the image viewing screen 210 in real time.

[0212] <Distribution of wide-field images, etc.> With reference to FIG. 26, a flow of sharing a wide-field image and an image with a normal angle of view will be described. FIG. 26 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of sharing a wide-field image. In FIG. 26, communication terminals 30A and 30B have executed the entry process described in FIG. 17 and have entered the virtual room. Furthermore, communication terminal 30A has a camera 9 with a normal angle of view, which is shared with communication terminal 30B. Images captured by smart glasses 88 associated with the virtual room, instead of the camera 9 of communication terminal 30A, may also be shared. Furthermore, in FIG. 26, imaging device 10 has already connected to the same virtual room through the registration procedure described in FIG. 25.

[0213] S41: The imaging unit 34 of the communication terminal 30A captures an image of the surroundings, and the communication unit 31 specifies the ID of the virtual room that the user has entered and transmits to the information processing system 50 video and audio including the captured image.

[0214] S42, S43: When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the video and audio including the image, the image distribution control unit 54 acquires the IP addresses of the communication terminals 30A and 30B that are in the same virtual room from the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and transmits the video and audio including the image via the communication unit 51. Note that in Fig. 26, the communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30A receives and displays an image with a normal angle of view from the information processing system 50, but the image with a normal angle of view captured by the imaging unit 34 may be displayed without receiving it.

[0215] S44: Next, in response to a transmission start request based on the transmission start setting of the imaging device 10, the imaging processing unit 13 captures a wide-field image, and the image transmission control unit 18 specifies the virtual room ID, imaging device ID, name, and description in which the imaging device 10 is registered, via the connection unit 16, and transmits video and audio including the wide-field image to the information processing system 50.

[0216] S45, S46: When the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives video and audio including a wide-field image, the image distribution control unit 54 obtains the IP addresses of the communication terminals 30A and 30B that are in the same virtual room from the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and transmits the video and audio including the wide-field image via the communication unit 51.

[0217] S47: Next, the communication terminal 30C equipped with the camera 9 executes the room entry process described with reference to FIG. 17, thereby newly entering the virtual room.

[0218] S48: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30C transmits to the information processing system 50 video and audio including an image with a normal angle of view.

[0219] S49-S51: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives video and audio including images with a normal angle of view from the communication terminal 30C, obtains the IP addresses of the communication terminals 30A-30C that are in the same virtual room from the virtual room information storage unit 5002, and the image distribution control unit 54 transmits video and audio including images with a normal angle of view.

[0220] S52: Furthermore, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 also transmits video and audio including the wide-field image to the communication terminal 30C that has entered the same virtual room.

[0221] In this way, users a and b who enter the same virtual room can share in real time video including wide-field images captured by the imaging device 10 associated with the virtual room. Note that the order of transmission of each image shown in Fig. 26 is an example, and the wide-field image or the normal angle of view image may be shared first.

[0222] Here, we will provide additional information about the smart glasses 88 and the VR goggles 89. The smart glasses 88 have a camera with a normal angle of view and a display function. Images with a normal angle of view captured by the camera held by the smart glasses 88 are distributed in the same way as the cameras 8 and 9. The display function held by the smart glasses 88 is flat like a normal display, so a part of the wide-field image is displayed at the viewpoint specified by the user. The VR goggles 89 have a display function (and may also have a camera with a normal angle of view). The display function held by the smart glasses 88 projects a wide-field image with a viewpoint determined by the orientation of the user's head, so a predetermined area image Q of a predetermined area T in the wide-field image is displayed at a viewpoint corresponding to the orientation of the user's head. While viewing a wide-field image with the smart glasses 88 or the VR goggles 89, the user can send an imaging request specifying the viewpoint information being viewed to the information processing system 50.

[0223] <Automatic adjustment of shooting functions> Next, a process for automatically adjusting the photographing function will be described with reference to Fig. 28 to Fig. 30. The processes in Fig. 28 to Fig. 30 are processes when the automatic setting mode is set in Fig. 27. Fig. 28 is a sequence diagram showing a process (part 1) for adjusting the photographing function. In Fig. 29, (a) is a diagram showing a wide-field image (spherical image), (b) is a diagram showing a predetermined area image of the predetermined area T1, and (c) is a diagram showing the predetermined area image after the photographing setting has been adjusted.

[0224] <<Shooting function adjustment process (part 1)>> S201: While a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area of ​​a wide-field-of-view image delivered from the imaging device 10 via the information processing system 50, is displayed on the display 306 of the user's communication terminal 30, the user moves the virtual viewpoint by operating the screen. The reception unit 32 then receives the viewpoint movement, and the display control unit 33 displays, for example, a predetermined area image as shown in FIG. 29(b) on the display 306. This predetermined area image is an image of the predetermined area T1 of the wide-field-of-view image as shown in FIG. 29(a). Thus, the predetermined area image in FIG. 29(b) is blurred and has inappropriate image quality. S202: The parameter generation unit 41 of the communication terminal 30 determines whether the image quality of the predetermined area image displayed on the display 306 is appropriate, and if it is not appropriate, generates the above-mentioned shooting parameters for the appropriateness. Here, the case where it is not appropriate will be explained. S203: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30 transmits a request to adjust the photographing function of the imaging device 10 to the information processing system 50. This request includes the photographing parameters generated in step S202. As a result, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the request to adjust the photographing function. S204: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 refers to the image management information stored in the image management information storage unit 5001 and transfers the request for adjusting the imaging function to the imaging device 10 that is in the same virtual room as the requesting communication terminal 30. As a result, the imaging device 10 receives the imaging parameters along with the request for adjusting the imaging function. S205: The adjustment unit 21 of the imaging device 10 uses the imaging parameters received in step S205 to adjust the image quality of the wide-field image currently being captured and transmitted to the information processing system 50. In this case, the adjustment unit 21 instructs the imaging control unit 105 on the adjustment content. Note that the adjustment unit 21 adjusts the image quality of the predetermined area image to be optimized, but the adjustment is targeted at the entire wide-field image, not the predetermined area of ​​the wide-field image to be transmitted. In this way, the adjustment unit 21 adjusts the wide-field image to optimize the image quality of the predetermined area, which may actually worsen the image quality of areas other than the predetermined area of ​​the wide-field image.

[0225] As a result, when the wide-field image transmitted by the imaging device 10 after adjusting the image quality is distributed to the communication terminal 30 via the information processing system 50, the display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30 can display the image of the specified area with optimized image quality on the display 306, as shown in Figure 29(c).

[0226] <<Shooting function adjustment process (part 2)>> Next, a second process for adjusting the photographing function will be described with reference to FIG. 30 as a modification of the process shown in FIG. S301: As in step S201 above, while a predetermined area image, which is a predetermined area of ​​a wide-field-of-view image delivered from the imaging device 10 via the information processing system 50, is displayed on the display 306 of the user's communication terminal 30, the user moves the virtual viewpoint by operating the screen. The reception unit 32 then receives the viewpoint movement, and the display control unit 33 displays, for example, a predetermined area image as shown in FIG. 29(b) on the display 306. This predetermined area image is an image of the predetermined area T1 of the wide-field-of-view image as shown in FIG. 29(a). Thus, the predetermined area image in FIG. 29(b) is blurred and has inadequate image quality. S302: The communication unit 31 of the communication terminal 30 transmits viewpoint information for identifying the predetermined area, which is the predetermined area image currently being displayed, to the information processing system 50. In this case, the viewpoint information is displayed regardless of whether the image quality of the predetermined area image currently being displayed is appropriate. As a result, the communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the viewpoint information. S303: In the information processing system 50, the parameter generation unit 61 determines whether the image quality of a specific area identified by the viewpoint information received in step S302 in the wide-field image currently being distributed is appropriate, and if it is not appropriate, generates shooting parameters to make it appropriate. S304, S305: These are the same processes as S204, S205 described above, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0227] As a result, when the wide-field image transmitted by the imaging device 10 after adjusting the image quality is distributed to the communication terminal 30 via the information processing system 50, the display control unit 33 of the communication terminal 30 can display the image of the specified area with optimized image quality on the display 306, as shown in Figure 29(c).

[0228] <Examples of application of communication systems in telemedicine> Fig. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of remote communication in which the communication system is applied to remote medical care. Fig. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual room association screen for associating an imaging device with a virtual room in the case of remote medical care.

[0229] In addition, differences between FIG. 31 and FIG. 1 will be explained in the explanation of the communication system 1b in this case. The site A in FIG. 31 is an operating room, but the process flow of (1) to (6) may be the same as in FIG. 1. In FIG. 31, a patient is placed on an operating table 355 and undergoes surgery by a medical professional such as a doctor. The medical professional (corresponding to a user) operates on the patient using various surgical tools 354 such as forceps and a scalpel. The medical professional can also wear smart glasses 88, which can transmit images of the medical professional's surgical field to the communication network N. Various cameras, such as an operating room camera 351, an operating field camera 352, and an endoscope 353, are also installed in the operating room. All of the cameras and smart glasses 88 in the operating room are associated with the virtual room.

[0230] A main unit 356 is placed in the operating room to monitor the patient's vital signs, the operating status of medical equipment, and the like. The main unit 356 corresponds to the communication terminal 30 of this embodiment. The communication terminal 30 (main unit 356) in the operating room may also have the function of receiving images from the endoscope 353 and the surgical field camera 352 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 from the base of the communication terminal 30. The operation panel 357 is an input interface that accepts various operations, and medical personnel may be able to operate the equipment in the operating room via the operation panel 357. Furthermore, 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.

[0231] The communication terminal 30 may also have the functionality of an electronic medical record system, or may have the functionality to communicate with the electronic medical record system. The communication terminal 30 may display electronic medical record information on the display 306.

[0232] 32 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual room association screen 860 for associating an imaging device with a virtual room in the case of remote medical care. In the explanation of FIG. 32, differences from FIG. 21 will be mainly explained.

[0233] In the case of remote medical care, a list of virtual rooms 861 associated with, for example, a surgery or medical examination performed remotely is displayed on the virtual room association screen 860. Medical cameras including the imaging device 10, which is a spherical camera, are associated with site A. Medical cameras include an endoscope (T111), an operating field camera used to image the surgical field in an operating room, a camera that captures microscopic images, and the like.

[0234] <Major Effects> As described above, the communication system of this embodiment has the effect of optimizing the image quality of the specified area image as much as possible by identifying the specified area using viewpoint information when displaying a specified area image, which is a specified area in a wide-field image.

[0235] <Other application examples> The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0236] For example, the configuration example in Fig. 13 and the like is divided according to main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing by the information processing system 50, the imaging device 10, and the communication terminal 30. The present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing by the information processing system 50, the imaging device 10, and the communication terminal 30 can be divided into even more processing units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, the processing units can be divided so that even more processing is included in one processing unit.

[0237] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to perform each function described above.

[0238] Additionally, the above-described devices represent only one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, information processing system 50 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other via any type of communications link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and to perform the processes disclosed herein.

[0239] Furthermore, the information processing system 50 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps, such as those shown in Figures 25 and 26, in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a specific unit can be executed by multiple information processing devices included in the information processing system 50. Furthermore, the information processing system 50 may be integrated into a single server device or may be divided into multiple devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0240] 1a, 1b communication systems 10. Imaging device 11 Communication unit (an example of an image transmission unit, an example of a parameter reception unit) 21 Adjustment part 30 Communication terminal (also called "display terminal" when playing back and displaying after recording) 31 Communication unit (an example of a (first / second) image receiving unit, an example of a (first) parameter transmitting unit, an example of an information transmitting unit) 32 Reception Department 33 Display control unit 50 Information Processing Systems 51 communication unit (an example of a (second / first) image receiving unit, an example of a parameter receiving unit, an example of an information receiving unit, an example of a (second) parameter transmitting unit, an example of an image distribution control unit) 306 Display (Example of display unit) [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0241] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-34897

Claims

1. An information processing system that receives a wide-field image having a wide range of viewing angles captured by an imaging device and delivers it to a display terminal, an information receiving unit that receives viewpoint information transmitted from the display terminal for identifying a predetermined area displayed on the display unit in the wide-field image; a parameter transmission unit that transmits to the imaging device imaging parameters for optimizing the image quality of the predetermined area identified by the viewpoint information in the wide-field image being distributed; a parameter generation unit that determines whether the image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field image is appropriate, and generates the shooting parameters if the image quality is not appropriate; The information processing system is characterized in that the parameter transmission unit transmits the generated imaging parameters.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the shooting parameters are parameters for adjusting the exposure, white balance, ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, focus, noise reduction, DR correction, or HDR compositing of the imaging device.

3. An information processing system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the wide-field image is an equirectangular spherical image, an omnidirectional image, a hemispherical image, a three-dimensional panoramic image, a two-dimensional panoramic image, or a VR image.

4. An information processing method executed by an information processing system that receives a wide-field image having a wide range of viewing angles captured by an imaging device and delivers the image to a display terminal, comprising: The information processing system includes: an information receiving process for receiving viewpoint information transmitted from the display terminal for identifying a predetermined area displayed on a display unit in the wide-field image; a parameter transmission process of transmitting, to the imaging device, imaging parameters for optimizing the image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field image; a parameter generation process for determining whether the image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field image is appropriate, and generating the shooting parameters if the image quality is not appropriate; An information processing method, wherein the parameter transmission process includes a process of transmitting the generated imaging parameters.

5. The information processing method described in Claim 4, characterized in that the shooting parameters are parameters for making adjustments to the imaging device regarding exposure, white balance, ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, focus, noise reduction, DR correction, or HDR synthesis.

6. The information processing method described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the wide-field image is an equirectangular spherical image, an omnidirectional image, a hemispherical image, a three-dimensional panoramic image, a two-dimensional panoramic image, or a VR image.

7. A program for receiving a wide-field image having a wide range of viewing angles captured by an imaging device and distributing it to a display terminal, On the computer, an information receiving process for receiving viewpoint information transmitted from the display terminal for identifying a predetermined area displayed on a display unit in the wide-field image; a parameter transmission process of transmitting, to the imaging device, imaging parameters for optimizing the image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field image; a parameter generation process for determining whether the image quality of the predetermined area specified by the viewpoint information in the distributed wide-field image is appropriate, and generating the shooting parameters if the image quality is not appropriate; The parameter transmission process includes a process of transmitting the generated imaging parameters.

8. The program described in Claim 7, characterized in that the shooting parameters are parameters for making adjustments to the imaging device regarding exposure, white balance, ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, focus, noise reduction, DR correction, or HDR compositing.

9. The program described in claim 7 or 8, wherein the wide-field image is an equirectangular spherical image, an omnidirectional image, a hemispherical image, a three-dimensional panoramic image, a two-dimensional panoramic image, or a VR image.

Images