Communication system and communication method

Abstract

The present technology relates to a communication system and a communication method which make it possible to present a main video with less discomfort to a cameraman. The communication system according to the present technology comprises: a first information processing device; and a second information processing device that is connected to the first information processing device over a network and is directly connected to each of a plurality of imaging systems. The first information processing device includes: a selection unit that selects a captured video to be a main video from among captured videos captured by each of the plurality of imaging systems; and a transmission unit that transmits, to the second information processing device over a network, a command for designating the captured video to be the main video. The second information processing device includes: a command reception unit that receives the command transmitted from the first information processing device over a network; and a signal transmission unit that transmits a return signal corresponding to the command to the imaging systems. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a broadcast system using IP.

Description

Communication system and communication method

[0001] The present technology relates to a communication system and a communication method, and more particularly to a communication system and a communication method that can present main line images that are less uncomfortable for cameramen.

[0002] Currently, there is a shift from broadcasting systems using SDI (Serial Digital Interface) to broadcasting systems using IP (Internet Protocol). For example, Patent Document 1 describes an image distribution system that distributes images captured by multiple cameras to clients via a network.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-354464

[0004] In a broadcasting system using SDI, for example, the video to be distributed is produced in an outdoor broadcasting van or control room located at the shooting location (sports venue, live music venue, event venue, studio, etc.), and the video to be distributed is transmitted via a dedicated line to the broadcasting station's headquarters (master control room, etc.), and then distributed from headquarters. The cameraman at the shooting location is shown the main video, which is the video used to produce the video to be distributed, from the footage shot by multiple cameras at the shooting location.

[0005] In a broadcasting system using SDI, the main line video is switched by a switcher in a broadcast van or a control room, and the main line video is sent from the switcher on location to the display devices for each cameraman. Because the main line video is sent from the switcher on location to the display devices for each cameraman, there is little delay in the main line video. This allows the cameraman to view the main line video without any sense of incongruity.

[0006] On the other hand, in a broadcasting system using IP, for example, the production of broadcasting video is carried out at the headquarters of the broadcasting station. In a broadcasting system using IP, the switching of the main line video is carried out by a switcher at the headquarters, so the filmed video transmitted from the filming location to the headquarters via the network is transmitted again via the network to the filming location as the main line video and presented to the cameraman. Because the main line video presented to the cameraman is delayed by the time required for at least two communications via the network, the main line video appears unnatural to the cameraman.

[0007] The present technology has been developed in light of these circumstances, and makes it possible to present main line images that are less uncomfortable for cameramen.

[0008] A communication system according to one aspect of the present technology includes a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of imaging systems, wherein the first information processing device includes a selection unit that selects the image to be the main line image from among the images captured by each of the plurality of imaging systems, and a transmission unit that transmits a command specifying the image to be the main line image to the second information processing device via the network, and the second information processing device includes a command receiving unit that receives the command transmitted from the first information processing device via the network, and a signal transmitting unit that transmits a return signal corresponding to the command to the imaging system.

[0009] A communication method according to one aspect of the present technology includes, in a communication system having a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of imaging systems, the first information processing device selecting the image to be used as a main line image from among images captured by each of the plurality of imaging systems, transmitting a command designating the image to be used as the main line image to the second information processing device via the network, receiving the command transmitted from the first information processing device via the network, and transmitting a return signal corresponding to the command to the imaging system.

[0010] In one aspect of the present technology, in a communication system having a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of imaging systems, the first information processing device selects the image to be the main line image from the images captured by each of the plurality of imaging systems, a command specifying the image to be the main line image is sent to the second information processing device via the network, the second information processing device receives the command sent from the first information processing device via the network, and a return signal corresponding to the command is sent to the imaging system.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a conventional broadcasting system. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a conventional broadcasting system. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a broadcasting system of the present technology. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a headquarters switcher. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a field switcher. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram explaining processing performed by a broadcasting system. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of computer hardware.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will be described in the following order: 1. Conventional broadcasting system 2. Broadcasting system of the present technology

[0013] 1. Conventional Broadcasting System FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first example of the configuration of a conventional broadcasting system.

[0014] The broadcasting system in Figure 1 uses SDI to shoot, transmit, produce, record, and distribute broadcast video. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the part of the broadcasting system that is involved in switching main line video.

[0015] The broadcasting system of FIG. 1 is made up of imaging systems 1 - 1 to 1 -N and a field switcher 2 .

[0016] The imaging systems 1-1 to 1-N are systems that individually capture images. The imaging systems 1-i (i = 1 to N) are composed of a CHU (Camera Head Unit) 11-i, a CCU (Camera Control Unit) 12-i, and a display device (not shown). The CHU 11-i and the CCU 12-i are directly connected, for example, by a camera cable. Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the imaging systems 1-1 to 1-N, they will simply be referred to as imaging systems 1. Furthermore, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the CHUs 11-1 to 11-N, they will simply be referred to as CHU 11, and when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the CCUs 12-1 to 12-N, they will simply be referred to as CCU 12.

[0017] The CHU 11 is placed at a shooting location (such as a sports venue, live concert venue, event venue, or studio) and supplies a video signal indicating video (shot video) obtained by shooting at the shooting location to the CCU 12. Note that the shot video may or may not include audio acquired along with the video.

[0018] Furthermore, the CHU 11 restores the return video based on the return signal supplied from the CCU 12 and presents the return video to the cameraman operating the CHU 11. Specifically, the return video is displayed on a display device such as a viewfinder that is configured integrally with the CHU 11.

[0019] The return video is video transmitted from the switcher to the CCU 12. Of the video images captured by the CHUs 11-1 to 11-N, the main line video, which is video used to produce the video currently being broadcast (distributed video), is presented as the return video. The return video may or may not include audio corresponding to the return video. The return video may also be presented on a display device such as a monitor or tablet device located near the cameraman.

[0020] The CCU 12 controls the CHU 11, processes the video signals supplied from the CHU 12, and relays various types of data between the CHU 12 and the switcher 2. The CCU 12 and the on-site switcher 2 are connected by, for example, an SDI cable.

[0021] The CCU 12 performs various signal processing on the imaging signal supplied from the CHU 11 and transmits the signal to the on-site switcher 2. The CCU 12 also receives a return signal transmitted from the on-site switcher 2 and supplies it to the CHU 11.

[0022] The on-site switcher 2 is a switcher installed in a broadcast vehicle or sub-control room located at the shooting site. The on-site switcher 2 receives video signals transmitted from each CCU 12 and restores the shot video based on the video signals. The on-site switcher 2 records the shot video, displays the shot video, switches the main line video, produces the video for distribution, etc. An operator in the broadcast vehicle or sub-control room can switch the main line video, etc. by operating the on-site switcher 2.

[0023] The on-site switcher 2 transmits a main line signal, which is a video signal indicating the captured video that will become the main line video, as a return signal to each CCU 12. The video to be distributed created by the on-site switcher 2 is transmitted via a dedicated line to the broadcasting station's headquarters (such as a master control room), and is broadcast (distributed) from the headquarters.

[0024] In a broadcasting system using SDI, the main line video is switched by the on-site switcher 2, and is transmitted from the on-site switcher 2 to each shooting system 1. Because the main line video is transmitted from the on-site switcher 2 at the shooting site to each shooting system 1, there is little delay in the return video (main line video) presented to the cameraman. Therefore, as shown in the speech bubble in the lower left part of Figure 1, for example, cameraman C1 operating CHU1-N can comfortably view the return video without any sense of incongruity.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a conventional broadcasting system.

[0026] The broadcasting system in Figure 2 uses IP to shoot, transmit, produce, record, and distribute broadcast video. Figure 2 shows the configuration of the part of the broadcasting system that is involved in switching main line video.

[0027] In Fig. 2, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate explanations will be omitted where appropriate. The broadcasting system in Fig. 2 differs from the broadcasting system in Fig. 1 in that a headquarters switcher 21 is provided instead of the field switcher 2.

[0028] The CCU 12 and the headquarters switcher 21 are connected via a network such as the Internet.

[0029] The CCU 12 transmits a video signal to the headquarters switcher 21. The CCU 12 also receives a return signal transmitted from the headquarters switcher 21 and supplies it to the CHU 11.

[0030] The headquarters switcher 21 is a switcher installed on the headquarters side of the broadcasting station (such as in a sub-control room). The headquarters switcher 21 receives video signals transmitted from each CCU 12 and restores the captured video based on the video signals. The headquarters switcher 21 records the captured video, displays the captured video, switches the main line video, and produces the video for distribution. An operator in the sub-control room can switch the main line video by operating the headquarters switcher 21.

[0031] The headquarters switcher 21 transmits the main line signal as a return signal to each CCU 12. The distribution video produced by the headquarters switcher 21 is transmitted to a master control room or the like via a dedicated line and is broadcast (distributed) from the master control room.

[0032] In a broadcasting system using IP, the main line video is delayed by the time required for at least two communications over the network and presented to the cameraman as the return video. Therefore, as shown in the lower left part of Figure 2, the return video may appear unnatural to the cameraman C11 operating CHU1-N, for example.

[0033] Therefore, in the broadcasting system (communication system) of the present technology, a switcher (first information processing device) on the headquarters side connected to the multiple filming systems 1 via a network selects filmed video to be the main line video from the multiple filmed videos, and transmits a command specifying the filmed video to be the main line video to a switcher (second information processing device) on the filming site side via the network. Also, in the broadcasting system of the present technology, a switcher on the filming site side connected to the headquarters side switcher via the network and directly connected to the multiple filming systems 1 receives the command transmitted from the headquarters side switcher via the network and transmits a return signal corresponding to the command to the filming system 1. This makes it possible to present main line video as return video that does not look strange to the cameraman.

[0034] 2. Broadcasting System of the Present Technology FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a broadcasting system of the present technology.

[0035] The broadcasting system in Figure 3 uses IP to shoot, transmit, produce, record, and distribute broadcast video. Figure 3 shows the configuration of the part of the broadcasting system that is involved in switching main line video.

[0036] In Fig. 3, the same components as those in Fig. 2 are assigned the same reference numerals. Duplicate explanations will be omitted where appropriate. The broadcasting system in Fig. 3 differs from the broadcasting system in Fig. 2 in that a headquarters switcher 51 is provided instead of the headquarters switcher 21, and in that a field switcher 52 is newly provided.

[0037] The CCU 12 and the headquarters switcher 51, and the headquarters switcher 51 and the field switcher 52 are connected via a network such as the Internet. The CCU 12 and the field switcher 52 are also connected directly without going through a network. The CCU 12 and the field switcher 52 may communicate directly via wired or wireless IP, or may communicate via an SDI cable, for example.

[0038] The CCU 12 transmits the video signal to the headquarters switcher 51 via the network and to the field switcher 52 via an SDI cable. The CCU 12 also receives a return signal transmitted from the field switcher 52 and supplies it to the CHU 11.

[0039] The headquarters switcher 51 is a switcher installed on the headquarters side of the broadcasting station (such as a sub-control room). The headquarters switcher 51 receives video signals transmitted from each CCU 12 via the network and restores the captured video based on the video signals. The headquarters switcher 51 records the captured video, displays the captured video, switches the main line video, and produces the video for distribution. An operator in the sub-control room can switch the main line video, etc., by operating the headquarters switcher 51. The video for distribution produced by the headquarters switcher 21 is transmitted to a master control room, etc., via a dedicated line and is broadcast (distributed) from the master control room.

[0040] For example, when the main line video is switched, the headquarters switcher 51 transmits a command including an identifier specifying the captured video that will become the main line video after the switch to the field switcher 52 via the network, as shown by the dashed arrow in Fig. 3. The identifier specifying the captured video that will become the main line video is, for example, the IP address of the imaging system 1 (CCU 12) that is capturing the captured video.

[0041] In addition, when other images captured at a location other than the shooting site where the shooting system 1 is taking place are used as main line images, the headquarters switcher 51 transmits a main line signal indicating the other images that will become the main line signal to the field switcher 52 via the network, as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 3.

[0042] The on-site switcher 52 is a switcher that is installed in a broadcast vehicle or a control room located at the shooting site, or that is installed directly at the shooting site. The on-site switcher 52 receives video signals transmitted from each CCU 12. The on-site switcher 52 receives commands transmitted from the headquarters switcher 51 and selects, as a return signal, a video signal (main line signal) indicating a shot video designated as a main line video by an identifier from the video signals received from each CCU 12. The on-site switcher 52 transmits the return signal to each CCU 12.

[0043] In other words, the field switcher 52 switches the video signal to be transmitted as a return signal to each CCU 12 in accordance with the identifier transmitted from the headquarters switcher 51 .

[0044] In the broadcasting system of the present technology, the main line video is switched by the headquarters switcher 51, but is transmitted from the on-site switcher 52 to each imaging system 1 (a display device for each cameraman). Because the main line video is transmitted from the on-site switcher 52 at the imaging site to each imaging system 1, the timing of switching the main line video is delayed by the time required to send the command relative to the timing of switching the main line video at headquarters, but the delay in the return video (main line video) itself presented to the cameraman is small. Therefore, the cameraman at the imaging site can comfortably view the return video without any discomfort.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the headquarters switcher 51. As shown in FIG.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the headquarters switcher 51 includes a video signal receiving unit 71 , a display control unit 72 , an input unit 73 , a main line video selecting unit 74 , and a transmitting unit 75 .

[0047] The video signal receiving unit 71 receives the video signals transmitted from each CCU 12 and supplies them to the display control unit 72. The video signal receiving unit 71 also supplies the IP address of each CCU 12 (photography system 1) to the main line video selecting unit 74.

[0048] The display control unit 72 restores the multiple captured images based on the video signals supplied from the video signal receiving unit 71 and displays the multiple captured images on a display device or the like connected to the headquarters switcher 51 .

[0049] The input unit 73 receives an input of an operation by an operator or the like, and supplies operation information indicating the operation content to the main line video selection unit 74. The operator can use the input unit 73 to select (switch) the main line video.

[0050] The main line video selection unit 74 selects, as the main line video, the video selected by the operator from the video images indicated by the video signals transmitted from each CCU 12. In other words, the main line video selection unit 74 switches the video images to be the main line video in accordance with the information supplied from the input unit 73.

[0051] The main line video selection unit 74 supplies the transmission unit 75 with the IP address of the imaging system 1 that captures the captured video as an identifier that specifies the captured video that will become the main line video after switching.

[0052] The transmitting unit 75 transmits a command including the identifier supplied from the main line video selecting unit 74 to the on-site switcher 52. When a video captured at a location other than the shooting site where shooting is performed by the shooting system 1 is to be the main line video, the transmitting unit 75 acquires a video signal indicating the captured video to be the main line signal, and transmits the video signal to the on-site switcher 52 as the main line signal.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the field switcher 52. As shown in FIG.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the field switcher 52 is made up of a video signal receiving unit 91 , a command receiving unit 92 , a return signal selecting unit 93 , and a main line signal transmitting unit 94 .

[0055] The video signal receiving unit 91 receives the video signals transmitted from each CCU 12 and supplies them to the return signal selecting unit 93. The video signal receiving unit 91 also receives the main line signal transmitted from the headquarters switcher 51 and supplies them to the return signal selecting unit 93.

[0056] The command receiving unit 92 receives a command transmitted from the headquarters switcher 51 and supplies the identifier included in the command to the return signal selecting unit 93 .

[0057] The return signal selection unit 93 selects, as a return signal, a video signal indicating a captured video designated as a main line video by the identifier supplied from the command reception unit 92, from among the video signals supplied from the video signal reception unit 91. The return signal selection unit 93 supplies the return signal to a main line signal transmission unit 94.

[0058] When a main line signal is supplied from the video signal receiving unit 91, the return signal selecting unit 93 supplies the main line signal to the main line signal transmitting unit 94 as a return signal.

[0059] The main line signal transmitting unit 94 transmits the return signal supplied from the return signal selecting unit 93 to each CCU 12 .

[0060] Next, the processing performed by the broadcasting system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0061] In step S1, the CCU 12 transmits a video signal indicating the captured video acquired from the CHU 11 to the headquarters switcher 51 via the network.

[0062] In step S41, the video signal receiving unit 71 of the headquarters switcher 51 receives the video signal transmitted from the CCU 12 via the network.

[0063] In step S42, the main line video selection unit 74 of the headquarters switcher 51 selects, as the main line video, the video selected by the operator from the video images indicated by the video signals transmitted from each CCU 12. By selecting the main line video, the main line video used for the distribution video is switched.

[0064] In step S43, the transmitting unit 75 of the headquarters switcher 51 transmits to the field switcher 52 a command including an identifier specifying the captured video that will become the main line video after switching.

[0065] In step S21, the command receiving unit 92 of the field switcher 52 receives the command including the identifier transmitted from the headquarters switcher 51.

[0066] In step S2, the CCU 12 transmits the video signal to the field switcher 52.

[0067] In step S22, the video signal receiving unit 91 of the on-site switcher 52 receives the video signals transmitted from each CCU 12.

[0068] In step S23, the return signal selection unit 93 of the on-site switcher 52 selects, as a return signal, a video signal designated as a main line video by the identifier from among the video signals received from each CCU 12.

[0069] In step S24, the main line signal transmitting unit 94 of the field switcher 52 transmits a return signal to each CCU 12.

[0070] In step S25, the CCU 12 receives the return signal transmitted from the on-site switcher 52. The main line video restored by the CCU 12 based on the return signal is presented to the cameraman by, for example, the CHU 12 as the return video.

[0071] If the main line video is not switched, the processes of steps S42, S43, S22, and S23 are skipped.

[0072] By performing the above processing, even when the main line video is switched by the headquarters switcher 51 connected to the CCU 12 via the network, it is possible to present the main line video as the return video, which is less likely to cause discomfort to the cameraman.

[0073] At the same time that the on-site switcher 52 transmits the main line signal as a return signal to each CCU 12, it is also possible to transmit a tally signal as a return signal to the CCU 12 of the imaging system 1 that is capturing the video that will become the main line video. For example, each CHU 11 is provided with a tally lamp that lights up when a tally signal is received. When the CCU 12 receives the tally signal transmitted from the on-site switcher 52, it turns on the tally lamp of the CHU 11.

[0074] At the shooting location, the subject or the cameraman can check the CCU 11 that is shooting the footage that will become the main line footage by looking at the lit tally lamp.

[0075] <Example of Computer Configuration> The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. When the series of processes is executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a program recording medium into a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware, or into a general-purpose personal computer, etc.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processes by a program.

[0077] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502 , and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503 are interconnected by a bus 504 .

[0078] An input / output interface 505 is also connected to the bus 504. An input unit 506 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and an output unit 507 including a display, a speaker, etc. are connected to the input / output interface 505. Also connected to the input / output interface 505 are a storage unit 508 including a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, etc., a communication unit 509 including a network interface, etc., and a drive 510 that drives removable media 511.

[0079] In a computer configured as described above, the CPU 501 performs the above-described series of processes by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage unit 508 into the RAM 503 via the input / output interface 505 and the bus 504 and executing it.

[0080] The program executed by the CPU 501 is installed in the storage unit 508 by being recorded on, for example, a removable medium 511 or provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital broadcasting.

[0081] The program executed by the computer may be a program that processes in chronological order according to the order described in this specification, or may be a program that processes in parallel or at the required timing, such as when called.

[0082] In this specification, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are housed in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housed in a single housing with multiple modules, are both systems.

[0083] The effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0084] The embodiments of the present technology are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

[0085] Each step described in the sequence diagram above can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by a plurality of devices.

[0086] Furthermore, when one step includes multiple processes, the multiple processes included in that one step can be executed by one device or can be shared and executed by multiple devices.

[0087] <Examples of Combinations of Configurations> The present technology can also have the following configurations.

[0088] (1) A communication system having a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of image capture systems, wherein the first information processing device comprises: a selection unit that selects the captured image to be a main line image from among images captured by each of the plurality of image capture systems; and a transmission unit that transmits a command specifying the captured image to be the main line image to the second information processing device via the network, and the second information processing device comprises: a command receiving unit that receives the command transmitted from the first information processing device via the network; and a signal transmitting unit that transmits a return signal corresponding to the command to the image capture system. (2) The second information processing device further comprises a video receiving unit that receives video signals indicating the captured images transmitted from each of the plurality of image capture systems, and the signal transmitting unit transmits, as the return signal, the video signal indicating the captured image specified by the command from among the plurality of video signals to each of the plurality of image capture systems. (3) The communication system described in (2) has a plurality of the image capture systems. (4) The communication system described in (3), wherein the imaging system has a display device that displays the main line video indicated by the return signal. (5) The communication system described in (4), wherein the display device is configured integrally with a CHU that constitutes the imaging system. (6) The communication system described in any of (2) to (5), wherein the transmitter transmits the video signal indicating the other video to the first information processing device via the network when another video captured at a location other than the imaging site where imaging is performed by the imaging system is to be the main line video. (7) The communication system described in (1), wherein the signal transmitter transmits a tally signal as the return signal to the imaging system that is capturing the captured video that will be the main line video.(8) The communication system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein each of the plurality of image capture systems and the first information processing device are connected via the network, and the first information processing device further comprises a receiving unit that receives a video signal indicating the captured video transmitted from each of the plurality of image capture systems via the network. (9) The communication system according to (8), wherein the selection unit selects the captured video selected by an operator operating the first information processing device as the main line video. (10) The communication system according to (9), wherein the first information processing device further comprises a display control unit that displays the plurality of captured videos. (11) The communication system according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the command includes an IP address of the image capture system that captured the captured video that becomes the main line video. (12) A communication method including: in a communication system having a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of imaging systems, the first information processing device selecting the image to be the main line image from among the images captured by each of the plurality of imaging systems; transmitting a command specifying the image to be the main line image to the second information processing device via the network; and the second information processing device receiving the command transmitted from the first information processing device via the network; and transmitting a return signal corresponding to the command to the imaging system.

[0089] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Imaging system, 11 CHU, 12 CCU, 51 Headquarters switcher, 52 Field switcher, 71 Video signal receiving unit, 72 Display control unit, 73 Input unit, 74 Main line video selection unit, 75 Transmission unit, 91 Video signal receiving unit, 92 Command receiving unit, 93 Return signal selection unit, 94 Return signal transmission unit

Claims

1. A communication system having a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of image capture systems, wherein the first information processing device comprises: a selection unit that selects the captured image to be the main line image from among the captured images captured by each of the plurality of image capture systems; and a transmission unit that transmits a command specifying the captured image to be the main line image to the second information processing device via the network; and the second information processing device comprises: a command receiving unit that receives the command transmitted from the first information processing device via the network; and a signal transmitting unit that transmits a return signal corresponding to the command to the image capture system.

2. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the second information processing device further comprises a video receiving unit that receives video signals indicating the captured video transmitted from each of the plurality of imaging systems, and the signal transmitting unit transmits, as the return signal, the video signal indicating the captured video specified by the command from among the plurality of video signals to each of the plurality of imaging systems.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of said imaging systems.

4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the imaging system has a display device that displays the main line image indicated by the return signal.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the display device is configured integrally with a CHU that configures the imaging system.

6. The communication system described in claim 2, wherein when other images captured at a location other than the shooting site where the shooting is performed by the shooting system are considered to be the main line images, the transmitting unit transmits the video signal representing the other images to the first information processing device via the network.

7. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the signal transmitting unit transmits a tally signal as the return signal to the imaging system that is capturing the captured image that becomes the main line image.

8. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of imaging systems and the first information processing device are connected via the network, and the first information processing device further comprises a receiving unit that receives a video signal indicating the captured image transmitted from each of the plurality of imaging systems via the network.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the selection unit selects the captured image selected by an operator operating the first information processing device as the main line image.

10. The communication system according to claim 9, wherein the first information processing device further comprises a display control unit that displays a plurality of the captured images.

11. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the command includes the IP address of the imaging system that captured the captured image that becomes the main line image.

12. A communication method in a communication system having a first information processing device and a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device via a network and directly connected to each of a plurality of image capture systems, the method comprising: the first information processing device selecting the image to be used as a main line image from among images captured by each of the plurality of image capture systems; transmitting a command specifying the image to be used as the main line image to the second information processing device via the network; the second information processing device receiving the command transmitted from the first information processing device via the network; and transmitting a return signal corresponding to the command to the image capture system.

Images