JPH07203408A - Image communication system and its apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Image communication that can easily adjust the setting parameters of the shared cameras on the transmitting side and the receiving side, can easily identify the shared image of the own terminal, and can easily process the monochrome image. Provide a device. [Composition] The communication control device includes a shared camera control unit 111 connected to a CPU bus 120, a received image synthesizing unit 107, I
It has an SDNi / f section 110. By the remote operation from the transmission terminal via the ISDN line 121, the CPU 101 controls the shared camera 113 set by the shared camera control unit 111.
Set the same setting parameters as on the sending terminal side. The transmitting side and the receiving side are displayed by superimposing the transmitting side shared image sent from the transmitting terminal via the ISDN line 121 on the receiving side shared image captured by the shared camera 113 and displaying the shared image on the display unit 106. Since it can display a natural shared image, it is suitable for use in video conferences.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image communication system, and more particularly, to a receiving side shared image obtained from an image pickup means provided in a receiving terminal, by superimposing a transmitting side shared image sent from a transmitting terminal. The present invention relates to an image communication system that displays a shared image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, integrated services digital network (ISD)
N) With the introduction, videophones using digital lines,
AV (AudioVisual) such as video conferencing system
l) Services are attracting attention as communication services. A
The service specifications, protocol specifications, and multimedia multiplexing frame configuration specifications for V services are defined in ITU-T (former CC
ITT Recommendation) 320, H.M. 242, H.H. 221 etc. H. In the 221, 64 Kbps-192
BAS (Bit Allocation Sig) used for frame configuration and terminal capability exchange in AV service on 0 Kbps channel, designation of communication mode, etc.
nal) coding allocation is defined. H. H.242 defines protocols such as capability exchange and communication mode switching between AV terminals using BAS. In 320, the system aspect of the entire AV service is defined.

In the above recommendation, after setting the end-to-end physical connection and establishing the synchronization in the in-channel, the exchange sequence of the terminal capability using the BAS in the in-channel, the mode switching sequence by the designation of the communication mode, etc. The procedure stipulates a method of performing multimedia communication such as image, voice, and data between terminals. As the above-mentioned recommendation is prepared, various terminals have been developed in the videophone device and the video conference system. Videophone devices have functions such as still image to moving image, high-definition color image support, document support, and the ability to superimpose and edit images from multiple video inputs. Or add P
A videophone device having an inP function or the like has been developed. Also, due to advances in storage media, large-capacity storage media suitable for storing image data have been developed, and videophone devices that store ever-finer image data and have an answering machine function have also begun to be developed. . Opportunities for easily holding a conference or the like between remote places using such a videophone device are increasing.

Therefore, there has been proposed an image communication apparatus which has a common image area on the transmitting side and the receiving side, and can superimpose the images on the respective terminals to display the same image on the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal.

[0005]

However, there is a problem in that the setting parameters of the shared cameras for photographing on the transmitting side and the receiving side must be the same.
That is, if the setting parameters of the shared cameras connected to the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal are different, the size and the like will be different even if the same object is photographed and superimposed, which is misleading to the viewer. The result (see shared image 204 in FIG. 2). Most of the functions of the shared image are functions for supporting the video conference, and such a small misunderstanding may cause a great loss. At present, the setting parameters of the shared camera are manually operated in advance, and the setting must be completed before the video conference, which is difficult to say.

Further, when it is desired to enlarge or reduce an arbitrary portion of the shared image, once the setting parameters of the shared camera for photographing are changed, the adjustment must be made each time, and the shared image of the shared image must be adjusted. It is difficult to scale up and down, and the setting of the shared camera must be changed in each of the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal, which causes a problem that the video conference is interrupted. That is, the conventional image communication system has a problem in terms of usability.

Furthermore, in the current method of superimposing shared images, since 1: 1 is simply added, it is difficult to determine which part of the shared image is the image of the own terminal, which causes confusion during a meeting. there is a possibility. In particular, when a document or the like is received in the shared image, even if the user wants to see only the received document, the shared image of the own terminal is overlaid, which is difficult to see.

Further, when a black and white image is transmitted as a shared image, it is processed as a color image even though it is originally a black and white image, and therefore color difference components are also added, which makes it difficult to see. In addition, since the color difference components that are not necessary for the black and white image are also transmitted, there is a problem that the line occupation time becomes long.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image communication system and an apparatus thereof which can easily adjust the setting parameters of the image pickup means on the transmitting side and the receiving side.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the communication control system according to claim 1 of the present invention is provided with image pickup means in each of the receiving terminal and the transmitting terminal, and the image pickup means provided in the receiving terminal. An image communication system for displaying a shared image by superimposing a transmission-side shared image sent from the transmission terminal on the reception-side shared image obtained from the at least one of setting parameters of image pickup means provided in the reception terminal. Parameter setting means for aligning a part of them with at least a part of the setting parameters of the image pickup means provided in the transmitting terminal.

The image communication apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is
An image pickup means for converting the target image into an image signal, a receiving means for receiving the image signal via a line, an image signal converted by the image pickup means and an image signal received by the receiving means are output on the same screen. It has an output means and a control means for controlling the image pickup means according to a control parameter of the image pickup means inputted through the line.

The communication control system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the same as the communication control system according to the first aspect, in which an image is provided in the transmitting terminal by a signal from a receiving terminal that receives the shared image on the transmitting side. And a receiving side parameter setting means for adjusting the setting parameters of the image pickup means provided in the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal according to the receiving side remote controlling means. When the communication is started, the remote control means is given priority over the remote control means on the receiving side, and the image capturing means control right setting means sets the image capturing means control right to the transmitting terminal, and a request for switching the image capturing means control right is generated during communication. Switching request generating means, and an imaging means control right switching hand that switches the imaging means control right set in the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal in response to the switching request. Provided with a door.

A communication control apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is
In the communication control device according to claim 1, claim 3, or claim 4, the transmitting terminal detects a monochrome image from a shared image on the transmitting side captured by the image capturing unit, and a monochrome image detecting unit. And transmitting means for converting the converted data into data corresponding to the monochrome image and transmitting the data to the receiving terminal.

A communication control apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention is
In the communication control device according to claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, the receiving terminal weights the reception-side shared image and the transmission-side shared image and superimposes them on each other. Equipped with.

[0015]

In the communication control system according to claim 1 of the present invention, the image pickup means is provided in each of the receiving terminal and the transmitting terminal, and the receiving side shared image obtained from the image pickup means provided in the receiving terminal is transmitted from the transmitting terminal. When displaying the shared image by superimposing the shared image on the transmission side, the parameter setting unit sets at least one of the setting parameters of the image capturing unit provided on the receiving terminal to the setting parameter of the image capturing unit provided on the transmitting terminal. Align with the department.

An image communication apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is
The image signal is converted into an image signal by the image pickup unit, the image signal is received by the receiving unit via the line, and the image signal converted by the image pickup unit and the image signal received by the receiving unit are output on the same screen by the output unit. The control means controls the image pickup means according to the control parameters of the image pickup means which are output and input via the line.

The communication control system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the same as the communication control system according to the first aspect, in which the image pickup means provided in the transmitting terminal according to a signal from the receiving terminal is used as a receiving side remote control means. And setting the image pickup means control right at the start of communication when the setting parameter of the image pickup means provided in the transmitting terminal is made to be the same as that of the receiving terminal by the receiving side parameter setting means according to the receiving side remote control means. Means for prioritizing the remote control means over the receiving side remote control means to set the image pickup means control right to the transmission terminal, and the switching request generation means generates a request for switching the image pickup means control right during communication, In response to the switching request, the imaging means control right switching means switches the imaging means control right set in the transmission terminal to the reception terminal.

A communication control apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention is
With respect to the communication control device according to claim 1, claim 3, or claim 4, the monochrome image detection unit included in the transmission terminal detects a monochrome image from the transmission-side shared image captured by the image capturing unit, The transmitting means converts the data into the data corresponding to the detected monochrome image and transmits the data to the receiving terminal. The communication control device according to claim 6 of the present invention is the same as the communication control device according to claim 1, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5, and is configured to perform the reception by the image synthesizing means provided in the receiving terminal. The side shared image and the transmission side shared image are weighted and overlapped.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the image communication apparatus of the first embodiment. In the image communication apparatus of this embodiment, 1
01 is a CPU, 102 is a ROM for storing programs,
Reference numeral 103 is a work area RAM, and 104 is an operation unit. The operation unit 104 is used when changing the setting parameters of the shared camera 113. A display unit 106 is composed of a display device such as a CRT or LCD. 1
Reference numeral 05 is a communication control unit that performs communication control. When a remote operation request for the shared camera 113 or the like arrives from the terminal of the communication partner, the remote control request is sent from the communication control unit 105 to the CPU 101 via the CPU bus 120. CPU 101
Sends a remote control instruction to the shared camera 113 to the shared camera control unit 111 so that the shared camera 113 can be remotely controlled from a terminal of a communication partner. Reference numeral 107 denotes a received image synthesizing unit, which superimposes the decompressed image data from the decompression coding unit 108 and the shared image data of its own terminal from the transmitted image synthesizing unit 114. In the received image synthesizing unit 114, when the superimposition is not selected, the display unit 106 displays only the shared image data of its own terminal without performing the superposition.
To display. Reference numeral 108 denotes the decompression coding unit described above, which is C
It is connected to the PU bus 120 and controlled by the CPU 101. 109 is a multiplexing unit, which is a compression encoding unit 115.
And the audio data from the audio CODEC unit 119 are multiplexed and sent to the ISDNi / f unit 110. 110 is an ISDN i / f section, and ISDN line 1
21 has an interface function with the ISDN line 1
21 is connected. Reference numeral 111 denotes the above-described shared camera control unit, which controls the shared camera 113 such as a focus and a zoom. In particular, when the shared camera control signal is received from the terminal of the communication partner, the ISDNi / f unit 110 sends a C
The CPU 101 makes a determination via the PU bus 120, and the shared camera 113 can be remotely operated from the terminal of the communication partner via the shared camera control unit 111. Reference numeral 112 denotes a reception video memory. When the received image data is accumulated or the reception image data is superposed, the reception image synthesizing unit 107 uses the reception video memory 112 to superpose the reception image data. To match. Reference numeral 113 denotes the shared camera described above, which captures an image of the shared image area. Shared camera 113
Is controlled by the shared camera control unit 111 described above. Reference numeral 114 denotes a transmission image composition unit, which is a shared camera 113.
The shared image photographed in (1) and the self-image photographed by the self-photographing camera 116 are superimposed and sent to the compression encoding unit 115. The compression encoding unit 115 compresses the image and sends it to the multiplexing unit 109. Reference numeral 116 denotes the self-portrait photographing camera described above, which photographs the self-portrait. A transmission video memory 117 is used for storing transmission images and superimposing transmission images. 118 is a handset. Reference numeral 119 is a voice CODEC unit, which encodes voice,
Decrypt.

Next, a remote operation of the shared camera 113 will be described. When the transmitting terminal is connected to the receiving terminal, the shared camera setting parameters stored in the shared camera control unit 111 that controls the shared camera 113 are transferred to the CPU bus 12
It is sent to the communication control unit 105 via 0. Communication control unit 1
In 05, the shared camera setting parameters are included in the UUI or the like and transmitted. The receiving terminal reads the shared camera setting parameters from the UUI, and aligns the shared camera 113 with the same setting parameters as the shared camera 113 on the transmitting side via the shared camera control unit 111. Note that the remote operation is usually performed from the transmitting terminal in many cases, but it is also possible to remotely operate the shared image from the receiving terminal. In that case, the receiving terminal outputs a shared camera control right switching request,
It is also possible to switch the shared camera control right and control the shared camera of the transmitting terminal from the receiving terminal. In the terminal having the shared camera control right, an icon indicating the shared camera control right is superimposed on the shared image by the received image combining unit 107, and it is possible to recognize which terminal is controlling the shared camera. is there.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a superimposed display of shared images taken by using a shared camera connected to the transmission terminal and the reception terminal. Reference numerals 201 and 202 denote a shared image of the transmitting terminal (shared image on the transmitting side) and a shared image of the receiving terminal (shared image on the receiving side), respectively. 203 indicates that the setting parameters of the shared camera 113 of the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal are the same, Reference numeral 204 is a shared image when the setting parameters of the shared camera 113 are different. In the shared image 203, since the setting parameters of the shared camera 113 are the same, the ratio of the actual objects displayed in the transmission-side shared image and the reception-side shared image is the same in the shared image. on the other hand,
In the shared image 204, the receiving side shared image 202 must overlap at the same ratio as the shared image 203, but the ratio is different because the zoom setting of the shared camera 113 of the receiving terminal is different. Therefore, the composition is different from that of the shared image 203, which may cause misunderstanding. In order to prevent this, the image communication apparatus according to the present embodiment can be prevented in advance by remotely operating the setting parameters of the shared camera 113 in accordance with the settings of the transmitting terminal or the receiving terminal. Further, by enabling remote operation, not only the setting parameters of the shared camera 113 are automatically aligned, but also when the zoom is adjusted, the shared camera 113 of the terminal of the communication partner can follow the zoom.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a display when the ratio of superimposition of the shared images taken by using the shared camera 113 connected to the transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal is changed. Reference numerals 301 and 302 denote a transmission-side shared image and a reception-side shared image, respectively, and 303 denotes a shared image that is superimposed at a ratio of 1: 1. In the shared image 303, it is difficult to determine which is the image of the own terminal in the shared image, and particularly in the case of a monochrome image, it causes confusion as to which shared image is the image of the own terminal while sending various documents. Therefore, the shared image 304 is obtained by weighting the shared image on the transmission side and the shared image on the reception side and superimposing the ratio of the shared image on the transmission side and the shared image on the reception side at 2: 1. 1: 1 ratio for shared image 303
Since they are overlapped with each other, it is difficult to distinguish between the transmission-side shared image 301 and the reception-side shared image 302. In particular, it is considered that there are a plurality of images other than the shared image during the video conference, which makes the determination more difficult. On the other hand, in the weighted shared image 304, the transmission-side shared image 301 is weighted and superimposed at a ratio of 2: 1, so that the transmission-side shared image 301 can be emphasized and displayed. Therefore, the transmission-side shared image 301 and the reception-side shared image 302 can be easily distinguished, and confusion can be prevented. In addition, when the colors are superposed on each other, the colors become far from the original colors. For example, when the color of the receiving-side shared image 302 is desired to be vivid, the weighting of the receiving-side shared image 302 is shifted and the ratio 0 If the superposition is performed with the ratio of 1, the color will not change due to the superposition and it will be easy to use.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a shared image in which an overlapping region of the transmission-side shared image 401 and the reception-side shared image 402 is detected, and only the region is weighted and overlapped. Reference numeral 405 denotes an area in which the shared image 401 on the transmission side and the shared image on the reception side overlap with each other and has a color different from the original color. In 406, when the overlapping portions are overlapped, the weight is shifted to the area of the reception-side shared image 402 at a ratio of 0: 1, so that the original color of the reception-side shared image 402 is displayed. The means for extracting the overlapped portion stores the background color difference and the luminance component, compares the stored background data with the superimposed data, and determines whether or not they match the area of the transmission-side shared image 401. This is performed for each of the areas of the reception shared image 402, and when overlapping is performed, it is recognized as an overlapping image area when both images are not background colors. It is possible to output the background color of either the transmission-side shared image 401 or the reception-side shared image 402 without discriminating the background colors by discriminating the two background colors.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the superposing section of the received image synthesizing section 107. Reference numeral 112 is a reception video memory, and 114 is a transmission image composition unit. 501
Is a background color setting circuit for storing background color data, which may be set in advance with data indicating the background color or may be automatically set based on the data from the transmission image editing unit or the reception image editing unit. Reference numeral 502 is a comparator, which is a background color setting circuit 50.
The background color data from No. 1 is compared with the reception data from the reception video memory 112 and the shared image data from the transmission image synthesizing unit 114, and it is determined whether or not the color is the background color and output to the multiplexer 504 (MUX). Although the background color is described here, a black-and-white image can be detected by the same method. In the case of detecting a black and white image, a method of discriminating the color difference signal within the range of deviation may be considered. Weighting circuit 50
Reference numeral 3 is a circuit for setting a weight when superposing the transmission-side shared image and the reception-side shared image. By setting the weighting in this circuit, either the transmission-side shared image or the reception-side shared image is prioritized. It is possible to control whether or not they are superposed. Reference numeral 504 denotes the multiplexer described above, which superimposes the image data from the transmission image synthesizing unit 114 and the shared image data from the reception video memory 112 on the basis of the superimposition information data from the comparator 502 and the weighting information data from the weighting circuit 503. I do. The superimposed images are output to the display unit 106.

When superimposing the shared images, it is possible to provide a user-friendly shared image by having a function of selecting various modes according to the purpose. Usually 1: 1
However, in the case of a black-and-white image, for example, it is possible to detect a black-and-white image from the deviation of the color difference components, cut the color difference components, and superimpose only the luminance components. It may be processed as a value image and image processing such as edge enhancement may be added. Also, instead of adding the entire screen, either the shared image area of the sending terminal or the shared image area of the receiving terminal is selected and displayed, and the sending side shared image and the receiving side shared image are weighted. A method of overlapping may be used. By changing the weighting, it is possible to display the image of the color different from the original color by overlapping (the overlapping area of the shared image area of the sending terminal and the shared image area of the receiving terminal) without adding, depending on the application. It will be easy to use. At this time, weighting is set to 1: 0 or 0: 1.
With this, only the shared image on the transmitting side or the shared image on the receiving side can be displayed. This image processing is performed by the received image synthesizing unit 107 described above.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the image communication apparatus of the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the ISDN line is used (FIG. 1), but in FIG. 6, a command such as a control signal of the shared camera is sent to the DTMF using the PSTN line.
It is realized by the signal. In the image communication apparatus of the present embodiment, 601 is a CPU, 602 is a ROM that stores programs, 603 is a work area RAM, and 604 is an operation unit. Using the operation unit 604, the shared camera 6
Change 13 setting parameters. A display unit 606 includes a display device such as a CRT or LCD. 605
Is a communication control unit for performing communication control. Shared camera 61
When the remote control request of 3 arrives from the terminal of the communication partner, the remote control request is sent from the communication control unit 605 to the CPU bus 6
It is sent to the CPU 601 via 20. The CPU 601 sends a remote control instruction to the shared camera 613 to the shared camera control unit 611 to remotely operate the shared camera 613. Reference numeral 607 denotes a received image synthesizing section, which is the extended image data from the decompressing encoding section 608 and the transmitted image synthesizing section 6.
The shared image data of its own terminal from 14 is overlaid. If the overlay is not selected, the shared image data of the terminal itself is displayed on the display unit 606 without overlaying. 6
Reference numeral 08 denotes the decompression encoding unit described above, which is the CPU bus 620.
And is controlled by the CPU 601. 609
Is a multiplexing unit, and is an image data from the compression encoding unit 615.
Data and the voice data from the voice CODEC unit 619 are multiplexed and sent to the network control unit (NCU) 610. NCU6
10 has an interface function with the PSTN line,
It is connected to the PSTN line 621. Reference numeral 611 denotes the above-described shared camera control unit, which controls the shared camera 613 such as focus and zoom. In particular, when the shared camera control signal is received from the terminal of the communication partner, when the CPU 601 determines via the CPU bus 620 that the DTMF signal is received by the DTMF receiver 622 from the NCU 610, the shared camera control unit 611 is executed. Shared camera 613
Can be remotely controlled from the terminal of the communication partner. 61
A reception video memory 2 stores received image data or superimposes the received images, and the reception image synthesizing unit 607 superimposes the reception images by using the reception video memory 612. The shared camera 613 captures an area of a shared image. In particular, it is controlled by the shared camera control unit 611. A transmission image combining unit 614 superimposes the shared image captured by the shared camera 613 and the self image captured by the self image capturing camera 616, and sends the superimposed image to the compression encoding unit 615. The compression encoding unit 615 compresses the image and sends it to the multiplexing unit 609. Reference numeral 616 denotes the self-portrait photographing camera described above, which photographs the self-portrait. 617
Is a video memory for transmission and is also used for storing transmission images and superimposing transmission images. 618 is a handset. 619 is a voice CODEC section,
Encodes and decodes voice.

Next, a remote operation of the shared camera 613 will be described. When the transmitting terminal is connected to the receiving terminal, the shared camera setting parameters held in the shared camera control unit 611 that controls the shared camera 613 are transferred to the CPU bus 6.
20 to the communication control unit 605. The communication control unit 605 converts the shared camera setting parameter into a DTMF signal and sends it out. The receiving terminal reads the shared camera setting parameters from the DTMF signal and arranges the shared camera 613 with the same setting parameters as the shared camera 613 of the transmitting terminal via the shared camera control unit 611. The image superposition and the switching of the shared camera control right are the same as those in the first embodiment. In this way, it can also be realized in the PSTN line.

According to the image communication apparatus of the present embodiment, the remote operation means for operating the shared camera provided in the reception terminal by the signal from the transmission terminal, and the sharing operation provided in the reception terminal according to the remote operation means. Since the camera is provided with the parameter setting means for aligning the setting parameters of the camera with those of the transmitting terminal, it is possible to prevent the difference in the size of the shared image due to the difference of the setting parameters of the camera, etc. Thus, it is possible to prevent a recognition shift due to a difference in image ratio.

Further, the receiving terminal remote operating means for operating the shared camera provided in the transmitting terminal by a signal from the receiving terminal receiving the transmitting side shared image, and the receiving terminal remote operating means are provided in the transmitting terminal. A receiver side parameter setting means for making the setting parameters of the shared camera the same as those of the receiving terminal; and when the communication is started, the remote control means is prioritized over the receiver side remote control means to set the camera control right to the transmitting terminal. Camera control right setting means, switching request generation means for generating a request for switching the camera control right during communication, and camera control for switching the camera control right set in the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal in response to the switching request. A right switching means is provided, so that the camera control right is switched to match the camera setting parameter of the receiving terminal. Can be, it can be easier to further use the shared image in such as a TV conference.

Further, the sending terminal sends a black-and-white image detecting means for detecting a black-and-white image from the sending-side shared image taken by the shared camera, and data to the receiving terminal after converting it into data according to the detected black-and-white image. Since it is equipped with a means, a black-and-white image that seems to be the most common one is detected, and when it is a black-and-white image, it is possible to provide a very easy-to-see shared image by superimposing it on the black-and-white image. Can
Shared images can also be used as a function equivalent to a document camera. Furthermore, since the color difference component is not transmitted, the time for occupying the line can be shortened.

Further, since the receiving terminal is provided with an image synthesizing unit for weighting and superimposing the shared image on the receiving side and the shared image on the transmitting side, the shared image is transmitted depending on the application by weighting and superimposing the shared image. Side shared image only,
Alternatively, only the shared image on the receiving side can be displayed. Therefore, the original color can be displayed without being affected by the color change due to the superposition. Further, when the images are displayed by changing the weighting and superimposing them, any one of the images can be emphasized and displayed, so that the transmission-side shared image and the reception-side shared image can be easily distinguished, and confusion can be prevented. In addition, since it is possible to determine the overlapping area of the transmitting-side shared image and the receiving-side shared image and change the weighting of the overlapping, it is possible to provide a natural shared image without making that area unnatural.

[0033]

According to the present invention, since the setting parameters of the image pickup means on the transmitting side and the receiving side can be easily made common, the usability of the entire communication system is improved.

In the present invention, the setting parameters of the transmitting side image pickup means (for example, video camera) and the receiving side image pickup means (for example, video camera) may all be the same, or only some of them may be the same. You may

As the setting parameter, "color /
Besides "monochrome" switching, various types such as "resolution", "aperture", "shutter speed", "autofocus state", etc. can be considered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image communication device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a superimposed display of shared images taken by using a shared camera 113 connected to a transmission terminal and a reception terminal.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display when a ratio of superimposition of a shared image captured using a shared camera 113 connected to a transmission terminal and a reception terminal is changed.

FIG. 4 is a shared image 401 on the transmitting side and a shared image 402 on the receiving side.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a shared image in which overlapping areas of are detected, and only the areas are weighted and overlapped.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a superimposing unit of a received image combining unit 107. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image communication device according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Operation Unit 105 Communication Control Unit 106 Display Unit 107 Received Image Composing Unit 108 Decompression Encoding Unit 109 Multiplexing Unit 110 ISDNi / f Unit 111 Shared Camera Control Unit 112 Received Video Memory Unit 113 Shared Camera 114 Transmission Image combining unit 115 Compression encoding unit 116 Self-portrait camera 117 Transmission video memory 118 Handset 119 Audio CODEC unit 120 CPU bus 121 ISDN line

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A receiving terminal and a transmitting terminal are each provided with an imaging means, and the receiving side shared image obtained from the imaging means provided in the receiving terminal is superimposed on the transmitting side shared image sent from the transmitting terminal. An image communication system for displaying a shared image, wherein at least a part of a setting parameter of an image pickup means provided in the receiving terminal is aligned with at least a part of a setting parameter of an image pickup means provided in the transmitting terminal. An image communication system, comprising: setting means. 2. An image pickup means for converting a target image into an image signal, a receiving means for receiving the image signal via a line, an image signal converted by the image pickup means and an image signal received by the receiving means are the same. An image communication apparatus comprising: an output unit for outputting on a screen; and a control unit for controlling the image pickup unit according to a control parameter of the image pickup unit input via the line. 3. A receiving side remote operation means for operating an image pickup means provided in the transmitting terminal by a signal from a receiving terminal which receives the transmitting side shared image, and the transmitting terminal according to the receiving side remote operation means. And a receiving side parameter setting means for aligning the setting parameters of the image pickup means provided to the receiving terminal with the receiving terminal, and the remote operation means is prioritized over the receiving side remote operation means when the communication is started Image pickup means control right setting means for setting means control right, switching request generation means for generating a request for switching the image pickup means control right during communication, and image pickup means set in the transmission terminal in response to the switching request The image communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: imaging means control right switching means for switching control right to the receiving terminal. 4. The image communication system according to claim 3, further comprising terminal instruction means for indicating a terminal to which the image pickup means control right is set. 5. The black and white image detecting means for detecting a black and white image from the shared image on the sending side taken by the image taking means, and the receiving terminal by converting into data according to the black and white image detected. The image communication system according to claim 1, 3 or 4, further comprising: 6. The image synthesizing unit according to claim 1, wherein the receiving terminal includes image synthesizing means for weighting and superimposing the receiving-side shared image and the transmitting-side shared image. Image communication system. 7. The image synthesizing unit, a region discriminating unit for discriminating an overlapping region of the transmitting side shared image and the receiving side shared image, an region weighting unit for weighting only the overlapping region, and the region weighting. The image communication system according to claim 6, further comprising a selection unit that selects whether the unit is valid or invalid.