JP3359191B2 - Image input system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for accessing video and control of a computer-controllable video camera via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image input system in which a video camera is connected to a computer to capture a camera image has been increasing. As an application for transmitting a camera image (image) taken into the computer over a network, there is a video conference system and the like. In a video conference system using a computer, video from a video camera is fetched into a computer and transmitted over a network. During the conference, the party to which the video is to be transmitted is determined. To start. On the other hand, there is an image input system that transmits camera images at multiple points to each other to transmit a state of a remote place.

[0003] In such a system, a specific camera is selected from a plurality of cameras to acquire an image via a network, and the image is accessed from a remote place. At this time, a partner who accesses the video is not necessarily determined, but a usage method of selecting a video (partner) that the user wants to watch and switching and watching the video is used.

[0004]

A problem in the above-mentioned system is a privacy problem. That is, since it is possible to peep at the image of the camera connected to the own computer, there are many cases where a problem occurs in accessing the camera at the own location without permission. In many cases, it is difficult to notice that the camera is not only being watched but also zoomed or panned in the case of a camera having a pan head control function, even in front of the camera.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem.

[0006]

An image input system as a means for solving the problem is a method for delivering an image input by an image input means from a first communication device to a second communication device on a network. In the image input system, the first communication device includes: an image delivery unit configured to deliver an image input by the image input unit to the second communication device; and an image display included in the second communication device. Means for notifying that the display of the image sent by the image delivery means has been started by the means, wherein the notifying means comprises:
When the communication device is controlled by the communication device, a notification different from the image display notification is performed.

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing an embodiment. 1 (1-1)
Is a video communication device for video (image) input, delivery, and display. 1-2, 1-3, ‥‥‥ represent the video communication device 1
-1 is the same video communication device as the network interface
High-speed network 1 capable of transmitting video through 107
50 is connected. In FIG. 1, the video communication device 1
-1, only the other video communication devices 1-2, 1-
The same applies to 3, ‥‥‥. Reference numeral 112 denotes an internal bus of the video communication device 1-1. Reference numeral 102 denotes an audio control device which converts digital audio data into an analog audio signal when sent, and reproduces a sound corresponding to the audio data from the speaker 101. 103 is a video camera (image input means),
Reference numeral 104 denotes a camera control device, which is a control signal line (RS23).
2C), the pan and tilt operations of the camera platform (not shown) of the video camera 103 and the zoom and focusing operations of the optical system are controlled. The camera control device 103 includes a CPU 108
Through the RS232C control device 113.
Further, the video output of the camera 103 is A / D converted, compressed and captured by the video capture device 105, and sent out to the network 150 via the network I / F (image delivery means) 107. At this time, multicast or broadcast communication is used so that video can be simultaneously delivered to a plurality of points. In addition, the camera control device 1
04 can be controlled from a remote location via a network.

In the present embodiment, the audio data format and the video compression format are not limited to specific formats. In addition, RS control is used to control the camera control device 104.
Although it is described that 232C is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and
It is only necessary that the pan and tilt operations of the camera platform (not shown) and the zoom and focusing operations of the optical system can be controlled. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a general-purpose workstation is used as a base of the video communication device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the bitmap display (image display means) 106 in the present embodiment. Bitmap display 1
On 06, a window system capable of displaying a plurality of windows is operating.

On the display screen 200 of the bitmap display 106, an icon (notification means) 201, a multipoint video display window 202, and an operation panel window 203 for operating the camera are displayed.

The icon 201a is an icon indicating that a video transmission process described later is not transmitting a video, and a person who is watching the video of the camera 103 attached to the device 1-1 on the network 150 is also controlled. Indicates that no one is doing it. Note that icons as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are set as the icons 201 of the same kind. When the icon 201b is displayed, the camera image is being transmitted, that is, the network 10
5 indicates that there is a person watching the image of the camera 103, and when the icon 201c is displayed, it indicates that the camera is further controlled.

On the other hand, a multipoint video display window 202
Are the other specified video communication devices 1-2, 1-3,.
One or more camera images are displayed. Of course, a camera image of the own apparatus 1-1 may be displayed in this window 202. Screen 2 is used as a means for selecting a video communication device.
This is achieved by displaying a menu window (not shown) on 00 and specifying the network address, host name, and the like of the other video communication devices 1-2, 1-3, and ‥‥‥.
Other selection methods may be used. In addition, delivery of video,
For display, full motion video (30 frames / sec)
), Or a still image that is updated about once every 10 seconds,
Images updated at a rate according to the application can be delivered and displayed. Further, the number of displayed remote images does not matter here.

In the operation panel window 203, left and right (pan operation), up and down (tilt operation) directions of the camera 103 by a carriage (not shown), and an optical system zoom operation are set on the screen 200. Button 231,
Alternatively, it can be operated by pressing and dragging the scroll bar 232 with the mouse 109 (FIG. 1). The camera to be controlled is specified by setting the device name (host name) in the input window 233. When camera control is started, the access button 234 is pressed, and when control is finished, the release button 235 is pressed. During a period from when the access button 234 is pressed until the release button 235 is pressed, the corresponding camera control process 411 (FIG. 4: described later) is under camera control. At this time, even if the access button 234 is pressed similarly from the other video communication devices 1-2, 1-3, ‥‥‥, the message “Nac” is transmitted from the camera control process 411 as described later.
“k” is returned, and the corresponding camera control process 411 does not accept the access and cannot start camera control. At this time, the indicator 237 is set to a red display to indicate that the camera control access is busy. In addition, it is set so that it is displayed in green during the control access in which the access is accepted. As described above, in the present embodiment, the access state can be identified by the color, but may be identified by the character information.

FIG. 4 shows a process configuration diagram in the present embodiment. These processes mean processes in a multi-process OS such as UNIX.
The video communication device has a software-like mechanism for operating a multi-process. This multi-process OS uses RO
M130 and the secondary storage device 111,
When the system is started, it is transferred to the main storage device (RAM) 110 and operated by the CPU 108. Of course, RO
It is also possible to operate in a state stored in M130. In the following description, an aggregate of the respective processes (hereinafter, processing processes) 4-1, 4-2, 4-3,.
‥‥ is the video communication device 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, ‥‥‥
The process will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

The video communication apparatus 1-1 (processing process 4-
The camera control process 411 in 1) is a camera control client process 424 on another video communication device 1-2 (processing process 4-2) via the network 105.
From the camera control device 10
The camera 103 is actually controlled by issuing a camera control signal to the C.4 via the RS232C. Also, the camera control process 411 receives a video request command from the video display process 423 on another video communication device 1-2, and
-1 is issued to the video transmission process 412. Further, as described later, the voice control device 10
2 sends appropriate data and controls to generate a sound effect at a specific timing. Further, a symbol (for example, 201a) indicating a state of access (video, control) of the own device 1-1 to the camera 103 is displayed on the screen 200 (FIG. 2).

The video transmission process 412 controls the video capture device 105 to capture and compress the video of the video camera 103 at a predetermined frame rate and deliver the video to the network 105. In addition, camera control process 4
11, the same video is distributed to a plurality of other video communication devices 1-2, 1-3,... Requesting the video by multicasting or unicasting a plurality of times. .

A video display process 413 issues a video transmission request to a video transmission process on another video communication device, receives and expands video data via the network 105, and expands the video data in a form like the multipoint video display window 202. Display video. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the video display processes 423 and 433 of the video communication devices 1-2 and 1-3 (processing processes 4-2 and 4-3) are performed by the camera control process 41.
1, a video transmission request is issued to the video transmission process 412, and video data is received via the network 105.

The camera control client 414 displays the operation window 203 (FIG. 2) on the screen 200, and, when an operation instruction of another camera 103 is given on the operation window 203, the camera control of another video communication apparatus. A camera control command corresponding to the camera operation instructed via the network 150 is issued to the process.

Each process 411, 412, 41
3 and 414 are appropriately combined and incorporated on other video communication apparatuses, and each is operating.

Reference numeral 450 denotes an access management process, which includes all the devices 1-1, 1-2, and 1-2 on the network 150.
It is connected to all camera control processes of 1-3 and ‥‥‥, and manages access to all camera images and operations. Therefore, it is only necessary to be provided in any video communication device on the network 150. In this example, it is provided and activated on the video communication device 1-1 (processing process 4-1).

FIG. 5 shows an access state display window (notification means) 5 for displaying who is watching the image of the camera 103 connected to the apparatus 1-1 and who is operating it.
0 is shown. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 51 denotes an observer list, which displays the name of a person who is viewing the camera image. The name used here is obtained by, for example, specifying a login name or a name at system startup. If more than one person is watching, list the names of all people. Reference numeral 52 denotes an operator list.
If there is a person performing remote operation (pan / tilt, etc.) of 03, the login name of the operator is displayed. The access status display window 50 is displayed by clicking the icon 201 (201a, 201b or 201c) in FIG. 2 with the mouse 109 (FIG. 1). In detail, the CPU 108 decodes a click instruction by the mouse 109, accesses the data in the video access table 120 and the camera access register 121 of the main storage device 110 by the decoding, and executes the display operation based on the data. Causes the list to be displayed on the screen 200 on the bitmap display 106.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a camera control process 41.
3 is a flowchart of the operation in FIG. FIG. 7 shows the video access table 120 managed by the camera control process 411, which is secured on the main storage device 110 as shown in FIG. In addition, a camera access register 121 for holding a user name performing a camera control access described later is similarly secured in the main storage device 110 as shown in FIG.

The camera control process 411 is started (S
601), the state of the camera control device 104 and the video access table 120, the camera access register 121
Are initialized, and the icon 201 and the windows 202 and 203 are displayed (S602), and the system waits for an event to come (S603). Here, the events include so-called keyboard and mouse events of a window system and communication events such as reception of data packets from a network. Here, only the events necessary for the description are described in the flowchart.

The data transmitted via the network 150 includes a video transmission start request and a video transmission stop request issued from a video display process 423 of another device (for example, the device 1-2 = processing process 4-2). And a camera control command issued from the camera control client process 424. FIG. 8 shows the format of these request (instruction) packets. As shown in FIG. 8, each packet 8-
The first field of 1, 8-2, 8-3, 8-4, 8-5 indicates the type of request (video transmission / camera control).
In the fields 814 and 843, the name of the user who started the process that issued the packet is inserted.

When the event (request packet) is the video transmission start request 8-1 (S604), the audio control device 1
02 so that the sound effect (beep sound B) sounds
(Sound device) 101 by sending sound data stored in a secondary storage device 111 such as a hard disk device.
(S605), and obtains the address of the transmission source of the video transmission request (the device requesting the video) from the third field 813 of the packet (this is temporarily referred to as address2) (S606). Video transmission process 4
A transmission destination addition instruction (instructing to send to address 2) is issued to S12 (S607). At this time, upon receiving the transmission destination addition command, the video transmission process 412 adds address2 as the transmission destination of the captured video. Next, the camera control process 411 additionally registers the user name (obtained from the fourth field 814) and the address of the access host (obtained from the third field 813) in the video access table 120 (S608). At this time, if at least one entry is added from the empty table, the camera icon display changes from the icon 201a to the icon 201b. At this time, if the video has already been transmitted, the data of the beep sound B is transmitted again from the secondary storage device 111 to the audio control device 102.
In this case, the sound generation state does not change.

Next, when there is a video transmission end request 8-2 as an event (request packet) (S609), the address of the access host to be deleted from the video access table 120 (this is temporarily referred to as address 3) is transmitted to the packet 8--
2 from the third field 823 (S610), and further issues a transmission destination deletion command (instruction to stop transmission to the address 3) to the video transmission process 412 (S610).
611). At this time, in the video transmission process 412, when receiving the transmission destination deletion command, the transmission destination of the captured video is
Delete adress3. Next, the camera control process 411
Is an entry corresponding to address3 from the video access table 120 (access host: host3, user name: person
3) is deleted (S612). Further, it is determined whether or not the video access table 120 is empty (S613). If it is not empty, the current state is continued. If it is empty, the beep sound B is stopped and the camera icon is displayed on the icon 201a. return.

By doing so, if the video transmission process 412 has transmitted video even in one place, a beep sound and a camera icon are displayed, so that it is easy to notice that the video is being viewed by the own camera 103. .

On the other hand, when there is a camera control start request 8-4 as an event (S615), it is checked whether or not the camera access register 121 (FIG. 1) is empty (S61).
6) If not empty, camera control is in progress, so that a message "Nack" is returned to the requester indicating that camera control cannot be performed (S620). If it is empty, a message “Ack” is returned to the request source indicating that camera control can be executed (S617), and the sound control device 102 is controlled to emit a sound effect (beep sound A) (S61).
8) The access user is acquired from the third field 843 of the packet 8-4 and registered in the camera access register 121 (S619).

If there is a camera control request 8-3 as an event (S621), the control type and its control parameters are obtained from the second field 832 and the third field 833 of the packet 8-3, and the control type and the control parameters are obtained. The camera control is performed by controlling the RS control device 113 according to the control parameters and sending an RS232C signal to the camera control device 104 (S622). Here, the control parameters represent, for example, a pan angle and a zoom magnification. On the other hand, types of control include pan, tilt, zoom, and the like.
It is not particular about the type.

If there is a camera control end request 8-5 as an event (S623), the beep sound A is stopped (S624) and the camera access register 121 is reset (S625).

By doing so, a beep sounds during camera control, and it is easy to recognize that someone is operating.

Here, different beep sounds (sound effects) for camera control and video access are used.
You can tell which one you access. For example, it can be distinguished by the pitch (frequency) of the sound, the interval of intermittent beep, and the like.

On the other hand, if the event is a mouse button click on the camera icon 201 (S626), the contents of the video access table 120 (FIG. 1, FIG. 7) and the camera access register 121 (FIG. 1) are read. (S627), a window for displaying access information is popped up as a window as shown in FIG. 5 (S62).
8). By doing so, it is possible to know in detail who is watching the video and who is operating the camera 103.

If the event is other than the above (S626), a process corresponding to the event is performed (S629), and the process returns to step S603.

As described above, the network 15 is
In addition to generating a sound effect when viewing the video via the display 0 and displaying the video on the screen 200 in a small and easy-to-understand manner, the video can be viewed even when performing other work. It is easy to notice.

In addition, a sound effect is also generated when camera control is accessed from a remote place, and is displayed on the screen in a small and easy-to-understand manner. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate the privacy problem, which is a problem in the case of secretly peeping and secretly operating.

Further, by displaying from which host the delivery video is being viewed or controlled, the privacy problem is further reduced.

<Second Embodiment> In this embodiment, in addition to the above-described first embodiment, the sound effect is changed by operations such as zooming, panning, and tilting. In particular, regarding zooming, privacy becomes a problem by zooming up, so that a sound effect that gives a sense of security is generated. In the case of this embodiment,
Instead of generating a beep at step S618 shown in FIG. 6, the type of camera operation (camera control command field 83) is performed between step S621 and step S622.
2) and its parameters (field 8 of the camera control command)
A different beep sound may be generated according to 33). Specifically, for example, if the beep sound is intermittent at the time of zoom-up, the interval of sound generation is shortened, and at the time of zoom-down, the interval of sound generation is lengthened. Also, different sounds are used for pan and tilt.

Here, by increasing the volume of the beep sound when zooming in (telephoto) and decreasing the volume when zooming out (wide angle), an appropriate volume is reached so as to reach a person at a required distance according to the zoom magnification. By controlling, attention can be ventilated only to those who need it.

In the manner described above, the type of operation can be immediately recognized by sound, so that more effective attention can be obtained. Also, by setting the required volume according to the zoom magnification, attention can be ventilated only to those who need attention according to the distance.

<Third Embodiment> In the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the sound effect is changed according to the number of accessing persons.

A function of obtaining the number of video access persons from the number of entries in the video access table 120 (FIGS. 1 and 7) and changing the frequency of the sound effect according to the number of persons is added to steps S608 and S612 shown in FIG. Good.
When the frequency of the beep sound is high when the number of people is large, and when the frequency is low when the number of people is small, attention can be ventilated according to the number of viewers.

By adopting such a form, the number of people watching the video can be immediately recognized, and thus more effective attention can be obtained.

<Fourth Embodiment> This embodiment is different from the first, second and third embodiments in that the video camera 1
02, a camera control device 104 and a speaker 101 are multiplexed, and a plurality of camera units can be controlled by switching or selecting a video signal line, an audio signal line, and RS232C by a signal line switching device (input selection device 114). It is. FIG. 9 shows a portion of the device 1-1 of the block diagram 1 according to the first embodiment, which is described in conformity with the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the first, second,
Only differences from the third embodiment will be described. Note that the cameras and the speakers belonging to the same camera unit are arranged close to each other in distance, for example, so that the sound effects can be heard from a specific camera so that the correspondence between the sound effects and the cameras can be easily established.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a speaker 101, a video camera 103, and a camera control device 104 constitute a camera unit. In this embodiment, three camera units 160, 161, 162 are provided. ing. Of course, the number of camera units is not limited to three. These camera units 160, 161,
A unit number is added to each unit 162, and the camera 103 on the network 150 is uniquely specified by “device name + camera unit number”. These video units 160, 161, 1
62 is selected by the input selection device 114, and the corresponding video signal line, audio signal line, and RS232C are selected. The RS232C signal, video signal, and audio signal are always switched simultaneously in video unit units. Therefore, when viewed at a certain time, the number of camera units to be controlled is always one. Note that the input selection device 114 itself is also controlled by the RS232C. That is, camera control and video switching are performed by giving a camera unit number. The input selection device 114 itself checks the camera unit number and sends a camera control request to the camera control device 104 corresponding to the specified camera unit number, and performs video / audio input switching for the specified camera unit number. Has functions. Therefore, the request packet formats 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 1 for camera control and video transmission
2-5, as shown in FIG. 12, video unit number fields 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 with respect to the request packet format of the first embodiment (FIG. 8).
Is used. The remaining fields are exactly the same as the fields shown in FIG.

At this time, not only the host name (device name) but also the camera number is specified for camera operation and video display. For example, the camera operation window 2 in FIG.
11, a camera number specifying unit 1138 is added to the camera operation window 1130 as shown in FIG.
In addition to the window 50 (FIG. 5) for displaying access information, a camera number display unit 1030 is added to the window 1000 as shown in FIG. This window 1000 is prepared for each camera unit.

The process configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the operation is the same as described above except that the camera unit number is specified in addition to the device name. Are almost the same. However, the difference is that it is not possible to switch to another camera unit during camera control. That is, in the camera control process 411, if any one of the camera units is under control, the other camera units are set to be used, so that any of the camera units cannot be accessed. Indicates that only one camera unit is in use,
That is, only one is activated. Therefore,
The sound effect may be controlled to be generated only for the active camera.

In this embodiment, since the video and audio are simultaneously switched, the camera control process may be the same as the flow shown in FIG. 6 in this regard.

As in the present embodiment, the input selection device 11
4 and the multiplexing of the camera units 160, 161, and 162, a plurality of cameras 103 can be added to one video communication device 1-1. Even if the camera 103 and the main body of the video communication apparatus 101 are separated, the speaker 101 is arranged near the camera 103, so that access to the video / control to the camera 103 can be immediately recognized.

<Fifth Embodiment> In this embodiment, the input selection device 1
Rather than switching video units with 14,
In addition to the video unit, video capture device 105,
The RS232C control device 113 and the voice control device 102 are also multiplexed so that a plurality of camera units can be controlled simultaneously in parallel.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the video communication apparatus 1-1 in the block diagram of FIG. 1 showing the first embodiment, which is described in conformity with the present embodiment. In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 13, it is illustrated to have three camera units. Of course, the number of camera units is not limited to three. Hereinafter, first to fourth
Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

The present embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that the camera units are multiplexed. But,
Video capture device 105, RS232C control device 1
13, the audio control device 102 is also multiplexed, and the video capture devices 105A, 15B, 105C, the RS232C control devices 113A, 113B, 113C, and the audio control device 1
By providing 02A, 102B, and 102C, video capture, camera control, and sound effect generation can be controlled completely in parallel, so there are fewer restrictions compared to the fourth embodiment. That is, even when the camera unit 160 is controlling the camera 103 connected to the same video communication apparatus 1-1, it is possible to remove the restriction that the other camera units 161 and 162 cannot be used. . In the present embodiment, the camera control process 411 and the video transmission process 412 may be activated by a number corresponding to the number of camera units, and each may control each camera unit. The subsequent operation is the same as in the first to fourth embodiments.

According to the present embodiment, as compared with the fourth embodiment, even if any one of the camera units is controlling a camera connected to the same video communication device, It is possible to remove the restriction that other camera units cannot be used.

<Sixth Embodiment> This embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that not only a sound but also a still image of a face symbolizing an actual person who is accessing is provided according to the number of people. By displaying icons on the screen at the start of access of each user using icons such as, and deleting the icon display at the end of access, it is possible to intuitively understand who is accessing and how many people are accessing Is to do so.

For example, a still image icon (size is about 64 × 64) of a human face is stored in advance in the secondary storage device 111 in association with the name of a user who uses the system.
When a video access is made, a person accessing the video is obtained from the video access table 120 (FIG. 7), an icon is obtained from the person icon table, and this is displayed on the screen. I just need. Such processing may be added to steps S608 and S612 in FIG.

By doing so, it is possible to immediately know who is watching the video and the number of the viewers, so that more effective attention can be obtained.

[0071]

According to the present invention, when an image is viewed from a remote place via a network, an appropriate notification (for example, a sound or an image) is given, so that even if another job is being performed, This is to make it easier to notice that the image is being viewed.

Also, regarding the access of the camera control from a remote place, it is possible to easily notice by giving an appropriate notification.

Therefore, the privacy problem which is a problem in the case of secretly peeping and sneaking operation is reduced, and effective attention can be given to the operation.

Further, by notifying from which point the delivery image is observed or controlled,
It alleviates stronger privacy concerns.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a display according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing icon symbols representing a camera access state used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a process configuration diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an access information window according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a camera video access table used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a request packet format according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an access information window according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a display according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a request packet format according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Video Communication Device 101 Speaker 102 Audio Control Device 103 Video Camera 104 Camera Control Device 106 Bitmap Display 108 CPU 110 Main Storage Device 111 Secondary Storage Device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04Q 9/00 H04N 7/15

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image input system for delivering an image input by an image input means from a first communication device for delivering to a second communication device on a network, wherein the first communication device comprises: Image delivery means for delivering the image input by the input means to the second communication device; and display of the image sent by the image delivery means is started by the image display means of the second communication device. Notification means for notifying that the image display is being performed, wherein the notification means performs notification different from the notification of the image display when the image input means is controlled by the second communication device. An image input system characterized by the following. 2. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means notifies by a sound. 3. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means notifies by an image. 4. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein said notifying means notifies by sound and image. 5. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the second communication devices are provided on the network. 6. The image input system according to claim 5, wherein said notifying means is capable of identifying which image transmission destination the displayed image is displayed on. 7. An image input system according to claim 1, wherein said delivery means delivers an image to said second communication device in response to a delivery command of said second communication device. 8. An image input system according to claim 5, wherein said notification means issues different notifications according to the number of image transmission destinations. 9. The image input system according to claim 8, wherein the notification by the notification unit is performed by sound, and the frequency is changed according to the number of image transmission destinations. 10. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein said image input means can control pan, tilt, zoom, and focusing operations. 11. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein
An image input system, wherein different notifications are issued according to the control contents of the image input means. 12. The image input system according to claim 11, wherein said notification means issues different notifications according to a zoom magnification of said input means. 13. The image input system according to claim 12, wherein the notification by said notification means is performed by sound, and the volume is increased as the zoom magnification increases. 14. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 15. The first communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 16. A notification method when an image input by an image input unit is delivered from a first communication device for delivery to a second communication device on a network, wherein the first communication device The image display means of the second communication device notifies that the display of the image sent by the image delivery means has been started, and the image input means is controlled by the second communication device. A notification method different from the notification of the image display to the first communication device.