JPH09289635A - Communication equipment and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an equipment provided with a user interface capable of flexible operations by providing the respective means of image reception, multi- image output, an optional image instruction and a communication terminal processing. SOLUTION: The (n) pieces of video transmission terminals 12 (12-1-12-n) are connected to a digital network 10 and video data and camera control information are digitally transmitted. To the respective video transmission terminals 12 (12-1-12-n,) video cameras 16 (16-1-16-n) are connected through camera controllers 14 (14-1-14-n.) The camera controllers 14 control the panning, tilting, zoom, focus and diaphragm, etc., of the connected video cameras 16 corresponding to control signals from the video transmission terminals 12. Also, the video cameras 16 are supplied with power from the camera controllers 14 and the camera controllers 14 can control the power ON/OF of the video cameras 16 corresponding to external control signals.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A remote monitoring system using a plurality of cameras is conventionally used in a relatively small building, which is composed of several video cameras and a synthesizer for synthesizing their images in an analog manner. It is called a local surveillance system. For such a local monitoring system, a plurality of cameras can be connected to a LAN (local area network) or a digital network such as a public digital line ISDN to connect more flexible, more and more distant cameras. Such a remote monitoring system has been proposed.

[0003]

In some recent remote monitoring systems, a personal computer or workstation is used as a monitoring terminal, and a graphical user interface is used.
There is one that realizes image display and system control by an interface (GUI). By using the GUI of the computer as the monitoring terminal, there is an advantage that even a person who is not familiar with the device can easily handle it. In particular, the operability can be improved by displaying the camera image on the monitor and the control panel of the camera outputting the camera image at the same time.

However, as a conventional method of displaying images of this type of system, a list display of a plurality of camera images and a detailed display of a specific camera image are conceivable, but the operability concerning the display operation and the state of the system are conceivable. The distinctiveness of was not always good, and there was room for improvement.

The present invention eliminates such problems and allows a more flexible operation UI (user interface)
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a communication method, and in particular, a communication device capable of switching between a list display of images generated from a plurality of communication devices and a detailed display of a specific camera image as needed. And

[0006]

A communication device according to the present invention includes a receiving unit for receiving images generated by image generating units of a plurality of communication terminals, and an image received by the receiving unit is displayed on a display unit as a multi-image. Output means for outputting as much as possible, instructing means for instructing an arbitrary image from the images forming the multi-image, and when the instructing operation by the instructing means is the first instructing operation, the display of the image instructed by the instructing means And a processing unit that controls the output form to the unit, and sets the communication terminal that generates the image instructed by the instructing unit as a control target when the instructing operation by the instructing unit is the second instructing operation. Characterize.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a digital network for digitally transmitting video data and camera control information (including status information), to which n video transmission terminals 12 (12-1 to 12-n) are connected. A video camera 16 (16-1 to 16-n) is connected to each video transmission terminal 12 (12-1 to 12-n) via a camera control device 14 (14-1 to 14-n). There is. The camera control device 14 (14-1 to 14-n) includes the terminal 12 (1
2-1 to 12-n) controls the pan, tilt, zoom, focus, aperture, etc. of the connected video camera 16 (16-1 to 16-n). Also,
The video camera 16 (16-1 to 16-n) is supplied with power from the camera control device 14 (14-1 to 14-n), and the camera control device 14 receives the video camera 16 (in accordance with an external control signal). 16-1 to 16-n) power on /
It can be controlled off.

The network 10 also receives video information sent from the video transmission terminals 12 (12-1 to 12-n) to the network 10 and displays the video information (monitoring terminals) 18 (18-1 to 18-1). 18-m) are connected.
Each video receiving terminal 18 (18-1 to 18-m) has a monitor display (hereinafter abbreviated as monitor) 20 (20).
-1 to 20-m) are connected.

Video transmission terminal 12 (12-1 to 12-n)
Is connected to the video camera 16 (16-1 to 16-
n) output video. It is compressed by a predetermined compression method such as 261 and transmitted via the network 10 to the video receiving terminal 18 of the video request source or all the video receiving terminals 18. The video receiving terminal 18, which has received the video, displays the received video in the video display area of the monitor 20. The video receiving terminal 18 is
Control of power supply (ON to OFF and OFF to ON) together with various parameters (shooting direction, shooting magnification, focus, aperture, etc.) of the arbitrary camera 16 via the network 10, the video transmission terminal 12, and the camera control device 14. it can. Details of these will be described later.

By providing a monitor on the video transmission terminal 12 and a video decompression device for decompressing a compressed video, the video transmission terminal 12 can be used as a video reception terminal. Similarly, by connecting the camera control device 14 and the video camera 20 to the video receiving terminal 18 and providing a video compressing device, the video receiving terminal 18 can be used as a video transmitting terminal. It goes without saying that it is necessary to equip the software necessary for video transmission or video reception.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the video transmission terminal 12. Reference numeral 22 is a CPU for controlling the whole, 24 is a main memory, 26 is a removable external storage device such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM, 28 is a secondary storage device such as a hard disk, 30 is a mouse as a pointing device, 32 Is a keyboard, 34 is an I / O board for connecting the camera control device 14 and transmitting / receiving a camera control signal, and 36 is a video capture device for capturing a video output signal of the video camera 16. The video capture device 36 of this embodiment has an A / D conversion function for converting an analog video signal into a digital signal and a video compression function for compressing information. 38 is a video board for displaying video information on the screen of the monitor 40, 42 is a network interface, and 44 is devices 22 to 3
It is a system bus that connects the 8 and 42 together.

If dedicated to video transmission, the video board 38 and monitor 40 may be omitted.

As described above, the video transmission terminal is nothing but a computer. With the above configuration, the terminal 12 transmits the video to the remote monitoring terminal via the network, receives the camera control signal from the monitoring terminal, and receives the camera 16
Control.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the video receiving terminal (monitoring terminal) 18. 122 is a CP that controls the whole
U, 124 is a main memory, 126 is a removable external storage device such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM, 128
Is a secondary storage device such as a hard disk, 130 is a mouse as a pointing device, 132 is a keyboard, 138 is a video board for displaying video information on the screen of the monitor 140, 142 is a network interface, and 144 is compressed video information. Compression decoder 146 for decompressing
It is a system bus that connects the two and 144 together.

The video receiving terminal 18 is shown in FIG. 2 except that it does not have the function of controlling the camera and taking in the camera video, the decoder 144 for expanding the compressed video, and the difference in system software. The configuration is the same as that of the video transmission terminal 12. Some or all of the video reception terminals 18 are video transmission terminals 1 that are allowed to perform arbitrary or camera control.
2 can send a camera control signal, and the video transmission terminal 12 that has received this camera control signal controls the camera 16 according to the content of the camera control signal, and
Returns the current state of the. The monitoring terminal displays the current status of the corresponding camera on the monitor according to the received status signal.
At the same time, the monitoring terminal receives the video data sent from the video sending terminal, decompresses it, and displays it on the monitor screen in real time.

FIG. 4 shows the software configuration of this embodiment. The video receiving terminal (monitoring terminal) 18 includes a camera 16 connected to the video transmitting terminal 12 connected to the network 10.
A camera control client (software) 50 for remotely controlling the camera, and video reception software 5 for decompressing compressed video data from the video transmission terminal 12 and displaying it on the monitor screen.
2, the position of each camera 16 and the current state are displayed as a camera symbol on the map, and each camera 16
The map management software 54 for displaying the operation panel for operating is installed.

The video reception software 52 is also software for managing the cameras 16 connected to all the video transmission terminals 12 connected to the network 10. The video reception software 52 is fixed information of each camera 16 and various variable information (for example, cameras). Name, host name of the computer to which the camera 16 is connected, camera status such as pan / tilt and zoom, whether control is possible, which camera 16 is currently being controlled, and which camera 16 is displaying an image Etc.). These pieces of information are also supplied to the camera control client 50 and the map management software 54, and are used for changing the display of camera symbols.

The video transmission terminal 12 controls the camera 16 via the camera control device 14 in accordance with a request from the camera control client 50, and notifies the current state of the camera 16 to the request source, and the camera control server 56. Video transmission software 58 for compressing the output video and transmitting it to the request source via the network 10 in a predetermined format is installed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of display contents on the monitor screen of the video receiving terminal 18. Reference numeral 60 is a map window showing the layout of offices, stores, warehouses, etc. in which the cameras 16 are arranged, and a plurality of maps 60a, 60b, 60c, 6
0d can be switched. The number of maps 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d that can be displayed depends on the system performance and is not particularly limited. Each map 60a, 60
A tag is attached to each of b, 60c, and 60d. By clicking this tag with the mouse pointer, the map with the selected tag is displayed on the front. On the map displayed on the front side, camera icons (camera symbols) 62a, 62b, which indicate the cameras arranged therein,
62c and 62d are also displayed. Camera icon 62
a, 62b, 62c, and 62d are displayed in the direction in which the corresponding camera 16 is facing.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a plurality of video display areas 66a to 66f.
It is a video display window equipped with. In this embodiment,
It is obvious that the image display device has six image display areas, but is not limited thereto. The video display window 64 further displays a trash can icon 66g for an operation of stopping the display of the camera video during video display. How to use the trash can icon 66g will be described later.

The video display window 64 has a display mode for listing a plurality of video display areas as shown in FIG.
As shown in, it has a display mode that gazes at only one of the images. The former is called a list mode and the latter is called a gaze mode. The gaze mode can be used when one image is to be displayed in a large size, or when high resolution and detailed display are desired. Switching between the list mode and the gaze mode will be described later.

Reference numeral 68 denotes a camera control panel, which is provided with buttons for operating the direction (pan / tilt) and zoom of the designated camera. In this embodiment, the power of the designated camera is turned on / off. A camera power button 70 for turning off is provided.

For example, in the map window 60, the map 60
When c is selected and displayed on the front, a map as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and camera icons 62e and 62f respectively showing the two cameras arranged therein are also displayed on the map.

The camera control in this embodiment will be described in detail. If you want to display the image of a certain camera 16, click the camera icon showing the camera 16 on the map window 6
0 on the corresponding map, select the video display window 64
An operation (so-called drag and drop) of overlapping and separating any of the image display areas 66a to 66f is performed. Note that the video display area 66 that is not normally used is
Although a to 66f are selected, when the video display area in use is selected, the user is warned that the camera will be switched, and the user can select to continue or cancel. Such processing is well known.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of dragging and dropping the camera icon 62c to the video display area 66c, and the video of the camera represented by the camera icon 62c is displayed in the video display area 66c. camera·
While dragging the icon, the mouse cursor
The shape is changed to that shown in FIG. 8, thereby indicating to the user that dragging for displaying an image is being performed. The map management software 54 notifies the video reception software 52 of the camera ID corresponding to the selected camera icon, and the video reception software 52 is connected to the camera direction, camera name, and camera from this ID. The host name of the camera control client 5
0 and the map management software 54.

Next, the operation for controlling the camera will be described. Of the image display regions 66a-66f where the image is displayed by the above operation, single-clicking on the image display region (for example, 66c) where the image for which the camera is desired to be displayed is single-clicked to enable the camera control. At this time, a yellow frame is displayed in the image display area 66c to indicate to the operator that camera control is possible. Also,
The camera control panel 68 is automatically displayed.

The camera control client 50 makes a network connection with the camera control server 56 of the video transmission terminal 12 to which the selected camera is connected, based on the information from the video reception software 52. After that, the camera control client 52 sends a camera control signal based on the user's operation,
Send to the camera control server 56 connected to the network,
The camera control server 56 controls the camera 16 according to the received camera control signal, and notifies the camera control client 52 of current information of the camera 16. The camera control client 52 notifies the video reception software 52 of the current information of the selected camera 16. The video reception software 52 stores the information in the map management software 54.
Notify also.

The map management software 54 changes the orientation of the camera icon so as to match the orientation of the corresponding camera 16, and displays the image of the selected camera icon as shown in FIG. A control pointer 74 for displaying pan / tilt and zoom in the scope 72 for displaying the scope 72 indicating that
Is displayed. As described above, the map management software 54 is constantly notified of the variation information (especially pan / tilt information) of the camera 16 during image display from the image reception software 52, and responds according to this information. The orientations of the camera icons 62a to 62f are changed so as to match the orientation of the camera.

The camera control panel 68 has a video display area 66.
One may be common to a-66f, or a plurality may be provided corresponding to each. When a plurality of camera control panels 68 are provided, the video display areas 66a to 66f are numbered and displayed in advance, and the same numbers are displayed on the corresponding camera control panels 68, so that the video and the camera control panel 68 can be displayed. The system makes it easy to understand the correspondence.
Further, instead of the number, the camera name set for each camera can be displayed, or different colors can be assigned and displayed for each of the video display areas 66a to 66f.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the processing for turning off the power of the camera 16 which is arbitrarily selected. If you want to temporarily power off the selected camera, select the camera icon indicating the camera you want to power off,
The camera power button 70 on the camera control panel 68 is pressed. The camera power button 70 is displayed in different colors and / or different characters (for example, “power off” or “power on”) according to the power status of the target camera. In response to the operation of the camera power button 70, the camera control client 52 notifies the camera power off request to the camera control server 56 of the video transmission terminal 12 connected to the corresponding camera 16 via the network 10 (S).
1).

The camera control server 56 is the I / O board 34.
The camera control device 14 is controlled via the power supply to shut off the power supply to the corresponding video camera 10 (S2). On the other hand, the camera power button 70 is changed to a display mode indicating that the power is off (S3). This indicates to the operator that the power of the target camera is off.

When it is desired to supply power again to the camera that has been turned off, the camera power button 70 may be pressed again. Then, the camera power-on request is notified to the camera control server 56, and power is supplied to the corresponding video camera 16. Press the camera power button 70,
Change the color to indicate that the power is on.

In this way, the power supply of an arbitrary camera can be controlled from the monitoring terminal 18, and power consumption can be reduced.

In response to the video transmission request from the video reception software 52, the video transmission software 58 transmits the camera video. That is, the video receiving software 52 is transferred to the video transmitting software 58 of the video transmitting terminal 12 to which the selected camera is connected via the network 10.
Request transmission of video data for frames. In response to this request, the video transmission software 58 compresses the video data of the latest frame from the camera 16, divides it into packets, and transmits it to the requesting video reception software 52. The video reception software 52 reconstructs a frame from the received packet, expands the compression, and displays the video display area 66a ...
It is displayed in the previously designated area of 66f, and the video transmission request is issued again. By repeating this, the video receiving terminal 18 receives the camera image of the remote place via the network and displays it.

When displaying images from a plurality of cameras simultaneously, issue an image transmission request and receive / display images to the image transmission software 58 of the image transmission terminal 12 connected to each camera. Repeat in order.

When the display position of the received camera image is changed,
It can be done by drag and drop operation. For example, from the image display area 66c to the image display area 66
If it is desired to change to b, as shown in FIG. 11, move the mouse pointer onto the video display area 66c and press the mouse button. Then, while keeping the mouse button pressed, move the mouse pointer to the video display area 66b. Move it up and release the mouse button on the video display area 66b.

In response to such an operation, the video reception software 52 causes the video display area initially selected (see FIG. 11).
Then, the video display of the area 66c) is stopped, and the camera video displayed there is assigned to the video display area (area 66b in FIG. 11) selected later. The logical network connection is not disconnected even by this operation.

In the list mode, when it is desired to gaze at an image in a certain image display area (for example, 66a), this image display area is double-clicked with the mouse. Then
The video display window 64 switches to a gaze mode for gazing at this video. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the video display window 64 in the gaze mode. 80 is called a gaze display window. Reference numeral 82 denotes a mode switching button for returning to the list mode again. 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d
Is a cursor for controlling the camera when the camera is controlled.

In the gaze mode, one image is displayed large. At this time, the display speed (frame rate) can be prioritized for smooth motion display, or the image quality can be prioritized for high-resolution display with a large amount of data per frame. FIG. 14 shows an image quality setting window for making this selection. 90 is a display speed priority button,
Reference numeral 92 denotes an image quality priority button. Display speed priority button 90
With respect to the image quality priority button 92, only one of them can be selected.

Next, the operation in the case of shifting to the gaze mode with the image quality priority button 92 selected will be described in detail. First, the video reception software 52 notifies the video transmission software 58 of the corresponding video transmission terminal 12 of the high resolution request via the network 10. When the video transmission software 58 receives the high resolution request,
Switch the transmitted image to high resolution. The image receiving software 52 receives the high resolution image and displays it on the gaze display window 80. At this time, since the high-resolution video has a larger amount of data than the basic-resolution video, the display speed may decrease.

When the mode switching button 82 is pressed or the gaze display window 80 is double-clicked with the mouse, the video display window 64 returns to the list mode again.
The video reception software 52 notifies the video transmission software 58 of the corresponding video transmission terminal 12 of the basic resolution request via the network 10. Upon receiving the basic resolution request, the video transmission software 58 restores the video to be transmitted to the basic resolution.

Next, the operation in the case of shifting to the gaze mode with the display speed priority button 90 selected will be described. In this case, the video reception software 52 does not notify the video transmission software 58 of anything. The image receiving software 52 enlarges and displays the image transmitted at the basic resolution in the gaze display window 80. The operation for returning to the list mode is the same as when the image quality priority button 92 is selected.

In the mode switching, the image resolution is controlled here, but other than this, the image compression rate and the transmission rate may be controlled.

Next, the operation for controlling the camera in the gaze mode will be described. In the gaze mode, the camera movement can be controlled using the camera control panel 68, as in the list mode. In addition to this, the camera can be controlled by keeping the mouse button pressed in the gaze display window (button press). As shown by the dotted line in FIG. 13, the gaze display window 80
Of these, the mouse cursor changes to any of the camera control direction cursors 84a-d depending on which of the four upper, lower, left, and right regions the mouse cursor is located. Further, when the mouse button is pressed in each area, the camera is controlled vertically and horizontally.

It should be noted that, in accordance with a mode change instruction to the gaze mode, communication with a device other than the video transmission terminal for which the gaze mode is instructed is stopped and the mode is shifted to the image quality priority mode or the display speed priority mode. Good.

As a result, in the gaze mode, a wide line is assigned to the instructed terminal, and high quality video or high frame rate video is communicated using the assigned line to improve the image quality. .

When it is desired to cancel the video display, the operation of inserting the video displayed in the video display area to be canceled into the trash can icon 66g may be performed. In FIG. 12, the video display area 6
An example in which the display of the image displayed on 6c is stopped will be described. Move the mouse pointer over the image display area 66c and press the mouse button. With the mouse button still pressed, move the mouse pointer over the trash can icon 66g, and then move the mouse button over the trash can icon 66g. release.

In response to such an operation, the video receiving software 54 causes the selected video display area (in FIG. 12, in FIG. 12).
The issuance of the video transmission request to the video transmission software 58 of the video transmission terminal connected to the camera which is displayed in the area 66c) is stopped. The video reception software 54 further notifies the camera control client 50 and the map management software 54 that the video display is stopped. In response to this notification, the camera control client 50 disconnects the network connection with the camera control server 56 of the corresponding video transmission terminal 12, and the video display area (area 66 in FIG. 12).
Clear c). Also, map management software 54
Deletes the scope display of the camera icon (for example, the icon 62c) of the corresponding camera and updates the map.

In this embodiment, a logical network connection between the video receiving terminal and the video transmitting terminal can be established by dragging and dropping the camera symbol on the map onto the video display area. The video display position can be changed by dragging and dropping between the video display area where the camera video is displayed and another arbitrary video display area. The video display can be stopped by dragging and dropping from the video display area where the camera video is displayed to the display stop symbol. In this way, it becomes possible to very easily operate the start of display of the camera image, the change of the display position, and the stop of the display. Obviously, the image may be not only a camera image but also an image generated from a video recording medium.

[0051]

As described above, according to the first to third, fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, the first instruction is given when instructing an arbitrary image among the multi-images formed by the images received from the plurality of communication terminals. When instructed by the operation, the output form of the image to the display unit is controlled, and when instructed by the second instruction operation,
A designation is made to set the controlled object.

Therefore, completely different controls such as output form control to the display unit and control target designation control can be performed by one instructing means, which is convenient for the operator and further has the effect of reducing the device configuration.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform a visually excellent display.

According to the invention of claim 7, the position of the instructed communication terminal can be easily discriminated.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to display a good image by lowering the compression rate or increasing the resolution. According to the tenth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the image of the control target can be easily identified.

According to the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of making an erroneous operation when operating the communication terminal which generates the video to be controlled.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a video transmission terminal 12 of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a video receiving terminal (monitoring terminal) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of software of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a monitoring terminal of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a map window 6 with a map 60c displayed on the front.
It is a figure which shows the example of a display of 0.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of starting image display.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a mouse cursor during a video display start operation.

FIG. 9 is an example of a display mode of a camera icon during image display.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of power-off processing.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of changing a video display area.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a video display stop operation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a video display window 64 in a gaze mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an image quality setting panel.

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A receiving unit that receives images generated by image generating units of a plurality of communication terminals, an output unit that outputs the images received by the receiving unit as a multi-image to be displayed on a display unit, and the multi-image is configured. Instruction means for instructing an arbitrary image from the image to be displayed, when the instruction operation by the instruction means is the first instruction operation,
Controlling the output form of the image instructed by the instructing means to the display unit, and controlling the communication terminal which generates the image instructed by the instructing means when the instructing operation by the instructing means is the second instructing operation. A communication device, comprising: a processing unit for setting a target. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the instructing means is a mouse, and the first instructing operation is a double click. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the instructing means is a mouse, and the second instructing operation is a single click. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control of the output form is a control for displaying the multi-image as a mono image display of the image instructed by the instructing means. 5. The image generating unit is a camera.
The communication device according to claim 1. 6. The image generating unit is a video.
The communication device according to claim 1. 7. A display unit for displaying installation positions of the plurality of communication terminals, wherein the processing unit displays an installation position of the communication terminal for generating an image designated according to the first instruction operation. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the display state of is changed. 8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the processing means outputs to the communication terminal an instruction to control a compression rate of an image generated by a communication terminal that generates the instructed image to be low in response to the first instruction operation. The communication device described. 9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the processing means outputs to the communication terminal an instruction to control the resolution of an image generated by the communication terminal that generates the instructed image to be high in response to the first instruction operation. Communication device. 10. The control means for generating an operation unit on the display unit for controlling a communication terminal that generates the instructed image according to the second instruction operation. The communication device described. 11. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined image is combined with the instructed image so that the instructed image can be identified according to the second instruction operation. 12. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit generates a numbered or colored operation unit corresponding to a communication terminal that generates an instructed image. 13. The control means, when a plurality of images forming the multi-image is instructed by the second instruction operation, generates a number of operation units according to the instruction.
The communication device according to claim 1. 14. The control unit synthesizes information for identifying the communication terminal corresponding to the operation unit with the operation unit corresponding to each communication terminal generating the image instructed by the second instruction operation. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the communication device is generated. 15. An image generated by an image generating unit of a plurality of communication terminals is received, the image received by the receiving unit is output so as to be displayed on a display unit as a multi-image, and any of the images forming the multi-image is selected. When the instruction operation by the instruction means is the first instruction operation,
Controlling the output form of the image instructed by the instructing means to the display unit, and controlling the communication terminal generating the image instructed by the instructing means when the instructing operation by the instructing means is the second instructing operation. A communication method characterized by being set as a target.