Image communication system, apparatus, and method

Abstract

A communication system aiming at facilitating a control operation for the photographing state of an image photographing unit is provided. The communication system includes a position designating unit and an area designating unit for designating an arbitrary point and area on an image displayed on an image display unit, a photographing direction control unit, a photographing area control unit, and a focal position control unit respectively for calculating control information for changing the photographing state of a self-portrait photographing unit or a partner portrait photographing unit in accordance with information of a designated point or area, and a control information informing unit for informing the image photographing units of the calculated control information in accordance with the discrimination result of an image photographing unit discriminating unit. In accordance with information of a point or area designated by the position designating unit or area designating unit, the control information is automatically calculated, and the photographing state of the image photographing units is controlled in accordance with the control information. Only by a designation by an operator of a point or area on an image, such as a photographing direction, a photographing area, or a focal position, the photographing state of the image photographing units can be reliably changed so as to match the designation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.