JP2001136502A - Distributed system, and display method therefor, communication apparatus, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distributed system which can reduce an increase in traffic and an increase in the load on terminal processing capacity by setting frame rates of display images high for each of displayed users, when state changes of other users need to be known urgently. SOLUTION: When the part of an image 81 of another user is clicked, information on the band between a client and a server is read out of a host server device 11 (S2), users are counted (S3), and a maximum receivable frame rate is calculated (S4). Then a frame-rate setting picture is display and user's input is awaited; and when an OK button 94 is clicked (S5), propriety is decided (S6) as to whether a frame rate value inputted to a frame rate value input filled 92 is proper and if so, a frame rate value that the user inputs is transmitted to the host server device 11 (S7). Furthermore, the frame rate values of other users are calculated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a distributed system, a display method thereof, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the applicant of the present application has connected a plurality of user terminal devices and a host server device via a communication line network, for example, and has a virtual (virtual) system having the same effect as opening an office space. A distributed office system in which an office space is constructed on a network is proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 10-297606).

[0003] In this distributed office system, even a group of workers dispersedly located in a remote place can work while making good use of teamwork while maintaining good intra-group communication. Even if continuous distributed work is continued for a long period of time, the members do not feel alienated or lonely, and it is possible to perform good management while maintaining a sense of unity as an organization.

In such a distributed office system, images taken by a rear camera or a front camera provided in a user terminal device used by a user are transmitted from each camera to a personal computer through a video input terminal of the personal computer. After being input and compressed, it is immediately transferred to the host server device. Upon receiving the compressed image, the host server device performs image processing to generate a reduced compressed image, and transmits the reduced compressed image to all user terminal devices other than the user terminal device that captured the image. On the screen of each user terminal device, images of the work status of other users,
The user's work situation data and a virtual private office consisting of a graphic image representing the private office space of the user are displayed. Then, the screen is changed by uniformly applying the same frame rate to all the displayed users.

[0005]

However, the conventional distributed office system has the following problems.
The improvement was requested. That is, if the user wants to know a change in the work situation of another user immediately, for example, if another user wants to call the user himself during a call, the image frame is used to quickly know the end of the other party's phone call. If you want to increase the frame rate, setting the frame rate to a higher value will also increase the frame rate of other users being displayed, resulting in an increase in unnecessary traffic or an increase in terminal processing load. Was.

Further, since the frame rate is changed without considering the bandwidth of the communication line to which the terminal is connected,
When the setting exceeding the bandwidth is performed, the work status display function may not operate normally.

Further, since the change of the frame rate does not take into account the work status of other users, it does not correspond to the change of the activity status such as during work or during a break.

[0008] Such a problem also occurs in other than the above-mentioned office system. That is, for example, the problem also occurs in a video conference system or a remote diagnosis system.

In view of the above, according to the present invention, when it is desired to immediately know a change in the situation of another user, the frame rate of the displayed image is set high for each displayed user, thereby increasing traffic and increasing the load on terminal processing capacity. It is an object of the present invention to provide a distributed system capable of reducing the increase, a display method thereof, a communication device, and a storage medium.

In addition, the present invention changes and adjusts the frame rate in consideration of the bandwidth of the communication line to which the terminal is connected, thereby preventing the abnormal work status display function when the setting exceeding the bandwidth is performed. Another object is to provide a distributed system that can be avoided, a display method thereof, a communication device, and a storage medium.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a distributed system which can reduce the burden on the user and improve the user's convenience by automatically setting the frame rate according to the work situation.
It is another object to provide a display method, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0012]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distributed system, comprising: a terminal installed in each of a plurality of users; and a terminal connected to the terminal via a communication line. A distributed server system for displaying information about other users on a screen of the user terminal device, comprising: a receiving device that receives a captured image of another user; A status display control unit for displaying a user image on a screen; a specifying unit for specifying another user image displayed on the screen; and an update frequency setting unit for setting an update frequency of the specified image. It is characterized by having.

A distributed system according to a second aspect is the distributed system according to the first aspect, further comprising a maximum update frequency calculating means for calculating a maximum receivable update frequency of the specified image, wherein the update frequency setting means is provided. Can be set within the range of the calculated maximum update frequency.

[0014] In the distributed system according to the third aspect, in the distributed system according to the first or second aspect, the camera is provided in the terminal device, and the update frequency setting means sets according to an input value from a user. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the distributed system according to the first, second or third aspect, the update frequency setting means can be individually set for each user. I do.

In the distributed system according to a fifth aspect, in the distributed system according to the second aspect, the maximum update frequency calculating means determines the maximum update frequency based on band information of a communication line connecting the terminal device and the server device. The update frequency is calculated.

In the distributed system according to the sixth aspect, in the distributed system according to the first aspect, the update frequency setting means sets an update frequency of the specified image and simultaneously displays an image of the work status of another user. Is characterized by changing the update frequency.

In the distributed system according to claim 7, in the distributed system according to claim 2, the maximum update frequency calculating means calculates the maximum update frequency based on the number of users displayed on the screen. It is characterized by.

In the distributed system according to the eighth aspect, in the distributed system according to the first aspect, the specifying means automatically specifies based on a cursor position of an input device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the distributed system according to the first aspect, wherein the specifying means specifies automatically according to a change in the work situation.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a distributed system display method comprising: a terminal device installed for each of a plurality of users; and a server device connected to the terminal device via a communication line. In a display method of a distributed system for displaying information about another user on a screen of a terminal device, a step of identifying an image of a work status of another user displayed on the screen and captured by a camera, and the identified image Calculating the receivable maximum update frequency, and setting the update frequency of the specified image within the range of the calculated maximum update speed.

A storage medium according to claim 11 is provided by a computer in a distributed system having a terminal device installed for each of a plurality of users and a server device connected to the terminal device via a communication line. The storage medium, which is executed and stores a program for displaying information about another user on a screen of the user's terminal device, wherein the program is displayed on the screen, and the work status of the other user photographed by the camera is displayed. A step of specifying an image, a step of calculating the maximum receivable update frequency of the specified image, and a step of setting the update frequency of the specified image within a range of the calculated maximum update speed. It is characterized by including.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of photographed user images; a status display controlling unit for displaying the received plurality of user images on a screen; It is characterized by comprising a specifying means for specifying a predetermined user from the displayed plurality of users, and an update frequency setting means for setting an update frequency of the specified user.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device according to the first aspect.
2. The communication device according to 2, further comprising a maximum update frequency calculation unit that calculates a maximum update frequency at which the specified image can be received, wherein the update frequency setting unit can be set within a range of the calculated maximum update frequency. It is characterized by being.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the update frequency setting means can be set individually for each user.

In the communication device according to a fifteenth aspect, in the communication device according to the twelfth aspect, the update frequency setting means sets an update frequency of the specified image and simultaneously displays an image of a work status of another user. Is characterized by changing the update frequency.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a distributed system, a display method, a communication device, and a storage medium of the present invention will be described. The distributed system according to the present embodiment realizes various functions as a distributed office system by simultaneously connecting a plurality of user terminal devices to a host server device via a communication line network, and as a result, operates a distributed office. Things.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed office system. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a host server device, which is installed in a main office (such as a headquarters office of various organizations such as a company introducing a distributed office) and has a LAN (Local) in the main office.
Area Network 12).

Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote user terminal devices for workers who work in the main office. In the present embodiment, three types of devices including a personal computer 18, user terminal software 19 and a telephone 20, and other devices are provided. It is realized by combining devices. The telephone 20 is a PSTN line (general subscriber telephone line) or I
The personal computer 18 is connected to the host server device 11 via the LAN 12 via the SDN line.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a user terminal device for a user who works in a home office. In this embodiment, like the user terminal device 13, three types of devices including a personal computer 18, user terminal device software 19, and a telephone 20 are provided. , And other devices are implemented. The telephone 20 is connected to the host server device 11 through a PSTN line (general subscriber telephone line) or an ISDN line.
8 is a host server device 11 through the Internet 21
Is connected to

Reference numeral 16 denotes a portable user terminal device for a user who works in a mobile office. In this embodiment, like the user terminal device 14, a portable personal computer 22, user terminal device software 19, and a mobile phone 23 are provided. It is realized by combining three types of devices and other devices. The mobile phone 23 is connected to the host server 1 via a mobile communication network and a PSTN line (general subscriber telephone line) or an ISDN line.
1, and the personal computer 22 is connected to the host server device 11 via the Internet 21.

Reference numeral 17 denotes another portable user terminal device for a user who works in a mobile office, which is a combination of two types of devices, a general-purpose portable information terminal (built-in World Wide Web browser) 24 and a portable telephone 23. I'm using Among them, the mobile telephone 23 is connected to the host server device 11 through a mobile communication network and a PSTN line (general subscriber telephone line) or an ISDN line, and a portable information terminal (World Wide W).
The web browser 24 is connected to the host server device 11 via the Internet 21.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the host server device 11. BP (Basic Platform)
orm) 31 is a PC server device. SPU (Sig
nal processing unit (32) is a parallel DSP (Digital Signal Process).
ssor) signal processing board. CU (CallUn
It) 33 is a telephone line board (Computer Te)
lephonyBoard). BP31 is LAN
LAN in main office through network board
CU33 is connected to PSTN line or IS
Connected to DN line.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the host server device 11. The software included in the host server device 11 includes a software program developed using the C ++ language or the like and an existing software program, and includes an OS (Operating System).
em), Windows NT (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, USA) is employed. In the figure, 41 is a server manager unit, 42 is a CU access library unit,
43 is an SPU access library unit, 44, 45, 48
Is a driver unit, 46 is a mail transmission unit, 47 is a DLL (D
dynamic link library), 49 is a dynamic Web server, 50 is a database connector, 5
Reference numeral 1 denotes Windows NT (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, USA), and 53 denotes a database unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal devices 13 and 15. The main components of the user terminal device are a personal computer 18, terminal device software 19, and a telephone 20. In addition, two types (rear and front) of video cameras 65 and 66 are provided. It is connected to a video input terminal provided in the personal computer main body 61. However, there is a case where only one of the video cameras is used. Also,
The display 64, the keyboard 63, the mouse 62, the speaker 67, the microphone 68, and the like are respectively connected to input / output terminals corresponding to respective devices provided in the personal computer main body 61. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a situation in which the device shown in FIG. 4 is actually installed in a home office where a user works.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the software for the user terminal device. The software for the user terminal device includes a software program developed using the C ++ language and the like and an existing software program,
Win as OS (Operating System)
Windows 95 (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, USA) is employed. In the figure, 72 is Window / Dia.
log part, 73 is a program component part, 74 is a signal line, 75 is an HTML part, and 76 is WebBrowse.
r (component) part.

Next, operations of various functions in the distributed office system will be described. To simplify the explanation,
It is assumed that each user has already completed connection to the host server device using his or her user terminal device and has started working.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the screen of the user terminal device. 81 is an image of the work status of another user.
Reference numeral 82 denotes a work status data display unit on which character information as the work status data of the user is displayed. 83 is the user's private office space. The combination of these three is a virtual private room office for this user.

In this embodiment, nine private offices are displayed on the same screen. However, the number of private offices may be larger or smaller. Then, the entire display space 84 is set as a private office area. The space between the private room office and the adjacent private room office is a virtual corridor.

The image 81 of the work status of the user displayed as a part of the private room office is an image taken by the rear camera 65 or the front camera 66 provided in the user terminal device used by the user. . The processing operation of this image will be described.

The captured image is input from each camera to the personal computer 18 through the video input terminal of the personal computer main body 61, and is subjected to the QCIF format (176 × 144 pix) by the image compression transmission program component of the program component section 73.
els) is compressed and coded as a compressed image, and the signal line 74
(See FIG. 6).

Upon receiving the compressed image, the host server device 11 transfers the image to the SPU 32 by the operation of the software of the server manager 41, the SPU access library 43, and the driver 45.

The SPU 32 uses a compressed image reduction processing function software program stored in advance in the image processing function program storage section provided in the SPU 32, and reduces the compressed image in both the vertical and horizontal directions by one half each. Perform processing, 88 x 72 pix
The reduced compressed image of els is generated, and the reduced compressed image is transmitted via the server manager unit 41 to all user terminal devices other than the user terminal device that captured the image.

These user terminal devices display the received reduced-compression image as an image of the working status of the private office on each screen by using the image decompression display program component of the program component unit 73.

As described above, the SP of the host server device 11
By generating a reduced compressed image based on the original compressed image using U32 and transmitting it to another user terminal device, the work status of each user displayed in each private office on the screen of each user terminal device It has been realized that the update frequency (frame rate) of the image is increased. That is, when the reduced compressed image generation processing in the SPU 32 is not performed, the frame rate of the image displayed in the private room office is, for example, 1 fps (frame per second).
cond) can be increased to about 4 fps by this reduced image generation processing. However, the actual frame rate depends on various factors such as the Internet transmission speed used.

FIG. 8 shows a frame rate setting screen. In the figure, reference numeral 91 denotes a display device (display)
64 is a frame rate setting screen displayed on the screen 64. 92
Is a frame rate value input field. An area 93 represents the maximum value of the settable frame rate. 94
Is an OK button, and 95 is a cancel button.

The operation of the distributed office system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the frame rate setting processing procedure. This processing program
For example, it is stored as a part of the program component unit 73 in a ROM built in the PC main body 61 of the user terminal device 18, and is also executed by the CPU in the PC main body 61.

First, after starting the screen display shown in FIG.
Wait for the image 81 to be clicked (step S
1) When clicked, the bandwidth information between the client and the server is read from the database unit 53 of the host server device 11 (step S2). Note that the read band information may be registered in the client machine (user terminal device).

The number of users whose images are displayed in the private office area of the display space 84 is counted (step S3), and the maximum receivable frame rate is calculated (step S4). That is, the receivable frame rate at the time of displaying one user is obtained from the read band information. For example, if the bandwidth is 128 kilobits / second (16 Kbytes / second) and the size of one image is 800 bytes,
It is about 20 frames / sec. Further, the minimum frame rate of the user determined in the distributed office system is multiplied by a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of users, and a value obtained by subtracting this value from the receivable frame rate is set as the maximum frame rate. For example, if the minimum frame rate is 1 frame / second and the number of users is “9”, then 20−1 ×
(9-1) = 12 frames / sec is the maximum frame rate.

Thereafter, a frame rate setting screen (see FIG. 8) is displayed to wait for user input. When an OK button 94 is clicked (step S5), the frame rate input to the frame rate value input field 92 is displayed. It is determined whether or not the value is appropriate (step S6). If the value is appropriate, the frame rate value input by the user is transmitted to the host server device 11 (step S7).

Further, a frame rate value of another user is calculated. That is, the frame rate input by the user is subtracted from the receivable frame rate when displaying one user,
It is determined by dividing by the number of users minus one. For example, if the user input value is “4”, (20
-4) / (9-1) = 2. The calculated frame rate value is transmitted to the host server device 11 as the frame rate of another user (Step S
8), end the process.

On the other hand, if the input frame rate value is not appropriate in step S6, an error message is displayed (step S9), and the process is terminated.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when it is urgent to know a change in the work status of another user, the frame rate of the image is set high for each displayed user, thereby increasing traffic and reducing traffic. An increase in the load on the terminal processing capacity can be reduced.

Further, by changing and adjusting the frame rate in consideration of the band of the communication line to which the terminal itself is connected, it is possible to avoid an abnormality in the work status display function when setting beyond the band is performed.

In the above embodiment, after the frame rate is updated by designating a specific user, the frame rates of the other users are aligned and updated. However, the frame rates are fixed among the other users. If there is a user who wants to keep it, the user may be designated in advance and the frame rate may not be updated. Further, the frame rate may be updated by instructing a plurality of users at the same time.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a frame rate setting processing procedure in the second embodiment. This processing program is stored as a part of the program component unit 73 in, for example, a ROM built in the PC main body 61 of the user terminal device 18, and is also executed by the CPU in the PC main body 61.

First, after starting the screen display shown in FIG.
The position of the mouse icon on the screen is detected (step S1).
1) It is determined whether or not the position of the mouse icon is within the area of the image 81 of the user (step S12). If it is within the area of the image 81, it is determined whether or not a timer has been set (step S13). If it has been set, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred in the set timer (step S14). If a timeout has occurred, a request to increase the frame rate of the user is transmitted to the server (step S15), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the position of the mouse icon is not within the area of the image 81 in step S12, the process proceeds to step S11.
Return to the processing of. If the timer has not been set in step S13, the timer is set (step S1).
6), the process returns to step S11. This timer detects that the position of the mouse icon is in the area of the image 81 for a certain period of time, and usually assumes several seconds. Further, if no timeout has occurred in step S14, the process returns to step S11.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the convenience of the user can be improved by automatically setting the frame rate based on the cursor position of an input device such as a mouse.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a frame rate setting processing procedure in the third embodiment. This processing program is stored as a part of the program component unit 73 in, for example, a ROM built in the PC main body 61 of the user terminal device 18, and is also executed by the CPU in the PC main body 61. In this process, an operation is performed to increase the frame rate when the work situation changes during work and during a break, and decrease the frame rate when the work state does not change.

First, after starting the screen display shown in FIG.
The presence or absence of another user's work status change notification is detected from the host server device 11 (step S21), and when there is another user's work status change notification, the information of the work status change notification changes from working to resting. Is determined (step S22). If the change is from work to break, a request to increase the frame rate of the user is transmitted to the host server device 11 (step S23), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if there is no other user's work status change notification in step S21, the process in step S21 is repeated. On the other hand, if the user is not taking a break from work at step S22, a request to reduce the frame rate of the user is transmitted to the host server device 11 (step S2).
4), end the process.

Although the frame rate is set high in the above embodiment in the case of changing from work to rest, the frame rate may be set low.

In the above-described embodiment, the client terminal (user terminal) receives the notification of the change in the work status from the host server device 11 and notifies the host server device 11 of the change in the frame rate from the client terminal. When the host server device 11 detects a change in the frame rate, the server may automatically change the frame rate.

As described above, in the third embodiment, by automatically setting the frame rate according to the work status of the user, the burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience for the user can be improved.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into a system or an apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a memory map of a ROM built in the PC main body 61 as a storage medium. The ROM includes a frame rate setting processing program module shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, a frame rate setting processing program module shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, and a frame rate setting processing module shown in the flowchart of FIG. Stores program modules and the like. The storage medium for supplying the program module is not limited to ROM, but may be, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R,
A VD, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

The present invention can be applied to a system other than the office system shown in the above-described embodiment, and can also be applied to a remote diagnosis system and a video conference system as described above.

[0069]

According to the present invention, when it is urgent to know a change in the situation of another user, the frame rate of the image is set high for each displayed user, thereby increasing traffic and increasing terminal processing capacity. The increase in load can be reduced.

Further, by changing and adjusting the frame rate in consideration of the bandwidth of the communication line to which the terminal is connected, it is possible to avoid an abnormality in the work status display function when the setting exceeding the bandwidth is performed.

Further, by automatically setting the frame rate based on the cursor position of an input device such as a mouse, the convenience for the user can be improved.

Further, by automatically setting the frame rate according to the situation of the user, the burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience for the user can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed office system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a host server device 11;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the host server device 11;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of user terminal devices 13 and 15;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of FIG. 4 in a home office where a user works
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a situation in which the devices shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of software for a user terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a part of a screen of a user terminal device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a frame rate setting screen.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a frame rate setting process;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a frame rate setting processing procedure according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a frame rate setting processing procedure according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a memory map of a ROM incorporated in a PC main body 61 as a storage medium.

[Description of Signs] 11 Host server device 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 User terminal device 18 Personal computer 19 Software for user terminal device 20 Telephone 24 Portable information terminal 41 Server manager unit 53 Database unit 61 Personal computer main unit (PC main unit) ) 62 mouse 64 display 65, 66 camera 73 program component section 81 image of work status 82 work status data display section 84 display space

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Kato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 JA16 JB03 KA07 KC30 LB17 5C053 FA23 FA30 LA02 LA06 LA11 LA15 5C064 AA06 AB03 AC04 AC13 AD08 AD14

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device provided for each of a plurality of users, and a server device connected to the terminal device via a communication line, wherein information on other users is displayed on a screen of the terminal device of the user. A distributed system for displaying, a receiving unit for receiving a photographed image of another user, a status display control unit for displaying the received image of the other user on a screen, and a display unit for displaying another image displayed on the screen. A distributed system comprising: a specifying unit that specifies a user image; and an update frequency setting unit that sets an update frequency of the specified image. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a maximum update frequency calculating unit configured to calculate a maximum receivable update frequency of the specified image, wherein the update frequency setting unit can be set within a range of the calculated maximum update frequency. The distributed system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The distributed system according to claim 1, wherein the camera is provided in the terminal device, and the update frequency setting unit sets the update frequency according to an input value from a user. 4. The distributed system according to claim 1, wherein said update frequency setting means can be set individually for each user. 5. The distributed system according to claim 2, wherein said maximum update frequency calculating means calculates said maximum update frequency based on bandwidth information of a communication line connecting said terminal device and said server device. . 6. The distribution according to claim 1, wherein the update frequency setting means changes the update frequency of the image of the work status of another user at the same time as setting the update frequency of the specified image. system. 7. The distributed system according to claim 2, wherein the maximum update frequency calculation means calculates the maximum update frequency based on the number of users displayed on the screen. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said specifying means automatically specifies the position based on a cursor position of an input device.
A distributed system as described. 9. The distributed system according to claim 1, wherein said specifying means automatically specifies in accordance with a change in said work status. 10. A terminal device installed for each of a plurality of users, and a server device connected to the terminal device via a communication line, wherein information on other users is displayed on a screen of the terminal device of the user. In a display method of a distributed system to be displayed, a step of specifying an image of another user's work status displayed on the screen and captured by a camera, and a step of calculating a maximum receivable frequency at which the specified image can be received And a step of setting the update frequency of the specified image within the range of the calculated maximum update speed. 11. A terminal device of a user executed by a computer in a distributed system including a terminal device installed for each of a plurality of users and a server device connected to the terminal device via a communication line. A storage medium storing a program for displaying information on other users on the screen of the program, wherein the program is displayed on the screen, and identifies a work status image of another user photographed by a camera; A storage medium comprising: a step of calculating a maximum receivable frequency of the specified image, and a step of setting an update frequency of the specified image within a range of the calculated maximum update speed. . 12. A receiving means for receiving a plurality of captured images of a user, a status display control means for displaying the received plurality of user images on a screen, and a predetermined information from a plurality of users displayed on the screen. A communication device, comprising: a specifying unit that specifies a user of the above; and an update frequency setting unit that sets an update frequency of the specified user. 13. A maximum update frequency calculating unit for calculating a maximum receivable update frequency of the specified image, wherein the update frequency setting unit can be set within a range of the calculated maximum update frequency. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein
The communication device as described. 14. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said update frequency setting means can be set individually for each user. 15. The communication according to claim 12, wherein the update frequency setting means changes the update frequency of the image of the work status of another user at the same time as setting the update frequency of the specified image. apparatus.