Projection device, projection method and projection program

• US 9,223,443 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Mizunuma, Hiroyuki, Yamano, Ikuo, Kasahara, Shunichi, Miyashita, Ken, Yamamoto, Kazuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, David D
• Application Number:
  US13/428,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20120256824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/54 with projector
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 dummy group

Abstract

According to an illustrative embodiment, an information processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus is used for processing a first image projected toward a target. The apparatus includes a processing unit for detecting that an object exists between a projector unit and the target, wherein when an object exists between the projector unit and the target, the apparatus determines an area of the object and generates a modified first image, based on the area of the object, for projection toward the target.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

acquire a result of detection of an object which is between a projector unit and a target, and

control the projector unit to project a first image toward the target,

wherein when the object exists between the projector unit and the target, the apparatus determines an area of the object and generates a second image including a part of the first image having a reduced visibility based on the area of the object, for projection toward the target.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus acquires an image of a target area corresponding to the target after the first image has been projected toward the target.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein when an object exists between the projector unit and the target, the apparatus determines the area of the object by computing a difference between the first image and the image of the target area.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the apparatus detects that an object exists between a projector unit and the target by applying image analysis techniques to the image of the target area.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus detects that an object exists between a projector unit and the target through use of infrared detection.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus detects that an object exists between a projector unit and the target through use of a stereo camera.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operable to detect movement, or non-movement, of an object existing between the projector unit and the target, and to determine a designated portion of the first image by detecting movement, or non-movement, of the object.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the designated portion comprises text that is displayed as part of the first image.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is operable to include in the second image an indication of the designated portion.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the designated portion comprises a desired image that is displayed as part of the first image.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein when the object exists between the projector unit and the target, the apparatus generates a sub-image representing at least a part of information included in a difference between the first image and the second image and the sub-image is projected onto the object.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the sub-image is projected as part of the second image.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the apparatus is operable to detect touching of the sub-image by another object.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus selects a first display object projected on the target in response to a pointing operation of an operation object, and controls the projector unit so as to project a second display object which is associated with the first display object, on a position related to the operation object.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the sub-image is projected as part of the second image.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the apparatus is operable to detect touching of the sub-image by another object.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the position related to the operation object is on the operation object.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is operable to detect touching of the target by the object.

19. An information processing method, comprising:

controlling projecting of a first image toward a target through use of a projector unit;

acquiring a result of detection of an object which is between the projector unit and the target; and

when the object exists between the projector unit and the target, determining an area of the object, and generating a second image including a part of the first image having a reduced visibility based on the area of the object, for projection toward the target.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a computer-readable program for executing an information processing method, the method comprising:

controlling projecting of a first image toward a target through use of a projector unit;

acquiring a result of detection of an object which is between the projector unit and the target; and

when the object exists between the projector unit and the target, determining an area of the object, and generating a second image including a part of the first image having a reduced visibility based on the area of the object, for projection toward the target.