Image processing device, object selection method and program

• US 9,778,735 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2016
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Fukuchi, Masaki, Matsuda, Kouichi, Suto, Yasuhiro, Oi, Kenichiro, Guo, Jingjing
• Primary Examiner(s): AZARIAN, SEYED H
• Application Number:
  US15/052,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20160170479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 587 Days
• Field of Search: 382100, 382103, 382106-107, 382154, 382162, 382168, 382173, 382181, 382189, 382206, 382214, 382224, 382232, 382254, 382276, 382286-291, 382305, 382312, 40431, 345156, 345158, 345169, 701 24, 348734, 715700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42208 Display device provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59

Abstract

There is provided an image processing device including: a data storage unit that stores object identification data for identifying an object operable by a user and feature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object; an environment map storage unit that stores an environment map representing a position of one or more objects existing in a real space and generated based on an input image obtained by imaging the real space using an imaging device and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one object recognized as being operable based on the object identification data, out of the objects included in the environment map stored in the environment map storage unit, as a candidate object being a possible operation target by a user.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

circuitry configured to

acquire a position or posture information of an imaging device that captures an input image of a real space, the position or posture information being determined based on the input image of the real space and also based on a movement information of the imaging device that captures the input image of the real space;

specify, in accordance with an input received through a user interface and based on the acquired position or posture information of the imaging device, a command information to operate a device that is within the real space, regardless of whether or not the device is captured within the input image of the real space;

initiate a displaying of the specified command information; and

initiate a transmission of a piece of control command for operating the device.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the command information contains multiple pieces of command information representing corresponding control commands for operating the device.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is selected from among a plurality of objects.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the device is selected from among the plurality of objects based on at least one of

a feature of the objects,

a size of the objects in the input image,

a location of the objects, and

the command information specified by a user.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is at least partially hidden in the input image captured by the imaging device.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores positioning information of the real space.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the positioning information of the real space is a three-dimensional positioning information.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is present either within the real space or within a representation of the real space.

9. An image processing method executed via an image processing apparatus, the method comprising:

acquiring a position or posture information of an imaging device that captures an input image of a real space, the position or posture information being determined based on the input image of the real space and also based on a movement information of the imaging device that captures the input image of the real space;

specifying, in accordance with an input received through a user interface and based on the acquired position or posture information of the imaging device, a command information to operate a device that is within the real space, regardless of whether or not the device is captured within the input image of the real space;

causing a display device to display the specified command information; and

transmitting a piece of control command for operating the device.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a program, which when executed by a computer causes the computer to execute a method, the method comprising:

acquiring a position or posture information of an imaging device that captures an input image of a real space, the position or posture information being determined based on the input image of the real space and also based on a movement information of the imaging device that captures the input image of the real space;

specifying, in accordance with an input received through a user interface and based on the acquired position or posture information of the imaging device, a command information to operate a device that is within the real space, regardless of whether or not the device is captured within the input image of the real space;

causing a display device to display the specified command information; and

transmitting a piece of control command for operating the device.