Description
Title of Invention: DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY
CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM
Cross-Reference to Related Application
[0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application
P2012-071332, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on March 27, 2012, the entire
content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display control device, a display control method,
and a program.
Background Art
[0003] In recent years, there has been developed a technology which uses an imaging result
(for example, a gesture of a user or the like) of a user captured by an imaging device as
an input interface.
[0004] According to the technology, for example, it becomes possible to control an object
added to a region corresponding to a position of the user shown in the captured image
(for example, a position of a part of or entire body of the user). In the technology using
the input interface, in general, a captured image taken by an imaging device which is
installed facing the user is used, and the object added to the region corresponding to a
two-dimensional position of the user shown in the captured image is controlled.
[0005] For example, there is disclosed a technology for detecting a moving two-dimensional
region from a captured image taken by an imaging device which is installed facing a
user, and controlling, in accordance with the detection results, movement of an object
included in a computer image (for example, refer to PTL 1).
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0006] [PTL 1] JP2006-014875A
Summary
Technical Problem
[0007] However, an imaging device is not installed facing the user all the time. For example,
on the premise that a virtual object for operation is added to a captured image taken by
an imaging device, in the case where the imaging device is installed obliquely back of
the user, user operability is deteriorated when the virtual object for operation is added
to the captured image by the same technique as in the case where the imaging device is
installed facing the user. Accordingly, it is desired to realize a technology for
enhancing the user operability.
Solution to Problem
[0008] In view of the above, the present embodiments are provided. In an illustrative em
bodiment, a display control device includes a display control section to control display
of a virtual object according to a positional relationship between an imaging device
and a display device. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0009] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the user
operability can be enhanced.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010] [fig. 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a display control
system according to a first embodiment.
[fig.2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of addition of a virtual object for
operation in a case where the display control system is configured in accordance with
the example shown in FIG. 1.
[fig.3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the display
control system according to the first embodiment.
[fig.4]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of addition of the virtual object for
operation in a case where the display control system is configured in accordance with
the example shown in FIG. 3.
[fig.5]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a
display control device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.6]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the display
control system according to the first embodiment.
[fig.7]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of addition of the virtual object for
operation in a case where the display control system is configured in accordance with
the example shown in FIG. 6.
[fig.8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the addition of the virtual object
for operation in the case where the display control system is configured in accordance
with the example shown in FIG. 6.
[fig.9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which a display of the virtual object
for operation is changed.
[fig. 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which the display of the
virtual object for operation is changed.
[fig. 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example in which the display of the
virtual object for operation is changed.
[fig. 12]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation performed by the display
control device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.l3]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a display
control system according to a second embodiment.
[fig. 14]FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a
display control device according to the second embodiment.
[fig.l5]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation performed by the display
control device according to the second embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[001 1] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in
detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this specification and the
appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same function and
structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of
these structural elements is omitted.
[0012] Further, in this specification and the appended drawings, there are some cases where
multiple structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure are
distinguished from one another by being denoted with different alphabets after the
same reference numeral. Note that, in the case where it is not necessary to distinguish
the multiple structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure
from one another, the multiple structural elements are denoted with the same reference
numeral only.
[0013] Further, the "description of embodiments" will be described in the following order.
1. First Embodiment
2. Second Embodiment
3. Conclusion
[00 14] <1. First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. First, an
example of a configuration of a display control system according to the first em
bodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that this example cor
responds to a configuration example of a display control system in the case where a
mode is set to a first mode to be described later.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a display control
system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1,
a display control system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure
includes a display control device 10A, a display device 20, and an imaging device 30.
The imaging device 30 has a function of imaging a user U. The display control device
10A has a function of controlling the display device 20 in a manner that a captured
image taken by the imaging device 30 is displayed on the display device 20. The
display device 20 has a function of displaying the captured image in accordance with
the control performed by the display control device 10A.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of addition of a virtual object for operation
in a case where the display control system 1A is configured in accordance with the
example shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the captured image taken by the
imaging device 30 is displayed on the display device 20, and virtual objects 211a and
2 1lb for operation are added to the captured image. The example shown in FIG. 2 has
two virtual objects for operation, but the number of virtual objects for operation is not
particularly limited. Further, although FIG. 2 shows as an example the case where the
display control device 10A is embedded in a set top box (STB), the display control
device 10A may be embedded in the display device 20 or may be embedded in the
imaging device 30. Further, the display control device 10A may be embedded in
another device, or may not be embedded in another device and may exist as a single
device.
[0017] Next, another example of the configuration of the display control system 1A
according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that
this example corresponds to a configuration example of the display control system 1A
in the case where a mode is set to a second mode to be described later.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the display
control system 1A according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 3, another example of the display control system 1A according to the
first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a display control device 10A, a
display device 20, an imaging device 30, and a detection device 40. The display
control device 10A has a function of controlling the display device 20 in a manner that
a captured image taken by the imaging device 30 is displayed on the display device 20.
The detection device 40 has a function of detecting action of a user U. The detection
device 40 may be a device which can acquire depth information, and may be
configured from an infrared sensor, for example.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of addition of the virtual object for
operation in a case where the display control system 1A is configured in accordance
with the example shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the captured image taken by
the imaging device 30 is displayed on the display device 20, and virtual objects 2 1l c
for operation are added to the captured image. The example shown in FIG. 4 has ten
virtual objects 2 1l c for operation, but the number of virtual objects 2 1l c for operation
is not particularly limited. Further, although FIG. 4 shows as an example the case
where the display control device 10A is embedded in the STB, the display control
device 10A may be embedded in the display device 20, may be embedded in the
imaging device 30, or may be embedded in the detection device 40. Further, the
display control device 10A may be embedded in another device, or may not be
embedded in another device and may exist as a single device.
[0020] In FIG. 4, a display screen of an application, which progresses based on a virtual
object 2 1l c for operation selected by the user U, is displayed as a computer image 220.
Accordingly, the user U can determine which virtual object 2 1l c for operation is to be
selected while viewing the computer image 220. Although the computer image 220 is
not displayed on the display device 20 shown in FIG. 2, the display device 20 shown in
FIG. 2 may also have the computer image 220 displayed thereon in the same manner.
[0021] Heretofore, there have been described an example and another example of the con
figuration of the display control system 1A according to the first embodiment of the
present disclosure. Next, there will be described functions of the display control device
10A in the case where the display control system 1A is configured as shown in those
examples.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the display
control device 10A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the display
control device 10A is connected to the display device 20, the imaging device 30, the
detection device 40, and to a storage device 50. Note that, in the case where the display
control system 1A is configured in accordance with the example shown in FIG. 1, the
detection device 40 may not particularly be present. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the
display control device 10A includes an image acquisition section 110, a mode setting
section 120, a region determination section 130, an area detection section 140, a
display control section 150, an action detection section 160, and a command execution
section 170.
[0023] The display control device 10A corresponds to a processor such as a central
processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The display control device
10A executes a program stored in the storage device 50 or another storage medium,
and thereby operating various functions of the display control device 10A.
[0024] The storage device 50 stores a program and data for processing performed by the
display control device 10A using a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory
or a hard disk. For example, the storage device 50 stores a feature quantity dictionary
used for item recognition. In addition, the storage device 50 can also store recognition
results which are generated as results of item recognition. In the example shown in
FIG. 5, the storage device 50 is a separate device from the display control device 10A,
but the storage device 50 may also be embedded in the display control device 10A.
[0025] The image acquisition section 110 acquires a captured image taken by the imaging
device 30. The display control section 150 controls the display device 20 in a manner
that the captured image and a virtual object for operation added to the captured image
are displayed on the display device 20. The display control section 150 controls the
display of the virtual object for operation in accordance with the positional relationship
between the imaging device 30 and the display device 20. With such a control, the
display of the virtual object for operation can be changed flexibly, and hence, the user
operability can be enhanced.
[0026] The positional relationship between the imaging device 30 and the display device 20
is not particularly limited, and for example, in the examples shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
3, the positional relationship may be a relationship between a direction i of the imaging
device and a direction d of the display device, and may be a relationship between a
position of the imaging device 30 and a position of the display device 20. The control
of the display of the virtual object for operation may be the control of a position of the
virtual object for operation and may be the control of a degree of transparency of the
virtual object for operation.
[0027] For example, the following two different modes may be prepared: a mode in which
the virtual objects 211a and 2 1lb for operation are each added at a two-dimensional
position in the captured image (hereinafter, referred to as "first mode"); and a mode in
which the virtual objects 2 1l c for operation are each added at a position in the threedimensional
space recognized from the captured image (hereinafter, referred to as
"second mode"). In the case where those two different modes are prepared, the mode
setting section 120 sets the mode to any one of the first mode or the second mode, and
the display control section 150 performs the addition of the virtual object for operation
in accordance with the mode set by the mode setting section 120.
[0028] For example, FIG. 2 shows a display example of a case where the mode is set to the
first mode by the mode setting section 120, and the virtual objects 2 1l a and 2 1lb for
operation are added to the captured image in accordance with the first mode by the
display control section 150. In this example, since the virtual objects 211a and 2 1lb for
operation are added at two-dimensional positions in the captured image, the user U can
select the virtual objects 211a and 2 1lb for operation without paying attention to the
depth from the imaging device 30.
[0029] On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows a display example of a case where the mode is set to
the second mode by the mode setting section 120, and the virtual objects 211c for
operation are added to the captured image in accordance with the second mode by the
display control section 150. In this example, since the virtual objects 2 1l c for
operation are added at positions in the three-dimensional space recognized from the
captured image, the user U can select any one of the multiple virtual objects 2 1l c using
difference in depths from the imaging device 30.
[0030] In more detail, the positions at which the virtual objects 211c for operation are added
are positions in the captured image of the virtual objects 211c for operation shown in
the captured image in the case of assuming that the virtual objects 211c for operation
are arranged in the three-dimensional space. In this case, the positions in the captured
image of the virtual objects 2 1l c for operation shown in the captured image can be
easily estimated from the arrangement of the virtual objects 2 1l c for operation in the
three-dimensional space based on the direction i of the imaging device and an angle of
view of the imaging device 30. The arrangement of the virtual objects 2 1l c for
operation in the three-dimensional space is determined in the above-mentioned ap
plication, for example.
[0031] In the case where the relationship between the direction i of the imaging device and
the direction d of the display device is used, the mode setting section 120 may set the
mode to any one of the first mode or the second mode in accordance with the angle
between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display device.
For example, in the case where the angle between the direction i of the imaging device
and the direction d of the display device is less than a predetermined threshold, the
mode setting section 120 may set the mode to the first mode, and in the case where the
angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display
device is more than the predetermined threshold, the mode setting section 120 may set
the mode to the second mode.
[0032] Here, the predetermined threshold can be determined in advance. Further, in the case
where the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the
display device is equal to the predetermined threshold, the mode may be set to the first
mode or may be set to the second mode. For example, let us assume the case where the
predetermined threshold is 90 degrees. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case
where the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the
display device is less than 90 degrees, the mode may be set to the first mode (see FIG.
2), and as shown in FIG. 3, in the case where the angle between the direction i of the
imaging device and the direction d of the display device is more than 90 degrees, the
mode may be set to the second mode (see FIG. 4).
[0033] In this way, the first mode and the second mode may be switched therebetween based
on the relationship between the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and
the direction d of the display device and the predetermined threshold. In the case where
the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the
display device is more than the predetermined threshold (for example, in the case
where imaging is performed from obliquely back of the user U), it is easier for the user
U to distinguish, from a screen, multiple virtual objects for operation having different
depths from the imaging device 30 in comparison with the case where the angle
between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display device
is less than the predetermined threshold (for example, in comparison with the case
where the user U is imaged from the front face).
[0034] Further, each of the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the
display device may be acquired in any way. For example, each of the direction i of the
imaging device and the direction d of the display device may be input by the user U.
Alternatively, the mode setting section 120 may use a direction u of the user as the
direction d of the display device. For example, the mode setting section 120 can set the
direction that is opposite to the direction u of the user as the direction d of the display
device. The direction u of the user may be recognized from the captured image taken
by the imaging device 30, or may be recognized from data detected by the detection
device 40. Further, the direction u of the user may be the direction of the face of the
user U, or may be the direction of the torso of the user U.
[0035] In determining which of the first mode and the second mode is to be set, a condition
other than the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d
of the display device may further be taken into account. For example, in the case where
the mode is set to the first mode, when the angle between the direction u of the user
and the direction i of the imaging device is more than a predetermined upper limit, the
mode setting section 120 may set the mode to the second mode. Further, in the case
where the mode is set to the second mode, when the angle between the direction u of
the user and the direction i of the imaging device is less than a predetermined lower
limit, the mode setting section 120 may set the mode to the first mode.
[0036] Here, the predetermined upper limit and the predetermined lower limit can be de
termined in advance. For example, in the case where the user U faces the direction in
which the display device 20 is installed, the setting of the mode may be performed
based on the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of
the display device, but it is also assumed that the user U may not be facing the
direction in which the display device 20 is installed. Accordingly, by further taking the
condition into account, the setting of the mode which reflects more accurately the
direction u of the user can be performed.
[0037] Further, in causing the user U to select a virtual object for operation, a position at
which the user U is to be present may be displayed. For example, the region deter
mination section 130 may determine a region in which the selection of the virtual
object for operation is possible in accordance with the positional relationship between
the imaging device 30 and the display device 20. In this case, the display control
section 150 may add, to the region determined by the region determination section 130,
a virtual object 80 for display which indicates that the region represents a region in
which the selection of the virtual object for operation is possible. With addition of the
virtual object 80 for display, the user U can grasp the position at which the user U is to
be present using the position indicated by the virtual object 80 for display.
[0038] For example, the region determination section 130 may determine the region in
which the virtual object for operation can be selected based on the point of intersection
of the line that extends from the position of the imaging device 30 in the direction i of
the imaging device with the line that extends from the position of the display device 20
in the direction d of the display device. For example, the region determination section
130 may also determine, as the region in which the virtual object for operation can be
selected, a region enclosed by a circle having the point of intersection as a reference or
a region enclosed by a rectangle having the point of intersection as a reference.
[0039] Further, the virtual object for operation may be displayed with the state of the user U
being taken into account. As an extreme example, there may be given a case where the
user U performs operation while the user U is standing, and there may be assumed a
case where the user U performs operation while the user U is seated. Accordingly, the
area detection section 140 may detect a movable area 70 of the user U, and the display
control section 150 may control the position of the virtual object for operation further
based on the movable area 70 of the user U which is detected by the area detection
section 140.
[0040] The movable area 70 of the user U represents an area in the three-dimensional space
in which the user U can move his/her body, and may be detected by the area detection
section 140 based on data detected by the detection device 40. The body is a part of or
the whole body of the user U, and the hand of the user U can be given as an example
thereof, but may also be another part of the body of the user U or be any object being
moved by the body.
[0041] In more detail, the display control section 150 may control the position of the virtual
object for operation in manner that the virtual object for operation is within the
movable area 70 of the user U. With such a control, since the virtual object for
operation is displayed with the state of the user U being taken into account, it is
expected that the operability will be further enhanced. The detection of the movable
area 70 of the user U may be performed at the timing that the user U specifies, or may
be performed at the time at which the virtual object for operation is displayed. In the
case where the detection of the movable area 70 of the user U is performed, the
following message may be displayed on the display device 20 "stretch and move your
hands within an area that you can reach comfortably".
[0042] The action detection section 160 detects an action of the user U. In the case where the
mode is being set to the first mode by the mode setting section 120, for example, the
action detection section 160 detects the action of the user U based on a captured image
taken by the imaging device 30. Further, in the case where the mode is being set to the
second mode by the mode setting section 120, for example, the action detection section
160 detects the action of the user U based on data detected by the detection device 40.
[0043] For example, in the case where the mode is being set to the first mode, since the
virtual object for operation is added at a two-dimensional position in the captured
image, a two-dimensional position of the body of the user U on the captured image
may be detected as the action of the user U. Further, for example, in the case where the
mode is being set to the second mode, since the virtual object for operation is added at
a position in the three-dimensional space recognized from the captured image, a
position of the body of the user U in the three-dimensional space may be detected as
the action of the user U.
[0044] In more detail, in the case where the mode is being set to the first mode, the action
detection section 160 may detect a user action for selecting the virtual object for
operation when the two-dimensional positions in the captured image of the virtual
object for operation and the body of the user U correspond to each other. Further, in
the case where the mode is being set to the second mode, the action detection section
160 may detect a user action for selecting the virtual object for operation when the
positions in the three-dimensional space of the virtual object for operation and the
body of the user U correspond to each other.
[0045] The command execution section 170 executes a command corresponding to the
virtual object for operation in the case where the user action for selecting the virtual
object for operation is detected by the action detection section 160. For example, in the
example shown in FIG. 2, in the case where the user action for selecting the virtual
object 2 1l a for operation is detected, the command execution section 170 executes a
command for starting a service provided by an application, and in the case where the
user action for selecting the virtual object 2 1lb for operation is detected, the command
execution section 170 executes a command for terminating the service provided by the
application.
[0046] Further, in the example shown in FIG. 4, in the case where the user action for
selecting the virtual object 2 1l c for operation is detected, the command execution
section 170 executes various types of commands in the service provided by the ap
plication. The commands to be executed may be different from each other for all the
multiple virtual objects 2 1l c for operation, or the commands may be the same as each
other for some of the multiple virtual objects 2 1l c for operation.
[0047] Heretofore, functions of the display control device 10A have been described. Note
that, in the another example of the display control system 1A according to the first em
bodiment of the present disclosure (example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4), the display
device 20 is not included in the area to be imaged by the imaging device 30. However,
there is also considered a case where the display device 20 is included in the imaging
area. In below, the case where the display device 20 is included in the imaging area
will be described.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the display
control system 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the another
example of the display control system 1A according to the first embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a display control device 10A, a display device 20, an
imaging device 30, and a detection device 40. Further, in the another example of the
configuration of the display control system 1A shown in FIG. 6, the display device 20
is included in the area to be imaged by the imaging device 30.
[0049] As described above, the first mode and the second mode may be switched
therebetween based on the relationship between the angle between the direction i of the
imaging device and the direction d of the display device and a predetermined
threshold. As shown in FIG. 6, in the case where the display device 20 is shown in the
captured image taken by the imaging device 30, the mode setting section 120 may use
the angle of the display device 20 recognized from the captured image as the angle
between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display device.
[0050] For example, in the case where an attitude of a screen displayed by the display device
20 is recognized, the angle of the display device 20 may be recognized by the attitude
of the screen, and in the case where an attitude of the display device 20 itself is
recognized, the angle of the display device 20 may be recognized by the attitude of the
display device 20 itself. For example, in the case where the display device 20 is shown
in the captured image with the front surface thereof facing front, angle between the
direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display device is 180
degrees, and in the case where the display device 20 is shown in the captured image
with the back surface thereof facing front, the angle between the direction i of the
imaging device and the direction d of the display device is 0 degrees.
[0051] Note that, in the case where the mode is being set to the second mode, the virtual
object for operation is added in the three-dimensional space recognized from the
captured image. However, in the case where the virtual object for operation is added at
a position deeper than the position of the display device 20, it becomes necessary for
the user U to stretch his/her hand behind the display device 20 in order to select the
virtual object for operation, which enforces the user U to perform unnatural motion.
Accordingly, in the case where the mode is being set to the second mode by the mode
setting section 120, the display control section 150 may limit the addition of the virtual
object for operation at a position deeper than the position of the display device 20
shown in the captured image.
[0052] For example, in the case where the mode is being set to the second mode by the
mode setting section 120, the display control section 150 may prohibit the addition of
the virtual object for operation at a position deeper than the position of the display
device 20 shown in the captured image. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the region
behind the display device 20 is shown as a virtual object addition-prohibited region 90.
For example, in the case where the mode is being set to the second mode by the mode
setting section 120, the display control section 150 may prohibit the addition of the
virtual object for operation at a position deeper than the position of the display device
20 shown in the captured image, and may add the virtual object for operation at a
position in front of the position of the display device 20 shown in the captured image.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of addition of the virtual object for
operation in a case where the display control system 1A is configured in accordance
with the example shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, also in the case where the
display device 20 is included in the imaging area, a captured image Img taken by the
imaging device 30 is displayed on the display device 20, and the virtual objects 2 1l c
for operation are added to the captured image Img. However, since the display device
20 is included in the captured image Img and the captured image Img is also displayed
on the display device 20, multiple captured images Img are displayed successively.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the addition of the virtual object for
operation in the case where the display control system 1A is configured in accordance
with the example shown in FIG. 6. In order to avoid the successive display as
described above, when the mode is being set to the second mode by the mode setting
section 120, the display control section 150 may replace the image displayed by the
display device 20 shown in the captured image Img with another image. The another
image is not particularly limited, and as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the display
control section 150 may replace the image displayed by the display device 20 shown in
the captured image Img with a computer image 220.
[0055] Heretofore, the case has been described in which the display device 20 is included in
the area to be imaged by the imaging device 30. However, since the addition of the
virtual object for operation is performed without particularly taking into account the
position of the body of the user U in the description above, there is also considered a
situation where the body of the user U is hidden by the virtual object for operation.
Hereinafter, description will be made on an example in which such a situation is
avoided and the user operability is further enhanced.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which a display of the virtual object for
operation is changed. For example, in the case where the mode is being set to the
second mode by the mode setting section 120, when the virtual object for operation
overlaps the user U in the captured image, the display control section 150 may cause
the display of the virtual object for operation to change. The overlap of the virtual
object 2 1l c for operation with the user U may be determined based on the overlap of a
predetermined region within the virtual object 2 1l c for operation with the user U, or
may be determined based on the overlap of a part exceeding a predetermined amount
of the virtual object 2 1l c for operation with the user U.
[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 9, since the virtual object 2 1l c for operation overlaps
the user U in the captured image, the display control section 150 adds the virtual object
211c for operation having a reduced transmittance to the captured image, and thus
causes the display of the virtual object 2 1l c for operation to change. The reduction
degree of the transmittance is not particularly limited. With such a control, it becomes
easier for the user U to grasp the position of the body of the user U himself/herself.
[0058] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example in which the display of the virtual
object for operation is changed. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the virtual
object 2 1l c for operation overlaps the user U in the captured image, the display control
section 150 adds the virtual object 2 1l c for operation at a position that does not
overlap with the user U, and thus causes the display of the virtual object 2 1l c for
operation to change. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the virtual object
211c for operation is moved in a manner that the virtual object 211c approaches the
display device 20. With such a control, it becomes easier for the user U to grasp the
position of the body of the user U himself/herself.
[0059] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example in which the display of the virtual
object for operation is changed. In the example shown in FIG. 11, since the virtual
object 2 1l c for operation overlaps the user U in the captured image, the display control
section 150 adds the virtual object 2 1l c for operation at a position that does not
overlap with the user U, and thus causes the display of the virtual object 2 1l c for
operation to change. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the height of the
virtual object 2 1l c for operation is changed. With such a control, it becomes easier for
the user U to grasp the position of the body of the user U himself/herself.
[0060] Heretofore, the description has been made on the example for avoiding the situation
where the body of the user U is hidden by the virtual object for operation. Hereinafter,
there will be described a flow of operation performed by the display control device
10A according to the first embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation performed by the display control
device 10A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, first, the image
acquisition section 110 acquires a captured image taken by the imaging device 30
(Step SI 1). In the case where the angle between the direction i of the imaging device
and the direction d of the display device is less than a threshold ("YES" in Step S12),
the mode setting section 120 sets the mode to the first mode. On the other hand, in the
case where the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d
of the display device is more than the threshold ("NO" in Step S12), the mode setting
section 120 sets the mode to the second mode.
[0062] In the case where the mode is set to the first mode by the mode setting section 120,
the display control section 150 adds the virtual object for operation at a twodimensional
position in the captured image (Step S13). On the other hand, in the case
where the mode is set to the second mode by the mode setting section 120, the display
control section 150 adds the virtual object for operation at a position in the threedimensional
space recognized from the captured image (Step SI4).
[0063] When the virtual object for operation is added to the captured image, the display
control section 150 controls the display device 20 in a manner that the captured image
to which the virtual object for operation is added is displayed on the display device 20
(Step S15). When the display device 20 displays the captured image to which the
virtual object for operation is added in accordance with the control performed by the
display control section 150, the processing proceeds to Step S16.
[0064] Next, the action detection section 160 determines whether a user action for selecting
the position of the virtual object for operation is detected (Step S16). In the case where
the user action for selecting the position of the virtual object for operation is not
detected ("NO" in Step S16), the action detection section 160 performs the deter
mination of Step S16 until the user action for selecting the position of the virtual object
for operation is detected. On the other hand, in the case where the user action for
selecting the position of the virtual object for operation is detected by the action
detection section 160 ("YES" in Step S16), the command execution section 170
executes the command corresponding to the virtual object for operation (Step S17),
and the operation is terminated.
[0065] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the
display of the virtual object for operation is controlled in accordance with the p o
sitional relationship between the imaging device 30 and the display device 20. For
example, the mode may be set to any one of the first mode or the second mode in ac
cordance with the angle between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction
d of the display device, and the display of the virtual object for operation is controlled
according to the mode that has been set. With such a control, it is expected that the
user operability will be enhanced.
[0066] <2. Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The second
embodiment of the present disclosure is an example in which a display control system
includes multiple imaging devices 30. Accordingly, any one of the multiple imaging
devices 30 is selected as an imaging device 30 that is a providing source of a captured
image. Further, a mode can be changed in accordance with the selection of the imaging
device 30. First, an example of a configuration of a display control system according to
the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
[0067] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a display control
system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, a display control
system IB according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure includes a
display control device 10B, a display device 20, multiple imaging devices 30, and a
detection device 40. The multiple imaging devices 30 has a function of imaging a user
U. The display control device 10B has a function of controlling the display device 20
in a manner that a captured image taken by an imaging device 30 selected from the
multiple imaging devices 30 is displayed on the display device 20. The display device
20 has a function of displaying the captured image in accordance with the control
performed by the display control device 10B.
[0068] Note that, although FIG. 13 shows an imaging device 30A and an imaging device
30B as examples of the multiple imaging devices 30, the number of the imaging
devices 30 is not limited to two. Further, in FIG. 13, the direction of the imaging
device 30A and the direction of the imaging device 30B are represented by a direction
i l of the imaging device and a direction i2 of the imaging device, respectively. In the
same manner as in the first embodiment, the display control device 10B may be
embedded in a STB, may be embedded in the display device 20, or may be embedded
in the imaging device 30. Further, the display control device 10B may be embedded in
another device, or may not be embedded in another device and may exist as a single
device.
[0069] Heretofore, there has been described an example of the configuration of the display
control system IB according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Next,
there will be described functions of the display control device 10B in the case where
the display control system IB is configured as shown in the example.
[0070] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a display
control device 10B according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the
display control device 10B is connected to the display device 20, the multiple imaging
devices 30, the detection device 40, and to a storage device 50. The display control
device 10B corresponds to a processor such as a CPU or a DSP. The display control
device 10B executes a program stored in the storage device 50 or another storage
medium, and thereby operating various functions of the display control device 10B.
[0071] Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the display control device 10B includes a selection
section 180 in addition to the functional blocks included in the display control device
10A. The selection section 180 has a function of, in the case where multiple imaging
devices 30 are installed, selecting one imaging device 30 from among the multiple
imaging devices 30. The image acquisition section 110 acquires a captured image
taken by the imaging device 30 which is selected by the selection section 180.
[0072] The technique of selecting an imaging device 30 performed by the selection section
180 is not particularly limited. For example, the selection section 180 may select an
imaging device 30 based on the state of the user U, which is detected by the action
detection section 160. As an example, there is given the following case: in the case
where a user action for specifying an imaging device 30 is detected by the action
detection section 160, the selection section 180 may select the imaging device 30
specified by the user action. The user action for specifying the imaging device 30 is not
particularly limited, and the user action may be, in the case where a virtual object for
specifying the imaging device 30 is displayed, an action of selecting the virtual object,
for example.
[0073] Further, as another example, there is given the following case: the selection section
180 may select an imaging device 30 based on angles between a direction u of the user
and the respective directions of the multiple imaging devices 30. For example, the
selection section 180 may select the imaging device 30 which has a direction forming
the largest angle with the direction u of the user. This is because it is expected that with
increase in the angle between the direction u of the user and the direction i of the
imaging device, operation by the user U is performed more easily.
[0074] In the example shown in FIG. 13, since the angle between the direction u of the user
and the direction i2 of the imaging device is larger than the angle between the direction
u of the user and the direction i l of the imaging device, the selection section 180 may
select the imaging device 30B. Note that there is also considered a case where the
operation by the user U becomes easier with decrease in the angle. Accordingly,
depending on the setting performed by the user U, the imaging device 30 may be
selected, which has a direction forming the smallest angle between the direction u of
the user and the direction i of the imaging device.
[0075] Heretofore, functions of the display control system IB according to the second em
bodiment of the present disclosure have been described. Next, there will be described a
flow of operation performed by the display control device 10B of the second em
bodiment. In this operation, the operation of selecting one imaging device 30 from
among the multiple imaging devices 30 is added to the operation of the display control
device 10A according to the first embodiment.
[0076] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation performed by the display control
device 10B according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, first, the
selection section 180 selects one imaging device 30 from among the multiple imaging
devices 30 (Step S21). The image acquisition section 110 acquires a captured image
taken by the selected imaging device 30 (Step S22). In the case where the angle
between the direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display device
is less than a threshold ("YES" in Step S23), the mode setting section 120 sets the
mode to the first mode. On the other hand, in the case where the angle between the
direction i of the imaging device and the direction d of the display device is more than
the threshold ("NO" in Step S23), the mode setting section 120 sets the mode to the
second mode.
[0077] In the case where the mode is set to the first mode by the mode setting section 120,
the display control section 150 adds the virtual object for operation at a twodimensional
position in the captured image (Step S24). On the other hand, in the case
where the mode is set to the second mode by the mode setting section 120, the display
control section 150 adds the virtual object for operation at a position in the threedimensional
space recognized from the captured image (Step S25).
[0078] When the virtual object for operation is added to the captured image, the display
control section 150 controls the display device 20 in a manner that the captured image
to which the virtual object for operation is added is displayed on the display device 20
(Step S26). When the display device 20 displays the captured image to which the
virtual object for operation is added in accordance with the control performed by the
display control section 150, the processing proceeds to Step S27.
[0079] Next, the action detection section 160 determines whether a user action for selecting
the position of the virtual object for operation is detected (Step S27). In the case where
the user action for selecting the position of the virtual object for operation is not
detected ("NO" in Step S27), the action detection section 160 performs the deter
mination of Step S27 until the user action for selecting the position of the virtual object
for operation is detected. On the other hand, in the case where the user action for
selecting the position of the virtual object for operation is detected by the action
detection section 160 ("YES" in Step S27), the command execution section 170
executes the command corresponding to the virtual object for operation (Step S28),
and the operation is terminated.
[0080] As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure,
one imaging device 30 is selected from among the multiple imaging devices 30 using
the function of the selection section 180, and a captured image taken by the selected
imaging device 30 is acquired by the image acquisition section 110. Therefore,
according to the second embodiment, it is expected that the convenience of the user is
further enhanced.
[0081] <3. Conclusion>
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided the display control device 10 including the image acquisition section
110 which acquires a captured image taken by the imaging device 30, and the display
control section 150 which controls the display device 20 in the manner that the
captured image and the a virtual object for operation added to the captured image are
displayed on the display device 20. The display control section 150 controls the display
of the virtual object for operation in accordance with the positional relationship
between the imaging device 30 and the display device 20.
[0082] According to such a configuration, the display of the virtual object for operation is
controlled in accordance with the positional relationship between the imaging device
30 and the display device 20. For example, the mode may be set to any one of the first
mode or the second mode in accordance with the angle between the direction i of the
imaging device and the direction d of the display device, and the display of the virtual
object for operation is controlled according to the mode that has been set. With such a
control, it is expected that the user operability will be enhanced.
[0083] Further, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
provided the display control device 10B that further includes the selection section 180
which selects one imaging device 30 from among multiple imaging devices 30.
According to such a configuration, a captured image taken by the imaging device 30
which is selected by the selection section 180 is acquired by the image acquisition
section 110. Accordingly, it is expected that the convenience of the user is further
enhanced.
[0084] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, com
binations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design re
quirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
[0085] Further, for example, in the above, the description has been made mainly on the
example in which display control device 10 has the function of recognizing the display
device 20 (or, the function of recognizing the screen displayed by the display device
20), but a server, instead of the display control device 10, may have such a function.
For example, in the case where the display control device 10 transmits a captured
image to the server, the server instead of the display control device 10 may recognize
the display device 20 from the captured image. In this way, technology of the present
disclosure may be applied to cloud computing.
[0086] Further, respective steps included in the operation of the display control device 10 of
the present specification are not necessarily processed in chronological order in ac
cordance with the flowcharts. For example, the respective steps included in the
operation of the display control device 10 may be processed in different order from the
flowcharts, or may be processed in a parallel manner.
[0087] Further, it is also possible to create a computer program for causing hardware such as
a CPU, a ROM, or a RAM, which is built in the display control device 10, to exhibit
equivalent functions as those of structures of the display control device 10 described
above. Further, there is also provided a storage medium having the computer program
stored therein.
[0088] Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1) A display control device including a display control section to control display of a
virtual object according to a positional relationship between an imaging device and a
display device.
(2) The display control device according to (1), further including a mode setting
section, and wherein the mode setting section sets a mode to one of at least a first mode
in which the virtual object is added at a two-dimensional position within a captured
image, and a second mode in which the virtual object is added at a three-dimensional
position within a captured image.
(3) The display control device according to (1), further including a mode setting
section, and wherein the mode is set based on an angle between a direction of the
imaging device and a direction of the display device.
(4) The display control device according to (3), wherein the direction of the imaging
device and the direction of the display device are input by a user.
(5) The display control device according to (1), further including a mode setting
section, and wherein the mode is set based on an angle between a direction of the
imaging device and a direction of a user.
(6) The display control device according to (1), further including a mode setting
section, and wherein the mode is set based on information recognized from a captured
image.
(7) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein display of
the virtual object is controlled based on a movable area of a user.
(8) The display control device according to (7), wherein the movable area is a movable
area of the whole body of the user.
(9) The display control device according to (7), wherein the movable area is a movable
area of a part of the whole body of the user.
(10) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein display of
the virtual object is controlled based on a movable area of an object moved by the user.
(11) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (10), further including a
detection section to detect selection of the virtual object by a user.
(12) The display control device according to ( 11), further including an execution
section to execute a command corresponding to the virtual object when the user selects
the virtual object.
(13) The display control device according to ( 11) or (12), wherein the virtual object is
selected by a gesture of the user.
(14) The display control device according to (13), wherein the gesture is a movement
of the user's body or body part.
(15) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein the display
control device changes display of the virtual object when the virtual object overlaps
with a user within a captured image.
(16) The display control device according to (15), wherein the display control device
reduces a transmittance of the virtual object when the virtual object overlaps with a
user within a captured image.
(17) The display control device according to (15), wherein the display control device
changes the position of the virtual object when the virtual object overlaps with a user
within a captured image.
(18) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein the display
control device sets a virtual object addition-prohibited region.
(19) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (18), wherein the display
device is operable to display a captured image and to replace at least a portion of the
captured image.
(20) The display control device according to any one of (1) to (19), further including a
selection section to control selection of one of a multiple of imaging devices, and
wherein display of the virtual object is controlled according to a positional relationship
between the selected one of the multiple of imaging devices and the display device.
(21) The display control device according to (20), wherein selection of one of the
multiple of imaging devices is based on a state of a user.
(22) The display control device as recited in claim (20) or (21), wherein selection of
one of the multiple of imaging devices is based on angles between a direction of the
user and respective directions of the imaging devices.
(23) A display control method including controlling display of a virtual object
according to a positional relationship between an imaging device and a display device.
(24) A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon on computerreadable
program to implement a display control method including controlling display
of a virtual object according to a positional relationship between an imaging device
and a display device.
Further, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1)
A display control device including:
an image acquisition section which acquires a captured image taken by an imaging
device; and
a display control section which controls a display device in a manner that the
captured image and a virtual object for operation added to the captured image are
displayed on the display device,
wherein the display control section controls a display of the virtual object for
operation in accordance with a positional relationship between the imaging device and
the display device.
(2)
The display control device according to (1), further including
a mode setting section which set a mode to any one of a first mode in which the virtual
object for operation is added at a two-dimensional position in the captured image or a
second mode in which the virtual object for operation is added at a position in a threedimensional
space recognized from the captured image,
wherein the display control section performs addition of the virtual object for operation
in accordance with a mode set by the mode setting section.
(3)
The display control device according to (2),
wherein the mode setting section sets the mode to any one of the first mode or the
second mode in accordance with an angle between a direction of the imaging device
and a direction of the display device.
(4)
The display control device according to (3),
wherein, in a case where the angle between the direction of the imaging device and the
direction of the display device is less than a predetermined threshold, the mode setting
section sets the mode to the first mode, and in a case where the angle between the
direction of the imaging device and the direction of the display device is more than the
predetermined threshold, the mode setting section sets the mode to the second mode.
(5)
The display control device according to any one of (2) to (4),
wherein,
in a case where the mode is set to the first mode, when an angle between a direction of
a user and a direction of the imaging device is more than a predetermined upper limit,
the mode setting section sets the mode to the second mode, and
in a case where the mode is set to second mode, when the angle between the direction
of the user and the direction of the imaging device is less than a predetermined lower
limit, the mode setting section sets the mode to the first mode.
(6)
The display control device according to any one of (1) to (5), further including:
an action detection section which detects a user action; and
a command execution section which executes a command corresponding to the virtual
object for operation in a case where a user action for selecting the virtual object for
operation is detected by the action detection section.
(7)
The display control device according to (6),
wherein the action detection section detects the user action based on data detected by a
detection device which is installed separately from the imaging device.
(8)
The display control device according to any one of (3) to (5),
wherein the mode setting section uses an angle of the display device recognized from
the captured image as the angle between the direction of the imaging device and the
direction of the display device.
(9)
The display control device according to any one of (3) to (5),
wherein the mode setting section uses a direction of a user as the direction of the
display device.
(10)
The display control device according to any one of (2) to (5),
wherein, in a case where the mode is set to the second mode by the mode setting
section, when the virtual object for operation overlaps a user in the captured image, the
display control section causes the display of the virtual object for operation to change.
(11)
The display control device according to (10),
wherein the display control section adds a virtual object for operation having a reduced
transmittance to the captured image, and causes the display of the virtual object for
operation to change.
(12)
The display control device according to (10),
wherein the display control section adds the virtual object for operation at a position
that does not cause an overlap, and causes the display of the virtual object for operation
to change.
(13)
The display control device according to any one of (2) to (5),
wherein, in a case where the mode is set to the second mode by the mode setting
section, the display control section limits the addition of the virtual object for operation
at a position deeper than a position of the display device shown in the captured image.
(14)
The display control device according to any one of (2) to (5),
wherein, in a case where the mode is set to the second mode by the mode setting
section, the display control section replaces an image displayed by the display device
shown in the captured image with another image.
(15)
The display control device according to any one of (1) to (14), further including
a region determination section which determines a region in which selection of the
virtual object for operation is possible in accordance with the positional relationship
between the imaging device and the display device,
wherein the display control section adds, to the region determined by the region deter
mination section, a virtual object for display which indicates that the region represents
a region in which the selection of the virtual object for operation is possible.
(16)
The display control device according to any one of (1) to (15), further including
an area detection section which detects a movable area of a user,
wherein the display control section controls a position of the virtual object for
operation further based on the movable area of the user detected by the area detection
section.
(17)
The display control device according to any one of (1) to (16), further including
a selection section which selects, in a case where a plurality of imaging devices are
installed, one imaging device from among the plurality of imaging devices,
wherein the image acquisition section acquires a captured image taken by the imaging
device selected by the selection section.
(18)
The display control device according to (17),
wherein the selection section selects an imaging device based on a state of a user.
(19)
A display control method including:
acquiring a captured image taken by an imaging device;
controlling a display device in a manner that the captured image and a virtual object
for operation added to the captured image are displayed on the display device; and
controlling a display of the virtual object for operation in accordance with a positional
relationship between the imaging device and the display device.
(20)
A program for causing a computer to function as a display control device including
an image acquisition section which acquires a captured image taken by an imaging
device, and
a display control section which controls a display device in a manner that the captured
image and a virtual object for operation added to the captured image are displayed on
the display device,
wherein the display control section controls a display of the virtual object for operation
in accordance with a positional relationship between the imaging device and the
display device.
Reference Signs List
1(1A, IB) Display control system
(10A, 10B) Display control device
Display device
(30A, 30B) Imaging device
Detection device
Movable area
Virtual object for display
Virtual object addition-prohibited region
0 Image acquisition section
0 Mode setting section
0 Region determination section
0 Area detection section
0 Display control section
0 Action detection section
0 Command execution section
0 Selection section
1a, 211b, 2 11c Virtual object for operation
PCT/JP2013/001398
Claims
A display control device comprising a display control section to control
display of a virtual object according to a positional relationship
between an imaging device and a display device.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
mode setting section, and wherein the mode setting section sets a mode
to one of at least a first mode in which the virtual object is added at a
two-dimensional position within a captured image, and a second mode
in which the virtual object is added at a three-dimensional position
within a captured image.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
mode setting section, and wherein the mode is set based on an angle
between a direction of the imaging device and a direction of the display
device.
The display control device as recited in claim 3, wherein the direction
of the imaging device and the direction of the display device are input
by a user.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
mode setting section, and wherein the mode is set based on an angle
between a direction of the imaging device and a direction of a user.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
mode setting section, and wherein the mode is set based on information
recognized from a captured image.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, wherein display of the
virtual object is controlled based on a movable area of a user.
The display control device as recited in claim 7, wherein the movable
area is a movable area of the whole body of the user.
The display control device as recited in claim 7, wherein the movable
area is a movable area of a part of the whole body of the user.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, wherein display of the
virtual object is controlled based on a movable area of an object moved
by the user.
The display control device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
detection section to detect selection of the virtual object by a user.
The display control device as recited in claim 11, further comprising an
execution section to execute a command corresponding to the virtual
object when the user selects the virtual object.
WO 2013/145572 PCT/JP2013/001398
[Claim 13] The display control device as recited in claim 12, wherein the virtual
object is selected by a gesture of the user.
[Claim 14] The display control device as recited in claim 13, wherein the gesture is
a movement of the user's body or body part.
[Claim 15] The display control device as recited in claim 1, wherein the display
control device changes display of the virtual object when the virtual
object overlaps with a user within a captured image.
[Claim 16] The display control device as recited in claim 15, wherein the display
control device reduces a transmittance of the virtual object when the
virtual object overlaps with a user within a captured image.
[Claim 17] The display control device as recited in claim 15, wherein the display
control device changes the position of the virtual object when the
virtual object overlaps with a user within a captured image.
[Claim 18] The display control device as recited in claim 1, wherein the display
control device sets a virtual object addition-prohibited region.
[Claim 19] The display control device as recited in claim 1, wherein the display
device is operable to display a captured image and to replace at least a
portion of the captured image.
[Claim 20] The display control device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
selection section to control selection of one of a multiple of imaging
devices, and wherein display of the virtual object is controlled
according to a positional relationship between the selected one of the
multiple of imaging devices and the display device.
[Claim 21] The display control device as recited in claim 20, wherein selection of
one of the multiple of imaging devices is based on a state of a user.
[Claim 22] The display control device as recited in claim 21, wherein selection of
one of the multiple of imaging devices is based on angles between a
direction of the user and respective directions of the imaging devices.
[Claim 23] A display control method comprising controlling display of a virtual
object according to a positional relationship between an imaging device
and a display device.
[Claim 24] A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon on
computer-readable program to implement a display control method
comprising controlling display of a virtual object according to a p o
sitional relationship between an imaging device and a display device.