Sony Patent | Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Recording Medium

Patent: Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Recording Medium

Publication Number: 20190030441

Publication Date: 2019-01-31

Applicants: Sony

Abstract

There is provided an information processing apparatus to measure a distance in a real space with a simpler operation, the information processing apparatus including: an acquisition section that acquires an image captured by a predetermined imaging section, and position information based on at least any of a position and a direction of the imaging section; an estimation section that estimates a first position and a second position in a real space, on a basis of a first image and a second image which are the image captured at each of a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint, and first position information and second position information which are the position information about each of the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint; and a measurement section that measures a distance between the first position and the second position on a basis of the estimation result.

Background

Recently, as image recognition technology has become more advanced, it has become possible to recognize the position and attitude of a real object (that is, a body in a real space) included in an image captured by an imaging apparatus. The technology called augmented reality (AR) is known as one applied example of such body recognition. By utilizing AR technology, it becomes possible to present, to a user, virtual content (hereinafter also designated a “virtual object”) in various modes such as text, icons, or animations, superimposed onto a real object captured in an image of a real space. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses one example of AR technology.

Also, by an application of body recognition technology, it becomes possible to execute what is called localization for recognizing the position in real space of an imaging section (and by extension, the apparatus provided with the imaging section) that captures an image of an object. The technology called simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is one example of technology for realizing such localization.

Summary

Technical Problem

On the other hand, there is demand for a mechanism making it possible to achieve the measurement of a distance in a real space by applying technologies such as AR and SLAM described above, with a simpler operation.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a recording medium capable of measuring a distance in a real space with a simpler operation.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: an acquisition section that acquires an image captured by a predetermined imaging section, and position information based on at least any of a position and a direction of the imaging section; an estimation section that estimates a first position and a second position in a real space, on a basis of a first image and a second image which are the image captured at each of a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint, and first position information and second position information which are the position information about each of the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint; and a measurement section that measures a distance between the first position and the second position on a basis of the estimation result.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method including: acquiring an image captured by a predetermined imaging section, and position information based on at least any of a position and a direction of the imaging section; estimating, by a processor, a first position and a second position in a real space, on a basis of a first image and a second image which are the image captured at each of a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint, and first position information and second position information which are the position information about each of the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint; and measuring, by the processor, a distance between the first position and the second position on a basis of the estimation result.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a recording medium storing a program causing a computer to execute: acquiring an image captured by a predetermined imaging section, and position information based on at least any of a position and a direction of the imaging section; estimating a first position and a second position in a real space, on a basis of a first image and a second image which are the image captured at each of a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint, and first position information and second position information which are the position information about each of the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint; and measuring a distance between the first position and the second position on a basis of the estimation result.