Projection device, projection method and projection program

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.