Abstract:
There is provided an image processing apparatus including: an image information acquiring part configured to acquire two-dimensional image information including a texture image; a polygon model information acquiring part configured to acquire polygon model information representing a three-dimensional polygon model as an object on which to map the texture image, the polygon model information including position information about a plurality of vertexes; a polygon model information updating part configured to update the position information about at least one and other vertexes included in the polygon model information, on the basis of predetermined relations reflecting vertex movement information representing the movement of at least one of the vertexes; and a mapping part configured to map the texture image on the polygon model based on the updated polygon model information.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program. 
         [0002]    In the field of computer graphics and related technology, there is generally known the technique of mapping a two-dimensional texture image on the surface of a three-dimensional object formed by a three-dimensional polygon model. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    For example, suppose that an image of a differently shaped stuffed toy (texture image) is to be mapped on a three-dimensional polygon model representing a stuffed toy (polygon model). In this case, a wire model of the polygon model (i.e., a model representing the polygon model using vertexes and sides) displayed on the stuffed toy image may be contracted or enlarged. At the same time, the wire model of the polygon model may be moved for approximate alignment between the wire model and the texture model. Thereafter, in view of the difference in shape between the texture image and the polygon model, the vertexes of the wire model may be moved for further alignment between the texture image and the wire model. 
         [0004]    In the case above, however, there may well be numerous vertexes to be aligned. This makes the alignment difficult to achieve. It may also take an extended period of time to perform alignment procedures. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides an image processing apparatus and related technology capable of aligning a texture image with a polygon model easily and quickly. 
         [0006]    In carrying out the present disclosure and according to one embodiment thereof, there is provided an image processing apparatus including: an image information acquiring part configured to acquire two-dimensional image information including a texture image; a polygon model information acquiring part configured to acquire polygon model information representing a three-dimensional polygon model as an object on which to map the texture image, the polygon model information including position information about a plurality of vertexes; a polygon model information updating part configured to update the position information about at least one and other vertexes included in the polygon model information, on the basis of predetermined relations reflecting vertex movement information representing the movement of at least one of the vertexes; and a mapping part configured to map the texture image on the polygon model based on the updated polygon model information. 
         [0007]    Preferably in the image processing apparatus, the predetermined relations may reflect a spring model having a virtual spring provided for each of the sides connecting the vertexes. The image processing apparatus may further include a physical simulation part configured to perform physical simulation based on the spring model and on the vertex movement information. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the information processing apparatus may further include a spring model updating part configured to update the natural length of each of the springs at a predetermined timing. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the information processing apparatus may further include a superposed image information generating part configured to generate superposed image information for displaying a wire model representing the vertexes and the sides of the polygon model in a manner superposed on the image information, on the basis of the polygon model information. 
         [0010]    Preferably in the information processing apparatus, the superposed image information generating part may generate the superposed image information for displaying in a superposed manner the wire model representing a portion of the vertexes and of the sides included in the polygon model. 
         [0011]    Preferably in the information processing apparatus, the physical simulation part may perform the physical simulation using the portion of the vertexes and of the sides. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an image processing method including: acquiring two-dimensional image information including a texture image; acquiring polygon model information representing a three-dimensional polygon model as an object on which to map the texture image, the polygon model information including position information about a plurality of vertexes; updating the position information about at least one and other vertexes included in the polygon model information, on the basis of predetermined relations reflecting vertex movement information representing the movement of at least one of the vertexes; and mapping the texture image on the polygon model based on the updated polygon model information. 
         [0013]    According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an image processing program for causing a computer to function as an apparatus including: an image information acquiring part configured to acquire two-dimensional image information including a texture image; a polygon model information acquiring part configured to acquire polygon model information representing a three-dimensional polygon model as an object on which to map the texture image, the polygon model information including position information about a plurality of vertexes; a polygon model information updating part configured to update the position information about at least one and other vertexes included in the polygon model information, on the basis of predetermined relations reflecting vertex movement information representing the movement of at least one of the vertexes; and a mapping part configured to map the texture image on the polygon model based on the updated polygon model information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a diagram outlining a typical structure of an image processing apparatus as a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a diagram outlining a typical functional structure of the image processing apparatus; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a typical polygon model; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing a typical texture image; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3C  is a diagram showing a typical mapping image on which a texture image is mapped; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a typical superposed image having a wire model superposed on image information; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing another typical superposed image having a wire model superposed on image information; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is an explanatory diagram of a spring model; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is an explanatory diagram of another spring model; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  is an explanatory diagram of another spring model; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  is an explanatory diagram of another spring model; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7C  is an explanatory diagram of another spring model; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a typical superposed image having a wire model superposed on image information; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a typical flow of an adjusting process; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a typical flow of a vertex moving process; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a typical character-type controller as a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Some preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts, and their explanations will be omitted where redundant. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram outlining a typical structure of an image processing apparatus  100  as the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image processing apparatus  100  as the first embodiment is composed of a computer that includes a CPU (Central processing unit), memory, and other parts. For example, the image processing apparatus  100  includes a control part  101 , a storage part  102 , a communication part  103 , an operation part  104 , and a display part  105 . The control part  101 , storage part  102 , communication part  103 , operation part  104 , and display part  105  are interconnected with one another by an internal bus  106 . 
         [0032]    For example, the control part  101  may be the CPU or an MPU (Micro processing unit) that functions in accordance with programs stored in the storage part  102 . The storage part  102  may be formed by a ROM (Read only memory), a RAM (Random access memory), a hard disk, or some other information recording medium. As such, the storage part  102  is an information recording medium that retains the programs to be executed by the control part  101 . The storage part  102  also functions as a work memory for the control part  101 . The programs may be offered downloaded over a network or held on diverse computer-readable information recording media including CD (Compact disk)-ROMs and DVD (Digital versatile disk)-ROMs. 
         [0033]    The communication part  103  connects the image processing apparatus  100  with other information processing apparatuses, databases, and other entities (not shown). The operation part  104  is made up of a keyboard, a mouse and a controller, for example. Given a user&#39;s instruction operations, the control part  104  outputs the specifics of the instruction operations to the control part  101 . The display part  105  may be a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, or some other type of display that displays information in accordance with the instructions from the control part  101 . 
         [0034]    It should be noted that the above-described structure of the information processing apparatus  100  is only an example and is not limitative of the apparatus  100 . For example, the information processing apparatus  100  may be constituted by a server-client system, by cloud technology, some other suitable technology. As another example, the information processing apparatus  100  may be equipped with a camera to acquire image information taken by the camera. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory diagram outlining a typical functional structure of the image processing apparatus  100 . In functional terms, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the control part  101  of the image processing apparatus  100  may include an image information acquiring part  201 , a polygon model information acquiring part  202 , a superposed image information generating part  203 , an adjustment information acquiring part  204 , a mapping part  205 , a mapping image information generating part  206 , a vertex movement information acquiring part  207 , a spring model applying part  208 , a physical simulation part  209 , and a polygon model information updating part  210 , for example. 
         [0036]    For a better understanding of the ensuing description, it is assumed that the face image of a stuffed toy image (texture image) shown in  FIG. 3B  is to be mapped on the face portion of the polygon model representative of the stuffed toy shown in  FIG. 3A , in such a manner that the feature points of the stuffed toy such as the eyes and nose are positioned properly where they should be as indicated in  FIG. 3C . Although the explanation in reference to  FIGS. 3A through 3C  deals with the case in which the texture model representing the face of the stuffed toy image is mapped on a portion of the polygon model (i.e., face portion), obviously a texture image of the polygon model as a whole may also be mapped on the entire polygon model. 
         [0037]    Explained below is a typical functional structure of the control part  101  in the image processing apparatus  100  for carrying out an adjusting process by which a wire model  401  is enlarged or contracted in size for alignment between the texture image and the wire model  401  in position and size. In the case of  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the wire model  401  corresponds to the face portion of the polygon model representative of the stuffed toy shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0038]    The image information acquiring part  201  acquires two-dimensional image information including the texture image to be mapped on a polygon model. The image information may be obtained by the user using a camera. Alternatively, some suitable existing image information may be utilized. Also, the image information may be information stored beforehand in the image processing apparatus  100 , or may be information acquired from the outside over a network or by some other suitable means. Obviously, besides these examples, some other suitable image information may be utilized instead. 
         [0039]    The polygon model information acquiring part  202  acquires polygon model information representative of a polygon model. Here, the polygon model information includes position information about multiple vertexes and information about the sides making up the polygon model. 
         [0040]    The superposed image information generating part  203  generates superposed image information having the wire model  401  of a polygon model (i.e., model representing the polygon model with vertexes and sides) superposed on the image represented by the acquired image information, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105 . Specifically, in the initial state for example, the superposed image information generating part  203  generates the superposed image information to be superposed for display on the image in  FIG. 3B , as indicated in  FIG. 4 . The superposed image information is displayed on the display part  105 . At this point, the feature points (contour, eyes, nose, etc.) of the wire model  401  may not be aligned with those of the texture image (face portion of the stuffed toy image). 
         [0041]    The adjustment information acquiring part  204  acquires adjustment information for aligning the texture image with the wire model  401  in position and size by enlarging or contracting the wire model  401  on the superposed image or by moving the wire model  401  as a whole, for example. As shown in  FIG. 4  for example, the feature points (contour, eyes, noise, etc.) of the wire model  401  may not be aligned with those of the texture image (face portion of the stuffed toy image) in the initial state. In such a case, the user referring to the superposed image may issue adjustment instructions to move the wire model  401  in position or to enlarge or contract the wire model  401  in size. In this manner, the wire model  401  and the texture image are adjusted in position and size. 
         [0042]    The superposed image information generating part  203  generates the superposed image information having the wire model  401  enlarged, contracted or moved in accordance with the adjustment information. The superposed image information generating part  203  causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105 . 
         [0043]    The mapping part  205  maps the texture image on the polygon model. Specifically, the mapping part  205  may map the texture image on the polygon model on the basis of, for example, the vertexes represented by the wire model  401  and the position of the texture image in the superposed image information following the above-described adjustment. 
         [0044]    The mapping image information generating part  206  generates the image information having the texture image mapped on the adjusted polygon model, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105 . 
         [0045]    Here, the mapping part  205  may map the texture image on the polygon model as shown in  FIG. 4  for example, on the basis of the vertexes of the wire model  401  and the position of the texture image described above. Thus in the case above, the mapping part  205  may generate mapping image information having the image information about a background not part of the face of the stuffed toy in the texture image mapped on the ear portion of the stuffed toy for example, and cause the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105 .  FIG. 4  shows an example that gives display of the superposed image information of which the center portion is superposed with the wire model  401  represented by its vertexes and sides, the example further showing the mapping image information representing the polygon model following the mapping in a manner smaller in size than the wire model  401  in the bottom right corner of the image. However, this example is not limitative of the embodiment. Display may obviously be given in any other suitable format. For example, the superposed image information and the mapping image information may be switched from one to the other for display according to the user&#39;s instructions. 
         [0046]    Explained next is a typical functional structure of the control part  101  in the image processing apparatus for carrying out a vertex moving process by which the vertexes of the wire model  401  are moved for the alignment between the features of the texture image and those of the wire model  401 . 
         [0047]    The vertex movement information acquiring part  207  acquires vertex movement information reflecting the position information about the vertexes moved by the user. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5  for example, the user referring to the superposed image information may move one or multiple vertex included in the wire model  401 . The vertex movement information acquiring part  207  then acquires the vertex movement information reflecting the user&#39;s instructions to move the vertexes. In  FIG. 5 , the moved vertexes and the sides connected to these vertexes are indicated by broken lines. 
         [0048]    The spring model applying part  208  applies a spring model to the vertexes and sides represented by polygon model information. Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  for example, the spring model applying part  208  may apply the so--called spring model that substitutes a mass point for the vertexes represented by the polygon model and springs for the sides represented thereby. In this spring model, the length of a given side determined by the polygon model in its initial state is assumed to be the natural length of a spring, for example. When the user moves a vertex or vertexes as described above, the lengths and the directions of the sides are changed accordingly. Forces are applied to the mass point in accordance with such changes. The mass point is moved by the total sum of the forces exerted by all the springs connected to the mass point. The movement of other vertexes by use of the spring model is carried out by the physical simulation part  209 , to be discussed later. Alternatively, the natural length of each applicable spring may be arranged to be updated at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the length of a given spring in effect after the vertex movement has been carried out a predetermined number of times or at intervals of a predetermined time period may be considered to be the natural length of that spring. This makes it possible to prevent a state in which the oscillations of springs do not settle during physical simulation, to be discussed later. 
         [0049]    The physical simulation part  209  calculates the position information about the other vertexes through physical simulation based on the vertex movement information as described above. More specific explanations of the calculations will be made with reference to  FIGS. 7A through 7C .  FIG. 7A  shows a typical polygon model in its natural state.  FIG. 7B  shows a state in which a vertex P 0  is moved.  FIG. 7C  shows a state in which other vertexes P 1  through P 3  are moved in keeping with the movement of the vertex P 0 . In  FIGS. 7A through 7C , it is assumed for purpose of explanation that P 4  stands for a fixed point and P 1  for an editing point, i.e., the vertex of the wire model moved by the user. In this case, with P 4  set to be the fixed point, P 1  is subject to forces F 1 , F 2  and F 3  from the springs corresponding to the sides L 1  through L 3  connected to P 1 . In the expressions (1) through (4) given below, K stands for a spring constant and L for the length of a spring, and e 1  through e 3  denote unit vectors. 
         [0000]      [Math. 1] 
         [0000]        F   1   =K *( L   1   _   −L   1 )* e   1    (1)
 
         [0000]        F   2   =K *( L   2   _   −L   2 )* e   2    (2)
 
         [0000]        F   3   =K *( L   3   _   −L   3 )* e   3    (3)
 
         [0000]        F=F   1   +F   2   +F   3    (4)
 
         [0050]    Here, the current position of the vertex P 1  is obtained by use of the expressions (5) through (9) given below, and so are the positions of P 2  and p 3 . When this process is repeated, the vertexes P 1  through P 3  settle into stable positions through a damping term. In the expressions (5) through (9), it is assumed that the unit time is 1 (omitted) and that D stands for a damping constant and M for a mass. The fixed point, mass, and the value of the damping constant are determined according to the polygon model in use. The spring model itself is well known and thus will not be discussed further. 
         [0000]      [Math 2] 
         [0000]        V=P   1   _   now   −P   1   _   old    (5)
 
         [0000]        A =( P   1   _   new   −P   1   _   now )−( P   1   _   now   −P   1   _   old )   (6)
 
         [0000]        M*A=F−D*V    (7)
 
         [0000]      ( P   1   _   new   −P   1   _   now )−( P   1   _   now   −P   1   _   old )=1/ M *( F−D*V )   (8)
 
         [0000]        P   1   _   new =2* P   1   _   now   −P   1   _   old +1/ M* ( F−D*V )   (9)
 
         [0051]    The polygon model information updating part  210  updates the polygon model information acquired by the polygon model information acquiring part  202 , on the basis of the result of physical simulation (e.g., definitive positions of the vertexes). That is, the polygon model information updating part  210  updates the polygon model information in accordance with the positions of the vertexes following the physical simulation. 
         [0052]    The superposed image information generating part  203  generates the superposed image information having the updated polygon model superposed on the image information, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105 . Here, as shown in the center portion of  FIG. 5  for example, the superposed image information generating part  203  may be arranged to identify on display those vertexes of the wire model  401  which have been moved according to the user&#39;s instructions together with the sides connected to these vertexes. Furthermore, the superposed image information generating part  203  may be arranged to also identify on display the vertexes of which the positions have been moved over distances longer than a predetermined distance through physical simulation (i.e., vertexes other than those moved as per instructions). 
         [0053]    The mapping part  205  maps the texture image on the polygon model represented by the updated polygon model information. The mapping image information generating part  206  generates mapping image information for displaying a polygon model having a texture image mapped on the polygon model represented by the updated polygon model information, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105 . In this case, as shown in the bottom right corner of  FIG. 5 , the vertexes corresponding to the feature points (contour, eyes, nose) of the polygon model are better aligned with the feature points of the texture image (stuffed toy) than in the case of  FIG. 3 . Thus it can be seen that the feature points (contour, eyes, nose) of the polygon model following the mapping are arranged in more preferable positions than in the case of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]    The adjusting process by which the texture image and wire model  401  are aligned in position and size, and the vertex moving process by which the vertexes of the wire model  401  are moved to align the feature points of the texture image with those of the wire model  401  are carried out as described above until the user obtains mapping image information as desired. This is how the user obtains the desired mapping image information.  FIG. 8  shows examples of superposed image information and mapping image information in effect when the desired mapping image information is acquired as described above. As shown in  FIG. 8 , after the vertexes have been moved to appropriate positions by the vertex moving process, the texture image can be seen mapped in a more preferable manner than before with regard to the eyes, nose, ears, etc., of the polygon model. In  FIG. 8 , as in  FIG. 5 , the moved vertexes and the sides connected to these vertexes are indicated by broken lines. 
         [0055]    With this embodiment, as explained above, when some of the vertexes are moved by the vertex moving process, other related vertexes in the spring model are also moved in keeping with the moved vertexes. In this manner, the user can obtain the desired mapping image information by issuing fewer instructions to move vertexes than before while reducing deformations or other irregularities caused by errors during the vertex moving process. It should be noted that the above-described functional structure of the image processing apparatus  100  is only an example and is not limitative of this embodiment. Any other different structure may be adopted as long as it provides the same or equivalent effects. 
         [0056]    Explained next are typical overall flows of processing performed by the image processing apparatus  100 . First to be explained is the flow of an adjusting process by which the texture image and the polygon model are aligned with each other in position and size.  FIG. 9  outlines a typical flow of the adjusting process. 
         [0057]    The image information acquiring part  201  acquires two-dimensional image information including the texture image to be mapped on the polygon model (S 101 ). The polygon model information acquiring part  202  acquires the polygon model information representing the polygon model (S 102 ). The superposed image information generating part  203  generates the superposed image information having the wire model  401  of the polygon model superposed on the image represented by the acquired image information, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105  (S 103 ). 
         [0058]    The adjustment information acquiring part  204  acquires adjustment information for aligning the texture image with the wire model  401  in position and size by enlarging the wire model  401  in the superposed image or by moving the entire wire model  401 , for example (S 104 ). The superposed image information generating part  203  generates the superposed image information having the wire model  401  as a whole enlarged and/or moved in accordance with the adjustment information, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105  (S 105 ). 
         [0059]    The mapping part  205  maps the texture image on the polygon model (S 106 ). The mapping image information generating part  206  generates the image information having the texture image mapped on the adjusted polygon model, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105  (S 107 ). 
         [0060]    It is then determined whether or not the adjusting process has ended (S 108 ). Specifically, the determination is made by determining whether or not the adjustment information acquiring part  204  has acquired from the user an instruction to terminate the adjusting process. If it is determined that the adjusting process is instructed to be terminated, the adjusting process is brought to an end. On the other hand, if it is determined that the adjusting process has yet to be terminated, step S 104  is reached again. That is, the adjusting process is repeated in which the user may again issue the instruction to move the entire wire model  401 , for example. 
         [0061]    Next to be explained is a typical overall flow of the vertex moving process performed by this embodiment.  FIG. 10  outlines a typical flow of the vertex moving process carried out by the embodiment. 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the vertex movement information acquiring part  207  acquires the vertex movement information corresponding to the position information about the vertexes moved by the user referencing the superposed image information (S 201 ). The spring model applying part  208  applies a spring model to the vertexes and sides represented by the polygon model information (S 202 ). The physical simulation part  209  performs physical simulation based on the above-described vertex movement information to calculate the position information about the other vertexes (S 203 ). 
         [0063]    The polygon model information updating part  210  updates the polygon model information based on the result of the physical simulation (S 204 ). The superposed image information generating part  203  generates the superposed image information having the updated polygon model superposed on the texture image, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105  (S 205 ). 
         [0064]    The mapping part  205  maps the texture image on the polygon model represented by the updated polygon model information (S 206 ). The mapping image information generating part  206  generates mapping image information for displaying the polygon model having the texture image mapped on the polygon model represented by the updated polygon model information, and causes the generated information to be displayed on the display part  105  (S 207 ). 
         [0065]    It is then determined whether or not the vertex moving process has ended (S 208 ). Specifically, the determination is made by determining whether or not the vertex movement information acquiring part  207  has acquired from the user an instruction to terminate the vertex moving process. If it is determined that the vertex moving process is instructed to be terminated, the process is brought to an end. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vertex moving process has yet to be terminated, step S 201  is reached again. In this case, the vertex moving process is repeated in which the user may again move the same or other vertexes, for example. 
         [0066]    It should be noted that the above-described flows of the adjusting process and of the vertex moving process are only examples and are not limitative of this embodiment. For example, although the adjusting process and the vertex moving process were discussed separately above for ease of understanding, obviously arrangements can be made to perform the vertex moving process while carrying out the adjusting process at the same time. 
         [0067]    It should be noted that the above-described first embodiment is not limitative of the present disclosure and that the embodiment may be replaced with a structure that is substantially the same as that of the embodiment above, a structure providing the same effects, or a structure attaining the same objects as those achieved by the above-described embodiment. 
         [0068]    For example, where the number of the vertexes and that of the sides of a polygon model are larger than predetermined numbers, the vertex moving process may be performed using a thinned-out wire model  401  obtained by subtracting a predetermined number of vertexes from the original wire model. Alternatively, wire models  401  from which a predetermined number of vertexes have been subtracted each may be prepared hierarchically. After an upper-layer wire model  401  is subjected to the vertex moving process, the vertexes of that wire model may be fixed. A lower-layer wire model  401  may then be subjected to the vertex moving process. In this manner, the user can perform the vertex moving process more easily than before. Specifically, it is possible to reduce the number of times the user issues the instruction to move vertexes. As another alternative, physical simulation may be arranged to deal with each thinned-out wire model  401  obtained by subtracting the predetermined number of vertexes from the original wire model. This makes it possible to alleviate the load on the physical simulation and contributes to shortening the processing time involved. 
         [0069]    Although it was explained above that the user performs the adjusting process, it is also possible to extract the contour of the face region or like portion of the image using image processing technology so as to provide a wire model  401  having the position and size corresponding to the extracted contour. 
         [0070]    As another alternative, whereas the vertex moving process and the adjusting process are carried out as described above, arrangements may be made to perform a texture image deforming process (e.g., a process by which the texture image is enlarged, contracted, or changed in aspect ratio) as well. 
         [0071]    Furthermore, if the image processing apparatus  100  above is constituted by a system of structures, the functional structure of the apparatus  100  may be distributed to different structures. For example, where the image processing apparatus  100  is formed by a server-client system, the functional structure of the apparatus  100  may be implemented partially or entirely on the side of the server, with the user utilizing a client to input the vertex movement information and adjustment information or perform some other input. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0072]    A second embodiment of the present disclosure is explained below.  FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram outlining a typical character-type controller as the second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , a character-type controller  300  as the second embodiment may be shaped to represent a video game character or like entity (e.g., stuffed toy), the character having its various portions (e.g., ears, hands, feet, body, mouth, eyes) equipped internally with various sensors  301  including an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a bending sensor, and an acoustic sensor, along with a control part  302 . The control part  302  controls these sensors  301 . Also, the control part  302  acquires outputs from the sensors  301  and forwards the acquired outputs to an information processing apparatus (e.g., a game console or a server, not shown) connected to the controller  300 . 
         [0074]    The information processing apparatus then takes in the specifics of the operation instructions on the basis of the outputs from the sensors  301 . Specifically, the information processing apparatus may detect the strength and position of applied pressure from the pressure sensor, and figure out how the apparatus is being touched (e.g., whether or not the apparatus is simply pressed or is being chafed) from the acoustic sensor, for example. In this case, the user can input the operation of, say, chafing a specific position of the stuffed toy during the game by actually giving friction to the corresponding position of the controller  300  shaped as the stuffed toy. 
         [0075]    In beat&#39;-em-up games, for example, there are conceivably cases where a specific portion of the opposing character is designated (e.g., legs are designated for an attack). In such cases, the controller  300  of this embodiment may be shaped to resemble the opposing character (e.g., a humanoid shape if the opposing character is a person), and the above-mentioned various sensors  301  may be incorporated in the controller  300 . For example, the user may actually press a specific portion of the controller  300  to launch an attack or perform other action on that specific portion of the opposing character during the game. Specifically, game consoles or similar controllers usually include buttons for designating the operating direction and buttons for effecting the tilting operation, for example. Since the user&#39;s actions on the controller are primarily composed of pushing its buttons and tilting its levers, it is difficult for the controller to designate a specific portion of a character in a game or to identify the type of the action (e.g., to stroke). However, the second embodiment of the present disclosure allows the user to designate a character&#39;s specific portion and to input the type of the action more directly than before so that such designation and input can be identified by the controller. It should be noted that the layout of the sensors  301  shown in  FIG. 11  is only an example and is not limitative of the embodiment. The shape of the controller  300  and the types and locations of the sensors  301  are also examples; these can obviously be modified as desired depending on the target to be manipulated in games, for example. 
         [0076]    It should be noted that the above-described second embodiment is not limitative of the present disclosure and that the embodiment may be replaced with a structure that is substantially the same as that of the embodiment above, a structure providing the same effects, or a structure attaining the same objects as those achieved by the above-described embodiment. 
         [0077]    The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2014-221998 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Oct. 30, 2014, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.