Abstract:
An apparatus and method provide logic for processing information. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a first stereoscopic image. The first stereoscopic image includes a first and a second content, which may be disposed at corresponding display positions in a depth direction, and at least a portion of the first content appears to overlap at least a portion of the second content. A position-changing unit is configured to modify the display positions of the first and second content, in response to the apparent overlap. A control unit is configured to generate a signal to display, a second stereoscopic image that includes the first and second content disposed at the modified display positions. The display unit is further configured to display the second stereoscopic image such that the second stereoscopic image reduces the apparent overlap between the first and second content.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The disclosed exemplary embodiments relate to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method. 
         [0002]    In recent years, information processing apparatuses that provide stereoscopic images to a user by using a display apparatus, such as a TV set and a display of a PC (Personal Computer), are becoming increasingly popular. A stereoscopic image is realized, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-045584, by providing a predetermined parallax between a left-eye image presented to a left eye of an observer and a right-eye image presented to a right eye thereof. 
         [0003]    An information processing apparatus that provides stereoscopic images acquires stereoscopic image content containing the above left-eye image and right-eye image by, for example, reproduction of image data or reception of a broadcasting signal. The information processing apparatus controls the display apparatus in such a way that the left-eye image is presented to the left eye, and the right-eye image is presented to the right eye. Accordingly, for example, an image containing objects displayed stereoscopically with a depth is perceived by the observer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An information processing apparatus that provides stereoscopic images as described above frequently causes a display apparatus to display such stereoscopic images by superimposing another image, for example, a user interface to operate the information processing apparatus, on an image based on stereoscopic image content. In such a case, the other superimposing image may overlap with an object contained in the displayed image, making it difficult for an observer to recognize the other superimposing image. For example, when a touch panel is provided on a display screen of the display apparatus and the information processing apparatus is operated by contact with a position corresponding to the above other image on the display screen, it is difficult to recognize the image displayed by being superimposed on stereoscopic image content, hindering an operation. 
         [0005]    In light of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide an information processing apparatus, program, and information processing method capable of reducing interference between a stereoscopic image and another image displayed by being superimposed thereon. 
         [0006]    Consistent with an exemplary embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a display unit configured to display a first stereoscopic image to a user, the first stereoscopic image including a first content and a second content. The first and second content are disposed at corresponding display positions in a depth direction, and at least a portion of the first content appears to the user to overlap at least a portion of the second content. A position-changing unit is configured to modify the display positions of the first and second content, in response to the apparent overlap. A control unit is configured to generate a signal to display a second stereoscopic image to the user, the second stereoscopic image including the first and second content disposed at the modified display positions. The display unit is further configured to display the second stereoscopic image to the user, the second stereoscopic image reducing the apparent overlap between the first and second content. 
         [0007]    Consistent with an additional exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for processing information includes displaying a first stereoscopic image to a user. The first stereoscopic image comprising a first content and a second content, the first and second content being disposed at corresponding display positions in a depth direction, and at least a portion of the first content appears to the user to overlap at least a portion of the second content. The method further includes modifying the display positions of the first and second content, in response to the apparent overlap, and generating a signal to display a second stereoscopic image to the user. The second stereoscopic image includes the first and second content disposed at the modified display positions, and the second stereoscopic image reduces the apparent overlap between the first and second content. 
         [0008]    Consistent with a further exemplary embodiment, a non transitory, computer-readable storage medium stores a program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method for processing information. The method includes displaying a first stereoscopic image to a user. The first stereoscopic image comprising a first content and a second content, the first and second content being disposed at corresponding display positions in a depth direction, and at least a portion of the first content appears to the user to overlap at least a portion of the second content. The method further includes modifying the display positions of the first and second content, in response to the apparent overlap, and generating a signal to display a second stereoscopic image to the user. The second stereoscopic image includes the first and second content disposed at the modified display positions, and the second stereoscopic image reduces the apparent overlap between the first and second content. 
         [0009]    According to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, as described above, interference between a stereoscopic image and another image displayed by being superimposed thereon can be reduced. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a function of a CPU according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a position change of an image in a depth direction according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating processing of the information processing apparatus to change the position of the image in the depth direction according to the first exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating the position change of the image in the depth direction according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a diagram exemplifying depth data used in the second exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating the position change of the image in the depth direction according to a third exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Hereinafter, preferred exemplary embodiments 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. 
         [0018]    The description will be provided in the order shown below: 
         [0019]    1. First Exemplary Embodiment
       1-1. Apparatus Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus   1-2. Position Change in Depth Direction       
 
         [0022]    2. Second Exemplary Embodiment 
         [0023]    3. Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       1. First Exemplary Embodiment 
     1-1. Apparatus Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 
       [0024]    First, the apparatus configuration of an information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . A reference to  FIG. 1  shows that the information processing apparatus  100  includes a CPU  110 , a RAM  120 , a ROM  130 , a decoder  140 , an interface  150 , an operation unit  160 , a drive  170 , a storage device  180 , and a communication interface  190  and each apparatus or element is connected via a bus. 
         [0025]    The CPU (Central Processing Unit)  110  functions as an arithmetic processing unit and control apparatus and controls overall operations in the information processing apparatus  100  or a portion thereof according to various programs stored in the RAM  120 , the ROM  130 , the storage device  180 , or a removable storage medium  300 . The RAM  120  temporarily stores a program used for an operation of the CPU  110  or parameters that suitably change in execution thereof. The ROM  130  stores programs or operation parameters used by the CPU  110 . A program used by the CPU  110  may be provided by being stored in, for example, the removable storage medium  300 , downloaded from a network  400  via the communication interface  190 , or stored in the storage device  180  in advance. 
         [0026]    The decoder  140  reproduces a stereoscopic content image from image data stored in the storage device  180  or the removable storage medium  300 , image data acquired from the network  400  via the communication interface  190 , or a broadcasting signal received by using an antenna (not shown). The decoder  140  may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit or as one function of the CPU  110 . 
         [0027]    The interface  150  is for connecting a display apparatus  200  to the information processing apparatus  100 . The interface  150  sends a stereoscopic content image reproduced by the decoder  140  or an image generated or processed by the CPU  110  to the display apparatus  200 . If, for example, the display apparatus  200  is a TV set, the interface  150  may be HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). If the display apparatus  200  is a PC monitor, the interface  150  may be DVI (Digital Visual Interface). 
         [0028]    The display apparatus  200  is a TV set or a PC display using, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or organic EL (Electro-Luminescence). The display apparatus  200  displays a stereoscopic image by presenting, for example, a left-eye image to the left eye of the user and a right-eye image to the right eye of the user by using a parallax barrier method, a frame sequential method or the like. 
         [0029]    The operation unit  160  is a means for acquiring an operation by the user to input various kinds of data into the information processing apparatus  100  or instruct the information processing apparatus  100  to perform a processing operation. The operation unit  160  may be, for example, a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display apparatus  200 . In addition, the operation unit  160  may be various operation means such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button, switch and lever. Furthermore, the operation unit  160  may be a remote controller using infrared rays or other radio waves. Alternatively, the operation unit  160  may be an externally connected device such as a mobile phone or PDA, which processes the operation of the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0030]    The drive  170  is a reader writer for a storage medium and is attached to the information processing apparatus  100  internally or externally. The drive  170  reads information stored in the removable storage medium  300  such as an inserted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and semiconductor memory and outputs the information to the RAM  130 . The drive  170  can also write a record into the removable storage medium  300  such as an inserted magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and semiconductor memory. The removable storage medium  300  is, for example, a DVD medium, HD-DVD medium, or Blu-ray medium. The removable storage medium  300  may also be a semiconductor memory such as an SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card). 
         [0031]    The storage device  180  is a device for data storage configured as an example of a storage unit of the information processing apparatus  100 . The storage device  180  is configured by, for example, a magnetic storage unit device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), semiconductor storage device, optical storage device, or magneto-optical storage device. The storage device  180  stores programs executed by the CPU  110 , various kinds of data, and also various kinds of data acquired from outside. 
         [0032]    The communication interface  190  includes a communication device to connect to the network  400 . The communication interface  190  is, for example, a wire or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication interface  190  may also be a router for optical communication, router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), or modem for various kinds of communication. The network  400  is a network constructed by, for example, the Internet, home LAN, infrared-ray communication, radio wave communication, or satellite communication. 
         [0033]    Each element of the information processing apparatus  100  described above is not limited to elements provided by being contained in the same cabinet and may be, for example, elements provided by being distributed in a network. For example, a storage device in a network may be used together with, or instead of, the storage device  180 . Moreover, a portion or all of arithmetic processing described as being realized by the CPU  110  below may be realized by a server apparatus in the network  400 . 
         [0034]    Subsequently, the function realized by the CPU  110  of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . A reference to  FIG. 2  shows that functions of a display controller  111 , a position changing unit  112 , and a change amount calculation unit  113  are realized by the CPU  110 . 
         [0035]    The CPU  110  generates an output image from an input image by using functions including each of the above functions. The input image contains, for example, a stereoscopic content image, which is a first image containing an object displayed with depth, and an operation panel image, which is a second image. The stereoscopic content image may be, for example, an image reproduced by, as descried above, the decoder  140 . The operation panel image may be, for example, an image generated by the CPU  110  based on image data stored in the ROM  130 . The output image is an image obtained by superimposing the operation panel image on the stereoscopic content image so that the display apparatus  200  is caused to display the image. Incidentally, the first image and the second image are not limited to the examples in the present disclosure and may be other images. 
         [0036]    The display controller  111  superimposes the operation panel image, which is the second image, on the stereoscopic content image, which is the first image containing an object displayed with depth, to cause the display apparatus  200  to display the superimposed image stereoscopically (that being, a first stereoscopic image) on the display screen thereof. The display controller  111  may use an input image unchanged, or an image obtained after an input image is processed by the position changing unit  112  or the change amount calculation unit  113  may be used together with, or instead of, the input image. An image output by the display controller  111  may be an image to which a parallax for stereoscopic display is set. 
         [0037]    The position changing unit  112  changes the position of the stereoscopic content image, object, or operation panel image in the depth direction so that overlapping of the object contained in the stereoscopic content image with the operation panel image in the depth direction is reduced. The position changing unit  112  processes one or both of the stereoscopic content image and operation panel image contained in an input image to provide a processed image to the display controller  111 . The position changing unit  112  may change the position of the object or operation panel image in the depth direction by using a change amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit  113 . The position changing unit  112  may also change the position of the object or operation panel image in the depth direction by using the change amount associated with the stereoscopic content image or object image using, for example, metadata. How to change the position of the object or operation panel image by the position changing unit  112  will be described later. 
         [0038]    The change amount calculation unit  113  calculates the change amount by which the position of the object contained in the stereoscopic content image or the operation panel image in the depth direction is changed. If, for example, the stereoscopic content image is an image generated by computer graphics and position information of an object contained in the stereoscopic content image in the depth direction is given, the change amount calculation unit  113  may calculate the change amount by which the position of the object in the depth direction is changed based on the position information in the depth direction. 
       1-2. Position Change in Depth Direction 
       [0039]    Subsequently, how to change the position of an image in the depth direction according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . A reference to  FIG. 3  shows that the position in the depth direction of a stereoscopic content image  500 , which is the first image containing an object  510 , an object  520 , and an object  530 , is changed so that overlapping of the object  510  and an operation panel image  600 , which is the second image, is eliminated. 
         [0040]    Before the position is changed, both of the reference plane on which the stereoscopic content image  500  is displayed and the reference plane on which the operation panel image  600  is displayed match a display screen  210  of the display apparatus  200 . While both of the stereoscopic content image  500  and the operation panel image  600  are displayed stereoscopically, the operation panel image  600  is displayed on the reference plane matching the display screen  210  and thus, no parallax may actually be set. 
         [0041]    Before the position is changed, the object  510  contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  is stereoscopically displayed as if a portion thereof is popping up from the reference plane. That is, the object  510  is displayed as if straddling the reference plane regarding the position in the depth direction. Here, the reference plane of the stereoscopic content image  500  matches the display screen  210 . Thus, the object  510  overlaps with the operation panel image  600  displayed on the reference plane matching the display screen  210  in the depth direction. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the user to visually recognize a portion of the operation panel image  600  where the object  510  overlaps so that, for example, the operation of the information processing apparatus  100  using the operation panel image  600  is hindered. Accordingly, in the disclosed exemplary embodiments, the position changing unit  112  of the information processing apparatus  100  changes the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  containing the object  510  in the depth direction by the predetermined change amount toward a backward side. 
         [0042]    The change amount by which the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed may be an amount associated with the stereoscopic content image  500  in advance by using, for example, metadata. In this case, the change amount may be the maximum value of the popup amount when an object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  is displayed by popping up from the reference plane. If the change amount is set in this manner, the object  510  and the operation panel image  600  no longer overlap in, for example, an illustrated state after the position change. 
         [0043]    The change amount by which the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed may also be, for example, an amount preset for the information processing apparatus  100 . In this case, the change amount may be stored in, for example, the ROM  130  or the storage device  180 . In an average stereoscopic content image, for example, the change amount may be the average maximum value of the popup amount when an object contained in the stereoscopic content image is displayed by being popped up from the reference plane. If the change amount is set in this manner, overlapping of the object  510  and the operation panel image  600  is eliminated or reduced in, for example, the illustrated state after the position change. 
         [0044]    Further, the change amount by which the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed may be an amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit  113 . In this case, the change amount may be calculated by the change amount calculation unit  113  based on, for example, the position of each object in the depth direction associated with the stereoscopic content image  500 . If the change amount is set in this manner, the object  510  and the operation panel image  600  no longer overlap in, for example, an illustrated state after the position change. If the change amount is set as described above, the change amount by which the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed may be as small a value as possible necessary to realize the spatial relationship as described above between the object  510  and the operation panel image  600 . In this case, an uncomfortable feeling that may be perceived by the user can be reduced by the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction being changed. 
         [0045]    In such a state after the change, the user can visually recognize the operation panel image  600  easily. Thus, for example, if the operation unit  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  is a touch panel provided on the display screen  210  as illustrated, the user can easily operate the information processing apparatus  100  by using the operation panel image  600 . By displaying the operation panel image  600  that may contain an image of fine characters on the reference plane matching the display screen  210  to which no parallax is actually set, a burden on user&#39;s vision can be relieved. If the operation unit  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  includes a touch panel, the user can operate the operation panel image  600  more intuitively. In this case, the position changing unit  112  changes the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction by the predetermined change amount toward the backward side determined so that the object  510  is displayed behind the reference plane. 
         [0046]    Subsequently, processing by the information processing apparatus  100  to change the position of an image in the depth direction according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0047]    First, the information processing apparatus  100  displays the stereoscopic content image  500  by the display apparatus  200  being controlled by the display controller  111  (step S 101 ). If there is user&#39;s instruction input to have the operation panel image  600  displayed through the operation unit  160  (step S 103 ), the information processing apparatus  100  proceeds to processing to change the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction. The user&#39;s instruction input to have the operation panel image  600  displayed may be touching somewhere on the display screen  210  when, for example, the operation unit  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  includes a touch panel. The user&#39;s instruction input may also be pressing a button provided near the display screen  210  of the display apparatus  200  or pressing a button of a remote controller. Each of these buttons functions as the operation unit  160  of the information processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0048]    If, on the other hand, there is no user&#39;s instruction input to have the operation panel image  600  displayed in step S 103 , the information processing apparatus  100  continues to display the stereoscopic content image  500  (step S 101 ). In step S 101 , the display controller  111  may cause the display apparatus  200  to display a stereoscopic content image contained in an input image and reproduced by the decoder  140  unchanged as an output image. 
         [0049]    If there is user&#39;s instruction input to have the operation panel image  600  displayed in step S 103 , the position changing unit  112  of the information processing apparatus  100  acquires a change amount by which the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed (step S 105 ). The change amount acquired here may be an amount associated with the stereoscopic content image  500  in advance by using, for example, metadata, an amount preset to the information processing apparatus  100 , or an amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit  113 . 
         [0050]    Subsequently, the position changing unit  112  of the information processing apparatus  100  changes the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction based on the change amount acquired in step S 105  (step S 107 ). Further, the display controller  111  of the information processing apparatus  100  has the operation panel image  600  displayed by being superimposed on the stereoscopic content image  500  in which the position in the depth direction is changed in step S 107  (step S 109 ). With each of the above steps, the information processing apparatus  100  causes the display apparatus  200  to display an image in which the operation panel image  600  is superimposed on the stereoscopic content image  500  whose position in the depth direction has changed (that being, to display a second stereoscopic image). 
         [0051]    In addition to changing the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction when the display of the operation panel image  600  is started by each of the above steps, the change of the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction may be undone when the display of the operation panel image  600  is completed. In this case, the position changing unit  112  changes the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  containing the object  510  in the depth direction while the display controller  111  has the operation panel image  600  displayed. Thus, when the operation panel image  600  is displayed, the user operates the information processing apparatus  100  by visually recognizing the operation panel image  600  easily. When the operation panel image  600  is not displayed, the user can view the stereoscopic content image  500  in the position in the original depth direction. 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 3 , and  FIGS. 5 and 7  described later, a state in which the display screen  210  is displayed together with the operation panel image  600  is displayed as a state before the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed. However, these figures are intended to illustrate an occurrence of overlapping between the object  510  and the operation panel image  600 . Thus, as described with reference to  FIG. 4 , the operation panel image  600  may be displayed after the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is changed in actual processing. 
       2. Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0053]    Subsequently, the second exemplary embodiment will be described. The second exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that the position of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction changes individually for each object instead of an image as a whole, but otherwise, the second exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the first exemplary embodiment and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0054]    First, how to change the position of an image in the depth direction according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . A reference to  FIG. 5  shows that the respective positions in the depth direction of the object  510 , the object  520 , and the object  530  contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  that is the first image, are changed so that overlapping of the object  510  and the operation panel image  600  that is the second image, is eliminated. 
         [0055]    In the illustrated example, the state before the change is the same as the state before the change in the first exemplary embodiment and the object  510  overlaps, in the depth direction, with the operation panel image  600  displayed on the reference plane matching the display screen  210 . Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the position changing unit  112  of the information processing apparatus  100  changes the respective positions in the depth direction of the object  510 , the object  520 , and the object  530 . More specifically, the position changing unit  112  can move the object  510  toward the backward side from the display screen  210  and move the object  520  and the object  530  toward the backward side in agreement with the movement of the object  510 . That is, the display controller  111  has the stereoscopic content image  500  that is the first image, containing the object  510  and the other objects  520 ,  530  displayed stereoscopically and the position changing unit  112  changes the position of the object  510  in the depth direction by a change amount that is different from a change amount by which the positions of the objects  520 ,  530  in the depth direction are changed. 
         [0056]    For example, the position changing unit  112  changes the position of the object  510  in the depth direction by a change amount acquired in the same manner as in the first exemplary embodiment. The change amount may be an amount associated with the stereoscopic content image  500  in advance by using, for example, metadata, an amount preset to the information processing apparatus  100 , or an amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit  113 . 
         [0057]    Only the object  510  overlaps with the operation panel image  600  in the state before the change and thus, the position changing unit  112  may change only the position of the object  510  in the depth direction. In such a case, however, the user may have a sense of discomfort because only the position of the object  510  in the depth direction changes in the stereoscopic content image  500 . Thus, the position changing unit  112  may change the positions of other objects such as the object  520  and the object  530  in the depth direction in such a way that the position change of the object  510  in the depth direction does not cause a sense of being unnatural. 
         [0058]    Subsequently, an example of depth data  700  that can be used in the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . A reference to  FIG. 6  shows that the depth data  700  contains object ID information  701 , object name information  702 , Z coordinate information  703 , and offset value information  704  and may be data in the illustrated table form. The depth data  700  shown in  FIG. 6  is schematic data corresponding to the example shown in  FIG. 5 . Actual depth data may contain information about still more objects and items contained in depth data may be different from items of the depth data  700  if, as described below, each object can be identified and a change amount of the position in the depth direction can be acquired. 
         [0059]    The object ID information  701  is an ID to identify each object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500 . In the illustrated example, the object ID of the object  510  is “1”, the object ID of the object  520  is “2”, and the object ID of the object  530  is “3”. 
         [0060]    The object name information  702  is a name given to each object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500 . In the illustrated example, the object name of the object  510  is “Bird 1”, the object name of the object  520  is “Bird 2”, and the object name of the object  530  is “Cloud”. 
         [0061]    The Z coordinate information  703  is information about the position in the depth direction of each object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500 . In the illustrated example, the Z coordinate of the object  510  is “128”, the Z coordinate of the object  520  is “64”, and the Z coordinate of the object  530  is “0”. It is assumed here that the Z coordinate in the stereoscopic content image  500  is set in such a way that the forward side of the display screen  210  is positive in the depth direction and the Z coordinate is 0 on the reference plane of the stereoscopic content image  500 . It is also assumed that the Z coordinate of each object indicates the Z coordinate of a portion closest to the forward side of each object. Therefore, in the stereoscopic content image  500  of the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the object  510  is displayed closest to the forward side, the object  520  is displayed behind the object  510 , and the object  530  is displayed further behind. 
         [0062]    The offset value information  704  is information about a change amount when the position in the depth direction of each object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  is changed. In the illustrated example, the offset amount of the object  510  is “−128”, the offset amount of the object  520  is “−96”, and the offset amount of the object  530  is “−64”. Therefore, in the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the position (Z coordinate) of each object in the depth direction before and after the position change changes from “128” to “0” for the object  510 , from “64” to “−32” for the object  520 , and from “0” to “−64” for the object  530 . 
         [0063]    If, for example, the position in the depth direction of each object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  is changed based on the offset value information  704 , the position in the depth direction of a portion closest to the forward side of the object  510  recedes to the position of the display screen  210  so that overlapping with the operation panel image  600  displayed on the reference plane matching the display screen  210  is eliminated. The object  520  and the object  530  are also moved in the same direction as the object  510  so that the object  520  is displayed behind the object  510  and the object  530  is displayed further behind. That is, the relationship of each object of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction is unchanged before and after the position change. Further, intervals between objects of the stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction are reduced after the position change when compared with before the position change. More specifically, the interval between the object  510  and the object  520  and the interval between the object  520  and the object  530  are both reduced from 64 before the position change to 32 after the position change. 
         [0064]    By changing the position in the depth direction of each object contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  in this manner, discomfort caused by the change of display of the stereoscopic content image  500  and felt by the user can be alleviated while eliminating overlapping of the object  510  and the operation panel image  600 . More specifically, a sense of discomfort caused by changes such as a reversal of spatial relationships of each object in the depth direction of the stereoscopic content image  500  or appearing that all objects in the stereoscopic content image recede significantly can be alleviated. 
         [0065]    Depending on the type of the stereoscopic content image  500 , there are some cases when discomfort felt by the user may seem to be small even if changes as described above occur. In such a case, for example, only the position in the depth direction of the object  510  overlapping with the operation panel image  600  may be changed or, like in the first exemplary embodiment, the position of the whole stereoscopic content image  500  in the depth direction may uniformly be changed. If the example of the Z coordinate information  703  shown in  FIG. 6  is referred to, the Z coordinate of the object  520  is also “64” and so is displayed closer to the forward side than the display screen  210 . However, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the position of the object  520  in the vertical and horizontal directions of the display screen  210  is different from the position of the operation panel image  600  and so does not overlap with the operation panel image  600  before the position change. Therefore, if, for example, only the position of the object  510  in the depth direction is changed, the object  520  may remain displayed closer to the forward side than the display screen  210  after the operation panel image  600  is displayed. 
         [0066]    The second exemplary embodiment described above may be applied when, for example, the stereoscopic content image  500  is, like an image of a game, three-dimensional computer graphics rendered by using polygons having coordinate information. In this case, a change amount like the offset value information  704  may directly be defined in the depth data  700  or the change amount calculation unit  113  of the information processing apparatus  100  may calculate a change amount from the Z coordinate information  703 . 
       3. Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       [0067]    Subsequently, the third exemplary embodiment will be described. The third exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in that the position in the depth direction of the operation panel image  600  is changed instead of the stereoscopic content image  500 , but otherwise, the third exemplary embodiment is substantially the same as the first exemplary embodiment and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted. 
         [0068]    First, how to change the position of an image in the depth direction according to the third exemplary embodiment present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . A reference to  FIG. 7  shows that the position in the depth direction of the operation panel image  600  that is the second image, is changed to eliminate overlapping of the object  510  contained in the stereoscopic content image  500  that is the first image, with the operation panel image  600 . 
         [0069]    In the illustrated example, the state before the change is the same as the state before the change in the first exemplary embodiment and the object  510  overlaps with the operation panel image  600  displayed on the reference plane matching the display screen  210  in the depth direction. Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the position changing unit  112  of the information processing apparatus  100  changes the position of the operation panel image  600  in the depth direction. More specifically, the position changing unit  112  can move the operation panel image  600  closer to the forward side than the object  510 . 
         [0070]    For example, the position changing unit  112  changes the position of the operation panel image  600  in the depth direction by the change amount acquired in the same manner as in the first exemplary embodiment. The change amount may be an amount associated with the stereoscopic content image  500  in advance by using, for example, metadata, an amount preset to the information processing apparatus  100 , or an amount calculated by the change amount calculation unit  113 . 
         [0071]    In this case, the operation panel image  600  can be displayed so as to appear to be closer to the forward side than the display screen  210 . Thus, if the operation unit  160  of the information processing apparatus  100  includes a touch panel, the user touches the backward side farther than the actually visible operation panel image  600 , which may cause an uncomfortable feeling of the user. In such a case, the operation unit  160  may contain, for example, a proximity sensor capable of acquiring a proximity state. 
         [0072]    The present exemplary embodiment may be combined with the first exemplary embodiment or the second exemplary embodiment. If, for example, the position changing unit  112  changes the position of the operation panel image  600  in the depth direction and even thereafter, for example, the object  510  and the operation panel image  600  overlap, like the first exemplary embodiment or the second exemplary embodiment, the position of the object  510  in the depth direction may be changed. In this case, if, for example, the object  510  and the operation panel image  600  overlap even after an allowable range of a predetermined width is set to the position of the operation panel image  600  in the depth direction after the position change and the position of the operation panel image  600  in the depth direction is changed toward the forward side within the allowable range, the information processing apparatus  100  may be set so that the position of the object  510  in the depth direction is further changed. 
         [0073]    It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
         [0074]    In the above exemplary embodiments, for example, it is assumed that the reference plane on which a stereoscopic content image or an operation panel image is displayed matches the display screen, but the disclosed embodiments are not limited to such examples. For example, the reference plane may be adjustable by a user&#39;s operation. The adjustment may be made during initialization. The adjustment may also be made after the operation panel image is displayed. 
         [0075]    The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2010-209833 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 17, 2010, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.