Patent Publication Number: US-2013249788-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, computer program product, and projection system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-065525 filed in Japan on Mar. 22, 2012. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a computer program product, and a projection system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There have been some technologies available that allow a projection device such as a projector, which projects an image on a screen, to be operated from a remote place without touching the projection device. For example, a known technology operates a projection device through directions for various operations provided from an operating medium such as a remote controller and a laser pointer. Also known is another technology for detecting gestures, which are motions made by a user to operate a projection device, and making various operations of the projection device according to the gestures detected. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2010-277176 discloses that operating authority for a projection device (image displaying device) is given to a user who made a predetermined motion that is a motion to acquire operating authority to operate a target device of operation performed by the user, and various operations are realized according to gestures that are the motions made by the user to operate the target device of operation when the viewing direction of the user having the operating authority is within a given range. 
     The conventional technology, however, may make various gesture operations cumbersome and complicated. In the conventional technology, when the user makes various operations of the projection device, the user is required to make the motion to acquire the operating authority, thereby making the user conscious of the motion to acquire the operating authority. As a result, in the conventional technology, the user is made conscious of the motion to acquire the operating authority, and thus the gesture operation that needs to be performed originally may become cumbersome and complicated. 
     In view of the above, there is a need to provide an information processing apparatus, a computer program product, and a projection system that allow the operability of gesture operation to be improved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems in the conventional technology. 
     An information processing apparatus includes: a role storage unit that stores therein motion information concerning a motion of a user and a role of the user in a manner associated with each other; a detecting unit that detects a motion of a user; a determining unit that determines a role corresponding to motion information concerning a motion of a user detected by the detecting unit, based on the role storage unit; and an operation authorization unit that gives a user operating authority for an execution target device to be instructed to perform an operation by a predetermined motion of the user, the operating authority corresponding to a role of the user determined by the determining unit. 
     A computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-usable medium having computer-readable program codes embodied in the medium. The program codes when executed causing a computer to execute: detecting a motion of a user; determining a role corresponding to motion information concerning the detected motion of the user, based on a role storage unit that stores therein motion information concerning a motion of a user and a role of the user in a manner associated with each other; and giving the user operating authority for an execution target device to be instructed to perform operation by a predetermined motion of a user, the operating authority corresponding to the determined role. 
     A projection system includes: an information processing apparatus; and a projection device to be instructed to perform operation by a predetermined motion of a user. The information processing apparatus includes: a role storage unit that stores therein motion information concerning a motion of a user and a role of the user in a manner associated with each other, a detecting unit that detects a motion of a user, a determining unit that determines a role corresponding to motion information concerning a motion of a user detected by the detecting unit, based on the role storage unit, an operation authorization unit that gives a user operating authority for the projection device, the operating authority corresponding to a role determined by the determining unit, and an operation controlling unit that performs control of the projection device corresponding to an operation according to the predetermined motion of a user according to operating authority that corresponds to a role of the user determined by the determining unit and is given to the user by the operation authorization unit, when a motion of a user detected by the detecting unit is the predetermined motion. The projection device includes: a projection processing unit that performs a given projection process under control of the operation controlling unit of the information processing apparatus. 
     The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a projection system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing apparatus in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a table illustrating an example of information stored in a role storage unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining transfer of operating authority; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of an overall process in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a specific process in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a specific process in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a specific process in the first embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating implementation of an operation authorization program using a computer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an operation authorization program, and a projection system according to the present invention will be described hereinafter. The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted by the following embodiments. 
     First Embodiment 
     System Configuration 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the configuration of a projection system according to a first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the projection system in the first embodiment. 
     In a projection system  1 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a projector  2 , a camera  3 , a microphone  4 , and an information processing apparatus  100  are connected to a network  5  such as the Internet and a local area network (LAN). The projector  2  out of the foregoing is a projection device that projects a given image on a plane of projection such as a screen under the control of the information processing apparatus  100 . Furthermore, the projector  2  is a device that is an execution target of operation for a predetermined motion of a user who is a participant of a meeting or the like. The predetermined motion of the user is, for example, an action to move hands and fingers and is sometimes referred to as a gesture (gesture operation). The device that is the execution target of gesture operation of the user is not limited to the projector  2 , and may be a given device such as a personal computer (PC). In the following description, the projector  2  is illustrated and described as the device of execution target of gesture operation. 
     The camera  3  is a camera that captures an image of surroundings of the information processing apparatus  100 . The camera  3  can be either a camera that captures visible light or a camera that captures infrared light. When the camera  3  is the camera that captures visible light, it is preferable that a plurality of cameras be arranged at appropriate intervals to accurately grasp the position of a user. Meanwhile, when the camera  3  is the camera that captures infrared light, the projection system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  further includes a light source to emit infrared light. The camera  3  transmits a captured video to the information processing apparatus  100  via the network  5 . 
     The microphone  4  collects voices (for example, utterance of a user). The microphone  4  further transmits the collected voices to the information processing apparatus  100  via the network  5 . There may be a situation in which the microphone  4  is not used in the first embodiment, the details of which will be described later. 
     The information processing apparatus  100  is a device such as a PC that gives a user operating authority for the projector  2  according to a natural motion of the user. The information processing apparatus  100  further includes a storage unit that stores therein motion information concerning motion of users, positional information concerning positions of the users, and voice information concerning voices of the users in a manner associated with roles of the users in a meeting. The storage unit is used to determine roles of users that are participants of the meeting. The information processing apparatus  100  receives the video transmitted by the camera  3 , and receives the voices (including utterance of a user) transmitted by the microphone  4  as necessary. 
     The information processing apparatus  100  then detects the motion and position of a user from the video received from the camera  3 , and detects that the user is speaking from the voices received from the microphone  4 . The information processing apparatus  100  further determines, based on the information stored in the storage unit, the role of the user corresponding to the motion information concerning the detected motion of the user, the positional information concerning the detected position of the user, or the voice information indicating that the user is speaking or the like. The information processing apparatus  100  subsequently gives the user operating authority for the projector  2  that is the execution target of operation for the gesture made by the user, the operating authority corresponding to the role determined. Consequently, the user who has the operating authority given can operate the projector  2  by making a specific gesture. More specifically, the information processing apparatus  100  gives the operating authority without making the user conscious of the motion to acquire the operating authority, whereby the operability of gesture operation can be improved. 
     Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  in the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  in the first embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the information processing apparatus  100  includes a role storage unit  111 , a user information storage unit  112 , a gesture operation storage unit  113 , a detecting unit  121 , a determining unit  122 , an operation authorization unit  123 , and an operation controlling unit  124 . The projector  2  includes a projection processing unit  2   a . The projection processing unit  2   a  performs, under the control of the information processing apparatus  100 , a given projection process such as projecting an image on a screen. 
     The role storage unit  111  stores therein the motion information of users, the positional information of the users, and the voice information of the users in a manner associated with the roles of the users in a meeting.  FIG. 3  is a table illustrating an example of information stored in the role storage unit  111 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the role storage unit  111  stores therein the motion information, the positional information, and the voice information of each of the users in a meeting or the like, in which the projector  2  that is the execution target of gesture operation is used, in a manner associated with roles of the respective users in the meeting or the like. The motion information, the positional information, and the voice information are categorized as Motion; Motion and Position; Motion and Voice; and Motion, Position, and Voice. The roles are categorized as Presenter, Audience, and Facilitator. Which category to use out of the motion information, the positional information, and the voice information may be set in advance based on the size of a meeting room and the number of participants. Alternatively, determination mat be made basically based on the motion only, and the conditions of position and voice may be added when similar motions made by a plurality of users are detected. As a consequence, the information processing apparatus  100  determines a role based on at least the motion of a user detected from the video received from the camera  3 , and determines the role as necessary based on the position of the user detected from the video received from the camera  3  and the speaking or the like of the user detected from the voices received from the microphone  4 . 
     As an example, in the case of Motion in which the motion information is used, the role storage unit  111  stores therein Stand Up in a manner associated with Presenter. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Raise His/Her Hand in the Motion of the motion information in a manner associated with Audience. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Make Predetermined Motion in the Motion of the motion information in a manner associated with Facilitator. The predetermined motion here is not a gesture but a motion naturally made as a facilitator. In this example in the row of Motion, the operating authority as the presenter is given to the user who stood up, the operating authority as the audience is given to the user who raised his/her hand, and the operating authority as the facilitator is given to the user who made the predetermined motion (a natural motion as a facilitator). 
     As another example, in the case of Motion, Position in which the motion information and the positional information are used, the role storage unit  111  stores therein Stand Up and Go Forward (Head Towards Screen Direction) in a manner associated with the Presenter. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Stand Up and Located at His/Her Seat in the Motion and Position of the motion information and the positional information in a manner associated with the Audience. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Make Predetermined Motion and Located at Certain Position in Front in the Motion and Position of the motion information and the positional information in a manner associated with the Facilitator. In this example in the row of Motion and Position, the user who stood up and went forward is given the operating authority as the presenter, the user who stood up and located at his/her seat is given the operating authority as the audience, and the user who made the predetermined motion (a natural motion as a facilitator) and located at the certain position in front is given the operating authority as the facilitator. 
     As another example, in the case of Motion, Voice in which the motion information and the voice information are used, the role storage unit  111  stores therein Speak for Longest Time in a manner associated with the Presenter. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Speak in the Motion and Voice of the motion information and the voice information in a manner associated with the Audience. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Make Predetermined Motion after Handclap in the Motion and Voice of the motion information and the voice information in a manner associated with the Facilitator. In this example in the row of Motion and Voice, the operating authority as the presenter is given to the user who spoke for the longest time, the operating authority as the audience is given to the user who spoke up, and the operating authority as the facilitator is given to the user who made the predetermined motion (a natural motion as a facilitator) after a handclap. 
     As another example, in the row of Motion, Position, and Voice of the motion information, the positional information, and the voice information, the role storage unit  111  stores therein Stand Up, Go Forward (Head Towards Screen Direction), and Speak in a manner associated with the Presenter. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Stand Up, Located at His/Her Seat, and Speak in the Motion, Position, and Voice of the motion information, the positional information, and the voice information in a manner associated with the Audience. The role storage unit  111  further stores therein Located at Certain Position and Make Predetermined Motion after Handclap in Motion, Position, and Voice of the motion information, the positional information, and the voice information in a manner associated with the Facilitator. In this example in the row of Motion, Position, and Voice, the operating authority as the presenter is given to the user who stood up, went forward, and spoke up, the operating authority as the audience is given to the user who stood up and spoke up at his seat, and the operating authority as the facilitator is given to the user who is located at a certain position in front and made the predetermined motion (a natural motion as a facilitator) after a handclap. 
     The detecting unit  121  uses a video received from the camera  3  to detect the motion and position of a user. The motion of the user is detected from a difference in features of the user for each given number of frames. The position of the user is detected from the position of the user in the video. As for the detection of the foregoing, any techniques can be used. The detecting unit  121  further detects that the user spoke up from the voices received from the microphone  4 . The detecting unit  121  that detected the motion, the position, or the speaking of the user stores the various types of information detected in the user information storage unit  112 . The user information storage unit  112  stores therein a user located at which position made what motion and spoke up or not. The various types of information stored in the user information storage unit  112  are delivered to the operation authorization unit  123  and the operation controlling unit  124  as necessary. 
     The determining unit  122  determines a role corresponding to the motion, the position, and the voices of the user. More specifically, the determining unit  122  refers to the role storage unit  111  to determine the role corresponding to the motion, the position, or the speaking of the user detected by the detecting unit  121 . 
     The operation authorization unit  123  gives a user different operating authority for the projector  2  for each of the roles determined. More specifically, the operation authorization unit  123  gives the user the operating authority, which is the authority corresponding to the role determined by the determining unit  122 , for the projector  2  that is an execution target of gesture operation of the user. Giving the operating authority to the user by the operation authorization unit  123  is carried out in a known method. A variety of giving methods are available including, as one example, a method in which, in a user database for registering users, the user is registered in a manner associated with the operating authority to be given. In the present embodiment, the operating authority only needs to be registered in a manner associated with the user information stored in the user information storage unit  112 . The method of giving the operating authority, however, is not restricted to this. Examples of process to determine the roles according to the motion, the position, or the speaking of the users detected will be described later. 
     The gesture operation storage unit  113  stores therein operation content of the projector  2  corresponding to gestures. More specifically, the gesture operation storage unit  113  stores therein various types of operation content concerning the projection by the projector  2  such as change of page, magnification and reduction of display, and adjustment of color and brightness in a manner associated with specific gestures that allow for the operation of the projector  2  for the operating authority of respective roles. 
     The operation controlling unit  124  controls the projector  2  according to the gesture operation of the user. More specifically, when the motion of the user detected by the detecting unit  121  is a gesture operation, the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content from the gesture operation storage unit  113  based on the operating authority given by the operation authorization unit  123 . The operation controlling unit  124  then controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. As an example, when the operation content of Change to Next Page is acquired from the gesture operation storage unit  113  based on the operating authority of the user and the gesture performed by the user, the operation controlling unit  124  controls the projector  2  to change the page of the image currently projected to that of the next page. 
     Transfer of Operating Authority 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the transfer of operating authority will be described.  FIG. 4  is a diagram for explaining the transfer of operating authority. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in a condition in which a User A has operating authority, when a User B stands up and an Event  1  that switches presenters (roles) occurs, the information processing apparatus  100  determines the role Presenter for the User B and gives the operating authority to the User B as a presenter. Consequently, the operating authority is transferred from the User A to the User B. However, the operating authority of the User B is the operating authority as the presenter, and thus, even when the User B makes a gesture as an audience or a facilitator, the gesture is not accepted at this point because the User B has no operating authority as the foregoing. 
     Furthermore, in a condition in which the User B has the operating authority, when a User C stands up and an Event  2  that switches presenters (roles) occurs, the information processing apparatus  100  determines the role Presenter for the User C and gives the operating authority to the User C as the presenter. Consequently, the operating authority is transferred from the User B to the User C. However, the operating authority of the User C is the operating authority as the presenter, and thus, even when the User C makes a gesture as an audience or a facilitator, the gesture is not accepted at this point because the User C has no operating authority as the foregoing. 
     Moreover, in a condition in which the User C has the operating authority, when the User A raises his/her hand and an Event  3  that turns the User A as an audience (role) occurs, the information processing apparatus  100  determines the role Audience for the User A and gives the operating authority to the User A as the audience. Consequently, the operating authority is transferred from the User C to the User A. However, the operating authority of the User A is the operating authority as the audience, and thus, even when the User A makes a gesture as the presenter or the facilitator, the gesture is not accepted at this point because the User A has no operating authority as the foregoing. 
     In the manner described above, the information processing apparatus  100  transfers the operating authority to be given to respective users when an event that is a natural motion of the user occurs. 
     Overall Processing Flow 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the flow of an overall process in the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the overall process in the first embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when a motion of a user detected by the detecting unit  121  is not a gesture operation (No at Step S 101 ), the determining unit  122  determines whether the motion corresponds to a specific role of a presenter, an audience, or a facilitator (Step S 102 ). At this time, when the motion is determined to correspond to the specific role (Yes at Step S 102 ), the determining unit  122  determines a role of the user (Step S 103 ). The operation authorization unit  123  then gives operating authority to the user whose role is determined by the determining unit  122  (Step S 104 ). In contrast, when the motion is determined not to correspond to a specific role by the detecting unit  121  (No at Step S 102 ), the process at Step S 101  is performed again. Whether a motion corresponds to a specific role is determined by referring to the role storage unit  111 . 
     When the motion of the user detected by the detecting unit  121  is the gesture operation (Yes at Step S 101 ), the operation controlling unit  124  determines whether the user who made the gesture operation has the operating authority (Step S 105 ). Whether the user has the operating authority is determined from information concerning the operating authority given to the user by the operation authorization unit  123  (for example, the content of operating authority associated with the user registered in the user database). At this time, when the user who performed the gesture operation is determined to have the operating authority (Yes at Step S 105 ), the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture operation from the gesture operation storage unit  113 , and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired (Step S 106 ). However, even while the user has the operating authority of a specific role, when the gesture operation the user performed does not correspond to the operating authority of the specific role, the gesture operation is not accepted. In contract, when the user who performed the gesture operation is determined not to have the operating authority by the operation controlling unit  124  (No at Step S 105 ), the process at Step S 101  is performed again. 
     Processing Example 1 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the flow of a specific process in the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the specific process in the first embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , a case in which the Motion out of the motion information is mainly used will be illustrated and described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when the detecting unit  121  detects that a user stands up from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 201 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who stood up as a presenter (Step S 202 ). In the following description for  FIG. 6 , the user determined as the presenter may be referred to as a User X. In contract, when the detecting unit  121  does not detect that a user stands up (No at Step S 201 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 201  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives operating authority to the User X whose role is determined as the presenter by the determining unit  122  (Step S 203 ). While the operating authority is given to the User X who is the presenter, and when the User X performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     When the detecting unit  121  further determines that the User X of the presenter is not seated from the video received from the camera  3  (No at Step S 204 ), the detecting unit  121  determines whether a user other than the User X of the presenter stands up (Step S 205 ). At this time, when the detecting unit  121  detects that the user other than the User X of the presenter stands up (Yes at Step S 205 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who stood up as an audience (Step S 206 ). In the following description for  FIG. 6 , the user determined as the audience may be referred to as a User Y. 
     In contrast, when the detecting unit  121  does not detect that a user other than the User X of the presenter stands up (No at Step S 205 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 204  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives the operating authority to the User Y whose role is determined by the determining unit  122  as the audience (Step S 207 ). More specifically, the operating authority is transferred at this point from the User X of the presenter to the User Y of the audience. While the operating authority is given to the User Y of the audience, and when the User Y performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     When the detecting unit  121  determines that the User Y of the audience is seated from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 208 ), the operation authorization unit  123  gives the operating authority to the User X of the presenter (Step S 203 ). More specifically, the operating authority is transferred at this point from the User Y of the audience to the User X of the presenter. While the operating authority is given to the User X of the presenter, and when the User X performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  by the operation content acquired. In contract, when the detecting unit  121  detects that the User Y of the audience is not seated from the video received from the camera  3  (No at Step S 208 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 208  again. 
     When the detecting unit  121  determines that the User X of the presenter took his/her seat (or is seated) from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 204 ), the operation authorization unit  123  resets the roles for the respective users, such as the User X and the User Y, and the operating authority, more specifically, sets a condition in which no roles and no operating authority are given to any users (Step S 209 ). 
     When the detecting unit  121  detects the presence of a user who makes a predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 210 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who made the predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) as a facilitator (Step S 211 ). In contract, when the detecting unit  121  determines that there is no user who makes the predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) (No at Step S 210 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 201  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives the operating authority to the user whose role is determined as the facilitator (Step S 212 ). While the operating authority is given to the user of the facilitator, and when the user performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     Processing Example 2 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the flow of a specific process in the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the specific process in the first embodiment. In  FIG. 7 , a case in which the Motion and Position out of the motion information are mainly used will be illustrated and described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , when the detecting unit  121  detects that a user stands up and heads towards a screen direction from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 301 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who stood up and headed towards the screen direction as a presenter (Step S 302 ). In the following description for  FIG. 7 , the user determined as the presenter may be referred to as a User X. In contract, when the detecting unit  121  does not detect that a user stands up and heads towards the screen direction (No at Step S 301 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 301  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives operating authority to the User X who is determined as the presenter by the determining unit  122  (Step S 303 ). While the operating authority is given to the User X of the presenter, and when the User X performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     When the detecting unit  121  further detects that the User X of the presenter does not return to his/her seat from the video received from the camera  3  (No at Step S 304 ), the detecting unit  121  determines whether a user other than the User X of the presenter raises his/her hand (Step S 305 ). At this time, when the detecting unit  121  detects that a user other than the User X of the presenter raises his/her hand (Yes at Step S 306 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who raised his/her hand as an audience (Step S 306 ). In the following description for  FIG. 7 , the user determined as the audience may be referred to as a User Y. 
     In contract, when the detecting unit  121  does not detect that a user other than the User X of the presenter raised his/her hand (No at Step S 305 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 304  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives the operating authority to the User Y whose role is determined as the audience by the determining unit  122  (Step S 307 ). More specifically, the operating authority is transferred at this point from the User X of the presenter to the User Y of the audience. While the operating authority is given to the User Y of the audience, and when the User Y performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     When the detecting unit  121  further determines that the User X of the presenter holds a microphone from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 308 ), the operation authorization unit  123  gives the operating authority to the User X of the presenter (Step S 303 ). More specifically, the operating authority is transferred at this point from the User Y of the audience to the User X of the presenter. While the operating authority is given to the User X of the presenter, and when the User X performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. In contract, when the detecting unit  121  determines that the User X of the presenter does not hold a microphone from the video received from the camera  3  (No at Step S 308 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 308  again. 
     When the detecting unit  121  further determines that the User X of the presenter returns to his/her seat (or is returning to his/her seat) from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 304 ), the operation authorization unit  123  resets the roles for the respective users, such as the User X and the User Y, and the operating authority to set a condition in which no roles and no operating authority are given to any users (Step S 309 ). 
     When the detecting unit  121  further detects that a user located at a certain position in front makes a predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 310 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user as a facilitator (Step S 311 ). In contrast, when the detecting unit  121  determines that the user located at the certain position in front does not make the predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) from the video received from the camera  3  (No at Step S 310 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 301  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives the operating authority to the user whose role is determined by the determining unit  122  as the facilitator (Step S 312 ). While the operating authority is given to the user of the facilitator, and when the user performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     Processing Example 3 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the flow of a specific process in the first embodiment will be described.  FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the specific process in the first embodiment. In  FIG. 8 , a case in which the Motion, Position, and Voice out of the motion information are mainly used will be illustrated and described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , when the detecting unit  121  detects that a user stands up and heads towards a screen direction from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 401 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who stood up and headed towards the screen direction as a presenter (Step S 402 ). In the following description for  FIG. 8 , the user determined as the presenter may be referred to as a User X. In contract, when the detecting unit  121  does not detect that a user stands up and heads towards the screen direction (No at Step S 401 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 401  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives operating authority to the User X whose role is determined as the presenter by the determining unit  122  (Step S 403 ). While the operating authority is given to the User X of the presenter, and when the User X performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     Furthermore, when the detecting unit  121  does not detect that a handclap is done in a meeting room from the video received from the camera  3  and the voices received from the microphone  4  (No at Step S 404 ), the detecting unit  121  determines whether a user other than the User X of the presenter speaks (Step S 405 ). At this time, when the detecting unit  121  determines that the user other than the User X of the presenter speaks (Yes at Step S 405 ), the detecting unit  121  determines whether the user speaks for longer than a predetermined time (Step S 406 ). When the detecting unit  121  determines that the user other than the User X of the presenter speaks for longer than the predetermined time (Yes at Step S 406 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user who spoke for longer than the predetermined time as an audience (Step S 407 ). In the following description for  FIG. 8 , the user determined as the audience may be referred to as a User Y. 
     In contract, when the detecting unit  121  determines that a user other than the User X of the presenter does not speak (No at Step S 405 ) or a user other than the User X of the presenter does not speak for longer than the predetermined time (No at Step S 406 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 404  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives the operating authority to the User Y whose role is determined as the audience by the determining unit  122  (Step S 408 ). More specifically, the operating authority is transferred at this point from the User X of the presenter to the User Y of the audience. While the operating authority is given to the User Y of the audience, and when the User Y performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     When the detecting unit  121  further determines that the User X of the presenter holds a microphone from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 409 ), the operation authorization unit  123  gives the operating authority to the User X of the presenter (Step S 403 ). More specifically, the operating authority is transferred from the User Y of the audience to the User X of the presenter at this point. While the operating authority is given to the User X of the presenter, and when the User X performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. In contract, when the detecting unit  121  determines that the User X of the presenter does not hold a microphone from the video received from the camera  3  (No at Step S 409 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 409  again. 
     When the detecting unit  121  further detects that the handclap is done inside the meeting room from the video received from the camera  3  and the voices received from the microphone  4  (Yes at Step S 404 ), the operation authorization unit  123  resets the roles for the respective users, such as the User X and the User Y, and the operating authority to set a condition in which no roles and no operating authority are given to any users (Step S 410 ). 
     When the detecting unit  121  further detects that a user located at a certain position in front makes a predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) from the video received from the camera  3  (Yes at Step S 411 ), the determining unit  122  determines the role of the user as a facilitator (Step S 412 ). In contrast, when the detecting unit  121  determines that the user located at the certain position in front does not make the predetermined motion (natural motion as a facilitator) (No at Step S 411 ), the detecting unit  121  performs the process at Step S 401  again. The operation authorization unit  123  then gives operating authority to the user whose role is determined by the determining unit  122  as the facilitator (Step S 413 ). While the operating authority is given to the user of the facilitator, and when the user performs a gesture to operate the projector  2 , the operation controlling unit  124  acquires the operation content corresponding to the gesture from the gesture operation storage unit  113  and controls the projector  2  according to the operation content acquired. 
     Effects of First Embodiment 
     As in the foregoing, the information processing apparatus  100  includes the role storage unit that stores therein the motion information of users in a meeting or the like in a manner associated with the roles of the users in the meeting or the like, detects the motion, the position, or the voice of a user, and determines the role corresponding to the detected motion, the detected position, or the detected voice of the user, based on the role storage unit. The information processing apparatus  100  then gives the user the operating authority for the projector  2  that is the execution target of gesture operation, the operating authority corresponding to the role of the user determined. As a consequence, the information processing apparatus  100  gives the operating authority according to a natural motion of the user or the like, whereby the operability of gesture operation can be improved as compared with the conventional technology that makes the user conscious of the motion to acquire the operating authority. 
     Second Embodiment 
     While the embodiment of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the present invention is described above, the invention may be implemented in various different embodiments other than the above-described embodiment. Thus, different embodiments in (1) configurations and (2) programs will be described. 
     (1) Configuration 
     The processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, and information including various types of data, parameters, and the like illustrated in the writing above and in the drawings can be optionally changed, except when specified otherwise. For example, the information that the role storage unit  111  stores therein is not limited to those illustrated in the drawings and can be changed accordingly. 
     The constituent elements of the information processing apparatus  100  illustrated are functionally conceptual and are not necessarily configured physically as illustrated in the drawings. In other words, the specific embodiments of distribution or integration of devices are not restricted to those illustrated, and the whole or a part thereof can be configured by being functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit according to various types of loads and usage. For example, the operation controlling unit  124  may be distributed to a gesture recognizing unit that recognizes the gesture of the user, and a controlling unit that controls the projector  2  according to the operation content according to the recognized gesture. 
     (2) Program 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating the implementation of an operation authorization program using a computer. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a computer  1000  as the information processing apparatus  100  includes a control device such as a central processing unit (CPU)  1001 , a storage device such as a read only memory (ROM)  1002  and a random access memory (RAM)  1003 , a hard disk drive (HDD)  1004 , an external storage device such as a disk drive  1005 , a display device such as a display  1006 , and input devices such as a keyboard  1007  and a mouse  1008 , and is hardware configured using a normal computer. 
     The operation authorization program executed by the information processing apparatus  100  is provided, as one aspect, in a file of an installable format or an executable format recorded on a computer readable recording medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disc-recordable (CD-R), a digital versatile disk (DVD). Furthermore, the operation authorization program executed by the information processing apparatus  100  may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and to be provided by downloading it via the network. The operation authorization program executed by the information processing apparatus  100  may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The operation authorization program may further be configured to be provided being embedded in a ROM or the like. 
     The operation authorization program executed by the information processing apparatus  100  is modularly configured to include the above-described functional units (the detecting unit  121 , the determining unit  122 , and the operation authorization unit  123 ). As for the actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out the operation authorization program from a storage medium and executes it to load each of the above-described functional units on a main storage device, whereby the detecting unit  121 , the determining unit  122 , and the operation authorization unit  123  are generated on the main storage device. 
     The embodiment has an effect to allow the operability of gesture operation to be improved. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.