Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of acquiring an image of a physical space, acquiring a position and orientation of a viewpoint of the image, generating an image of a virtual object, detecting an area which consists of pixels each having a predetermined pixel value, and superimposing the image of the virtual object on the image of the physical space. The superimposition step includes calculating a distance between a position of the virtual object and a position of the viewpoint, acquiring an instruction indicating whether or not the virtual object is emphasis-displayed, and setting a flag indicating whether or not the image of the virtual object is to be set as a masked target. The masking process image of the virtual object is superimposed or not on the image of the physical space depending if the image of the virtual object is set as the masked target.

Abstract: A three-dimensional computer graphics model which represents a measurable range of a position and orientation sensor is prepared in advance. A composite image is generated by superimposing an image of a virtual object which represents the measurable range of the position and orientation sensor on an actually-sensed image in real space where the position and orientation sensor is placed. The composite image, when displayed, makes it possible to visually recognize the measurable range of the position and orientation sensor.

Abstract: On a captured image corresponding to acquisition time t of acquisition of the captured image, a virtual-space image based on the position and/or orientation at time that depends on the time t and a lag d is superimposed. An image on which the virtual-space image is superimposed is displayed. (S602-S606).

Abstract: An image combining method for combining an image obtained by image sensing real space with a computer-generated image and displaying the combined image. Mask area color information is determined based on a first real image including an object as the subject of mask area and a second real image not including the object, and the color information is registered. The mask area is extracted from the real image by using the registered mask area color information, and the real image and the computer-generated image are combined by using the mask area.

Abstract: On a captured image corresponding to acquisition time t of acquisition of the captured image, a virtual-space image based on the position and/or orientation at time that depends on the time t and a lag d is superimposed. An image on which the virtual-space image is superimposed is displayed. (S602-S606).

Abstract: There is provided a technology for controlling information to be supplied to an observer depending on a state of an apparatus, namely, whether the observer is receiving information. A use state of a head-mounted display device, for example, the position and/or orientation of the head-mounted display device is detected to control the power supply of the head-mounted display device based on the detected use state.

Abstract: A three-dimensional computer graphics model which represents a measurable range of a position and orientation sensor is prepared in advance. A composite image is generated by superimposing an image of a virtual object which represents the measurable range of the position and orientation sensor on an actually-sensed image in real space where the position and orientation sensor is placed. The composite image, when displayed, makes it possible to visually recognize the measurable range of the position and orientation sensor.

Abstract: Whether or not a masking portion is to be masked is set for an image of each individual object. A first image of a virtual object which is set not to be masked is generated (step S305). A second image formed by masking a masking portion in an image of a virtual object which is set to be masked is generated. A third image formed by superimposing the first and second images is generated, and an image formed by superimposing the third image on an image on a physical space is generated (step S309).

Abstract: An image combining method for combining an image obtained by image sensing real space with a computer-generated image and displaying the combined image. Mask area color information is determined based on a first real image including an object as the subject of mask area and a second real image not including the object, and the color information is registered. The mask area is extracted from the real image by using the registered mask area color information, and the real image and the computer-generated image are combined by using the mask area.