Information processing method for adjustting an image capture region based on spoken utterance and apparatus therefor

An information processing method performed by an information processing apparatus, the information processing method comprising:

• receiving a spoken utterance of a user and extracting, from the spoken utterance, a demonstrative pronoun referring to a target indicated by the user;
• determining an image capture region to be scanned by a camera according to a type of the demonstrative pronoun;
• recognizing the target indicated by the user from a result of scanning the image capture region;
• and
• feeding back, to the user, a result of processing the spoken utterance based on a result of recognizing the target indicated by the user,
• wherein the determining the image capture region comprises decreasing an intensity of output light outputted from a time-of-flight (TOF) camera provided in the information processing apparatus to a value lower than a reference value to determine a region between the user and the information processing apparatus as the image capture region to be scanned, in response to the extracted demonstrative pronoun being a first demonstrative pronoun referring to a target located near the user.

An information processing apparatus comprising:

• an extraction processor configured to receive a spoken utterance of a user and extract, from the spoken utterance, a demonstrative pronoun referring to a target indicated by the user;
• a determination processor configured to determine an image capture region to be scanned by a camera according to a type of the demonstrative pronoun;
• a recognition processor configured to recognize the target indicated by the user from a result of scanning the image capture region;
• and
• a feedback processor configured to feed back, to the user, a result of processing the spoken utterance based on a result of recognizing the target indicated by the user,
• wherein the determination processor is configured to select a wide-angle lens of a triple camera provided in the information processing apparatus and having the wide-angle lens, a normal lens, and a telescopic lens to determine a region between the user and the information processing apparatus as the image capture region to be scanned, in response to the extracted demonstrative pronoun being a first demonstrative pronoun referring to a target located near the user.