Information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium

An information processing method of an information processing apparatus that regards a predetermined surface as a virtual input device area, and inputs predetermined information when a user performs a touch operation of causing a finger to touch the virtual input device area,

• the information processing apparatus being provided with an image capturing unit that captures an image of the surface where the virtual input device area is formed and outputs data of the captured image, the information processing method comprising the steps of:
• an identification information detection step of detecting identification information capable of identifying whether or not the finger of the user has touched the virtual input device area;
• a touch operation detection step of detecting the touch operation on a predetermined area of the virtual input device area, based on the data of the captured image outputted by the image capturing unit, and the identification information detected in the identification information detection step;
• and
• an information input step of inputting the predetermined information based on a detection result of the touch operation detection step.

A storage medium readable by a computer used in an information processing that regards a predetermined surface as a virtual input device area, and inputs predetermined information when a user performs a touch operation of causing a finger to touch the virtual input device area, and that has an image capturing unit that captures an image of the surface where the virtual input device area is formed and outputs data of the captured image, the storage medium having stored therein a program executable by the computer to function as:

• an identification information detection unit that detects identification information indicative of a state of contact of the finger of the user with the virtual input device area;
• a touch operation detection unit that detects the touch operation on a predetermined area of the virtual input device area, based on the data of the captured image outputted from the image capturing unit, and the identification information detected by the identification information detection unit;
• and
• an information input unit that inputs the predetermined information based on a detection result of the touch operation detection unit.