Distance detecting apparatus, distance detecting method, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium

A computer program for causing a computer to function as a distance detecting apparatus including

• a detection control unit configured to control a detecting unit that is inserted in an external auditory canal and includes a light emitting unit that emits light onto an eardrum and a plurality of light receiving units that each receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by a light cone of the eardrum, and
• a distance estimating unit configured to estimate a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the detecting unit to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units.

A computer-readable recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon, the computer program causing a computer to function as a distance detecting apparatus including

• a detection control unit configured to control a detecting unit that is inserted in an external auditory canal and includes a light emitting unit that emits light onto an eardrum and a plurality of light receiving units that each receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected by a light cone of the eardrum, and
• a distance estimating unit configured to estimate a distance from a target inserted in the external auditory canal together with the detecting unit to the eardrum based on light intensity and distribution detected by each of the light receiving units.