Abstract: An image processing apparatus which converts a frame rate by dividing an input frame into subframes and outputting the subframes, comprises, a preprocessing unit adapted to perform preprocessing of replacing a pixel value of a pixel of interest with a minimum pixel value of peripheral pixels of the pixel of interest in an input frame, a low-pass filter processing unit adapted to generate a first subframe by performing a low-pass filtering process on the input frame having undergone the preprocessing, a generating unit adapted to generate a second subframe from the first subframe and the input frame, and a switching unit adapted to output the first subframe and the second subframe by switching the first subframe and the second subframe at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: A frame image is generated by combining a current field image and a preceding field image as a first candidate image. A frame image is generated by combining the current field image and a succeeding field image as a second candidate image. A frame image is generated by pixel interpolation processing for the current field image and output as a third candidate image. It is determined whether the current field image has continuity to the preceding or succeeding field image, or no continuity with any of them. Based on the determination result, the determination result of the current field image is stored as log information. A specific pattern is detected from the pattern of stored log information of continuous field images before the current field image. One of the first to third candidate images is selected as the frame image of the current field image based on the detection result.

Abstract: A technique of efficiently extracting and synthesizing an object image from a plurality of images captured at different image magnifications. An image processing method of the present invention includes the steps of generating a first background image corresponding to a first image captured at a predetermined image magnification, extracting a first object image from the first image, generating a second background image corresponding to a second image captured at an image magnification higher than the predetermined image magnification, based on the first background image and the first object image, and extracting a second object image from the second image and the second background image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which converts a frame rate by dividing an input frame into subframes and outputting the subframes, comprises, a preprocessing unit adapted to perform preprocessing of replacing a pixel value of a pixel of interest with a minimum pixel value of peripheral pixels of the pixel of interest in an input frame, a low-pass filter processing unit adapted to generate a first subframe by performing a low-pass filtering process on the input frame having undergone the preprocessing, a generating unit adapted to generate a second subframe from the first subframe and the input frame, and a switching unit adapted to output the first subframe and the second subframe by switching the first subframe and the second subframe at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: A frame image is generated by combining a current field image and a preceding field image as a first candidate image. A frame image is generated by combining the current field image and a succeeding field image as a second candidate image. A frame image is generated by pixel interpolation processing for the current field image and output as a third candidate image. It is determined whether the current field image has continuity to the preceding or succeeding field image, or no continuity with any of them. Based on the determination result, the determination result of the current field image is stored as log information. A specific pattern is detected from the pattern of stored log information of continuous field images before the current field image. One of the first to third candidate images is selected as the frame image of the current field image based on the detection result.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus can perform highly efficient coding that generates less visible distortion. The image processing apparatus includes a pre-processing unit configured to reduce the data amount of an input image and output the image after reducing its data amount and a coding unit configured to receive an output from the pre-processing unit and output coded data. The pre-processing unit includes a region segmentation unit configured to divide a frame image into regions, a filter setting unit configured to set filter strength, an intermediate region setting unit configured to generate an intermediate filter region in accordance with the filter strength, and a filter processing unit configured to perform filter processing at the set filter strength. Filter regions and filter strength can be set in accordance with the code length.

Abstract: A technique of efficiently extracting and synthesizing an object image from a plurality of images captured at different image magnifications. An image processing method of the present invention includes the steps of generating a first background image corresponding to a first image captured at a predetermined image magnification, extracting a first object image from the first image, generating a second background image corresponding to a second image captured at an image magnification higher than the predetermined image magnification, based on the first background image and the first object image, and extracting a second object image from the second image and the second background image.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus that corrects an image blur by using a plurality of images acquired by image capturing means. The apparatus comprises: blur detection means that detects a blur amount between the plurality of images; image composition means that performs the composition of the plurality of images using the detected blur amount; acquisition means that acquires, based on a difference value between the plurality of images and a threshold value thereof, region data for separating the image into regions by changing the threshold value; and display means that selectably displays the region data for each threshold value.

Abstract: A technique of efficiently extracting and synthesizing an object image from a plurality of images captured at different image magnifications. An image processing method of the present invention includes the steps of generating a first background image corresponding to a first image captured at a predetermined image magnification, extracting a first object image from the first image, generating a second background image corresponding to a second image captured at an image magnification higher than the predetermined image magnification, based on the first background image and the first object image, and extracting a second object image from the second image and the second background image.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus and method whereby even if shape data representing the shape of an object in a moving image undergoes a major change temporarily, a frame that is to be corrected can be detected and corrected in ideal fashion and it is possible to execute moving-image coding that is outstanding both visually and in terms of coding efficiency. In one example, a moving image composed of a plurality of frames is acquired from a image input unit (101) and the background image of the moving image is acquired by a background image generating unit (102). A background subtraction processor (103) extracts an object by comparing each of the frames constituting the moving image with the background image, and an abnormal-data discrimination unit (105) discriminates whether shape data representing the shape of the extracted object is abnormal or not. If the shape data is abnormal, a shape-data correction unit (106) corrects the shape data.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus that corrects an image blur by using a plurality of images acquired by image capturing means. The apparatus comprises: blur detection means that detects a blur amount between the plurality of images; image composition means that performs the composition of the plurality of images using the detected blur amount; acquisition means that acquires, based on a difference value between the plurality of images and a threshold value thereof, region data for separating the image into regions by changing the threshold value; and display means that selectably displays the region data for each threshold value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method, which can appropriately extract an object even when the focus of a camera having an automatic focus adjustment function shifts from the background to the object. To this end, frame images which are sensed by an image sensing unit and are sequential in the time axis direction are input from an input unit. The input frame images are smoothed by a filter unit. A background image generation unit generates an average image of a predetermined number of smoothed frame images as a background image. An image differential unit generates a differential image between the predetermined smoothed frame image and the background image. An object extraction unit extracts an object region where a predetermined object is sensed, on the basis of the differential image.

Abstract: This invention provides a decoding apparatus and control method therefor capable of eliminating visual flaws between frames even if several frames cannot be decoded. The first data is read out (S201), and decoding of the frame data starts (S202). During decoding processing, whether the processing time exceeds a predetermined limit time of decoding processing assigned to the packet is monitored (S204). If decoding processing does not end within the predetermined limit time, only decoded data are written in a memory (S213). This can maintain image continuity.

Abstract: A shape decoder obtains shape data by decoding bit-stream data representing a shape, and a texture decoder obtains texture information by decoding a texture bit stream. A shape manipulation unit alters the shape data based upon an operation performed by user. In response to the end of shape manipulation processing, a texture altering unit alters the corresponding texture data in dependence upon updating of the shape data applied by the shape manipulation unit. As a result, processing for manipulating, editing and displaying an image comprising shape data and texture data can be performed more efficiently.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus can perform highly efficient coding that generates less visible distortion. The image processing apparatus includes a pre-processing unit configured to reduce the data amount of an input image and output the image after reducing its data amount and a coding unit configured to receive an output from the pre-processing unit and output coded data. The pre-processing unit includes a region segmentation unit configured to divide a frame image into regions, a filter setting unit configured to set filter strength, an intermediate region setting unit configured to generate an intermediate filter region in accordance with the filter strength, and a filter processing unit configured to perform filter processing at the set filter strength. Filter regions and filter strength can be set in accordance with the code length.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method wherein consecutive image data is input, the image data is divided into blocks each constituted of a plurality of pixels, a motion vector of each block is detected, a border block is judged in accordance with the detected motion vector, the border block forming a boundary area between an object area and a background area corresponding to a background of the object area, and image data in the object area is extracted in accordance with the judged border block.

Abstract: Image data of plural objects are inputted, the inputted image data are encoded on an object basis, a priority order of code amount allocation is set for the objects, and encoding conditions for the objects in the encoding step are controlled in accordance with the priority order. The encoding conditions are controlled so that a total code amount obtained by encoding the image data of the plural objects does not exceed a predetermined code amount.

Abstract: A frame DWT unit makes subband segmentation of input moving image data in units of frames. Also, a field DWT unit makes subband segmentation of input moving image data in units of fields. First subbands obtained by the frame DWT unit undergo an arithmetic process, and a discrimination unit (104) determines based on a first arithmetic value obtained by the arithmetic process if the frame or field DWT unit is applied to the input moving image data.

Abstract: A specific frame is selected from a plurality of frames of moving image data, and an initial contour corresponding to an extraction target is generated in the selected frame. The initial contour is converged to the contour of the extraction target. An initial contour corresponding to the extraction target is set in an other frame on the basis of the result of the convergence. Contour convergence to the contour of the extraction target is effected on the basis of the set initial contour. As the other frame, frames preceding and subsequent to the selected frame with respect to time can be set.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus/method characterized by inputting successive image data, dividing the image data into blocks each formed from a plurality of pixels, detecting the motion vector of each block, calculating a probability at which the block has a predetermined area label, in accordance with the motion vector and the area label of a neighboring block, determining the area label of each block in accordance with the calculation result, and dividing the image data into areas of respective objects in accordance with the determined area label.