Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first processing task configured to acquire surface normal information of an object, a second processing task configured to acquire a plurality of first images acquired by capturing the object while changing a polarization angle of light from the object, a third processing task configured to acquire polarization information of the object, and a fourth processing task configured to generate a second image in which an illumination state of the object is different from that of each first image. The third processing task acquires light intensity information that changes according to the polarization angle, using the first images. The fourth processing task extracts a partial area of the first images using the surface normal information, and generates the second image using the partial area and the light intensity information.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first polarization information that includes a polarized light component and an angle component using luminance values of input images obtained by imaging light of a plurality of colors in a plurality of different polarization states, a correction unit configured to acquire corrected polarization information obtained by replacing at least part of the first polarization information in a specific area with second polarization information obtained using a luminance value of a specific color among the plurality of colors in the specific area in the input images, and a generation unit configured to generate an output image using the corrected polarization information. The polarized light component is a luminance component that changes according to polarization angles. The angle component is a polarization angle that maximizes the luminance value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform operations as a first acquiring unit, a second acquiring unit, a setting unit, and a third acquiring unit. The first acquiring unit is configured to acquire a first image generated by imaging an object via a polarizing element configured to transmit lights having a plurality of polarization azimuths different from each other. The second acquiring unit is configured to acquire information on an imaging condition in the imaging. The setting unit is configured to set information on a polarization azimuth in the first image according to the information on the imaging condition. The third acquiring unit is configured to acquire polarization information from the first image using the information on the polarization azimuth.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first processing task configured to acquire surface normal information of an object, a second processing task configured to acquire a plurality of first images acquired by capturing the object while changing a polarization angle of light from the object, a third processing task configured to acquire polarization information of the object, and a fourth processing task configured to generate a second image in which an illumination state of the object is different from that of each first image. The third processing task acquires light intensity information that changes according to the polarization angle, using the first images. The fourth processing task extracts a partial area of the first images using the surface normal information, and generates the second image using the partial area and the light intensity information.

Abstract: A processing apparatus configured to obtain polarization information using a plurality of images each of which is obtained in a different polarization state of light from an object includes a processor configured to select one reference image from the plurality of images and to generate difference data relating to a difference between the reference image and an image other than the reference image, and a recorder configured to record the reference image and the difference data.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first polarization information that includes a polarized light component and an angle component using luminance values of input images obtained by imaging light of a plurality of colors in a plurality of different polarization states, a correction unit configured to acquire corrected polarization information obtained by replacing at least part of the first polarization information in a specific area with second polarization information obtained using a luminance value of a specific color among the plurality of colors in the specific area in the input images, and a generation unit configured to generate an output image using the corrected polarization information. The polarized light component is a luminance component that changes according to polarization angles. The angle component is a polarization angle that maximizes the luminance value.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes a calculator configured to calculate, using luminance values of one or more input images produced by photoelectric conversion of multiple polarized lights whose polarization angles are mutually different, an angle-dependent component at a specific polarization angle among angle-dependent components that are luminance components changing depending on the polarization angle. The apparatus further includes a producer configured to produce an output image using the angle-dependent component at the specific polarization angle.

Abstract: A processing apparatus configured to obtain polarization information using a plurality of images each of which is obtained in a different polarization state of light from an object includes a processor configured to select one reference image from the plurality of images and to generate difference data relating to a difference between the reference image and an image other than the reference image, and a recorder configured to record the reference image and the difference data.

Abstract: The polarization acquisition apparatus is configured to allow an image capturing system including an interchangeable lens and an image capturing apparatus to perform image capturing using polarized light. The polarization acquisition apparatus includes a variable polarization axis element in which a direction of its polarization transmission axis is variable, a driver configured to operate the variable polarization axis element so as to change the direction of the polarization transmission axis, a first mount to which the image capturing apparatus is detachably attachable, and a second mount to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attachable. The driver is configured to operate the variable polarization axis element so as to change the direction of the polarization transmission axis to at least three directions when the image capturing is performed multiple times.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a corrector configured to provide a color correction based on a reference image selected from a plurality of color images having different polarization states acquired by changing a retardation provided to light from an object, for a synthesized image generated with polarization information of the object obtained from the plurality of color images.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is configured to obtain polarization information based on a plurality of images having different polarization states obtained by changing a retardation provided to light from an object. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element configured to obtain the plurality of images, and a controller configured to change the retardation and to set an image pickup condition of the image pickup apparatus. The controller sets the image pickup condition while the retardation is changed to a reference value that is from ?90 degrees to +90 degrees inclusive.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first retardation plate giving a retardation between polarization components in slow and fast axis directions, a second retardation plate changing a relative retardation between polarization components in slow and fast axis directions, and a polarizer extracting a polarization component guided to the image pickup element. The first and second retardation plates, and the polarizer are disposed in order from an object side. The slow or fast axis direction of the first retardation plate is parallel to a polarization direction of the polarization component extracted by the polarizer. The slow or fast axis direction of the second retardation plate is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the polarization direction. When a design wavelength is ?, a phase change amount being a difference between maximum and minimum values of the relative retardations is in a range from 2?/5 to 3?/5 both inclusive.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus includes a calculator configured to calculate, using luminance values of one or more input images produced by photoelectric conversion of multiple polarized lights whose polarization angles are mutually different, an angle-dependent component at a specific polarization angle among angle-dependent components that are luminance components changing depending on the polarization angle. The apparatus further includes a producer configured to produce an output image using the angle-dependent component at the specific polarization angle.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus is configured to obtain polarization information based on a plurality of images having different polarization states obtained by changing a retardation provided to light from an object. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element configured to obtain the plurality of images, and a controller configured to change the retardation and to set an image pickup condition of the image pickup apparatus. The controller sets the image pickup condition while the retardation is changed to a reference value that is from ?90 degrees to +90 degrees inclusive.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a corrector configured to provide a color correction based on a reference image selected from a plurality of color images having different polarization states acquired by changing a retardation provided to light from an object, for a synthesized image generated with polarization information of the object obtained from the plurality of color images.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first retardation plate giving a retardation between polarization components in slow and fast axis directions, a second retardation plate changing a relative retardation between polarization components in slow and fast axis directions, and a polarizer extracting a polarization component guided to the image pickup element. The first and second retardation plates, and the polarizer are disposed in order from an object side. The slow or fast axis direction of the first retardation plate is parallel to a polarization direction of the polarization component extracted by the polarizer. The slow or fast axis direction of the second retardation plate is inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the polarization direction. When a design wavelength is ?, a phase change amount being a difference between maximum and minimum values of the relative retardations is in a range from 2?/5 to 3?/5 both inclusive.

Abstract: An antireflection film formed on a substrate having a refractive index between 1.40 and 1.85 inclusive for light having a wavelength of 550 nm includes an intermediate layer formed on the substrate, and a concavo-convex layer formed on the intermediate layer, the concavo-convex layer includes a part has a refractive index that continuously increases from a side closer to a surface toward a side closer to the substrate, the intermediate layer includes a plurality of thin film layers having different refractive indices, and at least one of the thin film layers has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the substrate, and the thin film layers include a first layer formed on the substrate and having a physical thickness d1, and a second layer formed on the first layer and having a physical thickness d2, and satisfy predetermined conditional expressions.

Abstract: The polarization acquisition apparatus is configured to allow an image capturing system including an interchangeable lens and an image capturing apparatus to perform image capturing using polarized light. The polarization acquisition apparatus includes a variable polarization axis element in which a direction of its polarization transmission axis is variable, a driver configured to operate the variable polarization axis element so as to change the direction of the polarization transmission axis, a first mount to which the image capturing apparatus is detachably attachable, and a second mount to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attachable. The driver is configured to operate the variable polarization axis element so as to change the direction of the polarization transmission axis to at least three directions when the image capturing is performed multiple times.

Abstract: The optical element of the present invention has an anti-reflection film formed on a substrate. Here, the anti-reflection film comprises a first layer formed on the substrate; a second layer formed on the first layer and consisting of a material different from that of the first layer; and a third layer formed on the second layer and consisting of a concave-convex structure. Also, the third layer has three regions of which a refractive index for each thickness changes at a constant rate by continuously changing the space filling factor of the concave-convex structure.

Abstract: An antireflection film formed on a substrate having a refractive index between 1.40 and 1.85 inclusive for light having a wavelength of 550 nm includes an intermediate layer formed on the substrate, and a concavo-convex layer formed on the intermediate layer, the concavo-convex layer includes a part has a refractive index that continuously increases from a side closer to a surface toward a side closer to the substrate, the intermediate layer includes a plurality of thin film layers having different refractive indices, and at least one of the thin film layers has a refractive index higher than the refractive index of the substrate, and the thin film layers include a first layer formed on the substrate and having a physical thickness d1, and a second layer formed on the first layer and having a physical thickness d2, and satisfy predetermined conditional expressions.