Abstract: A first image is inputted, and an object area for mapping is determined on the first image. Transformation parameters for the mapping are calculated pixel by pixel from the attributes of the first image in the object area, a second image to be mapped into at least one part of the object area is generated, and the second image is mapped pixel by pixel in the object area of the first image operating the transformation parameters so as to generate a third image. When an image simulation for changing the color and texture in an area of a color or monochromatic gray scale image is performed, an image simulation for ignoring effects of fine texture on the initial image and reflecting the shadow and shade can be realized.

Abstract: By using the state transition of a highly interconnected neural network, in order to solve a combination problem, an energy function is set by the following procedure: (i) the energy function is set in correspondence to the size of the combination problem; (ii) the energy function is set for a combination problem to be solved by using an energy function which solved another combination problem of a different size from the combination problem to be solved. Also, in order to solve a problem involving the cutting out a specific image from a whole image, as a combination problem when obtaining pixels representing a contour of an object, the energy function is set by either (i) or (ii) above.

Abstract: An image processing area is divided into a plurality of small areas which are allowed to overlap one another. One or a plurality of pixels in a region to be segmented and in a region not to be segmented are specified. A representative point of the region to be segmented and a reference point of the region not to be segmented are determined from the color information of each of the pixels. A discriminating plane, a plane or a curved surface that intersects the line segment connecting the representative point and the reference point a right angles is used in processing. By the processing a particular region can be segmented out of the image. Further, a shape model is made by two-dimensionally projecting from a given direction the three-dimensional structure expressed by a line drawing consisting of nodes and curves connecting the nodes based on priori property relating the structure of the region to be segmented in the image.