Abstract: An image processing method for a picture of a participant, photographed in an event, such as a marathon race, increases the accuracy of recognition of a race bib number by performing image processing on a detected race bib area, and associates the recognized race bib number with a person included in the picture. This image processing method detects a person from an input image, estimates an area in which a race bib exists based on a face position of the detected person, detects an area including a race bib number from the estimated area, performs image processing on the detected area to thereby perform character recognition of the race bib number from an image subjected to image processing, and associates the result of character recognition with the input image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a one-image processor and plurality-of-image processor. The one-image processor performs first image processing for recognition for identifying an object existing in the target image, and associating a recognition result with the target image, with respect to a plurality of input images without synchronization. The plurality-of-image processor determines whether the first image processings with respect to the target image and the reference images are completed. Where it is determined that it is completed and there is an object with which identification information is not associated in the target image processed by the one-image processor, it performs second image processing comparing degrees of similarity between target image and reference images, and associating identification information associated with one of the reference images with the target image based on result of comparison.

Abstract: An image processing method for a picture of a participant, photographed in an event, such as a marathon race, increases the accuracy of recognition of a race bib number by performing image processing on a detected race bib area, and associates the recognized race bib number with a person in the picture. This image processing method detects a person from an input image, estimates an area in which a race bib exists based on a face position of the detected person, detects an area including a race bib number from the estimated area, performs image processing on the detected area to thereby perform character recognition of the race bib number from an image subjected to the image processing, and associates, when the race bib number is unclear, an object and the race bib number with each other by comparing images between a plurality of input images.

Abstract: An image transfer method and an image recognition method that are useful in performing an image recognition process on photographs (photographed images) of participants taken at events. In the image transfer method, moving image data is generated by converting image data received from an outside to moving image frames, and is transmitted to an image recognition device. In the image recognition method, at least one virtual computer is activated. The moving image data from an image transfer device is stored in a cloud data storage section. The virtual computer receives the stored moving image data, and performs the image recognition process on image data converted from the moving image data. The virtual computer transmits processing results to the cloud data storage section. The virtual computer is terminated after termination of the image recognition process.

Abstract: An image processing method for a picture of a participant, photographed in an event, such as a marathon race, increases the accuracy of recognition of a race bib number by performing image processing on a detected race bib area, and associates the recognized race bib number with a person included in the picture. This image processing method detects a person from an input image, estimates an area in which a race bib exists based on a face position of the detected person, detects an area including a race bib number from the estimated area, performs image processing on the detected area to thereby perform character recognition of the race bib number from an image subjected to image processing, and associates the result of character recognition with the input image.