Image processing apparatus

An image processing apparatus that receives an image signal and outputs a signal subjected to image correction performed by an image correction unit on the basis of retinex processing, the image correction unit having:

• a transformation unit that performs transformation from a RGB color space to a HSV color space or HSL color space on an input image signal and outputs a transformed image signal;
• and
• a spectral decomposition unit that performs spectral decomposition for the transformed image signal, the spectral decomposition of the transformed image signal is hue-based spectral decomposition in the HSV color space or HSL color space;
• a first retinex unit that performs retinex processing for a lightness signal on the basis of a hue signal and a chroma signal from the spectral decomposition unit and outputs a first lightness correction signal;
• an inversion unit that receives the chroma signal from the spectral decomposition unit and outputs a gain signal in which a level of the chroma signal is inverted;
• a second retinex unit that performs retinex processing for the lightness signal on the basis of the gain signal output from the inversion unit and outputs a second lightness correction signal;
• a spectrum synthesis unit that synthesizes the first and second lightness correction signals output from the first and second retinex units;
• and
• an inverse transformation unit that performs transformation from the HSV color space or HSL color space to the RGB color space on an output signal from the spectrum synthesis unit and outputs an image correction signal, wherein each of the first and second retinex units include:
• a first detection unit that detects a specular reflection component on the basis of the lightness signal,
• a second detection unit that detects a diffuse reflection component on the basis of the lightness signal, and
• a reflection light generator that generates a reflection light component on the basis of the specular reflection component and the diffuse reflection component,
• wherein the first retinex unit outputs the first lightness correction signal based on the reflection light component, the hue signal and the chroma signal, and
• wherein the second retinex unit outputs the second lightness correction signal based on the reflection light component and the gain signal.