Image processing apparatus and method

A remote fundus diagnostic system, comprising:

• an external information processing device;
• a handheld portable fundus imaging apparatus that includes:
• a light source configured to emit light of an infrared wavelength band and a visible wavelength band,
• wherein a first amount of the light emitted in the infrared wavelength band is larger than a second amount of the light emitted in the visible wavelength band in an operation mode of the light source;
• and
• a camera including:
• a lens;
• and
• a CMOS type image sensor configured to:
• receive the light passed through the lens;
• and
• capture an infrared light image and a plurality of visible light images of a fundus of an eye;
• a circuitry configured to control the light source and the camera;
• and
• a wireless communication circuit in the handheld portable fundus imaging apparatus, the wireless communication circuit is configured to transmit, to the external information processing device, the captured infrared light image and the plurality of visible light images of the fundus, and biological information of a subject,
• wherein the external information processing device includes:
• a communication circuit configured to receive the captured infrared light image and the plurality of visible light images of the fundus, and the biological information of the subject from the handheld portable fundus imaging apparatus;
• and
• a processing circuitry configured to:
• adjust positions of the fundus in the captured infrared light image and in the plurality of visible light images based on the biological information of the subject;
• generate at least one output image based on at least one of the captured infrared light image and a superimposition of the plurality of the visible light images, wherein a dynamic range of the at least one output image is wider than a dynamic range of the plurality of visible light images;
• and
• control a memory to store the generated at least one output image with the biological information,
• wherein a brightness of the at least one output image is higher than a brightness of each of the plurality of visible light images.