Phase image processing apparatus and phase image processing method

A phase-image processing method that applies image processing to a phase image, the method comprising:

• creating a plurality of fringe patterns based on a first interference fringe image corresponding to a first phase image including a phase singularity;
• creating a patch image based on the plurality of fringe patterns;
• pasting the patch image to an area of the first interference fringe image corresponding to the phase singularity, correcting the first interference fringe image, and creating a second interference fringe image;
• and
• creating a second phase image from the second interference fringe image,
• wherein the pasting of the patch image includes determining a position where the patch image is to be pasted by identifying a center point of four adjacent pixels where a phase singularity is detected, such that a center of the patch image aligns with the center point of the phase singularity.

A phase-image processing apparatus that applies image processing to a phase image, the apparatus comprising:

• a fringe pattern-creating unit that creates a plurality of fringe patterns based on a first interference fringe image corresponding to a first phase image including a phase singularity;
• a patch image-creating unit that creates a patch image based on the plurality of fringe patterns;
• an interference fringe image correcting unit that pastes the patch image to an area of the first interference fringe image corresponding to the phase singularity, corrects the first interference fringe image, and creates a second interference fringe image;
• and
• a phase image correcting unit that creates a second phase image from the second interference fringe image wherein a size of each of the plurality of fringe patterns is one-fourth of a size of an area corresponding to the phase singularity or less, and the size of each fringe pattern is 16 pixels or more,
• wherein a size of each of the plurality of fringe patterns is one-fourth of a size of an area corresponding to the phase singularity or less, and the size of each fringe pattern is 16 pixels or more.