Image processing apparatus and method, and image pickup apparatus

An image processing method for an image processing apparatus for processing image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, said image processing method comprising:

• an area specifying step of specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed and a non-mixed area formed of a foreground area consisting of only the foreground object components and a background area consisting of only the background object components;
• and
• a mixture-ratio estimating step of estimating, based on a ratio of a width of the mixed area in a predetermined direction with respect to a moving direction of the foreground object component, the width of the mixed area being specified by the area information, to a distance from a position of a designated pixel to an edge of the mixed area in the predetermined direction, a mixture ratio indicating the ratio between the foreground object components and the background object components of the designated pixel.

A recording medium in which a computer-readable program for processing image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, is recorded, said program comprising:

• an area specifying step of specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed and a non-mixed area formed of a foreground area consisting of only the foreground object components and a background area consisting of only the background object components;
• and
• a mixture-ratio estimating step of estimating, based on a ratio of a width of the mixed area in a predetermined direction with respect to a moving direction of the foreground object component, the width of the mixed area being specified by the area information, to a distance from a position of a designated pixel to an edge of the mixed area in the predetermined direction, a mixture ratio indicating the ratio between the foreground object components and the background object components of the designated pixel.

A program for allowing a computer that processes image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, to execute:

• an area specifying step of specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed and a non-mixed area formed of a foreground area consisting of only the foreground object components and a background area consisting of only the background object components;
• and
• a mixture-ratio estimating step of estimating, based on a ratio of a width of the mixed area in a predetermined direction with respect to a moving direction of the foreground object component, the width of the mixed area being specified by the area information, to a distance from a position of a designated pixel to an edge of the mixed area in the predetermined direction, a mixture ratio indicating the ratio between the foreground object components and the background object components of the designated pixel.

An image processing apparatus for processing image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, said image processing apparatus comprising:

• area specifying means for outputting area information used for specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed;
• and
• mixture-ratio estimating means for estimating a mixture ratio indicating the ratio of the foreground object components and the background object components in the mixed area based on the area information and a moving direction of the foreground object by assuming that the mixture ratio changes substantially linearly with respect to a position of the pixel.

An image processing method for processing image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, said image processing method comprising:

• an area specifying step of outputting area information used for specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed;
• and
• a mixture-ratio estimating step of estimating a mixture ratio indicating the ratio of the foreground object components and the background object components in the mixed area based on the area information and a moving direction of the foreground object by assuming that the mixture ratio changes substantially linearly with respect to a position of the pixel.

A recording medium in which a computer-readable program for processing image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, is recorded, said program comprising:

• an area specifying step of outputting area information used for specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed;
• and
• a mixture-ratio estimating step of estimating a mixture ratio indicating the ratio of the foreground object components and the background object components in the mixed area based on the area information and a moving direction of the foreground object by assuming that the mixture ratio changes substantially linearly with respect to a position of the pixel.

A program for allowing a computer for processing image data which is formed of a predetermined number of pixel data obtained by an image-capturing device including a predetermined number of pixels, the pixels having a time integrating function, to execute:

• an area specifying step of outputting area information used for specifying, in correspondence with the image data, a mixed area in which foreground object components forming a foreground object and background object components forming a background object are mixed;
• and
• a mixture-ratio estimating step of estimating a mixture ratio indicating the ratio of the foreground object components and the background object components in the mixed area based on the area information and a moving direction of the foreground object by assuming that the mixture ratio changes substantially linearly with respect to a position of the pixel.