Image Processing Apparatus and Method, and Program

An image processing method for an image processing apparatus that generates a first synthetic image and a second synthetic image used for displaying a stereoscopic synthetic image and having disparity with respect to each other, on the basis of a plurality of captured images obtained by capturing with imaging means while moving the imaging means, the image processing apparatus including

• a first synthetic image generating means for generating the first synthetic image by synthesizing each of images in a first strip region of the captured images,
• a second synthetic image generating means for generating the second synthetic image by synthesizing each of images in a second strip region of the captured images which is different from the first strip region, and
• disparity controlling means for adjusting the disparity of the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image, by shifting at least one of the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image on the basis of a predetermined amount of shift, the image processing method comprising the steps of:
• the first synthetic image generating means generating the first synthetic image by synthesizing each of the images in the first strip region of the captured images;
• the second synthetic image generating means generating the second synthetic image by synthesizing each of the images in the second strip region of the captured images;
• and
• the disparity controlling means adjusting the disparity of the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image on the basis of the amount of shift.

A program for causing a computer to execute processing, the computer controlling an image processing apparatus that generates a first synthetic image and a second synthetic image used for displaying a stereoscopic synthetic image and having disparity with respect to each other, on the basis of a plurality of captured images obtained by capturing with imaging means while moving the imaging means, the processing including the steps of:

• generating the first synthetic image by synthesizing each of images in a first strip region of the captured images;
• generating the second synthetic image by synthesizing each of images in a second strip region of the captured images which is different from the first strip region;
• and
• adjusting the disparity of the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image, by shifting at least one of the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image on the basis of a predetermined amount of shift.