Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and virtual microscope system

An image processing method of processing a stained sample image obtained by imaging a stained sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• calculating a first characteristic amount for each pixel constituting the stained sample image;
• calculating a component ratio of components in a target pixel, based on the first characteristic amount thus calculated;
• calculating a component correction coefficient representing a correction coefficient for a second characteristic amount of each of the components, based on the second characteristic amount of each of the components and a reference value of the second characteristic amount;
• calculating, based on the component ratio and the component correction coefficient thus calculated, a target pixel correction coefficient representing a correction coefficient for the second characteristic amount of the target pixel;
• and
• correcting the second characteristic amount of the target pixel, based on the target pixel correction coefficient thus calculated.

An image processing program for processing a stained sample image obtained by imaging a stained sample, the program causing a computer to execute the processes of:

• calculating a first characteristic amount for each pixel constituting the stained sample image;
• calculating, based on the first characteristic amount thus calculated, a component ratio of components in a target pixel;
• calculating a component correction coefficient representing a correction coefficient for a second characteristic amount of each of the components, based on the second characteristic amount of each of the components and a reference value of the second characteristic amount;
• calculating a target pixel correction coefficient representing a correction coefficient for the second characteristic amount of the target pixel, based on the component ratio and the component correction coefficient thus calculated;
• and
• correcting the second characteristic amount of the target pixel, based on the target pixel correction coefficient thus calculated.