Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

An image processing method comprising:

• acquiring a plurality of pieces of first image data generated using volume data that is based on acoustic waves;
• extracting feature points from a plurality of pieces of the first image data;
• setting an unnecessary region to one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data using a distribution of the extracted feature points;
• reducing pixel values of the unnecessary region in one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data to which the unnecessary region has been set;
• and
• generating second image data using one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data in which the pixel values of the unnecessary region have been reduced and one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data in which the unnecessary region is not included.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform an image processing method comprising:

• acquiring a plurality of pieces of first image data generated using volume data that is based on acoustic waves;
• extracting feature points from a plurality of pieces of the first image data;
• setting an unnecessary region to one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data using a distribution of the extracted feature points;
• reducing pixel values of the unnecessary region in one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data to which the unnecessary region has been set;
• and
• generating second image data using one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data in which the pixel values of the unnecessary region have been reduced and one or a plurality of pieces of the first image data in which the unnecessary region is not included.