Image combining device and image combining method

An image combining method, for an image combining device that comprises a memory that stores a plurality of images for different focus positions, and focus positions when the plurality of images were acquired, and a plurality of image processing circuits that combine the plurality of images for different focus positions to generate a combined image, comprising:

• setting assignment for distributing the plurality of images for different focus positions to the plurality of image processing circuits;
• when distributing the plurality of images, making an image for at least one focus position, among the plurality of images for different focus positions, a plural distribution image, and assigning so that so that the plural distribution image is distributed to the plurality of image processing circuits, and images other than the plural distribution image are distributed to any one of the plurality of image processing circuits;
• and
• generating a combined image by combining the plurality of images for different focus positions in each of the plurality of image processing circuits.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a processor executable code, which when executed by at least one processor, which is included in an image combining device, performs an image combining method, the image combining device comprising a memory that stores a plurality of images for different focus positions, and focus positions when the plurality of images were acquired, and a plurality of image processing circuits that combine the plurality of images for different focus positions to generate a combined image, the image combining method comprising:

• acquiring a plurality of images for different focus positions;
• setting assignment for distributing the plurality of images for different focus positions to a plurality of image processing circuits;
• when distributing the plurality of images, making an image for at least one focus position, among the plurality of images for different focus positions, a plural distribution image, and assigning so that so that the plural distribution image is distributed to the plurality of image processing circuits, and images other than the plural distribution image are distributed to any one of the plurality of image processing circuits;
• and
• generating a combined image by combining the plurality of images for different focus positions that have been assigned, in each of the plurality of image processing circuits.