Image processing apparatus and image processing method

An image processing method comprising:

• detecting traffic signals on a basis of a captured image;
• performing a grouping process of causing each of the traffic signals detected to belong to any one of groups;
• managing the traffic signals, by managing a location and display information of the each of the traffic signals detected in association with the any one of the groups to which the each of the traffic signals belongs;
• and
• determining, for each of the groups, a representative location and representative display information of one or more traffic signals that belong to relevant one of the groups, among the traffic signals, on a basis of the location and the display information of each of the one or more traffic signals which belong to the relevant one of the groups.

An image processing apparatus comprising

• circuitry configured to
• detect traffic signals on a basis of a captured image;
• perform a grouping process of causing each of the traffic signals detected to belong to any one of groups;
• manage the traffic signals, by managing a location and display information of the each of the traffic signals detected in association with the any one of the groups to which the each of the traffic signal belongs;
• and
• determine, for each of the groups, a representative location and representative display information of one or more traffic signals that belong to relevant one of the groups, among the traffic signals, on a basis of the location and the display information of each of the one or more traffic signals which belong to the relevant one of the groups.