Image processing apparatus, artificial satellite, image processing system, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

An image processing method comprising:

• acquiring a plurality of area images which are captured by a first imaging apparatus mounted on a mobile object and are each composed of M×N (M and N are integers of 2 or more) pixels, with M pixels in a first direction corresponding to a moving direction of the mobile object and N pixels in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and acquiring a plurality of line images which are captured by a second imaging apparatus mounted on the mobile object and are each composed of n×L (n is an integer of 1 or more, and L is an integer of 3 or more that is larger than M and N) pixels, with n pixels in the first direction and L pixels in the second direction;
• identifying a pixel displacement amount in the first direction and the second direction between the plurality of area images, based on the plurality of area images;
• and
• generating transmission data for transmitting the plurality of line images and pixel displacement amount information indicating the pixel displacement amount via a communication unit to an image generation apparatus which generates a connected image by connecting the plurality of line images which are adjusted in position in the first direction and the second direction by using the pixel displacement amount and aligned in the first direction.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having recorded thereon a program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to function as:

• an acquisition unit which acquires a plurality of area images which are captured by a first imaging apparatus mounted on a mobile object and are each composed of M×N (M and N are integers of 2 or more) pixels, with M pixels in a first direction corresponding to a moving direction of the mobile object and N pixels in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and acquires a plurality of line images which are captured by a second imaging apparatus mounted on the mobile object and are each composed of n×L (n is an integer of 1 or more, and L is an integer of 3 or more that is larger than M and N) pixels, with n pixels in the first direction and L pixels in the second direction;
• an identification unit which identifies a pixel displacement amount in the first direction and the second direction between the plurality of area images, based on the plurality of area images;
• and
• a generation unit which generates transmission data for transmitting the plurality of line images and pixel displacement amount information indicating the pixel displacement amount via a communication unit to an image generation apparatus which generates a connected image by connecting the plurality of line images which are adjusted in position in the first direction and the second direction by using the pixel displacement amount and aligned in the first direction.