Image processing device, image processing method, and integrated circuit for processing images

An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for specifying, in photographed images taken at a predetermined time interval and input sequentially, an image area as the target of predetermined processing, the image processing method comprising the steps of:

• a reduced image generation step that (i) has processing capability to generate reduced images, in accordance with a particular input photographed image, at K (K≧1) ratios within the predetermined time interval and (ii) generates reduced images at ratios indicated from among L (L>K) different ratios;
• a comparison step to compare each reduced image generated in the reduced image generation step with template images and transmit comparison results;
• a specification step to specify the image area in accordance with the comparison results transmitted in the comparison step;
• and
• for each photographed image that is input, a control step to (i) select M (M≦K) or fewer ratios for each photographed image in accordance with ratios indicated for a photographed image input prior to each photographed image, (ii) indicate the selected M or fewer ratios to the reduced image generation step and make the reduced image generation step generate each reduced image, (iii) make the comparison step compare each generated reduced image, and (iv) make the specification step specify the image area for each photographed image in accordance with, at least, comparison results transmitted in the comparison step.

An integrated circuit used in image processing for specifying, in photographed images taken at a predetermined time interval and input sequentially, an image area as the target of predetermined processing, the integrated circuit comprising:

• a reduced image generation unit that (i) has processing capability to generate reduced images, in accordance with a particular input photographed image, at K (K≧1) ratios within the predetermined time interval and (ii) is operable to generate reduced images at ratios indicated from among L (L>K) different ratios;
• a comparison unit operable to compare each reduced image generated by the reduced image generation unit with template images and to transmit comparison results;
• a specification unit operable to perform specification of the image area in accordance with the comparison results transmitted by the comparison unit;
• and
• a control unit that, for each photographed image that is input, is operable to (i) select M (M≦K) or fewer ratios for each photographed image in accordance with ratios indicated for a photographed image input prior to each photographed image, (ii) indicate the selected M or fewer ratios to the reduced image generation unit and make the reduced image generation unit generate each reduced image, (iii) make the comparison unit compare each generated reduced image, and (iv) make the specification unit specify the image area for each photographed image in accordance with, at least, comparison results transmitted by the comparison unit.