Image processing method and apparatus

Abstract

There is provided an image processing apparatus for describing a real image as a virtual object using space data formed based on a photo image of the real object, and generating a virtual image of the virtual object using the space data. The image processing apparatus captures the photo image of the real object from a real camera viewpoint position while illuminating the real object by an illumination light source placed at a real illumination position. The captured photo image is converted into space data in the form of an object for each pixel, and the space data is stored in a memory together with various illumination conditions at the real illumination position to allow a search at a later time.

1 - 74 . (canceled)  
   
   
       75 . An image processing method for generating a shadow image of a virtual object, comprising steps of: 
 sensing a real object corresponding to the virtual object from a plurality of positions;    extracting a silhouette of the real object from an image obtained at the sensing step;    setting preferred image information as a shadow to pixels in the extracted silhouette; and    storing the extracted silhouette to which the preferred image information is set at the setting step, in association with the position where the image was sensed.    
   
   
       76 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein the preferred image information includes a predetermined black pixel value and a predetermined transparency value.  
   
   
       77 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein the silhouette image undergoes a blur process.  
   
   
       78 . The method according to  claim 77 , wherein the degree of blur is changed in correspondence with distance from the virtual object to a virtual light source.  
   
   
       79 . The method according to  claim 75 , wherein a viewpoint of a camera for sensing the real object at the sensing step, matches the position of a illumination right source.  
   
   
       80 . An image processing apparatus for generating a shadow image of a virtual object, comprising: 
 a sensing unit configured to sense a real object corresponding to the virtual object from a plurality of positions;    an extracting unit configured to extract a silhouette of the real object from an image obtained by said sensing unit;    a setting unit configured to set preferred image information as a shadow to pixels in the extracted silhouette obtained by said extracting unit; and    a storing unit configured to store the extracted silhouette to which the preferred image information is set by said setting unit, in association with the position where the image was sensed.    
   
   
       81 . A storage medium that stores a control program for making a computer execute an image process for generating a shadow image of a virtual object, said image process comprising steps of: 
 sensing a real object corresponding to the virtual object from a plurality of positions;    extracting a silhouette of the real object from an image obtained at the sensing step;    setting preferred image information as a shadow to pixels in the extracted silhouette; and    storing the extracted silhouette to which the preferred image information is set at the setting step, in association with the position where the image was sensed.