Image processing apparatus

Abstract

In an apparatus for composing image data of a main picture and image data of a sub-picture by a chroma key process, an attribute of an image contained in the sub-picture is detected, a partial area of the sub-picture is set as a chroma key mask area in accordance with the attribute detection result, and composing the image data of the main picture and the image data of the sub-picturee by executing the chroma key process for an area other than the chroma key mask area without executing the chroma key process for the chroma key mask area in the sub-pictur.

1 .- 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for composing a first image data, for forming a picture containing a first image, and a second image data, for forming a picture containing a second image, by a chroma key process, comprising: 
 a demultiplexer, which separates, from a broadcast distribution signal, data containing information indicating an attribute of the second image;    a processor, which sets an image processing procedure based on the information, such that a partial region of the picture containing the second image is not subjected to the chroma key process; and    a composing unit for composing the first image data and the second image data by executing the chroma key process in a region that is not the partial region.    
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to claim  1 , wherein the partial region of the picture containing the second image includes a region in which second image is formed.