Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and electronic camera

Abstract

An image processing method of the present invention includes a detection step detecting a characteristic area from each of three or more shot images having a common graphic pattern in part thereof, the characteristic area having an image significantly different from the other shot images, and a combining step extracting a partial image located in the characteristic area from each of the three or more shot images and combining these partial images into one image.

1 . An image processing method, comprising:
 a detecting step detecting a characteristic area from each of three or more shot images having a common graphic pattern in part thereof, said characteristic area having an image significantly different from the other shot images; and   a combining step extracting a partial image located in said characteristic area from each of said three or more shot images and combining these partial images into one image.   
     
     
         2 . The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said detecting step assumes, in each of said three or more shot images, an area which has an image significantly different from an averaged image of the other shot images as said characteristic area.   
     
     
         3 . The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said detecting step generates a distribution map of said characteristic area detected from each of said three or more shot images; and   said combining step performs said extracting according to said distribution map.   
     
     
         4 . The image processing method according to  claim 3 , wherein
 said detecting step performs filter processing on said distribution map for smoothing distribution boundaries.   
     
     
         5 . The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said combining step performs weighted average on the partial image extracted from each of said three or more shot images and partial images extracted from the same areas in the other shot images.   
     
     
         6 . The image processing method according to  claim 5 , wherein
 said combining step sets a weight of said weighted averaging to be a value specified by a user.   
     
     
         7 . The image processing method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said detecting step performs said detecting, instead of using said three or more shot images, using reduced-size versions thereof.   
     
     
         8 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
 a detecting unit detecting a characteristic area from each of three or more shot images, said characteristic area having an image significantly different from the other shot images; and   a combining unit extracting a partial image located in said characteristic area from each of said three or more shot images and combines these partial images into one image.   
     
     
         9 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said detecting unit assumes, in each of said three or more shot images, an area which has an image significantly different from an averaged image of the other shot images as said characteristic area.   
     
     
         10 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 said detecting unit generates a distribution map of said characteristic area detected from each of said three or more shot images; and   said combining unit performs said extracting according to said distribution map.   
     
     
         11 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein
 said detecting unit performs filter processing on said distribution map for smoothing distribution boundaries.   
     
     
         12 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said combining unit performs weighted average on the partial image extracted from each of said three or more shot images and partial images extracted from the same areas in the other shot images.   
     
     
         13 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein
 said combining unit sets a weight of said weighted averaging to be a value specified by a user.   
     
     
         14 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 said detecting unit performs said detecting, instead of using said three or more shot images, using reduced-size versions thereof.   
     
     
         15 . An electronic camera, comprising:
 an imaging unit that shoots an object to obtain a shot image; and   an image processing apparatus according to  claim 8  that processes three or more shot images obtained by said imaging unit.