Patent ID: 6836568
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: G06K,H04N

Abstract:
An image processing apparatus comprising at least:input means for carrying out a distribution process of image information inputted through an image input mechanism; storing means for storing an image inputted through the input means; comparing means for comparing an image inputted through the input means with an image stored in the storing means; and output means for outputting a result of comparison by the comparing means; wherein the comparing means includes a calculating means for calculating a difference in pixel values, which represent pixel densities, between an image newly inputted through the input means and an image stored in the storing means, and recognizing means for recognizing a portion common to the stored and newly input images by comparing an output of the calculating means with a preset threshold value, wherein at least three or more kinds of images are sequentially inputted to the input means; the output means sequentially replaces an image stored in the storing means with an image outputted from the comparing means after each input of one of said kinds of images and prior to the next sequential input of another of said kinds of images; and the recognizing means recognizes a portion common to each kind of image newly inputted through the input means and the image then stored in the storing means by comparing the images, and wherein the comparing means includes extracting means for causing the output means to output only pixels corresponding to pixels of the stored and newly input images respectively when the difference in pixel values calculated by the calculating means is equal to or less than the threshold value.