Patent ID: 6744931
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
An image processing apparatus for combining a plurality of image areas which are obtained as image data by dividing an object image, comprising:imaging means for imaging an object within each of a plurality of image areas having at least one overlap area; and image area position detecting means for detecting a positional relationship relating to overlapping between the plurality of image areas within which the object is imaged by said imaging means by calculating correlation between the plurality of image areas: wherein said imaging means includes: optical image picking-up means for picking up an image of the object; light splitting means for splitting an object light received by said optical image picking-up means into a plurality of object lights; a plurality of groups of imaging elements for obtaining images from the plurality of object lights obtained by said light splitting means, and said image area position detecting means includes: displacement determining means for setting a reference area in the image obtained by one of the groups of imaging elements of said imaging means, setting a search area in a position corresponding to the reference area in the image obtained by another one of the groups of imaging elements, and then calculating a displacement between said one of the groups of imaging elements and said another one of the groups of imaging elements by performing a correlation arithmetic with respect to the reference area and the search area, to thereby determine a coefficient for use in interpolation; storing means for storing the coefficient determined by said displacement determining means; interpolation means for calculating an image signal associated with a position of said another one of the groups of imaging elements which corresponds to a position of said one of the groups of imaging elements, by using an interpolation arithmetic, in accordance with a value indicated by data stored in said storing means; and image data synthesizing means for combining a plurality of image data output from said imaging means and said interpolation means.