Patent ID: 7283679

Claim:
An image processor which processes images shot in time series to improve sensitivity and to reduce noise, the image processor comprising: pixel selection means for selecting a plurality of sample pixels at a predetermined sampling interval from pixels of the images shot in time series; pixel combining means for calculating a weighted sum of peripheral pixel values with respect to each sample pixel by using weights compliant with a Gaussian function, and for computing an enhanced pixel value of each sample pixel based on the calculated weighted sum so as to improve the sensitivity; pixel value adjusting means for adjusting the enhanced pixel values of the sample pixels to a predetermined range of pixel values; and image output means for producing an output image including the adjusted pixel values of the sample pixels; wherein the pixel value adjusting means adjusts the enhanced pixel values of the sample pixels to the predetermined range either by executing a first process of multiplying the enhanced pixel values of the sample pixels by a predetermined constant, or by executing a second process of replacing the pixel values by a maximum value when the pixel values exceed the maximum value, or by executing both the first and the second process; and wherein the sampling interval of the sample pixels is narrower than a range of the peripheral pixels.