Patent ID: 7002623

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for processing an image of an object, said apparatus comprising: a three-dimensional form recognizing unit which recognizes a three-dimensional form of the object by using image data of the object taken by an image input apparatus, and which outputs object three-dimensional form information regarding the three-dimensional form of the object; a specular reflecting component separating unit which separates a specular reflecting component from light reflected from the object in the image of the object, and which then outputs the specular reflecting component; an interpolating and composing unit which subjects the image data of the object taken by the image input apparatus to interpolation and composition processing to thereby obtain an image of the object, and which then outputs the obtained image of the object; and an observing light position changing unit which converts the image data of the object taken by the image input apparatus into an acquired image in which a direction of illuminating light for illuminating the object is changed, by using the three-dimensional form information, the specular reflecting component and the image obtained by the interpolation and composition processing, based on a difference between (i) photographing environment information comprising geometric information on a light source for illuminating the object when the object is photographed and (ii) observing environment information comprising information regarding an illumination environment of a place for observing an observation image of the object that is output from an image output apparatus, and which then outputs the acquired image.