Patent ID: 7609292

Claim:
An image processing device comprising: an image data continuity detector configured to detect data continuity of first image data made up of a plurality of pixels acquired by light signals of a real world being cast upon a plurality of detecting elements each having spatio-temporal integration effects, of which a part of continuity of the light signals of the real world have been lost, said image data continuity detector is configured to detect, a region including a first region and a second region adjoined continuously in a horizontal direction, said first region being formed by a plurality of pixels which are detected by said image data continuity detector, and arranged in a perpendicular direction, and said second region being formed by a plurality of other pixels arranged in the perpendicular direction, and another region wherein a third region and a fourth region are adjoined continuously in a perpendicular direction, said third region being formed by another plurality of pixels, acquired by said light signals of a fine line of said real world being cast onto a second plurality of detecting elements, arranged in the horizontal direction, and said fourth region being formed by another plurality of other pixels being arranged in the horizontal direction; a real world estimating unit configured to generate signals approximating waveforms of said real world light signals from said data continuity in said first image data, based on a model representing a waveform of said real world light signals corresponding to said data continuity, said real world estimating unit is configured to estimate a line width of the fine line of said real world, based on, a gradient of a straight line tying a center of gravity of said first region and a center of gravity of said second region, or a center of gravity of said third region and a center of gravity of said fourth region, and an overlapping portion wherein said first region and said second region overlap, or wherein said third region and said fourth region overlap, and said real world estimating unit is configured to estimate a level of said light signals of said fine line which is spatially smaller than a light-receiving face of each detecting element having spatial integration effects wherein said light signals of said real world are cast thereupon, said level being estimated from pixel values of the pixels within said first image data; and an image generator configured to convert said signal generated by said real world estimating unit into second image data.