Patent ID: 8085986

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: motion vector extracting means for extracting a motion vector on a pixel basis, from each of a plurality of input images; direct motion vector generating means for generating a direct motion vector to a pixel on an image for processing from a pixel on each of the plurality of input images, on the basis of motion vectors extracted by the motion vector extracting means; synthesizing means for synthesizing the plurality of input images by using a pixel value of the pixel on each of the plurality of input images, on the basis of the direct motion vector generated by the direct motion vector generating means; and wherein the direct motion vector generating means includes occluding area detecting means for detecting an occluding area in each of the plurality of input images, on the basis of the motion vectors extracted by the motion vector extracting means; exposing area detecting means for detecting an exposing area in each of the plurality of input images, on the basis of the motion vectors extracted by the motion vector extracting means; and calculating means for calculating the direct motion vector out of the occluding area in consideration of the exposing area, and the direct motion vector of the occluding area, by using motion vectors extracted by the motion vector extracting means, on the basis of information about the occluding area detected by the occluding area detecting means and information about the exposing area detected by the exposing area detecting means.