Patent ID: 8164638

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: an input unit configured to receive an input image; and a first signal processor configured to estimate a first mixture ratio indicating the ratio at which foreground object components and background object components of the input image are mixed in a mixed area based on a covered background area; and a second signal processor configured to estimate a second mixture ratio indicating the ratio at which foreground object components and background object components of the input image are mixed in a mixed area based on a uncovered background area; wherein the first or the second mixture ratio is selectably output, and wherein the covered background area is a mixed area corresponding to a front end portion in a direction in which a foreground object moves in respect to a foreground area and is an area in which a background component is hidden behind the foreground, and wherein the uncovered background area is a mixed area corresponding to a rear end portion in a direction in which the foreground object moves in respect to the foreground area and is an area in which the background components appear.