Patent Document

[0001]     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-204673 filed on Jul. 31, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to image processing method and apparatus for reconstructing, based on images photographed by lots of cameras, an image viewed from established point of view (hereinafter called POV) and direction.  
         [0004]     2. Related Background Art  
         [0005]     A conventional digital camera merely photographs an image which is viewed from the position where it is set up, whereby it is impossible by the conventional digital camera to reconstruct an image which is viewed from a position different from the position where the camera is set up. Meanwhile, in a CG (computer graphics) field, a technique called image-based rendering by which an image of an arbitrary POV is generated from lots of images has been investigated.  
         [0006]     Hereinafter, a method of reconstructing the image of the arbitrary POV from the lots of images through the image based rendering will be explained. For convenience of explanation, a camera model as shown in  FIG. 9  is provided. That is, in  FIG. 9 , the range expanding between the dotted lines centering around the camera position (POV position) is an angle of view, the pixel positioned at the intersection point between the image constitution surface and the beam from the subject shows a color corresponding to the beam, and a gathering of such pixels constitutes the entire image photographed by the digital camera.  FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining the existing image based rendering technique on the basis of the camera model shown in  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 10 , symbols (A), (B), (C) and (D) respectively denote actual camera photographing positions (also simply called cameras (A), (B), (C) and (D)), and symbol (X) denotes a virtual camera POV position at which camera photographing is not actually performed (also simply called virtual camera (X)). Here, if it is assumed that the color of the pixels on the beam between the POV position of the virtual camera (X) and the POV position of the camera (B) is the same (that is, any beam attenuation or the like does not occur), the color of a pixel x 2  and the color of a pixel b 2  are sure to become the same, whereby the pixel x 2  can be inferred resultingly from the pixel b 2 . Likewise, a pixel x 1  can be inferred from a pixel c 1  of the camera (C). In the same way, an image of the virtual camera POV position (X) at which the camera photographing is not actually performed can be inferred by gathering pixel information in the photographed images from the various POV positions. Incidentally, in case of the POV position and direction of the camera (A) or (D), the beam between the POV position of the virtual camera (X) and the POV position of the cameral (A) or (D) is outside the range of the angle of view of the virtual camera (X), whereby there is no pixel capable of being used to reconstruct the image viewed from the virtual camera (X). For this reason, it is necessary to photograph lots of images viewed from the POV positions and directions, such as the POV positions and directions of the cameras (B) and (C), within the range of angle of view of the virtual camera (X).  
         [0007]     For this reason, in the above conventional technique, lots of the photographed images are all stored once in a memory and then processed, whereby a vast capacity is necessary for the memory. On the other hand, when lots of images are photographed by using a single camera, it is necessary to photograph these images as changing one by one the POV position and direction of the camera, whereby there is a problem that it takes a long time for image photographing. Besides, there is a problem that an animation cannot be reproduced based on the images photographed by the single camera. To cope with this problem, a method of disposing lots of cameras on a network, simultaneously photograph images by these cameras, and process the lots of photographed images by using a server computer is devised. However, in that case, it is necessary to transmit lots of data of the photographed images to the server computer, whereby there is a problem that a load of the network becomes huge.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems.  
         [0009]     In order to achieve the above object, the present invention as recited in Claim  1  is characterized by an image processing method of reconstructing a new image at a POV (point of view) position where no actual photographing is performed, from among plural images respectively photographed at different POV positions, comprising: a setting step of setting POV position/direction information; a transmission step of transmitting the POV position/direction information set in the setting step to plural photographing devices; a reception step of receiving effective pixel information of images according to the POV position/direction information respectively from the plural photographing devices; and a reconstruction step of reconstructing the new image based on the effective pixel information received in the reception step, wherein the photographing device extracts a effective pixel from the photographed image, on the basis of the POV position/direction information.  
         [0010]     Further, the present invention as recited in Claim  5  is characterized by an image processing method of reconstructing a new image at a POV position where no actual photographing is performed, from among plural images respectively photographed at different POV positions, comprising: a setting step of setting POV position/direction information; a holding step of holding information of respective positions and directions of plural cameras connected through a network; a selection step of selecting the camera having an effective pixel necessary to reconstruct the new image, based on the POV position/direction information set in the setting step; a transmission step of transmitting, to the camera selected in the selection step, effective pixel position information of the selected camera; a reception step of receiving the effective pixel information of the images according to the POV position/direction information respectively from the plural cameras; and a reconstruction step of reconstructing the new image based on the effective pixel information received in the reception step.  
         [0011]     Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the structure of a system according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a server computer  101  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the server computer  101  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a digital camera  102  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the digital camera  102  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a client computer  103  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the client computer  103  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing an operation of the server computer  101  and an operation of the digital camera  102  according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a camera model according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a diagram for explaining a principle of reconstructing an image of set POV position and direction from plural cameras according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing a server computer  101  according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing a digital camera  102  according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing an operation of the server computer  101  and an operation of the digital camera  102  according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of a digital camera  102  according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     First Embodiment  
       [0026]     Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings.  
         [0027]     In the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , it is assumed that lots of network-connected cameras are disposed in a place such as a stadium or the like, a user determines desired POV (point of view) position and direction, the user causes a client computer to transmit information representing the desired POV position and direction a server computer, the server computer generates based on the transmitted information a still image viewed from the desired POV position and direction by performing predetermined interactions with the disposed cameras, and the server computer returns the generated still image to the client computer.  
         [0028]     In  FIG. 1  numeral  101  denotes a server computer, numeral  102  denotes a digital camera having a communication function, numeral  103  denotes a client computer, numeral  104  denotes a LAN for connecting lots of the cameras to the server computer  101 , and numeral  105  denotes the Internet.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the server computer  101  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 2 , numeral  201  denotes an image reconstruction unit which constitutes an image of the set POV position and direction, and numeral  202  denotes a POV position/direction reception unit which receives POV position/direction information (i.e., the information representing the POV position and direction desired by the user) from the client computer  103  through the Internet  105 . Numeral  203  denotes a POV position/direction transmission unit which transmits the POV position/direction information received by the POV position/direction reception unit  202  simultaneously to lots of digital cameras including the digital camera  102  through the LAN  104 , and numeral  204  denotes a pixel information reception unit which receives pixel information of various pixel positions from lots of the digital cameras including the digital camera  102  through the LAN  104 . Numeral  205  denotes a reconstructed image transmission unit which transmits the image information reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit  201  to the client computer  103  through the Internet  105 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the server computer  101  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 3 , numeral  301  denotes a CPU which operates according to a program for achieving a later-described procedure, and numeral  302  denotes a RAM which provides a storage area necessary for the operation based on the program. Numeral  303  denotes a ROM which stores the program for achieving the later-described procedure, numeral  304  denotes a communication device which is connected to the LAN  104  and the Internet  105  and performs communication to the client computer  103 , and digital camera  102  and the like, and numeral  305  denotes a bus through which necessary data are transmitted.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing the digital camera  102  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 4 , numeral  401  denotes an image pickup unit, and numeral  402  denotes an image holding unit which holds and stores image data obtained by photographing an image. Numeral  403  denotes an effective pixel obtaining unit which extracts the pixel information effective for the server computer to reconstruct the image of the set POV position and direction from the image information transferred from the image pickup unit  401 . Numeral  404  denotes an effective pixel holding judgment unit which judges whether or not the image information transferred from the image pickup unit  401  include the pixel information effective for the server computer to reconstruct the image of the set POV position and direction. Numeral  405  denotes a camera position direction holding unit which holds information concerning the position and direction of the digital camera  102  itself, and numeral  406  denotes an effective pixel information transmission unit which transmits the pixel information obtained by the effective pixel obtaining unit  403  to the server computer  101  through the LAN  104 . Numeral  407  denotes a POV position/direction reception unit which receives the set POV position/direction information from the server computer  101  through the LAN  104 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the digital camera  102  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 5 , numeral  501  denotes a CPU which operates according to a program for achieving a later-described procedure, and numeral  502  denotes a RAM which provides a storage area necessary for the operation based on the program. Moreover, the image holding unit  402  holds and stores the obtained image data on the RAM  502 . Numeral  503  denotes a ROM which stores the program for achieving the later-described procedure, and numeral  504  denotes a communication device which is connected to the LAN  104  and performs communication to the server computer  101 . Numeral  505  denotes a CCD which obtains an external image, and numeral  506  denotes a bus through which necessary data are transmitted.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the client computer  103  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 6 , numeral  601  denotes a POV position/direction input unit through which the user inputs desired POV position and direction, and numeral  602  denotes a POV position/direction transmission unit which transmits the input POV position/direction information to the server computer  101  through the Internet  105 . Numeral  603  denotes a reconstructed image reception unit which receives the image information reconstructed by the server computer  101  through the Internet  105 , and numeral  604  denotes a display unit which causes a display to display an image based on the image information received by the reconstructed image reception unit  603 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the client computer  103  according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 7 , numeral  701  denotes a CPU which operates according to a program, and numeral  702  denotes a RAM which provides a storage area necessary for the operation based on the program. Numeral  703  denotes a ROM which stores the program, and numeral  704  denotes a communication device which is connected to the Internet  105  and performs communication to the server computer  101 . Numeral  705  denotes a display which displays the reconstructed image, and numeral  706  denotes a bus through which necessary data are transmitted.  
         [0035]     Hereinafter, an operation of the server computer  101  and an operation of the digital camera  102  according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG.  8 . First, the server computer  101  obtains the POV position/direction information of the image intended to be generated, from the client computer  103  (step S 801 ). Here, the POV position is the three-dimensional position (x, y, z) of the POV, and the POV direction is the direction (θ, Φ) from the POV. Besides, the POV position and direction is a set of the POV position and the POV direction which is desired by the user and designated by the user on the client computer  103 . Then, the server computer  101  transmits the POV position/direction information (x, y, z, θ, Φ) to lots of the cameras including the digital camera  102  (step S 802 ).  
         [0036]     When the POV position/direction information (x, y, z, θ, Φ) transmitted from the server computer  101  is received by the POV position/direction reception unit  407  of the digital camera  102  (step S 808 ), the effective pixel holding judgment unit  404  judges whether or not the pixel information effective to reconstruct the image of the POV position and direction is included in the image photographed by the digital camera  102  itself (step S 809 ).  
         [0037]     Incidentally, POV position/direction information (x 1 , y 1 , z 1 , θ 1 , Φ 1 ) of the digital camera  102  has been previously stored in the effective pixel holding judgment unit  404  of the digital camera  102 . Therefore, the effective pixel holding judgment unit  404  performs the above judgment based on the principle explained with reference to  FIG. 10 , by using the POV position/direction information (x 1 , y 1 , z 1 , θ 1 , Φ 1 ) of the digital camera  102  and the POV position/direction information (x, y, z, θ, Φ) of the image received by the POV position/direction reception unit  407 .  
         [0038]     That is, if the line extending between the POV position (x, y, z) and the POV position (x 1 , y 1 , z 1 ) is included in both the angle of view of the virtual camera (X) indicated by the set POV position and direction and the angle of view of the digital camera  102  itself, it is judged that the pixel information effective to reconstruct the image of the POV position and direction is included in the image photographed by the digital camera  102  itself.  
         [0039]     Meanwhile, if it is judged that the pixel information effective to reconstruct the image of the POV position and direction is not included in the image photographed by the digital camera  102  itself, the flow returns to the step S 808 . Then, if it is judged that the pixel information effective to reconstruct the image of the POV position and direction is included in the image photographed by the digital camera  102 , the effective pixel obtaining unit  403  extracts the pixel information effective for the server computer to reconstruct the image of the set POV position and direction (simply called effective pixel information or color information) from the image holding unit  402  in which the image data obtained by the image pickup unit  401  has been stored (step S 810 ), and then the effective pixel information transmission unit  406  transmits the obtained effective pixel information to the server computer  101  through the LAN  104 .  
         [0040]     In the present embodiment, it is unnecessary to transmit the entire image photographed by the digital camera  102  but it is necessary to transmit only the necessary pixel information, whereby a communication amount can be reduced.  
         [0041]     When the pixel information from the digital camera  102  (i.e., lots of the cameras including the digital camera  102 ) is received by the pixel information reception unit  204  (step S 803 ), the server computer  101  reflects the received pixel information on the corresponding pixel on the reconstructed image by using the image reconstruction unit  201  (step S 804 ). For example, in  FIG. 10 , when pixel information b 2  is received from the camera (B), the received information is copied to a pixel x 2 . After then, an image reconstruction end condition is judged (step S 805 ). Thus, if the end condition is satisfied, a post-process is performed (step S 806 ), and the reconstructed image (data) is transmitted to the client computer  103  through the Internet  105 . Here, the end condition is judged by judging whether or not the pixel information sufficient to reconstruct the image has been accumulated from lots of the cameras including the digital camera  102 , and more simply, by judging whether or not the image information for all pixel positions can be obtained. Alternatively, even if the image information for all the pixel positions cannot be obtained, the end condition is satisfied when it is judged to be able to infer the image information for all the pixel positions by some kind or another interpolation process. Here, when it is premised that the interpolation process is performed, it is performed in the post-process of the step S 806 .  
         [0042]     After then, the reconstructed image (data) is transmitted from the reconstructed image transmission unit  205  to the client computer  103  through the Internet  105 .  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0043]     In the first embodiment, the still image viewed from the POV position and direction desired by the user is reconstructed and transmitted to the client computer. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a method of reconstructing a moving image (or an animation) viewed from the POV position and direction desired by the user will be explained.  
         [0044]     In the present embodiment, a video camera capable of shooting a moving image is used as the digital camera  102 , and the data of the shot moving image is recorded as a gathering of the still images at an arbitrary time T. Then, in a step S 811  of the flow chart shown in  FIG. 8 , information (X, Y, R, G, B, T) which includes pixel position information (X, Y), color information (R, G, B) and shooting time information (T) as the effective pixel information at the arbitrary time T is transmitted from the digital camera  102  to the server computer  101 . This operation is performed with respect to each of the continuously changed arbitrary times T. Then, in the step S 804 , the server computer  101  gathers, from among the received effective pixel information (X, Y, R, G, B, T), the effective pixel information of which the time information (T) is the same as one image, thereby reconstructing the still image at the time T. Meanwhile, if the end condition is satisfied, the process ends in the video camera (digital camera)  102  (step S 812 ).  
         [0045]     In any case, when the gathered pixel information having the time information (T) satisfies the image reconstruction end condition in the step S 805 , the necessary post-process such as the interpolation process is performed by the server computer  101  (step S 806 ). Then, the reconstructed and obtained image information is transmitted as the image at the time T to the client computer  103  (step S 807 ). This operation is performed with respect to each of the continuously changed arbitrary times, whereby resultingly the moving image viewed from the set POV position and direction can be reconstructed and generated.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0046]     In the above first and second embodiments, the image reconstruction from the desired POV position and direction is requested from one client computer, i.e., one user. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, it is possible for plural users to request the image reconstruction from the desired POV position and direction.  
         [0047]     That is, in a case where the POV position/direction information set from a user A (not shown) is transmitted from the server computer  101  to the digital camera  102 , the server computer  101  adds a user identifier A to the POV position/direction information (x, y, z, θ, Φ). Thus, the obtained POV position/direction information (x, y, z, θ, Φ, A) is transmitted to the digital camera  102 . When the POV position/direction information (x, y, z, θ, Φ, A) is received, the digital camera  102  adds the user identifier A to the effective pixel information to be transmitted, and then sends back the obtained information to the server computer  101 . Subsequently, the server computer  101  gathers the effective pixel information including the same user identifier A, generates the image based on the gathered effective pixel information, and then transmits the reconstructed image to the client computer of the user A. Therefore, in the case where there are the plural users requesting the image reconstruction from the desired POV position and direction, it is possible to transmit the reconstructed image to these users.  
       Fourth Embodiment  
       [0048]     In the above embodiments, the server computer broadcasts the set POV position and direction to lots of the digital cameras, each camera judges in response to the sent information whether or not the camera itself includes the effective pixel, and then the cameras which judged to include the effective pixel send back the effective pixel information to the server computer  101 . On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the camera including the effective pixel is previously discriminated and selected by the server computer  101 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing the server computer  101  according to the fourth embodiment. In  FIG. 11 , numeral  1101  denotes an image reconstruction unit which constitutes an image of the set POV position and direction, and numeral  1102  denotes a POV position/direction reception unit which receives user&#39;s desired POV position/direction information from the client computer  103  through the Internet  105 . Numeral  1103  denotes an effective camera selection unit which discriminates and selects, from among lots of the cameras, the camera including the pixel effective for the set POV position and direction (this camera is also called an effective camera), and numeral  1104  denotes a camera position/direction holding unit which holds or stores information concerning the positions and directions of the respective cameras. Numeral  1105  denotes a necessary pixel position information transmission unit which transmits position information concerning the effective pixel for the set POV position and direction to each camera selected by the effective camera selection unit  1103 . Numeral  1106  denotes a pixel information reception unit which receives pixel information of various pixel positions from lots of the digital cameras including the digital camera  102  through the LAN  104 , and numeral  1107  denotes a reconstructed image transmission unit which transmits the image information reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit  1101  to the client computer  103  through the Internet  105 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the digital camera  102  being one of lots of the cameras according to the present embodiment. In  FIG. 12 , numeral  1201  denotes an image pickup unit, and numeral  1202  denotes an image holding unit which holds and stores image data obtained by photographing an image. Numeral  1203  denotes an effective pixel obtaining unit which extracts pixel information corresponding to necessary pixel position information transmitted from the server computer  101 , and numeral  1204  denotes an effective pixel information transmission unit which transmits the pixel information obtained by the effective pixel obtaining unit  1203  to the server computer  101  through the LAN  104 . Numeral  1205  denotes a necessary pixel position information reception unit which receives and obtains the set necessary pixel position information from the server computer  101  through the LAN  104 .  
         [0051]     Here, it should be noted that the hardware structure and its operation of the client computer  103  are the same as those in the first embodiment, whereby the explanation thereof will be omitted.  
         [0052]     Hereinafter, an operation of the server computer  101  and an operation of the digital camera  102  according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to a flow chart shown in  FIG. 13 . First, the server computer  101  obtains the POV position/direction information of the image intended to be reconstructed, from the client computer  103  (step S 1301 ). In the server computer  101 , the camera position/direction holding unit  1104  holds or stores the information concerning the respective positions and directions of lots of the cameras including the digital camera  102 . Then, based on the held information and the set POV position/direction information of the image intended to be reconstructed, the server computer  101  judges according to the principle explained with reference to  FIG. 10  whether or not each camera includes the pixel information (i.e., effective pixel information) effective for reconstructing the image viewed from the corresponding POV position and direction (step S 1302 ). Subsequently, the server computer  101  calculates position information concerning the effective pixel included in each camera which has been judged to include the effective pixel information, similarly according to the principle explained with reference to  FIG. 10 . For example, in  FIG. 10 , it is calculated that the pixel b 2  is the effective pixel with respect to the camera (B) and the pixel cl is the effective pixel with respect to the camera (C). After then, the position information (x, y) of the calculated effective pixel is transmitted as the necessary pixel position information from the server computer  101  to the corresponding camera (step S 1303 ).  
         [0053]     When it is judged to include the effective pixel, the digital camera  102  comes to obtain the necessary pixel position information (x, y) from the server computer  101  (step S 1309 ). Thus, the digital camera  102  performs image photographing, and thus obtains the pixel information corresponding to the necessary pixel position information (x, y) (step S 1310 ). Then, the obtained pixel information is transmitted from the digital camera  102  to the server computer  101  (step S 1311 ). As the result, it is unnecessary to transmit the entire image photographed by the digital camera  102  but it is necessary to transmit only the necessary pixel information, whereby a communication amount can be reduced. Incidentally, if the end condition is satisfied, the process ends in the digital camera  102  (step S 1312 ).  
         [0054]     When the pixel information sent back from the digital camera  102  (i.e., lots of the cameras including the digital camera  102 ) is received (step S 1304 ), the server computer  101  respectively performs the processes in steps S 1304 , S 1305 , S 1306 , S 1307  and S 1308  which are respectively the same as those in the steps S 803 , S 804 , S 805 , S 806  and S 807  of  FIG. 8 , thereby reconstructing the image viewed from the set POV position and direction.  
       Fifth Embodiment  
       [0055]     In the above fourth embodiment, the still video viewed from the user&#39;s desired POV position and direction information based on the corresponding POV position/direction information is reconstructed. Besides, it is needless to say that also a moving image can be reconstructed and generated by applying the method as shown in the second embodiment to the third embodiment.  
       Sixth Embodiment  
       [0056]     In the above fourth and fifth embodiments, the image reconstruction from the desired POV position and direction is requested from one client computer, i.e., one user. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, it is possible for plural users to request the image reconstruction from the desired POV position and direction.  
         [0057]     That is, in a case where necessary pixel position information (x, y) obtained from the POV position/direction information set from a user A (not shown) is transmitted from the server computer  101  to the selected digital camera  102 , the server computer  101  adds a user identifier A to the necessary pixel position information (x, y, A). Then, when the necessary pixel position information (x, y, A) is received, the digital camera  102  adds the user identifier A to the effective pixel information to be transmitted, and then sends back the obtained information to the server computer  101 . Subsequently, the server computer  101  gathers the effective pixel information including the same user identifier A, generates the image based on the gathered effective pixel information, and then transmits the reconstructed image to the client computer of the user A. Therefore, in the case where there are the plural users requesting the image reconstruction from the desired POV position and direction, it is possible to transmit the reconstructed image to these users.  
       Other Embodiments  
       [0058]     In the above embodiments, the CCD is actually used when the image is photographed by the digital camera  102 . However, a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) may be used instead of the CCD. In that case, the hardware structure of the digital camera  102  is shown in  FIG. 14 . In any case, when a CMOS  1405  is used, it is possible to obtain the pixel information of the effective pixel position without recording the entire photographed image on a RAM  1402 , whereby a use amount of the RAM  1402  can be remarkably reduced. Incidentally, in  FIG. 14 , numerals  1401 ,  1403 ,  1404  and  1406  respectively denote a CPU, a ROM, a communication device, and a bus.  
         [0059]     Moreover, in the above embodiments, the desired POV position and direction is set. In other words, the above embodiments are explained on the premise that the angle of view has a predetermined fixed value. However, the angle of view may be arbitrarily set. In that case, according to the principle shown in  FIG. 10 , if the angle of view of the image intended to be reconstructed is changed, the range including the digital cameras each having the effective pixel only changes, and the image can be generated or reconstructed based on the arbitrarily set angle of view.  
         [0060]     Moreover, in the above embodiments, the desired POV position and direction is set. In other words, the above embodiments are explained on the premise that resolution has a predetermined fixed value. However, the resolution may be arbitrarily set. In that case, according to the principle shown in  FIG. 10 , to infer a pixel x of a virtual camera (X), an actual camera only has to exist on the line extending between the position of the pixel x and the POV position of the virtual camera (X). Here, if the requested resolution becomes high, more cameras are needed. There is actually a limit in the number of cameras which can be set, whereby the pixel of the virtual camera (X) which cannot be inferred directly from the pixel of the image actually photographed by the camera exists, and a probability of appearing such pixels increases if the requested resolution becomes high. However, even in such a case, the pixel which cannot be directly inferred from the pixel of the image actually photographed by the camera can be properly inferred by using the values of proximate pixels in some kind or another interpolation process.  
         [0061]     Moreover, although the program is stored in the ROM in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the program may be stored in an arbitrary storage medium and some kind or another circuit.  
         [0062]     Incidentally, the present invention may be applied to a system including plural devices, as well as to an apparatus consisting of a single device. It is needless to say that the object of the present invention may also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing program codes of software for achieving the functions of the above embodiments to a system or an apparatus and causing a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus to read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium. In that case, the program codes themselves which are read from the storage medium provide the functions of the above embodiments, and thus the storage medium which stores the program codes constitutes the present invention.  
         [0063]     The storage medium for supplying the program codes may be, e.g., a. flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like.  
         [0064]     Moreover, it is needless to say that the functions of the above embodiments may be achieved not only by causing the computer to read and execute the program codes but also by causing, e.g., an operating system (OS) running on the computer to execute some or all of the actual processes on the basis of instructions of the program codes.  
         [0065]     Furthermore, it is needless to say that the functions of the above embodiments may also be achieved by writing the program codes read from the storage medium to a memory of a function extension board inserted in the computer or a memory of a function expansion unit connected to the computer and causing a CPU of the function extension board or a CPU of the function expansion unit to execute some or all of the processes on the basis of instructions of the program codes.  
         [0066]     While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Technology Category: 3