JPH1013769A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a jointed part (duplicate part) from being remarkable by changing an operating mode of a smoothing means depending on a state with respect to a video signal. SOLUTION: When an amplification factor of analog signal processing sections 11, 21 including an amplifier function section is set low by a command from a CPU 500, since a noise level is relatively low, a command is given from an operation mode change function 501 of the CPU 500 to a mixture ratio distributer 40 and a width of a duplicate conducting smoothing processing is widen relatively. When the amplification factor is set high, since a noise level is relatively high, a command is given from the operation mode change function 501 of the CPU 500 to the mixture ratio distributer 40 to make the width of duplicate part to conduct smoothing processing relatively. Thus, in the case of forming one image by adhering a plurality of images including noise, the duplicate part by adhesion is not remarkable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for performing image data processing corresponding to an operation of combining a plurality of images by overlapping (joining) a plurality of images with overlapping portions. This is effective when applied to obtain a high-definition image based on an image having a relatively small number of pixels by the above synthesis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing how a plurality of images to be subjected to a bonding process are generated by a plurality of image sensors. In FIG. 6, the optical system LA of the image sensor SA is shown.
Field of view FVA passing through and optical system LB of image sensor SB
Are adjacent to each other with an overlapping portion W with the imaging field of view FVB. Images (image data) and the like corresponding to the imaging fields of view FVA and FVB are examples of images to be subjected to bonding (joining) processing in this type of image processing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state of one continuous image obtained by laminating two images generated by the imaging method as shown in FIG. Part (A) of FIG. 7 shows a state of an image obtained by simply pasting the images corresponding to the imaging visual fields FVA and FVB. In the case of (A), when the two images are pasted together, the geometric characteristics and the gradation characteristics of each image are aligned, and the two images are directly joined together with a linear boundary. As shown in the figure, there is a problem that a boundary line of a joint portion becomes conspicuous due to a difference in a signal (data) representing an image, that is, a video signal level due to a difference in sensitivity between the two imaging elements SA and SB.

In FIG. 7B, in order to reduce the problem that the boundary line becomes conspicuous as in the case of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an image obtained by performing a special process (smoothing) on an overlapping portion W of both images when the two images are pasted together. A method for obtaining such an image as shown in FIG. 1B is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-9168.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional device. The device shown in FIG. 8 has substantially the same configuration as the device disclosed in the above publication. An image sensor 10 corresponding to the image sensor SA in FIG. 6 and an image sensor 20 corresponding to the image sensor SB in FIG. 6 are provided, and an output signal of the image sensor 10 is supplied to an A / A through an analog signal processing unit 11 including an amplification function unit. The digital image data is supplied to the D converter 12 and converted into digital image data. The digital image data is stored in the first memory 13. Similarly, an output signal of the image pickup device 20 is supplied to an A / D converter 22 through an analog signal processing unit 21 including an amplification function unit and converted into digital image data, and the digital image data is stored in a second memory 23. Is done.

The output image data read from the first and second memories 13 and 23 is supplied to each corresponding multiplier 14
And 24 are multiplied by the corresponding weighting factors (A) and (B), and the image data (C) and (D)
Is supplied to one input terminal of the adder 30 and the other input terminal of the adder 30, where the signals are added and synthesized.

[0007] The image data (C) and (D) are adjacent to each other with an overlapped portion W in the image pickup field of view FVA of FIG.
And FVB in each area.

The weighting coefficients (A) corresponding to the respective weighting factors (A) from the mixture ratio distribution unit 40 are provided to the multipliers 14 and 24 in order to weight both data relating to the addition of the image data (C) and (D) in the adder 30. And (B) are supplied. Note that the analog signal processing units 11 and 21 and the mixture ratio distribution unit 40 operate under the control of the CPU 50.

The output image data of the adder 30 is the image data (E) corresponding to the image subjected to the bonding process shown in FIG. 7B. This image data (E)
Is supplied to the CPU 50 and recognized here.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a timing relationship of signals (data) of respective parts in the apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 9, (A) to (E) are respectively associated with signals or data (A) to (E) of each unit described with reference to FIG. The region indicated by F1 in FIG.
The image (image data) related to the output of the image sensor 10 and corresponds to the imaging field of view FVA in FIG. 6, and the area indicated by F2 by the arrow is the image (image data) related to the output of the image sensor 20 in FIG. ) And the imaging field of view FV of FIG.
B is supported. The regions F1 and F2 are shown in FIGS.
(B) has an overlapping portion W corresponding to the overlapping portion W.

As shown in FIG. 9, one scan line (C) belonging to one image F1 and another scan line (D) belonging to another image F2 to be joined to this scan line (C). In the region corresponding to the overlapping portion W, the weight of the video signal representing the one scanning line (C) becomes closer to the center of the one image F1 (ie, the weighting coefficient A). The weighting and adding process by weighting is such that the weight of the video signal representing the other scanning line (D) (that is, the weighting coefficient B) becomes relatively larger as the position becomes closer to the center of the other image F2. 30 is performed, whereby a smoothing process is performed so as to make the boundary of the joining portion inconspicuous. The curve shown by a broken line in FIG. 9E is a weighting coefficient (A),
The levels of the scanning lines (C) and (D) before multiplication by (B) are shown.

As shown, when viewed on the time axis, the image F
The start time of t1 is t1, the end time is t3, the start time of the image F2 is t2, the end time is t4, the start time of the overlapping portion W is t2, and the end time is t3. The weighting coefficient (A) keeps 1 in the section from t1 to t2, and gradually decreases from 1 to 0 during the period from the start point t2 to the end point t3 of the overlapping portion W, while the weighting coefficient (B) is 0 to 1 during the period from the beginning t2 to the end t3 of the part W
And keeps 1 in the section from t3 to t4. In general, the larger the width of the overlapping portion W, the less noticeable the boundary of the connecting portion.

[0013]

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing characteristics of the above-described smoothing processing in the apparatus described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10A shows an image F1 having a relatively low image signal level and an image F2 having a relatively high image signal level.
FIG. Part (B) shows the transition of the image signal level when the overlapping parts are subjected to smoothing processing and connected. Part (C) shows the characteristics when noise is superimposed on the image signal. As shown in the part (C), in the overlapping part W on which the smoothing processing has been performed, the noise level is suppressed by this processing when viewed relative to other parts. As shown in part (D), the noise may be reduced by about 3 dB in the overlapping part W. If the noise level is suppressed only in the overlapped portion subjected to the smoothing process as described above, the joining portion (overlapping portion) in the combined image obtained as a result of the joining process becomes more conspicuous, and the corner smoothing process is performed. The effect of the above will be diminished.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a plurality of images including noise are combined (joined) to form one image (image signal), overlapping of the images is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of this type in which a joining portion (overlapping portion) obtained by performing a smoothing process on a portion does not become more conspicuous.

[0015]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is an operation for synthesizing a plurality of images by combining them with an overlapped portion for each scanning line. An image processing apparatus for performing corresponding image data processing, wherein one scan line belonging to one image and another scan line belonging to another image connected to this scan line are set in an area corresponding to the overlapping portion. Thus, the weight of the video signal representing the one scan line is relatively large on the side closer to the center of the one image, and the weight of the video signal representing the other scan line is closer to the center of the another image. A smoothing means configured to apply a weighted addition process by weighting such that the weight becomes relatively large so as to make the boundary of the connecting portion inconspicuous; Correspondingly an image processing apparatus characterized by comprising, an operation mode changing means for changing the operation mode of the smoothing means. …… (1)

Another aspect of the present invention is that: the operation mode changing means is configured to execute the weighted addition processing by the smoothing means according to a noise level or a circuit gain as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), characterized in that it is configured to change the width of the region corresponding to (1). … (2)

[0017] Still another aspect of the present invention is that the operation mode changing means is arranged to execute the weighted addition processing by the smoothing means in accordance with the video signal level as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to change a width of a corresponding area. …… (3)

The features of various aspects of the present invention are listed below. The operation mode changing unit is configured to selectively change execution or non-execution of the weighting addition process by the smoothing unit according to a noise level or a circuit gain as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), characterized in that:
(4) The operation mode changing means is configured to selectively change the execution or non-execution of the weighted addition processing by the smoothing means according to the video signal level as a state related to the video signal. (5) The image processing apparatus according to (1) above, wherein

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 1 has substantially the same configuration on the block diagram as the apparatus described with reference to FIG.
A CPU 500 provided with an operation mode changing function unit 501 that performs an operation mode changing function described later instead of 0 is applied. Signals (data) of each part for convenience of later explanation
Are denoted by reference numerals different from those in FIG.

In FIG. 1, an image sensor 10 corresponding to the image sensor SA of FIG. 6 and an image sensor 20 corresponding to the image sensor SB of FIG. 6 are provided, and an output signal of the image sensor 10 includes a known function including an amplifying function unit. The digital image data is supplied to an A / D converter 12 through an analog signal processing unit 11 and converted into digital image data, and the digital image data is stored in a first memory 13. Similarly, an output signal of the image sensor 20 is supplied to an A / D converter 22 through a known analog signal processing unit 21 including an amplification function unit, and is converted into digital image data. Is stored in

Image data e1 (E1) corresponding to the output of the image sensor 10 read from the first memory 13 and image data corresponding to the output of the image sensor 20 read from the second memory 14. e2 (E2) is multiplied by the corresponding weighting factors C1 (c1) and C2 (c2) by the corresponding multipliers 14 and 24, respectively.
Image data e3 (E3) and e4 (E4) are supplied to one and the other input terminals of the adder 30, respectively, where they are added and synthesized.

The image data e1 (E1) and e2
(E2), thus the image data e3 (E3) and e4
(E4) is an image of an area corresponding to the imaging visual fields FVA and FVB of FIG. In addition, the lower case letters and numerals in the alphabet representing the respective data indicate data when the noise level is relatively low, and the upper case letters and numbers in parentheses indicate the relative noise level. This is a convenient notation that shows data in the case of a high value.

The multipliers 14 and 24 have the following adder 3
0, both input image data e3 (E3) and e4
In order to weight both data with respect to the addition of (E4), the respective weighting coefficients C
1 (c1) and C2 (c2) are supplied. The analog signal processing units 11 and 21 and the mixture ratio distributor 40 operate under the control of the CPU 500. As described above, this C
The PU 500 includes an operation mode changing function unit 501 that performs an operation mode changing function.

The output image data of the adder 30 is the image data e5 (E5) corresponding to the image subjected to the bonding process, which is the output of the present apparatus. The image data e5
(E5) is supplied to the CPU 500 and is recognized here.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the timing relationship of signals (data) of each unit in the apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, (e1), (e2), (c1), (c
2), (e3), (e4) and (e5) show data when the circuit gain is relatively low and the noise level is relatively low, and (E1), (E2), (C1) and (C2) ),
(E3), (E4), and (E5) show data when the circuit gain is relatively high and the noise level is relatively high. These are associated with the signal or data symbols of each unit described with reference to FIG. In addition, e1 and E1,
And, e2 and E2 are conceptual notations that serve both cases.

The area indicated by F1 in FIG. 2 as an arrow is an image (image data) relating to the output of the image sensor 10 in FIG. 1, and corresponds to the imaging field of view FVA in FIG. The indicated area is the image sensor 20 of FIG.
(Image data) corresponding to the image pickup visual field FVB in FIG. The regions F1 and F2 have an overlapping portion W corresponding to the overlapping portion W in FIGS. 6 and 7B or an overlapping portion W ′ smaller than the overlapping portion W.

As shown in FIG. 2, one scan line e1 (E1) belonging to one image F1 and another scan line e2 (E2) belonging to another image F2 joined to this scan line e1 (E1). In joining E2), when the circuit gain of the device is relatively small and the noise level is relatively low, the above-described operation of the CPU 500 is performed so that the smoothing process for relatively widening the overlapping portion W is performed. The mode changing function unit 501 operates to adjust the output timing of the weighting coefficient output from the mixture ratio distributor 40.

In the area corresponding to the overlapping portion W, the one scanning line e becomes closer to the center of the one image F1.
The weight (c1) of the video signal representing the other scan line e2 becomes relatively large as the weight (c1) of the video signal representing the 1 is relatively large toward the center of the other image F2. In the weighting, the weighted addition process is performed by the adder 30.
As described above, a smoothing process is performed to make the boundary of the joining portion inconspicuous with the relatively wide overlapping portion W.

As shown, when viewed on the time axis, the image F
The start time of t1 is t1, the end time is t3, the start time of the image F2 is t2, the end time is t4, the start time of the overlapping portion W is t2, and the end time is t3. Weighting coefficient c1
Maintains 1 in the interval from t1 to t2, and the overlapping portion W
From the start time t2 to the end time t3, the weighting coefficient c2 gradually increases from 0 to 1 during the time from the start time t2 to the end time t3 of the overlapping portion W, and t3 In the section from to t4, 1 is maintained.

As described above, generally, as the width of the overlapping portion W is increased, the boundary of the connecting portion becomes less conspicuous. However, as described with reference to FIG. 10, noise is superimposed on the signal. In this case, the noise level is suppressed only in the overlapped portion that has been subjected to the smoothing process compared to the adjacent region, and the joining portion (overlapping portion) becomes more conspicuous in the combined image obtained as a result of the joining process. The effect of the smoothing process is reduced. This tendency becomes more remarkable as the width of the overlapping portion to be subjected to the smoothing processing is increased.

In the present embodiment, an image signal (video signal)
When the noise level is relatively low, the width of the overlapping portion is set to a relatively large width W in the drawing, and when the noise level is relatively high, the width of the overlapping portion is set relatively. The problem that the boundary portion becomes conspicuous by performing the smoothing process as W ′ shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, when the amplification factor (gain) in the well-known analog signal processing units 11 and 21 including the amplification function unit is set low by a command from the CPU 500, the noise level becomes low. Since it is relatively low, the width of the overlapped portion where the smoothing process is performed by giving a command from the operation mode changing function unit 501 of the CPU 500 to the mixture ratio distribution unit 40 is relatively wide as shown in FIG. Is set to be high, the noise level is relatively high. Therefore, the operation mode changing function unit 501 of the CPU 500 gives a command to the mixture ratio distribution unit 40 to relatively narrow the width of the overlapping portion where the smoothing process is performed. The control shown by W 'is performed.

As a modified example having the same configuration on the block diagram as the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the width of the overlapping portion to be subjected to the smoothing process is adjusted according to the circuit gain (noise level). Alternatively, a mode in which the width of the overlapping portion to be subjected to the smoothing process is adjusted according to the signal level may be adopted. That is, since the noise level is relatively large in the region where the signal level is low corresponding to the gamma characteristic of the video signal, the width of the overlapping portion to be subjected to the smoothing process is relatively narrowed, and the signal level is sufficiently high. Since the noise level sometimes becomes relatively small, the width of the overlapping portion to be subjected to the smoothing process is relatively widened, so that the effect of making the boundary portion inconspicuous can be sufficiently obtained.

FIG. 3 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 or the above-described modification. In each case, the output signal (data) E5 in FIG. 1 is shown. When the noise level is relatively low in the upper part of the figure, the noise level is relatively high in the lower part, and the middle part is between the two. It shows the state of the target state. In the drawing, W1, W2, and W3 represent the widths of the overlapping portions to be subjected to the smoothing processing in each case.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the configuration on the block diagram is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG.
A configuration in which the operation mode change function unit 501 of the 500 is different is also possible. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a timing relationship of signals (data) of respective units representing the operation in such another embodiment. In FIG. 4, as in FIG.
(E1), (e2), (c1), (c2), (e3),
(E4) and (e5) show data when the circuit gain is relatively low and the noise level is relatively low. These are associated with the signal or data symbols of each unit described with reference to FIG. (E1 '), (E
2 '), (C1'), (C2 '), (E3'), (E
4 ') and (E5') show data when the circuit gain is relatively high and the noise level is relatively high.
Note that e1 and E1 'and e2 and E2'
It is a conceptual notation that combines both cases.

(C1), (c2) and (C1 ') of FIG.
As understood from the comparison of (C2 '), in this embodiment, when the circuit gain is relatively low and the noise level is relatively low, the smoothing process is executed in the same manner as the above-described embodiment. When the circuit gain is relatively high and the noise level is relatively high, the smoothing processing operation is not performed. Therefore, the problem that occurs when the noise level is relatively high and the noise is suppressed more than in the adjacent region only in the overlapping portion where the smoothing process is performed and the portion becomes more conspicuous is solved. The selection of execution / non-execution switching of the smoothing processing operation as described above is performed by the CPU 50.
This is performed based on a command from the operation mode change function unit 501 of “0”.

As a modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, execution / non-execution of the smoothing processing operation is determined based on whether the noise level is relatively high (whether the circuit gain is relatively high). Instead of choosing to switch execution,
It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the selection of execution / non-execution of the smoothing processing operation is made in accordance with whether the level of the video signal (data) is relatively high or low.

FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. FIG.
(A) shows a case where the image is synthesized without performing the smoothing process when the level of the video signal is relatively high (the noise level is relatively low). This is a case where the (data) level difference is remarkable, the boundary is conspicuous, and the joining is defective. FIG. 5B below that shows that the level of the video signal is (A)
In the same state, by performing the smoothing process, the level difference of the video signal (data) level is not noticeable at the boundary portion of the connection, and the connection is good.

FIG. 5C shows a case where images are synthesized without performing the smoothing process when the level of the video signal is relatively low (the noise level is relatively high). This is a case where the noise level of the boundary portion is substantially the same as that of the other portion, the boundary is hardly conspicuous, and the connection is good. In FIG. 5D below, when the level of the video signal is in the same state as in FIG. 5C, the noise level becomes much lower at the boundary portion of the joining than at the other portion by performing the smoothing process, and the boundary is conspicuous. This is the case of poor joining.

In the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 5, the processing shown in FIG. 5C is performed on an area where the signal level of the gamma characteristic portion of the video signal is low, and the area shown in FIG. By performing the processing as shown in FIG. 3B, good characteristics can be obtained. Such selection of the smoothing processing mode is performed based on an instruction from the operation mode changing function unit 501 of the CPU 500.

In the following, the inventions seen in various aspects included in the present application are listed, and their effects are also described.

(1) An image processing apparatus for performing image data processing corresponding to an operation of combining a plurality of images by adding overlapping portions for each scanning line and joining them together, and In a region corresponding to the overlapped portion, one scan line belonging to one scan line and another scan line belonging to another image connected to this scan line are connected to the one scan line closer to the center of the one image. The weighting of the video signal representing the other scan line is relatively large as the weight of the video signal representing the other scan line is relatively large and closer to the center of the other image. A smoothing means configured to make the boundary of the fitting section inconspicuous, and an operation mode changing means for changing an operation mode of the smoothing module according to a state related to a video signal. The image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a, the.

In the technique prior to the invention (1), when a plurality of images including noise are combined (joined) to form one image (image signal), a smoothing process is performed on an overlapping portion of the combination. There has been a problem that the connecting portion (overlapping portion) becomes more conspicuous. According to the invention (1), such a problem can be solved.

(2) The operation mode changing means sets the width of the area corresponding to the overlapping portion to be subjected to the weighting addition processing by the smoothing means according to the noise level or the circuit gain as the state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to be changed.

According to the invention of the above (2), in addition to the effect of the invention of the above (1), especially, the smoothing process is adaptively performed in accordance with the noise level or the circuit gain as the state relating to the video signal, and the connection is performed. (Overlapping portion) can be made inconspicuous.

(3) The operation mode changing means changes the width of the area corresponding to the overlapping portion to be subjected to the weighted addition processing by the smoothing means in accordance with the video signal level as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), which is configured as described above.

According to the invention of the above (3), in addition to the effect of the invention of the above (1), in particular, the smoothing process is adaptively performed on the video signal level (therefore, the degree of influence of noise) to perform the joining. The portion (overlapping portion) can be made inconspicuous.

(4) The operation mode changing means is configured to selectively change execution or non-execution of the weighted addition processing by the smoothing means according to a noise level or a circuit gain as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the image processing apparatus comprises:

According to the invention of the above (4), in addition to the effect of the invention of the above (1), especially, the smoothing process is adaptively performed in accordance with the noise level or the circuit gain as the state relating to the video signal, and the connection is performed. (Overlapping portion) can be made inconspicuous.

(5) The operation mode changing means is configured to selectively change execution or non-execution of the weighted addition processing by the smoothing means according to the video signal level as a state related to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to the above (1), wherein

According to the invention of (5), in addition to the effect of the invention of (1), in particular, a smoothing process is adaptively performed on the video signal level (accordingly, the degree of influence of noise) to perform joining. The portion (overlapping portion) can be made inconspicuous.

[0052]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of images including noise are combined (joined) to form one image (image signal), a smoothing process is performed on an overlapping portion of the combined images to form a link. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of making a matching portion (overlapping portion) inconspicuous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing a timing relationship of signals (data) of respective units in the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,
Or, it is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the modification.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a timing relationship of signals (data) of respective units representing an operation in another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a signal waveform diagram used to describe an operation of a modification of the embodiment described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of images to be subjected to a bonding process are generated by a plurality of image sensors.

7 is a schematic diagram showing a state of one continuous image obtained by laminating two images generated by the imaging method as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional device.

9 is a timing chart showing a timing relationship of signals (data) of respective units in the device of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of the above-described smoothing process in the device described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image sensor 11 Analog signal processing part 12 A / D converter 13 Memory 14 Multiplier 20 Image sensor 21 Analog signal processing part 22 A / D converter 23 Memory 24 Multiplier 30 Adder 40 Mixing ratio distributor 50 CPU 500 CPU 501 Operation mode change function unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for performing image data processing corresponding to an operation of combining a plurality of images by providing an overlapping portion for each scanning line and joining them together, and belongs to one image. One scan line and another scan line belonging to another image connected to this scan line,
In the area corresponding to the overlapping portion, the weight of the video signal representing the one scan line is relatively large as the side closer to the center of the one image is closer to the center of the other image. A smoothing means configured to apply a weighted addition process by weighting such that the weight of the video signal representing the scanning line becomes relatively large so as to make the boundary of the connecting portion inconspicuous; An image processing apparatus comprising: an operation mode changing unit configured to change an operation mode of the smoothing unit. 2. The operation mode changing means changes a width of an area corresponding to the overlapping portion to be subjected to weighted addition processing by the smoothing means according to a noise level or a circuit gain as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured to perform the processing. 3. The operation mode changing means changes a width of an area corresponding to the overlap portion to be subjected to weighted addition processing by the smoothing means according to a video signal level as a state relating to the video signal. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is configured as follows.