Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

detecting means for detecting a motion vector from an input image signal, in which the input image signal acts as the image signal for each of chronologically input pixels;

determining means for determining whether said input image signal is cleared; and

interpolating means for interpolating and outputting, if said input image signal is not found cleared, an input image signal intermediate signal interposed at a predetermined point in time between the uncleared input image signal and a preceding input image signal that precedes said uncleared input signal, in accordance with said motion vector; and if said input image signal is found cleared, then said interpolating means allows said input image signal to be output unchanged as said input image signal intermediate signal.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

image clearing means for clearing said input image signal.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:

receiving means for receiving a predetermined command,

wherein, if said predetermined command is received, then said determining means determines that said input image signal is cleared; and

if said predetermined command is received, then said image clearing means clears said input image signal.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said determining means determines whether said input image signal is cleared based on a histogram of levels in said input image signal, on the number of pixels for which said input image signal is at a zero level, and on chronological changes of said input image signal.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising acquiring means for acquiring an image clear signal which is input from another apparatus and which indicates that said input image signal is cleared;

wherein said input image signal is input from said another apparatus; and

said determining means determines whether said input image signal is cleared in accordance with said image clear signal.

6. An image processing method for use with an image processing apparatus for interpolating an input image signal, in which the input image signal acts as the image signal for each of chronologically input pixels, said image processing method comprising the steps of:

detecting a motion vector from said input image signal;

determining whether said input image signal is cleared;

interpolating and outputting, if said input image signal is not found cleared, an input image signal intermediate signal interposed at a predetermined point in time between the uncleared input image signal and a preceding input image signal that precedes said uncleared input signal, in accordance with said motion vector; and

allowing said input image signal, if said input image signal is found cleared, to be output unchanged as said input image signal intermediate signal.

7. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for causing a computer to perform an image processing procedure for interpolating an input image signal, in which the input image signal acts as the image signal for each of chronologically input pixels, said image processing procedure comprising the steps of:

detecting a motion vector from said input image signal;

determining whether said input image signal is cleared;

interpolating and outputting, if said input image signal is not found cleared, an input image signal intermediate signal interposed at a predetermined point in time between the uncleared input image signal and a preceding input image signal that precedes said uncleared input signal, in accordance with said motion vector; and

allowing said input image signal, if said input image signal is found cleared, to be output unchanged as said input image signal intermediate signal.

8. An image processing apparatus comprising:

a detecting section configured to detect a motion vector from an input image signal, in which the input image signal acts as the image signal for each of chronologically input pixels;

a determining section configured to determine whether said input image signal is cleared; and

an interpolating section configured such that if said input image signal is not found cleared, then said interpolating section interpolates and outputs an input image signal intermediate signal interposed at a predetermined point in time between the uncleared input image signal and a preceding input image signal that precedes said uncleared input signal, in accordance with said motion vector; and if said input image signal is found cleared, then said interpolating section allows said input image signal to be output unchanged as said input image signal intermediate signal.