Patent attributes
A virtual viewpoint foreground image generating unit generates a virtual viewpoint foreground image, which is an image of a foreground object seen from a virtual viewpoint without a shadow, based on received multi-viewpoint images and a received virtual viewpoint parameter. A virtual viewpoint background image generating unit generates a virtual viewpoint background image, which is an image of a background object seen from the virtual viewpoint, based on the received multi-viewpoint images and virtual viewpoint parameter. A shadow mask image generating unit generates shadow mask images from the received multi-viewpoint images. A shadow-added virtual viewpoint background image generating unit renders a shadow in the virtual viewpoint background image based on the received virtual viewpoint background image, shadow mask images, and virtual viewpoint parameter. A combined image generating unit generates a virtual viewpoint image by combining the virtual viewpoint foreground image with the shadow-added virtual viewpoint background image.