<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing method of a face image for identifying the state of the part of a face in real time. <P>SOLUTION: A realtime output including data regarding the state of the part of a face is generated. A facial area detection unit 11 has inspection processing circuits 51 to 57 and determination processing circuits 59 to 61, and these circuits perform pipeline operations and determine the location of a facial area. The inspection circuits 51 to 57 inspect the frequency of pixel values using a three-dimensional histogram and back projection processing. A facial area signal generated is given a mask by a unit 12. The unit 12 sends data to a mouth area detection unit 14 and an eye area detection unit 15. These units operate in the same principle as the facial area detection unit 11. By this method, many applications such as signal language recognition, automatic cartoon animation or improved man machine interface for disabled persons are introduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI 
IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND DEVICE