Image encoding

• US 5,317,411 A
• Filed: 07/14/1992
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Yoshida, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US07/913,040
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 358/75, 358/400, 358/401, 358/403, 358/405, 358/261.2, 358/430, 358/443, 358/445, 358/468
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/417 using predictive or differential encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/648 Transmitting or storing the primary (additive or subtractive) colour signals; Compression thereof H04N1/642 - H04N1/646 take precedence

Abstract

Image encoding apparatus can operate in a plane sequential encoding mode and in a dot sequential encoding mode. Furthermore, the apparatus may automatically selects any one of these encoding modes or the modes may be selected manually.

Claims

1. Image encoding apparatus comprising:

first encoding means for encoding an image plane sequentially;

second encoding means for encoding the image dot sequentially; and

selection means for selecting one of said first and second encoding means to provide encoded data.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second encoding means encode a color image.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the color image includes a plurality of image planes.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second encoding means encode a multi-bit image.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the multi-bit image includes a plurality of bit planes.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection means operates in response to a manual instruction.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both said first and second encoding means encode the image to obtain the encoded data and wherein said selection means operates in accordance with an amount of the encoded data obtained by said first and second encoding means in encoding the image.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second encoding means encode the image in parallel.

9. Image encoding apparatus comprising:

first encoding means for encoding an image having a plurality of planes by a method in which data of one plane is encoded with reference to other planes;

second encoding means for encoding the image by a method in which data of one plane is encoded without reference to other planes; and

selection means for selecting one of said first and second encoding means to provide encoded data.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first and second encoding means encode a color image.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first and second encoding means encode a multi-bit image.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first and second encoding means encode an image by predictive coding.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said selection means operates in response to a manual instruction.

14. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said selection means operates in accordance with an amount of the encoded data obtained by said first and second encoding means.

15. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first and second encoding means encode the image in parallel.

16. Image encoding method comprising:

a first encoding step of encoding an image plane sequentially;

a second encoding step of encoding the image dot sequentially; and

a selection step of selecting one of said first and second encoding steps to provide encoded data.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode a color image.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the color image includes a plurality of image planes.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode a multi-bit image.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the multi-bit image includes a plurality of bit planes.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein said selection step operates in response to a manual instruction.

22. A method according to claim 16, wherein both said first and second encoding steps encode the image to obtain the encoded data and wherein said selection step operates in accordance with an amount of the encoded data obtained by said first and second encoding steps in encoding the image.

23. A method according to claim 16, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode the image in parallel.

24. Image encoding method comprising:

a first encoding step of encoding an image having a plurality of planes by a method in which data of one plane is encoded with reference to other planes;

a second encoding step of encoding the image by a method in which data of one plane is encoded without reference to other planes; and

a selection step of selecting one of said first and second encoding steps to provide encoded data.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode a color image.

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode a multi-bit image.

27. A method according to claim 24, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode an image by predictive coding.

28. A method according to claim 24, wherein said selection step operates in response to a manual instruction.

29. A method according to claim 24, wherein said selection step operates in accordance with an amount of the encoded data obtained by said first and second encoding steps.

30. A method according to claim 24, wherein said first and second encoding steps encode the image in parallel.