Image data encoding/decoding method and apparatus configured to compress both natural gray scale images and binary images

• US 6,052,205 A
• Filed: 02/17/1998
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Matsuura, Nekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Kimberly A.
• Application Number:
  US09/024,708
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 358/426, 358/429, 358/430, 358/432, 358/433, 382/232, 382/237, 382/239, 382/240, 382/244, 382/248
• US Class Current: 358/426.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/60 using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/63 using sub-band based transform, e.g. wavelets

Abstract

Image data encoding/decoding method and apparatus uses a first data divider for dividing image data into--by n-pixel blocks, two data encoders for encoding an--by n-pixel block into a first data block including frequency data elements and into a second data block including an image density, locations of pixels, and a flag, respectively. A first image type determiner is also included for determining a number of different image density values included in the--by n-pixel block, as is a first data selector for selecting the first data block when the first image type determiner determines that the--by n-pixel block includes a number of different image density values different from a first predetermined value and the second data block when the first image type determiner determines that the--by n-pixel block includes a first predetermined number of the different image density values. Two data decoders are included for decoding the first data block into a block substantially similar to the block previously divided by the first data divider and the second data block into a block substantially similar to the block previously divided by the first data divider, respectively. A second image type determiner is used for determining the flag. A second data selector selects the block obtained by decoding the first data block when the flag is different from a second predetermined value and the block obtained by decoding the second data block when the flag is equal to the second predetermined value.

Claims

1. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integral multiple of 2;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag for specifying an image type;

first image type determining means for determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value; and

first data selecting means for selecting said first data block from said first data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value.

2. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image density, said locations of pixels having said image density, and said flag for specifying an image type encoded by said second data encoding means are respectively embedded into said plurality of frequency data elements which are arranged in a predetermined order.

3. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

second data dividing means for dividing one of said first and second data blocks, selected by said first data selecting means, into a plurality of bit planes according to a predetermined priority; and

bit plane control means for determining whether a size of said input image data is greater than a capacity of a memory for storing said input image data and for abandoning bit planes according to said predetermined priority when said bit plane control means determines that said size of said input image data is greater than said capacity of said memory.

4. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after selecting one of said first and second data blocks said first selecting means converts said one of said first and second data blocks into a binary code excluding a sign representation, adds a sign bit indicative of a plus sign or a minus sign to said binary code at a place immediately next to, in a side closer to a least significant bit thereof, a bit closest to a most significant bit among bits set to 1 which is set to 1, further converts said binary code with said sign bit into a gray binary code using a gray encoding operation, and erases at least one bit from said gray binary code from a least significant bit of said gray binary code.

5. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second data encoding means encodes only image density other than a first predetermined background density into said image density data element, during a process of encoding said image density when encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type.

6. The image data encoding/decoding according to claim 1, further comprising:

first storing means for storing a value of a latest image density other than a first background density, and wherein

said second data encoding means encodes said latest image density stored in said first storing means into an image density data element when all the pixels included in said second data block have said first predetermined background density, during a process of encoding said image density when encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type.

7. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

background density change means for changing a background density of said second data block from one to another when a number of different densities of said second data block is equal to a predetermined number by changing said background density of said second data block from one to another using two different predetermined background densities, during a process of encoding said image density when said second data encoding means encodes said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type.

8. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said second data encoding means encodes said flag data element into a different flag data element when said background density change means changes said background density of said second data block from one to the other during a process of encoding said flag data element when said second data encoding means encodes said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type.

9. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first data selecting means selects, in accordance with image densities adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block, said first data block from said first data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value.

10. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second data dividing means for dividing said first data blocks selected by said first data selecting means into a plurality of bit planes according to a predetermined priority and a bit plane control means for determining whether a size of said input image data is greater than a capacity of a memory for storing said input image data and for abandoning bit planes according to said predetermined priority when said bit plane control means determines that said size of said input image data is greater than said capacity of said memory.

11. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in an m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag for specifying an image type;

first image type determining means for determining as to whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

first data selecting means for selecting said first data block from said first data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value;

first data decoding means for decoding said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second data decoding means for decoding said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second image type determining means for determining whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

second data selecting means for selecting said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoding means when said second image type determining means determines that said flag data element is different from said second predetermined value and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoding means when said second image type determining means determines that said flag data element is equal to said second predetermined value.

12. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said image density, said locations of pixels having said image density, and said flag for specifying an image type encoded by said second data encoding means are respectively embedded into said plurality of frequency data elements which are arranged in a predetermined order.

13. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein after selecting one of said first and second data blocks said first selecting means converts said one of said first and second data blocks into a binary code excluding a sign representation, adds a sign bit indicative of a plus sign or a minus sign to said binary code at a place immediately next to, in a side closer to a least significant bit thereof, a bit closest to a most significant bit among bits set to 1 which is set to 1, encodes said binary code with said sign bit into a gray binary code using a gray encoding operation, erases at least one bit from said gray binary code from the least significant bit of said gray binary code, adds at least one bit set to 0 to the least significant bit so as to regenerate data substantially similar to said gray binary code, which number of bit is equivalent to said at least one bit erased from said gray binary code, and decodes said data substantially similar to said gray binary code into said data substantially similar to said binary code with said sign bit.

14. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second data encoding means encodes only image density other than a first predetermined background density into an image density data element, during a process of encoding said image density when encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type, and said second data decoding means decodes said image density data element on a basis of said background density having said third predetermined value and said image density other than said background density.

15. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising background density change means for changing a background density of said second data block from one to another when a number of different densities of said second data block is equal to a predetermined number by changing said background density of said second data block from one to another using two different predetermined background densities, during a process of encoding said image density when said second data encoding means encodes said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type, and wherein

said second data decoding means uses one of said two different predetermined background densities in accordance with said flag data element when said background density change means changes a background density of said second data block from one to the other and said second data encoding means accordingly encodes said flag data element into a different flag data element.

16. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said second data selecting means selects said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoding means when said second image type determining means determines that said flag data element is equal to a value of said flag data element which is made when said first data selecting means erases at least one bit from said flag data element.

17. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means, and

locations of pixels having said image density;

first image type determining means for determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

flag generating means for generating a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determining means, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means; and

compressing means for compressing said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means, said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means, and said flag data element generated by said flag generating means.

18. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said compressing means embeds said image density included in said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means to a predetermined element of said plurality of said sub-band data elements included in said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means and compresses said image density and said predetermined element together.

19. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said second data encoding means changes an arrangement of data of said locations included in said second data block so as to have a correlation between said arrangement of said data of said location and an arrangement of said input image data.

20. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first data encoding means encodes an m- by n-pixel block, including successive m by n pixels in a line of said input image data, into said first data block including said plurality of said sub-band data elements.

21. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said first data encoding means generates temporary pixel data when an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed is encoded by said second data encoding means and performs an overlapping function to encode said m- by n-pixel block being processed using said temporary pixel data as an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed.

22. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means, and

locations of pixels having said image density;

first image type determining means for determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

flag generating means for generating a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determining means, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means;

first data decoding means for decoding said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second data decoding means for decoding said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second image type determining means for determining whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

data selecting means for selecting one of said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoding means and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoding means in accordance with said flag data element.

23. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said compressing means embeds said image density included in said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means to a predetermined element of said plurality of said sub-band data elements included in said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means and compresses said image density and said predetermined element together, and said second data decoding means decodes said compressed image density embedded in said predetermined element.

24. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said second data encoding means changes an arrangement of data of said locations included in said second data block so as to have a correlation between said arrangement of said data of said location and an arrangement of said input image data, and said second data decoding means returns said arrangement of said data of said locations included in said second data block to a previous arrangement thereof.

25. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said first data encoding means encodes an m- by n-pixel block, including successive m by n pixels in a line of said input image data, into said first data block including said plurality of said sub-band data elements; and

said first data decoding means decodes said plurality of said sub-band data elements included in said first data block into said m- by n-pixel block, including said successive m by n pixels in a line of said input image data.

26. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said first data encoding means generates temporary pixel data when an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed is encoded by said second data encoding means and performs an overlapping function to encode said m- by n-pixel block being processed using said temporary pixel data as an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed, and

said first data decoding means generates said temporary pixel data when an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed is encoded by said second data encoding means and decodes said encoded m- by n-pixel block being processed using said temporary pixel data as an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed.

27. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

a first data divider configured to input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag data element for specifying an image type;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value; and

a first data selector configured to select said first data block from said first data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value.

28. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said image density, said locations of pixels having said image density, and said flag for specifying an image type encoded by said second data encoder are respectively embedded into said plurality of frequency data elements which are arranged in a predetermined order.

29. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising:

a second data divider configured to divide one of said first and second data blocks, selected by said first data selector, into a plurality of bit planes according to a predetermined priority; and

a bit plane controller configured to determine whether a size of said input image data is greater than a capacity of a memory configured to store said input image data and abandon bit planes according to said predetermined priority when said bit plane controller determines that said size of said input image data is greater than said capacity of said memory.

30. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, wherein after selecting one of said first and second data blocks said first data selector converts said one of said first and second data blocks into a binary code excluding a sign representation, adds a sign bit indicative of a plus sign or a minus sign to said binary code at a place immediately next to, in a side closer to a least significant bit thereof, a bit closest to a most significant bit among bits set to 1 which is set to 1, further converts said binary code with said sign bit into a gray binary code using a gray encoding operation, and erases at least one bit from said gray binary code from a least significant bit of said gray binary code.

31. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said second data encoder encodes only image density other than a first predetermined background density into said image density data element, during a process of encoding said image density when encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type.

32. The image data encoding/decoding according to claim 27, further comprising:

a first memory configured to store a value of a latest image density other than a first background density, and wherein

said second data encoder encodes said latest image density stored in said first memory into an image density data element when all the pixels included in said second data block have said first predetermined background density, during a process of encoding said image density when encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including said plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag data element for specifying an image type.

33. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising:

a background density changer configured to change a background density of said second data block from one to another when a number of different densities of said second data block is equal to a predetermined number by changing said background density of said second data block from one to another using two different predetermined background densities, during a process of encoding said image density when said second data encoder encodes said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including said plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag data element for specifying an image type.

34. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said second data encoder encodes said flag data element into a different flag data element when said background density changer changes said background density of said second data block from one to the other during a process of encoding said flag data element when said second data encoder encodes said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including said plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag data element for specifying an image type.

35. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said first data selector selects, in accordance with image densities adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block, said first data block from said first data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value.

36. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a second data divider configured to divide said first data blocks selected by said first data selector into a plurality of bit planes according to a predetermined priority and a bit plane controller for determining whether a size of said input image data is greater than a capacity of a memory for storing said input image data and for abandoning bit planes according to said predetermined priority when said bit plane controller determines that said size of said input image data is greater than said capacity of said memory.

37. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

a first data divider configured to divide input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag data element for specifying an image type;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

a first data selector configured to select said first data block from said first data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value;

a first data decoder configured to decode said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second data decoder configured to decode said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second image type determiner configured to determine whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

a second data selector configured to select said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoder when said second image type determiner determines that said flag data element is different from said second predetermined value and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoder when said second image type determiner determines that said flag data element is equal to said second predetermined value.

38. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said image density, said locations of pixels having said image density, and said flag for specifying an image type encoded by said second data encoder are respectively embedded into said plurality of frequency data elements which are arranged in a predetermined order.

39. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 37, wherein after selecting one of said first and second data blocks said first data selector converts said one of said first and second data blocks into a binary code excluding a sign representation, adds a sign bit indicative of a plus sign or a minus sign to said binary code at a place immediately next to, in a side closer to a least significant bit thereof, a bit closest to a most significant bit among bits set to 1 which is set to 1, encodes said binary code with said sign bit into a gray binary code using a gray encoding operation, erases at least one bit from said gray binary code from the least significant bit of said gray binary code, adds at least one bit set to 0 to the least significant bit so as to regenerate data substantially similar to said gray binary code, which number of bit is equivalent to said at least one bit erased from said gray binary code, and decodes said data substantially similar to said gray binary code into said data substantially similar to said binary code with said sign bit.

40. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said second data encoder encodes only image density other than a first predetermined background density into an image density data element, during a process of encoding said image density when encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including a plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag for specifying an image type, and said second data decoder decodes said image density data element on a basis of said background density having said third predetermined value and said image density other than said background density.

41. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a background density changer configured to change a background density of said second data block from one to another when a number of different densities of said second data block is equal to a predetermined number by changing said background density of said second data block from one to another using two different predetermined background densities, during a process of encoding said image density when said second data encoder encodes said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into said second data block including said plurality of elements representing an image density characterizing respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks, locations of pixels having said image density, and a flag data element for specifying an image type, and wherein

said second data decoder uses one of said two different predetermined background densities in accordance with said flag data element when said background density changer changes a background density of said second data block from one to the other and said second data encoder accordingly encodes said flag data element into a different flag data element.

42. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said second data selector selects said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoder when said second image type determiner determines that said flag data element is equal to a value of said flag data element which is made when said first data selector erases at least one bit from said flag data element.

43. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

a first data divider configured to divide input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said m- by n-pixel block, elements of said data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder and

locations of pixels having said image density;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

a flag generator configured to generate a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determiner, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoder and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoder; and

a compressor configured to compress said first data block encoded by said first data encoder, said second data block encoded by said second data encoder, and said flag data element generated by said flag generator.

44. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said compressor embeds said image density included in said second data block encoded by said second data encoder to a predetermined element of said plurality of said sub-band data elements included in said first data block encoded by said first data encoder and compresses said image density and said predetermined element together.

45. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said second data encoder changes an arrangement of data of said locations included in said second data block so as to have a correlation between said arrangement of said data of said location and an arrangement of said input image data.

46. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said first data encoder encodes an m- by n-pixel block, including successive m by n pixels in a line of said input image data, into said first data block including said plurality of said sub-band data elements.

47. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said first data encoder generates temporary pixel data when an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed is encoded by said second data encoder and performs an overlapping function to encode said m- by n-pixel block being processed using said temporary pixel data as an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed.

48. An image data encoding/decoding apparatus, comprising:

a first data divider configured to divide input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder and

locations of pixels having said image density;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

a flag generator configured to generate a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined as that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determiner, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoder and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoder;

a first data decoder configured to decode said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second data decoder configured to decode said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second image type determiner configured to determine whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

a data selector configured to select one of said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoder and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoder in accordance with said flag data element.

49. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said compressor embeds said image density included in said second data block encoded by said second data encoder to a predetermined element of said plurality of said sub-band data elements included in said first data block encoded by said first data encoder and compresses said image density and said predetermined element together, and said second data decoder decodes said compressed image density embedded in said predetermined element.

50. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said second data encoder changes an arrangement of data of said locations included in said second data block so as to have a correlation between said arrangement of said data of said location and an arrangement of said input image data, and said second data decoder returns said arrangement of said data of said locations included in said second data block to a previous arrangement thereof.

51. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 48, wherein:

said first data encoder encodes an m- by n-pixel block, including successive m by n pixels in a line of said input image data, into said first data block including said plurality of said sub-band data elements, and

said first data decoder decodes said plurality of said sub-band data elements included in said first data block into said m- by n-pixel block, including said successive m by n pixels in a line of said input image data.

52. The image data encoding/decoding apparatus according to claim 48, wherein:

said first data encoder generates temporary pixel data when an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed is encoded by said second data encoder and performs an overlapping function to encode said m- by n-pixel block being processed using said temporary pixel data as an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed, and

said first data decoder generates said temporary pixel data when an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed is encoded by said second data encoder and decodes said encoded m- by n-pixel block being processed using said temporary pixel data as an m- by n-pixel block adjacent to said m- by n-pixel block being processed.

53. A method for encoding and decoding image data comprising the steps of:

dividing input image data into m-by-n pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m-by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer than said predetermined number of bits elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels of a m- by n-pixel block that is encoded into the second data block,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag for specifying an image type;

determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value; and

selecting said first data block when it is determined in said determining step that the number of said different image density values of respective of the m- by n-pixel block is different from said predetermined value and said second data block when it is determined that the number of said different image density values of respective of said m- by n-pixel blocks is equal to said first predetermined value.

54. A method for encoding and decoding image data, comprising the steps of:

dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels of a m- by n-pixel block that is encoded into the second data block,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag for specifying an image type;

determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

selecting said first data block when it is determined that the number of said different image density values of said first data block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block when it is determined that the number of said different image density values of said second data block is equal to said first predetermined value;

decoding said first data block into a first decoded m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided;

decoding said second data block into a second decoded m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to the m- by n-pixel block previously divided;

determining whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

selecting said first decoded m- by n-pixel data block after being decoded in said step of decoding said first data block, when it is determined that said flag element is different from said second predetermined value and selecting said second decoded m- by n-pixel data block after performing said step of decoding said second data block when it is determined that said flag data element is equal to said second predetermined value.

55. A method for encoding and decoding image data, comprising the steps of:

dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels of a m- by n-pixel block that is encoded into the second data block, and

locations of pixels having said image density;

determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

generating a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

when an m- by n-pixel block is determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value, and

when the m- by n-pixel block is determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, and using said flag data element to select one of

blocks based on said first data block, and

blocks based on said second data block; and

compressing said first data block and said second data block and generating said flag data element.

56. A method for encoding and decoding image data, comprising the steps of:

dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

encoding, according to frequency information included in said image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels of a m- by n-pixel block that is encoded into the second data block, and

locations of pixels having said image density;

determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

generating a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

when an m- by n-pixel block is determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value, and

when the m- by n-pixel block is determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, using said flag data element to select one of

blocks based on said first data block, and

blocks based on said second data block;

decoding said first data block into a first decoded m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided;

decoding said second data block into a second decoded m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said mn- by n-pixel block previously divided;

determining whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

selecting one of said first decoded m- by n-pixel block and said second decoded m- by n-pixel block in accordance with said flag data element.

57. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integral multiple of 2;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block, including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag for specifying an image type;

first image type determining means for determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value; and

first data selecting means for selecting said first data block from said first data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value.

58. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in an m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag for specifying an image type;

first image type determining means for determining as to whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

first data selecting means for selecting said first data block from said first data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoding means when said first image type determining means determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value;

first data decoding means for decoding said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second data decoding means for decoding said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second image type determining means for determining whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

second data selecting means for selecting said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoding means when said second image type determining means determines that said flag data element is different from said second predetermined value and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoding means when said second image type determining means determines that said flag data element is equal to said second predetermined value.

59. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means, and

locations of pixels having said image density;

first image type determining means for determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

flag generating means for generating a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determining means, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means; and

compressing means for compressing said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means, said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means, and said flag data element generated by said flag generating means.

60. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

first data dividing means for dividing input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

first data encoding means for encoding, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

second data encoding means for encoding said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoding means, and

locations of pixels having said image density;

first image type determining means for determining whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

flag generating means for generating a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determining means, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoding means and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoding means;

first data decoding means for decoding said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second data decoding means for decoding said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data dividing means;

second image type determining means for determining whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

data selecting means for selecting one of said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoding means and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoding means in accordance with said flag data element.

61. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

a first data divider configured to input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag data element for specifying an image type;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value; and

a first data selector configured to select said first data block from said first data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value.

62. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

a first data divider configured to divide input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of frequency data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said second data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder,

locations of pixels having said image density, and

a flag data element for specifying an image type;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

a first data selector configured to select said first data block from said first data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is different from said first predetermined value and said second data block from said second data encoder when said first image type determiner determines that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block is equal to said first predetermined value;

a first data decoder configured to decode said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second data decoder configured to decode said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second image type determiner configured to determine whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

a second data selector configured to select said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoder when said second image type determiner determines that said flag data element is different from said second predetermined value and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoder when said second image type determiner determines that said flag data element is equal to said second predetermined value.

63. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

a first data divider configured to divide input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said m- by n-pixel block, elements of said data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder and

locations of pixels having said image density;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

a flag generator configured to generate a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determiner, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoder and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoder; and

a compressor configured to compress said first data block encoded by said first data encoder, said second data block encoded by said second data encoder, and said flag data element generated by said flag generator.

64. A computer product having computer readable instructions encoded therein for implementing an image data encoding/decoding apparatus which has a processor for executing said computer readable instructions, said computer program product, when said computer readable instructions are executed by said processor, comprising:

a first data divider configured to divide input image data into m- by n-pixel blocks each with a predetermined number of bits, m and n each being an integer;

a first data encoder configured to encode, according to frequency information included in said input image data, each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a first data block including a plurality of sub-band data elements;

a second data encoder configured to encode said each of said m- by n-pixel blocks into a second data block that represents said image data in fewer bits than said predetermined number of bits for each m- by n-pixel block, elements of said data block including

an image density characterizing a pixel image density value common to at least two pixels in a m- by n-pixel block being encoded by said second data encoder and

locations of pixels having said image density;

a first image type determiner configured to determine whether a number of different image density values, which pertain to pixels included in each of said m- by n-pixel blocks, is equal to a first predetermined value;

a flag generator configured to generate a flag data element for specifying one of image types which are

an m- by n-pixel block determined as that the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being different from said first predetermined value by said first image type determiner, and

an m- by n-pixel block determined to have the number of said different image density values of said m- by n-pixel block being equal to said first predetermined value, said flag data element being used to select one of

blocks based on said first data block encoded by said first data encoder and

said second data block encoded by said second data encoder;

a first data decoder configured to decode said first data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second data decoder configured to decode said second data block into an m- by n-pixel block which is substantially similar to said m- by n-pixel block previously divided by said first data divider;

a second image type determiner configured to determine whether said flag data element is equal to a second predetermined value; and

a data selector configured to select one of said m- by n-pixel block from said first data decoder and said m- by n-pixel block from said second data decoder in accordance with said flag data element.