Patent ID: 7215818

Claim:
An image encoding apparatus comprising: dividing means for dividing input image data into blocks each having a predetermined size; encoding means for encoding the image data for each divided block using a plurality of encoding parameters and concurrently outputting a plurality of encoded data; calculating means for calculating cumulative data amounts of the each of encoded image data for the respective coded blocks before encoding of the image data is complete; setting means for setting a total encoded data amount upper limit for the image data; prediction means for calculating maximum total coded data amount predictive values of the each of encoded data, which are to be obtained when the image data is completely encoded, on the basis of a maximum encoded data amount per a predetermined number of blocks and the cumulative data amounts before encoding of the image data is complete; and control means for, when the cumulative data amount exceeds the upper limit, performing processing to abort compression coding processing with a corresponding encoding parameter, and when the maximum total encoded data amount predictive value does not exceed the upper limit, performing processing to abort encoding processing with an encoding parameter higher in compression ratio than a corresponding encoding parameter.