Patent ID: 8340441

Claim:
An image encoding apparatus for encoding image data, comprising: a hierarchical encoder operable to encode image data and to generate encoded data having a hierarchical structure for generating N images having different resolutions from each other; an input unit operable to input original image data as first encoding target image data; a reduction unit operable to reduce the input original image data to generate second encoding target image data having a resolution lower than a resolution of the input original image data; a control unit operable to cause said hierarchical encoder to encode the first encoding target image data and the second encoding target image data in order to generate encoded data having a hierarchical structure for generating 2*N images having different resolutions from each other; and an output unit operable to output, as encoded data of the original image data input by said input unit, a set of the encoded data generated from the first encoding target image data by said hierarchical encoder and the encoded data generated from the second encoding target image data by said hierarchical encoder.