Patent ID: 7113644

Claim:
An image coding apparatus that outputs plural codes for one coding target image, utilizing motion compensation inter-frame prediction, including: a motion vector detection unit for dividing the coding target image into predetermined blocks and extracting a block in a search image, having a highest correlation with each of the predetermined blocks, thereby to detect a first motion vector for each of the predetermined blocks; N (N is an integer equal to two or larger than two) pieces of coding units for coding the first motion vector as well as performing motion compensation inter-frame prediction using an image in a position indicated by the first motion vector in the search image and the coding target image, in accordance with coding parameters which are given from outside, thereby to generate coded data; an image reproduction unit for reconstructing an image using coded data which is outputted from one of the coding units; and a reproduced image memory for storing the image reconstructed by the image reproduction unit as a search image that is to be supplied to the motion vector detection unit, wherein the N pieces of coding units encode the coding target image in accordance with the coding parameters which are given to the respective coding units, and output the respective coded data.