Image processing apparatus and method

Abstract

A transformation unittransforms an entered image to multi-resolution space. A quantizerperforms vector quantization on a local pattern of an image of a multi-resolution representation. A perspective-order calculating unitextracts a plurality of code words, positions corresponding thereto and/or angle of rotation and/or scale, and the perspective-order relationship of a plurality of these representative vectors, from the quantized image. An algebraic encoderencodes the input image based upon the extracted information. As a result, there are provided an image processing apparatus and method for asymmetric encoding without motion in three dimensions and extraction of a three-dimensional structure. Further, a transformation unittransforms an entered image to vector field, and a singularity detectordetects a singularity in the transformed image. A transformation encoderpartitions the vector field into areas which include detected feature points, and each area is encoded by functional approximation. As a result, a finite number of feature points can be obtained with ease and an image processing apparatus and method exhibiting strong resistance to the effects of noise are provided.