A transformation unit 102 transforms an entered image to multi-resolution
space. A quantizer 105 performs vector quantization on a local pattern of
an image of a multi-resolution representation. A perspective-order calculating
unit 107 extracts 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
encoder 108 encodes 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 unit 1103 transforms an entered image
to vector field, and a singularity detector 1104 detects a singularity in
the transformed image. A transformation encoder 1105 partitions 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.
