Image encoding apparatus, image decoding apparatus, methods of controlling the same, and storage medium

A method of controlling an image encoding apparatus that encodes N (N is an integer:

• N≥2) viewpoint images captured at viewpoints different from each other, the method comprising:
• a first generation step of calculating an average value of values of N corresponding pixels corresponding to each other in the N viewpoint images and generating an image having the average value as a value of a pixel;
• a second generation step of generating (N−1) types of difference values from the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images, wherein the (N−1) types of difference values are used to derive the values of the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images from the value of the pixel generated in the first generation step;
• and
• an encoding step of encoding the image generated in the first generation step and difference information formed from the (N−1) types of difference values generated in the second generation step.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a program which causes a computer to execute steps of a method of encoding N (N is an integer:

• N≥2) viewpoint images captured at viewpoints different from each other, the method comprising:
• a first generation step of calculating an average value of values of N corresponding pixels corresponding to each other in the N viewpoint images and generating an image having the average value as a value of a pixel;
• a second generation step of generating (N−1) types of difference values from the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images, wherein the (N−1) types of difference values are used to derive the values of the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images from the value of the pixel generated in the first generation step;
• and
• an encoding step of encoding the image generated in the first generation step and difference information formed from the (N−1) types of difference values generated in the second generation step.

An image decoding apparatus that decodes encoded data of N (N is an integer:

• N≥2) viewpoint images captured at viewpoints different from each other, the apparatus comprising:
• at least one processor;
• and
• a memory storing a program to be executed by the at least one processor,
• wherein the at least one processor functions as units comprising:
• (1) a storage unit configured to store first encoded data obtained by encoding an image focused at a predetermined focal position and having, as a value of a pixel, an average value of values of N corresponding pixels corresponding to each other in the N viewpoint images and second encoded data obtained by encoding difference information formed from (N−1) types of difference values from the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images, wherein the (N−1) types of difference values are used to derive the values of the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images from the image having the average value of the values of the N corresponding pixels as the value of the pixel;
• and
• (2) a decoding unit configured to decode at least one of the encoded data stored in storage unit.

A method of controlling an image decoding apparatus that decodes encoded data of N (N is an integer:

• N≥2) viewpoint images captured at viewpoints different from each other, the method comprising:
• storing, in a predetermined storage unit, first encoded data obtained by encoding an image focused at a predetermined focal position and having, as a value of a pixel, an average value of values of N corresponding pixels corresponding to each other in the N viewpoint images and second encoded data obtained by encoding difference information formed from (N−1) types of difference values from the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images, wherein the (N−1) types of difference values are used to derive the values of the corresponding pixels in the N viewpoint images from the image having the average value of the values of the N corresponding pixels as the value of the pixel;
• and
• decoding at least one of the encoded data stored in the predetermined storage unit.