Image data encoding/decoding method and apparatus

#The present invention relates to image data encoding and decoding technology, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a 360-degree image for realistic media service.

#With the spread of the Internet and mobile terminals and the development of information and communication technology, the use of multimedia data is increasing rapidly. Recently, demand for high-resolution images and high-quality images such as a high definition (HD) image and an ultra high definition (UHD) image is emerging in various fields, and demand for realistic media service such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and the like is increasing rapidly. In particular, since multi-view images captured with a plurality of cameras are processed for 360-degree images for virtual reality and augmented reality, the amount of data generated for the processing increases massively, but the performance of an image processing system for processing a large amount of data is insufficient.

#As described above, in an image encoding and decoding method and apparatus of the related art, there is a demand for improvement of performance in image processing, particularly, image encoding/decoding.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image encoding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image decoding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is an example diagram in which image information is partitioned into layers in order to compress an image.

#While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

#It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

#It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., “between” versus “directly between”, “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent”, etc.).