Partial expansion method of encoded images and image processing apparatus

A method for partially expanding an image encoded on a macroblock basis utilizing a computer, comprising the following steps of:

• (a) storing, in a storage device of the computer, the encoded image, map data created from bitstream of the encoded image, the map data being utilized to decode at least one macroblock of the encoded image, and a shrunken image created from the encoded image so as to relate the map data and the shrunken image with the encoded image;
• (b) outputting, to a display device, the shrunken image related with the encoded image to be displayed based on a control request received from an input device;
• (c) determining at least one macroblock to be decoded based on a display area of the shrunken image;
• (d) partially decoding the encoded image for the determined macroblock using the map data;
• and
• (e) outputting to the display device, the partially decoded image of the display area.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an input device to input image data and a control request;
• a computational processing device to perform computational processing on the input image data;
• a display device to display processing results for images;
• a storage device to store an encoded image, map data created from bitstream of the encoded image, the map data being utilized to decode at least one of macroblock of the encoded image, and a shrunken image created from the encoded image so as to relate the map data and the shrunken image with the encoded image,
• wherein the computational processing device comprises:
• a shrunken image output unit which outputs, to the display device, the shrunken image related with the encoded image to be displayed when a control request is received from the input device;
• a used block determination unit which determines at least one macroblock to be partially decoded based on a display area of the shrunken image;
• a partial decoding unit which partially decodes the encoded image for the determined macroblock using the map data;
• and
• a partially decoded image output unit which outputs the partially decoded image of the display area created by the partial decoding unit to the display device.

A non-transitory computer readable medium containing a program for partially expanding an image encoded on a macroblock basis, the program executed on a computer which has a storage device to store an encoded image, map data created from bitstream of the encoded image, the map data being utilized to decode at least one of macroblock of the encoded image, and a shrunken image created from the encoded image so as to relate the map data and the shrunken image with the encoded image, the program comprising the following steps of:

• (a) outputting, to a display device, the shrunken image related with the encoded image to be displayed based on a control request received from an input device;
• (b) determining at least one macroblock to be decoded based on a display area of the shrunken image;
• (c) partially decoding the encoded image for the determined macroblock using the map data;
• and
• (d) outputting to the display device, the partially decoded image of the display area.