Image processing method and apparatus for processing an image signal in each of a plurality of processing modes

An image processing apparatus which receives an image signal transmitted in one of a plurality of different modes to process an image of one picture, comprising:

• memory means for storing the image signal;
• checking means for examining the mode, the size of the received image signal and the capacity of the memory means at the time of reception of the image signal;
• and
• control means for effecting a control, based on the result of checking of said checking means, in a manner such that the size of the image signal is less than or equal to the capacity of said memory means, if the total size of the received image signal is greater than the capacity of said memory means, while disabling the control, if the total size of the received image signal is not greater than the capacity of said memory means.

An image processing method in which an image signal transmitted in one of plurality of different modes is received to process an image of one picture, comprising:

• an analysis step of analyzing the contents of the modes;
• a first processing step of sequentially processing the image signal for one picture while receiving the same, part by part, in accordance with the result of analysis effected in said analysis step;
• a second processing step of receiving the whole image signal for one picture and for processing the same, as a block, in accordance with the result of analysis effected is said analysis step;
• and
• an output step of outputting the image processed in one of either said first or second processing steps.