Image processing device

An image processing device comprising:

• input means for inputting a plurality of color component signals representing a color image;
• identification means for identifying a type of the color image on the basis of the plurality of color component signals from said input means;
• first compression means for compressing the color component signals from said input means by using an information-preserving-type of encoding method;
• second compression means for compressing the color component signals from said input means by using an information-non-preserving-type of encoding method;
• selection means for selecting one of said first and second compression means in accordance with the type of the color image identified by said identification means;
• storage means for storing compressed color component signals from said first or second compression means together with identification data representing the type of the color image identified by said identification means;
• and
• decompression means for decompressing the compressed color component signals stored in said storage means in accordance with the identification data.

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• inputting a plurality of color component signals representing a color image;
• identifying a type of the color image on the basis of the plurality of color component signals;
• selecting one of an information-preserving-type of encoding method and an information-non-preserving-type of encoding method in accordance with the type of the color image identified in said identifying step;
• compressing the color component signals by using the selected encoding method;
• and
• storing the compressed color component signals in a memory together with identification data representing the type of the color image identified in said identifying step.

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• inputting a plurality of color component signals representing a color image;
• identifying a type of the color image on the basis of the plurality of color component signals;
• selecting one of an information-preserving-type of encoding method and an information-non-preserving type of encoding method in accordance with the type of the color image identified by said identifying step;
• compressing the color component signals by using the selected encoding method;
• storing the compressed color component signals in a memory together with identification data representing the type of the color image identified by said identifying step;
• and
• decompressing the compressed color component signals stored in said memory in accordance with the identification data.