Image processing apparatus and method

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• a decoding unit configured to decode encoded stereoscopic dynamic image data containing a plurality of picture pairs each having a disparity, for each block into which the picture is divided, and to detect an error block in which a decoding error is generated while decoding;
• an estimation unit configured to perform a first estimation processing including
• detecting, among pictures which are decoded prior to an error picture having the error block, an approximate picture having a block being approximate to a peripheral block in the error picture which is peripheral to the error block,
• detecting a second block being approximate to a first block at a corresponding-location in the approximate picture which corresponds to a location of the error block in the error picture, in a paired picture of the approximate picture, and
• estimating, as an estimated disparity of the error block, a disparity between the first block in the approximate picture and the second block in the paired picture of the approximate picture;
• and
• a correction unit configured to generate a corrected image of the error block according to a decoded image of a third block located at a position shifted by an amount of the estimated disparity from a corresponding-location in a paired picture of the error picture which corresponds to the location of the error block in the error picture.