IMAGE ENLARGING OR CONTRACTING METHOD

An image enlarging or contracting method comprises the steps of obtaining groups of interpolated image signal components along every array of original picture elements so that the interpolated picture elements corresponding to the interpolated image signal components of each group are deviated in position in a predetermined direction from the interpolated picture elements corresponding to the interpolated image signal components of every other group. A mean value of the values of the interpolated image signal components corresponding to a set of the interpolated picture elements, which belong to different groups of the interpolated image signal components and which correspond to one another, is calculated. The calculation of the mean value is repeated for every other set of the interpolated picture elements, thereby to ultimately obtain a group of the interpolated image signal components, which are to be used for image enlargement or contraction, along every array of the original picture elements.