Abstract: A method for transferring data among communication devices. The method includes a first communication device receiving, from a second communication device, data to be transferred and a condition defining a range of data transfer. The first communication device then determines whether a third communication device satisfies the condition defining the range of data transfer. On condition that the first communication device determines that the third communication device satisfies the condition, the first communication device directly transfers the data and the condition to the third communication device.

Abstract: A method for transferring data among communication devices. The method includes a first communication device receiving, from a second communication device, data to be transferred and a condition defining a range of data transfer. The first communication device then determines whether a third communication device satisfies the condition defining the range of data transfer. On condition that the first communication device determines that the third communication device satisfies the condition, the first communication device directly transfers the data and the condition to the third communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting a moving picture to be implemented in an encoder is provided. The system includes a plurality of reference picture memory areas for storing reference pictures to be used for prediction and a prediction generation section that includes a motion compensator and memory updater. The motion compensator receives a parameter representing the motion between an image to be predicted and a reference picture stored in the reference picture memory area and a parameter representing the reference picture memory area to be used for prediction, and generates a predicted image by using the reference picture stored in the reference picture memory area indicated by the parameter representing the reference picture memory area. The memory updater carries out dynamic allocation of reference picture memory areas required for prediction and judges whether to store new reference pictures additionally.

Abstract: A moving picture encoder and encoding method for encoding a moving picture signal are disclosed. The moving picture encoder includes a plurality of reference picture memory areas, each area storing picture data of a reference picture to be used for prediction; and a prediction picture generator including a motion compensator that generates the predicted picture by using the picture data stored in the reference picture memory area, a parameter representing a motion between an image to be predicted and the reference picture and prediction mode information indicating a prediction mode corresponding to a prediction method used for generating a predicted picture, and a memory updater that controls a timing of updating the picture data of a full frame stored in the reference picture memory area; and a multiplexer that multiplexes an information representing memory update in a bitstream.

Abstract: An intra-scene and inter-scene adaptive coding unit 6 converts an MPEG-2 video bit stream into a slave stream by using both coded data which is included in the coded data about scene video units in a master stream recorded in a data recording unit 2 and for which alternative coded data to be used for prediction reference has not been retrieved by an inter-scene prediction determining unit 5, and coded data retrieved by the inter-scene prediction determining unit 5 for the prediction reference.

Abstract: An image decoding device and method analyzes a parameter of the encoded bit stream to restore a 1-bit information to indicate that temporal distance between any two successive video frames to be displayed is constant in the video sequence, the 1-bit information being analyzed prior to a decoding process for a data area representing the video frames, A VOP decoder decodes a VOP that is image data serving as an encoding unit of video object and a VOL header analyzing part decodes a VOP rate flag, contained in encoded form in a header information part of a VOL layer composed of several VOPs, for indicating that a display rate in the VOL of the VOP to be decoded by the VOP decoder is a fixed rate by the VOP rate flag only.

Abstract: Multimedia content containing moving pictures and audio is divided into multiple scenes and metadata is generated for each of the scenes obtained as a result of the division. It is possible to generate metadata containing scene structure information metadata that describes the hierarchical structure of the content in addition to scene section information and titles. Also, a name or an identifier of each descriptor contained in the metadata is described as hint information for manipulation of metadata composed of at least one descriptor describing semantic content, a structure, and characteristics of content.

Abstract: An image decoding method and device which decodes an encoded bit steam of a video object is disclosed. A VOP decoder decodes a VOP that is image data serving as an encoding unit of a video object; and a VOL header analyzing part decodes a 1-bit VOP rate flag, contained in encoded form in a header information part of a VOL layer composed of several VOPs, for indicating that a display rate in the VOL of the VOP to be decoded by the VOP decoder is a fixed rate. A coding parameter analyzer analyzes a parameter of the encoded bit stream to restore an information to indicate that temporal distance between any two successive video frames to be displayed is constant in the video sequence by the information only, the information being analyzed prior to a decoding process for a data area representing the video frames.

Abstract: Retrieval is completed in a short time for presenting a retrieval result of a document file, which satisfies a retrieval condition, to a user having the authority to perform predetermined processing.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a database management unit that generates an index including access authority for a document and manages the index together with the document, a user information acquisition unit that acquires, as user information, the access authority for a user identification value, a document search unit that acquires the user information and a search request including a search expression, generates a combined search expression by combining an inclusion relationship expression with the search expression, the inclusion relationship expression including an operator that designates an inclusion relationship for access authority of an originator, and acquires a search result at a shared level enabling sharing under a plurality of user identification values in a domain including the plurality of user identification values, and a cache management unit 218 that registers the search result at the shared level as a cache item identified as the one at the shared level.

Abstract: To achieve an encoding system including a highly efficient prediction performed in response to the content of a scene, a significance, and a motion characteristic of a moving picture and the like, a reference memory, a motion compensator receiving a parameter representing the motion of a prediction picture segment for generating a predicted picture by using arbitrary data stored in the memory based upon the parameter, and memory update unit that updates picture data in memory and controls the capacity of the memory, are provided.

Abstract: Colored composite microparticles comprising silica and an organic pigment in which the silica is enclosed in the organic pigment and contained in an amount of 0.001 to 9% by weight (calculated as Si) based on the weight of the composite particles. These microparticles have a high tinting strength and are excellent in dispersibility and light fastness.

Abstract: A method and a video decoder for decoding an encoded bitstream of video data in a picture encoding and decoding system are disclosed. The video decoder includes a motion compensation unit for calculating a position for a sample image portion using an encoded bitstream of video data having a motion vector and rounding information. The calculated position of a sample image is rounded with the rounding information. The rounding information indicates the accuracy for rounding, and it is decoded from the bitstream. An image reconstruction unit reconstructs a decoded image portion of the video data from the sample image portion.

Abstract: A method and a video decoder for decoding an encoded bitstream of video data in a picture encoding and decoding system are disclosed. The video decoder includes a motion compensation unit for calculating a position for a sample image portion using an encoded bitstream of video data having a motion vector and rounding information. The calculated position of a sample image is rounded with the rounding information. The rounding information indicates the accuracy for rounding, and it is decoded from the bitstream. An image reconstruction unit reconstructs a decoded image portion of the video data from the sample image portion.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.

Abstract: A method and a video decoder for decoding an encoded bitstream of video data in a picture encoding and decoding system are disclosed. The video decoder includes a motion compensation unit for calculating a position for a sample image portion using an encoded bitstream of video data having a motion vector and rounding information. The calculated position of a sample image is rounded with the rounding information. The rounding information indicates the accuracy for rounding, and it is decoded from the bitstream. An image reconstruction unit reconstructs a decoded image portion of the video data from the sample image portion.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.

Abstract: A bit stream generating apparatus comprising header information multiplexer for multiplexing a first coded bit stream, encoded in the H.263 coding scheme, including the first header information of the H.263 coding scheme with the second header information of MPEG-4 coding scheme before the first header information for ensuring compatibility with the MPEG-4 coded bit stream encoded in the MPEG-4 coding scheme, wherein the header information multiplexing means multiplexes the image coded data with video object start code and video object identification number of MPEG-4 coding scheme as the second header information for ensuring compatibility with the MPEG-4 coded bit stream.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.