Abstract: An image input unit in a producer PC acquires a first key frame formed as a single image comprising an arrangement of a plurality of still images, and a second key frame formed as a single image comprising an arrangement of a plurality of still images respectively corresponding in position to the plurality of still images in the first key frame. A matching processor acquires corresponding point information related to corresponding points in the first key frame and the second key frame by subjecting the frames to an image matching process. A stream generation unit outputs the first key frame, the second key frame and the corresponding point information as encoded data.

Abstract: An image interpolation method and apparatus by which to quickly generate and display motion pictures using a small amount of data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a pixel matching between those images so that a corresponding point is obtained on the second image with respect to a lattice point of a mesh on the first image. The matching processor stores the matching results recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. In particular, in generating the intermediate image, an attribute of the pixels on one image may be used as such without the attribute being interpolated between pixels of each image. Thus, when generating intermediate images, only one image and a smaller corresponding point file can be used.

Abstract: When a moving picture is encoded with a high compression ratio by the MPEG, the block noise becomes remarkable. Matching is calculated between the first and the second key frame and corresponding point information is generated. According to this corresponding point information, a virtual second key frame is generated. A difference between the actual second key frame and the virtual second key frame is compressed/encoded by a difference encoder. The first key frame, the corresponding point information, and the compressed/encoded difference are outputted as encoded data between the first and second key frame.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for compressing motion pictures which makes use of critical point filter technology and that includes detection of scene changes to provide more accurate decoding. An image input unit acquires key frames. A scene change detector detects when there is a scene change between key frames, and notifies a matching processor to that effect. The matching processor then skips generation of correspondence data between those key frames. A stream generator generates a coded data stream in a manner that key frames and associated correspondence data are incorporated when there is no scene change, while key frames and associated correspondence disable data are incorporated when there is a scene change. This allows a decoder to more accurately decode the data stream and take account of scene changes.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image data in which the coding and decoding method may be simplified based on factors such as processing speed requirements. In encoding, an image input unit receives a first image and a second image (key frames). A matching processor begins performing a multiresolutional analysis using pixel-by-pixel matching between the images but, due to predetermined factors or settings, either discontinues the analysis or switches to a simplified method of analysis prior to the final resolution level. If the analysis is discontinued during encoding (i.e. at the encoding side), the analysis may be completed at the decoding side prior to conducting the decoding and the decoding side may be arranged accordingly.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for compressing motion pictures which makes use of critical point filter technology and that includes detection of scene changes to provide more accurate decoding. An image input unit acquires key frames. A scene change detector detects when there is a scene change between key frames, and notifies a matching processor to that effect. The matching processor then skips generation of correspondence data between those key frames. A stream generator generates a coded data stream in a manner that key frames and associated correspondence data are incorporated when there is no scene change, while key frames and associated correspondence disable data are incorporated when there is a scene change. This allows a decoder to more accurately decode the data stream and take account of scene changes.

Abstract: An image-effect apparatus which provides high quality motion pictures and image effects such as supper slow motion based on a small amount of image data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor performs pixel matching between the first image and the second image, and a result thereof is recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. A speed controller controls the number of intermediate images to be generated, based on a user's instruction. As the number of intermediate images generated is increased, slow motion and super slow motion images are produced.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for encoding and decoding image data in which the coding and decoding method may be simplified based on factors such as processing speed requirements. In encoding, an image input unit receives a first image and a second image (key frames). A matching processor begins performing a multiresolutional analysis using pixel-by-pixel matching between the images but, due to predetermined factors or settings, either discontinues the analysis or switches to a simplified method of analysis prior to the final resolution level. If the analysis is discontinued during encoding (i.e. at the encoding side), the analysis may be completed at the decoding side prior to conducting the decoding and the decoding side may be arranged accordingly.

Abstract: An animation distributing server receives a request from a user to distribute animation. The server selects key frames to be transmitted and transmits the selected key frames to the user. Thereafter, compact interpolation data, for interpolating between the key frames, are generated, a digital watermarking processing is performed thereon, and the interpolation data are transmitted to the user. A viewer, for composing an animation from the key frames and interpolation data, may be sent to the user. The key frames and the interpolation data are transmitted separately in a manner such that they can be integrated at the user side.

Abstract: An image input unit acquires a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a matching between those images such that corresponding points are obtained on the second image with respect to lattice points of a mesh taken on the first image and generates a corresponding point file based on the matching. The corresponding point file comprises positional information on the corresponding points and difference data on attribute values of the corresponding points. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image of the first image and the second image, based on the first image and the corresponding point file. In particular, for an attribute such as color, the color difference data on a pair of corresponding points of the first image and second image are used when interpolating, such that the second image is not needed in the interpolation.

Abstract: A matching processor detects correspondence information between key frames. A judging unit detects motion vectors from the correspondence information to determine variation of a field of view between the key frames. When variation of the field of view is sufficiently large, added information is generated related to the variation of the field of view. A stream generator generates a coded data stream by incorporating the added information. An intermediate image generator (for example, at a decoding side) detects the added information and trims edges of a generated intermediate image to account for the variation in the field of view, so that an unnatural invalidated region is cut out.

Abstract: An image input unit acquires a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a pixel matching between the images so that corresponding points are obtained on the second image with respect to lattice points of a mesh defined on the first image. A result thereof is recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image of the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. Since the corresponding point file is composed of corresponding lattice points alone rather than corresponding pixels or the like, the amount of data is relatively small, and thereby allows efficient implementation of and application to various image effects, motion picture compression, on-line commodity presentation, and mobile applications.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for digital movie or video that provides for error checking within the digital video files. The digital video is coded in a data stream that includes key frames and correspondence data between key frames as well as additional correspondence data between somewhat separated key frames. During decoding, an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate frame or frames by interpolation, based on key frame data and correspondence data file between key frames. If an error detector detects an error in an input coded data stream, an error controller instructs the intermediate image generator to perform an error avoidance processing which may include substituting another key frame for an error-containing key frame or use of the additional correspondence data to create the intermediate key frame or frames for an error-containing correspondence data file, and so forth.

Abstract: In an image generating system or apparatus, a first storage unit stores key frames and corresponding point data therefor. A performance specifying unit determines a processing performance of a user terminal. A resolution decision unit determines a resolution of motion pictures (intermediate frames) to be generated or reproduced in accordance with the determined processing performance. An intermediate frame generator generates intermediate frames at the determined resolution by interpolating the key frames based on the corresponding point data.

Abstract: An image coding and decoding technology for digital movie or video that provides for error checking within the digital video files. The digital video is coded in a data stream that includes key frames and correspondence data between key frames as well as additional correspondence data between somewhat separated key frames. During decoding, an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate frame or frames by interpolation, based on key frame data and correspondence data file between key frames. If an error detector detects an error in an input coded data stream, an error controller instructs the intermediate image generator to perform an error avoidance processing which may include substituting another key frame for an error-containing key frame or use of the additional correspondence data to create the intermediate key frame or frames for an error-containing correspondence data file, and so forth.

Abstract: A multivariate space processing apparatus and method in which visualization is carried out by image processing alone and without a modeling process. In the apparatus, a preprocessing unit degenerates multivariate data into three variates; a conversion unit specifies a reference variate among the three variates, then determines values for the two remaining variates at two predetermined values of the reference variate, so that a first image and a second image based on the two remaining variates and corresponding to the two predetermined values are generated; a matching processor computes a matching between the first image and the second image; and an intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image of the first and second images based on the matching. Preferably, a display control unit displays the intermediate image on a display.

Abstract: An image interpolation method and apparatus by which to quickly generate and display motion pictures using a small amount of data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a pixel matching between those images so that a corresponding point is obtained on the second image with respect to a lattice point of a mesh on the first image. The matching processor stores the matching results recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. In particular, in generating the intermediate image, an attribute of the pixels on one image may be used as such without the attribute being interpolated between pixels of each image. Thus, when generating intermediate images, only one image and a smaller corresponding point file can be used.

Abstract: An image interpolation method and apparatus by which to quickly generate and display motion pictures using a small amount of data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor computes a pixel matching between those images so that a corresponding point is obtained on the second image with respect to a lattice point of a mesh on the first image. The matching processor stores the matching results recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. In particular, in generating the intermediate image, an attribute of the pixels on one image may be used as such without the attribute being interpolated between pixels of each image. Thus, when generating intermediate images, only one image and a smaller corresponding point file can be used.

Abstract: After a digital content is loaded into an information terminal such as a PC, ID information unique to a viewer or a user of the PC is imprinted into the content. The ID information is imprinted into a predetermined location of the content or alternatively, it may be imprinted over the entire content in the form of a spatial frequency. The content with an ID added thereto is then enabled to be used in the terminal.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image coding apparatus and an image decoding apparatus. The image coding apparatus includes an image input unit for acquiring key frames, a matching processor for generating correspondence information between the key frames, a sound input unit for acquiring sound data to be synchronized with the key frames and correspondence information, and a stream generator for generating a coded data stream which includes the sound data, the correspondence information, and the key frames. The image decoding apparatus includes a stream input unit for acquiring the added data stream, a stream separator for separating the key frames, correspondence information and sound data from the coded data stream; an intermediate frame generator for generating intermediate frames from the key frames and correspondence information, and an output controller for outputting the key frames and intermediate frames in synchronization with the sound data.