Abstract: A clustering processing apparatus comprises: N clustering units that group samples included in the data block into clusters, each clustering unit sequentially taking each sample as a target, grouping the target sample into one of the clusters within the data block, storing cluster information including identification on each cluster into which the samples are grouped within the data block, and storing sample assignment information indicating the cluster to which the target sample belongs; a cluster information transferring unit that selects cluster information on a cluster to be integrated from the cluster information when a predetermined condition is met, and transfers the selected cluster information to a third storage unit; and an updating unit that integrates clusters selected based on the cluster information stored in the third storage unit into an integrated cluster, and updates the sample assignment information based on information of the integrated clusters.

Abstract: An image of a prescribed frame of images of respective frames is set as a target image, and an area including a prescribed pattern is detected from the target image as a specific area. An image other than the target image is set as a non-target image, and the specific area in the non-target image is predicted. The images of the respective frames are encoded so that the specific area is encoded to have higher image quality than an area other than the specific area. In encoding, the images of the respective frames are encoded so that the specific area in the non-target image is not referred to from another frame.

Abstract: Every time clustering processing for a predetermined number of pixels is complete, a small cluster having the number of allocated pixels, which is equal to or smaller than a pixel count threshold, is discriminated. The small cluster, which is discriminated to have the number of allocated pixels equal to or smaller than the pixel count threshold, is merged to a cluster having the nearest representative feature vector. With this arrangement, the number of clusters which are to undergo distance calculations of feature vectors is reduced. According to this arrangement, region segmentation of an image can be executed faster by the clustering processing.

Abstract: A clustering unit first calculates a distance between a feature vector of a processing object pixel and a representative feature vector of a cluster to which a pixel with a high probability of belonging to the same cluster as the processing object pixel such as a nearby pixel of the processing object pixel belongs. When the calculated distance is less than or equal to a first threshold, the processing object pixel is allocated to a cluster to which the nearby pixel or a background image belongs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables effectively executing decoding processing in units of blocks based on encoded image data that has been variable-length encoded in units of blocks and furthermore has marker code inserted therein. An identification unit generates information indicating the position of an emulation prevention byte and deletes the emulation prevention byte. A code length calculation unit outputs a code length of the encoded image data from which the identification data has been deleted. A code length accumulation unit determines, based on the identification data position information, whether identification data was included in the encoded image data that has been decoded, and accumulates the code lengths of encoded data and outputs the accumulated code length in units of blocks. Based on this, storage address information for encoded data in blocks in the encoded image data is registered in a decoding table which is used for performing in units of blocks.

Abstract: A clustering unit calculates, for clusters in a descending order of the number of pixels belonging thereto, a distance from a feature vector of a processing object pixel and a representative feature vector of an object cluster, and compares the distance with a first threshold. The processing object pixel is stored in a memory or the like as a pixel belonging to an object cluster when the distance is determined to be less than or equal to the first threshold.

Abstract: A clustering processing apparatus comprises: N clustering units that group samples included in the data block into clusters, each clustering unit sequentially taking each sample as a target, grouping the target sample into one of the clusters within the data block, storing cluster information including identification on each cluster into which the samples are grouped within the data block, and storing sample assignment information indicating the cluster to which the target sample belongs; a cluster information transferring unit that selects cluster information on a cluster to be integrated from the cluster information when a predetermined condition is met, and transfers the selected cluster information to a third storage unit; and an updating unit that integrates clusters selected based on the cluster information stored in the third storage unit into an integrated cluster, and updates the sample assignment information based on information of the integrated clusters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moving image reproducing apparatus including a reproduction control unit. The moving image reproducing apparatus sequentially transfers at least part of moving image data elements stored in an incorporated memory to an external storage device, stating from a moving image data element to be reproduced last by the reproduction control unit.

Abstract: Every time clustering processing for a predetermined number of pixels is complete, a small cluster having the number of allocated pixels, which is equal to or smaller than a pixel count threshold, is discriminated. The small cluster, which is discriminated to have the number of allocated pixels equal to or smaller than the pixel count threshold, is merged to a cluster having the nearest representative feature vector. With this arrangement, the number of clusters which are to undergo distance calculations of feature vectors is reduced. According to this arrangement, region segmentation of an image can be executed faster by the clustering processing.

Abstract: A clustering unit calculates, for clusters in a descending order of the number of pixels belonging thereto, a distance from a feature vector of a processing object pixel and a representative feature vector of an object cluster, and compares the distance with a first threshold. The processing object pixel is stored in a memory or the like as a pixel belonging to an object cluster when the distance is judged to be less than or equal to the first threshold.

Abstract: A clustering unit first calculates a distance between a feature vector of a processing object pixel and a representative feature vector of a cluster to which a pixel with a high probability of belonging to the same cluster as the processing object pixel such as a nearby pixel of the processing object pixel belongs. When the calculated distance is less than or equal to a first threshold, the processing object pixel is allocated to a cluster to which the nearby pixel or a background image belongs.

Abstract: The invention enables effectively executing decoding processing in units of blocks based on encoded image data that has been variable-length encoded in units of blocks and furthermore has marker code inserted therein. An identification unit generates information indicating the position of an emulation prevention byte and deletes the emulation prevention byte. A code length calculation unit outputs a code length of the encoded image data from which the identification data has been deleted. A code length accumulation unit determines, based on the identification data position information, whether identification data was included in the encoded image data that has been decoded, and accumulates the code lengths of encoded data and outputs the accumulated code length in units of blocks. Based on this, storage address information for encoded data in blocks in the encoded image data is registered in a decoding table which is used for performing in units of blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a moving image reproducing apparatus including a reproduction control unit. The moving image reproducing apparatus sequentially transfers at least part of moving image data elements stored in an incorporated memory to an external storage device, stating from a moving image data element to be reproduced last by the reproduction control unit.

Abstract: An image compression coding apparatus which can obtain coded data with minimum coding distortion within an allowable compression ratio range while minimizing a deterioration in the performance of a system, and a control method for the apparatus.

Abstract: There are provided a variable-length code decoding apparatus and method which can perform high-speed decoding processing without decreasing an image size and frame rate. A variable-length code decoding apparatus of this invention decodes a variable-length code containing a prefix and a suffix. This apparatus includes a prefix decoding unit which decodes the prefix of an input variable-length code and outputs a symbol and prefix length corresponding to the prefix, a suffix shifter unit which supplies the suffix on the basis of the prefix length output from the prefix decoding unit, and a symbol decoding unit which decodes a symbol corresponding to a variable-length code on the basis of the symbol corresponding to the prefix which is output from the prefix decoding unit, the suffix supplied by the suffix shifter unit, and a suffix length acquired in advance.

Abstract: An encoder (103) encodes image data using a first parameter Q1, and a re-encoder (107) re-encodes the encoded result of the encoder (103) using a second parameter Q2. When the encoded data size obtained by the encoder (103) exceeds a predetermined size, Q1 is replaced by Q2, and encoded data streams previously encoded by the re-encoder (107) are saved in a buffer (108) as those encoded by the encoder (103) after the parameter is changed. Upon executing a re-encoding process, the re-encoder (107) re-encodes encoded data streams previously encoded by the re-encoder (107) using a parameter that can assure a higher compression ratio than Q2.

Abstract: There are provided a variable-length code decoding apparatus and method which can perform high-speed decoding processing without decreasing an image size and frame rate. A variable-length code decoding apparatus of this invention decodes a variable-length code containing a prefix and a suffix. This apparatus includes a prefix decoding unit which decodes the prefix of an input variable-length code and outputs a symbol and prefix length corresponding to the prefix, a suffix shifter unit which supplies the suffix on the basis of the prefix length output from the prefix decoding unit, and a symbol decoding unit which decodes a symbol corresponding to a variable-length code on the basis of the symbol corresponding to the prefix which is output from the prefix decoding unit, the suffix supplied by the suffix shifter unit, and a suffix length acquired in advance.

Abstract: There are provided an image compression coding apparatus which can obtain a coded data with minimum coding distortion within an allowable compression ratio range while minimizing a deterioration in the performance of a system, and a control method for the apparatus. A block formation unit (11) divides image data into blocks each having a predetermined size. A compression coding unit (14) compression-codes the image data on a block basis at a plurality of compression ratios. A data amount accumulation unit (15) calculates the cumulative data amounts of coded data generated at the respective compression ratios. A total coded data amount upper limit is set in an upper limit setting unit (12). A control unit (17) aborts compression coding processing for image data at a compression ratio at which the cumulative data amount exceeds the upper limit.

Abstract: An encoder (103) encodes image data using a first parameter Q1, and a re-encoder (107) re-encodes the encoded result of the encoder (103) using a second parameter Q2. When the encoded data size obtained by the encoder (103) exceeds a predetermined size, Q1 is replaced by Q2, and encoded data streams previously encoded by the re-encoder (107) are saved in a buffer (108) as those encoded by the encoder (103) after the parameter is changed. Upon executing a re-encoding process, the re-encoder (107) re-encodes encoded data streams previously encoded by the re-encoder (107) using a parameter that can assure a higher compression ratio than Q2.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator of natural circulation type comprising a first generator connected to the lower end of a gas-liquid lift and a second generator connected to the upper end of the gas-liquid lift. A solution of an absorbing medium, which may be an aqueous solution of a salt of lithium, is heated in the first generator to be lifted through the gas-liquid lift into the second generator, and the lithium salt solution is then concentrated to a predetermined concentration in the second generator.