Abstract: The present invention relates to an encoding apparatus for digitizing and encoding an input image signal, the input image signal being sequentially sampled to sequentially form sample signals at respective sample points. The encoding data which respectively correspond to the sample signals at respective sample points are formed, and the plurality of resultant encoding data are sequentially output on a group unit basis of k (k being an integer equal to or greater than 2) encoding data in accordance with the order different from the forming order of the encoding data. In accordance with a combination of the k encoding data which have been output, the k encoding data are converted into the data train having less DC and low frequency components and output, so that the image signal can be highly efficiently encoded.

Abstract: An image information transmission system for transmitting multi-pixel frames of image information, upon transmission, the data corresponding to a frame are divided into blocks each containing a predetermined number of pixel data, and discrimination data are prepared by discriminating whether each block belongs to a moving image area or a still image area of the frame. The data of a block of a moving image area are encoded using only the data of that block and according to a first encoding method, to form first encoded data. The data of a block of a still image area are encoded using the data of that block and those of other blocks, and according to a second encoding method, to form second encoded data. Transmission data are prepared from the encoded data and the discrimination data, and are sent to the transmission channel.

Abstract: An image information transmission method divides a frame of image data into a plurality of blocks each having a unit block constituted by a predetermined number of picture element (pixel) data. A plurality of distinguishable distribution data representing the distribution of levels of this pixel data are formed for each block from the pixel data. Position data representing the levels of the pixel data in terms of position in the distribution are also formed. A unit data block is formed for each block from the distribution and position data. The unit data blocks corresponding to successive blocks are serially transmitted in predetermined order, and the sequence of transmission of distribution data in each unit data block is changed in accordance with predetermined information.

Abstract: A predictive coding device includes: a limiter to limit an input value having a first dynamic range to a value within a second dynamic range narrower than the first dynamic range; a subtracter to calculate a differential value between an output value of the limiter and a predictive value; a quantization circuit to assign the same code to differential values which differ by a value which is equal to or larger than the second dynamic range and smaller than the first dynamic range; and a predictor to calculate a new predictive value by using an output of the quantization circuit. The quality of the code due to the limitation of the dynamic range is improved.

Abstract: An image signal encoding apparatus for encoding an image signal in which image of one picture plane consisting of a plurality of pixel data are divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of a predetermined number of pixel data. For each of the blocks, a pair of reference value data regarding the maximum and minimum values of the levels of the pixel data constructing the block are formed. On the basis of the formed reference value data, encoded date is formed by encoding each of the pixel data of the block. Decoded data is formed by decoding the encoded data formed on the basis of the reference value data. By comparing each of the pixel data of the block with the decoded data, errors are detected. The reference value data are corrected in accordance with the result of the detection. Thus, the encoding errors are reduced and it is possible to perform the encoding with less deterioration in picture quality of the image signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image information signal transmission apparatus wherein an image information signal in which one frame is constituted by a plurality of sample data is input, the input image information signal is divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of a predetermined number of sample data, at least two types of reference value data associated with a dynamic range of sample data of each block is formed in units of blocks, the sample data of each block is coded by using the reference value data to form a plurality of first coded data in units of blocks, the plurality of first coded data formed in units of blocks are vector-quantized to form second coded data in units of blocks, and transmission data is formed by using as a transmission unit the reference data formed in units of blocks and the second coded data formed in units of blocks. The image information signal can be transmitted in a small information volume without degrading the image information signal.

Abstract: A digital information signal recording apparatus has a first mode in which a digital information signal of one channel is recorded on a recording medium at a given bit rate and a second mode in which digital information signals of n channels (n: an integer which is at least 2) are simultaneously recorded on the recording medium at a bit rate which is 1/n of the given bit rate.