Abstract: A plurality of bit streams are seamlessly spliced. Separate decoders decode each bit stream. A controller selects the decoded pictures according to a re-encoding range in the vicinity of a splicing point of the bit streams. Pictures presenting a reordering of the streams are excluded in the selection of the decoded pictures. An encoder re-encodes the pictures within the re-encoding range. When it is determined that crossover motion compensation exists between pictures of different streams, the controller changes the motion prediction direction of the problematic picture. The controller changes a motion prediction picture type of a picture which is improperly motion predicted with reference to another stream. A quantization characteristic or motion vectors for the new picture type are generated by the controller. The controller effects the encoding in accordance with a target amount of bits to prevent a breakdown of a buffer and a discontinuation of an amount of data occupancy thereof.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus performs processing for embedding information in an image. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit for selecting a pixel of the image. A processing unit performs processing on the pixel selected by the selection unit according to the information so that the pixel is reproducible by utilizing the correlation of the image. According to the above-described processing, the information is embedded in the pixel.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for recording and/or reproducing user data onto and/or from an optical disk. The apparatus includes an optical head for irradiating a laser beam having a wavelength of approximately 680 (nm) or less to the optical disk and having a lens with a numerical aperture (NA) of approximately 0.7 or more and a working distance of approximately 560 (&mgr;m) or less. By utilizing such apparatus, a relatively large amount of data may be recorded onto the optical disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transcoder having a MPEG decoder and a MPEG encoder, for changing a GOP structure and,the bit rate of an encoded bitstream obtained as a result of an encoding process. The MPEG encoder receives a past encoding parameters generated at a past encoding process as a history information, and performs a present encoding process by using the past encoding parameters selectively so that the present encoding process is optimized. Furthermore, the encoder describe the past encoding parameters into the encoded bitstream as the history information so as to reuse the history information in advance encoding process. The picture quality of the video data does not deteriorate even if decoding and encoding processes are carried out repeatedly by the transcoder.

Abstract: Method for identification of plastic materials of interest by spectroscopic measurements, comprising the steps of measuring a sample and providing a sample spectrum; providing reference spectra for a given group of reference materials of interest, determining spectral distances between sample spectrum and reference spectra, material identification by associating the sample to the material having the reference spectrum with the smallest spectral distance to the sample spectrum. In this method a multi-level measurement is conducted, wherein in each level the number of possible materials is further limited. In a first level at least 2 sub-groups and in all levels starting with a second level at least one sub-group of possible materials are defined, wherein one sub-group in the first level comprises all possible materials that are easily distinguishable and at least one further sub-group in the first level comprises materials that are difficult to distinguish from each other.

Abstract: A data multiplexing apparatus, method, and system, generates scheduled data for instructing the reading and multiplexing of clips, sequentially reads from a storage unit, transport stream packets based on clips corresponding to the scheduled data, and uses a multiplexer to time-divisionally multiplex the transport stream packets read from the storage unit, which correspond to a plurality of channels, without separating them into data for the respective channels. Accordingly, a load on a host PC is reduced, and a system structure can be simplified.

Abstract: A signal processor comprises a decoder 1 which decodes a bit stream S10 to provide an image signal S1 and a coding parameter S8, a switch SW1 to select a destination to which the image signal S1 from the decoder 1 is to be sent, a post-processing circuit 2 which post-processes the image signal from a selectable terminal B of the switch SW1 to provide an image signal S2, a pre-processing circuit 3 to preprocess an image signal S4, a switch SW2 to select either the image signal from the pre-processing circuit 3 or an image signal S3 from the switch SW1, and an encoder 4 which codes an image signal S5 and coding parameter to provide a bit stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a filter bank designed to split the frequency spectrum of digital signals into plural bands. Specifically, a low-pass analysis filter unit (H0(z)), adapted to pass frequency components of an input signal not higher than a pre-set frequency, is determined by a high-pass analysis filter unit (H1(z)) passing frequency components of the input signal not less than the pre-set frequency and a phase-linear filter unit (f(z)) having phase-linear characteristics. This enables efficient wavelet splitting of the input signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing data conversion between first-format encoded data in which orthogonal transform coefficients are arranged in an order of DC components and AC components from a low spatial frequency order to a high spatial frequency order in each orthogonal transform block when compression encoding which includes orthogonal transform is applied to video data and second-format encoded data in which orthogonal transform coefficients are arranged in an order of DC components and AC components from a low spatial frequency order to a high spatial frequency order in each block assembly member formed of a plurality of orthogonal transform blocks when compression encoding which includes orthogonal transform is applied to video data. The second-format encoded data may be decoded to obtain orthogonal transform coefficients which may be re-arranged from a low spatial frequency order to a high spatial frequency order in each orthogonal transform block of the first format.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a color conversion apparatus in which an output result of a color converting circuit at the succeeding stage for color-converting a specific color can be prevented from being affected by an output result of a color converting circuit at the preceding stage for color-converting a whole image. Since a first color converting circuit (10) color-converts a whole image of image data in a first color-conversion fashion.

Abstract: Data recording/reproduction is carried out in a disc format such that error correction codes interleaved with respect to the direction of data on a disc are collectively blocked into an error correction unit and that the input/output order of user data in an ECC block as an error correction unit is made coincident with the direction of processing of the error correction codes. Thus, coding can be started at the time when necessary data for generating one code is transmitted, without waiting for transmission of data for one ECC block. Also, transmission of user data can be started at the time when correction of one code is completed, without waiting for completion of correction operation for one ECC block. Also, since the direction of correction codes is the same as the direction of user data, no memory for rearrangement of data is required and the hardware structure can be minimized.

Abstract: A voltage generating circuit which enables realization of iminiaturization, reduction in operating voltage and reduction in dissipation power, a spatial light modulating element and a display system using the same, and a driving method for display system are disclosed. A pMOS transistor as first level setting means is controlled by a pre-charge signal and an output node is pre-charged to a first level. An nMOS transistor forming a control circuit is controlled in accordance with signals on a scanning line and a data line. A signal for controlling an nMOS transistor as second level setting means is generated to control the ON/OFF state of this transistor. Thus, electric charges are discharged from a capacitor and the output node is set at a second level. The capacitor holds the level of the output node and supplies the level to an electrode as a load.

Abstract: A method of receiving and demodulating a plurality of digital signals transmitted with different respective carrier frequencies and a digital receiver for receiving and demodulating a plurality of digital signals transmitted with different respective carrier frequencies wherein the carrier frequency signals are down converted to respective base-band signals and digitized and a common demodulator is provided to demodulate the respective digitized base-band signals in a time division manner.

Abstract: A data multiplexer for multiplexing at least digital moving picture data and pattern data (character data) comprises a packetizing means for forming the digital moving picture data and the pattern data into PES packets of a predetermined format based on the MPEG-2 standard, each packet consisting of a header and an actual data region; an adding means for adding, to the header of each packet, a flag to identify the moving picture data and the pattern data; and a means for multiplexing the packets. An ID flag recorded in the header of each PES packet serves to identify a video packet, an audio packet or a pattern data packet. Each packet of the pattern data and the digital moving picture data includes a time stamp indicative of decode or display timing. In this data multiplexer, the pattern data (character data) on any horizontal scanning line can be multiplexed and recorded with the digital moving picture data.

Abstract: In a picture coding apparatus and a picture coding method, when a picture data is hierarchically coded, compression efficiency can be improved, and the deterioration of picture quality can be reduced. When a picture data is hierarchically coded by utilizing a recursive hierarchical representation, adaptive division of block is performed corresponding to the characteristic of the picture data and then coding is performed, and thus obtained hierarchical coded data is transmitted, so that the block of the lower hierarchy can be adaptively divided, thereby the information quantity such as a plane portion of picture can be reduced.

Abstract: A disc driving device of the type in which two different head units are moved by a linear motor along the radial direction of two discs having different recording densities. If a floppy disc with the standard recording density (lower order mode) is loaded on a disc table and a shock sensor detects the shock, a controller discontinues the recording and/or reproducing processing by a FDD (Floppy Disk Drive).

Abstract: Digital image data which has been compressed in accordance with the MPEG system and corrected for aspect ratio is multiplexed with correction data provided as PSM data for correcting the aspect ratio of such digital image data in the letterbox mode, squeeze mode or the like. The PSM data is detected from the bit stream by a PSM detector and a control signal is generated in response to the detected PSM data for controlling filters of a display so that the latter displays an image in the correct state.

Abstract: A projected image of a three-dimensional object is displayed in a frame which is a constituent of a moving picture. Shape information concerning the shape of a surface of the three-dimensional object and a characteristic point on the projected image of the surface are designated. The projected image of the surface of the three-dimensional object is transformed into a corresponding two-dimensionally developed expanded image. Rendering is effected on an overall expanded image storage area that stores the entire part of the expanded image of the surface. A predetermined cut-out region is cut out of the overall expanded image storage area, and a retouching work such as an editorial work is effected on the expanded image, based on the content of the cut-out region. The retouched expanded image is then re-transformed back to the projected image on the frame. Three-dimensional retouching such as a three-dimensional editorial work can therefore easily be effected on a two-dimensional moving picture.

Abstract: A decoder has a reduced circuit dimension that does not adversely affect the decoding performance of the circuit. The decoder includes an addition/comparison/selection circuit added to give the log likelihood and adapted to compute a correction item expressed in a one-dimensional function relative to a variable and add a predetermined value to the correction term in order to provide a unified symbol for identifying the positiveness or negativeness of the log likelihood for the purpose of computing the log likelihood.

Abstract: Picture data which has been caused to undergo repetitive transform encoding (e.g., fractal encoding) is caused to undergo repetitive transform decoding while implementing scaling at a repetitive transform decoding unit 20 to temporarily preserve the decoded picture thus obtained at a buffer section 9. At the shape information calculating section 12, an approach is employed to calculate shape of object while implementing scaling thereto to send the object shape thus obtained (e.g., polygon) to a picture mapping section 10 to implement mapping to decoded picture from the buffer section 9. Thus, there is realized a texture mapping apparatus such that picture quality of texture is difficult to be deteriorated even when deformation takes place, such as, for example, at the time of zooming, etc.