Abstract: An image encoding apparatus which encodes picture data is provided. The apparatus comprises an encoding unit configured to encode a picture to be encoded; a decoding unit configured to decode the encoded picture; an SN ratio calculation unit configured to calculate an SN ratio using the picture to be encoded and a decoding result of the decoding unit; a setting unit configured to set a target SN ratio serving as an index of the SN ratio; a bitrate control unit configured to control a bitrate of the picture to be encoded based on the target SN ratio; and a motion detection unit configured to detect motion information between the picture to be encoded and another picture, wherein the bitrate control unit controls the bitrate based on the motion information, and a difference between the SN ratio and the target SN ratio.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus detects an amount of pixel motion in a plurality of field images included in interlace image data, and determines a pixel region having a large motion by comparing the amount of the motion of the detected pixel to a predetermined threshold value. An image processing apparatus combines a predetermined pattern with the pixel region that has a large motion and is converted from the interlace image.

Abstract: An encoding control apparatus is disclosed that includes a variance calculation unit configured to calculate a variance of an encoding target macroblock; a sum-of-absolute-difference calculation unit configured to calculate a sum of absolute differences between the encoding target macroblock and a reference macroblock; a setting unit configured to set, based on the variance and the sum of absolute differences, a standard for determining whether to skip encoding of the encoding target macroblock; a prediction unit configured to perform motion compensation prediction on the encoding target macroblock to obtain a motion-compensated prediction value; and a determination unit configured to determine whether to skip encoding of the encoding target macroblock by comparing the motion-compensated prediction value with the standard. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image coding apparatus configured to encode moving image data including: a coding unit configured to encode each picture in the moving image data in a unit of a first block; a luminance change detection unit configured to divide the moving image data into a plurality of second blocks and to detect a luminance change block in which a luminance change occurred from the plurality of the second blocks in one picture; and a code amount adjustment unit configured to increase an amount of code allocated to the first block if the first block corresponds to the luminance change block detected by the luminance change detection unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an information recording-and-reproducing method and apparatus. At least one play-list file which stores information used for coupling at least two files to each other and for reproducing the files is generated, wherein the at least two files are coupled to each other at the heads and/or midpoints thereof. A first shortcut file is generated for at least one file included in the play-list file, and a second shortcut file is generated for the play-list file. The first shortcut file and the second shortcut file are generated in one and the same folder.

Abstract: In an encoding apparatus or an encoding method, motion-image data is input, an encoding parameter is output such that a predetermined number of codes are used for encoding the input motion-image data in units of predetermined sizes, the output encoding parameter is stored in a storage medium, and the input motion-image data is encoded by adaptively selecting the output encoding parameter or the encoding parameter stored in the storage medium.

Abstract: In an encoding apparatus or an encoding method, motion-image data is input, an encoding parameter is output such that a predetermined number of codes are used for encoding the input motion-image data in units of predetermined sizes, the output encoding parameter is stored in a storage medium, and the input motion-image data is encoded by adaptively selecting the output encoding parameter or the encoding parameter stored in the storage medium.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus for quantizing an inputted moving image signal according to a quantization step so that a code amount of one frame becomes a target code amount, and for variable-length-coding the quantized moving image signal, in which a minimum value of the quantization step is determined for each frame, and the quantization step is determined so as not to be less than the minimum value.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus for quantizing an inputted moving image signal according to a quantization step so that a code amount of one frame becomes a target code amount, and for variable-length-coding the quantized moving image signal, in which a minimum value of the quantization step is determined for each frame, and.the quantization step is determined so as not to be less than the minimum value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing information, including an error-correcting coding device for encoding information data into at least one error-correcting code, the error-correcting code containing the information data and a parity check code, and an encryption device for encrypting at least a portion of the information data and at least a portion of the parity check code contained in the error-correcting code. In this manner, unauthorized copying of the digital data is prevented and the copyright on the data is protected. In one embodiment, unauthorized users can partially view image data that is not selected for encryption by an encryption selector.

Abstract: A digital video camera has a recording/reproduction unit for recording MPEG-2PS onto a recording medium and reproducing MPEG-2PS from the recording medium, a PES/PS conversion unit for converting video PES and audio PES into MPEG-2PS and vice-versa, a PES/TS converter for converting video PES and audio PES into MPEG-2TS into and vice-versa, and a digital communications unit for outputting the MPEG-2TS output from the PES/TS converter to an external device and inputting MPEG-2TS from an external device. As a result, the digital video camera enables input and output of MPEG-2TS and enables recording and reproduction of MPEG-2PS.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which an image signal is divided into blocks each comprising a plurality of pixels and a quantization and a variable length encoding are executed so that a code amount of a plurality of blocks lies within a certain range. As a plurality of blocks, the position of the block which is selected at the nth order approaches the periphery of a picture screen with an increase in value of (n).

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus for quantizing an inputted moving image signal according to a quantization step so that a code amount of one frame becomes a target code amount, and for variable-length-coding the quantized moving image signal, in which a minimum value of the quantization step is determined for each frame, and the quantization step is determined so as not to be less than the minimum value.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing digital data from a recording medium, the digital data including information data and ID data of the information data. The reproducing apparatus checks the reliability of currently reproduced ID data by using the current ID data and ID data reproduced before the current ID data, and corrects an error in the reproduced information data in accordance with the reliability check result.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing digital data from a recording medium, the digital data including information data and ID data of the information data. The reproducing apparatus checks the reliability of currently reproduced ID data by using the current ID data and ID data reproduced before the current ID data, and corrects an error in the reproduced information data in accordance with the reliability check result.

Abstract: A simple and efficient method is proposed for the preparation of a &bgr;-lactam compound such as 1-phenyl-4-ethoxy-2-azetidinone which can be produced by mixing an isocyanate compound such as phenyl isocyanate and a vinyl ether compound such as ethyl vinyl ether and heating the mixture at a moderate temperature under a superatmospheric pressure of up to 12000 atmospheres.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel, high molecular weight aliphatic polyester having excellent mechanical strengths such as breaking strain and containing a copolymer structure with 3-alkoxy-1,2-propane diol and a method of producing the aliphatic polyester in an industrially advantageous manner. The aliphatic polyester is a biodegradable high molecular weight aliphatic polyester having an ester structure derived from 3-alkoxy-1,2-propane diol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel, high molecular weight aliphatic polyester having excellent mechanical strengths such as breaking strain and containing a copolymer structure with 3-alkoxy-1,2-propane diol and a method of producing the aliphatic polyester in an industrially advantageous manner. The aliphatic polyester is a biodegradable high molecular weight aliphatic polyester having an ester structure derived from 3-alkoxy-1,2-propane diol.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which an image signal is divided into blocks each comprising a plurality of pixels and a quantization and a variable length encoding are executed so that a code amount of a plurality of blocks lies within a certain range. As a plurality of blocks, the position of the block which is selected at the nth order approaches the periphery of a picture screen with an increase in value of (n).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which an image signal is divided into blocks each comprising a plurality of pixels and a quantization and a variable length encoding are executed so that a code amount of a plurality of blocks lies within a certain range. As a plurality of blocks, the position of the block which is selected at the nth order approaches the periphery of a picture screen with an increase in value of (n).