Abstract: A server (1) analyzes request information from a client (11) by a request analyzer (4) and selects necessary image data from multiple viewpoint image data (2) to be output to an image generator (3). The image data is generated by interpolation and output to an image synthesizer (5), in which a plurality of images data is synthesized in a form suitable for encoding. An encoder (6) encodes the image data and transfers it to a network (7). The client (11) receives the encoded image data, decodes the data through a decoder (12) and outputs the decoded image data to an image processor (13), where it is converted into a stereoscopic display format and displayed on a display unit (14). The client (11) includes an input unit (16) for changing the viewpoint, and transmits the request information of viewpoint alternation to the network (7) by a request output unit (15).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a 3-D image display unit that can be controlled flexibly to protect the user from eyestrain and operated easily. The 3-D image display unit includes measuring means for measuring a display time of a 3-D image, parallax adjusting means for instructing 3-D image forming means to adjust the parallax of the 3-D image. In the case where the 3-D image display time measured by the measuring means exceeds a predetermined time, the parallax adjusting means instructs the 3-D image forming means to reduce the parallax of the 3-D image to be formed, thereby the display means comes to display a 3-D image having a small parallax. The user can thus be protected from eyestrain.

Abstract: An image data recording apparatus includes a three-dimensional display control information generation unit receiving a parameter indicating a condition for picking up a three-dimensional image, and encoding the parameter so as to generate image pick-up condition information, and a file generation unit generating a multimedia information file including both of the image pick-up condition information and three-dimensional image data or at least one of the three-dimensional image data and two-dimensional image data.

Abstract: An encoding device for differential encoding/decoding a plurality of pieces of position information, represented in a rational number and arranged in the order of magnitude, includes a position information rearranging unit. The position information rearranging unit rearranges the plurality of pieces of position information in accordance with a predetermined order relationship. In the same way as position information in integer representation is encoded, the plurality of pieces of position information rearranged in accordance with the predetermined order relationship can be difference encoded.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: A removable recording medium having an area for storing a content and, when attached to a reproducing apparatus, allowing the content recorded in the area to be reproduced is arranged so as to include, separately from the area for storing the content, an area for storing one or more conditions that allow the content to be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus. With this arrangement, by pre-recording on the recording medium, information for allowing the reproducing apparatus to reproduce a content, the recording apparatus can automatically perform processing such as encoding to a content in accordance with the information recorded on the recording medium and then record the content on the recording medium; and the reproducing apparatus can unconditionally reproduce a content recorded on the recording medium.

Abstract: A sub-sampling portion (101) sub-samples images of data corresponding to the left and right viewpoints. A joining method selector (104) selects the joining method that minimizes the discontinuity at the boundary in the joined image when the sub-sampled images of data are joined. A joining portion (102) joins the plurality of images data, based on the selected joining method. An encoder (103) encodes the joined image data, and a joining method encoder (105) encodes the information of the joining method. A multiplexer (106) multiplexes these pieces of coded data. In this way, the continuity of the joined image is improved, whereby the coding efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image supplier acquires stereoscopic image data in a side-by-side layout format. Visual information supplier acquires visual information to be added to a stereoscopic image. Based on a 3D display for displaying a stereoscopic image, a 3D display information supplier acquires the coordinates of portions that are not used for 3D display representation as the coordinates of the pixels with which visual information is combined. An image synthesizer combines visual information obtained at Step S2 with the pixel at the coordinates set at Step S3. Visual information is combined with all the portions at the coordinates to be processed, and the image with visual information synthesized is stored in a stereo image storage. In this way, if additional information is added to the stereoscopic image, no uncomfortable feeling will occur when the image is viewed in stereoscopic vision.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: An encoding device for differential encoding/decoding a plurality of pieces of position information, represented in a rational number and arranged in the order of magnitude, comprises a position information rearranging unit (101). The position information rearranging unit rearranges the plurality of pieces of position information in accordance with a predetermined order relationship. In the same way as position information in integer representation is encoded, the plurality of pieces of position information rearranged in accordance with the predetermined order relationship can be difference encoded.

Abstract: Adjacent regions are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent regions are identified. Selective filtering is performed at the region between the identified adjacent regions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a 3-D image display unit that can be controlled flexibly to protect the user from eyestrain and operated easily. The 3-D image display unit includes measuring means for measuring a display time of a 3-D image, parallax adjusting means for instructing 3-D image forming means to adjust the parallax of the 3-D image. In the case where the 3-D image display time measured by the measuring means exceeds a predetermined time, the parallax adjusting means instructs the 3-D image forming means to reduce the parallax of the 3-D image to be formed, thereby the display means comes to display a 3-D image having a small parallax. The user can thus be protected from eyestrain.

Abstract: A moving image/audio recording apparatus in which failure of recording due to erroneous operation and operation timing deviation can be prevented is implemented. Moving image data and audio data prior to the start of recording are multiplexed by a multiplexing unit 103. The multiplexed data is temporarily stored in a built-in memory 104. A control unit 106 which has received an instruction to start a going back recording changes the going back recording start time to the time subsequent to the time when the encoding conditions or channels are changed to those at the time of the instruction to start recording if the encoding condition or the channel at the time which goes back by a period of time preset as the going back time is different from that at the time of the instruction to start recording and consecutively reads out the multiplexed data from the memory 104 for recording them in a recording unit 105 via a changeover switch 108.

Abstract: A server (1) analyses the request information transmitted from a client (11) by means of a request analyzer 4 and selects the necessary image data from multiple viewpoint image data (2) to output it to an image generator (3), where image data for the requested viewpoint is generated by interpolation to be output to an image synthesizer (5). In the image synthesizer (5), a plurality of images data are synthesized in a form suitable for encoding. An encoder (6) encodes the image data at a suitable bit rate and transfers it to a network (7). The client (11) receives the encoded image data, decodes the data through a decoder (12) and outputs the decoded image data to an image processor (13), where the image data is converted into an appropriate form in conformity with a stereoscopic display format and is displayed on a display unit (14).

Abstract: To a multimedia information file including three-dimensional image data, three-dimensional display control information is added that indicates an intended three-dimensional display method for the three-dimensional image data or a data format in which the data is recorded. A three-dimensional image reproduction apparatus performs conversion appropriate for data characteristics derived from the three-dimensional display control information and then provides display. Recorded three-dimensional image data is thus given versatility so that the same three-dimensional image data can be used commonly to different three-dimensional display schemes.

Abstract: An image data recording apparatus includes a three-dimensional display control information generation unit receiving a parameter indicating a condition for picking up a three-dimensional image, and encoding the parameter so as to generate image pick-up condition information, and a file generation unit generating a multimedia information file including both of the image pick-up condition information and three-dimensional image data or at least one of the three-dimensional image data and two-dimensional image data.

Abstract: An image encoder/decoder by which a partial image is encoded easily with a resolution meeting the user's demand, wherein the encoded amount of data is not increased and a necessary capacity of memory can be reduced. The image encoder has a tile decomposition portion which divides image data into tiles of N pixels×M pixels, a wavelet transform coding portion which extrapolates predetermined data at the peripheries of the tiles outputted from the tile decomposition portion and performs subdivision to perform wavelet encoding. A management information generating portion generates information for managing the encoded data in order that the encoded data outputted from the wavelet transform coding portion can be decoded for each tile and for each subband of the wavelet encoding. Also, a coded data integration portion links the encoded data encoded by wavelet encoding for each tile by using the output of the management information generating portion and adds the managing information to the encoded data.