Abstract: A transcoder 22 receives encoded streams of image contents and decoding information in pluralities of sorts, and it once decodes the respective image contents by using the encoded streams and the decoding information. The transcoder 22 subjects each of the decoded images to the reduction or enlargement of a screen size and synthesizes the resulting images into one image, it re-encodes the synthesized image, and it outputs the stream and the decoding information after the re-encoding, to a transmission unit 23. The transmission unit 23 receives the re-encoded decoding information and the re-encoded stream from the transcoder 22 and outputs them to a terminal 3 through a transmission line 102.

Abstract: A band extending apparatus includes a spectral parameter calculating circuit for calculating spectral parameters of a narrow-band input signal, a coefficient calculating circuit supplied with the spectral parameters to convert the spectral parameters into coefficients of a band extended signal, and a gain circuit supplied with a gain from a gain adjustment circuit and multiplying an output signal of a noise generating circuit with the gain to output the resulting signal to a synthesis filter circuit. The synthesis filter circuit forms a filter by receiving coefficients from the coefficient calculating circuit. The signal from the gain circuit is passed through the filter. The synthesis filter circuit outputs a high band signal for band extension.

Abstract: A plurality of sets of position code books indicating the pulse position are provided in a multi-set position code book storing circuit (450). In accordance with a pitch prediction signal obtained in an adaptive code book circuit (500), one type of position code book is selected from the plurality of position code books in a position code book selecting circuit (510). From the selected position code book, a position is selected by a sound source quantization circuit (350) so as to minimize distortion of a sound signal. An output of the adaptive code book circuit (500) and an output of the sound source quantization circuit (350) are transferred. Thus, a sound signal can be encoded while suppressing deterioration of the sound quality with a small amount of calculations even when the encoding bit rate is low.

Abstract: A content distribution system distributes at least either one of a first content and a second content to a terminal (3) through a network from a distribution server (1) which stores a compression coded bit stream of the first content and a compression coded bit stream of the second content. The content distribution system has a conversion device (2) which, when a syntax indicating an order to be satisfied by the bit stream of the content distributed from said distribution server (1) to said terminal does not match a syntax of decoding information preliminarily notified to the terminal, converts the syntax of the content distributed to the terminal to match the syntax of the decoding information before distributing the same to the terminal (3).

Abstract: There are provided a multi-point conference system and a multi-point conference device capable of using an SIP terminal as a conference terminal and clearly and smoothly performing speaker switching without requesting a conference terminal to transmit an intra frame when a speaker is detected. The multi-point connection device includes an image processing unit for accumulating in a memory (13), image data from the conference terminal participating in the conference, and decoding the image data on the speaker accumulated in the memory (13) and re-encoding the decoded image upon detection of a speaker in a medium processing unit (15). Upon switching of a speaker, the image processing unit re-encodes the first image as an intra frame and transmits the image data to conference terminals other than that of the speaker, so that the conference terminals other than that of the speaker can perform decoding from the intra frame, thereby clearly and smoothly performing the speaker switching.

Abstract: This invention comprise a connection call processing unit for exchanging settings of encoded data and redundant data stored in each packet, and a setting of at least any one of encoding bit rates of a sound encoding unit and a redundant data generating unit, between the media transmitting/receiving apparatus, and a sound decoding unit for decoding at least any one of the encoded data and the redundant data based on the setting of the encoding bit rate exchanged between the media transmitting/receiving apparatuses, wherein the encoded data and the redundant data are separated from each packet based on the setting of the data stored in the packets exchanged between the media transmitting/receiving apparatuses, and lost encoded data is compensated with the redundant data, and thereby degradation of the media quality is prevented even when the packet loss occurs in transferring media encoded data in the packets via an IP network.

Abstract: A conversion server and a plurality of clients are connected via a transmission line. The conversion server that receives image coded data from the clients converts the image coding system in accordance with the coding system available to each client, the coding setting, and the status of the transmission line, and transmits the converted image coded data. For a client where the number of images that can be displayed is limited, the conversion server decodes a selected plurality items of image coded data, re-encodes the selected pieces into one composite image, and transmits the re-encoded image. The conversion server also comprises decoding processing units, one for each connected client, for decoding image coded data from each client. In response to a display image switching request from a client, the conversion server intraframe-codes the decoded image data of an image that will be used after the switching and transmits the intraframe-coded data.

Abstract: Picture and speech communication between plural terminals connected to different networks, such as a circuit-switched network and IP network. A converting apparatus 400 for control information or media information for picture/speech communications is provided across first and second terminals 301, 302 connected to respective different types of networks. Converting apparatus 400 includes control information converter 420, transcoder 450 and ability information converter 460. In case the ability information extracted from the decoding information, received from the first terminal 301, is not coincident to the ability information extracted from the call control information received from the second terminal 302, it is further checked whether or not there is picture format size coincidence. If the picture format size coincidence persists in one direction, processing is carried out for converting part of the decoding information or the control information, without causing the operations of the transcoder.

Abstract: A sound data decoding apparatus based on a waveform coding method includes a loss detector, sound data decoder, sound data analyzer, parameter modifying section and sound synthesizing section. The loss detector detects whether a loss exists in a sound data. The sound data decoder decodes the sound data to generate a first decoded sound signal. The sound data analyzer extracts a first parameter from the first decoded sound signal. The parameter modifying section modifies the first parameter based on a result of the detection of loss. The sound synthesizing section generates a first synthesized sound signal by using the modified first parameter. Thus, a deterioration of sound quality is prevented in the error compensation of sound data.

Abstract: Picture and speech communication between plural terminals connected to different networks, such as a circuit-switched network and IP network. A converting apparatus 400 for control information or media information for picture/speech communications is provided across first and second terminals 301, 302 connected to respective different types of networks. Converting apparatus 400 includes control information converter 420, transcoder 450 and ability information converter 460. In case the ability information extracted from the decoding information, received from the first terminal 301, is not coincident to the ability information extracted from the call control information received from the second terminal 302, it is further checked whether or not there is picture format size coincidence. If the picture format size coincidence persists in one direction, processing is carried out for converting part of the decoding information or the control information, without causing the operations of the transcoder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a relay apparatus including a video buffer control unit that controls a video buffer according to a control instruction received by an instruction receiving unit, a threshold set by a threshold setting unit, and a timing set by a timing generation unit. The video buffer control unit controls the video buffer for each segment, according to a result of analysis by a segment interpretation unit.

Abstract: A content distribution device includes data output means for outputting encoded data and transmission means for transmitting encoded data which is outputted from the data output means. The data output means outputs encoded data obtained by hierarchical encoding as the encoded data. The transmission means transmits at least a part of data of at least one layer among the encoded data obtained by the hierarchical encoding.

Abstract: A load driving semiconductor apparatus includes: a driving transistor, which operates based on an input voltage from an external circuit; a power semiconductor device controlling power supply to a load in such a manner that the power semiconductor device supplies electric power to the load when the transistor operates, and the power semiconductor device stops supplying electric power to the load when the transistor stops operating; and a mounting board, on which the driving transistor and the power semiconductor device are mounted. The mounting board includes a heat radiation pattern for emitting heat generated in the power semiconductor device. The heat radiation pattern includes a heat receiving pattern, on which the driving transistor is mounted.

Abstract: The voice mixing method includes a first step for selecting voice information from a plurality of voice information, a second step for adding up all the selected voice information, a third step for obtaining a voice signal totaling the voice signals other than one voice signal, of the selected voice signals, a fourth step for encoding the voice information obtained in the second step, a fifth step for encoding the voice signal obtained in the third step, and a sixth step for copying the encoded information obtained in the fourth step into the encoded information in the fifth step.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for enabling inhibition or reduction in the amount of processing to decode and to re-encode image data to be compatible with a transmission capacity upon delivery of converted images. Image data converter 205 converts and transfers an image of a conversion start frame in an intra-mode. Switch 206 transfers the image in the intra-mode, which was transferred by image data converter 205, as the conversion start frame, and transfers image data 103 demultiplexed from received data 100 for the remaining frames. Data synchronization/output unit 208 establishes the synchronization of image with audio by temporally adjusting audio data backward when the converted image data increases in size.

Abstract: A multipoint videoconference server is made to swiftly respond to a video switching request from a terminal and a degree of computational complexity is made lower. A server 300 decodes only m (1<m?n) video streams selected from n terminals and stores video streams that need not be decoded in buffers. When an instruction to switch to another stream is received from a terminal, the server 300 uses data accumulated in the buffers and decodes from the latest I frame by going back to the past before starting to provide a video using the video stream.

Abstract: When a start recording instruction or an end recording instruction is transmitted from a terminal device, a DTMF detector (106) detects a DTMF signal and supplies the detection results to a control module (107). The control module (107) supplies the received start recording instruction or end recording instruction to an image data converter (105) and a switch (108). When a start recording instruction is received as input, the image data converter (105) converts the reception image data (103) to image data that have undergone intramode coding and supplies the result to the switch (108). The switch (108) supplies a storage device (110) with the image data that were supplied from image data converter (105) at the time that a start recording instruction is received as input, and supplies the storage device (110) with reception image data (103) from the time that recording has started until the input of an end recording instruction.

Abstract: A secondary cell module and the method of its production, which comprises a combination cell formed by connecting the positive and/or the negative electrode terminal(s) of multiple secondary cells in series and/or in parallel with each other through a metal bus-bar and a casing which contains the combination cell, wherein the secondary cell is formed in a sheet shape and comprises sheet-type internal electrode couple, electrolytic solution and a flexible outer wrapper of envelope type which contains them in a sealed state. The secondary cell module is of a simple structure and it can be small-sized and light-weighted or thin-shaped as necessary and the heat which generates inside the cell can be efficiently diffused to outside, thereby enabling the production of cells of high capacity with a high degree of freedom in designing its shape as well as supreme productivity.

Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.

Abstract: An audio recording and reproducing apparatus includes a controller for controlling the entire behaviors, hard disc for write and read of audio data, audio compression/expansion circuit for expanding compressed audio data, and external I/O port. The audio recording and reproducing apparatus is connected to a network service center to obtain desired music data from storage of the network service center and to store it in the hard disc.