Abstract: A decoding apparatus is provided with a decoder for receiving plural bit streams and decoding the respective bit streams to output decoded bit streams, and a decoding state holder for saving and restoring plural states of the decoder. The decoder selects a bit stream to be a target of decoding, from among the plural bit streams to be decoded, decodes the selected bit stream, performs saving and restoration of its state into/from the decoding state holder, outputs plural decoding results to the corresponding destinations, and completes a series of the processes mentioned above within a predetermined period of time corresponding to each bit stream. Therefore, the plural bit streams can be decoded apparently at the same time, by using a single decoder.

Abstract: An image signal processing method, an image signal processing device and an image signal processing program are provided for performing post-processing, independently of the specification of a decoder. A coding parameter estimation portion estimates a quantization parameter, a picture type and a motion vector that were used for coding by using a decoded image entered from a decoding portion. The estimated quantization parameter or the like is sent to a post-processing portion. The post-processing portion performs the post-processing by using the entered quantization parameter, picture type and motion vector for eliminating block noise or mosquito noise.

Abstract: A decoding apparatus is provided with a decoder for receiving plural bit streams and decoding the respective bit streams to output decoded bit streams, and a decoding state holder for saving and restoring plural states of the decoder. The decoder selects a bit stream to be a target of decoding, from among the plural bit streams to be decoded, and decodes the selected bit stream, performs saving and restoration of its state into/from the decoding state holder, outputs plural decoding results to the corresponding destinations, and completes a series of processes mentioned above within a predetermined period of time corresponding to each bit stream. Therefore, the plural bit streams can be decoded apparently at the same time, using a single decoder.

Abstract: An image processing method in which an input image signal is coded for each of unit areas into which a frame is divided and a coded image signal is output, and a prediction image signal for a target unit area to be coded is generated by calculation according to prediction based on a decoded image signal obtained by decoding the coded image signal, for a desired unit area, comprises detecting largeness of calculation load in the process for coding the input image signal, and performing switching of the prediction in the process for generating the prediction image signal according to the detected largeness of the calculation load.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a data padding apparatus capable of appropriate padding processing to input data and input insignificance information which are not synchronized. Receiving input data and input significance information which are not synchronized as inputs, the data padding apparatus performs synchronization by data storage means and significance information storage means included in a storage and padding means, generates original data and synchronized significance information with synchronism between them and outputs them to a padding information holding means where padding information consisting of padding data and padding address information is generated based on the data and information input.

Abstract: An image coding method and apparatus for transforming and quantizing an image to produce transformed and quantized coefficients. The coefficients are coded and a complexity index value is obtained from the input image to calculate local characteristic values used to modify the quantization scale. In this manner, rate control is obtained on the basis of the local characteristics of the image, whereby the quality of the coded image and the precision of the rate control is improved.

Abstract: An encoding method for producing specific encoded data by calculating the data occupancy of a decoding buffer memory of a particular size that is used when decoding the encoded data during reproduction, defining the allocated code size of a particular period based on the calculation result, and compression coding the signal of a particular period to the allocated code size. The data occupancy is calculated on the assumption that virtual encoded data is transferred to the decoding buffer memory following the transfer of the first-encoded data to the decoding buffer memory. The data occupancy when the last data in the first encoded data is decoded is calculated as the final buffer occupancy Be. The data occupancy when the encoding process producing the second encoded data is begun is an initial buffer occupancy Bi where the initial buffer occupancy Bi is less than the final buffer occupancy Be, and thus allocated code size is defined based on the change in the data occupancy.

Abstract: An interleaving method for the presentation of a bitstream that is reproduced by selecting two or more data units from a bitstream comprising three or more data units contiguous on the same time-base. The bitstream is generated by arranging the selected data units in a particular sequence on the same time-base based on the presentation time of each data unit so that it is possible to sequentially access all data units and present only the selected data units without time-base intermittence, and is characterized by dividing the data units into shortest-read-time data units. The bitstream is generated by arranging the shortest-read-time data units in a particular sequence on the same time-base based on the shortest read time in each shortest-read-time data unit so that it is possible to sequentially access all shortest-read-time data units and present only the shortest-read-time data units of the selected data units without time-base intermittence.

Abstract: An input telecine image is held by a field memory, and correlation values of respective images in a first field and a second field are calculated by correlation value calculation circuits. The correlation values are compared with a predetermined threshold value, and when the correlation value is smaller than the threshold value, a duplicated field is determined. Moreover, the correlation values of the first and second fields are compared in the correlation value comparison circuits, and the duplicated fields are determined. These information are held by a phase holding circuit. A phase pattern of a successive images converted by a 3:2 pulldown method is searched by a phase synchronization circuit on the basis of the information of phase obtained by the phase holding circuit. A control unit inversely converts automatically the telecine image including successive images converted by a method different from the 3:2 pulldown method to a film image.

Abstract: An encoding method for producing specific encoded data by calculating the data occupancy of a decoding buffer memory of a particular size that is used when decoding the encoded data during reproduction, defining the allocated code size of a particular period based on the calculation result, and compression coding the signal of a particular period to the allocated code size. The data occupancy is calculated on the assumption that virtual encoded data is transferred to the decoding buffer memory following the transfer of the first-encoded data to the decoding buffer memory. The data occupancy when the last data in the first encoded data is decoded is calculated as the final buffer occupancy Be. The data occupancy when the encoding process producing the second encoded data is begun is an initial buffer occupancy Bi where the initial buffer occupancy Bi is less than the final buffer occupancy Be, and thus allocated code size is defined based on the change in the data occupancy.