Patents by Inventor Kohtaro Asai

Kohtaro Asai has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6442207
    Abstract: An image coded data re-encoding apparatus (30) which generates in an image coded data analyzer (310) coded data after signal processing (221) by performing a first digital signal processing on first image coded data (220), supplies an image coded data synthesizer (320) with the coded data after signal processing (221) and multiple signals (222) associated with the first image coded data, and generates in the image coded data synthesizer (320) a second image coded data (240) by performing on the coded data after signal processing (221) a second digital signal processing based on multiple signals (222). The second image coded data is generated without once decoding the first image coded data. This makes it possible to prevent degradation in image quality, delay involved in the transform and an increase of the device size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishikawa, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20020114392
    Abstract: To achieve an encoding system including a highly efficient prediction performed in response to the content of a scene, a significance, and a motion characteristic of a moving picture and the like, memories a, b, c, motion compensator 5 responsive to an arbitrary transform parameter representing the motion of a prediction picture segment for generating a predicted picture by using arbitrary data stored in the memories a, b, c based upon the transform parameter, and memory update unit 15 for allowing the content of one or more of the memories to be updated at an arbitrary period of time, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: SHUNICHI SEKIGUCHI, KOHTARO ASAI, TOKUMICHI MURAKAMI, HIROFUMI NISHIKAWA, SHINICHI KURODA, YOSHIMI ISU, YURI HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20020107850
    Abstract: User information from a terminal is input to a user information inputting section 8, retrieval keys are input to a retrieval key inputting section 7 and retrieval demanding signal is input to a user demand inputting section 6. A content retrieving section 10 searches a database B based upon the retrieval keys and outputs a retrieval result list to a retrieval result list editing section 11. A terminal ability information acquiring section 9 acquires information about processing ability of the terminal from the user information input to the user information inputting section 8 and the retrieval result list editing section 11 edits the retrieval result list from the content retrieving section 10 based upon its processing ability information, and on the other hand, an output content editing section 13 edits the contents based upon the terminal ability information, and then both sections delivers through their delivering sections 12, 14 to the terminal, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuo Sugimoto, Yoshimi Moriya, Yoshihisa Yamada, Kohtaro Asai, Hirofumi Nishikawa, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6404815
    Abstract: An efficient video encoder and a compression encoding of an input picture includes motion compensated prediction means for performing interframe motion detection. The motion compensated prediction means has a motion detector and a motion compensator. The motion detector includes an image transforming unit that transforms a reference picture portion into a picture portion having a predefined shape. The motion compensator includes a pel determinator for determining integer pels of real sample points of the transformed reference picture portion that corresponds to an integer pel of the input picture block according to the motion parameters supplied from the motion detector as a result of the comparison so as to supply prediction picture data. The video encoder and a decoder having a motion compensator that performs operations similar to the video encoder are combined to form a video encoding and decoding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunichi Sekiguchi, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami, Hirofumi Nishikawa, Shinichi Kuroda, Yoshimi Isu, Yuri Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6385343
    Abstract: An image decoding device is provided which performs expansion processing and reverse orthogonal conversion in fixed block units with respect to image compression data. The image decoding device is provided with an error block detection means (error block detection section 4) which receives a threshold value and an image signal in frequency domains, which determines whether or not an error is contained in block data based on the threshold value and the image signal in the frequency domain and which outputs a detection state in the block data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Kuroda, Shunichi Sekiguchi, Kohtaro Asai, Fuminobu Ogawa, Yoshimi Isu, Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada, Yuri Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20020051580
    Abstract: An apparatus for re-coding an image signal, which conducts re-coding processing using a decoded image signal subjected to coding processing as an input image signal, includes: a DCT unit for subjecting the input image signal to a discrete cosine transform (DCT); a DCT coefficient counter for counting a feature amount on a picture basis using a DCT coefficient output from the DCT unit; a picture type detector for detecting a picture type in coding processing in a previous stage, using the feature amount output from the DCT coefficient counter; a coding control portion for determining coding parameters in re-coding in accordance with detection results of the picture type detector; and a coding portion for conducting re-coding processing, using the coding parameters determined by the coding control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamada, Shinichi Kuroda, Kazuo Sugimoto, Fuminobu Ogawa, Kohtaro Asai
  • Patent number: 6381275
    Abstract: An image coding apparatus which includes a frame memory selecting unit (35) for selecting, in response to a selection signal, an image to be continuously stored in a plurality of frame memories (9, 10) as a background image and storing the background image into the plurality of frame memories (9, 10), and a background motion compensating unit (14, 39) for performing motion compensating prediction corresponding to an input image based on the background image to generate a predicted image based on the motion compensating prediction, and an image decoding apparatus corresponding to the image coding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuhara, Shunichi Sekiguchi, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20020001345
    Abstract: The input image controller reduces the frame rate of a motion image signal as a preprocessing, provides process information indicating the skipped frames and/or skipped fields to the image coder, wherein the image coder codes, by use of the MPEG 2 method, the motion image signal whose frame rate has been reduced, and outputs the data which is in conformity with the MPEG 2 method and includes overhead information on the basis of the process information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Yamada, Okikazu Tanno, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6307973
    Abstract: An adaptive blocking coding system selects an effective blocking of an input image signal to be encoded in accordance with the correlation between fields, even if motion is detected between the fields. The blocking patterns include an individual field blocking, a non-interlace blocking, a split blocking and an inverted split blocking. Further, the coding system searches for motion from both odd and even fields of a frame for producing a motion compensated prediction signal in order to provide high-efficient coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada, Tokumichi Murakami, Kohtaro Asai
  • Patent number: 6301301
    Abstract: In order to reduce the amount of coded data to be generated without deteriorating the visually significant image quality of the image area, the input image signal 1 is first input to the area divider 2. Then, the input image signal 1 is divided into a plurality of areas in accordance with the initial area shape retrieved from the external memory. The initial area shape is the area shape of the frame immediately previous to the current frame. The area divider 2 subdivides the areas based on the activity of each area, and integrates areas so as to reduce the coding cost between one area and its adjacent area. Information, such as the area shape information 3 which is determined by the area divider, is coded by the encoder 7 and converted into the bit stream 11. The encoder 7 outputs the local decoded image 8 which is written in the external memory 9. The local decoded image 8 is used as the reference image 10 during the area dividing and the coding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimi Isu, Shunichi Sekiguchi, Kohtaro Asai
  • Publication number: 20010004739
    Abstract: When a retrieval condition of an attribute list is input from a user interface unit to a retrieval processing unit, the attribute list stored in an attribute list storing unit is retrieved in the retrieval processing unit. Thereafter, attribute information conforming to the retrieval condition is output to and displayed on a displaying unit. Thereafter, when a retrieval condition of the similarity retrieval is input from the user interface unit to the retrieval processing unit, image data stored in the image information storing unit is retrieved in the retrieval processing unit, and specific image data relating to a characteristic descriptor set conforming to the retrieval condition is selected in the retrieval processing unit. Thereafter, the specific image data is output to and displayed on the displaying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Shunichi Sekiguchi, Yoshimi Isu, Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada, Kohtaro Asai
  • Patent number: 6246438
    Abstract: An image coded data re-encoding apparatus (30) which generates in an image coded data analyzer (310) coded data after signal processing (221) by performing a first digital signal processing on first image coded data (220), supplies an image coded data synthesizer (320) with the coded data after signal processing (221) and multiple signals (222) associated with the first image coded data, and generates in the image coded data synthesizer (320) a second image coded data (240) by performing on the coded data after signal processing (221) a second digital signal processing based on multiple signals (222). The second image coded data is generated without once decoding the first image coded data. This makes it possible to prevent degradation in image quality, delay involved in the transform and an increase of the device size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishikawa, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6222887
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a data analyzer for extracting first decoding parameters representative of the first image data signal. A signal processor is coupled to the data analyzer for signal processing of the first coding parameters and outputting processed first coding parameters. A data synthesizer individually converts the processed first coding parameters into corresponding second coding parameters. The data synthesizer includes a coder for encoding the second coding parameters into a composite second image data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishikawa, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20010000072
    Abstract: An adaptive blocking coding system selects an effective blocking of an input image signal to be encoded in accordance with the correlation between fields, even if motion is detected between the fields. The blocking patterns include an individual field blocking, a non-interlace blocking, a split blocking and an inverted split blocking. Further, the coding system searches for motion from both odd and even fields of a frame for producing a motion compensated prediction signal in order to provide high-efficient coding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: March 29, 2001
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada, Tokumichi Murakami, Kohtaro Asai
  • Patent number: 6208689
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of digital image decoding is provided for reducing compression-related deterioration of an image to a minimum with a reduced storage capacity. The digital image decoding apparatus is equipped with a compression rate judging section for judging an optimal rate of compression for effecting the least deterioration to the image based upon the size of image in connection with the storage capacity of a frame memory. A compressing section compresses decoded data based upon the optimal rate of compression and sends the compressed data to a predictive/display frame memory for storage. An expanding A section expands the compressed data based upon the optimal rate of compression and sends the expanded data to a decoding section when the expanded data is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Ohira, Kenichi Asano, Toshiaki Shimada, Kohtaro Asai, Tokumichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6188794
    Abstract: An adaptive blocking coding system selects an effective blocking of an input image signal to be encoded in accordance with the correlation between fields, even if motion is detected between the fields. The blocking patterns include an individual field blocking, a non-interlace blocking, a split blocking and an inverted split blocking. Further, the coding system searches for motion from both odd and even fields of a frame for producing a motion compensated prediction signal in order to provide high-efficient coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada, Tokumichi Murakami, Kohtaro Asai
  • Patent number: 6128345
    Abstract: An adaptive blocking coding system selects an effective blocking of an input image signal to be encoded in accordance with the correlation between fields, even if motion is detected between the fields. The blocking patterns include an individual field blocking, a non-interlace blocking, a split blocking and an inverted split blocking. Further, the coding system searches for motion from both odd and even fields of a frame for producing a motion compensated preduction signal in order to provide high-efficient coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokumichi Murakami, Kohtaro Asai, Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 6108449
    Abstract: A motion picture encoding system comprising a frame-based shape motion detecting unit (24) and a frame-based shape motion compensation unit (26) which make motion compensated prediction for the shape data (2) of each alpha block included in an interlaced frame comprised of a pair of top and bottom fields so as to generate a frame-based prediction data for shape. In addition, a field-based shape motion detecting unit (28) and a field-based shape motion compensation unit (30) make motion compensated prediction for the shape data (2) of each alpha block included in each of the two fields of the frame independently so as to generate a field-based prediction data for shape. An arithmetic encoding unit (32) can inter-code the shape data using the frame-based prediction data for shape, and inter-code the shape data using the field-based prediction data for shape. The arithmetic encoding unit (32) then selects one of the coded results having the shortest code length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunichi Sekiguchi, Yoshimi Isu, Kohtaro Asai
  • Patent number: 6097759
    Abstract: An adaptive blocking coding system selects an effective blocking of an input image signal to be encoded in accordance with the correlation between fields, even if motion is detected between the fields. The blocking patterns include an individual field blocking, a non-interlace blocking, a split blocking and an inverted split blocking. Further, the coding system searches for motion from both odd and even fields of a frame for producing a motion compensated prediction signal in order to provide high-efficient coding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokumichi Murakami, Kohtaro Asai, Hirofumi Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 6018366
    Abstract: A video encoder for quantizing format-transformed source input-pictures into quantized data, and for coding the quantized data into coded bitstream, for outputting the coded bitstream, comprises a plural-density format-transformer for transforming a source input-picture into a specific format-transformed source input-picture; and a detector for detecting a variation in one of a specific luminance and color difference signal, and for selecting the specific format-transformed source input-picture for input to the quantizer depending on the variation. A decoder having a corresponding configuration is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohtaro Asai, Takahiro Fukuhara, Tokumichi Murakami