Abstract: An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.

Abstract: Multimedia content containing moving pictures and audio is divided into multiple scenes and metadata is generated for each of the scenes obtained as a result of the division. It is possible to generate metadata containing scene structure information metadata that describes the hierarchical structure of the content in addition to scene section information and titles. Also, a name or an identifier of each descriptor contained in the metadata is described as hint information for manipulation of metadata composed of at least one descriptor describing semantic content, a structure, and characteristics of content.

Abstract: For the purpose of coding or decoding motion information in a picture with a small overhead, a coding method of performing compression coding of a moving picture by motion compensated prediction is configured to have a motion compensated prediction step (processing by motion detector 2, motion compensator 5, spatial predictor 9, etc.) of performing the motion compensated prediction while assigning one or more motion vectors (e.g., up to two motion vectors) in units of sub-blocks obtained by sub-dividing each of macroblocks resulting from division of each frame of the moving picture; and an assignment information coding step (processing by variable length encoder 23 and others) of outputting information about an assignment situation of the one or more motion vectors to the sub-blocks in a multiplexed form on a bitstream.

Abstract: A moving image coded string is mapped with a set of information areas as one packet, and each packet is added with an error code and control information in a multiplexing part so that it is decided at the receiving side, from the result of error detection by decoding the error detection code, whether an error has occurred in each information area of the packet.

Abstract: An image coding method is provided, in which the method includes the steps of: extracting edge information which represents an edge part of an original image; obtaining density information of an edge smoothed image from the original image by smoothing the edge part; obtaining coded edge information by coding the edge information according to a first coding algorithm; obtaining coded density information by coding the density information of the edge smoothed image according to a second coding algorithm; and sending the coded edge information and the coded density information as coded information to an image decoding apparatus.

Abstract: In a bit stream syntax containing compressed video slice data for compressed video data of a slice structure, a slice header for compressed video slice data has attached thereto a slice start code, a register reset flag indicating whether a register value, which designates a status of a codeword occurring in an arithmetic coding process, should be reset in the next transmission unit, an initial register value which indicates a register value to be used to start arithmetic coding/decoding to build/decompose the next transmission unit, only when the register reset flag indicates that the register should not be reset.

Abstract: An image encoder including: a predicted-image generating unit that generates a predicted image in accordance with a plurality of prediction modes indicating predicted-image generating methods; a prediction-mode judging unit that evaluates prediction efficiency of a predicted image outputted from the predicted-image generating unit to judge a predetermined prediction mode; and an encoding unit that subjects an output of the prediction-mode judging unit to variable-length encoding.

Abstract: An image coding method is provided, in which the method includes the steps of: extracting edge information which represents an edge part of an original image; obtaining density information of an edge smoothed image from the original image by smoothing the edge part; obtaining coded edge information by coding the edge information according to a first coding algorithm; obtaining coded density information by coding the density information of the edge smoothed image according to a second coding algorithm; and sending the coded edge information and the coded density information as coded information to an image decoding apparatus.

Abstract: A feature coding unit extracts and encodes a feature of a video signal so as to generate a feature stream. A feature identifying unit checks a decoded feature obtained as a result of decoding the feature stream against a search key from a user for a match so that a video content requested by the user is retrieved.

Abstract: An encoding device includes a color component separating unit for separating an input bit stream for the respective color components, a block dividing unit for dividing an input color component signal into blocks to generate a signal of an encoding unit area, a predicted image generating unit for generating a predicted image for the signal, a determining unit for determining a prediction mode used for encoding according to a prediction efficiency of the predicted image, a prediction error encoding unit for encoding a difference between the predicted image corresponding to the prediction mode determined by the determining unit and the input color component signal, and an encoding unit for variable length-coding the prediction mode, an output from the prediction error encoding unit, and a color component identification flag indicating the color component to which the input bit stream belongs as a result of the color component separation.

Abstract: In an MPEG-2 decoder (2), a variable length decoder (2A) carries out syntax analysis of input compression data (1) according to the MPEG-2 standard, and generates coding mode information (3), motion vector information (4) and prediction residual signal (2B). The prediction residual signal (2B) is transformed to a decoded picture (5) through a dequantizer (2C) and the like, and is supplied to an MPEG-4 encoder (10) via a resolution converter (6). In the MPEG-4 encoder (10), a coding parameter deciding section (10B) decides a motion vector according to a prediction error estimation value for evaluating a prediction efficiency when using a motion vector candidate generated by a motion vector mapping section (7), and according to a value for evaluating a motion vector rate when using the motion vector candidate.

Abstract: A digital decoding apparatus and method receives a compression-coded digital signal in predetermined units and decodes the received compression-coded digital signal in the predetermined units. The compressed-received digital signal is coded in the predetermined units with updating a table of probability of occurrence which is assigned for each coding symbol. An arithmetic decoding unit initializes a decoding process when decoding of signal in the predetermined units is started, based on information of initializing the table of probability of occurrence which is multiplexed on a header of data for the predetermined units and information of initializing a register value which shows the arithmetic decoding process.

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to include, when encoding processing is applied to three color components using a 4:0:0 format, data for one picture in one access unit and makes it possible to set the same time information or the same set encoding modes among the respective color components. In an image encoding system for applying compression processing to an input image signal including a plurality of color components, encoded data obtained by independently subjecting an input image signal of each of the color components to encoding processing and a parameter indicating which color component the encoded data corresponds to are multiplexed with a bit stream. In an image decoding system for inputting a bit stream in which an image signal including a plurality of color components is compressed to perform decoding processing, decoding processing of the encoded data of each of the color components is performed using a parameter indicating which color component the encoded data corresponds to.

Abstract: A macro block size determining unit 1 determines the size of each macro block on a frame-by-frame basis. A macro block dividing unit 2 divides an inputted image into macro blocks each having the size determined by the macro block size determining unit 1. A macro block coding unit 3 determines a coding mode for each of the macro blocks divided by the macro block dividing unit 2, and codes pixel values in each of the macro blocks in the determined coding mode.

Abstract: An image encoder including: a predicted-image generating unit that generates a predicted image in accordance with a plurality of prediction modes indicating predicted-image generating methods; a prediction-mode judging unit that evaluates prediction efficiency of a predicted image outputted from the predicted-image generating unit to judge a predetermined prediction mode; and an encoding unit that subjects an output of the prediction-mode judging unit to variable-length encoding.

Abstract: An image encoder including: a predicted-image generating unit that generates a predicted image in accordance with a plurality of prediction modes indicating predicted-image generating methods; a prediction-mode judging unit that evaluates prediction efficiency of a predicted image outputted from the predicted-image generating unit to judge a predetermined prediction mode; and an encoding unit that subjects an output of the prediction-mode judging unit to variable-length encoding.

Abstract: There are provided an encoding device, a decoding device, an encoding method, and a decoding method that enhance optimality in a case of encoding moving image signals having no sample ratio distinction between color components such as a 4:4:4 format. In a case of conducting compression encoding by inputting digital moving image signals of the 4:4:4 format, there are prepared a first encoding process of encoding three color component signals of the input moving image signals in a common encoding mode, and a second encoding process of encoding the three color component signals of the input moving image signals in respective independent encoding modes. The encoding process is executed by selecting any one of the first encoding process and the second encoding process, and the compression data contains an identification signal for specifying which process is selected.

Abstract: An encoder which encodes each of image blocks of a video. The encoder includes a prediction mode selection information generator for generating prediction mode selection information which indicates that a first prediction mode for reducing temporal redundancy is applied to each of second image blocks or that a second prediction mode for reducing spatial redundancy is applied to each of the second image blocks. The second image blocks are obtained by dividing first image blocks. The encoder includes a predictive residual signal generator for generating a predictive residual signal by applying the selected first or second prediction mode to each of the second image blocks. The encoder includes a transmitter for transmitting the prediction mode selection information in association with the predictive residual signal.

Abstract: An encoding device includes a color component separating unit for separating an input bit stream for the respective color components, a block dividing unit for dividing an input color component signal into blocks to generate a signal of an encoding unit area, a predicted image generating unit for generating a predicted image for the signal, a determining unit for determining a prediction mode used for encoding according to a prediction efficiency of the predicted image, a prediction error encoding unit for encoding a difference between the predicted image corresponding to the prediction mode determined by the determining unit and the input color component signal, and an encoding unit for variable length-coding the prediction mode, an output from the prediction error encoding unit, and a color component identification flag indicating the color component to which the input bit stream belongs as a result of the color component separation.