Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a video picture includes a decoder section for decoding a coded bit stream of video picture data representing an arbitrary shape object and including shape information and texture information, a retrieval condition input section for inputting a retrieval condition for retrieval of a desired picture, a retrieval section for retrieving a picture meeting the retrieval condition by using shape information of the object decoded by the decoder section, and a display section for outputting the retrieved result obtained by the retrieval section.

Abstract: For a reproduction device in which a usable memory size has an upper limit, this invention discloses a novel structure of metadata, which can suppress the number of seeks of a CD or a DVD occurring at a time of reproduction of metadata of a moving image including a large number of scripts and hyper texts (HTML) each having a small data size, and the number of times of file request transmission/reception through a large number of networks. In the metadata of the moving image, in the case where access units AU#2 and AU#3 require EF#1, and access units AU#2 to AU#4 require EF#2, the EF#1 and the EF#2 are embedded in front of the AU#2, and a script in the AU uses a file name, a file identifier, or a virtual buffer offset in order to specify the EF to which reference is made. Embedding of a file and identification of the file are realized by causing the EF and the AU to have file identification information respectively and by specifying the file identification information from the script.

Abstract: Although it is necessary to display a mouse cursor in order to specify an object area in a moving image, there is a fear that a standard cursor spoils the atmosphere of the moving image or the intention of a producer. Then, a data structure is desired in which the shape of the cursor can be freely specified according to the contents of the moving image or the object. In metadata of the moving image, the object area appearing in the moving image is divided into plural data (access units), and the access unit is made to be capable of specifying the cursor shape, and the cursor shape in the object area is made freely changeable.

Abstract: There is provided an invention in which in a moving image hypermedia including moving image data and its metadata, when a viewer specifies an object, it is easy to confirm that the specification has been successfully made, and the specified object can be easily confirmed. Metadata relevant to a moving image has a stream data structure including one or more access units each being a data unit which can be independently processed, and each of the access units includes first data to specify an effective period defined with respect to a time axis of the moving image, object area data describing a spatio-temporal region in the moving image, second data to specify a processing to be performed when the spatio-temporal region is specified, third data including a display method for causing the spatio-temporal region to be recognized, and fourth data to specify, in a case where an event relevant to the spatio-temporal region is generated by a cursor operated by a user, calling the third data.

Abstract: A video object clipping method includes storing, in a storage unit, original images each including a video object to be clipped and reference alpha images representing objects prepared, determining a criteria original image and a criteria reference alpha image from the original images and the reference alpha images, determining a deformation parameter by deforming the criteria reference alpha image to correspond to the criteria original image, and deforming remaining ones of the reference alpha images according to the determined deformation parameter to generate output alpha images corresponding to the original images.

Abstract: In preparation for a case where a user indicates an area where an object does not exist, it is desired that an action for that case is also described in metadata. Then, layer value data indicating order of overlap of object area data on a screen or discrimination data intrinsic to an object area is described in each of access units. The access unit in which the layer value data or the discrimination data is a specific value, corresponds to “area where an object does not exist” at that time.

Abstract: Since there is a case where reproduction of metadata is limited according to the processing power of a reproduction apparatus or the designation from a user, the invention provides a data structure in which metadata whose preferential reproduction is desired can be selected and reproduced.

Abstract: There is provided a structure of metadata which can express an object of a complicated shape. There are added vcr_shape_num indicating the number of sub-planar areas constituting an object area, vcr_rule_code indicating that an integration system to integrate the sub-planar areas and to determine a final object area is written, vcr_rule_length to indicate the length of data of the integration system, and data vcr_rule to indicate the integration system, and thereafter, vcr_subregion_data of data of each sub-planar area appearing in vcr_rule is described continuously by the number indicated by vcr_shape_num.

Abstract: In the case where metadata refers to relevant content on a network, since the relevant content on the network can not be necessarily permanently held, it is desirable that a time limit for making reference can be set. Besides, in order to provide relevant content which can be referred to only in a limited period for promoting sales, or in order to provide relevant content which can be referred to only in a limited period such as, for example, Christmas Day every year for raising the entertainingness of the metadata, it is desirable that a reference time limit of the relevant content can be set. Then, in order to set an effective time limit of an access unit, a flag to specify the effective time limit and the effective time limit are described in each access unit.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: A structure of metadata relevant to a moving image, in which metadata editing is easily performed, comprising a stream data structure including one or more access units each capable of being independently processed; each of said access units has: first data for a reference time point within an access unit time for describing the metadata so as to cause the access unit time to correspond to a moving image time; an object area data describing a spatio-temporal region in the moving image; and second data for specifying a display method relevant to the spatio-temporal region and/or a processing when the spatio-temporal region is designated. The moving image time is to be made to correspond to the access unit time on basis of the reference time point in the first data, so that a period during which at least said second data may be called is specified.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: A video encoding apparatus is provided with a resolution converting section, an encoding section, and a transmitting section. The resolution converting section enlarges or reduces a binary picture which represents the shape of an object. The encoding section encodes a binary picture reduced by the resolution converting section. The reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section is encoded, and the transmitting section transmits this encoded reduction ratio along with encoded data on the binary picture. The amount of encoded data produced from the encoding section is controlled by changing the enlargement/reduction ratio used by the resolution converting section.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an image-combining apparatus 212 includes a photographing unit 201, a composition unit 202, an input unit 204, a creation unit 206, an adjustment end instruction unit 208, and a display 211. An image of an object is photographed at S1010; a previously determined information-provision graphic is created at S1020; the information-provision graphic is combined with the photographed image at S1030, and is displayed on a display 211. On a preliminary composite image, the foot position of the object may be higher than the foot position of the information-provision graphic, or the information-provision graphic and the image of the object may not fit each other in size, or the object may be inclined. Then, position or the like of the object on the image may be adjusted.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide carbapenem derivatives which have strong antibiotic activity also against MRSA, PRSP, Influenzavirus, and ?-lactamase producing bacteria and are stable to DHP-1. The carbapenem derivatives according to the present invention are compounds represented by formulae (I) and (II) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R1 represents H or methyl, R2 and R3 each independently represent H; halogen; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; cycloalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkylcarbonyl; carbamoyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio; morpholinyl; alkylsulfonyl; or formyl, n is 0 (zero) to 4, and Hy represents a substituted or unsubstituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group.

Abstract: An image data coding system comprises a screen-area determining means for determining the area of a screen reproduced on the basis of an input image data; a code-amount assigning control means for controlling regions to which data on the screen are to be assigned and the code amount assigned to each of the regions, on the basis of the results determined on the area of the reproduced screen; and a coding means for coding the image data signal inputted in accordance with the code amount assigned to each of the regions. In an image data coding and/or decoding system, a coding system performs the two-dimensional orthogonal transform of picture signals of all the pixels with respect to inside blocks and of only picture signals of pixels contained in a content with respect to edge blocks, in accordance with a map signal indicative of the position and shape of the content, and it codes the map signal.

Abstract: An object extraction method comprising the steps of comparing each portion of first image data obtained by capturing an extraction object with another portion of the first image data or second image data, thereby generating shape data as an image representing a provisional region of the extraction object in the first image data, and matching a contour of the shape data to a contour of the extraction object by using the first image data and the provisionally generated shape data.