Abstract: Gates a call between a calling party and a called party are coordinated. A timer associated with a first opened at an originating network edge device is initiated. A first gate open message is sent from the originating network edge device to the terminating network edge device. The first gate at the originating network edge device is released if the timer expires before at least one from the group of: (1) an acknowledgment based on the sent first gate open message is received from the terminating network edge device, and (2) a second gate open message is received at the originating network edge device from the terminating network edge device after the terminating network edge device has opened a second gate associated with the called party.

Abstract: Systems and processes for communication of messages between one or more networked objects on circuit and packet data networks are described. Specifically, means for representation of various communication types, including content description and disposition rules, delivery and routing descriptions and rules, conversion and translation descriptions and rules, and methods for interactions and for administration over one or more network types, through one or more communication protocol types, to one or more destination types are described. The delivery of messages and other communication over various communication protocols in addition to email is described. Methods for administering and managing rules for directing and transforming said messages and communications for purposes of routing or delivery to one or more specific destinations are also presented.

Abstract: An Internet Call Waiting (ICW) service provides single-line subscribers (100) connected to the Internet with incoming call information, call screening and voice messaging capabilities. An incoming call is terminated at an ICW server (154). The caller is prompted to leave a voice message and the voice message is relayed in real-time over the Internet connection (138) to permit the subscriber to monitor the message. The subscriber can choose to answer the call at any time before the caller disconnects. Subscriber profile options specify how calls are treated. Calls may be forwarded to a second directory number, directed to a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) connection, or the Internet connection may be dropped and the call completed to the subscriber's directory number. The subscriber benefits from being able to screen voice messages in real-time, which assists the subscriber in determining how the call should be terminated.

Abstract: A channel adapter includes a link receive resource configured for initiating packet validation upon detecting a receive counter reaching a prescribed threshold corresponding to reception of an initial header of a data packet. Upon initiating packet validation, the link receive resource determines whether the initial header includes any errors. Any errors detected in the initial header are stored if the errors are detected prior to reception of an end of the data packet. Additional validation operations can be initiated upon reception of the respective headers. Upon receiving the end of the data packet, the link receive resource selectively reports the errors detected in the initial header based on whether any higher-priority error is detected relative to a prescribed error reporting order.

Abstract: A system for managing access to IP multicast traffic includes a join request manager within an access router. The access router includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory unit. The access router replicates multicast traffic flows for communication to one or more user devices within user systems coupled to the access router using a link. The join request manager receives a request to receive a multicast traffic flow, the request being received from one of the user devices within one of the user systems, and denies the request if a system metric is above a threshold.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a technique for performing a reassembly assist function that enables a processor to perform packet reassembly in a deterministic manner. The technique employed by the present invention enables a processor to reassemble a packet without having to extend its normal processing time to reassemble a varying number of fragments into a packet. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the reassembly assist can be dedicated exclusively to reassembling a packet from a series of fragments and thereby offloading the reassembly process from the processor.

Abstract: Tasks are dynamically allocated to process packets. In particular, packets of data to be processed are assigned a packet identification. The packet identification includes a lane and a packet sequence number. The term “lane” as used herein refers to a port number and a direction (i.e. ingress or egress), such as Port 3 Egress. A set of resources (e.g., registers and memory buffers) are associated with each lane. The task is allowed to access resources associated with the lane. In some embodiments, a task may change the port that it services and use the resources associated with that port.

Abstract: A system for queuing packets written to memory for switching includes a data memory logically divided into multiple blocks. The system also includes multiple input ports each operable to receive packets and write the packets to the data memory. The system also includes multiple output ports each having a memory structure and one or more output queue pointers. The memory structure includes multiple memory structure entries that each correspond to one of the blocks. Each of the memory structure entries includes a memory structure next pointer that can link to another one of the memory structure entries. An output queue pointer can link to one of the memory structure entries, and the output queue pointers and memory structure next pointers form output queue linked lists. Each of the output ports can read packets stored in the data memory using the output queue linked lists and communicate the packets.

Abstract: A communication device includes a first part transmitting information to and receiving information from an adjacent device, a second part managing address information of all mounting ports of the communication device, a first port of the adjacent device, and a network to be constructed, the first port being connected to the communication device, a third part automatically determining addresses for the mounting ports of the communication device and the first port of the adjacent device so that the addresses are not duplicated; and a fourth part managing address determination authority to determine the addresses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing routes. A route manager receives a route to a destination, the route having been discovered by a routing protocol application. The route manager maintains the route in a route table and distributes the route to a second routing protocol application. In addition, the route manager maintains a subset of the routes in a second route table and distributes routes to a subsidiary application not having access to the routing protocol applications. The route manager recovers routes when a routing protocol application becomes inoperable by setting a timer when the routing protocol application becomes inoperable and purging routes when the route manager cannot confirm the routes upon expiration of the timer.

Abstract: A process of filtering packet data in a network device is disclosed. At least one mask is applied to a portion of an incoming packet and a field is extracted from the portion of the incoming packet. A rules table is searched for a matching value for the extracted field and one of a hit and a miss is recorded depending on the matching value. A combination table is accessed based on the at least one mask and the one of the hit and the miss is combined with another search result to obtain a combined search result. One of a hit action and a miss action is executed from the combination table based on the combined search result.

Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT) monitors and controls communications with a plurality of optical nodes (ONs), such as optical network units (ONUs) and/or optical network terminators (ONTs), within a passive optical network (PON), such as, but not exclusively, an Ethernet-based passive optical node (EPON). A tagging mechanism is implemented to identify an origin ON that introduces a frame into the PON segment linking the origin ON with the OLT. The origin ON produces a PON tag to associate its identifier (ON_ID) to the frame. The PON tag facilitates filtering and forwarding operations, and enables the physical layer interface (PHY) to the PON segment to emulate a point-to-point and/or shared communications link. The PON tag allows a MAC control layer to create virtual ports to traffic incoming and outgoing optical signals, and supply the virtual ports to a forwarding entity for frame filtering and forwarding.

Abstract: Mechanisms that allow IPv4 and IPv6 clients to communicate with reduced server workload. The IPv4 client initiates communication by routing an IPv4 message to a server. The server sends a similar IPv6 message to the IPv6 client. A relay intercepts the IPv6 response, generates an IPv4 response, and forwards that IPv4 response to the IPv4 client if the NAT is a cone NAT. Otherwise, the relay sends the IPv4 response to the server. The server includes the IPv4 address of the relay in the response and sends the response to the IPv4 client. The IPv4 client then communicates with the IPv6 client using the relay. The IPv6 client may also initiate communication with the IPv4 client by sending an IPv6 message to the relay where it is queued.

Abstract: A system and method provide for efficient classification of long strings of data, such as network messages. The system, which may be a classification engine for use in a network device, is configured to include one or more stages having one or more banks of ternary content addressable memories (TCAMs). The TCAM banks of each stage are organized into one or more groups and each group processes the network messages for a different set of the network device's ports. The system further includes at least one memory resource that is shared by the TCAM banks of all groups. That is, the parallel banks of TCAMs operate in a distributed fashion while the shared memory resource operates in a centralized fashion. Accordingly, the system can process network messages at high speed while minimizing the number of required components.

Abstract: A processor includes scheduling circuitry and an associated interval computation element. The scheduling circuitry schedules data blocks for transmission from a plurality of transmission elements, and is configured for utilization of at least one time slot table in scheduling the data blocks for transmission. The interval computation element, which may be implemented as a script processor, is operative to determine an interval for transmission of one or more data blocks associated with corresponding locations in the time slot table. The transmission interval is adjustable under control of the interval computation element so as to facilitate the maintenance of a desired service level for one or more of the transmission elements.

Abstract: A portable, pluggable power line communications device provides convenient interfacing and connectivity between separate data networks interconnected over the same conventional electric power conveying media. The power line communications device plugs into a single electrical outlet, and includes a controller that is programmable at the device or remotely. Remote programming is achieved over the same power media to which the communications device is coupled, or by wireless link. The power line communications device controls data communications signal transfer over the common electric wiring of a local network, and conducts high-speed communications and download of multimedia signals from an upstream network controllers using the common electric power media. The data communications signals of the co-existing, different networks are encoded to permit differentiation at the power line communications device.

Abstract: A system permits queues to use more than an allocated amount of bandwidth. The system allocates an amount of bandwidth to each of the queues and determines whether any of the queues is using less than the allocated amount of bandwidth. If so, the system reallocates the allocated bandwidth from one of the queues to at least one other one of the queues based on the amount of bandwidth used by each of the queues.

Abstract: A network interface device includes a fabric interface, adapted to exchange messages over a switch fabric with a plurality of host processors, the messages containing data, and a network interface, including one or more ports adapted to be coupled to a network external to the switch fabric. Message processing circuitry is coupled between the fabric interface and the network interface, so as to enable at least first and second host processors among the plurality of the host processors to use a single one of the ports substantially simultaneously so as to transmit and receive frames containing the data over the network.

Abstract: A passive optical network (PON) in accordance with the invention uses a superframe having a number of subframes arranged in a two-dimensional array, wherein for normal data transfer subframes are allocated to each optical network unit (ONU) column by column, left to right, and within each column subframes are allocated from top to the bottom. Initially, for ranging, at least two subframes are allocated to an ONU, adjacent to a diagonal of the superframe (which may go from the top left corner of the superframe to the bottom right corner, or alternatively from the top right corner to the bottom left corner). In some embodiments, instead of allocating subframes column by column, the subframes are evenly spaced apart from one another, and conflicts with a previous allocation are resolved by adjustment, and optionally an evaluation function may be used to find an optimal allocation.

Abstract: A control backplane replaces the traditional shared bus with a dedicated communication channel using a high-speed protocol, such as Ethernet. The resulting system may conduct several concurrent control sessions with clients and devices associated with the network switch. Removing the shared bus from the control plane also improves the reliability of the new system, because it is no longer susceptible to a single point of failure.

Abstract: A Multiservice Access Concentrator (MAC) receives information comprising at least one data stream, at least one voice channel, at least one video stream, Local Area Network (LAN)-based traffic, and facsimile traffic. The received data stream is packetized, and the packetized data stream is multiplexed with the voice channel and the video stream to form an integrated transport stream. The voice channel comprises compressed and uncompressed voice information. The integrated transport stream is provided to at least one multi-service network using a software-configurable trunk. The multi-service network includes cell-based and packet-based networks comprising Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, High-level Data Link Control (HDLC), Internet Protocol (IP), and Time Division Multiplex (TDM) networks, as well as leased-line carrier services. The trunk is configured at a physical level and a protocol level using at least one trunk option.

Abstract: An automotive multiplex communication system is provided, which is capable of determining the fulfillment of conditions to make a transition to a sleep state with a simplified system configuration and with simplified determination processing. This communication system is provided with a particular communication node and a plurality of ordinary communication nodes. When a communication-continuing request is not determined from pieces of first information respectively delivered from the ordinary communication nodes, the particular communication node delivers a sleep-transition command signal to the ordinary communication nodes. The ordinary communication nodes enter their sleep state in accordance with the sleep-transition command signal from the particular communication node, without individually determining the necessity to make a transition to the sleep state.

Abstract: An information processing module, for example a server blade, has information connections and storage connections. A carrier, e.g., a rack mountable shelf, is configured to receive a number of information processing modules. A switch module is operable to connect a received information processing module to an external information network. The switch includes an external storage connection operable under an external storage channel format, e.g., Fiber Channel. A protocol converter converts between information packets comprising packet format storage data (e.g., iSCSI format) received from an information processing module and signals in the external storage channel format. Redundant connections are included to enhance reliability.

Abstract: A multiplexing method for Ethernet signals in the synchronous digital hierarchy, wherein the bit rate of a Gigabit Ethernet signal is reduced at the transmission end via 10B/8B decoding such that, after marking control words and data words which are to be transmitted in packets, the packets can be inserted in an STM-N signal.

Abstract: Techniques for efficiently and economically providing data transfer through wireless data networks. These techniques are particularly suitable for Internet data transfers. In one aspect, mobile devices are able to be allocated additional wireless channels to obtain increased data transfer capabilities. The additional wireless channels can be used for unicast, multicast or broadcast of data. These techniques provide additional wireless bandwidth to mobile devices and allows control over allocation of the additional wireless bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for allocating and resizing a link on a communication medium is provided. The utilization of an allocated link is monitored and an unused bandwidth thereof is determined. Upon request for allocation of a second link, at least a portion of the unused bandwidth is included in the bandwidth of the second link allocated. A network including two nodes and a communication medium terminated thereby is operable to provide a plurality of communication links and is operable to resize the bandwidth of the allocated links is provided. The network is operable to monitor the utilization of an allocated bandwidth of an allocated link and deallocate a part of the allocated bandwidth that is non-utilized by the allocated link. The deallocated bandwidth, or a portion thereof, may then be included in a bandwidth allocation made for allocation of an additional link.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile wireless network is described to ensure proper function of protocol entities during the transmission of data units between two wireless stations of the mobile wireless network. In this case, user data is assembled by a first convergence protocol layer of the first wireless station into at least one first data unit, particularly a packet data unit, before transmission to a second convergence protocol layer of a second wireless station, particularly on the same protocol level, with the user data being supplied to the first convergence protocol layer by at least one user in a network layer. At least one protocol entity of the first convergence protocol layer is configured as a function of a configuration request received by the second wireless station, in order to form the at least one first data unit from the data received from the at least one user and to transmit it through a carrier to a link control layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes detecting a tone in each data frame of a sequence of telephony signal data frames. A first data frame of the sequence of telephony signal data frames may be transmitted immediately after detecting the tone therein. Transmission of a last one or last ones of the sequence of telephony signal data frames may be deferred. It may then be determined whether the tone is present in a next data frame that immediately follows the sequence of telephony signal data frames. If it is determined that the tone is not present in the next data frame, the last one or ones of the sequence of data frames and the next data frame may be transmitted. If it is determined that the tone is present in the next data frame, a respective replacement data frame may be transmitted in place of each one of the last one or last ones of the sequence of data frames and in place of the next data frame.

Abstract: Digital signal processing based methods and systems for receiving data signals include parallel receivers, multi-channel receivers, timing recovery schemes, and, without limitation, equalization schemes. The present invention is implemented as a multi-path parallel receiver in which an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) and/or a digital signal processor (“DSP”) are implemented with parallel paths that operate at lower rates than the received data signal. In an embodiment, a parallel DSP-based receiver in accordance with the invention includes a separate timing recovery loop for each ADC path. In an embodiment, a parallel DSP-based receiver includes a separate automatic gain control (AGC) loop for each ADC path. In an embodiment, a parallel DSP-based receiver includes a separate offset compensation loop for each ADC path. In an embodiment the present invention is implemented as a multi-channel receiver that receives a plurality of data signals.

Abstract: Due to bandwidth constraints on the wireless link in an IP network, it is useful to compress the headers so as to maximize the utilization of the link. There exists Header Compression algorithms that make use of the similarity in consecutive headers in a packet flow to compress these headers. In this document, a novel header compression scheme was introduced that makes use of the similarity in consecutive flows from or to a given mobile terminal to compress these headers. Using information theory, the optimal gain to be expected from the use of such a scheme was analyzed. A model was defined for the distribution of the connections of a single user over the address space. The compression scheme was evaluated with respect to this model and to actual internet data traces. The scheme is complementary and the benefits are additional to the traditional approach to header compression. However, the scheme outperforms current schemes with respect to actual internet traces.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for originating a packet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable length packet switching system. The variable length packet switching system includes at least two switching means, a plurality of multiplexing units and a plurality of demultiplexing units. The switching means switch ATM cells or variable length packet data in parallel. The multiplexing means are arranged upstream of the switching means for multiplexing data inputted from a line card to the switching means in packet units and dividing a packet into packets of a number corresponding to the number of the switching means. The demultiplexing means are arranged downstream of the switching means for combining packets inputted after being switched in parallel by the at least two switching means and outputting the combined packet converted into a format adequate to the line card.

Abstract: An external cavity laser and a method of generating laser light via an external cavity laser comprising emitting laser light from a source, collimating light output by the source, receiving collimated light with a diffraction grating, reflecting light received from the diffraction grating back to the diffraction grating with a cavity feedback mirror, wherein at least a portion of the mirror is curved, and tuning the external cavity laser to a set of wavelengths.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser module according to the present invention includes a polarization-synthesizing module having a polarization-synthesizing means configured to polarization synthesize two laser beams and a holder member for holding the polarization-synthesizing means with an approximately cylindrical circumferential surface, and a supporting member for supporting the holder member at least to rotate about an central axis and fixing the holder member at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A semiconductor monolithic integrated optical transmitter including a plurality of active layers formed on a semiconductor substrate is disclosed, which comprises: a distributed feedback laser diode including a grating for reflecting light with a predetermined wavelength and a first active layer for oscillating received light from the grating; an electro-absorption modulator including a second active layer for receiving light from the first active layer, wherein the received light intensity is modulated through a change of absorbency in accordance with an applied voltage; an optical amplifier including a third active layer for amplifying received light from the second active layer; a first optical attenuator between the first active layer and the second active layer; and a second optical attenuator between the second active layer and the third active layer.

Abstract: A surface-emitting laser, in which light is emitted vertically at one end from a near 45°-angled facet, includes a second end having a perpendicular facet from which light is emitted horizontally, for monitoring. The surface-emitting laser comprises a divergence-compensating lens on the surface above the near 45°-angled facet.

Abstract: To provide a surface-emitting type semiconductor laser that has good luminescence property and can be driven at high speeds, and its manufacturing method. In a surface-emitting type semiconductor laser having a first mirror, an active layer and a second mirror formed above a substrate, the surface-emitting type semiconductor laser in accordance with the present invention includes a columnar section including at least a portion of the second mirror, a first electrode formed above the first mirror or below the substrate, a second electrode formed above the second mirror, a dielectric layer formed around at least a portion of the columnar section and in contact with the columnar section, and a heat radiating section formed around at least a portion of the columnar section through the dielectric layer, wherein the heat radiating section is in an electrically floating state.

Abstract: A surface-emission laser diode includes a distributed Bragg reflector tuned to wavelength of 1.1 ?m or longer, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector includes an alternate repetition of a low-refractive index layer and a high-refractive index layer, with a heterospike buffer layer having an intermediate refractive index interposed therebetween with a thickness in the range of 5–50 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic arrangement having at least one optoelectronic emission component and a monitor component operatively coupled to the emission component to detect at least some radiation radiated by the emission component. A driver circuit of the arrangement is electrically connected to the emission component and the monitor component and a carrier substrate. In this case, the driver circuit is formed as a circuit integrated into the carrier substrate. The monitor component is likewise integrated into the carrier substrate and the emission component is formed as a separate structural part and is arranged on the carrier substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for establishing a connection between a scanner device and a pager device over a sequence of hop channels. The scanner device is repetitively activated and a hop channel is selected from the sequence of hop channels as a function of a present phase. A determination is made as to whether the selected hop channel is a forbidden hop channel. A substitute hop channel is selected from the sequence of hop channels as the selected hop channel if the selected hop channel is a forbidden hop channel. The selected hop channel is monitored for receipt of a paging message during the present phase.

Abstract: This invention provides techniques for a CDMA system having high spectrum efficiency with low transmit power. Each transmitter comprises means of selecting some core-sequences out of multiple sequences to make them convey plural data, means of producing an enveloped selected sequence with such a method as to arrange as guard sequences to a repeated sequence made by repeating each of the selected core-sequences, means of modulating a user specific orthogonal carrier frequency by the enveloped selected sequence to produce a transmit-symbol, and means of transmitting the transmit-symbols. And a receiver comprises means of demodulating a receive-symbol with one of the user specific carrier frequencies to produce a base-band receive-symbol, means of separating respective components corresponding to the sequences selected by the user, by analyzing the base-band receive-symbol with a matrix composed of a channel response vector from the user to the receiver to detect plural data on the components.

Abstract: A dual mode filter for mobile communication may implement two disparate cellular systems such as GSM and W-CDMA. The same transceiver may be utilized to selectively receive and transmit in either of the two systems. When the system is in a GSM area, the system sends and receives GSM signals using programmable filters. Two cascaded digital decimation filters may substitute for one narrow band digital decimation filter in conventional designs. One of the filters is a multi-band digital decimation filter with N bands and the other of the digital filters is used to reject the N?1 multi-band of the system. The number of taps on each filter may selectively be set to implement either GSM or W-CDMA. In addition, the output for the system may be set to be the output of the first filter, in the case of a W-CDMA system, or the combination of the two cascaded filters in a GSM system.

Abstract: A rake combiner for a CDMA rake receiver, the combiner comprising a receiver for receiving a plurality of multipath components of a signal; a memory; a controller arranged to store a first multipath component in the memory; a summer for summing the first multipath component with a second multipath component to provide a combined signal; wherein the controller is arranged to store the combined signal in the memory.

Abstract: A system for reassigning a plurality of tracking units of a wireless receiver, for receiving a plurality of multipath signals in a predetermined time period to reconstruct correspondingly an original signal. The system includes a searcher, a tracker and an assigning management unit. In particular, a predetermined estimating process includes the following steps to generate the assigning value of a combination of matching pairs: subtracting the searching time position and the predetermined tracking time position of every matching pairing the combination and taking absolute values to obtain a plurality of corresponding subtraction values; inputting the plurality of subtraction values to a predetermined estimating function to obtain a plurality of corresponding estimation values; and summing up the plurality of estimation values and obtaining the assigning value of the combination of matching pairs.

Abstract: In a receiver, two low-pass equivalent signal detection criterions when the timing, phase and amplitude of the received signal are known and unknown, respectively, are provided for the detection of the presence of a Barker sequence in a received signal by Neyman-Pearson hypothesis testing rule. In addition, signal quality and link quality to measure the current quality of environments for signal reception are provided by the employment of a differential decoder and a Viterbi decoder in the baseband receiver.

Abstract: Structures and techniques for implementing multiple-antenna configurations within a radio frequency receiver are provided. In one aspect, a modularized multi-antenna receiver is provided having multiple independent microelectronic dice mounted on a common module substrate. In another aspect, a multi-antenna receiver is provided that utilizes at least one single ended low noise amplifier and at least one differential low noise amplifier within a common receiver.

Abstract: Briefly, one way to minimize time and frequency uncertainties when synchronizing between a transmitter and a receiver is to use a position determining method such as global positioning system (GPS) to determine position and velocity. If position can be determined the delay between the transmitter and receiver can be estimated. Additionally, position information can be used to determine the probability that the signal received will be a reflected signal. If the transmitter and receiver are located in an area with obstructions between them then it is more likely that a signal received will be a reflected signal. If it is determined that it is likely that the signal received will be a reflected signal then the receiver can attempt to acquire the transmitted signal over a wider range of propagation delay possibilities. Additionally, another uncertainty that complicates synchronization is uncertainty regarding frequency.

Abstract: A control section varies an amplitude of a modulation signal every time the control section conducts control to vary a combination of the frequency of a clock signal and the frequency of the modulation signal by controlling a clock signal generator and a modulation signal generator, and derives a value indicating jitter tolerance of a measurement subject based on a decision result on an error of a data signal having a predetermined pattern output from the measurement subject and information of the amplitude of the modulation signal. A display section receives information concerning the frequency of the clock signal, the frequency of the modulation signal, and the amplitude of the modulation signal, and the value indicating jitter tolerance, and displays jitter tolerance characteristics of the measurement subject simultaneously on a screen by using the frequency of the clock signal and the frequency of the modulation signal as two parameters.

Abstract: A read channel apparatus is disclosed for reading data recorded on an optical storage system. An exemplary sampling device samples an analog read signal generating from the optical storage system to generate a sequence of sample values. A subtractor subtracts an estimated DC offset from the sample values to generate a sequence of DC-removed sample values. An equalizer equalizes DC-removed sample values in accordance with a target spectrum to generate a sequence of equalized sample values. First and second interpolators interpolate the equalized sample values to respectively generate sequences of even-time sample values and odd-time sample values. A data sequence composed of the even-time and the odd-time sample values is substantially synchronized to the baud rate. A timing recovery controller controls the interpolators to synchronize the even-time and odd-time sample values to the baud rate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus improving the coding efficiency by representing encoded data in a compact form by means of a pattern matching technique. A waveform vector similar to a partial signal waveform of an image signal in a predetermined group of waveform vectors is searched for. When a compression encoding is performed for information to identify the waveform vector searched for, similarity information, and a position in an image signal of the partial signal waveform in accordance with a predetermined encoding rule, the position in the image signal of the partial signal waveform is encoded through replacement with position information in a predetermined partial domain of the image signal. As a result, since the position in the image of the partial signal waveform that is the most similar to the waveform vector is encoded through replacement with the position information in the predetermined partial domain of the image signal, it is possible to represent the position more compactly.