Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for encrypting and authenticating data, wherein some data is encrypted and some data is not encrypted, but all of the data is authenticated. Masking modules (410) are used in a partial-block encryption mode to indicate which bits of a data block are to be encrypted.

Abstract: A method for formation of a shared secret key using a key matrix and a corresponding authentication protocol are described. The shared secret key formation scheme is a method in which sets of secret device keys are formed from arithmetic operations on matrix keys of a key matrix. The contents of the key matrix are held in confidence by the certification authority. The selection of which matrix keys to use is based on a key selection vector assigned by the certification authority. From the secret device keys, a shared secret key may be formed in accordance with a selected authentication protocol.

Abstract: An optical network unit and an optical line terminal which efficiently control the data receiving and dechurning processes in a passive optical network. In a churning parameter memory subsystem, a first memory bank stores churning parameters that are currently used, while a second memory bank stores updates made to the churning parameters. Under the control of the churning parameter memory subsystem, those first and second memory banks change their roles with each other at a churning key updating time point. A data dechurning unit receives a data stream consisting of a plurality of frames and dechurns the information contained in the data stream, according to the stored churning parameters. When an update is done to the parameters in a certain frame, the data dechurning unit makes the update effective at the next frame, thus starting data dechurning operations from the next frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for scrambling/descrambling sets of data bits using subsets of a recurring sequence of scrambler bits. A self-synchronous scrambler, regardless of the generating polynomial being implemented, will generate repeating sequences of scrambler bits regardless of the initial stage of the scrambler. To implement a parallel scrambler, given a current state of the scrambler, the next n states of the scrambler are predicted based on the current state of the scrambler. The scrambling operation can then be preformed using the values in the current state—parallel logic operations between preselected bits of the current state will yield the required values to be used in scrambling an incoming parallel data set. Once these required values are generated, a parallel logical operation between the required values and the incoming data set will result in the scrambled output data.

Abstract: Security keys for the provision of a secure service such as content provision are generated in an ancestral hierarchy, so that invalidation of a key in the hierarchy results in a need to reconfigure all other keys in the hierarchy to the extent they share common ancestry. When a user subscription to the service lapses, a decision on invalidation of their key is based in a determination of whether it's more costly to the subscriber to invalidate the key, or continue providing an unpaid-for service. Keys can be allocated to users from domains of the hierarchy on the basis of their economic value to the provider, with higher value users being allocated keys from domains which share fewer common ancestors with other users of other domains than those users share with each other, to minimize inconvenience to high value users of key reconfiguration.

Abstract: This invention provides a quantum key distribution (QKD) system and method for determining initial quantum keys (QKs), including an initial QKA (220) and an initial QKB (230), determining an initial QKA value of a first function applied to said initial QKA, wherein a value of said first function depends upon values of specified information unit of a QK, including bit i (210), determining an initial QKB value of said first function applied to said initial QKB; and forming a revised QKA by depending a value of an information unit of said revised QKA on a value of information unit i of said initial QKA, if said initial QKA value equals said initial QKB value.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a method and system for securely managing the storage and retrieval of data. Securely managing the storage and retrieval of data may include receiving a first disaster recovery code and acquiring a first password corresponding to the first disaster recovery code. A first disaster recovery key may be generated based on the first disaster recovery code and the first password. Another aspect of the invention may also include generating the received first disaster recovery code based on said first password and the first disaster recovery key. The generated disaster recovery code may be securely stored on at least a portion of a storage device or a removable media. Data stored on the storage device may be encrypted using the first generated disaster recovery key. Additionally, data read from the storage device may be decrypted using the generated first disaster recovery key.

Abstract: An embodiment and/or method to improve communication in a vehicle. Voice signals of the occupants of a vehicle may be picked up on an individual basis via separately arranged microphones. The individually picked-up voice signals may then be amplified separately for each occupant in an input stage and filtered for purposes of minimizing interference levels and for frequency adaptation. The signals may be subjected in a process stage to a signal processing that may be specific to each output channel, in the form of a delay correction and a level differentiation. And, via an adaptation stage having a level adaptation, the signals may then be distributed to likewise separately assigned loudspeakers, in accordance with the spatial conditions of the vehicle and the desired loudness level. The embodiment and/or method may be effectively used in passenger cars, larger vehicles including multimedia buses and trucks, ships, trains and airplanes/airborne spaces.

Abstract: The ability to combine multiple audio signals captured from the microphones in a microphone array is frequently used in beamforming systems. Typically, beamforming involves processing the output audio signals of the microphone array in such a way as to make the microphone array act as a highly directional microphone. In other words, beamforming provides a “listening beam” which points to a particular sound source while often filtering out other sounds. A “generic beamformer,” as described herein automatically designs a set of beams (i.e., beamforming) that cover a desired angular space range within a prescribed search area. Beam design is a function of microphone geometry and operational characteristics, and also of noise models of the environment around the microphone array. One advantage of the generic beamformer is that it is applicable to any microphone array geometry and microphone type.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides a spectral enhancement system that includes a plurality of distributed filters, a plurality of energy distribution units, and a weighted-averaging unit. At least one of the distributed filters receives a multi-frequency input signal. Each of the plurality of energy-detection units is coupled to an output of at least one filter and provides an energy-detection output signal. The weighted-averaging unit is coupled to each of the energy-detection units and provides a weighted-averaging signal to each of the filters responsive to the energy-detection output signals from each of the energy-detection units to implement distributed gain control. In an embodiment, the energy detection units are coupled to the outputs of the filters via a plurality of differentiator units.

Abstract: A control system and associated method resolving audio conflicts. The control system comprises a computing device, a memory device comprising a database, and a plurality of audio sources. The memory device is coupled to the computing device. The database comprises input data. The computing device is adapted to control an audio level for each of said audio sources in response to said input data to resolve audio conflicts between the audio sources.

Abstract: A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired listeners, as well as non-hearing impaired listeners, without forcing hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for damping the resonance frequency in a microphone. The method and apparatus of the invention involve providing an elastomeric frame to support the backplate. The elastomeric frame forms a substantially air tight seal around the backplate. A hole is formed in the backplate and a cover having an opening therein is placed over the hole in the backplate. The frequency response of the microphone may then be controlled by precisely controlling the size, shape, and/or location of the opening in the cover overlaying the hole. The cover may also serve as an electrical contact to other components in the microphone.

Abstract: A microphone shield system captures sound in adverse conditions. The system includes a microphone positioned within an enclosure. A membrane stretched across a portion of the enclosure passes signals within a selected frequency range. The membrane may block or attenuate signals above and/or below the frequency range to pass a desired sound with little surrounding interference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing virtual sound sources that are externally perceived and positioned at any orientation in azimuth and elevation from a listener is described. In this system, a set of speakers is mounted in a location near the temple of a listener's head. A head tracking system determines the location and orientation of the listeners head and provides the measurements to a computer which processes audio signals, from an audio source, in conjunction with a head related transfer function (HRTF) filter to produce spatialized audio. The HRTF filter maintains the virtual location of the audio signals/sound, thus allowing the listener to change locations and head orientation without degradation of the audio signal. The audio system of the present invention produces virtual sound sources that are externally perceived and positioned at any desired orientation in azimuth and elevation from the user.

Abstract: A low-frequency loudspeaker system based on a dipole principle. In some implementations, the system includes an open frame rigging system and multiple subwoofers mounted in a dipole surface array configuration in the open frame rigging system to produce controlled sound dispersion in both horizontal and vertical planes. The subwoofers are operable to produce low-frequency sound dispersion below about 300 Hz. The subwoofers mounted in the dipole configuration include a first set of subwoofers facing a first direction and a second set of subwoofers facing a second direction, in which the second direction is facing a direction that is 180 degrees with respect to the first direction. The second set of subwoofers are wired out-of-phase with respect to the first set of subwoofers to reduce non-liner distortion. The first and second sets of subwoofers are configured to concurrently move in a same direction when a signal is applied to the subwoofers.

Abstract: A receiver assembly includes a first diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm, and a second diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm. A linkage assembly is coupled to an armature of the receiver. The linkage assembly is also coupled to the first diaphragm assembly and to the second diaphragm assembly.

Abstract: Optical classification method for classifying an occupant in a vehicle by acquiring images of the occupant from a single camera and analyzing the images acquired from the single camera to determine a classification of the occupant. The single camera may be a digital CMOS camera, a high-power near-infrared LED, and the LED control circuit. It is possible to detect brightness of the images and control illumination of an LED in conjunction with the acquisition of images by the single camera. The illumination of the LED may be periodic to enable a comparison of resulting images with the LED on and the LED off so as to determine whether a daytime condition or a nighttime condition is present. The position of the occupant can be monitored when the occupant is classified as a child, an adult or a forward-facing child restraint.

Abstract: This method comprises the following steps of applying a watermarking function to motion vectors calculated by estimation of movement between images of a video signal, followed by a step of generating the watermarked video signal by compensating movement with the aid of the watermarked motion vectors. The watermarking function is applied by marking the coordinates of the selected motion vector in a reference space, certain portions of this space constituting a first zone and the other portions of this space constituting a second zone complementary to the first, assigning a binary value to each of the two zones, and, if necessary, modifying the coordinates of the selected motion vector so that it is in the zone whose binary value corresponds to a bit of a marking key associated with the selected motion vector.

Abstract: A low-frequency, temporally asymmetric watermark carrier decreases in luminance at a slower rate than it increases in luminance. This allows the carrier to be embedded, e.g., in a video work, in a manner that renders the resultant watermark virtually invisible to the human eye. Moreover, the resultant watermark is substantially resistant to common pirating techniques in which high-frequency visual content (e.g., including watermark data) tends to be filtered out by piracy processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to generating or otherwise providing reports associated with content (e.g., audio or video). One claim recites a method including: processing data representing audio or video content; based at least in part on derived information, obtaining data associated with the audio or video content; and providing a report to a client or remote location. The report including at least a portion of the data associated with the audio or video content. Audio content includes audio portions and video content includes video elements. The act of processing provides information derived from the data representing audio portions or the video elements. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Abstract: Method and systems for early detection of potentially hazardous material associated with the collection of mail or other objects. In an embodiment of the method of this invention, image characteristics for an image of an item being examined are obtained. A predetermined profile is then retrieved from a profile database. The image characteristics for the image of the item are compared to the image characteristics present in the predetermined profile. If the image characteristics present in the predetermined profile substantially match the image characteristics for the image of the item, the item is identified for special processing. If the image characteristics present in the predetermined profile do not substantially match the image characteristics for the image of the item, another predetermined profile is retrieved and compared to the image characteristics for the image of the item. A system that implements the method of this invention includes a transport sub-system and a computing sub-system.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and system for processing mail items on bar code sorting machines. Such a method includes the steps of scanning a surface of each mail piece with at least one imaging camera to obtain at least one image of the surface represented by image data, analyzing the image data to locate a bar code in the image, and analyzing the bar code to recognize a first destination code. If the first destination code meets predetermined criteria, then the mail piece is processed further in a manner dependent on the first destination code. If the first destination code cannot be recognized or fails to meet the predetermined criteria, the image data is analyzed to locate destination address lines in the image, and the address lines are analyzed to determine a second destination code. The mail piece is sorted according to the second destination code, or a result determined by arbitrating the first and second destination codes.

Abstract: A traffic lane marking line recognition system for a vehicle includes an image compositing device which composites images photographed at different time points by a camera to elongate a traffic lane marking line such as a white line in the photographed image, the brightness of the photographed images is detected, the brightness is corrected, taking one image among the plurality of images as a reference, such that the brightness of the plurality of images is equal to each other, and the plurality of images are composited after the brightness has been corrected. By making the brightness of the images to be composited equal to each other, it becomes possible to recognize the traffic lane marking line accurately and unerringly.

Abstract: A traffic lane marking line recognition system for vehicle includes an image compositing device which composites images photographed at different time points by a camera to elongate a traffic lane marking line such as a white line in the photographed image based on a detected travel speed of the vehicle. At least one image, among the plurality of images, photographed at a past time point earlier by a time interval determined in accordance with the vehicle speed from a reference time point, when defining a photographed time point of a given one of the images to be composited as the reference time point, is selected as the image to be composited with the given one of the images. By selecting the image to be composited in accordance with the vehicle speed, the traffic lane marking lines can be recognized unerringly.

Abstract: A signal indicative of a distance from a first element to a second element, such as the end face of a piston from the end wall of its cylinder, is generated by providing an optical imager carried on a housing that is fixed on the end wall with the optical imager pointed to the end face. An image processor is arranged to identify image components, such as the end nut on the piston, from the acquired images of the first element. From the location of the nut the processor can identify the location of the outer edge of the circular end face and can determine the area of the end face in the image by counting pixels within the area. From the measured area as it appears in the image the distance can be calculated. The end face is illuminated by a light source shining through a light pipe passing through a drilled hole in the end wall. Characteristic markings can be applied on the end face for measuring distance when the nut is too close to be visible.

Abstract: An innovative optical system and method is disclosed for analyzing and uniquely identifying high-order refractive indices samples in a diverse population of nearly identical samples. The system and method are particularly suitable for ultra-fine materials having similar color, shape and features which are difficult to identify through conventional chemical, physical, electrical or optical methods due to a lack of distinguishing features. The invention discloses a uniquely configured optical system which employs polarized sample light passing through a full wave compensation plate, a linear polarizer analyzer and a quarter wave retardation plate for producing vivid color bi-refringence pattern images which uniquely identify high-order refractive indices samples in a diverse population of nearly visually identical samples. The resultant patterns display very subtle differences between species which are frequently indiscernable by conventional microscopy methods.

Abstract: A method of processing an image includes steps of identifying one candidate for a human face region within an image; calculating a probability that the candidate for human face region represents a human face; and saving the probability as attached information to the image. The method of processing an image can also include steps of identifying one candidate for human face region within an image; calculating a probability that the candidate for human face region represents a human face; judging whether or not the candidate for human face region represents a human face by comparing the probability with a threshold; and saving a result of the step of judging as attached information to the image. According to these methods, results of identifying candidates for human face regions will be saved to the image, and further processes to be conducted on the image can be facilitated.

Abstract: A method and a system of authorizing a transaction without using a man-made token is disclosed. In a method according to the invention, a biometric sample is registered, biometric information is provided, the biometric information is compared to the biometric sample, a determination is made as to whether the biometric information matches the biometric sample, and if a match is determined, then the transaction is authorized.

Abstract: The present invention enables permanent biometric authentication without the risk of forgery or the like. The present invention enables living-tissue discrimination as well as biometric authentication. The roughness distribution pattern of deep-layer tissue of the skin covered with epidermal tissue is detected, thereby extracting a unique pattern of the living tissue. Then, biometric authentication is performed based upon the detected pattern. The roughness distribution pattern of the deep-layer tissue of the skin is optically detected using difference in optical properties between the epidermal tissue and the deep-layer tissue of the skin. In this case, long-wavelength light, e.g., near-infrared light is used as illumination light cast onto the skin tissue. A fork structure of a subcutaneous blood vessel is used as the portion which is to be detected, for example. The portion which is to be detected is determined based upon the structure of the fork structure.

Abstract: A method of correcting the deviation of a position at which a human face is detected using a face detection frame F. An image G within the detection frame F is divided left and right along the portion of the center axis C. The degree of similarity of mirror-symmetrical relationship between the image portions G-1 and G-2 obtained by the division is calculated. An amount of positional deviation d that maximizes the degree of similarity and its direction are found. The frame F is moved a distance corresponding to the amount of positional deviation d in the direction. Thus, the deviation of the detection position due to the detection frame F can be corrected by a quick and simple method.

Abstract: A signature authentication device is disclosed. Even when there are variations in an input hand-written signature during the registration of the signature or during the authentication of the signature, the signature authentication device easily registers or authenticates the signature. The signature authentication device allows a user to re-register the signature without a risk that sensitive information stored in a computer is monitored by someone else. A plurality of pieces of authentication signature data for a single user is stored. If comparison for authentication between input signature data and at least a single piece of the plurality of the pieces of the authentication signature data is successful, then the authentication is regarded as successful. During signature registration, the plurality of the pieces of the authentication signature data is stored in a storage unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of visualizing the perfusion of an organ, notably the perfusion of the myocardium of the heart. A series of MR perfusion images is displayed on a visual display unit. Each pair of successive images from a series of images is transformed in such a manner that the organ that is shown on the display unit essentially maintains its position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of malignant melanoma. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods for the early detection of cancerous lesions.

Abstract: The cell observation device and method aims to easily study the correlation between initial states of cells and their reactions without using a synchronous culture method. For this purpose, the cell observation device includes an image acquisition unit acquiring an image of a specimen including a plurality of cells; a stimulating unit applying a predetermined stimulation to the plural cells; a determining unit determining initial states of the plural cells from the image which is acquired by the image acquisition unit before the stimulating unit applies the stimulation; a finding unit finding reactions of the plural cells to the stimulation, from the image acquired by the image acquisition unit after the stimulating unit applies the stimulation; and a generating unit generating information on correlation between the initial states and the reactions of the plural cells.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a reduction in image artifacts is provided. The method includes receiving data regarding a scan of an object, reconstructing a plurality of images using the received data to form a three-dimensional image space, determining an orientation for a maximum intensity pixel operation, locating the maximum intensity pixels within a plurality of ray paths in accordance with the determined orientation, and filtering around each maximum intensity pixel along each ray path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a flat panel detector to determine bone mineral density are provided. The apparatus includes a dual energy X-ray emitter, a flat panel detector for receiving X-rays sent from the X-ray emitter, and may optionally include an image corrector, adapted to emit corrected image information. The apparatus also includes a basis material decomposer that includes a calibration database, the decomposer being adapted to create a bone image and a soft tissue image. The apparatus further includes a bone mineral density calculator that is adapted to compute bone mineral density from the first image, and a display for displaying at least the computed bone mineral density. A method for using a flat panel detector to detect multiple disease states is also provided. The method includes emitting X-rays from a dual energy X-ray source through an area of a patient's body sought to be imaged and receiving X-rays with a flat panel detector.

Abstract: A method of and a system for destreaking the photoelectric image in multi-energy computed tomography are provided, wherein the photoelectric projections are generated from the projection data acquired using at least two x-ray spectra for scanned objects; wherein a neighboring scheme is provided; the method comprises computing the statistics including mean and standard deviation using the neighboring scheme; calculating an upper limit and a lower limit from the computed statistics; detecting outliers in the photoelectric projections using the upper and lower limits; and replacing values of outliers using the upper or lower limit.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying anomalous cells includes an imaging subsystem to generate a track file from collected images of cells, a image processing subsystem to extract features from the track file and generate feature sets for particular cells, and a discrimination subsystem to generate a probabilistic belief function from the feature sets to determine a probability that at least some of the cells are anomalous. The images may include sample cells from a tissue sample. In embodiments, the imaging subsystem may collect images from photographs and may also collect images from a microscope. In embodiments, the discrimination subsystem may perform both supervised and unsupervised training to update the belief functions learning from known anomalous cells and cells with know anomalous features to enhance its accuracy over time.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus uses a die-to-database comparison method which compares detected pattern data obtained from an optical image of a pattern of a plate to be inspected with first reference pattern data obtained from designed pattern data in combination with a die-to-die comparison method which compares the detected pattern data with second reference pattern data obtained by detecting an area to be a basis for repetition. A computer detects presence of a plurality of repeated pattern areas from layout information contained in the designed pattern data, reads the arrangement, the number, the dimension and the repeated pitch of the repeated pattern areas, and automatically fetches an inspection area of the die-to-die comparison method.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that computes translational differentials between a “perfect” image (henceforth called a database-image) and a scanned-image of a photomask. During operation, the system receives a noise-free database-image and a scanned-image that is generated by an imaging process. Next, the system computes a set of candidate-translational-differentials using the database-image and the scanned-image. The system then generates one or more sets of translated directional-gradient-images based on the set of candidate-translational-differentials and using the database-image and the scanned-image. Next, the system converts the database-image into a set of smoothed directional-gradient-images. Finally, the system computes translational differentials by performing a normalized correlation using the set of smoothed directional-gradient-images and the one or more sets of translated directional-gradient-images.

Abstract: A method of acquiring 3D color information and a 3D color information acquisition apparatus, suitable for obtaining a 3D model of an object, use a pattern light source to acquire topography data for the object. More than 3 basic colors are used to construct the pattern to increase resolution with great number of color combination. According to the color composition and combination, color distortion caused by model projection can be prevented, thereby increasing the reliability and broadening the application of the color acquisition device and method.

Abstract: A method and system for generating 3D images of faces from 2D images, for generating 2D images of the faces at different image conditions from the 3D images, and for recognizing a 2D image of a target face based on the generated 2D images is provided. The recognition system provides a 3D model of a face that includes a 3D image of a standard face under a standard image condition and parameters indicating variations of an individual face from the standard face. To generate the 3D image of a face, the recognition system inputs a 2D image of the face under a standard image condition. The recognition system then calculates parameters that map the points of the 2D image to the corresponding points of a 2D image of the standard face. The recognition system uses these parameters with the 3D model to generate 3D images of the face at different image conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for assigning color names to individual image pixels, and generating verbal description of color composition in images, suitable for a wide variety of information processing applications. For an isolated image pixel (individual color sample or color value) an illustrative embodiment of this invention uses a predetermined vocabulary of color names, and then generates a distance measure describing the best color match and corresponding color name for the given pixel. For the input image, an illustrative embodiment of this invention computes the simplified representation of the scene, consistent with human perception, and uses the predetermined vocabulary, syntax rules and metric to assign color names to all perceptually significant objects and regions and obtain the verbal description of the overall color composition. The invention is also applicable to other types of information signals, such as sequences of video frames, web pages, etc.

Abstract: A color image (1) is compressed by associating a variable length color code with each color of the original colour image, and then forming bitplanes (51-54) each representing one bit position of the binary color codes for each pixel of the color image. The variable length codes are optimized, such as by a canonical Huffman algorithm. Compression is high, even for simple icons and special character images (e.g. 16×16 pixels). Decompression is simple, fast and resource inexpensive. Amongst many other uses, the image decompression is suitable for use in a cellular telephone having a color LCD display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for encoding a pixel domain image with hidden data by modifying the histogram of the pixel domain image to make space for such hidden data.

Abstract: Parametric shape recognition is achieved through a decomposition of shapes into a hierarchy of subshapes ordered by their decreasing restrictions. Instances of each of the subshapes are individually located in the design shape and then reconstructed to form an instance of the entire shape. The basis for the hierarchy of subshapes can be specified by the designer or based on the default parameter relations that come from architectural and engineering knowledge. The levels of the hierarchy are defined so that the most constrained lines of a shape are those lines that the designer intended exactly. These most constrained lines have specified parametric relations to other line segments and those relations, if altered, will compromise the designer's intentions. Conversely, the lowest level of the hierarchy, which contains the least constrained line segments, only implies a specific connectivity between line segments, necessitating a vaster search.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit, an image compression unit and an inspection data generating unit. The image pickup unit captures an image and generates image data. The image compression unit compresses the image data in accordance with an image compression method selected from a first image compression method and a second image compression method, and generates compressed image data. The inspection data generating unit generates inspection data necessary to inspect whether the compressed image data is modified. A generation method of the inspection data is varied according to the selected image compression method. The inspection data generating unit adds first data and second data to the compressed image data. The first data indicates the generation method of the inspection data and the second data indicates a location of the compressed image data.

Abstract: A mechanism for determining whether an image is of lossy-origin or lossless origin is used to maximize the compression ratio of any future compressions and avoid wasting the precious resources associated with lossless compression/decompression on any image that has previously been subjected to lossy compression/decompression.

Abstract: An image data compression device includes a quantization section, a FIFO buffer section, an encoded data generation section, and a rate control section. The quantization section quantizes image data by a quantization step which changes based on a quantization parameter. The FIFO buffer section stores the quantized data for at least N frames (N is an integer greater than one) from the quantization section. The encoded data generation section generates encoded data by encoding the quantized data read asynchronously from writing into the FIFO buffer section. The rate control section calculates the quantization parameter by using an average data size of encoded data for previous N frames. The quantization parameter is calculated to be equal to or less than an upper threshold of the quantization parameter which is set or canceled based on the number of assignable bits which can be assigned to the compression processing and the number of remaining frames.