Information processing apparatus, information processing method and recording medium

• US 20020059643A1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kitamura, Takuya, Tahara, Katsumi, Ueda, Mamoru
• Granted Patent: US 6,556,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/136
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 11/20 Conversion of the manner in which the individual colour picture signal components are combined, e.g. conversion of colour television standards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/107 between spatial and temporal predictive coding, e.g. picture refresh
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/11 among a plurality of spatial predictive coding modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/112 according to a given display mode, e.g. for interlaced or progressive display mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/122 Selection of transform size, e.g. 8x8 or 2x4x8 DCT; Selection of sub-band transforms of varying structure or type
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/124 Quantisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/136 Incoming video signal characteristics or properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/137 Motion inside a coding unit, e.g. average field, frame or block difference
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/149 by estimating the code amount by means of a model, e.g. mathematical model or statistical model
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/152 by measuring the fullness of the transmission buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/174 the region being a slice, e.g. a line of blocks or a group of blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/176 the region being a block, e.g. a macroblock
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/184 the unit being bits, e.g. of the compressed video stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/188 the unit being a video data packet, e.g. a network abstraction layer [NAL] unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/196 being specially adapted for the computation of encoding parameters, e.g. by averaging previously computed encoding parameters processing of motion vectors H04N19/513
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/46 Embedding additional information in the video signal during the compression process H04N19/517, H04N19/68, H04N19/70 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/463 by compressing encoding parameters before transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/70 characterised by syntax aspects related to video coding, e.g. related to compression standards
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 : involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23602 : Multiplexing isochronously with the video sync, e.g. according to bit-parallel or bit-serial interface formats, as SDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23614 : Multiplexing of additional data and video streams arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information H04H20/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 : Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4342 : Demultiplexing isochronously with video sync, e.g. according to bit-parallel or bit-serial interface formats, as SDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 : Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/083 : with signal insertion during the vertical and the horizontal blanking interval , e.g. MAC data signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/085 : the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 : the inserted signal being digital

Abstract

Encoding parameters of picture and higher layers of importance to a number of applications, and encoding parameters of slice and lower layers of no importance to all applications are converted into auxiliary packets inserted respectively into a V-blanking area and an H-blanking area of a video-data signal output by a history-information-multiplexing apparatus employed in a video-decoding system. On the other hand, a video-encoding system extracts back the auxiliary packets superposed on the V-blanking area and the H-blanking area from an input base-band video signal. As a result, a technique of superposing information on data can be changed in accordance with the importance of the information and required information can be fetched with ease.

Claims

1. An information-processing apparatus for decoding an input encoded stream and generating an output signal, said information-processing apparatus comprising:

extraction means for extracting auxiliary data from said input encoded stream;

separation means for splitting said auxiliary data extracted by said extraction means into first auxiliary data and second auxiliary data;

conversion means for converting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were separated by said separation means, into data having a predetermined format; and

insertion means for inserting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were converted by said conversion means, into a first position and a second position of said output signal respectively.

2. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said auxiliary data includes encoding parameters.

3. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first auxiliary data is inserted into a vertical-blanking area of said output signal and said second auxiliary data is inserted into a horizontal-blanking area of said output signal.

4. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 1, said information-processing apparatus further having a synchronization-code-adding means for adding a synchronization code to the head of a packet of said output signal.

5. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said input encoded stream is compressed data and said extraction means extracts said auxiliary data from said compressed data.

6. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing apparatus for decoding an input encoded stream and generating an output signal, said information-processing method comprising:

an extraction step of extracting auxiliary data from said input encoded stream;

a separation step of splitting said auxiliary data extracted at said extraction step into first auxiliary data and second auxiliary data;

a conversion step of converting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were separated at said separation step, into data having a predetermined format; and

an insertion step of inserting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were converted at said conversion step, into a first position and a second position of said output signal respectively.

7. A recording medium employed in an information-processing apparatus for decoding an input encoded stream and generating an output signal, said recording medium used for recording a program executable by a computer to implement a method comprising:

an extraction step of extracting auxiliary data from said input encoded stream;

a separation step of splitting said auxiliary data extracted at said extraction step into first auxiliary data and second auxiliary data;

a conversion step of converting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were separated at said separation step, into data having a predetermined format; and

an insertion step of inserting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were converted at said conversion step, into a first position and a second position of said output signal respectively.

8. An information-processing apparatus for encoding an input signal and generating an output signal, said information-processing apparatus comprising:

extraction means for extracting first auxiliary data or second auxiliary data, which were inserted into a first position or a second position of said input signal respectively;

selection means for selecting either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were extracted by said extraction means; and

encoding means for encoding said input signal by utilizing said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were selected by said selection means.

9. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 8, said information-processing apparatus further having:

generation means for generating third auxiliary data based on either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which was used by said encoding means, as well as said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were extracted by said extraction means; and

recording means for recording said third auxiliary data generated by said generation means into said output signal.

10. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first auxiliary data, said second auxiliary data and said third auxiliary data each include encoding parameters.

11. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said extraction means extracts said first auxiliary data from a vertical-blanking area of said input signal and said second auxiliary data from a horizontal-blanking area of said input signal.

12. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 8, said information-processing apparatus further having a reproduction means, which is used for reproducing a lost portion of said input signal by referring to the head of an input packet in case said lost portion is missing from said input signal.

16. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data each include encoding parameters.

17. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said insertion means inserts said first auxiliary data into a vertical-blanking area of said first encoded stream decoded by said decoding means and said second auxiliary data into a horizontal-blanking area of said first encoded stream decoded by said decoding means.

18. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said decoding means further has a synchronization-code-adding means for adding a synchronization code to the head of a packet of a signal output to said encoding means.

13. An information-processing method adopted in an information-processing apparatus for encoding an input signal and generating an output signal, said information-processing method comprising:

an extraction step of extracting first auxiliary data or second auxiliary data, which were inserted into a first position or a second position of said input signal respectively;

a selection step of selecting either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were extracted at said extraction step; and

an encoding step of encoding said input signal by utilizing said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were selected at said selection step.

14. A recording medium employed in an information-processing apparatus for encoding an input signal and generating an output signal, said recording medium used for recording a program executable by a computer to implement a method comprising:

an extraction step of extracting first auxiliary data or second auxiliary data, which were inserted into a first position or a second position of said input signal respectively;

a selection step of selecting either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were extracted at said extraction step; and

an encoding step of encoding said input signal by utilizing said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were selected at said selection step.

15. An information-processing apparatus for generating a second encoded stream from a first input encoded stream and outputting said second encoded stream, said information-processing apparatus comprising:

decoding means for decoding said first input encoded stream; and

generation means for encoding said first encoded stream decoded by said decoding means to generate said second encoded stream,

wherein;

said decoding means comprises;

first extraction means for extracting auxiliary data from said first input encoded stream;

separation means for splitting said auxiliary data extracted by said first extraction means into first auxiliary data and second auxiliary data;

conversion means for converting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were separated by said separation means, into data having a predetermined format; and

insertion means for inserting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were converted by said conversion means, respectively into a first position and a second position of said first encoded stream decoded by said decoding means;

said decoding means decodes said first encoded stream by using said auxiliary data extracted by said first extraction means;

said generation means comprises;

second extraction means for extracting said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data respectively from said first position or said second position of said first encoded stream decoded by said decoding means; and

selection means for selecting either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which were extracted by said second extraction means; and

said generation means encodes said first encoded stream decoded and supplied thereto by said decoding means by using said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which was selected by said selection means, to generate said second encoded stream.

19. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing apparatus for generating a second encoded stream from a first input encoded stream and outputting said second encoded stream, said information-processing method comprising:

a decoding step of decoding said first input encoded stream; and

a generation step of encoding said first encoded stream decoded at said decoding step to generate said second encoded stream,

wherein;

said decoding step comprises;

a first extraction sub-step of extracting auxiliary data from said first input encoded stream;

a separation sub-step of splitting said auxiliary data extracted at said first extraction sub-step into first auxiliary data and second auxiliary data;

a conversion sub-step of converting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were separated at said separation sub-step, into data having a predetermined format; and

an insertion sub-step of inserting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were converted at said conversion sub-step, respectively into a first position and a second position of said first encoded stream decoded at said decoding step;

said decoding step is executed to decode said first encoded stream by using said auxiliary data extracted at said first extraction sub-step;

said generation step comprises;

a second extraction sub-step of extracting said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data respectively from said first position or said second position of said first encoded stream decoded at said decoding step; and

a selection sub-step of selecting either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which was extracted at said second extraction sub-step; and

said generation step is executed to encode said first encoded stream decoded and supplied thereto at said decoding step by using said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which was selected at said selection sub-step, to generate said second encoded stream.

20. A recording medium employed in an information-processing apparatus for generating a second encoded stream from a first input encoded stream and outputting said second encoded stream, said recording medium used for recording a program executable by a computer to implement a method comprising:

a decoding step of decoding said first input encoded stream; and

a generation step of encoding said first encoded stream decoded at said decoding step to generate said second encoded stream,

wherein;

said decoding step comprises;

a first extraction sub-step of extracting auxiliary data from said first input encoded stream;

a separation sub-step of splitting said auxiliary data extracted at said first extraction sub-step into first auxiliary data and second auxiliary data;

a conversion sub-step of converting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were separated at said separation sub-step, into data having a predetermined format; and

an insertion sub-step of inserting said first auxiliary data and said second auxiliary data, which were converted at said conversion sub-step, respectively into a first position and a second position of said first encoded stream decoded at said decoding step;

said decoding step is executed to decode said first encoded stream by using said auxiliary data extracted at said first extraction sub-step;

said generation step comprises;

a second extraction sub-step of extracting said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data respectively from said first position or said second position of said first encoded stream decoded at said decoding step; and

a selection sub-step of selecting either said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which was extracted at said second extraction sub-step; and

said generation step is executed to encode said first encoded stream decoded and supplied thereto at said decoding step by using said first auxiliary data or said second auxiliary data, which was selected at said selection sub-step, to generate said second encoded stream.

21. A decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded source stream, said decoding apparatus comprising:

decoding means for decoding said encoded source stream in order to generate a base-band video signal by using encoding parameters included in said encoded source stream;

vertical insertion means for inserting much required ones among said encoding parameters into a vertical-blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

horizontal insertion means for inserting little required ones among said encoding parameters into a horizontal-blanking period of said base-band video signal.

22. A decoding method adopted by a decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded source stream, said decoding method comprising the steps of:

decoding said encoded source stream in order to generate a base-band video signal by using encoding parameters included in said encoded source stream;

inserting much required ones among said encoding parameters into a vertical-blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

inserting little required ones among said encoding parameters into a horizontal-blanking period of said base-band video signal.

23. A decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded source stream, said decoding apparatus comprising:

decoding means for decoding said encoded source stream in order to generate a base-band video signal by using encoding parameters included in said encoded source stream;

vertical insertion means for inserting those of picture and higher layers among said encoding parameters into a vertical-blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

horizontal insertion means for inserting those of slice and lower layers among said encoding parameters into a horizontal-blanking period of said base-band video signal.

24. A decoding method adopted by a decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded source stream, said decoding method comprising the steps of:

decoding said encoded source stream in order to generate a base-band video signal by using encoding parameters included in said encoded source stream;

inserting those of picture and higher layers among said encoding parameters into a vertical-blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

inserting those of slice and lower layers among said encoding parameters into a horizontal-blanking period of said base-band video signal.

25. A decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded source stream, said decoding apparatus comprising:

decoding means for decoding said encoded source stream in order to generate a base-band video signal by using encoding parameters included in said encoded source stream;

vertical insertion means for inserting general ones among said encoding parameters into a vertical-blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

horizontal insertion means for inserting detailed ones among said encoding parameters into a horizontal-blanking period of said base-band video signal.

26. A decoding method adopted by a decoding apparatus for decoding an encoded source stream, said decoding method comprising the steps of:

decoding said encoded source stream in order to generate a base-band video signal by using encoding parameters included in said encoded source stream;

inserting general ones among said encoding parameters into a vertical-blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

inserting detailed ones among said encoding parameters into a horizontal-blanking period of said base-band video signal.

27. An encoding apparatus for encoding a base-band video signal, said encoding apparatus comprising:

extraction means for extracting much required encoding parameters from a vertical blanking period of said base-band video signal and little required encoding parameters from a horizontal blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

re-encoding means for re-encoding said base-band video signal by referring to said much required encoding parameters and said little required encoding parameters.

28. An encoding method adopted in an encoding apparatus for encoding a base-band video signal, said encoding method comprising the steps of:

extracting much required encoding parameters from a vertical blanking period of said base-band video signal and little required encoding parameters from a horizontal blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

re-encoding said base-band video signal by referring to said much required encoding parameters and said little required encoding parameters.

29. An encoding apparatus for encoding a base-band video signal, said encoding apparatus comprising:

extraction means for extracting encoding parameters of picture and higher layers from a vertical blanking period of said base-band video signal and encoding parameters of slice and lower layers from a horizontal blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

re-encoding means for re-encoding said base-band video signal by referring to said encoding parameters of picture and higher layers and said encoding parameters of slice and lower layers.

30. An encoding method adopted in an encoding apparatus for encoding a base-band video signal, said encoding method comprising the steps of:

extracting encoding parameters of picture and higher layers from a vertical blanking period of said base-band video signal and encoding parameters of slice and lower layers from a horizontal blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

re-encoding said base-band video signal by referring to said encoding parameters of picture and higher layers and said encoding parameters of slice and lower layers.

31. An encoding apparatus for encoding a base-band video signal, said encoding apparatus comprising:

extraction means for extracting general encoding parameters from a vertical blanking period of said base-band video signal and detailed encoding parameters from a horizontal blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

re-encoding means for re-encoding said base-band video signal by referring to said general encoding parameters and said detailed encoding parameters.

32. An encoding method adopted in an encoding apparatus for encoding a base-band video signal, said encoding method comprising the steps of:

extracting general encoding parameters from a vertical blanking period of said base-band video signal and detailed encoding parameters from a horizontal blanking period of said base-band video signal; and

re-encoding said base-band video signal by referring to said general encoding parameters and said detailed encoding parameters.