WO2015005136A1

WO2015005136A1 - Image encoding device and method, and image decoding device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015005136A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/067120
Authority: WO
Inventors: 佐藤　数史
Original assignee: ソニー株式会社
Priority date: 2013-07-12
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2015-01-15

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to an image encoding device and method and an image decoding device and method with which a reduction in image quality due to encoding or decoding can be suppressed. The image encoding device is equipped with: a generation unit that generates multiple instances of color difference phase information pertaining to the phase of a color difference signal of image data comprising multiple layers; an encoding unit that encodes each layer of the image data; and a transmission unit that transmits the multiple instances of color difference phase information generated by the generation unit and the encoded data generated for the image data by the encoding unit. The present disclosure for example can be applied to an image processing device such as an image encoding device that scalably encodes image data, or an image decoding device that decodes encoded data wherein image data has been scalably encoded.

Description

Image encoding apparatus and method, and image decoding apparatus and method

The present disclosure relates to an image encoding apparatus and method, and an image decoding apparatus and method, and in particular, an image encoding apparatus and method capable of suppressing reduction in image quality due to encoding or decoding, and an image decoding apparatus. And methods.

In recent years, ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector) and ISO / IEC (International Organization for Standardization) / In order to further improve coding efficiency than MPEG-4 Part 10 (Advanced Video Coding, hereinafter referred to as AVC). Standardization of coding method called HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) is being promoted by JCTVC (Joint Collaboration Team-Video Coding), a joint standardization organization of International Electrotechnical Commission (see Non-Patent Document 1, for example) .

By the way, image encoding methods such as AVC and HEVC have a scalable function. In the upsampling process performed in the scalable encoding and decoding, it is necessary to consider the phase of the color difference signal. In view of this, a method has been proposed in which the phase of the color difference signal is transmitted in enhancement layer image compression information to be output (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

By the way, when data of an interlaced image (interlaced image) is encoded on a field basis (field encoding), there are multiple types of color difference signal phases in a single sequence. However, in the method described in Non-Patent Document 2, only a single color difference signal phase can be transmitted in a single sequence, and there is a possibility that the phase cannot be accurately reflected in the upsampling processing of the color difference signal. there were. Therefore, there is a possibility that encoding or decoding is performed using an upsampled image with an incorrect phase, and as a result, the image quality of the decoded image may be significantly reduced.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and is intended to suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding or decoding.

One aspect of the present technology provides a generation unit that generates a plurality of color difference phase information related to the phase of a color difference signal of image data including a plurality of layers, a coding unit that encodes each layer of the image data, and the generation unit. And a transmission unit that transmits a plurality of the color difference phase information and the encoded data of the image data generated by the encoding unit.

The generation unit further generates index information indicating which of the plurality of color difference phase information to apply to each picture, and the transmission unit further transmits the index information. Can do.

The transmission unit can transmit a plurality of the color difference phase information and the index information in a sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)).

The generation unit may further generate information indicating the number of the color difference phase information, and the transmission unit may further transmit information indicating the number of the color difference phase information generated by the generation unit.

When the image data is an interlaced image, and the encoding unit field encodes the image data, the generation unit generates the color difference phase information for each of a top field and a bottom field, and the transmission unit Can transmit the color difference phase information of both fields generated by the generation unit.

When the image data is an interlaced image and the encoding unit performs frame encoding on the image data, the generation unit further includes control information for performing control so that up-sampling of the image data is performed on a field basis. The transmission unit may further transmit the control information generated by the generation unit.

A color difference phase setting unit that sets the phase of the color difference signal of the image data is further provided, and the generation unit can generate color difference phase information indicating the phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit.

An upsampling control unit that controls upsampling of the image data so as to apply the phase of the chrominance signal set by the chrominance phase setting unit, and a base layer of the image data according to control of the upsampling control unit An upsampling unit for upsampling can be further provided.

A downsampling control unit that controls downsampling of the image data so as to apply the phase of the chrominance signal set by the chrominance phase setting unit, and an enhancement layer of the image data according to control of the downsampling control unit A downsampling unit for downsampling can be further provided.

One aspect of the present technology also generates a plurality of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data composed of a plurality of layers, encodes each layer of the image data, and a plurality of the generated color difference phase information, It is an image encoding method for transmitting the generated encoded data of the image data.

Another aspect of the present technology is an acquisition unit that acquires encoded data of image data including a plurality of layers, and a plurality of color difference phase information related to a phase of a color difference signal of the image data, and a plurality of acquired by the acquisition unit An upsampling control unit that controls upsampling of decoded image data of the encoded data so as to apply the phase of the chrominance signal indicated by any of the chrominance phase information, and according to the control of the upsampling control unit, An upsampling unit that upsamples the base layer of the decoded image data, and the upsampling image data obtained by upsampling the base layer of the decoded image data by the upsampling unit. A decoding unit that decodes the enhancement layer of the encoded data. It is a device.

The acquisition unit further acquires index information indicating which of the plurality of color difference phase information to apply to each picture, and the upsampling control unit uses the index information. The color difference phase information to be applied can be designated.

The acquisition unit can acquire the chrominance phase information for each picture transmitted in a picture parameter set (PPS (Picture Parameter Set)).

The acquisition unit further acquires information indicating the number of the color difference phase information, and the color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit based on the information indicating the number of the color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit The color difference phase information number determination unit for determining the number of the color difference phase information may be further provided.

The acquisition unit further acquires control information for performing control so that upsampling of the image data is performed on a field basis, and the upsampling control unit is configured to acquire the decoded image data according to the control information acquired by the acquisition unit. Can control upsampling.

Another aspect of the present technology also obtains encoded data of image data including a plurality of layers and a plurality of color difference phase information related to a phase of a color difference signal of the image data, and the obtained plurality of the color difference phase information. To control the upsampling of the decoded image data of the encoded data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal indicated by any of the above, up-sample the base layer of the decoded image data according to the control, This is an image decoding method for decoding an enhancement layer of the obtained encoded data using upsampled image data obtained by upsampling a data base layer.

According to still another aspect of the present technology, a base layer encoding unit that encodes a base layer of image data and generates encoded data, and the code obtained by encoding the image data by the base layer encoding unit An up-sample image of the decoded image data is generated by performing an up-sample of each frame of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data by a method corresponding to a method of a frame rate conversion process performed on the image data. An image encoding device comprising: an upsampling unit; and an enhancement layer encoding unit that generates an encoded data by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data using the upsampled image generated by the upsampling unit. is there.

According to still another aspect of the present technology, each of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data obtained by encoding a base layer of the image data, generating encoded data, and encoding the image data is provided. The frame up-sampling is performed by a method according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, the up-sampled image of the decoded image data is generated, and the generated up-sampled image is used. An image encoding method for encoding an enhancement layer of the image data and generating encoded data.

According to still another aspect of the present technology, a base layer decoding unit that decodes encoded data obtained by encoding a base layer of image data, and a base obtained by decoding the decoded data by the base layer decoding unit. An upsampling unit that performs upsampling of each frame of the decoded image data of the layer by a method according to a scanning method frame rate conversion method performed on the image data, and generates an upsampled image of the decoded image data; An image decoding apparatus comprising: an enhancement layer decoding unit that decodes encoded data in which an enhancement layer of the image data is encoded using the upsampled image generated by the upsampling unit.

According to still another aspect of the present technology, the encoded data obtained by encoding the base layer of the image data is decoded, and each frame of the decoded image data of the base layer obtained by decoding the decoded data is uploaded. The sample is performed by a method according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, an upsample image of the decoded image data is generated, and the image is generated using the generated upsample image. This is an image decoding method for decoding encoded data obtained by encoding an enhancement layer of data.

In one aspect of the present technology, a plurality of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data including a plurality of layers is generated, each layer of the image data is encoded, and the generated plurality of color difference phase information is generated. The encoded data of the image data is transmitted.

In another aspect of the present technology, encoded data of image data including a plurality of layers and a plurality of color difference phase information regarding the phase of a color difference signal of the image data are acquired, and any one of the acquired plurality of color difference phase information The up-sampling of the decoded image data of the encoded data is controlled so as to apply the phase of the chrominance signal indicated by, the base layer of the decoded image data is up-sampled according to the control, and the base layer of the decoded image data is up-sampled The enhancement layer of the acquired encoded data is decoded using the upsampled image data obtained in this way.

In still another aspect of the present technology, the base layer of the image data is encoded, the encoded data is generated, and each frame of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data is obtained by encoding the image data. Up-sampling is performed by a method corresponding to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, an up-sample image of the decoded image data is generated, and the generated up-sample image is used to generate the image data. The enhancement layer is encoded to generate encoded data.

In still another aspect of the present technology, the encoded data obtained by encoding the base layer of the image data is decoded, and the up-sample of each frame of the decoded image data of the base layer obtained by decoding the decoded data is performed. This is performed by a method according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, an upsampled image of the decoded image data is generated, and an enhancement layer of the image data is generated using the generated upsampled image. The encoded data that has been encoded is decoded.

According to the present disclosure, an image can be encoded / decoded. In particular, reduction in image quality due to encoding or decoding can be suppressed.

It is a figure explaining the structural example of a coding unit. It is a figure which shows the example of a hierarchy image coding system. It is a figure explaining the example of spatial scalable encoding. It is a figure explaining the example of temporal scalable encoding. It is a figure explaining the example of the scalable encoding of a signal noise ratio. It is a figure explaining the example of the phase of a color difference signal. It is a figure explaining the example of the syntax regarding the phase of a color difference signal. It is a figure explaining the example of the phase of a color difference signal. It is a figure explaining the example of the syntax regarding the phase of a color difference signal. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an image coding apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of a color difference phase control part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of a base layer image coding part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an enhancement layer image coding part. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an image encoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a color difference phase setting process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a base layer encoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a color difference phase information generation process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an enhancement layer encoding process. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an image decoding apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of a color difference phase control part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of a base layer image decoding part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an enhancement layer image decoding part. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an image decoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a base layer decoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a color difference phase setting process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an enhancement layer decoding process. It is a figure explaining the example of the mode of 2: 3 pull-up. It is a figure explaining the example of the mode of an up sample. It is a figure explaining the example of the phase in an up sample. It is a figure which shows the example of 2: 3 pull-up information. It is a figure which shows the example of the syntax of a picture parameter set. It is a figure which shows the example of the syntax of a picture parameter set. It is a figure which shows the example of phase information. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an image coding apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of a base layer image coding part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an up sample part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an enhancement layer image coding part. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an image encoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a base layer encoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an upsampling process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an enhancement layer encoding process. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an image decoding apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of a base layer image decoding part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an up sample part. It is a block diagram which shows the main structural examples of an enhancement layer image decoding part. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an image decoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a base layer decoding process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an upsampling process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an enhancement layer decoding process. It is a figure which shows the example of a multiview image encoding system. It is a figure which shows the main structural examples of the multiview image coding apparatus to which this technique is applied. It is a figure which shows the main structural examples of the multiview image decoding apparatus to which this technique is applied. And FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of a computer. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of a television apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of a mobile telephone. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of a recording / reproducing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of an imaging device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of scalable encoding utilization. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of scalable encoding utilization. It is a block diagram which shows the further another example of scalable encoding utilization. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of a video set. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of a video processor. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the schematic structure of a video processor. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the content reproduction system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the flow of the data in a content reproduction system. It is explanatory drawing which showed the specific example of MPD. It is the functional block diagram which showed the structure of the content server of a content reproduction system. It is the functional block diagram which showed the structure of the content reproduction apparatus of a content reproduction system. It is the functional block diagram which showed the structure of the content server of a content reproduction system. It is a sequence chart which shows the example of a communication process by each apparatus of a radio | wireless communications system. It is a sequence chart which shows the example of a communication process by each apparatus of a radio | wireless communications system. It is a figure which shows typically the structural example of the frame format (frame | format | format) transmitted / received in the communication processing by each apparatus of a radio | wireless communications system. It is a sequence chart which shows the example of a communication process by each apparatus of a radio | wireless communications system.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described. The description will be given in the following order.
1. First embodiment (phase of color difference signal of interlaced image)
2. Second Embodiment (Image Encoding Device)
3. Third Embodiment (Image Decoding Device)
4). Fourth embodiment (2: 3 pull-up image upsampling)
5. Fifth embodiment (image coding apparatus)
6). Sixth embodiment (image decoding apparatus)
7). Seventh embodiment (multi-view image encoding / multi-view image decoding apparatus)
8). Eighth Embodiment (Computer)
9. Ninth embodiment (application example)
10. Tenth Embodiment (Application Example of Scalable Coding)
11. Eleventh embodiment (set unit module processor)
12 Twelfth embodiment (application example of MPEG-DASH content playback system)
13. Thirteenth embodiment (application example of Wi-Fi standard wireless communication system)

<1. First Embodiment>
<Image coding standardization process>

In recent years, image information has been handled as digital data, and at that time, for the purpose of efficient transmission and storage of information, encoding is performed by orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform and motion compensation using redundancy unique to image information. An apparatus that employs a method to compress and code an image is becoming widespread. Examples of this encoding method include MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group).

In particular, MPEG2 (ISO / IEC 13818-2) is defined as a general-purpose image encoding system, and is a standard that covers both interlaced scanning images and progressive scanning images, as well as standard resolution images and high-definition images. For example, MPEG2 is currently widely used in a wide range of applications for professional and consumer applications. By using the MPEG2 compression method, for example, a code amount (bit rate) of 4 to 8 Mbps can be assigned to an interlaced scanned image having a standard resolution having 720 × 480 pixels. Further, by using the MPEG2 compression method, for example, in the case of a high-resolution interlaced scanned image having 1920 × 1088 pixels, a code amount (bit rate) of 18 to 22 Mbps can be allocated. As a result, a high compression rate and good image quality can be realized.

MPEG2 was mainly intended for high-quality encoding suitable for broadcasting, but it did not support encoding methods with a lower code amount (bit rate) than MPEG1, that is, a higher compression rate. With the widespread use of mobile terminals, the need for such an encoding system is expected to increase in the future, and the MPEG4 encoding system has been standardized accordingly. Regarding the image coding system, the standard was approved as an international standard in December 1998 as ISO / IEC 14496-2.

Furthermore, in recent years, the standardization of H.26L (ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector) Q6 / 16 VCEG (Video Coding Expert Group)) has been promoted for the purpose of initial video coding for video conferences. It was. H.26L is known to achieve higher encoding efficiency than the conventional encoding schemes such as MPEG2 and MPEG4, although a large amount of calculation is required for encoding and decoding. In addition, as part of MPEG4 activities, Joint 取り入れ Model of Enhanced-Compression Video Coding has been implemented based on this H.26L and incorporating functions not supported by H.26L to achieve higher coding efficiency. It was broken.

The standardization schedule became an international standard in March 2003 under the names H.264 and MPEG-4 Part 10 (Advanced Video Coding, hereinafter referred to as AVC).

Furthermore, this H. As an extension of H.264 / AVC, FRExt including RGB, 4: 2: 2, 4: 4: 4 coding tools necessary for business use, 8x8DCT and quantization matrix defined by MPEG-2 (FidelityFiRange Extension) standardization was completed in February 2005. As a result, H.C. Using 264 / AVC, it has become an encoding method that can express film noise contained in movies well, and has been used in a wide range of applications such as Blu-Ray Disc (trademark).

However, these days, we want to compress images with a resolution of about 4000x2000 pixels, which is four times higher than high-definition images, or to deliver high-definition images in a limited transmission capacity environment such as the Internet. The need for is growing. For this reason, in the above-mentioned VCEG under the ITU-T, studies on improving the coding efficiency are being continued.

Therefore, JCTVC (Joint Collaboration Team-Video Coding), which is a joint standardization organization of ITU-T and ISO / IEC (International Organization for Standardization // International Electrotechnical Commission), is currently aimed at further improving coding efficiency from AVC. ), Standardization of an encoding method called HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) is being promoted. Regarding the HEVC standard, CommitteeCommitdraft, which is a draft version specification, was issued in January 2013 (see Non-Patent Document 1, for example).

<Encoding method>
In the following, the present technology will be described by taking as an example the case of application to HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) image encoding / decoding.

<Coding unit>
In the AVC (Advanced Video Coding) method, a hierarchical structure is defined by macroblocks and sub-macroblocks. However, a macro block of 16 × 16 pixels is not optimal for a large image frame such as UHD (Ultra High Definition: 4000 pixels × 2000 pixels), which is a target of the next generation encoding method.

On the other hand, in the HEVC system, as shown in FIG. 1, a coding unit (CU (Coding Unit)) is defined.

CU is also called Coding Tree Block (CTB) and is a partial area of a picture unit image that plays the same role as a macroblock in the AVC method. The latter is fixed to a size of 16 × 16 pixels, whereas the size of the former is not fixed, and is specified in the image compression information in each sequence.

For example, in the sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Co)) included in the output encoded data, the maximum size (LCU (Largest Coding Unit)) and the minimum size (SCU (Smallest Coding Unit)) are specified. The

In each LCU, split-flag = 1 can be divided into smaller CUs within a range that does not fall below the SCU size. In the example of FIG. 1, the LCU size is 128 and the maximum hierarchical depth is 5. When the value of split_flag is “1”, the 2Nx2N CU is divided into NxN CUs that are one level below.

Further, the CU is divided into prediction units (Prediction Units (PU)) that are regions (partial regions of images in units of pictures) that are processing units of intra or inter prediction, and are regions that are processing units of orthogonal transformation It is divided into transform units (Transform Unit (TU)), which is (a partial area of an image in units of pictures). Currently, in the HEVC system, it is possible to use 16x16 and 32x32 orthogonal transforms in addition to 4x4 and 8x8.

In the case of an encoding method in which a CU is defined and various processes are performed in units of the CU as in the above HEVC method, a macro block in the AVC method corresponds to an LCU, and a block (sub block) corresponds to a CU. Then you can think. A motion compensation block in the AVC method can be considered to correspond to a PU. However, since the CU has a hierarchical structure, the size of the LCU of the highest hierarchy is generally set larger than the macro block of the AVC method, for example, 128 × 128 pixels.

Therefore, hereinafter, it is assumed that the LCU also includes a macro block in the AVC method, and the CU also includes a block (sub-block) in the AVC method. That is, “block” used in the following description indicates an arbitrary partial area in the picture, and its size, shape, characteristics, and the like are not limited. That is, the “block” includes an arbitrary area (processing unit) such as a TU, PU, SCU, CU, LCU, sub-block, macroblock, or slice. Of course, other partial areas (processing units) are also included. When it is necessary to limit the size, processing unit, etc., it will be described as appropriate.

Also, in this specification, CTU (Coding Tree Unit) is a unit that includes CTB (Coding Tree Block) of LCU (maximum number of CUs) and parameters when processing on the LCU base (level). . Further, it is assumed that CU (Coding 構成 Unit) constituting the CTU is a unit including CB (Coding パラメータ Block) and parameters for processing in the CU base (level).

<Mode selection>
By the way, in the AVC and HEVC encoding schemes, selection of an appropriate prediction mode is important to achieve higher encoding efficiency.

As an example of such a selection method, H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC reference software called JM (Joint Model) (published at http://iphome.hhi.de/suehring/tml/index.htm) The method implemented in can be mentioned.

In JM, it is possible to select the following two mode determination methods: High Complexity Mode and Low Complexity Mode. In both cases, a cost function value for each prediction mode Mode is calculated, and a prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value is selected as the optimum mode for the block or macroblock.

The cost function in High Complexity Mode is shown as the following formula (1).

Here, Ω is the difference energy between the decoded image and the input image when the entire set D of candidate modes for encoding the block or macroblock is encoded in the prediction mode. λ is a Lagrange undetermined multiplier given as a function of the quantization parameter. R is the total code amount when encoding is performed in this mode, including orthogonal transform coefficients.

That is, in order to perform encoding in High Complexity Mode, the parameters D and R are calculated, and therefore, it is necessary to perform temporary encoding processing once in all candidate modes, which requires a higher calculation amount.

The cost function in Low Complexity Mode is shown as the following formula (2).

Here, D is the difference energy between the predicted image and the input image, unlike the case of High Complexity Mode. QP2Quant (QP) is given as a function of the quantization parameter QP, and HeaderBit is a code amount related to information belonging to Header, such as a motion vector and mode, which does not include an orthogonal transform coefficient.

That is, in the Low Complexity Mode, it is necessary to perform a prediction process for each candidate mode, but it is not necessary to perform the encoding process because the decoded image is not necessary. For this reason, it is possible to realize with a calculation amount lower than High Complexity Mode.

<Hierarchical coding>
By the way, the conventional image coding methods such as MPEG2 and AVC have a scalability function. Scalable encoding (hierarchical encoding) is a scheme in which an image is divided into a plurality of layers (hierarchical) and encoded for each layer. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical image encoding scheme.

As shown in FIG. 2, in image hierarchization, one image is divided into a plurality of hierarchies (layers) based on a predetermined parameter having a scalability function. That is, the hierarchized image (hierarchical image) includes images of a plurality of hierarchies (layers) having different predetermined parameter values. The multiple layers of this hierarchical image use the base layer (base layer) that encodes and decodes using only the image of its own layer without using the image of the other layer, and the image of the other layer. And a non-base layer (also referred to as an enhancement layer) that performs encoding / decoding. As the non-base layer, an image of the base layer may be used, or an image of another non-base layer may be used.

Generally, the non-base layer is composed of difference image data (difference data) between its own image and an image of another layer so that redundancy is reduced. For example, when one image is divided into two layers of a base layer and a non-base layer (also referred to as an enhancement layer), an image with lower quality than the original image can be obtained using only the base layer data. By synthesizing the base layer data, an original image (that is, a high-quality image) can be obtained.

By layering images in this way, it is possible to easily obtain images of various qualities depending on the situation. For terminals with low processing capabilities, such as mobile phones, for example, image compression information of only the base layer is transmitted, and moving images with low spatial time resolution or poor image quality are played back, such as televisions and personal computers. For terminals with high processing capacity, such as transmitting the image compression information of the enhancement layer in addition to the base layer, and playing back a moving image with a high spatio-temporal resolution or high image quality, It is possible to transmit image compression information according to the capabilities of the terminal and the network from the server without performing transcoding processing.

<Scalable parameters>
In such hierarchical image encoding / hierarchical image decoding (scalable encoding / scalable decoding), parameters having a scalability function are arbitrary. For example, the spatial resolution as shown in FIG. 3 may be used as the parameter (spatial scalability). In the case of this spatial scalability, the resolution of the image is different for each layer. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the enhancement is such that each picture is synthesized with the base layer having a spatially lower resolution than the original image and the base layer image to obtain the original image (original spatial resolution). Layered into two layers. Of course, this number of hierarchies is an example, and the number of hierarchies can be hierarchized.

In addition, as a parameter for providing such scalability, for example, a temporal resolution as shown in FIG. 4 may be applied (temporal scalability). In the case of this temporal scalability (temporal scalability), the frame rate is different for each layer. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 4, layers are layered at different frame rates, and by adding a high frame rate layer to a low frame rate layer, a higher frame rate moving image is obtained. By adding all the layers, the original moving image (original frame rate) can be obtained. This number of hierarchies is an example, and can be hierarchized to an arbitrary number of hierarchies.

Furthermore, for example, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR (Signal-to-Noise-ratio)) as shown in FIG. 5 may be applied as a parameter for providing such scalability (SNR-scalability). In the case of this SNR scalability (SNR scalability), the SN ratio is different for each layer. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5, each picture is combined with a base layer having an SNR lower than that of the original image and an enhancement layer in which the original image (original SNR) is obtained by combining with the base layer image. Are divided into two layers. In other words, in the base layer image compression information, information related to the low PSNR image is transmitted, and the enhancement layer (enhancement layer) image compression information is added to this to reconstruct a high PSNR image. It is possible. Of course, this number of hierarchies is an example, and the number of hierarchies can be hierarchized.

Of course, the parameters for providing scalability may be other than the examples described above. For example, the base layer (base layer) consists of 8-bit (bit) images, and by adding an enhancement layer (enhancement layer) to this, the bit depth scalability (bit-depth られる scalability) that can obtain a 10-bit (bit) image is is there.

In addition, the base layer (base より layer) consists of component images in 4: 2: 0 format, and by adding the enhancement layer (enhancement layer) to this, chroma scalability (chroma) scalability).

<Phase of color difference signal in scalable encoding / decoding>
By the way, in the case of scalable encoding / decoding, in the enhancement layer encoding / decoding, a base layer image (decoded image obtained in base layer encoding / decoding). For example, it can be used as a reference image. In this case, for example, in the case of spatial scalability, there is a method of up-sampling the base layer image to match the enhancement layer resolution.

In the case of upsampling a color difference signal in such upsampling processing, it is necessary to consider the phase of the color difference signal. Therefore, Non-Patent Document 2 proposed a method for transmitting the phase of the color difference signal in the enhancement layer image compression information to be output.

For example, in an encoding method such as AVC or HEVC, six patterns shown in FIG. 6 can be set as the phase of the color difference signal. In FIG. 6, squares indicate luminance signals and circles indicate color difference signals. Therefore, Non-Patent Document 2 proposes a syntax as shown in FIG. 7 in order to support various phases of color difference signals as shown in FIG.

That is, in the case of this method, sampling_grid_information () including information such as horizontal_phase_offset16, vertical_phase_offset16, chroma_phase_x_flag, chroma_phase_y, etc., as shown in FIG. 7B, is shown in FIG. As described above, in the extension part (sps_extension ()) of the sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)), it is transmitted from the encoding side to the decoding side.

On the encoding side, the up-sampling process is performed by applying the phase of the color difference signal indicated in the information regarding the phase of the color difference signal to be transmitted in this way. On the decoding side, the up-sampling process is performed by applying the phase of the color difference signal indicated in the information regarding the phase of the color difference signal transmitted in this way.

By the way, the phase of the color difference signal in the interlaced image whose scanning method is interlaced is as shown in FIG. 8, for example. In FIG. 8, squares indicate luminance signals and circles indicate color difference signals. For example, in the case of the frame structure, the phase of the color difference signal of the interlaced image is as in the example shown in A of FIG. For example, in the case of the field structure, the phase of the color difference signal of the interlaced image is as shown in the example shown in B of FIG. 8 or C of FIG. FIG. 8B shows an example of the phase of the color difference signal in the top field, and FIG. 8C shows an example of the phase of the color difference signal in the bottom field.

That is, when such an interlaced image is encoded on a field basis (field encoding), as shown in FIG. 8B or FIG. 8C, the phases of a plurality of types of color difference signals in a single sequence. Will exist. However, with the method described in Non-Patent Document 2, only a single color difference signal phase can be transmitted in a single sequence, and there is a possibility that the phase cannot be accurately reflected in the upsampling processing of the color difference signal. was there. Therefore, there is a possibility that encoding or decoding is performed using an upsampled image with an incorrect phase, and as a result, the image quality of the decoded image may be significantly reduced.

In addition, even when encoding on a frame basis (frame encoding), since interlaced images include pixels with different times in the frame, if upsampling processing is performed on a frame basis, pixels at a plurality of times May generate a pixel, which may reduce the accuracy of the upsampled image. That is, in order to obtain a more accurate upsampled image, the upsampling process should not be frame-based but field-based.

However, in the method described in Non-Patent Document 2, only frame-based upsampling processing can be specified. In order to perform up-sampling processing on a field basis, as described above, it is necessary to be able to apply a plurality of phases of the color difference signal in a single sequence. It was possible to transmit only the phase. Therefore, the upsampled image becomes more inaccurate, and the image quality may be greatly reduced by encoding and decoding.

<Transmission of information about multiple color difference phases>
Therefore, a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal are transmitted for a single sequence. That is, a plurality of color difference phase information is transmitted for each sequence so that the phases of a plurality of color difference signals can be applied to a single sequence. In this case, any one of the plurality of color difference phase information is applied in the up-sampling process of each picture in encoding and decoding.

For example, in field-based encoding / decoding (also referred to as field encoding / decoding) in which a field of an interlaced image is encoded / decoded as a picture, color difference phase information for top field and color difference phase information for bottom field are To be transmitted. In the upsampling process performed in field encoding / decoding, when the top field is to be processed among the plurality of color difference phase information, the top field color difference phase information is applied and the bottom field is processed. When the target is used, the color difference phase information for the bottom field is applied.

By doing so, the phase of the color difference signal can be more accurately reflected in the upsampling process performed in the field-based encoding / decoding, and a more accurate upsampled image can be obtained. Therefore, reduction in image quality due to encoding and decoding can be suppressed.

For example, information indicating which color difference phase information is applied to each picture may be transmitted together with a plurality of color difference phase information. For example, an index may be assigned to each color difference phase information, and which color difference phase information is applied to each picture may be designated by the index. For example, the index information specifying the index assigned to the color difference phase information of the top field picture is transmitted to the field picture of the top field, and the color difference phase information of the bottom field picture is transmitted to the field picture of the bottom field. Index information for designating an index assigned to the ID may be transmitted. By doing so, it is possible to easily indicate which color difference phase information is applied to each picture with an index having a small amount of data. Therefore, an increase in code amount can be suppressed.

For example, in a sequence parameter set (SPS), a plurality of color difference phase information and index information indicating an index of color difference phase information to be applied for each picture may be transmitted.

Also, for example, a plurality of color difference phase information is transmitted in a sequence parameter set (SPS), and index information indicating an index of color difference phase information applied to the picture is transmitted in each picture parameter set (PPS). Also good. By doing in this way, the increase in code amount can be suppressed.

Further, for example, information indicating the number of pieces of color difference phase information to be transmitted may be transmitted. By doing in this way, the number of transmitted color difference phase information can be grasped more easily on the decoding side, and control of upsampling processing can be facilitated.

Also, for example, control information for controlling the upsampling of image data to be performed on a field basis may be transmitted. For example, in the case of frame encoding / decoding of an interlaced image, control information for controlling the upsampling process to be performed on a field basis instead of a frame basis may be transmitted. By performing up-sampling processing performed in encoding and decoding according to such control information, a more accurate up-sampled image can be obtained, and reduction in image quality due to encoding and decoding can be suppressed. it can.

FIG. 9 shows an example of syntax related to the phase of such a color difference signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, sampling_glid_information () is transmitted in a sequence parameter set (SPS) (for example, sps_extension ()).

In this example, sampling_glid_information () includes the following information.
num_phase_offset: Information indicating the number of color difference phase information.
field_base_upsampling_flag: Control information that controls to perform upsampling on a field basis.
horizontal_phase_offset16: Information indicating the horizontal offset of the phase.
vertical_phase_offset16: Information indicating the offset in the vertical direction of the phase.
chroma_phase_x_flag: Information indicating whether or not to perform a phase shift in the horizontal direction of the color difference signal.
chroma_phase_y: Information indicating whether or not to perform a phase shift in the vertical direction of the color difference signal.
phase_offset_idx: Indicates an index assigned to color difference phase information.

That is, horizontal_phase_offset16, vertical_phase_offset16, chroma_phase_x_flag, and chroma_phase_y are transmitted as color difference phase information. A plurality of these pieces of information are transmitted, and an index (phase_offset_idx) is assigned to each piece of information.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, phase_offset_idx (index information) is transmitted in a picture parameter set (PPS) (for example, pps_extension ()). That is, in each picture parameter set (PPS), an index of chrominance phase information applied to the picture is designated.

Also, for example, in each picture parameter set (PPS), chrominance phase information applied to the picture may be transmitted. By doing this, chrominance phase information having a data amount larger than that of index information is transmitted for each picture, so that the code amount may increase as compared with the above example, but the sequence parameter set ( SPS) reference becomes unnecessary, and control related to upsampling can be facilitated.

In this case, the syntax shown in FIG. 7 may be transmitted in the picture parameter set (PPS), and the description thereof will be omitted.

<2. Second Embodiment>
<Image encoding device>
Next, an apparatus and method for realizing the present technology as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image encoding device that is an aspect of an image processing device to which the present technology is applied. An image encoding device 100 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a device that performs hierarchical image encoding (scalable encoding) with spatial scalability. As shown in FIG. 10, the image coding apparatus 100 includes a color difference phase control unit 101, a downsampling unit 102, a base layer image coding unit 103, an upsampling unit 104, an enhancement layer image coding unit 105, and a multiplexing Part 106.

The color difference phase control unit 101 controls the phase setting in the down-sampling processing of the color difference signal by the down-sampling unit 102 and the phase setting in the up-sampling processing of the color difference signal by the up-sampling unit 104. The color difference phase control unit 101 obtains image information such as whether or not an interlaced image is obtained from a high-resolution enhancement layer image input to the image encoding device 100, and the phase of the color difference signal based on the image information or the like. Set. The color difference phase control unit 101 supplies the color difference phase control information, which is control information indicating the setting of the phase of the color difference signal, to the downsampling unit 102. The color difference phase control unit 101 also supplies the color difference phase control information to the upsampling unit 104.

The color difference phase control unit 101 further generates transmission information (also referred to as color difference phase information) regarding the phase of the set color difference signal, and a sequence parameter set (SPS) or picture parameter set (PPS) including the color difference phase information. Etc. header information is generated. The chrominance phase control unit 101 supplies the generated header information to the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105, and transmits it to the decoding side as an enhancement layer bit stream (enhancement layer image encoded stream).

The downsampling unit 102 downsamples the enhancement layer image and generates a base layer image having a lower resolution than the enhancement layer image. The down-sampling unit 102 applies the setting of the phase of the color-difference signal indicated by the color-difference phase control information supplied from the color-difference phase control unit 101, that is, performs the down-sampling process of the color difference signal according to the control of the color difference phase control unit 101. Do. By doing so, the phase of the color difference signal of the base layer image can be made the same as that of the color difference signal of the enhancement layer image. That is, a more accurate base layer image can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a phase shift or the like and suppress the reduction in image quality due to encoding.

The down-sample unit 102 supplies the generated base layer image to the base layer image encoding unit 103.

The base layer image encoding unit 103 encodes the base layer image supplied from the downsampling unit 102, and generates a base layer image encoded stream. The base layer image encoding unit 103 supplies the generated base layer image encoded stream to the multiplexing unit 106. The base layer image encoding unit 103 also supplies a decoded image (also referred to as a base layer decoded image) generated in the encoding of the base layer image to the upsampling unit 104.

The upsampling unit 104 upsamples the low-resolution base layer decoded image supplied from the base layer image coding unit 103, and generates an upsampled image having the same resolution as the enhancement layer image. The upsampling unit 104 applies the phase setting of the color difference signal indicated by the color difference phase control information supplied from the color difference phase control unit 101, that is, performs the upsampling process of the color difference signal according to the control of the color difference phase control unit 101. Do. By doing so, the phase of the color difference signal of the upsampled image can be made the same as that of the base layer decoded image (that is, the phase difference signal of the enhancement layer image can be made the same). That is, a more accurate upsampled image can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a phase shift or the like and suppress the reduction in image quality due to encoding.

The upsample unit 104 supplies the generated upsample image to the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105.

The enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 encodes the enhancement layer image input to the image encoding device 100, and generates an enhancement layer image encoded stream. In the encoding, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 uses the upsample image supplied from the upsample unit 104 as a reference image for prediction processing and the like. In addition, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 includes the header information supplied from the color difference phase control unit 101 in the enhancement layer image encoded stream. The enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 supplies the generated enhancement layer image encoded stream to the multiplexing unit 106.

The multiplexing unit 106 multiplexes the base layer image encoded stream generated by the base layer image encoding unit 103 and the enhancement layer image encoded stream generated by the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 to generate a hierarchical image code Generate a stream. The multiplexing unit 106 transmits the generated hierarchical image encoded stream to the decoding side.

<Color difference phase control unit>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the color difference phase control unit 101 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the color difference phase control unit 101 includes a scanning method determination unit 121, an encoding method setting unit 122, a color difference phase setting unit 123, a downsample color difference phase control unit 124, an upsample color difference phase control unit 125, A color difference phase information generation unit 126 and an enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 are included.

The scanning method determination unit 121 acquires image information of an enhancement layer image input to the image encoding device 100, and determines whether the scanning method of the enhancement layer image (that is, the input image to be encoded) is interlaced. To do. The scanning method determination unit 121 sends the determination result, that is, information indicating the scanning method of the input image (information indicating whether the input image is an interlaced image) to the color difference phase setting unit 123 and the color difference phase information generation unit 126. Supply.

The encoding method setting unit 122 is, for example, an encoding method of encoding in the base layer image encoding unit 103 or the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 according to an instruction from the outside such as a user or a predetermined setting. Set. Here, the encoding method indicates field-based encoding / frame-based encoding. That is, the encoding scheme setting unit 122 sets whether to perform field-based encoding or frame-based encoding in the base layer image encoding unit 103 and the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105.

The encoding scheme setting unit 122 uses information indicating the set encoding scheme (that is, information indicating whether to perform field-based encoding or frame-based encoding) as a chrominance phase setting unit 123 and a chrominance phase information generation unit 126. To supply.

The chrominance phase setting unit 123 is based on information supplied from the scanning method determination unit 121 and the encoding method setting unit 122, that is, whether or not the enhancement layer image is an interlaced image. The phase of the color difference signal is set depending on whether the encoding is performed by encoding or frame encoding.

For example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is field-encoded, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets the phase of the color difference signal for each field picture of the top field and the bottom field. That is, in this case, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets a plurality of phases of the color difference signal for a single sequence. For example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets the phase of the color difference signal for the frame picture. That is, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets one phase of the color difference signal for a single sequence. Further, for example, when the input image is not an interlaced image (a progressive image whose scanning method is progressive), the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets the phase of the color difference signal for the frame picture. That is, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets one phase of the color difference signal for a single sequence.

The color difference phase setting unit 123 supplies information indicating the phase of the set color difference signal (color difference phase) to the downsample color difference phase control unit 124, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125, and the color difference phase information generation unit 126. For example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the color difference phase setting unit 123 instructs the downsample color difference phase control unit 124 to perform the downsample processing on the field basis, and The up-sampling color difference phase control unit 125 is instructed to perform the up-sampling process.

The downsample color difference phase control unit 124 generates color difference phase control information using the color difference phase supplied from the color difference phase setting unit 123, and supplies it to the downsample unit 102. That is, the downsample color difference phase control unit 124 controls the phase setting of the downsample processing of the color difference signal by the downsample unit 102.

For example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is field-encoded, the downsample chrominance phase control unit 124 sets a plurality of chrominance signals set for a single sequence in the downsampling processing of the topfield chrominance signal. The phase of the color difference signal set for the top field is controlled to be applied, and the phase of the color difference signal set for the bottom field is applied in the down-sampling processing of the color difference signal of the bottom field. To control.

Also, for example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the downsample color difference phase control unit 124 uses a single set for a single sequence in the downsample processing of the frame color difference signal. The control is performed so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal, that is, the phase of the color difference signal set for the frame picture.

Further, for example, when the input image is not an interlaced image (a progressive image), the downsample chrominance phase control unit 124 uses a single sequence set for a single sequence in the downsample processing of the chrominance signal of the frame. Control is performed so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal, that is, the phase of the color difference signal set for the frame picture.

By controlling as described above, the down-sample color difference phase control unit 124 can control the down-sample processing so as to suppress the occurrence of a phase shift and obtain a more accurate base layer image.

When the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the down-sample color difference phase control unit 124 may further control the down-sample unit 102 so that the down-sampling process is performed on a field basis. Good. By doing so, it is possible to perform down-sampling processing using pixel values at the same time, and to obtain a more accurate base layer image.

The upsample chrominance phase control unit 125 generates chrominance phase control information using the chrominance phase supplied from the chrominance phase setting unit 123 and supplies it to the upsampling unit 104. That is, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 controls the phase setting of the upsample process of the color difference signal by the upsample unit 104.

For example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is field-encoded, the upsample chrominance phase control unit 125 performs a chrominance signal that is set in plural for a single sequence in the upsample processing of the chrominance signal in the top field. The phase of the color difference signal set for the top field is controlled to be applied, and the phase of the color difference signal set for the bottom field is applied in the upsampling processing of the color difference signal of the bottom field. To control.

Further, for example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 performs a single set for a single sequence in the upsample processing of the frame color difference signal. The control is performed so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal, that is, the phase of the color difference signal set for the frame picture.

Furthermore, for example, when the input image is not an interlaced image (a progressive image), the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 performs a single set for a single sequence in the upsample processing of the frame color difference signal. Control is performed so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal, that is, the phase of the color difference signal set for the frame picture.

By controlling as described above, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 can control the upsample processing so as to suppress the occurrence of phase shift and the like and obtain a more accurate upsample image.

When the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 may further control the upsampler unit 104 to perform the upsample process on a field basis. Good. By doing so, it is possible to perform up-sampling processing using pixel values at the same time, and it is possible to obtain a more accurate up-sampled image.

The color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates color difference phase information for transmission using the color difference phase supplied from the color difference phase setting unit 123. The chrominance phase information generation unit 126 is based on information supplied from the scanning method determination unit 121 and the encoding method setting unit 122, that is, whether or not the enhancement layer image is an interlaced image, whether each layer of the input image is a field. Color difference phase information is generated depending on whether encoding is performed by base encoding or frame encoding.

The chrominance phase information generation unit 126 generates chrominance phase information such as the syntax of the example of FIG. 9A as described in the first embodiment, for example. For example, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 can also set horizontal_phase_offset16, vertical_phase_offset16, chroma_phase_x_flag, and chroma_phase_y as chrominance phase information. Of course, the color difference phase information is not limited to these. For example, the chrominance phase information may not include some of these, the chrominance phase information may include information other than these, or the chrominance phase information may be configured only by information other than these. It may be.

The color difference phase information generation unit 126 can also assign an index (phase_offset_idx) to these color difference phase information. For example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is field-encoded, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 generates a plurality of chrominance phase information for one sequence (the chrominance phase information for the top field and the bottom field). Color difference phase information may be generated), and different indexes may be assigned to the color difference phase information for each field.

For example, when the input image is frame-encoded, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates one color difference phase information (color difference phase information for a frame picture) for one sequence, and the color difference phase information is included in the color difference phase information. An index may be assigned to each other.

Then, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 may set the chrominance phase information to be applied to each picture using index information (phase_offset_idx) as in the example of FIG. 9B.

Further, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 generates information (num_phase_offset) indicating the number of chrominance phase information as in the syntax of the example of FIG. 9A described in the first embodiment, for example. Also good.

Further, for example, when the input image is an interlaced image and is frame-encoded, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 performs upsampling as in the syntax of the example of FIG. 9A described in the first embodiment. Control information (field_base_upsampling_flag) for controlling the processing to be performed on a field basis may be generated.

The color difference phase information generation unit 126 supplies the color difference phase information generated as described above to the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127.

The enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 generates header information (sequence parameter set (SPS), picture parameter set (PPS), etc.) including information supplied from the color difference phase information generation unit 126.

For example, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 generates a sequence parameter set (SPS) including the syntax sampling_glid_information () shown in A of FIG. Further, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 generates, for example, a picture parameter set (PPS) including the syntax shown in B of FIG.

The enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 supplies the generated header information to the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105, and transmits chrominance phase information and the like as an enhancement layer image encoded stream to the decoding side.

By generating chrominance phase information and the like and transmitting them to the decoding side as described above, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 suppresses the occurrence of phase shift and the like so that an accurate upsampled image can be obtained at the time of decoding. Can be. That is, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

In the above description, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 has been described as generating header information as in the example of FIG. 9, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, as described in the first embodiment, color difference phase information applied to the picture may be stored in each picture parameter set (PPS). That is, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 may generate a picture parameter set (PPS) including color difference phase information applied to the picture.

<Base layer image encoding unit>
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the base layer image encoding unit 103 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the base layer image encoding unit 103 includes a screen rearrangement buffer 131, a calculation unit 132, an orthogonal transformation unit 133, a quantization unit 134, a lossless encoding unit 135, a storage buffer 136, and an inverse quantization. A unit 137 and an inverse orthogonal transform unit 138. The base layer image encoding unit 103 also includes a calculation unit 139, a loop filter 140, a frame memory 141, a selection unit 142, an intra prediction unit 143, an inter prediction unit 144, a predicted image selection unit 145, and a rate control unit 146. .

The screen rearrangement buffer 131 stores the input image data (base layer image information), and the frame images stored in the display order are encoded according to GOP (Group Of Picture). The images rearranged in order and the image in which the order of the frames is rearranged are supplied to the calculation unit 132. In addition, the screen rearrangement buffer 131 also supplies the image in which the frame order is rearranged to the intra prediction unit 143 and the inter prediction unit 144.

The calculation unit 132 subtracts the prediction image supplied from the intra prediction unit 143 or the inter prediction unit 144 via the prediction image selection unit 145 from the image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 131, and orthogonalizes the difference information. The data is output to the conversion unit 133. For example, in the case of an image on which intra coding is performed, the calculation unit 132 subtracts the prediction image supplied from the intra prediction unit 143 from the image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 131. For example, in the case of an image on which inter coding is performed, the calculation unit 132 subtracts the prediction image supplied from the inter prediction unit 144 from the image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 131.

The orthogonal transform unit 133 performs orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform and Karhunen-Loeve transform on the difference information supplied from the computing unit 132. The orthogonal transform unit 133 supplies the transform coefficient to the quantization unit 134.

The quantization unit 134 quantizes the transform coefficient supplied from the orthogonal transform unit 133. The quantization unit 134 sets a quantization parameter based on the information regarding the target value of the code amount supplied from the rate control unit 146, and performs the quantization. The quantization unit 134 supplies the quantized transform coefficient to the lossless encoding unit 135.

The lossless encoding unit 135 encodes the transform coefficient quantized by the quantization unit 134 using an arbitrary encoding method. Since the coefficient data is quantized under the control of the rate control unit 146, this code amount becomes the target value set by the rate control unit 146 (or approximates the target value).

Also, the lossless encoding unit 135 acquires information indicating the mode of intra prediction from the intra prediction unit 143, and acquires information indicating the mode of inter prediction, differential motion vector information, and the like from the inter prediction unit 144. Further, the lossless encoding unit 135 appropriately generates a base layer NAL (Network Abstraction Layer) unit including a sequence parameter set (SPS), a picture parameter set (PPS), and the like.

The lossless encoding unit 135 encodes these various types of information using an arbitrary encoding method, and sets (multiplexes) the encoded information (also referred to as an encoded stream) as a part. The lossless encoding unit 135 supplies the encoded data obtained by encoding to the accumulation buffer 136 for accumulation.

Examples of the encoding method of the lossless encoding unit 135 include variable length encoding or arithmetic encoding. Examples of variable length coding include H.264. CAVLC (Context-Adaptive Variable Length Coding) defined in the H.264 / AVC format. Examples of arithmetic coding include CABAC (Context-Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding).

The accumulation buffer 136 temporarily holds the encoded stream (base layer image encoded stream) supplied from the lossless encoding unit 135. The accumulation buffer 136 outputs the held base layer image encoded stream to the multiplexing unit 106 (FIG. 10) at a predetermined timing. That is, the accumulation buffer 136 is also a transmission unit that transmits the base layer image encoded stream.

Also, the transform coefficient quantized by the quantization unit 134 is also supplied to the inverse quantization unit 137. The inverse quantization unit 137 inversely quantizes the quantized transform coefficient by a method corresponding to the quantization by the quantization unit 134. The inverse quantization unit 137 supplies the obtained transform coefficient to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 138.

The inverse orthogonal transform unit 138 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the transform coefficient supplied from the inverse quantization unit 137 by a method corresponding to the orthogonal transform process by the orthogonal transform unit 133. The inversely orthogonal transformed output (restored difference information) is supplied to the calculation unit 139.

The calculation unit 139 adds the prediction image from the intra prediction unit 143 or the inter prediction unit 144 to the restored difference information, which is the inverse orthogonal transformation result supplied from the inverse orthogonal transformation unit 138, via the prediction image selection unit 145. Addition is performed to obtain a locally decoded image (decoded image). The decoded image is supplied to the loop filter 140 or the frame memory 141.

The loop filter 140 includes a deblock filter, an adaptive loop filter, and the like, and appropriately performs a filtering process on the reconstructed image supplied from the calculation unit 139. For example, the loop filter 140 removes block distortion of the reconstructed image by performing deblocking filter processing on the reconstructed image. In addition, for example, the loop filter 140 performs image quality improvement by performing loop filter processing using a Wiener filter on the deblock filter processing result (reconstructed image from which block distortion has been removed). I do. The loop filter 140 supplies a filter processing result (hereinafter referred to as a decoded image) to the frame memory 141.

Note that the loop filter 140 may further perform other arbitrary filter processing on the reconstructed image. Further, the loop filter 140 can supply information such as filter coefficients used for the filter processing to the lossless encoding unit 135 and encode it as necessary.

The frame memory 141 stores the supplied decoded image, and supplies the stored decoded image as a reference image to the selection unit 142 at a predetermined timing.

More specifically, the frame memory 141 stores the reconstructed image supplied from the calculation unit 139 and the decoded image supplied from the loop filter 140, respectively. The frame memory 141 supplies the stored reconstructed image to the intra prediction unit 143 via the selection unit 142 at a predetermined timing or based on a request from the outside such as the intra prediction unit 143. Also, the frame memory 141 supplies the stored decoded image to the inter prediction unit 144 via the selection unit 142 at a predetermined timing or based on a request from the outside such as the inter prediction unit 144. .

The selection unit 142 selects a reference image supply destination supplied from the frame memory 141. For example, in the case of intra prediction, the selection unit 142 supplies a reference image (a pixel value in the current picture or a base layer decoded image) supplied from the frame memory 141 to the intra prediction unit 143. For example, in the case of inter prediction, the selection unit 142 supplies a reference image (a decoded image or a base layer decoded image outside the current picture of the enhancement layer) supplied from the frame memory 141 to the inter prediction unit 144.

The intra prediction unit 143 performs a prediction process on a current picture that is an image of a processing target frame to generate a predicted image. The intra prediction unit 143 performs this prediction processing for each predetermined block (using blocks as processing units). That is, the intra prediction unit 143 generates a predicted image of the current block that is the processing target of the current picture. At that time, the intra prediction unit 143 performs prediction processing (intra-screen prediction (also referred to as intra prediction)) using a reconstructed image supplied as a reference image from the frame memory 141 via the selection unit 142. That is, the intra prediction unit 143 generates a prediction image using pixel values around the current block included in the reconstructed image. The peripheral pixel value used for this intra prediction is the pixel value of the pixel processed in the past of the current picture. For this intra prediction (that is, how to generate a predicted image), a plurality of methods (also referred to as intra prediction modes) are prepared in advance as candidates. The intra prediction unit 143 performs this intra prediction in the plurality of intra prediction modes prepared in advance.

The intra prediction unit 143 generates prediction images in all candidate intra prediction modes, evaluates the cost function value of each prediction image using the input image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 131, and selects the optimum mode. select. When the intra prediction unit 143 selects the optimal intra prediction mode, the intra prediction unit 143 supplies the predicted image generated in the optimal mode to the predicted image selection unit 145.

Also, as described above, the intra prediction unit 143 appropriately supplies the intra prediction mode information indicating the adopted intra prediction mode to the lossless encoding unit 135 to be encoded.

The inter prediction unit 144 performs prediction processing on the current picture and generates a predicted image. The inter prediction unit 144 performs this prediction processing for each predetermined block (using blocks as processing units). That is, the inter prediction unit 144 generates a predicted image of the current block that is the processing target of the current picture. At this time, the inter prediction unit 144 performs prediction processing using the image data of the input image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 131 and the image data of the decoded image supplied as a reference image from the frame memory 141. This decoded image is an image of a frame processed before the current picture (another picture that is not the current picture). That is, the inter prediction unit 144 performs a prediction process (inter-screen prediction (also referred to as inter prediction)) that generates a predicted image using an image of another picture.

This inter prediction consists of motion prediction and motion compensation. More specifically, the inter prediction unit 144 performs motion prediction on the current block using the input image and the reference image, and detects a motion vector. Then, the inter prediction unit 144 uses the reference image to perform motion compensation processing according to the detected motion vector, and generates a prediction image (inter prediction image information) of the current block. A plurality of methods (also referred to as inter prediction modes) are prepared in advance as candidates for the inter prediction (that is, how to generate a predicted image). The inter prediction unit 144 performs such inter prediction in the plurality of inter prediction modes prepared in advance.

The inter prediction unit 144 generates a prediction image in all candidate inter prediction modes. The inter prediction unit 144 evaluates the cost function value of each prediction image using the input image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 131, information on the generated difference motion vector, and the like, and selects an optimal mode. When the optimal inter prediction mode is selected, the inter prediction unit 144 supplies the predicted image generated in the optimal mode to the predicted image selection unit 145.

The inter prediction unit 144 supplies information indicating the adopted inter prediction mode, information necessary for performing processing in the inter prediction mode, and the like to the lossless encoding unit 135 when decoding the encoded data, Encode. The necessary information includes, for example, information on the generated differential motion vector, a flag indicating an index of the motion vector predictor as motion vector predictor information, and the like.

The predicted image selection unit 145 selects a supply source of the predicted image to be supplied to the calculation unit 132 or the calculation unit 139. For example, in the case of intra coding, the predicted image selection unit 145 selects the intra prediction unit 143 as the supply source of the predicted image, and supplies the predicted image supplied from the intra prediction unit 143 to the calculation unit 132 and the calculation unit 139. To do. Further, for example, in the case of inter coding, the predicted image selection unit 145 selects the inter prediction unit 144 as a supply source of the predicted image, and calculates the predicted image supplied from the inter prediction unit 144 as the calculation unit 132 or the calculation unit 139. To supply.

The rate control unit 146 controls the quantization operation rate of the quantization unit 134 based on the code amount of the encoded data stored in the storage buffer 136 so that overflow or underflow does not occur.

The base layer image encoding unit 103 performs encoding without referring to other layers. That is, the intra prediction unit 143 and the inter prediction unit 144 do not use decoded images of other layers as reference images.

Also, the frame memory 141 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 104 so as to be used for enhancement layer encoding.

<Enhancement layer image encoding unit>
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 13, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 has basically the same configuration as the base layer image encoding unit 103 of FIG.

That is, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 includes a screen rearrangement buffer 151, a calculation unit 152, an orthogonal transformation unit 153, a quantization unit 154, a lossless encoding unit 155, a storage buffer 156, and an inverse buffer, as shown in FIG. A quantization unit 157 and an inverse orthogonal transform unit 158 are included. The enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 includes a calculation unit 159, a loop filter 160, a frame memory 161, a selection unit 162, an intra prediction unit 163, an inter prediction unit 164, a predicted image selection unit 165, and a rate control unit 166. .

These screen rearrangement buffer 151 to rate control unit 166 correspond to the screen rearrangement buffer 131 to rate control unit 146 of FIG. 12, and perform the same processing as the corresponding processing unit, respectively. However, each part of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 performs processing for encoding enhancement layer image information, not the base layer. Therefore, as the description of the processing of the screen rearrangement buffer 151 to the rate control unit 166, the above description of the screen rearrangement buffer 131 to the rate control unit 146 of FIG. 12 can be applied. Needs to be enhancement layer data, not base layer data. Further, it is necessary to read the data input source and output destination processing units by replacing them with corresponding processing units in the screen rearrangement buffer 151 through the rate control unit 166, as appropriate.

The enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 performs encoding with reference to information on other layers (for example, a base layer). The frame memory 161 stores the upsample image supplied from the upsample unit 104. The frame memory 161 supplies the base layer decoded image as a reference image to the intra prediction unit 163 or the inter prediction unit 164 via the selection unit 162 in the intra BL mode, the reference index mode, or the like.

Further, the lossless encoding unit 155 obtains header information (sequence parameter set (SPS), picture parameter set (PPS), etc.) including the color difference phase information supplied from the color difference phase control unit 101, and enhances it. It is included in the encoded image stream (header information thereof) and supplied to the accumulation buffer 156 (transmitted to the decoding side).

As described above in the first embodiment, the image coding apparatus 100 is provided by generating the color difference phase control unit 101 that generates information related to the phase of the color difference signal in the upsampling and transmits the information to the decoding side. Can suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

Further, as described in the first embodiment, the color difference phase control unit 101 controls the phase setting of the color difference signal in the down-sampling process or the up-sampling process, so that the image encoding apparatus 100 performs the encoding. Reduction in image quality can be suppressed.

In FIG. 10, it has been described that the enhancement layer image is input to the image encoding device 100 and the enhancement layer image is down-sampled to generate the base layer image. Of course, a sample-processed base layer image and enhancement layer image may be input.

<Flow of image encoding process>
Next, the flow of each process executed by the image encoding device 100 as described above will be described. First, an example of the flow of image encoding processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image encoding process is started, in step S101, the color difference phase control unit 101 of the image encoding apparatus 100 performs settings relating to the phase (color difference phase) of the color difference signal for the downsampling process and the upsampling process.

In step S102, the downsampling unit 102 applies the color difference phase set in step S101, downsamples an enhancement layer image having a higher resolution than the base layer image input to the image encoding device 100, and A base layer image having a resolution lower than that of the enhancement layer image is generated.

In step S103, the base layer image encoding unit 103 encodes the base layer image data obtained by the processing in step S102.

In step S104, the up-sampling unit 104 applies the color difference phase set in step S101, up-samples the base layer decoded image obtained by encoding the base layer image performed in step S103, and performs enhancement. An upsampled image having a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the layer image is obtained.

In step S105, the color difference phase control unit 101 generates color difference phase information for transmission using the color difference phase set in step S101.

In step S106, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 encodes the enhancement layer image data. At that time, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 includes the header information including the color difference phase information generated in step S105 in the encoded stream.

In step S107, the multiplexing unit 106 combines the base layer image encoded stream generated by the process of step S103 and the enhancement layer image encoded stream generated by the process of step S106 (that is, the bit stream of each layer). Are multiplexed to generate a single hierarchical image encoded stream.

When the process of step S107 is completed, the image encoding device 100 ends the image encoding process. One picture is processed by such an image encoding process. Therefore, the image encoding device 100 repeatedly executes such image encoding processing for each picture of the moving image data that is hierarchized. However, it is not necessary to perform processing for all pictures, such as generation of a sequence parameter set, and processing that can be omitted may be omitted as appropriate.

<Flow of color difference phase setting processing>
Next, an example of the flow of the color difference phase setting process executed in step S101 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the color difference phase setting process is started, the scanning method determination unit 121 (FIG. 11) of the color difference phase control unit 101 scans the input image (enhancement layer image) (whether it is an interlaced image) in step S111. Determine.

In step S112, the encoding method setting unit 122 sets an encoding method (field encoding or frame encoding) for encoding each layer image.

In step S113, the color difference phase setting unit 123 determines whether or not the input image is an interlaced image according to the determination result in step S111. If it is determined that the image is an interlaced image, the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, the color difference phase setting unit 123 determines whether or not the encoding scheme set in step S112 is field encoding. If it is determined that the field encoding is performed, the process proceeds to step S115.

In step S115, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets the color difference phase of each field (top field and bottom field). That is, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets a plurality of color difference phases for one sequence.

In step S116, the downsample color difference phase control unit 124 controls the downsampling process so that the color difference phase set in step S115 is applied to each field. Further, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 controls the upsampling process so that the color difference phase set in step S115 is applied to each field.

When the process of step S116 is completed, the color difference phase setting process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

If it is determined in step S114 in FIG. 15 that the frame encoding is performed, the process proceeds to step S117.

In step S117, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets the color difference phase of the frame. That is, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets a single color difference phase for one sequence.

In step S118, the downsample color difference phase control unit 124 applies the color difference phase set in step S117, and controls the downsampling process so as to perform the downsampling process for each field. Further, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 applies the color difference phase set in step S117, and controls the upsampling process so as to perform the upsampling process for each field.

When the process of step S118 is completed, the color difference phase setting process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

If it is determined in step S113 in FIG. 15 that the input image is not an interlaced image (a progressive image), the process proceeds to step S119.

In step S119, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets the color difference phase of the frame. That is, the color difference phase setting unit 123 sets a single color difference phase for one sequence.

In step S120, the downsample color difference phase control unit 124 applies the color difference phase set in step S119, and controls the downsampling process so as to perform the downsampling process for each frame. Further, the upsample color difference phase control unit 125 applies the color difference phase set in step S119 and controls the upsampling process so as to perform the upsampling process for each frame.

When the process of step S120 is completed, the color difference phase setting process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

<Flow of base layer encoding process>
Next, an example of the flow of the base layer encoding process executed in step S103 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the base layer encoding process is started, the screen rearrangement buffer 131 of the base layer image encoding unit 103 stores each frame (picture) of the moving image input in step S131, and the display order of each picture To the order of encoding.

In step S132, the intra prediction unit 143 performs intra prediction processing in the intra prediction mode.

In step S133, the inter prediction unit 144 performs inter prediction processing for performing motion prediction and motion compensation in the inter prediction mode.

In step S134, the predicted image selection unit 145 selects a predicted image based on the cost function value or the like. That is, the predicted image selection unit 145 selects either the predicted image generated by the intra prediction in step S132 or the predicted image generated by the inter prediction in step S133.

In step S135, the calculation unit 132 calculates the difference between the input image whose frame order is rearranged by the process of step S131 and the predicted image selected by the process of step S134. That is, the calculation unit 132 generates image data of a difference image between the input image and the predicted image. The image data of the difference image obtained in this way is reduced in data amount compared to the original image data. Therefore, the data amount can be compressed as compared with the case where the image is encoded as it is.

In step S136, the orthogonal transform unit 133 performs orthogonal transform on the image data of the difference image generated by the process in step S135.

In step S137, the quantization unit 134 quantizes the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained by the processing in step S136, using the quantization parameter calculated by the rate control unit 146.

In step S138, the inverse quantization unit 137 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient (also referred to as a quantization coefficient) generated by the process in step S137 with characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the quantization unit 134.

In step S139, the inverse orthogonal transform unit 138 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained by the process in step S138.

In step S140, the calculation unit 139 generates image data of the reconstructed image by adding the predicted image selected in the process in step S134 to the difference image restored in the process in step S139.

In step S141, the loop filter 140 performs a loop filter process on the image data of the reconstructed image generated by the process of step S140. Thereby, block distortion and the like of the reconstructed image are removed.

In step S142, the frame memory 141 stores data such as a decoded image (base layer decoded image) obtained by the process of step S141 and a reconstructed image obtained by the process of step S140.

In step S143, the lossless encoding unit 135 encodes the quantized coefficient obtained by the process in step S137. That is, lossless encoding such as variable length encoding or arithmetic encoding is performed on the data corresponding to the difference image.

Also, at this time, the lossless encoding unit 135 encodes information regarding the prediction mode of the prediction image selected by the process of step S134, and adds the encoded information to the encoded data obtained by encoding the difference image. That is, the lossless encoding unit 135 also encodes the optimal intra prediction mode information supplied from the intra prediction unit 143 or the information according to the optimal inter prediction mode supplied from the inter prediction unit 144, and the like into encoded data. Append.

Furthermore, the lossless encoding unit 135 also sets syntax elements such as various null units, encodes them, and adds them to the encoded data.

In step S144, the accumulation buffer 136 accumulates the encoded data (base layer image encoded stream) obtained by the process in step S143. The base layer image encoded stream stored in the storage buffer 136 is appropriately read out, supplied to the multiplexing unit 106 (FIG. 10), multiplexed with the enhancement layer image encoded stream, and then transmitted to a transmission path or recording medium. Is transmitted to the decoding side.

In step S145, the rate control unit 146 causes the quantization unit 134 to prevent overflow or underflow from occurring based on the code amount (generated code amount) of the encoded data accumulated in the accumulation buffer 136 by the processing in step S144. Controls the rate of quantization operation. Further, the rate control unit 146 supplies information regarding the quantization parameter to the quantization unit 134.

In step S146, the frame memory 141 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 104.

When the process of step S146 is completed, the base layer encoding process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

<Flow of color difference phase information generation processing>
Next, an example of the flow of color difference phase information generation processing executed in step S105 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the color difference phase information generation processing is started, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 (FIG. 11) of the color difference phase control unit 101 interlaces the input image according to the processing result of the color difference phase setting processing (FIG. 15) in step S151. It is determined whether it is an image. If it is determined that the image is an interlaced image, the process proceeds to step S152.

In step S152, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 determines whether or not the encoding method is field encoding according to the processing result of the color difference phase setting process (FIG. 15). If it is determined that the field encoding is performed, the process proceeds to step S153.

In step S153, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 uses the chrominance phase of each field (top field and bottom field) set in step S115 (FIG. 15), and the chrominance phase of each field (top field and bottom field). Information is generated (for example, the syntax of FIG. 9). That is, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates a plurality of color difference phase information for one sequence. At this time, as in the example of FIG. 9, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 can also generate information indicating the number of color difference phase information.

In step S154, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 displays the color difference phase information of each field (top field and bottom field) generated in step S153, such as a sequence parameter set (SPS) and a picture parameter set (PPS). Including (when information indicating the number of color-difference phase information is generated, information indicating the number of color-difference phase information is also included) to generate enhancement layer header information.

When the process of step S154 is completed, the process proceeds to step S158.

If it is determined in step S152 that the encoding method is frame encoding, the process proceeds to step S155.

In step S155, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates control information (sampling information) for performing control so that the upsampling process is performed on a field basis. For example, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates field_base_upsampling_flag as shown in the example of FIG. 9A as the sampling information.

In step S156, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates the color difference phase information of the frame picture using the color difference phase of the frame picture set in step S117 (FIG. 15) (for example, the syntax of FIG. 9). That is, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 generates one color difference phase information for one sequence. At this time, as in the example of FIG. 9, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 can also generate information indicating the number of color difference phase information.

In step S157, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 includes the color difference phase information of the frame picture generated in step S156, such as a sequence parameter set (SPS) or a picture parameter set (PPS) (number of color difference phase information). If the information indicating the color difference phase information is also included), enhancement layer header information is generated.

When the process of step S157 is completed, the process proceeds to step S158.

If it is determined in step S151 that the input image is not an interlaced image (a progressive image), the process proceeds to step S156. That is, in step S156, the chrominance phase information generation unit 126 generates chrominance phase information of the frame picture using the chrominance phase of the frame picture set in step S117 (FIG. 15). Also in this case, the color difference phase information generation unit 126 can also generate information indicating the number of color difference phase information.

In step S157, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 includes the color difference phase information of the frame picture generated in step S156 (when information indicating the number of color difference phase information is generated, the number of the color difference phase information is displayed. Header information of the enhancement layer is generated.

In step S158, the enhancement layer header information generation unit 127 supplies the header information generated in step S154 or step S157 to the encoding process of the enhancement layer image, and transmits it.

When the process of step S158 is completed, the color difference phase information generation process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

<Enhancement layer coding process flow>
Next, an example of the flow of enhancement layer encoding processing executed in step S106 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the enhancement layer encoding process is started, the frame memory 161 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 105 receives the base layer decoded image supplied from the base layer image encoding unit 103 in step S146 of FIG. 14 in step S161. The upsampled image upsampled in step S104 of FIG. 14 is acquired.

In step S162, the frame memory 161 stores the upsampled image acquired in step S161. For example, the frame memory 161 stores this upsampled image in the long term reference frame.

The processes in steps S163 to S174 correspond to the processes in steps S131 to S142 in FIG. 16 and are executed basically in the same manner as those processes. However, each process in FIG. 16 is performed on the base layer, whereas each process in FIG. 18 is performed on the enhancement layer.

In step S175, the lossless encoding unit 155 acquires header information including color difference phase information supplied in step S158 of FIG.

Each process of step S176 to step S178 corresponds to each process of step S143 to step S145 of FIG. 16, and is executed basically in the same manner as those processes. However, each process in FIG. 16 is performed on the base layer, whereas each process in FIG. 18 is performed on the enhancement layer. In step S176, the lossless encoding unit 155 also includes the header information acquired in step S175 in the encoded stream. That is, the header information acquired in step S175 is also transmitted to the decoding side.

When the process of step S178 is finished, the enhancement layer encoding process is finished, and the process returns to FIG.

By executing each process as described above, the image encoding device 100 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding / decoding.

<3. Third Embodiment>
<Image decoding device>
Next, decoding of the encoded data encoded as described above will be described. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of an image decoding apparatus corresponding to the image encoding apparatus 100 in FIG. 10, which is an aspect of an image processing apparatus to which the present technology is applied. The image decoding apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 19 decodes the encoded data generated by the image encoding apparatus 100 by a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method (that is, hierarchically encoded encoded data is hierarchically decoded). To do). As illustrated in FIG. 19, the image decoding apparatus 200 includes a demultiplexing unit 201, a color difference phase control unit 202, a base layer image decoding unit 203, an upsampling unit 204, and an enhancement layer image decoding unit 205.

The demultiplexing unit 201 receives a layered image encoded stream in which a base layer image encoded stream and an enhancement layer image encoded stream are multiplexed transmitted from the encoding side, demultiplexes them, An image encoded stream and an enhancement layer image encoded stream are extracted.

The color difference phase control unit 202 controls the phase setting in the upsampling processing of the color difference signal by the upsampling unit 204. The color difference phase control unit 202 obtains header information such as a sequence parameter set (SPS) and a picture parameter set (PPS) of the enhancement layer image encoded stream supplied from the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205. The color difference phase control unit 202 sets the phase of the color difference signal of the upsampling process by the upsampling unit 204 based on the color difference phase information included in the header information. The color difference phase control unit 202 supplies color difference phase control information, which is control information indicating the setting of the phase of the color difference signal, to the upsampling unit 204.

The base layer image decoding unit 203 decodes the base layer image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 201 to obtain a base layer image (decoded image). The base layer image decoding unit 203 outputs the obtained base layer image to the outside of the image decoding device 200. Also, the base layer image decoding unit 203 supplies the base layer decoded image obtained in the decoding of the base layer to the upsampling unit 204.

The upsampling unit 204 upsamples the low resolution base layer decoded image supplied from the base layer image decoding unit 203, and generates an upsampled image having the same resolution as the enhancement layer image. The upsampling unit 204 applies the setting of the phase of the color difference signal indicated by the color difference phase control information supplied from the color difference phase control unit 202, that is, performs upsampling processing of the color difference signal according to the control of the color difference phase control unit 202. Do. By doing so, the phase of the color difference signal of the upsampled image can be made the same as that of the base layer decoded image (that is, the phase difference signal of the enhancement layer image can be made the same). That is, a more accurate upsampled image can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a phase shift or the like and suppress the reduction in image quality due to encoding.

The upsampling unit 204 supplies the generated upsampled image to the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205.

The enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 decodes the enhancement layer image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 201, and obtains an enhancement layer image (decoded image) having a resolution higher than that of the base layer image. The enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 outputs the obtained enhancement layer image to the outside of the image decoding device 200.

Also, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 extracts header information from the enhancement layer image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 201 and supplies it to the color difference phase control unit 202.

<Color difference phase control unit>
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the color difference phase control unit 202 of FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the color difference phase control unit 202 includes a color difference phase information number determination unit 221, a sampling method determination unit 222, and an upsample color difference phase control unit 223.

The chrominance phase information number determination unit 221 performs processing based on information indicating the number of chrominance phase information included in the header information supplied from the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 (num_phase_offset in the case of FIG. 9A). It is determined whether the color difference phase information set in the current sequence is singular or plural.

When it is determined that there are a plurality of pieces, the color difference phase information number determination unit 221 supplies header information including the color difference phase information and control information indicating that a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information exist to the upsample color difference phase control unit 223. If it is determined that the color difference phase information is singular, the color difference phase information number determination unit 221 supplies header information including the color difference phase information and control information indicating that the color difference phase information is singular to the sampling method determination unit 222. .

The sampling method determination unit 222 is based on control information (field_base_upsampling_flag in the case of the example of FIG. 9A) that controls the upsampling included in the header information supplied from the color difference phase information number determination unit 221 to be performed on a field basis. Thus, the sampling method of up-sampling processing (whether it is performed on a field basis or a frame basis) is determined.

The sampling method determination unit 222 includes header information including chrominance phase information, control information indicating that the chrominance phase information is singular, and upsampling sampling method (whether performed on a field basis or a frame basis). The designated control information is supplied to the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223.

The upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 uses the header information and control information supplied from the chrominance phase information number determination unit 221 or the sampling method determination unit 222 to set the phase setting of the chrominance signal in the upsampling process of the upsampling unit 204. Color difference phase control information to be controlled is generated and supplied to the up-sampling unit 204. That is, the upsample color difference phase control unit 223 controls the phase setting of the upsample processing of the color difference signal by the upsample unit 204.

For example, when there are a plurality of color difference phase information, that is, when the image of the encoded image data is an interlaced image and the image data is field-encoded (in other words, the base layer image decoding unit 203 or The enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 performs field-based decoding (field decoding) of the encoded data obtained by field-coding the image data of the interlaced image), and the upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 includes the top-field chrominance signal. In the up-sampling process, control is performed so that the setting for the top field is applied among the color difference phase information set for a single sequence. In the up-sampling process of the color difference signal in the bottom field, Control to apply settings.

In addition, for example, when the color difference phase information is singular and the up-sampling process is specified to be performed on a field basis by the control information specifying the sampling method, that is, the image of the encoded image data is interlaced. If the image data is frame-encoded (in other words, the base layer image decoding unit 203 or the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 converts the encoded data obtained by frame-coding the interlaced image data) In the case of frame-based decoding (frame decoding), the upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 performs single chrominance phase information set for a single sequence in the upsampling processing of the chrominance signal of a frame, that is, Upsampling to apply settings for frame picture Controlling the pole tip 204.

In this case, the upsample color difference phase control unit 223 controls the upsample unit 204 to perform the upsample process on a field basis.

Further, for example, when the chrominance phase information is singular and the up-sampling process is specified to be performed on a frame basis by the control information specifying the sampling method, that is, the image of the encoded image data is interlaced. When the image is not an image (a progressive image) (in other words, when the base layer image decoding unit 203 or the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 performs frame decoding on encoded data obtained by frame-coding progressive image data) The upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 performs upsampling so as to apply a single chrominance phase information set for a single sequence, that is, a setting for a frame picture, in an upsampling process of a frame chrominance signal. The sample unit 204 is controlled.

In this case, the upsample color difference phase control unit 223 controls the upsample unit 204 so that the upsample processing is performed on a frame basis.

By controlling as described above, the upsample color-difference phase control unit 223 can control the upsample processing so as to suppress the occurrence of phase shift and the like and obtain a more accurate upsample image.

<Base layer image decoding unit>
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the base layer image decoding unit 203 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the base layer image decoding unit 203 includes a storage buffer 231, a lossless decoding unit 232, an inverse quantization unit 233, an inverse orthogonal transform unit 234, a calculation unit 235, a loop filter 236, and a screen rearrangement buffer 237. Have The base layer image decoding unit 203 includes a frame memory 238, a selection unit 239, an intra prediction unit 240, an inter prediction unit 241, and a predicted image selection unit 242.

The accumulation buffer 231 is also a receiving unit that receives transmitted encoded data (a base layer image encoded stream supplied from the demultiplexing unit 201). The accumulation buffer 231 receives and accumulates the transmitted encoded data, and supplies the encoded data to the lossless decoding unit 232 at a predetermined timing. Information necessary for decoding such as prediction mode information is added to the encoded data.

The lossless decoding unit 232 decodes the information supplied from the accumulation buffer 231 and encoded by the lossless encoding unit 135 using a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method. The lossless decoding unit 232 supplies the quantized coefficient data of the difference image obtained by decoding to the inverse quantization unit 233.

In addition, the lossless decoding unit 232 determines whether the intra prediction mode is selected as the optimal prediction mode or the inter prediction mode is selected, and information on the optimal prediction mode is stored in the intra prediction unit 240 and the inter prediction unit 241. It is supplied to the mode determined to be selected. That is, for example, when the intra prediction mode is selected as the optimal prediction mode on the encoding side, information (intra prediction mode information) regarding the optimal prediction mode is supplied to the intra prediction unit 240. For example, when the inter prediction mode is selected as the optimal prediction mode on the encoding side, information (inter prediction mode information) regarding the optimal prediction mode is supplied to the inter prediction unit 241.

Further, the lossless decoding unit 232 extracts information necessary for inverse quantization, such as a quantization matrix and a quantization parameter, from the encoded data, and supplies the extracted information to the inverse quantization unit 233.

The inverse quantization unit 233 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient data obtained by decoding by the lossless decoding unit 232 using a method corresponding to the quantization method of the quantization unit 134. The inverse quantization unit 233 is a processing unit similar to the inverse quantization unit 137. The inverse quantization unit 233 supplies the obtained coefficient data (orthogonal transform coefficient) to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 234.

The inverse orthogonal transform unit 234 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient supplied from the inverse quantization unit 233 according to a method corresponding to the orthogonal transform method of the orthogonal transform unit 133 as necessary. The inverse orthogonal transform unit 234 is a processing unit similar to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 138.

The image data of the difference image is restored by this inverse orthogonal transform process. The restored image data of the difference image corresponds to the image data of the difference image before being orthogonally transformed on the encoding side. Hereinafter, the restored image data of the difference image obtained by the inverse orthogonal transform process of the inverse orthogonal transform unit 234 is also referred to as decoded residual data. The inverse orthogonal transform unit 234 supplies the decoded residual data to the calculation unit 235. Further, the image data of the prediction image is supplied to the calculation unit 235 from the intra prediction unit 240 or the inter prediction unit 241 via the prediction image selection unit 242.

The calculation unit 235 uses the decoded residual data and the image data of the predicted image to obtain image data of a reconstructed image obtained by adding the difference image and the predicted image. This reconstructed image corresponds to the input image before the predicted image is subtracted by the calculation unit 132. The computing unit 235 supplies the reconstructed image to the loop filter 236.

The loop filter 236 appropriately performs loop filter processing including deblock filter processing and adaptive loop filter processing on the supplied reconstructed image to generate a decoded image. For example, the loop filter 236 removes block distortion by performing deblocking filter processing on the reconstructed image. Further, for example, the loop filter 236 performs image quality improvement by performing loop filter processing on the deblock filter processing result (reconstructed image from which block distortion has been removed) using a Wiener filter (Wiener Filter). I do.

Note that the type of filter processing performed by the loop filter 236 is arbitrary, and filter processing other than that described above may be performed. Further, the loop filter 236 may perform filter processing using the filter coefficient supplied from the image encoding device. Further, the loop filter 236 can omit such filter processing and output the input data without performing the filter processing.

The loop filter 236 supplies the decoded image (or reconstructed image) as the filter processing result to the screen rearrangement buffer 237 and the frame memory 238.

The screen rearrangement buffer 237 rearranges the frame order of the decoded image. That is, the screen rearrangement buffer 237 rearranges the images of the frames rearranged in the encoding order by the screen rearrangement buffer 131 in the original display order. That is, the screen rearrangement buffer 237 stores the image data of the decoded image of each frame supplied in the encoding order, and reads out and outputs the image data of the decoded image of each frame stored in the encoding order in the display order. To do.

The frame memory 238 stores the supplied decoded image, and uses the stored decoded image as a reference image at a predetermined timing or based on an external request such as the intra prediction unit 240 or the inter prediction unit 241. The data is supplied to the intra prediction unit 240 and the inter prediction unit 241 via the selection unit 239.

Intra prediction mode information and the like are appropriately supplied from the lossless decoding unit 232 to the intra prediction unit 240. The intra prediction unit 240 performs intra prediction in the intra prediction mode (optimum intra prediction mode) used in the intra prediction unit 143, and generates a predicted image. At that time, the intra prediction unit 240 performs intra prediction using the image data of the reconstructed image supplied from the frame memory 238 via the selection unit 239. That is, the intra prediction unit 240 uses this reconstructed image as a reference image (neighboring pixels). The intra prediction unit 240 supplies the generated predicted image to the predicted image selection unit 242.

The inter prediction unit 241 is appropriately supplied with optimal prediction mode information, motion information, and the like from the lossless decoding unit 232. The inter prediction unit 241 performs inter prediction using the decoded image (reference image) acquired from the frame memory 238 in the inter prediction mode (optimum inter prediction mode) indicated by the optimal prediction mode information acquired from the lossless decoding unit 232. Generate a predicted image.

The prediction image selection unit 242 supplies the prediction image supplied from the intra prediction unit 240 or the prediction image supplied from the inter prediction unit 241 to the calculation unit 235. And in the calculating part 235, the prediction image and the decoding residual data (difference image information) from the inverse orthogonal transformation part 234 are added, and a reconstructed image is obtained.

The base layer image decoding unit 203 performs decoding without referring to other layers. That is, the intra prediction unit 240 and the inter prediction unit 241 do not use decoded images of other layers as reference images.

Also, the frame memory 238 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 204 in order to use the decoded base layer image for enhancement layer decoding.

<Enhancement layer image decoding unit>
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 22, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 has basically the same configuration as the base layer image decoding unit 203 of FIG.

That is, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 includes a storage buffer 251, a lossless decoding unit 252, an inverse quantization unit 253, an inverse orthogonal transform unit 254, a calculation unit 255, a loop filter 256, and a screen arrangement as illustrated in FIG. A replacement buffer 257 is provided. Further, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 includes a frame memory 258, a selection unit 259, an intra prediction unit 260, an inter prediction unit 261, and a predicted image selection unit 262.

These accumulation buffer 251 through predicted image selection unit 262 correspond to the storage buffer 231 through predicted image selection unit 242 in FIG. 21, and perform the same processing as the corresponding processing unit, respectively. However, each unit of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 performs processing for encoding enhancement layer image information, not the base layer. Therefore, as the description of the processing of the storage buffer 251 to the predicted image selection unit 262, the description of the storage buffer 231 to the predicted image selection unit 242 of FIG. 21 described above can be applied. In this case, the data to be processed is It should be enhancement layer data, not base layer data. In addition, the data input source and output destination processing units need to be appropriately replaced with the corresponding processing units of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 and read.

Note that the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 performs decoding with reference to a decoded image of another layer (for example, a base layer). The frame memory 258 stores the upsample image supplied from the upsample unit 204. The frame memory 258 supplies the base layer decoded image as a reference image to the intra prediction unit 260 or the inter prediction unit 261 via the selection unit 259 in the intra BL mode, the reference index mode, or the like.

Further, the lossless decoding unit 252 extracts header information (sequence parameter set (SPS), picture parameter set (PPS), etc.) including color difference phase information from the enhancement layer image encoded stream supplied from the accumulation buffer 251; It is supplied to the color difference phase control unit 202 (transmitted to the decoding side).

As described above, the information on the phase of the color difference signal in the upsampling as described in the first embodiment transmitted from the encoding side is acquired, and the color difference phase for controlling the upsampling process based on the information By providing the control unit 202, the image decoding device 200 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

<Flow of image decoding process>
Next, the flow of each process executed by the image decoding apparatus 200 as described above will be described. First, an example of the flow of image decoding processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image decoding process is started, in step S201, the demultiplexing unit 201 of the image decoding apparatus 200 reverses the hierarchical image encoded stream obtained by multiplexing the encoded stream of each layer transmitted from the encoding side. Multiplexed and converted into an encoded stream for each layer.

In step S202, the base layer image decoding unit 203 decodes the base layer image encoded stream obtained in step S201. The base layer image decoding unit 203 outputs base layer image data generated by this decoding.

In step S203, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 receives header information (for example, a sequence parameter set (SPS) or a picture parameter set (PPS)) including color difference phase information from the enhancement layer image encoded stream obtained in step S201. Extract.

In step S204, the color difference phase control unit 202 controls the phase setting of the color difference signal in the Apple sample processing based on the color difference phase information included in the header information extracted in step S203.

In step S205, the upsampling unit 204 applies the phase setting of the color difference signal controlled in step S203, upsamples the base layer decoded image obtained in step S202, and generates an upsampled image.

In step S206, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 decodes the enhancement layer image encoded stream obtained in step S201. The enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 outputs enhancement layer image data generated by this decoding.

When the process of step S206 ends, the image decoding device 200 ends the image decoding process. One picture is processed by such an image decoding process. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 200 repeatedly executes such an image decoding process for each picture of hierarchized moving image data. However, it is not necessary to perform processing on all the pictures, such as extraction of a sequence parameter set, and processing that can be omitted may be omitted as appropriate.

<Flow of base layer decoding process>
Next, an example of the flow of the base layer decoding process executed in step S202 of FIG. 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the base layer decoding process is started, in step S211, the accumulation buffer 231 of the base layer image decoding unit 203 accumulates the transmitted base layer encoded stream. In step S212, the lossless decoding unit 232 decodes the base layer encoded stream supplied from the accumulation buffer 231. That is, image data such as an I picture, a P picture, and a B picture encoded by the lossless encoding unit 135 is decoded. At this time, various information other than the image data included in the bit stream such as header information is also decoded.

In step S213, the inverse quantization unit 233 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient obtained by the process in step S212.

In step S214, the inverse orthogonal transform unit 234 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the coefficient inversely quantized in step S213.

In step S215, the intra prediction unit 240 and the inter prediction unit 241 perform prediction processing and generate a prediction image. That is, the prediction process is performed in the prediction mode applied at the time of encoding, which is determined by the lossless decoding unit 232. More specifically, for example, when intra prediction is applied at the time of encoding, the intra prediction unit 240 generates a prediction image in the intra prediction mode optimized at the time of encoding. Further, for example, when inter prediction is applied at the time of encoding, the inter prediction unit 241 generates a prediction image in the inter prediction mode that is optimized at the time of encoding.

In step S216, the calculation unit 235 adds the predicted image generated in step S215 to the difference image obtained by the inverse orthogonal transform in step S214. Thereby, image data of the reconstructed image is obtained.

In step S217, the loop filter 236 appropriately performs a loop filter process including a deblock filter process and an adaptive loop filter process on the image data of the reconstructed image obtained by the process in step S216.

In step S218, the screen rearrangement buffer 237 rearranges each frame of the reconstructed image filtered in step S217. That is, the order of frames rearranged at the time of encoding is rearranged in the original display order and output.

In step S219, the frame memory 238 stores data such as the decoded image obtained by the process of step S217 and the reconstructed image obtained by the process of step S216.

In step S220, the frame memory 238 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 204.

When the process of step S220 is completed, the base layer decoding process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

<Flow of color difference phase setting processing>
Next, an example of the flow of color difference phase setting processing executed in step S204 in FIG. 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the color difference phase setting process is started, the color difference phase information number determination unit 221 determines the number of color difference phase information included in the header information extracted from the enhancement layer image encoded stream in step S203 (FIG. 23) in step S231. Whether there are a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information set for the current sequence to be processed is determined. If it is determined that there are a plurality of processes, the process proceeds to step S232.

In step S232, the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223 sets the color difference phase for each field indicated in the color difference phase information included in the header information extracted from the enhancement layer image encoded stream. That is, the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223 applies the setting for the top field to the top field, and applies the setting for the bottom field to the bottom field.

In step S233, the upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 performs control so that upsampling is performed for each field using the chrominance phase setting as described above. For example, the upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 controls the upsample processing, causes the topfield base layer decoded image to be subjected to the upsample processing using the chrominance phase set for the top field, and the bottom field. Up-sampling processing is performed on the base layer decoded image using the color difference phase set for the bottom field.

When the process of step S233 is completed, the color difference phase setting process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

If it is determined in step S231 that the number of color difference phase information is singular, the process proceeds to step S234.

In step S234, the sampling method determination unit 222 performs field-based upsampling based on control information that controls the upsampling included in the header information extracted from the enhancement layer image encoded stream to be performed on a field basis. Determine whether or not. If it is determined by the control information that upsampling on a field basis is indicated, the process proceeds to step S235.

In step S235, the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223 sets a single color difference phase. That is, the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223 converts the single color difference phase indicated by the single color difference phase information included in the header information extracted from the enhancement layer image encoded stream to each current sequence to be processed. Applies to frame pictures.

In step S236, the up-sample color difference phase control unit 223 performs control so that up-sampling is performed for each field using the color difference phase setting as described above. For example, the upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 controls the upsampling process, and uses the single chrominance phase set for each frame picture of the current sequence for the base layer decoded image as a field. Let the base do.

When the process of step S236 is completed, the color difference phase setting process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

If it is determined in step S234 that upsampling is to be performed on a frame basis, the process proceeds to step S237.

In step S237, the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223 sets a single color difference phase. That is, the upsampled color difference phase control unit 223 converts the single color difference phase indicated by the single color difference phase information included in the header information extracted from the enhancement layer image encoded stream to each current sequence to be processed. Applies to frame pictures.

In step S238, the up-sample color difference phase control unit 223 performs control to perform up-sample for each frame using the color difference phase setting as described above. For example, the upsample chrominance phase control unit 223 controls the upsampling process, and performs the upsampling process on the base layer decoded image using the single chrominance phase set for each frame picture of the current sequence. Let the base do.

When the process of step S238 is completed, the color difference phase setting process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

<Flow of enhancement layer decoding processing>
Next, an example of the flow of the enhancement layer decoding process executed in step S206 of FIG. 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the enhancement layer decoding process is started, the frame memory 238 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 205 acquires the upsampled image obtained by the process of step S205 (FIG. 23) in step S241.

In step S242, the frame memory 238 stores the upsampled image acquired in step S241. For example, the frame memory 238 stores this upsampled image in the long term reference frame.

Each process of step S243 to step S251 corresponds to each process of step S211 to step S219 in FIG. 24 and is executed basically in the same manner as those processes. However, each process in FIG. 24 is performed on the enhancement layer, whereas each process in FIG. 24 is performed on the enhancement layer.

When the process of step S252 is completed, the enhancement layer decoding process is completed, and the process returns to FIG.

By executing each process as described above, the image decoding apparatus 200 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

<4. Fourth Embodiment>
<Upsampling of 2: 3 pull-up image>
By the way, in order to display a progressive video with a frame rate of 24 Hz on a monitor that displays an interlace video with a frame rate of 60 Hz, as shown in FIG. Conventionally, a method of performing 3 pull-up processing and using the signal as input to the image compression information has been performed.

27A shows a top field (also referred to as a first field) and a bottom field (also referred to as a second field) of some frames (frames A to D) of a moving image of a progressive scanning method (24p format) with a frame rate of 24 Hz. Example). As shown in FIG. 27A, the 24p moving image has no time difference between the fields of each frame (between the top field and the bottom field) (the images in both fields are the same).

FIG. 27B shows an example of a state in which the 24p format moving image shown in FIG. 27A is pulled up 2: 3 and converted to a frame rate 60 Hz interlace scanning (60i format) moving image. As shown in FIG. 27B, in the case of 2: 3 pull-up processing, by repeating the first field (top field) and the second field (bottom field) of the B frame and the D frame, respectively, Realize format conversion from 24p to 60i. That is, a frame composed of the top field of frame B and the bottom field of frame C and a frame composed of the top field of frame C and the bottom field of frame D are generated instead of frame C of 24p.

By the way, when the image data is hierarchically coded with spatial scalability (Spatial Scalability) composed of a base layer and an enhancement layer, there is a method of up-sampling the decoded image of the base layer and using it for coding of the enhancement layer. When performing such hierarchical encoding on image data that has been subjected to 2: 3 pull-up processing as in the example of FIG. 27, whether up-sampling processing should be performed on a field basis or on a frame basis depends on each. It depends on the frame.

However, for example, in the conventional image coding methods such as HEVC and AVC, such an upsampling method is not controlled, and upsampling processing may be performed by an inappropriate method. As a result, the upsampled image used as the reference image is deteriorated, thereby reducing the prediction accuracy, and as a result, the coding efficiency may be reduced.

Therefore, a base layer of image data is encoded, and an upsample of each frame of decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data of the base layer obtained by the encoding is subjected to scanning method frame rate conversion performed on the image data. An up-sample image of decoded image data is generated by a method according to the processing method, and an enhancement layer of the image data is encoded using the generated up-sample image to generate encoded data.

By doing so, the upsampling of each frame can be performed by an appropriate method, so that deterioration of the image quality of the upsampled image is suppressed, thereby reducing the prediction accuracy and consequently reducing the coding efficiency. Can be suppressed.

The upsampling method indicates, for example, field-based or frame-based. That is, according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, whether up-sampling is performed on a field basis (per field) or on a frame basis (per frame) Be controlled.

Also, the scanning method frame rate conversion processing is processing for converting the frame rate and scanning method of a moving image, and indicates, for example, 2: 3 pull-up processing. Of course, the conversion ratio is arbitrary, and the scanning method frame rate conversion process may be other than the 2: 3 pull-up process. However, in the following, the case of 2: 3 pull-up processing will be described as an example.

FIG. 28 shows an example of up-sampling the 60i format moving image obtained by performing the 2: 3 pull-up process on the 24p format moving image shown in FIG. 27B.

In the example of FIG. 28, in the case of frames with

frame numbers

0, 1, and 4, there is no time difference between the first field (top field) and the second field (bottom field). Therefore, in such a frame, when the upsampling process is performed on a frame basis, the image compression information to be output is more improved by maintaining the vertical resolution than when the upsampling process is performed on a field basis. High image quality can be achieved.

On the other hand, in the case of frames with

frame numbers

2 and 3, there is a time difference between the first field and the second field. Therefore, when such a frame is upsampled on a frame basis, the upsampled image is deteriorated, and there is a possibility that the prediction accuracy is reduced and the encoding efficiency is lowered. Therefore, it is desirable to perform upsampling processing on such a frame on a field basis.

That is, a frame having no time difference between the first field and the second field is upsampled on a frame basis, and a frame having a time difference between the first field and the second field is upsampled on a field basis. . As described above, by appropriately selecting whether to perform the up-sampling process on a frame basis or on a field basis for each frame according to the presence or absence of a time difference between the fields, any frame in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to suppress degradation of the upsampled image and suppress a reduction in encoding efficiency.

<Which frame field has a time difference is determined based on the conversion pattern of the scanning method frame rate conversion process performed on the image data. For example, when a 2: 3 pull-up is performed on a moving image to be encoded, the conversion pattern shown in FIG. 27B is repeated every five frames. Therefore, for all frames of the moving image to be encoded, the frames of

frame numbers

0, 1, and 4 are up-sampled on a frame basis as shown in FIG. 28, and the frames of

frame numbers

2 and 3 are field-based. The pattern to be upsampled in step 5 may be repeated every 5 frames.

<Phase>
When field-based upsampling is performed, it is desirable to perform upsampling with different phases in the first field and the second field.

FIG. 29 shows an example of the state of the upsampling process. FIG. 29 shows an example (2 × scalability) of upsampling the resolution by a factor of two. In FIG. 29, the solid line indicates the first field, and the broken line indicates the second field. FIG. 29A shows an example of the enhancement layer configuration, and FIG. 29B and FIG. 29C show an example of the base layer configuration.

In FIG. 29A, the enhancement layer is composed of ET0, EB0, ET1, EB1, ET2, EB2, ET3, and EB3. In the base layer (Baselayer), ET0 and ET1 are BT0, and EB0 and EB1 BB0, ET2 and ET3 correspond to BT1, and EB2 and EB3 correspond to BB1.

At this time, if the base layer is made to correspond to a half-phase pixel for each field as shown in FIG. 29B, the phase becomes an unequal interval phase when viewed as a frame. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 29C, it is necessary to correspond to a 1/4 phase pixel for the first field and a 3/4 phase pixel for the second field.

That is, as described above, when performing field-based upsampling, it is desirable to perform upsampling with different phases in the first field and the second field.

<2: 3 pull-up information>
Whether or not the picture has been subjected to 2: 3 pull-up processing is included in image data or encoded data. 2: 3 pull-up information indicating whether 2: 3 pull-up processing has been performed It may be determined based on the above. For example, when image data is encoded by the HEVC method, a syntax duplicate_flag (fifth line from the top in FIG. 30) as shown in FIG. 30 becomes 2: 3 pull-up information. That is, it is possible to easily grasp whether or not the current picture that is the processing target of the image data has been subjected to the 2: 3 pull-up process based on the value of the duplicate_flag.

In addition, by referring to such 2: 3 pull-up information, the up-sampling method as described above is controlled only when the current picture of the image data to be processed has been subjected to 2: 3 pull-up processing. can do. In other words, when the current picture has not been subjected to the 2: 3 pull-up process, the up-sampling method as described above can be omitted. In other words, regardless of whether the image data is subjected to 2: 3 pull-up processing, an appropriate method of up-sampling processing can be selected, and reduction in coding efficiency can be suppressed (2: 3 pull-up processing). Input images that are not up-processed can also be processed appropriately). Further, an increase in unnecessary processing load can be suppressed, and an increase in processing time and cost can be suppressed.

<Transmission of upsample information>
The control of the upsampling method as described above can be performed not only in the encoding device but also in the decoding device. When such control is performed in the decoding apparatus, it is desirable that the control method (whether it is performed on a field basis or a frame basis) is aligned with that of the encoding apparatus. Therefore, information regarding upsampling (upsampling information) may be transmitted from the encoding device to the decoding device.

This upsampling information may include information indicating whether upsampling is performed on a field basis or a frame basis for each frame. This information is information indicating the content actually selected in the encoding device. That is, in the encoding device, information indicating whether the up-sampling of each frame has been performed on a field basis or on a frame basis is transmitted to the decoding device.

Further, the upsampling information may include phase information regarding the upsampling. This information is information indicating the phase in the upsampling actually performed in the encoding apparatus. That is, in the encoding device, information indicating in which phase the upsampling of each frame has been performed is transmitted to the decoding device.

Note that, as described with reference to FIG. 29, in the case of the field base, the phase of upsampling is different between the first field and the second field. Accordingly, the upsample information includes two pieces of phase information regarding upsamples when the upsample is performed on a field basis, and includes one phase information regarding upsamples when the upsample is performed on a frame basis. It may be.

In other words, whether the up-sampling is performed on a field basis or a frame basis can be identified based on the number of phase information regarding the up-sampling transmitted. Therefore, the information indicating the number of phase information relating to the transmitted upsample may be information indicating whether the upsample of each frame is performed on a field basis or a frame basis.

Such up-sampling information may be transmitted by being included in header information of a bit stream of encoded data obtained by encoding image data. For example, the upsample information may be transmitted in a picture parameter set (PPS ((Picture Parameter Set))). For example, it may be transmitted in the extension part (PPS_extension) of the picture parameter set.

FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 are diagrams illustrating an example of syntax of a picture parameter set (PPS). The phase_signalling_indicator shown in the 13th line from the top of FIG. 32 is information indicating the number of phase information regarding the up-sample to be transmitted. For example, in the case of phase_signalling_indicator == 1, the number of sampling_grid_information that is phase information related to the upsample included in the picture parameter set is one, indicating that the upsampling is performed on a frame basis in the encoding device. Further, for example, when phase_signalling_indicator == 2, the number of sampling_grid_information that is phase information related to the upsample included in the picture parameter set is two, which indicates that the upsampling is performed on the field basis in the encoding apparatus.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of syntax for transmitting sampling_grid_information which is phase information regarding upsampling. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 33, sampling_grid_information that is phase information related to upsampling includes horizontal_phase_offset16 that is information indicating a phase offset in the horizontal direction, vertical_phase_offset16 that is information indicating a phase offset in the vertical direction, and horizontal of the color difference signal. Chroma_phase_x_flag which is information indicating whether or not to perform a phase shift in the direction, and chroma_phase_y which is information indicating whether or not to perform a phase shift in the vertical direction of the color difference signal. In FIG. 33, phase_offset_idx indicates an index assigned to the color difference phase information. When upsampling is performed on a frame basis, such information is defined for each frame. Also, when upsampling is performed on a field basis, such information is defined for each field. Note that this sampling_grid_information may include any information and is not limited to the example of FIG.

Further, the upsample information may be transmitted in, for example, a slice header. Furthermore, when a single picture is divided into a plurality of slices (Slices), up-sampling information having the same value may be included in each slice header (Slice Header). By doing so, the redundancy of the upsample information can be increased, and the error resistance can be improved (more reliable transmission).

<Encoding>
The present technology described above may be applied only when image data is hierarchically encoded and both the base layer (Baselayer) and the enhancement layer (Enhancementlayer) are subjected to frame-based encoding. Good. In other words, when field-based encoding is performed, upsampling may be performed on a field basis for any picture (regardless of whether there is a time difference between fields).

Also, the present technology described above can be applied even when the encoding method is different between the base layer (Baselayer) and the enhancement layer (Enhancementlayer) of the image data. For example, the present technology can also be applied when the base layer encoding scheme is AVC and the enhancement layer encoding scheme is HEVC. Further, the number of layers for layer encoding (the number of layers) is arbitrary, and may be three or more layers. Of course, the same applies to the decoding method.

<5. Fifth embodiment>
<Image encoding device>
Next, an apparatus and method for realizing the present technology as described above will be described. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an image encoding device that is an aspect of an image processing device to which the present technology is applied. An image encoding device 300 illustrated in FIG. 34 is a device that performs hierarchical image encoding (scalable encoding) with spatial scalability. As illustrated in FIG. 34, the image encoding device 300 includes a base layer image encoding unit 301, an upsampling unit 302, an enhancement layer image encoding unit 303, and a multiplexing unit 304.

The base layer image encoding unit 301 encodes the base layer image input to the image encoding device 100, and generates a base layer image encoded stream. The base layer image encoding unit 301 supplies the generated base layer image encoded stream to the multiplexing unit 304. The base layer image encoding unit 301 also supplies a decoded image (also referred to as a base layer decoded image) generated in the encoding of the base layer image to the upsampling unit 302.

The upsampling unit 302 upsamples the low-resolution base layer decoded image supplied from the base layer image encoding unit 301, and generates an upsampled image having the same resolution as the enhancement layer image. At this time, the up-sampling unit 302 converts the up-sampling of each frame of the base layer decoded image data into a method according to the scanning frame rate conversion processing (for example, 2: 3 pull-up processing) performed on the base layer image To do. In this way, each frame can be appropriately upsampled regardless of the presence or absence of a time difference between fields, so that deterioration of the upsampled image can be suppressed. Therefore, reduction in prediction accuracy can be suppressed, and reduction in encoding efficiency can be suppressed.

The upsampling unit 302 supplies the generated upsampled image to the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303. The upsampling unit 302 also generates upsampling information that is information related to the upsampling performed by the upsampling unit 302 and supplies the upsampling information to the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303.

The enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 encodes the enhancement layer image input to the image encoding device 100, and generates an enhancement layer image encoded stream. In the encoding, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 uses the upsample image supplied from the upsample unit 302 as a reference image for prediction processing and the like. Further, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 includes the upsample information supplied from the upsample unit 302 in the enhancement layer image encoded stream. The enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 supplies the generated enhancement layer image encoded stream to the multiplexing unit 304.

The multiplexing unit 304 multiplexes the base layer image encoded stream generated by the base layer image encoding unit 301 and the enhancement layer image encoded stream generated by the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 to generate a hierarchical image code Generate a stream. The multiplexing unit 304 transmits the generated hierarchical image encoded stream to the decoding side.

<Base layer image encoding unit>
FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the base layer image encoding unit 301 in FIG. 34. As shown in FIG. 35, the base layer image encoding unit 301 includes a screen rearrangement buffer 311, a calculation unit 312, an orthogonal transformation unit 313, a quantization unit 314, a lossless encoding unit 315, an accumulation buffer 316, and an inverse quantization. A unit 317 and an inverse orthogonal transform unit 318. The base layer image encoding unit 301 includes a calculation unit 319, a loop filter 320, a frame memory 321, a selection unit 322, an intra prediction unit 323, an inter prediction unit 324, a predicted image selection unit 325, and a rate control unit 326. .

The screen rearrangement buffer 311 stores the input image data (base layer image information), and the frame images in the stored display order are encoded according to GOP (Group Of Picture). The images rearranged in order and the image in which the order of the frames is rearranged are supplied to the calculation unit 312. The screen rearrangement buffer 311 also supplies the image in which the frame order is rearranged to the intra prediction unit 323 and the inter prediction unit 324.

The calculation unit 312 subtracts the prediction image supplied from the intra prediction unit 323 or the inter prediction unit 324 via the prediction image selection unit 325 from the image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 311, and orthogonalizes the difference information. The data is output to the conversion unit 313. For example, in the case of an image on which intra coding is performed, the calculation unit 312 subtracts the predicted image supplied from the intra prediction unit 323 from the image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 311. For example, in the case of an image on which inter coding is performed, the calculation unit 312 subtracts the prediction image supplied from the inter prediction unit 324 from the image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 311.

The orthogonal transform unit 313 performs orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform and Karhunen-Loeve transform on the difference information supplied from the computation unit 312. The orthogonal transform unit 313 supplies the transform coefficient to the quantization unit 314.

The quantization unit 314 quantizes the transform coefficient supplied from the orthogonal transform unit 313. The quantization unit 314 sets a quantization parameter based on the information regarding the target value of the code amount supplied from the rate control unit 326, and performs the quantization. The quantization unit 314 supplies the quantized transform coefficient to the lossless encoding unit 315.

The lossless encoding unit 315 encodes the transform coefficient quantized by the quantization unit 314 using an arbitrary encoding method. Since the coefficient data is quantized under the control of the rate control unit 326, the code amount becomes the target value set by the rate control unit 326 (or approximates the target value).

Also, the lossless encoding unit 315 acquires information indicating the mode of intra prediction from the intra prediction unit 323, and acquires information indicating the mode of inter prediction, difference motion vector information, and the like from the inter prediction unit 324. Further, the lossless encoding unit 315 appropriately generates a base layer NAL (Network Abstraction Layer) unit including a sequence parameter set (SPS), a picture parameter set (PPS), and the like.

The lossless encoding unit 315 encodes these various types of information using an arbitrary encoding method, and sets (multiplexes) the encoded information (also referred to as an encoded stream) as a part. The lossless encoding unit 315 supplies the encoded data obtained by encoding to the accumulation buffer 316 for accumulation.

Examples of the encoding method of the lossless encoding unit 315 include variable length encoding or arithmetic encoding. Examples of variable length coding include H.264. CAVLC (Context-Adaptive Variable Length Coding) defined in the H.264 / AVC format. Examples of arithmetic coding include CABAC (Context-Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding).

The accumulation buffer 316 temporarily holds the encoded stream (base layer image encoded stream) supplied from the lossless encoding unit 315. The accumulation buffer 316 outputs the held base layer image encoded stream to the multiplexing unit 304 (FIG. 34) at a predetermined timing. That is, the accumulation buffer 316 is also a transmission unit that transmits a base layer image encoded stream.

Also, the transform coefficient quantized by the quantization unit 314 is also supplied to the inverse quantization unit 317. The inverse quantization unit 317 inversely quantizes the quantized transform coefficient by a method corresponding to the quantization by the quantization unit 314. The inverse quantization unit 317 supplies the obtained transform coefficient to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 138.

The inverse orthogonal transform unit 318 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the transform coefficient supplied from the inverse quantization unit 317 by a method corresponding to the orthogonal transform processing by the orthogonal transform unit 313. The inversely orthogonally transformed output (restored difference information) is supplied to the calculation unit 319.

The calculation unit 319 adds the prediction image from the intra prediction unit 323 or the inter prediction unit 324 to the restored difference information, which is the inverse orthogonal transformation result supplied from the inverse orthogonal transformation unit 318, via the prediction image selection unit 325. Addition is performed to obtain a locally decoded image (decoded image). The decoded image is supplied to the loop filter 320 or the frame memory 321.

The loop filter 320 includes a deblocking filter, an adaptive loop filter, and the like, and appropriately performs a filtering process on the reconstructed image supplied from the calculation unit 319. For example, the loop filter 320 removes block distortion of the reconstructed image by performing deblocking filter processing on the reconstructed image. In addition, for example, the loop filter 320 improves the image quality by performing loop filter processing using a Wiener filter on the deblock filter processing result (reconstructed image from which block distortion has been removed). I do. The loop filter 320 supplies the filter processing result (hereinafter referred to as a decoded image) to the frame memory 321.

Note that the loop filter 320 may further perform other arbitrary filter processing on the reconstructed image. Further, the loop filter 320 can supply information such as filter coefficients used for the filter processing to the lossless encoding unit 315 and encode the information as necessary.

The frame memory 321 stores the supplied decoded image, and supplies the stored decoded image as a reference image to the selection unit 322 at a predetermined timing.

More specifically, the frame memory 321 stores the reconstructed image supplied from the calculation unit 319 and the decoded image supplied from the loop filter 320, respectively. The frame memory 321 supplies the stored reconstructed image to the intra prediction unit 323 via the selection unit 322 at a predetermined timing or based on an external request from the intra prediction unit 323 or the like. Also, the frame memory 321 supplies the stored decoded image to the inter prediction unit 324 via the selection unit 322 at a predetermined timing or based on a request from the outside such as the inter prediction unit 324. .

The selection unit 322 selects a reference image supply destination supplied from the frame memory 321. For example, in the case of intra prediction, the selection unit 322 supplies a reference image (a pixel value in the current picture or a base layer decoded image) supplied from the frame memory 321 to the intra prediction unit 323. For example, in the case of inter prediction, the selection unit 322 supplies a reference image (a decoded image or a base layer decoded image outside the current picture of the enhancement layer) supplied from the frame memory 321 to the inter prediction unit 324.

The intra prediction unit 323 performs prediction processing on a current picture that is an image of a processing target frame, and generates a predicted image. The intra prediction unit 323 performs this prediction processing for each predetermined block (with blocks as processing units). That is, the intra prediction unit 323 generates a prediction image of the current block that is the processing target of the current picture. At that time, the intra prediction unit 323 performs prediction processing (intra-screen prediction (also referred to as intra prediction)) using the reconstructed image supplied as a reference image from the frame memory 321 via the selection unit 322. That is, the intra prediction unit 323 generates a predicted image using pixel values around the current block that are included in the reconstructed image. The peripheral pixel value used for this intra prediction is the pixel value of the pixel processed in the past of the current picture. For this intra prediction (that is, how to generate a predicted image), a plurality of methods (also referred to as intra prediction modes) are prepared in advance as candidates. The intra prediction unit 323 performs the intra prediction in the plurality of intra prediction modes prepared in advance.

The intra prediction unit 323 generates prediction images in all candidate intra prediction modes, evaluates the cost function value of each prediction image using the input image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 311, and selects the optimum mode. select. When the intra prediction unit 323 selects the optimal intra prediction mode, the intra prediction unit 323 supplies the predicted image generated in the optimal mode to the predicted image selection unit 325.

Also, as described above, the intra prediction unit 323 supplies the intra prediction mode information indicating the adopted intra prediction mode and the like to the lossless encoding unit 315 as appropriate, and performs encoding.

The inter prediction unit 324 performs prediction processing on the current picture and generates a predicted image. The inter prediction unit 324 performs this prediction processing for each predetermined block (using blocks as processing units). That is, the inter prediction unit 324 generates a predicted image of the current block that is the processing target of the current picture. At this time, the inter prediction unit 324 performs prediction processing using the image data of the input image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 311 and the image data of the decoded image supplied as a reference image from the frame memory 321. This decoded image is an image of a frame processed before the current picture (another picture that is not the current picture). That is, the inter prediction unit 324 performs a prediction process (inter-screen prediction (also referred to as inter prediction)) that generates a predicted image using an image of another picture.

This inter prediction consists of motion prediction and motion compensation. More specifically, the inter prediction unit 324 performs motion prediction on the current block using the input image and the reference image, and detects a motion vector. Then, the inter prediction unit 324 performs motion compensation processing according to the detected motion vector using the reference image, and generates a prediction image (inter prediction image information) of the current block. A plurality of methods (also referred to as inter prediction modes) are prepared in advance as candidates for the inter prediction (that is, how to generate a predicted image). The inter prediction unit 324 performs such inter prediction in the plurality of inter prediction modes prepared in advance.

The inter prediction unit 324 generates a prediction image in all candidate inter prediction modes. The inter prediction unit 324 evaluates the cost function value of each prediction image using the input image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 311 and information on the generated differential motion vector, and selects an optimal mode. When the optimal inter prediction mode is selected, the inter prediction unit 324 supplies the prediction image generated in the optimal mode to the prediction image selection unit 325.

The inter prediction unit 324 supplies information indicating the adopted inter prediction mode, information necessary for performing processing in the inter prediction mode, and the like to the lossless encoding unit 315 when decoding the encoded data, Encode. The necessary information includes, for example, information on the generated differential motion vector, a flag indicating an index of the motion vector predictor as motion vector predictor information, and the like.

The predicted image selection unit 325 selects a supply source of a predicted image to be supplied to the calculation unit 312 or the calculation unit 319. For example, in the case of intra coding, the predicted image selection unit 325 selects the intra prediction unit 323 as the supply source of the predicted image, and supplies the predicted image supplied from the intra prediction unit 323 to the calculation unit 312 and the calculation unit 319. To do. For example, in the case of inter coding, the predicted image selection unit 325 selects the inter prediction unit 324 as a supply source of the predicted image, and calculates the predicted image supplied from the inter prediction unit 324 as the calculation unit 312 or the calculation unit 319. To supply.

The rate control unit 326 controls the quantization operation rate of the quantization unit 314 based on the code amount of the encoded data stored in the storage buffer 316 so that no overflow or underflow occurs.

Note that the base layer image encoding unit 301 performs encoding without referring to other layers. That is, the intra prediction unit 323 and the inter prediction unit 324 do not use decoded images of other layers as reference images.

Also, the frame memory 321 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the up-sampling unit 302 in order to use it for the enhancement layer encoding. Further, the lossless encoding unit 315 upsamples 2: 3 pull-up information (for example, duplicate_flag (FIG. 30)) that is information related to the 2: 3 pull-up processing performed on the image data to be encoded. Supplied to the unit 302.

<Upsample section>
FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the upsampling unit 302 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, the up-sampling unit 302 includes a 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331, a base layer decoded image buffer 332, an up-sample switching unit 333, a field base up sampler 334, a frame base up sampler 335, and an up A sample information supply unit 336 is provided.

The 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331 is a storage unit having an arbitrary storage medium such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and a hard disk. The 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331 acquires and stores the 2: 3 pull-up information supplied from the lossless encoding unit 315 of the base layer image encoding unit 301, for example. The 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331 stores the 2: 3 pull-up information stored at a predetermined timing, for example, based on a predetermined event such as an instruction from the outside such as another processing unit or a user. Read out and supply it to the upsample switching unit 333.

The base layer decoded image buffer 332 is a storage unit having an arbitrary storage medium such as a RAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk. The base layer decoded image buffer 332 acquires and stores the base layer decoded image supplied from the frame memory 321 of the base layer image encoding unit 301, for example. The base layer decoded image buffer 332 reads out the stored base layer decoded image, for example, at a predetermined timing or based on a predetermined event such as an instruction from the outside such as another processing unit or a user. This is supplied to the upsample switching unit 333.

As described in the fourth embodiment, the upsample switching unit 333 supplies the base layer decoded image read destination (upsampled) from the base layer decoded image buffer 332 based on the content of the 2: 3 pull-up information. (Method is switched) (Supply destination (upsampling method) is selected).

The upsample switching unit 333 supplies the base layer decoded image read from the base layer decoded image buffer 332 to either the field base upsampler 334 or the frame base upsampler 335 (the selected one). Further, the upsample switching unit 333 generates upsample information including the contents of the control and supplies the upsample information to the upsample information supply unit 336.

For example, the upsample switching unit 333 supplies the base layer decoded image to the field base upsampler 334 when the current picture to be processed is upsampled on the field basis. Further, the upsample switching unit 333 supplies the base layer decoded image to the frame base upsampler 335 when the current picture to be processed is upsampled on a frame basis.

The field base upsampler 334 upsamples the base layer decoded image supplied from the upsample switching unit 333 on a field basis to generate an upsampled image. The field base upsampler 334 supplies the generated upsampled image to the frame memory 361 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303.

The frame base upsampler 335 upsamples the base layer decoded image supplied from the upsample switching unit 333 on a frame basis to generate an upsampled image. The frame base upsampler 335 supplies the generated upsampled image to the frame memory 361 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303.

The upsample information supply unit 336 acquires the upsample information supplied from the upsample switching unit 333, supplies the upsample information to the lossless encoding unit 355 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303, and includes it in the header information of the encoded data. Let it transmit.

<Enhancement layer image encoding unit>
FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 in FIG. 34. As shown in FIG. 37, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 has basically the same configuration as the base layer image encoding unit 301 of FIG.

That is, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 includes a screen rearrangement buffer 351, a calculation unit 352, an orthogonal transformation unit 353, a quantization unit 354, a lossless encoding unit 355, an accumulation buffer 356, and an inverse buffer as illustrated in FIG. A quantization unit 357 and an inverse orthogonal transform unit 358 are included. The enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 includes a calculation unit 359, a loop filter 360, a frame memory 361, a selection unit 362, an intra prediction unit 363, an inter prediction unit 364, a predicted image selection unit 365, and a rate control unit 366. .

These screen rearrangement buffer 351 through rate control unit 366 correspond to screen rearrangement buffer 311 through rate control unit 326 in FIG. 35 and perform the same processing as the corresponding processing unit, respectively. However, each unit of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 performs processing for encoding enhancement layer image information, not the base layer. Therefore, as the description of the processing of the screen rearranging buffer 351 to the rate control unit 366, the description of the screen rearranging buffer 311 to the rate control unit 326 of FIG. 35 described above can be applied. Needs to be enhancement layer data, not base layer data. Further, it is necessary to read the data input source and output destination processing units by replacing them with corresponding processing units in the screen rearrangement buffer 351 through the rate control unit 366, as appropriate.

Note that the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 performs encoding with reference to information on other layers (for example, a base layer). The frame memory 361 stores the upsample image supplied from the upsample unit 302. The frame memory 361 supplies the base layer decoded image as a reference image to the intra prediction unit 363 or the inter prediction unit 364 via the selection unit 362 in the intra BL mode, the reference index mode, or the like.

In addition, the lossless encoding unit 355 acquires the upsample information supplied from the upsample unit 302, and includes it in the enhancement image encoded stream (header information thereof) and supplies it to the accumulation buffer 356 (decoding). To the side).

In the image coding apparatus 300 as described above, the upsampling unit 302 (upsampling switching unit 333) controls the upsampling method of the base layer decoded image data as described in the fourth embodiment. Thus, the image encoding device 300 can suppress a decrease in encoding efficiency. In other words, the image encoding device 300 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

<Flow of image encoding process>
Next, the flow of each process executed by the image encoding device 300 as described above will be described. First, an example of the flow of image encoding processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image encoding process is started, in step S301, the base layer image encoding unit 103 of the image encoding device 300 encodes the input base layer image.

In step S302, the upsampling unit 302 upsamples the base layer decoded image obtained in step S301, and obtains an upsampled image having a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the enhancement layer image. Further, the upsample unit 302 generates upsample information.

In step S303, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 encodes enhancement layer image data. At that time, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 performs encoding using the upsampled image generated in step S302. Further, the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 includes the upsample information generated in step S302 in the header information of the enhancement layer image encoded stream.

In step S304, the multiplexing unit 304 uses the base layer image encoded stream generated by the process of step S301 and the enhancement layer image encoded stream generated by the process of step S303 (that is, the bit stream of each layer). Are multiplexed to generate a single hierarchical image encoded stream.

When the process of step S304 ends, the image encoding device 300 ends the image encoding process. One picture is processed by such an image encoding process. Therefore, the image coding apparatus 300 repeatedly executes such image coding processing for each picture of the hierarchized moving image data. However, it is not necessary to perform processing for all pictures, such as generation of a sequence parameter set, and processing that can be omitted may be omitted as appropriate.

<Flow of base layer encoding process>
Next, an example of the flow of the base layer encoding process executed in step S301 in FIG. 38 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the base layer encoding process is started, the screen rearrangement buffer 311 of the base layer image encoding unit 301 stores each frame (picture) of the input moving image and displays each picture in step S311. Rearrange from the order to the encoding order.

In step S312, the intra prediction unit 323 performs an intra prediction process in the intra prediction mode.

In step S313, the inter prediction unit 324 performs inter prediction processing for performing motion prediction, motion compensation, and the like in the inter prediction mode.

In step S314, the predicted image selection unit 325 selects a predicted image based on the cost function value or the like. That is, the predicted image selection unit 325 selects one of the predicted image generated by the intra prediction in step S312 and the predicted image generated by the inter prediction in step S313.

In step S315, the calculation unit 312 calculates a difference between the input image whose frame order is rearranged by the process of step S311 and the predicted image selected by the process of step S314. That is, the calculation unit 312 generates image data of a difference image between the input image and the predicted image. The image data of the difference image obtained in this way is reduced in data amount compared to the original image data. Therefore, the data amount can be compressed as compared with the case where the image is encoded as it is.

In step S316, the orthogonal transform unit 313 performs orthogonal transform on the image data of the difference image generated by the process in step S315.

In step S317, the quantization unit 314 quantizes the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained by the process in step S316, using the quantization parameter calculated by the rate control unit 326.

In step S318, the inverse quantization unit 317 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient generated by the process in step S317 (also referred to as a quantization coefficient) with characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the quantization unit 314.

In step S319, the inverse orthogonal transform unit 318 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained by the process in step S318.

In step S320, the calculation unit 319 generates the image data of the reconstructed image by adding the predicted image selected by the process of step S314 to the difference image restored by the process of step S319.

In step S321, the loop filter 320 performs loop filter processing on the image data of the reconstructed image generated by the processing in step S320. Thereby, block distortion and the like of the reconstructed image are removed.

In step S322, the frame memory 321 stores data such as a decoded image (base layer decoded image) obtained by the process of step S321 and a reconstructed image obtained by the process of step S320.

In step S323, the lossless encoding unit 315 encodes the quantized coefficient obtained by the process in step S317. That is, lossless encoding such as variable length encoding or arithmetic encoding is performed on the data corresponding to the difference image.

Also, at this time, the lossless encoding unit 315 encodes information regarding the prediction mode of the prediction image selected by the process of step S314, and adds the encoded information to the encoded data obtained by encoding the difference image. That is, the lossless encoding unit 315 also encodes the optimal intra prediction mode information supplied from the intra prediction unit 323 or the information corresponding to the optimal inter prediction mode supplied from the inter prediction unit 324, and the like into encoded data. Append.

Furthermore, the lossless encoding unit 315 also sets syntax elements such as various null units, encodes them, and adds them to the encoded data.

In step S324, the accumulation buffer 316 accumulates the encoded data (base layer image encoded stream) obtained by the process in step S323. The base layer image encoded stream stored in the storage buffer 316 is appropriately read out, supplied to the multiplexing unit 304 (FIG. 34), multiplexed with the enhancement layer image encoded stream, and then transmitted to the transmission path or recording medium. Is transmitted to the decoding side.

In step S325, the rate control unit 326 causes the quantization unit 314 to prevent overflow or underflow based on the code amount (generated code amount) of the encoded data accumulated in the accumulation buffer 316 by the process in step S324. Controls the rate of quantization operation. Further, the rate control unit 326 supplies information regarding the quantization parameter to the quantization unit 314.

In step S326, the frame memory 321 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 302. Further, the lossless encoding unit 315 supplies 2: 3 pull-up information regarding the image data to be encoded to the up-sampling unit 302.

When the process of step S326 ends, the base layer encoding process ends, and the process returns to FIG.

<Upsample processing flow>
Next, an example of the flow of the upsampling process executed in step S302 in FIG. 38 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the upsampling process is started, the base layer decoded image buffer 332 of the upsampling unit 302 acquires the base layer decoded image data supplied by the process of step S326 of FIG. 39 in step S331.

In step S332, the base layer decoded image buffer 332 stores the data of the base layer decoded image acquired by the process of step S331.

In step S333, the 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331 acquires the 2: 3 pull-up information supplied by the process of step S326 in FIG.

In step S334, the 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331 stores the 2: 3 pull-up information acquired by the process of step S333.

In step S335, the up-sample switching unit 333 reads out the 2: 3 pull-up information stored in the 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331 by the processing in step S334 from the 2: 3 pull-up information buffer 331. 3. Based on the pull-up information, it is determined whether to upsample the current picture to be processed on a field basis.

The upsampling switching unit 333 selects whether to upsample the current picture on a field basis or on a frame basis, as described in the fourth embodiment, based on the 2: 3 pull-up information. For example, when it is determined that upsampling of the current picture is performed on a field basis, such as when the current picture is a picture having a time difference between fields, the process proceeds to step S336.

In step S336, the field base upsampler 334 reads the base layer decoded image data stored in the base layer decoded image buffer 332 by the processing in step S332 via the upsample switching unit 333, and the base layer decoded image of the base layer decoded image is read. Upsample the current picture on a field basis. That is, the field base upsampler 334 upsamples the first field (top field) and the second field (bottom field) of the current picture of the base layer decoded image.

The field-based upsampler 334 further generates upsample information that is information about the upsample. This up-sample information includes up-sample method identification information indicating that up-sampling has been performed on a field basis, and phase information (that is, two pieces of phase information) regarding the up-sample of each field.

In step S337, the field base upsampler 334 supplies the upsampled image generated by the processing in step S336 (upsampled by the field base) to the frame memory 361 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303.

In step S338, the upsample information supply unit 336 supplies the upsample information generated by the process of step S336 to the lossless encoding unit 355 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303. That is, the upsample information supply unit 336 supplies upsample method identification information and two pieces of phase information as upsample information.

When the process of step S338 is completed, the upsampling process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

If it is determined in step S335 that the current picture is upsampled on a frame basis, for example, if the current picture is a picture with no time difference between fields, the process proceeds to step S339.

In step S339, the frame base upsampler 335 reads the base layer decoded image data stored in the base layer decoded image buffer 332 by the processing in step S332 via the upsample switching unit 333, and the base layer decoded image of the base layer decoded image is read. Upsample the current picture on a frame basis. That is, the frame base upsampler 335 upsamples the current picture of the base layer decoded image as a frame.

The frame base upsampler 335 further generates upsample information that is information about the upsample. This upsampling information includes upsampling method identification information indicating that the upsampling has been performed on a frame basis, and phase information (that is, one phase information) regarding the upsampling of the frame.

In step S340, the frame base upsampler 335 supplies the upsampled image generated by the processing in step S339 (upsampled on the frame base) to the frame memory 361 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303.

In step S341, the upsample information supply unit 336 supplies the upsample information generated by the process of step S339 to the lossless encoding unit 355 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303. That is, the upsample information supply unit 336 supplies upsample method identification information and one phase information as upsample information.

When the process of step S341 ends, the upsampling process ends, and the process returns to FIG.

<Enhancement layer coding process flow>
Next, an example of the flow of the enhancement layer encoding process executed in step S303 in FIG. 38 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the enhancement layer encoding process is started, the frame memory 361 of the enhancement layer image encoding unit 303 upsamples the base layer decoded image supplied in step S351 by the process of step S337 or step S340 of FIG. Get an image.

In step S352, the frame memory 361 stores the upsampled image acquired in step S351.

Each process of step S353 thru | or step S364 respond | corresponds to each process of step S311 thru | or step S322 of FIG. 39, and is performed basically similarly to those processes. However, each process of FIG. 39 is performed with respect to the base layer, whereas each process of FIG. 41 is performed with respect to the enhancement layer.

In step S365, the lossless encoding unit 355 acquires the upsample information supplied in step S338 or step S341 of FIG.

Each process of step S366 to step S368 corresponds to each process of step S323 to step S325 of FIG. 39 and is executed basically in the same manner as those processes. However, each process of FIG. 39 is performed with respect to the base layer, whereas each process of FIG. 41 is performed with respect to the enhancement layer. In step S366, the lossless encoding unit 355 also includes the upsample information acquired in step S365 in the encoded stream (its header information and the like). That is, the upsample information acquired in step S375 is also transmitted to the decoding side of the encoded stream.

When the process of step S368 is finished, the enhancement layer encoding process is finished, and the process returns to FIG.

By performing each process as described above, the image encoding device 300 can suppress a decrease in encoding efficiency. In other words, the image encoding device 300 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding / decoding.

<6. Sixth Embodiment>
<Image decoding device>
Next, decoding of the encoded data encoded as described above will be described. The present technology described in the fourth embodiment can be applied not only to an encoding device but also to a decoding device. That is, up-sampling may be controlled in the decoding apparatus basically in the same manner as in the case of the encoding apparatus described in the fourth or fifth embodiment. However, in the case of a decoding apparatus, up-sampling may be controlled using up-sampling information supplied from the encoding side.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of an image decoding apparatus corresponding to the image encoding apparatus 300 in FIG. 34, which is an aspect of an image processing apparatus to which the present technology is applied. The image decoding apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 42 decodes the encoded data generated by the image encoding apparatus 300 by a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method (that is, hierarchically encoded encoded data) To do). As illustrated in FIG. 42, the image decoding apparatus 400 includes a demultiplexing unit 401, a base layer image decoding unit 402, an upsampling unit 403, and an enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

The demultiplexing unit 401 receives a layered image encoded stream in which a base layer image encoded stream and an enhancement layer image encoded stream are multiplexed transmitted from the encoding side, demultiplexes them, An image encoded stream and an enhancement layer image encoded stream are extracted.

The base layer image decoding unit 402 decodes the base layer image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 401 to obtain a base layer image (decoded image). The base layer image decoding unit 402 outputs the obtained base layer image to the outside of the image decoding device 400. Also, the base layer image decoding unit 402 supplies the base layer decoded image obtained in the decoding of the base layer to the upsampling unit 403.

The upsampling unit 403 performs upsampling processing on the low-resolution base layer decoded image supplied from the base layer image decoding unit 402, and generates an upsampled image having the same resolution as the enhancement layer image. At that time, the up-sampling unit 403 converts the up-sampling of each frame of the base layer decoded image into a scanning scheme frame rate conversion process (for example, 2: 3 pull-up process) performed on the base layer image on the encoding side. Perform according to the method. That is, the upsampling unit 403 upsamples the base layer decoded image by a method based on the upsampling information supplied from the image coding apparatus 300. The upsample information is supplied from the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

By doing this, it is possible to appropriately upsample each frame regardless of the time difference between the fields, so that it is possible to suppress degradation of the upsampled image. Therefore, reduction in prediction accuracy can be suppressed, and reduction in encoding efficiency can be suppressed.

The upsampling unit 403 supplies the generated upsampled image to the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

The enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 decodes the enhancement layer image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 401, and obtains an enhancement layer image (decoded image) having a resolution higher than that of the base layer image. In the decoding, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 uses the upsampled image supplied from the upsampling unit 403 as a reference image for prediction processing and the like. The enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 outputs the obtained enhancement layer image to the outside of the image decoding device 400.

Also, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 extracts upsample information from the enhancement layer image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 401, and supplies it to the upsampler unit 403.

<Base layer image decoding unit>
FIG. 43 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the base layer image decoding unit 402 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 43, the base layer image decoding unit 402 includes a storage buffer 411, a lossless decoding unit 412, an inverse quantization unit 413, an inverse orthogonal transform unit 414, a calculation unit 415, a loop filter 416, and a screen rearrangement buffer 417. Have The base layer image decoding unit 402 includes a frame memory 418, a selection unit 419, an intra prediction unit 420, an inter prediction unit 421, and a predicted image selection unit 422.

The accumulation buffer 411 is also a receiving unit that receives transmitted encoded data (a base layer image encoded stream supplied from the demultiplexing unit 401). The accumulation buffer 411 receives and accumulates the transmitted encoded data, and supplies the encoded data to the lossless decoding unit 412 at a predetermined timing. Information necessary for decoding such as prediction mode information is added to the encoded data.

The lossless decoding unit 412 decodes the information supplied from the accumulation buffer 411 and encoded by the lossless encoding unit 315 using a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method. The lossless decoding unit 412 supplies the quantized coefficient data of the difference image obtained by decoding to the inverse quantization unit 413.

Further, the lossless decoding unit 412 determines whether the intra prediction mode is selected as the optimal prediction mode or the inter prediction mode is selected, and information on the optimal prediction mode is stored in the intra prediction unit 420 and the inter prediction unit 421. It is supplied to the mode determined to be selected. That is, for example, when the intra prediction mode is selected as the optimal prediction mode on the encoding side, information (intra prediction mode information) regarding the optimal prediction mode is supplied to the intra prediction unit 420. For example, when the inter prediction mode is selected as the optimal prediction mode on the encoding side, information (inter prediction mode information) regarding the optimal prediction mode is supplied to the inter prediction unit 421.

Further, the lossless decoding unit 412 extracts information necessary for inverse quantization, such as a quantization matrix and a quantization parameter, from the encoded data, and supplies the extracted information to the inverse quantization unit 413.

The inverse quantization unit 413 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient data obtained by decoding by the lossless decoding unit 412 using a method corresponding to the quantization method of the quantization unit 314. The inverse quantization unit 413 is a processing unit similar to the inverse quantization unit 317. The inverse quantization unit 413 supplies the obtained coefficient data (orthogonal transform coefficient) to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 414.

The inverse orthogonal transform unit 414 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient supplied from the inverse quantization unit 413 by a method corresponding to the orthogonal transform method of the orthogonal transform unit 313 as necessary. The inverse orthogonal transform unit 414 is a processing unit similar to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 318.

The image data of the difference image is restored by this inverse orthogonal transform process. The restored image data of the difference image corresponds to the image data of the difference image before being orthogonally transformed on the encoding side. Hereinafter, the restored image data of the difference image obtained by the inverse orthogonal transform process of the inverse orthogonal transform unit 234 is also referred to as decoded residual data. The inverse orthogonal transform unit 414 supplies the decoded residual data to the calculation unit 415. Further, the image data of the predicted image is supplied from the intra prediction unit 420 or the inter prediction unit 421 to the calculation unit 415 via the predicted image selection unit 422.

The calculation unit 415 uses the decoded residual data and the image data of the predicted image to obtain image data of a reconstructed image obtained by adding the difference image and the predicted image. This reconstructed image corresponds to the input image before the predicted image is subtracted by the calculation unit 312. The calculation unit 415 supplies the reconstructed image to the loop filter 416.

The loop filter 416 appropriately performs loop filter processing including deblock filter processing and adaptive loop filter processing on the supplied reconstructed image to generate a decoded image. For example, the loop filter 416 removes block distortion by performing deblocking filter processing on the reconstructed image. In addition, for example, the loop filter 416 performs image quality improvement by performing loop filter processing using a Wiener filter on the deblock filter processing result (reconstructed image from which block distortion has been removed). I do.

Note that the type of filter processing performed by the loop filter 416 is arbitrary, and filter processing other than that described above may be performed. Further, the loop filter 416 may perform a filter process using the filter coefficient supplied from the image encoding device. Furthermore, the loop filter 416 can omit such filter processing and output the input data without performing the filter processing.

The loop filter 416 supplies the decoded image (or reconstructed image) as the filter processing result to the screen rearrangement buffer 417 and the frame memory 418.

The screen rearrangement buffer 417 rearranges the frame order of the decoded image. That is, the screen rearrangement buffer 417 rearranges the images of the frames rearranged in the encoding order by the screen rearrangement buffer 311 in the original display order. That is, the screen rearrangement buffer 417 stores the image data of the decoded image of each frame supplied in the encoding order, reads the image data of the decoded image of each frame stored in the encoding order in the display order, and outputs it. To do.

The frame memory 418 stores the supplied decoded image, and uses the stored decoded image as a reference image at a predetermined timing or based on an external request such as the intra prediction unit 420 or the inter prediction unit 421. The data is supplied to the intra prediction unit 420 and the inter prediction unit 421 via the selection unit 419.

Intra prediction mode information and the like are appropriately supplied from the lossless decoding unit 412 to the intra prediction unit 420. The intra prediction unit 420 performs intra prediction in the intra prediction mode (optimum intra prediction mode) used in the intra prediction unit 323, and generates a predicted image. At that time, the intra prediction unit 420 performs intra prediction using the image data of the reconstructed image supplied from the frame memory 418 via the selection unit 419. That is, the intra prediction unit 420 uses this reconstructed image as a reference image (neighboring pixels). The intra prediction unit 420 supplies the generated predicted image to the predicted image selection unit 422.

The inter prediction unit 421 is appropriately supplied with optimal prediction mode information, motion information, and the like from the lossless decoding unit 412. The inter prediction unit 421 performs inter prediction using the decoded image (reference image) acquired from the frame memory 418 in the inter prediction mode (optimum inter prediction mode) indicated by the optimal prediction mode information acquired from the lossless decoding unit 412. Generate a predicted image.

The prediction image selection unit 422 supplies the prediction image supplied from the intra prediction unit 420 or the prediction image supplied from the inter prediction unit 421 to the calculation unit 415. Then, in the calculation unit 415, the predicted image and the decoded residual data (difference image information) from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 414 are added to obtain a reconstructed image.

The base layer image decoding unit 402 performs decoding without referring to other layers. That is, the intra prediction unit 420 and the inter prediction unit 421 do not use decoded images of other layers as reference images.

Also, the frame memory 418 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 403 in order to use the decoded base layer image for enhancement layer decoding.

<Upsample section>
FIG. 44 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the upsampling unit 403 in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 44, the upsample unit 403 includes a base layer decoded image buffer 431, an upsample switching unit 432, an upsample information buffer 433, a field base upsampler 434, and a frame base upsampler 435.

The base layer decoded image buffer 431 is a storage unit having an arbitrary storage medium such as a RAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk. The base layer decoded image buffer 431 acquires and stores the base layer decoded image supplied from the frame memory 418 of the base layer image decoding unit 402, for example. The base layer decoded image buffer 431 reads the stored base layer decoded image at a predetermined timing, for example, or based on a predetermined event such as an instruction from the outside of another processing unit or a user, for example. This is supplied to the upsample switching unit 432.

Based on the upsample information transmitted from the encoding side, the upsample switching unit 432, as described in the fourth embodiment, the upsample of the base layer decoded image read from the base layer decoded image buffer 431. Select a method. That is, the base layer decoded image buffer 431 switches the supply destination (upsampling method) of the base layer decoded image (selects the supply destination (upsampling method)).

When the upsample switching unit 432 reads the upsample information stored in the upsample information buffer 433, the upsample switching unit 432 converts the base layer decoded image read from the base layer decoded image buffer 431 into the field base up based on the upsample information. This is supplied to one of the sampler 434 and the frame base up sampler 435 (the selected one).

For example, when up-sampling the current picture to be processed on a field basis, the up-sample switching unit 432 supplies the base layer decoded image to the field base up-sampler 434. Also, the upsample switching unit 432 supplies the base layer decoded image to the frame base upsampler 435 when upsampling the current picture to be processed on a frame basis.

The upsample information buffer 433 is a storage unit having an arbitrary storage medium such as a RAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk. The upsample information buffer 433 acquires and stores the upsample information (upsample information transmitted from the encoding side) supplied from the lossless decoding unit 452 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404, for example. The upsample information buffer 433 reads out the stored upsample information at a predetermined timing, for example, based on a predetermined event such as an instruction from the outside such as another processing unit or a user, and upsamples it. This is supplied to the switching unit 432.

The field base upsampler 434 upsamples the base layer decoded image supplied from the upsample switching unit 432 on a field basis to generate an upsampled image. The field base upsampler 434 supplies the generated upsampled image to the frame memory 458 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

The frame base upsampler 435 upsamples the base layer decoded image supplied from the upsample switching unit 432 on a frame basis to generate an upsampled image. The frame base upsampler 435 supplies the generated upsampled image to the frame memory 458 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

<Enhancement layer image decoding unit>
FIG. 45 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration example of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 45, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 has basically the same configuration as the base layer image decoding unit 402 of FIG.

That is, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 includes, as shown in FIG. 45, a storage buffer 451, a lossless decoding unit 452, an inverse quantization unit 453, an inverse orthogonal transform unit 454, a calculation unit 455, a loop filter 456, and a screen arrangement. A replacement buffer 457 is provided. Further, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 includes a frame memory 458, a selection unit 459, an intra prediction unit 460, an inter prediction unit 461, and a predicted image selection unit 462.

These accumulation buffer 451 through predicted image selection unit 462 correspond to the storage buffer 411 through predicted image selection unit 422 in FIG. 43, and perform the same processing as the corresponding processing unit, respectively. However, each unit of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 performs processing for encoding enhancement layer image information, not the base layer. Therefore, as the description of the processing of the storage buffer 451 to the predicted image selection unit 462, the description of the storage buffer 411 to the predicted image selection unit 422 of FIG. 43 described above can be applied. In this case, the data to be processed is It should be enhancement layer data, not base layer data. In addition, it is necessary to replace the data input source and output destination processing units with the corresponding processing units of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 as appropriate.

Note that the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 performs decoding with reference to a decoded image of another layer (for example, a base layer). The frame memory 458 stores the upsample image supplied from the upsample unit 403. The frame memory 458 supplies the base layer decoded image as a reference image to the intra prediction unit 460 or the inter prediction unit 461 via the selection unit 459 in the intra BL mode, the reference index mode, or the like.

Further, the lossless decoding unit 452 extracts the upsample information transmitted from the encoding side from the enhancement layer image encoded stream supplied from the accumulation buffer 451, and supplies it to the upsampling unit 403 (decoding side). To transmit).

As described above, by acquiring the upsample information transmitted from the encoding side and controlling the upsample processing method based on the information, the image decoding apparatus 400 suppresses the reduction in the encoding efficiency. Can do. In other words, the image decoding apparatus 400 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

<Flow of image decoding process>
Next, the flow of each process executed by the image decoding apparatus 400 as described above will be described. First, an example of the flow of image decoding processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the image decoding process is started, in step S401, the demultiplexing unit 401 of the image decoding device 400 reverses the hierarchical image encoded stream obtained by multiplexing the encoded stream of each layer transmitted from the encoding side. Multiplexed and converted into an encoded stream for each layer.

In step S402, the base layer image decoding unit 402 decodes the base layer image encoded stream obtained in step S401. The base layer image decoding unit 402 outputs base layer image data generated by this decoding.

In step S403, the upsampling unit 403 upsamples the base layer decoded image obtained in the process of step S402 based on the upsample information supplied from the encoding side, and generates an upsampled image.

In step S404, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 decodes the enhancement layer image encoded stream obtained in step S401. At that time, the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 performs decoding using the upsampled image obtained by the process of step S403. The enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 outputs enhancement layer image data generated by this decoding.

When the process of step S404 ends, the image decoding device 400 ends the image decoding process. One picture is processed by such an image decoding process. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus 400 repeatedly executes such image decoding processing for each picture of the hierarchized moving image data. However, it is not necessary to perform processing for all pictures, and processing that can be omitted may be omitted as appropriate.

<Flow of base layer decoding process>
Next, an example of the flow of the base layer decoding process executed in step S402 in FIG. 46 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the base layer decoding process is started, in step S411, the accumulation buffer 411 of the base layer image decoding unit 402 accumulates the transmitted base layer encoded stream. In step S412, the lossless decoding unit 412 decodes the base layer encoded stream supplied from the accumulation buffer 411. That is, image data such as an I picture, a P picture, and a B picture encoded by the lossless encoding unit 315 is decoded. At this time, various information other than the image data included in the bit stream such as header information is also decoded.

In step S413, the inverse quantization unit 413 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient obtained by the process in step S412.

In step S414, the inverse orthogonal transform unit 414 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the coefficient inversely quantized in step S413.

In step S415, the intra prediction unit 420 and the inter prediction unit 421 perform prediction processing to generate a predicted image. That is, the prediction process is performed in the prediction mode applied at the time of encoding, which is determined by the lossless decoding unit 412. More specifically, for example, when intra prediction is applied at the time of encoding, the intra prediction unit 420 generates a prediction image in the intra prediction mode optimized at the time of encoding. Further, for example, when inter prediction is applied at the time of encoding, the inter prediction unit 421 generates a prediction image in the inter prediction mode that is optimized at the time of encoding.

In step S416, the calculation unit 415 adds the predicted image generated in step S415 to the difference image obtained by the inverse orthogonal transform in step S414. Thereby, image data of the reconstructed image is obtained.

In step S417, the loop filter 416 appropriately performs a loop filter process including a deblock filter process and an adaptive loop filter process on the image data of the reconstructed image obtained by the process of step S416.

In step S418, the screen rearrangement buffer 417 rearranges each frame of the reconstructed image filtered in step S417. That is, the order of frames rearranged at the time of encoding is rearranged in the original display order and output.

In step S419, the frame memory 418 stores data such as a decoded image obtained by the process of step S417 and a reconstructed image obtained by the process of step S416.

In step S420, the frame memory 418 supplies the stored base layer decoded image to the upsampling unit 403.

When the process of step S420 is completed, the base layer decoding process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

<Upsample processing flow>
Next, an example of the flow of the upsampling process executed in step S403 in FIG. 46 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the upsampling process is started, the base layer decoded image buffer 431 of the upsampling unit 403 acquires the base layer decoded image data supplied by the process of step S420 of FIG. 47 in step S431.

In step S432, the base layer decoded image buffer 431 stores the data of the base layer decoded image acquired by the process of step S431.

In step S433, the upsample information buffer 433 acquires the upsample information supplied from the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

In step S434, the upsample information buffer 433 stores the upsample information acquired by the process of step S433. This up-sampling information is transmitted from the encoding side, and includes information related to up-sampling processing at the time of encoding. For example, as described in the fourth embodiment, this upsampling information includes upsampling method identification information indicating whether upsampling processing has been performed on a field basis or a frame basis, and (one (Or two) phase information and the like are included.

In step S435, the upsample switching unit 432 reads the upsample information stored in the upsample information buffer 433 by the processing in step S434 from the upsample information buffer 433, and is the processing target based on the upsample information. It is determined whether to upsample the current picture on a field basis.

The upsample switching unit 432 selects whether to upsample the current picture on a field basis or on a frame basis, as described in the fourth embodiment, based on the upsample information. For example, when it is determined that upsampling of the current picture is performed on a field basis, such as when the current picture is a picture having a time difference between fields, the process proceeds to step S436.

In step S436, the field base upsampler 434 reads the base layer decoded image data stored in the base layer decoded image buffer 431 by the processing in step S432 via the upsample switching unit 432, and the base layer decoded image of the base layer decoded image is read. Upsample the current picture on a field basis. That is, the field base upsampler 434 upsamples the first field (top field) and the second field (bottom field) of the current picture of the base layer decoded image.

In step S437, the field base upsampler 434 supplies the upsampled image generated by the processing in step S436 (upsampled by the field base) to the frame memory 458 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

When the process of step S437 is completed, the upsampling process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

If it is determined in step S435 that the current picture is up-sampled on a frame basis, for example, if the current picture is a picture with no time difference between fields, the process proceeds to step S438.

In step S438, the frame base upsampler 435 reads the base layer decoded image data stored in the base layer decoded image buffer 431 by the processing in step S432 via the upsample switching unit 432, and the base layer decoded image of the base layer decoded image is read. Upsample the current picture on a frame basis. That is, the frame base upsampler 435 upsamples the current picture of the base layer decoded image as a frame.

In step S439, the frame base upsampler 435 supplies the upsampled image generated by the processing in step S438 (upsampled on the frame base) to the frame memory 458 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

When the process of step S439 is completed, the upsampling process is terminated, and the process returns to FIG.

<Flow of enhancement layer decoding processing>
Next, an example of the flow of enhancement layer decoding processing executed in step S404 in FIG. 46 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the enhancement layer decoding process is started, the accumulation buffer 451 of the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404 accumulates the transmitted enhancement layer encoded stream in step S451.

In step S452, the lossless decoding unit 452 decodes the enhancement layer encoded stream supplied from the accumulation buffer 451. That is, image data such as an I picture, a P picture, and a B picture encoded by the lossless encoding unit 355 is decoded. At this time, various information other than the image data included in the bit stream such as header information is also decoded.

In step S453, the lossless decoding unit 452 extracts upsample information from the enhancement layer encoded stream supplied from the accumulation buffer 451 and supplies it to the upsampler unit 403. As described above, the upsampling unit 403 performs upsampling of the base layer decoded image using this upsampling information, and generates an upsampled image. Then, the upsampled image is supplied to the enhancement layer image decoding unit 404.

In step S454, the frame memory 458 acquires the upsampled image obtained by the processing in step S403 (FIG. 46).

In step S455, the frame memory 458 stores the upsampled image acquired in step S454.

Each process of step S456 to step S462 corresponds to each process of step S413 to step S419 in FIG. 47, and is executed basically in the same manner as those processes. However, each process of FIG. 47 is performed with respect to the base layer, whereas each process of FIG. 49 is performed with respect to the enhancement layer.

When the process of step S462 ends, the enhancement layer decoding process ends, and the process returns to FIG.

By executing each process as described above, the image decoding apparatus 400 can suppress a reduction in encoding efficiency. In other words, the image decoding apparatus 400 can suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

The applicable range of the present technology can be applied to any image encoding device and image decoding device based on a scalable encoding / decoding method.

In addition, this technology is, for example, MPEG, H.264. When receiving image information (bitstream) compressed by orthogonal transformation such as discrete cosine transformation and motion compensation, such as 26x, via network media such as satellite broadcasting, cable television, the Internet, or mobile phones. The present invention can be applied to an image encoding device and an image decoding device used in the above. In addition, the present technology can be applied to an image encoding device and an image decoding device that are used when processing on a storage medium such as an optical, magnetic disk, and flash memory.

<7. Seventh Embodiment>
<Application to multi-view image coding and multi-view image decoding>
The series of processes described above can be applied to multi-view image encoding / multi-view image decoding. FIG. 50 shows an example of a multi-view image encoding method.

50, the multi-viewpoint image includes images of a plurality of viewpoints (views). The multiple views of this multi-viewpoint image are encoded using the base view that encodes and decodes using only the image of its own view without using the information of other views, and the information of other views. -It consists of a non-base view that performs decoding. Non-base view encoding / decoding may use base view information or other non-base view information.

That is, the reference relationship between views in multi-view image encoding / decoding is the same as the reference relationship between layers in hierarchical image encoding / decoding. Therefore, the above-described method may be applied in encoding / decoding of a multi-view image as shown in FIG. That is, in encoding / decoding of image data including a plurality of layers, a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information relating to the phase of the color difference signal may be generated and transmitted. By doing in this way, similarly in the case of a multi-viewpoint image, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding and decoding.

<Multi-view image encoding device>
FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a multi-view image encoding apparatus that performs the multi-view image encoding described above. As illustrated in FIG. 51, the multi-view image encoding apparatus 600 includes an encoding unit 601, an encoding unit 602, and a multiplexing unit 603.

The encoding unit 601 encodes the base view image and generates a base view image encoded stream. The encoding unit 602 encodes the non-base view image and generates a non-base view image encoded stream. The multiplexing unit 603 multiplexes the base view image encoded stream generated by the encoding unit 601 and the non-base view image encoded stream generated by the encoding unit 602 to generate a multi-view image encoded stream. To do.

By applying the present technology to such a multi-view image encoding apparatus 600, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding.

<Multi-viewpoint image decoding device>
FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating a multi-view image decoding apparatus that performs the above-described multi-view image decoding. As illustrated in FIG. 52, the multi-view image decoding device 610 includes a demultiplexing unit 611, a decoding unit 612, and a decoding unit 613.

The demultiplexing unit 611 demultiplexes the multi-view image encoded stream in which the base view image encoded stream and the non-base view image encoded stream are multiplexed, and the base view image encoded stream and the non-base view image The encoded stream is extracted. The decoding unit 612 decodes the base view image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 611 to obtain a base view image. The decoding unit 613 decodes the non-base view image encoded stream extracted by the demultiplexing unit 611 to obtain a non-base view image.

By applying the present technology to such a multi-viewpoint image decoding apparatus 610, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to decoding.

<8. Eighth Embodiment>
<Computer>
The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in the computer. Here, the computer includes, for example, a general-purpose personal computer that can execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware and various programs.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

In a computer 800 shown in FIG. 53, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803 are connected to each other via a bus 804.

An input / output interface 810 is also connected to the bus 804. An input unit 811, an output unit 812, a storage unit 813, a communication unit 814, and a drive 815 are connected to the input / output interface 810.

The input unit 811 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touch panel, an input terminal, and the like. The output unit 812 includes, for example, a display, a speaker, an output terminal, and the like. The storage unit 813 includes, for example, a hard disk, a RAM disk, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The communication unit 814 includes a network interface, for example. The drive 815 drives a removable medium 821 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 801 loads the program stored in the storage unit 813 into the RAM 803 via the input / output interface 810 and the bus 804 and executes the program, for example. Is performed. The RAM 803 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 801 to execute various processes.

The program executed by the computer (CPU 801) can be recorded and applied to, for example, a removable medium 821 as a package medium or the like. In that case, the program can be installed in the storage unit 813 via the input / output interface 810 by attaching the removable medium 821 to the drive 815.

This program can also be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting. In that case, the program can be received by the communication unit 814 and installed in the storage unit 813.

In addition, this program can be installed in advance in the ROM 802 or the storage unit 813.

The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

Further, in the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but may be performed in parallel or It also includes processes that are executed individually.

In this specification, the system means a set of a plurality of components (devices, modules (parts), etc.), and it does not matter whether all the components are in the same housing. Accordingly, a plurality of devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network and a single device housing a plurality of modules in one housing are all systems. .

Also, in the above, the configuration described as one device (or processing unit) may be divided and configured as a plurality of devices (or processing units). Conversely, the configurations described above as a plurality of devices (or processing units) may be combined into a single device (or processing unit). Of course, a configuration other than that described above may be added to the configuration of each device (or each processing unit). Furthermore, if the configuration and operation of the entire system are substantially the same, a part of the configuration of a certain device (or processing unit) may be included in the configuration of another device (or other processing unit). .

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that it belongs to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, the present technology can take a configuration of cloud computing in which one function is shared by a plurality of devices via a network and is jointly processed.

Further, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device or can be shared by a plurality of devices.

Further, when a plurality of processes are included in one step, the plurality of processes included in the one step can be executed by being shared by a plurality of apparatuses in addition to being executed by one apparatus.

The image encoding device and the image decoding device according to the above-described embodiments include, for example, a transmitter or a receiver in cable broadcasting such as satellite broadcasting and cable TV, distribution on the Internet, and distribution to terminals by cellular communication, The present invention can be applied to various electronic devices such as a recording device that records an image on a medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a flash memory, or a playback device that reproduces an image from these storage media. Hereinafter, four application examples will be described.

<9. Ninth Embodiment>
<First Application Example: Television Receiver>
FIG. 54 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a television apparatus to which the above-described embodiment is applied. The television apparatus 900 includes an antenna 901, a tuner 902, a demultiplexer 903, a decoder 904, a video signal processing unit 905, a display unit 906, an audio signal processing unit 907, a speaker 908, an external interface (I / F) unit 909, and a control unit. 910, a user interface (I / F) unit 911, and a bus 912.

Tuner 902 extracts a signal of a desired channel from a broadcast signal received via antenna 901, and demodulates the extracted signal. Then, the tuner 902 outputs the encoded bit stream obtained by the demodulation to the demultiplexer 903. That is, the tuner 902 has a role as a transmission unit in the television device 900 that receives an encoded stream in which an image is encoded.

The demultiplexer 903 separates the video stream and audio stream of the viewing target program from the encoded bit stream, and outputs each separated stream to the decoder 904. Further, the demultiplexer 903 extracts auxiliary data such as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) from the encoded bit stream, and supplies the extracted data to the control unit 910. Note that the demultiplexer 903 may perform descrambling when the encoded bit stream is scrambled.

The decoder 904 decodes the video stream and audio stream input from the demultiplexer 903. Then, the decoder 904 outputs the video data generated by the decoding process to the video signal processing unit 905. In addition, the decoder 904 outputs audio data generated by the decoding process to the audio signal processing unit 907.

The video signal processing unit 905 reproduces the video data input from the decoder 904 and causes the display unit 906 to display the video. In addition, the video signal processing unit 905 may cause the display unit 906 to display an application screen supplied via a network. Further, the video signal processing unit 905 may perform additional processing such as noise removal on the video data according to the setting. Furthermore, the video signal processing unit 905 may generate a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image such as a menu, a button, or a cursor, and superimpose the generated image on the output image.

The display unit 906 is driven by a drive signal supplied from the video signal processing unit 905, and displays an image on a video screen of a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or an OELD (Organic ElectroLuminescence Display) (organic EL display)). Or an image is displayed.

The audio signal processing unit 907 performs reproduction processing such as D / A conversion and amplification on the audio data input from the decoder 904, and outputs audio from the speaker 908. The audio signal processing unit 907 may perform additional processing such as noise removal on the audio data.

The external interface unit 909 is an interface for connecting the television device 900 to an external device or a network. For example, a video stream or an audio stream received via the external interface unit 909 may be decoded by the decoder 904. That is, the external interface unit 909 also has a role as a transmission unit in the television apparatus 900 that receives an encoded stream in which an image is encoded.

The control unit 910 includes a processor such as a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores a program executed by the CPU, program data, EPG data, data acquired via a network, and the like. For example, the program stored in the memory is read and executed by the CPU when the television apparatus 900 is activated. For example, the CPU controls the operation of the television device 900 according to an operation signal input from the user interface unit 911 by executing the program.

The user interface unit 911 is connected to the control unit 910. The user interface unit 911 includes, for example, buttons and switches for the user to operate the television device 900, a remote control signal receiving unit, and the like. The user interface unit 911 detects an operation by the user via these components, generates an operation signal, and outputs the generated operation signal to the control unit 910.

The bus 912 connects the tuner 902, the demultiplexer 903, the decoder 904, the video signal processing unit 905, the audio signal processing unit 907, the external interface unit 909, and the control unit 910 to each other.

In the television device 900 configured as described above, the decoder 904 has the function of the image decoding device (for example, the image decoding device 200 or the image decoding device 400) according to the above-described embodiment. Thereby, reduction in image quality due to image decoding in the television device 900 can be suppressed.

<Second application example: mobile phone>
FIG. 55 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile phone to which the above-described embodiment is applied. A cellular phone 920 includes an antenna 921, a communication unit 922, an audio codec 923, a speaker 924, a microphone 925, a camera unit 926, an image processing unit 927, a demultiplexing unit 928, a recording / reproducing unit 929, a display unit 930, a control unit 931, an operation A portion 932 and a bus 933.

The antenna 921 is connected to the communication unit 922. The speaker 924 and the microphone 925 are connected to the audio codec 923. The operation unit 932 is connected to the control unit 931. The bus 933 connects the communication unit 922, the audio codec 923, the camera unit 926, the image processing unit 927, the demultiplexing unit 928, the recording / reproducing unit 929, the display unit 930, and the control unit 931 to each other.

The mobile phone 920 has various operation modes including a voice call mode, a data communication mode, a shooting mode, and a videophone mode, and is used for sending and receiving voice signals, sending and receiving e-mail or image data, taking images, and recording data. Perform the action.

In the voice call mode, the analog voice signal generated by the microphone 925 is supplied to the voice codec 923. The audio codec 923 converts an analog audio signal into audio data, A / D converts the compressed audio data, and compresses it. Then, the audio codec 923 outputs the compressed audio data to the communication unit 922. The communication unit 922 encodes and modulates the audio data and generates a transmission signal. Then, the communication unit 922 transmits the generated transmission signal to a base station (not shown) via the antenna 921. In addition, the communication unit 922 amplifies a radio signal received via the antenna 921 and performs frequency conversion to acquire a received signal. Then, the communication unit 922 demodulates and decodes the received signal to generate audio data, and outputs the generated audio data to the audio codec 923. The audio codec 923 decompresses the audio data and performs D / A conversion to generate an analog audio signal. Then, the audio codec 923 supplies the generated audio signal to the speaker 924 to output audio.

Further, in the data communication mode, for example, the control unit 931 generates character data constituting the e-mail in response to an operation by the user via the operation unit 932. In addition, the control unit 931 causes the display unit 930 to display characters. In addition, the control unit 931 generates e-mail data in response to a transmission instruction from the user via the operation unit 932, and outputs the generated e-mail data to the communication unit 922. The communication unit 922 encodes and modulates email data and generates a transmission signal. Then, the communication unit 922 transmits the generated transmission signal to a base station (not shown) via the antenna 921. In addition, the communication unit 922 amplifies a radio signal received via the antenna 921 and performs frequency conversion to acquire a received signal. Then, the communication unit 922 demodulates and decodes the received signal to restore the email data, and outputs the restored email data to the control unit 931. The control unit 931 displays the content of the electronic mail on the display unit 930, supplies the electronic mail data to the recording / reproducing unit 929, and writes the data in the storage medium.

The recording / reproducing unit 929 has an arbitrary readable / writable storage medium. For example, the storage medium may be a built-in storage medium such as a RAM or a flash memory, or an externally mounted type such as a hard disk, magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or memory card. It may be a storage medium.

In the shooting mode, for example, the camera unit 926 images a subject to generate image data, and outputs the generated image data to the image processing unit 927. The image processing unit 927 encodes the image data input from the camera unit 926, supplies the encoded stream to the recording / reproducing unit 929, and writes the encoded stream in the storage medium.

Further, in the image display mode, the recording / reproducing unit 929 reads out the encoded stream recorded in the storage medium and outputs the encoded stream to the image processing unit 927. The image processing unit 927 decodes the encoded stream input from the recording / reproducing unit 929, supplies the image data to the display unit 930, and displays the image.

Further, in the videophone mode, for example, the demultiplexing unit 928 multiplexes the video stream encoded by the image processing unit 927 and the audio stream input from the audio codec 923, and the multiplexed stream is the communication unit 922. Output to. The communication unit 922 encodes and modulates the stream and generates a transmission signal. Then, the communication unit 922 transmits the generated transmission signal to a base station (not shown) via the antenna 921. In addition, the communication unit 922 amplifies a radio signal received via the antenna 921 and performs frequency conversion to acquire a received signal. These transmission signal and reception signal may include an encoded bit stream. Then, the communication unit 922 demodulates and decodes the received signal to restore the stream, and outputs the restored stream to the demultiplexing unit 928. The demultiplexing unit 928 separates the video stream and the audio stream from the input stream, and outputs the video stream to the image processing unit 927 and the audio stream to the audio codec 923. The image processing unit 927 decodes the video stream and generates video data. The video data is supplied to the display unit 930, and a series of images is displayed on the display unit 930. The audio codec 923 decompresses the audio stream and performs D / A conversion to generate an analog audio signal. Then, the audio codec 923 supplies the generated audio signal to the speaker 924 to output audio.

In the mobile phone 920 configured as described above, the image processing unit 927 includes an image encoding device (for example, the image encoding device 100 or the image encoding device 300) or an image decoding device (for example, image decoding) according to the above-described embodiment. Functions of the apparatus 200 and the image decoding apparatus 400). Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to image encoding or decoding on the mobile phone 920.

<Third application example: recording / reproducing apparatus>
FIG. 56 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the above-described embodiment is applied. For example, the recording / reproducing device 940 encodes audio data and video data of a received broadcast program and records the encoded data on a recording medium. In addition, the recording / reproducing device 940 may encode audio data and video data acquired from another device and record them on a recording medium, for example. In addition, the recording / reproducing device 940 reproduces data recorded on the recording medium on a monitor and a speaker, for example, in accordance with a user instruction. At this time, the recording / reproducing device 940 decodes the audio data and the video data.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 940 includes a tuner 941, an external interface (I / F) unit 942, an encoder 943, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 944, a disk drive 945, a selector 946, a decoder 947, an OSD (On-Screen Display) 948, and a control. Part 949 and a user interface (I / F) part 950.

Tuner 941 extracts a signal of a desired channel from a broadcast signal received via an antenna (not shown), and demodulates the extracted signal. Then, the tuner 941 outputs the encoded bit stream obtained by the demodulation to the selector 946. That is, the tuner 941 serves as a transmission unit in the recording / reproducing apparatus 940.

The external interface unit 942 is an interface for connecting the recording / reproducing device 940 to an external device or a network. The external interface unit 942 may be, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 interface, a network interface, a USB interface, or a flash memory interface. For example, video data and audio data received via the external interface unit 942 are input to the encoder 943. That is, the external interface unit 942 has a role as a transmission unit in the recording / reproducing apparatus 940.

The encoder 943 encodes video data and audio data when the video data and audio data input from the external interface unit 942 are not encoded. Then, the encoder 943 outputs the encoded bit stream to the selector 946.

The HDD 944 records an encoded bit stream in which content data such as video and audio are compressed, various programs, and other data on an internal hard disk. Further, the HDD 944 reads out these data from the hard disk when reproducing video and audio.

The disk drive 945 performs recording and reading of data to and from the mounted recording medium. Recording media mounted on the disk drive 945 are, for example, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) discs (DVD-Video, DVD-RAM (DVD -Random Access Memory), DVD-R (DVD-Recordable), DVD-RW (DVD-). Rewritable), DVD + R (DVD + Recordable), DVD + RW (DVD + Rewritable), etc.) or Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc.

The selector 946 selects an encoded bit stream input from the tuner 941 or the encoder 943 when recording video and audio, and outputs the selected encoded bit stream to the HDD 944 or the disk drive 945. In addition, the selector 946 outputs the encoded bit stream input from the HDD 944 or the disk drive 945 to the decoder 947 during video and audio reproduction.

The decoder 947 decodes the encoded bit stream and generates video data and audio data. Then, the decoder 947 outputs the generated video data to the OSD 948. The decoder 947 outputs the generated audio data to an external speaker.

OSD 948 reproduces the video data input from the decoder 947 and displays the video. Further, the OSD 948 may superimpose a GUI image such as a menu, a button, or a cursor on the video to be displayed.

The control unit 949 includes a processor such as a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores a program executed by the CPU, program data, and the like. The program stored in the memory is read and executed by the CPU when the recording / reproducing apparatus 940 is activated, for example. The CPU executes the program to control the operation of the recording / reproducing device 940 in accordance with, for example, an operation signal input from the user interface unit 950.

The user interface unit 950 is connected to the control unit 949. The user interface unit 950 includes, for example, buttons and switches for the user to operate the recording / reproducing device 940, a remote control signal receiving unit, and the like. The user interface unit 950 detects an operation by the user via these components, generates an operation signal, and outputs the generated operation signal to the control unit 949.

In the thus configured recording / reproducing apparatus 940, the encoder 943 has the function of the image encoding apparatus (for example, the image encoding apparatus 100 or the image encoding apparatus 300) according to the above-described embodiment. The decoder 947 has a function of the image decoding device (for example, the image decoding device 200 or the image decoding device 400) according to the above-described embodiment. As a result, an increase in image encoding or decoding load in the recording / reproducing apparatus 940 can be suppressed.

<Fourth Application Example: Imaging Device>
FIG. 57 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus to which the above-described embodiment is applied. The imaging device 960 images a subject to generate an image, encodes the image data, and records it on a recording medium.

The imaging device 960 includes an optical block 961, an imaging unit 962, a signal processing unit 963, an image processing unit 964, a display unit 965, an external interface (I / F) unit 966, a memory unit 967, a media drive 968, an OSD 969, and a control unit 970. A user interface (I / F) unit 971 and a bus 972.

The optical block 961 is connected to the imaging unit 962. The imaging unit 962 is connected to the signal processing unit 963. The display unit 965 is connected to the image processing unit 964. The user interface unit 971 is connected to the control unit 970. The bus 972 connects the image processing unit 964, the external interface unit 966, the memory unit 967, the media drive 968, the OSD 969, and the control unit 970 to each other.

The optical block 961 includes a focus lens and a diaphragm mechanism. The optical block 961 forms an optical image of the subject on the imaging surface of the imaging unit 962. The imaging unit 962 includes an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), and converts an optical image formed on the imaging surface into an image signal as an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion. Then, the imaging unit 962 outputs the image signal to the signal processing unit 963.

The signal processing unit 963 performs various camera signal processing such as knee correction, gamma correction, and color correction on the image signal input from the imaging unit 962. The signal processing unit 963 outputs the image data after the camera signal processing to the image processing unit 964.

The image processing unit 964 encodes the image data input from the signal processing unit 963 and generates encoded data. Then, the image processing unit 964 outputs the generated encoded data to the external interface unit 966 or the media drive 968. In addition, the image processing unit 964 decodes encoded data input from the external interface unit 966 or the media drive 968 to generate image data. Then, the image processing unit 964 outputs the generated image data to the display unit 965. In addition, the image processing unit 964 may display the image by outputting the image data input from the signal processing unit 963 to the display unit 965. Further, the image processing unit 964 may superimpose display data acquired from the OSD 969 on an image output to the display unit 965.

The OSD 969 generates a GUI image such as a menu, a button, or a cursor, and outputs the generated image to the image processing unit 964.

The external interface unit 966 is configured as a USB input / output terminal, for example. The external interface unit 966 connects the imaging device 960 and a printer, for example, when printing an image. Further, a drive is connected to the external interface unit 966 as necessary. For example, a removable medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is attached to the drive, and a program read from the removable medium can be installed in the imaging device 960. Furthermore, the external interface unit 966 may be configured as a network interface connected to a network such as a LAN or the Internet. That is, the external interface unit 966 has a role as a transmission unit in the imaging device 960.

The recording medium mounted on the media drive 968 may be any readable / writable removable medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. In addition, a recording medium may be fixedly mounted on the media drive 968, and a non-portable storage unit such as an internal hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be configured.

The control unit 970 includes a processor such as a CPU and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores a program executed by the CPU, program data, and the like. The program stored in the memory is read and executed by the CPU when the imaging device 960 is activated, for example. For example, the CPU controls the operation of the imaging device 960 according to an operation signal input from the user interface unit 971 by executing the program.

The user interface unit 971 is connected to the control unit 970. The user interface unit 971 includes, for example, buttons and switches for the user to operate the imaging device 960. The user interface unit 971 detects an operation by the user via these components, generates an operation signal, and outputs the generated operation signal to the control unit 970.

In the imaging device 960 configured as described above, the image processing unit 964 includes an image encoding device (for example, the image encoding device 100 or the image encoding device 300) or an image decoding device (for example, an image) according to the above-described embodiment. Functions of the decoding device 200 and the image decoding device 400). Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to image encoding or decoding in the imaging device 960.

<10. Tenth Embodiment>
<Application Example of Scalable Coding: First System>
Next, a specific usage example of scalable encoded data that has been subjected to scalable encoding (hierarchical (image) encoding) will be described. Scalable encoding is used for selection of data to be transmitted, for example, as in the example shown in FIG.

In the data transmission system 1000 shown in FIG. 58, the distribution server 1002 reads the scalable encoded data stored in the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001, and via the network 1003, the personal computer 1004, the AV device 1005, the tablet This is distributed to the terminal device such as the device 1006 and the mobile phone 1007.

At this time, the distribution server 1002 selects and transmits encoded data of appropriate quality according to the capability of the terminal device, the communication environment, and the like. Even if the distribution server 1002 transmits high-quality data unnecessarily, a high-quality image is not always obtained in the terminal device, which may cause a delay or an overflow. Moreover, there is a possibility that the communication band is unnecessarily occupied or the load on the terminal device is unnecessarily increased. On the other hand, even if the distribution server 1002 transmits unnecessarily low quality data, there is a possibility that an image with sufficient image quality cannot be obtained in the terminal device. Therefore, the distribution server 1002 appropriately reads and transmits the scalable encoded data stored in the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 as encoded data having an appropriate quality with respect to the capability and communication environment of the terminal device. .

For example, it is assumed that the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 stores scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 encoded in a scalable manner. The scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 is encoded data including both a base layer and an enhancement layer, and is a data that can be decoded to obtain both a base layer image and an enhancement layer image. It is.

The distribution server 1002 selects an appropriate layer according to the capability of the terminal device that transmits data, the communication environment, and the like, and reads the data of the layer. For example, the distribution server 1002 reads high-quality scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 from the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 and transmits it to the personal computer 1004 and the tablet device 1006 with high processing capability as they are. . On the other hand, for example, the distribution server 1002 extracts base layer data from the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 for the AV device 1005 and the cellular phone 1007 having a low processing capability, and performs scalable encoding. Although it is data of the same content as the data (BL + EL) 1011, it is transmitted as scalable encoded data (BL) 1012 having a lower quality than the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011.

By using scalable encoded data in this way, the amount of data can be easily adjusted, so that the occurrence of delays and overflows can be suppressed, and unnecessary increases in the load on terminal devices and communication media can be suppressed. be able to. In addition, since scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 has reduced redundancy between layers, the amount of data can be reduced as compared with the case where encoded data of each layer is used as individual data. . Therefore, the storage area of the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 can be used more efficiently.

Note that since various devices can be applied to the terminal device, such as the personal computer 1004 to the cellular phone 1007, the hardware performance of the terminal device varies depending on the device. Moreover, since the application which a terminal device performs is also various, the capability of the software is also various. Furthermore, the network 1003 serving as a communication medium can be applied to any communication network including wired, wireless, or both, such as the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network), and has various data transmission capabilities. Furthermore, there is a risk of change due to other communications.

Therefore, the distribution server 1002 communicates with the terminal device that is the data transmission destination before starting data transmission, and the hardware performance of the terminal device, the performance of the application (software) executed by the terminal device, etc. Information regarding the capability of the terminal device and information regarding the communication environment such as the available bandwidth of the network 1003 may be obtained. The distribution server 1002 may select an appropriate layer based on the information obtained here.

Note that the layer extraction may be performed by the terminal device. For example, the personal computer 1004 may decode the transmitted scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 and display a base layer image or an enhancement layer image. Further, for example, the personal computer 1004 extracts the base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1012 from the transmitted scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 and stores it or transfers it to another device. The base layer image may be displayed after decoding.

Of course, the numbers of the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001, the distribution server 1002, the network 1003, and the terminal devices are arbitrary. In the above, the example in which the distribution server 1002 transmits data to the terminal device has been described, but the usage example is not limited to this. The data transmission system 1000 may be any system as long as it transmits a scalable encoded data to a terminal device by selecting an appropriate layer according to the capability of the terminal device or a communication environment. Can be applied to the system.

In the data transmission system 1000 as shown in FIG. 58, the present technology is applied in the same manner as the application to the hierarchical encoding / decoding described above with reference to FIGS. The effect similar to the effect mentioned above with reference to can be acquired.

<Application example of scalable coding: second system>
Also, scalable coding is used for transmission via a plurality of communication media, for example, as in the example shown in FIG.

In the data transmission system 1100 shown in FIG. 59, a broadcasting station 1101 transmits base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 by terrestrial broadcasting 1111. Also, the broadcast station 1101 transmits enhancement layer scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 via an arbitrary network 1112 including a wired or wireless communication network or both (for example, packetized transmission).

The terminal apparatus 1102 has a reception function of the terrestrial broadcast 1111 broadcast by the broadcast station 1101 and receives base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 transmitted via the terrestrial broadcast 1111. The terminal apparatus 1102 further has a communication function for performing communication via the network 1112, and receives enhancement layer scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 transmitted via the network 1112.

The terminal device 1102 decodes the base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 acquired via the terrestrial broadcast 1111 according to, for example, a user instruction, and obtains or stores a base layer image. Or transmit to other devices.

Also, the terminal device 1102, for example, in response to a user instruction, the base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 acquired via the terrestrial broadcast 1111 and the enhancement layer scalable encoded acquired via the network 1112 Data (EL) 1122 is combined to obtain scalable encoded data (BL + EL), or decoded to obtain an enhancement layer image, stored, or transmitted to another device.

As described above, the scalable encoded data can be transmitted via a communication medium that is different for each layer, for example. Therefore, the load can be distributed, and the occurrence of delay and overflow can be suppressed.

Also, depending on the situation, the communication medium used for transmission may be selected for each layer. For example, scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 of a base layer having a relatively large amount of data is transmitted via a communication medium having a wide bandwidth, and scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 having a relatively small amount of data is transmitted. You may make it transmit via a communication medium with a narrow bandwidth. Further, for example, the communication medium for transmitting the enhancement layer scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 is switched between the network 1112 and the terrestrial broadcast 1111 according to the available bandwidth of the network 1112. May be. Of course, the same applies to data of an arbitrary layer.

By controlling in this way, an increase in load in data transmission can be further suppressed.

Of course, the number of layers is arbitrary, and the number of communication media used for transmission is also arbitrary. In addition, the number of terminal devices 1102 serving as data distribution destinations is also arbitrary. Furthermore, in the above description, broadcasting from the broadcasting station 1101 has been described as an example, but the usage example is not limited to this. The data transmission system 1100 can be applied to any system as long as it is a system that divides scalable encoded data into a plurality of layers and transmits them through a plurality of lines.

In the data transmission system 1100 as shown in FIG. 59, the present technology is applied in the same manner as the application to the hierarchical encoding / decoding described above with reference to FIGS. The effect similar to the effect mentioned above with reference to can be acquired.

<Application example of scalable coding: third system>
Further, scalable encoding is used for storing encoded data as in the example shown in FIG. 60, for example.

In the imaging system 1200 illustrated in FIG. 60, the imaging device 1201 performs scalable coding on image data obtained by imaging the subject 1211, and as scalable coded data (BL + EL) 1221, a scalable coded data storage device 1202. To supply.

The scalable encoded data storage device 1202 stores the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221 supplied from the imaging device 1201 with quality according to the situation. For example, in the normal case, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 extracts base layer data from the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221, and the base layer scalable encoded data ( BL) 1222. On the other hand, for example, in the case of attention, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 stores scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221 with high quality and a large amount of data.

By doing so, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 can store an image with high image quality only when necessary, so that an increase in the amount of data can be achieved while suppressing a reduction in the value of the image due to image quality degradation. And the use efficiency of the storage area can be improved.

For example, assume that the imaging device 1201 is a surveillance camera. When the monitoring target (for example, an intruder) is not shown in the captured image (in the normal case), the content of the captured image is likely to be unimportant, so reduction of the data amount is given priority, and the image data (scalable coding) Data) is stored in low quality. On the other hand, when the monitoring target appears in the captured image as the subject 1211 (at the time of attention), since the content of the captured image is likely to be important, the image quality is given priority and the image data (scalable) (Encoded data) is stored with high quality.

Note that whether it is normal time or attention time may be determined by the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 analyzing an image, for example. Alternatively, the imaging apparatus 1201 may make a determination, and the determination result may be transmitted to the scalable encoded data storage device 1202.

It should be noted that the criterion for determining whether the time is normal or noting is arbitrary, and the content of the image as the criterion is arbitrary. Of course, conditions other than the contents of the image can also be used as the criterion. For example, it may be switched according to the volume or waveform of the recorded sound, may be switched at every predetermined time, or may be switched by an external instruction such as a user instruction.

In the above, an example of switching between the normal state and the attention state has been described. However, the number of states is arbitrary, for example, normal, slightly attention, attention, very attention, etc. Alternatively, three or more states may be switched. However, the upper limit number of states to be switched depends on the number of layers of scalable encoded data.

Also, the imaging apparatus 1201 may determine the number of layers for scalable coding according to the state. For example, in a normal case, the imaging apparatus 1201 may generate base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1222 with low quality and a small amount of data, and supply the scalable encoded data storage apparatus 1202 to the scalable encoded data storage apparatus 1202. For example, when attention is paid, the imaging device 1201 generates scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221 having a high quality and a large amount of data, and supplies the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 to the scalable encoded data storage device 1202. May be.

In the above, the monitoring camera has been described as an example. However, the use of the imaging system 1200 is arbitrary and is not limited to the monitoring camera.

In the imaging system 1200 as shown in FIG. 60, the present technology is applied in the same manner as the application to the hierarchical encoding / decoding described above with reference to FIGS. The effect similar to the effect mentioned above with reference can be acquired.

Note that the present technology can also be applied to HTTP streaming such as MPEGASHDASH, for example, by selecting an appropriate piece of data from a plurality of encoded data with different resolutions prepared in advance. Can do. That is, information regarding encoding and decoding can be shared among a plurality of such encoded data.

<11. Eleventh embodiment>
<Other examples of implementation>
In the above, examples of devices and systems to which the present technology is applied have been described. However, the present technology is not limited thereto, and any configuration mounted on such devices or devices constituting the system, for example, a system LSI (Large Scale) Integration) etc., a module using a plurality of processors, etc., a unit using a plurality of modules, etc., a set in which other functions are added to the unit, etc. (that is, a partial configuration of the apparatus) .

<Video set>
An example of implementing the present technology as a set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 61 illustrates an example of a schematic configuration of a video set to which the present technology is applied.

In recent years, multi-functionalization of electronic devices has progressed, and in the development and manufacture, when implementing a part of the configuration as sales or provision, etc., not only when implementing as a configuration having one function, but also related In many cases, a plurality of configurations having functions are combined and implemented as a set having a plurality of functions.

The video set 1300 shown in FIG. 61 has such a multi-functional configuration, and a device having a function relating to image encoding and decoding (either or both of them) can be used for the function. It is a combination of devices having other related functions.

As shown in FIG. 61, the video set 1300 includes a module group such as a video module 1311, an external memory 1312, a power management module 1313, and a front-end module 1314, and a connectivity 1321, a camera 1322, a sensor 1323, and the like. And a device having a function.

A module is a component that has several functions that are related to each other and that has a coherent function. The specific physical configuration is arbitrary. For example, a plurality of processors each having a function, electronic circuit elements such as resistors and capacitors, and other devices arranged on a wiring board or the like can be considered. . It is also possible to combine the module with another module, a processor, or the like to form a new module.

61, the video module 1311 is a combination of configurations having functions related to image processing, and includes an application processor, a video processor, a broadband modem 1333, and an RF module 1334.

A processor is a configuration in which a configuration having a predetermined function is integrated on a semiconductor chip by a SoC (System On a Chip), and for example, there is a system LSI (Large Scale Integration). The configuration having the predetermined function may be a logic circuit (hardware configuration), a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a program (software configuration) executed using them. , Or a combination of both. For example, a processor has a logic circuit and a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a part of the function is realized by a logic circuit (hardware configuration), and other functions are executed by the CPU (software configuration) It may be realized by.

61 is a processor that executes an application related to image processing. The application executed in the application processor 1331 not only performs arithmetic processing to realize a predetermined function, but also can control the internal and external configurations of the video module 1311 such as the video processor 1332 as necessary. .

The video processor 1332 is a processor having a function related to image encoding / decoding (one or both of them).

The broadband modem 1333 converts the data (digital signal) transmitted by wired or wireless (or both) broadband communication via a broadband line such as the Internet or a public telephone line network into an analog signal by digitally modulating the data. The analog signal received by the broadband communication is demodulated and converted into data (digital signal). The broadband modem 1333 processes arbitrary information such as image data processed by the video processor 1332, a stream obtained by encoding the image data, an application program, setting data, and the like.

The RF module 1334 is a module that performs frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, amplification, filter processing, and the like on an RF (Radio Frequency) signal transmitted / received via an antenna. For example, the RF module 1334 generates an RF signal by performing frequency conversion or the like on the baseband signal generated by the broadband modem 1333. Further, for example, the RF module 1334 generates a baseband signal by performing frequency conversion or the like on the RF signal received via the front end module 1314.

Note that, as indicated by a dotted line 1341 in FIG. 61, the application processor 1331 and the video processor 1332 may be integrated into a single processor.

The external memory 1312 is a module that is provided outside the video module 1311 and has a storage device used by the video module 1311. The storage device of the external memory 1312 may be realized by any physical configuration, but is generally used for storing a large amount of data such as image data in units of frames. For example, it is desirable to realize it with a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity semiconductor memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The power management module 1313 manages and controls power supply to the video module 1311 (each component in the video module 1311).

The front-end module 1314 is a module that provides the RF module 1334 with a front-end function (circuit on the transmitting / receiving end on the antenna side). As shown in FIG. 61, the front end module 1314 includes, for example, an antenna unit 1351, a filter 1352, and an amplification unit 1353.

The antenna unit 1351 has an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal and its peripheral configuration. The antenna unit 1351 transmits the signal supplied from the amplification unit 1353 as a radio signal, and supplies the received radio signal to the filter 1352 as an electric signal (RF signal). The filter 1352 performs a filtering process on the RF signal received via the antenna unit 1351 and supplies the processed RF signal to the RF module 1334. The amplifying unit 1353 amplifies the RF signal supplied from the RF module 1334 and supplies the amplified RF signal to the antenna unit 1351.

Connectivity 1321 is a module having a function related to connection with the outside. The physical configuration of the connectivity 1321 is arbitrary. For example, the connectivity 1321 has a configuration having a communication function other than the communication standard supported by the broadband modem 1333, an external input / output terminal, and the like.

For example, the communication 1321 is compliant with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 (for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), IrDA (InfraRed Data Association), etc. You may make it have a module which has a function, an antenna etc. which transmit / receive the signal based on the standard. Further, for example, the connectivity 1321 has a module having a communication function compliant with a wired communication standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or a terminal compliant with the standard. You may do it. Further, for example, the connectivity 1321 may have other data (signal) transmission functions such as analog input / output terminals.

Note that the connectivity 1321 may include a data (signal) transmission destination device. For example, the drive 1321 reads and writes data to and from a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory (not only a removable medium drive, but also a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive) NAS (including Network Attached Storage) and the like. In addition, the connectivity 1321 may include an image or audio output device (a monitor, a speaker, or the like).

The camera 1322 is a module having a function of capturing a subject and obtaining image data of the subject. Image data obtained by imaging by the camera 1322 is supplied to, for example, a video processor 1332 and encoded.

The sensor 1323 includes, for example, a voice sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, an illuminance sensor, an infrared sensor, an image sensor, a rotation sensor, an angle sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, an inclination sensor, a magnetic identification sensor, an impact sensor, It is a module having an arbitrary sensor function such as a temperature sensor. For example, the data detected by the sensor 1323 is supplied to the application processor 1331 and used by an application or the like.

The configuration described as a module in the above may be realized as a processor, or conversely, the configuration described as a processor may be realized as a module.

In the video set 1300 having the above configuration, the present technology can be applied to the video processor 1332 as described later. Therefore, the video set 1300 can be implemented as a set to which the present technology is applied.

<Example of video processor configuration>
FIG. 62 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a video processor 1332 (FIG. 61) to which the present technology is applied.

In the case of the example of FIG. 62, the video processor 1332 receives the input of the video signal and the audio signal, encodes them in a predetermined method, decodes the encoded video data and audio data, A function of reproducing and outputting an audio signal.

As shown in FIG. 62, the video processor 1332 includes a video input processing unit 1401, a first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402, a second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403, a video output processing unit 1404, a frame memory 1405, and a memory control unit 1406. Have The video processor 1332 includes an encoding / decoding engine 1407, video ES (ElementaryElementStream) buffers 1408A and 1408B, and audio ES buffers 1409A and 1409B. Further, the video processor 1332 includes an audio encoder 1410, an audio decoder 1411, a multiplexing unit (MUX (Multiplexer)) 1412, a demultiplexing unit (DMUX (Demultiplexer)) 1413, and a stream buffer 1414.

The video input processing unit 1401 acquires, for example, a video signal input from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) and converts it into digital image data. The first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402 performs format conversion, image enlargement / reduction processing, and the like on the image data. The second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403 performs image enlargement / reduction processing on the image data in accordance with the format of the output destination via the video output processing unit 1404, or is the same as the first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402. Format conversion and image enlargement / reduction processing. The video output processing unit 1404 performs format conversion, conversion to an analog signal, and the like on the image data, and outputs the reproduced video signal to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61).

The frame memory 1405 is a memory for image data shared by the video input processing unit 1401, the first image scaling unit 1402, the second image scaling unit 1403, the video output processing unit 1404, and the encoding / decoding engine 1407. . The frame memory 1405 is realized as a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, for example.

The memory control unit 1406 receives the synchronization signal from the encoding / decoding engine 1407, and controls the write / read access to the frame memory 1405 according to the access schedule to the frame memory 1405 written in the access management table 1406A. The access management table 1406A is updated by the memory control unit 1406 in accordance with processing executed by the encoding / decoding engine 1407, the first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402, the second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403, and the like.

The encoding / decoding engine 1407 performs encoding processing of image data and decoding processing of a video stream that is data obtained by encoding the image data. For example, the encoding / decoding engine 1407 encodes the image data read from the frame memory 1405 and sequentially writes the data as a video stream in the video ES buffer 1408A. Further, for example, the video stream is sequentially read from the video ES buffer 1408B, decoded, and sequentially written in the frame memory 1405 as image data. The encoding / decoding engine 1407 uses the frame memory 1405 as a work area in the encoding and decoding. Also, the encoding / decoding engine 1407 outputs a synchronization signal to the memory control unit 1406, for example, at a timing at which processing for each macroblock is started.

The video ES buffer 1408A buffers the video stream generated by the encoding / decoding engine 1407 and supplies the buffered video stream to the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412. The video ES buffer 1408B buffers the video stream supplied from the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 and supplies the buffered video stream to the encoding / decoding engine 1407.

The audio ES buffer 1409A buffers the audio stream generated by the audio encoder 1410 and supplies the buffered audio stream to the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412. The audio ES buffer 1409B buffers the audio stream supplied from the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 and supplies the buffered audio stream to the audio decoder 1411.

The audio encoder 1410 converts, for example, an audio signal input from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61), for example, into a digital format, and encodes the audio signal according to a predetermined method such as an MPEG audio method or an AC3 (Audio Code number 3) method. The audio encoder 1410 sequentially writes an audio stream, which is data obtained by encoding an audio signal, in the audio ES buffer 1409A. The audio decoder 1411 decodes the audio stream supplied from the audio ES buffer 1409B, performs conversion to, for example, an analog signal, and supplies the reproduced audio signal to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61).

The multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream. The multiplexing method (that is, the format of the bit stream generated by multiplexing) is arbitrary. At the time of this multiplexing, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 can also add predetermined header information or the like to the bit stream. That is, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 can convert the stream format by multiplexing. For example, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream to convert it into a transport stream that is a bit stream in a transfer format. Further, for example, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream, thereby converting the data into file format data (file data) for recording.

The demultiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413 demultiplexes the bit stream in which the video stream and the audio stream are multiplexed by a method corresponding to the multiplexing by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412. That is, the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 extracts the video stream and the audio stream from the bit stream read from the stream buffer 1414 (separates the video stream and the audio stream). That is, the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 can convert the stream format by demultiplexing (inverse conversion of the conversion by the multiplexer (MUX) 1412). For example, the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 obtains the transport stream supplied from, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 61) via the stream buffer 1414 and demultiplexes the transport stream. Can be converted into a video stream and an audio stream. Further, for example, the demultiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413 obtains, for example, file data read from various recording media by the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) via the stream buffer 1414, and demultiplexes the file data. It can be converted into a video stream and an audio stream.

Stream buffer 1414 buffers the bit stream. For example, the stream buffer 1414 buffers the transport stream supplied from the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 and, for example, at the predetermined timing or based on a request from the outside, for example, the connectivity 1321 or the broadband modem 1333 (whichever Is also supplied to FIG.

Further, for example, the stream buffer 1414 buffers the file data supplied from the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 and, for example, connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) or the like at a predetermined timing or based on an external request or the like. To be recorded on various recording media.

Further, the stream buffer 1414 buffers the transport stream acquired through, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 61), and performs reverse processing at a predetermined timing or based on an external request or the like. The data is supplied to a multiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413.

In addition, the stream buffer 1414 buffers file data read from various recording media in the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61), for example, and at a predetermined timing or based on an external request or the like, a demultiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413.

Next, an example of the operation of the video processor 1332 having such a configuration will be described. For example, a video signal input from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) or the like to the video processor 1332 is converted into digital image data of a predetermined format such as 4: 2: 2Y / Cb / Cr format by the video input processing unit 1401. The data is sequentially written into the frame memory 1405. This digital image data is read by the first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402 or the second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403, and format conversion to a predetermined method such as 4: 2: 0Y / Cb / Cr method and enlargement / reduction processing are performed. Is written again in the frame memory 1405. This image data is encoded by the encoding / decoding engine 1407 and written as a video stream in the video ES buffer 1408A.

Also, an audio signal input to the video processor 1332 from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) or the like is encoded by the audio encoder 1410 and written as an audio stream in the audio ES buffer 1409A.

The video stream of the video ES buffer 1408A and the audio stream of the audio ES buffer 1409A are read and multiplexed by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 and converted into a transport stream, file data, or the like. The transport stream generated by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 is buffered in the stream buffer 1414 and then output to the external network via, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 61). Also, the file data generated by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 is buffered in the stream buffer 1414, and then output to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) and recorded on various recording media.

For example, the transport stream input from the external network to the video processor 1332 via the connectivity 1321 or the broadband modem 1333 (both in FIG. 61) is buffered in the stream buffer 1414 and then demultiplexed (DMUX). 1413 is demultiplexed. Further, for example, file data read from various recording media in the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) and input to the video processor 1332 is buffered in the stream buffer 1414 and then demultiplexed by the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413. It becomes. That is, the transport stream or file data input to the video processor 1332 is separated into a video stream and an audio stream by the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413.

The audio stream is supplied to the audio decoder 1411 via the audio ES buffer 1409B and decoded to reproduce the audio signal. The video stream is written to the video ES buffer 1408B, and then sequentially read and decoded by the encoding / decoding engine 1407, and written to the frame memory 1405. The decoded image data is enlarged / reduced by the second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403 and written to the frame memory 1405. The decoded image data is read out to the video output processing unit 1404, format-converted to a predetermined system such as 4: 2: 2Y / Cb / Cr system, and further converted into an analog signal to be converted into a video signal. Is played out.

When the present technology is applied to the video processor 1332 configured as described above, the present technology according to each embodiment described above may be applied to the encoding / decoding engine 1407. That is, for example, the encoding / decoding engine 1407 may have the functions of the image encoding device 100, the image decoding device 200, the image encoding device 300, or the image decoding device 400. In this way, the video processor 1332 can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS.

In the encoding / decoding engine 1407, the present technology (that is, the functions of the image encoding device and the image decoding device according to each embodiment described above) may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit. It may be realized by software such as an embedded program, or may be realized by both of them.

<Other configuration examples of video processor>
FIG. 63 illustrates another example of a schematic configuration of the video processor 1332 (FIG. 61) to which the present technology is applied. In the case of the example in FIG. 63, the video processor 1332 has a function of encoding / decoding video data by a predetermined method.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 63, the video processor 1332 includes a control unit 1511, a display interface 1512, a display engine 1513, an image processing engine 1514, and an internal memory 1515. The video processor 1332 includes a codec engine 1516, a memory interface 1517, a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, a network interface 1519, and a video interface 1520.

The control unit 1511 controls the operation of each processing unit in the video processor 1332 such as the display interface 1512, the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, and the codec engine 1516.

63, the control unit 1511 includes, for example, a main CPU 1531, a sub CPU 1532, and a system controller 1533. The main CPU 1531 executes a program and the like for controlling the operation of each processing unit in the video processor 1332. The main CPU 1531 generates a control signal according to the program and supplies it to each processing unit (that is, controls the operation of each processing unit). The sub CPU 1532 plays an auxiliary role of the main CPU 1531. For example, the sub CPU 1532 executes a child process such as a program executed by the main CPU 1531, a subroutine, or the like. The system controller 1533 controls operations of the main CPU 1531 and the sub CPU 1532 such as designating a program to be executed by the main CPU 1531 and the sub CPU 1532.

The display interface 1512 outputs image data to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) under the control of the control unit 1511. For example, the display interface 1512 converts image data of digital data into an analog signal, and outputs it to a monitor device of the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) or the like as a reproduced video signal or as image data of digital data.

Under the control of the control unit 1511, the display engine 1513 performs various conversion processes such as format conversion, size conversion, color gamut conversion, and the like so as to match the image data with hardware specifications such as a monitor device that displays the image. I do.

The image processing engine 1514 performs predetermined image processing such as filter processing for improving image quality on the image data under the control of the control unit 1511.

The internal memory 1515 is a memory provided in the video processor 1332 that is shared by the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, and the codec engine 1516. The internal memory 1515 is used, for example, for data exchange performed between the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, and the codec engine 1516. For example, the internal memory 1515 stores data supplied from the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, or the codec engine 1516, and stores the data as needed (eg, upon request). This is supplied to the image processing engine 1514 or the codec engine 1516. The internal memory 1515 may be realized by any storage device, but is generally used for storing a small amount of data such as image data or parameters in units of blocks. It is desirable to realize a semiconductor memory having a relatively small capacity but a high response speed (for example, as compared with the external memory 1312) such as “Static Random Access Memory”.

The codec engine 1516 performs processing related to encoding and decoding of image data. The encoding / decoding scheme supported by the codec engine 1516 is arbitrary, and the number thereof may be one or plural. For example, the codec engine 1516 may be provided with codec functions of a plurality of encoding / decoding schemes, and may be configured to perform encoding of image data or decoding of encoded data using one selected from them.

In the example shown in FIG. 63, the codec engine 1516 includes, for example, MPEG-2 video 1541, AVC / H.2641542, HEVC / H.2651543, HEVC / H.265 (Scalable) 1544, as function blocks for processing related to the codec. HEVC / H.265 (Multi-view) 1545 and MPEG-DASH 1551 are included.

MPEG-2 Video1541 is a functional block that encodes and decodes image data in the MPEG-2 format. AVC / H.2641542 is a functional block that encodes and decodes image data using the AVC method. HEVC / H.2651543 is a functional block that encodes and decodes image data using the HEVC method. HEVC / H.265 (Scalable) 1544 is a functional block that performs scalable encoding and scalable decoding of image data using the HEVC method. HEVC / H.265 (Multi-view) 1545 is a functional block that multi-view encodes or multi-view decodes image data using the HEVC method.

MPEG-DASH 1551 is a functional block that transmits and receives image data using the MPEG-DASH (MPEG-Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) method. MPEG-DASH is a technology for streaming video using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and selects and transmits appropriate data from multiple encoded data with different resolutions prepared in advance in segments. This is one of the features. MPEG-DASH 1551 generates a stream compliant with the standard, controls transmission of the stream, and the like. For encoding / decoding of image data, MPEG-2 Video 1541 to HEVC / H.265 (Multi-view) 1545 described above are used. Is used.

The memory interface 1517 is an interface for the external memory 1312. Data supplied from the image processing engine 1514 or the codec engine 1516 is supplied to the external memory 1312 via the memory interface 1517. The data read from the external memory 1312 is supplied to the video processor 1332 (the image processing engine 1514 or the codec engine 1516) via the memory interface 1517.

A multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 performs multiplexing and demultiplexing of various data related to images such as a bit stream of encoded data, image data, and a video signal. This multiplexing / demultiplexing method is arbitrary. For example, at the time of multiplexing, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 can not only combine a plurality of data into one but also add predetermined header information or the like to the data. Further, in the demultiplexing, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 not only divides one data into a plurality of data but also adds predetermined header information or the like to each divided data. it can. That is, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 can convert the data format by multiplexing / demultiplexing. For example, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 multiplexes the bitstream, thereby transporting the transport stream, which is a bit stream in a transfer format, or data in a file format for recording (file data). Can be converted to Of course, the inverse transformation is also possible by demultiplexing.

The network interface 1519 is an interface for, for example, a broadband modem 1333, connectivity 1321 (both are FIG. 61), and the like. The video interface 1520 is an interface for, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the camera 1322 (both are shown in FIG. 61).

Next, an example of the operation of the video processor 1332 will be described. For example, when a transport stream is received from an external network via the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 61), the transport stream is transmitted to the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX via the network interface 1519 ) 1518 to be demultiplexed and decoded by the codec engine 1516. For example, the image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing engine 1514, subjected to predetermined conversion by the display engine 1513, and connected to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (see FIG. 61) etc., and the image is displayed on the monitor. Also, for example, image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is re-encoded by the codec engine 1516, multiplexed by a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, converted into file data, and video The data is output to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) through the interface 1520 and recorded on various recording media.

Further, for example, encoded data file data obtained by encoding image data read from a recording medium (not shown) by the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) or the like is multiplexed / demultiplexed via the video interface 1520. Is supplied to a unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, demultiplexed, and decoded by the codec engine 1516. Image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing engine 1514, subjected to predetermined conversion by the display engine 1513, and, for example, connectivity 1321 (FIG. 61) via the display interface 1512. And the image is displayed on the monitor. Also, for example, image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is re-encoded by the codec engine 1516, multiplexed by the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, and converted into a transport stream, For example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both in FIG. 61) are supplied via the network interface 1519 and transmitted to another device (not shown).

Note that image data and other data are exchanged between the processing units in the video processor 1332 using, for example, the internal memory 1515 or the external memory 1312. The power management module 1313 controls power supply to the control unit 1511, for example.

When the present technology is applied to the video processor 1332 configured as described above, the present technology according to each embodiment described above may be applied to the codec engine 1516. That is, for example, the codec engine 1516 may have function blocks that implement the image encoding device 100, the image decoding device 200, the image encoding device 300, and the image decoding device 400. In this way, the video processor 1332 can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS.

Note that in the codec engine 1516, the present technology (that is, the functions of the image encoding device and the image decoding device according to each of the above-described embodiments) may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit or an embedded program. It may be realized by software such as the above, or may be realized by both of them.

Although two examples of the configuration of the video processor 1332 have been described above, the configuration of the video processor 1332 is arbitrary and may be other than the two examples described above. The video processor 1332 may be configured as one semiconductor chip, but may be configured as a plurality of semiconductor chips. For example, a three-dimensional stacked LSI in which a plurality of semiconductors are stacked may be used. Further, it may be realized by a plurality of LSIs.

<Application example to equipment>
Video set 1300 can be incorporated into various devices that process image data. For example, the video set 1300 can be incorporated in the television device 900 (FIG. 54), the mobile phone 920 (FIG. 55), the recording / reproducing device 940 (FIG. 56), the imaging device 960 (FIG. 57), or the like. By incorporating the video set 1300, the apparatus can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS.

Further, the video set 1300 includes, for example, terminal devices such as the personal computer 1004, the AV device 1005, the tablet device 1006, and the mobile phone 1007 in the data transmission system 1000 in FIG. 58, the broadcasting station 1101 in the data transmission system 1100 in FIG. It can also be incorporated into the terminal device 1102, the imaging device 1201 in the imaging system 1200 of FIG. 60, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202, and the like. By incorporating the video set 1300, the apparatus can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS.

In addition, even if it is a part of each structure of the video set 1300 mentioned above, if it contains the video processor 1332, it can implement as a structure to which this technique is applied. For example, only the video processor 1332 can be implemented as a video processor to which the present technology is applied. Further, for example, as described above, the processor or the video module 1311 indicated by the dotted line 1341 can be implemented as a processor or a module to which the present technology is applied. Furthermore, for example, the video module 1311, the external memory 1312, the power management module 1313, and the front end module 1314 can be combined and implemented as a video unit 1361 to which the present technology is applied. In any case, the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 49 can be obtained.

That is, any configuration including the video processor 1332 can be incorporated into various devices that process image data, as in the case of the video set 1300. For example, a video processor 1332, a processor indicated by a dotted line 1341, a video module 1311, or a video unit 1361, a television device 900 (FIG. 54), a mobile phone 920 (FIG. 55), a recording / playback device 940 (FIG. 56), Image pickup apparatus 960 (FIG. 57), terminal devices such as personal computer 1004, AV device 1005, tablet device 1006, and mobile phone 1007 in data transmission system 1000 in FIG. 58, broadcast station 1101 and terminal in data transmission system 1100 in FIG. It can be incorporated into the apparatus 1102, the imaging apparatus 1201 in the imaging system 1200 of FIG. 60, the scalable encoded data storage apparatus 1202, and the like. Then, by incorporating any configuration to which the present technology is applied, the apparatus can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 49 as in the case of the video set 1300. .

<12. Twelfth Embodiment>
<Application example of MPEG-DASH>
In addition, this technique selects and uses an appropriate one of a plurality of pieces of encoded data having different resolutions prepared in advance for each segment, for example, an HTTP streaming content such as MPEG DASH to be described later The present invention can also be applied to a reproduction system and a Wi-Fi standard wireless communication system.

<Outline of content playback system>
First, a content reproduction system to which the present technology can be applied will be schematically described with reference to FIGS.

Hereinafter, first, a basic configuration common to each of such embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 64 and 65.

FIG. 64 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the content reproduction system. As shown in FIG. 64, the content reproduction system includes

content servers

1610 and 1611, a network 1612, and a content reproduction device 1620 (client device).

The

content servers

1610 and 1611 and the content playback device 1620 are connected via a network 1612. The network 1612 is a wired or wireless transmission path for information transmitted from a device connected to the network 1612.

For example, the network 1612 may include a public line network such as the Internet, a telephone line network, a satellite communication network, various local area networks (LAN) including Ethernet (registered trademark), a wide area network (WAN), and the like. The network 1612 may include a dedicated line network such as IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network).

The content server 1610 encodes the content data, and generates and stores the encoded data and a data file including the meta information of the encoded data. When the content server 1610 generates an MP4 format data file, the encoded data corresponds to “mdat” and the meta information corresponds to “moov”.

Further, the content data may be music data such as music, lectures and radio programs, video data such as movies, television programs, video programs, photographs, documents, pictures and charts, games and software, etc. .

Here, the content server 1610 generates a plurality of data files at different bit rates for the same content. In response to a content playback request from the content playback device 1620, the content server 1611 includes the URL information of the content server 1610 in the content playback device 1620, including information on parameters to be added to the URL by the content playback device 1620. Send. Hereinafter, this matter will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 65 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow in the content reproduction system of FIG. The content server 1610 encodes the same content data at different bit rates, and generates, for example, a 2 Mbps file A, a 1.5 Mbps file B, and a 1 Mbps file C as shown in FIG. In comparison, file A has a high bit rate, file B has a standard bit rate, and file C has a low bit rate.

Also, as shown in FIG. 65, the encoded data of each file is divided into a plurality of segments. For example, the encoded data of file A is divided into segments “A1”, “A2”, “A3”,... “An”, and the encoded data of file B is “B1”, “B2”, “B3”,... “Bn” is segmented, and the encoded data of file C is segmented as “C1”, “C2”, “C3”,. .

Each segment consists of one or more video encoded data and audio encoded data that can be reproduced independently, starting with an MP4 sync sample (for example, IDR-picture for AVC / H.264 video encoding). It may be constituted by. For example, when video data of 30 frames per second is encoded by a GOP (Group of Picture) having a fixed length of 15 frames, each segment is 2 seconds worth of video and audio encoded data corresponding to 4 GOPs. Alternatively, it may be video and audio encoded data for 10 seconds corresponding to 20 GOP.

Also, the playback range (the range of time position from the beginning of the content) by the segments with the same arrangement order in each file is the same. For example, when the playback ranges of the segment “A2”, the segment “B2”, and the segment “C2” are the same and each segment is encoded data for 2 seconds, the segment “A2”, the segment “B2”, and The playback range of the segment “C2” is 2 to 4 seconds for the content.

When the content server 1610 generates the file A to the file C composed of such a plurality of segments, the content server 1610 stores the file A to the file C. Then, as shown in FIG. 65, the content server 1610 sequentially transmits segments constituting different files to the content playback device 1620, and the content playback device 1620 performs streaming playback of the received segments.

Here, the content server 1610 according to the present embodiment transmits a playlist file (MPD: MediaMPPresentation Description) including the bit rate information and access information of each encoded data to the content playback device 1620, and the content playback device 1620. Selects one of a plurality of bit rates based on the MPD, and requests the content server 1610 to transmit a segment corresponding to the selected bit rate.

64, only one content server 1610 is illustrated, but it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such an example.

FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of MPD. As shown in FIG. 66, MPD includes access information regarding a plurality of encoded data having different bit rates (BANDWIDTH). For example, the MPD shown in FIG. 66 indicates that each encoded data of 256 Kbps, 1.024 Mbps, 1.384 Mbps, 1.536 Mbps, and 2.048 Mbps exists, and includes access information regarding each encoded data. . The content playback device 1620 can dynamically change the bit rate of encoded data to be streamed based on the MPD.

64 shows a mobile terminal as an example of the content playback device 1620, the content playback device 1620 is not limited to such an example. For example, the content playback device 1620 is an information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a home video processing device (DVD recorder, VCR, etc.), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a home game device, or a home appliance. Also good. The content playback device 1620 may be an information processing device such as a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), a portable music playback device, a portable video processing device, or a portable game device.

<Configuration of Content Server 1610>
The outline of the content reproduction system has been described above with reference to FIGS. Next, the configuration of the content server 1610 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 67 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the content server 1610. As illustrated in FIG. 67, the content server 1610 includes a file generation unit 1631, a storage unit 1632, and a communication unit 1633.

The file generation unit 1631 includes an encoder 1641 that encodes content data, and generates a plurality of encoded data having the same content and different bit rates, and the MPD described above. For example, when the file generation unit 1631 generates encoded data of 256 Kbps, 1.024 Mbps, 1.384 Mbps, 1.536 Mbps, and 2.048 Mbps, the MPD as illustrated in FIG. 66 is generated.

The storage unit 1632 stores a plurality of encoded data and MPD having different bit rates generated by the file generation unit 1631. The storage unit 1632 may be a storage medium such as a nonvolatile memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and an MO (Magneto-Optical) disk. Non-volatile memory includes, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only 、 Memory) and EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM). Examples of the magnetic disk include a hard disk and a disk type magnetic disk. Examples of the optical disc include CD (Compact Disc), DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc Recordable), and BD (Blu-Ray Disc (registered trademark)).

The communication unit 1633 is an interface with the content reproduction device 1620 and communicates with the content reproduction device 1620 via the network 1612. More specifically, the communication unit 1633 has a function as an HTTP server that communicates with the content reproduction device 1620 according to HTTP. For example, the communication unit 1633 transmits the MPD to the content reproduction device 1620, extracts encoded data requested from the content reproduction device 1620 based on the MPD according to HTTP from the storage unit 1632, and transmits the encoded data to the content reproduction device 1620 as an HTTP response. Transmit encoded data.

<Configuration of Content Playback Device 1620>
The configuration of the content server 1610 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Subsequently, the configuration of the content reproduction device 1620 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 68 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the content reproduction apparatus 1620. As shown in FIG. 68, the content playback device 1620 includes a communication unit 1651, a storage unit 1652, a playback unit 1653, a selection unit 1654, and a current location acquisition unit 1656.

The communication unit 1651 is an interface with the content server 1610, requests data from the content server 1610, and acquires data from the content server 1610. More specifically, the communication unit 1651 has a function as an HTTP client that communicates with the content reproduction device 1620 according to HTTP. For example, the communication unit 1651 can selectively acquire an MPD or encoded data segment from the content server 1610 by using HTTP Range.

The storage unit 1652 stores various information related to content reproduction. For example, the segments acquired from the content server 1610 by the communication unit 1651 are sequentially buffered. The segments of the encoded data buffered in the storage unit 1652 are sequentially supplied to the reproduction unit 1653 by FIFO (First In First Out).

The storage unit 1652 adds a parameter to the URL by the communication unit 1651 based on an instruction to add a parameter to the URL of the content described in the MPD requested from the content server 1611 described later, and accesses the URL. The definition to do is memorized.

The playback unit 1653 sequentially plays back the segments supplied from the storage unit 1652. Specifically, the playback unit 1653 performs segment decoding, DA conversion, rendering, and the like.

The selection unit 1654 sequentially selects, in the same content, which segment of the encoded data to acquire corresponding to which bit rate included in the MPD. For example, when the selection unit 1654 sequentially selects the segments “A1”, “B2”, and “A3” according to the bandwidth of the network 1612, the communication unit 1651 causes the segment “A1” from the content server 1610 as illustrated in FIG. ”,“ B2 ”, and“ A3 ”are acquired sequentially.

The current location acquisition unit 1656 acquires the current position of the content playback device 1620, and may be configured with a module that acquires the current location, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The current location acquisition unit 1656 may acquire the current position of the content reproduction device 1620 using a wireless network.

<Configuration of Content Server 1611>
FIG. 69 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the content server 1611. As illustrated in FIG. 69, the content server 1611 includes a storage unit 1671 and a communication unit 1672.

The storage unit 1671 stores the MPD URL information. The MPD URL information is transmitted from the content server 1611 to the content reproduction device 1620 in response to a request from the content reproduction device 1620 that requests content reproduction. In addition, when providing the MPD URL information to the content playback device 1620, the storage unit 1671 stores definition information when the content playback device 1620 adds a parameter to the URL described in the MPD.

The communication unit 1672 is an interface with the content reproduction device 1620 and communicates with the content reproduction device 1620 via the network 1612. That is, the communication unit 1672 receives an MPD URL information request from the content reproduction device 1620 that requests content reproduction, and transmits the MPD URL information to the content reproduction device 1620. The MPD URL transmitted from the communication unit 1672 includes information for adding a parameter by the content reproduction device 1620.

The parameters added to the MPD URL by the content playback device 1620 can be variously set by definition information shared by the content server 1611 and the content playback device 1620. For example, information such as the current position of the content playback device 1620, the user ID of the user who uses the content playback device 1620, the memory size of the content playback device 1620, the storage capacity of the content playback device 1620, and the like. Can be added to the MPD URL.

In the content reproduction system configured as described above, by applying the present technology as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 49, the same effects as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 49 are obtained. be able to.

That is, the encoder 1641 of the content server 1610 has the function of the image encoding device (for example, the image encoding device 100 or the image encoding device 300) according to the above-described embodiment. Also, the playback unit 1653 of the content playback device 1620 has the function of the image decoding device (for example, the image decoding device 200 or the image decoding device 400) according to the above-described embodiment. Thereby, reduction in image quality due to encoding / decoding can be suppressed.

Also, in the content reproduction system, transmission / reception of data encoded by the present technology can suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding / decoding.

<13. Thirteenth Embodiment>
<Application examples of Wi-Fi standard wireless communication systems>
A basic operation example of a wireless communication device in a wireless communication system to which the present technology can be applied will be described.

<Example of basic operation of wireless communication device>
First, wireless packet transmission / reception is performed until a specific application is operated after a P2P (Peer to Peer) connection is established.

Next, before connecting in the second layer, wireless packet transmission / reception is performed from the time when the specific application to be used is specified until the P2P connection is established and the specific application is operated. Thereafter, after connection in the second layer, radio packet transmission / reception is performed when a specific application is started.

<Communication example at the start of specific application operation>
70 and 71 are examples of wireless packet transmission / reception from the establishment of the above-described P2P (Peer to Peer) connection until a specific application is operated, and shows an example of communication processing by each device serving as the basis of wireless communication. It is a sequence chart. Specifically, an example of a procedure for establishing a direct connection leading to a connection based on the Wi-Fi Direct (Direct) standard (sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi P2P) standardized by the Wi-Fi Alliance is shown.

Here, in Wi-Fi Direct, multiple wireless communication devices detect each other's presence (Device Discovery, Service Discovery). When the connected device is selected, direct connection is established between the selected devices by performing device authentication using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). Further, in Wi-Fi Direct, a communication group is formed by determining whether a plurality of wireless communication devices play a role as a parent device (Group Owner) or a child device (Client).

However, in this communication processing example, some packet transmission / reception is omitted. For example, at the time of the initial connection, as described above, packet exchange for using WPS is necessary, and packet exchange is also necessary for exchange of Authentication Request / Response. However, in FIG. 70 and FIG. 71, illustration of these packet exchanges is omitted, and only the second and subsequent connections are shown.

70 and 71 show examples of communication processing between the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702, but the same applies to communication processing between other wireless communication devices.

First, Device Discovery is performed between the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702 (1711). For example, the first wireless communication device 1701 transmits a Probe request (response request signal) and receives a Probe response (response signal) for the Probe request from the second wireless communication device 1702. Thereby, the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702 can discover each other's presence. In addition, Device Discovery can acquire the device name and type (TV, PC, smartphone, etc.) of the other party.

Subsequently, Service Discovery is performed between the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702 (1712). For example, the first wireless communication device 1701 transmits a Service Discovery Query that inquires about the service supported by the second wireless communication device 1702 discovered by Device Discovery. Then, the first wireless communication device 1701 receives a Service Discovery Response from the second wireless communication device 1702, thereby acquiring a service supported by the second wireless communication device 1702. In other words, a service or the like that can be executed by the other party can be acquired by Service Discovery. Services that can be executed by the other party are, for example, service and protocol (DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) DMR (Digital Media Renderer), etc.).

Subsequently, a connection partner selection operation (connection partner selection operation) is performed by the user (1713). This connection partner selection operation may occur only in one of the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702. For example, a connection partner selection screen is displayed on the display unit of the first wireless communication device 1701, and the second wireless communication device 1702 is selected as a connection partner on the connection partner selection screen by a user operation.

When the connection partner selection operation is performed by the user (1713), Group Owner Negotiation is performed between the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702 (1714). 70 and 71 show an example in which the first wireless communication device 1701 becomes the group owner (Group Owner) 1715 and the second wireless communication device 1702 becomes the client (Client) 1716 based on the result of Group Owner Negotiation.

Subsequently, direct processing is established by performing each processing (1717 to 1720) between the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702. That is, Association (L2 (second layer) link establishment) (1717) and Secure link establishment (1718) are sequentially performed. Further, L4 setup (1720) on L3 by IP 順次 Address Assignment (1719), SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) or the like is sequentially performed. L2 (layer2) means the second layer (data link layer), L3 (layer3) means the third layer (network layer), and L4 (layer4) means the fourth layer (transport layer) ).

Subsequently, the user designates or activates a specific application (application designation / activation operation) (1721). This application designation / activation operation may occur only in one of the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702. For example, an application designation / startup operation screen is displayed on the display unit of the first wireless communication apparatus 1701, and a specific application is selected by a user operation on the application designation / startup operation screen.

When an application designation / activation operation is performed by the user (1721), a specific application corresponding to the application designation / activation operation is executed between the first wireless communication device 1701 and the second wireless communication device 1702 (1722).

Suppose here that the connection between AP (Access Point) and STA (Station) is performed within the scope of the specifications before Wi-Fi Direct (standardized by IEEE802.11). In this case, before connecting in the second layer (before association in IEEE802.11 terminology), it was impossible to know in advance what kind of device was going to be connected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 70 and FIG. 71, in Wi-Fi Direct, when searching for a connection candidate partner in Device Discovery or Service Discovery (option), information on the connection partner can be acquired. The information of the connection partner is, for example, a basic device type, a corresponding specific application, or the like. And based on the acquired information of a connection other party, a user can be made to select a connection other party.

This mechanism can be expanded to realize a wireless communication system in which a specific application is specified before connection at the second layer, a connection partner is selected, and the specific application is automatically started after this selection. Is possible. An example of the sequence leading to the connection in such a case is shown in FIG. In addition, FIG. 72 shows a configuration example of a frame format (frame format) transmitted and received in this communication process.

<Frame format configuration example>
FIG. 72 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a frame format transmitted and received in communication processing by each device that is the basis of the present technology. That is, FIG. 72 shows a configuration example of a MAC frame for establishing a connection in the second layer. Specifically, it is an example of a frame format of Association Request / Response (1787) for realizing the sequence shown in FIG.

Note that Frame Control (1751) to Sequence Control (1756) are MAC headers. Further, when transmitting an Association Request, B3B2 = “0b00” and B7B6B5B4 = “0b0000” are set in the Frame 設定 Control (1751). Further, when Encapsulating Association Response, B3B2 = "0b00" and B7B6B5B4 = "0b0001" are set in Frame１７Control (1751). Note that “0b00” indicates “00” in binary, “0b0000” indicates “0000” in binary, and “0b0001” indicates “0001” in binary. Indicates that

Here, the MAC frame shown in FIG. 72 is basically the Association Request / Response frame format described in sections 7.2.3.4 and 7.2.3.5 of the IEEE802.11-2007 specification. However, the difference is that it includes not only Information （Element (hereinafter abbreviated as IE) defined in the IEEE802.11 specification but also its own extended IE.

Also, in order to indicate that it is Vendor Specific IE (1760), 127 in decimal is set in IE Type (Information Element ID (1761)). In this case, according to IEEE802.11-2007 specification section 7.3.2.26, the Length field (1762) and the OUI field (1763) follow, followed by vendor specific content (1764).

As the content of Vendor specific content (1764), a field indicating the type of vendor specific IE (IE type (1765)) is first provided. Then, it is conceivable that a plurality of subelements (1766) can be stored thereafter.

It is conceivable that the contents of the subelement (1766) include the name (1767) of a specific application to be used and the role of the device (1768) when the specific application is operating. In addition, information such as a port number used for the control of a specific application (information for L4 setup) (1769) and information about Capability (Capability information) in the specific application may be included. Conceivable. Here, the Capability information is information for specifying, for example, that audio transmission / reproduction is supported, video transmission / reproduction, and the like when the specific application to be specified is DLNA.

In the wireless communication system configured as described above, by applying the present technology as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 49, the same effects as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 49 are obtained. be able to. That is, it is possible to suppress a reduction in image quality due to encoding / decoding. Moreover, in the above-described wireless communication system, transmission / reception of data encoded by the present technology can suppress reduction in image quality due to encoding / decoding.

Further, in this specification, an example in which various types of information are multiplexed into an encoded stream and transmitted from the encoding side to the decoding side has been described. However, the method for transmitting such information is not limited to such an example. For example, these pieces of information may be transmitted or recorded as separate data associated with the encoded bitstream without being multiplexed into the encoded bitstream. Here, the term “associate” means that an image (which may be a part of an image such as a slice or a block) included in the bitstream and information corresponding to the image can be linked at the time of decoding. Means. That is, information may be transmitted on a transmission path different from that of the image (or bit stream). Information may be recorded on a recording medium (or another recording area of the same recording medium) different from the image (or bit stream). Furthermore, the information and the image (or bit stream) may be associated with each other in an arbitrary unit such as a plurality of frames, one frame, or a part of the frame.

In addition, this technique can also take the following structures.
(1) a generation unit that generates a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data including a plurality of layers;
An encoding unit for encoding each layer of the image data;
An image encoding apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information generated by the generation unit and encoded data of the image data generated by the encoding unit.
(2) The generation unit further generates, in each picture, index information indicating which of the plurality of color difference phase information is to be applied,
The image encoding device according to (1), wherein the transmission unit further transmits the index information.
(3) The image encoding apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the transmission unit transmits a plurality of the color difference phase information and the index information in a sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)).
(4) The transmission unit transmits a plurality of the color difference phase information in a sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)) and transmits the index information in a picture parameter set (PPS (Picture Parameter Set)). The image encoding device according to any one of (3) to (3).
(5) The generation unit further generates information indicating the number of the color difference phase information,
The image transmission device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the transmission unit further transmits information indicating the number of the color difference phase information generated by the generation unit.
(6) The generation unit generates the color difference phase information for each picture,
The image encoding device according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the transmission unit transmits the color difference phase information in a picture parameter set (PPS (Picture Parameter Set)).
(7) When the image data is an interlaced image and the encoding unit performs field encoding on the image data,
The generation unit generates the color difference phase information for each of a top field and a bottom field,
The image transmission apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the transmission unit transmits the color difference phase information of both fields generated by the generation unit.
(8) When the image data is an interlaced image and the encoding unit performs frame encoding on the image data,
The generation unit further generates control information for controlling the upsampling of the image data to be performed on a field basis,
The image transmission device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the transmission unit further transmits the control information generated by the generation unit.
(9) a color difference phase setting unit that sets the phase of the color difference signal of the image data;
The image encoding device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the generation unit generates color difference phase information indicating a phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit.
(10) an upsampling control unit that controls upsampling of the image data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit;
The image coding device according to any one of (1) to (9), further comprising: an upsampling unit that upsamples a base layer of the image data according to control of the upsampling control unit.
(11) a downsampling control unit that controls downsampling of the image data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit;
The image coding apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10), further comprising: a downsampling unit that downsamples an enhancement layer of the image data according to control of the downsampling control unit.
(12) generating a plurality of color difference phase information relating to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data composed of a plurality of layers;
Encoding each layer of the image data;
An image encoding method for transmitting a plurality of generated color difference phase information and encoded data of the generated image data.
(13) An acquisition unit that acquires encoded data of image data including a plurality of layers and a plurality of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data;
An upsampling control unit for controlling upsampling of decoded image data of the encoded data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal indicated by any of the plurality of color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit;
An upsampling unit that upsamples a base layer of the decoded image data according to the control of the upsampling control unit;
A decoding unit that decodes the enhancement layer of the encoded data acquired by the acquisition unit using the upsampled image data obtained by upsampling the base layer of the decoded image data by the upsampling unit. Image decoding device.
(14) The acquisition unit further acquires, in each picture, index information indicating which of the plurality of color difference phase information is to be applied,
The upsampling control unit specifies the color difference phase information to be applied using the index information. (13) The image decoding device according to any one of (15) to (19).
(15) The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of the color difference phase information and the index information transmitted in a sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)). (13), (14), (16) to (19 The image decoding device according to any one of the above.
(16) The acquisition unit includes a plurality of the color difference phase information transmitted in a sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)), and the index information transmitted in a picture parameter set (PPS (Picture Parameter Set)). The image decoding device according to any one of (13) to (15) and (17) to (19).
(17) The acquisition unit acquires the chrominance phase information for each picture transmitted in a picture parameter set (PPS (Picture Parameter Set)). (13) to (16), (18), (19) The image decoding device according to any one of the above.
(18) The acquisition unit further acquires information indicating the number of the color difference phase information,
A color difference phase information number determination unit that determines the number of color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit based on information indicating the number of color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit. 17) The image decoding device according to any one of (19).
(19) The acquisition unit further acquires control information for controlling the upsampling of the image data to be performed on a field basis,
The image decoding device according to any one of (13) to (18), wherein the upsampling control unit controls upsampling of the decoded image data in accordance with the control information acquired by the acquisition unit.
(20) Obtain encoded data of image data composed of a plurality of layers and a plurality of color difference phase information relating to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data,
Controlling the up-sampling of the decoded image data of the encoded data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal indicated by any of the obtained plurality of the color difference phase information;
According to the control, up-sample the base layer of the decoded image data,
An image decoding method for decoding an enhancement layer of the acquired encoded data using upsampled image data obtained by upsampling a base layer of the decoded image data.
(21) a base layer encoding unit that encodes a base layer of image data and generates encoded data;
An upsample of each frame of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data obtained in the encoding of the image data by the base layer encoding unit is subjected to a scanning scheme frame rate conversion process performed on the image data. An upsampling unit for generating an upsampled image of the decoded image data;
An image encoding apparatus comprising: an enhancement layer encoding unit that encodes an enhancement layer of the image data using the upsampled image generated by the upsampling unit and generates encoded data.
(22) The image encoding device according to (21), wherein the upsampling unit performs the upsampling on a field basis or a frame basis.
(23) The upsampling unit includes:
A frame having no time difference between the first field and the second field of the decoded image data is subjected to the upsampling on a frame basis,
The image coding apparatus according to (21) or (22), wherein the frame having a time difference between the first field and the second field performs the upsampling on a field basis.
(24) The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (23), wherein the scanning method frame rate conversion processing is a 2: 3 pull-up.
(25) The upsampling unit performs the upsampling on a field basis or a frame basis based on information indicating whether the 2: 3 pull-up of the encoded data of the base layer has been performed. (21) Thru | or the image coding apparatus in any one of (24).
(26) The image coding device according to any one of (21) to (25), further including a transmission unit configured to transmit information regarding the upsample.
(27) The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (26), wherein the information related to the upsample includes information indicating whether the upsample is performed on a field basis or a frame basis.
(28) The information on the upsample includes the phase information on the upsample when the upsample is performed on a frame basis. (21) The image encoding device according to any one of (27).
(29) The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (28), wherein the information about the upsample includes two pieces of phase information about the upsample when the upsample is performed on a field basis.
(30) The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (29), wherein the information related to the upsample is stored in PPS_extension of the encoded data.
(31) The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (30), wherein the information related to the upsample is stored in a slice header of the encoded data.
(32) The information on the upsample is stored in a slice header of each slice of the current picture of the encoded data when the current picture includes a plurality of slices. (21) to (31) The image encoding device described.
(33) The upsampling unit includes:
When the base layer encoding unit and the enhancement layer encoding unit perform frame encoding, the up-sampling is performed on a field basis or a frame basis,
The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (32), wherein when the base layer encoding unit and the enhancement layer encoding unit perform field encoding, the upsampling is performed on a field basis.
(34) The image encoding device according to any one of (21) to (33), wherein the base layer encoding unit and the enhancement layer encoding unit encode the image data using different encoding methods.
(35) Encode the base layer of image data to generate encoded data;
The up-sampling of each frame of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data obtained in the encoding of the image data is performed by a method according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data. Generating an upsampled image of the decoded image data;
An image encoding method for generating an encoded data by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data using the generated upsampled image.
(36) a base layer decoding unit that decodes encoded data obtained by encoding a base layer of image data;
The upsampling of each frame of the decoded image data of the base layer obtained by decoding the decoded data by the base layer decoding unit according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data An upsampling unit for generating an upsampled image of the decoded image data,
An image decoding apparatus comprising: an enhancement layer decoding unit that decodes encoded data obtained by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data using the upsampled image generated by the upsampling unit.
(37) The image decoding device according to (36), wherein the upsampling unit performs the upsampling on a field basis or a frame basis.
(38) The upsampling part
A frame having no time difference between the first field and the second field of the decoded image data is subjected to the upsampling on a frame basis,
The image decoding device according to (36) or (37), wherein a frame having a time difference between the first field and the second field performs the upsampling on a field basis.
(39) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (38), wherein the scanning method frame rate conversion processing is a 2: 3 pull-up.
(40) An acquisition unit that acquires information about the upsample is further provided,
The upsampling unit selects whether to perform the upsampling on a field basis or a frame basis on the basis of information on the upsampling acquired by the acquisition unit. (36) to (39) An image decoding apparatus according to claim 1.
(41) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (40), wherein the information related to the upsample includes information indicating whether the upsample is performed on a field basis or a frame basis.
(42) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (41), wherein the information about the upsample includes one phase information about the upsample when the upsample is performed on a frame basis.
(43) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (42), wherein the information about the upsample includes two pieces of phase information about the upsample when the upsample is performed on a field basis.
(44) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (43), wherein the information related to the upsample is stored in PPS_extension of the encoded data.
(45) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (44), wherein the information related to the upsample is stored in a slice header of the encoded data.
(46) The information on the upsample is stored in the slice header of each slice of the current picture of the encoded data when the current picture includes a plurality of slices. The image decoding device described.
(47) The upsampling part
When the base layer decoding unit and the enhancement layer decoding unit perform frame decoding, the up-sampling is performed on a field basis or a frame basis,
The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (46), wherein when the base layer decoding unit and the enhancement layer decoding unit perform field decoding, the up-sampling is performed on a field basis.
(48) The image decoding device according to any one of (36) to (47), wherein the base layer decoding unit and the enhancement layer decoding unit decode the encoded data using different decoding methods.
(49) Decode the encoded data in which the base layer of the image data is encoded,
Up-sampling of each frame of the base layer decoded image data obtained by decoding the decoded data is performed by a method according to a scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, and the decoded image Generate an upsampled image of the data,
An image decoding method for decoding encoded data obtained by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data, using the generated upsampled image.

100 image encoding device, 101 color difference phase control unit, 102 downsampling unit, 103 base layer image encoding unit, 104 upsampling unit, 105 enhancement layer image encoding unit, 106 multiplexing unit, 121 scanning method determination unit, 122 Coding method setting unit, 123 color difference phase setting unit, 124 downsample color difference phase control unit, 125 upsample color difference phase control unit, 126 color difference phase information generation unit, 127 enhancement layer header information generation unit, 155 lossless encoding unit, 200 Image decoding device, 201 Demultiplexing unit, 202 Color difference phase control unit, 203 Base layer image decoding unit, 204 Upsampling unit, 205 Enhancement layer image decoding unit, 221 Color difference Phase information number determination unit, 222 sampling method determination unit, 223 upsample color difference phase control unit, 252 lossless decoding unit, 300 image encoding device, 301 base layer image encoding unit, 302 upsample unit, 303 enhancement layer image encoding Unit, 304 multiplexing unit, 315 lossless encoding unit, 321 frame memory, 331 2: 3 pull-up information buffer, 332 base layer decoded image buffer, 333 upsample switching unit, 334 field base up sampler, 335 frame base up sampler , 336 Upsample information supply unit, 355 lossless encoding unit, 361 frame memory, 400 image decoding device, 401 demultiplexing unit, 402 base layer image Decoding unit, 403 upsampling unit, 404 enhancement layer image decoding unit, 418 frame memory, 431 base layer decoded image buffer, 432 upsample switching unit, 433 upsample information buffer, 434 field base upsampler, 435 frame base upsampler, 452 lossless decoding unit, 458 frame memory

Claims

A generator for generating a plurality of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data composed of a plurality of layers;
An encoding unit for encoding each layer of the image data;
An image encoding apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a plurality of pieces of color difference phase information generated by the generation unit and encoded data of the image data generated by the encoding unit.
The generating unit further generates index information indicating which of the plurality of color difference phase information to apply to each picture,
The image encoding device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit further transmits the index information.
The image encoding device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits a plurality of the color difference phase information and the index information in a sequence parameter set (SPS (Sequence Parameter Set)).
The generation unit further generates information indicating the number of the color difference phase information,
The image encoding device according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit further transmits information indicating the number of the color difference phase information generated by the generation unit.
When the image data is an interlaced image and the encoding unit field encodes the image data,
The generation unit generates the color difference phase information for each of a top field and a bottom field,
The image encoding device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits the color difference phase information of both fields generated by the generation unit.
When the image data is an interlaced image and the encoding unit performs frame encoding on the image data,
The generation unit further generates control information for controlling the upsampling of the image data to be performed on a field basis,
The image encoding device according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit further transmits the control information generated by the generation unit.
A color difference phase setting unit for setting a phase of a color difference signal of the image data;
The image encoding device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates color difference phase information indicating a phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit.
An upsampling control unit for controlling upsampling of the image data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit;
The image coding apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: an upsampling unit that upsamples a base layer of the image data according to control of the upsampling control unit.
A downsampling control unit that controls downsampling of the image data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal set by the color difference phase setting unit;
The image coding apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a downsampling unit that downsamples an enhancement layer of the image data in accordance with control of the downsampling control unit.
Generate multiple color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of image data consisting of multiple layers,
Encoding each layer of the image data;
An image encoding method for transmitting a plurality of generated color difference phase information and encoded data of the generated image data.
An acquisition unit that acquires encoded data of image data composed of a plurality of layers and a plurality of color difference phase information related to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data;
An upsampling control unit for controlling upsampling of decoded image data of the encoded data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal indicated by any of the plurality of color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit;
An upsampling unit that upsamples a base layer of the decoded image data according to the control of the upsampling control unit;
A decoding unit that decodes the enhancement layer of the encoded data acquired by the acquisition unit using the upsampled image data obtained by upsampling the base layer of the decoded image data by the upsampling unit. Image decoding device.
The acquisition unit further acquires index information indicating which of the plurality of color difference phase information to apply to each picture,
The image decoding device according to claim 11, wherein the upsampling control unit specifies the color difference phase information to be applied using the index information.
The image decoding device according to claim 11, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the chrominance phase information for each picture transmitted in a picture parameter set (PPS (Picture Parameter Set)).
The acquisition unit further acquires information indicating the number of the color difference phase information,
The color difference phase information number determination unit that determines the number of the color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit based on information indicating the number of the color difference phase information acquired by the acquisition unit. Image decoding apparatus.
The acquisition unit further acquires control information for controlling the upsampling of the image data to be performed on a field basis,
The image decoding device according to claim 11, wherein the upsampling control unit controls upsampling of the decoded image data according to the control information acquired by the acquisition unit.
Obtaining encoded data of image data consisting of a plurality of layers and a plurality of color difference phase information relating to the phase of the color difference signal of the image data;
Controlling the up-sampling of the decoded image data of the encoded data so as to apply the phase of the color difference signal indicated by any of the obtained plurality of the color difference phase information;
According to the control, up-sample the base layer of the decoded image data,
An image decoding method for decoding an enhancement layer of the acquired encoded data using upsampled image data obtained by upsampling a base layer of the decoded image data.
A base layer encoding unit that encodes a base layer of image data and generates encoded data;
An upsample of each frame of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data obtained in the encoding of the image data by the base layer encoding unit is subjected to a scanning scheme frame rate conversion process performed on the image data. An upsampling unit for generating an upsampled image of the decoded image data;
An image encoding apparatus comprising: an enhancement layer encoding unit that encodes an enhancement layer of the image data using the upsampled image generated by the upsampling unit and generates encoded data.
Encode the base layer of image data, generate encoded data,
The up-sampling of each frame of the decoded image data obtained by decoding the encoded data obtained in the encoding of the image data is performed by a method according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data. Generating an upsampled image of the decoded image data;
An image encoding method for generating an encoded data by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data using the generated upsampled image.
A base layer decoding unit that decodes encoded data in which a base layer of image data is encoded;
The upsampling of each frame of the decoded image data of the base layer obtained by decoding the decoded data by the base layer decoding unit according to the scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data An upsampling unit for generating an upsampled image of the decoded image data,
An image decoding apparatus comprising: an enhancement layer decoding unit that decodes encoded data obtained by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data using the upsampled image generated by the upsampling unit.
Decoding the encoded data in which the base layer of the image data is encoded,
Up-sampling of each frame of the base layer decoded image data obtained by decoding the decoded data is performed by a method according to a scanning method frame rate conversion processing method performed on the image data, and the decoded image Generate an upsampled image of the data,
An image decoding method for decoding encoded data obtained by encoding an enhancement layer of the image data, using the generated upsampled image.