JPH10210441A - Data-receiving device, data-transmitting device and data-receiving and transmitting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data-receiving device which can manage the data conditions, such as the data quality of the receiving side, the transmitting data quantity by preparing a means which inputs the condition of output data, a processing method selection means which selects the coding and decoding methods that are adaptive to the input condition. SOLUTION: A user I/F 11 inputs the conditions of data, such as the quantity of desired digital AV data to be acquired from a data transmitting device 2, and the accuracy of images. A parameter selection means 12 selects a coding method and the parameter of the device 2 which are adaptive to the condition of the input data. A parameter storage means 13 stores plural coding methods and parameters, which are necessary for selection of the means 12. A data- sending means 15 sends the multiplexed data to a sending medium 3 or receives the data from the medium 3. A data-decoding means 16 decodes the AV data, which are separated by a multiplexing means 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data receiving apparatus, a data transmitting apparatus, and a data transmitting / receiving apparatus capable of changing a processing method for digital data, particularly, digital video data and audio data on the user side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, digital AV data such as image data and audio data obtained by a video camera or the like has a high degree of redundancy and a large amount of information. When transmitting between various information devices such as between terminals and personal computers,
It is necessary to devise in terms of cost and efficiency of the storage device and the transmission medium. Post-recording or transmission is performed after encoding such as data compression to reduce redundancy. Accompanying this, when this encoded data is read from a storage device or received and used via a transmission medium, decoding opposite to the encoding is performed, and the decoded data is displayed on a display screen or the like. Outputting to output device. By using such a method, the capacity of the storage device and the capacity and bandwidth of the transmission medium can be effectively used.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of a data transmission system in which a video camera used for a video conference or the like and a television screen (CRT) are connected by a communication line. here,
An apparatus has been shown that performs only data transmission from one side to the other. Actually, a device for performing data transmission in the direction opposite to that of FIG. 4 is also provided, and has a configuration capable of bidirectional communication.

In FIG. 4, a data transmitting side includes a video camera 51 for generating an image of a person or the like, and data input means for inputting a video signal from the video camera 51 (an audio signal is usually input similarly). 52, a data encoding unit 53 for encoding the input signal by a predetermined method such as data compression, a data multiplexing unit 54 for multiplexing the encoded data, and It is constituted by data transmitting means 55 for transmitting to the communication line 61.

[0005] Further, the data receiving side includes a data receiving means 56 for receiving data from the communication line 61, a data separating means 57 for separating the received data, and an encoding using the separated data on the transmitting side. It comprises a data decoding means 58 for decoding by a corresponding method, a data output means 59 for outputting the decoded data, and a CRT 60 for displaying an image by the output data. Although not shown, as described above, the device on the receiving side is also provided on the transmitting side, and the device on the transmitting side is also provided on the receiving side. Have been.

In the above configuration, the data encoding means 53 on the transmission side encodes data based on conditions such as data quality (quantization level), data amount (compression ratio), and image definition. The encoding method is determined in advance, or the encoding is performed by selecting from several types of combinations according to the situation of the communication system. This encoding method includes, for example, MPEG1 for recording on a storage medium at a low rate such as a CD-ROM, and MPEG2 for realizing high image quality that can withstand broadcasting and also for different screen sizes. Or digital V for home use
DV using an encoding method different from MPEG as TR
And so on.

In the case where video data and audio data of different encoding systems as described above are recorded in the same recording device or transmitted using the same transmission medium, the encoding is performed together with the encoded video data and audio data. It is recorded or transmitted with identification information for distinguishing the encryption scheme. On the other hand, a receiving apparatus that uses video data and audio data encoded by such different encoding schemes identifies the encoding scheme of the data based on identification information added to the data, and performs data decoding. 58 decodes the encoded data using the identified encoding method.

[0008]

However, in the above-described method, the data processing method, that is, the amount of data to be transmitted is determined by the data transmission side (data generation side). (The user of the data or the user) cannot set it freely. For this reason, depending on the data processing capability on the receiving side, data reception, decoding, and the like may not be performed. Alternatively, since the quality of data (quantization level), data amount (compression ratio), and image definition required by the receiving side are determined by the transmitting side,
There is a problem that these conditions cannot be managed on the receiving side.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems in the conventional data processing, and a data receiving apparatus, a data transmitting apparatus, and a data transmitting / receiving apparatus capable of managing data-related conditions such as data quality and transmission data amount on a data receiving side. It is intended to provide a device.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a condition input means for inputting a condition relating to output data obtained by decoding received data, an encoding method adapted to the input condition, and Processing method selecting means for selecting a decoding method; processing information transmitting means for transmitting processing information representing the selected encoding method to a predetermined data transmitting apparatus; and data encoded based on the transmitted processing information. The data receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives data from the data transmitting apparatus, and a decoding unit that decodes received data using a selected decoding method.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a condition input means for inputting a condition relating to output data obtained by decoding received data, and a processing method selecting means for selecting an encoding method conforming to the input condition. A processing method transmitting means for transmitting processing information representing the selected encoding method to a predetermined data transmitting apparatus; and receiving encoded data and processing information representing the encoding method of the data from the data transmitting apparatus. And a decoding means for decoding the received data based on a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method of the received processing information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data input means for inputting predetermined data, a processing information receiving means for receiving processing information from the data receiving apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and Processing method selecting means for selecting an encoding method conforming to the received processing information; encoding means for encoding predetermined data input using the selected encoding method; and encoded data And a transmitting means for transmitting the data to the data receiving device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a data transmitting / receiving apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
The data transmitting / receiving apparatus includes a data receiving apparatus 1 for receiving digital AV data such as digital video data and audio data, a data transmitting apparatus 2 for transmitting digital AV data, and a data transmitting apparatus 1 and a data transmitting apparatus. And a transmission medium 3 connecting the two.

Here, if the data receiving device 1 is a personal computer (PC), the data transmitting device 2 is a video camera having a data processing unit, and a system in which these are set is arranged in two or more places, A conference system can be realized. In this case, the data receiving device 1
And the data transmission device 2 is constituted by one PC, and the output signal of the video camera is transmitted to the data input means 2 of the data transmission device 2.
If the configuration is such that input is made to 1, the configuration is simplified.

The data receiving apparatus 1 has a user I / F 11 as condition input means for inputting conditions relating to data such as the amount of data and the definition of an image in digital AV data to be obtained from the data transmitting apparatus 2. Encoding method in the data transmitting apparatus 2 that meets the conditions concerning the data, parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 for selecting parameters, and a plurality of encoding methods required by the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 for selection. ,
Parameter (procedure) storage means 1 for storing parameters
3. Other commands (such as an encoding start request) in a format in which the encoding method, parameters, and the like selected by the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 conform to a predetermined transmission protocol.
A multiplexing means 14 for multiplexing the received multiplexed data into AV data, a command and the like, and transmitting the multiplexed data to the transmission medium 3;
Alternatively, a data transmission unit 15 for receiving data from the transmission medium 3, a data decoding unit 16 as a decoding unit for decoding the AV data separated by the multiplexing unit 14, and outputs the decoded data to a CRT (not shown). It is constituted by data output means 17. The parameter (procedure) storage unit 13 also stores the above-described plurality of encoding methods, a plurality of decoding methods corresponding to the parameters, and the parameters. The decoding method and parameters used by the data decoding unit 16 are also stored. , Parameter (procedure) selecting means 12. Data transmission means 15 described above
Share the processing information transmitting means and the receiving means.

The data transmitting device 2 includes a data input unit 21 for inputting video data and the like from an image pickup unit (not shown) having a CCD, and a data encoding unit as an encoding unit for encoding the input data. 22, parameter (procedure) selecting means 2 for selecting an encoding method, parameters, and the like in the data encoding means 22
3. A plurality of encoding methods required by the parameter (procedure) selecting means 23 for selection, a parameter (procedure) storing means 24 for storing parameters, and a predetermined transmission of data encoded by the data encoding means 22. Multiplexing means 25 for multiplexing with other commands (such as an encoding start request) or the like in a format suitable for the protocol, or separating received multiplexed data into an encoding method, parameters, commands, and the like. Data transmission means 26 sends out the received data to the transmission medium 3 or receives the data from the transmission medium 3. The above-mentioned data transmission means 26 shares the processing information reception means and the transmission means.

The above-mentioned parameter (procedure) storage means 13
The information stored in the storage unit includes, for example, a plurality of types of decoding programs, respective decoding routines (DCT (discrete cosine transform) unit, VLD (variable length coding) unit, motion compensation unit, etc.), (For example, block size, VLD quantization parameter, coding table, etc.).

In response to them, parameters (procedures)
The information stored in the storage unit 24 includes, for example, a plurality of types of encoding programs, respective encoding routines (such as a DCT unit, a VLD unit, and a motion compensation unit) of each of the encoding programs, and parameters of each routine (eg, block size, VLD quantization parameter, coding table, etc.).

The information such as the encoding method and parameters to be transmitted includes the program itself, the routine itself, information on the designation and order of routines to be used, the parameters of each routine, and the like.

Next, the operation of the data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, on the data receiving apparatus 1 side, the user inputs conditions such as the data amount and the image definition of the video desired to be obtained from the video camera by the user I / F 11. The parameter (procedure) selecting unit 12 stores the parameter (procedure) storing unit 1 based on the input conditions.
3 to processing methods and parameters for decoding and encoding that meet the conditions (hereinafter referred to as procedure information)
Multiplexing means 14 and data decoding means 16
Output to The data decoding means 16 temporarily stores the decoding procedure information. On the other hand, multiplexing means 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes another command (such as an encoding start request) in which the procedure information for encoding (this information corresponds to the processing information indicating the encoding method) is in a format adapted to a predetermined transmission protocol.
And outputs it to the data transmission means 15. The data transmission means 15 sends the multiplexed procedure information and each command to the transmission medium 3 using a predetermined transmission protocol.

Next, the multiplexed data sent to the transmission medium 3 is received by the data transmission means 26 of the data transmission device 2 and output to the multiplexing means 25. The multiplexing unit 25 separates the received multiplexed data into each command and procedure information, outputs each command to the data encoding unit 22, and outputs the procedure information to the parameter (procedure) selection unit 23. Parameter (procedure) selection means 23
Selects an encoding method, parameters, etc. corresponding to the received procedure information from the parameter (procedure) storage means 24 and outputs the information to the data encoding means 22.

On the other hand, a video signal or the like is input to the data input means 21 from a CCD or the like. Each command, the encoding method, parameters, and the like are input, and the data encoding unit 22 that is ready for encoding encodes the data input to the data input unit 21 and sends the encoded data to the multiplexing unit 25. Output. The multiplexing means 25 multiplexes the coded data and the procedure information for coding in a format suitable for a predetermined transmission protocol, and outputs the multiplexed data to the data transmission means 26. The data transmission means 26 sends the multiplexed encoded data to the transmission medium 3.

Next, in the data receiving apparatus 1, the data transmission means 15 receives the encoded data and the procedure information about the data from the transmission medium 3 and outputs the data to the multiplexing means 14. The multiplexing unit 14 converts the received data into encoded data,
Procedure information, separated into various commands, encoded data,
A command or the like is output to the data decoding means 16. At this time, the procedure information is transferred to the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12.
Output to The data decoding unit 16 decodes the encoded data using the temporarily stored decoding method and parameter corresponding to the procedure information transmitted to the data transmitting device 2 and outputs the encoded data to the data output unit 17. Data output means 1
7 outputs the decoded data to a CRT, for example, so that a video is displayed on the CRT screen.

Here, when decoding the encoded data, the data decoding means 16 uses the temporarily stored decoding method and parameters, which are encoded by the procedure information transmitted to the data transmitting apparatus 2. 3 shows processing for the data. That is, in real-time processing,
Usually, the processing is as described above. For example, when the procedure information changes frequently and encoded data is received after a certain period of time after transmitting the procedure information, the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 sets the data Based on the procedure information received from the transmitting device 2, a decoding method and parameters are selected,
It is output to the data decoding means 16. By decoding using the selected decoding method and parameters, the data decoding unit 16 can cope with a case where the user frequently changes the encoding method according to a change in the shooting situation during data transmission. Encoding and decoding can be realized, and efficient data processing can be performed on the user side. The user can change the processing method so as to obtain the optimum image quality while watching the image quality of the display image. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a data transmitting / receiving apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a data amount measuring means 18 for measuring the data amount of received data is added to the configuration of FIG. And a data decoding means 16, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the data amount measured by the data amount measuring means 18 to the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 (other configurations are as follows). Description is omitted because it is the same as FIG. 1). That is, the data amount measuring means 18 constantly measures the data amount output from the multiplexing means 14 to the data decoding means 16, and when the data amount exceeds the processing capacity of the data receiving apparatus 1, the parameter (procedure) selecting means 1
A control signal is output so as to change parameters and the like for 2. Then, the parameter (procedure) selecting means 1
2 changes parameters and the like so as to conform to the output data, and outputs the changed parameters and the like to the data decoding means 16. With this configuration, the decoding process can be performed even if the data amount exceeds the capability of the data receiving device 1 during the data processing.

Here, when the data amount exceeds the processing capacity of the data receiving apparatus 1, when the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 changes the parameter or the like so as to conform to the output data, the changed contents and the data amount are changed. A configuration may be provided in which a change content display unit for displaying information such as over on a display screen or the like is provided, and a warning or notification is given to the user. (Third Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a data transmitting / receiving apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the structure shown in FIG. Is connected to the data decoding means 16, and a control signal corresponding to the result of monitoring by the controller (monitoring means) 19 is sent to a parameter (procedure) selecting means. 12
(The other configuration is the same as that of FIG. 1 and the description is omitted). That is, the operation of the data decoding means 16 is constantly monitored by the controller (monitoring means) 19, and when the data amount in the data decoding means 16 exceeds the processing capability of the data receiving apparatus 1, the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 Output a control signal to change parameters and the like. Then, the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 changes the parameters and the like so as to conform to the output data, and outputs the changed parameters and the like to the data decoding means 16. With this configuration, the decoding process can be performed even if the data amount exceeds the capability of the data receiving device 1 during the data processing.

Here, when the data amount exceeds the processing capacity of the data receiving apparatus 1, when the parameter (procedure) selecting means 12 changes the parameter or the like so as to conform to the output data, the contents of the change and the data amount are changed. A configuration may be provided in which a change content display unit for displaying information such as over on a display screen or the like is provided, and a warning or notification is given to the user.

In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the data receiving apparatus is a personal computer and the data transmitting apparatus is a video camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other information devices and data transmission devices may be other data input devices such as digital still cameras.

In the above embodiment, the processing information transmitting means and the receiving means of the data receiving apparatus are shared by the data transmitting means 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be.

Further, in the above embodiment, the processing information receiving means and the transmitting means of the data transmitting apparatus are shared by the data transmitting means 26. May be.

In the above embodiments, the transmission medium 3 has not been specifically described. However, for example, any transmission medium such as a telephone line, a network, a wireless system, and an infrared communication path can be used. Good.

In each of the above embodiments, each means is constituted by dedicated hardware. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, parameter (procedure) selecting means, multiplexing means, etc. may be implemented by software using a computer. You may comprise. Further, in that case, the present invention may be implemented using a recording medium that records a program that implements a function configured by software.

[0033]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a processing method selecting means for selecting an encoding method and a decoding method which meet the conditions input by the condition input means, and the selected encoding method. A processing information transmitting unit that transmits processing information representing a method to a predetermined data transmitting device, a receiving unit that receives data encoded based on the transmitted processing information from the data transmitting device, and a selected decoding method. And decoding means for decoding received data, so that the quality of data, the amount of transmitted data, etc.
It has the advantage of managing data-related conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a data transmission / reception device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a data transmission / reception device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a data transmission / reception device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional data transmission / reception device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 data receiving device 2 data transmitting device 3 transmission medium 11 user I / F 12 parameter (procedure) selecting means 13 parameter (procedure) storing means 16, 58 data decoding means 17, 59 data output means 18 data amount measuring means 19 controller ( Monitoring means) 21, 52 data input means 22, 53 data encoding means 23 parameter (procedure) selection means 24 parameter (procedure) storage means

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. Condition inputting means for inputting a condition relating to output data obtained by decoding received data, processing method selecting means for selecting an encoding method and a decoding method conforming to the input condition, Processing information transmitting means for transmitting processing information representing the selected encoding method to a predetermined data transmitting apparatus, and receiving means for receiving data encoded based on the transmitted processing information from the data transmitting apparatus; Decoding means for decoding the received data using the selected decoding method. 2. A processing method selecting means includes: a parameter storing means for storing a plurality of different decoding and encoding procedures and parameters; and the decoding and encoding procedures conforming to the conditions inputted from the parameter storing means. 2. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising parameter selection means for selecting parameters. 3. A condition input means for inputting a condition relating to output data obtained by decoding received data, a processing method selecting means for selecting an encoding method conforming to the input condition, and A processing method transmitting unit that transmits processing information representing an encoding method to a predetermined data transmitting device, and a receiving unit that receives encoded data from the data transmitting device and processing information representing a method of encoding the data, A data receiving apparatus, comprising: decoding means for decoding the received data based on a decoding method corresponding to the received processing information encoding method. 4. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing method selecting means also selects a decoding method of the received data based on the received processing information. 5. A processing method selecting means, comprising: a parameter storing means for storing a plurality of different decoding and encoding procedures and parameters; a condition input from the parameter storing means; and processing information received from the data transmitting apparatus. 4. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising parameter selection means for selecting the decoding and encoding procedures and parameters conforming to the above. 6. A data amount measuring means for measuring a data amount of received data decoded by said decoding means, wherein said processing method selecting means is adapted to output said output data in accordance with a measurement result of said data amount measuring means. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein an encoding method conforming to (1) is changed. 7. An encoding method adapted to the output data according to a monitoring result of the monitoring means, further comprising monitoring means for monitoring an operation related to a data amount of the decoding means. 4. The data receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the data receiving device is changed. 8. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a change content display means for displaying the change content when the processing method selection means changes the encoding method. apparatus. 9. A data input unit for inputting predetermined data, a processing information receiving unit for receiving the processing information from the data receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Processing method selecting means for selecting an encoding method suitable for the received processing information; encoding means for encoding the input predetermined data by using the selected encoding method; and Transmitting means for transmitting the data to the data receiving device. 10. The data transmitting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said transmitting means transmits processing information indicating an encoding method for encoding said data to be transmitted to said data receiving apparatus. 11. A processing method selection means for storing a plurality of different encoding procedures and parameters, and selecting the encoding procedures and parameters suitable for the received processing information from the parameter storage means. The data transmitting apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a parameter selecting unit that performs the setting. 12. The data receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the data transmitting device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, and connecting the data receiving device and the data transmitting device. A data transmission / reception device comprising a transmission medium. 13. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 1, the data transmitting apparatus according to claim 9 or the data transmitting / receiving apparatus according to claim 12. A recording medium on which a program for realizing all or a part of the function of the means is recorded.