JPH11313249A - Image coding data processing unit and image coding data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a desired promotion channel by processing a stream of coded data of a promotion channel. SOLUTION: Coded data are given to a header detection circuit 2 that discriminates to which reduced image area each slice layer belongs. A demultiplexer stores the coded data for each reduced image area to buffers 5a, 5b,.... A read control circuit 8 controls a multiplexer 7 to read the coded data from the buffers 5a, 5b,... in the order based on a user operation. Thus, the coded data to display the desired reduced image on a desired reduced image area are obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image coded data processing apparatus and an image coded data processing method suitable for receiving a promotion channel coded according to the MPEG2 standard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital terrestrial broadcasting in the United States and BS (satellite) digital broadcasting in Japan have been actively developed. Digital CS (communication satellite) broadcasting has already started in Japan.

[0003] In CS broadcasting, MPEG (Moving P
Multi-channeling is made possible by adopting the compression technology of the Image Experts Group 2). With the increase in the number of channels, the number of programs broadcast at one time becomes extremely large, and it becomes difficult to select programs to be viewed.

Therefore, in CS digital broadcasting,
2. Description of the Related Art Promotional broadcasting is performed in which images of a plurality of channels to be transmitted are reduced and combined, and video data of the combined image is compressed and transmitted on one channel (hereinafter referred to as a promotion channel). By receiving and displaying the promotion channels, the viewer can easily know the contents of the program transmitted on each channel, and can be used as a means of channel selection.

As described above, a plurality of programs can be displayed on one screen in the promotion channel. For example, about nine or sixteen reduced images can be displayed simultaneously on one screen. However, the number of channels that can be transmitted on one screen is limited in consideration of the ease of viewing images.

[0006] However, the number of channels to be displayed is extremely large, and it is not possible to sufficiently grasp the transmitted program with only one promotion channel transmitted from a broadcasting station. Also, it was not possible to create a promotional channel tailored to the audience's preferences.

[0007] A broadcast signal of a plurality of channels is converted to a VCR.
Recording using a recording device such as a (digital video tape recorder) is also conceivable. In this case, it is conceivable to simultaneously record the promotion channel in order to easily confirm the recorded contents. However, not all the channels included in the promotion channel are recorded, and it is not possible to determine which of the channels included in the promotion channel is actually recorded.

[0008]

As described above, conventionally, since the number of channels to be transmitted is relatively large, one promotion channel transmitted from a broadcasting station includes all the information of the channel required by the user. There was a problem that it was not often done. Another problem is that it is not possible to create a promotion channel that matches the viewer's preference. Furthermore, even if a promotion channel is recorded simultaneously with the recording of a program, there is a problem that the recorded content cannot be confirmed from the promotion channel.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an image code capable of obtaining a promotion channel desired by a user by processing a promotion channel transmitted from a broadcasting station in a stream state. It is an object to provide an encoded data processing device and an image encoded data processing method.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image-encoded data processing apparatus for processing image data of one image constituted by a plurality of reduced images arranged in a plurality of reduced image regions. Separating means for receiving at least one coded data created by performing a closed coding process for each of the plurality of reduced image areas, and separating the coded data for each of the reduced image areas; Buffer means for storing the coded data for each of the reduced image areas separated by the above, and one or more reduced images based on a user operation among a plurality of reduced images included in one or more coded data. Reading means for reading coded data for each of the reduced image areas stored in the buffer means so as to be arranged at a predetermined position based on a user operation in the reduced image area. Are those the claim 6 of the present invention
The image coded data processing method according to the present invention performs an encoding process in which one image data composed of a plurality of reduced images respectively arranged in a plurality of reduced image regions is closed for each of the plurality of reduced image regions. A separation procedure for separating one or more pieces of encoded data created by performing each of the reduced image areas, a procedure for storing encoded data for each of the separated reduced image areas, and one or more encoding steps. For each of the stored reduced image areas, one or more reduced images based on a user operation among a plurality of reduced images included in data are arranged at predetermined positions based on a user operation among the plurality of reduced image areas. And a reading procedure for reading the encoded data.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the encoded data is created by a closed encoding process for each reduced image area. The separating means separates the encoded data for each reduced image area, and the buffer means stores the separated encoded data for each reduced image area. Since the encoded data is subjected to closed encoding for each reduced image area, even if the arrangement of the encoded data stream is changed for each reduced image area, the encoded data stream is deleted for each reduced image area. Even
The original reduced image can be restored from the read encoded data. Utilizing this, the reading means reads from the buffer means so as to arrange a desired reduced image in the reduced image area.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the encoded data is separated for each reduced image area, and the separated encoded data is stored for each reduced image area. In the reading procedure,
The stored encoded data is read so that a desired reduced image is arranged in the reduced image area. Since the encoded data is subjected to closed encoding for each reduced image area, when the encoded data stream is processed for each reduced image area, the original reduced image is restored from the read encoded data. Can be.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image coded data processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an encoding device for creating a promotion channel. This device has the same configuration as that described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-103518 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) filed by the present applicant earlier. In the proposal of Document 1, one high-resolution image is divided into a plurality of low-resolution images, and compression and decompression are performed for each image by using a low-resolution encoding device and a decoding device. It is.

On the other hand, the encoding apparatus used in the present embodiment combines a plurality of images into one image and performs encoding on the combined image.

First, the encoding apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

Image data of different programs is input to the terminals 31a, 31b,. These image data are supplied to reduction circuits 32a, 32b, respectively. Reduction circuits 32a, 32
b,... are processing circuits for reducing the input image data and combining them.
Output to 33. The synthesizing circuit 33 is controlled by the synthesizing control circuit 35, synthesizes the input image data of the plurality of reduced images, converts the image data into a single-screen synthesized image (hereinafter referred to as a promotion image), and then encodes the image data. Output to 37. The encoding circuit 37 is controlled by the encoding control circuit 36,
The input image data is encoded according to a predetermined standard, and encoded data is output. For example, the encoding circuit 37 is an MPEG2
Standard coding is performed.

In the MPEG2 standard, image data is compressed by an orthogonal transformation process, a quantization process, and a variable length coding process. The orthogonal transform is for transforming an input sample value into an orthogonal component such as a spatial frequency component, and performs DCT (discrete cosine transform) processing or the like for each block of m × n pixels. Thereby, a spatial correlation component can be reduced. By quantizing the orthogonally transformed components, the redundancy of the signal of the block is reduced.

Further, by performing variable length coding such as Huffman coding on the quantized output, the data amount is further reduced. In Huffman coding, coding is performed based on the result calculated from the statistical code amount of a quantized output, and short bits are assigned to data with a high occurrence probability and long bits are assigned to data with a low occurrence probability. The entire data amount is reduced by the variable length coding to be assigned.

Furthermore, MPEG2 employs not only intra-frame compression in which an image in a frame is subjected to DCT processing, but also inter-frame compression in which redundancy in the time axis direction is reduced by utilizing correlation between frames. The inter-frame compression uses the property that a general moving image is very similar in the preceding and succeeding frames, and calculates a difference between the preceding and succeeding frames to obtain a difference value (prediction error).
Is encoded, thereby further reducing the bit rate. In particular, motion-compensated inter-frame predictive coding that reduces the prediction error by estimating the motion of an image and calculating the inter-frame difference is effective. The motion vector data used for the motion compensation prediction is variable-length coded and multiplexed.

As described above, according to MPEG2, in addition to intra-frame encoding in which image data of a predetermined frame is directly subjected to DCT processing and encoding, a difference between image data of a predetermined frame and reference image data of frames before and after this frame is obtained. Predictive coding in which only data is subjected to DCT processing and coding is adopted. The prediction encoding method includes forward prediction encoding for obtaining a prediction error by performing motion compensation on temporally forward reference image data, and backward prediction for obtaining a prediction error by performing motion compensation on temporally backward reference image data. There are predictive coding and bidirectional predictive coding using either forward or backward or an average in both directions in consideration of coding efficiency.

The sampling clock differs between the luminance signal and the color difference signal processed in the MPEG encoder. For example, assuming that the sampling clock of the color difference signal has a frequency that is 1/4 of the sampling clock of the luminance signal, the size ratio between the luminance block and the color difference block is 1: 4. In this case, a macroblock is composed of 6 DCT blocks of 4 blocks of luminance and 1 block of each chrominance, and is used as an encoding unit. Motion vector detection is also performed on a macroblock basis. Note that the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are processed separately. 8 DCT blocks
Assuming a size of × 8 pixels, the size of one macroblock is 16 × 16 pixels for a luminance signal and 8 × 16 pixels for a color difference signal.

A slice layer composed of one or a plurality of macroblocks is formed by predictive coding in units of macroblocks, and a picture layer of one frame is formed from the N slice layers. It should be noted that the slice layer has a boundary at the beginning of one macroblock line and at the beginning of a macroblock at a predetermined position, and a slice header is arranged at the beginning of each slice layer.

In detecting a motion vector, a target block (macro block) to be encoded with the current frame
A predetermined search range centered on a block of the reference frame having the same relative positional relationship with respect to is set. Then, a block having a pattern most similar to the pattern of the target block in the current frame is searched for in the search range by matching calculation. That is, a matching calculation is performed in which the blocks are sequentially set within the search range while moving in units of 0.5 pixels, and the absolute value of the difference between each corresponding pixel between the block of interest and the block set in the search range is calculated. Then, the block having the smallest cumulative value is set as a reference macro block. A vector indicating the positional relationship between the reference macroblock and the block of interest is determined as a motion vector.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the encoding circuit 37
Encoding is performed on the synthesized image data. In this case, closed encoding is performed in the reduced image area so that decoding can be performed in units of the synthesized reduced image. That is, if the encoding circuit 37 performs encoding according to the MPEG2 standard, the encoding is performed in units of macroblocks. By controlling the combining circuit 33, the reduced images are combined so that the boundaries between the reduced image regions coincide with the boundaries between the macroblocks of the combined image.

The synthesizing control means 35 includes the reducing circuit 32
a, 32b,..., the size of each reduced image area, that is, the number of screen divisions, etc. The synthesizing circuit 33 is controlled based on the information on the division method.

The encoding control circuit 36 includes an encoding circuit 37
Controls to perform closed encoding in the reduced image area. That is, the coding control circuit 36 controls the coding circuit 37 to perform the motion prediction within the range of the reduced image area. In addition, in the MPEG2 standard, as for a low-frequency (DC) component of a quantized output, DPCM encoding using a difference from a low-frequency component of an adjacent block is adopted. In this DPCM encoding, a slice header is used. Since the predicted value is reset at the insertion position of, the encoding control circuit 36 determines the DPCM encoding in the horizontal macro head of each reduced image area so as to complete within the reduced image area. The encoding circuit 37 is controlled to insert a slice header. Note that this slice header can also be used as a specific code for detecting the boundary position of the reduced image area.

Further, synthesis method control information indicating the manner of screen division, such as the number of screen divisions, is transmitted to the receiving side together with the encoded data as position information. Location information is
The number of divided screens can be indicated, and it is possible to determine, based on the position information, which reduced image area includes the encoded data of a predetermined macroblock (slice). .

When the number of screen divisions is fixed and invariable, only the slice header is detected on the receiving side to know which reduced image area contains the encoded data. Therefore, there is no need to transmit location information.

The method of transmitting and receiving position information is not limited in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, an input terminal 1 has an encoding circuit.
The encoded data created by 37 is input via a transmission path (not shown). The encoded data is supplied to the header detection circuit 2 and also to the demultiplexer 3. Position information is also input to the header detection circuit 2. The header detection circuit 2 detects a slice header from the encoded data, and determines from the detected slice header and the position information which of the reduced image areas of the composite image the currently input encoded data corresponds to. The switching signal shown is output to the demultiplexer 3.

The demultiplexer 3 outputs the coded data input based on the switching signal to the buffers 5a, 5b,... Via terminals 4a, 4b,. The buffers 5a, 5b,... Store encoded data of each reduced image area. The buffers 5a, 5b,... Are controlled by the read control circuit 8 to output the read encoded data to the terminals 6a, 6b,.

A control signal (not shown) and position information based on a user operation are input to the read control circuit 8. The read control circuit 8 is based on the control signal and the position information.
Controlling the reading of the buffers 5a, 5b,..., And controlling the multiplexer 7 to read the encoded data in a predetermined reduced image order and output it to the position information rewriting circuit 9. The position information rewriting circuit 9 changes the position information included in the slice header and outputs it as an output stream.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 3 shows a promotion image by the combining circuit 33, and FIG. 4 shows a promotion image based on an output stream from the position information rewriting circuit 9.

Now, it is assumed that a promotion channel is created by image data of 9 channels input through terminals 31a, 31b,. The image data of each channel is supplied to the synthesizing circuit 33 after being compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions by the reduction circuits 32a to 32i, respectively. On the other hand, from the terminal 34, the promotion channel is composed of nine channels of image data, the promotion image is divided into nine reduced image regions obtained by dividing the promotion image into three parts in the horizontal and vertical directions, and the reduced circuits are divided into nine reduced image regions by the reduction circuits 32a to 32i. It is assumed that synthesis method control information indicating that the reduced image is displayed is input.

The synthesizing control circuit 35 controls the synthesizing circuit 33 based on the synthesizing method control information such that the boundaries between the reduced image areas match the boundaries between the macroblocks of the promotion image to be created. Thereby, the synthesizing circuit 33 creates the promotion image shown in FIG. The boundaries between the reduced image areas indicated by the circled numbers 1 to 9 match the macroblock boundaries of the promotion image.

The image data of the promotion image from the synthesizing circuit 33 is supplied to an encoding circuit 37. Encoding circuit 37
Encodes the input promotion image data. In this case, the encoding control circuit 36 limits the motion prediction range to within each reduced image area. Further, the encoding control circuit 36 configures a slice layer for each reduced image area in the horizontal direction.

The arrows in FIG. 3 indicate the order of the macroblocks to be coded. The encoding circuit 37 first performs encoding sequentially from the first macroblock line. A slice header is added to the encoded data of the leftmost macroblock of the first macroblock line. When the encoding of the first macroblock line in the reduced image area of the circled number 1 is completed, the encoding of the first macroblock line in the reduced image area of the circled number 2 is started. The encoding circuit 37 adds a slice header to the encoded data of the leftmost macroblock in the reduced image area indicated by the numeral 2. The encoding circuit 37 resets the predicted value of the DPCM encoding for each slice layer.

When the encoding of the first macroblock line is completed, the encoding circuit 37 sequentially encodes the second macroblock line from the leftmost macroblock. The encoding circuit 37 performs the encoding in the same manner thereafter, and adds a slice header to the encoded data of the leftmost macroblock in each reduced image area.

The encoded data from the encoding circuit 37 is transmitted to the receiving side via a transmission line (not shown). Terminal 34
Is transmitted to the receiving side as position information.

The encoded data of the promotion channel created by the apparatus of FIG. 2 is input to the input terminal 1 of FIG. This encoded data is supplied to the demultiplexer 3 and also to the header detection circuit 2.
The header detection circuit 2 detects a slice header included in the encoded data. The header detection circuit 2 is also provided with position information indicating a method of dividing the promotion image into a screen, detects which reduced image area the encoded data of the predetermined slice layer corresponds to, and demultiplexes the switching signal. Output to 3.

The demultiplexer 3 separates the encoded data for each reduced image area according to the switching signal, and
4b,... To the buffers 5a, 5b,.
Thereby, for example, the coded data corresponding to the reduced image areas indicated by circled numbers 1 to 9 in FIG. 3 are stored in the buffers 5a to 5i, respectively.

Since the encoding side performs closed encoding for each reduced image area, the encoded data stored in each buffer 5a, 5b,... Can be decoded only by the data in each buffer. is there. Therefore, buffer 5
can be decoded even if the encoded data of a, 5b,...

Now, assume that the promotion image shown in FIG. 4 is output. The circled numbers in FIG. 4 correspond to the circled numbers in FIG. 3 and indicate the destinations on the screen of the reduced image in the reduced image area indicated by the circled numbers in FIG. For example, an example is shown in which a reduced image at the center indicated by a circle number 5 in FIG. 3 is moved to a reduced image region at the upper left and displayed.

The user operates an input device (not shown) to instruct the read control circuit 8 to arrange the reduced images shown in FIG. The read control circuit 8 is also provided with position information, and creates a promotion image shown in FIG.
Reading of buffers 5a, 5b,... And multiplexer 7
Control.

In the example of FIG. 4, first, among the encoded data stored in the buffer 5e, the data of the uppermost macroblock line on the screen is output via the multiplexer 7, and then stored in the buffer 5a. The data of the uppermost macroblock line on the screen among the encoded data is output via the multiplexer 7. Next, among the encoded data stored in the buffer 5c, the data of the uppermost macroblock line on the screen is output via the multiplexer 7.

When the data of the first macroblock line of the new promotion image is output from the multiplexer 7, next, of the encoded data stored in the buffer 5e, the data of the second macroblock line from the top on the screen is displayed. Data is output from the multiplexer 7. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated, and the encoded data of the promotion image in FIG. 4 is output from the multiplexer 7 to the position information rewriting circuit 9.

The position information rewriting circuit 9 rewrites the slice header in the coded data in accordance with the change in the arrangement order of the reduced image area, and outputs it from the terminal 10 as an output stream.

By decoding the output stream from the position information rewriting circuit 9 by a normal decoding device,
The reduced image can display the promotion image in the arrangement shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by utilizing the fact that the promotion channel input to the receiving side is created by performing closed coding for each reduced image on the transmitting side, each reduced image is used. The encoded data corresponding to each is separated using a slice header and position information and stored in a buffer for each reduced image, and is encoded on a stream so that the reduced images are displayed in an order according to a user operation. The data is sorted and output. This makes it possible to create a promotion image in which the display order desired by the user has been changed with respect to the promotion image created and transmitted on the transmission side.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a predetermined reduced image in a promotion channel can be replaced with a predetermined image such as a black image and displayed.

Encoded data from the encoding circuit 37 of FIG. 2 is input to the input terminal 21 via a transmission (not shown). This encoded data is sent to a header detection circuit 22 and a multiplexer.
It is supplied to 26 terminals 23a. The header detection circuit 22 receives position information from the transmission side and also receives partial erasure control information for replacing a predetermined reduced image display with another display by a user operation.

The header detection circuit 22 detects a slice header from the encoded data, and based on the detected slice header and position information, the currently input encoded data corresponds to any reduced image area of the composite image. The switching signal for inserting the dummy data in place of the encoded data in the predetermined reduced image area is output to the multiplexer 26 based on the partial erasure control information.

The dummy data generating circuit 26 generates, for example, dummy data for displaying a black screen of a predetermined black level, and outputs the generated dummy data to the terminal 24b of the multiplexer 26. The multiplexer 26 switches between encoded data and dummy data in accordance with the switching signal and outputs the data from the terminal 27 as an output stream.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG.

It is assumed that encoded data of the promotion image shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction not to display a reduced image in the reduced image area indicated by the circled numbers 6 and 8 in FIG.

The header detection circuit 22 determines whether or not the detected slice header is included in the reduced image area designated to be erased by the user, based on the position information and the partial erasure control information. The header detection circuit 22 generates a switching signal for selecting the output of the dummy data generation circuit 25 during the input period of the slice layer corresponding to the reduced image area designated to be erased, and the input terminal 21 during other periods. To select encoded data.

Thus, the multiplexer 26 outputs the slice layer data corresponding to the reduced image areas indicated by the circled numbers 1 to 5, 7 and 9 in FIG. During the data input period of the corresponding slice layer, the dummy data from the dummy data generation circuit 25 is selected and output from the terminal 27. In this way, the encoded data corresponding to the reduced image that the user desires to erase is replaced with the dummy data and output.

FIG. 6 shows a promotion image in which the output stream from the multiplexer 26 is decoded by a usual decoding device and displayed. As shown in FIG. 6, an image of a predetermined black level is displayed in the reduced image areas of circle numbers 6 and 8 that the user has requested to delete.

Although the dummy data generating circuit 25 has been described as outputting dummy data for displaying a predetermined black image, by changing the dummy data,
Obviously, various images can be displayed.For example, it is also possible to display a blue image in a reduced image area desired to be erased, and to display a specific pattern instead of a single color screen. It can also be displayed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a reduced image in a predetermined reduced image area can be erased and displayed on the promotion channel sent from the transmission side. As a result, it is possible to create a promotion channel in which an image of a channel not recorded by the VTR is deleted, and it is possible to grasp the recorded content of the recording medium from the promotion channel stored in the recording medium. .

In addition to deleting unnecessary image areas, it is also possible not to display, for example, areas of channels for which reception is not subscribed. Further, for example, if a viewer under a specific age cannot enter a channel to view an image without entering a password, it is also possible to create a promotion channel in which this channel is not displayed.

It is clear that the arrangement of the reduced image areas can be changed by combining FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 and the reduced images can be deleted from the predetermined reduced image areas.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. 7, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the case where one promotion channel is input has been described. However, the present embodiment is an example where a plurality of promotion channels are input.

In this embodiment, buffers are provided by the number of all the reduced image areas transmitted on all the input promotion channels. Input terminal 1,
1 'receives encoded data of different promotion channels. These encoded data are created by the encoding device of FIG.

The header detecting circuit 2 ', the demultiplexer 3' and the buffers 5a ', 5b',... Are respectively the header detecting circuit 2, the demultiplexer 3 and the buffers 5a, 5b,.
... has the same configuration as. Also in the present embodiment, encoded data of the promotion channel input via the input terminal 1 is stored in the buffers 5a, 5b,... For each reduced image area. The buffers 5a ', 5b',.
Stores the encoded data of the promotion channel input via the input terminal 1 'for each reduced image area.

Buffers 5a, 5b,..., 5a ', 5
The encoded data read from b ',... is supplied to terminals 6a, 6b,..., 6a', 6b ',. Also, a dummy data generation circuit
Numeral 25 generates predetermined dummy data and outputs it to the terminal 24b 'of the multiplexer 7.

The read control circuit 8 is supplied with position information from the transmission side and receives a signal based on a user operation. The read control circuit 8 arranges the images based on the user's designation among the reduced images transmitted by the promotion channels inputted to the input terminals 1 and 1 'and the black image by the dummy data in the arrangement order designated by the user. The multiplexer 7 is used to obtain a composite image.
Is controlled.

The multiplexer 7 is controlled by the read-out control circuit 8 so as to obtain buffers 5a, 5b,..., 5a ', so that a composite image in which encoded data of the image based on the user operation is arranged in the order designated by the user is obtained. 5b ',..., The output of the dummy data generating circuit 25 is switched and selected and output to the position information rewriting circuit 9.

Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

It is assumed that encoded data of a promotion channel whose screen is divided into nine parts is input via input terminals 1 and 1 '. These 18 channels of encoded data are stored in buffers 5a to 5a for each reduced image area.
i, 5a 'through 5i'.

It is assumed that the user instructs to newly create encoded data of 7 promotion channels from the encoded data of 18 channels. For example, among the encoded data input via the input terminal 1, the encoded data for five channels and the input terminal 1 '
It is assumed that a promotion channel is created by using encoded data of two channels among the encoded data input through.

In this case, the user arranges the reduced images based on the coded data of any channel in any reduced image region of the newly created 9-division promotion channel, and arranges the black image in any reduced image region. Is displayed. The multiplexer 7 is controlled by the read control circuit 8 to switch the input for each slice layer in an order according to the user's specification, and to transfer the encoded data or the dummy data for the nine reduced images into the buffers 5a, 5b,.
a ', 5b',... and the dummy data generation circuit 25, and outputs them to the position information rewriting circuit 9.

The position information rewriting circuit 9 rewrites the slice header of the input coded data in accordance with the arrangement order and outputs the slice header from the terminal 10 as an output stream. By providing this output stream to a normal decoding device, it is possible to display a promotion image in which reduced images of seven channels specified by the user among the input 18 channels are arranged in the sequence specified by the user. .

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when receiving a promotion channel from the transmission side, by receiving a plurality of promotion channels, the user can combine reduced images of the channel desired by the user, and Promotion channels arranged in a desired arrangement order can be created.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, a case has been described where the screen division method of the input promotion channel matches the screen division method of the output promotion channel. However, when the input / output promotion channel screen division method is different,
Even when the sizes of the reduced image areas are different, it can be realized by read control by the read control circuit 8. For example, when the size of the reduced image area of the promotion channel to be created becomes large, by inserting dummy data for a portion around the original reduced image area, the promotion including the reduced image larger than the original reduced image is performed. Channels can be created.

In each of the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the number of buffers used is the same as the number of reduced screens. However, it is apparent that the number of buffers can be reduced by using a buffer capable of storing a plurality of reduced screens. The present invention includes this.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention, by processing a promotion channel transmitted from a broadcasting station in a stream state, a user can obtain a desired promotion channel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image coded data processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an encoding device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Header detection circuit, 3 ... Demultiplexer, 5a, 5
b, buffer 7 multiplexer, read control circuit 9, position information rewriting circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Takehiko Okuyama 8 Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Toshiba Multimedia Technology Research Institute (72) Inventor Hideyuki Naka 8 Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa In the Toshiba Multimedia Technology Research Laboratories (72) Inventor Masakazu Fukumoto 8 in Shinsugitacho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture In the Toshiba Multimedia Technology Research Laboratories

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of reduced image areas; a plurality of reduced image areas; a plurality of reduced image areas; One or more encoded data is input, a separating unit that separates the encoded data for each reduced image region, a buffer unit that stores the encoded data for each reduced image region separated by the separating unit, A buffer configured to arrange one or more reduced images based on a user operation among a plurality of reduced images included in one or more encoded data at a predetermined position based on a user operation in the plurality of reduced image regions; Reading means for reading coded data for each of the reduced image areas stored in the means. 2. The reading means outputs predetermined compressed image data in place of the encoded data stored in the buffer means for an area of the plurality of reduced image areas where the reduced image is not arranged. 2. The image coded data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the compressed image data is data for displaying an image of the same color in the reduced image area. 4. The separating means is provided with information indicating which of the plurality of reduced image areas the coded data is included in, and based on the information, the coded data is The image encoded data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image data is separated for each of the reduced image regions. 5. The coded data is coded according to the MPEG system, and the information indicating which of the plurality of reduced image areas the coded data is included in is information. 5. The image encoded data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information is a slice header and information indicating a configuration of the reduced image area. 6. The image data created by performing a closed encoding process for each of the plurality of reduced image areas on image data of one image composed of a plurality of reduced images arranged in a plurality of reduced image areas, respectively. A separation procedure for separating one or more of the encoded data for each of the reduced image areas; a procedure for storing the encoded data for each of the separated reduced image areas; Of the stored encoded data for each of the reduced image areas so that one or more reduced images based on the user operation among the reduced images are arranged at predetermined positions based on the user operation among the plurality of reduced image areas. A read procedure for performing reading.