JP2007288683A - Image processor and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decode a plurality of pieces of image encoded data which are encoded and packetized by systems different for each service, while speedily switching them without sense of incompatibility. <P>SOLUTION: In decoding of a high quality motion picture service using an MPEG2 decoder, an information storage processing means makes an access unit correspond to a PTS including presentation time information that is specific information of the access unit, from a stream of a simplified motion picture service (such as one-segment broadcasting) and stores them. When a switching control section performs switching control from the MPEG2 decoder to an H264 decoder, the H264 decoder decodes access units in order from the latest IDR access unit stored in the information storage processing means and when a PTS judgment section judges a case where a presentation time indicated by the PTS comes later in the future rather than a decoding completion time, the H264 decoder completes synchronization processing and shifts to ordinary decoding processing. Thus, a synchronization processing completion processing time of the H264 decoder is remarkably shortened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for selectively decoding a plurality of pieces of encoded image data encoded and packetized by different methods.

  In recent years, digital broadcasting (Internet broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting, etc.) that can provide broadcasting with high frequency utilization efficiency and excellent transmission quality and image quality has been started.

  In Japan's terrestrial digital broadcasting, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) system that provides high frequency utilization efficiency and transmission quality is adopted as a transmission system, and a broadcast channel (physical channel) with a bandwidth of 6 MHz is adopted. The program is divided into 14 segments, of which 13 segments excluding the guard band are divided into groups of a plurality of segment groups (hierarchies), and programs (programs) having different information encoding schemes and modulation schemes for each group. Can be broadcast simultaneously.

  For example, among the 13 segments, 12 segments excluding the central one segment are used for fixed reception and one high-definition program (HDTV: High Definition TeleVision) or standard program (SDTV: Standard Definition TeleVision) 2 to 3 programs are broadcast, and for mobile reception, one segment broadcast (one-segment broadcasting) is already performed using one central segment.

  As an information source encoding (image compression encoding) system, the above-mentioned HDTV and SDTV programs are MPEG-2 Video (Moving Picture Expert Group 2 Video) systems, and one-segment broadcasting programs are H.264. H.264 / AVC (MPEG-4 AVC: Moving Picture Expert Group 4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding) system is adopted.

  In addition, MPEG-2 TS (Transport Stream) is adopted as a protocol for performing streaming broadcasting, and it is easy to transmit encoded image data (bit stream data) after information source encoding on the transmission side. It is packetized into TS packets (transport stream packets) of fixed length (188 bytes including header), one transport stream in which those TS packets are arranged is generated, and broadcast by performing the above-described OFDM modulation or the like. . Further, it is possible to multiplex HDTV or SDTV TS packets and one-segment broadcasting TS packets into one transport stream, and multiplex broadcast these plural programs.

  Here, in order to realize streaming broadcasting, the receiver side synchronizes with the transmission side, each TS packet of the transport stream is discriminated and extracted for each program (program), and an image in the TS packet is obtained. It is necessary to be able to decode the encoded data.

  Therefore, on the transmission side, image encoded data that is an elementary stream (ES: Elementary Stream) is packetized into PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packets in units of pictures and then converted into TS packets. Furthermore, in the header (PES header) of each PES packet, time information indicating the time for reproducing (presenting) the elementary stream ES in the PES packet called PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) is described. Yes. Further, reference time information called PCR (Program Clock Reference: program time reference value information) is transmitted for each program (service), and the time at which the receiver receives this PCR is expressed as a PCR value (program time reference value). By using the indicated time, it is possible to synchronize with the transmission side. An image is reproduced for each program (program) by decoding (decoding) the elementary stream ES in the PES packet at the time indicated by the PTS with reference to the reference time synchronized based on the PCR value. Can be done.

  Note that HDTV and SDTV program broadcasts for fixed reception (hereinafter collectively referred to as “high-quality video service”) can be synchronously played back based on the PTS and PCR described above, but for mobile reception. In one-segment broadcasting (hereinafter also referred to as “simple video service”), encoded image data that is an elementary stream ES is generated by further encoding in units of slices smaller than pictures, and packetized into PES packets. TS packetized above. Since broadcasting requires a random access function that can be reproduced from a desired scene, image-encoded data encoded in units of slices can be randomly accessed in units of pictures.

  That is, H.H. In H.264 / AVC, encoded image data encoded in units of slices includes an IDR picture (standard frame data) that can generate a picture of one frame by itself, and a non-IDR picture (non-standard frame data) that requires a reference image. The IDR picture is stored in an IDR (Instantaneous Decoder Refresh) access unit, the non-IDR picture is stored in a non-IDR (non Instantaneous Decoder Refresh) access unit, and is multiplexed into a PES packet. After that, it is converted into TS packets. Then, the receiver side determines the IDR access unit, and PTS (Presentation Time Stamp: presentation time information) and PCR (Program Clock Reference: program time) described in the PES header of the PES packet in which the IDR access unit is stored. By reproducing (presenting) the IDR picture in the IDR access unit in synchronization with the reference value information), the non-IDR picture stored in the non-IDR access unit can also be reproduced (presented) sequentially. It is like that. Furthermore, it is specified that an IDR access unit that is a reference for synchronous reproduction (presentation) must be multiplexed into a PES packet so that it appears in a TS packet at intervals of about 2 seconds, usually at intervals of 5 seconds at the maximum.

  By the way, in a conventional receiver capable of receiving multiple broadcasts of HDTV or SDTV program broadcasts and one-segment broadcasts, when the user switches from watching HDTV or SDTV program broadcasts to one-segment broadcasts, the switching is performed. When the time is within the period in which the IDR access unit appears (period of 2 to 5 seconds), the display on the display is black (video mute) until the next IDR access unit can be identified. On the other hand, there was a problem of giving a sense of incongruity.

  In order to solve such a problem, the receiver of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. When the receiver of Patent Document 1 is applied to a receiver for receiving HDTV, SDTV, and one-segment broadcasting, both HDTV, SDTV, and one-segment broadcasting are always decoded to allow viewing from HDTV or SDTV to one-segment broadcasting. When switched, the frame image of the HDTV or SDTV program broadcast at the time of switching is displayed as a still image on the display, and then the composite image of the one-segment broadcast frame image and the above-described still image at the time of switching is displayed. Then, switch to only one-segment broadcasting images and display on the display. As a result, the black display period is eliminated.

JP 2006-74466 A

  However, since the receiver of Patent Document 1 always decodes both HDTV and SDTV and one-segment broadcasting, the processing load of a decoder (decoder) that performs decoding is large, and it is difficult to reduce power consumption. There are problems such as. For example, it is extremely difficult to apply the receiver of Patent Document 1 to a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone that operates on a battery.

  Furthermore, black display is not performed in the synchronization processing period from the time when the switching instruction is given from the user to the complete switching to the one-segment broadcasting, but still images and composites are displayed for 2 to 5 seconds when the IDR access unit appears. Since the image is displayed on the display, it cannot be said that means for quickly switching to the one-segment broadcasting is taken, and there is a problem that only black display is not performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for selectively decoding a plurality of encoded image data encoded and packetized by different methods. Thus, for example, it is possible to provide a novel image processing apparatus and image processing method capable of performing quick switching without causing a sense of incongruity to a user or the like and reducing the burden of decoding processing. It is intended.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a first decoder means for decoding an encoded and packetized stream of a high-quality video service, a reference access unit to which unique presentation time information is attached, and a non-standard reference unit. A second decoder means for decoding the stream of the simple video service in which the access unit is multiplexed, and controls the operation and stop of the first decoder means and the second decoder means, A switching control means for stopping the second decoding means when operating the first decoding means, and stopping the first decoding means when operating the second decoding means; and the first decoding means During the decoding operation, the unique presentation time information and the access unit are obtained from the stream of the simple video service. When the switching control means switches from the decoding operation of the first decoding means to the decoding operation of the second decoding means, the first decoding means performs the decoding operation. Among the access units stored during the period of time, the second decoder means sequentially decodes from the latest reference access unit, and the second decoder means includes the access unit The present time for completing the decoding is compared with the present time based on the unique present time information stored in the synchronization information storage processing means in association with the decoded access unit, and the present time is the current time. When a future time comes, it is determined that synchronization is established, and the second decoder means performs normal decoding processing. Characterized in that it comprises a and a judging means for starting.

  The invention described in claim 4 includes a first decoder step for decoding a stream of a high-quality video service that has been encoded and packetized, a reference access unit to which unique presentation time information is attached, and a non-standard reference unit. A second decoder step of decoding a stream of a simplified video service in which an access unit is multiplexed, wherein the processing and stop of the first decoding step and the second decoding step are controlled, A switching control step of stopping the second decoding step when performing the processing of the first decoding step, and stopping the first decoding step when performing the processing of the second decoding step; During the decoding process in one decoding process, the unique presentation time information and the access user are extracted from the stream of the simple video service. The first decoding step performs a decoding process when the switching control step switches from the first decoding step to the second decoding step. Among the access units stored in between, the storage step for decoding in the second decoder step sequentially from the latest reference access unit, and the decoding of the access unit is completed in the second decoder step Comparing the current time with the presentation time by the unique presentation time information stored in the storage step in association with the decoded access unit, and when the presentation time is a future time from the current time, A determination step of determining that synchronization is established and starting a normal decoding process in the second decoder step; Characterized by including the.

  An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. This image processing apparatus is applied as a back end of a receiver that receives terrestrial digital broadcasting using the MPEG-2 system. The decoding system for high-quality video services (HDTV and SDTV) is MPEG. -2 Video, H. H.264 / AVC is used.

  In FIG. 1, this receiver is roughly divided into a front end (pre-processing unit) and a back end (post-processing unit), and the front end includes a tuner 10 that receives broadcast waves and an OFDM demodulating unit 20. The back end includes a TS buffer 30, a demultiplexer 40, and the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes an ES buffer 50, an H264 decoder 60, a sending unit 70, an IDR detection unit 80, an IDR pointer holding unit 90, a PTS holding unit 100, a PTS determination unit 110, an MPEG-2 decoder 120, and a video buffer 130. The switching control unit 140 is configured.

  Here, the ES buffer 50, the IDR detection unit 80, the IDR pointer holding unit 90, and the PTS holding unit 100 constitute information storage processing means, and details of functions of the information storage processing means will be described later.

  The tuner 10 receives a broadcast wave by an antenna (not shown), extracts an OFDM signal So of a broadcast channel selected by a user or the like, adjusts the level by a built-in AGC (Auto Gain Control) circuit, and an OFDM demodulator 20 is supplied. Further, an S meter signal (a signal indicating reception sensitivity) Sm generated when the above-described AGC circuit performs AGC control is supplied to a switching control unit 140 described later.

  The OFDM demodulator 20 reproduces the transport stream TS by performing processing such as demodulation and error correction processing on the OFDM signal So supplied from the tuner 10 and supplies the transport stream TS to a TS buffer 30 formed of a semiconductor memory or the like. To do. In addition, the bit error rate data BER generated in the above error correction processing is supplied to the switching control unit 140 described later as data indicating reception sensitivity.

  The TS buffer 30 receives the transport stream TS, performs a FIFO process of temporarily storing it and transferring it to the demultiplexer 40 while adjusting the timing.

  The demultiplexer 40 analyzes the TS packet of the transport stream TS from the TS buffer 30, and a PID (Packet Identifier) TS designated by selecting a desired service by a channel selection operation by a user or the like. Extract the packet, and extract the PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packet of the high-quality video service (HDTV or SDTV) from the extracted TS packet and supply it to the MPEG-2 decoder 120, as well as the simple video service (one-segment broadcasting) An elementary stream (ES) is supplied to and stored in the ES buffer 50. Further, each elementary stream (PTS (Presentation Time Stamp: presentation time information) related to the elementary stream (ES) of the simple video service is extracted from the PES header of the PES packet of the simple video service and supplied to the ES buffer 50 ( ES) to be supplied to the PTS holding unit 100. That is, the ES buffer 50 and the PTS holding unit 100 store the correspondence relationship between the ES and the PTS associated with each other.

  Further, the demultiplexer 40 always performs demultiplexing on the elementary stream (ES) of the simple video service, the PES of the high quality video service, and the program time reference value information (PCR), and the separated program time reference value information ( PCR) is also supplied to the MPEG-2 decoder and ES buffer 50.

  The ES buffer 50 is a semiconductor memory having a storage capacity for storing access units between IDR access units transmitted every 5 seconds at the maximum, assuming that the IDR access units are transmitted every 5 seconds at a maximum. Etc. are formed. Then, as described above, the elementary stream (ES) is stored in association with the PTS stored in the ES buffer 50.

  The IDR detection unit 80 inspects an elementary stream (ES) that is stored in the ES buffer 50 every moment to detect an IDR access unit (IDR_AU) in which an IDR picture is stored. For example, an IDR access unit (IDR_AU) or a non-IDR access unit (non-IDR_AU) is obtained by examining information on a scene parameter set (SPS) described in a NAL unit attached to the head of the IDR access unit. The IDR access unit (IDR_AU) is detected. Information (IDR pointer data) indicating the position of the detected IDR access unit (IDR_AU) is stored in the IDR pointer holding unit 90.

  The IDR pointer holding unit 90 stores IDR pointer data of the IDR access unit (IDR_AU) detected by the IDR detection unit 80 as described above. That is, each time an IDR access unit (IDR_AU) is detected, IDR pointer data indicating that the latest IDR access unit (IDR_AU) is the top access unit is stored, and replaced with the IDR pointer data of the old IDR_AU. I do.

  The PTS holding unit 100 cooperates with the IDR pointer holding unit 90 to hold the PTS extracted from the PES header of the PES packet of the simple moving image described above in association with the corresponding ES area information.

  The H264 decoder 60 inputs an elementary stream (ES) via the ES buffer 50 and decodes it. Further, the decoding operation is started or stopped according to the switching control signal CHG from the switching control unit 140. That is, when the switching control signal CHG instructs to start the decoding operation, the decoding operation is started. When the instruction to stop the decoding operation is issued, the decoding operation is stopped until the next decoding operation is instructed. To do. When the decoding operation is started, the latest IDR access unit (IDR_AU) corresponding to the IDR pointer data stored in the IDR pointer holding unit 90 is first read and decoded (decoded), and the IDR access unit (IDR_AU) is further read. Decoding is performed while sequentially reading out the access units following. Note that this decoding process is performed at high speed as long as resources permit. For non-access units (non-IDR_AU) in which no PTS exists, A PTS is generated according to the H.264 specification and supplied to the PTS determination unit 110.

  Each time the H264 decoder 60 starts decoding and decodes each access unit (AU) in accordance with the switching control signal CHG, the PTS determination unit 110 decodes the decoding completion time (current time) and the decoded access unit (AU). ) And PTS. When the presentation time obtained from the presentation time information of the PTS is later than the current time, the decoded image data and the PTS are sent to the video sending unit 70 as an enable signal. That is, when the presentation time (in other words, the display time) specified by the PTS becomes a time relationship that is in the future from the current time, the video transmission unit uses the decoded image data and the PTS as an enable signal. 70.

  When the presentation time (display time) specified by the PTS supplied as the enable signal is reached, the video transmission unit 70 instantaneously transmits the image data supplied as the enable signal to the video buffer 130. Further, after sending the image data as the enable signal to the video buffer 130, the video sending unit 70 decodes the elementary stream (ES) supplied from the demultiplexer 40 via the ES buffer 50 by the H264 decoder 60. The image data generated as a result is sequentially sent to the video buffer 130, and a normal operation for presenting a simple moving image service is performed.

  The MPEG-2 decoder 120 starts or stops the decoding operation according to the switching control signal CHG from the switching control unit 140. Then, when the decoding operation of the MPEG-2 Video system is started, the PES ES of the high-quality moving image service is decoded in units of pictures and supplied to the video buffer 130.

  The video buffer 130 temporarily stores the image data decoded by the H264 decoder 60 or the MPEG-2 decoder 120 and transfers it to a display unit such as a display to display a video.

  The switching control unit 140 receives the S meter signal Sm from the tuner 10 and the bit error rate data BER from the OFDM demodulating unit 20 every predetermined period, and compares the bit error rate data BER with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the reception state is good or bad. . Then, when the reception state deteriorates while viewing the high-quality video service, switching to viewing of the simple video service is performed, and when the reception state becomes good while viewing the simple video service, switching to viewing of the high-quality video service is performed. Also, according to an instruction from the user or the like, switching to viewing of a high-quality moving image service or viewing of a simple moving image service is performed. Note that switching control is performed by a switching control signal CHG.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams conceptually showing a synchronization processing operation when switching from viewing of the high quality moving image service to viewing of the simple moving image service.

  FIG. 2A shows the time (current time) at which the H264 decoder 60 completes decoding for each access unit (AU) stored in the ES buffer 50, and is associated with each access unit (AU). 2A and FIG. 2B for explaining the relationship with the presentation time (display time) specified by the PTS, which is unique information, are the access units stored in the ES buffer 50 ( AU) is represented along the presentation time by PTS. That is, the illustrated presentation time indicates the time synchronized with the broadcast station side obtained from PTS (Presentation Time Stamp). And it represents as time progressing from PTS = 1.0 to 1.6 side. Also, IDR_AU (0) is represented as an IDR access unit, and the remaining access units are non-IDR access units.

  As described above, H.P. In the operation in ARIB TR-B14 related to H.264 / AVC, the IDR cycle is normally defined as about 2 seconds and a maximum of 5 seconds. Therefore, in this embodiment, the latest IDR access unit is stored in the ES buffer 50, Alternatively, the information (IDR pointer data) regarding the latest IDR access unit is always held by the IDR pointer holding unit 90, and when the next IDR access unit is transmitted, it is updated as the latest. In FIG. 2B, the latest IDR access unit is IDR_AU (0), and the presentation time indicated by the PTS is [1.1]. That is, in the present embodiment, it is shown that IDR_AU (0) is always updated with the latest IDR access unit so that a plurality of IDR access units do not exist.

  If the H264 decoder 60 that has stopped the decoding operation is instructed to start the decoding operation by the switching control signal CHG at time [1.25] in FIG. 2A, the decoding processing has been performed so far. The latest image data decoded by the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is stored in the video buffer 130, and still images are continuously displayed on the display using the stored image data.

  Then, the H264 decoder 60 starts decoding from IDR_AU (0) which is the latest IDR access unit.

  If the time at which decoding of IDR_AU (0) is completed (current time) is temporally past (eg, 1.28) from the presentation time [1.0] indicated by the PTS of IDR_AU (0), Based on the image data obtained by decoding IDR_AU (0), display is not performed, and still images are continuously displayed on the display. Then, the process proceeds to the decoding process of the next access unit, that is, non-IDR_AU (1).

  If the time at which decoding of this non-IDR_AU (1) is completed (current time) is past in time (eg, 1.32) from the presentation time [1.2] indicated by the PTS, the IDR_AU (0 ) Is not performed based on the decoded image data, and the process proceeds to the decoding process of the next access unit, that is, the non-IDR_AU (2), while the still image is continuously displayed on the display.

  If the time when the decoding of this non-IDR_AU (2) is completed (current time) is past in time (eg, 1.345) from the presentation time [1.3] indicated by the PTS, Keep the still image on the display.

  Thus, when decoding is performed in order from the reference IDR_AU (0) and the next non-IDR_AU (3) is decoded, the decoding completion time (current time) becomes 1.37, the non-IDR_AU ( The presentation time [1.4] indicated by the PTS in 3) is a future time than the current time.

  In other words, when decoding is sequentially performed from the reference IDR_AU (0), the difference between the presentation time and the current time gradually decreases, and the decoding process catches up with the presentation time. It will be a future time.

  Thus, when the presentation time is a time later than the current time, the image data obtained by decoding the non-IDR_AU (3) and the PTS indicating the presentation time [1.4] are supplied to the video sending unit 70 as an enable signal. Make a video display reservation.

  When the presentation time [1.4] is actually reached, the sending unit 70 instantaneously transfers the image data as the enable signal to the video buffer 130, thereby erasing the image data of the still image (as described above). Overwrite with image data) and display on the display based on the transferred image data.

  Therefore, from the time point “1.25” when the switching instruction is made by the switching control signal CHG to the time point when the decoding of the non-IDR_AU (3) is completed (ie, when the presentation time is in the future from the current time), The synchronization processing to the simple video service is actually completed, and more practically, when the presentation time [1.4] is reached, the display from the still image display to the display based on the decoded image data is performed. The synchronization process is completed at the time of switching. Thereafter, the H264 decoder 60 performs normal decoding processing, transfers the decoded image data to the video buffer 130 via the sending unit 70, and continues displaying the simple moving image service.

  Furthermore, since the H264 decoder 60 performs the decoding process at a higher speed than the normal decoding process in the period until the presentation time becomes the future from the present time, the period until the presentation time becomes the future from the present time is extremely short. The time required to complete the synchronization process (establish synchronization) is substantially extremely short. For this reason, even if a still image is displayed, it takes only a short time, and it is possible to quickly switch to the simple moving image service with almost no discomfort to the user or the like.

  Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the switching control unit 140, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the image processing apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the synchronization information accumulation process for preliminarily accumulating the access unit (AU), the PTS and the like necessary when switching to the simple video service explained in FIG.

  When the power is turned on and the receiver starts the receiving operation, the switching control unit 140 performs the reception state detection process and the switching determination process shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B in parallel. In the present embodiment, a “manual mode” in which the user or the like prohibits the automatic switching from the switching control unit 140 and an “automatic mode” in which automatic switching is performed according to the reception state are provided.

  When the user or the like designates “manual mode” and designates reception of a high-quality video service, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is operated by the switching control signal CHG, the H264 decoder 60 is stopped, and the reception state deteriorates. Also, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is continuously operated and the H264 decoder 60 is stopped.

  When the user or the like designates the “automatic mode” and designates reception of the high-quality video service, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is operated by the switching control signal CHG and the H264 decoder 60 is stopped. However, when the reception state deteriorates, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is stopped and the H264 decoder 60 is operated. Further, when the reception state becomes good (returns), the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is operated again and the H264 decoder 60 is stopped. As described above, when the user or the like designates the “automatic mode” and designates reception of the high-quality moving image service, switching according to the reception state is performed.

  In the following description of the operation, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the user or the like has designated “auto mode” and has designated reception of a high-quality moving image service.

  First, the switching control unit 140 sets a predetermined sampling time in the built-in timer (T) in step S1 of FIG. 3A, and in step S2, the measured value of the timer (T) exceeds the sampling time. Judge whether or not. Then, if it is determined that it has been exceeded, in step S3, the S meter signal Sm supplied from the tuner 10 and the bit error rate data BER supplied from the OFDM demodulator 20 are detected (acquired), and then the processing from step S1 is performed again. repeat.

  As described above, the switching control unit 140 detects (acquires) the S meter signal Sm and the bit error rate data BER every predetermined sampling time, thereby detecting the reception state with hysteresis. Note that the sampling time is desirably adjusted so that a change in the reception state is not sensitively detected or insensitive.

  Further, the switching control unit 140 performs the process of FIG. 3B in parallel with the process of FIG. 3A, and confirms the program (service) currently being viewed in step S10. If the high-quality video service is being viewed, in step S11, the latest S meter signal Sm detected in step S2 of FIG. 3A and the bit error rate data BER are respectively compared with a predetermined threshold value, and the comparison is made. The quality of the reception state is determined from the result. If it is determined that the reception state is deteriorated, it is determined that the condition for switching to viewing to the simple video service is satisfied (Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and the reception state is determined to be good. Then, it is determined that the condition for switching to viewing to the simple video service is not satisfied (No), and the processing from step S10 is repeated.

  In addition, even when the user or the like makes an input instruction for viewing the simple video service in the “manual mode”, it is determined that the condition for switching to the simple video service is satisfied (Yes). However, the description of the operation in that case is omitted.

  In step S12, the switching control unit 140 generates an event for switching to viewing to the simple video service. That is, the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 1 is switched from the “high-quality moving image service” to the operation for viewing the “simple moving image service” by the switching control signal CHG.

  Next, in step S10 described above, if the simple video service is being viewed, the process proceeds to step S13, and the latest S meter signal Sm and the bit error rate data BER detected in step S2 of FIG. Each is compared with a predetermined threshold, and the quality of the reception state is determined from the comparison result. If it is determined that the reception state is good, it is determined that the condition for switching to viewing to the high-quality video service is satisfied (Yes), and the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined that the reception state is deteriorated. Then, it is determined that the condition for switching to viewing to the high-quality video service is not satisfied (No), and the processing from step S10 is repeated.

  Note that even when the user or the like makes an input instruction for viewing the high-quality video service in the “manual mode”, it is determined that the condition for switching to viewing to the high-quality video service is satisfied (Yes). However, the explanation of the operation in that case is omitted.

  In step S14, the switching control unit 140 generates an event for switching to viewing to a high-quality video service. That is, the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 1 is switched from the “simple moving image service” to the operation for viewing the “high quality moving image service” by the switching control signal CHG.

  As described above, the switching control unit 140 switches the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 1 from “high-quality video service” to “simple video service” according to the reception state while monitoring the reception state, or , Switching control from “simple video service” to “high-quality video service” is performed.

  Next, the operation (decoding process) of the entire image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S20, each component of the image processing apparatus 1 determines whether a switching event (switching control) is generated by the switching control signal CHG. If the switching control is not generated, the normal decoding process (normal decoding process) for viewing the service currently being viewed is continued in step S33. That is, if the service currently being viewed is the “high-quality moving image service”, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 continues normal decoding processing and the H264 decoder 60 remains stopped. On the other hand, if the service currently being viewed is the “simple video service”, the H264 decoder 60 continues the normal decoding process, and the MPEG-2 decoder 120 remains stopped.

  Next, when a switching event (switching control) is generated in step S20, the video buffer 130 holds the latest image data (frame image data) in step S21. That is, the video buffer 130 holds the latest image data (frame image data) supplied from the MPEG-2 decoder 120 when the service currently being viewed is the “high-quality video service”. When the service being viewed is the “simple video service”, the latest image data (frame image data) supplied from the H264 decoder 60 is held.

  Further, in step S22, the video buffer 130 continuously outputs the latest image data stored therein, thereby displaying a still image on the display.

  Next, in step S23, when the switching destination is “high quality video service” by the switching control signal CHG, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 starts operating, the H264 decoder 60 stops, and the process proceeds to step S24. If it is “simple video service”, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 stops, the H264 decoder 60 starts its operation, and the process proceeds to step S28.

  When the process proceeds to step S24, the “synchronization information storage process” shown in FIG. 5 is started, and in step S25, the high-quality video service synchronization process is started. That is, in step S24, the access unit (AU), PTS, and the like necessary for performing synchronization processing when switching to the simple video service while the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is operating are set to IDR pointer data. The synchronization information accumulation process for pre-accumulating and associating with is started. This synchronization information accumulation process will be described later.

  In step S25, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 acquires PTS (presentation time information) from the PES header of the PES packet supplied from the demultiplexer 40, and synchronizes with the broadcast side from the PTS and PCR (program time reference value information). In order to do this, a synchronization process for matching the presentation time with the current time is started. When the synchronization processing is completed in step S26, the image data decoded at the time of synchronization is supplied to the video buffer in step S27, the frame image based on the image data is displayed on the display, and the processing from step S20 is continued. .

  Here, when the MPEG-2 decoder 120 completes the synchronization processing, the process proceeds from step S20 to step S33, and the MPEG-2 decoder 120 performs normal decoding processing. Thereafter, the high-quality video service is displayed on the display. Will be.

  Next, the synchronization information accumulation process of FIG. 5 will be described. As described above, when the synchronization information accumulation process is started in step S24, the ES buffer 50, the IDR detection unit 80, and the IDR pointer are used during the operation for the high-quality moving image service by the MPEG-2 decoder 120. The holding unit 90 and the PTS holding unit 100 continuously perform the synchronization information accumulation process of FIG.

  First, in step S241 in FIG. 5, after confirming that the operation for the high-quality video service is being performed, the process proceeds to step S242.

  In step S <b> 242, the IDR detection unit 80 determines whether or not a new PES elementary stream ES is stored in the ES buffer 50 from the demultiplexer 40. The determination is repeated until a new elementary stream ES is stored. When a new elementary stream ES is stored, the process proceeds to step S243.

  In step S243, the IDR detection unit 80 analyzes the new elementary stream ES accumulated in the ES buffer 50, and determines whether an IDR access unit exists in the subsequent step S244. If no IDR access unit exists (that is, if it is a non-IDR access unit), the determination condition is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S242 and is repeated. On the other hand, if the IDR access unit exists, the determination condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S245.

  In step S245, the IDR pointer holding unit 90 holds the IDR pointer data in the ES buffer 50 of the detected IDR access unit (in other words, overwrites and updates the already held IDR pointer data). In S246, the PTS holding unit 100 stores the PTS of the corresponding IDR access unit, and repeats the processing from Step S242.

  The synchronization information accumulation process is continuously performed until the switching control to the simple video service is performed by the switching control signal CHG (in other words, while the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is operating).

  In FIG. 4 again, when the switching control signal CHG is controlled to switch to the simple video service in the above-described step S23, the process proceeds to step S28, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 stops, and the H264 decoder 60 The operation will start. Then, synchronization processing for the simple video service is started.

  Next, in step S29, the H264 decoder 60 acquires the latest IDR access unit associated with the IDR pointer data held in the IDR pointer holding unit 90 from the ES buffer 50 and decodes it, and then in step S30. The PTS determination unit 110 acquires the PTS (that is, the associated unique PTS) of the IDR access unit stored in the PTS holding unit 100, and is further indicated by the acquired PTS in step S30. From the difference between the presentation time and the decoding completion time (current time), it is determined whether or not the presentation time is a time later than the current time. Then, when the presentation time is not a future time than the current time, the process returns to step S29, and the processing of steps S29 to S31 is performed for the next access unit (AU) of the IDR access unit. If it is not a future time, the process returns to step S29, and the processes of steps S29 to S31 are performed for the next access unit (AU).

  That is, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the other access units (AUs) are sequentially processed from the reference IDR access unit stored in the ES buffer 50 until the presentation time becomes a future time from the current time. If the condition that “the presentation time is a future time from the current time” is satisfied, the synchronization processing has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the PTS determination unit 110 transfers the PTS when the synchronization is established and the decoded image data as an enable signal to the sending unit 70, and when the presentation time comes, the image data is transferred. It is stored in the video buffer 130 instantaneously and displayed on the display. That is, the state of the still image display is changed to the normal decoding operation state by the H264 decoder 60.

  When the H264 decoder 60 starts normal decoding, the process proceeds from step S20 to step S33, and thereafter, the H264 decoder 60 continues normal decoding processing.

[Effect of the embodiment]
As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, when the high-definition video service of HDTV or SDTV is decoded by the MPEG-2 decoder 120, an information storage process including the ES buffer 50, the IDR detection unit 80, the IDR pointer holding unit 90, and the PTS holding unit 100 is performed. The means stores an access unit and a PTS having presentation time information, which is information unique to the access unit, from a stream of a simple video service (such as one-segment broadcasting), and the switching control unit 140 converts the MPEG-2 decoder 120 to the H264 decoder 60. When the switching control is performed, the H264 decoder 60 sequentially decodes each access unit from the latest IDR access unit (IDR_AU) stored in the information accumulation processing means, and the PTS from the decoding completion time (current time) When the presented time is in the future The the PTS judgment unit 110 determines, so that the H264 decoder 60 is shifted to the normal decoding process to complete the synchronization process. From this, it is possible to shorten the synchronization processing period from when the switching control to the H264 decoder 60 is performed until the H264 decoder 60 establishes synchronization, and it is possible to reduce a sense of discomfort for the user.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to realizing the shortening of the synchronization processing described above, the image data decoded by the decoder before switching while the switching destination decoder performs the synchronization processing. Is displayed as a still image, it is possible to reduce a sense of discomfort to the user or the like as compared with the prior art that performs black display.

  Further, the switching control unit 140 exclusively switches between the H264 decoder 60 and the MPEG-2 decoder 120, that is, when the H264 decoder 60 is operated, the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is stopped, and when the MPEG-2 decoder 120 is operated, H264. Since the decoder 60 is stopped, the processing load on each decoder can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the above-described ES buffer 50, IDR detection unit 80, IDR pointer holding unit 90, and PTS holding unit 100 are capable of seamless display display without interruption of the reproduced image even when such exclusive switching of the decoder is performed. The composition information storage processing means stores the PTS and access unit (AU) necessary for performing the synchronization process, and shortens the synchronization process using the stored PTS and access unit (AU). The fact that it was completed in time greatly contributed.

  In addition, the switching control unit 140 detects the reception state, and automatically controls switching between the MPEG-2 decoder 120 and the H264 decoder 60 according to the quality of the detected reception state. Sometimes a high-quality video service can be automatically provided, and a simple video service with good transmission quality can be automatically provided when the reception condition is poor, especially in mobile terminal devices such as mobile phones and automobiles. In a navigation system or the like, excellent convenience and operability can be provided to a user or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, the PTS and the access unit (AU) are transferred to the ES buffer by the composition information storage processing unit configured by the ES buffer 50, the IDR detection unit 80, the IDR pointer holding unit 90, and the PTS holding unit 100. When the data is stored in 50, it is stored while being updated so that the latest IDR access unit (IDR_AU) can always be obtained. However, such update processing may not be performed. That is, when the switching control unit 140 performs switching control to the H264 decoder 60 and the H264 decoder 60 performs synchronization processing, the decoding processing is performed based on the latest IDR access unit (IDR_AU) stored in the ES buffer 50. And the PTS determination unit 110 may determine a time relationship in which the presentation time is a time that is in the future from the completion of decoding (current time). That is, when storing the PTS and access unit (AU) in the ES buffer 50, it is not always necessary to store only the latest one IDR access unit, and a plurality of IDR access units may be stored. good. In short, the switching control to the H264 decoder 60 is performed, and when the H264 decoder 60 performs the synchronization process, the decoding process is started based on the latest IDR access unit (IDR_AU) stored in the ES buffer 50. You can do it.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the function of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus 50 ... ES buffer 60 ... H264 decoder 80 ... IDR detection part 90 ... IDR pointer holding part 100 ... PTS holding part 110 ... PTS determination part 120 ... MPEG-2 decoder 130 ... Video buffer 140 ... Switching control part

Claims (5)

A simple video in which the first decoder means for decoding the encoded and packetized high-definition video service stream, and the reference access unit and the non-reference access unit each having unique presentation time information are multiplexed. A second decoder means for decoding a service stream, comprising:
Controlling the operation and stop of the first decoding means and the second decoding means, stopping the second decoding means when operating the first decoding means, and operating the second decoding means Switching control means for stopping the first decoding means;
While the first decoding means is performing the decoding operation, the unique presentation time information and the access unit are sequentially stored in association with each other from the stream of the simple video service, and the first control means controls the first decoding means. Switching from the decoding operation of the decoding means to the decoding operation of the second decoding means, the latest reference among the access units stored during the decoding operation of the first decoding means Synchronization information storage processing means for causing the second decoder means to sequentially decode from the access unit at a higher speed than usual,
A current time at which the second decoder means completes the decoding of the access unit; a presentation time by unique presentation time information stored in the synchronization information storage processing means in association with the decoded access unit; When the presentation time is a time later than the current time, a determination unit that determines that synchronization is established and causes the second decoder unit to start normal decoding processing;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A video buffer for temporarily holding and displaying the image data decoded by the first decoding means and the second decoding means;
When the switching control means switches from the decoding operation of the first decoding means to the second decoding operation, the video buffer is based on the image data decoded by the first decoding means at the time of the switching. From the time of the switching, until the determination unit determines that synchronization is established and the second decoder unit starts normal decoding processing, a still image is displayed on the display.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The high-quality video service and the simple video service are services received by wireless receiving means,
The switching control unit determines whether or not the reception state in the wireless reception unit is good, and when the first decoding unit detects that the reception state has deteriorated during the decoding operation, the switching control unit performs the decoding operation of the second decoding unit. Switching,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first decoding means performs decoding conforming to the MPEG-2 Video system, and the second decoding means includes H.264 decoding. Decoding in accordance with H.264 / AVC format,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A first decoder step for decoding the encoded and packetized high-quality video service stream, and a simple video in which a reference access unit and a non-reference access unit each with unique presentation time information are multiplexed A second decoder step for decoding a stream of services, comprising:
The processing of the first decoding step and the second decoding step is controlled and stopped. When the processing of the first decoding step is performed, the second decoding step is stopped, and the processing of the second decoding step is performed. A switching control step of stopping the first decoding step when performing
During the decoding process in the first decoding step, the unique presentation time information and the access unit are sequentially stored in association with each other from the stream of the simple video service, and the first decoding is performed by the switching control step. When the process is switched to the second decoding process, the access units stored while the first decoding process is performing the decoding process sequentially from the latest reference access unit. A synchronization information storage processing step for decoding in the second decoder step;
A comparison is made between the current time when decoding of the access unit is completed in the second decoder step and the presentation time based on the unique presentation time information stored in the storage step in association with the decoded access unit. A determination step of determining that synchronization is established when the presentation time is a time later than the current time and starting a normal decoding process in the second decoder step;
An image processing method comprising:

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