JP2807456B2 - Image information recording medium and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a medium for recording image information such as sub-pictures reproduced simultaneously with a main picture, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sub-pictures superimposed on a main picture, such as an image displayed as a subtitle of a movie or a set value of a television volume, are roughly classified into two types, a character code system and a bit map data system. Has been realized.

[0003]

The character code system means that characters such as characters or patterns registered and prepared in advance are stored in a character recording area of a character generator, and a code assigned to the character is stored in the character generator. To display the desired character.

In this method, special hardware such as a character generator is required. However, since a character is displayed by giving a code, the bit map data of the character is sent to the display system as it is to display a sub-picture. However, the amount of data to be sent to the display system can be small. However, since only characters registered and prepared in advance can be displayed, the use of displaying sub-pictures by this method is limited.

On the other hand, in the case of the bitmap data system,
Since the bitmap data of the sub-picture is sent to the display system as it is, special hardware for generating the sub-picture from the code is not required. Further, since there is no limitation on the form of the sub-picture that can be displayed, the use of displaying the sub-picture is expanded.

However, in this method, the color data of the sub-picture, the color data of the sub-picture contour necessary for superimposing the sub-picture on the main picture, and the superimposition mixing ratio data of the main picture and the sub-picture are used. Must be provided for each pixel, and the amount of data to be sent to the display system is enormous.

Further, generally speaking, in the bitmap data system, data relating to all pixels of a display screen (hereinafter referred to as a frame) is sent to the display system regardless of the size of the sub-picture, so There is much useless data (see FIG. 50).

In either of the character code system and the bit map data system, even if the form of the displayed sub-picture does not change, basically, the sub-picture data is supplied every display frame period. This has to be continued, and more data is wasted in display time (see FIG. 51).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object of the present invention is to greatly reduce display space waste and display time waste of sub-picture data. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium for image information which is excellent in freedom of sub-picture expression and can secure a wide range of uses for sub-pictures.

A second object of the present invention is to greatly reduce the display space waste and display time waste of sub-picture data, and furthermore, have excellent freedom of sub-picture expression and secure a wide range of uses for sub-pictures. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing an image information recording medium that can be used.

[0011]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention has a recording track for recording a sub-picture which can be reproduced simultaneously with a main picture in packet units of a predetermined pack. Image information recording medium (O in FIG. 1)
D), a sub-picture packetized data packet (sub-picture packet data of FIG. 29 or SP of FIG. 3)
packi to j) constitute packet header information (3; PH) including a reproduction start time (PTS) of the sub-picture data packet expressed using a reference time, and display contents of the sub-picture. (32; PXD) including pixel data compressed by the method (compression rule in FIG. 5)
And one or more pieces of display control sequence information (3) indicating a control procedure for displaying the sub-picture using the sub-picture information.
3; DCSQT) and this display control sequence information (D
CSQT), and indicates the display start time (PSQ) included in the display control sequence information (DCSQT) and included in the packet header information (PH). Time stamp (SPDCT in FIG. 33)
S) and the size of the sub-picture information (SPDSZ in FIG. 4)
And sub-picture header information (31 in FIG. 4 or FIG. 29; SPUH) including a recording position (SPDCSQTA in FIG. 4) of the display control sequence information; the sub-picture header information (SPUH); The sub-picture information (PXD) and the display control sequence information (DCS
QT) constitutes a sub-picture data unit (30 in FIG. 3); one or more sub-picture data packets (SPpacki in FIG. 3)
To j) are recorded on the recording track (FIG. 1) in an array (FIG. 3) corresponding to the sub-picture data unit (30).

The display control sequence information (D in FIG. 32)
CSQT / DCSQ of FIG. 33 / SPDCCM of FIG.
D) is at least the display start time (STAD
SP), display end time (STPDSP), and recording position of the sub-picture data to be displayed (SETDSPXA)
And display control information groups (SETCOLOR, SETCONTR,
CHGCOLCON).

[0013]

Further, in order to achieve the first object,
An optical head (7 in FIG. 24) has a recording track in which a sub-image that can be reproduced simultaneously with the main image is packetized and recorded in predetermined pack units (2048-byte units).
06) on an optical disc (OD in FIG. 1 or FIG. 24) in which the information of the packet of the sub-picture can be reproduced in the pack unit by the reproducing device having the sub-picture packet (the sub-picture packet in FIG. 29). The data or SPpacki to j in FIG. 3 is a reproduction start time (PTS) of the sub-picture data packet expressed using a reference time.
And sub-picture information (3; PH), which constitutes the display content of the sub-picture, and includes pixel data compressed by a predetermined method (compression rule in FIG. 5).
PXD), one or more display control sequence information (33; DCSQT) indicating a control procedure for displaying the sub-picture using the sub-picture information, and display start of the display control sequence information (DCSQT). It indicates time and is included in the display control sequence information (DCSQT), and includes the packet header information (PH).
The time stamp recorded as a relative time since the reproduction start time (PTS) included in the
SPDCTS) and sub-picture header information (31 in FIG. 4 or FIG. 29; SPUH) including the size of the sub-picture information (SPDSZ in FIG. 4) and the recording position of the display control sequence information (SPDCSQTA in FIG. 4). The sub-picture header information (SPUH), the sub-picture data (PXD), and the display control sequence information (DCS).
QT) constitutes a sub-picture data unit (30 in FIG. 3); one or more sub-picture data packets (SPpacki in FIG. 3)
To j) are recorded on the recording track (FIG. 1) in an array (FIG. 3) corresponding to the sub-picture data unit (30); when the playback apparatus plays back the sub-picture, The arrangement of the above sub-picture data packets (SPpacki to
j) is recorded on the recording track (FIG. 1) so that it can be continuously reproduced by the optical head (706).

In order to achieve the second object, according to the present invention, a recording track (FIG. 1) in which a sub-picture which can be reproduced together with a main picture is packetized and recorded in a predetermined pack unit (2048 bytes). Image information recording medium (O
The manufacturing method of D) is as follows: (a) the packet of the sub-picture (SPpacki to j in FIG. 3)
Of the first time stamp (PT
S), and sub-picture information (FIG. 29; FIG. 29; FIG. 29; FIG. 29) which constitutes the sub-picture and includes pixel data (PXD) compressed by a predetermined method. 32) and display control sequence information (33 in FIG. 29; DCSQT) including one or more display control sequences (DCSQ0 to DCSQn in FIG. 32) for controlling the display of the sub-video using the sub-video information. And the recording position of the size of the sub-picture (SPDSZ in FIG. 4) and the display control sequence information (DCSQT) (SPDS in FIG. 4).
Sub-picture header information including DCSQTA) (31 in FIG. 4;
SPUH) and a second time recorded as a relative time after the first time stamp (PTS) is updated, indicating a display start time of information of the display control sequence (DCSQ). Stamp (SPD in FIG. 33)
(B) CTS) to encode a packet of the sub-picture (200 in FIG. 10); and (b) a medium master in which packet information of the sub-picture encoded in the encoding step is written (FIG. 10). (Step 204 in FIG. 10)
(C) the media master (2) created in the master creation step.
04), a medium production step (206 in FIG. 10) of recording the information encoded in the encoding step on one or more image information recording media (OD).

Here, the sub-picture header information (3 in FIG. 3)
1; SPUH), the compressed pixel data (3 in FIG. 3).
2; PXD) and the display control sequence information (FIG. 3)
33; DCSQT) constitutes a sub-picture data unit (30 in FIG. 3); and converts one or more of the sub-picture packets (SPpacki to j in FIG. 3) to correspond to the sub-picture data unit (30). The information can be recorded on the recording tracks in an array.

In the present invention, a medium (optical disk)
At least one display control sequence information (DCS
By using (QT), it is possible to significantly reduce the display space waste and display time waste of the sub-picture data, and to obtain the sub-picture expression freedom equivalent to that of the bitmap data system, and to realize a wide range of sub-pictures. Uses can be secured.

That is, according to the present invention, use range setting information (SETDSPXA) for setting a range to be used for display in sub-picture data is provided, and data other than the use range is not displayed, so that one frame can be displayed. It is possible to greatly reduce the display space waste of the data amount that occurs when all the data is sent to the display system.

Further, according to the present invention, color setting information (SETCOLOR) and mixture ratio setting information (SETCONTR) for each pixel type such as pattern pixels, frames, and background of sub-picture data are provided, and sub-picture display data is provided. By providing only the shape information of the video image, the same level of sub-video shape expression can be guaranteed with a smaller amount of data as compared with the conventional method in which color information and mixture ratio information are provided for each pixel.

Further, according to the present invention, color / mixing ratio change setting information for setting a change in color for each pixel type of sub-picture data and a change in mixing ratio for each pixel type of sub-picture data with respect to the main picture in pixel units. Since (CHGCOLCON) is provided, dynamic display of sub-pictures can be realized with the same accuracy as the conventional bitmap data system and with a smaller data amount than the bitmap data system.

It is to be noted that it is rare for the sub-picture to change the color information for each pixel, and there is no fear that the data amount of the color / mixing ratio change setting information itself becomes excessive.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the color of the sub-picture image changes, the sub-picture can be displayed over the display time of a plurality of frames using the same sub-picture data as long as the shape does not change. Therefore, waste of display time of the sub-picture data can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional method in which the sub-picture data must be continuously provided to the display system at the frame period regardless of the color / shape not changing.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image information encoding / decoding system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In order to avoid duplicate explanations,
Common reference numerals are used for functionally common parts in a plurality of drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 59 are diagrams for explaining an image information encoding / decoding system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a recording data structure of an optical disk OD as an example of an information storage medium to which the present invention can be applied.

This optical disk OD is, for example, about 5
It is a double-sided laminated disk with a storage capacity of G bytes,
A number of recording tracks are arranged between a lead-in area on the inner circumference side of the disc and a lead-out area on the outer circumference side of the disc. Each track is composed of a large number of logical sectors, and various information (appropriately compressed digital data) is stored in each sector.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of a video file recorded on the optical disk OD of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, this video file includes file management information 1 and video data 2. The video data 2 includes a video data block, an audio data block, a sub-picture data block, and information (DS) required for controlling the data reproduction.
I: Disk Search Information). Each block is divided into packets of a fixed data size for each type of data, for example. The video data block, the audio data block and the sub-picture data block are reproduced in synchronization with each other based on the DSI arranged immediately before these block groups.

That is, a system area for storing system data used in the disk OD, a volume management information area, and a plurality of file areas are formed in the aggregate of a plurality of logical sectors in FIG.

Of the plurality of file areas, for example, file 1 includes main video information (VIDEO in the drawing) and sub-video information (S in the drawing) having auxiliary contents for the main video.
UB-PICTURE), audio information (AUDI in the figure)
O), playback information (PLAYBACK INF in the figure)
O. ) Etc. are included.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the logical structure of a pack of encoded (run-length compressed) sub-picture information in the data structure shown in FIG.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 3, one pack of sub-picture information included in video data is composed of, for example, 2048 bytes (2 kB). One pack of the sub-picture information includes one or more sub-picture packets after the header of the first pack. The first sub-picture packet includes run-length compressed sub-picture data (SP DATA1) after the header of the packet. Similarly,
The second sub-picture packet has run-length compressed sub-picture data (SP DA) after the header of the packet.
TA2).

Such a plurality of sub-picture data (SP D
ATA1, SP DATA2,...) Are collected for one unit (one unit) of run-length compression, that is, the sub-picture data unit 30 is provided with a sub-picture unit header 31. After the sub-picture unit header 31, 1
Video data for a unit (for example, 1
Pixel data 32 obtained by performing run-length compression on horizontal line data) and a table 33 including display control sequence information of each sub-picture pack follow.

In other words, the run length compressed data 30 for one unit is composed of one or more sub-picture data sub-picture data portions (SP DATA1, SP DATA2,...).
Is formed by a collection of The sub-picture data unit 30 includes a sub-picture unit header SPUH31 in which various parameters for sub-picture display are recorded, and display data (compressed pixel data) PX composed of a run-length code.
D32 and a display control sequence table DCSQT33
It is composed of

FIG. 4 illustrates a part of the contents of the sub-picture unit header 31 in the run-length compressed data 30 for one unit illustrated in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 31 for the other part of the SPUH 31). . Here, a description will be given of data of a sub-video (for example, subtitles corresponding to a movie scene of the main video) recorded and transmitted (communicated) together with a main video (for example, a video main body of a movie).

As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-picture unit header SPUH31 includes sub-picture pixel data (display data).
32 start address SPDDDR and the pixel data 32
End address SPEDAD of the pixel data 32 and T
The display size on the V screen, that is, the display start position and the display range (width and height) SPDSZ, and the recording start position SPDCSQTA of the display control sequence table 33 in the sub-picture data packet are recorded.

In some cases, the SPUH 31
The background color SPCHI specified by the system, the sub-picture color SPCINFO specified by the system, and the palette color number SPADJINF of the emphasized color specified by the system.
O, the modification information SPMOD of the sub-picture pixel data 32,
Mixing ratio SPC of sub-picture (SP) to main picture (MP)
The ONT, the start timing of the sub-video (corresponding to the frame number of the main video) SPDST, and the start addresses SPLine1 to SPLineN of the decoded data for each line may be recorded.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the start addresses SPLine1 to SPLineN of the decode data for each line are not included in the SPUH 31, but are provided for each of a plurality of sub-picture fields.

More specifically, in the sub-picture unit header SPUH31, as shown in FIG. 4, various parameters (such as SPDDADR) having the following contents are recorded: (1) Following this header Start address information (SPDDDR: relative address from the head of the header) of display data (pixel data of sub-picture); and (2) end address information of this display data (SPEDA).
(3) information (SP) indicating a display start position and a display range (width and height) of the display data on the monitor screen;
(4) recording start position information (display control sequence table start address SPDCSQTA of sub-picture) of the display control sequence table 33 in the packet.

In one of various possible embodiments of the present invention, the sub-picture unit header SPUH31
May include the following: (5) Information (SPCH) indicating the background color specified by the system (the number of the 16-color pallet set in the story information table or the display control sequence table)
(I) and (6) information (SPC) indicating the sub-picture color specified by the system (the number of 16-color pallets set in the story information table or the display control sequence table)
(INFO) and (7) information (SPAJ) indicating the sub-picture emphasis color (color palette number set in the story information table or the display control sequence table) specified by the system.
(8) sub-picture image mode information (SPMOD) designated by the system and indicating non-interlaced field mode or interlaced frame mode, etc. (pixel data to be compressed is composed of various bit numbers) At this time, the number of bits of the pixel data can be specified by the content of the mode information.); (9) information (SPCONT) indicating the mixture ratio of the sub-image and the main image specified by the system; (10) ) Information (SPDST) indicating the display start timing of the sub-picture by the frame number of the main picture (for example, MPEG I-picture frame number); and (11) the start of the encoded data of the first to Nth lines of the sub-picture. Information (SPlin1 to SPlin) indicating an address (relative address from the head of the sub-picture unit header)
N).

The information SPCONT indicating the mixing ratio of the sub-picture and the main picture is, for example, (system set value) /
16 or (system set value) / 255 indicates the mixing ratio of the sub-picture, and (16-set value) / 16 or (255)
−set value) / 255 indicates the mixture ratio of the main video.

In the sub-picture unit header 31 (or each sub-picture field), the start address (SPLine1-SPLineN) of the decode data for each line is provided.
Exists. For this reason, the designation of the decoding start line is performed by the microcomputer (MPU or CP) on the decoder side.
U) or the like, it is possible to realize scrolling of only the sub-picture on the display screen.
(This scroll will be described later with reference to FIG. 21.) By the way, depending on the embodiment of the present invention, how the sub-picture corresponds to the TV field / frame of the NTSC system is included in the sub-picture unit header 31. A field / frame mode (SPMOD) indicating whether to perform the recording can be recorded.

Normally, bit "0" is written in this field / frame mode recording section (SPMOD). On the decoder side receiving such a sub-picture data unit 30, the bit "0" determines that the mode is the frame mode (non-interlace mode).
The received code data is decoded line by line. Then, a decoded image as illustrated in the lower left of FIG. 8 is output from the decoder, and is displayed on a display screen such as a monitor or a television (TV).

On the other hand, if bit "1" is written in the field / frame mode recording unit (SPMOD), the decoder determines that the mode is the field mode (interlace mode). In this case, after the code data is decoded line by line, the same data is continuously output for two lines as illustrated in the lower right of FIG. Then, a screen corresponding to the TV interlace mode is obtained. As a result, although the image quality is lower than that in the frame mode (non-interlace mode), an image having twice the amount of the same data amount as the frame mode can be displayed.

The pixel data (run-length data) 32 of the sub-picture shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 satisfies any of the run-length compression rules 1 to 6 or the run-length compression rules 11 to 15 shown in FIG. Depending on what is applied
The data length (variable length) of one unit is determined. Then, encoding (run-length compression) and decoding (run-length decompression) are performed with the determined data length.

Rules 1 to 6 in FIG. 5 are used when the pixel data to be compressed has a plurality of bits (here, 2 bits), and rules 11 to 15 in FIG. Used if

Whether the run length compression rules 1 to 6 or the run length compression rules 11 to 15 are used is determined by the content of the parameter SPMOD in the sub-picture unit header 31 (see the vicinity of the center of the lower table in FIG. 4). (Such as a bit width flag). For example, when the bit width flag of the parameter SPMOD is “1”, the pixel data to be run-length compressed is 2-bit data, and rules 1 to 6 in FIG. 5 are used. On the other hand, when the bit width flag of the parameter SPMOD is “0”, the pixel data to be run-length compressed is 1-bit data, and the rules 11 to 15 in FIG. 6 are used.

Now, when the pixel data can have a 1, 2, 3 or 4 bit configuration, four types of compression rule groups A, B, C and D are prepared corresponding to these bit configuration values. Assume that In this case, the parameter SPMOD
Is a 2-bit flag, the flag “00” specifies 1-bit pixel data using rule group A, the flag “01” specifies 2-bit pixel data using rule group B, and the flag “10” specifies rule data. The 3-bit pixel data using the group C can be specified, and the 4-bit pixel data using the rule group D can be specified by the flag “11”. Here, for the compression rule group A, the rules 11 to 15 in FIG.
Can use rules 1 to 6 in FIG. The compression rule groups C and D are obtained by appropriately changing the encoding header, the number of continuous pixels, the configuration bit value of pixel data, and the number of rules in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the sub-picture pixel data (run-length data) 32 shown in FIG. 4 is composed of a plurality of bits (here, 2 bits) of pixel data.
4 is a diagram for explaining run length compression rules 1 to 6 employed in the encoding method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the sub-picture pixel data (run-length data) 32 illustrated in FIG. 4 is composed of 2-bit pixel data.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for specifically explaining No. 6;

According to rule 1 shown in the first column of FIG. 5, when one to three identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded (run-length compressed) data is constituted by 4-bit data. In this case, the first two bits represent the number of continuous pixels, and the following two bits represent pixel data (such as pixel color information).

For example, the first compressed data unit CU01 of the video data PXD before compression shown in the upper part of FIG.
Two 2-bit pixel data d0, d1 = (0000) b
(B indicates binary). In this example, two identical 2-bit pixel data (00) b are continuous (continuous).

In this case, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, d0 and d1 = (1000) b which connect the 2-bit display (10) b of the continuation number "2" and the content (00) b of the pixel data are obtained. ,
It becomes the data unit CU01 * of the video data PXD after compression.

In other words, according to rule 1, the data unit C
(0000) b of U01 is (1) of data unit CU01 *.
000) b. In this example, no substantial bit length compression is obtained, but for example, the same pixel (00)
If b is three consecutive CU01 = (000000) b, CU01 * = (1100) b after compression, and 2
A bit compression effect is obtained.

According to rule 2 shown in the second column of FIG. 5, when 4 to 15 identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 8-bit data. In this case, the first two bits represent a coded header indicating that it is based on rule 2, and the following 4
The bit represents the number of continuous pixels, and the subsequent two bits represent pixel data.

For example, the second compressed data unit CU02 of the video data PXD before compression shown in the upper part of FIG.
Are five 2-bit pixel data d2, d3, d4, d
5, d6 = (0101010101) b.
In this example, the same 2-bit pixel data (01) b is 5
It is continuous (continuous).

In this case, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the encoded header (00) b, the 4-bit display (0101) b of the continuation number "5", and the content (01) b of the pixel data are connected. d2 to d6 = (00010101) b are the data units CU02 * of the compressed video data PXD.

In other words, according to rule 2, the data unit C
(0101010101) b of U02 (10-bit length)
Is (00010101) b (8) of the data unit CU02 *.
(Bit length). In this example, the effective bit length compression amount is only 2 bits from 10 bits to 8 bits. However, when the continuation number is, for example, 15 (30 bits long since 15 CU02 01s are continuous), this is 8 bits. Of compressed data (CU02 * = 00111101)
A compression effect of 22 bits can be obtained for 30 bits.
That is, the bit compression effect based on Rule 2 is greater than that of Rule 1. However, rule 1 is also required to support run-length compression of a fine image with high resolution.

According to rule 3 shown in the third column of FIG. 5, when 16 to 63 identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 12-bit data. In this case, the first 4 bits represent an encoding header indicating that the rule is based on Rule 3, the following 6 bits represent the number of continuous pixels, and the subsequent 2 bits represent pixel data.

For example, the third compressed data unit CU03 of the video data PXD before compression shown in the upper part of FIG.
Are 16 2-bit pixel data d7 to d22 = (10
1010... 1010) b. In this example, 16 pieces of the same 2-bit pixel data (10) b are continuous (continuous).

In this case, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the encoded header (0000) b, the 6-bit display (010000) b of the continuation number "16", and the content of the pixel data (10) b
And d7 to d22 = (000000100001)
0) b is the data unit CU of the compressed video data PXD
03 *.

In other words, according to rule 3, the data unit C
(101010... 1010) b (32-bit length) of U03 is (000000001000) of the data unit CU03 *.
010) b (12-bit length). In this example, the substantial bit length compression amount is 20 bits from 32 bits to 12 bits, but the continuation number is, for example, 63 (CU0
In the case of 63 consecutive 10s of 3 and a length of 126 bits, this is 12-bit compressed data (CU03 * = 00).
0011111110), and a compression effect of 114 bits can be obtained for 126 bits. That is, the bit compression effect based on Rule 3 is greater than that of Rule 2.

According to rule 4 shown in the fourth column of FIG. 5, when 64 to 255 identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 16-bit data. In this case, the first 6 bits represent a coded header indicating that it is based on rule 4,
The subsequent 8 bits represent the number of continuous pixels, and the subsequent 2 bits represent pixel data.

For example, the fourth compressed data unit CU04 of the video data PXD before compression shown in the upper part of FIG.
Are 69 2-bit pixel data d23 to d91 = (1
11111... 1111) b. In this example, 69 pieces of the same 2-bit pixel data (11) b are continuous (continuous).

In this case, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the encoded header (000000) b, the 8-bit display (00100101) b of the continuation number “69”, and the content (11) b of the pixel data are connected. d23 to d91 = (000000)
0010010111) b is the compressed video data PX
D data unit CU04 *.

In other words, according to rule 4, the data unit C
(111111... 1111) b (138-bit length) of U04 is (00000000) of data unit CU04 *.
10010111) converted to b (16-bit length).
In this example, the substantial bit length compression amount is 122 bits from 138 bits to 16 bits, but the continuation number is, for example, 255 (because 11 of CU01 continue 255, 51
In the case of (0-bit length), this becomes 16-bit compressed data (CU04 * = 000001111111111), and a 494-bit compression effect is obtained for 510 bits. That is, the bit compression effect based on Rule 4 is
Larger than that of Rule 3.

According to rule 5 shown in the fifth column of FIG. 5, when the same pixel continues from the switching point of the encoded data unit to the end of the line, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 16-bit data. In this case, the first 14 bits represent an encoded header indicating that the data is based on rule 5, and the following 2 bits represent pixel data.

For example, the fifth compressed data unit CU05 of the video data PXD before compression shown in the upper part of FIG.
Is one or more 2-bit pixel data d92 to dn = (0
00000... 0000) b. In this example, the same two-bit pixel data (00) b is continuous (continuous) in a finite number. However, in rule 5, the number of continuous pixels may be one or more.

In this case, as shown at the bottom of FIG. 9, d92 to dn = (0) in which the encoded header (00000000000000) b and the content (00) b of the pixel data are connected.
000000000000000000) b is the data unit CU05 * of the compressed video data PXD.

In other words, according to rule 5, the data unit C
(00000000 ... 0000) b (unspecified bit length) of U05 is (00000000) of data unit CU05 *.
00000000) b (16 bits long).
In rule 5, the same pixel continuation number up to the line end is 16
With a bit length or more, a compression effect can be obtained.

According to rule 6 shown in the sixth column of FIG. 5, when one pixel line in which data to be encoded is arranged ends, the length of one line of compressed data PXD is not an integral multiple of 8 bits (ie, When the data is not byte-aligned, 4-bit dummy data is added so that the compressed data PXD for one line is in units of bytes (that is, byte-aligned).

For example, data units CU01 * to CU05 * of the compressed video data PXD shown in the lower part of FIG.
Is always an integral multiple of 4 bits, but is not necessarily an integral multiple of 8 bits.

For example, data units CU01 * to CU05
If the total bit length of * is 1020 bits and 4 bits are insufficient for byte alignment, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, 4-bit dummy data CU06 * =
(0000) b is added to the end of the 1,020 bits to generate a byte-aligned 1024-bit data unit CU0.
1 * to CU06 * are output.

Note that 2-bit pixel data is not necessarily 4 bits.
The present invention is not limited to the display of the types of pixel colors. For example, pixel data (00) b represents a background pixel of a sub-picture,
The pixel data (01) b represents a sub-picture pattern pixel,
The pixel data (10) b represents the first emphasized pixel of the sub-picture,
The pixel data (11) b may represent the second emphasized pixel of the sub-picture.

If the number of bits constituting the pixel data is larger, another type of sub-picture pixel can be specified. For example, when the pixel data is composed of 3-bit (000) b to (111) b, the maximum of eight types of pixel colors +
Pixel type (emphasis effect) can be specified.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the sub-picture pixel data (run-length data) 32 illustrated in FIG. 4 is composed of 1-bit pixel data, which is employed in the encoding method according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is a description of run-length compression rules 11 to 15 shown in FIG.

According to rule 11 shown in the first column of FIG. 6, when one to seven identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded (run-length compressed) data is constituted by 4-bit data. In this case, the first three bits indicate the number of continuous pixels, and the next one bit indicates pixel data (eg, information on pixel type). For example, if the 1-bit pixel data is "0", it indicates a background pixel of the sub-picture, and if it is "1", it indicates a pattern pixel of the sub-picture.

According to rule 12 shown in the second column of FIG. 6, when 8 to 15 identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 8-bit data. In this case, the first three bits represent an encoding header (for example, 000) indicating that the rule is based on rule 12, the following four bits represent the number of continuous pixels, and the subsequent one bit represents pixel data.

According to rule 13 shown in the third column of FIG. 6, if 16 to 127 identical pixels continue, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 12-bit data. In this case, the first 4
A bit indicates an encoding header (for example, 0000) indicating that the rule is based on rule 13, the next 7 bits indicate the number of continuous pixels, and the subsequent 1 bit indicates pixel data.

According to rule 14 shown in the fourth column of FIG. 6, when the same pixel continues from the switching point of the encoded data unit to the end of the line, one unit of encoded data is constituted by 8-bit data. In this case, the first seven bits are used for rule 1
4 (for example, 0000)
000), and the following 1 bit represents pixel data.

According to rule 15 shown in the fifth column of FIG. 6, when one pixel line in which data to be encoded is arranged ends, the length of one line of compressed data PXD is not an integral multiple of 8 bits (ie, When the data is not byte-aligned, 4-bit dummy data is added so that the compressed data PXD for one line is in units of bytes (that is, byte-aligned).

Next, an image encoding method (an encoding method using run-length compression encoding) will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 shows that the pixel data constituting the sub-picture pixel data (run-length data) 32 illustrated in FIG.
For example, it is composed of first to ninth lines, and 2
Pixels having a bit configuration (having a maximum of four types of contents) are arranged, and character patterns "A" and "B" are represented by 2-bit pixels on each line. In this case, how the pixel data of each line is encoded (run-length compressed) will be specifically described.

As exemplified in the upper part of FIG. 7, the source image is composed of three types (up to four types) of pixel data. That is, the 2-bit image data (00) b indicates the pixel color of the background of the sub-picture, and the 2-bit image data (01) b indicates the pixel colors of characters "A" and "B" in the sub-picture. The emphasized pixel colors for the sub-picture characters "A" and "B" are indicated by the 2-bit image data (10) b.

When an original image including the characters "A" and "B" is scanned by a scanner or the like, these character patterns are read in units of one pixel from left to right for each scanning line. The video data thus read is input to an encoder (200 in the embodiment of FIG. 10 described later) that performs run-length compression based on the present invention.

This encoder uses the rule 1 described with reference to FIG.
-A microcomputer (MPU or C) that runs software that executes run-length compression based on Rule 6.
PU). This encoder software will be described later with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

The encoding process for run-length-compressing the sequential bit strings of the character patterns “A” and “B” read in units of one pixel will be described below.

In the example of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the source image has three pixel colors. Therefore, the video data to be encoded (the sequential bit strings of the character patterns "A" and "B") have the background pixel color. "." Is replaced with 2-bit pixel data (0
0) b, the character pixel color “#” is represented by 2-bit pixel data (01) b, and the emphasized pixel color “o” is represented by 2-bit pixel data (10) b. This pixel data (00,
The bit number (= 2) such as 01 is sometimes called a pixel width.

For simplicity, in the example of FIG. 7, the display width of the video data to be encoded (sub-video data) is 16 pixels, and the number of scanning lines (display height) is 9 lines.

First, pixel data (sub-picture data) obtained from the scanner is once converted into a run-length value before compression by a microcomputer.

That is, taking the first line at the top of FIG. 7 as an example, three continuous images “...” Are converted to (· * 3), and one subsequent “o” is converted to (o). * 1), one subsequent "#" is converted to (# * 1), one subsequent "o" is converted to (o * 1), and the subsequent triple image "." .. "is converted to (. * 3), the subsequent one" o "is converted to (o * 1), and the subsequent quadruple image"##
"##" is converted to (# * 4), followed by one "o"
Is converted to (o * 1), and the last "."
Is converted to 1).

As a result, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 7, the pre-compression run-length data of the first line is “· * 3 / o *
1 / # * 1 / o * 1 / · * 3 / o * 1 / # * 4 / o * 1
/.*1 ". This data is composed of a combination of image information such as a character pixel color and the number of continuous pixels indicating the number of continuations.

Similarly, the pixel data strings on the second to ninth lines in the upper part of FIG. 7 become run-length data strings before compression as shown in the second to ninth lines in the middle part of FIG.

Here, paying attention to the data of the first line, since three background pixel colors "." Continue from the start of the line, the compression rule 1 in FIG. 5 is applied. As a result, the first "..." of the first line, that is, (· * 3)
Is 2 bits (11) representing “3” and the background pixel color “•”
Is encoded into (1100) obtained by combining (00) with.

The next data on the first line has only one "o", so the rule 1 is also applied. As a result, [o] next to the first line, that is, (o * 1) is 2 representing “1”.
It is encoded to (0110) which is a combination of bit (01) and (10) representing the emphasized pixel color “o”.

Further, since the next data has one "#", the rule 1 is also applied. As a result, the next [#] on the first line, that is, (# * 1) is (0101) obtained by combining two bits (01) representing "1" and (01) representing the character pixel color "#". Encoded. (The portion related to # is surrounded by broken lines in the middle and lower parts of FIG. 7.) Similarly, (o * 1) is encoded as (0110), and (• * 3) is encoded as (1100). Encoded as (o
* 1) is encoded into (0110).

Since the data following the first line has four "#" s, the compression rule 2 shown in FIG. 5 is applied. As a result, this [#] on the first line, that is, (# * 4) is a 2-bit header (00) indicating that rule 2 has been applied.
And 4 bits (0100) representing the number of continuous pixels “4”;
A combination of (01) representing the character pixel color “#” (0
0010001). (The portion related to # is shown surrounded by a broken line.) Since the data after the first line has one "o", Rule 1 is applied. As a result, this [o], that is, (o * 1) is a combination of two bits (01) representing “1” and (10) representing the emphasized pixel color “o” (011).
0).

Since the last data on the first line has one ".", Rule 1 is applied. As a result, this [•], that is, (• * 1) is a combination of two bits (01) representing “1” and (00) representing the background pixel color “•” (01).
00).

As described above, the run-length data before compression for the first line ". * 3 / o * 1 / # * 1 / o * 1 /
* 3 / o * 1 / # * 4 / o * 1 /.* 1 "is (11
00) (0110) (0101) (0110) (110
0) (0110) (00010001) (0110)
Run-length compression is performed as in (0100), and encoding of the first line is completed.

In the same manner, encoding proceeds up to the eighth line. In the ninth line, one line is occupied by the same background pixel color “•”. In this case, FIG.
Compression rule 5 is applied. As a result, the pre-compression run-length data “• * 16” on the ninth line indicates that the same background pixel color “•” continues to the line end 1
4-bit header (000000000000000)
And 2-bit pixel data (0
0) and 16-bit (00000000)
0000000000).

The encoding based on the rule 5 is as follows.
It is also applied when the data to be compressed starts from the middle of the line and continues to the end of the line.

FIG. 10 explains the flow from mass production to reproduction on the user side of a high-density optical disk having image information (31 + 32 + 33 in FIG. 3) encoded according to the present invention; From broadcast / cable distribution of image information to user /
It is a block diagram explaining the flow until reception / reproduction in a subscriber.

For example, when pre-compression run-length data as shown in the middle part of FIG. 7 is input to the encoder 200 of FIG. 10, the encoder 200 performs input processing by software processing based on compression rules 1 to 6 of FIG. The resulting data is run-length compressed (encoded).

When data having a logical configuration as shown in FIG. 2 is recorded on the optical disc OD as shown in FIG.
The run-length compression processing (encoding processing) by the 0 encoder 200 is performed on the sub-picture data of FIG.

Various data necessary for completing the optical disc OD are also input to the encoder 200 shown in FIG. These data are, for example, MPEG (Mortion
The compressed digital data is compressed according to the standards of the Picture Expert Group and the laser cutting machine 202
Or sent to the modulator / transmitter 210.

In the laser cutting machine 202, MPEG compressed data from the encoder 200 is cut on a mother disk (not shown), and an optical disk master 204 is manufactured.

Mass production facility 20 for two-layer high-density optical disc
In step 6, the master 204 is used as a template to transfer the master information to a laser light reflecting film on a polycarbonate substrate having a thickness of 0.6 mm, for example. A large amount of two polycarbonate substrates onto which different pieces of master information have been transferred are bonded together to form a 1.2 mm thick double-sided optical disk (or single-sided reading double-sided disk).

The bonded high-density optical disk OD mass-produced in the facility 206 is distributed to various markets and reaches the user.

The distributed disk OD is reproduced by the reproduction device 300 of the user. The device 300 includes a decoder 101 for restoring data encoded by the encoder 200 to original information. The information decoded by the decoder 101 is sent to, for example, a user's monitor TV and is visualized. Thus, the end user can enjoy the original video information from the mass-distributed disc OD.

On the other hand, the compressed information sent from encoder 200 to modulator / transmitter 210 is modulated according to a predetermined standard and transmitted. For example, the compressed video information from the encoder 200 is satellite broadcast (212) together with the corresponding audio information. Alternatively, the compressed video information from the encoder 200 is transmitted by cable (212) together with the corresponding audio information.

The compressed video / audio information broadcast or transmitted by cable is received by a receiver / demodulator 400 of a user or a subscriber. The receiver / demodulator 400 includes a decoder 101 for restoring data encoded by the encoder 200 to original information. Decoder 101
Is decoded, for example, by the user's monitor TV.
To be visualized. Thus, the end user can enjoy the original video information from the compressed video information broadcast or transmitted by cable.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an embodiment (non-interlace specification) of decoder hardware for executing image decoding (run-length expansion) based on the present invention. Run-length compressed sub-picture data SP
Decoder 1 for decoding D (corresponding to data 32 in FIG. 3)
01 (see FIG. 10) can be configured as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a sub-picture data decoder for extending the length of a signal including the run-length-compressed pixel data in the format shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, sub-picture decoder 101 receives data I / O to which sub-picture data SPD is input.
O102; memory 10 for storing sub-picture data SPD
8, a memory control unit 105 for controlling the read / write operation of the memory 108; and a continuous code length of one unit (one block) from the run information of the code data (run-length compressed pixel data) read from the memory 108. (Encoded header), and a continuation code length detection unit 106 for outputting the continuation code length separation information; and a code data cutout for extracting one block of code data according to the information from the continuation code length detection unit 106. A dividing unit 103; a signal output from the code data dividing unit 103 and indicating run information of one compression unit;
06 and the data bit "0"
Indicates the number of consecutive "0" bits (period signal) from the beginning of the code data for one block from the beginning.
And a run length setting unit 107 that calculates the number of continuous pixels in one block from these signals; and receives the pixel color information from the code data separation unit 103 and the period signal output from the run length setting unit 107. , Pixel color output unit 104 that outputs color information only during that period (Fast-in / Fast-out type)
; The sub-picture data SPD read from the memory 108
The microcomputer 112 reads the header data therein (see FIG. 4) and performs various processing settings and controls based on the read data; an address control unit 109 that controls a read / write address of the memory 108; An insufficient pixel color setting unit 111 in which color information is set by the microcomputer 112;
It comprises a display validity permitting section 110 for determining a display area when a sub-picture is displayed on a V screen or the like.

As will be described with reference to FIGS. 53 to 57, a system timer 120 and a buffer 121 are connected to the MPU 112 of the decoder 101.

The above explanation will be described again in another way.
It looks like this: That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the run-length compressed sub-picture data SPD is
Via O102, it is sent to the bus inside the decoder 101. The data SPD sent to the bus is sent to the memory 108 via the memory control unit 105, where it is stored. The internal bus of the decoder 101 is connected to the code data separating unit 103, the continuous code length detecting unit 106, and the microcomputer (MPU or CPU) 112.

The sub-picture unit header 31 of the sub-picture data read from the memory 108 is read by the microcomputer 112. Microcomputer 1
12 sets the decoding start address (SPDDDR) in the address control unit 109 from the read header 31 based on the various parameters shown in FIG. The information (SPDSZ) with the display height is set, and the code data separating unit 10 is set.
3 is set to the display width (the number of dots on a line) of the sub-picture. The set various information is stored in each section (109, 110, 10
It is stored in the internal register of 3). After that, various information stored in the register is transferred to the microcomputer 112.
Will be accessible.

The address control unit 109 accesses the memory 108 via the memory control unit 105 based on the decoding start address (SPDDDR) set in the register, and starts reading sub-picture data to be decoded. The sub-picture data thus read from the memory 108 is supplied to the code data cutout unit 103 and the continuous code length detection unit 106.

Run length compressed sub-picture data SP
The coded header of D (2 to 14 bits in rules 2 to 5 in FIG. 5) is detected by the continuation code length detection unit 106, and the number of continuation pixels of the same pixel data in the data SPD is determined by the continuation code length detection unit 106. Run length setting unit 1 based on signal
07.

That is, the continuation code length detection unit 106
By counting the number of "0" bits of the data read from the memory 108, the encoded header (see FIG. 5) is detected. The detecting unit 106 supplies the code data separating unit 103 with the information SEP. I
NFO. give.

The code data separating section 103 receives the provided separating information SEP. INFO. , The number of continuous pixels (run information) is set in the run length setting unit 107, and the pixel data (SEPARATED DATA; here, the pixel color) is set in the FIFO type pixel color output unit 104. At this time, the code data separating unit 103 counts the number of pixels of the sub-picture data, and compares the pixel count value with the display width of the sub-picture (the number of pixels in one line).

If the byte is not aligned at the time when the decoding of one line is completed (that is, the data bit length of one line is not a multiple of 8), the code data separating unit 103 outputs the last 4 bits on the line. Bit data is regarded as dummy data added at the time of encoding, and is discarded.

The run length setting section 107 outputs the pixel color output section 104 based on the number of continuous pixels (run information), the pixel dot clock (DOTCLK), and the horizontal / vertical synchronization signal (H-SYNC / V-SYNC). Is supplied with a signal (PERIOD SIGNAL) for outputting pixel data. Then, while the pixel data output signal (PERIOD SIGNAL) is active (that is, during the period of outputting the same pixel color), the pixel color output unit 104 decodes the pixel data from the code data separation unit 103 into a decoded display. Output as data.

At this time, if the decoding start line has been changed by an instruction from the microcomputer 112, there may be a line without run information. In this case, the missing pixel color setting unit 111 supplies the preset missing pixel color data (COLOR INFO.) To the pixel color output unit 104. Then, while the line data without the run information is given to the code data separating unit 103, the pixel color output unit 104 outputs the insufficient pixel color setting unit 111.
And outputs the missing pixel color data (COLOR INFO.).

That is, in the case of the decoder 101 in FIG. 11, if there is no image data in the input sub-picture data SPD, the microcomputer 112 sets the insufficient pixel color information in the insufficient pixel color setting unit 111 accordingly. It has become.

A display enable signal (Display Enable) for determining at which position on the monitor screen the decoded sub-picture is to be displayed is supplied to the pixel color output unit 104 in synchronization with the horizontal / vertical synchronization of the sub-picture image. Synchronized with the signal, it is provided from a display activation permitting section (Display Activator) 110. Further, based on a color information instruction from the microcomputer 112, a color switching signal is sent from the permission unit 110 to the output unit 104.

After setting the processing by the microcomputer 112, the address control unit 109
Address data and various timing signals are transmitted to the continuation code length detection unit 106, the code data separation unit 103, and the run length setting unit 107.

When a pack of sub-picture data SPD is fetched via data I / O section 102 and stored in memory 108, the contents of the pack header (decoding start address, decoding end address, display The microcomputer 112 reads the start position, display width, display height, and the like. The microcomputer 112 sets a decode start address, a decode end address, a display start position, a display width, a display height, and the like in the display validity permitting unit 110 based on the read content.
At this time, the number of bits of the compressed pixel data (here, the pixel data is 2 bits) is determined as shown in FIG.
Can be determined by the content of the sub-picture unit header 31.

The operation of the decoder 101 in FIG. 11 will be described below in the case where the compressed pixel data has a 2-bit configuration (the rules of use are rules 1 to 6 in FIG. 5).

When the microcomputer 112 sets the decode start address, the address control unit 1
09 sends the address data corresponding to the memory control unit 105 and sends a read start signal to the continuous code length detection unit 106.

The continuation code length detection unit 106 sends a read signal to the memory control unit 105 in response to the read start signal sent, and sends encoded data (compressed sub-picture data 3
Read 2). Then, in this detection unit 106,
It is checked whether all the upper two bits of the read data are "0".

If they are not "0", it is determined that the block length of the compression unit is 4 bits (see rule 1 in FIG. 5).

If those (upper 2 bits) are “0”, the subsequent 2 bits (upper 4 bits) are checked. If they are not “0”, it is determined that the block length of the compression unit is 8 bits (see rule 2 in FIG. 5).

If those (upper 4 bits) are "0", the following 2 bits (upper 6 bits) are checked. If they are not “0”, it is determined that the block length of the compression unit is 12 bits (see rule 3 in FIG. 5).

If those (upper 6 bits) are “0”, the subsequent 8 bits (upper 14 bits) are checked. If they are not “0”, it is determined that the block length of the compression unit is 16 bits (Rule 4 in FIG. 5).
reference).

If these (upper 14 bits) are “0”, it is determined that the block length of the compression unit is 16 bits and the same pixel data continues until the line end (rule 5 in FIG. 5). reference).

If the number of bits of the pixel data read up to the line end is an integral multiple of eight, the pixel data is left unchanged.
If it is not an integral multiple of, it is determined that 4-bit dummy data is necessary at the end of the read data to realize byte alignment (see rule 6 in FIG. 5).

[0138] The code data separating unit 103 determines whether the memory 1
08, one block (one compression unit) of the sub-picture data 32 is extracted. Then, in the separation unit 103, the extracted data for one block is separated into the number of continuous pixels and pixel data (such as pixel color information). The data of the number of continuous pixels (RUN INFO.) Thus divided is sent to the run length setting unit 107, and the divided pixel data (SEPARATED DATA) is outputted to the pixel color output unit 10.
4

On the other hand, the display validity permitting section 110 receives the display start position information received from the microcomputer 112,
A pixel dot clock (PIXEL-DOT) supplied from outside the device according to the display width information and the display height information.
CLK), a horizontal synchronizing signal (H-SYNC), and a vertical synchronizing signal (V-SYNC) to generate a display permission signal (enable signal) for designating a sub-video display period.
This display permission signal is output to run length setting section 107.

The run length setting section 107 outputs a signal which is output from the continuous code length detecting section 106 and indicates whether or not the current block data continues to the line end, and a signal from the code data separating section 103. Continuation pixel data (R
UN INFO. ) Is sent. Run length setting unit 107
Determines the number of pixel dots covered by the block being decoded based on the signal from the detection unit 106 and the data from the separation unit 103, and during a period corresponding to this number of dots,
It is configured to output a display permission signal (output enable signal) to the pixel color output unit 104.

The pixel color output unit 104 includes the run length setting unit 10
7 during the signal reception period, and during that period, the pixel color information received from the code data separation unit 103 is transmitted to the pixel dot clock (PIXEL-DOT CL).
In synchronization with K), the data is transmitted to a display device (not shown) as decoded display data. That is, the same display data as the number of continuous dots of the pixel pattern of the block being decoded is output from the pixel color output unit 104.

When the continuation code length detection unit 106 determines that the encoded data is the same pixel color data until the line end, the continuation code length detection unit 106 sends the continuation code length 1 to the code data separation unit 103.
A signal for 6 bits is output, and a signal indicating that the pixel color data is the same until the line end is output to the run length setting unit 107.

When the run length setting section 107 receives the above signal from the detection section 106, the run length setting section 107 sets the pixel color so that the color information of the encoded data keeps the enable state until the horizontal synchronization signal H-SYNC becomes inactive. An output enable signal (period signal) is output to the output unit 104.

When the microcomputer 112 changes the decoding start line in order to scroll the display contents of the sub-picture, there is no data line to be used for decoding in the preset display area (that is, the decoding line). May be insufficient).

In order to cope with such a case, the decoder 101 in FIG. 11 prepares pixel color data for filling the missing lines in advance. Then, when a line shortage is actually detected, the display mode is switched to the display mode of the insufficient pixel color data. Specifically, when a data end signal is given from the address control unit 109 to the display validity permission unit 110, the permission unit 110 sends a color switching signal (COL SW SIGNAL) to the pixel color output unit 104. In response to the switching signal, the pixel color output unit 104 switches the decoded output of the pixel color data from the code data to the decoded output of the color information (COLOR INFO.) From the insufficient pixel color setting unit 110. This switching state is maintained during the display period of the insufficient line (DISPLAY ENABLE = active).

When the line shortage occurs, the decoding operation can be stopped during that period instead of using the insufficient pixel color data.

More specifically, for example, when a data end signal is input from the address control unit 109 to the display validity permitting unit 110, a color switching signal designating display suspension is output from the permitting unit 110 to the pixel color output unit 104. do it. Then, the pixel color output unit 104 stops displaying the sub-picture while the display stop designation color switching signal is active.

FIG. 8 shows two examples of how the character pattern “A” is decoded from the pixel data (sub-picture data) encoded in the example of FIG. 7 (non-interlace display and interlace display). It is for explanation.

The decoder 101 shown in FIG. 11 can be used to decode compressed data as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 into non-interlaced display data as shown in the lower left part of FIG.

On the other hand, when decoding compressed data as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 into interlaced display data as shown in the lower right part of FIG. 8, a line doubler (for example, an odd field) which scans the same pixel line twice is used. Line # 10 having the same content as line # 1 of the above is re-scanned in the even field; switching in V-SYNC units)
Is required.

When non-interlaced display is performed at the same image display amount as interlaced display, another indubbler (for example, line # 10 having the same content as line # 1 at the lower right of FIG. 8 is connected to line # 1) H-SY
NC unit).

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment (interlace specification) of decoder hardware having the function of the line doubler. Decoder 1 of FIG.
01 can also be configured by the decoder having the configuration of FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the microcomputer 112 detects the generation timing of the odd field and the even field of the interlaced display based on the horizontal / vertical synchronization signal of the sub-picture.

When the odd field is detected, the microcomputer 112 supplies the selection signal generator 118 with a mode signal indicating "currently an odd field". Then, a signal for selecting the decoded data from the decoder 101 is output from the selection signal generation unit 118 to the selector 115. Then, lines # 1 to # of the odd field
9 (see the lower right part of FIG. 8)
1 is transmitted to the outside as a video output through the selector 115. At this time, the pixel data of the lines # 1 to # 9 of the odd field are temporarily stored in the line memory 11.
4 is stored.

When the microcomputer 112 detects that it has moved to the even-numbered field, the microcomputer 112
8 is supplied with a mode signal indicating "currently an even field". Then, a signal for selecting the data stored in the line memory 114 is output from the selection signal generation unit 118 to the selector 115. Then, the pixel data of the lines # 10 to # 18 of the even field (see the lower right part of FIG. 8)
From the line memory 114 via the selector 115,
It is sent out as a video output.

Thus, the odd-numbered field lines # 1- # 1
The # 9 sub-picture image (character "A" in the example of FIG. 8) and the sub-picture images of lines # 10 to # 18 of the even-numbered field (FIG.
And the character "A") is synthesized to realize an interlaced display.

The sub-picture unit header 31 of the sub-picture data shown in FIG. 4 is provided with parameter bits (SPMOD) indicating the frame display mode / field display mode of the TV screen.

When non-interlaced display is performed with the same image display amount as interlaced display, for example, the following is performed.

The microcomputer 112 shown in FIG.
When the sub-picture unit header 31 is read, from the set value of the parameter SPMOD (active = “1”; inactive = “0”), it is determined whether the mode is the interlace mode (active “1”) or the non-interlace mode ( Inactivity "0") can be determined.

In the configuration shown in FIG.
If OD is active = “1”, the microcomputer 112 detects the interlace mode and sends a mode signal indicating the interlace mode to the selection signal generation unit 118. Generation unit 1 receiving this mode signal
Reference numeral 18 gives a switching signal to the selector 115 every time the horizontal synchronization signal H-SYNC is generated. Then, the selector 115
Switches between the decoded output of the current field (DECODED DATA) from the sub-picture decoder 101 and the decoded output of the current field temporarily stored in the line memory 114 every time the horizontal synchronization signal H-SYNC is generated. The video output is sent to an external TV or the like.

As described above, the current decode data and the decode data in the line memory 114 are H-SY
When the output is switched for each NC, a video having twice the density (twice the horizontal scanning lines) of the original image (decoded data) is displayed on the TV screen in the interlace mode.

In the sub-picture decoder 101 having such a configuration, instead of reading data for one line and then performing decoding processing, the sequentially input bit data is counted one bit at a time from the beginning of the decoded data unit block. 2 to 16 bits are read and decoded. In this case, the bit length of one unit of decoded data (4 bits, 8 bits, 12 bits, 16 bits, etc.)
Is detected immediately before decoding. Then, in units of the detected data length, the compressed pixel data is restored (reproduced) in real time to, for example, three types of pixels (“•”, “o”, “#” in the example of FIG. 7). go.

For decoding pixel data encoded according to, for example, rules 1 to 6 in FIG. 5, sub-picture decoder 101 is provided with a bit counter and a relatively small-capacity data buffer (such as line memory 114). I just need. In other words, the sub-picture decoder 101
Can be made relatively simple, and the whole device including this encoder can be downsized.

That is, the encoder according to the present invention does not require a large code table in the decoder unlike the conventional MH encoding method, and eliminates the need to read data twice during encoding unlike the arithmetic encoding method. . further,
The decoder of the present invention does not require relatively complicated hardware such as a multiplier, and can be implemented by adding simple circuits such as a counter and a small-capacity buffer.

According to the present invention, run-length compression / compression of various types of pixel data (up to four types in a 2-bit configuration) is performed.
Encoding and its run-length decompression / decoding,
This can be realized with a relatively simple configuration.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for executing image encoding (run-length compression) according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, explaining software executed by the encoder (200) in FIG. is there.

A series of encoding processes based on the run-length compression rules 1 to 6 in FIG.
It is executed as a software process by a microcomputer in the 00. The entire encoding process by the encoder 200 can be performed according to the flow of FIG. 13, and the run-length compression of the pixel data in the sub-picture data can be performed according to the flow of FIG.
(Here, the display control sequence table DCS in FIG. 3 is used.
The encoding of QT33 will not be described. DCSQT
The encoding of the 33 portion will be described later with reference to FIG. In this case, the computer inside encoder 200 first specifies the number of lines and the number of dots of image data by key input or the like (step ST80).
1), a header area for sub-picture data is prepared, and the line count is initialized to "0" (step ST802).

When the pixel patterns are sequentially input one by one, the computer inside the encoder 200 acquires the pixel data (here, 2 bits) of the first pixel, saves the pixel data, and saves the pixel data. Count "1"
And the dot count is set to "1" (step ST803).

Then, the internal computer of encoder 200 acquires the pixel data (2 bits) of the next pixel pattern and compares it with the previously stored pixel data that was input immediately before (step ST804).

As a result of this comparison, if the pixel data are not equal (No in step ST805), encoding conversion processing 1 is performed (step ST806), and the current pixel data is stored (step ST807). Then, the pixel count is incremented by +1 and the dot count is also incremented by +1 (step ST808).

If the result of the comparison in step ST804 is that the pixel data are equal (step ST805: YES), the encoding conversion process 1 in step ST806 is skipped and the process proceeds to step ST808.

After incrementing the pixel count and the dot count (step ST808), the internal computer of encoder 200 checks whether or not the pixel line currently being encoded is at the end (step ST809). If it is a line end (step ST8)
09, Yes), the encoding conversion process 2 is performed (step ST810). If it is not the line end (NO in step ST809), the process returns to step ST804, and the processes in steps ST804 to ST808 are repeated.

When the encoding conversion process 2 in step ST810 is completed, the computer inside the encoder 200
It is checked whether or not the encoded bit string is an integral multiple of 8 bits (in a byte-aligned state) (step ST811A). If it is not byte-aligned (NO in step ST811A), 4-bit dummy data (0000) is added to the end of the encoded bit string (step ST811B). If the bit string after the dummy addition processing or the encoded bit string is byte-aligned (Yes in step ST811A), the line counter of the computer in the encoder (such as a general-purpose register in the microcomputer) is incremented by +1 (step ST812).

If the last line has not been reached after incrementing the line counter (NO in step ST813), the process returns to step ST803 and returns to step ST803.
To Step ST812 are repeated.

If the last line has been reached after the increment of the line counter (YES in step ST813), the encoding process (here, run-length compression of the bit string of the 2-bit pixel data) ends.

FIG. 14 shows the encoding conversion processing 1 shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the content of the above.

In the encoding conversion process 1 (step ST806) of FIG. 13, since it is assumed that the pixel data to be encoded has a 2-bit width, the run-length compression rules 1 to 6 of FIG. 5 are applied.

According to these rules 1 to 6, whether the pixel count is 0 (step ST901), the pixel count is 1 to 3 (step ST902), or the pixel count is 4 to 15 (step ST902). Step ST903) or the pixel count number is 16 to 63 (step ST90).
4), whether the pixel count is 64 to 255 (step ST905), whether the pixel count indicates line end (step ST906), or whether the pixel count is 256 or more (step ST907). The determination is made by computer software.

The internal computer of the encoder 200
Based on the above determination result, the number of bits of the run field (one unit length of the same type of pixel data) is determined (steps ST908 to ST913), and after the sub-picture unit header 31, the area corresponding to the number of runfield bits is determined. To secure. The number of continuous pixels is output to the run field secured in this way, the pixel data is output to the pixel field, and a storage device (not shown) inside the encoder 200
(Step ST914).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for executing image decoding (run-length decompression) according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining software executed by the microcomputer 112. It is. (Decoding of the display control sequence table DCSQT33 in FIG. 3 will not be described here. Decoding of the DCSQT33 portion will be described later with reference to FIGS. 54 to 57.) FIG. 16 shows the software in FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the content of a decoding step (ST1005) used in.

That is, the microcomputer 112
Reads the first header 31 of the run-length-compressed sub-picture data (pixel data is composed of 2 bits) and analyzes the contents (see FIG. 4). Then, the number of lines and the number of dots of the data to be decoded are designated based on the analyzed contents of the header. When the number of lines and the number of dots are designated (step ST1)
001), the line count number and the dot count number are initialized to “0” (steps ST1002 to ST1003).

The microcomputer 112 sequentially takes in the data bit string following the sub-picture unit header 31 and counts the number of dots and the number of dots. Then, the number of dots is subtracted from the number of dots to calculate the number of continuous pixels (step ST1004).

When the number of continuous pixels is calculated in this manner, microcomputer 112 executes a decoding process according to the value of the number of continuous pixels (step ST1005).

After the decoding processing in step ST1005,
The microcomputer 112 adds the dot count number and the continuous pixel number, and sets this as a new dot count number (step ST1006).

The microcomputer 112 sequentially fetches the data, executes the decoding process in step ST1005, and when the accumulated dot count matches the initially set line end number (line end position), one line is read. The decoding process for the data is ended (Yes in step ST1007).

Next, if the decoded data is byte-aligned (YES in step ST1008A), dummy data is removed (step ST1008B).
Then, the line count number is incremented by +1 (step ST1009), and the processing of steps ST1002 to ST1009 is repeated until the last line is reached (No in step ST1010). If the last line has been reached (step ST1010: YES), decoding ends.

Decoding processing step ST100 in FIG.
The processing content of No. 5 is, for example, as shown in FIG.

In this process, after two bits are acquired from the beginning, weaving for determining whether or not the bit is “0” is repeated (steps ST1101 to ST110).
9). Thereby, the run length compression rules 1 to 6 in FIG.
Are determined (step ST1110 to step ST1113).

After the number of consecutive runs is determined, the two bits read subsequently are used as a pixel pattern (pixel data; pixel color information) (step ST111).
4).

When pixel data (pixel color information) is determined,
The index parameter “i” is set to 0 (step ST
1115) Until the parameter “i” matches the continuous run number (step ST1116), the 2-bit pixel pattern is output (step ST1117), and the parameter “i” is incremented by +1 (step ST111).
8) After the output of one unit of the same pixel data is completed, the decoding process ends.

As described above, according to the decoding method of the sub-picture data, the decoding processing of the sub-picture data is a simple process of only a judgment process of several bits, a process of separating data blocks, and a process of counting data bits. I'm done. For this reason, a large code table used in the conventional MH encoding method or the like is not required, and the processing and configuration for decoding the encoded bit data into the original pixel information is simplified.

In the above embodiment, the code bit length for one unit of the same pixel can be determined by reading bit data of up to 16 bits at the time of data decoding. However, the code bit length is not limited to this. Not done. For example, the code bit length may be 32 bits or 64 bits. However, as the bit length increases, a data buffer having a larger capacity is required.

In the above embodiment, the pixel data (pixel color information) is, for example, color information of three colors selected from a color palette of 16 colors.
Primary colors (red component R, green component G, blue component B; or luminance signal component Y, chroma red signal component Cr, chroma blue signal component Cb
Etc.) Each amplitude information can be represented by 2-bit pixel data. That is, the pixel data is not limited to a specific type of color information.

FIG. 17 shows a modification of FIG. FIG.
In FIG. 17, the microcomputer 112 performs the operation of cutting out the header by software, but in FIG. 17, the operation of cutting out the header is performed by hardware inside the decoder 101.

That is, as shown in FIG. 17, run-length-compressed sub-picture data SPD is data I / O1
02 is sent to the bus inside the decoder 101. The data SPD sent to the bus is sent to the memory 108 via the memory control unit 105, where it is stored. The internal bus of the decoder 101 is connected to the code data separating unit 103, the continuous code length detecting unit 106, and the header extracting unit 113 connected to the microcomputer (MPU or CPU) 112.

The sub-picture unit header 31 of the sub-picture data read from the memory 108
Is read by The cutout unit 113 sends the decoding start address (SPDD) to the address control unit 109 based on the various parameters shown in FIG.
ADR), information on the display start position, display width, and display height of the sub-image (SPDSZ) is set in the display validity permitting unit 110, and the display width of the sub-image (on the line) is set in the code data separating unit 103. Number of dots). The set various information is stored in an internal register of each unit (109, 110, 103). After that, various information stored in the register
It can be accessed by the microcomputer 112.

The address control unit 109 accesses the memory 108 via the memory control unit 105 based on the decode start address (SPDDDR) set in the register, and starts reading sub-picture data to be decoded. The sub-picture data thus read from the memory 108 is supplied to the code data cutout unit 103 and the continuous code length detection unit 106.

Run-length compressed sub-picture data SP
The coded header of D (2 to 14 bits in rules 2 to 5 in FIG. 5) is detected by the continuation code length detection unit 106, and the number of continuation pixels of the same pixel data in the data SPD is determined by the continuation code length detection unit 106. Run length setting unit 1 based on signal
07.

Hereinafter, a decoding method different from the decoding method described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining the first half of the image decoding (run-length decompression) process according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When decoding is started, each block in the decoder 101 shown in FIG. 17 is initialized (clearing a register, resetting a counter, etc.). Thereafter, the sub-picture unit header 31 is read, and its contents (various parameters in FIG. 4) are set in the internal register of the header separation unit 113 (step ST1200).

Header 3 is stored in the register of the header separation unit 113.
When the various parameters 1 are set, the microcomputer 112 is notified of the status in which the reading of the header 31 has been completed (step ST1201).

Upon receiving the header reading end status, the microcomputer 112 specifies a decoding start line (for example, SPLine1 in FIG. 4) and notifies the header separation unit 113 of the start line (step ST12).
02).

Upon receiving the notification of the designated decoding start line, header separating section 113 performs the processing based on various parameters of header 31 set in its own register.
The address of the designated decode start line (SP in FIG. 4)
DDADD) and decoding end address (SP in FIG. 4)
EDADR; an address shifted by one line relatively from the start line address) is set in the address control unit 109, and the display start position, display width, display height, and (SPDSZ in FIG. 4) of the decoded sub-picture are displayed. Permission unit 11
The value is set to 0, and the value of the display width (LNEPIX; not shown in FIG. 4, but the number of pixels for one line included in the SPDSZ) is set in the code data separating unit 103 (step ST1203).

The address control section 109 sends the decode address to the memory control section 105. Then, the data to be decoded (compressed sub-picture data SPD)
The encoded data separation unit 103 and the continuation code length detection unit 106 are transferred from the memory 108 via the memory control unit 105.
Is read out. At this time, the read data is set in the internal register of each of the dividing unit 103 and the detecting unit 106 in byte units (step ST120).
4).

The continuation code length detection unit 106
8, the number of “0” bits of the data read out is counted, and from the count value, an encoded header corresponding to one of rules 1 to 5 in FIG. 5 is detected (step S).
T1205). Details of this encoding header detection are shown in FIG.
It will be described later with reference to FIG.

The continuation code length detection unit 106 determines the segment information SEP.5 corresponding to any one of the rules 1 to 5 in FIG. 5 according to the value of the detected coded header. INFO. Is generated (step ST1206).

For example, if the count value of the “0” bit of the data read from the memory 108 is zero, the segment information SEP. INFO. Is generated, and if the count value is 2, the segment information SEP. IN
FO. Is generated, and if the count value is 4, the segment information SEP. INFO. Is generated, and if the count value is 6, the segment information SEP. INFO.
Is generated, and if the count value is 14, the segment information SEP. INFO. Is generated. The segment information SEP. INFO. Is transferred to the encoded data separation unit 103.

[0209] The coded data separation unit 103 receives the separation information SEP. INFO. Is set in the run length setting unit 107 according to the content of (2), and the 2-bit pixel data (pixel color data; sub-picture data packet) following the continuous pixel number data is set. Data) is set in the pixel color output unit 104. At this time,
Inside the dividing unit 103, the current count value NOWPIX of the pixel counter (not shown) is equal to the continuous pixel number PIXCNT.
(Step ST120).
7).

FIG. 19 shows the second half (FIG. 18) of the image decoding (run-length extension) process according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation after the node A).

In the preceding step ST1203, the encoded data separating section 103 receives the
The number of pixel data (number of dots) LNEPIX for one line corresponding to the display width of the sub-picture is notified. In the encoded data separation unit 103, the value NO of the internal pixel counter
Number of pixel data LNEP for one line notified of WPIX
It is checked whether IX has been exceeded (step ST1208).

In this step, the pixel counter value N
When OWPIX is equal to or greater than the pixel data number LNEPIX for one line (No in step ST1208), 1
The internal register of the separating unit 103 in which the data for the byte has been set is cleared, and the pixel counter value NOWPIX is cleared.
Becomes zero (step ST1209). At this time, if the data is byte-aligned, 4-bit data is truncated. Pixel counter value NOWPI
When X is smaller than the number of pixel data LNEPIX for one line (YES in step ST1208), the dividing unit 103
Is not cleared and remains as it is.

The run length setting section 107 sets the preceding step ST
The number of continuous pixels PIXCNT (run information) set in 1207, the dot clock DOTCLK for determining the transfer rate of the pixel dots, the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals H-SYNC and V-SYNC for synchronizing the sub-picture with the main picture display screen Thus, a display period signal (PERIOD SIGNAL) for outputting the pixel data set in the pixel color output unit 104 for a required period is generated. The generated display period signal is provided to pixel color output section 104 (step ST1210).

The pixel color output unit 104 is provided with the run length setting unit 10
7, while the display period signal is being given, the segment data (eg, pixel data indicating the pixel color) set in the preceding step ST1207 is output as decoded sub-video display data (step ST121).
1).

The sub-picture display data thus output is:
Later, the image is combined with the main video image appropriately in a circuit portion (not shown) and displayed on a TV monitor (not shown).

After the pixel data output process in step ST1211, if the decoded data is not completed, the process returns to step ST1204 in FIG. 18 (No in step ST1212). Whether the decoded data has been completed can be determined based on whether or not the data up to the end address (SPEDAD) of the sub-picture display data set by the header separating unit 113 has been processed in the encoded data separating unit 103.

When data decoding is completed (step ST1212, Yes), it is checked whether or not the display permission signal (DISPLAY ENABLE) from display valid permission section 110 is active. Display validity permitting unit 11
0 is a data end signal (DA
Until TA END SIGNAL is sent,
An active (for example, high level) display permission signal is generated.

If the display permission signal is active, it is determined that the display period is still in spite of the completion of the data decoding (YES in step ST1213).
In this case, the display validity permitting unit 110 sets the run length setting unit 10
7 and a color switching signal to the pixel color output unit 104 (step ST1214).

At this time, the pixel color output unit 104 has received the missing pixel color data from the missing pixel color setting unit 111. The pixel color output unit 104 that has received the color switching signal from the display validity permitting unit 110 switches the output pixel color data to the insufficient pixel color data from the insufficient pixel color setting unit 111 (step ST1215). Then, while the display permission signal is active (step ST1213 to step ST1)
(Loop 215), during the display period of the sub-picture where there is no decoded data, the display area of the sub-picture is filled with the missing pixel color provided by the missing pixel color setting unit 111.

[0220] If the display permission signal is inactive, it is determined that the display period of the decoded sub-picture has ended (No in step ST1213). Then, display validity permitting section 110 transfers an end status indicating that the decoding of one frame of sub-picture has been completed to microcomputer 112 (step ST1216). Thus, the sub-picture decoding process for one screen (one frame) is completed.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of the coded header detection step (ST1205) of FIG. This coded header detection process is performed as shown in FIG.
(Or FIG. 11) by the continuation code length detection unit 106
Be executed.

First, the continuation code length detection unit 106 is initialized, and its internal status counter (STSCNT)
Is set to zero (step ST1301). Thereafter, the contents of the following two bits of the data read from the memory 108 to the detection unit 106 in byte units are checked. If the contents of these two bits are "00" (step ST1302: YES), the counter STSCNT is set to 1
Is incremented by one (step ST1303). If the checked two bits do not reach the end of one byte read by the detection unit 106 (step ST
1304 No), the contents of the subsequent two bits are checked. If the contents of these two bits are "00" (step ST1302: YES), the counter STSCNT is further incremented by one (step ST130).
3).

Steps ST1302 to ST13
As a result of the loop 04 being repeated, step ST1302
If the subsequent two bits checked in step have reached the end of one byte read by the detection unit 106 (YES in step ST1304), the encoded header in FIG. 5 is larger than 6 bits. In this case, the memory 108
, The next data byte is read by the detection unit 106 (step ST1305), and the status counter STSCN is read.
T is set to "4" (step ST1307).
At this time, one byte of the same data is read into the encoded data separation unit 103 at the same time.

When the status counter STSCNT is "4"
, Or in the preceding step ST130
The contents of the two bits checked in 2 are “00”
If not (NO in step ST1302), the contents of the status counter STSCNT are determined, and the contents are
Is output as the contents of the coded header (step ST
1307).

That is, the status counter STSCN
If T = "0", an encoded header indicating rule 1 in FIG. 5 is detected, and if the status counter STSCNT = "1", an encoded header indicating rule 2 in FIG. 5 is detected, and the status counter STSCNT = If "2", an encoded header indicating rule 3 in FIG. 5 is detected, and if the status counter STSCNT = "3", an encoded header indicating rule 4 in FIG. 5 is detected, and the status counter STSC
If NT = “4”, an encoded header indicating rule 5 in FIG. 5 (when the same pixel data continues until the end of the line) is detected.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart for explaining how the image decoding process of the present invention is performed when the decoded image is scrolled.

First, the decoder 10 shown in FIG.
1 are initialized, and a line counter LINCNT (not shown) is cleared to zero (step ST).
1401). Next, the microcomputer 112 (FIG. 1)
1) or the header separation unit 113 (FIG. 17) receives the header reading end status transmitted in step ST1201 of FIG. 18 (step ST1402).

The contents of line counter LINCNT (initially zero) are transferred to microcomputer 112 (FIG. 11) or header separating section 113 (FIG. 17) (step ST1403). The microcomputer 112 or the header separating unit 113 determines that the received status is the end status of one frame (one screen) (step ST12).
06) (step ST14).
04).

If the received status is not the end status of one frame (NO in step ST1405),
Wait for this exit status. If the received status is the end status of one frame (YES in step ST1405), the line counter LINCN
T is incremented by one (step ST140)
6).

Incremented line counter LI
If the content of the NCNT has not reached the end of the line (NO in step ST1407), the decoding processing in FIGS. 15 to 16 or the decoding processing in FIGS. 18 to 19 is restarted (step ST1408), and step ST140 is performed.
Return to 3. This decoding iteration loop (step ST1)
By repeating steps 403 to ST1408), the run-length compressed sub-picture is scrolled while being decoded.

On the other hand, when the incremented content of line counter LINCNT has reached the end of the line (step ST1407: YES), the decoding processing of the sub-picture data with scrolling ends.

FIG. 22 shows encoding based on the present invention (encoding of SPUH + PXD + DCSQT in FIG. 3).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus on which decoding and decoding (SPUH + PXD + DCSQT) are performed.

In FIG. 22, the optical disk player 30
0 is basically a conventional optical disk reproducing device (compact disk player or laser disk player)
It has the same configuration as. However, the optical disc player 300 is configured to decode the run-length-compressed image information from the inserted optical disc OD (recording image information including sub-video data that has been run-length compressed according to the present invention). A digital signal (a digital signal as encoded) can be output. Since this encoded digital signal is compressed, the required transmission bandwidth may be smaller than in the case of transmitting uncompressed data.

[0234] The compressed digital signal from the optical disc player 300 is sent on-air via the modulator / transmitter 210 or sent to the communication cable.

[0235] The compressed digital signal on air or transmitted by cable is received by the receiver / demodulator 400 of the receiver or cable subscriber. The receiver 400 includes the decoder 101 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. The decoder 101 of the receiver 400 decodes the received and demodulated compressed digital signal, and outputs image information including original sub-video data before being encoded.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 22, if the transmission / reception transmission system has an average bit rate of about 5 Mbit / sec or more, high-quality multimedia video / audio information can be broadcast.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a case where image information encoded according to the present invention is transmitted and received between any two computer users via a communication network (such as the Internet).

User # 1 having self-information # 1 managed by a host computer (not shown) owns personal computer 5001, and this personal computer 5001 has various input / output devices 5011 and various external storage devices 5021. It is connected. An encoder and a decoder according to the present invention are incorporated in an internal slot (not shown) of the personal computer 5001, and a modem card 5031 having a function required for communication is mounted.

Similarly, user # having another self information #N
N owns a personal computer 500N,
Various input / output devices 501N and various external storage devices 502N are connected to the personal computer 500N. In addition, the personal computer 50
An encoder and a decoder according to the present invention are incorporated in an internal slot (not shown) of 0N, and a modem card 503N having a function required for communication is mounted.

Now, a certain user # 1 is assigned to the computer 50.
It is assumed that the user operates No. 01 to communicate with the computer 500N of another user #N via the line 600 such as the Internet. In this case, since both user # 1 and user #N have modem cards 5031 and 503N in which an encoder and a decoder are incorporated, the present invention can efficiently exchange compressed image data in a short time.

FIG. 24 shows image information encoded according to the present invention (SPUH + PXD + DCSQT in FIG. 3).
Is recorded on the optical disc OD, and the recorded information (SPUH
+ PXD + DCSQT) according to the present invention.

The encoder 200 shown in FIG. 24 performs the same encoding processing as the encoder 200 shown in FIG.
4) is executed by software or hardware (including firmware or a wired logic circuit).

The recording signal including the sub-picture data and the like encoded by the encoder 200 is subjected to, for example, (2, 7) RLL modulation in the modulator / laser driver 702. The modulated recording signal is sent from the laser driver 702 to the high-power laser diode of the optical head 704. By the recording laser from the optical head 704, a pattern corresponding to the recording signal is written on the magneto-optical recording disk or the phase-change optical disk OD.

The information written on the disk OD is read by the laser pickup of the optical head 706, demodulated by the demodulator / error correction unit 708, and subjected to error correction processing as necessary. The demodulated and error-corrected signal undergoes various data processing in the audio / video data processing unit 710, and the information before recording is reproduced.

The data processing section 710 includes a decoding processing section corresponding to the decoder 101 in FIG. The decoding unit (decompression of the compressed sub-picture data) corresponding to FIGS. 15 and 16 is executed by the decoding processing unit.

FIG. 25 exemplifies a state in which an encoder according to the present invention is integrated into an IC together with its peripheral circuits.

FIG. 26 exemplifies a state in which the decoder according to the present invention is integrated into an IC together with its peripheral circuits.

FIG. 27 exemplifies a state in which an encoder and a decoder according to the present invention are integrated with their peripheral circuits in an IC.

That is, the encoder or decoder according to the present invention can be integrated with necessary peripheral circuits into an IC, and this IC can be incorporated into various devices to implement the present invention.

It should be noted that the data line on which the bit string of the compressed data (PXD) as shown in FIG. 9 is normally configured to include image information for one horizontal scanning line of the TV display screen. . However, this data line may be configured to include image information for a plurality of horizontal scanning lines on the TV screen, or may be configured to include image information for all horizontal scanning lines for one TV screen (that is, one frame). It can also be configured to include.

The object of data encoding based on the compression rule of the present invention is the sub-picture data (3 to 3) used in the description.
(Color information of four colors). The pixel data portion constituting the sub-picture data may be multi-bit, and various information may be packed therein. For example, if the pixel data is composed of 8 bits per pixel, 256 color images (in addition to the main image) can be transmitted using only the sub image.

Here, the sub-picture data shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is composed of a plurality of channels as shown in FIG. The sub-picture data block is composed of a plurality of sub-picture data packets of a channel arbitrarily selected from the plurality of channels. The sub-picture has information such as characters or figures, is reproduced at the same time as video data and audio data, and is superimposed and displayed on a video data reproduction screen.

FIG. 29 shows the data structure of a sub-picture packet. As shown in FIG. 29, the sub-picture packet data includes a packet header 3, a sub-picture header 31, sub-picture data 32, and a display control sequence table 33.

The packet header 3 contains a presentation time stamp (PTS; Presenter Time) at which the playback system should start display control of the sub-picture data block.
tionTime Stamp). However, as shown in FIG. 28, this PTS is recorded only in the header 3 of the first sub-picture data packet in each sub-picture data block (Y, W).

FIG. 30 shows a serial arrangement state (n, n + 1) of sub-picture units (see 30 in FIG. 3) composed of one or more sub-picture packets, and one unit (n + 1) of them.
Time stamp PTS described in the packet header of
And a display control state of the unit (n + 1) corresponding to the PTS (clearing the display of the previous sub-picture and specifying the display control sequence of the sub-picture to be displayed).

In the sub-picture header 31, the size of the sub-picture data packet (SPCSZ of 2 bytes) and the recording start position (2
Byte SPDCSQTA).

The display control sequence table 33 includes a sub-video display control time stamp (SPDCTS; Sub-Picture Dig) indicating the display start time / display end time of the video data.
splay Control Time Stamp) and the recording position of the sub-picture data (PXD) 32 to be displayed (SPNDSQSQA; Sub-
Picture Next Display Control Sequence Address)
And a sub-picture data display control command (COMMAN
D) and display control sequence information (D
One or more CSQT (Display Control Sequence Table) are recorded.

Here, the time stamp PTS in the packet header 3 is relative to a reference time (SCR; System Clock Reference) throughout reproduction of the entire file, such as the reproduction start time at the beginning of the file (FIG. 2). Specified in time. On the other hand, each time stamp SPDCTS in the display control sequence table 33 is
It is defined by the relative time from the TS.

Next, the time stamp PTS processing of the sub-picture data packet in the reproducing system will be described. Here, it is assumed that the PTS processing is executed in the sub-picture processor (for example, the MPU 112 in FIG. 11 and its peripheral circuits) in the playback system.

FIG. 52 is a view for explaining how the buffering state of the sub-picture data block changes depending on the sub-picture channel having the time stamp PTS when decoding the sub-picture data.

(1) The sub-picture processor (FIGS. 11 and 17 and others) selects a sub-picture data packet of a preselected channel from sub-picture data packets sent from the outside (such as an optical disk or a broadcasting station). And decode
It checks whether there is a PTS in the packet.

For example, when a PTS exists as shown by the channel * 4f in FIG. 52, the PTS is separated from the packet header 3. Thereafter, for example, as shown in FIG.
The sub-picture data with the header is buffered (stored) in a sub-picture buffer (for example, buffer 121 in FIG. 11).

Note that the graph of FIG. 52 illustrates a state in which the buffering amount in the sub-picture buffer 121 is accumulated as the sub-picture data packets of the channel * 4f with PTS are buffered.

(2) After the system reset, the sub-picture processor performs switching between one display screen frame / field to the next display screen frame / field during the vertical blanking period immediately after receiving the first packet including the PTS. This PTS is fetched during the switching period, and the fetched PTS is compared with the count value of the reference time counter STC. The reference time counter STC is a counter (for example, a part of the timer 120 in FIG. 11) in the sub-picture processor that measures an elapsed time from a reference time SCR through reproduction of the entire file such as a reproduction start time at the beginning of the file. Be composed.

(3) As a result of the comparison between the PTS and the STC, if the STC is larger than the PTS, the sub-picture data is immediately displayed. On the other hand, if the STC is smaller than the PTS, no processing is performed. This comparison is
It is executed again during the next vertical blanking period.

(4) When the processing of the sub-picture data is started, during the same vertical blanking period, the first sub-picture display control time stamp SPDCTS recorded in the display control sequence table 33 in the sub-picture data packet is set. ,
The sub reference time counter (sub ST) in the sub video processor
It is compared with the count value of C). The sub STC is configured by a sub reference time counter (for example, the other part of the timer 120 in FIG. 11) in the sub video processor that measures the elapsed time from the reproduction start time of the sub video data block. Therefore, every time the display is switched to the next (subsequent) sub-picture data block, the sub STC clears all the bits to "0" and then starts incrementing (time counting) again.

(5) As a result of the comparison between the sub STC and the sub-picture display control time stamp SPDCTS,
If it is larger than PDCTS, the control data (DCSQT; for example, DCSQT0 in FIG. 29) of the first display control sequence in the display control sequence table 33 is immediately executed, and the display processing of the sub-picture is started.

(6) Once the display process is started, the PTS added to the first packet of the sub-picture data block next to the currently displayed sub-picture data block is read every vertical blanking period. The read PTS is compared with the count value of the reference time counter STC.

As a result of this comparison, if the STC is larger than the PTS, the channel pointer in FIG. 29 is set to the address value of the PTS of the next sub-picture data block, and the sub-picture data block to be processed is switched to the next one. Can be
For example, in FIG. 28, the sub-picture data block Y is switched to the next sub-picture data block W by changing the setting of the channel pointer. At this point, since the data of the sub-picture data block Y is no longer needed, a free area of the size of the data block Y is generated in the sub-picture buffer (for example, the memory 108 in FIG. 11). Therefore, a new sub-picture data packet can be newly transferred to this empty area.

Thus, from the size of the sub-picture data block (for example, block W in FIG. 28) and its switching time (the switching time from block Y to block W), the buffering state of the sub-picture data packet (FIG. 52) ) Can be uniquely specified in advance at the time of encoding the sub-picture data (of the block W). Therefore, when the video / audio / sub-video packets are serially transferred, the bit stream of each of the decoder sections (in the case of the sub-video decoder, the other memory 108 in FIG. 11) does not cause overflow or underflow. Generation becomes possible.

As a result of the comparison between the PTS and the STC, if the STC is not larger than the PTS, the sub-picture data block is not switched, and the display control sequence table pointer (DCSQT pointer in FIG. 29) changes to the next display. It is set to the address value of the control sequence table DCSQT. Then, the sub-video display control time stamp SP of the next DCSQT in the current sub-video data packet
DCTS and sub STC are compared. Based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not to execute the next DCSQT. This operation will be described later in detail.

Note that the last D in the sub-picture data packet is
CSQT is the next display control sequence table DCSQ
Since T indicates itself, the DCSQT processing of (5) is basically unchanged.

(7) In normal reproduction, the above (4),
The processes of (5) and (6) are repeated.

In the process (6), when reading the PTS of the next sub-picture data block, the PTS
The value of the channel pointer (see FIG. 29) pointing to the packet size (SPC
SZ).

Similarly, the display control sequence table 33
Within the next DCSQT sub-video display control time stamp S
The value of the DCSQT pointer indicating the PDCTS is the size information of the DCSQT described in this table 33 (address SPND of the next sub-picture display control sequence).
CSQTA).

Next, the sub-picture header 31, sub-picture data 3
2 and the display control sequence table 33 will be described in detail.

FIG. 31 shows a sub-picture unit header (SPU
H) shows the structure of 31. Sub-picture unit header SPUH
Contains the size (SPDSZ) of the sub-picture data packet and the recording start position information of the display control sequence table 33 in the packet (sub-picture display control sequence table start address SPDCSQTA; relative address pointer of DCSQ).

The sub-picture display control sequence table SPDCSQ indicated by the address SPDCSQTA
As shown in FIG. 32, the contents of T are composed of a plurality of display control sequences DCSQ1 to DCSQn.

Each display control sequence DCSQ (1
To n), as shown in FIG. 33, a sub-picture display control time stamp SPDCTS indicating a sub-picture display control start time.
And an address SP indicating the position of the next display control sequence
NDSQA and one or more sub-picture display control commands SP
DCCMD.

The sub-picture data 32 is composed of a group of data areas (PXD areas) corresponding one-to-one with individual sub-picture data packets.

Here, until the sub-picture data block is switched, the sub-picture pixel data PXD at an arbitrary address in the same data area can be read. Thereby, it is not fixed to one sub-picture display image,
Arbitrary sub-picture display (for example, sub-picture scroll display)
Becomes possible. This arbitrary address is a command (SETDSPX in the command table of FIG. 34) for setting the display start address of the sub-picture data (pixel data PXD).
A).

FIG. 43 shows the bit configuration of the command SETDSPXA for setting the display start address of the sub-picture pixel data in the command set exemplified in FIG. Hereinafter, the significance of the configuration of this command will be described.

When the line data size of the sub-picture lines included in the sub-picture data 32 is different, the head address of the next line can be determined only after decoding the previous line data. Therefore, if the image data is arranged in line number order as in the related art, it is very difficult to read the sub-picture pixel data (PXD) from the buffer (memory 108) while skipping one line in the interlace mode. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 58, the sub-picture data 32 is divided into a top field area 61 and a bottom field area 62 for each data area corresponding to each sub-picture data packet. ing. In the interlace mode, a command SETDSPXA is provided with a top field start address area 63 and a bottom field start address area 64 in order to set two start addresses of a top field and a bottom field.

In the case of the non-interlace mode, only one field of sub-picture data is recorded, and the same address is recorded in the two fields of the top field start address area 63 and the bottom field start address area 64. It should be left.

FIG. 59 shows a display control sequence table 3
3 shows a specific example. As described above, one piece of display control sequence information (D
CSQT) includes a sub-picture display control time stamp (SP
DCTS) and sub video data recording position (SPNDCS)
QA) and a plurality of display control commands (COMMAN
D3, COMMAND4, etc.) and various parameter data set by the command are arranged. Then, an end command (end code) indicating the end of the display control is added at the end.

Next, a processing procedure of the display control sequence table 33 will be described.

(1) First, the time stamp (SPDCTS) recorded in the first DCSQT (DCSQT0 in FIG. 29) of the display control sequence table 33 matches the sub STC of the sub-picture processor (for example, the timer 1 in FIG. 11).
20 functions).

(2) As a result of the comparison, if the sub STC is larger than the time stamp SPDCTS, all display control commands CO in the display control sequence table 33
MMAND is executed until the display control end command CMDEND (FIG. 34) appears.

(3) After the display control is started, the sub-video display control time stamp SPDCTS and the sub ST recorded in the next display control sequence table DCSQT are taken at fixed time intervals (for example, every vertical blanking period).
C to determine whether to update to the next DCSQT (ie, change the DCSQT pointer in FIG. 29 to the next DCSQT).
T) is determined.

Here, the display control sequence table 33
Since the time stamp SPDCTS is recorded at a relative time after the PTS is updated (that is, after the sub-picture data block is updated), it is necessary to rewrite the SPDCTS even if the PTS of the sub-picture data packet changes. There is no. Therefore, the same display control sequence table DCSQT can be used even when the same sub-video data 32 is displayed at a plurality of different times. That is, the display control sequence table DCSQT can be made relocatable.

Next, details of the sub-picture display control command will be described. FIG. 34 shows a sub-picture display control command S
3 shows a list of PDCCMDs. The main sub-video display control commands include the following.

(1) Command STADSP for Setting Display Start Timing of Sub-picture Pixel Data FIG. 37 shows the configuration of this command STADSP. This is a command for executing the display start control of the sub-picture data 32. That is, when switching from a certain DCSQT to a DCSQT including this command STADSP, the display of the sub-picture data 32 is changed to a DSQ including this command.
It starts from the time indicated by the time stamp SPDCTS of CSQT.

A sub-picture processor (for example, MPU in FIG. 11)
112) decodes this command, and (when this command is accessed, the D to which this command belongs)
Immediately, the enable bit of the display control system in the sub-picture processor is activated (because the time indicated by SPDCTS of CSQT has passed).

(2) Command STPDSP for Setting Display End Timing of Sub-Video Pixel Data FIG. 38 shows the structure of this command STPDSP. This is a command for executing the display end control of the sub-picture data 32. When the sub-picture processor decodes this command, immediately after the command is accessed (since the time indicated by the SPDCTS of the DCSQT to which this command belongs has passed), the enable bit of the display control system inside the sub-picture processor is immediately transmitted. To the active state.

(3) Command SETCOLOR for Setting Color Code of Sub-Pixel Pixel Data FIG. 39 shows the structure of this command SETCOLOR. This is a command for setting the color code of the sub-picture pixel data. By this command, the sub-picture is composed of a pattern pixel such as a character or a pattern, an emphasized pixel such as a trimming of the pattern pixel, and a background pixel which is a pixel in a region other than the pattern pixel and the emphasized pixel in a region where the sub-image is displayed. And color information can be set.

As shown in FIG. 40, the sub-picture processor
A color register 1210 for setting a color code by the command SETCOLOR is provided. Register 1
Once the color code is set, the 210 holds the color code data until the color code is reset by the same command. Color data according to the pixel type (for example, the type specified by the 2-bit pixel data in FIG. 5) indicated by the sub-video data 32 is selected from the color register 1210 (SEL0).
Is done.

The sub-picture processor also has a changing color data register 1220 set by a command (CHGCOLCON) for setting a color change and a contrast change of sub-picture pixel data. This register 122
When the data output selected from 0 (SEL0) is active, the selected output from the register 1220 is preferentially selected over the selected output from the register 1210 (SEL1), and the selection result is used as color data. Is output.

(4) Command SETCONTR for Setting Contrast of Sub-Pixel Pixel Data for Main Video FIG. 41 shows the configuration of this command SETCONTR. This is similar to the command SETCOLOR.
Is a command for setting contrast data instead of color code data for the four types of pixels exemplified in FIG.

(5) Command SETDAREA for Setting Display Area of Sub-Video Pixel Data on Main Video FIG. 42 shows the configuration of this command SETDAREA. This is a command for specifying a position at which the sub-picture pixel data 32 is displayed.

(6) Command SETDSPXA for Setting Display Start Address of Sub-Video Pixel Data FIG. 43 shows the configuration of this command SETDSPXA. This is a command for setting the display start address of the sub-picture pixel data 32.

(7) Command CHGCOLCON for Setting Color Code of Sub-picture Pixel Data and Switching of Contrast of Sub-picture Pixel Data to Main Picture FIG. 44 shows the configuration of this command CHGCOLCON. This is a command for changing the color code of the sub-picture pixel data 32 and the contrast of the sub-picture pixel data 32 with respect to the main picture during display.

This command CHGCOLCON is executed in accordance with FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, it includes the size of pixel control data (extended field size) and pixel control data (PCD).

The command table shown in FIG. 34 includes, in addition to the above-mentioned commands, a command FSTADSP for forcibly setting the display start timing of the sub-picture pixel data (see FIG. 36), and ending the sub-picture display control. Command CMDEND (see FIG. 45).

FIG. 35, FIG. 46 and FIG. 47 are diagrams illustrating the configuration of pixel control data PCD. As shown in FIG. 35, the pixel control data PCD includes the line control information LC
INF, pixel control information PCINF, and an end code indicating the end of the pixel control data.

Here, as shown in FIG. 46, the line control information LCINF includes a change (change) start line number, a change number (change point number), and a change (change) end line number (or continuation line number). ing. In other words, the contour control color, sub-picture color, and contrast control of the sub-picture with respect to the main picture are started from which line on the display frame, and the contour correction color, the sub-picture color, and the contrast are changed many times on those lines. The line control information LCINF indicates up to which line the change (or change) and the change (change) common to them continue.

The pixel control information PCINF includes a pixel position at which the contour correction color, the sub-picture color, and the contrast are changed (changed) on the line indicated by the line control information LCINF, and the contour correction after the change (change). Changes (changes) in color, sub-picture color, contrast, etc.
And the contents.

The pixel control data PCD including the line control information LCINF and the pixel control information PCINF is
The required number is set for the sub-picture display frame.

For example, pixel display data P set for an image of a sub-picture display frame as shown in FIG.
The CD is as shown in FIG.

That is, in this specific example, the line where the change (change) has started is “line 4”.
The change (change) start line number is “4”, and the positions where the pixels are changed (changed) are “position A”, “position B”,
Since there are three positions at “position C”, the number of pixel changes (the number of pixel change points) is “3”, and the common change state of this pixel continues up to “line 11”, so the number of continuous lines is “7”.

[0311] Also, "line 12" has a pixel change state different from that before, and since the next "line 13" has no pixel change, the change start line number is set to "12".
Another line control information LCINF that sets the number of change points to “2” and the number of continuous lines to “1” is set.

Further, "line 14" includes four pixel changes, and the next "line 15" has no pixel change.
Change start line number is "14" and change point number is "4"
And another line control information LCINF for setting the number of continuous lines to “1” is set. Finally, an end code is set.

Next, a procedure of display control using the line control information LCINF and the pixel control information PCINF will be described.

(1) The display control of the sub-picture is performed by the display control sequence table 33 (DCSQT1-DCSQ shown in FIG. 29).
TN) (COMMAND1)
Is repeatedly performed for each sub-picture display field. The contents of this control command are shown in the table of the sub-picture display control command SPDCCMD in FIG.

Which display control sequence (DCSQT1 to DCSQT1)
Whether the DCSQTN) command (the various commands in FIG. 34) is executed is determined by the DCSQT pointer in FIG.

(2) Each display control command (STADSP, STPDSP, SETCOLOR,
SETCONTR, SETDAREA, SETDSPX
A, CHGCOLON, etc.) are held in an internal register of the sub-picture processor (for example, the MPU 112 in FIG. 11) during decoding of the sub-picture information unless rewritten by the same command. However, the various parameters held in the internal register are all except for some parameters (LCINF, PCINF) when the sub-picture data block is switched (for example, when switching from block Y to block W in FIG. 28). Cleared.

Note that the parameters (LCINF, PCINF) of the pixel control data PCD in FIG. 35 remain unchanged until the command CHGCOLCON in FIG. 34 is executed again.
Twelve internal registers are held.

(3) In the highlight mode, the parameter LCIN set by the system MPU 112
Display control is performed by F and PCINF, and LCINF and PCINF of the sub-picture channel data are completely ignored. These set parameters are reset by the system MPU 112 again during the highlight mode, or are set to the normal mode and the L
Until CINF and PCINF are reset, MP
U, and the sub-picture display based on those parameters is continued.

(4) The display area is set by lines and dots of numbers designated by the start and end in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Therefore, when only one line is displayed, the numbers of the display start line and the display end line are the same. If not, the display is stopped by a display end command.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for generating the sub-picture unit 30 as shown in FIG.

As a sub-picture, for example, a video (main picture)
When the caption and / or image corresponding to the dialogue is used, the dialogue caption / image is converted into bitmap data (step ST10). When creating this bitmap data, it is necessary to determine in which position and on which region of the video screen the subtitle portion is to be displayed. Therefore, the display control command SETDAREA
(See FIG. 34) are determined (step S
T12).

When the display position (spatial parameter) of the sub-picture is determined, the process shifts to the encoding of the pixel data PXD constituting the sub-picture (the whole main picture is not encoded; the details of this PXD encoding are shown in FIG. 5 to 14 are described elsewhere). At this time, the color of the caption (sub-picture), the background color of the caption area, and the mixing ratio of the caption color / background color to the video main picture are determined. Therefore, the display control commands SETCOLOR and SETC
The parameters of the ONTR (see FIG. 34) are determined (step ST14).

Next, the timing at which the created bitmap data is to be displayed in accordance with the dialogue of the video is determined. This timing is determined by the sub-picture time stamp PTS.
It is performed by At this time, the maximum time of the time stamp PTS and the display control commands STADSP, STP
Each parameter (temporal parameter) of the DSP and CHGCOLCON (see FIG. 34) is determined (step ST16).

Here, the sub-picture time stamp PTS is
It is finally determined from the consumption model of the target decoder buffer of the MPEG2 system layer. here,
The time at which the display of subtitles is started is the sub-picture time stamp P
It is determined as the maximum time of the TS.

Display control commands STADSP and ST
The PDSP is recorded as a relative time from the sub-picture time stamp PTS. Therefore, the commands STADSP and STPDSP cannot be determined until the PTS is determined. Therefore, in this embodiment, the absolute time is determined, and the relative value is determined after the absolute time of the PTS is determined.

When it is desired to change the display color or display area spatially and temporally with respect to the created caption, the parameters of the command CHGCOLCON are determined based on the change.

When the display position (spatial parameter) and display timing (temporal parameter) of the sub-picture are determined (tentatively), the sub-picture display control sequence table DCS
QT contents (DCSQ) are created (step ST1)
8). Specifically, the display control sequence table DCS
The value of the display control start time SPDCTS (see FIG. 33) of Q is determined by the effective time of the display control command STADSP (display start timing) and the display control command STPDSP.
(Display end timing) is determined based on the effective time.

By combining the created pixel data PXD 32 and display control sequence table DCSQT 33, the size of the sub-picture data unit 30 (see FIG. 3) can be determined. Therefore, based on the size, the parameter SPDSZ of the sub-picture unit header SPUH31 is used.
(Sub-picture size; see FIG. 31) and SPDCSQTA
(Start address of display control sequence table; FIG. 31)
) Is determined, and the sub-picture unit header SPUH31 is created. Then, SPUH31, PXD32 and DCS
By combining with QT33, a sub-picture unit for one subtitle is created (step ST20).

If the size of the created sub-picture unit 30 exceeds a predetermined value (2048 bytes or 2 kbytes) (YES in step ST22), it is divided into a plurality of packets in units of 2k bytes (step ST24). In this case, the time stamp PTS is recorded only in the packet at the head of the sub-picture unit 30 (step ST2).
6).

If the size of the created sub-picture unit 30 is within a predetermined value (2 kbytes) (step ST
22 No) Only one packet is generated (step S
T23), the time stamp PTS is recorded at the beginning of the packet (step ST26).

[0331] One or more packets thus completed are packed and combined with a video or other pack to form one packet.
A book data stream is completed (step ST2).
8). At this time, the order of the packs is determined from the consumption model of the target decoder buffer in the MPEG2 system layer based on the sequence recording code SRC and the sub-picture time stamp PTS. P for the first time here
TS is determined, and as a result, each parameter (SP
DCTS, etc.) will be finally determined.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for performing parallel processing of pack decomposition and decoding of the sub-picture data stream generated according to the processing procedure of FIG.

[0333] First, the decoding system reads the ID of the stream to be transferred, and stores only the selected sub-picture pack (separated from the data stream) into the sub-picture decoder (for example, the sub-picture pack shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 17). (Step ST40).

When the first pack transfer is performed, the index parameter "i" is set to "1" (step ST42), and the first sub-picture pack is decomposed (step ST44; described later with reference to FIG. 55). ) Is executed.

The decomposed pack (including the compressed sub-picture data PXD as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9) is temporarily stored in a sub-picture buffer (memory 108 in FIG. 11 or 17) (step ST46), and is indexed The parameter "i" is incremented by one (step ST5).
0).

If the incremented i-th pack is present, that is, if the pack decomposed in step ST44 is not the last pack (No in step ST52), the decomposing process for the incremented i-th sub-picture pack (step ST44) ) Is executed.

The ith sub-picture pack (the second pack in this case) that has been decomposed is temporarily stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) in the same manner as the first decomposed pack (step ST46), and the index parameter "I"
Is further incremented by one (step ST5).
0).

As described above, a plurality of sub-picture packs are successively decomposed while incrementing the index parameter "i" (step ST44) and stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) (step ST4).
6).

If the continuously incremented i-th pack does not exist, that is, if the pack decomposed in step ST44 is the last pack (step S44).
T52: Yes), the sub-picture pack decomposition processing of the stream to be decoded ends.

The sub-picture pack disassembly processing (step ST
44 to ST52), the sub-picture pack temporarily stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) is decoded independently and in parallel with the sub-picture pack disassembly processing. .

That is, the index parameter “j”
Is set to "1" (step ST60), an operation of reading the first sub-picture pack from the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) is started (step ST62). At this point, if the first sub-picture pack has not been stored in the memory 108 yet (No in step ST63; step S63).
Until the processing of T46 has not been performed yet, the decoding processing is performed in an empty loop of the pack reading operation (step ST6) until the pack data to be read is stored in the memory 108.
2 to ST63).

If the first sub-picture pack is stored in memory 108 (YES in step ST63), the sub-picture pack is read out and decoded (step ST64; a concrete example of the decoding process is shown in FIGS. It will be described later with reference to FIG. 57).

The result of this decoding process (including uncompressed sub-picture data PXD as shown in the upper part of FIG. 9, for example)
Is transmitted from the sub-picture decoder 101 of FIG. 11 or 17 to a display system (not shown) during the decoding process, and the sub-picture corresponding to the decoded data is displayed.

If the display control end command (CMDEND in FIG. 34) has not been executed in the decoding process (No in step ST66), the index parameter “j” is incremented by one (step ST6).
7).

If the incremented j-th pack (here, the second) is present in the memory 108, that pack is read from the memory 108 and decoded (step ST64). The decoded j-th sub-picture pack (here, the second pack) is sent to the display system in the same manner as the first decoded pack, and the index parameter “j” is further incremented by one (step ST67). ).

As described above, the index parameter "j" is incremented (step ST6).
7) One or more sub-picture packs stored in the memory 108 are continuously decoded (step ST64), and the image display of the sub-picture corresponding to the decoded sub-picture data (PXD) is executed.

If a display control end command (CMDEND in FIG. 34) is executed in the decoding process (YES in step ST66), the sub-picture buffer (memory 10
The decoding processing of the sub-video data in 8) is completed.

The above decoding process (steps ST62 to ST62)
ST64) is repeated unless the end command CMDEND is executed (No in step ST66). In this embodiment, the decoding process is performed by the end command CMDEN.
The process is terminated when D is executed (YES in step ST66).

FIG. 55 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the pack disassembling process of FIG. Sub-picture decoder 10
1 obtains a packet by skipping the pack header (see FIG. 3) from the transferred pack (step ST4).
42). If there is no time stamp PTS in this packet (No in step ST444), the packet header (P
H) is deleted, and only the sub-picture unit data (PXD) is stored in the buffer (for example, 121) of the sub-picture decoder (step ST446).

When the packet has a time stamp PTS (step ST444 YES), only the PTS is extracted from the packet header (PH), and the extracted PTS is connected to the sub-picture unit data (30).
It is stored in buffer 121 of sub-picture decoder 101 (step ST448).

FIG. 56 is a flow chart for explaining an example of the sub-picture decoding process of FIG. Sub-picture decoder 101 compares time SCR of system timer 120 with time stamp PTS stored in buffer 121 (step ST640). If they match (YES in step ST642), the sub-picture unit (30)
Is started. In this decoding processing, for example, the compressed data PXD shown in the lower part of FIG.
Has been described with reference to FIGS. 15, 16 and the like.

In the decoding process, each command of the display control sequence DCSQ is executed. That is,
The display position and the display area of the sub-picture are set by the command SETDAREA, the display color of the sub-picture is set by the command SETCOLOR, and the command SETCONT is set.
The contrast of the sub-picture with respect to the video main picture is set by R (step ST644).

Then, the display start timing command ST
After executing ADSP, another display control sequence DCS
Until the display end timing command STPDSP is executed in Q, the run-length-compressed pixel data PXD (32) is decoded while performing display control in accordance with the switching command CHGCOLCON (step ST646).

If the time SCR of the system timer 120 and the time stamp PTS stored in the buffer 121 do not match (NO in step ST642), the above processing steps ST644 and ST646 are skipped.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for decoding a data stream generated according to the procedure shown in FIG. The processing of FIG. 54 is a parallel processing in which the decomposition of the sub-picture pack and the decoding of the sub-video are temporally independent, but the processing of FIG. Parallel processing. That is, in FIG. 57, it is assumed that the sub-picture pack disassembling process and the sub-picture decoding process simultaneously proceed at the same pace.

In the processing shown in FIG. 57, the decoding system first reads the ID of the stream to be transferred, and stores only the selected sub-picture pack (separated from the data stream) into the sub-picture decoder (FIG. 11 or FIG. 11). (Step S)
T40).

When the first pack transfer is performed, the index parameter "i" is set to "1" (step ST42), and the first sub-picture pack is decomposed (step ST44).

[0358] The decomposed pack is temporarily stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) (step ST46).
Thereafter, the index parameter “i” is set in the index parameter “j” (step ST48),
The index parameter “i” is incremented by one (step ST50).

If the incremented i-th pack exists, that is, if the pack decomposed in step ST44 is not the last pack (No in step ST52), the decomposing process for the incremented i-th sub-picture pack (step ST44) ) Is executed.

The ith sub-picture pack (the second pack in this case) that has been decomposed is temporarily stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) in the same manner as the first decomposed pack (step ST46), and the index parameter "I"
Is further incremented by one (step ST5).
0).

As described above, a plurality of sub-picture packs are successively decomposed while incrementing the index parameter "i" (step ST44) and stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) (step ST4).
6).

If the continuously incremented i-th pack does not exist, that is, if the pack decomposed in step ST44 is the last pack (step S44).
T52: Yes), the sub-picture pack decomposition processing of the stream to be decoded ends.

The sub-picture pack disassembly processing (step ST)
44 to ST52), the sub-picture packs temporarily stored in the sub-picture buffer (memory 108) are decoded in parallel with the sub-picture pack disassembly processing.

That is, the index parameter “j”
Is set to the index parameter "i = 1" (step ST48), the j = 1st sub-picture pack is read from the memory 108 (step ST62), and j =
The decoding processing of the first sub-picture pack is performed (step ST64).

During the decoding processing of this j = 1st sub-picture pack (step ST64), 1
The decomposition processing of the incremented i = 2nd sub-picture pack (step ST44) is performed in parallel.

The above decoding process (steps ST62 to ST62)
ST64) is repeated unless the end command CMDEND is executed (No in step ST66). The decoding process ends when the end command CMDEND is executed (Yes in step ST66).

[0367]

As described above, according to the present invention, waste of display space and waste of display time of sub-picture data can be greatly reduced, and the sub-picture expression equivalent to that of the bitmap data system can be obtained. Flexibility can be achieved and a wide range of sub-picture applications can be secured.

That is, in the present invention, use range setting information for setting a range to be used for display in sub-picture data is provided, and data other than the use range is not displayed, so that one frame is displayed. It is possible to greatly reduce the display space waste of the data amount that occurs when all the data is sent to the display system.

According to the present invention, color setting information for each pixel type such as pattern pixels, frames, backgrounds, and the like of sub-picture data and mixing ratio setting information for sub-pictures are provided. By providing only the information, it is possible to guarantee the same sub-image shape expression as the conventional method of providing the color information and the mixture ratio information for each pixel with a smaller data amount.

Further, according to the present invention, the color / mixing ratio change setting is used to set the color of each sub-picture data for each pixel type and the change of the mixing ratio for each pixel type of the sub-picture data with respect to the main picture in pixel units. Since the information is provided, the dynamic display of the sub-picture can be realized with the same accuracy as that of the conventional bitmap data system and with a smaller data amount than the bitmap data system.

It is rare that the color information of the sub-picture changes for each pixel, and there is no fear that the data amount of the color / mixture ratio change setting information itself becomes excessive.

Furthermore, in the present invention, even if the color of the sub-picture image changes, the sub-picture can be displayed over a plurality of frame times using the same sub-picture data as long as the shape does not change. Accordingly, waste of display time of the sub-picture data can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional method in which the sub-picture data must be continuously provided to the display system at the frame period regardless of the color / shape not changing. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a recording data structure of an optical disc as an example of an information storage medium to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a view exemplifying a logical structure of data recorded on the optical disc of FIG. 1;

3 is a diagram exemplifying a logical structure of a sub-picture pack to be encoded (run-length compression, addition of a display control sequence table, etc.) in the data structure illustrated in FIG. 2;

4 is a diagram exemplifying the contents of a sub-picture data portion of the sub-picture pack exemplified in FIG. 3, to which an encoding method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a compression method employed in an encoding method according to an embodiment of the present invention when pixel data constituting a sub-picture data portion illustrated in FIG. 4 is composed of a plurality of bits (here, 2 bits); The figure explaining rules 1-6.

FIG. 6 illustrates compression rules 11 to 15 employed in an encoding method according to another embodiment of the present invention when pixel data forming a sub-picture data portion illustrated in FIG. 4 is formed of one bit. Figure to do.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which pixel data constituting the sub-picture data portion illustrated in FIG. 4 is composed of, for example, first to ninth lines, and a 2-bit pixel (up to four types) is arranged on each line; When character patterns “A” and “B” are represented by 2-bit pixels on each line, how the pixel data of each line is encoded (run-length compressed) will be specifically described. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining two examples (non-interlaced display and interlaced display) of how the character pattern “A” is decoded from the pixel data (sub-picture data) encoded in the example of FIG. 7; .

FIG. 9 specifically shows compression rules 1 to 6 used in the encoding method according to the embodiment of the present invention when the pixel data forming the sub-picture data portion illustrated in FIG. 4 is composed of 2 bits. FIG.

FIG. 10 explains the flow from mass production to reproduction on the user side of a high-density optical disk having image information encoded according to the present invention; from broadcasting / cable distribution of image information encoded according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a flow up to reception / reproduction by a user / subscriber.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment (non-interlaced specification) of decoder hardware that executes image decoding (run-length expansion and the like) based on the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment (interlace specification) of decoder hardware that executes image decoding (run-length decompression) according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is for executing image encoding (run-length compression part) according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating software executed by, for example, the encoder (200) in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the contents of an encoding step (ST806) used in the software of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for executing image decoding (run-length decompression part) according to an embodiment of the present invention and explaining software executed by, for example, the MPU (112) in FIG. 11 or FIG. FIG.

16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the contents of a decoding step (ST1005) used in the software of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of decoder hardware that executes image decoding (run-length expansion and the like) based on the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the first half of an image decoding (run-length decompression portion) process according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the latter half of the image decoding (run-length decompression portion) process according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows an encoded header detection step (ST1) in FIG.
FIG. 205 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of 205).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining how the image decoding process of the present invention is performed when the decoded image is scrolled.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a compressed data reproduced from a high-density optical disk having image information encoded according to the present invention, which is broadcast or cable-distributed, and the broadcast or cable-distributed compressed data is decoded by a user or a subscriber; FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a case.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a case where image information encoded according to the present invention is transmitted and received between any two computer users via a communication network (such as the Internet).

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus on which encoding and decoding are performed according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram exemplifying a state where the encoder based on the present invention is formed into an IC.

FIG. 26 is a diagram exemplifying a state where the decoder based on the present invention is formed into an IC.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state where an encoder and a decoder according to the present invention are integrated into an IC;

FIG. 28 is a view for explaining the position of a time stamp (PTS) in a sub-picture data block.

FIG. 29 is a view for explaining the data structure of a sub-picture packet.

FIG. 30 is a view exemplifying a correspondence relationship between serially arranged sub-picture units, and a time stamp (PTS) and a display control sequence (DCSQ) described in a packet header of one of the units.

FIG. 31 shows the sub-picture unit header (S
PUH), the sub-picture size and the start address (DC) of the display control sequence table
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a relative address pointer (SQ).

FIG. 32 shows a sub-picture display control sequence table (SPD)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of CSQT).

FIG. 33 is an exemplary view for explaining the contents of each parameter (DCSQ) constituting the table (SPDCSQT) in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 shows a sub-picture display control command (SPDCCM).
The figure explaining the content of D).

FIG. 35 is a view for explaining the contents of pixel control data (PCD).

FIG. 36 shows a command set exemplified in FIG. 34;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command FSTADSP for forcibly setting a display start timing of sub-picture pixel data.

FIG. 37 shows a command set illustrated in FIG. 34;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command STADSP for setting display start timing of sub-picture pixel data.

FIG. 38 shows a command set illustrated in FIG. 34;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command STPDSP for setting display end timing of sub-pixel pixel data.

FIG. 39 shows a command set illustrated in FIG. 34;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command SETCOLOR for setting a color code of pixel data of a sub-picture.

FIG. 40 is an exemplary view for explaining an example of color data processing inside a sub-picture data processor (eg, the decoder 101 in FIG. 11);

FIG. 41 shows a command set exemplified in FIG. 34;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command SETCONTR for setting contrast between a sub-picture and a main picture.

FIG. 42 shows a command set exemplified in FIG. 34;
Command S for setting display area of sub-picture pixel data
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a bit configuration of ETDAREA.

FIG. 43 shows a command set illustrated in FIG. 34;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command SETDSPXA for setting a display start address of sub-picture pixel data.

FIG. 44 includes a command set illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command CHGCOLCON for switching color and contrast of sub-picture pixel data.

FIG. 45 shows a command set illustrated in FIG. 34;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of a command CMEND for ending display control of a sub-picture.

FIG. 46 shows the pixel control data (PC
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of line control information LCINF of a pixel line among parameters of D).

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing the pixel control data (PC shown in FIG. 35);
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a bit configuration of pixel control information PCINF among parameters of D).

FIG. 48 is an exemplary view for explaining a specific example of a sub-picture display frame;

FIG. 49 is a view specifically explaining what the contents of each parameter of the pixel control data (PCD) of FIG. 35 are when the sub-image display frame is as shown in FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a view for explaining a problem in a case where sub-picture is subjected to bitmap data processing without using the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a diagram further describing a problem in processing a sub-picture without using the present invention.

FIG. 52 is an exemplary view for explaining how a buffering state of a sub-picture data block changes depending on a sub-picture channel having a time stamp (PTS) when decoding sub-picture data according to the present invention;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a sub-picture encoding processing procedure of the present invention, centering on processing of a display control sequence (DCSQ);

FIG. 54 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for performing parallel processing of pack decomposition and decoding of the sub-picture data stream encoded by the processing procedure of FIG. 53;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the pack disassembly process of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining an example of the sub-picture decoding process in FIG. 54;

FIG. 57 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining another example of the procedure of performing the pack decomposition and the decoding of the sub-picture data stream encoded in the processing procedure of FIG. 53 in parallel;

FIG. 58 is a view for explaining a method of recording sub-picture data (PXD) when the display mode of the sub-picture is an interlace mode.

FIG. 59 is a view showing a specific example of a display control sequence table in the packet shown in FIG. 29;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... File management information; 2 ... Video data; PH ... Packet header; 30 ... Sub-picture unit; 31 ... Sub-picture unit header SPUH; 32 ... Sub-picture pixel data PX
D; 33... Display control sequence table DCSQT; 1
01: Decoder; 102: Data I / O; 103: Encoded data separation unit; 104: Pixel color output unit (FIFO type); 105: Memory control unit; 106: Continuous code length detection unit; 107: Run length setting Part; 108 ... memory; 109
... address control unit; 110 display effective permission unit; 111
Insufficient pixel color setting unit; 112 ... microcomputer (M
PU or CPU); 113: header separation portion; 114 ...
Line memory; 115 selector; 118 select signal generator; 120 system timer; 121 buffer memory; 1210 color register; 1220 changing color register; 200 encoder; 202 laser cutting device (laser cutting step); 204: optical disk master (medium master / master creation step); 206: 2
Mass production equipment for high density optical discs (media production process);
202 to 206: recording device; 210: modulator / transmitter;
212 broadcast / cable output unit; 300 disk player (reproducing device); 400 receiver / demodulator (reproducing device); 5001 (500N) personal computer; 5011 (501N) ... input / output devices;
(502N) ... external storage devices; 5031 (503N)
… Encoder / decoder and modem; 702 modulator / laser driver; 704 optical head (recording laser);
706: optical head (reading laser / laser pickup); 708: demodulator / error correction unit; 710: audio / video data processing unit (including sub-video data decoding processing unit); OD: two bonded high-density optical disks (recoding media).

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hideki Mimura 70, Yanagicho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Pref. Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 5/91-5/956 G11B 20/12 G11B 27/00 G06F 3/06

Claims (16)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing an image information recording medium having a recording track on which a sub-picture reproducible together with a main picture is packetized and recorded in a predetermined pack unit. Expressed time
Packet header information including a first time stamp, sub-picture information that constitutes the sub-picture and includes pixel data compressed by a predetermined method, and display of the sub-picture using the sub-picture information Display control sequence information including one or more display control sequences, sub-picture header information including a size of the sub-picture and a recording position of the display control sequence information, and display of information of the display control sequence. Also indicates the start time
Whether the first timestamp has been updated
An encoding step of encoding the packet of the sub-picture using the second time stamp recorded at the relative time ; and (b) packet information of the sub-picture encoded in the encoding step is written. (C) using the medium master created in the master creation step to encode the information encoded in the encoding step,
A medium producing step of recording on one or more image information recording media; and a method of manufacturing an image information recording medium. 2. A sub-picture data unit is constituted by the sub-picture header information, the compressed pixel data and the display control sequence information. One or more of the sub-picture packets correspond to the sub-picture data unit. 2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the data is recorded on the recording track in a proper arrangement. 3. The time stamp is recorded only in the packet header information of the first sub-picture packet among the one or more sub-picture packets arranged corresponding to the sub-picture data unit. Claim 1
Or the manufacturing method according to claim 2. 4. Pixel data defined by a plurality of bits
The same pixel data in the information set
Data blocks with consecutive data are compressed as one compression unit.
The image information recording medium on which the information of the
In the manufacture, before the encoding step
The compression method of the sub-picture pixel data is the same as that of the same
Header corresponding to the number of consecutive data
Pixel number data indicating the number of consecutive pixels,
Plurality indicating the same pixel data itself in the data block
Compression unit data composed of bit configuration data
Further comprising a step of encoding the information of the tab block,
The same pixel data in the data block of one compression unit
If the data length of the data consecutive number is 3 or less, the encoded header
No bits are assigned to the
Data length of the same number of consecutive pixel data in the data block
If the number is 4 or more and a predetermined number or less, two bits are added to the encoded header.
It is noted that more than
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
Manufacturing method . 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the encoding step includes a step of compressing a moving image based on the MPEG standard. 6. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the master creating step includes a step of laser cutting information encoded in the encoding step. 7. The image information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said image information recording medium has a substantial thickness of 0.3.
2. The information recorded on the medium master is transferred to at least one of the bonded substrates by using an optical disk having a standard thickness of 1.2 mm on which a 6 mm substrate is bonded. 7. The method according to claim 6. 8. The image information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said image information recording medium has a substantial thickness of 0.5.
The information recorded on the medium master is transferred to at least one of the bonded substrates, wherein the optical disk has a standard thickness of 1.2 mm and is bonded to a 6 mm substrate. Any one of claims 1 to 6
An optical disc produced by the production method described in the paragraph. 9. An image information recording medium having a recording track for recording a sub-picture which can be simultaneously reproduced together with a main picture in a predetermined pack unit for recording, wherein the data packet obtained by packetizing the sub-picture is a reference time a packet header information including the playback start time of the sub-picture data packet representation using, towards the predetermined be those constituting the display contents of the sub-picture
And sub-picture information including pixel data compressed by law, and one or more display control sequence information showing a control procedure for displaying the sub-picture using said sub-picture information, the display start of the display control sequence information Indicating time
And included in the display control sequence information
Wherein the reproduction is included in the packet header information.
The start time is recorded relative to the time since the update
A time stamp; and a sub-picture header information including a size of the sub-picture information and a recording position of the display control sequence information. The sub-picture header information, the sub-picture information, and the display control An image information recording medium, wherein one or more sub-video data packets are recorded on the recording track in an arrangement corresponding to the sub-video data unit; . 10. The image information according to claim 9, wherein the reproduction time in the packet header information is recorded only for the first packet in the array of the one or more sub-video data packets. recoding media. 11. The display control sequence information includes at least a display start time and a display end time of a sub-picture,
And recording the position of the sub picture information to be displayed, the image information recording medium according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a display control information group for the sub-picture information recorded in the recording position. 12.Pixel data defined by multiple bits
Is the same pixel in the information aggregate formed by
Compression is performed on a data block with continuous data as one compression unit.
Wherein the compressed sub-picture information is recorded, The compression of the sub-picture pixel data is performed by the data of the one compression unit.
Code corresponding to the number of consecutive same pixel data in
Encoding header and a continuous image
In the prime data and the data block of one compression unit,
Data of multiple bits indicating the same pixel data itself
Information of the compression unit data block composed of
Is done by encoding The same pixel data in the data block of one compression unit
If the data length of the data consecutive number is 3 or less, the encoded header
No bits are assigned to the
Data length of the same number of consecutive pixel data in the data block
If the number is 4 or more and a predetermined number or less, two bits are added to the encoded header.
It is noted that more than
The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein
Image information recording medium . 13. A recording apparatus which has a recording track in which a sub-picture which can be simultaneously reproduced together with a main picture is packetized and recorded in a predetermined pack unit, wherein information of the sub-picture packet is reproduced by a reproducing apparatus having an optical head. in reproducing optical disks in pack units, said data packet the sub picture was packetization, packet header information including the playback start time of the sub-picture data packet expressed using a reference time, the display contents of the sub-picture Constituent and prescribed
And sub-picture information including pixel data compressed by law, and one or more display control sequence information showing a control procedure for displaying the sub-picture using said sub-picture information, the display start of the display control sequence information Indicating time
And included in the display control sequence information
Wherein the reproduction is included in the packet header information.
The start time is recorded relative to the time since the update
A time stamp; and a sub-picture header information including a size of the sub-picture information and a recording position of the display control sequence information. The sub-picture header information, the sub-picture information, and the display control A sub-picture data unit is configured by the sequence information; one or more sub-picture data packets are recorded on the recording track in an array corresponding to the sub-picture data unit; and the playback device plays back the sub-picture. An optical disc, wherein the array of the one or more sub-picture data packets is recorded on the recording track so that it can be continuously reproduced by the optical head. 14. The reproduction time in the packet header information, wherein the optical head can read the reproduction time before the reproduction of the sub-picture recorded in the sub-picture data packet is started. 14. The optical disc according to claim 13 , wherein the optical disc is recorded with respect to the first packet of the array of the sub-picture data packets. 15. The display control sequence information includes at least a display start time and a display end time of a sub-picture,
And recording the position of the sub picture information to be displayed, an optical disk according to claim 13 or claim 14, characterized in that it comprises a display control information group for the sub-picture information recorded in the recording position. 16.Pixel data defined by multiple bits
Is the same pixel in the information aggregate formed by
Compression is performed on a data block with continuous data as one compression unit.
Wherein the compressed sub-picture information is recorded, The compression of the sub-picture pixel data is performed by the data of the one compression unit.
Code corresponding to the number of consecutive same pixel data in
Encoding header and a continuous image
In the prime data and the data block of one compression unit,
Same pixel data Data consisting of multiple bits indicating the data itself
Information of the compression unit data block composed of
Is done by encoding The same pixel data in the data block of one compression unit
If the data length of the data consecutive number is 3 or less, the encoded header
No bits are assigned to the
Data length of the same number of consecutive pixel data in the data block
If the number is 4 or more and a predetermined number or less, two bits are added to the encoded header.
It is noted that more than
In any one of claims 13 to 15,
Optical disk described .