Picture encoding method and apparatus and picture decoding method and apparatus

Abstract

A picture encoding method includes receiving an input video signal, encoding the video signal using a reference picture signal to generate a video code stream, encoding the reference picture signal to generate a reference picture code stream, and multiplexing the video code stream with the reference picture code stream to generate an output code stream.

1 . A picture encoding apparatus comprising: 
 a receiving unit configured to receive an input video signal;    a first encoding unit configured to encode the video signal by using a reference picture signal to generate a video code stream;    a second encoding unit configured to encode the reference picture signal to generate a reference picture code stream; and    a multiplexing unit configured to multiplex the video code stream and the reference picture code stream to generate an output code stream, the multiplexing unit including a first determination unit configured to determine whether or not the input code stream containing the video code stream and the reference picture code stream is the reference picture code stream, a second determination unit configured to, when the first determination unit determines that the input code stream is the reference picture code stream, determine whether or not to output the reference picture code stream, and an output unit configured to output the input code stream as the output code stream in accordance with a result of the second determination unit.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first encoding unit encodes the video signal in units of a macroblock, the second encoding unit encodes the reference picture signal in units of a macroblock, and the multiplexing unit multiplexes the video code stream with the reference picture code stream in units of a macroblock.  
   
   
       3 . A picture encoding method comprising: 
 receiving an input video signal;    encoding the video signal by using a reference picture signal to generate a video code stream;    encoding the reference picture signal to generate a reference picture code stream; and    multiplexing the video code stream with the reference picture code stream to generate an output code stream;    determining whether or not the input code stream containing the video code stream and the reference picture code stream is the reference picture code stream;    determining whether or not to output the reference picture code stream when determining that the input code stream is the reference picture code stream; and    outputting the input code stream as the output code stream in accordance with a result of determining whether or not to output the reference picture code stream.    
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the encoding the video signal encodes the video signal in units of a macroblock, the encoding the reference picture signal encodes the reference picture signal in units of a macroblock, and the multiplexing multiplexes the video code stream with the reference picture code stream in units of a macroblock.  
   
   
       5 . A computer readable storage medium storing instructions of a computer program which when executed by a computer results in performance of steps comprising: 
 receiving an input video signal;    encoding the video signal by using a reference picture signal to generate a video code stream;    encoding the reference picture signal to generate a reference picture code stream; and    multiplexing the video code stream with the reference picture code stream to generate an output code stream;    determining whether or not the input code stream containing the video code stream and the reference picture code stream is the reference picture code stream;    determining whether or not to output the reference picture code stream when determining that the input code stream is the reference picture code stream; and    outputting the input code stream as the output code stream in accordance with a result of determining whether or not to output the reference picture code stream.    
   
   
       6 . The computer readable storage medium according to  claim 5 , wherein the encoding the video signal encodes the video signal in units of a macroblock, the encoding the reference picture signal encodes the reference picture signal in units of a macroblock, and the multiplexing multiplexes the video code stream with the reference picture code stream in units of a macroblock.  
   
   
       7 . A computer system comprising: 
 means for receiving an input video signal;    means for encoding the video signal by using a reference picture signal to generate a video code stream;    means for encoding the reference picture signal to generate a reference picture code stream; and    means for multiplexing the video code stream with the reference picture code stream to generate an output code stream;    means for determining whether or not the input code stream containing the video code stream and the reference picture code stream is the reference picture code stream;    means for determining whether or not to output the reference picture code stream when determining that the input code stream is the reference picture code stream; and    means for outputting the input code stream as the output code stream in accordance with a result of determining whether or not to output the reference picture code stream.    
   
   
       8 . The computer system according to  claim 7 , wherein the means for encoding the video signal encodes the video signal in units of a macroblock, the means for encoding the reference picture signal encodes the reference picture signal in units of a macroblock, and the multiplexing means multiplexes the video code stream with the reference picture code stream in units of a macroblock.