Picture signal transmitting method and apparatus

Abstract

A picture type identifier, indicating one of intra-picture coding (an I-picture), forward or backward predictive coding (a P-picture) and bi-directionally predictive coding (a B-picture), is included with a picture signal when the signal is encoded and when the signal is decoded. Each of initial and subsequent encoding and decoding is a function of the included picture type.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for processing a digital picture signal, comprising:
 means for receiving a digital picture signal having picture type data included in a data identification area of said digital picture signal indicating one of intrapicture coding, predictive coding and bidirectionally predictive coding for respective pictures represented by said digital picture signal, said picture type data identifying an encoding structure of a group of pictures represented by said digital picture signal and further identifying each respective picture within said group of pictures so as to identify the type of encoding of said digital picture signal for each said picture; and   coding means for encoding said digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data to produce an encoded digital picture signal.    
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said picture type data identifies previous types of coding for said respective pictures represented by said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for receiving includes means for extracting said picture type data from said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said picture type data is included in a data identification area of at least a vertical blanking interval of said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for decoding said encoded digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said coding means includes motion vector detection means for detecting motion vectors between said pictures represented by said digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data; predictive judging means for choosing one of intra-coding, forward predictive coding, backward predictive coding and bi-directionally predictive coding said digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data; and variable length coding means for encoding said picture type data in said encoded digital picture signal. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said digital picture signal includes an ancillary area in which said picture type data is included followed by a video area in which picture data representing a picture of said digital picture signal is included. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said picture type data identifies a minimum number of frames between two frames encoded either by intrapicture or predictive coding and identifies a total number of frames in said group of pictures represented by said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for processing an encoded digital picture signal, comprising:
 means for decoding said encoded digital picture signal to produce picture type data representing a type of encoding of said encoded digital picture signal and to produce a decoded digital picture signal, said picture type data identifying a previous encoding structure of a group of pictures represented by said encoded digital picture signal and further identifying each respective picture within said group of pictures represented by said decoded digital picture signal so as to identify the previous type of encoding for each picture represented by said decoded digital picture signal; and   means for including said picture type data in a data identification area of said decoded digital picture signal to produce an output signal.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for including is operable to include said picture type data in a data identification area of at least a vertical blanking interval of said decoded digital picture signal to produce said output signal. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising means for encoding said decoded digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for decoding includes variable length decoding means for separating said picture type data from said encoded digital picture signal, and wherein said means for including is operative to include the separated picture type data in said decoded digital picture signal. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said digital picture signal includes an ancillary area in which said picture type data is included followed by a video area in which picture data representing a picture of said digital picture signal is included. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said picture type data identifies a minimum number of frames between two frames encoded either by intrapicture or predictive coding and identifies a total number of frames in said group of pictures represented by said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       15. A method of processing a digital picture signal, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a digital picture signal having picture type data included in a data identification area of said digital picture signal indicating one of intrapicture coding, predictive coding and bidirectionally predictive coding for respective pictures represented by said digital picture signal, said picture type data identifying an encoding structure of a group of pictures represented by said digital picture signal and further identifying each respective picture within said group of pictures so as to identify the type of encoding of said digital picture signal for each said picture; and   encoding said digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data to produce an encoded digital picture signal.   
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said picture type data identifies previous types of coding for said respective pictures represented by said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said step of receiving is carried out by extracting said picture type data from said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said picture type data is included in a data identification area of at least a vertical blanking interval of said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of decoding said encoded digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said step of encoding is carried out by detecting motion vectors between said pictures represented by said digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data; choosing one of intra-coding, forward predictive coding, backward predictive coding and bi-directionally predictive coding said digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data; and variable length encoding said picture type data in said encoded digital picture signal. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said digital picture signal includes an ancillary area in which said picture type data is included followed by a video area in which picture data representing a picture of said digital picture signal is included. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said picture type data identifies a minimum number of frames between two frames encoded either by intrapicture or predictive coding and identifies a total number of frames in said group of pictures represented by said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       23. A method of processing an encoded digital picture signal, comprising the steps of:
 decoding said encoded digital picture signal to produce picture type data representing a type of encoding of said encoded digital picture signal and to produce a decoded digital picture signal, said picture type data identifying a previous encoding structure of a group of pictures represented by said encoded digital picture signal and further identifying each respective picture within said group of pictures represented by said decoded digital picture signal so as to identify the previous type of encoding for each picture represented by said decoded digital picture signal; and   including said picture type data in a data identification area of said decoded digital picture signal to produce an output signal.   
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said step of including is carried out by including said picture type data in a data identification area of at least a vertical blanking interval of said decoded digital picture signal to produce said output signal. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of encoding said decoded digital picture signal as a function of said picture type data. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said digital picture signal includes an ancillary area in which said picture type data is included followed by a video area in which picture data representing a picture of said digital picture signal is included. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said picture type data identifies a minimum number of frames between two frames encoded either by intrapicture or predictive coding and identifies a total number of frames in said group of pictures represented by said digital picture signal. 
     
     
       28. Re-encoding apparatus for re-encoding a decoded video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising:
 first receiving means for receiving the previously encoded video signal and picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   decoding means for decoding the received previously encoded video signal on the basis of said received picture type information to generate said decoded video signal;   transferring means for transferring the decoded video signal and the picture type information;   second receiving means for receiving the transferred decoded video signal and picture type information;   encoding means for re-encoding the received decoded video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   controlling means for controlling said encoding means so as to match the picture type in said re-encoded video signal with the picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       29. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein
 said transferring means multiplexes the picture type information into the generated decoded video signal.   
     
     
       30. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 29, wherein
 said transferring means multiplexes the picture type information into vertical blanking interval of the generated decoded video signal.   
     
     
       31. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein
 the previously encoded video signal is encoded in accordance with an MPEG standard.   
     
     
       32. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 31, wherein
 the picture type information indicates an intra-picture I, a predictive picture P and a bi-directionally predictive picture B.   
     
     
       33. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 32, wherein
 the picture type information indicates intra-picture, predictive picture and bi-directionally predictive picture as flag information.   
     
     
       34. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising
 output means for outputting the generated re-encoded video signal and the picture type information utilized by said encoding means.   
     
     
       35. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 28, wherein
 said encoding means re-encodes said received decoded video signal in accordance with an MPEG standard.   
     
     
       36. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 35, wherein
 said encoding means re-encodes said decoded video signal macro-block by macro-block utilizing the picture type information.   
     
     
       37. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 35, wherein
 the picture type information indicates an intra-picture I, a predictive picture P and a bi-directionally predictive picture B.   
     
     
       38. The re-encoding apparatus according to claim 37, wherein
 the picture type information indicates intra-picture, predictive picture and the bi-directionally predictive picture as flag information.   
     
     
       39. A method of re-encoding a decoded video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising the steps of:
 receiving the previously encoded video signal and picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   decoding the received previously encoded video signal on the basis of said received picture type information to generate said decoded video signal;   transferring the decoded video signal and the picture type information;   receiving the transferred decoded video signal and picture type information;   re-encoding the received decoded video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   controlling said re-encoding so as to match the picture type in said re-encoded video signal with the picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       40. Re-encoding apparatus for re-encoding a decoded video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising:
 a first receiver for receiving the previously encoded video signal and picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   a decoder for decoding the received previously encoded video signal on the basis of said received picture type information to generate said decoded video signal;   a transfer unit for transferring the decoded video signal and the picture type information;   a second receiver for receiving the transferred decoded video signal and picture type information;   an encoder for re-encoding the received decoded video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   a controller for controlling said encoder so as to match the picture type in said re-encoded video signal with the picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       41. Re-encoding apparatus for re-encoding a decoded video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising:
 generating means for generating picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   decoding means for decoding the previously encoded video signal on the basis of the generated picture type information to generate the decoded video signal;   transferring means for transferring the decoded video signal and the generated picture type information;   receiving means for receiving the decoded video signal and the transferred picture type information;   encoding means for re-encoding the received decoded video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   controlling means for controlling said encoding means so as to match the picture type in said re-encod video signal with the picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       42. A method of re-encoding a decoded video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising the steps of:
 generating picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   decoding the previously encoded video signal on the basis of the generated picture type information to generate the decoded video signal;   transferring the decoded video signal and the generated picture type information;   receiving the decoded video signal and the transferred picture type information;   re-encoding the received decoded video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   controlling the re-encoding so as to match the picture type in said re-encod video signal with the picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       43. Re-encoding apparatus for re-encoding a decoded video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising:
 a generator for generating picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   a decoder for decoding the previously encoded video signal on the basis of the generated picture type information to generate the decoded video signal;   a transfer unit for transferring the decoded video signal and the generated picture type information;   a receiver for receiving the decoded video signal and the transferred picture type information;   an encoder for re-encoding the received decoded video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   a controller for controlling said encoding means so as to match the picture type in said re-encod video signal with the picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       44. An encoding apparatus for encoding a video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising:
 receiving means for receiving the decoded video signal and picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   encoding means for encoding the video signal received by said receiving means utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   controlling means for controlling said encoding means so as to match picture type in said re-encoded video signal with picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       45. The encoding apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising
 output means for outputting the re-encoded video signal and the picture type information utilized by said encoding means.   
     
     
       46. The encoding apparatus according to claim 44, wherein
 said encoding means encodes the video signal in accordance with an MPEG standard.   
     
     
       47. The encoding apparatus according to claim 46, wherein
 said encoding means encodes said video signal macro-block by macro-block utilizing the picture type information.   
     
     
       48. The encoding apparatus according to claim 46 wherein
 the picture type information indicates an intra-picture I, a predictive picture P and a bi-directionally predictive picture B.   
     
     
       49. The encoding apparatus according to claim 48, wherein
 the picture type information indicates the intra-picture, the predictive picture and the bi-directionally predictive picture as flag information.   
     
     
       50. The encoding apparatus according to claim 44, wherein
 the picture type information is multiplexed into the video signal, and   said receiving means acquires the picture type information from the video signal.   
     
     
       51. The encoding apparatus according to claim 50, wherein
 the picture type information is multiplexed into the vertical blanking interval of the video signal.   
     
     
       52. A method of encoding a video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising the steps of:
 receiving the decoded video signal and picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   encoding the received video signal utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   controlling said encoding so as to match picture type in said re-encoded video signal with picture type in said previously encoded video signal.   
     
     
       53. An encoding apparatus for encoding a video signal obtained by decoding a previously encoded video signal, comprising:
 a receiver for receiving the decoded video signal and picture type information that indicates picture type in the previously encoded video signal;   an encoder for encoding the video signal received by said receiver utilizing the received picture type information to generate a re-encoded video signal; and   a controller for controlling said encoder so as to match picture type in said re-encoded video signal with picture type in said previously encoded video signal.