Hierarchical image decoding apparatus and multiplexing method

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives a high-resolution first digital image signal and a low-resolution second digital image signal as input image signals, and subjects both of the digital image signals to hierarchical coding, said apparatus comprising:

• compressive coding means for subjecting the first and second digital image signals to compressive coding and outputting first and second coded image data;
• decompressive decoding means for subjecting the first and second coded image data to decompressive decoding and outputting first and second decoded image signals;
• and
• resolution conversion means for, based on the first decoded image signal, generating a third decoded image signal which corresponds to a specific image signal constituting a portion of the first decoded image signal and the resolution of which becomes equal to the resolution of the second decoded image signal;
• the compressive coding means replacing a specific portion of the second digital image signal with the third decoded image signal to generate a replaced image signal, subjecting the other portions of the second digital image signal except the specific portion to compressive coding, and outputting coded image data corresponding to the other portions of the second digital image signal, as second coded image data.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives high-resolution first coded image data and low-resolution second coded image data as input image data, and subjects both of the coded image data to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• decompressive decoding means for subjecting the first and second coded image data to decompressive decoding and outputting first and second decoded image signals;
• and
• resolution conversion means for, based on the second decoded image signal, generating a third decoded image signal which corresponds to a specific image signal constituting a portion of the second decoded image signal and the resolution of which becomes equal to the resolution of the first decoded image signal;
• the decompressive decoding means subjecting the first coded image data to decompressive decoding, using only the third decoded image signal as a reference image signal for a low resolution side.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives high-resolution first coded image data and low-resolution second coded image data as input image data, and subjects both of the coded image data to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• decompressive decoding means for subjecting the first and second coded image data to decompressive decoding and outputting first and second decoded image signals;
• and
• resolution conversion means for, based on the first decoded image signal, generating a third decoded image signal which corresponds to a specific image signal constituting a portion of the first decoded image signal and the resolution of which becomes equal to the resolution of the second decoded image signal;
• the decompressive decoding means replacing a portion of the second digital image signal with the third decoded image signal to generate a replaced image signal, and outputting the second decoded image signal the specific portion of which is replaced with the third decoded image signal.

A hierarchical image processing method which multiplexes a first bit stream containing first coded data obtained by subjecting a first digital image signal having a first resolution to compressive coding and a second bit stream containing second code data obtained by subjecting a second digital image signal having a second resolution which is different from the first resolution, and outputs a multiplexed bit stream, wherein in the multiplexed bit stream a prescribed flag is multiplexed with the first and second bit streams;

• and
• the prescribed flag is an identification flag showing an inserting position, in the second bit stream, for inserting the first coded data necessary for decoding the second bit stream into the second bit stream;
• or
• the prescribed flag is an identification flag showing an inserting position, in the second decoded image data, for inserting the first decoded image data obtained by expanding the first coded data necessary for decoding the second bit stream into the second decoded image data obtained by the expansion of the second coded data.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives a first bit stream containing first coded data obtained by subjecting a first digital image signal having a first resolution to compressive coding and a second bit stream containing second code data obtained by subjecting a second digital image signal having a second resolution which is different from the first resolution, and subjects both of the bit streams to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• coded data selection means for selecting necessary coded data from both of the bit streams;
• and
• image decoding means for regenerating image data by decoding the selected coded data;
• the coded data selection means, in case of decoding the first bit stream, supplying the coded data contained in the first bit stream, and a portion of the coded data, in the second bit stream, that is necessary for decoding the first bit stream, to the image decoding means.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives a first bit stream containing first coded data obtained by subjecting a first digital image signal having a first resolution to compressive coding and a second bit stream containing second code data obtained by subjecting a second digital image signal having a second resolution which is different from the first resolution, and subjects both of the bit streams to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• coded data selection means for selecting necessary coded data from both of the bit streams;
• and
• image decoding means for regenerating image data by decoding the selected coded data;
• the image decoding means, at the time that the decoding of a portion of the coded data, contained in the second bit stream, necessary for decoding the first bit stream, is completed, outputting a signal of indicating the end of processing to the coded date selection means;
• and
• the coded data selection means, in decoding the first bit stream, outputting the first and second bit streams to the image decoding means, and stopping outputting the second bit stream to the image decoding means by receiving the signal of indicating the end of processing.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives a first bit stream containing first coded data obtained by subjecting a first digital image signal having a first resolution to compressive coding and a second bit stream containing second code data obtained by subjecting a second digital image signal having a second resolution which is different from the first resolution, and subjects both of the bit streams to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• coded data selection means for selecting necessary coded data from both of the bit streams;
• and
• image decoding means for regenerating image data by decoding the selected coded data;
• the coded data selection means rearranging the coded data in the first and second bit streams in a order in which the coded data is decoded, and outputting the rearranged coded data to the image decoding means.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives a first bit stream containing first coded data obtained by subjecting a first digital image signal having a first resolution to compressive coding and a second bit stream containing second code data obtained by subjecting a second digital image signal having a second resolution which is different from the first resolution, and subjects both of the bit streams to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• coded data selection means for selecting necessary coded data from both of the bit streams;
• and
• image decoding means for regenerating image data by decoding the selected coded data;
• the coded data selection means rearranging the coded data in the first and second bit streams in a way to minimize a delay time that is a time elapsing since the coded data is input to the image decoding means until the coded data is subjected to decoding, and outputting the rearranged coded data to the image decoding means.

A hierarchical image processing apparatus which receives a first bit stream containing first coded data obtained by subjecting a first digital image signal having a first resolution to compressive coding and a second bit stream containing second coded data obtained by subjecting a second digital image signal having a second resolution which is different from the first resolution, and subjects both of the bit streams to hierarchical decoding, said apparatus comprising:

• coded data selection means for selecting necessary coded data from both of the bit streams;
• and
• image decoding means for regenerating image data by decoding the selected coded data;
• the coded data selection means making a portion of the coded data, in the second bit stream, necessary for decoding the first bit stream, included in the first bit stream, and outputting the portion of the coded data to the image decoding means.