Title of Invention

"PICTURE CODING APPARATUS, PICTURE DECODING APPARATUS AND THE METHODS "

Abstract ABSTRACT A weighting factor mode determination unit (13) determines whether to code an interlaced picture In a field mode or a frame mode, based on a value of a flag "AFF" indicating whether or not to 5 switch between the field- mode and the frame mode on a block-by-block basis and notifies switches (14 and 15) and a multiplexing unit (106) of the determined mode. The switches (14 and 15) select either the field mode or the frame mode according to the notified mode. A field weighting factor coding LO unit (11) or a frame weighting factor coding unit (12) performs respectively the coding of respective weighting factors when the respective modes are selected.
Full Text

DESCRIPTION
PICTURE CODING APPARATUS, PICTURE DECODING APPARATUS
AND THE METHODS
5 Technical Field
The present invention relates to a coding apparatus and a
decoding apparatus for coding and decoding moving pictures,
especially to a picture coding apparatus and a picture decoding
apparatus for performing motion estimation using weighting
10 factors and the methods thereof.
Background Art
Recently, with an arrival of the age of multimedia which handles integrally audio, picture, other contents or the like, it is
15 now possible to obtain or transmit the information conveyed by existing information media, i.e., newspapers, journals, TVs, radios and telephones and other means using a single terminal. Generally speaking, multimedia refers to something that is represented in association not only with characters but also with
20 graphics, audio and especially pictures and the like together. However, in order to include the aforementioned existing information media in the scope of multimedia, it appears as a prerequisite to represent such information in digital form.
However, when estimating the amount of information
25 contained in each of the aforementioned information media as the amount of digital information, the information amount per character requires l'^2 bytes whereas the audio requires more than 64 Kbits (telephone quality) per second and when it comes to the moving picture, it requires more than 100Mbits (present
30 television reception quality) per second. Therefore, it is not realistic to handle the vast information directly in digital form via the information media mentioned above. For example, a

videophone has already been put into practical use via Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN) with a transmission rate of 64
Kbps ~ 1.5 Mbps, however, it is not practical to transmit the
moving picture captured on the TV screen or shot by a TV camera.
5 This therefore requires information compression techniques,
and for instance, moving picture compression techniques compliant with H.261 and H.263 standards internationally standardized by ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) are used in the
10 case of the videophone. According to information compression techniques compliant with the MPEG-1 standard, picture information as well as music information can be stored in an ordinary music CD (Compact Disc).
The MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) is an international
15 standard for compression of moving picture signals and MPEG-1 is a standard that compresses moving picture signals down to 1.5 Mbps, that is, to compress information of TV signals approximately down to a hundredth. The transmission rate within the scope of the MPEG-1 standard is limited primarily to about 1.5 Mbps,
20 therefore, MPEG-2, which was standardized with the view to meet the requirements of high-quality pictures, allows a data transmission of moving picture signals at a rate of 2'-'15 Mbps. In the present circumstances, a working group (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11) in the charge of the standardization of the
25 MPEG-1 and the MPEG-2 has standardized MPEG-4 that achieves a compression rate which goes beyond the one achieved by the MPEG-1 and the MPEG-2, realizes coding/decoding operations on a per-object basis as well as a new function required by the age of multimedia (see reference, for instance, to the specifications of the
30 MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 produced by the ISO). The MPEG-4 not only realizes a highly efficient coding method for a low bit rate but also introduces powerful error resistance techniques that can

minimize a degrading of a screen quality even when an error is
found in a transmission line. Also, the ISO/IEC and ITU work
together on a standardization of MPEG-4 AVC/ITU H. 264 as a next
generation picture coding method.
5 Coding of moving pictures, in general, compresses
information volume by reducing redundancy in both temporal and spatial directions. Therefore, inter-picture prediction coding, which aims at reducing the temporal redundancy, estimates a motion and generates a predictive picture on a block-by-block
10 basis with reference to previous and subsequent pictures vis-a-vis a current picture to be coded, and then codes a differential value between the obtained predictive picture and the current picture. Here, the term "picture" represents a single screen whereas it represents a frame when used in a context of progressive picture
15 as well as a frame or a field in a context of an interlaced picture. The interlaced picture here is a picture in which a single frame consists of two fields having different time. In the process of coding and decoding the interlaced picture, three ways are possible: handling a single frame either as a frame, as two fields or
20 as a frame structure or a field structure depending on a block in the frame.
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of types of pictures and how the pictures refer to each other. The hatched pictures in Fig. 1 are pictures to be stored in a memory since they are referred
25 to by other pictures. As for the arrows used in Fig. 1, the head of the arrow points at a reference picture departing from a picture that refers to the reference picture. Here, the pictures are in display order.
10 (Picture 0) is an intra-coded picture (I-picture) which is
30 coded independently from other pictures (namely without referring to other pictures). P4 (Picture 4) and P7 (Picture 7) are forward prediction coded pictures (P-picture) that are predictively coded
-3-

with reference to I-pictures located temporally previous to the current picture or other P-pictures. B1-B3 (Pictures I-' 3), B5 (Picture 5) and B6 (Picture 6) are bi-directional prediction coded pictures (B-picture) that are predictively coded with reference to 5 other pictures both temporally previous and subsequent to the current picture.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the types of pictures and how the pictures refer to each other. The difference between Fig. 2 and Fig. 1 is that a temporal position of the pictures
10 referred to by a B-picture is not limited to the pictures that are located temporally previous and subsequent to the B-picture. For example, the B5 can refer to two arbitrary pictures out of 10 (Picture 0), P3 (Picture 3) and P6 (Picture 6). Namely, the 10 and the P3, located temporally previously can be used as reference
15 pictures. Such a reference method is already acknowledged in the specification of the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 as of September 2001. Thus, a range for selecting an optimal predictive picture is widened and thereby the compression rate can be improved.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a stream structure
20 of picture data. As shown in Fig. 3, the stream includes a common information area such as a header or the like and a GOP (Group Of Picture) area. The GOP area includes a common information area such as a header or the like and a plurality of picture areas. The picture area includes a common information area such as a header
25 or the like and a plurality of slice data areas. The slice data area includes a common information area such as a header and a plurality of macroblock data areas.
In the picture common Information area, the weighting factor necessary for performing weighted prediction to be
30 mentioned later are described respectively according to the reference picture.
When transmitting data not in a bit stream having

successive streams but in a packet that is a unit consisting of pieces of data, the header part and the data part which excludes the header part can be transmitted separately. In this case, the header part and the data part can not be included in a single bit 5 stream. In the case of using a packet, however, even when the header part and the data part are not transmitted in sequence, the data part and the header part are transmitted respectively in a different packet. Although they are not transmitted in a bit stream, the concept is the same as in the case of using a bit stream 10 as described in Fig. 3.
The following describes weighted prediction processing carried out by the conventional picture coding method.
Figs. 4A and 4B are pattern diagrams showing cases of
performing weighted prediction on a frame-by-frame basis.
15 When referring to a single frame, as shown in Fig. 4A, a pixel
value Q in a predictive picture with respect to a current block to be
coded can be calculated using an equation for weighted prediction
as shown in equation (1) below, where a pixel value within a
reference block in the i th number of reference frame, Frame i, is
20 represented as PO. When referring to two frames, as shown in Fig.
4B, the pixel value Q in the predictive picture can be calculated
using an equation for weighted prediction as shown in equation (2)
below, where respective pixel values within the reference blocks in
the i th and j th numbers of reference frames. Frame i and Frame j,
25 are represented as PO and PI.
Q= (P0xW0 + D)/W2 (1)
Q= (P0xW0 + PlxWl + D)/W2 (2)
Here, WO and Wl represent weighting factors whereas W2 represents a normalization factor and D represents a biased 30 component (DC component).
Figs. 5A and 5B are pattern diagrams showing cases of performing weighted prediction processing on a field-by-fleld

basis.
When referring to a single frame (namely, two fields) as
shown in Fig. 5A, pixel values Qa and Qb in the predictive pictures
with respect to a current block can be calculated using equations
5 for weighted prediction as shown in equations (3) and (4) below,
where pixel values within respective reference blocks in respective
fields of 2xi + l and 2xi, composing the i th number of frame (Frame
i) which is for reference, are represented as POa and POb. When
referring to two frames, as shown in Fig. 5B, the pixel values Qa
10 and Qb can be calculated by using equations for weighted
prediction as shown in equations (5) and (6) below, where pixel
values within the respective reference blocks in field 2xi + l, 2xi,
2xj + land 2xj, composing the i th and j th number of frames (Frame
i and Frame j) are represented respectively as POa, POb, Pla and
15 Plb.
Qa= (P0axW0a + Da)/W2a (3)
Qb= (P0bxW0b+Db)/W2b (4)
Qa= (P0axW0a + PlaxWla + Da)/W2a (5)
Qb= (P0bxW0b+PlbxWlb+Db)/W2b (6)
20 Here, WOa, WOb, Wla and Wlb represent weighting factors
whereas W2 represents a normalization factor and Da and Db represent biased components.
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a conventional picture coding apparatus 100. The picture coding 25 apparatus 100 performs compression coding (for example, variable length coding) for an inputted image signal Vin and outputs a coded image signal Str that is a bit stream converted by the compression coding, and includes a motion estimation unit ME, a motion compensation unit MC, a substraction unit Sub, an 30 orthogonal transformation unit T, a quantization unit Q, an inverse quantization unit IQ, an inverse orthogonal transformation unit IT, an addition unit Add, a picture memory PicMem, a switch SW and a

variable length coding unit VLC.
The image signal Vin is inputted to the substractlon unit Sub and the motion estimation unit ME. The substraction unit Sub calculates a differential value between the inputted image signal 5 Vin and the predictive image and outputs the result to the orthogonal transformation unit T. The orthogonal transformation unit T transforms the differential value to a frequent coefficient and then outputs it to the quantization unit Q. The quantization unit Q quantizes the inputted frequency coefficient and outputs a
10 quantized value to the variable length coding unit VLC.
The inverse quantization unit IQ reconstructs the quantized value as a frequency coefficient by inverse-quantizing it and outputs it to the inverse orthogonal transformation unit IT. The inverse orthogonal transformation unit IT performs inverse
15 frequency conversion to the frequency coefficient in order to obtain a pixel differential value and outputs it to the addition unit Add. The addition unit Add adds the pixel differential value to the predictive image outputted from the motion compensation unit MC and obtains a decoded image. The switch SW is ON when it is
20 instructed to store the decoded image, and the decoded image is stored in the picture memory PIcMem.
The motion estimation unit ME, to which the image signal Vin is inputted on a macroblock-by-macroblock basis, targets the decoded pictures stored in the picture memory PrcMem for search,
25 and by estimating an image area according to the image signal that is the closest to the inputted image signal, determines a motion vector MV that indicates the area. The estimation of the motion vector is operated using a block that is a unit made by further dividing a macroblock. Since multiple pictures can be used as
30 reference pictures, identification numbers (picture number index) for identifying the pictures used for reference are required for each block. It is thus possible to identify the reference pictures by

corresponding the picture numbers assigned to each of the pictures In the picture memory PIcMem to the reference pictures with the use of the picture number Index.
The motion compensation unit MC takes out an image area 5 necessary for generating a predictive image from a decoded picture stored in the picture memory PIcMem using the picture number Index. The motion compensation unit MC then determines a final predictive Image obtained by performing, to the pixel values In the obtained image area, pixel value conversion
10 processing such as interpolating processing operated In the weighted prediction using the weighting factors associated with the picture number Index.
Fig. 7 Is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional structure of the variable length coding unit VLC in the conventional
15 picture coding apparatus 100 shown In Fig. 6. The variable length coding unit VLC Includes an MV coding unit 101, a quantized value coding unit 102, a weighting factor coding unit 103, an Index coding unit 104, an AFF (Adaptive Field Frame) identifying information coding unit 105 and a multiplexing unit 106.
20 The MV coding unit 101 codes a motion vector whereas the
quantized value coding unit 102 codes a quantized value Qcoef. The weighting factor coding unit 103 codes a weighting factor Weight whereas the index coding unit 104 codes a picture number Index. The AFF Identifying information coding unit 105 codes an
25 AFF identification signal AFF (the AFF identification signal AFF will be mentioned later on). The multiplexing unit 106 multiplexes each of the coded signals outputted from the MV coding unit 101, the quantized value coding unit 102, the weighting factor coding unit 103, the index coding unit 104 and the AFF identifying
30 Information coding unit 105 and then outputs a coded image signal Str.
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a

conventional picture decoding apparatus 200.
The picture decoding apparatus 200 for decoding the coded image signal Str coded by the picture coding apparatus 100 described above includes a variable length decoding unit VLD, a 5 motion compensation unit MC, an addition unit Add, a picture memory PicMem, an inverse quantization unit IQ and an inverse orthogonal transformation unit IT.
When the coded image signal Str is inputted, the variable length decoding unit VLD demultiplexes the inputted coded image
10 signal Str into a motion differential vector MV that is coded, an index indicating a picture number and a weighting factor Weight and outputs them to the motion compensation unit MC. The variable length decoding unit VLD then decodes the coded quantized value Qcoef included in the inputted coded image signal
15 Str and outputs it to the inverse quantization unit IQ.
The motion compensation unit MC takes out an image area necessary for generating a predictive image from a decoded picture stored in the picture memory PicMem using the motion vector and the picture number Index which are outputted from the
20 variable length decoding unit VLD. The motion compensation unit MC then generates a predictive image by performing pixel value conversion processing such as interpolating processing in the weighted prediction using the weighting factor Weight for the obtained image.
25 The inverse quantization unit IQ inverse-quantizes the
quantized value and reconstructs it as a frequency coefficient and outputs it to the inverse orthogonal transformation unit IT. The inverse orthogonal transformation unit IT performs inverse frequency conversion to the frequency coefficient in order to obtain
30 a pixel differential value and outputs it to the addition unit Add. The addition unit Add adds the pixel differential value to the predictive image outputted from the motion compensation unit MC

and obtains a decoded image. The decoded picture is stored in the
picture memory PicMem to be used for reference in the
inter-picture prediction. The decoded picture is outputted as a
decoded picture signal Vout.
5 Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional
structure of a variable length decoding unit VLD in the conventional picture decoding apparatus 200 shown in Fig. 8.
The variable length decoding unit VLD includes a demultiplexing unit 201, an MV decoding unit 202, a quantized
10 value decoding unit 203, a weighting factor decoding unit 204, an index decoding unit 205 and an AFF identification signal decoding unit 206.
When the coded image signal Str is inputted to the variable length decoding unit VLD, the demultiplexing unit 201
15 demultiplexes the inputted coded image signal Str and outputs respectively as follows: the coded motion differential vector MV to the MV decoding unit 202; the coded quantized value Qcoef to the quantized value decoding unit 203; the coded weighting factor Weight to the weighting factor decoding unit 204; the coded
20 picture number to the index decoding unit 205 and the coded AFF identification signal AFF (abbreviated as 'AFF" in the following description) to the AFF identification signal decoding unit 206.
The MV decoding unit 202 decodes the coded differential vector and outputs a motion vector MV.
25 Similarly, the quantized value decoding unit 203 decodes the
quantized value, the weighting factor decoding unit 204 decodes the weighting factor Weight, the index decoding unit 205 decodes the picture number Index and the AFF identification signal decoding unit 206 decodes the AFF respectively and then outputs
30 them.
The conventional coding using weighted prediction, however, is performed on a picture-by-picture basis with an assumption that

a block is coded/decoded for the same picture (a frame or one of the two fields). Therefore, only a set of weighting factors can be coded/decoded in the picture.
Therefore, in spite that the conventional picture coding apparatus has the potential to improve efficiency in motion estimation, only a single weighting factor can be transmitted on a blocl 10
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention has been conceived in view of the aforementioned circumstances and aims to provide a picture coding/decoding method that can handle weighting factors
15 appropriately even when switching of field/frame takes place on a block-by-block basis.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture coding apparatus according to the present invention codes an interlaced picture on a block-by-block basis, and comprises: a storage unit
20 operable to store a picture that is either a frame or a field decoded after being coded, as a reference picture; a predictive picture generation unit operable to read out the reference picture from the storage unit and generate a predictive picture based on pixel values in the reference picture, using one of i) a frame weighting
25 factor for coding the interlaced picture on a frame-by-frame basis and ii) a field weighting factor for coding the interlaced picture on a field-by-field basis; a signal coding unit operable to code, on a block-by-block basis, a differential value between an inputted picture and the predictive picture generated by the predictive
30 picture generation unit, either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis; a weighting factor coding unit operable to code the frame weighting factor out of the frame weighting factor and a

field weighting factor, when the signal coding unit codes the differential value on a block-by-block basis adaptively either on the frame-by-frame basis or on the field-by-field basis; and a multiplexing unit operable to multiplex the differential value coded 5 by the signal coding unit as well as the frame weighting factor coded by the weighting factor coding unit and output the multiplexed differential value and frame weighting factor, as a coded signal.
Consequently, the picture coding apparatus according to the
10 present invention abbreviates a field weighting factor, codes only a frame weighting factor and transmits it to a picture decoding apparatus, regardless of whether or not the switching of frame/field is performed on a block-by-block basis when performing weighted prediction for a moving picture. Therefore,
15 the transmission efficiency can be improved.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture decoding apparatus according to the present invention decodes, on a block-by-block basis, a coded signal according to a picture that is either a single frame or a single field, and comprises: a signal
20 decoding unit operable to decode the coded signal either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis, when the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis; a storage unit operable to store at least one decoded picture; a predictive picture
25 generation unit operable to extract, from the coded signal, a frame weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on the frame-by-frame basis, generate a field weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on the field-by-field basis, based on the frame weighting factor, and generate a predictive picture based on
30 pixel values in the decoded picture stored in the storage unit, using the extracted frame weighting factor and the generated field weighting factor, when the coded signal is coded by switching

adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis; and an addition unit operable to add the picture obtained in the decoding performed by the signal decoding unit to the predictive picture generated by the predictive picture generation 5 unit, output the added picture as a decoded picture, and store the decoded picture in the storage unit.
Consequently, the picture decoding apparatus according to the present invention generates the field weighting factor based on the frame weighting factor even when the switching of frame/field
10 on a block-by-block basis takes place and the field weighting factor is not transmitted. This realizes the adaptive switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis and improves the transmission efficiency.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture coding
15 method according to the present invention codes an input interlaced picture with reference to at least one decoded picture, and comprises the steps of: generating a predictive picture using a prediction equation weighted by predetermined weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture; generating a first coded
20 signal by coding a differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture adaptively either on a field-by-field basis or on a frame-by-frame basis; generating a decoded picture by decoding said coded signal and adding the decoded coded signal to the differential picture; and generating a
25 second coded signal by coding the predetermined weighting factors in the respective ways, on the field-by-field basis or on the frame-by-frame basis, when the differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture is coded adaptively either on the frame-by-frame basis or on the
30 field-by-field basis.
The weighting factors operated on a field-by-field basis may be the weighting factors of both a first field and a second field.

In order to achieve the above object, the picture coding method according to the present invention codes an input interlaced picture with reference to at least one decoded picture, and comprises the steps of: generating a predictive picture using a 5 prediction equation weighted by predetermined weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture; generating a first coded signal by coding adaptively a differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-fleld basis; generating a
10 second coded signal for coding Identification information indicating whether to code the predetermined weighting factors both on the field-by-fleld basis and on the frame-by-frame basis or to code the predetermined weighting factors either on the field-by-fleld basis or on the frame-by-frame basis; and generating a third coded
15 signal by coding the predetermined weighting factors according to the identification information.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture decoding method according to the present Invention decodes a coded signal, which is a coded input interlaced picture, with reference to at least
20 one decoded picture, and comprises, when the Input interlaced picture is coded adaptively either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a fleld-by-field basis, the steps of: obtaining weighting factors coded on a field-by-fleld basis and on a frame-by-frame basis by decoding the coded signal; generating a predictive picture using a
25 prediction equation weighted by the weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture; generating a differential picture by decoding the coded signal either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-fleld basis; and generating a decoded picture by adding the predictive picture to the differential picture.
30 The weighting factors coded on a field-by-field basis may be
the weighting factors of both a first field and a second field.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture decoding

method according to the present invention decodes a coded signal, which is a coded input interlaced picture, with reference to at least one decoded picture, and connprises, when a differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture is 5 coded adaptively either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis, the steps of: obtaining identification information indicating whether to decode the coded signal both on a field-by-field basis and on a frame-by-frame basis or either on the field-by-field basis or on the frame-by-frame basis; obtaining
10 both of the weighting factors by decoding the coded signal, when the obtained identification information indicates that the weighting factors are decoded in both ways, on a field-by-field basis and on a frame-by-frame basis; estimating one of the coded weighting factors based on the weighting factor, which Is other weighting
15 factor decoded using the coded signal, when the identification information indicates that the weighting factors are decoded in either way, on a field-by-field basis or on a frame-by-frame basis; generating a predictive picture using a prediction equation weighted by the weighting factors, with reference to the decoded
20 picture; generating a differential picture by decoding the coded signal either on a fleld-by-field basis or on a frame-by-frame basis; and generating a decoded picture by adding the differential picture to the predictive picture.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture coding
25 apparatus according to the present invention codes an input interlaced picture with reference to at least one decoded picture, and comprises: a unit operable to generate a predictive picture using a prediction equation weighted by predetermined weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture; a unit operable to
30 generate a first coded signal by coding adaptively a differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field

basis; a unit operable to generate a decoded picture by decoding the coded signal and adding the decoded coded signal to the differential picture; a unit operable to generate a second coded signal by coding the predetermined weighting factors in respective 5 ways, on a field-by-field basis and on a frame-by-frame basis, when the differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture is coded adaptively either on the frame-by-frame basis or on the field-by-field basis.
In order to achieve the above object, a picture coding
10 apparatus according to the present invention codes an input interlaced picture with reference to at least one decoded picture, and comprises: a unit operable to generate a predictive picture using a prediction equation weighted by predetermined weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture; a unit operable to
15 generate a first coded signal by coding adaptively a differential picture between the input interlaced picture and the predictive picture either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis; a unit operable to generate a decoded picture by decoding the coded signal and adding the decoded coded signal to the
20 differential picture; a unit operable to generate a second coded signal for generating identification information indicating whether to code the predetermined weighting factors both on the field-by-field basis and on the frame-by-frame basis or either on the field-by-field basis or on the frame-by-frame basis; and a unit
25 operable to generate a third coded signal by coding the predetermined weighting factors according to the identification information.
In order to achieve the above object, the picture decoding apparatus according to the present invention decodes a coded
30 signal, which is a coded input interlaced picture, with reference to at least one decoded picture, and comprises, when the input interlaced picture is coded adaptively either on a frame-by-frame

basis or on a field-by-field basis: a unit operable to obtain weighting factors operated both on the field-by-field basis and on the frame-by-frame basis, by decoding the coded signal; a unit operable to generate a predictive picture using a prediction 5 equation weighted by the weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture; a unit operable to generate a differential picture by decoding the coded signal either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis and generate a decoded picture by adding the differential picture to the predictive picture.
10 In order to achieve the above object, the picture decoding
apparatus according to the present invention decodes a coded signal, which is a coded input interlaced picture, with reference to at least one decoded picture, and comprises, when the input interlaced picture is coded adaptively either on a frame-by-frame
15 basis or on a field-by-field basis: a unit operable to obtain identification information indicating whether to decode weighting factors in both ways, on a field-by-field basis and on a frame-by-frame basis, or to decode the weighting factors in either way, on the field-by-field basis or on the frame-by-frame basis; a
20 unit operable to obtain both of the weighting factors when the obtained identification information indicates that the weighting factors are to be decoded in both ways, on the field-by-field basis and on the frame-by-frame basis; a unit operable to estimate one of the coded weighting factors based on the weighting factor, which
25 is other weighting factor decoded using the coded signal, and generate a predictive picture using a prediction equation weighted by the weighting factors, with reference to the decoded picture, when the obtained identification information indicates that the weighting factors are to be decoded in either way, on the
30 field-by-field basis or on the frame-by-frame basis; a unit operable to generate a differential picture by decoding the coded signal either on the frame-by-frame basis or on the field-by-field basis;

and a unit operable to generate a decoded picture by adding the differential picture to the predictive picture.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can be realized as a picture coding method and/or a picture 5 decoding method having the characteristic composing units included in each of the above apparatuses as steps and also as a program including all the steps included in these methods. The program can be stored in a ROM included in an apparatus with which above methods can be realized as well as distributed via a 10 storage medium such as a CD-ROM or the like and a transmission medium such as a communication network or the like.
As for further information about technical background to this application, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-289303 filed on 1 October, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
Brief Description of Drawings
These and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will become apparent from the following description
thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that
20 illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In the
drawings:
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of types of pictures and Its reference relation.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the types of 25 pictures and its reference relation.
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a stream structure of picture data.
Fig. 4A is a pattern diagram for performing weighted
prediction processing with reference to a single frame.
30 Fig. 4B is a pattern diagram for performing weighted
prediction processing with reference to two frames.
Fig. 5A is a pattern diagram for performing weighted

prediction processing with reference to a first or a second field corresponding to a predictive picture with respect to a current picture to be coded.
Fig. 5B is a pattern diagram for performing weighted 5 prediction processing with reference to both the first and the second fields corresponding to the predictive picture.
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a conventional picture coding apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional 10 structure of a variable length coding unit in the conventional picture coding apparatus.
Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of a conventional picture decoding apparatus.
Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional 15 structure of a variable length coding unit in the conventional picture decoding apparatus.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional
structure of a variable length coding unit according to a first
embodiment.
20 Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional
structure of a variable length decoding unit according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 12A is a detailed example of a data structure of a "header" included in a common information area in a picture area 25 according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 12B is an example of a case in which only a "field weighting factor" is transmitted as a "picture weighting factor", having no "AFF"s.
Fig. 12C is an example of a case in which field and frame can 30 not be switched on a block-by-block basis since "picture frame coding information" indicates "1" and the ^'AFF" indicates "0".
Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding

processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by a
variable length decoding unit when "picture frame coding
information" indicates "1" and a picture is coded on a
frame-by-frame basis, according to the first embodiment.
5 Fig. 14A is a detailed example of a data structure of a
"header" included in a common information area in a picture area according to a variation of the first embodiment.
Fig. 14B is an example of a case in which only a "field weighting factor" is transmitted as a "picture weighting factor",
10 having no "AFF"s since the "picture frame coding information" indicates "0" which determines to always field code.
Fig. 14C is an example of a case in which field and frame can not be switched on a block-by-block basis since the "picture frame coding information" indicates "1" and the "AFF" indicates "0".
15 Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding
processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by a variable length decoding unit when the "picture frame coding information" indicates "1" and a picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis, according to the variation of the first
20 embodiment.
Fig. 16 Is a flowchart showing a sequence of decoding processing with respect to the weighting factors when the "picture frame coding information" operated by the variable length coding unit illustrated in Fig. 11 indicates "1" and a picture is coded on a
25 frame-by-frame basis.
Fig. 17A is a detailed example of a data structure of a "header" included in a common information area in a picture area according to a second embodiment, in which the "AFF" is set to "1" and "Field factor presence/absence information" is set to "1".
30 Fig. 17B is a diagram similar to Fig. 17A in which the "AFF" is
set to "1" and the "Field factor presence/absence information" is set to "0".

Fig. 17C Is an example in which the switching of field/frame does not take place on a block-by-block basis since the "AFF" Is set
to "0".
Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding 5 processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the variable length coding unit according to the second embodiment.
Fig. 19 Is a flowchart showing a sequence of decoding
processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the
variable length decoding unit according to the second embodiment.
10 Fig. 20A is a diagram showing an example of a data structure
of a picture area, in which the "AFF" is set to "1" and "Frame factor presence/absence information" is set to "1", according to a third embodiment.
Fig. 20B is a diagram similar to Fig. 20A, in which the "AFF" 15 Is set to "1" and the "Frame factor presence/absence information" Is set to "0".
Fig. 20C Is an example in which switching of field/frame does
not take place on a block-by-block basis since the "AFF" is set to
"0".
20 Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding
processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by a variable length coding unit according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a sequence of decoding processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by a 25 variable length decoding unit according to the third embodiment.
Figs. 23A~23C are illustrations for performing the picture
coding method and the picture decoding method according to the
first, second and third embodiments using a program recorded on
a recording medium such as a flexible disk.
30 Fig. 23A Is an illustration showing a physical format of the
flexible disk that is a main body of the recording medium.
Fig. 23B is an illustration showing a full appearance of the

flexible disk, a structure at cross section and the flexible disk itself.
Fig. 23C is an illustration showing a structure for recording/reproducing the program onto the flexible disk FD.
Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing a whole structure of a 5 content supplying system for realizing a content delivery service.
Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a cell phone.
Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the cell phone.
Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing a whole structure of a 10 digital broadcasting system.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The following describes embodiments according to the present invention in detail with reference to the diagrams. 15
(First Embodiment)
The functional structure of the picture coding apparatus for realizing the picture coding method according to the present embodiment is as same as that of the conventional picture coding 20 apparatus 100 mentioned above, except for the variable length coding unit VLC. Similarly, the functional structure of the picture decoding apparatus for realizing the picture decoding method according to the present embodiment is as same as that of the conventional picture decoding apparatus 200 mentioned above, 25 except for the variable length decoding unit VLD.
Therefore, the following focuses mainly on the descriptions of a variable length coding unit VLC and a variable length decoding unit VLD which are different from the conventional ones.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional
30 structure of the variable length coding unit according to the
present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the variable length
coding unit VLC includes an MV coding unit 101, a quantized value

coding unit 102, a field weighting factor coding unit 11, a frame weighting factor coding unit 12, an index coding unit 104, a weighting factor mode determination unit 13, an AFF identifying information coding unit 105, switches 14, 15 and a multiplexing 5 unit 106. The same referential marks are put for the same functional structures as those of the conventional variable length coding unit VLC, and the explanation is thereby abbreviated.
The switches 14 and 15 control ON/OFF by determining the destination of the inputted weighting factor Weight, either to the
10 field weighting factor coding unit 11 or to the frame weighting factor coding unit 12, based on the result of the determination made by the weighting factor mode determination unit 13.
The field weighting factor coding unit 11 codes the inputted weighting factor Weight as a field weighting factor whereas the
15 frame weighting factor coding unit 12 codes it as a frame weighting factor.
The weighting factor mode determination unit 13 performs the determination of frame/field based on the value of the AFF and that of the weighting factor Weight and then informs the switches
20 14, 15 and the multiplexing unit 106 of the result of the determination.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing a sketch of a functional structure of the variable length decoding unit VLD according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the variable length
25 decoding unit VLD includes a demultiplexing unit 21, an MV decoding unit 202, a quantized value decoding unit 203, a field weighting factor decoding unit 22, a frame weighting factor decoding unit 23, a weighting factor generation unit 24, an index decoding unit 205, an AFF identifying information decoding unit
30 206 and switches 26'^28. The same referential marks are put for the same functional structures as those of the conventional variable length decoding unit VLD, and the explanation is thereby

abbreviated.
The demultiplexing unit 21 demultiplexes the inputted coded image signal Str and outputs the demultiplexed signals respectively as follows: the coded motion vector MV to the MV 5 decoding unit 202; the coded quantized value Qcoef to the quantized value decoding unit 203; the coded weighting factor Weight to the field weighting factor decoding unit 22 or the frame weighting factor decoding unit 23, and the weighting factor generation unit 24; the coded picture number Index to the index
10 decoding unit 205 and the coded AFF to the AFF identifying information decoding unit 206.
The field weighting factor decoding unit 22 decodes the inputted weighting factor Weight as a field weighting factor. The frame weighting factor decoding unit 23 decodes the inputted
15 weighting factor Weight as a frame weighting factor.
The weighting factor generation unit 24 generates a field weighting factor based on a frame weighting factor, if necessary. It is a case, for example, in which switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis takes place and it is necessary to generate a
20 field weighting factor based on a frame weighting factor since a field weighting factor is not coded.
Figs. 12A, 12B and 12C are diagrams showing examples of a data structure of a picture area according to the present embodiment. Fig 12A is a detailed example of a data structure of
25 a "header" within a common information area in the picture area. In the example of Fig. 12A, the "header" includes "picture frame coding information" which indicates whether the picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field- by-field basis. For example, when the "picture frame coding information" indicates
30 "1", the "header" further includes a flag "AFF" indicating whether or not the switching between field and frame on a block-by-block basis takes place. When the "AFF" indicates "1", for instance, this

indicates that the switching between field and frame takes place. As shown in Fig. 12A, when the "AFF" indicates "1", both the "field weighting factor" and the "frame weighting factor" are transmitted. The "field weighting factor" includes a "first field weighting factor" 5 and a "second field weighting factor".
When the "picture frame coding information" indicates "0", the picture is coded on a field-by-field basis, therefore, it is impossible to switch between field and frame on a block-by-block basis. Consequently, as shown in Fig. 12B, the "header" does not
10 include the "AFF" and only the "field weighting factor" is transmitted as a "picture weighting factor". In the case of Fig. 12C, where the "picture frame coding information" is "1" and the "AFF" indicates "0", it is impossible to switch between field and frame on a block-by-block basis. Therefore, only the "frame
15 weighting factor" is transmitted as a "picture weighting factor".
Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the variable length decoding unit VLD when the "picture frame coding information" indicates "1" and the picture is coded on a
20 frame-by-frame basis, according to the present embodiment.
Firstly, when the value of the "AFF" indicates "1" and the frame/field switching is operated on a block-by-block basis (Yes in SIO), the "AFF" indicating "switching on a block-by-block basis takes place" is coded (S13), and then, the frame weighting factor
25 and the field weighting factor are coded (S14, S15).
When the value of the "AFF" is "0" and no switching of frame/field takes place on a block-by-block basis (No in SIO), the value "0" of the "AFF" indicating "no switching takes place on a block-by-block basis" is coded (Sll) and the "picture weighting
30 factor" is coded (S12).

(Variation)
Figs. 14A, 14B and 14C are diagrams showing examples of a data structure of a picture area according to a variation of the present embodiment. Fig 14A is a detailed example of a data 5 structure of a "header" within a common information area in the picture area. In the example of Fig. 14A, the "header" includes "picture frame coding information" which indicates whether the picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field- by-field basis. For example, when the "picture frame coding information"
10 indicates "1" (this means that the picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis), the "header" further includes a flag "AFF" indicating whether or not the switching between field and frame on a block-by-block basis takes place. When the "AFF" indicates "1", for instance, this indicates that the switching between field and
15 frame takes place on a block-by-block basis. As shown in Fig. 14A, when the "AFF" indicates "1", the "frame weighting factor" is transmitted, and the "field weighting factor" appropriates the "frame weighting factor" to the coding processing.
When the "picture frame coding information" indicates "0", it
20 indicates that the picture is coded on a field-by-field basis. In this case, the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis does not take place. Therefore, it is impossible to switch between field and frame on a block-by-block basis. Consequently, when the "header" does not include the "AFF" as shown in Fig. 14B, it means
25 that only the "field weighting factor" is transmitted as a "picture weighting factor". In the case of Fig. 14C, where the "picture frame coding Information" Indicates "1" and the "AFF" indicates "0", the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis does not take place and thereby the picture is always coded on a frame-by-frame
30 basis. Therefore, only the "frame weighting factor" is transmitted as a "picture weighting factor".
Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding

processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the variable length coding unit VLC when the "picture frame coding information" indicates "1" and the picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis, according to the variation of the present 5 embodiment.
Firstly, when the value of the "AFF" is "1" and the switching of frame/field is operated on a block-by-block basis (Yes in SIO), the "AFF" indicating "switching on a block-by-block basis takes place" is coded (S13) and the frame weighting factor is coded
10 (S15).
When the value of the "AFF" is "0" and no switching of frame/field takes place on a block-by-block basis (No in SIO), the value "0" of the "AFF" indicating "no switching takes place on a block-by-btock basis" is coded (Sll) and either the "field weighting
15 factor" or the "frame weighting factor" corresponding to a unit of coding a block is coded as a "picture weighting factor" (S12) based on the picture frame coding information.
Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a sequence of decoding processing with respect to the weighting factors when the "picture
20 frame coding information" indicates "1" and the picture processed by the variable length decoding unit VLD shown in Fig. 11 is coded on a frame-by-frame basis. This flowchart also corresponds to the sequence of coding processing described in Fig. 13.
Firstly, the variable length decoding unit VLD decodes the
25 "AFF" (S20). When the value of "AFF" is "1" indicating that the switching of frame/field is operated on a block-by-block basis (Yes in S21), the variable length decoding unit VLD decodes the frame weighting factor (S23) and generates a field weighting factor based on it (for instance, appropriating a frame weighting factor)
30 (S24).
On the other hand, when the value of the "AFF" is "0" indicating that the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block

basis does not take place (S21: No), the variable length decoding unit VLD decodes either the "field weighting factor" as a "picture weighting factor" or the "field weighting factor" (S22).
Thus, by employing the picture coding/decoding method 5 according to the present embodiment, the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is realized, prediction efficiency is improved, which eventually brings an improvement of the compression rate. Furthermore, even when the "field weighting factor" is not coded, the variable length decoding unit VLD 10 generates the "field weighting factor" based on the "frame weighting factor" so that the switching of field/frame on a block basis takes place without any problems.
(Second Embodiment)
15 The present embodiment describes an example of a case in
which a data structure of a picture area is different from the one illustrated in the first embodiment.
Figs. 17A, 17B and 17C are diagrams showing examples of a data structure of a picture area according to the present
20 embodiment. These diagrams also show a detailed data structure of a "header" included in a common information area in a picture area. The present embodiment illustrates an example of a structure of the "header" from which a field weighting factor can be abbreviated when the "picture frame coding information" indicates
25 "1" and the picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis.
As shown in Figs. 17A and 17B, the "header" includes "Field factor presence/absence information" as well as the "AFF". The "Field factor presence/absence information" is a flag indicating whether or not the "header" has a field weighting factor. For
30 example, the flag is set to "1" when the "header" has the field weighting factor and is set to "0" when the field weighting factor is abbreviated.

Fig. 17A is a case in which both the "AFF" and "Field factor presence/absence information" are set to "1" and the field weighting factor is transmitted. The "field weighting factor" includes the "first field weighting factor" and the "second field 5 weighting factor" as in the case of the first embodiment described above.
Fig. 17B is a case in which the "AFF" is set to "1" and the "Field factor presence/absence information" is set to "0".
Fig. 17C is a case in which the switching of field/frame on a 10 block-by-block basis does not take place since the "AFF" is set to "0".
Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the variable length coding unit VLC according to the present 15 embodiment.
Firstly, when the value of the "AFF" indicates "1" and the
switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is operated (Yes
in SIO), the variable length coding unit VLC codes the "AFF"
indicating that the switching on a block-by-block basis takes place
20 (S31).
Moreover, the variable length coding unit VLC determines whether or not a field weighting factor can be generated based on a frame weighting factor (S32), and when this is possible, codes information indicating the generation of the field weighting factor, 25 and the frame weighting factor (S36, S37). When the field weighting factor is not generated based on the frame weighting factor, the variable length coding unit VLC codes information indicating the presence/absence of the field weighting factor as well as the frame weighting factor and the field weighting factor (S 30 33-S35).
On the other hand, when the value of the "AFF" is "0" and the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is not operated

(No in SIO), the subsequent processing is the same as in the flowchart illustrated in Fig. 15 (Sll, S12).
Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing a sequence of decoding
processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the
5 variable length decoding unit VLD described in Fig. 11. This
flowchart also corresponds to the sequence of the coding
processing described in Fig. 18.
Firstly, when the value of the "AFF" is"l" Indicating that the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is operated (Yes
10 in S21), the variable length decoding unit VLD decodes the "AFF" (S20) and then decodes the information indicating the presence/absence of the field weighting factor (S41).
Then, the variable length decoding unit VLD determines whether or not the field weighting factor is found (S42), decodes
15 the frame weighting factor when the field weighting factor is not found (S45) and generates the field weighting factor based on the frame weighting factor (S46). When the field weighting factor is found, the variable length decoding unit VLD decodes both the frame weighting factor and the field weighting factor (S43, S44).
20 On the other hand, when the value of the "AFF" is "0"
indicating that the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is not operated (No in S21), the picture weighting factor Is decoded (S22).
Thus, by employing the picture coding/decoding method
25 according to the present embodiment, the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is realized. Furthermore, the field weighting factor can be generated based on the frame weighting factor even when the field weighting factor is abbreviated.
30 (Third Embodiment)
The present embodiment describes a case in which the data structure of the picture area Is different from the one illustrated in

the first embodiment.
Figs. 20A, 20B and 20C are diagrams showing examples of the data structure of the picture area according to the present embodiment. It shows a detailed data structure of a "header" 5 when the "picture frame coding information" included In a common information area in a picture area indicates "1" and the picture is coded on a frame-by-frame basis. The present embodiment illustrates an example of the structure of the "header" from which the frame weighting factor can be abbreviated.
10 As shown in Figs. 20A and 20B, the "header" includes the
"Frame factor presence/absence information" as well as the "AFF". The "Frame factor presence/absence information" is a flag indicating whether or not the "header" includes the frame weighting factor. For example, the flag is set to "1" when the
15 frame weighting factor is found and is set to "0" when the frame weighting factor is abbreviated.
Fig. 20A is a case in which both the "AFF" and the "Frame factor presence/absence information" are set to "1" and the frame weighting factor is transmitted. Fig. 20B is a case in which the
20 "AFF" is set to "1" and the "Frame factor identification information" is set to "0". Fig. 20C is a case in which the switching of field/frame on a block-by-block basis is not operated since the "AFF" is set to "0".
Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing a sequence of coding
25 processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the variable length coding unit VLC according to the present embodiment.
Firstly, the variable length coding unit VLC codes the "AFF" indicating that the switching on a block-by-block basis is operated
30 (S51) when the value of the "AFF" is "1" and the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis takes place (Yes in SIG).
Furthermore, the variable length coding unit VLC determines

whether or not to generate a frame weighting factor based on a field weighting factor (S52). When a frame weighting factor is generated based on a field weighting factor, the variable length coding unit VLC codes information indicating the generation of the 5 frame weighting factor, and the field weighting factor (S56, S57). When the frame weighting factor is not generated based on the field weighting factor (No in S52), the variable length coding unit VLC codes information indicating the presence/absence of the frame weighting factor as well as the field weighting factor and the
10 frame weighting factor (553^^555).
On the other hand, when the value of the "AFF" is "0" and the switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis does not take place (No in SIO), the same coding processing as described in Fig. 15 is performed (Sll, S12).
15 Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing a sequence of decoding
processing with respect to the weighting factors operated by the variable length decoding unit VLD illustrated in Fig. 11. This diagram also corresponds to the sequence of the coding processing described in Fig. 21.
20 Firstly, when the value of the "AFF" is "1" indicating that the
switching of frame/field on a block-by-block basis is operated (Yes in S21), the variable length decoding unit VLD firstly decodes the "AFF" (S20) and then the information indicating the presence/absence of the frame weighting factor (S61).
25 Then, the variable length decoding unit VLD determines
whether or not the frame weighting factor ]s found (S62), decodes the field weighting factor (S65) when the frame weighting factor is not found (Yes in S62) and generates a frame weighting factor based on the field weighting factor (S66). When the frame
30 weighting factor is found (No in S62), both the field weighting factor and the frame weighting factor are decoded (S63, S64).
On the other hand, when the value of the "AFF" is "0"

indicating that the switching of frame/field on a biock-by-block basis is not operated (No in S21), the variable length decoding unit VLD decodes a picture weighting factor (S22).
Thus, by employing the picture coding/decoding method
5 according to the present embodiment, the switching of field/frame
on a block-by-block basis is realized. In addition, the frame
weighing factor can be generated based on the field weighting
factor even when the frame weighting factor is abbreviated.
10 (Fourth embodiment)
Furthermore, the processing shown in each of the above embodiments can be carried out easily in an independent computer system by recording the program for realizing the picture coding/decoding method described in each of the above
15 embodiments onto a storage medium such as a flexible disk or the like.
Fig. 23 is an illustration for carrying out the picture coding/decoding method described in each of the above embodiments in the computer system using the program recorded
20 onto the storage medium such as a flexible disk or the like.
Fig. 23B shows a full appearance of a flexible disk, its structure at cross section and the flexible disk itself whereas Fig. 23A shows an example of a physical format of the flexible disk as a main body of a storage medium. A flexible disk FD is contained in
25 a case F with a plurality of tracks Tr formed concentrically from the
periphery to the inside on the surface of the disk, and each track is
divided into 16 sectors Se in the angular direction. Thus, the
program is stored in an area assigned for it on the flexible disk FD.
Fig. 23C shows a structure for recording and reading out the
30 program on the flexible disk FD. When the program is recorded on the flexible disk FD, the computer system Cs writes in the program via a flexible disk drive. When the coding apparatus and the

decoding apparatus are constructed in the computer system using
the program on the flexible disk, the program is read out from the
flexible disk and then transferred to the computer system by the
flexible disk drive.
5 The above explanation is made on an assumption that a
storage medium is a flexible disk, but the same processing can also be performed using an optical disk. In addition, the storage medium is not limited to a flexible disk and an optical disk, but any other medium such as an IC card and a ROM cassette capable of 10 recording a program can be used.
(Fifth embodiment)
The following is a description for the applications of the picture coding/decoding method illustrated in the 15 above-mentioned embodiments and a system using them.
Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of
a content supply system exlOO for realizing content delivery
service. The area for providing communication service is divided
into cells of desired size, and cell sites exl07'^exll0, which are
20 fixed wireless stations, are placed in respective cells.
This content supply system ex 100 is connected to apparatuses such as a computer exlll, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) exll2, a camera exll3, a mobile phone exll4 and a mobile phone with a camera exll5 via, for example, Internet 25 exlOl, an Internet service provider exl02, a telephone network exl04, as well as the cell sites exl07~exll0.
However, the content supply system exlOO is not limited to
the configuration shown in Fig. 24 and may be connected to a
combination of any of them. Also, each apparatus may be
30 connected directly to the telephone network exl04, not through
the cell sites exloy^^^exllO.
The camera exll3 is an apparatus capable of shooting video

such as a digital video camera. The mobile phone exll4 may be a mobile phone of any of the following system: a PDC (Personal Digital Communications) system, a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) system, a W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple 5 Access) system or a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) system, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) or the like.
A streaming server exl03 is connected to the camera exll3 via the telephone network exl04 and also the cell site exl09,
10 which realizes a live distribution or the like using the camera exll3 based on the coded data transmitted from the user. Either of the camera exll3, the server which transmits the data and the like may code the data. The moving picture data shot by a camera 6x116 may be transmitted to the streaming server exl03 via the
15 computer exlll. In this case, either the camera exll6 or the computer exlll may code the moving picture data. An LSI exll7 included in the computer exlll and the camera exll6 performs the coding processing. Software for coding and decoding pictures may be integrated into any type of storage medium (such as a
20 CD-ROM, a flexible disk and a hard disk) that is a recording medium which is readable by the computer exlll or the like. Furthermore, the mobile phone with a camera exll5 may transmit the moving picture data. This moving picture data is the data coded by the LSI included in the mobile phone exllS.
25 The content supply system exlOO codes contents (such as a
music live video) shot by a user using the camera exll3, the camera exll6 or the like in the same way as shown in the above-mentioned embodiments and transmits them to the streaming server exl03, while the streaming server exl03 makes
30 stream delivery of the content data to the clients at their requests. The clients include the computer exlll, the PDA exll2, the camera exll3, the mobile phone exll4 and so on capable of

decoding the above-mentioned coded data. In the content supply
system exlOO, the clients can thus receive and reproduce the
coded data, and can further receive, decode and reproduce the
data in real time so as to realize personal broadcasting.
5 When each apparatus in this system performs coding or
decoding, the picture coding apparatus or the picture decoding apparatus shown in the above-mentioned embodiments can be used.
A cell phone will be explained as an example of such
10 apparatus.
Fig. 25 is a diagram showing the mobile phone exll5 using the picture coding/decoding method explained in the above-mentioned embodiments. The mobile phone exll5 has an antenna ex201 for communicating with the cell site exllO via radio
15 waves, a camera unit ex203 such as a CCD camera capable of shooting moving and still pictures, a display unit ex202 such as a liquid crystal display for displaying the data such as decoded pictures and the like shot by the camera unit ex203 or received by the antenna ex201, a body unit including a set of operation keys
20 ex204, an audio output unit ex208 such as a speaker for outputting audio, an audio input unit ex205 such as a microphone for inputting audio, a storage medium ex207 for storing coded or decoded data such as data of moving or still pictures shot by the camera, data of received e-mails and that of moving or still pictures, and a slot unit
25 ex206 for attaching the storage medium ex207 to the mobile phone exll5. The storage medium ex207 stores in itself a flash memory element, a kind of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) that is a nonvolatile memory electrically erasable from and rewritable to a plastic case such as
30 an SD card.
Next, the mobile phone exll5 will be explained with reference to Fig. 26. In the mobile phone exll5, a main control

unit exSll, designed in order to control overall each unit of the main body which contains the display unit ex202 as well as the operation keys ex204, is connected mutually to a power supply circuit unit exSlO, an operation input control unit ex304, a picture 5 coding unit ex312, a camera interface unit ex303, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) control unit ex302, a picture decoding unit ex309, a multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex308, a read/write unit ex307, a modem circuit unit ex306 and an audio processing unit ex305 via a synchronous bus ex313.
10 When a call-end key or a power key is turned ON by a user's
operation, the power supply circuit unit ex310 supplies respective units with power from a battery pack so as to activate the digital mobile phone with a camera exll5 as a ready state.
In the mobile phone exll5, the audio processing unit ex305
15 converts the audio signals received by the audio input unit ex205 in conversation mode into digital audio data under the control of the main control unitex311 including a CPU, ROM and RAM, the modem circuit unit ex306 performs spread spectrum processing for the digital audio data, and the communication circuit unit ex301
20 performs digital-to-analog conversion and frequency conversion for the data, so as to transmit it via the antenna ex201. Also, in the mobile phone exll5, the communication circuit unit ex301 amplifies the data received by the antenna ex201 in conversation mode and performs frequency conversion and the analog-to-digital
25 conversion to the data, the modem circuit unit ex306 performs inverse spread spectrum processing of the data, and the audio processing unit ex305 converts it into analog audio data, so as to output it via the audio output unit ex208.
Furthermore, when transmitting an e-mail in data
30 communication mode, the text data of the e-mail inputted by operating the operation keys ex204 of the main body is sent out to the main control unit ex311 via the operation input control unit

ex304. In the main control unit ex311, after the modem circuit unit ex306 performs spread spectrum processing of the text data and the communication circuit unit ex301 performs the digital-to-analog conversion and the frequency conversion for the 5 text data, the data is transmitted to the cell site exllO via the antenna ex201.
When picture data is transmitted in data communication mode, the picture data shot by the camera unit ex203 is supplied to the picture coding unit ex312 via the camera interface unit ex303.
10 When it is not transmitted, it is also possible to display the picture data shot by the camera unit ex203 directly on the display unit ex202 via the camera interface unit ex303 and the LCD control unit ex302.
The picture coding unit ex312, which includes the picture
15 coding apparatus as explained in the present invention, compresses and codes the picture data supplied from the camera unit ex203 using the coding method employed by the picture coding apparatus as shown in the first embodiment so as to transform it into coded image data, and sends it out to the
20 multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex308. At this time, the mobile phone exll5 sends out the audio received by the audio input unit ex205 during the shooting with the camera unit ex203 to the multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex308 as digital audio data via the audio processing unit ex305.
25 The multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex308 multiplexes the
coded image data supplied from the picture coding unit ex312 and the audio data supplied from the audio processing unit ex305, using a predetermined method, then the modem circuit unit ex306 performs spread spectrum processing of the multiplexed data
30 obtained as a result of the multiplexing, and lastly the communication circuit unit ex301 performs digital-to-analog conversion and frequency transform of the data for the

transmission via the antenna ex201.
As for receiving data of a moving picture file which is linked to a Web page or the like in data communication mode, the modem circuit unit ex306 performs inverse spread spectrum processing for 5 the data received from the cell site exllO via the antenna ex201, and sends out the multiplexed data obtained as a result of the inverse spread spectrum processing.
In order to decode the multiplexed data received via the antenna ex201, the multiplexing/demultiplexing unit ex308
10 demultiplexes the multiplexed data into a coded stream of image data and that of audio data, and supplies the coded image data to the picture decoding unit ex309 and the audio data to the audio processing unit ex305, respectively via the synchronous bus ex313.
15 Next, the picture decoding unit ex309, including the picture
decoding apparatus as explained in the above-mentioned invention, decodes the coded stream of the image data using the decoding method corresponding to the coding method as shown in the above-mentioned embodiments to generate reproduced moving
20 picture data, and supplies this data to the display unit ex202 via the LCD control unit ex302, and thus the image data included in the moving picture file linked to a Web page, for instance, is displayed. At the same time, the audio processing unit ex305 converts the audio data into analog audio data, and supplies this data to the
25 audio output unit ex208, and thus the audio data included in the moving picture file linked to a Web page, for instance, is reproduced.
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned system since ground-based or satellite digital broadcasting has
30 been in the news lately and at least either the picture coding apparatus or the picture decoding apparatus described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be incorporated into a digital

broadcasting system as shown in Fig. 27. More specifically, a coded stream of video information is transmitted from a broadcast station ex409 to or communicated with a broadcast satellite ex410 via radio waves. Upon receipt of it, the broadcast satellite ex410 5 transmits radio waves for broadcasting. Then, a home-use antenna ex406 with a satellite broadcast reception function receives the radio waves, and a television (receiver) ex401 or a set top box (STB) ex407 decodes a coded bit stream for reproduction. The picture decoding apparatus as shown in the above-mentioned
10 embodiments can be implemented in the reproducing apparatus ex403 for reading out and decoding the coded stream recorded on a storage medium ex402 that is a recording medium such as a CD and a DVD. In this case, the reproduced moving picture signals are displayed on a monitor ex404. It is also conceivable to
15 implement the picture decoding apparatus in the set top box ex407 connected to a cable ex405 for a cable television or the antenna ex406 for satellite and/or ground-based broadcasting so as to reproduce them on a monitor ex408 of the television ex401. The picture decoding apparatus may be incorporated into the television,
20 not in the set top box. Also, a car ex412 having an antenna ex411 can receive signals from the satellite ex410 or the cell site exl07 for replaying moving pictures on a display device such as a car navigation system ex413 set in the car ex412.
Furthermore, the picture coding apparatus as shown in the
25 above-mentioned embodiments can code picture signals and record them on a storage medium. As a concrete example, a recorder ex420 such as a DVD recorder for recording picture signals on a DVD disk ex421, a disk recorder for recording them on a hard disk can be cited. They can be recorded on an SD card
30 ex422. When the recorder ex420 includes the picture decoding apparatus as shown in the above-mentioned embodiments, the picture signals recorded on the DVD disk ex421 or the SD card

ex422 can be reproduced for display on the monitor ex408.
As for the structure of the car navigation system ex413, the
structure without the camera unit ex203, the camera interface unit
ex303 and the picture coding unit ex312, out of the components
5 shown in Fig. 26, is conceivable. The same applies for the
computer exlll, the television (receiver) ex401 and others.
In addition, three types of implementations can be
conceived for a terminal such as the mobile phone exll4; a
sending/receiving terminal implemented with both an encoder and
10 a decoder, a sending terminal implemented with an encoder only,
and a receiving terminal implemented with a decoder only.
As described above, it is possible to use the picture coding
method and the picture decoding method described in the
above-mentioned embodiments for any of the above-mentioned
15 apparatuses and systems, and by using these methods, the effects
described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be obtained.
From the invention thus described, it will be obvious that the
embodiments of the invention may be varied in many ways. Such
variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and
20 scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be
obvious to one skilled in the art are intended for inclusion within
the scope of the following claims.
Thus, with the picture coding/decoding method according to the present invention, it is possible to realize the switching of 25 field/frame on a block basis and improve the prediction efficiency and the compression rate.
Moreover, with the picture coding/decoding method according to the present invention, the field weighting factor is generated based on the field weighting factor, therefore, the field 30 weighting factor can be abbreviated from the data to be transmitted and thereby the transmission efficiency can be improved. Consequently, its practical value is high.

Industrial Applicability
The present invention can be applied to the picture coding apparatus, the picture decoding apparatus and the methods thereof for performing motion estimation by switching frame/field 5 on a b!ock-by-b!ocl

CLAIMS
1. A picture coding apparatus for coding an interlaced picture
on a block-by-block basis, comprising:
a storage unit operable to store a picture that is either a
5 frame or a field decoded after being coded, as a reference picture;
a predictive picture generation unit operable to read out a
reference picture from the storage unit and generate a predictive
picture based on pixel values in the reference picture, using one of
i) a frame weighting factor for coding the interlaced picture on a
10 frame-by-frame basis and ii) a field weighting factor for coding the
interlaced picture on a field-by-field basis;
a signal coding unit operable to code on a block-by-block
basis a differential value between an inputted picture and the
predictive picture generated by the predictive picture generation
15 unit, either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis;
a weighting factor coding unit operable to code the frame
weighting factor out of the frame weighting factor and the field
weighting factor, when the signal coding unit codes the differential
value on a block-by-block basis adaptively either on the
20 frame-by-frame basis or on the field-by-field basis; and
a multiplexing unit operable to multiplex the differential
value coded by the signal coding unit as well as the frame
weighting factor coded by the weighting factor coding unit, and
output the multiplexed differential value and frame weighting
25 factor, as a coded signal.
2. The picture coding apparatus according to Claim 1,
wherein the signal coding unit codes, per said picture, either
a block by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis 30 and the field-by-field basis or the differential value either on the frame-by-frame basis or on the field-by-field basis, and
when the signal coding unit codes a block by switching

adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis, the multiplexing unit outputs, per said picture that is a current picture to be coded, the coded signal including the frame weighting factor and flag information indicating that the block is 5 coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis.
3. The picture coding apparatus according to Claim 1,
wherein the predictive picture generation unit generates a
10 field weighting factor using a predetermined method, based on the
frame weighting factor, and generates the predictive picture using
the frame weighting factor and the generated field weighting
factor.
15 4. A picture decoding apparatus for decoding, on a block-by-block basis, a coded signal according to a picture that is either a frame or a field, the picture decoding apparatus comprising:
a signal decoding unit operable to decode the coded signal
20 either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis, when the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis;
a storage unit operable to store at least one decoded picture;
25 a predictive picture generation unit operable to extract, from
the coded signal, a frame weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on the frame-by-frame basis, generate a field weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on the field-by-field basis, based on the frame weighting factor, and generate a predictive
30 picture based on pixel values in the decoded picture stored in the storage unit, using the extracted frame weighting factor and the generated field weighting factor, when the coded signal is coded by

switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis; and
an addition unit operable to add the picture obtained in the
decoding performed by the signal decoding unit to the predictive
5 picture generated by the predictive picture generation unit, output
the added picture as a decoded picture and store the decoded
picture in the storage unit.
5. The picture decoding apparatus according to Claim 4,
10 wherein the coded signal of each said picture includes the
frame weighting factor and flag information indicating that the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis, and
the predictive picture generation unit generates the field
15 weighting factor based on the frame weighting factor when said each picture includes the flag information.
6. The picture decoding apparatus according to Claim 4,
wherein the predictive picture generation unit generates a
20 field weighting factor based on the frame weighting factor extracted from the coded signal according to the picture.
7. A picture coding method for coding an interlaced picture on
a block-by-block basis, comprising:
25 a predictive picture generation step of reading out a
reference picture from a storage unit operable to store at least one reference picture, and generating a predictive picture based on pixel values in the reference picture using one of i) a frame weighting factor for coding the interlaced picture on a
30 frame-by-frame basis and ii) a field weighting factor for coding the interlaced picture on a field-by-field basis;
a signal coding step of coding, on a block-by-block basis, a

differential between an inputted picture and the predictive picture generated in the predictive picture generation step, either on a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis;
a weighting factor coding step of coding the frame weighting
5 factor, out of the frame weighting factor and the field weighting
factor, when the differential value is coded on a block-by-block
basis by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis
and the field-by-field basis in the signal coding step; and
a multiplexing step of multiplexing the differential value
10 coded in the signal coding step and the frame weighting factor
coded in the weighting factor coding step, and outputting the
multiplexed differential value and frame weighting factor, as a
coded signal.
15 8. The picture coding method according to Claim 7,
wherein in the signal coding step, either a block is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis or the differential value is coded either on the frame-by-frame basis or on the field-by-field basis, per said picture,
20 and
in the multiplexing step, when a block is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis, the coded signal, including the frame weighting factor and flag information indicating that the block is coded by switching
25 adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis, is outputted per said picture that is a current picture to be coded.
9. A picture decoding method for decoding, on a block-by-block 30 basis, a coded signal according to a picture that is either a frame or a field, comprising:
a signal decoding step of decoding the coded signal either on

a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis, when the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis;
a predictive picture generation step of: extracting, from the 5 coded signal, a frame weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on a frame-by-frame basis; generating a field weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on a field-by-field basis, based on the frame weighting factor; and generating a predictive picture based on pixel values in a decoded picture stored in a storage unit,
10 using the extracted frame weighting factor and the generated field weighting factor, when the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the fieldOby-field basis; and
an addition step of adding the picture obtained in the
15 decoding performed in the signal decoding step to the predictive picture generated in the predictive picture generation step, outputting the added picture as a decoded picture, and storing the decoded picture in the storage unit.
20 10. The picture decoding method according to Claim 9,
wherein the coded signal of each said picture includes the frame weighting factor and flag information indicating that the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis, and
25 in the predictive picture generation step, the field weighting
factor is generated based on the frame weighting factor when said each picture includes the flag information.
11. The picture decoding method according to Claim 9,
30 wherein in the predictive picture generation step, the field
weighting factor is generated based on the frame weighting factor extracted from the coded signal according to the picture.

12. A program for a picture coding apparatus for coding an
interlaced picture on a block-by-block basis, the program causing a
computer to execute the steps of:
a predictive picture generation step of reading out a 5 reference picture from a storage unit storing at least one reference picture, and generating a predictive picture based on pixel values in the reference picture, using one of i) a frame weighting factor for coding the interlaced picture on a frame-by-frame basis and ii) a field weighting factor for coding the interlaced picture on a
10 field-by-field basis;
a signal coding step of coding on a block-by-block basis a differential value between an inputted picture and the predictive picture generated in the predictive picture generation step, either on a frame-by-frame basis or a field-by-field basis;
15 a weighting factor coding step of coding the frame weighting
factor, out of the frame weighting factor and the field weighting factor, when the differential value is coded on a block-y-block basis by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis in the signal coding step; and
20 a multiplexing step of multiplexing the differential value
coded in the signal coding step as well as the frame weighting factor coded in the weighting factor coding step, and outputting the multiplexed differential value and frame weighting factor, as an coded signal.
25
13. A program for a picture decoding apparatus for decoding a
coded signal on a block-by-block basis, the program causing a
computer to execute the steps of:
a signal decoding step of decoding the coded signal either on 30 a frame-by-frame basis or on a field-by-field basis, when the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-field basis;

a predictive picture generation step of: extracting, from the coded signal, a frame weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on a frame-by-frame basis; generating a field weighting factor for decoding the coded signal on a fleld-by-field basis, based 5 on the frame weighting factor; and generating a predictive picture based on pixel values In a decoded picture stored in a storage unit, using the extracted frame weighting factor and the generated field weighting factor, when the coded signal is coded by switching adaptively between the frame-by-frame basis and the field-by-fleld
10 basis; and
an addition step of adding the picture obtained In the decoding performed in the signal decoding step to the predictive picture generated in the predictive picture generation step; outputting the added picture as a decoded picture, and storing the
15 decoded picture in the storage unit.

-50-
14. A picture coding apparatus for coding an interlaced picture on a block-by-block basis, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.


Documents:

1197-CHENP-2004 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 26-11-2012.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 06-06-2012.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 FORM-1 22-09-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 FORM-3 06-06-2012.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 FORM-3 22-09-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 06-06-2012.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 22-09-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 POWER OF ATTORNEY 06-06-2012.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 AMENDED CLAIMS 06-06-2012.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 AMENDED CLAIMS 22-09-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 22-09-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 11-07-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 22-09-2011.pdf

1197-CHENP-2004 FORM-13 05-05-2009.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 form-13 09-07-2007.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 form-18 09-07-2007.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 abstract.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 claims.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 correspondence others.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 correspondence po.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 description(complete).pdf

1197-chenp-2004 drawings.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 form-1.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 form-26.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 form-3.pdf

1197-chenp-2004 form-5.pdf


Patent Number 256793
Indian Patent Application Number 1197/CHENP/2004
PG Journal Number 31/2013
Publication Date 02-Aug-2013
Grant Date 30-Jul-2013
Date of Filing 31-May-2004
Name of Patentee PANASONIC CORPORATION
Applicant Address 1006, OAZA KADOMA, KADOMA-SHI, OSAKA 571-8501.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KADONO, SHINYA 2-203 HOPE-ATAGOYAMA 8-CHOME, NISHINOMIYA-SHI,HYOGO 662-0871.
2 KONDO, SATOSHI 7-17, OTOKOYAMASHIGETSU, YAWATA-SHI, KYOTO 614-8361
3 ABE, KIYOFUMI 16-1-213, MIYAMAE-CHO, KADOMA-SHI, OSAKA 571-0074
PCT International Classification Number N/A
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date 2003-09-22
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2002-289303 2002-10-01 Japan