WO2015053111A1 - Decoding device and decoding method, and encoding device and encoding method - Google Patents

Abstract

　The present disclosure pertains to a decoding device and decoding method, and an encoding device and encoding method that can improve the coding efficiency of scalable coding. An image selection unit selects a base image prior to loop filter processing or a base image after loop filter processing. An addition unit decodes encoded data of an enhancement image by using the base image selected by the image selection unit. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, in a decoding device that decodes images that have been subjected to scalable coding such as spatial scalable coding in a high efficiency video coding (HEVC) scheme.

Description

Decoding device, decoding method, and encoding device and encoding method

The present disclosure relates to a decoding device and a decoding method, and an encoding device and an encoding method, and in particular, a decoding device, a decoding method, and an encoding device that can improve the encoding efficiency of scalable encoding. And an encoding method.

In recent years, devices based on MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group phase) such as MPEG (Moving Experts Group phase) that compresses by orthogonal transformation such as discrete cosine transformation and motion compensation using redundancy unique to image information, And the reception of information in general households.

In particular, the MPEG2 (ISO / IEC 13818-2) system is defined as a general-purpose image encoding system, and is a standard that covers both interlaced and progressively scanned images, standard resolution images, and high-definition images. Widely used in a wide range of applications for consumer and consumer applications. By using the MPEG2 method, for example, a standard resolution interlaced scanning image having 720 × 480 pixels is 4 to 8 Mbps, and a high resolution interlaced scanning image having 1920 × 1088 pixels is 18 to 22 MBps. By assigning a (rate), it is possible to realize a high compression rate and good image quality.

MPEG2 was mainly intended for high-quality encoding suitable for broadcasting, but it did not support encoding methods with a lower code amount (bit rate) than MPEG1, that is, a higher compression rate. With the widespread use of mobile terminals, the need for such an encoding system is expected to increase in the future, and the MPEG4 encoding system has been standardized accordingly. Regarding the MPEG4 image coding system, the standard was approved as an international standard in December 1998 as ISO / IEC 449 14496-2.

Furthermore, in recent years, for the purpose of image coding for the initial video conference, The standardization of 26L (ITU-T Q6 / 16 標準 VCEG) is in progress. H. 26L is known to achieve higher encoding efficiency than the conventional encoding schemes such as MPEG2 and MPEG4, although a large amount of calculation is required for encoding and decoding.

In recent years, as part of MPEG4 activities, Based on 26L, H. Standardization to achieve higher coding efficiency by incorporating functions that are not supported by 26L was done as Joint Model of Enhanced-Compression Video Coding. This standardization was implemented in March 2003 by H.C. It was internationally standardized under the names of H.264 and MPEG-4® Part 10 (AVC (Advanced Video Coding)).

As an extension, standardization of FRExtFR (Fidelity Range Extension) including RGB, YUV422, YUV444 and other necessary encoding tools for business use, 8 × 8DCT and quantization matrix specified by MPEG-2 Was completed in February 2005. As a result, the AVC system has become an encoding system that can well express film noise included in movies, and has been used for a wide range of applications such as BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc).

However, these days, we want to compress images with a resolution of about 4000 x 2000 pixels, which is four times that of high-definition images, or to deliver high-definition images in environments with limited transmission capacity such as the Internet. Needs are growing. For this reason, in the VCEG (Video Coding Expert Group) under the ITU-T umbrella, studies on improving coding efficiency are continuing.

In addition, with the aim of further improving coding efficiency compared to AVC, ITUHEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) by JCTVC (Joint Collaboration Team-Video Coding), a joint standardization organization of ITU-T and ISO / IEC. The standardization of the encoding method called is being advanced. As of September 2013, Non-Patent Document 1 has been issued as Draft.

By the way, image encoding methods such as MPEG-2 and AVC have a scalable function for encoding images by layering them. According to the encoding by the scalable function (scalable encoding), it is possible to transmit encoded data according to the processing capability on the decoding side without performing a transcoding process.

Specifically, only a coded stream of a base layer (base レ イ ヤ layer) image (hereinafter referred to as a base image) is transmitted to a terminal having a low processing capability such as a mobile phone. be able to. On the other hand, for terminals with high processing capabilities such as television receivers and personal computers, codes of the base layer and enhancement layer (enhancement layer) layers other than the base layer (hereinafter referred to as enhancement images) Stream can be transmitted.

In the HEVC system, as scalable coding, for example, spatial scalable coding has been proposed in which an image is layered and coded with spatial resolution.

Benjamin Bross, Gary J. Sullivan, Ye-Kui Wang, "Editors' proposed corrections to HEVC version 1", JCTVC-M0432_v3,2013.4.18-4.26

In spatial scalable coding, a base image subjected to loop filter processing is up-sampled by filter processing and used for enhancement image prediction. Therefore, the high-frequency component of the base image used for prediction of the enhancement image is lost by both loop filter processing (particularly deblocking filter processing) and upsampling. As a result, the prediction accuracy may decrease and the encoding efficiency may decrease.

Therefore, in scalable coding, it is desired to improve the coding efficiency by up-sampling the base image before the loop filter processing and using it for prediction of the enhancement image as necessary.

The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and is intended to improve the encoding efficiency of scalable encoding.

The decoding device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes an image selection unit that selects an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing, and the image selection unit selects the image And a decoding unit that decodes the encoded data of the second layer image using the first layer image.

The decoding method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the decoding device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

In the first aspect of the present disclosure, an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing is selected, and the selected image of the first layer is used. Thus, the encoded data of the second layer image is decoded.

An encoding apparatus according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes an image selection unit that selects a first layer image before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing, and the image selection unit. The encoding apparatus includes an encoding unit that encodes a second layer image using the selected first layer image and generates encoded data.

The encoding method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the encoding device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

In the second aspect of the present disclosure, an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing is selected, and the selected image of the first layer is used. Thus, the second layer image is encoded, and encoded data is generated.

The decoding device according to the first aspect and the encoding device according to the second aspect can be realized by causing a computer to execute a program.

In order to realize the decoding device of the first aspect and the encoding device of the second aspect, a program to be executed by a computer is transmitted through a transmission medium or recorded on a recording medium, Can be provided.

The decoding device of the first aspect and the encoding device of the second aspect may be independent devices or may be internal blocks constituting one device.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to decode a scalable encoded image. Further, according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to decode an image that has been subjected to scalable coding so as to improve coding efficiency.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, an image can be scalable encoded. Also, according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the coding efficiency of scalable coding.

It should be noted that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any of the effects described in the present disclosure.

It is a figure explaining space scalable encoding. It is a figure explaining temporal scalability. It is a figure explaining SNR scalability. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 1st Embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the enhancement encoding part of FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an encoding unit in FIG. 5. It is a figure explaining CU. It is a block diagram which shows the default value in a deblocking filter. It is a figure explaining a band offset process. It is a figure explaining the adjacent pixel in an edge offset process. It is a figure explaining the category in an edge offset process. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image selection part of FIG. It is a figure explaining the interpolation filter process by a motion estimation / compensation part. It is a figure explaining the filter coefficient of the interpolation filter process with respect to a luminance signal. It is a figure explaining the filter coefficient of the interpolation filter process with respect to a color difference signal. 6 is a flowchart for explaining hierarchical encoding processing of the encoding device in FIG. 4. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the enhancement encoding process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the enhancement encoding process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the base conversion process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the deblocking filter process of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 1st Embodiment of the decoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the enhancement decoding part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the decoding part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image selection part of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the hierarchical decoding process of the decoding apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the enhancement decoding process of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the base conversion process of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the enhancement encoding part of 2nd Embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the encoding part of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the image selection part of FIG. It is a figure explaining hierarchy information. It is a figure which shows the example of the syntax of VPS_extension (). It is a figure which shows the example of the syntax of VPS_extension (). It is a flowchart explaining the hierarchical coding process of 2nd Embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the base conversion process in the enhancement encoding process of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the decoding part of 2nd Embodiment of the decoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the encoding part of 3rd Embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the enhancement encoding process by 2nd Embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the enhancement encoding process by 2nd Embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the decoding part of 3rd Embodiment of the decoding apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of a multiview image encoding system. It is a figure which shows the other example of scalable encoding. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the hardware of a computer. It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of the television apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the mobile telephone to which this indication is applied. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the recording / reproducing apparatus to which this indication is applied. It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the imaging device to which this indication is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of scalable encoding utilization. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of scalable encoding utilization. It is a block diagram which shows the further another example of scalable encoding utilization. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of the video set to which this technique is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a schematic structure of the video processor to which this technique is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the schematic structure of the video processor to which this technique is applied.

<Explanation of scalable coding>
(Explanation of spatial scalable coding)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining spatial scalable coding.

As shown in FIG. 1, in spatial scalable coding, images are layered and coded with spatial resolution. Specifically, in spatial scalable encoding, a low resolution image is encoded as a base image, and a high resolution image is encoded as an enhancement image.

Therefore, the encoding apparatus transmits only the encoded data of the base image to the decoding apparatus having a low processing capability, so that the decoding apparatus can generate a low-resolution image. In addition, the encoding device transmits the encoded data of the base layer and the enhancement image to the decoding device having high processing capability, so that the decoding device decodes the base layer and the enhancement image and generates a high-resolution image. can do.

(Explanation of temporal scalability)
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining temporal scalability.

As shown in FIG. 2, in temporal scalability, images are layered and encoded at a frame rate. Specifically, in temporaltempscalability, for example, an image with a low frame rate (7.5 fps in the example of FIG. 2) is encoded as a base image. Further, an image at a medium frame rate (15 fps in the example of FIG. 2) is encoded as an enhancement image. Further, an image with a high frame rate (30 fps in the example of FIG. 2) is encoded as an enhancement image.

Therefore, the encoding apparatus transmits only the encoded data of the base image to the decoding apparatus having a low processing capability, so that the decoding apparatus can generate a low frame rate image. In addition, the encoding device transmits the encoded data of the base layer and the enhancement image to the decoding device having a high processing capability, so that the decoding device decodes the base layer and the enhancement image to obtain a high frame rate or medium frame. Rate images can be generated.

(Description of SNR scalability)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining SNR scalability.

As shown in FIG. 3, in SNR scalability, an image is layered and encoded by SNR (signal-noise ratio). Specifically, in SNR scalability, a low SNR image is encoded as a base image, and a high SNR image is encoded as an enhancement image.

Therefore, the encoding apparatus transmits only the encoded data of the base image to the decoding apparatus having a low processing capability, so that the decoding apparatus can generate a low SNR image. In addition, the encoding device transmits the encoded data of the base layer and the enhancement image to the decoding device having high processing capability, so that the decoding device decodes the base layer and the enhancement image to generate a high SNR image. can do.

Although not shown, there are other scalable encodings besides spatial scalable encoding, temporal 、 scalability, and SNR scalability.

For example, as scalable coding, there is also bit-depth scalability in which an image is hierarchized by the number of bits. In this case, for example, an 8-bit video image is used as a base image, and a 10-bit video image is used as an enhancement image and encoded.

Also, as scalable coding, there is chroma scalability for layering and coding images in a color difference signal format. In this case, for example, the YCbCr420 image is used as the base image, and the YCbCr422 image is used as the enhancement image, and is encoded.

In the following, for convenience of explanation, a case where there is one enhancement layer will be described.

<First embodiment>
(Configuration Example of First Embodiment of Encoding Device)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

4 includes a base encoding unit 31, an enhancement encoding unit 32, a synthesis unit 33, and a transmission unit 34. The encoding device 30 performs spatial scalable encoding using a low-resolution image and a high-resolution image according to a method in accordance with the HEVC method.

A low-resolution image is input as a base image from the outside to the base encoding unit 31 of the encoding device 30. The base encoding unit 31 is configured in the same manner as, for example, an HEVC encoding device, and encodes a base image using the HEVC method. The base encoding unit 31 combines a coded stream including encoded data obtained as a result of encoding, VPS (Video Parameter Set), SPS (Sequence Parameter Parameter Set), PPS (Picture Parameter Parameter Set), etc. as a base stream. 33. In addition, the base encoding unit 31 supplies the base image before the loop filter process and the base image after the loop filter process, which are decoded for use as a reference image when the base image is encoded, to the enhancement encoding unit 32. .

The enhancement encoder 32 receives a high resolution image as an enhancement image from the outside. The enhancement encoding unit 32 encodes the enhancement image by a method according to the HEVC method. At this time, the enhancement encoding unit 32 refers to the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing from the base encoding unit 31. The enhancement encoding unit 32 supplies an encoded stream including encoded data obtained as a result of encoding, VPS, SPS, PPS, and the like to the synthesizing unit 33 as an enhancement stream.

The synthesizing unit 33 synthesizes the base stream supplied from the base encoding unit 31 and the enhancement stream supplied from the enhancement encoding unit 32 to generate an encoded stream of all layers. The synthesis unit 33 supplies the encoded stream of all layers to the transmission unit 34.

The transmission unit 34 transmits the encoded stream of all layers supplied from the synthesis unit 33 to a decoding device to be described later.

In addition, although the encoding apparatus 30 shall transmit the encoding stream of all the layers here, it can also transmit only a base stream as needed.

(Configuration example of enhancement encoding unit)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the enhancement encoding unit 32 of FIG.

The enhancement encoding unit 32 in FIG. 5 includes a setting unit 51 and an encoding unit 52.

The setting unit 51 of the enhancement coding unit 32 sets parameter sets such as VPS, SPS, and PPS as necessary. The setting unit 51 supplies the set parameter set to the encoding unit 52.

The encoding unit 52 refers to the base image before the loop filter processing or the enhancement image after the loop filter processing from the base encoding unit 31, and encodes the enhancement image input from the outside by a method according to the HEVC method. To do. The encoding unit 52 generates an enhancement stream from the encoded data obtained as a result and the parameter set supplied from the setting unit 51, and supplies the enhancement stream to the synthesis unit 33 in FIG.

(Configuration example of encoding unit)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the encoding unit 52 of FIG.

6 includes an A / D conversion unit 71, a screen rearrangement buffer 72, a calculation unit 73, an orthogonal transformation unit 74, a quantization unit 75, a lossless encoding unit 76, an accumulation buffer 77, a generation unit 78, Inverse quantization unit 79, inverse orthogonal transform unit 80, addition unit 81, deblock filter 82, adaptive offset filter 83, adaptive loop filter 84, frame memory 85, switch 86, intra prediction unit 87, motion prediction / compensation unit 88, The prediction image selection unit 89, the rate control unit 90, the image selection unit 91, the upsampling unit 92, and the upsampling unit 93 are configured.

The A / D conversion unit 71 of the encoding unit 52 performs A / D conversion on the input enhancement image in frame units, and outputs to the screen rearrangement buffer 72 for storage. The screen rearrangement buffer 72 rearranges the stored frame-by-frame enhancement images in the order for encoding in accordance with the GOP (Group of Picture) structure, a calculation unit 73, an intra prediction unit 87, And output to the motion prediction / compensation unit 88.

The calculation unit 73 functions as an encoding unit, and performs encoding by calculating the difference between the prediction image supplied from the prediction image selection unit 89 and the enhancement image to be encoded output from the screen rearrangement buffer 72. Do. Specifically, the calculation unit 73 performs encoding by subtracting the predicted image supplied from the predicted image selection unit 89 from the enhancement image to be encoded output from the screen rearrangement buffer 72.

The computing unit 73 outputs the resulting image to the orthogonal transform unit 74 as residual information. When the predicted image is not supplied from the predicted image selection unit 89, the calculation unit 73 outputs the enhancement image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 72 as it is to the orthogonal transform unit 74 as residual information.

The orthogonal transform unit 74 performs orthogonal transform on the residual information from the calculation unit 73 by a predetermined method, and supplies the generated orthogonal transform coefficient to the quantization unit 75.

The quantization unit 75 performs quantization on the orthogonal transform coefficient supplied from the orthogonal transform unit 74 and supplies the resulting coefficient to the lossless encoding unit 76.

The lossless encoding unit 76 acquires the intra prediction mode information indicating the optimal intra prediction mode from the intra prediction unit 87. In addition, the lossless encoding unit 76 acquires inter prediction mode information indicating an optimal inter prediction mode, a motion vector, reference image specifying information that is an index for specifying a reference image, and the like from the motion prediction / compensation unit 88. Further, the lossless encoding unit 76 acquires offset information from the adaptive offset filter 83 and acquires filter coefficients from the adaptive loop filter 84. Further, the lossless encoding unit 76 acquires loop filter information indicating whether or not the selected base image is subjected to loop filter processing from the image selection unit 91.

The lossless encoding unit 76 performs variable length coding (for example, CAVLC (Context-Adaptive Variable Length Coding)), arithmetic coding (for example, CABAC) on the quantized coefficients supplied from the quantization unit 75. (Context-Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding) etc.) is performed.

Also, the lossless encoding unit 76 reversibly uses intra prediction mode information or inter prediction mode information, motion vectors, reference image specifying information, offset information, filter coefficients, and loop filter information as encoding information related to encoding. Encode. The lossless encoding unit 76 supplies the encoded information and the lossless encoded coefficient to the storage buffer 77 as encoded data and stores them. Note that the losslessly encoded encoding information may be added to the encoded data as a header portion such as a slice header.

The accumulation buffer 77 temporarily stores the encoded data supplied from the lossless encoding unit 76. Further, the accumulation buffer 77 supplies the stored encoded data to the generation unit 78.

The generation unit 78 generates an enhancement stream from the parameter set supplied from the setting unit 51 in FIG. 5 and the encoded data supplied from the accumulation buffer 77, and supplies the enhancement stream to the synthesis unit 33 in FIG.

Also, the quantized coefficient output from the quantization unit 75 is also input to the inverse quantization unit 79. The inverse quantization unit 79 performs inverse quantization on the coefficient quantized by the quantization unit 75 and supplies the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained as a result to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 80.

The inverse orthogonal transform unit 80 performs the fourth-order inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient supplied from the inverse quantization unit 79 by a method corresponding to the orthogonal transform method in the orthogonal transform unit 74, and is obtained as a result. Residual information is supplied to the adder 81.

The adding unit 81 functions as a decoding unit, adds the residual information supplied from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 80 and the prediction image supplied from the prediction image selection unit 89, and adds the locally decoded enhancement image. obtain. When the predicted image is not supplied from the predicted image selection unit 89, the adding unit 81 sets the residual information supplied from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 80 as a locally decoded enhancement image. The adding unit 81 supplies the locally decoded enhancement image to the deblocking filter 82 and also supplies the enhancement image to the frame memory 85 for accumulation.

The deblock filter 82, the adaptive offset filter 83, and the adaptive loop filter 84 perform loop filter processing including deblock filter processing, adaptive offset processing, and adaptive loop filter processing.

Specifically, the deblocking filter 82 performs a deblocking filter process for removing block distortion on the locally decoded enhancement image supplied from the adding unit 81, and adapts the enhancement image obtained as a result thereof. This is supplied to the offset filter 83.

The adaptive offset filter 83 performs an adaptive offset (SAO (Sample-adaptive-offset)) process that mainly removes ringing, as necessary, on the enhancement image after the deblocking filter process supplied from the deblocking filter 82. .

Specifically, when performing the adaptive offset processing, the adaptive offset filter 83 determines the type of adaptive offset processing to be applied to the enhancement image for each LCU (Largest Coding で Unit), which is the maximum coding unit, as band offset processing or edge offset. Decide on processing.

The band offset process is a filter process using an offset set only for a predetermined band. The edge offset process is a filter process using an offset corresponding to the relationship with adjacent pixels.

Also, when the type of adaptive offset processing is band offset processing, the adaptive offset filter 83 determines a band for setting the offset for each LCU, and calculates the offset. On the other hand, when the type of adaptive offset processing is edge offset processing, the adaptive offset filter 83 determines a pattern of an adjacent pixel for each LCU, and calculates an offset corresponding to the relationship with the adjacent pixel of the pattern.

In the determination of the type of adaptive offset processing, the band, the pattern of adjacent pixels, and the calculation of the offset, for example, the difference between the enhancement image after the adaptive offset processing and the enhancement image output from the screen rearrangement buffer 72 is reduced. To be done.

The adaptive offset filter 83 performs the determined type of adaptive offset processing on the enhancement image after the deblocking filter processing based on the calculated offset and the determined band or adjacent pixel pattern. Then, the adaptive offset filter 83 supplies the enhancement image after the adaptive offset process to the adaptive loop filter 84.

The adaptive offset filter 83 supplies the type information indicating the type of adaptive offset processing, the offset, and band information for specifying the band or pattern information for specifying the pattern of the adjacent pixel to the lossless encoding unit 76 as offset information. To do.

However, if the offset information of the CTB and the offset information of the CTB located to the left of the CTB are the same for each CTB, the adaptive offset filter 83 encodes sao_merge_left_flag indicating that in a lossless encoding instead of the offset information. To the unit 76. Also, the adaptive offset filter 83, when the CTB offset information and the CTB offset information located above the CTB are the same, in a CTB unit, the sao_merge_up_flag indicating that is losslessly encoded instead of the offset information. To the unit 76. Thereby, encoding efficiency can be improved.

Note that the type information includes information indicating that adaptive offset processing is not performed as a type of adaptive offset processing. That is, the type information is any of information that does not perform adaptive offset processing, information that represents edge offset processing, or information that performs band offset processing. Specifically, the type information is 0 when indicating that the adaptive offset process is not performed, 1 when indicating the edge offset process, and 2 when indicating the band offset process. This type information is set as sao_type_idx in CTB units. The pattern information is set as sao_eo_class in CTB units.

The adaptive loop filter 84 is constituted by, for example, a two-dimensional Wiener filter. The adaptive loop filter 84 performs an adaptive loop filter (ALF (Adaptive Loop Filter)) process on the enhancement image after the adaptive offset process supplied from the adaptive offset filter 83, for example, for each LCU. The adaptive loop filter 84 supplies the enhancement image after the adaptive loop filter processing to the frame memory 85. The adaptive loop filter 84 supplies the filter coefficient used for the adaptive loop filter processing to the lossless encoding unit 76.

Note that here, the adaptive loop filter processing is performed for each LCU, but the processing unit of the adaptive loop filter processing is not limited to the LCU. However, the processing can be efficiently performed by combining the processing units of the adaptive offset filter 83 and the adaptive loop filter 84.

The frame memory 85 stores the enhancement image supplied from the adder 81 and the adaptive loop filter 84 and the base image after upsampling supplied from the upsampler 92 or the upsampler 93. The base image or enhancement image stored in the frame memory 85 is output to the intra prediction unit 87 or the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 via the switch 86.

The intra prediction unit 87 performs intra prediction in all candidate intra prediction modes in units of PU (Prediction Unit). Specifically, the intra prediction unit 87 reads out pixels around the PU as reference pixels from the frame memory 85 via the switch 86 for all candidate intra prediction modes. The intra prediction unit 87 performs intra prediction using the reference pixel, and generates a predicted image.

The intra prediction unit 87 sets all the candidate intra prediction modes based on the enhancement image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 72, the prediction image generated as a result of the intra prediction, information indicating the intra prediction mode, and the like. On the other hand, a cost function value (details will be described later) is calculated. Then, the intra prediction unit 87 determines the intra prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value as the optimal intra prediction mode.

The intra prediction unit 87 supplies the predicted image generated in the optimal intra prediction mode and the corresponding cost function value to the predicted image selection unit 89. The intra prediction unit 87 supplies the intra prediction mode information to the lossless encoding unit 76 when the prediction image selection unit 89 is notified of the selection of the prediction image generated in the optimal intra prediction mode.

Note that the cost function value is also called RD (Rate Distortion) cost. It is calculated based on a method of either High Complexity mode or Low Complexity mode as defined by JM (Joint Model) which is reference software in the H.264 / AVC format. H. Reference software in the H.264 / AVC format is published at http://iphome.hhi.de/suehring/tml/index.htm.

Specifically, when the High Complexity 採用 mode is employed as a cost function value calculation method, all candidate prediction modes are temporarily decoded until the cost function represented by the following equation (1) A value Cost (Mode) is calculated for each prediction mode.

D is the difference (distortion) between the original image and the decoded image, R is the generated code amount including even the coefficient of orthogonal transformation, and λ is the Lagrange undetermined multiplier given as a function of the quantization parameter QP.

On the other hand, when Low Complexity mode is adopted as a cost function value calculation method, prediction image generation and code amount calculation of encoding information are performed for all candidate prediction modes. A cost function Cost (Mode) expressed by Equation (2) is calculated for each prediction mode.

D is the difference (distortion) between the original image and the predicted image, Header_Bit is the code amount of the encoding information, and QPtoQuant is a function given as a function of the quantization parameter QP.

In the Low Complexity mode, it is only necessary to generate a prediction image for all prediction modes, and it is not necessary to generate a decoded image.

The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs motion prediction / compensation processing for all candidate inter prediction modes in units of PUs. Specifically, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 includes a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 reads the enhancement image or the base image as a reference image candidate from the frame memory 85 via the switch 86. The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs enhancement filter processing on the enhancement image and reference image candidates supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72 using a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter, thereby enhancing the enhancement image. And increase the resolution of reference image candidates.

The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 detects the motion vectors of all candidate inter prediction modes with fractional pixel accuracy based on the enhanced resolution image and the reference image candidate. Then, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs compensation processing on the reference image candidate based on the motion vector to generate a predicted image candidate. The inter prediction mode is a mode that represents the size of the PU and the like.

Also, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 calculates cost function values for all candidate inter prediction modes based on enhancement images and prediction image candidates supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72. The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 determines the inter prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value as the optimal inter prediction mode, and sets the corresponding prediction image candidate as the prediction image. Then, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 supplies the cost function value and the predicted image in the optimal inter prediction mode to the predicted image selection unit 89.

In addition, when the prediction image selection unit 89 is notified of the selection of the prediction image generated in the optimal inter prediction mode, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 refers to the inter prediction mode information, the corresponding motion vector, and the reference image candidate. Reference image specifying information as an image is output to the lossless encoding unit 76.

Based on the cost function values supplied from the intra prediction unit 87 and the motion prediction / compensation unit 88, the predicted image selection unit 89 has a smaller corresponding cost function value among the optimal intra prediction mode and the optimal inter prediction mode. Are determined as the optimum prediction mode. Then, the predicted image selection unit 89 supplies the predicted image in the optimal prediction mode to the calculation unit 73 and the addition unit 81. Further, the predicted image selection unit 89 notifies the intra prediction unit 87 or the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 of selection of the predicted image in the optimal prediction mode.

The rate control unit 90 controls the rate of the quantization operation of the quantization unit 75 based on the encoded data stored in the storage buffer 77 so that overflow or underflow does not occur.

The image selection unit 91 selects a base image before the loop filter processing or a base image after the loop filter processing supplied from the base encoding unit 31 of FIG. 4 based on a user command or the like. The image selection unit 91 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 92, and supplies the base image after the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 93. Further, the image selection unit 91 supplies the loop filter information to the lossless encoding unit 76.

The upsampling unit 92 has a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter similar to the motion prediction / compensation unit 88. The up-sampling unit 92 performs the interpolation filter process on the base image before the loop filter process supplied from the image selection unit 91 by the two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter, so that the base image before the loop filter process is performed. Upsample. The upsampling unit 92 supplies the high resolution image generated by the upsampling to the frame memory 85 as the base image after the upsampling.

The upsampling unit 93 has a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter similar to the motion prediction / compensation unit 88. The up-sampling unit 93 performs the interpolation filter process on the base image after the loop filter process supplied from the image selection unit 91 by the two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter, thereby performing the base image after the loop filter process. Upsample. The upsampling unit 93 supplies the high-resolution image generated by the upsampling to the frame memory 85 as the base image after the upsampling.

Note that the two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter of the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 and the two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter of the upsampling units 92 and 93 may be shared. Further, the upsampling unit 92 and the upsampling unit 93 may be shared.

(Description of coding unit)
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining Coding UNIT (CU), which is a coding unit in the HEVC scheme.

Since the HEVC system also targets images with large image frames such as UHD (Ultra High Definition) with 4000 pixels by 2000 pixels, it is not optimal to fix the encoding unit size to 16 pixels by 16 pixels. . Therefore, in the HEVC scheme, CU is defined as a coding unit. Details of this CU are described in Non-Patent Document 1.

CU plays the same role as a macroblock in the AVC method. Specifically, the CU is divided into prediction blocks (PU) that are units of intra prediction or inter prediction, or is divided into transform blocks (TU) that are units of orthogonal transformation.

However, the size of the CU is a square represented by a power-of-two pixel that is variable for each sequence. Specifically, the CU divides the LCU, which is the largest CU, into two in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction an arbitrary number of times so as not to be smaller than the SCU (Smallest Coding Unit) which is the smallest CU. Is set by That is, the size of an arbitrary hierarchy when the LCU is hierarchized so that the size of the upper hierarchy becomes 1/4 of the size of the lower hierarchy until the SCU becomes the SCU is the size of the CU.

For example, in FIG. 7, the LCU size is 128 and the SCU size is 8. Accordingly, the hierarchical depth (Depth) of the LCU is 0 to 4, and the hierarchical depth number is 5. That is, the number of divisions corresponding to the CU is one of 0 to 4.

Note that information specifying the LCU and SCU sizes is included in the SPS. Also, the number of divisions corresponding to the CU is specified by split_flag indicating whether or not to further divide each layer. Details of the CU are described in Non-Patent Document 1.

Also, in this specification, CTU (Coding Tree Unit) is a unit including parameters for processing in CTB (Coding Tree Block) of LCU and its LCU base (level). Further, it is assumed that a CU constituting a CTU is a unit including CB (Coding Block) and a parameter for processing on the CU base (level).

(Description of deblock filter processing)
Next, the deblock filter process will be described.

Deblock filter processing is performed on the boundary of PU or TU. In the AVC method, the minimum size of the PU or TU to be subjected to deblocking filter processing is 4 × 4 pixels. In the HEVC method, the minimum size is 8 × 8 pixels for both the luminance signal and the color difference signal.

The deblocking filter 82 first determines a BS (Boundary Strength) value representing the strength of the deblocking filter process. The BS value is one of 0 to 2.

Specifically, when any one of the block P and the block Q that are adjacent to each other at the boundary of the PU or TU is intra-encoded, the deblock filter 82 sets the BS value to 2. In other cases, the deblock filter 82 sets the BS value to 1 when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and sets it to 0 when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

The predetermined conditions are a condition that at least one of the orthogonal transform coefficients of the block P and the block Q is a non-zero orthogonal transform coefficient, a condition that the reference pictures of the blocks P and Q are different, and the motion vectors of the block P and the block Q are It is a condition that they are different, or a condition that the difference motion vectors of block P and block Q differ by 1.0 or more in units of integer pixels.

Then, the deblocking filter 82, a threshold value β and the threshold t _c for the determination of the type of deblocking filter processing, the default value .beta. ', The default value t _c', and bit depth BitDepth _Y, the following equation ( Determine by 3).

Note that the default value β ′ and the default value t _c are determined according to A as shown in FIG. This A can be changed by slice_beta_offset_div2 and slice_tc_offset_div2 set in the slice header.

Then, the deblocking filter 82, BS value, and is carried out based on a threshold β and the threshold t _c, of whether to de-block filtering process determination, the determination or the like of the strength of the deblocking filter processing. When the deblocking filter 82 determines to perform the deblocking filter process, the deblocking filter 82 performs the deblocking filter process with the determined strength.

Deblock filter processing is performed in the order of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction for the entire picture. Therefore, the deblocking filter 82 can perform parallel processing.

(Description of band offset processing)
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the band offset processing.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the band offset process, each pixel value is equally divided into, for example, 32 bands (bands). Then, an offset is set for a predetermined band among the 32 bands, and filter processing using the offset is performed. The number of bands for which the offset is set is determined in advance. For example, the band for which the offset is set can be specified by specifying the lowest band among the bands.

In the example of FIG. 9, the bit depth of the pixel value is 8 bits, and the pixel value is a value from 0 to 255. Therefore, each band consists of 8 pixel values. In the example of FIG. 9, the number of bands for setting the offset is four. Therefore, by setting the information specifying the 10th band from the lowest band as the band information, the 10th to 13th bands from the lowest band can be filtered. In other words, it is possible to perform filter processing on pixel values that take values from 80 to 112.

By the band offset processing as described above, it is possible to improve image quality degradation such as generation of a pseudo contour in a flat image such as an empty image.

(Description of edge offset processing)
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining adjacent pixels in the edge offset processing.

As shown in FIG. 10, there are four types of adjacent pixel patterns in the edge offset processing. Specifically, the first pattern of adjacent pixels is a pattern in which a pixel 131 adjacent to the left and a pixel 132 adjacent to the right of the processing target pixel 130 are adjacent pixels, as shown in FIG. . Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the second pattern is a pattern in which a pixel 133 adjacent above the pixel 130 and a pixel 134 adjacent below are used as adjacent pixels.

The third pattern is a pattern in which the pixel 135 adjacent to the upper left of the pixel 130 and the pixel 136 adjacent to the lower right of the pixel 130 are adjacent pixels, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10D, the fourth pattern is a pattern in which the pixel 137 adjacent to the upper right of the pixel 130 and the pixel 138 adjacent to the lower left are adjacent pixels.

In the edge offset process, one of the first to fourth patterns is selected for each LCU, and each pixel in the LCU is classified into a category based on the pixel value of the adjacent pixel of the selected pattern. The pattern information of each LCU is transmitted to the decoding device as offset information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a category (EdgeIdx) in edge offset processing.

As shown in FIG. 11, the number of categories in the edge offset process is five. Specifically, the first category (EdgeIdx = 0) is a category in which the pixel value p of the pixel to be processed is the same as both the pixel values n ₀ and n ₁ of the adjacent pixels. The second category (EdgeIdx = 1) is a category in which the pixel value p of the pixel to be processed is smaller than both the pixel values n ₀ and n ₁ of the adjacent pixels.

The third category (EdgeIdx = 2) is a category in which the pixel value p of the pixel to be processed is the same as _one of the pixel values n ₀ and n ₁ of the adjacent pixels and is smaller than the other. The fourth category (EdgeIdx = 3) is a category in which the pixel value p of the pixel to be processed is the same as _one of the pixel values n ₀ and n ₁ of the adjacent pixels and is larger than the other. The fifth category (EdgeIdx = 4) is a category in which the pixel value p of the pixel to be processed is larger than both the pixel values n ₀ and n ₁ of the adjacent pixels.

For the pixels classified into the first to fifth categories, an offset is calculated for each category and transmitted to the decoding device as offset information. However, the sign of the offset is fixed for each category, and information regarding the sign of the offset is not transmitted. For example, the positive and negative of the offsets of the second and third categories are fixed to positive, and the positive and negative of the offsets of the fourth and fifth categories are fixed to negative.

In the edge offset process, a filter process is performed on pixels classified into the category using the calculated offset of each category. Thereby, mosquito noise generated around the edge can be reduced and the image quality can be improved.

(Configuration example of the image selection unit 91)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image selection unit 91 in FIG.

In FIG. 12, only the blocks related to the processing of the image selection unit 91 in the base encoding unit 31 are shown. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the base encoding unit 31 includes a frame memory 141 and a frame memory 142.

The frame memory 141 stores a base image before loop filter processing that is decoded for use as a reference image when the base image is encoded. The frame memory 142 stores the base image after the loop filter processing decoded for use as a reference image when the base image is encoded.

12 includes a selector 151 and a generation unit 152.

The selector 151 selects the base image before the loop filter process stored in the frame memory 141 or the base image after the loop filter process stored in the frame memory 142 based on the selection signal from the generation unit 152. To do. The selector 151 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter process to the upsample unit 92. Further, the selector 151 supplies the selected base image after the loop filter processing to the upsample unit 93.

The generating unit 152 determines a base image used for encoding as a base image before the loop filter process or a base image after the loop filter process in units of slices based on a user command or the like. The generation unit 152 supplies a selection signal indicating selection of the determined base image to the selector 151. Further, the generation unit 152 generates information indicating the presence / absence of the determined loop filter processing of the base image as loop filter information. The generation unit 152 supplies the generated loop filter information to the lossless encoding unit 76 in FIG.

(Description of interpolation filter processing by motion prediction / compensation unit)
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining interpolation filter processing by the motion prediction / compensation unit 88.

In FIG. 13, a hatched square represents a pixel before the interpolation filter processing (hereinafter referred to as a previous pixel), and a square without a hatched line represents a pixel after the interpolation filter processing (hereinafter referred to as a previous pixel). Represents a rear pixel).

The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs luminance signal motion prediction / compensation processing with 1/4 pixel accuracy. Therefore, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 uses the 8-tap two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter to perform the interpolation filter processing in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction on the luminance signal of the enhancement image and the reference image candidate. As a result, a subsequent pixel having a quarter interval of the previous pixel is generated. For example, for a certain previous pixel A _0,0 , the previous pixel A _0,0 and the previous pixel A _1,0 and the previous pixel A _0,1 adjacent to the previous pixel A _0,0 before pixel _{a 0,0} and the rear pixels 4 × position of 4 in which the position of _A0,0 upper left position _{a 0,0} to _{k 0,0, n 0,0,} and _{p 0,0} to _{r 0, 0} is generated.

The filter coefficients of the 8-tap two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter are as shown in FIG. In other words, the index of the pixel closest to the subsequent pixel to be generated is set to 0, the index of the pixel on the left side of the pixel is increased in the order from the rear pixel to be generated, and the index of the right pixel is generated. The pixel size is decreased in the order from the pixel. At this time, when generating a rear pixel (for example, rear pixels b _0,0 , h _0,0, etc.) whose distance from the previous pixel closest to the direction of the interpolation filter processing is ½ of the interval between the previous pixels. The filter coefficient (hfilter [i]) for the pixel of each index i (i = -3, -2, -1,0, 1, 2, 3, 4) of -1,4 in order from the smallest i , -11,40,40, -11,4, -1.

In addition, a rear pixel (for example, rear pixels a _0,0 , c _0,0 , d _0,0 , n) whose distance from the previous pixel closest to the direction of the interpolation filter processing is 1/4 of the interval between the previous pixels. _{0, 0,} etc.), the filter coefficient (qfilter [i]) for each pixel at index i is -1,4, -10,58,17, -5,1, 0.

On the other hand, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs motion prediction / compensation processing of the color difference signal with 1/8 pixel accuracy. Therefore, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs interpolation filter processing in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction on the color difference signals of the enhancement image and the reference image candidate using a 4-tap two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. As a result, a subsequent pixel having an interval 1/8 of the previous pixel interval is generated.

The filter coefficients of the 4-tap two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter are as shown in FIG. That is, the index of the pixel closest to the subsequent pixel to be generated is set to 0, the index of the pixel on the left side of the pixel is increased in the order from the rear pixel to be generated, and the index of the right pixel is closer to the subsequent pixel to be generated It is made smaller in order. At this time, each index i (i = -1,0,1,2) when generating a subsequent pixel whose distance to the previous pixel closest to the direction of the interpolation filter processing is 1/8 of the interval of the previous pixel The filter coefficients (filter1 [i]) for the pixel of −2 are −2, 58, 10, and −2 in order from the smallest i.

Also, the filter coefficient (filter2 [i]) for the pixel of each index i when generating a subsequent pixel whose distance from the previous pixel closest to the direction of the interpolation filter processing is 2/8 of the interval of the previous pixel is In order from the smallest i, -4, 54, 16, and -2. The filter coefficient (filter3 [i]) for each index i pixel when generating a subsequent pixel whose distance to the previous pixel closest to the direction of the interpolation filter processing is 3/8 of the previous pixel interval is In order from the smallest, -6, 46, 28, -4.

Furthermore, the filter coefficient (filter4 [i]) for each index i pixel when generating a subsequent pixel whose distance to the previous pixel closest to the direction of the interpolation filter processing is 4/8 of the interval of the previous pixel is In order from the smallest i, -4, 36, 36, -4.

輝 度 Interpolation filter processing of luminance signal and chrominance signal is made to fit within 16-bit accuracy.

(Description of processing of encoding device)
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the hierarchical encoding process of the encoding device 30 in FIG.

In step S11 in FIG. 16, the base encoding unit 31 of the encoding device 30 encodes a base image input from the outside using the HEVC method, and generates a base stream by adding a parameter set. Then, the base encoding unit 31 supplies the base stream to the synthesis unit 33.

In step S12, the base encoding unit 31 outputs the base image before the loop filter processing and the base image after the loop filter processing, which are decoded for use as a reference image, to the enhancement encoding unit 32.

In step S13, the setting unit 51 (FIG. 5) of the enhancement coding unit 32 sets a parameter set for the enhancement image and supplies the parameter set to the coding unit 52.

In step S14, the encoding unit 52 performs enhancement encoding processing for encoding the enhancement image using the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing supplied from the base encoding unit 31. Details of the enhancement encoding process will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 to be described later.

In step S <b> 15, the generation unit 78 (FIG. 6) of the encoding unit 52 generates an enhancement stream from the encoded data generated in step S <b> 14 and the parameter set supplied from the setting unit 51 and supplies the enhancement stream to the synthesis unit 33. To do.

In step S16, the synthesizing unit 33 synthesizes the base stream supplied from the base encoding unit 31 and the enhancement stream supplied from the enhancement encoding unit 32 to generate an encoded stream of all layers. The synthesis unit 33 supplies the encoded stream of all layers to the transmission unit 34.

In step S17, the transmission unit 34 transmits the encoded stream of all layers supplied from the synthesis unit 33 to a decoding device to be described later.

17 and 18 are flowcharts illustrating details of the enhancement encoding process in step S14 of FIG.

In step S30 of FIG. 17, the A / D conversion unit 71 of the encoding unit 52 performs A / D conversion on the input enhancement image for each frame, and outputs to the screen rearrangement buffer 72 for storage.

In step S31, the screen rearrangement buffer 72 rearranges the enhancement images of the frames in the stored display order in the order for encoding according to the GOP structure. The screen rearrangement buffer 72 supplies the frame-based enhancement image after the rearrangement to the calculation unit 73, the intra prediction unit 87, and the motion prediction / compensation unit 88.

In step S32, the encoding unit 52 performs base conversion processing for converting the base image from the low resolution image to the high resolution image. Details of this base conversion processing will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S33, the intra prediction unit 87 performs intra prediction processing in all intra prediction modes that are candidates in PU units. Further, the intra prediction unit 87 performs cost functions for all candidate intra prediction modes based on the enhancement image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 72 and the prediction image generated as a result of the intra prediction process. Calculate the value. Then, the intra prediction unit 87 determines the intra prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value as the optimal intra prediction mode. The intra prediction unit 87 supplies the predicted image generated in the optimal intra prediction mode and the corresponding cost function value to the predicted image selection unit 89.

Also, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 performs motion prediction / compensation processing for all candidate inter prediction modes in PU units. The motion prediction / compensation unit 88 calculates cost function values for all candidate inter prediction modes based on the enhancement image and the prediction image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72, and the cost function value is minimized. Is determined as the optimal inter prediction mode. Then, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 supplies the cost function value of the optimal inter prediction mode and the corresponding predicted image to the predicted image selection unit 89.

In step S <b> 34, the predicted image selection unit 89 has the minimum cost function value of the optimal intra prediction mode and the optimal inter prediction mode based on the cost function values supplied from the intra prediction unit 87 and the motion prediction / compensation unit 88. Is determined as the optimum prediction mode. Then, the predicted image selection unit 89 supplies the predicted image in the optimal prediction mode to the calculation unit 73 and the addition unit 81.

In step S35, the predicted image selection unit 89 determines whether or not the optimal prediction mode is the optimal inter prediction mode. When it is determined in step S35 that the optimal prediction mode is the optimal inter prediction mode, the predicted image selection unit 89 notifies the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 of selection of the predicted image generated in the optimal inter prediction mode.

In step S36, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 supplies the inter prediction mode information, the corresponding motion vector, and the reference image specifying information that uses the reference image candidate as the reference image to the lossless encoding unit 76, and performs the processing. Proceed to step S38.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S35 that the optimal prediction mode is not the optimal inter prediction mode, that is, when the optimal prediction mode is the optimal intra prediction mode, the prediction image selection unit 89 performs prediction generated in the optimal intra prediction mode. The intra prediction unit 87 is notified of image selection.

And in step S37, the intra estimation part 87 supplies intra prediction mode information to the lossless encoding part 76, and advances a process to step S38.

In step S38, the calculation unit 73 performs encoding by subtracting the prediction image supplied from the prediction image selection unit 89 from the enhancement image supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72. The computing unit 73 outputs the resulting image to the orthogonal transform unit 74 as residual information.

In step S39, the orthogonal transform unit 74 performs orthogonal transform on the residual information from the calculation unit 73 in units of TUs, and supplies the resulting orthogonal transform coefficient to the quantization unit 75.

In step S40, the quantization unit 75 quantizes the coefficient supplied from the orthogonal transform unit 74, and supplies the coefficient obtained as a result to the lossless encoding unit 76 and the inverse quantization unit 79.

18, the inverse quantization unit 79 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient supplied from the quantization unit 75 and supplies the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained as a result to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 80.

In step S42, the inverse orthogonal transform unit 80 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient supplied from the inverse quantization unit 79 in units of TUs, and supplies the residual information obtained as a result to the adder 81. .

In step S43, the addition unit 81 adds the residual information supplied from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 80 and the prediction image supplied from the prediction image selection unit 89 to obtain a locally decoded enhancement image. The adder 81 supplies the obtained enhancement image to the deblock filter 82 and also supplies it to the frame memory 85.

In step S44, the deblocking filter 82 performs a deblocking filter process on the locally decoded enhancement image supplied from the adding unit 81. Details of the deblocking filter processing will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S45, the adaptive offset filter 83 performs adaptive offset processing on the enhancement image supplied from the deblocking filter 82 for each LCU. The adaptive offset filter 83 supplies the offset information to the lossless encoding unit 76. The adaptive offset filter 83 supplies the image after the adaptive offset process to the adaptive loop filter 84.

In step S46, the adaptive loop filter 84 performs adaptive loop filter processing for each LCU on the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive offset filter 83. The adaptive loop filter 84 supplies the resulting enhancement image to the frame memory 85. The adaptive loop filter 84 also supplies the filter coefficient used in the adaptive loop filter process to the lossless encoding unit 76.

In step S47, the frame memory 85 stores the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive loop filter 84 and the enhancement image supplied from the adder 81. The enhancement image stored in the frame memory 85 is output to the intra prediction unit 87 or the motion prediction / compensation unit 88 via the switch 86.

In step S48, the lossless encoding unit 76 uses the intra prediction mode information or the inter prediction mode information, the motion vector, the reference image specifying information, the offset information, the filter coefficient, and the loop filter information as encoding information. Turn into.

In step S49, the lossless encoding unit 76 losslessly encodes the quantized coefficient supplied from the quantization unit 75. Then, the lossless encoding unit 76 generates encoded data from the encoding information that has been losslessly encoded in the process of step S 48 and the losslessly encoded coefficient, and supplies the encoded data to the accumulation buffer 77.

In step S50, the accumulation buffer 77 temporarily accumulates the encoded data supplied from the lossless encoding unit 76.

In step S51, the rate control unit 90 controls the quantization operation rate of the quantization unit 75 based on the encoded data stored in the storage buffer 77 so that overflow or underflow does not occur.

In step S52, the accumulation buffer 77 outputs the stored encoded data to the generation unit 78. And a process returns to step S14 of FIG. 16, and progresses to step S15.

In the encoding processing of FIGS. 17 and 18, in order to simplify the description, the intra prediction processing and the motion prediction / compensation processing are always performed, but in actuality, either one depends on the picture type or the like. Sometimes only.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the base conversion process in step S32 of FIG.

In step S61 of FIG. 19, the generation unit 152 (FIG. 12) of the image selection unit 91 converts the base image used for encoding in units of slices into a base image before loop filter processing or a loop based on a user instruction or the like The base image after filtering is determined. The generation unit 152 supplies a selection signal indicating selection of the determined base image to the selector 151. Further, the generation unit 152 generates information indicating the presence / absence of the determined loop filter processing of the base image as loop filter information.

In step S62, the selector 151 determines whether the selection signal supplied from the generation unit 152 represents selection of the base image before the loop filter processing.

When it is determined in step S62 that the selection signal represents the selection of the base image before the loop filter processing, in step S63, the selector 151 stores the loop filter processing stored in the frame memory 141 of the base encoding unit 31. Select the previous base image. Then, the selector 151 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter process to the upsample unit 92, and the process proceeds to step S65.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S62 that the selection signal does not represent the selection of the base image before the loop filter processing, that is, if the selection signal represents the selection of the base image after the loop filter processing, the process proceeds to step S64. Proceed to

In step S64, the selector 151 selects the base image after the loop filter processing stored in the frame memory 142. The selector 151 supplies the selected base image after the loop filter process to the upsample unit 93, and the process proceeds to step S65.

In step S65, the upsampling unit 92 or the upsampling unit 93 upsamples the base image supplied from the selector 151. The upsampling unit 92 supplies the high resolution image generated by the upsampling to the frame memory 85 as the base image after the upsampling.

In step S66, the frame memory 85 stores the base image after the upsampling supplied from the upsampling unit 92 or the upsampling unit 93. The base image stored in the frame memory 85 is output to the motion prediction / compensation unit 88.

In step S67, the generation unit 152 outputs the loop filter information to the lossless encoding unit 76 in FIG. And a process returns to step S32 of FIG. 17, and progresses to step S33.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining details of the deblocking filter process in step S44 of FIG.

In step S71, the deblocking filter 82 determines the BS value.

In step S72, the deblocking filter 82 determines the threshold value β and the threshold value t _c from the default value β ′, the default value t _c , and the bit depth BitDepth _{Y according} to the above-described equation (3).

In step S73, the deblocking filter 82 determines, BS value, and, based on a threshold β and the threshold t _c, whether to perform deblock filter processing. If it is determined to perform the deblock filter processing in step S73, in step S74, the deblocking filter 82, BS value, and, based on a threshold β and the threshold t _c, to determine the strength of the deblocking filter processing or the like .

In step S75, the deblock filter 82 performs a deblock filter process with the determined intensity. Then, the process returns to step S44 in FIG. 18 and proceeds to step S45.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S73 that the deblocking filter process is not performed, the process returns to step S44 in FIG. 18 and proceeds to step S45.

As described above, the encoding device 30 selects the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing, and encodes the enhancement image using the selected base image. Therefore, for example, when the bit rate of the enhancement image is high, or when the enhancement image includes a texture region having a high frequency component, the encoding efficiency can be improved.

That is, when the base image after the loop filter processing is upsampled, the high frequency component is lost by both the loop filter processing and the upsampling. Therefore, when the enhancement image has a high bit rate, or when the enhancement image includes a texture region, if prediction is performed using the base image after the upsampled loop filter processing, the prediction accuracy decreases, and the code Efficiency is reduced. Therefore, in such a case, the encoding device 30 improves the encoding efficiency by selecting the base image before the loop filter processing, up-sampling, and performing the encoding using the base image after the up-sampling. Can be made.

(Configuration example of first embodiment of decoding device)
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied, which decodes the encoded stream of all layers transmitted from the encoding device 30 in FIG. 4.

21 includes a receiving unit 161, a separating unit 162, a base decoding unit 163, and an enhancement decoding unit 164.

The receiving unit 161 receives the encoded stream of all layers transmitted from the encoding device 30 in FIG. 4 and supplies it to the separating unit 162.

The separating unit 162 separates the base stream from the encoded streams of all layers supplied from the receiving unit 161 and supplies the base stream to the base decoding unit 163, and separates the enhancement stream and supplies the enhancement stream to the enhancement decoding unit 164.

The base decoding unit 163 is configured in the same manner as the HEVC decoding device, and decodes the base stream supplied from the separation unit 162 using the HEVC method. The base decoding unit 163 supplies the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing obtained as a result of the decoding to the enhancement decoding unit 164. The base decoding unit 163 outputs the base image after the loop filter process.

The enhancement decoding unit 164 decodes the enhancement stream supplied from the demultiplexing unit 162 by a method according to the HEVC method, and generates an enhancement image. At this time, the enhancement decoding unit 164 refers to the base image before the loop filter processing supplied from the base decoding unit 163 or the base image after the loop filter processing. The enhancement decoding unit 164 outputs the enhancement image after the loop filter processing.

(Configuration example of enhancement decoding unit)
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the enhancement decoding unit 164 of FIG.

The enhancement decoding unit 164 in FIG. 22 includes an extraction unit 181 and a decoding unit 182.

The extraction unit 181 of the enhancement decoding unit 164 extracts a parameter set and encoded data from the enhancement stream supplied from the separation unit 162 in FIG. 21 and supplies the extracted parameter set and encoded data to the decoding unit 182.

The decoding unit 182 refers to the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing supplied from the base decoding unit 163 in FIG. 21, and converts the encoded data supplied from the extraction unit 181 to the HEVC method. Decrypt in the same way. At this time, the decoding unit 182 refers to the parameter set supplied from the extraction unit 181 as necessary. The decoding unit 182 outputs an enhancement image obtained as a result of decoding.

(Configuration example of decoding unit)
FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the decoding unit 182 of FIG.

23 includes a storage buffer 201, a lossless decoding unit 202, an inverse quantization unit 203, an inverse orthogonal transform unit 204, an addition unit 205, a deblocking filter 206, an adaptive offset filter 207, an adaptive loop filter 208, a screen arrangement, and the like. It comprises a replacement buffer 209, a D / A conversion unit 210, a frame memory 211, a switch 212, an intra prediction unit 213, a motion compensation unit 214, a switch 215, an image selection unit 216, an upsampling unit 217, and an upsampling unit 218. .

The accumulation buffer 201 of the decoding unit 182 receives and accumulates encoded data from the extraction unit 181 of FIG. The accumulation buffer 201 supplies the accumulated encoded data to the lossless decoding unit 202.

The lossless decoding unit 202 performs lossless decoding such as variable length decoding and arithmetic decoding corresponding to the lossless encoding of the lossless encoding unit 76 of FIG. 6 on the encoded data from the accumulation buffer 201, Obtain quantized coefficients and encoding information. The lossless decoding unit 202 supplies the quantized coefficient to the inverse quantization unit 203. Further, the lossless decoding unit 202 supplies intra prediction mode information as encoded information to the intra prediction unit 213, and supplies inter prediction mode information, motion vectors, reference image specifying information, and the like to the motion compensation unit 214.

Also, the lossless decoding unit 202 instructs the switch 215 to select the intra prediction unit 213 when the encoded information does not include inter prediction mode information, and if the inter prediction mode information is included, the lossless decoding unit 202 instructs the switch 215 to select a motion compensation unit. The selection of 214 is instructed. The lossless decoding unit 202 supplies offset information as encoded information to the adaptive offset filter 207 and supplies filter coefficients to the adaptive loop filter 208. Further, the lossless decoding unit 202 supplies loop filter information as encoded information to the image selection unit 216.

Inverse quantization unit 203, inverse orthogonal transform unit 204, addition unit 205, deblock filter 206, adaptive offset filter 207, adaptive loop filter 208, frame memory 211, switch 212, intra prediction unit 213, motion compensation unit 214, image selection 6, upsampler 217, upsampler 217, upsampler 218, inverse quantizer 79, inverse orthogonal transformer 80, adder 81, deblock filter 82, adaptive offset filter 83, adaptive loop filter 84, frame The same processing is performed by the memory 85, the switch 86, the intra prediction unit 87, the motion prediction / compensation unit 88, the image selection unit 91, the upsampling unit 92, and the upsampling unit 93, whereby the image is decoded.

Specifically, the inverse quantization unit 203 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient from the lossless decoding unit 202 and supplies the orthogonal transform coefficient obtained as a result to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 204.

The inverse orthogonal transform unit 204 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient from the inverse quantization unit 203 in units of TUs. The inverse orthogonal transform unit 204 supplies residual information obtained as a result of the inverse orthogonal transform to the addition unit 205.

The adding unit 205 functions as a decoding unit, and performs decoding by adding the residual information as the decoding target image supplied from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 204 and the predicted image supplied from the switch 215. The adding unit 205 supplies the enhancement image obtained as a result of decoding to the deblocking filter 206 and also supplies it to the frame memory 211. When the predicted image is not supplied from the switch 215, the adding unit 205 supplies the image that is the residual information supplied from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 204 to the deblocking filter 206 as an enhancement image obtained as a result of decoding. The frame memory 211 is supplied and accumulated.

The deblocking filter 206 performs deblocking filter processing on the enhancement image supplied from the adding unit 205, and supplies the enhancement image obtained as a result to the adaptive offset filter 207.

The adaptive offset filter 207 performs an adaptive offset process on the enhancement image from the deblocking filter 206 for each LCU using the offset information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202. The adaptive offset filter 207 supplies the enhancement image after the adaptive offset process to the adaptive loop filter 208.

The adaptive loop filter 208 performs adaptive loop filter processing for each LCU on the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive offset filter 207 using the filter coefficient supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202. The adaptive loop filter 208 supplies the enhancement image obtained as a result to the frame memory 211 and the screen rearrangement buffer 209.

The screen rearrangement buffer 209 stores the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive loop filter 208 in units of frames. The screen rearrangement buffer 209 rearranges the stored enhancement images in frame units for encoding in the original display order and supplies them to the D / A conversion unit 210.

The D / A conversion unit 210 performs D / A conversion on the enhancement image for each frame supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 209 and outputs the enhancement image.

The frame memory 211 stores enhancement images supplied from the adaptive loop filter 208 and the addition unit 205. In addition, the frame memory 211 stores the base image supplied from the upsampling unit 217 or the upsampling unit 218. The base image and enhancement image stored in the frame memory 211 are read out and supplied to the intra prediction unit 213 or the motion compensation unit 214 via the switch 212.

The intra prediction unit 213 uses the reference pixels read from the frame memory 211 via the switch 212 in units of PUs, and performs intra prediction in the optimal intra prediction mode indicated by the intra prediction mode information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202. I do. The intra prediction unit 213 supplies the prediction image generated as a result to the switch 215.

The motion compensation unit 214 functions as an image selection unit, selects a reference image based on the reference image specifying information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202 via the switch 212 from the frame memory 211, and reads the reference image. The motion compensation unit 214 includes a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. The motion compensation unit 214 increases the resolution of the reference image by performing an interpolation filter process on the reference image using a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. The motion compensation unit 214 uses the high-resolution reference image and the motion vector supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202 to perform optimal inter prediction indicated by the inter prediction mode information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202 in units of PUs. Perform mode motion compensation. The motion compensation unit 214 supplies the predicted image generated as a result to the switch 215.

The switch 215 supplies the prediction image supplied from the intra prediction unit 213 to the addition unit 205 when the selection of the intra prediction unit 213 is instructed from the lossless decoding unit 202. On the other hand, when the selection of the motion compensation unit 214 is instructed from the lossless decoding unit 202, the switch 215 supplies the predicted image supplied from the motion compensation unit 214 to the addition unit 205.

Based on the loop filter information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202, the image selection unit 216 selects the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing supplied from the base decoding unit 163 in FIG. . The image selection unit 216 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 217, and supplies the base image after the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 218.

The upsampling unit 217 has a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter similar to the motion compensation unit 214. The up-sampling unit 217 up-samples the base image before the loop filter processing supplied from the image selection unit 216 in units of PUs using a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. The upsampling unit 217 supplies the high-resolution image generated by the upsampling to the frame memory 211 as the base image after the upsampling.

The upsampling unit 218 includes a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter similar to the motion compensation unit 214. The up-sampling unit 218 up-samples the base image after the loop filter processing supplied from the image selection unit 216 in units of PUs using a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. The upsampling unit 218 supplies the high-resolution image generated by the upsampling to the frame memory 211 as the base image after the upsampling.

Note that the two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter of the motion compensation unit 214 and the two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filters of the upsampling units 217 and 218 may be shared. Further, the upsampling unit 217 and the upsampling unit 218 may be shared.

(Configuration Example of Image Selection Unit 216)
FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image selection unit 216 in FIG.

In FIG. 24, only the blocks related to the processing of the image selection unit 216 in the base decoding unit 163 are shown. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the base decoding unit 163 includes a frame memory 231 and a frame memory 232.

The frame memory 231 stores a base image before loop filter processing obtained by decoding. The frame memory 232 stores the base image after the loop filter processing obtained by decoding.

The image selection unit 216 in FIG. 24 includes an acquisition unit 241 and a selector 242.

The acquisition unit 241 acquires the loop filter information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202 in FIG. The acquisition unit 241 generates a selection signal indicating selection of a base image before the loop filter process or a base image after the loop filter process based on the loop filter information, and supplies the selection signal to the selector 242.

Based on the selection signal supplied from the acquisition unit 241, the selector 242 stores the base image before the loop filter processing stored in the frame memory 231 or the base image after the loop filter processing stored in the frame memory 232. Select. The selector 242 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter process to the upsample unit 217. Further, the selector 242 supplies the selected base image after the loop filter processing to the upsample unit 218.

(Description of processing of decoding device)
FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the hierarchical decoding process of the decoding device 160 of FIG.

25, the reception unit 161 of the decoding device 160 receives the encoded stream of all layers transmitted from the encoding device 30 of FIG. 4 and supplies the encoded stream to the separation unit 162.

In step S112, the separation unit 162 separates the base stream and the enhancement stream from the encoded stream of all layers. The separation unit 162 supplies the base stream to the base decoding unit 163 and supplies the enhancement stream to the enhancement decoding unit 164.

In step S113, the base decoding unit 163 decodes the base stream supplied from the separation unit 162 by the HEVC method. The base decoding unit 163 outputs a base image before loop filter processing obtained as a result of decoding. In addition, the base decoding unit 163 supplies the base image before the loop filter processing and the base image after the loop filter processing obtained as a result of decoding to the enhancement decoding unit 164.

In step S114, the extraction unit 181 (FIG. 22) of the enhancement decoding unit 164 extracts the parameter set and the encoded data from the enhancement stream supplied from the separation unit 162.

In step S115, the decoding unit 182 refers to the base image before the loop filter processing from the base decoding unit 163 or the base image after the loop filter processing, in accordance with the method in which the encoded data from the extraction unit 181 conforms to the HEVC method. An enhancement decoding process for decoding is performed. Details of the enhancement decoding process will be described with reference to FIG. Then, the process ends.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the enhancement decoding process in step S115 of FIG.

26, in step S130, the accumulation buffer 201 (FIG. 23) of the enhancement decoding unit 182 receives and accumulates encoded data in units of frames from the extraction unit 181 of FIG. The accumulation buffer 201 supplies the accumulated encoded data to the lossless decoding unit 202.

In step S131, the lossless decoding unit 202 losslessly decodes the encoded data from the accumulation buffer 201 to obtain quantized coefficients and encoded information. The lossless decoding unit 202 supplies the quantized coefficient to the inverse quantization unit 203. Further, the lossless decoding unit 202 supplies intra prediction mode information as encoded information to the intra prediction unit 213, and supplies inter prediction mode information, motion vectors, reference image specifying information, and the like to the motion compensation unit 214.

Also, the lossless decoding unit 202 instructs the switch 215 to select the intra prediction unit 213 when the encoded information does not include inter prediction mode information, and if the inter prediction mode information is included, the lossless decoding unit 202 instructs the switch 215 to select a motion compensation unit. The selection of 214 is instructed. The lossless decoding unit 202 supplies offset information as encoded information to the adaptive offset filter 207 and supplies filter coefficients to the adaptive loop filter 208. Further, the lossless decoding unit 202 supplies loop filter information as encoded information to the image selection unit 216.

In step S132, the decoding unit 182 performs base conversion processing. Details of the base conversion process will be described with reference to FIG. 27 described later.

In step S133, the inverse quantization unit 203 inversely quantizes the quantized coefficient from the lossless decoding unit 202 and supplies the resulting orthogonal transform coefficient to the inverse orthogonal transform unit 204. In step S <b> 134, the inverse orthogonal transform unit 204 performs inverse orthogonal transform on the orthogonal transform coefficient from the inverse quantization unit 203, and supplies residual information obtained as a result to the addition unit 205.

In step S135, the motion compensation unit 214 determines whether or not the inter prediction mode information is supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202. If it is determined in step S135 that the inter prediction mode information has been supplied, the process proceeds to step S136.

In step S136, the motion compensation unit 214 reads out the reference image based on the reference image specifying information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202 in units of PUs, and uses the motion vector and the reference image to indicate the optimum indicated by the inter prediction mode information. Perform motion compensation processing in inter prediction mode. The motion compensation unit 214 supplies the predicted image generated as a result to the addition unit 205 via the switch 215, and the process proceeds to step S138.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S135 that the inter prediction mode information is not supplied, that is, when the intra prediction mode information is supplied to the intra prediction unit 213, the process proceeds to step S137.

In step S137, the intra prediction unit 213 uses the pixels around the PU read from the frame memory 211 via the switch 212 in units of PUs, and performs intra prediction processing in the optimal intra prediction mode indicated by the intra prediction mode information. I do. The intra prediction unit 213 supplies the prediction image generated as a result to the addition unit 205 via the switch 215, and the process proceeds to step S138.

In step S138, the adding unit 205 adds the residual information supplied from the inverse orthogonal transform unit 204 and the prediction image supplied from the switch 215. The adding unit 205 supplies the enhancement image obtained as a result to the deblocking filter 206 and also supplies it to the frame memory 211.

In step S139, the deblocking filter 206 performs deblocking filter processing on the enhancement image supplied from the adding unit 205 to remove block distortion. The deblocking filter 206 supplies the enhancement image obtained as a result to the adaptive offset filter 207.

In step S140, the adaptive offset filter 207 performs an adaptive offset process on the enhancement image from the deblocking filter 206 for each LCU, using the offset information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202. The adaptive offset filter 207 supplies the enhancement image after the adaptive offset process to the adaptive loop filter 208.

In step S141, the adaptive loop filter 208 performs adaptive loop filter processing for each LCU on the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive offset filter 207 using the filter coefficient supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202. The adaptive loop filter 208 supplies the enhancement image obtained as a result to the frame memory 211 and the screen rearrangement buffer 209.

In step S142, the frame memory 211 stores the enhancement image supplied from the adding unit 205 and the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive loop filter 208. The enhancement image stored in the frame memory 211 is supplied to the intra prediction unit 213 or the motion compensation unit 214 via the switch 212.

In step S143, the screen rearranging buffer 209 stores the enhancement image supplied from the adaptive loop filter 208 in units of frames, and the stored frame-based enhancement images for encoding in the original display order. The data is rearranged and supplied to the D / A converter 210.

In step S144, the D / A conversion unit 210 D / A converts the enhancement image in units of frames supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 209 and outputs the enhancement image. Then, the process returns to step S115 in FIG. 25 and ends.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the base conversion process in step S132 of FIG.

27, the acquisition unit 241 (FIG. 24) of the image selection unit 216 acquires the loop filter information supplied from the lossless decoding unit 202 of FIG.

In step S162, the acquisition unit 241 determines whether the loop filter information indicates the presence of loop filter processing.

When it is determined in step S162 that the loop filter process is present, the acquisition unit 241 supplies a selection signal indicating selection of the base image after the loop filter process to the selector 242.

In step S163, the selector 242 selects the base image after the loop filter processing stored in the frame memory 232 based on the selection signal supplied from the acquisition unit 241. The selector 242 supplies the selected base image after the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 218, and the process proceeds to step S165.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S162 that the loop filter information does not indicate the presence of loop filter processing, that is, if the loop filter information indicates absence of loop filter processing, the acquisition unit 241 selects the base image before the loop filter processing. Is supplied to the selector 242.

In step S164, the selector 242 selects the base image before the loop filter processing stored in the frame memory 231 based on the selection signal supplied from the acquisition unit 241. The selector 242 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 217, and the process proceeds to step S165.

In step S165, the upsampling unit 217 or the upsampling unit 218 upsamples the base image supplied from the selector 242. The upsampling unit 217 supplies the high-resolution image generated by the upsampling to the frame memory 211 as the base image after the upsampling.

In step S166, the frame memory 211 stores the base image after upsampling supplied from the upsampling unit 217 or the upsampling unit 218. The base image stored in the frame memory 211 is output to the motion compensation unit 214. Then, the process returns to step S132 in FIG. 26 and proceeds to step S133.

As described above, similarly to the encoding device 30, the decoding device 160 selects the base image before the loop filter processing and the base image after the loop filter processing, and decodes the enhancement stream using the selected base image. . Accordingly, it is possible to decode the encoded stream that is scalable encoded so that the encoding efficiency is improved by the encoding device 30.

In the first embodiment, the loop filter information is set in units of slices, but may be set in units of sequences or pictures. When the loop filter information is set in units of sequences, the loop filter information is set, for example, in SPS_extension () of the enhancement image. When the loop filter information is set in units of pictures, the loop filter information is set in, for example, enhancement image PPS_extension () or VPS_extension (). SPS_extension (), PPS_extension (), VPS_extension (), etc. in which the loop filter information is set are included in the enhancement stream as a parameter set.

<Second Embodiment>
(Configuration example of enhancement encoding unit)
Since the second embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is the same as the encoding device 30 of FIG. 4 except for the enhancement encoding unit 32, only the enhancement encoding unit 32 will be described.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the enhancement encoding unit 32 of the second embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

The enhancement encoding unit 32 in FIG. 28 includes a setting unit 251 and an encoding unit 252. The enhancement encoding unit 32 encodes the enhancement image using the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing based on the temporal hierarchy of the enhancement image.

Specifically, the setting unit 251 of the enhancement encoding unit 32 sets VPS_extension () including layer information representing the highest time layer of the enhancement image encoded using the base image before the loop filter processing. . The setting unit 251 sets VPS, SPS, PPS, and the like. The setting unit 251 supplies the set parameter set such as VPS_extension (), VPS, SPS, and PPS to the encoding unit 252.

The encoding unit 252 selects the base image before the loop filter processing or the enhancement image after the loop filter processing from the base encoding unit 31 based on the hierarchical information included in VPS_extension () supplied from the setting unit 251. . The encoding unit 252 refers to the selected base image and encodes an enhancement image input from the outside by a method according to the HEVC method. The encoding unit 252 generates an enhancement stream from the encoded data obtained as a result and the parameter set supplied from the setting unit 251, and supplies the enhancement stream to the synthesis unit 33 in FIG.

(Configuration example of encoding unit)
FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the encoding unit 252 of FIG.

29, the same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The overlapping description will be omitted as appropriate.

The configuration of the encoding unit 252 in FIG. 29 is that the image selection unit 261 and the lossless encoding unit 262 are provided instead of the image selection unit 91 and the lossless encoding unit 76, and the configuration of the encoding unit 52 in FIG. And different.

Specifically, the image selection unit 261, based on the hierarchy information from the setting unit 251 and the time hierarchy of the enhancement image to be encoded, the base image before the loop filter processing from the base encoding unit 31 in FIG. Alternatively, the base image after the loop filter process is selected. The image selection unit 261 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 92 and supplies the base image after the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 93.

The lossless encoding unit 262 acquires the intra prediction mode information from the intra prediction unit 87. Also, the lossless encoding unit 262 acquires inter prediction mode information, motion vectors, reference image specifying information, and the like from the motion prediction / compensation unit 88. Furthermore, the lossless encoding unit 262 acquires offset information for adaptive offset processing from the adaptive offset filter 83 and acquires filter coefficients from the adaptive loop filter 84.

The lossless encoding unit 262 performs lossless encoding on the quantized coefficients supplied from the quantization unit 75. In addition, the lossless encoding unit 262 performs lossless encoding on intra prediction mode information or inter prediction mode information, motion vectors, reference image specifying information, offset information, and filter coefficients as encoding information. The lossless encoding unit 262 supplies the encoded information and the lossless encoded coefficient to the storage buffer 77 as encoded data and stores them.

(Configuration Example of Image Selection Unit 261)
FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image selection unit 261 in FIG.

30, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. 12. The overlapping description will be omitted as appropriate.

30 is different from the configuration of the image selection unit 91 in FIG. 12 in that a generation unit 281 is provided instead of the generation unit 152. The configuration of the image selection unit 261 in FIG.

The generation unit 281 acquires the hierarchy information from the setting unit 251 in FIG. Based on the hierarchy information and the time hierarchy of the enhancement image to be encoded, the generation unit 281 converts the base image used for encoding into a base image before the loop filter process or a base image after the loop filter process based on the picture. decide. The generation unit 281 supplies a selection signal indicating selection of the determined base image to the selector 151.

(Explanation of hierarchy information)
FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the hierarchy information.

In scalable coding, as shown in FIG. 31, an image is hierarchized into a plurality of hierarchies (main layers). Specifically, an image is hierarchized into a base layer (BL) and an enhancement layer (EL).

ピ ク チ ャ Picture groups in each layer constitute a sequence in that layer. In the sequence, the picture forms a hierarchical structure (GOP structure) as shown in FIG. This hierarchy is a time hierarchy (sublayer).

In the case of the example in FIG. 31, each of the base layer and the enhancement layer has a GOP structure constituted by three time layers of sublayer 0 (Sublayer0) to sublayer 2 (Sublayer2).

A square in FIG. 31 indicates a picture, an alphabetic character in the square indicates a type of the picture, and a number indicates an encoding order. For example, a square described as “I ₀ ” indicates an I picture whose coding order is 0th, and a square described as “b ₁ ” indicates a B picture whose encoding order is 1st, A square described as “B ₂ ” indicates a B picture whose coding order is second.

In addition, dotted lines between the squares indicate dependency relationships (reference relationships) within the same hierarchy. As indicated by this dotted line, the pictures in the upper temporal hierarchy depend on the pictures in the lower temporal hierarchy. That is, the picture of sublayer 2 (Sublayer2) refers to the picture of sublayer 1 or the picture of sublayer 0. Also, the sublayer 1 picture refers to the sublayer 0 picture. The sublayer 0 picture refers to the sublayer 0 picture as appropriate.

Note that the number of time layers (the number of sublayers) is arbitrary. Further, the GOP structure is also arbitrary and is not limited to the example of FIG.

Here, when the hierarchical information represents sublayer 1, as shown by the solid arrows between the squares in FIG. 31, the enhancement layer sublayer 0 and the enhancement image of sublayer 1 are base images at the same time before the loop filter processing. Is encoded using. That is, at the time of encoding enhancement images of sublayer 0 and sublayer 1 that are temporal layers below sublayer 1 represented by the hierarchical information, a base image before loop filter processing is selected and upsampled.

On the other hand, as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrows between the squares in FIG. 31, the enhancement layer sub-layer 2 enhancement image is encoded using the base image at the same time after the loop filter processing. That is, at the time of encoding the enhancement image of the sublayer 2 that is the temporal hierarchy above the sublayer 1 represented by the hierarchy information, the base image after the loop filter processing is selected and up-sampled.

Generally, the quantization parameter of a low time layer image used as a reference image is set low, and the quantization parameter of a high time layer image not used as a reference image is set high. Therefore, as described above, by encoding the enhancement image in the time hierarchy below the time hierarchy represented by the hierarchy information using the base image before the loop filter processing in which the deterioration of the high frequency component is suppressed, the encoding efficiency is improved. Can be improved.

(VPS_extension () syntax example)
32 and 33 are diagrams illustrating an example of the syntax of VPS_extension ().

As shown in FIG. 32, in VPS_extension (), layer information is set as max_suba_layer_for_loop_filter_disabling_il_reference. Note that the value of the layer information must not exceed the value obtained by adding 1 to vps_max_sublayer_minus1 set in the VPS. vps_max_sublayer_minus1 is a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the maximum number of time layers.

(Description of processing of encoding device)
FIG. 34 is a flowchart for describing hierarchical encoding processing of the second embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

34 are the same as the processes in steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 16, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In step S183, the setting unit 251 (FIG. 28) of the enhancement encoding unit 32 sets a parameter set such as VPS_extension (), VPS, SPS, and PPS including the hierarchy information, and supplies the parameter set to the encoding unit 252.

In step S184, the encoding unit 252 performs enhancement encoding processing based on the hierarchical information included in VPS_extension () supplied from the setting unit 251.

Since the processing of steps S185 to S187 is the same as the processing of steps S15 to S17 in FIG. 16, description thereof will be omitted.

34. The enhancement encoding process in step S184 in FIG. 34 is the same as the enhancement encoding process in FIGS. 17 and 18 except for the base conversion process in step S32. Accordingly, only the base conversion process will be described below.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating the base conversion process in the enhancement encoding process in step S184 of FIG.

35. In step S201 of FIG. 35, the generation unit 281 (FIG. 30) acquires the hierarchy information from the setting unit 251 of FIG. In step S202, the generation unit 281 determines whether or not the time hierarchy of the enhancement image to be encoded is equal to or lower than the time hierarchy represented by the hierarchy information.

When it is determined in step S202 that the time hierarchy of the enhancement image to be encoded is equal to or lower than the time hierarchy represented by the hierarchy information, the generation unit 281 uses the base image used for encoding as the base image before the loop filter processing. To decide. Then, the generation unit 281 supplies a selection signal indicating selection of the base image before the loop filter process to the selector 151, and the process proceeds to step S203.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the time hierarchy of the enhancement image to be encoded is not less than or equal to the time hierarchy represented by the hierarchy information, the generation unit 281 uses the base image used for encoding after the loop filter processing. Determine the base image. Then, the generation unit 281 supplies a selection signal indicating selection of the base image after the loop filter process to the selector 151, and the process proceeds to step S204.

The processing of steps S203 to S206 is the same as the processing of steps S63 to S66 of FIG.

As described above, the second embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied selects the base image before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing based on the temporal hierarchy of the enhancement image. Therefore, for example, an enhancement image in a low time hierarchy with a low quantization parameter can be encoded using a base image before loop filter processing in which deterioration of high frequency components is suppressed. As a result, encoding efficiency can be improved.

(Configuration example of decoding unit)
The second embodiment of the decoding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied, which decodes the encoded stream of all layers transmitted from the second embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied, is a diagram excluding the decoding unit 182. Since it is the same as the decoding device 160 of No. 21, only the decoding unit 182 will be described.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the decoding unit 182 of the second embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

36, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. The overlapping description will be omitted as appropriate.

36 differs from the configuration in FIG. 23 in that a lossless decoding unit 301 and an image selection unit 302 are provided instead of the lossless decoding unit 202 and the image selection unit 216. The decoding unit 182 selects a base image before the loop filter process or a base image after the loop filter process based on the hierarchical information included in VPS_extension ().

Specifically, the lossless decoding unit 301 of the decoding unit 182 performs variable length decoding or arithmetic decoding corresponding to the lossless encoding of the lossless encoding unit 262 of FIG. 29 on the encoded data from the accumulation buffer 201. By performing reversible decoding such as the above, quantized coefficients and encoded information are obtained. The lossless decoding unit 301 supplies the quantized coefficient to the inverse quantization unit 203. The lossless decoding unit 301 also supplies intra prediction mode information as encoded information to the intra prediction unit 213, and supplies inter prediction mode information, motion vectors, reference image specifying information, and the like to the motion compensation unit 214.

In addition, when the inter prediction mode information is not included in the encoded information, the lossless decoding unit 301 instructs the switch 215 to select the intra prediction unit 213, and when the inter prediction mode information is included, the lossless decoding unit 301 causes the motion compensation unit to switch 215. The selection of 214 is instructed. The lossless decoding unit 301 supplies offset information as encoded information to the adaptive offset filter 207 and supplies filter coefficients to the adaptive loop filter 208.

The image selection unit 302 is configured similarly to the image selection unit 261 in FIG. The image selection unit 302 acquires hierarchical information included in VPS_extension () in the parameter set supplied from the extraction unit 181 in FIG. The image selection unit 302 selects the base image before the loop filter process or the base image after the loop filter process supplied from the base decoding unit 163 of FIG. 21 based on the hierarchy information and the time hierarchy of the encoded data to be decoded. select. The image selection unit 302 supplies the selected base image before the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 217, and supplies the base image after the loop filter processing to the upsampling unit 218.

(Description of processing of decoding device)
The hierarchical decoding process of the second embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is the same as the hierarchical decoding process described with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27 except for the base conversion process. The base conversion process is the same as the base conversion process described with reference to FIG. However, the hierarchy information is acquired from the extraction unit 181 in FIG.

As described above, the second embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is similar to the second embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied, based on the time hierarchy of the enhancement image, and the loop filter processing The previous base image and the base image after the loop filter processing are selected. Therefore, it is possible to decode a coded stream that is scalable coded so that coding efficiency is improved by the second embodiment of the coding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied.

<Third Embodiment>
(Configuration example of encoding unit)
Since the third embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is the same as the encoding device 30 of FIG. 4 except for the encoding unit 52, only the encoding unit 52 will be described.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the encoding unit 52 according to the third embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

37, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. The overlapping description will be omitted as appropriate.

37 is configured such that a frame memory 321 and a motion prediction / compensation unit 322 are provided instead of the frame memory 85 and the motion prediction / compensation unit 88, and the image selection unit 91 is not provided. This is different from the configuration of FIG. The encoding unit 52 performs motion prediction / compensation processing using both the base image before up-sampling before the loop filter processing and the base image after the loop filter processing as reference image candidates.

Specifically, the frame memory 321 stores enhancement images supplied from the adder 81 and the adaptive loop filter 84. In addition, the base image before the loop filter processing output from the base encoding unit 31 upsampled by the upsampling unit 92 is supplied to the frame memory 321 and accumulated. The frame memory 321 is supplied with the base image after the loop filter processing output from the base encoding unit 31 upsampled by the upsampling unit 93 and accumulated. The base image or enhancement image stored in the frame memory 321 is output to the intra prediction unit 87 or the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 via the switch 86.

The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 performs motion prediction / compensation processing for all candidate inter prediction modes in units of PUs. Specifically, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 has a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter. In addition, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 receives the enhancement image, the base image before the loop filter processing after the upsampling, and the base image after the loop filter processing from the frame memory 321 via the switch 86 as reference image candidates. Read as. The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 performs an interpolation filter process on the enhancement image and reference image candidates supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72 using a two-dimensional linear interpolation adaptive filter, thereby enhancing the enhancement image. And increase the resolution of reference image candidates.

The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 detects motion vectors of all candidate inter prediction modes with fractional pixel accuracy based on the enhanced resolution image and the reference image candidate. Then, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 performs compensation processing on the reference image candidate based on the motion vector, and generates a predicted image candidate.

Also, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 calculates cost function values for all candidate inter prediction modes based on enhancement images and prediction image candidates supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72. The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 determines the inter prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value as the optimal inter prediction mode, and sets the corresponding prediction image candidate as the prediction image. The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 functions as an image selection unit, and selects a reference image candidate when the cost function value is minimum as a reference image. Then, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 supplies the cost function value of the optimal inter prediction mode and the predicted image to the predicted image selection unit 89.

In addition, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 receives inter prediction mode information, corresponding motion vectors, reference image specifying information, and the like when the prediction image selection unit 89 is notified of selection of a prediction image generated in the optimal inter prediction mode. It outputs to the lossless encoding part 76.

Note that the reference image specifying information includes long-term reference image specifying information that is reference image specifying information of a reference image that is distant in time and short? Term reference image specifying information that is reference image specifying information of a reference image that is close in time. is there. The reference image specifying information using the base image as a reference image is long-term reference image specifying information. The default value of the reference image specifying information that uses the base image after the up-sampling loop filter processing as the reference image is compared with the default value of the reference image specifying information that uses the base image before the up-sampling and before the loop filter processing as the reference image Small.

The change of the index assignment as the reference image specifying information can be performed by the syntax ref_pic_lists_modification (). For example, with the syntax ref_pic_lists_modification (), the reference image specifying information that uses the base image before up-sampling before the loop filter processing as the reference image, and the reference image specifying information that uses the base image after the up-sampling loop filter processing as the reference image It can be made smaller than

(Description of processing of encoding device)
Since the hierarchical encoding process according to the second embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied is the same as the hierarchical encoding process of FIG. 16 except for the enhancement encoding process, the enhancement encoding process will be described below. Only explained.

38 and 39 are flowcharts illustrating details of enhancement encoding processing according to the second embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

38 are the same as the processes in steps S30 and S31 in FIG. 17, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

In step S222, the up-sampling unit 92 up-samples the base image before the loop filter processing supplied from the base encoding unit 31 and supplies the base image to the frame memory 321. The upsampling unit 93 upsamples the base image after the loop filter processing supplied from the base encoding unit 31 and supplies the upsampled base image to the frame memory 321.

The frame memory 321 accumulates the base image before the up-sampling after the up-sampling unit 92 supplied from the up-sampling unit 92 and the base image after the up-sampling unit 93 supplied after the up-sampling unit 93.

In step S223, the intra prediction unit 87 performs intra prediction processing in all intra prediction modes that are candidates in PU units. Further, the intra prediction unit 87 performs cost functions for all candidate intra prediction modes based on the enhancement image read from the screen rearrangement buffer 72 and the prediction image generated as a result of the intra prediction process. Calculate the value. Then, the intra prediction unit 87 determines the intra prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value as the optimal intra prediction mode. The intra prediction unit 87 supplies the predicted image generated in the optimal intra prediction mode and the corresponding cost function value to the predicted image selection unit 89.

Also, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 performs motion prediction / compensation processing in all inter prediction modes that are candidates in PU units. At this time, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 includes both the base image before the up-sampling before the loop filter processing and the base image after the up-sampling after the loop filter processing as reference image candidates. The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 calculates cost function values for all candidate inter prediction modes based on enhancement images and prediction image candidates supplied from the screen rearrangement buffer 72. The motion prediction / compensation unit 322 determines the inter prediction mode that minimizes the cost function value as the optimal inter prediction mode, and sets the corresponding prediction image candidate as the prediction image. Then, the motion prediction / compensation unit 322 supplies the cost function value of the optimal inter prediction mode and the predicted image to the predicted image selection unit 89.

Since the processing of steps S224 to S242 is the same as the processing of steps S34 to S52 of FIGS. 17 and 18, the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the third embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is based on the prediction result in which the base image before up-sampling before the loop filter processing and the base image after the loop filter processing are used as reference image candidates. Based on this, one of those base images is selected. Accordingly, even when both a texture region having a high frequency component and a flat region exist in the same picture, an optimal base image is selected with high accuracy as a reference image. Specifically, in the texture area, the base image before the loop filter processing after upsampling is selected as the reference image, and in the flat area, the base image after the loop filter processing after upsampling is selected as the reference image. . As a result, encoding efficiency is improved.

(Configuration example of decoding unit)
The third embodiment of the decoding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied, which decodes the encoded stream of all layers transmitted from the third embodiment of the encoding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied, is illustrated except for the decoding unit 182. Since it is the same as the decoding device 160 of No. 21, only the decoding unit 182 will be described.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the decoding unit 182 of the third embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied.

40, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. The overlapping description will be omitted as appropriate.

40 differs from the configuration of FIG. 23 in that a frame memory 341 is provided instead of the frame memory 211 and an image selection unit 216 is not provided. Based on the reference image specifying information, the decoding unit 182 uses the base image before up-sampling before the loop filter processing or the base image after the loop filter processing as a reference image.

Specifically, the frame memory 341 stores enhancement images supplied from the adaptive loop filter 208 and the addition unit 205. Further, the base image before the loop filter processing output from the base decoding unit 163 up-sampled by the up-sampling unit 217 is supplied to the frame memory 341 and accumulated. The base image after the loop filter processing output from the base decoding unit 163 up-sampled by the up-sampling unit 218 is supplied to the frame memory 341 and accumulated. The base image and enhancement image accumulated in the frame memory 341 are read out and supplied to the intra prediction unit 213 or the motion compensation unit 214 via the switch 212.

(Description of processing of decoding device)
The hierarchical decoding process according to the third embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is the same as the hierarchical process illustrated in FIGS. 25 to 27 except that the same process as step S222 in FIG. 38 is performed instead of the base conversion process. Since it is the same as the decoding process, the description is omitted.

As described above, the third embodiment of the decoding device to which the present disclosure is applied is similar to the third embodiment of the encoding device to which the present disclosure is applied, or the base image before the loop filter processing after upsampling or The base image after the loop filter processing is selected. Therefore, it is possible to decode a coded stream that is scalable coded so that coding efficiency is improved by the third embodiment of the coding apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied.

In the first to third embodiments, the number of layers (number of main layers) is two, but the number of layers may be two or more. In this case, loop filter information and hierarchy information may be set for each hierarchy to be referred to.

In the first to third embodiments, the base image is encoded by the HEVC method, but may be encoded by the AVC method. In this case, avc_base_layer_flag, which is set in VPS_extension () and indicates whether the base image is encoded by the AVC method, is 1, and the loop filter processing is only deblocking filter processing.

Furthermore, instead of selecting base images with different presence or absence of loop filter processing, base images with different presence or absence of at least one loop filter processing may be selected. In this case, loop filter information and hierarchy information are set for each loop filter processing.

<Application to multi-view image point coding and multi-view image decoding>
The series of processes described above can be applied to multi-view image encoding / multi-view image decoding. FIG. 41 shows an example of a multi-view image encoding method.

41, the multi-viewpoint image includes a plurality of viewpoint images, and a predetermined one viewpoint image among the plurality of viewpoints is designated as the base view image. Each viewpoint image other than the base view image is treated as a non-base view image. When a multi-view image is scalable encoded, the base view image is encoded as a base layer image, and the non-base view image is encoded as an enhancement image.

When performing multi-view image encoding as shown in FIG. 41, the difference of the quantization parameter can be taken in each view (same view):
(1) base-view:
(1-1) dQP (base view) = Current_CU_QP (base view)-LCU_QP (base view)
(1-2) dQP (base view) = Current_CU_QP (base view)-Previsous_CU_QP (base view)
(1-3) dQP (base view) = Current_CU_QP (base view)-Slice_QP (base view)
(2) non-base-view:
(2-1) dQP (non-base view) = Current_CU_QP (non-base view)-LCU_QP (non-base view)
(2-2) dQP (non-base view) = Current QP (non-base view)-Previsous QP (non-base view)
(2-3) dQP (non-base view) = Current_CU_QP (non-base view)-Slice_QP (non-base view)

When performing multi-view image coding, it is also possible to take quantization parameter differences in each view (different views):
(3) base-view / non-base view:
(3-1) dQP (inter-view) = Slice_QP (base view)-Slice_QP (non-base view)
(3-2) dQP (inter-view) = LCU_QP (base view)-LCU_QP (non-base view)
(4) non-base view / non-base view:
(4-1) dQP (inter-view) = Slice_QP (non-base view i) −Slice_QP (non-base view j)
(4-2) dQP (inter-view) = LCU_QP (non-base view i)-LCU_QP (non-base view j)

In this case, the above (1) to (4) can be used in combination. For example, in the non-base view, a method for obtaining a difference in quantization parameter at the slice level between the base view and the non-base view (combining 3-1 and 2-3), between the base view and the non-base view. The method of taking the difference of the quantization parameter at the LCU level (combining 3-2 and 2-1) can be considered. Thus, by applying the difference repeatedly, the encoding efficiency can be improved even when multi-viewpoint encoding is performed.

Similarly to the method described above, a flag for identifying whether or not there is a dQP whose value is not 0 can be set for each of the above dQPs.

<Other examples of scalable coding>
FIG. 42 shows another example of scalable coding.

As shown in FIG. 42, in scalable coding, a difference between quantization parameters can be taken in each layer (same layer):
(1) base-layer:
(1-1) dQP (base layer) = Current_CU_QP (base layer)-LCU_QP (base layer)
(1-2) dQP (base layer) = Current_CU_QP (base layer)-Previsous_CU_QP (base layer)
(1-3) dQP (base layer) = Current_CU_QP (base layer)-Slice_QP (base layer)
(2) non-base-layer:
(2-1) dQP (non-base layer) = Current_CU_QP (non-base layer)-LCU_QP (non-base layer)
(2-2) dQP (non-base layer) = Current QP (non-base layer)-Previsous QP (non-base layer)
(2-3) dQP (non-base layer) = Current_CU_QP (non-base layer) −Slice_QP (non-base layer)

It is also possible to take quantization parameter differences in each layer (different layers):
(3) base-layer / non-base layer:
(3-1) dQP (inter-layer) = Slice_QP (base layer)-Slice_QP (non-base layer)
(3-2) dQP (inter-layer) = LCU_QP (base layer)-LCU_QP (non-base layer)
(4) non-base layer / non-base layer:
(4-1) dQP (inter-layer) = Slice_QP (non-base layer i) −Slice_QP (non-base layer j)
(4-2) dQP (inter-layer) = LCU_QP (non-base layer i)-LCU_QP (non-base layer j)

In this case, the above (1) to (4) can be used in combination. For example, in the non-base layer, a method of obtaining a difference in quantization parameter at the slice level between the base layer and the non-base layer (combining 3-1 and 2-3), between the base layer and the non-base layer The method of taking the difference of the quantization parameter at the LCU level (combining 3-2 and 2-1) can be considered. In this manner, by applying the difference repeatedly, the encoding efficiency can be improved even when hierarchical encoding is performed.

Similarly to the method described above, a flag for identifying whether or not there is a dQP whose value is not 0 can be set for each of the above dQPs.

<Fourth embodiment>
(Description of computer to which the present disclosure is applied)
The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed in the computer. Here, the computer includes, for example, a general-purpose personal computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

In the computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 602, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 603 are connected to each other via a bus 604.

An input / output interface 605 is further connected to the bus 604. An input unit 606, an output unit 607, a storage unit 608, a communication unit 609, and a drive 610 are connected to the input / output interface 605.

The input unit 606 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like. The output unit 607 includes a display, a speaker, and the like. The storage unit 608 includes a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The communication unit 609 includes a network interface or the like. The drive 610 drives a removable medium 611 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 601 loads the program stored in the storage unit 608 to the RAM 603 via the input / output interface 605 and the bus 604 and executes the program, for example. Is performed.

The program executed by the computer (CPU 601) can be provided by being recorded on a removable medium 611 as a package medium, for example. The program can be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

In the computer, the program can be installed in the storage unit 608 via the input / output interface 605 by attaching the removable medium 611 to the drive 610. Further, the program can be received by the communication unit 609 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the storage unit 608. In addition, the program can be installed in the ROM 602 or the storage unit 608 in advance.

The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

<Fifth embodiment>
(Example configuration of television device)
FIG. 44 illustrates a schematic configuration of a television apparatus to which the present technology is applied. The television apparatus 900 includes an antenna 901, a tuner 902, a demultiplexer 903, a decoder 904, a video signal processing unit 905, a display unit 906, an audio signal processing unit 907, a speaker 908, and an external interface unit 909. Furthermore, the television apparatus 900 includes a control unit 910, a user interface unit 911, and the like.

The tuner 902 selects a desired channel from the broadcast wave signal received by the antenna 901, demodulates it, and outputs the obtained encoded bit stream to the demultiplexer 903.

The demultiplexer 903 extracts video and audio packets of the program to be viewed from the encoded bit stream, and outputs the extracted packet data to the decoder 904. Further, the demultiplexer 903 supplies a packet of data such as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) to the control unit 910. If scrambling is being performed, descrambling is performed by a demultiplexer or the like.

The decoder 904 performs packet decoding processing, and outputs video data generated by the decoding processing to the video signal processing unit 905 and audio data to the audio signal processing unit 907.

The video signal processing unit 905 performs noise removal, video processing according to user settings, and the like on the video data. The video signal processing unit 905 generates video data of a program to be displayed on the display unit 906, image data by processing based on an application supplied via a network, and the like. The video signal processing unit 905 generates video data for displaying a menu screen for selecting an item and the like, and superimposes the video data on the video data of the program. The video signal processing unit 905 generates a drive signal based on the video data generated in this way, and drives the display unit 906.

The display unit 906 drives a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display element or the like) based on a drive signal from the video signal processing unit 905 to display a program video or the like.

The audio signal processing unit 907 performs predetermined processing such as noise removal on the audio data, performs D / A conversion processing and amplification processing on the processed audio data, and outputs the audio data to the speaker 908.

The external interface unit 909 is an interface for connecting to an external device or a network, and transmits and receives data such as video data and audio data.

A user interface unit 911 is connected to the control unit 910. The user interface unit 911 includes an operation switch, a remote control signal receiving unit, and the like, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the control unit 910.

The control unit 910 is configured using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like. The memory stores a program executed by the CPU, various data necessary for the CPU to perform processing, EPG data, data acquired via a network, and the like. The program stored in the memory is read and executed by the CPU at a predetermined timing such as when the television device 900 is activated. The CPU executes each program to control each unit so that the television device 900 operates in accordance with the user operation.

Note that the television device 900 includes a bus 912 for connecting the tuner 902, the demultiplexer 903, the video signal processing unit 905, the audio signal processing unit 907, the external interface unit 909, and the control unit 910.

In the thus configured television apparatus, the decoder 904 is provided with the function of the decoding apparatus (decoding method) of the present application. For this reason, it is possible to decode an image that has been scalable-encoded so as to improve the encoding efficiency.

<Sixth embodiment>
(Configuration example of mobile phone)
FIG. 45 illustrates a schematic configuration of a mobile phone to which the present technology is applied. The cellular phone 920 includes a communication unit 922, an audio codec 923, a camera unit 926, an image processing unit 927, a demultiplexing unit 928, a recording / reproducing unit 929, a display unit 930, and a control unit 931. These are connected to each other via a bus 933.

In addition, an antenna 921 is connected to the communication unit 922, and a speaker 924 and a microphone 925 are connected to the audio codec 923. Further, an operation unit 932 is connected to the control unit 931.

The mobile phone 920 performs various operations such as transmission / reception of voice signals, transmission / reception of e-mail and image data, image shooting, and data recording in various modes such as a voice call mode and a data communication mode.

In the voice call mode, the voice signal generated by the microphone 925 is converted into voice data and compressed by the voice codec 923 and supplied to the communication unit 922. The communication unit 922 performs audio data modulation processing, frequency conversion processing, and the like to generate a transmission signal. The communication unit 922 supplies a transmission signal to the antenna 921 and transmits it to a base station (not shown). In addition, the communication unit 922 performs amplification, frequency conversion processing, demodulation processing, and the like of the reception signal received by the antenna 921, and supplies the obtained audio data to the audio codec 923. The audio codec 923 performs data expansion of the audio data and conversion into an analog audio signal and outputs the result to the speaker 924.

In the data communication mode, when mail transmission is performed, the control unit 931 receives character data input by operating the operation unit 932 and displays the input characters on the display unit 930. In addition, the control unit 931 generates mail data based on a user instruction or the like in the operation unit 932 and supplies the mail data to the communication unit 922. The communication unit 922 performs mail data modulation processing, frequency conversion processing, and the like, and transmits the obtained transmission signal from the antenna 921. In addition, the communication unit 922 performs amplification, frequency conversion processing, demodulation processing, and the like of the reception signal received by the antenna 921, and restores mail data. This mail data is supplied to the display unit 930 to display the mail contents.

Note that the mobile phone 920 can also store the received mail data in a storage medium by the recording / playback unit 929. The storage medium is any rewritable storage medium. For example, the storage medium is a removable memory such as a RAM, a semiconductor memory such as a built-in flash memory, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or a memory card.

When transmitting image data in the data communication mode, the image data generated by the camera unit 926 is supplied to the image processing unit 927. The image processing unit 927 performs encoding processing of image data and generates encoded data.

The demultiplexing unit 928 multiplexes the encoded data generated by the image processing unit 927 and the audio data supplied from the audio codec 923 by a predetermined method, and supplies the multiplexed data to the communication unit 922. The communication unit 922 performs modulation processing and frequency conversion processing of multiplexed data, and transmits the obtained transmission signal from the antenna 921. In addition, the communication unit 922 performs amplification, frequency conversion processing, demodulation processing, and the like of the reception signal received by the antenna 921, and restores multiplexed data. This multiplexed data is supplied to the demultiplexing unit 928. The demultiplexing unit 928 performs demultiplexing of the multiplexed data, and supplies the encoded data to the image processing unit 927 and the audio data to the audio codec 923. The image processing unit 927 performs a decoding process on the encoded data to generate image data. The image data is supplied to the display unit 930 and the received image is displayed. The audio codec 923 converts the audio data into an analog audio signal, supplies the analog audio signal to the speaker 924, and outputs the received audio.

In the cellular phone device configured as described above, the image processing unit 927 is provided with the functions of the encoding device and the decoding device (encoding method and decoding method) of the present application. For this reason, the encoding efficiency of scalable encoding can be improved. In addition, it is possible to decode an image that has been scalable encoded so that the encoding efficiency is improved.

<Seventh embodiment>
(Configuration example of recording / reproducing apparatus)
FIG. 46 illustrates a schematic configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present technology is applied. The recording / reproducing apparatus 940 records, for example, audio data and video data of a received broadcast program on a recording medium, and provides the recorded data to the user at a timing according to a user instruction. The recording / reproducing device 940 can also acquire audio data and video data from another device, for example, and record them on a recording medium. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 940 decodes and outputs the audio data and video data recorded on the recording medium, thereby enabling image display and audio output on the monitor apparatus or the like.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 940 includes a tuner 941, an external interface unit 942, an encoder 943, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) unit 944, a disk drive 945, a selector 946, a decoder 947, an OSD (On-Screen Display) unit 948, a control unit 949, A user interface unit 950 is included.

Tuner 941 selects a desired channel from a broadcast signal received by an antenna (not shown). The tuner 941 outputs an encoded bit stream obtained by demodulating the received signal of a desired channel to the selector 946.

The external interface unit 942 includes at least one of an IEEE 1394 interface, a network interface unit, a USB interface, a flash memory interface, and the like. The external interface unit 942 is an interface for connecting to an external device, a network, a memory card, and the like, and receives data such as video data and audio data to be recorded.

The encoder 943 performs encoding by a predetermined method when the video data and audio data supplied from the external interface unit 942 are not encoded, and outputs an encoded bit stream to the selector 946.

The HDD unit 944 records content data such as video and audio, various programs, and other data on a built-in hard disk, and reads them from the hard disk during playback.

The disk drive 945 records and reproduces signals with respect to the mounted optical disk. An optical disk such as a DVD disk (DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, or the like.

The selector 946 selects one of the encoded bit streams from the tuner 941 or the encoder 943 and supplies it to either the HDD unit 944 or the disk drive 945 when recording video or audio. Further, the selector 946 supplies the encoded bit stream output from the HDD unit 944 or the disk drive 945 to the decoder 947 at the time of reproduction of video and audio.

The decoder 947 performs a decoding process on the encoded bit stream. The decoder 947 supplies the video data generated by performing the decoding process to the OSD unit 948. The decoder 947 outputs audio data generated by performing the decoding process.

The OSD unit 948 generates video data for displaying a menu screen for selecting an item and the like, and superimposes it on the video data output from the decoder 947 and outputs the video data.

A user interface unit 950 is connected to the control unit 949. The user interface unit 950 includes an operation switch, a remote control signal receiving unit, and the like, and supplies an operation signal corresponding to a user operation to the control unit 949.

The control unit 949 is configured using a CPU, a memory, and the like. The memory stores programs executed by the CPU and various data necessary for the CPU to perform processing. The program stored in the memory is read and executed by the CPU at a predetermined timing such as when the recording / reproducing apparatus 940 is activated. The CPU executes the program to control each unit so that the recording / reproducing device 940 operates according to the user operation.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above, the decoder 947 is provided with the function of the decoding apparatus (decoding method) of the present application. For this reason, it is possible to decode an image that has been scalable-encoded so as to improve the encoding efficiency.

<Eighth embodiment>
(Configuration example of imaging device)
FIG. 47 illustrates a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus to which the present technology is applied. The imaging device 960 images a subject, displays an image of the subject on a display unit, and records it on a recording medium as image data.

The imaging device 960 includes an optical block 961, an imaging unit 962, a camera signal processing unit 963, an image data processing unit 964, a display unit 965, an external interface unit 966, a memory unit 967, a media drive 968, an OSD unit 969, and a control unit 970. Have. In addition, a user interface unit 971 is connected to the control unit 970. Furthermore, the image data processing unit 964, the external interface unit 966, the memory unit 967, the media drive 968, the OSD unit 969, the control unit 970, and the like are connected via a bus 972.

The optical block 961 is configured using a focus lens, a diaphragm mechanism, and the like. The optical block 961 forms an optical image of the subject on the imaging surface of the imaging unit 962. The imaging unit 962 is configured using a CCD or CMOS image sensor, generates an electrical signal corresponding to the optical image by photoelectric conversion, and supplies the electrical signal to the camera signal processing unit 963.

The camera signal processing unit 963 performs various camera signal processing such as knee correction, gamma correction, and color correction on the electrical signal supplied from the imaging unit 962. The camera signal processing unit 963 supplies the image data after the camera signal processing to the image data processing unit 964.

The image data processing unit 964 performs an encoding process on the image data supplied from the camera signal processing unit 963. The image data processing unit 964 supplies the encoded data generated by performing the encoding process to the external interface unit 966 and the media drive 968. Further, the image data processing unit 964 performs a decoding process on the encoded data supplied from the external interface unit 966 and the media drive 968. The image data processing unit 964 supplies the image data generated by performing the decoding process to the display unit 965. Further, the image data processing unit 964 superimposes the processing for supplying the image data supplied from the camera signal processing unit 963 to the display unit 965 and the display data acquired from the OSD unit 969 on the image data. To supply.

The OSD unit 969 generates display data such as a menu screen and icons made up of symbols, characters, or figures and outputs them to the image data processing unit 964.

The external interface unit 966 includes, for example, a USB input / output terminal, and is connected to a printer when printing an image. In addition, a drive is connected to the external interface unit 966 as necessary, a removable medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from them is installed as necessary. Furthermore, the external interface unit 966 has a network interface connected to a predetermined network such as a LAN or the Internet. For example, the control unit 970 reads encoded data from the media drive 968 in accordance with an instruction from the user interface unit 971, and supplies the encoded data to the other device connected via the network from the external interface unit 966. it can. Also, the control unit 970 may acquire encoded data and image data supplied from another device via the network via the external interface unit 966 and supply the acquired data to the image data processing unit 964. it can.

As the recording medium driven by the media drive 968, any readable / writable removable medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is used. The recording medium may be any type of removable medium, and may be a tape device, a disk, or a memory card. Of course, a non-contact IC (Integrated Circuit) card may be used.

Further, the media drive 968 and the recording medium may be integrated and configured by a non-portable storage medium such as a built-in hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

The control unit 970 is configured using a CPU. The memory unit 967 stores a program executed by the control unit 970, various data necessary for the control unit 970 to perform processing, and the like. The program stored in the memory unit 967 is read and executed by the control unit 970 at a predetermined timing such as when the imaging device 960 is activated. The control unit 970 controls each unit so that the imaging device 960 performs an operation according to a user operation by executing a program.

In the imaging apparatus configured as described above, the image data processing unit 964 is provided with the functions of the encoding apparatus and decoding apparatus (encoding method and decoding method) of the present application. For this reason, the encoding efficiency of scalable encoding can be improved. In addition, it is possible to decode an image that has been scalable encoded so that the encoding efficiency is improved.

<Application example of scalable coding>
(First system)
Next, a specific usage example of scalable encoded data that has been subjected to scalable encoding (hierarchical encoding) will be described. The scalable coding is used for selection of data to be transmitted, for example, as in the example shown in FIG.

In the data transmission system 1000 shown in FIG. 48, the distribution server 1002 reads the scalable encoded data stored in the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001, and via the network 1003, the personal computer 1004, the AV device 1005, the tablet This is distributed to the terminal device such as the device 1006 and the mobile phone 1007.

At this time, the distribution server 1002 selects and transmits encoded data of appropriate quality according to the capability of the terminal device, the communication environment, and the like. Even if the distribution server 1002 transmits unnecessarily high-quality data, the terminal device does not always obtain a high-quality image, and may cause a delay or an overflow. Moreover, there is a possibility that the communication band is unnecessarily occupied or the load on the terminal device is unnecessarily increased. On the other hand, even if the distribution server 1002 transmits unnecessarily low quality data, there is a possibility that an image with sufficient image quality cannot be obtained in the terminal device. Therefore, the distribution server 1002 appropriately reads and transmits the scalable encoded data stored in the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 as encoded data having an appropriate quality with respect to the capability and communication environment of the terminal device. .

For example, it is assumed that the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 stores scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 encoded in a scalable manner. The scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 is encoded data including both a base layer and an enhancement layer, and is data that can obtain both a base image and an enhancement image by decoding.

The distribution server 1002 selects an appropriate layer according to the capability of the terminal device that transmits data, the communication environment, and the like, and reads the data of the layer. For example, the distribution server 1002 reads high-quality scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 from the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 and transmits it to the personal computer 1004 and the tablet device 1006 with high processing capability as they are. . On the other hand, for example, the distribution server 1002 extracts base layer data from the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 for the AV device 1005 and the cellular phone 1007 having a low processing capability, and performs scalable encoding. Although it is data of the same content as the data (BL + EL) 1011, it is transmitted as scalable encoded data (BL) 1012 having a lower quality than the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011.

By using scalable encoded data in this way, the amount of data can be easily adjusted, so that the occurrence of delay and overflow can be suppressed, and the unnecessary increase in the load on the terminal device and communication medium can be suppressed. be able to. In addition, since scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 has reduced redundancy between layers, the amount of data can be reduced as compared with the case where encoded data of each layer is used as individual data. . Therefore, the storage area of the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001 can be used more efficiently.

Note that since various devices can be applied to the terminal device, such as the personal computer 1004 to the cellular phone 1007, the hardware performance of the terminal device varies depending on the device. Moreover, since the application which a terminal device performs is also various, the capability of the software is also various. Furthermore, the network 1003 serving as a communication medium can be applied to any communication network including wired, wireless, or both, such as the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network), and has various data transmission capabilities. Furthermore, there is a risk of change due to other communications.

Therefore, the distribution server 1002 communicates with the terminal device that is the data transmission destination before starting data transmission, and the hardware performance of the terminal device, the performance of the application (software) executed by the terminal device, etc. Information regarding the capability of the terminal device and information regarding the communication environment such as the available bandwidth of the network 1003 may be obtained. The distribution server 1002 may select an appropriate layer based on the information obtained here.

Note that the layer extraction may be performed by the terminal device. For example, the personal computer 1004 may decode the transmitted scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 and display a base image or an enhancement image. Further, for example, the personal computer 1004 extracts the base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1012 from the transmitted scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1011 and stores it or transfers it to another device. Alternatively, the base image may be displayed after decoding.

Of course, the numbers of the scalable encoded data storage unit 1001, the distribution server 1002, the network 1003, and the terminal devices are arbitrary. In the above, the example in which the distribution server 1002 transmits data to the terminal device has been described, but the usage example is not limited to this. The data transmission system 1000 may be any system as long as it transmits a scalable encoded data to a terminal device by selecting an appropriate layer according to the capability of the terminal device or a communication environment. Can be applied to the system.

(Second system)
In addition, scalable coding is used for transmission via a plurality of communication media as in the example shown in FIG. 49, for example.

49, a broadcasting station 1101 transmits base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 by terrestrial broadcasting 1111. In the data transmission system 1100 shown in FIG. Also, the broadcast station 1101 transmits enhancement layer scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 via an arbitrary network 1112 including a wired or wireless communication network or both (for example, packetized transmission).

The terminal apparatus 1102 has a reception function of the terrestrial broadcast 1111 broadcast by the broadcast station 1101 and receives base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 transmitted via the terrestrial broadcast 1111. The terminal apparatus 1102 further has a communication function for performing communication via the network 1112, and receives enhancement layer scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 transmitted via the network 1112.

The terminal device 1102 decodes base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 acquired via the terrestrial broadcast 1111 according to a user instruction or the like to obtain a base image, store it, Or transmit to the device.

Also, the terminal device 1102, for example, in response to a user instruction, the base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 acquired via the terrestrial broadcast 1111 and the enhancement layer scalable encoded acquired via the network 1112 The data (EL) 1122 is combined to obtain scalable encoded data (BL + EL), or the decoded data is decoded to obtain an enhancement image, stored, or transmitted to another device.

As described above, the scalable encoded data can be transmitted via a communication medium that is different for each layer, for example. Therefore, the load can be distributed, and the occurrence of delay and overflow can be suppressed.

Also, depending on the situation, the communication medium used for transmission may be selected for each layer. For example, scalable encoded data (BL) 1121 of a base layer having a relatively large amount of data is transmitted via a communication medium having a wide bandwidth, and scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 having a relatively small amount of data is transmitted. You may make it transmit via a communication medium with a narrow bandwidth. Further, for example, the communication medium for transmitting the enhancement layer scalable encoded data (EL) 1122 is switched between the network 1112 and the terrestrial broadcast 1111 according to the available bandwidth of the network 1112. May be. Of course, the same applies to data of an arbitrary layer.

By controlling in this way, an increase in load in data transmission can be further suppressed.

Of course, the number of layers is arbitrary, and the number of communication media used for transmission is also arbitrary. In addition, the number of terminal devices 1102 serving as data distribution destinations is also arbitrary. Furthermore, in the above description, broadcasting from the broadcasting station 1101 has been described as an example, but the usage example is not limited to this. The data transmission system 1100 can be applied to any system as long as it is a system that divides scalable encoded data into a plurality of layers and transmits them through a plurality of lines.

(Third system)
Also, scalable coding is used for storing coded data, for example, as in the example shown in FIG.

In the imaging system 1200 shown in FIG. 50, the imaging device 1201 performs scalable coding on the image data obtained by imaging the subject 1211, and obtains scalable coded data (BL + EL) 1221 as a scalable coded data storage device 1202. To supply.

The scalable encoded data storage device 1202 stores the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221 supplied from the imaging device 1201 with quality according to the situation. For example, in the normal case, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 extracts base layer data from the scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221, and the base layer scalable encoded data ( BL) 1222. On the other hand, for example, in the case of attention, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 stores scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221 with high quality and a large amount of data.

By doing so, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 can store an image with high image quality only when necessary, so that an increase in the amount of data can be achieved while suppressing a reduction in the value of the image due to image quality degradation. And the use efficiency of the storage area can be improved.

For example, assume that the imaging device 1201 is a surveillance camera. When the monitoring target (for example, an intruder) is not shown in the captured image (in the normal case), the content of the captured image is likely to be unimportant, so reduction of the data amount is given priority, and the image data (scalable coding) Data) is stored in low quality. On the other hand, when the monitoring target appears in the captured image as the subject 1211 (at the time of attention), since the content of the captured image is likely to be important, the image quality is given priority and the image data (scalable) (Encoded data) is stored with high quality.

Note that whether it is normal time or attention time may be determined by the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 analyzing an image, for example. Alternatively, the imaging apparatus 1201 may make a determination, and the determination result may be transmitted to the scalable encoded data storage device 1202.

It should be noted that the criterion for determining whether the time is normal or noting is arbitrary, and the content of the image as the criterion is arbitrary. Of course, conditions other than the contents of the image can also be used as the criterion. For example, it may be switched according to the volume or waveform of the recorded sound, may be switched at every predetermined time, or may be switched by an external instruction such as a user instruction.

In the above, an example of switching between the normal state and the attention state has been described. However, the number of states is arbitrary, for example, normal, slightly attention, attention, very attention, etc. Alternatively, three or more states may be switched. However, the upper limit number of states to be switched depends on the number of layers of scalable encoded data.

Also, the imaging apparatus 1201 may determine the number of layers for scalable coding according to the state. For example, in a normal case, the imaging apparatus 1201 may generate base layer scalable encoded data (BL) 1222 with low quality and a small amount of data, and supply the scalable encoded data storage apparatus 1202 to the scalable encoded data storage apparatus 1202. For example, when attention is paid, the imaging device 1201 generates scalable encoded data (BL + EL) 1221 having a high quality and a large amount of data, and supplies the scalable encoded data storage device 1202 to the scalable encoded data storage device 1202. May be.

In the above, the monitoring camera has been described as an example. However, the use of the imaging system 1200 is arbitrary and is not limited to the monitoring camera.

<Ninth Embodiment>
(Other examples of implementation)
In the above, examples of devices and systems to which the present technology is applied have been described. However, the present technology is not limited thereto, and any configuration mounted on such devices or devices constituting the system, for example, a system LSI (Large Scale) Integration) etc., a module using a plurality of processors, etc., a unit using a plurality of modules, etc., a set in which other functions are added to the unit, etc. (that is, a partial configuration of the apparatus) .

(Video set configuration example)
An example in which the present technology is implemented as a set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 51 illustrates an example of a schematic configuration of a video set to which the present technology is applied.

In recent years, multi-functionalization of electronic devices has progressed, and in the development and manufacture, when implementing a part of the configuration as sales or provision, etc., not only when implementing as a configuration having one function, but also related In many cases, a plurality of configurations having functions are combined and implemented as a set having a plurality of functions.

The video set 1300 shown in FIG. 51 has such a multi-functional configuration, and a device having a function related to image encoding and decoding (either one or both) can be used for the function. It is a combination of devices having other related functions.

As shown in FIG. 51, the video set 1300 includes a module group such as a video module 1311, an external memory 1312, a power management module 1313, and a front-end module 1314, and a related group such as a connectivity 1321, a camera 1322, and a sensor 1323. And a device having a function.

A cocoon module is a component that has several functions that are related to each other and that have a coherent function. The specific physical configuration is arbitrary. For example, a plurality of processors each having a function, electronic circuit elements such as resistors and capacitors, and other devices arranged on a wiring board or the like can be considered. . It is also possible to combine the module with another module, a processor, or the like to form a new module.

51, the video module 1311 is a combination of configurations having functions related to image processing, and includes an application processor, a video processor, a broadband modem 1333, and an RF module 1334.

The processor is a configuration in which a configuration having a predetermined function is integrated on a semiconductor chip by an SoC (System On Chip), and for example, there is also a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) or the like. The configuration having the predetermined function may be a logic circuit (hardware configuration), a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a program (software configuration) executed using them. , Or a combination of both. For example, a processor has a logic circuit and a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., a part of the function is realized by a logic circuit (hardware configuration), and other functions are executed by the CPU (software configuration) It may be realized by.

51 is a processor that executes an application related to image processing. The application executed in the application processor 1331 not only performs arithmetic processing to realize a predetermined function, but also can control the internal and external configurations of the video module 1311 such as the video processor 1332 as necessary. .

The video processor 1332 is a processor having a function related to image encoding / decoding (one or both of them).

The broadband modem 1333 is a processor (or module) that performs processing related to wired or wireless (or both) broadband communication performed via a broadband line such as the Internet or a public telephone line network. For example, the broadband modem 1333 digitally modulates data to be transmitted (digital signal) to convert it into an analog signal, or demodulates the received analog signal to convert it into data (digital signal). For example, the broadband modem 1333 can digitally modulate and demodulate arbitrary information such as image data processed by the video processor 1332, a stream obtained by encoding the image data, an application program, setting data, and the like.

The RF module 1334 is a module that performs frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, amplification, filter processing, and the like on an RF (Radio RF Frequency) signal transmitted and received via an antenna. For example, the RF module 1334 generates an RF signal by performing frequency conversion or the like on the baseband signal generated by the broadband modem 1333. Further, for example, the RF module 1334 generates a baseband signal by performing frequency conversion or the like on the RF signal received via the front end module 1314.

Note that, as indicated by a dotted line 1341 in FIG. 51, the application processor 1331 and the video processor 1332 may be integrated into a single processor.

The external memory 1312 is a module having a storage device that is provided outside the video module 1311 and is used by the video module 1311. The storage device of the external memory 1312 may be realized by any physical configuration, but is generally used for storing a large amount of data such as image data in units of frames. For example, it is desirable to realize it with a relatively inexpensive and large-capacity semiconductor memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The power management module 1313 manages and controls power supply to the video module 1311 (each component in the video module 1311).

The front end module 1314 is a module that provides the RF module 1334 with a front end function (a circuit on a transmitting / receiving end on the antenna side). As illustrated in FIG. 51, the front end module 1314 includes, for example, an antenna unit 1351, a filter 1352, and an amplifying unit 1353.

Antenna unit 1351 has an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal and its peripheral configuration. The antenna unit 1351 transmits the signal supplied from the amplification unit 1353 as a radio signal, and supplies the received radio signal to the filter 1352 as an electric signal (RF signal). The filter 1352 performs a filtering process on the RF signal received via the antenna unit 1351 and supplies the processed RF signal to the RF module 1334. The amplifying unit 1353 amplifies the RF signal supplied from the RF module 1334 and supplies the amplified RF signal to the antenna unit 1351.

Connectivity 1321 is a module having a function related to connection with the outside. The physical configuration of the connectivity 1321 is arbitrary. For example, the connectivity 1321 has a configuration having a communication function other than the communication standard supported by the broadband modem 1333, an external input / output terminal, and the like.

For example, the communication 1321 is compliant with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 (for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), IrDA (InfraRed Data Association), etc. You may make it have a module which has a function, an antenna etc. which transmit / receive the signal based on the standard. Further, for example, the connectivity 1321 has a module having a communication function compliant with a wired communication standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or a terminal compliant with the standard. You may do it. Further, for example, the connectivity 1321 may have other data (signal) transmission functions such as analog input / output terminals.

It should be noted that the connectivity 1321 may include a data (signal) transmission destination device. For example, the drive 1321 reads and writes data to and from a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory (not only a removable medium drive, but also a hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive) NAS (including Network Attached Storage) and the like. In addition, the connectivity 1321 may include an image or audio output device (a monitor, a speaker, or the like).

The eyelid camera 1322 is a module having a function of capturing an image of a subject and obtaining image data of the subject. Image data obtained by imaging by the camera 1322 is supplied to, for example, a video processor 1332 and encoded.

The sensor 1323 includes, for example, a voice sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, an illuminance sensor, an infrared sensor, an image sensor, a rotation sensor, an angle sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, an inclination sensor, a magnetic identification sensor, an impact sensor, It is a module having an arbitrary sensor function such as a temperature sensor. For example, the data detected by the sensor 1323 is supplied to the application processor 1331 and used by an application or the like.

The configuration described above as a module may be realized as a processor, or conversely, the configuration described as a processor may be realized as a module.

In the video set 1300 configured as described above, the present technology can be applied to the video processor 1332 as described later. Therefore, the video set 1300 can be implemented as a set to which the present technology is applied.

(Video processor configuration example)
FIG. 52 shows an example of a schematic configuration of a video processor 1332 (FIG. 51) to which the present technology is applied.

In the case of the example of FIG. 52, the video processor 1332 receives the video signal and the audio signal and encodes them in a predetermined method, decodes the encoded video data and audio data, A function of reproducing and outputting an audio signal.

As shown in FIG. 52, the video processor 1332 includes a video input processing unit 1401, a first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402, a second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403, a video output processing unit 1404, a frame memory 1405, and a memory control unit 1406. Have The video processor 1332 includes an encoding / decoding engine 1407, video ES (ElementaryElementStream) buffers 1408A and 1408B, and audio ES buffers 1409A and 1409B. Further, the video processor 1332 includes an audio encoder 1410, an audio decoder 1411, a multiplexing unit (MUX (Multiplexer)) 1412, a demultiplexing unit (DMUX (Demultiplexer)) 1413, and a stream buffer 1414.

The video input processing unit 1401 acquires a video signal input from, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) and converts it into digital image data. The first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402 performs format conversion, image enlargement / reduction processing, and the like on the image data. The second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403 performs image enlargement / reduction processing on the image data in accordance with the format of the output destination via the video output processing unit 1404, or is the same as the first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402. Format conversion and image enlargement / reduction processing. The video output processing unit 1404 performs format conversion, conversion to an analog signal, and the like on the image data, and outputs the reproduced video signal to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51).

The frame memory 1405 is a memory for image data shared by the video input processing unit 1401, the first image scaling unit 1402, the second image scaling unit 1403, the video output processing unit 1404, and the encoding / decoding engine 1407. . The frame memory 1405 is realized as a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, for example.

The memory control unit 1406 receives the synchronization signal from the encoding / decoding engine 1407, and controls the writing / reading access to the frame memory 1405 according to the access schedule to the frame memory 1405 written in the access management table 1406A. The access management table 1406A is updated by the memory control unit 1406 in accordance with processing executed by the encoding / decoding engine 1407, the first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402, the second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403, and the like.

The encoding / decoding engine 1407 performs encoding processing of image data and decoding processing of a video stream that is data obtained by encoding the image data. For example, the encoding / decoding engine 1407 encodes the image data read from the frame memory 1405 and sequentially writes the data as a video stream in the video ES buffer 1408A. Further, for example, the video stream is sequentially read from the video ES buffer 1408B, decoded, and sequentially written in the frame memory 1405 as image data. The encoding / decoding engine 1407 uses the frame memory 1405 as a work area in the encoding and decoding. Also, the encoding / decoding engine 1407 outputs a synchronization signal to the memory control unit 1406, for example, at a timing at which processing for each macroblock is started.

The video ES buffer 1408A buffers the video stream generated by the encoding / decoding engine 1407 and supplies the buffered video stream to the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412. The video ES buffer 1408B buffers the video stream supplied from the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 and supplies the buffered video stream to the encoding / decoding engine 1407.

The audio ES buffer 1409A buffers the audio stream generated by the audio encoder 1410 and supplies the buffered audio stream to the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412. The audio ES buffer 1409B buffers the audio stream supplied from the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 and supplies the buffered audio stream to the audio decoder 1411.

The audio encoder 1410 converts, for example, an audio signal input from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51), for example, into a digital format, and encodes the audio signal using a predetermined method such as an MPEG audio method or an AC3 (Audio Code number 3) method. The audio encoder 1410 sequentially writes an audio stream, which is data obtained by encoding an audio signal, in the audio ES buffer 1409A. The audio decoder 1411 decodes the audio stream supplied from the audio ES buffer 1409B, performs conversion to, for example, an analog signal, and supplies the reproduced audio signal to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51).

Multiplexer (MUX) 1412 multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream. The multiplexing method (that is, the format of the bit stream generated by multiplexing) is arbitrary. At the time of this multiplexing, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 can also add predetermined header information or the like to the bit stream. That is, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 can convert the stream format by multiplexing. For example, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream to convert it into a transport stream that is a bit stream in a transfer format. Further, for example, the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream, thereby converting the data into file format data (file data) for recording.

The demultiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413 demultiplexes the bit stream in which the video stream and the audio stream are multiplexed by a method corresponding to the multiplexing by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412. That is, the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 extracts the video stream and the audio stream from the bit stream read from the stream buffer 1414 (separates the video stream and the audio stream). That is, the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 can convert the stream format by demultiplexing (inverse conversion of the conversion by the multiplexer (MUX) 1412). For example, the demultiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413 obtains a transport stream supplied from, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both in FIG. 51) via the stream buffer 1414 and demultiplexes the transport stream. Can be converted into a video stream and an audio stream. Further, for example, the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413 obtains the file data read from various recording media by the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) via the stream buffer 1414 and demultiplexes it, for example. It can be converted into a video stream and an audio stream.

The stream buffer 1414 buffers the bit stream. For example, the stream buffer 1414 buffers the transport stream supplied from the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 and, for example, at the predetermined timing or based on a request from the outside, for example, the connectivity 1321 or the broadband modem 1333 (whichever Are also supplied to FIG.

Further, for example, the stream buffer 1414 buffers the file data supplied from the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 and, for example, connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) or the like at a predetermined timing or based on an external request or the like. To be recorded on various recording media.

Further, the stream buffer 1414 buffers the transport stream acquired through, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 51), and performs reverse processing at a predetermined timing or based on an external request or the like. The data is supplied to a multiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413.

In addition, the stream buffer 1414 buffers file data read from various recording media in the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51), for example, and at a predetermined timing or based on an external request or the like, a demultiplexing unit (DMUX) 1413.

Next, an example of the operation of the video processor 1332 having such a configuration will be described. For example, a video signal input to the video processor 1332 from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) or the like is converted into digital image data of a predetermined format such as 4: 2: 2Y / Cb / Cr format by the video input processing unit 1401. The data is sequentially written into the frame memory 1405. This digital image data is read by the first image enlargement / reduction unit 1402 or the second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403, and format conversion to a predetermined method such as 4: 2: 0Y / Cb / Cr method and enlargement / reduction processing are performed. Is written again in the frame memory 1405. This image data is encoded by the encoding / decoding engine 1407 and written as a video stream in the video ES buffer 1408A.

In addition, an audio signal input to the video processor 1332 from the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) or the like is encoded by the audio encoder 1410 and written as an audio stream in the audio ES buffer 1409A.

The video stream of the video ES buffer 1408A and the audio stream of the audio ES buffer 1409A are read and multiplexed by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 and converted into a transport stream or file data. The transport stream generated by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 is buffered in the stream buffer 1414 and then output to the external network via, for example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 51). Further, the file data generated by the multiplexing unit (MUX) 1412 is buffered in the stream buffer 1414, and then output to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) and recorded on various recording media.

For example, a transport stream input from an external network to the video processor 1332 via the connectivity 1321 or the broadband modem 1333 (both in FIG. 51) is buffered in the stream buffer 1414 and then demultiplexed (DMUX). 1413 is demultiplexed. Further, for example, file data read from various recording media in the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) and inputted to the video processor 1332 is buffered in the stream buffer 1414 and then demultiplexed by the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413. It becomes. That is, the transport stream or file data input to the video processor 1332 is separated into a video stream and an audio stream by the demultiplexer (DMUX) 1413.

The audio stream is supplied to the audio decoder 1411 via the audio ES buffer 1409B and decoded to reproduce the audio signal. The video stream is written to the video ES buffer 1408B, and then sequentially read and decoded by the encoding / decoding engine 1407, and written to the frame memory 1405. The decoded image data is enlarged / reduced by the second image enlargement / reduction unit 1403 and written to the frame memory 1405. The decoded image data is read out to the video output processing unit 1404, format-converted to a predetermined system such as 4: 2: 2Y / Cb / Cr system, and further converted into an analog signal to be converted into a video signal. Is played out.

場合 When the present technology is applied to the video processor 1332 configured as described above, the present technology according to each embodiment described above may be applied to the encoding / decoding engine 1407. That is, for example, the encoding / decoding engine 1407 may have the functions of the encoding device and the decoding device according to any one of the first to third embodiments. In this way, the video processor 1332 can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS.

In the encoding / decoding engine 1407, the present technology (that is, the functions of the image encoding device and the image decoding device according to each embodiment described above) may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit. It may be realized by software such as an embedded program, or may be realized by both of them.

(Another configuration example of the video processor)
FIG. 53 illustrates another example of a schematic configuration of the video processor 1332 (FIG. 51) to which the present technology is applied. In the case of the example in FIG. 53, the video processor 1332 has a function of encoding and decoding video data by a predetermined method.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 53, the video processor 1332 includes a control unit 1511, a display interface 1512, a display engine 1513, an image processing engine 1514, and an internal memory 1515. The video processor 1332 includes a codec engine 1516, a memory interface 1517, a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, a network interface 1519, and a video interface 1520.

The eyelid control unit 1511 controls the operation of each processing unit in the video processor 1332 such as the display interface 1512, the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, and the codec engine 1516.

As shown in FIG. 53, the control unit 1511 includes, for example, a main CPU 1531, a sub CPU 1532, and a system controller 1533. The main CPU 1531 executes a program and the like for controlling the operation of each processing unit in the video processor 1332. The main CPU 1531 generates a control signal according to the program and supplies it to each processing unit (that is, controls the operation of each processing unit). The sub CPU 1532 plays an auxiliary role of the main CPU 1531. For example, the sub CPU 1532 executes a child process such as a program executed by the main CPU 1531, a subroutine, or the like. The system controller 1533 controls operations of the main CPU 1531 and the sub CPU 1532 such as designating a program to be executed by the main CPU 1531 and the sub CPU 1532.

The display interface 1512 outputs image data to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) or the like under the control of the control unit 1511. For example, the display interface 1512 converts the digital data image data into an analog signal, and outputs it to the monitor device of the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) as a reproduced video signal or as the digital data image data.

Under the control of the control unit 1511, the display engine 1513 performs various conversion processes such as format conversion, size conversion, color gamut conversion, and the like so as to match the image data with hardware specifications such as a monitor device that displays the image. I do.

The eyelid image processing engine 1514 performs predetermined image processing such as filter processing for improving image quality on the image data under the control of the control unit 1511.

The internal memory 1515 is a memory provided inside the video processor 1332 that is shared by the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, and the codec engine 1516. The internal memory 1515 is used, for example, for data exchange performed between the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, and the codec engine 1516. For example, the internal memory 1515 stores data supplied from the display engine 1513, the image processing engine 1514, or the codec engine 1516, and stores the data as needed (eg, upon request). This is supplied to the image processing engine 1514 or the codec engine 1516. The internal memory 1515 may be realized by any storage device, but is generally used for storing a small amount of data such as image data or parameters in units of blocks. It is desirable to realize a semiconductor memory having a relatively small capacity but a high response speed (for example, as compared with the external memory 1312) such as “Static Random Access Memory”.

The codec engine 1516 performs processing related to encoding and decoding of image data. The encoding / decoding scheme supported by the codec engine 1516 is arbitrary, and the number thereof may be one or plural. For example, the codec engine 1516 may be provided with codec functions of a plurality of encoding / decoding schemes, and may be configured to perform encoding of image data or decoding of encoded data using one selected from them.

In the example shown in FIG. 53, the codec engine 1516 includes, for example, MPEG-2 video 1541, AVC / H.2641542, HEVC / H.2651543, HEVC / H.265 (Scalable) 1544, as function blocks for processing related to the codec. HEVC / H.265 (Multi-view) 1545 and MPEG-DASH 1551 are included.

“MPEG-2” Video 1541 is a functional block that encodes and decodes image data in the MPEG-2 format. AVC / H.2641542 is a functional block that encodes and decodes image data using the AVC method. HEVC / H.2651543 is a functional block that encodes and decodes image data using the HEVC method. HEVC / H.265 (Scalable) 1544 is a functional block that performs scalable encoding and scalable decoding of image data using the HEVC method. HEVC / H.265 (Multi-view) 1545 is a functional block that multi-view encodes or multi-view decodes image data using the HEVC method.

“MPEG-DASH 1551” is a functional block that transmits and receives image data in the MPEG-DASH (MPEG-Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) method. MPEG-DASH is a technology for streaming video using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and selects and transmits appropriate data from multiple encoded data with different resolutions prepared in advance in segments. This is one of the features. MPEG-DASH 1551 generates a stream compliant with the standard, controls transmission of the stream, and the like. For encoding / decoding of image data, MPEG-2 Video 1541 to HEVC / H.265 (Multi-view) 1545 described above are used. Is used.

The memory interface 1517 is an interface for the external memory 1312. Data supplied from the image processing engine 1514 or the codec engine 1516 is supplied to the external memory 1312 via the memory interface 1517. The data read from the external memory 1312 is supplied to the video processor 1332 (the image processing engine 1514 or the codec engine 1516) via the memory interface 1517.

A multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 multiplexes and demultiplexes various data related to images such as a bit stream of encoded data, image data, and a video signal. This multiplexing / demultiplexing method is arbitrary. For example, at the time of multiplexing, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 can not only combine a plurality of data into one but also add predetermined header information or the like to the data. Further, in the demultiplexing, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 not only divides one data into a plurality of data but also adds predetermined header information or the like to each divided data. it can. That is, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 can convert the data format by multiplexing / demultiplexing. For example, the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518 multiplexes the bitstream, thereby transporting the transport stream, which is a bit stream in a transfer format, or data in a file format for recording (file data). Can be converted to Of course, the inverse transformation is also possible by demultiplexing.

The network interface 1519 is an interface for a broadband modem 1333, connectivity 1321 (both in FIG. 51), and the like. The video interface 1520 is an interface for connectivity 1321 and a camera 1322 (both of which are shown in FIG. 51), for example.

Next, an example of the operation of the video processor 1332 will be described. For example, when a transport stream is received from an external network via the connectivity 1321 or the broadband modem 1333 (both of which are shown in FIG. 51), the transport stream is transmitted to the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX via the network interface 1519). ) 1518 to be demultiplexed and decoded by the codec engine 1516. For example, the image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing engine 1514, subjected to predetermined conversion by the display engine 1513, and connected to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (see FIG. 51) etc., and the image is displayed on the monitor. Also, for example, image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is re-encoded by the codec engine 1516, multiplexed by a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, converted into file data, and video The data is output to, for example, the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) via the interface 1520 and recorded on various recording media.

Further, for example, encoded data file data obtained by encoding image data read from a recording medium (not shown) by the connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) is multiplexed / demultiplexed via the video interface 1520. Is supplied to a unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, demultiplexed, and decoded by the codec engine 1516. Image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing engine 1514, subjected to predetermined conversion by the display engine 1513, and, for example, connectivity 1321 (FIG. 51) via the display interface 1512. And the image is displayed on the monitor. Also, for example, image data obtained by decoding by the codec engine 1516 is re-encoded by the codec engine 1516, multiplexed by the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit (MUX DMUX) 1518, and converted into a transport stream, For example, the connectivity 1321 and the broadband modem 1333 (both in FIG. 51) are supplied via the network interface 1519 and transmitted to another device (not shown).

Note that image data and other data are exchanged between the processing units in the video processor 1332 using, for example, the internal memory 1515 and the external memory 1312. The power management module 1313 controls power supply to the control unit 1511, for example.

場合 When the present technology is applied to the video processor 1332 configured as described above, the present technology according to each of the above-described embodiments may be applied to the codec engine 1516. That is, for example, the codec engine 1516 may have a functional block that realizes the encoding device and the decoding device according to any one of the first to third embodiments. Further, for example, by the codec engine 1516 doing this, the video processor 1332 can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 40.

Note that in the codec engine 1516, the present technology (that is, the functions of the image encoding device and the image decoding device according to each of the above-described embodiments) may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit or an embedded program. It may be realized by software such as the above, or may be realized by both of them.

Although two examples of the configuration of the video processor 1332 have been described above, the configuration of the video processor 1332 is arbitrary and may be other than the two examples described above. The video processor 1332 may be configured as one semiconductor chip, but may be configured as a plurality of semiconductor chips. For example, a three-dimensional stacked LSI in which a plurality of semiconductors are stacked may be used. Further, it may be realized by a plurality of LSIs.

(Application example for equipment)
Video set 1300 can be incorporated into various devices that process image data. For example, the video set 1300 can be incorporated in the television device 900 (FIG. 44), the mobile phone 920 (FIG. 45), the recording / reproducing device 940 (FIG. 46), the imaging device 960 (FIG. 47), or the like. By incorporating the video set 1300, the apparatus can obtain an effect similar to that described above with reference to FIGS.

The video set 1300 includes, for example, terminal devices such as the personal computer 1004, the AV device 1005, the tablet device 1006, and the mobile phone 1007 in the data transmission system 1000 in FIG. 48, the broadcasting station 1101 in the data transmission system 1100 in FIG. It can also be incorporated into the terminal device 1102, the imaging device 1201 in the imaging system 1200 of FIG. 50, the scalable encoded data storage device 1202, and the like. By incorporating the video set 1300, the apparatus can obtain an effect similar to that described above with reference to FIGS.

Note that even a part of each configuration of the video set 1300 described above can be implemented as a configuration to which the present technology is applied as long as it includes the video processor 1332. For example, only the video processor 1332 can be implemented as a video processor to which the present technology is applied. Further, for example, as described above, the processor, the video module 1311 and the like indicated by the dotted line 1341 can be implemented as a processor or a module to which the present technology is applied. Furthermore, for example, the video module 1311, the external memory 1312, the power management module 1313, and the front end module 1314 can be combined and implemented as a video unit 1361 to which the present technology is applied. In any case, the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 40 can be obtained.

That is, any configuration including the video processor 1332 can be incorporated into various devices that process image data, as in the case of the video set 1300. For example, a video processor 1332, a processor indicated by a dotted line 1341, a video module 1311, or a video unit 1361, a television device 900 (FIG. 44), a mobile phone 920 (FIG. 45), a recording / playback device 940 (FIG. 46), Imaging device 960 (FIG. 47), terminal devices such as personal computer 1004, AV device 1005, tablet device 1006, and mobile phone 1007 in data transmission system 1000 in FIG. 48, broadcast station 1101 and terminal in data transmission system 1100 in FIG. It can be incorporated in the apparatus 1102, the imaging apparatus 1201 in the imaging system 1200 of FIG. 50, the scalable encoded data storage apparatus 1202, and the like. Then, by incorporating any configuration to which the present technology is applied, the apparatus can obtain the same effects as those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 40 as in the case of the video set 1300. .

In the present specification, an example has been described in which various types of information such as loop filter information and layer information are multiplexed into an encoded stream and transmitted from the encoding side to the decoding side. However, the method for transmitting such information is not limited to such an example. For example, these pieces of information may be transmitted or recorded as separate data associated with the encoded bitstream without being multiplexed into the encoded bitstream. Here, the term “associate” means that an image (which may be a part of an image such as a slice or a block) included in the bitstream and information corresponding to the image can be linked at the time of decoding. Means. That is, information may be transmitted on a transmission path different from that of the image (or bit stream). Information may be recorded on a recording medium (or another recording area of the same recording medium) different from the image (or bit stream). Furthermore, the information and the image (or bit stream) may be associated with each other in an arbitrary unit such as a plurality of frames, one frame, or a part of the frame.

This disclosure receives bitstreams compressed by orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform and motion compensation, such as MPEG, H.26x, etc., via network media such as satellite broadcasting, cable TV, the Internet, and mobile phones. The present invention can be applied to an encoding device or a decoding device that is used when processing on a storage medium such as an optical, magnetic disk, or flash memory.

In addition, in this specification, the case where encoding and decoding are performed by a method according to the HEVC method has been described as an example, but the scope of application of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any encoding device that performs scalable encoding with any one of the loop filter processes and a corresponding decoding device can be applied to encoding devices and decoding devices of other systems.

Note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For example, the present disclosure can take a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared by a plurality of devices via a network and is processed jointly.

Further, each step described in the above flowchart can be executed by one device or can be shared by a plurality of devices.

Further, when a plurality of processes are included in one step, the plurality of processes included in the one step can be executed by being shared by a plurality of apparatuses in addition to being executed by one apparatus.

In addition, this indication can also take the following structures.

(1)
An image selection unit that selects an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing;
A decoding device comprising: a decoding unit that decodes encoded data of an image in a second layer using the image in the first layer selected by the image selection unit.
(2)
An upsampling unit that upsamples the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit;
The decoding apparatus according to (1), wherein the decoding unit is configured to decode the encoded data using the first layer image upsampled by the upsampling unit.
(3)
The decoding device according to (1) or (2), wherein the loop filter process is a deblock filter process.
(4)
The decoding device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the loop filter process is an adaptive offset filter process.
(5)
The image selection unit, based on information indicating the presence or absence of loop filter processing of the first layer image used when generating the encoded data, the first layer image before the loop filter processing or the The decoding device according to any one of (1) to (4), configured to select an image of a first layer after loop filter processing.
(6)
The image selection unit selects the first layer image before the loop filter processing or the first layer image after the loop filter processing based on the time layer of the second layer image. The decoding device according to any one of (1) to (4), configured.
(7)
The image selection unit includes information representing an uppermost time layer of the second layer image encoded using the first layer image before the loop filter processing, and the second layer image. The decoding device according to (6), configured to select an image of the first layer before the loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after the loop filter processing based on the time layer of .
(8)
An up-sampling unit that up-samples the first layer image before the loop filter processing and the first layer image after the loop filter processing;
The image selection unit is configured to select the first layer image before the loop filter processing upsampled by the upsampling unit or the first layer image after the loop filter processing. The decoding device according to any one of 1) to (4).
(9)
The image selection unit is configured to up-sample the first layer image before the loop filter processing, which is up-sampled by the up-sampling unit, based on an index for identifying the first layer image used for decoding the encoded data. Or, select the first layer image after the loop filter processing,
The index for specifying the first layer image after the loop filter processing is configured to be smaller than the index for specifying the first layer image before the loop filter processing. Decoding device.
(10)
The decryption device
An image selection step of selecting an image of the first layer before the loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after the loop filter processing;
And a decoding step including decoding the encoded data of the second layer image using the first layer image selected by the image selection step.
(11)
An image selection unit that selects an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing;
An encoding apparatus comprising: an encoding unit that encodes a second layer image using the first layer image selected by the image selection unit and generates encoded data.
(12)
An upsampling unit that upsamples the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit;
The encoding unit according to (11), wherein the encoding unit is configured to encode the second layer image using the first layer image up-sampled by the up-sampling unit. Device.
(13)
The encoding device according to (11) or (12), wherein the loop filter process is a deblock filter process.
(14)
The encoding device according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the loop filter process is an adaptive offset filter process.
(15)
The transmission unit according to any one of (11) to (14), further including: a transmission unit configured to transmit information indicating presence / absence of loop filter processing of the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit. Encoding device.
(16)
The image selection unit selects the first layer image before the loop filter processing or the first layer image after the loop filter processing based on the time layer of the second layer image. The encoding device according to any one of (11) to (14) configured.
(17)
A transmission unit configured to transmit information representing the highest time layer of the second layer image encoded by the encoding unit using the first layer image before the loop filter processing; The encoding device according to (16), configured.
(18)
An up-sampling unit that up-samples the first layer image before the loop filter processing and the first layer image after the loop filter processing;
The image selection unit predicts the first layer image before the loop filter processing upsampled by the upsampling unit and the first layer image after the loop filter processing as reference image candidates. Based on the result, the image of the first layer before the loop filter processing upsampled by the upsampling unit or the image of the first layer after the loop filter processing is selected (11 ) To (14).
(19)
A transmission unit that transmits an index that identifies the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit;
The index for specifying the first layer image after the loop filter processing is configured to be smaller than the index for specifying the first layer image before the loop filter processing. Encoding device.
(20)
The encoding device
An image selection step of selecting an image of the first layer before the loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after the loop filter processing;
An encoding method comprising: an encoding step of encoding an image of a second layer using the image of the first layer selected by the processing of the image selection step and generating encoded data.

30 encoding device, 34 transmission unit, 73 operation unit, 91 image selection unit, 92, 93 upsampling unit, 160 decoding device, 205 addition unit, 216 image selection unit, 217, 218 upsampling unit, 261 image selection unit, 302 Image selection part

Claims (20)

An image selection unit that selects an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing;
A decoding device comprising: a decoding unit that decodes encoded data of an image in a second layer using the image in the first layer selected by the image selection unit. An upsampling unit that upsamples the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit;
The decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the decoding unit is configured to decode the encoded data using the first layer image upsampled by the upsampling unit. The decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the loop filter process is a deblock filter process. The decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the loop filter process is an adaptive offset filter process. The image selection unit, based on information indicating the presence or absence of loop filter processing of the first layer image used when generating the encoded data, the first layer image before the loop filter processing or the The decoding device according to claim 1, wherein the decoding device is configured to select an image of a first layer after the loop filter processing. The image selection unit selects the first layer image before the loop filter processing or the first layer image after the loop filter processing based on the time layer of the second layer image. The decoding device according to claim 1 configured. The image selection unit includes information representing an uppermost time layer of the second layer image encoded using the first layer image before the loop filter processing, and the second layer image. The decoding device according to claim 6, configured to select an image of a first layer before the loop filter processing or an image of a first layer after the loop filter processing based on a time layer of the first layer. An up-sampling unit that up-samples the first layer image before the loop filter processing and the first layer image after the loop filter processing;
The image selection unit is configured to select a first layer image before the loop filter processing up-sampled by the up-sampling unit or a first layer image after the loop filter processing. The decoding device according to 1. The image selection unit is configured to up-sample the first layer image before the loop filter processing, which is up-sampled by the up-sampling unit, based on an index specifying the first layer image used for decoding the encoded data. Or, select the first layer image after the loop filter processing,
The decoding according to claim 8, wherein an index for specifying the first layer image after the loop filter processing is configured to be smaller than an index for specifying the first layer image before the loop filter processing. apparatus. The decryption device
An image selection step of selecting an image of the first layer before the loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after the loop filter processing;
And a decoding step including decoding the encoded data of the second layer image using the first layer image selected by the image selection step. An image selection unit that selects an image of a first layer before loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after loop filter processing;
An encoding apparatus comprising: an encoding unit that encodes a second layer image using the first layer image selected by the image selection unit and generates encoded data. An upsampling unit that upsamples the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit;
The encoding unit according to claim 11, wherein the encoding unit is configured to encode the second layer image using the first layer image up-sampled by the up-sampling unit. apparatus. The encoding device according to claim 11, wherein the loop filter process is a deblock filter process. The encoding device according to claim 11, wherein the loop filter processing is configured to be adaptive offset filter processing. The encoding device according to claim 11, further comprising: a transmission unit that transmits information indicating presence / absence of loop filter processing of the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit. The image selection unit selects the first layer image before the loop filter processing or the first layer image after the loop filter processing based on the time layer of the second layer image. The encoding device according to claim 11, which is configured. A transmission unit configured to transmit information representing the highest time layer of the second layer image encoded by the encoding unit using the first layer image before the loop filter processing; The encoding device according to claim 16, which is configured. An up-sampling unit that up-samples the first layer image before the loop filter processing and the first layer image after the loop filter processing;
The image selection unit predicts the first layer image before the loop filter processing upsampled by the upsampling unit and the first layer image after the loop filter processing as reference image candidates. The first layer image before the loop filter processing up-sampled by the up-sampling unit or the first layer image after the loop filter processing, which is up-sampled by the up-sampling unit, is selected. The encoding device described in 1. A transmission unit that transmits an index that identifies the image of the first layer selected by the image selection unit;
19. The code according to claim 18, wherein an index for specifying an image of a first layer after the loop filter processing is configured to be smaller than an index for specifying an image of a first layer before the loop filter processing. Device. The encoding device
An image selection step of selecting an image of the first layer before the loop filter processing or an image of the first layer after the loop filter processing;
An encoding method comprising: an encoding step of encoding an image of a second layer using the image of the first layer selected by the processing of the image selection step and generating encoded data.

Images