Patent ID: 6426772
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A video encoder using a rate control for controlling output bits to become constant during a certain period of time, the video encoder comprising:means for specifying a time at which an input image to be processed next is to be input after finishing an image encoding, based on at least a variance of a number of output bits of an input image from a scheduled number of output bits, a skip time interval between processed images previously detected from a video picture, and a virtual buffer status of an encoded information virtual storage for temporarily storing an encoded signal for transmission; means for deciding whether or not an input image to be processed next which is selected based on the time specification is an image to be processed or not from an image variance between the input image and an image processed immediately before; and means for re-selecting an image to be processed based on image variance between this input image and an image processed immediately before, when the decision has been made that an input image selected based on the time specification is not an image to be processed, wherein the input image to be processed is determined from the video picture.