Patent ID: 6591014
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for coding a moving picture by coding video frames of the moving picture into intra-frames (I-pictures), video frames sandwiched between contiguous intra-frames into forward predictive frames (P-pictures), and video frames sandwiched between a forward predictive frame and another forward predictive frame or an intra-frame into a bidirectionally predictive frames (B-pictures), comprising:a frame decision unit that determines a number of B-pictures between a P-picture and another P-picture or an I-picture based on an output frame rate and a substantial frame rate which is defined as a number of pictures capable of being processed per unit time by said apparatus provided that only I-pictures and P-pictures are coded; a coding device that codes said B-pictures by treating said B-pictures as frames with no differential data; and a means for selecting the output frame rate from a plurality of predetermined output frame rates so as to minimize the least common multiple between said substantial frame rate and the output frame rate.