Patent ID: 6031575
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image signal encoding method of encoding first and second image signals in decomposed forms and a key signal used to combine said first and second image signals, said method comprising the steps of:performing a scalable encoding process on said first image signal and said second image signal; andperforming a scalable encoding process on said key signal, said scalable encoding process for said key signal being similar to that used for said image signals;wherein,said first image signal is a background image signal and said second image signal is a foreground image signal;said scalable encoding step for the image signals comprises:a first scalable encoding step of performing a scalable encoding process on said first image signal; anda second scalable encoding step of performing a scalable encoding process on said second image signal; andsaid scalable encoding process for the key signal is performed in a manner similar to said scalable encoding process used for said second image signal.