Patent ID: 6320909
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A picture decoding and display unit for decoding predictively encoded pixel data of a picture included in a supplied bit stream, restoring original pixel data for outputting to a display unit for display thereon, said picture being formed by pixel data of a frame having two fields, said picture decoding and display unit comprising:decoding means coupled to receive said bit stream, for extracting said pixel data included in said bit stream and carrying out a decoding processing on the extracted pixel data to restore said original pixel data, said decoding means including means for extracting information indicating whether a type of said frame of the supplied pixel data included in said bit stream is an I/P picture employed as a reference picture in the decoding processing of a B picture not employed as the reference picture but subjected to only display, for identifying the type of said frame;memory means coupled to said decoding means for storing the pixel data of said B picture restored by said decoding means in accordance with a B picture identification indication signal from said decoding means;read means coupled to said memory means for reading the pixel data stored in said memory means and outputting the read out pixel data to said display unit for display; andcontrol means coupled to said decoding means and said read means for controlling operation timings of said decoding means and said read means such that time difference between a timing for starting said decoding processing of a B picture and that for outputting the restored pixel data of said B picture from said memory means to said display unit through said read means is substantially one field time required for outputting one field pixel data of said B picture to said display unit, said control means including means for starting a decoding operation of a first field of a subsequent frame in response to starting of reading of pixel data of the last field of a decoded and stored frame to the display unit.