Patent ID: 8300700
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image encoder for generating a bit stream by compression-encoding a color image in a 4:4:4 format, comprising: a multiplexing unit that multiplexes identification information with the bit stream, the identification information indicating whether or not to independently encode signals of respective color components in the 4:4:4 format in a 4:0:0 format; and an encoding unit that performs an encoding process, in a case where the identification information indicates that the signals of respective color components are independently encoded in the 4:0:0 format, on a unit set as an access unit including encoded data of three independent pictures which are encoded in the 4:0:0 format and belong to one of an identical frame and an identical field, the encoding process being performed such that an occurrence of an overflow in a buffer of a virtual stream is avoided in units of an access unit.