Patent ID: 6078617
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: F16B,H04N

Abstract:
A video coding apparatus for performing a predictive coding of digital video input signals in conjunction with an internal picture format conversion according to a picture resolution mode, which is either a high resolution mode or a low resolution mode determined by a resolution selection controller disposed as an integral part of the video coding apparatus, the video coding apparatus comprising:(a) high-resolution picture storage means for storing a high-resolution picture that has been locally reconstructed in a high resolution format;(b) low-resolution picture storage means for storing a low-resolution picture that has been locally reconstructed in a low resolution format;(c) selective reading-out means for selectively reading out the high-resolution picture from said high-resolution picture storage means when the high resolution mode has been selected by the resolution selection controller, or the low-resolution picture from said low-resolution picture storage means when the low resolution mode has been selected by the resolution selection controller;(d) high-resolution picture updating means for converting the low-resolution picture retrieved from said low-resolution picture storing means into a high-resolution image when the low resolution mode is effective, and storing the resultant high-resolution image into said high-resolution picture storage means; and(e) low-resolution picture updating means for converting the high-resolution picture retrieved from said high-resolution picture storage means into a low-resolution picture when the resolution selection controller has changed the picture resolution mode from the high resolution mode to the low resolution mode, and storing the resultant low-resolution picture into said low-resolution picture storage means.