Patent ID: 6330280
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image signal decoding apparatus for receiving an encoded signal generated by encoding a plurality of image signals and then decoding said encoded signal, at least one of said plurality of image signals being an image signal representing a moving image object, said at least one of the plurality of image signals including a signal used to combine it with other image signal(s) of said plurality of image signals, said encoded signal including an encoded enhancement layer signal, an encoded base layer signal, a motion vector, and a flag indicating an image to be replaced, said apparatus comprising:a separator for separating said encoded signal into said encoded enhancement layer signal, said encoded base layer signal, said motion vector, and said flag;a base layer decoder for decoding said encoded base layer signal thereby generating a decoded base layer image signal; andan enhancement layer decoder for decoding said encoded enhancement layer signal thereby generating a decoded enhancement layer image signal;wherein said enhancement layer decoder comprises: a replaced image generator for generating a replaced image signal by replacing the values of pixels outside an image object of the decoded enhancement layer image signal with the values of predetermined pixels of the base layer image signal in accordance with said flag; and a generator for generating said decoded enhancement layer image signal using a predicted image signal generated by performing motion compensation on said replaced image signal using said motion vector.