Abstract:
The image coding device comprises data adding means for adding specific data to input image data at the end of image data, and arithmetic coding unit not issuing remaining output code of code register after coding of final input data. In this constitution, increase of circuit scale can be suppressed and decline of operation clock can be prevented.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to an image coding device for coding binary image data by arithmetic coding. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A conventional image coding device by arithmetic coding is explained by referring to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing first coding process,  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing reference pixel and coding pixel,  FIG. 5  is a data diagram showing data of prediction table,  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing first normalizing process,  FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing first code output process,  FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a conventional image coding device,  FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing operation of conventional arithmetic coding unit, and  FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing remaining code output process. 
   A conventional image coding device  7  comprises a conventional arithmetic coding unit  8 , and a prediction table  8   a . Image data is stored in an image memory  7   a.    
   The operation of the image coding device  7  is explained by referring to  FIG. 14 . 
   First, contents of registers in the image coding device are initialized as shown in formula 1 to formula 9. (S 101 )
 
NUM=0  (1)
 
A=0x100  (2)
 
CT=8  (3)
 
CS=0  (4)
 
C=0  (5)
 
BUFFER=0x00  (6)
 
TEMP=0  (7)
 
Amps=0  (8)
 
Alps=0  (9)
 
   Herein, “NUM” is a register for counting the number of input pixels, and “A” is the content of a register showing the effective region width. The initial value of “A” is “0x100” expressing the width of number line from 0 to 1, and the decimal part of the number line has a resolution of 8 bits. The numerical value following “0x” is in hexadecimal notation. “CT” is the content of a counter for code output processing, “CS” is the content of a hold counter for carry propagation, “C” is the content of a 17-bit code register, “BUFFER” is the content of a buffer for 8-bit code output, and “TEMP” is the content of a 9-bit temporary register. “Amps” denotes the number line width of superiority symbol (MPS), and “Alps” represents the number line width of inferiority symbol (LPS). 
   After initialization at step S 101 , first coding process is executed (S 102 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , first coding process at step S 102  is explained. 
   First, a reference pixel and an input pixel to the coding device are acquired, and pixel value “PIX” is obtained (S 11 ). The value of the reference pixel is given as the address, and from the prediction table  8   a , the value of “MPS” and the value of “SRL” (shift right logical) are acquired. The reference pixel consists of three pixels at every 8 pixels from the coding pixel as shown in  FIG. 4 . These pixel values are supposed to be addresses A 2 , A 1 , A 0  of the prediction table  8   a .  FIG. 5  shows the composition of the prediction table  8   a . The addresses of the prediction table  8   a  are 0x0 to 0x7, and the data width is 4 bits. Three out of these four bits are the value of “SRL”, and one bit is the value of “MPS”. 
   Consequently, from the obtained value of “SRL”, the values of “Alps” and “Amps” are calculated (S 12 ). Next, the value of “MPS” and the value of “PIX” are compared (S 13 ), and when matched, the effective region width “A” is updated to the superiority symbol width “Amps” (S 14 ). And if not matched, the effective region width “A” is updated to the inferiority symbol width “Alps”, and the value of C-register is updated to C=C+Amps (S 16 ). Then, to see if “A” is less than ½ or not, A&lt;0x80 is judged to be true or false (S 15 ). When the result of judgement is true, normalizing by first normalization (S 17 ), “A” is put back to ½ or more. Otherwise, the first coding process is terminated. 
     FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the operation of first normalization process S 17 . 
   First, shifting “A” and “C” by one bit to left, the value of “CT” is subtracted by one (S 21 ). Next, by first code output process (S 22 ), the process at step S 21  and step S 22  is repeated until the value of “A” becomes 0x80 or more at step S 23 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the operation of first code output process at step S 22  is explained. 
   First evaluating whether the value of “CT” is 0 or not (S 31 ), if not 0, code output is not processed, and the code output process is terminated. When the value of “CT” is 0, “C” is shifted to right by 19 bits, and stored in a TEMP register (S 32 ). The value of “TEMP” is evaluated to be greater than 0x FF or not (S 33 ). When the value of “TEMP” is greater than 0x FF, the value of (BUFFER+1) is issued by one byte, and since the value of TEMP is more than 0x FF, a carry occurs, and 0x00 is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times), and the value of “BUFFER” is updated to the value of the lower 8 bits of “TEMP” (S 34 ). When the value of “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, it is judged if the value of TEMP is equal to 0x FF or not (S 36 ). When the value of “TEMP” is equal to 0x FF, considering a carry, the value of the number of times of hold “CS” is incremented by one, and the code output remains to be held (S 37 ). In the evaluation at step S 36 , if the value of “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, the value of “BUFFER” is issued by one byte, and since “TEMP” is 0x FF and carry does not occur, and 0x FF is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times), and the value of “BUFFER” is updated to the value of “TEMP” (S 38 ). After each code output by the value of “TEMP”, the value of “C” is updated to C&amp;0x FF, and the value of “CT” is updated to 8, so that the first code output process (S 22 ) is terminated (S 35 ). Herein, “&amp;” is an operator indicating the logical product AND. 
   After the first coding process in this manner, the value of “NUM” is incremented by one (S 103  in  FIG. 14 ). The value of “NUM” is evaluated to be equal to the number of pixels of the setting process (S 104 ), and if not equal, steps S 102  and S 103  are repeated. If equal, the remaining code output is processed (S 105 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , the remaining code output process (S 105 ) is explained. 
   In the remaining code output process, output of the code is made from the information in A-register and the coded data remaining in the C-register. In TEMP register, in the first place, (A−1+C)&amp;0x1FF00 is stored (S 201 ), and the value of “TEMP” is judged to be smaller than the value of “C” or not (S 202 ). When the value of “TEMP” is smaller than the value of “C”, the value of “C” is updated to TEMP+0x80 (S 203 ). When the value of “TEMP” is not smaller than the value of “C”, the value of “C” is updated to “TEMP” (S 208 ). “C” is shifted to left by CT bits and “C” is shifted to right by 8 bits and stored in TEMP register (S 204 ). Then, “TEMP” is judged to be larger than 0x FF or not (S 205 ). When “TEMP” is larger than 0x FF, a carry occurs, and first (BUFFER+1) is issued by one byte code, and 0x00 is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times) (S 206 ). When “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, carry does not occur, and first “BUFFER” is issued by one byte code, and 0x FF is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times) (S 209 ). Finally, after shifting “C” to right by 8 bits, lower 8 bits of “C” are issued (S 207 ), and the remaining code output process (S 105 ) is terminated. That is, the process by the conventional arithmetic coding unit  8  is terminated. 
   In this conventional image coding device  7 , however, after input of image data, the remaining code output process (S 105  in  FIG. 14 ) is required for code output from the A-register information and the remaining code data stored in the C-register. As a result, for hardware configuration, it leads to increase in the circuit scale and decline of operation clock. To solve such problems, the image coding device not requiring remaining code process has been demanded. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is hence an object of the invention to present an image coding device not requiring remaining code output process. 
   To solve the problems, the image coding device of the invention comprises data adding means for adding specific data to input image data at the end of image data; and arithmetic coding unit for coding said image data to which said specific data is added. The arithmetic coding means codes the specific data after coding the image data. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an image coding device in embodiment 1 of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing operation of an arithmetic coding unit in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing first coding process in the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing reference pixel and coding pixel in the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a data diagram showing data of prediction table in the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing first normalizing process in the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing first code output process in the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an image coding device in embodiment 2 of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing operation of an arithmetic coding unit in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing second coding process. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing second normalizing process. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing second code output process. 
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram of a conventional image coding device. 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing operation of conventional arithmetic coding unit. 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing remaining code output process in the prior art. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The image coding device of one embodiment includes data adding means for adding specific data to input image data at the end of image data, and arithmetic coding unit for coding the image data to which said specific data is added. The arithmetic coding means codes the specific data after coding the image data. 
   Or the image coding device the another embodiment includes adding data generating means for generating specific data, and arithmetic coding means for receiving the specific data after input of image data, coding the specific data immediately after coding of the image data, and issuing coded data. The adding data generating means generates the specific data until the arithmetic coding means issues a specified amount of the coded data. 
   Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained by referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 12 . 
   (Embodiment 1) 
     FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an image coding device in embodiment 1 of the invention. 
   In  FIG. 1 , an image coding device  1  is composed of an arithmetic coding unit  2 , a prediction table  2   a , and a data adding unit  3 . 
   In the image coding device thus composed, an outline of operation is explained. 
   First, the data adding unit  3  adds additional data 0x00 (“0x” shows the subsequent numerical value is in hexadecimal notation) at the end of the image data in the image memory  1   a,  by the number of bytes according to the value of the prediction table  2   a . For example, when the SRL value of the prediction table  2   a  at address 0 is 7, 0x00 is added by 396 bytes. The number of added bytes is enough for discharging data C (described later) of the code register. Then the arithmetic coding unit  2  processes the image data in the image memory  1   a  to which the data is added from the data adding unit  3  to the original image data in the image memory  1   a , by coding according to the prediction table  2   a.    
     FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing operation of the arithmetic coding unit  2  in  FIG. 1 . 
   First, contents in the registers are initialized as shown in formula 10 to formula 18 (S 1 ).
 
NUM=0  (10)
 
A=0x100  (11)
 
CT=8  (12)
 
CS=0  (13)
 
C=0  (14)
 
BUFFER=0x00  (15)
 
TEMP=0  (16)
 
Amps=0  (17)
 
Alps=0  (18)
 
   Herein, “NUM” is a register for counting the number of input pixels, and “A” is the content of a register showing the effective region width. The initial value of “A” is 0x100 expressing the width of number line from 0 to 1, and the decimal part is a number line having a resolution of 8 bits. “CT” is the content of a counter for code output processing, “CS” is the content of a hold counter for carry propagation, “C” is the content of a 17-bit code register, “BUFFER” is the content of a buffer for 8-bit code output, and “TEMP” is the content of a 9-bit temporary register. “Amps” denotes the number line width of superiority symbol (MPS), and “Alps” represents the number line width of inferiority symbol (LPS). After initialization at step S 1 , first coding process is executed (S 2 ). 
     FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing first coding process at step S 2 . 
   First, a reference pixel and an input pixel to the coding device are acquired, and pixel value “PIX” is obtained (S 11 ). The value of the reference pixel is given as the address, and from the prediction table  2   a , the value of “MPS” and the value of “SRL” are acquired. The reference pixel consists of three pixels at every 8 pixels from the coding pixel as shown in  FIG. 4 . These pixel values are supposed to be addresses A 2 , A 1 , A 0  for the prediction table  2   a .  FIG. 5  shows the composition of the prediction table  2   a . The addresses of the prediction table  2   a  are 0x0 to 0x7, and the data width is 4 bits. Three out of these four bits are the value of “SRL”, and one bit is the value of “MPS”. 
   Consequently, from the obtained value of “SRL”, the values of “Alps” and “Amps” are calculated (S 12 ). Next, the value of “MPS” and the value of “PIX” are compared (S 13 ), and when matched, the effective region width “A” is updated to the superiority symbol width “Amps” (S 14 ). If not matched, the effective region width “A” is updated to the inferiority symbol width “Alps”, and the value of C-register is updated to C=C+Amps (S 16 ). Then, to see if “A” is less than ½ or not, A&lt;0x80 is judged to be true or false (S 15 ). When the result of judgement is true (satisfying A&lt;0x80), normalizing by first normalization at step S 17 , “A” is put back to ½ or more. Otherwise, the first coding process is terminated. 
     FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the operation of first normalization process S 17 . 
   First, shifting “A” and “C” by one bit to left, the value of “CT” is subtracted by one (S 21 ). Next, by first code output process (S 22 ), the process at step S 21  and step S 22  is repeated until the value of “A” becomes 0x80 or more. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the operation of first code output process at step S 22  is explained. 
   First, evaluating whether the value of “CT” is 0 or not (S 31 ), if not 0, code output is not processed, and the code output process is terminated. When the value of “CT” is 0, the code output process is executed. In the code output processing unit, “C” is shifted to right by 8 bits, and stored in a TEMP register (S 32 ). The value of “TEMP” is evaluated to be greater than 0x FF or not (S 33 ). When the value of “TEMP” is greater than 0x FF, the value of (BUFFER+1) is issued by one byte, and since the value of “TEMP” is more than 0x FF, a carry occurs, and 0x00 is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times), and the value of “BUFFER” is updated to the value of the lower 8 bits of “TEMP” (S 34 ). When the value of “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, it is judged if the value of “TEMP” is equal to 0x FF or not (S 36 ). When the value of “TEMP” is equal to 0x FF, considering a carry, the value of the number of times of hold “CS” is incremented by one, and the code output remains to be held (S 37 ). In the evaluation at step S 36 , if the value of “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, the value of “BUFFER” is issued by one byte, and since “TEMP” is 0x FF and carry does not occur, and 0x FF is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times), and the value of “BUFFER” is updated to the value of “TEMP” (S 38 ). After each code output by the value of “TEMP”, the value of “C” is updated to C&amp;0x FF, and the value of “CT” is updated to 8, so that the first code output process (S 22 ) is terminated (S 35 ). Herein, “&amp;” is an operator indicating the logical product AND. 
   After the first coding process (S 2 ) in this manner, the value of “NUM” is incremented by one at step S 3 . At step S 4 , the value of “NUM” is evaluated to be equal to the sum of the number of pixels of the image data and the number of data added by the data adding unit, and if not equal, steps S 2  and S 3  are repeated. If equal, the arithmetic coding process by the arithmetic coding unit  2  is terminated. 
   This is the procedure of image coding by the image coding device in embodiment 1 of the invention. 
   As described herein, the image coding device of the embodiment comprises the data adding unit  3  for adding specific data to input image data at the end of image data, and the arithmetic coding unit  2  not issuing remaining output code in code register after coding of final input data. By adding specific data sufficiently at the end of image data, all data in code register is discharged. That is, the hitherto required remaining code output process is not needed. As a result, the terminating process of the arithmetic coding unit  2  is simplified. 
   (Embodiment 2) 
     FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an image coding device in embodiment 2 of the invention. 
   In  FIG. 8 , an image coding device  4  is composed of an arithmetic coding unit  5 , a prediction table  5   a , and an adding data generating unit  6 . Image data is stored in an image memory  4   a .  FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing operation of the arithmetic coding unit  5  in  FIG. 8 . 
   First, contents in the registers are initialized as shown in formula 19 to formula 29 (S 41 ).
 
NUM=0  (19)
 
A=0x100  (20)
 
CT=8  (21)
 
CS=0  (22)
 
C=0  (23)
 
BUFFER=0x00  (24)
 
TEMP=0  (25)
 
Amps=0  (26)
 
Alps=0  (27)
 
eflag=0  (28)
 
ecount=0  (29)
 
   Herein, “NUM” is a register for counting the number of input pixels, and “A” is the content of a register showing the effective region width. The initial value of “A” is “0x100” expressing the width of number line from 0 to 1, and the decimal part is a number line having a resolution of 8 bits. “CT” is the content of a counter for code output processing, “CS” is the content of a hold counter for carry propagation, “C” is the content of a 17-bit code register, “BUFFER” is the content of a buffer for 8-bit code output, and “TEMP” is the content of a 9-bit temporary register. “Amps” denotes the number line width of MPS, and “Alps” represents the number line width of LPS. Further, “eflag” is an end flag of input image data, and “ecount” shows the content of a code data output counter after detection of end flag. After initialization at step S 41 , second coding process is executed (S 42 ). 
     FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing second coding process (S 42 ). 
   First, a reference pixel is acquired, but when “eflag” is not set up, an input pixel to the coding device is acquired, and pixel value “PIX” is obtained, and when “eflag” is set up, the data generated by the adding data generating unit  6  is obtained as pixel value “PIX” (S 51 ). The value of the reference pixel is given as the address, and from the prediction table  5   a , the value of “MPS” and the value of “SRL” are acquired as data. The reference pixel consists of three pixels at every 8 pixels from the coding pixel as shown in  FIG. 4 . These pixel values are supposed to be addresses A 2 , A 1 , A 0  of the prediction table  5   a .  FIG. 5  shows the composition of the prediction table  5   a . The addresses of the prediction table  5   a  are 0x0 to 0x7, and the data width is 4 bits. Three out of these four bits are the value of “SRL”, and one bit is the value of “MPS”. 
   Consequently, from the obtained value of “SRL”, the values of “Alps” and “Amps” are calculated (S 52 ). Next, the value of “MPS” and the value of “PIX” are compared (S 53 ), and when matched, the effective region width “A” is updated to the superiority symbol width “Amps” (S 54 ). If not matched, the effective region width “A” is updated to the inferiority symbol width “Alps”, and the value of C-register is updated to C=C+Amps (S 56 ). Then, to see if “A” is less than ½ or not, A&lt;0x80 is judged to be true or false (S 55 ). When the result of judgement is true, normalizing by second normalization (S 57 ), “A” is put back to ½ or more. Otherwise, the second coding process is terminated. 
     FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing the operation of second normalization process (S 57 ). 
   First, shifting “A” and “C” by one bit to left, the value of “CT” is subtracted by one (S 58 ). Next, by second code output process (S 59 ), the process at step S 58  and step S 59  is repeated until the value of “A” becomes 0x80 or more (S 60 ). 
     FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing the operation of second code output process (S 59 ). 
   First evaluating whether the value of “CT” is 0 or not (S 61 ), if not 0, code output is not processed, and the code output process is terminated, and when the value of “CT” is 0, the code output process is executed. In the code output processing unit, “C” is shifted to right by 8 bits, and stored in a TEMP register (S 62 ). The value of “TEMP” is evaluated to be greater than 0x FF or not (S 63 ). When the value of “TEMP” is greater than 0x FF, the value of (BUFFER+1) is issued by one byte, and since the value of “TEMP” is more than 0x FF, a carry occurs, and 0x00 is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times), and the value of “BUFFER” is updated to the value of the lower 8 bits of “TEMP”, and when “eflag” is set up, the value of “ecount” is incremented by one (S 64 ). When the value of “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, it is judged if the value of TEMP is equal to 0x FF or not (S 66 ). When the value of “TEMP” is equal to 0x FF, considering a carry, the value of the number of times of hold (the value of “CS”) is incremented by one, and the code output remains to be held (S 67 ). In the evaluation at step S 66 , if the value of “TEMP” is smaller than 0x FF, the value of “BUFFER” is issued by one byte, and since “TEMP” is 0x FF and carry does not occur, and 0x FF is issued for the number of times of hold (CS times), and the value of “BUFFER” is updated to the value of “TEMP”, and when “eflag” is set up, the value of “ecount” is incremented by one (S 68 ). After each code output by the value of “TEMP”, the value of “C” is updated to C&amp;0x7 FFFF, and the value of “CT” is updated to 8 (S 65 ), so that the second code output process (S 59 ) is terminated. 
   After the second coding process in this manner, judging if “ecount” is matched with the set value of “enum” (S 43 ), and when matched, the arithmetic coding process by the arithmetic coding unit  5  is terminated. If not matched, the number of input pixels is incremented by one, and when the number of input pixels (NUM) is equal to the number of pixels of setting process, “eflag” is set up, and the process returns to step S 42  (S 44 ). 
   This is the procedure of image coding by the image coding device in this embodiment. 
   As described herein, the image coding device of the embodiment comprises the adding data generating unit  6  for generating specific data as input data until the data of a specified number of bits is issued as the code data from the code register after end of input data, and the arithmetic coding unit  5  determining the end of coding when the data of a specified number of bits is issued as the code data from the code register after end of input data. By generating specific data sufficiently as input data after input of image data, all data in code register are discharged. Hence the hitherto required remaining code output process is not needed, and the terminating process of the arithmetic coding unit  5  is simplified.