Patent ID: 8483276

Claim:
A video encoder for use with first still image data, second still image data and third still image data, said video encoder comprising: a determining portion operable to output a determining signal based on the second still image data and the third still image data; and a frame generating portion operable to output an encoded signal having first frame data, second frame data and third frame data, the first frame data being based on the first still image data, the third frame data being based on the first still image data and the third still image data when the determining signal is less than a predetermined threshold, the third frame data not being based on the first still image data when the determining signal is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, wherein said determining portion comprises: a parameter detecting portion operable to generate a first detected parameter value based on a first portion of the second still image data; a low threshold comparing portion operable to generate a low threshold comparison value based on the first detected parameter value, the low threshold comparison value having a first binary state when the first detected parameter value is greater than or equal to a predetermined low threshold, the low threshold comparison value having a second binary state when the first detected parameter value is less than the predetermined low threshold; and a high threshold comparing portion operable to generate a second detected parameter value and a high threshold comparison value, the second detected parameter value being based on a first portion of the second still image data, the high threshold comparison value being based on the second detected parameter value, the high threshold comparison value having a first binary state when the second detected parameter value is greater than a predetermined high threshold, the high threshold comparison value having a second binary state when the second detected parameter value is less than or equal to the predetermined high threshold, wherein said frame generating portion is operable to output the encoded signal having first frame data, second frame data and third frame data, such that the third frame data is based on the first still image data and the third still image data when the high threshold comparison value is in a second binary state and when the low threshold comparison value is in the first binary state, and wherein said frame generating portion is operable to output the encoded signal having first frame data, second frame data and third frame data, such that the third frame data is not based on the first still image data when the low threshold comparison value is in the second binary state.