Patent ID: 6873656

Claim:
A video encoding method comprising the steps of: a) selecting an encoding method for each frame of incoming images, and dividing the images into blocks of a certain size; b) carrying out either an intra coded block encoding or an inter coded block encoding depending on whether an encoding of a current frame and an inter coded encoding are needed or not, and whether an intra coded block is relevant or not, and sorting out blocks requiring an intra updating by utilizing a bit stream size information for each block if the inter coded encoding is needed; and c) repeatedly carrying out the step a) and the step b) to a last frame, wherein the step b) includes the steps of: b1) judging as to a current frame encoding method, so as to carry out an intra coded block encoding if the method judged is an intra encoding method, and so as to carry out an inter coded block encoding if the method judged is an inter encoding method; b2) carrying out the intra coded block encoding if the inter coded block encoding is found to be not needed at the step b1), and judging as to whether a block is to be subjected to an intra updating if the inter coded block encoding is found to be needed; and b3) carrying out an intra coded block encoding if it is found to be a block to be intra-updated at the step b2), carrying out an inter coded block encoding if it is found to be not a block to be intra-updated, and making a judgment as to whether a current block is a last block, so as to return to the step b1) if it is not a last block, and so as to calculate a threshold value if it is a last block.