Patent ID: 8036266

Claim:
An encoding/decoding system comprising: an encoding system that includes a plurality of encoders which encode a plurality of pieces of image data, respectively, the pieces of image data being obtained by dividing one-screen image data by a number of encoders; and a decoding system that includes a plurality of decoders and that decodes the pieces of image data encoded by the encoding system to display the one-screen image data, the decoders being associated with the encoders in one-to-one correspondence, wherein each of the encoders includes a first time calculator that calculates a first time by adding an encoding delay time commonly determined between the encoders as a delay time estimated as a maximum delay time at the time of encoding by the encoder, to a value of an STC counter, the value of the STC counter indicating a time when the encoder captures one of the pieces of image data; and a transmitting unit that transmits a system stream containing the first time calculated by the first time calculator to the decoder associated with the encoder, and each of the decoders includes a second time calculator that calculates a second time by adding the first time extracted from the system stream transmitted by the transmitting unit to a maximum value commonly determined between the decoders, the maximum value being estimated as a maximum sum of a decoding delay time which is at the time of decoding by the decoder, and a value of stream fluctuation occurring between the encoders regarding an output time when the respective encoders output the image data encoded respectively by the encoders; and an output unit that outputs the pieces of image data decoded from the system stream to a synthesizer that synthesizes the image data at the second time calculated by the second time calculator.