Patent ID: 8213516

Claim:
An image processing apparatus that compresses moving-picture data, the image processing apparatus comprising: an image converter configured to decimate pixels in individual blocks that are defined by dividing frames of moving-picture data, the image converter being configured to generate a plurality of layer signals using different sampled pixels corresponding to representative pixels in pixel decimation; and an encoder configured to receive the plurality of layer signals generated by the image converter and to generate encoded data based on the layer signals, wherein, (1) the image converter includes (a) block generator configured to receive individual frames of the moving-picture data and to divide the individual frames of moving-picture data into blocks, (b) an amount-of-movement detector configured to detect amounts of movement of an object in the individual blocks generated by the block generator, (c) a block distributor which receives as an input the results of the amounts of movement detected by the amount-of-movement detector, and (d) block processors respectively configured to execute (i) spatial decimation, (ii) temporal decimation, and (iii) spatial and temporal decimation of a plurality of blocks in a plurality of successive frames forming a unit of decimation, and (e) a plurality of packing processors respectively in communication with the block processors, each configured to generate a packed block in which sample pixels included in data output from a respective block processor are packed, the packing processors being configured to generate a plurality of packed block signals as the plurality of layer signals using different sample pixels; (2) the block distributor selectively distributes each of the blocks supplied by the block generator to one of the block processors according to the amounts of movement detected by the amount-of-movement detector; (3) the plurality of blocks are decimated spatially, temporally, or spatially and temporally so that a plurality of pieces of decimated data corresponding to a plurality of layer signals is generated using the different sampled pixels; and (4) the encoder is configured to encode the plurality of layer signals and to generate streaming signals corresponding to the individual layer signals.