Patent ID: 7139316

Claim:
A splicing apparatus for splicing a plurality of source encoded bit streams, comprising: splicing-point setting means for setting an intended splicing point for said plurality of source encoded bit streams; determining means for determining an amount of each of said encoded bit streams to be decoded in a region preceding and succeeding said intended splicing point; decoding means for decoding pictures included in a plurality of each of said source encoded bit streams in said region of said intended splicing point to generate decoded video data; splicing means for splicing decoded bit streams of said intended splicing point; re-encoding means for re-encoding said decoded video data to generate a re-encoded stream; spliced-stream producing means for switching between said source encoded bit streams and said re-encoded stream to produce a spliced stream; and splice control means for controlling said re-encoding means and said spliced-stream producing means so as to prevent a discontinuity of said spliced stream when said spliced stream is decoded.