Patent ID: 6950462

Claim:
A video encoding apparatus comprising: a picture memory for holding inputted pictures; a reference time generation means for generating time information to be a reference; a picture input means for writing an inputted picture into a designated address in the picture memory; an input time recording means for recording (a) a time that is outputted from the reference time generation means when a picture is inputted to the picture input means, and (b) an address in the picture memory where the inputted picture is written, such that the time is associated with the address; an encoding means for encoding data in a designated address in the picture memory; a picture memory designation means for designating addresses in the picture memory which are targeted for processing, and for indicating the addresses to the picture input means and the encoding means, respectively, on the basis of the information recorded by the input time recording means, and for stopping data input until a writable memory area is secured, if data in the picture memory has not yet been encoded when designating addresses for the picture input means.