Coded stream splicing device and method, and coded stream generating device and method

Claim 2

A coded stream splicing device for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 3

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coding parameter identified by the stream analysis means is data indicating an initial state of a VBV buffer.

Claim 4

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the splicing means rewrites the value of the identified parameter of the first picture after the splicing point in the second coded stream to the value of the identified parameter of the first picture after the splicing point in the first coded stream.

Claim 5

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the splicing means inserts one or more stuffing bytes into the second coded stream so that the quantity of generated bits of the first picture after the splicing point in the second coded stream becomes equal to the quantity of bits corresponding to the rewritten value of the identified parameter.

Claim 6

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the splicing means calculates the data quantity of the stuffing byte(s) on the basis of the quantity of generated bits of the first picture after the splicing point in the first coded stream and the quantity of generated bits of the first picture after the splicing point in the second coded stream.

Claim 7

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the splicing means calculates the data quantity of the stuffing byte(s) on the basis of the data occupancy quantity of the VBV buffer at the splicing point of the first coded stream and the data occupancy quantity of the VBV buffer at the splicing point of the second coding stream.

Claim 8

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coding parameter identified by the stream analysis means is a flag indicating whether or not a repeat field is to be generated at the time of decoding.

Claim 9

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the splicing means changes the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream or the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream so that the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream and the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream become consistent with each other.

Claim 10

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coding parameter identified by the stream analysis means is a flag indicating whether the first field is a top field or a bottom field.

Claim 11

The coded stream splicing device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the splicing means changes the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream or the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream so that the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream and the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream become consistent with each other.

Claim 12

A coded stream splicing method for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the identified coding parameter of the first coded stream so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 13

A coded stream splicing method for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the identified coding parameter of the first coded stream so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 14

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the coding parameter identified at the analyzing step is data indicating an initial state of a VBV buffer.

Claim 15

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein at the changing and splicing step, the value of the identified parameter of the first picture after the splicing point in the second coded stream is rewritten to the value of the identified parameter of the first picture after the splicing point in the first coded stream.

Claim 16

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the changing and splicing step includes inserting one or more stuffing bytes into the second coded stream so that the quantity of generated bits of the first picture after the splicing point in the second coded stream becomes equal to the quantity of bits corresponding to the rewritten value of the identified parameter.

Claim 17

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 14 , wherein at the changing and splicing step, the data quantity of the stuffing byte(s) is calculated on the basis of the quantity of generated bits of the first picture after the splicing point in the first coded stream and the quantity of generated bits of the first picture after the splicing point in the second coded stream.

Claim 18

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein at the changing and splicing step, the data quantity of the stuffing byte(s) is calculated on the basis of the data occupancy quantity of the VBV buffer at the splicing point of the first coded stream and the data occupancy quantity of the VBV buffer at the splicing point of the second coding stream.

Claim 19

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the coding parameter identified at the analyzing step is a flag indicating whether or not a repeat field is to be generated at the time of decoding.

Claim 20

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 17 , wherein at the changing and splicing step, the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream or the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream is changed so that the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream and the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream become consistent with each other.

Claim 21

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the coding parameter identified at the analyzing step is a flag indicating whether the first field is a top field or a bottom field.

Claim 22

The coded stream splicing method as claimed in claim 19 , wherein at the splicing step, the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream or the value of the flag of a picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream is changed so that the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the first coded stream and the frame structure of the picture before the splicing point in the second coded stream become consistent with each other.

Claim 23

A coded stream generating device for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 24

A coded stream generating device for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 25

A coded stream generating method for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified at the analyzing step so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 26

A coded stream generating method for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified at the analyzing step so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; wherein the first coded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second coded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 27

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing a first encoded stream and a second encoded stream at a splicing point to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream, wherein said coding parameters indicate frame structures of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; stream processing means for controlling said coding parameters of first encoded stream and/or said second encoded stream so that the frame structure of said spliced stream will not be discontinuous; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means and said second encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means.

Claim 28

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing a first encoded stream and a second encoded stream at a splicing point to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream, wherein said coding parameters indicate frame structures of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; stream processing means for controlling said coding parameters of first encoded stream and/or said second encoded stream so that the frame structure of said spliced stream will not be discontinuous; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means and said second encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means.

Claim 29

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream; parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said extracted coding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; wherein the first encoded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second encoded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 30

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream; parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said extracted coding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; wherein the first encoded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second encoded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 31

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: defining means for defining coding parameters; first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream based on said coding parameters; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said encoding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; wherein the first encoded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second encoded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 32

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: defining means for defining coding parameters; first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream based on said coding parameters; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said encoding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; wherein the first encoded stream is generated according to a first program editing table stored in a first broadcasting system controller, the second encoded stream is generated according to a second program editing table stored in a second broadcasting system controller, and the splicing point is determined by the second broadcasting system controller according to the second program editing table.

Claim 33

A coded stream splicing device for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 34

A coded stream splicing device for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 35

A coded stream splicing method for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the identified coding parameter of the first coded stream so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 36

A coded stream splicing method for splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the identified coding parameter of the first coded stream so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 37

A coded stream generating device for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 38

A coded stream generating device for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, the device comprising: stream analysis means for analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and splicing means for changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified by the stream analysis means so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and for splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 39

A coded stream generating method for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified at the analyzing step so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 40

A coded stream generating method for generating a spliced coded stream by splicing a first coded stream and a second coded stream at a splicing point, comprising the steps of: analyzing the syntax of the first coded stream and identifying a coding parameter of the first coded stream; and changing a coding parameter of the second coded stream on the basis of the coding parameter of the first coded stream identified at the analyzing step so that the first coded stream and the second coded stream can be seamlessly connected at the splicing point, and then splicing the first coded stream and the second coded stream having the changed coding parameter; whereby the splicing of the first coded stream and the second coded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 41

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing a first encoded stream and a second encoded stream at a splicing point to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream, wherein said coding parameters indicate frame structures of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; stream processing means for controlling said coding parameters of first encoded stream and/or said second encoded stream so that the frame structure of said spliced stream will not be discontinuous; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means and said second encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means; whereby the splicing of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 42

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing a first encoded stream and a second encoded stream at a splicing point to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream, wherein said coding parameters indicate frame structures of said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; stream processing means for controlling said coding parameters of first encoded stream and/or said second encoded stream so that the frame structure of said spliced stream will not be discontinuous; splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means and said second encoded stream supplied from said stream processing means; whereby the splicing of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 43

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream; parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said extracted coding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; and splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; whereby the splicing of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 44

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream; parsing means for parsing a syntax of said first encoded stream to extract one or more coding parameters from said first encoded stream; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said extracted coding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; and splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; whereby the splicing of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 45

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: defining means for defining coding parameters; first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream based on said coding parameters; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said encoding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; and splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; whereby the splicing of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.

Claim 46

A stream splicing apparatus for splicing encoded streams to generate a spliced stream, the apparatus comprising: defining means for defining coding parameters; first encoding means for encoding a first source video program to generate a first encoded stream based on said coding parameters; second encoding means for encoding a second source video program to generate a second encoded stream, wherein said second source video program is encoded based on said encoding parameter(s) such that said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream can be seamlessly connected at a splicing point; and splicing means for splicing said first encoded stream and said second encoded stream; whereby the splicing of the first encoded stream and the second encoded stream is performed according to a top-field-first indicator, said top-field-first indicator indicating whether or not a top field temporally precedes a bottom field in a frame structure.