Encoding/decoding apparatus, imaging apparatus, and methods for controlling therefor

Abstract

An encoding method and apparatus which include a coded picture that enables special playback to be easily performed while suppressing reduction in coding efficiency are provided. Coding is performed per a certain number of pictures, including pictures for special playback. When coded pictures for special playback using an interframe predictive coding scheme, referencing is limited to coded pictures encoded using an intraframe predictive coding scheme or coded pictures encoded using the interframe predictive coding scheme having the same reference limitation.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An encoding/decoding apparatus comprising:
 a coding unit that encodes moving picture information by using an intra-frame predictive coding scheme and an inter-frame predictive coding scheme;   a decoding unit that decodes coded data including moving picture information; and   a controller that controls the coding unit and the decoding unit;   wherein, in a case of decoding the coded data, the controller controls the decoding unit to decode a plurality of pictures of the moving picture information at a predetermined interval from among all pictures of the moving picture information in a first mode, and controls the decoding unit to decode all pictures of the moving picture information in a second mode,   wherein, in a case of encoding the moving picture information, the controller further extracts a plurality of pictures from the moving picture at the predetermined interval, and controls the coding unit to encode the extracted plurality of pictures by using the intra-frame predictive coding scheme or a limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme, and   wherein, the limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme is an inter-frame predictive coding scheme in which reference pictures used in an inter-frame prediction are limited to coded pictures corresponding to the extracted plurality of pictures.   
     
     
         19 . The encoding/decoding apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a display control unit that displays pictures decoded by the decoding unit, on a display apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The encoding/decoding apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a recording unit that records the coded data encoded by the encoding unit on a recording medium. 
     
     
         21 . The encoding/decoding apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the coding unit further adds information indicating a used coding scheme to the coded data. 
     
     
         22 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 an imaging unit that obtains moving picture information;   an coding unit that encodes the moving picture information by using an intra-frame predictive coding scheme and an inter-frame predictive coding scheme;   a decoding unit that decodes coded data included in moving picture information; and   a controller that controls the coding unit and the decoding unit;   wherein, in a case of decoding the coded data, the controller controls the decoding unit to decode a plurality of pictures of the moving picture information at a predetermined interval from among all pictures of the moving picture information in a first mode, and controls the decoding unit to decode all pictures of the moving picture information in a second mode,   wherein, in a case of encoding the moving picture information, the controller further extracts a plurality of pictures from the moving picture at the predetermined interval, and controls the coding unit to encode the extracted plurality of pictures by using the intra-frame predictive coding scheme or a limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme, and   wherein, the limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme is an inter-frame predictive coding scheme in which reference pictures used in an inter-frame prediction are limited to coded pictures corresponding to the extracted plurality of pictures.   
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling an encoding/decoding apparatus, wherein the encoding/decoding apparatus comprises:
 a coding unit that encodes moving picture information by using an intra-frame predictive coding scheme and an inter-frame predictive coding scheme; and   a decoding unit that decodes coded data including moving picture information,   the method comprising:   in a case of where decoding the coded data, controlling the decoding unit to decode a plurality of pictures of the moving picture information at a predetermined interval from among all pictures of the moving picture information in a first mode, and controlling the decoding unit to decode all pictures of the moving picture information in a second mode; and   in a case of encoding the moving picture information, extracting a plurality of pictures from the moving picture at the predetermined interval, and controlling the coding unit to encode the extracted plurality of pictures by using the intra-frame predictive coding scheme or a limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme,   wherein, the limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme is an inter-frame predictive coding scheme in which reference pictures used in an inter-frame prediction are limited to coded pictures corresponding to the extracted plurality of pictures.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising displaying pictures decoded by the decoding unit on a display apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising recording the coded data encoded by the encoding unit on a recording medium. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the coding unit further adds information indicating a used coding scheme to the coded data. 
     
     
         27 . A method for controlling an imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises:
 an imaging unit that obtains moving picture information;   an coding unit that encodes the moving picture information by using an intra-frame predictive coding scheme and an inter-frame predictive coding scheme; and   a decoding unit that decodes coded data included in moving picture information,   the method comprising:   in a case of decoding the coded data, controlling the decoding unit to decode a plurality of pictures of the moving picture information at a predetermined interval from among all pictures of the moving picture information in a first mode, and controlling the decoding unit to decode all pictures of the moving picture information in a second mode; and   in a case of encoding the moving picture information, extracting a plurality of pictures from the moving picture at the predetermined interval, and controlling the coding unit to encode the extracted plurality of pictures by using the intra-frame predictive coding scheme or a limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme, and   wherein, the limited inter-frame predictive coding scheme is an inter-frame predictive coding scheme in which reference pictures used in an inter-frame prediction are limited to coded pictures corresponding to the extracted plurality of pictures.   
     
     
         28 . A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program that enables a computer to function as the encoding/decoding apparatus according to  claim 18 .