Patent ID: 9584818
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: H04N

Claim:
1. An image coding method for coding a video signal using a processor, said image coding method comprising: classifying a plurality of images included in the video signal into layers, each of the plurality of images belonging to a corresponding one of the layers; generating a flag to be embedded in the video signal, the flag indicating one of (i) using a second image for coding a third image belonging to a layer equal to or higher layer than a layer to which the second image belongs and (ii) not using the second image for coding the third image, where the second image proceeds a first image in coding order, and the third image follows the first image and the second image in coding order; coding the first image and the second image; coding the third image, the third image being coded (i) using the second image when the flag indicates using the second image for coding the third image and (ii) without using the second image when the flag indicates not using the second image for coding the third image.