Patent ID: 6754275
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: G11B,H04N

Abstract:
A decoding device for dividing a moving picture into a plurality of continuous picture groups, receiving a code sequence which is obtained by performing coding processing to each of the picture groups as an input, and decoding independently coded frames which are coded independently within pictures, and predictively coded frames which are coded with reference to other frames of different times, to obtain a decoded picture, the decoding device comprising:frame interval setting means for setting a frame interval for selecting frames at a prescribed interval from continuous frames; frame deciding means for deciding, with a first frame which is presently displayed in the continuous frames as a reference point, a picture output candidate frame which is to be decoded later, based on the frame interval set by said frame interval setting means; and decoding means for decoding a code sequence corresponding to the picture output candidate frame decided by said frame deciding means, wherein when a number of frames in a second picture group preceding a first picture group including the first frame is unknown, said frame deciding means analyzes the code sequence to determine the number of frames in the second picture group and thereafter decides, as the picture output candidate frame, a frame which is nearer to the picture output candidate frame from among either a last predictively coded frame or a last independently coded frame in the second picture group, or a second to last predictively coded frame or a second to last independently coded frame in the second picture group.