Patent ID: 6665445
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image decoding method, comprising the steps ofreceiving a coded bitstream including an image identifier and a coded image signal obtained by coding an image signal, the image identifier indicating a data structure of the coded image signal; decoding a coded shape signal data of the coded image signal, the coded shape signal data being obtained by coding a shape signal indicating whether each pixel of the image signal is located outside or inside an object; and decoding a coded pixel value signal data of the coded image signal, the coded pixel value signal data being obtained by coding a pixel value signal indicating a pixel value of a pixel, wherein in the case that the image identifier indicates that the coded image signal includes only the coded shape signal data, only the step of decoding the coded shape signal data is performed; in the case that the image identifier indicates that the coded image signal includes only the coded pixel value signal data, only the step of decoding the coded pixel value signal data is performed; and in the case that the image identifier indicates that the coded image signal includes only the coded shape signal data and the coded pixel value signal data, the step of decoding the coded shape signal data and the step of decoding the coded pixel value signal data are performed.