Patent ID: 7046730
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image coding method for sequentially coding an input image comprising a plurality of pixels and including an image having an arbitrary shape, said image coding method comprising: identifying whether an input image is an interlace image or a progressive image, and generating identification information indicating a result of said identifying; performing motion compensation predictive coding for the input image by using a coded input image as a reference image; and padding pixel values of insignificant pixels in the coded input image, to be used as a reference image in the motion compensation predictive coding, on the basis of the identification information; wherein in said padding: when the input image is an interlace image, pixel values of insignificant pixels in the input image are padded in field units to generate a reference image to be used in the motion compensation predictive coding; and when the input image is a progressive image, the pixel values of insignificant pixels in the input image are padded in frame units to generate a reference image to be used in the motion compensation predictive coding.