Patent Publication Number: US-2020288123-A1

Title: Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/325,303 (filed on Feb. 13, 2019), which is a National Stage Patent Application of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/031541 (filed on Sep. 1, 2017) under 35 U.S.C. § 371, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-181492 (filed on Sep. 16, 2016), which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method each of which enables an encoding efficiency of information indicating a prediction mode of color components in the case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode to be enhanced. 
     An encoding apparatus for performing encoding with HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) executes prediction processing with either an intra prediction mode or an inter prediction mode for a current block as a block of an encoding target, and generates a prediction block as a prediction image of the current block. Then, the encoding apparatus subjects a prediction residue as a difference between the prediction block and the current block to the orthogonal transformation, and performs quantization, thereby generating an encoded stream. 
     The encoded stream generated in such a manner is subjected to inverse quantization and inverse orthogonal transformation in a decoding apparatus. Then, the resulting prediction residue is added to the prediction block to generate a decoded image of the current block. 
     HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) version 1 adopts a mode called DC intra prediction, Planar intra prediction, and Angular intra prediction as a prediction mode in an intra prediction mode. 
     In addition, in HEVC-SCC (Screen Content Coding), Intra BC (Intra block copy) prediction mode in which the prediction block is generated by, like the inter prediction mode, referring to an encoded area within a screen image can also be used as one of intra prediction mode system prediction modes. 
     However, in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of HEVC-SCC, only parallel movement is performed for the encoded area within the screen image, thereby generating the prediction block. Therefore, it may be impossible to sufficiently enhance the accuracy of the prediction block. 
     Then, in the prediction processing in the intra BC prediction mode, it is devised that not only the parallel movement, but also the rotation is performed for the encoded area within the screen image, thereby generating the prediction block (for example, refer to NPL 1). In this case, not only the motion vector representing a direction and magnitude of the parallel movement, but also the rotational angle is included in the encoded stream. 
     On the other hand, a JVET (Joint Video Exploration Team) which explores next-generation video encoding of an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector) proposes that in I slice, a structure and encoding of CU of a luminance component (Luma) and a color component (Chroma) are controlled independently of each other. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Non Patent Literature 
     [NPL 1] 
     
         
         Z. Zhang, V. Sze, “Rotate Intra Block Copy for Still Image Coding,” IEEE International Conference on Image Processing (IGIP), September 2015 
       
    
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     In the case where the structure and the encoding of a CU of the luminance component and the color component are controlled independently of each other, not only the information indicating the prediction mode of the luminance component, but also the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component need to be included in the encoded stream. Therefore, it is desirable to efficiently encode the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component. 
     The present disclosure has been made in the light of such a situation, and enables an encoding efficiency of information indicating a prediction mode of a color component in the case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode to be enhanced. 
     Solution to Problem 
     An image processing apparatus of a first aspect of the present disclosure is an image processing apparatus provided with an encoding section, in a case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode, encoding information indicating a prediction mode of a color component of the image by using, as a context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     An image processing method of the first aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present disclosure. 
     In the first aspect of the present disclosure, in the case where the prediction mode of the luminance component of the image is the intra BC prediction mode, by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode, the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component of the image is encoded. 
     An image processing apparatus of a second aspect of the present disclosure is an image processing apparatus provided with a decoding section, in a case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode, decoding the information indicating a prediction mode of a color component of the image by using, as a context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     An image processing method of the second aspect of the present disclosure corresponds to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present disclosure. 
     In the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the case where the prediction mode of the luminance component of the image is the intra BC prediction mode, by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode, the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component of the image is decoded. 
     It should be noted that the image processing apparatus of each of the first aspect and the second aspect can be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. 
     For the purpose of realizing the image processing apparatus of each of the first aspect and the second aspect, the program which is caused to be executed by the computer can be provided by being transmitted through a transmission medium, or by being recorded in a recording medium. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the encoding can be performed. In addition, according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the encoding efficiency of the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component in the case where the prediction mode of the luminance component of the image is the intra BC prediction mode can be enhanced. 
     According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the decoding can be performed. In addition, according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component which is encoded so as to enhance the encoding efficiency in the case where the prediction mode of the luminance component of the image is the intra BC prediction mode can be decoded. 
     It should be noted that the effects described here are necessarily by no means limited, and any of the effects described in the present disclosure may also be offered. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram explaining a method of forming a CU. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of a first embodiment of an image encoding apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a view depicting a first example of a part of a configuration of prediction information. 
         FIG. 4  is a view explaining intra BC prediction processing. 
         FIG. 5  is a view depicting a first example of a format of a picture. 
         FIG. 6  is a view depicting a second example of the format of the picture. 
         FIG. 7  is a view depicting a third example of the format of the picture. 
         FIG. 8  is a view depicting a CU of a luminance component to which reference is to be made. 
         FIG. 9  is a view explaining encoding of a syntax value of prediction mode information of a color component. 
         FIG. 10  is a view explaining generation of motion vector information. 
         FIG. 11  is another view explaining generation of the motion vector information. 
         FIG. 12  is still another view explaining generation of the motion vector information. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart explaining image encoding processing. 
         FIG. 14  is a flow chart explaining a first example of flag setting processing. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart explaining a second example of the flag setting processing. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart explaining motion vector information setting processing. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart explaining encoding processing. 
         FIG. 18  is a flow chart explaining prediction mode encoding processing. 
         FIG. 19  is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of an embodiment of an image decoding apparatus. 
         FIG. 20  is a flow chart explaining image decoding processing. 
         FIG. 21  is a flow chart explaining a first example of flag decoding processing. 
         FIG. 22  is a flow chart explaining a second example of the flag decoding processing. 
         FIG. 23  is a flow chart explaining prediction mode decoding processing. 
         FIG. 24  is a flow chart explaining decoding processing. 
         FIG. 25  is a flow chart explaining motion vector acquiring processing. 
         FIG. 26  is a view depicting a second example of the part of the configuration of the prediction information. 
         FIG. 27  is a view depicting a third example of the part of the configuration of the prediction information. 
         FIG. 28  is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of hardware of a computer. 
         FIG. 29  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of a television apparatus. 
         FIG. 30  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of a portable telephone. 
         FIG. 31  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of a recording/reproducing apparatus. 
         FIG. 32  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus. 
         FIG. 33  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of a video set. 
         FIG. 34  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of a video processor. 
         FIG. 35  is a block diagram depicting another example of the schematic configuration of the video processor. 
         FIG. 36  is a block diagram depicting an example of a schematic configuration of a network system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a description will be given with respect to modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments). It should be noted that the description will be given in accordance with the following order. 
     1. First Embodiment: Image Encoding Apparatus and Image Decoding Apparatus ( FIGS. 1 to 27 ) 
     2. Second Embodiment: Computer ( FIG. 28 ) 
     3. Third Embodiment: Television Apparatus ( FIG. 29 ) 
     4. Fourth Embodiment: Portable Telephone ( FIG. 30 ) 
     5. Fifth Embodiment: Recording/reproducing Apparatus ( FIG. 31 ) 
     6. Sixth Embodiment: Imaging Apparatus ( FIG. 32 ) 
     7. Seventh Embodiment: Video Set ( FIGS. 33 to 35 ) 
     8. Eighth Embodiment: Network System ( FIG. 36 ) 
     First Embodiment 
     (Explanation of Method of Forming CU) 
     In a past image encoding system such as MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2 (ISO/IEC 13818-2)) or MPEG-4 Part10 (Advanced Video Coding, hereinafter referred to as AVC), encoding processing is executed in a processing unit called a macro block. The macro block is a block having a uniform size of 16×16 pixels. On the other hand, in the HEVC, the encoding processing is executed in a processing unit (coding unit) called a CU (Coding Unit). The CU is a block which is formed by recursively dividing an LCU (Largest Coding Unit) which is the largest encoding unit, and which has a variable size. The largest size of the selectable CU is 64×64 pixels. The smallest size of the selective CU is 8×8 pixels. A CU having the smallest size is called the a SCU (Smallest Coding Unit). It should be noted that the largest size of the CU is not limited to 64×64 pixels, and may be of the larger block size such as 128×128 pixels, or 256×256 pixels. 
     In such a manner, the CU having the variable size is adopted, and as a result, in the HEVC, the image quality and the encoding efficiency can be adaptively adjusted in response to the contents of the image. Prediction processing for prediction encoding is executed in a processing unit called a PU (Prediction Unit). The PU is formed by dividing the CU with one of some division patterns. In addition, the PU includes a processing unit called a PB (Prediction Block) for each luminance (Y) and color difference (Cb, Cr). Moreover, orthogonal transformation processing is executed in a processing unit called a TU (Transform Unit). The TU is formed by dividing the CU or the PU to a certain depth. In addition, the TU includes a processing unit (transform block) called a TB (Transform Block) for each luminance (Y) and color difference (Cb, Cr). 
     In the following, a description will be given by using a “block” as a partial area of an image (picture) or the processing unit in some cases (not a block in a processing section). The “block” in this case indicates an arbitrary partial area within the picture, and a size, a shape, characteristics, and the like thereof are not limited. In a word, an arbitrary partial area (processing unit) such as TB, TU, PB, PU, SCU, CU, LCU (CTB), a sub block, a macro block, a tile, or a slice are included in the “block” in this case. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram explaining a method of forming a CU. 
     The CU in the first embodiment is formed by using a technology called a QTBT (Quad tree plus binary tree) described in JVET-C0024, “EE2.1: Quadtree plus binary tree structure integration with JEM tools.” 
     Specifically, although in the HEVC, one Block is divided into 4 (=2×2) sub blocks, thereby forming the CU, in the first embodiment, one block is divided into 4 (=2×2) sub blocks, or 2 (=1×2, 2×1) sub blocks. That is, in the first embodiment, the division of one block into four or two sub blocks is recursively repeated, thereby forming the CU. As a result, a Quad-Tree shaped or Binary-Tree shaped tree structure is formed. It should be noted that in the first embodiment, each of the PU and the TU is identical to the CU. 
     (Configuration Example of Image Encoding Apparatus)  FIG. 2  is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of the embodiment of an image encoding apparatus as an image processing apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied. An image encoding apparatus  100  of  FIG. 2  is an apparatus for encoding a prediction residue between an image and a prediction image thereof like the AVC or HEVC. For example, the image encoding apparatus  100  is implemented with the technology of the HEVC, or the technology proposed in the JVET. 
     Incidentally,  FIG. 2  depicts main constituent elements such as a processing section or a flow of data, and the constituent elements depicted in  FIG. 2  are not necessarily all the constituent elements. In a word, in the image encoding apparatus  100 , a processing section which is not depicted in the form of a block in  FIG. 2  may be present, or processing or flow of data which is not depicted in the form of an arrow or the like in  FIG. 2  may be present. 
     The image encoding apparatus  100  of  FIG. 2  has a control section  101 , a calculation section  111 , a transformation section  112 , a quantization section  113 , an encoding section  114 , an inverse quantization section  115 , an inverse transformation section  116 , a calculation section  117 , a frame memory  118 , and a prediction section  119 . The image encoding apparatus  100  performs the encoding for a luminance component Y and color components Cb and Cr of a picture as a moving image of YCbCr in a frame unit input for each CU. 
     Specifically, the control section  101  of the image encoding apparatus  100  sets encoding parameters (header information Hinfo, prediction information Pinfo, transformation information Tinfo, and the like) based on an input from the outside, Rate-Distortion Optimization (RDO) or the like. Incidentally, in the case where a slice including the CU as the encoding target is I slice, the control section  101  sets the prediction information Pinfo and the like for the luminance component Y, and the color component Cb, Cr independently of each other. 
     The header information Hinfo, for example, includes information such as a Video Parameter Set (VPS), a Sequence Parameter Set (SPS), a Picture Parameter Set (PPS), and a slice header (SH). For example, An SPS.IntraBCflag indicating whether or not the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component Y is made valid, an SPS.IntraBCchromaflag indicating whether or not the intra BC prediction mode of the color difference component is made valid, and the like are included in the SPS of the Header information Hinfo. Needless to say, the contents of the header information Hinfo are arbitrary, and any information other than the example described above may be included in the header information Hinfo. 
     For example, split flag as information indicating presence or absence of the division in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction in each of division hierarchy layers at the time of formation of the PU(CU), that is, as information indicating the structure of the PU(CU), prediction mode information indicating the prediction mode of the PU, and the like are included in the prediction information Pinfo. Incidentally, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU of the color component Cr is not a CrossColor prediction mode (details will be described later), the prediction mode of the PU of the color component Cr is identical to the prediction mode of the PU of the color component Cb corresponding to the PU of that color component Cr. Needless to say, the contents of the prediction information Pinfo are arbitrary, and any information other than the example described above may be included in the prediction information Pinfo. 
     A TB Size TBSize as information indicating a size of the TB, and the like are included in the transformation information Tinfo. Needless to say, the contents of the transformation information Tinfo are arbitrary, and any information other than the example described above may be included in the transformation information Tinfo. 
     The control section  101  divides, on the basis of the set encoding parameters, the picture input to the image encoding apparatus  100  into the CUs (PU, TU), and sets the CUs (PU, TU) obtained through the division to the CUs (PU, TU) as the encoding target in order. The control section  101  supplies an image I of the CUs (PU, TU) as the encoding target to the calculation section  111 . 
     In addition, the control section  101  supplies the encoding parameter thus set to each of the blocks. For example, the control section  101  supplies the header information Hinfo to each of the blocks. In addition, the control section  101  supplies the prediction information Pinfo to each of the prediction section  119  and the encoding section  114 , and supplies the transformation information Tinfo to each of the transformation section  112 , the quantization section  113 , the inverse quantization section  115 , and the inverse transformation section  116 . 
     The calculation section  111  obtains a prediction residue D by subtracting the prediction image P of the PU supplied thereto from the prediction section  119  from the image I, and supplies the prediction residue D to the transformation section  112 . 
     The transformation section  112  subjects the prediction residue D supplied thereto from the calculation section  111  to the orthogonal transformation or the like based on transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101  to derive a transformation coefficient Coeff. The transformation section  112  supplies the transformation coefficient Coeff to the quantization section  113 . 
     The quantization section  113  scales (quantizes) the transformation coefficient Coeff supplied thereto from the transformation section  112  to derive a quantization transformation coefficient level level based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101 . The quantization section  113  supplies the quantization transformation coefficient level level to each of the encoding section  114  and the inverse quantization section  115 . 
     The encoding section  114  encodes the quantization transformation coefficient level level or the like supplied thereto from the quantization section  113  by using a predetermined method. For example, the encoding section  114  transforms the encoding parameters (the header information Hinfo, the prediction information Pinfo, the transformation information Tinfo, and the like) supplied thereto from the control section  101  and the quantization transformation coefficient level level supplied thereto from the quantization section  113  into syntax values of the syntax elements along the definition of the syntax table. Then, the encoding section  114  subjects the syntax values to the encoding (the arithmetic encoding such as CABAC (Context-based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding)). 
     For example, in the case where the prediction mode of the CU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the CU of the color component Cb or Cr as the encoding target is the intra BC prediction mode, the encoding section  114  encodes the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the CU of the color component Cb or Cr as the encoding target by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the CU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     The encoding section  114 , for example, multiplexes the encoded data as the bit stream of the Syntax values obtained as a result of the encoding, and outputs the multiplexed data as the encoded stream. 
     The inverse quantization section  115  scales (inverse-quantizes) the value of the quantization transformation coefficient level level supplied thereto from the quantization section  113  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101  to derive a transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ after the inverse quantization. The inverse quantization section  115  supplies the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ to the inverse transformation section  116 . The inverse quantization performed by the inverse quantization section  115  is inverse processing of the quantization performed by the quantization section  113 . 
     The inverse transformation section  116  subjects the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ supplied thereto from the inverse quantization section  115  to the inverse orthogonal transformation or the like based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101  to derive a prediction residue D′. The inverse transformation section  116  supplies the prediction residue D′ to the calculation section  117 . The inverse orthogonal transformation performed by the inverse transformation section  116  is the inverse processing of the orthogonal transformation performed by the transformation section  112 , and is the processing similar to the inverse orthogonal transformation which is performed in an image decoding apparatus which will be described later. 
     The calculation section  117  adds the prediction residue D′ supplied thereto from the inverse transformation section  116 , and the prediction image P which is supplied thereto from the prediction section  119  and which corresponds to the prediction residue D′ to each other to derive a local decoded image Rec. The calculation section  117  supplies the local decoded image Rec to the frame memory  118 . 
     The frame memory  118  rebuilds the decoded image in a picture unit by using the local decoded image Rec supplied thereto from the calculation section  117 , and stores the resulting image in a buffer within the frame memory  118 . The frame memory  118  reads out the decoded image specified by the prediction section  119  as a reference image from the buffer, and supplies the decoded image to the prediction section  119 . In addition, the frame memory  118  may store the header information Hinfo, the prediction information Pinfo, the transformation information Tinfo, and the like pertaining to the prediction of the decoded image in the buffer with the frame memory  118 . 
     The prediction section  119  acquires the decoded image which is stored in the frame memory  118  as the reference image based on the prediction information Pinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101 , and executes the prediction processing for the PU as the encoding target by using the reference image. In the case where the PU as the encoding target is the PU of the luminance component Y, the intra prediction processing as the prediction processing for the intra prediction mode, the intra BC prediction processing as the prediction processing for the intra BC prediction mode, or the inter prediction processing as the prediction processing for the inter prediction mode is executed as the prediction processing. 
     The intra prediction processing means the prediction processing for generating the block as the prediction image P, the block having the decoded PU size which is present in a direction indicated by the prediction mode for the PU within the reference image, with the same component of the same picture as that of the PU as the reference image. The intra BC prediction processing means the prediction processing for parallel-moving the block having the decoded PU size which is located at a distance of a motion vector away from the PU within the reference image to generate the prediction image P, with the same component of the same picture as that of the PU as the reference image. The inter prediction processing means the processing for parallel-moving the block having the decoded PU size which is located at a distance of a motion vector away from the PU within a reference image, with the same component as that of the PU of the picture which is decoded before the picture including the PU, thereby generating the block of interest as the prediction image P. 
     In addition, in the case where the PU as the encoding target is the color component Cb, the intra prediction processing, the intra BC prediction processing, the inter prediction processing, or LMchroma prediction processing as the prediction processing of the LMchroma prediction mode is executed as the prediction processing. The LMchroma prediction processing means the processing for transforming the pixel value of the luminance component Y in the same position as that of the PU by using the transformation parameters calculated with the decoded pixel value, thereby generating the prediction image P. 
     Moreover, in the case where the PU as the encoding target is the color component Cr, the intra prediction processing, the intra BC prediction processing, the inter prediction processing, the LMchroma prediction processing, or CrossColor prediction processing as the prediction processing for a CrossColor prediction mode is executed as the prediction processing. The CrossColor prediction processing means the processing for transforming the pixel value of the color component Cr in the same position as that of the PU with a predetermined transformation parameter, thereby generating the prediction image P. The predetermined transformation parameter is included in the prediction information Pinfo. 
     The prediction section  119  supplies the prediction image P generated as a result of the prediction processing to either the calculation section  111  or the calculation section  117 . 
     (Configuration Example of Prediction Information Pinfo) 
       FIG. 3  is a view depicting an example of a part of a configuration of the prediction information Pinfo. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , pred_mode_flag of the prediction information Pinfo is the information indicating whether the prediction mode of the PU is the inter prediction mode, or the prediction mode of the intra prediction mode system (the intra prediction mode, the intra BC prediction mode, the LMchroma prediction mode, the CrossColor prediction mode). 
     In the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode of the PU is the inter prediction mode, pred_mode_flag is the prediction mode information. In this case, as depicted in  FIG. 3 , motion vector information indicating a Motion Vector (MV), with fractional precision, which is used in the inter prediction processing, ReferenceIndex as information used to specify the reference image, and the like are included in the prediction information Pinfo. 
     On the other hand, in the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode of the PU is the intra prediction mode system prediction mode, pred_mode_flag, and PU.IntraBCflag (PU.IntraBCmode) indicating whether nor not the prediction mode of the PU is the intra BC prediction mode are the prediction mode information. 
     In this case, when PU.IntraBCflag indicates that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode, the prediction mode information indicates the intra prediction mode. Then, PU.IntraBCflag indicating that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode, that is, the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode, the intra prediction mode, and the like are included in the prediction information Pinfo. The intra prediction mode means the information indicating the prediction modes called DC intra prediction, Planar intra prediction, and Angular intra prediction in the intra prediction mode of the PU. 
     On the other hand, when PU.IntraBCflag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, the prediction mode information indicates the intra BC prediction mode. Then, PU.IntraBCflag indicating that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, information indicating the motion vector (MV), with the integer precision or fractional pixel precision, which is used in the intra BC prediction, and the like are included in the prediction information Pinfo. 
     Incidentally, in the case where the PU is the PU of the color component Cb or Cr, there are a case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode of the PU is the intra prediction mode system prediction mode and another case where the prediction mode is the LMchroma prediction mode. In this case, pred_mode_flag, and the information indicating that the prediction mode is the LMchroma prediction mode are included as the prediction mode information in the prediction information Pinfo. 
     In addition, in the case where the PU is the PU of the color component Cr, there are a case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode of the PU is the intra prediction mode system mode and another case where the prediction mode is the CrossColor prediction mode. In this case, the information indicating that pred_mode_flag and the prediction mode are the CrossColor prediction mode is included as the prediction mode information in the prediction information Pinfo. 
     Although in an example of  FIG. 3 , the intra BC prediction mode is set as the intra prediction mode system prediction mode, the intra BC prediction mode may be set as the inter prediction mode system prediction mode. In this case, pred_mode_flag is the information indicating whether the prediction mode of the PU is the inter prediction mode system, or the intra prediction mode. 
     In addition, the prediction mode information indicating that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode is pred_mode_flag indicating that the prediction mode is the inter mode prediction system prediction mode, and PU.IntraBCflag indicating that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode. The prediction mode information indicating that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode is pred_mode_flag indicating that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode system prediction mode, and PU.IntraBCflag indicating that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode. The prediction mode information indicating that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode is pred_mode_flag indicating that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode. 
     (Explanation of Intra BC Prediction Processing) 
       FIG. 4  is a view explaining the intra BC prediction processing executed by the prediction section  119  of  FIG. 2 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , in the case where the intra BC prediction processing is executed for a PU  156  as an encoding target of a picture  150 , an upper side and left side area  152  with respect to the PU  156  is previously encoded, and decoded. However, a lower side and right side area  153  with respect to the PU  156  is not yet encoded. Therefore, the reference image is a decoded image in which only the area  152  is locally decoded. 
     The prediction section  119  executes the intra BC prediction processing for the PU  156  by using the reference image based on the motion vector information indicating a motion vector  154  included in the prediction information Pinfo. As a result, the decoded image of the decoded block  155 , which is present at a distance of the motion vector  154  from the PU  156  within the picture  150  and has the same size as that of the PU  156 , is generated as a prediction image P. 
     (Example of Format of Picture) 
       FIGS. 5 to 7  are respectively views depicting examples of a format of a picture which is input to the image encoding apparatus  100 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the picture input to the image encoding apparatus  100  is a YCbCr image. The format of the picture, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , may be YCbCr  420 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 , may be YCbCr  422  or may be YCbCr  444 . 
     In the YCbCr  420 , the number of pixels in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of the luminance component Y is ½ of the number of pixels in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of the color components Cb and Cr. In addition, in the YCbCr  422 , the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the luminance components Y is ½ of the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the color components Cb and Cr. The number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the luminance components Y is identical to the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the color components Cb and Cr. In the YCbCr  444 , the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the luminance component Y is identical to the number of pixels in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the color components Cb and Cr. 
     Therefore, for example, a size of the CU of the color components Cb and Cr corresponding to the CU of 128 (width)×128 (depth) pixels of the luminance component Y is 64×64 pixels in YCbCr  420 , 128×64 pixels in YCbCr  422 , and 128×128 pixels in YCbCr  444 . 
     Therefore, in the case where the format of the picture is either the YCbCr  420  or the YCbCr  422 , in referring to the CU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the CU of either the color component Cb or Cr, the image encoding apparatus  100  expands the size of either the color component Cb or Cr to the same size as that of the luminance component Y. 
     Then, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , the image encoding apparatus  100  refers to a CU  132  of the luminance component Y including the same position as in the predetermined position (for example, the upper left position) of a CU  131  of the color component Cb after the expansion in the form of the CU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the CU before the expansion of the CU  131 . Likewise, the image encoding apparatus  100  refers to a CU  132  of the luminance component Y including the same position as the predetermined position of a CU  133  of the color component Cb after the expansion in the form of the CU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the CU before the expansion of the CU  133 . 
     Although, since in the YCbCr  420  and the YCbCr  422 , the number of pixels of each of the color components Cb and Cr of the luminance component Y is smaller than the number of pixels of the luminance component Y, the amount of data can be reduced as compared with YCbCr  444  in which the luminance component Y is identical in the number of pixels to each of the color components Cb and Cr, the image quality of the color components Cb and Cr deteriorates. However, since the sensitivity of the sense of sight for the luminance of the human being is inferior to the sensitivity of the sense of sight for the colors, the deterioration of the image quality of the color components Cb and Cr is hardly recognized. Therefore, in the YCbCr  420  and the YCbCr  422 , the amount of data can be reduced without causing the human being to recognize the deterioration of the image quality. 
     (Explanation of Encoding of Syntax Value of Prediction Mode Information of Color Components Cb and Cr) 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram explaining the encoding of the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the color components Cb and Cr. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 , in the case where the encoding section  114  encodes the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the PU  156  of the color component Cb, the encoding section  114  refers to the prediction mode of the PU  157  of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU  156  of the color component Cb. Then, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU  157  of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, the encoding section  114  encodes the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the PU  156  of the color component Cb by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     Specifically, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, the probability that the prediction mode of the PU of the color components Cb and Cr corresponding to the PU of interest is the intra BC prediction mode is high. Therefore, in the case where it is used as the context that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, the encoding section  114  sets a probability model of the CABAC for the prediction mode information of the color component Cb in such a way that the probability of the prediction mode information indicating the intra BC prediction mode becomes high, thereby performing the encoding. 
     As a result, as compared with the case where it is not used as the context that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, the compression rate of the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the color component Cb is enhanced, thereby enabling the encoding efficiency to be increased. 
     That is, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU  156  of the color component Cb is the intra BC prediction mode identical to the prediction mode of the PU  157  of the luminance component Y, the encoding is performed by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode. As a result, the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the PU  156  is compressed at the high compression rate. On the other hand, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU  156  of the color component Cb is different from the prediction mode of the PU  157  of the luminance component Y, the encoding is performed by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, so that the amount of data of the syntax values of the prediction mode information of the PU  156  increases. 
     However, the probability that the prediction mode of the color component Cb is different from the prediction mode of the luminance component Y is small. Therefore, the compression rate of the whole of the syntax values of the prediction mode information of the color component Cb becomes high as compared with the case where encoding is performed without using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode. As a result, the encoding efficiency is enhanced. 
     Since the encoding of the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the PU  158  of the color component Cr corresponding to the PU  157  of the luminance component Y is similar to the encoding of the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the PU  156  of the color component Cb, a description thereof is omitted here. 
     (Explanation of Generation of Motion Vector Information of Color Components Cb and Cr) 
       FIGS. 10 to 12  are respectively views explaining the generation of the motion vector information used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color components Cb and Cr. 
     In the case where the prediction mode of the PU  161  of the color component Cb, and the PU  162  of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU  161  is the intra BC prediction mode, as depicted in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the control section  101  (generation section) generates the motion vector information used in the intra BC prediction processing of the PU  161  by referring to a motion vector  172  used in the intra BC prediction processing of the PU  162 . 
     Specifically, as depicted in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , in the case where the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing of the PU  161  is a motion vector  171  identical to the motion vector  172 , the control section  101  generates MVCbSameAsLumaflag indicating that the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color component Cb is the same as the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the luminance component Y in the form of the motion vector information. 
     In addition, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU  163  of the color component Cr is also the intra BC prediction mode, as depicted in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the control section  101  generates the motion vector information used in the intra BC prediction processing for the PU  163  by referring to the motion vector  172 . 
     Specifically, in the case where as depicted in  FIG. 10 , the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the PU  163  is the same motion vector  173  as the motion vector  172 , the control section  101  generates MVCrSameAsLumaflag indicating that the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color component Cr is the same as the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the luminance component Y in the form of the motion vector information. 
     On the other hand, in the case where as depicted in  FIG. 11 , the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the PU  163  is a motion vector  174  different from the motion vector  172 , the control section  101  may also generate MVCrSameAsLumaflag indicating that the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color component Cr is not the same as the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the luminance component Y, and a difference  175  between the motion vector  172  and the motion vector  174  in the form of the motion vector information. Incidentally, the control section  101  may generate the motion vector  174  itself as the motion vector information. 
     In the manner as described above, the control section  101  generates the motion vector information of the PU  161  ( 163 ) by using the motion vector  172 . Therefore, the amount of data of the motion vector information of the PU  161  ( 163 ) can be reduced, thereby enhancing the encoding efficiency. 
     That is, since a subject in the PU  161  ( 163 ) of the color component Cb (Cr) is the same as a subject in the PU  162  of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU  161  ( 163 ), a correlation between the motion vectors used in the intra BC prediction processing for the PU  161  ( 163 ) and the PU  162  is high. Therefore, the control section  101  generates the difference between the PU  162  and the PU  161  ( 163 ), and MVCrSameAsLumaflag as the motion vector information, whereby the amount of data of the motion vector information can be reduced as compared with the case where the motion vector itself of the PU  161  ( 163 ) is generated as the motion vector information. As a result, the encoding efficiency can be enhanced. 
     In addition, in the case where the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color component Cb (Cr) is different from the motion vector  172 , the control section  101  generates the difference between these motion vectors in the form of the motion vector information. Therefore, the image decoding apparatus which will be described later uses an addition value of the motion vector  172  and the difference as the motion vector of the color component Cb (Cr), whereby the prediction accuracy can be enhanced as compared with the case where the motion vector  172  is used as the motion vector of the color component Cb (Cr) as it is. 
     On the other hand, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU  163  of the color component Cr is the CrossColor prediction mode, as depicted in  FIG. 12 , the motion vector information of the PU  163  is not generated. In this case, in the CrossColor prediction processing for the PU  163 , reference is made to the pixel value of the PU  161  of the color component Cb. 
     Incidentally, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU of the color components Cb and Cr, and the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU is the intra BC prediction mode, the setting of the motion vector of the PU of the color components Cb and Cr is performed based on the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU. 
     Specifically, the control section  101  sets the motion vectors within a predetermined range with the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color components Cb and Cr as a center in the form of candidates, and sets the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color components Cb and Cr based on RDO. 
     That is, since a subject in the PU of the color components Cb and Cr is the same as a subject in the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU, a correlation between the motion vectors of the PU of the color components Cb and Cr, and the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU is high. Therefore, the control section  101  limits the candidates of the motion vector of the PU of the color components Cb and Cr to the predetermined range with the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU as the center. As a result, as compared with the case where all the motion vectors are set as the candidates, the amount of processing in processing for setting the motion vectors of the PU of the color components Cb and Cr can be reduced. 
     (Explanation of Processing in Image Encoding Apparatus) 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart explaining the image encoding processing of the image encoding apparatus  100 . The image encoding processing, for example, is executed for the picture which is input to the image encoding apparatus  100 . 
     In Step S 10  of  FIG. 13 , the control section  101  sets the encoding parameters (the header information Hinfo, the prediction information Pinfo, the transformation information Tinfo, and the like) based on the input from the outside, the RDO, and the like. The control section  101  supplies the encoding parameters thus set to each of the blocks. 
     In Step S 11 , the encoding section  114  encodes the encoding parameters supplied thereto from the control section  101 . Processing from Steps S 12  to S 19  which will be described later is executed for each slice. 
     In Step S 12 , the control section  101  decides whether or not the slice as an encoding target is an I slice based on the encoding parameters set in Step S 10 . In the case where it is decided in Step S 12  that the slice as the encoding target is the I slice, the processing proceeds to Step S 13 . 
     In Step S 13 , the control section  101  divides, on the basis of the encoding parameters set in Step S 10 , the luminance component Y of the slice as the encoding target within the picture input to the image encoding apparatus  100  into the CUs, and sets each of the CUs of the luminance component Y thus divided to the CU as the encoding target. The control section  101  supplies an image I of the CU as the encoding target to the calculation section  111 . 
     In Step S 14 , the image encoding apparatus  100  executes the encoding processing for the image I of the CU of the luminance component Y which is supplied as the image I of the CU as the encoding target from the control section  101 . 
     In Step S 15 , the control section  101  divides, on the basis of the encoding parameters set in Step S 10 , the color components Cb and Cr of the slice as the encoding target within the picture input to the image encoding apparatus  100  into the CUs, and sets each of the CUs of the color components Cb and Cr thus obtained through the division to the CU as the encoding target. The control section  101  supplies the image I of the CU as the encoding target to the calculation section  111 . 
     In Step S 16 , the image encoding apparatus  100  executes the encoding processing for the image I of the CU of the color components Cb and Cr which is supplied as the image I of the CU as the encoding target from the control section  101 , and the processing is ended. 
     On the other hand, in the case where it is decided in Step S 12  that the slice as the encoding target is not the I slice, the processing proceeds to Step S 17 . 
     In Step S 17 , the control section  101  divides, on the basis of the encoding parameters set in Step S 10 , the luminance component Y, and the color components Cb and Cr of the slice as the encoding target within the picture input to the image encoding apparatus  100  into the CUs having the same structure. The control section  101  sets each of the CUs of the luminance component Y obtained through the division to the CU as the encoding target, and supplies the image I of the CU as the encoding target to the calculation section  111 . 
     In Step S 18 , the image encoding apparatus  100  executes the encoding processing for the image I of the CU of the luminance component Y supplied as the image I of the CU as the encoding target from the control section  101 . Then, the control section  101  sets each of the CUs of the color components Cb and Cr of the slice as the encoding target to the CU as the encoding target, and supplies the image I of the CU as the encoding target to the calculation section  111 . 
     In Step S 19 , the image encoding apparatus  100  executes the encoding processing for the image I of the CU of the color components Cb and Cr supplied the image I of the CU as the encoding target from the control section  101 , and the processing is ended. 
       FIG. 14  is a flow chart explaining flag setting processing for setting SPS.IntraBCflag and SPS.IntraBCchromaflag of Step S 10  of  FIG. 13 . 
     In Step S 31  of  FIG. 14 , the control section  101  decides whether or not the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is made valid based on the input or the like from the outside. In the case where it is decided in Step S 31  that the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is made valid, the processing proceeds to Step S 32 . 
     In Step S 32 , the control section  101  sets SPS.IntraBCflag to 1 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is made valid, and the processing proceeds to Step S 34 . 
     On the other hand, in the case where it is decided in Step S 31  that the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is not made valid, the processing proceeds to Step S 33 . In Step S 33 , the control section  101  sets SPS.IntraBCflag to 0 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is not made valid, and the processing proceeds to Step S 34 . 
     In Step S 34 , the control section  101  decides whether or not the intra BC prediction mode of the color components is made valid based on the input or the like from the outside. In the case it is decided in Step S 34  that the intra BC prediction mode of the color components is made valid, the processing proceeds to Step S 35 . 
     In Step S 35 , the control section  101  sets SPS.IntraBCchromaflag to 1 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the color components is made valid, and the processing is ended. 
     On the other hand, in the case it is decided in Step S 34  that the intra BC prediction mode of the color components is not made valid, the processing proceeds to Step S 36 . In Step S 36 , the control section  101  sets SPS.IntraBCchromaflag to 0 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the color components is not made valid, and the processing is ended. 
     Incidentally, only in the case where SPS.IntraBCflag is set to 1, that is, only in the case where the intra BC prediction processing of the luminance component is valid, SPS.IntraBCchromaflag may be made settable. The flag setting processing in this case is as depicted in  FIG. 15 . 
     Flag setting processing of  FIG. 15  is different from the flag setting processing of  FIG. 14  in that after the processing in Step S 33  of  FIG. 14 , the processing is ended. That is, although the pieces of processing from Steps S 51  to S 56  of  FIG. 15  are similar to the pieces of processing from Steps S 31  to S 36  of  FIG. 14 , after the processing in Step S 56 , the processing is ended. 
     In the case where the flag setting processing of  FIG. 15  is executed, when SPS.IntraBCflag is 0, the intra BC prediction processing for not only the luminance component, but also the color components is made invalid. That is, the image encoding apparatus  100  enhances the encoding efficiency by using the method of, in the case where the prediction mode of the color component Cb (Cr) is the intra BC prediction mode, encoding the prediction mode information of the color component Cb (Cr) by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, and the method of generating the motion vector information of the color component Cb (Cr) by using the motion vector of the luminance component Y. However, for using these methods, the prediction mode of the luminance component Y needs to be the intra BC prediction mode. Therefore, in the flag setting processing of  FIG. 15 , in the case where the prediction mode of the luminance component Y is not the intra BC prediction mode, and thus it may be impossible to use these methods, the prediction mode of the color component Cb (Cr) is prevented from being set in the intra BC prediction mode. 
       FIG. 16  is a flow chart explaining motion vector information setting processing for, in the case where, of Step S 11  of  FIG. 13 , the prediction mode of the color component Cb is the intra BC prediction mode, setting the motion vector information used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color component Cb. The motion vector information setting processing is executed each PU of the color component Cb. 
     In Step S 91  of  FIG. 16 , the control section  101  decides whether or not the prediction mode of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target is the intra BC prediction mode based on the set encoding parameters. In the case where pred_mode_flag of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, and PU.IntraBCflag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, the control section  101  decides in Step S 91  that the prediction mode of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target is the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S 92 . 
     In Step S 92 , the control section  101  decides whether or not the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target is the intra BC prediction mode based on the set encoding parameters. In the case where pred_mode_flag of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, and PU.IntraBCflag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, the control section  101  decides in Step S 92  that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the processing proceeds to Step S 93 . 
     In Step S 93 , the control section  101  decides whether or not the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target is the same as the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU. 
     In the case where in Step S 93 , it is decided that the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target is the same as the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU, the processing proceeds to Step S 94 . In Step S 94 , the control section  101  sets MVCbSameAsLumaflag to 1 indicating that the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing of the color component Cb is the same as the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing of the luminance component Y. The control section  101  sets MVCbSameAsLumaflag, to which 1 is set, as the motion vector information of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target, and the processing is ended. 
     On the other hand, in the case where it is decided in Step S 93  that the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target is not the same as the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU, the processing proceeds to Step S 95 . 
     In Step S 95 , the control section  101  sets MVCbSameAsLumaflag to 0 indicating that the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing of the color component Cb is not the same as the motion vector used in the intra BC prediction processing of the luminance component Y. 
     In Step S 96 , the control section  101  calculates a difference dMVCb between the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target and the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU. The control section  101  sets the difference dMVCb with MVCbSameasLumaflag, to which 0 is set, as the motion vector information of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target, and the processing is ended. 
     On the other hand, in the case where pred_mode_flag of the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target indicates the inter prediction mode, or pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, and PU.IntraBCflag indicates that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode, the control section  101  decides in Step S 91  that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the processing is ended. 
     In addition, in the case where pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the processing target indicates that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode, or pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, and PU.IntraBCflag indicates that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode, the control section  101  decides in Step S 92  that the prediction mode is not the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the processing is ended. 
     Incidentally, the motion vector information setting processing for setting the motion vector information used in the intra BC prediction processing for the color component Cr in the case where the prediction mode of the color component Cr is the intra BC prediction mode is similar to the motion vector information setting processing of  FIG. 16  except that MVCbSameAsLumaflag is replaced with MVCrSameAsLumaflag, and that the difference dMVCb is replaced with the difference dMVCr. 
     MVCrSameASLumaflag is the information indicating whether or not the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cr as the processing target is identical to the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU. The difference dMVCb is the difference between the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cr as the processing target, and the motion vector of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU. 
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart explaining the encoding processing which is executed in Steps S 14 , S 16 , S 18 , and S 19  of  FIG. 13 . The encoding processing is executed for each CU as the encoding target. 
     In Step S 101  of  FIG. 17 , the prediction section  119  acquires the decoded image which is stored in the frame memory  118  as the reference image based on the prediction information Pinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101 , and executes the prediction processing for the CU (PU) as the encoding target by using the reference image. The prediction section  119  supplies the prediction image P generated as a result of the prediction processing to each of the calculation section  111  and the calculation section  117 . 
     In Step S 102 , the calculation section  111  calculates a difference between the image I and the prediction image P in the form of a prediction residue D, and supplies the resulting prediction residue D to the transformation section  112 . The prediction residue D obtained in such a manner is reduced in amount of data as compared with the original image I. Therefore, the amount of data can be compressed as compared with the case where the original image I is encoded as it is. 
     In Step S 103 , the transformation section  112  performs the orthogonal transformation or the like for the prediction residue D supplied thereto from the calculation section  111  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101  to derive the transformation coefficient Coeff. The transformation section  112  supplies the transformation coefficient Coeff to the quantization section  113 . 
     In Step S 104 , the quantization section  113  scales (quantizes) the transformation coefficient Coeff supplied thereto from the transformation section  112  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101  to derive the quantization transformation coefficient level level. The quantization section  113  supplies the quantization transformation coefficient level level to each of the encoding section  114  and the inverse quantization section  115 . 
     In Step S 105 , the inverse quantization section  115  inverse-quantizes the quantization transformation coefficient level level supplied thereto from the quantization section  113  with the characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the quantization in Step S 104  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101 . The inverse quantization section  115  supplies the resulting transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ to the inverse transformation section  116 . 
     In Step S 106 , the inverse transformation section  116  performs the inverse orthogonal transformation or the like for the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ supplied thereto from the inverse quantization section  115  by using a method corresponding to the orthogonal transformation or the like in Step S 103  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the control section  101  to derive the prediction residue D′. 
     In Step S 107 , the calculation section  117  adds the prediction residue D′ derived by the processing in Step S 106  to the prediction image P supplied thereto from the prediction section  119 , thereby generating a local decoded image Rec. 
     In Step S 108 , the frame memory  118  rebuilds the decoded image of the picture unit by using the local decoded image Rec which is obtained through the processing in Step S 107 , and the decoded image is stored in the buffer within the frame memory  118 . 
     In Step S 109 , the encoding section  114  encodes the quantization transformation coefficient level level obtained through the processing in Step S 104  by using the arithmetic encoding or the like. The encoding section  114  collectively outputs the encoded data of the resulting quantization transformation coefficient level level and the encoded data of the encoding parameters obtained through the processing in Step S 11  of  FIG. 13  in the form of an encoded stream to the outside of the image encoding apparatus  100 . The encoded stream, for example, is transmitted to the decoding side through a transmission path or a recording medium. 
     When the processing in Step S 109  is ended, the image encoding processing is ended accordingly. 
       FIG. 18  is a flow chart explaining prediction mode encoding processing for, in the case where, of Step S 109  of  FIG. 17 , the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, encoding the prediction mode information of the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) corresponding to the PU. The prediction mode encoding processing, for example, is executed in a PU unit of the color component Cb (or Cr). 
     In Step S 121  of  FIG. 18 , the encoding section  114  decides whether or not pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target of the encoding parameters indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 121  that pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, the processing proceeds to Step S 122 . 
     In Step S 122 , the encoding section  114  extracts PU.IntraBCflag of the luminance component corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target from the encoding parameters. 
     In Step S 123 , the encoding section  114  decides whether or not PU.IntraBCflag extracted in Step S 122  is 1 indicating that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode. In the case where it is decided in Step S 123  that PU.IntraBCflag is 1, the processing proceeds to Step S 124 . 
     In Step S 124 , the encoding section  114  encodes the prediction mode information of the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target is the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the processing is ended. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 121  that pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target does not indicate that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, that is, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU of interest is the inter prediction mode, the processing is ended. 
     In addition, in the case where it is decided in Step S 123  that PU.IntraBCflag is not 1, and in the case where the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target is the intra prediction mode, the processing is ended. 
     (Configuration Example of Image Decoding Apparatus) 
       FIG. 19  is a block diagram depicting a configuration example of an embodiment of an image decoding apparatus, as the image processing apparatus to which the present technology is applied, for decoding the encoded stream generated by the image encoding apparatus  100  of  FIG. 2 . The image decoding apparatus  200  of  FIG. 19  decodes the encoded stream generated by the image encoding apparatus  100  by using a decoding method corresponding to the encoding method in the image encoding apparatus  100 . For example, the image decoding apparatus  200  is implemented with the technology proposed in HEVC, or the technology proposed in JVET. 
     It should be noted that  FIG. 19  depicts the main constituent elements such as the processing sections or the flows of the data, and the constituent elements depicted in  FIG. 19  are not necessarily all the constituent elements. In a word, in the image decoding apparatus  200 , the processing section which is not depicted as a block in  FIG. 19  may be present, or a processing or a flow of data of which is not depicted with an arrow or the like in  FIG. 19  may be present. 
     The image decoding apparatus  200  of  FIG. 19  has a decoding section  210 , an acquisition section  211 , an inverse quantization section  212 , an inverse transformation section  213 , a calculation section  214 , a frame memory  215 , and a prediction section  216 . The image decoding apparatus  200  performs the decoding for the encoded stream generated by the image encoding apparatus  100  for each CU. 
     Specifically, the decoding section  210  of the image decoding apparatus  200  decodes the encoded stream generated by the image encoding apparatus  100  by using a predetermined decoding method corresponding to the encoding method in the encoding section  114 . Specifically, the decoding section  210  decodes the encoding parameters (the header information Hinfo, the prediction information Pinfo, the transformation information Tinfo, and the like), and the encoded data of a syntax value of the quantization transformation coefficient level level from the bit stream of the encoded stream by using a predetermined decoding method corresponding to the encoding method in the encoding section  114 . 
     For example, in the case where the prediction mode of the CU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the CU of the color components Cb and Cr as the decoding target is the intra BC prediction mode, the encoding section  114  decodes the encoded data of the syntax value of the prediction mode information of the CU of the color components Cb and Cr as the decoding target by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the CU (PU) of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     The decoding section  210  decodes the encoding parameters and the quantization transformation coefficient level level from the syntax value of the encoding parameters and the quantization transformation coefficient level level which are obtained as a result of the decoding along the definition of the syntax table. The decoding section  210  sets the CUs (PU, TU) as the decoding target based on a split flag included in the encoding parameters. 
     The decoding section  210  supplies the encoding parameters to associated blocks. For example, the decoding section  210  supplies the prediction information Pinfo to the acquisition section  211 , supplies the transformation information Tinfo to each of the inverse quantization section  212  and the inverse transformation section  213 , and supplies the header information Hinfo to the associated blocks. In addition, the decoding section  210  supplies the quantization transformation coefficient level level to the inverse quantization section  212 . 
     The acquisition section  211  acquires the prediction information Pinfo from the decoding section  210 . The acquisition section  211  determines the motion vector of the CU (PU) as the decoding target based on the motion vector information of the prediction information Pinfo. 
     Specifically, for example, in the case where the PU as the decoding target is the PU of the color component Cb in which the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, and the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU is the intra BC prediction mode, the acquisition section  211  extracts the motion vector information used in the intra BC prediction processing for the PU of the luminance component Y of interest from the prediction information Pinfo. Then, in the case where the motion vector information of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target is MVCbSameAsLumaflag, to which 1 is set, the acquisition section  211  determines the motion vector indicated by the extracted motion vector information as the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target. 
     On the other hand, in the case where the motion vector information of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target is MVCbSameAsLumaflag, to which 0 is set, and the difference dMVCb, the acquisition section  211  determines the addition value of the motion vector indicated by the extracted motion vector information, and the difference dMVCb as the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target. In the case as well where the PU as the decoding target is the PU of the color component Cr in which the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, a procedure is similar to that of the above case except that MVCbSameAsLumaflag is replaced with MVCrSameAsLumaflag, and the difference dMVCb is replaced with the difference dMVCr. 
     The acquisition section  211  supplies the prediction information Pinfo including the motion vector instead of including the motion vector information to the prediction section  216 . 
     The inverse quantization section  212  scales (inverse-quantizes) the value of the quantization transformation coefficient level level supplied thereto from the decoding section  210  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the decoding section  210  to derive the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ. This inverse quantization is inverse processing of the quantization which is performed by the quantization section  113  ( FIG. 2 ) of the image encoding apparatus  100 . It should be noted that the inverse quantization section  115  ( FIG. 2 ) performs the inverse quantization similar to that in the inverse quantization section  212 . The inverse quantization section  212  supplies the resulting transformation coefficients Coeff_IQ to the inverse transformation section  213 . 
     The inverse transformation section  213  performs the inverse orthogonal transformation or the like for the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ supplied thereto from the inverse quantization section  212  based on the transformation information Tinfo supplied thereto from the decoding section  210  to derive the prediction residue D′. The inverse orthogonal transformation or the like is the inverse processing of the orthogonal transformation or the like which is performed by the transformation section  112  ( FIG. 2 ) of the image encoding apparatus  100 . It should be noted that the inverse transformation section  116  performs the inverse orthogonal transformation or the like similar to that in the inverse transformation section  213 . The inverse transformation section  213  supplies the resulting prediction residue D′ to the calculation section  214 . 
     The calculation section  214  adds the prediction residue D′ supplied thereto from the inverse transformation section  213  and the prediction image P corresponding to the prediction residue D′ to each other to derive the local decoded image Rec. The calculation section  214  rebuilds the decoded image for each picture unit by using the resulting local decoded image Rec and outputs the resulting decoded image to the outside of the image decoding apparatus  200 . In addition, the calculation section  214  supplies the resulting local decoded image Rec to the frame memory  215  as well. 
     The frame memory  215  rebuilds the decoded image for each picture unit by using the local decoded image Rec supplied thereto from the calculation section  214 , and stores the decoded image in the buffer within the frame memory  215 . The frame memory  215  reads out the decoded image specified by the prediction section  216  as the reference image, and supplies the decoded image to the prediction section  216 . In addition, the frame memory  215  may store the header information Hinfo, the prediction information Pinfo, the transformation information Tinfo, and the like pertaining to the generation of the decoded image in the buffer within the frame memory  215 . 
     The prediction section  216  acquires the decoded image which is stored in the frame memory  215  as the reference image based on the prediction information Pinfo or the like supplied thereto from the acquisition section  211 , and executes the intra BC prediction processing, the intra prediction processing of the predetermined prediction mode, or the inter prediction processing by using the reference image. The prediction section  216  supplies the prediction image P generated as a result of the execution to the calculation section  214 . 
     (Explanation of Processing in Image Decoding Apparatus) 
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart explaining the image decoding processing in the image decoding apparatus  200  of  FIG. 19 . The image decoding processing, for example, is executed when the encoded stream is input to the image decoding apparatus  200 . 
     In Step S 161  of  FIG. 20 , the decoding section  210  decodes the encoded stream input thereto, and obtains the encoding parameters and the quantization transformation coefficient level level. The decoding section  210  supplies the encoding parameters to the associated blocks. In addition, the decoding section  210  supplies the quantization transformation coefficient level level to the inverse quantization section  212 . Pieces of processing from Steps S 162  to S 169  which will be described later are executed in a slice unit. 
     In Step S 162 , the decoding section  210  decides whether or not the slice as the decoding target is the I slice based on the encoding parameters. In the case where it is decided in Step S 162  that the slice as the decoding target is the I slice, the processing proceeds to Step S 163 . 
     In Step S 163 , the decoding section  210  sets the CU corresponding to the quantization transformation coefficient levels level of the luminance component Y as the CU as the decoding target based on the encoding parameters. 
     In Step S 164 , the image decoding apparatus  200  executes the decoding processing for the quantization transformation coefficient level level of the CU of the luminance component Y as the CU as the decoding target. 
     In Step S 165 , the decoding section  210  sets the CU corresponding to the quantization transformation coefficient levels level of the color components Cb and Cr as the CU as the decoding target based on the encoding parameters. 
     In Step S 167 , the image decoding apparatus  200  executes the decoding processing for the quantization transformation coefficient level level of the CU of the color components Cb and Cr as the decoding target, and the processing is encoded. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 162  that the slice as the decoding target is not the I slice, the processing proceeds to Step S 167 . 
     In Step S 167 , the decoding section  210  sets the CUs having the same structure and corresponding to the quantization transformation coefficient levels level of the luminance component Y and the color components Cb and Cr as the CU as the decoding target based on the encoding parameters. 
     In Step S 168 , the image decoding apparatus  200  executes the decoding processing for the quantization transformation coefficient level level of the luminance component Y of the CU as the decoding target. 
     In Step S 167 , the image decoding apparatus  200  executes the decoding processing for the quantization transformation coefficient level level of the color component of the CU as the decoding target, and the processing is ended. 
       FIG. 21  is, of Step S 161  of  FIG. 20 , a flow chart explaining the flag decoding processing for decoding the encoded data of SPS.IntraBCflag or SPS.IntraBCchromaflag which is set by the flag setting processing of  FIG. 14 . 
     In Step S 181  of  FIG. 21 , the decoding section  210  decodes the encoded data of SPS.IntraBCflag of the encoding parameters. In Step S 182 , the decoding section decides whether or not SPS.IntraBCflag obtained as a result of the decoding is 1 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is made valid. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 182  that SPS.IntraBCflag is 1, in Step S 183 , the decoding section  210  makes the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component valid. In this case, for example, the prediction section  216  extracts PU.IntraBCflag from the prediction information Pinfo supplied thereto from the acquisition section  211 . After execution of the processing in Step S 183 , the processing proceeds to Step S 184 . 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 182  that SPS.IntraBCflag is not 1, that is, in the case where SPS.IntraBCflag is 0 indicating that SPS.IntraBCflag does not make the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance components valid, the processing proceeds to Step S 184 . 
     In Step S 184 , the decoding section  210  decodes the encoded data of SPS.IntraBCchromaflag of the encoding parameters. 
     In Step S 185 , the decoding section  210  decides whether or not SPS.IntraBCchromaflag obtained as a result of the decoding is 1 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the color component is made valid. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 185  that SPS.IntraBCchromaflag is 1, in Step S 186 , the decoding section  210  makes the intra BC prediction mode of the color component valid. In this case, for example, the prediction section  216  extracts PU.IntraBCchromaflag from the prediction information Pinfo supplied thereto from the acquisition section  211 . After execution of the processing of Step S 186 , the processing is ended. 
     On the other hand, in the case where it is decided in Step S 185  that SPS.IntraBCchromaflag is not 1, that is, in the case where SPS.IntraBCchromaflag is 0 indicating that the intra BC prediction mode of the color component is not made valid, the processing is ended. 
       FIG. 22  is, of Step S 161  of  FIG. 20 , a flow chart explaining flag decoding processing for decoding the encoded data of SPS.IntraBCflag or SPS.IntraBCchromaflag which is set by the flag setting processing of  FIG. 15 . 
     The flag decoding processing of  FIG. 22  is different from the flag decoding processing of  FIG. 21  in that the processing is ended in the case where it is decided in Step S 182  of  FIG. 21  that SPS.IntraBCflag is not 1. That is, although the pieces of processing of Steps S 201  to S 206  of  FIG. 22  are similar to the pieces of processing of Steps S 181  to S 186  of  FIG. 21 , the processing is ended after completion of the processing of Step S 202 . In a word, only in the case where the intra BC prediction processing for the luminance component is valid, the decoding section  210  decodes the encoded data of SPS.IntraBCchromaflag. 
       FIG. 23  is, of Step S 161  of  FIG. 20 , a flow chart explaining prediction mode decoding processing for, in the case where the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y is the intra BC prediction mode, decoding the prediction mode information of the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) corresponding to the PU. The prediction mode decoding processing, for example, is executed in the PU unit of the color component Cb (or Cr). 
     In Step S 221  of  FIG. 23 , the decoding section  210  decides whether or not decoded pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 221  that decoded pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, the processing proceeds to Step S 222 . 
     In Step S 222 , the decoding section  210  extracts PU.IntraBCflag from the decoded prediction information Pinfo of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target. 
     In Step S 223 , the decoding section  210  decides whether or not PU.IntraBCflag extracted in Step S 222  is 1. In the case where it is decided in Step S 223  that PU.IntraBCflag extracted in Step S 222  is 1, the processing proceeds to Step S 224 . 
     In Step S 224 , the decoding section  210  decodes the prediction mode information of the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target by using, as the context, that the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target is the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the processing is ended. 
     On the other hand, in the case where it is decided in Step S 221  that decoded pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) as the processing target does not indicate that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, the processing is ended. 
     In addition, in the case where it is decided in Step S 223  that PU.IntraBCflag extracted in Step S 222  is not 1, the processing is ended. 
       FIG. 24  is a flow chart explaining the decoding processing which is executed in Steps S 164 , S 166 , S 168 , and S 169  of  FIG. 20 . The decoding processing is executed for each CU as the decoding target. 
     In Step S 261  of  FIG. 24 , the inverse quantization section  212  inverse-quantizes the quantization transformation coefficient level level of the CU as the decoding target which is supplied thereto from the decoding section  210  to derive the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ. The inverse quantization is the inverse processing of the quantization which is performed in Step S 104  ( FIG. 17 ) of the image encoding processing, and is the processing similar to the inverse quantization which is performed in Step S 105  ( FIG. 17 ) of the image encoding processing. 
     In Step S 262 , the inverse transformation section  213  performs the inverse orthogonal transformation or the like for the transformation coefficient Coeff_IQ which is obtained in the processing of Step S 261  to derive the prediction residue D′. The inverse orthogonal transformation or the like is the inverse processing of the orthogonal transformation or the like which is performed in Step S 103  ( FIG. 17 ) of the image encoding processing, and is the processing similar to the inverse orthogonal transformation or the like which is performed in Step S 106  ( FIG. 17 ) of the image encoding processing. 
     In Step S 263 , the acquisition section  211  decides whether or not the slice including the CU as the decoding target is an I slice based on the encoding parameters supplied thereto from the decoding section  210 . In the case where it is decided in Step S 263  that the slice including the CU as the decoding target is not the I slice, that is, in the case where the slice including the CU as the decoding target is either a P slice or a B slice, the processing proceeds to Step S 264 . 
     In Step S 264 , the acquisition section  211  extracts pred_mode_flag from the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target which is supplied thereto from the decoding section  210 . In Step S 265 , the prediction section  216  decides whether or not pred_mode_flag extracted in Step S 264  indicates that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode. 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 265  that pred_mode_flag extracted indicates that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode, the processing proceeds to Step S 266 . In Step S 266 , the acquisition section  211  acquires the motion vector of the CU (PU) as the decoding target from the motion vector information of the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target. The acquisition section  211  supplies the prediction information Pinfo including the motion vector instead of the motion vector information of the CU (PU) as the decoding target to the prediction section  216 . 
     In Step S 267 , the prediction section  216  reads out the reference image from the frame memory  215  based on the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target, and executes the inter prediction processing by using the reference image and the motion vector of the prediction information Pinfo. Then, the prediction section  216  supplies the prediction image P generated as a result of the processing to the calculation section  214 , and the processing proceeds to Step S 272 . 
     On the other hand, in the case where it is decided in Step S 263  that the slice including the CU as the decoding target is the I slice, or in the case where it is decided in Step S 265  that pred_mode_flag does not indicate that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode, the processing proceeds to Step S 268 . 
     In Step S 268 , the acquisition section  211  decides whether or not PU.IntraBCflag of the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target which is supplied from the decoding section  210  is 1 indicating that the prediction processing is the intra BC prediction processing. In the case where it is decided in Step S 268  that PU.IntraBCflag is 1, the processing proceeds to Step S 269 . 
     In Step S 269 , the acquisition section  211  acquires the motion vector of the CU (PU) as the decoding target from the motion vector information of the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target. The acquisition section  211  supplies to the prediction information Pinfo including the motion vector instead of the motion vector information of the CU (PU) as the decoding target to the prediction section  216 . 
     In Step S 270 , the prediction section  216  reads out, from the frame memory  215 , the decoded image, including the PU as the decoding target, which is obtained through the local decoding as the reference image, based on the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target, and executes the intra BC prediction processing by using the reference image and the motion vector of the prediction information Pinfo. Then, the prediction section  216  supplies the prediction image P generated as a result of the processing to the calculation section  214 , and the processing proceeds to Step S 272 . 
     In the case where it is decided in Step S 268  that PU.IntraBCflag is not 1, the acquisition section  211  supplies the prediction information Pinfo of the CU (PU) as the decoding target which is supplied from the decoding section  210  to the prediction section  216  as it is. 
     Then, in Step S 271 , the prediction section  216  reads out, from the frame memory  215 , the decoded image, including the PU as the decoding target, which is obtained through the local decoding as the reference image, and executes the intra prediction processing of the prediction mode included in the prediction information Pinfo by using the reference image. Then, the prediction section  216  supplies the prediction image P generated as a result of the processing to the calculation section  214 , and the processing proceeds to Step S 272 . 
     In Step S 272 , the calculation section  214  adds the prediction residue D′ supplied thereto from the inverse transformation section  213  to the prediction image P supplied thereto from the prediction section  216  to derive the local decoded image Rec. The calculation section  214  rebuilds the decoded image for each picture unit by using the resulting local decoded image Rec, and outputs the resulting decoded image to the outside of the image decoding apparatus  200 . In addition, the calculation section  214  supplies the resulting local decoded image Rec to the frame memory  215  as well. 
     In Step S 273 , the frame memory  215  rebuilds the decoded image for each picture unit by using the local decoded image Rec which is supplied thereto from the calculation section  214 , and the resulting decoded image is stored in the buffer within the frame memory  215 . Then, the processing is ended. 
       FIG. 25  is a flow chart explaining the motion vector acquiring processing, for acquiring the motion vector from the motion vector information, which is executed in the case where in Step S 269  of  FIG. 24 , the PU as the decoding target is the PU of the color component Cb. 
     In Step S 291  of  FIG. 25 , the acquisition section  211  decides whether or not the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target is the intra BC prediction mode. In the case where pred_mode_flag of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, and PU.IntraBCflag is 1 indicating that the prediction mode of the PU is the intra BC prediction mode, the acquisition section  211  decides that the prediction mode of the PU is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     Then, in Step S 292 , the acquisition section  211  extracts the motion vector information of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target from the prediction information Pinfo which is supplied thereto from the decoding section  210 . 
     In Step S 293 , the acquisition section  211  extracts the motion vector information from the prediction information Pinfo of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target. 
     In Step S 294 , the acquisition section  211  decides whether or not MVCbSameAsLumaflag of the motion vector information extracted in Step S 293  is 1. In the case it is decided in Step S 294  that MVCbSameAsLumaflag is 1, the processing proceeds to Step S 295 . 
     In Step S 295 , the acquisition section  211  sets the motion vector indicated by the motion vector information of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target which is extracted in Step S 292  as the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target. Then, the processing is encoded. 
     On the other hand, in the case it is decided in Step S 294  that MVCbSameAsLumaflag is not 1, the processing proceeds to Step S 296 . 
     In Step S 296 , the acquisition section  211  adds the motion vector indicated by the motion vector information of the PU of the luminance component Y extracted in Step S 292 , and the difference dMVCb of the motion vector information extracted in Step S 295  to each other to obtain the motion vector of the PU of the color component Cb as the decoding target. Then, the processing is ended. 
     Incidentally, in Step S 269  of  FIG. 24 , the motion vector acquiring processing which is executed in the case where the PU as the decoding target is the PU of the color component Cr is similar to the case of the motion vector acquiring processing of  FIG. 25  except that MVCbSameAsLumaflag is replaced with MVCrSameAsLumaflag, and that the difference dMVCb is replaced with the difference dMVCr. 
     (Another Configuration Example of Prediction Information Pinfo) 
     In the above description, the intra BC prediction mode is set as the intra prediction mode system, that is, the mode belonging to the same group as that of the intra prediction mode. However, the intra BC prediction mode may be set as the mode belonging to a group different from that of the intra prediction mode. 
       FIG. 26  is a view depicting an example of a part of a configuration of the prediction information Pinfo in this case. 
     In  FIG. 26 , pred_mode_flag of the prediction information Pinfo is the prediction mode information indicating that the prediction mode of the PU (CU) as the encoding target is the inter prediction mode, the intra prediction mode system (the intra prediction mode, the LMchroma prediction mode, the CrossColor prediction mode), or the intra BC prediction mode. 
     In the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode, similarly to the case of  FIG. 3 , the prediction information Pinfo includes the motion vector (MV) used in the inter prediction processing, ReferenceIndex, and the like. 
     On the other hand, in the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, the prediction information Pinfo includes the intra prediction mode information and the like. In addition, in the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, the prediction information Pinfo includes the motion vector (MV) and the like used in the intra BC prediction. 
     As described above, in the case of  FIG. 26 , since pred_mode_flag can indicate that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, no PU.IntraBCflag is set. 
     It should be noted that the prediction mode information indicating the LMchroma mode, and the prediction mode information indicating the CrossColor prediction mode are similar to these in the case of  FIG. 3 . 
     In addition, the intra BC prediction mode may be set as one of the prediction modes in the intra prediction mode. In this case, for example, when the prediction mode referred to as DC intra prediction, Planar intra prediction, and Angular intra prediction in the intra prediction mode, similarly to the case of HEVC,  35  prediction modes, 36th prediction mode is set as the intra BC prediction mode. 
       FIG. 27  is a view depicting an example of a part of a configuration of the prediction information Pinfo in this case. 
     In  FIG. 27 , pred_mode_flag of the prediction information Pinfo is the information indicating that the prediction mode of the PU (CU) as the encoding target is the inter prediction mode, or the intra prediction mode system (the intra prediction mode, the LMchroma prediction mode, CrossColor prediction mode). 
     In the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the inter prediction mode, pred_mode_flag is the prediction mode information. In this case, the prediction information Pinfo, similarly to the case of  FIG. 3 , includes the motion vector (MV) used in the inter prediction processing, ReferenceIndex, and the like. 
     On the other hand, in the case where pred_mode_flag indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode system, pred_mode_flag and the intra prediction mode information are the prediction mode information. In this case, when the intra prediction mode information is the intra prediction mode information other than the intra BC prediction mode information indicating that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode, the prediction mode information indicates that the prediction mode is the intra prediction mode. Then, the prediction information Pinfo includes the intra prediction mode information and the like other than the intra BC prediction mode information. 
     On the other hand, when the intra prediction mode information is the intra BC prediction mode information, the prediction mode information indicates that the prediction mode is the intra BC prediction mode. Then, the prediction information Pinfo includes the intra BC prediction mode information, the motion vector (MV) used in the intra BC prediction, and the like. 
     As described above, since in the case of  FIG. 27 , the intra BC prediction mode can be indicated by the intra prediction mode information, no PU.IntraBCflag is set. 
     It should be noted that the prediction mode information indicating the LMchroma prediction mode, and the prediction mode information indicating the CrossColor prediction mode are similar to those in the case of FIG.  3 . 
     In addition, in the case where the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) is identical to the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU, DM_LUMA (derived from luma intra mode) mode indicating that the prediction mode of the PU is the same as the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component corresponding to the PU may be generated as the prediction mode information of the PU of the color component Cb (Cr). The DM_LUMA mode is the information indicating whether or not the prediction mode of the PU of the color component Cb (or Cr) is the same as the prediction mode of the PU of the luminance component Y corresponding to the PU. 
     Second Embodiment 
     (Explanation of Computer to which the Present Disclosure is Applied) 
     The series of processing described above can be executed by hardware, or can be executed by software. In the case where the series of processing are executed by the software, a program composing the software is installed in a computer. Here, the computer includes a computer incorporated in a dedicated hardware, for example, a general-purpose personal computer which can perform various kinds of functions by installing various kinds of programs, and the like. 
       FIG. 28  is a block diagram depicting an example of a configuration of hardware of a computer which executes the series of processing in accordance with a program. 
     In a computer  800 , a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  801 , a ROM (Read Only Memory)  802 , a RAM (Random Access Memory)  803  are connected to one another through a bus  804 . 
     An input/output interface  810  is further connected to the bus  804 . An input section  811 , an output section  812 , a storage section  813 , a communication section  814 , and a drive  815  are connected to the input/output interface  810 . 
     The input section  811  includes a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or the like. The output section  812  includes a display, a speaker, an output terminal, or the like. The storage section  813  includes a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, or the like. The communication section  814  includes a network interface or the like. The drive  815  drives a removable medium  821  such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk or a semiconductor memory. 
     In the computer  800  configured in the manner as described above, the CPU  801 , for example, loads a program stored in the storage section  813  into the RAM  803  through the input/output interface  810  and the bus  804 , and executes the program, thereby executing the series of processing described above. 
     The program which is to be executed by the computer  800  (CPU  801 ), for example, can be recorded in the removable medium  821  as a package medium or the like to be provided. In addition, the program can be provided through a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting. 
     In the computer  800 , the drive  815  is equipped with the removable medium  821 , thereby enabling the program to be installed in the storage section  813  through the input/output interface  810 . In addition, the program can be received at the communication section  814  through the wired or wireless transmission medium and can be installed in the storage section  813 . In addition thereto, the program can also be previously installed in the ROM  802  or the storage section  813 . 
     Incidentally, the program which the computer  800  executes may be a program in accordance with which the pieces of processing are executed in time series along the order described in the present description, or may be a program in accordance with which the pieces of processing are executed at a necessary timing such as the time when a call is made. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 29  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a television apparatus to which suitable one of the embodiments described above is applied. The television apparatus  900  is provided with an antenna  901 , a tuner  902 , a demultiplexer  903 , a decoder  904 , a video signal processing section  905 , a display section  906 , an audio signal processing section  907 , a speaker  908 , an external interface (I/F) section  909 , a control section  910 , a user interface (I/F) section  911 , and a bus  912 . 
     The tuner  902  extracts a signal of a desired channel from the broadcasting signal received through the antenna  901 , and demodulates the extracted signal. Then, the tuner  902  outputs an encoded bit stream obtained through the demodulation to the demultiplexer  903 . That is, the tuner  902  has a role as a transmission section in the television apparatus  900  for receiving the encoded stream in which the image is encoded. 
     The demultiplexer  903  separates a video stream and an audio stream of a program of a viewing target from the encoded bit stream, and outputs the video stream and the audio stream which are obtained through the separation to the decoder  904 . In addition, the demultiplexer  903  extracts auxiliary data such as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) from the encoded bit stream, and supplies the data thus extracted to the control section  910 . It should be noted that in the case where the encoded bit stream is scrambled, the demultiplexer  903  may perform the descrambling. 
     The decoder  904  decodes the video stream and the audio stream which are input thereto from the demultiplexer  903 . Then, the decoder  904  outputs the video data generated through the decoding processing to the video signal processing section  905 . In addition, the decoder  904  outputs the audio data generated through the decoding processing to the audio signal processing section  907 . 
     The video signal processing section  905  reproduces the video data input thereto from the decoder  904 , and causes the display section  906  to display thereon a video. In addition, the video signal processing section  905  may cause the display section  906  to display thereon an application screen image which is supplied through a network. In addition, the video signal processing section  905  may execute additional processing such as noise removal for the video data in response to the setting. Moreover, the video signal processing section  905 , for example, may generate an image of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) such as a menu, a button, or a cursor, and may superimpose the image thus generated on the output image. 
     The display section  906  is driven in accordance with a drive signal supplied thereto from the video signal processing section  905  to display thereon a video or an image on a video surface of a display device (for example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an OELD (Organic Electroluminescence Display), or the like). 
     The audio signal processing section  907  executes reproducing processing such as D/A conversion and amplification for the audio data input thereto from the decoder  904 , and causes the speaker  908  to output the sound. In addition, the audio signal processing section  907  may execute additional processing such as the noise removal for the audio data. 
     The external interface section  909  is an interface through which the television apparatus  900  and an external apparatus or a network are connected to each other. For example, the video stream or the audio stream which is received through the external interface section  909  may be decoded by the decoder  904 . That is, the external interface section  909  has also the role as the transmission section in the television apparatus  900  which receives the encoded stream in which the image is encoded. 
     The control section  910  has a processor such as a CPU, and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores therein the program which is to be executed by the CPU, program data, EPG data, data acquired through the network, and the like. The program stored in the memory, for example, is read out by the CPU at the time of activation of the television apparatus  900  to be executed. By executing the program, the CPU controls an operation of the television apparatus  900  in accordance with a manipulation signal, for example, input thereto from the user interface section  911 . 
     The user interface section  911  is connected to the control section  910 . The user interface section  911 , for example, has a button and a switch with which a user manipulates the television apparatus  900 , a reception section receiving a remote control signal, and the like. The user interface section  911  detects a manipulation by the user through these constituent elements to generate a manipulation signal, and outputs the manipulation signal thus generated to the control section  910 . 
     The tuner  902 , the demultiplexer  903 , the decoder  904 , the video signal processing section  905 , the audio signal processing section  907 , the external interface section  909 , and the control section  910  are connected to one another through the bus  912 . 
     In the television apparatus  900  configured in such a manner, the decoder  904  may have a function of the image decoding apparatus  200  described above. In a word, the decoder  904  may decode the encoded data in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the embodiments described above. By adopting such a procedure, the television apparatus  900  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     In addition, in the television apparatus  900  configured in such a manner, the video signal processing section  905 , for example, may encode the image data supplied thereto from the decoder  904 , and may be able to output the resulting encoded data to the outside of the television apparatus  900  through the external interface section  909 . Then, the video signal processing section  905  may have a function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above. In a word, the video signal processing section  905  may encode the image data supplied thereto from the decoder  904  in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the embodiments described above. By adopting such a procedure, the television apparatus  900  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 30  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a portable telephone to which suitable one of the embodiments described above is applied. The portable telephone  920  is provided with an antenna  921 , a communication section  922 , an audio codec  923 , a speaker  924 , a microphone  925 , a camera section  926 , an image processing section  927 , a demultiplexing section  928 , a recording/reproducing section  929 , a display section  930 , a control section  931 , a manipulation section  932 , and a bus  933 . 
     The antenna  921  is connected to the communication section  922 . Each of the speaker  924  and the microphone  925  is connected to the audio codec  923 . The manipulation section  932  is connected to the control section  931 . The communication section  922 , the audio codec  923 , the camera section  926 , the image processing section  927 , the demultiplexing section  928 , the recording/reproducing section  929 , the display section  930 , and the control section  931  are connected to one another through the bus  933 . 
     The portable telephone  920  performs the operations such as the transmission/reception of the audio signal, the transmission/reception of an electronic mail or image data, the imaging of an image, and the recording of data in various operation modes including an audio telephone call mode, a data communication mode, an imaging mode, and a TV phone mode. 
     In the audio telephone call mode, an analog audio signal generated by the microphone  925  is supplied to the audio codec  923 . The audio codec  923  converts the analog audio signal into the audio data, and A/D-converts and compresses the converted audio data. Then, the audio codec  923  outputs the audio data after the compression to the communication section  922 . The communication section  922  encodes and modulates the audio data to generate a transmission signal. Then, the communication section  922  transmits the generated transmission signal to a base station (not depicted) through the antenna  921 . In addition, the communication section  922  amplifies and frequency-converts the wireless signal received through the antenna  921  to acquire a reception signal. Then, the communication section  922  demodulates and decodes the reception signal to generate the audio data, and outputs the generated audio data to the audio codec  923 . The audio codec  923  expands and D/A-converts the audio data to generate an analog audio signal. Then, the audio codec  923  supplies the generated audio signal to the speaker  924  which is in turn caused to output the sound. 
     In addition, in the data communication mode, for example, the control section  931  generates character data composing the electronic mail in response to a manipulation made by the user through the manipulation section  932 . In addition, the control section  931  causes the display section  930  to display thereon characters. In addition, the control section  931  generates electronic mail data in response to a transmission instruction issued from the user through the manipulation section  932 , and outputs the generated electronic mail data to the communication section  922 . The communication section  922  encodes and modulates the electronic mail data to generate a transmission signal. Then, the communication section  922  transmits the generated transmission signal to the base station (not depicted) through the antenna  921 . In addition, the communication section  922  amplifies and frequency-converts the wireless signal received through the antenna  921  to acquire the received signal. Then, the communication section  922  demodulates and decodes the received signal to restore the electronic mail data, and outputs the restored electronic mail data to the control section  931 . The control section  931  causes the display section  930  to display thereon the contents of the electronic mail, and supplies the electronic mail data to the recording/reproducing section  929  to cause the recording/reproducing section  929  to write the electronic mail data to the storage medium. 
     The recording/reproducing section  929  has a readable and writable arbitrary storage medium. For example, the storage medium may be a built-in storage medium such as a RAM or a flash memory, or may be an external-mounted storage medium such as a hard disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or a memory card. 
     In addition, in the imaging mode, for example, the camera section  926  images a subject to generate image data, and outputs the resulting image data to the image processing section  927 . The image processing section  927  encodes an image data input thereto from the camera section  926 , and supplies the encoded stream to the recording/reproducing section  929  to cause the recording/reproducing section  929  to write the encoded stream to the storage medium thereof. 
     Moreover, in the image display mode, the recording/reproducing section  929  reads out the encoded stream recorded in the storage medium, and outputs the encoded stream thus read out to the image processing section  927 . The image processing section  927  decodes the encoded stream input thereto from the recording/reproducing section  929 , supplies the image data to the display section  930  to cause the display section  930  to display thereon the image. 
     In addition, in the TV phone mode, for example, the demultiplexing section  928  multiplexes the video stream encoded by the image processing section  927 , and the audio stream input thereto from the audio codec  923 , and outputs the stream obtained through the multiplexing to the communication section  922 . The communication section  922  encodes and modulates the stream to generate a transmission signal. Then, the communication section  922  transmits the generated transmission signal to the base station (not depicted) through the antenna  921 . In addition, the communication section  922  amplitudes and frequency-converts the wireless signal received through the antenna  921  to acquire the reception signal. The encoded bit stream may be included in each of the transmission signal and the reception signal. Then, the communication section  922  demodulates and decodes the reception signal to restore the stream, and outputs the restored stream to the demultiplexing section  928 . The demultiplexing section  928  separates the video stream and the audio stream from the input stream, and outputs the video stream and the audio stream to the image processing section  927  and the audio codec  923 , respectively. The image processing section  927  decodes the video stream to generate a video data. The video data is supplied to the display section  930 , and the display section  930  displays thereon a series of images. The audio codec  923  expands and D/A-converts the audio stream to generate an analog audio signal. Then, the audio codec  923  supplies the generated analog audio signal to the speaker  924  to cause the speaker  924  to output the sound. 
     In the portable telephone  920  configured in such a manner, for example, the image processing section  927  may have the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above. In a word, the image processing section  927  may encode the image data in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the embodiments described above. By adopting such a procedure, the portable telephone  920  can offers the effects similar to those of the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     In addition, in the portable telephone  920  configured in such a manner, for example, the image processing section  927  may have the function of the image decoding apparatus  200  described above. In a word, the image processing section  927  may decode the encoded data in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the above embodiments. By adopting such a procedure, the portable telephone  920  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 31  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a recording/reproducing apparatus to which suitable one of the embodiments described above is applied. The recording/reproducing apparatus  940 , for example, encodes the audio data and video data of a received broadcasting program, and records the encoded data in a recording medium. In addition, the recording/reproducing apparatus  940 , for example, may encode the audio data and the video data which are acquired from other apparatus, and may recode the encoded data in the recording medium. In addition, the recording/reproducing apparatus  940 , for example, reproduces the data recorded in the recording medium on a monitor and a speaker in accordance with an instruction of the user. At this time, the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  decodes the audio data and the video data. 
     The recording/reproducing apparatus  940  is provided with a tuner  941 , an external interface (I/F) section  942 , an encoder  943 , an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) section  944 , a disk drive  945 , a selector  946 , a decoder  947 , an OSD (On-Screen Display) section  948 , a control section  949 , and a user interface (I/F) section  950 . 
     The tuner  941  extracts a signal of a desired channel from a broadcasting signal received through an antenna (not depicted), and demodulates the extracted signal. Then, the tuner  941  outputs an encoded bit stream obtained through the demodulation to the selector  946 . That is, the tuner  941  has a role as a transmission section in the recording/reproducing apparatus  940 . 
     The external interface section  942  is an interface through which the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  and an external apparatus or a network are connected to each other. The external interface section  942 , for example, may be an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 interface, a network interface, a USB interface, or a flash memory interface, or the like. For example, the video data and the audio data which are received through the external interface section  942  are input to the encoder  943 . That is, the external interface section  942  has the role as the transmission section in the recording/reproducing apparatus  940 . 
     In the case where the video data and the audio data which are input from the external interface section  942  are not encoded, the encoder  943  encodes the video data and the audio data. Then, the encoder  943  outputs the encoded bit stream to the selector  946 . 
     The HDD section  944  records encoded bit stream obtained by compressing content data such as videos and audios, various kinds of programs, and other data in an internal hard disk. In addition, the HDD section  944 , at the time of reproduction of the video and the audio, reads out these pieces of data from the hard disk. 
     The disk drive  945  performs the recording and reading out of the data in and from the mounted recording medium. The recording medium with which the disk drive  945  is equipped, for example, may be a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) disc (DVD-Video, or DVD-RAM (DVD-Random Access Memory), a DVD-R (DVD-Recordable), a DVD-RW (DVD-Rewritable), a DVD+R (DVD+Recordable), a DVD+RW (DVD+Rewritable), or the like), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, or the like. 
     The selector  946 , at the time of recording of the video and the audio, selects the encoded bit stream input thereto from either the tuner  941  or the encoder  943 , and outputs the encoded bit stream thus selected to either the HDD  944  or the disk drive  945 . In addition, the selector  946 , at the time of reproduction of the video and the audio, outputs the encoded bit stream input thereto from either the HDD  944  or the disk drive  945  to the decoder  947 . 
     The decoder  947  decodes the encoded bit stream to generate the video data and the audio data. Then, the decoder  947  outputs the resulting video data to the OSD section  948 . In addition, the decoder  947  outputs the resulting audio data to an external speaker. 
     The OSD section  948  reproduces the video data input thereto from the decoder  947  to display the resulting image. In addition, the OSD section  948 , for example, may superimpose an image of GUI such as a menu, a button or a cursor on the displayed image. 
     The control section  949  has a processor such as a CPU, and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores therein a program which is to be executed by the CPU, program data and the like. The program stored in the memory, for example, is read out by the CPU at the time of activation of the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  to be executed. By executing the program, the CPU, for example, controls an operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  in response to a manipulation signal input thereto from the user interface section  950 . 
     The user interface section  950  is connected to the control section  949 . The user interface section  950 , for example, has a button and a switch for manipulating the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  by the user, a reception section of a remote control signal, and the like. The user interface section  950  detects the manipulation by the user through these constituent elements to generate a manipulation signal, and outputs the resulting manipulation signal to the control section  949 . 
     In the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  configured in such a manner, for example, the encoder  943  may have the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above. In a word, the encoder  943  may encode the image data in accordance with the suitable one of the methods in the embodiment described above. By adopting such a procedure, the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     In addition, in the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  configured in such a manner, for example, the decoder  947  may have the function of the image decoding apparatus  200  described above. In a word, the decoder  947  may decode the encoded data in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the above embodiments. By adopting such a procedure, the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     Sixth Embodiment 
       FIG. 32  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of an imaging apparatus to which suitable one of the embodiments described above is applied. The imaging apparatus  960  images a subject to generate an image, and encodes the image data which is in turn recorded in a recording medium. 
     The imaging apparatus  960  is provided with an optical block  961 , an imaging section  962 , a signal processing section  963 , an image processing section  964 , a display section  965 , an external interface (I/F) section  966 , a memory section  967 , a media drive  968 , an OSD section  969 , a control section  970 , a user interface (I/F) section  971 , and a bus  972 . 
     The optical block  961  is connected to the imaging section  962 . The imaging section  962  is connected to the signal processing section  963 . The display section  965  is connected to the image processing section  964 . The user interface section  971  is connected to the control section  970 . The image processing section  964 , the external interface section  966 , the memory section  967 , the media drive  968 , the OSD section  969 , and the control section  970  are connected to one another through the user interface section  971 . 
     The optical block  961  has a focus lens, a stop mechanism, and the like. The optical block  961  images an optical image of a subject on an imaging surface of the imaging section  962 . The imaging section  962  has an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Derive) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and transforms the optical image imaged on the imaging surface into an image signal as an electric signal through photoelectric transformation. Then, the imaging section  962  outputs the image signal to the signal processing section  963 . 
     The signal processing section  963  executes various pieces of camera signal processing such as knee correction, gamma correction, and color correction for the image signal input thereto from the imaging section  962 . The signal processing section  963  outputs the image data after the camera signal processing to the image processing section  964 . 
     The image processing section  964  encodes the image data input thereto from the signal processing section  963  to generate the encoded data. Then, the image processing section  964  outputs the generated encoded data to either the external interface section  966  or the media drive  968 . In addition, the image processing section  964  decodes the encoded data input thereto either from the external interface section  966  or from the media drive  968  to generate the image data. Then, the image processing section  964  outputs the generated image data to the display section  965 . In addition, the image processing section  964  may output the image data input thereto from the signal processing section  963  to the display section  965 , and may cause the display section  965  to display thereon the image. In addition, the image processing section  964  may superimpose data for display acquired from the OSD section  969  on the image which is to be output to the display section  965 . 
     The OSD section  969 , for example, generates an image of GUI such as a menu, a button or a cursor, and outputs the generated image to the image processing section  964 . 
     The external interface section  966 , for example, is configured in the form of a USB input/output terminal. For example, at the time of printing of an image, the imaging apparatus  960  and a printer are connected to each other through the external interface section  966 . In addition, a drive is connected to the external interface section  966  as may be necessary. For example, a removable medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk can be mounted to the drive, and a program read out from the removable medium can be installed in the imaging apparatus  960 . Moreover, the external interface section  966  may be configured in the form of a network interface which is connected to a network such as a LAN or the Internet. That is, the external interface section  966  has a role as a transmission section in the imaging apparatus  960 . 
     A recording medium mounted to the media drive  968 , for example, may be a readable and writable removable medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory. In addition, the recording medium may be fixedly mounted to the media drive  968  and, for example, a non-transportable storage section such as a built-in hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be configured. 
     The control section  970  has a processor such as a CPU, and memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The memory stores therein a program which is to be executed by the CPU, program data, and the like. The program stored in the memory, for example, is read out at the time of activation of the imaging apparatus  960  by the CPU, and is executed. The CPU executes the program, thereby, for example, controlling the operation of the imaging apparatus  960  in accordance with a manipulation signal input thereto from the user interface section  971 . 
     The user interface section  971  is connected to the control section  970 . The user interface section  971 , for example, has a button, a switch, and the like for manipulating the imaging apparatus  960 . The user interface section  971  detects the manipulation by the user through these constituent elements to generate a manipulation signal, and outputs the resulting manipulation signal to the control section  970 . 
     In the imaging apparatus  960  configured in such a manner, for example, the image processing section  964  may have the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above. In a word, the image processing section  964  may encode the image data in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the above embodiments. By adopting such a procedure, the imaging apparatus  960  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     In addition, in the imaging apparatus  960  configured in such a manner, for example, the image processing section  964  may have the function of the image decoding apparatus  200  described above. In a word, the image processing section  964  may decode the encoded data in accordance with suitable one of the methods described in the above embodiments. By adopting such a procedure, the imaging apparatus  960  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     In addition, the present technology can also be implemented as all the constituent elements mounted to an arbitrary apparatus or an apparatus composing a system, for example, a processor as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) or the like, a module using a plurality of processors or the like, a unit using a plurality of modules or the like, a set in which other functions are further added to a unit, and the like (that is, a configuration of a part of an apparatus).  FIG. 33  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a video set to which the present technology is applied. 
     In recent years, the multi-functionalization of the electronic apparatuses has been progressed. In the development and manufacture of the electronic apparatuses, in the case where a part of the configuration is implemented as sale, offer or the like, not only the case where the implementation is performed as the configuration having one function, but also the case where a plurality of configurations having the associated functions is combined, so that the implementation is performed as one set having a plurality of functions based on the combination have often been seen. 
     The video set  1300  depicted in  FIG. 33  has a such a multi-functionalized configuration, and is obtained by combining a device having a function relating to the encoding or the decoding of the image (one of them is available or both of them may also be available) with a device having other functions relating to the function. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 33 , the video set  1300  has a module group including a video module  1311 , an external memory  1312 , a power management module  1313 , a front end module  1314 , and the like, and a device having associated functions including a connectivity  1321 , a camera  1322 , a sensor  1323 , and the like. 
     In the module, some component functions relating to one another are collected into a component having a cohesive function. Although a concrete physical configuration is arbitrary, for example, it is considered as the module that a plurality of processors having respective functions, electronic circuit elements such as a resistor and a capacitor, other devices, and the like are arranged on a circuit board to be integrated with one another. In addition, with respect to the module, it is also considered that a module is combined with other modules, a processor, and the like to obtain a new module. 
     In the case of an example of  FIG. 33 , the video module  1311  is obtained by combining constituent elements having functions relating to the image processing with one another. The video module  1311  has an application processor, a video processor, a broad-band modem  1333 , and an RF module  1334 . 
     The processor is obtained by integrating constituent elements having predetermined functions on a semiconductor chip with one another based on SoC (System on Chip), and for example, is referred to as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration) or the like. The constituent element having the predetermined function may be a logic circuit (hardware configuration), may be a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and a program executed by using those (software configuration), or may be obtained by combining both of them with each other. For example, the processor may have a logic circuit, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware configuration) in a part thereof, and may be realized by a program (software configuration) executed by a CPU in other functions thereof. 
     The application processor  1331  of  FIG. 33  is a processor for executing an application relating to the image processing. For the purpose of realizing the predetermined function, the application executed in the application processor  1331  not only executes arithmetic operation processing, but also, for example, control a configuration of inside or outside of the video module  1311  such as the video processor  1332  as may be necessary. 
     The video processor  1332  is a processor having a function relating to the encoding/decoding of the image (one of them or both of them). 
     In the broad-band modem  1333 , data (digital signal) which is transmitted through wired or wireless (or both of them) broad-band communication which is made through a broad-band line such as the Internet or a public telephone network, for example, is digital-modulated to be converted into an analog signal, and the analog signal which is received through the broad-band communication is demodulated to be converted into data (digital signal). The broad-band modem  1333 , for example, processes arbitrary information such as the image data which is processed by the video processor  1332 , the stream into which the image data is encoded, the application program, and the set data. 
     The RF module  1334  is a module for performing the frequency transformation, the modulation/demodulation, the amplification, the filter processing, and the like for an RF (Radio Frequency) signal which is transmitted/received through the antenna. For example, the RF module  1334  performs the frequency conversion or the like for a base-band signal provided by the broad-band modem  1333  to generate the RF signal. In addition, for example, the RF module  1334  performs the frequency conversion or the like for the RF signal which is received through the front end module  1314  to generate a base-band signal. 
     It should be noted that as depicted by a dotted line  1341  in  FIG. 33 , the application processor  1331  and the video processor  1332  may be integrated with each other to be configured as one processor. 
     The external memory  1312  is a module which is provided outside the video module  1311  and which has a storage device utilized by the video module  1311 . The storage device of the external memory  1312  may be realized by any physical configuration. However, since, in general, the external memory  1312  is often utilized for storage of large capacity data such as image data of a frame unit, the external memory  1312  is desirably realized by a relatively inexpensive and large capacity semiconductor memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). 
     The power management module  1313  manages and controls the supply of the electric power to the video module  1311  (the constituent elements within the video module  1311 ). 
     The front end module  1314  is a module which provides a front end function (circuits at transmission/reception ends on the antenna side) for the RF module  1334 . As depicted in  FIG. 33 , the front end module  1314 , for example, has an antenna section  1351 , a filter  1352 , and an amplification section  1353 . 
     The antenna section  1351  has an antenna for transmitting/receiving a wireless signal, and a peripheral configuration thereof. The antenna section  1351  transmits a signal supplied thereto from the amplification section  1353  as a wireless signal, and supplies a received wireless signal as an electric signal (RF signal) to the filter  1352 . The filter  1352  executes filter processing or the like for the RF signal which is received through the antenna section  1351 , and supplies the RF signal after execution of the processing to the RF module  1334 . The amplification section  1353  amplifies the RF signal supplied thereto from the RF module  1334  and supplies the RF signal thus amplified to the antenna section  1351 . 
     The connectivity  1321  is a module having a function relating to connection to the outside. A physical configuration of the connectivity  1321  is arbitrary. For example, the connectivity  1321  has a configuration having a communication function other than that complying with a communication standard to which the broad-band modem  1333  corresponds, an external input/output terminal, and the like. 
     For example, the connectivity  1321  may have a module having a communication function complying with a wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802. 11 (for example, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (registered trademark)), NFC (Near Field Communication), or IrDA (IntraRed Data Association), an antenna through which a signal complying with that standard is transmitted/received, and the like. In addition, for example, the connectivity  1321  may have a module having a communication function complying with a wired communication standard such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), or HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), and a terminal complying with that standard. Moreover, for example, the connectivity  1321  may have other data (signal) transmission function or the like such as that of an analog input/output terminal. 
     It should be noted that the connectivity  1321  may include a device of transmission destination of the data (signal). For example, the connectivity  1321  may have a drive (including not only a drive of a removable medium, but also a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an NAS (Network Attached Storage), or the like) for reading out or writing the data from or to a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory or the like. In addition, the connectivity  1321  may have an output device (a monitor, a speaker or the like) for an image or audio. 
     The camera  1322  is a module having a function of imaging a subject, and obtaining image data of the subject. The image data obtained through the imaging with the camera  1322 , for example, is supplied to the video processor  1332  to be encoded. 
     The sensor  1323  is a module having the arbitrary sensor function such as an audio sensor, an ultra-sonic wave sensor, an optical sensor, an illuminance sensor, an infrared ray sensor, an image sensor, a rotation sensor, an angle sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, a magnetic identification sensor, a shock sensor, or a temperature sensor. The data detected with the sensor  1323 , for example, is supplied to the application processor  1331 , and is then utilized by an application or the like. 
     The configuration described as the module in the above may be realized as a processor, or conversely the configuration described as the processor in the above may be realized as a module. 
     In the video set  1300  having the configuration as described above, as will be described later, the present technology can be applied to the video processor  1332 . Therefore, the video set  1300  can be implemented as a set to which the present technology is applied. 
     (Configuration Example of Video Processor) 
       FIG. 34  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of the video processor  1332  ( FIG. 33 ) to which the present technology is applied. 
     In the case of an example of  FIG. 34 , the video processor  1332  has a function of receiving as inputs thereof a video signal and an audio signal, and encoding the video signal and the audio signal in accordance with a predetermined system and a function of decoding the encoded video data and audio data, and reproducing and outputting the video signal and the audio signal. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 34 , the video processor  1332  has a video input processing section  1401 , a first image extending/reducing section  1402 , a second image extending/reducing section  1403 , a video output processing section  1404 , a frame memory  1405 , and a memory control section  1406 . In addition, the video processor  1332  has an encode/decode engine  1407 , video ES (Elementary Stream) buffers  1408 A and  1408 B, and audio ES buffers  1409 A and  1409 B. Moreover, the video processor  1332  has an audio encoder  1410 , an audio decoder  1411 , a multiplexing section (MUX (Multiplexer))  1412 , a demultiplexing section (DMUX (Demultiplexer))  1413 , and a stream buffer  1414 . 
     The video input processing section  1401 , for example, acquires a video signal input thereto from the connectivity  1321  ( FIG. 33 ) or the like, and transforms the video signal into digital image data. The first image extending/reducing section  1402  performs format conversion, extending/reducing processing for an image, and the like for the image data. The second image extending/reducing section  1403  performs the extending/reducing processing, in accordance with the format in a destination of output through the video output processing section  1404 , for the image data, and the format conversion, the extending/reducing processing for the image, and the like similar to those in the first image extending/reducing section  1402 . The video output processing section  1404  performs the format conversion, the conversion into the analog signal, or the like for the image data, and outputs the resulting image data as a reproduced video signal to the connectivity  1321  or the like. 
     The frame memory  1405  is a memory for image data which is shared among the video input processing section  1401 , the first image extending/reducing section  1402 , the second image extending/reducing section  1403 , the video output processing section  1404 , and the encode/decode engine  1407 . The frame memory  1405 , for example, is realized in the form of a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM. 
     The memory control section  1406 , in response to a synchronous signal sent from the encode/decode engine  1407 , controls an access of writing/recording to/from the frame memory  1405  in accordance with access schedule to the frame memory  1405  which is written to the access management table  1406 A. The access management table  1406 A is updated in contents by the memory control section  1406  in response to the pieces of processing executed by the encode/decode engine  1407 , the first image extending/reducing section  1402 , the second image extending/reducing section  1403 , and the like. 
     The encode/decode engine  1407  executes the encode processing of the image data, and the decode processing of the video stream as the data obtained by encoding the image data. For example, the encode/decode engine  1407  encodes the image data read out from the frame memory  1405 , and successively writes the encoded image data as the video stream to the video ES buffer  1408 A. In addition, for example, the encode/decode engine  1407  successively reads out the video streams sent from the video ES buffer  1408 B to decode the video streams thus read out, and successively writes the decoded video streams as the image data to the frame memory  1405 . In the encoding processing or the decoding processing, the encode/decode engine  1407  uses the frame memory  1405  as a work area. In addition, for example, at a timing of start of the processing for each macro block, the encode/decode engine  1407  outputs the synchronous signal to the memory control section  1406 . 
     The video ES buffer  1408 A buffers the video stream generated by the encode/decode engine  1407 , and supplies the resulting video stream to the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412 . The video ES buffer  1408 B buffers the video stream supplied thereto from the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413 , and supplies the resulting video stream to the encode/decode engine  1407 . 
     The audio ES buffer  1409 A buffers the audio stream generated by the audio encoder  1410 , and supplies the resulting audio stream to the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412 . The audio ES buffer  1409 B buffers the audio stream supplied thereto from the demultiplexing section  1413  (DMUX), and supplies the resulting the audio stream to the audio decoder  1411 . 
     The audio encoder  1410 , for example, subjects the audio signal input thereto from the connectivity  1321  or the like, for example, to the digital conversion and, for example, encodes the resulting audio signal in accordance with a predetermined system such as an MPEG audio system or an AC3 (AudioCode number 3) system. The audio encoder  1410  successively writes audio streams as data obtained by encoding the audio signal to the audio ES buffer  1409 A. The audio decoder  1411  decodes the audio stream supplied thereto from the audio ES buffer  1409 B, for example, into the analog signal, converts the resulting audio stream into the analog signal, and supplies the resulting analog signal as the reproduced audio signal to, for example, the connectivity  1321  or the like. 
     The multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  multiplexes or video stream and the audio stream. A method for the multiplexing (that is, the format of a bit stream generated by the multiplexing) is arbitrary. In addition, during the multiplexing, the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  can also add predetermined header information or the like to the bit stream. In a word, the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  can convert the format of the stream by the multiplexing. For example, the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream to convert the resulting stream into a transport stream as a bit stream of a format for transfer. In addition, for example, the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  multiplexes the video stream and the audio stream to convert the resulting stream into data (file data) of a file format for recording. 
     The demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413  demultiplexes the bit stream, in which the video stream and the audio stream are multiplexed, in accordance with a method corresponding to the multiplexing by the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412 . In a word, the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413  extracts the video stream and the audio stream from the bit stream read out from the stream buffer  1414  (the video stream and the audio stream are separated from each other). In a word, the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413  can converts the format of the stream by the demultiplexing (the demultiplexing of the multiplexing by the demultiplexing section (MUX)  1412 ). For example, the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413 , for example, acquires the transport stream supplied thereto from the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333  or the like through the stream buffer  1414 , and demultiplexes the transport stream thus acquired, thereby enabling the resulting stream to be converted into the video stream and the audio stream. In addition, the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413 , for example, acquires the file data read out from the various kinds of recording media by, for example, the connectivity  1321  through the stream buffer  1414 , and demultiplexes the file data thus acquired, thereby enabling the resulting stream to be converted into the video stream and the audio stream. 
     The stream buffer  1414  buffers the bit stream. For example, the stream buffer  1414  buffers the transport stream supplied thereto from the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412 , and supplies the transport stream, for example, to the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333 , or the like at a predetermined timing or in response to a request issued from the outside or the like. 
     In addition, for example, the stream buffer  1414  buffers the file data supplied thereto from the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412 , and supplies the file data, for example, to the connectivity  1321  or the like at a predetermined timing or in response to a request issued from the outside, and causes the connectivity  1321  or the like to record the file data in various kinds of recording media. 
     Moreover, the stream buffer  1414 , for example, buffers the transport stream acquired through the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333  or the like, and supplies the transport stream thus acquired to the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413  at a predetermined timing or in response to a request issued from the outside or the like. 
     In addition, the stream buffer  1414 , for example, buffers the file data read out from various kinds of recording media in the connectivity  1321  or the like, and supplies the file data thus read out to the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413  at a predetermined timing or in response to a request issued from the outside or the like. 
     Next, a description will be given with respect to an example of an operation of the video processor  1332  having such a configuration. For example, the video signal input from the connectivity  1321  or the like to the video processor  1332  is converted into the digital image data in accordance with a predetermined system such as 4:2:2Y/Cb/Cr system or the like in the video input processing section  1401 , and the resulting digital image data is successively written to the frame memory  1405 . The digital image data is read out to either the first image extending/reducing section  1402  or the second image extending/reducing section  1403  is subjected to the format conversion into the predetermined system such as the 4:2:0Y/Cb/Cr system, and the extending/reducing processing, and is written to the frame memory  1405  again. The image data is encoded by the encode/decode engine  1407 , and is then written as the video stream to the video ES buffer  1408 A. 
     In addition, the audio signal input from the connectivity  1321  or the like to the video processor  1332  is encoded by the audio encoder  1410 , and is written as the audio stream to the audio ES buffer  1409 A. 
     The video stream in the video ES buffer  1408 A, and the audio stream in the audio ES buffer  1409 A are read out to the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  to be multiplexed and converted into the transport stream, the file data or the like. After the transport stream generated by the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  is buffered in the stream buffer  1414 , the transport stream thus buffered is output to the external network, for example, through the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333  or the like. In addition, after the file data generated by the multiplexing section (MUX)  1412  is buffered in the stream buffer  1414 , the file data thus buffered, for example, is output to the connectivity  1321  or the like to be recorded in various kinds of recording media. 
     In addition, after the transport stream input from the external network to the video processor  1332  through, for example, the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333  or the like is buffered in the stream buffer  1414 , the transport stream thus buffered is demultiplexed by the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413 . In addition, after the file data which is read out from various kinds of recording media, for example, in the connectivity  1321  or the like and is input to the video processor  1332  is buffered in the stream buffer  1414 , the file data thus buffered is demultiplexed by the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413 . In a word, either the transport stream or the file data input to the video processor  1332  is separated into the video stream and the audio stream by the demultiplexing section (DMUX)  1413 . 
     The audio stream is supplied to the audio decoder  1411  through the audio ES buffer  1409 B and is decoded to reproduce the audio signal. In addition, after the video stream is written to the video ES buffer  1408 B, the video stream is successively read out by the encode/decode engine  1407  to be decoded to be written to the frame memory  1405 . The decoded image data is subjected to the extending/reducing processing by the second image extending/reducing section  1403  to be written to the frame memory  1405 . Then, the decoded image data is read out to the video output processing section  1404  and is format-converted so as to follow a predetermined system such as the 4:2:2Y/Cb/Cr system, and is moreover converted into an analog signal, so that the video signal is reproduced and output. 
     In the case where the present technology is applied to the video processor  1332  configured in such a manner, it is only necessary that the present technology pertaining to the embodiments described above is applied to the encode/decode engine  1407 . In a word, for example, the encode/decode engine  1407  may have the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above or the function of the image decoding apparatus  200  or both the functions. By adopting such a procedure, the video processor  1332  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     It should be noted that in the encode/decode engine  1407 , the present technology (that is, the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above or the function of the image decoding apparatus  200  or both the functions) may be realized by the hardware such as the logic circuits, may be realized by the software such as the incorporated program, or may be realized by both of them. 
     (Another Configuration Example of Video Processor) 
       FIG. 35  depicts another example of a schematic configuration of the video processor  1332  to which the present technology is applied. In the case of the example of  FIG. 35 , the video processor  1332  has a function of encoding/decoding the video data in accordance with a predetermined system. 
     More specifically, as depicted in  FIG. 35 , the video processor  1332  has a control section  1511 , a display interface  1512 , a display engine  1513 , an image processing engine  1514 , and an internal memory  1515 . In addition, the video processor  1332  has a codec engine  1516 , a memory interface  1517 , a multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518 , a network interface  1519 , and a video interface  1520 . 
     The control section  1511  controls operations of the processing sections, within the video processor  1332 , such as the display interface  1512 , the display engine  1513 , the image processing engine  1514 , and the codec engine  1516 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 35 , the control section  1511  has a main CPU  1581 , a sub-CPU  1582 , and a system controller  1533 . The main CPU  1581  executes a program or the like for controlling the operations of the processing sections within the video processor  1332 . The main CPU  1581  generates control signals in accordance with the program or the like, and supplies the control signals to the respective processing sections (in a word, controls the operations of the processing sections). The sub-CPU  1582  plays an auxiliary role of the main CPU  1581 . For example, the sub-CPU  1582  performs a child process, a sub-routine or the like of a program or the like which the main CPU  1581  executes. The system controller  1533  controls the operations of the main CPU  1581  and the sub-CPU  1582  such as the specification of the program which the main CPU  1581  and the sub-CPU  1582  execute, or the like. 
     The display interface  1512  outputs the image data to, for example, the connectivity  1321  or the like under the control by the control section  1511 . For example, the display interface  1512  converts the image data of the digital data into the analog signal, and outputs the analog signal as the reproduced video signal or the image data of the digital data as it is to a monitor apparatus or the like of the connectivity  1321 . 
     The display engine  1513  executes various kinds of pieces of conversion processing such as the format conversion, the size conversion, and the color gamut conversion for the image data so as for the image data to follow the hardware specification of the monitor apparatus or the like for displaying thereon that image under the control of the control section  1511 . 
     The image processing engine  1514  executes the predetermined image processing such as the filter processing for the improvement in the image quality for the image data under the control of the control section  1511 . 
     The internal memory  1515  is a memory, provided inside the video processor  1332 , which is shared by the display engine  1513 , the image processing engine  1514 , and the codec engine  1516 . The internal memory  1515 , for example, is utilized for the exchange of the data which is performed among the display engine  1513 , the image processing engine  1514 , and the codec engine  1516 . For example, the internal memory  1515  stores therein the data which is supplied thereto from the display engine  1513 , the image processing engine  1514 , or the codec engine  1516 , and supplies that data to the display engine  1513 , the image processing engine  1514 , or the codec engine  1516  as may be necessary (for example, in response to the request). The internal memory  1515  may be realized by any storage device. In general, however, the internal memory  1515  is utilized for the storage of the small-capacity data such as the image data or parameters of the block unit in many cases. Therefore, for example, the internal memory  1515  is desirably realized by the semiconductor memory which, although having the relatively small capacity (for example, as compared with the external memory  1312 ), is high in response speed, for example, like an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). 
     The codec engine  1516  executes the processing of the encoding or decoding of the image data. The encoding/decoding system to which the codec engine  1516  corresponds is arbitrary, the number of encoding/decoding system may be one or two or more. For example, the codec engine  1516  may be provided with a codec function of a plurality of encoding/decoding systems, and the encoding of the image data or the decoding of the encoded data may be carried out in accordance with selected one of the plurality of encoding/decoding systems. 
     In the examples depicted in  FIG. 35 , the codec engine  1516 , as the functional blocks of the processing about the codec, for example, has MPEG-2 Video  1541 , AVC/H.264  1542 , HEVC/H. 265  1543 , HEVC/H. 265 (Scalable)  1544 , HEVC/H. 265 (Multi-view)  1545 , and MPEG-DASH  1551 . 
     MPEG-2 Video  1541  is a functional block for encoding or decoding the image data in accordance with the MPEG-2 system. AVC/H. 264  1542  is a functional block for encoding or decoding the image data in accordance with the AVC system. HEVC/H. 265  1543  is a functional block for encoding or decoding the image data in accordance with the HEVC system. HEVC/H. 265 (Scalable)  1544  is a functional block for scalable encoding or scalable decoding the image data in accordance with HEVC system. HEVC/H. 265 (Multi-view)  1545  a functional block for multi-view-decoding or multi-view decoding the image data in accordance with HEVC system. 
     MPEG-DASH  1551  is a functional block for transmitting/receiving the image data in accordance with MPEG-DASH (MPEG-Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) system. MPEG-DASH is the technology for performing the streaming of the video by using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). It is one of the features of the MPEG-DASH that suitable one of a plurality of pieces of previously prepared encoded data in which the resolutions or the like are different from one another is selected in the segment unit and is transmitted. The MPEG-DASH  1551  performs the generation of the stream complying with the standard, the transmission control of the stream, and the like, and with respect to the encoding/decoding of the image data, utilizes MPEG-2 Video  1541  to HEVC/H.265 (Multi-view)  1545 . 
     The memory interface  1517  is an interface for the external memory  1312 . The data supplied from the image processing engine  1514  or the codec engine  1516  is supplied to the external memory  1312  through the memory interface  1517 . In addition, the data read out from the external memory  1312  is supplied to the video processor  1332  (either the image processing engine  1514  or the codec engine  1516 ) through the memory interface  1517 . 
     The multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  carries out the multiplexing or demultiplexing of the various kinds of data relating to the image, such as the bit stream of the encoded data, the image data, and the video signal. The multiplexing/demultiplexing method is arbitrary. For example, during the multiplexing, the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  can not only collect a plurality of pieces of data into one piece of data, but also add the predetermined header information or the like to the one piece of data. In addition, during the demultiplexing, the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  can partition not only the one piece of data into a plurality of pieces of data, but also add the predetermined header information or the like to each of the pieces of data obtained through the partition. In a word, the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  can convert the format of the data by the multiplexing/demultiplexing. For example, the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  can multiplex the bit streams to convert the resulting bit stream into the transport stream as the bit stream of the format for transfer, or the data (file data) of the file format for recording. Needless to say, the inverse conversion thereof can also be performed by the demultiplexing. 
     The network interface  1519 , for example, is an interface for the broad-band modem  1333 , the connectivity  1321  or the like. The video interface  1520 , for example, is an interface for the connectivity  1321 , the camera  1322 , or the like. 
     Next, a description will be given with respect to an example of an operation of such a video processor  1332 . For example, when the transport stream is received from the external network through the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333  or the like, the transport stream is supplied to the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  through the network interface  1519  to be demultiplexed, and is decoded by the codec engine  1516 . The image data obtained through the decoding by the codec engine  1516 , for example, is subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing engine  1514 , is subjected to the predetermined conversion by the display engine  1513 , for example, is supplied to the connectivity  1321  or the like through the display interface  1512 , and the resulting image is displayed on the monitor. In addition, for example, the image data obtained through the decoding by the codec engine  1516  is re-encoded by the codec engine  1516 , and is multiplexed by the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  to be converted into the file data. The resulting file data, for example, is output to the connectivity  1321  or the like through the video interface  1520  to be recorded in various kinds of recording media. 
     Moreover, for example, the file data of the encoded data, obtained through the encoding of the image data, which is read out from a recording medium (not depicted) by the connectivity  1321  or the like is supplied to the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  through the video interface  1520  to be demultiplexed, and is decoded by the codec engine  1516 . The image data obtained through the decoding by the codec engine  1516  is subjected to the predetermined image processing by the image processing engine  1514 , is subjected to the predetermined conversion by the display engine  1513  and, for example, is supplied to the connectivity  1321  or the like through the display interface  1512 . Then, the resulting image is displayed on the monitor. In addition, for example, the image data obtained through the decoding by the codec engine  1516  is re-encoded by the codec engine  1516 , and is multiplexed by the multiplexing/demultiplexing section (MUX DMUX)  1518  to be converted into the transport stream. Then, the resulting transport stream, for example, is supplied to the connectivity  1321 , the broad-band modem  1333  or the like through the network interface  1519 , and is transmitted to another apparatus (not depicted). 
     It should be noted that the exchange of the image data and other data between the processing sections within the video processor  1332 , for example, is carried out by utilizing the internal memory  1515  or the external memory  1312 . In addition, the power management module  1313 , for example, controls the supply of the electric power to the control section  1511 . 
     In the case where the present technology is applied to the video processor  1332  configured in such a manner, it is only necessary that the present technology pertaining to the embodiments described above is applied to the codec engine  1516 . In a word, for example, it is only necessary that the codec engine  1516  has the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  described above or the function of the image decoding apparatus  200  or both of them. By adopting such a procedure, the video processor  1332  can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     It should be noted that in the codec engine  1516 , the present technology (that is, the function of the image encoding apparatus  100 ) may be realized by the hardware such as the logic circuit, may be realized by the software such as the incorporated program, or may be realized by both of them. 
     Although two examples of the configuration of the video processor  1332  have been exemplified so far, the configuration of the video processor  1332  is arbitrary, and thus arbitrary configurations other than the two examples described above may be available. In addition, although the video processor  1332  may be configured in the form of the semiconductor chip, the video processor  1332  may also be configured in the form of a plurality of semiconductor chips. For example, the video processor  1332  may be configured in the form of a three-dimensional lamination LSI in which a plurality of semiconductors is laminated on one another. In addition, the video processor  1332  may be realized as a plurality of LSIs. 
     (Examples of Application to Apparatus) 
     The video set  1300  can be incorporated in various kinds of apparatuses for processing the image data. For example, the video set  1300  can be incorporated in the television apparatus  900  ( FIG. 29 ), the portable telephone  920  ( FIG. 30 ), the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  ( FIG. 31 ), the imaging apparatus  960  ( FIG. 32 ), and the like. By incorporating the video set  1300  in the apparatus, that apparatus can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     It should be noted that even in a case of a part of the constituent elements of the video set  1300  described above, the part can be implemented as the constituent element to which the present technology is applied as long as the part includes the video processor  1332 . For example, only the video processor  1332  can be implemented as the video processor to which the present technology is applied. In addition, for example, the processor, the video module  1311  or the like indicated by a dotted line  1341  as described above can be implemented as the processor module or the like to which the present technology is applied. Moreover, for example, the video module  1311 , the external memory  1312 , the power management module  1313 , and the front end module  1314  can be combined with one another to also be implemented as the video unit  1361  to which the present technology is applied. Any of the configurations can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     In a word, any configuration can be incorporated in the various kinds of apparatuses for processing the image data similarly to the case of the video set  1300  as long as the configuration includes the video processor  1332 . For example, the video processor  1332 , the processor indicated by the dotted line  1341 , the video module  1311 , or the video unit  1361  can be incorporated in the television apparatus  900  ( FIG. 29 ), the portable telephone  920  ( FIG. 30 ), the recording/reproducing apparatus  940  ( FIG. 31 ), the imaging apparatus  960  ( FIG. 32 ), and the like. Then, by incorporating the video set  1300  in any of the apparatuses, the apparatus can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27  similarly to the case of the video set  1300 . 
     Eighth Embodiment 
     In addition, the present technology can also be applied to a network system configured by a plurality of apparatuses.  FIG. 36  depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a network system to which the present technology is applied. 
     The network system  1600  depicted in  FIG. 36  is a system in which apparatuses exchange the information regarding an image (moving image) through the network. A cloud service  1601  of the network system  1600  is a system for providing a service about an image (moving image) for a computer  1611 , an AV (Audio Visual) apparatus  1612 , a portable type information processing terminal  1613 , an IoT (Internet of Things) device  1614  or the like which is transmissibly connected to the cloud service  1601 . For example, the cloud service  1601  provides or supplies service of the contents of the image (moving image) like the so-called moving image delivery (on-demand or live delivery) for a terminal. In addition, for example, the cloud service  1601  provides a backup service for receiving contents of the image (moving image) from the terminal, and storing the contents thus received. In addition, for example, the cloud service  1601  provides a service for mediating the exchange of the contents of the image (moving image) between terminals. 
     A physical configuration of the cloud service  1601  is arbitrary. For example, the cloud service  1601  may have various kinds of services such as a server for preserving and managing a moving image, a server for delivering a moving image to a terminal, a server for acquiring the moving image from the terminals, and a server for managing users (terminals) and charges, and an arbitrary network such as the Internet or a LAN. 
     The computer  1611 , for example, is configured by an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a server or a work station. An AV apparatus  1612 , for example, is configured by an image processing apparatus such as a television receiver, a hard disk recorder, a game apparatus or a camera. The portable type information processing terminal  1613 , for example, is configured by a portable type information processing apparatus such as a note type personal computer, a tablet terminal, a portable telephone, or a smart phone. The IoT device  1614 , for example, is configured by an arbitrary object, for executing processing relating to an image, such as a machine, consumer electronics, furniture, other things, an IC tap, or a card type device. These terminals can have communication functions, respectively, and can be connected to the cloud service  1601  (a session is established), thereby performing the exchange of the information with the cloud service  1601  (performing the communication). In addition, each of the terminals can communicate with another terminal. The communication between the terminals may be performed through the cloud service  1601 , or may be performed without going through the cloud service  1601 . 
     When the present technology is applied to the network system  1600  as described above, and the data of the image (moving image) is exchanged between the terminals or between the terminal and the cloud service  1601 , the image data may be encoded/decoded as described above in the embodiments. In a word, the terminals (the computer  1611  to the IoT device  1614 ), and the cloud service  1601  may have the function of the image encoding apparatus  100  or the image decoding apparatus  200  described above. By adopting such a procedure, the terminals (the computer  1611  to the IoT device  1614 ), or the cloud service  1601  exchanging the image data can achieve the effects similar to those of the embodiments described above by referring to  FIGS. 1 to 27 . 
     Incidentally, the various kinds of pieces of information regarding the encoded data (bit stream) may be multiplexed with the encoded data to be transmitted or recorded, or may be transmitted or recorded as different pieces of data associated with the encoded data without going through being multiplexed with the encoded data. Here, the term “be associated with,” for example, means that when one piece of data is processed, the other data may be utilized (may be linked). In a word, the pieces of data associated with each other may be collected as one piece of data, or may be made individual pieces of data, respectively. For example, the information associated with the encoded data (image) may be transmitted in a transmission path different from that of the encoded data (image). In addition, for example, the information associated with the encoded data (image) may be recorded in a recording medium (or a different recoding area of the same recording medium) different from that for the encoded data (image). It should be noted that the wording “be associated with” may not corresponding to the entire data, but may be a part of the data. For example, the image and the information corresponding to that information may be associated with each other in an arbitrary unit such as a plurality of frames, one frame, or a part within a frame. 
     In addition, as described above, in the present description, the term such as “synthesize,” “multiplex,” “add,” “integrate,” “include,” “store,” “put in,” “plug in,” or “inserted into,” for example, means that a plurality of things is collected into one thing such as that the encoded data and the meta data are collected into one piece of data, and means one method of “be associated with” described above. 
     It should be noted that the effects described in the present description are merely the exemplifications and are by no means limited, and other effects may also be offered. 
     In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure are by no means limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made without departing from the subject matter of the present disclosure. 
     For example, the stricture of each of the CU, the PU and the TU may be a Quad-Tree shaped tree structure. In addition, the picture as the encoding target may not be the YCbCr image, but may be the RGB image. In this case, the luminance component Y, the color component Cb and the color component Cr in the explanation described above, for example, are replaced with a R (red) component, a G (green) component, and a B (blue) component, respectively. 
     In addition, the present disclosure can adopt a configuration of cloud computing in which one function is shared and collaborated by a plurality of apparatuses through a network to be processed. 
     In addition, Steps explained in the flow charts described above can be executed by one apparatus, and in addition thereto, can be shared by a plurality of apparatuses to be executed. 
     Moreover, in the case where a plurality of pieces of processing is included in one Step, the plurality of pieces of processing included in the one Step can be executed by one apparatus, and in addition thereto, can be shared by a plurality of apparatuses to be executed. 
     It should be noted that the present disclosure can also adopt the following constitutions. 
     (1) 
     An image processing apparatus, including an encoding section, in a case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode, encoding information indicating a prediction mode of a color component of the image by using, as a context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     (2) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (1) described above, in which in a case where it is used as the context that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode, the encoding section, encodes the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component in such a way that in a case where the prediction mode of the color component is the intra BC prediction mode, an compression rate becomes high. 
     (3) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (1) or (2) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the prediction mode of the color component is an inter prediction mode, an intra prediction mode, an intra BC prediction mode, an LMchroma prediction mode, or a CrossColor prediction mode. 
     (4) 
     The image processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component is information indicating whether or not the prediction mode of the color component is identical to the prediction mode of the luminance component. 
     (5) 
     The image processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that in a case where the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is valid, the encoding section encodes information indicating whether or not the intra BC prediction mode of the color component is valid. 
     (6) 
     The image processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5) described above, further including a generation section, in a case where the prediction mode of each of the luminance component and the color component is the intra BC prediction mode, generating motion vector information indicating a motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component based on a motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component. 
     (7) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (6) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the motion vector information is information indicating that the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component is identical to the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component. 
     (8) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (6) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the motion vector information is a difference between the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component, and the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component. 
     (9) 
     An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus, including an encoding step of, in a case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode, encoding information indicating a prediction mode of a color component of the image by using, as a context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     (10) 
     An image processing apparatus, including a decoding section, in a case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode, decoding information indicating a prediction mode of a color component of the image by using, as a context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     (11) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (10) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that in a case where it is used as the context that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode, the decoding section decodes information indicating the prediction mode of the color component which is encoded such that in a case where the prediction mode of the color component is the intra BC prediction mode, a compression rate becomes high. 
     (12) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (10) or (11) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the prediction mode of the color component is an inter prediction mode, an intra prediction mode, an intra BC prediction mode, an LMchroma prediction mode, or a CrossColor prediction mode. 
     (13) 
     The image processing apparatus according to any one of (10) to (12) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the information indicating the prediction mode of the color component is information indicating whether or not the prediction mode of the color component is identical to the prediction mode of the luminance component. 
     (14) 
     The image processing apparatus according to any one of (10) to (13) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that in a case where the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component is valid, the decoding section decodes information indicating whether or not the intra BC prediction mode of the color component is valid. 
     (15) 
     The image processing apparatus according to any one of (10) to (14) described above, further including an acquisition section, in a case where the prediction mode of each of the luminance component and the color component is the intra BC prediction mode, acquiring motion vector information indicating a motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component, the motion vector information being generated based on the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component. 
     (16) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (15) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the motion vector information is information indicating that the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component is identical to the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component, and 
     the acquisition section sets the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component as the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component based on the motion vector information. 
     (17) 
     The image processing apparatus according to (15) described above, in which a configuration is made in such a way that the motion vector information is a difference between the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component and the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component, and 
     the acquisition section sets an addition value of the difference, and the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the luminance component as the motion vector used in the prediction processing of the intra BC prediction mode of the color component based on the motion vector information. 
     (18) 
     An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus, including a decoding step of, in a case where a prediction mode of a luminance component of an image is an intra BC prediction mode, decoding information indicating a prediction mode of a color component of the image by using, as a context, that the prediction mode of the luminance component is the intra BC prediction mode. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               100  . . . Image encoding apparatus,  101  . . . Control section,  114  . . . Encoding section,  200  . . . Image decoding apparatus,  210  . . . Decoding section,  211  . . . Acquisition section