Patent ID: 7233704

Claim:
An image coding method comprising: estimating motion vectors between an input image to be coded and a reference image; synthesizing a prediction image of the input image using the motion vectors and the reference image; generating a difference image by calculating a difference between the input image and the prediction image; and outputting coded information of the input image including information related to the difference image and the motion vectors, wherein said synthesizing the prediction image includes calculating intensity values at points where no pixels actually exist in the reference image by interpolation, wherein said interpolation is done using a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method, when the input image is coded as a P frame, wherein said interpolation is done using a predetermined rounding method which is a positive rounding method or a negative rounding method, when the input image is coded as a B frame, and wherein said coded information of the input image outputted includes information specifying the routing method used in said interpolation when the input image is coded as a P frame.