Patent ID: 8660192

Claim:
A picture decoding method comprising: decoding a current coded picture signal to obtain a motion vector and quantized values; inverse-quantizing the quantized values to obtain frequency coefficients; inverse-frequency-transforming the frequency coefficients to obtain pixel differential values; generating a predictive image based on the motion vector and a reference picture stored in a decoded picture buffer; adding the pixel differential values and the predictive image to obtain a decoded picture; determining whether the decoded picture is a reference picture which is to be referred to decode a following coded picture signal or a non-reference picture which is not to be referred to decode any following coded picture signal based on the current coded picture signal; judging, if the decoded picture is determined to be a non-reference picture, whether or not the decoded non-reference picture can be displayed prior to one or more decoded pictures stored in the decoded picture buffer; storing the decoded non-reference picture in the decoded picture buffer without outputting the decoded non-reference picture prior to any decoded picture stored in the decoded picture buffer which is to be outputted before the decoded non-reference picture if the decoded non-reference picture cannot be displayed prior to one or more decoded pictures stored in the decoded picture buffer; and storing the decoded picture in the decoded picture buffer if the decoded picture is determined to be a reference picture; wherein said storing of the decoded reference picture and said storing of the decoded non-reference picture that cannot be displayed prior to one or more decoded pictures stored in the decoded picture buffer comprises, if the decoded picture buffer does not have an empty space for another decoded picture, finding an area of the decoded picture buffer in which a decoded picture is stored with an earliest display order and not to be used for reference after said decoding of the non-reference picture to overwrite the another decoded picture onto the decoded picture stored in the decoded picture buffer with an earliest display order and not to be used for reference after said decoding of the non-reference picture, and wherein said storing of the decoded reference picture and said storing of the decoded non-reference picture that cannot be displayed prior to one or more decoded pictures stored in the decoded picture buffer comprises storing the decoded reference picture and the decoded non-reference picture that cannot be displayed prior to one or more decoded pictures stored in the decoded picture buffer in a same area of the decoded picture buffer.