Patent ID: 8306126

Claim:
A moving picture decoding apparatus for decoding encoded data in each of blocks forming an image, comprising: a prediction unit capable of executing prediction, for a block as an object of decoding, in accordance with both intra-prediction method in which a predicted image is generated using a locally decoded image of a previously-decoded neighboring block and a prediction method based on reduced image in which a predicted image is generated using said block as the object of decoding that has been decoded and reduced; a decoding unit for using the predicted image provided by the prediction unit for decoding; and a prediction method identifying unit for identifying prediction method from prediction method information identifying the prediction method used for said block as the object of decoding; wherein said prediction unit executes prediction in accordance with the prediction method identified by said prediction method identifying unit, said prediction unit includes an up-sampling unit for enlarging decoded reduced image of the block and generating a predicted image of the block, said decoding unit uses the predicted image provided by said up-sampling unit for decoding when said prediction method identifying unit identifies, as the prediction method used for said block as the object of decoding, said prediction method based on reduced image, and said decoded reduced image is subjected to intra-prediction using an intra-prediction unit and then encoded.