Patent ID: 7428668

Claim:
A decoding method, comprising: detecting a synchronization code at a plurality of predetermined periodic synchronization code inserting positions in an input code string, the input code string including a multiplexed code string obtained by multiplexing a plurality of variable length code strings, each of the plurality of variable length code strings having a code capable of being decoded in forward and backward directions, the code being generated by compressing and coding an image signal, the input code string having a stuffing code capable of being decoded in backward direction; demultiplexing the multiplexed code string in the input code string based on a position of the detected synchronization code to generate the variable length code; decoding the generated variable length code to output a reproduced image signal; and detecting an error in the input code string by decoding the input code string and comparing a decoding end position of a code string positioned immediately before the stuffing code with a start position of the stuffing code, the decoding end position of a code string being identified by decoding the code string in a forward direction, and the start position of the stuffing code being identified by decoding the stuffing code in the backward direction.