Patent ID: 7206347

Claim:
A decoding method comprising: decoding a coded picture signal to obtain a decoded picture; determining whether the decoded picture is a reference picture or a non-reference picture based on the 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 a decoded picture buffer; and 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, wherein said storing of the decoded non-reference picture comprises, if the decoded picture buffer does not have an empty space for the decoded non-reference picture, removing a 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 to obtain an empty space, and storing the decoded non-reference picture in the empty space.