Abstract: There is provided a picture encoding device that encodes a picture and encodes a difference quantization parameter in a unit of a quantization coding block which is divided from the picture and is a management unit of a quantization parameter. A quantization parameter calculator derives a quantization parameter of the quantization coding block to be encoded. A prediction quantization parameter derivation unit derives a prediction quantization parameter using the quantization parameters of a plurality of quantization coding blocks which precede the quantization coding block to be encoded in order of encoding. A difference quantization parameter generator derives a difference quantization parameter of the quantization coding block to be encoded, using a difference between the quantization parameter of the quantization coding block to be encoded and the prediction quantization parameter. A first bitstream generator encodes the difference quantization parameter of the quantization coding block to be encoded.

Abstract: In a moving picture coding device that further divides a first block acquired by dividing each picture of a moving picture into a predetermined size into one or a plurality of second blocks and codes the moving picture in units of blocks, a quantization parameter calculation unit calculates a quantization parameter of the second block. A predictive quantization parameter deriving unit derives a predictive quantization parameter of the second block by using the quantization parameter of one or a plurality of third blocks that are neighboring to the second block. The predictive quantization parameter deriving unit derives the predictive quantization parameter of the second block by using a quantization parameter of a fourth block coded before the second block in a case where the third block neighboring to the second block is located at a position beyond a boundary of the first block.

Abstract: In a moving picture coding device that codes moving pictures in units of a block by partitioning a first block, which is obtained by partitioning each picture of the moving pictures into predetermined sizes, into one or a plurality of second blocks, a quantization parameter calculation unit calculates a quantization parameter of the second block. A predictive quantization parameter deriving unit derives a predictive quantization parameter of the second block using quantization parameters of a third block adjacent to the left of the second block and a fourth block adjacent to the top of the second block. A differential quantization parameter generation unit generates a differential quantization parameter of the second block from a difference between the quantization parameter of the second block and the predictive quantization parameter. A first bitstream generation unit codes the differential quantization parameter of the second block.

Abstract: A prediction information derivation unit derives inter prediction information candidates from inter prediction information of coded prediction blocks neighboring a prediction block subject to coding within the same picture as the prediction block subject to coding and inter prediction information of a prediction block in a coded picture that is different from the prediction block subject to coding. The prediction information derivation unit determines an inter prediction information candidate to be used for inter prediction of the prediction block subject to coding from the inter prediction information candidates that have been derived. A second bitstream generation uni codes an index that indicates the inter prediction information candidate based on the number of the inter prediction information candidates.

Abstract: An image signal encoding unit generates image encoded data by encoding a plurality of images from multiple viewpoints different from each other. A depth information encoding unit (e.g., a depth signal encoding unit) generates depth information encoded data by encoding depth information that indicates the depth of a specific space from at least one viewpoint. A unitization unit generates an encoded stream including the image encoded data and depth information encoded data, which are respectively generated by the image signal encoding unit and the depth information encoding unit.

Abstract: A motion vector predictor candidate generation unit derives a plurality of motion vector predictor candidates by prediction from first coded prediction blocks neighboring a prediction block subject to coding within the same picture as the prediction block subject to coding, or from a second coded prediction block located at the same position as or in the neighborhood of the prediction block subject to coding in a picture different from that of the prediction block subject to coding, and adds the derived motion vector predictor candidates in a motion vector predictor candidate. The motion vector predictor candidate generation unit determines, for the purpose of obtaining a predetermined number of motion vector predictor candidates, which of first coded prediction blocks provides the motion vector from which to derive the motion vector predictor candidate, organizing the blocks in the order of priority.

Abstract: An intra prediction mode selecting unit selects an intra prediction mode for a block subject to coding. A most probable mode list construction unit constructs, using intra prediction modes for multiple reference blocks, a list of most probable modes having a certain number of elements for any block subject to coding, irrespective of the number of different intra prediction modes for multiple coded blocks. A most probable mode index calculating unit calculates, when the intra prediction mode for a block subject to coding is probable, information identifying the most probable mode according to the list. A non-probable mode index calculating unit calculates, when the intra prediction mode for a block subject to coding is not probable, information identifying the non-probable mode according to the list.

Abstract: A first vector predictor candidate list generating unit generates a first motion vector predictor candidate list from motion vectors of encoded neighboring blocks to blocks to be encoded. A second vector predictor candidate list generating unit generates a second motion vector predictor candidate list from motion vectors of blocks at the same positions as the blocks to be encoded in an encoded image and neighboring blocks to the blocks at the same positions. A combination determining unit determines whether to generate a third vector predictor candidate list combining the first and second vector predictor candidate lists by comparison of a block size of the blocks to be encoded and a threshold size. A vector predictor candidate list deciding unit generates the third vector predictor candidate list from the first vector predictor candidate list.

Abstract: A displacement vector detection unit searches for a signal with high correlation with an encoding target block using a locally-decoded image in an already encoded block so as to calculate, using a signal with the highest correlation as a displacement prediction signal, a displacement vector. A reduced-image displacement vector detection unit searches for a signal with high correlation with the encoding target block using a signal resulting from performing reduction at least either horizontally or vertically for the locally-decoded image in an already encoded block so as to obtain, using the signal with the highest correlation as the displacement prediction signal, the displacement vector indicating the displacement in a screen between a reduced encoding target block and a reduction displacement prediction signal. Then a signal with high correlation with the encoding target block from the displacement prediction signal and the reduction displacement prediction signal is selected as a prediction signal.

Abstract: A disparity vector detection unit retrieves a signal having a high correlation with an encoding target block and acquire the signal having the high correlation and a disparity vector which is a disparity in a screen of the encoding target block by using a local decoded image of a block in the same image signal which was previously encoded, with respect to the encoding target block. A disparity prediction signal generation unit generates a prediction signal in accordance with the disparity vector. The disparity vector detection unit includes a DC calculation unit operative to predict a DC component of an image signal of the encoding target block from a neighboring decoded image, and a disparity reference DC calculation unit operative to calculate a DC component of a prediction signal represented by the disparity vector.

Abstract: A displacement vector detection unit searches for a signal with high correlation with an encoding target block using a locally-decoded image in an already encoded block so as to calculate, using a signal with the highest correlation as a displacement prediction signal, a displacement vector. A reduced-image displacement vector detection unit searches for a signal with high correlation with the encoding target block using a signal resulting from performing reduction at least either horizontally or vertically for the locally-decoded image in an already encoded block so as to obtain, using the signal with the highest correlation as the displacement prediction signal, the displacement vector indicating the displacement in a screen between a reduced encoding target block and a reduction displacement prediction signal. Then a signal with high correlation with the encoding target block from the displacement prediction signal and the reduction displacement prediction signal is selected as a prediction signal.

Abstract: A video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. An input video signal is spatially scaled down into a resolution-lowered video signal that exhibits a resolution lower than the video signal. The resolution-lowered video signal is encoded with a decoding procedure to obtain first coded data and a decoded signal. The decoded signal is spatially scaled up through a high-resolution procedure with reference to the input video signal so that the decoded signal has a smaller error with respect to the input video signal, to obtain a high-resolution scaled-up video signal. The input video signal is encoded through inter-spatial resolution prediction using the high-resolution scaled-up video signal as a predictive signal, to obtain second coded data that exhibits a resolution higher than the resolution-lowered video signal.

Abstract: A multi-view video signal is encoded. The multi-view video signal includes picture signals corresponding to different viewpoints respectively. One among the viewpoints is designated as a base viewpoint. The base viewpoint corresponds to a picture signal which is encoded without referring to at least one picture signal corresponding to one of the viewpoints except the base viewpoint. There is determined a desired delay time of the start of decoding a coded signal originating from each of the picture signals corresponding to the viewpoints except the base viewpoint relative to the start of decoding a coded signal originating from the picture signal corresponding to the base viewpoint. Information representing the determined delay time is generated. Then, the generated information is encoded.

Abstract: An image signal encoding unit 107 generates image encoded data by encoding a plurality of images from multiple viewpoints different from each other. A depth information encoding unit (e.g., a depth signal encoding unit 108) generates depth information encoded data by encoding depth information that indicates the depth of a specific space from at least one viewpoint. A unitization unit 109 generates an encoded stream including the image encoded data and depth information encoded data, which are respectively generated by the image signal encoding unit 107 and the depth information encoding unit.

Abstract: An input video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. The input video signal is spatially scaled down to a resolution-lowered video signal that exhibits a resolution lower than the video signal. The resolution-lowered video signal is encoded by using a quantization parameter, with a decoding procedure, thus obtaining first coded data and a decoded signal. The decoded signal is spatially scaled up through a high-resolution procedure for controlling high-frequency components estimation depending on the quantization parameter, thus obtaining a high-resolution scaled-up video signal. The input video signal is encoded through inter-spatial resolution prediction using the high-resolution scaled-up video signal as a predictive signal, thus obtaining second coded data that exhibits a resolution higher than the resolution-lowered video signal.

Abstract: An input video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. Decoded is a given signal coded at a lower coding layer lower than a specific coding layer among the plurality of coding layers to generate a decoded signal of the lower coding layer. Spatial interpolation is applied to the decoded signal of the lower coding layer to generate an upscaled decoded video signal. The spatial interpolation is an upscaling procedure to upscale the decoded signal of the lower coding layer into a spatial resolution of the specific coding layer. A spatial high-frequency components estimation and scale up procedure is applied to the decoded signal of the lower coding layer to generate a high-frequency components signal. The upscaled decoded video signal and the high-frequency components signal are subtracted from the input video signal exhibiting a spatial resolution of the specific coding layer to produce a predictive-error signal.

Abstract: A multi-view video signal is encoded. The multi-view video signal includes picture signals corresponding to different viewpoints respectively. One among the viewpoints is designated as a base viewpoint. The base viewpoint corresponds to a picture signal which is encoded without referring to at least one picture signal corresponding to one of the viewpoints except the base viewpoint. There is determined a desired delay time of the start of decoding a coded signal originating from each of the picture signals corresponding to the viewpoints except the base viewpoint relative to the start of decoding a coded signal originating from the picture signal corresponding to the base viewpoint. Information representing the determined delay time is generated. Then, the generated information is encoded.

Abstract: In a video signal encoding and recording apparatus, a video signal is quantized into a quantization-resultant signal in response to a variable quantization scale. The quantization-resultant signal is recorded on a recording medium. The quantization scale is controlled in response to an encoding rate. The quantization scale is limited to within a range determined by a limit quantization scale. A remaining record capacity of the recording medium is measured. A remaining record time is measured. The encoding rate and the limit quantization scale are updated in response to the measured remaining record capacity and the measured remaining record time.

Abstract: An input video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. The input video signal is spatially scaled down to a resolution-lowered video signal that exhibits a resolution lower than the video signal. The resolution-lowered video signal is encoded by using a quantization parameter, with a decoding procedure, thus obtaining first coded data and a decoded signal. The decoded signal is spatially scaled up through a high-resolution procedure for controlling high-frequency components estimation depending on the quantization parameter, thus obtaining a high-resolution scaled-up video signal. The input video signal is encoded through inter-spatial resolution prediction using the high-resolution scaled-up video signal as a predictive signal, thus obtaining second coded data that exhibits a resolution higher than the resolution-lowered video signal.

Abstract: A video signal is encoded at a plurality of coding layers exhibiting different spatial resolutions. An input video signal is spatially scaled down into a resolution-lowered video signal that exhibits a resolution lower than the video signal. The resolution-lowered video signal is encoded with a decoding procedure to obtain first coded data and a decoded signal. The decoded signal is spatially scaled up through a high-resolution procedure with reference to the input video signal so that the decoded signal has a smaller error with respect to the input video signal, to obtain a high-resolution scaled-up video signal. The input video signal is encoded through inter-spatial resolution prediction using the high-resolution scaled-up video signal as a predictive signal, to obtain second coded data that exhibits a resolution higher than the resolution-lowered video signal.