Abstract: With an image coding method which allows reduction of processing loads, when pictures included in a video signal are classified into layers so as to belong to their respective layers, a picture that belongs to the second layer that is located in a range restricted according to the first layer to which a current picture to be coded that is one of the pictures belongs, is referred to as a reference picture for the current picture, and the current picture is coded based on the reference picture.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: The multilayer video signal decoding method according to the present invention is characterised in that whether or not a corresponding picture in a lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer is determined on the basis of a time level identifier for the lower layer, and if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, inter layer prediction of the current picture is carried out using the corresponding picture, and the current picture is restored using a prediction sample obtained by means of inter layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture.

Abstract: A scalable video signal decoding method according to the present invention is characterised in that whether or not a corresponding picture in a lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer is determined on the basis of a time level identifier for the lower layer, and if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, inter layer prediction of the current picture is carried out using the corresponding picture, and the current picture is restored using a prediction sample obtained by means of inter layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture.

Abstract: A method for decoding a multi-layer video signal, according to the present invention, determines whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, on the basis of a temporal level identifier of the lower layer, performs inter-layer prediction for the current picture by using the corresponding picture if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, reconstructs the current picture by using a prediction sample acquired through the inter-layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture, and selectively applies a loop filter to a tile boundary of the reconstructed current picture on the basis of a layer filter flag for the upper layer.

Abstract: A scalable video signal decoding method, according to the present invention, determines a corresponding picture belonging to a lower layer used for an inter-layer prediction of a current picture belonging to an upper layer, performs the inter-layer prediction of the current picture by using the corresponding picture of the determined lower layer, restores the current picture by using a prediction sample acquired through the inter-layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture, and selectively applies a loop filter to a tile boundary of the restored current picture on the basis of a layer filter flag for the upper layer.

Abstract: A method for decoding a scalable video signal, according to the present invention, comprises: determining a corresponding picture belonging to a lower layer, which is used for inter-layer prediction of a current picture belonging to an upper layer; and performing inter-layer prediction of the current picture by using the determined corresponding picture in the lower layer, wherein the inter-layer prediction is limitedly performed depending on tile alignment between the upper layer and the lower layer.

Abstract: A scalable video signal decoding method, according to the present invention, determines a corresponding picture belonging to a lower layer used for an inter-layer prediction of a current picture belonging to an upper layer, and performs the inter-layer prediction of the current picture by using the corresponding picture in the determined lower layer, wherein the inter-layer prediction is restrictively performed according to a tile boundary alignment flag indicating whether tiles between the upper layer and the lower layer are aligned.

Abstract: A method for decoding a multi-layer video signal, according to the present invention, determines whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, on the basis of a time level identifier of the lower layer, and restrictively performs inter-layer prediction for the current picture on the basis of a tile boundary alignment flag indicating whether tile alignment is performed between the upper layer and the lower layer if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer.

Abstract: A method for decoding a scalable video signal, according to the present invention, comprises: determining whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, based on a temporal level identifier of the lower layer; and performing inter-layer prediction of the current picture using the corresponding picture, when the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, wherein the inter-layer prediction is limitedly performed depending on tile alignment between the upper layer and the lower layer.

Abstract: A method comprising: associating a first set of data units into a first bitstream partition and associating a second set of data units into a second bitstream partition, where the first set comprises data units different from those of the second set; inputting the first bitstream partition into a first buffer; inputting the second bitstream partition into a second buffer; obtaining buffering parameters for at least one of the second bitstream partition and the second buffer; and using the buffering parameters in at least one of inputting the second bitstream partition into the second buffer and outputting from the second buffer.

Abstract: A video processing method includes generating a first down-sampled block by down-sampling a first block included in a first frame; generating a plurality of second down-sampled blocks by down-sampling a second block included in a second frame; selecting one of the plurality of second down-sampled blocks by comparing the first down-sampled block and each of the plurality of second down-sampled blocks; and determining, based on the first down-sampled block and the one selected second down-sampled block, a motion vector whereby the second block points to the first block, wherein the plurality of second down-sampled blocks are generated using down-sampling methods that are different from each other with respect to samples of the second block.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a scalable video encoder to generate a scalable bitstream is provided that includes encoding the video sequence in a first layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a first sub-bitstream, encoding the video sequence in a second layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a second sub-bitstream, wherein portions of the video sequence being encoded in the second layer encoder are predicted using reference portions of the video sequence encoded in the first layer encoder, combining the first sub-bitstream and the second sub-bitstream to generate the scalable bitstream, and signaling in the scalable bitstream an indication of a maximum decoded picture buffer (DPB) size needed for decoding the second sub-bitstream and the first sub-bitstream when the second sub-bitstream is a target sub-bitstream for decoding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compressing and decompressing video files are provided. The system includes a digital recording device configured to transfer a digital video feed to a computing device. The system can be applied to the archival and compression of closed-circuit television (CCTV) files. The system includes hardware configured to store and read machine readable instructions. The machine readable instructions-cause the processor to access the digital video feed, extract a series of image files from the digital video feed, organize image files from the series of image files into a grouping of image files, compress the grouping of image files into a singular compressed file, decompress the singular compressed file, extract the number of image files from the decompressed file, and organize the extracted number of image files into a playable video file. The compression may involve use of the Lempel-Ziv-Markov chain algorithm 2 (LZMA2) compression method.

Abstract: A method comprising encoding a bitstream comprising a base layer, a first enhancement layer and a second enhancement layer; encoding an indication of both the base layer and the first enhancement layer used for prediction for the second enhancement layer in the bitstream; encoding, in the bitstream, an indication of a first set of prediction types that is applicable from the base layer to the second enhancement layer, wherein the first set of prediction types is a subset of all prediction types available for prediction between layers, and encoding, in the bitstream, an indication of a second set of prediction types that is applicable from the base layer or the first enhancement layer to the second enhancement layer, wherein the second set of prediction types is a subset of all prediction types available for prediction between layers.

Abstract: An image encoding method includes: determining respective decoding times of a plurality of pictures included in a motion picture such that decoding times of a plurality of lower layer picture which do not belong to a highest layer of a plurality of layers are spaced at regular intervals, and decoding timing for each of the plurality of lower layer pictures is identical between a case where the plurality of encoded pictures included in the motion picture are decoded and a case where only the plurality of lower layer pictures are decoded, encoding each of the plurality of pictures included in the motion picture in accordance with the encoding order according to the determined respective decoding times, and generating an encoded stream including the plurality of encoded pictures and the determined respective decoding times for the plurality of pictures.

Abstract: A video image decoding device executes a separation process for extracting, from encoded video image data including multiple images, first encoded data obtained by encoding reduced images of first images included in the multiple images, and second encoded data obtained by encoding second images included in the multiple images, executes a first decoding process for decoding the reduced images of the first images from the first encoded data, executes a second decoding process for decoding the second images from the second encoded data, executes a recording process that includes recording first region included in the reduced images, the first region including motions with respect to the second images immediately preceding the first images, and executes a synthesis process for reproducing the multiple images by modifying second region in the second images immediately preceding the first images in accordance with the first region.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: A system and method for upload and synchronization of media content captured by an electronic device to a cloud based media service are disclosed. In one embodiment, the captured media content is partitioned into multiple media segments by the electronic device. Further, the multiple media segments are uploaded and synchronized to the cloud based media service via a cloud based sharing service in the electronic device.

Abstract: The invention provides the techniques and systems that allow for an accurate positioning of a human in a virtual or augmented reality scene based on monocular video of an object without the need for multiple cameras, specialized equipment or robotic models of the human anatomy. The object is modeled by assigning reference points to elements of the object and identifying anchor points and initial reference points. Based on two dimensional coordinates of the anchor points, two dimensional coordinates of the anchor points not contained in the subset of initial reference points are calculated, and based on the anchor points, a depth value is calculated for each anchor point, and three dimensional position values are assigned to each of the anchor points. Based on the three dimensional position value of an adjacent reference point, a three dimensional position value is iteratively assigned to each of the remaining reference points.

Abstract: A method for distributing a load, according to one embodiment, includes: identifying characteristics of each of frames included in a received bit stream; and distributing loads of a plurality of cores based on the characteristics of each of the frames whenever the frames are decoded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for performing massively parallel processing (MPP) large-scale combinations of time series data.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a source computer to generate an encoded video stream having layered sub-streams with differing bitrates while allowing a streaming server to intelligently distribute the appropriate sub-streams to recipients based on their available bandwidth. This may be accomplished by having the source computer generate and send metadata along with the encoded stream to allow the streaming server to detect which data packets belong to each sub-stream. The streaming server is then able to selectively send consistent video sub-streams at appropriate bitrates to each recipient.

Abstract: In one example, a device for decoding video data includes a memory configured to store video data and a video decoder configured to determine that a motion prediction candidate for a current block of video data indicates that motion information is to be derived for sub-blocks of the current block, in response to the determination: partition the current block into the sub-blocks, for each of the sub-blocks, derive motion information using motion information for at least two neighboring blocks, and decode the sub-blocks using the respective derived motion information.

Abstract: A method for adaptive streaming of video data over a network is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by one or more decoders of a video streaming client, first video information of a video data stream with one or more operations of first complexity. The method further includes obtaining client-related information based at least in part on a decoding capability of the video streaming client related to decoding the first video information with the one or more operations of the first complexity by the one or more decoders. The method also includes using, by the video streaming client, the client-related information to cause the video streaming from the video streaming server to the video streaming client to be adapted to a different overall bit rate and based at least in part on the client-related information.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to code video information includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The memory is configured to store video information associated with a reference layer and an enhancement layer, the reference layer associated with a reference layer (RL) codec and the enhancement layer associated an enhancement layer (EL) codec. The processor is configured to determine whether the RL codec associated with the reference layer is a particular type of codec, and in response to determining that the RL codec is a particular type of codec, process, in a video bitstream, an indication that motion information of the reference layer cannot be used to code the enhancement layer. The processor may encode or decode the video information.

Abstract: In one example, a device for processing video data includes a memory for storing an enhancement layer of video data coded according to an extension of a video coding standard, and one or more processors configured to decode a hierarchy extension descriptor for an elementary stream including the enhancement layer, wherein the hierarchy extension descriptor includes data representative of two or more reference layers on which the enhancement layer depends, wherein the two or more reference layers include a first enhancement layer, conforming to a first scalability dimension, and a second enhancement layer, conforming to a second scalability dimension, and wherein the first scalability dimension is different than the second scalability dimension, and to process the video data based at least in part on the data representative of the two or more reference layers.

Abstract: A method (20) is disclosed performed in an encoder (40) for encoding video pictures into a video bit stream, the method (20) comprising: obtaining (21) a transformed version (2?; 12?, 13?) of a reference picture (2; 12, 13), by using a geometric transformation comprising at least one of: scaling, rotation, shearing, reflection, and projection; performing (22) a matching procedure at least once, the matching procedure comprising matching a reference matching area (6; 15, 16) of the reference picture (2; 12, 13) to a matching area (4; 16, 15) of a second picture (1; 13, 12) and matching a reference matching area (6?; 15?, 16?) of the transformed version (2?; 12?, 13?) to the matching area (4; 16, 15) of the second picture (1; 13, 12); and encoding (23) a block (3; 14) of the current picture (1; 11) by selecting for the block (3; 14) a first prediction area (5; 15, 16) based on the reference matching area (6; 15, 16) or a second prediction area (5?; 15?, 16?) based on the transformed reference matching area (6?;

Abstract: A system for encoding and/or decoding a video bitstream that includes a base bitstream and enhancement bitstreams representative of a video sequence. The receiver receives a video parameter set and a video parameter set extension, where the video parameter set extension includes decoder picture buffer parameters.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting a low-resolution stream, buffering a high-resolution stream in a buffer memory, receiving a request for a high-resolution media item, retrieving the high-resolution media item from the buffer memory based on the frame numbers, and transmitting the high-resolution media item. The request includes one or more frame numbers based on the low-resolution stream.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: Coding syntaxes in compliance with same or different VDR specifications may be signaled by upstream coding devices such as VDR encoders to downstream coding devices such as VDR decoders in a common vehicle in the form of RPU data units. VDR coding operations and operational parameters may be specified as sequence level, frame level, or partition level syntax elements in a coding syntax. Syntax elements in a coding syntax may be coded directly in one or more current RPU data units under a current RPU ID, predicted from other partitions/segments/ranges previously sent with the same current RPU ID, or predicted from other frame level or sequence level syntax elements previously sent with a previous RPU ID. A downstream device may perform decoding operations on multi-layered input image data based on received coding syntaxes to construct VDR images.

Abstract: A method for encoding a video sequence in a scalable video encoder to generate a scalable bitstream is provided that includes encoding the video sequence in a first layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a first sub-bitstream, encoding the video sequence in a second layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a second sub-bitstream, wherein portions of the video sequence being encoded in the second layer encoder are predicted using reference portions of the video sequence encoded in the first layer encoder, combining the first sub-bitstream and the second sub-bitstream in the scalable bitstream, and signaling an indication of a highest temporal level of the first sub-bitstream comprising at least one of the reference portions in the scalable bitstream.

Abstract: A video content distribution method is provided that comprises transmitting, by a video content distribution server, an initial portion of a scalable video file associated with a video to a mobile communication device via a first communication channel, transmitting an additional portion of the scalable video file to the mobile communication device via a second communication channel, and reconstructing, by the mobile communication device, at least some of the scalable video file based on reconstruction data using the initial portion and the additional portion of the scalable video file. The method also comprises playing, by the mobile communication device, at least a portion of the video at an initial resolution and frame rate based on the initial portion of the scalable video file and at least a portion of the video at an improved resolution and frame rate based on the reconstructed at least some of the scalable video file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of Intra mode coding for a scalable video coding system are disclosed. For a current Intra-coded block in the enhancement layer (EL), predictive coding is applied to the current Intra mode based on the base layer (BL) coding mode associated with the co-located block in the BL and neighboring coding modes associated with neighboring blocks of the current block in the EL. The neighboring blocks of the current block in the EL comprise a left block adjacent to a left side of the current block and a top block adjacent to a top side of the current block. One or more most probable modes (MPMs) can be derived from the neighboring coding modes and the BL coding mode, and the MPMs is then used for predictive coding of the current Intra mode.

Abstract: The entropy coding of a current part of a predetermined entropy slice is based on, not only, the respective probability estimations of the predetermined entropy slice as adapted using the previously coded part of the predetermined entropy slice, but also probability estimations as used in the entropy coding of a spatially neighboring, in entropy slice order preceding entropy slice at a neighboring part thereof. Thereby, the probability estimations used in entropy coding are adapted to the actual symbol statistics more closely, thereby lowering the coding efficiency decrease normally caused by lower-delay concepts. Temporal interrelationships are exploited additionally or alternatively.

Abstract: A method for decoding a multi-layer video signal, according to the present invention, determines whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, on the basis of a temporal level identifier of the lower layer, performs inter-layer prediction for the current picture by using the corresponding picture if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, reconstructs the current picture by using a prediction sample acquired through the inter-layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture, and selectively applies a loop filter to a tile boundary of the reconstructed current picture on the basis of a layer filter flag for the upper layer.

Abstract: A method for decoding a multi-layer video signal, according to the present invention, determines whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, on the basis of a time level identifier of the lower layer, and restrictively performs inter-layer prediction for the current picture on the basis of a tile boundary alignment flag indicating whether tile alignment is performed between the upper layer and the lower layer if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer.

Abstract: A method for decoding a multi-layer video signal, according to the present invention, determines whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, on the basis of a temporal level identifier of the lower layer, performs inter-layer prediction for the current picture by using the corresponding picture if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, reconstructs the current picture by using a prediction sample acquired through the inter-layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture, and selectively applies a loop filter to a tile boundary of the reconstructed current picture on the basis of a layer filter flag for the upper layer.

Abstract: The multilayer video signal decoding method according to the present invention is characterized in that whether or not a corresponding picture in a lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer is determined on the basis of a time level identifier for the lower layer, and if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, inter layer prediction of the current picture is carried out using the corresponding picture, and the current picture is restored using a prediction sample obtained by means of inter layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture.

Abstract: A scalable video signal decoding method, according to the present invention, determines a corresponding picture belonging to a lower layer used for an inter-layer prediction of a current picture belonging to an upper layer, and performs the inter-layer prediction of the current picture by using the corresponding picture in the determined lower layer, wherein the inter-layer prediction is restrictively performed according to a tile boundary alignment flag indicating whether tiles between the upper layer and the lower layer are aligned.

Abstract: A method for decoding a multi-layer video signal, according to the present invention, determines whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, on the basis of a time level identifier of the lower layer, and restrictively performs inter-layer prediction for the current picture on the basis of a tile boundary alignment flag indicating whether tile alignment is performed between the upper layer and the lower layer if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer.

Abstract: A method for enforcing traffic signal compliance includes acquiring a series of temporal related image frames including a target area. Each image frame includes pixel data representative of the target area. The method includes generating one or more motion vectors between two or more of the image frames. The motion vectors are the type produced by compressing the pixel data associated with the two or more image frames. The method includes associating a cluster of motion vectors with a vehicle. The method further includes tracking a position of the vehicle across the two or more image frames. Using the tracking results, the method includes determining whether the vehicle stops in the target area. For the vehicle being determined as not stopping, the method includes signaling an occurrence of noncompliance.

Abstract: A method for tone-mapping a High Dynamic Range (HDR) data video stream encoded in MPEG format, the method comprising decoding the data video HDR data stream to generate decoded I-frames, auxiliary decoded data related to P-Frames, and auxiliary decoded data related to B-Frames, the method further comprising applying a tone mapping function to each decoded I-Frame to provide a tone-mapped I-Frame according to a tone mapping operator, for each P-frame depending on a reference I-frame, computing the tone-mapped P-frame from the tone-mapped I-Frame previously determined for the reference I-frame, the reference I-Frame, and the auxiliary decoding data related to the P-Frame; and, for each B-frame, computing the tone-mapped B-frame from the tone mapped I-frame previously determined for the reference I-frame, the tone mapped P-frame previously determined for the reference P-frame, and the auxiliary decoding data related to the B-Frame.

Abstract: A method for decoding a scalable video signal, according to the present invention, comprises: determining a corresponding picture belonging to a lower layer, which is used for inter-layer prediction of a current picture belonging to an upper layer; and performing inter-layer prediction of the current picture by using the determined corresponding picture in the lower layer, wherein the inter-layer prediction is limitedly performed depending on tile alignment between the upper layer and the lower layer.

Abstract: A method for decoding a scalable video signal, according to the present invention, comprises: determining whether a corresponding picture in a lower layer is used as an inter-layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer, based on a temporal level identifier of the lower layer; and performing inter-layer prediction of the current picture using the corresponding picture, when the corresponding picture in the lower layer is used as the inter-layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, wherein the inter-layer prediction is limitedly performed depending on tile alignment between the upper layer and the lower layer.

Abstract: A scalable video signal decoding method, according to the present invention, determines a corresponding picture belonging to a lower layer used for an inter-layer prediction of a current picture belonging to an upper layer, performs the inter-layer prediction of the current picture by using the corresponding picture of the determined lower layer, restores the current picture by using a prediction sample acquired through the inter-layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture, and selectively applies a loop filter to a tile boundary of the restored current picture on the basis of a layer filter flag for the upper layer.

Abstract: The multilayer video signal decoding method according to the present invention is characterized in that whether or not a corresponding picture in a lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer is determined on the basis of a time level identifier for the lower layer, and if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, inter layer prediction of the current picture is carried out using the corresponding picture, and the current picture is restored using a prediction sample obtained by means of inter layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture.

Abstract: A scalable video signal decoding method according to the present invention is characterized in that whether or not a corresponding picture in a lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for a current picture in an upper layer is determined on the basis of a time level identifier for the lower layer, and if the corresponding picture in the lower layer is being used as an inter layer reference picture for the current picture in the upper layer, inter layer prediction of the current picture is carried out using the corresponding picture, and the current picture is restored using a prediction sample obtained by means of inter layer prediction and a residual sample of the current picture.

Abstract: An image decoding method decodes a coded stream which includes processing units and a header of the processing units, and which is generated by coding a moving picture using inter prediction. The processing units includes at least one processing unit divided in a hierarchy, the hierarchy including a highest hierarchical layer in which a coding unit exists as a largest processing unit and a lower hierarchical layer in which a prediction unit exists. The method includes identifying, by parsing hierarchy depth information stored in the header and indicating a hierarchical layer higher than a lowest hierarchical layer in which a smallest prediction unit exists, a hierarchical layer which is indicated by the hierarchy depth information or a hierarchical layer higher than the indicated hierarchical layer. The hierarchical layer includes a prediction unit in which a reference index is stored. The prediction unit is decoded using the reference index.