Image encoding method, image decoding method, image encoding device, image decoding device, and image encoding/decoding device

An image decoding method for decoding, on a per field basis, a plurality of pictures classified into a plurality of layers for which reference from a picture belonging to a higher layer to a picture belonging to a lower layer is prohibited, the plurality of pictures including at least one picture that is decoded as a temporal sub-layer access (TSA) picture for which predetermined reference is prohibited, the image decoding method comprising:

• identifying whether a current picture included in the plurality of pictures is the TSA picture;
• decoding the plurality of pictures according to whether the current picture is the TSA picture;
• and
• decoding a picture type indicating whether the current picture is the TSA picture;
• wherein the identifying includes identifying the current picture as the TSA picture according to the decoded picture type when the current picture does not belong to a highest layer in the plurality of layers and corresponds to a first field that is decoded earlier than a second field in a pair of fields in a frame.

An image encoding device which encodes, on a per field basis, a plurality of pictures classified into a plurality of layers for which reference from a picture belonging to a higher layer to a picture belonging to a lower layer is prohibited, the plurality of pictures including at least one picture that is encoded as a temporal sub-layer access (TSA) picture for which predetermined reference is prohibited, the image encoding device comprising:

• a determining unit configured to determine whether a current picture included in the plurality of pictures is the TSA picture;
• and
• an encoding unit configured to encode the plurality of pictures according to whether the current picture is the TSA picture,
• wherein the encoding unit is configured to encode a picture type indicating whether the current picture is the TSA picture, and the determining unit is configured to determine the current picture to be the TSA picture when the current picture does not belong to a highest layer in the plurality of layers and corresponds to a first field that is encoded earlier than a second field in a pair of fields in a frame.

An image decoding device which decodes, on a per field basis, a plurality of pictures classified into a plurality of layers for which reference from a picture belonging to a higher layer to a picture belonging to a lower layer is prohibited, the plurality of pictures including at least one picture that is decoded as a temporal sub-layer access (TSA) picture for which predetermined reference is prohibited, the image decoding device comprising:

• an identifying unit configured to identify whether a current picture included in the plurality of pictures is the TSA picture;
• and
• a decoding unit configured to decode the plurality of pictures according to whether the current picture is the TSA picture,
• wherein the decoding unit is configured to decode a picture type indicating whether the current picture is the TSA picture, and the identifying unit is configured to identify the current picture as the TSA picture according to the decoded picture type when the current picture does not belong to a highest layer in the plurality of layers and corresponds to a first field that is decoded earlier than a second field in a pair of fields in a frame.