Image decoding device and image encoding device

An image encoding device which codes a picture on a block-by-block basis, said image encoding device comprising:

• a coding unit operable to sequentially code each block included in the picture;
• a decoding unit operable to sequentially decode the coded block, every time the block is coded by said coding unit;
• a storage unit in which each block decoded by said decoding unit is stored;
• a filter unit operable to apply filtering processing to each block decoded by said decoding unit;
• a first executing unit operable to store the decoded block into said storage unit every time the block is decoded by said decoding unit, and to apply the filtering processing to the block stored in said storage unit, by said filter unit;
• a second executing unit operable to apply the filtering processing to the decoded block by said filter unit, every time the block is decoded by said decoding unit;
• and
• a switch control unit operable to switch between an operation performed by said first executing unit and an operation performed by said second executing unit.

An image decoding method of decoding a coded picture on a block-by-block basis, said image decoding method comprising:

• a decoding step of sequentially decoding each block included in the coded picture;
• a first executing step of storing the decoded block into a storage medium, every time the block is decoded in said decoding step, and of applying filtering processing to the block stored in the storage medium;
• a second executing step of applying the filtering processing to the decoded block, every time the block is decoded in said decoding step;
• and
• a switch controlling step of switching between an operation performed in said first executing step and an operation performed in said second executing step.

An image coding method of coding a picture on a block-by-block basis, said image coding method comprising:

• a coding step of sequentially coding each block included in the picture;
• a decoding step of sequentially decoding the coded block, every time the block is coded in said coding step;
• a first executing step of storing the decoded block into a storage medium every time the block is decoded in said decoding step, and of applying filtering processing to the block stored in the storage medium;
• and
• a second executing step of applying the filtering processing to the decoded block, every time the block is decoded in said decoding step;
• and
• a switch controlling step of switching between an operation performed in said first executing step and an operation performed in said second executing step.

An integrated circuit which decodes a coded picture on a block-by-block basis, said integrated circuit comprising:

• a decoding unit operable to sequentially decode each block included in the coded picture;
• a storage unit in which each block decoded by said decoding unit is stored;
• a filter unit operable to apply filtering processing to each block decoded by said decoding unit;
• a first executing unit operable to store the decoded block into said storage unit every time the block is decoded by said decoding unit, and to apply the filtering processing to the block stored in said storage unit, by said filter unit;
• a second executing unit operable to apply the filtering processing to the decoded block by said filter unit, every time the block is decoded by said decoding unit;
• and
• a switch control unit operable to switch between an operation performed by said first executing unit and an operation performed by said second executing unit.

An integrated circuit which codes a picture on a block-by-block basis, said integrated circuit comprising:

• a coding unit operable to sequentially code each block included in the picture;
• a decoding unit operable to sequentially decode the coded block, every time the block is coded by said coding unit;
• a storage unit operable in which each block decoded by said decoding unit is stored;
• a filter unit operable to apply filtering processing to each block decoded by said decoding unit;
• a first executing unit operable to store the decoded block into said storage unit, every time the block is decoded by said decoding unit, and to applying the filitering processing to the block stored in said storage unit, by said filter unit;
• a second executing unit operable to apply the filtering processing to the decoded block by said filter unit, every time the block is decoded by said decoding unit;
• and
• a switch control unit operable to switch between an operation performed by said first executing unit and an operation performed by said second executing unit.