Image decoding device, image decoding method, integrated circuit, and receiving device

An image decoding method used by an image decoding device which decodes, through a decoding process including motion compensation, encoded data that is obtained by encoding a moving image and which includes an image memory storing a reference picture that is subject to the motion compensation,

• wherein an access restriction serving as specifications of the image memory is such that when an image of a part of the reference picture is obtained as an obtaining target image from the image memory, the number of pixels to be obtained is equal to or larger than the number of pixels forming the obtaining target image,
• said image decoding method comprising:
• obtaining, from the image memory, a reference block showing an image of a part of the reference picture, by accessing the image memory according to the access restriction so as to obtain the obtaining target image from the image memory, the number of pixels forming the image shown by the reference block being larger than the number of pixels forming the obtaining target image;
• judging whether or not an additional pixel required for the motion compensation is necessary, the additional pixel not being included in a plurality of pixels forming the image shown by the reference block;
• performing an interpolation process to generate at least one additional pixel, generating a reference image to be used for the motion compensation using the generated at least one additional pixel and at least a part of the image shown by the reference block, and outputting the reference image, when the additional pixel is judged to be necessary in said judging, and outputting at least a part of the image shown by the reference block as the reference image when the additional pixel is judged to be unnecessary in said judging;
• and
• performing the motion compensation using the outputted reference image.

An integrated circuit which decodes, through a decoding process including motion compensation, encoded data that is obtained by encoding a moving image, said integrated circuit comprising

• an image memory configured to store a reference picture that is subject to the motion compensation,
• wherein an access restriction serving as specifications of said image memory is such that when an image of a part of the reference picture is obtained as an obtaining target image from said image memory, the number of pixels to be obtained is equal to or larger than the number of pixels forming the obtaining target image,
• said integrated circuit further comprising:
• an image obtaining unit configured to obtain, from said image memory, a reference block showing an image of a part of the reference picture, by accessing said image memory according to the access restriction so as to obtain the obtaining target image from said image memory, the number of pixels forming the image shown by the reference block being larger than the number of pixels forming the obtaining target image;
• a judging unit configured to judge whether or not an additional pixel required for the motion compensation is necessary, the additional pixel not being included in a plurality of pixels forming the image shown by the reference block;
• an interpolating unit configured:
• to perform an interpolation process for generating at least one additional pixel, to generate a reference image to be used for the motion compensation using the generated at least one additional pixel and at least a part of the image shown by the reference block, and to output the reference image, when said judging unit judges that the additional pixel is necessary;
• and to output at least a part of the image shown by the reference block as the reference image when said judging unit judges that the additional pixel is unnecessary;
• and
• a motion compensating unit configured to perform the motion compensation using the outputted reference image.

A receiving device which receives a bitstream using a broadcast wave, said receiving device comprising:

• a data obtaining unit configured to obtain moving image data from the bitstream;
• an image decoding unit configured to obtain a moving image by decoding, through a decoding process including motion compensation, the obtained moving image data;
• and
• an output control unit configured to output the moving image,
• wherein said image decoding unit includes
• an image memory configured to store a reference picture that is subject to the motion compensation,
• wherein an access restriction serving as specifications of said image memory is such that when an image of a part of the reference picture is obtained as an obtaining target image from said image memory, the number of pixels to be obtained is equal to or larger than the number of pixels forming the obtaining target image, and
• said image decoding unit further includes:
• an image obtaining unit configured to obtain, from said image memory, a reference block showing an image of a part of the reference picture, by accessing said image memory according to the access restriction so as to obtain the obtaining target image from said image memory, the number of pixels forming the image shown by the reference block being larger than the number of pixels forming the obtaining target image;
• a judging unit configured to judge whether or not an additional pixel required for the motion compensation is necessary, the additional pixel not being included in a plurality of pixels forming the image shown by the reference block;
• an interpolating unit configured:
• to perform an interpolation process for generating at least one additional pixel, to generate a reference image to be used for the motion compensation using the generated at least one additional pixel and at least a part of the image shown by the reference block, and to output the reference image, when said judging unit judges that the additional pixel is necessary;
• and to output at least a part of the image shown by the reference block as the reference image when said judging unit judges that the additional pixel is unnecessary;
• and
• a motion compensating unit configured to perform the motion compensation using the outputted reference image.