Image processing apparatus and method

An image processing method,

• wherein when a spatial prediction motion vector is generated with a prediction motion vector used for decoding of a motion vector of a current block of an image being as a target, an image processing apparatus prohibits use of a motion vector of a top right block located adjacent to top right of the current block;
• generates a spatial prediction vector of the current block, using a motion vector other than the motion vector of the top right block which is prohibited from being used, with a motion vector of a spatial adjacent block located adjacent to the current block in terms of space being as a target;
• and
• decodes the motion vector of the current block, using the prediction motion vector of the current block.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an adjacent motion vector information setting unit which, when a spatial prediction motion vector is generated with a prediction motion vector used for encoding of a motion vector of a current block of an image being as a target, prohibits use of a motion vector of a top right block located adjacent to top right of the current block;
• a prediction motion vector generation unit which generates a spatial prediction vector of the current block, using a motion vector other than the motion vector of the top right block which is prohibited from being used by the adjacent motion vector information setting unit, with a motion vector of a spatial adjacent block located adjacent to the current block in terms of space being as a target;
• and
• a motion vector encoding unit which encodes the motion vector of the current block, using the prediction motion vector of the current block.

An image processing method,

• wherein when a spatial prediction motion vector is generated with a prediction motion vector used for encoding of a motion vector of a current block of an image being as a target, an image processing apparatus prohibits use of a motion vector of a top right block located adjacent to top right of the current block;
• generates a spatial prediction vector of the current block, using a motion vector other than the motion vector of the top right block which is prohibited from being used, with a motion vector of a spatial adjacent block located adjacent to the current block in terms of space being as a target;
• and
• encodes the motion vector of the current block, using the prediction motion vector of the current block.