Video encoding method and apparatus, video decoding method and apparatus, programs therefor, and storage media for storing the programs

A video decoding method that decodes encoded data generated by assigning a plurality of images to a plurality of GOPs which correspond to different viewing positions or directions, and encoding images belonging to the GOPs as a video image, the method comprising:

• a GOP encoding/non-encoding data decoding step of decoding GOP encoding/non-encoding data for indicating whether the encoded data of each image belonging to a given GOP is to be decoded;
• and
• an in-GOP image decoding step in which:
• if the GOP encoding/non-encoding data indicates that the encoded data of a relevant image is to be decoded, the relevant image is decoded by decoding the encoded data;
• and
• if the GOP encoding/non-encoding data indicates that the encoded data of the relevant image is not to be decoded, the relevant image is decoded by using an image generation method which does not use the encoded data of this image:
• wherein when a subject is included in said images belonging to the GOPs and the GOP encoding/non-encoding data indicates that the encoded data of the relevant image is not to be decoded, image data of the subject having a viewing position or direction which corresponds to the given GOP is generated using data of the images belonging to the GOPs other than the given GOP.

A video encoding apparatus that assigns a plurality of images to a plurality of GOPs which correspond to different viewing positions or directions, and encodes images belonging to the GOPs as a video image, the apparatus comprising:

• a GOP encoding determination part in which:
• if it is determined that each image belonging to a given GOP can be generated on a decoding side without using encoded data of a relevant image, the GOP encoding determination part determines that the relevant image is not encoded and no encoded data thereof is output;
• and
• if it is determined that each image belonging to the given GOP cannot be generated on a decoding side unless encoded data of the relevant image is used, then the GOP encoding determination part determines that the relevant image is encoded and the encoded data thereof is output;
• a GOP encoding/non-encoding data encoding part for encoding GOP encoding/non-encoding data for indicating whether the encoded data of the image belonging to the given GOP is output;
• and
• an in-GOP image encoding part for encoding the image belonging to the given GOP when the encoded data of the image is output:
• wherein when a subject is included in said images belonging to the GOPs and the GOP encoding determination part determines that the relevant image of the given GOP is not encoded, image data of the subject having a viewing position or direction which corresponds to the given GOP is generated using data of the images belonging to the GOPs other than the given GOP.

A video decoding apparatus that decodes encoded data generated by assigning a plurality of images to a plurality of GOPs which correspond to different viewing positions or directions, and encoding images belonging to the GOPs as a video image, the apparatus comprising:

• a GOP encoding/non-encoding data decoding part for decoding GOP encoding/non-encoding data for indicating whether the encoded data of each image belonging to a given GOP is to be decoded;
• and
• an in-GOP image decoding part in which:
• if the GOP encoding/non-encoding data indicates that the encoded data of a relevant image is to be decoded, the in-GOP image decoding part decodes the relevant image by decoding the encoded data;
• and
• if the GOP encoding/non-encoding data indicates that the encoded data of the relevant image is not to be decoded, the in-GOP image decoding part decodes the relevant image by using an image generation method which does not use the encoded data of this image:
• wherein when a subject is included in said images belonging to the GOPs and the GOP encoding/non-encoding data indicates that the encoded data of the relevant image is not to be decoded, image data of the subject having a viewing position or direction which corresponds to the given GOP is generated using data of the images belonging to the GOPs other than the given GOP.