IMAGE ENCODING DEVICE, IMAGE ENCODING METHOD, IMAGE DECODINGDEVICE, IMAGE DECODING METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE

摘要

The motion compensation prediction using a virtual sample is used for detection of a motion vector in each area and the virtual sample accuracy is locally decided by relating it to the area size of each motion vector detection unit. For example, in the motion vector detection unit area of siz es 8 .times. 4, 4 .times. 8, 4 .times. 4 smaller than 8 .times. 8 MC, a virtual sample of half pixel accuracy is used, and in the motion vector detection un it area of 8 .times. 8 MC or above, a virtual sample of quarter pixel accuracy is used. Thus, it is possible to reduce the memory band width required for generating a virtual sample for each of the modes 8 .times. 4, 4 .times. 8, 4 .times. 4 MC and simplify the device.