MOTION PREDICTION APPARATUS AND METHOD

A motion prediction method and apparatus that can reduce an input/output band width during a single-pixel estimation and a half-pixel estimation employing a hierarchical algorithm. In the method and apparatus, a motion in a single pixel unit is repeatedly retrieved in accordance with a position information detected dependently at a plurality of layers with respect to an input image, and the input image is coded and decoded. Then, a motion in a single and half pixel unit for a decoded reconstructed image is estimated at a certain layer in the plurality of layers. The method and apparatus is capable of reducing a calculation amount required for the motion prediction in a single pixel unit as well as reducing an input/output band width during the single-pixel and half-pixel estimation employing the hierarchical algorithm.