Encoder, decoder, encoding method, and decoding method

1. An encoder which encodes image information and outputs a bitstream in which the image information has been encoded, the encoder comprising:

memory; and

circuitry accessible to the memory,

wherein the circuitry accessible to the memory:

binarizes the image information;

switches whether or not to apply arithmetic encoding to a binary data string in which the image information has been binarized;

when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string, applies arithmetic encoding to the binary data string, and outputs the bitstream which includes the binary data string to which arithmetic encoding has been applied;

when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string, skips applying arithmetic encoding to the binary data string, and outputs the bitstream which includes the binary data string to which arithmetic encoding has not been applied;

when binarizing the image information, binarizes frequency transform coefficient information which is related to frequency components of an image and included in the image information, according to different binarization formats between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string; and

when binarizing the image information, binarizes a part or an entirety of prediction parameter information which is related to prediction methods of the image and included in the image information, according to a common binarization format between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string,

wherein the circuitry binarizes at least one of the following kinds of information included in the prediction parameter information: information related to coding modes, information related to prediction directions in intra prediction, information related to reference pictures in inter prediction, and information related to motion vectors in inter prediction, according to the common binarization format between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string.

2. The encoder according to claim 1 ,

wherein the circuitry binarizes the following kinds of information included in the prediction parameter information: information related to coding modes, information related to prediction directions in intra prediction, information related to reference pictures in inter prediction, and information related to motion vectors in inter prediction, according to the common binarization format between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string.

3. The encoder according to claim 1 ,

wherein, when binarizing the image information, the circuitry binarizes only the frequency transform coefficient information in the image information according to the different binarization formats, and binarizes all information other than the frequency transform coefficient information in the image information according to the common binarization format.

4. The encoder according to claim 1 ,

wherein, when binarizing the image information, the circuitry binarizes the frequency transform coefficient information according to a format which generates a smaller number of bits when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string than when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string.

5. An encoding method for encoding image information and outputting a bitstream in which the image information has been encoded, the encoding method comprising:

binarizing the image information;

switching whether or not to apply arithmetic encoding to a binary data string in which the image information has been binarized;

when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string, applying arithmetic encoding to the binary data string, and outputting the bitstream which includes the binary data string to which arithmetic encoding has been applied;

when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string, skipping applying arithmetic encoding to the binary data string, and outputting the bitstream which includes the binary data string to which arithmetic encoding has not been applied;

in the binarizing of the image information, binarizing frequency transform coefficient information which is related to frequency components of an image and included in the image information, according to different binarization formats between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string; and

in the binarizing of the image information, binarizing a part or an entirety of prediction parameter information which is related to prediction methods of the image and included in the image information, according to a common binarization format between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string,

wherein the binarizing of the image information includes binarizing at least one of the following kinds of information included in the prediction parameter information: information related to coding modes, information related to prediction directions in intra prediction, information related to reference pictures in inter prediction, and information related to motion vectors in inter prediction, according to the common binarization format between when arithmetic encoding is applied to the binary data string and when arithmetic encoding is not applied to the binary data string.