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US 2001/0017889 A1Published application
Motion compensated interpolation
AssigneeLeitch Europe Limited
InventorTIMOTHY JOHN BORER
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AssigneeLeitch Europe Limited
InventorTIMOTHY JOHN BORER
Estimating the term…
This invention provides a way of performing improved motion compensated interpolation of moving images, such as television, using motion vectors of variable reliability. By taking into account the reliability of the motion vectors, produced by a separate motion estimation device, a subjectively pleasing interpolation can be produced. This is in contrast to simple motion compensated interpolation, taking no account of motion vector reliability, which is often degraded by objectionable switching artifacts due to unreliable motion vectors. The invention can be used, for example, to improve the performance of motion compensated standards converters used for converting between television standards with different picture rates. The invention allows a gradual transition between motion compensated and non-motion compensated interpolation depending on the reliability of the motion vector used. This is achieved by modifying the temporal interpolation timing, using a look up table, controlled by a vector reliability signal produced by the motion estimator. Effectively this adapts the motion trajectory of the interpolated output pictures.
A method of interpolating in processing of video or film signals comprising storing input pixel values of an input signal in an input store, assigning a motion vector to each set of output coordinates to be interpolated, providing an indication of the reliability of each motion vector, modifying the temporal coordinate of each set of output coordinates depending on the reliability of the corresponding motion vector, and selecting at least one pixel value from the input store depending on the motion vector and the modified temporal output coordinate, an interpolated output pixel value being determined from said at least one pixel value.
A video or film signal processing interpolation apparatus comprising an input store for storing pixel values of a input signal, means providing an indication of the reliability of a motion vector assigned to an output coordinate to be interpolated, means for modifying the temporal coordinate of each set of output coordinates depending on the reliability of the corresponding motion vector, and a vector processor which selects at least one pixel value from the input store depending on the modified temporal output coordinate and the corresponding motion vector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.