Image processing device, computer program product and image processing method

A semiconductor storage device comprising:

• a data storage unit having portions, said portions including
• a first storage portion for holding pixel motion information,
• a second storage portion for holding a motion estimation value, indicative of a frame-to-frame motion between pixels,
• a third storage portion for holding first pixel information, and
• a fourth storage portion for holding second pixel information, wherein
• a first frame that includes the first pixel is different from a second frame that includes the second pixel.

A method for processing image data for facilitating an estimation of a motion vector, comprising steps of:

• storing a first pixel information in a first pixel portion of a memory element configured to hold data indicative of a first pixel of an image block;
• storing a second pixel information in a second pixel portion of the memory element configured to hold data indicative of a second pixel of a search region of another image block,
• storing an estimation information in an estimation portion of the memory element configured to hold data representative of a motion estimation value between the first pixel and the second pixel, and
• storing motion vector information in a motion vector portion of the memory element configured to hold data representative of a motion vector between the first pixel and the second pixel.

A method for processing image data for facilitating an estimation of a motion vector, comprising steps of:

• storing in a first storage portion pixel motion information;
• storing in a second storage portion a motion estimation value, indicative of a frame-to-frame motion between pixels,
• storing in a third storage portion first pixel information, and storing in a fourth storage portion second pixel information, wherein
• a first frame that includes the first pixel is different from a second frame that includes the second pixel.

An apparatus for processing image data for facilitating an estimation of a motion vector, comprising:

• means for calculating motion vectors;
• and
• a memory having a data structure that includes
• a first pixel information portion configured to hold data indicative of a first pixel of an image block,
• a second pixel information portion configured to hold data indicative of a second pixel of a search region of another image block,
• an estimation portion configured to hold data representative of a motion estimation value between the first pixel and the second pixel, and
• a motion vector information portion configured to hold data representative of a motion vector between the first pixel and the second pixel.