Frame interpolation apparatus and method for motion estimation through separation into static object and moving object

A frame interpolation apparatus that interpolates a plurality of frames including an nth frame and an (n−1)th frame located adjacent the nth frame in order to generate an interpolation frame, the frame interpolation apparatus comprising:

• a static object separation unit that is configured to compare an nth frame macroblock (MB) with an (n−1)th frame MB that corresponds to the nth frame MB to separate each of a plurality of nth frame MBs into a static object and a moving object;
• a motion vector (MV) estimation unit that is configured to search in a search range of the (n−1)th frame for an MB that matches each of the plurality of nth frame MBs that are determined to be the moving object to estimate an MV;
• and
• an interpolation frame generation unit that is configured to generate the interpolation frame using the estimated MV, the nth frame, and the (n−1)th frame,
• wherein the search range includes the (n−1)th frame CABs that correspond to each of the plurality of nth frame MBs that are determined to be the moving object.

A frame interpolation method that interpolates a plurality of frames including an nth frame and an (n−1)th frame that is located adjacent the nth frame to generate an interpolation frame, the frame interpolation method comprising:

• comparing an nth frame macroblock (MB) with an (n−1)th frame MB that corresponds to the nth frame MB to separate each of a plurality of nth frame MBs into a static object and a moving object;
• searching in the (n−1)th frame for an MB that matches each of the plurality of nth frame MBs that are determined to be the moving object;
• estimating a motion vector (MV) responsive to the MB that matches each of the plurality of nth frame MBs that are determined to be the moving object;
• and
• generating the interpolation frame using an estimated MV, the nth frame, and the (n−1)th frame.

A frame interpolation method that interpolates a plurality of frames including an nth frame and an (n−1)th frame that is located adjacent the nth frame to generate an interpolation frame, the frame interpolation method comprising:

• comparing an nth frame macroblock (MB) in the nth frame with an (n−1)th frame MB in the (n−1)th frame that corresponds to the nth frame MB to separate each of a plurality of nth frame MBs into a static object and a moving object;
• searching in a search range of the (n−1)th frame for an MB that matches with each of the plurality of nth frame MBs that are determined to be the moving object to estimate a motion vector (MV);
• and
• generating the interpolation frame using an estimated MV, the nth frame, and the (n−1)th frame,
• wherein the search range includes the (n−1)th frame MBs that correspond to the nth frame MBs that are determined to be the moving object.