Motion vector estimation in television images
AssigneeSony Corporation
InventorsVincent C. Harradine, Clive H. Gillard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for motion vector estimation in a television image using a digitized signal representing the image, comprises a vector filter and a vector calculator for determining motion in the image at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique, thereby to derive motion vectors, and a sub-pixel motion estimator for refining the selection of the motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between fields of the image not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels.
Claims25
A method of estimating motion vectors in a television image represented by a digitized signal, the method including the steps of:
- determining motion in said image at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique, thereby to derive motion vectors;
- and
- refining the selection of said motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between fields of said image not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels.
Apparatus for estimating motion vectors in a television image represented by a digitized signal, the apparatus comprising:
- means for determining motion in said image at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique, thereby to derive motion vectors;
- and
- means for refining the selection of said motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between fields of said image not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels.
A television standards converter comprising:
- means for analyzing the motion between consecutive fields of an input televisions signal of one television standard including means for determining said motion at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique so as to derive motion vectors, and means for refining a selection of said motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between said fields not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels;
- means for aligning said fields in dependence on said motion analysis so as to effectively represent static pictures;
- and
- means for effecting conversion using said static pictures to derive an output television signal of a different television standard.
A 625-line 50-fields per second to 525-line 60-fields per second television standards converter comprising:
- a 4-field time base corrector for receiving an input 625-line 50-fields per second digital television signal;
- a motion analyzer connected to the output of said time base corrector for analyzing motion in said input television signal and including means for determining said motion at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique so as to derive motion vectors, and means for refining a selection of said motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between said fields not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels;
- a shift register also connected to the output of said time base corrector;
- an interpolator for deriving samples of a required output 525-line 60-fields per second digital television signal in dependence on samples derived from said shift register and picture motion data derived by said motion analyzer;
- and
- a 2-field time base corrector for assembling said derived samples to form said output television signal.
A 525-line 60-fields per second to 625-line 50-fields per second television standards converter comprising:
- a 2-field time base corrector for receiving an input 525-line 60-fields per second digital television signal;
- a motion analyzer connected to the output of said time base corrector for analyzing motion in said input television signal and including means for determining said motion at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique so as to derive motion vectors, and means for refining a selection of said motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between said fields not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels;
- a shift register also connected to the output of said time base corrector;
- an interpolator for deriving samples of a required output 625-line 50-fields per second digital television signal in dependence on samples derived from said shift register and the selected motion vectors derived by said motion analyzer;
- and
- a 4-field time base corrector for assembling said derived samples to form said output television signal.
A slow motion processor comprising:
- an input circuit for receiving an input digital television signal;
- a motion analyzer for analyzing motion in said input digital television signal and including means for determining said motion at points spaced a predetermined number of pixels horizontally and a predetermined number of pixels vertically by a block matching technique so as to derive motion vectors, and means for refining a selection of said motion vectors by determining a sub-pixel offset representing motion between said fields not equal to an integral multiple of the spacing between pixels;
- a shift register for holding successive different fields of said input television signal;
- an interpolator for deriving samples of a required slow motion output digital television signal in dependence on the degree of slow motion, samples derived from said shift register, and the selected motion vectors derived by said motion analyzer;
- and
- a 2-field time base corrector for assembling said derived samples to form said slow motion output television signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.