Delay detector apparatus and method for plural image sequences

An apparatus for determining the delay of a delayed version of a sequence of images with respect to a relatively undelayed version, the system comprising in combination:

• a) an element for taking a first set of samples of one of images from one of said delayed or undelayed sequences of images at a plurality of known sample positions,
• b) an element for taking other sets of samples for each of a plurality of images of the other of said delayed or undelayed sequences at said plurality of known sample positions,
• c) an element for comparing said first set of samples to said other sets of samples,
• d) an element for determining which of said other sets of samples most closely matches said first set.

A method for determining the best match between a first image and a plurality of other images, the system comprising the steps of:

• selecting known image locations,
• taking a first set of samples of said first images at said image locations,
• taking at least a second set of samples from one of said plurality of other images at said known image locations,
• taking at least a third set of samples from another of said plurality of other images at said known image locations,
• comparing said first set of samples to said second set of samples and to said third set of samples,
• determining which of said second and said third set of samples most closely matches said first set.

A method for determining the delay of a delayed version of a sequence of images with respect to a relatively undelayed version, the method including the steps of:

• a) taking a first set of samples of one of images from one of said delayed or undelayed sequences of images at a plurality of known sample positions,
• b) taking a plurality of other sets of samples at said plurality of known sample positions for a plurality of images of the other of said delayed or undelayed sequences,
• c) comparing said first set of samples to each of said other sets of samples to determine the difference thereof,
• d) determining which of said other sets of samples most closely matches said first set.

An apparatus for determining the delay of a delayed version of an image carrying signal with respect to a relatively undelayed version thereof, the system comprising in combination:

• a) an element for taking a first set of samples of at least a first frame from one of said delayed or undelayed signals at a plurality of known sample positions,
• b) an element for taking other sets of samples for each of a plurality of frames of the other of said delayed or undelayed signal,
• c) an element for comparing said first set of samples to said other sets of samples,
• d) an element for determining which of said other sets of samples matches said first set within a known threshold value,
• e) an element for outputting said delay in response to the matching of said first and other sets of samples.

An apparatus for determining the delay of a delayed version of an image carrying signal with respect to a relatively undelayed version thereof, the system comprising in combination:

• a) an element for taking a first set of samples of at least a first frame from one of said delayed or undelayed signals at a plurality of known sample positions,
• b) an element for taking other sets of samples for each of a plurality of frames of the other of said delayed or undelayed signal,
• c) an element for comparing said first set of samples to said other sets of samples,
• d) an element for determining which of said other sets of samples matches said first set by a known offset value better than any other set,
• e) an element for outputting said delay in response to the matching of said first and other sets of samples.

A method for determining the delay of a delayed version of an image sequence with respect to a relatively undelayed version thereof, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) taking a first set of samples of at least a first image from one of said delayed or undelayed image sequences at a plurality of known sample locations,
• b) taking other sets of samples for each of a plurality of images of the other of said delayed or undelayed image sequences,
• c) comparing said first set of samples to said other sets of samples,
• d) determining which of said other sets of samples matches said first set of samples,
• e) outputting said delay in response to the matching of said first and other sets of samples.