Method and apparatus for converting an interlaced video frame sequence into a progressively-scanned sequence

A method for converting a sequence of interlaced video frames to a sequence of video frames formatted for progressive scanning, the method comprising the steps of:

• performing a vertical interpolation for estimating missing pixel values in an interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced;
• performing a linear temporal interpolation for estimating missing pixel values in an interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the interlaced frames which, in time, immediately precede and follow the frame being deinterlaced;
• computing a first level approximation of missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced from a weighted combination of the estimated missing pixel values obtained from the vertical and linear temporal approximations;
• performing an orientational interpolation for estimating missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced and missing pixel values computed for the first level approximation of the deinterlaced frame;
• computing a second level approximation for missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced from a weighted combination of the estimated missing pixel values obtained from the vertical, linear temporal and orientational interpolations;
• performing bidirectional motion compensation interpolations for estimating missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known and approximated missing pixel values in deinterlaced frames which, in time, immediately precede and follow the interlaced frame being deinterlaced, said preceding deinterlaced frame comprising approximated missing pixel values obtained from the performance of vertical, linear temporal, orientational and bidirectional motion compensation interpolations whose results are weighted in combination, said following deinterlaced frame comprising approximated missing pixel values obtained from the performance of vertical, linear temporal and orientational interpolations whose results are weighted in combination;
• and,
• computing a final approximation of missing pixel values for the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using the estimated missing pixel values obtained from a weighted combination of the estimations obtained from the vertical, linear temporal, orientational and bidirectional motion compensation interpolations which were previously performed with respect to the interlaced frame being deinterlaced.

An apparatus for converting a sequence of interlaced video frames to a sequence of video frames formatted for progressive scanning, the apparatus comprising:

• a vertical interpolator for estimating missing pixel values in an interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced;
• a linear temporal interpolator for estimating missing pixel values in an interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the interlaced frames which, in time, immediately precede and follow the frame being deinterlaced;
• a processor for computing a first level approximation of missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced from a weighted combination of the estimated missing pixel values obtained from the vertical and linear temporal approximations;
• an orientational interpolator for estimating missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced and missing pixel values computed for the first level approximation of the deinterlaced frame,
• said processor computing a second level approximation for missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced from a weighted combination of the estimated missing pixel values obtained from the vertical, linear temporal and orientational interpolations;
• and,
• a bidirectional motion compensation interpolator for estimating missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known and approximated missing pixel values in deinterlaced frames which, in time, immediately precede and follow the interlaced frame being deinterlaced, said preceding deinterlaced frame comprising approximated missing pixel values obtained from the performance of vertical, linear temporal, orientational and bidirectional motion compensation interpolations whose results are weighted in combination, said following deinterlaced frame comprising approximated missing pixel values obtained from the performance of vertical, linear temporal, and orientational interpolations whose results are weighted in combination,
• said processor computing a final approximation of missing pixel values for the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using the estimated missing pixel values obtained from a weighted combination of the estimations obtained from the vertical, linear temporal, orientational and bidirectional motion compensation interpolations which were previously performed with respect to the interlaced frame being deinterlaced.

An apparatus for converting a sequence of interlaced video frames to a sequence of video frames formatted for progressive scanning comprising:

• a first interpolator for performing at least one first interpolation using known pixel values in the interlaced sequence of frames for estimating missing pixel values in an interlaced frame being deinterlaced;
• a processor for computing a first level approximation of missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using the estimated missing pixel values obtained from the at least one first interpolations, wherein the processor weighs the at least one first interpolations in combination relative to the errors associated with each first interpolation in computing the first level deinterlaced frame;
• and,
• a second interpolator for performing at least one second interpolation for estimating missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using known pixel values in the sequence of interlaced frames and approximated missing pixel values in the first level deinterlaced frame,
• wherein said processor computes a second level approximation of missing pixel values in the interlaced frame being deinterlaced using the estimated missing pixel values obtained from the at least one first and second interpolations, and wherein the processor weighs the at least one first and second interpolations in combination relative to the errors associated with each first and second interpolation which was performed.