Method and apparatus for detecting interpolation line

An interpolation line detection method for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through said attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection method comprises:
• a first effective interpolation line detection step,
• a level difference translation step,
• a third interpolation line setting step,
• a fourth interpolation line setting step and
• a setting method selection step,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• at said first effective interpolation line detection step, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on said upper scanning line placed just above said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on said lower scanning line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel, a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel, a level difference of a fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel and a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and first effective interpolation line information is generated,
• at said level difference translation step, said level difference of said first line is translated on the basis of a predetermined function,
• at said third interpolation line setting step, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with a level difference of a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a third interpolation line,
• at said fourth interpolation line setting step, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and said lower right pixel, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a fourth interpolation line, and
• at said setting method selection step, one of prosecution of said third interpolation line setting step after prosecution at said level difference translation step, prosecution of said fourth interpolation line setting step after prosecution at said level difference translation step and employment of said first line as the ultimate interpolation line without prosecutions of said level difference translation step and said interpolation line setting step is selected on the basis of said first effective interpolation line information.

An interpolation line detection method for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through said attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection method comprises:
• a second effective interpolation line detection step,
• a third effective interpolation line detection step,
• a base pixel detection step, a detection method selection step,
• a first interpolation line setting step,
• a second interpolation line setting step and
• a setting method selection step,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• at said second effective interpolation line detection step, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on an upper scanning line placed just above said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on a lower scanning line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel and a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and second effective interpolation line information is generated,
• at said third effective interpolation line detection step, said level difference of said first line, said level difference of said fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel and a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and third effective interpolation line information is generated,
• at said base pixel detection step, an upper change level of the sum of a level difference between said upper pixel and a pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel with a predetermined interval and a level difference between said upper pixel and a pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel with a predetermined interval is compared with a lower change level of the sum of a level difference between said lower pixel and a pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel with a predetermined interval and a level difference between said lower pixel and a pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel with a predetermined interval, in the case that said upper change level is larger than said lower change level, base pixel information of which said upper pixel is a base pixel is output, and in the case that said lower change level is larger than said upper change level, base pixel information of which said lower pixel is the base pixel is output,
• at said detection method selection step, on the basis of said base pixel information, in the case that said upper pixel is the base pixel, said second effective interpolation line detection step is selected, and in the case that said lower pixel is the base pixel, said third effective interpolation line detection step is selected,
• at said first interpolation line setting step, said level difference of said first line is compared with a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a first interpolation line,
• at said second interpolation line setting step, said level difference of said first line is compared with a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and said lower right pixel, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a second interpolation line, and
• at setting method selection step, one of prosecution of either said first interpolation line setting step or said second interpolation line setting step and employment of said first line as the ultimate interpolation line without prosecution of the interpolation line setting step is selected on the basis of said second effective interpolation line information or said third effective interpolation line information.

An interpolation line detection method for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through an attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection method comprises:
• a second effective interpolation line detection step,
• a third effective interpolation line detection step,
• a base pixel detection step,
• a detection method selection step,
• a level difference translation step, a third interpolation line setting step,
• a fourth interpolation line setting step and a setting method selection step,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• at said second effective interpolation line detection step, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on said upper scanning line placed just above of said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on said lower scanning line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel and a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and second effective interpolation line information is generated,
• at said third effective interpolation line detection step, said level difference of said first line M, a level difference of a fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel and a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and third effective interpolation line information is generated,
• at said base pixel detection step, an upper change level of the sum of a level difference between said upper pixel and a pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel with a predetermined interval and a level difference between said upper pixel and a pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel with a predetermined interval is compared with a lower change level of the sum of a level difference between said lower pixel and a pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel with a predetermined interval and a level difference of said lower pixel and a pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel with a predetermined interval, in the case that said upper change level is larger than said lower change level, base pixel information of which said upper pixel is a base pixel is output, on the other hand, in the case that the lower change level is larger than said upper change level, base pixel information of which said lower pixel is said base pixel is output,
• at said detection method selection step, on the basis of said base pixel information, in the case that said upper pixel is said base pixel, said second effective interpolation line detection step is selected, and in the case that said lower pixel is said base pixel, said third effective interpolation line detection step is selected,
• at said level difference translation step, said level difference of said first line is translated on the basis of a predetermined function,
• at said third interpolation line setting step, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with a level difference of a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a third interpolation line,
• at said fourth interpolation line setting step, the translated level difference of said first line is compared with a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and said lower right pixel, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a fourth interpolation line, and
• at said setting method selection step, one of prosecution of said third interpolation line setting step after prosecution at said level difference translation step, prosecution of said fourth interpolation line setting step after prosecution at said level difference translation step and employment of said first ling as the ultimate interpolation line without prosecutions of said level difference translation step and said interpolation line setting step is selected on the basis of said second effective interpolation line information or said third effective interpolation line information.

An interpolation line detection apparatus for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through said attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection apparatus comprises:
• level difference generation means,
• first effective interpolation line detection means,
• first interpolation line setting means,
• second interpolation line setting means and
• first interpolation line selection and decision means,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• in said level difference generation means, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on said upper scanning line placed just above said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on said lower scanning line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel, a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel, a level difference of a fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel, a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel, a level difference of a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel and a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and said lower right pixel are generated,
• in said first effective interpolation line detection means, said level differences of said first line, said second line, said third line, said fourth line and said fifth line are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and first effective interpolation line information is generated,
• in said first interpolation line setting means, said level difference of said first line (M) is compared with said level difference of said sixth line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a first interpolation line,
• in said second interpolation line setting means, said level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said seventh line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a second interpolation line, and
• in said first interpolation line selection and decision means, on the basis of said first effective interpolation line information, the ultimate interpolation line is selected and decided from said first interpolation line, said second interpolation line and said first line.

An interpolation line detection apparatus for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through said attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection apparatus comprises:
• level difference generation means,
• first effective interpolation line detection means,
• level difference translation means,
• third interpolation line setting means,
• fourth interpolation line setting means and
• second interpolation line selection and decision means,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• in said level difference generation means, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on said upper scanning line placed just above said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on said lower scanning line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel, a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel, a level difference of a fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel, a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel, a level difference of a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel and a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and lower right pixel are generated,
• in said first effective interpolation line detection means, said level differences of said first line, said second line, said third line, said fourth line and said fifth line are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and first effective interpolation line information is generated,
• in said level difference translation means, said level difference of said first line is translated on the basis of a predetermined function,
• in said third interpolation line setting means, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said sixth line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a third interpolation line,
• in said fourth interpolation line setting means, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said seventh line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a fourth interpolation line, and
• in said second interpolation line selection and decision means, on the basis of said first effective interpolation line information, the ultimate interpolation line is selected and decided from said third interpolation line, said fourth interpolation line and said first line.

An interpolation line detection apparatus for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through said attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection apparatus comprises:
• level difference generation means,
• second effective interpolation line detection means,
• third effective interpolation line detection means,
• first interpolation line setting means,
• second interpolation line setting means,
• base pixel detection means,
• effective interpolation line selection means and
• first interpolation line selection and decision means,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• in said level difference generation means, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on said upper scanning line placed just above said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on said lower scanning line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel, a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel, a level difference of a fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel, a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel, a level difference of a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel and a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and said lower right pixel are generated,
• in said second effective interpolation line detection means, said level differences of said first line, said second line and said third line are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and second effective interpolation line information is generated,
• in said third effective interpolation line detection means, said level differences of said first line, said fourth line and said fifth line are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and third effective interpolation line information is generated,
• in said first interpolation line setting means, said level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said sixth line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a first interpolation line,
• in said second interpolation line setting means, said level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said seventh line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a second interpolation line,
• in said base pixel detection means, an upper change level representing a magnitude of a level change between pixels on said upper scanning line placed above said attentional pixel is compared with a lower change level representing a magnitude of a level change between pixels on said lower scanning line placed under said attentional pixel, in the case that said upper change level is larger than said lower change level, base pixel information of which said upper pixel is a base pixel is output, on the other hand, in the case that said lower change level is larger than said upper change level, base pixel information of which said lower pixel is the base pixel is output,
• in said effective interpolation line selection means, on the basis of said base pixel information, one of said second effective interpolation line information and said third effective interpolation line information is selected, and
• in said first interpolation line selection and decision means, on the basis of said second effective interpolation line information or said third effective interpolation line information selected by said effective interpolation line selection means, the ultimate interpolation line is selected and decided from said first interpolation line, said second interpolation line and said first line.

An interpolation line detection apparatus for detecting an ultimate interpolation line to interpolate an attentional pixel from plural lines passing through an attentional pixel on a scanning line to be interpolated, pixels on an upper scanning line placed over said scanning line to be interpolated and pixels on a lower scanning line placed under said scanning line to be interpolated characterized in that

• said interpolation line detection apparatus comprises:
• level difference generation means,
• second effective interpolation line detection means,
• third effective interpolation line detection means,
• level difference translation means,
• third interpolation line setting means,
• fourth interpolation line setting means, base pixel detection means,
• effective interpolation line selection means, and
• second interpolation line selection and decision means,
• and that
• by defining for the following steps that a level difference of a line passing through two pixels is a difference between a luminance level of a pixel and a luminance level of the other pixel,
• in said level difference generation means, a level difference of a first line passing through an upper pixel on said upper scanning line placed just above said attentional pixel and a lower pixel on said lower scanning, line placed just under said attentional pixel, a level difference of a second line passing through said upper pixel and a lower left pixel placed to the left of said lower pixel and a level difference of a third line passing through said upper pixel and a lower right pixel placed to the right of said lower pixel, a level difference of a fourth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper left pixel placed to the left of said upper pixel, a level difference of a fifth line passing through said lower pixel and an upper right pixel placed to the right of said upper pixel, a level difference of a sixth line passing through said upper right pixel and said lower left pixel, and a level difference of a seventh line passing through said upper left pixel and said lower right pixel are generated,
• in said second effective interpolation line detection means, said level differences of said first line, said second line and said third line are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and second effective interpolation line information is generated,
• in said third effective interpolation line detection means, said level differences of said first line, said fourth line and said fifth line are compared with each other, a line having a smallest level difference is detected, and third effective interpolation line information is generated,
• in said level difference translation means, said level difference of said first line is translated on the basis of a predetermined function,
• in said third interpolation line setting means, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said sixth line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a third interpolation line,
• in said fourth interpolation line setting means, a translated level difference of said first line is compared with said level difference of said seventh line, a line having a smallest level difference is detected and is set as a fourth interpolation line,
• in said base pixel detection means, an upper change level representing a magnitude of a level change between pixels on said upper scanning line placed above said attentional pixel is compared with a lower change level representing a magnitude of a level change between pixels on said lower scanning line placed under said attentional pixel, in the case that said upper change level is larger than said lower change level, base pixel information of which said upper pixel is a base pixel is output, on the other hand, in the case that said lower change level is larger than said upper change level, base pixel information of which said lower pixel is said base pixel is output,
• in said effective interpolation line selection means, on the basis of said base pixel information, one of said second effective interpolation line information and said third effective interpolation line information is selected, and
• in second interpolation line selection and decision means, on the basis of said second effective interpolation line information or said third effective interpolation line information selected by said effective interpolation line selection means, the ultimate interpolation line is selected and decided from said third interpolation line, said fourth interpolation line and said first line.