Image processing apparatus with interframe interpolation capabilities

An image processing apparatus with interframe interpolation capabilities for reproducing video frames by performing frame interpolation between given video frame images, comprising:

• (a) outline detection means for calculating interframe difference values and intraframe difference values with respect to a plurality of video frame images supplied in a time sequence, and detecting outlines of object images based on the interframe difference values and the intraframe difference values, said plurality of video frame images including a first frame image at a first point in time and a second frame image at a second point in time, said first frame image containing a first object image, said second frame image containing a second object image, said outlines including a first outline of the first object image and a second outline of the second object image;
• (b) affine parameters calculation means for calculating first affine parameters that represent a geometric transformation between the first outline and the second outline which are detected by said outline detection means;
• (c) affine parameter interpolation means for producing second affine parameters corresponding to a third point in time between the first point in time and the second point in time, by performing a linear interpolation with respect to the first affine parameters calculated by said affine parameter calculation means;
• and
• (d) interpolated image generating means for generating an image of a moving object at the third point in time by applying an affine transformation to the first object image at the first point in time or to the second object image at the second point in time, with the second affine parameters corresponding to the third point in time.