System and method for utilizing a two-dimensional adaptive filter for reducing flicker in interlaced television images converted from non-interlaced computer graphics data

A method for reducing flicker in non-interlaced images converted to interlaced images, comprising:

• receiving image data representative of pixel values within a single image;
• providing a flicker reduction filter having at least two selectable filters with each filter providing a different frequency response for said flicker reduction filter;
• adaptively selecting from among said at least two selectable filters based upon pixel values from at least two lines of said single image utilizing a two-dimensional window around a currently processed pixel to select one of said at least two selectable filters;
• and
• processing said image data within said single image with said flicker reduction filter to produce output pixel data that is dependent upon said adaptive filter selection.

A graphics processing system for use in converting computer formatted images into television formatted images, comprising:

• an input interface having computer graphics data as an input;
• an adaptive flicker reduction filter coupled to said input interface to receive said computer graphics data and having flicker reduced image data as an output, said flicker reduction filter having at least two sets of selectable filter parameters dependent upon conditions related to values of vertically and horizontally adjacent pixel values within a two-dimensional window around a currently processed pixel to provide a two-dimensional adaptive filter selection;
• a rate converter having said flicker reduced image data as an input and having line rate adjusted data as an output, said line rate adjusted data being substantially compatible with a line rate for a desired television format;
• and
• a television output interface having said line rate adjusted data as an input and having television output data as an output, said television output data being substantially compatible with said desired television format.

A personal computer system providing an image output compatible with a television format, comprising:

• a central processing unit, a memory, an input device, and a storage device connected to each other through an internal bus;
• and
• a graphics processing system connected to said internal bus converting non-interlaced computer graphics data to a desired interlaced television format, said graphics processing system including:
• adaptive flicker reduction circuitry applying one set of at least two selectable sets of filter parameters dependent upon two-dimensional conditions related to pixel values within said image utilizing a two-dimensional window around a currently processed pixel to provide a two-dimensional adaptive filter selection.

A method for converting computer formatted images into television formatted images for graphics processing, comprising:

• receiving computer graphics data representative of an image;
• applying a flicker reduction filter to said computer graphics data with filter parameters dependent upon values of vertically and horizontally adjacent pixel values within said image utilizing a two-dimensional window around a currently processed pixel to provide a two-dimensional adaptive filter selection;
• and
• outputting converted image data in said desired television format.