Method and apparatus for performing hierarchical motion estimation using nonlinear pyramid
AssigneeSarnoff Corporation
InventorsXudong Song, Ya-Qin Zhang, Tihao Chiang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and a concomitant method for encoding image sequences and, more particularly, to a method for reducing the computational complexity in determining motion vectors for block-based motion estimation and for enhancing the accuracy of motion estimates through the use of non-linear pyramids.
Claims20
A method for performing motion estimation for an image, where said image is divided into at least one block, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) decomposing the image into a non-linear pyramid;
- and
- (b) performing hierarchical motion estimation on said non-linear pyramid.
A method for decomposing an image into a non-linear pyramid of images, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) setting the image as a highest resolution image of the non-linear pyramid;
- (b) applying a non-linear filter to the image to generate a filtered image;
- and
- (c) decimating said filtered image to generate a lower resolution image of said non-linear pyramid.
An apparatus for performing motion estimation for an image, where said image is divided into at least one block, said apparatus comprises:
- a means for decomposing the image into a non-linear pyramid;
- and
- a means for performing hierarchical motion estimation on said non-linear pyramid.
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
- (a) setting the image as a highest resolution image of the non-linear pyramid;
- (b) applying a non-linear filter to the image to generate a filtered image;
- and
- (c) decimating said filtered image to generate a lower resolution image of said non-linear pyramid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.