Motion vector detection apparatus

A motion vector detection apparatus for detecting correlation between a picture consisting of a plurality of pixels and a plurality of blocks each consisting of a same number of pixels as said picture, the plurality of blocks being included within a predetermined search area containing a larger number of pixels than said picture, said motion vector detection apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of processor elements which are cascade-connected, each of said plurality of processor elements calculating a difference absolute value between each of the plurality of pixels included in said picture and a corresponding one of pixels included in every one of the plurality of blocks, and performing cumulative addition of the difference absolute values for every one of the plurality of blocks sequentially, each of said plurality of processor elements comprising:
• a difference absolute value calculation means for calculating a difference between each of the plurality of pixels included in said picture and a corresponding one of pixels contained in one of the plurality of blocks, and further calculating an absolute value of the difference, so as to obtain a difference absolute value;
• an addition means for adding the difference absolute value obtained by said difference absolute value calculation means and an output of a processor element at a previous stage together, and for transferring addition results to a processor element at a next stage, and
• said addition means provided in a processor element at a later stage of said plurality of processor elements having a larger bit width.