Motion vector search methods, motion vector search apparatus, and storage media storing a motion vector search program

A method for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, comprising:

• a first step for obtaining a motion vector by assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block and including a pixel block of a motion vector of (0, 0), and by performing a motion vector searching operation, using a vector (0, 0) as an initial value, between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, and for obtaining another motion vector by performing said motion vector searching operation for a third area, using a vector obtained for any one of templates adjacent to the template to be evaluated as an initial value;
• and
• a second step, if one of said two operational results, being selected by a predetermined rule, satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area and said third area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value, and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.

An apparatus for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and a group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, comprising;

• a memory means for memorizing a moving-video image;
• and
• a search processing means for performing motion vector search with reference to memory contents of the memory means, wherein the search processing means is comprised of means for assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, and means, if the operational result satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.

An apparatus for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, comprising:

• a memory means for memorizing a moving-video image;
• and
• a search processing means for performing motion vector search with reference to memory contents of the memory means, wherein the search processing means is comprised of means for obtaining a motion vector by assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block and including a pixel block of a motion vector of (0, 0), and by performing a motion vector searching operation, using a vector (0, 0) as an initial value, between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, and for obtaining another motion vector by performing said motion vector searching operation for a third area, using a vector obtained for any one of templates adjacent to the template to be evaluated as an initial value, and means, if one of said two operational results, being selected by a predetermined rule, satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area and said third area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value, and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.

An apparatus for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and a group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, comprising:

• a first means for assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template;
• a second means, if the operational result satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector;
• a third means for predicting a certain motion vector, and for setting the predicted motion vector as a searching initial value for said motion vector searching operation by said first means;
• and
• a fourth means for transforming a value calculated in said motion vector searching operation according to a predetermined rule so as to increase a probability to have said searching initial value detected in said operation,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value, and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.

A storage medium for memorizing a motion vector searching program which makes a computer perform processes for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and a group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, the program comprising:

• a process for assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template;
• and
• a process, if the operational result satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value, and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.

A storage medium for memorizing a motion vector searching program which makes a computer perform processes for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and a group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, the program comprising:

• a process for obtaining a motion vector by assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block and including a pixel block of a motion vector of (0,0), and by performing a motion vector searching operation, using a vector (0, 0) as an initial value, between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, and for obtaining another motion vector by performing said motion vector searching operation for a third area, using a vector obtained for any one of templates adjacent to the template to be evaluated as an initial value;
• and
• a process, if one of said two operational results, being selected by a predetermined rule, satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area and said third area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value, and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.

A storage medium for memorizing a motion vector searching program which makes a computer perform processes for searching for a motion vector in a moving-video image about a template to be evaluated, by evaluating motion by a predetermined operation between the template and a group of pixel blocks of the same size as the template, the program comprising:

• a first process for assuming a first area having a size of more than one pixel block, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the first area and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template;
• a second process, if the operational result satisfying a predetermined condition, for obtaining a motion vector from the operational result, if the operational result not satisfying said predetermined condition, for assuming a second area of a size completely to cover said first area, and for performing a motion vector searching operation between pixel values of pixels consisting of the second area, and pixel values of pixels consisting of said template, to obtain a motion vector;
• a third process for predicting a certain motion vector, and for setting the predicted motion vector as a searching initial value for said motion vector searching operation in said first process;
• and
• a fourth process for transforming a value calculated in said motion vector searching operation according to a predetermined rule so as to increase a probability to have said searching initial value detected in said operation,
• wherein said predetermined condition is that one of a sum of absolute difference values and a sum of square difference values, being calculated in said motion vector searching operation, is below a predetermined value, and when assuming that said motion vector is detected by said motion vector searching operation, the pixel block defined by the motion vector does not exist in a circumference section of said first area.