Motion estimation method using orthogonal-sum block matching

A method implemented in a motion estimation search engine for determining a best match between a first pixel array in a picture currently being encoded and a plurality of second pixel arrays in a search region of a reference picture, wherein each of the first and second pixel arrays includes a plurality of rows and columns of individual pixel values, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first orthogonal-sum signature of the first pixel array comprised of a set of horizontal sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the rows of the first pixel array and a first set of vertical sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the columns of the first pixel array;
• providing a plurality of second orthogonal-sum signatures for respective ones of at least selected ones of the plurality of second pixel arrays, each of the plurality of second orthogonal-sum signatures being comprised of a set of horizontal sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the rows of a respective one of the second pixel arrays and a set of vertical sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the columns of a respective one of the second pixel arrays;
• and,
• comparing the first orthogonal-sum signature with each of the second orthogonal-sum signatures in order to determine the best match between the first and second pixel arrays.

A motion estimation search engine for determining a best match between a first pixel array in a picture currently being encoded and a plurality of second pixel arrays in a search region of a reference picture, wherein each of the first and second pixel arrays includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of individual pixel values, the motion estimation search engine including:

• circuitry that provides a first orthogonal-sum signature of the first pixel array comprised of a set of horizontal sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the rows of the first pixel array and a first set of vertical sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the columns of the first pixel array, and that provides a plurality of second orthogonal-sum signatures for respective ones of at least selected ones of the plurality of second pixel arrays, each of the plurality of second orthogonal-sum signatures being comprised of a set of horizontal sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the rows of a respective one of the second pixel arrays and a set of vertical sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the columns of a respective one of the second pixel arrays;
• and,
• circuitry that compares the first orthogonal-sum signature with each of the second orthogonal-sum signatures in order to determine the best match between the first and second pixel arrays.

A motion estimation search engine for determining a best match between a first pixel array in a picture currently being encoded and a plurality of second pixel arrays in a search region of a reference picture, wherein each of the first and second pixel arrays includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of individual pixel values, the motion estimation search engine including:

• means for providing a first orthogonal-sum signature of the first pixel array comprised of a set of horizontal sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the rows of the first pixel array and a first set of vertical sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the columns of the first pixel array, and for providing a plurality of second orthogonal-sum signatures for respective ones of at least selected ones of the plurality of second pixel arrays, each of the plurality of second orthogonal-sum signatures being comprised of a set of horizontal sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the rows of a respective one of the second pixel arrays and a set of vertical sums representative of the sums of the individual pixel values of the columns of a respective one of the second pixel arrays;
• and,
• means for comparing the first orthogonal-sum signature with each of the second orthogonal-sum signatures in order to determine the best match between the first and second pixel arrays.