Method and apparatus for video deinterlacing and format conversion

A method for deinterlacing a picture, comprising the steps of:

• (A) generating a plurality of primary scores by searching along a plurality of primary angles passing through a location for an edge in said picture proximate said location interlaced with a field of said picture;
• (B) generating a plurality of neighbor scores by searching for said edge along a plurality of neighbor angles through said location and proximate a particular angle of said primary angles corresponding to a particular score of said primary scores having a best value, said neighbor angles defining an acute angle containing said primary angle having said best value;
• and
• (C) identifying a single best score from a group of scores limited to said particular score and said neighbor scores to generate an interpolated sample at said location.

A method for deinterlacing a picture, comprising the steps of:

• (A) generating a plurality of scores by searching along at least six unique angles for an edge in said picture proximate a location interlaced with a field of said picture;
• (B) generating two additional scores of said scores by searching along two subsequent angles for said edge after searching along said unique angles, wherein said subsequent angles define an acute angle containing one of said unique angles;
• (C) identifying a single best score among said scores;
• and
• (D) generating an interpolated sample at said location by direction filtering along a particular angle said unique angles and said subsequent angles corresponding to said single best score.