Apparatus and method for determining image region

A method for determining image region, said method comprising:

• first determining step of determining whether a target pixel position is included in a motion region or a still region by using items of pixel data on first and second pixel positions arranged in a time direction, said first and second pixel positions corresponding to the target pixel position;
• storage step of storing in a storage device history information on a determined result of said first determining step, comprising information representing that the target pixel position is determined as being in or not being in a still region;
• and
• second determining step of finally determining that said target pixel position is included in the motion region or the still region, based on the history information on the determined result of a past predetermined time, said history information being stored in the storage device, and said determined result of said first determining step,
• wherein the history information comprises a count representing number of consecutive times that the target pixel is determined to fall either in a motion region or in a still region and the value of the count is set to a predetermined value upon interruption of consecutive times that the targeted pixel is determined to fall either in a motion region or in a still region.

An apparatus for processing an image signal in which pixel data of interpolation pixel position in an interlaced signal is generated based on a determined result that said interpolation pixel position is included in any one of a motion region and a still region and said interlaced signal is converted into a progressive signal, said apparatus comprising:

• first determining device for determining whether said interpolation pixel position is included in a motion region or a still region by using items of pixel data on first and second pixel positions arranged in a time direction, said first and second pixel positions corresponding to the interpolation pixel position;
• storage device for storing history information on a determined result of said first determining device, comprising information representing that the interpolation pixel position is determined as being in or not being in a still region;
• and
• second determining device for finally determining that said interpolation pixel position is included in a motion region or a still region, based on the history information on the determined result of a past predetermined time, said history information being stored in the storage device, said determined result corresponding to the interpolation position, and said determined result of said first determining device,
• wherein the history information comprises a count representing number of consecutive times that the target pixel is determined to fall either in a motion region or in a still region and the value of the count is set to a predetermined value upon interruption of consecutive times that the targeted pixel is determined to fall either in a motion region or in a still region.

A method for processing an image signal in which pixel data of interpolation pixel position in an interlaced signal is generated based on a determined result that said interpolation pixel position is included in any one of a motion region and a still region and said interlaced signal is converted into a progressive signal, said method comprising:

• first determining step of determining whether said interpolation pixel position is included in a motion region or a still region by using items of pixel data on first and second pixel positions arranged in a time direction, said first and second pixel positions corresponding to the interpolation pixel position;
• storage step of storing history information on a determined result of said first determining step, comprising information representing that the interpolation pixel position is determined as being in or not being in a still region;
• and
• second determining step of finally determining that said interpolation pixel position is included in a motion region or a still region, based on the history information on the determined result of a past predetermined time, said history information being stored in the storage device, said determined result corresponding to the interpolation position, and said determined result of said first determining step,
• wherein the history information comprises a count representing number of consecutive times that the target pixel is determined to fall either in a motion region or in a still region and the value of the count is set to a predetermined value upon interruption of consecutive times that the targeted pixel is determined to fall either in a motion region or in a still region.