Signal processing apparatus and method for generating a corrected image having a large number of pixels from an image having a lesser number of pixels, and recording medium having a program recorded thereon for performing such method

A signal processing apparatus, comprising:

• a generator operable to generate a second image signal by converting a first image signal into the second image signal;
• a calculation unit operable to calculate a correction amount based on an evaluation of the second image signal relative to the first image signal;
• and
• a correction unit operable to correct the second image signal based on the correction amount,
• wherein a block of pixels from among pixels constituting the second image signal includes a target pixel, and the calculation unit calculates a coefficient representing the evaluation based on a relationship between a first difference between the target pixel and pixels other than the target pixel within the block of pixels and a second difference between the target pixel and pixels outside the block of pixels.

A signal processing method, comprising:

• generating a second image signal by converting a first image signal into the second image signal;
• calculating a correction amount based on an evaluation of the second image signal relative to the first image signal, said evaluation involving calculating a first difference by using pixels within a block of pixels which includes a target pixel and calculating a second difference by using pixels outside the block of pixels;
• and
• correcting the second image signal based on the correction amount.

A recording medium recorded with a computer-readable program for performing a signal processing method, the method comprising:

• generating a second image signal by converting a first image signal into the second image signal;
• calculating a correction amount based on an evaluation of the second image signal relative to the first image signal, said evaluation involving calculating a first difference by using pixels within a block of pixels which includes a target pixel and calculating a second difference by using pixels outside the block of pixels;
• and
• correcting the second image signal based on the correction amount.

A system for performing a signal processing method, the system comprising:

• a processor operable to execute instructions;
• and
• instructions, the instructions including:
• generating a second image signal by converting a first image signal into the second image signal;
• calculating a correction amount based on an evaluation of the second image signal relative to the first image signal, said evaluation involving calculating a first difference by using pixels within a block of pixels which includes a target pixel and calculating a second difference by using pixels outside the block of pixels;
• and
• correcting the second image signal based on the correction amount.

A signal processing apparatus, comprising:

• generating means for generating a second image signal by converting a first image signal into the second image signal;
• calculation means for calculating a correction amount based on an evaluation of the second image signal relative to the first image signal, said evaluation involving calculating a first difference by using pixels within a block of pixels which includes a target pixel and calculating a second difference by using pixels outside the block of pixels;
• and
• correction means for correcting the second image signal based on the correction amount.