Motion vector detection device and moving picture camera

A motion vector detection device that detects a motion vector of an object block included in an object frame based on a reference frame, comprising:

• a reference frame storing unit operable to store a reference frame consisting of a predetermined number of reference blocks;
• an object block storing unit operable to store an object block included in an object frame;
• a reference block storing unit including a single reference area for storing a plurality of reference blocks;
• a setting unit operable to dynamically set, within the reference area of the reference block storing unit, a detection frame for the plurality of reference blocks used in detection of a motion vector of the object block and a transfer frame for a reference block to be rewritten next, based on a position of the object block in the object frame;
• a writing unit operable to read, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a succeeding object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the detection frame, and write the read reference blocks into the transfer frame, the succeeding object block adjoining the object block;
• and
• a detection unit operable to detect a motion vector of the object block based on the reference blocks stored in the detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the transfer frame performed by the writing unit, wherein:
• after detecting the motion vector, the detection unit shifts the detection frame by a single block within the reference area, and determines the shifted detection frame as a new detection frame,
• after the detection unit determines the detection frame, the writing unit reads, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a third object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the new detection frame, and writes the read reference blocks into a new transfer frame, the third object block adjoining the succeeding object block, and the new transfer frame being consisted of an area within the reference area excluding the new detection frame, and
• the detection unit detects a motion vector of the succeeding object block with reference to the reference blocks stored in the new detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the new transfer frame performed by the writing unit.

A motion vector detection method for use buy a motion vector detection device that comprises:

• a reference frame storing unit operable to store a reference frame consisting of a predetermined number of reference blocks;
• an object block storing unit operable to store an object block including in an object frame;
• and a reference block storing unit including a single reference area for storing a plurality of reference blocks, the motion vector detection method comprising:
• a setting step of dynamically setting by the motion vector detection device, within the reference area of the reference block storing unit, a detection frame for the plurality of reference blocks used in detection of a motion vector of the object block and a transfer frame for a reference block to be written next, based on a position of the object block in the object frame;
• a writing step of reading by the motion vector detection device, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a succeeding object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the detection frame, and writing the read reference blocks into the transfer frame, the succeeding object block adjoining the object block;
• a detection step of detecting by the motion vector detection device, a motion vector of the object block based on the reference blocks stored in the detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the transfer frame performed in the writing step;
• after detecting the motion vector, shifting the detection frame by a single block within the reference area, and determining the shifted detection frame as a new detection frame;
• after determining the detection frame, reading, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a third object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the new detection frame, and writing the read reference blocks into a new transfer frame, the third object block adjoining the succeeding object block, and the new transfer frame being consisted of an area within the reference area excluding the new detection frame;
• and
• detecting a motion vector of the succeeding object block with reference to the reference blocks stored in the new detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the new transfer frame performed in the writing step.

A moving picture camera that compresses an object block included in an object frame with use of a motion-compensated prediction based on a reference frame, comprising:

• a reference frame storing unit operable to store a reference frame consisting of a predetermined number of reference blocks;
• an object block storing unit operable to store an object block included in an object frame;
• a reference block storing unit including a single reference area for storing a plurality of reference blocks;
• a setting unit operable to dynamically setting, within the reference area of the reference block storing unit, a detection frame for the plurality of reference blocks used in detection of a motion vector of the object block and a transfer frame for a reference block to be written next, based on a position of the object block in the object frame;
• a writing unit operable to read, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a succeeding object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the detection frame, and write the read reference blocks into the transfer frame, the succeeding object block adjoining the object block;
• and
• a detection unit operable to detect a motion vector of the object block based on the reference block stored in the detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the transfer frame performed by the writing unit, wherein:
• after detecting the motion vector, the detection unit shifts the detection frame by a single block within the reference area, and determines the shifted detection frame as a new detection frame,
• after the detection unit determines the detection frame, the writing unit reads, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a third object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the new detection frame, and writes the read reference blocks into a new transfer frame, the third object block adjoining the succeeding object block, and the new transfer frame being consisted of an area within the reference area excluding the new detection frame, and
• the detection unit detects a motion vector of the succeeding object block with reference to the reference blocks stored in the new detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the new transfer frame performed by the writing unit.