Vector interpolator
AssigneeMarvell International Ltd.
InventorsShilpi Sahu, Nikhil Balram
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vector interpolator optimizes the conversion of an interlaced signal to a non-interlaced signal. The vector interpolator improves the visual clarity of slanted features in a displayed image by adjusting the luminance value of each pixel such that the appearance of “steps” or “jaggies” in the features is reduced. For each pixel, the vector interpolator determines a similarity measure for the pixels within a predetermined area around the pixel. From the similarity measure, an angle for interpolation is selected. The luminance value is then interpolated along the selected vector corresponding to the angle and applied to the pixel.
Claims18
A method for determining a value for a pixel being generated within a window of pixels around the pixel, comprising:
- generating correlation data for the pixel, wherein the correlation reflects a similarity between pixels along a set of vectors passing through the pixel according to a set of angles;
- estimating which vector corresponds to a preferred angle within the set of angles for interpolation of a first interpolated value;
- estimating a second interpolated value that corresponds to vertical vector that is associated with a vertical angles within the set of angles;
- and
- blending the first interpolated value with the second interpolated value to generate the value for the pixel;
- wherein estimating which vector corresponds to the preferred angle comprises selecting the vector closest in proximity to the vertical vector with a minimum correlation value, wherein low correlation values indicate similarity between regions on opposite ends of each vector across the pixel.
A vector interpolator, comprising:
- a first pipeline for handling and distributing input luminance data;
- a second pipeline for handling and distributing chrominance data;
- a chrominance interpolator coupled to the second pipeline, the chrominance interpolator being arranged to interpolate a chrominance value for a pixel;
- a luminance interpolator coupled to the first pipeline, the luminance interpolator being arranged to interpolate a luminance value for the pixel;
- a correlation accumulator that is coupled to the first pipeline, wherein the correlation accumulator is configured to generate correlation data for the pixel that reflects a similarity between pixels along a set of vectors passing through the pixel according to a set of angles;
- and
- a vector angle estimator that is coupled to the first pipeline and the correlation accumulator, wherein the vector angle estimator is configured to estimate which vector corresponds to a preferred angle within the set of angles for interpolation of a first interpolated value, wherein the first interpolated value is combinable with an ambiguity measure to produce a final interpolated value for the pixel.
An apparatus for determining a value for a pixel, comprising:
- means for generating correlation data for the pixel, wherein the correlation reflects a similarity between pixels along a set of vectors passing through the pixel according to a set of angles;
- means for estimating which vector corresponds to a preferred angle within the set of angles for interpolation of a first interpolated value;
- and
- means for determining an ambiguity measure that provides a weighted confidence value for the first interpolated value and blending according to the ambiguity measure the first interpolated value with a second interpolated value to generate the value for the pixel;
- wherein the means for estimating which vector corresponds to the preferred angle comprises means for selecting a vector closest in proximity to the vertical vector with a minimum correlation value, wherein low correlation values indicate similarity between regions on opposite ends of each vector across the pixel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.