Image processing method and apparatus setting spatial decimation to movement within image regions

An image processing method performed on a data processing device, comprising:

• an image input step of receiving a input image signals having a first resolution;
• a resolution converting step of converting the image signals obtained in the image input step into image signals having a second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution;
• and
• an output step of outputting output image signals corresponding to the image signals having the second resolution at a predetermined frame rate,
• wherein,
• in the resolution converting step the input image signals obtained in the image input step are divided into a plurality of regions and amounts of movement in the respective regions are detected and amounts of spatial decimation for the respective regions based on the amounts of movement detected are set,
• in the resolution converting step spatial decimation set for the respective regions is applied,
• in the spatial decimation for each frame, the amount of spatial decimation is determined so that all aliasing components of decimated signals in a predetermined number of adjacent frames temporarily preceding or succeeding the frame cancel each other, the foregoing steps performed on a device with a central processing unit.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• image input terminal via input image signals having a first resolution;
• resolution converting means for converting the input image signals obtained by the image input means into output image signals having a second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution;
• and
• output means for outputting the output image signals having the second resolution at a predetermined frame rate,
• wherein,
• the resolution converting means comprises (a) a movement-amount detector for dividing the image signals obtained by the image input means into a plurality of regions and detecting amounts of movement in the respective regions, and (b) a resolution converter for setting amounts of spatial decimation for the respective regions based on the amounts of movement detected and for applying spatial decimation on the respective regions based on the amounts of spatial decimation set for the respective regions, and
• spatial decimation means provides a visual effect that exhibits a resolution exceeding the second resolution when the output image signals output by the output means are displayed at the predetermined frame rate.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• an input via which input image signals having a first resolution are received;
• a resolution converter comprising a processor executing logic which converts the input image signals into output image signals having a second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution;
• and
• an output via which the output image signals having the second resolution are output at a predetermined frame rate,
• wherein,
• the resolution converter comprises logic which when executed is effective as (a) a movement-amount detector by dividing the image signals obtained by the image input means into a plurality of regions and detecting amounts of movement in the respective regions, and (b) a resolution converter by setting amounts of spatial decimation for the respective regions based on the amounts of movement detected and for applying spatial decimation on the respective regions based on the amounts of spatial decimation set for the respective regions, and
• in the spatial decimation for each frame, the amount of spatial decimation is determined so that all aliasing components of decimated signals in a predetermined number of adjacent frames temporarily preceding or succeeding the frame cancel each other.