Abstract: A motion estimation method is provided, including providing first image data, providing second image data, block-matching a source block of the first image data with target blocks of the second image data to determine a motion vector corresponding to the position of the target block that most accords with the source block, and applying a contrast enhancement on source blocks and/or target blocks to improve block-matching. A motion estimation device and video device are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the reliability of shift vectors between two images comprises an image compensation unit for compensating local shifts between a first image and a second image and to obtain a compensated second image. A similarity estimation unit is provided for determining a similarity information by determining one or more similarity measures between said first image and said compensated second image. A vector consistency check device for comparing shift vectors describing the shift between said first image and said second image from different shift estimation directions to obtain a consistency weight information, and a combination unit for combining said similarity information and said consistency weight information to obtain a reliability information describing the reliability of said shift vectors are provided.

Abstract: An image enhancement apparatus for enhancing an input image of a sequence of input images of at least a first view and obtaining an enhanced output image of at least said first view comprises an unsharp masking unit configured to enhance the sharpness of the input image, a motion compensation unit configured to generate at least one preceding motion compensated image by compensating motion in a preceding output image, a weighted selection unit configured to generate a weighted selection image from said sharpness enhanced input image and said preceding motion compensated image based on selection weighting factor, a detail signal generation unit configured to generate a detail signal from said input image and said weighted selection image, and a combination unit configured to generate said enhanced output image from said detail signal and from said input image and/or said weighted selection image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motion estimation method comprising the steps of: providing first image data, providing second image data, block-matching a source block of the first image date with target blocks of the second image data to determine a motion vector corresponding to the position of the target block that most accords with the source block. The method further comprises a contrast enhancement step which is applied on source blocks and/or target blocks to improve block-matching. The invention also relates to a motion estimation device.

Abstract: A device for motion estimation (100) includes a block characteristic measurement unit (110) configured to determine an image characteristic of a source block (210) of a reference frame (200). Motion of the source block (210) of the reference frame (200) with regard to a current frame is estimated by a motion estimation unit (120), wherein the motion of the source block (210) is estimated by either a motion estimation method other than phase correlation or by phase correlation depending on the image characteristic.