Abstract: Multi-layered motion or still video compression includes, in an encoder or encoding function aspect of the invention, separating the video signal into low-frequency and high-frequency components, processing the low-frequency components of the video signal to generate synthetic high-frequency components, the low-frequency components or a data reduced version of the low-frequency components comprising a main or base layer, and generating the difference between the synthetic high-frequency components and the actual high-frequency components, the difference comprising an error or enhancement layer signal. A decoder or decoding function aspect of the invention processes the main layer to generate synthetic high-frequency components and combines the synthetic high-frequency components, main layer and enhancement layer to provide a decoded output signal similar to the video signal applied to the encoder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a low bandwidth encoder extracts edge transitions to provide a video signal mainly representing image contours. The contours' amplitude and width may be standardized. Significant points along the contours are extracted as nodes to provide a first encoder output layer. A low-resolution, essentially contour-free video signal representing the image provides a second encoder output layer. For a moving image, the frame rate of the layers may be reduced. In one embodiment, a decoder receives the first and second layers and derives a video signal representing contours by space-domain interpolating the nodes signal. The resulting contours video signal and low-resolution, essentially contour-free video signal are multiplicatively or pseudo-multiplicatively combined to provide an output approximating the original input signal.

Abstract: Multi-layered motion or still video compression includes, in an encoder or encoding function aspect of the invention, separating the video signal into low-frequency and high-frequency components, processing the low-frequency components of the video signal to generate synthetic high-frequency components, the low-frequency components or a data reduced version of the low-frequency components comprising a main or base layer, and generating the difference between the synthetic high-frequency components and the actual high-frequency components, the difference comprising an error or enhancement layer signal. A decoder or decoding function aspect of the invention processes the main layer to generate synthetic high-frequency components and combines the synthetic high-frequency components, main layer and enhancement layer to provide a decoded output signal similar to the video signal applied to the encoder.

Abstract: A convectional 2-1 interlaced (nominally 50 Hz field rate or nominally 60 Hz field rate) television signal is converted to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution computer-type monitor. First, a succession of progressively-scanned video frames is derived from the interlaced television signal and each frame is repeated at least twice in succession When the interlaced television sign is derived from a motion picture source, the progressively scanned frames are derived by merging opposite polarity fields derived from tho same motion picture frame. For other sources, other interlace-to-progressive scan techniques, such as line duplication or line interpolation, are employed. The sequences of repeated progressively-scanned frames are written into a two frame memory at rate derived from the timing of the progressively-scanned video frames and are read out at a rate derived from the timing of the monitor's frame rate.

Abstract: In arrangements for the frame rate upconversion of motion-picture-source video, a 60 Hz (interlaced field rate or progressive scan frame rate) television signal is converted to a form suitable for display on a variable-frame-rate high-resolution progressively-scanned monitor of the type typically associated with a computer or with a television set employing an increased frame rate. The inherent 3-2 motion picture film pulldown pattern in the source signal is changed to an equal time frame pattern, such as 3-3, 4-4, or 5-5, when the source signal is converted to a higher frame rate. This may be accomplished when the increased progressively-scanned video display frame rate is an integral multiple of the motion picture frame rate, namely 72 Hz, 96 Hz and 120 Hz.

Abstract: Video sources from a progressively scanned camera are processed so as to simulate a video source derived from motion picture film. The simulated film source video creates a distinctive "pseudo-film pattern," in which at least some of every SDTV video field has no motion or low motion with respect to corresponding picture areas of the SDTV video field paired with it (occasional rare camera-originated scenes result in a field in which the entire picture has high motion, breaking the pseudo-film pattern). Corresponding picture areas within the pairs of fields having no motion or low motion are merged, in the manner in which interlaced fields derived from the same motion picture frame are merged. Corresponding picture areas within the pairs of fields having high motion are subject to interlace-to-progressive scan conversion processing which is not purely a merger of fields.

Abstract: (1) The analog or digital components (such as RGB, Y/I/Q, Y/U/V, Y/R-Y/B-Y, Y/Cr/Cb, etc.

Abstract: A received 4-2-0 format, 2-1 interlaced digital component video signal is upconverted to a 4-2-2 format, 2-1 interlaced digital component video signal and a vertical chrominance bandwidth expansion enhancement signal is combined with the chrominance components in order to more closely simulate the wider bandwidth vertical chrominance resolution of the original 4:2:2 format signal from which the 4:2:0 format signal was derived. In a first embodiment, the vertical chrominance enhancement signal is derived from vertical transitions in the luminance component of the 4:2:0 format signal. In a second embodiment, the vertical chrominance enhancement signal is derived from vertical transitions in the luminance component of the 4:2:0 format signal when such vertical transitions are present and, in the absence of a luminance transition, the vertical chrominance enhancement signal is derived from the sampling-rate-reduced chrominance components of the 4:2:0 format signal.

Abstract: A "universal" system records or transmits both 24 fps (or 25 fps) motion picture film sources and non-film interlaced or progressively-scanned video sources, employing any one of several international television standards (e.g., NTSC, PAL, HDTV/ATV, etc.) as progressively-scanned video at a nominal frame rate of 24 or 25 frames per second (i.e., 24 Hz or 25 Hz). When the source is interlaced video, a real-time motion signal, independent of motionless vertical transitions between the temporally displaced fields in the interlaced television signal, is recorded or transmitted along with the progressively-scanned video data.

Abstract: Jagged vertical or diagonal transition artifacts in interlaced to line doubled progressive scan converted television signals are detected and areas of the television picture having such artifacts are subjected to vertical averaging such that the resolution of the jagged transitions is reduced, thereby softening, "greying" or "fuzzing" the jagged transitions and causing them to appear smooth. Thus, highly contrasted lines appearing in a sawtooth pattern, which are extremely perceptible, are replaced with a flash of what might be characterized as "fuzziness," which is not perceptible. The eye no longer perceives the jagged artifacts. Moreover, areas of reduced vertical and horizontal resolution, resulting from the vertical averaging, do not create any new artifacts and are not perceived by the eye. Artifacts are detected by comparing pixels in corresponding positions in the scan lines of the line doubled progressively scanned television signal.

Abstract: A video scan converter includes an input for receiving a video signal at a first scan rate, an output for providing a video signal at a second scan rate and a main path leading between the input and the output. The main path includes a scan line interpolation circuit and a time scale modification circuit which provide conventional two-dimensional scan conversion. A further path coupled to the main path dynamically alters the output of the scan line interpolation circuit in response to motion in the picture represented by the video signal, thus providing a three-dimensional scan conversion. The further path may be optional.

Abstract: Television signal processing apparatus act on a received standard-bandwidth television signal to produce a high-definition-like video image relatively free of artifacts. A motion-adaptive line doubler operates in combination with a non-linear enhancer. In a practical implementation, the combination further includes a digital decoder. When the output of the decoder is applied to the line doubler, an interface provides a transition from the time base of the decoder to the time base of the line doubler. The non-linear enhancer includes bandwidth expanding enhancement for horizontal and/or vertical picture transitions.

Abstract: A video scan converter includes an input for receiving a video signal at a first scan rate, an output for providing a video signal at a second scan rate and a main path leading between the input and the output. The main path includes a scan line interpolation circuit and a time scale modification circuit which provide conventional two-dimensional scan conversion. A further path coupled to the main path dynamically alters the output of the scan line interpolation circuit in response to motion in the picture represented by the video signal, thus providing a three-dimensional scan conversion. The further path may be optional.

Abstract: Cross color from composite television signals is suppressed by averaging baseband chrominance samples spaced a certain number of frames apart, or when motion is detected in the television signals, by averaging baseband chrominance samples spaced a certain number of lines apart. Cross color suppression when motion is detected may be improved by low-pass filtering the line-spaced chrominance sample average. Both NTSC and PAL implementations are presented.

Abstract: A motion detector generates a field motion detection signal from information contained in adjacent fields of a two-to-one interlaced format video signal. The motion detector comprises an input for receiving the video signal from a source, a first delay for delaying the video signal at the input by one field period less one half of one scanning line period and for providing a first delayed output, a second delay for delaying the video signal at the input by one field period plus one half of one scanning line period and for providing a second delayed output, a first subtraction circuit for subtracting the first delayed output from the video signal to provide a first difference, a second subtraction circuit for subtracting the second delayed output from the video signal to provide a second difference, and a comparison circuit for comparing the first difference with the second difference and for putting out a selected one thereof having a lesser absolute magnitude as the field motion detection signal.

Abstract: A full dynamic-range video enhancer employs a detail process for lower level transitions in a video signal stream and a spectrum expander for higher level transitions. The characteristics of the detail processor enhancement signal are such that when combined with the main signal path, the rise times of lower level transitions are shortened, but with substantially no accompanying increase in the overall spectral bandwidth. The characteristics of the spectrum expander enhancement signal are such that when combined with the main signal path, the rise times of higher level transitions are shortened, but with an accompanying increase in the overall spectral bandwidth while maintaining low preshoot and overshoot characteristics. For a rising transition level the video enhancer provides enhancement initially by the detail processor, then a combination of the detail processor and the spectrum expander, and then by the spectrum expander.

Abstract: A cooperative adaptive low noise television system provides that, prior to transmission, the composite video is separated into chroma and luminance components. The luminance signal is adaptively pre-emphasized, with the amount of pre-emphasis being determined by the luminance transitions level, so that small transitions have more pre-emphasis than large ones. In the receiver, a received luminence signal is submitted to adaptive deemphasis in order to precisely cancel the adaptive pre-emphasis provided prior to transmission, thus reducing transmission noise while restituting a luminance signal free of pre-shoot, over-shoot or resolution losses.

Abstract: A scan line doubler includes an input for receiving a video signal at a first scan rate, an output for providing a video signal at a second scan rate twice the first scan rate, a main path leading between the input and the output. The main path includes a scan line interpolation circuit for averaging pixels over two adjacent lines, a two-to-one scan line compression circuit for compressing original and interpolation scan lines into a scan line doubled format, and an optional additive path insertion location between the line interpolation circuit and the two-to-one line compression circuit.

Abstract: A single-ended, digital, enhanced resolution television system includes a digital encoder and modulator, a limited bandwidth medium, such as a conventional 6 MHz wide television channel or a magnetic recording medium for passing or storing the digital modulation; and a digital decoder including single-ended resolution enhancement processes for enhancing resultant picture quality at a display device to an enhanced resolution level.

Abstract: A television signal processing method for processing a wide-aspect-ratio television signal into a conventional four-to-three standard aspect ratio signal for transmission and display. The method includes an encoding process and a decoding process for wide-aspect-ratio display. No decoding is needed for display of a central panel of the encoded signal upon conventional television receivers. The encoding process includes dividing the signal vertically into the central panel, separated by two side panels. The side panel pixel information is then placed within horizontal bands formed above and below the central panel for transmission to either a conventional display for displaying the central panel, or for an enhanced wide-aspect-ratio display for decoding and displaying the wide-aspect-picture signal. Amplitude and time compression techniques and shuffling of the side panel segment information are aspects of the present invention.