Abstract: Herein described are a motion estimation method and a motion estimation apparatus for calculating a motion vector to estimate a current picture based on a reference picture. The current picture is partially formed by a current block represented by pel values. The reference picture is partially formed by a search window represented by pel values and having a plurality of candidate blocks. There are provided processor elements and side register units arranged in the form of a matrix array. The pel values of the search window are fed to the processor elements and the side register units. The pel values of the current block are fed to the processor elements. Between the processor elements and the side register units, are shifted pel values of the search window.

Abstract: Herein described are a motion estimation method and a motion estimation apparatus for calculating a motion vector to estimate a current picture based on a reference picture. The current picture is partially formed by a current block represented by pel values. The reference picture is partially formed by a search window represented by pel values and having a plurality of candidate blocks. There are provided processor elements and side register units arranged in the form of a matrix array. The pel values of the search window are fed to the processor elements and the side register units. The pel values of the current block are fed to the processor elements. Between the processor elements and the side register units, are shifted pel values of the search window.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a motion vector searching apparatus for searching motion vectors indicative of visual motion between a current picture consisting of current picture blocks and a reference picture consisting of search windows each including a set of reference picture blocks by calculating a set of distortion values and detecting the minimum value from the distortion values. The motion vector searching apparatus comprises means for outputting current block data, means for outputting search window data, and data registering means for registering the search window data in a searching region covering first and second pixels. The data registering means has first transmission registers for initially registering part of the search window data corresponding to the first pixels and second transmission registers for initially registering the remaining part of the search window data corresponding to the second pixels.

Abstract: A motion estimation method and a motion estimation apparatus for calculating a motion vector to estimate a current picture based on a reference picture where the current picture is partially formed by a current block represented by pel values. The reference picture is partially formed by a search window represented by pel values and having a plurality of candidate blocks. There are provided processor elements and side register units arranged in the form of a matrix array. The pel values of the search window are fed to the processor elements and the side register units. The pel values of the current block are fed to the processor elements. Between the processor elements and the side register units, are shifted pel values of the search window. The processor elements are designed to calculate distortion values each indicative of a difference between the current block and each of the candidate blocks on the basis of the received pel values of the search window and the received pel values of the current block.

Abstract: A motion estimation method and a motion estimation apparatus for calculating a motion vector to estimate a current picture partially forming a video sequence on the basis of first and second reference pictures partially forming the video sequence. In the method and apparatus, a reference block included in the first reference picture similar to a current block included in the current picture is specified and multiplied by a first coefficient. By performing a subtraction between the multiplied reference block and the current block, a template block indicative of a difference between the multiplied reference block and the current block is obtained. On the other hand, candidate blocks are calculated by multiplying, by a second coefficient, each reference blocks included in a search window partly forming the second reference picture. Based on the candidate blocks and template block are calculated distortion values each indicative of a difference between the following interpolated blocks and current block.

Abstract: A motion vector is calculated on the basis of a current block having current block data and a search window having search window data. The search window includes integer pel blocks and half-pel blocks each deviated by half-pel pitch from each of the integer pel blocks. The search window data are repeatedly transferred between and held by the shift registers. The search window data held by the shift registers and the current block data outputted from current block data outputting means are supplied to an integer pel block distortion calculating unit of each of processor elements. The integer pel block distortion calculating unit calculates local distortion values, and each of integer pel block distortion values defined by the local distortion values and indicative of a difference between a current block and each of integer pel blocks on the basis of the received search window and current block data.