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: 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: 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: A video pixel interpolator generates interpolation pixels from incoming picture image pixels for use within a television picture scan line doubler system. The interpolator includes a temporal median filter for generating an interpolation pixel by selection of the median one of a plurality of temporal pixel samples derived from incoming video, an intra-field averager means for generating an intra-field pixel average, and a switch connected to switch an input to a line doubler of the system between outputs of the temporal median filter and the intra-field averager in response to detection of pixel motion within the picture image. Improved motion detection, and multi-channel processing are also included within the present invention.

Abstract: A motion sequence pattern detector detects a periodic pattern of motion sequences within a succession of video fields, such as film mode or progressive scan mode and comprises a motion detector for detecting the presence of motion from increment to increment within predetermined increments of the succession of video fields and for thereupon putting out a first motion detection signal for each said increment, and logic circuitry responsive to the first motion detection signal for detecting the periodic pattern of motion sequences within the succession of video fields.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing bandwidth of a chrominance path to reduce cross-color artifacts in a quadrature modulated color television signal. The method includes the steps of detecting the level of a chrominance component of the signal; developing a control signal from the detected chrominance component level; and, controlling the bandwidth of the chrominance path in accordance with the control signal so as to reduce bandwidth only when chrominance component is at a level below a predetermined threshold. The method for developing a control signal may further include the step of eliminating the sign thereof followed by a step for establishing a predetermined minimum threshold value of the absolute value chrominance level below which the control signal is not generated.

Abstract: In a television system a transition level signal booster decreases transition time of low level transitions within a video signal without creating artifacts incident to high level transitions within the video signal.

Abstract: A comb filter for improved cross-color reduction with improved visible diagonal resolution is provided for processing a luminance component of a quadrature modulated color subcarrier television signal in the vicinity of the color subcarrier pass band. The comb filter comprises an input and an output, and has a first path including a delay circuit for delaying the luminance component and a subtraction circuit connected between the input and the output, and has a second path including a chrominance type comb filter, a band pass filter for passing a spectrum in the vicinity of the color subcarrier pass band both being followed by a variable threshold circuit connected to the subtraction circuit. The variable threshold circuit is for inhibiting the signal in the second path below a variable threshold. The variable threshold is derived as a function of at least one of luminance diagonal transition level, chroma level and averaged luminance activity in the spectrum in the vicinity of the color subcarrier.

Abstract: An improved method and system for separating chrominance and luminance information in a quadrature modulated color television signal and similar periodic signals is disclosed. A comb filter selectively separates chrominance and luminance components from the video signal and provides a combed chrominance output and an adaptively combed luminance output. A low frequency luminance vertical transition detector is connected to an input and detects vertical amplitude transitions occurring at adjacent horizontal scanning lines and produces a first switching signal independent of the direction of a particular transition. A second transition detector detects the simultaneous occurrence of transitions in chrominance and high frequency luminance in either direction above predetermined minimum threshold values to provide a second switching signal.