Abstract: A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is described. The method comprising steps of receiving base images of pictures having a first definition from a base layer decoder; coding the differences between the base images of pictures and pictures having a second definition using vector quantization; creating a database of codebooks based upon the differences; and generating enhanced images based upon the base images and enhancement stream data. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also described. The circuit comprises a base layer decoder generating a base image of a standard definition picture; an interpolator coupled to the base layer decoder and generating an interpolated block; a classifier coupled to the base layer decoder and generating a class number; and a summing circuit coupled to the interpolator and the classifier. The summing circuit preferably adds the interpolated block and a difference block.

Abstract: A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving an encoded video signal having a plurality of headers; maintaining a plurality of codebooks based upon the differences between a standard definition picture and a high definition picture; and providing a pointer to a particular codebook of the plurality of codebooks when decoding a frame of the video signal.

Abstract: A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating an interpolated base frame image; receiving a first previously decoded difference picture; receiving a second previously decoded difference picture; generating a combined motion compensated difference surface; and generating a temporally interpolated enhanced picture based upon the interpolated base frame image and the combined motion compensated difference surface. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also disclosed. The circuit comprising a base decoder generating a base image of a standard definition picture; a temporal predictive interpolator coupled to the base decoder and generating an interpolated block; and a summing circuit coupled to the temporal predictive interpolator. The summing circuit preferably adds the interpolated block and a difference block.

Abstract: An image processing system including a display output processor using Temporal Gamma Processing (TGP) and Reverse Super-resolution (RSR) techniques to process images. TGP assures that the time-related representation of an image is as accurate as possible, and thus, based on a previous frame value and a known transfer function of the display modulation system, adjusts its output values to provide a desired output value during display of a desired frame. RSR performs a superset of the frame rate conversion process for converting between disparate input and output frame rates. RSR, improving display quality when intended display images have apparent resolution higher than can be supported by an image modulator, sequences lower resolution images at higher frame rates to simulate higher resolution outputs.

Abstract: An image processing system using bitstream information for enhancing visual display quality. The processing system retains I frames and some P or B frames from a standard MPEG-2 bitstream, and stores the information across multiple Groups of Pictures (GOPs). The system uses prediction block information in conjunction with detected object edges and bitstream vector information to analyze object optical flow and to reconstruct high quality image frames. The system can also utilize supplemental bitstream information such as layer coding, instructional cues, and image key meta data to further improve the quality of the image frames and for special system functions. When an input image does not include MPEG-2 motion vector bitstream information, the system uses techniques such as optical flow, block matching, or Pel-recursion to estimate motion that tracks the image object motion.