Abstract: The invention relates to image segmentation using templates and spatial prediction. The templates of neighboring pixels are used for predicting the features of a current pixel. The pixel is assigned to the segments of neighboring pixels according to the deviation of its features from the templates.

Abstract: An image-processing unit (300) for transforming pixel values of a first video signal (Video1) into respective pixel values of a second video signal (Video2), on basis of the luminance-to-light transfer characteristic of a display device is disclosed. The image-processing unit (300) comprises: a band-split filter (302) for band-splitting the first video signal (Video1) into a first high-frequent signal (HF1) and a first low-frequent signal (LF1); a first pixel value transformation unit (304) for transforming the first high-frequent signal (HF1) into a second high-frequent signal (HF2) on basis of a first transfer function; a second pixel value transformation unit for transforming the first low-frequent signal (LF1) into a second low-frequent signal (LF2) on basis of a second transfer function which is different from the first transfer function; and a combining unit (308) for combining the second high-frequent signal (HF2) and the second low-frequent signal (LF2) into the second video signal (Video2).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting motion at a temporal intermediate position between a previous image and a next image has optimizing means (1) for optimizing a criterion function for candidate vectors, whereby the criterion function depends on data from both the previous and the next image. The motion is detected at the temporal intermediate position in non-covering and in non-uncovering areas. The apparatus according to the invention has means for detecting covering and uncovering areas (2) and has its optimizing means being arranged to carry out the optimizing at the temporal position of the next image in covering areas and at the temporal position of the previous image in uncovering areas.

Abstract: An electronic circuit 100 and method for enhancing an image, in particular, for use in TV-applications, includes a N-dimensional image enhancement filter 130 for receiving an image signal and at least one further image signal, all image signals representing different pixels of said image. An intermediate signal output from the N-dimensional image enhancement filter 130 is combined with a high-frequency component of the image signal in order to generate an enhanced image output signal. The electronic circuit also includes at least one adjusting element 140-1, 140-2 for adjusting the intermediate signal and/or said high-frequency component in response to a determined amount of image enhancement applied to the image signal in the image enhancement filter 130 before being combined.

Abstract: An image processing unit (100,200,300) for computing a sequence of output images on basis of a sequence of input images, comprises: a motion estimation unit (102) for computing a motion vector field on basis of the input images; a quality measurement unit (104) for computing a value of a quality measure for the motion vector field; an interpolation unit (106) for computing the output images by means of interpolation of pixel values of the input images, on basis of the motion vector field; and control means (108) to control the interpolation unit (106) on basis of the quality measure. The quality measurement unit (104) is arranged to compute the value of the quality measure on basis of a maximum difference between neighboring motion vectors. If the value of the quality measure is lower than a predetermined threshold, then a motion compensated interpolation is performed, else a non-motion compensated interpolation is performed.

Abstract: An image conversion unit (200) for converting a first image with a first resolution into a second image with a second resolution being higher than the first resolution, comprises a filter (112) to provide filtered pixel values of the first image to a coefficient-calculating means (106) for calculating a first filter coefficient on basis of the filtered pixel values. The coefficient-calculating means (106) is arranged to control an adaptive filtering means (104) for calculating a second pixel value of the second image on basis of a first pixel value of the first image and the first filter coefficient.

Abstract: An image conversion unit (200) for converting a first input image with a first resolution into an output image with a second resolution, comprises a coefficient-calculating means (106) for calculating a first filter coefficient on basis of pixel values of the first input image and of pixel values of a second input image.

Abstract: A color picture display device having a shadow mask is provided comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT) having a gun (1) for generating at least two electron beams mutually different colors and a display screen (2). The screen has phosphor deposits for emitting light of different colors. The device has a deflection system (3) for scanning the electron beams across the display screen (2) in a pattern of successive, substantially parallel lines, each line being scanned in a scanning direction. The device further comprises means for diverging the landing points on the screen for at least one of the beams with respect to one of the other beams in a direction other than the scanning direction, and means for interpolation of color video data, used to control the beam intensity, in order to reduce shift errors due to the diverged beams. Further, a method for operation of such a color picture display device is disclosed.

Abstract: An image conversion unit (200) for converting a first input image with a first resolution into an output image with a second resolution, comprises a coefficient-determining means (106) for determining a first filter coefficient on basis of pixel values of the first input image. The coefficient-determining means (106) is arranged to control an adaptive filtering means (104) for calculating a pixel value of the output image on basis of an input pixel value of the first image and the first filter coefficient. The adaptive filtering means (104) is arranged to perform a non-linear operation.

Abstract: Method for encoding a digital video stream, comprising the steps of encoding a video sequence into a full frame sequence, forming a decimated frame sequence by removing a predetermined number of frames from the full frame sequence by means of temporal decimation, locally decoding the full frame sequence, locally decoding the decimated frame sequence, temporally interpolating the decoded decimated frame sequence by means of an interpolator, comparing the locally decoded frames of the full frame sequence with the corresponding frames of the locally interpolated frame sequence, determining residual information for a frame based on at least the comparison for that frame, and providing an output stream comprising the decimated frame sequence and the determined residual information.

Abstract: The motion estimation unit (100) being arranged to estimate a current motion vector for a first group (212) of pixels, comprises: a generating unit (106) for generating a set of candidate motion vectors for the first group (212) of pixels, with the candidate motion vectors being extracted from a set of previously estimated motion vectors; a match error unit (102) for calculating match errors of respective candidate motion vectors; and a selection unit (104) for selecting the current motion vector from the candidate motion vectors. The motion estimation unit (100) is arranged to modulate the match error on basis of a result of segmentation for the first image, into segments of pixels, whereby the result of segmentation is related to a probability that the first group of pixels and a second group of pixels, on basis of which the candidate motion vector is determined, both correspond to the same segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a circuit arrangement to reduce motion blur of images shown in non-stroboscopic display devices, in particular Liquid Crystal Display Panels (LCDs). Thin Film Transistor Displays (TFTs), Colour Sequential Displays. Plasma Display Panels (PDPs), Digital Micro Mirror Devices or Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays, in which motion vectors depending on moving components in each image of an input video, signal are calculated, in which anti-motion blur filtering of the input video signal is performed based on the calculated motion vectors to produce an output video signal, and in which images are generated on said display device depending on said output video signal. In order to provide an improved spatial filtering with less noise enhancement and less noise modulation, it is proposed that edge characteristics in each image of the input video signal are determined and that anti-motion blur filtering is further based on said determined edge characteristics.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for detecting a picture repetition mode of film material with a series of consecutive fields, the arrangement having a processor and a memory (M), the processor identifying a plurality of different objects within the consecutive fields using a segmentation method, an object being defined as an image portion of the consecutive fields that can be described with a single motion model; and carrying out the following steps for each one of the plurality of objects, i.e., establishing a motion parameter pattern for each one of the objects within the consecutive fields; comparing the motion parameter pattern with a number of predetermined motion parameter patterns; and determining the picture repetition mode for each one of the objects using the result of the preceding step.

Abstract: The motion estimation unit (100) being arranged to estimate a current motion vector for a first group (212) of pixels, comprises: a generating unit (106) for generating a set of candidate motion vectors for the first group (212) of pixels, with the candidate motion vectors being extracted from a set of previously estimated motion vectors; a match error unit (102) for calculating match errors of respective candidate motion vectors; and a selection unit (104) for selecting the current motion vector from the candidate motion vectors. The motion estimation unit (100) is arranged to modulate a predetermined match error threshold on basis of a result of segmentation for the first image. If the match error of a first one of the candidate motion vectors is below the current predetermined match error threshold then the first one of the candidate motion vectors is selected and evaluation of further candidate motion vectors for the first group of pixels is skipped.

Abstract: A method, a circuit arrangement and a display device which suppresses motion blur due to motion integration carried out along a motion trajectory on the image data, which occurs in matrix type displays in which a motion trajectory is integrated by the viewer and/or the display, includes an inverse integration filtering of the video signal. To avoid de-blurring in image regions where motion cannot be detected, or image is low and to avoid noise modulation, motion estimation as well as further image characteristic are used.

Abstract: A motion estimation unit for estimating a motion vector for a group of pixels of an image of a series of images, comprises: generating means for generating a set of motion vector candidates for the group of pixels; matching means for calculating match errors for the respective motion vector candidates of the set; selecting means for selecting a first one of the motion vector candidates as the motion vector for the group of pixels, on basis of the match errors; and testing means for testing whether the group of pixels has to be split into sub-groups of pixels for which respective further motion vectors have to be estimated, similar to the motion vector being estimated for the group of pixels, the testing based on a measure related to a particular motion vector.

Abstract: An image encoder with a encoder input; a memory device to said encoder input, for storing a image received at said input; a image predictor device for predicting a prediction image based on a first image stored in said memory device; a combiner device for determining residual data relating to a difference between an original image and the prediction image; a first evaluator for determining a first characteristic; an inhibiter connected to said combiner device and said first evaluator device, for transmitting said residual data further if said first characteristic checks against said first predetermined criterion; and a encoder output connected to said inhibiter device. The image encoder has a second evaluator device for determining a second characteristic, and said inhibiter device is arranged for transmitting said residual data further depending on said first characteristic and said second characteristic.

Abstract: An image conversion unit (100) for converting an input image into an output image is disclosed. The image conversion unit (100) comprises: first computing means (104) for computing a first weighted sum of a first group of pixel values, the first group of pixel values corresponding to pixels of the input image; second computing means (102) for computing a second weighted sum of a second group of interpolated values, the second group of interpolated values being computed by means of interpolation for spatial locations which are not present at the sampling grid of the input image; combining means (106) for computing a third sum by combining the first weighted sum and the second weighted sum; and clipping means (108) for clipping the third sum between a minimum value and a maximum value, the minimum value and the maximum value derived from pixel values of the input image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device to increase the resolution of an image by interpolating along edges of the image. Edges are detected and their direction is calculated (10). The interpolation (12) of new pixels is carried out along the direction of the edges. According to the invention, a pre-filter (8) is used with a high-pass filtering in the direction in which new pixels are interpolated, and a low-pass filtering in another direction.

Abstract: In macroblock-based coding systems such as MPEG-1 video, MPEG-2 video and MPEG-4 visual, an encoder in the invention decides on macroblock level whether the macroblock is to be encoded or whether local motion-compensated interpolation processing at a compatible decoder can be used to reconstruct the macroblock. In the latter case, the macroblock is skipped. If the decoder detects a skipped macroblock, the decoder reconstructs the macroblock and overwrites the data conventionally generated in MPEG under the skipped macro-block condition.