Abstract: An apparatus and a method for setting a search region for the predicting of a motion vector are disclosed. The apparatus for setting a search region for predicting a motion vector includes: a computation unit configured to compute differences between an origin vector of a search region for a target block for motion vector prediction and predictive motion vectors of multiple blocks adjacent to the target block, and compute a sum of absolute values of the differences; and a search region setting unit configured to set a range value of the search region for the target block by using at least one of the sum of absolute values of the differences and a directionality of the predictive motion vectors for the multiple adjacent blocks. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the amount of computation and the time expended for computation when predicting motion vectors can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for setting a search region for the predicting of a motion vector are disclosed. The apparatus for setting a search region for predicting a motion vector includes: a computation unit configured to compute differences between an origin vector of a search region for a target block for motion vector prediction and predictive motion vectors of multiple blocks adjacent to the target block, and compute a sum of absolute values of the differences; and a search region setting unit configured to set a range value of the search region for the target block by using at least one of the sum of absolute values of the differences and a directionality of the predictive motion vectors for the multiple adjacent blocks. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the amount of computation and the time expended for computation when predicting motion vectors can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A toner composition and a method of preparing toner particles using the toner composition. The toner composition comprises a monomer for a binding resin, a coloring agent, a stabilizer, a charge controller, a lubricant and a polymerization initiator, wherein the stabilizer is obtained by dispersing hydrophobic silica into distilled water of pH 10.about.14, and then adjusting pH of the dispersion into 6.about.8. The toner particles prepared from the toner composition have improved in charge quantity, average particle diameter and distribution in particle diameter. Particularly, when the toner composition contains a surfactant, dispersion property of the color agent and the charge controller can be improved, thereby resulting in a better image quantity.