Abstract: An image processing method for image conversion by combining two or more source values based on a mixing parameter to generate an output pixel value. A metric is calculated for a selected pixel at a given image field based on the directly preceding image field and a spatially interpolated version of the given image field at the selected pixel position. The selected pixel is categorized based on the metric as providing an indeterminate, unreliable, or reliable basis for a determination of motion at that pixel. The mixing parameter for the selected pixel is adjusted based on the categorization of the pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first motion detector, a second motion detector and a conversion selector. The first motion detector detects motion to a first level of spatial frequency sensitivity. The second motion detector detects motion to a second level of spatial frequency sensitivity greater than the first level of spatial frequency sensitivity to detect smaller amounts of motion than the first motion detector. The conversion selector selects contributions from at least one of a first conversion process and a second conversion process for a given point in an image dependant upon whether motion is detected by the first motion detector at the given point or not. The conversion selector operates independently of the second motion detector if a degree of motion within the image or a part thereof including the given point detected by the first motion detector does not exceed a threshold amount.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which output pixel values are generated with respect to pixels of an input image selected in accordance with an image feature direction in the input image. The apparatus includes a mechanism comparing blocks of pixels of the input image, the blocks being disposed with respect to a pixel position under test so that a correlation between the blocks would indicate an image feature direction applicable to that pixel position; and a mechanism detecting the image feature direction applicable to the pixel position under test as a direction corresponding to a block comparison for blocks having the highest correlation amongst blocks having block contents meeting one or more predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of data processing. The method comprises applying a filter to an input sample set comprising sample values selected from an input sequence of input sample values, so as to generate a corresponding output sample value having an output sample value position with respect to the input sample set, in which the filter has a maximum output range. The method further comprises deriving a permissible output value range from an input group of two or more input sample values in the input sample set which surround the output sample value position, detecting whether the output of the filter is outside the permissible output value range and, if so, limiting the output of the filter to lie within the permissible output value range.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus generating output pixel values with respect to pixels of an input image selected in accordance with an image feature direction in the input image and including a comparing mechanism comparing blocks of pixels of the input image, the blocks disposed with respect to a pixel position under test so that a correlation between the blocks would indicate an image feature direction applicable to that pixel position; and a validating mechanism detecting whether an image feature direction may be used to interpolate an output pixel value at the pixel position under test. The validating mechanism: (i) detects whether a detected image feature direction for the pixel position under test meets one or more predetermined directional criteria; and (ii) detects whether pixel values in image regions disposed with respect to the pixel position under test in accordance with possible image feature directions meet one or more predetermined pixel value criteria.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which output pixels of an output image are generated with respect to input pixels of an input image, a first subset of the output pixels being identical to respective input pixels and a second subset of the output pixels being derived from respective groups of one or more input pixels. The apparatus includes a spatial filter arrangement for filtering the second subset of pixels, the filter not being applied to filter the first subset of output pixels, the filter arrangement having a response such that high spatial frequencies are attenuated in the output image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus generating output image pixels from groups of one or more input image pixels, the groups selected in accordance with an image feature direction in the input image. An interpolator interpolates intermediate pixels between the input image pixels, and a block comparator detects correlation between sets of test blocks of pixels in the input image, which sets are oriented with respect to a current pixel position so that the orientation of a set having the greatest correlation indicates a probable image feature direction applicable to the current pixel position. For at least some sets of test blocks having an orientation with respect to the current pixel position within a predetermined range around a vertical orientation, the test blocks include the input image pixels and intermediate pixels interpolated from the input image pixels. For other sets of test blocks, the test blocks include only the input image pixels.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus in which output pixel values are generated with respect to pixels of an input image selected in accordance with an image feature direction in the input image. The apparatus includes a mechanism comparing blocks of pixels of the input image, the blocks being disposed with respect to a pixel position under test so that a correlation between the blocks would indicate an image feature direction applicable to that pixel position; and a mechanism detecting the image feature direction applicable to the pixel position under test as a direction corresponding to a block comparison for blocks having the highest correlation amongst blocks having block contents meeting one or more predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for image conversion comprises first motion detecting means operable to detect motion to a first level of sensitivity; second motion detecting means operable to detect motion to a second level of sensitivity, the second level of sensitivity being of greater sensitivity than the first level of sensitivity so that the second motion detecting means can detect smaller amounts of motion than the first motion detecting means; conversion selection means operable to select respectively either a first conversion process or a second conversion process for a given point in an image dependant upon whether motion is detected at that point or not, and in which the conversion selection means operates independently of the second motion detecting means if the degree of motion within an image or a part thereof detected by the first motion detecting means exceeds a threshold amount.

Abstract: A method of image processing for converting interlaced images to progressive scan images comprises the steps of generating a motion dependent mixing value for determining the extent to which a preceding image field should be mixed with a current intra-field interpolated image field at a given pixel position, comparing the generated mixing value with a preceding historical mixing value, and if the comparison indicates an increase in motion, using the generated mixing value; otherwise, if the comparison indicates a decrease in motion, temporally filtering the generated mixing value prior to use.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for image conversion comprises calculating means operable to calculate a first metric for a selected pixel position in a current image field, the first metric being the difference between a directly preceding image field and a spatially interpolated version of the current image field at the selected pixel position; categorising means operable to categorise, on the basis of the first metric, whether the selected pixel in the current image field provides either an indeterminate, unreliable or reliable basis for the determination of apparent motion at that selected pixel position in the current image field; and adjustment means operable to adjust a parameter associated with the selected pixel depending upon the categorisation made.

Abstract: A method of image processing for conversion of an image in a sequence of images comprises the steps of associating pixels of an image with respective motion values indicative of a degree of inter-image motion for each pixel; adjusting the motion value of each pixel based upon the motion value of a secondary pixel found within a first region of a first predetermined size substantially centred upon each respective pixel, said secondary pixel being that whose associated motion value is indicative of the greatest motion of any pixel in the first region; adjusting the motion value of each pixel based upon the motion value of a secondary pixel that lies within a second region of a second predetermined size substantially centred upon each respective pixel, said secondary pixel being that whose associated motion value is indicative of the least motion of any pixel in the second region; categorising each pixel as a static pixel or a motion pixel according to its respective associated motion value, and then selecting r

Abstract: A method of image processing for image conversion, comprises the steps of calculating a difference measure of the difference in pixel values between corresponding blocks of a current image field and a preceding image field, calculating a variability measure of the variability of pixel values from at least one of said corresponding blocks, determining whether the difference measure exceeds the variability measure, and if the difference measure exceeds the variability measure, then setting an inter-image mixing value for each pixel in the corresponding block of the current image field to indicate that the current image field should not be mixed with the preceding image field at that pixel position.