Abstract: An image comprises columns and rows of blocks of pixels. In each row and/or column, a series of pairs of blocks of pixels comprise first and second adjacent blocks of pixels, with the second block in a previous pair of blocks corresponding to the first block in a next pair of blocks. For at least a part of the pairs of blocks in at least a part of the rows and/or columns of blocks in the image, a method determines an indication of a block boundary between the first and second blocks. The method decides based on the determined indication whether the block boundary is a visible or invisible block boundary. These steps are then repeated for a next pair. If at least one invisible block boundary is present between two visible block boundaries, it is decided that a uniform image distortion zone has been detected.

Abstract: Artifacts of an incident digital image including pixels carrying information are reduced by determining, for certain pixels being considered from the image, displaced pixels. A displaced pixel associated with a pixel being considered is situated at a location that is displaced with respect to the location of the pixel being considered. Substitution information is determined by taking into account the variations between each piece of information carried by pixels situated at locations adjacent to the pixel being considered. The pixel being considered is then selectively replaced by a substitution pixel equal to the displaced pixel or to a combination of the displaced pixel and the pixel being considered, depending on the value of the substitution information.

Abstract: Method and devices are provided for processing an image in which a row of pixels with associated light intensity values successively alternates with a row of pixels to which values are to be associated. In each current row of pixels with associated values, pixels are selected which satisfy a selection rule based on the values for the pixels in the current row with associated values and on the values from the previous and/or the next row with associated values, and segments of pixels are detected. In this manner a set of segments is obtained relative to the image being processed, from which a graph of segments is created by linking the segments according to a linking rule. Then the respective values to be associated with at least some of the pixels in the rows to be assigned values are determined by interpolation from segments in the graph which form a path in the graph.

Abstract: An image comprises columns and rows of blocks of pixels. In each row and/or column, a series of pairs of blocks of pixels comprise first and second adjacent blocks of pixels, with the second block in a previous pair of blocks corresponding to the first block in a next pair of blocks. For at least a part of the pairs of blocks in at least a part of the rows and/or columns of blocks in the image, a method determines an indication of a block boundary between the first and second blocks. The method decides based on the determined indication whether the block boundary is a visible or invisible block boundary. These steps are then repeated for a next pair. If at least one invisible block boundary is present between two visible block boundaries, it is decided that a uniform image distortion zone has been detected.

Abstract: The invention provides for a process and a device for de-interlacing a video signal, wherein at output (S) is produced a signal (Sde) of video images de-interlaced by interpolating the pixels missing from the interlaced video signal presented at input (E), the interpolation on the output signal (Sde) being composed selectively (10) from a spatial interpolation (6), based on a transition detection and from a temporal interpolation (8) with a decision being made on the variable degree of presence of spatial interpolation and/or of temporal interpolation in the output signal (Sde), the decision being made as a function of a motion detection in the relevant area of the image, wherein the decision is made additionally as a function of a detection of the detail (2) in a relevant area of the image.

Abstract: Artifacts of an incident digital image including pixels carrying information are reduced by determining, for certain pixels being considered from the image, displaced pixels. A displaced pixel associated with a pixel being considered is situated at a location that is displaced with respect to the location of the pixel being considered. Substitution information is determined by taking into account the variations between each piece of information carried by pixels situated at locations adjacent to the pixel being considered. The pixel being considered is then selectively replaced by a substitution pixel equal to the displaced pixel or to a combination of the displaced pixel and the pixel being considered, depending on the value of the substitution information.

Abstract: A motion estimation method and device are provided for processing images to be inserted, between a preceding original image and a following original image, into a sequence of images. Each image is divided into pixel blocks associated with motion vectors. For a current block of an image being processed, motion vectors associated with blocks of the image being processed and/or associated with blocks of a processed image are selected. Candidate vectors are generated from selected motion vectors. An error is calculated for each candidate vector. A penalty is determined for a subset of candidate vectors on the basis of the values of the pixels of the pixel block in the preceding original image from which the candidate motion vector points to the current block and/or on the basis of the values of the pixels of the pixel block in the following original image to which the candidate motion vector points from the current block.

Abstract: A motion estimation method and device are provided for processing images to be inserted, between a preceding original image and a following original image, in a sequence of images. Each of the images is divided into several pixel blocks. A motion vector is associated with each block of a processed image. For a current block of an image currently being processed, motion vectors associated with blocks of the image currently being processed and/or of an already processed image are selected. For each motion vector selected, an updating vector is determined. Candidate vectors are generated from the selected motion vectors and the updating vectors. A vector is elected from among the candidate vectors. Information associating the elected motion vector with the current block is stored in memory. The updating vector is determined on the basis of a calculated confidence value stored in memory for each associated motion vector.

Abstract: A motion estimation method and device are provided for processing images to be inserted, between a preceding original image and a following original image, into a sequence of determined images. Each image is divided into pixel blocks and a motion vector is associated with each block of a processed image. Motion vectors associated with respective blocks of the image are processed and motion vectors associated with respective blocks of a preceding processed image (spatial and temporal motion vectors) are selected with respect to a current block of an image being processed. Candidate motion vectors are generated from the motion vectors selected. One vector is elected from among the candidate vectors. Information associating the elected vector with the block is stored. A temporal motion vector is selected only if it satisfies a determined selection criterion based on the orientation of the motion vector.

Abstract: The invention provides for a process and a device for de-interlacing a video signal, wherein at output (S) is produced a signal (Sde) of video images de-interlaced by interpolating the pixels missing from the interlaced video signal presented at input (E), the interpolation on the output signal (Sde) being composed selectively (10) from a spatial interpolation (6), based on a transition detection and from a temporal interpolation (8) with a decision being made on the variable degree of presence of spatial interpolation and/or of temporal interpolation in the output signal (Sde), the decision being made as a function of a motion detection in the relevant area of the image, wherein the decision is made additionally as a function of a detection of the detail (2) in a relevant area of the image.