Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a global motion estimation apparatus that performs global Motion Estimation on current and reference images and then outputs a Motion Vector, wherein the global motion estimation apparatus includes a motion estimation processing unit that has a function of executing an LK method two or more times across a whole screen to perform the global motion estimation between the current and reference images; and the motion estimation processing unit obtains a set of motion vectors based on at least information about pixel value variations and information in which a calculation result of an arbitrary calculation expression is added across a whole screen in first motion estimation, and determines whether to perform addition on each pixel according to a set condition when obtaining the at least information, and obtains and outputs a new set of motion vectors as a result of a second LK method when the condition is satisfied in second motion estimation.

Abstract: A motion-vector searching method is provided. The motion-vector searching method includes the steps of: reading out observed processing blocks and reading out reference processing blocks; concurrently computing partial evaluation values for each of a plurality of position vectors; obtaining a total evaluation value for each particular one of the position vectors; and finding the motion vector as an optimum position vector determined by comparison of the total evaluation values each obtained for one of the position vectors with each other.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a global motion estimation apparatus that performs global Motion Estimation on current and reference images and then outputs a Motion Vector, wherein the global motion estimation apparatus includes a motion estimation processing unit that has a function of executing an LK method two or more times across a whole screen to perform the global motion estimation between the current and reference images; and the motion estimation processing unit obtains a set of motion vectors based on at least information about pixel value variations and information in which a calculation result of an arbitrary calculation expression is added across a whole screen in first motion estimation, and determines whether to perform addition on each pixel according to a set condition when obtaining the at least information, and obtains and outputs a new set of motion vectors as a result of a second LK method when the condition is satisfied in second motion estimation.

Abstract: A motion-vector searching method is provided. The motion-vector searching method includes the steps of: reading out observed processing blocks and reading out reference processing blocks; concurrently computing partial evaluation values for each of a plurality of position vectors; obtaining a total evaluation value for each particular one of the position vectors; and finding the motion vector as an optimum position vector determined by comparison of the total evaluation values each obtained for one of the position vectors with each other.