Patents by Inventor Sheng-Che Tsao

Sheng-Che Tsao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9582866
    Abstract: An adaptive contrast enhancement method, the steps include: calculating a probability density function based on pixel values of a plurality of pixels of an input image signal; dividing the plurality of pixels into one of a plurality of low-brightness sets and high-brightness sets according to the pixel values of the plurality of pixels, wherein a part of the plurality of pixels with pixel values below one of a plurality of delimiting values are allocated to the low-brightness set and a part of the plurality of pixels with pixel values above the delimiting value are allocated to the high-brightness set; determining a mapping function according to the probability of the plurality of pixels in the low-brightness set and the probability of the plurality of pixels in the high-brightness set; and mapping the input image signal to an output image signal according to the mapping function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: De-Wei Shen, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Publication number: 20160267631
    Abstract: An adaptive contrast enhancement method, the steps include: calculating a probability density function based on pixel values of a plurality of pixels of an input image signal; dividing the plurality of pixels into one of a plurality of low-brightness sets and high-brightness sets according to the pixel values of the plurality of pixels, wherein a part of the plurality of pixels with pixel values below one of a plurality of delimiting values are allocated to the low-brightness set and a part of the plurality of pixels with pixel values above the delimiting value are allocated to the high-brightness set; determining a mapping function according to the probability of the plurality of pixels in the low-brightness set and the probability of the plurality of pixels in the high-brightness set; and mapping the input image signal to an output image signal according to the mapping function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: De-Wei SHEN, Sheng-Che TSAO
  • Patent number: 8379146
    Abstract: A deinterlacing method for a digital motion picture is provided. The method includes determining if a predicted pixel lies in an artificial horizontal line or not according to the relationship among a first pixel value, a second pixel value, a first threshold value and a second threshold value; and estimating the predicted pixel value in a still image manner if the predicted pixel is determined to lie in an artificial horizontal line. The present invention also includes an apparatus implementing the deinterlacing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hua-Sheng Lin, Jiunn-Shyang Wang, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 8149334
    Abstract: A PIP (Picture In Picture) processing apparatus processes a main image and a secondary image and includes a scaling circuit, a memory circuit, a first selecting circuit and a processing circuit. The scaling circuit scales down the secondary image to output a scaled-down secondary image. The memory circuit stores the main image and the scaled-down secondary image. The first selecting circuit is connected with a controlling circuit to receive an image selecting signal, and is connected with the memory circuit to select the scaled-down secondary image or the main image as an output according to the image selecting signal. The processing circuit is connected with the first selecting circuit to process the main image or the scaled-down image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 8005318
    Abstract: A weight-adjusted method applied in adjusting a weighting coefficient in an image scaling process. First, an absolute difference is obtained by taking an absolute value of a difference between a first pixel value and a second pixel value of an image. Next, the absolute difference is compared with several threshold values, which define several zones, so as to generate a weight-adjusted value corresponding to a zone in which the absolute difference falls. After that, a first pixel weighted value and a second pixel weighted value are adjusted according to the weight-adjusted value. Finally, a weighted pixel value is outputted by adding a product of the first pixel value and a first adjusted pixel weighted value to a product of the second pixel value and a second adjusted pixel weighted value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tse-Hua Ou, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 7714932
    Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive de-interlace of a frame comprises a line-segment difference-value calculating module, a motion-vector calculating module, an intra-block calculating module, a trigger-value producing module, and an image processing module. The line-segment difference-value calculating module computes a difference value of a line segment within the frame. The motion-vector calculating module computes a motion vector of a macro block that is located in the frame and comprises the line segment. The intra-block calculating module computes the amount of intra blocks in the frame. The trigger-value producing module determines whether the amount of the intra blocks is larger than a first threshold or not, so as to select an algorithm for generating a trigger value. The image processing module determines whether the trigger value is larger than a second threshold or not and then selects a de-interlace algorithm for de-interlacing the line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Chang Chen, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 7554605
    Abstract: A video signal transformation method and device for adapting display devices to heterogeneous signal formats, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a source video signal and the display format of a display device; and transforming the source video signal into the format of the display device for using the transformed video signal as the input of the display device while the source video signal is not conformed with the format of the display device. In addition, the device includes a detection device and a processing device, wherein this detection device detects the source video signal and the display format of the display device, whilst the processing device configured to convert the source video signal and output it to at least one corresponding display device, whereby a method and device for outputting various video signals can be achieved, and avoid users from the trouble at the time of transition period of display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Morgan Chang, Sheng-che Tsao
  • Patent number: 7542054
    Abstract: An image data processing apparatus for detecting a scrolling direction of a first image thereto scaling the first image simultaneously is disclosed. The image data processing apparatus includes an image detecting module and a scaling module. The image detecting module is used for extracting an eigenvalue of the first image and its scrolling detection thereto outputs a directional signal and a line difference signal. The scaling module receives a ratio signal, the directional signal, and the line difference signal thereto outputs a second image accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Via Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Denzel Wang, Andy Chiu, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Publication number: 20080231747
    Abstract: A deinterlacing method for a digital motion picture is provided. The method includes determining if a predicted pixel lies in an artificial horizontal line or not according to the relationship among a first pixel value, a second pixel value, a first threshold value and a second threshold value; and estimating the predicted pixel value in a still image manner if the predicted pixel is determined to lie in an artificial horizontal line. The present invention also includes an apparatus implementing the deinterlacing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hua-Sheng Lin, Jiunn-Shyang Wang, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 7428561
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus for scaling a digital data source is provided. The data processing apparatus includes a ratio transformation module and a scaling module. The ratio transformation module receives a ratio signal and generates a Look-up Table (LUT). The scaling module connected to the ratio transformation module receives the digital data source, scales the digital data source based on the LUT, and then outputs a processed digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Denzel Wang, An-Te Chiu, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Publication number: 20080158418
    Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive de-interlace of a frame comprises a line-segment difference-value calculating module, a motion-vector calculating module, an intra-block calculating module, a trigger-value producing module, and an image processing module. The line-segment difference-value calculating module computes a difference value of a line segment within the frame. The motion-vector calculating module computes a motion vector of a macro block that is located in the frame and comprises the line segment. The intra-block calculating module computes the amount of intra blocks in the frame. The trigger-value producing module determines whether the amount of the intra blocks is larger than a first threshold or not, so as to select an algorithm for generating a trigger value. The image processing module determines whether the trigger value is larger than a second threshold or not and then selects a de-interlace algorithm for de-interlacing the line segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hao Chang Chen, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 7365795
    Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive de-interlace of a frame comprises a line-segment difference-value calculating module, a motion-vector calculating module, an intra-block calculating module, a trigger-value producing module, and an image processing module. The line-segment difference-value calculating module computes a difference value of a line segment within the frame. The motion-vector calculating module computes a motion vector of a macro block that is located in the frame and comprises the line segment. The intra-block calculating module computes the amount of intra blocks in the frame. The trigger-value producing module determines whether the amount of the intra blocks is larger than a first threshold or not, so as to select an algorithm for generating a trigger value. The image processing module determines whether the trigger value is larger than a second threshold or not and then selects a de-interlace algorithm for de-interlacing the line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Chang Chen, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Publication number: 20080025644
    Abstract: A weight-adjusted method applied in adjusting a weighting coefficient in an image scaling process. First, an absolute difference is obtained by taking an absolute value of a difference between a first pixel value and a second pixel value of an image. Next, the absolute difference is compared with several threshold values, which define several zones, so as to generate a weight-adjusted value corresponding to a zone in which the absolute difference falls. After that, a first pixel weighted value and a second pixel weighted value are adjusted according to the weight-adjusted value. Finally, a weighted pixel value is outputted by adding a product of the first pixel value and a first adjusted pixel weighted value to a product of the second pixel value and a second adjusted pixel weighted value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Tse-Hua Ou, Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Publication number: 20070291176
    Abstract: A PIP (Picture In Picture) processing apparatus processes a main image and a secondary image and includes a scaling circuit, a memory circuit, a first selecting circuit and a processing circuit. The scaling circuit scales down the secondary image to output a scaled-down secondary image. The memory circuit stores the main image and the scaled-down secondary image. The first selecting circuit is connected with a controlling circuit to receive an image selecting signal, and is connected with the memory circuit to select the scaled-down secondary image or the main image as an output according to the image selecting signal. The processing circuit is connected with the first selecting circuit to process the main image or the scaled-down image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Sheng-Che Tsao
  • Patent number: 7242436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a selection methodology of de-interlacing algorithm of dynamic image, comprising detecting hardware resource of player system. When hardware resource of player system corresponds to the executing condition of algorithm of line-segment de-interlacing, then selects algorithm of line-segment de-interlacing for de-interlacing. When hardware resource of player system doesn't correspond to the executing condition of algorithm of line-segment de-interlacing, then detects input image to see whether it contains information of P-frame or not. When input image contains information of P-frame, the player system selects algorithm of block-based de-interlacing for de-interlacing. Otherwise, the player system selects whether it takes complete frame as a process unit for deciding frame-based de-interlacing and field-based de-interlacing, and provides users with a higher-resolution dynamic image and a better elasticity of selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Che Tsao, Jackie Hsiung, An-Te Chiu
  • Patent number: 7206028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of adaptive de-interlacing of dynamic image, configured for calculating encoding information of a dynamic image to acquire an image shift value of field and then compare the image shift value of field with a programmable threshold. When the image shift value of field is substantially greater than the threshold, then choosing Bob algorithm for de-interlacing; otherwise, when the image shift value of field is substantially less than the threshold, then choosing Weave algorithm for de-interlacing to constitute a high-resolution motion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ting-Kun Yeh, Jackie Hsiung, Sheng-Che Tsao, An-Te Chiu
  • Patent number: 7206026
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive frame rate conversion comparing the steps of calculating a plurality of motion vectors of a plurality of blocks to generate a motion judgment value; comparing the motion judgment value with a threshold value to decide a frame rate conversion approach; and executing the frame rate conversion approach. Furthermore, the apparatus for adaptive frame rate conversion comparing a motion vector processing unit for extracting and calculating a plurality of motion vectors from a plurality of blocks of an incoming image to generate a motion judgment value; a microprocessor for comparing the motion judgment value with a threshold value to generate a comparing result and determining a frame rate conversion approach according to the comparing result; and a video processing unit for executing the frame rate conversion approach determined by the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackie Hsiung, Sheng-Che Tsao, An-Te Chiu
  • Patent number: 7196731
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of adaptive de-interlacing of dynamic image, configured for calculating characteristic values of each line segment of current frame in sequence according to width of line segment. Next, calculating the difference between characteristic values of each line segment of current frame and characteristic values of each corresponding line segment of reference frame in sequence to acquire an image shift value of line segment. And next, comparing the image shift value of line segment with a threshold to determine a de-interlacing algorithm for executing the de-interlacing and constituting a high-resolution dynamic image. At the same time, storing characteristic values of each line segment of current frame for being the characteristic values of each corresponding line segment of the former frame when calculating the image shift value of line segment of the next frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Che Tsao, Jackie Hsiung, An-Te Chiu
  • Patent number: 7190405
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of adaptive de-interlacing of dynamic image, in which extraction and calculation of motion vectors contained in a macro-block being processed, the value of calculation of motion vectors being then compared with a programmable threshold; wherein the macro-block being a motion block if the value of calculation being greater than the threshold and therefore Bob algorithm being chosen for de-interlacing process. Otherwise, the macro-block being a still block if the value of calculation being less than the threshold and therefore Weave algorithm being chosen for de-interlacing process. Consequently, the process is enforced continually and a dynamic image of high image quality is constituted with block as its unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ting-Kun Yeh, Jackie Hsiung, Sheng-Che Tsao, An-Te Chiu
  • Patent number: 7158150
    Abstract: An image wipe method includes the steps of defining at least a first reference point to divide a screen area into several sub-areas according to the first reference points, selecting at least one sub-area, and performing a first image process on the selected sub-area. In addition, an image wipe device for executing the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackie Hsiung, Sheng-Che Tsao