Abstract: An image processing device and method, a program, and a recording medium whereby the detection precision of a motion vector by the gradient method is further improved. A counter value computing unit acquires the number of valid pixels, the number of pixels having no gradient in the horizontal direction, and the number of pixels having no gradient in the vertical direction from a valid pixel number counter, a no-horizontal-gradient counter, and a no-vertical-gradient counter, computes the ratio between valid pixels within a computation block and one-sided gradient pixels among the valid pixels, and controls the value of a flag which a flag setting unit sets in accordance with the computation results. The flag setting unit sets the value of a gradient flag, and outputs the gradient flag to the subsequent stage. At the subsequent stage, gradient method computation and vector evaluation processing are executed based on the gradient flag.

Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of a target object to be retrieved and dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of each of comparison objects to be compared with the target object, the dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the target object and the dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the comparison objects being obtained as a result of adaptive dynamic range coding; a distance computation unit configured to compute distances between the target object and the comparison objects using the obtained dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the target object and the obtained dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the comparison objects; and a comparison unit configured to compare the distances between the target object and the comparison objects to select one of the comparison objects having a minimum distance.

Abstract: An information searching system includes an encoding apparatus and a searching apparatus. The encoding apparatus inputs information to be stored, encodes the input information in layers, and then stores the resulting per-layer encoding information in a database. The searching apparatus acquires information that has been thus encoded in layers in order from the upper layers thereof, compares the encoded information for an acquired search query to the encoded information for potential matches on a per-layer basis, decodes the information for the potential matches that resemble the search query on the basis of the comparison results, and then outputs the decoded information for the potential matches that resemble the search query. In so doing, searches are conducted rapidly and with reduced computational load.

Abstract: For each pixel in an operation block, an effective pixel determining unit sets a predetermined pixel difference (threshold value) on a time-base pixel difference. When the time-base pixel difference is less than the set predetermined pixel difference, it is determined that the pixel contributes to (or are effective in) motion vector detection, and uses the pixel in the gradient method in the case of performing motion vector detection. When the time-base pixel difference is not less than the set predetermined pixel difference, it is determined that the pixel is regarded as having a possibility to generate irregularity in movement, and the pixel is excluded from the gradient operation in the case of performing motion vector detection. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24 P signal to a 60 P signal.

Abstract: A past frame at a past time has a motion vector in a block, and a reference frame at a reference time has a different block which is a motion-compensated block identical in position to a terminal point of a motion vector in the block. When a gradient method is used to detect a motion vector in the different block in the reference frame, a motion vector which is identical in magnitude and orientation to a motion vector and whose initial point is the different block in the reference frame is used as a candidate vector for initial vectors. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24P signal to a 60P signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and method, a program, and a recording medium whereby the evaluation regarding the reliability of a motion vector can be performed even in the case of an average brightness level between frames changing greatly. On a frame t+1, a block B1 at the position shifted from a pixel p1 to which a pixel p0 on a frame t corresponds by the vector quantity of a correct motion vector v1, and a block B2 at the position shifted from the pixel p1 to which the pixel p0 corresponds by the vector quantity of an incorrect motion vector v2 are shown.

Abstract: A motion vector detecting apparatus includes an evaluation value information forming unit, a motion vector extracting unit, and a motion vector deciding unit. The evaluation value information forming unit is configured to form evaluation value information on motion vectors evaluating that a reference pixel is a potential movement destination candidate for a focus pixel. The evaluation value information on the motion vectors is generated from pixel value correlation information that has been one of generated and limited using a movement direction of the pixels. The motion vector extracting unit is configured to extract motion vectors as candidates from a plurality of motion vectors based on the evaluation value information formed by the evaluation value information forming unit. The motion vector deciding unit is configured to decide motion vectors to be assigned to pixels in a frame from the motion vectors extracted as the candidates by the motion vector extracting unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device and method, a program, and a recording medium whereby the detection precision of a motion vector by the gradient method can be further improved. A counter value computing unit 451 acquires the number of valid pixels, the number of pixels having no gradient in the horizontal direction, and the number of pixels having no gradient in the vertical direction from a valid pixel number counter 441, a no-horizontal-gradient counter 442, and a no-vertical-gradient counter 443, computes the ratio between valid pixels within a computation block and one-sided gradient pixels among the valid pixels, and controls the value of a flag which a flag setting unit 452 sets in accordance with the computation results. The flag setting unit 452 sets the value of a gradient flag, and outputs the gradient flag to the subsequent stage. At the subsequent stage, gradient method computation and vector evaluation processing are executed based on the gradient flag.

Abstract: An information retrieval apparatus includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of a target object to be retrieved and dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of each of comparison objects to be compared with the target object, the dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the target object and the dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the comparison objects being obtained as a result of adaptive dynamic range coding; a distance computation unit configured to compute distances between the target object and the comparison objects using the obtained dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the target object and the obtained dynamic ranges or re-quantization codes of the comparison objects; and a comparison unit configured to compare the distances between the target object and the comparison objects to select one of the comparison objects having a minimum distance.

Abstract: An information searching system includes an encoding apparatus and a searching apparatus. The encoding apparatus inputs information to be stored, encodes the input information in layers, and then stores the resulting per-layer encoding information in a database. The searching apparatus acquires information that has been thus encoded in layers in order from the upper layers thereof, compares the encoded information for an acquired search query to the encoded information for potential matches on a per-layer basis, decodes the information for the potential matches that resemble the search query on the basis of the comparison results, and then outputs the decoded information for the potential matches that resemble the search query. In so doing, searches are conducted rapidly and with reduced computational load.

Abstract: A coding device having an evaluation section for deciding, on the basis of the characteristics of an image signal having a plurality of pixel data, the coding order for the plurality of pixel data. The evaluation section selects pixel data having a strong correlation with respect to a given noted pixel data, from the plurality of pixel data, and decides the selected pixel data a pixel data next to the noted pixel data. The coding device has a coding section for coding the plurality of pixel data in the order decided by the evaluation section.

Abstract: For each pixel in an operation block, an effective pixel determining unit sets a predetermined pixel difference (threshold value) on a time-base pixel difference. When the time-base pixel difference is less than the set predetermined pixel difference, it is determined that the pixel contributes to (or are effective in) motion vector detection, and uses the pixel in the gradient method in the case of performing motion vector detection. When the time-base pixel difference is not less than the set predetermined pixel difference, it is determined that the pixel is regarded as having a possibility to generate irregularity in movement, and the pixel is excluded from the gradient operation in the case of performing motion vector detection. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24 P signal to a 60 P signal.

Abstract: A past frame at a past time has a motion vector in a block, and a reference frame at a reference time has a different block which is a motion-compensated block identical in position to a terminal point of a motion vector in the block. When a gradient method is used to detect a motion vector in the different block in the reference frame, a motion vector which is identical in magnitude and orientation to a motion vector and whose initial point is the different block in the reference frame is used as a candidate vector for initial vectors. The present invention is applicable to a signal processing apparatus for performing frame frequency conversion from a 24P signal to a 60P signal.

Abstract: Conventionally, to code a digitized image signal, a corresponding quantity of information is allocated to an edge part for carrying out coding, and therefore reduction in the quantity of information is limited, deteriorating the coding efficiency. Thus, an evaluation section of an encoder evaluates the characteristics (strength of correlation between pixels) of an image using a predetermined evaluation function, and decides a transmission pixel in accordance with the characteristics, consequently deciding a random scan order. A differential coding section differentially codes the image on the basis of the scan order decided by the evaluation section. A multiplexing section multiplexes the differential coding output from the differential coding section.

Abstract: Conventionally, to code a digitized image signal, a corresponding quantity of information is allocated to an edge part for carrying out coding, and therefore reduction in the quantity of information is limited, deteriorating the coding efficiency. Thus, an evaluation section of an encoder evaluates the characteristics (strength of correlation between pixels) of an image using a predetermined evaluation function, and decides a transmission pixel in accordance with the characteristics, consequently deciding a random scan order. A differential coding section differentially codes the image on the basis of the scan order decided by the evaluation section. A multiplexing section multiplexes the differential coding output from the differential coding section.

Abstract: In an image data conversion unit, image quality can be further improved as compared with a conventional unit. Prediction data are generated from teacher image data (HD) corresponding to second image data by using a plurality of filters (F1 to F4) having pass-bands different from each other and thereby, the second image data can be generated by using prediction data corresponding to characteristics of first image data, which enables further improvement of image quality as compared with a conventional case.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus whereby image signals provided in units of frames, each having a plurality of pixels, are divided into macro groups, and the pixels in each macro group are combined, forming a group. The pixels of the group are encoded on the basis of the level data representing the signal level of the representative pixel in the group, the position data concerning all pixels of the group and the data representing the number of the pixels existing in the group.

Abstract: Hitherto, in order to encode digital image signals, a rather large amount of data is applied to an edge part. There is inevitably a limit to the reduction of data, and the efficiency of encoding the image signals is low.

Abstract: A delay register section 31 holds SD pixels of a luminance signal and a classification section 33 decides a class, reads a coefficient corresponding to the decision result from a coefficient RAM section 40, and outputs the coefficient to a product-sum section 38. The product-sum section 38 captures the pixel data for 17 taps from the delay register section 31, converts the pixel data into seven taps, and outputs them to the product-sum section 38. The product-sum section 38 performs the product-sum operation of pixel data and coefficients and outputs the operation result as HD pixels. An interpolation pixel operation section 42 applies a simple interpolation processing different from the case of a luminance signal to the pixel data of a color signal component to generate HD pixels of a color signal. Thus, downsizing and cost reducing can be realized.

Abstract: In ordinary encoding operations, edges are disadvantageous in terms of compression because of the large amount of information involved there so that distorted and unbalanced quantization can occur as a result of encoding. Thus, in a coding apparatus according to the invention, the blocking section divided the image data into blocks. The quantity of information computing section computationally determines the quantity of information for coding the image data of each block. The pixel exchange section causes the block for which the quantity of information is computed by the quantity of information computing section and an arbitrarily selected block to exchange pixels. The controller compares the quantity of information of the block where pixels are switched by the pixel exchange section and the quantity of information of the block before the pixel exchange and determines the block to be sent to the quantizing section according to the outcome of the comparison.