Abstract: A characteristics-based image recognition method for recognizing objects in an image is implemented using an image sensor and a register. The image sensor has a plurality of pixel sensing elements. The method includes: setting a grayscale threshold value of the image; acquiring pixel values of each row sequentially in the image; identifying a background region and linear image segments of the objects in the image according to the grayscale threshold value; identifying the objects to which the linear image segments belong according to a spatial correlation between a newly detected linear image segment and a previously detected linear image segment; associating collected information of the linear image segments with the identified objects to which the linear image segments belong; and distinguishing the identified objects from each other based on solid, ring-shaped, long and short characteristics.

Abstract: A motion estimation method for a succession of frames in a digital coding system includes: a) with reference to a first block in a first frame, searching a second frame for a second block that corresponds to the first block; and b) estimating a motion vector of the first block on the basis of the second block in the second frame; wherein step a) includes: a1) forming a first initial search range including a virtual rhombus-shaped pattern substantially centered at a pre-determined block, and a2) expanding progressively outward a second initial search range based on the virtual rhombus-shaped pattern.

Abstract: A motion estimation method for a succession of frames in a digital coding system includes: with reference to a first block in a first frame, searching a second frame for a second block that corresponds to the first block; and estimating a motion vector of the first block with respect to the second block in the second frame. Blocks in the second frame are searched according to a distance-weighted search sequence starting from a candidate origin block. In view of the radiating characteristics of motion vectors, the distance-weighted search sequence can save unnecessary search time.