Abstract: Provided is a recombinant microorganism including at least two genes for producing itaconic acid and its derived monomers, and the at least two genes are located on the same expression vector. The at least two genes include one encoding cis-aconitic acid decarboxylase and the other one encoding aconitase, and the genome of the recombinant microorganism includes a gene encoding the molecular chaperone protein GroELS. Also provided is a method for producing itaconic acid by using the microorganism.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes: an etch-stop dielectric layer overlying a substrate and including a first opening therethrough; a silicon oxide plate overlying the etch-stop dielectric layer and including a second opening therethrough; a first conductive structure including a first electrode and extending through the second opening and the first opening; a memory film contacting a top surface of the first conductive structure and including a material that provides at least two resistive states having different electrical resistivity; and a second conductive structure including a second electrode and contacting a top surface of the memory film.

Abstract: A motion estimation method is provided for generating a motion vector of a to-be-generated frame between two continuous reference frames. The method includes the following steps. A candidate motion vector is obtained according to the position of a to-be-generated block of a to-be-generated frame. Two first reference blocks are obtained from the two reference frames by extending the candidate motion vector from the to-be-generated block to the two reference frames, respectively. Two second reference blocks are obtained from the two reference frames by extending the candidate motion vector from one reference frame to another reference frame. Whether the candidate motion vector is valid is determined according to the positions of the two reference blocks obtained in each obtaining step. The corresponding motion vector of the to-be-generated block is determined according to the valid candidate motion vector.

Abstract: An estimation method of a predicted motion vector for an image block having one or more pixels, which includes calculating a pixel difference value corresponding to a current frame and a reference frame for each pixel of the image block, determining a pixel difference area according to the pixel difference values corresponding to the plurality of pixels, and determining a predicted motion vector according to the pixel difference area.

Abstract: Method for detecting disappearance of a pattern is used to detect whether a fixed-still pattern in dynamic displayed images disappears. Method includes analyzing a pattern characteristic parameter which represents the fixed-still pattern from each of images continuously displayed in a time sequence, It is checked whether the pattern characteristic parameter fast decreases from at least greater than a high level to at least less than a low level, as a first state transition. Sum of absolute difference (SAD) values for all of the pixels between a previous image and a current image is calculated. It is checked whether the sum of the SAD values fast increases from at least less than a low level to at least greater than a high level, as a second state transition. When the first state transition and the second state transition occur simultaneously, it is determined that the fixed-still pattern disappears in the display.

Abstract: A block matching method for estimating a motion vector of an estimation block of an image frame is provided, which includes comparing the estimation block with at least one reference block corresponding to a first object to obtain a plurality of pixel difference values, determining a mask area corresponding to the first object and a calculation area corresponding to a second object in the estimation block, and performing blocking matching operations on the calculation area to determine a motion vector of the second object as the motion vector of the estimation block.

Abstract: Method for detecting edge of fixed pattern includes receiving and analyzing a first image to obtain a first edge information. Second image and a corresponding second edge information are received, in which the second image includes an accumulation of image history information. According to the first edge information and the second edge information, a consistent number and an inconsistent number for pairs of pixels at the corresponding location of the first image and the second image are calculated, in which the consistent number represents how many pairs of pixels of which two compared pixels of each pair are both edge pixels, and the inconsistent number represents one of the two compared pixels is not the edge pixel. When the consistent number is greater than first predetermined value and meanwhile the inconsistent number is less than second predetermined value, first image and second image have a fixed pattern with fixed edge.

Abstract: A method for detecting a static logo is provided. The method includes following steps. An edge detection is performed on each of a plurality of blocks to be detected in an image frame so as to obtain edge detection information. A motion estimation is performed on a plurality of blocks within a respective surrounding area of each of the blocks to be detected so as to obtain distribution information of motion vectors. Whether a logo is a static logo is determined according to the edge detection information and the distribution information of motion vectors. Accuracy of the logo detection can be increased by using the method.

Abstract: Method for detecting edge of fixed pattern includes receiving and analyzing a first image to obtain a first edge information. Second image and a corresponding second edge information are received, in which the second image includes an accumulation of image history information. According to the first edge information and the second edge information, a consistent number and an inconsistent number for pairs of pixels at the corresponding location of the first image and the second image are calculated, in which the consistent number represents how many pairs of pixels of which two compared pixels of each pair are both edge pixels, and the inconsistent number represents one of the two compared pixels is not the edge pixel. When the consistent number is greater than first predetermined value and meanwhile the inconsistent number is less than second predetermined value, first image and second image have a fixed pattern with fixed edge.

Abstract: A method for detecting a black rim of an image frame is provided. The method includes following steps. Rim brightness information of a rim region of a current image frame is calculated. Frame brightness information of a frame region of the current image frame is obtained. A brightness threshold is calculated according to the rim brightness information and the frame brightness information. Whether a plurality of pixels in the rim region are black pixels is determined according to the brightness threshold. Furthermore, an image processing apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An estimation method of a predicted motion vector for an image block having one or more pixels, which includes calculating a pixel difference value corresponding to a current frame and a reference frame for each pixel of the image block, determining a pixel difference area according to the pixel difference values corresponding to the plurality of pixels, and determining a predicted motion vector according to the pixel difference area.

Abstract: A block matching method for estimating a motion vector of an estimation block of an image frame is provided, which includes comparing the estimation block with at least one reference block corresponding to a first object to obtain a plurality of pixel difference values, determining a mask area corresponding to the first object and a calculation area corresponding to a second object in the estimation block, and performing blocking matching operations on the calculation area to determine a motion vector of the second object as the motion vector of the estimation block.

Abstract: A motion estimation method is provided for generating a motion vector of a to-be-generated frame between two continuous reference frames. The method includes the following steps. A candidate motion vector is obtained according to the position of a to-be-generated block of a to-be-generated frame. Two first reference blocks are obtained from the two reference frames by extending the candidate motion vector from the to-be-generated block to the two reference frames, respectively. Two second reference blocks are obtained from the two reference frames by extending the candidate motion vector from one reference frame to another reference frame. Whether the candidate motion vector is valid is determined according to the positions of the two reference blocks obtained in each obtaining step. The corresponding motion vector of the to-be-generated block is determined according to the valid candidate motion vector.