Changing Number Of Fields For Standard Conversion Patents (Class 348/459)
  • Publication number: 20100007789
    Abstract: Deterioration of the image quality of a moving image which is deteriorated due to a motion-compensated frame rate conversion (FRC) processing is prevented. An image display device comprises an FRC portion (10) for converting the number of frames of an input image signal by interpolating an image signal to which the motion compensation processing is performed between frames of the input image signal and a controlling portion (15) for controlling the operation of the FRC portion (10) after determining whether or not the degree of deterioration of the input image signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Mori, Seiji Kohashikawa
  • Patent number: 7633549
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for image rendering includes a first buffer operative to receive first video data. A motion mad updater receives video data from the first buffer and updates a motion map using the first video data. A grain information generator is coupled to the first buffer and receives the first video data to generate slope information based on the first video data. A grain information filter receives the slope information and filters the slope information to generate filtered slope information. A spatially interpolated field generator receives the filtered slope information and generates a spatially interpolated field. A maximum difference value generator generates a maximum difference value based on the update motion map. A base value generator receives the first video data and the spatially interpolated field and generates a base value therefrom. A missing video data generator generates missing first video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: ATI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Swan
  • Patent number: 7626601
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for outputting an output video signal to a display unit and displaying an image based on an input video signal on the display unit includes a signal processor for dividing the input video signal into a predetermined number of signals and outputting the signals as the output video signal. The signals as the output video signal drive associated areas obtained by dividing a display-capable area of the display unit. In accordance with the display unit, the predetermined number of signals is set so that the clock frequency of each of the signals output as the output video signal is less than or equal to a clock frequency that can be processed by the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Nishi, Mitsuyasu Asano, Kazuhiko Ueda, Masuyoshi Kurokawa, Kazuhiko Nishibori
  • Patent number: 7623183
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a video image on a display system comprises a decoder for converting the video image into continuous fields arranged in a first sequence, the continuous fields having a first scan rate different from a second scan rate of the display system, and sending a first signal indicating the first scan rate, a system identifier for sending a second signal indicating the second scan rate, a controller in response to the first signal and the second signal for determining interrupt points for the continuous fields, the interrupt points dividing the continuous fields into odd-numbered sections of fields and even-numbered sections of fields, a buffer for storing the continuous fields, a reorganizing unit for reorganizing one of the odd-numbered or even-numbered sections of fields into reorganized sections of fields, and a multiplexing circuit for selecting the reorganized sections of fields from the reorganizing unit, and selecting the other of the odd-numbered or even-numbered sections of field
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Rong-Fu Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090273710
    Abstract: An image processing method for frame rate conversion, comprising: receiving a stream of input pictures at an input frame rate, at least some of the input pictures being new pictures, the new pictures appearing within the stream of input pictures at an underlying new picture rate; generating interpolated pictures from certain ones of the input pictures; outputting a stream of output pictures at an output frame rate, the stream of output pictures including a blend of the new pictures and the interpolated pictures, the interpolated pictures appearing in the stream of output pictures at an average interpolated picture rate; and causing a variation in the average interpolated picture rate in response to detection of a variation in the underlying new picture rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Larry Pearlstein, Samir Hulyalkar
  • Patent number: 7612828
    Abstract: A method for detecting progressive material in a video sequence is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) calculating a plurality of block statistics for each of a plurality of blocks in a current field of the video sequence, (B) calculating a plurality of field statistics by summing the block statistics over all of the blocks in the current field, (C) calculating a noise level for the current field based on a subset of the block statistics from each of the blocks and (D) generating a mode flag for the current field based on both (i) the field statistics and (ii) the noise level, wherein the mode flag identifies if the current field is part of a 2:2 pull-down pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell L. Winger, Yunwei Jia
  • Publication number: 20090268089
    Abstract: It is an object to prevent the image quality deterioration of a moving image likely to include a plurality of the same consecutive images such as a movie video image or a CG video image due to the motion-compensated frame rate conversion (FRC) processing. An image displaying device is provided with an FRC portion (10) for converting the number of frames in an input image signal by interpolating an image signal to which a motion compensation processing has been given between the frames in the input image signal, a controlling portion (14) for controlling each portion according to an image tone mode selected by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Takeshi Mori, Seiji Kohashikawa, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Masafumi Ueno, Kenichiroh Yamamoto, Takashi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7605866
    Abstract: A video apparatus is provided with automatic deinterlacing and inverse telecine pre-filtering capability to automatically analyze the frames of the video to determine at least whether the video is one of telecine, non-telecine progressive and non-telecine interlaced formatted, and to automatically reformat the video into a non-telecine progressive format if the video is determined to be one of telecine and non-telecine interlaced formatted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Realnetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Conklin
  • Patent number: 7602440
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program that can very sharply display video images which are subjected to frame rate conversion by suppressing a decrease in the image quality (blurred images) caused by imaging blur. A high frame converter 11 performs high frame rate conversion on an input moving picture. An imaging blur suppression processor 13 corrects each pixel value forming a subject frame based on at least one value corresponding to the subject frame of the parameter values representing imaging blur detected by an imaging blur characteristic detector 12. Accordingly, a moving picture having a higher rate than that of the input moving picture and having each pixel value suitably corrected to suppress imaging blur is output. The present invention is applicable to a television system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Nishi, Kazuhiko Ueda, Mitsuyasu Asano
  • Patent number: 7596297
    Abstract: An encoded bit stream having a frame rate of 24 Hz or 23.976 Hz and a progressive format for both NTSC and PAL is recorded on a recording medium. An encoded stream reproduced from the recording medium is supplied to a decoder 20. In the decoder 20, the encoded stream is decoded and 24 p or 23.976 p video is obtained. A video converting portion 25 converts the reproduced video into a display video in accordance with the display format of a monitor 26. For the NTSC range, 29.97 i or 59.94 p display format can be used. For the PAL range, 25 i or 50 p display format can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Motoki Kato
  • Patent number: 7589790
    Abstract: A system and method that convert a video source from a first rate to a second rate. The system may have as an input a video that may be frame-based or field-based at a first rate, and convert the input video to an output video that may be frame-based or field-based at a second rate. The first rate may be 50 Hz and the second rate may be 60 Hz. Converting from the first rate to the second rate may comprise repeating frames or fields. For example, when converting from a frame-based 50 Hz input video to a frame-based 60 Hz output video, the output video comprises frames where every sixth frame is a repeated version of the preceding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Richard H. Wyman
  • Patent number: 7576802
    Abstract: A method for digital motion picture film enhancement comprises receiving a digitized source motion picture image stream. The digitized source motion picture image stream may be recorded at about 30 frames per second (fps) and is based on an original motion picture film that was filmed at an original frame rate of 24 fps or less. A first intermediate digital image stream corresponding to and having the original frame rate is extracted. Motion interpolation is performed on the first intermediate digital image stream, resulting in creating and storing a second intermediate digital image stream of about 60 fps. Pairs of frames of the second intermediate digital image stream are digitally selected and digitally interweaved to create composite frames. The composite frames are resized, and interlacing half frames are selected to result in an output image stream of about 30 fps. Embodiments significantly enhance motion fluidity of historic telecine transfers and other filmed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin T. Segura
  • Patent number: 7561204
    Abstract: Values of actual pixels existing on upper and lower scanning lines of a pixels to be interpolated are detected, and a differential of each of the actual pixels is calculated. Each of the actual pixels is weighted in accordance with the differential and both the weighted values of the pixels are added together. The sum of the addition is used as a value of the pixel to be interpolated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi Honda
  • Publication number: 20090161011
    Abstract: Embodiments of a frame rate conversion (FRC) method use two or more frames to detect and determine their relative motion. An interpolated frame between the two frames may be created using a derived motion, a time stamp given, and consecutive frame data. Global estimation of each frame is utilized, resulting in reduced occlusion, reduced interpolation artifacts, selective elimination of judder, graceful degradation, and low complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: BARAK HURWITZ, Alex Zaretsky, Omri Govrin, Avi Levy
  • Publication number: 20090153733
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for interpolating an image, that improve frequency characteristics of a motion compensated interpolation by combining motion compensation and a de-blurring filter. The image interpolation method includes: estimating a motion vector between adjacent frames; determining a location of a pixel that is to be interpolated between adjacent frames based on the estimated motion vector; selecting values of candidate pixels of the location of the pixel that is to be interpolated; and filtering the values of the candidate pixels by applying each filter coefficient according to locations of pixels to the values of the candidate pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-hyuk SHIN, Seung-hoon HAN, Dae-hyun KIM
  • Patent number: 7548276
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique relating to a frame rate conversion which enables display of an image of extended definition by smoothening the movement of the image. Therefore, the invention fixes the direction of interpolation using information on a first frame which appeared before the insertion time of the interpolated frame, a second frame appeared before the first frame, a third frame appeared after the insertion time, and a fourth frame appeared after the third frame, based on the insertion time of the interpolated frame. The interpolated pixel is generated from pixels of the second frame and the third frame located in the direction of interpolation, and generates the interpolated frame. Then, the interpolated frame is inserted into the inputted image signal to convert the frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Mizuhashi, Mitsuo Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20090122188
    Abstract: An image display device comprising a frame rate converting (FRC) portion can prevent image degradation at a screen boundary part attributed to the FRC processing when displaying an image obtained by combining a plurality of screens. The image display device comprises an FRC portion 10 for converting the number of frames of an input image signal by interpolating an image signal subjected to a motion compensation process between frames of the input image signal and a screen combining portion 13 for combining a plurality of screens. When displaying an image obtained by combining a plurality of screens, the screen combining portion 13 combines a plurality of screens by matching a motion detection block boundary when performing the motion compensation process by the FRC portion 10 with the respective screen boundaries of the plurality of screens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Toshiharu Hanaoka, Kenichiroh Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Masafumi Ueno, Takashi Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20090115845
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for inverse telecine and scene change detection of progressive video may include determining a cadence, for example, 3:2 or 2:2 pulldown, and phase of received progressive input pictures. A difference between two or more consecutive received progressive input pictures may be determined. The motion compensation of a plurality of output pictures may be controlled based on the determined cadence, phase and difference between two or more consecutive received progressive input pictures. The system may be enabled to determine repeated pictures and scene changes. The motion compensation of output pictures may be stopped during detected scene changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Frederick Walls, Richard Hayden Wyman
  • Patent number: 7508449
    Abstract: We describe and claim a film mode judder elimination circuit and method. A film mode detector detects a film mode in a video signal. A judder eliminator eliminates judder by dynamically transitioning from one field rate, e.g., 60 Hz, to another field rate, e.g., 48 Hz or 72 Hz, responsive to the detection. The transition between the one and another field rate may occur during the vertical blanking period to avoid flicker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Y. Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20090059068
    Abstract: In an image display device having a frame rate converting (FRC) portion, it is possible to prevent image degradation of a combined image display portion such as an OSD and PinP attributed to the FRC process. The image display device includes: an FRC portion 10 for converting the number of frames of an input image signal by interpolating an image signal subjected to a motion compensation process between the frames of the input image signal; an OSD processing portion 14 for superposing an OSD signal on the input image signal, and a controlling portion 15. The FRC portion 10 has a motion vector detecting portion 11e for detecting a motion vector between the frames of the input image signal, an interpolation vector evaluating portion 11f for allocating interpolation vector between frames based on the motion vector information, and an interpolation frame generating portion 12d for generating an interpolation frame from the interpolation vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Toshiharu Hanaoka, Kenichiroh Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Furukawa, Masafumi Ueno, Yasuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7483079
    Abstract: A system and method in which a sequence of motion images including a scene of interest is zoomed up and displayed smoothly at a specified arbitrary playback speed. Pixel data of taps corresponding to each pixel of interest in each unit of pixel block of an output image signal to be generated is extracted from an input image signal. A class code is determined based on the extracted pixel data. Based on coefficient seed data of the class and spatial parameters, image quality parameters, and a frame phase of the pixel of interest, a coefficient generator generates coefficient data of the class for use in calculation of pixel data of each pixel of interest. A processing circuit calculates pixel data of the pixel of interest in accordance with a prediction equation using tap data corresponding to the pixel of interest, and the coefficient data corresponding to the class code read from a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Yasuhiko Suga
  • Patent number: 7474841
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus enables smooth joint recording between 2 video coded streams without re-encoding by generating and inserting a dummy stream to maintain periodicity of phase information therebetween. A 2-3 pulldown unit 110 converts moving image data having a frame rate of 24 frames per 1 second, by periodically generating 2-field picture data and 3-field picture data from respective frames, to data having 60 fields per 1 second. An MPEG unit 111 compression-encodes the converted data. At this time, phase information of fields included in the respective pictures are added. A stream information detection unit 105 detects the phase information of a field included in a head picture. On the other hand, a join position information detection unit 107 detects the phase information of a field included in a rear end of a compressed coded stream already recorded on a recording medium 104.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Nozawa
  • Patent number: 7468754
    Abstract: A combined de-interlacing and frame doubling system (114, 114? and 114?) advantageously serves to de-interlace successive lines of Present Field Video data at twice the field rate to yield an output bit stream suitable for display on display device that utilizes progressive scanning. The de-interlacing and frame doubling system in accordance with present principles includes a frame memory mechanism (116, 116? and 116?) for storing at least one frame of interlaced video having a prescribed field rate. At least one de-interlacing circuit (11401, 1140?1, 1140?) pulls at least two fields of video data from the memory mechanism at a rate of at least twice the field rate for performing a full de-interlacing function in half of a field period to generate the a progressive, frame doubled signal for receipt at the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Eric Stephen Carlsgaard, David Leon Simpson, Michael Evan Crabb
  • Publication number: 20080303941
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for executing generation and reproduction processing of picture data suitable for picture display devices having differing processable frame rates, low frame rate picture data is generated on the basis of a plurality of temporally continuous pictures having a high frame rate to provide picture data having a plurality of layers. Decimated data may be set as the high frame rate layer data. In this manner, the quantity of data to be transmitted or stored is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Ohki
  • Patent number: 7463306
    Abstract: In an arrangement for processing video signals provided as interlaced video signals generated in the interlaced scanning mode, in which two fields constitute one frame, and/or as pseudo-interlaced video signals derived from non-interlaced video signals obtained by means of progressive scanning, flexible use of the arrangement with a minimal number of components for this arrangement is achieved in that at least one video signal-processing unit (1) is provided which receives at least an interlaced video signal or at least a pseudo-interlaced video signal and processes these video signals in dependence upon control data generated by means of a control unit (2), and in that a clock generator (4) is provided which controls the control unit (2) and/or the video signal-processing unit (1) in such a way that, when processing an interlaced video signal or a pseudo-interlaced video signal, possibly new control data are generated and/or taken into account as from the start of its next field or its next frame, respective
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Rolf Grzibek
  • Patent number: 7460172
    Abstract: Disclosed is a frame interpolating apparatus and a method thereof used at a frame rate conversion. The frame interpolating apparatus includes a calculation unit for performing a SAD Map calculation among inputted video signals with respect to a previous frame and a next frame and performing block matching, a determination unit for determining from the block-matched frame whether a video is repeated periodically and is changing fast, and an interpolation unit for selectively calculating a pixel value of an interpolated frame according to a determination result of the determination unit. Accordingly, the interpolated frame is vivid and clear, hence, removing the conventional blurring problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-sul Min
  • Patent number: 7453518
    Abstract: Correlation of videos between fields is determined between a difference between an input interlaced signal and a signal that is delayed by one field with respect to the input interlaced signal. Correlation among N-1 sequential fields is compared with a predetermined pattern to determine whether the input interlaced signal is unquestionably a telecine-converted signal, whether it is unquestionably not a telecine-converted signal, or whether it cannot be said to be unquestionably a telecine-converted signal. If a determination of being unquestionably a telecine-converted signal is continued for a predetermined number or more of fields, an instruction signal, which instructs to perform inter-field interpolation on the input interlaced signal, is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kimoto
  • Patent number: 7453519
    Abstract: This imaging device includes an imaging element, a field rate conversion processing section, and a frame rate conversion processing section. The imaging element converts an image of a photoelectric subject photographically, and outputs a picture image signal which consists of frames at a first frame rate. The field rate conversion processing section converts the picture image signal at the first frame rate into a television signal at a second frame rate which is smaller than the first frame rate. The frame rate conversion processing section converts the picture image signal at the first frame rate into a cinema film signal at a third frame rate which is smaller than the first frame rate, and which is different from the second frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Kubota, Shinzo Matsui
  • Patent number: 7450130
    Abstract: Described is an adaptive scheduler associated with a desktop window manager that dynamically controls the rate at which graphics frames are composed. Values corresponding to performance when composing a frame are measured, and the frame composition rate is adjusted as necessary based on the values. The measured data is sampled to provide smooth adjustments. The sampled data is evaluated as to whether the current frame rate is too slow, too fast, or acceptable. If too slow, the frame rate may increased relative to the refresh rate, while if too fast, the frame rate is decreased relative to the refresh rate. In one implementation, the frame rate is too fast if a count of missed frames achieves a missed threshold value, or if a count of late frames achieves a late threshold value. The frame rate is too slow if a count of early frames exceeds an early threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory D. Swedberg, Prashant Ratanchandani, Greg Schechter, Glenn F. Evans, Leonardo E. Blanco, Kenneth S. Reneris, Sameer Avinash Nene
  • Patent number: 7446818
    Abstract: An apparatus and related method for detecting film mode using motion estimation. In the method, a pixel region in each field is sequentially chosen as a target pixel region in a target field to be processed with a motion estimation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Po-Wei Chao
  • Patent number: 7430015
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for executing generation and reproduction processing of picture data suitable for picture display devices having differing processable frame rates, low frame rate picture data is generated on the basis of a plurality of temporally continuous pictures having a high frame rate to provide picture data having a plurality of layers. Decimated data may be set as the high frame rate layer data. In this manner, the quantity of data to be transmitted or stored is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Ohki
  • Patent number: 7425990
    Abstract: To realize a motion compensation device capable of more appropriately compensating the movement of a video signal subjected to double-speed conversion. A motion vector between an image of a current field in a double-speed-converted video signal and an image of a reference field that is one frame or two frames later is detected, the pixels of the current field are shifted based on the motion vector and the pixels of the reference field are shifted in an opposite direction based on the motion vector. Then simple averaging or weighted average according to the shift amount is performed on the pixels of the current field and the pixels of the reference field to compensate the current field, thereby being capable of compensating the movement between fields so as to be much smoother than conventional cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Hoshino, Kazuhiko Nishibori, Toshio Sarugaku, Masuyoshi Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20080211965
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to automated methods and systems for converting image streams having a first frame rate to a second frame rate without the need for user intervention. Embodiments of the present invention obviate the effects of processing of a telecine process. In one embodiment, where frames are encoded by a single video field, a statistical analysis of the differences between adjacent frames reveals a telecine pattern, thereby identifying which frames to remove. In another embodiment, where frames are encoded by even and odd video fields, which are interleaved to produce the frame, a statistical analysis of the differences between adjacent fields reveals the telecine pattern, identifies which frames to remove, and identifies frames that are candidates for re-interleaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: RealNetworks, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Francis Lippman
  • Publication number: 20080198264
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving the visual quality of low resolution and/or low frame rate video content displayed on large-screen displays. A video format converter may be used to process a low resolution and/or low frame rate video signal from a media providing device before the video is displayed. The video format converter may detect the true resolution of the video and deinterlace the video signal accordingly. The video format converter may also determine the frame rate of a video and may increase the frame rate if the received frame rate is below a certain threshold. For videos that are also low in quality, the video format converter may reduce compression artifacts and apply techniques to enhance the appearance of the video.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Nikhil Balram
  • Patent number: 7411622
    Abstract: The video signal processor of the present invention comprises a CCD for storing an inputted image by converting it into an electric charge through photoelectrical conversion to be stored by each field and then outputting the stored electric charge by each field; a shutter pulse generator for supplying a shutter pulse which adjusts storage time of the electric charge in the CCD; and a variable controller for variably controlling adjusting amount of electric charge storage time by the shutter pulse by a field unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Mitsui, Mikio Fujiwara, Katsuji Uro
  • Patent number: 7405766
    Abstract: A method for determining a value for a missing target pixel in an interlaced video field during a de-interlacing process includes providing at least one lookup table that correlates motion data to at least one of a plurality of de-interlacing methods, generating motion data related to the missing target pixel, utilizing the related motion data to perform a lookup on the at least one lookup table, and selecting the at least one de-interlacing method correlated to the motion data to generate the value for the missing target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kolorific, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsien Chou, Chang-Hau Lee
  • Publication number: 20080151109
    Abstract: A frame rate converter sequentially buffers video frames in a sequence of video frames in a buffer and interpolates at least two of the plurality of video frames in the buffer based on at least one interpolation parameter, to form interpolated output frames. Conveniently, the interpolation parameter is adjusted with each newly buffered frame in dependence on the current value of the cadence of the frame sequence. In this way, delays associated with cadence detection may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Doswald
  • Patent number: 7391468
    Abstract: A moving average filter with a weighting factor calculates a continuously programmable threshold to determine whether fields could be considered identical or not. This decision is used to detect the cadence of a TELECINE encoded video signal. This moving average filter is also used for detecting the presence of still images in the video data stream by detecting total difference in Y (luminance) of the fields and then calculating the average difference in luminance (Y) of the field. This average difference in luminance value indicates a degree of difference between fields. For two frames of data input to the system, each having two fields, a difference is calculated between the luminance values of the two top fields for each frame. From this difference value a maximum absolute difference history is stored, along with the Sum of Absolute Differences (SAD). The programmable threshold is then calculated by summing the saturated SAD history over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Magnum Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Anup U. Shah
  • Patent number: 7391476
    Abstract: A method and device for interpolating a pixel of an interline of a first field in a sequence of interlaced fields includes selecting at least one first pixel and one second pixel from scan lines of the first field adjacent the interline, and a third pixel from a second field temporally preceding or following the first field. The image position of the third pixel corresponds to the image position of the pixel to be interpolated. Also selected are fourth and fifth pixels which lie vertically adjacent the third pixel in the second field. A first filter value is generated by low-pass filtering the at least one first and second image information values. A second filter value is generated by high-pass filtering the third, fourth and fifth image information values. An image information value of the interpolated pixel is generated using the first and second filter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Marko Hahn
  • Patent number: 7375764
    Abstract: A method for managing vertical format converter line memories includes writing a number of first input video lines into the VFC line memories, writing an additional video line into the VFC line memories, and reading respective pixels of the first input video lines and the additional input video line from the VFC line memories in parallel. The reading of respective pixels is commenced prior to completion of the writing of the additional video line. A digital video receiving system includes a somewhat similarly configured video processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Michael Dwayne Knox, Guenter Anton Grimm
  • Publication number: 20080111918
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a field forming unit configured to subject 3-2 pulldown materials to 3-2 pulldown to form field images in normal reproduction, and to add flag information to the field images, the flag information necessary to generate frame images from field images; and a generating unit configured to generate frame images from the formed field images based on the flag information, wherein in a special reproduction other than the normal reproduction, according to its reproduction form, the field forming unit forms a predetermined field image from the material, and adds flag information to the formed field images, the flag information that has to be added to a field image possibly formed by subjecting the material corresponding to the field image to 3-2 pulldown, and the generating unit generates a frame image from the field image based on the flag information added to the field image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroaki ITOU, Yasunari Hatasawa
  • Patent number: 7362374
    Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to the use of object motion estimation to interlace a progressive video sequence. One of a plurality of consecutive frames is segmented and motion vectors for each segment are determined though object motion estimation. Interpolated motion vectors are used to construct at least one intermediate frame, and interlaced fields are extracted from the new sequence of frames that includes intermediate frames. An interlaced sequence with smooth, incremental motion is thus constructed from a progressive video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Gary R. Holt, Edward R. Ratner
  • Patent number: 7336317
    Abstract: An overtaking prediction method of, when input and output of data to and from a common memory are being performed with an input frame frequency and an output frame frequency made different from each other, predicting a frame in which overtaking occurs between the input and the output of the data to and from the memory. The overtaking prediction method includes a step of predicting the frame in which the overtaking occurs between the input and the output of the data, on the basis of a first parameter corresponding to a difference amount between a progress speed of a write address and a progress speed of a read address and a second parameter corresponding to a difference between a write address and a read address at an overtaking prediction point and to an offset address difference amount between an input offset address and an output offset address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Yui, Eiichi Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7327397
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image signal processing apparatus and a method thereof which shifts positions of each detected pixel in image signals generated by performing double-speed conversion, wherein a difference value in pixel signal level between a detected pixel in a current field and a detected pixel at the same position in a field which comes one frame behind the current field is calculated, to specify a first field, a motion vector for a field which comes one frame or two frames behind the current field is detected with respect to the detected pixel in the current field, interpolation pixel data for the detected pixel is calculated based on the detected pixel in the current field and the each pixel in the field which comes one frame or two frames behind the current field, the interpolation pixel data is disposed in the pixel position obtained by shifting the position of the detected pixel in the current field in a direction along the motion vector, in a field subsequent to the first field, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aoyama, Makoto Kondo, Kazuhiko Nishibori
  • Patent number: 7324157
    Abstract: Using an index indicating the amount of motion and noise in the video image calculated on the basis of the discrepancy pixel numbers of image two fields ago and the present image, the reliability of detection result is obtained and utilized, so as to improve the repeat field detection accuracy and the scene change detection accuracy. Further, adaptive filter accuracy is improved by changing the determination conditions in the determination of the filter to be used. In addition, filter control accuracy is improved by suppressing the filter fluctuation per unit time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Kuroda, Tetsuya Itani
  • Patent number: 7321371
    Abstract: The data conversion device of the present invention includes: a coding section for replacing (i) one or more components constituting the display data of each pixel and other one or more components constituting display data of a pixel existing around that pixel on a screen with (ii) one or more average values of both the components so as to reduce an amount of data; and a decoding section for reading out compressed data from a frame memory and then allotting the average value as display data for each corresponding pixel. Therefore, unlike a case of adopting a conventional general data compression method, the data conversion device of the present invention can prevent deviation between original display data and display data obtained by a compression/restoration process from becoming large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Daiichi Sawabe
  • Patent number: 7310118
    Abstract: An image display apparatus has a hold-type display panel composed of a matrix of pixels each holding an electric signal for a predetermined period. In the image display apparatus, an intermediate value detector provides an intermediate value signal from adjacent two frames of a video signal having a first frame frequency (60 Hz), a multiplier multiplies the intermediate value signal by a coefficient that is smaller than 1, and an interpolator inserts the coefficient-multiplied intermediate value signal into the adjacent two frames of the video signal to provide a video signal having a second frame frequency (120 Hz). According to the video signal of the second frame frequency, an image is displayed on the hold-type display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7295173
    Abstract: An image display method including dividing an original image for one frame period into a plurality of subfield images, arranging the subfield images in a direction of a time axis in an order of brightness of the subfield images, and displaying the arranged subfield images in the order of the brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Goh Itoh, Masahiro Baba, Kazuki Taira, Haruhiko Okumura
  • Patent number: 7280155
    Abstract: Processing video signals may comprise converting interlaced formatted video to progressive scan video by simultaneously performing: color edge detection on a first and second field; temporal filtering on the second field and third field; and 3:2 pull down detecting on the second field and the third field. A bound output may be generated by binding an output from the color edge detecting and are output from the temporal filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Law, Darren Neuman
  • Patent number: 7274402
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for motion-vector-aided interpolation of a pixel in an intermediate image lying temporally or spatially between first and second images, motion vectors are assigned to the pixel to be interpolated, one pixel in each image being assigned to each vector. Video information values (e.g., luminance or chrominance values) are determined based on the video information values of pixels assigned to the motion vectors. A further video information value is generated by mixing certain of the video information values, and other video information values form a value interval, the mathematical position of the further video information value being determined relative to the interval boundaries. The video information value to be interpolated is determined depending on the position of the further video information value relative to the interval boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventor: Marko Hahn