Abstract: A data rate conversion apparatus of the present invention is a data rate conversion apparatus, comprising: an information input device for receiving frame information at a first data rate; an information storage memory including a plurality of buffers for storing the frame information; a write control device for selecting one of the buffers to which the frame information is to be written, and writing the frame information to the selected buffer; a read control device for selecting one of the buffers from which the frame information is to be read, and reading the frame information from the selected buffer; and an information output device for outputting the frame information, which is read by the read control device, at a second data rate which is different from the first data rate.

Abstract: The process is characterized in that it stores a position of the write pointer PW on receipt of the synchronization signal S1 relating to the input signal so as to provide a value PW-IN, and on receipt of the synchronization signal S2 relating to the output signal so as to provide a value PW-OUT, in that it dynamically calculates an interpolation phase &agr; (12, 13, 14, 15) such that: 1 α = P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ OUT - P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ IN Δ ⁢   ⁢ P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ FIELD ⁢   ⁢ if ⁢   ⁢ P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ OUT ≥ P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ IN or α = P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ OUT + N CAP · Δ ⁢   ⁢ P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ FIELD - P W ⁢   ⁢ _ ⁢   ⁢ IN Δ ⁢   ⁢

Abstract: A data processing system that allows satisfactory display even when the driving condition changes. The data processing system includes a display device, a video data memory which stores video data in which one frame consists of a plurality of fields, and a display data memory which stores display data to be displayed on the display device. A setting unit sets the driving condition for the display device, and thins the video data in units of fields.

Abstract: A cost-efficient digital parallel processor to improve throughput and offer a variety of output formats in film conversion is described. Image pixels on film are translated into electrical signals by photosensitive detectors. The electrical signals are digitized by analog-to-digital converters and thereafter provided to a digital parallel processor for film conversion functions. The digital parallel processor includes two or more groups of circuit elements to facilitate parallel processing. Each group of circuit elements can process a different set of image pixels simultaneously. In addition, image pixels belonging to the same set can be processed in parallel. This two-dimensional parallel processing structure facilitates faster than real-time film conversion sessions. A supervisor control circuit monitors and controls the sequence of film conversion functions. The output of the digital parallel processor is provided to a formatter which manipulates the data to conform to one or more standard formats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating the display update rate of video signals to minimize the adverse visual effects caused by adding or deleting frames begins by determining a need value for manipulation of the display update rate. The need value corresponds to increasing drift between the display update rate and the refresh rate. As such, as the drift increases between the display update rate and the refresh rate, the need value increases correspondingly. Next, an appropriateness value for manipulation of the display update rate is determined based on image content. In essence, the appropriateness value is determining whether, if a frame addition or deletion were to occur, would it occur at a point that would produce minimal adverse visual effects. Based on a relationship between the need value and the appropriateness value, the display update rate is manipulated by adding or deleting a frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low-delay conversion of 3:2 pulldown video to progressive format with field averaging is disclosed. The method considers 3:2 pulldown interlaced video that represents a four-frame motion picture film sequence as a ten-field interlaced video field sequence of three, two, three, two video fields per motion picture frame respectively for the four-frame sequence. One step of the method is the step of creating a ten-frame progressive video frame sequence, having a delay of approximately one field time with respect to the ten-field interlaced video sequence. This step is achieved by combining at one field time intervals a top field and a bottom field from the ten-field interlaced video sequence, where, at the time of combination, the top field and the bottom field are the most recently available top and bottom fields corresponding to the same motion picture film frame.

Abstract: There is provided a scanning line interpolation device which is capable of providing an interpolated image with increased reproducibility of vertical high-frequency components in a still picture part. Preceding-field image data is stored in a field memory, and thereafter reference pixels which are located in an interpolation pixel position and its surrounding positions and required for interpolation are extracted from the preceding-field image data stored in the field memory and current-field image data. An inter-field motion judgement portion detects whether or not there is a motion of an image between preceding and current fields based on the extracted reference pixels. If the inter-field motion judgement portion detects that there is a motion, a selection circuit selects in-field interpolation data calculated in an in-field interpolation value calculation circuit from the current-field image data among the reference pixels.

Abstract: A image signal processing apparatus and method for static image display are provided. Deformation at an edge of an image can be reduced by eliminating a temporal factor and vertical resolution can be retained even after data supplementation. In the process of compressing and decompressing interlace-scanned image data, one of two fields of a frame is selected by a field selector, image data is supplemented and reproduced based on the selected field data by a supplementor, and image data is outputted as a static image without deformation. As a result, more bits can be allocated for encoding by selecting and compressing one field data only and it leads to a higher quality image display. Furthermore, display deformation can be reduced by supplementing high frequency components as zero in the decompression processing.

Abstract: A method of de-interlacing interlaced video formats using a mixed mode spatial and temporal approximation technique. This method can be implemented with input of known pixel values obtained from only two fields, featuring the current spatial field containing missing pixels, and either of two neighbor temporal fields containing known pixels. Decision steps requiring evaluation of a series of logical operations lead to assignment of values to missing spatial pixels. There is a feedback step of approximated values of missing pixels from one cycle to the next cycle of approximation of missing pixel values. This method is applicable to a variety of video interlaced signals, including interlaced RGB component signals, and video signals containing luminance and chrominance components.

Abstract: A field detection apparatus and method for determining, from an image signal of consecutive frames, each frame including two fields, whether a given field is a repeat of the prior field that precedes two fields ahead of the given field. Based on a predetermined detection criterion, a repeat field which is identical to the prior field that precedes two fields ahead of the repeat field is detected, and the predetermined detection criterion is changed between when the detection period for the repeat field applied to the image signal is stable and when the detection period for the repeat field applied to the image signal is unstable. With this arrangement, the repeat field is accurately detected. Also disclosed are an image coding apparatus and method for coding an image signal of consecutive frames, each frame including two fields.

Abstract: A process for up-converting an existing video source signal having a low frequency (frames/second) to a high frequency signal for use with High Definition Television (HDTV). The process samples the existing frames in the existing video signal and calculates integer displacements of pels within the existing frames. A polynomial curve fit is then performed on the displacements to obtain estimates of horizontal and vertical displacements of each block in each existing frame. Based on the alignment of the blocks within a sampling grid on each frame, the blocks are segregated into groups. The block groups are then used to interpolate missing or required frames of the high frequency signal in a piecemeal manner by utilizing blocks of a particular block group to estimate a corresponding block in a frame of the high frequency signal.

Abstract: A convectional 2-1 interlaced (nominally 50 Hz field rate or nominally 60 Hz field rate) television signal is converted to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution computer-type monitor. First, a succession of progressively-scanned video frames is derived from the interlaced television signal and each frame is repeated at least twice in succession When the interlaced television sign is derived from a motion picture source, the progressively scanned frames are derived by merging opposite polarity fields derived from tho same motion picture frame. For other sources, other interlace-to-progressive scan techniques, such as line duplication or line interpolation, are employed. The sequences of repeated progressively-scanned frames are written into a two frame memory at rate derived from the timing of the progressively-scanned video frames and are read out at a rate derived from the timing of the monitor's frame rate.

Abstract: In a scanning line interpolation apparatus, a scanning line delay element obtains a signal B by delaying an image input signal D by one scanning line. A first pixel delay element obtains a signal A by delaying the signal B output from the scanning line delay element by one pixel. A second pixel delay element obtains a signal C by delaying an input signal D by one pixel. A level comparator compares correlation of the signals A, B, C, and D to detect signals of pixels having the strongest correlation from the four pixels corresponding to the signals A, B, C, and D. An interpolated data calculator performs average value processing on the basis of detection results of the comparator to generate interpolated data Z. The scanning line delay element and the first and second pixel delay elements generate the four pixel signals A, B, C, and D of two pixels on an upper scanning line n of the input signal D and two pixels on a lower scanning line n+1 adjacent to the upper scanning line n.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reproducing a video signal of a digital video disk. The method includes the steps of checking a television mode; if the television mode is a PAL system, selecting a video processor in a PAL mode and checking a video signal mode recorded in the disk; and if the video signal recording mode is an NTSC system, selecting a video decoder in an NTSC mode so as to supply a pseudo PAL video signal to a television.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for converting a standard video signal having 59.94 fields per second into an HDTV video signal having 60.00 fields per second, by adding a number of video fields into each sequence of 1000 video fields. The apparatus detects the best moment for adding the new video field, so that the human eye does not perceive an abrupt change in the video image, by detecting the best motion conditions which occurs either when the image motion is high or very low. For adding the new video field, the apparatus uses an interpolation technique for creating two interpolated video fields which are inserted in place of one existing video field which is deleted. The apparatus also comprises a de-interlacer module for deinterlacing the 60 Hz video image, by using an advanced interpolation technique for calculating the missing video lines.

Abstract: A digital film scanner interface obtains digital image data produced by projecting a motion picture film frame onto a sensor. The image data is transferred from the sensor to a Digital Signal Processor (“DSP”) block. The DSP block processes the image data to, for example, minify, magnify, enhance colors, or correct for errors in the image data. The DSP block comprises four DSPs. One of the DSPs receives the image data from the sensor and controls the flow of the image data to the other three DSPs. The processing tasks can then be distributed to the DSPs based on availability. Alternatively, the digital signal processing tasks can be allocated such that each DSP processes one color component of image data. After the image data is processed, it is transferred over a bus to a long term storage device.

Abstract: A decoder for converting packet data into raster data is provided. The packet data includes data about a picture-compressed video signal and data about a picture format including a picture rate. The decoder comprising a first processing means, second processing means and a storage means. The first processing means converts the packet data into intermediate data such that picture compression is eliminated from the picture-compressed video signal and outputs the intermediate data. The second processing means receives the intermediate data from the first processing means and processes the intermediate data to output raster data for one frame at a frame frequency. The storage means stores the intermediate data for processing the intermediate data in the second processing means. The second processing means writes the intermediate data into the storage means at a frequency related to the picture rate and reads the raster data for one frame from the storage means at the frequency equal to the frame frequency.

Abstract: A first correlation between a present field of an input video signal and a one-field preceding field, and a second correlation between the present field and a one-field succeeding field are detected. The first correlation and the second correlation are compared with each other, and the input video signal is determined as a telecine-converted video signal when either of the first correlation or the second correlation is larger than the other correlation.

Abstract: Device and method for converting a frame rate, is disclosed, in which a motion compensated frame is newly produced in converting a frame rate, particularly, in a digital TV of a PAL or NTSC system, a motion component compensated separate frame is provided between frames and displayed to horizontal/vertical synchronizing signals two times faster than an original frequency for eliminating flicker, and in a case when a video signal of a film rate is converted into a video signal of a frame rate of PAL or NTSC system, motion component compensated new frames are produced for converting the frame rate for preventing blurring occurred in motion portions. And, by differently compensating motion components of N frames inserted between two frames and processing the frames in real time, a slow motion can be displayed smoothly without any separate memory.

Abstract: A method or device for increasing the resolution of an image generates additional pixels in the image using interpolation. Various tests are performed for each additional pixel to determine whether conditions render the interpolation direction ambiguous or uncertain. In a television image, for example, an interpolation direction is derived for each additional pixel from a weighted combination of a vertical direction and a best-choice diagonal direction. If a potential interpolation condition cannot be determined with a high level of confidence, the weighted combination favors the vertical direction.

Abstract: For compatible transmission of a television picture having an aspect ratio of 16:9 within a 4:3 system, transmission is effected in the letterbox format in accordance with the PALplus system specification. The receiver reconstructs the original picture with the aid of vertical filters and is able, furthermore, to suppress crosstalk interference from the luminance signals in the chrominance signals. To further improve the picture quality, the picture is displayed at a frame frequency of 100 Hz. For this purpose, the picture supplied at 50 Hz with line interlacing must be converted to a frame frequency of 100 Hz. Known concepts for PALplus decoding and 100 Hz conversion carry out these processes separately and in doing so require a great deal of memory space.

Abstract: In arrangements for the frame rate upconversion of motion-picture-source video, a 60 Hz (interlaced field rate or progressive scan frame rate) television signal is converted to a form suitable for display on a variable-frame-rate high-resolution progressively-scanned monitor of the type typically associated with a computer or with a television set employing an increased frame rate. The inherent 3-2 motion picture film pulldown pattern in the source signal is changed to an equal time frame pattern, such as 3-3, 4-4, or 5-5, when the source signal is converted to a higher frame rate. This may be accomplished when the increased progressively-scanned video display frame rate is an integral multiple of the motion picture frame rate, namely 72 Hz, 96 Hz and 120 Hz.

Abstract: A digital signal converting method and device for converting an input image rate into an output image rate, is applied to input images which are formed by a plurality of input data frames. The method storing the input frames, calculating a sliding average over a plurality of stored frames, and deriving the averages for producing output images with a timing fixed by the output image rate.

Abstract: A picture signal processing device for performing picture signal processing such as conversion of the number of pixels or conversion processing for the number of scanning lines. The picture signal processing device includes a plurality of element processors and a controller for performing common control of said element processors. The element processors arrayed in association with pixels arrayed in one-dimensional direction of a digitized two-dimensional picture. The pixels arrayed in one-dimensional direction are chronologically sequentially entered to the element processors.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in an apparatus and method for converting a progressive video signal to an interlaced video signal from which the progressive video signal may be recovered. The invention is further embodied in an apparatus and method for converting such an interlaced video signal to a progressive video signal. A progressive-to-interlaced video converter includes a progressive video preprocessor and a converter. The progressive video preprocessor replaces at least one scan line in a video frame by its preceding or succeeding scan line. Alternatively, the preprocessor may assign a predetermined value to one or multiple scan lines at appropriate position(s) in a frame. In either scenario, each frame will carry at least one redundant scan line. The frame modification information will be encoded to an ancillary data section of a digital video stream.

Abstract: An image reconstruction system adaptively de-interlaces video stream content using image data comparison techniques when the interlaced input video stream does not contain pre-coded non-interlaced to interlaced conversion status data. In one embodiment, the system uses a signature generator which generates a plurality of field signature values on a per field basis by determining region values based on fluctuations in pixel data, such as luminance data within a horizontal scan line to detect changes in motion. The field signature values are then analyzed to determine a probability that the content is one of several types such as content that has undergone non-interlaced to interlaced conversion, such as pull down conversion for film captured content. Also, independent of whether conversion has occurred, the system analyzes the video streams to determine whether the video stream contains a paused image or slow motion playback of images and de-interlaces accordingly.

Abstract: A method of display unconversion wherein each output field line is interpolated from at least three input field lines from each of at least three input fields. By increasing the field rate by 1.5 (instead of simple field doubling) and by increasing the line rate by 1.5 (instead of simple line doubling) a substantial increase in picture quality can be achieved while maintaining data flow rates within manageable limits.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting an MPEG-2 bitstream into an SMPTE-259 compatible bitstream is characterized by a frame rate converter which is selectively enabled to drop every 1001st frame of the incoming MPEG-2 bitstream depending on the input bitstream frame rate. If the input bitstream frame rate is other than 29.97 or 59.94 Hz, a frame dropper is enabled to discard every 1001st frame. The present converter can convert many different types of input bitstreams, such as all I types, IPIP types, or complex GOP types containing I, P, and B frames. The enabled frame dropper will drop either the I or P frame if it occurs as the 1001st frame, but if the 1001st frame is of the B frame type, the pixel information of the B frame is dropped. This produces a minimum in loss of information during the conversion. The format converter allows existing SMPTE-259 routing equipment to route and utilize MPEG-2 bitstreams, such as HDTV applications.

Abstract: A flickerless television receiver displays image signals having the horizontal/vertical scanning frequencies thereof increased to two times the horizontal/vertical scanning frequencies of the broadcast signals to be received. Flickerless display performance can be confirmed with a single television receiver by generating signals to extract every other field for image displaying and showing two kinds of image signals, namely double-speed image signal and extracted image signal. A display unit displays double-speed image signals having horizontal and vertical scanning frequencies of image signals increased to two times by conversion, wherein extracted image signals formed by extracting every other field or frame from screen images are generated and two kinds of images formed of the double-speed image signals and extracted image signals are simultaneously displayed on one screen.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which comprises an input unit for inputting image data at a first frame rate, and a processing unit for providing a residual image effect to the image data input by the input unit using adjacent image data adjacent to the image data, and in which the processing unit comprises an output unit for outputting the processed image data at a second frame rate.There is also provided an image processing apparatus which comprises an input unit for inputting image data, a processing unit for providing a residual image effect to the image data input by the input unit using adjacent image data adjacent to the image data, and a display unit for displaying the image data processed by the processing unit, and in which the display frequency of the display unit is lower than the frequency of the image data input by the input unit.

Abstract: A picture signal encoding method in which a picture string produced by converting non-interlaced pictures into sets of field pictures each beginning from the first field of each interlaced picture and another picture string produced by converting non-interlaced pictures into sets of field pictures each beginning from the second field of each interlaced picture are combined together to an input picture signal for encoding, is disclosed. The method includes a detection step of detecting a lone field not constituting the non-interlaced picture in the input picture signal, and an encoding step of re-constructing the picture string of the input picture signal and encoding the resulting non-interlaced picture string.

Abstract: A standards converter converts an input video signal having time codes from a first television standard to a second television standard. The time codes are separated from the input video signal to obtain hours, minutes, and seconds values and input frame numbers. The hours, minutes, and seconds values are stored in a memory. Output frame numbers are generated in a consecutive sequence, from a first frame number to a last frame number, starting at times that are synchronized with the start of the sequence of input frame numbers. The output frame numbers are combined with the hours, minutes, and seconds values stored in the memory to generate output time codes, which are combined with the converted video signal.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for performing inverse telecine processing on an input video frame sequence to be encoded. A method well-suited for detelecine of film-only telecine in MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 applications includes the steps of attempting to fit known 3:2 pulldown pattern phases to the entire sequence, determining a likely edit point in the sequence if a known phase cannot be fit to the sequence, and recursively repeating the fitting and edit point determination steps on subsequences until the entire sequence is partitioned into subsequences which can be fit with one of the known phases. The phases fit to the sequence or subsequences are then used to generate field-match indicators which are further processed to generate MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compliant repeat field codes.

Abstract: A display device for information signals which performs highly efficient image display of a standard television signal, a high definition television signal, a progressive scanning television signal or a stereoscopic television signal on the same screen has a first signal input unit applied with the standard television signal, a second signal input unit applied with the high definition television signal, progressive scanning television signal or stereoscopic television signal, a mode designation unit for designating a mode for display of one of the signals, a signal conversion unit including a write unit for writing the first signal, at a frequency thereof, to memories and a read unit for reading the memories at a frequency which is nearly twice that of the first signal, a signal switching unit, a signal processing unit and a deflection switching unit, whereby a first display signal from the signal conversion unit or a second display signal from the second input terminal is selected and image-displayed on the

Abstract: An SQTV processor is for converting a video signal received at an interlaced scanning frequency of 50 or 60 Hz to an interlaced scanning frequency of 100 or 120 Hz, respectively, and implementing algorithms for noise filtering and of edge definition. The process includes: an analog-digital converter (ADC) of analog input signals of luminance and chrominance; at least a field memory (FIELD MEMORY.sub.

Abstract: A picture signal processing apparatus in which video source signals, that is interlaced video signals conforming to, for example, the NTSC standard television broadcasting system, obtained on conversion (so-called tele-cine conversion) from a 24-picture frame-per-second picture from a film source, such as a motion picture, are reconverted for generating signals corresponding to a pre-tele-cine-conversion picture, that is picture signals of 24 picture frames per second directly obtained from the film source. The signals corresponding to a picture prior to tele-cine conversion may be restored even from video source picture signals produced on tele-cine conversion in which the picture frame breaking point is not coincident with the field boundary.

Abstract: A picture signal encoding method in which a picture string produced by converting non-interlaced pictures into sets of field pictures each beginning from the first field of each interlaced picture and another picture string produced by converting non-interlaced pictures into sets of field pictures each beginning from the second field of each interlaced picture are combined together to an input picture signal for encoding, is disclosed. The method includes a detection step of detecting a lone field not constituting the non-interlaced picture in the input picture signal, and an encoding step of re-constructing the picture string of the input picture signal and encoding the resulting non-interlaced picture string.

Abstract: A 3-2 pulldown detector for a video compression encoder initially converts each frame of an input video signal that includes converted film material as well as original video material into top and bottom fields. Consecutive fields from the top and bottom fields are then input to respective sum of absolute difference circuits, the outputs of which are subtracted from each other to produce a difference signal. The difference signal is processed to remove spikes that represent scene changes and to generate a flag signal during the periods of the input video signal when the converted film material is present. The flag signal is then used by a frame rate reduction circuit to eliminate the repeated fields in the converted film material prior to input to a video encoder that outputs a compressed video signal.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus and method for converting a frame-unit video signal into a field-unit video signal. The apparatus includes a memory for storing the frame-unit video signal, a control circuit for controlling reading of the stored frame-unit video data from the memory so as to obtain the field-unit video signal having fields which are arranged in a desired order, and a vertical filter which receives the field-unit video signal read from the memory. The vertical filter shifts a centroid of a picture represented by the received video signal in accordance with at least one coefficient which is selectively set based upon the field order. The reading of the video signal may be controlled so as to operate as a delay device thereby eliminating the need for such delay device in the vertical filter. When applied to a digital VTR or the like, the present apparatus prevents line flicker and suppresses plane flicker.

Abstract: Sequential digital video frames are divided into two interleaved fields comprising even-numbered horizontal lines of pixels and odd-numbered lines horizontal lines of pixels respectively. The "even" field of a first standard frame is combined with the "odd" field of a second standard frame to form a first pseudo-interlaced frame of data for display; then the same odd field is combined with the even field of a third standard frame to form a second pseudo-interlaced frame of data for display, and so on throughout a continuing digital-video message. The data transmission rate needed is thus reduced by nearly a factor of two, or conversely, for a given data rate, nearly twice as much video information can be transmitted in the same time interval.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for filtering an input video frame sequence to be encoded. An odd-tap filter is used to generate a first interpolated pixel from a group of pixels in an even field of the video sequence. An even-tap filter is used to generate a second interpolated pixel from a group of pixels in an odd field of the video sequence. The use of the even-tap filter for the group of pixels in the odd field ensures that the interpolated pixels generated for both the odd and even fields are located at substantially the same vertical location. This significantly reduces an undesirable vertical signal component which would otherwise be generated when the first and second interpolated pixels are subtracted as part of a field comparison operation. The resulting improvement in field comparison accuracy provides advantages in a variety of video preprocessing applications such as deinterlacing, inverse telecine processing, adaptive field/frame filtering and PAL video framing.

Abstract: An input telecine image is held by a field memory, and correlation values of respective images in a first field and a second field are calculated by correlation value calculation circuits. The correlation values are compared with a predetermined threshold value, and when the correlation value is smaller than the threshold value, a duplicated field is determined. Moreover, the correlation values of the first and second fields are compared in the correlation value comparison circuits, and the duplicated fields are determined. These information are held by a phase holding circuit. A phase pattern of a successive images converted by a 3:2 pulldown method is searched by a phase synchronization circuit on the basis of the information of phase obtained by the phase holding circuit. A control unit inversely converts automatically the telecine image including successive images converted by a method different from the 3:2 pulldown method to a film image.

Abstract: A format converter is provided for converting without loss of picture information a motion picture film image to and/or from a given recorder/player format. The recorder/player stores chrominance and luminance data as 8 bit digital samples. The motion picture chrominance information is also provided as 8 bit samples. The motion picture luminance data is provided either 9 or 10 bit samples. The 8 most significant bits of each luminance sample are stored as sequential 8 bit samples in the fields of the player/recorder. The additional 1 or 2 bits per luminance sample is/are stored at the end of the sequential 8 bit samples in each field of the recorder/player. During replay, the additional 1 or 2 bits per sample is/are matched with a corresponding 8 bit sample to reform 9 or 10 bit luminance samples.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for performing inverse telecine processing on an input video frame sequence to be encoded. A method well-suited for use with mixed video/telecine material in MPEG-2 applications includes the steps of generating a vector of pixel difference scores for a given field in the sequence, dividing each difference score by its smallest adjacent score, filtering the result in a median-like filter, and correlating the divided and filtered scores with a reference vector characteristic of the sequence to generate a correlation metric which is thresholded to provide a field-match indicator for the given field. These steps are repeated for the other fields in the frame sequence, and the resulting repeat field indicators are processed to provide MPEG-2 compliant repeat field codes.

Abstract: Image processing method and apparatus for converting between data encoded in different formats includes structure and steps for converting motion image data into first digital coded motion image data having a first encoding format and capable of being transmitted to a medium. The first digital coded motion image data is then converted into second digital coded motion image data without decoding entirely the first digital coded motion image data. The second digital coded motion image data has a second encoding format different from the first encoding format. Preferably, the second digital coded motion image data has a digital data amount which is less than that of the first digital coded motion image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for converting the frame rate of digital video data from one frame rate to another frame rate without introducing motion artifacts into the converted video data stream. A high frame rate video stream is converted into a lower frame rate video stream by selecting whole frames from the high frame rate video stream and outputting the selected frames as the lower frame rate video stream. To insure that only whole frames are selected from the high frame rate video stream, the frame rate of the high frame rate video stream is locked to the frame rate of the lower frame rate video stream. A frame cycle is defined to be an integer number of frames in the higher frame rate stream. The higher and lower frame rates are locked by repeatedly selecting and outputting as the lower frame rate video stream, over a time period that is substantially equal to one frame cycle, an integer number of frames from each frame cycle of the higher frame rate.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus and method for converting a frame-unit video signal into a field-unit video signal. The apparatus includes a memory for storing the frame-unit video signal, a control circuit for controlling reading of the stored frame-unit video data from the memory so as to obtain the field-unit video signal having fields which are arranged in a desired order, and a vertical filter which receives the field-unit video signal read from the memory. The vertical filter shifts a centroid of a picture represented by the received video signal in accordance with at least one coefficient which is selectively set based upon the field order. The reading of the video signal may be controlled so as to operate as a delay device thereby eliminating the need for such delay device in the vertical filter. When applied to a digital VTR or the like, the present apparatus prevents line flicker and suppresses plane flicker.

Abstract: A method for reducing the deleterious effects of motion in a video signal process. The video signal process is conducted at high bandwidth without motion compensation and a like video signal process is conducted at low bandwidth without motion compensation to produce a low bandwidth control signal. A similar video signal process with motion compensation is conducted at low bandwidth to produce a low bandwidth motion compensated signal. The low bandwidth control signal and low bandwidth motion compensated signal are compared to produce an error signal which is subtracted from the high bandwidth video signal process. Video signal procession apparatus includes parallel high and low bandwidth paths.

Abstract: A "universal" system records or transmits both 24 fps (or 25 fps) motion picture film sources and non-film interlaced or progressively-scanned video sources, employing any one of several international television standards (e.g., NTSC, PAL, HDTV/ATV, etc.) as progressively-scanned video at a nominal frame rate of 24 or 25 frames per second (i.e., 24 Hz or 25 Hz). When the source is interlaced video, a real-time motion signal, independent of motionless vertical transitions between the temporally displaced fields in the interlaced television signal, is recorded or transmitted along with the progressively-scanned video data.

Abstract: A device for encoding sequences of frames constituted by video-type images of a first frequency (for example, 30 Hz) and film-type images whose original frequency is lower than this first frequency (for example, 24 Hz) and which are converted by means of the "3:2 pulldown" technique.The encoding device comprises;a circuit for detecting the sequences of film-type images from the stream of input data, anda device for preprocessing these sequences for realizing an inverse conversion of the frequency by eliminating, before encoding, the redundant information introduced by the use of the "3:2 pulldown" method.