Abstract: A motion detecting apparatus for detecting the motion of the picture without error and realizing the motion YC separation or the motion adaptive scan-line interpolation with high accuracy is realized by correcting the motion amount of the pixel which is too much or too small in comparison with the peripheral pixels for the signal obtained by subtracting the output of the vertical edge detecting circuit for detecting the slow motion of the picture signal in the vertical direction from the combined outputs from the first detecting circuit for detecting motion information of the luminance signal low-pass component and from the second detecting circuit for detecting motion information of the color signal in the picture signal, and then adding the output of the horizontal edge detecting circuit for detecting the slow motion of the picture signal in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: In a motion detection circuit, a difference signal between the video and one-frame delayed video signals is generated Edge signals are generated from the video and delayed video signals. Motion in a target pixel is judged from the interframe difference signal according to the edge signals. A motion judging circuit further includes an LPF and a selector for supplying an output of the LPF or the difference signal. The motion judging circuit includes a polarity deviation detecting circuit for judging the motion as moving in the presence of agreement of the polarities of all pixels at any of peripheral areas around the target pixel. The size of the peripheral areas are controlled.

Abstract: A method of image sampling and an apparatus thereof. The apparatus comprises: an adder; a first register, the output of which is fed back to the adder; a first multiplexer, which outputs a ratio or a weighted parameter; a multiplier, which receives an input image value and the output of the first multiplexer; an adder/subtracter, which receives the output of the multiplier; a second multiplexer, which receives the output of the adder/subtracter and the multiplier; and a second register, which receives the output of the second multiplexer. By the method of approximation and recursion, the input image data can be processed in real time to produce the output image data.

Abstract: A method of filtering noise from digital pictures includes selecting a first set of pixels including the union of a pixel of the current picture to be filtered and a second set of pixels temporally and spatially near the pixel. A certain number of extended sums of values assumed by as many pre-established weight functions of the intensity of a selected video component on the first set of pixels is also calculated. The second set of pixels may belong to the current picture or to a preceding picture. Several noise filters for digital pictures are also provided.

Abstract: In a picture processing apparatus for receiving an input picture signal and generating an output picture signal with higher quality than the input picture signal. A first signal processing means and a second signal processing means are disposed. The first signal processing means performs a storage type process. The first signal processing means has a storing means for storing a picture signal with the same quality as the output picture signal. The first signal processing means adds the input picture signal and the picture signal stored in the storing means so as to generate a first picture signal with higher quality than the input picture and store the first picture signal to the storing means. The second signal processing means performs a class categorizing adaptive process.

Abstract: A video stabilization system processes a video segment to remove unwanted motion, resulting in a stabilized video segment. The video stabilization system tracks one or more features through multiple frames, identifies ideal positions for the features, and then generates information (e.g., rotation, scaling, shearing, and/or translation) to transform all pixels in each frame to ideal positions based on the ideal positions of the features.

Abstract: A method of removing a noise artifact from a video frame captured from a composite NTSC video signal is disclosed. The captured video frame is stored in a first buffer and includes a first plurality of pixels forming a first interlaced video field and a second plurality of pixels forming a second interlaced video field. For each interlaced field, a first pixel element is accessed from the first buffer, it is then determined whether the first pixel element is associated with an artifact in the video frame based on values of a first number of pixel elements including a value of the first pixel element. An adjusted value of the first pixel element is calculated based on values of a second plurality of pixel elements including the value of the first pixel element when the first pixel element is associated with an artifact in the video frame.

Abstract: Simultaneous vertical spatial filtering and chrominance conversion is achieved with reduced data buffering and simplified filtering circuits by using a single filter stage and hybrid filter coefficients. Data latency is reduced and performance requirements are reduced while avoiding critical signal propagation paths. The filter and buffers are fully compatible with any scan format having consecutively presented lines of image data, including both progressive and interlaced scan formats.

Abstract: An interframe difference signal is generated from the video signal and its one-frame delayed video signal. A filter removes a carrier color signal from the interframe difference signal to output the interframe difference luminance signal. A first motion judging circuit judges a motion in the video signal at a target pixel from the interframe difference luminance signal to output a first motion judging result in accordance with a first edge detection signal. A second motion judging circuit judges a motion in the video signal at the target pixel from a luminance signal and the carrier signal in the interframe difference signal to output a second motion judging result in accordance with a second edge detection circuit. The first and second motion judging results are combined. A majority determining circuit determines majority of the combined result from adjacent Q pixels in accordance with a third edge detection signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an error picture image data correction apparatus that can correct the error picture image data and suppress the image quality deterioration when there are plural error data in the continuous plural pixels and the data around the error picture image data are high frequency signal data. The apparatus comprises a weighted mean value operation part 101, 102 and 103 for calculating weighted mean value of the 2 pixel data having true value, a channel switch circuit 104, an adder 105, 106 and 109, a selector 107 and 108, a clip circuit 110, a control circuit 113 and an output switch circuit 111. When the input signals of the weighted mean value operation part 101, 102 and 103 at time i is described as G(i), R(i) respectively, t represents time width, n>1, n>k≧0, n and k are integers, and error data are G(i), G(i−t), G(i−2t), . . .

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preprocessing a video image sequence consisting of a succession of interlaced frames for estimating motion between a first and a second frame, characterized in that a temporal filtering is performed on the basis of at least two input frames so as to deliver each of the two frames utilized by the motion estimator. The applications relate to motion estimators, in the field of video image compression or the conversion of television standards.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing method for filtering pixels of an image in a temporal sequence of successive images. At each pixel of the images, spatially smoothed intensities are determined, and the spatially smoothed intensities of a center image are tested relative to the smoothed intensities of its preceding and its succeeding images. If a spatially smoothed central intensity at a pixel substantially deviates from the intensities in the preceding and succeeding images at that pixel, the filtered intensity of that central pixel is assigned as the spatially smoothed intensity of the center image. If not, the filtered intensity of that pixel is assigned as a further temporal filtering of the three spatially smoothed intensities. The invention also relates to an apparatus, in particular a medical x-ray imaging apparatus, for carrying out the image processing method.

Abstract: A filter that filters in the spatial and temporal domain in a single step with filtering coefficients that can be varied depending upon the complexity of the video and the motion between the adjacent frames comprises: a IIR filter, a threshold unit, and a coefficient register. The IIR filter and threshold unit are coupled to receive video data. The IIR filter is also coupled to the coefficient register and the threshold unit. The IIR filter receives coefficients, a, from the coefficient register and uses them to filter the video data received. The IIR filter filters the data in the vertical, horizontal and temporal dimensions in a single step. The filtered data output by the IIR filter is sent to the threshold unit. The threshold unit compares the absolute value of the difference between the filtered data and the raw video data to a threshold value from the coefficient register, and then outputs either the raw video data or the filtered data.

Abstract: A picture signal processing method is provided for processing a picture signal containing information including main picture portion and non-picture portions. This method comprises: detecting boundary portions existing between the main picture portion and the non-picture portions of the picture signal; performing inter-field interpolation treatment to produce an interpolation scanning signal; and using the interpolation scanning signal to perform inter-field interpolation treatment on boundary portions between the main picture portion and the non-picture portions of the picture signal, so as to ensure a clearly visible display of the boundary portions.

Abstract: In noise measurement for video sequences it is difficult to distinguish between picture content and noise. In order to improve the measurement reliability the results of two different noise level computing methods are combined. One computation relies on the analysis of displaced field or frame differences, the other is based on the values of the field or frame differences over static picture areas.

Abstract: A classified adaptive spatio-temporal creation process is utilized to translate data from one format to another. This process creates new pixels by applying a filter selected on an output pixel by pixel basis which has been adaptively chosen from an application-specific set of three-dimensional filters. In one embodiment, a standard orientation is chosen, which is defined according to each output data position. Input data is flipped to align the output data position with the output position of the standard orientation. A classification is performed using the flipped input data and an appropriate filter is selected according to the classification. The filter is then executed to generate the value of the output data point.

Abstract: Frames of a digital video signal are spatially filtered to remove impulse and other noise from the video signal. The spatially filtered frame is temporally filtered to further remove noise from the digital video signal. The spatial filter is adaptive, heavily filtering portions of low detail in the represented subject matter while lightly filtering or not filtering portions of moderate to high detail in the represented subject matter. As a result, clarity and detail in the subject matter of the digital video signal are preserved. The temporal filter is similarly adaptive and determines if and to what degree the subject matter of portions of the spatially filtered frame correlate with corresponding portions of a previous frame. By previously spatially filtering the frame, determinations regarding the correlation of the current frame with corresponding portions of the previous, which is also spatially and temporally filtered, are more accurate.

Abstract: In a video noise reducer, where pixel information is recursively filtered, with recursion being disabled at a disjuncture (caused by motion, planning, shot-change or otherwise), recursively filtered pixel information prior to disjuncture continues to be output until pixel information following the disjuncture has been recursively filtered to an appropriate degree of noise reduction.

Abstract: A first texture mapping unit generates texture coordinates and associated Red, Blue, Green (RGB) values in response to coordinates received from a rasterizer. The first texture mapping unit makes use of compressed texture mipmaps to reduce memory storage and bandwidth requirements. The compressed texture maps may be generated by a compression system employing principles of Block Truncation Coding (BTC) and Color Cell Compression (CCC). A second texture mapping unit generates texture coordinates and associated RGB values in response to coordinates received from a rasterizer. The second texture mapping unit includes a memory organization allowing two mipmap levels to be retrieved in a single access, and 8-port Color Lookup Table (CLUT), a trilinear interpolator and a video port. A footprint assembly system maps textures onto surfaces by approximating the projection of a pixel onto a texture by a number of square mipmapped texels.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining a noise value that corresponds to the noise in a signal, the signal containing identical signal parts in the noise free signal. Noise values that correspond to the noise in a signal can be used to control noise reduction filters as well as other digital improvement circuits, and in particular picture improvement circuits. This is of particular interest for digital signal processing in modern television receivers. The invention helps to use-picture improvement algorithms that exist in modern digital television receivers more efficiently.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for generating an output time sequence of image frames from an input time sequence of image frames. For pairs of consecutive image frames of the input time sequence defining a frame rate less than a predetermined output frame rate, a plurality of feature points are identified and located in each of the consecutive image frames. Using the feature points, a first frame of the consecutive image frames is morphed with a second frame of the consecutive image frames to form at least one intermediate frame. The first frame, the at least one intermediate frame, and the second frame are then sequentially organized to form consecutive frames of the output time sequence having the predetermined output frame rate. Pairs of consecutive image frames of the input time sequence having at least the predetermined output frame rate are maintained as consecutive pairs in the output time sequence.

Abstract: In a method of processing a video signal, including the step furnishing (11) a filtered signal in response to the video signal, the filtering is adapted (22) in dependence upon a statistical property (AC) of a modification effected by the filtering in a previous time interval of the video signal. Preferably, the filtering is adapted (22) in dependence upon an average modification (AC) effected by the filtering in a previous field or frame of the video signal.

Abstract: A method and system for combining the information from one video field, or multiple video fields in a single, high quality still image. A reference field and auxiliary fields are selected and an orientation map is constructed for the reference field. Motion maps are constructed to model displacement between the reference and auxiliary fields. The auxiliary fields are directionally interpolated using orientation maps. A merge mask is used to mask of certain pixels which should not be used in the final enhanced image. A weighted average is then formed from the reference field pixels which have not been masked off. A final still image is obtained after additional horizontal interpolation. Post-processing might be used to further sharpen the image. The method and system are applicable to both the luminance and chrominance components of the video image.

Abstract: In a motion-dependent noise filtering (MD, NRF), a received image signal and a delayed (3) image signal are combined in dependence upon both a local amount of motion and a global amount of motion in the image signals.

Abstract: A method and system for interpolating a missing pixel in a current field of an interlaced video format signal. The method includes performing a low-pass estimate in the current field about the missing pixel. A high-pass estimate is also performed in a temporally local field to the current field. The high-pass estimate is performed in the temporally local field at a position connected to the missing pixel by a motion vector. The value of the missing pixel is then determined by combining the high pass estimate with the low-pass estimate performed in the current field.

Abstract: A method of and a circuit for removing noise signals from video signals by adaptive median filtering which masks errors in large-size disturbed picture areas caused by dirt and dust during scanning of the film. In this method, the picture content is always classified in stationary, moving, undisturbed and disturbed picture areas. Subsequent thereto, error masking is only effected by temporal median filtering in only the disturbed, stationary picture area.

Abstract: An S/N ratio is improved and flicker noises and mosquito noises are suppressed while deterioration of a resolution is suppressed. A three-dimensional cyclical digital filter (16) is interposed between a MPEG video decoder (12) and a video DAC. In accordance with a luminance input signal Yu from the MPEG video decoder (12), Yv is calculated from the following equation.Yv=Ft-K.multidot.(Ft-F(t-1))where K is a value in the range of 0.ltoreq.K<1, Ft is a present Yu input value, and F(t-1) is a one-frame preceding Yv.

Abstract: A video processing method and system for motion compensated filtering of interlaced television signals comprising a motion estimation device for producing motion vectors corresponding to each output sampling site, a vector processor generating a set of input coordinates for each output sampling site depending on its corresponding motion vector, a data store in memory for storing input pixel values and providing a variable delay, a plurality of multipliers and corresponding coefficient stores, and an adder to sum the partial result from each multiplier, the multipliers multiply an input pixel value, selected from the data store depending on part of the input coordinate, by a coefficient selected from the coefficient store depending on another part of the input coordinate, the filter aperture (set of filter coefficients) is selected depending on the vertical velocity component of the motion vector supplied by the motion estimation device.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise in video signal, by processing the pixels of a process frame of video signal in conjunction with a selected number of previously processed frames to determine values for target pixels in the process frame by applying a temporal motion detector to determine whether a target pixel has a still or motion status and further processing the pixels with motion status by impulse recognition step to further determine whether the pixel should be classified as having a still or a motion status. The pixels are then checked via a spatial motion detecting step to obtain a motion index value to the pixels and the motion index value is used in a motion adaptive temporal filter to define the pixel value of the still pixel. The motion index value of the pixels is used to set a dynamic threshold in a detailed motion active spatial filter to define the pixel value for the motion pixels.

Abstract: A method for generating an updated video stream from an incoming video stream for use in image encoding applications includes the steps of replacing each predetermined reference frame amongst a second plurality with an updated reference frame, obtained by temporal filtering of a first plurality of frames from said incoming video stream at positions dependent on the position of said each predetermined reference frame. If afterwards encoded using an encoding algorithm using the updated reference frames as reference frames, the thus encoded updated video stream will show a reduced peak-to-mean bitrate ratio compared to the encoded original video stream. An apparatus for performing this method is described as well.

Abstract: A video display monitor employs interpolation which maintains sharpness in images which have large differences in signal levels of picture elements and assuring smoothness of images such as lamps which have small differences in signal levels. The difference in the signal level differences of respective adjacent picture elements is detected by delay and subtraction. A decoder produces a signal for interpolation based on the input of an interpolation coefficient and the absolute value of the interpolation coefficient which is output from an absolute value detector.

Abstract: A noise reducer to which image data obtained by decoding coding data using a DCT coding is supplied. The noise reduser is comprised as follows. Noise extracting unit for extracting a noise component, first and second noise cancelling unit for cancelling the extracted noise component from input image data, a memory for delaying the image data from the first noise cancelling unit by a predetermined amount and supplying the delayed image data to the noise extracting unit, decimating unit for decimating the image data to be written into the memory, and interpolating unit for interpolating an output of the noise extracting unit and supplying the interpolated output to the second noise cancelling unit whose output is taken out.

Abstract: Disclosed are a display control unit and a control method therefor, for permitting images provided by a plurality of video image sources to overlie, whereby an area of an overlying image plane wherein an original video image source that is composed of lines and shade patterns is displayed by interpolating an original image, and whereby an area wherein an original video image source that is composed of video images is displayed non-interpolated without interpolation. According to the present invention, whether or not the interpolation on image data is required is determined for each pixel by employing a changed value of luminance for each pixel between scan lines, a color difference signal, and color data. Even when a computer image and a video image are displayed on the same screen at the same time, optimal display can be performed on the individual image planes.

Abstract: Method of eliminating interference signals from video signals by means of motion-adaptive transversal filtering, in which the motion is detected in the two-dimensional plane for the purpose of S/N ratio improvement. To this end, the forward and backward-motion signals are combined to a common motion signal and transformed into a polar coordinate signal from which the coefficients for controlling the transversal filter are derived.

Abstract: In a method of filtering data, including the steps of processing (7) data (O) to obtain reduced data, delaying (9) the reduced data to obtain delayed data, interpolating (11, 13) the delayed data to obtain interpolated data (R), and combining (1-5) the interpolated data (R) and input data (I) to obtain filtered data (O), the interpolating step (11, 13) includes the step (13) of providing one delayed data element out of several delayed data elements in dependence upon an input data element (p).

Abstract: A system for acquiring images during a medical procedure and using the acquired images includes a storage device for storing, for each one of a plurality of users of the system, or for each one of a plurality of medical procedures, or for each one of a plurality of input or output devices, information that indicates one or more processing operations to be performed on images obtained by an input device. A system processor responds to an identity the user who is currently using the system by performing processing operations on the obtained images and applying the images to an output device based on the stored information that corresponds to the current user.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for automatically controlling the degree of temporal integration in a real time video image processor. The degree of integration may be determined by a combination of image brightness detected over a specific area of an image and motion detected within specific locations within the image. The apparatus comprises two main components, an integrating processor and integrating controller. The integrating processor receives an incoming analog video signal and converts it in an A/D converter into a series of digital pixel values. These digital pixel values may then be passed through an arithmetic processing unit where each pixel value may be fractionalized and summed with a fractionalized value of a geometrically corresponding pixel or pixels stored in a memory (i.e., temporal or recursive filtration). The sum of these fractionalized pixel values may then in turn be stored in memory as a new pixel values.

Abstract: An antenna and a tuner are used for receiving TV signals that carry static images at 30 frames per second. Fifteen frame memories are provided in a image memory unit and a microprocessor sequentially stores the received images in each of the frame memories and evaluates the quality of each of the stored images. Furthermore, display patterns are obtained by varying frame speeds and phases with the image quality for each display pattern being evaluated thereafter. The pattern having the highest score is selected and the oldest image among the images stored corresponding to the selected pattern is displayed on the display in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A recursive noise reduction device which has adaptability with respect to changes in input image data which are not noise, resulting from, e.g., scene changes and subject movement, and in which a rise in the black level and a drop in the white level does not occur. The recursive noise reduction device includes a storage unit which stores image signals in field or frame units, and a computation unit which multiplies by an input image signal A by K (0<K<1), and multiplies by (1-K) an image signal B from a previous recursive calculation, which is output from the storage unit. The computation unit adds the input image signal A, which has been multiplied by K, to the signal B, which has been multiplied by (1-K), and the computation results are stored in the storage unit. A comparison device compares the signal A with the signal B.

Abstract: A noise reduction circuit for use with video signals or image producing signals in which trailing and other image degrading phenomena are prevented by not using the noise reduction circuit for the edge of the motion picture portion on the image. The noise reduction circuit includes a subtractor 14 which outputs a difference signal E between input video signal VSi and delayed video signal VSd. ROM 18, a look-up table that forms the coefficient multiplier, outputs a corrected difference signal KE corresponding to the difference signal E from subtractor 14. At adder 12, corrected difference signal KE from ROM 18 is added to input video signal VSi, forming output video signal VSo processed by the noise reduction processing. However, when "H" level expansion video signal MEH,Y is output from vertical expansion circuit 42, the outputs of AND gates 24, 26 become null, and the output signal of ROM 18 becomes null.

Abstract: A method and a circuit configuration for flicker reduction in a television set include counting the number of partial areas of a field/frame which have been ascertained to be moving, through the use of a motion detector. When a threshold value is exceeded, a changeover is made from a field reproduction sequence with reduced flicker to a field reproduction sequence with reduced flicker and correct motion. The method can be practiced by using standard components.

Abstract: A group delay of a noise-reducing median filter for video or a video FIR filter is reduced by transferring filter contributions of fields in "time forward" to fields in "time past" with respect to an output sample point. No significant impairment is introduced by this time asymmetry.

Abstract: A field sequential image pickup apparatus which prevents misregistration in color pictures with respect to a visible freeze image and improves the S/N of an infrared image with respect to a movement of an object of observation. R (red), G (green), B (blue) and infrared light beams are sequentially projected from a color disk provided with filters for visible light and a filter for infrared light, and a CCD sequentially generates R, G, B picture signals and infrared picture signals. A movement detection circuit detects a movement in the object from the picture signals. When there is a movement, a freeze operation is inhibited with respect to a visible image, while executing it when there is no movement. With respect to an infrared image, a noise reducing operation is suppressed when there is a movement, while fully executing it when there is no movement.

Abstract: A filter architecture for high-resolution video applications of the type comprising at least one filter block having a plurality of digital inputs which receive through an interface components of a television signal and some outputs through which to take the result of a filtering operation for noise associated with the television signal also comprises in the filter block at least one interpolator block connected to said inputs and operating with fuzzy logic to execute a television signal scanning conversion to be presented on additional outputs of the filter block.

Abstract: An appearance of a double image around moving objects may be reduced or removed by generating motion compensated 100 Hz fields with the objects in correct positions. When, however, the results of this technique are applied to motion compensated upconversion, objects or parts of the picture which fall outside the range of measurable velocities appear on the upconverted display with a very strong double image, resulting from the display of information in the wrong temporal position generated by uncompensated or `fallback processing`. The subjective strength of the double image may be reduced by low pass filtering in a horizontal direction the components in the new fields of the upconverted signal which cause this double image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus prevents an increase in random noise and the like produced by distributing a transformation error, which is produced at the time of a level-number transformation, to unprocessed pixel data. Error data X.sub.n is added to pixel data, which has entered via an input unit, by an adder. Thereafter, the resulting data is subjected to a level-number transformation by a binarizing circuit. Transformation error produced at the time of the level-number transformation is calculated by an error arithmetic unit. The transformation error thus calculated is distributed to unprocessed pixel data by an error-diffusion unit, and the error is accumulated in a line buffer memory as error data. When processing of a prescribed number of lines has ended, a line-number discriminating circuit clears the error data that has been accumulated in the line buffer memory. As a result, an increase in random noise is prevented.

Abstract: A method of temporally adaptive filtering of the frames of an image sequence is disclosed. To filter the kth frame, first, the motion trajectories that transverse the pixel locations at the kth frame are determined using a motion estimation algorithm. Motion trajectories pass through a predetermined number of frames neighboring the kth frame. Image values at the neighboring frames, along motion trajectories are then evaluated. Temporally adaptive linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) estimates of the image values at the pixel locations of the kth frame are determined using the image values along the motion trajectories. These steps are repeated for each of the other frames of the image sequence.

Abstract: A subtractor (106) forms a difference signal (D) from a video input signal (C) and a further signal (M) supplied thereto. The difference signal is limited (108) and attenuated (110) and the resultant signal (F) is combined (112) with the video input signal for providing a noise reduced video output signal (H). A delay circuit (202), responsive to the video output signal, provides field (A) and frame (B) delayed video signals. A selection circuit (220) selects a median value (M) of the field delayed video signal, the frame delayed video signal and the video input signal as the further signal for application to the subtractor. Advantageously, the further signal provides the dual functions of (1) facilitating the noise reduction of the output signal and (2) concurrently reducing the occurrence of potential motion artifacts to a very substantial degree.

Abstract: In a motion-compensated picture signal interpolation apparatus comprising switched memories (SMX,LM) for furnishing motion-compensated pixel values corresponding to at least two motion vectors (.+-.d, 0), the motion-compensated pixel values are processed by an ordered statistical filter (MED).

Abstract: A method of eliminating interference signals from video signals by motion-adaptive filtering, in which method first a motion signal-dependent transversal filtering and subsequently a median filtering is performed.