Transition Or Edge Sharpeners Patents (Class 348/625)
  • Patent number: 9064476
    Abstract: Described is a technology by which a low-resolution image is processed into a high-resolution image, including by performing processing in the gradient domain. A gradient profile corresponding to the lower-resolution image is transform into a sharpened image gradient. A high-resolution gradient profile is estimated from a low-resolution gradient profile, e.g., by multiplying the low-resolution gradient profile by a transform ratio that is based upon learned shape parameters, learned sharpness values and a curve distance to an edge pixel along the gradient profile. The transform ratio is used to transform a low-resolution gradient field to a high-resolution gradient field. Reconstructing the higher-resolution image is performed by using the high-resolution gradient field as a gradient domain constraint, e.g., in along with a reconstruction constraint obtained from image domain data. An energy function is minimized by enforcing the gradient domain constraint and the reconstruction constraint, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Jian Sun, Heung-Yeung Shum
  • Patent number: 9001274
    Abstract: An image processing method for processing an input image is provided. The image processing method includes: performing a plurality of first imaging processing operations on the input image to generate a first image; and performing a plurality of second imaging processing operations on the first image. Each of the first imaging processing operations is along a first direction, and the plurality of first imaging processing operations include a first scaling operation for increasing resolution. Each of the second imaging processing operations is along a second direction different from the first direction, and the plurality of second imaging processing operations include a second scaling operation for increasing resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Teng-Yi Lin, Wei-Fu Chen, Wei-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 8994882
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for conducting a real-time perceptual quality analysis of a video, wherein the perceptual quality analysis includes at least one of a noise measurement, a contrast measurement and a sharpness measurement. One or more strength parameters of one or more post-processing modules in a video processing pipe may be set based on the perceptual quality analysis resulting in overall video processing that adapts to the changing perceptual quality of the input. In one example, the strength parameters include at least one of a contrast parameter and a de-noising parameter. The invention results in visually enhanced video at the output of the post-processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kalpana Seshadrinathan, Jorge E. Caviedes
  • Publication number: 20150085193
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and terminal device for improving video signal definition. The method includes: acquiring information of a connected display device; selecting a corresponding definition improving algorithm according to the acquired information of the display device to process video output signals, and finally outputting the processed video signals to the display device for display. By adopting the above technical scheme, the problem in the prior art of fuzzy or unclear display images caused by mismatching between output images of the mobile device and the connected display device as a uniform fixed algorithm is adopted to magnify images when a mobile device is connected to a display device for video play is solved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ming Zhao
  • Patent number: 8977049
    Abstract: A method for estimating signal-dependent noise includes defining a plurality of pixel groups from among the image pixels. The method further includes computing, for one or more signal levels of the image, a difference value between two pixel groups, whereby a respective one or more difference values are computed collectively. The method determines an estimated noise response of the image as a function of the one or more computed difference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Timo Aila, Samuli Laine
  • Patent number: 8929434
    Abstract: Image or video from a cell phone is processed to expand the image in a way to display it on a high definition video screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ubiquity Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Stephen Bailey, Christopher Carmichael
  • Patent number: 8922714
    Abstract: A video processing system includes a network processing module configured to receive video content. A decoder module is configured to decode the video content received from the content transmitting system, and separately provide each of the decoded video content and data describing transmission features of the video content. A video quality estimation module is configured to estimate a quality factor based on the data describing the transmission features of the video content, wherein the quality factor corresponds to an estimation of a visual quality of the video content. A database control module configured to select, based on the quality factor, one of a plurality of predetermined settings for video post-processing. A video post-processing module is configured to receive the decoded video content separately provided from the decoder module, and process the decoded video content based on the selected one of the predetermined settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Vasudev Bhaskaran, Mainak Biswas, Nikhil Balram
  • Patent number: 8891018
    Abstract: A method for detecting edges in a video field, comprising the steps of: selecting edges for a pixel of the video field; determining sum of absolute differences (“SAD”) values for the selected edges; determining inverse SAD (“ISAD”) values for the selected edges; and detecting one or more certain ones of the selected edges as a valid edge as a function of the determined SAD values and the determined ISAD values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Amlogic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongjian Wang, Xin Hu, Xuyun Chen
  • Patent number: 8879002
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the detail edges and transitions in an input video signal. This enhancement may be accomplished by enhancing small detail edges before up-scaling and enhancing large amplitude transitions after up-scaling. For example, detail edge enhancement (detail EE) may be used to enhance the fine details of an input video signal. An edge map may be used to prevent enhancing the large edges and accompanying mosquito noise with the detail enhancement. Noise may additionally be removed from the signal. After the fine details are enhanced, the signal may be up-scaled. Luminance transition improvement (LTI) or chrominance transition improvement (CTI) may be used to enhance the large transitions of the input video signal post scaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Shilpi Sahu, Nikhil Balram, Sanjay Garg
  • Patent number: 8879001
    Abstract: A method is provided for block artifact detection and block artifact determination using multiple features in coded images and video. A method includes identifying a plurality of overlapping blocks in a picture with respect to a current block. Each of the plurality of overlapping blocks covers a portion of the current block and a portion of an adjacent block. The method further includes transforming at least one of the plurality of overlapping blocks into respective coefficients corresponding to at least one of a luminance component and a chrominance component. The method also includes identifying a block artifact for the at least one of the plurality of overlapping blocks when coefficients corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of overlapping blocks are larger than a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Gokce Dane, Cristina Gomila
  • Patent number: 8866835
    Abstract: A color adjustment system for a display device includes a computer device, and a display device for displaying an image. The display device selectably displays a plurality of color temperature color presets. The computer device makes a white point adjustment to the display device, based on a color temperature color preset selected from among the plurality of color temperature color presets by a selecting operation from the computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Tanizoe, Hidenori Sakai, Yasuhiro Arakawa, Hiroshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 8837849
    Abstract: A method for applying filters to digital images with minimal amplification of image noise, comprising filtering the digital image with an EPDR edge-preserving detail-reducing filter, determining a matrix from the filtered image as a result of one or more structure adaptive functions, and modifying the digital image using the filter, adjusted by the matrix values, to produce an enhanced digital image. The order of processing may be inverted, by first determining the matrix and then filtering the matrix with the edge-preserving detail-reducing filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Nils Kokemohr
  • Patent number: 8830398
    Abstract: It is determined whether or not an input image is an image converted from an image with a relatively low resolution based on one frame of an image. A resolution determination device includes: an edge strength calculator configured to obtain an edge strength of a pixel included in an input image based on luminance of the pixel and luminance of a pixel adjacent to the pixel, for each of a plurality of pixels included in the input image; and a resolution determiner configured to determine whether or not the input image is an image upconverted from an image with a predetermined resolution or less, based on distribution of the edge strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Inoue, Shinichi Tomioka, Atsuhisa Kageyama
  • Patent number: 8830402
    Abstract: An image processing circuit and a method thereof are provided herein. The image processing circuit has a first scaling circuit, one or more line buffers, a first sharpness circuit, a second scaling circuit, and a second sharpness circuit. The first scaling circuit enlarges an input image along a first direction to generate a first enlarged image. The one or more line buffers temporarily store the pixel values of a plurality of pixel rows of the first enlarged image. The first sharpness circuit vertically sharpens the first enlarged image to generate a first sharpened image. The second scaling circuit enlarges the first sharpened image along a second direction to generate a second enlarged image. The second sharpness circuit horizontally sharpens the second enlarged image to generate a second sharpened image. Accordingly, it is possible to use the one or more line buffers having shorter data lengths to perform the vertical sharpening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Teng-Yi Lin, Wei-Fu Chen, Wei-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 8830395
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for upscaling a digital image. A digital image to be upscaled is accessed, where the digital image comprises a plurality of pixel values. A first half pixel value is computed for a first point in the digital image based on a plurality of pixel values of the digital image surrounding the first point and an activity level. A second half pixel value is computed for a second point in the digital image, and an interpolated pixel of an upscaled version of the digital image is determined using a plurality of the pixel values, the first half pixel value, and the second half pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Gong, Dam Le Quang
  • Patent number: 8830360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing image quality based on scene content comprising a sensor for generating a sequence of frames where each frame in the sequence of frames comprises content representing a scene and a digital processor, coupled to the sensor, for performing scene content analysis and for establishing a window defining a number of input frames from the sensor and processed output frames, and for aligning and combining the number of frames in the window to form an output frame, wherein sensor parameters and frame combination parameters are adjusted based on scene content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Peter Jeffrey Burt, Sek Meng Chai, David Chao Zhang, Michael Raymond Piacentino, Gooitzen Siemen van der Wal, Peter Alan Levine, Thomas Lee Vogelsong, John Robertson Tower
  • Patent number: 8823876
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an input unit for inputting an image signal and an image corrector for correcting the input image signal is disclosed. The image corrector is arranged to extract from the input image signal a specular reflection component and a diffuse reflection component and generate a corrected image signal based on a computation result with respect to these specular and diffuse reflection components thus extracted. This image corrector is adaptable for use in various types of image processors, including projectors, display devices and imaging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Fukuda, Mitsuo Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8797427
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes, a color correction unit performing color correction on RGB signals to generate color-corrected RGB signals; a YC conversion unit converting the color-corrected RGB signals into a first luminance signal and a color-difference signal; a Y conversion unit generating a second luminance signal based on the RGB signals; an edge combination unit combining the first luminance signal with the second luminance signal; an edge adjustment unit obtaining an edge-adjusted signal based on a result of the combining by the edge combination unit; and an adder adding the first luminance signal to the edge-adjusted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Norihiko Tsutsumi, Masafumi Sei
  • Patent number: 8797462
    Abstract: A band processing circuit which generates image signals corresponding to different frequency bands from an image signal in which signals corresponding to different colors are arranged and which suppresses noise by synthesizing the image signals of the different frequency bands, a sampling circuit which generates image signal corresponding to the colors by sampling the image signal input from the band processing circuit in accordance with a predetermined arrangement, and a luminance/color generation circuit which generates a luminance signal in which aliasing is suppressed using an image signal output from the sampling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Hirai
  • Patent number: 8743288
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for determining whether a-low resolution image is converted to a high-resolution image, and enhancing image quality of a video signal. The image processing method includes steps of receiving a video stream; determining whether the video stream includes a converted image converted from a low-resolution image to a high-resolution image; and enhancing image quality of the video stream when the video stream includes the converted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ren Kuan Liang, Cheng-Yu Liao
  • Patent number: 8724030
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for sharpening edge boundaries of an image is provided. The image processing apparatus includes a transient improvement (TI) circuit and a color protection circuit. The TI circuit receives multiple original pixel data and performs a TI process on an original target pixel data from the original pixel data to output first and second TI chroma signals corresponding to the original pixel data. The color protection circuit respectively compares the first and second TI chroma signals with first and second original chroma signals of the original pixel data to correspondingly generate a weighting value, and outputs first and second adjusted chroma signals according to the weighting value, the first and second original chroma signals, and the first and second TI chroma signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Novatek Mircoelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Mao Lin
  • Patent number: 8717502
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect content that represents original image information; detect a direction of the content wherein the direction corresponds to a portion of the original image information; compare a variation between adjacent pixels that are represented by the original image information; and generate new image information based on the direction of the content and the variation between the adjacent pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Suba
  • Patent number: 8687124
    Abstract: A signal processing device (201) includes noise reduction units (101), cascade-connected to each other, each of which includes: a signal selection section (31) for selecting a representative value from sampled signals obtained from an input signal by sampling a target signal and signals which are away from the target signal by given intervals; a voltage determination section (51) for determining which of a determined representative value and a voltage of the target signal is larger; and a signal output section (61) for increasing or decreasing the voltage of the target signal depending on a result of the determining and outputs the target signal as the output signal. A combination of intervals between the target signal and the signals excluding the target signal vary from noise reduction unit (101) to noise reduction unit (101). A noise reduction unit on a more upstream side has a larger maximum value of the intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Gohshi, Takaji Numao, Takashi Mine
  • Patent number: 8687123
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for processing a video signal comprises a receive unit (101, 103, 105) which receives the video signal comprising a sequence of pictures. A processing unit (107) applies a picture noise changing algorithm to the sequence of pictures and a variation unit (113) varies a spatial noise reduction setting for the picture noise changing algorithm between at least some consecutive pictures of the sequence of pictures in response to a predetermined variation rule. Specifically a set of picture manipulation processes (203, 205) with different spatial noise reduction characteristics may be provided and the variation unit (113) may select different picture manipulation processes in consecutive pictures. The approach may introduce high frequency noise flickering which is less perceptible to a viewer thereby reducing the perceived noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Franciscus Hendrikus Van Heesch, Michiel Adriaanszoon Klompenhouwer
  • Patent number: 8675133
    Abstract: Embodiments for video content source resolution detection are provided. Embodiments enable systems and methods that measure video content source resolution and that provide image-by-image source scale factor measurements to picture quality (PQ) processing modules. With the source scale factor information, PQ processing modules can be adapted dynamically (on a picture-by-picture basis) according to the source scale factor information for better picture quality enhancement. In addition, embodiments provide source resolution detection that is minimally affected by video coding artifacts and superimposed content (e.g., graphics).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Advait Mogre, Darren Neuman, Jaewon Shin, Brian Schoner
  • Patent number: 8670073
    Abstract: A video processing device may compare a pixel or group of pixels of a current video picture to a pixel or group of pixels of a previous video picture. The video processing device may generate a motion vector for the pixel or group of pixels of the current video picture based on the comparison. The video processing device may determine an amount of filtering to be applied to the pixel or group of pixels of the current video picture. The video processing device may adjust the determined amount of filtering to be applied to the pixel or group of pixels based on the generated motion vector and based on a brightness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng Zhong, Alexander MacInnis
  • Patent number: 8670074
    Abstract: A projector includes an input unit which inputs an image signal, a projection unit which projects an achromatic luminance image and a chromatic image on the basis of the image signal input by the input unit, an image processing unit which performs a sharpening processing to emphasize a high-frequency component in the image signal in accordance with a sharpening parameter to the image signal input by the input unit, and a projection control unit which controls a luminance image projection time of the luminance image for the chromatic image projected in the projection unit, a value of the sharpening parameter and the luminance image projection time being associated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Takeo Ishizu
  • Patent number: 8665377
    Abstract: A video-information-processing apparatus comprising: a smoothing unit to smooth input video information of a plurality of pixels and generate smoothed video information; a subtraction unit to calculate a gradation difference between the input and smoothed video information; a mixing unit to mix the input and smoothed video information at a ratio corresponding to the difference and generate mixed video information; a determination unit to determine whether or not a peripheral pixel region, including each pixel in the input video information and pixels located around the pixel, is a low-frequency region not including a gradation change greater than or equal to a predetermined gradation change; and an output-selection unit to output the mixed video information when the determination unit determines that the peripheral pixel region is the low-frequency region and output the input video information when the determination unit determines that the peripheral pixel region is not the low frequency region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Omori, Kazunori Chida
  • Patent number: 8659618
    Abstract: A system for edge enhancement includes an input unit to receive an input signal Yin, a vertical enhancement unit to perform a vertical enhancement of an edge of the input signal Yin to generate an output YEV, and a horizontal enhancement unit to perform a horizontal enhancement of the edge of the input signal Yin to generate an output YEH. The system also includes a local gradient analysis unit to generate a local gradient direction GradDir and a local gradient magnitude GradMag based at least partly upon the input signal Yin, and a mixer to generate an output Yout by mixing the output YEV with the output YEH using the local gradient direction GradDir. The system further includes an output unit to output the output Yout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific PTE., Ltd., STMicroelectronics (Grenoble2) SAS
    Inventors: Yong Huang, Fritz Lebowsky
  • Patent number: 8648967
    Abstract: A multiband signal generator generates multiband signals from 21 lines of input data by using a subset of N lines with each line delayed from 1 line to N lines respectively. M line buffers delay the multiband signals such that each line is delayed from 1 line to M lines respectively. An analyzer detects correlations between video data by selecting regions with a maximum size M×M in the multiband signals, and analyzes characteristics of the video data. A multiband signal generator generates multiband signals with cutoff frequencies based on an analysis result from the analyzer, by using the data from 1-line through N-line delayed multiband signal. An amplitude adjuster and synthesizer unit adjusts and synthesizes amplitudes of the multiband signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventor: Ryosuke Nakagoshi
  • Patent number: 8643777
    Abstract: A pixel interpolation process is based on detection of a potential edge in proximity to a pixel being estimated, and the angle thereof. The potential edge and its angle is determined based on filtering of offset or overlapping sets of lines from a pixel window centered around the pixel being estimated and then cross-correlating the filter results. The highest value in the correlation result values represents a potential edge in proximity to the pixel being estimated and the index of the highest value represents the angle of the potential edge. This information is used in conjunction with other information from the cross-correlation and analysis of the differences between pixels in proximity to verify the validity of the potential edge. If determined to be valid, a diagonal interpolation based on the edge and its angle is used to estimate the pixel value of the pixel. Otherwise, an alternate interpolation process, such as vertical interpolation, is used to estimate the pixel value for the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: VIXS Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Arthur Wallace, James Ward Girardeau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8639054
    Abstract: A correlation judgment part judges a correlation direction on each pixel. In a case where a correlation direction of a specified pixel is a vertical direction and the correlation thereof is small in any other direction, it is judged that the specified pixel is a pixel on an edge in the vertical direction. Then, a noise removal filtering operation is performed on the specified pixel by using pixels on a line in the vertical direction and an edge enhancement operation is performed by using pixels on a line in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: MegaChips Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8634027
    Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus includes: an enhancement gain generating section obtaining an enhancement gain for each pixel based on an luminance signal forming part of an input video signal and a predetermined enhancement gain; and an enhancing section performing a process of enhancing the luminance signal forming part of the input video signal based on the enhancement gain. The enhancement gain generating section includes a mean deviation calculating portion obtaining a mean deviation of luminance values of pixels included in a predetermined region centered at a pixel of interest that is the pixel for which the enhancement gain is to be obtained, a weighting coefficient generating portion generating a weighting coefficient for the pixel of interest according to the value of the mean deviation, and a multiplication portion multiplying the predetermined enhancement gain by the weighting coefficient to obtain the enhancement gain for the pixel of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Ueyama
  • Patent number: 8630504
    Abstract: An auto-focus image system includes a focus signal generator and a pixel array coupled thereto that captures an image that includes a plurality of edges. The generator computes a focus signal from a plurality of edge-sharpness measures, each measured from and contributed by a different edge as a quantity with a unit that is a power of a unit of length. The generator reduces a relative weight of the contribution of an edge depending on a shape of a normalized gradient profile of the edge as identified by an n-tuple of values of n different shape measures (n?2). Each shape measure varies across normalized gradient profiles of different shapes. One shape measure may be the edge-sharpness measure itself. The weight may be zero if the n-tuple falls outside a predetermined region. At least one symmetrical shape that has perfect reflection symmetry receives reduced weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Hiok Nam Tay
  • Patent number: 8625673
    Abstract: Systems and methods of determining motion vectors, such as for video encoding, are disclosed. In one example, motion vectors are determined for a current frame, using sampled pixel information from a reference frame. Sampled pixel information is obtained using a sampling pattern. The sampling pattern, in one example, includes subsampling pixels at different rates for horizontal and vertical directions. The subsampling rate can differ, based on an amount of motion represented by a matching block (e.g., the farther a match is found away from an origin of the block, the more subsampling can be done). In another example, a full pixel resolution is maintained proximal an original location of the block; as distance increases in one or more directions, subsampling can begin and/or increase. Sampled pixels can be stored. Interpolation of the sampled pixels can be performed and the sampled and resulting interpolated pixels can be used for comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Nicholas Heyward
  • Patent number: 8615036
    Abstract: In a video signal processing device that generates an interpolated frame between original-image frames formed by an existing video signal, a frame interpolation unit generates pixel interpolation information indicating for each pixel a process in which a pixel forming the interpolated frame is generated. Next, an enhancement-filter-coefficient adjusting unit determines for each pixel a level of enhancement to be applied to the pixel forming the interpolated frame by using pixel interpolation information, and adjusts for each pixel a coefficient of an enhancement filter according to a determined level. An enhancement-filter applying unit then applies the enhancement filter of which coefficient is adjusted for each pixel, to each pixel forming the interpolated frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Teruyuki Sato, Takashi Hamano, Kohji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8594436
    Abstract: Method for detecting edge of fixed pattern includes receiving and analyzing a first image to obtain a first edge information. Second image and a corresponding second edge information are received, in which the second image includes an accumulation of image history information. According to the first edge information and the second edge information, a consistent number and an inconsistent number for pairs of pixels at the corresponding location of the first image and the second image are calculated, in which the consistent number represents how many pairs of pixels of which two compared pixels of each pair are both edge pixels, and the inconsistent number represents one of the two compared pixels is not the edge pixel. When the consistent number is greater than first predetermined value and meanwhile the inconsistent number is less than second predetermined value, first image and second image have a fixed pattern with fixed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yu-Shu Liu, Chun-Wei Chen, Jiande Jiang, Tsui-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 8587726
    Abstract: Provided are a digital video rescaling system, a method of rescaling video images, and a chip comprising a computer executable medium embedded therein computer executable instructions for rescaling video images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd., STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Yong Huang, Lucas Hui, Haiyun Wang, Fritz Lebowsky
  • Patent number: 8570443
    Abstract: An image processing circuit and a method thereof are provided herein. The image processing circuit has a first scaling circuit, a plurality of line buffers, a first sharpness circuit, a second scaling circuit, and a second sharpness circuit. The first scaling circuit enlarges an input image along a first direction to generate a first enlarged image. The line buffers temporarily store the pixel values of a plurality of pixel rows of the first enlarged image. The first sharpness circuit vertically sharpens the first enlarged image to generate a first sharpened image. The second scaling circuit enlarges the first sharpened image along a second direction to generate a second enlarged image. The second sharpness circuit horizontally sharpens the second enlarged image to generate a second sharpened image. Accordingly, it is possible to use the line buffers having shorter data lengths to perform the vertical sharpening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Teng-Yi Lin, Wei-Fu Chen, Wei-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 8559526
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a decoder, a first sharpening module, and a second sharpening module. The decoder decodes an encoded image to obtain a decoded image. The first sharpening module performs first sharpening on the decoded image. The second sharpening module performs second sharpening on the decoded image subjected to the first sharpening. The second sharpening requires a different processing time from a processing time required for the first sharpening. The first sharpening module includes a first noise remover that removes noise generated by encoding from the decoded image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Nagai
  • Patent number: 8547483
    Abstract: An image processing method includes receiving an image data including a first pixel, a second pixel and a third pixel, the second pixel being between the first pixel and the third pixel; calculating a difference between two initial chrominance values of the first pixel and two initial chrominance values of the second pixel to determine a first difference, and calculating a difference between the two initial chrominance values of the second pixel and two initial chrominance values of the third pixel to determine a second difference; comparing the first difference with the second difference to select either the first pixel or the third pixel as a target pixel; and determining two adjusted chrominance values of the second pixel according to at least two initial chrominance values of the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mei-Ju Chen, Jen-Shi Wu, Wei-Kuo Lee
  • Patent number: 8547481
    Abstract: This invention is a preprocessor apparatus and method algorithm facilitating black bar detection in video frames or fields. The preprocessing marks a sharp discontinuity between pixels a predetermined distance apart on each line. On first detection of this discontinuity the location and pixel value is stored. The location and pixel value is also stored for the last discontinuity in the line. This data enables software to detect top horizontal bars, bottom horizontal bars, left vertical bars and right vertical bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul M. Look, Masaki Kato, Weider Peter Chang
  • Patent number: 8514267
    Abstract: A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving, from a video source device, a standard definition video signal, fragmenting the standard definition video signal into at least one of a red representation of the standard definition video signal, a green representation of the standard definition video signal, and a blue representation of the standard definition video signal using one or more 3D converter devices, reconstructing at least one of the red representation of the standard definition video signal, the green representation of the standard definition video signal, and the blue representation of the standard definition video signal using one or more video reconstruction devices, capturing at least one of a reconstructed red representation of the standard definition video signal, a reconstructed green representation of the standard definition video signal, and a reconstructed blue representation of the standard definition video signal using one or more video image capture
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc
    Inventors: Rosa M. Underwood, Umang A. Patel, Henry A. McKelvey
  • Patent number: 8508672
    Abstract: A system for, and method of, improving video image sharpness and a continuous-light-emitting video display system employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system for improving video image sharpness includes: (1) a sub-frame generator configured to receive a frame of a video image and generate plural sub-frames therefrom and (2) a spatial filter, associated with the sub-frame generator and configured to cause the plural sub-frames to be spatially filtered with respect to one another based on a display sequence thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Andrew I. Russell
  • Patent number: 8488058
    Abstract: A method for setting a frame rate conversion (FRC) and a display apparatus using the same are provided. According to a method for setting FRC, an FRC level is received from a user; and a motion estimation and motion compensation level when performing FRC is set according to the input FRC level. Therefore, a user may set the FRC level according to the user's preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-woo Kang
  • Patent number: 8488063
    Abstract: A method for enhancing an edge transition in a video signal comprising the steps of receiving a video signal including an edge transition, generating a correction signal for the edge transition, applying the correction signal to the video signal to produce a corrected signal and restricting the amplitude of the corrected signal to extend between extended maximum and minimum amplitude limits in dependence on the measured maximum and minimum amplitudes of a predefined pattern of pixels adjacent to the edge transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies, Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Morphet
  • Patent number: 8477232
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating depth data using edge detection are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, first image data is received corresponding to a scene recorded by an image capture device at a first focus position at a first distance. Second image data is received corresponding to a second focus position at a second distance that is greater than the first distance. Edge detection generates first edge data corresponding to at least a first portion of the first image data and generates second edge data corresponding to at least a second portion of the second image data. The edge detection detects presence or absence of an edge at each location of the first portion and the second portion to identify each detected edge as a hard or soft edge. Depth data is generated based on the edge data generated for the first and second focus positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Babak Forutanpour
  • Patent number: 8456483
    Abstract: The subpixel rendering component of a display system provides the capability to substitute a second subpixel rendering filter for a first subpixel rendering filter for computing the values of certain subpixels on the display panel when the input image data being rendered indicates an image feature that may give rise to a color balance error at some portion of the displayed output image. An image processing method of correcting for color balance errors detects the location of a subpixel being rendered and for certain subpixels, detects whether the input image data indicates the presence of a particular image feature. When the image feature is detected for particular subpixels being processed, a second subpixel rendering image filter is substituted for a first subpixel rendering image filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok-Jin Han
  • Patent number: 8449120
    Abstract: An image processing device that corrects unevenness of a display image that is generated by overlapping a plurality of images, includes: a correction table storing unit that stores a plurality of types of correction tables; and an unevenness correction processing unit that performs an unevenness correcting process of an input image signal corresponding to the plurality of images based on a correction table selected from the plurality of types of correction tables stored in the correction table storing unit that corresponds to a designated display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Saigo
  • Patent number: RE44717
    Abstract: There is provided an edge detecting method, which is capable of preventing a noise influence caused by imaging device and a color interpolation. The edge detecting method includes the steps of: setting a first kernel based on a center pixel in pixel data arranged in a mosaic structure; setting a second kernel based on the center pixel within the first kernel; detecting whether a pixel having a green value in the second kernel is a defective pixel, and correcting the pixel; converting all pixels of the second kernel into pixels having green value; calculating a slope value by using a mask for detecting an edge in the second kernel; and detecting an edge by adding the slope value to a luminance value obtained by a color space conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventors: Dong-Seob Song, Hyun-Joo Ahn