Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image pickup section for converting an object light into image signals of Bayer RGB array; a color information detecting section for obtaining color information of the object from the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a first luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on G signals of the image signals obtained by the image pickup section; a second luminance data generating section for finding luminance data for use in edge enhancement processing based on all color signals of the image signals; a selector for providing an output by switching between outputs of the first and second luminance data generating section; and a selection signal generating section for generating selection signal for controlling the switching of the selector based on color information obtained at the color information detecting section.

Abstract: A video signal processor and a video signal processing method which can prevent the length of one period of a clock from being shortened and can output a video signal that is in phase with a reference signal. When a video data signal that has been processed using a first clock signal is processed using a second clock signal, this video signal processor does not utilize as the second clock signal, a clock signal that is in phase with a reference signal but a clock signal that is employed in a later stage signal processor, and interpolates the video data signal by an interpolation circuit so as to make the signal in phase with the reference signal.

Abstract: The contour correction processing of a still picture that can suppress the generation of a black edge due to an undershoot in a contour portion is enabled while increasing a feeling for resolution. Moreover, an interpolation device that improves the sharpness of a digital picture is provided without increasing a circuit scale.

Abstract: Techniques for use in a digital mirror device based luminaire. The techniques include using a filter as a gobo for definition.

Abstract: A method and system enhances the color of an image by manipulating the chrominance and/or luminance signals of the image. Specifically, a color enhancement system sharpens color changes for better picture quality on digital display systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, color changes are detected by a color change detection unit. If the color changes are significant, a color change sharpening unit sharpens the color change to enhance the image.

Abstract: A picture quality measurement technique using blockiness provides realtime analysis without the use of a reference signal. A field/frame of an image represented by a processed video signal is captured in a bit-map for analysis. The image is filtered to enhance edges and then correlated with a kernel having a size corresponding to the block size of the compression algorithm used in compressing and decompressing the video signal to produce the processed video signal. The correlation results are processed by comparing an average value with the maximum value to produce a picture quality rating for the processed video signal.

Abstract: A method for saw-tooth removal of de-interlaced images using expanding window search obtains a target by image signals of three fields comprising steps of: processing a first judgment procedure for determining a targeted image having a possible edge according to the image signals of the three fields; processing an expanding window search according to the targeted images having the possible edge; and processing a second judgment procedure according to the result of the expanding window search to distinguish a true edge from the targeted images having the possible edge in order to obtain the target.

Abstract: A television receiver according to the present application obtains a plurality of moving image data indicating the same moving image by using received moving image data, performs different image quality adjusting processes for these moving image data, and displays a plurality of moving images related to these moving image data subjected to the different image quality adjusting processes on the same screen of a display device.

Abstract: A contrast enhancement apparatus of a video signal comprises a coefficient generation unit for generating a low frequency mapping coefficient which increases or attenuates the low frequency component of the video signal, a minimum value processing unit for detecting the minimum value of the video signal, an edge detection unit for detecting rapid luminance change in the vertical and horizontal direction, a logarithmic conversion unit for converting logarithm by receiving the inputted video signal, a low-pass filter for passing a low frequency component of the logarithm-converted signal, a high-pass filter for passing a high frequency component of the logarithm-converted signal, a first multiplier for multiplying the low frequency mapping coefficient and a signal which passes low-pass filter, a second multiplier for multiplying the signal passes the high-pass filter by the signal outputted from the edge detection unit, a first adder for adding the signals outputted from the first multiplier and the second mult

Abstract: A system for enhancing the clarity of video images by changing the pulse response characteristics. A correcting signal that is proportional to the slope of the rise time is generated, processed and then added to the original signal. The combined signal is then monitored with a device that has the ability to check for the presence of overshoots on fast rise time high amplitude signals. When such overshoots are detected, the system switches to a component of the signal which has no overshoot for the duration in time that the overshoot exists, thereby greatly diminishing or eliminating the overshoots.

Abstract: A jitter detection device for detecting jitter of a video signal (Sv) measures a vertical period (Stf(v)) of one field (v) of the video signal (Sv) to determine, based on a vertical period signal (Stf(v)), whether the video signal (Sv) jitters or not. If the number of times (Cej) it is successively determined that the video signal (Sv) jitters is smaller than a first predetermined number of times (Tej), the video signal (Sv) is confirmed to be a jitter signal (Svj). If the number of times (Cnj) it is successively determined that the video signal (Sv) does not jitter is smaller than a second predetermined number of times (Cnj), the video signal (Sv) is confirmed to be a non-jitter signal (Svjn).

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing resolution in a video image includes acquiring a relatively low resolution video signal and applying a peaking function and analyzing the peaked signal to identify potential edges. The low resolution signal is then upconverted to a higher resolution format. Actual edges in the image are detected and linked in the higher resolution format, and a luminance transition improvement function is applied to the edges to sharpen the image. Analysis of the image while at low resolution reduces computation time, yet still produces a high quality output image.

Abstract: A display processor integrated circuit (for example, for a television or for a digital camera) includes a display processor portion and an on-chip programmable logic portion. The on-chip programmable logic portion can be configured or programmed to implement custom video and/or image enhancement functions. Accordingly, an individual television or camera manufacturer can have his/her own custom enhancement function incorporated into the display processor integrated circuit by having the programmable logic portion configured or programmed appropriately. In one embodiment, the programming of the programmable logic portion involves changing just one mask, thereby reducing the cost, complexity and time associated with implementing tyhe custom video/image enhancement function.

Abstract: The invention disclosed a method for digital image interpolation and sharpness enhancement, said method includes the following steps: 1) Inputting an image signal Xij to a first interpolation low pass filter FIR 1, said FIR 1 is a cubic interpolation filter having filter coefficient hi(n); 2) inputting an image signal Xij to at least one of second interpolation low pass filters FIR 2, said FIR 2 is an interpolation filter having filter coefficient hi′(n), wherein said FIR 2 has a cut-off frequency lower than that of said FIR 1; 3) making FIR 1 outputted via a band pass filter to obtain an image signal tij; 4) making FIR 2 outputted via a delay buffer to obtain an image signal tij′; 5) inputting said image signal tij and tij′ to a subtractor to get a differential signal tij−tij′; and 6) obtaining an output of image signal Yij by means of the following equation: Yij=tij+S·(tij−tij′), where S is a sharpness level control coefficient.

Abstract: A method for reducing blurring associated with objects forming part of a grey scale image. The method includes receiving (11) a set of image pixels and then calculating (12) a gradient value for each one of the image pixels in the set. A selecting step (13) selects candidate object edge pixels from the image pixels by comparing the gradient value for each one of the image pixels in the set with a threshold value. A determining step (14) then determines a distribution of number candidate object edge pixels with specific grey level values. Thereafter, candidate object edge pixels within said distribution that have the same grey level values are identically non-linearly modified at a modifying step 15.

Abstract: A device and method for processing a color signal which can improve the sharpness of a color signal is disclosed. In the present invention, an edge of an image is detected and the detected edge is improved by making a sharp transition without over shoot or under shoot. Particularly, the color signal is delayed, and either a maximum or minimum value of the delayed signal is selectively output if the input signal is determined to be for a position at the edge region.

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 false contour correcting apparatus is capable of removing a false contour in an image based on a digital image signal while avoiding such a side effect caused by false contour correction where noises negatively effecting the display occur on a screen. Therefore, in the false contour correcting apparatus according, a double bit change detection circuit detects as a double bit change a signal value change which is twice a minimum quantization unit in a digital image signal, and outputs a double bit change detection signal representing the position of the double bit change. A signal correction circuit corrects the double bit change in the digital image signal into two one-bit changes on the basis of the double bit change detection signal. Consequently, a false contour corresponding to a portion where the double bit change exists is removed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a compensation value calculating unit, wherein an XOR element compares the signs of a difference A with a difference r and output the difference A as a compensation value when the signs are the same, while decides that an edge portion of an image data is detected when the signs are different and wherein a comparator compares the absolute value of the difference A with a value obtained by multiplying a constant a with the absolute value of the difference r in a multiplier and adding a constant b in a second adder. When the result of the comparison is that the former is less than the latter, the input predetermined difference A is output as a compensation value.

Abstract: A video signal processor includes a sharpening circuit, a non-correlation detecting circuit, and, optionally, a noise level detecting circuit. The sharpening circuit is capable of receiving an input luminance signal. The sharpening circuit has a transversal filter. The transversal filter is operable to filter the input luminance signal to produce an intermediate signal and to produce a filtered luminance signal with a time lag. The sharpening circuit is operable to multiply the filtered luminance signal by a predetermined factor, to adjust the time lag to produce a resultant luminance signal, and to add the resultant luminance signal to the intermediate signal. The non-correlation detecting circuit detects noise or fluctuation in the intermediate signal. The non-correlation detecting circuit is operable to set the predetermined factor to a selected value based upon the presence of at least one of the noise or the fluctuation in the intermediate signal, according to a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A contour emphasizing circuit and a contour emphasizing method, in which an image having sharpness and a clear image can be obtained, are provided. The contour emphasizing circuit provides a contour emphasizing signal generating means which outputs a delayed video signal, a contour emphasizing signal, and a plurality of differential signals by processing an inputted video signal, a signal level difference detecting means to which the plurality of differential signals outputted from the contour emphasizing signal generating means are inputted and which outputs a signal selecting control signal, and a signal selecting means to which the delayed video signal, the contour emphasizing signal, and the signal selecting control signal are inputted and which mixes the delayed video signal with the contour emphasizing signal in an arbitrary ratio and outputs a video output signal or which selects the delayed video signal or the contour emphasizing signal and outputs the selected signal as a video output signal.

Abstract: A false contour correcting apparatus is capable of removing a false contour in an image based on a digital image signal while avoiding such a side effect caused by false contour correction where noises negatively effecting the display occur on a screen. Therefore, in the false contour correcting apparatus according, a double bit change detection circuit detects as a double bit change a signal value change which is twice a minimum quantization unit in a digital image signal, and outputs a double bit change detection signal representing the position of the double bit change. A signal correction circuit corrects the double bit change in the digital image signal into two one-bit changes on the basis of the double bit change detection signal. Consequently, a false contour corresponding to a portion where the double bit change exists is removed.

Abstract: High resolution projected digital images are produced by projecting in quick succession slightly different and slightly displaced low resolution images which are digitally derived from an image having several times more pixels than any single image the projector can project. The result is that the viewer perceives a single image with substantially higher resolution.

Abstract: Image enhancement is achieved by a combination of linear and non-linear techniques. The linear technique is preferably peaking, while the non-linear techniques is preferably LTI. The peaking is applied to non-edge areas of the image. The LTI is applied to edge areas of the image. LTI is of the sub-pixel variety. The image enhancement device is preferably part of a device for converting standard definition to high definition signals.

Abstract: A method for improving the sharpness of pictures contained in a video signal comprises the steps of: a) processing said pictures on the basis of a step/edge enhancement algorithm to obtain step/edge enhanced pictures, b) processing said pictures on the basis of a texture enhancement algorithm to obtain texture enhanced pictures, and mixing said step/edge enhanced pictures with said texture enhanced pictures to obtain a video signal containing sharpness-improved pictures, wherein steps a) and b) are performed in dependence of motion information being related to said pictures.

Abstract: An image processor containing an EPROM (38) stored with coefficient data for image enlargement and reduction, coefficient read controllers (40-44) for reading out coefficient data from the EPROM (38) according to an enlargement/reduction selection signal, a variable horizontal characteristic filter (16) for executing either image enlargement or image reduction according to the coefficient data, a variable vertical characteristic filter (18) also for executing either image enlargement or image reduction according to the coefficient data, a frame memory (20), a contour correcting circuit (14), and selectors (22-30). When image enlargement is selected by selectors (22-30), input video signals are processed by the contour correcting circuit (14), the frame memory (20), and the filters (16,18) in this order while, when image reduction is selected, input video signals are processed by the same in the reverse order.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for eliminating noise of a received image and compensating its sharpness is provided. A common circuit is used in a structure for eliminating noise based on a double smoothing method and a structure for making the outline sharp based on an unsharp masking method. Noise elimination and sharpness enhancement are processed for a difference signal between an original signal of the image and its low pass filtered signal, thereby compensating the original signal. Thus, an image having an improved picture quality can be provided in a product which transmits/receives or displays image data, and high competitiveness of the product can be obtained by simplifying the user interface.

Abstract: The image processing method and apparatus enhance the sharpness of photographic images recorded by a silver halide photographic system or a digital still camera. The method and apparatus determine a blur retaining but sharpness enhancing coefficient for enhancing sharpness of an edge region of an object but retaining blur of the image in the other region of the edge region of the object based on an edge intensity data obtained by performing edge detection on an original image data, subtract the original image data from sharpness enhanced image data obtained by applying sharpness enhancement, multiply the subtracting result by the blur retaining but sharpness enhancing coefficient and add the resulting product to the original image data to generate processed image data.

Abstract: Video-emphasis encoding processing generates a high-frequency-emphasized video signal by emphasizing high-frequency components of an input video signal and encoding the high-frequency-emphasized video signal, to generate a bitstream of the video signal. Detected in this processing are spatial high-frequency components related to the input video signal, per portion of a picture carried by the input video signal. A high-frequency-component emphasizing level related to the video signal is set per portion of the picture in accordance with levels of the detected high-frequency components. The detected high-frequency components are emphasized in accordance with the set emphasizing level, to generate the high-frequency-emphasized video signal. Orthogonal transform coding is applied to the high-frequency-emphasized video signal per block of the picture, to generate the bitstream.

Abstract: An edge enhancement method by 4-directional 1-dimensional high pass filtering characterized in that 4 adjacent pixels positioned at a pixel point at which the primary pixel has euclidean distance of 2 in direction of right, left, up, and down, another 4 adjacent pixels positioned at a pixel point at which the primary pixel has euclidean distance of 22 in 45° and 135° direction, and 9 pixels including the primary pixel are masked by a window mask, and if the maximum difference of the surround pixels which are masked is greater than a predetermined reference difference, each edge enhancement value is calculated by performing 1-dimensional high pass filtering in column, row, 45°, and 135° direction centered from the primary pixel using the pixel values which are masked to the window mask.

Abstract: A grid detector detects the existence and the location of grids in DCT compressed videos. When a grid is detected in the input video, a post-processor is turned on and the de-blocking processing is applied on the grid detected by the grid detector. When no grid is detected, indicating that the input video is either an uncompressed video or an already de-blocked video, post-processing turned off to avoid degrading the picture quality.

Abstract: A contour detecting circuit includes a first differentiating circuit which outputs a signal (first-differentiated value) obtained by first-differentiating an input video signal, a second differentiating circuit which outputs a signal (second-differentiated value) obtained by second-differentiating the first-differentiated signal, a detection-computing circuit which detects the degree of a change in the input video signal from the first-differentiated signal by using a signal obtained by first-differentiating a signal adjacent to the first-differentiated signal, and a determining-and-controlling circuit which determines and controls a steep-contour generating process by comparing a value as the computation result in the detection-computing circuit with an externally set threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method is provided for enhancing a digital image comprised of pixels by adaptively sharpening the pixels and clipping the numerical values of the sharpened edge pixels so as to fall between the smallest unsharpened numerical value and the greatest unsharpened numerical value, respectively, of the pixels located within a neighborhood of the pixels. Pixels which are located on an edge are sharpened in the direction perpendicular to the edge. The threshold value used to ascertain the presence of an edge and sharpening parameter used to control the degree of sharpening can be adaptively controlled by the zoom ratio. The apparatus of the invention is particularly suited for an electronic set-top video camera.

Abstract: In a video signal enhancement method, a video signal (Y) is histogram-based processed to obtain a histogram-processed video signal (Y′), and a sharpness of the histogram-processed video signal (Y′) is enhanced to obtain an output video signal (Y″) in dependence upon a sharpness enhancement control signal (CS) derived from at least the histogram-processed video signal (Y′). Advantageously, the sharpness enhancement control signal (CS) represents a derivative of the histogram-processed video signal (Y′).

Abstract: A gray scale correction unit intended to provide a gray scale correction unit for preventing aliasing-like noise generation and gray-scale degradation of a gradation portion adaptively controls a correction value in accordance with the slope of a video signal, detects generation of aliasing-like noise, steepens an edge having a large amplitude without deterioration in the image quality, and improves a spatial frequency of the video signal.

Abstract: An edge correction apparatus and a method of performing an effective edge correction of an image signal in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions include generating a two-dimensional (2D) second differential signal from the image signal, generating first differential signals in the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions from the image signal, selecting one of the first differential signals, combining the selected one and the 2D second differential signal, and correcting the edge of the image signal using the combined signal. Therefore, it is possible to effectively correct edges of the image signal in the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions.

Abstract: The present invention has as an object thereof to provide a semiconductor arithmetic circuit which is capable of conducting edge accentuation processing, edge detection processing, and noise removal by means of averaging processing of an image, using extremely simple circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sharpness improvement apparatus of an image signal which improves a sharpness of an analogue image signal so as to display a clear image. A display device which displays an inputted image signal on a screen can display a clear image with a digital sharpness improvement apparatus which realizes a sharpness of the image signal into a digital method by improving a degradation phenomenon of a signal generated at an analogue image processing into a simple digital circuit.

Abstract: A contrast control and clipping device is configured to determine a maximum range of enhancement that may be applied to each pixel for picture sharpness enhancement. This maximum range is used to limit the enhancement that is determined by the conventional convolution kernel and gain control modules. Preferably, the maximum range is independent of the determined convolution value, thereby minimizing the bandwidth requirements among the modules used for picture sharpness enhancement. The reduced bandwidth requirement allows for an efficient partitioning of tasks between hardware and software embodiments, and eases the overall system design task. In a multi-media application, the amount of data that is transferred between the processor and sub-components is substantially reduced, and the efficient partitioning facilitates parallel processing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for sharpening an edge in a video image. The apparatus comprises: 1) a first circuit for determining a first luminance value of a first pixel associated with the first edge and a second luminance value of a second pixel associated with the first edge, wherein the first and second pixels are adjacent pixels; 2) a second circuit for determining a position of a first subpixel disposed between the first and second pixels, wherein the first subpixel position is disposed approximately at a center of the first edge; 3) a third circuit for increasing a luminance value of a second subpixel disposed on a first side of the first edge center; and 4) a fourth circuit for decreasing a luminance value of a third subpixel disposed on a second side.of the first edge center opposite the first side.

Abstract: A contour correction circuit includes a delay circuit for delaying an input video signal, a corrected waveform generating circuit for generating a contour correction signal out of the input video signal, a variable amplifier for controlling an amplitude of the contour correction signal, a contour control circuit for outputting a gain control signal for controlling a gain in the variable amplifier,. and a first adding circuit for adding an output signal of the delay circuit to an output of the amplifier. When an amplitude-change in an edge portion of the input video signal is over a given level, the smaller amount of contour is corrected at the larger amplitude change. Therefore, even if a signal of a high contrast ratio is adjacent to a signal of a low contrast ratio, desirable contour corrections can be provided to respective signal components.

Abstract: This invention can suppress overshoot/undershoot, and can maintain the improvement effect of the leading edge of an edge portion. For this purpose, a second derivative signal generator (1) generates a second derivative signal (s5) on the basis of time-serially input three successive pixels. A second derivative signal suppression unit (2) generates a signal (s8) obtained by suppressing the second derivative signal, and a signal (s9) indicating the sign of the second derivative signal. The absolute values of the differences between the pixel of interest, and its neighboring pixels are computed, and a smaller one of the absolute values is selected as a signal (s14) by a minimum value selection circuit (18). By multiplying the obtained signals (s8, s9, s14) by a multiplier (19), an edge-emphasizing signal (s15) is generated. The edge-emphasizing signal (s15) is added to the signal of the pixel of interest by an adder (20), thus obtaining an edge-emphasized signal s16.

Abstract: An image detail enhancement method and apparatus that is suitable for different types of digital images, regardless of their signal frequency range or noise level. The detail enhancement apparatus has multiple filters termed, detail filter bank. A detail filter can be e.g. a high pass filter (HPF) or a band pass filter (BPF). In a detail filter bank, each detail filter has a pass band covering a specific frequency range and can therefore be used to obtain the detail signal in the corresponding frequency range from the original signal. The detail signals from those detail filters can then be processed before added back to the original signal as enhancements. This provides image detail enhancement that is suitable for different types of digital images (regardless of their signal frequency range or noise level).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing an edge transient contained in a video signal include identifying the edge transient and the edge center of the edge transient in the video signal; selecting a side of the edge transient, relative to an edge center thereof, to enhance; and adding an edge change signal to the video signal to asymmetrically enhance the selected edge transient.

Abstract: A sample rate converter that includes a number of selector elements coupled to a summing circuit. Each selector element receives a respective set of one or more processed data samples and provides one of the processed data samples. Each processed data sample is generated by delaying an input sample by zero or more clock cycles and scaling the sample by a particular scaling factor (e.g. 2N, where N is 0, 1, 2, and so on). The summing circuit receives and combines the processed data samples from the selector elements to generate an output sample. A delay and scaler circuit can receive the input sample and provide one set of processed data samples for each selector element. The delay and scaler circuit can include one or more delay elements coupled in series and to a scaling circuitry that scales selected ones of the input and delayed samples. The scaling can be implemented by simply bit-shifting the samples. The elements of the sample rate converter can be configured to implement a K-tap, P-phase interpolator.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for processing a signal, and more particularly, a control apparatus and method for preventing a signal from being processed repeatedly by transmitting and receiving information related to a signal processing in a composite signal processing system that contains a television and a peripheral device. A signal providing device transmits enhancer information related to the signal processing by means of a wired or wireless communication. A signal receiving device uses the enhancer information and controls a signal processing block. Therefore, since the signal receiving device prevents the enhancer signal from being processed repeatedly, distortion of the signal can be avoided and an optimum signal can be output.

Abstract: An electro-optical device and a method for displaying an image are disclosed. A clear image with a clear profile can be displayed therein by processing input image data, for example input image data of TV broadcasting received by the device.

Abstract: Techniques for use in a digital mirror device based luminaire. The techniques include using a filter as a gobo for definition.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope, a flexible scope has an image sensor provided at a distal end thereof. A video-signal processing unit, to which a proximal end of the flexible scope is connected, processes image signals read from the sensor. A light source is provided in the unit, and light, emitted from the light source, is guided through the scope and radiates from the distal end. An aperture-stop is associated with the source that regulates the radiation of light from the distal end. An aperture-stop is controlled in accordance with the luminance-signal-histogram, such that an image having a constant luminance level is reproduced in accordance with the processed image signals. When a localized halation occurs on the reproduced image, the aperture-stop is controlled such that the radiation of light from the distal end is forcibly decreased, thereby avoiding the occurrence of the localized halation.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise in a video signal which includes a plurality of video frames being composed of a plurality of pixels, the method comprising the steps of: comparing video information contained in a current video frame and a plurality of temporally adjacent video frames; selecting from the current video frame and the adjacent video frames the video information that according to a predetermined condition is likely to be correct for the current video frame; and finally assigning the selected video information to the current video frame to thereby produce a video frame wherein noise has been reduced.