초록 ▼

An image sequence transmission method and apparatus transmit a sequence of successive images over a bandwidth limited channel. The transmitter has a motion estimator for estimating the motion displacement between successive image frames of the sequence. The motion estimator divides each image into n

An image sequence transmission method and apparatus transmit a sequence of successive images over a bandwidth limited channel. The transmitter has a motion estimator for estimating the motion displacement between successive image frames of the sequence. The motion estimator divides each image into nonoverlapping blocks, each block including a plurality of picture elements. The apparatus then successively selects, in accordance with a steepest descent estimation technique, an initial value of a motion vector displacement for each successive block. Thereafter, an iterative process determines using the steepest descent approach, successive values of the motion displacement vector for a block and the iteration process is terminated when an iteration error measure, which is associated with the steepest descent method, is less than a predetermined threshold value. In particular embodiments of the invention, an adaptive approach is used wherein the step size parameter is incremented in accordance with a gradient error used in the steepest descent technique. In addition, methods and apparatus for determining an initial motion vector field value based upon of the motion displacements in adjacent blocks advantageously determine the initial displacement vector for a block.

대표청구항 ▼

In an image sequence transmission method for transmitting a sequence of images over a bandwidth limited channel, a motion estimation method for estimating for successive image frames, a measure of motion displacement between successive images comprising the steps of dividing each said image into non

In an image sequence transmission method for transmitting a sequence of images over a bandwidth limited channel, a motion estimation method for estimating for successive image frames, a measure of motion displacement between successive images comprising the steps of dividing each said image into non-overlapping blocks, each block having a plurality of picture elements, selecting an initial value of a motion vector displacement for each successive block, iteratively determining, using a steepest descent method, succession values of said motion vector displacement for successive blocks of an image, and terminating said iteration step for a block when an iteration error measure, associated with said steepest descent method, is less than a predetermined threshold value.