초록 ▼

Methods and systems for obtaining a motion vector between two frames of video image data are disclosed. Specifically, methods and systems of the present invention may be used to perform a block-matching algorithm over a two-dimensional search area in a manner that reduces number of comparisons. In p

Methods and systems for obtaining a motion vector between two frames of video image data are disclosed. Specifically, methods and systems of the present invention may be used to perform a block-matching algorithm over a two-dimensional search area in a manner that reduces number of comparisons. In particular, the method determines a best candidate block for each strip based by searching in a first dimension of a two-dimensional search area and based on a predetermined difference criterion. The method then determines a second set of best candidate blocks by performing a limited search in the other direction based on the results from the search in the first dimension. The method then determines a motion vector for the best candidate block. Integral projection arrays may be used to further optimize the search. The methods and systems of the present invention may be used in optimizing digital video encoders, decoders, and format converters.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for obtaining a motion vector between two frames of video image data, comprising the steps of:(a) selecting a two-dimensional current block of a first frame, the current block comprising an N.times.M array of pixel information, where N and M are positive integers

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for obtaining a motion vector between two frames of video image data, comprising the steps of:(a) selecting a two-dimensional current block of a first frame, the current block comprising an N.times.M array of pixel information, where N and M are positive integers greater than 1;(b) determining a two-dimensional search area of a second frame based on the current block and a predetermined search range;(c) determining a first set of candidate blocks by selecting at least one candidate block in each strip of pixel information based on the current block and a predetermined difference criterion, each candidate block comprising an N.times.M array of pixel information;(d) determining a second set of candidate blocks by selecting at least one candidate block in each of at least one secondary search areas based on the current block and the predetermined difference criterion, each candidate block comprising an N.times.M array of pixel information and each of the at least one secondary search areas based on the first set of candidate blocks;(e) obtaining a reference block from the second set of candidate blocks based on the predetermined difference criterion; and(f) determining a motion vector representing the distance between the current block and the reference block.