Image signal conversion apparatus, image signal conversion method, image display apparatus using the same and coefficient data generating apparatus used therein

• US 20060028581A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kazushi Yoshikawa, Kenji Takahashi, Tetsujiro Kondo
• Original Assignee: Kazushi Yoshikawa, Kenji Takahashi, Tetsujiro Kondo
• Inventors: Takahashi, Kenji, Kondo, Tetsujiro, Yoshikawa, Kazushi
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/458
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440218 by transcoding between formats or standards, e.g. from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 conversion of standards in analogue television systems H04N7/01
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4854 for modifying image parameters, e.g. image brightness, contrast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0125 one of the standards being a high definition standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0137 dependent on presence/absence of motion, e.g. of motion zones H04N7/014 takes precedence; movement detection in television signals H04N5/144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0145 the interpolation being class adaptive, i.e. it uses the information of class which is determined for a pixel based upon certain characteristics of the neighbouring pixels

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image signal conversion apparatus or the like preferably applied, for example, when a SD signal (525i) is converted into a HD signal (525p or the like). In the image signal conversion section (110), the SD signal is converted into the HD signal, and the image is displayed on the display section (111). A class code CL indicating a class of a subject pixel of the HD signal is obtained by detecting a space class and a motion class from tap pixel data corresponding to the subject pixel of HD signal which is selectively fetched from a SD signal. The controller (101) loads coefficient data of each class according to the selected resolution into the coefficient memory (134) from the information memory bank (135) when the user selects the resolution. In the calculation circuit (127), pixel data of the subject pixel of the HD signal is calculated using an estimating equation based on the tap data xi corresponding to the subject pixel of the HD signal selectively fetched from the SD signal in the tap selection circuit (121) and the coefficient data wi read in class code CL from the coefficient memory (134).

Claims

1-44. -44. (canceled)

45. An image signal conversion apparatus for converting a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, said image signal conversion apparatus comprising:

first data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal;

class detection means for detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected by said first data selection means;

resolution selection means for selecting a resolution of an image formed from said second image signal; and

pixel data generation means for generating pixel data of said subject pixel corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means.

46. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said pixel data generation means comprises:

coefficient data generation means for generating coefficient data corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means, wherein said coefficient data generation means includes a memory for memorizing said coefficient data of an estimating equation, said coefficient data being previously generated according to every combination of said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means;

second data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of second pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal; and

calculation means for calculating pixel data of said subject pixel using said estimating equation based on said coefficient data generated by said coefficient data generation means and a plurality of said second pixel data selected by said second data selection means.

47. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said coefficient data generation means comprises:

first memory section for memorizing coefficient data of said estimating equation, wherein said coefficient data is previously generated according to every combination of said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means;

first data-reading means for reading coefficient data of each class from said first memory section, said coefficient data of each class corresponding to said resolution selected by said resolution selection means;

second memory section for memorizing coefficient data of each class read by said first data-reading means; and

second data-reading means for reading coefficient data from said second memory section, said coefficient data corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means.

48. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said class detection means detects a level distribution pattern of a plurality of said first pixel data and detects said class of said subject pixel based on said level distribution pattern.

49. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the image signal conversion apparatus further comprises a display means for displaying said resolution selected by said resolution selection means.

71. The image conversion apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said resolution selection means is comprised so as to select said resolution based on user'"'"'s input.

72. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising conversion method selection means for selecting a conversion method from said first image signal to said second image signal.

73. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 72, wherein said conversion method selection means is comprised so as to select said conversion method based on user'"'"'s input.

50. An image signal conversion method for converting a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, said image signal conversion method comprising:

a first step of selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal;

a second step of detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected in said first step;

a third step of selecting a resolution of an image formed from said second image signal; and

a fourth step of generating pixel data of said subject pixel corresponding to said class detected in said second step and said resolution selected in said third step.

51. An image display apparatus comprising:

image signal input section for inputting a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data;

image signal conversion means for receiving said first image signal from said image signal input section, converting said first image signal into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data and outputting said second image signal;

image display means for receiving said second image signal from said image signal conversion means and displaying an image formed from said second image signal; and

resolution selection means for selecting a resolution of said image displayed in said image display means,

wherein said image signal conversion means includes first data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal, class detection means for detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected by said first data selection means, and pixel data generation means for generating pixel data of said subject pixel corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means.

52. The image display apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said pixel data generation means comprises:

coefficient data generation means for generating coefficient data corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means, wherein said coefficient data generation means includes a memory for memorizing said coefficient data of an estimating equation, said coefficient data being previously generated according to every combination of said class detected by said class detection means and said resolution selected by said resolution selection means;

second data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of second pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal; and

calculation means for calculating pixel data of said subject pixel using said estimating equation based on said coefficient data generated by said coefficient data generation means and a plurality of said second pixel data selected by said second data selection means.

53. The image display apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said class detection means detects a level distribution pattern of a plurality of said first pixel data and detects said class of said subject pixel based on said level distribution pattern.

54. The image display apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said image display apparatus further comprises display control means for displaying said resolution selected by said resolution selection means on a screen of said image display means.

55. The image display apparatus according to claim 51, wherein said image display apparatus further comprises receiving means for receiving a broadcasting signal and obtaining said first image signal from said broadcasting signal.

56. A coefficient data generation apparatus for generating coefficient data of an estimating equation used when a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data is converted into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, said coefficient data generation apparatus comprising:

signal processing means for processing an instructive signal corresponding to said second image signal and obtaining an input signal corresponding to said first image signal;

resolution selection means for selecting a resolution of an image formed from said input signal obtained in said signal processing means;

first data selection means for selecting, from said input signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said instructive signal;

class detection means for detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected by said first data selection means;

second data selection means for selecting from said input signal a plurality of second pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said instructive signal;

normal equation generation means for generating a normal equation for obtaining said coefficient data of each class, on the basis of said class detected by said class detection means, a plurality of said second pixel data selected by said second data selection means and said data of said subject pixel of said instructive signal; and

coefficient data calculation means for obtaining coefficient data of said each class by solving said normal equation.

57. The coefficient data generation apparatus according to claim 56,

wherein said signal processing means includes a Gaussian filter for obtaining said input signal corresponding to said first image signal by processing of vertical thinning and horizontal thinning said instructive signal;

and

wherein said resolution selection means selects said resolution of said image formed from said input signal by selecting standard deviation of said Gaussian filter.

58. A coefficient data generation method for generating coefficient data of an estimating equation used when a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data is converted into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, said coefficient data generation method comprising:

a first step of processing an instructive signal corresponding to said second image signal and obtaining an input signal corresponding to said first image signal;

a second step of selecting a resolution of an image formed from said input signal obtained in said first step;

a third step of selecting from said input signal a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said instructive signal;

a fourth step of detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected in said third step;

a fifth step of selecting, from said input signal, a plurality of second pixel data adjacent to said subject pixel of said instructive signal;

a sixth step of generating a normal equation for obtaining said coefficient data of each class on the basis of said class detected in said fourth step, a plurality of said second pixel data selected in said fifth step and said data of said subject pixel of said instructive signal; and

a seventh step of obtaining coefficient data of said each class by solving said normal equation generated in said sixth step.

59. An image signal conversion apparatus for converting a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, said image signal conversion apparatus comprising:

first data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal;

class detection means for detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected by said first data selection means;

information input section for inputting display-device-information including first identification information showing at least a kind of image display device;

image quality information obtaining means for obtaining image quality information corresponding to said first identification information included in said display-device-information received from said information input section; and

pixel data generation means for generating pixel data of said subject pixel corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means.

60. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 59, further comprising memory means for previously memorizing a corresponding-relationship between said first identification information and said image quality information,

wherein said image quality information obtaining means obtains said image quality information with reference to said corresponding-relationship memorized in said memory means.

61. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said pixel data generation means comprises:

coefficient data generation means for generating coefficient data corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means, wherein said coefficient data generation means includes a memory for memorizing said coefficient data of an estimating equation, said coefficient data being previously generated according to every combination of said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means;

second data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of second pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal; and

calculation means for calculating pixel data of said subject pixel using said estimating equation based on said coefficient data generated by said coefficient data generation means and a plurality of said second pixel data selected by said second data selection means.

62. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said coefficient data generation means comprises:

first memory section for memorizing coefficient data of said estimating equation previously generated according to every combination of said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means;

first data-reading means for reading from said first memory section the coefficient data of each class corresponding to the image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means;

second memory section for memorizing the coefficient data of each class read by said first data reading means; and

second data-reading means for reading from said second memory section the coefficient data corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means.

63. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said image signal conversion apparatus further comprises display device control means for outputting a command for allowing an image-quality-adjustment-function to he invalid, said image-quality-adjustment-function becoming invalid when said display-device-information input into said information input section includes second identification information showing that said image-quality-adjustment-function exists.

64. The image signal conversion apparatus according to claim 59, wherein said image signal conversion apparatus further comprises:

connection detection means for detecting a connection of an image display device for supplying said second image signal; and

display device control means for sending a command to said image display device when a connection of said image display device is detected by said connection detection means, said command requesting said image display device to send display-device-information.

65. An image signal conversion method for converting a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, said image signal conversion method comprising the steps of:

selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal;

detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said selected first pixel data;

inputting display-device-information including first identification information showing at least a kind of image display device;

obtaining image quality information corresponding to said first identification information included in said input display-device-information; and

generating pixel data of said subject pixel corresponding to said detected class and said obtained image quality information.

66. An image display apparatus comprising:

an image signal input section for inputting a first image signal including a plurality of pixel data;

image signal conversion means for receiving said first image signal from said image signal input section, converting said first image signal into a second image signal including a plurality of pixel data, and outputting said second image signal; and

an image display device for receiving said second image signal from said image signal conversion means and displaying an image formed from said second image signal,

wherein said image display device includes memory means for memorizing display-device-information including a first identification information showing a kind of image display device at least, and information sending means for sending said display-device-information memorized in said memory means to said image signal conversion section, and

wherein said image signal conversion means includes first data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of first pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal, class detection means for detecting a class of said subject pixel based on a plurality of said first pixel data selected by said first data selection means, information receiving means for receiving said display-device-information sent from said image display device, image quality information obtaining means for obtaining image quality information corresponding to said first identification information included in said display-device-information received by said information receiving means, and pixel data generation means for generating pixel data of said subject pixel corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means.

67. The image display apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said image signal conversion section further comprises memory means for previously memorizing a corresponding-relationship between said first identification information and said image quality information, and

wherein said image quality information obtaining means obtains said image quality information with reference to said corresponding-relationship memorized in said memory, means.

68. The image display apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said pixel data generation means comprises:

coefficient data generation means for generating coefficient data corresponding to said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means, wherein said coefficient data generation means includes a memory for memorizing coefficient data of an estimating equation, said coefficient data being previously generated according to every combination of said class detected by said class detection means and said image quality information obtained from said image quality information obtaining means;

second data selection means for selecting, from said first image signal, a plurality of second pixel data adjacent to a subject pixel of said second image signal; and

calculation means for calculating pixel data of said subject pixel using said estimating equation based on said coefficient data generated by said coefficient data generation means and a plurality of said second pixel data selected by said second data selection means.

69. The image display apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said image signal conversion section further comprises command sending means for sending a command to said image display device when said image display device is connected, said command requesting said image display device to send back said display-device-information, and

wherein said image display device further comprises command receiving means for receiving said command sent from said image signal conversion section, and control means for controlling said information sending means so as to send said display-device-information to said image signal conversion section based on said command received by the relevant command receiving means.

70. The image display apparatus according to claim 66, wherein said image signal conversion section further comprises command sending means for sending a command for allowing an image-quality-adjustment-function to he invalid, said image-quality-adjustment-function becoming invalid when said display-device-information received in said information receiving means includes second identification information showing that said image-quality-adjustment-function exist, and

wherein said image display device further comprises command receiving means for receiving a command for allowing said image-quality-adjustment-function sent from said image signal conversion section to he invalid, and control means for allowing image-quality-adjustment-function to be invalid based on said command received by the relevant command receiving means.