Correlation degree operation apparatus, parallel correlation degree operation apparatus and correlation degree operation method
First Claim
1. A correlation degree operation apparatus for operating, according to a block matching method, a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks (in which each of M, N, L, m is a natural number, L is not less than N and m is not less than
2), characterized in that;
an operation of correlation degree is executed by a pipeline process for each of m candidate block groups composed of (M×
L) candidate blocks, said m candidate block groups are continuously arranged to overlap one another in one of a horizontal direction and vertical direction;
said pipeline process is an operation of repeating, L times in the other direction than the direction in which said m candidate block groups overlap, a step of applying a block-matching process to a reference picture block with respect to each of M candidate blocks arranged to continuously overlap one another in said one direction; and
there are used, at the same clock cycle, both the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for one candidate block group and the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for another candidate block group to be executed subsequently to said first-mentioned operation for said one candidate block group.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a correlation degree operation apparatus in which the search area is readily extensible, in which a high-speed process can be assured even though the search area is extended, and which can be formed in a simple arrangement. The search area memory stores the picture element data of a search area including ((m×M)×L) candidate blocks. The correlation degree operation unit executes an operation of a degree of correlation between a reference picture block and each of the candidate blocks, with the use of picture element data supplied from the search area memory, this operation being executed by a pipeline process for each candidate block group composed of (M×L) candidate blocks. The search area memory has the function of supplying four picture element data at the same clock cycle. This enables the correlation degree operation unit to continuously execute the pipeline processes for the candidate block groups. It is therefore possible to continuously execute the operations of correlation degree between the reference picture block having (M×N) picture elements and ((m×M)×L) candidate blocks.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A correlation degree operation apparatus for operating, according to a block matching method, a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks (in which each of M, N, L, m is a natural number, L is not less than N and m is not less than
2), characterized in that;an operation of correlation degree is executed by a pipeline process for each of m candidate block groups composed of (M×
L) candidate blocks, said m candidate block groups are continuously arranged to overlap one another in one of a horizontal direction and vertical direction;said pipeline process is an operation of repeating, L times in the other direction than the direction in which said m candidate block groups overlap, a step of applying a block-matching process to a reference picture block with respect to each of M candidate blocks arranged to continuously overlap one another in said one direction; and there are used, at the same clock cycle, both the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for one candidate block group and the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for another candidate block group to be executed subsequently to said first-mentioned operation for said one candidate block group.
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
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2. A correlation degree operation apparatus for operating, according to a block matching method, a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks (in which each of M, N, L, m is a natural number, L is not less than N and m is not less than
2), comprising;a search area memory for storing the picture element data of a search area including ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks; anda correlation degree operation unit for holding the picture element data of a reference picture block having (M×
N) picture elements and executing an operation of a degree of correlation between said reference picture block and each of said candidate blocks, with the use of said held picture element data of said reference picture block and the picture element data of each candidate block supplied from said search area memory, said operation being executed by a pipeline process for each candidate block group composed of (M×
L) candidate blocks,said search area memory having the function of supplying, to said correlation degree operation unit at the same clock cycle, both the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for one candidate block group and the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for another candidate block group to be executed subsequently to said first-mentioned operation for said one candidate block group, said correlation degree operation unit being arranged to continuously execute the operations for said candidate block groups. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4)
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
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5. A correlation degree operation apparatus for operating, according to a block matching method, a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks (in which each of M, N, L, m is a natural number, L is not less than N and m is not less than
2), comprising;a main control unit for generating and supplying a memory control signal and an operation control signal based on a given clock; a search area memory which stores the picture element data of a search area including ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks, and which is arranged to supply stored picture element data according to the instruction of said memory control signal supplied from said main control unit;a correlation degree operation unit for holding the picture element data of a reference picture block having (M×
N) picture elements and executing an operation of a degree of correlation between said reference picture block and each of said candidate blocks, with the use of said held picture element data of said reference picture block and the picture element data supplied from said search area memory, said operation being executed by a pipeline process for each candidate block group composed of (M×
L) candidate blocks; andan operation control unit for controlling said correlation degree operation unit according to the instruction of said operation control signal supplied from said main control unit, said search area memory having the function of supplying, to said correlation degree operation unit at the same clock cycle, both the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for one candidate block group and the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for another candidate block group to be executed subsequently to said first-mentioned operation for said one candidate block group, said correlation degree operation unit being arranged to continuously execute the operations for said candidate block groups. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
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21. A correlation degree operation apparatus for operating, according to a block matching method, a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
- N) picture elements and each of a plurality of candidate blocks (in which each of M and N is a natural number), comprising;
a search area memory for storing the picture element data of a search area including candidate blocks subjected to an operation of correlation degree; a correlation degree operation unit for holding the picture element data of a reference picture block having (M×
N) picture elements and executing, by a pipeline process, an operation of a degree of correlation between said reference picture block and each of said candidate blocks, with the use of said held picture element data of said reference picture block and the picture element data of each candidate block supplied from said search area memory; andan operation control unit for controlling said correlation degree operation unit according to an operation control signal entered into said operation control unit, said correlation degree operation unit comprising N line operation units each having M picture element operation portions for respectively holding the picture element data of said reference picture block and operating evaluation values of correlation between said held picture element data and picture element data supplied from said search area memory, and said operation control unit comprising N line control units for respectively controlling said N line operation units. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
- N) picture elements and each of a plurality of candidate blocks (in which each of M and N is a natural number), comprising;
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25. A parallel correlation degree operation apparatus operating at the same clock cycle comprising:
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a first correlation degree operation apparatus for operating a degree of correlation between a first reference picture block and a candidate block; a second correlation degree operation apparatus for operating a degree of correlation between a second reference picture block and a candidate block; and a correlation degree adder for adding said degree of correlation operated by said first correlation degree operation apparatus to said degree of correlation operated by said second correlation degree operation apparatus, wherein each of said first and second correlation degree operation apparatus is a correlation degree operation apparatus for operating, according to a block matching method, a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
N) picture elements and each of ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks (in which each of M, N, L, m is a natural number, L is not less than N and m is not less than
2), andsaid each of said first and second correlation degree operation apparatus comprises; a search area memory for storing the picture element data of a search area including ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks; anda correlation degree operation unit for holding the picture element data of a reference picture block having (M×
N) picture elements and executing an operation of a degree of correlation between said reference picture block and each of said candidate blocks, with the use of said held picture element data of said reference picture block and the picture element data of each candidate block supplied from said search area memory, said operation being executed by a pipeline process for each candidate block group composed of (M×
L) candidate blocks,said search area memory having the function of supplying, to said correlation degree operation unit at the same clock cycle, both the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for one candidate block group and the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for another candidate block group to be executed subsequently to said first-mentioned operation for said one candidate block group, said correlation degree operation unit being arranged to continuously execute the operations for said candidate block groups.
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26. A correlation degree operation method of operating, according to a block matching method a degree of correlation between a reference picture block having (M×
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks (in which each of M, N, L, m is a natural number, L is not less than N and m is not less than
2), comprising;dividing ((m×
M)×
L) candidate blocks into m candidate block groups each composed of (M×
L) candidate blocks, said m candidate block groups are continuously arranged to overlap one another in one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction;executing, on each candidate block group, an operation of repeating, L times in the other direction than the direction in which said m candidate block groups overlap, a step of applying a block-matching process to a reference picture block with respect to each of M candidate blocks arranged to continuously overlap one another in said one direction, wherein there are used, at the same clock cycle, both the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for one candidate block group and the picture element data required for an operation of correlation degree for another candidate block group to be executed subsequently to said first-mentioned operation for said one candidate block group.
- N) picture elements and each of ((m×
Specification