Displaying video on high-resolution computer-type monitors substantially without motion discontinuities

• US 6,222,589 B1
• Filed: 08/08/1996
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Yves C. Faroudja
• Inventors: Wei, Dong, Faroudja, Yves C., Dong, Xu
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, RUEBEN M
• Application Number:
  US08/695,837
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 348/446, 348/447, 348/448, 348/451, 348/452, 348/449, 348/441, 348/459, 345/132, 345/154
• US Class Current: 348/448
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0229 De-interlacing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0112 one of the standards corresponding to a cinematograph film standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/012 Conversion between an interlaced and a progressive signal for graphics images G09G2310/0229
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0132 the field or frame frequency of the incoming video signal being multiplied by a positive integer, e.g. for flicker reduction

Abstract

A convectional 2-1 interlaced (nominally 50 Hz field rate or nominally 60 Hz field rate) television signal is converted to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution computer-type monitor. First, a succession of progressively-scanned video frames is derived from the interlaced television signal and each frame is repeated at least twice in succession When the interlaced television sign is derived from a motion picture source, the progressively scanned frames are derived by merging opposite polarity fields derived from tho same motion picture frame. For other sources, other interlace-to-progressive scan techniques, such as line duplication or line interpolation, are employed. The sequences of repeated progressively-scanned frames are written into a two frame memory at rate derived from the timing of the progressively-scanned video frames and are read out at a rate derived from the timing of the monitor'"'"'s frame rate. Frames are skipped or duplicated in order to prevent memory underflow or overflow. Motion-discontinuity-free video displays at refresh rates from 50 Hz to 100 Hz, for 50 Hz inputs, and from 60 Hz to 120 hz for 60 Hz inputs may be achieved.

Claims

1. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

means for generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

video frame memory means for storing at least two progressively-scanned video frames, and

means for writing said progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory means at the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames and for reading said progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory means at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames comprises

means receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal for deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a progressively-scanned source having a frame rate less than the frame rate of the interlaced television signal and every progressively-scanned source frame is represented by at least two consecutive interlaced fields, by merging opposite polarity pairs of interlaced fields derived from the same motion picture film frame, each such merged pair constituting a new deinterlaced frame repeated at least twice so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising scaling means in the signal path between said means for deinterlacing and said video frame memory means for controlling the size and location of said deinterlaced video signals displayed on said monitor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising means for combining deinterlaced video signals from said video frame memory means with graphics signals from a computer whereby said monitor displays both video and graphics signals.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames comprises

means receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal for deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-film video source so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate, and

means for establishing an artificial film sequence by repeating successive frames of said progressively-scanned video so that patterns of two successive identical frames are generated or patterns of three followed by two successive identical frames are generated, one frame being omitted when two successive frames are identical and two frames being omitted when three successive frames are identical.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames comprises

means receiving a progressively-scanned television signal for increasing the frame rate of said progressively-scanned television signal by repeating successive frames of said progressively-scanned television signal.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a nominally 24 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 48 Hz frame rate by repeating each receive frame twice.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a nominally 24 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 60 Hz frame rate by employing a 32 repetition pattern in which three followed by two successive identical frames are generated.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a nominally 25 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 50 Hz frame rate by repeating each receive frame twice.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is within the range of about 60 Hz to about 120 Hz and said means for writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory means and for reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory means causes additional repetitions of said progressively-scanned video frames for monitor frame rates above 60 Hz.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is less than 60 Hz and said means for writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory means and for reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory means causes skipping ones of said progressively-scanned video frames.

13. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is within the range of about 50 Hz to about 100 Hz and said means for writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory means and for reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory means causes additional repetitions of said progressively-scanned video frames for monitor frame rates above 50 Hz.

14. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is less than 50 Hz and said means for writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory means and for reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory means causes skipping of ones of said progressively-scanned video frames.

10. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

means receiving a succession of progressively-scanned video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

video frame memory means for storing at least two progressively-scanned video frames, and

means for writing said progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory means at a rate derived from the timing of the progressively-scanned video frames and for reading said progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory means at a rate derived from the timing of the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

15. A method for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

storing at least two progressively-scanned video frames in a video frame memory, and

writing said progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames and reading said progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames comprises

receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal and deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a progressively-scanned source having a frame rate less than the frame rate of the interlaced television signal and every progressively-scanned source frame is represented by at least two consecutive interlaced fields, by merging opposite polarity pairs of interlaced fields derived from the same original video source progressively-scanned frame, each such merged pair constituting a new deinterlaced frame repeated at least twice so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein said generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames comprises

receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal and deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-film video source so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate, and

establishing an artificial film sequence by repeating successive frames of said progressively-scanned video so that patterns of two successive identical frames are generated or patterns of three followed by two successive identical frames are generated, one frame being omitted when two successive frames are identical and two frames being omitted when three successive frames are identical.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein said generating a succession of progressively-scanned video frames comprises

receiving a progressively-scanned television signal and increasing the frame rate of said progressively-scanned television signal by repeating successive frames of said progressively-scanned television signal.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein a nominally 24 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 48 Hz frame rate by repeating each receive flame twice.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein a nominally 24 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 60 Hz frame rate by employing a 3-2 repetition pattern in which three followed by two successive identical frames are generated.

21. A method according to claim 18 wherein a nominally 25 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 50 Hz frame rate by repeating each receive frame twice.

23. A method according to claim 20 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is within the range of about 60 Hz to about 120 Hz and progressively-scanned video frames are written into and read out of said video frame memory so as to cause additional repetitions of said progressively-scanned video frames for monitor frame rates above 60 Hz.

24. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is less than 60 Hz and progressively-scanned video frames are written into and read out of said video frame memory so as to cause deletions of ones of said progressively-scanned video frames.

25. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is within the range of about 50 Hz to about 100 Hz and progressively-scanned video frames are written into and read out of said video frame memory so as to cause additional repetitions of said progressively-scanned video frames for monitor frame rates above 50 Hz.

26. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is less than 50 Hz and progressively-scanned video frames are written into and read out of said video frame memory so as to cause deletions of ones of said progressively-scanned video frames.

22. A method for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

receiving a succession of progressively-scanned video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

storing at least two progressively-scanned video frames in a video frame memory, and

writing said progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames and reading said progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

27. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

a generator of a succession of progressively-scanned video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

a video frame memory storing at least two of said progressively-scanned video frames, and

a controller writing said progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames and reading said progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said generator comprises

a deinterlacer, receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal, deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a progressively-scanned source having a frame rate less than the frame rate of the interlaced television signal and every progressively-scanned source frame is represented by at least two consecutive interlaced fields, by merging opposite polarity pairs of interlaced fields derived from the same motion picture film flame, each such merged pair constituting a new deinterlaced frame repeated at least twice so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a scaler in the signal path between said deinterlacer and said video frame memory, the scaler controlling the size and location of said deinterlaced video signal s displayed on said monitor.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a combiner combining deinterlaced video signals from said video frame memory with graphics signals from a computer whereby said monitor displays both video and graphics signals.

31. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said generator comprises

a deinterlacer, receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal, deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-film video source so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate, and

an artificial film sequence generator establishing an artificial film sequence by repeating successive frames of said progressively-scanned video so that patterns of two successive identical frames are generated or patterns of three followed by two successive identical frames are generated, one frame being omitted when two successive frames are identical and two frames being omitted when three successive frames are identical.

32. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said generator comprises a frame rate increaser, receiving a progressively-scanned television signal, increasing the frame rate of said progressively-scanned television signal by repeating successive frames of said progressively-scanned television signal.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein a nominally 24 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 48 Hz frame rate by repeating each receive frame twice.

34. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein a nominally 24 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 60 Hz frame rate by employing a 3-2 repetition pattern in which three followed by two successive identical frames are generated.

35. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein a nominally 25 Hz frame rate progressively-scanned television signal is received and increased to a nominally 50 Hz frame rate by repeating each receive frame twice.

37. Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is within the range of about 60 Hz to about 120 Hz and said controller writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory and reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory causes additional repetitions of said progressively-scanned video frames for monitor frame rates above 60 Hz.

38. Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is less than 60 Hz and said controller writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory and reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory causes skipping ones of said progressively-scanned video frames.

39. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is within the range of about 50 Hz to about 100 Hz and controller writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory and reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory causes additional repetitions of said progressively-scanned video frames for monitor frame rates above 50 Hz.

40. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the frame rate of the monitor is less than 50 Hz and said controller writing progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory and reading progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory causes skipping of ones of said progressively-scanned video frames.

36. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

an input receiving a succession of progressively-scanned video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

a video frame memory storing at least two of said progressively-scanned video frames, and

a controller writing said progressively-scanned video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames and reading said progressively-scanned video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

41. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a non-interlaced variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

means for generating a succession of non-interlaced video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

video frame memory means for storing at least two non-interlaced video frames, and

means for writing said non-interlaced video frames into said video frame memory means at the frame rate of the non-interlaced video frames and for reading said non-interlaced video signals out of said video frame memory means at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said means for generating a succession of non-interlaced video frames comprises

means receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal for deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-interlaced source having a frame rate less than the frame rate of the interlaced television signal and every non-interlaced source frame is represented by at least two consecutive interlaced fields, by merging opposite polarity pairs of interlaced fields derived from the same motion picture film frame, each such merged pair constituting a new deinterlaced frame repeated at least twice so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate.

43. Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said means for generating a succession of non-interlaced video frames comprises

means receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal for deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-film video source so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate, and

means for establishing an artificial film sequence by repeating successive frames of said non-interlaced video so that patterns of two successive identical frames are generated or patterns of three followed by two successive identical frames are generated, one frame being omitted when two successive frames are identical and two frames being omitted when three successive frames are identical.

44. Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said means for generating a succession of non-interlaced video frames comprises

means receiving a non-interlaced television signal for increasing the frame rate of said non-interlaced television signal by repeating successive frames of said non-interlaced television signal.

45. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a non-interlaced variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

means receiving a succession of non-interlaced video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

video frame memory means for storing at least two non-interlaced video frames, and

means for writing said non-interlaced video frames into said video frame memory means at the frame rate of the non-interlaced video frames and for reading said non-interlaced video signals out of said video frame memory means at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

46. A method for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a non-interlaced variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

generating a succession on non-interlaced video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

storing at least two non-interlaced video frames in a video frame memory, and

writing said non-interlaced video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the non-interlaced video frames and reading said non-interlaced video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

47. A method according to claim 46 wherein said generating a succession of non-interlaced video flames comprises

receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal and deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-interlaced source having a flame rate less than the frame rate of the interlaced television signal and every non-interlaced source frame is represented by at least two consecutive interlaced fields, by merging opposite polarity pairs of interlaced fields derived from the same motion picture film frame, each such merged pair constituting a new deinterlaced frame repeated at least twice so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate.

48. A method according to claim 46 wherein said generating a succession of non-interlaced video frames comprises

receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal and deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-film video source so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate, and

establishing an artificial film sequence by repeating successive frames of said non-interlaced video so that patterns of two successive identical frames are generated or patterns of three followed by two successive identical frames are generated, one frame being omitted when two successive frames are identical and two frames being omitted when three successive frames are identical.

49. A method according to claim 46 wherein said generating a succession of non-interlaced video frames comprises

receiving a non-interlaced television signal and increasing the frame rate of said non-interlaced television signal by repeating successive frames of said non-interlaced television signal.

50. A method for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a non-interlaced variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

receiving a succession of non-interlaced video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

storing at least two non-interlaced video frames in a video frame memory, and

writing said non-interlaced video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the non-interlaced video frames and reading said non-interlaced video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

51. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a non-interlaced variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

a generator of a succession of non-interlaced video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

a video frame memory storing at least two of said non-interlaced video frames, and

a controller writing said non-interlaced video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the non-interlaced video frames and reading said non-interlaced video signals out of said video frame memory the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.

52. Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said generator comprises

a deinterlacer, receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal, deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-interlaced source having a frame rate less than the frame rate of the interlaced television signal and every non-interlaced source frame is represented by at least two consecutive interlaced fields, by merging opposite polarity pairs of interlaced fields derived from the same motion picture film frame, each such merged pair constituting a new deinterlaced frame repeated at least twice so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate.

53. Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said generator comprises

a deinterlacer, receiving a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 50 Hz field rate or a conventional 2-1 interlaced, nominally 60 Hz field rate television signal, deinterlacing said nominally 50 Hz or nominally 60 Hz television signal when the original video source is a non-film video source so that the deinterlaced signal has a frame rate the same as the original interlaced television field rate, and

an artificial film sequence generator establishing an artificial film sequence by repeating successive frames of said non-interlaced video so that patterns of two successive identical frames are generated or patterns of three followed by two successive identical frames are generated, one frame being omitted when two successive frames are identical and two frames being omitted when three successive frames are identical.

54. Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said generator comprises

a frame rate increaser, receiving a non-interlaced television signal, increasing the flame rate of said non-interlaced television signal by repeating successive frames of said non-interlaced television signal.

55. Apparatus for converting a television signal to a form suitable for display on a non-interlaced variable-frame-rate high-resolution monitor, comprising

an input receiving a succession of non-interlaced video frames wherein each frame is repeated at least twice in succession,

a video frame memory storing at least two of said non-interlaced video frames, and

a controller writing said non-interlaced video frames into said video frame memory at the frame rate of the non-interlaced video frames and reading said non-interlaced video signals out of said video frame memory at the monitor'"'"'s frame rate, wherein the frame rate of the progressively-scanned video frames is less than the monitor'"'"'s frame rate.