Image Processor and Image Processing Method

Abstract

According to one embodiment, an image processor has a resolution increase module, a detector, and a controller. The resolution increase module is configured to perform super-resolution processing so as to restore a first video signal to a second video signal having a second resolution higher than the first resolution. The detector is configured to detect at least one of an information amount of the first image signal, a noise amount of the first image signal, and a type of a terminal to which the first video signal is input. The controller is configured to change a degree of a super-resolution processing performed by the resolution increase module based on a detection. result of the detector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-201201, filed Aug. 4, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]One embodiment of the invention relates to a technology for increasing resolution of an image, and relates particularly to an image processor and an image processing method for increasing resolution of an image.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Recent progress in the integration of a personal computer (PC) and a television provides more opportunities to view various types of videos on a high-resolution display with high definition (HD) exceeding standard definition (SD).[0006]Video broadcast for SD televisions, video recorded on DVD, or the like has low resolution. Therefore, when users view video in HD size (especially, in full HD size, i.e., full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels), the resolution o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Videos are provided in various manners as, for example, via broadcasting including broadcasting satellite (BS) broadcasting, communication satellite (CS) broadcasting, digital terrestrial broadcasting, analog terrestrial broadcasting, and via the Internet. Accordingly, information amounts, noise amounts, and / or the like, of videos provided as such may differ for different types of videos. Therefore, when the super-resolution processing is equivalently performed on various videos, noise contained in, for example, the video provided via CS broadcasting having less information amount with respect to others becomes noticeable, thereby degrading the enhanced sharpness of video.

Problems solved by technology

With such technologies, however, a sharp image cannot be obtained.

Therefore, when the super-resolution processing is equivalently performed on various videos, noise contained in, for example, the video provided via CS broadcasting having less information amount with respect to others becomes noticeable, thereby degrading the enhanced sharpness of video.

However, such sharpening process entirely differs from the super resolution technology in that the super resolution technology on the other hand newly generates high-frequency component pixels.

Thus, the sharpening technique used in the sharpening process cannot be used in the super resolution technology to adjust the sharpness of video in accordance with different types of videos.

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