Image Portion Detection in Video Signal Processing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video signal processing methods for converting between different aspect ratios often result in incorrect dynamic compensation and interpolation due to the lack of accurate detection of image and blank portions within video frames, leading to noise and defects during de-interlacing and other image processing tasks.

Innovation Solution

An image detecting device and method that characterizes pixel values to differentiate between image and blank portions within video frames, using comparators and search units to determine the positions of these portions, thereby enabling accurate processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If size conversion processing is performed to convert video frames between different aspect ratios, then the video signal can be displayed on various television formats, but the image portion and blank portion positions become misaligned causing incorrect processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo signal compatibilityVSAvoidimage portion position detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and marking the positions of image portions and blank portions in current and previous fields before performing de-interlacing processing. This advance detection ensures that subsequent processing operations use accurate position information, preventing misalignment issues that would otherwise occur during aspect ratio conversions and size transformations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If de-interlacing processing with dynamic compensation and interpolation is performed without accurate position detection, then processing can proceed without delays, but noise and defects occur due to cross-processing of image and blank portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidprocessing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of image portion positions in advance, storing this information for use in subsequent de-interlacing operations. This allows the main processing to proceed at high speed without real-time position calculation delays, while ensuring processing accuracy through pre-validated position data that prevents cross-processing errors between image and blank portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces position detection marks as an intermediary element that mediates between the raw video signal and the de-interlacing processing. These marks provide explicit position information that guides the processing algorithm, acting as a bridge that ensures accurate differentiation between image and blank portions without requiring complex real-time analysis during the main processing stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If image processing operations are performed without knowing image portion positions, then the processing pipeline remains simple, but incorrect compensation and interpolation result in noise and defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing pipeline complexityVSAvoidnoise and defects

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and marking the positions of image portions and blank portions in current and previous fields before performing de-interlacing processing. This advance detection ensures that subsequent processing operations use accurate position information, preventing misalignment issues that would otherwise occur during aspect ratio conversions and size transformations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces position detection marks as an intermediary element that mediates between the raw video signal and the de-interlacing processing. These marks provide explicit position information that guides the processing algorithm, acting as a bridge that ensures accurate differentiation between image and blank portions without requiring complex real-time analysis during the main processing stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8401286B2Image detecting device and method

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

An image detecting device receives a video signal stream including at least one frame. Each frame includes rows of data, and each row of data has a plurality of pixels. The frame has an image portion and a blank portion. The image detecting device includes a characterizing unit and a searcher. The characterizing unit receives the pixels and determines pixel characterization values thereof. The searcher includes an image comparator and a blank comparator. The image comparator and the blank comparator evaluate the pixel characterization value of a current pixel to determine whether the current pixel belongs to the image portion or the blank portion. The searcher derives a position of the image portion based on determined results of the image comparator and the blank comparator. An image detecting method is also disclosed.