Detection and correction of asymmetric transient signals

1. A method for detecting asymmetry in transient signals, the method comprising the steps:

asymmetrically filtering an input signal to detect pre-shoots and after-shoots of transient input signals; and

comparing amounts of pre-shoots and after-shoots to furnish an output signal indicating whether pre-shoots or after-shoots predominate,

wherein the step of asymmetrically filtering comprises the sub-steps:

filtering the input signals utilizing a first set of filter coefficients resulting in an impulse response arranged to provide a first output representing only the pre-shoots present in the input transient signals; and

filtering the input signals utilizing a second set of filter coefficients resulting in an impulse response arranged to provide a second output representing only the after-shoots present in the input transient signals.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first set of filter coefficients are anti-symmetrical to said second set of filter coefficients.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of asymmetrically filtering further comprises the sub-step:

calculating absolute values of the first and second outputs to give first and second absolute values, respectively.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the step of asymmetrically filtering further comprises the sub-steps:

summing the first absolute values over a predetermined time interval to obtain first summed values; and

summing the second absolute values over the predetermined time interval to obtain second summed values.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein said predetermined time interval comprises an interval between field pulses of a video signal.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the output signal provides a value measure of the relative amounts of pre-shoots and after-shoots present.

7. A method for detecting asymmetry in transient signals, the method comprising the steps:

asymmetrically filtering an input signal to detect pre-shoots and after-shoots of transient input signals; and

comparing amounts of pre-shoots and after-shoots to furnish an output signal indicating whether pre-shoots or after-shoots predominate,

wherein said method further comprises the step:

averaging the output signal of the comparing step over a plurality of field periods to reduce field-to-field variation effects.

8. An apparatus for detecting asymmetry in transient signals of an input signal, the apparatus comprising:

a pre-shoot filter for receiving and asymmetrically filtering an input signal utilizing a first set of filter coefficients to provide a first output in which substantially only pre-shoots of input transient signals are present;

an after-shoot filter for receiving and asymmetrically filtering the input signal utilizing a second set of filter coefficients to provide a second output in which substantially only after-shoots of input transient signals are present; and

summing and comparison means for summing the first outputs over a predetermined time interval, for summing the second outputs over the predetermined time interval, and for comparing first and second summed outputs to give an output signal indicating whether pre-shoots or after-shoots predominate over the predetermined time interval.

9. A peaking filter for performing peaking correction on the input signal, said peaking filter comprising an FIR filter comprising:

a delay line for receiving the input signal and having a plurality of outputs;

a plurality of multipliers each having a first input terminal connected to a respective one of the plurality of outputs of the delay line representing a multiplicand, and each having a second input terminal for receiving a respective filter coefficient representing a multiplier, said filter coefficients being variable, and each having an output terminal for outputting a respective product; and

a summing circuit f or receiving and summing the respective products from the multipliers, and providing a summed output, wherein said peaking filter further comprises:

means for receiving a detection signal indicating whether pre-shoots or after-shoots are found to systematically predominate in transients of the input signal; and

means for varying the filter coefficients of the FIR filter in accordance with the detection signal to provide a corrected output in which transients are substantially symmetrical, wherein said varying means varies said filter coefficients such that, if neither pre-shoots nor after-shoots are found, by said detection signal receiving means, to predominate in transients of the input signal, said filter coefficients are determined purely based upon a desired amount of peaking, and an impulse response of the filter will be symmetrical, whereas if said detection signal receiving means determines that pre-shoots are predominate, said varying means then varies said filter coefficients so as to provide an asymmetrical impulse response resulting in additional after-shoots being produced, and if said detection signal receiving means determines that after-shoots are predominate, said varying means then varies said coefficients so as to provide an asymmetrical impulse response resulting additional pre-shoots being produced.