Field interpolation method determination device

1. A field interpolation method determination device for determining whether to perform either an inter-field interpolation method or an intra-field interpolation method on fields of an inputted interlaced signal to provide conversion to a progressive signal, the device comprising:

pixel level difference detection means for detecting a pixel level difference between the input interlaced signal and a 1-field delay input interlaced signal obtained by delaying the input interlaced signal by one field;

field correlation detection means for detecting correlation between the input interlaced signal and the 1-field delay input interlaced signal based on the pixel level difference, and outputting inter-field correlation determination signals;

inter-field correlation storage means for storing N-1 inter-field correlation determination signals corresponding to N sequential fields of the input interlaced signal;

field/frame correlation determination means for determining, based on a pattern of values of the N-1 inter-field correlation determination signals, whether the N sequential fields are either 2-2 or 2-3 pulldown-converted;

counter means for incrementing a count value by one count if the N sequential fields are determined to have been either 2-2 or 2-3 pulldown-converted, for resetting the count value if the N sequential fields are determined to have been neither 2-2 nor 2-3 pulldown-converted, and for maintaining the count value if otherwise; and

interpolation method determination means for determining, as an interpolation method, inter-field interpolation if the count value is greater than a predetermined value, or intra-field interpolation if the count value is less than or equal to the predetermined value.

2. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 1 , wherein if the input interlaced signal is 2-3 pulldown-converted, N is equal to or more than 6.

3. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 1 , wherein if the input interlaced signal is 2-2 pulldown-converted, N is equal to or more than 5.

4. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 1 , wherein if at least two sequential signals among the N-1 inter-field correlation determination signals indicate absence of correlation, the field/frame correlation determination means determines that the N sequential fields of the input interlaced signal have been neither 2-2 nor 2-3 pulldown-converted.

5. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 1 , wherein if the N-1 inter-field correlation determination signals alternately indicate presence and absence of correlation, the field/frame correlation determination means determines that the N sequential fields of the input interlaced signal have been either 2-2 or 2-3 pulldown-converted.

6. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the field correlation detection means includes:

pixel difference determination means for determining for each pixel whether the pixel signal level difference is greater than a first threshold which indicates a predetermined pixel level and outputting a pixel unit level difference determination result represented by a binary value;

field unit level difference determination means for adding one field to the pixel unit level difference determination result, and outputting a field unit level difference determination result; and

inter-field correlation determination means for determining whether inter-field correlation is significant based on whether the field unit level difference determination result is greater than a second threshold indicating a predetermined number of pixels.

7. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 6 , wherein the inter-field difference determination means further includes:

signal level detection means for detecting a signal level indicating brightness of an image represented by the 1-field delay input interlaced signal; and

first threshold change means for changing the first threshold based on a value of the signal level.

8. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 6 , wherein

the inter-field difference determination means further includes:

signal level detection means for detecting a signal level indicating brightness of an image represented by the 1-field delay input interlaced signal; and

second threshold change means for changing the second threshold based on a value of the signal level.

9. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 1 , wherein

the inter-field difference determination means further includes:

field identification means for outputting, based on the 1-field delay input interlaced signal, a field identification signal which indicates whether a field of the 1-field delay input interlaced signal is an even field or an odd field; and

an AND circuit for calculating a logical product of the field identification signal and the inter-field correlation determination signal, and outputting the product to the inter-field difference storage means.

10. A field interpolation method determination device according to claim 9 , wherein the inter-field difference determination means further includes:

an inverter for outputting a reversed signal of the field identification signal; and

a field identification signal reverse switch for selectively outputting either the field identification signal or the reversed signal to the AND circuit.