Background motion vector detection

1. A selector ( 502 ) for selecting a background motion vector for a pixel in an occlusion region of an image, from a set of motion vectors being computed for the image, the selector ( 502 ) comprising:

computing means ( 510 ) for computing a model-based motion vector for the pixel on the basis of a motion model being determined on basis of a part of ( 402 - 436 ) a motion vector field ( 400 ) of the image;

comparing means ( 511 ) for comparing the model-based motion vector with each of the motion vectors of the set of motion vectors; and

selecting means ( 512 ) for selecting a particular motion vector of the set of motion vectors on basis of the comparing and for assigning the particular motion vector as the background motion vector.

2. A selector ( 502 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the part of the motion vector field ( 400 ) corresponds with motion vectors being estimated for groups of pixels in the neighborhood of the borders of the image.

3. A selector ( 502 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the comparing unit is arranged to compute differences between the model-based motion vector and the respective motion vectors of the set of motion vectors and the selecting unit is arranged to select the particular motion vector if the corresponding difference is the minimum difference of the differences.

4. A selector ( 502 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the motion model comprises translation and zoom.

5. An up-conversion unit ( 500 ) for computing a pixel value in an occlusion region of an output image, on basis of a sequence of input images, the up-conversion unit ( 500 ) comprising:

a motion estimation unit ( 504 ) for estimating motion vectors of the image, the motion vectors forming a motion vector field ( 400 );

a detection unit ( 508 ) for detecting the occlusion region in the image, on the basis of the motion vectors;

a motion model determination unit ( 505 ) for determining a motion model on basis of part of ( 402 - 436 ) the motion vector field ( 400 );

an interpolating unit ( 506 ) for computing the pixel value by means of temporal interpolation, on basis of a background motion vector; and

a selector ( 502 ) for selecting the background motion vector for the pixel, said selector comprising;

a processor for computing a model-based motion vector for the pixel on the basis of motion model being determined on basis of a part of a motion vector field of the image;

a comparison stage for comparing the model-based motion vector with each of the motion vectors of the set of motion vectors; and

a selection stage for selecting a particular motion vector of the set of motion vectors on basis of the comparing and for assigning the particular motion vector as the background motion vector.

6. A method of selecting a background motion vector for a pixel in an occlusion region of an image, from a set of motion vectors being computed for the image, the method comprising: using a processor to perform the steps of:

computing a model-based motion vector for the pixel on basis of a motion model being determined on basis of a part of ( 402 - 436 ) a motion vector field ( 400 ) of the image;

comparing the model-based motion vector with each of the motion vectors of the set of motion vectors; and

selecting a particular motion vector of the set of motion vectors on basis of the comparing and for assigning the particular motion vector as the background motion vector.