Classifying Image Areas of a Video Signal
A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving base layer images of standard definition pictures from a base layer decoder; defining image areas of the standard definition pictures; classifying image areas into image types by assigning a class number; and generating enhanced pictures based upon the standard definition pictures and the classification of the image areas. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also disclosed. The circuit comprising a base layer decoder; a classifier coupled to the base layer decoder, the classifier generating a class number for image areas of a standard definition picture; a summing circuit coupled to the classifier; an exchange stream decoder coupled to the summing circuit, the exchange stream decoder generating an index; and a codebook table coupled to the summing circuit. The codebook table preferably stores a plurality of codevectors based upon the class number and the index.
1 - 32 . (canceled)
33 . A method for enhancing an image, comprising:
obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard;
generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard in accordance with the base image;
classifying the base image according to a set of predefined image types;
identifying a plurality of image enhancements from a storage in response to the classification; and
enhancing image quality of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard includes receiving base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder.
35 . The method of claim 34 , wherein receiving base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder further includes receiving the base layer of video signal is coded with Standard Definition Television.
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard includes composing an interpolated image via an interpolator with a format of High Definition Television.
37 . The method of claim 33 , wherein classifying image quality of the base image according to a set of predefined image types includes:
dividing the base image into a plurality of base blocks; and
assigning a class number to each base block in accordance with the image type associated with each base block.
38 . The method of claim 37 , wherein classifying image quality of the base image according to a set of predefined image types includes predicting enhancement layer and prioritizing base blocks to be enhanced.
39 . The method of claim 33 , wherein identifying a plurality of image enhancements from a storage in response to the classification includes obtaining a plurality of code vectors capable of enhancing quality of image.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein obtaining a plurality of code vectors capable of enhancing quality of image further includes fetching the plurality of code vectors from a codebook table.
41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein enhancing the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements includes generating a difference block in response to the plurality of code vectors.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein enhancing image quality of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements includes correcting at least a portion of the predicting image in accordance with the difference block to produce an enhanced high definition image.
43 . An apparatus for enhancing an image comprising:
a receiver capable of obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard;
a predictor coupled with the receiver and configured to generate a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard in accordance with the base image;
a classifier coupled with the predictor and configured to classify the base image according to a set of predefined image types;
a codebook logically coupled with the classifier and capable of providing a plurality of image enhancements in response to the classification; and
an enhancer coupled with the predictor and able to enhance image resolution of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements.
44 . The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein a receiver obtains a base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder.
45 . The apparatus of claim 44 , wherein the receiver is capable of processing the base layer coded with Standard Definition Television.
46 . The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein a predictor is an interpolator capable of generating an interpolated image based on the base image.
47 . The apparatus of claim 46 , wherein the classifier divides the base image into a plurality of base blocks and assigns a class number to each of base blocks in accordance with the image type associated with the base block.
48 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the classifier predicts enhancement layer and prioritizes base blocks to be enhanced
49 . The apparatus of claim 48 , wherein a codebook is organized in a lookup table indexed by a plurality of class numbers.
50 . The apparatus of claim 43 , wherein the enhancer is a summing circuit configured to generate an enhanced block in response to an interpolated block generated by the predictor and a difference block generated by the classifier.
51 . An apparatus for enhancing an image comprising:
means for obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard;
means for generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard in accordance with the base image;
means for classifying the base image according to a set of predefined image types;
means for identifying a plurality of image enhancements from a storage in response to the classification; and
means for enhancing image quality of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements.
52 . The apparatus of claim 51 ,
wherein means for obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard includes means for receiving base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder coded with Standard Definition Television; and
wherein means for generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard includes means for composing an interpolated image via an interpolator with a format of High Definition Television.