System and method for creating a video frame from a single video field

1. An apparatus for producing a video frame from a video field, the apparatus comprising:

a circuit configured to create an equal-intensity trace from present samples in said video field, recognize an equal-intensity path in said equal-intensity trace, at least partially straighten said equal-intensity path, and use said equal-intensity path to determine an intensity value for a missing sample in said video frame.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to use said equal-intensity path to determine said intensity value by interpolating between closest ones of present samples and said equal-intensity path to said missing sample.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said equal-intensity path is recognized based on a likelihood of reflecting true image features.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to recognize said equal-intensity path by selecting said equal-intensity path based on a direction of an extending trace of said equal-intensity path.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to recognize said equal-intensity path by selecting said equal-intensity trace based on a compatibility of intensity profiles at beginning point and end points of said equal-intensity path.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to recognize said equal-intensity path by bridging said equal-intensity path with another equal-intensity path in another equal-intensity trace.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to create said equal-intensity trace by:

linearly interpolating between present samples to locate equal-intensity points;

drawing equal-intensity lines between said equal-intensity points; and

connecting said equal-intensity lines.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said equal-intensity path is at least partially straightened based on likelihood of reflecting true image features.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to at least partially straighten said equal-intensity path by clipping said equal-intensity path using maximally straightened extending traces of said equal-intensity path.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to at least partially straighten said equal-intensity path by straightening based on a roughness of said equal-intensity path.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said circuit is configured to at least partially straighten said equal-intensity path by straightening based on a direction of an extending trace of said equal-intensity path.

12. A method of producing a video frame from a video field using a graphics processing unit (GPU), comprising:

recognizing equal-intensity paths in equal-intensity traces generated from present samples in said video field using said GPU;

at least partially straightening said equal-intensity paths; and

using said equal-intensity paths to determine an intensity value for a missing sample in said video frame.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said using comprises interpolating between closest ones of present samples and said equal-intensity path to said missing sample.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said recognizing is carried out based on a likelihood of reflecting true image features.

15. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said recognizing comprises selecting said equal-intensity path based on a direction of an extending trace of said equal-intensity path.

16. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said recognizing comprises selecting said equal-intensity trace based on a compatibility of intensity profiles at beginning point and end points of said equal-intensity path.

17. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said equal-intensity paths are recognized by bridging paths in equal-intensity traces.

18. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least partially straightening is carried out based on likelihood of reflecting true image features.

19. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least partially straightening comprises clipping said equal-intensity path using maximally straightened extending traces of said equal-intensity path.

20. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least partially straightening comprises straightening based on a roughness of said equal-intensity path.

21. The method as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least partially straightening comprises straightening based on a direction of an extending trace of said equal-intensity path.