Patent ID: 7450764
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image processing device for converting input image data, made up of multiple pieces of pixel data obtained by an imaging device having a plurality of pixels each having time integration effects or spatial integration effects imaging light signals of the real world, into high-quality image data with higher quality than said input image, said image processing device comprising: image data continuity detecting means for detecting first continuity of image data corresponding to the continuity of light signals of said real world, for a plurality of first perimeter pixels within said input image data that correspond to a first pixel of interest within said high-quality image data, and for detecting second continuity of image data corresponding to the continuity of light signals of said real world, for a plurality of second perimeter pixels within said input image data that correspond to a second pixel of interest within said high-quality image data which is temporally or spatially adjacent to said first pixel of interest; first extracting means for extracting a plurality of third perimeter pixels within said input image data that correspond to said first pixel of interest, based on said first continuity of image data detected by said image data continuity detecting means, and for extracting a plurality of fourth perimeter pixels within said input image data that correspond to said second pixel of interest, based on said second continuity of image data detected by said image data continuity detecting means; second extracting means for extracting a plurality of fifth perimeter pixels within said input image data that correspond to said first pixel of interest, based on said first continuity of image data detected by said image data continuity detecting means, and for extracting a plurality of sixth perimeter pixels within said input image data that correspond to said second pixel of interest, based on said second continuity of image data detected by said image data continuity detecting means; first features detecting means for detecting first features of said plurality of third perimeter pixels extracted by said first extracting means, and for detecting second features of said plurality of fourth perimeter pixels extracted by said first extracting means; first predicting means for predicting said first pixel of interest from said plurality of fifth perimeter pixels extracted by said second extracting means, based on said first features detected by said first features detecting means, predicting said second pixel of interest from said plurality of sixth perimeter pixels extracted by said second extracting means, based on said second features detected by said first features detecting means, and outputting a first prediction value of said first pixel of interest and a second prediction value of said second pixel of interest; and selective output means for detecting the relation between said first prediction value of said first pixel of interest predicted by said first predicting means, said second prediction value of said second pixel of interest predicted by said first predicting means, and the pixel values of corresponding pixels within said input image data situated at positions encompassing at least said first pixel of interest and said second pixel of interest in the temporal direction or spatial direction, and selectively outputting said first prediction value of said first pixel of interest and said second prediction value of said second pixel of interest output from said first prediction means, according to the detection results.