Patent ID: 7433407
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of hierarchical motion estimation, comprising: determining at least one motion vector candidate for an input block included in a current picture using the current picture and a reference picture at an upper level; determining a motion vector candidate for the input block using a current picture and a reference picture at an middle level based on the at least one motion vector candidate; calculating matching criterion values for a reference block in a reference picture pointed to by the motion vector candidate determined at the middle level and the input block, using a specified measurement function in units of a lowest-order sub-block corresponding to a lowest-order block mode among a plurality of block modes for motion estimation; repeating calculation of the matching criterion values with changing the location of the reference block in the reference picture within a specified search range; calculating matching criterion values for the input block and the reference block in units of an upper sub-block of a size that is larger than the lowest-order sub-block, using a plurality of matching criterion values calculated in units of the lowest-order sub-block; and determining a block mode and a motion vector for motion estimation of the input block using the calculated matching criterion values.