Patent ID: 8406303
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for motion estimation in a video sequence, comprising: computing an adaptive cost threshold for a current macroblock in a current frame based at least in part on an average of encoding costs of all previously analyzed macroblocks in a search window in the current frame, wherein the adaptive cost threshold varies with the average of encoding costs of all previously analyzed macroblocks in the search window in the current frame; selecting at least one macroblock neighboring the current macroblock having an encoding cost less than the adaptive cost threshold; generating a predicted seed motion vector encoded using a predicted seed motion vector encoding cost based at least in part on a motion vector of the selected neighbor; generating a hierarchical seed motion vector encoded using a hierarchical seed motion vector encoding cost; selecting said predicted seed motion vector, said hierarchical seed motion vector, or both, based on a comparison of said predicted seed motion vector encoding cost and said hierarchical seed motion vector encoding cost for a full-pixel search; performing said full-pixel search on each said selected seed motion vector to select a full-pixel motion vector based on an encoding cost of said full-pixel motion vector; and performing a fractional pixel search using said selected full-pixel motion vector to estimate a final motion vector.