Patent ID: 6687297
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A video encoder for predictively encoding images with reference to one reference image in a first (P) prediction mode and to two reference images in a second (B) prediction mode, comprising a motion estimation circuit using a first interval of a frame encoding period in the second (B) prediction mode to search motion vectors representing motion between an input image and one of said two reference images, and using a second interval of said frame encoding period to search motion vectors representing motion between said input image and the other one of said two reference images; characterized in that the motion estimation circuit is arranged to use the first interval of the frame encoding period in the first (P) prediction mode to search motion vectors representing motion between an input image and said one reference image, and to use the second interval of said frame encoding period to refine the motion vectors found in the first interval.