Systems and methods for coding alternate fields of interlaced video sequences

Abstract: Multi-mode predictive interpolative systems and methods for interlaced video sequences use past even fields as well as current and past odd fields to code current even fields. Block matching units (40, 42, 44) find for each block of pixels of a current even field to be coded, the corresponding block which matches it most closely in the current odd field, the past odd field and a past even field and calculate appropriate motion vectors corresponding to the best matched blocks. Based on the best matched blocks, and averages thereof, the best mode generator (60) selects a best mode block which most closely matches the block to be coded and derives an error block representing the pixel by pixel differences between the block to be coded and the best mode block. Signals representing the error block, the mode chosen, and the motion vectors corresponding thereto are then sent for transmission for use by a decoder.

Description: This invention relates to methods and systems for coding alternate fields of an interlaced video format and has particular applicability to arrangements wherein the other fields have already been coded. Interlaced scanning is an efficient method of bandwidth compression for television transmission. Further bandwidth compression can be achieved by downsampling the interlaced video sequence by deleting either all the even or all the odd fields. This scheme is used, for example, in the current Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) proposal relating to coding and decoding protocols for the compression of video data. In that proposed format only the odd fields of an interlaced video sequence are encoded and transmitted. The present invention, utilizing the fact that even and odd fields are highly correlated, makes it possible to code the missing even fields very efficiently. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide methods and systems for efficiently coding one field of an interlaced video. It is a further object of this invention to provide methods and systems for coding interlaced video data so as to permit efficient and accurate decoding using methods and systems. This technique is generally known as block matching. US-A-4 897 720 (Wu & Yang/Bell) describe a particular form of apparatus for performing such block matching, and list several documents describing the principles of block matching and similar techniques. More specifically, the principle of block matching is that for compression: even fields are not transmitted; a field which is not transmitted is divided into blocks; the preceding odd , transmitted, field (termed the reference field) is divided into zones corresponding to these blocks, each zone extending beyond the borders of the corresponding block; the contents of each block are matched against the contents of the corresponding zone in the reference field to determine the position of the best match of the block contents within that zone; and for each block, the displacement between it and the best matched position in the corresponding zone (termed the block vector) is transmitted; and for decompression: for each block, the block vector is used to select the appropriate block-sized portion of the corresponding zone from the reference field; and the even field is synthesized by assembling these block-sized portions of the zones in the corresponding blocks of that field. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for encoding video data representing successive frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, the system comprising a field separator for receiving a sequence of frames of video data and separating each frame into its first and second fields, characterized in that the system further comprises: (a) a first motion vector generator receiving the first field of a current frame (E1(t)) and the second field of a current frame (Oc1(t)), and deriving one or more first motion vectors (FMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of the current frame and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the second field of the current frame; (b) a second motion vector generator receiving the first field of the current frame (E1(t)) and the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)), and deriving one or more second motion vectors (CMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame and with a corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the immediately preceding frame; (c) a memory coupled to the field separator, the first motion vector generator and the second motion vector generator for storing the second field of the current frame (Oc1(t)), the first field of the current frame (E1(t)), the first field of the immediately preceding frame (EC1(t-1)), one or more first motion vectors derived by the first motion vector generator, and one or more second motion vectors derived by the second motion vector generator; (d) a motion vector processor coupled to the memory for retrieving therefrom (i) the one or more first motion vectors, (ii) the one or more second motion vectors, (iii) a block of pixel data of the second field of the current frame associated with each first motion vector retrieved from the memory, (iv) a block of pixel data of the first field of the immediately preceding frame associated with each second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and (v) the block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame associated with each first motion vector or second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and determining best mode information for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective first or second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, and further determining pixel error data representative of any pixel error between each of the one or more predicted blocks of the pixel data and the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; and (e) an output data generator coupled to the motion vector processor and the field separator for providing the second field of the current frame, the best mode information, and the pixel error data. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for encoding video data representative of successive frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, the method comprising the steps of (a) receiving a sequence of frames of video data and (b) separating the data for each frame into its first and second fields, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: (c) deriving one or more first motion vectors (FMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of a current frame (Ei(t)) and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the second field of the current frame (Oc1(t)); (d) deriving one or more second motion vectors (CMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of the current frame (Ei(t)) and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)); (e) storing the second field of the current frame (Oc1(t)), the first field of the current frame (E1(t)), the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)), one or more first motion vectors derived in step (c), and one or more second motion vectors derived in step (d); (f) determining from the one or more stored first motion vectors and/or the one or more stored second motion vectors, best mode information for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first or second motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; (g) determining pixel error data representative of any pixel error between the one or more predicted blocks of pixel data and the one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; and (h) providing signals representing the second field of the current frame, the best mode motion vector data, and the pixel error data. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a decoding system for encoded video data representing a sequence of frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, characterised in that the system comprises: (a) an input circuit receiving encoded video data and separating the encoded data for each frame into (i) first motion vector data associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of a current frame (Oc(t)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of a first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), (ii) second motion vector data, if any, associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of a first field of the current frame, (iii) pixel error data representative of any pixel error associated with the first and/or second motion vector data when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), and (iv) the second field of the current frame; (b) a block selector receiving the first and second motion vector data from the input circuit and selecting one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of the current frame and/or one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame respectively associated with the received first and second vector data; (c) a block processor receiving the one or more selected blocks of pixel data selected by the block selector, and determining one or more of the received blocks of pixel data each having lowest pixel error when compared with the corresponding blocks of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; (d) a block adder receiving the one or more blocks of pixel data determined by the block processor and the pixel error data for the same one or more blocks of pixel data and generating a predicted first field of the current frame (Ec1(t)); and (e) a frame generator receiving the predicted first field of the current frame and the second field of the current frame, and generating the current frame of video image data. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a decoding method for encoded video data representing a sequence of frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, the method comprising the step of (a) receiving encoded video data for successive frames, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: (b) separating the encoded data for each frame into (i) first motion vector data, if any, associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of a current frame (Oc(t)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of a first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), (ii) second motion vector data, if any, associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, (iii) pixel error data representative of any pixel error in each block of pixel data associated with the first and/or second motion vector data when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), and (iv) the second field of the current frame; (c) selecting one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of the current frame associated with the first motion vector data and/or one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame associated with the motion vector data associated with the second motion vector data; (d) deriving from the block or blocks of pixel data selected in step (c), one or more blocks of pixel data each having the lowest pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; (e) generating a predicted first field of the current frame (Ec1(t)) from the one or more blocks of pixel data derived in step (d) and the pixel error data for the same one or more blocks of pixel data; and (f) generating the current frame of video image data from the predicted first field of the current frame and the second field of the current frame separated from the received encoded video data. For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, reference is made to the following description. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows the a system diagram of an encoder in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 shows a field splitter useful in the Fig. 1 encoder. Fig. 3 shows a linear interpolator useful in the Fig. 1 encoder. Fig. 4 shows a block data encoder useful in the Fig. 1 encoder. Fig. 5 shows a uniform quantization table used for coding block data. Fig. 6 shows a zig-zag scanning diagram of an 8x8 DCT block. Fig. 7 shows a block data decoder useful in the Fig. 1 encoder and the Fig. 13 decoder. Fig. 8 shows a best mode generator useful in the Fig. 1 encoder. Fig. 9 shows an error generator useful in the Fig. 8 best mode generator. Fig. 10 shows an average error generator useful in the Fig. 8 best mode generator. Fig. 11 shows a comparator useful in the Fig. 8 best mode generator. Fig. 12 shows a block selector useful in the Fig. 8 best mode generator. Fig. 13 is a system diagram of a decoder according to the invention. Fig. 14 is a block coupling unit useful in the Fig. 13 decoder. Fig. 15(a) shows an alternative arrangement of a best mode generator useful in the Fig. 1 encoder. Fig. 15(b) shows a coupling unit corresponding to the Fig. 15(a) best mode generator. Description of the Invention Referring now to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a system for coding alternate fields of an interlaced video sequence for transmission to a decoder. Thus, for frames of video made up of successive odd and even fields of video data, the Fig. 1 system is useable for coding the even fields for example. As used herein: "field" refers to an incomplete frame of data, for example, the alternate fields of an NTSC television signal; "frame" refers to a complete frame of data, for example, the composite of two fields of NTSC data; In Fig 1. the encoder includes input means shown as terminal 20 for receiving an interlaced video sequence and separator means, shown as field splitter 22, for separating odd fields of data O(t) from even fields of data E(t). Fig. 2 is an illustration of a suitable field splitter. A de-multiplexer, shown as DMUX unit 25 takes an interlaced video sequence and uses a counter as a control signal. When the output of the counter is even, the "Even" output port of the 2-to-1 DMUX is selected, otherwise the "Odd" output port is selected. The odd field data is encoded by unit 21 and provided to modulator unit 68. Encoded odd field data is decoded by unit 23. In this way any errors introduced by coding and decoding will be taken into account during the block matching process. Decoded odd field data is designated Oc(t). Delayed coupling means, including delay units 19 and 24 are arranged so that when an odd field of data, denoted as Oc(t) for reference timing purposes, is supplied to a point 26, the previous odd field of data denoted as Oc(t-1) and the even field of data E(t) are simultaneously supplied to points 28 and 30. Thus at any given iteration of the system's operation, the fields Oc(t), Oc(t-1) and E(t) are simultaneously available at 26, 28 and 30 respectively. The encoder also includes interpolation means, shown as linear interpolators (LI) 32, 34, and 36 which may be separate channels of a single interpolation unit, effective to fill in an approximation of the pixel data at missing lines of each individual field of data by interpolation of pixel data at corresponding positions in preceding and succeeding lines of the same individual field. This provides full frames of alternating lines of actual input pixel data and interleaved lines of interpolated data, at the frame rate. These interpolated fields will be referred to as enhanced fields. Non-linear interpolation is also possible. As shown, unit 32 receives the current odd field input data Oc(t) from the separator means, via encoder unit 21 and decoder unit 23, and its output is an enhanced field version Oci(t). Similarly, unit 34 receives past odd field Oc(t-1) from delay unit 24 and its output is an enhanced field version Oci(t-1). Similarly, interpolation unit 36 receives the current even field of input data E(t) from the separator and its output is an enhanced field version Ei(t). The interpolation means provide Oci(t), Oci(t-1) and Ei(t) to memory bank 50 and to block matching means. Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated an embodiment of an interpolation circuit suitable for units 32, 34 and 36. In Fig. 3, linear interpolations are performed between two scanning lines of one field to generate the missing intermediate line. This is done by a full adder means 31 and a shift register 29 for each missing pixel. As shown, the input field containing only even or odd lines of a frame is input to field buffer 35. Under the control of values provided by counter means, two pixels are selected which are at the same horizontal position on two consecutive lines (i.e., the lines before and after the missing line position) and stored separately in the two registers 37 and 39. The values of the two pixels are then added in means 31 and shifted to the right by one bit one bit in shift register 29, which is the equivalent to dividing the sum of the two pixel values by a factor of two. The same process is applied for every missing pixel of the field, sequentially. In practice, this sequence of operations is performed in parallel through use of additional adder and register combinations. The output signal of units 32, 34 and 36 are linearly interpolated enhanced fields. As indicated, inputing Oc(t) to unit 32 results in the interpolated output Oci(t) and similarly, interpolating of input Oc(t-1) results in interpolated output Oci(t-1) and interpolating of E(t) results in interpolated output Ei(t). Block matching means, shown as forward, backward and cosited block matching (BM) units 40, 42 and 44, may also be separate channels of a single unit. The block matching means receive as input the enhanced fields of data Ei(t), Oci(t), Oci(t-1) and Eci(t-1). Eci(t-1), the previous even field of data, is received from memory bank 50 where it has been stored after having been derived in the previous iteration of the encoder. The block matching means finds for each given block of pixels in Ei(t), the corresponding blocks in Oci(t), Oci(t-1) and Eci(t-1) which match the given block in Ei(t) most closely. These can be referred to as the best matched forward, backward and cosited blocks. The block matching means then calculates an appropriate motion vector to each of the identified best matching blocks and outputs that data to memory bank 50. Thus "fmv" is the appropriate motion vector indicating which block in Oci(t) best matches the appropriate block in Ei(t). Similarly "bmv" is the appropriate motion vector indicating which block in Oci(t-1) best matches the appropriate block in Ei(t). Finally, "cmv" represents the appropriate motion vector indicating which block in Eci(t-1) best matches the appropriate block in Ei(t). In the present embodiment, blocks of 16x16 pixels are used for motion compensated block matching. Block matching techniques are known and block matching units 40, 42, and 44 may appropriately use block matching as shown in U.S. patent 4,897,720 by Wu and Yang. The counter 52 and best-match selector 54 use the motion vector information to generate addresses for the best matched blocks in memory bank 50 corresponding to block in Ei(t) being matched. Memory bank 50 can be composed of random access memory (RAM) chips which have to be big enough to hold five MxN images (M and N are the width and height in terms of pixels of one image) and three sets of N/16 x M/16 motion vectors. Best mode generator means 60 receives as input each block of Ei(t) and the best matched forward, backward and cosited blocks found by the block matching means. Concurrently, motion vector selector, shown as unit 62, receives the motion vector values for each of the best matched blocks. The best mode generator determines which of the best matched blocks most closely matches the appropriate block in Ei(t). These different comparisons are known as modes. Thus there can be a forward mode, a backward mode and a cosited mode based on a comparison of a specific block of pixel data from Ei(t) with the best matched blocks of future odd, past odd and past even pixel data, respectively. The best mode generator can also create and compare blocks which are averages of two or more of the best matched blocks which are received from the block matching means. These averaged modes can be based on any averaged combination of the best matched blocks. In certain applications, the most useful averaged modes have been found to be combinations of the past even and future odd blocks and of the past and future odd blocks from their respective enhanced fields of pixel data. The best mode generator then picks from among those modes the overall best matched block, also known as the best mode block. After selecting the best mode block, the best mode generator generates three different outputs; the best mode block, a difference block and a signal to motion vector selector unit 62 and modulator unit 68 indicating which mode has been selected. Motion vector selector unit 62 then sends the motion vector information regarding the appropriate block or blocks (in the case of an averaged mode) to motion vector encoder 64. Unit 64 encodes the motion vector data and provides it to modulator 68. The motion vector encoder uses variable length coding (VLC) which is based on a look-up table that stores the binary codes for all possible motion vectors. The look-up table is custom definable, however the present invention uses the same one which is used in the current MPEG proposal. The difference block is the result of a pixel by pixel subtraction of the values of the overall best mode block from the block in Ei(t). The difference block is then coded by block data encoder 41 and provided to modulator unit 68. Data encoder 41 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 4. Unit 48 converts the 16x16 blocks received from the best mode generator to four 8x8 blocks. A discrete cosine transform is applied to the difference block data by DCT unit 43. The transform is performed on blocks of an 8x8 size. The 8x8 discrete cosine transform is defined as: where x(i,j), i,j = 0, ..., 7, is the pixel value, X(u,v), u,v = 0, ..., 7, is the transformed coefficient, C (0) = 1 2 , and C(u)=1, u,v=1, ..., 7. DCT is well known in the art, and there are IC chips available for this purpose. To achieve higher coding efficiency, the DCT coefficients are quantized by a uniform quantizer, shown in Fig. 5, with a fixed step S. The values of S, which are stored in a quantization table, typically vary from one coefficient to another. While Fig. 5 shows linear quantization, non-linear quantization is also possible. In the present instance the quantization table which is used is the current MPEG standard. Other quantization tables, however, are useable. After quantization, the DCT blocks contain a large amount of zero coefficients. Known techniques of zig-zag scanning may be applied to the DCT blocks in order to maximize the runs of zero coefficients and thereby effectuate higher data compression. The zig-zag scanning is implemented by a look-up table, shown in Fig. 6, which maps coordinates of DCT coefficient blocks to values between 0 and 63. This represents the order of variable length coding. A known form of Huffman coding may then be applied to convert the quantized DCT coefficients to binary codes. In the present instance, the MPEG VLC table is used for these purposes although other tables are also useable. The coded difference block data is also provided to block data decoder 58 shown in Fig. 7. The block data decoder performs the reverse operations in the reverse order of the encoder. First the coded data is Huffman decoded and next unzig-zag scanning is applied. The data is then unquantized and an inverse discrete cosine transform is applied using known techniques. The decoder uses the same tables as the encoder. The output of block data decoder 58 is provided to block adder 56. Block adder 56 also receives the best mode block from the best mode generator. It adds the difference block to the best mode block to create the same even field which will be recreated by the decoder. That even field is then provided to memory bank 50 where it will be used as the cosited past even field by cosited block matching unit 44 during the next iteration of the system. Modulator unit 68 then combines the four sets of data it has received (odd field data, coded motion vector data, coded difference block data and best mode signal data) and provides an appropriate signal to terminal 70. From there the data can be sent to an appropriate decoder. Fig. 8 illustrates a suitable embodiment of the best mode generator 60. The best mode generator includes four error generators shown as forward error generator (FEG) 92, average error generator (FCEG) 94, average error generator (BFEG) 96 and cosited error generator (CEG) 98. The error generators receive as input a block from Ei(t) and the appropriate best matched blocks. The forward error generator FEG compares the appropriate block in Ei(t) to the best matched forward block. The cosited error generator CEG compares the appropriate block in Ei(t) to the best matched cosited block. The average error generators receive two or more best matched blocks which they average together to produce an average block. This average block is then compared to the appropriate block in Ei(t). Thus average error generator BFEG creates a block which is the average of the best matched backwards block and the best matched forward block. Similarly the average error generator FCEG creates a block which is the average of the best matched forward block and the best matched cosited block. Averaging can be done by adding pixel values from the two blocks on a pixel by pixel basis and reducing each resulting pixel value by a factor of two (ie. dividing each value in half). From these inputs the error generators produce three outputs; a prediction block, a difference block and an absolute error. The prediction block is the block which the error generator compares to the appropriate block in Ei(t). Thus in the case of FEG or CEG, the prediction block is just the best matched block received from the block matching units. In the case of the average error generators, the prediction block is the average of two or more best matched blocks. The prediction blocks are outputted to the prediction block selector 93. The difference block is calculated by subtracting the value of a pixel in one block from the value of the corresponding pixel in the other block on a pixel by pixel basis. This value of this difference is then assigned to a corresponding pixel in the difference block. The sum of the absolute value of all of these pixels in the difference block is the absolute error. The difference blocks are provided to the difference block selector unit 95. The absolute errors are outputted to comparator unit 97. Based on the absolute errors the comparator chooses the best mode. Typically this is the mode having the least absolute error, however, other selections are possible. This is referred to as the best mode. The comparator then supplies a signal indicating the best mode to the difference block selector unit 95, modulator unit 68, motion vector selector unit 62 and to the prediction block selector 93. Upon receipt of the signal the difference block selector sends the appropriate difference block to block data encoder 41, and the prediction block selector sends the appropriate prediction block (the best mode block) to block adder 56. Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated an embodiment of a suitable error generator circuit for either the forward error generator FEG or the cosited error generator CEG. In Fig. 9 buffer block unit 67 and buffer block unit 69 receive a block from Ei(t) and the best matched block from either Oci(t) or Eci(t-1). Subtraction unit 51 calculates the difference in value of each set of corresponding pixels in the two blocks and assigns that value to a corresponding pixel value in block buffer 55. This is known as the difference block. Absolute value generator 53 converts the value of the difference for each set of pixels to an absolute value and provides that information to the adder unit 57. The adder unit 57 sums all of the absolute values for the differences of the two blocks being compared to create an absolute error value. Referring to Fig. 10, an embodiment of a suitable average error generator circuit is shown. Block buffer 78 receives a block in Ei(t). Block buffers 79 and 83 receive the best matched blocks from the fields being averaged to create a block. In the case of error generator BFEG, the best matched blocks from Oci(t-1) and Oci(t) are used. In the case of average error generator FCEG, the best matched blocks from Oci(t) and Eci(t-1) are used. The values of each of the corresponding pixels in each of the best matched blocks is added and divided by two to create an average block. This is accomplished by unit 81. This average block is then subtracted from the corresponding block in Ei(t) by subtraction unit 77. In the same fashion as the other error generators, both a difference block and an absolute error value is created. Referring to Fig. 11, a suitable embodiment of the comparator unit 97 is shown. Minimum decision unit 74 picks the least value of the four absolute error inputs and outputs an appropriate best mode signal. While the current embodiment picks the mode with the least possible absolute error, other decision criterion are also available. Referring to Fig. 12, a suitable embodiment of a difference block selector is shown. Multiplexer unit 73 receives the four difference blocks as input. Responsive to the best mode signal, unit 73 outputs the appropriate difference block. Decoder Description Because the implemented coding scheme is very unsymmetrical, the decoder is simpler than the encoder. This is due largely to the fact that the decoder does not have to perform block matching or make a best mode determination. In Fig. 13, the decoder includes input means, shown as terminal 80, for receiving encoded data. Demodulating means, shown as demodulator unit 82 separates the encoded data into four bit streams: location signals in the form of a motion vector bit stream, a best mode signal bit stream, pixel error signals in the form of a difference block bit stream and an odd field data signal bit stream. The first bit stream, containing the motion vector data, is decoded by a motion vector decoder 84 which uses the same VLC table as used in the encoder. The motion vector decoder 84 segments the bit stream into portions which represent one or two different motion vectors. Using the VLC table, the decoder provides the corresponding motion vectors. The motion vectors represent the displacement of the best matched blocks from the original blocks in Ei(t). The motion vector decoder supplies the motion vectors to address generator unit 88. The address generator also receives the best mode signal from demodulator unit 82. The address generator uses the decoded motion vectors and the best mode signal to generate memory addresses of one or more of the best matched future odd, past odd and past even blocks, depending on the specific motion vector signals and the best mode signal. These blocks are sometimes referred to as the best matched forward, backward and cosited blocks, respectively. In an alternative arrangement, only three bit streams need to be sent. In this arrangement the best mode signal and the motion vector would be combined in to an address bit stream which would describe where in the receiver's memory the appropriate best matched blocks could be found. Block coupling means, shown as prediction block generator unit 92, receives the best matched forward, backward and cosited blocks from storage means shown as memory bank 86. It also receives the best mode signal from demodulator 82. Unit 92 then generates the same mode data block which was identified in the encoder. The mode data block is then provided to block adder unit 87. Referring more specifically to Fig. 14, a suitable embodiment of block generator 85 is shown. The best matched block or blocks representing the best mode data block are received from memory bank 86 into the appropriate block buffers. In this embodiment the two average modes are created by units 102 and 103. The two other modes which merely use best matched blocks, are already available as received in the appropriate buffers. In operation, only the best matched block or blocks needed to provide the desired best mode block are supplied to block generator unit 92. Thus, if either the future odd block or past even block represents the best mode block, only the respective desired block is received by unit 92 and it is coupled by unit 92 to block adder unit 87. If, however, the best mode block is the block of data representing an average of the past even block and the future odd block, those blocks are provided from memory to buffers 100 & 101, respectively, for averaging in unit 103 and coupling to block adder unit 87. Operation is similar via buffers 99 and 100 and unit 102, when the best mode block represents the average of the past and future odd field best matched blocks. As illustrated, unit 92 is responsive to the best mode signal in implementing the averaging function, however, in other applications unit 92 need only be arranged to simply pass through any single input block and, in response to the input of two blocks simultaneously, to provide an averaged output to unit 87 whenever two blocks are received. In operation of unit 92 as illustrated, the appropriate mode is then loaded into MUX unit 106, which outputs the appropriate prediction block to block adder unit 87. Block decoder unit 89 decodes the difference blocks and then provides the difference block to the block adder unit 87 where it is added to the single best mode data block from unit 92. Referring more specifically to Fig. 7 there is an illustration of the decoder 89. This decoder is of the same design as the decoder unit 58 in the Fig. 1 encoder. Units 59, 61, 63, and 65 respectively perform the following functions in sequence: Huffman decode, unzig-zag scan, unquantize and inverse discrete cosine transform, upon the incoming coded difference block data. Unit 66 reassembles the four 8x8 blocks into one 16x16 block. The combination by block adder unit 87 of the best mode block and the difference block creates the coded field Eci(t). This field is then provided to memory bank 86 where it can be used to recreate the next even field. It is also provided to combiner means shown as unit 90. The fourth bit stream outputted by demodulator unit 82 is the coded odd field data. This data is provided to decoder unit 91, which may provide MPEG type coding compatible with prior encoding. The decoded odd field data is provided to linear interpolator 107 which operates in the same fashion as the linear interpolator units in the encoder. Thus enhanced field of data Oci(t) is created and sent to combiner unit 90 and memory bank 86. Memory bank 86 uses Oci(t) and Oci(t-1) pixel field data which was created in the system's previous iteration, to generate the appropriate blocks for block coupling means 85. As previously mentioned, Eci(t) and hence Eci(t-1) are available also from storage in memory bank 86. Combiner unit 90 drops half the lines out of both the even and odd enhanced fields of data it receives, Eci(t) and Oci(t) and sequentially combines them to provide reconstruction of the interlaced sequence of data that was originally inputed into terminal 20 of the encoder. As shown in Fig. 13, the interlaced video data is supplied to delay unit 72 to permit viewing of the video sequence. The term "best mode" as used herein is used to identify a selected mode. Normally the mode selection is made to minimize pixel error signals to be transmitted to a decoder, however, the term is used to include reference to any available mode selected for use in a particular application. Combinations of modes, other than those described above are also available. Fig. 15(a) shows an arrangement of a best mode generator which uses a different set of modes. The Fig. 15(a) best mode generator compares the appropriate block in Ei(t) to the best matched future odd block, the best matched past odd block, the best matched past even block and to a block which is the average of the best matched future odd block and the best matched past even block. Error generator units 110-113 carry out the appropriate comparisons. The other operations of the Fig. 15(a) best mode generator block are similar to that of the Fig. 8 best mode generator block. Fig. 15(b) shows a suitable embodiment of a prediction block generator corresponding to the Fig. 15(a) best mode generator. Unit 125 generates the average of the future odd and past even best matched blocks while units 121-123 couple as appropriate the best matched past odd, future odd and past even blocks to unit 127. Unit 127 outputs the appropriate block responsive to the best mode signal. Other arrangements are also possible. Original odd field data can be used for block matching purposes even if the odd field is being coded. In another arrangement, the best mode generator could make comparisons based on only the past even field and the future odd field. Thus the best mode generator would require only 3 inputs. In another alternative arrangement, the data received at terminal 20 can be interlaced data which has been compressed into full frames of data. In arrangements of this type, field delay unit 19 is not necessary. In summary, methods and systems according to the invention contain various modes of operation. The following four modes were found to be most useful, but it is possible to have more, at the expense of increased complexity, including intrafield, backward, or even three-way averaging. 1. A "recursive", predictive, mode in which the past cosited even field is used for prediction. A motion vector must be sent, which often has zero values for stationary objects. 2. A "forward" mode, in which the future odd field is used for prediction. A motion vector must be sent. 3. An "averaged" mode, in which both past and future odd fields are used, by averaging the pixel values of the two optimum blocks. In that case, two motion vectors must be sent. 4. A "recursive averaged" mode, in which the previous even cosited field is combined as above, with the future odd field. Methods and systems according to the invention, when combined with appropriate coding of the progressive sequence resulting from dropping the even fields of interlaced video, yields high quality compression with reasonable encoder complexity. This technique can be used for about 5 Mbits/s coding of standard-quality video coding, or for high-compression distribution-quality digital HDTV coding. Coding the quantized DCT coefficients must be optimized depending on their statistical nature, which, in turn, depends on the desired quality of the final reconstructed signal. If horizontal downsampling is avoided, then the resulting asymmetry between the horizontal and vertical frequencies must be considered when coding the DCT blocks, for optimum results. We have used 16x16 blocks for motion estimation and 8x8 blocks for DCT coding, but other configurations may be optimum, depending on the application, including, e.g., a quadtree-based segmented block matching approach using both 16x16 and 8x8 blocks. In our simulations, we have found that the even fields are coded with about 60% of the bit rate of the odd fields, with the same quality. The same concept can be used for HDTV coding at low bit rates (e.g. below 20 Mbits/s). There are various proposals for HDTV coding, using at least 70 Mbits/s. We also found that nonlinear edge preserving noise smoothing preprocessing greatly enhances coding performance, particularly in the case of coding noisy HDTV video signals.

Claims: A system for encoding video data representing successive frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, the system comprising a field separator (20) for receiving a sequence of frames of video data and separating each frame into its first and second fields, characterized in that the system further comprises: (a) a first motion vector generator (40) receiving the first field of a current frame (E1(t)) and the second field of a current frame (Oc1(t)), and deriving one or more first motion vectors (FMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of the current frame and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the second field of the current frame; (b) a second motion vector generator (44) receiving the first field of the current frame (E1(t)) and the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)), and deriving one or more second motion vectors (CMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame and with a corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the immediately preceding frame; (c) a memory (50) coupled to the field separator, the first motion vector generator and the second motion vector generator for storing the second field of the current frame (Oc1(t)), the first field of the current frame (E1(t)), the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)), one or more first motion vectors derived by the first motion vector generator, and one or more second motion vectors derived by the second motion vector generator; (d) a motion vector processor (54, 60, 62) coupled to the memory for retrieving therefrom (i) the one or more first motion vectors, (ii) the one or more second motion vectors, (iii) a block of pixel data of the second field of the current frame associated with each first motion vector retrieved from the memory, (iv) a block of pixel data of the first field of the immediately preceding frame associated with each second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and (v) the block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame associated with each first motion vector or second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and determining best mode information for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective first or second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, and further determining pixel error data representative of any pixel error between each of the one or more predicted blocks of the pixel data and the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; and (e) an output data generator (21, 41, 64, 68), coupled to the motion vector processor and the field separator for providing the second field of the current frame, the best mode information, and the pixel error data. The system of Claim 1, further characterized in that the motion vector processor includes a motion vector selector (62) and derives best motion vector selection data specifying one or more selected first motion vectors, and/or one or more selected second motion vectors for predicting a block or blocks of the first field of the current frame, each associated with a respective first or second motion vector retrieved from memory, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of the first field of the current frame, the motion vector selector receiving the best mode motion vector selection data and retrieving from the memory the one or more selected first motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors specified thereby, wherein the best mode information includes the one ore more selected first motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors. The system of Claim 1, further characterized in that the best mode information comprises all of the first motion vectors and second motion vectors retrieved from the memory, and the best mode motion vector processor provides best mode motion vector selection data specifying one or more selected first motion vectors and/or one or more selected second motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of the first field of the current frame, each associated with a respective first or second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of the first field of the current frame. The system of Claim 1, further characterized in that the system further comprises a third motion vector generator (42) receiving the first field of the current frame (E1(t)) and the second field of an immediately preceding frame (Oc1(t-1)), and deriving one or more third motion vectors (BMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of the current frame and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the second field of the immediately preceding frame; wherein the memory is coupled to the third motion vector generator and further stores one or more third motion vectors derived by the third motion vector generator and the second field of the immediately preceding frame; and wherein the motion vector processor retrieves from the memory the one or more third motion vectors and the block of pixel data of the second field of the immediately preceding frame associated with each third motion vector retrieved from the memory. The system of Claim 4, further characterized in that the motion vector processor includes a motion vector selector (62) and derives best mode motion vector selection data specifying one or more selected first motion vectors and/or one or more selected second motion vectors and/or one or more selected third motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of the first field of the current frame, each associated with a respective first, second or third motion vector retrieved from the memory, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of the first field of the current frame, the motion vector selector receiving the best mode motion vector selection data and retrieving from the memory the one or more selected first motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors and/or the one or more selected third motion vectors specified thereby, wherein the best mode information includes the one or more selected first motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors and/or the one or more selected third motion vectors. The system of Claim 4, further characterized in that the best mode information comprises all of the first motion vectors, second motion vectors, and third motion vectors retrieved from the memory, and best mode motion vector selection data indicating one or more selected first motion vectors and/or one or more selected second motion vectors and/or one or more selected third motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of the first field of the current frame, each associated with a respective first, second or third motion vector retrieved from the memory, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of the first field of the current frame. The system of any preceding claim, further characterized in that the system includes an interpolation circuit (34, 36) coupled to the field separator, the first motion vector generator, the second motion vector generator and the memory, for deriving enhancements to the pixel data of the first field and the second field of a frame and for providing the enhancements to the first motion vector generator, the second motion vector generator and the memory. The system of any preceding claim, further characterized in that the motion vector processor includes a best mode generator (60) comprising: (a) a first error generator (92) coupled to the memory and receiving the block of pixel data of the second field of the current frame associated with each first motion vector retrieved from the memory, and the block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame associated with each first motion vector retrieved from the memory, and generating from a comparison of the one or more associated blocks of pixel data a first error signal (F) indicative of the absolute error between compared blocks of pixel data; (b) a second error generator (113) coupled to the memory receiving the block of pixel data of the first field of the immediately preceding frame associated with each second motion vector retrieved from the memory and the block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame associated with each second motion vector retrieved from the memory, and generating from a comparison of the associated block or blocks of pixel data a second error signal (C) indicative of the absolute error between compared blocks of pixel data; and (c) a comparator (115) coupled to the first error generator and the second error generator for receiving the first error signal and the second error signal, and deriving the best mode motion vector selection data by comparing the first error signal and the second error signal. The system of any preceding claim, further characterized in that the output data generator includes a block data encoder (41) coupled to the motion vector processor for encoding the pixel error data, a motion vector encoder (64) coupled to the motion vector processor for encoding the best mode information, a second field encoder (21) coupled to the field separator for encoding the second field of the current frame, and a data combining circuit (68) coupled to the block data encoder, the motion vector encoder, and the second field encoder for receiving and combining the encoded pixel error data, the encoded best mode motion vector data, and the encoded second field data. The system of Claim 9, further characterized in that the block data encoder includes: (a) a discrete cosine transform circuit (43) coupled to the motion vector processor for receiving the pixel error data and performing a discrete cosine transform on the received pixel error data; (b) a quantization circuit (45) coupled to the discrete transform circuit for receiving discrete cosine transformed data therefrom and quantizing the received transformed data; (c) a zig-zag scanning circuit (46) coupled to the quantization circuit for receiving quantized data therefrom and mapping the quantized data to predetermined constants; and (d) a huffman coding circuit (47) coupled to the zig-zag circuit for receiving mapped data and converting the mapped data into binary codes and for providing the binary codes to the data combining circuit. A method for encoding video data representative of successive frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, the method comprising the steps of (a) receiving a sequence of frames of video data and (b) separating the data for each frame into its first and second fields, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: (c) deriving one or more first motion vectors (FMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of a current frame (Ei(t)) and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the second field of the current frame (Oc1(t)); (d) deriving one or more second motion vectors (CMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of the current frame (Ei(t)) and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)); (e) storing the second field of the current frame (Oc1(t)), the first field of the current frame (E1(t)), the first field of the immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)), one or more first motion vectors derived in step (c), and one or more second motion vectors derived in step (d); (f) determining from the one or more stored first motion vectors and/or the one or more stored second motion vectors, best mode information for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first or second motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; (g) determining pixel error data representative of any pixel error between the one or more predicted blocks of pixel data and the one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; and (h) providing signals representing the second field of the current frame, the best mode motion vector data, and the pixel error data. The method of Claim 11, further characterized in that step (f) further comprises providing best mode motion vector selection data specifying one or more selected first motion vectors, and/or one or more selected second motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first or second motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of the first field of the current frame, and retrieving the one or more selected first motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors specified by the best mode motion vector selection data, wherein the best mode information includes the one or more selected first motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors. The method of Claim 11, further characterized in that the best mode information comprises all of the first motion vectors and all of the second motion vectors determined in step (f), and best mode motion vector selection data specifying one or more first motion vectors and/or one or more second motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first or second motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame. The method of Claim 11, further characterized in that the method includes the step of deriving one or more third motion vectors (BMV) each associated with a respective block of pixel data from the first field of a current frame (Ei(t)), and with a corresponding block of pixel data from the second field of an immediately preceding frame (Oc1(t-1), wherein step (e) includes storing the one or more derived third motion vectors and the second field of the immediately preceding frame, and wherein step (f) includes determining from the one or more stored first motion vectors and/or the one or more stored second motion vectors and/or the one or more stored third motion vectors, best mode information for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first, second or third motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame. The method of Claim 14, further characterized in that the method further comprises providing best mode motion vector selection data specifying one or more selected first motion vectors and/or one or more selected second motion vectors and/or one or more selected third motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first, second or third motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with one or more corresponding blocks of the first field of the current frame, and retrieving the one or more selected third motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors and/or the one or more selected first motion vectors specified by the best mode information, wherein the best mode motion vector data includes the one or more selected third motion vectors and/or the one or more selected second motion vectors and/or the one or more selected first motion vectors. The method of Claim 14, further characterized in that the best mode information comprises all of the first motion vectors, all of the second motion vectors and all of the third motion vectors retrieved from the memory, and best mode motion vector data specifying one or more first motion vectors and/or one or more second motion vectors and/or one or more third motion vectors for predicting one or more blocks of pixel data, each associated with a respective stored first, second or third motion vector, and each having the least pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame. The method of any of Claims 11 to 16, further characterized in that the method includes the step of deriving enhancements to the pixel data of the first and second fields of a frame prior to steps (c) and (d). The method of any of Claims 11 to 17, further characterized in that step (f) further comprises: (i) comparing the block of pixel data of the second field of the current frame associated with each stored first motion vector with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, and generating a first error signal (F) indicative of the absolute error between compared blocks of pixel data; (ii) comparing the block of pixel data of the first field of the immediately preceding frame associated with each stored second motion vector with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, and generating a second error signal (C) indicative of the absolute error between compared blocks of pixel data; and (iii) deriving a best mode signal indicative of the best mode motion vector data by comparing the first error signal and the second error signal. The method of any of Claims 11 to 18, further characterized in that step (h) further comprises: (i) encoding the pixel error data; (ii) encoding the best mode motion vector data; (iii) encoding the second field of the current frame; and (iv) combining the encoded pixel error data, the encoded best mode motion vector data and the encoded second field data. The method of Claim 19, further characterized in that step (i) comprises: (a) performing a discrete cosine transform on the pixel error data; (b) quantizing the discrete cosine transformed data; (c) mapping the quantized data to predetermined constants; and (d) converting the mapped data into a binary bit stream. A decoding system for encoded video data representing a sequence of frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, characterized in that the system comprises: (a) an input circuit (82, 84, 89, 91, 107) receiving encoded video data and separating the encoded data for each frame into (i) first motion vector data associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of a current frame (Oc(t)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of a first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), (ii) second motion vector data, if any, associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of an first field of the current frame, (iii) pixel error data representative of any pixel error in each block of pixel data associated with the first and/or second motion vector data when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), and (iv) the second field of the current frame; (b) a block selector (88) receiving the first and second motion vector data from the input circuit and selecting one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of the current frame and/or one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame respectively associated with the received first and second vector data; (c) a block processor (85) receiving the one or more selected blocks of pixel data selected by the block selector, and determining one or more of the received blocks of pixel data each having lowest pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; (d) a block adder (87) receiving the one or more blocks of pixel data determined by the block processor and the pixel error data for the same one or more blocks of pixel data and generating a predicted first field of the current frame (Ec1(t)); and (e) a frame generator (90) receiving the predicted first field of the current frame and the second field of the current frame, and generating the current frame of video image data. The system of Claim 21, further characterized in that the system further includes a memory (86) coupled to the input circuit, the block selector, the block processor and the block adder, for storing the second field of a current frame and the first field of the immediately preceding frame, wherein the block selector provides address signals to the memory for retrieving therefrom the one or more blocks of pixel data selected by the block selector. The system of Claim 21, further characterized in that the input circuit additionally receives best mode signals indicative of the one or more blocks of pixel data each having lowest pixel error when compared with the corresponding blocks of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, and provides the best mode signals to the block processor, wherein the one or more blocks provided by the block processor are selected by the best mode signal. The system of Claim 21, further characterized in that the input circuit further receives third motion vector data associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of an immediately preceding frame (Oc1(t-1)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of an first field of the current frame, wherein the pixel error data is representative of any pixel error in each block of pixel data associated with the first and/or second and/or third motion vector data, when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, the block selector receives the third motion vector data from the input circuit and selects one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of an immediately preceding frame associated with the motion vector data; and the block processor receives the one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of an immediately preceding frame selected by the block selector. A decoding method for encoded video data representing a sequence of frames of video images, the video data for each frame having interlaced first and second fields, the method comprising the step of (a) receiving encoded video data for successive frames, characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of: (b) separating the encoded data for each frame into (i) first motion vector data, if any, associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of a current frame (Oc(t)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of a first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), (ii) second motion vector data, if any, associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame (Ec1(t-1)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, (iii) pixel error data representative of any pixel error in each block of pixel data associated with the first and/or second motion vector data when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame (Ec(t)), and (iv) the second field of the current frame; (c) selecting one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of the current frame associated with the first motion vector data and/or one or more blocks of pixel data of the first field of an immediately preceding frame associated with the motion vector data associated with the second motion vector data; (d) deriving from the block or blocks of pixel data selected in step (c), one or more blocks of pixel data each having the lowest pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame; (e) generating a predicted first field of the current frame (Ec1(t)) from the one or more blocks of pixel data derived in step (d) and the pixel error data for the same one or more blocks of pixel data; and (f) generating the current frame of video image data from the predicted first field of the current frame and the second field of the current frame separated from the received encoded video data. The method of Claim 25, further characterized in that the method further comprises the step of storing the second field of a current frame and the first field of the immediately preceding frame prior to step (c), wherein the one or more blocks of pixel data selected in step (c) are selected from the stored second field of a current frame and/or the stored first field of the immediately preceding frame, and wherein step (c) includes providing address signals for selecting the one or more selected blocks of pixel data from a memory. The method of Claim 25, further characterized in that the video data separated in step (b) includes best mode signals indicative of the one or more blocks of pixel data each having the lowest pixel error when compared with the corresponding block of pixel data of the first field of the current frame, wherein the one or more blocks derived in step (d) are derived by using the best mode signal. The method of Claim 25, further characterized in that the video data separated in step (b) includes third motion vector data associated with one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of an immediately preceding frame (Oct(t-1)) and with one or more corresponding blocks of pixel data of an first field of the current frame, and the one or more blocks of pixel data selected in step (c) include one or more blocks of pixel data of the second field of an immediately preceding frame associated with the third motion vector data.

Inventors: ANASTASSIOU DIMITRIS, WANG FENG-MING, ANASTASSIOU, DIMITRIS, WANG, FENG-MING
Applicants: UNIV COLUMBIA, THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Application year: 1991
Main classification: H04N7
IPC codes: H04N7, G06T9