Patent ID: 7627036

Claim:
A motion vector detection device that detects a motion vector of an object block included in an object frame with reference to a reference frame, comprising: a reference frame storing unit operable to store a reference frame consisting of a predetermined number of reference blocks; an object block storing unit operable to store an object block included in an object frame; a reference block storing unit including a single reference area for storing a plurality of reference blocks, the reference area being dynamically dividable into a detection frame and a transfer frame without overlapping, the detection frame being provided for storing a plurality of reference blocks to be used in detection of a motion vector of the object block, and the transfer frame being provided for storing a reference block to be written next; a writing unit operable to read, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a succeeding object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the detection frame, and write the read reference blocks into the transfer frame, the succeeding object block adjoining the object block; and a detection unit operable to detect a motion vector of the object block with reference to the reference blocks stored in the detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the transfer frame performed by the writing unit, wherein: after detecting the motion vector, the detection unit shifts the detection frame by a single block within the reference area, and determines the shifted detection frame as a new detection frame, after the detection unit determines the detection frame, the writing unit reads, among a plurality of reference blocks including a reference block corresponding to a third object block, one or more reference blocks that are not stored in the new detection frame, and writes the read reference blocks into a new transfer frame, the third object block adjoining the succeeding object block, and the new transfer frame being consisted of an area within the reference area excluding the new detection frame, and the detection unit detects a motion vector of the succeeding object block with reference to the reference blocks stored in the new detection frame, in parallel with the writing of the reference blocks into the new transfer frame performed by the writing unit.