Image predictor

[0002] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/931,827, filed Aug. 18, 1992, entitled Image Predictor, now abandoned.

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of digital image processing.

[0004] The sophistication and increased definition of displayed images, especially for high definition TV, has led to the development of various systems to, during transmission of moving images, transmit only a portion of these images, namely only the portion of the images which changes from one image to another.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows as exemplary general arrangement of a conventional TV image encoder. The encoder comprises a video signal input 1, an analog-digital converter (ADC) 2, a scanning system 3 for scanning images in blocks, a device for calculating the discrete cosine transform (DCT) 4, a quantification system (Q) 5, a varying length coding system (VLC) 6, and a buffer memory 7, the output of which is provided through a line 8 to the transmission channel or to an intermediate storing device (not shown). With the use of the cosine transform, the amount of information to be transmitted is reduced. In addition, a unit for comparing the current image with the previous image is provided. This system comprises devices for calculating reverse quantification (Q⁻¹) 9 and reverse cosine transform (DCT⁻¹) 10, the results of which are provided to a frame memory 11. Frame memory 11 contains, at a given time, the image preceding the current image. The content of this frame memory is compared by blocks to the content of the current image in a motion estimator 12. Motion estimator 12 seeks, for each current image block, the portion of the preceding image most resembling the current image block. This most resembling portion is called the target portion and the distance between the current image block of interest and this target portion is called motion vector D. This vector constitutes a first input of a predictor 14 which also receives the preceding frame from frame memory 11. The predictor output is sent back by an adder 15 into frame memory 11. A subtracter 16 subtracts, from current image information, the information of the preceding image output from the frame memory and shifted by the predictor, block after block. The output of subtracter 16 is provided to the DCT calculating device 4. Thus, at output 8 of the encoding system, one obtains a reduced amount of information, because the information has been subjected to two processings; the process for comparison with the preceding image and the cosine transform and quantification process. Hence, the bandwidth of the transmission channels is substantially decreased because less information needs to be transmitted.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a decoder associated with the encoder of FIG. 1. The decoder receives at its input 20 a signal corresponding to the transmitted signal 8. This signal is processed by a variable length decoder (VLD) 21, a system for calculating the reverse quantification 22, and a system for calculating the reverse cosine transform 23. The output of the system for calculating the reverse cosine transform is provided to a block to line scanning converter 25, then to a digital/analog converter (DAC) 26 to provide a video signal 27 suitable, for example, to control a TV display system (not shown). In addition, the VLD system provides the motion vector D to a predictor 30, which also receives the output of a frame memory 31. The predictor output signal is added to the output of the circuit calculating the reverse cosine transform by an adder 32. The output of adder 32 is provided, on the one hand, to the frame memory 31 and, on the other hand, to the scanning converter 25.

[0007] The above description is intended only to exemplify an environment in which the invention can be applied. The invention specifically relates to the predictor 14 or 30 of the encoder or decoder; these predictors are of course identical, but for the sake of simplicity, the invention will be disclosed only in connection with the decoding circuit.

[0008] Up to now, the known predictors have been complex systems occupying a whole printed circuit board on which are arranged numerous components and especially numerous memories between which numerous interconnections are provided.

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a predictor architecture which can be implemented in a single monolithic integrated circuit.

[0010] This object and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a predictor intended to supply, in the form of a pixel block, an assembly of p target pixels of the preceding image so that each target pixel corresponds in the image to the adjacent pixels of the current pixel shifted by a predetermined motion vector. This predictor comprises a search memory having the size of a current column increased by maximum motions liable to be provided by the motion vector, each cell of this memory being independently addressable in read/write modes; three write decoders for simultaneously addressing in write mode three cells of three portions of the memory; p read decoders for simultaneously addressing in read mode p cells of p distinct sub-portions from the memory; and means for controlling the write decoders so that p successive write steps of data of the same nature corresponding to p adjacent points in the image are achieved in each p sub-portion.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary prior art encoder that can incorporate a predictor according to the invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary prior art decoder that can incorporate a predictor according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the operation mode of a predictor according to the invention;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a predictor according to the invention;

[0016] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary elementary cell used in the memory of a predictor according to the invention;

[0017] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the memory of a predictor according to the invention in write mode;

[0018] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the memory of a predictor according to the invention in the read mode; and

[0019] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the memory of a predictor according to the invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 symbolically represents a search memory 40 of a predictor according to the invention. Actually, it is a single memory, but for purposes of simplifying the explanation only, it will be considered that this memory is divided into three blocks 41, 42, 43. It should be remembered that the whole architecture incorporating the predictor according to the invention is an architecture in which block scanning is already provided, that is, each block 41, 42 and 43 is filled by beginning with the upper left cell, then going down along a column and then each column is shifted to the right.

[0021] For purposes of explanation, the current image pixels are assumed to be found in the middle column of the middle block 42, represented by a vertical rectangle 44. These pixels are searched. Thus, it is necessary to determine the value that must be given to points 0 to m of this column for a given motion vector D.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, four motion vectors D1, D2, D3, D4 corresponding to the possible extreme values of the motion vector. Thus, if the motion vector is vector D1, the value of point 0 in the current column must correspond to the value stored in the upper left cell of block 41. For vector D2, this will be the value stored in the upper right cell of block 41; and for value D4, the value stored in the lower right cell of block 42. Similarly, vectors D1, D2, D3, D4 associated with the lower point m of column 44 are represented. It can be seen that, for point 0 of column 44, the value to be searched in the memory is a value appearing in one of blocks 41 or 42 and, for point m of column 44, the value to be searched appears in one of blocks 42 or 43. Thus, by transferring (by block scanning) the data from the frame memory into the search memory 40 of FIG. 3, the searched value corresponding to the motion vector will be in this memory at any time.

[0023] Various read and write coding systems can be devised, knowing the accurate value of the motion vector, to provide at the output, at any time, the point in memory 40 shifted by the motion vector with respect to the current point.

[0024] In practice, the problem is more complicated because, in order to improve the resolution of the system, it is noted that the motion vector has not necessarily an integer value exactly providing a pixel from one image to another. Thus, generally, the motion vector leads to a target point intermediate between adjacent pixels. It has then been proposed to provide at the output for each point, instead of the nearest pixel to the one provided by the motion vector, the sum of the four adjacent pixels of this target and then to achieve an interpolation, for example a linear interpolation.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary structure that provides this result. This figure shows again the search memory 40 of FIG. 3, the three blocks 41, 42, 43 of which receive information shifted by a few lines from the preceding frame memory (memory 11 of FIG. 1 or memory 31 of FIG. 2). For example, block 43 directly receives the pixels from the preceding frame memory, block 42 receives pixels shifted by m=8 lines through a delay device 45 and block 41 receives these pixels shifted by 8 additional lines from a delay device 46. The search memory is controlled by an addressing control circuit 50 controlled by coordinates X and Y of the integer portion of the motion vector. This memory provides, at the four outputs 51, 52, 53, 54, the four adjacent points of the point addressed by the integer portion of the motion vector and these four outputs are provided to an interpolator 55 controlled by signals fx and fy corresponding to the fractional part of the motion vector. This interpolation circuit, already known, will not be described later on.

[0026] The object of the invention more particularly relates to the read/write addressing mode of the search memory allowing the use of a single memory for providing the values of the current image as a function of the preceding image pixels and of the motion vector, at the scanning rate of the system.

[0027] To achieve this purpose, the invention uses a memory, each elementary cell of which is independently addressable in read/write mode. An exemplary elementary cell enabling the achievement of this result is shown in FIG. 5 where three MOS transistors 61, 62 and 63 are shown. Transistors 61 and 63 are connected in series between a read bit line RBL and ground. The gate of transistor 61 is connected to a read word line RWL. The gate of transistor 63 is connected to a write bit line WBL through transistor 62, the gate of which is connected to a write word line WWL.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows the mathematical arrangement of the single memory according to the invention in the write mode. This memory is divided into the three above-described blocks 41, 42, 43, these three blocks being similarly addressed according to line and column, that is, at a given time, a write mode address is provided at three corresponding points at the same line and column value in these three blocks, respectively.

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates the arrangement of the memory according to the invention in the read mode. Four values corresponding to four points adjacent to the target point are to be simultaneously provided during each clock pulse. Thus, in the read mode, the memory is divided into four blocks 71, 72, 73, 74 and the memory will have been filled so that each of the four adjacent points that it is desired to obtain at a predetermined time each is stored inside a different block (71-74). Examples of appropriate filling modes are indicated later on.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows in more detail a half-memory according to the invention. The left half portion is illustrated in detail, the circuit being symmetrically repeated on the right. The memory illustrated in FIG. 8 corresponds to the left half of the memories illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0031] In this figure, frames drawn in dotted lines represent regions containing memory cells of the type shown in FIG. 5. To each memory cell is associated (as above indicated) a read bit line RBL and a read word line RWL as well as a write bit line WBL and a write word line WWL. A read row decoder or read word decoder RWD1 is associated with the left half of the groups of the illustrated memory cells. It enables selecting a read word line RWL. Similarly, a second read word decoder RWD2 is associated with the right half of the illustrated memory cells and selects a read word line RWL. Two additional read word line decoders (not shown) are provided in the right half of the circuit. Similarly, four read column or bit decoders, two of which (RBD1 and RBD2) are shown, enable the selection of a read bit line RBL. Thus, by addressing the four read row decoders and the four read column decoders, it is possible to gain access simultaneously to four memory block cells. Data read at the outputs DOUT1 and DOUT2 of decoders RBD1 and RBD2 are obtained. The four decoders respectively receive row selection addresses RWAD1 and RWAD2 and column selection addresses RBAD1 and RBAD2. The row decoder is normally addressed by the high-weight bits of the read address and the column line decoder is addressed by the low-weight bits of the read column.

[0032] In write mode, as indicated above, three parts (represented in the horizontal direction in FIG. 5 of the memory blocks) are simultaneously accessed. This is achieved by means of the write word decoders WWD1, WWD2 and WWD3 providing signals to the corresponding WWL lines. In the preferred embodiment, sub-blocks are selected by a column decoder (not shown) associated with lines WBL′. The data to be introduced are provided on lines DIN0, DIN1, DIN2 connected to the lines WBL. It will be noticed that the three row decoders WWD1, WWD2 and WWD3 receive a same address WWAD.

[0033] This arrangement is particularly circuitry-saving as compared to the solution which would have consisted in using 12 independent memories, in which case it would have been necessary to triple the circuitry required for the read bit lines, precharging circuits, column decoders and read amplifiers. Similarly, the write bit decoders are distributed among the various planes of a same bit line. The use of 12 independent memories would involve the increase of these decoders by a factor 4.

[0034] More particularly, using 12 independent memories would have required a routing of data and address buses between the memories, which is avoided here since the address buses pass through decoders aligned side by side, and since there is only one read circuit, therefore a single unit of 4 output data buses instead of 12 can be provided. Such an interconnection between separated memories would have occupied a larger silicon surface than the arrangement according to the invention.

[0035] Exemplary Application

[0036] A writing mode in the memory, and more particularly in the four memory portions 71, 72, 73 and 74, hereafter referenced M0, M1, M2, M3 will be described so that reading can be accomplished as described above.

[0037] First, consider the specific case of an image where:

[0038] the block scanning is achieved according to 8-pixel columns,

[0039] with each pixel is associated a luminance byte (Y) and a chrominance byte (C), and

[0040] the luminance byte (Y) and chrominance byte (C) of each pixel are sequentially transmitted.

[0041] If the pixels are numbered in the order they arrive, the table representation of the column scanning is as follows:

[0042] These bytes must necessarily be stored so as to allow simultaneously accessing, in read mode, to four adjacent pixels. “Adjacent pixels” are the four pixels appearing at (x,y), (x+1, y), (x,y+1), (x+1, y+1) in the above table, on the one hand for luminance and, on the other, for chrominance.

[0043] To meet these requirements, the four adjacent bytes must be written in the four memory portions that are simultaneously accessible in read mode, that is, associated with the four read decoders 76-79.

[0044] For example, the luminance bytes 0, 16, 2, 18 are adjacent bytes and will be respectively written in memories M0, M1, M2, M3. Since the chrominance bytes are not associated with the luminance bytes, it will be possible to write bytes 1, 17, 3, 19 in the same way in the same memories M0, M1, M2, M3. Therefore, in each memory M0, M1, M2, M3, bytes without any adjacent relationship will be found. The destination of the incoming pixels can be described as shown by the following table:

[0045] The material representation of the resulting content of the memories is as follows:

[0046] Assume that the motion vector points to byte 28; the four adjacent pixels are 28(M1), 44(M0), 30(M3), 46(M2), and are accessible during the same clock cycle.

[0047] The above description applies for the multiplexing mode in which luminance and chrominance occur successively in the following way (considering that lines respectively comprising 64 bytes of blue chrominance (Cb) and 64 bytes of red chrominance (Cr) successively occur):

[0048] Other modes could be considered:

[0049] mode luminance only (mode 2), where there are: either Y with 8 bytes per column, or Y with 16 bytes per column.

[0050] mode 4:2:2 (mode 3), where there are:

[0051] Y,Cb,Y,Cr, . . . ,Y,Cb,Y,Cr,

[0052] the mode where luminance and chrominance are multiplexed per blocks (mode 4):

[0053] In order to convert these signals in these other modes into the same memory distribution as in the first mode, it is necessary to change the arrival rank (in rank) of the pixel into a value corresponding to its equivalent position in the first mode, with the resulting transformations:

[0054] mode 2: 8 bytes per column

[0055] mode 2: 16 bytes per column

[0056] mode 3:

[0057] mode 4:

[0058] The above tables are only preferred examples for the filling of the search memory. One skilled in the art can find other ways to store information relating to four adjacent pixels into four memory positions wherein the stored positions are simultaneously addressable in read mode.