Classifying Image Areas of a Video Signal

Abstract

A method of enhancing picture quality of a video signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving base layer images of standard definition pictures from a base layer decoder; defining image areas of the standard definition pictures; classifying image areas into image types by assigning a class number; and generating enhanced pictures based upon the standard definition pictures and the classification of the image areas. A circuit for enhancing picture quality of a video signal is also disclosed. The circuit comprising a base layer decoder; a classifier coupled to the base layer decoder, the classifier generating a class number for image areas of a standard definition picture; a summing circuit coupled to the classifier; an exchange stream decoder coupled to the summing circuit, the exchange stream decoder generating an index; and a codebook table coupled to the summing circuit. The codebook table preferably stores a plurality of codevectors based upon the class number and the index.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method for enhancing an image, comprising:
 obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard;   generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard in accordance with the base image;   classifying the base image according to a set of predefined image types;   identifying a plurality of image enhancements from a storage in response to the classification; and   enhancing image quality of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard includes receiving base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein receiving base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder further includes receiving the base layer of video signal is coded with Standard Definition Television. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard includes composing an interpolated image via an interpolator with a format of High Definition Television. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein classifying image quality of the base image according to a set of predefined image types includes:
 dividing the base image into a plurality of base blocks; and   assigning a class number to each base block in accordance with the image type associated with each base block.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein classifying image quality of the base image according to a set of predefined image types includes predicting enhancement layer and prioritizing base blocks to be enhanced. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein identifying a plurality of image enhancements from a storage in response to the classification includes obtaining a plurality of code vectors capable of enhancing quality of image. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein obtaining a plurality of code vectors capable of enhancing quality of image further includes fetching the plurality of code vectors from a codebook table. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein enhancing the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements includes generating a difference block in response to the plurality of code vectors. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein enhancing image quality of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements includes correcting at least a portion of the predicting image in accordance with the difference block to produce an enhanced high definition image. 
     
     
         43 . An apparatus for enhancing an image comprising:
 a receiver capable of obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard;   a predictor coupled with the receiver and configured to generate a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard in accordance with the base image;   a classifier coupled with the predictor and configured to classify the base image according to a set of predefined image types;   a codebook logically coupled with the classifier and capable of providing a plurality of image enhancements in response to the classification; and   an enhancer coupled with the predictor and able to enhance image resolution of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein a receiver obtains a base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the receiver is capable of processing the base layer coded with Standard Definition Television. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein a predictor is an interpolator capable of generating an interpolated image based on the base image. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the classifier divides the base image into a plurality of base blocks and assigns a class number to each of base blocks in accordance with the image type associated with the base block. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the classifier predicts enhancement layer and prioritizes base blocks to be enhanced 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein a codebook is organized in a lookup table indexed by a plurality of class numbers. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the enhancer is a summing circuit configured to generate an enhanced block in response to an interpolated block generated by the predictor and a difference block generated by the classifier. 
     
     
         51 . An apparatus for enhancing an image comprising:
 means for obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard;   means for generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard in accordance with the base image;   means for classifying the base image according to a set of predefined image types;   means for identifying a plurality of image enhancements from a storage in response to the classification; and   means for enhancing image quality of the predicting image in accordance with the plurality of image enhancements.   
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 ,
 wherein means for obtaining a base image coded with a first image resolution standard includes means for receiving base layer of video signal from a base layer decoder coded with Standard Definition Television; and   wherein means for generating a predicting image formatted with a second image resolution standard includes means for composing an interpolated image via an interpolator with a format of High Definition Television.