Method and apparatus for determining motion vectors for image sequences

摘要

In an image coding system, block based motion estimation is used to determine motion vectors for blocks of pixels in a current frame or field. Only a portion of blocks from a predetermined pattern of blocks in a current frame or field are searched for a match with a block of pixels in a previous frame or field over a designated search area. Motion vectors for the blocks of the current frame or field not selected for searching are obtained by interpolation from motion vectors obtained for associated searched neighboring blocks, respectively, or by using the zero motion vector, or by performing a search over a limited range around the position defined by each of the motion vectors from neighboring blocks.