Hewlett-packard Company

David S Taubman

Andrew J Patti

A method and system for capturing analog video data and previewing still video images of the captured analog video data without converting the analog video data into digital image data. The system takes analog video data and converts the data into raw digitized video data. The raw digitized video data is stored in a memory until the data is selected for previewing. Once selected, the raw digitized video data is reconverted into analog video data that presents a still image of the desired data. The system is also able to discard unnecessary portions of the raw digitized video data and store only necessary portions of the raw digitized video data. Preferably, the video capture, preview, and storage technique is used in video printing. When used in video printing, the raw digitized video data is converted into digital image data using a software decoding process.

Analog video frame capture and preview

A method and system for combining the information from one video field, or multiple video fields in a single, high quality still image. A reference field and auxiliary fields are selected and an orientation map is constructed for the reference field. Motion maps are constructed to model displacement between the reference and auxiliary fields. The auxiliary fields are directionally interpolated using orientation maps. A merge mask is used to mask of certain pixels which should not be used in the final enhanced image. A weighted average is then formed from the reference field pixels which have not been masked off. A final still image is obtained after additional horizontal interpolation. Post-processing might be used to further sharpen the image. The method and system are applicable to both the luminance and chrominance components of the video image. The method and system serve to reduce the noise, as well as the luminance and color aliasing artifacts associated with the reference field, while enhancing its resolution, by utilizing information from the auxiliary fields.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

David S Taubman