Correlation degree operation apparatus, parallel correlation degree

Abstract

There is provided a correlation degree operation apparatus in which the search area is readily extensible, in which a high-speed process can be assured even though the search area is extended, and which can be formed in a simple arrangement. The search area memory stores the picture element data of a search area including ((m.times.M).times.L) candidate blocks. The correlation degree operation unit executes an operation of a degree of correlation between a reference picture block and each of the candidate blocks, with the use of picture element data supplied from the search area memory, this operation being executed by a pipeline process for each candidate block group composed of (M.times.L) candidate blocks. The search area memory has the function of supplying four picture element data at the same clock cycle. This enables the correlation degree operation unit to continuously execute the pipeline processes for the candidate block groups. It is therefore possible to continuously execute the operations of correlation degree between the reference picture block having (M.times.N) picture elements and ((m.times.M).times.L) candidate blocks.