Motion compensated de-interlacing for both real time video and still images

The interlaced video scan format suffers from major flaws such as visual artifacts and unsuitability for devices such as LCD displays, video printers, computers which require or prefer the progressive scan format. De-interlacing algorithms convert a video signal from the interlaced scan format to the progressive scan format. Next to simple spatial interpolation, two categories of de-interlacing techniques are available: motion adaptive and motion compensating methods. The latter have more potential to produce better results but are also more complex since they require accurate subpixel motion estimation. This paper presents a motion compensating de-interlacing technique based on the Irani and Peleg (1991) superresolution algorithm. Appropriate weighting terms are introduced to take into account the interlaced scanning format. Two operational modes are derived: a single iteration mode for real time video de-interlacing, and a multiple iteration mode for enhanced still image generation.