JP5172769B2 - Video device, video processing method, and image quality mode setting method in this device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a video apparatus and a video processing method capable of handling video of various image quality, and a method of setting an image quality mode when an external video output device is connected to the apparatus.

  Standard definition video such as DVD video (Standard Definition: SD video: 480 x 480 to 720 x 480 dots) or quasi-high resolution video (1440 x 1080 dots) such as terrestrial digital broadcasts is displayed as high resolution video (Full HD: Full HD) A technique (super-resolution processing) for up-conversion to video (1920 × 1080 dots) has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-67110 A

  As video up-conversion has been put to practical use, HD video signals (high-definition signals) can contain SD video up-converted into HD signal format in addition to the original full HD video signal. I came. However, in a video display device that receives the HD video signal, even if adjustments of screen brightness elements (brightness, contrast, etc.) and visual sharpness elements (sharpness, etc.) are open to the user, It was up to the device to adjust the resolution elements according to the form.

  Even for video equipment with the same high-definition signal output, the output signal quality varies greatly. An owner of a high-end video player that outputs a high-quality full HD video signal (for example, a progressive video signal of 1080 horizontal resolution: abbreviated as 1080p) will want to see the raw high-quality video output from the player. However, the conventional video display device does not always fulfill its desire, and high-quality full HD video may be viewed with a relatively low quality image after undergoing some processing inside the video display device. was there.

  One of the problems of the present invention is that, when a video output device capable of high-quality HD video output is connected to a video display device, an image quality mode of the video display device is arbitrarily selected according to the video output from the video output device. It is to be able to choose.

  In the image quality mode setting method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a pure direct mode in which an input video (1080p) is output as it is, and an input video (480i / 480p) is up-converted to a video signal having a higher scan rate and output. A video fine mode is used, and an automatic mode is used in which correction is automatically added to the video component depending on the type of input video. In the video display device using this method, a selection menu (M3) of the pure direct mode, the automatic mode and the video fine mode is displayed, and any one of the pure direct mode, the automatic mode and the video fine mode is displayed. A viewer (user) of the input video can select.

  According to the present invention, when a video output device capable of high-quality HD video output is connected to the video display device, the image quality of the video display device can be arbitrarily selected according to the video (1080p or the like) output from the video output device. You can select a mode (pure direct mode, etc.).

The figure explaining the example of a menu display concerning one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining an example of the menu display selection process which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the other example of the menu display selection process which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining an example of a structure of the video display apparatus based on one embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the structural example of the video processing part using a super-resolution technique. The figure explaining the structural example of the video processing part using the sharpening processing technique. The figure explaining the structure of a histogram acquisition / frequency state determination part. The figure explaining the specific example of the sharpening process of an image | video. The figure explaining the specific example of the sharpening band filter and the sharpening addition process part.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a menu display example according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the user presses a setting menu key on a remote controller (not shown), a menu M1 including video setting items is displayed on the display screen of a video device such as a high-definition TV set (left side in FIG. 1). When the “video setting” item in the menu M1 is selected by the cursor key operation of the remote controller (not shown) and the enter key of the remote controller is pressed, the menu M2 includes an item for setting the 1080p processing mode which is the highest image quality mode in the device. Is displayed (center of FIG. 1). Next, select the “1080p processing mode setting” item in the menu M2 by operating the cursor keys on the remote control, and press the enter key on the remote control to include the “Random” item, the “DVD Fine” item, and the “Pure Direct” item. Menu M3 is displayed (right side of FIG. 1).

  Here, the “Random” item is a selection item for a mode in which correction is automatically performed depending on the type of video. The “DVD fine” item is a selection item of a mode in which an image obtained by up-converting a DVD video SD video by super-resolution processing or the like is appropriately corrected and displayed. The “pure direct” item is a selection item for a mode in which a high-quality HD video (1080p) corresponding to the highest image quality mode that can be handled by the video apparatus is displayed as it is without performing special processing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of menu display selection processing according to one embodiment of the present invention. This processing includes a function for generating image information (on-screen information) used for the menu display of FIG. 1, a function for performing video processing corresponding to an item selected by this menu, and displaying the menu image information and input video. It can be executed in a video apparatus having a function to do this. As a specific product form of this video apparatus, a digital high-definition TV receiver having a video input terminal (HDMI terminal, D1-D5 terminal, DVI terminal, IEEE1394 terminal, etc.), a personal computer with a monitor having a video input terminal, an external There are digital recorders connected to a monitor and having a video input terminal, and set-top boxes connected to an external monitor and having a video input terminal. External devices that supply video signals to this video device include DVD players, BD players, DVD recorders, BD recorders, HDD recorders, set-top boxes (STBs) having video output terminals (HDMI terminals, D terminals, etc.). is there.

  When an external device is connected to the video device via a digital interface such as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) or when there is video input from the connected external device to the video device (ST100), the menu M3 in FIG. 1 is displayed. (ST102). This menu can be generated by on-screen (OSD) processing. Here, the menu generation processing can be configured to provide image information of the menu when an input of a plurality of resolutions (for example, 480i / p to 1080i / p) is obtained at a signal terminal such as HDMI.

  When the external device is, for example, a high-definition high-definition player that transmits high-definition HD video (for example, 1080p), the user selects the item “Pure Direct” from the menu M3 and uses the remote controller (17 in the apparatus of FIG. 4 described later). Press the enter key ("Pure Direct" branch of ST104). Then, the process proceeds to a process of displaying the input high-quality HD video (1080p) as it is without processing. If the external device is a device that sends out SD video (for example, 480i or 480p) with a DVD player, for example, the user selects the item “DVD Fine” from the menu M3 and presses the enter key on the remote control (“DVD Fine” in ST104). "Branch). Then, after the input SD video (480i or 480p) is up-converted (1080i or 1080p) by super-resolution processing or the like and the image quality is improved, the process proceeds to display processing (ST106). For the super-resolution processing of ST106, the super-resolution processing disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-67110 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 of this publication, paragraph 0020, paragraph 0051, etc.) can be used.

  Here, the super-resolution processing includes processing for restoring the high-resolution image signal by estimating the original pixel value from the low-resolution image signal and increasing the number of pixels. The “original pixel value” is, for example, each of the image signals obtained when the same subject as that obtained when the low resolution (first resolution) image signal is captured by the high resolution (second resolution) camera. The value indicated by the pixel. In addition, “estimate and increase the number of pixels” refers to capturing the characteristics of the target image, estimating the original pixel value from an image highly correlated within the same frame or between frames, and creating a new pixel. This means that the corresponding pixel value is used. That is, the correlation between images is used.

  More specifically, first, a temporary full HD high-resolution video is created from the original input video by up-conversion processing. That is, the interpolated pixels are interpolated based on the information of adjacent pixels to create a provisional full HD high-resolution video. The interpolated pixels are not necessarily in the original video. That is, noise or edge disturbance due to calculation errors may occur.

  Next, based on the imaging model function, a video that is down-converted to the same resolution as the original video is created from the provisional full HD high-resolution video. The imaging model function is a function that reproduces the same processing that a general camera converts information of an imaging element into a video signal by calculation.

  The down-converted video should be the same as the original input video, but a difference occurs between the down-converted video and the original input video due to a calculation error in the up-conversion process. This difference is detected, and correction is made so that a calculation error does not occur with reference to information on peripheral pixels and the like, and an output video subjected to super-resolution processing close to the original input video is generated.

  Thus, the super-resolution processing is a technique for comparing a down-converted video with an original input video and restoring a signal that the original input video should originally have. Note that the super-resolution processing described above is an example, and other methods can be applied.

  Note that the signal quality of the video signal obtained by up-converting the DVD video SD signal (relatively low-quality video signal) (such as a signal obtained by up-converting the DVD video signal to 1080p on the external device side) is further improved and displayed. When the image quality mode to be performed (third image quality mode) is selected in the “DVD fine” menu, the signal quality improvement processing (super-resolution processing, etc.) of the up-converted video signal may be performed. it can. That is, even when the scan rate remains unchanged at 1080p, the quality can be further improved by super-resolution processing or the like, which is included in the up-conversion in “DVD Fine”.

  When there are multiple external devices to be connected, or there are multiple signal qualities of the video signal input from the external device and it is difficult to specify the input signal quality, the user selects the “Random” item from the menu M3. And press the Enter key on the remote control ("Omakase" branch in ST104). Then, the resolution and frame rate (scan rate) are decoded from the video attributes of the input video, and the spatial frequency distribution of the input video is analyzed from the histogram in units of frames to perform video analysis (ST108). From this analysis result, sharpening processing is performed according to the spatial frequency distribution of the input video (indicating whether there are many or few fine video components), and the process proceeds to processing for displaying the processed video (ST110). Details of the sharpening process in ST110 will be described later.

  Note that the super-resolution processing of ST106 may be performed in the “automatic” mode, and the video analysis to sharpening processing of ST108 to ST110 may be performed in the “DVD fine” mode.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of the menu display selection process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The processing of ST100 to ST110 of FIG. 3 may be the same as the processing of ST100 to ST110 of FIG. 2, but ST109 is inserted between ST108 and ST110 in the processing of FIG. In ST109, it is determined from the video attribute of the input video signal whether it is a 1080p signal and whether the high frequency component included in the histogram of the analysis video is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In other words, when a video with the highest image quality (1080p with many fine patterns) is detected in the “automatic” mode (YES in ST109), the same processing as the “pure direct” mode branch in ST104 is performed. On the other hand, when “high-definition” mode does not detect the highest quality image (not 1080p, or even if it is 1080p, it is an SD video up-conversion image with few fine patterns, etc.) (NO in ST109). Processing is performed.

  If the “automatic” mode in FIG. 3 is set, the image quality improvement (appropriately according to the quality of the input video signal (480i / p to 1080i / p) without the user having to think about the type of the input video) In addition to being able to display an image that has been subjected to ST109 NO to ST110), it is also possible to display the input image signal as it is with the highest image quality (1080p) without impairing the highest quality (1080p) of the input video signal. (ST109 YES).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the video apparatus (digital TV receiver 11) according to the embodiment of the present invention. The digital TV receiver 11 includes a signal terminal 21 connected to the communication interface 73 compliant with IEEE 802.3, a signal terminal 22 connected to the first HDMI interface 74, a signal terminal 23 connected to the second HDMI interface 75, and a first D The signal terminal 22a connected to the terminal interface 74a, the signal terminal 23a connected to the second D terminal interface 75a, the signal terminal 24 connected to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 76, the signal terminal 25 connected to the communication interface 77 compliant with IEEE1394, DVI ( Digital Visual Interface) The signal terminal 26 connected to the interface 78 is equipped. As another video source, an HDD recorder 84 capable of recording high-definition digital broadcasting is also provided.

  In the example of FIG. 4, a high-definition DVD recorder (satellite digital / terrestrial digital tuner built-in) 79 is connected to the IEEE 802.3 signal terminal 21, the first HDMI signal terminal 22, and the first D terminal 22 a, and the second HDMI A high-grade DVD player (or BD player) 80 is connected to the signal terminal 23, the second D terminal 23a, and the IEEE 1394 signal terminal 25, and high-definition video playback is possible with the built-in DVD / BD drive on the USB signal terminal 24 and the DVI signal terminal 26. A PC (Personal Computer) 81 is connected.

  The external video signal input to the terminals 21 to 26 and 22a to 23a or the reproduction signal of the HDD recorder 84 is appropriately selected by the control unit 65, and the selected video signal S65 is sent to the video processing unit 62. On the other hand, the OSD signal S 61 such as a menu image generated by the OSD signal generation unit 61 is sent to the graphic processing unit 58. The processing of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 including the display processing of the menu image (see FIG. 1) is performed by the menu display control unit 66a that is firmware in the control unit 65.

  A video signal S 51 such as a TV broadcast program is input to the graphic processing unit 58 via the signal processing unit 51. The video signal S58 corresponding to the video signal S51 and / or the OSD signal S61 including the menu image is sent to the video processing unit 62. The video processing unit 62 performs super-resolution processing and / or sharpening processing on the input signal (S58 or S65), and sends it to the video display unit (flat panel display or the like) 14 as a high-quality video signal S62. The video signal S62 processed by the video processing unit 62 can be sent to an external monitor 82 via a video terminal (HDMI terminal, D5 terminal, etc.) 63.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video processing unit that performs up-conversion using super-resolution technology. The video signal S58 from the graphic processing unit 58 in FIG. 1 or the video signal S65 selected by the control unit 65 is input to the IP conversion / NR processing / scaling processing unit 621. In this processing unit 621, if the input signal is an interlaced signal, it is converted to a progressive signal (IP conversion), and if the input signal is a noisy signal, noise reduction processing is appropriately performed (NR processing), and the image of the input signal If the size does not fit in the display area of the video display unit 14, scaling processing is performed so that it fits in the display area with an appropriate size. The signal S621 subjected to such processing is input to the super-resolution conversion processing unit 622.

  The super-resolution conversion processing unit 622 performs super-resolution processing on the input signal S621 and outputs a signal S622 upconverted to 1080p. The upconverted signal S622 is input to the moving image improvement processing unit 623. In this processing unit 623, for example, motion between adjacent frames of an image of 60 frames per second is interpolated at a break of 120 frames per second. By this interpolation processing (motion clear processing), the appearance of the moving image of the signal S622 is cleared. The video signal S62 up-converted to 1080p by the super-resolution conversion processing unit 622 and improved in the appearance of the moving image by the moving image improvement processing unit 623 is displayed on the display unit 14 or displayed on the external monitor 82. It will be.

  The above super-resolution processing (ST106 in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) can operate on 1080i / p video as well as 480i / p to 720i / p. For this reason, for example, even for an external input signal obtained by up-converting a DVD or terrestrial digital broadcast to 1080i / p, the fineness can be further improved by super-resolution processing. Furthermore, in ST106 to ST110 in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the super-resolution reconstruction processing gain and filter are automatically controlled by frequency histogram detection, the high frequency component is corrected for the input signal, and the optimum according to the video scene. Can also be processed. Such processing can be performed by the video processing unit 62 (the super-resolution conversion processing unit 622 and / or the sharpening processing device 62a therein).

  The super-resolution processing is effective not only in the “automatic” mode but also in the image quality mode “DVD fine” that is optimal for DVD playback. Further, in the “pure direct” mode, a signal subjected to chroma upsampling processing at 4: 4: 4 by a BD player or the like can be displayed as it is. Normally, when a 4: 4: 4 signal is input, it is converted to 4: 2: 2 in some processes and returned to 4: 4: 4 at the time of display. Can be processed consistently from input to output with 4: 4: 4.

  For HDMI input, “RGB input dynamic range switching” is also possible, in which the dynamic range at the time of RGB input can be arbitrarily selected from the full range (8-bit gradation level 0-255) and limited (gradation level 16-235). It is also possible to check the resolution, scanning method, aspect, color depth, color space, chroma format, etc. of the HDMI input video on the screen (displayed by the OSD signal generation unit 61). It is also possible to switch the color band for performing optimum processing for each chroma format. As a result, two modes of “standard” and “wide” that can express a wider color gamut can be selected.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a video processing unit using the sharpening processing technique. As an original signal of the video signal input to the sharpening processing device 62a, for example, a video signal of 480i to 1080i input from the recorder 79 to the D terminal 22a, and a high definition video of 1080p input from the player 80 to the HDMI terminal 23 are used. Signals, 480i to 720p video signals input from the PC 81 to the DVI terminal 26, 480i / p to 1080i / p video signals transmitted from the HDD recorder 84 to the control unit 65, and the like can be assumed.

  This video signal (S58, S65, or S621) includes a luminance signal (Y) 101, a color difference blue signal (Cb / Pb) 102, and a color difference red signal (Cr / Pr) 103 (in some cases, red, green, and blue RGB) It can be a signal). The video signals 101 to 103 are temporarily stored in the frame memory 124. In addition, a histogram indicating a frequency band distribution is acquired for each frame with respect to at least the luminance signal (Y) 101 among the video signals 101 to 103. This histogram acquisition is performed in the histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104.

  The histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104 determines the frequency state of the input luminance signal (Y) from the acquired histogram (how the signal is distributed from low frequency components to high frequency components) in units of frames. Checked. From this check result, the histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104 determines in real time whether the high frequency component is relatively small or high relative to the low frequency component. When the determination result by the histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104 is output, the video signals 101 to 103 stored in the frame memory 124 are read as corresponding signals 101 * to 103 * (the frame memory 124 is a kind of delay). Functions as a device). The read signals 101 * to 103 * are input to the sharpening band filter 108 and the sharpening addition processing unit 110 in the sharpening processing block 107.

  The histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104 determines whether the high frequency component is relatively small or large with respect to the low frequency component, and the state determination data (control parameter) 105 is sharpened as a result of the determination. To supply. The state determination data (control parameter) 105 is a control signal (a minute signal coring control signal) for the sharpening band filter 108 that extracts a video signal component for sharpening.

  Further, the histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104 supplies state determination data (control parameter) 106 to the adder 111 as the determination result as to whether the high frequency component is relatively small or large with respect to the low frequency component. . The state determination data (control parameter) 106 is a control signal (effect gain control signal) for determining the sharpening effect. The adder 111 is given an initial parameter (standard setting value by the apparatus manufacturer or user setting value determined by the user according to preference) that determines the degree of sharpening. The adder 111 supplies the sharpening effect gain control signal 112 obtained by adding the initial parameter to the state determination data (control parameter) 106 to the sharpening addition processing unit 110.

  A sharpening processing block 107 composed of the sharpening band filter 108 and the sharpening addition processing unit 110 performs a sharpening process on the signals 101 * to 103 * read from the frame memory 124 in units of frames (this The content of the sharpening process changes as the picture in the frame changes.) The signal S62 corresponding to the luminance signal (Y *) 121, the color difference blue signal (Cb * / Pb *) 122, and the color difference red signal (Cr * / Pr *) 123 appropriately sharpened by the sharpening processing block 107 is an image. It is supplied to the display unit 14. The signal S62 can also be output to the outside via the HDMI terminals 22, 23 or D terminals (D5 terminal, etc.) 22a, 23a that can handle full HD signals.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104. Of the video signal (S58, S65, or S621) input to the sharpening processing block 107, the luminance signal (Y) 101 is supplied to n band pass filters BPF1 to BPFn and one high pass filter HPF in units of frames. Entered. Here, the HPF passes a fine video signal component (a component having a particularly high spatial frequency) that does not appear frequently unless it is a full HD signal. The BPF 1 selectively passes a video signal component (a component having a low spatial frequency) with little change among SD video and HD video. The BPFn selectively allows a video signal component (a component having a high spatial frequency) having a large change among SD video and HD video to pass therethrough. BPF2 to BPF (n-1) selectively pass video signal components between a case where the change is small and a case where the change is large, divided into a plurality of frequency sections. By using these BPF1 to BPFn and HPF, an intra-frame information distribution (histogram) of the input video can be acquired.

  That is, in one digital video frame (for example, a frame corresponding to 1920 × 1080 pixels), the frequency of occurrence of pixels corresponding to signal components passing through the BPF 1 (the cumulative number of pixels used for displaying a large area image) To the occurrence frequency of pixels corresponding to signal components passing through BPFn (the cumulative number of pixels used for displaying an image of a small area) and the occurrence frequency of pixels corresponding to signal components passing through HPF (very small). A histogram of the cumulative number of pixels used to display the area image is obtained by accumulating and storing the outputs of BPF1 to BPFn and HPF. This cumulative storage is performed in the registers 1041 to 104n and 104h.

  The register 1041 stores a value obtained by multiplying the cumulative number of pixels corresponding to the pass band of the BPF 1 by a predetermined weighting coefficient. The register 1042 stores a value obtained by multiplying the cumulative number of pixels corresponding to the pass band of the BPF 2 by a predetermined weighting coefficient. Similarly, the register 104n stores a value obtained by multiplying the cumulative number of pixels corresponding to the pass band of BPFn by a predetermined weighting coefficient. The register 104h stores a value obtained by multiplying the cumulative number of pixels corresponding to the HPF pass band by a predetermined weighting coefficient. Note that how to select the weighting coefficient in each register is experimentally determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the video content to be sharpened (movie film video, studio video video, CG animation video, or the like).

  The accumulated number of pixels stored in the registers 1041 to 104n is added by the adder 104a, and the result of the addition is input as the reference data A to the comparator 104c. On the other hand, the cumulative number of pixels stored in the register 104h is input as comparison data B to the comparator 104c. The comparator 104c determines whether the comparison data B input from the register 104h is large or small based on the reference data A input from the adder 104a (this size determination is a weighting in the registers 1041 to 104n and 104h). Affected by the degree of).

  In the simplest case, the comparator 104c is a binary comparator, but in this embodiment, the comparator 104c is composed of a multi-level comparator that outputs a multi-value according to the degree of difference in the size of the data A and the data B. Is done. The multilevel output of the multilevel comparator is used as state determination data (sharpening coring adjustment parameter) 105 and state determination data (sharpening effect gain parameter) 106.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the image sharpening process. In the comparator 104c of FIG. 7, when the comparison data B (corresponding to the high-frequency component) is smaller than the reference data A (corresponding to the low-frequency component) (case 1), it is fine in the frame of the video currently being checked. There are few (or no) video components (FIG. 8A). In this case, it is determined that the currently checked video is a “pseudo HD video obtained by upconverting an SD video”, and state determination data (sharpening coring adjustment parameter) 105 and state determination data (sharpening effect gain parameter). ) 106 has a value indicating “pseudo HD video obtained by up-converting SD video” (see the left side of FIGS. 8C and 8D).

  On the other hand, when the comparison data B (corresponding to the high frequency component) is equal to or higher than the reference data A (corresponding to the low frequency component) (case 2), there are many fine video components in the frame of the currently checked image. (FIG. 8B). In this case, it is determined that the currently checked video is “original full HD video”, and the status determination data (sharpening coring adjustment parameter) 105 and the status determination data (sharpening effect gain parameter) 106 are “ A value indicating “original full HD video” is set (see the right side of FIGS. 8C and 8D).

  Further, when the comparison data B (corresponding to the high frequency component) is equal to or less than the reference data A (corresponding to the low frequency component) but the degree is between the case 1 and the case 2 (case 3), the state determination The data 105 and 106 have values indicating the case of “pseudo HD video obtained by up-converting SD video” and “original full HD video” (in FIGS. 8C and 8D). (See between threshold value TH1 and threshold value TH2).

  A sharpening band filter 108 in the sharpening processing block 107 extracts an AC signal component for performing sharpening processing from the input video signal. An example of the filter band design at that time will be described below. The sharpening band filter 108 in FIG. 6 has variable filter characteristics. The variable filter 108 has a plurality of filter characteristics (a plurality of low-pass filters having different cutoff frequencies). Which filter characteristic is selected is determined by the value of the state determination data (sharpening coring adjustment parameter) 105.

  That is, when there are few fine video components in the currently checked video frame (FIG. 8A), it is determined that there is little pixel information to be sharpened on the high frequency side and that it is almost noisy. In that case, the value of the state determination data (sharpening coring adjustment parameter) 105 is set so that the suppression level of high-frequency noise is increased, that is, the high-frequency response of the filter 108 is relatively lowered. . As described above, if the “high frequency component having almost no noise” is suppressed, even if the sharpening effect gain is increased by the state determination data (sharpening effect gain parameter) 106 to improve the sharpness of the low-resolution video, This can prevent a noisy video.

  On the other hand, when there are many fine video components in the currently checked video frame (FIG. 8B), the state determination data (sharpening) is performed so that the high-frequency response of the filter 108 is relatively increased. The value of the coring adjustment parameter) 105 is set. In this way, if “high-frequency components with a lot of fine video components” are passed through, even if the sharpening effect gain is lowered by the state determination data (sharpening effect gain parameter) 106, there are originally many fine video components. The fineness of the image is not impaired. In addition, since the sharpening effect gain is lowered, an increase in noise accompanying sharpening can be avoided.

  When the high frequency information (fine video component) in the frame of the currently checked video is between a small amount and a large amount, the frequency response of the filter 108 includes a cut-off of a plurality of response curves. A frequency between the upper limit and the lower limit is selected.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the sharpening band filter 108 and the sharpening addition processing unit 110. The luminance signal (Y) 101 * read from the frame memory 124 is input to an adder 1103y and a low-pass filter LPF (Y) 108y that can be cut off. The color difference signal (Cb / Pb) 102 * read out from the frame memory 124 is input to an adder 1103b and a variable low-pass filter LPF (Cb / Pb) 108b. The color difference signal (Cr / Pr) 103 * read out from the frame memory 124 is input to an adder 1103r and a variable low-pass filter LPF (Cr / Pr) 108r.

  LPF (Y) 108y, LPF (Cb / Pb) 108b, and LPF (Cb / Pb) 108b all have frequency responses according to the values of state determination data (sharpening coring adjustment parameters) 105y, 105b, and 105r. The characteristic changes and the cut-off frequency moves. Note that the filters 108y, 108b, and 108r may be bandpass filters whose passbands change according to the values of the state determination data 105y, 105b, and 105r.

  The output 109y of the LPF (Y) 108y, the output 109b of the LPF (Cb / Pb) 108b, and the output 109r of the LPF (Cb / Pb) 108b are variable via secondary differential circuits 1101y, 1101b, and 1101r, respectively. Input to the gain amplifiers 1102y, 1102b, and 1102r. Secondary differentiation circuits 1101y, 1101b, and 1101r cut unnecessary low-frequency components of the input video signal, extract high-frequency components of the input video signal, and sharpen image edges. The level of the sharpening signal whose edges are sharpened by these secondary differentiation circuits is appropriately adjusted by the variable gain amplifiers 1102y, 1102b, and 1102r. The gains of the variable gain amplifiers 1102y, 1102b, and 1102r are determined by the sharpening effect gain control signals 112y, 112b, and 112r, respectively. Here, the sharpening effect gain control signals 112y, 112b, and 112r are added to predetermined initial parameters in state determination data (sharpening effect gain parameters) 106y, 106b, and 106r in adders 111y, 111b, and 111r, respectively. Can be obtained by adding

  The sharpening signals level-adjusted by the sharpening effect gain control signals 112y, 112b, and 112r are added to the original signals 101 *, 102 *, and 103 * in the adders 1103y, 1103b, and 1103r, and sharpened. Signals 121, 122, and 123 with improved feeling are output.

<Summary of Embodiment>
1. When a video output device capable of high-definition output (DVD player / recorder, BD player / recorder, etc.) is connected to a television set or the like, the user (device operator) can arbitrarily select the image quality according to the video output to the video output device. A means for selecting a mode (ST104) is provided.

  2. The highest-definition high-definition video output (for example, 1080p signal) output from the video output device has the maximum resolution that can be input by the connected TV set.

  3. If the video signal output from the video output device is not the video signal with the highest image quality, the video signal is up-converted to the maximum resolution and displayed.

  The means (ST104) for selecting the image quality mode is provided by switching by the user menu (FIG. 1). In this user menu, three image quality modes ("automatic" mode, "DVD fine" mode, and "pure direct" mode) can be selected.

  The “Random” mode can be applied to viewing a digital broadcast program recorded on a high-definition DVD / BD recorder or the like. In this mode, an image is determined by detecting the frequency band of the input image and the like, and the optimum image correction is automatically performed by performing the sharpening process described with reference to FIGS. .

  The “DVD fine” mode can be a dedicated setting mode specialized for low-resolution video (SD video) such as DVD video. This mode corresponds to the case where a low-resolution video such as a DVD is input after being up-converted on the output device side, but also corresponds to the case where it is not up-converted on the output device side. When up-conversion is performed on the output device side, if the user (device operator) designates the input video (want to watch a DVD), the sharpening process described with reference to FIGS. It can be performed. When the output device is not up-converted, the super-resolution processing described with reference to FIG. 5 and the like can be performed.

  The “pure direct” mode can be a mode for a high-end high-definition player. There is a request from a user who has an expensive high-definition player to display a high-definition video sent from the player (video output device) as it is. In this “Pure Direct” mode, only minimal processing such as dispersion of the video display panel and color correction is performed, and no filtering or enhancement processing is performed on the video. Is displayed.

<Effect of Embodiment>
When a video output device (DVD player / recorder, BD player / recorder, etc.) capable of high-quality full HD video (high-definition) output is connected to a video display device (full HD compatible television set, etc.), the video output device The user (the operator of the device) can freely select the image quality mode (pure direct mode, etc.) of the video display device so that the highest quality video (1080p, etc.) output by can be displayed with the same quality.

<Correspondence Example between Embodiment and Invention>
A video apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first image quality mode (pure direct mode) for displaying a predetermined high quality video signal (1080p) as it is, and the predetermined high quality video signal ( A second image quality mode (automatic mode) for appropriately improving and displaying the signal quality of a video signal (480i, 480p, 1080i, 720p, etc.) having a lower quality than 1080p). The video apparatus includes a signal terminal (21 to 26) to which the predetermined high quality video signal (1080p) or the relatively low quality video signal (480i, 480p, 1080i, 720p, etc.) is input, and the signal When an external video device (79-81) is connected to a terminal, when an external video signal is input to the signal terminal, or when a user performs an operation to display a menu, the first image quality mode or the second image quality mode is selected. Menu means (58, 61, 66a) for providing image information of a menu (M3) for selecting the image quality mode of the image, and input to the signal terminal when the first image quality mode is selected by the menu (M3) The high-quality video signal (1080p) is output as it is, and when the second image quality mode is selected by the menu (M3), the video signal (480i, 480p) input to the signal terminal is output. 1080i, and a video processing means for performing processing to improve in response to the signal quality in the signal components of 720p, etc.) (such as histogram analysis sharpening processing and super-resolution processing using) (62, 62a).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, In the implementation stage, it can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the determination result may be extracted from the histogram acquisition / frequency state determination unit 104 every N frames (N is an integer), and the sharpening process in the sharpening processing block 107 may be performed every N frames of the input video. In this way, the processing for every N frames is also in the category of frame units. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Video display device 51 ... Signal processing part 65 ... Control part 58 ... Graphic processing part 61 ... OSD signal generation part 62 ... Video processing part 62a ... Image sharpening processing apparatus 104 ... Histogram acquisition / Frequency state determination unit, 107: sharpening processing block, 108: sharpening band filter, 110: sharpening addition processing unit (sharpening processing unit), 124: frame memory.

Claims (9)

An image quality mode in which a predetermined high quality video signal is displayed in its signal quality is defined as a first image quality mode, and the image quality of the video signal having a lower quality than the predetermined high quality video signal is improved and displayed. When the mode is the second image quality mode,
A signal terminal to which the predetermined high quality video signal or the relatively low quality video signal is input;
Menu means for providing image information of a menu for selecting the first image quality mode or the second image quality mode;
When the first image quality mode is selected by the menu, the high-quality video signal input to the signal terminal is output as it is, and when the second image quality mode is selected by the menu, the signal terminal In a video apparatus comprising video processing means for performing processing for improving the signal quality of the video signal input to the signal component according to the signal component,
The video processing means is
A frequency state determination unit that determines a frequency state of video content included in the video signal input to the signal terminal;
When a signal component used for image sharpening processing is extracted from the input video signal, and the frequency state determination unit determines that the high frequency component of the input video signal is relatively small Is adjusted so that the high frequency response is relatively lowered, and when the frequency state determination unit determines that the high frequency component of the input video signal is relatively large, the high frequency response is relatively A sharpened bandpass filter whose frequency response is adjusted to rise to
Using said pre Ki鮮 sharpening band signal components taken from continuously varying the sharpening band filter depending on the relative amount of high-frequency components included in the video signal input to the filter band of the filter A video apparatus including a sharpening processing unit that performs a sharpening process on an input video signal and provides a sharpened video output signal.   When the image quality mode for displaying a part of the relatively low-quality video signal by improving the signal quality separately from the second image quality mode is set to the third image quality mode, the menu is the first image quality mode. When the third image quality mode is selected by the menu, a specific signal corresponding to a part of the resolution of the relatively low-quality video signal is provided. The video apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video processing means is configured to perform quality improvement processing.   The video apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specific signal quality improvement process includes a process of up-converting a resolution of a part of the relatively low quality video signal to a resolution of the predetermined high quality video signal. The video processing means includes a frequency state determination unit that determines a frequency state of video content included in the video signal input to the signal terminal,
The video apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the input video signal is determined to be equivalent to the predetermined high quality video signal by the frequency state determination unit, the input video signal is output as it is.   The video apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a video display unit that displays the menu provided from the menu unit.   2. The video apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the menu means is configured to provide image information of the menu when a plurality of resolution inputs are obtained at the signal terminal.   When the image quality mode for improving and displaying the signal quality of the video signal obtained by up-converting the relatively low quality video signal separately from the second image quality mode is the third image quality mode, the menu is The video processing is configured to provide image information of a third image quality mode, and when the third image quality mode is selected by the menu, the video processing is performed so as to perform signal quality improvement processing of the up-converted video signal. The video device of claim 1, wherein the means is configured. An image quality mode in which a predetermined high quality video signal is displayed in its signal quality is defined as a first image quality mode, and the image quality of the video signal having a lower quality than the predetermined high quality video signal is improved and displayed. When the mode is the second image quality mode,
When an external video device is connected to a signal terminal signal terminal to which the predetermined high quality video signal or the relatively low quality video signal is input, or when an external video signal is input to the signal terminal, or When a user performs an operation for displaying a menu, an image of a menu for selecting the first image quality mode or the second image quality mode is displayed.
When the first image quality mode is selected by the menu, the high-quality video signal input to the signal terminal is output as it is, and when the second image quality mode is selected by the menu, the signal terminal In a video processing method for performing a process for improving the signal quality of the video signal input to the signal component according to the signal component,
Determining the frequency state of the video content included in the video signal input to the signal terminal;
When it is determined by the frequency state determination that the high frequency component of the input video signal is relatively small, the high frequency response is adjusted so as to decrease relatively, and the frequency signal is input by the frequency state determination. When it is determined that the high frequency component of the video signal is relatively large, a sharpening band filter whose frequency response characteristic is adjusted so that the high frequency response is relatively increased,
Using said pre Ki鮮 sharpening band signal components taken from continuously varying the sharpening band filter depending on the relative amount of high-frequency components included in the video signal input to the filter band of the filter An image processing method including a process for performing a sharpening process on an input video signal and providing a sharpened video output signal. When the input video is output as it is, the pure direct mode is set, and when the input video is up-converted to a higher quality video and output, the video fine mode is set. When setting the output mode to auto mode,
Display the selection menu for pure direct mode, automatic mode and video fine mode,
In an image quality mode setting method configured to be able to select any one of the pure direct mode, the automatic mode and the video fine mode,
Determining a frequency state of video content included in the input video;
When it is determined by the frequency state determination that the high frequency component of the input video is relatively small, the high frequency response is adjusted so as to decrease relatively, and the high frequency component of the input video is determined by the frequency state determination. When it is determined that the frequency response is relatively large, a sharpening band filter whose frequency response characteristic is adjusted so that the high frequency response is relatively increased is used.
Using said pre Ki鮮 sharpening band signal components taken from continuously varying the sharpening band filter depending on the relative amount of high-frequency components included in the video signal input to the filter band of the filter An image quality mode setting method including a process of performing a sharpening process on an input video and providing a video output signal subjected to the sharpening process.

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