Method for interpolating missing pixels and an apparatus employing the method

Claim 1

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 2

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 11

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 12

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 17

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 18

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 22

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained by the averaging means as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 23

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained by the averaging means as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 28

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function, and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 29

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function, and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 38

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 39

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 46

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 47

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 52

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 53

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 58

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 59

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 60

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 61

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 62

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 63

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 64

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained by the averaging means as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 65

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained by the averaging means as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 66

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 67

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 68

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 69

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 70

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 71

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; means for computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; means for computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and means for storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 72

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 73

An apparatus for interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the apparatus comprising: means for storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; means for activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; means for activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and means for forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the means for computing a first pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; means for computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; means for computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and means for storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the means for computing a second pseudo-pixel value comprises: means for computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and means for storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 74

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 75

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 83

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 84

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 89

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 90

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 94

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 95

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 100

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the tour pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function, and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 101

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the tour pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function, and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 110

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 111

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of the four pixels, (2) a maximum value pixel of the four pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining: (1) an average of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the two pixels and the first pseudo pixel, (2) a maximum value pixel of the plurality of pixels, and (3) a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image.

Claim 118

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 119

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 124

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 125

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 131

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 132

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 133

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 134

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 135

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 136

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 137

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 138

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; generating a first function table with a first computer unit, the first function table representing a first monotonous increasing non-linear function; generating a second function table with a second computer unit, the second function table representing a second monotonous increasing non-linear function; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the first function table and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing the second function table and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image, the first image being enlarged by a factor of two both lengthwise and breadthwise, the first pseudo-pixels being interpolated diagonally and the second pseudo-pixels being interpolated vertically and horizontally in a resulting enlarged first image to form the second image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 139

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 140

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 141

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 142

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out the four pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 143

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 144

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of two of the pixels and two of the first pseudo-pixels neighboring to the second pseudo-pixel, each being referred to as max2 and min2, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the two pixels and the two first pseudo-pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max2 and the min2 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave2; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave2 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min2 to the max2, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max2 and the min2, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D2; and a fourth step of storing the D2 into an image memory as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 145

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.

Claim 146

A method of interpolating image data, wherein a first image of four pixels is expanded into a second image and pseudo-pixels are computed to fill in pixel positions between the expanded four pixels, the method comprising the following steps: storing into an image memory a first image in the form of a plurality of pixels, the plurality including the four pixels; computing a first pseudo-pixel value, the first pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between the four pixels, which are diagonally adjacent to the first pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a first computer unit to generate a first monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average, maximum, and minimum value of a plurality of the four pixels; activating the first computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; computing a second pseudo-pixel value, the second pseudo-pixel value being interpolated between two of the four pixels, which are not diagonally adjacent to the second pseudo-pixel, the computation utilizing a second computer unit to generate a second monotonous increasing non-linear function and determining an average of a plurality of pixels including the two pixels and the first pseudo-pixel, and a maximum and a minimum value pixel of the plurality of pixels; activating the second computing unit to write the first pseudo-pixel value into the image memory; and forming a second image by adding the first and second pseudo-pixels to the first image; wherein the step of computing a first pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixels neighboring to the first pseudo-pixel diagonally, each being referred to as max1 and min1, respectively; a second step of computing the average value of the four pixels by averaging out two of the four pixels excluding the max1 and the min1 pixels, the average value being referred to as ave1; a third step of computing a mapping value for ave1 using a monotonous increasing non-linear function ranging from the min1 to the max1, of which the maximum mapping value and the minimum mapping value are consistent with the max1 and the min1, respectively, the mapping value being referred to as D1; and a fourth step of storing the D1 into an image memory as the value of the first pseudo-pixel, and wherein the step of computing a second pseudo-pixel value includes: a first step of computing by averaging one of the values of two neighboring pixels, the two neighboring pixels, and two of the first pseudo-pixels; and a second step of storing the average of values obtained in the first step as the value of the second pseudo-pixel.