Predictive video coding using a motion vector updating routine

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention discloses an improved method and apparatus for prediction coding with motion estimation, in which the frame-to-frame changes resulting from motion in an image depicted in a video frame are detected and coded for transmission to a video receiver.
The motion estimation technique of the present invention uses a hierarchical approach in which a motion vector updating routine is performed with respect to multiple levels of smaller and smaller regions of a frame.
The motion vector updating routine updates the motion vector of a smaller region by assigning to it a best motion vector selected from among an initial motion vector assigned to the smaller region, motion vectors of neighboring regions, and a matched motion vector obtained by performing a block matching technique for the smaller region.
The best motion vector for each region is selected according to a priority scheme and a predetermined threshold value.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.