METHOD FOR VISUAL SIGNAL EXTRAPOLATION OR INTERPOLATION

The present invention relates to computer-based systems and methods for visual signal extrapolation or interpolation based on statistic similarity estimation. Specifically, a first and a second reference pictures are provided, and motion estimation is conducted on the first and second reference pictures to generate motion vectors indicative of movement of at least one of the first and second reference pictures in relation to the other. Subsequently, an estimate picture is generated by extrapolation or interpolation from the first and/or the second reference picture using the motion vectors, followed by optional refinement of the estimate picture. Statistic similarity estimation is used either in motion estimation or in refining the estimate picture, or a combination of both, so as to provide improved visual signals.