Clock Frequency Adjustment Circuit for Monochrome Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Format mismatches between camera module imagers and microprocessors often require costly converter chips, leading to inefficient power consumption and memory usage, especially when processing monochrome images with color imaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A clock frequency adjustment circuit is used to synchronize the image data stream from a solid-state imager with the microprocessor, allowing for the generation of monochrome images without the need for special converter chips, by adjusting the clock frequency to match the sampling frequency and processing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a converter chip is used to convert between monochrome and color image formats, then format compatibility between imager and microprocessor is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary image data components (either intensity components for monochrome or intensity plus color components for color) from the full image data stream. By selectively processing and transmitting only the required data elements, the system achieves format compatibility without requiring external converter chips, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a color microprocessor is used to process monochrome images, then versatility is maintained, but power consumption and memory usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the color microprocessor process only the necessary portion of the image data (intensity components for monochrome images) rather than the full color data stream. This selective processing approach maintains the versatility of using a color microprocessor while significantly reducing power consumption and memory usage by avoiding unnecessary processing of color information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a color imager is used to capture monochrome images, then device versatility is maintained, but data processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the intensity components from the color image data stream generated by the color imager when monochrome output is required. This extraction process maintains the versatility of using a color imager while improving processing efficiency by reducing the volume of data that needs to be processed and transmitted, thereby achieving both versatility and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for, and a method of, acquiring a monochrome image of a target, employ a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the target over a field of view, and for generating an output image data stream having image components arranged in a serial format at a clock frequency, a preprogrammed microprocessor operatively connected to the imager for serially receiving, sampling and processing the image components at a sampling frequency to generate the monochrome image of the target, and a clock frequency adjustment circuit operatively connected to the imager and the microprocessor for adjusting the clock frequency to enable the microprocessor to receive, sample and process the image components and generate the monochrome image.