Image Capturing Apparatus Time Division Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional omnidirectional image capturing apparatuses face increased costs and complex data handling due to the need for multiple image processing circuits and separate handling of image data from multiple image capturing devices.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a single image processing unit that reads and processes image data line by line from page memories in a time division manner, using a write monitoring unit to synchronize data transfer and reduce hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple image processing circuits are used to process image data from multiple image capturing devices, then image processing capability is improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple image processing circuits into a single shared image processing circuit that processes image data from multiple image capturing devices. The page memories store image data from different devices, and the single image processing circuit sequentially reads and processes data from these memories, eliminating the need for separate processing circuits for each device while maintaining processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single image processing circuit is designed to handle image data from multiple image capturing devices universally. It can process different types of image data inputs and perform various image processing functions (black level correction, color interpolation, dropout pixel correction) on data from any of the multiple devices, making the processing circuit multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single device.
2Power
If multiple image processing circuits are used for each image capturing device, then processing capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dedicated image processing circuits into one shared processing circuit that serves all image capturing devices. This consolidation reduces the total number of processing circuits required, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while preserving the ability to process images from multiple devices through the page memory buffering system.
3Measurement precision
If image data from multiple devices is handled separately, then data processing accuracy is improved, but data handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data handling process into distinct phases: image data is first captured and stored in separate page memories associated with each image capturing device, maintaining data organization and processing accuracy. Then, a single image processing circuit sequentially reads and processes data from these segmented storage locations, reducing the complexity of simultaneous multi-device data handling while preserving processing accuracy through structured sequential processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes image capturing devices; page memories for the image capturing devices, respectively, each page memory storing a piece of image data output from the corresponding image capturing device; a page-memory read unit configured to read pieces of image data stored in the page memories line by line in a time division manner; an image processing unit configured to perform predetermined image processing on the pieces of image data read from the page memories for the image capturing devices line by line in the time division manner; and a write monitoring unit configured to monitor write states of the pieces of image data that are output from the image capturing devices and written into the page memories, and control the page-memory read unit to start reading the pieces of image data from the page memories.