Cooperative Access Architecture for Image Data Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance systems, particularly those with image processing requirements, face bottlenecks in external storage capacity and bandwidth, limiting system performance due to the large data throughput demands of image processing.

Innovation Solution

A cooperative access method and architecture that compresses image data before storage and decompresses it upon retrieval, utilizing a configuration register, image compression and decompression modules, and address converters to manage access addresses and optimize storage usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If image data is stored directly in external storage without compression, then the external storage capacity and bandwidth requirements are high, but this increases system cost and limits system performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal storage capacityVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies compression algorithms to change the data representation parameters, reducing the volume of image data stored in external storage. By transforming the data from uncompressed to compressed format, the storage capacity requirement is reduced while maintaining the ability to retrieve and process image data at required performance levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between the image processing device and external storage. This intermediary performs compression before writing to storage and decompression when reading, allowing the system to use smaller external storage capacity while maintaining high-performance image processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If external storage capacity is increased to meet high data throughput demands, then system performance can be maintained, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidexternal storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the data compression parameters and using efficient compression algorithms, the patent reduces the actual amount of data that needs to be stored externally, thereby reducing the required external storage capacity while maintaining the same data throughput performance for image processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If compression and decompression operations are added, then external storage capacity requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal storage capacityVSAvoidaccess architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compression and decompression functions into the existing access architecture, integrating these operations into the data flow path between the image processing device and external storage. This integration approach reduces the need for separate, standalone compression/decompression units, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The access architecture is designed to perform multiple functions: it can directly access uncompressed data when needed, perform compression before storage, and perform decompression during retrieval. This multi-functionality allows the system to reduce external storage capacity requirements while keeping the added complexity manageable through a unified, versatile access mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3816925B1Cooperative access method, system, and architecture of external storage
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 VERISILICON MICROELECTRONICS (CHENGDU) CO LTD
  • EP3816925B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816925B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention provides a coordinated access method and system for an external memory, and coordinated access architecture. Said method comprises: pre-storing image compression configuration information and image decompression configuration information corresponding to an access address of a read/write operation of an image processing device; according to the access address of a write operation of the image processing device and the image compression configuration information, compressing image data and storing the resulting compressed data in an external memory; and according to the access address of a read operation of the image processing device and the image decompressing configuration information, decompressing the compressed data and sending the resulting decompressed data to the image processing device. The coordinated access method and system for an external memory and the coordinated access architecture of the present invention compress image data on the basis of the coordinated access architecture and then store same in an external memory, and decompress the compressed data and then return same to an image processing device, thereby decreasing the space requirements for the external memory, and improving overall system performance.