Image Signal Processor Keypoint Detection for Lower Compute Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face inefficiencies in computationally intensive tasks such as detecting keypoints in image data, particularly in machine vision applications, due to the high resource consumption and complexity of current implementations.
Innovation Solution
An image signal processor system is designed with a front-end and back-end pixel data processing circuit to convert and filter image data, followed by a keypoint detection circuit that efficiently identifies keypoints, with optional multiplexer and pre-processing modules to manage data flow and sensitivity thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional machine vision algorithms are used for keypoint detection, then keypoint detection accuracy is maintained, but computational resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task by separating keypoint detection from full image processing. Only regions containing keypoints are processed in detail, while other regions are processed coarsely or skipped entirely. This segmentation allows accurate keypoint detection while reducing overall computational resource consumption by avoiding unnecessary processing of entire images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by processing different regions of the image with different levels of detail. Regions containing keypoints receive high-quality processing for accurate detection, while other regions receive lower-quality or no processing. This approach maintains keypoint detection accuracy where needed while reducing computational load in other areas.
2Measurement precision
If traditional machine vision algorithms are used for keypoint detection, then detection accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple processing stages: a first processing stage that performs coarse processing on entire images to identify potential keypoint regions, and a second processing stage that performs detailed keypoint detection only on identified regions. This segmentation reduces device complexity by avoiding the need for a single complex algorithm to process entire images at high detail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that identifies keypoint regions and directs subsequent processing. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by separating the task of region identification from detailed keypoint analysis, allowing each component to be simpler and more specialized.
3Measurement precision
If traditional machine vision algorithms are used for keypoint detection, then detection capability is maintained, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between coarse processing of entire images and detailed processing of specific regions. The system periodically identifies keypoint regions and then focuses detailed processing only on those regions, creating a rhythmic processing pattern that improves overall speed while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coarse processing of entire images to identify potential keypoint regions before performing detailed keypoint detection. This preliminary action filters out regions that do not contain keypoints, allowing subsequent detailed processing to focus only on relevant areas and thereby increasing processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting keypoints in image data may include an image sensor interface receiving pixel data from an image sensor. A front-end pixel data processing circuit may receive pixel data and convert the pixel data to a different color space format. A back-end pixel data processing circuit may perform one or more operations on the pixel data. An output circuit may receive pixel data and output the pixel data to a system memory. A keypoint detection circuit may receive pixel data from the image sensor interface in the image sensor pixel data format or receive pixel data after processing by the front-end or the back-end pixel data processing circuits. The keypoint detection circuit may perform a keypoint detection operation on the pixel data to detect one or more keypoints in the image frame and output to the system memory a description of the one or more keypoints.