Image Processing Device Reducing Toggle Rate via Pixel Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing devices face challenges in reducing power consumption without degrading image data, as methods that modify pixel data, such as inverting lower bits, can lead to image degradation.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that sorts pixel data based on similarity using a similarity calculation unit and sorting unit, reducing the toggle rate while preserving the original pixel data, thereby avoiding image degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pixel data is modified to reduce toggle rate (e.g., inverting lower bits), then power consumption is reduced, but image data is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel data processing is segmented into two independent paths: one path sorts pixel data based on similarity to reduce toggle rate, while another path preserves the original pixel data for image output. This segmentation allows the system to reduce power consumption through sorting without degrading image quality, as the original data remains intact for display purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
A sorting buffer acts as an intermediary component between the input pixel data and the image processing pipeline. This buffer temporarily stores and reorders pixel data based on similarity metrics, enabling toggle rate reduction without permanently modifying the original image data. The intermediary buffer ensures that image quality is preserved while still achieving power consumption benefits from reduced toggling.
2Temperature
If heat dissipation fins are added to increase heat dissipation, then temperature rise is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sorting of pixel data based on similarity before the data enters the main processing pipeline. By pre-organizing the data to minimize subsequent toggling operations, the system reduces overall power consumption and heat generation from the outset, eliminating the need for additional passive cooling structures like heat dissipation fins.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system provides its own cooling through intelligent data ordering that minimizes power consumption. By self-regulating the toggle rate through similarity-based sorting, the system reduces its own heat generation internally, making external passive cooling mechanisms unnecessary and thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If toggle rate is reduced through data modification, then power consumption is reduced, but image processing quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is segmented into a sorting function that reduces toggle rate and an original data preservation function that maintains image quality. This segmentation allows the system to achieve power consumption benefits from reduced toggling while preserving image processing quality through parallel data path management.
Solution Approach 2:
A sorting buffer serves as an intermediary that temporarily reorders pixel data to reduce toggling, while the original pixel data flows through unchanged for image processing. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to reduce power consumption without compromising image processing quality, as the actual image processing operates on the original, unmodified data.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device, an image processing method, and a computer program that can reduce the toggle rate without degrading image data. The present invention provides an image processing device that processes image data comprising: a first processing unit, wherein the first processing unit is configured to receive input pixel data and output output pixel data, the input pixel data includes sequential pixel data which is pixel data having N sequential pixel data (N≥3), and the output pixel data includes data in which the pixel data included in the sequential pixel data is sorted based on a similarity of the pixel data included in the sequential pixel data.