Image Processing Command Generation for Single-Color Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing apparatuses do not effectively increase processing speed for single-color images when handling dot sequential format data, despite supporting color processing.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus extracts partial images from single-color data, generates image processing commands, and executes processing using pixel values, allowing for distributed parallelization of image processing tasks across multiple filter circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If distributed parallel processing is applied to single-color images using multiple image processors, then processing speed is improved, but the apparatus requires efficient utilization of multiple filter circuits which is not achieved in conventional dot sequential format processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidfilter circuit utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single-color image data is divided into multiple partial images corresponding to the number of filter circuits. Each partial image is processed independently by a separate filter circuit in parallel, enabling efficient utilization of multiple processors while maintaining high processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the single-color image data into a multi-dimensional structure by organizing pixel values into multiple partial images that correspond to different color component fields. This allows the data to be processed in parallel across multiple filter circuits, effectively adding a processing dimension without increasing hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filter circuits are equipped for color processing, then color image processing capability is improved, but single-color image processing speed does not increase compared to conventional approaches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor processing capabilityVSAvoidsingle-color processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter circuits designed for color processing are made universal by enabling them to process single-color images through a novel data organization method. The same multi-color filter circuits can handle both color and single-color images, with the single-color processing achieving high speed through parallel execution across multiple circuits using the partial image technique.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates multiple copies of single-color image data organized as partial images, where each copy corresponds to a different color component field. These copied data structures are then processed in parallel by multiple filter circuits, enabling single-color images to utilize the full capacity of color-optimized hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If single-color image data is processed in conventional dot sequential format, then data storage efficiency is maintained, but processing speed does not increase despite having multiple filter circuits available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic data organization for single-color images, transforming the static conventional format into a flexible structure where pixel values are dynamically arranged into multiple partial images. This dynamic reorganization enables the data to be processed in parallel by multiple filter circuits while maintaining storage efficiency, as the transformation occurs during processing rather than requiring permanent storage changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9786250B2Control apparatus, image processing apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2017.10.10 CANON KK
  • US9786250B2 patent drawing
  • US9786250B2 patent drawing
  • US9786250B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control apparatus causes, to execute image processing of single-color image data, a processing apparatus configured to accept an image processing command including a plurality of fields, each capable of storing a respective one of a plurality of color components in a dot sequential format, and execute image processing by using pixel values included in the command. The control apparatus extracts, from single-color image data, a plurality of partial images by a number corresponding to the number of color components. The control apparatus acquires single-color pixel values from the respective partial images, and stores the single-color pixel values in the respective fields of the image processing command. A generated image processing command is input to the processing apparatus, and the processing apparatus executes image processing using the pixel values included in the command.