Image Processing Device Parallel Drawing Units Memory Bottleneck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face challenges in meeting high resolution and processing speed requirements due to CPU limitations, particularly in image processing bottlenecks during memory access and inefficient image processing operations.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with a storage unit, a first drawing unit for processing and writing source images, a second drawing unit for generating and writing images, and an analyzing unit that controls both units based on drawing commands, optimizing memory access by parallel processing and non-overlapping drawing areas within the storage unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a CPU performs software-based image processing on picture image data, then the image processing can be flexibly controlled, but the processing time increases and cannot meet high-speed printing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing system into two separate hardware drawing units: a first drawing unit for picture images and a second drawing unit for graphic images. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific task and operate in parallel, eliminating the CPU bottleneck while maintaining processing flexibility through the analyzing unit that routes commands appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the software-based CPU processing system with hardware-based drawing units. The first drawing unit performs hardware-accelerated picture image processing (scaling, rotation, color conversion) and the second drawing unit handles graphic image rendering, substituting the slow software execution with fast hardware circuitry while the analyzing unit provides intelligent command routing.
2Productivity
If image processing is performed by hardware drawing units, then processing speed increases, but memory access bottlenecks occur when multiple drawing operations need to write to the same memory area
Solution Approach 1:
The analyzing unit performs preliminary analysis of drawing commands before execution, determining in advance which drawing unit should handle each command and whether their drawing areas overlap. This preliminary coordination prevents memory conflicts before they occur, allowing the hardware drawing units to operate at full speed without waiting for memory arbitration.
Solution Approach 2:
The analyzing unit acts as an intermediary between the CPU and the two hardware drawing units. It receives drawing commands from the CPU, analyzes them to determine the appropriate drawing unit, and coordinates their operation to prevent memory conflicts. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity of coordinating multiple high-speed drawing units by centralizing the decision-making logic.
3Productivity
If multiple drawing units operate in parallel, then processing efficiency improves, but it becomes difficult to manage command routing and coordinate drawing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The analyzing unit serves multiple functions: it analyzes drawing commands, determines which drawing unit should execute each command, coordinates between the two drawing units to prevent conflicts, and manages the overall parallel processing operation. This multi-functional approach simplifies the system by having a single intelligent coordinator rather than requiring complex inter-communication protocols between the drawing units.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a storage unit capable of storing various kinds of images, a first drawing unit to write a source image after subjected to an image processing in the storage unit, a second drawing unit to generate an image and write the generated image in the storage unit, and an analyzing unit to analyze a page drawing command, so that the analyzing unit controls the first drawing unit in accordance with a first drawing command, if the analyzed command is the first drawing command to instruct the first drawing unit to write the image, and the analyzing unit controls the second drawing unit in accordance with a second drawing command, if the analyzed command is the second drawing command to instruct the second drawing unit to write the image.