Image Processing Apparatus with Dual-Mode Subunits for JPEG 2000 Workload Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

JPEG 2000 image compression standard has high processing workloads, especially when processing video data in real time, and existing solutions like nullifying subband coefficients and skipping low-order bit-planes are insufficient to control processing speed and workload effectively.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with multiple processing units, each having both regular and simplified processing subunits, and a control unit to select between them based on user instructions, image characteristics, or processing status, allowing flexible control of compression and decompression speed and workload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If JPEG 2000 advanced functions are used, then image compression quality is improved, but processing workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage compression qualityVSAvoidprocessing workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing units are divided into multiple independent segments, each capable of performing both regular and simplified processing. This segmentation allows the system to distribute processing tasks across multiple units, reducing the workload on each individual unit while maintaining overall processing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between regular and simplified processing modes based on real-time conditions such as processing backlog, frame timing, and complexity metrics. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between compression quality and processing workload according to current operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If conventional simplified processing is used (nullifying coefficients, skipping bit-planes), then processing speed is improved, but processing quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidprocessing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different processing units are assigned different processing modes (regular or simplified) based on local conditions such as their current workload, timing constraints, and the importance of the specific image region being processed. This allows high-quality processing for critical regions while using faster simplified processing for less critical regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes processing parameters dynamically by switching between regular and simplified processing modes. The control unit adjusts processing parameters such as transformation type, coefficient handling, and bit-plane processing depth based on real-time system state, allowing flexible optimization of both speed and quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time video processing is performed with high compression quality, then image quality is maintained, but frame dropping occurs due to processing backlog

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidframe processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The video processing pipeline is segmented into multiple parallel processing units that can independently process different frames or frame portions. This parallel segmentation increases overall throughput and prevents frame dropping by distributing the processing load across multiple units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the processing mode of individual units based on real-time system state, switching between regular and simplified processing to maintain quality while meeting frame timing requirements. This dynamic control prevents processing backlog from causing frame drops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Speed

If processing speed is increased through simplified methods, then frame timing is maintained, but processing flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe processing speedVSAvoidprocessing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Each processing unit is designed to be universal, capable of performing both regular and simplified processing modes. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different requirements (quality-critical vs. speed-critical scenarios) while maintaining a consistent hardware/software architecture, preserving processing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7778473B2Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Publication Date: 2010.08.17 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A disclosed image processing apparatus for compressing image data through multiple operations includes multiple processing units corresponding to the operations. Each of two or more of the processing units includes a regular processing subunit perform regular processing and a simplified processing subunit to perform simplified version of the regular processing; and a control unit to select one of the regular processing subunit and the simplified processing subunit of each of two or more of the processing units to perform a corresponding one of the operations.