Image Processing Apparatus Line Memory Parallel Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image capturing devices face challenges in capturing still images at high speeds when simultaneously recording motion pictures due to insufficient bus bandwidth, leading to limitations in processing frames and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes a main memory for storing motion picture data, a line memory for storing still image data, and a still image compressing unit that compresses still image data in real time parallel to motion picture data storage, allowing for high-speed still image capture by reducing the load on the main memory bus and enabling efficient compression and storage of both still and motion picture data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If still image data is stored in main memory and compressed after motion picture recording, then image quality is maintained, but processing speed decreases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing system into two separate processing paths: one for still images and one for motion pictures. Each path has its own dedicated memory (line memory for still images, main memory for motion pictures) and compression processing unit. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of both image types without interfering with each other, maintaining high processing speed while preserving image quality through appropriate compression methods for each type.
2Quantity of substance
If still image encoding is performed sequentially after motion picture recording, then memory bandwidth is sufficient, but frame capture speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the memory system into dedicated line memory for still image data and main memory for motion picture data. This segmentation eliminates contention for memory bandwidth between still image and motion picture processing, allowing high-speed capture of multiple still images per second (e.g., 60 frames per second) while motion picture recording continues simultaneously without bandwidth conflicts.
3Device complexity
If a single memory system is used for both still and motion picture data, then system complexity is reduced, but bandwidth becomes insufficient for high-speed processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate memory systems: line memory dedicated to still image data and main memory dedicated to motion picture data. This segmentation provides sufficient bandwidth capacity for high-speed processing of both image types simultaneously. The increased complexity of having separate memory systems is justified by the significant improvement in bandwidth capacity and processing speed, enabling capture of multiple still images per second during motion picture recording.
4Speed
If still image compression is performed in parallel with motion picture recording, then capture speed increases, but system load and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the compression processing into separate dedicated units: a still image compression processing unit that operates independently from the motion picture compression processing unit. This segmentation enables parallel compression of still images during motion picture recording, significantly increasing capture speed. The distributed processing architecture spreads the computational load across multiple specialized units, managing power consumption more efficiently than a single high-performance processor would require.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an imaging device; a main memory that stores motion picture data acquired by the imaging device; a motion picture compressing unit that compresses the motion picture data stored in the main memory; a still image frame acquiring unit that acquires a still image frame at arbitrary timing from the motion picture data acquired by the imaging device; a line memory that stores still image data that is a part of the still image frame acquired by the still image frame acquiring unit; and a still image compressing unit that performs a compression process of the still image data stored in the line memory. The still image compressing unit compresses the still image data in real time. The main memory stores the motion picture data and stores compressed data that is compressed in real time by the still image compressing unit.