Image Processing Apparatus Non-Overlapping Region Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems face challenges in efficiently distributing data processing among multiple image processors, leading to increased data amounts and processing times, especially when handling images divided into overlapping regions.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that divides an image into non-overlapping regions, allowing a control circuit to manage communication between processing circuits based on the progress of image processing, ensuring that only necessary data from one processor is transferred to another, thereby reducing the amount of data processed by each unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If image signals are divided into overlapping regions for parallel processing, then processing capability is improved, but the amount of data to be processed by each processor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidamount of data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple non-overlapping regions, with each region assigned to a different processing circuit. This segmentation allows parallel processing while ensuring that each processor handles only the data necessary for its assigned region, eliminating redundant processing of boundary areas by multiple processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each processing circuit processes only the partial image data corresponding to its assigned non-overlapping region, rather than processing excessive data that would include boundary regions. This partial action approach reduces the data volume per processor while maintaining overall processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If extra region data is provided to each processor to handle boundary processing, then processing completeness is improved, but processing time and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing completenessVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image data is segmented into non-overlapping regions assigned to different processors. Boundary processing is achieved by assigning specific boundary regions to particular processors rather than having all processors process extra boundary data, thus maintaining processing completeness while reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different processing circuits handle different regions with specific characteristics. Each processor is optimized to process its assigned region including necessary boundary portions, ensuring processing completeness for that local area without requiring all processors to handle excessive boundary data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If extra region data is provided to each processor to handle boundary processing, then processing completeness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the image into non-overlapping regions and assigning them to different processors, the system ensures that each processor handles only the data necessary for its region including necessary boundary portions. This reduces total power consumption compared to having all processors handle extra boundary data, while maintaining processing completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each processor performs partial processing on its assigned region without the excessive action of processing all boundary regions. This reduces the computational load and power consumption per processor while maintaining overall processing completeness through coordinated parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10277810B2Image processing apparatus that divides and processes an image signal, control method thereof, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus comprises: a first processing circuit which carries out image processing on a first image signal obtained from image signals forming a single image; a second processing circuit which carries out the image processing on a second image signal obtained from the image signals forming the image; and a control circuit which controls communication of image signals between the first processing circuit and the second processing circuit, wherein the first image signal and the second image signal do not have overlap region; and wherein the control circuit controls the communication for transferring an image signal of a region of the image additionally required when the first processing circuit carries out the image processing on the first image signal from the second processing circuit to the first processing circuit.