Image Processing Apparatus Overlay Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing methods for combining digital images, such as overlaying logos or captions on video data, require costly standalone devices or add significant computing overhead and can be disabled, lacking a fully integrated, efficient, and inexpensive solution.
Innovation Solution
A method that converts digital images into continuous sequential data streams, allowing for seamless combination without timing-related information, using a compressed format like RLL for the overlay image, and integrating the overlay generator into the image processing apparatus to eliminate redundant control logic and simplify timing generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If commercially available standalone overlay generators are used, then logo and caption data can be added to digital image data, but the cost is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the overlay generation functionality into the image processing apparatus itself, combining the pixel array, processing unit, and overlay generation into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate standalone overlay generators, reducing overall system cost while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing digital images via the pixel array, processing these images, and generating overlays with logos or captions. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple separate devices, reducing cost and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If software approaches are used to add logo and caption data, then overlay functionality is achieved, but computing overhead is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based overlay generation with a hardware-based processing unit that is specifically designed for this function. This hardware implementation performs overlay operations through dedicated circuitry rather than general-purpose software processing, significantly reducing computing overhead and increasing processing speed.
3Reliability
If software approaches are used for overlay generation, then overlay functionality is provided, but the approach may be disabled
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the overlay generation functionality directly into the image processing apparatus at the hardware level, the overlay operations become an inherent, non-disableable part of the processing pipeline. This ensures that overlays are always applied, maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized disabling of the functionality.
4Manufacturing precision
If timing related information is processed for combining images, then accurate image combination is achieved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dedicated hardware circuitry that naturally synchronizes with the pixel array's output timing. This hardware-based approach inherently handles timing relationships without requiring complex software processing or explicit timing information management, achieving accurate image combination while simplifying the overall processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The method of processing a first digital image by combining the first digital image with a second digital image includes the first digital image being received from a pixel array, and when receiving the first digital image it is converted into a first continuous sequential data stream. The second digital image may be provided in the form of a second continuous sequential data stream, and the first and second digital images may be combined by continuously combining the data in the first and second data stream.