Image Processing Apparatus Region Data Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compound-eye imaging apparatuses do not effectively associate and process images obtained from multiple imaging units, leading to inefficient handling of region-of-interest (ROI) data across multiple cameras.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and system that communicate with multiple image sensors to transmit region information and region image data in separate packets, allowing for associative processing of images based on region information that includes identification, position, and size details.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple image sensors are used to capture images of different regions, then the coverage and detail of region-of-interest data are improved, but the complexity of associatively processing the plurality of images deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregion-of-interest data detailVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image processing task into separate packets for different regions. Each image sensor captures and transmits images of specific regions of interest as separate packets, allowing the processing unit to handle each region independently rather than processing entire images from all sensors, thus reducing processing complexity while maintaining detailed region coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to data organization by using packet-based transmission with region information metadata. Instead of processing images sequentially or simultaneously as complete units, the system organizes image data across multiple packets with associated region coordinates, enabling efficient associative processing through spatial indexing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If region information and image data are transmitted in separate packets, then the processing efficiency and sensitivity are improved, but the communication overhead and data transmission complexity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments image data and region information into separate transmission packets. Each packet contains either image data or region information metadata, allowing the receiving system to process region information first to determine processing priorities and then efficiently handle image data according to the predefined region associations, improving processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transmits region information in advance before image data arrives. The processing unit can pre-configure processing parameters, allocate resources, and establish data structures based on region information received in earlier packets, so that when image data packets arrive, processing can begin immediately without waiting for metadata association

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3843376B1Image processing device, and image processing system
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3843376B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3843376B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3843376B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an image processing apparatus (200), comprising: a communicating unit (202) capable of communicating with each of a plurality of image sensors configured to transmit, in respectively different packets, additional data including region information corresponding to a region set with respect to a captured image for each region and region image data indicating an image for each row corresponding to the region; and a processing unit (204) configured to process, in association with each region, the region image data acquired from each of the plurality of image sensors based on the region information included in the additional data acquired from each of the plurality of image sensors, wherein the region information includes a part of or all of identification information of the region, information indicating a position of the region, and information indicating a size of the region.