Image Processing Unit Resource Sharing for Multifunction Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction printers face increased costs due to the need for dedicated circuits for various image processing tasks like character modification, dodging, and red-eye correction, which cannot be efficiently sped up without increasing hardware complexity.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that uses a single resource to execute multiple image processes by employing a system with a first and second image processing module, connected via a connection module, which can output pixel values or attribute values based on input data, allowing flexible processing and resource sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dedicated circuits are arranged for various image processes (character modification, dodging, red-eye correction), then processing speed is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single image processing unit that can perform multiple different image processing functions (character modification, dodging, red-eye correction, noise reduction) through software control rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function. This allows one hardware resource to be flexibly allocated to different processing tasks based on the specific operation needed, thereby improving processing speed for multiple functions while avoiding the hardware complexity and cost of implementing separate dedicated circuits for each function.
2Productivity
If dedicated circuits are arranged for various image processes, then processing performance is enhanced, but product price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces product price by implementing a universal image processing unit that can handle multiple image processing functions through software rather than hardware differentiation. This approach maintains high processing performance for various functions (character modification, dodging, red-eye correction) while significantly reducing the hardware cost compared to implementing separate dedicated circuits for each function, making the multifunction printer more cost-effective to manufacture.
3Device complexity
If a single resource is used for various image processes, then hardware cost is reduced, but processing speed may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a flexible resource allocation mechanism where the single image processing unit can dynamically switch between different processing functions based on real-time needs. The system can adaptively allocate processing resources and adjust processing priorities for different functions (character modification, dodging, red-eye correction), ensuring that processing speed is optimized for the current task while maintaining the benefit of reduced hardware cost through resource sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device processes image data, which expresses an image and is edited to image data including, in correspondence with each pixel of the image, a pixel value field that holds a pixel value of the pixel and an attribute value field that holds an attribute value. The image processing device includes a first and a second image processing module, and a connection module that is connected to the first and second image processing modules, and moves the image data from one image processing module to the other image processing module. At least one of the image processing modules has a first function to output an image processing result for a pixel value of the input image data as an output pixel value, and a second function to output an image processing result for a pixel value of the input image data as an output attribute value.