Image Processing Apparatus Vectorization Common Run Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing technologies face inefficiencies in vectorization and image processing time due to the limitations of color sequential and pixel sequential methods, which have different compression ratios and require specific data dependencies, making it challenging to optimize both circuit size and processing performance simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that encodes data strings using common run lengths as run information for identical pixel values, allowing for vectorization that combines the advantages of both color sequential and pixel sequential methods by setting common run lengths and encoding data strings based on pixel values and run lengths, enabling flexible vectorization and efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If color sequential method is used for image processing, then processing speed is improved, but compression ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is segmented into multiple data strings corresponding to different color components (e.g., Y, M, C, K). Each data string is processed independently through the vectorization unit, allowing parallel processing that improves speed while maintaining compression efficiency for each color channel separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional raster scan processing to vector-based processing by introducing a new dimension of representation. Run length information is extracted and stored as vector data structures, enabling more efficient compression while allowing flexible processing paths for different color sequences.
2Loss of substance
If pixel sequential method is used for image processing, then compression ratio is improved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The processing pipeline is segmented into distinct functional units: a vectorization unit that converts raster data to vector format with run length encoding, and a dedicated vector processing unit. This segmentation allows the compression-intensive vectorization to be performed once, followed by faster vector-based processing that maintains high compression ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The vectorization unit performs preliminary action by converting raster image data into vector format with run length encoding before the main processing occurs. This pre-processing step extracts run length information and organizes data into compressed vector structures, reducing the data volume that subsequent processing must handle and thereby improving overall processing speed.
3Device complexity
If traditional vectorization is used, then circuit size is reduced, but adaptability to different processing methods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vectorization unit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple color sequential processing methods (e.g., YMCK, CMYK, KCMY sequences) through a single unified architecture. The unit extracts run length information in a method-agnostic manner and outputs standardized vector data that can be processed by various color sequential processing units, eliminating the need for separate vectorization circuits for each color sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an image processing block configured to encode each of plural data strings by using the number of common run lengths which are common to the plural data strings as run information of identical pixel values which are consecutive in each of the plural data strings.