Image Resizing via Line-Based Buffer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing devices require large storage capacity and long processing times due to the need to store and process entire image data before printing, which increases manufacturing costs and delays the printing process.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that calculates the maximum number of horizontal lines that can be stored based on available storage capacity and selects an appropriate resizing method to efficiently resize images, allowing for partial processing and storage, using a processing unit with a first calculating unit, selecting unit, and second calculating unit to determine the optimal interpolation method for each line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all image data is stored in the buffer before processing, then the image processing can be performed, but the storage capacity requirement becomes large and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image data processing into segments based on horizontal lines. Instead of loading the entire image into buffer memory, the system processes the image line by line or in small batches, with each segment being independently processed and immediately output. This segmentation allows the buffer to hold only the current processing segment rather than the complete image, dramatically reducing storage capacity requirements while maintaining processing completeness.
2Reliability
If all image data is stored and processed sequentially, then the processing is complete, but the printing time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations to determine the maximum number of horizontal lines that can be processed with the available buffer capacity. This preliminary action allows the system to optimize the processing strategy beforehand, enabling parallel or pipelined processing of multiple line segments simultaneously, thereby reducing the total processing time while ensuring complete image processing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the buffer capacity is reduced, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the ability to store and process complete image data is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by processing only the necessary portion of image data (current horizontal lines) in the buffer at any given time, rather than storing the complete image. The system calculates the optimal number of lines to process based on buffer capacity, performing exactly the right amount of action needed for each processing cycle. This approach maintains manufacturing cost efficiency while ensuring complete image processing through multiple sequential passes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an image processing device for processing an original image having a first number of horizontal lines parallel to one another. Each of the first number of horizontal lines includes a second number of pixels. The image processing device has a processing unit and a storage unit. The processing unit resizes the original image to an output image with a scaling factor, the output image having a plurality of target pixels. The storage unit stores a gray scale of each pixel in at least one of the first number of horizontal lines. The processing unit has a first calculating unit, a selecting unit, and a second calculating unit. The first calculating unit calculates a maximum number of horizontal lines which the storage unit is able to store at once, based on the second number of pixels, the maximum number being less than the first number. The selecting unit selects a resizing method to resize the original image based on the scaling factor and the maximum number of horizontal lines. The second calculating unit calculates a gray scale of the target pixel in the output image with the selected method.