Image Sensor Interface Processor for Random Pixel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed image sensors produce data at rates that exceed the processing capabilities of conventional microcontrollers, leading to difficulties in real-time processing and requiring additional hardware, and lack internal buffer memory for random access to image frames, which is essential for transform-based algorithms.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor interface processor (ISIP) is introduced, which includes a memory, a sensor control module, a pixel stream module, and a frame access module to provide random access to image frames, allowing for real-time data processing and reducing power consumption by enabling the microcontroller to focus on image data processing rather than handling high-speed interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed image sensors are used to capture images, then image quality and capture speed are improved, but the data rate exceeds the processing capabilities of conventional microcontrollers
Solution Approach 1:
An interface processor is introduced as an intermediary device between the high-speed image sensor and the microcontroller. The interface processor receives high-speed pixel data from the image sensor, stores it in internal memory, and provides random access to individual pixels or blocks of pixels. This mediator handles the high-speed data stream, allowing the microcontroller to access image data at its own slower pace without being overwhelmed by the sensor's data rate.
2Productivity
If additional hardware is added to handle high-speed data processing, then real-time processing capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface processor serves as a specialized intermediary that offloads the complex task of handling high-speed data streams from the microcontroller. It includes dedicated hardware components such as a pixel stream module for receiving data, a memory module for storage, and a frame access module for random access, creating a balanced architecture where each component operates at its optimal speed and complexity level.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware is added to enable random access to image frames, then transform-based algorithm support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface processor's memory module and frame access module work together to provide random access to image frame data. The memory stores complete image frames, and the frame access module translates microcontroller requests for specific pixels or blocks into appropriate memory access operations, enabling transform-based algorithms and other processing techniques that require random access patterns without requiring the microcontroller itself to have complex memory management capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods and systems for bridging between commercially available, high-speed image sensors and low cost, low power microcontrollers. An image sensor interface processor is provided for controlling an image sensor, and receiving and storing image data. A microcontroller (or other general purpose or image processor) can communicate with the image sensor interface processor, to access pixel data in a random access fashion through a parallel memory access interface at any speed desired by the microcontroller. Moreover, automatic power management of the image sensor can be provided by the image sensor interface processor. In some alternative embodiments, the described image sensor interface processor may be integrated into the image sensor itself, or a microcontroller, or some other intermediate device.