Imaging Apparatus Dual Processing Units Signal Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems with multiple image processing units lack sufficient examination of configurations where a part of the imaging region, imaging time, or color information processed by one unit is handled by another, particularly in generating whole and partial images for applications like monitor cameras.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus with two image processing units connected in series, where the first unit processes an image signal to generate a reduced resolution image signal and outputs it to the second unit, which further processes it to generate a partial image signal, allowing for synchronized motion detection and object recognition across different frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple image processing units are connected in series to process different portions of image signals, then the capability to generate both whole and partial images is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to generate whole and partial imagesVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image signal processing is divided into multiple independent processing units, each handling different portions of the image signal. The first processing unit handles a first portion while the second processing unit handles a second portion, allowing parallel processing of different image regions without requiring a single complex processing unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each image processing unit is designed with universal functionality to process various types of image signals (full-resolution, reduced-resolution, different color spaces) through configurable processing paths. This allows the same hardware structure to perform multiple processing functions depending on the input signal type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the first image processing unit generates a reduced resolution image signal for the second unit, then the data amount to be processed is reduced, but the processing precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidimage signal precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different processing units handle different quality requirements: the first processing unit processes full-resolution signals requiring high precision, while the second processing unit handles reduced-resolution signals where lower precision is acceptable. Each unit is optimized for its specific quality requirement, allowing overall system efficiency without universal precision loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial processing by having the first processing unit handle only the necessary high-precision processing for its output, while the second processing unit handles reduced-resolution processing separately. This avoids applying full processing precision to all signals, improving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If image signals are processed through multiple serial processing units, then the processing capability is enhanced, but the processing delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The processing pipeline is segmented into independent parallel units that can process different portions of the image signal simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to avoid sequential processing delays by distributing work across multiple units that operate in parallel where possible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10430935B2Imaging apparatus, imaging system, movable body, and chip

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 CANON KK

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to output an image signal, a first image processing unit, and a second image processing unit. The first image processing unit includes a first signal processing unit that generates a first image signal from the input image signal, and a second image signal including a smaller number of signals than signals included in the first image signal and corresponding to a first imaging region. The second image processing unit includes a second input portion that receives the first image signal from a first output portion and a second signal processing unit. The second signal processing unit generates, from the first image signal, a third image signal that includes a smaller number of signals than the signals included in the first image signal and corresponds to a second imaging region that is only a part of the first imaging region.