JPEG Encoder Buffer Bank with Pointer-Based Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
JPEG compression systems face inefficiencies due to the need for double buffering, which requires a 16-line buffer to handle image data from devices that output lines sequentially, leading to increased buffer size and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a memory management logic with a buffer bank that uses a pointer table and reuse pointer register to read and write block-lines in a different order than received, allowing for a reduced buffer size by reusing previously used buffers and optimizing data transfer to the JPEG core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If double buffering is used to handle sequential line output from image capture devices, then the system can maintain real-time compression capabilities, but the buffer size increases to 16 lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the buffer into multiple smaller buffer slots (first buffer slot, second buffer slot, third buffer slot) instead of using a single large 16-line buffer. Each slot holds a portion of the image data, allowing the system to process and reuse slots in a circular fashion, thereby reducing the total buffer size while maintaining continuous compression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a pointer mechanism that pre-positions data in the buffer slots before compression processing. The pointer tracks the current position and enables the system to anticipate and prepare buffer slot availability in advance, allowing seamless transition between slots without requiring a large buffer to hold all data simultaneously.
2Reliability
If a 16-line buffer is used to store image data for JPEG compression, then all blocks of lines can be buffered for compression, but resource utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a circular buffer mechanism where buffer slots are discarded (overwritten) after their data has been processed. The pointer cycles through the buffer slots, and once a slot's data is compressed, that slot becomes available for reuse. This allows the system to maintain only the necessary minimum buffer size while ensuring continuous data availability for compression.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of compressing an image according to an image compression algorithm includes sequentially receiving pixel values into a buffers bank in line-by-line order. The image includes a plurality of pixels arranged into lines and columns. Each pixel has a pixel value associated therewith. Each line has L pixels. The image compression algorithm operates on blocks of pixels, each block having N lines and M columns. The method also includes storing each block-line of pixel values in a buffer of the buffers bank. A block-line includes M consecutive pixels of a line. The method also includes, for each block-line, storing a pointer to the buffer in which the block-line is stored and reading block-lines out of the buffers bank to a compression engine, wherein the block-lines are read out of the buffers bank in an order that is different from the line-by-line order in which the block-lines were received into the buffers bank. The method further includes compressing the image according to the image compression algorithm and displaying the image.