Line Interleaving Control for Multi-Channel Image Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face inefficiencies in handling multiple input images from multiple channels due to limitations in memory usage and throughput when using time-division multiplexing methods.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a line interleaving controller that includes data packing circuits, a memory, a write controller, a line index controller, a read controller, and an unpacking circuit to manage and process line data from multiple channels efficiently, using a first-finish first-out interleaving operation to optimize memory usage and increase throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If time-division multiplexing method is used to process multiple input images, then memory usage is reduced, but throughput is limited and memory efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory into multiple channel-specific regions (first memory region for first channel, second memory region for second channel, etc.) and assigns separate indexes to each channel. This segmentation allows independent management of data from different channels, enabling parallel processing operations and improving both throughput and memory efficiency by eliminating the sequential bottlenecks of traditional time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of channel-based indexing alongside traditional time-division multiplexing. By adding channel identifiers as an additional dimension for memory addressing, the system can simultaneously manage multiple channels without strict sequential constraints, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining efficient memory utilization through the multi-dimensional addressing scheme.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional memory management is used in line interleaving controller, then device complexity is low, but internal memory efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-assigning specific memory regions and indexes to each channel before data arrival. The line interleaving controller pre-configures the first memory region with first index for the first channel and the second memory region with second index for the second channel, allowing data to be immediately routed to the correct location without complex runtime decision-making, thus improving memory efficiency while keeping the controller relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing mechanism that mediates between multiple channels and the memory system. The separate indexes for each channel act as intermediaries, translating channel-specific data streams into appropriate memory addresses without requiring complex arbitration logic, thereby improving memory efficiency while maintaining manageable controller complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus and an operating method thereof are provided. The image processing apparatus includes: a line interleaving controller configured to generate output data based on line data received from channels respectively connected to image sensors; and an image signal processor configured to process the output data. The line interleaving controller includes: data packing circuits respectively corresponding to the channels and configured to generate packing data by packing the line data to a preset data size; a memory configured to store the packing data in a region indicated by an index assigned to a corresponding channel; a write controller configured to control a write operation of the memory; a line index controller configured to manage indexes respectively corresponding to the channels; a read controller configured to control a read operation of the memory; and an unpacking circuit configured to unpack read data output from the read controller.