Line Memory Image Converter for Real-Time Vehicle Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems for vehicle-mounted systems face delays in processing due to high bus load and inefficiencies in data transfer, limiting real-time capabilities and flexibility in generating multiple conversion results from a single input image.
Innovation Solution
An image converting device with an image input device, an image converter, and a line memory that uses conversion specifiers to manage data transmission and processing, allowing for flexible conversion and output of multiple images without saving all input data in a storage medium, utilizing triangle patches for efficient image transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image data is saved in storage medium via bus for conversion, then image conversion can be performed, but bus load increases and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a line memory that preliminarily stores image data in a buffer before conversion. This allows the image data to be readily available for immediate conversion without requiring retrieval from storage medium, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining conversion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (line memory) between the image pickup device and the conversion processing unit. This line memory acts as a buffer that decouples the data transfer from storage medium access, reducing bus load and enabling faster conversion by providing direct access to image data.
2Productivity
If small-volume buffer is provided between image-pickup device and converting device, then processing time is shortened and bus load is reduced, but flexible conversions cannot be carried out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the line memory with sufficient capacity to support multiple conversion operations simultaneously. The line memory can store multiple frames of image data and support various conversion types (distortion correction, viewpoint transformation, etc.), enabling both high-speed processing and flexible conversions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the converting device to dynamically select and switch between different conversion operations based on the stored image data in the line memory. The system can adaptively perform different conversion types without requiring additional buffer memory, maintaining flexibility while utilizing the buffer efficiently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conversions are performed from one input image, then various transform images are obtained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing multiple frames of image data in the line memory in advance. This allows the converting device to perform multiple different conversions on the same input image data without requiring repeated data retrieval, thereby reducing the time penalty for generating multiple output images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by enabling the converting device to continuously perform multiple conversion operations on image data held in the line memory. Since the data is already in the buffer, the conversion operations can proceed back-to-back without interruption, maintaining high productivity while providing versatile output options.
Data Source
AI summary
Means which enables image conversion in which a plurality of conversion results can be output without once saving all of video-image data, which has been input from image-pickup means, in a storage medium is provided. A single line memory having a plurality of lines is used while switching the role thereof for a reading use by a video-image converting means and a use for inputting image data from the image-pickup means. The image converting means obtains an input image, which is in the line memory, and carries out conversion of the input image based on a conversion specifying means interpreted by an instruction decoder.