Image Processing Pipeline Buffer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face challenges in efficiently managing data transfer and buffer storage across processing modules, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies in pipeline processing due to limited buffer capacity and inadequate data path management.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with a system control section that dynamically configures pipeline processing by selecting data transfer paths and controlling data buffers, allowing for bypassing of buffers when capacity is low and temporary storage when capacity is available, ensuring seamless data flow and efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is temporarily stored in a double buffer between processing stages, then pipeline processing can be performed normally by absorbing processing delays, but writing and reading operations to/from the double buffer are necessarily performed which reduces processing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffer management unit as an intermediary that controls data transfer between processing stages. This unit dynamically manages buffer allocation and data flow, allowing the system to maintain pipeline stability while reducing unnecessary buffer write/read operations through intelligent data routing and timing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer management unit dynamically adjusts buffer usage based on real-time processing conditions. It can switch between different buffer configurations and data transfer modes adaptively, optimizing the balance between pipeline stability and processing efficiency according to the actual state of processing stages.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed pipeline configuration is used, then processing flow is stable and predictable, but the system cannot adapt to different processing requirements and data characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically reconfigurable pipeline where the buffer management unit can adjust the pipeline configuration based on processing requirements. The system maintains stable operation through controlled reconfiguration, allowing it to adapt to different data types, processing algorithms, and performance requirements while preserving overall flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer management unit serves multiple functions: it manages data flow, controls buffer allocation, adapts pipeline configuration, and optimizes processing performance. This multi-functional component enables the system to handle diverse processing requirements while maintaining a unified and stable architectural framework.
3Reliability
If buffer capacity is increased to handle all processing delays, then pipeline processing stability is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large fixed buffer, the patent employs dynamic buffer management where the buffer management unit allocates and releases buffer resources based on real-time processing needs. This allows the system to maintain pipeline stability with smaller, dynamically-sized buffers rather than requiring large static buffer capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer management unit changes buffer parameters (such as allocation size, timing, and configuration) dynamically based on processing conditions. This parameter adaptation allows the system to achieve pipeline stability without requiring maximum buffer capacity to be permanently available, thereby reducing overall device complexity and resource requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image processing device includes an image processing section including a pipeline in which a plurality of processing modules is connected in series, and a system control section performing setting the pipeline processing to be performed by the image processing section. Each of the processing modules includes a data buffer temporarily store the data, on arithmetic section configured to perform an arithmetic operation of the process according to a setting of processing content by the system control section, and a control section configured to select a data transfer path within the processing module and control an operation of the data buffer according to a setting of a data transfer path by the system control section. The image processing section further includes a connection switching section configured to switch a connection between the processing modules according to a setting of a pipeline configuration by the system control section.