Pixel Arrangement Controller for Sequential Block Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

Current image processing methods disperse pixel data across memory, leading to inefficient calculation times during discrete cosine transform (DCT) processing, as pixels of the same block are not stored in sequential addresses, requiring extraction from non-consecutive memory locations.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with a pixel arrangement controller and two data unit buffers rearranges pixel addresses to store data in sequential blocks, using a formula to calculate addresses and switch between buffers, allowing for batch processing and direct memory access (DMA) efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pixel data is stored sequentially in memory row by row, then memory storage is simple and continuous, but pixels of the same block are dispersed in non-consecutive memory locations, requiring individual extraction and increasing calculation time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCT processing speedVSAvoidmemory arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging pixel data in memory according to block structure before DCT processing. The pixel arrangement controller reorganizes sequentially stored pixels into block-based contiguous storage, so that when DCT processing occurs, all pixels of each block are already positioned contiguously in memory, eliminating the need for individual pixel extraction during processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image data into distinct blocks (e.g., 8×8 pixel blocks) and arranging each block as a contiguous unit in memory. This segmentation approach transforms the memory layout from a flat sequential structure to a hierarchical block-based structure, where each block's pixels are grouped together, enabling efficient batch processing during DCT operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If pixels of the same block are extracted from non-consecutive memory locations, then individual pixel processing can be performed, but a lot of calculation time is wasted due to repeated memory access operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation timeVSAvoiddata access efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging pixel data in memory according to block structure before DCT processing. The pixel arrangement controller reorganizes sequentially stored pixels into block-based contiguous storage, so that when DCT processing occurs, all pixels of each block are already positioned contiguously in memory, eliminating the need for individual pixel extraction during processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies merging by combining all pixels of the same block into a single contiguous memory location. Instead of keeping pixels dispersed throughout memory, the system merges each block's pixels together in sequential memory addresses, allowing the DCT processor to access entire blocks efficiently as unified data units rather than scattered individual pixels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If individual pixel movement is performed K times to group a K×K block, then precise block formation is achieved, but processing efficiency is reduced due to repeated individual operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock processing efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging pixel data in memory according to block structure before DCT processing. The pixel arrangement controller reorganizes sequentially stored pixels into block-based contiguous storage, so that when DCT processing occurs, all pixels of each block are already positioned contiguously in memory, eliminating the need for individual pixel extraction during processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing the mechanical approach of individually moving pixels K times with an automated pixel arrangement controller that performs bulk data reorganization. Instead of manual or iterative pixel-by-pixel manipulation, the system uses a controller implementing address calculation algorithms to automatically reorganize entire blocks of pixel data in a single pass, substituting complex mechanical operations with streamlined computational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7742661B2Digital image data processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.06.22 ATEN INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

AI summary

The present image processing apparatus includes a pixel arrangement controller and two data unit buffers coupled with the pixel arrangement controller. This controller can rearrange the addresses of the pixels in the corresponding data unit buffer according to the size of the block. Accordingly, the pixel data of the same block can be arranged in sequential addresses of the data unit buffer. Therefore, the pixel data may be processed as a batch.