Reconfigurable Circuit Image Processor for Data Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image processing apparatuses, achieving a reduction in data processing while controlling circuit scale is challenging due to varying component conditions, leading to bottlenecks in system design.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus using a reconfigurable-circuit device that acquires and processes image data in small regions, determining features to select optimal circuit configurations for processing, and storing rendering information, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration between FILL, sFILL, and DTCOPY processing methods based on pixel value and contiguous pixel counts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the circuit scale is increased to reduce the amount of data, then data reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of dataVSAvoidcircuit scale
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic reconfiguration of the circuit based on image data features. The processor analyzes features of image data (such as pixel value distributions and spatial characteristics) and dynamically selects or reconfigures circuit structures to match the data characteristics. This allows the circuit scale to be adaptively adjusted rather than fixed, resolving the contradiction by making the circuit dynamic rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes circuit parameters (such as processing parallelism, memory allocation, and algorithm selection) based on detected image data features. By monitoring features like pixel value ranges, gradient distributions, and region homogeneity, the system adjusts circuit operating parameters to optimize data reduction while controlling circuit scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed circuit configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different image features deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit configurationVSAvoidadaptability to image features
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed circuit configuration into a dynamic one that can reconfigure itself based on image data features. The system includes feature detection modules that analyze incoming image data and control logic that reconfigures the circuit accordingly, enabling the same hardware to adapt to different image characteristics without increasing fundamental device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a universal circuit architecture that can perform multiple processing functions through reconfiguration. Rather than having separate dedicated circuits for different image processing tasks, a single reconfigurable circuit structure handles various functions by changing its internal configuration based on the detected image features, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11798133B2Image processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.10.24 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • US11798133B2 patent drawing
  • US11798133B2 patent drawing
  • US11798133B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a processor that performs image processing and that is constructed by using a reconfigurable-circuit device whose circuit is reconfigurable. The processor is configured to acquire image data that corresponds to each of one or more small regions into which an image is divided, determine a feature of the image data that is acquired and that corresponds to each of the one or more small regions, select a circuit configuration and perform processing in accordance with the obtained feature of the image data that corresponds to each of the one or more small regions, and cause a repository to retain rendering information, which is the image data that corresponds to each of the one or more small regions and that has undergone the processing.