Resistive-Memory Template Matching for Low-Power Image Processing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face increased power consumption and processing time due to the movement and transmission of data for template matching operations, particularly when data is read from memory and processed by external computing units.

Innovation Solution

A processing circuit utilizing a resistive memory for template matching, which includes an image-providing device, adjustment device, and control circuit, performs computations directly within the memory, reducing the need for data movement and transmission by adjusting template image scales and computing similarity directly within the resistive memory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If data is read from memory and processed by external computing units, then computation capability is improved, but power consumption and processing time increase due to data movement and transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the storage function and computation function into a single resistive memory device. The resistive memory cell simultaneously stores the template image data and performs correlation computation with the target image, eliminating the need for separate external computing units and reducing data movement overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistive memory performs self-computation by utilizing its inherent resistance changes to encode image data and execute correlation operations. The computation is performed within the memory structure itself rather than requiring external processing, enabling the memory to serve both storage and computation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If data is read from memory and processed by external computing units, then computation capability is improved, but processing time increases due to data movement and transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the storage function and computation function into a single resistive memory device. The resistive memory cell simultaneously stores the template image data and performs correlation computation with the target image, eliminating the need for separate external computing units and reducing data movement overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The template image is pre-stored in the resistive memory in a compressed or processed form that enables direct correlation computation. This preliminary preparation allows the computation to proceed directly within the memory without requiring additional data loading or preparation steps from external sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If template matching is performed using conventional memory and external computing units, then computation accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases due to multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematching accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the storage function and computation function into a single resistive memory device. The resistive memory cell simultaneously stores the template image data and performs correlation computation with the target image, eliminating the need for separate external computing units and reducing data movement overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resistive memory device performs multiple functions: storing the template image, performing correlation computation with the target image, and producing matching results. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining computation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250218153A1Processing circuit and template matching method

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 NUVOTON

AI summary

A processing circuit is provided. The processing circuit includes an image-providing device, an adjustment device, a resistive memory, and a control circuit. The image-providing device is configured to provide a target image. The adjustment device adjusts the scale of a template image to generate a sample image according to the setting information. The resistive memory includes a storage region and a computation circuit. The storage region stores the target image. The computation circuit computes the sample image and the target image to generate a plurality of computation results. The control circuit finds a matching position that matches the sample image in the target image according to the computation results.