Sheet Generator Circuit for Image Data Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing technologies face a trade-off between versatile software development platforms and power efficiency, with general-purpose processors consuming more energy and custom-designed fixed-function circuitry offering limited versatility.
Innovation Solution
A sheet generator circuit that receives and parses line groups of image data into smaller sheets, loading them into a two-dimensional shift array structure coupled to an array of processors, enabling efficient processing of overlapping stencils while maintaining programmability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If general purpose processors are used for image processing, then versatility of application software development is improved, but power consumption per unit of data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is divided into sheets of specific dimensions that can be processed in parallel by multiple execution lanes. This segmentation allows the system to process large volumes of data efficiently while maintaining programmability through configurable sheet sizes and processing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional sheet structure with configurable dimensions, adding spatial organization to the data processing approach. This dimensional organization enables efficient parallel processing across multiple execution lanes while maintaining flexibility in sheet size configuration.
2Use of energy by moving object
If custom designed fixed function circuitry is used, then power consumption per unit of data is reduced, but versatility of tasks that can be performed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an array of execution lanes that can be configured to perform different processing functions on sheet data. By making the execution lanes programmable and configurable with different sheet sizes and processing parameters, the system achieves multi-functionality while maintaining the efficient parallel processing architecture of fixed-function circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the processing system, allowing sheet dimensions and processing parameters to be adjusted based on the specific task requirements. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to handle diverse image processing tasks efficiently without being constrained to fixed functions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If larger blocks of data are processed with custom circuits, then power consumption is reduced, but programming environment versatility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of sheet dimensions and processing parameters to optimize both power consumption and programming versatility. By configuring sheet sizes and execution lane parameters based on task requirements, the system achieves efficient large-block processing while maintaining a flexible programming environment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet generator circuit is described. The sheet generator includes electronic circuitry to receive a line group of image data including multiple rows of data from a frame of image data. The multiple rows are sufficient in number to encompass multiple neighboring overlapping stencils. The electronic circuitry is to parse the line group into a smaller sized sheet. The electronic circuitry is to load the sheet into a data computation unit having a two dimensional shift array structure coupled to an array of processors.