Toggle Buffer Architecture for Image Reading Device Parallel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading devices using single buffers for processing front and rear sides of documents face productivity limitations due to speed constraints, as the reading and processing speeds are often bottlenecked by the image sensor's processing speed, leading to inefficiencies in document handling and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of toggle buffers, which alternate in storing and processing front-side and rear-side images, allowing for simultaneous writing and reading operations, thereby decoupling the image data transfer from the image sensor's processing speed, and enabling faster data handling and improved productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single buffers are used for processing front and rear sides of documents, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to speed bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The memory buffer is segmented into multiple buffer areas (first buffer area and second buffer area) that can be independently accessed. This segmentation allows parallel read and write operations to occur simultaneously in different buffer areas, eliminating the speed bottleneck of single-buffer systems while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different buffer areas based on operation type (read or write). The image reading device alternates between first and second buffer areas, allowing the system to adapt its memory usage pattern to maximize throughput without requiring complex permanent dual-buffer architecture.
2Productivity
If image processing is performed sequentially on front and rear sides, then processing accuracy is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading image data into appropriate buffer areas before processing is needed. The first image reading device reads front-side images into the first buffer area while the second image reading device simultaneously reads rear-side images into the second buffer area, preparing data in advance for parallel processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that while one buffer area is being processed, another buffer area is being filled with new image data. This continuous overlap of read and write operations eliminates idle time and maintains constant processing throughput without sacrificing accuracy.
3Speed
If faster document transport mechanisms are used, then reading speed is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical speed-up solutions (faster transport mechanisms) with a computational/memory-based solution. By using multiple buffer areas and parallel processing architectures, the system achieves faster effective reading speed through optimized data flow and concurrent operations, avoiding the need for expensive mechanical upgrades.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading device includes a memory and an image processing circuit that receives, from an image sensor, read images including a front image and a rear image for each of pages of a read document. The memory has a first area for storing the front image and a second area for storing the rear image. The image processing circuit includes a first circuit that performs first image processing on one of the front image and the rear image and alternately stores, for each of the pages, the front image in the first area and the rear image in the second area and a second circuit that performs second image processing on the one of the front image and the rear image read from the memory. The image processing circuit performs, in parallel, writing the read images to the memory and reading the read images from the memory.