CN1311408C

CN1311408C - Image processing apparatus and method thereof

Info

Publication number: CN1311408C
Application number: CNB031540635A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张辉煌; 欧欣颖; 谢建华
Original assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp
Current assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp
Priority date: 2003-08-13
Filing date: 2003-08-13
Publication date: 2007-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2023-08-13
Also published as: CN1581226A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image processor and a method thereof, which is used for processing an image datum. The image datum comprises a plurality of horizontal lines, and each horizontal line comprises a plurality of pixel data. The image processor comprises at least one buffer cell and at least one processing unit, wherein the buffer cell is used for orderly outputting a plurality of super pixels, each super pixel least comprises first pixel data and second pixel data which is adjacent to the first pixel data; the first pixel data and the second pixel data do not belong to the same horizontal line; the processing unit is coupled with the buffer cell, and is used for orderly doing image processing on the super pixels.

Description

Image processing apparatus and method thereof

(1) technical field

Relevant a kind of data processing method of the present invention and device, and the particularly disposal route and the device of relevant a kind of view data.

(2) background technology

At image processing system, for example: scanner, or multifunctional paper feeding machine (Multiple FunctionPeripheral, MFP) in, view data usually can be through just delivering to output terminal demonstration, printing or storage etc. after the processing of several stages.The processing of this several stages may comprise the convergent-divergent (scaling), figure image intensifying, color processing, Filtering Processing (filtering), halftone process (halftone processing) of view data and to data formatting of specific input and output device etc.

Please refer to Fig. 1, it is traditional image processing system calcspar.Image processing system mainly is made of image processing apparatus 120 and storer 130, in order to carry out above-mentioned image processing program at view data DATA.Wherein, view data DATA is made up of 110 in a plurality of pictures (frame), and each picture 110 comprises many horizontal lines (horizontal line) 112, and every horizontal line comprises a plurality of pixel datas (pixel data).In actual the use, view data 110 is to be unit with the horizontal line, and every horizontal line carries out Flame Image Process in the feed-in image processing apparatus 120 in order on the picture.

Image processing apparatus 120 comprises a plurality of processing units 121,123,125, and wherein, each processing unit is to carry out above-mentioned Flame Image Process in order to the view data DATA at feed-in respectively.For example: processing unit 121,123,125 can be ratio processor (scaling processor), color processor (color processor) and halftone process device (halftone processor).Each processing unit in the image processing apparatus 120 needs to couple with external memory storage 130 respectively.Known image processing program is that each processing unit needs elder generation's suitable position extraction view data in storer 130 to carry out Flame Image Process, afterwards, will handle view data later again and pass storer 130 storages back.The graphics processing unit of next stage then after the graphics processing unit of upper level executes Flame Image Process, extracts the Flame Image Process of making next stage via previous stage processing unit Flame Image Process view data later, by that analogy again from storer 130.

For example: when making image and handle, usually need to get the some of view data, for example: among Fig. 3 A by many

horizontal line

215A, 215B, the parts of images data 215 that 215C formed are done convergent-divergent (scaling) or filtering (filtering) and are handled.In the known practice, being responsible for the convergent-divergent or the processing unit of filtering needs the pixel data of corresponding block in the reading section view data 215 in regular turn (block of pixels 220 that indicates as dotted line among Fig. 3 A) to carry out convergent-divergent or Filtering Processing, then the data after handling is existed in the storer 130.With one 600 dpi (dots per inch) (dpi), width is that the image of 8 inches (inch) is an example, if need to use 5 horizontal lines simultaneously, every horizontal line has the pixel data of 600 8bits/pixel, and its required memory size is just wanted 600 * 8 * 5=24000bytes at least.Therefore, the memory span of known practice needs is considerable.

The shortcoming of known image processing system also has, and for each processing unit, need wait until intact at least one line of previous processing unit processes and delivers to after the storer 130, carries out the Flame Image Process of next stage again, therefore need expend the long time.In addition, known image processing program can make view data pass in and out during the stage between the storer 130 of image processing apparatus 120 and outside in each Flame Image Process, so each processing unit need expend transmission and the reception that many usefulness are come deal with data in the image processing apparatus 120.In addition, because the frequency range of the data of storer 130 output input is limited, and use jointly by a plurality of processing units, after need waiting until that promptly previous processing unit is finished, carry out the Flame Image Process of next stage again, so the speed of data processing is slack-off, overall efficiency reduces.

(3) summary of the invention

In view of this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of image processing method and device, avoid the storer of each processing unit access image processing apparatus outside, to promote operational effectiveness.

Purpose according to the present invention proposes a kind of image processing apparatus and method thereof, in order to handle a view data, wherein, view data comprises many horizontal lines, and every horizontal line comprises a plurality of pixel datas, and this image processing apparatus comprises: at least two buffer cells, in order to export a plurality of super pixels in regular turn, wherein, each super pixel comprises first pixel data and the second adjacent with it pixel data at least, and first pixel data and second pixel data do not belong to same horizontal line; And at least two processing units, be coupled to buffer cell, in order in regular turn these super pixels are carried out Flame Image Process.

For above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, characteristics and advantage can be become apparent, a preferred embodiment cited below particularly, and conjunction with figs. is elaborated as follows:

(4) description of drawings

Fig. 1 is traditional image processing system calcspar.

Fig. 2 is the image processing system calcspar according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 A ~ 3C is the synoptic diagram of inventive concept of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the functional block diagram of second embodiment proposed by the invention.

(5) embodiment

Please refer to Fig. 2, its a kind of image processing system calcspar for illustrating according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Image processing apparatus 220 has a plurality of processing units 221,223,225, in order to respectively view data is carried out image processing step.In the present embodiment, processing unit 221,223,225 for example is ratio processor, color processor and halftone process device.In addition, image processing apparatus 220 also has a plurality of buffer cells 21,23,25, and each buffer cell is to be arranged between two processing units, is connected in series with two processing units respectively.With buffer cell 23 is example, and it couples with processing unit 221 and 223 respectively.Buffer cell 23 is in order to temporary view data by 221 outputs of previous stage processing unit, and the processing unit 223 that offers next stage is made the Flame Image Process of next stage.Wherein, buffer cell 21,23,25 can be storer or buffer, for example: SRAM.Image processing apparatus 220 proposed by the invention, by the buffer cell between the processing unit that is arranged at front and back stages, make each processing unit not need by the time the previous stage processing unit that view data is finished after the Flame Image Process, could carry out the Flame Image Process of next stage view data.As long as there is the view data of part to be stored to after the buffer cell, the processing unit of next stage can extract the Flame Image Process that view data is carried out next stage from buffer cell.So can reduce the image processing apparatus needed time of 220 carries out image processing programs significantly.In addition, buffer cell does not need to possess the general big memory span of aforesaid known external memory storage, and hardware cost can reduce significantly.And the numerical data of each processing unit output in the image processing apparatus 220, be to deal with via directly delivering to next processing unit after the buffer unit buffers, owing to do not need to pass in and out outside storer,, more can promote the usefulness of processing unit so not only can quicken the processing of view data.

Please refer to Fig. 3 A ~ 3C, it is the synoptic diagram of inventive concept proposed by the invention.The general pattern processing is the upper left corner by picture, and first pixel data 216A of article one horizontal line 216 begins, in order (216A, 216B, 216C, 216D ...) carry out Flame Image Process in the input image processing unit, shown in Fig. 3 B.Be to claim this pixel data output to be general pixel data order in proper order in this article.But, only need certain part sometimes to picture, for example: in the view data 110, adjacent many

horizontal line

215A, 215B, 215C, as shown in Figure 3A, the two dimensional image that is constituted carries out specific Flame Image Process.Even only need sometimes to some specific pixel data, for example: some vertical

adjacent pixels data

218A, 218B, 218C, 218D ...., shown in Fig. 3 C, carry out specific Flame Image Process.In the present embodiment, above-mentioned

horizontal line

215A, 215B, 215C .... be collectively referred to as hyperline bar (superline), and above-mentioned vertical

adjacent pixels data

218A, 218B, 218C, 218D .... be collectively referred to as super pixel (superpixel).Under above-mentioned situation, known pixel data being sent into a fixing transmitted data sequence carried out a plurality of different Flame Image Process work in the image processing apparatus, in some cases, be not the mode of full blast.

Please refer to Fig. 4, it illustrates the calcspar of second embodiment proposed by the invention.Buffer cell 43 except be with sequence (sequential) form import in regular turn and output pixel data, can be that unit imports and export a plurality of pixel datas also with a super pixel.In a second embodiment, the pixel data of processing unit 421 output is having a plurality of

pixel data

218A, 218B, and 218C, 218D ... super pixel be unit, input in the buffer cell 43.Buffer cell 43 is in order to storing one or more super pixel, and is unit with super pixel also, exports a plurality of

pixel data

218A, 218B, 218C, 218D, super pixel to next stage processing unit 423 carry out Flame Image Process, for example: filtering or convergent-divergent are handled.Because the input of pixel data and output are unit with super pixel all, so in the present embodiment, can be directly (for example: be unit super pixel 218), input in regular turn and carry out Flame Image Process in the processing unit 423 that for example: filtering or convergent-divergent are handled with super pixel.And do not need as the known practice, need in regular turn the pixel data of corresponding block in the reading section view data 215 (in Fig. 3 A, the block of pixels 220 that illustrates with dotted line) to carry out Flame Image Process.Like this, can promote the efficient of image processing apparatus, reduce the time that Flame Image Process needs.

Be noted that, when carrying out Flame Image Process, reuse identical view data sometimes.Therefore, at first and second above-mentioned embodiment, buffer cell export super pixel, may have the pixel data of repetition.That is each super pixel of buffer cell output, its position that corresponds respectively on the view data may overlap.

In sum, though the present invention with preferred embodiment announcement as above, yet it is not in order to limit the present invention.For example: the present invention is to be example with hyperline bar and super pixel, illustrates that buffer cell can be with different order output pixel data, but not as limit.Any be familiar with present technique easily without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, when can making various changes and replacement, so protection scope of the present invention is when looking being as the criterion that accompanying Claim defines.

Claims

1. image processing apparatus, in order to a view data is carried out Flame Image Process, wherein, this view data is to comprise many horizontal lines, and every horizontal line comprises a plurality of pixel datas, and this image processing apparatus comprises:

At least two buffer cells, in order to export a plurality of super pixels in regular turn, wherein, each super pixel comprises one first pixel data and one second pixel data adjacent with this first pixel data at least, and this first pixel data and this second pixel data do not belong to same horizontal line; And

At least two processing units are coupled to this buffer cell, in order in regular turn those super pixels are carried out a Flame Image Process job.

2. image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, this Flame Image Process work be the convergent-divergent that is respectively view data, figure image intensifying, color processing, halftone process, Filtering Processing and the data formatting of specific input and output device is handled one of them.

3. image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, these at least two buffer cells are that the super pixel of exporting with described processing unit with a plurality of pixel datas is that unit receives these super pixels, and are unit with super pixel also, export these super pixels.

4. image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, this image processing apparatus also comprises a buffer cell control circuit, exports the order of this buffer cell in order to control these super pixels.

5. image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, these super pixels comprise that one the first surpasses pixel and and the second surpasses pixel, and this first surpasses pixel and this and the second surpasses pixel and all comprise this first pixel data.

6. image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this image processing apparatus is to be arranged in the scanner.

7. image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this image processing apparatus is to be arranged in the multifunctional paper feeding machine.