WO2000049524A1

WO2000049524A1 - Method and device for the storage and accessing of an object by a computer

Info

Publication number: WO2000049524A1
Application number: PCT/DE2000/000348
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Georg Baumgarten; Erich Ino
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 1999-02-15
Filing date: 2000-02-04
Publication date: 2000-08-24
Also published as: EP1161734A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the storing of an object by a computer, according to which a second object is determined by modification of a first object by means of a defined process comprising at least one parameter. On the basis of the at least one parameter an index is determined. The second object is stored in a memory and referenced on the basis of said index.

Description

description

Process and arrangement for storing and accessing an object by a computer

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for storing and for accessing an object by a computer.

Such a method and such an arrangement are known from computer technology or from commercially available computers. Data can be stored on different storage media, e.g. in a main memory or on a hard disk. Nowadays, a variety of memory types are available, a selection is: RAM, ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, removable disk, CD-ROM.

Now it is when processing large amounts of data, e.g. in digital image processing, general efforts to ensure fast processing, in order to be able to carry out a large number of calculations, in particular for moving images, despite the requirement for real-time capability, for example to ensure high image quality in the case of a disturbed transmission channel or a low bandwidth with the highest possible resolution Optimal use of images.

An image is modified using a so-called converter which, depending on mostly several parameters, transforms an image m into an image determined by the values of the parameters. Such a transformation / mapping requires a period of time that cannot be neglected, particularly in image processing. If a conversion is to be carried out each time a picture modified according to a specified requirement is accessed, there is a significant loss in performance, which is particularly the case with

Image processing significantly affects the performance of a system. This is reinforced by the The fact that in numerous applications several of the above-mentioned converters are connected in series and, accordingly, many images have to be carried out.

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanism that allows significant time savings when accessing an object, in particular an advantageous way of storing the object is given.

This task is carried out according to the characteristics of the independent

Claims resolved. Further developments of the invention also result from the dependent claims.

To achieve the object, a method for storing an object by a computer is specified, in which a second object is determined by modifying a first object by a predetermined process that has at least one parameter. An index is determined on the basis of the at least one parameter. The second object is stored in a memory, the second object being referenced on the basis of its index.

One embodiment is that the modification takes place using several processes. Each of the multiple processes can have one or more parameters.

A further development consists in the index being determined as a unique index. The unique index enables an unmistakable identification of the stored second object.

It should be noted here that referencing means a reference to the stored object, preferably by means of the index. This referencing can be done by storing the index in connection with an entry address for the stored second object. This can be done using a table, for example, when accessing the index gives the entry address for the second object in the memory from the table. This entry address can be implemented as an offset or as a pointer to the memory area.

Alternatively, the referencing can be carried out by storing the index together with the second object in the memory. In this case, access would be made by searching the memory for the index.

A combination of the two referencing options mentioned is also possible.

In addition, it is a further development that the second object is compressed before it is stored. The compression advantageously results in a significant reduction in the storage space required for storing the second object.

To achieve the object, a method for accessing an object by a computer is also specified, in which an index is determined from at least one parameter of a process. This index is used for dereferencing a second object. If a stored second object can be found for the index, this second object is accessed; if no second object can be determined for the index, a predetermined first object is determined based on the process, taking into account its at least one parameter for a new second object. The newly determined second object is accessed.

A further development is that the new second object is saved in accordance with the method described above. In particular, several processes can be used instead of one process, each of the several processes having a predeterminable number of parameters.

It is also an embodiment that an object that has already been stored is also accessed if the at least one parameter within a predetermined tolerance is similar to the at least one parameter of the second object that has already been stored. This has the particular advantage that an already stored second object is accessed within this tolerance in any case and no separate redetermination or recalculation of the second object is necessary.

It is also a further development that the object contains information that can be displayed.

In particular, the object can be a digital image.

An additional embodiment is that the process is a converter for modifying image data. The at least one parameter of the process (here the converter) is a special variable for influencing this image data.

A major advantage of the invention is that the direct and memory access to an object that has already been determined eliminates the tedious and time-consuming recalculation (using the at least one process). The direct memory access is faster in any case, the saving of the redetermination has a positive effect on the performance and the resources of the system.

It should be noted that the memory mentioned includes in particular the usual types of memory: RAM, mass storage, hard disk, etc. In order to achieve the object, an arrangement for storing an object by a computer is also provided, in which a processor unit is provided which is set up in such a way that a) a second object can be determined by a first object using a predetermined process which has at least one Has parameters, is modified; b) an index can be determined on the basis of the at least one parameter; c) the second object is stored in a memory, the second object being referenced on the basis of its index.

To achieve the object, an arrangement for accessing an object by a computer is also provided which has a processor unit which is set up in such a way that a) an index can be determined from at least one parameter of a process; b) dereferencing of a second object based on the index; c) if a stored second object can be determined for the index, this second object is accessed; d) if no second object can be determined for the index, a new second object is determined from a predetermined first object using the process and this newly determined second object is accessed.

These arrangements are particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention or one of its developments explained above.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated and explained below with reference to the drawing. Show it

Fig.l is a sketch with logical blocks of a method for storing an object;

2 shows a sketch with a first possibility of referencing;

3 shows a sketch with a second possibility of referencing;

4 shows a sketch that illustrates access to an object;

5 shows a processor unit that can be used as a computer.

1 shows a sketch with logical blocks of a method for storing an object. A first object 101 is first processed in a processing block 103 in a converter 104 with the parameters p1, p2, p3. This is followed by compression (see block 105) and index determination (see block 106). When determining the index, a value (index) is clearly determined from the first object and the type of conversion (number of processes with values of the respective parameters). For this purpose, an identification variable 108 is preferably determined from the first object and is also taken into account when determining the index. The

Identification variable 108 enables the unambiguous assignment, or almost unambiguous assignment, of the first object 101 to the identification variable 108. Various methods are known for this, for example an assignment via an Internet link (URL address). The index determination 106 delivers a unique index 107, the compression 105 delivers second object 102 to which conversion 104 and compression 105 have been applied.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 each show a sketch with a possibility of referencing. In Fig.2 is a

Memory area 201 is entered by storing the second object (identified here by area 203). The index 202 is located preferably at the beginning of the stored second object 203 (corresponds to the index 107 determined according to FIG. 1). Using the index 202, m can

Memory area 201 the second object can be found.

Another possibility is shown in FIG. 3: For quick access to a memory area 301, a table 305 is provided which comprises an index field 303 and a pointer 302. The pointer 302 points directly to an address within the memory area 301. Instead of the pointing mechanism, an offset can arise in the table entry 302, which likewise dereferences the entry address for the object associated with the index 303 in the memory area 301. In FIG. 3, the second object is identified by the area 304, the pointer 302 points to the start of the second object 304. If you are now looking for the second object 304 using its index 303, only the table 305 has to be searched for the index, the field of the pointer 302 associated with the index directly provides the starting address within the memory area 301 for the second object 304.

4 shows a sketch that illustrates access to an object. Given are a first object 401 and a conversion function (a process) 402 with the parameters pl, p2 and p3. An identification variable 403 is determined on the basis of the first object, and a partial index TIx 404 is determined from the conversion function, which can optionally include several converters. Both sizes 403 and 404 together result in the index Ix. The index Ix is used to search for one already in a memory area stored second object used, which emerges from the first object after the process 402 has been carried out (cf. 405). If the search is successful, the found object is accessed (see block 407), otherwise the second object is recalculated and the newly calculated one

Object accessed (see block 408). The decision of whether to access or recalculate is made in block 406.

A processor unit PRZE is shown in FIG. The processor unit PRZE comprises a processor CPU, a memory SPE and an input / output interface IOS, which is used in different ways via an interface IFC: output is visible on a monitor MON and / or on a printer via a graphic interface PRT issued. An entry is made using a mouse MAS or a keyboard TAST. The processor unit PRZE also has a data bus BUS, which ensures the connection of a memory MEM, the processor CPU and the input / output interface IOS. Furthermore, additional components can be connected to the data bus BUS, e.g. additional memory, data storage (hard disk) or scanner ..;:

Claims

claims

1. A method for storing a second object by a computer, a) in which the second object is determined by modifying a first object by a predetermined process which has at least one parameter; b) in which an index is determined on the basis of the at least one parameter; c) in which the second object is stored in a memory, the second object being referenced on the basis of its index.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the modification is carried out using several processes.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the index is determined as a unique index.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the referencing is carried out by storing the index with an entry address in the memory for the second object.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the referencing is carried out by storing the index with the second object in the memory.

6. The method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, in which the second object is compressed before the second object is stored.

7. Method for accessing a second object by a computer, a) in which an index is determined from at least one parameter of a process; b) in which the index is used for dereferencing the second object; c) in which, if a stored second object can be determined for the index, this second object is accessed; d) in which, if no second object can be determined for the index, a new second object is determined from a predetermined first object using the process and this newly determined second object is accessed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the new second object is stored according to one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, in which a plurality of processes for index determination or for determining the second object from the first object are used.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the stored object is also accessed if the at least one parameter with a predetermined tolerance corresponds to the at least one parameter of the already stored second object.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the object comprises information that can be displayed, in particular a digital image.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the process is a converter for modifying image data.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter is a special variable for influencing the bid data.

14. Arrangement for storing a second object by a computer, in which a processor unit is provided which is set up in such a way that d) the second object can be determined by modifying a first object by a predetermined process which has at least one parameter ; e) an index can be determined on the basis of the at least one parameter; f) the second object is stored in a memory, the second object being referenced on the basis of its index.

15. Arrangement for access to a second object by a computer, in which a processor unit is provided which is set up in such a way that e) an index can be determined from at least one parameter of a process; f) the second object is dereferenced on the basis of the index; g) if a stored second object can be determined for the index, this second object is accessed; h) if no second object can be determined for the index, a new second object is determined from a predetermined first object using the process and this newly determined second object is accessed.