Multiple frame grabber
AssigneeDialog Semiconductor GmbH
InventorsHorst Knoedgen, Dirk Huettmann
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is presented that applies M×N×K computational units to calculating image parameters on N picture images captured simultaneously by N digital camera devices, where there are N groups of frame grabber units, each containing M frame grabbers in which there are K computational units. The data operated on by a computational unit is separate and independent from the image data operated on by the other computational units. This results in a performance speedup of M×N×K compared to one computational unit making the same computations. A master frame grabber unit controls the illumination of the N digital camera devices, and synchronizes the illumination with the clocks of the N digital camera devices.
Claims56
A system for processing a response of light sensitive devices under test to a light, comprising:
- a) a plurality of N light sensitive devices under test (N-DUT),
- b) a plurality of N analysis units,
- c) a light source,
- d) a stimulus and control unit to control said N-DUT,
- e) said plurality of the N-DUT illuminated by said light source,
- f) said plurality of the N-DUT each capture a response to said light source, creating N responses to the light source that are coupled to said plurality of N analysis units,
- g) said plurality of N analysis units calculate parameters of said N responses to the light source.
A method of parallel processing a picture image from a digital camera device, comprising:
- a) dividing a picture image from a digital camera device into M portions,
- b) coupling said M portions to M frame grabber units, in which each frame grabber unit contains K computational units,
- c) dividing said M portions into K sub-portions and coupling said K sub-portions to said K computational units,
- d) calculating parameters of said picture image with said M×K computational units,
- e) coupling results of said calculations to a host computer.
A method for parallel processing a picture image by pixel, comprising:
- a) coupling a picture image to a frame grabber unit containing K computational units,
- b) distributing said picture image to said K computational units by pixel,
- c) starting with a first computational unit of said K computational units, coupling a first pixel, continuing to the next computational unit until the last computational unit of said K computational units is coupled with a K pixel, then returning to the first computational unit to load a K+1 pixel and continuing in this fashion until all pixels of said picture image is coupled to the K computational units,
- d) commencing calculations of image parameters on the pixels of said picture image as additional pixels are coupled to said computational units,
- e) coupling results of said calculations to a host computer to be combined to determine a final result of the calculations of said picture image.
A method of testing a plurality of digital camera devices simultaneously, comprising:
- a) illuminating a plurality of N digital camera devices (DUT) with a light source,
- b) capturing N picture images from said N-DUT,
- c) coupling a first picture image of said N picture images to a first group of M frame grabber units,
- d) coupling a second picture image of said N picture images to a second group of said M frame grabber units,
- e) coupling an N picture image to an N group of said M frame grabber units,
- f) computing parameters of said N picture images in parallel with said N groups of M frame grabber units,
- g) coupling results from said N groups of M frame grabber units to a host computer for combining and determining a composite result of said computation of parameters.
A method of testing a plurality of digital camera devices, comprising:
- a) forming a computational unit with a memory a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a computer,
- b) forming a frame grabber unit containing K computational units,
- c) forming a group of M frame grabber units,
- d) contacting electrically to N digital camera devices,
- e) coupling said N digital camera devices to N groups of M frame grabber units,
- f) illuminating said N digital camera devices with a single light source,
- g) controlling said single light source with a master frame grabber unit,
- h) controlling said N digital camera devices to produce N picture images,
- i) coupling said N picture images to said N groups,
- j) distributing portions of said N picture images to K computational units contained within each of the M frame grabber unit of said N groups of frame grabber units,
- k) calculating image parameters of said N picture images simultaneously,
- l) coupling results of said calculations to a host computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.