System for Non-Destructive Image Processing
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorPaul McLean
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image processor comprises a plurality of processing modules coupled together in series. Each of at least two of the processing modules includes an image data input to receive at least one of i) an original image or ii) image data output by a previous processing module in the series. Each of the at least two of the processing modules also includes a processing unit configured to i) detect that image data is to be generated and ii) process image data received via the at least one image data input to generate image data. Each of the at least two of the processing modules also includes a memory to store image data generated by the processing unit.
Claims20
A method for non-destructive image processing using an image processor comprising a plurality of processing modules coupled together in series, wherein the plurality of processing modules are implemented in at least one of i) hardware or ii) one or more processors executing machine readable instructions, the method comprising:
- processing an original image with the image processor to generate a first processed image;
- after generating the first processed image, modifying the image processor by at least one of:
- i) inserting a first processing module between processing modules in the series, ii) removing a second processing module between a beginning processing module and an ending processing module in the series, or iii) modifying a third processing module between the beginning processing module and the ending processing module in the series;
- and
- in response to modifying the image processor, generating a second processed image with the image processor and without processing image data with processing modules in the series before i) the first processing module, ii) a location of the second processing module in the series before removal of the second processing module, or iii) the third processing module.
A method for non-destructive image processing using an image processor comprising a plurality of processing modules coupled together in series, wherein the plurality of processing modules are implemented in at least one of i) hardware or ii) one or more processors executing machine readable instructions, the method comprising:
- processing an original image with the plurality of processing modules, wherein each processing module non-destructively processes image data corresponding to one of i) the original image or ii) image data output by a previous processing module in the series based on determining that new image data is to be generated by the processing module;
- and
- storing a respective output of each processing module in a respective memory so that an output image generated by a last processing module in the series and image data output by each of one or more previous processing modules used to generate the output image are in the memories at the same time.
An apparatus for image processing, the apparatus comprising:
- image processor comprising a plurality of processing modules coupled together in series, wherein each of at least two of the processing modules comprises:
- an image data input to receive at least one of i) the original image or ii) image data output by a previous processing module in the series;
- a processing unit configured to i) detect that image data is to be generated and ii) process image data received via the at least one image data input to generate image data, wherein the processing unit is implemented in at least one of i) hardware or ii) one or more processors executing machine readable instructions;
- and
- a memory to store image data generated by the processing unit;
- wherein an output image generated by a last processing module in the series and image data output by each of one or more previous processing modules used to generate the output image are in respective memories at the same time.
A computer-readable memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to:
- process an original image with an image processor to generate a first processed image, wherein the image processor comprises a plurality of processing modules coupled together in series;
- after generating the first processed image, modify the image processor by at least one of:
- i) inserting a first processing module between processing modules in the series, ii) removing a second processing module between a beginning processing module and an ending processing module in the series, or iii) modifying a third processing module between the beginning processing module and the ending processing module in the series;
- and
- in response to modifying the image processor, generate a second processed image with the image processor and without processing image data with processing modules in the series before i) the first processing module, ii) a location of the second processing module in the series before removal of the second processing module, or iii) the third processing module.
A computer-readable memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to:
- process an original image with a plurality of processing modules of an image processor coupled together in series, wherein each processing module non-destructively processes image data corresponding to one of i) the original image or ii) image data output by a previous processing module in the series based on determining that new image data is to be generated by the processing module;
- and
- store a respective output of each processing module in a respective memory so that an output image generated by a last processing module in the series and image data output by each of one or more previous processing modules used to generate the output image are in the memories at the same time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.