Apparatus and method for processing an image

An image processing method for reading an input image on a predetermined unit basis, performing image processing, and generating an output image, the image processing method wherein

• if a number of horizontal pixels of the input image is larger than a predetermined number of horizontal pixels of a temporary storage unit provided with a storage area located horizontally and having a predetermined number of horizontal pixels and for temporarily storing a plurality of lines of pixel data of the input image corresponding to the predetermined number of horizontal pixels, an image dividing unit vertically and equally divides the input image according to the predetermined number of the horizontal pixels;
• the image dividing unit controls an input data transfer unit so that the divided pixel data of the input image is sequentially transferred to the temporary storage unit;
• a pixel processing unit performs image processing on a single or plural pixels basis with respect to the divided pixel data of the input image transferred to the temporary storage unit;
• and
• an image coupling unit controls an output data transfer unit so that output pixel data corresponding to one divided area from the image processing unit is coupled with output pixel data corresponding to the other divided area, and wherein at each of the divided areas, the pixel data of the input image is transferred line by line with the number of horizontal pixels of the divided area and processed, and the output pixel data of the one divided area is coupled with the output pixel data of the other divided area, for generating the output image,
• wherein the image dividing unit divides pixel data of the input image to be divided so that each of the divided pixel data includes overlapped pixel data located on the pixel data of the input image to be divided if the number of horizontal pixels of the pixel data of the input image to be divided is odd, and
• wherein the image dividing unit divides pixel data of the input image to be divided so that each of the pixel data of the input image to be divided does not include overlapped pixel data if the number of horizontal pixels of the pixel data of the input image to be divided is even.

A semiconductor device for reading an input image on a predetermined unit basis, performing image processing with respect to the input image, and generating an output image, comprising:

• a buffer provided with a storage area located horizontally and having a predetermined number of horizontal pixels and for temporarily storing a plurality of lines of pixel data of the input image corresponding to the predetermined number of horizontal pixels;
• an image divider for vertically and equally dividing the input image according to the predetermined number of horizontal pixels if the number of horizontal pixels of the input image is larger than the predetermined number of horizontal pixels of the buffer;
• an input data transfer circuit for sequentially transferring to the buffer the divided pixel data of the input image;
• a pixel processor for performing image processing at a single or plural pixels basis with respect to the divided pixel data of the input image transferred to the buffer;
• an image coupler for controlling transfer of output pixel data of the pixel processor to be sequentially outputted so that the output pixel data are coupled with each other, for generating an output image;
• and
• an output data transfer circuit for transferring the output pixel data to an indicated output image storage area according to the image coupler,
• wherein the image divider divides pixel data of the input image to be divided so that each of the divided pixel data includes overlapped pixel data located on the pixel data of the input image to be divided if the number of horizontal pixels of the pixel data of the input image to be divided is odd, and
• wherein the image divider divides pixel data of the input image to be divided so that each of the pixel data of the input image to be divided does not include overlapped pixel data if the number of horizontal pixels of the pixel data of the input image to be divided is even.