Process and system for processing signals arranged in a bayer pattern
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsFrancesco Pappalardo, Alessandro Capra, Massimo Mancuso, Hervé Broquin, Paolo Antonino Fodera, Elena Salurso
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Abstract
Digital video signals, such as the signals generated by an image sensor in a Bayer format, are converted into an encoded format. In the Bayer format, the pixels of each line are alternately coded with two colors, and then converted into the encoded format. In the encoded format, the pixels of the digital video signals are reordered into sets of adjacent pixels, such that the sets group pixels coded with the same color. The encoded signal data results in a reduced switching activity when transmitted over a bus.
Claims27
A process for converting digital video signals between a Bayer format and an encoded format, with pixels in each line of the Bayer format being alternately coded with two colors, each pixel having an upper and lower part, and the digital video signals in the encoded format having a reduced switching activity when transmitted over a bus as compared to the digital video signals in the Bayer format being transmitted over the bus, the process comprising:
- ordering the pixels in sets of adjacent pixels in the encoded format, with the sets respectively grouping pixels that code a same color being performed by an encoder, and each set also grouping the upper and lower part of the pixels.
A system for converting digital video signals between a Bayer format and an encoded format, with pixels in each line of the Bayer format being alternately coded with two colors, each pixel having an upper and lower part, and the digital video signals in the encoded format having a reduced switching activity when transmitted over a bus as compared to the digital video signals in the Bayer format being transmitted over the bus, the system comprising:
- at least one converter element connected to the bus for converting between the Bayer format and the encoded format so that, in the encoded format, the pixels are ordered in sets of adjacent pixels, with the sets respectively grouping pixels that code a same color, and each set also grouping the upper and lower art of the pixels.
An apparatus comprising:
- an image sensor for providing digital video signals in a Bayer format, with pixels in each line of the Bayer format being alternately coded with two colors, and each pixel having an upper and lower part;
- an encoder connected to said image sensor for converting between the Bayer format and an encoded format so that, in the encoded format, the pixels are ordered in sets of adjacent pixels, with the sets respectively grouping pixels that code a same color, and each set also grouping the upper and lower part of the pixels;
- a bus connected to said encoder for transmitting the digital video signals in the encoded format;
- a decoder connected to said bus for receiving the digital video signals in the encoded format, and for converting between the encoded format and the Bayer format;
- and
- a processor connected to said decoder for processing the digital video signal in the Bayer format.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.