Optimization of image processing using multiple processing units

An electronic device for processing an image, the electronic device comprising:

• a first processing unit;
• a second processing unit;
• and
• a storage storing a program, the program comprising sets of instructions for
• (i) accessing a previously-defined sequence of a plurality of effects for applying the plurality of effects to an image, the previously-defined sequence having a first ordering for applying the plurality of effects to the image that requires a plurality of data exchanges between a first processing unit and a second processing unit,
• (ii) analyzing the previously-defined sequence of the plurality of effects to reduce a quantity of the plurality of data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, wherein said analyzing comprises:
• determining a second ordering for applying a first subset of the effects to the image by the first processing unit, and
• determining a third ordering for applying a second subset of the effects to the image by the second processing unit after the first subset of effects has been applied to the image by the first processing unit,
• wherein at least one pair of effects that are adjacent effects in either the second or third ordering are not adjacent effects in the first ordering, and
• wherein the second ordering and the third ordering are determined such that the quantity of the plurality of data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit is reduced,
• (iii) using the first processing unit to apply the first subset of the effects to the image according to the second ordering, and
• (iv) using the second processing unit to apply the second subset of the effects to the image according to the third ordering.

A method for applying effects to an image, the method comprising:

• accessing a previously-defined sequence of a plurality of effects for applying the plurality of effects to the image, the previously-defined sequence having a first sequence for applying the plurality of effects to the image that requires a plurality of data exchanges between a first processing unit and a second processing unit;
• analyzing the previously-defined sequence of the plurality of effects to reduce a quantity of the plurality of data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, wherein said analyzing comprises:
• determining a first set of effects to assign to the first processing unit for applying the first set of effects to the image according to a second sequence, wherein at least two effects in the first sequence correspond to two consecutive effects in the second sequence with at least one intervening effect between the at least two effects in the first sequence;
• and
• determining a second set of effects to assign to the second processing unit for applying the second set of effects to the image according to a third sequence;
• wherein the second sequence and the third sequence are determined such that the quantity of the plurality of data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit is reduced.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program which when executed by at least one processing unit applies effects to an image, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

• accessing a previously-defined sequence of a plurality of effects for applying the plurality of effects to the image, the previously-defined sequence having a first sequence for applying the plurality of effects to the image that requires a plurality of data exchanges between a first processing unit and a second processing unit;
• analyzing the previously-defined sequence of the plurality of effects to reduce a quantity of the plurality of data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, wherein said analyzing comprises:
• determining a first set of effects to assign to the first processing unit for applying the first set of effects to the image according to a second sequence, wherein at least two effects in the first sequence correspond to two consecutive effects in the second sequence with at least one intervening effect between the at least two effects in the first sequence;
• and
• determining a second set of effects to assign to the second processing unit for applying the second set of effects to the image according to a third sequence;
• wherein the second sequence and the third sequence are determined such that the quantity of the plurality of data exchanges between the first processing unit and the second processing unit is reduced.