System for non-destructive image processing

A method for non-destructive image processing using an image processor comprising a plurality of processing modules coupled together in a series the method comprising:

• implementing the plurality of processing modules in at least one of i) hardware or ii) one or more processors executing machine readable instructions;
• processing an original image with the plurality of processing modules that are coupled together in the 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
• storing a respective output of each of the plurality of processing modules of the series 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 a 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 using a first sequence of processing modules 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 using the first sequence of processing modules, modify the first sequence of processing modules to produce a second sequence of processing modules of the image processor by at least one of:
• i) inserting a first processing module between processing modules in the first sequence, ii) removing a second processing module between a beginning processing module and an ending processing module in the first sequence, or iii) modifying a third processing module between the beginning processing module and the ending processing module in the first sequence;
• and
• in response to modifying the image processor, generate a second processed image with the image processor using the second sequence of processing modules and without processing image data with processing modules in the second sequence before i) the first processing module, ii) a location of the second processing module in the second sequence before removal of the second processing module, or iii) the third processing module.