Patent ID: 8320696
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. An image processing apparatus that performs a filter operation process on pixel data of an image stored in an image memory by scanning the pixel data using a filter kernel, the apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives a type of filter operation process to be performed; a plurality of memory units which are classified into a plurality of blocks according to types of the filter operation processes; a data supply unit that reads out a plurality of pieces of pixel data from the image memory and temporarily stores the pixel data in the plurality of memory units, and outputs the stored plurality of pieces of pixel data while sequentially shifting the pixel data; a plurality of operation units that concurrently perform filter operation processes based on filter coefficients in the filter kernel and the plurality of pieces of pixel data outputted from the data supply unit; and a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of memory units for at least one specific operation unit in the plurality of operation units, which belongs to a block corresponding to a type of the filter operation process received by said receiving unit, and outputs the pixel data stored in the selected memory unit to the specific operation unit, wherein in the case where N number of the operation units, where N is a positive integer, are provided and the filter operation process is performed by scanning the pixel data of the image with the filter kernel being shifted M pixels relative to the pixel data, where M is a positive integer, from the multiple memory units, the N number of memory units equal to the number N of operation units present every M number of places equal to the number M of pixels from a first memory unit at the time of the sequential shifting are classified to a single block.