Patent ID: 8126295

Claim:
A multi-functional image processing apparatus comprising: an image processor processing sensing data input from various sensors and generating image data; a first codec to selectively perform one of an encoding of the image data or decoding of encoded image data using a first encoding method to generate respective first encoded data or first decoded data based on the first codec selection between the encoding and decoding; a second codec to selectively perform one of an encoding of the image data or decoding of the encoded image data using a second encoding method to generate respective second encoded data or second decoded data based on the second codec selection between the encoding and decoding; a system memory to store the image data, the first and second encoded data, and the first and second decoded data; a main processor to control other components of the apparatus; and a router to transmit the image data to at least one of the first codec and the second codec for encoding the image data, to transmit the encoded image data to at least one of the first codec and second codec for decoding the encoded image data, and to selectively provide a codec-to-codec communication of codec decoded data by one of: transmitting the first decoded data, as a partial decoding of plural partial decodings produced by the first codec that in combination represent an entire decoded image of an entire encoded image, from the first codec to the second codec with simultaneous encoding of the decoded image by the second codec and decoding of the encoded image by the first codec to produce another partial decoding of the plural partial decodings produced by the first codec; and transmitting the second decoded data, as a partial decoding of plural partial decodings produced by the second codec that in combination represent an entire decoded other image of entire encoded other image, from the second codec to the first codec with simultaneous encoding of the decoded other image by the first codec and decoding of the encoded other image by the second codec to produce another partial decoding of the plural partial decodings produced by the second codec; and an encoding line memory to store first or second data to be respectively encoded into the first or second encoded data, wherein respective encodings of the image data are performed on a line unit using the encoding line memory when the encoding line memory is in a full state, of plural states, and wherein each of the first codec and the second codec comprises a decoding line memory to store the corresponding first or second decoded data configured such that the router accesses the decoding line memory to transmit, in line units, each respective partial decodings of plural partial decodings of a corresponding encoded image.