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US5337319A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus and method for reconfiguring an image processing system to bypass hardware

Assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Filing: 1990-10-10
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2010-10-10
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Abstract

Abstract An image processing system including a reconfiguration circuit, typically responding to fault detection. The image processing includes a data compressing unit for compressing image data generated by an image input terminal, a data storage unit for storing output compressed image data, a data decompressing unit for decompressing compressed data and for transferring the decompressed data to an output terminal. A control unit controls the system to compress and store image data, and then to repeatedly read out and transfer the stored data to the image output terminal. When a self diagnosis detects a fault in any one of the compressing unit, data storage unit, or data decompressing unit, the faulty unit is bypassed with a special data bus, thereby allowing system operating to continue.

Inventors

  • 👤 Shigehiro Furukawa
  • 👤 Kazuo Hayashi
  • 👤 Hiroshi Takayanagi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 15:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T9/00; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0733; G06F11/0793

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
An image processing system for coupling to an image output terminal, the system comprising: means for storing image data; image input means for generating an image signal; means for compressing the image signal to generate a compressed image signal and to send the compressed image signal to the storing means; first bypassing means, responsive to the image input means, for selectively bypassing the compressing means, the first by-passing means including means for selectively inhibiting the compressing means from sending the compressed image signal to the storing means, and for sending the image signal to the storing means; and means, responsive to the storing means, for processing image data and including means for repeatedly reading an image stored in the storing means, and means, coupled to the means for repeatedly reading, for transferring the image to the image output terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
An image processing system for coupling to an image output terminal, the system comprising: means for storing image data; image input means for generating an image signal; means for compressing the image signal to generate a compressed image signal and to send the compressed image signal to the storing means; first bypassing means, responsive to the image input means, for selectively bypassing the compressing means, the first by-passing means including means for selectively inhibiting the compressing means from sending the compressed image signal to the storing means, and for sending the image signal to the storing means; and means, responsive to the storing means, for processing image data and including means for repeatedly reading an image stored in the storing means, and means, coupled to the means for repeatedly reading, for transferring the image to the image output terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
The system according to claim 1, further including means for generating a pattern, means, having a first input responsive to the pattern generating means and a second input responsive to the compressing means, for comparing a signal on the first input to a signal on the second input to control the first bypassing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
The system according to claim 2, further including first detecting means for detecting a fault in the storing means; second bypassing means, responsive to the first detecting means, for bypassing the storing means, when the first detecting means detects a fault in the storing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
The system according to claim 3, further including means for enabling the pattern generating means to write pattern data into the storing means; and means for controlling the first bypassing means to enable the pattern generating means to apply data to the comparing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The system according to claim 4, further including means, responsive to the first detecting means, for activating the first bypassing means, when the first detecting means detects a fault in the storing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 79 words
The system according to claim 3, wherein the second bypassing means includes a first switch means having a fixed contact coupled to the compressing means and a switching contact selectively coupled to one of the first input of the comparing means and the storing means; and a second switch means having a fixed contact coupled to the decompressing means and a switching contact selectively coupled to one of the first input of the comparing means and the storing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 49 words
The system according to claim 2, further including means for enabling the compressing means to apply data to the comparing means and for enabling the pattern generating means to apply data to the compressing means; and means for enabling the storing means to apply data to the comparing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
The system according to claim 2, further including means for enabling the pattern generating means to apply data to the comparator; and means for enabling the processing means to apply data to the comparing and enabling the storing means to apply data to the comparing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 31 words
The system according to claim 2, further including switch means having a switchable contact selectively coupled to one of the image input means and the output of the pattern generating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 38 words
The system according to claim 1, further including first detecting means for detecting a fault in the compressing means; means for activating the first bypassing means, when the first detecting means detects a fault in the compressing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein the first bypassing means includes switch means having a fixed contact and a switchable contact selectively coupled to one of the input of the compressing means and the output of the compressing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
The system according to claim 1, further including switch means having a fixed contact and a switchable contact selectively coupled to one of the processing means and the storing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 52 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein the transferring means includes means for decompressing compressed image data, and wherein the system further includes means for detecting a fault in the decompressing means; and means, responsive to the means for detecting a fault in the decompressing means, for activating the first bypassing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 113 words
In an image processing system having an image input means for generating an image signal, and a means for storing image data, an image processing method comprising the steps of: compressing the image signal to generate a compressed image signal and to send the compressed image signal to the storing means; selectively bypassing the compressing step, including the substeps of selectively inhibiting the compressing step from sending to the storing means, and sending the image signal to the storing means; storing data; selectively bypassing the storing step; and processing image data including the substeps of repeatedly reading an image stored in the storing step, and transferring the image to an image output terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 113 words
In an image processing system having an image input means for generating an image signal, and a means for storing image data, an image processing method comprising the steps of: compressing the image signal to generate a compressed image signal and to send the compressed image signal to the storing means; selectively bypassing the compressing step, including the substeps of selectively inhibiting the compressing step from sending to the storing means, and sending the image signal to the storing means; storing data; selectively bypassing the storing step; and processing image data including the substeps of repeatedly reading an image stored in the storing step, and transferring the image to an image output terminal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method according to claim 14, further including the steps of generating a pattern; and comparing data from the generating step with data stored in the storing step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
The method according to claim 15, further including the steps of testing the storing step to determine whether or not there is a fault in the storing step; bypassing the storing step when a fault is detected by the testing step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method according to claim 16, further including the step of activating the bypassing compressing step when the first detecting step detects a fault in the storing step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 35 words
The method according to claim 15, further including the steps of enabling the pattern generating step to apply data to the compressing step; and enabling the storing step to apply data to the comparing step.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system according to claim 15, further including the step of enabling the storing step to apply data to the comparing step.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method according to claim 14, further including the steps of generating pattern data; and comparing data from the pattern generating step with data from the storing step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method according to claim 14, further including the steps of detecting a fault in the compressing step; activating the bypassing compressing step when the detecting step detects a fault in the compressing step.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 62 words
The method of according to claim 14, wherein the transferring step further includes a substep of decompressing, and wherein the method further includes the steps of testing the storing step to determine whether or not there is a fault in the decompressing substep; activating the bypassing compressing step when the step of detecting a fault in the compressing step detects a fault.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4809214A Cited
US5150462A Cited
US5138702A Cited
US5070503A Cited
US5093831A Cited
US5129058A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-08-08 1998-02-07 1998-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-08-08 2002-02-07 2002-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-08-08 2006-02-07 2006-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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