DE-102025146856-A1 - SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING DIFFERENT IMAGE FRAME FORMATS DURING A STREAMING SESSION

DE102025146856A1DE 102025146856 A1DE102025146856 A1DE 102025146856A1DE-102025146856-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for dynamically managing image frame formats during a streaming session in machine vision applications. An imaging assembly captures images with varying frame formats and communicates with a host equipped with a processor, memory, and a vision analysis module. Using direct memory access (DMA), the host efficiently stores images by adjusting DMA parameters to accommodate format changes without interrupting the session. This approach can eliminate the need for image padding, memory utilization optimization, and data transfer. The system improves adaptability in real-time imaging tasks, such as barcode scanning, by seamlessly switching between different frame formats based on image properties. The method involves initiating an imaging session triggered by external events and processing captured images for machine vision tasks, thereby improving the system's responsiveness and throughput in diverse industrial and commercial environments.

Inventors

Jason S. Mak
Justin F. Barish

Assignees

ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20251112
Priority Date: 20241113

Claims (20)

A system for acquiring and processing image data, comprising: an imaging assembly capable of acquiring a plurality of images during an imaging session; and a host communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly, the host comprising a processor, memory, and a visual analysis module, the processor being capable of controlling the storage of at least some of the plurality of images in the memory via direct memory access (DMA), where: the imaging assembly is configured to acquire a first image with a first frame format and a second image with a second frame format that differs from the first frame format; during the imaging session, the imaging assembly transmits data associated with the second frame format to the host; the processor sets at least one parameter associated with DMA to store the first image with the first frame format in the memory; During the imaging session, and based on the data associated with the second frame format, the processor modifies the at least one parameter associated with the DMA to store the second image with the second frame format in memory; the processor is configured to perform a machine vision task on at least one of the first images or the second image via the vision analysis module; and the imaging session is defined as being continuous between a trigger to activate the imaging assembly in response to an external trigger event and at least one downtime period, the receipt of a signal indicating successful completion of a machine vision task via the vision analysis module, or a signal indicating termination of the external trigger event.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the imaging assembly includes a first imaging sensor with a first resolution and a second imaging sensor with a second resolution that differs from the first resolution, and wherein the first image is captured by the first imaging sensor and the second image is captured by the second imaging sensor.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the first frame format differs from the second frame format in at least one of image width, image height, bits per pixel, pixel color format, presence of metadata, compression algorithm or encoding algorithm.
System according Claim 1 , where at least one parameter associated with the DMA includes a DMA control configuration parameter.
System according Claim 4 , wherein the DMA control configuration parameter includes at least one of a source address parameter, a destination address parameter, a transfer size parameter, a transfer mode parameter, or a priority level parameter.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the processor is operable to use a first DMA control to store the first image with the first frame format in memory, and to select a second DMA control to store the to store the second image with the second frame format in memory, with the second DMA controller pre-configured to receive the second frame format.
System according Claim 6 , wherein the selection of the second DMA control is based on a predetermined condition selected from at least one command received from a change in image resolution, a change in color format, or a command received from the imaging assembly.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the imaging assembly transmits the data associated with the second frame format to the host by including the data associated with the second frame format with a transmission of the first frame to the host.
System according Claim 1 , wherein the imaging assembly transmits the data associated with the second frame format to the host by transmitting a signal via a general-purpose input/output bus or a serial communication bus between the imaging assembly and the host.
System according Claim 9 , wherein the imaging assembly transmits the data associated with the second frame format to the host in response to a request made by the host.
System according Claim 1 , wherein: the first image is read from the imaging assembly to the host during a first time period p 1 ; the second image is read from the imaging assembly to the host during a second time period p 2 ; and the imaging assembly transmits data associated with the second frame format to the host during part of the first time period p 1 and before the start of the second time period p 2 .
System according Claim 11 , where the second image is captured sequentially after the first image.
Method for acquiring and processing image data, comprising: Initiating an imaging session associated with an imaging assembly; during the imaging session: Acquiring, via the imaging assembly, a first image with a first frame format; Transmitting the first frame with the first frame format to a host and storing, via Direct Memory Access (DMA), the first image in a memory location of the host; Transmitting, from the imaging assembly to the host, data associated with a second frame format; Modifying at least one parameter associated with the DMA to store a second image with the second frame format in the memory; Acquiring, via the imaging assembly, the second image with the second frame format; Transmitting the second frame with the second frame format to the host and storing, via the DMA, the second image in the host's memory; and Process at least one of the first image or the second image via a host vision analysis module for a machine vision task, where the imaging session is defined as lasting between a trigger to activate the imaging assembly in response to an external trigger event and at least one of a downtime period, a reception of a signal indicating successful completion of a machine vision task via the vision analysis module, or a signal indicating termination of the external trigger event.
Procedure according to Claim 13 , furthermore encompassing: capturing the first image with a first imaging sensor with a first resolution; and capturing the second image with a second imaging sensor with a second resolution that differs from the first resolution.
Procedure according to Claim 13 , wherein the first frame format differs from the second frame format in at least one of image width, image height, bits per pixel, pixel color format, presence of metadata, compression algorithm or encoding algorithm.
Procedure according to Claim 13 , furthermore, comprehensively configuring a DMA controller with at least one parameter selected from a source address parameter, a destination address parameter, a transmission size parameter, a transmission mode parameter, or a priority level parameter.
Procedure according to Claim 13 , furthermore comprehensively: using a first DMA controller to store the first image with the first frame format in memory; and selecting a second DMA controller that is preconfigured to receive the second frame format in order to store the second image with the second frame format in memory.
Procedure according to Claim 17 , furthermore, comprehensive selection of the second DMA control basis rend on a predetermined condition selected from at least one command received from a change in image resolution, a change in color format, or a command received from the imaging assembly.
Procedure according to Claim 13 , furthermore, comprehensively transferring the data associated with the second frame format to the host by including the data with a transfer of the first frame to the host.
Procedure according to Claim 13 , furthermore, comprehensively transferring the data associated with the second frame format to the host by transmitting a signal via a multi-purpose input/output bus or a serial communication bus between the imaging assembly and the host.

Description

BACKGROUND In the context of machine vision devices such as imaging-based character readers (also known as barcode readers), communication between an imaging assembly and a host remains static during each streaming session. Consequently, adjustments to image frame formats during any given session are not feasible. While one solution to address this problem involves padding each image to the largest possible memory size, this creates numerous inefficiencies. Therefore, there is a need for solutions that enable efficient modification of imaging frame formats during a streaming session. DESCRIPTION In one embodiment, the present disclosure describes a system for acquiring and processing image data, comprising: an imaging assembly that is operable to acquire a plurality of images during an imaging session; and a host that is communicatively coupled to the imaging assembly, the host comprising a processor, a memory, and a visual analysis module, the processor being operable to control the storage of at least some of the plurality of images in the memory via direct memory access (DMA), wherein: the imaging assembly is configured to acquire a first image with a first frame format and a second image with a second frame format that differs from the first frame format; during the imaging session, the imaging assembly transmits data associated with the second frame format to the host; the processor sets at least one parameter associated with the DMA to store the first image with the first frame format in the memory; During the imaging session, and based on the data associated with the second frame format, the processor modifies the at least one parameter associated with the DMA to store the second image with the second frame format in memory; the processor is configured to perform a machine vision task on at least one of the first images or the second image via the vision analysis module; and the imaging session is defined as lasting between a trigger to activate the imaging assembly in response to an external trigger event and at least one of a downtime period, the receipt of a signal indicating successful completion of a machine vision task via the vision analysis module, or a signal indicating termination of the external trigger event. In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a method for acquiring and processing image data, comprising: initiating an imaging session associated with an imaging assembly; during the imaging session: acquiring, via the imaging assembly, a first image with a first frame format; transmitting the first frame with the first frame format to a host and storing, via direct memory access (DMA), the first image in a memory of the host; transmitting, from the imaging assembly to the host, data associated with a second frame format; modifying at least one parameter associated with the DMA to store a second image with the second frame format in the memory; acquiring, via the imaging assembly, the second image with the second frame format; transmitting the second frame with the second frame format to the host and storing, via the DMA, the second image in the memory of the host; and process at least one of the first image or the second image via a vision analysis module of the host for a machine vision task, wherein the imaging session is defined as lasting between a trigger to activate the imaging assembly in response to an external trigger event and at least one of a downtime period, a reception of a signal indicating successful completion of a machine vision task via the vision analysis module, or a signal indicating termination of the external trigger event. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying figures, in which the same reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements in the individual views, are integrated into the description together with the following detailed description and form a part thereof, serving to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed examples and explaining various principles and advantages of these embodiments. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary barcode reader according to the teachings of this revelation. 2 illustrates an isometric view of an example imaging assembly used in the barcode reader of 1 can be used. 3 is an exemplary block diagram representation of a system for recording and processing working with image data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 4 is an exemplary time diagram of the operation of an imaging module of the system of 3 . 5 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary operating procedure of the system of 3 represents. The apparatus and process components have, where appropriate, been represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, which show only those specific details relevant to understanding the disclosed examples, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that are obvious to the person skilled in the art referring to the present