System for, and method of, processing an image

Abstract

A software development kit prioritizes certain aspects of an acquired image and introduces the prioritized aspects to a main processor. Alternatively, a coprocessor, or the coprocessor and the development kit, manipulate(s) the acquired image and introduce(s) the manipulated image to the processor. The reprogramming of either one of the development kit and the coprocessor may be initiated by either one of them or by the processor and the programming may be provided by the main processor. A central station and a gate array may also be individually reprogrammable by the main processor which sets up, programs and controls an intelligent imaging platform in accordance with the individual reprogrammings. A reprogramming of an audio acquisition stage may also be initiated by that stage and any of the other stages and the processor and may be provided by the processor. The audio information may be related to the acquired image.

1 . A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
 acquiring the image,   providing a main processor for processing the acquired image,   providing a reprogrammable coprocessor for manipulating the acquired image before the introduction of the acquired image to the main processor, the manipulation being dependent upon the processing of the image by the main processor,   providing for a reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the coprocessor of the coprocessor, even while the coprocessor is being reprogrammed, wherein   the reprogramming is provided by the main processor and wherein   the main processor and the coprocessor are disposed in an intelligent imaging platform.   
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor,   providing a reprogrammable central station, and   providing a reprogramming by any one of the central station, the main processor, the software development kit, the coprocessor and the field reprogrammable gate array of any one of the software development kit, the coprocessor, the central station and the field reprogrammable gate array.   
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing a reprogrammable central station for providing for at least one of the steps of setting up, programming and controlling the intelligent imaging platform to be enhanced by the reprogramming of at least one of the central station and the coprocessor, and   providing for a reprogramming by any one of the main processor, the central station and the coprocessor of any one of the central station and the coprocessor.   
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing an intelligent imaging platform,   providing a reprogrammable central station for providing for at least one of the steps of setting up, programming and controlling the intelligent imaging platform to be enhanced by the reprogramming of any one of the central station, the field reprogrammable gate array and the coprocessor, and   providing a reprogramming by any one of the central station, the main processor, the coprocessor and the field reprogrammable gate array of any one of the central station, the coprocessor and the field reprogrammable gate array.   
     
     
         5 . A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:
 acquiring the image,   providing a main processor for processing the acquired image,   providing a reprogrammable coprocessor for manipulating the acquired image before the introduction of the acquired image to the main processor, the manipulation being dependent upon the processing of the image by the main processor,   providing for a reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the coprocessor of the coprocessor, even while the coprocessor is being reprogrammed,   providing an intelligent imaging platform,   providing a reprogrammable central station for providing for at least one of the steps of setting up, programming and controlling the intelligent imaging platform to be enhanced by the reprogramming of at least one of the central station and the coprocessor, and   providing for a reprogramming by any one of the main processor, the central station and the coprocessor of any one of the central station and the coprocessor, wherein   the reprogramming is provided by the main processor and wherein   the main processor, the central station and the coprocessor are disposed in the intelligent imaging platform.   
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:
 acquiring audio information related to the acquired image,   providing for a reprogrammable processing of the audio information to clarify the audio information,   initiating a decision by any one of the main processor and the coprocessor in the software to have the acquired audio information reprogrammed, and   providing for the reprogramming of the acquired audio information by the main processor when a decision is provided by any one of the main processor and the coprocessor to have the audio information reprogrammed.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for processing an image to obtain desired results, comprising:
 an image acquirer for acquiring the image and for converting the acquired image to signals representing the image,   software responsive to the signals from the image acquirer and reprogrammable in accordance with the processing desired of the image for providing signals concentrating on certain aspects of the image, and   hardware responsive to the signals from the software for reprogramming the software, the reprogramming being initiated by the hardware or the software on the basis of a decision made by the hardware or the software regarding the acquired image.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an intelligent imaging platform, and   a central station responsive to the signals from the hardware and reprogrammable by the hardware or the software on the basis of a decision made by the hardware or software regarding the acquired image for enhancing the operation of the hardware in controlling the operation of the intelligent imaging platform.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for processing an image to obtain desired results, comprising:
 an image acquirer for acquiring the image and for converting the acquired image to signals representing the image,   software responsive to the signals from the image acquirer and reprogrammable in accordance with the processing desired of the image for providing signals concentrating on certain aspects of the image,   hardware responsive to the signals from the software for reprogramming the software to provide the concentrated signals, and   a coprocessor reprogrammable by any one of the hardware, the software and the coprocessor on the basis of a decision made by the hardware, the software or the coprocessor regarding the acquired image for manipulating the signals acquired from the image in accordance with the results desired to be obtained from the acquired image.   
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:
 an image acquirer for acquiring the image and for converting the acquired image to signals representing the acquired image,   software including a coprocessor reprogrammable for manipulating the signals acquired from the image acquirer in accordance with the results desired to be obtained, and   a main processor for processing the manipulated signals from the reprogrammable coprocessor and for reprogramming the coprocessor on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the software regarding the acquired image.