"Electro-optical device for the acquisition and processing of images"

#The present invention concerns an electro-optical device for the acquisition, memorization and processing of images, made by means of high integration CMOS technology. The device consists of optical sensor means able to acquire images and at least an electronic digital calculator unit able to process the images using techniques based on the use of neural networks.

#Using the same silicon production technology, both for the image detection part and also for the processing part, allows to integrate all the components on a single integrated circuit or microchip, with considerable advantages in terms of space and operating efficiency.

#The invention is preferentially applied in the field of biometry, surveillance, household robotics and intelligent sensors for motor vehicles, or similar.

#These and other characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the device according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 shows the device in FIG. 1 applied to a motor vehicle;

#With reference to FIG. 1, the device 10 according to the invention comprises, as essential parts, an electro-optical unit 11 for the acquisition of images, a calculator unit 20 comprising at least a neural-type processor and a communication interface 30.

#Both the image acquisition unit 11, the calculator unit 20 and the interface 30 are made using CMOS technology, and are integrated on a single silicon support element 18, so as to achieve a SOC type device (System on Chip) of extremely limited size and energy consumption. On the support element 18 is also provided at least a device for suppressing or reducing the noise generated by the digital devices, which noise may affect and compromise the correct operation of the analogic components and of the optical sensor.

#The image acquisition unit 11 consists in this case of a matrix sensor 12 of the type with 320×256 active pixels with logarithmic response which allow to convert into an electric signal an electromagnetic radiation detected in the interval of the wavelength which goes from about 400 to about 1100 nm. The sensor 12 also comprises a selection element, not shown in detail here, to select the light-sensitive element in arbitrary order.