Method and apparatus for pattern recognition and detection

A neighborhood transformation circuit stage for analyzing an image represented by a serial stream of digital data signals having values corresponding to points in a matrix constituting the image, said circuitry comprising:

• a data input for receiving said stream of digital data signals;
• neighborhood extraction means including a plurality of digital storage devices for temporarily storing digital signals associated with a neighborhood in the matrix comprised of a central data point and its surrounding points in the matrix;
• means for loading the signals into the storage devices to sequentially access substantially all of the neighborhoods in the matrix;
• analysis means coupled to the neighborhood extraction means for analyzing each neighborhood as it is presented to the storage devices and providing an output signal depending upon the analysis;
• and
• alterable memory means coupled between said data input and the neighborhood extraction means for assigning selected values to the digital electrical signals depending upon their original values in the incoming data stream.

A neighborhood transformation circuit stage for analyzing an image represented by a serial stream of digital data signals having values corresponding to points in a matrix constituting the image, said stage circuitry comprising:

• a data input for receiving said serial stream of data signals;
• neighborhood extraction means coupled to the data input, said neighborhood extraction means including a plurality of digital storage devices for temporarily storing digital signals associated with a neighborhood in the matrix comprised of a central data point and its surrounding points in the matrix;
• means for loading the signals in the storage devices to sequentially access substantially all of the neighborhoods in the matrix;
• and
• neighborhood configuration detection means for detecting whether data signals having particular values in each neighborhood are configured in a preselected pattern.

A method of detecting a particular neighborhood configuration in an image represented by a serial stream of digital data signals having values corresponding to points in a matrix constituting the image, said method comprising:

• sequentially loading said digital data signals into an array of latches arranged to store a central data point and its surrounding points in the matrix;
• loading a given value into a particular address in a memory;
• combining the outputs of the latches containing the surrounding points to form an address for accessing said memory;
• and
• repetitively addressing said memory with each new address from the latches as each neighborhood of points is sequentially loaded into the latches to extract substantially all of the neighborhoods in the matrix whereby said memory provides an output of said given value when the address formed by the latches corresponds to the address at which said given value is stored thereby signifying that particular data values for the surrounding points in the neighborhood are configured in a preselected pattern.