US 5,293,455 AGranted

Spatial-temporal-structure processor for multi-sensor, multi scan data fusion

AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company

InventorPatrick F. Castelaz

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Abstract

A system is provided for associating a set of data values where each data value belongs to one of a plurality of classes and also to one of a plurality of types. The system includes an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, each memory cell storing one data value. An energy computation cell for each column is coupled for computing an energy value proportional to the likelihood that the data values in each column comprise one of the desired associations. A system control module to the energy computation cells for transferring the data values of a given class and type from one memory cell to another memory cell of the same class and type, within a given row of memory cells when the replacement lowers to the energy value for the column. The energy values computed by all the energy computation cells are summed to determine a total energy value. Each time data values are transferred, the total energy value of all of the energy cells is computed. The lowest total energy value after successive replacements represents a state in which each column contains the desired association of data values.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A system for forming desired associations among a set of data values, each of said data values belonging to one of a plurality of classes and one of a plurality of types, said system comprising:

an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, each memory cell storing one of said data values, said data values arranged in said memory cells, so that each column contains one data value of each possible combination of said classes and types;
data bus means for transmitting said data values into and out of said memory cells;
an energy computation cell for each column coupled to said data bus means for computing an energy value for each column, wherein said energy value is proportional to the likelihood that the data values in said column together comprise one of said desired associations;
system control means connected to said data bus means and said energy computation cells for transferring said data values of a given class and type from one memory cell to another memory cell of the same class and type within a given row of memory cells, when said energy value for said column is lowered by said transfer;
said system control means including a summing means for adding up all the energy values computed by said energy computation cells to determine a total energy value proportional to the likelihood that all columns contain desired associations of data values, and
wherein each time said system control means transfers data values, said summing means determines the total energy value of all of said energy computation cells, whereby, the total energy value having a lowest total energy after successive transfers represents a state in which each column contains said desired associations of data values.

3 more elements

A method for forming desired associations among a set of data values, said data values each belonging to one of a plurality of classes and one of a plurality of types, said method comprising:

providing an array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, each memory sell storing one of said data values, wherein said data values are arranged in said memory cells so that each column contains one data value of each possible combination of said classes and types;
transmitting along a data bus, said data values into said memory cells;
computing an energy value for each column of memory cells, wherein said energy value is proportional to the likelihood that the data values in said column together comprise one of said desired associations;
transferring said data values of a given class and type from one memory cell to another memory sell of the same class and type, within a given row of memory cells;
determining if the energy for the column of the cell receiving the transferred data values is increased due to said transfer, and putting said transferred data values back in their original positions when said energy value is increased due to aid transfer;
summing all the energy values for each column to determine a total energy value proportional to the likelihood that all columns contain desired associations of data values;
and
repeating said step of replacing said data values, until a lowest total energy value is reached based on a predetermined criteria.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.