System for, and method of, processing an image

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor, constituting hardware, for processing the acquired image,
• providing reprogrammable software, including a software development kit, for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the software development kit being reprogrammable,
• providing for the reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software including the software development kit, during the reprogramming of the software development kit, in accordance with the operation of the software development kit and the main processor,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor, and
• providing for a reprogramming by any one of the main processor, the software development kit in the software and the field reprogrammable gate array of any one of the software development kit and the field reprogrammable gate array even while any one of the software development kit and the reprogrammable field gate array is being reprogrammed.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor, constituting hardware, for processing the acquired image,
• providing reprogrammable software, including a software development kit, for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the software development kit being reprogrammable,
• providing for the reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software including the software development kit, during the reprogramming of the software development kit, in accordance with the operation of the software development kit and the main processor, wherein
• the reprogramming of the software development kit in the software is provided by the main processor and wherein
• the main processor and the software development kit in the software are disposed in an intelligent imaging platform.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor, constituting hardware, for processing the acquired image,
• providing reprogrammable software, including a software development kit, for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the software development kit being reprogrammable,
• providing for the reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software including the software development kit, during the reprogramming of the software development kit, in accordance with the operation of the software development kit and the main processor,
• providing a reprogrammable coprocessor to manipulate the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the manipulation depending upon the processing to be provided by the main processor,
• providing a reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software, including the software development kit in the software and the coprocessor, of any one of the software development kit and the coprocessor even while any one of the software development kit and the coprocessor is being reprogrammed, wherein
• the reprogramming of the software development kit in the software and the coprocessor are provided by the main processor and wherein
• the main processor, the software development kit in the software and the coprocessor are disposed in an intelligent imaging platform.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor, constituting hardware, for processing the acquired image,
• providing reprogrammable software, including a software development kit, for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the software development kit being reprogrammable,
• providing for the reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software including the software development kit, during the reprogramming of the software development kit, in accordance with the operation of the software development kit and the main processor,
• 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 the software development kit and the central station, even while any one of the software development kit and the central station is being reprogrammed,
• providing for a reprogramming by any one of the central station, the main processor and the software development kit of any one of the software development kit and the central station, even while any one of the software development kit and the central station is being reprogrammed, wherein
• the software development kit in the software and the main processor are disposed in the intelligent imaging platform and wherein
• the reprogramming of any one of the software development kit in the software and the central station is provided by the main processor in accordance with the operation of any one of the central station, the main processor and the software development kit, even while any one of the central station and the software development kit is being reprogrammed.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor, constituting hardware, for processing the acquired image,
• providing reprogrammable software, including a software development kit, for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the software development kit being reprogrammable,
• providing for the reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software including the software development kit, during the reprogramming of the software development kit, in accordance with the operation of the software development kit and the main processor,
• providing a reprogrammable coprocessor to manipulate the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, the manipulation depending upon the processing to be provided by the main processor,
• providing a reprogramming by any one of the main processor and the software, including the software development kit in the software and the coprocessor, of any one of the software development kit and the coprocessor even while any one of the software development kit and the coprocessor is being reprogrammed,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor,
• providing an intelligent imaging platform,
• providing a reprogrammable central station for performing at least one of the steps of setting up, programming and controlling the intelligent imaging platform,
• providing a reprogramming by any one of the field reprogrammable gate array, the central station, the main processor, the coprocessor and the software development kit of any one of the software development kit, the central station, the coprocessor and the field reprogrammable gate array and the software development kit, wherein
• the field reprogrammable gate array, the central station, the coprocessor and the software development kit are reprogrammable by any one of the main processor, the coprocessor, the central station, the software development kit and the field reprogrammable gate array and wherein
• the field reprogrammable gate array, the software development kit, the central station, the coprocessor and the main coprocessor are disposed in the intelligent imaging platform.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• providing software, including a software development kit for enabling a user to create software for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor, and
• providing a reprogramming by any one of the main processor, the software development kit and the field reprogrammable gate array of any one of the software created by the software development kit and the field reprogrammable gate array on the basis of a decision made by the main processor, the software or the field reprogrammable gate array regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• providing software, including a software development kit for enabling a user to create software for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor,
• providing an intelligent imaging platform,
• providing a reprogrammable central station for an enhancement of the operation of the intelligent imaging platform by a reprogramming of any one of the software created by the software development kit and the field reprogrammable gate array, and
• initiating a decision by any one of the main processor, the software created by the software development kit, the central station and the field reprogrammable gate array to have any one of the central station, the software created by the software development kit and the field reprogrammable gate array, reprogrammed on the basis of a decision made by the main processor, the software created by the software development kit, the central station, or the field reprogrammable gate array regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• providing a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• providing software, including a software development kit for enabling a user to create software for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor,
• initiating a decision by any one of the main processor and the software created by the software development kit to have the software reprogrammed by the main processor on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the software regarding the acquired image,
• providing a reprogrammable coprocessor to manipulate the acquired image, dependent upon the processing to be provided by the main processor, before the acquired image is processed by the main processor,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor,
• 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 reprogramming of any one of the central station, the field reprogrammable gate array, the software created by the software development kit and the coprocessor, and
• providing a reprogramming by any one of the central station, the main processor, the software created by the software development kit, the coprocessor and the field reprogrammable gate array of any one of the software created by the software development kit, the coprocessor, the central station and the field reprogrammable gate array, on the basis of a decision made by the central station, the main processor, the software created by the software development kit, the coprocessor or the field reprogrammable gate array regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• processing the acquired image with a main processor,
• manipulating the acquired image with one or more reprogrammable stages before the acquired image is processed by the main processor,
• reprogramming the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages dependent upon a decision made by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired image,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, and
• reprogramming the field reprogrammable gate array by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• processing the acquired image with a main processor,
• manipulating the acquired image with one or more reprogrammable stages before the acquired image is processed by the main processor,
• reprogramming the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages dependent upon a decision made by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired image,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is to be processed by the main processor,
• 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 reprogramming any of the central station, the field reprogrammable gate array or the reprogrammable stages,
• providing a software development kit for enabling a user to create software, and
• reprogramming any of the main processor, the software created by the software development kit, the reprogrammable stages, the central station or the field reprogrammable gate array by any of the central station, the reprogrammable stages, the software created by the software development kit or the field reprogrammable gate array on the basis of a decision made by the central station, the reprogrammable stages, the software created by the software development kit or the field reprogrammable gate array regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image, providing software to concentrate on certain aspects of the image, the software being reprogrammable,
• providing hardware to process the concentrated aspects of the image,
• providing for the reprogramming of the software by any one of the hardware and the software to concentrate on the certain aspects of the image during the reprogramming of the software by any one of the software and the hardware,
• providing a reprogrammable coprocessor for manipulating the acquired image to facilitate the processing by the main hardware of the concentrated aspects of the acquired image,
• providing an intelligent imaging platform,
• providing a field reprogrammable gate array for clarifying the acquired image from the image acquirer before the image is processed by the hardware,
• providing a reprogrammable central station responsive to the processing from the hardware for facilitating the operation of the intelligent imaging platform by reprogramming any one of the software, the central station, the coprocessor and the field reprogrammable gate array, and
• providing for the reprogramming of any one of the software, the coprocessor, the central station and the field reprogrammable gate array by any one of the hardware, the software, the coprocessor, the central station and the field reprogrammable gate array.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• processing the acquired image with a main processor,
• providing a software development kit for enabling a user to create software for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image, the software created by the software development kit being reprogrammable, and
• reprogramming the software created by the software development kit on the basis of a decision made by the main processor regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• manipulating the acquired image with one or more reprogrammable stages, at least one of the reprogrammable stages comprising a field reprogrammable gate array,
• processing the manipulated image from the reprogrammable stages with a main processor, and
• reprogramming the field reprogrammable gate array, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or the reprogrammable stages to enhance the manipulation of the acquired image by the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image,
• manipulating the acquired image with software including a reprogrammable coprocessor,
• processing the manipulated image from the coprocessor with a main processor,
• reprogramming any one of the main processor and the reprogrammable coprocessor to enhance the manipulation of the acquired image by the reprogrammable coprocessor,
• utilizing a software development kit provided in the software to create software for prioritizing particular aspects of the acquired image before the acquired image is processed by the main processor, and
• reprogramming any one of the reprogrammable coprocessor, the software created by the software development kit and the main processor by any one of the software created by the software development kit and the reprogrammable coprocessor on the basis of a decision made by the reprogrammable coprocessor, the software created by the software development kit or the main processor regarding the acquired image for facilitating the processing of the image by the main processor.

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, 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, and
• a field reprogrammable gate array for manipulating the signals from the image acquirer for introduction to the software to obtain a clarification of the signals introduced to the software.

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,
• 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,
• an intelligent imaging platform, and
• a reprogrammable central station included in the software and connected to the hardware for cooperation with the hardware in becoming reprogrammed to enhance the operation of the hardware in providing the steps of reprogramming and controlling the operation of the intelligent imaging platform.

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,
• a field reprogrammable gate array for reprogramming the signals from the image acquirer for introduction to the software to obtain a clarification of the signals introduced to the software,
• an intelligent imaging platform,
• a reprogrammable central station included in the software and connected to the hardware for cooperation with the hardware in becoming reprogrammed to enhance the operation of the hardware in providing the steps of reprogramming and controlling the operation of the intelligent imaging platform,
• a reprogrammable coprocessor included for manipulating the signals acquired from the image in accordance with the results desired to be obtained from the acquired image, and
• a software development kit included in the software for enabling a user to create software and reprogrammable to prioritize the signals in the software,
• any one of the software, the field reprogrammable gate array, the coprocessor and the software created by the software development kit being reprogrammable, the reprogramming being initiated by any one of the software, the hardware, the field reprogrammable gate array, the software created by the software development kit and the coprocessor on the basis of a decision made by the software, the field reprogrammable gate array, the coprocessor or the software created by the software development kit regarding the acquired image.

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,
• the coprocessor being reprogrammable for prioritizing the manipulated signals, and
• a field reprogrammable gate array to reprogram the image acquirer for introduction to the software to prioritize the signals in the software.

An apparatus for processing an image of an event to provide a desired result, comprising:

• an intelligent imaging platform,
• one or more reprogrammable stages responsive to particular characteristics of the event,
• a main processor included in the intelligent imaging platform for providing a controlled operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the image in accordance with information provided by the reprogrammable stages,
• each of the reprogrammable stages being included in the intelligent imaging platform, and being reprogrammable, at least one of the reprogrammable stages comprising a field reprogrammable gate array, the reprogramming of the field reprogrammable gate array being initiated by any one of the reprogrammable stages or by the main processor on the basis of a decision made by any one of the reprogrammable stages or the main processor regarding the characteristics of the event.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image and for converting the acquired image to signals representing the image,
• a reprogrammable event generator responsive to the signals from the image acquirer for prioritizing individual ones of the signals in accordance with the results desired to be obtained in the processed image,
• a reprogrammable event responder responsive to the prioritized signals from the event generator for making decisions based upon the prioritized signals from the event generator and upon the desired results and for providing signals representing these decisions, and
• a processor for processing the signals representing the decisions from the event responder to obtain the desired results,
• each of the event generator and the event responder being reprogrammable, the reprogramming being initiated by the event generator, the event responder or the processor on the basis of a decision made by any one of the event generator, the event responder, or the processor, regarding the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image and for converting the acquired image to signals representing the image,
• a reprogrammable event generator responsive to the signals from the image acquirer for prioritizing individual ones of the signals in accordance with the results desired to be obtained in the processed image,
• a reprogrammable event responder responsive to the prioritized signals from the event generator for making decisions based upon the prioritized signals from the event generator and upon the desired results and for providing signals representing these decisions,
• a processor for processing the signals representing the decisions from the event responder to obtain the desired results,
• each of the event generator and the event responder being reprogrammable, the reprogramming being initiated by the event generator, the event responder or the processor on the basis of a decision made by any one of the event generator, the event responder, or the processor, regarding the acquired image,
• a video manipulator responsive to the signals from the image acquirer for modifying the signals representing the acquired image to clarify the image represented by the signals and for introducing the modified signals to the event generator,
• the video manipulator being reprogrammable by any of the event generator, the event responder, the processor, or the video manipulator in accordance with the results desired to be obtained in the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image and for converting the acquired image to signals representing the image,
• a reprogrammable event generator responsive to the signals from the image acquirer for prioritizing individual ones of the signals in accordance with the results desired to be obtained in the processed image,
• a reprogrammable event responder responsive to the prioritized signals from the event generator for making decisions based upon the prioritized signals from the event generator and upon the desired results and for providing signals representing these decisions,
• a processor for processing the signals representing the decisions from the event responder to obtain the desired results,
• each of the event generator and the event responder being reprogrammable, the reprogramming being initiated by the event generator, the event responder or the processor on the basis of a decision made by any one of the event generator, the event responder, or the processor, regarding the acquired image,
• an intelligent imaging platform,
• the image acquirer, the event generator, the event responder, the processor, the audio acquirer and the audio manipulator being disposed in the intelligent imaging platform,
• each of the video manipulator, the event generator and the event responder being reprogrammable by any of the video manipulator, the event generator, the event responder or the processor.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• one or more reprogrammable stages, and
• a software development kit for enabling a user to create software to control the operation of the main processor and the reprogrammable stages,
• the image acquirer, the main processor, the reprogrammable stages, and the software development kit being interconnected to provide for the reprogramming of any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the software created with the software development kit regarding the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• one or more reprogrammable stages,
• a software development kit for enabling a user to create software to control the operation of the main processor and the reprogrammable stages,
• the image acquirer, the main processor, the reprogrammable stages, and the software development kit being interconnected in the system to provide for the reprogramming of any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the software created with the software development kit regarding the acquired image,
• a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify particular aspects of the acquired image before the introduction of the acquired image to the main processor,
• the gate array being reprogrammable by the main processor, the software created with the software development kit or the gate array on the basis of a decision made by the main processor, the software created with the software development kit or the gate array regarding the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• one or more reprogrammable stages,
• a software development kit for enabling a user to create software to control the operation of the main processor and the reprogrammable stages,
• the image acquirer, the main processor, the reprogrammable stages, and the software development kit being interconnected in the system to provide for the reprogramming of any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the software created with the software development kit regarding the acquired image,
• a coprocessor connected in the system to prioritize particular characteristics of the acquired image before the introduction of the acquired image to the main processor,
• the coprocessor being reprogrammable by any of the main processor, the coprocessor or the software created with the software development kit on the basis of a decision made by the main processor, the coprocessor or the software created with the software development kit regarding the acquired image,
• a field reprogrammable gate array to clarify the acquired image before the introduction of the acquired image to the main processor,
• an intelligent imaging platform including the main processor, the software created with the software development kit, the gate array and the coprocessor, and
• a central station included in the intelligent imaging platform for providing for the set up, programming and control of the main processor in accordance with the prioritized aspects of the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a coprocessor connected in the system to prioritize particular characteristics of the acquired image,
• a software development kit for enabling a user to create software for emphasizing individual ones of the particular prioritized characteristics of the acquired image,
• a main processor for processing the image in accordance with the operation of the coprocessor and the software created by the software development kit,
• each of the coprocessor and the software created by the software development kit being reprogrammable, and
• the main processor, the coprocessor and the software created by the software development kit initiating a reprogramming of any one of the coprocessor and the software created by the software development kit on the basis of a decision made by the main processor, the coprocessor or the software created by the software development kit regarding the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• a software development kit associated with the main processor for enabling a user to create software for indicating to the main processor how the acquired image should be processed,
• the main processor and the software development kit being interconnected to initiate a reprogramming of the software created by the software development kit on the basis of a decision made by any one of the main processor and the software created by the software development kit regarding the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• a coprocessor for manipulating the acquired image before the introduction of the acquired image to the main processor,
• the coprocessor being reprogrammable,
• the reprogramming of the coprocessor being initiated by the main processor or the coprocessor on the basis of a decision made by any one of the main processor and the coprocessor regarding the acquired image,
• a gate array reprogrammable to clarify the acquired image before passing the acquired image to the main processor,
• the reprogramming of the coprocessor and the reprogrammable gate array being provided by any of the main processor, the coprocessor or the reprogrammable gate array on the basis of a decision made by the main processor, the coprocessor or the reprogrammable gate array regarding the acquired image.

A method of processing an image in an intelligent imaging platform, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring information concerning the image for introduction to the intelligent imaging platform,
• processing the information with a main processor in the intelligent imaging platform,
• said intelligent imaging platform including a plurality of reprogrammable stages for reprogramming the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the information,
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired information, to control the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing an image,
• providing a reprogrammable field gate array to clarify the acquired image before the image is processed by the main processor, and
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, including the reprogrammable field gate array, by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages to operate the main processor in processing the image.

A method of processing an image in an intelligent imaging platform, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring information concerning the image for introduction to the intelligent imaging platform,
• processing the information with a main processor in the intelligent imaging platform,
• said intelligent imaging platform including a plurality of reprogrammable stages for reprogramming the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the information, at least one of the reprogrammable stages comprising a field reprogrammable gate array, and
• reprogramming the field reprogrammable gate array, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired information, to control the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in proving an image.

A method of processing an image in an intelligent imaging platform, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring information concerning the image for introduction to the intelligent imaging platform,
• processing the information with a main processor in the intelligent imaging platform,
• said intelligent imaging platform including a plurality of reprogrammable stages for reprogramming the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the information,
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired information, to control the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing an image,
• providing a reprogrammable event generator in the software stages for making decisions with respect to particular characteristics of the image, and
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, including the event generator, by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages to operate the main processor in processing the image.

A method of processing an image in an intelligent imaging platform, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring information concerning the image for introduction to the intelligent imaging platform,
• processing the information with a main processor in the intelligent imaging platform,
• said intelligent imaging platform including a plurality of reprogrammable stages for reprogramming the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the information,
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired information, to control the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing an image,
• providing a reprogrammable event responder in the software stages for providing action with respect to the particular characteristics of the image in accordance with decisions made by the event responder, and
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, including the reprogrammable event responder, by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages to operate the main processor in processing the image.

A method of processing an image in an intelligent imaging platform, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring information concerning the image for introduction to the intelligent imaging platform,
• processing the information with a main processor in the intelligent imaging platform,
• said intelligent imaging platform including a plurality of reprogrammable stages for reprogramming the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the information,
• reprogramming any of the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired information, to control the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing an image,
• the reprogrammable stages constitute software stages and the main processor constitutes a hardware stage,
• acquiring audio information relating to the image and for converting the audio information to signals representing the audio information;
• and
• providing a reprogrammable audio manipulator responsive to the audio signals for operating upon the audio signals to clarify the audio information represented by the audio signals;
• the audio manipulator being reprogrammable by the audio manipulator in accordance with the results desired to be obtained in the image.

An apparatus for processing a visual image on an intelligent imaging platform, comprising:

• a main processor to provide an image in the intelligent imaging platform,
• a plurality of reprogrammable stages each being reprogrammable, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any one of the reprogrammable stages regarding the image to control the operation of the intelligent imaging platform in accordance with the reprogramming of the reprogrammable stages,
• the reprogrammable stages include a reprogrammable field gate array for clarifying the image before the image is introduced to the main processor,
• each of the reprogrammable stages, including the reprogrammable field gate array, being reprogrammable by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages during the reprogramming of any of the reprogrammable stages, to operate the main processor in processing the image in the intelligent imaging platform.

A method for processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring information concerning the image;
• processing the information in an intelligent imaging system having a plurality of reprogrammable stages to provide an image, at least one of the reprogrammable stages comprising a field reprogrammable gate array;
• analyzing the information being processed by the system to enable the system to self-determine whether to reprogram any of the reprogrammable stages;
• and
• automatically reprogramming the field reprogrammable gate array, the reprogramming being initiated by any one of the reprogrammable stages based upon the self-determination made in that stage or in another stage, to control the operation of the system in providing the image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an acquirer for acquiring information concerning the image and for converting the acquired information to signals representing the image;
• and
• an intelligent imaging platform for processing the signals and providing an image, said intelligent imaging platform including one or more reprogrammable stages for controlling the processing of the signals, at least one of the reprogrammable stages comprising a field reprogrammable gate array,
• the reprogramming of the field reprogrammable gate array being initiated by the intelligent imaging platform on the basis of a decision made by the intelligent imaging platform regarding the signals being processed.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image;
• acquiring audio information;
• processing the acquired image with a main processor;
• manipulating the acquired audio information with a reprogrammable stage;
• processing the manipulated audio information from the reprogrammable stage with the main processor;
• and
• reprogramming the reprogrammable stage, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or the reprogrammable stage to enhance the manipulation of the acquired audio information by the reprogrammable stage on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the reprogrammable stage regarding the acquired audio information.

A method of processing an image, comprising the steps of:

• acquiring the image;
• acquiring audio information;
• processing the acquired image and audio information with a main processor and one or more reprogrammable stages;
• and
• reprogramming at least one of the reprogrammable stages, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired audio information.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image;
• an audio acquirer for acquiring audio information;
• a main processor for processing the acquired image and audio information;
• and
• one or more reprogrammable stages for manipulating the acquired image or for controlling the operation of the main processor in processing the image;
• said reprogrammable stages being reprogrammed, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired audio information.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image;
• a audio acquirer for acquiring audio information;
• a reprogrammable stage for manipulating the acquired audio information;
• and
• a main processor for processing the acquired image and the manipulated audio information;
• said reprogrammable stage being reprogrammed, the reprogramming being initiated by the main processor or the reprogrammable stage to enhance the manipulation of the acquired audio information by the reprogrammable stage on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or the reprogrammable stage regarding the acquired audio information.

An apparatus for processing an image to provide a desired result, comprising:

• an intelligent imaging platform,
• an audio acquirer for receiving audio information,
• one or more reprogrammable stages responsive to audio information from the audio acquirer, and
• a main processor included in the intelligent imaging platform for providing a controlled operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the image in accordance with the audio information provided by the audio acquirer;
• each of the reprogrammable stages being included in the intelligent imaging platform, and being reprogrammable, the reprogramming being initiated by any of the reprogrammable stages or the main processor on the basis of a decision made by the reprogrammable stages or the main processor regarding the audio information.

An apparatus for processing an image to provide a desired result, comprising:

• an intelligent imaging platform,
• one or more inputs in the intelligent imaging platform for receiving signals from external devices,
• one or more reprogrammable stages responsive to signals from the inputs, at least one of the reprogrammable stages comprising a field reprogrammable gate array, and
• a main processor included in the intelligent imaging platform for providing a controlled operation of the intelligent imaging platform in processing the image in accordance with the signals provided by the inputs,
• each of the reprogrammable stages being included in the intelligent imaging platform, the reprogramming of the field reprogrammable gate array being initiated by any of the reprogrammable stages or the main processor on the basis of a decision made by the reprogrammable stages or the main processor regarding the signals from the inputs.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image, and
• one or more reprogrammable stages,
• both the main processor and each of the reprogrammable stages being configured to initiate a reprogramming of any of the reprogrammable stages on the basis of a decision made by the main processor or by any of the reprogrammable stages regarding the acquired image.

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• an image acquirer for acquiring the image,
• a main processor for processing the acquired image,
• one or more reprogrammable stages, and
• a software development kit for enabling a user to create software to control the operation of the main processor and the reprogrammable stages.