Spiking neuron network apparatus and methods for encoding of sensory data

A computerized signal processing system configured to reconfigure a processor included therein, the system comprising:

• processors configured to execute computer program modules, the processors comprising a first processor and a second processor, the computer program modules being executable to:
• based on a first value of a configuration parameter, configure the first processor to encode an input signal, the first processor comprising a first input filter, the first processor being characterized by a first mapping of the input signal;
• based on a second value of the configuration parameter, configure the second processor to encode the input signal, the second unit comprising a second input filter, the second processor being characterized by a second mapping of the input signal;
• operate the first processor to generate a first output type based on the input signal;
• operate the second processor to generate a second output type based on the input signal;
• and
• based on an indication, adjust the configuration parameter such that the second processor is reconfigured to generate the first output type using the first filter and the first mapping;
• wherein:
• the first output type is characterized by a transient response, the transient response being associated with a first response duration;
• the second output is characterized by a sustained response, the sustained response being associated with a second response duration;
• and
• the second response duration is greater than the first response duration by at least three times the first response duration.

A computerized signal processing system configured to reconfigure a processor included therein, the system comprising:

• processors configured to execute computer program modules, the processors comprising a first processor and a second processor, the computer program modules being executable to:
• based on a first value of a configuration parameter, configure the first processor to encode an input signal, the first processor comprising a first input filter, the first processor being characterized by a first mapping of the input signal;
• based on a second value of the configuration parameter, configure the second processor to encode the input signal, the second unit comprising a second input filter, the second processor being characterized by a second mapping of the input signal;
• operate the first processor to generate a first output type based on the input signal;
• operate the second processor to generate a second output type based on the input signal;
• and
• based on an indication, adjust the configuration parameter such that the second processor is reconfigured to generate the first output type using the first filter and the first mapping,
• wherein:
• the input comprises a visual signal characterized by a luminance component and a chromaticity component;
• the first output is based on an encoding of the luminance component;
• the second output is based on an encoding of the chromaticity component;
• the luminance component comprises a biphasic signal characterized by a first phase and second phase, the first phase and the second phase being determined relative a reference level;
• the first mapping is characterized by a first receptive field, the first receptive field comprising a center portion and a surround portion, the surround portion substantially enveloping the center portion;
• the center portion is configured to generate a center response based on the first phase of the luminance component;
• the surround portion is configured to generate a surround response based on the second phase of the luminance component;
• and
• the first output is based on a difference between the center response and the surround response.

The system of claim ON 17, wherein:

• the first processor and second processor each comprise one or more spiking neurons operable in accordance with a spike generation process;
• the first output comprises a spike within the first response duration;
• and
• the second output comprises two or more spikes within the second duration.

A visual signal processing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• processors configured to execute computer program modules, individual ones of the processors including a receptive field, a given receptive field comprising a center portion and a surrounding portion that substantially surrounds the center portion, the computer program modules being executable to:
• receive an input signal;
• and
• generate an output based on the input signal;
• wherein:
• the input signal comprises contributions of a plurality of photodetectors arranged spatially along at least one dimension;
• the center portion of the given receptive field is configured to receive a center input, the center input comprising contributions from a portion of the plurality of photodetectors;
• and
• the apparatus provides input to surrounding portions associated with receptive fields associated of individual ones of the processors, the input being provided to the surrounding portion of the given receptive field based on one or more center inputs from neighboring processors of the processor that comprises the given receptive field.

A sensing array, comprising:

• one or more encoder elements of a first type, individual ones of the one or more encoder elements of the first type being configured to encode a luminance component of visual stimulus into a first spiking output;
• one or more encoder elements of a second type, individual ones of the one or more encoder elements of the second type being configured to encode a chromaticity component of the visual stimulus into a second spiking output;
• and
• an output element communicatively coupled with the one or more encoder elements of the first type and the one or more encoder elements of the second type, the output element being configured to interface to an optic nerve;
• wherein the first spiking output and the second spiking output are each configured to emulate an output of a mammalian neuro-retina.