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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to analysis of images in general and more
particularly to a method and apparatus for greatly increasing the data
rates at which images can be analyzed, utilizing a previously developed
image analysis technique.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,713, granted to M. J. E. Golay on Nov. 29, 1977, and
assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, describes an
extremely powerful image analysis technique. This technique is one in
which an image, either photographic or otherwise, is first digitized and
represented by a two-dimensional field of binary information. The
information is arranged in such a form that every image element, except
those at the edges, is surrounded by a hexagonal pattern of the other
image elements. In the process, the pattern of information contained in
the six neighboring elements immediately surrounding each element is
determined. Thereafter, in accordance with the logic equations developed
by Golay a modification of the central element being examined is carried
out. After this is done for all elements in the field of elements, a new
image results which can then be stored. Numerous logical operations are
possible, such as the combination of a field before and after processing,
combination of two processed fields, and so on. The techniques developed
by Golay permit operations such as shrinking the image, swelling the
image, isolating holes in images, and so on. All of this is described in
much more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,713, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference. The processing of the images and the
analysis which takes place will hereinafter be referred to as the Golay
process.
In the method and apparatus described in the aforementioned patent,
processing is done on an element by element basis. Such a process thus
requires a significant amount of time to analyze a large image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system which permits greatly increasing
the data rates in an image analysis apparatus utilizing the Golay process.
To achieve this result, it employs an array of low cost micro processors
with their associated memories operating on an entire line of data in
parallel. More specifically, it includes a system in which the
microprocessor accesses its memory through an input/output port permitting
the microprocessor data bus to be separate from the memory bus. Through
this construction, data can be transferred into memory from a source and
back and forth between memory and the Golay logic processor in which the
actual Golay transforms are carried out.
The microprocessors, of which a plurality will be required depending on the
image size, are operated under the control of a central micro or mini
computer. This computer also controls image input and other timing and
control functions.
In general terms, a photograph or other image information to be analyzed is
divided up into M lines with N elements or pixels in each line. The lines
are offset to obtain a hexagonal pattern. Using microprocessors having a
byte containing P bits, N over P microprocessors are provided. Associated
with each microprocessor is a read-only memory and a random access memory.
The random access memory can store M P byte words. Each microprocessor
also has an I/O port with all of the I/O ports coupled to a master I/O
bus. Two separate data busses are provided for each microprocessor system,
one data bus being between the microprocessor and the I/O port and the
other data bus coupling the I/O port and the associated RAM. Interposed
between the I/O port and the RAM are P logic processors resulting in a
total of N logic processors for the system. Means are provided to supply
the input picture information over the master I/O bus. Also provided are
control means for sequentially feeding the data to each of the
microprocessor systems. The control means also include means to control
the logic processors and to permit all microprocessors to operate
simultaneously on a line of data. In the illustrated embodiment, the
control means comprise a host microprocessors. The input means comprise
the charge coupled device scanner.
The logic processors utilized make maximum use of ROM function generators.
Pixel data of a hexagonal surround after being read in is coupled into a
first ROM function generator to generate as a functin one of the 14
possible surround designations, the surround designation being generated
irrespective of the rotation of the pattern. This information is decoded
into a decimal output on one of 14 lines. The control means generate a
surround specification which can be one or more of the 14 possible
surround configurations. The decoded decimal outputs are compared with the
specification in AND gates and the outputs of all AND gates ORed to give a
function G[A]. This function along with the state of the central bit for
the surround A and a three bit control specification are inputs to a
further ROM which is programmed as a function generator to perform the
various Golay functions which are possible such as marking, contracting,
swelling, etc. The final output from this function generator is a single
bit which is either in the "0" or "1" state depending on the input and the
control specification supplied. The system is set up so that the
information can be circulated from the RAM, through the logic processor
and back to the RAM.
In the specific embodiment illustrated, P is equal to 8, i.e.,
microprocessors having an 8 bit word or 8 bit byte are utilized. A scanner
capable of generating 1728 pixels in analog form is utilized. However, in
order to get the proper hexagonal surrounds the odd and even pixels on
adjacent lines are alternately used so that N is equal to 864. M is
selected to be 512 and thus the RAMs associated with each microprocessor
have the capability of storing 512 8 bit words. Furthermore, since the
input device is in the form of a CCD array outputting analog information,
an analog to digital converter is utilized to conver the analog data into
8 bit words and I/O ports having scratch pad memory are utilized for
temporarily storing this 8 bit information concerning each pixel. The 8
bit information is then converted into a single bit by thresholding in the
microprocessor. It should be recognized that if data is already available
in a thresholded format, it could be provided directly through the I/O
ports into the logic processors and RAMs of the individual microprocessors
without thresholding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system layout of one embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a picture element configuration of the picture
to be analyzed along with the manner of sampling data.
FIG. 3 illustrates the various possible hexagonal pattern configurations
and gives for each configuration the Golay index.
FIG. 4 is a basic block diagram of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of a portion of the parallel
processor illustrated on FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a diagram similar to FIG. 2, helpful in understanding the manner
in which data must be read in process.
FIG. 7 is a similar diagram.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the interconnection of adjacent
logic elements.
FIG. 9 is a more detailed block-logic diagram of one of the logic elements.
FIG. 9A sets out the various operations that are performed by the logic
element in FIG. 9.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the input circuitry in more detail.
FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of the operation of the system.
FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of the program used for loading data.
FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of the program for doing thresholding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system layout of one embodiment
of the present invention. As illustrated, there is provided a light table
11 on which is placed a photographic transparency 13, which is to be
analyzed. The transparency is scanned by a charge coupled device [CCD]
scanner 15. The output from the CCD scanner 15 is provided on a line 17 to
a parallel processor 19. Both the scanner 15 and the parallel processor 19
operate under the control of a host computer 21 which itself is under the
control of a keyboard 23 at which an operator 25 can enter commands and
which can also include a display for displaying transformed data. In
addition, scanner 15 is mounted, in conventional fashion, for X and Y
motion as indicated by arrows 12 and 14.
The CCD array may be, for example, a Fairchild CCD 121 containing 1728
sample elements. In general terms, the CCD scanner scans over the
photographic transparency 13 as it is moved in both X and Y, and for each
picture element or pixel the system generates a "1" where the gray scale
image exceeds a specified threshold and a "0" when it does not. The exact
manner in which the data is provided into the image processor will be
described in more detail below. Once in the processor, the image is
operated upon using the Golay transformers described in the aforementioned
patent application to carry out whatever type of processing is necessary.
In general, what has been thus far described is the same general type of
system disclosed in the aforementioned patent. The difference is in
parallel processor 19 and its operation in conjunction with the host
computer 21.
As noted above, the CCD scanner 15 is capable of generating 1728 samples
per line. As illustrated by FIG. 2, The Golay process requires that data
be available in the form of single pixels, e.g., a pixel 1-4, surrounded
by a hexagonal array of six additional pixels. Golay processing makes use
of the 14 possible patterns or surrounds shown on FIG. 3, each of which is
assigned by Golay index. In order to get the desired configuration shown
in FIG. 2, it is thus necessary to read out alternate odd and even pixels
on alternate lines to obtain the type of pattern necessary, i.e., a
pattern of hexagons. Thus, 864 pixels per line are read out. For example,
as shown on FIG. 2, in the first line designated 27, the odd pixels are
read, whereas in the next line 29, the even pixels are read. The manner in
which this is accomplished in the hardware, will be explained in more
detail below.
In the present implementation, 8 bit microprocessors were chosen so that,
in order to accommodate 864 pixels, a total of 108 microprocessors are
required. The structure is shown in FIG. 4. Shown is the microprocessor
31-1 and the microprocessor 31-108. The dots therebetween indicate that
additional microprocessors will be provided. Associated with each of the
microprocessors is a read-only memory, [ROM] such as the ROMS 33-1 and
33-108. In these ROMS the programs for the individual microprocessors are
stored. Similarly, associated with each microprocessor 31 is an I/O port,
such as the I/O ports 35-1 and 35-108. The type of I/O port selected is
one with a scratch pad memory. There is also associated with each
microprocessor a random access memory [RAM] such as the memories 37-1 and
37-108. A total of 864 logic processors are required, one for each pixel
in a line. Thus, associated with each microprocessor are eight logic
processors of which there are shown logic processors 39-1a, 39-1b, and
39-1c for the microprocessor 31-1 and 39a, 39-108b, and 39-108c for the
microprocessor 31-108. As indicated by the dots, between processors 39-1b
and 39-1c, there will be an additional five processors. The arrows 41
indicate interconnection between the various logic processors which are
necessary for reasons to be more fully explained below.
FIG. 4 also illustrates the general arrangement for each microprocessor. As
illustrated, the microprocessor 31-1 is coupled to its ROM 33-1 and to its
I/O port 35-1, which includes a scratch pad memory, over a data bus 43.
The I/O port is coupled into the logic processors 39-1a, b and c by data
bus lines 44-1a, b and c and the logic processor itself coupled over other
data bus lines 45-1a, b, c, to the random access memory 37-1. The logic
processor in addition to including Golay logic elements also includes
bidirectional latches for accumulating data before transferring in or out
in a manner explained below. The microprocessor 31 addresses the ROM 33,
RAM 37 and I/O port 35 over a common address bus 51. The splitting of the
data bus into two data buses 43-1 and 45-1 deviates from conventional
practice in which the RAM 37 and ROM 33 would normally have a common data
bus. In a manner to be more fully explained below, it permits transferring
data between I/O ports 35, logic processors 39, and RAMs 37 without going
through a microprocessor 31. This greatly speeds up the parallel
processing.
In addition to the individual microprocessors, there is a host
microprocessor 53 having its own ROM 55 and I/O port 57. In conventional
fashion, the ROMs both for the host computer and for the individual
microprocessors are used to store programs. The host I/O port 57 is
coupled to the keyboard or terminal 23. Shown again on this figure is the
CCD array 15, the output of which is coupled through an analog to digital
converter 59 onto a master I/O bus 61 which is also connected to the host
I/O port and to each of the individual I/O ports such as 35-1 and 35-108.
The host I/O port also communicates with each of the microprocessors 31-1
. . . 31-108 over a reset interrupt line 63. In addition, host micro
computer 53 through its I/O port 57 provides control signals to the A to D
converter 59, and the CCD array 15, and function control signals for
carrying out the various Golay transforms to each of the logic processors
on a line 65. The microprocessors 31-1 . . . 31-108 also receive
start/stop commands on lines 67-1 . . . 67-108 from OR gates 69-1 . . .
69-108. The OR gates receive as one input an output from the
microprocessor 53 through the I/O port 57 and as second inputs, the
outputs of a decoder 71. This permits the proper sequential input and
operation of the various microprocessors.
In a manner to be more fully described below, the microprocessors 31-1
through 31-108 are sequentially started or made ready by decoded outputs
from the decoder 71 receiving a control input from the most computer.
Programs stored in their associated ROMs 33-1 through 33-108 are accessed
in response to a command over the master I/O bus 61 before each transfer
of data. When the first 8 bits of data have been converted they are
transferred over the master I/O bus 61. At this point the microprocessor
31-1 has been enabled and is executing a program which addresses its I/O
port 35-1 to instruct the I/O port to take the data at its input and store
it in its scratch pad memory. Once this transfer is complete the next ROM
is made ready and the next 8 bits of data placed in the scratch pad memory
of its I/O port, and so on, until the last 8 bits of data are stored in
the scratch pad memory of I/O port 35-108.
At this time, a command is sent to the CCD array on line 87 to begin an
integrate cycle to gather more data. At the same time, a signal on line 64
is supplied to all of the OR gates 69-1 . . . 69-108 to place all
microprocessors into operation. At the same time, the host microprocessor,
over the master I/O bus instructs all of the microprocessors to go to the
program in their associated ROM, e.g., 33-1, which is used to convert the
8 bit digital value representing transmittance into a single bit as
necessary for the Golay transform. In this process, the 8 bit word is
compared with a threshold. If it exceeds the threshold a "1" is generated
and otherwise an "0" is generated.
At this point, it might be helpful to review what has happened. The CCD
array scanned and generated, for each of the 864 samples, an analog
signal. These analog signals were converted into 8 bit digital words. The
first 8 words were stored in the scratch pad memory of the first I/O port
35-1. The next 8 words in the next I/O port and so on. After all the data
was read out, the CCD array began another integrate cycle and during that
time all microprocessors were operated to convert their eight 8 bit words
into eight individual bits representing eight of the pixels on FIG. 2.
Thus, the final output from he microprocessor 31-1, for example, is 8
bits, representing 8 pixels. This data is supplied to the I/O port 35-1
which then, in response to instructions from the microprocessor 31-1,
transfers it into the logic processors. After the next line of data is
read and 8 more pixels generated, these 8 pixels are transferred to the
logic processor also, with the previous 8 pixels shifted.
FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of a portion of the parallel
processor illustrated on FIG. 4. Shown on this figure are I/O ports 35-1
and 35-2, their associated RAMs 37-1 and 37-2 and their associated logic
processors 39-1a 39-1b, 39-2a and 39-2b. Each of the logic processors
includes a Golay logic block 200 and three D type flip-flops 201, 203 and
205. Input data from the I/O port 35-1, i.e., the thresholded pixel
information is coupled through the flip-flops 203 and 205, in a manner to
be explained more fully below, to the Golay logic 39-1a.
During the phase of operation when data is being read in, this continues to
happen until all data is read at which time, the total picture will be
stored in the various RAMs 37-1, 37-2 etc.
Output data is coupled through the flip-flop 201 and an associated buffer
207 to the I/O port 35-1 and to the input of flip-flop 203. The buffers
207 are enabled by a line 209 entitled "recirculate enable". All of the
flip-flops are D-type flip-flops which means that when a clock pulse is
received, the data at their input will be transferred to their output. The
flip-flops 203 and 205 are clocked by a clock designated CK.sub.2. The
flip-flop 201 is clocked by a clock CK.sub.1. As shown, the clock CK.sub.1
is generated in AND gates 209. This clock signal is generated when, on the
line 211 which is taken off the 12-bit address bus, the RAM C/E phase 1
[.phi..sub.1 ] and a read/write signal are present in the proper state [as
indicated on the drawing the RAM C/E and read/write signals are inverted
and thus the clock signal CK.sub.1 will be generated only when these
signals are not present].
The Address bus 211 also carries address signals to the RAMs 37-1 and 37-2,
for example. Data from the microprocessor or from the CCD array on bus 61
is coupled to the inputs A.sub.1 -A.sub.8 of the I/O ports. The outputs
B.sub.1 -B.sub.8 are coupled to the corresponding logic processors 39-1a,
39-1b, etc. Data received on the line 61 can be coupled through to the
micro processor data bus 213, processed, and then brought back through the
I/O port and the outputs B.sub.1 -B.sub.8 to the logic processor. When
processing is completed, data from the RAMs can be coupled through B.sub.1
-B.sub.8 and out on to the data bus 213 or to the data bus 61.
In order to carry out the Golay logic processing data from three sample
lines as well as from neighboring elements are required. This is the
reason for providing the flip-flops 201, 203 and 205. These will contain
the data from the three lines. As is clear from the discussion above, 8
blocks 200 are required for each microprocessor, one for each binary
sample in a line of data. Each logic unit 200 has six inputs labeled u-z,
for the six surround inputs and a center element labeled A.sub.n. The
surround data which must be provided as illustrated on FIG. 6 which
repeats information previously shown on FIG. 2. Shown is the pixel A.sub.n
and the surrounding pixels u-z which are required. From this drawing it is
evident that the u.sub.1, w.sub.1 and y.sub.1 inputs are obtained from
processor N-1, i.e., the preceding processor, the inputs v.sub.1, A.sub.n
and z.sub.1, from the processor N, and the input x.sub.1 from the
processor N+1. However, as shown by FIG. 7, for the next element, the A,
u.sub.2 and y.sub.2 input are obtained from processor N, the w.sub.2 input
from processor N-1, and the v.sub.2, x.sub.2 and z.sub.2 inputs from the
processor N+1. Because of this, it is necessary for the Golay logic 200 to
keep track of odd-even lines since only the x and w inputs remain
unchanged between the odd and even lines of data.
On FIG. 8, three of the Golay logic elements 200 associated with the I/O
port 35-1 and RAM 37-1 are shown with the required connections labeled for
the Golay logic element N on FIGS. 6 and 7. Also, the corresponding points
to which these lines must be connected are shown. Thus, for example
v.sub.1 and u.sub.2 are connected to the output of the flip-flop 205
associated with the Nth Golay logic 200. These, inputs are obtained from
flip-flop 205 associated with the Golay logic element 200 for the row N-1.
In similar fashion, all of the other connections can be identified.
Furthermore, as shown there is an odd-even control line input 215 to each
of the Golay logic blocks 200 to select between u.sub.1 and u.sub.2, etc.
One of the Golay blocks 200 is illustrated on FIG. 9. Associated therewith
is a FIG. 9A which will be explained below. The inputs, i.e., u.sub.1,
v.sub.1, y.sub.1 and z.sub.1 etc., which must be switched are coupled into
a quad 2 input multiplexer 217 which has as its control input the odd-even
line 215. This makes the selection between the u.sub.1 and u.sub.2 etc.
The outputs of the multiplexer 217 along with the inputs w and x, which do
not change, are addresses inputs to a ROM 219 which is programmed to act
as a function generator. The ROM 219 has a four bit binary output. As
noted above in connection with FIG. 3, there are 14 possible surrounds.
The output of the ROM 219 will be a number between 0 and 13 in binary
form. The output of the ROM 219 is the input to a 4 bit to a 16 line
decoder 221 of which only the first 14 outputs are utilized. The output of
this block represents the decoded Golay surround. Furthermore, it must be
recognized that a pattern, for example, the pattern having the Golay index
3 on FIG. 3 can appear as shown or can appear rotated. For example, refer
to FIG. 10. A pattern of index 3 would result if u.sub.1, v.sub.1 and
w.sub.1 were all true. It would also result if x.sub.1, v.sub.1 and
u.sub.1 were true, if v.sub.1, x.sub.1 and z.sub.1 were true, if x.sub.1,
z.sub.1 and y.sub.1 were true, and if x.sub.1, y.sub.1 and w.sub.1 were
true. Thus, ROM 219 is programmed such that for the ROM addresses
associated with all above combinations the output will be a binary 3 which
will be decoded and appear on line 3 of the decoder.
Each of the decoder 221 outputs is an input to an AND gate. Only the 0, 1
and 13 outputs of decoder 221 are shown coupled as inputs respectively to
the AND gates 223-0, 223-1, and 223-13. The AND gates are all ORed in an
OR gate 225, the output of which is the function G[A] on line 227. The
second inputs to the AND gates are the surround specifications from the
host microprocessor on lines 65. The host microprocessor can specify any
one or more of the surrounds. If that surround is present the
corresponding AND gate will have an output which is true or logical 1, and
thus, as coupled through OR gate 225 the function G(A) will also be true
or logical "1". The final element of the Golay logic 200 is a ROM 231. ROM
231 has as inputs G(A), and control specifications inputs C.sub.1,
C.sub.2, C.sub.3. A, of course, is the central pixel, i.e., the pixel in
the center of the surround under consideration. The control specification
determines the operation to be performed on A to determine the final
output A.
FIG. 9A sets out the various operations that are performed. The ROM 231 is
preprogrammed to carry out this operation. In other words, it acts as a
function generator. Thus, if the control specification C.sub.1, C.sub.2,
and C.sub.3 are all zero and G (A) is also a zero, or not true, then A
will also be zero. In the table, G'(A) is the complement of G(A) and A' is
the complement of A.
The input circuitry is shown in more detail on FIG. 10. The CCD array 15
responds to the transmittance of the photographic transparency 13 of FIG.
1. It contains 1,728 sample elements which provide sample values as
outputs. These sample values are in the form of a series of analog
voltages representing the film transmittance. A timing generator 101,
under control of the host microprocessor 53, provides an integrate and a
transfer command to the array. The integrate command causes it to scan and
integrate a line of data and the transfer command causes it to begin
shifting out the 1,728 samples in a sequential fashion. The data stream
from the CCD array 15 is in a sampled analog format identical in form to
the output of a pulse amplitude modulation modulator. It must be converted
into digital form to be accepted by the processors. The sampled analog
signal is first provided to a multiplexer/demultiplexer 103, i.e., the
odd/even samples are selected for alternates lines. The
multiplexer/demultiplexer is controlled by another output of the host
micro processor to alternately select odd and even lines as described
above in connection with FIG. 2. The multiplexer/demultiplexer supplies
the sampled analog signal to an analog to digital converter 59, which
converts the sampled analog data into an 8 bit digital word proportional
to the analog signal. The converter is controlled by a convert signal on
line 60 from the timing generator 101, such as to convert only when
required. These signals are coupled through appropriate buffers 107
controlled again by an enable signal from the host computer, so as to gate
them unto the master I/O bus 61.
FIG. 10 also shows in more detail the various control lines from the host
microprocessor along with some details of the microprocessor itself. In
conjunction with this drawing, a number of flow diagrams, and the
previously described drawings, the operation of the system will now be
explained. The operator of the system communicates with the host
microprocessor 53 by means of a teletype 23 and a Universal Asynchronous
Receiver Transmitter, serial interface 303 (UART). Preferably, this part
of the system is set up to operate in a higher order language. For
purposes of the present invention the details thereof are not essential,
and thus will not be discussed. The microprocessor 53 has associated with
it ROM 55 and RAM 75. Programs for the host microprocessor are stored in
the ROM 55. In addition three I/O ports 57a-57c are provided.
The I/O port 57a has as its purpose controlling data input and transfer
operations. The I/O port 57b has as its purpose supplying the Golay
surround information, generating a non-maskable interrupt and generating a
reset to the microprocessors. I/O port 57-3 provides outputs for the
control specification in the Golay logic, provides the data which is
decoded by the decoder 71, and also generates the single processor enable
and parallel mode enable signals.
In the first phase of operation the operator selects the Golay
transformation to be performed. It is presumed that at this point data is
to be read. Thus, it is desired that the data reach the RAM 37-1, for
example, of FIG. 5 without any transform. In other words, the function A
should be equal to G(A). Any or all of the surrounds 0-13 are selected.
What this means is that the lines C1-C3 from the I.O. port 57c will be
"0", and that the output lines S0--S13 will have the desired pattern
thereon. This step is indicated by block 397 of the flow diagram of FIG.
11. Once this is done, the second mode is entered. This is the mode in
which data is read in. As indicated by block 399 the next step is to
position the scanner, i.e., the CCD array 15. This is done by providing
appropriate output signals from the I/O port 57a on the lines labeled "CCD
XY position control". Although not shown on FIG. 1 in detail the scanner
15 will be supported for X and Y motion. Thus, after scanning a line in
one position, it can be moved in X and Y to scan another line or another
portion of the first line. Next, as indicated by step 401 the host
microprocessor 53 sets a value N=0 where N equals the line number. In the
next step, 401, a timer is loaded. This timer is loaded with the time
required for the scanner to scan and integrate. It is also the time
required for the individual microprocessors to process data from the
previous line. After the timer is loaded, an output is provided on line
301 pulsing the CCD array and instructing it to integrate a line. This is
indicated by block 403. Next, N is incremented by 1 as indicated in block
404. After checking to see if the line number is greater than 512 in block
406, in the next step, the analog to digital enable signal on line 317 is
turned off as indicated by block 405 and the output enable is turned on as
indicated by block 407. Next, parallel mode on line 307 is turned on as
indicated by block 409 whereafter an interrupt is generated on line 63a as
indicated by block 411. The interrupt, as shown by FIG. 11 causes the
individual microprocessors to go to a program which tells them to load the
next two words which appear on the data bus and to then go to the address
indicated. These two words are provided by the host microprocessor as
indicated by block 413. They address a stored threshold program in which
previous data stored in the scratch pad memory is compared with a
threshold value in order to generate the pixels in binary form. When the
time on the timer 1 runs out as indicated by block 415, another interrupt
is generated as indicated by block 417 and a new address provided as
indicated by block 418 to tell the individual microprocessors that they
will now be required to execute a stored read in program. Thereafter,
single mode is turned on and parallel mode off as indicated by block 419,
and a transfer signal provided on line 303 as indicated by block 421. The
output enable is turned off as indicated by block 423 and the A/D enable
turned on as indicated by block 425. The address provided on lines D1 . .
. D7 of I/O port 57c is set to 0 as indicated by block 427 and is then
incremented by 1 as indicated by block 429. Thus, it will now be
addressing the first microprocessor. Only that processor will be enabled.
A comparison is made in the comparison block 439 to see if the address is
greater than 108. If not, as indicated by block 441, a timer is loaded.
The host microprocessor now waits for a long enough time for 8 words to be
read into the first microprocessor. At the end of the required time, the
timer will time out and the program loops back to block 429 where the
address is incremented by 1. The comparison made again in block 439 and
the timer started again. Now the second microprocessor receives its 8
words of data. Finally, when the counter is incremented to 109 it is known
that all data has been stored and the program follows the YES side of
block 439 whereupon it increments the scanner as indicated in block 441.
It then loops back to block 401 where the integrate cycle is carried out
and during which time all microprocessors are accessed and take the data
just stored and using their threshold program, convert it into "0"s and
"1"s for use in further processing. The program for loading data into the
scratch pad memory is shown on FIG. 13 and is quite straight forward. It
is simply a series of instructions to store the information present at the
input to the I/O port, i.e., the information on the master I/O bus into
sequential locations in the scratch pad memory.
The program for doing the thresholding is illustrated by FIG. 13. It too is
straight forward. After receiving the interrupt and going to the proper
address location the program as indicated by block 450 sets the scratch
pad address to "0". In the next step in block 451 it increments this
address. And, as indicated by block 453 it obtains the data stored at that
address and then, as indicated in block 455, compares it with the stored
threshold value. Depending on the results of the comparison, it stores
either a "1" or a "0" in the first bit location of an appropriate
register. A comparison is then made to see whether an address has been
incremented to the eighth location. If the answer is NO, the program loops
back to block 451 and repeats the process. After it is gone through eight
times, then all of the thresholding has been done and a block 459 is
entered which causes the data, i.e., the 8 bits which have been
thresholded, to be transferred to the logic processor. Naturally, all of
the operations are under the control of the common clock, i.e., the
.phi..sub.1 and .phi..sub.2 clocks associated with the microprocessor and
other signals generated by the timing generator 101 of FIG. 10. Generator
101 also drives the multiplexer/demultiplexer arrangement made up of
blocks 305 and 307 to take care of the odd and even switching which is
necessary. Capacitors are provided in these devices to provide a smoothing
function from sample to sample. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 8, it can be
seen that during the last step of the program of FIG. 14, i.e., block 459,
in the transfer step that an appropriate address must be provided on the
bus 211 of FIG. 9 in order that the data which is being fed in reaches the
RAM 37-1, for example, furthermore, it will also be apparent that as the
data is shifted through it will be processed.
Once all data is read in, processing of that data with any of the various
processes illustrated by FIG. 9A may take place. Processing takes place on
all data in parallel. To carry out such processing, referring to FIG. 10,
the parallel mode enable line 307 is enabled, the control specification
corresponding to the function shown on FIG. 9A which is desired, is
provided out of the I/O port 57c and the Golay surround specification set
in on the lines S0--S13. The recirculate enable line 209 is also enabled.
Each of the microprocessors 31-1 . . . 31-108 is instructed to access a
stored program in which they simple increment RAM addresses. Thus,
referring to FIG. 5, each microprocessor will step through each of the 512
addresses of the RAM. In sychronism therewith, the data will be | | |
