Wavefront vector correlation processor and method

Claim 2

In a processor having an array of similar processing elements, each processing element connected to neighboring processing elements, and capable of responding to an input pulse with an output pulse, the improvement comprising: said processing elements being disposed in said array in positions that represent vectors in a vector space; memory means within each processing element for storing a classification; logic means within each processing element for transmitting a single pulse to each of said connected neighboring processing elements upon receipt of a pulse; address means connected to each of said processing elements for permitting addressing of said processing elements; controller means connected to said address means for transmitting signals to selected processing elements, said signals including classifying signals for assigning classifications to said selected processing elements; said controller means also capable of transmitting a pulse to one or more selected cells having a first classification; and detection means for detecting when processing elements of a second classification receive pulses from one or more neighboring processing elements, wherein the time between transmission of a pulse from said processing element having a first classification and the receipt of said pulse by a processing element of a second classification provides a vector-to-vector correlation between the two processing elements.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 further comprising a synchronization means connected to said address means for synchronizing the timing of the transmission of said output signals by said processing units.

Claim 4

The processor of claim 1 wherein said processing elements are arranged in two-dimensional columns and rows and are connected to the four nearest processing elements.

Claim 5

The processor of claim 1 wherein said pulses are electronic pulses.

Claim 6

The processor of claim 1 wherein said vector-to-vector correlation is a function of the spatial distance between processing elements.

Claim 7

The process of claim 1 wherein said processing elements further comprise a transfer function means so that said processing elements transmit a single pulse that is a weighted transformation of the received pulse.

Claim 8

The process of claim 1 wherein said processing elements further comprise a delay means so that said processing elements transmit a single pulse upon receipt of an input pulse and will not transmit any additional pulses until after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Claim 9

The processor of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of identical processors each interconnected so that said processing elements are each connected to neighboring processing elements that form a cube around said processing element.

Claim 10

A processor for correlating at least one vector having a first classification with a second set of vectors having a second classification comprising: an array of similar processing elements, each processing element connected to neighboring processing elements and capable of responding to a input pulse with an output pulse; said processing elements being disposed in said array in positions that represent vectors in a vector space; memory means within each processing element for storing a classification; logic means within each processing element for transmitting a single pulse to each of said connected neighboring elements upon receipt of a pulse; address means connected to each of said processing elements for permitting addressing of said processing elements; controller means connected to said address means for transmitting signals to selected processing elements, said signals including classifying signals for assigning classifications to said selected processing elements; said controller means also capable of transmitting a pulse to one or more selected cells having a first classification; and detection means for detecting when processing elements of a second classification receive pulses from one or more neighboring processing elements, wherein the time between the transmission of a pulse from said processing element having a first classification and the receipt of said pulse by a processing element having said second classification provides a vector-to-vector correlation between the two processing elements.

Claim 11

A processor for correlating at least one vector having a first classification with a second set of vectors having a second classification comprising: an array of similar processing elements, each processing element connected to neighboring processing elements and capable of responding to a input pulse with an output pulse; said processing elements being disposed in said array in positions that represent vectors in a vector space; memory means within each processing element for storing a classification; logic means within each processing element for transmitting a single pulse to each of said connected neighboring elements upon receipt of a pulse; address means connected to each of said processing elements for permitting addressing of said processing elements; controller means connected to said address means for transmitting signals to selected processing elements, said signals including classifying signals for assigning classifications to said selected processing elements; said controller means also capable of transmitting a pulse to one or more selected cells having a first classification; and detection means for detecting when processing elements of a second classification receive pulses from one or more neighboring processing elements, wherein the time between the transmission of a pulse from said processing element having a first classification and the receipt of said pulse by a processing element having said second classification provides a vector-to-vector correlation between the two processing elements.

Claim 12

The processor of claim 9 further comprising a synchronization means connected to said address means for synchronizing the timing of the transmission of said output signals by said processing units.

Claim 13

The processor of claim 9 wherein said processing elements are arranged in two-dimensional columns and rows and are connected to the four nearest processing elements.

Claim 14

The processor of claim 9 wherein said pulses are electronic pulses.

Claim 15

The processor of claim 9 wherein said vector-to-vector correlation is a function of the spatial distance between processing elements.

Claim 16

The processor of claim 9 wherein said processing elements further comprise a transfer function means so that said processing elements transmit a single pulse that is a weighted transformation of the received pulse.

Claim 17

The processor of claim 9 wherein said processing elements further comprise a delay means so that said processing elements transmit a single pulse upon receipt of an input pulse and will not transmit any additional pulses until after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Claim 18

The process of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of identical processor each interconnected so that said processing elements are each connected to neighboring processing elements that form a cube around said processing element.