Target recognition using quantization indexes

Claim 1

Apparatus for detecting the presence of a target in an n-dimensional array of data samples, where each data sample has a first set of values and n is a positive integer; said apparatus comprising: a memory means, for receiving and storing said array of data samples from a signal sensor; a reading means, for reading said data samples from said memory means in overlapping groups; a quantizing means, coupled to said reading means, for quantizing each of said overlapping groups of data samples such that all of the data samples in any one particular group are restricted to a second set of values which is smaller than said first set and which are represented by an index; and, a comparing means, coupled to said quantizing means, for identifying which of said indexes from said quantizing means match predetermined reference indexes, each of which represents a quantized group of data samples that occurs in said target and is perceived as being separate or different with respect to the remainder of said array; and, a metric means coupled to said comparing means, which generate a target detect signal only if said identified indexes from said comparing means occur in certain predetermined combinations.