Real time connectivity algorithm system

Claim 1

A real time connectivity algorithm system declaring that a subject pixel in a raster-scanned digitized image is part of a potential target where every pixel on a closed path enclosing the subject pixel differs in intensity from the intensity of the subject pixel by a predetermined intensity level, the system comprising: timing signal, threshold signal, and digitized video signal inputs; sequential delay line array means coupled to said timing signal and digitized video signal inputs, for producing a plurality of sequentially delayed digitized video signals representative of the spatial relationship of the pixels in the digitized image; contrast circuit means coupled to said threshold signal input and to a central one of said plurality of sequentially delayed digitized video signals for producing a delayed subject pixel contrast signal; magnitude comparator array means coupled to said timing signal input, to said contrast circuit means, to said digitized video signal input, and to said sequential delay line array means for simultaneously producing a plurality of resultant signals each representative of a comparison of said video signals with said subject pixel contrast signal for a different closed path; path checking circuit means coupled to said timing signal input and to said comparator array means for simultaneously identifying all of said closed paths around said subject pixel wherein every pixel on said closed path differs in intensity from an enclosed subject pixel by a predetermined intensity level; target position generator means coupled to said timing signal input and to said path checking circuit means for producing a target position signal associated with only those path signals identified by said path checking circuit means; and target data memory means coupled to said target position generator means for producing a connectivity output signal representative of the position of said pixel of interest when a target position signal has been produced.