A real-time visual processing system using a general-purpose vision chip

A real-time visual processing system using a general-purpose vision chip, an image sensor in which photo detectors and processing elements are integrated, is described. In order to control the vision chip and process its output at high speed, a novel architecture called SPARSIS, in which the control process of the vision chip is pipelined and integrated with a RISC type integer pipeline, was developed. This architecture can guarantee real-tune operation with high temporal resolution, and even makes possible software-controlled A/D conversion. Sample algorithms demonstrating its fine-grained real timeliness, and experimental results with the implemented system, are also described.

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