Abstract: A vision sensor capable of generating an array of photoreceptor signals based on a visual field is provided. The vision sensor comprises an array of field circuits. Each field circuit comprises an array of pixel circuits capable of generating an array of potentials based on a visual field and a sample signal, and a control circuit capable of generating the sample signal based on the array of potentials. Each field circuit is also capable of generating an array of photoreceptor signals based on the array of potentials.

Abstract: An optical flow sensor for generating optical flow measurements based on a visual field is provided. The optical flow sensor comprises a binarized signal generator capable of generating binarized feature signals based on the visual field, a metafeature signal generator capable of generating metafeature signals based on the binarized feature signals, an apparatus for generating velocity reports based on the metafeature signals, and an apparatus for generating an optical flow measurement based on the velocity reports.

Abstract: A visual sensor for generating an array of binarized feature signals based on a visual field is provided. The visual sensor comprises an array of photoreceptor circuits capable of generating photoreceptor signals based on the visual field, an array of feature detectors capable of generating feature signals based on the photoreceptor signals, and a reconfigurable binary generator array capable of generating binarized feature signals based on the feature signals.

Abstract: A visual sensor for generating an array of binarized feature signals based on a visual field is provided. The visual sensor comprises an array of photoreceptor circuits capable of generating photoreceptor signals based on the visual field, an array of feature detectors capable of generating feature signals based on the photoreceptor signals, and a reconfigurable binary generator array capable of generating binarized feature signals based on the feature signals.

Abstract: A multiple aperture optical system is provided that overcomes many limitations of wide field of view imaging systems. A basic component of the multiple aperture optical system is an “eye strip”, which comprises an array of imaging apertures physically mounted onto a flexible circuit strip and a master processor. Each imaging aperture generates an aperture output based on the imaging aperture's field of view. The master processor takes as input the aperture outputs generated by the apertures on the eye strips, and generates an output in response. In one embodiment, the multiple aperture optical system enables obtaining an omnidirectional image in a structure that is thin and can be physically conformed to an underlying structure.

Abstract: An optic flow sensor is provided which employs a plurality of photoreceptors and which produces a final optic flow signal that is a robust measurement of the optic flow as seen by the photoreceptors. Each array of a plurality of feature detector arrays receives, as input, photoreceptor signals from the receptors and generates a plurality of feature signals based thereon. Each optic flow measuring circuit or algorithm of a plurality of optic flow measuring circuits or algorithms receives, as input, one of the plurality of feature signals. The optic flow measuring circuits or algorithms each generate an optic flow measurement signal so that a plurality of optic flow measurement signals are generated. A fusion circuit or algorithm, which can, e.g., employ a leaky integrator circuit or algorithm, receives, as input, the optic flow measurement signals and generates the final optic flow signal based thereon.

Abstract: This invention is a one-dimensional optic flow sensor that operates in a small region of the two-dimensional visual field. The heart of the sensor is an linear array of photoreceptors that generates a one-dimensional image representation of the visual field region of interest. The linear photoreceptor array has an orientation in the two-dimensional image space. Information in the two-dimensional image space parallel to the photoreceptor array's orientation is preserved while information in other directions is discarded. The result is that a one-dimensional optic flow algorithm using the photoreceptor array output produces a measurement of the optic flow vector onto the sensor orientation vector. In a preferred embodiment, the photoreceptor array circuitry is implemented on a focal plane chip on which an image is focused by a lens. The focal plane chip is placed slightly off the lens's focal point to blur the image.

Abstract: An active matrix circuit for compact, high resolution reflective liquid ctal displays includes a low quiescent current, low output impedance MOS transistor amplifier produced in a CMOS process. A voltage controlled input switch effects the voltage refresh of the active matrix cell by passing a data voltage to the input of the transistor amplifier when a control voltage pulse is present on the input switch control line. All active matrix cells in a given row use the same input switch control line, and all active matrix cells in a given column access the same data input line. Refresh of the active matrix cell voltage terminates when the input switch is opened, storing the data voltage on the input node capacitance of the amplifier. The active matrix circuit is particularly addressed to liquid crystal devices having fast, analog response liquid crystals with large molecular polarizations such as in the Electroclinic Liquid Crystals (ELC).

Abstract: This invention is a one-dimensional elementary motion detector that measu the linear optical flow in a small subsection of the visual field. This sensor measures motion by tracking the movement of a feature across the visual field and measuring the time required to move from one location to the next. First a one-dimensional image is sampled from the visual field using a linear photoreceptor array. Feature detectors, such as edge detectors, are created with simple circuitry that performs simple computations on photoreceptor outputs. The detection of the feature's location is performed using a winner-take-all (WTA) mechanism on feature detector outputs. Motion detection is the performed by monitoring the location of the high WTA output in time to detect transitions corresponding to motion. The correspondence problem is solved by ignoring transitions to and from the end lines of the WTA output bus. Speed measurement is performed by measuring the time between WTA output transitions.